That's What I'm Saying Podcast

Eric Geggatt, Community Manager at Workbar. Eric is a friend I met when we both attended a startup bootcamp. Later, we both went on to work at Workbar, though at different times. He got his start as a Community Associate at WeWork and progressed to a role as a Community Manager at Workbar. He shares his insights on community, co-working, and the job hunt. 

Sara Moore, PMP, Chief Operating Officer at Ankota LLC, a home care software company shares her insights as she progressed from building community in the art world, managing a home care agency, and becoming the COO of a tech company.

Sara Hammel's, latest novel, "The Strong Ones: How a Band of Civilian Women Made Their Mark on the Army" tells the story of Sara, Marion, and other "ordinary" civilians who came to prove (via a study conducted 25 years ago) that women could get strong enough to do the military's toughest tasks.  Sara's work has been featured alongside Maya Angelou and Susan Faludi as well as a number of national magazines.   Marion and Sara chat about their experiences during the study, their journey after the study, and about reconnecting 25 years later.          

Actor/comedian Dennis Hurley, who is featured in Justin Timberlake's music video, "Can't Stop This Feeling" and the NBC Sitcom, "Superstore") joins me in a conversation. Dennis was my first guest, (Episode #1, you should listen to it. it's fun) almost 2 years ago to the day. I wanted to chat with Dennis again to see where his journey has taken him, what new perspectives he gained, and what new advice he had for creatives to succeed at their craft. He quoted a piece of advice that he received in the past: "Figure out exactly what you love about art and exactly what you want from that art, and chase that at all costs."

Anny Din shares her experiences progressing from a hip hop group, producing independent film, working at an educational animation production house, an advertising agency, and digital project management. She shares practical tips, Best Practices, and stories about pivoting careers. She talks about applying what you've learned from your previous role to each next step on your journey, and how to stand out on set.  

My friend Liz Santoro, a Cinematographer/DP who has worked on TV shows such as "Alaska Bush People," "Biggest Loser," & "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo." She got her start on the crew of "Kill Bill" (Tarantino), "Zathura" (Favreau...Mandalorian, Elf, Iron Man, Swingers) & "The Aviator" (Scorsese).   ---Not to mention working as a cinematographer on a number of fantastic indie films...and my first film.   ---We talked about tips for getting started in film/tv production, how to thrive on set, and goal setting.

Community Manager and Event Planner, Ann Holland talks about pivoting careers, community building, struggling to build a career, defining success, and taking the leap to live in Los Angeles Some of my favorite quotes from her this episode:  "Community is creating a space where everybody feels like they have a stake in the environment and making it work for everybody. You have to actively participate for there to be community, and there has to be common ground...for me that's the baseline."   "[My mentor] taught me that it is OK to be your authentic self at a workspace and still be successful...that confidence in my unique perspective and my desire to make my mark on the cuture really comes from her and the time that we worked together [at Workbar]." This was one of my favorite interviews I've done so far, give it a listen and let me know what you think!

Almost a year to the day, I posted my last podcast which was about how we never know what the future holds, using the a story about Janelle Monet and a director of the TV show "This Is Us:" (You can listen to the episode here as well)...It turns out that a year ago, I posted a podcast that my current self needed to hear one year later. A couple excerpts from this podcast:  "Right now things aren’t how we want them to be, how we how we’d hope they’d be, however, we don’t know what the future holds, so we might as well believe it’s going to be amazing." "If I never direct or produce a studio level film or show, I’m not going to have regrets...I am going to have regrets if I don’t take my creative energy and turn it into something I enjoy and that I think have as a positive effect on people."  

I start with with the story of the time, 23 years ago, a person who now Directs shows such as "This Is Us," was the Director of Photography on the first independent film I worked on (as a PA) rewarded my work on set with a free t-shirt...a simple kind gesture that stuck with me for years...and from that starting point, I move into discussing how we never know where our lives may take us, nor do we always know the affect we have on others and their lives. Some excerpts include:  “It’s real easy in this world to think and feel that things don’t change, both when things are going great and when things aren’t going your way…but things change in weirder ways and unpredictable ways than we can often never imagine." "All that you can do is to do as much work that you enjoy as you can, get at good at it as you can, and to share it as much as you can and let the chips fall where they may.” A lot of people have lives that are challenging in ways that most listening to this podcast couldn’t comprehend." "I’m going to appreciate where I am, remember that life takes time, you never know where you’ll end up, so for me, I’m going to try my best to enjoy the ride.” “It’s easy to stay in the moment when the moment is one that you want.” “We like to think our lives take a linear path we change so much We all have these massive sea changes and we all have these U-turns in life that don’t make sense…write down the 5 things you’re focused on now and 5 things you were focused on 5 years years ago and compare" to understand my point.

An introspective podcast Ep. on my birthday thinking about the importance of having your voice be heard, making a difference, and finding happiness: "While I still have pangs of: 'I put all this time and energy and hard work into all these things and no one knows who I am (nor getting paid for much of what I create)'...The math for me if I'm doing something I enjoy and there's a chance someone else can get something out of it, then that's enough for me...though a basic level of stability and money is a concern for me, my goal is be happy moment by moment, do good moment by moment, as best I can, and I'm not going to equate money with happiness if I can."

Recorded in May of 2019 - Interview with Devin Cole, Head of Partnerships at Workbar. In this episode, we talk about being a connecter, the importance of diversity and inclusion, “helping others first”, what he loves about Boston...and I mention: “If you say ‘Devin Cole’ three times, then Innovation happens somewhere in Boston.” Fancy.

In this episode I talk about how I made a list of experiences that I wanted in my life, took a leap, and set out to create the life I wanted...such as directing a music video, traveling every month, working on a Hollywood studio lot TV show, time with family and friends, getting paid to direct commercial corporate videos, putting on events I'm passionate about, and so on.   Jed Hammel is a Producer/Director/Editor/Event Planner for Volta Visual Video - Producer of Comic-Con Indie Film Festival Best Short, production office crew credits include "ER" and NBC Late Night ("Tonight Show", etc). Directed/edited videos for Techstars US Air Force Accelerator, Alienware & Dell, etc. Founder of the Filmshift Film Festival. Produced or directed indie projects accepted into 100+ indie film festivals.   In the event realm, Hammel was head of events at Workbar coworking, putting on a number of tech, social impact, inclusion-oriented, and art events.   Some of his other event planning experience includes a 250 guest City Awake closing night party, Hammel is a co-founder, (featuring 2 hip-hop artists, a rock band, an a capella group, story slam, art salon, and 2 DJ’s), The Boston Calendar's 200+ guest "Free Boston" events (featuring boozy ice cream, tequila tasting, and an conversation starters), and 8 years of the Filmshift Film Festival (social impact/50% female directors).   Other events include this one sponsored by Aeronaut Brewery and Startup Institute, and this women in tech event at WeWork Cambridge.

In this episode we talk about screenwriting in Hollywood, how to break into the industry, and general screenwriting, networking, and filmmaking Best Practices. Matthew Reynolds is the Co-Founder of Meridian Pictures, a production company dedicated to producing and developing original works and distinctive genre properties; currently developing SECRET AGENT X-9, based on the Dashiell Hammett graphic novel, as well as NIGHTSIDE, based on the illicit paperback publishing world of the 1960s, and an untitled Manhattan Horror / thriller series from veteran horror writer Neal Marshall Stevens. His most recent credit is Associate Producer for the Netflix film, "The Highwaymen" starring Kevin Costner and Woody Harrelson.   Jed Hammel is a Producer/Director/Editor/Event Planner for Volta Visual Video - Producer of Comic-Con Indie Film Festival Best Short, production office crew credits include "ER" and NBC Late Night ("Tonight Show", etc). Directed/edited videos for Techstars US Air Force Accelerator, Alienware & Dell, etc. Founder of the Filmshift Film Festival. Produced or directed indie projects accepted into 100+ indie film festivals.   In the event realm, Hammel was head of events at Workbar coworking, putting on a number of tech, social impact, inclusion-oriented, and art events.   Some of his other event planning experience includes a 250 guest City Awake closing night party, Hammel is a co-founder, (featuring 2 hip-hop artists, a rock band, an a capella group, story slam, art salon, and 2 DJ’s), The Boston Calendar's 200+ guest "Free Boston" events (featuring boozy ice cream, tequila tasting, and an conversation starters), and 8 years of the Filmshift Film Festival (social impact/50% female directors).   Other events include this one sponsored by Aeronaut Brewery and Startup Institute, and this women in tech event at WeWork Cambridge.

Emmy Serviss is a good friend and fancy pants.  She has experience working on Emmy Award-winning TV productions and indie film in Los Angeles, and she performs and directs improv and sketch comedy for Improv Boston and Comedy Sportz Boston. She has been a member of several sketch groups over the years and is currently performing with her group SUZZY. Emmy was a cast member of The ImprovBoston Holiday Spectacular, Comedy, America!, It's Allston Christmas, Charlie Town!, and Fool Descending a Staircase. She directed Comedy, America, The First and Second Sketchy Holiday HAHA, and is a former producer of LaughterRisk and Battle Royale. Emmy is also a Major League player for ComedySportz Boston. Fancy.   Jed Hammel is a Producer/Director/Editor/Event Planner for Volta Visual Video - Producer of Comic-Con Indie Film Festival Best Short, production office crew credits include "ER" and NBC Late Night ("Tonight Show", etc). Directed/edited videos for Techstars US Air Force Accelerator, Alienware & Dell, etc. Founder of the Filmshift Film Festival. Produced or directed indie projects accepted into 100+ indie film festivals.   In the event realm, Hammel was head of events at Workbar coworking, putting on a number of tech, social impact, inclusion-oriented, and art events.   Some of his other event planning experience includes a 250 guest City Awake closing night party, Hammel is a co-founder, (featuring 2 hip-hop artists, a rock band, an a capella group, story slam, art salon, and 2 DJ’s), The Boston Calendar's 200+ guest "Free Boston" events (featuring boozy ice cream, tequila tasting, and an conversation starters), and 8 years of the Filmshift Film Festival (social impact/50% female directors).   Other events include this one sponsored by Aeronaut Brewery and Startup Institute, and this women in tech event at WeWork Cambridge.

Instagram: whoisjed_events_video_podcasts Product Designer, Cass Hebert,  In this episode, my friend Cass eloquently shares her advice and experience surrounding the tech and startup community.  Our conversation ranges from practical advice of how to make a career switch, her day-to-day experiences, diversity and inclusion, and how to break into the tech community.     Jed Hammel is a Producer/Director/Editor/Event Planner for Volta Visual Video - Producer of Comic-Con Indie Film Festival Best Short, production office crew credits include "ER" and NBC Late Night ("Tonight Show", etc). Directed/edited videos for Techstars US Air Force Accelerator, Alienware & Dell, etc. Founder of the Filmshift Film Festival. Produced or directed indie projects accepted into 100+ indie film festivals.   In the event realm, Hammel was head of events at Workbar coworking, putting on a number of tech, social impact, inclusion-oriented, and art events.   Some of his other event planning experience includes a 250 guest City Awake closing night party, Hammel is a co-founder, (featuring 2 hip-hop artists, a rock band, an a capella group, story slam, art salon, and 2 DJ’s), The Boston Calendar's 200+ guest "Free Boston" events (featuring boozy ice cream, tequila tasting, and an conversation starters), and 8 years of the Filmshift Film Festival (social impact/50% female directors).   Other events include this one sponsored by Aeronaut Brewery and Startup Institute, and this women in tech event at WeWork Cambridge.

IG Handle: whoisjed_events_video_podcasts Actor/comedian Dennis Hurley who is featured in Justin Timberlake's music video, "Can't Stop This Feeling" and the NBC Sitcom, "Superstore") joins me in a conversation that starts out as a recap of our film, improv, and sketch comedy projects and turns into a deeper conversation on how we define success and happiness. Jed Hammel is a Producer/Director/Editor/Event Planner for Volta Visual Video - Producer of Comic-Con Indie Film Festival Best Short, production office crew credits include "ER" and NBC Late Night ("Tonight Show", etc). Directed/edited videos for Techstars US Air Force Accelerator, Alienware & Dell, etc. Founder of the Filmshift Film Festival. Produced or directed indie projects accepted into 100+ indie film festivals.   In the event realm, Hammel was head of events at Workbar coworking, putting on a number of tech, social impact, inclusion-oriented, and art events.   Some of his other event planning experience includes a 250 guest City Awake closing night party, Hammel is a co-founder, (featuring 2 hip-hop artists, a rock band, an a capella group, story slam, art salon, and 2 DJ’s), The Boston Calendar's 200+ guest "Free Boston" events (featuring boozy ice cream, tequila tasting, and an conversation starters), and 8 years of the Filmshift Film Festival (social impact/50% female directors).   Other events include this one sponsored by Aeronaut Brewery and Startup Institute, and this women in tech event at WeWork Cambridge.