Beats Working: Winning The Game of Events

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Welcome to Beats Working: Winning the Game of Events, where party people Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren uncover the magic of creating meaningful experiences. From global conferences to local gatherings, we share stories and strategies to turn any event—or life moment—into something unforgettable. Packed with humor, resilience, and a little event-planner grit, this podcast proves there are no small events, only small invoices. Join us as we explore why getting paid to practice truly beats working to get paid. Winning the Game of Work with host Dan T. Rogers coming in 2026!

  1. 2D AGO

    Why the Best Event Brands Aren’t Playing It Safe Anymore

    What if creativity — not perfection — was your most powerful event strategy? In this episode of Beats Working, Libby Sundgren sits down with Michael Huynh, founder of Seattle-based bakery Macadons, to explore how risk-taking, community-first thinking, and a willingness to try (and sometimes fail) can transform a brand into an experience people feel deeply connected to. From leaving a stable career at Boeing to framing cease-and-desist letters as milestones of growth, Michael shares how creativity builds belonging — and why events should feel human, not polished.   Takeaways:  Risk is a signal of growth. If no one’s pushing back, you’re probably playing it too safe.   Community beats product. People remember how an experience made them feel — not just what they consumed.   Creativity scales culture. Empowering your team unlocks unexpected leadership and loyalty.   Failure isn’t fatal. It’s often the fastest feedback loop.   Events are emotional ecosystems. Treat them like living, breathing experiences — not checklists.   Timestamps:   [01:03] — Meet Michael Huynh and the story behind Macadons  [03:24] — Leaving Boeing: choosing uncertainty over regret   [07:52] — Discovering purpose through hiring and mentorship   [11:40] — Creativity, risk, and the cease-and-desist mindset   [18:10] — Building community through food, culture, and events   Resources & Links:  -Michael Huynh: LinkedIn  -Macadons: Website, Facebook, Instagram  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  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.

    40 min

  2. JAN 19

    Trust Your Palate: How Confidence Creates Better Events

    What if the secret to unforgettable events isn’t perfection — but trust? In this episode of Beats Working, hosts Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren sit down with April Wachtel, founder and CEO of Cheeky Cocktails, to explore how trusting your palate, your instincts, and your people can transform events from stressful to spectacular. Drawing from 20+ years in hospitality, April shares lessons learned behind the bar, in packed cocktail classes, and across the rapidly evolving non‑alcoholic beverage space. This is a masterclass in confidence, creativity, and creating emotional safety — whether you’re mixing drinks or managing a room.   Takeaways:  Trust beats rules. When people trust their own palate (or instincts), creativity flourishes.   Emotional safety fuels excellence. Low‑stakes environments unlock better results.   Hospitality skills translate everywhere. Adaptability, empathy, and teamwork scale beyond restaurants.   Simplicity scales. Ratios, frameworks, and repeatable systems beat overwhelm.   Non‑alcoholic doesn’t mean non‑special. Intentional drinks belong at every event.    Timestamps:   [01:00] — Meet April Wachtel and the story behind Cheeky Cocktails   [03:00] — Why hospitality builds better humans (and leaders)   [08:14] — What people really want from cocktail classes   [09:40] — “Trust your palate”: creating confidence through low‑stakes learning   [11:45] — Translating classic cocktail ratios to non‑alcoholic drinks   [13:30] — The future of NA beverages and event culture   Resources & Links:  -April Wachtel: LinkedIn -Cheeky Cocktails: Website, Facebook, Instagram -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn 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.

    41 min

  3. JAN 12

    Winning the Game of Events with Unreasonable Hospitality

    Service gets you in the game — but hospitality is how you win it. In this book-review episode, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren dive into "Unreasonable Hospitality" by Will Guidara and unpack why unforgettable events aren’t built on flawless logistics alone. From budgeting for joy to empowering teams to create emotional moments, this conversation reframes hospitality as the ultimate competitive advantage in events AND in work.   Whether you’re producing a global conference, a fundraiser dinner, or a backyard gathering, this episode is a permission slip to get a little unreasonable in the name of meaning, connection, and magic.   Takeaways:  Service is expected. Hospitality is remembered. Logistics matter — but how people feel is what lasts.  Budget for joy. Even small, intentional “magic moments” can have an outsized emotional impact.  Empower your team to create meaning. Hospitality scales when people are trusted to act with heart.  Flawless execution isn’t the goal, emotion is. Aim for 95% excellence and leave room for joyful surprise.  Hospitality is a leadership strategy. It’s not soft — it’s a serious competitive edge.   Timestamps:   [01:39] — Why Unreasonable Hospitality belongs in the event professional playbook   [03:26] — Service vs. hospitality: doing the job vs. making people feel seen   [07:22] — The 95/5 rule: planning for excellence and magic   [08:55] — Why small moments (like surprise treats) leave the biggest impression   [10:00] — Budgeting for joy and empowering your team to create emotional wins   Resources & Links:  -Read: Unreasonable Hospitality  -Listen: Neuroscience Hacks for Unforgettable Events with Lisa Schulteis  -Listen: Creating Community (Not Competition) with the Better Events Podcast  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  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.

    24 min

  4. JAN 5

    The Future of Events Is Zero-Proof and Way More Fun

    Dry January isn’t just a trend — it’s a wake-up call for the events industry. In this candid Fun Table conversation, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren are joined by Amy Liz Harrison, Dele Downs Kooley, and Kristin Graham to unpack what the sober-curious movement really means for modern events. From zero-proof cocktails and inclusive bar setups to the power of sober allies, this episode challenges outdated assumptions and offers practical ways to design gatherings where everyone feels welcome — no hangovers required.   Takeaways:  Dry January highlights a larger cultural shift toward mindful drinking and alcohol-free living.   Sober allies play a critical role in normalizing alcohol-free choices at events.   Zero-proof options should feel intentional, celebratory, and equal to alcoholic offerings.   First impressions matter: water and NA options should be available the moment guests arrive.   Inclusive events aren’t about removing alcohol — they’re about expanding choice.   Timestamps:   [01:26] Welcome to The Fun Table + why Dry January matters now   [04:00] Sober allies and neutralizing the sobriety conversation   [07:00] How event consumption patterns have changed   [10:45] Why zero-proof menus deserve equal footing   [14:00] What planners get wrong about inclusivity   [18:30] Designing events without next-day regrets   Resources & Links:  -The Sober Curator  -Meet The Fun Table: Kristin Graham, Dele Downs Kooley, Amy Liz Harrison  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  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.

    39 min

  5. 12/22/2025

    Taking a Break Without Burning Out — The Beats Working Way

    We’re not breaking up, we’re oscillating! In this quick check-in, we share why Beats Working is taking a two-week holiday break to recharge, reenergize, and practice NOT working — a core skill in winning the game of events (and work). We’ll be back January 5 with new episodes, fresh energy, and exciting news for 2026.  Resources & Links:  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  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.

    3 min

  6. 12/15/2025

    Event Pro Highlights 2025: Wins, Wisdom & Runway-Level Magic (Part 2)

    In Part 2 of our Event Pro Highlights 2025 series, Alysse and Libby spotlight the wins, wisdom, and runway-level magic that shaped this year in events. From story-driven swag to DJs who read a room like a language, this episode celebrates the creative thinkers and chaos tamers who make unforgettable moments happen. Expect smart shipping tips, clever day-saving hacks, behind-the-scenes mischief, and a RuPaul-inspired fashion moment that stole the show before the runway even opened.  Takeaways:  Swag becomes storytelling when it’s intentional, high-quality, and delivered as a steady “drip” of surprise and delight.   Nostalgia works: sometimes the most powerful event tools come straight from our childhood—like Crayola markers that unlock joy and creativity.   A great DJ isn’t a playlist—they’re an interpreter, reading energy, blending generations, and building shared moments on the dance floor.   The magic of logistics: the #1 question every planner must ask their shipping partner is, “How much time do you need?”   Runway-level drama is real: creative staging and storytelling can electrify an audience before a single model steps out.   Timestamps:    [01:12] — The “drip approach” to swag that keeps surprise and delight alive    [05:00] — Why Crayola markers are the unsung heroes of event art    [08:08] — DJ Baby Van Beezly on reading the room and blending generations    [13:32] — Shipping secrets: why time and documentation matter    [17:07] — Terri Morgan’s RuPaul-inspired runway moment that lit up the crowd  Resources & Links:  Maria & Richard – WORKP2P logistics experts   Terri Morgan – Runway producer + fashion show visionary   -Listen: Event Swag and Strategy Insights with Karianne Michelle  -Listen: Caricatures, Crayola Markers, and Alter Egos with Lou Medina  -Listen: DJ Baby Van Beezly's Journey from CPA to Top Seattle Wedding and Event DJ  -Listen: The Freight and the Furious: Behind the Scenes with Point to Point Transportation  -Listen: Behind the Curtain with Fashion Show Producer and Icon Terri Morgan  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  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.

    21 min

  7. 12/08/2025

    Event Pro Highlights 2025: Creativity, Chaos & Community (Part 1)

    In this energetic year-in-review, Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren revisit the standout conversations that shaped Beats Working in 2025. From Lisa Schulteis’ brain-first approach to event design, to Virginia Frischkorn’s reminder that gathering is a human necessity (not a luxury), to Stuart Butler’s superpower of connecting humans like a one-man LinkedIn, this episode celebrates the insights, laughs, and behind-the-scenes truths that make events unforgettable. They close with Mary & Logan of the Better Events Podcast, concrete proof that collaboration always beats competition. Buckle up for heart, humor, and serious event-pro gold.  Takeaways:  Start with the brain, not the agenda: design for memory, motivation, and cognitive flow.  Gathering is essential: great events fuel connection, not overwhelm.  Relationships are the real currency: connection unlocks opportunity.  Collaboration beats competition: it lifts everyone and grows the industry.  Events thrive on community, curiosity, and intentional creativity.  Timestamps:   [02:29] — Why Lisa Schulteis starts with the brain, not the agenda   [06:01] — Virginia Frischkorn on gathering as a necessity, not a luxury   [08:24] — Stuart Butler’s superpower: connecting people intentionally   [12:54] — When collaboration beats competition with the Better Events Podcast  [17:29] — What’s coming in Part 2: DJs, freight drama, fashion show flair   Resources & Links:  -Listen: Neuroscience Hacks for Unforgettable Events with Lisa Schulteis  -Listen: Why Gathering Is a Necessity and How Partytrick Makes It Effortless  -Listen: Behind the Northwest Event Show with Stuart Butler  -Listen: Creating Community (Not Competition) with the Better Events Podcast  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  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.

    19 min

  8. 12/01/2025

    High Performers, Hidden Exhaustion: How to Avoid Burnout

    Burnout is real! And this Fun Table conversation goes straight into the lived-in signs, the quiet red flags and the practical ways event pros can protect their energy heading into 2026. From food aversion to emotional clutter, the hosts unpack what happens when ambition collides with depletion and how boundaries, rituals and honesty can pull us back from the edge.   Takeaways:  Burnout often shows up in small ways.  High performers tend to push past their warning signs, making capacity checks and boundaries essential.  Powerful and effective recovery tools.  Tech can support resilience, but it can also add noise.  Timestamps:   00:00 - When food aversion becomes a burnout red flag   03:00 - Dele on resilience scores and the “nap isn’t enough” warning   06:13 - Kristin on being “tired but wired” and micro-burnout   11:39 - Disconnection from joy as an early burnout signal   26:38 - Recovery rituals heading into 2026  Resources & Links:  -Brain Hacks & Productivity: Unlock the Brain  -Meet The Fun Table: Kristin Graham, Dele Downs Kooley, Amy Liz Harrison  -Alysse & Libby: Bios & LinkedIn  Connect with Us:  -Website: www.beatsworkingpodcast.com  -LinkedIn: @BEATS WORKING Show  -Instagram: @beatsworkingshow  -Facebook: @Beats Working Show  -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.

    36 min
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Welcome to Beats Working: Winning the Game of Events, where party people Alysse Bryson and Libby Sundgren uncover the magic of creating meaningful experiences. From global conferences to local gatherings, we share stories and strategies to turn any event—or life moment—into something unforgettable. Packed with humor, resilience, and a little event-planner grit, this podcast proves there are no small events, only small invoices. Join us as we explore why getting paid to practice truly beats working to get paid. Winning the Game of Work with host Dan T. Rogers coming in 2026!

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