Feeding Curiosity

— JESSICA MATAT

Jessica Matat is an Egyptian-American freelance producer who got her Bachelor's degree in film and television at Boston University. She also studied filmmaking and fashion photography at New York Film Academy.

Outside of school, Jessica has worked for various productions and studied in many major cities including Miami, Boston, New York, London, and Los Angeles.

With a passionate drive for telling international stories, Jessica's eye for relatable and out-of-the-box content is reflected in her resilient work ethic. She strives to assist each company she works for in pushing the envelope towards diverse storytelling.

Connect with Jessica:

Website

Instagram

Networking for Career Filmmakers Facebook Group

Show Notes:

(00:05:13) Who is Jessica Matat?

(00:06:14) What is a producer?

(00:08:58) What is the dynamic of the partnership?

(00:10:33) Building Trust

(00:12:23) Cancel Culture

(00:18:16) Stepping outside of your comfort zone

(00:21:45) Getting past mental roadblocks

(00:24:50) The children of Immigrants

(00:28:38) Where did the passion for storytelling or film come from?

(00:32:00) Doing the work

(00:39:25) The power of consistency

(00:44:22) Uyghur Muslims in China

(00:52:50) What this situation reminds Jessica of?

(01:00:31) Being respectful of different beliefs

(01:03:35) Closing thoughts

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

— JORDAN CRISS

My guest, today on the podcast, is returning guest and longtime friend, Jordan Criss.  On this episode, we do this one for the first time remotely. All other conversations I've had with Jordan on the podcast have all been in person, but now having adjusted to living in LA, just over three weeks at the time of this recording. We spend a lot of this time talking about what we do in our lives and how they've changed.

We start with football and talk about mastery that we see in how football has changed. From there, we transitioned to very broader topics of work ethic, mastery, and craft that then transitioned to our own personal lives and how we embody those things for ourselves. The biggest one being that because we work remotely now are having transition periods within our days. We talk about the flow state and what we can do to trigger those things in ourselves. Still another aspect is that when we feel that down about the current situation or just not wanting to do anything, it affects our own mental health.

Then lastly, but not least we cover music and the things we miss about music, but also the things that are so unique that music allows people to feel things that they normally don't allow them to feel or be in the live concert and how that's different than just experiencing it through headphones.

Similarly, when you go experience, live music is somewhat like experiencing a photograph of something rather than being there. So there are all these immersive qualities that we talk about that are really inherent to creativity and the human experience. You have to be a part of it and immerse yourself in things.

As always, my conversations with Jordan, Criss wide-ranging and don't let up the gas the entire time. So with that, everyone, please enjoy this conversation with Jordan Criss.

Show Notes:

(00:05:17) Fires on the west coast

(00:09:10) Football is back and Tom Brady 

(00:12:16) Tom Brady - Work Ethic

(00:13:47) Self Belief

(00:15:32) Can you create self-belief?

(00:20:14) Mike Tyson and Fight Preparation

(00:21:48) Where are you putting your time in

(00:23:58) Hard Work and Talent

(00:27:04) When you don’t pursue your purpose?

(00:29:16) How moving affects your routine?

(00:31:44) Giving yourself an off day

(00:33:29) Extracting skill from games

(00:36:28) Getting deeper into meditation

(00:39:31) Transitions in your day

(00:46:19) Focus Triggers

(00:51:48) What does curiosity sound like as a song?

(00:53:40) Live music

(00:58:14) Capture experiences in a different way

(00:59:54) Seeing Angels and Airwaves live

(01:07:35) Is music a human characteristic?

(01:10:51) Dissect podcast

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

— NICK BUEGEL

My guest, today on the podcast, is Nick Buegel. In this conversation, we try to unpack how Nick has adjusted during this pandemic. Like many of you, this has been a time of extreme change. And change that many of us don't either want to happen or have to accept that's happening. All of our routines have changed and shifted and adjusted. And in many ways, we have to learn to lean into that change and accept it for what it is. 

For me personally, I'd thought of this as a way to, even though there are certain things of this that I don't enjoy, like I can't go out and travel like I had planned to do, given that I'm finally out of school, but now. I thought, what can I do to learn? So that by the time this all. 

Goes away or dissipates somehow come out better for it. And Nick, I think, is a true example of how to make the most out of this situation, making. Lemonade out of lemons. And the other part of this is we get into some ideas around social media and the polarization within the internet sphere. 

 This podcast was recorded in early September before the debates, and before all of this political stuff had really ramped up to the degree that it is now. I think we get too many points that other people will find useful. Thinking about their own beliefs and ideas and how to help handle other people's ideas they might disagree with and but that everyone please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Nick Buegel.

Show notes:

(00:05:21) How did Nick react to the pandemic?

(00:06:45) Anchoring in purpose

(00:08:00) Adjusting to being furloughed

(00:11:29) What books have impacted the most?

(00:15:12) Accepting change

(00:20:10) Focusing on what we can control

(00:23:47) Becoming Part of the Whole

(00:26:32) Being present and reading

(00:29:29) Getting out in nature

(00:32:31) What helped take action?

(00:35:44) Information Diet

(00:37:58) Managing Social Media Use

(00:44:24) A question of priorities

(00:48:02) A cultural phenomenon we haven't quite figured out yet

(00:52:28) The iPod in the Twenties

(00:54:23) Gifts and Curses of Technology

(01:02:33) The Century of the Self

(01:08:29) Your digital doppelganger

(01:10:07) Connected on Netflix

(01:13:09) Closing thoughts

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

My guest today is Adam Lowenstein returning to the podcast. Adam is the author of Reframe the day, embracing the craft of life one day at a time, which outlines 10 practices for creating a more filling life. Adam briefed, as he spent eight years working in the American government in politics, most recently as a speechwriter and a strategic communication advisor in the United States Senate today. Adam lives in London with his partner, Erin, and frequently writes about politics, work, and life. 

As I said, this is Adam's second time on the podcast. And we left our first conversation, which I'll link in the show notes with many cliffhangers and much more to unpack. We took a few weeks and reconnected. And in this conversation, we spend a lot of our time talking around achievement and reorienting the goalpost of our life and how we get swept up by short-term thinking and what we're doing as a selfish pursuit when trying to lead a more fulfilling life. In reality, you should try to develop yourself to be the best version of yourself because you can be a better person for those you care about. And then by proxy for the world. And we spend some time near the end of this conversation, talking about voting. This podcast is releasing right as the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

And we all know how that went. This podcast couldn't be any more timely because I can't see a more important time that we need as many of us to get out there and speak our minds and do what we can do in a democracy. We have more power individually than we think we do. 

If we all decided to speak on something or decided to talk with each other at the very least, we could create a groundswell. And I think we can do that. And toward the end, I said it, and he reiterated that the point of podcasting and the point of being an active and engaged citizen is changing the world one conversation at a time. I can totally get behind that. I hope that you take something away from this conversation. Please enjoy this conversation with Adam Lowenstein.

Show Notes:

(00:05:36) Why makes Colorado different

(00:17:28) Chasing achievement

(00:20:27) Attention being pulled in multiple directions

(00:28:00) Immersing yourself in the mundane

(00:31:05) The moving goal post of happiness

(00:33:02) Doing the work and craft

(00:36:03) Shouldn't the work speak for itself

(00:38:52) Writing to make sense of the world

(00:43:43) Your brain is like an internet browser

(00:45:47) Everything is a practice

(00:48:48) Making sense of the world

(00:51:43) Exercise your right to vote

(00:55:40) How Adam exercises control in politics

(01:03:44) Development Cycle

(01:04:45) Closing

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

"Over the years, I learned to fall in love with the long process of mastery."

Krista Stryker is the founder of 12 Minute Athlete, a leading expert on high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and bodyweight fitness. She is also the author of the new book, The 12-Minute Athlete.

Growing up a super-athletic family, Krista played team sports but felt like the athletic gene had skipped her. She never attempted a push up until she was in college when her brother—who called her ‘spaghetti arms’—challenged her to do one. As she struggled through that first push up, she realized that she had the potential to become an ‘athletic person’!

With a few years, she became certified as a personal trainer and started working long hours in a popular New York City gym. She diligently tried all kinds of fitness programs—running, cardio, weight training, sports-specific training, and Crossfit—ending up overtrained, injured, and exhausted, without ever seeing the results she wanted. Then she discovered high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and bodyweight workouts, and everything changed.

Krista developed a system of workouts that could be done in little space, with few pieces of equipment, and in the shortest time possible. Best of all, they actually worked, for her and her clients. Before long, Krista was doing feats of exercise she never thought possible, like pull-ups, handstands, and 100 burpees in six minutes flat. Since launching 12 Minute Athlete in 2013, Krista has helped tens of thousands of people work toward their full athletic potential.

Show Notes:

(00:03:13) Adjusting to the new normal

(00:04:52) Escaping the negative headspaces

(00:06:53) The power of the breath

(00:09:50) Gratitude

(00:13:25) Chunking the day

(00:14:50) Getting into the present

(00:17:42) Why did writing capture her attention?

(00:20:12) What does the writing process look like?

(00:21:57) Long Term commitment and mastery

(00:26:05) The point of training

(00:28:32) Examples to mark your own progress

(00:31:14) The power of books

(00:34:34) What do you miss the most now?

(00:38:20) Language Learning

(00:41:53) Dealing with uncertainty

(00:44:51) Taking Action

(00:47:30) Recommended books and podcasts

(00:50:24) Starting a new habit and making it actionable? 

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

Today on the podcast, we are joined by Darin Davidson. Darin is an orthopedic surgeon. Darin is the founder of Darin Davidson MD consulting to improve everyone’s health and wellness to integrate holistic principles within the traditional medical model. By combining the best available knowledge and evidence from all fields that contribute to human performance and wellness, such as medicine, psychology, sleep, nutrition, and exercise, we can obtain the greatest well-being.

I'm sure most of you who just heard me list that out sounds similar to how I think about the world. I resonated with a lot of Darin's viewpoints and how he could see what wasn't working within these standards, medical practice. So he finished his. Residency in 2009. And over that time, he got to see a lot of the things that we now know inside the medical field, the high levels of burnout, the crazy hours, and schedules.

In this conversation, I tried to pull on the threads of how Darin saw the medical world. And so how were the things that weren't working and now trying to. Apply the things he saw in his personal life into the medical practice to improve the quality of life for those around him.

And without everyone, please enjoy this wide-ranging conversation with Darin Davidson.

Show Notes:

(00:04:00) Where did the interest in medicine start?

(00:04:42) Why did sports catch his attention?

(00:06:11) The long road to becoming a doctor

(00:07:55) How did Darin deal with struggles while in Med School?

(00:09:26) What did it feel like approaching graduation?

(00:12:10) Pushing back on the achievement accomplishments

(00:14:37) How did Darin confront burnout?

(00:16:09) Sport Psychology

(00:17:42) How did Darin view sleep?

(00:20:15) How did Darin start reincorporating these new mindsets?

(00:23:12) Explaining Mindfulness

(00:29:04) Compassion and empathy

(00:31:46) Limiting screen time

(00:34:01) Promoting health and wellness

(00:35:09) Silver Linings of the quarantine

(00:37:38) What seems to be the impactful part of performance psychology?

(00:40:18) Recovery from mental stress

(00:41:59) Being without sports and social benefits

(00:45:16) Promoting wellness

(00:46:54) Daily Routines

(00:50:11) Gifted or Impactful books

(00:51:54) Advice to pivoting in uncertain times?

(00:52:56) What anchor's your day?

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

— ALEX IVY

Today on the podcast. I am joined by two of my returning guests and closest friends. Jordan Criss and Alex Ivy. And the reason I have them on the podcast today was pretty special to me. Jordan and Alex, at the time of this recording, are now living in LA. And this conversation took place roughly three weeks ago. As they were packing up to leave and we covered that. 

But the whole point was I'm assuming many of you just had a wait, what, why would you leave right now? And that's the whole point. Because in the pandemic, the idea of moving sounds insane. But. The idea of moving at any point in your life, making a big drastic change. Be it a job. Be it a relationship, be it moving to a new place. Why now? Is always the question. 

And the answer to that should be, why not? If you've done all the research you can, it just feels like the right move, and you can make it happen. Then make it happen. And that's why the title is podcast is on taking the leap. I think this is so important. 

With that, everyone. I really enjoyed this conversation with Jordan and Alex, and I hope you do too. They're some of the most amazing people I've ever met, and I cannot wait to visit them in LA. And with that, everyone, please enjoy this conversation with Jordan Criss and Alex Ivy.  

Show Notes:

(00:04:01) A Home Studio Dream

(00:04:56) Leaving for California

(00:06:21) Leading up to the move

(00:11:22) Why Alex wants to go to LA

(00:12:05) Why mural paintings?

(00:14:40) Why did acrylic painting catch her attention?

(00:16:26) Acrylic Dip

(00:18:12) How did Alex adjust to the quarantine?

(00:19:33) The pandemic is a blessing

(00:24:25) Decision Fatigue

(00:27:00) Social Battery

(00:29:24) Introversion and Extroversion are a spectrum

(00:31:59) Trying new foods

(00:36:00) Diets and eating consciously

(00:39:22) The experience of eating out

(00:41:48) Anxiety around moving

(00:45:50) Finding the good in the bad

(00:47:24) Too much focus on the negatives

(00:50:52) Quality of conversation on Facebook

(00:54:08) Growing pains for a world culture

(00:56:16) Why move now?

(00:57:42) Closing

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

Today on the podcast we are joined by Lindsey Sherwin. Lindsey is a professional actress, youth and family therapist. She employs therapeutic drama, expressive arts, and counseling techniques to work with adolescents, families, artists, and creative entrepreneurs to resolve problems, make new choices, and expand their creativity throughout all areas of their lives.

She continues to train as a Registered Drama Therapist in community mental health. She has worked with several non-profit organizations based in the United States and Europe, to address mental and behavioral health through the expressive arts, specifically through drama and poetry writing.

Lindsey is the creator and founder of You Are The Shift, LLC, an expressive arts therapies empowerment-based consulting company, and Shift’s coaching platform Shift.It coaching for artists, actors, and creatives.

She earned her BA in Arts and Humanities from University College London, a Master of Social Science in Applied Sociology, Community Studies, and Social Welfare from Birkbeck, University of London, and certificate courses in Psychology from Brigham Young University and Drama and the Creative Arts Therapies from the Drama Therapy Institute of Los Angeles.

Show Notes:

(00:04:38) Who is Lindsey and what does she do?

(00:07:54) What drew Lindsey to the performing arts?

(00:10:30) Psychodrama and Theater of Spontaneity

(00:13:39) Example of Psychodrama

(00:16:16) Action Methods

(00:20:31) Thoughts on isolation

(00:23:35) Connecting through technology and silver linings

(00:25:36) Letting yourself grow

(00:31:47) How do you respond to difficult situations?

(00:34:19) Releasing stress or tension

(00:36:31) Rescripting

(00:39:27) Aldred Adler and Individual Psychology

(00:43:18) Being a professional and responsibility

(00:47:56) A problem with vision

(00:49:16) Knowing your limits on what you are qualified to help with

(00:53:13) Finding the root cause

(00:56:14) Helping artist share their stories

(00:57:44) How would you help someone find their footing?

(01:03:38) Lindsey's Vision

(01:06:38) Where to connect with Lindsey

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

Adam M. Lowenstein is the author of Reframe the Day: Embracing the Craft of Life, One Day at a Time outlines 10 practices for creating a more fulfilling life by building more fulfilling days. Adam previously spent eight years working in American government and politics, most recently as speechwriter and strategic communications advisor in the United States Senate. Today, Adam lives in London with his partner, Erin, and frequently writes about politics, work, and life. Visit his website, see his latest work, and subscribe to his newsletter at www.adaml.blog.

Show Notes:

(00:03:53) Adam's Background

(00:06:41) Broken Narratives or Imported Values

(00:08:34) The Case Study of Millennials

(00:12:17) How COVID is affecting all of us

(00:13:59) Being ok with less control

(00:18:13) Everything takes practice

(00:20:32) It's how habits make you a better human not keeping up with the habit

(00:22:32) What is Adam's Reset

(00:25:51) Silver Bullet Soap Box

(00:29:04) You Can't Hack Your Way to Happiness

(00:33:33) We're still human at the end of the day

(00:36:44) Judging your self worth

(00:40:51) Who you are is not what you do

(00:44:10) How would help someone separate their identity?

(00:49:17) False Expectations

(00:50:51) The power of vision

(00:53:42) Steven Pressfield

(00:56:18) Seeing life as a trajectory

(00:57:40) Dealing with curveballs of life

(00:59:25) Craft and Mastery

(01:07:34) Self and Societal Improvement

(01:08:41) Connecting with Adam

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

We are joined by Jonathan Lubecky. Jonathan served in the United States Marine Corps from 1995 to 1999. Following the tragedy on 9/11, Jonathan joined the North Carolina National Guard and was deployed to Iraq. Upon returning home, Jonathan started experiencing nightmares and flashbacks. He developed a crippling PTSD, which was complicated by his head trauma is PTSD culminated in five suicide attempts. That should have been successful after it's final suicide attempt with nothing left to lose. He enrolled in experimental MDMA therapy. The treatment eliminated his suicidal ideation reduced his PTSD by 50% and his depression by 70%. Currently, Jonathan is the MAPS veteran and government affairs liaison.

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

Founded in 1986, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and educational organization that develops medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics and marijuana.

Show Notes:

(00:07:35) Jonathan's Military Background

(00:09:29) PTSD and Trauma

(00:11:53) The symptoms keep you alive in a combat zone

(00:13:32) A sense of community coming home

(00:15:39) Being praised for service

(00:19:07) An alternative to praise for service?

(00:20:45) The Homecoming

(00:24:42)Trauma and access to support

(00:27:17) Healing mental injuries

(00:31:13) How Jonathan got involved with the trial

(00:34:31) The Experience of MDMA Therapy

(00:38:21) Portraying PTSD in pop culture

(00:41:01) How trauma is transmitted in families

(00:42:24) What if MDMA Therapy was normalized sooner?

(00:45:59) Bringing people together

(00:51:43) The Stigma around psychedelics and new uses

(00:53:30) MAPS Capstone Challenge

(00:56:02) Closing thoughts and connecting with Jonathan

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/