Welcome to 5 Bites – a weekly serving of bite-sized insights across Business, Life, Technology, and Transformations—built for leaders, learners, and curious minds who want faster takeaways that stick and ignite something explosive 🧨

This edition still has a dash of wedding energy in it. I’m calling it Rockin’, Rollin’, and Revealin’. All that music from the dance floor is still echoing in my head—plus, the 4th of July holiday brought its own soundtrack of beachy, boaty jams. So, this week, we’re letting the music do the talking (and maybe the teaching, too).

Want me to read it to you?? -👂 Listen to the Audio Version on Apple or Spotify👂

🎵 B – Business: It’s My Job

A favorite song written by 10 Time CMA Musician of the Year – Mac McAnally and often was performed by his good buddy, Jimmy Buffett

I overheard two guys the other day trashing the service at a fast-food restaurant—slow service, low energy, no critical thinking. You know the vibe…and you know all of us have said or at least thought similar negative things…

But I found myself wondering: What exactly do you expect for what we’re paying?

I mean… let’s be honest. Fast food barely qualifies as food anymore.

Most of the people working those jobs are making just enough to maybe afford rent and a ride to work—if that. God forbid they afford any kind of discretionary item. I imagine it’s hard to bring energy, pride, or creative thinking when life feels like a trap.

So here are the questions I have:

Should we lower our expectations? Should people have more pride in their work? Should we hate the system?

Here’s my thought(s) and answer(s):

DTE – Default to Empathy…you’ve heard me talk about this before (and for the record, I’m working on this…not perfected)…but we gotta try…we gotta try to not think everyone else are such assholes…

OK, back to it…we should expect to see effort, AND PRIDE IN WORK sure. But lead our responses (not reactions) with understanding. It’s easy to critique someone else’s performance from the comfort of your own stability.

And maybe—just maybe—we should stop supporting businesses that can’t support their own front line.

The food’s shitty for you anyway.

As for everyone in every job that they have…you gotta take pride in your work…and think about how your work is effecting others…

Mac’s song…It’s my job…has a few good reminder lines…

🎧 “If street-sweepers can smile then I’ve got no right to feel upset.”

“It’s my job to be cleaning up this mess And that’s enough reason to go for me…It’s my job to be better than the rest..And that makes the day for me”

— Mac McAnally

► Listen on Apple Music | ► Listen on Spotify

❤️ L – Life: Formerly Important Person

I heard this phrase recently from a friend and retired exec named Mario Apruzzese, CPA

“Formerly Important Person here!”

I laughed out loud… but in a way, it got me thinking…long-term thinking…

He was the CEO and founder of his company, known by every business leader in Detroit, the President of Detroit Athletic Club…you name it.

Titles fade. Bank accounts can dwindle (or get transferred to your trust😘). But your worth? That doesn’t expire—unless you decide it does.

What I loved about Mario was his attitude of this chapter of his life…the one he calls FIP…

He wasn’t bitter or trying to hold onto a past version of himself. He was fully embracing the FIP label. Retired, happy, loving on his grandkids—and totally comfortable being a Formerly Important Person…and in the lives of his family and those who admire him – He’s MVP!

Here’s the potentially uncomfortable mirror:

Where are we getting our value from?

If it’s only from a title or our LinkedIn bio… we’re in for a crash. Better to root our worth in something eternal. Or at least something internal.

Even though being a FIP doesn’t necessarily mean someone isn’t successful anymore, and it certainly doesn’t apply to Mario….it still reminded me of that Jimmy Buffett song and lyric: 🎶 “I used to have money one time…”. Go ahead and replace the word money with fame or being a household name in the business community…

🎧 Listen on Apple Music | Listen on Spotify

💻 T – Technology: Meet People Where They Are…Technically Speaking

It hit me in church last week.

Some churches feel like time machines…Others feel like home.

It doesn’t have to be anything overbearing. Sometimes, it’s the little things—clear signage, a warm smile, a greeter who makes eye contact…or something so simple –> that screen with the song lyrics.

And that last one? That’s the difference that stood out to me most.

The churches that put the lyrics up are saying:

“We thought about you being here.”

That tiny act is actually a big gesture. It shows they’re building for the visitor—not just for the regulars.

Same rule applies in business. If we want people to follow—whether it’s a congregation, a customer, or a colleague—we’ve got to meet them where they are first.

So, let’s ask ourselves:

Are we designing experiences for US, or for THEM?

What can I do to make it easier for them to reach a place of trust and understanding?

Heck, what can I do to make them feel 10% more cared for?

💡 N – Noteworthy Insight: I Ain’t Worried About It

This one is from Zac Brown Band

I heard it for the first time over the weekend—and it caught me enough to listen again… and then go back and read the lyrics.

It’s catchy, sure—but more than that, it’s honest. Grounded might even be a way to describe it. Even a little rebellious—in a good way.

Zac sings:

“Some folks are so broke / All they got is money.”

We’ve all seen it—and maybe even been there.

Flashy car. Expensive watch. Empty life.

If you’re looking for a north star in your business or your family, maybe it’s this line from the song:

“All that matters is love, love, love, love, love.”

(Not just the lyric—real love. Actionable love. Consistent love. BTW – Wasn’t there a guy who talked about this a couple thousand years ago? 😉)

When I think about this it is what’s at our core??

Zac keeps driving it home:

“Ohh this life is really whatever you make it. There’s so much good in the world for the taking. Just take a look at the sky up above. All that matters is love love love love love.”

He’s not preaching from a pedestal—he’s singing (and hopefully living) from a place of alignment:

“People keep trying to tell me how to live…I’m just over here, runnin’ out of fucks to give…I ain’t worried about it.”

I don’t hear that as apathy. I hear it as clarity. Maybe even peace.

Because when your values, your people, and your purpose are in sync…

You don’t need the noise. Or the flash.

Check out Jay Rifenbary: Your Core Four in Corporate Leadership & Leading Teams

So, what about us?

• What are our core values?
• What principles guide the way we lead, love, and live?
• And maybe more importantly—would the people closest to us say the same about our answers here?

🎧 Listen on Apple Music | Listen on Spotify

🔁 T – Transformation: What Other People Think of Me is None of My Business

Sounds like something off a Hallmark card—or maybe a TikTok therapist—but it actually came from Katy Perry, quoting her own counselor.

At first, it feels reckless for a business leader.

But the more I sit with it, the more I realize:

• You can’t be courageous and consensus-driven at the same time.
• You’re not called to be universally liked.
• You’re called to be grounded—in purpose, in truth, and in doing what’s right.

Let them gossip. Let them project. (Remember some Let Them talk….? — Mel Robbins Media, Motivational Speaking & Coaching )

Stay rooted.

And remember…

❤️“I good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me” – Stuart Smally ❤️

🎬 That’s a Wrap

Thanks for rockin’ through another edition of Five Bites with me.

If you’ve got a favorite lyric that fuels your mindset, I’d love to hear it—send it my way or drop it in the comments. You might just be featured in a future issue.

I’ve got a few more music-minded reflections coming in future editions…

• Jimmy Buffett’s “Useless but important information” – about hunches, rumors, premonitions, and more…
• A follow-up to BLTnT guest Sandy Gennaro’s thoughts on “God Winks” – Episode 28
• And some unexpected nuggets still strumming around in my head

And if you’re loving this rhythm, there’s more where that came from:

👉 www.BLTnT.com

Excelsior!

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This edition was proudly sponsored by Auxiom.

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About 5 Bites

5 Bites is a weekly serving of bite-sized insights across Business, Life, Technology, and Transformations—built for leaders, learners, and curious minds who want faster takeaways that stick and ignite something explosive 🧨