043 – A Good Story with Jody Maberry

 Get updates every week.
Subscribe in iTunes, YouTube, or Libsyn!

[In This Episode][Guest Bio][Additional Notes][Text Transcript]

In This Episode

Can a student get A’s in College Calculus after almost failing algebra in high school?  How does a financial analyst find his way to becoming a Park Ranger?  What is the power of a story to influence students, customers, or acquaintances?  Listen in for the engaging answers in today’s podcast!

Hey there, Innovation Nation!  Today’s guest is anything but ordinary.  As a Park Ranger turned MBA, he’s a real story teller!  As humans we long to have the world woven into a story.  John Steinbeck said,

“We are lonesome animals. We spend all of our life trying to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say-and to feel- ‘Yes, that is the way it is, or at least that is the way I feel it.’ You’re not as alone as you thought.”

I was actually thinking that very thought this morning as I listened again to one of my favorite stories.  I like to start my day of with a good story to launch me into the day.  I love harrowing stories with heroes and villains and underdogs.  Do you like stories like I do?

If so, you might resonate with this story.  Last summer during one of our Inventor’s Bootcamps, we had a young teenager.  His name was Eric, and he wasn’t fitting in very well with his team.  He was obviously a bright young man but needed to find his place in our high tech summer camp.  He had tried the electronics and programming but hadn’t meshed very well.  Then he tried the 3D design and was taken to another world!  He spent the rest of the week designing and 3D printing his designs.  The real kicker?  Eric was on the Autism spectrum and yet found a way to thrive in his team!

To find out more about Inventor’s Bootcamp, visit InventingZone.com!

And now to our story teller of the day:  Jody Maberry.  Jody started off as a pretty bad high school student, but even though he dropped his Basic Algebra class twice in college for poor grades, two years later he was getting an A in calculus.  Let’s listen in to find out how this transformation occurred.

About Jody

  Jody Maberry is a marketing consultant, copywriter, and customer experience strategist, known as the Business Ranger.  He spent several years as a park ranger, studying the reasons why parks are some of America’s favorite places. As a park ranger, He was deliberate about helping people create a story worth telling. Now, Jody helps businesses and individuals gain an outside perspective.

Jody does this by sharing his professional insights on customer experience, marketing, and developing a story. He has worked with and for large organizations, family owned businesses, non-profits, government organizations, and individuals.

 Jody has served as a financial analyst, park ranger, and marketing director. Now, he puts that experience to work to consult, write effective copy, and host the Creating Disney Magic Podcast and the Park Leaders Show.

What is the Purpose of an Education?

“For me, it’s a confidence builder, and it teaches you how to solve problems.”  —Jody Maberry

“Once you realize you can learn, you can get an education in ANYTHING!” —Jody Maberry

Jody’s Favorite Quote

 “Your excuses will never be as interesting as the story of how you got it done.”  —Chris Brogan

About A Teacher 

Jack Hartt. The first park manager I worked for had a tremendous impact, not only on my park ranger career, but on me personally. The most important thing he taught me was to fall in love with the park and everything else will fall into place. He encouraged people to explore, poke around, and break things. Intense curiosity was rewarded by Jack.

 Something Jody has made recently:

I made a sandwich I think I may have invented. Bacon, eggs, cheese and maple syrup between two pancakes and grilled on a George Foreman grill. It was delicious and my kids loved it. 

Something Jody has learned recently:

 Mobile podcasting. Shawn Smith, known as the Mobile Pro, has helped me learn how to record professional quality podcasts from the field.  This creates many possibilities for the Park Leaders Show and increases the way I can serve more people.

Additional Notes

Connect:

• Twitter: @jodymaberry
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmaberica
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodymaberry
• Website: http://jodymaberry.com/

Links:

•  Jody’s podcast with Lee Cockerell: http://blog.leecockerell.com/
• Jody’s Park Leaders Show: http://parkleaders.com/author/jody-maberry/

Full Text Transcript – Coming Soon!

“In college, I dropped Basic Algebra twice because I wasn’t going to pass.  Two years later I was getting an A in calculus.”  –Jody Maberry