Matt Fried has been one of my closest friends for about 15 years—and this episode is everything I hoped it would be. Equal parts hilarious, inspiring, and useful, this conversation walks through Matt’s wild career path, from graffiti-tagged train rides into art school to sneaker collaborations and startup wins, all the way to building a platform that’s literally helping save lives through faster radiology staffing.

We recorded this at Lure Fishbar (yes, sushi is ordered mid-convo), which is extra meaningful because Matt was with me the night I met Virgil Abloh there—and we retell that story together.

But more importantly, we talk about growing up without selling out. About staying curious. About building sustainable businesses on instinct, obsession, and a touch of madness. And what it really means to create a life—professionally and personally—that you actually enjoy living.

This is one of those episodes I hope makes growing up feel less scary for anyone listening. And I’m really proud to share it with you.

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One of my all time favorite creators and creator friends going back to 2020. Chef Joe Sasto is a legend in his space and he is a brilliant human on a multitude of levels.

Enjoy a conversation that I narrate like a murder mystery. It will make sense as you get into it.

If you ever wanted an inside look at the world of being a celebrity chef and what goes into thinking about scaling a product the right way, you will learn a ton from this conversation.

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Today, I'm thrilled to host legendary filmmaker Ken Burns. Join us as we explore his unparalleled storytelling and the history that shapes us all.

0:00 - Introduction to Ken Burns as a master storyteller and his influence on filmmaking

1:13 - The importance of humility and the flaws of heroes in storytelling.

3:05 - The subtractive nature of storytelling and finding the essence of a narrative.

4:12 - Ken Burns shares advice on storytelling: authenticity, perseverance, and the hard work behind the craft.

6:52 - Discussion of his signature style, adaptability, and the broader impact of his work.

11:22 - reflections on his collaboration with Steve Jobs and the creation of the Ken Burns Effect.

14:09 - The role of humility in leadership and history, with examples from American figures.

20:30 - Overview of Burns’ current and future projects, including films on the American Revolution, Reconstruction, and civil rights.

28:05 - Details on the iterative process of filmmaking, from research to editing and final production.

38:00 - Burns’ philosophy on storytelling as an ongoing learning process.

45:00 - Burns’ reflections on the broader impact of storytelling, the importance of space and setting, and his creative inspirations.

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In this episode, I challenge the idea that more input always leads to better outcomes. Counterintuitive? Maybe. But stick with me for 20 minutes, and this might be the episode you can’t unhear for the rest of the year.

🚀 What We Cover:

• Why listening less (yes, less) might be the key to your best year yet

• How external voices—whether from social media, coworkers, or even well-meaning family—can derail your focus and confidence

• The unexpected lesson from equine therapy at Miraval Resort that completely shifted my perspective

• How tuning out more could make you a better friend, partner, and creative thinker

• The personal goals Tim is tackling in 2025—including a New York Times bestseller and a school with 200+ students

🔥 Key Takeaway:

The more you listen, the more you absorb expectations that aren’t yours. But if you listen less—strategically—you might just hear yourself more clearly.

👂 Give yourself the gift of quiet. Hit play, and then maybe… tune out.

👉 If this episode resonates, let me know: @timmchiusano on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

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My conversation with a new friend and fellow NYC dad, John McDonald, one of New York City's longest-standing and most successful restaurateurs. From inside his flagship restaurant, Lure Fishbar in Soho, we chat about the potential closure after 20 years due to Prada's real estate interests. John shares his journey from Phoenix to New York, establishing Merc Bar in 1993 and later opening Lure Fish Bar in 2004. The conversation reveals that Lure serves 350-400 people on busy nights and is one of the city's largest oyster sellers. McDonald discusses his management philosophy, the challenges of running restaurants in NYC, and his approach to menu development. The interview also touches on personal aspects, including how McDonald teaches his children about food and his interest in wellness practices like the 12-hour silent walk concept.

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The lows that can come with a first semester at college. How I found myself living alone in Fredericton, New Brunswick, drinking SoCo & Tang, eating KFC family meals solo, getting beat up at a hockey tryout, and watching Mighty Ducks 3 in the theater several times (also solo).

Proof that a horrible start at school doesn't mean anything other than potentially making for a great story further down the road.

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Jim Keyes is one of the most fascinating and admirable CEO's in the history of corporate America and someone we can all learn from. His humble beginnings are staggering, his career is aspirational, and his wisdom is Yoda-esque in the corporate world.

My confidence has been one of the biggest challenges over the past 152 days since I left my corporate job. The opportunity to spend a bit of time with my friend (who I have been calling "The New Guy" since we first collaborated on TikTok together) is always a treat, and I knew he would have some fantastic insights on the topic of confidence and the state of the world overall. He is the former 7-11, and Blockbuster CEO and author of "Education Is Freedom". If you ever hear him speak or pick up his book, the broader lessons you can learn are invaluable. Jim truly came from humble beginnings, and it is my absolute pleasure to share this conversation with you.

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Summary

In this conversation, let me reflect on how I am in the current state of being a 'hot mess' and embrace the idea that everyone is a hot mess in their own way. I discuss the challenges and conundrums of transitioning to a new phase in life, such as sustainability and finding a balance between change and stability. I am also happy to share the progress made, including spending more time with my daughter and trying to bring my vision for helpful content to life. I will happily explore the importance of accepting and understanding one's flaws and shortcomings and emphasize the need to learn and improve continuously.

Keywords

hot mess, transition, challenges, sustainability, balance, progress, flaws, shortcomings, learning, improvement

Takeaways

Titles

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00

Embracing Your Best Hot Mess

02:28

Navigating the Challenges of Transition

09:24

Celebrating Progress and Milestones

20:35

Addressing and Learning from Shortcomings

23:23

Striving for a Clear Vision of 'Good'

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Summary

In this episode, Timm shares a lighthearted story from his early career in college football production. He talks about his first job as a production assistant for ABC Sports and the intense training he went through before the college football season started. Timm recounts the challenges he faced on his first day on the job, including the late arrival of the students he hired and his panic when asked to operate the graphics machine. Despite making mistakes, Timm emphasizes the importance of remaining calm and owning up to your mistakes.

Takeaways

Titles

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00

Introduction and Overview

05:13

Handling Logistics and Challenges

09:30

Dealing with Mistakes and Overcoming Panic

18:29

Learning from Mistakes and Building Trust

21:30

Taking Ownership and Moving Forward

23:26

Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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The next big challenge in your career is just the next level of the video game, and you will be okay. You earned the right to be at that level. You worked your ass off to see the next big scary obstacle. You will not get it right the first time, but if you keep playing, you will be fine.

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