The EventTalk

In this episode of The EventTalk Podcast, Delaney Henry shares how growing up in the radio world alongside her father shaped her storytelling instincts and love for live experiences. She takes us behind the scenes of unforgettable desert activations—from aviation-inspired experiences featuring a plane in the desert for Ironman to exclusive, high-end house tours of Frank Sinatra’s and Elvis Presley’s iconic Palm Springs homes. It’s a look at how creativity, history, and bold ideas come together to produce truly memorable events.

In this episode of The EventTalk Podcast, Jose Moreno shares how a conversation with Gerry McGuire inspired him to play college baseball and ultimately build a career across professional sports—from the NBA to GCU, the Fiesta Bowl, and now Pickleball. He gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the Fiesta Bowl kept players and coaches engaged during COVID, including showcasing Arizona through unique experiences—one hike even featuring an unexpected rattlesnake encounter. Jose also talks about how sports experiences continue to evolve and what excites him most about the future of fan engagement.

In this episode, we sit down with Stacey to explore how growing up in the world of magic sparked a lifelong passion for creativity and turned her into a true serial entrepreneur. From launching and running a unique event space in North Scottsdale to producing one of the largest multi-day, on-stage productions in the state, Stacey shares what it takes to bring big visions to life. As the Executive Director of Miss Arizona and Miss Arizona Teen, she gives us a behind-the-scenes look at leading large-scale events, empowering young women, and balancing entrepreneurship with high-impact production.

In this episode, Dave and Rachel sit down with Cecilia, founder of Miss 7x7 in San Francisco, to talk about their shared beginnings in event planning at Arizona Athletics and how those early experiences shaped their careers. Cecilia shares her journey from Executive Assistant to Director of Supply Chain—and why she ultimately knew she needed something more creative, leading her to launch Miss 7x7. From immersive client experiences like It’s a Bug’s Life and Monopoly-themed events to designing unforgettable moments for C-suite executives, this conversation is full of inspiration, career pivots, and fun behind-the-scenes stories.

In this episode of tThe EventTalk Podcast, Tyler Garlej gives us a behind-the-lens look at the world of event photography—sharing what really happens when the lights, the chaos, and the unexpected moments collide. From capturing the magic of live events to navigating surprises no photographer could plan for, Tyler dives into stories that are equal parts insightful and hilarious—including one unforgettable moment where the best shot was the one nobody wanted to remember… or have photographed at all.

On this episode of The EventTalk Podcast, we sit down with Jess McClain, an Olympic-level marathon runner who also is the Executive Director of the #LoveUp Foundation, where she creates life-changing experiences for foster children. Jess shares her journey from competing at the highest levels of sport to designing meaningful events that leave lasting memories. From improving the attendee experience at large-scale events to crafting moments of joy and connection for children in foster care, she gives us an inside look at how passion, purpose, and planning come together to make every experience unforgettable.

Tommy Nast shares how storytelling, sound, and timing have shaped every chapter of his career—and how he’s had a front row seat to some of the most unforgettable moments in live entertainment. From tech mishaps and backstage chaos to witnessing pure magic on stage, his stories capture the heartbeat of what makes this industry so electric. It’s music, mayhem, and major inspiration for anyone who loves the world of live events.

Episode 9 of The EventTalk Podcast – Hot Mics, Cold Drinks & Untold Disasters takes us back to the University of Arizona with Jill Hall, Rachel’s very first mentor in events. From epic tailgates and Hall of Fame celebrations to laugh-out-loud moments with Wilbur the Wildcat (and even a time when cat litter saved the day), Jill and Rachel reminisce about the unforgettable UA family. They also dive into the Territorial Cup—the oldest rivalry trophy in college football—and the chaos of seating charts that only event pros can truly appreciate.

Episode 8 of The EventTalk Podcast – Hot Mics, Cold Drinks & Untold Disasters features Emily Sadler, whose journey started with her working for a restaurant doing MLB spring training catering and when the restaurant how Dave first supported her early in her career change. When that chapter closed, Emily carved her own path into the business she thrives in today. From her commitment to sobriety as a cornerstone of her work, to wild buffet-line stories, to navigating interesting government job requests as a team, Emily shares it all with class—and just the right amount of sass.

On this episode of The EventTalk Podcast – Hot Mics, Cold Drinks & Untold Disasters, we sit down with Cameron Meyer, a professional artist and engraver/calligrapher who proves that no surface is safe from her creative touch. From glass to metal to unexpected canvases, Cameron shares the artistry and precision behind her craft. Plus, she tells a hilarious story about a nib and a surprising call she made to save the day when she needed something from home while setting up for an event. It’s a conversation full of creativity, quick thinking, and unforgettable moments.

What a blast with Elisabeth Irwin of Pop of Color on The EventTalk Podcast – Hot Mics, Cold Drinks & Untold Disasters! This episode took us inside the colorful, larger-than-life world of balloon art—from wild freeway balloon mishaps to jaw-dropping creations like 8-foot balloon dogs. Elisabeth shared behind-the-scenes stories of the artistry, chaos, and creativity that bring her balloon installations to life, plus her bucket-list dreams of decorating a private jet and designing Nordstrom’s iconic Christmas trees. It’s a conversation full of big ideas, bold color, and plenty of laughs.

What a ride with Lisa Cyr the co-ower and producer of Arizona Bike Week on The EventTalk Podcast - Hot Mics, Cold Drinks & Untold Disasters! This episode took us behind the scenes of Arizona Bike Week—from the incredible, kind hearted crowds it draws, to the legendary rock bands like KORN that have hit the stage. Lisa shared stories about camping onsite and hilarious stories of artist riders. She also gave us the inside scoop on what it was like to bring Arizona Bike Week back as the first live concert in the Valley post-COVID. If you love live music, big events, and a few wild stories, this one’s a must-listen!

PART 2 - In this episode of The EventTalk Podcast, we sit down with powerhouse duo Joy Johnson—event planner —and Eddie Johnson—NBA veteran, sports broadcaster, and dynamic speaker.From the courts to the event stage, Joy and Eddie share how they’ve turned their unique experiences into unforgettable events. They talk about blending strategy with style, what it takes to create moments that matter, and the unexpected curveballs (and clients) that still catch them off guard. From managing the unique pressures of public life to building a business that blends purpose and professionalism, this episode dives into the dynamics of marriage with an NBA player—on and off the court. Joy and Eddie Johnson share how they support one another in the event world and beyond, using their individual strengths to create experiences that matter. They open up about the kinds of events today’s athletes really want to be part of—ones that feel authentic, intentional, and community-driven—and how they team up to bring that vision to life. It’s a conversation full of laughter, love, and the behind-the-scenes balance that makes their partnership so powerful.Hot mics, cold drinks, and untold disasters—this one dives into what it’s really like to be partners in life and work.

In this episode of The EventTalk Podcast, we sit down with powerhouse duo Joy Johnson—event planner —and Eddie Johnson—NBA veteran, sports broadcaster, and dynamic speaker.From the courts to the event stage, Joy and Eddie share how they’ve turned their unique experiences into unforgettable events. They talk about blending strategy with style, what it takes to create moments that matter, and the unexpected curveballs (and clients) that still catch them off guard.  Whether it’s navigating a last-minute speaker or celebrity request to knowing how to give a champaign event on a beer budget, this episode is filled with laughs, lessons, and real talk for anyone ready for some memorable stories. Hot mics, cold drinks, and untold disasters—this one dives into what it’s really like to be partners in life and work.

In this episode of The EventTalk Podcast, we sit down with event pro Hannah Ward to talk about the unpredictable world of outdoor events—from freak weather that rolled in out of nowhere to the not-so-sunny side of working with a less-than-ideal client. Hannah shares with Dave and Rachel the behind-the-scenes chaos, last-minute pivots, and what really happens when your Plan A, B, and C all blow away with the wind. It’s funny, a little too real, and packed with insights for planners who’ve been there or are about to be.Hot mics, cold drinks, and untold disasters—this one has it all.

Welcome to the very first episode of The EventTalk Podcast! Meet your hosts, Dave and Rachel—two longtime event pros who’ve seen it all (and survived to tell the story). In this episode, we share where we come from, how we got into the wild world of events, and what we hope this podcast becomes for planners, vendors, creatives, and chaos-managers everywhere.From behind-the-scenes fails to hilarious client moments and unexpected wins, we’re bringing you real talk, real stories, and the kind of laughs only event people truly understand.Hot mics, cold drinks, and untold disasters—let’s get this party started.#TheEventTalkPodcast