Dunn on Purpose Podcast

In this episode I share what I learned from a recent dive into the history of soapbox speaking, provide some examples of where I see the essence of soapbox still alive today, and end it with three models for structuring a soapbox speech and 3 things to keep in mind when creating and continually engaging a community. 

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This podcast starts with the inspiring story of King C. Gillette and his DRIVE to succeed then shifts into Gillette's new viral ad campaign "The Best a Man can Be". I talk about why they've taken this approach and share my thoughts on how the ad is intended to communicate to the culture and build community. 

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Happy to share this conversation I had with Addie Moore, a talented illustrator, high school art teacher, and creative individual who is building  a community called ETX Creatives. We chat about how artists communicate, the art world in general, museums, and how she is building a stronger community of creatives in East Texas. 

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I noticed that my shorter episodes were getting more plays so I decided to create a segment around it and do more of them. This is the first of a batch of 4 to start the New Year with with DRIVE!

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In the last episode of 2018 I share the results of a recent poll I took about new year's resolutions, my thoughts on a crappy article about how New Years Resolutions don't work, and my perspective and thoughts on the year ahead. Happy New Year! 

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Here's my newest poem that was written specifically for a holiday event called the Chanu-Klezmer Concert. My friend Neal Katz organizes this event every year and was kind enough to ask me to participate. I hope you enjoy! Have a Merry Christmas! 

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When I think of Strong Communication, hip hop definitely comes to mind. I'm a big fan of hip hop music, and was happy to have a great conversation with my friend Chris Patton aka DJ Cicero (@ciceromode) about some of our favorite albums that dropped in 2018. We talk our personal top 5, a large list of honorable mentions, the Grammy nominations for Best Rap Album, what Cicero is doing in our local hip hop community and much more. This is my first "interview" in a while, but have many more lined up! Give a subscribe and a review!

Follow Cicero @ciceromode and on SoundCloud.com/cicero4patpro
Follow Aaron @aarondunnworks
Join the Hip Hop Heads group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/510997825958847/

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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.poweracronym.com

Felt inspired today! This episode is a return to this podcasts' roots of exploring different ideas and how they apply to our life of progress. Also give a hint at the next episode. Here's a bit of what this podcast is about:

Being overly ambitious has brought me plenty of opportunity but it has also brought me to high water.

It may be that I'm trying to compensate for the resistance that comes with each opportunity.
It also could also be pride. Or ego. A mix of all of this.

Facebook's early value "move fast and break things" comes to mind. With speed comes growth, "breaking things" requires creativity and propels innovation. But this does not permit recklessness. Breaking things "within reason" doesnt have quite the same ring to it.

I had the thought while working out but this applies in other arenas. I'm learning that the technique and strategy we use when making moves in business is equally important as the ones we use when moving heavy weight with our limbs.

Acheiving a new "personal record" in each arena takes special technique.

I'm working on taking the time to be coached. To breathe correctly, get the right form and make the proper technique applied at the right time the way to maximize the effectiveness of myself and others.

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Here's the poem I wrote based on the idea that was explored in my previous podcast episode. To me, the poem presents the idea better than the actual explanation, which is part of why I enjoy the medium.

Here's the poem:

Not sure if you follow hip hop,
But lately there's been talk about
The rules of rap beef and
How far is too far...
 
At what level of fame
Is it ok to hate
on another person's spouse,
or dying best friend?
 
If the game being played
Is a cat and mouse charade
Of the mouth,
Mindless entertainment
Character assassination via
Oratory acme bricks,
When does the harm come in?
 
When the hustle never ends
The show never quits
 
Not sure if you follow politics
But lately there's been
A lot of talk about the
Elevated rhetoric
And who's responsible
For the violence
 
In what shape of space
Is it ok to hate?
 
Home studio,
Writers room,
Or Oval office?
 
If attention is the name of the game,
Why not cry wolf?
And when nobody comes running,
Assume the role yourself?
 
Not sure if you follow me or not
But the other day I got a lot of comments
About a decision I can't undo
 
I voted.
 
Yeah I got the sticker for social proof
But please hold your "yeah"'s and "woo"'s because
I voted for Ted Cruz
 
And while you carefully select your preferred dialect of boo
Let me say I voted for Trump too.
 
Decisions I can't undo.
 
 
I'm not here to explain why
Or to debate the issues
Just to share my point of view
 
Cause the moment I tell you WHO I voted for
 
is the moment of "truth or fake news,
 
The "I Voted" sticker turns into a face tattoo
 
Not sure if you follow the youth,
But they are more than willing to
Tattoo their face,
dye their hair red or blue
Have scandals with women and
Talk about opioid addiction
until you do
 
Now does that sound like a rapper or a politician to you?
 
I have a scarlet letter
Across my cheek
A symbol of free speech
Ideas I believe
With my own set of
shadows behind me
 
My face tat says I voted
 
And as much as I condemn
Inciting violence, aggressive speech, misogyny, and money making policies,
From MAGA Hats to Wu Tang's CREAM
It seems that's what's running the country
 
Why does the beat of our own drum always sounds the catchiest
 
Not sure if you catch my drift,
But I'm trying to make sense of whether
 
Life imitates art
Or if
Rap imitates politics
 
Do I listen to my conscious
Or whatever the trending topic is?
 
Play one party track
Or listen to both sides of the media spin?
 
Sign with a label
Or stay independent?
 
Now, that's what I call an entertaining argument!
 
 
 
Time for a definition:
 
A Potemkin Village
In politics and economics is
Any Construction built solely
To deceive others into thinking that a situation is
Better than it really is
 
In rap, that's called capping
In politics, that's called a campaign
 
Regardless of if you wear a
Power tie or icy chains,
 
The number for the money phone
Stays the same
 
Rappers went from being the dealer to the fiend
Politicians went from diplomatic to obscene
 
And we all live inbetween the web of clicks and streams
 
And just like Lincoln,
We will watch the theater play out until
It's too late to avoid becoming the victim
 
 
While everybody keeps pressing play
On a release date
Or election day
 
 
Those who have ears to hear will listen

Follow me: @aarondunnworks

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