Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Johnson
Hi Chris, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I host a podcast/radio show called the Passion Pod that I started back in 2019. I call it an inspirational storytelling experience featuring unique guests that are pursuing careers based on their passions. My goal is to inspire people to think about their own passions and help them find more ways to incorporate those passions into their lives. My last “real job” was selling phones at Verizon back in 2013. I felt like my soul was dying a little more every day and felt that a change was needed. I’ve been a lifelong skateboarder and decided to pursue my childhood dream of opening a skateboard shop. I opened Passion Board Shop in my hometown in the Spring of 2014 and never looked back. As much as I loved what I did, I found my calling start to shift around the time I had passed the 5 year mark of owning my shop. I was looking for the next adventure and started my show. A big reason for why I loved having my shop so much was because I got to be a role model for kids and help inspire them to chase their dreams. Through the show I now was able to do that on a larger scale. As I got older, so did my audience. This past July after over a decade in business I closed my shop to focus on my show full time and have seen amazing growth in both audience and opportunities ever since.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Being self employed is never a walk in the park. I can’t stress enough how challenging being self employed can be. The inconsistent income, not having any clear path to success, the inconsistent growth, the low points that you never know how long will last. I could go on and on. There are a ton of challenges that you face in all forms of entrepreneurship. Still, I can’t imagine ever going back to a regular job. Building something yourself from nothing is the most rewarding thing there is. The doors you can open for yourself are endless. Most importantly, you get to spend your time working on things that truly matter to you. No career will ever be as fulfilling as one that you build for yourself.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My primary focus and source of income is from my award winning podcast/radio show the Passion Pod. My experience walking away from a “normal” job to open up a skateboard shop gives me a unique perspective and mutual respect with the guests that I have on my show. We both know what it takes to build something from nothing, and we also both recognize how meaningful and special our lives are. Living in Wisconsin we really don’t have much from major media. It’s taken over 5 years, but I’m very proud to call my show one of the best, if not the best, podcasts in the midwest. I’ve interviewed hundreds of guests and did whatever was necessary to record with all of them in person. I’ve learned a lot over the years and I know what I’m creating with all of my amazing guests has the power to change lives for the better. Leaving a positive impact on the world is my biggest life goal and I’m proud to say that I am doing just that.
Aside from my show I am also a muralist and a city official. I’ve painted many murals both in my hometown and elsewhere that I’m very proud of. I’ve also spearheaded initiatives to build skateparks and more in my hometown. I am currently serving my 5th year as the vice chair of the Eau Claire Parks and Waterways commission.
Any big plans?
I really feel like I have hit my stride over the last year in particular. My only goal right now is to continue to improve my show and build my audience little by little. When I look back at where I was a year ago I can see major progress. I am committed to seeing similar growth year in and year out. I’d like to say big changes are on the way, but it’s really impossible to say. I prefer working for and building things on my own. I don’t have aspirations to work for anyone else. Therefore growth simply comes from steady hard work and opportunities happen when they are meant to happen.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://passionpod.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passionpod/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Passion-Pod-100063883543053/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRARBmS0h7W2Eh00Y8uyNtA
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@passionpodofficial
