Thankful.

Unboxing the never-been-used Lume cube light (note: their Instagram ads really do work, non sponsored endorsement), pulling the USB microphone closer to the half-filled mug of lukewarm coffee, adjusting the sweatpants...for 'optimal' comfort, and clearing my throat before punching in the Zoom code to speak with one of my favorite marketing executives/business leaders (whom I also have the pleasure of calling a good friend) sounds like a typical activity, nowadays. But close your eyes and think about life pre before March, a not so long time ago, everything seemed to move a bit quicker and was more frenetic (and frantic) regardless of which day ended with a "y"...or in most cases "why?".

A few weeks back, Jason DaWayne Smith and I were catching-up and kibitzing on middle-age, parenthood, leadership, male pattern baldness, and the like. He then looped me into something very personal and special- to be one of his first guests on a new podcast that focuses on Advertising professionals covering everything under the sun...except for...you guessed it: Advertising. Immediately, I loved this idea and both enthusiastically and graciously wanted to be a part of it. Thank you, Jason.

This is not another podcast about 2 middle-aged men talking about the sensationally driven impact that TikTok has on Gen Z, the unbundling of legacy TV empires (or emperors) engaging in the Streaming Wars, rundling of subscription services- shout-out to my Prof G peeps, or the death of the cookie. Blah Blah Blah. It's 2020 and digital transformation and innovation is upon us, yes, we are aware. Turn to AdExchanger, Digiday, or the Morning Brew for said content.

This was an emotionally gratifying, quite vulnerable, and immensely humbling hour that I'll be able to look back on, when we turn the page on 2020 (or '21), where I sat down with a good friend, and we shared the one common currency that is more valuable than anything else: time.

In episode 4 of Jason DaWayne Smith's podcast, Ad Blocking, "we discuss the preciousness of life, the value of laughter, and the power of positivity" (all Jason's words, not mine - he's more keenly aware of the theme of brevity than his pal). If you know me, you know I care about making a positive impact on the people around me and that what you see is what you get. Whether the conversation moves you emotionally, motivationally, or helps showcase that life is made of nonstop decisions and problem-solving, the goal was to just have fun. I'm grateful that Jason captured my thoughts, opinions, and philosophies (all of which will undoubtedly continue to evolve...just like each of us through every quick and purposeful decision we make). Thank you, Mr. Smith. I am grateful for the opportunity to share (part of) my story with your audience. We'd love any/all feedback.

Please subscribe to Ad Blocking with Jason DaWayne Smith, on Spotify, and share it with your network. Ad Blocking is a podcast – slash – maybe a safe space, where real people, real marketers talk about everything BUT advertising.