Good People, Cool Things: Recent Episodes
Joey Held
A weekly podcast featuring conversations with entrepreneurs, musicians, writers, and other good people. Get inspired by their stories and do your own cool thing! Good People, Cool Things is published weekly on Sounder, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and Stitcher.
Well, we've arrived to the final episode of Good People, Cool Things. Since this show has always been about featuring good people doing cool things (you know, like the name implies), I wanted to celebrate this milestone of 200 episodes and a successful podcast experience with clips from ten of my favorite conversations across the past four-plus years.
You can always catch episodes and see other updates at goodpeoplecoolthings.com. Thank you to all of the guests who have taken the time to chat, to Sounder.fm and RSS.com for hosting the show over the years. Most importantly, thanks to you for listening, sharing kind comments, and making this one heck of a ride. We'll talk again soon.
Ashley Nickelsen experienced a dearth of healthy options while spending frequent time in the hospital with both her parents. She set out to do something about it, creating B.T.R. Nation to deliver good-for-you and good-tasting snacks.
We’re chatting about a failed flavor, the marketing channels B.T.R. Nation has found most successful, and the best artists to throw on during a run.
Mariana Barbuceanu decided to give the digital nomad life a try a few years ago and soon realized she could make a living as a travel blogger while exploring all the world has to offer. And after jetsetting around Europe, she’s decided to settle in a European country for the next year.
We’re chatting all about that new phase of her life, how she’s managed to travel on a comfortable budget without wildly altering her lifestyle, and the top karaoke songs to perform.
Being in a band is among the coolest experiences one can have in life. This episode's guest knows all about that — Todd Tucker is getting the hair metal band back together as the director and writer of Rockbottom, a new movie featuring SO MANY impressive musicians. We’re chatting about the inspiration for Rockbottom, his career as a makeup and special effects artist, and how he got hurt doing a very unathletic move during the making of The Passion of the Christ.
Back in my YouTube Z-list celebrity days, I had an ongoing series called 20 Pretty Bad Impressions in 1 Minute. Friends and I would go back and forth, quickly doing impressions. As the name suggests, the quality of said impressions was not good.
Luckily, my guest today is significantly better at impressions. Lauren LoGiudice is the author of Inside Melania: What I Know About Melania Trump By Impersonating Her. Beyond her spot-on impression, she’s done a ton of cool stuff in the sketch comedy world and also hosts the Misfits Makin’ It Podcast, which is just an absolute delight to listen to.
We’re chatting about what makes for a good character to perform, why asking for audience feedback is so helpful, and the best ways to get better sleep.
Marc Hartzman has an innate interest in the strange, unique stories from around the world. He’s written about ghosts, Mars, Oliver Cromwell's embalmed head, and weird things on eBay, just to name a few. His latest book, We Are Not Alone: The Extraordinary History of UFOs and Aliens Invading Our Hopes, Fears, and Fantasies, looks into the vast universe of aliens, extraterrestrials, and outer space.
We're chatting about where the term “flying saucer” came from, a few lesser-known stories, and his top alien movies and TV shows.
Did you know the average attention span is nine seconds? That’s less than the attention span of a goldfish! It can be super frustrating to read a lengthy article and feel like you haven’t gotten anything out of it or you’re more confused than when you started. It’s especially upsetting when we’ve already got busy days and our time to consume content is limited.
Priyanka Vazirani understands that frustration and is setting out to do something about it. She’s the co-founder of Volv, a platform that takes all the content out there on the internet and gives you the scoop in nine-second overviews. Volv is also working with creators to help them share their work with more people.
We’re chatting about how Volv got started, what surprised Priyanka after talking with her users, and her favorite adventurous activities.
Alysia Silberg is perhaps the biggest fan of AI out there — it's even in the name of her company, Unemployable AI. And she shares how AI has played a major impact for her in her book, "Unemployable: How AI Transformed My Work and Life."
Joey and Alysia are chatting about how a pair of rollerblades led to an entrepreneurial career, common mistakes companies make, and the three weird things she does every day.
Cori Myka is the founder of Calm Within Adult Swim, teaching adults not only how to swim but also how to develop habits and mindsets to overcome fear and build confidence. Those are great skills to have in any walk of life.
We’re discussing where the idea for an online swim instruction business came from, what Cori has learned from helping people transform their lives, and whether it’s better to jump into a body of water or walk in slowly and steadily.
Carlos Baker moved to Northern Germany without much of a plan. He just knew he and his family needed a change. Since then, he’s released multiple albums with his C.K. Baker Band, written a book, and had a lot of fun along the way.
We’re chatting about the albums that have most impacted Carlos’s songwriting, his worst gig, and why discipline is crucial for his mental health.
Many of us dream of making money by doing creative things that we love to do. And the most successful creatives are making income in several different ways, consistently opening up doors to new opportunities.
This episode’s guest realized a lot of creatives DON’T know that these different income streams are not only critical but also doable for anyone. Tonya Lawson is making it her goal to educate musicians, artists, writers, and more on building their financial empires, using SEO as a trusty tool.
We’re talking about how creatives can earn passive income without paying a ton of money upfront, what Tonya has focused on with her websites, and the time she got to “clap back” at a student that was acting out of turn.
Media may not fundamentally change our behavior, but it can shape what we believe. That's why sharing messages of togetherness, unity, and genuine interactions is so important.
Modello Brown is the founder of Hip Hop Littles, which is bringing cultures together through books, music, fashion, art, and much more. We’re chatting about how he creates the Hip Hop Littles characters, something that’s surprised him about marketing the brand, and his top three 90s cartoons.
Rachel Hanson is Editor-in-Chief of the digital magazine Sound Sorceresses, highlighting women who are doing incredible work in audio storytelling. There aren’t a ton of spaces out there in this realm, which needs to change, because there are a LOT of cool women in podcasting and audio storytelling.
We're talking about how Rachel got the idea for Sound Sorceresses, one of her favorite stories from the publication, and her foray into public office.
Welcome back to Good People, Cool Things! Bananas to think we're kicking off the SEVENTH season of this show. We're starting this season off in style with a true underdog story — or, more accurately, many underdog stories!
After being cut from his 7th-grade baseball team, Tyler O’Shea has always found inspiration in athletes who have succeeded against the odds. That drive led to both a collegiate career on the diamond and the founding of Joker Mag, a digital media platform dedicated to inspiring underdog stories in sports.
We’re chatting about how niching down has helped Tyler grow Joker Mag, why he’s found tremendous value in hearing from his audience, and his favorite recent underdog stories.
Special shout-out to One Hit No Wonder for supporting the show! If you dig this podcast, you'll enjoy that one, too.
The new season of Good People, Cool Things is nearly upon us! This trailer is a sneak peek at what you can expect — and don't you worry, the corny jokes aren't going anywhere.
Be sure to follow or subscribe to the show (depending on your listening platform of choice) to have all the episodes tastefully delivered to your earbuds starting on February 7.
For more, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.
Welcome to the last episode of the year! There’s a lot more to come in 2024, and I’ll be back with the new season on February 7. For now, let’s wrap this season up in style!
Jennifer Chen is a writer and the author of Artifacts of an Ex and the creator of Joy Ride, a lovely newsletter that highlights some of the brighter spots in life. And with the way 2023 went for a lot of us, that’s something we could all use.
We’re talking about Jennifer’s writing journey and how she helps herself focus, what surprised her about her book launch day, and her favorite Ted Lasso episodes.
For much of their lives, Alejandro Martignon and Fred Taylor were never big coffee drinkers. Alejandro helped out in his grandma's cafe in Colombia, and Fred watched as his NFL teammates downed several Venti Starbucks cups during practice.
But soon, the pair learned about mushroom coffee. Different fungi offer unique benefits, such as reduced stress, better brain health, and stronger energy and focus — without the afternoon crash. They partnered to create The Mushroom Coffee Company to share those benefits with coffee drinkers across the world.
We're talking about the growth of mushroom coffee, the most surprising part of running a business, and a moment from Fred's NFL days that fans still bring up when they meet him.
If you’ve been keeping an eye on things this year, you’ve probably heard about the rise of AI. Artificial intelligence can have some scary implications, such as stealing jobs or impersonating voices to extort money from people over the phone.
While that’s certainly a concern, there are plenty of people out there using AI for good. One of those guys is Gabriel Cowan, the founder of Audio Design Desk. The company uses AI to help make sound design easier, faster, and more efficient when creating movies or other content. Gabriel is also doing some fascinating stuff with AI and education.
We’re talking about ways to improve your sound, the challenges with software design, and how Gabe turned a potentially disastrous live music gig around to win over the crowd.
Social media can be a powerful tool for musicians. And Josh Simons has seen the power it can have. He co-founded Vampr, the world’s largest and most active social media network specifically for musicians.
Josh knows what musicians want because he’s had plenty of experience as one. He’s spent over a decade as an artist, songwriter, and producer, touring and working with folks like Carrie Underwood, Troye Sivan, and Travis Scott. Today, Josh heads the recently launched Vinyl Group.
We’re talking about that new venture, how to properly use metadata to make money, the power of horizontal networking, and Josh’s worst gig as a touring musician.
This episode is also supported by 6 Degrees of Cats! A delightful podcast featuring fascinating facts, stories, culture, and history about the mysterious world of felines.
Leif Cocks is the founder of The Orangutan Project. He’s developed conservation plans for orangutans and influenced positive change for orangutan protection and survival, including the first successful reintroduction of the zoo-born orangutan. Leif also educates people on the positive impacts orangutans have on forests and climate change.
We’re talking about Leif’s first meeting with an orangutan, how he helps give them a second chance at life, and his favorite singer/songwriters.
For more episodes, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.
There’s something magical about a holiday movie, isn’t it? Even the Grinchiest of people can find something to like when the Christmas spirit hits the silver screen. The music, the decorations, the treats…they’re all part of the experience, and it is an absolute delight.
You might also have a friend who regularly hosts a holiday party, bringing friends and family together for a last soiree before the new year. For one Los Angeles neighborhood, Christine Weatherup is that friend. And her annual party was part of the inspiration for See You Next Christmas, a film she wrote, directed, and acted in.
We’re talking about the process of making See You Next Christmas, what it’s like to shoot a movie in your own home, and one of Christine’s worst moments on a movie set.
Jessica Nguyen is a revenue-generating legal counsel at Lexion, a smart contract management system that uses AI to help customers gain insights into legal agreements. She’s had quite the impressive journey to get to where she is today — and she’s not afraid to let loose with some dancing when the situation calls for it.
We’re talking about lessons she’s learned throughout her career, some of our best fast food jobs, and her favorite Paul Rudd films.
Erin Zhurkin has lived in several countries abroad, and she’s the author of Plus-Size in Paris, a fish-out-of-water story based on her own experiences living in the City of Love.
We’re talking about Erin’s inner journey in writing her first novel, some of her favorite slang, and where she thinks America can step up its game.
Special shout-out to the Misfits Makin’ It Podcast! If you dig this show, you’ll definitely enjoy all the misfits over there. Check it out!
Regular listeners of this show know I have a tendency to dabble in side hustles. Between multiple podcasts and newsletters, a band, and a freelance writing career, I'm always juggling a few things going on.
Marika Flatt embraces that spirit wholeheartedly. She’s the founder of PR By the Book, which helps authors get their works noticed. She’s the travel editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine, teaching you all that’s great in the Lone Star State. And she regularly makes appearances on TV to share travel tips so your next trip is your best one yet.
As you may have noticed, we’re less than a week away from Halloween. Good People, Cool Things enjoys a good spooktacular to celebrate the holiday.
This time around, we’re here to educate! This episode features five fun Halloween facts that hopefully brighten your day. Grab your favorite candy and enjoy.
And if you need even more facts, you should definitely subscribe to Fun Fact Friyay. Happy Halloween!
If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I'd go for an extra pair of arms.
Joe Field is a superhero in his own right — he's what Paul Bunyon would be if he were also a writer. Joe is the creator of the LEGENDS UNIVERSE and author of Arrowhead Legends, Skoldrum Legends, and Chokecherry Legends. His books are enjoyed by middle grade kids, young adults, new adults, and the young at heart, or as he calls them, fun adults.
We’re talking about navigating the Texas heat with a newborn, his top tool for taking notes, and how he writes entire books using a technique called mind writing.
Betty Lu loves to travel and hike. Yet when she found herself reaching for protein bars to satiate her hunger, she encountered boredom more than yum-dum. So, she made herself a lightweight snack that still tasted great, pulling inspiration from the markets she went to growing up in Singapore and other flavors around the world, and using colorful plant-based ingredients like okra, sweet potatoes, radishes, and shiitake mushrooms.
And thus, Confetti Snacks was born.
We’re talking about the importance of upcycling imperfect produce, some of Betty’s favorite travel destinations, and how Confetti Snacks uses humor to connect with shoppers.
At the Texas Rennaissance Festival, you’ll see engaging experiences nearly everywhere you turn. Between themed weekends, local business owners peddling their wares, and elegant performers interacting with visitors, it’s a spectacular time.
Presiding over it all is the King of the Texas Renaissance Festival, who just so happens to be this episode’s guest. Yes, we’re kicking off the new season of Good People, Cool Things in royal style!
So, put on your finest garb, grab a turkey leg, and let’s have a grand ol’ time seeing what’s in store for this year’s Ren Fest.
Good People, Cool Things returns on October 4. In the meantime, I'm highlighting some other cool shows that I think you'll enjoy!
This week, we're flipping the script. Normally, I'm the one doing the interviews and highlighting the lovely things my guests are doing. But on this episode? I'm the guest, and I'm being interviewed by Rabiah Coon, host of the More Than Work podcast.
More Than Work features individuals who have found their self-worth is more than their job title, whether they're pursuing side hustles, finding ways to give back, or diving into other creative hobbies. Since I'm usually in the midst of five to 68 different projects at once, I'm a terrific guest!
This episode of Rabiah's show is called "Tepid Regards," which is a wonderful email sign-off that I suggest you use. Enjoy the show, and I'll see you in the new season on October 4!
Good People, Cool Things is returning with new episodes on October 4. In the meantime, I'm sharing episodes of other shows I think you'll dig.
Today's episode is from The Artist's Work Ethic with Mike Pelak. Mike is chatting with actor Terry Serpico, an actor who's currently recurring on Law & Order: SVU as Chief of Detectives, Tommy McGrath. Terry's appeared in films such as Hannibal, Michael Clayton, The Interpreter and The Purge: Election Year; as well as TV shows such as Yellowstone, Army Wives, Cobra Kai, and Designated Survivor.
While you're listening, why not take a moment to subscribe to Fun Fact Friyay? You'll get fun facts to your inbox once a week to make you wiser and more entertaining at parties — just drop your fact into a conversation and fade into the night. Plus, subscribers get shoutouts, special perks, and you might even have a poem or song written about you, if you so desire. What a time to be alive!
Good People, Cool Things will return on October 4. In the meantime, we're sharing episodes from other shows doing great stuff.
Today's highlighted show is The Integrated Schools Podcast, hosted by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. Housing and school segregation are closely intertwined, yet the story of how that came to be is rarely taught. The students at EPIC Theatre Ensemble were commissioned to write a play about this topic through the EPIC Next Program. These students created Between The Lines, an original play exploring the connections between America’s housing policies and educational segregation.
This episode features student actor Dilisima Vickers and co-artistic director Jim Wallert. They discuss how the show came to be and what they learned through making it. You'll also hear excerpts from the show, including an original song and a game show.
Want some more cool content in the meantime? Check out Fun Fact Friyay, my newsletter of fun facts.
Good People, Cool Things is returning October 4. In the meantime, we're highlighting other cool podcasts!
Access to Inspiration is a not-for-profit podcast that aims to improve people’s lives by helping them transcend their day-to-day challenges and reflect on what they're capable of. From accomplished artists and entrepreneurs to visionary thinkers and resilient leaders, the podcast uncovers the underlying sources of their inspiration, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the strategies they’ve employed to foster creativity and drive positive change.
This episode features musician, performer, and composer Simeon Wood, who chats with host Sue Stockdale about his career and why music makes us feel good. And spoiler alert: You'll feel good by the end of the episode.
Want some more good stuff until new episodes return? Head to Fun Fact Friyay and LIVE IT UP.
Good People, Cool Things is returning October 4. In the meantime, we're featuring other cool podcasts!
Art Heals All Wounds is a podcast that features a different artist each week whose work is having an impact on their communities. These artists share what motivates them, what issues in their lives have inspired their creativity, and the ripple effects of their work in the world.
Today’s episode features the breakout musical artist, La Doña, from San Francisco’s Mission District. This episode was part of a mini-series on Art Heals All Wounds called “Cultural Evolutionaries” which featured artists who stayed true to their roots while also embracing the growth necessary to address a changing world.
Want some more in the meantime? Head to Fun Fact Friyay.
EJ McCoy mowed his first lawn when he was eight years old and soon learned that he could turn that activity into a pretty successful business. He also discovered that, hey, most people don’t like to deal with their pet’s waste. Shocking, right?
Luckily, EJ doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, and he’s turned Scoop Soldiers into a successful business of pet waste removal. He’s also evolved his lawn company into Chorbie, which aims to be a one-stop shop for any home service need you can think of.
We’re talking all about how EJ got started as an entrepreneur, how he’s grown it over the years, and some of his top pet poop-related stories. I promise they’re not crappy.
This episode is brought to you by Banned Camp, a comedy podcast about why books are banned. Be sure to check it out and give them a listen. Search for them wherever you listen to podcasts.
Good People, Cool Things will also be taking a bit of a summer break, returning October 4. But don't worry, there are plenty of fun goodies that will happen in this feed during that break, so don't venture too far off!
When Cassie Petrey was a mere 12 years old, she created a newsletter for the Backstreet Boys that reached fans worldwide. She’s parlayed that fangirling into a highly successful career, playing a role in social media marketing for several major artists, including those very same Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello and Britney Spears.
Cassie is the co-founder and co-CEO of the marketing and music management firm Crowd Surf. Cassie is a Forbes 30 Under 30 and Billboard 30 Under 30 recipient and a massive fan of sea turtles, which is just a lovely combination.
We’re chatting about how to make it as a musician with no connections, using TikTok to your advantage, and some of her most memorable social media campaigns.
P.S. Did you know I have a Fun Fact newsletter? It's WONDERFUL. Subscribe here.
While merch and tours can help musicians make more money, they’re not the only ways to go. Evan Price helps artists think more like artistpreneurs. He wants them to approach their music like a business — because that’s what it is.Evan founded his first company when he was just 14 years old. Now, he’s the head of Artist Collective, helping musicians monetize their creative skills and giving them the foundation and framework to keep the good times rolling throughout their entire careers.We’re talking all about the artistpreneur mindset, how to grow your tribe of creatives, and some of the top vacation destinations. Evan also has a very helpful free training using tips from artists who have made a ton of money through his program — check it out here.
Reenita Hora is an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, and audio producer. Her female-driven comedy Operation Mom has won all kinds of awards, including the Grand Prize of the Chanticleer International Book Awards. Her young adult fantasy screenplay, Shadow Realm has a bunch of recognitions, like being a Script2Comic finalist. And her newsletter is chock full of good tips for better writing and marketing your work.We’re chatting about how to find your perfect audience, how to use AI to improve — or hinder — your writing, and the importance of promoting real experiences of South Asian culture.This episode is brought to you by Banned Camp! Hosts Jennifer and Dan read through a book that's ended up on a banned list and determine whether the ol' ban was the right move. It's quirky, delightful, and a whole lot of fun. Check it out here.
After many years of struggles, I've started to get back into the succulent game, I have a duck planter filled with fun lil' greenery. My personal favorite: lithops, which are also known as “living stones.” They look like little brains to me, but I also heard a shop owner refer to them as “pig’s noses,” so your mileage may vary.
While my green thumbs are slowly but steadily improving, this episode's guest has been gardening for virtually her whole life. Monique Allen realized there’s quite a bit of overlap between landscaping and growing a business, and after that light bulb went off, she started her career as The Lifescape Coach.
Today, she works with companies across the trades and helps them nourish their business far more competently than I nourish a garden. She created the Life-Scape Method to guide people toward improving their land, lives, and professional satisfaction. There’s a lot of cool stuff nature can bring us, and Monique is all about incorporating those good things into our daily lives.
We’re talking about how The Life-Scape Method has evolved over the years, how business owners can get rid of toxic employees, and why the “triple bottom line” is so important.
I’ve always felt fortunate that my family has loved to travel. Before I went to college, I had been to a luau in Hawaii. I had held koala bears and rode underwater scuba motorcycles in New Zealand and Australia. I had seen tortoises in Ecuador and traversed Machu Picchu in Peru.Even a mere few months ago, I embarked on a month-long trip across Europe. It was a wonderful time, and…psst, in case you’re newer to the show, there’s a full episode about it. It’s just a few episodes before this one! What a promo.Matt Kepnes didn’t have such an extensive travel background growing up — he didn’t take his first international trip until he was 23. But boy, has he made up for it. He’s traveled through over 100 countries, wrote the books How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad and is the founder of Nomadic Matt, a website designed to help people travel smarter while spending less money.Matt’s website is full of goodies, so we’re talking about how he’s built up his travel brand, the importance of journaling, the time he got stabbed while traveling abroad, and much, much more.
When you think of tourism, what comes to mind? Like how Paris, Texas has an Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat on top? Or how some cities base their entire economy around one major event, like Williamsport, Pennsylvania does with the Little League World Series? Well, Diana Edelman, founder of Vegans, Baby!, has a different type of tourism.Diana is, in her own words, a former publicist-turned-travel-blogger-turned-elephant-rescuer-turned-writer and frequent television personality. She’s also set up plenty of vegan tourism events in multiple cities.We’re talking all about the moment she decided to go vegan, something surprising about veganism, what it looks like setting up these events, and how she’s built her brand.
Whether you're a fan of brainteasers, puzzles, or board games — or all three — this episode is right up your alley. Austin-based company Project Genius makes brainteasers and puzzles designed to get your mind stimulated. The company is also women-owned and an active member of the Austin Autism Council. One of those owners is Brandi Pinsker, who founded the company and serves as CEO.Brandi shares how she got into this world, what the creation process is like, and how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces for everyone.
Patrick Grimes is the founder and CEO of InvestOnMainStreet.com, a private equity firm that provides tax-shielded and inflation-hedged passive investments in alternative investments. What does that mean? Well, since 2007 — which, you may remember, was right before a massive housing crash — Patrick has purchased distressed real estate assets, renovating and stabilizing them for long-term cash flow. He’s raised over $50 million to acquire a portfolio worth more than $600 million, including about 5,000 units in multifamily apartment communities in emerging markets across Texas and the southeastern United States. And because diversification is always important, Patrick also has an energy portfolio that includes 100+ natural gas and oil wells in 5+ locations across 5 states. We’re talking all about how Patrick got into this world, what he’s learned along the way, and busting some of the myths about real estate investing.Did you enjoy this episode? I'd love it if you left a review on whatever platform you're listening! You rock.
When you were in school, you probably did some kind of project or report on a family member. Chances are you didn't uncover something like my guest.
Pepper Anne is a true crime writer, and the author of The Notorious Texas Swindler about Bob Leach, a cattle rustler turned con man and the mastermind behind the Grayson County Five, a group of fugitives who escaped from the Grayson County Jail in Sherman, Texas. Concurrently, Bob was also rustling cattle from unsuspecting ranchers and hosting a party ranch with his then-wife.
Bob is Pepper Anne’s cousin. She’s spent over a decade working on this story, piecing together interviews and insights from family members, victims, law enforcement officials, private investigators, and more. And she’s dealt with some unique threats along the way.
We’re talking all about how she discovered her cousin’s history, what it’s been like writing this story, and how she kept track of all the madness—because there is a LOT of chaos to unpack here.
This episode is presented by Firebreathing Kittens. Check 'em out here!
We've got plenty of good guests in store for the latest season, but I'm ridin' solo for the first episode back!
I just spent a month traversing around Europe, and I've told everyone within earshot that they should go have a European adventure of their own. Since you are, in fact, within earshot, you're getting a sneak peek at my itinerary.
Enjoy walking through the fabulous sights and sounds. Let me know where your next trip is taking you!
Here's the statue of King Wenceslas I mention in the section about Prague. What a spectacle!
Payal and Kajal Vitha left their jobs in tech to follow their hearts and start their own jewelry business. Their goal? To make Sonu Company the premier engagement ring destination for this generation.
We're talking about their appearance on Indian Matchmaker, what it's like working with family, and tips for keeping your ring sparkling.
The world could use a little more love, and that's one of the guiding forces behind author Emma Barry's books. Romance novels are about love, relationships, and hope. In a dark world, that's endearing!If you have any inkling to write...well, anything, you'll find plenty in here. Emma shares why she has a writer ethos, the reason she fired her agent, and how Saturday Night Live inspired her most recent work.By the end of this episode, you may very well be inspired to read a romance novel. And it should probably be one of Emma's books.
Have you ever done something you didn't want to do — and it turned out to be an incredible decision?
Holly Curby is no stranger to finding inspiration in all kinds of people and places, but she never expected to be an entrepreneur or write a book. Now, she's done both and is thriving.
We're talking about her unexpected business growth and her book journey, from writing to a deeply personal cover. Plus, her top tools and how you can find a mentor who's right for you.
Learn more about Holly at hollycurby.com.
Mike Fata was raised by a poor single mother, dropped out of school as a teenager, lost more than 100 pounds, and started a business in the hemp food space. A few years ago, he sold that business for nearly half a billion dollars.
Mike will be the first to tell you that his journey isn't the "typical" one, but it's a great reminder that success comes in all different shapes and forms. Now, Mike works with entrepreneurs across a variety of industries, helping them grow their businesses while offering advice and resources. His goal? To empower people to structure their best day ever and enjoy life as an entrepreneur.
His new book, Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur, looks at his story and shares how you too can have your best day ever — whatever that looks like for you.
Pick up a copy of Grow here.
You may have noticed we’re in the middle of March, which means it’s time for the greatest time of the sports year — March Madness.
It can seem daunting to fill out a bracket, particularly if you haven’t watched a lick of basketball all year. But there’s good news: It’s equally as difficult to fill out a bracket even if you have watched many basketball games.
Luckily, Chris Hayes and I are here to help you fill out your bracket. We share some actual basketball data, but more importantly, we break down schools based on mascots, hairstyles, and much more.
People are often surprised to learn that I host multiple podcasts. Perhaps my self-promotion skills need a bit of work…in any case, I am, in fact, a multi-podcast connoisseur. My other current show is called Sports R Dumb; each episode dives into a silly element of sports.
It may seem like there’s not a ton of crossover between a sports-centric show and a show about building a brand. But Good People, Cool Things has always been about education, too. I want you to walk away from any given episode having learned at least one new thing (and hopefully smiling once or twice along the way).
So, in the spirit of education, today’s episode is a feature of Sports R Dumb. Learn all about the very silly ways professional athletes — and every day, normal people — can be fined.
If you enjoy Sports R Dumb, feel free to listen to additional episodes here or follow the show on Instagram.
Over 106 million people in the United States live in designated disaster areas, with millions more around the world. Flooding, earthquakes, fires, and other natural disasters can devastate miles of land and uproot families in one fell swoop.
Trying to get back on your feet after experiencing something like that can be overwhelming. Russell Tuchman and Adrian Baker-Kang started Rebuildee as a way to help. Think of Rebuildee as a cross between GoFundMe and a wedding registry — only for disaster recovery.
We're talking about how they've grown the company, why user experience is so important, and what's often underlooked in the face of disaster recovery.
Many people dream about starting a business, but not everyone will actually make it happen. Fewer still start a business with family, even though it can be a super rewarding experience.
Well, the Painter Sisters, Stephanie and Hayley, ain't your average dreamers that rest on their laurels. They get stuff DONE — like getting their Painterland Sisters Organic Skyr Yogurt into stores across the nation — and they're hoping to educate people about farming and agriculture along the way.
We're chatting about how they've grown their business, working together as sisters, and a photoshoot that went terribly awry.
As a late 80s baby, I'm technically more of a kid of the 90s. Yet I know my birth decade has plenty of magical moments and pop culture touchstones that will live on forever.
Chris Clews is a speaker and author of multiple books, most recently Raised on The '80s: 30+ Unexpected Life Lessons from the Movies and Music That Defined Pop Culture’s Most Excellent Decade. He knows just how important the decade was and all the valuable lessons it can teach us.
We're talking about the top takeaways from the 80s, what it's like to become an entrepreneur later in life, and what relics need to come back in modern times.
During the pandemic, many people decided to start businesses. No time commuting and sitting in traffic? Sign me up for that extra time! Beth Geddio was among that group, though her company, State of Being, was born out of frustration.
Today, Beth is all-in on State of Being, which pairs scented candles with positive affirmations. There's a lot of chaos in the world, so having something soothing and restorative is quite lovely.
Beth shares what she's learned along her entrepreneurial journey, marketing strategies that did — and didn't — work, and the best compliment she's ever received.
Natalie Shay is a singer/songwriter from London who's been on a musical barrage lately. Her latest EP, MILK, came out in the fall of 2022 and she featured on other songs since then. And we're barely a month into 2023 but she's already dropped another single, "The Edge."
We're talking all about her songwriting process, what people in creative fields should do to stay motivated, and perhaps the best thing she's done to market her music (which also happens to involve slime).
She's also ranking her top Taylor Swift albums, so to all my Swifties out there: Feel free to chime in.
Storytelling can be such an impactful tool for any individual or brand — but only if it's done correctly.
Stefan Georgi is the creator of the Copy Accelerator mastermind and the RMBC process for developing effective copy. And he's used his words to generate over $1 billion, so it's safe to say he knows what he's doing.
He's sharing a peek inside his success — let's roll.
Marketing has always been an important element of business, but in the digital world, there are just SO MANY options. What are the latest SEO tricks? Do I need to learn the ins and outs of TikTok? Are Facebook ads still even useful? It's enough to make anyone go mad.
Amy Singleton spent more than a decade as a nurse assisting with major surgeries. Yet she thought she could do more to serve people, particularly women entrepreneurs. She founded Hite Digital Norman, a digital marketing agency designed to make the whole marketing world less scary while helping businesses grow.
We're chatting about her journey from surgery to marketing, how to use data to boost your brand, and things Amy used to be afraid of but now loves to do.
This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save $10 off your purchase.
Whether you're just exploring starting a small business or have been working at yours for years, chances are you have a LOT on your plate. And that's a fast-track ticket to Burnout City. And not the fun type of fast-track, like the passes that can get you to the front of an amusement park ride.
Veronica Kirin is a serial entrepreneur who found herself burnt out and frustrated. So, she decided to do something about it. By the time she sold her tech company, she had achieved what seems unthinkable: a 10-hour workweek.
Now, she's teaching small business owners how to do the same and take back control of their freedom. We're chatting through her three pillars of business scaling, why we need to overcome hustle culture, and her upcoming Empire Retreat in Croatia.
This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save $10 off your purchase.
Innovation is a word that gets thrown a lot, but it can be tough to know just what steps to take to actually innovate. How do you know what works and what's more futile than trying to talk to a friend during the encore of a rock concert?
Hussain Almossawi has always looked at ways to innovate while blurring the lines between storytelling, visual effects, and design. And it's led to creative opportunities with companies including Nike, Disney, Adidas, and ultimately, his own company, Almossawi Studios.
Luckily, Hussain is here to bring us along for the ride thanks to his book The Innovator's Handbook: A Short Guide to Unleashing Your Creative Mindset. We're talking about how to deal with pushback, the time one of his designs almost got hit with a lawsuit, and ways to be more innovative.
This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save.
Can you imagine having to walk miles just to get water to drink? Or you can't use whatever comes from the sink when you brush your teeth? For more than 700 million people worldwide, this is a reality. They don't have access to clean drinking water.
Christoph Gorder is the Chief Global Water Officer of Charity Water, which seeks to provide clean drinking water for everyone. The nonprofit has already raised millions of dollars to help the cause, with additional projects in the works that will impact 50 million people across 21 countries.
We're chatting how Charity Water has raised money, why clean water is a solvable problem, and the importance of being genuine with your donors or customers.
This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save.
After experiencing her own obstacles, Rosemary Ikpeme made it her mission to share everything she's learned about personal development, goal setting, productivity, and mental resilience.
She left a career in media to create MYnd Map, which empowers individuals and organisations to achieve their goals efficiently, based on their values and purpose, with balance and mindfulness.
We're talking all about how you can incorporate mindfulness within your day, appreciating the little things, and our favorite stories from our broadcasting careers.
This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save.
Seinfeld went off the air nearly 25 years ago, and yet it's still one of the most popular sitcoms ever. That's largely thanks to Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David creating terrific characters and storylines about the odd quirks of our society.
Even though Seinfeld isn't airing new episodes, Seinfeld is still touring. And this episode's guest, Mark Schiff, has been touring alongside him for decades. In fact, Seinfeld wrote the foreword for Mark's new book, Why Not? Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah.
It is a wonderful read with plenty of cool people in it (fitting for this podcast) and it explores far more than comedy alone. And wouldn't you know it, this episode does the same: Mark shares some terrific life lessons and what he's picked up along the way. Plus, we have SEVERAL jokes at the end, instead of just one.
This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save.
Welcome to a classic podcast swap! I'm sharing an episode from Joe Casabona over at How I Built It because it's incredibly useful for you in your business and brand-building journey.
In this sneak peek episode, Joe chats with Dr. Shanté Cofield on a ton of helpful stuff. Let's peep the highlights:
- On imposter syndrome: We need to get objective and trust the data. It’s easy to get down on yourself, not want to brag, and feel like you’re not the real deal. But you need to listen to what people are telling you. If you help them, you are helping.
- It’s easy to want to talk implementation of your new business or content because that’s concrete. But you need to define your values first. Without values, you are directionless.
- On values: value-based marketing is not shouting your opinion on Twitter. Values are verbs. They are things you do, vs. the things they say. They are how you build your best life, and they need to be at the core of your business.
Enjoy this conversation and check out How I Built It for even more cool conversations with business owners doing great things (hmm...sounds very fitting for this show!). We'll be back to episodes of Good People, Cool Things next week!
If you've read anything online lately, you've probably heard about the trend of "quiet quitting." People get sick of their current company and role and either outright leave or decide to stay and do just the bare minimum to get by.
One of the common reasons people get discouraged by their jobs is that they're not having any fun. And, spoiler alert: unhappy employees don't usually do good work. So, how can you introduce more fun into the workplace?
That's what Dr. Bob Nelson and Mario Tamayo are sharing in their book Work Made Fun Gets Done: Easy Ways to Boost Energy, Morale, and Results. They've dissected more than 400 low or no-cost ways to make the office fun, whether you're in person or hanging out virtually. And these are things REAL companies are doing, so you'll get good ideas that will actually work.
Special thanks to Why Play Works for supportin g this episode. Hosts Lucy Taylor, founder of Make Work Play and Tzuki Stewart, co-founder of Playfilled, explore how we can harness the power of play to boost resilience, improve well-being and foster collaboration, connection and creativity in the way we work. Listen at whyplayworks.com.
Fans of this podcast know I'm a big fan of creating "spooktacular" episodes around Halloween. We've explored musicians' worst gigs, chatted with ghost hunters, and heard a few horrific tales.
This year, it's going to be a little different. I'm reading a chapter of my book Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life's Relationships. This story is the creepiest one in the collection, so it's the perfect spooktacular for Halloween.
And if you want to be spooktacularly supportive, you can order my book here . Or tell someone about this episode, you rock star. Happy Halloween!
Many artists, musicians, and other creative entrepreneurs want to own property. But because of the unique nature of their industries, they may not be paid as regularly as someone who has a 9-to-5. For example, an artist might get three lump sumps throughout the year instead of a steady paycheck. As a result, many artists and creatives struggle to get approved for a mortgage.
Alejandro Szita has worked all over the lending and real estate industries and has learned the ins and outs. Just as importantly, he understands the mindset behind banks that deal with these types of individuals. Alejandro works with artists and entrepreneurs to ensure they’re maximizing the likelihood of getting a mortgage — and how they can use it to earn even more money.
After a trip to Italy with a lot of wine drinking and pasta eating, Dave Martin wanted to shed a few pounds. As it turns out, ditching wine and replacing it with tequila had impressive results. And so, The Tequila Diet was born.
We're talking all about the new book, Dave's worst gigs as a chef, and what brands should do when hiring outside consultants.
Dave was also a contestant on the first season of Top Chef, so you better believe we're chatting about that, too.
Welcome to one of the most exciting times in sports — the baseball postseason is upon us! And that means it’s the perfect time to talk about innovation in baseball and how the sport has evolved, particularly from a breaking-the-rules perspective.
Dan Levitt is an award-winning researcher and board member of the Society for American Baseball Researchers. In short, he knows his baseball history. Alongside Mark Armour, he’s the co-author of multiple books and articles. Their recent collaboration, Intentional Balk: Baseball's Thin Line Between Innovation and Cheating, has a ton of cool stories about…well, the thin line between being cunning and being a straight-up cheater.
Education is hard work, y'all. And creating environments where kids can excel takes a whole village. As a child, I listened to Dave Clark Five while doing homework. It worked for me, but another child might find that repulsive. "A band named after the drummer?!" they'd scoff. So, we need to start being more emotionally intelligent with the youths.
Alyssa Blask Campbell created Seed & Sew to give educators and parents an assist with emotional intelligence. She offers tools for regulation and connection so children can thrive and build resilience. Perhaps the most important part, Alyssa is doing all this in an APPROACHABLE way. She's not trying to scare you off with big words — though she does enjoy a good fancy vocab term — she's simply making it easier to connect in a time when that's often a tough ask.
We're chatting about Collaborative Emotion Processing, how to interact with kids without sounding like you're reading from a script, and why having shitty first drafts is important.
Over the past 15 years, David Richman has run more than 50 triathlons, ran four marathons back-to-back, and took a solo 5,000-mile bike ride around the country.
That bike ride is also a key part of his latest book Cycle of Lives, which explores 15 different emotional journeys of people who have experienced cancer. And 100% of the book's proceeds will be donated to nonprofits focusing on cancer research.
We're chatting about those different journeys, how you can set your own goals for personal growth, the most (and least) bike-friendly cities, and some of the best cooking methods out there.
Imagine you're making a video to share with the world. You've found the PERFECT song for it, one that'll get everyone's toes tapping and praising your musical knowledge. Only there's one problem: you didn't get the proper rights to use the song, and now your video has been taken down.
Thematic co-founder Audrey Marshall started her company to help creators and artists alike navigate this tricky world of music rights. And she's dropping all kinds of wisdom for you to maximize your creative endeavors, whether you're on the creator or musician side.
Want more cool episodes like this one? Check out goodpeoplecoolthings.com.
Writing noir mysteries and stories about killers is a fine balance. You’ve got to build worlds that stay true to the setting while delivering characters that people still want to root for, even if they’re mired in some shady stuff.
Faye Snowden has honed this craft, writing several noir mystery novels, short stories, and poems. Her latest book, A Killing Rain, is the second of a four-part Southern Gothic series.
You want even more helpful resources? I GOT 'EM — simply visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.
Do you dig speculative fiction, steampunk horror, and kickass fantasy? Then you're going to be a fan of Morgan Quaid. But even if those genres aren't your favorite, this episode has plenty to help you thrive.
Morgan is a writer of comics, novels, and graphic novels. On top of that, he's a music composer and producer. He's done plenty of creative work, collaborated with great minds, and has tons of experience with crowdfunding campaigns.
If you're in ANY sort of creative field, Morgan shares solid advice throughout the episode. Come along and listen in, won't you?
For more episodes and helpful resources, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.
This may surprise you, but running a business is hard work. In fact, your to-do list probably just grew by about four tasks in the time it took to read this sentence.
With so much going on, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Maybe your operations are in need of updates, or you want to grow your business but aren't sure where to start. Jessi Burg felt the same way, and she was discouraged by how little information there was out there to help small business owners.
So, she did something about it. Jessi is the founder of Outgrow Your Garage, which offers self-guided courses, tips, and resources for owners looking to grow their business. No matter the type of company, if you offer a service, you'll find plenty of value here.
Want to check out other episodes with more helpful content? Visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.
As a performer, Elisa di Napoli enjoyed creating and sharing stories through her music. But with severe performance anxiety, it became nearly impossible to actually take the stage. Elisa tried drinking wine, using beta blockers, and taking improv classes, but nothing worked until she learned how to be kind to herself.
Today, she’s an artist coach, hypnotherapist, and multi-instrumentalist singer-songwriter, producing 12 albums under the stage name Elyssa Vulpes. She helps others approach their next journey with the right mindset, allowing them to overcome stage fright or whatever obstacles are in the way.
Psst, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. YOU have a ton of knowledge, and that knowledge is valuable. And I'd guess you probably know even more than you think.
Musician Fabiana Claure realized this amid a period of burnout. But instead of trying to overwork herself, she learned to start being more protective of her time and more efficient with her offerings—and it's paid off big time. Now she's helping other musicians do the same thing.
We're talking all about how musicians can earn more money, how to market your work, and a couple of near-disaster gigs she's played.
Want to support the show? Head on over to the merch shop or buy a copy of my book!
Writing might seem like a lonely and solitary practice, but it doesn't have to be. In fact, collaborating with others can often lead to better writing.
Francis Daulerio has written multiple books of poetry while also finding unique ways to collab. My particular favorite: a split collection of "covers" — he wrote poems based on another writer's short stories, and the other writer wrote stories based on Francis's poems.
He's also talking about his most bizarre reading, the top ways to market a book, and why existentialism can help you find meaning and joy.
If you were staring down a legend like Lionel Richie, how do you think you'd respond? Country singer Kate Watson was faced with that very situation. She performed one of Richie's songs during Season 19 of American Idol — and she's kept the good times going since then.
She co-writes music with her father Jesse and dropped her latest single "Highway" earlier this year.
In this episode, Kate shares some of her top stories from her American Idol experience, some of the worst experiences in her life, her top tips for building a successful music brand, and why it's important to always give your all in any situation.
For perhaps her whole life, Annalisa Enrile has been an advocate for other people. She’s a social worker, professor at the University of Southern California, community organizer, and activist against human trafficking.
So, naturally, Annalisa was a great host for a show like Goodniks, which explores the journey and meaning of doing good in the world. It’s storytelling at its finest.
We’re talking about how you (yes, YOU) can change the world on a more day-to-day and less epic scale and why the next generation is bringing us a ton of hope.
Will Wood isn't like most musical artists. He incorporates standup comedy into his shows. He writes songs about topics most people overlook, like the life of a mouse that's been trapped. And he hates social media — even as it's brought him tons of new fans and millions of new listens.
Sure, social media might be the downfall of us all, but there's plenty of good out there, too. From connecting with fans at live shows to being more vulnerable in songwriting, things aren't SO bad. We're talking about all of that and more in this episode.
I'm a huge fan of wordplay — one of my favorite articles I've ever written is about the O. Henry Pun-Off in Austin. And I'm a huge fan of trying new foods — that's partly why I started my website Phat Phoodies. Put them both together and you've got some MAGIC. That's exactly what Marie Saba has done with her book Don't Worry Be Ha-PEA: 101 Deliciously Clever Food Puns.
Marie is a self-taught cook who's been featured in Bon Apetit, Food & Wine, and The Rachael Ray Show, among others. She pairs food and creativity to introduce more people to the wonderful world of cooking and photography, and she's having a blast doing it.
We're talking food puns, the cooking utensils you need for your kitchen essentials, and how motherhood can open up more creative thinking.
Joseph Robert, the Fantasy Football Counselor, shares how he's grown his brand into one of the top spots for fantasy football content — and spoiler alert, his tips apply for any type of business, not just sports.
We're also talking about the "kind of terrifying" leap from a stable 9-to-5 to starting your own business. But guess what? That jump into entrepreneur life has been filled with success because Joseph has identified opportunities for growth and how to go against the grain in a crowded content world.
And he's a fellow Joseph, so you know he's great!
If you've seen a movie or show with a puppet, it's very possible Lisa Buckley was involved. The professional puppeteer has worked with The Muppets, Sesame Street, Alf, Men in Black and so much more.
She's taken her puppets beyond the screen to do humanitarian aid work in impoverished countries. Focusing on adverse issues such as trauma, hygiene, and gender equality, Lisa works on the front lines of refugee camps, using customized puppets as teaching tools to better the lives of those who are caught in the crossfires of upheaval, war, and disease. She's also working with the Born Free Foundation in Kenya, creating elephant puppets to raise awareness for animal welfare and conflict.
In this episode, she's sharing some of her favorite puppet characters and how they help teach all kinds of important topics.
Do you ever have a recurring dream? Maybe you're always falling, and you wake up just before you smack into something. Or maybe you're like me as a child and randomly dream about fat men eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and exploding (but in a fun, cartoony way).
For Carlos Allende, a fiction writer and media scholar, his recurring dream was that he had murdered someone. And that served as the launching pad for his latest book, Coffee, Shopping, Murder, Love.
Carlos is talking about his new book, but he's also dropping plenty of knowledge on storytelling, writing, and marketing your work. And don't worry, no one actually gets murdered in this episode, so you can safely tune in.
Big thank you to Dave from Beer In Frontfor the intro! Check out his podcast after this one and learn about some tasty beverages.
Have you been working towards a long-term goal but can’t seem to reach it? You just might need to implement a system to help get you where you want to go. Luckily, this episode’s guest has the tools you need to accomplish those goals.
Dr. Dravon James is a Transformation Specialist, inspirational speaker, radio host, life coach, and author of Freedom is Your Birthright. She founded Next Step Leadership Academy and Every Day Peace, a platform for her to help and inspire others to reach their dreams.
So, are you ready to learn how to set goals and systems? Let’s dive in!
Does it seem like the world is in particularly brutal shape right now? We’ve got violence happening across the country, politicians deciding how people should use their bodies, inflation and rising grocery prices, and oh yes, let’s not forget there’s still a pandemic going on.
Sometimes, it feels like we’re living the “this is fine” dog on fire cartoon in real life. But it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. We just need to be extra diligent about picking each other up. For Howard H. Prager, he’s made it a point to make someone’s day — each and every day.
Thankfully, Howard has compiled some fantastic stories of people making each other’s day and offers plenty of tips so you can go do the same in your neck of the woods. We’re also chatting about the Cubs World Series victory from 2016, playing tuba, and our favorite Lindt chocolates.
Mark Josephson knows a thing or two about successful business. He's previously launched About.com and Bitly, and now he's paving the way for thriving culinary entrepreneurs through Castiron.
Mark's dropping all kinds of knowledge, from the need for businesses to focus on simplicity, how culinary artisans can be smarter about their pricing methods, and why decentralization is going to be a major factor in the world — just not in its current format.
I’ve been a candy fan for about as long as I can remember. Halloween nights were a contest to see how many Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and Twix bars I could amass, and I once ate an entire large bag of Sour Skittles at a movie once (it was Undercover Brother, if you’re scoring at home). Yet I’ve never tried a candy quite like Tamalitoz.
It combines some of the traditional flavors of Mexican candy with British sweets, with a bit of spice on the inside, rather than coating the outside. You’ll definitely want to try Tamalitoz by Sugarox. Owners Jack Bessulo and Dec Simmons share how they got started, ways to expand a brand, and some of the most surprising things about running a business.
In January 2020, Adam Kaat quit his corporate job to focus on creative pursuits. To help support his new path, he took a job at a grocery store. Things were going swell until, as you may have heard, the Covid-19 pandemic shut down life just a few weeks later.
Suddenly, Adam was working at virtually the only place on earth that was still open. While everyone else was rocking masks and practicing social distancing, Adam was in the thick of things, watching and interacting with people who were mere moments away from a breaking point.
He started blogging about his experiences, and people quickly responded to his stories, which showcased our humanity in the middle of one of the worst times in history. Adam used that great feedback to write Life on the Grocery Line: A Frontline Experience in a Global Pandemic. And we’re chatting all about what that life was like.
Many of us want to make more money. We’ll find side hustles, or work hard in our main gig so we can negotiate for more. Would you take up to $15,000 a day?
Aaron Smith, founder of Escaping The Odds, was doing just that on the south side of Chicago. The problem: His business with a heroin drug operation. He was later indicted and sentenced to 12 years in federal prison, serving nearly a decade of that time.
While in jail, Aaron’s mindset changed. He decided it was time to switch hustles, or as he puts it, to go from selling dope to chasing dreams. But that entrepreneurial spirit never left him, and today Aaron is a business owner, podcast producer, and mentor. He’s out to change the narrative that people who have been incarcerated are beyond hope. They deserve a second chance.
And through Escaping the Odds, Aaron is helping them get those opportunities.
You step up to the mic, perhaps with weak knees or sweaty palms. Maybe you feel mom's spaghetti on your breath as you inhale deeply, ready to impress the world.
No, we haven't stumbled into the set of 8 Mile. Adam Wainwright and Ed Cunard are the hosts of The Greatest Song Ever Sung (Poorly) podcast, a show that takes karaoke exactly as seriously as it should be taken.
We're chatting about some of their favorite karaoke memories, the worst songs they've ever done, and tips to help you excel onstage or while giving any kind of public speaking performance.
April is World Autism Month. People with autism are talented in a number of categories, from music to art to coding. However, they often experience difficulties finding careers as many employers have misconceptions and a lack of understanding.
One woman and son duo is setting out to change these unemployment trends. Tiffany Hamilton and her son Isaiah are the founders of Victor Wear, with goals to create a vibrant community that inspires and motivates people while creating awareness and opportunities for those with autism and other disabilities.
Fun fact: This is Tiffany's VERY FIRST podcast appearance. I think she did great, don't you?
The NBA playoffs are upon us! While I can certainly rattle off some random games for you, I don't hold a candle to today's guest: statistician Dave Heeren, who has watched more than 75 YEARS of NBA basketball.
Dave started dissecting games in college and quickly joined the New York Knicks as a team statistician. He's developed his TENDEX value rating to highlight the best to ever play the game. He's diving into TENDEX and so much more in his book Seventy-Five: Best NBA Players and Teams Rated by Statistician who has Seen Games Since 1947.
We're talking about the top players and teams, why you need to trust data, and some of the coolest moments Dave has experienced as a basketball fan.
So many businesses start by identifying a problem people have and trying to solve it. That was the idea behind GreenPal, the “Uber for lawn care” that connects homeowners with local lawn care professionals. But as GreenPal CEO and co-founder Bryan Clayton discovered along the way, he was actually solving a differentproblem for his customers. More than speed, more than a good deal, they want reliability.
Today, GreenPal has more than 100,000 active users and makes thousands of transactions every day. It’s Bryan’s second successful landscaping company, following the $10 million annual revenue of Peachtree, Inc., which sold to Lusa Holdings in 2013.
Let's hop in and get your business growing!
Help! I need somebody...to listen to all the good stuff in this episode. Dan Greenberger is the author of The Boys Next Door: A Novel About the Beatles, and he's diving into his writing process for this historical fiction novel, rules around creative liberties, and a Hollywood career that's spanned a quarter-century.
We're also discussing how someone with creative ambitions can find a place in Hollywood, the best writing exercise Dan did while in college, and his top Beatles songs.
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Damion Taylor has long been fascinated by the intersection of data and creativity, and he's used a unique skill set to create content for brands and media companies such as Warner Bros., NBC Universal, and Machinima.
Damion also created the Professional Confession podcast after experiencing the murder of Ahmaud Arbery and the Central Park Karen incident. The podcast features those conversations from people that aren't frequently told, from people of color, women, and queer individuals.
Additionally, we're diving into the joys of traveling and being curious about others, and we go down a wacky Disney rabbit hole.
You'll definitely learn lots from this episode, and I hope you tell someone — or maybe everyone — you know to check it out.
John Copenhaver's latest book The Savage Kind has gotten something just about every author hopes for: a great review from The New York Times. That's just one small part of the writing process, though.
Beyond two books in the...uh...books, John teaches high school English for dyslexic kids and college courses on writing fiction. He's also a co-host of Mystery Radio Show and writes reviews of queer crime fiction for Lambda Literary. And yes, he's still got multiple books on the way.
We're chatting some of the best ways to market your writing, how to tie a mystery trilogy together, and why teaching students isn't SO different from completing a book.
Have you ever said things like "I'm not a science person" or "I can't do math"? Those types of phrases are actually be holding us back from achieving our goals, and they sure aren't helping the generations coming after us.
Chris Emdin, PhD, is the founder of HipHopEd.com and the author behind STEM, STEAM, Make, Dream: Reimagining the Culture of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathwhich is making STEM more accessible to all cultures and socioeconomic backgrounds.
We're chatting all about his new book, why it's important to reach out to people that interest you, and some of the great artists—and lyrics—in hip-hop.
Julia Taylor is a self-taught web developer and online business owner who, by her own accounts, is an "accidental entrepreneur." Yet she's turned that happy accident into GeekPack, a thriving community built around empowering women and girls everywhere to create better lives for themselves through coding, managing their own businesses, and rocking the digital world.
Julia's sharing how she got started, her favorite tips for finding things on Google, her favorite travel destinations, and we get an inside look at GeekPack's 5-Day Coding Challenge.
An entrepreneur at heart, Sadie Higgins experiences "hurry sickness," or a need to constantly keep doing the next thing. She founded her first business three months after having her first child. The day before the pandemic forced us into lockdown, she had started the idea that turned into her current business Gleam, which helps relieve the mental burden of giving gifts.
Sadie candidly talks about the pivots she's had to make throughout her businesses, strategies that have and haven't worked, and the best ways to be thoughtful.
She also touches on the elements of life we’ve all experienced during the pandemic—namely, family distractions (including background TV noise, which you may hear as you listen) and how she still manages to get work done. One of her kids even makes an appearance during the episode!
Back before the days of the Internet, there was a role perhaps more valuable than just about any other: that of the corporate spy. Most people could barely stomach it for an hour, let alone a day. Yet through immense curiosity, concentration, and a "gift of gab," Robert Kerbeck became the world's top corporate spy, extracting information worth hundreds of millions of dollars for global companies.
His entire story is fascinating, and he's chronicled it in RUSE: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street. We're getting a sneak peek of it today.
We're also talking about why short stories are so valuable for writing, his most unusual audition as an actor, and the greatest working experiences he's had with celebrities.
Learn more about Robert and buy a copy of his book at robertkerbeck.com.
Support Good People, Cool Things by sharing this episode, picking up some merch at the shop or buying my book: Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life's Relationships. Thanks for listening!
Welcome to episode #100! What a big freaking deal and a nice round number! I love it and I love you for supporting me the whole way. And now onto the episode!
Joe McNally has been writing his new book for the last two years, but he’s been living it for the past 40 as an internationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning work in prestigious publications like National Geographic, Time, LIFE, and Sports Illustrated.
In The Real Deal: Field Notes from the Life of a Working Photographer, Joe shares lessons and insights he’s learned throughout his career, starting as a copyboy and working his way to the renowned photographer he is today.
We’re chatting about some of his top assignments, occasional mistakes, and why Michelle Pfeiffer knew he was the perfect photographer for a profile.
Visit Joe at his website joemcnally.com.
Follow Joe on Instagram @joemcnallyphoto.
If you’re a fan of Good People, Cool Things, I would love your support. Feel free to follow on Spotify orApple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests.
You can also support the show by checking out the Good People, Cool Things merch store. Thanks for visiting!
And I wrote a book! Grab your copy of Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life’s Relationships from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.
Fifth & Cherry owner and Marine Corps veteran Tim Reazor knows the most precious commodity we have is time — and the memories we can create with that time. Leaving a lasting legacy is super important to him, and his cutting boards are meant to be passed down from generation to generation.
Tim received a cutting board when he was in college. Now, 20 years later, he still has it. That’s an impressive legacy, and there’s plenty more where that came from at Fifth & Cherry.
We’re chatting all about Tim’s passion for tangibility, the keys to creating memorable experiences for customers, and we’re even briefly greeted by a baby pterodactyl. Wins all around!
- Visit the website (and especially the About Us page!) at fifthandcherry.com.
- Follow Tim on Twitter at @tjreazor.
- Follow Good People, Cool Things on Spotify orApple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests.
- You can also support the show by checking out the Good People, Cool Things merch store.
- And I wrote a book! Grab your copy of Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life’s Relationships from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.
For years, Amy Neswald worked as a wigmaster on the Broadway production of Jersey Boys, as well as several other players. She was among the last people the actors would see before they stepped on the stage, and she has so many cool stories from her time in that world.
Part of that experience led to the creation of I Know You Love Me, Too, a collection of linked stories that’s already won the New American Fiction Prize despite being released less than two months ago. And because Amy likes to keep herself busy, she’s also a screenwriter and teaches creative writing at the University of Maine in Farmington.
We’re kicking off a new season of Good People, Cool Things with someone who’s traveled all across the world. One of the greatest elements of hip-hop is the storytelling, and a combination of seeing different cultures and meeting new people can lead to some fantastic results.
Mic Nickels is a New York-based rapper who just dropped his new album Bars for Days. And not only is this new album full of music—including multiple Grammy-winning artists and a collaboration with Method Man of the Wu-Tang Clan—it also serves as an autobiography.
Mic shares the process of creating both an album and book at the same time, some of the most interesting people he’s worked with, and offers a few must-see sights of the world.
It's the last episode of the year! See you in mid-January when we'll be back and cooler than ever. We're ending in style, too.
Donna Loughlin has been around the world and back in search of the most fascinating stories. She's stepped foot in more than 80 countries and had numerous jobs in journalism in PR. Now, she's back in Silicon Valley working with some of the brightest minds in tech through her PR firm LMGPR, helping startups with storytelling and media relations.
Inspired by the forward-thinkers she works with, Donna has a deep fascination with advancements in AI, automotive, consumer electronics, and more. And she knows everyone's got a story a tell—it's just a matter of helping them tell it. Through both LMGPR and her podcast, Before IT Happened, Donna is exploring the human side of technology and how it’s enhancing our society.
We're talking all about creating moments that matter, cool advanced in artificial intelligence, making paper planes, and Donna's extensive childhood rock collection.
We've all been there—you send a text message or email to someone, and it just sits there. They don't answer, even after following up. Our heart starts racing, beads of sweat form on our foreheads, and we may even start shaking with rage. Don't they LIKE us?!
In his latest book, I'll Get Back to You, Sam George explore s why this drives us so crazy—and what we can do about it.
Sam also has an extensive background in spotting trends before they're widely popular and bringing them to the mainstream. He put together the strategy that ultimately succeeded in legalizing cannabis in 18 states.
He's also worked with Nancy Pelosi, George Soros, and the University of Phoenix and is an expert in communication and how we can better interact with each other in this wacky digital world.
Perhaps this is no surprise to you, but the music industry is COMPLEX. There's a lot that goes into things behind the scenes, beyond just a catchy hook (though that part is kind of important, too). What does it take to be a successful musician?
Jenny Powers is the founder of Blue Avenue Music Group, an artist, management, marketing, and label services provider. She created her company after seeing the challenges artists face within the wildly confusing business parts of the music industry—and now she's helping these artists get the money they deserve.
We're talking all about these elements to a successful music career, from the boring unsexy stuff like setting up your performing rights organization (PRO) info to cool merch ideas. All of it ties back to Blue Avenue Music's principle: Be Creative, Be Artistic, and Be Valued as a human and artist. Now let's get to that success!
Dr. Pam Gurley grew up as a military child and even served in the Army herself. So, how the heck did she end up an author of more than a dozen books, including the children's book series Brown Girl and Brown Boy?
We're diving into all of that in this episode. We're talking about her writing process and everything that goes into designing a book. Side note: Pam finished one book in TWO WEEKS—if that's not a kick in the pants, I don't know what is. And since we're both avid travelers, there's plenty of discussion around some of our favorite spots and a few sites still on our list.
Dr. Gurley also offers tips for bookshelf and closet organization, and drops some knowledge about cooking (and why it's okay to improvise in the kitchen). Let's hop to it!
Allyson Chapa, author of The Marching Ant, gives us a real efficient how-to of putting a book out into the world. We're starting with writing it, telling stories, and exploring cover design, marketing and editing resources, and what all comes next now that the book is here.
Plus, we dive into delicious quarantine hobbies, why the writing community is so wonderful, and drop effective tips for staying organized. Ain't nothing better than that!
It’s a podcast with podcasters! Madeleine Cheyette and Catherine Wang of the Dished podcast join the show to talk all things food. We’re diving into how cooking is an homage to both culture and creativity, what it takes to start a podcast, and some of the favorite guests Dished has had on the show—plus a scoop on a few episodes to come.
This episode also might have the most wholesome moment in the entire show, when Madeleine and Catherine share what they like best about each other. It’s a segment that will most certainly make you say “awww,” and I encourage you to reach out to someone you care about and tell them something nice. We’re making people’s days today!
Small businesses face their own unique challenges and opportunities, and sometimes a little push in the right direction can help re-energize both the business and all the people involved. That’s the goal of Small Business Revolution, an Emmy-nominated show that has traveled all across the United States to work with small business owners.
The show features business, marketing, operational, technical, and sometimes financial guidance to take companies to new heights. In Season 6 (available on Hulu and smallbusinessrevolution.org), the show is headed to si x Black-owned small businesses in neighborhoods around Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.
As always, Amanda Brinkman serves as the show creator and host, and she’s welcoming former NBA All-Star and entrepreneur Baron Davis as her season six cohost. Baron has been involved with all kinds of successful businesses, including Vitamin Water and Thrive Global, so he fits perfectly into the spirit of the show.
The duo shares a sneak peek of the upcoming season, why the show is so good at building community, and they’re dropping all kinds of advice. I hope you’ve got your notepad ready.
Also, I wrote a book! Grab your copy from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.
Calling herself “a gateway drug to classical music,” Jeeyoon Kim has been playing piano for about 90% of her life. She’s certainly learned a few things along the way, from discipline and routine to overcoming nerves—fighting monsters inside of us—to the ways music can open up new adventures for people.
When she’s not tickling the ivories, Jeeyoon also has her own YouTube channel and podcast, where she offers an inside look at making music and the art of creativity. On top of all that, Jeeyon is also the author of the new book, Whenever You’re Ready: How to Compose the Life of Your Dreams, which is structured like one of her musical performances.
We’re covering it all in this episode. Grab a seat in the front—it’s going to be a great show.
It's nearly Halloween and the thought of seeing even a single piece of candy corn is freaking me out, so why not channel that spooky energy into the podcast?
This episode features several scary stories from musicians, models, and authors. You'll hear all about the worst gigs for rapper David Shibani, country musician Kimberly Dawn, model Ekin Ozlen, jazz lounge singer Nancy Stohlman, and producer Akeel Henry talks about a frightening experience while making music in the middle of the woods.
Plus, Marc Hartzman and Susan McCauley share their fascination with ghosts and how you too can experience the thrill of the supernatural. No tricks here–it truly is a treat!
I’m probably not the first person to tell you this, but the past two years have been ROUGH. Remember when we all thought quarantine life would be, like, two weeks of hanging out at home and conserving toilet paper? Those were the days.
This episode’s guest is all too familiar with tough times and tragedy — and she’s finding joy through laughter. Kelsey Chittick is a writer, comedian, and podcast host whose husband—NFL Super Bowl champion Nate Hobgood-Chittick—died suddenly in front of their kids in a way that was, in Kelsey’s own words, “ridiculous.”
She’s channeling her story of endings and beginnings into Second Half: Surviving Loss and Finding Magic in the Missing, a story that shows how change can break and heal your heart all at once.
I’ve always been fascinated by the oddities in life. Heck, it’s probably why my book has “weird” in the title—life’s just a bit more fun when there’s some strangeness involved.
That’s probably why I’m so excited to chat with Marc Hartzman, a person ABCNews.com called “one of America’s leading connoisseurs of the bizarre.” Marc has deeply researched all kinds of entertaining topics, from the disembodied head of Oliver Cromwell to the tallest folks to ever live.
He’s focusing on the supernatural in his latest book: Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural. You’ll learn all about paranormal investigators like Ed and Lorraine Warren (who inspired The Conjuring franchise), famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia, haunted sites like the Stanley Hotel and the Winchester Mystery House, plus a whole lot of other spooky subjects.
We’ve got plenty to talk about in this eerily enjoyable episode (look at that alliteration!) so grab a seat and some Halloween candy and dive in.
When Michael Phillips was 18 years old, he found himself standing in front of a judge after a run-in with the law. The judge gave him a choice: Spend 30 years in prison or go to college. Michael immediately shouted out, “college” and his education changed his life — and now he wants to transform education.
To do so, he’s trying to encourage people to look beyond children as statistics and to acknowledge challenges and trauma through a lens of equity and a heart of empathy. When that happens, we can make some pretty impressive changes.
Michael is also the author of the upcoming book Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns. We’re chatting all about his background, his writing, and why focusing on marginalized kids is so important in building empathy and overcoming challenges.
Have you ever thought like a typical corporate job wasn’t for you? Or maybe the COVID-19 pandemic has had you rethinking what you want out of your career. The remote work lifestyle is attractive to a lot of people, and it’s led to the rise of the digital nomad — someone who’s still getting plenty done, but also is able to travel, see the world, and have adventures.
Tayler Gill is a Work From Anywhere Lifestyle Coach, and she helps people see the highs, lows, and everything in between of the digital nomad, work from anywhere experience. Yes, it’s not all selfie sticks and waterfalls; you’ll have some tough times along the way. But as Tayler tells it, it’s incredibly rewarding, and if you go in with a sound strategy, you’ll do just fine.
We’re talking about how to make that initial leap into digital nomad life, travel tips and digital tools to be more efficient, and explore some of the more unusual side hustles and travel experiences we’ve encountered.
Ekin Ozlen may not have figured out how to do everything at once, but she’s come pretty darn close. She turned a successful modeling career into her own business and is now the founder of KERACELL, the hair and skincare brand beloved by all kinds of celebrity clients.
Ekin has also released several music videos (including last fall’s “Where You At”) that highlight her brand. Oh, and on top of all of that, she’s currently pregnant.
No matter what life throws her way, Ekin has taken it in stride — and in many cases, used it as an opportunity to grow. We’re talking all about her business, why she insists on a personal touch, and some of her favorite (read: most magnificently horrifying) modeling gigs.
Do you ever meet someone and walk away feeling motivated, like you can accomplish anything in the world? After listening to today’s guest, you just might be ready to run through a brick wall (though you don’t actually have to do that).
Martin Rooney is the founder of Training for Warriors, turning a modest idea into a massive business. He’s continued growing both his business and his network, navigating a successful speaking career among everything else he’s doing. I’ve met a lot of people in my life, and few are as fired up as Martin is about what they do. And lucky for us, he’s sharing some of the mistakes he’s made along the way and what he’s learned from them.
Martin is also the author of a dozen books, most recently Coach to Coach: An Empowering Story About How to Be a Great Leader and High Ten: An Inspiring Story About Building Great Team Culture. The books are great stories but also drop plenty of knowledge around leadership and building strong cultures within organizations, whether you’re a company of two or two million.
Chelsea Montgomery-Duban Waechter, otherwise known as Chelsea Austin, is a writer, speaker, and self-worth advocate with just the most cheerful personality I think I’ve ever seen. But perhaps that’s no surprise — Chelsea has been sharing a message of love and tolerance ever since she was in high school.
Growing up with two gay fathers — who are both biologically related to her — Chelsea has been a huge advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. She talks about her experiences on her blog, The Girl with Five Names, and speaks with other inspirational folks on her podcast, Worthiness Warriors. She’s also JUST sent in the final draft of her upcoming book, Inexplicably Me, which is due out in May 2022.
That’s a long time to wait for a book to drop, but luckily Chelsea can participate in great conversations like this one to help alleviate some of that nervous waiting energy. We’re talking all about her book, what it was like growing up with two gay dads in a time when that wasn’t as common, and talk about a bucket list item revolving around cars and music.
Anthony Ianni was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a form of autism, as a toddler. And this was back in the early 90s, when autism wasn’t really a thing anyone knew anything about. As a result, Anthony was told he wasn’t going to succeed in school or sports, but he said “nah, I’m not gonna listen to that.”
Instead, when he was eight years old, Anthony told coach Tom Izzo he was going to play for the Michigan State Spartans. A decade later, he was suiting up and winning all the accolades that come from playing at a prestigious school. Since graduating, Anthony has become an award-winning speaker, traveling all over the place (but the fun kind, not the illegal basketball kind) to share his story and inspire others.
He’s also channeled that story into Centered: Autism, Basketball, and One Athlete's Dreams, his new book (releasing September 7). Some have called the book a modern-day Rudy, but let’s be real: Anthony is impressive enough on his own.
David Shabani started writing raps when he was ten years old, and his experiences have only made him more well-versed since then. He was born to Congolese parents in France and has made his way from Paris to Montreal to Dallas and now Austin. David was listening to rap before he could speak English and now performs with an all-Black band.
His latest EP Shabani’s Smooth Sounds of the Summer came out on August 6 and is full of songs that’ll get your head nodding. With a mix of English, French, and Lingala, it truly is an international record.
David talks about his early days of writing, the worst gig he ever had (and how The Fast and the Furious was involved), dives into his favorite movies, and shares his experience with multiple organizations working to improve the lives of others.
For 25 years, Eugenia Zukerman served as the CBS Sunday Morning arts correspondent — and she’s been playing her flute around the world for far longer than that. Eugenia has also been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, but despite her “death sentence,” she remains incredibly positive and calm. And she’s spreading that positivity to others as she’s teaching folks how to face their own adversities.
Eugenia is also the author of several books, most recently Like Falling Through a Cloud, a collection of poems about her experience with Alzheimer’s. These poems are a testament to the creative spirit and how starting anything difficult starts with having the right mindset.
Bob Makela, who, quite frankly, puts the Most Interesting Man in the World to shame, shares his wild world experiences in this classic vault episode from 2015. Bob has driven cabs, began a very cool event known as Barstool Poetry, has started an indie press and even has a few podcasts of his own (but please finish this one first). Listen along, won't you?
It seemed like it might never happen, but travel is slowly inching its way back into our lives. However, trying to fit in a trip into a busy career and with plenty of responsibility at home can seem like a daunting task. Can it possibly be done?
Of course it can — that would be a pretty boring podcast episode if I said it couldn’t. Karen Gershowitz is the author of Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust and she’s sharing the travel tips and tricks that have gotten her to 90 countries across the world, all while balancing a busy career. In fact, she even got promoted after taking a month off to go to Alaska. Now that’s a fabulous perk.
Bruce McCandless III has never been to space, but you’ve certainly seen his dad gazing at the earth before. Bruce McCandless II began his career with NASA in 1966 and he was Houston’s capsule communicator (CAPCOM) speaking directly with astronauts during the first moonwalk on Apollo 11. And in 1984, McCandless II soared into history during the Challenger mission, becoming the first astronaut to make an untethered free flight. And yes, you’ve certainly seen the picture of this moment.
That picture is also the cover of Bruce McCandless III’s new book, Wonders All Around: The Incredible True Story of Astronaut Bruce McCandless II and the First Untethered Flight in Space. As the title suggests, it’s an intimate look at not just his dad’s story but the growth of the space industry itself.
It’s a delightfully fascinating read, but it’s hardly Bruce’s first foray into writing. And lucky for us, he’s giving an inside look into his other books, from his inspiration to how he was able to write them despite having a full-time job as a lawyer — you know, a really simple profession that doesn’t take up several hours of your day. It’s truly remarkable.
You may not recognize Brian Hersch’s name, but you’ve most certainly played one (or several) of his board games. He’s the mind behind gems like Taboo, Outburst, and Super Scattergories and has provided countless hours of entertainment for millions of people across the world.
Brian’s latest game, Boom Again, targets a totally underserved market: Boomers, or people born between 1946 and 1964. Yet, much like Brian’s other games, Boom Again focuses on building up a “social lubricant” for players — in other words, even if you don’t know the answer, you’re still having a fun time participating and interacting with your friends, family, or random strangers you like to play board games with.
Check this out: 75 percent of people think they're not living up to their creative potential, and we’re a whopping 96% less creative than we were as children. Luckily, this episode’s guest is sharing tons of good stuff on being more creative and finding big ideas.
Samuel Sanders is an award-winning entrepreneur who has seen innovation, creativity, problem-solving, and ideation in action at many different levels, from a Fortune 500 company to an Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company to incubators. He also co-founded the company Wundershirt, which did plenty of cool things, including selling athletic training clothing to Olympic athletes preparing for the 2016 Olympics. Today, Samuel runs Heard, LLC, a software application helping governments and large companies get targeted and reviewed feedback from their citizens and employees to improve their decision-making.
Now it’s your turn. Samuel’s debut book, Your Next Big Idea: Improve Your Creativity and Problem-Solving, provides tools for you to amp up your creativity, solve problems, and figure out ideation so you can turn those seedlings of ideas into real, tangible things.
Perhaps the most obvious statement ever: the past year and a half has been rough. Between a global pandemic, social unrest, political chaos, and the fact that a lot of us handled it all on our own, there’s been plenty of chances for life to take its toll on our well-being.
This week’s guest, Kimberly Dawn, is a big advocate of mental health. Kimberly just dropped her new single “The Bottle,” has a strong message about the importance of checking in with yourself, courage, and connection to community. Kimberly participated in the “You Are Not Alone” campaign with the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
We're talking all about her songwriting process, the power of storytelling, her tips for connecting with your community, and what it's like being a mother of four children.
When Akeel Henry was five years old, he was already playing piano and drums for his father’s church. And he’s continued that musical prowess into an impressive music career that’s continuing to grow.
Akeel is a US Gold-Certified and Juno Award-nominated music producer, audio engineer, and musical wizard. He’s worked alongside artists like the Grammy-nominated Desiigner, Shawn Mendes, Ty Dolla $ign, Jeremih, Trey Songz, Toni Braxton, Swae Lee, and Daniel Caesar. He trained under Noah ’40’ Shebib of OVO Sound, the record label co-owned by Drake, and is currently signed to R&B singer Babyface’s record label Laface.
Most recently, he's produced the album Soft Thing by LOONY, which just dropped this week.
At some point in your life, you’ve likely considered starting a side hustle. Perhaps you’ve thought of an idea that would benefit people, or maybe you’re interested in turning a passion project into something more. But starting a side hustle can be a daunting task—and before you know it, you’ve grown frustrated and put the side hustle on the back burner while life takes over.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. This episode’s guests are Craig Clickner and Carrie Bohlig, the husband and wife duo behind Tandem Consulting and authors of the book So You Want to Start a Side Hustle: Build a Business that Empowers You to Live Your Life, Your Way.
Carrie and Craig wanted to leverage entrepreneurship as a way to enrich their quality of life by giving them freedom and time. They’ve developed several streams of passive and progressive passive income and want to help entrepreneurs like you do the same.
Linsey Knerl is a mom of six who has been homeschooling since 2004. Her interest in small business and entrepreneurship kicked off a freelance writing career that has led to stories in SO MANY publications, including Time, Shape, Better Homes & Gardens, Reader's Digest, Family Circle, All You, and Woman's World.
Some people just have great stories. For Texas Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Freddy Powers, he could barely go a day without something memorable happening. Alongside his widow Catherine Powers and music biographer Jake Brown, the late musician is the driving force behind the new book, The Spree of 83: The Life and Times of Freddy Powers.
This episode gives us a glimpse inside that book—and then some. From Freddy’s legendary comedic personality to his penchant for writing hit songs, Catherine and Jake go back and forth sharing stories.
We’re covering topics like headlining casinos, building an airplane to hunt for fish and sunbathing women with Merle Haggard, living on Willie Nelson’s golf course, the funeral that turned into a roast, and so much more. Whether you’re a country music fan or not, this is a terrific one.
Dr. Steven Eisenberg is not your average oncologist. After all, how many doctors can say they’ve written hundreds of songs with their patients, written a book, and appeared on America’s Got Talent?
Yet Dr. Steven has done it all. And in his new book, LOVE IS THE STRONGEST MEDICINE: Notes from a Cancer Doctor on Connection, Creativity, and Compassion, he’s sharing how the relationships in our lives play such an important role.
We’re also talking about guitars, the power of having hope, and how to blog every single day for nearly five years. And, yes, Steven shares his experience on America’s Got Talent, even if it didn’t quite end the way he hoped. But from that experience, something even better was born.
Stacey Aaronson is an established writer, ghostwriter, editor, book designer, and publishing partner who has been involved in the full or partial production of over 200 books. She works with authors across genres through her business, The Book Doctor Is In, and as a layout artist for She Writes Press. In other words, she knows how to get things DONE.
Now, Stacey is tackling her own book. Raising, and Losing, My Remarkable Teenage Mother is her first solo publication, but my goodness, is it enjoyable. Stacey’s enthusiasm leaps off the page, and it’s seeping into this episode, too. There are so many goodies in here—let’s hop to it!
Tim Krauss remembers his first ice cream memory from when he was four years old. But after being diagnosed with Type One Diabetes, Tim suddenly was taking extreme risks anytime he scooped a treat. So what did he do?
Start a business with his wife and children to make a delicious ice cream that could fit his now necessary low-carb, low-sugar, and high-fat diet.
Soon, Mammoth Creameries—a keto-friendly, diabetic-conscious frozen custard made with real, natural ingredients like grass-fed butter and high-quality heavy cream—was born. Once again, Tim can go back to enjoying tasty ice cream without putting his health at risk.
Sara Dykman is the founder of beyondabook.org, creating and encouraging lifelong learners and curious people. She's had tons of cool adventures, like walking from Mexico to Canada, canoeing the Missouri River from source to sea, and cycling over 80,000 miles across North and South America.
Put simply, Sara likes to dream big—and encourages other people to do the same. After listening to this episode, you'll want to take on the world and see all it has to offer!
Do you feel yourself getting the creepy crawlies whenever you think about bugs? Or do you find them fascinating and get excited whenever one sneaks its way into your home?
Today’s guest definitely falls into that second group. Ali Beckman is the brains behind SoFlyTaxidermy and JUST launched her book (like, for real, it came out yesterday), Bee a Good Human: A Pollinator’s Guide to a Better Life.
Ali uses creatures that are donated, purchased, or found dead to create amusing cartoons and highlight the key roles insects play in our environment. Pollinators come in all shapes and sizes — for example, a tiny midge pollinates chocolate while beetles can pollinate certain flowers — and Ali showcases them with her work and shares how they keep our ecosystem thriving.
Her art also highlights the importance of loving yourself and finding confidence to say that, yes, you can do anything you put your mind to. That’s a pretty cool thing. We’re also talking about our pups and how you can become Instafamous…or at least what Ali has done to grow her account.
Adam Kol helps couples make sure the money conversation doesn’t get in the way, leading to more financial security, clarity, and peace of mind. And as you may have noticed, this past year has been rough on just about everyone, so some peace of mind sounds great to me.
We’re chatting through all kinds of financial goodness here so you can tackle them with the kind of gusto they deserve. Adam’s also a musician who creates financial parodies — give me EDUCATION with my toe-tapping tunes, please.
We’re also both big ol’ dorks, so there’s a part on Miami Hurricanes football and basketball and speed running through video games. No regrets.
Matt Bennett founded his craft salsa company, DREAMS AREN’T THIS GOOD, on five simple values: trust, transparency, trial and error, tenacity, and a belief that the team is in this together. The end result? A company that not only produces some darn good salsa, but does good for the world and has a blast doing it.
Each jar of DATG salsa is named after a song, paying homage to artists that are all about making us smile. Each flavor pairing also has a local partner that receives a portion of sales from every jar and bag of chips. Pretty spectacular.
Matt and I are chatting about how he got started in the salsa world, some of his more experimental flavors, the songs he has to sing along to whenever they come on, and much more.
After navigating the twists and turns of life, including selling drugs and multiple trips to rehab, 57-year-old Noa Shaw discovered his purpose of helping and being of service to others, using what he calls “selfless help.” He channeled his top lessons and advice into his debut book, Stop Thinking Thoughts That Scare You: A Selfless Help Guide of Practical Tools to Eliminate Fear and Anxiety and Live a Life of Abundance.
We’re diving headfirst into the book, Noa’s life journey — which he dubbed a trip “to hell and back” — and ways we can be kind and selfless to others in our daily lives.
Noa’s got plenty of fascinating stories to share, too, like how he owns a piece of Sixth Street in Austin and how his dogs literally saved his life. Adopt, don’t shop!
No matter where you’ve come from or what you’ve done, you’ve experienced things no one else has. And those stories are worth telling. Luckily, today’s guest gets to hear from all different kinds of people in his role as the owner of a funeral home. Chris Meyer channeled what he’s learned from those folks into his book Life in 20 Lessons: What a Funeral Guy Discovered About Life, from Death.
Prior to his experience with funeral homes, Chris spent more than a decade in Hollywood as a screenwriter. And he discovered a fun secret about the town that he channeled into another work, The 'Wood.
We’re also getting the scoop on Chris’s latest business venture, funandmoving.com. We’re covering it all!
How many times have you used the excuse of “I don’t have time” to avoid getting things done? I know I’ve done it regularly — sometimes I’m procrastinating on something incredibly minor, like cooking dinner or even walking to the mailbox. Because I’m just TOO BUSY, you know?
Well, this episode’s guest is having none of that. Chris Coppel has authored ten novels since the fall of 2019, and he is dropping all kinds of knowledge on how to write efficiently and in volume.
Chris is an accomplished drummer and guitarist, too, so we’re talking some tunes — and the worst gig he’s ever played. Plus, the number one tip Chris has for writing, and why you should always take the scenic route anytime you travel.
Very few people have written stories about ghost hunters, sent a poem to a NASA astronaut, AND performed scenes with Jeff Goldblum. In fact, I’d argue no one has done all three of those things — except for today’s guest, Susan McCauley.
Susan is a writer and producer of paranormal, fantasy, and horror films and fiction for adults, young adults, and middle grade audiences and readers. She also studied acting at Playhouse West with Robert Carnegie and Jeff Goldblum in Los Angeles.
But most important of all, she has a great knack for storytelling. We’re diving into how that skill can help anyone, whether you’re a writer or not. Plus, a foray into Shakespeare, Susan’s newest book, Ghost Hunters: Pirates’ Curse - A Ghost Hunting Adventure, and some of her spookiest encounters.
It’s March Madness, so we’re hopping right into it! After all, there’s no time to waste when it comes to filling out your brackets. Friend of the podcast Chris Hayes joins to chat some hoops, and because we go way back, there are plenty of fun tangents along the way.
We talk some of the best rides and variants of Disney World, a little college football, that Matt and Kim song from the Buick commercials, and then hop into the part you’re all here for: two mildly informed fellas offer their bracket tips, including things to watch out for, such as schools named after toothpaste or what happens if a team has to bow out due to coronavirus concerns.
Also note that we recorded this right after the Selection Sunday show, so if something has changed by now, we’re not liable for wildly inaccurate information.
It’s a spirited Chicago episode from the vault, y’all! I’m joined by Jin Laqui, a blogger, social media maven, digital marketing expert, and all-around badass who, like me, grew up in the Windy City. And we’re recording while the 2019 Thursday Night Football game between our beloved Chicago Bears and the visiting Dallas Cowboys plays in the background.
Luckily, you don’t have to be from Chicago to enjoy this podcast. Jin shares how she got into writing and food photography. And as we’re both fans of puns, it seems like a great time to jump into the magic that is the O. Henry Pun Off.
I have a cartwheeling story, too! Neither one of us is great at cartwheels, either – but hey, they’re still therapeutic to do. Plus, remember playing calculator games in school? We’re covering so much stuff in this episode!
Craig Leener is the author of three books, This Was Never About Basketball, All Roads Lead to Lawrence, and This Was Always About Basketball. We go all the way back to his first book, so we’ve got plenty in store for the trilogy.
We’re chatting hoops, of course, but we’re also getting into Craig’s writing process and his inspiration for his series. We talk about a few quarantine hobbies and share our favorite beers. No matter your taste, there’s plenty to enjoy.
And yes, Craig is still an 87% free throw shooter, though that stat is 100% unverifiable.
Welcome to quarantine hobby life, y’all. We’re all trying to learn some new things as we continue to practice social distancing in our homes. But even with some extra time at home, we don’t always want to actually spend a lot of hours investing in something that may just turn out to be a passing fancy. Luckily, writer, teacher, and performer Nancy Stohlman is here to help — in the briefest way possible.
Nancy is the author of Going Short: An Invitation to Flash Fiction, an inspiration to flash fiction, showing that less is more to lovers of the craft and a valuable asset to those teaching it.
This book is super helpful and is also presented in flash fiction format. It shows veteran and newbie writers alike how to create, sculpt, revise, and collect stories, and is both delightful and super helpful. And guess what — you don’t need to know the first thing about flash fiction, or even be a flash fiction writer, to get a lot out of Going Short.
Nancy also teaches workshops and hosts retreats and knows her stuff, so if you’d like to become a better writer (as we all should aspire to be), then you’ll definitely want to listen to this conversation.
Ray Simone is a photographer and lifelong New Yorker, and he learned pretty early on the power of being curious and exploring your surroundings. In the 1970s and 80s, Ray often found himself at flea markets, garage sales, street fairs, and more all across New York City, buying all the negatives he could find.
Now, he's painstakingly digitizing these photos, retouching them pixel by pixel. The end result is a modern look at some classic images from the past 100 years (and sometimes even further back!).
You can also support the show by checking out the new Good People, Cool Things merch store. All February long, everything is 20 percent off (discount applied at checkout). Go get you something cool, and thanks for listening!
Dave MacDonald from Crafted1K joins the podcast to talk all things cartooning. He shares how he developed a love of comics and doodling at a young age, how accidentally stumbling into a sales career led to his current business, and why every brand should tap into the "humor effect."
Natlyn Jones is just an all-around rock star. She started getting into boxing from her husband, boxer Roy Jones Jr., and quickly realized the many benefits boxing can bring to people. She channeled that focus into SheWarrior, a brand creating sustainable activewear for the fighter in all of us.
In this episode, we’re chatting all about running a business, from getting started to social media to Natlyn’s worst moment as a business owner, and how she bounced back from it. We also wrap things up with a list of home workouts and songs to keep you motivated, so you can, like I always say, GET AFTER IT today.
To celebrate 50 episodes and one year of Good People, Cool Things, I’m doing a MASSIVE discount on everything in the store. All month long, all items are 20% off, so get you some goodies.
Omar Mo is the founder of Nomadables and the host of The Nomadic Executive podcast. He helps online entrepreneurs that want to escape the daily grind of a 9 to 5 job and live a life of freedom and purpose. Centered around health, wealth, and wisdom, Omar uses life lessons he’s learned from his own experience and other experts across the world to empower people to live their best lives. Now it's your turn!
Help support Good People, Cool Things by visiting the GPCT shop and pick yourself up a hoodie, shirt, mug, or hat. (https://goodpeoplecoolthings.com/shop)
You can grab a copy of any of the games — including some sweet combo packs — on the SociaLaughs website or through Amazon. Learn more about each game below.
Passport to the Hood
This game includes 3 volumes – and highlights hilarious moments of urban culture, says everything that you hear behind closed doors and reflects the things we experienced growing up. You are ready to play this game if you know: 1) What to do when you see people run 2) A New Yorker’s favorite word 3) What snitches get 4) What the PJ’s mean 4) What not to do at a cookout. The objective of the game is to not lose points by predicting what answers the opposing teams will select.
CelebSaid
The game that revives your favorite quotes, catchphrases and lines from some of our most beloved Black celebs. You are ready to play this game if you know these quotes...He shot me in my pinky toe. If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit. King Kong ain't got sh*t on me. You ain't got to lie, Craig. 86 Quote cards, 4 Go cards and 16 Decision cards.
Story of My Life
Designed specifically for women, Story of My Life is fun-filled journey highlighting the social, personal and cultural experiences that cultivate the life stories of women. Play this game and find out what stories you have in common with your girlfriends.
If you’re a fan of Good People, Cool Things, I would love your support. Feel free to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests.
You can also support the show by checking out the new Good People, Cool Things merch store. Thanks for listening!
Author Stacy Padula teamed up with NBA Coach Brett Gunning on a children’s book series based on the principles of his nonprofit, On the Right Path. And because every kids’ book needs some great illustrations, they called in Maddy Moore to sink a few clutch shots with her designs.
We’re chatting about the book writing process, the best quarantines, and some of Brett’s most memorable NBA moments, including a delightful story about Kevin McHale.
Billy Van Zandt has been writing plays, TV shows, and films for nearly half a century. So, naturally, he’s got a few stories to tell about Hollywood. Luckily, he was taking notes along the way and has put his finest moments into his new book.
GET IN THE CAR, JANE! Adventures in the TV Wasteland is a behind the scenes memoir of Emmy-nominated writer/producer Billy Van Zandt and his years making America’s favorite (and not so favorite) sitcoms.
No matter where you’re at on your entrepreneurial journey, you’re likely thinking about business growth. Zack Hurley, founder of apparel manufacturing company Indie Source, knows all about that — he grew his company from $788,000 to $2.3 million in just two years, and is on track to reach $5 million this year — all while maintaining a bootstrapped approach.
Indie Source has tackled the outdated apparel industry and turned it on its head by offering entrepreneurs a way to get access to the insiders. Zack, along with co-founder Jesse Dombrowiak, started the firm to help designers get access to apparel supply chains, which is a HUGELY monolithic industry.
Zack and Indie Source have worked with tons of celebrities, from Khloe Kardashian to NBA player Kareem Rush. He’s appeared on an episode of The Real Housewives of OC and was even asked to have his own reality show. Indie Source made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018 and is still kicking butt today. Indie Source has worked with more than 500 entrepreneurs and brands to make apparel dreams come true.
Author Caroline Henrich talks about her book A Very Lappy Christmas, the impact of helping others, and gives us a peek inside her very full household.
As an actor, host, emcee, and podcaster, Brad Gage has met a ton of interesting people — and he’s certainly one himself. He’s appeared in movies and TV shows like Timeless and Jane the Virgin and has hosted content for Hulu, Mercedes-Benz, American’s Funniest Home Videos, and more. Throughout it all, he's found a passion for having in-depth conversations and getting to know people.
That’s what Brad’s podcast Real Feels is all about. He asks guests to be vulnerable about masculinity and gender issues as they dive into who they are now and where they're hoping to go.
Other highlights include a terrible acting gig Brad once had, the power of restorative justice, and some of the best 90s one-hit wonders.
Vanessa and Natasha of ATXFoodChronicles talk about their blogging career, revisit delightful old TV shows, and offer their favorite Austin spots to check out.
Nicole Riccardo may barely be five feet tall, but she sure has some mighty superpowers. She serves musicians and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to market themselves effectively and increase their impact + income. Bottom line, she can help you make some moolah to do what you love.
How? Through a combination of branding, SEO, marketing strategy, the Instagram algorithm, and a whole lot more. We’re covering a bunch of it in our discussion, plus even more important topics, like playing the flute vs. the piccolo or the best rides at Disney World.
Matt Billings is the fourth generation of his family farm, which first started more than 100 years ago. And now, he's the founder of Ayo Yogurt, a vegan, dairy-free almond yogurt.
In honor of Halloween, we're having a spooktacular episode filled with scary stories! Hear from musicians as they reminisce on their worst and most outrageous gigs.
Musician Suzi Ragsdale talks about her new album Ghost Town, what it's like to record music during COVID, and why it's important to use music to lift people up.
Excy founder Michele Mehl talks about the inspiration behind her product, how it's helped people recover during physical therapy, and shows off her gold medal.
Erin is the face (and lens) behind Sew Stratton, an Austin-based photographer, fashion lover, volunteer, and occasional influencer — even though she's not fond of that term. She joins the podcast to chat about photography, how she started making jewelry, and her new mentorship program.
Atlanta-based rapper CEO Chino Marley is on a constant grind, working on his craft and growing his fanbase. We're talking about his newest music videos "High" and "Active" — two songs with distinctly different vibes and feels. But through it all, Chino stays true to himself and his ability to tell stories. We also chat his new album, the power of the Internet in promoting music, and some upcoming technology he's excited about.
Ashley Bugge is a young military widow/solo mom of three, explorer, and award-winning author who was forced to rebuild her life after her husband tragically died in a recreational scuba diving accident. We chat about her story, why bucket lists are overrated, and discuss some of the finest karaoke choices.
Fire-spinning sushi chef Bryan Sekine shares how he got into both industries, why sustainability is such a critical component of his brand, and how you too can start an online course to teach others.
Art Bell is the author of Constant Comedy: How I started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor. If that title doesn't immediately pique your interest, here's a little taste of what you'll find in this episode:
- Art talks about the hardships he encountered with his idea for a new TV channel all about comedy — and how he powered through multiple obstacles.
- We talk a WHOLE BUNCH of Mystery Science Theater 3K, one of the most important shows in comedy history.
- Art shares stories about top comedians, including a great conversation with Jerry Seinfeld's agent.
We're having a ton of fun here and I know you will, too. Thanks for listening!
Ray Blakney has built multiple six and seven-figure businesses without any kind of cash — boot-strapping at its finest! Learn about his entrepreneurial experience, what lessons in sword fighting have taught him, and why you shouldn't start a business.
Have you ever reached the end of the day and felt overwhelmed? Maybe you didn't get a project done, or spent so much time on busy tasks you had to skip a workout.
Caelan Huntress is a marketing coach for entrepreneurs and he helps business owners earn more money in less time. That frees up more attention and energy for you to focus on other areas, whether it’s in your business or personal life.
Get Lost with Lindsay founder Lindsay Myers joins the podcast to get her best tips for traveling on a budget, how to have a great date night at home, and why you should step up your virtual fashion game.
Women should support other women, especially in business—so why do so few of them do that?
Lizanne Falsetto, founder of thinkThin wellness brand and Pink Talented Angels, joins the podcast to chat about her network of women founders, challenges of running a business, and why walks can be a super productive part of your day.
Christine Perakis has lived through not one, but TWO hurricanes (in the span of two weeks, no less!) and it led to her writing her book The Resilient Leader: Life Changing Strategies to Overcome Today’s Turmoil and Tomorrow’s Uncertainty. She works with businesses to help them turbo-charge their growth and reach new levels of success, and shares her story on the podcast.
Sarah Elkins joins the podcast to chat about her book, Your Stories Don't Define You: How You Tell Them Will. She shares the power of storytelling, how her life experiences has shaped what she's doing now, and her favorite small world connections.
Dr. Rob Bell shares his tips for improving mental toughness, defines what a hinge moment is and how to identify them, some of his most painful experiences, and shares highlights from his new book, Puke & Rally.
Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo of fitness brand Jane DO chat building a brand, new challenges and opportunities with home workouts, and how they've created a community to empower women across the world.
It's time to write a book, kiddos! Author Michael C. Bland discusses his new book The Price of Safety and shares tips and insights on putting a book together, from writing to marketing and much more.
The 512 Brewed Podcast ladies talk all things beer, how to build a personal brand, and we plan our buying strategy for Michael Jordan’s mansion.
Give a shout out to the 512 Brewed Hosts on Instagram and check out a new episode every Friday at 512BrewedPodcast.com.
Maggie Grabmeier talks about her solo work as Maggie Gently, including her songwriting process, her worst gig (and the valuable lessons it taught her), and we discuss our favorite quarantine games.
Check out Maggie's new EP, Good Cry, which is a raw, introspective look at losing a relationship with a friend. Or, as Maggie calls it, "five songs of sadness."
South Block founder Amir Mostafavi shares his tips for starting and running a successful business, plus the power of community and his favorite works of art.
Nettie Owens, founder of Sappari Solutions and Momentum Accountability, joins the podcast to chat about how to organize your professional and personal life, ways to maximize remote work efficiency, and why productivity accountability is so important.
Annette Silva, executive producer at Studio City Productions, knows the power of a good story. She joins the podcast to talk about producing TV shows, both traditionally and in the current all-digital landscape. She also shares how she started a budget to save money for her family – and how you can do the same – and why trust in the workplace is essential.
Guitar player and educator Lance Ruby joins the podcast to talk about music in a time of social distancing, great guitarists, album art, and some of the worst gigs he's ever played.
Journalist Janet Jay joins the podcast to talk about her fantastic career, her penchant for upcycling, and the best tunes to choose for punk rock karaoke.
Author and writer Eric Carasella shares more than two decades of experience in writing and publishing, whether it's on Medium or publishing three books. We also discuss the "leap" of quitting a corporate job to go freelancing full-time.
Ian Roth of Talking Llama Media helps leaders by empowering them to speak and communicate confidently and effectively. He also runs two different podcasts, the Get Heard Podcast and The Talking Llama. We're chatting leadership, communication, and podcasting tools and tricks.
Deb Eckerling, founder of Write On and author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning, and Achieving Goals, joins the podcast to chat about writing communities, the importance of setting (and rethinking) goals, email and social media marketing tips, and super easy cooking recipes that'll make your tummy happy.
Scott Leese is a three-time winner of the American Association of Inside Sales’ Top 25 Inside Sales Professionals, and a highly sought-after consultant, advisor, leader, and sales trainer. With a focus on sales strategy, people, process, and infrastructure, he’s worked with several companies with a $0-$25m ARR, giving them expert guidance as they scale. If you have a product or service you want to sell, Scott will make it happen.
Working on your own side hustle? This episode, featuring Monotony: The Musical creators Sarah Luery and Jared Chance Taylor, dives into how to find your inspiration and discover the creative process that works best for you. It's really fun to sing along with, as well!
Sam Nulton may be one of the most interesting people you’ll meet. He’s a professional whistler, has covered tons of sports as a freelance camera operator, has traveled the world, and his music has been featured all over the internet, from workout routines to makeup tutorials. We're chatting the creative process, effective uses of social media, and some of his top experiences as a musician.
Eric Slepak-Cherney, co-founder of Beers & Board Games Chicago, joins me to chat all things beer and board gamin’.
Eric started a community that continues to grow, and in this uncertain time, shares options for games you can still play while social distancing. Highlights of this episode include turning ideas into action, the benefits of being inclusive, and some of the best board game and beer pairings out there.
Tamika Bickham is an award-winning TV journalist with a knack for storytelling. She and I share the belief that everyone’s got a story to tell, and that the most impactful stories can help change lives for the better. No matter what kind of work you do, you can take her tips and experience and learn how to use storytelling for business success by creating the kind of content that will truly benefit your audience.
Tamika’s passion for storytelling led to the creation of TB Media Group, a story-driven content marketing agency focused on cultivating stories, creating engaging content, and connecting with audiences in authentic ways.
Believe in the power of trusting yourself – it'll take you far.
That's certainly an underlying theme of Margie Warrell's new book, You've Got This! The Life-Changing Power of Trusting Yourself, a handbook for learning to thrive in today's pressure laden and uncertain world.
Alyea Sandovar, Game Researcher and Digital Producer at TintHue, joins the podcast to chat about her process for making big decisions, which has led her down many paths and through many careers as she’s discovered what she’s most passionate about.
She’s also a huge UFO fan, so of course we’ve included some fun links below. And Alyea dives into her unique ability to communicate with dead people, or at least disembodied voices. How could you not tune in?
This episode's guest is Michael Keaveny, chef and owner of Tavola and author of the new book Tavola: 10 Greatest Hits – Music and Food. Michael and I chat about his experience working in restaurants as a teenager and one of his favorite dishes, the power of being the hardest person in the room, and the biggest difference between successful and unsuccessful restaurants. Spoiler alert: these same principles apply to to any business.
If you’re looking to start a business, there are certain questions you’ll need to ask. What am I passionate about? Who is my target audience? What challenges can I address?
Hassanatou Barry began answering these questions and saw an opportunity. She’s a young, innovative and resolute entrepreneur. She had been babysitting for years as a side hustle when she realized she had a tremendous passion for it. She soon started identifying opportunities in the market, learning there weren’t enough credible resources out there for caregivers. She took those insights and used them to start a business of her own: The Babysitter Guru.
Whether you’re an Instagram power user or just an occasional selfie star, knowing how to take good pictures is a skill anyone can have. And today’s guest, Feed This House founder Ashley M., is an absolute rock star when it come to taking photos. Her website is dedicated to food, family, and a whole lot more, and chock full of great photos (and occasionally brilliant puns too, though I’m not ready to admit she’s better than yours truly).
I’d like to see your photos, too - or at least would enjoy hearing from you! Get in touch with Good People, Cool Things on Twitter and Facebook.
The phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” may be a cliche, but it applies in so many situations. Specifically, there’s a key word in there: make. You have to make the conscious decision to improve your situation. This episode’s guest, Joel Hawbaker, is no stranger to tough times – in the span of three years, he learned his dad had terminal cancer, got divorced, and lost his home. After hitting rock bottom while wandering aimlessly around a Walmart, Joel realized he could turn things around. He just had to commit to his self-improvement and consistently keep working at it. The end result? He’s developed leadership methods that anyone can use to help grow their business – or even just become more comfortable in their own skin.
Joel is an award-winning teacher, author, speaker, and frequent podcast guest who loves helping young leaders overcome obstacles and grow through courage, confidence, and humility. By sharing personal stories of failure and success, with plenty of humor and engagement mixed in, Joel teaches leadership principles that audiences can apply as soon as they leave the event. His book, Inverted Leadership: Lead Others Better By Forgetting About Yourself was a #1 best-seller on Amazon.
Do you ever feel like the choices you’re making aren’t necessarily the best for your personal health? That you’re dragging throughout the day, not liking how you’re feeling, or just can’t seem to muster up the energy for…well, anything? We’ve all been there, and today’s guest, lifestyle mentor Dai Manuel, has been through plenty in his life and is now helping others make positive changes in theirs.
Dai Manuel is a super dad, dating his wife, with a lead by example way of living and a contagious personality, who is on a mission to positively impact one million role models around the globe to lead a FUN-ctionally fit life through education, encouragement, and community. He’s an award-winning digital thought leader and author, Distinguished Toastmaster & keynote speaker, former partner and Chief Operating Officer of a multi-million dollar retail company, and a sought after lifestyle mentor and executive performance coach.