Apple PodcastsSpotifyPodchaserStitcherOvercastPocketCastsAcastiHeartRadio

Arlie Kidd [00:00:05]:
Hi. This is Arlie Kidd, and when I’m not singing, I’m listening to John Garrett on What’s Your “And”?

John Garrett [00:00:16]:
Welcome to episode 605 of What’s Your “And”?. This is John Garrett. And in each Wednesday, I interview a professional who, just like me, is known for a hobby or a passion or an interest side of work. It’s encouraging people to find their “And.” Those things above and beyond your technical skills, the things that actually differentiate you when you’re at work, It’s the answer to the question of who else are you beyond the job title. And if you like what the show’s about, be sure to check out the award-winning book. It’s on Amazon, Indigo, Barnes and Noble, Book Shop a few of the websites. All the links are at whatsyourand.com.

John Garrett [00:00:49]:
The book goes more in-depth with the research behind why these outside work passions are so crucial to your corporate culture, and I can’t say how much it means that everyone’s reading it and writing such great reviews on Amazon and, more importantly, changing the cultures where they work because of it. And If you want me to read it to you, that’s right. This voice reading the book, look for what’s your hand on Audible or wherever you get your audiobooks. And please don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast. You don’t miss any of the future episodes. I love sharing such interesting stories each and every week, and this week is no different with my guest, Arlie Kidd. She’s the head of talent relations at Lemonpie out of North Carolina, and now she’s with me here today, Arlie. Thanks so much for taking time to be with me on What’s Your “And”?.

Arlie Kidd [00:01:29]:
Thank you so much for having me. I am so so delighted to be here. Longtime listener, first time caller, this is a thrill. I love it.

John Garrett [00:01:35]:
That’s awesome. I love it. This is great. This is gonna be so much fun. I have some rapid fire questions. Get to know Arlie out of the gate here. So, you’re probably pretty good at this anyway, but I’m gonna ask you anyway. This would be fun.

John Garrett [00:01:46]:
How about a favorite color?

Arlie Kidd [00:01:47]:
Pink. Pink.

John Garrett [00:01:48]:
Solid.

Arlie Kidd [00:01:49]:
I’m in a very pink room right now, so you can tell.

John Garrett [00:01:51]:
Just all pink. Yeah. There you go. How about a least favorite color?

Arlie Kidd [00:01:54]:
Oh, gosh. I would say probably orange. No offense to orange, but I I don’t know. It’s never spoken.

John Garrett [00:01:59]:
Just in case orange is listening.

Arlie Kidd [00:02:01]:
Yeah. Sorry, orange. It doesn’t rhyme with anything can’t I

John Garrett [00:02:03]:
made her pick 1, and it doesn’t rhyme. That’s so good. So good. How about your 1st concert?

Arlie Kidd [00:02:09]:
Oh, I think Alanis Morissette with my parents many moons ago, I don’t remember much about it, but I think we had a rocking time, I guess.

John Garrett [00:02:17]:
That’s incredible. Okay. Very cool. How about, do you have a favorite Disney character or an animated character?

Arlie Kidd [00:02:22]:
Oh, yeah. I’m I’m an Ariel girl. I also love Belle. The whole princess line, I’m I’m I’m here for all of it. Again, like the pink there, so it’s simpatico.

John Garrett [00:02:31]:
That’s true. Very good. Alright. How about when it comes to puzzles, Sudoku, crossword, or jigsaw puzzle?

Arlie Kidd [00:02:37]:
Oh, man. I like the stuff that’s off the page, and so, like, Bananagrams is my jam.

John Garrett [00:02:42]:
Bananagrams. I’ll take it.

Arlie Kidd [00:02:44]:
I will wipe the floor with some folks in Bananagrams.

John Garrett [00:02:46]:
Okay. It’s That’s like scrabble on steroids. Yeah.

Arlie Kidd [00:02:49]:
I mean, that’s, like, a next level thing.

John Garrett [00:02:51]:
Very good. I love it. Okay. Very cool. Do you have a favorite actor or an actress?

Arlie Kidd [00:02:55]:
Oh, man. I just listened to Meryl Streep read Tom Lake, the audiobook, and it was worth listening just for her. So I know that’s a really basic answer, but she’s it’s so good. It’s just

John Garrett [00:03:06]:
She’s so good. Yeah. You can I mean, I don’t I can’t even think anyone could even argue that? I mean, it’s like, well, yeah, obviously. Like, it’s yeah. Hands down. Hands down. How about Star Wars or Star Trek?

Arlie Kidd [00:03:16]:
Star Wars.

John Garrett [00:03:17]:
Star Wars. Okay. Yeah. Same. Yeah. I’m same. Your computer more of a PC or a Mac?

Arlie Kidd [00:03:22]:
I’m a PC girl. My brother is a real computer whiz. That’s what he does professionally. And he has totally gone Android, PC, that route. And so I just I follow his lead. He knows his stuff. Okay.

John Garrett [00:03:34]:
Alright. Yeah. No. Then I was way ahead of the curve. Alright. Good. There we go. Alright.

John Garrett [00:03:39]:
How about, more of a shower or bath?

Arlie Kidd [00:03:42]:
Probably a shower. I like again, I’m I’m always listening to things. I like to listen to podcasts and listen to audiobooks. And so it’s a great place to unwind. And even though, you know, the bath the bubble bath situation is nice, I feel like you can do the same thing if you just, you know, cast on and turn your brain off.

John Garrett [00:03:57]:
That’s a good idea. Yeah. I never even thought of that. Yeah. Yeah. Because then it’s like, might as well take care of 2 things at once.

Arlie Kidd [00:04:02]:
Yes.

John Garrett [00:04:02]:
I like it. How about do you have a favorite movie?

Arlie Kidd [00:04:06]:
I love a movie musical, and so probably my, like, top 3. I love Moulin Rouge, I love Chicago, I grew up loving Greece back in the day. And so, yeah, I any movie musical, I’m always happy need to leave the theater singing along.

John Garrett [00:04:22]:
That’s awesome. Okay. Very cool. Do you have a favorite number?

Arlie Kidd [00:04:26]:
23. 23 is my lucky number. Yes. It’s been a good year.

John Garrett [00:04:30]:
Yeah. I was gonna say. Okay. Alright. So is there a reason? It’s just always been?

Arlie Kidd [00:04:35]:
Yeah. So I’ve had the opportunity to serve as miss North Carolina about 10 years ago. Well, 11 years ago now. I’m getting old. But when I was miss North Carolina, my number was 23. That was my contestant number. Okay. And my mom, actually, when I pulled that number, you just draw them randomly or you did at the time.

Arlie Kidd [00:04:52]:
And when I pulled that number, she said, oh, that’s so crazy. When you were pregnant, I had this vivid or when I was pregnant with you, I had this vivid pregnancy dream that I was walking down a path with Michael Jordan, and he said, I am your child. And she said, I don’t think so, Michael. But lo and behold, I pulled the number 23. 23. And then went on to win miss North Carolina. And Arlie enough, she had competed for miss North Carolina herself 30 years to the day from what the day that I won on June 23rd. So Wow.

Arlie Kidd [00:05:25]:
Lots of weird weird things it’s happening there. So then this year when, you know or this, I guess, you know, as we we wrap up 2023 where we are right now, I have been trying to look for the little bits of luck in every moment because I have no excuse not to.

John Garrett [00:05:38]:
Right. That’s incredible. What a great story. That’s awesome. So cool. We got 5 more. This answer should probably be obvious, but when it comes to books, Kidd audio version ebook or real book?

Arlie Kidd [00:05:48]:
I listen to a lot of audiobooks. Yeah. I’ve always got my headphones on.

John Garrett [00:05:51]:
That’s what I was gonna guess. I was like, alright. There we go. I figured. I I’ve gotten onto it now. You can double speed. You can burn through some stuff.

Arlie Kidd [00:05:58]:
Well, there’s you know, it just I get so busy. And with audiobooks, there’s no excuse not to listen to them because you can listen while you’re on the go. It’s just like podcasts. You know? It’s it’s they’re they’re cousins to each other. So I I feel like they if you Arlie a podcast listener, it’s just a natural jump.

John Garrett [00:06:12]:
Yeah. It really is. It really is. How about when it comes to pizza, favorite toppings?

Arlie Kidd [00:06:17]:
I’ll go with the simple cheese. Yeah, you can’t go wrong just keeping it simple.

John Garrett [00:06:21]:
No. I mean, you really can. If you mess that up, then you shouldn’t be at pizza place. I mean, it’s really that that’s that’s pretty much that easy. How about a, favorite cereal from when you were growing up Mhmm. Or

Arlie Kidd [00:06:31]:
now? I always liked the chocolaty cereal. So, you know, the cocoa puffs, the Count Chocula yes. I’m a chocolate fan to this day.

John Garrett [00:06:40]:
There you go. And then you could just drink the milk after you. That’s the best part. So much the best part. And, North Carolina, I gotta ask, are you tea or sweet tea? Because you’re right there on the border.

Arlie Kidd [00:06:49]:
Sweet tea. 100%. Oh, yes. Is there any other option? Then, oh, yes. Right.

John Garrett [00:06:56]:
Then you get those people that try to put the sugar packets in it after? It’s like, oh, no. You’re not doing it.

Arlie Kidd [00:07:00]:
Ain’t right as we would

John Garrett [00:07:02]:
say here

Arlie Kidd [00:07:02]:
in North Carolina

John Garrett [00:07:03]:
There you go. And the last 1, the favorite thing you have or the favorite thing you own?

Arlie Kidd [00:07:09]:
Oh, gosh. Well, you know, I think my engagement ring is very special to me. My it was my husband’s grandmother’s ring. She’s still with us, she’s in her late nineties and is just a firecracker and a fabulous person. And so I’m very honored to get to wear her ring every day. And she’s from Yugoslavia, she escaped from Yugoslavia with this ring. So it’s got a very cool story and I just you know, it’s, like I say, huge honor to wear it and and to be married to her grandson. Son, he’s pretty cool too.

John Garrett [00:07:35]:
Right? There you go. That’s awesome. Very cool. I love it. Well, let’s talk singing. And, how did you get Started with that.

Arlie Kidd [00:07:43]:
Yeah. Yeah. So I grew up in the theater. My parents are you know, they started a community theater here in my hometown.

John Garrett [00:07:50]:
Oh, wow.

Arlie Kidd [00:07:51]:
Okay. So I I mean, I, like, took my prom pictures at the theater. I slept under the seats when I was real little. I was around it forever. And, you know, I always loved to be on stage and to sing. And so I actually decided that I was gonna study that in school. I had the chance to sing at Carnegie Hall in high school as part of the only choral festival that they host. And it was such a magical experience that I said, okay.

Arlie Kidd [00:08:15]:
Well, I I could keep doing this. Me too.

John Garrett [00:08:18]:
There you go.

Arlie Kidd [00:08:19]:
I went to school and studied music and ended up with my my master’s in music from Louisiana State University and my undergraduate degree at East Carolina University, and along the way, had the opportunity to compete for Miss North Carolina and then Miss America. Had the chance to sing all over the world with the East Carolina Chamber Singers, so did a lot of choral music, sang some opera, did some musical later and on the other end of that, it’s hard to lose the joy in singing, but I was so burned out that it had lost sparkle for me. Yeah. And so, you know, I I had the opportunity to come back to North Carolina. My now husband got a job here in our home state after my graduate degree was finished and said, okay, I’m just going to pause and kind of take stock of where things Arlie, ended up in education for a couple years and then had another great pause with everybody else with the pandemic and, you know, obviously, couldn’t get back on stage during that time. So I said, alright. Well, again, let me kind of takes stock of what I I really wanna be doing and found my way to the podcast world. And so wound up in PR and absolutely love it, it’s great because I think so much like being on stage, you get to help tell people’s stories.

Arlie Kidd [00:09:31]:
And that’s something that is so much fun for me, and I I just get a lot of joy from that every day. And I get to listen to a lot of people’s stories as well, and there’s just so much knowledge that people are sharing so generously that I get to be Arlie too. And so love what I’m doing now and love that now that things are back open, I still have the opportunity to be on stage, albeit in a, you know, more casual capacity, I get to find the joy of singing again, and that’s been so wonderful to be able to reconnect with that, especially as we’ve come out of lockdown mode.

John Garrett [00:10:02]:
No. Absolutely. And, I mean, I mean, those are some incredible story. I mean, singing at Carnegie Hall and, like, I mean, that’s like, what? Do you have some, like, favorite Performances that come to Kidd.

Arlie Kidd [00:10:12]:
Oh, my gosh. Yeah. I well, you know, as miss North Carolina, every year, you have the opportunity to come and crown the next title holder. So it’s a full time job, and you travel all over the state throughout that year. I sang all over the state. I had the chance to sing with the North Carolina Symphony shortly after my reign. On the Miss America stage, I sang for a yellow ribbon program for veterans returning home from combat and their families. So all kinds of really cool gigs, but one that really was memorable was my very last performance, Asmus, North Carolina.

Arlie Kidd [00:10:43]:
My family had always because, you know, when you’re showing your support for folks who are competing, you wanna make a lot of noise. But when someone is singing a ballad, you can’t really do that. So they would they would light up glow sticks just show me where they were in the audience

Arlie Kidd [00:10:57]:
so I could find them.

Arlie Kidd [00:10:58]:
So I came out on stage that night ready to sing my kind of farewell song, and all of a sudden, everything in the audience turned pink, they had passed out glow sticks to everyone in the audience. And so this crowd of hundreds of people we’re all lighting up glow sticks for me, and it was almost as cool as having, like, lighters in the audience for

John Garrett [00:11:18]:
you know? A little bit of a wave and

Arlie Kidd [00:11:20]:
Maybe even cooler than that. It was pretty epic.

John Garrett [00:11:23]:
That is epic. Like, that really is. Like, if I go out to, like, keynote a conference

Arlie Kidd [00:11:27]:
Yeah.

John Garrett [00:11:28]:
And, like, everyone’s got, like, you know, something, like my signature thing or whatever, you know, it’s like, what? Like, holy cow. Like, By 1st thought, I would be like, are we all related? Like, is it my whole family here? Like, what’s going on? And then it’s like, wait. I know what’s going. And but your. The music’s going. You you gotta hit your cue and start singing.

Arlie Kidd [00:11:47]:
Well, you know, the TV cameras were rolling, and I what I wanted to do was stop and say,

Arlie Kidd [00:11:51]:
how did did you what? How did

Arlie Kidd [00:11:52]:
you do this? How did you

Arlie Kidd [00:11:53]:
make this happen? So it was

Arlie Kidd [00:11:55]:
it was incredible and something I will never ever forget and pretty hard to top, but I, you know, had the opportunity to go from there and continue to to sing a lot after that and have had some other really cool performances, being able to sing with big ensembles and just, like, tumbles and just, like, find that same kind of teamwork and support with the folks that you’re sharing the stage with, it’s just so cool. And so I’m really grateful to have had those experiencing I

John Garrett [00:12:18]:
love it. Like, it’s it’s so awesome, so incredible. And, do you feel like any of this skill, and maybe it is the teamwork that you were just talking about, Translates to work.

Arlie Kidd [00:12:28]:
Yeah. Yeah. I I think that that teamwork is certainly a key piece of it because you see, you know, when we’re all reading towards the same goal, we’re all working towards something. We can make incredible things happen and really magical moments happen. And I think, you know, beyond that, I think just on a personal level, I learned a lot of discipline as a singer. You know, it takes a lot of time and and dedication and practice and, you know, you have to practice. Practice makes permanent is a saying that I’ve I’ve heard and I really like because, you know, you’re you’re creating this sonic moment. And so it you can’t just be able to do it once.

Arlie Kidd [00:13:00]:
You have to be able to replicate it over and over and over again exactly the way that it needs to be. And so that just takes so much time, and it has taught me a lot about, you know, finding your focus and maintaining that focus and buckling down and and, you know, getting things done. So I’m glad to have learned that skill through singing, and I’ve definitely found that it’s applicable in other places in my life as well, especially in my career.

John Garrett [00:13:24]:
Yeah. I mean, those are 2 big ones. I mean, the teamwork, of course, but the focus. I mean, You know, like, when you’re performing, I mean, anything can happen

Arlie Kidd [00:13:33]:
Yeah.

John Garrett [00:13:33]:
And you still have to go. I mean, you know, like, you can’t blink. I mean, it’s It’s I mean, it’s what I like, I’ve I’ve just last week, I was speaking at a conference, and I was like, I don’t blink anymore. Like, whatever. Like, it’s fine. Like, whatever happens, happens. It’s like we’re all good. Like, it’ll be fine.

John Garrett [00:13:47]:
I’ll act like it’s normal. Yeah. Exactly. We’ll all act like it was supposed to happen, and it’s what we do. And there we go. We’ll stick the landing, and we’re good.

Arlie Kidd [00:13:55]:
Once when I was in in the classroom, I was teaching I was doing a lecture, and I was just talking, talking, talking, and I grazed my desk and knocked an entire cup of coffee over on my laptop, my laptop that I did not own that was owned by the school. And so I had to scoop up that laptop, but I didn’t want to lose the thread of the lecture. So I just kept going and just, you know, I was gently dabbing it, just talking up a storm, continuing to teach, and I the students seemed completely unbothered except for that 1 kid at the very end of the front row whose eyes were the size of saucers, like, did that I did you see that? I I think that you should probably stop, but I’ve no. We had work to get done, so

Arlie Kidd [00:14:37]:
we kept it I’m not

John Garrett [00:14:39]:
Exactly. We’ll do this when the bell rings. Yes. That’s incredible. That’s so awesome. And and so is the singing Something that you talk about at work, and I love how you have it in your email signature, which is so awesome. And, I mean, I guess, let’s start 1st with do you is it something you talk about? Or have Yeah. Yeah.

Arlie Kidd [00:14:58]:
Well, I take no credit because that’s a tip that I heard on your podcast many moons ago, and I’m so happy to have incorporated that because it’s such an easy and light touch way to share a little bit more about your passions with the folks that you’re in touch with. And I I make a lot of contacts with folks on my own team and folks kind of in the the wider world of podcasting, and it’s so cool to get to to share that little piece of myself. And so, yeah, I I definitely talk about it at work. I’ve had the opportunity to take to the stage a a few times, you know, in recent years and have been able to share about those experiences with my my colleagues and coworkers and and share photos of performances that I’ve done and then, of course, on, you know, Know Your Team Tuesday, occasionally, it will come up, and I have a very nerdy musical theater answer to a question. And so, you know, that that Kidd of betrays what my other fashions are outside of work. But, yeah, I I think it’s it’s so great to share, and and I love hearing about what other people’s ands or I guess that’s why I’m a fan of the podcast because it’s just so cool to to think of us as multifaceted human beings who, you know, this is one of many things that we do with our times.

John Garrett [00:16:07]:
I mean, God forbid if, like, there were other parts to who we were. You know? Like, it’s That’s awesome. I I love that. Know your team Tuesday. I mean, why not? You know, we’re adults now. Let’s do show and tell now, You know, with some cool stuff, you know, with some real neat stories.

Arlie Kidd [00:16:22]:
Well, and if you’re, you know, if you’re distributed or remote, then you have to come up with other ways to get to know your team because you can get siloed so easily. And so, yeah, I think the more that you can find those connections and and ways to reach out and share with people, the better.

John Garrett [00:16:36]:
Yeah. And and every week, it’s not like, oh, we did it 9 months ago. It’s like, what? Like, we have new people since then that, you know, don’t even feel like they’re part of it or, You know, and don’t actually get to know each other. Yeah. And that that’s super cool. I love it. Like, what a great idea. What a great idea.

John Garrett [00:16:51]:
And Do you come across, like, other singers, other musical nerds as well, other people like that?

Arlie Kidd [00:16:57]:
Oh, yeah. Yeah. I you know, I think that we’re hiding everywhere, and the so that’s the cool thing about singing is that it’s so egalitarian. Like, you you know, everybody has this instrument, and so it’s really great because there are so many different venues that you can sing in whether that’s in your your church choir or a community organization. I you know, I’ve encountered folks who they sing with, you know, different community theater groups like I have in the past or professional organizations. And so, yeah, I think it’s that’s the thing. It’s also really interesting too Kidd of going the other way. I’ve had the chance to sing with North Carolina Opera with their opera chorus in a couple of productions over the last few years and chatting with the the choristers in your your section about what their and is, but it’s the other way around.

Arlie Kidd [00:17:43]:
What do you need? What’s your day job? And so

John Garrett [00:17:47]:
Exactly.

Arlie Kidd [00:17:48]:
It’s so neat to see just the the variety of life experiences and career experiences that they’re bringing to the table. But we all have this thing that we have in common that knits us together, and it’s just so neat.

John Garrett [00:18:00]:
Yeah. No. And I I like it because it’s an and either way.

Arlie Kidd [00:18:03]:
Yes.

John Garrett [00:18:04]:
You know, like, if if we’re all singing in in, you know, this this chorus, you know, your aunt might be engineering or architecture or accounting or, You know, who knows what? Taxi driver, like, teacher. Like, it’s like, what? Like but either way, it’s there’s always a Didn’t see that coming. Yeah. Okay. That’s awesome. You know,

Arlie Kidd [00:18:20]:
like, tell me about that. 100%.

John Garrett [00:18:23]:
Yeah. Yeah. Like, that’s a job. Hold on. Kidd thought singing was interesting. Like, this is the next level. That’s awesome. I love it.

John Garrett [00:18:32]:
That’s that’s so cool. And And I guess, was this something that you shared all along through your career, like the other sides of you, whether you were in the creative space or in the business space?

Arlie Kidd [00:18:42]:
Yeah. Yeah, yeah. You know, I think that it’s it’s tricky because when you’re especially as somebody who is maybe coming from a performing arts background and moving out of that and, you know, this this is your you your and wasn’t always your and, I think that that you do have to kind of weigh, okay, am I gonna be seen? Are people going to take me seriously? Are they going to recognize it’s the the skill set that comes along with a performing arts background. Just like the the discipline piece of the puzzle, the focus on teamwork, the ability to take a direction is one that I I think it’s super valuable to, you know, the employers because you you can hear, you know, very candid feedback and take it on its chin and incorporate it quickly and move forward to make the entirety of the organization better. And so, you know, there are so many compatible skills. And I think that sometimes you might fear that you’re seen as less serious or those things don’t translate as easily. So I think just trying to make sure that you are communicating all of the things that accompany that background are is so key. And I think too just owning it because Kidd like to say, my LinkedIn history is very broad and eclectic.

Arlie Kidd [00:19:54]:
And if you take a peek at it, it’s going to be kind of a an interesting journey to go on. But all of those things are the things that make me great at what I do from 9 to 5. And so, you know, I think owning it and, you know, translating those into marketable skills is something that’s really worth taking the time to do because it helps you to connect with folks that you might not have otherwise.

John Garrett [00:20:18]:
Yeah. No. I I I love that so much because, I mean, it it really is, like, No matter what we do or what our experience is, that’s with you. I mean, you you can’t shower that off. You know? And so it’s like it’s there, and it’s a Kidd set, and at the very least, it humanizes you. It’s a it’s a relatability factor, but it also oftentimes is a direct skill that you’re using at work. I love that. Yeah.

John Garrett [00:20:40]:
I mean, that’s such a a great example, and also just own it. You know, 99.9% of the time, it’s in our heads The somebody’s gonna say this. Somebody’s gonna think that. So, like, no one’s thinking that. No one’s saying that. You know? And then, like, you let it out and, Like, you let out. Like, oh, I was miss North Carolina, and I like to sing and did all these theaters shows. No one was like, oh, yeah.

John Garrett [00:21:02]:
We’re gonna need to fire her. She has no clue how to run Excel. It was like, wait. What? Tell me more of this. Like, stop the meeting. Hold on. Like, what? You know, it’s always awesome. It always is.

John Garrett [00:21:13]:
We we do that to ourselves. We’re we’re not our own best friends for sure.

Arlie Kidd [00:21:16]:
It’s so true. I had been cast as Fiona in Shrek the Musical not long before I started at Lemonpie and so it was definitely a calculation of when do I mention my time in the swamp that’s coming up here soon. And, of course, this was this was the height of the pandemic, and so there had been a lot of delays and things were kind of tenuous. But it was something that I was really excited about and looking forward to. And so I figured, well, I’m gonna be sporting green paint behind my ears at some point in a meeting. You just gotta you just gotta talk about it.

Arlie Kidd [00:21:47]:
Right? There you go.

John Garrett [00:21:48]:
Yeah. Because it’s better to, yeah, to say that than to not. And then everyone’s like, wait. What’s with

Arlie Kidd [00:21:53]:
the like, what is she? Like, that’s. Did anyone else see that? Was that just me?

John Garrett [00:21:57]:
Was that You’re

Arlie Kidd [00:21:57]:
looking you’re looking a little a little peckish today.

Arlie Kidd [00:22:00]:
I don’t know who that is.

John Garrett [00:22:01]:
That’s that’s awesome. I love it so much. And how much do do you feel like it’s on an organization to have, like, the know your team Tuesday or to to have formal things? Or how much is it on individual to maybe just start small amongst their peers.

Arlie Kidd [00:22:16]:
Yeah. Yeah. Well, you know, I think some of it is just carving out time for those things. So even if you don’t have a formal venue for sharing those those pieces of you that make you a complete human. I think just allowing a little bit of time at the beginning of a call or the end of a call, just to to chat a little. And, you know, I think that those moments of human connection, we wanna optimize for productivity, obviously. We want to to make the most of our time at work so that we can have as much time outside of work for doing those other things that make us whole. But I I do think that it’s it’s worth it to just allow for just a couple of minutes to chat and to share those things and to talk what’s going on? Because whether that’s your your aunt or just, you know, chatting about your family or chatting about your friends, I think that those are the things that help us to connect.

Arlie Kidd [00:23:03]:
And and, you know, once we have those connections, we can do better work together because we have that emotional bond. And so, yeah, it’s you know, even if it isn’t something formal, there are so many easy ways to just say, okay. Let’s take a moment to share. You know? What’d you do this weekend? Did you have anything fun going on? Because you never know if, you know, somebody’s gonna gonna be able to open up in a way that they wouldn’t have felt comfortable with if they wouldn’t have had the floor available to them otherwise.

John Garrett [00:23:28]:
Yeah. No. That’s so great. And and, yeah, a lot of people feel like, well, is this a trap? You know? Because where I used to work, you know, they They would judge you or you get fired or whatever it is, and and then, like, that’s not gonna happen. It’s not a trap, and then once they see, well, this is what we do here. Like, this is who we are. It’s not even Orchestrated, it’s not fake. It’s just this is who we are.

John Garrett [00:23:48]:
Like, every Tuesday, that’s what we do. And it’s like, oh, okay. I guess I believe you guys now, you know, type of thing. And then all of a sudden, this really awesome person comes out, And it’s like, wow. Where’s that been all along? Yeah. Can you bring that person to work every day

Arlie Kidd [00:23:59]:
or not just do that? Like, have a meet. Like so do you

John Garrett [00:24:03]:
have any words of encouragement to anyone listening that maybe they have an end that they feel like it has nothing to do with their job, so no one’s gonna care?

Arlie Kidd [00:24:10]:
Oh my gosh. Well, I I you know, I think it’s just so you can enrich your life in so many ways if you do invest in those passions, investing a little bit of time in in something outside of work that can, you know, enrich your being, I know that sounds really flighty and kind of highfalutin to say, I guess. But

John Garrett [00:24:30]:
But it’s true. It’s a 100% true.

Arlie Kidd [00:24:32]:
It’s so true. And, you know, it’s so worth it. I think that there’s so much discourse about self care right now. And you know, to me, singing is a form of self care. Like, it is therapeutic in a way that really nothing else is. And I can I cannot sing for lengths of time, you know, I’d like I say, I totally burned myself out, and I said, I’m done? I need to take a break. I don’t even wanna listen to music. I just I need a break.

Arlie Kidd [00:24:56]:
But then when I found my way back to it, it was so good just for my soul. And so, you know, I do think that finding ways to practice self care that might be, you know, beyond just having, you know, cucumbers on your eyes and nail polish on your fingers, it’s so, so valuable. And it doesn’t necessarily just have to be yoga or, you know, something to build your physical strength. Even though if that’s your aunt, that’s awesome. You know, looking for those things that you loved when you were in school, whether that was doing a choir or performing with a theater or being backstage at a theater or, you know, playing in a softball league, whatever that is, there are so many organizations out there that you can plug into. And I would definitely encourage folks to take that leap because it can be so rewarding.

John Garrett [00:25:41]:
Yeah. That’s so great. I love it. That I mean, it is. It’s your and is self care. If you weren’t doing it, You’re not as good at life. I mean, you’re just not living your best life, and then you’re not gonna do your best work. And so that’s so so great.

John Garrett [00:25:56]:
I love it. Well, I feel like it’s Only fair before we wrap this up that I turn the tables and make this episode of the Arlie Kidd podcast since I rudely peppered you with questions at the beginning. I’m all yours, and I get to feel what it’s like to be a Miss America contestant now. So, like, what’s the random questions? Like

Arlie Kidd [00:26:14]:
The pressure’s on. Right. So okay. I have I have 2 for you. Hopefully

John Garrett [00:26:19]:
Okay.

Arlie Kidd [00:26:20]:
Nothing too stressful. So my first question for you is as a person who uses your voice all the time and, you know, I’m also a person who likes to use my voice in a healthy way. What is your favorite vocal health hack or your favorite vocal care tip.

John Garrett [00:26:35]:
You know, I am not good at any of that other than drink water.

Arlie Kidd [00:26:39]:
Yes.

John Garrett [00:26:40]:
You know? I I have You’re some people with, You know, like, the the humidifier and the the misters and the there are different voice exercises, and, yeah, I I I just I don’t. Like, I I I don’t. And I maybe if I ever reached a point to where I was like, oh, I’m I’m losing my voice or I don’t have my then I would probably do it more. Like, I’m I’m very Western medicine about that.

Arlie Kidd [00:27:02]:
Like, where it’s

John Garrett [00:27:02]:
like, well, let’s wait till it breaks. You know? But I I drink a lot of water, but I drink a lot of water, especially before Going up and after, but that’s pretty basic. That’s really it. I I don’t do any of the the exercises and all that stuff, but, I probably Could do more

Arlie Kidd [00:27:17]:
of that.

John Garrett [00:27:18]:
So, thanks for the reminder on that one, though.

Arlie Kidd [00:27:21]:
I feel like water is just that, you know, that it’s worth its weight in gold. You can do all of the really extra bougie things, but I feel like at the end of the day, one of

Arlie Kidd [00:27:28]:
the things that’s different.

John Garrett [00:27:29]:
My voice is so unique. Only comedians might get this, but it’s it’s Super Dave Osborne from back in the day. And it’s like I’m always about to hit puberty at any moment and, like, You know? And and and it’s just such a unique voice, and I I’ve just embraced it. And, you know, I’m I’m not here to make it different, but it’s, it is interesting. Even when I’m on stage, I I do project a lot. Yeah. I always tell the AV teams, like, you can dial the mic down because I just project. I I just do, and I just wanna make sure that everyone hears it even when I know that they’re going to hear it because it’s coming through a mic.

John Garrett [00:28:02]:
It’s just, you know, I really mean it, and I’m passionate about this. So I guess that comes through.

Arlie Kidd [00:28:06]:
I love that.

John Garrett [00:28:07]:
Yeah. No. Good question, though.

Arlie Kidd [00:28:09]:
My only other question I have for you now is what’s your go to karaoke song?

John Garrett [00:28:14]:
So I am a terrible singer, And I am not trying to be bad. I just am I can play musical instruments. I can hear music. I can all of that. Like, I mean, like, when I’m in church, like, old ladies turn around and they’re like, you know, you can lip sync and god will still love you. Like, it’s home. Like, it’s bad. I mean, it’s I don’t know why.

John Garrett [00:28:35]:
It’s just off. So I always go for, like, a, like, a milli vanilla or a vanilla ice or something that’s more funny, and I can distract you with all kinds of Silly shenanigans rather than you being like, wow. That that sounds terrible. Instead, you’re like, wow. That guy’s really into it. He’s trying. You know? Like, And so I’m sure that there’s maybe some lessons, I don’t know, that could help with this, but I am not a natural A natural singer.

Arlie Kidd [00:29:03]:
You know what? I I feel like half of singing is performing. Right? And so I feel like if you can go up and deliver a compelling performance of tequila, then that’s, you know, that’s impressive in and of itself. So, yes.

John Garrett [00:29:18]:
No. Absolutely. Yeah. So, I mean, Something like that, you know, like a like a Vanilla Ice or, you know, Welcome to the Jungle maybe because that’s always fun. But it’s something where I can get everyone singing along, then it’s like, Hey, everybody.

Arlie Kidd [00:29:31]:
That’s the

Arlie Kidd [00:29:31]:
key of karaoke because nobody, like, nobody wants to hear you sing Barbara Streisand at karaoke. You, like, love her,

Arlie Kidd [00:29:37]:
but not also for

Arlie Kidd [00:29:39]:
fun. Yes. Yeah.

Arlie Kidd [00:29:40]:
You know,

Arlie Kidd [00:29:41]:
you gotta do something fun.

John Garrett [00:29:42]:
Frank Sinatra or Michael Buble or, you know, whatever. Like, it’s like, no. No. No.

Arlie Kidd [00:29:46]:
It’s nice, but not

Arlie Kidd [00:29:47]:
the not the point. Sing a lot. Right.

John Garrett [00:29:49]:
Exactly. Exactly. Well, this has been so much fun. Arlie, thank you so much for being a part of What Your “And”?. This was awesome.

Arlie Kidd [00:29:55]:
Thank you so much for having me. It’s been a blast.

John Garrett [00:30:01]:
Yeah, so great! And everybody listening, if you want to see some pictures of Arlie on stage or maybe connect with her on social media, I’m telling her LinkedIn is all over the place and it’s fantastic, be sure to go to what’s to your and.com. All the links are there. And while you’re on the page, please click that big button, do the anonymous research survey about corporate culture, and don’t forget to read the book! So thanks again for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or whatever app you use and for sharing this with your friends so they get the message that we’re all trying to spread that who you are is so much more than what you do.