Winter is a time when everything cools down, including our schedules. Your hosts are preparing for a active season, but are you? In this episode, we discuss what the weather does to our workload, and how you can successfully utilize this downtime to ensure a productive spring and summer.

Sometimes you need to stop your life for a while, and relax. With Nicholas going on vacation, it's time to encourage you to do so as well. In this episode, how to avoid burning out before you need rest.

This week in the news: if your Snapchat account was compromised (it's your fault), Dropbox denies allegations of a security breach, Skype launches Qik (yet another useless short video messaging app), and how to anonymize everything you do online.

On the table today: quitting. Is it unequivocally bad? As children, we were taught never to quit, or falter in our convictions, especially when pursuing a path laid out by our parents. But as we age, the circumstances surrounding this once controversial action have increased in complexity. We discuss when to quit, why you might want to, and the potential upsides.

We get it: artists are afraid of business. Potential entrepreneurs are too. But in a world where everyone is a wanna-be, a select few stand out. They alone are the proud, the doers: the ones who chase their dreams and make them happen. Are you one of them? This week on Dispatch, your hosts are joined by powerhouse founder Marcus Whitney, who volunteers real answers to the problems facing tomorrow's business leaders.

This week is a bit different than usual: your hosts are joined by Stephanie and Logan, members of the light-electronic band Voodoo Boogaloo. They're in town, wrapping up a 8-week tour with 7 shows in Chicago, so we asked them to stop by. In this episode, conversations about life on the road, and live performances from our special guests.

This week, your hosts are joined by Patrick O'Rourke, the improv-comedian turned podcaster. Two years ago, he founded the popular network, Peaches and Hot Sauce. Learn more about his journey, and this podcast kingpin's money-stuffed mattress today on Dispatch.

Emily Ember is a extraordinarily talented and focused young actor. As a recent graduate from Northwestern University, she's preparing to step out into the real world. Today, Joshua and Nicholas chat with her about the realities of life as an artist.

Brad Eshbach loves space. Yes, I'm referring to the dark, airless, void that seems to swallow all. But more specifically, he admires the fearless explorers who routinely visit it and run experiments for the good of all mankind. In fact, Brad is so in love with those explorers that he created an app and website, "How Many People Are In Space Right Now?" Today, your intrepid hosts chat with Brad about his creation.

As old models of supporting artists' work have slowly died off, which ones remain? Hint: there are plenty of ways to earn a living from your work, but none are for the faint of heart. In this episode, your hosts are joined by graphic designer and painter Brad Blackman to discuss head-on why artists are afraid of business, and how they can learn to conquer their fears.