be intrepid.

Very pleased to welcome Hugh McGuire, CEO and founder of Pressbooks.com, to Intrepid Radio! Why should you listen to this show? Well, if you want to finally publish your book, you no longer have ANY excuses. So, there's that. But here are some other reasons to listen in on my conversation with Hugh McGuire: Discussions on the future of publishing; the digital revolution means anyone can publish now; the mechanics of Pressbooks.com; the beauty of the simple outputs and multiple formats for publishing; and why it was built on the wordpress platform. "I wanted it to be easy to put out a beautiful book..." We discussed other uses for pressbooks.com, in addition to non-fiction books and novels...there are case studies, organizational sales manuals, annual reports, how-to manuals, and white papers, to name just a few. You can also make the books public and viewable online so people can read, review, comment, and share as you are writing and producing the content. This makes for a very interesting direction for book publishing. Finally, we discuss whether it is, in fact, a good thing that EVERYONE can publish nowadays. "In the end, we just benefit from having more people writing..." ### To hear from other intrepid souls like Hugh McGuire, please subscribe to my podcast on iTunes. And, leaving a review and customer rating would be appreciated as well! This is episode 86. Get Hugh's collection of essays around the future of publishing (affiliate link): You can also view this book, for free, directly on pressbooks.com here.

WHO: Peter Shankman, discussing his latest book! WHAT: Speaker, Ironman, skydiver, entrepreneur, founder of HARO, author of Nice Companies Finish First: Why Cutthroat Management Is Over--and Collaboration Is In. WHY YOU SHOULD LISTEN TO THIS INTERVIEW: 1. "There just might be something to this "being a nice guy thing."" 2. You can learn how to save marketing dollars by being nice. 3. You need CEO buy-in on this idea, or "NOTHING will happen." 4. You'll learn that Steve Jobs was actually a nice guy! 5. ...and that yeah, company culture matters a great deal. 6. Understand how an authoritarian figure can change... 7. "You can't fake being nice." 8. Learn how to draw the line between being nice...and being taken advantage of. 9. "Serve your competition, and you won't have any." 10. Hear a discussion about how to integrate "nice" into your PR strategy. 11. "Don't be reactive to negative commentary online. Takes steps now to do good works that people cannot complain about online in the first place." 12. "You can't automate being nice." 13. After hearing this interview, the first ten people who email Peter will get an invite to his book launch party in NYC Thursday, April 4th! You can purchase Peter's book here (affiliate link): THIS WEEK'S SHOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY Marketing RELEVANCE is a full-service marketing, communication and interactive company that understands that communication is different today. We know that the needs of companies vary drastically, which is why we cater to those that want a full-service marketing agency, but we also offer services a la carte. Whatever your marketing or communication need, we do it. And, the great thing is that we can show our results using your analytic tracking software and sales reports. After all, good marketing must produce qualified leads that can be converted into sales. For more information, please visit www.MarketingRELEVANCE.com. ### To hear from other cool and hip folks like Peter Shankman, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! This is episode 85.

A real pleasure to welcome Jonah Berger to Intrepid Radio! He joined me to discuss his book, Contagious: Why Things Catch On. Jonah is a professor of marketing at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. Learn more about Jonah Berger and his work here. Discussion topics included: 1. The six principles that make things contagious: Social Currency Triggers Emotion Public Practical Value Stories (and how stories are like the Trojan Horse) 2. While strategy and tactics matter, sometimes it really is just about how to move people to action. People are rarely inspired by advertising. But they are motivated by what people they care about are saying. 3. The importance of social influence. Yes, I am afraid, it DOES matter. 4. While many people say things to me like "Oh Todd, this is nice material, but it doesn't apply to what I am marketing," Jonah explains how these principles apply to, well, everything... Large corporations. Small businesses. Non-profits. Political campaigns. Individual sales reps. And so on... 5. In what I think it the most important point, this doen't only happen online. The real impacts happen with OFFLINE communication. Jonah shares a statistic that will BLOW YOUR MIND. This interview, and this book, will help position your ideas and products to become talkable, go viral, and become popular. Enjoy the conversation! You can purchase Jonah's book here (affiliate link): ### To hear from other cool and hip folks like Jonah Berger, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! This is episode 84.

[if viewing this via email, click here to listen!] Jeez, just realized my podcast audience never got to enjoy the "How To Kick Ass in 2013!" video project I launched just before the turn of the year. Shame on me. In case you missed it, here is the video I am talking about: So, simple goal here is to present the audio version for those who want to have it, and for those who subscribe to my podcast, and never heard it. [Great to have it while working out, on the train, or stuck in traffic on the way to work!] I've got a little routine that I do at the first of each month, and it includes viewing this video. My friends offer some great advice, and I like to see if I am keeping true to the things they are suggesting. And yes, I am already planning the 2014 version, which I will get into production much earlier than the 2013 version did. So, if you have any ideas or suggestions, please email them to me. So, I hope you enjoy - and learn something from - the video. And oh, I hope you share it with someone who could benefit from it... ### Join the list and learn how to kick ass in 2013 and beyond. Drawing by Hugh.

Reading this via email? Click here to read an audio version! I am writing this post right now, because I am still frustrated and disappointed in something that just happened, and I want to write this while I am feeling this way, in hopes of capturing the feeling. I just learned, not 15 minutes ago (as of this writing), that a good friend and someone I admired and trusted, went with a "competitor" behind my back. Now, first, let me offer some important context. I put "competitor" in quotes not because I see them as competitors. They do similar work, but they do it very differently, they have different objectives, different styles, and different long-term goals. But in any event, I am not sad that I lost to a competitor. That isn't what this is about. I've lost other "business" to them because they were less expensive. I am happy to lose business this way. That's not the game I ever intend to compete in. No, I am hurt that my friend let me down. That he didn't tell me what was going on. That he wasn't straight up honest with me. That's what hurts. That I had to find out about this on Twitter. That's the modern age, I am afraid, but it still sucks. That's the modern water cooler, and the modern way "word of mouth" works. We all have to get used to it, including me. I expect a lot of people in business to operate this way. That's just how it goes, sadly. But I didn't expect this relationship to go this direction. I've known the guy for years. He's a good friend. And heck, he's a client, for I've done a little work with him over the years. It's not even the hours of time I invested sharing ideas on how to launch a project. Shared countless ideas with him on ideas to consider. I shared strategies on how to formulate and implement. I even provided some feedback on his ideas. No, I am not even upset about that. I preach helping and serving people...without expectation for something in return. That's how you should do business. That's how you should continue to operate. And I will continue to operate that way. [If you think about it, I did sell him on the grand idea. He just implemented it a different way.] No, this goes back to the personal side of this thing. "It's not personal, Sonny. It's strictly business." This is Michael talking to his brother, Santino. And let me tell you, it is bullshit. It's all personal. It should be. It has to be. No, I am not disappointed in the loss of business. I am disappointed that my friend didn't tell me what was going on. And let this be a lesson for us all. Business isn't just business. It is personal. And if you aren't treating it as personal, you are missing out. This is why your passion isn't showing. That is why goobers like me get upset when these things happen. Because you care. And it should be that way. Yeah, always be professional and courteous. But dammit, please be passionate and involved. Care about what happens. And take it personally when your customers and friends treat you wrong. Because if that's how YOU operate, from a position of taking business interactions personally, you have hope. Because I don't want to buy from a guy who doesn't take it personal... ### To take your sales approach personally, check out my book, The Zen of Sales: Drawing by Hugh.

A pleasure to welcome back my friend, Chris Brogan, to the show. Chris is the CEO + President of Human Business Works, and the New York Times best-selling author of Trust Agents and The Impact Equation. But today, he joins me to talk about bravery and being your OWN superhero. We discuss his latest work, It's Not About the Tights: An Owner's Manual on Bravery. Here are a few notes from our conversation: We discussed the CAPE concept: Confidence Acceptance Permission/Practice Execution "Your bravery is yours to claim." "Bravery is action." "You can borrow bravery." "You have to accept where you are, so that you can move to where you want to go." "Acceptance isn't forgiveness." "Letting go of regret is single largest obstacle to acceptance." "You can reframe, and set your own rewards." "Permission is OURS to give. You don't have to wait for permission from someone else." "We have to remove ourselves from the industrial mindset, and get to acting like, and treating people like, human beings." "You need to own your own job, life. Not just be an observer." Key message of the book: This isn't about waiting for someone else to help you. It is about being your own superhero. You can find Chris' latest book here (affilate link): THIS WEEK'S SHOW BROUGHT TO YOU BY Marketing RELEVANCE is a full-service marketing, communication and interactive company that understands that communication is different today. We know that the needs of companies vary drastically, which is why we cater to those that want a full-service marketing agency, but we also offer services a la carte. Whatever your marketing or communication need, we do it. And, the great thing is that we can show our results using your analytic tracking software and sales reports. After all, good marketing must produce qualified leads that can be converted into sales. For more information, please visit www.MarketingRELEVANCE.com. To hear from other cool and hip folks like Chris Brogan, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! This is episode 83.

A pleasure to welcome speaker, strategist, educator, and best-selling author Mark Schaefer to Intrepid Radio! Mark will be a featured speaker at the upcoming SoloPR Summit, and his presentation will center around The New Rules of Power and Influence on the Web. The Solo PR Summit is a conference for independent professionals in PR and social media being held February 20-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. There are still some limited tickets and sponsorship opportunities available - visit SoloPRSummit.com for details. Here are ten reasons to listen to this broadcast: 1. Mark talks about why power and influence is relevant in today's world, and how it has changed over the last many years. 2. Is your title the only way to achieve power and influence? 3. Why does having power and influence matter in today's world? [hint: to impact and change attitudes and/or behaviors...] 4. You build power and influence the old-fashioned way: by the day-to-day toil of helping and serving people. 5. A discussion around Klout, which is at the forefront of the conversation centered on social influence. 6. Online influence scoring is really looking at three things: A. Are you a person who can move content [aka Buzz]? B. Are they speaking towards a relevant topic? C. Are they influencing the influencers? 7. The notion of having an online influence score does lead many to wonder about and attempt to game the system...and what's being done about that. 8. You cannot game influence. To actually get influence, you can't care about achieving influence. You have to focus on helping and caring about people. 9. Human behavior hasn't changed. We still seek people of influence, and we still seek to influence people. Nowadays, there's just an algorithm that scores and tracks it... 10. The beauty of online influence scoring is that you might now really understand who has real influence, unlike in the past when we only assumed that certain people had influence. Now you know... And tapping into those unknown influencers can be your competitive advantage! You can find Mark's most recent book here: ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from additional cool and hip folks like Mark Schaefer, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 82. This episode was brought to you by The SoloPR Summit!

[if you are reading this via email, click here to listen to Sarah Evans' broadcast] A joy to welcome Sarah Evans back to Intrepid Radio! She will be a featured speaker at the upcoming SoloPR Summit, and her presentation will center around Getting More Done In Less Time. Sarah is the chief evangelist for Tracky. The Solo PR Summit is a conference for independent professionals in PR and social media being held February 20-21 in Atlanta, Georgia. There are still some limited tickets and sponsorship opportunities available - visit SoloPRSummit.com for details. Sarah shares a few highlights that we can expect from her upcoming presentation: 1. Some ideas include how to stop getting buried by email and your inbox. 2. How to automate some processes to save time, but also how to remain human and not come across as some automated robot. As in, how to use automation to buy back time to be more personal in your interactions. 3. How to more efficiently utilize and integrate HARO into your daily process. 4. In addition to Tracky, what are some other tools people should explore using to get more done in less time? 5. What are some of the mistakes people make when they do utilize a project management solution? 6. Sarah will discuss content strategy, from the perspective of marketing for the solo PR person, AND for the content distribution on behalf of their clients. Not only will she discuss how to leverage the content itself, but also how to generate it. 7. Finally, Sarah talked about her book called Reframe: Little Inspirations For A Larger Purpose. ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like Sarah Evans, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 81. This episode was brought to you by The SoloPR Summit!

A real pleasure to welcome Gary Vaynerchuk to Intrepid Radio! Gary is a best-selling author, speaker, and co-founder and CEO of Vaynermedia. Today's show notes: 1. The importance of building a business and life foundation around gratitude. 2. The reasons to make a major life pivot, even though what you've been doing is working. 3. "To get permission to be a commentator and be a recognized voice, you must actually do something. You can't just talk..." 4. How to overcome the fear that holds too many people back from making meaningful pivots in their life. 5. "The people that are most fearful, are the ones who are the most practical..." 6. "Don't fall in love with just one or two ideas...." 7. The importance of reverse engineering. 8. You have to come up with lots of ideas, knowing that ultimately you will execute on just a few of them...and know going in that it is hard work to execute on that idea. 9. "Being good at running business and executing ideas is a talent, no different than hitting a 100 mph fastball. And you've got to put in the time..." 10. The business and life value of family, and what that can mean to you. 11. Finally, a teaser on his next book! Go here to connect with Gary Vaynerchuk. [note: this was recorded on our cell phones using Google Voice, so I apologize for the quality of the audio...] You can find Gary's books here: And enjoy this recent keynote with Gary... ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like Gary Vaynerchuk, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 80.

A thrill to welcome Seth Godin and Hugh MacLeod to the show...who joined me to talk about their book, V is for Vulnerable: Life Outside The Comfort Zone. A most intriguing conversation with two authors and artists who have long inspired many of us. As you can see from my notes for the conversation, there was a lot to talk about with these two. So with me in my Atlanta studio, Seth in New York, and Hugh in West Texas, we were off and running to riff about the ideas in their recent collaborative work... On the show, we talked about the following topics: 1. "If Dr. Seuss wrote a book that would make a middle manager cry, that is what we set out to do." 2. It is about being hopeful and brave again, like we were as children. 3. Making art is about being vulnerable to the world. 4. "If it is certain to work, it's not innovation. And if it is not innovation, than it is not art." 5. Too many organizations are afraid to say to the world "This might not work..." And that fear holds most back from creating art. 6. "Failure is something I look forward to, because it shows me I've gotten to an edge." 7. "Work is love." Or at least it should be. 8. Imbalance makes good things happen, and makes real, honest connection possible. And it's that feeling of almost falling from imbalance, that you really begin to start feeling alive. 9. Hard work vs. Doing something that is hard, risky, meaningful. 10. How people apply "one-buttock playing" to their daily lives. 11. Hugh and Seth discuss the creative process in how they created this book. 12. "Surround yourself with people who are on a journey...and help them make that journey with more gusto. And to make more of a ruckus." 13. Mattering, is more important than focusing on quality...And mattering, is doing something that cannot be specified... Find more about Seth Godin here, and Hugh MacLeod here. This episode is brought to you by: Henderson Shapiro Peck is a nontraditional, award-winning marketing firm providing client service and support that larger agencies don't. We offer everything marketing-related - from business strategy to branding and all points in between. We develop brand experiences for small, medium and large businesses. We are a collaborative group of talented marketing experts, strategists, designers and writers working hard for clients, but also giving back to the community with our time and services. What makes us different is that we are smaller and more responsive but, at the same time, just as creative and strategic as larger agencies. ### You can find the book here: If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like Seth Godin and Hugh MacLeod, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 79.

[Reading this via email? Click here to listen now!] A joy to welcome David Siteman Garland to the show today! David is the host of the popular show The Rise To The Top! David's focus these days is helping and supporting mediapreneurs. If you have considered launching your own online show (podcast and/or video), you should listen in on this conversation. Topics discussed include: 1. The definition of mediapreneur. And can everyone be one? Should everyone be one? 2. How important is having an understanding of content marketing to being a mediapreneur? 3. Is technology a barrier to entry? [short answer: No] 4. A debate between having a very niched show theme verses a more generalist theme (with a hook). 5. The guest recruitment conundrum, and how to get over it. 6. The key to building a loyal, growing audience. [hint: consistency] In case you are interested, here is David's book (affiliate link): ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like David Siteman Garland, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 78.

A pleasure to welcome back Guy Kawasaki to the show! Guy is the best-selling author of 12 books, including his latest, APE: How To Publish A Book. And that was the purpose of our conversation today... On the show, topics discussed included: 1. Publishing is simple, but it isn't easy. Guy wanted to write a book that walks you through step-by-step how to self-publish. 2. Is there still a stigma attached to self-publishing? Guy says no, and that in fact we are artisanal publishers (aka artists)! 3. To self-publish, you have to be three things: author, publisher, and entrepreneur. And Guy shares which is actually the hardest of the three... 4. We spend considerable time on why you should write a book: enriching lives, intellectual challenge, furthers an idea or cause, and powers your brand in ways you cannot imagine. 5. What holds people back from writing a book? Guy breaks down the common roadblocks, and how to overcome them. 6. The common mistakes people make when self-publishing. If you have ever wanted to write your own book, fiction or non-fiction, you will value this conversation and benefit from Guy's book! You can learn more about APE here, and you can purchase the book below (affiliate link): ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like Guy Kawasaki, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 77.

Arnold Olender, the head of Burns & McDonnell Atlanta regional office of the nationally known engineering firm, joins me on today's show! BMCD is a B2B company that works in different engineering areas. The Atlanta office specifically works in water, electrical transmission and distribution, and aviation and facilities. But it’s not their work that we think you'll want to hear about, it’s how they work – as a team, an office, and a company. Discussion topics on today's show: 1. BMCD has been on the Top Places to work for several years – including on FORTUNE’s annual list, and the Atlanta office has been on The Atlanta Journal Constitution, The Atlanta Business Chronicle and other top places to work (including a top innovative company by InfoWeek). 2. BMCD is an entirely employee-owned company. Every employee from the day they start – this is highly unusual, most ESOP companies require years vested or ownership only open to certain levels of employees. BMCD has an enviable retention rate with their employees and keeping talent is a key to growth and success. 3. Arnold has been the head of the Atlanta office for 10 years and has experienced positive growth for every one of those years, even in this down economy (don't you want to know how that’s done?). 4. Even through BMCD is 100+ years old, the Atlanta office is deemed an “entrepreneurial” office. You see this trend of large companies trying to build “innovation” centers or “entrepreneurial” divisions, but few get it right. Arnold shares how this is accomplished to a successful end. You'll find this conversation with Arnold truly inspiring. And you'll discover how business, even in large organizations, can still be done in a way that fosters profits, innovation, creativity...and satisfied and empowered employees. Enjoy! ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like Arnold Olender, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX! This is episode 76.

I don't know, maybe I am cynical. And I haven't lead a large organization since 2002, so maybe I am out of practice. But I think team building exercises are a waste of time. Last week, I spent a few days at The Ritz Lodge at Reynolds Plantation, and over the course of the visit, observed what appeared to be a corporate retreat. At one point, I was in the lounge catching up on email, when I observed a bunch of people running around doing a scavenger hunt. What a waste of time. These are well paid, seasoned professionals, experts in their field (I assume), running around "looking for something shaped like a heart." Sigh. Here's the funny thing. Since these people didn't know me, and I was pretending to be deep into my work, they spoke freely as they passed by so that I could hear. They weren't saying "What fun!" Or "I am really getting to know you better Bob." Or "I feel so inspired, and my confidence is growing, for hunting for and finding an hotel employee name badge beginning with the letter J really builds my character!" Instead, they were saying (an actual quote): "This is f__king stupid." Hmmmm. On the basis of this limited feedback and one data point, I predict a banner year for this organization! Look I know someone worked very hard to organize and prepare for the event, but I have to think there is a better use of that time. And I understand that teams do need time together to strategize, plan, solve problems, and co-create solutions. But I would rather use that time in a different way. The organization referenced above spent a lot of money to put on this event. I have to think there is a better use of those funds and time: 1. Spend that money on new individual learning. And I don't mean forcing people to attend some boring lecture together that only benefits a few people in the room. I mean let people choose some individualized learning that inspires them, motivates them, and makes them better. And I am not suggesting it has to take place at this particular event. Give them a learning bonus or some such. 2. At the event, use that time to be damn sure people know what the organization's purpose is. To remember why they work there. To remember why the work they are all doing together matters, and is changing the world. [And if a teammate isn't on board, let them go. Fast.] 3. At the event, give those same people alone time to create/brainstorm on things on their own. Or with teammates if they choose, but don't force them into anything structured. Give them free time to spend as they choose, thinking about how to be better. Just a few ideas. What would you add? In my humble opinion, when you have a large amount of employees counting down the hours til 5PM, dread work on Sunday nights, that doesn't love its work and is no longer inspired by the creative and the problem solving work, that's usually when some idiot in management suggests "team building exercises." And as evidenced by the reaction I heard from one of the employees above, it ain't working. Remember, these are real people, living human lives. They aren't just some random name in the company directory and HR spreadsheet. Treat them right. Don't force them to do stupid human tricks. ### Join the list to receive more ideas/thoughts on how to hack the workplace, and do meaningful work! Drawing by Hugh.

[if viewing this by email, CLICK HERE to listen to C.C. Chapman] Great to welcome back my friend C.C. Chapman to the show! C.C. is an author, speaker, podcaster, and business strategist. Today, we discussed his latest book, Amazing Things Will Happen: A Real World Guide On Achieving Success + Happiness. Why you should listen to this show: You may have a good life, but are you capable of (and want) so much more? This isn't about money, it is about living a life you choose. Amazing things only happen to those who are willing to position themselves to allow for something to happen. Keys to success: work hard, be kind. Serving others is key to happiness. What's the bigger problem: not knowing what you want, or not believing it is possible? When you see a new path, start down it fast, but start. Having an idea is fine, but having it doesn't bring happiness. "The hard workers are the ones finding success." Learn more about the book here, and you can purchase C.C.'s book here (affiliate link): ### If you enjoyed this conversation, and want to hear from other cool and hip folks like C.C. Chapman, subscribe to my podcast on iTunes by clicking here. And, a review and customer rating would be much appreciated as well! Or get Intrepid Radio sent DIRECT to your INBOX!