Get Overit

On Episode 28 of the Get Overit Podcast, we sit down with Matt Hawkins, president and COO of Top Cow Productions, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary as one of the biggest players in the comic book industry this year. 

“Top Cow was founded in 1992 by Mark Silvestri, one of six artists who all left Marvel comics together to form a company called Image Comics. It was Rob Liefeld, Todd McFarlane, Mark Silvestri, Jim Lee, Eric Larson, and Jim Valentino,” Matt says. “They all left together and created a new company, basically to fight for creator rights. They wanted to own their own content and they wanted to own and control the characters and their creations.” 

Matt has been at Top Cow for almost 25 years, and in the industry for a total of 29 years, though that wasn’t necessarily the path he saw himself on at the start. He wasn’t a fan of comic books growing up, and he credits his ability to write with playing Dungeons & Dragons. His academic path led toward a master’s degree in Physics from UCLA. 

His work in the comic book industry—he has written over 600 books—is steeped richly in research, which he revels in. “I do a deep dive. And in many cases, the research I do on projects takes years. I did a book called The Clock, a few years ago, which was about the weaponization of cancer. And I spent four or five years researching it, interviewed several immuno-therapists and actually brought a couple people on board that would edit me and make sure it was authentic. And in the back of books like that, which I do heavy research, I include what I call a science class, which explains the research and where they can go to see that this is actually legitimate. The idea of the weaponization of cancer might seem absurd, but it's very plausible, probable, and it could have already happened. And I explain all that and show how it works.”

Matt has had to imagine many different types of lives and scenarios for audiences of mixed interests and behaviors over his career. “The most successful book I'm writing right now is about an ethically non-monogamous couple. A romance book written for women. That book is published in 27 languages, 57 countries around the world. It's my most successful book, read primarily by middle-aged women.”

Why does Matt encourage other dreamers to look for opportunities to veer off course? “Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” he says. “Most people don't take advantage of opportunities that present themselves. I honestly got lucky. I got a lucky opportunity…And then I fought hard and honed my skills. And I've been doing this for 30 years. And you're right. I don't see me doing anything else. And I really love what I do. For me, my work is a joy.”

In today’s Get Overit Podcast, we talk to our very own Senior SEO Strategist, Dan O’Leary about his unique career path. Initially interested in STEM, he thought he would go to college for science until an English teacher inspired him to pursue writing and study English and Philosophy. He then got his Master's in Education but quickly became disenchanted with the teaching world and knew it wasn’t for him. He ended up as an adjunct professor teaching writing and general education classes until a student recommended he try copywriting for a marketing company. Eventually, he was over teaching and decided to go all-in to marketing, eventually specializing in SEO, which uniquely combines science and writing. Learn more about his journey and listen now! 

On Episode 26 of the Get Overit Podcast, we dive deep with Jennifer Hendricks-Fogg, founder and president of the Logan Strong Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing support for pediatric cancer patients and their families. The foundation is named after Jennifer’s son who was born with a malignant brain tumor and who underwent multiple surgeries to save his life. Jennifer also wrote a book detailing their experience called “Tiny Miracles.”

“In our darkest moments, we often wonder how we can ever get over it and get through. Today's guest has gone through something that most people hope that they would never experience and can imagine they could never get through, but she did,” says host Dr. Chris Fasano. 

“I tell people all the time, our story sucks. I wouldn't wish it upon anybody, but I'm a firm believer in everything happens for reason,” she says. Join us as we follow Jennifer’s journey from the ultrasound that changed her family’s life forever, to how she got through it all, and is helping others do the same. 

On this week’s episode of the podcast, we chat with Kristi Gustafson Barlette. She’s been a writer and content creator with Albany’s Times Union for over 20 years. We talk about how the job has changed over the years - from writing for newspaper and receiving mailed letters of feedback, to producing multimedia content and receiving questionable DMs across social platforms. Ultimately, she enjoys the new media landscape since it allows her to reach more people. We also touch on some of the struggles content creators deal with including the unconstructive arguing that happens on social media, and the strong opinions of the minority that can be mentally exhausting. Listen now to this thought-provoking conversation! 

Love, Teamwork, and Humor. Three words that were instilled in Greg Aidala at a young age by his dad. In this episode of the Podcast, Chris gets nostalgic as he and Greg reminisce about their big, Italian families coming together for family dinners every Sunday. A tradition Greg hopes won’t fade away. Greg’s strong family foundation laid the groundwork for his positive outlook on life. Listen now and share with a friend to help spread the word!

Will websites still be relevant in the near future? What happens when all the data out there in the digital landscape dries up and disappears? What strategies can we use still as businesses to drive traffic and convert? In today’s Get Overit Podcast episode, we discuss these topics and more with SEO Consultant Joe Hall. As the search landscape and data collection policies change, digital marketers will need to think in new ways to reach their audiences and stay relevant. Ready to Get Overit? Let’s go.

“It’s really hard to be open to things we can’t see. But sometimes, you just have to take that leap. And if you do, it can really change your life.” 

You might remember back in Episode 16, Chris mentioned his experience with a Medium and how, even though he was firmly a skeptic and man of science, it impacted his life. Today we take the conversation further by talking with Evidential Medium Christine Seebold. Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, join us for this fascinating conversation. We touch on Christine’s childhood and how her Grandmother taught her to embrace her gifts. After working over 20 years in the car industry, she had her “Get Overit” moment and quit, deciding to go full time with her Mediumship. Now she runs her own business doing readings to help people connect with loved ones, and she also teaches other Mediums who know they have gifts but aren’t sure how to use them yet. Listen now are share the show with the hashtags #GetOverit #Podcast! 

Welcome back to the Get Overit Podcast. This week’s guest is Amy Klein, CEO of Capital Roots. Since 1975, Capital Roots has been helping the Capital Region community access fresh, healthy food, originally starting as a community garden initiative, and growing to so much more. Amy has been with the organization for 25 years. When she first came in, it was on the brink of financial collapse. That might scare some people away. But Amy said, “Well, there’s no place to go up but up.” Turns out she was right about that. Get inspired and listen now! 

On Episode 20 of the Get Overit Podcast, we talk with Jeff Morad, an on-air personality with 102.7 WEQX, one of the only independent alternative radio stations left in the country. Jeff always wanted to work in radio, but when he realized he wasn’t really happy in his mainstream, corporate talk-show job, he left and moved from Denver to Upstate New York specifically for EQX. With the mindset that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer, he started filling some overnight shifts where needed… cut to 15 years later and he’s now a Program Director. Listen now! 

To kick off 2022, we’re talking about a topic that impacts us as humans every single day, but not many people are experts in… That topic is weather! We talk to Howard Altschule, who is a Certified Consulting Meteorologist and the founder of Forensic Weather Consultants – a company that works to prove or disprove weather events during court proceedings. He’s consulted on court cases of all kinds, from insurance fraud to homicide. We also talk about storm chasing, what it would be like to fly through a hurricane, his charity of work helping kids, and Chris gets an answer to a life-long question: What is hail, anyway? Listen now!