What better way to get to know one’s colleagues and peers in the industry than by peaking at their bookshelves, playlists, and Netflix viewing history? Each week we reach out to four to five folks from different segments of our industry to learn what they are reading, watching, and listening to as a way to distract themselves from the never-ending stream of COVID-19 news and information.
AJ Baggott, COO, RJ Young, Nashville, TN
Reading: “The Motive” by Patrick Lencioni (current read), “Winning” by Jack Welch (I re-read this about once a year), and “The Leadership Pipeline: How to Build the Leadership Powered Company” by Ram Charan and Stephen Drotter.
Watching: “Ozark” on Netflix, “The Mandalorian” on Disney+, and I just finished a “Star Wars” movie marathon with my two boys (My wife was less than interested.).
Listening: Craig Groeschel’s podcast (He’s had some great specials on COVID-19.), “The Fantasy Footballers Podcast” (I’m an avid fantasy football fan!), and a very eclectic mix of Spotify playlists to match my mood or situation.
Carol Cannata, SVP, client services and events, The Cannata Report
Reading: “Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest, and the Music That Made a Nation” by Jon Meachem and Tim McGraw. It’s about the history that impacted the songs at the time, from “The Star Spangled Banner’ to “Born in the USA.” Jon Meachem is one of my favorite writers. “Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)” by Don Felder and Wendy Holden. I always liked The Eagles and I saw Don Felder at a Konica Minolta dealer meeting. CJ bought me the book. I find it interesting that all of the music icons of that era did not have good lives but rose to the occasion because of the music. I’m also reading “Grit to Great: How Perseverance, Passion, and Pluck Take You from Ordinary to Extraordinary” by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval which is wisdom for aspiring women leaders. It’s quite interesting. And I’m reading every fashion magazine and the newspaper every day. I’m also reading “The Cannata Report” and our digital posts. Make sure you put that in there!
Watching: CJ turned me on to “Damages.” I like “Ray Donovan.” I’m watching “The O.C.,” and “Frank and Gracie.” I’m also watching reruns of “The Voice” and “America’s Got Talent” because music and entertainment bring everybody together.
Listening: I have Sonos on my phone and surround sound and music throughout my house. I’ve been listening to Marvin Gaye. His music is inspirational. I’ve been listening to James Taylor. My favorite groups are Earth, Wind & Fire, The Bee Gees, and Santana. Listening to all this music makes me happy. As I’m listening to the music, I’m cleaning, cooking, and keeping my sanity.
Bob Goldberg, general counsel, BTA
Reading: Nothing has spread faster than COVID-19 than the legal issues surrounding it. Reading several times the 880-page “Families First Coronavirus Act” followed the “Cares Act” has been time-consuming. For pleasure, I read non-fiction. Currently, I am reading “Grant” by Ron Chernow. It’s an amazing trip through the Civil War and his presidency.
Watching: I do not watch much TV, however, daily I watch Judy Woodruff on the PBS NewsHour. It’s an excellent show with very knowledgeable contributors.
Listening: I love classical music and have it playing in the background when I am working. I often listen to Symphony Hall on Sirius XM.
Maegan Lujan, director, solutions and services, Toshiba America Business Solutions
Reading: There is more content to consume than ever before, and I’m loving it. During the week I am focused on staying informed on tech and our industry, so I stick to digital content: Apple news, Medium, etc. for general updates. And “The Cannata Report,” BPO media, and Industry Analysts for industry updates. During the weekends, I try to disconnect from the tech and generally end up consuming 1-2 books on average. This past weekend I read “Brand Storytelling” by Miri Rodriguez and “Digital YOU” by William Arruda.
Watching: My go-to is The History Channel or documentaries on Netflix. I am excited that “Billions” is back and looking forward to “Yellowstone” starting up again!
Listening: Interoperability at its best for this techie! Apple Music streamed via Alexa devices and integrated with my Hue lights. Playlists: AM – Pure Motivation, Day – Pure Focus, and PM – Chill Mix.
Mike Marusic, president & CEO, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America
https://youtu.be/x5kXnq5IjdU
Reading: I have an eclectic mix of reading. I love to read on a variety of topics. I typically get an interest and read a lot about the topic, but right now I am all over the place. I just re-read the book “The Last Lecture” by Randy Pausch. A Sharp team member had given it to me a while ago. More recently it had some personal meaning, so I re-read it. I just started “The Devil in the White City” by Erik Larson, which is about a serial killer during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. It was the hotel bartender’s recommendation. Finally, I had bought my kids a book called “The Constitution and Selected Writings of the Founding Fathers.” I picked it up at Christmas for my kids who were all into Alexander Hamilton because of the play. Needless to say, not a big hit with them, but interesting to read the various essays. It’s nice to pick up, read a little, then I can pause before the next one. Yes, I am all over the place.
Watching: Due to my normal travel schedule I am less aware of all the regular TV programming and dial into Netflix downloads. During my previous travel I finished season 3 of “Ozark.” Definitely, a binge-watch deal I finished it all in maybe a two-day period. Now that I am home, I caught up on some shows that are just new to me. I have been exercising in the morning and catching up on the TV show “SWAT” by watching each of the first few seasons—a little excitement to get going in the morning. Finally, the odd one that I have been watching is “Aerial America” on the Smithsonian Channel. Very interesting approach to touring America from the air. I am sure you can psychoanalyze that as maybe missing all the air travel. I like the format and it has a little history and culture mixed into the program.
Listening: This is the one area that is definitely neglected. Being home, my kids have taken over the radio and any music we listen to. My daughters have me listening to Post Malone and Asher Angel, so I really need to get back to my normal routine. My go-to is Bruce Springsteen, so that gets into each day at some point. After that, it’s just a random mix.
Mike McGuirk, president, senior equity partner, ProCopy Office Solutions, Phoenix, AZ
Reading: I have read three books, “Alexander Hamilton” by Ron Chernow, the book that the play was based on—900 pages and just a great story. “The Wonder Year: The Championships of the New York Jets, Mets, and Knicks Were Only Part of the Story in 1969” by Bert Flieger. The author was 10 at the time and I was 9. And I reread my favorite business book, “It’s Not the Big that Eat the Small…It’s the Fast that Eat the Slow: How to Use Speed as a Competitive Tool in Business” by Jason Jennings and Laurence Haughton about how companies that stay nimble and close to their clients always win the race.
Watching: I am watching “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” from the beginning and the new season of “Ozark.” While working in my garage I watched all five seasons of my all-time favorite show, “The Odd Couple.”
Listening: I try to get on the treadmill a few times a week. I always listen to anything Bruce, especially “The River.”
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