Podcasts about wendy simmons

With selection committees tasked with reviewing eight, nine, or even a dozen proposals at a time, it takes more than polished boilerplate for an AEC firm to stand out. Sometimes the winning move is a bold, experimental, and 100% client-focused approach that not only shows off your qualifications but also your team's enthusiasm and understanding of the project. In this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons sits down with Melissa Richey and Becky Ellison to explore what it really means to "push the boundaries" in AEC pursuits. Armed with more stories than we could fit into one episode, these proposal pros share standout examples of teams that went all-in with bespoke themes, creative leave-behinds, and connection-building interview tactics.And because time, budget, and resources are always a factor, the conversation also dives into when to go fully "HAM" and how to weigh risk versus reward. For marketers and business developers who might be hesitant to try something different, the Middle of Six team offers practical tips and a reminder that a little boldness and ingenuity can go a long way. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

With over 1 billion users worldwide and 67 million company profiles listed, LinkedIn remains an important platform for marketing, recruiting, and brand building. In Episode 70 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Middle of Sixers Melissa Richey and Grace Takehara to discuss strategies for using LinkedIn on both individual and company levels—from keeping up with industry happenings, and sharing thought leadership, to selection committee research, and team recruiting. They also dive into lesser-used LinkedIn tools, like creating a QR code for quick connections, using the name pronunciation feature, featuring posts for visibility, and personalizing your URL. Whether you're newer to LinkedIn or looking to maximize social media ROI, this episode is full of practical tips to help you maximize your presence on the platform.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5

Storytelling isn't just for novelists—it's the secret weapon for AEC marketers too! On this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons teams up with the creative minds of Becky Ellison and Kyle Davis to talk about crafting stories that grab attention and build real connections. They explore what makes a strong story—clear exposition, conflict, and resolution—and how those fundamentals help proposals and social media content truly stand out. Becky shares her philosophy on creative brainstorming, why it's important to protect “no bad ideas” and how to edit content with a Marie Kondo mindset: only keep what sparks joy. Becky and Kyle also discuss when and how to integrate graphics and images to enrich your story and engage audiences more authentically. No matter if you're refining a proposal or crafting a social post, this conversation offers practical tips to make your firm and its people stand out through better, more effective storytelling.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5

We're shaking things up with a special "book review" episode of The Shortlist! This week, Wendy Simmons is joined by Middle of Sixers Susan O'Leary, Lauren Jane Peterson, and Grace Takehara to explore insights from three influential reads that can inspire AEC marketers. Grace reviews Conquer Your Rebrand by Bill Kenney of Focus Labs, offering strategies to build strong, enviable B2B brands. Susan shares key takeaways from Seth Godin's This is Marketing, focusing on authentic connection and purposeful messaging. Lauren Jane discusses Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland, reflecting on the challenges and triumphs of the creative process.If you're looking to boost your creativity, sharpen your marketing strategy, or rethink your firm's brand identity, this episode is your CliffNotes for some Middle of Six-recommended reads.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2

In AEC marketing, design makes in an impact on so many of our day-to-day marketing initiatives. Proposals, websites, social media, brochures, signage, email signatures, presentations—the list goes on and on. On top of that, each medium and message may utilize a whole host of visual elements such as color, layout, typography, form, space, imagery, and more. With so much design and so many applications, how can we make sure our deliverables are engaging and resonant? Enter design psychology.On this episode of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons talks with Middle of Six's Graphic Designers, Lauren Jane Peterson and Becky Ellison, to explore how design can inspire and influence emotion, perception, behavior, and experience. They discuss how the psychology of design can help us all make more informed decisions around details and aesthetics, explore different possibilities and approaches, and offer a few tips on how to be a more empathetic and effective designer. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 1

Adobe InDesign is a must-have tool for AEC marketers, but let's be honest—many of us honed our proposal design skills on the job, often under a deadline. Even experienced users sometimes wonder: Am I using the best approach? In this episode of The Shortlist, host Wendy Simmons sits down with some of Middle of Six's InDesign "power users" Allison Tivnon, Becky Ellison, and Lauren Jane Peterson to explore the many ways designers approach InDesign for proposals and marketing collateral. From file setup and text layout to graphics and formatting, every designer has their own techniques—but is there really a "right" way? The discussion covers key differences in workflow, including parent pages, grids, pagination, text styling, and shortcuts. They also rumble over linking vs. embedding graphics, managing color palettes, table styles, and columns vs. threaded text. With so many ways to get the job done, sharing insights can lead to game-changing discoveries. Whether you're a meticulous organizer or a creative risk-taker, this episode will challenge the way you think about design workflows. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4 

 A frequent debate for AEC Marketers is the classic “chicken or the egg” question: which comes first—design or content? In Episode 65 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Middle of Six's Senior Creative Strategist Becky Ellison and Marketing Strategist Kyle Davis to explore both sides of the discussion. Should content shape the design, ensuring a clear and structured message? Or should design lead the way, providing a framework for content to fit into? This ongoing debate plays out in marketing teams every day, influencing how proposals, presentations, and branding materials come to life. Wendy, Becky, and Kyle share their insights, experiences, and practical approaches for tackling this challenge. Whether you're a designer, writer, or marketer, this conversation offers insightful takeaways through a heated and humorous discussion that just might help you solve this age-old dilemma! CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 2 

In Episode 64 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons is joined by Middle of Sixers Melissa Richey and Becky Ellison for a candid and comical discussion on proposal submission confessions. Harkening back to Episode 46, Night of the Living Deadline, this conversation dives into the best, worst, and wildest submission experiences—crazy requests, impossible demands, and unpredictable personalities. From horror stories to hard-learned lessons, it's all on the table. Whether you're managing a team or balancing company goals, workplace stress is inevitable—especially in a high-stakes industry with relentless deadlines. The pressure to succeed can take a serious toll, but by sharing our struggles, we can find camaraderie and maybe even some laughter along the way. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4 

The Progressive Design-Build (PDB) delivery method has been growing in popularity since it was introduced in the 90s. With more public agencies opting for "best value" over "low bid" for certain types of projects, PDB has become a go-to tool for state agencies, hospitals, K-12, and higher education procurement. The selection process, which often includes qualifications, proprietary or informational meeting(s), technical proposal, interview, and fee proposal (but notably, often no design) can extend several months and cost tens of thousands of dollars of staff time to complete.With so much time, money, and other resources on the line, how do you bring top-level strategy and renewed enthusiasm to each procurement stage and score the most points going into the fee proposal? In Episode 60, Middle of Six Principals Melissa Richey and Wendy Simmons discuss the origins of PDB, how to secure teaming partners, cultivating team dynamics, and developing compelling content for a series of written and in-person presentations that demonstrate why your team is the best choice.CPSM CEU Credits: .5 | Domain: 4

We can thank Toyota for many innovations including honing LEAN process and establishing the "A3" approach to problem-solving. A3's structured way of presenting information concisely now shows up across all industries -- including AEC. Over the last two decades, the A3 proposal format has grown in popularity and quickly became a hot design challenge for marketing and pursuit teams. How do you fit a 20-, 50-, or 80-page proposal on just one or two sides of an 11x17 sheet of paper? The answer: you don't. Instead, you have to be ultra-strategic, selective, and creative to communicate your differentiators effectively. In Episode 59 of The Shortlist, Middle of Six Senior Creative Strategists join Wendy Simmons as they share their tips and tricks for getting the most out of the A3 format. From tackling the eternal question of, "Which comes first, graphics or narrative?" to maximizing every square inch while preserving white space, Becky Ellison and Lauren Jane Peterson discuss their approach to working within the parameters of the A3 proposal format.CPSM CEU Credits: .5 | Domain: 4

Most AEC marketers' plates are filled with essential initiatives; developing responses to RFPs and RFQs or creating promotional content for websites, social media, and databases. While those projects are critical to keeping business humming, every once in a while we get the chance to work on a big, collaborative, creative project. It's those rare moments when we get to flex our marketing muscles in new and different ways, and hopefully, produce something with the energy to fuel us through the next year of project pursuits.In 2023, the team at Middle of Six unveiled The Wildcards; a creative campaign aimed at shedding a little light (and some humor) on some of the behaviors that add complexity to pursuit teams. More than a year in the making, and involving everyone on the Middle of Six team, The Wildcards have been enjoyed from coast to coast and hopefully helped a few marketers along the way. Listen in on Episode 57 as Allison Tivnon, Becky Ellison, Grace Takehara, and Wendy Simmons walk through each step of the process, starting with the smallest seed of an idea and ending with a nationally recognized campaign.CPSM CEU Credits: 1.0 | Domain: 6

Marketing departments have the best chance of success when they receive clear communication from company leadership. Whether that's insights (or input!) into the firm's strategic plan, having a voice throughout the pursuit process, or being respected as subject matter experts in marketing, AEC organizations can accomplish more by making simple adjustments to how they work with their marketing teams.A great listen for both company leadership and marketing, Episode 54 of The Shortlist sheds light on often overlooked and sometimes unspoken things that marketers want you to know. Join Middle of Six principals Melissa Richey and Wendy Simmons as they provide tips and a few crowd-sourced suggestions to bridge the communication gap.CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 6

If you're feeling some unease in this post-pandemic, up-and-down economy—you're not alone. Lessons from the Great Recession have taught us AEC marketers that in times of uncertainty, our departments come under intense scrutiny. Developing flexible and adaptable processes and perspectives will help you 'change proof' your internal marketing resources and ensure you're ready to pivot to respond to shifts in the economy. Tune in to this conversation between Wendy Simmons and Senior Marketing Strategist Allison Tivnon, as they expand on concepts introduced in Allison's book "Marketing at Low Tide." Allison, who also serves as a city councilwoman, possesses firsthand knowledge of the financial challenges faced by local communities and municipalities. The main takeaway? Even in times of economic turmoil and tougher competition, there is still plenty of valuable work for marketers to do to position our firms, protect market share, and keep sailing smoothly.CPSM CEU Credits:  0.75 | Domain: 6

While it's difficult to highlight many positive outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic, it did provide an opportunity for open conversations around community and personal health.  As it became necessary to provide flexibility to balance work and home commitments, we were also able to shed light on long-standing workplace challenges in our industry.For many, the sudden switch from in-person to virtual work environments prompted thoughtful consideration of the impact on team dynamics, workload, burnout, and mental health. In episode 42 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons and Becky Ellison candidly share their own struggles working in AEC marketing and discuss positive ways to accommodate and support the unique needs of every team member.  CPSM CEU Credits:  0.5 | Domain: 6

If you are a marketer in the AEC industry, you have undoubtedly supported a few proposal responses—if not dozens and dozens—throughout your career. And with that inevitably comes a personal list of RFP pet peeves, ranging from incorrect or missing information to excessively onerous, perplexing requirements.In episode 40 of The Shortlist, Middle of Six Principals, Wendy Simmons and Melissa Richey, delve into some of the most confounding RFP requirements they've encountered, providing commentary (and catharsis!) from their experiences contributing to hundreds of RFP Responses. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

We all love a win, and recognition! Awards from professional associations are a fantastic way to celebrate your team's efforts and garner publicity for your firm. But it's no small effort to assemble an award submittal that checks all the boxes and resonates with jurists. Judging panels sometimes include professionals from outside the industry—for a fresh perspective—and always include a few sticklers that score "by the book." In Episode 37 of The Shortlist, Wendy Simmons and Melissa Richey, two past SMPS award program judges, share their experiences as judges and 10 helpful tips to make the award submittal process less daunting, targeted to the judging panel, and more likely to bring home a win! CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 5

Have you ever considered working as a freelance marketer? Or been curious what it takes to launch and run a small business? Since every entrepreneur has their own unique origin story, we thought it would be fun to share some insights into the making of Middle of Six. Listen in as Senior Creative Strategist Becky Ellison takes over as host to interview Middle of Six's founder, Wendy Simmons. Find out what nudged Wendy into starting her own firm, who she was inspired by, and what advice she'd give to marketers or creatives who have been curious about going out on their own. With transparency and candor, Wendy shares the real truth of her journey as a woman business owner in the AEC industry. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 6

Whether you're a seasoned AEC marketer or just recently joined the industry, Senior Creative Strategist Becky Ellison and host Wendy Simmons are here to answer the question, 'If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself in the first year of your career?' Becky and Wendy share specific recommendations for marketers who are still learning about the industry, refining their voice, and finding value in their fresh perspective. The two cover everything from the importance of speaking up and asking questions to prioritizing selfcare–even when on a deadline. We couldn't have done this topic justice without valuable tips from the rest of the Middle of Six team, including Melissa Richey, Grace Takehara, and Allison Tivnon. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.75 | Domain: 6

Project managers (PMs) have many demands on their time, making the development of project-specific content for a pursuit challenging. As an AEC marketer, if you can get a new PM up-to-speed on marketing systems and the proposal process—and in turn, understand their role and workload—it will make for a smoother workflow and hopefully a winning pursuit! In Episode 31, Principal Melissa Richey and Pursuit Strategist Grace Takehara join host Wendy Simmons to share suggestions for new (or not-so-new) PMs on how to avoid writer's block, what areas of a proposal to focus their time and energy on, and how we can both help each other be successful. CPSM CEU Credits: 0.5 | Domain: 4

We've flipped the script on this extended episode as Principal Marketing Strategist, Melissa Richey English interviews our host, Wendy Simmons, and producer, Kyle Davis. Ever wonder what it takes to dream up, research, plan, record, produce, and launch a podcast? Well, we sure did! With the support of excellent resources, awesome talent, and a whole lot of heart and hustle, we're delighted to share lessons learned from Season 1, and a glimpse of what to expect for Season 2!

As the primary communicators of a firm's brand identity, marketing teams often take a lead role in brand management and maintenance. On occasion, it's a good practice to step away from the day-to-day and take a look at the big picture. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Rachel West explore the components of a successful brand audit. From competitor analysis and visuals assessments, to looking at language and brand personality across digital marketing platforms—the audit can help you identify the areas that are on point and those that are falling short.

Trying to cultivate a BD ecosystem within your firm but have staff who believe 'business development' is not in their job description? From seller-doers, project managers and support staff to your BD/Marketing teams, everyone plays a critical role in supporting client care and the brand experience. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Melissa English explore the fundamentals of business development—from the 'zipper' effect to quick tips and tricks to mobilize your colleagues. 

Every company has a brand identity that sits somewhere on the spectrum between bold and diluted. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Rachel West untangle and define the five major components of brand identity including brand values, brand message/promise, brand personality, brand voice, and visual brand identity. No matter if you're working with a hundred-year-old brand or launching a startup, what are the best ways to develop and hone these elements? And who should participate in that process? Plus, get a quick download on Middle of Six's brand identity and how it has evolved since day one.

Do you have staff attending an interview who've never laid eyes on the proposal? Does a key member mysteriously disappear when it comes time to rehearse? Got a 70-slide PowerPoint for a 20-minute presentation? If you're nodding your head at any (or al) of these, start waving those red flags! Join Allison Tivnon and Wendy Simmons as they commiserate, laugh, and offer solutions to the oh-so-common missteps that can derail even the strongest proposal efforts. You can't treat a problem until you diagnose the cause. Tackle all your red flags before interview day and you will greatly increase your odds of winning the shortlist!

Business writing typically falls into one of four buckets: informational, instructional, transactional, and (every marketer's favorite) persuasive. And unlike in storytelling, where descriptive words help paint a vivid picture, the goal of effective business writing is to communicate clearly and concisely to ensure that your message is delivered. Join Rachel West and Wendy Simmons as they highlight the differences in writing styles and share 10 tips for better business writing. It's business time!

Love them or loathe them, the virtual interview format is here to stay. While we advocate for the in-person interview above all others, we are thrilled to bid farewell to the dreaded phone interview, and see genuine value in the current virtual hybrid that allows team members and project partners alike to contribute and engage with the interview panel. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Melissa English discuss the technical, physical, and emotional components of virtual interviews—from the challenges and opportunities in establishing connection through a video screen, to the digital leave-behinds that keep your team top of mind. Cameras on!

You've assessed your resources with the Check-up Checklist, you've anticipated your busy months by mapping your Proposal Peaks, now it's time for the best part: Creating the Calendar! In Part 3 of our 2022 kick-off series, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon dive into the organization and execution of your annual marketing calendar. Spoiler alert! Even in the digital age, sticky notes are still a marketer's favorite tool. And with your priorities organized, you're ready to conquer the new year!

How do you make time for internal marketing projects when it feels like your schedule is ruled by proposal deadlines? In Part 2 of our three-part series, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon discuss how analyzing your Proposal Peaks can help get your marketing calendar ready for reality. With the proper tools and data, it becomes possible to visualize your upcoming year, spotting the heavy proposal seasons before they overwhelm your department. By planning around these hot periods, you can go after those extra initiatives and reach your goals with confidence.

We're kicking off 2022 with a series of three podcasts, each to help you organize your marketing efforts for the new year! In Part 1, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon discuss a key first step: the Check-up Checklist. Use this process to assess the current state of your marketing department. Where are you succeeding? Where can you improve? The checklist offers a high-level view of your teams' skills, capabilities, and needs, while also serving up action items you can tackle once you're caught up on proposal work. Download the checklist here. 

As the year comes to a close, the team at Middle of Six is looking ahead to the trends, themes, and indicators that could shape AEC marketing in 2022. This special extended episode features a roundtable discussion between Wendy Simmons, Melissa English, and Allison Tivnon. We break down the challenges and opportunities of 2021, preview the year to come, and offer up some predictions on the continuing evolution of the AEC industry. 

Storytelling captures attention and inspires trust. Stories spark conversation at networking events, get firms shortlisted on proposals, and captivate during interviews. Many of these stories are hiding in plain sight, but how to you find them? And once you do, how do you tell them? In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Pursuit Strategist Rachel West talk about the value of storytelling and how to capture the 'Why' behind the work.

Having a dedicated marketing professional means your firm is thriving! But how you define and support this role is critical to finding (and keeping) a specialist who can successfully wear all the marketing hats. Drawing from  firsthand experience as lone marketers, Wendy Simmons and Allison Tivnon dish on the benefits, challenges, and unique opportunities of marketing departments of one.

Sharing your expertise can feel like a daunting task. How much is OK to share? What type of information will resonate with your audience? And how do you draw out meaningful stories from your technical or field staff? Middle of Six principals Wendy Simmons and Melissa English give their recommendations to help AEC leaders and marketers stand out from the crowd and connect with decision-makers. 

When discussing major updates to your existing website, there are two paths: refresh or rebuild. Wendy Simmons and Kyle Davis talk through each option in detail, exploring what makes them different, when you might prioritize one over the other, and how to optimize your time and budget when renovating your "digital storefront."

Is it just us, or is the thought of being disqualified in the pursuit process the stuff of nightmares? Enter the Proposal Strategy and Responsibility Matrix. In this episode, Wendy Simmons and Pursuit Strategist Rachel West break down Middle of Six's pursuit planning document, sharing topics ranging from common booby-traps to best practices, to ensure you and your team are set up for success!

Marketers are often planners by nature. Or maybe by "nurture" after juggling a multitude of proposals in a reactive mode. While responding to RFQs and RFPs is a major component of an AEC marketer's role, supporting your business developers to better preposition the firm is equally important. Middle of Six principals Wendy Simmons and Melissa English discuss their experiences and industry best practices for prepositioning planning, including how to leverage data, create accountability, and use resources to solidify your marketing strategy.

From speaking engagements, sponsorships, and submitting for awards to client care, public relations, and industry associations, the toolkit for brand awareness is large and a key function of the AEC marketer's responsibilities. Dig into effective brand awareness tactics with Middle of Six principals Wendy Simmons and Melissa English as we explore this topic, including assessing fit for your firm, getting buy-in, and reporting on ROI of a brand awareness campaign.   

The Shortlist is presented by the marketing consultants at Middle of Six. Designed specifically for AEC marketers and firm leaders, we take a deep dive on business development strategies and marketing tactics for the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. Each week, host and principal marketing strategist, Wendy Simmons, will chat with Middle of Six team members to share their experience and answer your questions. New episodes drop every Wednesday!

THIS DAY, Scarlett and Holli are NOT THE ONLY ONE... musician Wendy Simmons joins them. They talk conspiracy theories, visuals, and how they wish to BORROW INDEFINITELY all the fun songs. They also find out that Scarlett can't say MAGIC MAN G's name "Gustafson" and it's very cute. As always, we have a lot of fun for MILES AND MILES. MAKE IT WORK and join is as we calculate the SQUARE ROOT OF POSSIBLE and talk about this very cute movie OVER AND OVER. (I hope y'all noticed I used the titles of the songs.) Disclaimer: This podcast contains spoilers and swears. Where you can go to support our guest Wendy:Instagram, From Left Field Podcast Warm our hearts all year long by rating, reviewing and subscribing to us wherever you get your podcasts. Don't forget to follow us on social media: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. If we jingled your bells, please consider subscribing to our Patreon. You get to peek under the tree with early access to episodes, bonus content, and rewards at every level! This helps us with our production costs and to create even more holiday cheer! Thank you for listening and have a very merry NetfliXmas!All our links in one place: http://linktr.ee/netflixmaspodcast

Get stoked for when we can travel again with expert advice on enjoying Lisbon's intimate and historic neighborhoods. Architecture critic James Gardner tells us why he bought an apartment in Buenos Aires, where European elegance and Latin culture combine. And frequent traveler Wendy Simmons shares tips for enjoying your time in the air the next time you take a long-distance flight. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

Prism Energy Services is a preferred vendor to leading New England utilities and a conduit to utility rebate incentives for energy efficient building upgrades as well as flexible financing options. By working with our utility partners, Prism negotiates utility incentives for their customers. Prism also conducts extensive work within municipal, state, and federal energy efficiency programs.

Wendy Simmons went from Phys Ed teacher to energy teacher. Listen to how Wendy created Prism Energy and retired her whistle and sweats for good!

Today I am talking with Wendy Simmons, Deputy Director of Wellness at the Nevada Department of Veterans Services about some of the benefits extended to our veterans that some may not be aware of. www.veterans.nv.gov CheriHillShow.com

In My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, author Wendy Simmons offers readers a glimpse of North Korea as it's never been seen before. Through poignant and laugh-out-loud essays accompanied by stunning photographs, Wendy chronicles one of the strangest vacations ever. Support the show: https://www.theinformedtraveler.org/

In My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth, author Wendy Simmons offers readers a glimpse of North Korea as it's never been seen before. Through poignant and laugh-out-loud essays accompanied by stunning photographs, Wendy chronicles one of the strangest vacations ever. Support the show: https://www.theinformedtraveler.org/

Folks from online magazine Atlas Obscura share some of their favorite American roadside attractions. Then author Doug Mack explains the unique status of the United States' far-flung territories, where American citizenship is "complicated." And writer, photographer, and businesswoman Wendy Simmons describes her remarkable tour of North Korea. For more information on Travel with Rick Steves - including episode descriptions, program archives and related details - visit www.ricksteves.com.

The boys pull it together long enough to read a truly interesting book, written about one woman’s solo vacation to North Korea and her humanizing yet frustrating experience with various handlers and government officials. They then (John actually) extend themselves and set up an interview with the author, Wendy Simmons. She was funny, gracious, and at all times honest Read more about S.A.N.K. 027 – Interview With Wendy Simmons, author of “My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place On Earth”[…]

I'm so excited for today's guest. She's a writer, photographer and world traveler. Wendy Simmons is out with a new book that you should run -- not walk -- tomorrow to go get a copy after you listen to this podcast. It's about her vacation in North Korea. Yes, I know what you're thinking... how does one even travel there? Why would one vacation there? There's so many questions. But the book is called My Holiday in North Korea: The Funniest/Worst Place on Earth. Wendy also has a weekly travel column featured on the Huffington Post and has written for other outlets including Yahoo!, PopSugar, Travel and Leisure among many others. Wendy's photographs have also been featured in numerous exhibitions and shows across the country and have even earned her accolades. Wendy also has over 25 years of marketing, PR and management experience. She's also switched careers several times serving as the president of Vendeloo, a consultancy she founded in 2001, working as the Chief Brand Officer of a NYC-based global eyewear brand and owner of a bar in Manhattan. So, in the interview we discuss, how did she decide to go to North Korea? Why, really? What were her expectations going into the country and were they met? Would she recommend you and I go to North Korea and if so, what should we take with us? Wendy is also an entrepreneur. We transition nicely to talk about money. We talk about learning about money as she lived in a neighborhood that was pretty wealthy. Why she says she doesn’t really think about money. She doesn’t want to think about money and her number one financial failure, which perhaps not surprisingly, involved the stock market. For more information visit www.somoneypodcast.com. 

The rarely-visited and phenomenal country of Tchad (Chad) is discussed by Wendy Simmons, wendysimmons.com, Chris, and Jerry. In 2014, only 100 tourists came to this Sahara-desert covered country which rarely sees more than 300 tourists annually. Recently returned from Tchad, Wendy shares her experiences as she covers 4,000 km of Tchad's varied terrain, cultures, food, and scenery. Additional topics include: the people, transportation, topography, weather, best time to visit, obtaining a tourist visa, and the Ennedi mountain range with its caves, fossils, unbelievable wind and wind and water carved formations, and sunsets. Surrounded by politically troubled countries, now is the time to visit and be amazed with the friendly, spectacular country of Tchad.

Join Chris and Jerry as they discuss three important travel topics with Wendy Simmons, wendysimmons.com, who has traveled to more than 85 countries and counting. A noted travel photographer and writer, including the Huffington Post and her forth-coming book on North Korea (DPRK), Wendy has a down-to-earth, realistic travel approach. This unique program discusses women traveling the world alone, suggestions and directions for taking photographs that truly capture the subject, and some excellent packing trips to make your travel less stressful. Wendy's sense of humor and enthusiasm for traveling is catching and fun and immediately comes across. This definitely is a must-listen-to program prior to any trip you take.

Enjoy a transformative travel experience as we travel to North Korea, Malta, Mexico and Barbados. Wendy Simmons is an intrepid traveler whose solo adventures have taken her from Ethiopia to North Korea and beyond.  She joins World Footprints radio to share her wealth of travel advice and gives us a preview of her book about her trip to North Korea.  She'll also share the outcome of a battle between a rat and her toothbrush. The island nation of Malta has been a melting point of cultures for centuries and it is home to some of the world's most treasured antiquities and world heritage sites.  But as Malta tourism representative Michelle Buttigeig tells us, Malta also has a strong Christian legacy and there is a lot of history still being discovered. A few margaritas and a desire for something new inspired award-winning author Carol Merchasin and her husband to leave their life behind in America for a new life in Mexico.  Carol's new book, "This Is Mexico:  Tales of Culture and Other Complications" chronicles her comical misadventures as an expat. The Caribbean island of Barbados stands out from its neighbors because of the island's unique history.  Standing at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, North and South America, this small island has been part of the world's global trading system for centuries.  In spite of its colonization by English explorers, Barbados was never a Crown colony.  We'll explore the uinque history with the help of reknown Barbados historian Dr. Karl Watson.

By Adam Olenn December 16, 2011 Baby Atlas is a trio from Austin, Texas that Berklee bass professor Danny Morris calls "southern-fried soul, with freshness, optimism, and joie de vivre." The band includes 2006 alumnus David Jimenez and 2008 alumna Wendy Simmons and recently released its self-titled debut album. (Photo provided by the artist) Baby Atlas: Wendy Simmons, David Carroll, and David Jimenez

The stories and headlines that we hear and see about North Korea could be enough to keep anyone from traveling to the country.Or even the simple fact that Americans are generally NOT welcomed would be a clear warning to never travel there.But for our guest this week, that only enticed her more.This week, Wendy Simmons, professional photographer and worldwide traveler of over 85 countries, joins The James Altucher Show to share what is really going on in North Korea.From the moment she entered the country to the day she left, she was assigned a handler to escort her every move.With a "military-first" policy and the basic idea that nobody has free will... It's hard to believe that anybody would venture willingly into such a country.Here you will hear Wendy's first-hand experiences and the truth of what she has encountered.Forget most of what you think you know... because in this interview, everything about the world's most militarized society is revealed in a new light. ------------What do YOU think of the show? Head to JamesAltucherShow.com/listeners and fill out a short survey that will help us better tailor the podcast to our audience!Are you interested in getting direct answers from James about your question on a podcast? Go to JamesAltucherShow.com/AskAltucher and send in your questions to be answered on the air!------------Visit Notepd.com to read our idea lists & sign up to create your own!My new book, Skip the Line, is out! Make sure you get a copy wherever books are sold!Join the You Should Run for President 2.0 Facebook Group, where we discuss why you should run for President.I write about all my podcasts! Check out the full post and learn what I learned at jamesaltuchershow.com------------Thank you so much for listening! If you like this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to "The James Altucher Show" wherever you get your podcasts: Apple PodcastsiHeart RadioSpotifyFollow me on social media:YouTubeTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

The stories and headlines that we hear and see about North Korea could be enough to keep anyone from traveling to the country.Or even the simple fact that Americans are generally NOT welcomed would be a clear warning to never travel there.But for our guest this week, that only enticed her more.This week, Wendy Simmons, professional photographer and worldwide traveler of over 85 countries, joins The James Altucher Show to share what is really going on in North Korea.From the moment she entered the country to the day she left, she was assigned a handler to escort her every move.With a "military-first" policy and the basic idea that nobody has free will... It's hard to believe that anybody would venture willingly into such a country.Here you will hear Wendy's first-hand experiences and the truth of what she has encountered.Forget most of what you think you know... because in this interview, everything about the world's most militarized society is revealed in a new light. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.