Are you bored? Do you feel stuck in a rut? Do you want to live a more exciting life? Listen in as we discuss how you can live a fascinating life - one interesting conversation at a time. ___________________________ Hi! My name is Deedre. It's pronounced Deee-druh. My parents originally wanted to name me Dierdre, but they found out it means: Sorrow, Raging, and Talkative. They didn't want a sad, bitching baby, so they changed the spelling. Technically, my name is meaningless. I am still working through that. I am also redefining the word INTERESTING, what it means, and how you can fully embrace the new definition to have the life you want and deserve. ___________________________ I spent nearly two decades slinging insurance for the gecko. I left that all behind in 2018 when I wanted a more fascinating and interesting life. I started a business: The Interesting Conversations Company®, and a nonprofit: The Big Fat Tip®. Along my journey, I met many amazing people who mentored, guided, and cheered me on. They opened doors I thought were bolted shut, and I am forever grateful for their support. ___________________________ And that brings me to you. Do you feel stuck, bored, or numb? Many people think they must be insanely wealthy, famous, or gorgeous to live an exciting life. That is not true! To create more opportunities for yourself, you begin by attracting more people to you. People give you promotions, proposals, and propositions. And you can't draw them to you by being dull, boring, or blending in. ___________________________ This podcast explores how you can claim that fascinating life you want – one interesting conversation at a time. We examine the narrow thinking, boring behaviors and communication habits that often prevent us from having the life we want and deserve. We avoid arguing about politics, religion, or the ad nauseam topic du jour. We talk about new ideas, solutions, and novel living approaches instead. ___________________________ The purpose of this podcast is to entertain, educate and inspire you. We show you how to get out of those mental ruts holding you back and give you the keys to the doors you want to open. We also talk about unusual topics and laugh – because we value creativity and humor. We end each episode with questions from The Very Interesting Game Show® – some cards are old favorites, and others are brand new because Deedre writes new cards weekly. Come for the lessons and stay for the laughs! ___________________________ New episodes are released on Fridays, giving you new topics to discuss with friends and family and dates over the weekend! Follow and subscribe to the show on your favorite platform, so you know when it is available for you. ___________________________ The Interesting Conversations Company® was founded by Deedre Daniel, who is on a mission to help you stand out, so you attract more opportunities in your life or business. She does that by helping you to think more creatively, LAUGH, and build stronger bonds with others. She delivers her highly entertaining keynote, "How to be More Interesting Than a Cell Phone®," and hosts The Very Interesting Game Show® online or in-person to groups ranging from intimate to large audiences in the thousands. ___________________________ She also creates customized content, like bespoke keynotes and training sessions for conferences and corporations. Whatever the topic, Deedre uses the same three-part formula: She warms up the crown with stand-up comedy, followed by creative lessons designed to capture your imagination and hold your attention, and finishes with an activity that will help you and your attendees, members, or employees build a stronger bond with others. ___________________________ Deedre invented The Very Interesting Game®, a card game for sale on Amazon. (More editions are in the works!) She has a book and online course coming out soon. Sign up for her Very Interesting Person online certificate program,
The Interesting Conversations Company®
Did you start a new job? Or have you been at your job for a while, but your boss or many of your coworkers are new? If it feels like you are working with strangers, then now is the time to build stronger relationships at your job. This episode contains:
Some of Deedre's favorite tales to go with cocktails. Although they are probably unsafe to share in most corporate environments, they should bring you some smiles and points to ponder over your weekend with your adult friends and family.
Have you recently lost your job or are worried you will be let go soon? Perhaps you are thinking about quitting your job in the future. Listen to this list of tips and ideas to help you through this major life transition. (Please share this with your friends who need the information.) Below are links to resources you may find useful. Check back as new resources will be added in the future. U.S. Government Healthcare Links: https://www.healthcare.gov/ https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/6173 An article from Bankrate about what to do with your 401K. (Please read other articles and talk to your financial advisor, too). https://www.bankrate.com/retirement/8-tips-on-moving-401k-after-leaving-job/#:~:text=You%20have%2060%20days%20to,with%20tax%20liabilities%20and%20penalties. Online Therapy Options: https://try.talkspace.com/ https://www.betterhelp.com/ https://get.cerebral.com/ https://www.pridecounseling.com/ https://larkr-site.webflow.io/ Side Hustle Ideas: https://www.flexjobs.com/ https://www.upwork.com/ https://www.fiverr.com/ https://www.freelancer.com/ https://problogger.com/jobs/ https://www.reddit.com/r/WorkOnline/ Skills and Personality Assessments: GALLUP – CLIFTONSTRENGTHS https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx KNACK https://knackapp.com/personal NEVER TRIED IT, BUT LOOKS INTERESTING: 123 Test https://www.123test.com/competency-test/# Certifications and Tech Courses: Grow with Google: https://grow.google/certificates/it-support/#?modal_active=none https://www.udemy.com/ https://www.coursera.org/ Resume Builders: https://www.myperfectresume.com/ https://novoresume.com/ AI Writing Assistants: https://writesonic.com/ https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt/ https://www.jasper.ai/ More to come! Disclaimer: The resources, tips, ideas, and lessons learned covered in this episode are based on Deedre's personal experience after leaving her long career at GEICO. This is not professional advice. Always consult lawyers, financial advisors, your local human resource staff, and medical personnel. View the information provided on this podcast and in the show notes above as an incomplete guide or a loose checklist. This is a starting point to help you with your job transition. Your situation is unique. Some of these ideas and suggestions may not apply or work for you. So take what you need, leave what you don't, and do some research. Always consult with licensed medical providers, financial planners, and other qualified professionals! Please explore all the other options to make the best decision for you and your family. Wishing you much success! XOXO
Do you think artificial intelligence will eliminate or enhance your job soon? Deedre talks about how artificial intelligence entertained her with an interesting conversation while she recovered from a bad bout of the flu.
Deedre tells a story about an abandoned puppy that led her to give a stranger $1,000 one year later. Deedre flies solo in this 13-minute episode, which was recorded on Friday the 13th.
A selection of our favorite conversations. Use this time to catch up on older episodes before we release new ones in 2023!
Highlights from the first season of the Shut Up and Say Something!® podcast. Huge thanks to our guests, who contributed to over 30 hours of interesting, inspiring, and educational conversations for our new show in 2022. Selecting only four minutes of footage was the most challenging task because there were so many fascinating topics to choose from. We target Fridays for new episodes, and our goal is to release them at 11:11 AM Eastern. Each platform seems to have different processing times, which means the latest episode may not appear on your favorite streaming platform right at 11:11 AM Eastern. Follow the Shut Up and Say Something! podcast because that will ensure you know when the next episode is available for you. Go forward, my friends. Be interesting.
Do you want to leave your job? Do you want an entirely different career, but don't know where to start or think it is too late to make that kind of change? Listen in as Maria Scarangella and Deedre Daniel talk about:
Do you want to travel more but think you don't have the money to do it? Do you stay home and watch Netflix because you think that is the only entertainment you can afford? Do you want to start a writing side hustle? Trent Modglin is the publisher, writer, and creator of three popular Chicago magazines. He talks to Deedre Daniel about:
Your dreams won't chase you, so why not chase them instead? Jae Choe is the owner and Master Instructor of the famed Karate Beyond dojo in Lakeland, Florida. He talks to Deedre Daniel about:
Do you think you can't do or experience something unless other things happen first? What if you were to skip all of those steps? Deedre wanted to give $1,000 tips to strangers but thought she needed to be a multi-millionaire first. She became tired of waiting around for that success and figured out how to do it without being obscenely rich. In this episode, Deedre discusses why she started The Big Fat Tip nonprofit. She also covers:
Do you know the secret to making an instant connection with someone? What if you could be a real-life Jedi by using the right words to influence others' behaviors? Mike Mandel is a famous hypnotist who has intrigued audiences around the globe for over 40 years. He talks to Deedre Daniel about:
Have your dreams ever been shattered? Have you ever given 110% of yourself to something, only to watch it collapse in front of you? How do you bounce back? Andrew Markert is the Head Chef, and Owner of Beuchert's Saloon and Fight Club restaurants in Washington, DC. He talks to Deedre Daniel about:
How do you set your personal and professional goals? How do you stay motivated? And how do you curate a new group of mentors to hold you accountable? Meet Joanna Pineda, CEO of Matrix Group International. She talks to Deedre Daniel about how you can stay motivated to reach your goals. They also discuss:
Have you ever bought concert tickets from a scalper? What do you think about those excessive fees ticketing sites tack on to your purchase? What if you could do away with all of that nonsense with a ticket that contained future benefits, which far exceeded the value of the event you attended? Meet Hunter Abramson, the co-founder and CEO of Relic Tickets. He talks to Deedre about how he is revolutionizing (and disrupting) the event ticketing business. They also discuss:
Deedre tells stories from her 30th high school reunion with a bunch of military brats, a lesson learned from a pair of homeless man's shoes, and the unexpected joy of drawing penis cartoons. Plus, a recap of the past four shows and a preview of what's to come.
Have you ever wanted to be on one of those massive parade floats? Did you ever consider all the work that goes into running a parade? Parades are a big business with a lot of details to manage. Meet Brian Kern, an event planner extraordinaire and the Head Spookster of the Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade in New Orleans. He and Deedre Daniel talk about:
Are you overwhelmed by the latest advancements in technology? Do you need to simplify your life, but you don't know where to start or what tools to use? Meet Beth Ziesenis, an author, speaker, and tech nerd. She talks to Deedre about tech tips, tricks, and tools to make your life easier, including eliminating the Oxford comma used in this sentence. They also discuss:
Do you dream of being an author, but you make up excuses not to do it? Do you harness your fears, or do you allow them to control you? Meet Owl Goingback, an award-winning author, who has been writing professionally for over 30 years. He talks to Deedre about:
Do you feel like your love life needs a little more sizzle? Are you feeling distracted, numb, or a little disconnected from others and yourself? Perhaps reading a romance novel would help you get your groove back! Meet Tessa Layne, a best-selling romance novelist who talks to Deedre about:
Deedre flies solo on every fifth show. In this episode, she reveals:
Adults don't laugh enough. And part of the reason is that we filter ourselves too much, so we fit in. Learning to trust your instincts, let go of past mistakes, loosen up and laugh with others are the building blocks to stronger connections with others. Nate Fleming is a comedian who specializes in improvisational techniques. In this episode, we discuss:
What can you do for hours and lose track of time - even forgetting to eat? Answering that question could be the key to finding your passion. Should you turn that into your side hustle? Meet Alex Tremble, an award-winning speaker, author, executive, and leadership expert who talks to Deedre about what it takes to climb the corporate ladder successfully and start a lucrative side hustle. In this episode, we cover:
Have you ever encountered a ghost? Do you believe in them? This interesting conversation topic has captured the imagination and attention of people globally since the beginning of time. Meet Mark Muncy, a best-selling author of all things scary, creepy, and eerie! This episode is all about ghosts, aliens, murder, and intrigue. Mark takes a historical approach to his stories, giving his tales a unique angle. He travels to the locations, interviews people, cross-references related stories, and studies all the documents he can get his hands on. Warning: Some of these legends and folklore's deep history is disturbing. Our conversation starts cute but quickly turns into tales of torture and human atrocities. So, if you prefer a lighter conversation, you may want to sit this out. For the other inquiring minds, we cover:
You spend a lot of time on your phone. Are you ready to spend your entire life in the metaverse? Meet Dr. Louis Rosenberg, a pioneer in virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence – with over 300 patents to prove it! ☕️ Get your favorite beverage, something to take notes on, and settle in for a fascinating discussion about:
Deedre's formal apology to the author, Chuck Klosterman - even though he never asked for one. Plus:
Have you ever poured yourself into your job, a project, or throwing a party, and NO ONE THANKS YOU? Are there trophies and recognition awards you feel like you will never win? Hear KiKi L'Italien and Deedre Daniel also discuss:
Most people have at least one interesting story to share. The key to having more? Doing new things. Meeting new people. Exploring the world. Taking chances. And starting over. Check out this new episode format where listeners nominate someone for the show using only ten intriguing questions about them! Listen in while Deedre meets Lawrence Richards, a retired U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant, as they discuss:
Find out how McManus became The GEICO Caveman without formal acting training - or even a professional headshot for his audition. He didn't let self-doubt or his sparse resume prevent him from going after the role. It took talent and grit to be selected from the pool of 1,000+ applicants; however, McManus teaches us that living a more fascinating life is so easy, even you can do it! It's all about your attitude and approach to daily opportunities. Interesting people take risks and try new things. So, take a chance, try something different, set a goal, and give it your best shot. Bring 100% of your authentic self and let your light shine. He LOVES all things cinema. Brace yourself as we get a little nerdy about films. Do you think movies have become a bit boring? McManus provides us with several recommendations and discusses his solution to help people better select entertainment that is suited for their unique tastes. We also talk about Michael Jackson, butt rubs, and farts. But not all at once. Then stick around for a few rounds from The Very Interesting Game Show®! Where would you like to grow hair on your body, and what function would you give it besides just being hair? Bio: In front of the camera, McManus Woodend played the role of The GEICO Caveman for a decade, appearing in well over 25 national commercials as the iconic character. Additional roles include the Netflix films The Kindergarten Teacher, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), and The Incredible Jessica James. Behind the camera, McManus co-created the feature-length motion picture Rocksteppy, which had its World Premiere at the Sound Unseen Film +Music Festival and New York and Los Angeles theatrical premieres in late 2017. The treatment for his follow-up feature film King Dom was selected and presented at the IFP Film Conference. He recently directed the short film Paper with his wife, playwright Kelli Lynn Woodend. Mr. Woodend is currently a Ph.D. Candidate at The European Graduate School. He is a Filmmaking graduate of the David Lynch Graduate School of Cinematic Arts and holds undergraduate degrees from the Film Production and Entertainment Business programs at Full Sail University. Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here: https://interestingconversations.com/links/ Originally recorded on July 19, 2022
Do you wish you could quit your job? What would happen if you did? Shawn Durham left his safe decade-long corporate career to chase his dream of being a published author. Four months later, he suffered a significant hand injury, which made writing nearly impossible. Find out what he did to not only survive but thrive. Interesting people take risks and often fail miserably as they try new things. The resilient ones bounce back stronger than before. Shawn takes us through the many ups and downs in his journey of self-discovery. We learn:
Making new friends when you're an adult is hard. Or is it? Anne decided to host a sleepover - like she used to do when she was a kid - but instead of friends, Anne invited a bunch of women she did not know. Find out what happened when several strangers hung out in their pajamas all weekend in a rented mansion on a beach in this next podcast episode of Shut Up and Say Something!™ In this episode, we discuss why making new friends as adults feels so hard and how we can overcome those obstacles. New episodes of Shut Up and Say Something!® come out on Fridays with a target time of 11:11 AM Eastern on all major music streaming platforms. Some platforms take longer than others to make the episodes available. Subscribe on your platform of choice, so you know when you can listen to the next available episode. These conversations are perfect for listening to before you kick off your weekend – giving you interesting topics to discuss with friends and family! You can connect with Anne Nevel on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annenevel/ You can connect with Deedre Daniel here: https://interestingconversations.com/links/ Originally recorded on July 5, 2022.
What's your story? Valerie Gordon is a fantastic storyteller with TEN Emmys to prove it! She knows the narrator's vital role and explores how our internal voice often holds us back in her book, "Fire Your Narrator." Your story matters and your internal dialogue significantly affects your external results. From being able to answer "Tell me about yourself" in a job interview to wrangling self-doubt, Valerie covers it all in this episode. If you crave change in your life, but your narrator is getting in your way, this episode is for you! Val is also wickedly funny - so you can expect a few snarky remarks and unrelated topics tossed in for good measure! Stick around; we run through a few weird questions from The Very Interesting Game Show® at the end. New episodes of Shut Up and Say Something® come out every Friday at 11:11 AM Eastern on most major platforms. Subscribe, so you don't miss the next show. These conversations are perfect for listening to before you kick off your weekend - giving you interesting topics to discuss with friends and family. You can buy Valerie's book here:https://www.amazon.com/Fire-Your-Narrator-Storytellers-Getting/dp/1737434504
Do you wish you could get rid of everything you have and start over with a clean slate and a new life? Teri Carden is a successful entrepreneur who has decided to simplify her life by living in a van. It is a massive lifestyle change that requires careful consideration and planning. She bubbles over with enthusiasm as she discusses her plans and how she conquered her fears to embrace this new life. People often dream of FREEDOM, but defining what it truly means and then achieving it can be scary. Optimism is about perspective, too. Some people are pushed out of their houses and forced to live in their cars. They usually won't see that as a positive thing. How we feel about our circumstances is determined by how we frame them. Thinking that you "get to do something" instead of "have to do something" is a matter of changing one word and has the power to alter your entire outlook on life. The next time you are upset because you have to do something, think about Teri, who is excited to give up her townhouse, things, and daily routine to live in a van and explore the world. What do you GET to do today? Most of us let fear control our lives and prevent us from taking risks. I admire Teri's ability to push past her fears to live a more interesting life. How can you find ways to embrace more freedom or help others feel less trapped by their circumstances? New episodes of Shut Up and Say Something!™ come out every Friday at 11:11 AM Eastern on all major platforms. Subscribe, so you don't miss the next show. These conversations are perfect for listening to before you kick off your weekend – giving you interesting topics to discuss with friends and family! You may email Teri here: teritally@gmail.com Follow her journey on Instagram @mycrazyvanlife Connect with Deedre Daniel here: https://interestingconversations.com/links/ Originally recorded on May 26, 2022
Do you believe in Bigfoot? Your answer doesn't matter. The bigger question is: Where does adventure exist for you? David Sidoti tracks Bigfoot - and he has been doing this for 26 years! This Sasquatch Investigator seeks to prove that Bigfoot does exist. Whether you believe him or not doesn't matter. David proves that adventure is in your mind and backyard. You don't have to travel to distant lands to seek something new and interesting. You can work a regular job during the day and do exciting things on the nights and weekends - attracting new people to you and creating a fascinating life. New episodes of Shut Up and Say Something!™ come out every Friday at 11:11 AM Eastern on all major platforms. Subscribe, so you don't miss the next show. These conversations are perfect for listening to before you kick off your weekend – giving you interesting topics to discuss with friends and family! You can find out more about David's Bigfoot work here:www.ISRTUSA.com https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Tracking+Sasquatches Connect with Deedre Daniel here: https://interestingconversations.com/links/ Originally recorded May 24, 2022
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