The Story Forge: Recent Episodes
Lyle Smith
They say you don't get to choose your family, but you can choose your friends. And sometimes, out of the blue, unexpectedly, you find yourself needing to say goodbye. And it hurts. Deeply. Dog people get it. Not-dog people don't. But for my money, there is no truer, no more caring, more loving friend than your dog. We had to say goodbye to Walter this week. And I wanted to share everything that meant to me, with you.
Ashley is a friend and a colleague. We've worked together. She's a mom of three kids. A wife of a husband who is a healthcare professional. And she is a writer. And an entrepreneur. And newly a podcaster. And what she does is help people, particularly women, learn and grow into their own freelance writing businesses. We talked about a lot of different things from where her family comes from to how people assume things based on her name or background. We also talked about truth. And journalism. And why it remains important as a vocation even in today's world. Maybe because of today's world.
Breaking news in the golf world: the PGA Tour announced yesterday that they would, in a complete 180 from their previous moral position, merge their operations with the renegade LIV golf tour funded by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this short Hot Type episode, we take a brief look at what's going on, what they're proposing to remake golf into and what it means to those of us who care about golf and international sports.
Sometimes, it's good to remember that even amidst some of the most horrific moments in history, it's still possible to create something of beauty and significance.
Learn a little more about Brett Keirstead here >>
Or pick up a copy of his book WE'RE ALL SALES, PEOPLE here >>
Resentment in a famous millionaire is a powerful thing. It can break things. It has broken things in the past. Sometimes that power can break things for good. But most of the time, especially when it’s borne out of resentment, it can break things other people love. And that hurts. Even when those broken things were flawed at the start.
Sunshine runs or co-runs several businesses and is regularly heard and read on several podcasts and blogs. Here's some of what she does:
The Sunshine Gals - a hospitality industry marketing firm.
ERC Provider - a firm dedicated to helping companies who kept their employees on board through the COVID crisis take advantage of every benefit they can.
Marketing Sunshine - her independent consulting firm.
Digital Nomads in Love - her blog about living and working around the globe.
Melissa Joy also creates video tutorials on all things clothing, costuming, and seamstressry. See her YouTube channel - MissHauntCouture here >>>
Learn more about Spoonabilities and Carlos and Geoffrey here >>>
And be sure to visit their Instagram, the photos are awesome and they're here >>>
What else does Dr. Arun Sharma have going on?
See what's going on at Sharma Lab >>>
Listen to The Stem Cell Podcast >>>
You can see the latest Michael Graves Designs products at your local CVS, or you can visit the firm's direct to consumer website to see what else they've been working on here >>>
To learn more about what Sung has going on and to order a copy (or copies) of his books, visit his website at sungjwoo.com
Infection reigns and we're keeping the wolves at bay. Two years on and we finally had COVID-19 in the house last week. And now we're over it. And still feeling the effects. But happy to be healthy-ish again and to understand that the vaccines seem to be working as designed.
Susan Kingsley Kent is the author of The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919: a brief history with documents.
The 1918 Flu Pandemic is the only historical event we have that's remotely comparable to what's going on today during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Kent, a prolific author and professor at the University of Colorado gave us a truly global perspective on that moment in history and what elements of that story echo in today's.
Learn a little more about Brett Keirstead here >>
Or pick up a copy of his book WE'RE ALL SALES, PEOPLE here >>
You can see Dawson's work in a variety of places, but if you'd like to pick up a copy of his latest book, you can do that here>>
Or you can see some of his other work at The Nib >>
Or you can pick up his first book, Freddie & Me: a coming of age Bohemian Rhapsody here >>
It's great stuff and they all make great gifts for the holidays!
Today's conversation is a group chat among four people on opposite sides of the country who met, got to know each other, became friends, and connected with each other every week for 76 weeks running all during the COVID pandemic. Heather and Lyle Smith, Sarah Little and Jim Ridgway discuss what they've done and why they consider it important.
"Our house has a heart and a soul and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solitudes and deep sympathies. It is of us and we are in its confidence and we live in its grace and in the peace of its benediction... we cannot enter it unmoved."
- Mark Twain
Learn more about Heartworks here >>
See some the Heartworks story in action on Mike Rowe's show >>
What drives a consummate New Yorker to find a new nest somewhere else? And beyond that, choose to stay there? The COVID-19 global health crisis has driven people to make decisions for themselves they may never have considered before. Jordan Cohen and his family chose to move to Maine and have embraced every moment as he grows his own business from there every day.
See what's he's up to here: https://www.foxhillgrp.com/
See what experience introduced him to Maine in the first place here: https://www.modin.com/
Learn more about Jason Steinhauer and his work:
https://www.jasonsteinhauer.com/
Twitter: @jasonsteinhauer
Institutions are important to communities. And Coogan's was a vital institution in the New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights. Through violent upheaval and regrowth from a very tough stretch of city history, Coogan's persevered and welcomed everyone. COVID-19 put an end to Coogan's Run, but the stories and traditions are remembered.
In this next evolutionary step of The Story Forge Podcast, we've discovered truly what it was we were trying to explore in our initial conversations and evolved to a new focus on what is important in our work, important to our guests in their work and goals, and important to you, those of us interested in what these people make and do. Give us a listen. They're forging great stories for themselves.
It's the end of the year here at The Forge. And we've just finally realized what this podcast is all about. Simply... Making Things. And we read the most famous newspaper editorial of all time, too.
A short audio essay with a few thoughts on Thanksgiving during these trying times and what I'm personally very thankful for.
Visit Earthdog to find some of the greatest dog collars and leashes you'll ever find anywhere! Visit earthdog.com >>
And if you're feeling down, or in need of a lift, check out the Earthdog Instagram page, if you're a dog lover - or ever wanted to be, you won't regret the visit! Visit EarthdogLife here >>
Pre-order a copy of Dr. Peggy's awesome book FEELING GOOOD - 35 Proven Ways to Happiness Even in Tough Times. Pre-order here >>
Learn more about Dr. Peggy and order her book at her website - drpeggydelong.com >>IT comes with a year's free companion membership in her online community.
Slydeck is a product all about understanding the life and times of your documents once you send them out into the world. Check out Slydeck here >>
Groundswell Startups is the prominent co-working space and incubator along the Space Coast of Floriday. Visit Groundswell here >>
"Our house has a heart and a soul and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solitudes and deep sympathies. It is of us and we are in its confidence and we live in its grace and in the peace of its benediction... we cannot enter it unmoved."
- Mark Twain
Learn more about Heartworks here >>
See some the Heartworks story in action on Mike Rowe's show >>
Johnson has had some amazing experiences and is currently involved in a number of truly fascinating organizations with missions revolving around science, education, space exploration, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the New Space industry. Some of these we talked about in this episode include:
- GEN Space | Global Entrepreneurship Network
- Space Nation
- Newton's Road
Opus Performance Tours arranges international choir and orchestra tours for high schools, universities, and adult groups. Founded by Sean Fagan, this company has brought musical groups opportunities to travel all over the world from Argentina to Poland and beyond.
Learn more about Opus Performance Tours>>
Mary Jane Canose is Mayor of Bernardsville, NJ, dealing with not just all the day to day responsibilities of a local politico, but the sometimes intense developments of a global pandemic sweeping through the town, state, and nation. It was her communication skills that caught our attention, and her dedication to the job as a public servant that made us take notice.
Get to know Bernardsville a little bit >>
In addition to teaching at Harvard and being one of the most sought-after digital marketing specialists around, Sam Mallikarjunan is a an author, speaker, and consultant. You can learn more about him at his website >>
The vision that drives Qaadirah Abdur Rahim is infectious. There is no way to spend time talking with her without coming away changed in some way. Founded by her brother, NBA star Shareef Abdur Rahim, Qaadirah, leads the second family approach of Future Foundation that has provided thousands of Atlanta's at-risk youth a path of opportunity that can only be described as world changing.
Visit Future Foundation here >>
Waldron is a Democrat representing District 77 in Oklahoma and you can see his state legislature member's page here.
Derrick Jackson is a veteran of the New York digital agency world who lives in Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC, overlooking Elmhurst Hospital. Here, he provides a unique glimpse into what living in the epicenter of the epicenter working from home feels like.
An accomplished pianist, jazz musician, singer, songwriter, session man, and recording artist, Jody teaches and performs regularly in Nashville (when health crises don't impact the calendar, that is) and has recorded a number great albums you can order for yourselves on line at jodynardone.com.
Susan Kingsley Kent is the author of The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919: a brief history with documents.
The 1918 Flu Pandemic is the only historical event we have that's remotely comparable to what's going on today during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Kent, a prolific author and professor at the University of Colorado gave us a truly global perspective on that moment in history and what elements of that story echo in today's.
The Penn Relays is the biggest and most historical track and field meet in America and, founded in 1895, one of the longest-running sporting events in the country and the world. Every year over the last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday in April, track fans from across the country and around the world descend on Philadelphia to witness some of the best sprinters, jumpers, throwers, and distance runners compete in all manner of relay events. Athletes from grammar school to high school to college and beyond dream of stepping onto Franklin Field to take their place in the pantheon.
Learn more about this amazing tradition - https://pennrelays.com/
Jim Ridgway is a highly accomplished fellow. Retired Navy pilot and commander. One-time face of the Navy in the Bay Area, and currently looking for a new opportunity during the Coronavirus outbreak. He knows he's in a better position than most, but he has a really interesting perspective on social distancing in California and what's going on in the world today.
We chatted with Dr. Carter about what she's doing to remain optimistic, protect her employees and still serve her patients through this very difficult time when the necessary response to the Coronavirus pandemic is closing doors and opening hearts.
Learn more about Dr. Carter and her work at https://cartersmilellc.com
Richie and Erika Hayes are Irish. They are residents of Florida's Space Coast for the past several years. And they are entertainers of the finest caliber. But with the threat of Coronavirus looming, the days heading into their busiest part of the year ended up with cancellations of an entire season and a need to create something exceptional out of nothing.
- If you'd like to learn more about Richie and Erika, you can get all sorts of information, recordings, and merchandise at RichieHayes.net
- And to get their next online shows, including the one on Easter Sunday on your calendar, visit their Facebook page to watch them LIVE!
To learn more about the show Melissa is working on, ticket and schedule information and the original cast recording, visit the official website of COME FROM AWAY.
Peggy's run her own private practice in New Jersey for much of her career, redirected a significant portion of her focus to the practice of gratitude, published her first book, a memoir entitled I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW a bit over a year ago and has a second book in process.
- You can learn more about her and what she does on her website.
- If you'd like to order her book, I CAN SEE CLEARLY NOW, which I highly recommend, you can do that here!
Your introduction to The Story Forge Podcast. Listen to a brief summary of what the podcast is about and all those incredible small business people we're talking to to learn about how they've built their businesses and thrived in a chaotic world.