Just Press Record

Just Press Record

By Matt ZeiglerBusinessInvesting
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Just Press Record episodes

  • Wall Street Traders Who Found Their Soul: From Market Making to Music

    Join host Matt Zeigler as he brings together two fascinating minds from the world of finance who've carved unique paths beyond the trading desk. Kris Abdelmessih (former SIG trader turned writer and founder of Moontower.ai) and Morgan Ranstrom (wealth advisor and frontman of Stone Arch Rivals) explore what it means to live authentically while building a life of purpose.This wide-ranging conversation starts with their contrasting personalities - Kris, the gregarious New Jersey native turned Californian who thrives on human connection, and Morgan, the contemplative North Dakotan turned Minnesotan who needs space to process and create. Their discussion weaves through formative musical influences (from 80s hair metal to Warren Haynes), the challenges of performing despite their different comfort levels with the spotlight, and how they're intentionally showing their children what it means to be "switched on" and engaged with life.The heart of their conversation centers on authenticity and purpose. Kris shares his philosophy of being the same person in every context, while Morgan explores how different "masks" might actually lead to deeper truth. Both men offer profound insights on parenting, the tension between preserving innocence and preparing children for reality, and the importance of helping kids find paths that truly match who they are.Through stories of trading floors, music stages, client meetings, and family moments, they illustrate how success in finance can coexist with creative pursuits and meaningful relationships. This isn't just another conversation about markets or money - it's an honest exploration of building a life that honors both professional excellence and personal fulfillment.Whether you're in finance, interested in personal growth, or simply curious about how others navigate life's big questions, this episode offers valuable perspectives on living authentically in an increasingly complex world.

    1 hr 48 min
  • From Middle School Business Books to Million Dollar Decisions | Kit Huffman and David Burkus

    In this engaging episode for 2025, host Matt Zeigler brings together two fascinating minds in the business world: David Burkus, a renowned organizational psychologist and bestselling author, and Kit Huffman, a rising star in executive personal branding. Their conversation weaves through surprising territory, from Kit's unusual start networking with angel investors at age 14 to David's journey from stocking grocery shelves to becoming a leading voice in team dynamics.
    The discussion explores how leaders find and communicate their mission, why some companies lose their way as they scale, and what it means to build a business that truly reflects your values. David shares insights from his work helping teams rediscover their purpose, while Kit offers a behind-the-scenes look at how executives can authentically connect with their audiences. They challenge conventional wisdom about business growth, with both guests making compelling cases for staying small and focused rather than scaling at all costs.
    Some highlights include:
    The worst networking advice everyone gets (and why it fails)
    How companies lose their story as they grow beyond founder interaction
    Why some executive LinkedIn posts feel like "stale crackers" and how to fix that
    The delicate balance between business growth and maintaining personal priorities
    Why looking "backwards forward" can help clarify your mission
    The value of finding unoccupied space in your industry
    This conversation goes beyond typical business advice to explore how both leaders and companies can chart paths that align with their authentic goals rather than conventional expectations. Perfect for entrepreneurs, executives, or anyone interested in building meaningful work while staying true to themselves.

    1 hr 21 min
  • Why Smart People Make Dumb Decisions in Sports | Just Press Record with Roger Mitchell & Jason Buck

    Join host Matt Zeigler for a fascinating conversation with Jason Buck (volatility hedge fund manager) and Roger Mitchell (former EMI music executive and Scottish Premier League CEO, turned sports industry consultant) as they dive deep into the business of sports, entertainment, and culture.

    This wide-ranging discussion explores everything from the economics of European football and the challenges of sports ownership to the parallels between the music industry and professional sports. Roger shares insights from his unique career journey and discusses why American-style closed leagues might be the future of European sports. Jason brings his perspective on financial markets, models, and survival strategies for local teams in a global (and very online) world. Not to mention, this episode is worth more than a few laughs!
    Key topics include:
    The cultural dynamics of football clubs like Celtic vs Rangers
    Why smart business people often make irrational decisions in sports
    The impact of streaming and piracy on sports media rights
    The future of sports entertainment and fan engagement
    The importance of community in local sports clubs
    The challenges of maintaining profitable sports businesses
    Whether you're interested in sports business, investment strategy, or the entertainment industry, this conversation offers unique insights from two experts with fascinating career paths and perspectives.

    1 hr 47 min
  • Seven Unforgettable Just Press Record Conversations | Best of 2024

    Seven standout moments from Just Press Record's first year, curated by host Matt Zeigler. Starting with the power of small acts over institutional loyalty, moving through engaging conversations about artistic co-creation, personal change, balancing structure with spontaneity, authentic relationship building, and ending with a powerful lesson on being present that will hit you like a lightning bolt...

    Each clip celebrates the show's core mission: showing you how to play more deeply with your networks of both ideas and people. As my Cultish Creative blog turns 7 years old, these moments showcase why connecting with others in meaningful ways, and, taking the time to reflect on those interactions, matters more than ever.
    Watch the full breakdown with timestamps for each featured guest:
    Ben Hunt & Paul Millerd on Make, Protect, Teach
    Dave Nadig & Angie Colee on co-creation
    Julia Carreon & Hal Hershfield on personal change
    Josh Spector & Dennis Moseley-Williams on balancing structure and spontaneity
    Vic Ruggiero & Christina Garnett on authentic connection
    Kara Brookins & Rusty Guinn on showing up for others
    Sean DeLaney & Mark McCartney on being present

    37 min
  • How to Win at Life Without Trying to Win at Everything | Luca Dellanna and Dylan O'Sullivan

    In this episode of Just Press Record, host Matt Zeigler brings together two insightful thinkers who've never met before: Dylan O'Sullivan, a literary editor known for his existential musings, and Luca Dellanna, author of "Ergodicity" and other works on long-term decision-making.

    Their wide-ranging conversation explores the delicate balance between performance and survival, the nature of storytelling in both fiction and non-fiction, and how to make choices that are "not optimal, but compatible" with both short and long-term wellbeing.
    The discussion weaves through topics like the evolution of friendships from high school to adulthood, the challenge of pursuing greatness while maintaining balance, and the art of writing for impact rather than attention. Particularly moving is Luca's story about how a cancer diagnosis shaped his perspective on time horizons, and Dylan's insights into the craft of editing and storytelling.
    Whether you're interested in writing, decision-making, or simply living a more thoughtful life, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on how to navigate the complexities of modern existence. Join us for a deep dive into what it means to play the long game while staying true to yourself in the present moment.

    1 hr 22 min
  • From YouTube House Builder to Cider Maker: Finding Your Path | Cara Brookins and Rusty Guinn

    Just Press Record brings together Cara Brookins, author of "Rise: How a House Built a Family," and Rusty Guinn of Epsilon Theory for a fascinating conversation about building things that matter. Cara shares her incredible story of building a 3,500 square foot house from scratch with her four children using only YouTube tutorials, while Rusty discusses transforming a historic 1763 property into a thriving apple orchard and cidery.

    The conversation weaves through themes of stubborn optimism, the importance of tangible creation in a digital age, and how the people who truly matter in our lives show up even when they think we're making a mistake. From hauling concrete in wheelbarrows to splitting wood at midnight for the perfect Texas brisket, we explore how physical labor connects us to something deeper than just the end product.
    Cara and Rusty offer profound insights into how social networks are changing human consciousness, the value of finding your "ride or die" tribe of 120 people, and why sometimes the most authentic path forward requires getting your hands dirty. Whether you're interested in homesteading, writing, craft cider, or just finding your place in an increasingly digital world, this conversation has something for everyone who believes in building things that last.
    A Cultish Creative production exploring what happens when we choose to "do something" rather than just "be something."

    1 hr 39 min
  • Stop Being Boring: A Marketing Masterclass | Josh Spector and Dennis Mosely Williams

    On this episode of Just Press Record, I bring together two fascinating guests who've never met but share an uncanny ability to transform audiences through their work - Josh Spector and Dennis Moseley-Williams.

    Josh ( @JoshSpectorVideos ) has built his career helping people get clients from their content, running a wildly successful daily newsletter "For The Interested" and coaching creators on growing their audiences. Dennis ( @seriousshift ), a keynote speaker and author, helps turn brands into cults by making CEOs into charismatic leaders and services into memorable experiences.
    Watch as these two masters of audience engagement discover their shared philosophies on authenticity, the power of word choice, and why "don't be boring" might be the cardinal rule of business. From Seth Godin's influence to surprising stories about Norm MacDonald, this conversation weaves through fascinating territory about what it means to truly connect with and transform an audience.
    We explore:
    Why the smallest viable audience might be better than mass appeal
    The importance of being true to yourself in business
    How comedians perfect their craft and why it matters for business
    Why self-promotion can be a selfless act
    The art of charging what you're worth
    Whether you're a creator, business leader, or someone interested in the psychology of audience engagement, this conversation offers valuable insights on how to matter more to the people who matter most.
    Subscribe to Cultish Creative for more conversations that make curiosity a habit.

    1 hr 22 min
  • The Art of Being Untouchable: Finding Your Life's Natural Rhythm | Sean DeLaney and Mark McCartney

    I've got something special for you today - a conversation that genuinely gave me goosebumps. I brought together Sean DeLaney (host of "What Got You There" /  @WhatGotYouThere  ) and Mark McCartney (host of "What is a Good Life" /  @whatisagoodlife  ) for their first-ever meeting, and what unfolded was nothing short of electric.
    We dive deep into what it means to live authentically and in rhythm with yourself. From Mark's “lightning bolt” moment that led him to leave finance, to Sean's insights on self-mastery and presence, this conversation explores the territory of real wisdom - not the kind you just read about, but the kind you have to live to understand.
    Both guests share personal stories about finding silence in a noisy world, being present with their children, and navigating life's challenges with grace. We explore how truth has its own vibration, why pain can be a teacher, and what it means to truly see and be seen by others.
    If you're wrestling with big questions about living well, finding your path, or just trying to be more present in your daily life, I think you'll find something valuable here. This isn't about quick fixes or life hacks - it's about the deeper journey of becoming more fully yourself.
    As always, stick around for the disclaimers at the end, and don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe to help others find these conversations too.
    Stay curious,
    Matt

    1 hr 30 min
  • Introvert-Networker meets Extrovert-Marketer: Matthew Stafford & Matt Ackerman Just Press Record!

    I was so excited to introduce these two, here's why: Matthew Stafford thinks of himself an introvert, and yet he’s been hosting 10 person startup founder dinners, once a month, for 13+ years(!). Matt Ackermann is a self-described extrovert, gracing conference stages and making content for decades, with a community service attitude like few others I know (ex. coaching, PorchFest, etc.!). Plus, they’re both music nerds. AND, they’d never met. Until now.
    We delved into several fascinating topics, including:
    The power of helping others without expecting anything in return
    The importance of collecting, curating, and connecting people and ideas
    How to build and maintain valuable networks
    The art of being a good conversationalist in networking settings
    Embracing failure as a stepping stone to success
    The value of trusting your gut instincts in business and life
    Matthew Stafford shared insights from his "Nine Others" initiative, which brings together entrepreneurs to share challenges and support one another. Matt Ackerman discussed his experiences in the financial advisory world and his community-building efforts through events like PorchFest.
    We also had some fun discussing our desert island music picks and reminiscing about our first websites. The conversation highlighted the importance of curiosity, compounding goodwill, and being a champion for your ideas and community.
    Overall, this episode was a fantastic exploration of how to build meaningful connections, foster creativity, and make a positive impact in both business and personal life. I'm grateful to have had these two insightful guests on the show, and I hope our viewers found the conversation as enriching as I did.

    1 hr 9 min

About Just Press Record

From the publisher's feed

Make curiosity a habit. All the fun parts of learning without the boring bits of going to school for it. "Just Press Record" is a conversation-style interview, featuring two commonality-lacking guests…