Magic in the Room #117: Purpose Profile: Symon Hajjar and Hot Toast Music Co.

August 30, 2022
Symon Hajjar is the founder and creative mind behind Hot Toast Music Company. In this episode of Magic in the Room, Symon sits down with Hannah and Ben to talk about how music, creativity, and learning can all be rooted in purpose. Symon’s music is focused on kids but is full of “opportunity for wide-eyed innovators of all ages to join in the fun of self-discovery and creativity.”  

Hot Toast Music Co. is the product of dad, educator and musician Symon Hajjar who writes irresistible kids’ music, all with purpose. Hajjar, or Mr. Symon as his students call him, draws inspiration from the way children often find magic in the mundane parts of life that are hidden in plain sight. For Hajjar, Hot Toast is not just "kids music" but an opportunity for wide-eyed innovators of all ages to join in the fun of self-discovery and creativity. Hajjar's stellar songwriting skills bring an easiness to talking about difficult or serious topics with kids, as well as delighting in the pure joy children find in simply being silly. Songs are anchored with creative activities that combine the tactile with the message of each song, turning each song into an opportunity for discovery!  
By Sarah Whitfield December 3, 2025
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Luke, Hannah, and Chris unpack the difference between being busy and being truly impactful, exploring why organizations often get stuck in high-activity, low-impact cycles. They identify five common contributors: compliance-heavy environments, resistance to change, disconnected decision-makers, fear-driven “CYA” cultures, and firefighting systems that reward heroics over long-term strategy. From there, they highlight what creates real impact: clarity of purpose, agency, curiosity, intentionality, and the discipline to question assumptions and align action with a meaningful “why.” The conversation encourages leaders to build awareness of their strengths, design systems that support healthy impact, maintain congruence between their public and private influence, and cultivate the kind of presence that can genuinely move a room. 
November 4, 2025
In this episode of "Magic in the Room," Chris interviews board members from the National Native American Human Resources Association (NNAHRA) discussing the power of purpose-driven leadership within tribal organizations. Recorded at the NNAHRA annual conference, they explore themes like courage, vulnerability, accountability, community service, and fostering environments where all employees feel valued and able to contribute. They share how NNAHRA builds a supportive professional network for tribal HR leaders, encourages alignment between individual roles and tribal purpose, and creates space for courageous conversations across governance and enterprise structures. They also discuss future initiatives, including new certifications and the 2026 conference at the Hilton Village in Hawaii. The overarching message: lead with purpose, support one another, and build cultures rooted in respect, courage, and shared responsibility.
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