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306 / How do you get your first reviews? And what do you do about collating feedback from multiple beta readers? Evan Gow, creator of StoryOrigin, has solutions to these author problems. Plus we explore why building your mailing list is the number-one way to connect with readers and future-proof your business as well as discussing direct sales options and the perennial topic of AI impact on publishing. ✨ This week's sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wishImportance of reviews for book salesCross-promotions and newsletter swapsBeta reader management with StoryOriginDirect sales trends and challengesAI's impact on the publishing landscape
S8Ep8 Deep Talk About Craft Storage! The Junk Journal Podcast! The PaperOutpost Podcast! The Joy of Junk Journals! Free to Listen Anytime! Every Tuesday & Thursday! Topics: Junk Journals, Paper Crafting, lifeof a crafter, answering crafty questions! Come have a listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify, Google Podcastor go to https://anchor.fm/the-paper-outpost Also check out my Video Podcasts on M,W, F, S, S on Spotify! :)You can make your own Podcast! It's easy at Anchor: Here ishow!: anch.co/outpost Grab a FUNDLE! Now available in my Etsy Shop!: 100 pieces! Amix of antique/vintage ledger pages, hand-dyed papers, old postcards, teacards, handwritten paper, awesome vintage book pages and so much more!Wonderful to use in your junk journal creations! Free Priority Shipping in theUSA! :) Limited supply! :) See a Fundle Video!:) https://youtu.be/KJnWd9RSpOQ Buy a Fundle! :) EtsyShop:https://www.etsy.com/listing/1007331616/antique-vintage-ephemera-paper?ref=shop_home_active_6&frs=1&crt=1 VINTAGE DIGIKITS! Amazing images to download & print outat home on your printer!: Etsy Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperOutpost PRINT & MAIL Option for Vintage Digikits! :) I heardyour call :) No Printer? No Problem! :) I will print & mail 10 Digikits toyou! Free Priority Shipping in the USA! :) 1. Select 10 names of digikits, & send me the list viaEtsy message or email to pam@thepaperoutpost.com or simply say "Surpriseme!" :) 2. Then buy the Print & Mail Digikit option in my Etsyshop! :) Direct Link to Buy here:https://www.etsy.com/listing/1071078687/printed-mailed-digikits-no-printer?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1&crt=1That's 50 Pages total on lightweight cardstock! See All My Digikits!https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperOutpost Sincerely, Pam at The Paper Outpost :)!! I am currentlyburied in paper and covered in glue ;) Remember that Fun Can Be Simple! Go Forth and Create withReckless Abandon! :) MY AMAZON STORE!: My Personal Favorite Products &Tools!: Click here to see all my items in one click with pictures inmy Amazon Store! https://www.amazon.com/shop/thepaperoutpost NEWSLETTER!: Free Monthly Emailed Newsletter from The PaperOutpost! Sign Up here: https://bit.ly/paperoutpostnewsletter - Free Monthly Digital Printable! - Free The Note From The Book Maker explaining what a junkjournal is and how to use it! - Free Page List of Ideas for Junk Journals!- Free Checklist of Junk Journal Supplies! - Junk Journal Tips & Updates from Pam at The PaperOutpost! COME FIND ME AT :)All My Links: https://linktr.ee/thepaperoutpostETSY Shop: https://www.thepaperoutpost.comETSY Shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePaperOutpostYOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/ThePaperOutpostNEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/paperoutpostnewsletterINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/thepaperoutpostFACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/ThePaperOutpostThe Paper Outpost FACEBOOK GROUP:https://www.facebook.com/ThePaperOutpost/THE PAPER OUTPOST PODCAST: The Joy of Junk Journals!:https://anchor.fm/the-paper-outpostAMAZON STORE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/thepaperoutpostPINTEREST: https://www.pinterest.com/thepaperoutpostTWITTER: https://twitter.com/thepaperoutpostMERCHANDISE STORE!:https://the-paper-outpost-2.creator-spring.com/ #thepaperoutpost #paperoutpost #thepaperoutpostpodcast #digikits #junkjournal #junkjournals #howtomakeajunkjournal #junkjournalpodcast #thejoyofjunkjournals #fundle #thejunkjournalpodcast
What do you do when the soda you started making to complement your craft brewery ends up outgrowing the brewery itself? That's exactly what happened to Diana, co-founder of Callister Soda. In this episode, Diana walks us through her unlikely journey — from office worker dreaming of a sustainable farm, to opening Callister Brewing in Vancouver in 2015, to hand-capping bottles and hand-seaming cans as her natural soda line quietly took on a life of its own. She shares the hard lessons of navigating supply chain chaos, a craft beer market in decline, and a rent increase that tripled over a decade — and how a perfectly timed facility opportunity in Port Coquitlam gave Callister Soda the home it needed to grow. If you're a food or beverage founder wondering whether to follow the momentum or stay the course, Diana's story is one you'll want to hear. Check out Callister here: https://callistersoda.com/
In this episode, a sit down with acclaimed costume designer Natalie Bronfman, whose work spans some of the most visually striking and emotionally charged productions of the last decade. From the dystopian iconography of The Handmaid's Tale, to the tactile, world‑building detail of See Season Two, to the stylized tension of the recent Psycho Killer, Bronfman's designs reveal a deep understanding of character, culture, and the power of clothing to shape story. Our conversation was recorded a few years ago at San Diego Comic-Con, where Natalie reflected on the winding, hands-on journey that led her to become one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary costume design. About Natalie Bronfman Natalie's path into costume design wasn't linear — and that's part of what makes her work so layered. She learned the craft from the ground up, absorbing everything from textile knowledge to tailoring, from historical research to the psychology of color and silhouette. That breadth of experience informs her ability to design costumes that feel lived-in, symbolic, and emotionally resonant. Her credits include: The Handmaid's Tale — redefining modern dystopian costuming with garments that became global cultural symbols See (Season Two) — crafting a tactile, post-apocalyptic world built around blindness, texture, and survival Psycho Killer — bringing a sharp, stylized edge to a contemporary thriller SAVE 17% ON SCI-FI TALK PLUS
Send a textWould You Love to Present?The Art and Craft of Speaking: Finding Your Voice With Confidence and StyleWelcome to The Art and Craft of Speaking. This program is designed for people who may not see themselves as public speakers but know they have something to say. Whether you speak in meetings, on camera, on stage, or in everyday conversations, your voice deserves to be heard with clarity, confidence, and presence. This on-demand course helps you polish your delivery, strengthen your message, and most importantly, develop your unique speaking style as it always should be: authentic, powerful, and intentional.Bonus Class: 10 Styles of Magnetic Storytelling Position Your BrandUsing storytelling techniques to make your voice memorable and influential.Bonus Class: Win New Business Speaking to CameraLearning how to speak confidently on video to attract clients, opportunities, and influence.Bonus Class: The Art of Podcasting as a SpeakerDeveloping a confident speaking voice for podcasting, interviews, and long-form conversations.Join Classhttps://performance-mastery.trainercentralsite.com/indexSupport the show Want To Rise to The Top? "Say Yes," My new publication, has been released The Hidden Laws of Business Performance from World-Class Sport https://amzn.eu/d/37PUJ38 A warm welcome to my podcast, now featuring mini masterclasses to position you as an authority in business. Below, you will see ways to step up in your career. Please connect with me for more performance skills. Become a Professional Performance-Based Speaker Download the attached 2 e-books, my gift to you. 24 Celebrity Speaking Tips https://bit.ly/3Wwnb5WThe Art of Speaking Framework https://bit.ly/3SGMXm8 About Sheena https://card.pramaze.com/sheena-walker Click the above link to join my 6-week Signature Speaking Program. Ongoing through 2026; next date: January 2026Contact me for a Shaping Design call www.sheenawalker.comhttps://www.sheenawalker.com/book/ Could I highlight you and your business on my podcast? "Say Yes," My new publication, has been released The Hidden Laws of Business Performance from World-Class Sport https://amzn.eu/d...
Whence Came You? - Freemasonry discussed and Masonic research for today's Freemason
This week, we're looking at Theurgy! What is it? How is it related to Freemasonry? And why does it matter? We'll get started with the first in a series by Kristine Wilson-Slack. Then, we discover an ancient, okay, not ancient, but antique piece of ephemera from the 1950s. A pamphlet on the SRICF, or the Masonic Rosicrucian Order. What did it say about the order? What are the prerequisites to joining? And what did they stand for? All this and more, stay tuned! Thanks for listening, and have a wonderful week! Links: Theurgic Foundations of Freemasonry Pt. 1 https://bloguniversalfreemasonry.wordpress.com/2024/01/26/theurgic-foundations-of-freemasonry-part-1/ Facebook Group – Craftsman+ https://www.facebook.com/groups/3522871657795845 The Etsy Store https://www.etsy.com/shop/WCYSkullCrown Skull and Crown Ltd. www.skullandcrownltd.com Craftsman+ FB Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/craftsmanplus/ WCY Podcast YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/WhenceCameYou Ancient Modern Initiation: Special Edition http://www.wcypodcast.com/the-Shop The Master's Word- A Short Treatise on the Word, the Light, and the Self - Autographed https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Get the new book! How to Charter a Lodge: https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Truth Quantum https://truthquantum.com Our Patreon www.patreon.com/wcypodcast Support the show on PayPal https://wcypodcast.com/support-the-show Get some swag! https://wcypodcast.com/the-shop Get the book! http://a.co/5rtYr2r
In this episode of Pencils and Lipstick, I sat down with Jake Lynch to talk about his unexpected journey into writing Christian fiction. He shared how a moment in Isaiah prompted him to write his first novel and how he now builds stories around intentional themes—taking characters from problem to solution. We dove into crafting meaningful character arcs, writing with the reader in mind, and creating faith-driven stories that explore doubt, growth, and redemption.You can find out more about Jake on his website: https://authorjakelynch.com/Sign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwellSign up for the first Craft and Connect live event! https://tidycal.com/writeyourlife/craft-and-connect-live-march-24
This week on Not Your Granny's Quilt Show, I'm joined by Matt Harr of Harr Craft Goods. Matt is a fourth generation quilter with a lifelong love of fabric and sewing. While building a career in dance and performing arts, his sewing skills stayed close at hand through costuming and creative problem solving. When the 2020 pandemic brought the performing arts world to a halt, Matt took a hard look at what was next and chose to pivot fully into sewing and quilting.During that time, Matt turned to TikTok, where his sewing tutorials quickly grew into a community. At a moment when so many of us were isolated, Matt helped create an online space where quilters could learn, connect, and feel less alone. That sense of shared experience continues to shape his work today.Now, Matt designs patterns, works at a local quilt shop, teaches workshops, and speaks at retreats and guilds. He also has a deep love for the fashion side of the quilt world, which led him to collaborate with the Modern Quilt Guild to create the very first fashion show at QuiltCon 2026. Matt hopes to keep curating and emceeing a space where quilted garments get the celebration they deserve, honoring the hours of love and labor that go into every piece.This conversation is fun, thoughtful, and a perfect way to ease back into everyday life after QuiltCon. Please enjoy my chat with Matt Harr, and be sure to check out his work at harrcraftgoods.com and on Instagram at Instagram @harrcraftgoods.Want to see more? You can find it here: Find Podcast Merch here! nygqs.printify.me Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow https://www.instagram.com/sweetpeadesigncompany YouTube: https://youtube.com/@notyourgrannysquiltshow Get episodes ad free at Patreon: patreon.com/notyourgrannysquiltshow Want to be on the show? Send us a message
Diamonds form over billions of years, deep within the Earth's mantle under unimaginable pressure. But what makes them truly extraordinary isn't only what nature creates - it's also what human hands choose to do next. In the first episode of our diamond series, we return to the stone we haven't properly explored since the very early days of the podcast and ask a big question: where does nature end and craft begin? We unpack how diamonds are formed, revisit the 4 Cs, and take a close look at the one element entirely controlled by people: cut. What does a cutter actually do? How do they decide what to sacrifice and what to preserve? And why can a great cut transform a cloudy pebble into something unforgettable? www.courtville.ie Get social with Courtville, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok This podcast was produced for Courtville by Tape Deck
The Working Tools Podcast https://youtu.be/aQOhjlK5II8Join the Working Tools Podcast Team; WB Steven Chung, VWB David Colbeth, VWB Matthew Appel and Br Craig Graham as we meet with WB Rob Linn of Square Thoughts Substack and 2025 Mason of the Year of Bethel Lodge No. 358.https://squarethoughts.substack.com/
This week the geeks are discussing geek briefs, drinking beer, Indiana football and much much more.Support us:Patreon https://www.patreon.com/DrinkINGeekOUTExclusive DiGo T-Shirts https://drinkingeekout.threadless.com/Another Place for T-Shirts https://drinkingeekout.dashery.com/Alt https://www.teepublic.com/stores/drinkin-geekoutLinks:https://www.instagram.com/drinkingeekout/https://www.threads.net/@drinkingeekouthttps://www.tiktok.com/@drinkingeekouthttps://bsky.app/profile/drinkingeekout.bsky.socialhttps://www.x.com/drinkingeekouthttps://www.facebook.com/DrinkINgeekOut/https://www.drinkingeekout.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ah, how I would like to rest on my porch and not do this work anymore, but here it is: the process of reclaiming a name. I ran smack into myself (hypothetically speaking) on my way home from the courthouse the other day. It's my least favorite place to be, that construction of brick and mortar and legal moorings. But it was a good thing, that ride back to my little farm just before dark. Because, on the way, the past shook loose a little.Reclaiming, renaming yourself, that's some powerful Witch work. Snuggle in on the porch and let me tell you about the man that showed me how.Love y'all like chicken,SebaTo support this podcast, keep it on the air, and get access to extra content, go to: https://www.patreon.com/southernfriedwitch
Send a textAt Hash Church, we talk a lot about ritual, respect for the plant, and elevating the experience. That's exactly why we're proud to be supported by Puffco.Puffco continues to set the standard for modern consumption with tools built for people who truly care about flavor, temperature, and intentional use.From the Puffco Peak Pro with the 3D XL Bowl — delivering consistent heat, bigger hits, and unmatched terp expression —to the Proxy, redefining modular, ritual-based consumption,and the Pivot, bringing true Puffco performance into a compact, everyday format…These aren't gadgets.They're purpose-built tools for hash and solventless.We're genuinely grateful for Puffco's continued support of Hash Church, our guests, and our community. Their belief in education, culture, and quality helps us keep these conversations alive.
Meet Patricia Caswell, a lifelong mariner and General Manager of the Superyacht Service Centre at Gulf Craft Group, UAE. With decades at sea and in maritime leadership, she oversees superyacht maintenance, refit, and operations. Passionate about mentoring and inclusivity, Patricia champions excellence, innovation, and diversity while helping position the UAE as a global superyacht hub.FOLLOW Captain PatriciaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/captain-patricia-caswell-08410130/FOLLOW Gulf Craft Group:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gulf-craft-group/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gulfcraftgroupWebsite: https://gulfcraftgroup.comYACHT FEMMEWebsite: https://www.yachtfemme.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/yachtfemme/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/yacht-femme/
Inside the Chaos, Craft, and Creative Fire of Genre Filmmaking Audio courtesy of 20th Century Fox For this special Byte episode, from the red carpet at Beyond Fest, one of the world's most beloved celebrations of genre cinema. From breakout performers to the creative minds shaping the look, feel, and sound of the films, this episode captures the pulse of a festival where horror, sci‑fi, and bold storytelling reign.
In this episode of Craft a Fatherhood, Ned talks about finally getting into golf, being surprised to still to get to know his wife more and the importance of dating your wife. He shares about the significance of rest through the concept of Sabbath. He encourages fathers to actively engage in their families' interests and to create meaningful connections with their partners and children.---------This episode is sponsored by Genesis - a Rite of Passage by Rise Up KingsOrder The Adventure of Fatherhood children's book hereCheck out the TEDx----------Want to learn more about The Adventure of Fatherhood?https://www.adventureoffatherhood.com/https://www.rebelandcreate.com/Each week Ned sits down with a dad and asks him to open up his field notes and share with other men who find themselves on the Adventure of Fatherhood. Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review!Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatherhoodfieldnotesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FatherhoodfieldnotesFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebelandcreateMentioned in this episode:Rise Up Kings Genesis - a rite of passage experience for young menThis episode was brought to you by Genesis - a rite of passage for boys becoming men - by Rise Up Kings.
"They are changing venture capital from a 30% tax to 0% tax. If Robinhood succeeds, it makes Sequoia and Andreessen's business model untenable." — Keith TeareThe Silicon Gods must have their blood. And they've finally come for the funders of disruption, the venture capitalists, who are now being disrupted by something called Public Venture Capital (PVC). That, at least, is the view of That Was The Week publisher Keith Teare, who leads his newsletter this week with Robinhood's new venture fund. This new stock-trading app for millennials is going after Sequoia and Andreessen Horowitz—not by competing on deal flow, but by charging 0% carry instead of 20-30%. Robinhood promises it blows the doors off traditional venture capital.But Keith urges caution over PVCs. Robinhood is packaging late-stage private assets—companies like Databricks that would have IPO'd years ago but are staying private longer. By the time retail investors get access, employees are already cashing out through tender offers because they think the peak is near. The poster child: Figma, which did secondaries at $12 billion after Adobe's $20 billion acquisition failed. A lot of (dumb) people bought at the top and are now slightly less stupid.Fortunately, this week's tech roundup isn't just about get-rich-quick investment schemes. We also discuss Yasha Mounk's sobering experiment: he asked AI to write a political philosophy paper and found it "depressingly good"—publishable in an academic journal. Keith reframes this supposed "death of the humanities" as automation, not democratization. The humans aren't being leveled up; they're masquerading as producers while AI does the work. But craft still matters. When technology relieves humans of the mundane, he hopes, it elevates the special.Lastly but not least, we get to the abundance debate. Peter Diamandis and Singularity University have promised something called "exponential abundance" by 2035. Keith is sympathetic. I am not. The only thing I'm willing to guarantee is that we'll still be talking abundantly about abundance in 2035. And that the Silicon Valley Gods will have their blood. Five Takeaways● Robinhood Is Charging 0% Carry: Sequoia and Andreessen take 20-30% of profits. Robinhood takes nothing. If they scale, the traditional VC model becomes untenable.● But You're Buying at the Top: These are late-stage assets. Employees are selling through tender offers because they think peak valuation is near. Ask the people who bought Figma at $12 billion.● AI Is Automating the Humanities: Yasha Mounk found AI could write "depressingly good" political philosophy. This isn't democratization—it's humans masquerading as producers.● Craft Still Retains Its Power: Technology relieves humans of the mundane—and elevates the special. Creativity that breaks through will always command attention.● The Abundance Debate Continues: Diamandis says abundance by 2035. Keith agrees land is already abundant. Andrew calls this "such a stupid thing to say." About the GuestKeith Teare is the publisher of That Was The Week and Executive Chairman of SignalRank. He is a serial entrepreneur and longtime observer of Silicon Valley. Keith joins Keen On America every Saturday for The Week That Was.ReferencesCompanies mentioned:● Robinhood is launching a publicly listed venture fund, raising up to $1 billion at $25/share with 0% carry. They already have $340 million in assets including Databricks.● Figma is cited as a cautionary tale: after Adobe's failed $20 billion acquisition, it did secondaries at $12 billion—many bought at the top.● Polymarket is a prediction market platform that Robinhood has responded to by adding prediction markets to its offerings.People mentioned:● Yasha Mounk wrote about AI writing "depressingly good" political philosophy papers that could be published in academic journals.● Peter Diamandis and Dr. Alexander Wisner-Gross of Singularity University argue that exponential abundance is coming by 2035.● Packy McCormick wrote about power in the age of intelligence.About Keen On AmericaNobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States—hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,800 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting.WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction: If it's Saturday, it must be revolution (02:11) - Robinhood's venture fund announcement (03:17) - What is Robinhood's day job? (07:43) - Secondary markets and tender offers (10:33) - Democratization or late-stage risk? (14:09) - Is Robinhood just gambling? (16:08) - Private vs. public market returns (19:02) - Is finance merging with betting? (24:23) - Blowing the doors off Sequoia and Andreessen (26:27) - Yasha Mounk: AI automating the humanities (28:47) - Where does power go in the age of AI? (30:42) - Craft retains its power (31:33) - The abundance debate (34:00) - Is land abundant? Andrew loses patience (00:00) - Chapter 15 (00:00) - Chapter 16 (00:00) - Introduction: If it's Saturday, it must be revolution (02:11) - Robinhood's venture fund announcement (03:17) - What is Robinhood's day job? (07:43) - Secondary markets and tender offers (10:33) - Democratization or late-stage risk? (14:09) - Is Robinhood just gambling? (16:08) - Private vs. public market returns (19:02) - Is finance merging with betting? (24:23) - Blowing the doors off Sequoia and Andreessen (26:27) - Yasha Mounk: AI automating the humanities
Big Weekend Preview returns as Rog and Rory Smith look ahead to another pivotal Premier League weekend. They start with the North London Derby, Arsenal wobbling but still five points clear, and Spurs entering a new era under Igor Tudor with nothing to lose. Then attention turns to Manchester City, five points back with a game in hand, who can cut the gap at the top when they host a travel weary Newcastle. Finally, they look at Nottingham Forest vs. Liverpool, with Forest on their fourth manager of the season and Vítor Pereira tasked with sparking a survival push. Plus, Aston Villa's top four opportunity, Everton vs. Manchester United, and score predictions.Football is better with Friends. Join our Discord Community for conversation with fellow GFOPs, live match day chat, and to speak with Rog directly: https://discord.gg/DDDUcNWFHEPre-order Rog's new book "We Are the World (Cup)" now!: https://mibcourage.co/4brQpgGWatch latest episode of The Craft with Eberechi Eze: https://youtu.be/SFwKMKugnzUWatch Shoot For The Moon with Diego Luna: https://youtu.be/ezCattvUcvo See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Today's poem is Word for It by Kevin Craft. The Slowdown is your daily poetry ritual. In this episode, Maggie writes… “The planet we call home is full of miracles, and we don't have to look hard to find them. Today's poem is about paying attention to the beauty around us, and to the life around us, even if we don't fully understand it. Especially if we don't fully understand it.” Celebrate the power of poems with a gift to The Slowdown today. Every donation makes a difference: https://tinyurl.com/rjm4synp
How do you go about breaking down a deceased loved one's art or craft room? A creative space can be a minefield of memories, emotional challenges, and tough decisions that require a careful and thoughtful approach. In episode #293 of The Clutter Fairy Weekly, Gayle Goddard, professional organizer and owner of The Clutter Fairy in Houston, Texas, explains how to manage a late loved one's creative space and tackles other short topics suggested by our audience.Show notes: https://cfhou.com/tcfw293The Clutter Fairy Weekly is a live webcast and podcast designed to help you clear your clutter and make space in your home and your life for more of what you love. We meet Tuesdays at noon (U.S. Central Time) to answer your decluttering questions and to share organizing tools and techniques, success stories and “ah-hah!” moments, seasonal suggestions, and timeless tips.To participate live in our weekly webcast, join our Meetup group, follow us on Facebook, or subscribe to our mailing list. You can also watch the videos of our webcast on YouTube.Support the show
Send a textIn this episode of Fresh Bunch, we sit down with Adam Havrilla, Creative Director of Elite Flower; accredited member of the American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD); Chairperson of Professional Floral Communicators – International(PFCI); and an Illinois Certified Floral Designer with more than 20 years of experience in professional floral artistry.Known for his original, artistic designs and commitment to excellence, Adam has earned numerous industry accolades, including twice winning the coveted Iron Designer title at the International Floriculture Expo.But this conversation goes far beyond awards. We discuss the PFCI application process and everything it entails — including Mike and Mimi applying to earn those respected letters after their names.As PFCI Chairperson for the second year, Adam shares why more floral professionals should pursue PFCI, how the 100+ member network is advancing the industry through collaboration and shared knowledge, and why education and involvement are essential to keeping floristry thriving.Adam also explains how mastering classic techniques — yes, even corsages — builds the foundation for stronger, more innovative designers. He discusses why understanding traditional methods makes you more confident and capable in modern floral work, and how authenticity has become one of the most powerful tools in today's industry.This episode is a reminder that honoring the past strengthens the future. Fueling your passion and not putting your goals on the back burner are essential to long-term success. Let's continue elevating our profession together… and maybe even make tuberoses a little more accessible along the way.For More infomation please visit:https://safnow.org/awards-certifications/pfci/
In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Colin Asare-Apiah — award-winning bartender, educator, and globally respected leader in cocktail culture — for a thoughtful conversation about hospitality craft, community building, mentorship, and the future of service. Colin breaks down how experiences shape perception, how intentional leadership lifts teams, and why culture always outlasts trends.Whether you're behind the stick or leading a team, this episode blends craft insight with empathetic leadership and actionable takeaways that reverberate across hospitality.
What if the secrets of a 1968 masterpiece were hiding in plain sight—just waiting for modern color tools to reveal them? We dive into 2001: A Space Odyssey with a forensic eye, exploring how a carefully mastered HDR release lets subtle artifacts surface: matte lines stepping in eight-frame rhythms, hand-painted star fields, and reflections that whisper clues about the set. Instead of diminishing Kubrick's vision, these discoveries deepen our respect for Douglas Trumbull's team and the analog ingenuity that still holds our gaze at 24 frames per second.From there, we pivot to the craft of color as a science. Our guest, Paulo Martins of Alchemy Color, breaks down how to treat your camera like a measurement device. He walks us through building rigorous profiles with thousands of color patches under D50 and tungsten, navigating metameric pitfalls from spiky LEDs, and establishing a dependable baseline inside Lightroom and Adobe Camera Raw. Then we get practical with a methodical, 32-bit approach to inverting color negatives—rooted in open-source insights—so the “print-like” result honors the negative without baking in an arbitrary lab look.If you've ever wanted film's character without surrendering control, this conversation maps a path. We talk chart-driven emulations, creating accurate 3D LUTs, and exporting Cineon log for seamless grading in DaVinci Resolve with print film and halation treatments. Whether you're reverse-engineering a spaceship window to glimpse a soundstage or building an end-to-end digital film pipeline for stills and motion, the throughline is the same: use precision to serve the illusion. Tune in, get inspired, and see how curiosity, calibration, and careful workflows can bring the texture of cinema to everyday images.Enjoyed the show? Subscribe, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to help others discover the craft behind color.Guest Links:IG - https://www.instagram.com/alchemy_color/Website - https://alchemycolor.com/YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@alchemy_colorYouTube Video on 2001 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcpDS1r6mQYCorridor Crew VFX React - https://youtu.be/Dx3Vv6j4tmE?si=EgjUpcG4OuEgop5A&t=1092 Send a textPixelToolsModern Color Grading Tools and Presets for DaVinci Resolve Support the showLike the show? Leave a review!This episode is brought to you by FSI, DeMystify Color, and PixelToolsFollow Us on Social: Instagram @colorandcoffeepodcast YouTube @ColorandCoffee Produced by Bowdacious Media LLC
Dave turns a solo episode into a shabu-shabu meal with our pal Chris Ying. They talk about the beauty of dishes like shabu-shabu, whether they like fish balls, and how Dave makes a delicious sauce for the dish. The duo then talks about Dave's recent trip to San Francisco, Chef Corey Lee and his restaurants, and both the admiration and ire Corey causes in Dave... for being so dang good. Learn more about Haidilao: https://www.haidilao-inc.com/us Learn more about Benu: https://www.benusf.com/ Learn more about San Ho Won: https://www.sanhowon.com/ Learn more about The French Laundry: https://thomaskeller.com/tfl/ Learn more about Craft: https://www.craftrestaurant.com/ Learn more about Gramercy Tavern: https://www.gramercytavern.com/ Learn more about Per Se: https://thomaskeller.com/perseny/ Learn more about Mason & Dixon by Thomas Pynchon: https://amzn.to/46a8uMZ Host: Dave Chang Guest: Chris Ying Majordomo Media Producer: David Meyer Spotify Producer: Felipe Guilhermino Additional Crew: Donald LoBianco, Elizabeth Styles, Lighting Dionte Mercado Sound Engineer: Kevin Cureghian Editor: Jake Loskutoff Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Episode No. 746 features artist Brian Rochefort and curator Catherine Craft. Rochefort is among the artists included in "Made in L.A. 2025," the biennial at the Hammer Museum, University of California, Los Angeles. The exhibition was curated by Essence Harden and Paulina Pobocha with Jennifer Buonocore-Nedrelow and is on view through March 1. Rochefort's ceramic sculptures are informed by abstract painting, the earth's geology, and more. Over the last decade he has shown at commercial galleries in the US, Greece, Italy, Belgium, France, and more. His work is in the collection of the Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento. Craft is the curator of "Rauschenberg Sculpture" at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas. The exhibition presents highlights from Rauschenberg's three-dimensional practice and is on view through April 26. Instagram: Brian Rochefort, Catherine Craft, Tyler Green.
Marina Stabile is a Brazilian-born, Swiss-raised producer and line producer with over 20 years of experience in film, documentaries, commercials, and digital content. She is also one of my favorite humans and I'm lucky I get to call her a friend. She grew up in São Paulo, moved to Geneva at 10, attended an international school with 118 nationalities, and knew she wanted to produce after watching the Irving Thalberg Award presented at 3 a.m. on an Oscar broadcast. She studied film and international relations at USC, produced documentaries for the United Nations in Geneva, and returned to the U.S. to earn her MFA in producing at AFI, where her thesis film The Response won a Student BAFTA. Marina's credits span indie and studio, including Miguel Arteta's Beatriz at Dinner starring Salma Hayek, the Sundance Grand Jury Prize–winning Clemency starring Alfre Woodard, Harrison Ford's The Call of the Wild (as VFX supervisor), Searchlight's Hold Your Breath starring Sarah Paulson, The People We Hate at the Wedding, and the pandemic-shot Untitled Horror Movie alongside fellow producer Bronwyn Cornelius. Most recently, she produced Josephine — written and directed by Beth de Araújo and starring Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan — which won both the U.S. Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival before being acquired by Sumerian Pictures in a competitive seven-figure deal. The film went on to screen in competition at the Berlin International Film Festival. In this conversation, we explore how culture impacts your craft, define once and for all what line producers really do, why the best career moves sometimes look like steps backward, and whether Los Angeles is still a special place to make movies. Enjoy!! CG
In today's episode, I dive into why competitive alternatives—not problems or future visions—are the right place to start a positioning exercise. I explain how different teams inside a company misunderstand competition in predictable ways, and why positioning must focus only on who shows up on customer shortlists right now. I also share how my thinking on this step has evolved since the first edition of my book, Obviously Awesome, and why getting this step wrong makes every other positioning decision harder.You will learn: (03:26) How competitive alternatives are broader than direct competitors but narrower than imagined threats.(05:05) Why starting with “the problem” often leads to vague or misleading positioning inputs.(09:21) How jobs-to-be-done thinking reshaped April's positioning methodology.(12:19) What the milkshake story teaches about customer comparison frameworks.(14:46) Why sales teams are the most reliable source for identifying real competitive alternatives.(17:52) How product, marketing, and founders each skew the competitive picture in different ways.(24:49) Why AI tools like ChatGPT cannot accurately tell you who your real competitors are.—Connect with April Dunford and learn about practical positioning that accelerates marketing and sales: Work with April: https://www.aprildunford.com/contact April's newsletter: https://aprildunford.substack.com/ April's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprildunford/ April's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aprildunford/ April's Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/aprildunford April's TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@positioningshow—Mentioned in this episode: * Obviously Awesome, Second Edition (forthcoming), by April Dunford. * Competing Against Luck by Clayton Christensen.* Bob Moesta, researcher at JobsToBeDone.org.—Get April Dunford's books and audiobooks: “Obviously Awesome: How to Nail Product Positioning so Customers Get It, Buy It, Love It.”“Sales Pitch: How to Craft a Story to Stand Out and Win.”Amazon US: https://amzn.to/49l0ZRY Amazon Canada: https://amzn.to/4ac9hgt Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/3vosDzQApple Books: https://apple.co/3xihSzCGoogle Play: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=%22April%20Dunford%22&c=books Barnes & Noble: https://www.bn.com/s/%22April%20Dunford%22 Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/contributors/april-dunford —The Positioning with April Dunford podcast: Want to make your product stand out in a crowded market? It all starts with great positioning. Using April's battle-tested methodology, she'll teach you the nitty-gritty of positioning so that you can unlock better marketing and sales performance.Podcast website: https://www.positioning.show/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3PFHcWx Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/02XBrnPJ7NVGPUgHC7xstU Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@positioningshow —This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co/
Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Bourbon Road! This week, hosts Jim Shannon and Todd Ritter are joined by a special guest, Pete Marino, the President of Lofted Spirits. If the name Lofted Spirits sounds new to you, you aren't alone—but you definitely know their brands. Pete is here to pull back the curtain on this newly formed parent company that oversees two of the hottest names in the industry: Bardstown Bourbon Company and Green River Spirits. Pete shares his fascinating journey from a long career in the beer industry (working with brands like Miller and Coors) to leading the charge in American whiskey. He discusses the unique philosophy behind Lofted Spirits, describing Green River as "bourbon without the bullshit" and Bardstown as the home of innovation where there is "nowhere we won't go" to find great whiskey. The conversation dives deep into how the company balances its massive contract distilling operations with building its own award-winning brands, and Pete drops some exciting news about upcoming expansions, including a new small-format bottling line that will bring 50mL and 375mL bottles to market. Of course, it wouldn't be The Bourbon Road without a stellar lineup of pours. The tasting mat is packed with four distinct expressions from the Lofted Spirits portfolio, showcasing the range and craftsmanship of their teams: Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series Bottled-in-Bond: This 6-year-old high-rye bourbon (60% corn, 20% rye, 12% malted barley) is a staple of their core lineup. Clocking in at 100 proof, it delivers a classic bourbon profile that Jim and Todd describe as definitive, well-rounded, and packed with baking spices. Bardstown Bourbon Company Origin Series High Wheat: Another 6-year-old stunner, this 39% wheat mash bill is bottled at 106 proof. It offers a softer, floral nose with notes of cherry, vanilla, and honey, accompanied by a surprising white pepper spice on the palate that keeps things interesting. Green River Full Proof Wheated Bourbon: A blend of 5-to-7-year-old barrels, this 117.3-proof bourbon is making waves for its incredible value and robust flavor. The hosts rave about its rich, "chewy" texture and notes of dark fruit and oak, declaring it a top contender for the best value in bourbon today. Bardstown Bourbon Company Discovery Series #13: The heavy hitter of the group. This blend of 8-to-15-year-old whiskeys is finished in Hungarian oak staves, adding a layer of sophisticated spice and dark fruit. At 110.8 proof, it brings a complexity that earns its place as the "big dog" of the tasting. Throughout the episode, Pete gives listeners a sneak peek into the future of both brands, including label evolutions and the promise of more age-stated releases. Whether you are a fan of traditional heritage brands or cutting-edge innovation, this episode offers a perfect pour of industry insight and whiskey appreciation. Tune in to find out which of these four bottles won the hearts (and palates) of Jim and Todd! Be sure to check out our private Facebook group, "The Bourbon Roadies" for a great group of bourbon loving people. You will be welcomed with open arms!
305 / Ember Mae shares lessons learned about starting small with crowdfunding as well as managing fulfillment. We also talk about marketing without succumbing to the pressure of conventional social media wisdom.✨ This week's sponsor is Vellum: http://tryvellum.com/wishTips on setting up your first Kickstarter campaign and keeping it manageableMaking marketing personal and connecting individually with readersWhy ditching social media is freeingIntuitive storytellingIn-person event strategiesNeurodivergence as a writing superpower
In this episode, I'm joined by Rebecca Hinds — organizational behavior expert and founder of the Work AI Institute at Glean — for a practical conversation about why meetings deteriorate over time and how to redesign them. Rebecca argues that bad meetings aren't a people problem — they're a systems problem. Without intentional design, meetings default to ego, status signaling, conflict avoidance, and performative participation. Over time, low-value meetings become normalized instead of fixed. Drawing on her research at Stanford University and her leadership of the Work Innovation Lab at Asana, she shares frameworks from her new book, Your Best Meeting Ever, including: The four legitimate purposes of a meeting: decide, discuss, debate, or develop The CEO test for when synchronous time is truly required How to codify shared meeting standards Why leaders must explicitly give permission to leave low-value meetings We also explore leadership, motivation, and the myth that kindness and high standards are opposites. Rebecca explains why effective leaders diagnose what drives each individual — encouragement for some, direct challenge for others — and design environments that support both performance and belonging. Finally, we talk about AI and the future of work. Tools amplify existing culture: strong systems improve, broken systems break faster. Organizations that redesign how work happens — not just what tools they use — will have the advantage. If you want to run better meetings, lead with more clarity, and rethink how collaboration actually happens, this episode is for you. You can find Your Best Meeting Ever at major bookstores and learn more at rebeccahinds.com. 00:00 Start 00:27 Why Meetings Get Worse Over Time Robin references Good Omens and the character Crowley, who designs the M25 freeway to intentionally create frustration and misery. They use this metaphor to illustrate how systems can be designed in ways that amplify dysfunction, whether intentionally or accidentally. The idea is that once dysfunctional systems become normalized, people stop questioning them. They also discuss Cory Doctorow's concept of enshittification, where platforms and systems gradually decline as organizational priorities override user experience. Rebecca connects this pattern directly to meetings, arguing that without intentional design, meetings default to chaos and energy drain. Over time, poorly designed meetings become accepted as inevitable rather than treated as solvable design problems. Rebecca references the Simple Sabotage Field Manual created by the Office of Strategic Services during World War II. The manual advised citizens in occupied territories on how to subtly undermine organizations from within. Many of the suggested tactics involved meetings, including encouraging long speeches, focusing on irrelevant details, and sending decisions to unnecessary committees. The irony is that these sabotage techniques closely resemble common behaviors in modern corporate meetings. Rebecca argues that if meetings were designed from scratch today, without legacy habits and inherited norms, they would likely look radically different. She explains that meetings persist in their dysfunctional form because they amplify deeply human tendencies like ego, status signaling, and conflict avoidance. Rebecca traces her interest in teamwork back to her experience as a competitive swimmer in Toronto. Although swimming appears to be an individual sport, she explains that success is heavily dependent on team structure and shared preparation. Being recruited to swim at Stanford exposed her to an elite, team-first environment that reshaped how she thought about performance. She became fascinated by how a group can become greater than the sum of its parts when the right cultural conditions are present. This experience sparked her long-term curiosity about why organizations struggle to replicate the kind of cohesion often seen in sports. At Stanford, Coach Lee Mauer emphasized that emotional wellbeing and performance were deeply connected. The team included world record holders and Olympians, and the performance standards were extremely high. Despite the intensity, the culture prioritized connection and belonging. Rituals like informal story time around the hot tub helped teammates build relationships beyond performance metrics. Rebecca internalized the lesson that elite performance and strong culture are not opposing forces. She saw firsthand that intensity and warmth can coexist, and that psychological safety can actually reinforce high standards rather than weaken them. Later in her career at Asana, Rebecca encountered the company value of rejecting false trade-offs. This reinforced a lesson she had first learned in swimming, which is that many perceived either-or tensions are not actually unavoidable. She argues that organizations often assume they must choose between performance and happiness, or between kindness and accountability. In her experience, these are false binaries that can be resolved through better design and clearer expectations. She emphasizes that motivated and engaged employees tend to produce higher quality work, making culture a strategic advantage rather than a distraction. Kindness versus ruthlessness in leadership Robin raises the contrast between harsh, fear-based leadership styles and more relational, positive leadership approaches. Both styles have produced winning teams, which raises the question of whether success comes because of the leadership style or despite it. Rebecca argues that resilience and accountability are essential, regardless of tone. She stresses that kindness alone is not sufficient for high performance, but neither is harshness inherently superior. Effective leadership requires understanding what motivates each individual, since some people thrive on encouragement while others crave direct challenge. Rebecca personally identifies with wanting to be pushed and appreciates clarity when her work falls short of expectations. She concludes that the most effective leaders diagnose motivation carefully and design environments that maximize both growth and performance. 08:51 Building the Book-Launch Team: Mentors, Agents, and Choosing the Right Publisher Robin asks Rebecca about the size and structure of the team she assembled to execute the launch successfully. He is especially curious about what the team actually looked like in practice and how coordinated the effort needed to be. He also asks about the meeting cadence and work cadence required to bring a book launch to life at that level. The framing highlights that writing the book is only one phase, while launching it is an entirely different operational challenge. Rebecca explains that the process felt much more organic than it might appear from the outside. She admits that at the beginning, she underestimated the full scope of what a book launch entails. Her original motivation was simple: she believed she had a valuable perspective, wanted to help people, and loved writing. As she progressed deeper into the publishing process, she realized that writing the manuscript was only one piece of a much larger system. The operational and promotional dimensions gradually revealed themselves as a second job layered on top of authorship. Robin emphasizes that writing a book and publishing a book are fundamentally different jobs. Rebecca agrees and acknowledges that the publishing side requires a completely different skill set and infrastructure. The conversation underscores that authorship is creative work, while publishing and launching require strategy, coordination, and business acumen. Rebecca credits her Stanford mentor, Bob Sutton, as a life changing influence throughout the process. He guided her step by step, including decisions around selecting a publisher and choosing an agent. She initially did not plan to work with an agent, but through guidance and reflection, she shifted her perspective. His mentorship helped her ask better questions and approach the process more strategically rather than reactively. Rebecca reflects on an important mindset shift in her career. Earlier in life, she was comfortable being the big fish in a small pond. Over time, she came to believe that she performs better when surrounded by people who are smarter and more experienced than she is. She describes her superpower as working extremely hard and having confidence in that effort. Because of that, she prefers environments where others elevate her thinking and push her further. This philosophy became central to how she built her book launch team. As Rebecca learned more about the moving pieces required for a successful campaign, she became more intentional about who she wanted involved. She sought the best not in terms of prestige alone, but in terms of belief and commitment. She wanted people who would go to bat for her and advocate for the book with genuine enthusiasm. She noticed that some organizations that looked impressive on paper were not necessarily the right fit for her specific campaign. This led her to have extensive conversations with potential editors and publicists before making decisions. Rebecca developed a personal benchmark for evaluating partners. She paid attention to whether they were willing to apply the book's ideas within their own organizations. For her, that signaled authentic belief rather than surface level marketing support. When Simon and Schuster demonstrated early interest in implementing the book's learnings internally, it stood out as meaningful alignment. That commitment suggested they cared about the substance of the work, not just the promotional campaign. As the process unfolded, Rebecca realized that part of her job was learning what questions to ask. Each conversation with potential partners refined her understanding of what she needed. She became more deliberate about building the right bench of people around her. The team was not assembled all at once, but rather shaped through iterative learning and discernment. The launch ultimately reflected both her evolving standards and her commitment to surrounding herself with people who elevated the work. 12:12 Asking Better Questions & Going Asynchronous Robin highlights the tension between the voice of the book and the posture of a first time author entering a major publishing house. He notes that Best Meeting Ever encourages people to assert authority in meetings by asking about agendas, ownership, and structure. At the same time, Rebecca was entering conversations with an established publisher as a new author seeking partnership. The question becomes how to balance clarity and conviction with humility and openness. Robin frames it as showing up with operational authority while still saying you publish books and I want to work with you. Rebecca calls the question insightful and explains that tactically she relied heavily on asking questions. She describes herself as intentionally curious and even nosy because she did not yet know what she did not know. Rather than pretending to have answers, she used inquiry as a way to build authority through understanding. She asked questions asynchronously almost daily, emailing her agent and editor with anything that came to mind. This allowed her to learn the system while also signaling engagement and seriousness. Rebecca explains that most of the heavy lifting happened outside of meetings. By asking questions over email, she clarified information before stepping into synchronous time. Meetings were then reserved for ambiguity, decision making, and issues that required real time collaboration. As a result, the campaign involved very few meetings overall. She had a biweekly meeting with her core team and roughly monthly conversations with her editor. The rest of the coordination happened asynchronously, which aligned with her philosophy about effective meeting design. Rebecca jokes that one hidden benefit of writing a book on meetings is that everyone shows up more prepared and on time. She also felt internal pressure to model the behaviors she was advocating. The campaign therefore became a real world test of her ideas. She emphasizes that she is glad the launch was not meeting heavy and that it reflected the principles in the book. Robin shares a story about their initial connection through David Shackleford. During a short introductory call, he casually offered to spend time discussing book marketing strategies. Rebecca followed up, scheduled time, and took extensive notes during their conversation. After thanking him, she did not continue unnecessary follow up or prolonged discussion. Instead, she quietly implemented many of the practical strategies discussed. Robin later observed bulk sales, bundled speaking engagements, and structured purchase incentives that reflected disciplined execution. Robin emphasizes that generating ideas is relatively easy compared to implementing them. He connects this to Seth Godin's praise that the book is for people willing to do the work. The real difficulty lies not in brainstorming strategies but in consistently executing them. He describes watching Rebecca implement the plan as evidence that she practices what she preaches. Her hard work and disciplined follow through reinforced his confidence in the book before even reading it. Rebecca responds with gratitude and acknowledges that she took his advice seriously. She affirms that several actions she implemented were directly inspired by their conversation. At the same time, the tone remains grounded and collaborative rather than performative. The exchange illustrates her pattern of seeking input, synthesizing it, and then executing independently. Robin transitions toward the theme of self knowledge and its role in leadership and meetings. He connects Rebecca's disciplined execution to her awareness of her own strengths. The earlier theme resurfaces that she sees hard work and follow through as her superpower. The implication is that effective meetings and effective leadership both begin with understanding how you operate best. 17:48 Self-Knowledge at Work Robin shares that he knows he is motivated by carrots rather than sticks. He explains that praise energizes him and improves his performance more than criticism ever could. As a performer and athlete, he appreciates detailed notes and feedback, but encouragement is what unlocks his best work. He contrasts that with experiences like old school ballet training, where harsh discipline did not bring out his strengths. His point is that understanding how you are wired takes experience and reflection. Rebecca agrees that self knowledge is essential and ties it directly to motivation. She argues that the better you understand yourself, the more clearly you can articulate what drives you. Many people, especially early in their careers, do not pause to examine what truly motivates them. She notes that motivation is often intangible and not primarily monetary. For some people it is praise, for others criticism, learning, mastery, collaboration, or autonomy. She also emphasizes that motivation changes over time and shifts depending on organizational context. One of Rebecca's biggest lessons as a manager and contributor is the importance of codifying self knowledge. Writing down what motivates you and how you work best makes it easier to communicate those needs to others. She believes this explicitness is especially critical during times of change. When work is evolving quickly, assumptions about motivation can lead to disengagement. Making preferences visible reduces friction and prevents misalignment. Rebecca references a recent presentation she gave on the dangers of automating the soul of work. She and her mentor Bob Sutton have discussed how organizations risk stripping meaning from roles if they automate without discernment. She points to research showing that many AI startups are automating tasks people would prefer to keep human. The warning is that just because something can be automated does not mean it should be. Without understanding what makes work meaningful for employees, leaders can unintentionally remove the very elements that motivate people. Rebecca believes managers should create explicit user manuals for their team members. These documents outline how individuals prefer to communicate, what motivates them, and what their career aspirations are. She sees this as a practical leadership tool rather than a symbolic exercise. Referring back to these documents helps leaders guide their teams through uncertainty and change. When asked directly, she confirms that she has implemented this practice in previous roles and intends to do so again. When asked about the future of AI, Rebecca avoids making long term predictions. She observes that the most confident forecasters are often those with something to sell. Her shorter term view is that AI amplifies whatever already exists inside an organization. Strong workflows and cultures may improve, while broken systems may become more efficiently broken. She sees organizations over investing in technology while under investing in people and change management. As a result, productivity gains are appearing at the individual level but not consistently at the team or organizational level. Rebecca acknowledges that there is a possible future where AI creates abundance and healthier work life balance. However, she does not believe current evidence strongly supports that outcome in the near term. She does see promising examples of organizations using AI to amplify collaboration and cross functional work. These examples remain rare but signal that a more human centered future is possible. She is cautiously hopeful but not convinced that the most optimistic scenario will unfold automatically. Robin notes that time horizons for prediction have shortened dramatically. Rebecca agrees and says that six months feels like a reasonable forecasting window in the current environment. She observes that the best leaders are setting thresholds for experimentation and failure. Pilots and proofs of concept should fail at a meaningful rate if organizations are truly exploring. Shorter feedback loops allow organizations to learn quickly rather than over commit to fragile long term assumptions. Robin shares a formative story from growing up in his father's small engineering firm, where he was exposed early to office systems and processes. Later, studying in a Quaker community in Costa Rica, he experienced full consensus decision making. He recalls sitting through extended debates, including one about single versus double ply toilet paper. As a fourteen year old who would rather have been climbing trees in the rainforest, the meeting felt painfully misaligned with his energy. That experience contributed to his lifelong desire to make work and collaboration feel less draining and more intentional. The story reinforces the broader theme that poorly designed meetings can disconnect people from purpose and engagement. 28:31 Leadership vs. Tribal Instincts Rebecca explains that much of dysfunctional meeting behavior is rooted in tribal human instincts. People feel loyalty to the group and show up to meetings simply to signal belonging, even when the meeting is not meaningful. This instinct to attend regardless of value reinforces bloated calendars and performative participation. She argues that effective meeting design must actively counteract these deeply human tendencies. Without intentional structure, meetings default to social signaling rather than productive collaboration. Rebecca emphasizes that leadership plays a critical role in changing meeting culture Leaders must explicitly give employees permission to leave meetings when they are not contributing. They must also normalize asynchronous work as a legitimate and often superior alternative. Without that top down permission, employees will continue attending out of fear or habit. Meeting reform requires visible endorsement from those with authority. Power dynamics and pushing back without positional authority Robin reflects on the power of writing a book on meetings while still operating within a hierarchy. He asks how individuals without formal authority can challenge broken systems. Rebecca responds that there is no universal solution because outcomes depend heavily on psychological safety. In organizations with high trust, there is often broad recognition that meetings are ineffective and a desire to fix them. In lower trust environments, change must be approached more strategically and indirectly. Rebecca advises employees to lead with curiosity rather than confrontation. Instead of calling out a bad meeting, one might ask whether their presence is truly necessary. Framing the question around contribution rather than judgment reduces defensiveness. This approach lowers the emotional temperature and keeps the conversation constructive. Curiosity shifts the tone from personal critique to shared problem solving. In psychologically unsafe environments, Rebecca suggests shifting enforcement to systems rather than individuals. Automated rules such as canceling meetings without agendas or without sufficient confirmations can reduce personal friction. When technology enforces standards, it feels less like a personal attack. Codified rules provide employees with shared language and objective criteria. This reduces the perception that opting out is a rejection of the person rather than a rejection of the structure. Rebecca argues that every organization should have a clear and shared definition of what deserves to be a meeting. If five employees are asked what qualifies as a meeting, they should give the same answer. Without explicit criteria, decisions default to habit and hierarchy. Clear rules give employees confidence to push back constructively. Shared standards transform meeting participation from a personal negotiation into a procedural one. Rebecca outlines a two part test to determine whether a meeting should exist. First, the meeting must serve one of four purposes which are to decide, discuss, debate, or develop people. If it does not satisfy one of those four categories, it likely should not be a meeting. Even if it passes that test, it must also satisfy one of the CEO criteria. C refers to complexity and whether the issue contains enough ambiguity to require synchronous dialogue. E refers to emotional intensity and whether reading emotions or managing reactions is important. O refers to one way door decisions, meaning choices that are difficult or costly to reverse. Many organizational decisions are reversible and therefore do not justify synchronous time. Robin asks how small teams without advanced tech stacks can automate meeting discipline. Rebecca explains that many safeguards can be implemented with existing tools such as Google Calendar or simple scripts. Basic rules like requiring an agenda or minimum confirmations can be enforced through standard workflows. Not all solutions require advanced AI tools. The key is introducing friction intentionally to prevent low value meetings from forming. Rebecca notes that more advanced AI tools can measure engagement, multitasking, or participation. Some platforms now provide indicators of attention or involvement during meetings. While these tools are promising, they are not required to implement foundational meeting discipline. She cautions against over investing in shiny tools without first clarifying principles. Metrics are useful when they reinforce intentional design rather than replace it. Rebecca highlights a subtle risk of automation, particularly in scheduling. Tools can be optimized for the sender while increasing friction for recipients. Leaders should consider the system level impact rather than only individual efficiency. Productivity gains at the individual level can create hidden coordination costs for the team. Meeting automation should be evaluated through a collective lens. Rebecca distinguishes between intrusive AI bots that join meetings and simple transcription tools. She is cautious about bots that visibly attend meetings and distract participants. However, she supports consensual transcription when it enhances asynchronous follow up. Effective transcription can reduce cognitive load and free participants to engage more deeply. Used thoughtfully, these tools can strengthen collaboration rather than dilute it. 41:35 Maker vs. Manager: Balancing a Day Job with a Book Launch Robin shares an example from a webinar where attendees were asked for feedback via a short Bitly link before the session closed. He contrasts this with the ineffectiveness of "smiley face/frowny face" buttons in hotel bathrooms—easy to ignore and lacking context. The key is embedding feedback into the process in a way that's natural, timely, and comfortable for participants. Feedback mechanisms should be integrated, low-friction, and provide enough context for meaningful responses. Rebecca recommends a method inspired by Elise Keith called Roti—rating meetings on a zero-to-five scale based on whether they were worth attendees' time. She suggests asking this for roughly 10% of meetings to gather actionable insight. Follow-up question: "What could the organizer do to increase the rating by one point?" This approach removes bias, focuses on attendee experience, and identifies meetings that need restructuring. Splits in ratings reveal misaligned agendas or attendee lists and guide optimization. Robin imagines automating feedback requests via email or tools like Superhuman for convenience. Rebecca agrees and adds that simple forms (Google Forms, paper, or other methods) are effective, especially when anonymous. The goal is simplicity and consistency—given how costly meetings are, there's no excuse to skip feedback. Robin references Paul Graham's essay on maker vs. manager schedules and asks about Rebecca's approach to balancing writing, team coordination, and book marketing. Rebecca shares that 95% of her effort on the book launch was "making"—writing and outreach—thanks to a strong team handling management. She devoted time to writing, scrappy outreach, and building relationships, emphasizing giving without expecting reciprocation. The main coordination challenge was balancing her book work with her full-time job at Asana, requiring careful prioritization. Rebecca created a strict writing schedule inspired by her swimming discipline: early mornings, evenings, and weekends dedicated to writing. She prioritized her book and full-time work while maintaining family commitments. Discipline and clear prioritization were essential to manage competing but synergistic priorities. Robin asks about written vs. spoken communication, referencing Amazon's six-page memos and Zandr Media's phone-friendly quick syncs. Rebecca emphasizes that the answer depends on context but a strong written communication culture is essential in all organizations. Written communication supports clarity, asynchronous work, and complements verbal communication. It's especially important for distributed teams or virtual work. With AI, clear documentation allows better insights, reduces unnecessary content generation, and reinforces disciplined communication. 48:29 AI and the Craft of Writing Rebecca highlights that employees have varying learning preferences—introverted vs. extroverted, verbal vs. written. Effective communication systems should support both verbal and written channels to accommodate these differences. Rebecca's philosophy: writing is a deeply human craft. AI was not used for drafting or creative writing. AI supported research, coordination, tracking trends, and other auxiliary tasks—areas where efficiency is key. Human-led drafting, revising, and word choice remained central to the book. Robin praises Rebecca's use of language, noting it feels human and vivid—something AI cannot replicate in nuance or delight. Rebecca emphasizes that crafting every word, experimenting with phrasing, and tinkering with language is uniquely human. This joy and precision in writing is not replicable by AI and is part of what makes written communication stand out. Rebecca hopes human creativity in writing and oral communication remains valued despite AI advances. Strong written communication is increasingly differentiating for executive communicators and storytellers in organizations. AI can polish or mass-produce text, but human insight, nuance, and storytelling remain essential and career-relevant. Robin emphasizes the importance of reading, writing, and physical activities (like swimming) to reclaim attention from screens. These practices support deep human thinking and creativity, which are harder to replace with AI. Rebecca uses standard tools strategically: email (chunked and batched), Google Docs, Asana, Doodle, and Zoom. Writing is enhanced by switching platforms, fonts, colors, and physical locations—stimulating creativity and perspective. Physical context (plane, café, city) is strongly linked to breakthroughs and memory during writing. Emphasis is on how tools are enacted rather than which tools are used—behavior and discipline matter more than tech. Rebecca primarily recommends business books with personal relevance: Adam Grant's Give and Take – for relational insights beyond work. Bob Sutton's books – for broader lessons on organizational and personal effectiveness. Robert Cialdini's Influence – for understanding human behavior in both professional and personal contexts. Her selections highlight that business literature often offers universal lessons applicable beyond work. 59:48 Where to Find Rebecca The book is available at all major bookstores. Website: rebeccahinds.com LinkedIn: Rebecca Hinds
This week on The Write Place Podcast, I'm joined by bestselling psychological thriller author Lesley Kara, whose debut novel The Rumour became a Sunday Times bestseller and was later adapted for television.We talk about her latest novel, Troublemaker, a tense psychological thriller set in Tunbridge Wells, and explore how grief, vulnerability and doubt shape both her characters and her storytelling.Lesley shares:The real-life influences behind TroublemakerWhy short chapters matter in suspense fictionWhat it was really like seeing The Rumour adapted for TVThe business realities of commercial publishingWriting her debut at 55 and why it's never too lateHow social media became a creative outlet rather than a choreIt's a practical, honest conversation about craft, resilience and staying visible in a competitive market.About Lesley KaraLesley Kara is the Sunday Times bestselling author of multiple psychological thrillers including The Rumour, Who Did You Tell?, The Other Tenant and her latest novel Troublemaker.Her debut, The Rumour, was a breakout success and has since been adapted for television. Lesley lives in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, and began her publishing career in her mid-fifties after years of writing and perseverance.Topics CoveredWriting lean prose in psychological suspenseStructuring novels using three-act structureManaging pressure after a commercial breakthroughAdapting novels for screenBalancing creativity with the business of publishingBuilding community and reach through InstagramLate-start writing careersLinks
Discover why setup and driver skill are more crucial than horsepower in RC racing. In this episode, track owner Tony shares insights on how consistent setups and honest racing lead to success, while chasing high-power motors often results in frustration. Learn about the impact of track conditions, tire choices, and the importance of fair competition. Tony also discusses how racers and tracks can collaborate to prevent cheating and enhance the sport. Perfect for those looking to improve their racing experience and foster a supportive RC community.
“Human beings are the only puzzle I can't figure out.” Aldis Hodge On this powerful episode of The Pivot Podcast, Ryan Clark, Channing Crowder, and Fred Taylor sit down with actor, producer, and master watchmaker Aldis Hodge for one of their most raw and revealing conversations yet. Hodge opens up about being raised by a single mother whose strength and sacrifice shaped his work ethic and sense of responsibility from an early age. Growing up in an area where the presence of the KKK was real and racial tension wasn't just history—it was lived experience—he reflects on how those early encounters with hate forged both resilience and purpose. Rather than shrink, he found his voice. A passionate, unapologetic Black voice grounded in truth, excellence, and accountability. Best known for his roles in Straight Outta Compton, Hidden Figures, One Night in Miami, Hawkman in Black Adam, and currently the lead in Prime Video series Cross, Hodge shares the pressure of portraying cultural icons and superheroes alike. He discusses the responsibility that comes with representing real stories and real communities—and how he channels personal experience into every performance. Beyond Hollywood, Aldis speaks about fatherhood and how being a proud girl dad reshaped his definition of success. Legacy is no longer just about career accolades—it's about what he models at home, the protection he provides, and the standard he sets for the next generation. In a deeply personal moment, Aldis lets us in on a powerful exchange between him and his wife that has forever changed and guided him. He also dives into his passion for puzzles and engineering, explaining how building his own watch brand is rooted in ownership, precision, and creating generational wealth. Drawing powerful parallels between elite athletes and elite artists, Hodge breaks down why mastery demands hard work, sacrifice, and the courage to pivot toward purpose. This episode is about perseverance through adversity, using your platform with intention, and building a legacy that stands taller than the obstacles meant to break you. Pivot Family, please like, comment and hit the subscribe button, we love hearing from you, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
EP. 479 Best to the Nest: February 2026 WRLHappy watching, reading and listening.Margery: Watch: Song Sung Blue on Amazon Prime Read: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King Listen: Aperture by Harry Styles Eat: Greek yogurt, Pomegranate, GranolaElizabeth: Watch: Olympics on NBC Read: The Fifth Vital Sign by Lisa Hendrickson-JackListen: Olivia Dean and The Walkers: The Real Salt Path Eat: Frittata https://hometohomestead.com/2026/02/05/the-frittata/We are so grateful to our podcast sponsor Healing Insight. Founded by Dr. Senia Mae, Healing Insight is based in St. Paul Minnesota. Senia is a trusted expert with more than eighteen years of experience in acupuncture and functional medicine. Healing Insight is a sanctuary for women seeking answers beyond conventional medicine. The team at Healing Insight can guide you through all of the phases of life from periods to post-menopause. Find out more at https://healinginsightonline.com/.Our Website: https://www.besttothenest.com/On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/besttothenest?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==Our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1088997968155776/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode we'll talk about:Why studying trends too much weakens your instinctsThe difference between observation and participationHow iteration builds originalityWhy craft is developed through repetition, not researchHow to respond honestly to feedback from your own workWhy attention + reps = masteryThe hidden advantage of staying in when it's not glamorousAnd more… CONNECT WITH ME…→ Instagram — @mattgottesman→ My Substack — mattgottesman.substack.com → Apparel — thenicheisyou.comRESOURCES…→ Recommended Book List — CLICK HERE→ Masterclass — CLICK HEREWORKSHOPS + MASTERCLASS:→ Need MORE clarity? - Here's the FREE… 6 Days to Clarity Workshop - clarity for your time, energy, money, creativity, work & play→ Write, Design, Build: Content Creator Studio & OS - Growing the niche of you, your audience, reach, voice, passion & incomeOTHER RELATED EPISODES:Faith Isn't Knowing the Whole Path… It's Taking the Next Honest StepApple: https://apple.co/3MB62IuSpotify: https://bit.ly/4rZw3RN
Speedweeks is complete, Tyler Reddick is a Daytona 500 champion, and Matt Tifft has a podcast. Support the show
The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
Welcome back to our series, "On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling." In this series, we take a close look at personal essays written by real students, talking about why we love them, what makes them work, and how they came to be. On Becoming speaks not just to the craft of writing, but to what I believe the personal statement is at its best: a record of becoming, the often messy, hopefully meaningful process of finding yourself… through the process of storytelling. In this episode, we slow things down and focus on a single essay, which the author calls "Much Ado About Nothing." Together, we take this essay apart, looking at the storytelling choices on the page, the deeper ideas underneath them, and how the essay captures a moment in the student's becoming. Dr. Greg Ungar is a professor at the University of Denver. Greg grew up in California and spent six years working on the assembly line at General Motors before finding his way to college, where reading (and thinking) changed the direction of his life. Greg went on to study philosophy and theatre arts at UC Berkeley, and later earned advanced degrees across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, criminal justice, acting, and theatre and drama. He's someone who has spent a lifetime thinking deeply about identity, work, class, performance, and what it means to make meaning out of lived experience. We hope you enjoy. Play-by-Play: 3:23 – Why do Ethan and Greg love reading stories and poetry together? 5:34 – Do college essays need a title? 6:47 – Greg reads the essay, "Much Ado About Nothing" 12:03 – What does Ethan love about this essay? 13:25 – What did Greg notice while reading? 19:23 – How does the author use structure to keep the reader engaged? 25:02 – How can humor be used in college essays? 30:58 – How does the author show different roles and identities throughout? 40:24 – Closing thoughts Resources: "Much Ado About Nothing" Essay College Essay Essentials College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub
This episode is a full-on 2025 Untappd Year-in-Review with Jeff, Jeff, and Doc: unique beer counts, top styles, favorite venues, and the bottles/pours that defined the year. Spoiler: when you combine the totals… it's basically 110 gallons of “research.” We also bring on San Diego Brewers Guild President Esthela Davila for our new ILB x Capital of Craft segment to talk all things #sdbeer.
In this episode of Nursing Uncharted, we sit down with Alex, a dedicated nurse with nearly 12 years of experience, from rehab facilities to Level 1 trauma centers. Alex joins us to share her personal and inspiring journey. She opens up about the pivotal moments that shaped her career and the "why" behind her passion for nursing.Alex's emotional story begins with how her mother's battle with stage 4 lung cancer influenced her decision to enter the field. She recalls the compassion shown by her mother's oncology nurses—not just during treatment, but even after her passing—and how that level of care became the standard she strives for today.Alex also discusses her transition into travel nursing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the challenges of balancing single motherhood with a demanding career, and her decision to plant roots as a staff nurse. This is a candid look at the life of a traveler, the importance of a supportive recruiter, and the beauty of finding a hospital unit that feels like family.Alex's story of resilience, advocacy, and finding joy in the midst of chaos is sure to resonate.Key TakeawaysThe Power of a Personal "Why": Alex shares the touching story of losing her mother to cancer, and how the nurses who cared for her mom inspired her own nursing philosophy.Travel Nursing Experiences: Insights into travel nursing during the pandemic, the benefits of seeing how different hospitals operate, and why Alex believes every nurse should try traveling at least once.Transitioning to Staff: How Alex decided to leave the travel life for a permanent staff position and the positive impact she makes by bringing outside perspectives to her new unit.Balancing Career and Single Motherhood: A vulnerable discussion about "mom guilt," the logistics of childcare, and the drive to provide a good life for her son.The Nurse-Recruiter Relationship: The critical role a supportive recruiter plays in a traveler's success and mental well-being.Advocacy in Action: How experienced nurses can advocate for their patients and fellow staff members to improve unit culture and patient care.Timestamps00:00 – Intro and welcome.00:48 – Alex's introduction and nursing background.01:13 – The emotional story behind why Alex chose nursing.04:22 – Finding passion in nursing after 12 years.06:04 – Starting travel nursing during COVID-19 and becoming a mom.09:03 – Bringing a traveler's perspective to a staff role.12:19 – The importance of a welcoming unit culture.16:34 – Navigating single motherhood while working as a traveler.20:00 – Building a strong relationship with a recruiter.26:16 – Advice for single moms in nursing.27:06 – Future goals: Teaching the next generation of nurses. Connect With UsIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to our show on your favorite podcast platform. You can also find show updates and nursing opportunities on our Instagram at @AMNnurse. Connect With UsIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a friend and subscribe to our show on your favorite podcast platform. You can also find show updates and nursing opportunities on our Instagram at @AMNnurse. About AnnAnn King, a seasoned travel nurse with a remarkable 14-year track record, has dedicated the past 13+ years to specializing in Neonatal ICU. Ann has been traveling with AMN Healthcare for 5+ years, enriching her expertise with diverse experiences. Currently residing in San Diego, Ann not only thrives in her nursing career but also serves as the host of the Nursing Uncharted podcast, where she shares invaluable insights and stories from the world of nursing. Connect with Ann on Instagram: @annifer05 Are you interested in coming on as a guest? Send us a message at podcasts@amnhealthcare.com Episode Sponsor:We're proudly sponsored by AMN Healthcare, the leader in healthcare staffing and workforce solutions. Explore their services at AMN Healthcare. Discover job opportunities and manage your assignments with ease using AMN Passport. Download the AMN Passport App today! Do you know a nurse looking to get into travel? Refer a friend to AMN today! Learn more about AMN Healthcare's Employee Assistance Program. Join Our Other Nursing Communities: YouTubeInstagramApple PodcastsSpotifyLinkedInFacebookPowered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Weaving has a storied history in Appalachia. Indigenous groups like the Cherokee and Shawnee developed robust weaving traditions using plant fibers. When European settlers colonized Appalachia in the 18th century, they brought their own styles of weaving. These days, fiber artists in Appalachia are noticing an increased interest in weaving, and so they're making the craft more accessible to beginners. And they're finding ways to connect in person for mentorship opportunities.
It takes a unique mindset to continue to stay in touch with the traditional way of doing things. Scott Gore has been on this journey from a young age. His focus has been on rawhide braiding. We discuss how he got started, lessons he has learned, as well as how he would recommend getting started today. We also discuss what he is doing to help others develop a similar passion to what he has for rawhide braiding.Relevant LInks:Scott Gore Rawhide
On this episode of First Smoke of the Day, Blackleaf sits down with Ridgeline Farms and Huckleberry Hill Farms for a real conversation about cultivation, standards, and protecting the culture.This isn't a sales pitch. It's growers talking about process, pressure, and what it actually takes to maintain quality in today's cannabis industry.We get into:• Craft vs large-scale production• Sungrown and indoor cultivation philosophies• Why consistency matters more than hype• The realities of operating in California• Legacy farms and the responsibility of carrying the culture forwardRidgeline brings precision and discipline. Huckleberry Hill brings legacy and roots.Different approaches, same respect for the plant.We highlight the operators who care about the details, the standards, and the long game. This episode is about cultivation done with intention, not shortcuts.Subscribe for more real conversations with the growers and brands shaping the industry from the inside.Let's connect!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/firstsmokeo...Business inquiries: family@firstsmokeoftheday.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ian Martin Allison is back, and this episode is a full-on gear-nerd thunderstorm with actual life lessons hiding in the lightning. Blake and Ian go deep on signature basses, the Walrus Mantle DI drama, and the eternal internet question: “Why is this thing expensive if it only has a few knobs?” Turns out, transformers cost money. Craft costs money. Not cutting corners costs money. And sometimes the loudest opinions come from people who were never the customer in the first place. Inside this episode: how Ian went from collaborator to Creative Director at Scott's Bass Lessons what it really takes to design gear people obsess over why a $400 bass can absolutely punch above its class how brands weaponize price perception (and why we all fall for it) short-form vs long-form content, and where music media is headed next the creative freedom that shows up when you stop performing “cool” and just be yourself There's also a perfect dog interruption, some very real talk about staying in an industry because you love the people in it, and a reminder that we're living in a golden era of instruments, pedals, and options. If you care about tone, product design, content strategy, and building a creative life that doesn't make you dread waking up, this one hits hard. Keep up with all things Ian on his website HERE https://ianmartinallison.com/ Give him a follow on his social media HERE https://www.instagram.com/ianmartinallison/ Support The Show And Connect! The Text Chat is back! Hit me up at (503) 751-8577 You can also help out with your gear buying habits by purchasing stuff from Tonemob.com/reverb Tonemob.com/sweetwater or grabbing your guitar/bass strings from Tonemob.com/stringjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Award-winning creative director Ruba Abu-Nimah (known to many as @ruba on Instagram) discusses the state of creativity in the Arab world, the importance of young Arab talent embracing their culture, and the challenges of navigating corporate spaces as a Palestinian in the West. She talks about the foundational skills of graphic design, the vital role of design in communication, spaces and politics, and about her career so far. She also shares her strong belief that the Arab world is now the next frontier in global creativity. 0:00 Introduction1:46 Passion For Graphic Design and Swiss Modernism3:05 The Difference Between Past and Present Graphic Design Education4:45 The Craft of Graphic Design and the Importance of Traditional Language6:00 First Gig: Disruptive Innovation at French Glamour8:02 Ingredients for Success: Passion, Nerdiness and London's Creative Influence12:48 Defining Graphic Designer vs Creative Director14:40 Graphic Design as the Foundation of Communication15:40 The Subjectivity of Taste and the Role of Instinct17:50 Design in the Arab World: Considered Cities vs Chaos 21:45 The Arab Creative Inflection Point: Youth, Voice and New Trends22:47 Rejecting Emulation: Talent Rooted in Culture and Heritage24:34 The Arab World Is the Next Frontier in Creativity25:17 Navigating Prominent Positions as a Palestinian26:35 Hiding in Plain Sight: The Forced Negation of Arab Origins28:24 "Loud and Proud": The Momentum of the Arab Diaspora Today30:21 The Prevailing Attitude: a Son's Act of Defiance33:47 Corporate America vs Street Change36:09 Corporate Structures Will Eventually Catch Up With Culture40:03 The Brilliance of the Mamdani Campaign Design41:17 Conspicuous Consumption vs Useful Design48:45 Relationship With Social Media Platforms: Instagram and the Unhinged Threads50:51 Instagram's Value: Finding and Commissioning Creatives53:23 The Sweetest Revenge: Upscrolled and the Irony of Palestinian Tech Success54:00 Recommendations: Arab Creatives To Look Up Ruba Abu-Nimah is a Swiss creative executive of Palestinian descent who has worked in the fashion and cosmetic industries. She was the executive creative director for marketing and communications at Tiffany & Co. from March 2021 to February 2023. She previously worked at Revlon, Elle magazine, Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, and Shiseido. She was the first female creative director at Elle magazine in the US. In 2018, Ruba collaborated with Nike to design the Air Force 1 Low "Love" shoe embodying equality and acceptance. She has collaborated with Phillip Lim on the New York Tougher Than Ever initiative, as well as a limited-edition sweatshirt to raise funds for Lebanon following the 2020 Beirut explosion.Connect with Ruba Abu-Nimah
Welcome to the first episode of Craft and Connect, the marketing show on Pencils&Lipstick with Becky Grogan and Kat Caldwell! Today we are talking about the pillars of marketing that will construct the foundation of any other marketing you will do as an author. This is a very important step to NOT skip! We have several resources (as promised) for you below:https://katcaldwell.com/author-brand-worksheethttps://katcaldwell.com/core-valueshttps://katcaldwell.com/promotion-articleSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @author_katcaldwell
If you've been doing everything “right” — working on yourself, showing up for everyone, trying harder every day — and you're still exhausted, it might be time for a different kind of courage.In this episode of Your Courageous Life, Kate explores why constant striving often comes from fear, not fulfillment — and how to stop equating effort with worth. You'll learn why rest is an act of bravery, how to recognize over-efforting as a control strategy, and how to reconnect with self-trust through stillness instead of struggle.If you've been stuck in burnout, perfectionism, or endless self-improvement, this conversation will help you soften, breathe, and remember that courage isn't about pushing through — it's about coming home to yourself.
What does it actually mean to adapt a story- and how can radically different adaptations emerge from the same source material? In this episode, Jacob Krueger looks at the novel and film versions of Hamnet and the '90s award darling Shakespeare in Love to show how finding the location of your adaptation shapes character, structure, tone, and theme—and why successful adaptations are defined less by fidelity to source material than by the clarity of your intentions
This week we're brooding, Victorian style, with Vulture's Bilge Ebiri! Guillermo del Toro's Frankenstein is a Best Picture nominee and is well represented in the craft categories, but it has only one acting nomination, for Jacob Elordi's hulking monster. It's of a piece with past craft-heavy Oscar contenders like Dune or The Lord of the Rings, but does Frankenstein actually stand a chance? We discuss the film itself, its lavish sets and costumes, del Toro's choice to center the monster as the hero, and how that decision reshapes the monster's opposite, Victor, played by Oscar Isaac. We also touch on the new Wuthering Heights, also starring Jacob Elordi, the history of Wuthering Heights adaptations, the shameless state of celebrity Super Bowl ads, and finally atone for our past sins, as Bilge defends previous subjects Train Dreams and Hamnet against our critiques. As it turns out, we were the monster all along. Sign up for Check Book, the Blank Check newsletter featuring even more “real nerdy shit” to feed your pop culture obsession. Dossier excerpts, film biz AND burger reports, and even more exclusive content you won't want to miss out on. Join our Patreon for franchise commentaries and bonus episodes. Follow us @blankcheckpod on Twitter, Instagram, Threads and Facebook! Buy some real nerdy merch Connect with other Blankies on our Reddit or Discord For anything else, check out BlankCheckPod.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices