Max Wastler is Senior Director of Brand & Reputation for Maritz, the company that effectively created the incentives industry. From the gold watch, to travel and loyalty programs, Maritz focuses on the science and art of people and potential.

Prior to his work at Maritz, Max was the founder of Rivver Co., a branding and marketing consultancy based in St. Louis, Missouri where he contributed ideas, designs, photography, products, strategy and writing for a client roster that included Basil Hayden's Bourbon, Gitman Bros., J. Crew, Lands' End, Patagonia, and Ralph Lauren. His work has been recognized by publications including Condé Nast Traveler, Dwell, Esquire, GQ, Men's Health, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

Max is step-dad to his two daughters: ages 11 and 8.

In this episode, Max and I talk about the roadtrip moment when his hero father became a mortal man in his eyes. Max shares the three moronic moments (his words, not mine) that changed the course of his career and life forever. He offers a view into the first 6 months of step-fatherhood and explains how being a step-dad to pre-teen girls is like being a permanent freelancer to very discerning clients. We also talk about how Max's 38(!) jobs—ranging from a swim product specialist to a reality show host to acting CMO for a digital publisher—have shaped his balance of full-time employment and free-time exploration.

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