The Truly Unique Podcast

Part 2 - Gabriel Wartofsky -Back with the legend himself! We continue our chat with Gabriel's experience bartending during college, how storytelling is such an underrated skill that can either make or break your career and his short sting as a comedian in NYC!  www.gabrielwartofskydesign.com About Gabriel Wartofsky: Gabriel leverages design to [re]connect people to the joy of everyday movement. While his career spans across industries and applications, Gabriel's dedication to developing desirable, human-centered mobility solutions remains consistent. As a designer/strategist, Gabriel co-found a clean-tech e-bike-share start-up aimed at adding joy to the first/final mile commute, developed ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Shared, Electric) branded strategies and experiences with think-tanks and automotive OEM's, and designed off-grid housing and modular greenhouses that re-connect dwellers to an appreciation to the natural systems that sustain their livelihood. As a thought leader, he specializes in speaking about the future of mobility. He's served on panels at several esteemed thought leadership events, ranging from SXSW Eco, Shanghai Biennale, Art Center Sustainability Summit, and Innovate Pasadena. As a Creative Strategist, he works with clients across industries to adopt new technologies and workflows by helping them identify, define and produce innovative narratives, product roadmaps and solutions. Born in Washington DC, Gabriel holds degrees from both Georgetown University and Art Center College of Design. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

Gabriel and I chat about his beginnings in design, his current role in developing micro spaces, his founding an electric bike-share start-up and getting harassed at SXSW for not pedaling his bike! https://www.gabrielwartofskydesign.com/ About Gabriel Wartofsky: Gabriel leverages design to [re]connect people to the joy of everyday movement. While his career spans across industries and applications, Gabriel's dedication to developing desirable, human-centered mobility solutions remains consistent. As a designer/strategist, Gabriel co-found a clean-tech e-bike-share start-up aimed at adding joy to the first/final mile commute, developed ACES (Autonomous, Connected, Shared, Electric) branded strategies and experiences with think-tanks and automotive OEM's, and designed off-grid housing and modular greenhouses that re-connect dwellers to an appreciation to the natural systems that sustain their livelihood. As a thought leader, he specializes in speaking about the future of mobility. He's served on panels at several esteemed thought leadership events, ranging from SXSW Eco, Shanghai Biennale, Art Center Sustainability Summit, and Innovate Pasadena. As a Creative Strategist, he works with clients across industries to adopt new technologies and workflows by helping them identify, define and produce innovative narratives, product roadmaps and solutions. Born in Washington DC, Gabriel holds degrees from both Georgetown University and Art Center College of Design. He currently lives and works in Los Angeles.

CONRAD IS BACK! Part 2! We continue our conversation with everything from thinking about what's the next big breakthrough to why first-mover advantage isn't what it use to be in the marketplace. Products have the capability of communicating their ability to solve many of our problems in ways we never had before and we discover why! Conrad joins the podcast today to help explain how his work as a product designer at Google directly impacts our daily lives. Conrad got his start early in tech and made it his lifelong passion. He's been part of some amazing projects and companies, most notably as a designer at VMWare, BMW and Google. Having worked on everything from paleontology, simulating hurricanes to working on Android Auto.

Conrad Albrecht-Buehler joins the podcast today to help explain how his work as a product designer at Google directly impacts our daily lives. In Part 1, Conrad got his start early in tech and made it his lifelong passion. He's been part of some amazing projects and companies, most notably as a designer at VMWare, BMW and Google. Having worked on everything from paleontology, simulating hurricanes to working on Android Auto.

Walter Franco is an automotive designer/brand builder based out of Seattle, WA. Having graduated from Artcenter College of Design in Pasadena, CA with a degree in Automotive design,  Walter is elevating the car community through NAMSAYIN which is a lifestyle brand that encompasses car builds, events and clothing.   Walter began his automotive passion by building an award-winning JDM styled Honda CRX that has been featured in Honda Tuning Magazine.2005.  Since then, Walter has worked with automotive design studios from Volvo in Camarillo, CA, has participated in Scion's Tuner Challenge for SEMA show Las  Vegas and has contributed to an aftermarket styling package program with Buick / Hisun in China as well as other automotive builders such as LTMW on a few vehicle projects for the annual SEMA SHOW in Las Vegas, NV.   Since returning back to Seattle in 2011, he continues to work with small businesses with brand launches through merchandising, art and vehicle design.

Francesca Scipioni is a research scientist at SETI Institute in Mountain View, Ca. She received her Ph.D. in Astronomy from the University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, in Rome, Italy. Her disciplines include Planetary Sciences and her main field of expertise is in mapping the properties of Solar System bodies. In this episode, Francesca discusses her journey from her hometown of Rome to California, what inspired her to follow her dreams, and the obstacles she had to overcome in this epic journey.   

Jeff Leon is a professional CAD modeler working on some of the world's most exciting and advanced concept and production vehicles. A graduate of Art Center College of Design, he's worked for companies such as Honda R&D Americas, GM Advanced Design, and Geely Design California. He is also a patented inventor and car nut.   Talking with Jeff is always a great time! A Ferrari fan, he explains how, early during the quarantine, he took it upon himself to tear down a Ferrari engine! His upbringing taught him what hard work is all about and why everyone should work in retail at some point in their life. Oh, and we also spoke about what CAD (Computer-aided design) design is all about. what it means to the auto industry and where its all going! Youre in for a treat! 

Yoav Gilad is Chief Strategist at Green Block Inc., Michigan's premier private real estate investment lender.   Yoav and Martin discuss his journey from the east coast to the west coast, his interest in sports cars, design, real estate and ultimately, staying creative in an increasingly competitive market. 

Kristen believes that we can use our mind, thoughts, sound and the natural world to help ourselves grow and heal in a variety of ways. She brings to each of her sessions (individual or group), pranayama (breathwork), meditation and sound to foster a relaxing, calm and inviting space which allows for a turning inwards to feel the benefits of stillness. Her sessions guide you towards an understanding and appreciation of your own mind and body, often leaving you with a greater focus, clarity and a sense of peace and wellbeing. For the past 21 years, Kristen has been and continues to practice a lifestyle of Ayurveda and yoga. Her mantra – “Calmness in the mind” – which she explains is a lifetime practice. Kristen combines Western and Eastern philosophies to create a holistic approach to healing and wellness. Kristen is an International Business Consultant working for a Swedish based company, living in northern California and has a private practice of Sound Healing and Holistic Coaching. Her passion is helping people discover how to live the life they want, without self-sacrifice. Learn more about Kristen: https://www.kristenfirpo.com/