Season 3, Episode 10 of the August 20 Podcast welcomes longtime friend and respected tech leader Angelo Mazzocco. After decades as a CIO, entrepreneur, and connector of people, Angelo shares his journey from “full-time geek” to trusted advisor, why retirement didn’t stick, and how relationships—not technology—have always been his real passion. DJ and Mary swap personal stories about Angelo’s impact on their careers, dig into lessons learned over 40+ years in leadership, and explore why Columbus, Ohio’s growth creates once-in-a-generation opportunities. It’s a conversation about mentorship, resilience, and the power of showing up for people.
In this lively and laughter-filled episode of Caffeine with DJ, the crew dives into the surprisingly creative and resourceful ways you can move more—even with a desk job. As April marks “Move More Month,” DJ, Mary, Beth, and Gabe get personal about how they’ve built movement into their days without leaving their workspaces behind.
Gabe Sheeley takes center stage with a deep-dive into his DIY walking desk—complete with a treadmill, foam blocks, hardwood flooring, duct-taped camera setups, and a vitamin D lamp. From balancing on BOSU balls to managing plantar fasciitis and breaking exercise bands, Gabe’s story is both hilarious and inspiring.
The conversation weaves through:
The myth of “just standing” vs. actually moving
DIY movement hacks with household items
How mindset shifts lead to healthier habits
Why micro-movement matters more than marathons
What ginger beer, fishing rods, and massive coffee mugs have to do with staying active
Whether you’re an engineer with a knack for contraptions or someone just trying to drink more water and stretch occasionally, this episode is packed with small wins and practical advice.
👉 So grab your coffee (or your ginger ale), stand up, and join us for an episode that proves sitting all day isn’t your only option.
🎧 Listen now and get inspired to move more—no tools required.
In this energizing and heartfelt episode of Caffeine with DJ, DJ Daugherty, Mary Kaufmann, and Beth Shaheen tackle the theme of "Move More Month" with stories, science, and a little bit of sweat. The trio dives into the real reasons movement matters—from improving productivity and brain health to fighting off chronic disease and preserving independence. Mary opens up about her personal transformation from chronic pain to CrossFit warrior, while Beth shares how exercise grounds her both mentally and creatively. DJ offers his usual blend of humor and honesty as he admits to struggling with fitness habits, but also reflects on the motivation he finds in causes like Pelotonia and friendly competition.
Listeners will hear about:
The surprising health and productivity benefits of movement—even in short bursts
Practical tips for staying active in a desk-bound world (with more coming in future episodes)
The cultural perspective that “movement is life” from Mary’s travels to New Zealand
How peer accountability, habit stacking, and even small friction reducers can jumpstart consistent action
The value of setting meaningful goals and becoming the kind of person who lives them out
From pull-up competitions to power-up mishaps, the conversation weaves between light-hearted moments and deeply personal reflections. Whether you're looking to reclaim your health, sharpen your mind, or just get moving again, this episode offers both inspiration and tactical advice to help you break the sedentary cycle.
Key Quote:
"If you want more out of life, you’ve got to move." — Mary Kaufmann
In Season 3, Episode 9 of the augustwenty podcast, the team dives into James Clear’s bestselling book, Atomic Habits, exploring how small, consistent changes can lead to massive personal and professional growth.
New team member Eric Juang kicks off the discussion, sharing how his brother’s annual habit of re-reading the book inspired him to adopt it as a toolkit for self-improvement. Co-hosts DJ Daugherty, Mary Kaufmann, and Beth Shaheen reflect on their own experiences with building and maintaining habits, from morning routines to productivity hacks.
The group unpacks key themes from the book, such as: •Focusing on identity over goals (e.g., “Be a runner,” not just “Run a marathon”) •The importance of systems over outcomes •The power of being just 1% better every day •Making habits obvious, attractive, easy, and satisfying •How even micro-changes—like charging headphones or prepping a pan—can reduce friction and support momentum
Real-life examples range from fitness routines and journaling practices to using tools like Obsidian for digital note-taking and visual habit trackers for accountability. Mary shares how Atomic Habits has influenced workshops with top-level executives, and DJ reflects on how misinterpretations of the “1% better” principle have impacted team dynamics.
The episode wraps with the idea that inspiration, not just discipline, is the key to sustaining meaningful change—both for individuals and organizations.
https://jamesclear.com/marginal-gains
In this episode, the team dives into how individuals and businesses can thrive under pressure, drawing parallels with March Madness and the intense moments seen in college basketball. Hosted by DJ Daugherty and Mary Kaufmann, the episode opens with some lighthearted technical difficulties and behind-the-scenes chaos—setting the tone for a very on-theme discussion.
Joining them are Beth Shaheen, Derek Nixon, Matthew Righter, and Gabe Sheeley, making it one of the largest podcast groups they’ve hosted to date. They explore high-stakes moments in business—how teams handle them, the role of team morale, decision-making under stress, and how preparation makes a difference.
Key highlights include:
Throughout, the episode blends humor, vulnerability, and insight—making it a compelling conversation for anyone navigating pressure in the workplace.
Welcome to Season 3, Episode 7 of the Augustwenty Podcast! In this lively and thought-provoking episode, DJ Daugherty, Beth Shaheen, and Mary Kaufmann kick off the month with a unique twist on “March Madness”—this time, it’s all about the chaos and unpredictability in the workplace.
Drawing parallels between NCAA basketball and business life, the team dives into how leaders can navigate high-pressure environments, unpredictable challenges, and internal team dynamics. They explore everything from mindfulness in the workplace to communication breakdowns, team accountability, and even the psychology of obsession and perfectionism.
Expect real talk, laughter, personal stories (including St. Patrick’s Day birthdays and parenting challenges), plus some deep reflection on leadership, growth, and staying calm in the storm. And yes—there’s even a shoutout to a listener from the country of Georgia!
This episode is as energizing as it is insightful—whether you’re a business leader, team player, or just someone trying to survive the madness of the modern workplace.
Listen in and learn:
In this lively and heartfelt episode, the team—DJ, Mary, Beth, and special guest Emma—dig into what it means to show up in the world (and at work) as your authentic self. Emma, a college senior and intern at augustwenty, shares her journey of switching majors from anthropology to marketing, explaining how she discovered her true passions by embracing her natural strengths, humor, and curiosity. Along the way, the conversation turns lighthearted with anecdotes of father-daughter banter, family quirks, and comedic tales from Emma’s college years.
Beyond the laughs, the group covers important ground on the challenges of working in teams, especially when everyone’s commitment level differs. Emma highlights her volunteer work with Sparkles at Ohio University—an inclusive cheerleading squad—reflecting on how this experience taught her the importance of open-mindedness, positive energy, and genuine connection. Mary and Beth chime in with their own professional insights, emphasizing how welcoming others to speak up, valuing diverse perspectives, and leading with kindness can create healthier, more productive team environments. Throughout, DJ’s playful but proud dad banter keeps the conversation real and entertaining.
Key Takeaways:
Tune in for a candid, humor-filled conversation that reminds us courage isn’t just about grand gestures—it’s about daring to show up as the person you really are, every single day.
In this first Caffeine episode of 2025, DJ kicks off Season 3 alongside familiar voices Eric, Daniel, and Mary. The group dives into a lively discussion about Claude Code, a command-line tool from Anthropic that integrates large language models (LLMs) directly with your local development environment. Eric and Daniel share their hands-on experiences, describing how Claude Code can open files, make edits, run tests, and iterate on solutions—all while prompting the user for permission at each step. They’re especially excited about how Claude Code’s larger context window (via Anthropic’s latest Claude model) provides deeper insight into complex codebases and aids in tasks like test-driven development.
Mary joins to highlight her broader use of LLMs for productivity, such as quickly generating presentation materials or summarizing large documents. Though she typically works outside hardcore coding, Mary’s input underscores how LLMs can save hours of repetitive effort in any domain. Throughout the conversation, the hosts examine the trust factor—acknowledging that while LLMs accelerate work, you still need a human-in-the-loop for final reviews, critical thinking, and error checking.
As the episode wraps up, they look ahead to the future of engineering roles, emphasizing that LLMs won’t replace senior developers but will shift day-to-day responsibilities toward providing context, shaping requirements, and verifying AI outputs. They also tease further explorations and promise a follow-up discussion to see how Claude Code—and the broader AI landscape—continues to evolve in the weeks ahead.
The podcast episode features hosts DJ Daugherty, Mary Kaufmann, and Beth Shaheen as they welcome special guests from Hope House Detroit, including founders Gary and Becky Gentry, along with team members Jess Brown and Riley Chowning. The episode, titled The Courage to Have Hope, explores the mission and impact of Hope House, an organization dedicated to supporting children and young people in Detroit through mentorship, education, job training, and community engagement.
Gary and Becky share the origins of Hope House, which began as a simple effort to be good neighbors in a Detroit community. Initially, their presence sparked curiosity among local children, especially when they installed a basketball hoop, which became a natural gathering space. Over time, they developed programs based on the needs of the kids, including literacy initiatives, mentorship groups, and job training.
Jess and Riley, who were drawn to Hope House through their own personal journeys, discuss how the organization has evolved, emphasizing the importance of relationships in their work. They highlight success stories, including young people who have grown up through Hope House’s programs and now return to give back. A particularly moving story is shared about a young man named Jadair, who took on the responsibility of caring for his younger siblings, found a home at Hope House, and is now attending college.
The team also discusses the broader vision of Hope House, including their work with a local school, the expansion of programming, and a new Hope House location in Montgomery, Alabama. They emphasize the importance of ongoing community support through prayer, donations, volunteering, and internships.
The conversation concludes with a powerful message that anyone with a home can create a Hope House—by simply being a good neighbor and supporting those in need. The team invites listeners to visit, get involved, and experience the power of real, crazy love firsthand.
Visit Hope House Detroit.
In this episode of the augustwenty Podcast, hosts DJ Daugherty, Mary Kaufmann, and Beth Shaheen explore the connection between courage, curiosity, and lifelong learning. Inspired by a conversation with DJ’s brother-in-law, they discuss the power of asking “What if?” and “Why not?” to spark innovation and growth. Through personal stories, they highlight how embracing the unknown, applying knowledge, and fostering a mindset of continuous learning leads to both personal and professional success. They also stress the importance of balancing curiosity with action, avoiding analysis paralysis, and creating environments that encourage others to learn and innovate. Ultimately, staying curious and courageous is key to solving problems, seizing opportunities, and making a meaningful impact.
Podcast Summary – Season 3, Episode 2
In this episode, host DJ Daugherty and new co-host Beth Shaheen welcome guest Jesse Boulard. The episode is both a celebration and a farewell, as Jesse marks his two-year anniversary with augustwenty while also announcing his departure to pursue a passion project.
Jesse’s Next Venture: A Music Discovery App Jesse is leaving to develop a music discovery platform designed to match people based on the emotional impact of music. He shares his personal journey of discovering music that truly moves him and how his app will help others find songs that elicit strong emotional reactions.
His approach goes beyond traditional recommendation algorithms used by platforms like Spotify or Pandora. Instead, his technology utilizes EDA sensors (electrodermal activity sensors) in smartwatches to measure emotional responses in real-time. The software will track physical reactions like goosebumps or emotional spikes and use them to find like-minded listeners who may introduce new, impactful songs.
The Challenges & Risks
Support & Encouragement
DJ and Beth praise Jesse’s courage to take the leap, noting how many people dream of pursuing a passion project but never act on it. Jesse explains that he strategically saved money for years to ensure financial stability before making the jump. While some family members are skeptical, his wife is supportive.
Future Plans & Testing
Jesse hopes to involve augustwenty colleagues in beta testing and believes the software developer community may have similar emotional reactions to music. He’s open to potential collaborations in the future, either hiring former coworkers or returning if needed.
Closing Thoughts Jesse thanks augustwenty for the support and expresses excitement about the future. The hosts encourage listeners to follow Jesse’s journey and express interest in a follow-up episode in six months to check on his progress.
In this premiere episode of the new season, Mary and DJ dive into the theme of “working smarter, not harder,” covering a variety of personal strategies for boosting organization and productivity. They emphasize the importance of prioritization—knowing what to say no to so you can say a deeper yes to your top goals. Mary describes her Trello-based workflow, DJ highlights his trusty notebook system, and both agree that small, effective tactics (like using timers or automating repetitive tasks) can make a big impact. They also touch on the value of a good morning mindset, reflection, and consistent, incremental improvements—all while sharing entertaining, real-life stories of success (and a little frustration) along the way.
In this podcast episode, the augustwenty team — DJ, Mary, and Beth — hosts two guests from the Riverview International Center (RIC) in Columbus, Ohio: Executive Director Emelia and Community Care Coordinator Hamida. Emelia explains how RIC began in a tiny apartment helping immigrant women with everyday needs, eventually growing into a nonprofit that now serves over 1,800 people a year from dozens of countries. Hamida shares her personal story of moving to the U.S. from Algeria through the Diversity Visa Lottery, revealing the challenges her family faced in adapting to a new language and culture. Together, they describe RIC’s range of services, from job readiness classes and community care (like enrolling children in Medicaid) to helping credentialed professionals navigate the path toward working in their fields. Throughout the conversation, the hosts and guests emphasize the importance of resilience, trust, and the power of community support—underscoring how RIC’s “small but mighty” team of nine staff and over 200 volunteers has transformed countless immigrant and refugee lives in central Ohio.
In this episode of the augustwenty podcast, DJ and Mary discuss the importance of celebrating successes—large and small—and how such recognition fuels ongoing motivation. They explore the evolving nature of what feels like a “win” as a company matures, the differences in how individuals respond to praise, and why continuous encouragement matters for team morale. The hosts agree that everyone needs some form of acknowledgment, but it must be authentic, purposeful, and tailored to individual motivators. Ultimately, they emphasize balancing meaningful recognition with maintaining forward momentum, ensuring that even minor victories act as fuel to achieve bigger goals.
In this episode of the August 20 Podcast, DJ Daugherty and Mary Kaufmann are joined by Scott Hubble, former CEO of NuCamp RV and founder of Awaken RV, to explore the journey of pursuing ambitious goals and embracing the risks required to achieve them. Scott shares his story of taking calculated leaps, from revitalizing the teardrop trailer market to launching his own innovative venture in fiberglass travel trailers. The discussion highlights the importance of passion, resilience, and community in overcoming setbacks and transforming bold ideas into reality. Packed with actionable insights and inspiration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to aim higher and take meaningful risks.
In this podcast episode, the hosts discuss the concept of "FAIL" (First Attempt in Learning), emphasizing the importance of a growth mindset and resilience. Mark Tremayne shares his journey from a finance career to education, reflecting on how failure and risk-taking shaped his path. DJ and Mary Kaufmann also contribute their perspectives on learning through failure, recalling personal experiences that helped them grow. They explore the significance of creating environments that encourage learning and risk-taking, both in educational settings and beyond.
They discuss pivotal moments that inspired their journeys, from high school experiences to impactful teachers who instilled the belief that failure is part of the learning process. They highlight the importance of encouraging others to take risks and learn from their mistakes. The conversation touches on strategies for inspiring others, including fostering self-efficacy, providing feedback, and creating opportunities for exploration.
The episode concludes with reflections on how creating a supportive environment and celebrating small successes can lead to personal growth and lifelong learning. Mark emphasizes that investing in others is key to achieving collective success. The hosts also discuss their experiences working with students and their passion for helping them embrace failure as a learning opportunity.
In this episode, the augustwenty team celebrates their fourth consecutive "Best Places to Work" recognition. The lively discussion highlights the company's culture of transparency, trust, and continuous learning. Founders DJ and Angela reflect on their journey from humble beginnings to building a thriving organization centered on collaboration and employee satisfaction.
The team shares personal anecdotes, including favorite moments like DJ’s infamous blow-up Santa suit at holiday events and their shared passion for solving challenging problems. Employee feedback underscores the importance of flexibility, meaningful work, and a supportive community, all of which make augustwenty a standout workplace.
The episode blends humor, reflection, and gratitude, offering listeners insights into what it takes to create a world-class company culture.
In this lively episode, hosts DJ and Mary Kaufmann, joined by guests Corey Shields, Derek Nixon, Gabe Sheeley, and Jed Duffy, tackled the challenge of sharing 50 tech and productivity tips in 60 minutes. The group covered a wide range of topics, from essential coding practices like mastering `git add -p` and using VS Code extensions, to team-focused strategies such as giving constructive feedback and documenting onboarding processes.
Key takeaways included the importance of defensive programming, the value of learning foundational languages like C, and practical advice for improving workflows with keyboard shortcuts and aliases. The team also emphasized soft skills like encouraging teammates and staying disciplined in solving problems. With humor, rapid-fire insights, and a few creative twists (like pickleball tips), this episode offered actionable advice for developers and tech professionals alike.
In this podcast episode, DJ Daugherty, Mary Kaufmann, and guest Nish Gandhi from augustwenty discuss essential steps to start a software development project on the right track. They cover key topics like setting clear objectives, aligning stakeholders, and building an effective team to ensure a smooth project kickoff.
Nish, an expert in delivery and client engagement, shares his insights on what makes a successful project launch. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the client’s vision, gathering requirements, and setting clear expectations from the start. By asking the right questions, such as the client's goals, cultural expectations, and anticipated value, teams can avoid missteps and begin adding value immediately.
The team highlights the importance of communication, listening, and relationship-building to keep everyone aligned and motivated. Mary adds that providing clarity and setting a clear communication process is key. Meanwhile, DJ brings in the analogy of planning for a road trip, comparing it to the necessary steps in a project setup—like mapping the journey, setting roles, and anticipating potential challenges.
They also explore how to manage constraints like time and budget, and the need for iterative development to adapt as new information arises. This method allows teams to pivot and refine their work as they receive feedback, ultimately helping clients achieve the outcomes they truly need, even if those evolve from the original idea.
Augustwenty’s methodology emphasizes the importance of continuous communication and delivery-focused teamwork. They encourage other teams to prioritize clarity, ask insightful questions, and collaborate closely with clients to deliver maximum value.
In this podcast episode, DJ and Mary Kaufmann discuss key insights from August 20's journey and its approach to building a world-class consulting company. The hosts reflect on their hiring and onboarding processes, including how they strive to create a human-centered experience rather than a transactional one. With Scott Houston, a key player in recruitment, they unpack the intricacies of their hiring philosophy, which focuses on relationship-building rather than solely technical expertise.
The conversation touches on the importance of balancing technical skills with soft (or "power") skills, emphasizing that collaboration, problem-solving, and communication are at the heart of the team's success. They explore how August 20 nurtures talent by identifying potential and guiding individuals through a thoughtful process that allows them to grow, evolve, and take on new challenges.
Scott shares his perspective on their technical interview process, which is designed to be flexible and empowering for candidates. Rather than focusing on high-pressure tests, August 20 focuses on assessing problem-solving abilities and cultural fit.
They also discuss the onboarding process, which immerses new hires in the company's core philosophy, built on continuous improvement and client-centered work. It provides structure and support through a collaborative, guided journey, helping new employees feel a sense of belonging, purpose, and contribution right from the start.
Overall, the podcast gives an inside look at how August 20's approach to hiring and onboarding goes beyond the typical corporate processes by focusing on meaningful engagement, mentorship, and long-term growth for both the company and its team members.