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Fred Stein has produced nearly 3,000 major events, including Philadelphia’s 300th anniversary, the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution, Pope Francis’ visit to Philadelphia and two Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl parades. Stein is managing a health condition that affects his speech, so listeners may notice pauses or vocal difficulties during the conversation. He appreciates your patience during the recording.

In this episode of What One Thing, Stein joins host Devin Montgomery Pasha to explore how his early career in journalism shaped his approach to event production. He shares why research, personal stories and audience participation remain at the center of his work, whether he is producing an intimate gathering or an event attended by millions.

Stein also reflects on the unexpected moments that can define an experience, the responsibility of representing diverse communities and the sense of accomplishment that has kept him inspired throughout his career.

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In this episode of What One Thing?, JT Long speaks with Falon Veit, founder and CEO of EES Agency, about why extraordinary event strategy begins with human connection. Veit reflects on her 26-year career in live events, the skills emerging professionals need beyond logistics and the role psychological safety plays in creating stronger employee, client and attendee experiences. Her one thing: Business only moves at the speed of human connection.

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In this episode of What One Thing, host JT Long sits down with Mark Herrera, president and chief security strategist at Global Awareness Professionals, to discuss what it really means to build safer, better-prepared teams. Drawing from a career that has included work as an EMT, police sergeant, SWAT officer, human resources representative, flight deck instructor and director of safety and security, Herrera shares why real security begins long before a crisis happens.

His guiding lesson is simple but powerful: people do not rise to the occasion; they fall back on their level of training. For meeting professionals, that means preparation, awareness and team trust are not optional extras. They are the foundation for keeping people safe when seconds matter.

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What does it really mean to be original?

In this episode of What One Thing?, Sophia Abramchuk, founder of the Originate Institute, shares why the most powerful ideas are not created from scratch; they are uncovered. Inspired by the work of Antoni Gaudí, she explores how returning to the problem's origins can unlock more meaningful, human-centered solutions.

From rethinking event networking to designing deeper connections, this conversation offers a practical framework for planners who want to move beyond surface-level experiences and create something that truly resonates.

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In this episode of What One Thing?, leadership coach and Paralympian John Register challenges the idea that success comes from doing more. Instead, he introduces “amputate to elevate”, the practice of letting go of what no longer serves you to perform at a higher level.

From redefining authority as building others up to embracing strategic breaks over constant grind, this conversation is a powerful reminder that growth comes from subtraction, not addition.

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In this episode of What One Thing?, host Devon Montgomery Pasha, CMP, CED, talks with world champion Irish dancers Michael and Matthew Gardiner, known globally as The Gardiner Brothers, whose viral performances have reached millions online while bringing traditional Irish dance to modern audiences.

The brothers share how discipline, creativity and innovation shaped their journey from competitive dancers to global performers, content creators and keynote speakers. When the pandemic shut down live performance, they pivoted to digital platforms, a move that helped them build a worldwide brand by blending tradition with modern music, storytelling and collaboration.

They discuss the habits and mindset behind their success, including the belief that hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard, and reflect on what it means to run a business together while continuing to evolve their careers.

The conversation also explores how their work in live events and keynote speaking grew naturally from performance, and how storytelling, rhythm and curiosity can help audiences connect, adapt and think differently. At its core, the episode focuses on growth, resilience and the willingness to redefine yourself when the path changes.

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The ROI of Joy

In this episode of What One Thing, host Devon Montgomery Pasha speaks with Liz Lathan, CMP, co-founder of Club Ichi, about the power of community, curiosity and human connection in the meetings industry.

With a career that spans global event marketing roles at companies like Dell and IBM, Lathan has long believed that the most meaningful business outcomes come from environments where people feel comfortable connecting authentically. Through Club Ichi, she has created a community where experiential learning, collaboration and creativity take center stage, often through unconventional formats that encourage participation and shared discovery.

During the conversation, Lathan reflects on how her engineering-style curiosity and willingness to ask questions helped her rethink traditional event structures and focus on designing moments that bring people together. Whether it’s reimagining networking or creating spaces where attendees can contribute ideas and solve problems collectively, her approach centers on one simple truth: relationships drive results.

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America’s 250th anniversary isn’t just a historic milestone. It is a major opportunity for event professionals to create experiences that bring people together and tell stories that actually stick.

In this episode, Smart Meetings’ VP JT Long sits down with Melinda Curley, vice president of customer experience at Hargrove, and Johanna Walsh, vice president of event production at Encore, to talk about what planners should be thinking about now. From tight timelines and rising demand to infrastructure, permitting and budget realities, they share practical advice for getting ahead of the 2026 surge.

But the real opportunity goes beyond logistics. The most memorable events, they explain, will be the ones grounded in authentic storytelling, whether that means highlighting local history, cultural identity or imagining what the next 250 years could look like.

The one thing: start early, be intentional and create moments that make attendees feel like they are part of something bigger.

Episode: “Planning for America 250: Strategy, Storytelling and Scale” (Season 4, Ep. 47)

Release date: February 26, 2026 • Length: 13:46
Host: JT Long (VP, Smart Meetings)
Guests: Melinda Curley (VP, Customer Experience, Hargrove) + Johanna Walsh (VP, Event Production, Encore)
Source: Buzzsprout episode page (Smart Meetings) — https://www.buzzsprout.com/2087892/episodes/18748041