Meet John Popko | Host of The Popko Project Podcast

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Popko and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Authenticity, 100%. I’ve built my entire career and brand off of being authentic. Whether it be in a marketing/sales role or hosting my podcast, The Popko Project, people have gravitated to what I do because I come from a genuine place. People trust me to be honest with them. People trust me to have their best interests in mind and I don’t take any of that for granted. I’ve been told that when I speak, people listen. It feels weird saying that out loud and borderline pompous, but I strongly believe that my success has come from that.

I recently took my brand and partnered with a local brewery and coffee company. We brewed a coffee infused beer called Popko’s Porter and donated the proceeds from the sale of the beer to my high school’s music program. We sold out of the beer in 2 days and raised $2,000 for the school. I honestly couldn’t believe it. I really didn’t think anyone would care. I just wanted to do something fun and help a good cause. The support I received from local media outlets and the community at large was overwhelming. Having my name (and face on the label) seemed pretentious. Calling my podcast The Popko Project felt the same way. But I’ve built my name and reputation on not only hard work but by being authentic. And so I think, at least I HOPE, that when people see or hear my name tied to something, they know something good is happening.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I spent all of my career in some form of marketing/sales/management. Currently I work full-time at Axelrad Screen Printing and Embroidery in Wilkes-Barre, PA, specifically in sales/marketing/business development. I had some highs and lows along the way.

I started my career at a weekly publication called the Weekender. It was an entertainment publication focusing on nightlife and things to do in Northeastern, PA. That’s really where POPKO was born. I started in marketing and basically got paid to party. Initially it was a dream job. Work with local businesses, plan events, grow the Weekender brand and in turn help local business grow along the way. Unfortunately the pay sucked. And after a couple years of partying, I realized that I needed to make some more money. Enter the dreaded sales game. I never thought of myself as a salesman. But I suppose that worked to my advantage. I vowed I’d never live up to the slimy salesperson persona. I already knew all the business owners I was working with because before sales, I was planning events at their establishments. I never tried to cheat any of them. I presented and created campaigns for them that made sense. And with that mentality and the success gained from it, I was promoted to Director of Advertising and then ultimately the General Manager, a dream that once seemed unattainable as an intern with no experience.

But, all good things come to an end. The parent company was purchased by an out of town company who lacked a vision for what the Weekender was built on. I wasn’t about to let them ruin my reputation that I spent so long building. And so after 9 years and feeling as though I accomplished everything I set out to do there, I decided it was time to move on.

At that time I joined a media company who had a few radio stations. I wanted a new challenge and one that didn’t come with a management title. While I enjoyed managing people, I realized that I just wanted to worry about myself. Sales is a good place for that. I spent 7 years with that radio group, working in local sales, eventually getting promoted to National Sales manager AND getting to host a local radio show called ALT-Natives on ALT 92.1 featuring an hours worth of music from in and around the area I lived in. That was my favorite hour of the work week that I didn’t get paid for but ultimately led me to hosting The Popko Project as it is today.

I’d probably still be at those stations but COVID caused many problems. As a 100% commissioned sales rep, you can do the math and realize that 100% of zero is zero. Covid also forced the company to flip the format of the station I had my radio show on and left me without a show to host. Once again I came to the realization that maybe I accomplished all the things I wanted to with that company.

It was at this point, I started The Popko Project Podcast. Without a radio show and that type of creative outlet, I realized that I couldn’t continue without something like it. And so like every other person in America during COVID, I started a podcast. The Popko Project features long form, unscripted interviews with musicians and creatives (chefs, tattoo artists, authors, etc). I wanted to be able to continue to support my local music scene and also expand my reach to other guests. Not only have I given the local scene a voice, I’ve also been able to interview bands like Everclear, The Verve Pipe, COLD, Breaking Benjamin, Tantric, Tigers Jaw and more.

And shortly after launching The Popko Project Podcast, I was given the opportunity to work at Axelrad Screen Printing. Axelrad has this DIY punk ethos to it. It was started by a guy who was screen printing in his mom’s basement. I’ve looked up to him since my days of working with him when I was at the Weekender and now I get to work side by side with him every day. It’s a place that understands work/life balance. It’s a place where we can make mistakes and learn from them. It’s a place that empowers employees to carve their own path and make of your time there what you want to.

This was probably way more than you wanted. And if you got anything from it, I hope that it was that even though certain things you loved doing and being a part of end, maybe it ends because you’ve accomplished everything you were meant to and it’s time for something new. And if you believe in yourself and you’ve done right by others along the way, you can put your name and face as the title of a podcast or whatever it is that you believe in and people will support you. And relationships that you made along the way, will benefit you at the end of the day.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Let’s say it’s summer time and they arrived on a Sunday morning. I’d recommend hitting up either 7 Tubs or Ricketts Glen State Park which offer some great hiking trails, waterfalls and swimming holes. Our area is full of places like these. During the week we’d do a variety of different things. We’d hit up Knoebles Amusement Resort which is America’s largest free admission park and only about an hour from where I live.

We’d also tour pizza joints in Old Forge which is the self proclaimed Pizza Capital of the world located between Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. Even Dave Portnoy from Barstool Sports has visited and reviewed the pizza in that area. One bite, everyone knows the rules.

Our area also features a handful of breweries. Some include Back Mountain Brewing Co, Benny Brewing Company, Breaker Brewing, Susquehanna Brewing Company and Five Mountain Brewing Company. All of which brew their own beer and some offer great food.

We’d also check out what’s happening at some of the big entertainment venues like the F.M. Kirby Center in downtown Wilkes-Barre, Mohegan Sun Arena or The Pavilion at Montage Mountain.

Fan of baseball? We’ve got that, too. PNC Field in Moosic is home to the Rail Riders baseball team which is the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. Hopefully as a Boston Red Sox fan, they’d be playing Boston’s Triple-A affiliate.

In order to check out some local bands or even an open mic night depending on the night, I’d schedule a night out at The V-Spot Bar in Scranton. It features entertainment 7 days a week and the kitchen puts out some of the best bar food the area has to offer. Not a big place but FULL of big personalities and talented people. Ya gotta say hi to Vinnie.

History buff? Let’s take a ride on the Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour or visit the Everhart Museum.

We’d also hit the links. There are so many beautiful golf courses in our area including Sand Springs, Fox Hill, Glenmaura, Blue Ridge Trail or Huntsville. Some of those require memberships, but I know some people.

Another night out would be a trip to Chacko’s Bowling for a night of glow bowling. Can’t lose with beer, wings, and bowling!

There are countless other things to do in our area. We often times here “There’s nothing to do here”. But everything I mentioned is only scratching the surface.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My wife, Amanda, who has always believed in me. My children, Lincoln and London, who inspire me to be a better person every day. My mom who has been my #1 fan my entire life. My late father, who continues to guide me to this day in spirit. And every single person who has listened or watched The Popko Project podcast, bought a t-shirt, or simply sent a text to tell me they admire what I do and are proud of me. I’m part of the best team in the world.

Website: thepopkoproject.com

Instagram: @thepopkoproject

Linkedin: John Popko

Twitter: @thepopkoproject

Facebook: @thepopkoproject

Youtube: The Popko Project

Other: https://linktr.ee/thepopkoproject

Image Credits
Keith Perks – 1120 Studios