Corona Convos: Recent Episodes
CK Swett
Conversations with friends, family, and colleagues about the impact of the Corona Virus on their industries and lives, with a look to the future on how they see this clear and present danger as perhaps an opportunity to adapt and innovate.
And Hong Kong has a lot more reps this century with novel coronaviruses and protests than just about anywhere else. He talks about all of this and more in our wide ranging conversation. For additional info about his start up, see the links below.
About Hush Home: hushhome.com/pages/about-us
IG: http://instagram.com/hushhomeliving
TV News Interview with Rick and Stephanie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLMayeJJMG4&feature=youtu.be (with English subtitles!)
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Personal Branding & Lifestyle/ Corporate Headshot Photographer, Caroline White, joins me for a second time to talk about all the media attention she received for the shoots she was doing in Los Angeles during lockdown.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
I've known Andy Lin a long time. He's the founder of The Self Portrait Project. He helped Williamsburg Mutual Aid launch their facebook page. He's helping to raise money for North Brooklyn Mutual Aid. He's a great hang, super thoughtful and engaged. Spend some time with us. I don't think you'll regret it.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Like last month! Their story of 2020 is really worth a listen.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
And I promise you it's way more compelling than the title would lead you to believe.
For one, this video is referenced:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNVS9-C4tjs
Which a friend described as "CK, your entire life’s aesthetic has been building to that...that guy has been paying attention and did it just for you."
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
It's a brave new world out there of virtual auctions and galathons.
You can see Lucas's entire virtual gala here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1tWk9fkdEA
Music by @matthias.dewilde
This story goes a lot of difference stories. I want to make clear ... THERE ARE NO BAD GUYS. We are all trying to do our best, all the people in this story included.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
And it's a doozy.
For reasons too bizarre to explain, my buddy Drew texted me every job he's had, in chronological order, and it had a mythical quality. We take it step by step in this episode of Corona Convos.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
In part three of my fascinating conversation with Evan Westrup, the comms director for former Governor Jerry Brown, he discusses what is next up and how he's thinking through his range of options. If you haven't yet listened to parts 1 and 2, please do go back and see how we got here.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Micah's drive to create over the last decade set her up particularly well for this current moment. As a Punch Needle artist living in Los Angeles, she has embraced the great pause and looks forward with considerable optimism. You can see her work here:
https://www.micahclasper-torch.com/
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Hannah and I have worked on a number of fundraisers over the years, and so when I saw that her school was holding a Virtual Barn Dance, I had to get her on the pod to find out how it went. The short answer: better than all could have hoped. Take a listen to hear how she and her team were able to pull this off.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Heather's story is pretty remarkable. Her company was forced to lay off half its employees because of the pandemic, but Heather was optimistic that she wouldn't stay unemployed long. Less than a month later, she was hired by another tech firm and her first day, with an on-boarding from home, is tomorrow.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
I was in kind of a rough place Friday. It happens right? Especially these days. And I considered rescheduling. But when you have a plan with Erykah, you don't push it back. So we went through with it. And there were some rough moments for me, when I didn't know what to say, and even if I did, how to say it. Erykah and I go back to Freshman year of college, and she knows me about as well as anyone out there. So if you want to hear some moments of vulnerability, check out the following conversation.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Lucas Hunt rejoins the pod to chat about some very specific instances that all charity auctioneers face. We go into great detail. He then reads us some Wordsworth, which may have been a top ten highlight of Corona Convos. Because let's be honest, this has been a lovely and sincere endeavor on my part, but we haven't skewed too far beyond the question and answer format. So for Lucas to give us a read, even a small one, was a nice change of pace. You can find his books of poetry here:
https://www.lucashunt.com/iowa
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Dave Rosen was the co-owner of the legendary Williamsburg bar Savalas. He went to on to co-open and operate The Woods, The Windjammer, The Breakers, and Aunt Jinny's.
We discuss his behind the scenes effort to save nightlife in our beloved city. For more information beyond our conversation, please visit:
http://www.savenynightlife.com
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
In part 2 of my conversation with Evan Westrup, Jerry Brown's for director of communications, we discuss his eight years in the administration.
If you didn't listen to part 1, definitely go back and check it out. It provides much needed context for this conversation, and it's downright fascinating.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
In 2018, I was quoted in a glowing NY Post on Harry. At the same, I felt a bit threatened, but Harry reached out and could not have been more gracious. We met for lunch a few weeks later, and our friendship blossomed quickly from there. We talk over our current, similar circumstances, and how we plan to move forward.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Evan and I went to high school together, and we catch up on his fascinating path from university to the top position on the comms team for the leader of the world's fifth largest economy.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
In Part 1 of this multi-part chronicle, John discusses the difficulties of high school before running away from home, watching 9/11 in real time from his dorm, falling into the life of a night life promoter while attending a quasi-HBCU, and that time he got married out in Las Vegas with his cab driver as his witness.
Ben wanted to change the world. After a year abroad in Egypt, and time on Capitol Hill, he went to law school. He did his time in corporate law, following, and has been searching for his opportunity to have an impact now, as always.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Adam is one of my oldest friends. We've stay in touch consistently over the years, but in the middle of this conversation I realized we hadn't really spoken deeply about anything since probably high school. It was a revelation to hear how his thoughts had evolved, especially over the last six years or so.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
In a wide-ranging conversation, my fellow COVID-19 moment nerd Josh White and I talk over Trump's reelection strategy, the overlap of anti-intellectualism and anti-establismentism, the importance of adaptability, our varying faiths in institutions and current leadership, and a whole host of other hot topics.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Brian and I were at Christie's together, and through his combination of warmth and showmanship, he is one of the rising stars in the charity auction season. We talk it all over in these uncertain times.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Ari and I grew up together, and his friendship always pushed me to always achieve more, in the most competitive sense you can imagine. One of the most incisive thinkers I know, he joins the pod to share his experiences over the last couple weeks,
We also touched upon the recent creative output of his dad, and I CAN'T ENCOURAGE YOU ENOUGH TO CHECK OUT THE SONGS ON HIS CHANNEL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zAU6tw0pIN741_mHlIw6w
Intro and outro music by @matthias.dewilde
Bobby and I lived in the same house toward the end of our senior year of college. He was always one of the more inspiring guys on campus ... if he had a superlative I would have voted him most likely to be a US Senator someday. This afternoon, we caught up and delved into some pretty serious topics, including IVF and his time working for Biden. He's such a smart, thoughtful man, I hope you enjoy the time we spent catching up and talking it all over.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
I met Jesse at Savalas in early 2005. It was clear, immediately, that he was a natural born raconteur. I have worked hard my entire life to try and imitate his effortless way with words. He turned the tables on me in this pod, and I got to be the interview subject, with a pretty specific focus on Williamsburg in those mid to late aughts. I had a lot of fun doing this one, and I hope we can get Jesse back so I can return the favor.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Chris has the fashion industry in his blood. We talk about the family business and how it lead up to this moment. When you get done listening, go online and get yourself a nice new piece of clothing for the summer here:
https://goodlifeclothing.com/
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Charlotte is a Community Outreach Associate with the National Down Syndrome Society. Because of a heart transplant in 2012, she is severely immunocompromised, but has kept busy while sheltering in place, ballroom dancing, reading the classics, and baking treats like her special chocolate walnut scones, which she thinks all of you should try making this weekend:
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons light olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 egg whites, divided
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% cocoa or more), finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon water
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl,
whisk together the sour cream, oil, vanilla extract, and 1 of the egg whites. Add to the dry ingredients, stirring just until
blended. Stir in the chocolate and walnuts.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, knead lightly 8 times. The dough will be crumbly.
Divide the dough in half and place each half on the prepared baking sheet. Pat each half into a 6” circle. Score each
circle into 4 equal wedges.
Beat the remaining egg white with the water. Brush over the scones and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and a wooden pick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
Enjoy!
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Greg returns to the pod for my first debate-driven conversation on such questions as the role of content creation in society, the Great Man theory of history, can philanthropy be characterized as a whim, and many more hot topics.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Andrea is the Director of Survivor and Youth Services at UNITAS North America. I met her last fall when I lead the fundraising efforts at the UNITAS Charity Gala. We discuss the rise of "sexploitation" and its sinister intersection with sheltering in place.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Lauren is my oldest friend in NYC. We caught up on all the projects she's been working on the last few years and what the near future holds.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
It's fair to say that the American Dream shines bright through the intelligence and fortitude of Bryant's mom.
Music as always by @mattias.dewilde
Victor returns to the pod to tell us what he's been working on, how he's stay healthy and sane, and who he thinks should be Biden's running mate.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Garcia and I went to college together but became much closer five years ago when we crossed paths in Russia, and then continued on through Sweden. His charisma shines through even now in the darkest of times.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Emily and I discuss the political situation in Michigan and beyond, the New Leaders Council, fundraising in the era of COVID, and potential running mates for Biden.
I caught Daisha late on Easter Sunday when the family was asleep and she was reflecting on life and marriage after a glass of wine or two to celebrate the resurrection.
We made it. To 50. Here here! Exciting times at Corona Convos. I hope you enjoy this catch up with my mom. We recorded the first pod on March 11th, and 31 or so days later we got to 50. How about that?!?
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Daniel is one of my favorites. He's also the one who made this happen:
https://youtu.be/OmFDzjlUmms
If you don't know — and I didn't — that is the English actor James Buckley and he's a favorite of both Luke and Vish. Basically Dani won bantering for Q2 if not the whole year.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
It's true. See his miracle working here:
https://youtu.be/9-vlCc6V9RA
Also, we discuss in depth the brilliance of James Buckley roasting Luke and Vish courtesy of Dan Lads cameo request:
https://youtu.be/OmFDzjlUmms
Happy Easter everyone out there in Christendom.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
The headline in last year's SF Chronicle feature on Vinny was: Tartine’s Vinny Eng was just named sommelier of the year. Why he’s leaving it all, for a new start in politics. That unexpected pairing is a fitting preamble to a friend of mine who I hadn't spoken with since my time at Duke. In our nearly hour long conversation, Vinny describes his compassion-lead drive to help those "in the shadows," in large part through his work with SF New Deal. If your curious to know more about how he thinks through all of this, read his recent editorial in Food and Wine titled: We Should All Be Empathetic to Restaurant Workers, Especially Now.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Kellar, working out of the dining room of her childhood home, manages her teams in the Ukraine, Bolivia, Colombia and elsewhere, while convincing her parents to switch from Costco coffee to Intellegensia.
This may be my favorite conversation so far. Chris is a family friend. His dad and my dad worked together. He's 29. He plays the trumpet. He just moved to NYC. He's a Bernie Sanders guy. We cover a lot of ground. I want him to turn start making viral videos like these from Italy. I'm going to get some videos of him playing the trumpet at some point. He's such a good hang. And he's got a better podcasting voice than I do. He sounds just like his dad as well, and hearing him talk always makes me smile.
And as always the piano track by @matthias.dewilde
Will (@dgenetics) discusses his regenerative work at 1 Tribe Farm and how he went from the music business to the permaculture business
Piano track as always from @matthias.dewilde
Ava takes us through what it's like to date in the new normal. And how hard it was to find a roommate replacement.
Forrest and I discuss the future of his company Kit Lender, various ways to die, the career of Nicholas Cage, and my dad's time on Jeopardy.
And now he's getting better. But recovery is a long and bumpy road.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Allbriton and I had coffee three weeks ago. In that intervening 21 days the world figuratively imploded and Allbriton start to try and piece it back together. With his non-profit start-up Apollo Mask, he is racing to find a solution for first responders around the globe. Listen as we discuss why the company is structured as a 5013c, and their ambitious plans for expansion and impact.
Music as always be @matthias.dewilde
I spent an hour today catch up with my buddy Vishal D. His perspective always helps me feel hope.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Caroline and I were on a reality show together in 2004. True story. She and I both lost that game, and ended up having quasi adjacent career arcs. In this conversation we discuss those paths, the work of @nikolatamindzic, and what it was like to go on a zoom date BEFORE corona.
Buy one of her prints! https://carolinewhitephotography.com/
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde.
Sara's remarkably positive outlook belies a very difficult couple of weeks for her and her fiancé.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Jackson takes us through the herculean efforts of Bed-Stuy Strong and how you can make a difference in your community as well.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Michael served two tours of duty as a marine in Iraq, and has a very idiosyncratic take on the pandemic.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Founder of Maddox Retail, Arian takes us through the harrowing challenges now facing the industry. His perspective highlights a sector that has largely been ignored in the media narratives about the pandemic.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Thomas, founder of Many Hopes, talks about corona's effects on his forthcoming nuptials and the work he does in third world countries with vulnerable children.
Greg knows what he's talking about. The founder of Islands and 5by, he helps me think through some solutions for my clients as I scramble to find virtual gala alternatives.
Noah Becker takes us through his days of self sheltering and then we veer off into some politics which you may or may not enjoy, but I certainly did.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
The Dr. is in the house and there is some good news and there is some bad news, but any news delivered by Manu is going to be lovely on the ears.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Kevin Magee didn't want to talk corona. He wanted to talk about living a better life, and what that looks like going forward. He's just such a good hang, that I feel like for that reason alone you should spend some time with us.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
Jonathan was thinking through a career shift when corona hit. He's thinking through a whole lot more now.
Justin Richmond, co-founder of Impl. Project, shares his thoughts on the growing crisis in the US, and how his counter-insurgency efforts in the Philippines and Afghanistan informs his understanding of the problems we are likely to face here at home.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
A friend who I grew up with texted me to let me know I should talk to his little sister, Sofi, who I've known since she was a toddler. The following is the most heart warming corona convo to date.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
In my second conversation with Ershad — my buddy from college who is now an ER doctor in Orlando — we discuss the state government's tepid response to spring breakers, on-going research in Italy, and how he and his wife are reevaluating their current plans should one of them get sick.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
Josh may be the first person who is more enthusiastic to discuss corona than myself. He published his first white paper on the virus back in early February, and even though this is the longest of the 20 corona convo episodes so far, I felt as though we could have continued talking for another few hours on the subject. For all the corona geeks out there, this is the kind of content you come here for.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
Manu is a cardiologist out in Oregon and on his way into work this morning we spoke about what he's seeing on the front lines.
This is the article here referencing with the flattening graphs per state.
And as always music by @matthias.dewilde
Dr. Jeremy Chapman, MD, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellow, Medical College of Wisconsin/Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin on telepsychiatry and "A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."
And his nickname for me in college was "Antler Boy."
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
If in all your corona conversations you've yet to hear a phrase adjacent to "Capital Uses Crises to Concentrate Itself" and those six words stir something deep in your revolutionary soul, then this is the pod for you.
I've known Greg since college, and he's one of those burn the system down type of guys who have only become more orthodox in their views.
Every time I talk with him, I feel as though I'm incrementally less naive.
I encourage you to listen to the ensuing 40+ minutes, if for no other reason, than to hear his case on why Andrew Gilllum should run for governor of Florida in 2022.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
What do you do when you're feeling sick but you can't get tested for covid? Dan talks through the uncertainty of his last week and the precautions he's taking despite not having access to an accurate diagnosis.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
Sheila Patinkin is the founder and managing partner of Vermont Wagyu. With the closure of restaurants in NYC this week, she suddenly lost 80% of her business. In this pod she talks about how she went from pediatrician to beef farmer, the future of her sales strategy, and getting to know the farmers who produce what we eat.
Music as always from @matthias.dewilde
Day 4 of "Quarantining with Mandy" is off to a surprising start, along with reviews of Contagion, Episodes 1 and 2 of the outsider, and GOSH DARNIT THEY CLOSED THE GYM.
Ottavia is from Milan. She lives in Paris. It's a little spooky how she's watching the same things from home play out, but on a two weeks delay, in her adopted city. This is a really interesting conversation with someone who is living through the crisis in a twofold way.
As always thank you to Matthias DeWilde for the music!
I've had the distinct pleasure of getting to know Shane and his family over the last few years and he agreed to come on the pod to talk through how he's coping with this work stoppage.
Nikki Pettus, aka @stregaflora, talks about the business side of being a florist, and her thoughts on pivoting now that so many of her events have been canceled or postponed.
A big thank you as always to Matthias DeWilde for providing the much needed music upgrade.
Third Plateau co-founder Jonathan Kaufman on both the short and long term effects of covid-19 for his non-profit and foundation clients. Jonathan and I grew up together in Sacramento, and our career paths have had some interesting parallels in the philanthropy sector. I'm confident he and his team will be at the forefront of figuring out solutions for the enormous obstacles our industry is currently facing.
New music generously donated by Matthias DeWilde.
After nearly a decade in New York, Celina was moving back to her home country of El Salvador. She quit her job and was road tripping down to Miami before planning on flying to San Salvador Friday. But then the president of El Salvador declared that anyone entering the country would have to undergo a 30 day quarantine — often in squalid conditions — and just last night he passed a 15 day state of emergency granting him nearly unlimited powers. Celina shares her story of being stuck in Miami, and her growing alarm about the political environment back home.
Lorenzo is currently on quarantine in Rome. Movement is very restricted, but there is a provision for walking your dog. Learn how romans are exploiting this loophole, and other delightful insights, on this episode of Corona Convos.
My girlfriend Amanda Scot Ellis on her journey from Corona Truther to Corona Believer, her family's $140 "Corona Pool," and what it's like to quarantine with a former auctioneer and current podcaster.
I lived two doors down from Ershad our freshman year of college. I moseyed along the English major route, and he went to med school. We both ended up in Brooklyn, where Dr. Elahi worked in the ER of Woodhull hospital. Last fall, he and his wife, also an ER doctor, moved south to Orlando so they could work less and spend more time with their two young children. I got a chance to chat with him tonight about his perspective on Covid-19 and how the Ebola-readiness protocols he helped implement during his time at Woodull have helped him prepare for this novel virus.
Bobby D shares his thoughts on taking the stage amidst corona fears, investing in event experience, and how he will be spending the next few weeks with all the canceled events.
Lucas Hunt, founder of Hunt Auctioneers, talks about how corona is impacting the lives of his parents in a town of under 300 in Iowa, the devastated spring auction season, and his hopes that this virus which is currently pushing us apart will ultimately bring us closer together.
Trevor Blake on his mom's advice for social distancing, winning a Tony Award for "Best Partner of a Broadway Performer," and what it's like to quit your job and prepare to start a new one in the era of corona.
Victor Jeffreys II on approaching crisis mode while riding the subway, accessorizing N95 masks, and restarting the machine of our society in the wake of this crisis.
I had a chance to speak this afternoon with my 72 year old mother, who is living out in Jackson Hole, WY. She discusses her thoughts on being the corona virus "target audience," as well as her fears for lower income kids at schools across the country who are so reliant on free school luches.
Conversations with friends, family, and colleagues about the impact of the Corona Virus on their industries and lives, with a look to the future on how they see this clear and present danger as perhaps an opportunity to adapt and innovate.