The Junto

LOS ANGELES, CA — My guest today is Karin Kildow — Founder & CEO of Content Capital. I reached out to Karin at the top of the year ahead of my first trip out to LA since February of 2018. I had tracked her on social for a long time and admired how she used the platform to tell stories. It turns out we were meeting at the perfect time. Karin — who has had an illustrious career at RedBull, Uninterrupted and Beyond Meat — was getting ready to go full-time on Content Capital and make it a cutting-edge media company focused on helping athletes tell their stories. Karin and I had the chance to sit down together in LA to record this episode. We dissect her life story, her approach to social, what drives her philosophy behind storytelling and her biggest dreams for her new company. Without further ado, here's Karin Kildow. https://www.instagram.com/kar_inthegarage/

CHICAGO, IL — My guest today is Sam Viola, the Founder of Uproute Travel. I first met Sam three years ago during a hot summer's day in Chicago, watching the England vs USA women's semi-final at Cleo's Pub in West Town. The blue sky quickly turned to rain, and I invited Sam and his two female chaperones (who turned out to be his sisters) under the umbrella. We got chatting, and the rest is truly history. Almost three years later, Sam and I have become incredibly close friends and partners to each other on and off the field. Sam came into Breakouts III in January of 2021, crushed it, landed his first client off the back of Demo Day, and recently completed his year-long School Fellowship. A year on from Demo Day, Uproute Travel is a reality. Not just an idea. And Sam isn't stuck behind a Zoom screen but travelling to a new country each month. I am incredibly proud of his progress and was blessed to get some time to sit down with him to reflect on this fantastic journey during his three weeks back at home in CHI. Our conclusion? It's just the beginning. sam@uproutetravel.com https://www.uproutetravel.com/

MEMPHIS, TN — my guests today are Eric Matthews, Jillian Friot and Othman O'Malley. These three power players based in Memphis travel seamlessly between entrepreneurship, community, and wine. I kicked off Q2 by spending the weekend with them and some old friends in Soul City. We shared some fabulous meals, explored almost every corner of town and capped it all off by hosting a 6-hour long wine tasting at Jillian and Eric's home. Othman and I were slinging the best ancient and natural vino's we could get our hands-on. And the conversations were ongoing for hours. In short: we were building gravity. And in this episode, we unpack what that meant for each of us, our highlights of this incredible weekend and our biggest ambitions for the future of this community in Memphis. Sit back, relax and feel the gravity.

MIAMI, FL — My guest today is Daniel Ross. A travel connoisseur and arguably the most global Northern bloke I've ever met. Dan and I first connected back in December of 2019 during a black-tie dinner on the Intrepid in New York City. Carly Rae Jepsen performed. We rubbed shoulders with travel influencers and celebrities. It was a magical evening. Little did we both know it would be the last time we'd see each other until March 2022. Our travel schedules finally intersected and we had the chance to sit down in Miami for this conversation at the stunning MIAMI EAST hotel in Brickell. Over the pandemic, Dan made the bold switch from cashing in a paycheque and working for somebody else to breaking out on his own as a freelancer. We caught up during the latter end of his 8-week press trip to the United States. This was Dan's first time in America since the pandemic. In this episode, we discuss Dan's origin story as a Geordie, how his life has changed since the pandemic, why he ultimately decided to make the jump to freelance, how he thinks about his role today in the travel space and why he absolutely refuses to be called an influencer. https://www.instagram.com/comedanwithme

MIAMI, FL — My guest today is Caitlin Thompson, founder and publisher of Racquet Magazine. A cultural tennis publication, platform and movement like no other. Caitlin and I caught up in Miami Beach on the tail end of ‘Racquet House' — a quarterly in-person celebration of Racquet, grassroots tennis and its global community. I haven't known Caitlin for long, but it's immediately clear that she is one of the most brilliant people in today's media environment. She's poised, a phenomenal storyteller and has a kickass vision for what a modern-day media company and publisher can look like. In short: Caitlin makes ideas — whether they are yours or others — better. Hence why I wanted to record this episode. We dive deep into the why of Racquet House, what it takes to build phenomenal physical experiences in the 21st century and how Caitlin thinks about leveraging brands to create spaces that people will never forget. You won't want to miss this one. Game, set and match to Caitlin Thompson. https://racquetmag.com/

DENVER, CO — My guest today is Joe Buckner. Fighter, father and idea giant. I was introduced to Joe through a great mutual friend, Elliott Clark, while searching for speakers for EE's last retreat of 2021 in the Mile High City. Elliott told me I had to get Joe to speak. In fact, he said: "if you want to know why, hang up the phone right now and watch this Lululemon video on Joe." After watching it, I didn't need any more convincing. Later, when I called Joe, he said: "What you gotta understand is the lululemon video was based on my life in the early 2000s. Yes, that is part of my story. But it's now 2021. There's been a lot of developments since then." I responded, "Great. I want you to use your time with us to share the part of your story that is still untold." In this episode, we unpack the origin story of Joe Buckner, what happened in his life after prison, why he believes fighting fixes everything, why we need to remind each other how to fight, teach each other how to fail in public and the difference between being influential versus an influencer. — Full Transcription: https://everydayentrepreneur.co/magazine/issues/3/rare-air/ lululemon Film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai0Gf0_2TC0

WASHINGTON, D.C. — My guests today are Rene McCoy and Robert Clark. They are two stalwarts of the hospitality industry and leaders of the St Gregory Hotel - a beautiful lifestyle luxury hotel nestled right between Dupont Circle and Georgetown in Washington, D.C. St Gregory was our away home for our Q4 retreat in D.C. And so, I sat down with Rene + Robert — who have a combined 65 years of experience in the industry — to talk about their stories, visions for the future of St Gregory, Hersha Hospitality's Independent Collection and everything in between. What I loved most about this conversation was Rene and Robert's ruthless focus on serving others. For them, hospitality is not an industry. It is simply their lifestyle and something they commit to in every interaction inside and out of the hotel. I think we all have to something learn from these two. https://www.stgregoryhotelwdc.com/ https://www.independentcollection.com/

CHICAGO, IL — My guest today is Mark Steuer. Owner & Head Chef of Funkenhausen — a 2x Bib Gourmand restaurant located in West Town and my favourite dining establishment in the country. Mark and I have been talking about sitting down to do a podcast together for almost two and a half years. We met back in July of 2019 through one of Funk's excellent servers called Jesse and immediately hit it off. Life (and the pandemic) got in the way of us ever hitting record. But I'm honestly so glad it did. Mark and I have now had the time to build a fantastic relationship, making this podcast deeper, funnier, and more intimate than it ever could have been back in 2019. This episode is nearly 2 hours long and is split into two parts. The first hour takes place at Mark's house and the second after hours at his pride and joy of a restaurant — Funkenhausen — on a beautiful Fall Tuesday night in Chicago. Over a few glasses of Riesling, a dinner, some lone star and of course a drop of whiskey, we dive deep into Mark's story — how he started cooking, his European upbringing, his motivations, inspirations, mentors, stages, mistakes and biggest successes. We also touch on how we see hospitality evolving and why we're starting a dining club together in Q1 of 2022 — our stab at a Nouveau Chef's Table. So sit back, relax and pour yourself a glass of your favourite German wine. Without further ado, here's Mark Steuer. https://www.funkenhausen.com https://www.instagram.com/chefmarksteuer

PHOENIX, AZ — My guest today is none other than Chris Lingua. Chris is the founder of Sauvage - Arizona's first all-natural wine store based in downtown Phoenix. I met Chris earlier this year during one of our retreats out to the Southwest. We were lucky enough to have a private wine tasting with Chris, and I was blown away by him, his story and the wines he put on show. It was honestly some of the most delicious glasses I've ever had, and now I'm a all-natural wine convert. I'm thrilled to announce that EE will launch an exclusive wine club in 4 cities with Chris in Q4 of 2021 through our conversation and dining society, The Saturday Club. So, if you're listening because you've just been to a TSC event or you're thinking about joining, sit back, relax and pour yourself a glass (or two) of something cold. This episode will not disappoint. https://www.sauvagephx.com/

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — My guest today is Kyna Leski. Rhode Island Hall of Famer and RISD legend Kyna was introduced to me two years ago by a great friend and mentor, Heather McGowan. Heather told me that Kyna was the single most impactful professor she ever had. I didn't need any more encouragement. Unfortunately, we were ships passing in the night back in 2019. But I vowed on my next return to Providence that I would reach out. And so, I was absolutely thrilled that this time it worked out and that Kyna was able to come and speak to our school members during a live podcast discussion during our Rhode Island retreat. In this episode, we dive deep into how Kyna thinks about creativity as a storm, what it means to be shipwrecked, the role that language plays in helping you see things, make connections and ultimately conceive of creations that don't yet exist. All the while staying rooted in your purpose and using your personal biography as your compass. I can firmly say that this was more than worth the wait. Without further ado, here's Kyna Leski.

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — The Ocean State was the home of our Q3 retreat for The School, and boy did the smallest U.S. state punch far above its weight. I sit down to dissect our incredible weekend with two OG members in Charbel Bourjas and Justin Fleischmann, alongside our wonderful host and lifelong Rhode Islander, Alexia Williams. In this episode, we unpack our incredibly weekend in Little Rhody from start to finish and reflect on what feels like the defining retreat for this community thus far in a place that prides itself on being built on just one degree of separation. So please sit back, relax and experience the magic that is our retreat weekend in Rhode Island.

LONDON, U.K. — My guest today is Nicky Kelvin. A Northern boy from Leeds and the face of The Points Guy UK, Nicky is the European king of gallivanting around the world in style for but a few bob. Don't let the lush Instagram stories fool you. This is an extremely hardworking man committed to consistently honing his craft on any plane, train or automobile that he can find. After all, there really isn't a career that Nicky hasn't had. From law to music to photojournalism and travel, Nicky's done it all on his way to becoming the Director of Content for TPG UK. He was tapped personally by the founder of TPG, the infamous Brian Kelly, to become the European face of the brand in 2018. In the summer of 2019, I had the chance to sit down with Nicky in London at the original TPG UK office in Holborn. We discussed Nicky's upbringing, his professional and personal life before travel, his meteoric rise to leading TPG UK, their vision for growth and how he's managed to balance a multitude of high-powered roles with his love of taking photos and a difficult battle with Crohn's disease. You won't want to miss this one. Without further ado, here's Nicky Kelvin. LEARN MORE ABOUT THE EE COLLECTIVE: Everyday Entrepreneur | Breakouts | The Junto | The School | Retreats

Today's episode comes to you from Scottsdale, Arizona. My business partner Cam Perna and long-time Fellow In-Residence Justin Fleischmann join me to recap Retreat VI in the Southwest. This weekend had it all from all-natural wine tastings and lights-out Thai meals to tongue-in-cheek late-night cocktails. We spent our early mornings hiking in the mountains, with the afternoons reserved strictly for lolling by the pool. This might be our best retreat yet. Want to be at our next one? Join us now - https://everydayentrepreneur.co/breakouts/

Today's episode comes to you from Savannah, GA. My business partner Cam Perna and I recap three amazing days of sunshine, beach, golf and conversation down South. Our weekend was littered with Pulitzer finalists, Michelin-star chefs, world-class architects and some of the incredible families who make Savannah what it is today. We cover why we were created for community, the difference between consuming and investing in a space, and the idea of the world's best city being not in a physical place but rather as an agglomeration of resources. We hope you enjoy it.

I have three guests today—two usual suspects in Cam Perna + Josh Whelan. Cam's my business partner in Breakouts and The School. Josh is our Minister of Culture. And one new addition, Maximillian Brown - one of our standout fellows in Breakouts3. The three of us spent some time reflecting on the first Breakouts retreat of 2021. We spent three days in Charlie Town eating great food, drinking delicious wine and curating some incredible conversations around village building, dreams and memories. We had visits from Ben Towill and Kirk Chambers - two of Charleston's best entrepreneurs and creatives. We host these Breakouts retreat at the midpoint of our 10-week lifestyle accelerator. It's a celebration of our fellows, our broader community and a rare opportunity to experience the magic of physical connectivity. And we'll be posting retreat recaps like this every quarter. If you'd like to learn more, visit breakouts.us now.

I have three guests today: Cam Perna, Josh Whelan and Michael Rubino. Cam's my business partner in Breakouts and The School. Josh is our Minister of Culture and the guy who taught me community when I first arrived in the USA in 2013. And Mike is one of the most exciting entrepreneurs I know in Chicago. Cam, Josh and Mike are 3 of the 7 founding members of the Junto - Benjamin Franklin's social mutual improvement club that I revived in 2019 through this podcast. Today, The Junto is a thriving intellectual community with 50+ members all over the globe. As founding members, we meet every quarter in a different part of the world for a weekend-long retreat of ideas, conversation and community. Each weekend's capstone is a long slow dinner that we host for friends and people we admire local to the city we're visiting. This past weekend we met together in-person on Lake Travis down in Austin, TX. We decided to record this podcast and document all the incredible ideas, people and conversations that we come across during our weekends together. We'll be posting a founding members episode like this every month after each of our virtual meetings. And once a quarter, you'll have the pleasure of being a fly on wall during our retreat debrief. If you find yourself thinking “wow, I would have loved to be IN the room for conversations like this” then you should consider becoming a member of The Junto. It's a space made for those who want to teach what they do know and learn what they don't alongside some of the brightest minds in the world today. Members have the opportunity to attend exclusive virtual retreats and get access to our digital publication called 1727. Not to mention countless life-changing conversations with new friends, peers and mentors you'll cherish forever. Learn more at https://everydayentrepreneur.co/junto/

In this episode, we publically unveil The School — the world's premier performance institute for the game of life. Recorded at a beautiful mansion in Chicago, Cam Perna and I talk through our vision for The School. Namely, how we've thought about enriching daily life, what you can expect from our 2021 membership, our wildest dreams for Breakouts3, as well as a sneak-peek into our inaugural retreat. Join The School now: https://everydayentrepreneur.co/the-school/

My guest today is Elliott Clark - the modern-day philosopher behind Apartment Bartender (@apartment_bartender) and Semi-Decent Creative (@semi_decent). This is the second time I've had Elliott on The Junto. For those of you who would like a deeper dive on Elliott's back story, I suggest you first listen to episode #28 and then read the 8,000-word profile I wrote on him over the span of two years - https://everydayentrepreneur.co/articles/elliott-clark-hitting-every-green-light/ This conversation was recorded on April 1st, 2020 about 3 weeks into the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. I caught up with Elliott in the middle of his #WeCreateAnyway fundraising campaign for the hospitality industry. The campaign went on to raise $20,000 for bars, restaurants and employees affected by the pandemic. We talked about the impact the pandemic has had on Elliott's business, how he is using his creative outlet to inspire others during a time when it's OK to not be OK, how brands can truly leverage their platforms for good and what we all need on deck in our home bars to ensure we can continue to drink well during life under quarantine.

My guest today is Elliott Clark, Founder & CEO of Apartment Bartender (@apartment_bartender). In August 2018, I slid into Elliott's DMs after finding myself captivated by his content on IG. What started as a preliminary conversation to see if he was interested in me doing a profile on him became the foundation of a lifelong friendship between us. Over the next two years, Clark unpacked his life story and I got an in-depth glimpse into the man behind the feed. Long after my interview questions were over, Clark and I would talk for hours on end about life, family, brand, and business. A year into our conversations, we recorded this podcast in Chicago. It was the first-time Elliott and I had ever met in-person so we decided to celebrate in style over a few Old Fashioned's at the infamous cocktail bar, Billy Sunday, in Logan Square. My story on Elliott culminated in an 8,000-word profile called Hitting Every Green Light. It went live on August 22nd, 2020 - two years to the day since I first reached out to him. You can read it here: https://everydayentrepreneur.co/articles/elliott-clark-hitting-every-green-light/

In this episode, Cam Perna and I talk about Breakouts — the 10-week program we built over quarantine that exposes some of the brightest professional across the globe to the ideas, principles, skills and frameworks that govern how we think about living an extraordinary life. We built Breakouts in just 5 weeks over quarantine and launched our first cohort (Breakouts1) on June 8th with 39 fellows. This conversation is a window into the vision behind Breakouts, and the story behind Cam + I's serendipitous reconnection. Whether you're interested in joining Breakouts or are just fascinated by what the intersection of a modern-day university and social club looks like, this episode can't be missed. For more info, or if you'd like to enrol in our next cohort, visit: https://everydayentrepreneur.co/breakouts/ Show Notes: Introduction (0:00) What is The Junto? (0:48) How We Built Breakouts in 5 Weeks During Quarantine (5:30) Cornelius + Cam's Life Stories (06:45 - CM, 08:22 - CP) Breakouts' Founding Story (15:00) What is Breakouts? (19:52) Our School of Thought (20:17) Why The World Needs TSoB (23:06) How Breakouts Changes Lives (24:18) How Does Breakouts Work? (27:25) Who Is Breakouts For? (29:00) Breakouts' Secret Sauce (31:06)

5 years ago, I met Molly in Dublin. I plucked up the courage to ask her to my mentor. She said yes. And the rest is history. Molly's ability to command a space is like Roger Federer's backhand: effortless, impactful and beautiful. Her superpower is in her ability to become part of things that are greater than herself. Molly is a master at getting paid to be herself. In this episode, I unpack Molly's story. We talk about what it means to grow up fearlessly, why stories can't unfold the way they used to, the right way to pitch an idea, playing the games only you can win, the value of antifragility, the importance of timing, why you shouldn't build your house or audience on somebody's else real-estate, and following smarter people into battle so you can become part of something greater than yourself.

My guest today is Jason Touray. A fellow West London boy and entrepreneur based in Tower Hill. Jason and I's upbringing are so different. And yet our stories mirror each other; many of the same characters are weaved through our collective life narrative - football, religion, inspiring teachers, immigrant parents, comprehensive education and doing business in the United States. In short: Jason and I have been asking a lot of the same questions. Albeit from different places. In this episode, I get to grips with Jason's story. We talk up his time growing up with his Mum on a council estate, his life as a promising young footballer - including boot deal with West Ham - and a run-in with Cesc Fabregas in the FA Youth Cup, the power of the Black Nod and the journey Jason believes we are all on as Black Unicorns: unlearning who we were told to be so we can figure out who we truly are.

Jon Jackson has been on my ‘people I want to meet list' since 2016. He's got one of the most interesting and decorated resumes I've ever seen. And has a way of looking at the world that is insanely beautiful and powerful. Jon's magic is his range and ability to switch gears so smoothly. We talk about the overstimulation of optimization, the tension between art and operations, what it means to master the subtle art of giving a fuck about others, and how he thinks about being a memorable person that people want in their lives.

Brad Grossman lays claim to having one of the most interesting jobs in the world. He is the Founder & CEO of Zeitguide, spending his days advising and nights inspiring some of the most curious minds on the planet inside and out of media and business. Brad describes himself as a brain booster, a contextualizer, somebody who helps people commit to rising to their fullest intellectual, creative, and leadership potential. Above all, I admire Brad because he's created the time and space in his life to ask one question: why? In this episode, we talk about how Brad makes sense of a world that is moving faster than ever before, why curiosity is the prelude to any creative pursuit, what it takes to understand the heartbeat of what matters for the people that you serve, and why you can no longer define yourself by your career alone.

Em Hutchins is the founder and owner of On Your Mark Studios, a world-class fitness facility based in Chicago, IL. On Your Mark is one of the most impressive spaces I've ever been lucky enough to grace, not to mention the best gym I've been to hands down. In this episode, Em talks candidly about the tough realities of being a gym owner during a lockdown. But what's evident is that Em is focused on the controllables, as well as the silver linings. Despite having worked in the industry for the 17 years, Em had never taught an online OYM class before Quarantine. She now recognizes that digital is a medium that cannot be ignored. And in fact, it should be embraced because it provides trainers like Em with a new level of reach, flexibility, and scalability they've always been chasing from the gym floor. In addition to all this, we chat about how to squeeze the most out of your home workouts, Em's words of advice for advanced lifters during this time, the best equipment for getting a pump on at home and her go-to music playlist for Life Under Quarantine.

Cam Perna is an investor based in Miami, Florida. Originally from Rochester, NY Cam graduated summa cum laude from the University of the Notre Dame and is one of the smartest kids I've been lucky enough to meet. Like most bright driven college kids, Cam went straight into an Investment Banking upon graduation. However, after 18 months, he left. Hungry to pursue something deeper and find a place where his sweat equity could accrue to him. A trip around the Pacific Northwest and a few poetic cold emails later, Cam landed a breakout dream job at 39 North Capital, an independent sponsor platform based in Miami. Just two days after meeting the founders, he packed his car and drove down South to start his new life. I've been continually impressed by Cam's approach to his work, body, and life. He has a maturity that is far beyond his years and a compelling outlook on what it means to live a virtuous life. In this episode, we talk about the power of cold showers, how WFH has changed his life, why people don't have ideas but rather ideas have people, the lack of curiosity fostered by higher ed today, why COVID-19 feels so different from 9/11 and why his life without social media is one that he cherishes.

My guest today is Zander Nethercutt. Zander is a writer and medium columnist based in Chicago, IL. In this episode, Zander and I explore what happens to society when we are devoid of the very institutions that gave us meaning. We discuss why most of our desires in life our not our own but rather born of mimicry. Zander explains that we often want things because others desire them. And he believes that the world's reaction to COVID-19 is the perfect proof point.

Heather McGowan and Chris Shipley are co-authors of a new book called the Adaptation Advantage, published by WILEY. But more importantly, they are two people I've deeply admired and looked up to for nearly 6 years. It's hard to sum up the brilliance of Heather and Chris. Their ability to talk in-depth and connect the dots between a vast array of subjects is second to none. Our conversation today touches on work, identity, education, creativity, collaboration, and society. Heather and Chris' central philosophy around adaptation in a world where the only constant is change is a message I believe everybody can benefit from during this time of uncertainty and rapid technological evolution. If you're looking for a silver bullet on how to live a life that is authentic to who you are, in a world that is changing by the second, Chris and Heather might just be the folks you've been looking for all along.

Jack Collins is an award-winning podcaster, lifelong football connoisseur, and music head. As a host of three podcasts - Bleacher Report's Football Ranks, Shuffle & Shoot, and the Fulhamish - Jack knows a thing or two about creating content that resonates. In this episode, we talk about whether Life Under Quarantine is a bless or a curse for content creators like Jack, how he thinks about consistently engaging an audience when there is no sport on the TV, tips for creators thinking about starting their new shows, and the great debate around when or if football should return during COVID-19.

Matt Williams is a freshman biology teacher based in Phoenix, AZ. He made it back home to the United States by the skin of his teeth right before the start of the US-European travel ban. On this episode, we talk about the sense of community Matt felt on his flight home from Dublin, life as a high school teacher during quarantine, the role of an educator at a time where students have access to more knowledge than ever before, and how he thinks COVID-19 will impact how the next generation thinks about the world at large.

Polina Marinova is the founder and editor-in-chief of the Profile. She quit her job at Fortune Magazine on March 20th - during the crescendo of our global pandemic - to scale her business full-time. Polina and I had a tremendous conversation on her creative process, the vision and life experiences behind the decision to start the Profile, the secrets behind great newsletters and writing world-class features, as well our mutual love of Tiger King. Shout out to all my cool cats and kittens.

Jared Mrozinske is one of the most thoughtful relationship builders I know. He graduated into the 2008-9 recession, and so we spent our time talking about why he feels like we've become even more connected during COVID-19, the optimal habits he's learned from 4 years of remote work, why Zoom may fix the sunk cost fallacy behind business travel and getting over the self-doubt that comes with new content creation at a time where the demand for entertainment is at an all-time high.

Steve Reifenberg is a professor at the University of Notre Dame. Like millions of students around the world, Steve is figuring out how to live his days online. Despite spending his career teaching at some of the world's best higher education institutions, Steve has never taught a class in his life online. And now, that is all he is doing. We talk a lot about the importance of communication in a crisis, the tools Steve is using to be present in his online classes, how he thinks we can deal with uncertainty through the ideas of accompaniment and the Japanese martial art aikido, as well as his message to all parents and students who are worried about how their education and lives will develop during this time of uncertainty.

Matt Thomas is a cinematographer from Fort Wayne, IN. He runs Upper Valley Film Co and has been self-employed for just 15 months. Matt came on the show to talk about the harsh realities of trying to scale a small business during COVID-19. We dive deep into how solopreneurs like us can use this time to 1) stay alive, 2) get better, and 3) share what they have learned thus far with the creative communities that they call home.

Luke is a senior at the University of Notre Dame. But more importantly, an incredible student of the game that is life. I'm talking to Luke in what should be the glory lap of his undergraduate career. And yet - like millions of other students all over the world - Luke is homebound with his family, getting used to a life permeated by online classes conducted via Zoom and thinking about what could have been. Except this young man is a bit different from the rest. His tone is not petulant, nor is he looking for sympathy, but rather challenging his inner optimism, hunger and a continued eagerness to grow. Thankful for the experience he has had at Notre Dame, Luke is a stellar example of why your character is indeed your only fate.

Alec is a composer based in Los Angeles. He's performed at Carnegie Hall, holds a Master in Music from USC and was a reality TV star on FOX's hit show Flirty Dancing earlier this year. We talk about the reality that not everything - nor everyone - in Hollywood is all glamour and spectacle. It is made up of regular people just trying to make a living doing what they love. And that just got a hell of a lot harder thanks to Life Under Quarantine.

Jon Gallagher is a professional footballer for Atlanta United. He spent last season on loan at Aberdeen in the Scottish Premier League and is now back in the USA with his family for Life Under Quarantine. Jon talks talk about how athletes can stay sharp under quarantine, the impact life without football is having on clubs everywhere and the massive role that sport plays in all of our livelihoods, on and off the pitch.

Alyssa Pollina is a Chicago-based ER nurse on the frontlines of the fight against the Coronavirus. Alyssa's life under quarantine looks almost nothing the rest of ours. Her world is busier than ever, and she doesn't have the luxury of enjoying extra time on the couch

Alex Coccia is one of the smartest people I've ever met. At his core, this NCAA Fencing Champion and Notre Dame Student Body President turned Truman and Rhodes Scholar is a humble boy from Colombus, Ohio who looks at the world a little differently to the rest of us. Alex and I caught up in London - my hometown and his new home away from home - to talk about identity, how to create change, what fencing can teach the world and the art of reaching people where they are. Kick back, relax and enjoy the ride.

Farnam Street is the most exciting media company in the world, period. Their philosophy towards content, community and storytelling is timeless. Not to mention the fact that it flies in the face of (almost) every media company out there. Devon and I dive deep into how FS thinks about building legacy, audience and compoundable value over decades. This is a conversation that is not to be missed.

What does it mean to be your own best shot in life? Arbiter of social capital Jared Mrozinske shares his philosophy on building relationships that last and what it means to truly connect with those who can change your world.

Scott Ford is the most interesting placemaker you have never heard of. From a Ph.D. at Cambridge to becoming a Starbucks Barista in Detroit, Ford really has seen and done it all (including jump out of a helicopter in a Tweed suit).  We sat down over coffee in South Bend to talk about his life. We cover design, culture, identity, what it is like to apprentice under a master, work for presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg, the destruction of 'short-termism' in modern day society and the profound impact of space to communities everywhere. But most importantly of all, Ford talks about why it is so valuable never to be the expert in the room and the power of choosing a craft that will enable you to peak in your 70s.

How do you find the stories that have never been told? I sit down with Jack J Collins from Bleacher Report in London to talk about the pursuit of the and construction of narratives that resonate with the audience at every level. Jack talks about his journey into storytelling, his life as a podcast host and why he thinks 'moments' are the key to every great piece of content.

What does it mean to have a true appetite for life? Chef Eduardo Garcia invites me into the 'dojo' - his beautiful studio kitchen with 360 degree views of Bozeman, Montana - to discuss family, business, finance and food. Eduardo shares how he thinks about making the most of our short time on this Earth and how we can navigate this crazy thing called life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFjrHpND-Ao&t=26s

A university's greatest asset is its convening power. How do you navigate university ecosystems and create leverageable value as a student, alumnus, and lifelong learner?  I sat down with two pioneers - Lucas Philips and Amaan Badruddin - to talk about the practices, philosophies, and behaviours that can deliver outsized ROI at all the different stages of your university life.

Heather McGowan is a world-renowned thought leader shaping the future of work and education. Heather discusses how we can build a better future, the world's ongoing identity crisis and shares a not-to-be-missed funny story on AirBnB founder Brian Chesky. I first reached out to Heather via cold email almost three years ago. She responded to my note after just 17 minutes, and it's safe to say the rest is history. This podcast was shot on the first day we ever met in person - almost three years later! - so this episode has a special place in my heart. #PowerOfAColdEmail ---- Get in touch www.linkedin/com/corneliusm for more.