Good People, Cool Things

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.

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.

Have you ever struggled when deciding what to wear? College football recruits often do. They have several hats in front of them, yet they never seem to know which one to put on! Sean thinks that's pretty dumb. We discuss some of the joys and pains of running around tracks and through neighborhoods. We also reminisce on some of our public speaking training. Clearly, it's paid off with this fabulous podcast. Plus, a look at some of the classic cars from driving school. And do you have a favorite Nickelodeon game show? Finally, a dumb tweet from LeBron James and a silly sports cliche that's truly out of this world.

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. Support Good People, Cool Things Want to support the show? Buy a copy of Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life's Relationships. Pick up some merch at the shop. Share this episode with a friend. Thanks for listening!

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.