Who’s the host?
My name is Pete Mockaitis. I own a small research and training organization dedicated to developing and disseminating transformational knowledge. I have a real passion for learning and sharing skill development insights. As a teenager, I would go to the library to read books and listen to audio cassette tapes (!) on such topics. I even had a favorite Dewey Decimal Number (158.1–Success, psychological aspects). The interest stuck. I studied Organizational Administration at the University of Illinois and channeled my enthusiasm into writing two books and serving as the commencement speaker. I consulted at Bain & Company and then left about nine years ago to run my own company full-time. I’ve coached clients at organizations including Google, Goldman Sachs, Apple, Amazon, McKinsey & Company, and the United Nations. Feel free to ask me anything in advance.
Who’s listening?
It varies widely, but to give a picture of the median…imagine a 35-year old female Business Analyst at Ford in the United States. She has a Masters degree, earns $105,000 annually and proactively fires Linkedin Learning and TED talks on her downtime. She does not formally have direct reports, but leads teammates under particular circumstances and is definitely an influencer. She listens because “when I’m awesome at my job, I love my job.”
NOTE: 95% of these listeners are not entrepreneurs, freelancers, or CXOs. For extra listener info, I’ll provide quantitative demographics and qualitative ethos upon calendaring.
What’s the show about?
In one phrase: Sharpening the universal skills required to flourish at work. Full description from iTunes here:
If your job requires substantial thinking and collaboration, this podcast will help you flourish at work. Each week, award-winning trainer Pete Mockaitis grills thought-leaders and results-getters to discover specific, actionable insights that boost work performance. These practical nuggets sharpen the universal skillset every professional needs. Pete has coached world-class thinkers from 50 countries, every Ivy League university, and many elite companies to work brilliance. Now, let his VIP guests guide you to becoming a better thinker, doer, presenter, and leader. More career fun, wins, meaning, and money await. Visit http://AwesomeAtYourJob.com for links, show notes, transcripts.
What kind of guests are you bringing on?
I’m looking for folks who are relevant, engaging, and authoritative. People who have great stories and actionable wisdom. Generally, guests fall into six content areas: Presence, Productivity, Thinking, Communication, Work Relationships, and Career Management. You might listen to some of my introductory episodes 0, A, B, etc. to get a quick feel.
Some additional examples are linked below for your convenience:
How would our conversation go?
Ideally, with much smoothness, hilarity, and insight! Again, the key to a great interview: actionable wisdom that sharpens the universal skills required for professionals to flourish at work. Upon scheduling the interview, you’ll receive a 4-slide, 10-minute briefing document that provides helpful background including questions I’m likely to ask. Most interviews follow this kind of flow:
- I welcome and ask for a warm-up fun fact OR inspiring story/case-study of an example where your expertise got applied to transform a person or team.
- We dig into the meat of your wisdom, laughing along the way.
- We conclude with “fast faves,” rapid-fire 1-minute answers to surface the wisdom you like. I ask for a favorite Quote | Study | Book | Tool | Habit | Resonant nugget | Contact information | Call to Action
Afterward, I’ll record separate opener/closer clips recapping how you were great and directing listeners to the post on this site with follow-up content (e.g., a transcript, graphics, and links to your website/company/book/product/etc.). That’s it!
Do I need any special equipment?
If you’re not in a professional audio studio during our interview, don’t worry! We’ll send you the optimal podcasting microphone. So, you’ll just need:
- A computer;
- Google Chrome (we’re doing an audio and video recording via Riverside.fm);
- A webcam (internal from computer is fine)
- A reliable internet connection; and
- The microphone we send you. I recommend this microphone from Amazon. I will happily buy it for you. You can listen to the difference below. Keep the microphone as a token of my appreciation!
*Note: An inadequate microphone is the #1 cause of interviews being rescheduled. Let’s get you equipped before the appointment.
Do I need to do anything other than schedule the time and show up?
Barely. I just ask that you take 20 minutes to read our guest reminders page and 4-slide briefing document. Youâll receive the links to these after booking. Iâll also be sending a copy of our mutual release form for you to sign via SignRequest. This friendly 1-page document puts some of the key terms of the website front-and-center for extra clarity.
Other than that, please send your preferred bio/headshot. I’ll be doing the recording on my end. And my team will run with the audio editing, transcribing, and graphics from there. If you’d like to promote/share afterward, that’s certainly appreciated but not required. We’re both free to repackage and repurpose the emerging content. Hopefully, it will be a useful asset to you going forward!
Of course, if you have any other questions, feel free to email me at pete@AwesomeAtYourJob.com or call my mobile at 312.927.0195. I hope we get to chat; this will be much fun!
How can I launch my own podcast?
Wow, thanks for asking! =] Jokes asideâŚI did, in fact, acquire a podcast production agency called Cashflow Podcasting in 2023. Their sharp team, 21-step quality control process, and decade-long client relationships made it an easy decision. Cashflow Podcasting handles my own audio and has launched dozens of podcasts. So, if thatâs ever of interest, weâre happy to assist.
All set? Click HERE to schedule our chat.
