What does it really mean to be a father, a mentor, and a leader in the business world? Stick with us as we get up close and personal with Brad Rosen, Vice President of Training IT at Dexian. Today's episode happens thanks to the talented Mark Nussbaum.
In today's episode, Jay shares his heart and journey as a father, relishing in the proud moments of seeing his sons in college and sharing invaluable life lessons he's learned from his parents. We explored the impact his parents had on him and also learned about his career path that took him into the staffing business.
We've all had those moments where one wrong move could have set us up for failure. Brad candidly narrates his close call and how it became a teaching opportunity about respect and humility for his sons.
As we draw to a close, we delve into the bittersweet reality of transitioning to an empty nest. As his boys head off to college, Brad shared his personal experiences, from tear-triggered grocery store trips to newfound freedom and spontaneity. Brad is always looking to do the right thing altruistically without expecting anything in return and discover how he keeps the connection alive with his children. Lastly, Brad opens up about how he is striving to become a better father and provides some simple yet impactful advice for us dads at the end of the episode.
This episode will bring laughter, learning, and maybe a tear as we explore the joys and challenges of parenthood, the struggles and triumphs in business, and the power of relationships.
Please don't forget to leave us a review wherever you consume your podcasts! Please help us get more dads to listen weekly and become the ultimate leader of their homes!
What does it really mean to be a father, a mentor, and a leader in the business world? Stick with us as we get up close and personal with Brad Rosen, Vice President of Training IT at Dexian. Today's episode happens thanks to the talented Mark Nussbaum.
In today's episode, Jay shares his heart and journey as a father, relishing in the proud moments of seeing his sons in college and sharing invaluable life lessons he's learned from his parents. We explored the impact his parents had on him and also learned about his career path that took him into the staffing business.
We've all had those moments where one wrong move could have set us up for failure. Brad candidly narrates his close call and how it became a teaching opportunity about respect and humility for his sons.
As we draw to a close, we delve into the bittersweet reality of transitioning to an empty nest. As his boys head off to college, Brad shared his personal experiences, from tear-triggered grocery store trips to newfound freedom and spontaneity. Brad is always looking to do the right thing altruistically without expecting anything in return and discover how he keeps the connection alive with his children. Lastly, Brad opens up about how he is striving to become a better father and provides some simple yet impactful advice for us dads at the end of the episode.
This episode will bring laughter, learning, and maybe a tear as we explore the joys and challenges of parenthood, the struggles and triumphs in business, and the power of relationships.
Please don't forget to leave us a review wherever you consume your podcasts! Please help us get more dads to listen weekly and become the ultimate leader of their homes!
Hi, I'm Riley.
Speaker 2:And I'm Ryder and this is my Dad's Show. Hey everybody, it's KCJ Cox with the quarterback Dadcast. I'm excited to announce we have a brand new sponsor joining the show, which is called LatitudeSitkacom, a Latitude 57. Now this company's mission is to provide an unparalleled Alaskan experience that will enable their customers to explore everything that the region has to offer. Additionally, they are dedicated to supporting and promoting the local community, the culture, as well as protecting and preserving the natural beauty that the resources of the region have to offer us. So I'm going there in June. I can't wait. And whether you're looking to find a wellness retreat, if you're looking for a place to take your favorite customer, if you're looking for a way to maybe take your leadership team, check out LatitudeSitkacom, because they will give you some amazing sea exploration from fishing to commercial fishing, wildlife tours, beach excursions, scuba diving, snorkeling, even paddle boarding. If none of those sound interesting to you, well then go. Stay on land and go ITVing, hiking, hot springs, yoga, take a massage in. The team has over 20 years of local knowledge to serve you, and they also will be able to cook amazing meals while you are there staying in their facility. So go to LatitudeSitkacom now and book that next wellness retreat. You won't regret it. The majestic views will blow you away and, as I mentioned, I cannot wait to get there in June.
Speaker 2:So with that, let's welcome LatitudeSitka to the podcast and get right to today's episode. Hey everybody, it's Casey Jaycox with the quarterback DATcast. We are in season four, wrapping up season four, and this next gentleman who's going to join us on the today's podcast was a referral from the one and only Mark Nussbaum, who's a former guest and who's become a great friend of mine. He's not related to Dr Rosen Rosen from Fletch, but his name is Brad Rosen. He's the vice president of training IT at a fantastic company I'm now called Dexie and formerly Signature. He spent nearly 30 years with Jay Cohen and with Jeff Gray, who I've not yet met. It was plain hard to get Jeff shout out to you and Mark Nussbaum. But, more importantly, we're having Brad on today talking about Brad the dad and how he's working hard to become that ultimate quarterback or leader of his household. So, without further ado, brad, welcome to the quarterback DATcast. Thanks, casey, super happy to be here today. Do you know who Dr Rosen Rosen is? I do. I love Fletch.
Speaker 1:Great movie.
Speaker 2:So true story. My buddy, ben Harris Ben, if you're listening was a pilot at Alaska Airlines, and my father-in-law, bruce Lovell shout out, if you're listening used to be. He was a pilot for Alaska for 35 years. He was a Czech Airman and so when Ben first got hired by Alaska, my father-in-law was doing the check ride for Ben and my father-in-law. He said I think I got your friend Ben, you told me about it. I go oh, this is awesome, I go, don't call him Ben, call him Dr Rosen Rosen, because that's his nickname, because he was Dr Rosen Rosen for Halloween when you're.
Speaker 2:And so Ben's nervous in the cockpit training thing and he goes. Then he says do you want to call you Ben or do you want to call you Dr Rosen Rosen? He's like wait what? And just totally loosened him up and relaxed him. So he Ben called me afterwards just like you asshole, why did you tell your father-in-law he's my boss, dr Rosen Rosen? Mike, did it help you? He goes. Well, yeah, go there, you go, and all was good, anyway. So we always start with gratitude. Brad, tell me, what are you most grateful for as a father today?
Speaker 1:My boys are together. They're both at the University of Florida together and got to spend last weekend with them and it's great the odds of them being together, also in the same fraternity and just watching. It was an incredible weekend, wow.
Speaker 2:So I'm super grateful for it. And we, we, before we start recording, you said you're, you're mighty Gator and your boys are Gators now. And then you got to go to a fun football game last weekend.
Speaker 1:I heard it was like old times in the swamp. It was loud, it was great and, more importantly, they finally got to see a good game. It's been years since we've been. The swamp was loud again and it seemed like old times. I was happy that it got that experience.
Speaker 2:Now was. It was this dad's weekend.
Speaker 1:No, we just went up there. Their, their fraternity had their big charity event. So my wife and I, brooke, we went up there to support the charity on Friday night and great weekend because there's also Tennessee, so we went to the game.
Speaker 2:Now, was this a tame fraternity or is this like like animal house and dad's relive in the seventies?
Speaker 1:No, well they're there. It's a fraternity. So yes, my older one lives in the fraternity house. The other ones are freshmen pledging, so I like to joke around. He's trying to survive the next day. But yes, it's a typical fraternity having a good time, really good brotherhood, and nice to see their. You know the friends are making.
Speaker 2:What fraternity is it ATO, ato? What does that stand for? Alpha tau, omega, I think Alpha tau may Okay.
Speaker 1:Also in Florida. I think it stands for Atlanta, tampa Orlando. I think that's where a majority of fraternity brothers come from, is what they say there you go.
Speaker 2:Nice. Well, I'm grateful. I am grateful for yesterday. So we're recording.
Speaker 2:At the end of September the steps will come out and I say about a month or so.
Speaker 2:And uh, my, there's obviously all this dumb sickness firing up around the schools and so, like, my son was sick and he had to miss a miss a high school golf match, which, like just he thought the world was going to end, but thankfully he was able to kind of rest up and rally and he, he, um, he got a compete yesterday and it was beautiful day and we just I'm just grateful for, like, as a golf parent, like you know, I'm not in a gym all the time with my daughter and but like just being able to walk outside and, um, it's hard being a golf parent because I can't control much, I can't talk to him, they don't, and we have to stay a distance away. But just grateful for the life lessons he's learning and adversity, and grateful for his body language where, when things don't always go well, it's like I always say don't be an a-hole, no one's played the A-hole, if you had a bad shot, it's not anyone else's fault, and so he did a fantastic job that yesterday. It was fun to watch.
Speaker 1:That's awesome. Now, did they play on different courses all the time, or they have a home course?
Speaker 2:and they have a home course. The home course is I mean, it would be one of the most amazing courses in the area if they took good care of it but I don't know if there's like water issues with the city and it's just an absolute dump. So, like, some of the fairways are like unplayable. They're going to punch the greens Monday and they have a huge match next week, so you're going to be putting on sandy greens, which is, like you know, plinko prices, right, you have no idea where that thing's going to go, but they bounce around.
Speaker 1:That's like my normal golf game. Whether they're punched or not, there you go. I never know where my putt's going.
Speaker 2:Okay, well, tell me about the Rose and Huddle. So you're the quarterback, maybe your wife's a general manager, but tell us a little bit about how you and your wife met, and then a little bit about each member of the team.
Speaker 1:Sure. So we met through my college roommate and after college we lived together. He was starting to date a woman and he goes you'll like her friend. And he was right. And so we met out one night we was in Fort Lauderdale that's where we're living. At the time we met at a club called Dicey Riley's, an Irish pub, and it took off. We only dated for two, maybe three months and then she had to move to Chicago for her internship she's getting her master's in speech pathology. So we did long distance for a year. Wow, and it wound up being the greatest thing that happened to us, because at that age now you look back on it you're getting married. You really don't know. You think you know, but it really taught us to trust each other from the beginning and have to communicate, which was different back then. We had to call each other at night and we'd talk on the phone for hours. Was this calling card days? Yeah right, calling card days? I think I had a cell phone. I think, if it was, it was definitely a flip phone. So that was great. So it really worked because it set the foundation of our relationship and how important communication and trust is.
Speaker 1:So she moved back to Florida. Unwillingly. She did not like South Florida, but I promised her we would not live there permanently. She grew up in Atlanta and I was good with getting out of South Florida. I have two older sisters and my parents are there, but Atlanta is a quick ride and a quick flight really. And so we moved to Atlanta in 2005.
Speaker 1:And we started having kids in 2003. Reese, our oldest, was born in 2003, and Cooper two years later, and it's been awesome. I mean, just as you know, in kids they're very active in sports and life centered around their world and the chaos of their world of travel. Sports when made it harder. I traveled all the time, so I was either gone Tuesday to Thursday or Monday to Wednesday and Brooke was mounting the house of two young boys all the time, and then when I got home, you know I was in. The weekends is all about family. So they're doing great. One's majoring in business, wants to get my oldest one, he wants to get in commercial real estate when he graduates and, like I said, my younger ones freshman and he's trying to figure out living. As he was so excited about not living at home, getting away from mom and dad and having his freedom. He now misses his dinners and laundry being done.
Speaker 1:Nice but loves college and as they say. So that's that's where we're at right now and it's it's great to watch them flourish and like anything when they played sports, the adversity they dealt with. And now the challenges of school prior prioritizing classes, studying how much do you study? You're on your own and I make it about they have to go figure it out. Yeah, and simple rules. Of number one be safe, because they are boys. And then two, just work hard. And three have fun. That's it. If you're doing those things, everything in my mind will fall in place and that's what we talk about.
Speaker 2:Sometimes the most simple advice we need is right in front of us, but we don't talk about it enough. But like that's those pretty, pretty simple rules that are going to create some pretty positive outcomes for kids and families Be safe, work hard, have fun, you know, and just focus on college. How great is college, right, and you think about the animal house? Blajosa, blue pitowski, fat, drunken, stupid, no way to go through life. What sports did recent, recent, cooper play?
Speaker 1:They both played baseball and basketball. For Reese, baseball it says number one. And then basketball was his second sport. For Cooper is the opposite. Okay, basketball was his number one in his passion, and then baseball.
Speaker 2:Now are they still involved in sports like fraternity, like like the, you know?
Speaker 1:in a mile or whatever they are, they'll still play in a merrill's or play pickup games. And now my older one, he's in. He got caught up in the pickleball phase. Nice, so they actually even start playing pickleball now, as we all thought it was an old person. Sport, yeah, it's getting popular there in college, I guess as well.
Speaker 2:We had a pickleball court growing up back. I didn't know what it was like. In the week we moved to this house like an 84. And we put in a pickleball court in a sport and I was like what is that? And me and my buddy Greer we played literally like every day in the summer. But now I don't play pickleball because I've two fitness goals, brad, that I've lived my life by, and number one is don't get fat and number two is don't get hurt. So any any like movement that's gonna be quick. I'm like my goals are to, you know, don't get fat, don't get hurt and be able to play golf, yes, and I don't want to be blown on the keelies or a knee. I'm like I'm too old to be. I play horse. I don't play hoop anymore.
Speaker 1:But my buddies, some of them, are hooked. They play at least three or four times a week and they keep asking me I'm like, no, I'm scared of getting hurt.
Speaker 2:Right, it's not I don't want. I mean, yeah, you want to be able to spend time and blown out your ACL right now because you're playing pickleball.
Speaker 1:I mean, I'm in my 50s, I'm like that'd be a nightmare, Right.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It would not be fun. No, not at all. Okay, one of the questions I love asking is is understanding how people grew up. So I'd love for you to kind of like go back in time, talk about what was life like growing up for you and the impact your parents had on you. Now you're a father.
Speaker 1:Sure, well one. I grew up in New Jersey, right outside of Philly, so I am a diehard Philly fan, go Birds. And you know, probably the biggest thing I've learned from my parents is number one is work ethic and to integrity. And those are the two I would say two biggest things that they always instilled in me, but that I've also watched it, and my parents are always hard workers, always worked as I was growing up and they led by example and both those areas all the time, and it's by my biggest takeaway from them.
Speaker 2:Tell me about what mom and dad did for their jobs.
Speaker 1:My mom, when we were in New Jersey, was a paralegal and then when we moved to Florida, we moved to South Florida my freshman year in high school and then she became an executive secretary for a cardiologist and my dad was back in the day, worked for a company called Unisys. It was a project manager in computers which is kind of funny because I'm in the staffing world now and we moved to South Florida for them to start a business with my uncle. That didn't work out and my dad recreated himself at Walgreens and wound up being like a manager of the year and running a store there in West Palm Beach. Wow, that's how he ended his career, his last 20 plus years of his career at Walgreens. Wow, and just moving up the chain Now are mom and dad still with us? Yes, they are Very fortunate they are. My dad is 84. My mom just turned 80. So we're gonna celebrate her 80th for Thanksgiving here in Atlanta and that'll be exciting. And they still live in South Florida, as well as my two older sisters.
Speaker 2:Wow, what you mentioned. So hard work I mean work ethic and integrity. Those are key, foundational that I think any solid human being would like to see in them. Tell me, is there a story that comes to mind on the power of how you learned those lessons or how they taught those lessons to you?
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think the biggest one was when we moved to South Florida and they went to start their own business with my uncle and they didn't work out and my dad at the age of he's probably about my age now rebuilt himself and started his career over and worked his way up and owned every bit of making sure he had a roof over our roof over our head and supplied food and anything we needed as kids growing up. So watching him do that and not letting the ego get in the way or trying to rebuild something, he went back to things he knew and he always had a passion in around pharmacies. How come? His dad owned pharmacies in New York and his dad was a little bit of a gambler unlike my dad, total opposite and twice gambled it away.
Speaker 1:My dad was always around the pharmacy business, yeah, and so he always had a passion there.
Speaker 2:Was your grandpa and godfather by chance, right.
Speaker 1:I actually never knew him. I never met him. Well, I did meet him, but not at an age where I could remember Wow, yeah.
Speaker 2:That's actually cool. I mean not not cool, but like this bit kind of cool like stories, like you don't hear about that stuff too often.
Speaker 1:Yeah, you know what? I am a believer. You are who you are, based on your history. Yeah, that leads to good things. Maybe the history doesn't sound great, but it does turn out a little bit to where you have certain passions or why you do certain things right. Yeah.
Speaker 2:So do you remember him being like, stressed, you and your mom like, and you and your sister like, oh my god, what's going on? We're gonna be living a van down by the river. We're screwed.
Speaker 1:Obviously. Yes, they were stressed, yeah, but they worked. I mean they pulled through. So I didn't feel that. You know, I took it and when I turned 16, got my license, I got a job. So I worked and we did it. You know, my oldest sister was already a nurse and then my middle sister, she was in college at. Usf in Tampa.
Speaker 2:Wow, what about integrity? Is there a story that comes to mind?
Speaker 1:I think that ties in a little bit into the work ethic, right? In other words, to me, integrity is you take responsibility for what happens, you don't make excuses and you're honest about it. And so when they went through that period, there was no there's no excuses that it was we're gonna fix it and own up to it. And they did that. And to me, that's the greatest thing I've watched, because I watched my mom work a ton of hours, I watched my dad do whatever he had to do to work his way up. And if that man working 100 hours a week he was working 100 hours a week and took full responsibility. So to me, that was the greatest form of integrity that I learned that you don't make excuses for things that happen to you. You go fix, I'm gonna take ownership.
Speaker 2:Love that. Well, you mentioned a three-letter word that I talk about often with people I work with in my line of work, which is ego and the male ego. We all have a male ego. We all, and some women have egos too. But ego, you know, I love the Ryan Holiday's work, egos the enemy great book and I think it's such an important thing that we talk about, like you know, checking your ego a little bit. We don't know it's perfect. I've yet to meet the person. No matter how successful someone is, there's still gaps. You know, I joke that when I do like some of the consulting work I do like, I'll sometimes make fun of myself and I say, man, I was lucky to be in the right guy, right time, right place at K-Force for years.
Speaker 2:But, brad, when I left they didn't go out of business. Can you believe that it's a miracle? And they're like who? I don't remember that guy. I mean we're all replaceable. So I think it's such an important lesson. You learn that from your pops. How did? Well, I guess this happens, I would think. Imagine, did it cause strain with him and his brother?
Speaker 1:There's his brother-in-law. A little bit at the time, yep, but then anything. Over time, you know, your wounds heal, right, and sometimes it gets heated the moment right.
Speaker 2:Right. So how does one? Then? He has his reset. How did you think, okay, well, I'm going to Walgreens. I mean, how did he? I'm curious, how did that happen?
Speaker 1:I honestly think because of growing up he was always around it and had a passion there. Okay, and he loved it and it showed. I mean, every year he had one of the best stores and, like I said, got named manager the year one year. So it's just he had a passion. To him it wasn't work.
Speaker 2:That's what a gift, man, if we, if everybody, can strive to get that level of like when you're doing something. I feel like I'm at that stage in my life right now where I don't feel like I'm working. I'm having so much fun and I pinch myself every day that I'm gonna do what I get to do. Does your dad and mom know the impact that they had on you? I want some stuff you shared today.
Speaker 1:That's a good question. Don't know that answer. Well, I'm going to ask him that.
Speaker 2:I love it because I was like I always. I always like try to give my guests homework, because a lot of times we're talking about things we haven't talked about in a while and the goal is to make people think. And I've said to my mom before, so you know, you said, boy, sometimes they'd be safe. I've learned and then I hate to call us out we're idiots. Girls are a smarter species. They're.
Speaker 2:I started to put my son on blast but my daughter, riley, is like so organized that she gets it from my wife. My son is like he's a great kid, he's super respectful, he's coachable, he's above average athlete, above average student. But sometimes I'm like dude, like some, like basic time management stuff or charging your phone or like just. And I remember when my I was a senior in high school, my mom went to my high school football coach who's still a great friend of me and a mentor of my life Shout out Marty Osborn and my mom, without me knowing it, went and met with him and said he's, he's a dipshit, he's not going to make it, he's an idiot. I, because I just didn't care about school, I was like a 3.3 guy, just did enough to get by. You know very social and coach Osborn was like he's fine, just trust me, he'll be all right. And but now I look back and my God, that was what about unnecessary stress I put on? I mean, I all I care about was the Seahawks and playing football.
Speaker 1:Yeah but it is. I do the same. I joke all the time like they're my boys. But they are boys. They're not. They're dumb sometimes, we're not smart people, but they get through it. I tell my wife I go, just trust me, they're going to get there. She goes. Are you sure? I got a promise who they are? And I have a hilarious story.
Speaker 1:So my, my younger one, he's, he's in school and his TV is not working in his room and so while we're talking, I'm like take the fire, stick out, plug it back. You sure got everything plugged in. He's like, yes, everything's plugged in. He goes, you know what? You're coming up next week. I'm fine, I'm not, I don't even have time. I said all right. So I go to his room and within two seconds I figure out what's wrong. He didn't have it plugged in. I come out, my wife's waiting for me. I go, babe, I promise you he's. He got in the UF, he's going to graduate. But they're not the smartest people in the world. She goes, what he goes, I go. He didn't have it plugged in.
Speaker 2:Oh my God, I can. I feel like is he a handy person?
Speaker 1:He tries to be, but you know what? Apple doesn't fall far from the tree there. I'm brutal, I'm not. I'm not the handiest person in the world.
Speaker 2:If you Google worst handiest tool and then click images, you'll probably see us Pictures of you and I. I am awful. I think it's because I don't have the mechanical brain. I would say I'm a great second hand though. Yes, I'm a great helper. Yeah, I can work. I just my mind is doesn't. I don't see. But this weekend I'm so excited. We're getting a bunch of bark delivered today and my wife somehow I convinced her that I'm renting it one of those kabotas, those little bobcat things. Oh nice, I've never driven one of those bad boys, but I can't wait to just mess around that thing and I'd like to see some video. I will, I want to. Yeah, hopefully I can be alive when this episode comes out.
Speaker 2:They didn't like have an accident and like you know, pop a wheelie and I flip the whole thing over myself. But it's going to be fun. I'm looking forward to it. I just yeah. And my father-in-law, bruce, shout out to Bruce he's like my guy, and so my wife and we got married. She's like why can't you fix that? I'm like, because I'm not like your dad, your dad's a MacGyver. I'm like. I'm like I'm not really. You flew 737s. I don't do that. Now my go-to. When my buddy's giving me a hard time about being like not a good type, I go how many words can you type per minute? That's usually my go-to. I can beat him on that. Or can you speak in front of 400 people? Can't do that, but I can't.
Speaker 1:I can't do like you know, frame a house, or oh, we bought we bought for outside a day bed recently and of course I got asked she goes are you going to put it together? Because I had, I'm like I could put that together, but then I had those overhang and that's what was worrying me. I go well, what are my options? Because you can put together, I could pay $100. I go $100. Go, yeah, that would, and I watched the guy put it together. So some guy comes out to the house and it took him an hour, which would have made it, oh, two weeks for me, with massive frustrations to greatest $100 and all I kept going up to the guy can I feed you? What can I get you?
Speaker 2:to treat. You need any beers? Well, and that's what a great example of ego and checking it and like celebrate your strengths, celebrate your weaknesses we all have them and I think these like when you check your ego and you actually even tell your if dad's not listening at home like, share these types of stories with their kids. I found like because I believe that every good leader, every great leader, is humble, vulnerable and curious. I think every great seller is humble, vulnerable and curious.
Speaker 2:And I apply those same, I guess, themes or skill sets to my house and my kids, because I want my kids know that, hey, I got issues too, I got challenges. I'm not, you know, I suck at that. I wish I was better at that, but I think, in terms of you have to ask for help and so teaching our kids that you have to ask for help, be vulnerable, to say, hey, can you help me with that, and because when you ask people for help, then you give your friend or someone else a chance to show what they're good at and celebrate their strengths versus you know like you could have wasted the entire weekend, missed the Florida game, you're throwing hammers, freaking out, you know, and I'm like, oh, what's wrong with that, you know it's half time.
Speaker 2:those directions you we put together, they're not written. They're the worst directions ever.
Speaker 1:They are not made for someone like myself, for a third grade level. Put it together, that's what I need.
Speaker 2:Yeah, one of my most embarrassing hose reel, simple tool. Right, I put it together and there was like two pieces left and I was like, oh, my wife's like hey, what are? What are those? I'm like I think they just gave them extra, are you sure? I'm like, hmm, maybe. No, did you read the instructions? What do you want me to tell you? Uh, I did. Now. I just kind of thought I could. I'm like, hey, it works For now, but like that's the type of stuff I just got, got going too fast because I just want to get through it done and yes, but maybe that's why in staffing I had success, because time kills all deals, yes, you know. So sense of urgency.
Speaker 1:It is funny. You mentioned vulnerability. I've been trying to explain that. Um, you know, as we hire, we hire the um, these young professionals out of college. They even tried. I tried to teach my boys is that vulnerability actually shows confidence. Bingo. But it but a young person never want to show vulnerability. Yeah, to show that you knew or you can do it. It's a. It's a hard transition. Now, as you're older, it's a lot easier. It's a lot easier for us to say that, but I think that's an extremely hard. When, a when a young professional or our kids can feel vulnerable, that they're set in my mind for life. They're going to be okay, they're going to figure things out.
Speaker 2:I love it. You made me think of a story where I was speaking to a company in December and one of the worst pieces of advice I think people can give and and I apologize if I'm calling anybody out here is when people say you got to fake it to you, make it, which is, to me, the worst advice ever. It does exact opposite of vulnerability, Does exact opposite of being authentic, and before I went on stage to speak, this head of marketing tells the entire company to like 200 people in the room hey guys, sometimes you got to fake it to you, make it. And I'm like, oh no, Like in my slide had something that said do not, don't fake it to you, make it. So I'm like okay, what am I going to do? I'm like, screw it. I go hey, before I get started, nice to meet you guys. We're going to put Bob in the back. We're going to pretend that just you and I talking and no one else is, just me and you. I want to apologize to you now because I am actually going to try to convince your company to do the exact opposite of what you just said, and I'm not doing it on purpose. I didn't know you were going to say that. I really, really apologize about this, but I'm hoping that you can be open minded. What I'm going to say I'll be open minded. What you say I'll talk after. And it kind of like broke the ice, but to the point.
Speaker 2:You know, when I learned it the hardest way in staffing, when early in my career I remember I was scared to ask a manager what a technology was. I didn't want to look dumb. I'd finally got the meeting and I wanted to like look super smart and I I shake in my head taking notes, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, all right, we'll be in touch. I went back and told my recruiting team all about it and they're like what does that mean? I'm like I don't know, I didn't ask. I've probably set them up to fail, set myself up to fail, because my ego got in the way versus.
Speaker 2:And now, ever since that, now when I was in the business, I always would say, hey, tell me more about what that means. I'm not sure. And if some of the managers had egos and they wanted to get mad, I'm like what you don't know, that is. I'm like no, I don't have a computer science degree like you and that's not my job. To be a software programmer. My job is to get you talent. You have no idea where they are and I'm going to help you find them. That's my job, and I believe what I do matters, and so if that's if you expect more of me that then I'm probably not the right vendor for you. That's okay Now walk away.
Speaker 1:That's right. I said what's the worst case when I talk to them? What's the worst case that happened? The consultant could scream at you and hang up on you. Okay, let's buy something you don't want to work with anyhow.
Speaker 4:Right.
Speaker 3:Intention integrity. It recruitment. We are McCann Partners and I am Megan McCann, the CEO and founder. Mccann Partners is a Chicago based IT recruitment firm. We support a growing portfolio of innovative organizations, from Chicago based startups to companies with a global footprint. We are dedicated to creating a more equitable and diverse workforce and are proud that more than 70% of our talent placements since 2020 have been diverse hires. We take pride in our work and invest time to hone our skills. Case in point, our work with Casey Casey helped me and my team learn new habits of success and unlock the skills we already have been using the superpowers of humility, vulnerability and curiosity. If you, the listener, are curious about our experience with Casey and his impact on the team and our business, please reach out to me via LinkedIn.
Speaker 2:Well, tell me so when you're raising your boys. I want to go back to Dad stuff. You talk about integrity, talk about work ethic. What were those? Besides those two themes for you and Brooke, what tell me what other like core, fundamental parental things were important as you guys were raising Reese and Cooper? Respect?
Speaker 1:They always had to have respect. So especially, yeah, boys playing sports they can get mad, they can get upset, but I had to know tolerance. You're never to throw any equipment, never give that attitude or talk back to a coach or anything in the heat of a moment, or an umpire or a referee. You're never allowed. You always have respect. So that was a big thing for me and Brooke and other Nat is really those three things right Be respectful, work hard and be honest, have integrity.
Speaker 2:You ever have to follow through on that.
Speaker 1:Yeah, there's times you have to discipline. I am a believer of consequences because you have to learn and you know so. My older one he got his license, so he's driving, and he had to go to a birthday party. He had to go on the highways on a Sunday and it wasn't far and I knew the highway wasn't gonna be busy. So, yeah, right, the kids can't get away with anything today because you have life 360. That's my wife checks and he's heading in the opposite direction on the busiest highway ever and she goes oh, my god, he's lost. And I'm laughing. I go, he's not lost, he's doing something else. He was going to pick up a girl all the way out in six flags to then go to this party, this birthday party. So we call him and I said well, you're gonna have to turn around right now. He goes, well, I'm supposed to pick her up. I go, well, you would tell her to go, call her parents to come pick her up because you need to go, turn around and get home. So he did and that was his first day of his driver's license. He didn't get to drive his car again for another two or three months. Love it, he can't lie. Yeah, he goes. Well, you would have said no, I go exactly for your safety. But now look at the situation you're in Now you're still without a car and driving for another two or three months.
Speaker 1:The biggest thing I was like because I hated disciplining them yeah, hated it and my explanation to them was you're gonna make mistakes. That's inevitable, but you have to learn from your mistakes. And I said my opinion is you don't learn unless there's a consequence. And all I'm trying to do is that get you to think before you do something. That's all I'm trying to create. That's the whole purpose of the consequence, because I actually don't like, I hate all this, but you're gonna do stupid things, and all I'm trying to do is, in that moment, get you to stop and think for that one moment and go. Okay, if I'm gonna do this, is it worth the repercussion? So they knew my rules, they knew and, yeah, at times it would happen, but they knew it, and then there was no way out of it.
Speaker 2:Did you ever have to learn the hard lesson for you as a kid with your parents?
Speaker 1:I was the only boy young as a three, so no, I got away with everything. By that time my parents like there's nothing you could do to surprise us or do so now I was a good kid.
Speaker 2:I still my mom, a couple things for me. I mean a couple of things where I lied as a kid and I still I mean I'm 40, almost 48 years old I still remember the pain of that, the consequence, and my mom did such a good job. My dad too have walking, fallen through on on what we said and I remember one time I was working at this like dump of a pizza place Sorry, it was like Papa. All those now it's called Papa Murphy's. I'm sure they're really good, good, sorry to put them on blast, or maybe you're probably not gonna get them as a sponsor in the future, but I it was like a Sunday and my buddy was turned 16 and he had his like little beach, like beach house or gonna go water skiing and have a birthday party for him, like, oh, it sounds fantastic, I'd love to go do that.
Speaker 2:Well, I had to work on a Sunday and I so I went to my boss asking hey, you know, would it be possible I should change shifts, my buddies having a 16th birthday party? No case, we really, really need you on Sunday. No, I understand, but I am just, sundays are kind of slow, boss, I'm hoping that maybe you can reconsider. I need to hear on Sunday. I'm like, dang it. And my mom's like you got a job, you got to follow through. So now I'm thinking, okay, hmm, I know I'll get creative.
Speaker 2:I went to my boss hey, small world, I got a family reunion on Sunday, just found out about it. So my mom said I'm really gonna need it, need to get it off. He's like really. I'm like, yeah, god, what timing. I so I'm now, I get a missed the birthday party, but I have to go to the family reunion. Complete life made it up.
Speaker 2:And what does it? The boss do? Calls my mom. He goes hey, I just want to. You know, I sounds like Casey, it's a family reunion, family union this weekend. I just want to say sorry if I made it difficult and he can toy, have a day off. My mom goes what Now, she could have easily covered for me and taught that lying is okay. Or she said we don't have a family reunion and you can do what you want to teach him a lesson. So I go to work next day. He goes Casey, excited for your family unit, yeah, let's see a bunch of cousins that baits me walk right into it. He's like you, sure, cuz I just talked to your mom. She said you don't have one this weekend. I was like I mean I turn probably, but he goes, casey, in today's, your last day now that I got fired.
Speaker 2:My mom was disappointed in me and I didn't get a birthday party, you know, talk about a life about integrity and you know and you know, as embarrassing as that is, even till now, I'm like but what a great, but a great learning opportunity. I told my kids that story like hey, learn from dad. Like I was not a good decision back in the day and you're gonna make mistakes, but to your point, how do we it's, how do we deal with them?
Speaker 1:and but anyway, I can't wait to tell that story but it's true, you have those moments in life where it impacts you and it changes everything. One time Reese did something and I told not to do it, so I was pretty furious with him on it. He heard it, he, he got. You know, he got his punishment and he goes to me, which I try not to laugh, but it's the greatest thing is, dad, I know you're upset now, but I I know in like five years or somewhere down the line, we're gonna laugh about this moment, which is so true because in the moment you're just trying to teach them right and wrong and being safe. But it's not that big and it's just like you laugh about your story right now. Yeah, right, but it taught you something, but in the moment.
Speaker 2:Oh, there's no laughing. No, no, I mean talk about, I mean shame, embarrassment. I was mad at myself like what an idiot.
Speaker 4:But hi, I'm Leslie Vickery, the CEO and founder of Clear Edge, a company dedicated to transforming the business of talent. There are three lines of business Clear Edge marketing, recruiting and rising that help organizations across the recruitment and HR tech sectors grow their brands and market share while building their teams with excellence and equity. I believe we were one of Casey's very first clients. He helped our sales and account teams really those people on the front lines of building and developing client relationships in so many ways. Here are a few. He helped us unlock the power of curiosity. For me it was a game changer. I was personally learning all about Ted based that's, tell, explain, describe and that really resonated with me. We also learned about unlocking the power of humility and unlocking the power of vulnerability. Casey taught us to be a team player, to embrace change, to stay positive. He is one of the most positive people I know. He believes that optimism, resilience and a sense of humor can go a long way in helping people achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.
Speaker 4:And I agree Casey's book when the relationship, not the deal. It is a must-read listen. Whether you're looking for coaching and training or a powerful speaker or keynote, casey is one of the people I recommend, when talking to companies, the end result for us, at least as one of Casey's clients our own clients would literally commend our approach over all other companies, from the way we were prepared in advance of a call, to how we drove meetings, to how we follow up. It sounds really basic, I know, but let me tell you it is a standout approach that led to stronger relationships. I encourage you to learn more by going to Casey jcoxcom. You have nothing to lose by having a conversation and a lot to gain. Now let's get back to Casey's podcast, the quarterback dadcast okay, I want to learn like.
Speaker 2:So. You spent 30 years in the staffing business and you know mark story, mark Nussbaum, everybody. If you've not listened his episode, go listen to. It's fantastic. You know, if my memory is correct, lawyer turn staffing executive. How did you guys all meet? How'd you start it and what kept you there that long, sir?
Speaker 1:it's actually great. It's a great story and for me I always wonder who I be if signature didn't happen to me. So, gentlemen, john Stolberg got me into the business. I knew him since 92. He was friends with my sister and we after I graduated. He was two years older when I graduated college.
Speaker 1:We hang out party on the weekends and I was unhappy in my first job out of college, selling dictation equipment brutal, not making any money. I made $18,000 my first year at college, awful so he. So he's like, come work for me. I'm going right in the typical staffing world back in the 90s. You go from recruiter in the sales to open up an office and he goes I'm going in the sales. I got a backfill myself and need a recruiter. Come work for me. And this was in 96 and they offered me a base of 21,000 plus commissions and I was ecstatic because I just I'm now making $3,000 Jackpot plus commissions. I'm like I'll work pretty hard, I'm gonna make some commissions. So life was great and so we had a great first year together.
Speaker 1:And another gentleman, henry Suarez, was the other salesperson. So John Stolberg, who we call Stoli, and Henry Suarez taught me the business. Okay, and teaching me the business. They kicked me out of their office 20 times a day. I let. I led the office in DNS, do not submit. I mean, I was constantly going there. The new candidate, new candidate, they go, get out, I go. You didn't look at the resume, they go. You couldn't have qualified them that quickly get out. So they taught me the business. And then, and Stoli was getting recruited to help start up signature a VP at the time was recruiting him and we met Dr Jay at a restaurant in your not really serving for the record right, not Julia serving, although as a six-year span, you know.
Speaker 1:You know Julia serving plays at the golf course. I play out. I've met him.
Speaker 2:No way. Yeah such a nice guy.
Speaker 1:By the way. So Jay Cohen we called him dr Jay because he's a gastroenterologist and he was starting a staffing company called signature and Stoli was getting recruited out. So we, he's like, come with me. So Stoli and I went and met Jay at a restaurant near Phil Beach and I Love Jay. Like you first meet him and you're going, okay.
Speaker 1:So I'm sitting here, I'm 25 years old and at the time I was working for Technosource and I was about ready to move out the Phoenix for them. Hmm, they're open up an office out there and I was looking to make my next step and so I was like, great, and I'll move out the Phoenix if that's to get me a promotion. And so, either way, I was starting over and Stoli was debating. Stoli played football for Boston College. He was debating about getting out of staffing and going in being like a coach, hmm. And after we met Jay, as I said, if you're in, I'm in because of half of what he says is true. This is a unique situation get to start a company from scratch, mm-hmm, and he's gonna invest in two guys 25, 26 year old which, by the way, was still not smart at that age, right, right, and Simultaneously up in Charlotte. They were recruiting Jeff Gray which Jeff we didn't know.
Speaker 1:Okay, and so Jeff Stoli and I start in January, february, we stagger our Notices and then Jeff starts in March in Charlotte and we have no idea we're doing Jay's practicing medicine and Coming down like once a week signing checks. We have a VP who winds up not being the greatest guy in the world and Jay fires them within two months. Wow, so now it's it's Stoli and I and Jay's coming down once a week and his scrubs and Jay's funny, he's he has great. His dad was, for his dad's career was a comedian. So Jay Actually could have done stand up and did a little stand up while he was in med school. Oh, wow, so you come down, joke with us, but he was learning the business Through us, who we thought we understood the business but did not. Right, because we always think part of our ego.
Speaker 1:Yeah and it just started to grow and while you get to know Jay, jay, jay's a massive connector, so he starts bringing you into, into his life. So you're meeting all of his friends and Mark now Spalm was one of his good friends. So I'm being Jewish, j being Jewish, like I, went to his house for a Passover, there's Mark now Spalm, and getting to know him. And then he brings Mark over and I think it was 2000, 2001. We're about 25 million. Shockingly, we got there. How we got there? We have no idea. We have all the funny stories right. Staffing always has great stories, oh yeah, but we got there based on Working hard and trusting each other. And then that's over the years. We started forming a great relationship with Jeff and you know, john, jeff and I are like brothers.
Speaker 1:Our wives Are all the best of friends all of our kids know each other, wow right, and we're like family and I mean, the biggest mentors of my life has been Stoley, jeff Henry, who came over seven years later. He just couldn't come over at the time because he had two young daughters. Jay is a huge mentor of my life and Mark and I don't know where who I'd be If it wasn't for them, because they all taught me something different and I just you love being around them all ours are Stoley and and mr Suarez, still at the company, yes, wow.
Speaker 1:Henry's the, the data guru. When you need numbers, he how he could think of, how he could think of having put things together to see trends and so forth. And then he has a memory of an elephant he never forgets anything. Wow, his daughter has been working with us since she graduated. She's one of the top sales people in the company.
Speaker 4:Wow.
Speaker 1:I want to top sales people and staffing. I mean, she's a rock star and I've known her since she was six.
Speaker 3:Wow.
Speaker 1:So it's we're all family. We all know each other very well. That's, we went to Henry's daughter youngest daughter's wedding in Italy and Now the older ones getting married, and we'll we all go to the wedding, have a good time together. So it's like reunions.
Speaker 2:How much? How much do they know the impact they've had on you? They do, yeah, yes, they all do. How much do you talk about that impact that on you were like your kids a.
Speaker 1:Lot. They know each one of them personally.
Speaker 2:Does that inspire curiosity from your kids when you share that stuff with them?
Speaker 1:I Think a little bit. As they're getting older, the curiosity is starting to pick up, especially from my older one now that he's Because I'm trying to coach him he's he started junior year I'm like, okay, you have to get an internship. How are we gonna go get it? Not a great time to get in commercial real estate right now. So internships can be hard. So, hey, buddy, I'm gonna start teach out of fill the top of the funnel and how to network, and you're gonna have to Reach out to like a thousand people before you're gonna get an answer and how you follow up and how you're gonna chase. So he's now starting to ask a lot of those questions on how you're right, on how we started their relationships, the networks and how it all works.
Speaker 2:He's now that he's getting older yes, Well, I wrote down when you were talking. In the very beginning you said commercial real estate. I wrote down two names and I'm a what fills my tank. Brad is connecting people and I I teach this now. I called a boomerang mindset and the number one way to have a boomerang mindset is you do not keep score Correct. So there's two names, so I don't know your son, but I've got to know you a little bit and so we get, when we get offline, I'm gonna. I'll make then two intros to you Appreciate it.
Speaker 2:That's what's fun. It's like it's when you and I teach my kids this. It's like when you serve others without expectation, expectation. It always comes back to you, hundred percent, always comes back to you. And I think that's where, when I decided to come on off, that's when I thought about, like that's what you know you got to win people, not a deal. If you win people, they will, deals will follow and you know I love that, I love, and I don't know they'll help. At least it's. The worst thing they'll say is no, you know right, so You're an empty nester. Now there's some dads probably who are going through that. Talk, talk maybe. And for a dad that will be there soon, which scares the living, you know what I mean. Like talk about that journey, the ups, the downs, challenges.
Speaker 1:I'm. I'm so, chris, I'm very sarcastic and I have a lot of humility. I actually I Contemplated with my friends are starting an empty nesting podcast.
Speaker 1:There's actually ones out there and I wrote down all these different scenarios of my wife. Now my wife's the cook. She's a phenomenal cook. I'm the griller and I'm the help, to the point of I'm the helper. I always clean if you need me to prep, but I'm just cooking is not my thing and I go. Are we still gonna get meals? No, so far, the since Cooper's left, it's only been three weeks. I think I've had eggs four times for dinner already. So, but she does cook, but she's off doing things and I'm, what am I doing for dinner? She goes you're a man, figure it out and so eggs are the easiest thing for me to make.
Speaker 1:You know what it's? It's transition. It is a brand new chapter and we embrace it. I miss I miss them being around. So it is quiet. The hardest thing for Brooke Was going to the grocery store. She didn't have to buy much, so her first like three to five trips of grocery or came back with tears. No, because she goes for whatever reason. That's the one that hits me hard. Right, we barely walk by their bedrooms. We go. We have two stairs. Take the stairs. That doesn't pass their bedroom. It's sad.
Speaker 1:Yeah and Then I joke, one of our friends invited us over for dinner and Of course, like after work during the week, usually you have stuff, right? Yeah, you gotta make sure the kids are fed or they have some event, or they have something you're scheduled. Now I have nothing. So my friends call and, like you want to come over for dinner? I'm going. Let me think for a second, yeah, I'll be over what time? So I called our empty nesting support group and so we got together and help each other. So from that perspective it's fun. I am not used to All the flexibility yet. Yeah, at night During the week I'm a very rigid person and very routine.
Speaker 1:I Wake up every morning, I work out, I have my routines, I know. So I'm trying to learn this new routine of we don't have anything so we play pick a ball on Wednesday night, co-ed pick a ball on Wednesday nights, and Try to do different things together but then also have our guys, her girls, the things that they do during the week. It's about trying to stay busy. See, our first weekend I Woke up, I Help, I did some loads of laundry, I went and hit golf balls, I ran some errands, I called my wife as noon. I Go hey, what are you doing? She goes. I'm out and about why I go. Well, and I explain everything I did. I go, what do I do now? She goes. Oh, my god, we're in so much trouble. I go. We're got to figure this thing out, especially on weekends with travel, sports, right.
Speaker 1:I never understood how people can read books and binge watch shows. I totally get it. Now I Been to watch suits. Nine season the suits within two weeks. It's just a totally different world that takes a little getting used to, because I do miss them. And then it's the balance of how often do you call them yeah, and giving them freedom. And so my wife gives them five dollars for every time they send a picture, if they're doing an event or a social or dating function. If they send a picture, they get five bucks Venmo to them immediately. No, so good, right that. And then someone gave us the idea they will talk to you more if you snapchat them. And now it was so true, why? I guess it's easier for them, but tax not as much. Snapchatting, boom and more pictures. So we're learning.
Speaker 2:There we go. Well, maybe I'm not on Snapchat, but maybe that's homework for me to get on Snapchat.
Speaker 1:Try it, see if there's a difference in how they communicate with you. It's fascinating.
Speaker 2:All right, I am taking. I have homework, Brad, I got my homework too. I'm hoping that maybe I'm not as old as I think that I can get on Snapchat. Well, you're proof of me you can do it. I can do it, Are you?
Speaker 1:a. Do you like Seinfeld?
Speaker 2:I love Seinfeld.
Speaker 1:So I feel like I'm Kramer now. Anytime someone asks me to do something, I'm like, I'm in.
Speaker 2:Do you come through the door like Kramer?
Speaker 1:Right, I should All right Like, wait a minute. Where are we just talking? How are you already at my house? I got nothing to do so good.
Speaker 2:Okay, Well, as we get ready to wrap up, if, if you want, well, actually, one question I like to always ask dads is so an area, your dad game that maybe you struggled with when you're raising kids, and maybe even now, as an empty nest like that? You know isn't quite where you want it to be, but at least you can, you can admit like, hey, this is a gap, but I'm gonna work on it and I'll. I'll go first make it easy on the guests. Mine is, as a competitive person, patience, but I swear, doing episodes, podcast episodes.
Speaker 2:I've, you know, 215, 20, plus whatever it is. It's free therapy every time I talk to a dad and reminding me that they're not messing up on purpose. You know there's expectation, there's agreements like take a deep breath, slow down. These are first world problems. We'll get through it and I'm finding myself becoming more patient. So for you, I guess, as you think about your journey, if you feel comfortable, tell me what would be an area, your game, your dad game that maybe wasn't where you wanted to be, but you're committed to make it better.
Speaker 1:Too much of an. I know exactly what it is. I am way too much of an enabler for my boys Meaning on the big things, I held the line and there's no flexibility on the little things. Massive enabler made their launches do their laundry Right. When I was just up at UF I was like what do you guys need? I was running out to the mall to get my son's shoes just different things. My wife laughs at me. She goes, just make them do it. I go, but I'm here or it's just easier for me to do it. So on the little things, I enable way too much that I need to stop. Yeah.
Speaker 2:Well, it's probably a double edged sword, because you feel appreciated, liked, wanted, you're doing something good. But your point like but is it teaching? You know that's the hard part.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:You know, what taught me about that was COVID. Covid opened up my eyes when I was doing way too much for my son. I was like now because we pretty much went cold turkey and said, no, I'm not doing that. Now they're like short order cooks. It's awesome, which is great. Yeah, they still don't quite do laundry as well as I would like, but at least are the efforts there. Like, some of the folding skills are atrocious. I'm like this looks like you wrinkle up a piece of paper and then put it in a drawer. Like how, what part of the thought process was that was a good job? I'm curious.
Speaker 1:At least they put it in the drawer, mike has never found the drawer no.
Speaker 2:Okay, if you were to summarize everything we talked about today that moms or dads can take from our conversation and use what we've used our conversation to become a better leader or quarterback of their household. Brad, tell me what comes to mind, Keep it simple for them.
Speaker 1:I think growing up is hard and there's a lot going on. It's a different world with social media that the more confidence we can build in our kids and keep it simple for them, the better.
Speaker 2:I love that. Build confidence in them. That's really our goal as parents, right? I mean, you want a confident kid and if you're always beating them down, that's not going to help. Not at all. Probably our ego is getting in the way we do that. What's up to make?
Speaker 1:mistakes. That's how they learn. That's how you learn right. You had the greatest story.
Speaker 2:That's awesome, build confidence. I love that. I always think one of my former guests getting Bruce Brown, who's a I call him like Yoda. He's like so much wisdom. I went and spent five hours at his house. He used to speak on stages with guys like John Wooden Maybe you've heard of him Dean Scheshevsky I meant, sorry, dean Smith, mike Scheshevsky, dick Vermille, buck Youniel, just a few Well known.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I went and spent five hours with him in his house and was just like soaking up the time with him and he always talks about confidence is built from one person inside the home, one person outside the home. So it's helping, helping others, like helping you get coached by people outside the home and letting that happen. But I love that I have a big. I have a big box around that word confidence. So thanks for sharing that. Okay, before we get into the lightning round which is going to completely show how random and weird I am and that I have a screw loose, if people want to learn more about you, they want to connect with you. They've loved what you've said. You've given us a great lot of wisdom. Tell me what's the best way people can learn about you. They can learn about Dexion and what you're all up to up.
Speaker 1:Why connect with me on LinkedIn? I am a big pay up forward person. I think I've been very fortunate and Jay given me an opportunity when I was 25 years old. What I want to do is pay it back and love paying it back and humility is a big part of my life, so I'm happy to share every mistake I made. So messaging me on LinkedIn, happy to help.
Speaker 2:Love it. Well, make sure you're tagged in the show notes. I want to give a huge shout out to Mark Nussbaum. Thanks for making today happen. I'm grateful he introduced us, grateful our paths have crossed. But now it's time to go into the lightning round. Your job is to answer these questions as quickly as possible. My job is to ask you random questions to try to get a giggle out of you. I'm right, I've never done lightning round before. Okay, true or false? At the? At the football game UF versus Tennessee, you and your two sons were full on painted up body paint, false, false. Did not get a laugh there. True or false? You once kicked a 63 yard field goal at Florida to beat Tennessee. I wish.
Speaker 2:If we went into your phone and the last song played, what would be the one song that Jay Cohen will be surprised that you listened to? Pire rap song.
Speaker 1:Which one I'm trying to think. I think it was Robb bass. I think I had Robb bass.
Speaker 2:Love Robb bass Solid Solid choice there. Tell me the last book you read.
Speaker 1:Last, but that's a set. Well, actually last book I read was the one you recommended me, Slight Edge, but I prefer historical fiction. It's been a while. My last one there was a gentleman in Moscow which was a great book.
Speaker 2:Okay, it's called a gentleman in Moscow. Yes, okay, I'll write that down. If you were to book a vacation right now, just you and Brooke, tell me where you're going Croatia, wow.
Speaker 1:How come my son was there. He took a little trip there when he was in Italy abroad and the videos looked amazing, so we want to go there.
Speaker 2:Okay, If I was to come to your house for dinner tonight, I'd probably guess we're going to cook. But what are you going to cook?
Speaker 1:me Eggs. Well, if it's me, you're getting eggs in the English muffin and I think we're spinach. I could put some spinach and fat in it. That's what you get.
Speaker 2:Kind of keep me healthy. I appreciate that. Okay, if there was to be a book written about your life, tell me the title.
Speaker 1:Oh, I think Humility and I don't know, that's a good one.
Speaker 2:I guess Humility. We'll call it Humility, okay. So now everybody's reading Humility. It's a must read for every new Dexion associate. Everyone's talking about it, but now Hollywood's heard about this book and they're going to make a documentary out of it. They're going to make a movie out of it, but we need to know, since you're the casting director, who's going to star Brad Rosen in this brand new, critically acclaimed movie.
Speaker 1:What's his name from? Ted Lasso, love him.
Speaker 2:Jason.
Speaker 1:Zanakis. Yes, which, by the way, I love to believe in your picture behind you. That was one of my favorite series.
Speaker 2:Oh, it's the fantastic. Did you cry? Yes, that's what I get to me every time, big time, yep, okay, and last question what's your favorite movie? Love and Unselfish. There we go Lightning round's over. I got a teeny bit of a giggle. You did great for your first ever lighting round. I want to say a huge shout out to Latitude Sitka, my friends up in Sitka, alaska, who have this amazing island which I visited, and if you ever have not been to Alaska, put them on your list because this island gives you an amazing experience of fishing, hot springs, you can golf, you can go jet skiing, cold plunge, you can do everything yoga, they have retreats. It was just so much fun to spend time with some friends and coworkers up there. I want to say thanks again, brad, for spending time with us. I'm grateful for our paths across and I'm hopeful we'll have a chance to meet one day in person when that time comes. But thank you again so much for spending time with me today.
Speaker 1:Thank you. This was awesome, Kasey. I really appreciate it and I hope we are going to meet one day. I have to fly out to see you there we go.
Speaker 2:It'll be fun. All right, man, have a good day.
Speaker 1:Thank you, bye, bye.