Rich Conversations

What does the future of humankind look like? Sanchit Arvind joins us for Part 2 of our discussion on Yuval Harari's books on humanity. Until the 21st century, solving famine, war, and disease were at the top of the human agenda. What has now replaced it? People want to live longer, healthier, and happier. How will humans make decisions in the future with the rate of accelerated technology and info...

As reigning fantasy football champion, Rich shares his philosophy and tips for drafting a successful team. 

Rich reads the Introduction of Sacred Hoops by Phil Jackson. Every Sunday, we'll explore a new chapter in an audiobook format of one of Rich's favorite and influential book on his life philosophy. Sacred Hoops is an inside look at the higher wisdom of teamwork from legendary coach Phil Jackson. At the heart of the book is Jackson's philosophy of mindful basketball—and his lifelong quest to bring e...

Part III of III focuses on family and winning. Giannis's father dies unexpectedly, shocking the family. "We are our father's legacy," Giannis stressed to his brothers. The Bucks hire Coach Bud and rise in the East, Giannis wins back-to-back MVP's, and crescendos with him signing the supermax contract to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks. It's extra sweet to read as a Bucks fan. We are NBA champions an...

Rich sits on a bench in Millennium Park in Chicago and thinks about summer. The uptick in White Sox gear in the city is noticeable. Rich finishes the Giannis biography, talks the smell of back to school, potential trips to Berlin or Athens, increasing the skill of digital file organization, and placing oneself in tourists' shoes.

Part II of III we focus on his experience coming to America, adjusting culturally, and the franchise situation he found himself immersed in. His former teammates offer insight into what he was like as a person and player at that time. His hard work and determination to get better shine. No matter what, he's not going to change as a human being despite newfound attention and success. His family gro...

Waiting for a friend outside the Art Institute, Rich sits on the steps and reflects on the past three weekends being at three festivals with three different demographics. Taste of Lincoln, Racine County Fair, and Market Days. Friends and books too.

Before reading "Sacred Hoops" for the fifth time, Rich explores "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" by Robert Pirsig, knowing its influence on Phil Jackson and his philosophy. Other books mentioned: Siddhartha - Herman Hesse Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind - Shunryu Suzuki Working Class Mystic - Gary Tillery

Author, Mirin Fader, writes about the life of Giannis Antetokounmpo of the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks in a new biography called "Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP." His progress and success continues at such a rapid rate that his biography is already out of date. At the age of 26, he's already NBA Finals MVP. Part 1 of 3 we focus on his time growing up in Greece, his family, and the qua...

Paul LeCrone returns to the show to discuss the creator economy and adding value on the internet, the recording and writing of music from Animal Collective, Radiohead, and Arcade Fire, and philosophical writing from Nietzsche and literature of Dostoevsky and Aldous Huxley. Follow Paul on Twitter: @paul_lecrone

Rich briefly describes his time at the Racine County Fair over the last few days and notes the importance of community events like this in rural America.

Janet Wilson joins us from Texas to talk Texas culture, country music and her favorite artists, live shows, and shares her thoughts on being a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @ohjanjan

Phil Jackson would have players visualize a safe place from their lives that would bring them peace and calmness. Rich is back in Wisconsin and sits by a campfire on the farm, reflecting on the past week and thinks about the Racine County Fair coming up.

Rich discusses his experience from Game 6 of the NBA Finals and the next day. He shares the significance of the win, Giannis, and the Milwaukee Bucks in his life.

NASA’s Kat Kennedy returns to the show. We nerd out about a number of subjects like NASA, space, and the importance of critical thinking skills. We talk about space tourism, math, generosity, and how our lives will be filled with incredible technological revolutions. We discuss American history and the book “Generations” by Neil Howe and William Strauss. Kat shares her experience visiting Dinosaur...

While Rich awaits Game 6 of the NBA Finals, he sits on a park bench and shares what's on his mind. His change in his reading approach and what's he's learning. The Illinois Black Panther Party of the late 1960's and George Harrison's spiritual journey. Going to the White Sox game and enjoying summer.

The Milwaukee Bucks have demonstrated throughout the 2021 NBA Playoffs that they simply want it more than other teams. After going through growing pains and disappointment, especially over the last few years, it's time to cross the threshold. The Bucks will clinch the 2021 NBA title in Game 6.

Appreciate the moment, especially if you've waited a lifetime for it. Rich reflects on his somewhat erratic summer with the Milwaukee Bucks advancing far into the playoffs while on a walk to a thrift store in Andersonville. (7:35) Realtime audio of the last moments of the Bucks Game 4 victory while bartending Lincoln Station.

Alex Wasily joins the show. He plays trombone in the New Orleans funk band, Dumpstaphunk. Alex shares his experience living in Chicago and now Los Angeles, how mean meaningful it’s been to see the world while performing, favorite cities and airports, and the history of his now-legendary Funk Party. We even try to recollect the night we bartended together during Game 7 of the Cubs World Series in 2...

Rich returns to Wisconsin to watch Game 3 of the NBA Finals with his little brother. A moment that was eight years in the making since Giannis was drafted in 2013. What a special game, person, and future. *Heads up: Audio is scratchy*

Sofía Villalpando (aka The Biologist Apprentice) joins the show from Aguascalientes, Mexico. We discuss how she got interested in science, our favorite animals, the ecosystem of where she lives, why biology is important to understand, and biggest developments within the last few years. You can watch Sofía on YouTube The Biologist Apprentice . She makes creates cool videos about biology and science...

The Milwaukee Bucks are in the NBA Finals after a Game 6 victory over the Atlanta Hawks. It was a special night, together with other Wisconsin sports fans during a 4th of July rooftop party. The team possesses a lot of mental toughness, a valuable quality in both sports and life. Do you stay focused on your goals regardless of external circumstances?

On a sunny day, Rich walks through the Millennium Park and Lurie Garden in downtown Chicago. He talks Chicago museum memberships, architecture, art, culture, traveling & tourism, and how everything in the city is intentional.

Rich goes for a walk to Lake Michigan to clear his head. He talks living in the neighborhood of Uptown, what he sees at the lake, his morning routine and the importance of creating one that works for you, using walks to soothe the mind, and the future importance of the Great Lakes.

Before Rich enters the Art Institute to see the Obama Presidential Portraits, he sits at Starbucks and describes the scene of the rainy Chicago day, 2008 Obama Victory Rally in Grant Park, awesome friends, sports channel media, fashion, and the vibe of the city.