The Drop the Needle Podcast

Ep. 10 - Keith Muller, Franchise Owner

In this episode, Jim Alstott interviews Keith Muller, a successful franchise owner with over 25 store locations. They discuss the challenges and rewards of owning a franchise, as well as the importance of finding passion in your work. Keith emphasizes the need to love what you do and be willing to put in the hours. He also shares insights on the process of opening a franchise, including finding the right opportunity, securing finances, and choosing a location. Keith highlights the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team and allowing them to excel in their areas of expertise. Overall, the conversation explores the mindset and strategies for success in the franchise business. In this conversation, the guest discusses his experience opening a cigar shop and the importance of not caring about what others think. He shares how he created a welcoming and social atmosphere in the shop, and how he built relationships with his customers. The guest also talks about his love for music and the role it plays in his life.
 
This week's Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3qeyD7TJkIvccnVy4DqngT?si=dd12a03f84904622
 
Takeaways
 
Finding passion in your work is crucial for success as a business owner.
Opening a franchise requires finding the right opportunity, securing finances, and choosing a location.
Surrounding yourself with the right team and allowing them to excel is key to success.
Success in the franchise business requires a combination of hard work, dedication, and a willingness to learn and adapt. Don't let the fear of judgment hold you back from pursuing your goals.
Creating a welcoming and social atmosphere can help build strong relationships with customers.
Music has the power to bring people together and create lasting memories.
Having a diverse taste in music allows for a wider range of experiences and enjoyment.
 
 
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction and Background
08:00 Creating a Memorable First Impression
36:39 Opening a Cigar and Wine Bar
44:36 Creating a Welcoming Atmosphere and Involving Customers
56:59 Favorite Songs and Family Road Trips
01:04:34 Personal Connection to Music and Favorite Artists

Ep. 9 - Ghost In the Machine | David Schueneman, Recruiter

In this episode, Jim Alstott and David Schueneman discuss the challenge of finding top talent in today's business world. They explore the concept of the 'Great Depression of human capital' and how it is affecting businesses. They also delve into the impact of the hybrid or remote work model on companies and the challenges it presents. The conversation touches on the issue of ghosting in the hiring process and provides insights on how to minimize it. Trust and effective communication are highlighted as key factors in addressing these challenges. In this conversation, David Schueneman discusses the impact of AI on the advertising industry. He believes that AI will disrupt certain jobs in the industry, but recruiters will still play a crucial role in finding and evaluating talent. He also emphasizes the importance of effective communication and the need for recruiters to adapt to new technologies. Schueneman shares his favorite songs and how they have influenced his life, including 'Kung Fu Fighting' by Carl Douglas, 'Song Sung Blue' by Neil Diamond, and 'Home' by Michael Bublé.
Listing to this week's Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3jhlYAY4Pmgq3cEoNJ9Pep?si=befeb36fa1a34a2c
 
Takeaways
 
The 'Great Depression of human capital' refers to the shortage of talent caused by the retirement of baby boomers and the smaller number of Gen Xers to replace them.
The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the human capital shortage as more baby boomers retire and some workers choose to leave the workforce.
The rise of the gig economy and the option of remote work have given employees more choices and flexibility, making it challenging for companies to attract and retain top talent.
Companies need to adapt their hiring and onboarding processes to accommodate remote work and build trust with employees.
Ghosting, where candidates or employers abruptly cut off communication during the hiring process, is a growing problem. Multiple interviews and effective communication can help minimize ghosting.
Building a strong corporate culture and creating a positive work environment can help attract and retain talent.
Trust and effective communication are crucial in addressing the challenges of finding top talent and managing remote or hybrid work models. AI will disrupt certain jobs in the advertising industry, but recruiters will still play a crucial role in finding and evaluating talent.
Recruiters need to adapt to new technologies and use them to enhance their work, such as using AI-powered tools for internal communication and candidate sourcing.
The remote workforce is here to stay, and companies should embrace it to attract and retain top talent.
Job changes have increased in recent years, and recruiters need to be proactive in finding and engaging passive job seekers.
Music has a powerful impact on our lives and can evoke strong emotions and memories.

Ep. 8 - I Believe the Children Are Our Future | Tairi Grace, LCSW

In this episode of the Drop the Needle podcast, host Jim Alstott interviews Tairi Grace, a guest with a background in law enforcement and counseling. Tairi shares her journey from being a juvenile probation officer to starting her own private practice and opening a school that prioritizes mindfulness and empathy. The school incorporates yoga and other life skills into the curriculum, providing a balance between academic rigor and emotional well-being. Tairi emphasizes the importance of teaching students to be emotionally balanced and self-sufficient, preparing them for success in the real world. In this conversation, Jim Alstott and Tairi Grace discuss the importance of personalized education and the impact of traditional schooling on individual growth. Jim shares his personal experiences of feeling stifled and unchallenged in the public school system, which led to behavioral issues. Tairi emphasizes the need for an educational approach that focuses on mindfulness, empathy, and spiritual growth. They discuss the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit and how it influences an individual's life and career choices. Tairi also highlights the importance of curiosity, problem-solving skills, and self-awareness in education.
 
This week's Spotify playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0uZWiV8UW8cP8I0bqHfFcG?si=5b038ea3361e449a
 
Takeaways
 
Tairi Grace started her career as a juvenile probation officer before transitioning into private practice and opening a school that prioritizes mindfulness and empathy.
The school incorporates yoga and other life skills into the curriculum, providing a balance between academic rigor and emotional well-being.
Tairi believes in teaching students to be emotionally balanced and self-sufficient, preparing them for success in the real world.
The school encourages students to engage with nature and offers non-traditional seating options to promote movement and creativity. Traditional schooling can stifle curiosity, energy, and creativity in students, leading to behavioral issues.
Personalized education that emphasizes mindfulness, empathy, and spiritual growth can have a positive impact on an individual's life and career choices.
The interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit is crucial for holistic development.
Curiosity, problem-solving skills, and self-awareness are essential for personal and professional growth.
Alternative learning approaches that focus on individual needs and interests can provide a more fulfilling educational experience.
 
Chapters
 
00:00 Introduction and Background
00:30 Terry's Career in Law Enforcement and Counseling
04:22 Incorporating Yoga into Counseling Practice
06:08 Founding a School with a Focus on Mindfulness and Empathy
09:27 Defining Mindfulness and Incorporating it into the School Curriculum
13:43 Incorporating Yoga into the School Day
27:17 Balancing Academic Rigor and Emotional Wellbeing
35:18 The Importance of Individualized Education
36:05 Customizing the Educational Experience
37:13 The Three Parts of Education
38:17 The Luxury of Customized Education
39:17 The Importance of Practice and Application
40:14 The Interconnectedness of Mind, Body, and Spirit
43:13 Long-Term Effects of Mindfulness, Empathy, and Spiritual Growth
44:38 Lessons Learned from an Immersive Education
46:16 The Interconnectedness of Mind, Body, and Spirit
47:38 The Importance of Mindfulness and Empathy
50:19 Lessons Learned and Embracing the Present
53:26 The Challenges of Starting a School
56:03 Promoting the School and Support
59:15 Wrap up