2 Trick Pony

This week, we host a special episode to commemorate America's 250th. In this episode, we speak with Professor Richard Bell, a historian of the American Revolutionary period at the University of Maryland. We look at the life and times of a historical two-trick pony: America's founding father and polymath Benjamin Franklin. Our conversation takes us through Franklin's life, all the while reflecting...

This week, we speak with educator, writer, and public speaker Amy Betters-Midtvedt. The author of the popular parenting book, You'll Make It (and They Will Too): Everything No One Talks About When You're Parenting Teens, Amy shares valuable insights into how our personal experiences can lead us to wisdom that other people may want (or sometimes, need) to hear.  ----more---- You can learn more abou...

In this episode, Dr. Brielle Harbin shares her journey from tenured professor to entrepreneur and education consultant—and how building a “second trick” outside traditional academia reshaped her confidence, creativity, and relationship to work. Brielle reflects on the moment she realized her strengths extended beyond formal academic roles, the practical steps she took to explore community-building...

This week features a special reunion with chef Ilaria Ricci, owner of Fancy Food Florence. Trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and with over twenty years of experience as a professional chef, sommelier, and culinary instructor, Ilaria speaks with us from her home in Florence, Italy about how life’s unexpected turns led her to pivot from corporate law to her culinary career. ----more---- You can lea...

This week, we speak with Drew Martin, a nature educator and guide in the Florida Keys with experience in marine biology and exhibit design. An avid wildlife photographer, Drew tells us how he’s incorporated his hobby into his day-to-day life and work. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: Society of International Nature and Wildlife Photographers Wild Focus Project National Geographic N...

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and who better to bring onto the show than our own wedding florist Alanna Messner-Scholl? In this fun reunion, we talk with Alanna about her career pivot from PhD-trained clinical psychologist to running her own florist business, Waverly Flower Co, with a focus on sustainable business practices in the wedding industry. Alanna shares her story about finding confidence a...

In this conversation, we speak with Dr. Kristin Harlow, a former academic and policy evaluator-turned-weightlifting trainer. We learn from Kristin about her lifelong love for athletics and how she’s building a community for women in strength-training, as well as how she mustered up the courage to leap out of academic research and start her own garage gym. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the ep...

In this episode, we have a wide-ranging conversation about a personal search for meaning. A former government employee, April Lee speaks with us about how she left her job to explore creative crafts, reconnect with herself, and gain the confidence to build her own data visualization consultancy. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: Everything is Figureoutable, Marie Forleo Self-Compass...

New Year’s is a great time to consider a new hobby! We start the year off with professional musician, composer, and instrument maker John C.L. Jansen. We hear about the craft of building unusual instruments like daxophones and custom guitars, and how Jansen incorporates his built instruments into his music compositions. Jansen is also a classical guitarist and university music educator based in Wa...

This week’s interview is for those who prefer to go big or go home. We talk with hobbyist chef Masid Cader about his experience fast-tracking his interest in gourmet cooking, including training with a Michelin-starred restaurant during the weekends, all while working full-time in investment banking. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: International Culinary Institute, New York City “T...

Just in time for Thanksgiving, we interview Maryam Jillani about her journey as a food journalist and her experience writing the groundbreaking cookbook PAKISTAN. In our conversation, we learn about how Maryam’s background in public policy, education, and international development gave her a unique perspective on food writing while bringing her cookbook project to life. ----more---- Resources ment...

This week, we talk with marine biologist and medical technician Nova Hanson about her love for birding and photography, and how she keeps her hobby fun and meaningful.  ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: The National Audubon Society “American Robin” (National Park Service) eBird , Merlin , and Avibase Black Birders Week American Birding Association Birds Canada You can learn more abo...

In this week’s episode, we get a look behind the showroom curtain in our interview with Tommy Zoppa, better known as the drag queen Tammy Kay Queen. In our interview, we hear about how Tommy took a break from working in international aid and tech to create the popular and hilarious "Monologues" drag show at the Trade Bar in DC. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: Trade DC (1410 14th S...

This week, we interview Jenny Nam, a data analyst and hobbyist potter in Philadelphia, about her basement home studio and her mother’s 10-year rule when trying out new things. Resources mentioned in the episode: The Clay Studio, Philadelphia, PA  Small Favors show at the Clay Studio, Philadelphia The Ceramic Shop, Norristown, Philadelphia Bird Seed Florals, Philadelphia  You can learn more about o...

This week, we continue learning about gardens and major career pivots with Sharad Wertheimer, a former labor organizer and current medical student in Washington, D.C. In our conversation, Sharad talks about discovering his passion for urban agriculture…and how 10,000 worms helped him find his purpose. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: Braiding Sweetgrass, Robin Wall Kimmerer Farmaco...

In this episode, we talk with Honor Hawkins, a landscape designer and horticulturalist in New York City, about her serendipitous career pivot from media and technical writing to professionally designing urban gardens. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: Gardener’s World (BBC) ( https://www.gardenersworld.com/ ) Dan Pearson’s online magazine, Dig Delve ( digdelve.com ) Stonecrop Garden...

In our first conversation, we interview family physician Dr. Claudia Ma about Claudia’s Confections, her new licensed home baking venture in Boston, MA, and how she cares for others through medicine and baking. ----more---- Resources mentioned in the episode: Cambridge Culinary Institute You can learn more about our guest at: @drclaudias_confections

Welcome to 2 Trick Pony! In this premiere episode, co-hosts Claire Ma and Melissa Betters introduce the 2 Trick Pony podcast and explain the motivations behind the show.