Contra las Cuerdas // Against the Ropes

Rollerblading is a sport and an industry with a small but passionate core community and a rich culture built throughout three decades of complex (some may say slightly traumatic) history.

After a long and steady decline, it seems to be experiencing a resurgence in the past couple of years. With little to no exposure in mainstream media after its downfall in the early 2000s, social media has been a key factor in this process, allowing the community to showcase the sport and portray the culture in an accurate and authentic manner.

That is exactly where Tom Moyse has efficiently used creativity, quick wit and great humor to carve himself a niche within a niche. By hilariously reporting, reacting and commenting on blading’s current affairs he showcases the spirit of the culture and drives traffic to other content creators in the industry, all while entertaining the viewer.

How can we create entertaining and engaging content? How can we leverage content to spark thought and debate around important topics? And how can we use all that to help grow and maintain a global community, ultimately collaborating in the construction of a culture and an industry?

All of this and more in this new episode, packed with lessons on passion, authenticity, vulnerability, creativity and humor!

Jonas Altman has salesman, educator, innovation consultant and writer, among a myriad of titles in his resume. In his latest, best-selling book: "Shapers: Reinvent the Way You Work and Change the Future" he paints a vivid picture of the present of work, walks the reader through the history of how we got here and explains why IT DOESN'T WORK. Most importantly, based on current trends, he offers a series of ideas and frameworks that might help us land, from all possible futures, in a preferable one.

In this chat, that ranges from pizza and tacos to augmentation and transhumanism, we try to get into the thoughts behind the book, understand what being a Shaper means and find out how living and working like one might lead to better more fulfilling life for us and those around us.

En las últimas decadas, la astrología se ha ido abriendo paso en el imaginario colectivo y representa hoy un fenómeno cultural masivo, abriendo las puertas a un universo de prácticas esotéricas, antes consideradas tabú. En este capítulo, Vicky Lúpori, amiga y titular de la cuenta @ensayo.astrológico, se sienta en la mesa a charlar conmigo, para guiarnos por los recovecos de este basto y pintoresco mundo. Que es la atrología? Cómo funciona? Cómo legó a ser el fenómeno que es? Todo esto y mucho más en este maravilloso capítulo de Contra Las Cuerdas!

My polyphasic friend Grant Foster takes us for a colorful ride down a winding path, exploring the complex relationship between technology and music. We'll touch on how technology has transformed the musical industry throughout the years, how it's changed the lives and habits of musicians and listeners alike, how it's helped generate interesting musical experiences throughout the pandemic and how it might open up new avenues for artists to make a decent living. 

En el universo de la creatividad, Arte y Diseño sostienen hace tiempo una relación visceral, confusa y conflictiva, como amantes incestuosos. En los últimos años el diseño dió un vuelco hacia lo expresivo y el arte ha ganado una masividad sin precedentes, entrando en más y más ámbitos de la vida, borroneando aún más las líneas fronterizas entre ambos. Nacho Varone vive y trabaja en esa zona gris entre ambos y viene a charlar un poco de su experiencia en esa lucha... entre otras cosas divertidas!

On this first ever B-Side you get take a peek at a fragment that didn't make it into the final cut of the first Against the Ropes episode. A lovely 10 minute long piece of conversation with Leah Weiss and Gabi Steele that condenses the key issues currently surrounding data. If you liked the episode your in for a treat and if not... Well, this is a nice preview!

We are currently living in a world where virtual pseudo-connection is the norm. Is that OK? 

Well... I don't think so...

In this episode of against the ropes, my friend Bruno Bertozzo and I sit down to discuss why and how we should generate real meaningful connections with other human beings and how that will (hopefully) lead to a better more creative life for all of us.

Mauro Kaseiri, músico, maestro y amigo, viene a charlar un poco sobre su trabajo, su visión de lo que viene pasando a nivel social en el país y el mundo en los últimos años y como esto impacta en la cultura en general y la música en particular. 

Confesiones, quejas, risas y alguna que otra cosa más en este flamante segundo episodio!!

As we go deeper and deeper into an information economy Data has become the reigning, undisputed champion of buzzwords. It has managed to make its way into EVERYTHING. Why Is the world going crazy about data? What can it do for us? How can we leverage for good? And a ton of fun in this super episode featuring my good friends Leah Weiss and Gabi Steele!!