Good People, Cool Things

Allyson Chapa, author of The Marching Ant, gives us a real efficient how-to of putting a book out into the world. We're starting with writing it, telling stories, and exploring cover design, marketing and editing resources, and what all comes next now that the book is here. 

Plus, we dive into delicious quarantine hobbies, why the writing community is so wonderful, and drop effective tips for staying organized. Ain't nothing better than that!

It’s a podcast with podcasters! Madeleine Cheyette and Catherine Wang of the Dished podcast join the show to talk all things food. We’re diving into how cooking is an homage to both culture and creativity, what it takes to start a podcast, and some of the favorite guests Dished has had on the show—plus a scoop on a few episodes to come. 

This episode also might have the most wholesome moment in the entire show, when Madeleine and Catherine share what they like best about each other. It’s a segment that will most certainly make you say “awww,” and I encourage you to reach out to someone you care about and tell them something nice. We’re making people’s days today!

Small businesses face their own unique challenges and opportunities, and sometimes a little push in the right direction can help re-energize both the business and all the people involved. That’s the goal of Small Business Revolution, an Emmy-nominated show that has traveled all across the United States to work with small business owners. 

The show features business, marketing, operational, technical, and sometimes financial guidance to take companies to new heights. In Season 6 (available on Hulu and smallbusinessrevolution.org), the show is headed to si x Black-owned small businesses in neighborhoods around Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN. 

As always, Amanda Brinkman serves as the show creator and host, and she’s welcoming former NBA All-Star and entrepreneur Baron Davis as her season six cohost. Baron has been involved with all kinds of successful businesses, including Vitamin Water and Thrive Global, so he fits perfectly into the spirit of the show. 

The duo shares a sneak peek of the upcoming season, why the show is so good at building community, and they’re dropping all kinds of advice. I hope you’ve got your notepad ready. 

Also, I wrote a book! Grab your copy from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Bookshop.

Calling herself “a gateway drug to classical music,” Jeeyoon Kim has been playing piano for about 90% of her life. She’s certainly learned a few things along the way, from discipline and routine to overcoming nerves—fighting monsters inside of us—to the ways music can open up new adventures for people. 

When she’s not tickling the ivories, Jeeyoon also has her own YouTube channel and podcast, where she offers an inside look at making music and the art of creativity. On top of all that, Jeeyon is also the author of the new book, Whenever You’re Ready: How to Compose the Life of Your Dreams, which is structured like one of her musical performances. 

We’re covering it all in this episode. Grab a seat in the front—it’s going to be a great show.

It's nearly Halloween and the thought of seeing even a single piece of candy corn is freaking me out, so why not channel that spooky energy into the podcast?

This episode features several scary stories from musicians, models, and authors. You'll hear all about the worst gigs for rapper David Shibani, country musician Kimberly Dawn, model Ekin Ozlen, jazz lounge singer Nancy Stohlman, and producer Akeel Henry talks about a frightening experience while making music in the middle of the woods.

Plus, Marc Hartzman and Susan McCauley share their fascination with ghosts and how you too can experience the thrill of the supernatural. No tricks here–it truly is a treat!

I’m probably not the first person to tell you this, but the past two years have been ROUGH. Remember when we all thought quarantine life would be, like, two weeks of hanging out at home and conserving toilet paper? Those were the days. 

This episode’s guest is all too familiar with tough times and tragedy — and she’s finding joy through laughter. Kelsey Chittick is a writer, comedian, and podcast host whose husband—NFL Super Bowl champion Nate Hobgood-Chittick—died suddenly in front of their kids in a way that was, in Kelsey’s own words, “ridiculous.” 

She’s channeling her story of endings and beginnings into Second Half: Surviving Loss and Finding Magic in the Missing, a story that shows how change can break and heal your heart all at once.

I’ve always been fascinated by the oddities in life. Heck, it’s probably why my book has “weird” in the title—life’s just a bit more fun when there’s some strangeness involved. 

That’s probably why I’m so excited to chat with Marc Hartzman, a person ABCNews.com called “one of America’s leading connoisseurs of the bizarre.” Marc has deeply researched all kinds of entertaining topics, from the disembodied head of Oliver Cromwell to the tallest folks to ever live. 

He’s focusing on the supernatural in his latest book: Chasing Ghosts: A Tour of Our Fascination with Spirits and the Supernatural. You’ll learn all about paranormal investigators like Ed and Lorraine Warren (who inspired The Conjuring franchise), famous ghosts like the Bell Witch of Tennessee and the Greenbrier Ghost of West Virginia, haunted sites like the Stanley Hotel and the Winchester Mystery House, plus a whole lot of other spooky subjects. 

We’ve got plenty to talk about in this eerily enjoyable episode (look at that alliteration!) so grab a seat and some Halloween candy and dive in.

When Michael Phillips was 18 years old, he found himself standing in front of a judge after a run-in with the law. The judge gave him a choice: Spend 30 years in prison or go to college. Michael immediately shouted out, “college” and his education changed his life — and now he wants to transform education.

To do so, he’s trying to encourage people to look beyond children as statistics and to acknowledge challenges and trauma through a lens of equity and a heart of empathy. When that happens, we can make some pretty impressive changes. 

Michael is also the author of the upcoming book Wrong Lanes Have Right Turns. We’re chatting all about his background, his writing, and why focusing on marginalized kids is so important in building empathy and overcoming challenges.

Have you ever thought like a typical corporate job wasn’t for you? Or maybe the COVID-19 pandemic has had you rethinking what you want out of your career. The remote work lifestyle is attractive to a lot of people, and it’s led to the rise of the digital nomad — someone who’s still getting plenty done, but also is able to travel, see the world, and have adventures.

Tayler Gill is a Work From Anywhere Lifestyle Coach, and she helps people see the highs, lows, and everything in between of the digital nomad, work from anywhere experience. Yes, it’s not all selfie sticks and waterfalls; you’ll have some tough times along the way. But as Tayler tells it, it’s incredibly rewarding, and if you go in with a sound strategy, you’ll do just fine.

We’re talking about how to make that initial leap into digital nomad life, travel tips and digital tools to be more efficient, and explore some of the more unusual side hustles and travel experiences we’ve encountered.

Ekin Ozlen may not have figured out how to do everything at once, but she’s come pretty darn close. She turned a successful modeling career into her own business and is now the founder of KERACELL, the hair and skincare brand beloved by all kinds of celebrity clients.

Ekin has also released several music videos (including last fall’s “Where You At”) that highlight her brand. Oh, and on top of all of that, she’s currently pregnant.

No matter what life throws her way, Ekin has taken it in stride — and in many cases, used it as an opportunity to grow. We’re talking all about her business, why she insists on a personal touch, and some of her favorite (read: most magnificently horrifying) modeling gigs.