Steve Ferguson shares how his passion for cars started in childhood, fueled by a neighbor who gave him car magazines from around the world. Steve recalls how his love for automotive performance led him to owning a 1993 Dodge Viper, founding the Viper Club of America, and instructing others in high-performance driving across legendary racetracks in the U.S. He describes memorable experiences, like clocking 186 mph in a Viper and teaching the drummer of Smashing Pumpkins, Jimmy Chamberlin, to drive his Ferrari. Steve also talks about his enthusiasm for scuba diving, his loyalty to the Dallas Cowboys, and a lifelong love of ice cream. He discusses why sharing personal interests at work matters, saying it makes people memorable and brings excitement into professional environments. Steve encourages listeners to embrace their "And" stories, believing openness and authenticity foster better relationships and workplace culture.
Episode Highlights
· Steve Ferguson's love for cars, specifically his experience with the Dodge Viper, played a huge role in shaping his career, personal drive, and the founding of the Viper Club of America.
· He uses personal stories and interests to stand out and be remembered in professional settings, believing that sharing your "And" helps build stronger connections.
· Steve Ferguson advocates for being open about personal passions and experiences, saying that it leads to more genuine relationships. Even if some people aren’t interested, those who are will remember you.
· He stresses that company leadership should actively encourage employees to share personal interests, as it creates a more engaged, caring, and high-quality company culture.
· High-performance driving, scuba diving, and snowmobiling are more than hobbies for Steve Ferguson. They provide adrenaline, focus, and a reprieve from his highly social work life, which he says makes him feel “freer as a person.”
Michael Horwitz shares his passion for tennis, especially playing on grass courts at the historic Longwood Cricket Club in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He talks about how tennis has become a big part of his family's life, with everyone—from his wife and children to in-laws—getting involved in the sport. Michael describes the unique feel and challenges of playing on grass compared to hard or clay courts, and reveals how he hopes to one day participate in Longwood's prestigious 90-and-over tournament. He recounts memorable moments, including playing in a national father-daughter tournament and traveling to famous events like Wimbledon and the French Open. Michael emphasizes the welcoming nature of his club, where tennis is the focus and professional backgrounds take a back seat. He also reflects on how sharing personal passions, like tennis, helps build genuine connections both at work and in life.
Episode Highlights
· Michael emphasized how tennis became a big part of his adult life and family, providing opportunities to play and connect across generations.
· At his tennis club, everyone is welcomed regardless of skill level, and the shared love of tennis creates genuine connections.
· He discussed the value of sharing personal interests like tennis with colleagues, noting plans to further encourage his team to share their “Ands” and learn more about each other’s lives beyond work.
· Michael reflected on the need to feel comfortable sharing personal passions, mentioning that fulfillment comes from work and hobbies alike, and it’s okay for interests to be seasonal, as with outdoor grass tennis.
Tim Allen, Chief Growth Officer at MBE CPAs, shares how his lifelong passion for writing and motorsports has enriched both his personal and professional life. He reminisces about his early days getting in trouble for producing a black market student newspaper and how those writing skills, encouraged by his English teacher mom, have led to freelance opportunities with industry publications. Tim discusses his favorite experiences interviewing fascinating people in the automotive world, including celebrities like Keanu Reeves and Aaron Shelby. He believes his pursuits outside of work make him a better business developer and communicator, helping him craft better pitches and approach conversations from multiple angles. Tim emphasizes the value of bringing one's best self, including unique interests, into the workplace, noting how sharing these passions fosters stronger human connections. He encourages others to embrace their interests unapologetically, underlining that being comfortable with who you are paves the way for greater fulfillment at work and beyond.
Episode Highlights
· Tim highlights how his love for writing and motorsports not only enriches his personal life but also sharpens his skills and creativity in his corporate marketing and business development roles.
· His experiences as a freelance writer, interviewing notable personalities and going behind the scenes at motorsports events underscore how following your interests can create unique and memorable opportunities.
· Tim believes sharing personal interests (your "And") at work fosters genuine connections, makes you more relatable, and helps build stronger, more engaging relationships with colleagues and clients.
· He encourages people not to hide who they are; being open about your hobbies or passions leads to a richer, more authentic professional (and personal) life, even if it takes time to become comfortable with that vulnerability.
· Tim values spending time, like coffee catch-ups or casual chats, getting to know people beyond their job titles, emphasizing that these interactions are not only rewarding but also an essential (and too often overlooked) part of building community and culture in and out of work.