CONFLUENCE is a podcast that interviews people who sit at the intersection of media, technology, design, and travel. This podcast interviews people around the world that have taken the path less traveled to learn about their habits, beliefs, and the stories they have experienced along the way.
Chris Burkard is an accomplished explorer, photographer, creative director, speaker, and author. Traveling throughout the year to pursue the farthest expanses of Earth, Burkard works to capture stories that inspire humans to consider their relationship with nature, while promoting the preservation of wild places everywhere. His visionary perspective has earned him opportunities to work on global, prominent campaigns with Fortune 500 clients, speak on the TED stage, design product lines, educate, and publish a growing collection of books. Along with his team, Burkard is based out of his production studio and art gallery in the Central Coast of California. SHOW NOTES https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/19
Steve Strehl is a geologist, explorer, and photographer. SHOW NOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/18
Cyrus Reynolds is a Los Angeles-based composer that leans heavily towards the cinematic and dramatic. His vivid style is the result of a background in contemporary orchestration and cutting-edge sound design. He has collaborated with artists such as Novo Amor and S. Cary of Bon Iver and he is just getting started. A classically trained composer, Cyrus holds a Master of Arts from London's prestigious Royal Academy of Music. His radical approach to sound design has led to features by artists such as Kanye + Chance the Rapper (Waves), Justin Timberlake (Morning Light), Rihanna (Needed Me) & Coldplay (Ghost Stories). At the heart of his sound is the orchestra, most recently working with the Philharmonia Orchestra and the London Contemporary Orchestra at historic Abbey Road for his 2018 album, Love In A Perfect Vacuum. In 2019, he was awarded the Royal Academy of Music’s coveted honor of Associate (ARAM) for his contributions to his field. Sponsored by the HOLOCENE Newsletter: holocene.substack.com/welcom SHOW NOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/17
From Razib himself: "I do genetics. I write. More broadly, I am a public intellectual without a portfolio. I have opinions on a wide range of topics. I currently work at Insitome and consult for an array of private sector clients. I have written for publications that include The New York Times, City Journal, India Today, National Review, Slate, Unherd, Quillette & The Guardian, on a broad range of topics." My favorite thing he said: “Grasp reality with two hands and reach far and stretch, there is no shame in failure. Don’t stay in the back of the cave because you’re afraid of the lights outside” SHOW NOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/16
Jon Tang is a Houston-born designer based in Los Angeles who manifests his love for sneakers, art, fashion, anime, and movies into conceptual storytelling. sponsored by the HOLOCENE newsletter: holocene.substack.com/welcome SHOW NOTES https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/14
Misha is the CEO of Nettle. This podcast was recorded in later summer 2019 where he told the epic story about how he quit his high six-figure startup job to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking around wildlife conservation, at the age of 23.
Benjamin was born in England and moved to the Washington D.C. when he was a toddler. Given his English heritage, Ben grew up watching football (soccer) and is fanatical, 5th generation Aston Villa supporter. Ben also regularly watches f1, where he supports Lewis Hamilton. Ben knew from an early age that he wanted to be an entrepreneur, as he never quite fit the traditional mold of school or a corporate job. Before moving to Austin in the spring of 2016, Benjamin attended Wake Forest University, where he launched two boutique gyms during his Junior year. Ben raised outside funding, scaled the businesses, and eventually sold both in the spring of 2019. Benjamin also worked as a Marketing Director at Houston-based En-Plast Technology, where he oversaw all marketing efforts. Benjamin is also the founder of Disco - a men’s skin + health care company. In his spare time, Benjamin enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, collecting watches, and spending time with his family and friends. SHOWNOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/12
Michael McGill is the Chief Information Officer for Medical Service Company (MSC), a healthcare organization in Cleveland Ohio. In his time at Medical Service Company, he has lead the organization through several IT transformations, helping MSC to become a digitally transformed, industry leading organization. Michael is passionate about coaching and mentoring IT Professionals to become IT Leaders. Michael is a life-long learner and reader. He is particularly interested in Stoicism and Mindfulness and how they can help us live stronger and more tranquil lives. He shares his thoughts on IT Leadership, Stoicism, and many other topics on his blog at www.michaeldmcgil.com. SHOW NOTESsqu
Patrick Michael Chin is an accomplished commercial photographer sitting at the intersection of hospitality, fine dining, and lifestyle. Patrick also is an incredible storyteller, father, and cocktail connoisseur. This is one of the best conversations I have had of late and look forward to you all enjoying the conversation we had. SHOW NOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/10
KC Deane is a Pro Skier and Mountain Biker, World Traveler, and Actor. He has appeared in an incredible amount of prestigious mountain bike and ski short films and movies including directing his own ski Film titled Blank. He has also participated in Red Bull Rampage, been on sets all over Hollywood, and currently resides in Los Angeles. You can find KC on social media @KCDeane. SHOW NOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/9
Fellow rocket scientist and my undergrad advisor at Embry-Riddle Dr. Michael Fabian takes us on an epic series of short stories about his life and what he has done along the way. From the first few people I sent this to, it has been extremely popular, and I plan on having a round two with him in the Spring when we can really sit down and chat. SHOW NOTES https://www.rmauchincloss.com/holocene/8 Recorded on October 3, 2019
Zanele Matome is an entrepreneur living in South Africa. She is the CEO & Founder of WELO, a medicine delivery and service company looking to disrupt the medical service market in South Africa and beyond. You can find Zanele on Twitter @zanele_matome. SHOW NOTES: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/blog/holocene/7
Born in Italy, raised in Canada and trained as an architect - Francesco now spends his days running his own brand experience design consultancy called ‘Exultant’. Francesco has also been the Global Director of Retail for McDonald’s, and has worked with some of the worlds most prominent brands such as Tiffany & Co and Gap. He has spent most of his life traveling the world and now resides in NYC. (cover photo from Villa + Villa) SHOW NOTES rmauchincloss.com/blog/holocene/6
Wen is a product designer born in Cameroon and raised in both Cameroon and Minnesota. He owns HercLeon, Rheabelle, Zyrho, and Redeemer Services. He spends his time reading, playing, and finding ways to enjoy life to the best of his ability. Above was the original bio he gave me when I asked him to be an advisor to my company. Wen is an incredible humble person and prefers not to talk about himself. He is a lifelong friend of mine and one of the most thoughtful and patient people I know. Big, awesome things are coming his way very soon. SHOW NOTES rmauchincloss.com/blog/holocene/5 Recorded in Summer 2020.
Heath Goldman is a creator of many things, but mainly food. She currently works at the Food Network but has spent time at a variety of outfits such as Real Simple & Pure Wow. Heath spends her time creating recipes and curating her incredible life from Manhattan. You can find the show notes here: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/blog/afocal/4 Recorder in October 2020.
Seth Mroczka is the president & co-founder of the New Company: a design and marketing company in pursuit of the novel and extraordinary in San Francisco.
You can find Taylor Online at ltw.coach. Taylor Winters views coaching as her vocation. She also identifies as an entrepreneur and a curious consumer and contributor of ideas about workplace wellbeing. She is specifically interested in translating research from psychology, neuroscience, business, and creative fields into practical methods for helping people to create meaning in work and advance in their presence and pursuits. Previously, Taylor was Co-Founder and Managing Director of a successful creative agency for a decade until it was acquired. This adventure cultivated her leadership experience as an executive, team member, and service provider and established my perspective that continually investing in people guarantees highly-valued business outcomes. As a life-long learner, Taylor continues to pursue advancements in her education and certifications from leading institutions and organizations, including University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology program and her ICF credentials as a Master Certified Coach (MCC). The AFOCAL podcast seeks to gain knowledge from the most creative, adventurous, and bright among us - storytellers, entrepreneurs, athletes, designers / and everyone else in between. It is my job as the host to take what they have each learned in their own lives and codify their knowledge so that one can use their lessons in their own life. As always you can find me on social media @robislost or at robislost.com. This podcast is apart of the AFOCAL umbrella - AFOCAL is an ideation studio that focuses on engineering solutions for the future of civilization and exploration - on this planet and beyond - for a more efficient, sustainable future through genius in media, technology, and design. You can see what work we are up to at afocal.co.
AFOCAL 1 - RICHARD DANNE - how to design a life filled with happiness by Rob Auchincloss
This podcast is available on Apple, Soundcloud, + Spotify Benjamin was born in England and moved to the Washington D.C. when he was a toddler. Given his English heritage, Ben grew up watching football (soccer) and is fanatical, 5th generation Aston Villa supporter. Ben also regularly watches f1, where he supports Lewis Hamilton. Ben knew from an early age that he wanted to be an entrepreneur, as he never quite fit the traditional mold of school or a corporate job. Before moving to Austin in the spring of 2016, Benjamin attended Wake Forest University, where he launched two boutique gyms during his Junior year. Ben raised outside funding, scaled the businesses, and eventually sold both in the spring of 2019. Benjamin also worked as a Marketing Director at Houston-based En-Plast Technology, where he oversaw all marketing efforts. Benjamin is also the founder of Disco - a men’s skin + health care company. In his spare time, Benjamin enjoys traveling, reading, exercising, collecting watches, and spending time with his family and friends. here is a link to the full show notes: https://www.rmauchincloss.com/blog/confluence/11
Wen is a product designer born in Cameroon and raised in both Cameroon and Minnesota. He owns HercLeon, Rheabelle, Zyrho, and Redeemer Services. He spends his time reading, playing, and finding ways to enjoy life to the best of his ability. Above was the original bio he gave me when I asked him to be an advisor to my company. Wen is an incredible humble person and prefers not to talk about himself. He is a lifelong friend of mine and one of the most thoughtful and patient people I know. Big, awesome things are coming his way very soon. You can find all of the show notes here: https://bit.ly/2VGbzQA
One can find links to all things mentioned in this podcast here: https://bit.ly/3ic8S2L Taylor Winters views coaching as her vocation. She also identifies as an entrepreneur and a curious consumer and contributor of ideas about workplace wellbeing. She is specifically interested in translating research from psychology, neuroscience, business, and creative fields into practical methods for helping people to create meaning in work and advance in their presence and pursuits. Previously, Taylor was Co-Founder and Managing Director of a successful creative agency for a decade until it was acquired. This adventure cultivated her leadership experience as an executive, team member, and service provider and established my perspective that continually investing in people guarantees highly-valued business outcomes. As a life-long learner, Taylor continues to pursue advancements in her education and certifications from leading institutions and organizations, including University of Pennsylvania’s Positive Psychology program and her ICF credentials as a Master Certified Coach (MCC).
Richard Danne is a graphic design legend who is responsible for some of the most notorious branding of our generation. Richard, alongside his partner Bruce Blackburn, created the legendary NASA worm logo in their first ever project as a studio together. This conversation spans many interesting areas of focus - especially relating to creativity, finding happiness, and living a life full of joy. You can learn all you need to about Richard here: http://www.dannedesign.com/
Seth Mroczka has been a friend, mentor, and confidant to myself since I met him back in 2017 while we were both working at COLLINS in Manhattan. Seth was on his way onto something new with the New York Times and I was just beginning my adventure in Greenwich Village. Since our paths diverged Seth moved out to SF and started the New Company, a design and marketing company in pursuit of the novel and extraordinary in San Francisco, which he founded with Matt Luckhurst back in 2018. You can find Seth on Instagram & LinkedIN. Here are links to a few things mentioned in the podcast: Midnight in Chernobyl Gulag: A Brief History Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland The Only Plane in the Sky: An Oral History of 9/11 Orhan Pamuk: Novelist
Patrick Michael Chin is a commercial photographer, storyteller, and all-around badass. When he is not traveling the world creating incredible work he is spending time with his adorable family, baking a new recipe, or slowly chipping away at his INSANE collect of alcohol. This is a conversation you will not want to miss.
KC Deane is a Pro Skier and Mountain Biker, World Traveler, and Actor. He has appeared in an incredible amount of prestigious mountain bike and ski short films and movies including directing his own ski Film titled Blank. He has also participated in Red Bull Rampage, been on sets all over Hollywood, and currently resides in Los Angeles. You can find KC on social media @KCDeane.
Dr. Michael Fabian holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering and finds himself near the top of one of the most successful Aerospace Engineering academic programs in the country. Dr. Fabian goes into to detail about his work in propulsion, his father being a STS Astronaut, as well as best practices for living a happy and healthy life.
An epic story about how Misha quit his high six-figure startup job to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking around wildlife conservation, at the age of 23. Find Misha on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mishawilcockson/?hl=en
Francesco Cordua - born in Italy, raised in Canada and trained as an architect - Francesco now spends his days running his own brand experience design consultancy called ‘Exultant’. Francesco has also been the Global Director of Retail for McDonald’s, and has worked with some of the worlds most prominent brands such as Tiffany & Co and Gap. He has spent most of his life traveling the world and now resides in NYC.
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