Coming up in the IT world, specifically the network side of this industry, there are a few sites that I have frequented coming up in the industry. This can be broken down into either video, podcast, or written form. You have Keith Barkers Youtube, Network World, ZDNET, and The Networking Nerd (Yes, Tom, I do read your blog). I can’t mention Tom without mentioning Tech Field Day and The Packet Pushers. Packetlife.net would have made this list. Unfortunately, as of this writing (October 7th, 2024), it is no longer up on the interwebs. I get to add a new experience to the list. My company asked me a question I never thought I would hear. They asked if I wanted to represent them on The Packet Pushers – Heavy Networking Podcast.
What happens when you are now asked to be a part of one of the podcasts you listen to? First, you scream like a giddy kid who found the secret candy stash in the house. Once you compose yourself, it’s time to start taking things seriously. After the euphoria wore off, it was time to get down to business. I wanted to share my experience with being on The Packet Pushers – Heavy Networking Podcast.
My manager sent me a message one Friday afternoon: “Hey Mike, want to do a packet pushers podcast?” I don’t think I gave the Slack incoming message tone enough time to stop. Maybe I should have let the digital ink dry before I said, “Sure!” I had to play it cool because if I had acted like a crazed super fan, I would have scared her away, and my chance would have been lost. So, keep playing it cool, Mike, and don’t let anyone see you like this:
Meeting Ethan and Drew
‘We had a meeting with them the following Monday. This was good news because I was out in HQ that week; the bad news was I couldn’t show my cards and had to keep it cool. It reminds me of what Stewart Scott used to say.
OK, cooler than the other side of the pillow ✅. We joined a Zoom, and I met Ethan and Drew. We had a good conversation, and then Ethan said, “OK, so when can we record?” I have an entire studio in my home office. I say, “Well, this week we are recording some corporate videos; I will be home early next week. Perhaps we can record Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning?”. He said, well we want this to air on October 4th, can we possibly do it this week? My mind instantly went to, oh no. All of my equipment is in Florida. Even if I wanted to get home after we recorded the videos we planned on, there was a little thing called Hurricane Helene. WIth some magic and a gratious co-founder who let me borrow his podcasting gear, we were set to go!
So, what do you want to talk about…
We discussed some ideas about the show, they asked me some questions, and we set a date and time to do the recording four days after this call. Now, the panic sets in a little. I know our product inside and out, and I am not so worried about being able to discuss its capabilities. This was more about getting mentally prepared to be on THE PACKET PUSHERS! Between that, the videos we were producing in HQ, and the hurricane hitting Florida, there was a lot on my mind. But I had to compartmentalize it and focus on what was in front of me and what I could control.
It’s Really Happening
It’s now the morning of the recording. As I walk to the office from the hotel, I think of how I want to approach this. I have some ideas for some funny quips I want to try to squeeze in, but moreover, not forgetting why I am there. This is to educate their listeners on Forward Networks first, and I can find a way to throw in some funny quips as needed. I walk into the studio in our office, get set up, join the Zoom, and here we go….
It’s go time!
I joined, and I am in a virtual waiting room. The start time comes, and I can feel a little bead of sweat drip down my head. All I can think is, thankfully, this isn’t a video podcast. Ethan and Drew join, and my manager joins a few minutes later. Then, it is time! What felt like only 10 minutes turned out to be over an hour. I just went into what I do. There were a lot of laughs with some things I said, and I just went along and had fun with it.
We had a good conversation. It was so good that, as I had said before, it felt like we had been talking for only 10 minutes. We wrapped up, and I forgot to plug my website. DOH! But I at least got my socials in and the correct handle. Just as fast as I was told about it, was as fast as it was over.
The aftermath
After disconnecting from Zoom, I sat in the studio briefly and reflected on what had happened. I had a feeling of, man, I can’t believe I just recorded an episode of the Packet Pushers! Then I sat and thought about what Forward had done me and my desire to get out of my comfort zone. I am forever grateful that they have trusted me to represent their company on YouTube, at conferences, during tech field day, and now in the podcast arena.
Bonus – Behind the Mike Scenes
I am going to share a personal story that not many people know. If you had met me while working in the enterprise, I would have been very quiet and to myself. I had a horrible stutter and just decided to keep to myself.
This has been a long road of self-discovery and discovering what I can do. I was my own worst enemy, letting fear or the illusion of fear get the best of me. Before I recorded the podcast, I found a motivational speech that resonated with me, and I want to share it here.
What would you do if you had no fear and whatever your answer is, that is what fear is robbing you from.
- RedFrost Motivation: Conquer Your Fear
Rewind to when I worked in the enterprise, I was the quiet guy in conferences who never said a word. I never would come out of my shell and only a few people saw the real me. Transitioning into sales I had to break that, and quick. Luckly I met someone who I call a mentor and a friend who quickly broke that shell and it has been an upward motion of challenging myself to do things that the old me would not normally do.
Now, its weird if I am not talking in front of a group of people. It is my happy place and my new comfort zone. We are all destined for greatness, do not let fear rob that from you!
Let’s Wrap This Up
This was an amazing experience. Thank you to Ethan and Drew for letting me spend an hour with them to discuss Forward Networks. You can listen to the podcast here.
What have you done to step outside your comfort zone? Let me know in the comments below or hit me up on my socials.