Following Opportunity: The Sea Turtle, a Mohawk, and Podcasting
Over the summer, my family and I went on vacation down to Savannah, GA. While we were there, I had to make a visit to one of my favorite Science centers. What? You don’t have a favorite Science center? Well, I like this one, the Tybee Island Marine Science Center. Who doesn’t have dreams of being a marine biologist? This marine science center is a “catch and release” institute as they capture less fortunate animals, perhaps in need of rescue and rehabilitate them for life back in nature. The price the animals pay is to help educate the public…before going home.
I came to see my friend, Ike, a 3-year-old Loggerhead Sea turtle. Ike was about to be released to the sea on September 23rd, 2023. I have seen Ike many times and have an affinity for the little guy or girl, I guess it’s hard to tell and Ike didn’t share any pronouns just yet. He was a straggler in the nest and the Science patrol found him and raised him up. Now he is ready to head out to the great blue, a little older, a little wiser and well, a lot bigger. Here is a link to Ike’s news report. Next up, a new turtle, Westie, gets a shot in the spotlight following in Ike’s footsteps or flipper steps as he grows up and gets a chance to educate the next wave of Marine Science Center visitors.
After hanging with Ike, I was wandering around, taking in the sights and exhibits, checking out the aquariums by the glass offices. If you’ve been there, I’m talking about the ones with the toad fish and horseshoe crabs, across from the jelly fish tank. Then, I noticed a small group of folks in a conference around a table. Something was going on behind the see-through office glass. A brilliant blonde mohawk is what really caught my attention. I noticed that the person attached to that mohawk was working an audio interface and directing 3 or 4 microphones in what appeared to be an interview. Dee, as we will later get to know her, was engaged in coordinating a handful of other folks, talking about the Science Center and Ike the Sea Turtle. They were recording a podcast!
Marine science and a podcast! I was in heaven. Reading that statement over it sounds a bit nerdy. But obviously, I love podcasts and my biology degree makes science one of my other passions.
I wanted to learn more, but I couldn’t very well knock on the glass or wave, I’d interrupt the interview. Slightly discouraged, I continued my visit of the science center and my wife and girls, and I said our goodbyes to Ike, signed his card (yes, Ike had a graduation/good luck card) and wished him a good journey to the sea and left for lunch.
Next stop was the North Beach Bar & Grill right next to the science center and it is there that my intentions manifested into opportunity.
My girls and I were finishing up lunch. We highly recommend the North Beach Bar & Grill. Fun atmosphere, great service, right next to the beach and the food was so much better than expected. We will return and repeat. Get the Key Lime Pie for dessert you won’t regret it. Done with lunch and waiting for the bill, and in walks, well, the mohawk. Dee Daniels, sports that awesome blonde mohawk and her partner Megan, (pronounced MEEGAN) shoulder length auburn/brunette curly hair. She has the elegant appearance of a classic movie actress. Both demanded your attention as they walked in. They sat up at the bar and there they were, right in front of me. I don’t believe in coincidences anymore, so I knew the Universe was sending me a message and an opportunity. I just had to be a little brave to take advantage of it and go talk to them.
Next steps – make a plan, quick. Don’t come off as creepy. Be interesting. Respectful. Was this Intimidating? Quite possibly?
I kicked my girls under the table, so they would glance over, discretely, “look it’s the lady with the mohawk from the science center podcast.”
My girls rolled their eyes and asked, already knowing the answer, “Are you gonna talk to them?” They know me, too well, and informed me, “We’ll go wait down at the beach.”
“Hi, ladies, how you doin’?” I did NOT approach them like Joey from Friends, but after a carefully thought-out approach, they made it easier than I could have imagined.
My intro, “Hi, can I interrupt and ask you a question?” after I got the yes, confirmation. “I saw you doing a podcast at the Science Center, and I was hoping to ask about your mobile setup.” Somehow that worked and we all agreed that Podcasts are cool. The Science center is cool. Ike the Sea Turtle is awesome. And the conversation just opened up from there.
Such real people. So easy to talk to. As for me, I was brave, patient, set my intentions and it paid off.
Dee said she was doing a couple of interviews coming up later that week and invited me to observe and shadow. I jumped at that opportunity, after all, I was on vacation.
So, a couple of days later, I showed up at one of her “studios” which was a real estate agency in downtown Savannah that allowed her to do her thing - podcast interviews, sell real estate, promote the business, etc... She had an efficient mobile setup and that’s what I really wanted to see. I had lots of questions. What did her studio look like, what equipment and software did she have and use, how did she set it up and how did she conduct an interview.
She was casual, yet comfortably professional. The first thing I noticed, besides her spiky hair, was her voice. It’s so engaged like a radio DJ, which isn’t so strange because that’s where she comes from, radio. Dee was a DJ back in Virginia. Her experience shined. Her voice engaging and smooth. She just led you on to the next point or topic like a tour guide, with “organic intention”. I took notes.
Before the interview, she let me help setup and we went over her equipment and then the software that she used. She had it down. I was sold. If I was a business that wanted help doing a podcast or to have a team do it for me, Dee Daniels Media is the way to go.
Her interviewee, Jason Baggett showed up and brought his dog with him. That might sound eccentric, but it seems like such a thing to do in Savannah, and it turned out to be appropriate for his interview. He discussed living in Savannah and his involvement in many non-profit organizations. Jason had a professional but casual demeanor, and his dog was there celebrating his gotchya day. The dog, Holly, came up to me as if to say, hi. That’s all I needed. Dogs are good. I’m a dog person. If you are curious to hear Jason’s interview and hear Dee in action on her Made of Savannah podcast, click this link and check it out for yourself - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wbhud-14a58d1.
I learned a lot. Affirmations and realizations gave me the need for more opportunities. Dee and Megan listened to my Knowledge Action Success podcast and through a couple of conversations we decided to work together and make some music in the tune of a podcast interview of our own. Stay tuned for that…I am setting up an interview with them so that you can get Dee and Megan’s story and find out their Formula for Success starting and growing their podcast consulting and media business. I liked them, their attitude, and business model, so much that I signed up with them on their consulting and coaching package, setting my intentions so that they can empower me to make my podcast better. I am so looking forward to that.
So, it took a sea turtle in a marine science center, an amazing mohawk to catch my attention, a podcast, and a chance encounter at a seaside bar, throw in a fair amount of bravery to get up and talk to these former strangers that turned out to be just wonderful people and it all manifested into an opportunity for a working business relationship and the start of a respectful friendship. Yep, they're kind of my podcast BFF's.
I’m grateful. I followed the path laid out in front of me and it led me to a fantastic podcast interview and a consulting opportunity for them and for me to learn and grow. Thank you, Universe, for letting me recognize the hints and clues of opportunity and to help manifest them into reality.
So, audience, seek out those opportunities, recognize them, be brave and let your intentions guide you.
I’d love to hear your stories of being brave and how you recognized and took advantage of opportunity when it showed up. DM me, respond in the comments or send me an email to share your story.
~ All the best, Coach Steve
Knowledge Action Success, LLC
