What's Your "And"?

Hosted by John Garrett

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686

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Nov 2026

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About the show

John Garrett's research involves asking professionals, "Who else are you beyond your job title?" Accountants, consultants, lawyers, engineers, and other professionals everywhere are doing hobbies and passions after they leave the office. We discuss why these outside-of-work interests matter and how they've impacted their career.

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60 recent

November 4, 2026Episode 74942 min

749: Michael Feldman is a Recovering Lawyer & Magician [podcast]

Michael Feldman, a former lawyer turned professional magician, shares his journey from receiving his first magic kit as a child to developing his own unique style of sleight of hand. He talks about his fascination with immersive design and escape rooms, highlighting his love for narrative-driven, diegetic puzzles that blend seamlessly into storytelling. Michael reflects on how performing magic has made him more gregarious and relatable in his legal career, emphasizing the value of being seen as a human first. He also discusses his appreciation for high-quality pens and cherishes both a historical magic book and a signed patent for a magic trick. Michael describes the fulfillment of premiering new immersive shows and the importance of surrounding oneself with creative colleagues. He encourages listeners to embrace their passions outside of work, noting that being authentic ultimately makes life less exhausting and more rewarding. Episode Highlights · Having interests and passions outside of work is important and can sometimes turn into a full-time gig. · Developing a personal aesthetic and self-expression in your craft takes time and experience; early work often imitates others before maturing into something unique. · Being a magician helped build social and communication skills that made a positive difference working as a lawyer, allowing for more authentic and effective relationships at work. · Bringing more of yourself, including your "and," to work creates better relationships, helps people see you as human first, and can improve workplace happiness and effectiveness. · It's exhausting to hide parts of yourself; the less you have to pretend, the more energy you have for both your work and your passions.

October 21, 2026Episode 74738 min

747: Allison Gray is a Sales Strategist & Pianist [podcast]

Allison Gray shares her journey of rediscovering her joy for piano after years away from playing, having started with lessons and competitions as a child. She explains how reconnecting with music brought new happiness and improved her well-being both at home and at work. She discusses how opening up about her passion encouraged others to share their own interests, building deeper connections and trust in the workplace. Allison notes she now feels more present, happier, and eager to build relationships with colleagues. She encourages others to ask about what people enjoy outside of work, believing it leads to stronger teams and a more fulfilling work life. Episode Highlights · Reconnecting with piano brought back joy and reduced stress after years of viewing it only as a competitive or productive pursuit. · Sharing personal interests at work helps build deeper connections and trust with colleagues, making the workplace more enjoyable and collaborative. · Taking a genuine interest in others by asking about their lives outside of work opens doors to meaningful conversations and relationships. · Rediscovering her love for piano taught her to let go of perfection, play for joy, and value being different rather than striving to be the best. · Being present and building connections at work and at home has made her happier, more forgiving, and positively impacted her overall outlook.

October 7, 2026Episode 74534 min

745: Jeremy Stephens is a CPA & Scouting Enthusiast [podcast]

Jeremy Stephens shares how his passion for scouting has played a significant role throughout his life. Starting as a Cub Scout, Jeremy Stephens took a hiatus but returned to scouting when his sons became involved, ultimately serving as Cubmaster and cherishing the community and leadership experiences it brought. He fondly recalls memorable moments like donning the Akila wolf costume for recruitment and embarking on a 12-day Philmont trek with his youngest son. Scouting also influenced his professional journey, shaping his values around ethics and leadership, which inspired him to obtain a master's in ethics and transition to a teaching role in his career. Jeremy Stephens encourages others to share their passions at work and build genuine connections, emphasizing that community and mentorship remain important even as his own involvement has shifted to organizing men's ministries. He believes everyone has an "And" that can enrich both their work and personal lives. Episode Highlights · Scouting had a significant impact on Jeremy Stephens's life, both as a youth and later as an adult when he became involved again through his sons, creating lasting memories and meaningful experiences. · Leadership and ethics training from Scouts influenced Jeremy Stephens's professional work, inspiring him to teach ethics classes and obtain a master's degree in ethics. · Skills and habits learned in scouting, such as preparedness and trustworthiness, have practical applications in Jeremy Stephens's job, particularly when preparing for client visits and training events. · Community and mentorship remain important; as his sons grew up, Jeremy Stephens continued to build community through men's ministries and mentoring others. · Encourages listeners to share their outside interests at work, as this can foster connection and community, even in a virtual environment.

September 23, 2026Episode 74333 min

743: Beth van Bladel is a CPA & Spyder Ryder [podcast]

Beth van Bladel shares her journey from growing up on Long Island to embracing a life filled with unique passions outside her accounting career. She describes her love for animals, especially her experiences raising llamas and how that hands-on care influenced her perspective on work-life balance. Beth recounts her adventures on her Can-Am Spyder, calling it her alternate meditation cushion and a way to connect with clients in unexpected ways. Her volunteer work in patient advocacy and travel, including a memorable medical service trip to Nepal, reflects her commitment to helping others and learning from diverse cultures. Beth highlights the importance of mindfulness and listening to her body, especially as she navigates changes that require her to slow down and rebalance. She encourages professionals to nurture their interests outside of work, recognizing that such pursuits bring valuable balance, greater insights, and a sense of presence to their lives. Episode Highlights · Having outside interests and hobbies helps create balance and prevent burnout from work. · Taking time to pause, slow down, and prioritize wellbeing is essential for a sustainable and fulfilling career. · Life is an adventure and sometimes being flexible and open to changes leads to unexpected and positive outcomes. · Developing interests beyond the job title fosters personal growth, resilience, and connection with others. · Mindfulness, self-care, and listening to your body are crucial practices for maintaining energy and health.

September 9, 2026Episode 74131 min

741: Dan Pontefract is a Founder & Cyclist [podcast]

Dan Pontefract shares his journey from running to cycling, describing how age and an achilles injury led him to embrace mountain biking in British Columbia before switching to road cycling for safety as his family grew. His passion for cycling has taken him on memorable trips to Italy, France, Spain, and Napa, often alongside friends and family. Dan recounts a transformative ride in Victoria where seeing blooming daffodils inspired the metaphor for his book "Work-Life Bloom." He highlights how cycling nurtures creativity, offering space to reflect and generate ideas. Dan also draws leadership lessons from cycling, especially the concept of the peloton where leadership and teamwork rotate among members. He encourages others to define their own "declaration of purpose" to align personal values with both their work and life. Episode Highlights · Emphasized the importance of cycling in both personal life and as a metaphor for teamwork, leadership, and creativity. · Shared how cycling trips have been a source of inspiration for new ideas and even led to writing a book, highlighting the value of unplugging to allow creativity to flow. · Described the peloton in cycling as a model for shared leadership and collaboration, suggesting organizations can learn from this approach. · Advocated for leaders practicing empathy through a "head, heart, hands" model to truly support and understand team members. · Encouraged individuals to define and live by their own declaration of purpose, ensuring alignment between personal values and professional environments.

August 26, 2026Episode 73932 min

739: Natalie Gandara is an HR Director & Youth Softball Coach [podcast]

Natalie Gandara shares her passion for coaching youth softball and how it connects to her professional life. She explains that being known as "Coach Nat" in her HR circles is a source of pride and describes the meaningful transition from playing the sport as a child to now coaching her daughter's team. Natalie reflects on the challenges and rewards of coaching young athletes, emphasizing how building confidence and leadership skills in girls translates into strong future leaders. She highlights the importance of finding joy and outlets outside work and encourages listeners to proudly share their own "And" with colleagues. Natalie also discusses the supportive team culture at her workplace, mentioning activities like group walks, book clubs, and outings that help coworkers connect over shared interests. Her advice to listeners is to embrace what lights them up, as those passions contribute to happiness and better work performance. Episode Highlights · Softball and now coaching youth softball has been a big part of Natalie Gandara's life and identity, both personally and professionally. · The skills and lessons from coaching, like building confidence and teamwork, complement her HR role and help her nurture strong female leaders. · It's important for people to have an "And" or passion outside of work because it makes them happier and more fulfilled, which translates into better performance at work. · Sharing personal passions at work, like coaching, fosters deeper connections and helps break down barriers between coworkers. · Natalie encourages everyone to be proud of their outside interests and not to be discouraged about sharing them, as it positively impacts both their lives and work.

August 12, 2026Episode 73733 min

737: Tim Vorhoff is a Co-Founder & Ultramarathoner [podcast]

Tim Vorhoff, Co-Founder of CreoValo, shares his journey from investment banking to becoming an ultramarathon runner. He explains how running began as a way to spend time outdoors after long workdays and eventually led to running a 240-mile race in Moab, UT. Tim Vorhoff discusses the mental and physical challenges of ultrarunning, highlighting the importance of adaptability, perseverance, and learning from setbacks. He connects the lessons from ultra races to his professional life, emphasizing consistency, resilience, and the value of relationships. Tim believes building rapport and understanding clients as people leads to more meaningful and enjoyable business interactions. He encourages listeners to embrace their passions and share them, creating deeper, more authentic connections at work and beyond. Episode Highlights · Running ultramarathons evolved from his love of mountaineering when investment banking limited his access to the mountains . · Consistency and progress over time are more crucial to success than having any "magic" solution, both in running ultras and building a business. · The hardest and most meaningful moments come from pushing through challenges, learning from failures, and adapting, especially during extreme races like the Moab 240. · The skills and mindset developed through ultrarunning, such as perseverance and adaptability, directly translate to overcoming professional challenges and building strong client relationships. · Being authentic and connecting as a human first, beyond professional credentials, leads to more enjoyable and effective business relationships.

July 29, 2026Episode 73535 min

735: Holly Watkins is a CPA & Writer [podcast]

In this episode, Holly Watkins shares her journey from public accounting to rediscovering her passion for writing and creativity. She reveals how her creative side, influenced by her artistic mother, was often set aside in the business world but reemerged after she left public accounting and began journaling, eventually resulting in a published book. Holly talks about the importance of allowing oneself to fully embrace personal interests and how doing so can improve both work and life. She also discusses how process improvement and connecting with others brought more joy and purpose to her professional life. Holly offers advice on taking time for self-care, like short meditation sessions, and encourages listeners to reflect on who they truly want to be. She emphasizes that embracing authenticity and a whole, human approach at work benefits not just individuals but also organizations. Episode Highlights · Allowing yourself to be authentic and embracing your creativity leads to greater happiness and success at work. · Taking intentional breaks, such as meditation, helps clear your mind and makes you more productive. · High performers in organizations often have hobbies and passions outside of work; the profession should value these dimensions more. · The culture and leadership of a firm are crucial in creating space for people to be whole humans, not just job titles. · The younger generation values authenticity and work-life balance more, and organizations must adapt for future success.

July 15, 2026Episode 73331 min

733: Erik Solbakken is an Entrepreneur & Drummer [podcast]

Erik "The Viking" Solbakken shares his journey from discovering drumming in grade school to leading rock bands and embracing his passion for music alongside his accounting career. He reflects on fighting against early discouragement to pursue drums and how his love for music persisted even as he trained to become a CPA. Erik describes a long break from music while building his professional career before coming back to drumming through tribute bands and eventually founding his own band again. He talks about experiencing true connection with clients and others after he began sharing his musical side openly. Erik highlights the freedom and authenticity he found by merging his professional and personal identities. He encourages others to share their authentic selves, noting that doing so brings connection, trust, and a vibrant sense of community. Episode Highlights · Embracing your full, authentic self and sharing your passions outside of work leads to stronger, more genuine connections with clients and colleagues. . There is often resistance within professional environments to blending personal passions and work identities, but breaking down those barriers brings bigger rewards. . Taking time away from your passion (like drumming) in order to focus on a career can result in feeling unfulfilled, but reconnecting with that passion reignites joy and energy in all aspects of life. . Being aware of your audience and how you show up is important; you can bring your best self in an authentic way while also serving the needs of the situation. . Sharing who you are and your interests openly can create unexpected bonds and opportunities, both personally and professionally.

July 1, 2026Episode 73127 min

731: Tricia Katebini is a Partner & Runner [podcast]

Tricia Katebini shares how her passion for running began with playing soccer in her youth and grew into a central part of her life after college, especially once she became a mother. She describes how the camaraderie of the running community has helped her connect with lifelong friends, often revolving around group runs and destination races. Tricia notes that running taught her valuable lessons about perseverance and leadership, emphasizing the importance of not leaving anyone behind and bringing her team along at work. She highlights her firm's commitment to work-life balance, such as offering summer Fridays and actively monitoring for burnout to protect employees' well-being. Tricia encourages others to share their hobbies at work, pointing out that these connections foster deeper relationships and a stronger corporate culture. She believes everyone has multiple layers, and sharing those passions can help people feel seen and valued in their careers. Episode Highlights · Running started with playing soccer, became more serious in college, and later turned into a community activity after having a child. . The running community fosters strong friendships and camaraderie, sometimes making race trips enjoyable even if the race itself is canceled. · Experiences and mindset from running, such as perseverance and bringing others along, translate directly into leadership approaches at work. . Sharing personal interests like running strengthens workplace connections and forms unique bonds with colleagues. . Encouraging everyone to share and talk about their "And" opens up opportunities for connection and learning, as people are multi-layered and have much more to them than just their professional roles