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Differently: Stop living by default. Start living by design.
Client Spotlight: Life is an Adventure - Go all In with Will Baumgardner
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On this week's episode of Differently I speak with my former client, Will Baumgardner. He shares his personal battle with being a recovering workaholic, the downside of loving your work and what it means to be "all in". We talk about life as summiting a mountain - the peaks and valleys, and what it means to create a more fulfilling relationship with work.
Will is Chief of Staff for Venture First. Venture First provides capital and financial services to growth-focused companies. He has strong expertise in financial planning and analysis, financial modeling, operations, and corporate strategy. Will attended the University of Louisville, where he received his degree in Finance. Will currently serves on the Board of Directors for the UofL Alumni Association and works with other local organizations to strengthen his community. He lives in Louisville, KY with his husband, Jacob.
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Thank you for listening!
My guest today on the podcast is Will Baumgartner, Chief of Staff for Venture First and a former client. Today's conversation really embodies what I think of when I think of Will. We adventure through the ups and downs of loving your work, making it an identity, learning to be present, and going all in with what is in front of you. Will wholeheartedly embraces the idea of doing things differently. He authentically loves life and all that it brings. See for yourself. Here's Will. I'm Carla Reeves, and this is Differently, a podcast where we explore the ins and outs of what becomes possible when we're willing to think, do, and show up differently to the moments of our everyday lives. Hey Will, welcome to Differently. I'm really excited that you're here.
SPEAKER_00Thank you. I am thrilled to be here.
SPEAKER_01So it's actually been a while since we worked together. Um, but we also traveled a long time together. And I I feel like we still travel together, even if we're not officially working together. But give us a sense, tell us a little, paint a picture of kind of who you are and where you are in your life, and yeah, give us a little sense of you.
SPEAKER_00Sure. Um, so I am uh a recovering workaholic at the moment. Uh and after about a decade of working to build a company uh called Venture First, so we do kind of outsourced financial services uh and transaction work, CFO work for growth stage companies. Um I was the first employee that our CEO hired, and um I think have built that into something that pretty proud of. And now entering a new journey where I think the CEO and I recognize that we kind of view the world differently, uh, and it's time to time to find a new journey. So um on the work front, uh excited to report that I'm taking time to figure out what that next step is. Um outside of work, uh been married to my partner Jacob for about seven months. We were a uh a COVID wedding, which ended up being it was plan B, but it was the perfect uh perfect day, perfect plan. Uh and so super thrilled um that we were able to make that happen. Uh, and then enjoy, you know, I'm kind of a sucker for like long uh prolonged journeys of uh of working out in pain, but uh do triathlons, um like you know, really enjoy uh challenging myself physically. And um I think that you you learn a lot about yourself through that journey and um have summited uh right before COVID and at the end of 2019 was able to go to Africa and do uh Hype Kilimanjaro, which was a great experience. Um so yeah, workaholic, uh love hanging out with family and friends and uh doing cool things.
SPEAKER_01So good. You just reminded me of like why you inspire me so much and how much I have loved our paths crossing and um you know from the recovering workaholic because I I identify with that too. Um to the to the challenging yourself and being somebody who's just you're always uh you're just always up to really engage and go full out. And I love that about you, and I can't wait to hear what's gonna happen next for you. But let's kind of start there with the recovering workaholic, because I think people listening, there, there are people that are gonna really identify with that. And um tell us a little bit more about what that look what that has looked like and how that has maybe shifted for you or it's evolving.
SPEAKER_00Sure. Um so loaded loaded question and over many, I think, phases of life. But um, so for me, uh, I think work, especially straight out of school, for me, uh, work was my identity. I mean, it was it was everything that I defined myself and successes and failures, and um, you know, how I presented to my family and to friends was it always kind of wove back to work. And I think um after you know, gaining a few years and some wisdom along the way, I think the first part of that was because as at the time a closeted gay man, I wasn't happy with who I was internally and wasn't ready to accept that. So I found something that I felt the outside world would approve of and really latched onto that and gave it all of my energy. Um and that changed for me. I had a brief stint where I moved to Los Angeles and um being from Kentucky to LA was a little bit of a culture shock, and but in the best possible way. And so that was really a good step for me of becoming okay with that part of myself um and becoming, you know, coming out to my family and getting into a relationship. Um and once I really found Jacob and and we started, I started investing time into a relationship, I think I realized that uh work, work was not my only identity. Um, but damn, it was really hard to to break that pattern of giving everything in my best to work when there's now this other facet of life that that needs love and attention. And so um it's been a really long journey of realizing that there's a there's more to life than you know um what you can do professionally. Um, especially I think if there's if you were in that stage where I was as a single person or maybe not happy with who I was internally, um, it's really easy to latch on to that identity. But working through and having folks along the way like yourself uh help you, you know, helping me challenge my mindset or you know, Jacob, my you know, now husband, and um being you know, uh another example of not challenging or arguing or picking, but just like, hey, like, you know, uh asking the question, like, well, why why do you give so much? Like, you know, I I understand. And so I think for me it was trying to figure out that I think work-life balance um is honestly a misleading term. I think because it makes people think that it's going to be balanced, you know, like oh, 50-50 or whatever it is. There's never a balance, but I think it's a developing a relationship with work that is healthy. Um, and I think that's where I got to here recently, which then really allowed me to critically look at where I was and and the type of relationship that I was in with work to realize that it was unhealthy. And I once you realize that you're in an unhealthy relationship, um you have a variety of options. You can, you know, admit it and try to fix it. You can not admit it, stay there and be miserable, or you can, you know, uh agree that it's not gonna work out and walk away. And so I think my personality, one of my I think greatest strengths, but also can be a weakness, is I really I care to the extent where sometimes I put myself all the way in the back. So I I certainly tried to take every step that I could to fix the relationship with work. And once I realized that, you know, it's the compatibility factor between my work and and our CEO has just run out, and that's okay. Now it's just time to find something new. And so um, yeah, long, long journey into finding that relationship with work. Um, but I think it's it's important to look at it, you know, if you're a workaholic or recovering workaholic or a workaholic without knowing you're a workaholic, um viewing viewing it as a relationship was really what helped me kind of shift my thinking.
SPEAKER_01Um what are some of the indicators for you like when it is in the unhealthy state?
SPEAKER_00I think the ability to be present is one of the greatest gifts that we can give, and certainly in like our day and age. Um and I think the biggest indicator for me was I was not able mentally, I was not able to disconnect from work. And I'm not talking about cell phone in my hand, answering emails in bed. I am talking about, and I didn't realize it in the moment. I think this is one of my big aha moments. Um, we every year take an annual trip to to New York, and for Christmas, big, you know, we love going seeing the shows. Thankfully they're back now. Hooray. Um, and we were walking, and Jacob just looked over and he was like, Hey, are you okay? And I was like, Oh yeah, I'm fine. And he was like, um, and it was so clear. He's like, I love you. Your body is in New York, your mind's back adventure first. And I was like, Wow, you're right, you know, and so I think that for me has manifested in other ways, so you know, but I think the one of the biggest you know, gauges or data points is like, are you able to mentally like everybody can take themselves out of the office? That the physically piece is easy. Are you able to mentally disconnect from your work? Um, and for me, it it I wasn't. I mean, it was just constant thoughts and ideas, which some some ideas are great, some ideas, you know, uh you get after you have moments of not thinking about everything. But it was the rumination, the thoughts, the anxiety, the how are we gonna handle this, you know, constantly that was a really clear indicator that okay, this is this is an unhealthy relationship. Um, and another was uh I I think it was uh Steve Jobs' quote or uh something that he said along the way of if you look at yourself in the mirror and it there's too many days in a row where you don't like what you have to go do, there's an issue or something along those lines. And so I think it it started, it transformed from I identify with myself, you know, or my identity is built on work. I'm so excited to go in the office. Like, well, why would I come home to have dinner? I mean, I can just eat at the office. I was single and you know, whatnot. And that kept building, but I was excited about doing the work then, and then it transformed into more of a burden. And I think that that was another indicator that it was uh an unhealthy relationship.
SPEAKER_01Oh, so so so powerful. I um just what you just said, you know, that you can even be excited about something and sort of overdo it. Like I I just realized that in my life this this last few weeks. Like and it and it was related to the being present. Like I I think being a recovering workaholic, it's it's not like a what like you do the work and you're once and done. It's it's an ongoing sort of being aware and making adjustments along the way. And because there's still for me, after years and years and years of working on this in my life, like there's still there's still a pull to like work, you know, and I I really enjoy it and I really love it. And I found myself the last few weeks like in the had gotten in this pattern of slipping into my office at night, like for fun, to like work for fun. And it it all felt good, my intentions were good, I love my work, but I physically noticed I wasn't feeling as good. And it was because I was spending too much time in front of the screen. And just like you said, I'd be with my husband and not be able to be present, like not be able to fully engage and be there because I was my brain had hadn't had time to shut down and quiet. And it was still thinking about the things at the desk. And I think that's so so important. You're shaking your head, yeah. Right? And I love that you said like your body is here, but you are your presence is not here. And what a I I mean, I love that Jacob said that to you, like just so point blank because that's the truth. And it what a great question to just ask ourselves. Like, you're physically here, are you all here? Are you all in?
SPEAKER_00I I love all in, yeah. And uh I think that that became for me, you know, it manifested into so many other things in terms of you know, taking trips and not being able to be there or going home, and I should be spending time celebrating my nephew's fourth birthday, but I am mentally right back adventure first thinking about how you know we're gonna execute, you know, whatever project. And or it for me, another indicator when it became unhealthy is you know, waking up at two, three in the morning and not being able to go back to bed. As soon as I woke up, it was you know almost abrupt of like we gotta get this done. And oh my god, did this happen? Or who what's gonna happen when this person does this, you know, and it's just not it's not healthy. And it and it steals so much away from you know the other domains of life. And and again, yeah, it's just uh it was the recognition that that did not become healthy. And for me, I think um a healthy work-life relationship, again, I don't like balance because it feels like you can tinker the formula the right way. Like, no, uh it's it is a relationship, but it's being able to shut that piece down and then again go be fully present with whatever it may be. And I think the one of the other things too is is you mentioned working at night, and I think we were working together still when I had a vacation, and for years I would not give myself this kind of goes against what we just talked about, but I would not give myself permission to work on vacation, but yet I always did, and so and then I would come home and instead of feeling refreshed and you know ready to go back to work, I was mad at myself. I was frustrated because dang it, you know, you just took this week to not work, and what did you do? Answer emails and like had the need to check in. And so there was a vacation that I think you challenged me to just go do what you want to do. And so I think that was a time where you know I I worked on a project or I uh checked an email or or something, so I did connect back, but then I was giving myself permission to do that, but I was making the choice to be present with work at that moment and then shut it down and go be present on the beach. But it was the ability that gave me the ability to yeah, not have to sit on the beach and you know, tie my arms to the chair like thou shalt not check email, when like, well, go check the damn email if that's all you're gonna.
SPEAKER_01Go check it, go check it. You know, yeah, yeah.
SPEAKER_00So it was again an indicator that maybe this relationship isn't healthy, but then steps to like start making it healthy is it's all about presence and where you dedicate, you know, for me, where I was giving my mental energy to. And if that meant, yeah, give a little bit here so that I can take more over here, game changer.
SPEAKER_01So yeah. Well, and I think that's that's like the beauty of the type of that we can be mobile, right? And I mean, uh, my life is very much a blend of all of all things. And so, but what you did was you removed the resistance. And when you remove resistance, then you could just kind of flow with greater ease in and out of what you were doing. And I love that. Like there's so much power in removing resistance because when you're resisting anything, you're creating friction and and also, you know, yeah, like being fully present when we're working and then being fully present when we're not. Like you you danced between the two and you had a much greater experience, I remember.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely. I love the word flow. Yeah, it's um getting into that that flow state um key, I think, as especially now, just to be uh, you know, we we get constantly bombarded with distractions. And so, yeah, to be able to pick and choose and and give the mental energy where you want to to create that. I love that word, flow. Yeah, that's um that's exactly what happened. And it it feels good, and you know when you're in it.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah. And the in the idea of balance, like there is no there is no balance. I really like to think more about alignment because you can it when you when you are um intentional in your life and you're paying attention to the different areas, you can be in a season of like greater work um and feel very balanced. Um, even though if you looked at your work life, it might be off balance. And I think there's more of like an inner balance that you can create and feel very balanced in a state of imbalance. And I like that.
SPEAKER_00Absolutely.
SPEAKER_01Yeah. So where else do you want to go on your journey? Like, I I'd love to just kind of paint a picture for us of of I I'm I'm thinking back to when we I don't even remember exactly why we fur like why you first engaged. I have a couple ideas, but what had you seek out getting connected in the first place? And and kind of what's been your your journey a little bit? You've shared a little bit of it, but there what have been some highlights for you? And I definitely want to hear about what's happening now so we can go there after.
SPEAKER_00Sure. Yeah. Um, so it was we connected through um John.
SPEAKER_01So John That's right, through my mind.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. So John for everybody is the CEO of the company. And so I was, I think there were maybe three, three or four people in the company at the time. Um, and so since then we've grown to about 30. And that's good at that time, John was in total overwhelm. And so he, I'm not sure how he connected with Kim, but he and Kim started working together. And I saw the benefit secondhand, I guess, you know, or firsthand of having a coach. So John became through Kim and their coaching sessions, you know, more focused, um, was able to a big thing is, you know, that I think a lot of founders especially feel is the desire to delegate, but maybe not able to delegate things as their company grows beyond just them and what they can do. And so Kim was pretty influential, I think, in getting John to. Delegate things to me and trust me to make things happen. So when we then started growing to more employees and my role within the company grew by default, you know, I think that I was not hired to become the COO of sorts or you know, guy behind the scenes that was handling everything. I got a little nervous on, or not nervous, but I started to doubt myself and my abilities. And work production started to kind of go down. And you know, John was intuitive enough to make the to make the connection to Kim and frame of mind uh for myself to start coaching. And that's where I think my my conversation with Kim was maybe 20 minutes, and it was a casual get to know you, what coach might work for you. And honestly, I think within the first five, she was like, We can keep talking, but I know who you're gonna work with because you're gonna hit it off and you all are gonna be great. Um, and so enters Carla. And um, so our journey really together, I think started from a um me trying to find my voice at the table, so to speak. We were we were hiring impressive resume folks to help us build this company who were looking to me to, you know, join them at the table, so to speak, to help grow this thing. And I was trying to figure out my voice in all of that. And so um I think we started together with kind of the mindset coaching and working through some of those issues with leadership and and you know, what are the things um that are holding me back that are under my control? Um, I probably still could rummage up somewhere the um piece of paper where I have the circle on the inside of, or what is it, yeah, the giant circle of the facts and the story is. Yeah. And then, you know, okay, what are the facts? What are you telling yourself? Like, yeah. And so that was huge. And um that then transformed into, you know, as we continued to grow the company, there were challenges along the way. And um, you know, you were a great resource to help me think through not so much the answer to the problem, but just my yeah, my mindset around it. How am I approaching the problem? What am I, what are the things that I can control in the situation, um, versus you know, what are the things that, again, that the the story that I'm telling myself about the the facts. And you know, that lasted what we probably coached continuously for a couple of years and then um continued to check in here and there, um, had some, you know, there were certainly some relationship conversations along the way. And um as, you know, I think as we, as I said earlier with that recovering workaholic, but as my relationship with work changed and along the way that allowed space for a new domain, you know, whether it be a relationship or avocational or um, you know, focus on financial, um that new piece of the puzzle coming in was an opportunity and we connected, you know, and did some um a couple of you know sessions in a row, kind of a thing when a new challenge presented itself, just kind of you know, some maintenance. Um, you know, as you as life happens, you uh uh you can it's very easy to you know rely, fall back onto your old model, so to speak. And so just a little maintenance of nudging you along the right way. Um so I think my journey with with coaching and with kind of becoming uh you know um uh a leader in a company and now trying to figure out that next step um has been, I mean, honestly, it's been it's been a lot of fun. It's also been some heartache and and pain. Um but you know, I I think having the the tools, so to speak, to equip yourself as these questions come up or these these pivotal moments, or again, as a new piece maybe enters the the puzzle was so important. And so now I think it's it's falling back on all of those the tools that we've developed along the way to um you know today at this moment, I am uh almost a month in into a two-month sabbatical of you know really doing some soul searching and and figuring out what's next. Um and I I have no idea. Um but I I will share.
SPEAKER_01I um it was are you okay with having no idea?
SPEAKER_00I think that I should I should be more scared than I am, but I am I'm not you know I um I am I am genuinely it has been for folks listening I I don't know how I sound to you, but like I I am okay at this moment, right? Like I feel good about winding down, closing this chapter of life, not knowing what the next one is, but you know, damn it, I'm excited to figure out what that is. Make no mistake, to get to this point was very emotionally difficult. And I think that's where it was really helpful. Um, you know, at one point I had I used to joke with people, and I think that um mental health is so important, and and people don't talk about it. You know, if you break your arm, you go to the doctor to get it fixed. Your mind can be broken, so to speak. And so, you know, at one point I had you as a a mindset and a life coach. I had a therapist, and I had a physical coach that was kicking my ass in the gym. You know, I was like, this this body right here and this mind takes a village. And so I think having the the ability, um, A to be to be blessed and fortunate enough to be able to have those three people in my corner is something that I I don't want to ever lose sight of. I think that you know that that's a big privilege that I had that I I want to be aware of. But it was so helpful to get me to this point where, you know, yeah, I've uh I've reflected and and dealt with the feelings of grief and sadness and anger. I mean, at one point I was I was very angry with John, and I was angry with the company, and that was a different emotion that had it not been for you know the people in my life to reflect things back to me, I wouldn't have dealt with that, and it would have probably still been there. Um so you know, there there was a lot of work to get to this point um now, and there's still some work to be done. Um, I think the the biggest emotion I'm dealing with in terms of closing the chapter of venture first is fear. And it's fear that um, well, fear that somebody's gonna come in after me. And, you know, what the heck was this guy doing? Like, oh my God, I can't believe that they did it this way, or the fear that I my work wasn't good enough, or whatnot. And as I realized yesterday, having been out of the company uh for three weeks, um, I just need to get over that because that's probably already happened. Um, and so that will happen.
SPEAKER_01They will come in and question your work, probably regardless who it is or or how great your work was.
SPEAKER_00100%. Yeah. And so I think for me that I wasn't aware that that that emotion, that feeling of fear was driving me to stay, still keep that tether to venture first. So I was looking at at emails or accepting phone calls on questions. And I was phrasing it to myself as like, oh, I'm just trying to do a good job, or I want to make sure that it's easy for as easy as possible for the people after me. Um when we in reality, A, if the company is gonna be successful, they got to be able to figure that shit out without me. And B, the reason that I was doing that is because I was fearful. I was afraid that somebody would talk ill about me. And you just gotta be okay with that and let it go. And so that was uh, I think had I not been on this journey and been able to have people like yourself or or a therapist or you know, Jacob, my partner, like challenge me and and call me out on some of that stuff, I don't think I would have ever gotten to that level of understanding that you know the the feeling side of your brain is very powerful, and it does not deal in logic, time stamps, dates. It it and it can just take that steering wheel and make you think a lot of different stuff. And so um, yeah, getting to this point um was a lot of work, but a lot of fun work. Yeah, and now super excited for what's next. What that is, who knows?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, I love that. I, as you were talking, I, you know, just for people that don't know you, like watching you in this journey from like questioning, do I have a seat at the table and like seeing you show up again and again and again with all your doubts and all your fears, but just showing up and seeing you really kind of elevate yourself along the way. And then as you were talking, I'm like venture first has kind of been another kilometora like adventure and hike, and like I mean, the the grit and the determination that you had to just keep showing up and the heart that you had to keep showing up is is no different. And I don't know, do you see do you see that connection?
SPEAKER_00Yeah, I I think um if there are any, well, you you're a founder, right? I mean, I I think that that journey is um one of of uh blood, sweat, and tears in the best possible way, you know. I mean, and so um for me, it was definitely a journey. And there's yeah, you know, as you approach the summit, so to speak, to use the the Kilimanjaro, you know, metaphor, like you you have to adjust how you do things, right? How you get from sea level to 10,000 feet is very different from 10 to 15, which is very different from 15,000 to the summit. And I think that's where the journey of venture first has been so fun, is for me, I've I've gotten to learn a lot. And very similarly to a uh you know, a journey up a mountain, you you get to see their reward though as you progress. So I think that's we looking at what's next, one of the things that I've reflected on and journaled is would I be okay in a position where my where I can't directly launch and influence change and then be able to see that happen very quickly. Um that that's one of the things that I love about a small, you know, innovative, fast-growing company is that you know those the changes can happen quickly, but you can see the result of those change where if you go to a you know 50,000-person company, it's gonna move a little slower. And so um, yeah, trying to figure out if that would be something that I would enjoy. But yeah, the the journey of building a company, I think is you know similar to yeah, summoning a mountain. I mean, there's uh challenges and obstacles, but you kind of reach these checkpoints along the way where you get to rest, camp, whatever, look back and you know, appreciate the beauty around you. Same thing, you know, like, oh, okay, we launched this new uh recognition program, and an employee, you know, it really hit home with an employee. Like, well, that's a great checkpoint to reflect back and see that, okay, cool, we're we're doing the right stuff. We're we're still approaching the summit.
SPEAKER_01So yeah, I love that. Um yeah, it you just made me think of something. I I recently took the Colby assessment, but that might be interesting for you to take right now um because it does kind of identify your lead quality. So, like I'm a quick start. I have a feeling you're gonna be a quick start too, because it's somebody who has a lot of ideas, loves to create. Um, and then there's other qualities like follow-through or fact finder. And so just kind of knowing that about yourself and and what's next, I think will be super important. Um, because you always strike me as somebody kind of out there on the edge. Well, um and like thrive, thriving on that, but also making sure that you have time to sit back and reflect and you know find meaning in all of it and that it's purposeful and having an impact. Those are all such strong parts of you. Yeah.
SPEAKER_00You know, and I think um as my I love my um very quick story, but I am my father, so sometimes they go very long. Um growing up, my dad used to write us um as uh if there's any children listening, cover your ears, uh, as letters from Santa. And so each year he would have this, you know, a letter written out from Santa, but to the Baumgartner children, um, and you know, mention milestones that happened that year, and you know, kind of a reflection back. And so when my sister graduated high school, uh, she turned 18. This kind of was a natural time for those to stop. And so then maybe a couple years ago, we were down for Christmas morning, which is now on Christmas Eve, because we're a you know family that has multiple obligations, and we woke up to a letter from Santa, and it was my father who had typed it, and it was so it was such a special moment, but the he tried to summarize each of his children and you know, a saying or a word or whatnot, and I will never forget it, and I love it. And he was like, son, you are not normal. And I, you know, some people might view that as like, what do you mean I'm I'm abnormal? Like, I wear that like a badge of honor because I think that yeah, life is be not normal, be weird, you know, get discomfortable, be uncomfortable, and that's where beautiful things happen. And um, yeah, but also be not normal in the sense of like uh training for an Iron Man. There were a couple times where you just get in this mode of like, I have to run 16 miles today. A, you get to run 16 miles today because there's people out there that can't. And B, I would challenge myself to every once in a while do a training run and not wear a watch, right? Not constantly check my pace, not constantly see if I'm falling behind, or oh my gosh, I've ran how do I have only gone four miles and I have X more like no, just again, it goes back to that being present and just stop and like run over the bridge, over the river, and just stand there for 10 minutes and look and appreciate it, and then get back to work, you know. So like it's that balance, again, well, balance, but uh, you know, being not normal, challenging yourself, but remember to take time to reflect how far you've gone or what what you're able to do. Um, because I think that that's for me, that's what's important, and that's where those are the moments that stick out when you look back.
SPEAKER_01I think that's a perfect spot to close. I think that's a beautiful close. Yeah, I am really excited about what's gonna unfold in the coming chapters, and you're gonna have to come back and and maybe give us an update. And um such an honor to work with you and to know you and to witness. And um, I've just been so inspired by who you are and what you're up to. So thanks for being here.
SPEAKER_00Of course, thank you. I think um would not be at this moment equipped the way I am without your help. And I I truly appreciate your um your counsel, your friendship, uh, and and what we've been able to do together. So thank you.
SPEAKER_01Likewise. Thank you for tuning in to this episode of Differently. I hope it stirred your thinking, and I invite you to take one inspired action from something that stood out to you. If you want to hear more conversations like this, hit subscribe on your favorite podcast app. And please help us spread the word by sharing this podcast with people you know. Remember, new episodes drop quickly. See you next week.