Sniffing Markers

In a very special episode, Colin Harding returns to interview me for my new book, Code your Way Up (now available on Amazon US and CDN). It's a one-on-one interview and our FIRST remote podcast.

We're going back into the vault, this is the full circle on our previous, previous episode of Interviews. I recently did a talk at a high-school on interviewing and what students need to prepare for.  This made me think even more about all the things they are not being taught so I made sure to get them all out in this cast.

It's training time.  That glorious time of year where we get to evaluate where we want to go and do for training for that year - read: Conferences. But here's the problem, if you're waiting all year for this one week, you're missing on so much more that is all around you.

Confidence can't be taught, don't believe me?  Listen up, this is the first in our new line of HotCasts.

We're back for 2019 after our winter hiatus and we're kicking things off with an ode to the only equipment you'll ever need in your office.

It's an unreleased, final episode of Colin and I (well mostly me) talking about what it takes to Tell a Great Story and keep your audience invested. From the show Here's the youtube video I talk about on "How to Rock the Stage" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uKtMwmWv6Q0&t=74s And here is my own take on this storytelling - https://www.slideshare.net/GregThomas3/how-to-be-a-great-storyteller

This past week Stan Lee passed away.  What an Impact on the minds of millions and millions of fans.  I was a fan from the early days of comics (still am) but that's all I could think about over the last few days - was his Impact. If you're interested in purchasing Silver Surfer Parable - it's available here. Excelsior!

It's been a long time coming, but Sniffing Markers is back. Find out where we've been, what's up next and what our plans for the future are. And what's all this "we" that we're talking about?

In today's episode, Greg & Colin talk about Big. Bad. Meetings. When did meetings become the work? We talk about the usefulness (and wastefulness) of meetings, how to get the most out of them, and where the responsibility lies. As always, don't forget to check us out on facebook and share comments and episode ideas!

In today's episode, Colin & Greg complete Part 2 of Agile Foundations -- we're talking Kanban! We talk about how it works, how it's different from scrum, and what you can get out of it. Maybe you've heard about it, maybe you've used it, maybe you have no idea what it is...in any case, we think you'll learn something new in today's episode. Don't forgot to rate and review us and visit us on our Facebook page! 

In today's episode Colin & Greg talk about the importance of managing the inputs we look for and accept for ourselves - media and content, people, conversations, foods, etc! We discuss the way these inputs affect our outputs and how important this can be for freelancers, who largely must rely on themselves for their energy! As always, check us out on facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sniffingmarkerspodcast/) and please rate and review us!

I think this is one of my favourite episodes to date, primarily because of the format. There was none. I had a question and in typical fashion, Colin and I spent our time going back and forth. If you're confused about the usefulness of SCRUMS and where things with your SCRUM could be going wrong - this is the episode for you. As always, please rank, review and connect with us on Facebook! Download the latest episode here – http://sniffingmarkers.libsyn.com/ep19-scrumbums

In today's episode, Greg & Colin discuss the difficult choice to walk away from projects, opportunities or customers. We talk about our personal red flags and decision factors, how to say no, and avoiding saying no for the wrong reasons. Don't forget to rate and review us and check us out on  facebook! https://www.facebook.com/sniffingmarkerspodcast/

Hi Folks, We are indeed alive! We've been having some adventures and this caused a breakage in our publishing schedule. The good news is that we are back in the studio and back on track! We wanted to provide an update on where we're at, what's been going on, and what's coming next. Stay tuned for another New Episode Coming in the next few days!

In today's episode, Colin & Greg talk about Content Marketing. Whether you are looking to add content marketing to your own freelancing or consulting strategies, or work with related business areas, content marketing is a fascinating and growing strategy. We talk about the history, the bones, some helpful tools, and how a basic flow might work. Stay tuned to see if Greg follows through on creating a content marketing funnel for himself. As always, please rank, review and connect with us on Facebook!

In today's (New Year's!) episode, Greg & Colin talk about Accountability and Empowerment. We talk about the difference between these two concepts and what kind of team members come out of accountability and empowerment cultures. We discuss our own experiences and how to empower to create true leaders. If you like show don't forget to rate us, review us and share with us on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sniffingmarkerspodcast If you have an idea for a show, drop us a line on our FB page and we'll gladly get on it.

In today's episode Greg & Colin talk about what it takes to be a real leader and whether that's actually something we should all want. We also talk about whether you need to be a leader to move up and Greg discusses lessons learned from Ernest Shackleton (great name) and recommends checking out books on his adventures and leadership (link below). As always, if you like the podcast please listen, follow and share. And Check us out on facebook! Check out "Shackleton's Way: Leadership Lessons from the Great Antarctic Explorer" https://www.amazon.ca/Shackletons-Way-Leadership-Antarctic-Explorer/dp/0142002364)

I've been really bad at not promoting the Sniffing Marker podcast enough but have to say there is some really great content here. This episode is a great one and very apropos for those of us juggling contracting and freelancing duties and knowing the difference between the two. In today's episode, Greg and Colin discuss what it's like when we freelancers/consultants are brought in to solve a problem, compared to fulfilling a specific function. We talk about the difference between those two assignments, identifying and remaining aligned to them, and how to keep working in the right direction. We discuss the "5 Why's", challenging assumptions and timelines, and generally ensuring you are delivering the value you've been hired to provide. If you like show don't forget to rate us, review us and share with us on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/sniffingmarkerspodcast  

In today's episode Greg & Colin talk about our favourite four letter word: fear. We discuss fear-based decision-making and how times of great fear can mean growth, learning and opportunities. We talk about fearful decisions and periods of our professional lives and steps we take to try to tame fear and have a more productive relationship with it. As promised, the link to Greg's recommendation for something new to check out is Gavin Aung Than's www.zenpencils.com

In this week's episode, Greg & Colin return for part 2 of the Interview discussion: the Interviewer. We talk about the responsibilities of the interviewer, what we look for in candidates and how to get at what really counts. We also share stories that you, the listeners, have shared with us, as well as a few of our own! Don't forget to rate and review us, and reach out to us on our facebook page.