Just Talking Podcast

This week I'm joined by Adriel Hampton, Vice President of Community at NationBuilder. Our conversation is social media-heavy, but largely focused on the relationship between social media and government. We discuss Adriel's decision to announce his Congressional campaign on Twitter and how social media use in and by government officials has evolved over the past four years. We also cover NationBuilder and how it can be utilized by a wide range of campaigns, candidates, and advocates looking to make a difference. Enjoy.

Follow Adriel on Twitter at @adrielhampton and wiredtoshare.com.

And learn more about NationBuilder at nationbuilder.com.

Run Time - 32:32

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This week I'm joined by Robert Bowling, President and Creative Strategist of Robotoki and former Creative Strategist at Infinity Ward. We spend the hour talking about his life before the video game industry, his work at Infinity Ward including how his roles and responsibilities grew and expanded year after year. Robert also opens up about his time after leaving Infinity Ward and why starting his own studio was the only choice that made sense for him. Finally we talk about Robotoki, what it means to run an independent development studio, and the importance of fostering creativity in multiple projects. Enjoy.

Follow Robert on Twitter at @fourzerotwo.

And keep up with the latest from Robotoki at robotoki.com and their latest Kickstarter campaign adventuresofdash.com.

Run Time - 1:01:13

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At 17, Ryan Reed was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. At 19, Ryan signed with Roush Fenway to drive the No. 16 Ford in NASCAR's Nationwide Series. Ryan and I spend an hour discussing all aspects of professional racing including the physical requirements, the mental preparation, and the exhilaration of driving at those speeds. We also cover Ryan's diabetes diagnosis and how he manages his blood glucose while racing. Finally, Ryan opens up about the Drive to Stop Diabetes campaign and the incredible advocacy opportunities that have come, and will come his way. Enjoy.

Follow Ryan on Twitter at @driverRyanReed and drivetostopdiabetes.org.

Run Time - 57:15

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Dr. Natalie Strand, winner of Season 17 of the Amazing Race, is on the podcast this week. We discuss her life with diabetes and how her diagnosis didn't slow her down. To that point, we cover her journey to and through The Amazing Race including the proper bolus amount for boiled sheep's brain, conquering a fear of heights, and the advocacy opportunities that came from her victory. Nat also talks about her decision to become a doctor and how her life with diabetes helps relate to some of her patients. Enjoy.

Follow Natalie on Twitter at @DrNatStrand and her Facebook Page.

Run Time - 29:50

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Kellee Santiago, former President of thatgamecompay and founding partner of Indie Fund is on the podcast this week. We discuss Kellee's education at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts and how a class she took her freshman year laid the foundation for her career in video game development. Kellee also talks about the creative inspirations and motivations behind each of the games developed by thatgamecompany. We also get to the whole "games are art" conversation, starting with her TED Talk. Finally, Kellee talks about the origins of Indie Fund and how a 3-year experiment has evolved into an indefinite opportunity for independent developers. Enjoy.

Follow Kellee on Twitter at @KelleeSan and keep up with the latest from Indie Fund at indie-fund.com.

Run Time - 1:00:54

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I'm joined this week by Sarah, the Afternoon Napper - as she calls herself. Our conversation revolves around her life with fibromuscular dysplasia, her lengthy diagnosis story, what it means to live with a rare disease, and how she's been able to leverage social media to form a community around a disease that impacts a small number of people in the country. We also talk about Sarah's dual identities (online) and how these identities are merging. Finally, we discuss Rare Disease Day and the importance of awareness before action. Enjoy.

Follow Sarah on Twitter at @AfternoonNapperand keep up with her many endeavors at:

• afternoonnapsociety.blogspot.com
• fmdchat.org
• medicinex.stanford.edu
• and rarediseaseday.org

Run Time - 1:01:12

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I'm joined by Brian Quinn this week to talk about shoes with crazy colors, ultimate frisbee, living with diabetes and, for most of the podcast, life as a priest. I didn't anticipate the Pope announcing his retirement prior to our recording, but we touch on that, the thought process behind Brian's decision to become a priest, the similarities between going to a seminary and a more traditional college, and the surprising moments of humor that can be found while he's working. Enjoy.

Follow Brian on Twitter at @notmycell, and notmycellphone.com.

Run Time - 48:58

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Continuing the conversation with Patrick Klepek, News Editor for Giant Bomb, we discuss the future of the Chicago Bears, Molyjam 2012 (and 2013?), married life, the passing of his father, and The Evil Dead remake. Most of our conversation, naturally, revolves around Giant Bomb including how Patrick interacts with the community, how constructive criticism has improved his work, how he deals with less-than-constructive criticism, and finally we discuss the upcoming and highly anticipated announcements about the next generation of console gaming. Enjoy.

Follow Patrick on Twitter at @patrickklepek, on his Q&A Tumblr at patrickhatesformspring.tumblr.com and giantbomb.com.

Run Time - 55:59

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Scott Benner is on the podcast this week talking about his book, "Life is Short, Laundry is Eternal." But before we cover the book we talk about his daughter's diabetes diagnosis, his early blogging motivations, and his creative writing inspirations. We also talk about how he has learned from the diabetes community as a parent, and as a person. Finally we spend the last portion of the podcast discussing his book, and why it's difficult to summarize in a simple elevator pitch. Enjoy.

Follow Scott on Twitter at @ArdensDay and keep up with the latest from Scott, including upcoming book details, at ardensday.com.

Run Time - 1:06:28

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Stone Chin, Ubisoft's Public Relations Manager for the Assassin's Creed is my guest this week. We discuss the emergence of Russell Wilson on the Seattle Seahawks, the potential relocation of the Sacramento Kings to Seattle, attending the past two Presidential Inaugurations, and the benefits of having three last names to choose from. Naturally, we spend the majority of the podcast talking business, as Stone has spent his professional career in PR from Edelman, to Microsoft, and now Ubisoft and I ask about the complexities of marketing a sequel, particularly in an industry with multiple big-name titles. Enjoy.

Follow Stone on Twitter at @GreatWallofChin and keep up with the latest from Assassin's Creed at assassinscreed.com.

Run Time - 1:01:53

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