The Present Professional – Details, episodes & analysis

The Present Professional returns with a renewed focus on conscious, human-centered leadership. Join host John Marshall as he explores how leaders can build resilient teams, foster emotional intelligence, and create high-performing cultures of conscious communicators—without burning out.

Welcome to a new season of The Present Professional with host John Marshall.

Over the past 70 episodes, this podcast has explored what it means to lead well, live intentionally, and stay present in the process. Now, as John steps forward as the sole host, the show continues that mission with a sharper focus on what matters most to human-centered leaders and their teams.

Each episode dives into the art of building resilient teams with emotional intelligence, fostering well-being without burnout, and aligning who you are with what you do.

Take a breath, slow down for a moment, and join the conversation about building success with presence.

In this episode of The Present Professional, we dive into the theme of personal responsibility in professional development. Host Tony reflects on his journey, tracing back to his high school years when he joined the Gents Program, an extracurricular initiative focused on developing young men. He discusses how this experience sparked his commitment to self-improvement and leadership. Together, we explore the importance of taking initiative in one's own development and the transformative power of actively seeking opportunities for growth. Tune in for insights on how to embrace personal responsibility and enhance your professional journey.

Synopsis
Taking responsibility for your own development is a proactive way to enhance both personal and professional growth. A key theme in the podcast episode centers on curiosity and the importance of saying yes to new opportunities.

Curiosity is a catalyst for growth. Tony recalls how his journey began in high school when he joined the Gents Program, spurred by curiosity about why others were involved. This sense of curiosity extended into college and his professional life, driving him to explore new opportunities for learning and growth. Curiosity helps individuals step out of their comfort zones and explore new ideas and experiences, which shape their development.

Saying yes to new opportunities is another essential part of personal development. In the podcast, both hosts discuss how they embraced this mindset. For instance, one host shared how saying yes to auditioning for a high school musical led to one of the best experiences of his life. This attitude of saying yes expanded his skill set and opened new avenues for self-expression. Similarly, Tony’s willingness to say yes to various roles and responsibilities throughout his career allowed him to continuously learn and grow.

John and Tony discuss how curiosity and saying yes often lead to transformative experiences. Both acknowledge that stepping into uncomfortable situations can lead to significant personal breakthroughs. For example, Tony shares how joining a step team and engaging in public speaking helped him overcome fears and develop resilience. These experiences equipped him with valuable skills for his personal and professional life.

Another important aspect discussed is the necessity of embracing discomfort. Tony shares that by actively seeking out environments where he felt uncomfortable, he was able to grow and develop. The episode emphasizes that personal growth often arises from moments of discomfort and challenge, and listeners are encouraged to embrace these moments as opportunities for profound insights and self-discovery.

In summary, taking responsibility for your own development involves curiosity, saying yes to new opportunities, and embracing discomfort. By nurturing these qualities, individuals can unlock transformative growth and enhance both their personal and professional lives. Although the journey may involve challenges, it is through these experiences that we discover our potential and continue our development.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Profession

In this episode of The Present Professional, host introduces special guest Andrea Edmondson, who works with executives to elevate their energy and manage stress for peak performance. Andrea shares her journey from education to her current role, focusing on understanding behavior and social-emotional aspects. Together, they discuss how the body and mind respond to high-pressure situations, offering insights beyond surface-level reactions. Tune in to explore the mechanics of handling stress at work and home, gaining a deeper understanding of internal processes.

Discover how intentional preparation, such as monthly partnership check-ins and tailored question lists, can cultivate a containered space for navigating difficult conversations and fostering deeper connections. Andrea shares poignant examples of how individuals can inadvertently slip into states of dysregulation, impacting their performance, decision-making, and overall quality of life.

But fear not, as the conversation takes a hopeful turn towards practical strategies for self-regulation amidst life's challenges. From the transformative power of play to the restorative nature of social connection, learn how simple practices like the "stop" technique and mindful breathing can shift us from hyper-yellow or red states to a calm and centered green state.

As they explore the nuances of nervous system regulation, John, Tony, and Andrea offer invaluable insights and actionable takeaways for listeners seeking to thrive in today's fast-paced world. Whether you're navigating high-pressure situations at work or seeking greater harmony in your personal life, this episode promises to enlighten, inspire, and empower you on your journey to greater resilience and well-being.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Let's build a world of authentic connections, one workplace at a time.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Professionals.

In this episode of The Present Professional, John and Tony delve into managing change. They discuss how change is inevitable and share techniques for embracing it as a fundamental aspect of life. The conversation explores the importance of evolving and becoming the next version of ourselves, highlighting the practices, people, and systems that can support us through various transitions in our careers, lives, and minds. Tune in to gain insights on navigating change and empowering yourself through the process.

Throughout the episode, John and Tony artfully weave personal anecdotes with insightful commentary, inviting listeners to reflect on their experiences with change. They delve into the nuances of transition, from career shifts to personal growth, underscoring the importance of embracing change as a fundamental aspect of life.

Drawing from their journeys, John and Tony share practical strategies for navigating change, emphasizing the significance of self-awareness and cultivating a supportive network. They delve into the dynamics of relationships within our inner circle, exploring how true connections can bolster resilience and foster growth.

As the conversation unfolds, John and Tony offer invaluable advice for listeners facing their transitions. They encourage embracing discomfort, fostering self-awareness, and nurturing meaningful connections as integral steps toward navigating change with grace and resilience.

With a blend of wisdom, warmth, and wit, John and Tony leave listeners inspired to embrace change as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. Through engaging dialogue and profound insights, they illuminate the path toward becoming our best selves in the face of life's inevitable transitions.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Let's build a world of authentic connections, one workplace at a time.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Professionals.

Today on The Present Professional, special guest JJ DiGeronimo, a three-time award-winning author, shares insights to empower you in your life and career. we unpack the concept of the oasis of success and the three obstacles high-impact professionals face. Tune in to discover strategies, mindfulness, and energetic practices to enhance your personal and professional development.

In this inspiring episode, JJ DiGeronimo shares invaluable insights on overcoming self-doubt and perfectionism to pursue heart-centered work. With a mindset shift towards "let me see what I can do," JJ encourages listeners to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success, collect "no's" as opportunities for growth, and listen to the whispers of their inner calling. By simplifying goals and practicing incrementalism, individuals can make meaningful progress toward their aspirations. JJ emphasizes the importance of investing in personal development through resources like audiobooks and podcasts while also highlighting the significance of mindfulness and presence in discovering one's unique gifts and purpose. Don't miss out on JJ's wisdom as she guides listeners on a journey to unleash their full potential and live authentically aligned lives.

Buy a copy of her latest book, Seeking, HERE!

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Let's build a world of authentic connections, one workplace at a time.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Professionals.

In this episode of The Present Professional, they delve into Cal Newport's book "Deep Work" to tackle the challenges of living in a hyper-distracted world. They discuss statistics revealing how much time is spent on online communication and internet surfing, emphasizing the difference between feeling busy and being truly productive. They share personal insights and experiences related to deep work, highlighting the importance of minimizing distractions to focus on meaningful tasks that drive personal and professional growth.

John and Tony discuss various strategies to overcome distractions and enhance productivity in the modern world. They explore different approaches presented in the book, such as the monastic, bimodal, rhythmic, and journalistic methods. They share personal insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of creating intentional environments conducive to deep work. They highlight the need to manage technology and distractions effectively to optimize focus and productivity. Additionally, they touch on the significance of deep connections in interpersonal relationships, advocating for being fully present in interactions. The conversation concludes with a reminder to take control of one's attention and energy to lead a more fulfilling professional and personal life.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Let's build a world of authentic connections, one workplace at a time.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Professionals.

This episode of The Present Professional explores the power of visualization in personal and professional development. They discuss the importance of having a vision for the future, emphasizing that if you can see it, you can believe and achieve it. They share their processes for developing a vision and highlight the significance of having a clear picture of how you want to shape your life and become who you aspire to be. Whether personally or professionally, creating a concrete vision for yourself is key to manifesting your desired future.

John and Tony discuss their experiences with visualization and how they have used it to guide their journeys. They highlight the need to envision not only specific outcomes but also the feelings associated with achieving those outcomes. By visualizing and feeling as though one has already attained their goals, individuals can tap into the law of attraction and manifest their desired reality.

They provide practical advice for listeners new to visualization, suggesting techniques such as guided meditations and writing exercises to help clarify their visions. They stress the importance of belief in oneself and the ability to overcome doubts or limiting beliefs that may hinder progress.

Additionally, John and Tony introduce the concept of creating a visual roadmap using tools like Miro, an online whiteboard platform, to organize and track progress toward one's vision. They encourage listeners to embrace a growth mindset and remain open to learning and sharing with others.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Let's build a world of authentic connections, one workplace at a time.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Professionals.

In this episode of The Present Professional, hosts John & Tony introduce special guest Julia Rock. She is an employment expert and career coach passionate about transforming workplace dynamics to create collective success between organizations and their employees.

As a senior finance and accounting leader in the oil and gas sector, Julia has personally overcome workplace burnout, disengagement, and inequality to coach and empower 1000+ employees to build meaningful careers. She has been featured in several major publications and platforms, including Fortune, Business Insider, and xoNecole.

Julia is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Employment Interview Professional (CEIP). She is also a published Author, co-authoring two books focused on helping athletes achieve greatness after sports: The Six-Figure Athlete and
Athlete to Entrepreneur Vol II. 

Together, they explore the concept of whether it's your job or you causing workplace dissatisfaction. Julia shares her expertise in transforming workplace dynamics and offers insights on engaging with your job, growing in your career, and recognizing when it may be time to move on. As a certified professional resume writer and employment interview professional, Julia brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation. Don't miss this episode as they discuss finding the right fit in your career and creating safer cultures in the workplace.

We delved into the unique challenges faced by athletes transitioning into the workforce, highlighting the need for grace and patience as they adjust to new professional environments. Julia's experience helping athletes pivot their careers provided valuable insights into the broader theme of career transitions for all professionals.

Julia outlined a strategic approach for those considering a career transition that includes building a personal brand, highlighting transferable skills, and effectively communicating one's value to potential employers. She also touched on the significance of networking and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn to position oneself for new opportunities.

In summary, this episode provided a comprehensive look at navigating career dissatisfaction and transitions, with Julia Rock offering actionable advice for professionals at any stage of their career journey. Whether refining your resume or redefining your career path, Julia's insights will empower our listeners to take charge of their professional lives with confidence and clarity.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Thank you for being a part of the present professional community.

Apply for Julia's Career Transition Coaching Program HERE.

Watch Julia live streaming the latest on Career Development  HERE.

Visit her website HERE and connect with her on LinkedIn HERE.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

In this episode of The Present Professional, John and Tony discuss the concept of essentialism and its relevance in today's high-achieving society. They reference the book "Essentialism" by Greg McKeown, which explores the importance of learning to say no and focusing on what truly matters amidst the complexity of modern life. The hosts emphasize the timeliness of this topic, given the increasing pressure to overachieve and the growing prioritization of mental health. Tune in to discover how essentialism can help you navigate the demands of life and work more effectively.

They explore key principles of essentialism, such as doing less but doing it better. They share personal anecdotes and experiences, highlighting the significance of excellence in tasks rather than spreading oneself too thin. The conversation emphasizes the challenges of living in a high-achieving society, where the pressure to overachieve is prevalent.

They discuss the idea of avoiding unnecessary work and the importance of determining what is essential for each individual. They stress the need for self-awareness and the ability to distinguish between tasks that contribute to personal growth and those that are merely distractions.

Tony and John touch on the power of choice and the impact of overwhelm on decision-making. They encourage listeners to take time for reflection, zooming out to see the bigger picture and zooming in to assess their daily actions. This dual perspective allows individuals to align their efforts with a long-term vision while ensuring that each day contributes to meaningful progress.

The conversation transitions into the balance between work and play, emphasizing that essentialism isn't about eliminating fun but aligning work with a broader life vision. They discuss the importance of not taking oneself too seriously, finding joy in the journey, and incorporating play into daily life.

Remember to subscribe to the podcast to catch this episode, and take a moment to drop us a rating and review. Let's build a world of authentic connections, one workplace at a time.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Thank you so much for listening and being a part of the community! Together, we're Producing Present Professionals.

In this episode of The Present Professional, John and Tony discuss the concept of executive presence and its three pillars. They emphasize the importance of being in control of oneself and one's actions rather than relying on position or authority. To delve deeper into the topic, they recommend referring to the book "Executive Presence" by Sylvia Ann Hewitt. Tune in to learn more about cultivating executive presence and its impact on personal and professional development.

Visit our WEBSITE  and work with us directly to bring the topics from this episode and more into your life and the lives of your people.

Other ways to connect:
The Present Professional | Instagram
Coach John Marshall | Instagram | LinkedIn | Facebook
Coach Tony Holmes | Instagram | LinkedIn

Synopsis
Gravitas involves displaying confidence and courage, which are crucial for leaders to be a steadfast presence for their team. Communication is about clear and decisive expression, which is vital for gaining trust and ensuring the message is understood correctly. Appearance, while less emphasized, is still significant in aligning one's physical presence and behaviors with their leadership message.

Key topics include the importance of eliminating filler words to enhance clarity and decisiveness in communication. We share insights from a yoga teacher training exercise that heightened awareness of filler word usage. The power of strategic pauses and silence in presentations is also discussed, with an example of a leader commanding a room's attention by simply taking a moment to drink water.

Additionally, we highlight the value of leaders asking good questions and feeling confident in seeking clarification, thereby enhancing communication and leadership skills. The episode underscores the need to be aware of and actively work on these aspects to strengthen one's executive presence.

Quotes

• 00:01:17-00:01:27 - "I think the first thing that comes to my mind is understanding that you are in control."
• 00:05:26-00:05:37 - "leaders balance decisiveness with compassion."
• 00:07:30-00:07:40 - "this strength, this power, this confidence has to come from somewhere."
• 00:17:39-00:17:50 - "That had more of an impact on the communication piece of my executive presence than anything I've done in my life."
• 00:21:08-00:21:19 - "pause, pause, pause for silence."
• 00:23:35-00:23:46 - "Make them wait. Double down. I'm doubling down on what John just said. Make them wait."
• 00:30:24-00:30:35 - "The more polished your appearance... the better you are at being clear about what you want to communicate."
• 00:33:09-00:33:20 - "these pillars, once they're put in your awareness, if you're taking care of the foundation, they'll build themselves"