Brandon Smith. He’s a public speaker, author, business coach, and host of The Missoula Podcast. Aside from his professional titles, he’s also a husband, father, and goal setter. With a confident voice and presence, it’s no surprise that Brandon was plucked from the mass of applicants who applied to speak at TEDxBillings this October to share his wisdom on the power of intent. After all, the theme is “Tomorrow Starts Today” and who better than a powerhouse Montanan to fuel an eager audience?
1. Brandon, after learning about your book “Happy as a Hippo,” tell me a little bit about your family life and how your daughter encouraged you to bring that book to life.
I’m a huge believer in just intentionally living. Most people enter their industry for one of two main reasons. It’s either earning capacity and/or lifestyle, yet we as a society are busier than we’ve ever been and still not satisfied with the results and something’s gotta change, and I think that’s our time and our calendar and being intentional with what we do on a daily basis…In August of 2022, we were watching the movie “Along Came Polly,” and if you recall near the beginning, there’s a scene where [the French scuba instructor] makes a statement about the legend of the hippo—the hippo can never be happy if he has stripes like a zebra. I stopped in that moment—my wife and daughter were there—and I said, ‘Whoa, that would be a really fun children’s book.’ What if there was a story about a hippo where it was like funny but with actual core principal values that you can pull out of it? This whole idea of comparison is the theft of joy, and finding that happiness is just being content in who you are—who you’re meant to be.” In September or October of 2022, my daughter came home from school one day and just matter-of-factly said, ‘Hey Dad, I told my freshman English class about your book idea and we think you should write it.” I kept thinking about it and it was one of those things where everywhere I went there was something about a hippo…In January of 2023, it hit bookshelves. It happened.”
2. Explain to me how you get that message of intention across to your audience and how you might shape that discussion in Billings.
I’ve been in the insurance, financial services, investments space for 20 years in August…I’ve found that a lot of those principals that apply to one industry apply to another and also apply to our personal life and a lot of times there are parallels—things we’re going through in our own life internally, and we’re also trying to figure out in our business. And so the intentional living piece—I have a presentation titled “Shortcuts,” because a shortcut is a route more direct than the route ordinarily taken...The right shortcuts help us achieve a healthier life. One shortcut off the top of my head would be, to protect your emotional wellbeing and mental health sometimes you have to avoid certain people. That’s a shortcut to a healthier life. That’s wisdom. So I’m a big fan of intentionally living and using your calendar. Creating your calendar to get you closer to those goals, whether it’s earning capacity or lifestyle. It’s interesting how often we hear people say they would really like to be able to workout but they just don’t have time. They’d love to go on a vacation but don’t have time. Well, those same people are binge-watching the latest season of The Bachelor and they’re trying to figure out their fantasy football roster…What’s important gets done. If it’s in your calendar—if you create a plan—your calendar will reflect the lifestyle you want to have. Creating life balance is the direction I’m going with my Ted Talk…What if the secret to happiness is simply being present in the moment?
3. Who are you in Missoula? What’s special about our community?
Born and raised here in Missoula. Attended Valley Christian School kindergarten through high school…went away to college, went down to Texas for school, came back and joined the family business. When you get older and mature, you really realize how special of a place Missoula is—Western Montana. As I travel and see the country, people are always asking me about Yellowstone. Is that real life? Is that what it’s like in Montana? And through that, I realize what we have is really special. The rest of the country has been talking about us for the last couple of years and just the sense of community here. Roughly a year ago I started The Missoula Podcast and that came from the idea of we have over a hundred thousand people and a hundred thousand incredible stories right here in this valley. Why not create a platform for those stories to be heard? Just to encourage and inspire people—to have them get back to their dreams.
4. Since this is the Gentlemen themed issue, can you lend any advice to your fellow men out there?
I look at sitcoms today and the dad is the butt of every joke. He’s lazy, he’s the laughing stock of the family, and no—we need both. We need the mom, we need the dad, we need the wife, we need the husband. We need each other. If I were to give a piece of advice to men, it would be don’t compare your beginning to somebody else’s middle. We’re trying to teach at a young age through the children’s book to be happy with who you are, don’t play the comparison game.
Brandon Smith is an award-winning public speaker, entrepreneur, and author. He hosts "The Missoula Podcast" and co-authored with his wife the best-selling children's book "Happy as a Hippo." He is a sought-after speaker, known for his ability to motivate and inspire audiences to think differently and reach their full potential. With 20 years of experience in the insurance industry, Brandon currently serves as the EVP of Development & Strategy for Glidewell, a Montana-based insurance and investment firm. He is also the founder of the Producer Development Program, a marketing and development program for independent insurance agents. Find him at BrandonSmith.pro.