Back in the studio FINALLY. Here's a quick teaser of where the curators cup podcast is headed for season 2 as well as a quick shout out to another project in the works called Build a Better Map Podcast with Josh Reynolds. 

I fly solo this week reflecting on the three main nuggets of wisdom dropped by our guests over season 1; giving up control, receiving feedback and plugging into community. Over the last 3 months our culture has spiraled into polarizing opinions and slander. I talk about how we as humans can avoid cutting each other down with our thoughts and how putting your identity in the thing you produce or your opinions and thoughts leads to hurt and a life less full. 

This week I sit down with Kiehl Carlquist, the musician behind KEI and ask him to share stories along the path towards finding his unique voice and direction as a musician. He shares stories of his first time discovering music, different bands he's been a part of, receiving critical feedback and much more. If you are an aspiring musician Kiehl is a wealth of knowledge and encouragement for you on your journey. If you are an artist of any medium we touch on much broader topics than just music. Hear how Kiehl is creating to make the world a more beautiful place. 

Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/54SUGG4P0x9I9qUPG2qt5L

Apple Music link: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/kie/1478681110

This week the tables turn for design director of the Washington Post as I interview her for a change. We talk about her journey into journalism and how the structure of story give her the freedom to design incredibly beautiful things. We touch on how she sees herself as a journalist first, artist second and how that practically flushes out in her job. We also hit on some of our podcasts favorite topics, receiving feedback and giving up control. 

This week I sit down with Nick and Levi from Utopian Coffee Company and geek out on coffee together. Nick and Levi have a combined 15 years in the coffee industry and have a ton of wisdom to offer from roasting techniques to customer relationships and hospitality. In the episode we talk about the coffee culture in Indiana, fun stories from working in the service industry and how Utopian is striving to make better coffee for a better world. 

I sit down with Rebecca Prowse, owner and founder of Graves Co Potter in Indianapolis IN. They are known for beautiful pots and the work they do for non profits in their community. Throughout the conversation we touch on a lot of fun things. From retail design at Elder Beerman to all night tattoos. Check her website out https://gravescopottery.com to see her work and the ways that she's pouring into her community. We talk a lot about the feed the artist program in the episode. Go to https://jasonmichaelthomas.myshopify.com to follow up with that. Then we finish off talking about social justice in our community. Here are some of the resources she shares during that segment. 

Layla F Saad - http://laylafsaad.com 

Desiree Adaway - https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5ZmhiJvr3/?igshid=il8wyj8qubxl 

This week I sit down with Pastor Aron Mckay and talk about culture, church planting, and we dive down the philosophical rabbit hole and answer life's deepest questions such as "what makes humanity beautiful" and "what is our purpose in life". Aron Pastors a house church in San Clemente CA. The church there operates slightly different than a mainstream non denominational church might, in that when they meet they gather around a meal. They don't utilize traditional Sunday sermon/programs rather participate in facilitated discussion around scripture. I had a lot of fun picking Aron's brain and I'm excited to share our conversation with you. 

Todays episode is slightly different. We have hit the halfway point and want to take a look towards the future of the podcast. Trent flys solo today talking through his thoughts on the cultural climate that we find ourselves in. At timbrook group we strive to cultivate a loving community that inclusive to all. Part of creating that community means taking a stand against the things that attempt to divide us as humanity. 

This week Chris and I talk about what it is like to grow up surrounded by technology and he walks us through his process of channeling moods and creating beautiful pieces. We reflect on how the creation process helps us wrestle through anxiety and depression and I reflect on the tragedy of racism and hate in our country.