The Story Forge

April 18, 2025. NEW YORK - Peter Walsh passed away today at 1pm Eastern time. He was a saloon keeper, a musician, a poet, an entrepreneur, an employer, a father, a husband and a friend. But mostly, he was joy wrapped up in a human-shaped package. He was known to us as a track fan and one of the owners of Coogan's Bar just up the street from The Armory. Here, we post the interview we did with him in 2020 just after Coogan's closed for good, an unfortunate victim of the COVID pandemic. Today we bid Peter a fond and tearful farewell and say we'll look forward to meeting him again on the other side of the track. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Learn more about James and his business at The Ambitious Exec >>>ORDownload his free white paper from his LinkedIn profile. This, alone, is worth the price of admission. Link here >>> ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Visit Nymblesmith to learn more about The Sheet and how it developed.https://www.nymblesmith.com/the-sheet ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Alex Cuesta and Dave Hyatt are first and foremost, fans. They've been athletes themselves. And coaches. They're teachers and friends. But maybe more than anything, they're fans. They love track & field and cross country. And that is what inspired them to start the Running in Ovals podcast dedicated to the sport, the practitioners of the sport, fans of the sport, and they've adopted a mission of building and growing the sports of track & field and cross country running from the grass roots. They talk to everyone from the high school level to the pro level. They talk to the reporters and promoters of the sport. Officials and parents and try to address everything in between as advocates for a sport that deserves more. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Today, we're talking about helping people. Specifically in their careers. What we've landed on is that sometimes, maybe more than sometimes, old school makes all the difference. I've known Chris Miller for - sheesh - more than the last two decades. I got to know him when he was placing me for some creative jobs. He's recently - that is over the past couple of years - gone out on his own to create a creative staffing agency called Topfolio. His approach has always been particularly human, which is why I liked him right off the bat. He wasn't just about numbers, because he understood the quality work we were all after in that field was never JUST about numbers. It was about the people and how they felt and what they believed about things.And I think that matters. I think that will always matter. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dave Armstrong is an entrepreneur, a retired Lt. Col. in the US Marine Corps, board member of the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation, and host and creator of the Moments in Leadership podcast where he talks every episode with highly accomplished career military people about their experiences in leadership, with other leaders, good and bad. Some of whom he knows, many of whom he doesn't. And what we non-military people can take away from all that experience into our own lives and businesses and families. He's an old friend, a great guy and a terrific storyteller in his own right. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Dan Lievens is a serial entrepreneur in the purest sense. Founder of 12 different businesses including ShareOne and supporter of many, many others working to birth their own brands and businesses into the world, Dan operates under a singular theme - that if each of us is somehow able to share one fundamental, transformative story of our lives, what a different world we might be able to live in! ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

I met Charley Huldal on my first trip to St. Andrews. With my dad. We played golf. We sipped whisky. And Charley and his wife, Ray, welcomed us home. And for that, we, I will be forever grateful. We stayed in their B&B, Cleveden House, and before we knew it, our once-in-a-lifetime trip became a regular visit with friends. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Why Yellow Matters is about communicating. Writing. Deciding. Understanding. Thinking things. Deciding things. Writing things. It is about brevity and balance. Cleverness and chaos and clarity. The hard things and the great things and opening yourself up to the zone. But most simply, it's about taking the time to ask why. It is about how important it is sometimes, often, to take the time to think about what you're saying and doing and why that matters to you and other people. Other human beings in the world. I didn't set out to write this book. I just had one idea one day that I thought was important and I started writing it down.Pick up your copy today >>>  ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

In this special Christmas episode, we take a look at a short section of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol that never seems to make the movie. It's a literary-cinematic montage where Scrooge and the Ghost of Christmas Present take wing across countryside and sea to get a deeper glimpse into the working persons holiday celebration during the industrial revolution. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Shane MacGowan left behind scores of friends and loved ones. And scores more fans and admirers from afar. And some of us who didn't fully understand how important the songs are to us until now. Now that he's gone. Shane gave us all a gift. Of poetry. Of friendship. Truly, and maybe more toward the end of his life, of love. A gift for which we all should be grateful. ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Sometimes those things are physical, product-like things you can hold in your hands. Other times, those things are services or businesses or in the case of what we're going to talk about today, experiences.Things that you live through. Things that impact you in a sensory way. Things you can remember and take with you always.

I feel bookended this summer. We lost Walter back in July. In a rush. An emergency. Unexpected. This one was different. A known-known. He was old. A beautiful old boy. And ill. We knew it. But he kept on going. And loving life. But we knew it was coming. And it wasn't any easier knowing that.

They say you don't get to choose your family, but you can choose your friends. And sometimes, out of the blue, unexpectedly, you find yourself needing to say goodbye. And it hurts. Deeply. Dog people get it. Not-dog people don't. But for my money, there is no truer, no more caring, more loving friend than your dog. We had to say goodbye to Walter this week. And I wanted to share everything that meant to me, with you.

Ashley is a friend and a colleague. We've worked together. She's a mom of three kids. A wife of a husband who is a healthcare professional. And she is a writer. And an entrepreneur. And newly a podcaster. And what she does is help people, particularly women, learn and grow into their own freelance writing businesses. We talked about a lot of different things from where her family comes from to how people assume things based on her name or background. We also talked about truth. And journalism. And why it remains important as a vocation even in today's world. Maybe because of today's world.

Breaking news in the golf world: the PGA Tour announced yesterday that they would, in a complete 180 from their previous moral position, merge their operations with the renegade LIV golf tour funded by the kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In this short Hot Type episode, we take a brief look at what's going on, what they're proposing to remake golf into and what it means to those of us who care about golf and international sports.

A special, solo episode of The Forge where I walk through a list of 100 things I believe. It's an exercise in paying attention and being intentional about the things you do and knowing why you choose to do them. Might not be a bad exercise for you all to try, too.

David McLay Kidd is one of the most recognized architects in golf around the world and designer of some of the most well-known and beloved courses of the last two decades. But, this isn't the typical golf interview. It's about a designer and artist who makes very large things of beauty and utility and fun and adventure all on a grand scale and a living canvas.

Sometimes, it's good to remember that even amidst some of the most horrific moments in history, it's still possible to create something of beauty and significance.

Learn a little more about Brett Keirstead here >>Or pick up a copy of his book WE'RE ALL SALES, PEOPLE here >>

Institutions are important to communities. And Coogan's was a vital institution in the New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights. Through violent upheaval and regrowth from a very tough stretch of city history, Coogan's persevered and welcomed everyone. COVID-19 put an end to Coogan's Run, but the stories and traditions are remembered.

You can see Dawson's work in a variety of places, but if you'd like to pick up a copy of his latest book, you can do that here>>Or you can see some of his other work at The Nib >>Or you can pick up his first book, Freddie & Me: a coming of age Bohemian Rhapsody here >>It's great stuff and they all make great gifts for the holidays!

Resentment in a famous millionaire is a powerful thing. It can break things. It has broken things in the past. Sometimes that power can break things for good. But most of the time, especially when it's borne out of resentment, it can break things other people love. And that hurts. Even when those broken things were flawed at the start.

See Scott's creation - Highforge and what they can do >>

An accomplished pianist, jazz musician, singer, songwriter, session man, and recording artist, Jody teaches and performs regularly in Nashville (when health crises don't impact the calendar, that is) and has recorded a number great albums you can order for yourselves on line at jodynardone.com.

We chatted with Dr. Carter about what she's doing to remain optimistic, protect her employees and still serve her patients through this very difficult time when the necessary response to the Coronavirus pandemic is closing doors and opening hearts.Learn more about Dr. Carter and her work at https://cartersmilellc.com

Learn more about Jason Steinhauer and his work:https://www.jasonsteinhauer.com/Twitter: @jasonsteinhauer

Sunshine runs or co-runs several businesses and is regularly heard and read on several podcasts and blogs. Here's some of what she does:The Sunshine Gals - a hospitality industry marketing firm.ERC Provider - a firm dedicated to helping companies who kept their employees on board through the COVID crisis take advantage of every benefit they can.Marketing Sunshine - her independent consulting firm.Digital Nomads in Love - her blog about living and working around the globe.

UNESCO World Press Freedom Day >>>2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winners >>>

Melissa Joy also creates video tutorials on all things clothing, costuming, and seamstressry. See her YouTube channel - MissHauntCouture here >>> 

Learn more about Spoonabilities and Carlos and Geoffrey here >>>And be sure to visit their Instagram, the photos are awesome and they're here >>>

What else does Dr. Arun Sharma have going on? See what's going on at Sharma Lab >>>Listen to The Stem Cell Podcast >>>

You can see the latest Michael Graves Designs products at your local CVS, or you can visit the firm's direct to consumer website to see what else they've been working on here >>>

To learn more about what Sung has going on and to order a copy (or copies) of his books, visit his website at sungjwoo.com

Infection reigns and we're keeping the wolves at bay. Two years on and we finally had COVID-19 in the house last week. And now we're over it. And still feeling the effects. But happy to be healthy-ish again and to understand that the vaccines seem to be working as designed.

Learn more about My Steady Mind here >>>

Susan Kingsley Kent is the author of The Influenza Pandemic of 1918-1919: a brief history with documents. The 1918 Flu Pandemic is the only historical event we have that's remotely comparable to what's going on today during the COVID-19 crisis. Dr. Kent, a prolific author and professor at the University of Colorado gave us a truly global perspective on that moment in history and what elements of that story echo in today's.

Learn a little more about Brett Keirstead here >>Or pick up a copy of his book WE'RE ALL SALES, PEOPLE here >>

Today's conversation is a group chat among four people on opposite sides of the country who met, got to know each other, became friends, and connected with each other every week for 76 weeks running all during the COVID pandemic. Heather and Lyle Smith, Sarah Little and Jim Ridgway discuss what they've done and why they consider it important.

"Our house has a heart and a soul and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solitudes and deep sympathies. It is of us and we are in its confidence and we live in its grace and in the peace of its benediction... we cannot enter it unmoved."- Mark TwainLearn more about Heartworks here >>See some the Heartworks story in action on Mike Rowe's show >>

What drives a consummate New Yorker to find a new nest somewhere else? And beyond that, choose to stay there? The COVID-19 global health crisis has driven people to make decisions for themselves they may never have considered before. Jordan Cohen and his family chose to move to Maine and have embraced every moment as he grows his own business from there every day.See what's he's up to here: https://www.foxhillgrp.com/See what experience introduced him to Maine in the first place here: https://www.modin.com/

In this next evolutionary step of The Story Forge Podcast, we've discovered truly what it was we were trying to explore in our initial conversations and evolved to a new focus on what is important in our work, important to our guests in their work and goals, and important to you, those of us interested in what these people make and do. Give us a listen. They're forging great stories for themselves.

It's the end of the year here at The Forge. And we've just finally realized what this podcast is all about. Simply... Making Things. And we read the most famous newspaper editorial of all time, too.

A short audio essay with a few thoughts on Thanksgiving during these trying times and what I'm personally very thankful for.

Visit Earthdog to find some of the greatest dog collars and leashes you'll ever find anywhere! Visit earthdog.com >>And if you're feeling down, or in need of a lift, check out the Earthdog Instagram page, if you're a dog lover - or ever wanted to be, you won't regret the visit! Visit EarthdogLife here >>

Pre-order a copy of Dr. Peggy's awesome book FEELING GOOOD - 35 Proven Ways to Happiness Even in Tough Times. Pre-order here >>

Learn more about Dr. Peggy and order her book at her website - drpeggydelong.com >>IT comes with a year's free companion membership in her online community.

Slydeck is a product all about understanding the life and times of your documents once you send them out into the world. Check out Slydeck here >>Groundswell Startups is the prominent co-working space and incubator along the Space Coast of Floriday. Visit Groundswell here >>

"Our house has a heart and a soul and eyes to see us with; and approvals and solitudes and deep sympathies. It is of us and we are in its confidence and we live in its grace and in the peace of its benediction... we cannot enter it unmoved."- Mark TwainLearn more about Heartworks here >>See some the Heartworks story in action on Mike Rowe's show >>

Pete Hamill Obituary: New York Times NY Daily News NY Post

Johnson has had some amazing experiences and is currently involved in a number of truly fascinating organizations with missions revolving around science, education, space exploration, and entrepreneurship opportunities in the New Space industry. Some of these we talked about in this episode include: GEN Space | Global Entrepreneurship Network Space Nation Newton's Road