Feisworld Podcast

In a recent Mastermind conversation with alumni from Seth Godin's altMBA, we talked about overcoming plateaus (as content creators) and the very moment where we feel stuck. 

One of the group members, Gustavo Serafini said, “What if we can embrace the plateau?”

It made me pause. Not only am I asked to fight my enemy, now I need to make friends with it too?!

There is no easy path to consistency and consistently delivering your work, no matter how interesting they appear at the beginning. As a podcaster, I find myself struggling from time to time, especially when I am about to launch a new episode.

I love my guest but the work itself can be so hard and time-consuming. The next thing you know, you are saying no to friends’ parties, or that lovely walk you want to take on a Sunday afternoon. Instead, you need to stick to your schedule and SHIP. 

So I decided to post a question in the Podcast Community public group on Facebook. The answers are unexpectedly heartwarming and useful. 

Why not share the feedback from more than two dozens of podcasters who have made friends with their plateaus? 

Andrew, Kevin and Gasya Atherton are a family of circus artists working at Cirque du Soleil. 

Andrew and Kevin Atherton were professional gymnasts in Britain before joining Cirque du Soleil at the age of 24. 18 years later, they have performed in major Cirque shows (Varekai, Zarkana, IRIS, Paramour) around the world, often as headliners with their one of a kind aerial strap performance. 

Gasya Atherton is a Cirque hand-balancer, who has become an overnight internet sensation when she shared her workout videos with her children, Kamali and Kaysen, in early 2017. Since then Gasya has built a tribe of 200,000+ engaging fans, including many inspired parents, on her Instagram page.

For show notes, favorite quotes and goodies, visit www.feisworld.com 

One of the most requested episodes is here - with Cirque du Soleil hand balancer, Instagram sensation - Gasya Akhmetova-Atherton.

Joining Cirque at the tender age of 17, Gasya is now mother to two beautiful and adorable children - Kamali and Kaysen. Over the past 2.5 years, I’ve grown much closer to the entire family and watch the kids grow up. In between that time, something magical happened.

For show notes, insights and details, visit: www.feisworld.com 

Shana Carroll is a Founding Director at the 7 Fingers from Montreal, Quebec. She was a trapeze artist before becoming an acrobatic designer and choreographer at Cirque du Soleil.

After interviewing a number of acrobats from Cirque, my listeners requested to learn more about people behind the scenes. Therefore I started researching directors, creators, storytellers from various shows. Shana jumped out at me, not only because she's been an integral part of many major Cirque shows, but also her daring nature in taking on new projects that have never been done before. 

She was an Artistic Director for Paramour in New York City. Paramour was the first-ever Cirque du Soleil and Broadway collaboration. There were plenty of very positive but also negative reviews about the show. I absolutely loved it and watched it for four times with families and friendly. Not to mention that my two friends, Andi and Kevin Atherton, were headliners in Paramour. 

Most recently, Shana was asked to create the first-ever, on-ice experience for Cirque called CRYSTAL. 

How does it work? Will it work? Shana didn't know the answers. In fact, nobody knew. 

In recent years, Cirque du Soleil received criticism for having "too much of the same thing". Some viewers openly complained on social media that many of the acts in the shows are repetitive. Once you've seen one, you've seen them all. 

Though I find this conclusion highly inaccurate, I could see why some people, especially those who go to more than one show, might feel this way. After all, acrobatic acts have a limited number of traditional and modern acts, and it takes years if not a lifetime to perfect the training.

Today, special effects have brainwashed many people to believe that anything is possible (snap your fingers and expect to be blown away completely). Hence it takes even more for circus acts to impress people - children and adults! 

Creating a Cirque show on the ice was no easy endeavor. Shana spoke with me in great details about the creative process and how she navigated rounds of approvals to get the idea across without any actors or actresses in her meetings. "That was the hardest part." She told me. Shana needed to convey an idea that is entirely based on acts, movements, and music through her own words. 

The creative elements of Crystal were finally approved and that was when the rubber meets the road. Shana had to make the show work. She tells us how world-class skaters work with Cirque acrobats; how different acts transition through the stage (full-size ice arenas); how everyone comes together once a month during a workshop to refine their acts. 

Before our conversation, I saw Shana's career choice as new and exciting. Many would probably agree. However, meet

Show notes, tools and resources: www.feisworld.com/blog/gypsy-snider

Gypsy Snider is one of the Founders at 7 Fingers, a contemporary circus collective, where she works as a writer and choreographer.

Gypsy has a unique childhood. Both of her parents are not only circus actors but had their own circus as a family business, where Gyspy performed since the age of five.

Gypsy is the creator for REVERSIBLE, an interactive experience "inspired by the soaring spirit and simple spark of human nature".

Reversible represents the best of the contemporary circus by shining a spotlight on the poetry of the human form and linking every ending to a new beginning. Through an electrifying mix of theatre, illusion, dance, music and acrobatics, Reversible is dedicated to past generations whose stories might hold the key to a better tomorrow.

Show notes, tools and resources: www.feisworld.com/blog/margo-aaron

Part 1 fo 2 with Margo Aaron

I met Margo Aaron ( @margoaaron ) through Seth Godin’s altMBA course in early 2017, a transformational experience that helped me realize my potential, where I want to take Feisworld, and met lots of likeminded people. Margo was one of them.

Our conversation was brutally honest and invigorating to both of us. Nobody tells the truth, the behind-the-scenes stories of early entrepreneurship.  That's precisely what we are here to do.

We might offend some of you, who believe climbing the corporate ladder is the only way, or prefer sitting in meeting all day rather than getting things done.

Part 1 fo 2 with Margo Aaron

I met Margo Aaron ( @margoaaron ) through Seth Godin’s altMBA course in early 2017, a transformational experience that helped me realize my potential, where I want to take Feisworld, and met lots of likeminded people. Margo was one of them. 

Our conversation was brutally honest and invigorating to both of us. Nobody tells the truth, the behind-the-scenes stories of early entrepreneurship.  That's precisely what we are here to do.

We might offend some of you, who believe climbing the corporate ladder is the only way, or prefer sitting in meeting all day rather than getting things done. 

Meet today's superhero, Eli Schwamm, who has appeared on an earlier episode of Feisworld in Episode 27 (nearly 3 years ago), where he introduced himself with a rap song he had written. That episode remains to be one of the most popular, most downloaded of all time.

While in high school, Eli learned to produce music, had a near 4.0 GPA, and volunteered at Samaritans in Boston for a few years. He even went back there to continue his work during the summer when he’s in college. 

So where has he been? Where is he now? 

Eli and I talked about giving and receiving feedback, a more authentic understanding of empathy, his relentless curiosity towards the healthcare system. 

He interned at Mass General Hospital, Boston Medical Center, and received his EMT certification. 

Eli believes that there is a special connection between people that is "only uniquely possible in a healthcare setting".

Now as a Junior at Vassar college, Eli spends his "off hours" working at a transitional community helping previously incarcerated young adults. 

This conversation intrigued me to rethink the possibilities for millennials. What can they do to make the world a better place, for themselves? 

If you enjoy this episode, please consider sharing it with ONE MORE PERSON. 

Meet our unsung heroine, self-made artist, Dorie Clark (@dorieclark).

Dorie is a lovely human being, who also happens to be a successful marketing strategy consultant, professional speaker, and frequent contributor to the Harvard Business Review. 

She has now authored three best selling books - Reinventing You, Stand Out, and most recently in October 2017, she released Entrepreneurial You. 

Why write this book? 

"There's a major obstacle professionals face when they contemplate taking the leap: how to actually make money doing what they love. You may have incredible talent and novel ideas, but figuring out how to get started, building your reputation in a new realm, developing multiple revenue streams, and bringing in a steady flow of new clients can be a daunting prospect."

Learn more on our blog: https://www.feisworld.com/blog/dorie-clark-entrepreneurial-you

Today's guest: 

Cosmo Buono is a Steinway Artist and the Chairman and CEO of Alexander & Buono International. He played in major capitals and festivals throughout the world. In addition to performing, Mr. Buono has distinguished himself as not only as a sought-after piano coach, but also one of the foremost teachers of the Leschetizky Method in the United States.  

Visit our website for more info and discover other episodes you might love: www.feisworld.com/blog/cosmo-buono