Shows
WDYM What Do You Mean?The Proper Channels of dealing with YPsText and Talk! Ever wonder what happens when podcast opportunity knocks but uses the wrong doorbell? Michael Gillespie opens this episode with a cautionary tale about business opportunities that don't follow proper channels. Despite tempting collaboration offers landing in his personal inbox, Michael's military background taught him to question why these potential partners bypassed his clearly posted business email. His thoughtful analysis reminds creators that legitimate opportunities typically respect established protocols.The heart of the episode dives into Michael's experiences managing "YPs" (Young People) in the workplace, painting a nuanced portrait that defies generational stereotypes...2025-07-1031 min
The Produce Retail PodcastThe Fresh Market produce manager Dan Weis and store manager Michael GillespieWe're delighted to have as our guests this week produce manager Dan Weis and store manager Michael Gillespie of The Fresh Market. In the grocery industry broadly, many companies try to be everything to every shopper, but The Fresh Market has a unique approach, focusing on premium meal solutions, special occasions, and holidays. Sampling plays a significant role, and the expectation (enabled by a collaborative culture) is that team members create a shopping experience of "impeccable hospitality." In this conversation, Michael talks about what attracted him to The Fresh Market, how he judges his own performance beyond financial metrics...2025-04-2448 minWDYM What Do You Mean?Family, Loyalty, and Bacon Sandwiches: My Life Working with the Boss LadyText and Talk! Five seemingly innocent traits can transform your coworker from just another colleague into something far more formidable—a workplace "mob boss." Drawing from his experiences with the enigmatic Cole, Michael Gillespie unveils how ordinary workplace dynamics can mirror the classic power structures of mafia movies.The fascinating character study begins with Cole's perfect cover—a genuinely loving, supportive family that masks her tremendous influence within the workplace hierarchy. As Michael recounts with equal parts humor and disbelief, this seemingly normal elder care worker commanded loyalty from her "enforcer" "Beatrice" while maintaining an unca...2025-04-1035 minWDYM What Do You Mean?When Your Dad's Friend Isn't Wearing Pants (Read it on Reddit 8)Text and Talk! Michael Gillespie dives into six wild Reddit relationship stories and offers his unfiltered advice on everything from extreme weight gain to suspicious houseguests.• A husband struggling with his wife's 500-pound weight gain and how it's affecting their family• A daughter who found a mysterious young woman in her father's house while his wife was away• A woman disappointed by new partners after experiencing an exceptional ex-boyfriend• Someone trying to recover money from an ex who owes them but won't communicate• A concerning age-gap relationship with physical restraint and controllin...2025-03-1837 min
Better Sign Shop PodcastThe "Ominous" AI Episode: AI Part 1In this episode, Bryant and Michael take a deep dive into how AI is reshaping the sign and design industry. They explore its growing impact on the creative process, discussing whether AI is a helpful tool for designers or a force that could potentially harm the industry as a whole.From automating routine tasks to enabling innovative design solutions, AI offers exciting possibilities, but it also raises critical questions about originality, ethics, and the future role of human designers. To bring theory into practice, Bryant and Michael put one of Michael’s banner designs to the test, le...2025-03-171h 07WDYM What Do You Mean?What Do You Mean, John Cena Just Went Heel ?Text and Talk! A dynamic episode highlighting John Cena's significant heel turn in WWE, discussing its implications for the wrestling community and engaging storytelling. Michael shares personal experiences in gaming, fitness, and the intricacies of friendships tied to money.• Cena's heel turn and its historical significance • Recap of the Elimination Chamber and WWE's current landscape • Personal gaming stories with lessons on perseverance • Importance of warming up and fitness strategies • Reflections on the mixture of friendship and finances • Michael's humor and relatable anecdotes enhance engagement Be Apart of the Show...2025-03-0436 min
The Reason Interview With Nick GillespieMichael Shermer: Conspiracy Thinking, Wokeness, and the Future of Free Thought"Even paranoids have real enemies," said the poet Delmore Schwartz, who was both clinically paranoid and definitely on to something, according to today's guest: Michael Shermer, the founder of Skeptic magazine, Substack superstar, and author of many best-selling books about rationalism, the evolution of morality, and pseudoscience.
He quotes Schwartz in his latest book, Conspiracy: Why the Rational Believe the Irrational, to drive home the point that big, world-changing secret plots happen all the time, but there are reliable ways for us to decide whether Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, 9/11 was an inside job, or vaccines cause auti...2025-01-2253 minWDYM What Do You Mean?WDYM it's 2025? Here's what happen in 2024Text and Talk! What if life's unpredictability could teach us invaluable lessons about gratitude, resilience, and passion? Hi! its me Michael Gillespie, we embark on a journey through the whirlwind of 2024. I recount the emotional rollercoaster of witnessing my wife's car accident, an event that left me reeling yet profoundly thankful. In the midst of navigating a challenging culinary career, I found myself at a crossroads, learning the hard way about the necessity of walking away from unfavorable situations for the sake of my own well-being.In the chaos of a new job that turned...2025-01-1434 minWDYM What Do You Mean?The Quiet Before the Storm....Text and Talk! What happens when the political tides take an unexpected turn? Kamala Harris stepping into the spotlight as the Democratic nominee has certainly stirred the political pot, and we're here to unpack this surprise with you. I'm Michael Gillespie, your host for the WDYM podcast, and alongside a journey through the tangled world of American politics, we’ll scrutinize the nuances of this decision and its implications. With Donald Trump's campaign shrouded in controversy and bizarre incidents like alleged assassination attempts, the political landscape is anything but predictable. Transitioning to a more personal not...2024-11-0621 min