The Maslow Peak Podcast

Private Investigator, security entrepreneur, former police officer, and self-described “fixer” Eric Peterson from Peterson Investigations joins us to talk about keeping you and your family safe, his career providing security for celebrities, how just because you saw where your favorite celebrity had for dinner, that doesn't mean you're friends, how no one uses “The Club” anymore, getting to know your neighbors, the current state of police relations in our country, and how to get out of your next speeding ticket. [Note: At one point in this podcast we discuss mass shootings and safety and security at large public gatherings. This was recorded edited before the events in Las Vegas transpired. Bret personally believes that all assault rifles, large-capacity magazines, and automatic weapons should be outlawed for personal use. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the horrible events in Las Vegas.]

Lake Forest City Council Member & Mayor Pro-Tem Leah Basile joins us to talk about local government, getting things done in your city, getting involved wherever you can, parenting, being a good listener, and doing the right thing no matter the consequences.

​ Advertising executive/“Social Media Charlemagne” and political activist Jarred Romley from Anyone Collective joins us to discuss his career in advertising, how it is and isn't like “Mad Men,” how you get to the core of an idea and interpret that message, the state of our nation, listening to each other and trying to find common ground, raising daughters in this modern world, the human beauty of getting to know your neighbors, and how we can make America kind again.

​ Pizza chef, entrepreneur and veteran paratrooper Craig Buscemi from Pizzami Buscemi joins us to talk pizza, pizza and more pizza, becoming a certified “pizzaiolo” in Verona, Italy, our shared love of motorcycles, his road from making pizza, to selling houses, to jumping out of airplanes in Italy, and back to pizza, dough secrets, our favorite toppings, food truck mechanical issues, why real pizza makers hate ranch, and much more.

Program manager, self-described problem solver, and “English Guy” James Ridgers from Blizzard Entertainment joins us for a remarkably wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about about solving problems, happiness, compassion, helping out wherever you can, how not all gamers are griefers and trolls, choosing what to believe, coming to terms with your failures, not being late (ever), his newfound love of wine, and much more. After the credits roll at the end, there's another bonus conversation where we do a deep, deep dive on British music (“BritPop”) in the mid-90s, the political and cultural atmosphere behind the music, how an era's music always reflects the anxieties of the time, and how the social media age has changed how we express ourselves and thus the art we make (or don't make).

Entrepreneur and audio engineer Derek Bargaehr from Vanguard Audio Labs discusses owning your own microphone company, the importance of having a strong support system behind you while you chase your dreams, fostering a lifelong love of learning, the alchemy of electronics and the very real discomfort of shocking yourself, the joy of making something and putting it out into the world, marrying form and function, and not letting fear of the unknown hold you back.

Comic book artist and Chief Creative Officer Darrell May from Stranger Comics discusses creating whole worlds with a pen and paper, taking risks and making sacrifices to pursue your dreams, the complicated world of “Game of Thrones,” the intersection of anthropology and Christianity, telling stories that represent all cultures and peoples, doing The Work to overcome your “lack of inspiration,” LARPing before it was cool, working with Amandla Stenberg, and much more.

Music industry veteran Chad Pearson (Tooth & Nail, The Militia Group, Reach Records) joins us to discuss his journey, from growing up in Papua New Guinea to moving to Seattle, working with some of my musical heroes, how the record industry isn't like “Empire” (at all), fighting for art that you believe in, treating your interns well (because they might be your boss some day), the grey hair in our beards, and how it all comes back to relationships

Writer/Personal Historian Jeannette Encinias joins us to discuss writing, telling people's life stories, turning your passion and skill set into a career, getting through your initial fear and getting started, taking care of yourself so you can do your best work, the intimacy of telling someone's life story, and how it's never too late to change course.

Keith Longo from Los Angeles rock band Flights Over Phoenix joins us to discuss his journey from Boston to LA, following your musical dreams, our shared belief in aliens, songwriting and inspiration, our favorite movies and 90s pop songs, staying positive and working at your craft, and taking steps towards your goals every day.

Sabina Correa from Napa Psychological Services joins us for a wide ranging discussion about the human mind, parenting, helping people cope with trauma, changing attitudes towards mental illness, determining whether someone actually has mental illness or if they're just looking for easier sentencing (or a warm bed for the night), changing attitudes towards gender dysphoria, the psychology of mass shootings, and finding small moments of peace every day to help keep you grounded.

Shaun Keating joins us to discuss writing, “fake news,” the psychology of why we believe what we believe, consciously reading the news and considering the source and intent of the author before taking it as ultimate truth, his unbiased news summary venture News Feather, his failed career as a sci-fi novelist, figuring out the rhythms of parenting, getting retweeted by a Kardashian, writing in other people's voices, work/life balance and trying to fit everything you want to do in the hours you're awake, “Game of Thrones,” and much more.

Jimmy Bryant from Atomic Child joins us to discuss art, illustration vs. design, growing up in the middle of nowhere, “the work” vs. “the art,” the joy of making things that people love, how much we both loved “Logan,” pursuing your passion without a backup plan, how real life often ends up differently from what college told you it would be, and how you have to put your work out there.

Kevin Anderson joins us to discuss his new leather crafting venture Lowell Ander, how not all leather work is for cowboys and saddles, the decision to move to South Korea to teach English (and the decision to stay), expatriate life, missing refried beans, ranch dressing, and corn tortillas, finding the time to pursue your various interests, and living next to one of the most dangerous regimes in the world.

Brett Mikoll from Oxford Pennant joins us to talk about our shared love of vintage sports memorabilia, the proper way to spell “Bret” (hint: it's not “Brett”), formative sports memories, design being “inspired by” vs. “derivative of,” jogging with vs. without music, having design “superpowers,” being a long-suffering Buffalo sports fan, and celebrating everything.

Shawn Kathleen from the hilarious Instagram account Passenger Shaming joins us to discuss the horrible things people do on airplanes, our species' collective repugnance, what people are apparently willing to do in front of 200 strangers, horror stories from 30,000 feet (like what happens when you try to smoke crack on an airplane), feet, feet, and more feet, tales from the other side of the beverage cart, watching way too much YouTube, and how if we all treat each other better, we all win.

Board game designer Dustin Crouch joins us to discuss his new game Sigil: Powers of War, dialing in gameplay to make it fun for everyone, luck vs. skill, the deep world of board games beyond Monopoly and Risk, the audacity of taking an idea from theory to execution and sharing it with people, how your day job can end up giving you the skills you need to execute your dream, making peace with your inner nerd, not being afraid of asking for help, and how getting started is the hardest part of any endeavor.

Creative Director JP Boneyard from Fifty-Nine Parks and The National Poster Retrospecticus joins us to discuss crafting a life out of your diverse but connected interests, throwing over 100 DIY concerts in his mom's shed, our shared love of basketball and design, how a concert poster is a time capsule for the moment - design, typography, popular music, and where you were that day, going outside and expanding your horizon, the importance of positivity, mindfulness, and living in the moment, and how just because your dreams take hard work, that doesn't mean you're on the wrong path.

Music journalist Angie Piccirillo joins us for an extremely wide-ranging and fun conversation on her journey from dancing in music videos to editing reality TV to film production to styling celebrities to starting a clothing company to school photography to making commercials to writing about music, having a music producer for a father, fighting for equal treatment as a woman in Hollywood, evolving your goals, our shared love of horror movies and mutual fears for the future of the music industry, her weird obsession with Jared Leto, keeping art alive, and letting go of what's expected of you to find out what you want to be.

YouTube sensations Honeysuckle (Dzung & Nathan Lewis) join us to discuss finding a way to do what you love, turning your passion into 300,000 subscribers and 17 million views, what happens end up trying out your “dream job” and don't like it, finding your voice and momentum, connecting with your audience, and taking your craft seriously. We go behind the scenes with epic grocery runs, making macarons 50 to 100 times so you feel comfortable making them on camera, only partnering with brands that you believe in, and living your life with authenticity.

Yoga instructor Jamie Alcorn joins us to talk about what yoga is and what it isn't, doing things outside your comfort zone, not confusing your work with your identity, making peace with your day job and how it finances your side hustle (and your life), how the value your activities bring to your life don't have to be monetary, internal vs. external validation, loving yourself, and how it's never to late to become who you want to be.

Software engineer Brandon sleeps in a box truck, but lives his life to the fullest and saves a ton of money in the process. He joins us to talk about a lifetime of making things work, the decision behind and triumphs and challenges of sleeping in a moving truck, having the greatest party icebreaker ever, creative problem solving, doing good, getting by with only what you need, taking steps towards a future where you actually get to do whatever you want, and how you don't “live” in your house, you live your life and sleep where you pay to.

Visual Artist Bex Gouverneur joins us to talk about her journey from fashion photographer to art teacher to artist, the meticulous process of making photorealistic prints out of charcoal, working on a person's portrait so long that you feel like you know them, roller skating, Dungeons & Dragons, betting on yourself, and choosing to move forward in the wake of a devastating tragedy.

Tarik Sykes aka the streetwear legend DunkonDunks from Billet Video Studios joins us to discuss his journey from making cabinets in Iowa to shooting celebrities, fashion, luxury real estate and more in New York City. We talk caps, sneakers, capturing quiet moments in the City That Never Sleeps, challenging yourself with new experiences, shooting Kevin Durant and Amber Rose, chasing your side hustle without blowing up your life (and making things hard for your family), and how if you feel stuck but never change your situation, your situation will never change.

Alex Mitchell and Len Kori from Thrill SF join us to talk about their journey from legendary cap collectors to respected cap designers. We pour one out for the Clink Room (RIP) and discuss the sickness that is cap collecting, design, and obsession, networking your way to doing something you're passionate about, formative memories impacting the rest of your life (and your fashion choices), the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, and not being afraid of creating.

Philanthropist, social innovator and community builder Shawn Saleme from Burners Without Borders joins us to talk about being a global citizen, meeting people where they're at, boom economics in Silicon Valley, misconceptions about Burning Man versus the actual experience, getting out of your comfort zone and expanding your worldview, and choosing to do what you can to help make a difference in someone's life, whether in your community or across the globe.

Game Developer Monte Krol from Blizzard Entertainment joins us to talk about World of Warcraft, realizing that someone has your dream job (which means you can too), virtual blood plagues studied by real world epidemiologists, turning down NASA, putting family first, surviving “crunch” with crunchy tacos, learning to be part of a team in order to accomplish goals bigger than yourself, and of course, "Leeeeeeroy Jeeeeeenkins!!!!"

Teacher of the Year Joe Schuster joins us to talk about the challenges of educating tomorrow's leaders, giving kids a reason to care about learning, turning this morning's news into today's lesson plan, that crap they call music these days, the very sobering realization that your chosen college major may not lead to a plethora of job opportunities, and trying your hardest to reach people in the way they'll best receive it.

Our host Bret Griffin takes some time to thank you for listening and give you all a sneak "peak" of what's to come in 2017. It's been a great couple of months, and we're just getting started.

Illustration/entrepreneur team Brad & Krystal Woodard from Brave the Woods join us to talk about design and illustration, their awesome new venture Artists for Education, the "white whale" client that got away, the blessings of challenges of being married, working together, and raising kids all in the same house, having way too many ideas, weekend getaways, the outdoors, the importance of paying your taxes, and the freedom found in crafting the life you know you're meant to live.

Attorney turned soapmaker Sarah Sherman joins us to talk about her company Psalm 51 Soap, the soapmaking process, the inevitable "Fight Club" comparisons, the reasons behind her decision to put her childhood dream on hold for her family, turning your hobby into a business, making sure your hobby-turned-business doesn't poison your family or burn your house down, finding inspiration all around you, and staying true to your beliefs and yourself, even if it means missing out on an opportunity.

Physician Assistant & Orchestral Flautist (that's right) Kelli McConnehey joins us to talk about working in infectious diseases and trying not to die, choosing a path out of your two competing and divergent dreams, the importance of arts in the civic landscape, and balancing the demands of your career with doing the things you need to do to feel like yourself.

Emmy-Nominated television editor Ed Greene joins us to talk about the art of crafting narratives out of reality footage, making powerful enemies in Hollywood, BattleBots, Deadliest Catch, film school, becoming Alan Smithee, why he didn't love Stranger Things, and focusing on what you discover you like doing the best.

Geoff Gross & Scarlet Biberstein from the pop/rock band Merlot Embargo join us to discuss their debut album Don't Look Back, the challenges of starting an independent rock band in your mid-30s, songwriting and musicianship, left brain/right brain creativity, Reebok Pumps vs. Air Jordans, and finding the courage to start your dream project in the aftermath of a tragedy. The episode leads out with their track Head Above Water.

Audio Engineer Evan Ranallo from Echo Play Studios (and formerly of the band Heartist) joins us to talk about the anatomy of a record deal, needing emergency medical care in another country because of excessive headbanging, what happens when your rock star dreams don't end up being what you thought they would be, finding your true calling in your lowest moments, and making peace with your decisions.

Dance Studio Director Kat Burtch from Creation Station Dance joins us to talk about being focused on achieving your goals, the importance of an arts education for a child's self esteem, appearing in a Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen video, and how not all dance moms are “Dance Moms.”

Award-winning sportscaster Mike Benton of the Everett Silvertips Hockey Club joins us to talk about chasing your childhood dreams, a day in the life of a sportscaster, the role of sports in our lives and our communities, and surrounding yourself with people who support your goals.

Our producer Jessie Edmond joins us to talk about a lifetime of making music, the challenges facing retired veterans, embracing your creative weirdness, being biracial in the Colin Kaepernick era, and much, much more.

Hear a sneak preview of The Maslow Peak Podcast and an introduction to Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.