Coach Jon: Welcome back to a new season of Empowered and Out, the Career Coaching Podcast, the show where we have honest conversations about career confidence, authenticity, resilience, entrepreneurship, and creating a professional life that allows you to be fully yourself. I'm your host, Coach Jon, career transformation and confidence coach and founder of Empowered and Out Coaching. Today I am excited to welcome back a returning guest and someone who has become a valued friend, collaborator, coach, and supporter of this podcast. Joseph Federico is a seasoned marketing maven with more than 20 years of experience combining creative storytelling with evolving digital strategies. As the founder of J. Federico Marketing and Anchors to Dusk Publishing, Joe has created a unique space for himself as a queer marketing coach, author, publisher, and community builder. His professional background includes work with MSNBC, Evans Inc. Publishing, and Verizon Enterprise Solutions. Today he helps entrepreneurs and established brands develop authentic, human-centered campaigns that reflect who they are.
Joseph Federico: Okay.
Coach Jon: And connect meaningfully with the people they want to serve. Joe is also known for bringing spooky season charm, and we are in the heart of it right now. He also brings, local history, horror culture, and a little witchy marketing wisdom into everything he creates. Whether he is coaching queer entrepreneurs or helping clients embrace multi-channel marketing, Joe encourages people to stand confidently. And what makes them different. In this conversation, we're reflecting on the growth, challenges, surprises, and lessons of this past year. We're going to talk about queer entrepreneurship,
Joseph Federico: you
Coach Jon: community and collaboration, AI, changing social media platforms, business boundaries, and what it takes to continue adapting when the marketing and coaching landscapes refuse to stand still. So Joe, welcome back to Empowered and Out. I am so glad that we get to continue this conversation. And a little side note for listeners, we're working on having Joe back every single quarter this coming up season. So
Joseph Federico: You
Coach Jon: stay tuned.
Joseph Federico: Wow, I am honored to be back over a year later, Coach Jon. Thank you so much for having me. And a lot has changed both in our personal lives and professional lives within the last year. So here we are.
Coach Jon: Here we are. All right. As you know, I have to ask. I do this with all my guests, even a returning guest. I always do my energy check-in. I start with this every time. So on a scale from one to ten, how is your energy today and what's contributing to that number?
Joseph Federico: I am pushing around seven of 10. I had a very long weekend with the Morris County Historical Society, running the Festival on the Green and had a wild and crazy morning and afternoon with my clients, which is wonderful. It keeps me up and running, but I'm losing steam. So that's what's contributing is needing some rest. Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I understand that. I a hundred percent understand. Yeah. I'm actually, you know what? I'm in at like a nine, because I'm excited. you know, I have
Joseph Federico: jealous. Okay, for a Monday.
Coach Jon: to say, you know, for a Monday, I know it's kind of crazy and I've been up for quite a while. But, you know, for a Monday, I was excited for this kind, you know, conversation to come. You and I had been chatting about this. And then I think the
Joseph Federico: I know.
Coach Jon: it's it's really fun to see, you know. what we're gonna be able to build just with you coming on here as well as just what you're helping, you know, me with my coaching, you know, and it's it's fun to work with someone
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: that already knows a little bit about me to begin with. And so I'm excited. And so listeners get ready. It could be definitely very unhinged for what we talk about. Yes.
Joseph Federico: It's certainly going to be on. It should be on hands. If, if we both work in the authenticity space, then it should be a little bit unhinged, more human, you know? Yeah. Wow.
Coach Jon: Hundred percent, yeah. All right, so as I just mentioned, you know, it's been a you know about a year since we began collaborating and supporting one another. When you a
Joseph Federico: A lot's happened, yeah.
Coach Jon: lot has happened. So when you look back at who you were and where your business was a year ago, what feels different?
Joseph Federico: my gosh, can I, well, I'm gonna give you a few different answers if that's okay, that all relate to
Coach Jon: Okay, of course.
Joseph Federico: the same main topic. My body, my physical being was pretty unhealthy about a year ago. My business was pretty unhealthy about a year ago. And... I've just worked every single day on both of those things and they're related and that related back or how I evolved my business within the last six to eight months is trying to be this all inclusive brands that brings health and energy and authenticity back to my clients and my students. And then having launched a, you know, a Camp Maven program to try to get people to understand why the marketing and branding is so important while having fun. So it's been a very long year, a very blessed year, very difficult year from when we had last spoken. When we met last time, I was dizzy. I was barely holding it together during our recording, our conversation. And that was a big check engine light in my life to get everything together that then had trickled down to my business and my brand. So, yeah. A lot.
Coach Jon: A lot. Yeah. Well, so let me ask you this what accomplishment or moment from the past year are you most proud of?
Joseph Federico: Finally having the guts to relaunch Camp Maven. I had tried to launch that several years in the past, starting in 2022. Took about four years and I think I'm most proud of the accomplishments I've been able to get through and promote to make that a reality. But other people are buying into that, believing in graduating and converting to full-time clients, but I'm. really feel that I'm making a change within their brands and their lives. And that is the most dad moment I can think of right now is that it's not stopping. And that actually re-energizes me as I proceed just going forward. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I love that. Well, I mean, I can tell you personally, as a client of yours right now and part of the coaching
Joseph Federico: You are?
Coach Jon: of a part of Camp Maven, I can say that you are truly engaged. You I can see, well, first off, from I can see from your social media that you're excited about Camp Maven. But I can also
Joseph Federico: Sure.
Coach Jon: see it in our I mean, we've only had one, you know, session so far. We have another one coming up this week, but I can see
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: your excitement and I can it actually it's pouring over. Like I'm I'm excited. Like I like even before we started recording, I showed I shared with you all the stuff that I already have lined up for this week. And it's just because you've you've
Joseph Federico: I know, I know.
Coach Jon: encouraged me and it's funny because I feel that you and I mentioned it, you know, last week was that the timing was just right for this to hap, you know, the time you know if you can talk with someone, even for me getting
Joseph Federico: the room.
Coach Jon: back and you know, when I first started in coaching, I got certified way before I started coaching because it just wasn't right. Like the timing
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: wasn't right, everything just wasn't right. And I
Joseph Federico: I know.
Coach Jon: mean, it's funny to think that you and I chatting like over a year ago and then us finally being able to collaborate the first time on this show and then now to doing it again and again. And I know that it's just gonna be so much fun. Like I think the authenticity, I think the I kind of feel like you're a little bit unique to the market, to what people are expecting. And I
Joseph Federico: Thank you. Yeah.
Coach Jon: feel that that stands out. And I I think that that is what's gonna what your uniqueness is also gonna help me in my coaching and what I'm doing. And I'm ex so excited for it. And so
Joseph Federico: Absolutely. I mean, even when I was dog tired from this Festival on the Green, which was wonderful and I really take my, you volunteership very seriously within my township and learning history and meeting different people and being on all day and smiling and shaking hands and being out in the cold and the rain. I came home and I said, I have a responsibility to my students, namely you, knowing our session was coming up this week. for camp, I had to review your homework. I had to give you some updates and really spend the time giving you the inspiration that you need. Not only because you had invested, this is way beyond the small investment. It is the dedication. It is the authenticity. Reviewing your homework two, three, four, five, six, 10 times before I can offer a response that I don't want to just slap an A plus on the homework, for instance, while still being energized and inspired to reply back. I was tired. That doesn't matter in entrepreneurship. That doesn't matter within the crew community. I said, get your ass up and respond to Jonathan for this week because he's relying on it for his growth and his business as he's in this evolutionary period. I hope my content is unique. It's meant to be a little uncomfortable, a little witchy, a little nostalgic. Not everybody's doing that. Not that I'm perfect because I have a lot to learn within my own business itself. But you have
Coach Jon: Well, and I think honestly
Joseph Federico: to dedicate. Yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah. I mean, I think that honestly, if you're not learning, you're not gonna grow and you're not gonna be able to keep innovating and creating like as I said, the
Joseph Federico: Absolutely not.
Coach Jon: unique content that you do that you're creating, but also what you bring to the table, especially with Camp Maven and with other clients that you bring on. So I feel
Joseph Federico: Sure.
Coach Jon: that if you're not if we're not evolving and we're not changing, we're not learning, we're dead in the water. We're not gonna go anywhere.
Joseph Federico: We're not earning, we're not growing in our field and or our coaching businesses. And that's
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: really a shame. If people aren't doing that, then you need to go work in corporate and that's not for everyone either. So, but that's what we talked about last year. So,
Coach Jon: No. Exactly.
Joseph Federico: yeah.
Coach Jon: All right, so has your definition of success changed as your business and personal life have evolved this last year?
Joseph Federico: 100%. I just released a witchy marketing book that I actually sent you as a thank you for signing on for camp. Yeah,
Coach Jon: You did. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
Joseph Federico: no, but that had just launched last year and I was really relying on the fact that it was going to be a bestseller and I would market that and utilize that within my campaigns. Not really. That's not what it was. Once I started thinking, getting my physical being back in shape. losing weight, getting on certain meds that I needed to do to survive but thrive, that changed my mindset. I had more time for other things. I didn't feel as rundown or sick. I had more energy to put into the business. I had more energy to look back at my old campaigns and say, what was working? What isn't working? How do I make the Camp Maven, for instance, a true success? So my... My definition has certainly changed. My time has changed. My body has changed. And I really, this may sound a little kitschy, but it's a hundred percent true. mean, no qualms about it. I am re-energized and I evolved my entire brand, my entire being into what it is today. And that's not even the end of it. So in short answer, yes, of course I have.
Coach Jon: I love that. And you know, listeners, viewers, whatever you know, whoever is listening or viewing right now, I can tell you stay tuned to myself and my coaching brand because I'm changing some things, updating things. I would say, as you and I discussed, rebranding to get people to know, hey, I'm here. Doesn't sound funny to say this. I'm here, I'm queer, and I'm ready to and I'm ready to have as many clients as humanly possible.
Joseph Federico: gonna say that. Get used to it.
Coach Jon: Bring it. I'm excited to help people succeed in their careers. So
Joseph Federico: But it's literally changing. It starts with one person. And you understand that. We talked about that last year. We talked about that within the year. We talked about that last week. We talked about it in our coaching session. It starts with one person. Our community, not just our community, but for the sake of this conversation, we are so scared sometimes as gay men to put our most authentic selves out there.
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm. Hundred percent, yeah.
Joseph Federico: A student that just graduated Camp Maven that's hopefully converting into a full-time student next week finally got to the breakthrough point with me and I of course, you know, will assure that this is a success, but it was a success within the camp program itself. Finally told me that he's facing fear. Fear of his own evolution. Fear of... moving forward, fear of starting his own business, fear of rebranding himself. So that's the heart of what I've heard from Gay Men within the last year, is fears just stopping us in our tracks. And most of us don't want to go
Coach Jon: yeah. No.
Joseph Federico: forward.
Coach Jon: Hundred percent. Yeah, I get it. I a hundred percent get it. And so
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: so one thing I appreciate about you is your willingness to connect people, make introductions, and create opportunities for others, which you have done a huge my gosh, you've made so many introductions to me. for honestly and connected me to so many amazing people that I've been so fortunate to have on this podcast and will continue to
Joseph Federico: Sure, sure.
Coach Jon: have. And 'cause I have few interviews lined up with some some of your folks, people that you introduced me to. So
Joseph Federico: You do. I'm excited for those.
Coach Jon: and you know, I love that. So why do you believe that community and collaboration are especially important for queer entrepreneurs and professionals?
Joseph Federico: mean, not more than ever, and it sounds kitschy as many other things in this conversation thus far, but we are stronger together. know, a client of mine, their mantra is we're better together. And we are, I mean, even seeing it at the event yesterday, you know, having a whole history block blocked off in my town that I love and that I work and even building this Detailed web throughout the internet, you know on social media getting people on different podcasts placing them We're better. We all bring a different skill set coach Jon and if we don't celebrate our Diverse backgrounds and learn from each other then we're all dead in the water. We will not be a success We will not earn those paychecks and we won't Period
Coach Jon: So true.
Joseph Federico: yeah And it's not just,
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: hey, here's my client. Can he be on your show? And can this person be on your show? And let's do a book signing. I don't really, I mean, I care about that. Obviously I want everybody to succeed, but everybody else brings a different audience and a different skillset. And that's the most important thing.
Coach Jon: What I think you even had so one of the people that I'm gonna be bringing on soon is you said, well, they may not be a part of the queer community, but they do
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: bring something unique that your your audience probably wants to hear. And I have to say
Joseph Federico: Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: you're 100% spot on. You actually what I love is what you've done for me in the at least on the podcast end of it so far, is that you've brought people That you're pretty sure are gonna be fine or are gonna fit for my audience. And they've you've brought in very, I mean, so many unique and different people, but the authenticity
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: of all of them has been awesome. Like some of the best conversations, and it still I still pinch myself at times like going, I'm talking to so many fun, unique, different people that
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: No way would I ever have been able to connect with any of these people if I didn't have like our rel our connection. So I you know.
Joseph Federico: Isn't it wonderful just like meeting different people and hearing their stories? That's what excites me about
Coach Jon: my gosh, yeah.
Joseph Federico: my brand too. Yeah, I learn. I learn every day, you know, and that's fantastic. But this this upcoming guest, I know who you're talking about really focuses on his own evolution, the evolution of humanity and consciousness. And you can't go wrong with the with the chat like that. So.
Coach Jon: I agree. 100%. Yeah. Okay. So how can someone build authentic professional relationships without making networking feel transactional? Well, first of all I'm going to tell you this. You work with Joe. That's all I'm going to tell you. You work because he doesn't make it feel. I'm going to tell you this. You make it like you do. You don't make it feel transactional. But
Joseph Federico: Right. Well, thank you. No, I'm like blushing. Yeah. Thank you. I feel a little, little feverish. no, but like that's a human reaction to honestly talk to the version of yourself that you know is the most successful. That's, that's what I would say or where to start and get out of your own way. Even having a conversation with a new camper, a new student, we had to completely refresh and rebrand and recalibrate our working. relationship together last week because we got off to a rocky start. That's I actually invite that and expect that more than to hit it off immediately. Yeah, I would love as I'm sure you're aware of and you have experienced and want for yourself in your business to just get along with everyone in the world and everything's fine. No, I've been in this business 20 plus years. I rely on nobody but myself for my income, for my business, for my connections. If we don't click. I'm going to be like, all right, or lady, you know, or he, you know, they, whatever, say, you know what? Okay, this is not the best match, but I do want to offer the opportunity to kind of recalibrate and say, okay, what were we missing the first time around? Let's have a conversation and get back on track. And then the truth really comes out in the wash shortly thereafter, because it's really fear-based. The pushback. is, well, I really wasn't taking this seriously. I didn't expect to do X, Y, and Z. I wasn't fully aware of what my needs were in order to proceed. So if you're not being human, you're not taking a step back and putting the mirror in front of yourself, which is what I try to encourage within these first conversations of getting a camper, getting a student, getting a client, whatever that is, then you're lost. And I have really nothing else for you beyond that, but I want to break through. want to crack the mirror and I want to say, well, there's opportunity. How can we proceed? It's not, it's not only about the paycheck. I run a business. Obviously at the end of the day, it's a business. I'm the authenticity coach, you know, and I want to bring the humanity back. Yeah, I can hide behind the artificial intelligence and the posts and the stories and you know, what have you, but at the end, and at the end of the day, I really want to see you succeed. Cause nobody told me how to succeed. And that's, that was, and still is my driving force. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I love that. I I really do and I agree with you a hundred percent. I I I mean, yeah. So curious though, how do you decide whether a potential collaboration is genuinely aligned with your values and goals?
Joseph Federico: in regards to my camper students to introduce somebody like
Coach Jon: All the above.
Joseph Federico: all the above. The energy has to be there. The curiosity has to be present. There has to be some kind of end goal where everybody succeeds. And if one of those is out of alignment, then I think twice. I actually think thrice and go, I can force this. It probably won't work out. It's more of a headache than not, but I want to make sure that everybody on board is excited and that they want to grow and change and meet different pros in different fields. Yeah.
Coach Jon: All right. All right. So we're gonna get into talking a little bit about AI creativity and just keeping the human and keeping the human touch. So
Joseph Federico: Ooh, please do.
Coach Jon: obviously, and this works for me as well, and I'm sure it's gonna be even increasing even more as you and I keep working together. So AI
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: has become a major part of how people create content, market their businesses, and manage their workload. At the same time. It can bring up concerns about originality, trust, and whether technology is replacing human creativity. How has your relationship with we how has your relationship with AI evolved?
Joseph Federico: Wow, I remember January, 2023 going on four years ago after the holiday season. talking about AI to my audience. I was out for a run. We had just gotten over COVID. It was a long holiday season. I was getting some fresh air and I had done one of those Wednesday internet dance, you know, reels talking about AI. And I remember, because it wasn't too cold, it wasn't snowy, the holidays were over. And I remember learning the Wednesday dance, right? Your dance, dance, dance, whatever, and relating it to AI and the evolution. and what they were projecting at the time, almost four years ago. I was just kind of blowing smoke, just kind of hoping for the best. I'm not really sure what this means, you know, full transparency. Cause you have to look back at your content and your own evolution and
Coach Jon: yeah.
Joseph Federico: what you believe in versus what you actually implemented in your own strategy. So I didn't know what to expect. I got to be honest. And I got like the free version of it. I think it was ask AI. wasn't even chat GPT It wasn't going to spend money on. The premium, was creating really wonky images and I thought, this is the future. This is like great. It can do all my content for me. Well, it can't. So to your second question or one of your questions within the umbrella AI question, it will not replace humanity or the human work ethic by any means. And it still won't because 99.9 % of the time it's right. The other small percentage, it's wrong and you have to put the humanity back in and create edits and make sure it is correct. It's still a mess. It really is still a
Coach Jon: a hundred percent, yeah. I mean I've seen that with my own content and yeah.
Joseph Federico: mess. Yeah. I don't know where to take it from
Coach Jon: Well, and I think that
Joseph Federico: there.
Coach Jon: yeah, I mean, I feel that I feel over the last couple of years, especially people have like, my gosh, AI, AI, AI, AI. And it's just like, okay, but hold but hold up. You need to use it, and you and I have already had this conversation. It's used as a tool. It's not the end all. You need to realize that it you
Joseph Federico: No. No.
Coach Jon: need to put your human touch into the mix of it. And on top of that, I remember a couple Was that a couple? Yeah, that was a couple years ago. I was, I actually happened to, which is kind of funny because I'm actually traveling there this week, but I was in Los Angeles and I was do I actually took this AI course and it was very fascinating. But one of the things they said was that imaging and video are evolving, but they're not really there. You just keep have a little bit of patience with it because it's gonna eventually get better. And I can say personally. that when I started using try or attempting attempting to make an image on
Joseph Federico: That's him seeing the operative.
Coach Jon: trying to make an image on like chat GPT, goodness, it was not good. And there were some really interesting ways it was creating a image.
Joseph Federico: Interesting.
Coach Jon: I mean even an image that I had done for homework for you they it
Joseph Federico: Yes.
Coach Jon: was oof. There they're still okay, here's the deal. It is still learning. It is still getting better. But I you even had to do it. You even had to take another step which I had already done initially and then it kind of stepped backwards. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: I know you did. I know that you put the work into that prompt and yeah, and that submission. I went through several different versions before I submitted the one to you for final approval for your homework because it gave me some really interesting, you know, things back. And I said, I had to yell.
Coach Jon: I mean oo
Joseph Federico: I actually reprimand my tools that will... eventually hopefully save within the data itself to avoid these problems in the future. But it's not going to replace, it's not going replace human creativity. We're the ones that are feeding it the information. So it's really a
Coach Jon: Yeah. Exactly.
Joseph Federico: tool that we have to utilize to help make our lives maybe that it's, it's like when the washing machine came out, right? Or the dishwasher or when the automobile, it, if you think of it in that. since it's not so scary. And I have gotten a lot of pushback, which I've shared with you, privately planning for this talk and for our quarterly and even when we're together for camp and hopefully beyond. I've gotten a lot of pushback regarding even trying to sign campers and or clients on. They're like, well, all you utilize is AI. And I'm like, well, first of all, I'm here on the phone with you now. So I'm going to... be a little impatient with my response, but I can back it up. Have you checked my content within the last two to six to 10 years? You know, I didn't start off in AI and I'm only utilizing that as an advertising tool for my products and services and my offerings. But you're gonna get me, you see me down the street. I'm in the community, I'm behind the scenes, I'm recording. I even have... a uniform that I just made for myself that is artificial intelligence based. However, it's really damn good and I'm going to use it because now it's part of my brand recognition within the community in real life. That's why I do it. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I love that. And I can tell you, as I know some for s being someone who actually follows you on social media, yeah, you do regular content, you do videos, you do reels, you do things that are with you physically in the video, and then
Joseph Federico: yeah, all the time. Yeah.
Coach Jon: you do the AI, and that's fine. And honestly, I have to say, I'm kind of excited. Not kind of, I am excited to
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: change how I'm doing my stuff to even integrate it that same kind of way because first off AI's not going anywhere. It's not. It's not.
Joseph Federico: No.
Coach Jon: and I think some companies pushed way too fast to go, this is it, this is it, this is it, we gotta lay off all these people because AI is gonna do everything for us. So
Joseph Federico: Because it's more expensive, it's more cost effective to bring the humans back to the workforce.
Coach Jon: Exactly. Okay. So let's get back on track because you know we could go there's so much more to say. gosh, yes. Okay, so can you
Joseph Federico: There's a lot more to say about that, girl. I have a soap box ready to prop up. yeah, well.
Coach Jon: share an example of how you have used AI strategically while still keeping your voice and creativity at the center?
Joseph Federico: I mean, you had just liked it. That's why it's top of mind. I just shared a piece of content that took several iterations to create something that looked legitimate and sounded like me, even looked like me. The hands were a little wonky. The imagery was just, was just, girl, was still, it was scarier than what I meant for it to actually come out as. If you check out my social media, you know what I'm talking about. that. that piece of content that took about 30 minutes to create not only image wise, but also within my voice, my branding within the copy content for the caption. So I don't do anything by accident. I don't just give it a prompt. My tools, a prompt and say, just create something for me and just figure out what it is. No, there's time and energy and money behind what I actually create. So That's the evolution. It has to sound like me. I'm utilizing my hopes and dreams and my 20 years experience in the language. I'm utilizing what excites me within the nostalgic marketing sense, within the seasonal content sense, Halloween, next will be Thanksgiving and Christmas. That works, but I've also used those tools in other ways. Within my human branding in the past, I'm just evolving the strategy.
Coach Jon: I love it. And
Joseph Federico: So like if I want to become a witch, I can go out to Spirit Halloween and get a witch app, but I'm gonna, I'd rather just create a likeness of the marketing maven and just share what sounds like me. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Exactly. I love it. So what would you say to a business owner or creative professional who is afraid that using AI will make their work feel less authentic?
Joseph Federico: Start with thinking about why you want to use it in the first place. Is it to save you time? Is it to, because everyone else is doing it, is it to blend in? Is it to stand out? Really take, you know, a step back and try to understand within yourself why you want to use it from the start. And if you'd rather get on Canva and create something within Pro, it's probably better off than not. But if you want to utilize AI, make sure it's for the right reasons and that you sound a little more authentic than your neighbors or the other business owners in your community. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I agree a hundred percent. And so where do you believe that human judgment, fact checking, which is key by the way in AI, and personal
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: responsibility must remain part of the process?
Joseph Federico: I think there absolutely needs to be more guardrails around AI. I mean, there are other unmentionable platforms that use it in incorrect ways, scary ways that expose different facets of humanity that I don't agree with. Not necessarily at all. And I think that there needs to be more guardrails. So I think I know studying this every single day not only on my algorithm, but I have books and I do my own research and my own fact checking. Just be as human as possible. Let that curiosity guide you in different directions. Don't take what AI or chat GPT or platforms say at face value, but do your own research. And I know that it's not going anywhere as we had just said. So take most of what it is. with a grain of salt and just do your own research. But judgment is never gonna stop. It starts with us. Like we were talking about earlier, in a different sense, in another regard, it starts with one person to speak up and against these things and to build community around the positives, the safety rules and regulations that I think we should be following around AI and going forth with a little more common sense.
Coach Jon: All right. So Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms all seem to reward different types of content. And what works
Joseph Federico: Hmm
Coach Jon: one month may not work the next. How are
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: you helping clients navigate a digital marketing landscape that is constantly changing?
Joseph Federico: I mean, I'm always on my phone, always learning and trying these tools out on myself and trends. I'd say really the one-on-one coaching, every package, every investment, even my Camp Maven comes with a one-on-one session a week up to an hour. So just having that time to strategize and share and guide, I get pushed back once in a while, but these clients are looking to me to... to guide them, not only to tell them, but to implement these changes. For instance, right now, what's really trending on Instagram are carousels with a caption for each static image. My engagement blew out of the water this past summer because of that change in strategy. It may not work tomorrow. It's already changing. So, I mean, it really all depends on what the client's looking for, how I can relate to them, how close I am with that client. and their own strategy to try to evolve that to make sure it's the most successful. And if it fails, and it will fail sometimes, then we re-strategize and start again. But I try to re-strategize once every few weeks within campaigns for my clients, my students, and campers, and then assure that if it's working, then we try to emulate that and blow that out of the water, get lightning to strike more than once for other campaigns and other platforms.
Coach Jon: Well, and I have to say I remember you bringing this up a few weeks back where when you just gone you had gone on vacation and you came back and you said, Well, in the time that I was gone, for the giving the example, Instagram changed. And but
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm. That's it.
Coach Jon: y but I what I loved, and actually it's honestly a lot of the reason why then I jumped on board to Camp Maven was the fact that but you made the effort to make sure that what changed that you were going to make sure that you shared this and you made sure that people were using the right whatever needed to be done to make sure that they
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: were we were following the algorithm. And I that I love because you're staying ahead with whatever is changing. And I love that because I can say unfortunately in some previous coaching experiences I've had, that wasn't always the case. With they were
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: a little behind. And That hurts, as you and I know as coaches, that hurts us. If we're not on top of what's happening and what's changing and evolving, just like
Joseph Federico: makes us look bad.
Coach Jon: it makes us look bad. And perfect example is AI. If we're not sitting there and seeing the changes and making changes to our own content or how we present anything regarding our
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: business, it's gonna hurt us in the long run. I mean, perfect example.
Joseph Federico: It is.
Coach Jon: I was joking with you how. This, you know, the studio that I'm in, you know, for us recording right now, they've changed the the how it looks and how some things have changed. And it's funny to me, I l I laughed because I was like, I just recorded last week. Like I have it,
Joseph Federico: You
Coach Jon: I'm like, my gosh, when did this change happen? Now, did they probably send an email out? Yes, they probably sent an email out. But I didn't see it. But anyway, I mean I'm fine with it. Yeah. And I don't really care. But I mean,
Joseph Federico: Well, technically it was without warning. Yeah, no, I'm the exact same way.
Coach Jon: honestly. There's nothing that I can't do still. It's just changing a little bit. But I've seen some even
Joseph Federico: Sure. I know.
Coach Jon: enhancements in the post production, which I thought was kind of there's some kind of cool things coming and I'm not gonna play with it yet. I wanna kinda stand back and let it evolve a little bit. Sometimes when the platform changes a little bit, it needs a few iterations before I wanna jump in. So
Joseph Federico: It's like an iOS update. It's not right away and it takes a while
Coach Jon: Exactly.
Joseph Federico: to get your phone back and feel comfortable. But that's kind of how life should be. And I'm an Aries saying that and I hate change. I don't have a choice. I don't have a choice. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: True. Okay, so how just out of curiosity, how should entrepreneurs decide which platforms deserve their time instead of trying to be everywhere?
Joseph Federico: Go with what you're most excited about. There are so many out there and there's still Twitter. There's still discussions out there that there's going to be a new iteration of, you know, the old Twitter coming back, which I believe just got squashed this week. So we're waiting on that. I was really excited. What makes you the most excited? Where do you think your audience is? Where would you want to go if you were in your audience's shoes? I think that's the simplest way to go about it. Pick one, try not to get overwhelmed, because it's not going to work in your favor anyway, because your audience, it all depends on what your background is anyway, what you're actually trying to push, sell, or promise. And I would just pick one and stick with one and really make that your goal for the next three to six to 12 months, to be honest.
Coach Jon: I love that because you and I have already had this discussion. Like one of the platforms that I'm on that you know I'm on, is technically great for what I do, you know, being in coaching and career coaching. But in reality, I've and we're working on this obviously in our coach in our in Camp Maven, but I have to say that I'm
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah, we are, yeah.
Coach Jon: I'm excited to see even where I go and expand and gain clients, you know,
Joseph Federico: you
Coach Jon: students, whatever it might be in my coaching from good old Instagram and TikTok. And definitely Instagram, because I know that you and I we've already talked about, and I'm excited because you think you know a platform and then you realize, do I do I really know it?
Joseph Federico: Do I really know the platform? Cause it probably changed 16 times since the last time we've spoken anyway, you know,
Coach Jon: Exactly.
Joseph Federico: but it, but all the platforms within a seasoned professional, you're already on a few different platforms to begin with, right? Or I'm
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: sorry, over time. Tried to have them work together, have the similar messaging across all different types of reels and images and articles, long form. So it works best, for instance, on LinkedIn. But you can post videos, but it has to sound a little bit different. You have to have the right ingredients for it to perform better on the platform versus a TikTok. That's short form. That's more of the influencer marketing. Instagram, completely different. Facebook, still evolving. I'm putting this out in the universe. I'm really looking for another evolution of Twitter. know, Twitter, I still call it by its dead name because I really hate X for many different reasons. I understand
Coach Jon: I hate X as well. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: that our community utilizes it for certain things. I support that. But the platform died years ago and I really wish that these professionals would come back with a better version of what Twitter used to be back in 2000. The height was like 2016-17, about 10 years ago. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah, I agree with you. Yeah. So what role do physical experiences, local events, workshops, print materials, and face to face connections play now that people are experiencing digital fatigue?
Joseph Federico: Well, it's called now the IRL, in real life. Event management is coming about to throw the door down. I was just reading about that before we hopped on this podcast. People want to go back to being human. So we need to spend less money on the digital ads. Honestly, I'm going to say it, fuck meta business. mean, it is, has been a nightmare from the beginning and it works to a certain extent. I can guide on that, you know, but it's a client's own wallet that pays for those ads. I don't support it a hundred percent, but I will guide where necessary to save a client. a few bucks to make it the most successful ad or boost possible. That's happened. I'm not going to deny that. It probably always will, unfortunately, fortunately. But put your money that you would have pissed away on a Google ad or a meta business suite towards flyers, posters, banners, and your time, because time is money, but time is energy. And you have to get out in front of the community. Spending. seven, eight hours at a festival on the green talking to people about history, what you do, just for instance, for instance, shaking hands, really feeling like they're the only person in your life within that very short conversation means the world. You don't want to change
Coach Jon: a hundred percent.
Joseph Federico: the world. You want to be, well, actually, you know what? Yes, it does. I misspoke. It does change the world. that seven, eight hours that you're at an event or at a book signing or at a Ted talk or whatever that may be, be present and put your ad dollars towards the physical aspects of marketing and advertising. It really pays off. It won't go in the garbage. I mean, I know from experience being at this event yesterday, for instance, a lot of money was spent. A lot of time was spent speaking to community members about it just so happened to be history. and the events that are coming up within the Morris County Historical Society within the next few weeks. But people get excited. They want to see physical pictures of how the town has changed. Or a client of mine, I made a banner for her within a few hours, know, Kara Zajac, which she was on your show. And she is another top client of mine. And sells,
Coach Jon: Who I love by the way. my gosh. Amazing amazing human. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: she is so in tune with her humanity. and her past
Coach Jon: Yes.
Joseph Federico: and her evolution. And I made a banner for her. We talked about it. I mean, it was all done online, but she made a physical banner for her book signing that allowed her signing
Coach Jon: Awesome.
Joseph Federico: to be more successful. With the QR code, she could talk about it. It's a conversation piece. So maybe not go the digital route with an advertising. Try to be present and in person. Yeah, 100%.
Coach Jon: I agree. And I have to say, yeah, shout out to Kara. I mean, listeners, you guys gotta go listen to that episode. That our conversation
Joseph Federico: She's wonderful.
Coach Jon: was she was she was amazing. my gosh. I
Joseph Federico: Yeah
Coach Jon: loved that conversation. It was so good. And we had to like we had a few glitches in the first time we tried to do it, but everything
Joseph Federico: I remember that. remember.
Coach Jon: worked perfectly in the end. And I love seeing the evolution of what she's working on right now. It's just so much fun.
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: Like that is the one thing that I love about doing this. I I follow anyone who if if they come onto my this show, I follow them on social media. I want to see how they're evolving, how things are changing. And
Joseph Federico: It's a real connection, yeah.
Coach Jon: it is a real connection and I love it. And I love seeing what's happening with her right now. It's so excit I I just love it. So anyway, so back to our conversation. So so
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah. So, but you know what? mean, the IRL economy is changing rapidly. Like
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: people are really tired of the whole, you digital thing and utilize that too, but it's changing. It has to.
Coach Jon: Yeah. So how can someone tell whether their marketing needs more time or whether it is genuinely time to change the strategy?
Joseph Federico: when your content becomes stagnant, when your metrics don't move, when you're losing followers and you know what you will regardless like it has to change but when it's a consistent streamlined or decline, then it's time to reevaluate and say, am I doing things correctly? Am I really paying attention to what's happening on said platforms? Where can I be? better at what I do or what I say. How can I be more present for my audience and for my business?
Coach Jon: So you've had to become more selective about who you work with and establish clearer professional boundaries. What
Joseph Federico: I know where this is going.
Coach Jon: has that experience
Joseph Federico: Yikes.
Coach Jon: taught you about protecting yourself while still remaining open to clients and opportunities?
Joseph Federico: Let's say 10 years ago, I was not selective. I was for everyone and I was really about nothing. That's what I learned within my business coaching up until a few years ago. I just wanted the check, not that I didn't put the work in or I wasn't present for my students and my clients. I was chasing the money. I'm going on vacation. didn't, need more of this. I, you know, I need more of that. I'm going to charge whatever I want and just throw things to a wall to be perfectly honest with your audience. It's difficult sometimes to walk away, but it would be more of a headache to choose the person that's causing the headache and some strife before even signing
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm.
Joseph Federico: a contract. And I'm still open because my content's changing. My content's evolving. I'm creating more partnerships. I'm giving, doing more giveaways, not only to just hold the carrot in front of people's minds, hearts, and faces on social media, but I'm building the genuine connections in order to attract the right people. I'm spending more time on my consultations. I'm offering different programs to give people a taste of what working with me long-term can feel like before hopefully converting, but then I'm actually assuring that I have the time within my calendar and my mind and my heart and my space to assure that they're successful, not only just chasing their investment, if that makes sense.
Coach Jon: 100%. I it's funny because
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah
Coach Jon: I feel that well, when I first started with my coaching, I was kinda like, okay, I just want everyone. I'll I'll take anyone. I'll take you know, and the more that it's evolved, not that I still don't want to have everyone, but I personally, and you kinda we kinda know this, is that I would rather at least have a strong clientele or campers or cli whoever it is that are part of the LGBTQ + community than the head or like the rest of the community just you know the rest of the people out there just because I do believe there's gonna be some easier ways to understand. we're gonna understand the struggles, the challenges Because we probably in some ways might have already gone through the challenges, or
Joseph Federico: absolutely. Yeah.
Coach Jon: we, you know, we might have experienced it ourselves, or we might have already had a client that is experienced that. So I feel that, and I know I got a little bit of pushback even from my family when I said, you know, even having this podcast, and I was like, I don't care. Like, who's coming after me? Like if I say whatever I say. At the end of the day, I might say something on this platform, you know, on my show that might upset someone. But at the end of the day, it is my show. It is my opinion. It's not everyone's opinion.
Joseph Federico: Yes, yes.
Coach Jon: And if you want to keep listening, awesome. If you don't, Sayanara, enjoy another podcast that doesn't that doesn't have the content that I do. No one has something
Joseph Federico: been like tuned out. No.
Coach Jon: like I'm doing. And I know this because I've had plenty of guests who keep telling me. There's nothing like this out there. You're doing something
Joseph Federico: No.
Coach Jon: unique and different. And I can tell you, I am talking to people literally around the world, not just here in the United States, but literally everywhere. And I can tell you they all are like,
Joseph Federico: Yes, I know you are. You put a lot of work into this. Yeah.
Coach Jon: and I love it. And it it keeps my it keeps me fresh. It keeps me loving this more and more and more because I get the unique voices and the authentic voices from not just here, but everywhere. And it doesn't matter how you identify. I don't care. I d want you to come on and share who you are, your story, your, you know, your wins, your losses, whatever it might be.
Joseph Federico: Right.
Coach Jon: It doesn't matter to me. At the end of the day, you're human and you have a story to share. Now, I will admit for those who are listening who have s I do have some that have sent me, I want you I'd be great on to come on as a guest. But you don't support my community. You ain't coming on. I'm sorry. You're not. I'm gonna put this out
Joseph Federico: No, no, no, no, no, no
Coach Jon: there. You're not coming on if you do not support the LGBTQ plus community. If you s if I No.
Joseph Federico: No, there's no time for that. This is a different world. And it's our job, it's your job as a coach to be disruptive.
Coach Jon: Exactly. Hundred percent.
Joseph Federico: We can't be, if you're for everyone, then you're for no one.
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm.
Joseph Federico: That's what I learned at the end of when I was being coached by a professional. If you're for everyone, you're for no one. You're not going to grow your business. And if you're not part of the community, even the gentleman that is a student of mine, you know, a client of mine, he is an ally. And I even, I believe I put that in the, in the intro to you copying him, just so you know, he may not be the right fit, but I think it would be interesting for the conversation. He's also in support of the LGBT. QIA + community is really not that difficult.
Coach Jon: Yeah. And that's honestly, I mean, I loved what he we're gonna chat about, but I'm also excited that he is an ally and that and I know for the what we're gonna chat about is going to speak volumes to the audience. So I already know this. like yeah.
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah. And he's on a different generation too. So I mean, has other experience that we don't. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah. So what warning signs tell you that a prospective client or collaboration may not be the right fit? Outside of I mean, could be just what we just talked about, but
Joseph Federico: Yeah, well, one of two, one of two signs pop up. Either they want to get sexual with me.
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: That's an immediate no. I push back immediately and say, this is not why I'm here. I contacted you or vice versa to work together on your branding, your social media and your marketing, not to hop in bed with you. That's inappropriate. You're immediately out. Up front. Absolutely. And number two, they don't show up. They miss a meeting. They push back. They don't want to do the homework. And they're a headache up to the point where they are about to sign the contract and still have more questions. I invite questions. I don't invite the headache that comes along with that. And that's where
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: my body actually starts having a physical reaction to some people within the last six months or so. that I said, this nervous system's telling you to not work with this person. You really have to listen to your body and your mind and your heart
Coach Jon: Hundred percent.
Joseph Federico: when selecting people that wanted to work with you to begin with and may not come to fruition, unfortunately, sometimes. Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah. So this is a good question to follow up. How do you balance serving your clients, promoting your business, managing your personal life, and taking care of your health?
Joseph Federico: Honestly, the first three points are intertwined. Which is difficult to separate, but I've had experience in keeping... those three facets happy. As far as my physical health and staying sane, I just turned my phone off. I've finally learned 20 years later to just turn my phone off, watch True Blood or watch Growing Pains as someone had brought up. I was on another podcast talking about that over the summer
Coach Jon: Nice.
Joseph Federico: or reading a book or working on my next book. I simply just am okay with now just turning the phone off. Even on my vacation, I was on my phone at night when we had some free time. I didn't post a damn thing the whole time I was traveling. To be present in my relationship, to be present with my health, to hydrate, to enjoy what I was spending the money on while traveling is super important. And just put that damn thing down. All the messages and emails and posts will be there. when you turn it back on. It's really that simple.
Coach Jon: I agree with you a hundred percent. And I and I mean I know for a fact, unless I actually have the free time, which probably will be at night, when I, you know, travel this week, all my time is focused on my niece. She's two and a half. She is a growing human being. I want to be present hundred percent every single time I'm with her. No, not at all. Not at all.
Joseph Federico: not gonna get that time back. Exactly. No.
Coach Jon: And especially
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: because we don't live in the same state. So I have to travel to see her. And so
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: I know that I need to be a hundred percent present the entire time. And
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: I think being present, especially when you go on vacation, but also it's good. I mean, all of these, you know, clients, your b our businesses, our personal life, we have to we do have to in some ways, you know, do a little bit of a time management to make sure that we're not using too much energy and focus on certain areas, but on the you know, also and also obviously taking care of her health. And that means either exercising, eating right, whatever that might be,
Joseph Federico: 100%.
Coach Jon: you need to be present and the biggest proponent, honestly, yeah. Putting this down. You gotta put it down. Put I mean, whenever I go out with friends, my phone actually goes down. I don't see what's popping
Joseph Federico: Yep. mine too. Mine too.
Coach Jon: up on my screen. No.
Joseph Federico: I don't look at my phone unless a friend of mine has to take a call. Maybe a family member calls them or like an emergency, God forbid. My phone is out, but it's down and I'm
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: there. Even especially if I'm on a job and friends have become clients and vice versa. I don't scroll my phone while I'm on a paid job. I'm wearing my new
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: uniform and I'm creating content and earning the paycheck that I was assigned to, that I was paid to be there for. It's just, just turn the damn thing down. And then I
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: think, even while watching TV with my partner, I scroll, but there are certain things I really want to watch. Like let's say, this is embarrassing, but it's the truth. Watching the Halloween episodes of Roseanne. You know, I want to be president for those.
Coach Jon: they are some of the best episodes ever written. I mean, they really are. Those episodes are amazing. It's kind of like yes.
Joseph Federico: Because they come out once a year. It's a tradition. It's fun. And I want to laugh at the jokes. I want to take ideas from these old successes and report back to my own marketing and branding and see how I can relate to a different audience as well while being present and enjoying a nostalgic show. But you're right. One of the some of the best written episodes of all time.
Coach Jon: I get it. Some of the best. my gosh. I always looked forward to them. my gosh, they were so good. Well, and then funny, yeah. It is what it is. But I mean
Joseph Federico: So much fun. that's, mean, you know, it is what it is.
Coach Jon: one of the things we also try to tend to watch every year or every especially every like the during this season, during spooky season, is the Treehouse of Horror Simpsons. They're so good.
Joseph Federico: my gosh, so good, so good.
Coach Jon: So good from the beginning on. my gosh. And some of the funny thing is is some of the best ones are the very first ones. Like you go and see what they created the very beginning. You're like
Joseph Federico: yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: and you're like, wait, and you're you've been around for how many seasons? And some of the best are like at the very beginning? It's amazing. It's amazing to me.
Joseph Federico: You need about a full weekend to get through almost all of them and even a few weekdays,
Coach Jon: yeah.
Joseph Federico: because there are a lot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've done it. We've done it in the past. We just added home improvement Halloween episodes to our watching list. We killed those this past weekend. They're good. They're really good. So a very 90s Halloween is what we're having this year. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Now I'm gonna have to go back and watch. yeah, nice, very nice. Okay,
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: so I like this question. So when business becomes seasonal or slows down, how do you explore new income streams without losing focus on the heart of your brand?
Joseph Federico: more time for outreach, more time for actually being present, not focusing on other things, but actually reaching out to other members of the community, other people online that I've been following for a while, and just being palsy. That's what I do. I'm like, hey, here's who I am. I'd love to work with you. And it really is as simple as that. I don't try, I succeed in outreach. Yeah, you have to.
Coach Jon: Awesome. All right. So we've covered some important topics. And I, you know, I can't
Joseph Federico: I know, time flies.
Coach Jon: let a marketing maven and horror lover escape without a few fun rapid fire questions. These are as we
Joseph Federico: Hit me.
Coach Jon: know, these are so much I love these. I have also learned these are gonna be fun. These are gonna be not hard to think about. I've definitely challenged previous guests on some of these questions, and then I I do have a friend that actually had we had flipped the questioning and my friend was asking me the questions. And I have to admit, yeah, they can be a little challenging at times. But in this case, in what I'm gonna be asking you, these are fun. So give
Joseph Federico: Bring it on.
Coach Jon: me your first answer. No carefully planned marketing strategy allowed.
Joseph Federico: okay. All right.
Coach Jon: So, if each social media platform were a classic horror character, which one would be Dracula? Which one would be Frankenstein's monster? And who which one would be the villain who simply refuses to stay dead?
Joseph Federico: villain would be Twitter X. That's been around a long time. Frankenstein is Facebook, because it's a mishmash. It's slowly evolving, it's still learning. It can be very mean at times and lash out. I'd say Instagram, I don't think I said Instagram yet, is Ghostface, because it's classic and it works the best. I think it's the most relatable. And I'd say... LinkedIn is Michael Myers.
Coach Jon: All right.
Joseph Federico: That's what I have to say about that. Yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: Okay, so a ghost appears in your home office and offers you one piece of business of business advice from beyond the grave. Are you listening carefully, asking to see its credentials, or immedi or immediately turning the experience into a marketing campaign?
Joseph Federico: immediately turning it into a marketing campaign.
Coach Jon: I love it. Yeah. Okay.
Joseph Federico: That's that tracks for me. Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: You can cast one marketing spell for every client or camper. would it create create blah. Would it create perfect content, unlimited qualified leads, or an algorithm that finally explains what it wants?
Joseph Federico: I'd say the latter, an algorithm that finally explains what it was. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: Amen. I'm right there with you. especially just 'cause they change so much sometimes. So it's like, can you just can you tell me why? Can you tell me what I need to do? Can you
Joseph Federico: Buckle up buttercup, unless the owner, the founder of Instagram is popping up on my feed and telling me what to do, it's an absolute crap shoot. And anyone telling you that they have figured out the algorithm is lying to you. Drop the mic. Yeah.
Coach Jon: All right. Well, as we close, what is one question you would like every listener to ask themselves when they're trying to adapt, grow, and build a career or business that still feels authentically their?
Joseph Federico: Why did you get in the business to begin with? Period. Or question mark. Yeah. Why?
Coach Jon: I I like that. I like that 100% a lot. I like that. I like that a lot. All right. Well, Joe, thank you for coming back to Empowered and Out. I know. We ca
Joseph Federico: How fun! I'm sorry it's over!
Coach Jon: I mean you and I both know we would talk we could talk for hours. And the good thing is
Joseph Federico: I can't wait. I can't wait for our training and I can't wait to come on quarterly and for everything. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Exactly. I want to thank you just for giving us, you know, an honest look at, you know, what growth really involves. You know,
Joseph Federico: Always, of course. Yeah.
Coach Jon: building a business or navigating a career is rarely a straight path. It requires creativity, resilience, healthy boundaries, supportive relationships, and the willingness to adjust when the world around us changes. Your journey reminds us that adapting does not have to mean abandoning who we are. It can mean finding new and more powerful ways to express it. I'm so grateful, as I've already said this numerous times, but I am so grateful for your support, your introductions, your encouragement, and collaboration that you have offered me throughout this past year and will continue. Community matters, particularly when we are doing work that asks us to be visible, vulnerable, and brave. So I thank you for continuing to share your experience. Your wonderful spooky creativity, especially during this time of year, and your belief that people and businesses can stand strong and shine in their own unique light.
Joseph Federico: You gave me chills. I'm absolutely grateful
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: for you as well. Truly. And thank you. Yeah.
Coach Jon: You are very welcome. So, listeners, if today's
Joseph Federico: you
Coach Jon: conversation made you think about how you are adapting to change, communicating your value, or showing up more authentically in your career, I encourage you to choose one idea from this episode and put it into action. If that means setting a healthier boundary, reconnecting with someone in your professional community, trying a new marketing strategy, or thoughtfully exploring an an AI tool, or Even asking for the support you need. To learn more about Joe's work through J. Federico Marketing and Anchors to Dusk Publishing and his creative projects, follow the links included in this episode's show notes. And if you're feeling stuck, questioning your direction, or ready to build greater confidence in your next career move, send me a message with the word clarity or advit or visit. Empowered and Out Coaching to schedule a complimentary career clarity call. And make sure, of course, that you follow or subscribe to Empowered and Out, the Career Coaching Podcast, So you don't miss the conversations coming through this current season. So until next time, remember the tools, platforms, and strategies may change, but your voice, your values. And the human connections you create will always matter. Until next time.
Joseph Federico: Okay.
Coach Jon: And connect meaningfully with the people they want to serve. Joe is also known for bringing spooky season charm, and we are in the heart of it right now. He also brings, local history, horror culture, and a little witchy marketing wisdom into everything he creates. Whether he is coaching queer entrepreneurs or helping clients embrace multi-channel marketing, Joe encourages people to stand confidently. And what makes them different. In this conversation, we're reflecting on the growth, challenges, surprises, and lessons of this past year. We're going to talk about queer entrepreneurship,
Joseph Federico: you
Coach Jon: community and collaboration, AI, changing social media platforms, business boundaries, and what it takes to continue adapting when the marketing and coaching landscapes refuse to stand still. So Joe, welcome back to Empowered and Out. I am so glad that we get to continue this conversation. And a little side note for listeners, we're working on having Joe back every single quarter this coming up season. So
Joseph Federico: You
Coach Jon: stay tuned.
Joseph Federico: Wow, I am honored to be back over a year later, Coach Jon. Thank you so much for having me. And a lot has changed both in our personal lives and professional lives within the last year. So here we are.
Coach Jon: Here we are. All right. As you know, I have to ask. I do this with all my guests, even a returning guest. I always do my energy check-in. I start with this every time. So on a scale from one to ten, how is your energy today and what's contributing to that number?
Joseph Federico: I am pushing around seven of 10. I had a very long weekend with the Morris County Historical Society, running the Festival on the Green and had a wild and crazy morning and afternoon with my clients, which is wonderful. It keeps me up and running, but I'm losing steam. So that's what's contributing is needing some rest. Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I understand that. I a hundred percent understand. Yeah. I'm actually, you know what? I'm in at like a nine, because I'm excited. you know, I have
Joseph Federico: jealous. Okay, for a Monday.
Coach Jon: to say, you know, for a Monday, I know it's kind of crazy and I've been up for quite a while. But, you know, for a Monday, I was excited for this kind, you know, conversation to come. You and I had been chatting about this. And then I think the
Joseph Federico: I know.
Coach Jon: it's it's really fun to see, you know. what we're gonna be able to build just with you coming on here as well as just what you're helping, you know, me with my coaching, you know, and it's it's fun to work with someone
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: that already knows a little bit about me to begin with. And so I'm excited. And so listeners get ready. It could be definitely very unhinged for what we talk about. Yes.
Joseph Federico: It's certainly going to be on. It should be on hands. If, if we both work in the authenticity space, then it should be a little bit unhinged, more human, you know? Yeah. Wow.
Coach Jon: Hundred percent, yeah. All right, so as I just mentioned, you know, it's been a you know about a year since we began collaborating and supporting one another. When you a
Joseph Federico: A lot's happened, yeah.
Coach Jon: lot has happened. So when you look back at who you were and where your business was a year ago, what feels different?
Joseph Federico: my gosh, can I, well, I'm gonna give you a few different answers if that's okay, that all relate to
Coach Jon: Okay, of course.
Joseph Federico: the same main topic. My body, my physical being was pretty unhealthy about a year ago. My business was pretty unhealthy about a year ago. And... I've just worked every single day on both of those things and they're related and that related back or how I evolved my business within the last six to eight months is trying to be this all inclusive brands that brings health and energy and authenticity back to my clients and my students. And then having launched a, you know, a Camp Maven program to try to get people to understand why the marketing and branding is so important while having fun. So it's been a very long year, a very blessed year, very difficult year from when we had last spoken. When we met last time, I was dizzy. I was barely holding it together during our recording, our conversation. And that was a big check engine light in my life to get everything together that then had trickled down to my business and my brand. So, yeah. A lot.
Coach Jon: A lot. Yeah. Well, so let me ask you this what accomplishment or moment from the past year are you most proud of?
Joseph Federico: Finally having the guts to relaunch Camp Maven. I had tried to launch that several years in the past, starting in 2022. Took about four years and I think I'm most proud of the accomplishments I've been able to get through and promote to make that a reality. But other people are buying into that, believing in graduating and converting to full-time clients, but I'm. really feel that I'm making a change within their brands and their lives. And that is the most dad moment I can think of right now is that it's not stopping. And that actually re-energizes me as I proceed just going forward. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I love that. Well, I mean, I can tell you personally, as a client of yours right now and part of the coaching
Joseph Federico: You are?
Coach Jon: of a part of Camp Maven, I can say that you are truly engaged. You I can see, well, first off, from I can see from your social media that you're excited about Camp Maven. But I can also
Joseph Federico: Sure.
Coach Jon: see it in our I mean, we've only had one, you know, session so far. We have another one coming up this week, but I can see
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: your excitement and I can it actually it's pouring over. Like I'm I'm excited. Like I like even before we started recording, I showed I shared with you all the stuff that I already have lined up for this week. And it's just because you've you've
Joseph Federico: I know, I know.
Coach Jon: encouraged me and it's funny because I feel that you and I mentioned it, you know, last week was that the timing was just right for this to hap, you know, the time you know if you can talk with someone, even for me getting
Joseph Federico: the room.
Coach Jon: back and you know, when I first started in coaching, I got certified way before I started coaching because it just wasn't right. Like the timing
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: wasn't right, everything just wasn't right. And I
Joseph Federico: I know.
Coach Jon: mean, it's funny to think that you and I chatting like over a year ago and then us finally being able to collaborate the first time on this show and then now to doing it again and again. And I know that it's just gonna be so much fun. Like I think the authenticity, I think the I kind of feel like you're a little bit unique to the market, to what people are expecting. And I
Joseph Federico: Thank you. Yeah.
Coach Jon: feel that that stands out. And I I think that that is what's gonna what your uniqueness is also gonna help me in my coaching and what I'm doing. And I'm ex so excited for it. And so
Joseph Federico: Absolutely. I mean, even when I was dog tired from this Festival on the Green, which was wonderful and I really take my, you volunteership very seriously within my township and learning history and meeting different people and being on all day and smiling and shaking hands and being out in the cold and the rain. I came home and I said, I have a responsibility to my students, namely you, knowing our session was coming up this week. for camp, I had to review your homework. I had to give you some updates and really spend the time giving you the inspiration that you need. Not only because you had invested, this is way beyond the small investment. It is the dedication. It is the authenticity. Reviewing your homework two, three, four, five, six, 10 times before I can offer a response that I don't want to just slap an A plus on the homework, for instance, while still being energized and inspired to reply back. I was tired. That doesn't matter in entrepreneurship. That doesn't matter within the crew community. I said, get your ass up and respond to Jonathan for this week because he's relying on it for his growth and his business as he's in this evolutionary period. I hope my content is unique. It's meant to be a little uncomfortable, a little witchy, a little nostalgic. Not everybody's doing that. Not that I'm perfect because I have a lot to learn within my own business itself. But you have
Coach Jon: Well, and I think honestly
Joseph Federico: to dedicate. Yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah. I mean, I think that honestly, if you're not learning, you're not gonna grow and you're not gonna be able to keep innovating and creating like as I said, the
Joseph Federico: Absolutely not.
Coach Jon: unique content that you do that you're creating, but also what you bring to the table, especially with Camp Maven and with other clients that you bring on. So I feel
Joseph Federico: Sure.
Coach Jon: that if you're not if we're not evolving and we're not changing, we're not learning, we're dead in the water. We're not gonna go anywhere.
Joseph Federico: We're not earning, we're not growing in our field and or our coaching businesses. And that's
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: really a shame. If people aren't doing that, then you need to go work in corporate and that's not for everyone either. So, but that's what we talked about last year. So,
Coach Jon: No. Exactly.
Joseph Federico: yeah.
Coach Jon: All right, so has your definition of success changed as your business and personal life have evolved this last year?
Joseph Federico: 100%. I just released a witchy marketing book that I actually sent you as a thank you for signing on for camp. Yeah,
Coach Jon: You did. Yes. Thank you. Thank you.
Joseph Federico: no, but that had just launched last year and I was really relying on the fact that it was going to be a bestseller and I would market that and utilize that within my campaigns. Not really. That's not what it was. Once I started thinking, getting my physical being back in shape. losing weight, getting on certain meds that I needed to do to survive but thrive, that changed my mindset. I had more time for other things. I didn't feel as rundown or sick. I had more energy to put into the business. I had more energy to look back at my old campaigns and say, what was working? What isn't working? How do I make the Camp Maven, for instance, a true success? So my... My definition has certainly changed. My time has changed. My body has changed. And I really, this may sound a little kitschy, but it's a hundred percent true. mean, no qualms about it. I am re-energized and I evolved my entire brand, my entire being into what it is today. And that's not even the end of it. So in short answer, yes, of course I have.
Coach Jon: I love that. And you know, listeners, viewers, whatever you know, whoever is listening or viewing right now, I can tell you stay tuned to myself and my coaching brand because I'm changing some things, updating things. I would say, as you and I discussed, rebranding to get people to know, hey, I'm here. Doesn't sound funny to say this. I'm here, I'm queer, and I'm ready to and I'm ready to have as many clients as humanly possible.
Joseph Federico: gonna say that. Get used to it.
Coach Jon: Bring it. I'm excited to help people succeed in their careers. So
Joseph Federico: But it's literally changing. It starts with one person. And you understand that. We talked about that last year. We talked about that within the year. We talked about that last week. We talked about it in our coaching session. It starts with one person. Our community, not just our community, but for the sake of this conversation, we are so scared sometimes as gay men to put our most authentic selves out there.
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm. Hundred percent, yeah.
Joseph Federico: A student that just graduated Camp Maven that's hopefully converting into a full-time student next week finally got to the breakthrough point with me and I of course, you know, will assure that this is a success, but it was a success within the camp program itself. Finally told me that he's facing fear. Fear of his own evolution. Fear of... moving forward, fear of starting his own business, fear of rebranding himself. So that's the heart of what I've heard from Gay Men within the last year, is fears just stopping us in our tracks. And most of us don't want to go
Coach Jon: yeah. No.
Joseph Federico: forward.
Coach Jon: Hundred percent. Yeah, I get it. I a hundred percent get it. And so
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: so one thing I appreciate about you is your willingness to connect people, make introductions, and create opportunities for others, which you have done a huge my gosh, you've made so many introductions to me. for honestly and connected me to so many amazing people that I've been so fortunate to have on this podcast and will continue to
Joseph Federico: Sure, sure.
Coach Jon: have. And 'cause I have few interviews lined up with some some of your folks, people that you introduced me to. So
Joseph Federico: You do. I'm excited for those.
Coach Jon: and you know, I love that. So why do you believe that community and collaboration are especially important for queer entrepreneurs and professionals?
Joseph Federico: mean, not more than ever, and it sounds kitschy as many other things in this conversation thus far, but we are stronger together. know, a client of mine, their mantra is we're better together. And we are, I mean, even seeing it at the event yesterday, you know, having a whole history block blocked off in my town that I love and that I work and even building this Detailed web throughout the internet, you know on social media getting people on different podcasts placing them We're better. We all bring a different skill set coach Jon and if we don't celebrate our Diverse backgrounds and learn from each other then we're all dead in the water. We will not be a success We will not earn those paychecks and we won't Period
Coach Jon: So true.
Joseph Federico: yeah And it's not just,
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: hey, here's my client. Can he be on your show? And can this person be on your show? And let's do a book signing. I don't really, I mean, I care about that. Obviously I want everybody to succeed, but everybody else brings a different audience and a different skillset. And that's the most important thing.
Coach Jon: What I think you even had so one of the people that I'm gonna be bringing on soon is you said, well, they may not be a part of the queer community, but they do
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: bring something unique that your your audience probably wants to hear. And I have to say
Joseph Federico: Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: you're 100% spot on. You actually what I love is what you've done for me in the at least on the podcast end of it so far, is that you've brought people That you're pretty sure are gonna be fine or are gonna fit for my audience. And they've you've brought in very, I mean, so many unique and different people, but the authenticity
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: of all of them has been awesome. Like some of the best conversations, and it still I still pinch myself at times like going, I'm talking to so many fun, unique, different people that
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: No way would I ever have been able to connect with any of these people if I didn't have like our rel our connection. So I you know.
Joseph Federico: Isn't it wonderful just like meeting different people and hearing their stories? That's what excites me about
Coach Jon: my gosh, yeah.
Joseph Federico: my brand too. Yeah, I learn. I learn every day, you know, and that's fantastic. But this this upcoming guest, I know who you're talking about really focuses on his own evolution, the evolution of humanity and consciousness. And you can't go wrong with the with the chat like that. So.
Coach Jon: I agree. 100%. Yeah. Okay. So how can someone build authentic professional relationships without making networking feel transactional? Well, first of all I'm going to tell you this. You work with Joe. That's all I'm going to tell you. You work because he doesn't make it feel. I'm going to tell you this. You make it like you do. You don't make it feel transactional. But
Joseph Federico: Right. Well, thank you. No, I'm like blushing. Yeah. Thank you. I feel a little, little feverish. no, but like that's a human reaction to honestly talk to the version of yourself that you know is the most successful. That's, that's what I would say or where to start and get out of your own way. Even having a conversation with a new camper, a new student, we had to completely refresh and rebrand and recalibrate our working. relationship together last week because we got off to a rocky start. That's I actually invite that and expect that more than to hit it off immediately. Yeah, I would love as I'm sure you're aware of and you have experienced and want for yourself in your business to just get along with everyone in the world and everything's fine. No, I've been in this business 20 plus years. I rely on nobody but myself for my income, for my business, for my connections. If we don't click. I'm going to be like, all right, or lady, you know, or he, you know, they, whatever, say, you know what? Okay, this is not the best match, but I do want to offer the opportunity to kind of recalibrate and say, okay, what were we missing the first time around? Let's have a conversation and get back on track. And then the truth really comes out in the wash shortly thereafter, because it's really fear-based. The pushback. is, well, I really wasn't taking this seriously. I didn't expect to do X, Y, and Z. I wasn't fully aware of what my needs were in order to proceed. So if you're not being human, you're not taking a step back and putting the mirror in front of yourself, which is what I try to encourage within these first conversations of getting a camper, getting a student, getting a client, whatever that is, then you're lost. And I have really nothing else for you beyond that, but I want to break through. want to crack the mirror and I want to say, well, there's opportunity. How can we proceed? It's not, it's not only about the paycheck. I run a business. Obviously at the end of the day, it's a business. I'm the authenticity coach, you know, and I want to bring the humanity back. Yeah, I can hide behind the artificial intelligence and the posts and the stories and you know, what have you, but at the end, and at the end of the day, I really want to see you succeed. Cause nobody told me how to succeed. And that's, that was, and still is my driving force. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I love that. I I really do and I agree with you a hundred percent. I I I mean, yeah. So curious though, how do you decide whether a potential collaboration is genuinely aligned with your values and goals?
Joseph Federico: in regards to my camper students to introduce somebody like
Coach Jon: All the above.
Joseph Federico: all the above. The energy has to be there. The curiosity has to be present. There has to be some kind of end goal where everybody succeeds. And if one of those is out of alignment, then I think twice. I actually think thrice and go, I can force this. It probably won't work out. It's more of a headache than not, but I want to make sure that everybody on board is excited and that they want to grow and change and meet different pros in different fields. Yeah.
Coach Jon: All right. All right. So we're gonna get into talking a little bit about AI creativity and just keeping the human and keeping the human touch. So
Joseph Federico: Ooh, please do.
Coach Jon: obviously, and this works for me as well, and I'm sure it's gonna be even increasing even more as you and I keep working together. So AI
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: has become a major part of how people create content, market their businesses, and manage their workload. At the same time. It can bring up concerns about originality, trust, and whether technology is replacing human creativity. How has your relationship with we how has your relationship with AI evolved?
Joseph Federico: Wow, I remember January, 2023 going on four years ago after the holiday season. talking about AI to my audience. I was out for a run. We had just gotten over COVID. It was a long holiday season. I was getting some fresh air and I had done one of those Wednesday internet dance, you know, reels talking about AI. And I remember, because it wasn't too cold, it wasn't snowy, the holidays were over. And I remember learning the Wednesday dance, right? Your dance, dance, dance, whatever, and relating it to AI and the evolution. and what they were projecting at the time, almost four years ago. I was just kind of blowing smoke, just kind of hoping for the best. I'm not really sure what this means, you know, full transparency. Cause you have to look back at your content and your own evolution and
Coach Jon: yeah.
Joseph Federico: what you believe in versus what you actually implemented in your own strategy. So I didn't know what to expect. I got to be honest. And I got like the free version of it. I think it was ask AI. wasn't even chat GPT It wasn't going to spend money on. The premium, was creating really wonky images and I thought, this is the future. This is like great. It can do all my content for me. Well, it can't. So to your second question or one of your questions within the umbrella AI question, it will not replace humanity or the human work ethic by any means. And it still won't because 99.9 % of the time it's right. The other small percentage, it's wrong and you have to put the humanity back in and create edits and make sure it is correct. It's still a mess. It really is still a
Coach Jon: a hundred percent, yeah. I mean I've seen that with my own content and yeah.
Joseph Federico: mess. Yeah. I don't know where to take it from
Coach Jon: Well, and I think that
Joseph Federico: there.
Coach Jon: yeah, I mean, I feel that I feel over the last couple of years, especially people have like, my gosh, AI, AI, AI, AI. And it's just like, okay, but hold but hold up. You need to use it, and you and I have already had this conversation. It's used as a tool. It's not the end all. You need to realize that it you
Joseph Federico: No. No.
Coach Jon: need to put your human touch into the mix of it. And on top of that, I remember a couple Was that a couple? Yeah, that was a couple years ago. I was, I actually happened to, which is kind of funny because I'm actually traveling there this week, but I was in Los Angeles and I was do I actually took this AI course and it was very fascinating. But one of the things they said was that imaging and video are evolving, but they're not really there. You just keep have a little bit of patience with it because it's gonna eventually get better. And I can say personally. that when I started using try or attempting attempting to make an image on
Joseph Federico: That's him seeing the operative.
Coach Jon: trying to make an image on like chat GPT, goodness, it was not good. And there were some really interesting ways it was creating a image.
Joseph Federico: Interesting.
Coach Jon: I mean even an image that I had done for homework for you they it
Joseph Federico: Yes.
Coach Jon: was oof. There they're still okay, here's the deal. It is still learning. It is still getting better. But I you even had to do it. You even had to take another step which I had already done initially and then it kind of stepped backwards. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: I know you did. I know that you put the work into that prompt and yeah, and that submission. I went through several different versions before I submitted the one to you for final approval for your homework because it gave me some really interesting, you know, things back. And I said, I had to yell.
Coach Jon: I mean oo
Joseph Federico: I actually reprimand my tools that will... eventually hopefully save within the data itself to avoid these problems in the future. But it's not going to replace, it's not going replace human creativity. We're the ones that are feeding it the information. So it's really a
Coach Jon: Yeah. Exactly.
Joseph Federico: tool that we have to utilize to help make our lives maybe that it's, it's like when the washing machine came out, right? Or the dishwasher or when the automobile, it, if you think of it in that. since it's not so scary. And I have gotten a lot of pushback, which I've shared with you, privately planning for this talk and for our quarterly and even when we're together for camp and hopefully beyond. I've gotten a lot of pushback regarding even trying to sign campers and or clients on. They're like, well, all you utilize is AI. And I'm like, well, first of all, I'm here on the phone with you now. So I'm going to... be a little impatient with my response, but I can back it up. Have you checked my content within the last two to six to 10 years? You know, I didn't start off in AI and I'm only utilizing that as an advertising tool for my products and services and my offerings. But you're gonna get me, you see me down the street. I'm in the community, I'm behind the scenes, I'm recording. I even have... a uniform that I just made for myself that is artificial intelligence based. However, it's really damn good and I'm going to use it because now it's part of my brand recognition within the community in real life. That's why I do it. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I love that. And I can tell you, as I know some for s being someone who actually follows you on social media, yeah, you do regular content, you do videos, you do reels, you do things that are with you physically in the video, and then
Joseph Federico: yeah, all the time. Yeah.
Coach Jon: you do the AI, and that's fine. And honestly, I have to say, I'm kind of excited. Not kind of, I am excited to
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: change how I'm doing my stuff to even integrate it that same kind of way because first off AI's not going anywhere. It's not. It's not.
Joseph Federico: No.
Coach Jon: and I think some companies pushed way too fast to go, this is it, this is it, this is it, we gotta lay off all these people because AI is gonna do everything for us. So
Joseph Federico: Because it's more expensive, it's more cost effective to bring the humans back to the workforce.
Coach Jon: Exactly. Okay. So let's get back on track because you know we could go there's so much more to say. gosh, yes. Okay, so can you
Joseph Federico: There's a lot more to say about that, girl. I have a soap box ready to prop up. yeah, well.
Coach Jon: share an example of how you have used AI strategically while still keeping your voice and creativity at the center?
Joseph Federico: I mean, you had just liked it. That's why it's top of mind. I just shared a piece of content that took several iterations to create something that looked legitimate and sounded like me, even looked like me. The hands were a little wonky. The imagery was just, was just, girl, was still, it was scarier than what I meant for it to actually come out as. If you check out my social media, you know what I'm talking about. that. that piece of content that took about 30 minutes to create not only image wise, but also within my voice, my branding within the copy content for the caption. So I don't do anything by accident. I don't just give it a prompt. My tools, a prompt and say, just create something for me and just figure out what it is. No, there's time and energy and money behind what I actually create. So That's the evolution. It has to sound like me. I'm utilizing my hopes and dreams and my 20 years experience in the language. I'm utilizing what excites me within the nostalgic marketing sense, within the seasonal content sense, Halloween, next will be Thanksgiving and Christmas. That works, but I've also used those tools in other ways. Within my human branding in the past, I'm just evolving the strategy.
Coach Jon: I love it. And
Joseph Federico: So like if I want to become a witch, I can go out to Spirit Halloween and get a witch app, but I'm gonna, I'd rather just create a likeness of the marketing maven and just share what sounds like me. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Exactly. I love it. So what would you say to a business owner or creative professional who is afraid that using AI will make their work feel less authentic?
Joseph Federico: Start with thinking about why you want to use it in the first place. Is it to save you time? Is it to, because everyone else is doing it, is it to blend in? Is it to stand out? Really take, you know, a step back and try to understand within yourself why you want to use it from the start. And if you'd rather get on Canva and create something within Pro, it's probably better off than not. But if you want to utilize AI, make sure it's for the right reasons and that you sound a little more authentic than your neighbors or the other business owners in your community. Yeah.
Coach Jon: I agree a hundred percent. And so where do you believe that human judgment, fact checking, which is key by the way in AI, and personal
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: responsibility must remain part of the process?
Joseph Federico: I think there absolutely needs to be more guardrails around AI. I mean, there are other unmentionable platforms that use it in incorrect ways, scary ways that expose different facets of humanity that I don't agree with. Not necessarily at all. And I think that there needs to be more guardrails. So I think I know studying this every single day not only on my algorithm, but I have books and I do my own research and my own fact checking. Just be as human as possible. Let that curiosity guide you in different directions. Don't take what AI or chat GPT or platforms say at face value, but do your own research. And I know that it's not going anywhere as we had just said. So take most of what it is. with a grain of salt and just do your own research. But judgment is never gonna stop. It starts with us. Like we were talking about earlier, in a different sense, in another regard, it starts with one person to speak up and against these things and to build community around the positives, the safety rules and regulations that I think we should be following around AI and going forth with a little more common sense.
Coach Jon: All right. So Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms all seem to reward different types of content. And what works
Joseph Federico: Hmm
Coach Jon: one month may not work the next. How are
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: you helping clients navigate a digital marketing landscape that is constantly changing?
Joseph Federico: I mean, I'm always on my phone, always learning and trying these tools out on myself and trends. I'd say really the one-on-one coaching, every package, every investment, even my Camp Maven comes with a one-on-one session a week up to an hour. So just having that time to strategize and share and guide, I get pushed back once in a while, but these clients are looking to me to... to guide them, not only to tell them, but to implement these changes. For instance, right now, what's really trending on Instagram are carousels with a caption for each static image. My engagement blew out of the water this past summer because of that change in strategy. It may not work tomorrow. It's already changing. So, I mean, it really all depends on what the client's looking for, how I can relate to them, how close I am with that client. and their own strategy to try to evolve that to make sure it's the most successful. And if it fails, and it will fail sometimes, then we re-strategize and start again. But I try to re-strategize once every few weeks within campaigns for my clients, my students, and campers, and then assure that if it's working, then we try to emulate that and blow that out of the water, get lightning to strike more than once for other campaigns and other platforms.
Coach Jon: Well, and I have to say I remember you bringing this up a few weeks back where when you just gone you had gone on vacation and you came back and you said, Well, in the time that I was gone, for the giving the example, Instagram changed. And but
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm. That's it.
Coach Jon: y but I what I loved, and actually it's honestly a lot of the reason why then I jumped on board to Camp Maven was the fact that but you made the effort to make sure that what changed that you were going to make sure that you shared this and you made sure that people were using the right whatever needed to be done to make sure that they
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: were we were following the algorithm. And I that I love because you're staying ahead with whatever is changing. And I love that because I can say unfortunately in some previous coaching experiences I've had, that wasn't always the case. With they were
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: a little behind. And That hurts, as you and I know as coaches, that hurts us. If we're not on top of what's happening and what's changing and evolving, just like
Joseph Federico: makes us look bad.
Coach Jon: it makes us look bad. And perfect example is AI. If we're not sitting there and seeing the changes and making changes to our own content or how we present anything regarding our
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: business, it's gonna hurt us in the long run. I mean, perfect example.
Joseph Federico: It is.
Coach Jon: I was joking with you how. This, you know, the studio that I'm in, you know, for us recording right now, they've changed the the how it looks and how some things have changed. And it's funny to me, I l I laughed because I was like, I just recorded last week. Like I have it,
Joseph Federico: You
Coach Jon: I'm like, my gosh, when did this change happen? Now, did they probably send an email out? Yes, they probably sent an email out. But I didn't see it. But anyway, I mean I'm fine with it. Yeah. And I don't really care. But I mean,
Joseph Federico: Well, technically it was without warning. Yeah, no, I'm the exact same way.
Coach Jon: honestly. There's nothing that I can't do still. It's just changing a little bit. But I've seen some even
Joseph Federico: Sure. I know.
Coach Jon: enhancements in the post production, which I thought was kind of there's some kind of cool things coming and I'm not gonna play with it yet. I wanna kinda stand back and let it evolve a little bit. Sometimes when the platform changes a little bit, it needs a few iterations before I wanna jump in. So
Joseph Federico: It's like an iOS update. It's not right away and it takes a while
Coach Jon: Exactly.
Joseph Federico: to get your phone back and feel comfortable. But that's kind of how life should be. And I'm an Aries saying that and I hate change. I don't have a choice. I don't have a choice. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: True. Okay, so how just out of curiosity, how should entrepreneurs decide which platforms deserve their time instead of trying to be everywhere?
Joseph Federico: Go with what you're most excited about. There are so many out there and there's still Twitter. There's still discussions out there that there's going to be a new iteration of, you know, the old Twitter coming back, which I believe just got squashed this week. So we're waiting on that. I was really excited. What makes you the most excited? Where do you think your audience is? Where would you want to go if you were in your audience's shoes? I think that's the simplest way to go about it. Pick one, try not to get overwhelmed, because it's not going to work in your favor anyway, because your audience, it all depends on what your background is anyway, what you're actually trying to push, sell, or promise. And I would just pick one and stick with one and really make that your goal for the next three to six to 12 months, to be honest.
Coach Jon: I love that because you and I have already had this discussion. Like one of the platforms that I'm on that you know I'm on, is technically great for what I do, you know, being in coaching and career coaching. But in reality, I've and we're working on this obviously in our coach in our in Camp Maven, but I have to say that I'm
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah, we are, yeah.
Coach Jon: I'm excited to see even where I go and expand and gain clients, you know,
Joseph Federico: you
Coach Jon: students, whatever it might be in my coaching from good old Instagram and TikTok. And definitely Instagram, because I know that you and I we've already talked about, and I'm excited because you think you know a platform and then you realize, do I do I really know it?
Joseph Federico: Do I really know the platform? Cause it probably changed 16 times since the last time we've spoken anyway, you know,
Coach Jon: Exactly.
Joseph Federico: but it, but all the platforms within a seasoned professional, you're already on a few different platforms to begin with, right? Or I'm
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: sorry, over time. Tried to have them work together, have the similar messaging across all different types of reels and images and articles, long form. So it works best, for instance, on LinkedIn. But you can post videos, but it has to sound a little bit different. You have to have the right ingredients for it to perform better on the platform versus a TikTok. That's short form. That's more of the influencer marketing. Instagram, completely different. Facebook, still evolving. I'm putting this out in the universe. I'm really looking for another evolution of Twitter. know, Twitter, I still call it by its dead name because I really hate X for many different reasons. I understand
Coach Jon: I hate X as well. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: that our community utilizes it for certain things. I support that. But the platform died years ago and I really wish that these professionals would come back with a better version of what Twitter used to be back in 2000. The height was like 2016-17, about 10 years ago. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah, I agree with you. Yeah. So what role do physical experiences, local events, workshops, print materials, and face to face connections play now that people are experiencing digital fatigue?
Joseph Federico: Well, it's called now the IRL, in real life. Event management is coming about to throw the door down. I was just reading about that before we hopped on this podcast. People want to go back to being human. So we need to spend less money on the digital ads. Honestly, I'm going to say it, fuck meta business. mean, it is, has been a nightmare from the beginning and it works to a certain extent. I can guide on that, you know, but it's a client's own wallet that pays for those ads. I don't support it a hundred percent, but I will guide where necessary to save a client. a few bucks to make it the most successful ad or boost possible. That's happened. I'm not going to deny that. It probably always will, unfortunately, fortunately. But put your money that you would have pissed away on a Google ad or a meta business suite towards flyers, posters, banners, and your time, because time is money, but time is energy. And you have to get out in front of the community. Spending. seven, eight hours at a festival on the green talking to people about history, what you do, just for instance, for instance, shaking hands, really feeling like they're the only person in your life within that very short conversation means the world. You don't want to change
Coach Jon: a hundred percent.
Joseph Federico: the world. You want to be, well, actually, you know what? Yes, it does. I misspoke. It does change the world. that seven, eight hours that you're at an event or at a book signing or at a Ted talk or whatever that may be, be present and put your ad dollars towards the physical aspects of marketing and advertising. It really pays off. It won't go in the garbage. I mean, I know from experience being at this event yesterday, for instance, a lot of money was spent. A lot of time was spent speaking to community members about it just so happened to be history. and the events that are coming up within the Morris County Historical Society within the next few weeks. But people get excited. They want to see physical pictures of how the town has changed. Or a client of mine, I made a banner for her within a few hours, know, Kara Zajac, which she was on your show. And she is another top client of mine. And sells,
Coach Jon: Who I love by the way. my gosh. Amazing amazing human. Yeah.
Joseph Federico: she is so in tune with her humanity. and her past
Coach Jon: Yes.
Joseph Federico: and her evolution. And I made a banner for her. We talked about it. I mean, it was all done online, but she made a physical banner for her book signing that allowed her signing
Coach Jon: Awesome.
Joseph Federico: to be more successful. With the QR code, she could talk about it. It's a conversation piece. So maybe not go the digital route with an advertising. Try to be present and in person. Yeah, 100%.
Coach Jon: I agree. And I have to say, yeah, shout out to Kara. I mean, listeners, you guys gotta go listen to that episode. That our conversation
Joseph Federico: She's wonderful.
Coach Jon: was she was she was amazing. my gosh. I
Joseph Federico: Yeah
Coach Jon: loved that conversation. It was so good. And we had to like we had a few glitches in the first time we tried to do it, but everything
Joseph Federico: I remember that. remember.
Coach Jon: worked perfectly in the end. And I love seeing the evolution of what she's working on right now. It's just so much fun.
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: Like that is the one thing that I love about doing this. I I follow anyone who if if they come onto my this show, I follow them on social media. I want to see how they're evolving, how things are changing. And
Joseph Federico: It's a real connection, yeah.
Coach Jon: it is a real connection and I love it. And I love seeing what's happening with her right now. It's so excit I I just love it. So anyway, so back to our conversation. So so
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah. So, but you know what? mean, the IRL economy is changing rapidly. Like
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: people are really tired of the whole, you digital thing and utilize that too, but it's changing. It has to.
Coach Jon: Yeah. So how can someone tell whether their marketing needs more time or whether it is genuinely time to change the strategy?
Joseph Federico: when your content becomes stagnant, when your metrics don't move, when you're losing followers and you know what you will regardless like it has to change but when it's a consistent streamlined or decline, then it's time to reevaluate and say, am I doing things correctly? Am I really paying attention to what's happening on said platforms? Where can I be? better at what I do or what I say. How can I be more present for my audience and for my business?
Coach Jon: So you've had to become more selective about who you work with and establish clearer professional boundaries. What
Joseph Federico: I know where this is going.
Coach Jon: has that experience
Joseph Federico: Yikes.
Coach Jon: taught you about protecting yourself while still remaining open to clients and opportunities?
Joseph Federico: Let's say 10 years ago, I was not selective. I was for everyone and I was really about nothing. That's what I learned within my business coaching up until a few years ago. I just wanted the check, not that I didn't put the work in or I wasn't present for my students and my clients. I was chasing the money. I'm going on vacation. didn't, need more of this. I, you know, I need more of that. I'm going to charge whatever I want and just throw things to a wall to be perfectly honest with your audience. It's difficult sometimes to walk away, but it would be more of a headache to choose the person that's causing the headache and some strife before even signing
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm.
Joseph Federico: a contract. And I'm still open because my content's changing. My content's evolving. I'm creating more partnerships. I'm giving, doing more giveaways, not only to just hold the carrot in front of people's minds, hearts, and faces on social media, but I'm building the genuine connections in order to attract the right people. I'm spending more time on my consultations. I'm offering different programs to give people a taste of what working with me long-term can feel like before hopefully converting, but then I'm actually assuring that I have the time within my calendar and my mind and my heart and my space to assure that they're successful, not only just chasing their investment, if that makes sense.
Coach Jon: 100%. I it's funny because
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah
Coach Jon: I feel that well, when I first started with my coaching, I was kinda like, okay, I just want everyone. I'll I'll take anyone. I'll take you know, and the more that it's evolved, not that I still don't want to have everyone, but I personally, and you kinda we kinda know this, is that I would rather at least have a strong clientele or campers or cli whoever it is that are part of the LGBTQ + community than the head or like the rest of the community just you know the rest of the people out there just because I do believe there's gonna be some easier ways to understand. we're gonna understand the struggles, the challenges Because we probably in some ways might have already gone through the challenges, or
Joseph Federico: absolutely. Yeah.
Coach Jon: we, you know, we might have experienced it ourselves, or we might have already had a client that is experienced that. So I feel that, and I know I got a little bit of pushback even from my family when I said, you know, even having this podcast, and I was like, I don't care. Like, who's coming after me? Like if I say whatever I say. At the end of the day, I might say something on this platform, you know, on my show that might upset someone. But at the end of the day, it is my show. It is my opinion. It's not everyone's opinion.
Joseph Federico: Yes, yes.
Coach Jon: And if you want to keep listening, awesome. If you don't, Sayanara, enjoy another podcast that doesn't that doesn't have the content that I do. No one has something
Joseph Federico: been like tuned out. No.
Coach Jon: like I'm doing. And I know this because I've had plenty of guests who keep telling me. There's nothing like this out there. You're doing something
Joseph Federico: No.
Coach Jon: unique and different. And I can tell you, I am talking to people literally around the world, not just here in the United States, but literally everywhere. And I can tell you they all are like,
Joseph Federico: Yes, I know you are. You put a lot of work into this. Yeah.
Coach Jon: and I love it. And it it keeps my it keeps me fresh. It keeps me loving this more and more and more because I get the unique voices and the authentic voices from not just here, but everywhere. And it doesn't matter how you identify. I don't care. I d want you to come on and share who you are, your story, your, you know, your wins, your losses, whatever it might be.
Joseph Federico: Right.
Coach Jon: It doesn't matter to me. At the end of the day, you're human and you have a story to share. Now, I will admit for those who are listening who have s I do have some that have sent me, I want you I'd be great on to come on as a guest. But you don't support my community. You ain't coming on. I'm sorry. You're not. I'm gonna put this out
Joseph Federico: No, no, no, no, no, no
Coach Jon: there. You're not coming on if you do not support the LGBTQ plus community. If you s if I No.
Joseph Federico: No, there's no time for that. This is a different world. And it's our job, it's your job as a coach to be disruptive.
Coach Jon: Exactly. Hundred percent.
Joseph Federico: We can't be, if you're for everyone, then you're for no one.
Coach Jon: Mm-hmm.
Joseph Federico: That's what I learned at the end of when I was being coached by a professional. If you're for everyone, you're for no one. You're not going to grow your business. And if you're not part of the community, even the gentleman that is a student of mine, you know, a client of mine, he is an ally. And I even, I believe I put that in the, in the intro to you copying him, just so you know, he may not be the right fit, but I think it would be interesting for the conversation. He's also in support of the LGBT. QIA + community is really not that difficult.
Coach Jon: Yeah. And that's honestly, I mean, I loved what he we're gonna chat about, but I'm also excited that he is an ally and that and I know for the what we're gonna chat about is going to speak volumes to the audience. So I already know this. like yeah.
Joseph Federico: Yeah, yeah. And he's on a different generation too. So I mean, has other experience that we don't. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah. So what warning signs tell you that a prospective client or collaboration may not be the right fit? Outside of I mean, could be just what we just talked about, but
Joseph Federico: Yeah, well, one of two, one of two signs pop up. Either they want to get sexual with me.
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: That's an immediate no. I push back immediately and say, this is not why I'm here. I contacted you or vice versa to work together on your branding, your social media and your marketing, not to hop in bed with you. That's inappropriate. You're immediately out. Up front. Absolutely. And number two, they don't show up. They miss a meeting. They push back. They don't want to do the homework. And they're a headache up to the point where they are about to sign the contract and still have more questions. I invite questions. I don't invite the headache that comes along with that. And that's where
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: my body actually starts having a physical reaction to some people within the last six months or so. that I said, this nervous system's telling you to not work with this person. You really have to listen to your body and your mind and your heart
Coach Jon: Hundred percent.
Joseph Federico: when selecting people that wanted to work with you to begin with and may not come to fruition, unfortunately, sometimes. Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Yeah. So this is a good question to follow up. How do you balance serving your clients, promoting your business, managing your personal life, and taking care of your health?
Joseph Federico: Honestly, the first three points are intertwined. Which is difficult to separate, but I've had experience in keeping... those three facets happy. As far as my physical health and staying sane, I just turned my phone off. I've finally learned 20 years later to just turn my phone off, watch True Blood or watch Growing Pains as someone had brought up. I was on another podcast talking about that over the summer
Coach Jon: Nice.
Joseph Federico: or reading a book or working on my next book. I simply just am okay with now just turning the phone off. Even on my vacation, I was on my phone at night when we had some free time. I didn't post a damn thing the whole time I was traveling. To be present in my relationship, to be present with my health, to hydrate, to enjoy what I was spending the money on while traveling is super important. And just put that damn thing down. All the messages and emails and posts will be there. when you turn it back on. It's really that simple.
Coach Jon: I agree with you a hundred percent. And I and I mean I know for a fact, unless I actually have the free time, which probably will be at night, when I, you know, travel this week, all my time is focused on my niece. She's two and a half. She is a growing human being. I want to be present hundred percent every single time I'm with her. No, not at all. Not at all.
Joseph Federico: not gonna get that time back. Exactly. No.
Coach Jon: And especially
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: because we don't live in the same state. So I have to travel to see her. And so
Joseph Federico: Mm-hmm.
Coach Jon: I know that I need to be a hundred percent present the entire time. And
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: I think being present, especially when you go on vacation, but also it's good. I mean, all of these, you know, clients, your b our businesses, our personal life, we have to we do have to in some ways, you know, do a little bit of a time management to make sure that we're not using too much energy and focus on certain areas, but on the you know, also and also obviously taking care of her health. And that means either exercising, eating right, whatever that might be,
Joseph Federico: 100%.
Coach Jon: you need to be present and the biggest proponent, honestly, yeah. Putting this down. You gotta put it down. Put I mean, whenever I go out with friends, my phone actually goes down. I don't see what's popping
Joseph Federico: Yep. mine too. Mine too.
Coach Jon: up on my screen. No.
Joseph Federico: I don't look at my phone unless a friend of mine has to take a call. Maybe a family member calls them or like an emergency, God forbid. My phone is out, but it's down and I'm
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: there. Even especially if I'm on a job and friends have become clients and vice versa. I don't scroll my phone while I'm on a paid job. I'm wearing my new
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: uniform and I'm creating content and earning the paycheck that I was assigned to, that I was paid to be there for. It's just, just turn the damn thing down. And then I
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: think, even while watching TV with my partner, I scroll, but there are certain things I really want to watch. Like let's say, this is embarrassing, but it's the truth. Watching the Halloween episodes of Roseanne. You know, I want to be president for those.
Coach Jon: they are some of the best episodes ever written. I mean, they really are. Those episodes are amazing. It's kind of like yes.
Joseph Federico: Because they come out once a year. It's a tradition. It's fun. And I want to laugh at the jokes. I want to take ideas from these old successes and report back to my own marketing and branding and see how I can relate to a different audience as well while being present and enjoying a nostalgic show. But you're right. One of the some of the best written episodes of all time.
Coach Jon: I get it. Some of the best. my gosh. I always looked forward to them. my gosh, they were so good. Well, and then funny, yeah. It is what it is. But I mean
Joseph Federico: So much fun. that's, mean, you know, it is what it is.
Coach Jon: one of the things we also try to tend to watch every year or every especially every like the during this season, during spooky season, is the Treehouse of Horror Simpsons. They're so good.
Joseph Federico: my gosh, so good, so good.
Coach Jon: So good from the beginning on. my gosh. And some of the funny thing is is some of the best ones are the very first ones. Like you go and see what they created the very beginning. You're like
Joseph Federico: yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: and you're like, wait, and you're you've been around for how many seasons? And some of the best are like at the very beginning? It's amazing. It's amazing to me.
Joseph Federico: You need about a full weekend to get through almost all of them and even a few weekdays,
Coach Jon: yeah.
Joseph Federico: because there are a lot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I've done it. We've done it in the past. We just added home improvement Halloween episodes to our watching list. We killed those this past weekend. They're good. They're really good. So a very 90s Halloween is what we're having this year. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Now I'm gonna have to go back and watch. yeah, nice, very nice. Okay,
Joseph Federico: Yeah.
Coach Jon: so I like this question. So when business becomes seasonal or slows down, how do you explore new income streams without losing focus on the heart of your brand?
Joseph Federico: more time for outreach, more time for actually being present, not focusing on other things, but actually reaching out to other members of the community, other people online that I've been following for a while, and just being palsy. That's what I do. I'm like, hey, here's who I am. I'd love to work with you. And it really is as simple as that. I don't try, I succeed in outreach. Yeah, you have to.
Coach Jon: Awesome. All right. So we've covered some important topics. And I, you know, I can't
Joseph Federico: I know, time flies.
Coach Jon: let a marketing maven and horror lover escape without a few fun rapid fire questions. These are as we
Joseph Federico: Hit me.
Coach Jon: know, these are so much I love these. I have also learned these are gonna be fun. These are gonna be not hard to think about. I've definitely challenged previous guests on some of these questions, and then I I do have a friend that actually had we had flipped the questioning and my friend was asking me the questions. And I have to admit, yeah, they can be a little challenging at times. But in this case, in what I'm gonna be asking you, these are fun. So give
Joseph Federico: Bring it on.
Coach Jon: me your first answer. No carefully planned marketing strategy allowed.
Joseph Federico: okay. All right.
Coach Jon: So, if each social media platform were a classic horror character, which one would be Dracula? Which one would be Frankenstein's monster? And who which one would be the villain who simply refuses to stay dead?
Joseph Federico: villain would be Twitter X. That's been around a long time. Frankenstein is Facebook, because it's a mishmash. It's slowly evolving, it's still learning. It can be very mean at times and lash out. I'd say Instagram, I don't think I said Instagram yet, is Ghostface, because it's classic and it works the best. I think it's the most relatable. And I'd say... LinkedIn is Michael Myers.
Coach Jon: All right.
Joseph Federico: That's what I have to say about that. Yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: Okay, so a ghost appears in your home office and offers you one piece of business of business advice from beyond the grave. Are you listening carefully, asking to see its credentials, or immedi or immediately turning the experience into a marketing campaign?
Joseph Federico: immediately turning it into a marketing campaign.
Coach Jon: I love it. Yeah. Okay.
Joseph Federico: That's that tracks for me. Yeah. Yeah.
Coach Jon: You can cast one marketing spell for every client or camper. would it create create blah. Would it create perfect content, unlimited qualified leads, or an algorithm that finally explains what it wants?
Joseph Federico: I'd say the latter, an algorithm that finally explains what it was. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Coach Jon: Amen. I'm right there with you. especially just 'cause they change so much sometimes. So it's like, can you just can you tell me why? Can you tell me what I need to do? Can you
Joseph Federico: Buckle up buttercup, unless the owner, the founder of Instagram is popping up on my feed and telling me what to do, it's an absolute crap shoot. And anyone telling you that they have figured out the algorithm is lying to you. Drop the mic. Yeah.
Coach Jon: All right. Well, as we close, what is one question you would like every listener to ask themselves when they're trying to adapt, grow, and build a career or business that still feels authentically their?
Joseph Federico: Why did you get in the business to begin with? Period. Or question mark. Yeah. Why?
Coach Jon: I I like that. I like that 100% a lot. I like that. I like that a lot. All right. Well, Joe, thank you for coming back to Empowered and Out. I know. We ca
Joseph Federico: How fun! I'm sorry it's over!
Coach Jon: I mean you and I both know we would talk we could talk for hours. And the good thing is
Joseph Federico: I can't wait. I can't wait for our training and I can't wait to come on quarterly and for everything. Yeah.
Coach Jon: Exactly. I want to thank you just for giving us, you know, an honest look at, you know, what growth really involves. You know,
Joseph Federico: Always, of course. Yeah.
Coach Jon: building a business or navigating a career is rarely a straight path. It requires creativity, resilience, healthy boundaries, supportive relationships, and the willingness to adjust when the world around us changes. Your journey reminds us that adapting does not have to mean abandoning who we are. It can mean finding new and more powerful ways to express it. I'm so grateful, as I've already said this numerous times, but I am so grateful for your support, your introductions, your encouragement, and collaboration that you have offered me throughout this past year and will continue. Community matters, particularly when we are doing work that asks us to be visible, vulnerable, and brave. So I thank you for continuing to share your experience. Your wonderful spooky creativity, especially during this time of year, and your belief that people and businesses can stand strong and shine in their own unique light.
Joseph Federico: You gave me chills. I'm absolutely grateful
Coach Jon: Yeah.
Joseph Federico: for you as well. Truly. And thank you. Yeah.
Coach Jon: You are very welcome. So, listeners, if today's
Joseph Federico: you
Coach Jon: conversation made you think about how you are adapting to change, communicating your value, or showing up more authentically in your career, I encourage you to choose one idea from this episode and put it into action. If that means setting a healthier boundary, reconnecting with someone in your professional community, trying a new marketing strategy, or thoughtfully exploring an an AI tool, or Even asking for the support you need. To learn more about Joe's work through J. Federico Marketing and Anchors to Dusk Publishing and his creative projects, follow the links included in this episode's show notes. And if you're feeling stuck, questioning your direction, or ready to build greater confidence in your next career move, send me a message with the word clarity or advit or visit. Empowered and Out Coaching to schedule a complimentary career clarity call. And make sure, of course, that you follow or subscribe to Empowered and Out, the Career Coaching Podcast, So you don't miss the conversations coming through this current season. So until next time, remember the tools, platforms, and strategies may change, but your voice, your values. And the human connections you create will always matter. Until next time.
