What do haunted houses, radio gigs, trivia nights, and Taylor Swift have in common? Paul Kalnitzky. In this raw and hilarious episode, Molly Pittman sits down with Smart Marketer’s very own product and community manager to unpack his unexpected journey—from flipping golf carts at a haunted house to becoming the heart of Smart Marketer’s mastermind.
This is more than a career story, it’s a masterclass in authenticity, creative problem-solving, and following your weird (even if it involves skeletons puking green slime).
“If you just keep showing up as who you really are, eventually someone’s going to notice.” – Paul Kalnitzky
• Why showing up authentically is the ultimate career hack
• How Paul’s haunted house job sparked a career in creative media
• What working in toxic vs. supportive work cultures really feels like
• The leadership moment that made Paul a lifelong Taylor Swift fan
• How trivia nights & community building led him to his dream role
• Why embracing your quirks attracts the right opportunities
00:00 – Welcome: Haunted Houses, Taylor Swift & Trivia?!
03:13 – Meet Paul Kalnitzky: Jack of All Trades (and Halloween Lover)
07:54 – How a Haunted House Changed Everything
19:37 – From Theater Rejection to Radio Stardom
25:28 – Programming a College Radio Station Like a Pro
31:19 – The Night Paul Met Taylor Swift (and Everything Changed)
38:02 – From Laid Off to Trivia Entrepreneur
47:02 – Toxic Workplaces, Misfit Kids & The Power of Chosen Family
51:13 – Entering the World of Smart Marketer
58:03 – Culture Shock: From Burnout to Belonging
1:02:58 – Trivia Nights, Wu-Tang, & Becoming a Community Leader
1:07:36 – Paul’s Advice: Show Up Authentically (What That Really Means)
1:12:11 – Final Thoughts: What’s Next for Paul & Smart Marketer
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