Doing the Thing: How and Why People Create

Barber Aaron Johnson joins us to discuss what he's passionate about - forming relationships with his clients, heavy metal, wrestling and smash burger streaming. Gary Gulley of Alarmist Brewing attempts to derail the conversation at every turn (thanks Gary). DEFINITELY NOT FOR KIDS.

In this episode Brad Pierson and I talk to Gary Gulley, founder and owner of Alarmist Brewing, an award-winning brewery and taproom in Chicago. How do you transition from home brewing to founding a big operation? How does a background in engineering translate to the brewery business? And how do you make it through a day surrounded by all that delicious beer?

Brad Pierson joins the show to talk about how he got his start as a choral conductor, what the future holds for his exciting new podcast and how to get the most sleep as a new dad (hint: you don't).

Recorded in person on the front porch of Ben's lovely North Carolina home, we sip beverages and talk about our sometimes fraught relationships with music. Featuring Ben's arrangement of our theme song and several special guests, including a dog name Herschel, a series of pickup trucks and a daddy long legs.

Mezzo-soprano and new music advocate Megan Ihnen joins Eric Malmquist and Morgan Frank to talk about crafting her career, creating a community and coaching her colleagues.

Morgan joins "Doing the Thing" and guest host Ariana Strahl to talk about her writing process, collaborating with composers and mechanical robots.

Soprano Ariana Strahl talks about classical singing and the opera business, including the joys of finding friendship and community, the limitations of preconceptions of classical voice types, and navigating a career. Also, there are cats.