Good People, Cool Things

Back before the days of the Internet, there was a role perhaps more valuable than just about any other: that of the corporate spy. Most people could barely stomach it for an hour, let alone a day. Yet through immense curiosity, concentration, and a "gift of gab," Robert Kerbeck became the world's top corporate spy, extracting information worth hundreds of millions of dollars for global companies. ...

Welcome to episode #100! What a big freaking deal and a nice round number! I love it and I love you for supporting me the whole way. And now onto the episode!  Joe McNally has been writing his new book for the last two years, but he’s been living it for the past 40 as an internationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning work in prestigious publications like National Geographic, Time, LIFE,...

Fifth & Cherry owner and Marine Corps veteran Tim Reazor knows the most precious commodity we have is time — and the memories we can create with that time. Leaving a lasting legacy is super important to him, and his cutting boards are meant to be passed down from generation to generation.  Tim received a cutting board when he was in college. Now, 20 years later, he still has it. That’s an impr...

For years, Amy Neswald worked as a wigmaster on the Broadway production of Jersey Boys, as well as several other players. She was among the last people the actors would see before they stepped on the stage, and she has so many cool stories from her time in that world.  Part of that experience led to the creation of I Know You Love Me, Too, a collection of linked stories that’s already won the New...

We’re kicking off a new season of Good People, Cool Things with someone who’s traveled all across the world. One of the greatest elements of hip-hop is the storytelling, and a combination of seeing different cultures and meeting new people can lead to some fantastic results.  Mic Nickels is a New York-based rapper who just dropped his new album Bars for Days. And not only is this new album full of...

It's the last episode of the year! See you in mid-January when we'll be back and cooler than ever. We're ending in style, too. Donna Loughlin has been around the world and back in search of the most fascinating stories. She's stepped foot in more than 80 countries and had numerous jobs in journalism in PR. Now, she's back in Silicon Valley working with some of the brightest minds in tech through h...

We've all been there—you send a text message or email to someone, and it just sits there. They don't answer, even after following up. Our heart starts racing, beads of sweat form on our foreheads, and we may even start shaking with rage. Don't they LIKE us?! In his latest book, I'll Get Back to You , Sam George explore s why this drives us so crazy—and what we can do about it.  Sam also has an ext...

Perhaps this is no surprise to you, but the music industry is COMPLEX. There's a lot that goes into things behind the scenes, beyond just a catchy hook (though that part is kind of important, too). What does it take to be a successful musician? Jenny Powers is the founder of Blue Avenue Music Group, an artist, management, marketing, and label services provider. She created her company after seeing...

Dr. Pam Gurley grew up as a military child and even served in the Army herself. So, how the heck did she end up an author of more than a dozen books, including the children's book series Brown Girl and Brown Boy? We're diving into all of that in this episode. We're talking about her writing process and everything that goes into designing a book. Side note: Pam finished one book in TWO WEEKS—if tha...

Allyson Chapa, author of The Marching Ant, gives us a real efficient how-to of putting a book out into the world. We're starting with writing it, telling stories, and exploring cover design, marketing and editing resources, and what all comes next now that the book is here.  Plus, we dive into delicious quarantine hobbies, why the writing community is so wonderful, and drop effective tips for stay...

It’s a podcast with podcasters! Madeleine Cheyette and Catherine Wang of the Dished podcast join the show to talk all things food. We’re diving into how cooking is an homage to both culture and creativity, what it takes to start a podcast, and some of the favorite guests Dished has had on the show—plus a scoop on a few episodes to come.  This episode also might have the most wholesome moment in th...

Small businesses face their own unique challenges and opportunities, and sometimes a little push in the right direction can help re-energize both the business and all the people involved. That’s the goal of Small Business Revolution, an Emmy-nominated show that has traveled all across the United States to work with small business owners.  The show features business, marketing, operational, technic...

Calling herself “a gateway drug to classical music,” Jeeyoon Kim has been playing piano for about 90% of her life. She’s certainly learned a few things along the way, from discipline and routine to overcoming nerves—fighting monsters inside of us—to the ways music can open up new adventures for people.  When she’s not tickling the ivories, Jeeyoon also has her own YouTube channel and podcast, wher...

It's nearly Halloween and the thought of seeing even a single piece of candy corn is freaking me out, so why not channel that spooky energy into the podcast? This episode features several scary stories from musicians, models, and authors. You'll hear all about the worst gigs for rapper David Shibani, country musician Kimberly Dawn, model Ekin Ozlen, jazz lounge singer Nancy Stohlman, and producer...

I’m probably not the first person to tell you this, but the past two years have been ROUGH. Remember when we all thought quarantine life would be, like, two weeks of hanging out at home and conserving toilet paper? Those were the days.  This episode’s guest is all too familiar with tough times and tragedy — and she’s finding joy through laughter. Kelsey Chittick is a writer, comedian, and podcast...

I’ve always been fascinated by the oddities in life. Heck, it’s probably why my book has “weird” in the title—life’s just a bit more fun when there’s some strangeness involved.  That’s probably why I’m so excited to chat with Marc Hartzman, a person ABCNews.com called “one of America’s leading connoisseurs of the bizarre.” Marc has deeply researched all kinds of entertaining topics, from the disem...

When Michael Phillips was 18 years old, he found himself standing in front of a judge after a run-in with the law. The judge gave him a choice: Spend 30 years in prison or go to college. Michael immediately shouted out, “college” and his education changed his life — and now he wants to transform education. To do so, he’s trying to encourage people to look beyond children as statistics and to ackno...

Have you ever thought like a typical corporate job wasn’t for you? Or maybe the COVID-19 pandemic has had you rethinking what you want out of your career. The remote work lifestyle is attractive to a lot of people, and it’s led to the rise of the digital nomad — someone who’s still getting plenty done, but also is able to travel, see the world, and have adventures. Tayler Gill is a Work From Anywh...

Ekin Ozlen may not have figured out how to do everything at once, but she’s come pretty darn close. She turned a successful modeling career into her own business and is now the founder of KERACELL, the hair and skincare brand beloved by all kinds of celebrity clients. Ekin has also released several music videos (including last fall’s “Where You At”) that highlight her brand. Oh, and on top of all...

Do you ever meet someone and walk away feeling motivated, like you can accomplish anything in the world? After listening to today’s guest, you just might be ready to run through a brick wall (though you don’t actually have to do that). Martin Rooney is the founder of Training for Warriors, turning a modest idea into a massive business. He’s continued growing both his business and his network, navi...

Chelsea Montgomery-Duban Waechter, otherwise known as Chelsea Austin, is a writer, speaker, and self-worth advocate with just the most cheerful personality I think I’ve ever seen. But perhaps that’s no surprise — Chelsea has been sharing a message of love and tolerance ever since she was in high school.  Growing up with two gay fathers — who are both biologically related to her — Chelsea has been...

Anthony Ianni was diagnosed with pervasive developmental disorder, a form of autism, as a toddler. And this was back in the early 90s, when autism wasn’t really a thing anyone knew anything about. As a result, Anthony was told he wasn’t going to succeed in school or sports, but he said “nah, I’m not gonna listen to that.” Instead, when he was eight years old, Anthony told coach Tom Izzo he was goi...

David Shabani started writing raps when he was ten years old, and his experiences have only made him more well-versed since then. He was born to Congolese parents in France and has made his way from Paris to Montreal to Dallas and now Austin. David was listening to rap before he could speak English and now performs with an all-Black band. His latest EP Shabani’s Smooth Sounds of the Summer came ou...

For 25 years, Eugenia Zukerman served as the CBS Sunday Morning arts correspondent — and she’s been playing her flute around the world for far longer than that. Eugenia has also been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, but despite her “death sentence,” she remains incredibly positive and calm. And she’s spreading that positivity to others as she’s teaching folks how to face their own adversities....

Bob Makela , who, quite frankly, puts the Most Interesting Man in the World to shame, shares his wild world experiences in this classic vault episode from 2015. Bob has driven cabs, began a very cool event known as Barstool Poetry, has  started an indie press  and even has a few  podcasts of his own  (but please finish this one first). Listen along, won't you?