The About Perception Podcast

Tom Garrity

The Garrity Group Public Relations in Albuquerque, New Mexico presents insights about perceptions and insights of the public relations industry as well as information about what makes New Mexico tick.

  1. 3D AGO

    Three Quotes That Shape My Leadership

    What quotes are shaping you right now? Not the ones framed on a wall. Not the ones you repost on social media. The ones that quietly sit in front of you every day — and challenge you to lead better. Thank you for joining, me, this is Tom Garrity. This month on the Perception Podcast, I’m taking you on a short field trip — to my office. At the base of my computer screen are three Post-it notes. They’ve survived desk clean-offs, office moves, and new monitors. They’re still there because they still matter. In the spirit of one beggar showing another beggar where to get food — here are three sayings that continue to shape my perceptions and my leadership. 1. “People want to be part of something bigger than themselves.” You’ve heard versions of this from leaders across philanthropy, national service, and business. It aligns closely with Simon Sinek’s concept of starting with “Why.” That’s likely how it ended up on my screen — I’m a big fan. At its core, this statement reflects a fundamental human truth: People crave meaning. We move from “me” to “we.” From task to purpose. From activity to impact. Whether in business, community building, or family life, people want to know their effort matters — that it connects to something larger than their job description. This quote reminds me that leadership is not about spotlight — it’s about stewardship. It’s not about building a platform for an individual; it’s about building a mission that others can step into. It also checks motivation. Am I creating space for others to contribute to something meaningful? Or am I unintentionally shrinking the vision? When people feel part of something bigger, you get engagement. You get loyalty. You get legacy. The second saying you will find on my computer monitor screen… 2. “Humility tells a better story.” This one likely came to me through the He Gets Us campaign, and it stuck. In a culture that rewards volume and self-promotion, humility feels countercultural — and powerful. “Humility tells a better story” suggests that service, self-awareness, and quiet confidence are more compelling than bravado. A better story is not one where the hero dominates the stage. It’s one where the hero grows. Humility shifts the focus outward. It allows empathy. It invites collaboration. It leaves room to admit mistakes and evolve. Arrogance creates a brittle narrative — one that cracks under pressure. Humility creates resilience — because it allows learning. As leaders, especially in communications and public life, it’s tempting to control the narrative. But the most compelling leaders don’t force their story — they live it. Humility tells a better story because it’s believable. The third and final saying you will find on my computer, at least for now… 3. “People are not the enemy. They are the opportunity.” In today’s environment — especially online — it’s easy to see disagreement as combat. We all have seen what happens when keyboard warriors get the best of us. Social media is very good at telling us what’s wrong and who to blame. That line from The American President still rings true. But this Post-it note of wisdom forces a shift of mindset. When I see someone as an enemy, I conserve energy for defense. When I see someone as an opportunity, I conserve energy for growth. This quote reminds me that people with different perspectives are not obstacles — they are invitations. Invitation to listen. Invitation to understand. Invitation to collaborate better. It demands empathy as a first response, not a last resort. Even when there is disagreement — especially when there is disagreement — there is opportunity for refinement, for perspective, for better solutions. And sometimes, for person

    5 min
  2. Living Intentional: A Simple Practice for a New Year

    JAN 28

    Living Intentional: A Simple Practice for a New Year

    By the second week of January, most New Year’s resolutions are already negotiating their exit strategy. The gym is a little less crowded. The notebook with the fresh goals is sitting closed. And the optimism we felt on January 1st is now competing with real life. If you’ve ever set a goal with the best of intentions—and then quietly watched it fade—you’re not alone. Today, on the Perception Podcast, I want to share a simple practice that has helped me not just set intentions, but actually live them. Welcome to the Perception Podcast, presented by The Garrity Group Public Relations where we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. I’m Tom Garrity. It’s a new year—and new years are usually filled with good intentions, goals, and resolutions, all born from a healthy dose of optimism. If you’re anything like me, you’ve identified an intention, set a goal, or decided on something you want to accomplish over the next 365 days—otherwise known, now, as 2026. Sometimes setting a goal is easy. Sometimes it takes real soul-searching. And short of writing it in wax on your bathroom mirror, sticking it on the refrigerator, or posting it on your vehicle dashboard—all of which I’ve tried at one point or another—how do you actually keep these life improvements top of mind? In the spirit of one beggar showing another beggar where to get food, I want to share a tip—a hack—a small nugget of wisdom about how I’ve gotten into the habit of setting, and more importantly, living, my intentions. Full disclosure: I did not invent this. I heard it once on a radio program and thought, “That’s a great idea. I think I’ll try that.” The first step is identifying your intentions or goals for the coming year. For me, that usually includes a few categories: A relationship intention—something I want to experience or accomplish with one or both of my daughtersAn activity or travel goalA personal goalA professional goalAnd sometimes a project around the house—build a wall, add a gate, replace the windowsAnd then I choose a theme for the year. Heads up: choosing a theme can be a bit of a preview of things to come. In 2020, my word was perseverance—which came in handy during COVID. 2021 was resilience. 2022 was forward. 2023 was balance. 2024 was transition. 2025 was flourish. And my word for 2026 is intentional. We all have different words. We all have different things we want to accomplish. The question is: how do we remember them? Those of you who know me… know my social media world mostly lives on Instagram. Yes, I’m connected on Facebook, Threads, Twitter, and TikTok—because who doesn’t enjoy a good doom scroll on TikTok from time to time? Okay… I digress. During the first week or two of the year, I capture an image on my phone—something that could live on my Instagram feed. Something that represents a memory, a hope, or an adventure. I send the iPhone image to Walgreens, have it printed as a 4x4, pick it up, and write my intentions on the back of the photo with a thin Sharpie. Then I place it in what has become my “intentions photo frame.” To the visitor or guest, only the 2026 photo is visible, only I know what’s written on the back. That frame holds photos and intentions going all the way back to 2018, and it sits right next to my coffee maker—so I see it every single morning. Do I remember and recite everything I wrote down? No. I wish I did. But here’s what’s really cool. Once or twice a year, I’ll get curious and open the back of the frame—only to discover that I’ve been living many of the intentions I set months earlier.

    6 min
  3. Small Business Featured on the Perception Podcast

    12/13/2025

    Small Business Featured on the Perception Podcast

    Small Business Featured on the Perception Podcast This episode of the Perception Podcast will focus on small business and major business corporations. In addition to sharing insights on how New Mexico residents view small business and major business corporations, we are going to hear from Chrystal Trykoski of Enchanting Soap Collections.  This is a small business that providing a path forward for women in a very unique way. Learn more about Enchanting Soap Collections by visiting: https://enchantingsoapcollections.com ==================================== Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group Welcome to the Perception Podcast presented by The Garrity Group Public Relations. I'm your host, Tom Garrity. Today's episode focuses on one of the most consistent storylines in the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey: New Mexico's Unwavering Support for Small Business. Every year since 2011, The Garrity Group has partnered with Research and Pulling Inc. To understand who New Mexico residents trust. In February of this year, a statistically valid sample of 415 New Mexico residents shared their thoughts, giving us a 95% level of confidence in the results. And once again, small business rises to the top. Let's start with the numbers. Consistent with past surveys, four out of five New Mexico residents, 79%, hold a favorable opinion of small business. Only 5% hold an unfavorable view, and 16% are neutral or unsure. Compare that with the perception of major business corporations, which has a 30% favorability of New Mexico residents. That means major corporations have the lowest favorability. Among all 17 of the measured industries and institutions that were in the 2025 study. To put it into perspective, corporate favorability has dropped sharply over time, from 50% in 2020 down to 42% in 2023, and now just sitting at 30% favorability. Geographically, support for small business is especially strong in North Central, Eastern, and Central New Mexico. Meanwhile, the areas where major corporations perform best, relatively speaking, are North Central and Northwest New Mexico. At The Garrity Group, we often say that we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. Much of our early work involved partnering with organizations that help entrepreneurial communities thrive, including one of our first clients known as Accion. Now it's known as DreamSpring, and they are a community development financial institution that's committed to supporting entrepreneurs through resources, mentorship, and microloans. One of my favorite memories from that time involves a simple bar of soap, Dream Spring, often highlighted products created by entrepreneurs they serve. And at this particular event that I was at about a year and a half ago, at our table sat a bar of soap with packaging. About a story that has stayed with me since that time. Fast forward about 18 months, I'm walking through the New Mexico Artisan Market at Hotel Albuquerque when I spot a booth. Beautiful soaps, handcrafted and familiar. I pick one up and immediately read the packaging. And I know that I've seen this before. That's when I had the honor of meeting the owner Chrystal Trykowski of Enchanting Soap Collections, a New Mexico small business rooted in purpose, sustainability, and a remarkable entrepreneurial story. I'm delighted to have her on the podcast today. Welcome to the Perception Podcast, Chrystal. Thank you so much, Tom. When I came up and we talked at the New Mexico Artisans Market, you shared a story and it was it was powerful. Share with our listeners your story.  Chystal Trykoski, Enchanting Soal Collections [00:03:47] My mother and I, Roberta, we founded this company in 2006. In 2009 I exited this business for about 12 years. And then I got sober in 2019 for the last time. And in 2022, I rejoined Roberta on this journey, on this mission to empowe

    16 min

  4. 10/24/2025

    Trust in the Election Process

    This episode of the Perception Podcast will focus on trust in the election process—a topic that shapes how we view democracy itself. Our conversation spotlights one of our clients Observe New Mexico Elections. Observe New Mexico Elections is a nonpartisan group working to build confidence through independent election observation across 11 municipalities statewide. The organization’s immediate focus is the 2025 Municipal Election.  It’s long term focus is on confidence in our election process. Tom Garrity hosts this podcast which includes Carmen Lopez, co-leader of Observe New Mexico Elections, and Kelly Fajardo, a former state representative and member of Observe New Mexico Elections’ advisory committee. ======================================= Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group [00:00:05] Welcome to the Perception Podcast from The Garrity Group, where we help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. I'm Tom Garrity. Today, we're focusing on trust in the election process, a topic that shapes how we view democracy itself. Our conversation spotlights one of our clients, Observe New Mexico Elections. Observe New Mexico Elections is a nonpartisan group working to build confidence through independent election observation across 11 municipalities statewide. The organization's immediate focus is the 2025 municipal election. Joining the Perception Podcast today, Carmen Lopez, co-leader of Observe New Mexico Elections, and Kelly Fajardo, a former state representative and member of Observe New Mexico Elections Advisory Committee. Welcome both Carmen and Kelly to the Perception Podcast.   Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group [00:01:02] Carmen, let's start with the big picture. For listeners who may not be familiar, what is Observe New Mexico elections and what inspired its creation?   Carmen Lopez, ONME Co-Leader [00:01:12] So Observe New Mexico Elections is a nonprofit in New Mexico. We are funded by The Carter Center, the Jimmy and Roslyn Carter Center in Atlanta. And we're concerned about the increase in both political polarization and the decline in trust and election outcomes. And so our goal is to increase people's knowledge level about elections, the transparency of elections, and as a result, to increase the public's level of trust in New Mexico's elections. And we do that by providing in-depth training about election law and process to hundreds of New Mexicans each year and supporting nonpartisan observers to watch elections throughout the entire state during the voting process and then throughout all the various election processes. And then we compile all that data into a final report that we share with the public. And we're led by an amazing board of high profile, accomplished people from across the political spectrum who care deeply about well-run elections and people's trust in election outcomes. Our board is led by former Governor Gary Carruthers, former Justice of the New Mexico Supreme Court, Barbara Vihel, Ryan Cangiolosi, who is the chair of the Republican Party, Maureen Sanders, who's a civil rights attorney, and Kelly Fajardo, who's a former representative, and Leonard Gorman from the Navajo Nations Civil Rights Division.  Tom Garrity, The Garrity Group [00:02:39] It's a it's a great board, including Kelly Fajardo. And Kelly, from your perspective as a former state legislator and current lobbyist, why did you decide to join Observe New Mexico Elections Advisory Committee? And what makes the initiative important to you?  Kelly Fajardo, ONME Advisory Committee [00:02:55] I joined because of personal experience. So when I first started when I first ran for office back in 2012, there was a lot of distrust of the election process. A lot of it continues today. And back in the day down in Valencia County, me and my colleagues, we decided to put poll watchers into the different polls around the cou

    23 min

  5. 08/20/2025

    Perception Podcast: New Mexico Stress Levels

    The Garrity Group does a deep dive into the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey related to New Mexico Stress Levels.  New Mexico residents are feeling a bit more stressed today than they did 10 years ago, according to the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS ’25). The findings show that 31% of New Mexico residents have a great deal of stress, an increase from 24% in the 2015 Garrity Perception Survey. Tom Garrity hosts this podcast which includes the team: Makayla Roberts, Michelle Bowling and Taeya Padilla.

    16 min

  6. 07/11/2025

    GPS: 2025 Survey Overview to the Economic Forum

    This is a presentation providing insight to the full 2025 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS) The survey addresses New Mexico resident’s trust of 15 people/professions, favorability of 17 industries/institutions, access of news and information, role of government and corporations to do the right thing, level of stress being experienced by residents, and the role of personal faith.  The presentation is provided by Tom Garrity who was the keynote speaker to the Albuquerque Economic Forum on June 25, 2025 ==================== Good morning, and thank you very much, Meg. Thank you also to Emily and the Economic Forum team for providing this opportunity today to share a few insights from our perception survey. I'd also like to recognize some of our guests today, which include Peter Saint-Cyr, as well as Tripp Jennings, both journalists, as well the Gertie Group team of Michaela, Michelle, Amanda, and Taeya. So thank you all for being here today. When we started the firm in 1997, our main goal was to help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. And as a part of that, we wanted to make sure that we kind of put our money where our mouth is. And so we wanted be able to back that up. So we actually wanted to find a way. First we wanted find the industries where we wanted it to be in. And then we also wanted to really, you know, kind of find out how people access news and information. And so we thought that that information would really help us to compliment our four-step process of research, planning, execution, and evaluation because we all know that everybody is interested in results, but not everybody wants to pay for research. So we thought we would go ahead and take that first step of really identifying what that research looks like. And so, you know, the Garrity Perception Survey was born in 2011, and during that time we've had a chance to put together different surveys starting in 2011. It used to be rather consistent each year, and then we went ahead and made it every other year. You'll hear me refer to the 2020 Perception survey. And just kind of let, you know, kind of set the table on the 2020 survey because that's really kind of the benchmark. Post-COVID, is that survey was actually done in January of 2020. So when I reference those particular numbers, those numbers are, you know, all before the world changed as we knew it, not just here in New Mexico, but around the world. The 2025 Perception Survey was conducted February 3rd through 16th, included a statewide sample of 415 residents reflecting the United States Census. It has a 95% level of confidence, meaning that if you ask 95 New Mexicans, or 100 New Mexicans...

    27 min

  7. 07/11/2025

    GPS: Energy Presentation to Albuquerque Business First Energy Summit

    This is a presentation providing insight to the 2025 Garrity Perception Survey (GPS) on the topic of oil / gas and solar / wind favorability in New Mexico.  The presentation is provided by Tom Garrity who was the keynote speaker to the Albuquerque Business First Energy Summit on June 12, 2025. ================== Thank you to Sandia Pueblo and also to Albuquerque Business First for putting on today's event as well as the sponsors and congratulations Jennifer James on your new role. It's going to be very exciting to see you continue to succeed there. In 1997, the Gerdy Group embarked on a journey to help small businesses to be heard and large organizations to be understood. The firm has seen a lot of changes over those years. And we've had some amazing team members as well as some clients, many of whom are in the room, and I'm glad that you're here today. We've had the opportunity to represent the New Mexico trifecta, which includes hot air balloons, New Mexico green chili and Roswell UFOs, now being referred to as unidentified anomalous phenomena, UAPs. I think UFOs just kind of rolls off the tongue. We've also had the chance to work with clients in the oil and gas industry. We have a very established footprint now in the transmission and the renewable energy industry. And in 2011, in support of our four step process of research, planning, execution, and evaluation, we partnered up with Albuquerque. Firm research and polling to really find out who New Mexico residents trust, what industries and institutions they view as favorable, and how people access news and information. Our 2025 perception survey was conducted February 3rd through 16th. It included a statewide sample of 415 residents reflecting the United States Census. It has a 95% level of confidence...

    13 min
  8. Lift Off Lane RV'ing at Fiesta

    09/27/2024

    Lift Off Lane RV'ing at Fiesta

    Welcome to a view from Lift Off Left the podcast where you can get an insider's perspective of the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta powered by ExxonMobil.  Each year, Balloon Fiesta hosts thousands of travelers from around the country who attend the event each year. In this episode, Tom Garrity speaks with Balloon Fiesta RV manager Jennifer Schurman to talk about RV's at this year's event.

    9 min
See All (64)

About

The Garrity Group Public Relations in Albuquerque, New Mexico presents insights about perceptions and insights of the public relations industry as well as information about what makes New Mexico tick.

Information

  • Creator
    Tom Garrity
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    64
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The About Perception Podcast
  • Show Website
    The About Perception Podcast