Beats Working: Winning The Game of Work

WORKP2P

Welcome to Beats Working, where Dan Rogers explores what it really means to redeem work. Through real conversations with leaders and builders, this show goes beyond titles and hustle to uncover the patterns shaping how we live and work. It’s not about climbing ladders—it’s about learning how to play the game from where you are. Because when who you are aligns with what you do, it doesn’t just feel better—it beats working.

  1. APR 20

    Building a Real Estate Business That Gives Back with Katrina Romatowski

    What if wealth wasn’t measured by what you accumulate, but by what you’re able to give back?  In this episode of Beats Working: Winning the Game of Work, Dan T. Rogers sits down with real estate entrepreneur and social purpose founder Katrina Romatowski. A mom of six and founder of three purpose-driven companies, Katrina is redesigning how homeownership works in neighborhoods many believe are out of reach.  From creating housing stability for foster youth to pioneering shared ownership models in Seattle, Katrina’s story is about challenging inherited beliefs, rethinking outdated paradigms, and building businesses that fill your tank instead of draining it.  This isn’t just about property development. It’s about developing possibility.  Takeaways:  Purpose before profit is a long game, but it wins. Katrina structured her brokerage as a social purpose corporation from the start. Stability unlocks agency. Level Up provides housing and mentorship to foster youth aging out of the system. Wealth is having more than enough to give back. Financial, emotional, and relational wealth all count. Density isn’t the goal, livability is. ReSpace designs homes for how people actually thrive. Shared ownership changes the paradigm. You don’t have to rent or own alone; there’s a third way. Timestamps:   [00:00] — Meet Katrina: Mom of six, founder of three companies  [03:00] — Creating Level Up for foster youth  [06:30] — Profit and purpose as equal drivers  [11:30] — “I felt like an outsider looking in”  [18:00] — Questioning inherited worldviews  [24:00] — Why traditional real estate models waste potential  [29:00] — Shared ownership and hyper-affordable housing  [35:00] — Designing for livability over density  Resources & Links:  -Katrina Romatowski: LinkedIn   -reSpace: Facebook & Instagram  -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    43 min

  2. APR 20

    Designing Work Around Your Strengths, Not Your Weaknesses, with Julia Waller

    What if the most generous thing you could offer the world was simply being more of who you already are?  In this episode of Beats Working, Dan T. Rogers sits down with Julia Waller, one of the guiding voices behind Strategic Coach’s Unique Ability® framework, to explore the radical idea that work becomes meaningful when we stop fixing our weaknesses and start building around our strengths.  Julia shares the story behind the Unique Ability concept, how it emerged from unexpected research, and why the most fulfilled and successful people organize their lives around the work that energizes them most. Together, Dan and Julia unpack the difference between performance and alignment, and how discovering what you love to do and do best might be the key to designing work that actually works for you.  Takeaways:  Unique Ability lives where passion and excellence meet. It’s the intersection of what you love doing and what you do best. Trying to fix weaknesses often leads to mediocrity. Doubling down on strengths creates extraordinary results. The right environment matters. Surrounding yourself with people who complement your abilities allows you to focus on your best work. Growth happens through curiosity. Julia’s role with Unique Ability evolved organically because she followed what energized her. Unique Ability isn’t just about work. It shapes how we show up in relationships, parenting, and community. Timestamps:   [00:00] — Introduction to Julia Waller and the Unique Ability concept  [02:03] — The origin story of Unique Ability inside Strategic Coach  [03:50] — The simplest definition: what you love to do and do best  [06:15] — How Julia developed the Unique Ability statement process  [09:30] — The first client experience and taking the process “front stage”  [10:38] — Why focusing on weaknesses keeps most people average  Resources & Links:  -Julia Waller: LinkedIn  -Unique Ability  -Strategic Coach  -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    45 min

  3. APR 20

    Efficiency vs. Effectiveness: Leading Through Complexity and AI with Amy Bruske

    What happens when technology moves faster than judgment? In this conversation, Dan T. Rogers sits down with Amy Bruske to explore what it means to lead when AI, software, and complexity are constantly accelerating change. Together, they unpack the hidden cost of efficiency, why effectiveness matters more than speed, and how better work often begins by orienting differently rather than simply doing more. It’s a grounded, future-facing conversation about learning in real time, designing work around reality, and choosing clarity over noise.   Takeaways:  Opportunity cost is often harder to measure than hard cost, but it may matter more.  AI can amplify bad systems just as easily as good ones.  Doing the right thing imperfectly is still better than doing the wrong thing efficiently.  Healthy teams can share alignment on direction while still feeling friction in execution.  Great work starts by understanding your operating system, not fighting against it.  Timestamps:   [00:00] — Amy Bruske on leadership at the intersection of technology, strategy, and clarity   [03:29] — Why AI-generated content is not the same as meaningful content   [08:52] — Alignment on the big picture, friction in the details, and why that can be healthy   [21:16] — “Focus on awesome” as a better orientation than chasing scale   [25:35] — Your operating system: stop trying to change what is and learn how to work with it   [40:25] — Why being a vital part of something matters more than being on top   Resources & Links:  -Amy Bruske: LinkedIn  -Kolbe   -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    42 min

  4. APR 20

    From Boeing to Bakery: Building a Business Without a Blueprint with Michael Huynh

    What if success isn’t something you plan, but something you discover? In this episode, Dan T. Rogers sits down with Michael Huynh, founder of Macadons, to explore a journey shaped by uncertainty, curiosity, and quiet persistence. From growing up as the son of Vietnamese refugees to navigating years of “figuring it out,” Michael shares how a simple holiday gift turned into a thriving business, and what it taught him about quality, identity, and choosing your own way of working.  Takeaways:  • There’s no single “right way” to build a career, only the way that aligns with you  • Curiosity and iteration often outperform rigid planning  • Quality and intention can be more powerful than speed and scale  • Systems matter, but so does questioning them  • Growth often comes from embracing uncertainty, not avoiding it  Timestamps:   [03:14] — Michael’s origin story: From refugee roots to Seattle upbringing  [05:13] — Struggling with school and not fitting the traditional path  [08:00] — Landing at Boeing and believing that was “the plan”  [08:39] — The accidental start of Macadons as a holiday gift  [11:25] — The long process of refining the product through feedback  [12:54] — The “chocolate chip cookie” analogy that reframes everything  [16:37] — Challenging systems at Boeing and rethinking efficiency  Resources & Links:  -Michael Huynh: LinkedIn  -Macadons: Website, Facebook, Instagram  -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    1h 31m

  5. APR 20

    From Burnout to Joy: Building a Creative Life That Feels Like Play with Shelly Corbett

    What if the most meaningful work you could do… felt like play? In this episode, Dan T. Rogers sits down with photographer and storyteller Shelly Corbett, who describes herself simply as someone who “sells joy.” From burnout and reinvention to building a creative life centered around play, Shelly shares how toys, storytelling, and generosity can unlock something deeper: a return to who we really are.   Takeaways:  Play isn’t childish—it’s a pathway back to joy and self-discovery.  Creativity isn’t reserved for artists; it’s a human trait we’ve been taught to ignore.  Generosity (sharing knowledge freely) accelerates growth and connection.  Teaching others is one of the fastest ways to grow your own craft and confidence.  “Good enough” is often the breakthrough—not perfection.  Timestamps:   [01:51] — “I’m a photographer who sells joy”   [04:00] — From underwater art to midlife burnout   [05:48] — Discovering toy photography and creative community   [12:00] — Why generosity fuels growth   [19:00] — Teaching, self-doubt, and creative expansion   [22:00] — Breaking the story of “I can’t do that”   [31:00] — How play leads to real-life transformation   Resources & Links:  -Shelly Corbett: Website & Instagram  -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    44 min

  6. APR 20

    From Ice Dancer to Founder: Building a Purpose-Driven Business with Liz Philpot

    What happens when excellence isn’t enough anymore?  In this inaugural episode of Beats Working: Winning the Game of Work, Dan T. Rogers sits down with chef and entrepreneur Liz Philpot, founder of Eat Seattle Tours. Liz’s journey moves from competitive ice dancing and culinary school in Paris to walking away from corporate success in search of something deeper.  This conversation explores fear, identity, healing, and what it means to “skate your own program” in life and business. It’s a story about leaving performance behind and building something rooted in connection, attention, and belonging.  Takeaways:  Facing fear can become your calling. Liz pursued culinary school not for prestige, but to heal her relationship with food. Excellence without alignment leads to emptiness. Corporate success at 30 felt complete; and hollow. Time away clarifies who you are. A year in Europe became the reset that reshaped her life and work. Belonging beats performance. Eat Seattle was built on conversation and community, not hierarchy. Attention is a gift. Two hours of genuine human presence can transform how we see food, place, and each other. Timestamps:   [00:00] — Introducing Liz: From competitive ice dancer to founder  [07:00] — Healing through culinary school in Paris  [12:00] — “Skate your own program”: claiming agency  [24:00] — Walking away from corporate success  [34:00] — The year in Europe that changed everything  [45:00] — Building Eat Seattle around belonging and conversation  Resources & Links:  -Liz Philpot: LinkedIn   -Eat Seattle Tours: Facebook & Instagram  -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    48 min

  7. APR 20

    From Survival to Leadership: Building a Business Under Pressure with Erick Slabaugh

    What do you do when success isn’t a choice, but survival is? In this episode, Erick Slabaugh shares how stepping into a failing family business at 19 shaped his philosophy on leadership, resilience, and growth. This is a raw conversation about responsibility, learning the hard way, and the invisible years between barely making it and truly building something that lasts.   Takeaways:  Sometimes entrepreneurship isn’t a vision; it’s a responsibility you can’t walk away from.  Survival mode sharpens focus but demands long-term resilience.  Leadership built on fear eventually breaks; growth requires self-awareness.  The right relationships accelerate growth more than raw effort alone.  Learning never stops. Stagnation is the real failure.  Timestamps:   [00:00] — Stepping into a failing business at 19   [04:00] — Facing financial collapse and rejection   [06:00] — First customers that saved the company   [11:00] — The grind: years of rebuilding from debt   [25:00] — From fear-based to values-based leadership   [31:00] — Building a second company from necessity   [42:00] — Best advice: understand people’s dreams   Resources & Links:  -Erick Slabaugh: LinkedIn  -Absco Solutions  -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    51 min

  8. APR 20

    From Tech to Energy Healing: Redefining Work and Purpose with Manon de Veritch

    What if the next evolution of work isn’t about doing more, but feeling more? In this episode, Dan T. Rogers sits down with Manon de Veritch, a former tech executive turned energy healer and intimacy coach, to explore the unexpected through line between technology and healing. From simplifying complexity in data systems to helping people reconnect with their own energy, Manon shares how her work has always been about empowerment and why the answers we’re searching for may already be within us.   Takeaways:  The body is designed to heal itself; when systems are in balance.  Energy work isn’t abstract, it’s rooted in vibration, frequency, and lived experience.  Burnout often signals disconnection from purpose, not just overwork.  Innovation (in tech or healing) requires helping people understand what they can’t yet see.  You don’t need certainty to begin, just openness to experience something new.  Timestamps:   [01:17] — From technologist to energy healer: Manon’s journey   [06:00] — Simplifying complexity and being a “translator” in tech   [19:00] — The parallel between cloud computing and energy healing   [25:00] — Why people feel immediate shifts after energy work   [29:00] — Understanding energy, vibration, and frequency   [35:00] — Modalities: Reiki, breathwork, acupuncture, and more   [40:00] — Where to start if you’re skeptical or curious   Resources & Links:  -Manon de Veritch: LinkedIn   -Dan T. Rogers: Bio   Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @Beats Working Podcast  -Instagram: @beatsworkingpodcast  -Facebook: @Beats Working  -YouTube: @beatsworkingpodcast  Follow & Subscribe:  If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your feedback helps us improve and reach more listeners.  Send Feedback:  If you have a show idea, feedback, or just want to connect, email us at info@beatsworking.show.   Beats Working is a platform on a mission to redeem work—the word, the place, and the way. We believe that work is the most honorable act in the universe, and through inspiring stories and practical insights, we want to transform the way people think about work and help them discover greater fulfillment in their lives. We invite you to join us as we build community through sharing and actively demonstrating what we learn.

    43 min
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About

Welcome to Beats Working, where Dan Rogers explores what it really means to redeem work. Through real conversations with leaders and builders, this show goes beyond titles and hustle to uncover the patterns shaping how we live and work. It’s not about climbing ladders—it’s about learning how to play the game from where you are. Because when who you are aligns with what you do, it doesn’t just feel better—it beats working.

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