299 episodes

Many of us receive the call to leadership at some point in our lives. It can happen when we are young, and it can happen later. Sometimes it happens more than once. Regardless of its timing, saying yes to that call fundamentally changes us and the direction of our lives. The Play Your Position Podcast explores what happens when we answer the call -- and why it matters.

Play Your Position Mary Lou Kayser

    • Business
    • 5.0 • 45 Ratings

Many of us receive the call to leadership at some point in our lives. It can happen when we are young, and it can happen later. Sometimes it happens more than once. Regardless of its timing, saying yes to that call fundamentally changes us and the direction of our lives. The Play Your Position Podcast explores what happens when we answer the call -- and why it matters.

    Gordon Graham on Navigating the Dark Waters of Corruption

    Gordon Graham on Navigating the Dark Waters of Corruption

    Imagine working on the leadership team for a renowned organization that services thousands of customers -- only to learn that not everyone on the team is operating ethically or morally. What would you do? Today's guest found himself in this position and his story of what happened after his discovery is the topic of his book -- and of our conversation. If leadership matters to you in any way, you don't want to miss this episode. Gordon Graham gives us a front row seat to what happens when corruption infiltrates an organization -- and it's a wild, insightful ride. 
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    Gordon Graham is a former information technology professional with over 30 years of experience in the electric utility industry. During his career, he was recognized by peers and industry trade associations as an authority on information technology management issues and was a sought-after speaker on information technology strategy and aligning technology with business.
    In addition to his decades-long career, Gordon earned an AAS degree in computer science from Columbia Basin College, a BA in public administration from the University of Puget Sound, and an MBA in information technology management from City University, along with numerous certifications in IT and project management. He has served as the information technology section chair for the Northwest Public Power Association and as both information technology section chair and vice chair of the Business and Finance Committee for the American Public Power Association. Additionally, he has also served on curriculum committees for Wenatchee Valley College and NCW High School Skills Center.
    Now retired, Mr. Graham lives in Oregon with his wife, where they enjoy gardening, boating, and traveling.
    Learn more about Gordon and get his book here: www.intrepidbrotherhood.com
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    As always -- thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast!
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    My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here
    Are we connected yet on social? 
    @maryloukayser (Instagram)
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

    • 51 min
    Lessons Learned from Sunburn [Memorial Day Weekend Reflection]

    Lessons Learned from Sunburn [Memorial Day Weekend Reflection]

    In today's episode, I reflect on a poignant self-leadership lesson I learned as an adolescent about sun exposure -- and the impact foolishness can have on our lives.
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    As always -- thank you for supporting the show! Your 5-star rating and review makes a difference -- it's easy to leave one and it helps spread the word about the podcast!
    = = = = =
    My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here
    Are we connected yet on social? 
    @maryloukayser (Instagram)
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

    • 12 min
    Paul Jackson on Simple Automation Tweaks Small Businesses Can Use to Scale

    Paul Jackson on Simple Automation Tweaks Small Businesses Can Use to Scale

    What does it take to optimize a small business for scale?
    For many small business owners, scaling can feel overwhelming and out of reach. In today's episode, I talk with Paul Jackson who sees things very differently. Paul is the Founder and CEO at Method — the complete process automation tool for businesses that use QuickBooks and Xero. He believes that building small business software with a one-sizefits-all mentality is lazy and outdated. This firm belief, paired with his experience as a self-taught coder and entrepreneur, resulted in Paul’s empathy for small business owners. It also sparked his passion for changing the software landscape. While living in a bike shed during university, Paul built and sold his first business, QXpress (a field service scheduling app). 
    After that, Paul started Method, a company driven to equalize the future of small business technology. Method is an entirely customizable platform for small businesses that want to simplify their unique way of working. Method is best known for its flagship product, Method:CRM.
    Connect with Paul on his website: https://www.method.me/ 
    Take advantage of Paul's special offer exclusively for Team PYP: https://grow.method.me/pyp/ 
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    As always -- thank you for supporting the show!
    = = = = =
    My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here
    Are we connected yet on social? 
    @maryloukayser (Instagram)
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

    • 52 min
    Zack Slingsby on Why Short Films & Movies Matter in a Social Media World

    Zack Slingsby on Why Short Films & Movies Matter in a Social Media World

    You might remember Zack Slingsby of Human Factor Media from my previous conversation with him. I invited him back to the show recently to talk about a short film he and his team made called "26" -- A guy considers getting married at 26 (watch it on YouTube here): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKeBbagtOoQ&t=764s 
    In today's episode, Zack and I discuss this creative project along with the power of storytelling through short films; how the landscape of filmmaking has changed since the Internet showed up; why movies still matter; why so many people have a hard time to commmitting to anything these days; the state of marriage as an instituion; and a ton of other thought-provoking ideas sure to inspire and entertain you!
    Connect with Zack here: https://humanfactormedia.co/
    Listen to my conversation with Zack about his leadership journey here: http://playyourpositionpodcast.com/zack-slingsby/ 
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    As always, Team PYP -- thank you for supporting the show!
    = = = = =
    My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here
    Are we connected yet on social? 
    @maryloukayser (Instagram)
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)

    • 48 min
    Melissa Hughes on Living a Richer and More Satisfying Life

    Melissa Hughes on Living a Richer and More Satisfying Life

    Get ready to be inspired!
    With us today is Melissa Hughes, founder of Live Rich, Spread Wealth—a business (and movement) that is all about helping people live richer lives as a result of becoming their best selves. Melissa is a best-selling author, speaker, and master business coach that became a self-made millionaire by the age of 31! Known as The Guru of Implementation®, Melissa’s success, and that of her clients, is a result of her practical, proven systems for business and life success.
    Her clients include companies like Microsoft, Motorola, ESPN, and globally recognized speaker Lisa Nichols, star of the hit film, The Secret, as well as small start-ups and individuals. Large corporations around the world hire Melissa to advise them on projects and initiatives to the tune of $20 million, and she specializes in helping to ensure culture, communication, project scope, and implementation are successful across divisions, departments, and business units.
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    As always, Team PYP -- thank you for supporting the show!
    = = = = =
    My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here
    Are we connected yet on social? 
    @maryloukayser (Instagram)
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)
    Here are three more ways I can help you:
    Share this episode with one person who could use a boost of inspiration and positivity today.
    Bring me in to speak at your next event.
    Book a free call with me today to discuss that book you finally want to write in this year.

    • 50 min
    Josh Greene on Redefining "Success" in Your Life and Career

    Josh Greene on Redefining "Success" in Your Life and Career

    As the co-founder and CEO of Groove, an online coworking community and mobile app for solopreneurs, Josh is building on his passion for community to help transform the way people on wavy career paths (solopreneurs, freelancers, creatives) can find support and human connection to help them accomplish great things.
    Josh’s career itself follows a wavy path — after working as an engineer, he studied meditation as a way to combat his burnout, spending time learning at ashrams in India. He brought together his spiritual practices with bringing people together through cultural events and programming as Managing Director at London’s Village Underground and working on festivals like Wilderness Festival.
    He continued freelancing as a strategy and innovation consultant. He believes in work-life harmony — how we work shapes how we live, and vice versa. He experienced this firsthand as an exec at WeWork in the office of the CEO working across the business.
    During the COVID-19 pandemic, Josh and his co-founders saw that the world had changed, along with our traditional work systems. Groove was created as a response to that, and is here to support the next generation of solopreneurs as they break open the ideas of how we can connect and work on energizing projects.
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    As always, Team PYP -- thank you for supporting the show!
    = = = = =
    My latest book, The Far Unlit Unknown -- is available everywhere books are sold! Get your copy and learn more about it here
    Are we connected yet on social? 
    @maryloukayser (Instagram)
    https://www.linkedin.com/in/mlkayser/ (LinkedIn)
    Here are three more ways I can help you:
    Share this episode with one person who could use a boost of inspiration and positivity today.
    Bring me in to speak at your next event.
    Book a free call with me today to discuss that book you finally want to write in this year.

    • 47 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
45 Ratings

45 Ratings

ArielKWho ,

Great show you don't want to miss!

Mary Lou Kayser is a fantastic host, who curates a stellar all star lineup of guests. No matter who you are, or where you are in life, there is great advice in this show for you. It's a must listen!

EricaBushwell ,

Awesome podcast!

Mary Lou Kayser, host of the Play Your Position podcast, highlights all aspects of entrepreneurship and more in this can’t miss podcast! The host and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!

Laura C N ,

A wealth of helpful insight

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to be a guest on Mary Lou’s Show. She has a wealth of knowledge and insight to help any leader and entrepreneur catapult to the next level.

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