People People Podcast

Are politics poison? Are politicians?

What if you locked yourself in a room with a political figure from party that you don't support. What if you tried to actually connect, like really connect with this politician?

Could you do it?

Could you even potentially learn something?

Could you even... potentially... like this is a long shot, but what if... what if you left the room feeling like you could SUPPORT this politician?

Sound like science fiction? Especially in today's world.

Well, welcome to this special highly political episode of THE PEOPLE PEOPLE PODCAST!

Thanks for listening to this new episode of The People People Podcast featuring special guest Scott Spears! Scott is the creator and owner of Scrumptious, Super Zoom Bang Bang, Sock, Schoolhouse, and So RADish in Olde Town Arvada.

What do you think of when you hear the word “community?” If the idea of a thriving small town with happy people milling about seems both delightful and like something from centuries past, you’re not alone. These small “main street” communities seem like an essential part of classic Americana, but didn’t they go the way of the dinosaur and rotary phone?

Well, at least in Arvada, Colorado, community is thriving and it is due in large part to this episode’s guest, Scott Spears.

Scott is an entrepreneur, but more than that, he is a community engineer. He has been a leader in the movement to take one small town that had literally turned into an antique, and transform it into a thriving community.

This podcast includes a BUNCH of awesome tips on practical Social Excellence in action. Listen to how his vision was turned into a reality through real human to human interaction, involvement in community organizations, and creative details that bring people together through fun and joy.

Scott is an example of real Social Excellence in action, and his businesses are some of the most fun, exciting, and happy places you’ll encounter anywhere. Enjoy the podcast, and if you’re ever in Arvada, Colorado, you HAVE TO visit these places!

Scrumptious (http://www.scrumptiousco.com/)

Super Zoom Bang Bang (https://www.facebook.com/superzoombangbang/)

Sock (https://www.facebook.com/sockstandproud/)

Schoolhouse (http://www.schoolhousearvada.com/)

So RADish (http://www.soradish.com/)

A brand new episode of The People People Podcast… This one is about LOVE! Romance! Amorousness! Passion! Marriage! And everything related to that kind of mushy stuff. Welcome to the special “DOUBLE DATE” episode featuring special guests Tina VanSteenbergen, James Robilotta, Meggan Mattson, and your host Matt Mattson.

This episode is really special. We put a microphone right in the middle of a double date. The show’s host, Matt Mattson along with his wife Meggan Mattson (an entrepreneur and indepent college counselor - click here to learn more) joined for an evening of conversation with James Robilotta and Tina Vansteenbergen. Learn more about James professionally here, and here’s a link for Tina.

The Mattsons have been married for 15 years. Tina and James got married last year. There were discussions about healthy relationships, communication patterns, and the power of compliments.

More than anything, there was genuine love expressed in a way that is too rare. We’re not sure if these two marriages are perfect, but they sure are beautiful and have lessons to share with any listener.

Social Excellence has very real applications to romantic relationships, and this episode offers a fun glimpse at what that looks like in practice.

Do you have an idea that is sitting in your mind, just waiting to come to life? Does the world desperately need you to make that idea into something real?

Akshay Pradhan, our guest in this episode of The People People Podcast, made an idea real that is literally meant to save lives in some of the most terrifying moments our society too often provides: public shootings.

Akshay, working in collaboration (a theme we explore) with his partner Sid Bhat created Brella, and we explore the importance and process of doing so.

This podcast has explored the issue of school shootings before (listen here). In this conversation, we hear about Akshay’s collaborative efforts to take action in a modern and practical way.

Here’s the description of the app from the website: “Report live threats (e.g., gun shootings, mysterious activity, bomb threats, etc.) using the extremely simple Brella app. Share alerts, text messages, pictures, and more with other users instantly. The geo-tracker alerts others of the precise location of the threat. The app will automatically save a history of all incidents for your reference. The community has your back.”

Akshay is such a fantastic example of an every day person who chose to turn a conversation with a friend into reality. Listen to his motivation for making the Brella app. Listen to the way he wants to be an example for his kids. And listen to the power of collaboration come to life.

What’s your idea that is lingering in your mind? What does the world need you to make real? Who is the person with whom you need to collaborate because a better world is depending on it?

Special thanks to Akshay for this great conversation!

Have you ever participated in a Jeffersonian Dinner? Let me tell you about this truly one-of-a-kind event I was a part of recently... In fact, let me take you on an audio adventure into the event, and then we’ll talk with the creator of this “Sunset Dinner Experience” produced by Smedley Events, Lara Smedley.

This thoughtful gathering was for one purpose — human connection — strangers gathered in a breathtaking setting, enjoying inspired local cuisine and drinks, and engaging in guided conversation around a shared topic (“Legacy”).

Apparently Thomas Jefferson was known for putting together events like this. They probably didn’t include Colorado sunsets and perfectly timed rainbows and such a fascinating group of folks from all age ranges and life experiences. I was honored to be asked to moderate. This is #socialexcellence in practice.

Enjoy this episode that includes raw audio from event, a deep interview with the creator of the event, and some tips for creating a powerful gathering based on what was learned at this one.

Thanks for listening!

There's a lot of shouting right now. Has been for a while. And I don't blame the shouters. They have a right to be angry, to shout, to fight, and to rage against the powers that be. I'm mad too. And it is a fine place to start.

But what if you want to make this world a better place for the long-haul? What if you want to make impact beyond surface-level, and truly transform the world to be a better place for you, your neighbor, and everyone?

We don't think anger and fighting can sustain.

To actually change the world, and not just rearrange it, we have to come together and do work fueled by love.

If you find yourself looking for proof everyone is against you. If you find yourself able to see the darkness in anyone. If you find yourself posting, shouting, tearing down, retweeting, commenting, dismantling, unseating, blaming, or shaming... you might not be wrong at all. And it might be temporarily helpful. But that fighting can not sustain. It can't sustain you, and it can't sustain the cause you're meaning to champion.

We offer these 5 Considerations For Becoming Socially Transformative (Beyond Social Excellence).

What if I recorded a podcast episode about humans connecting through running... while on a run... with a world-class elite runner? I am so grateful to Brittany Charbonneau (@funnyrunner26.2) for agreeing to do this episode. Let me explain why.

I have found a sense of belonging and authenticity as a runner. I’m not elite or even fast... heck, I walk sometimes. But I love it. Especially on the trails. And I love the sense of community at races, in convos with others who identify as runners, and on social media. I love the positivity and the way people uplift each other and cheer on each individual’s best efforts and heart. It’s like a spiritual community that worships best efforts and human potential. And people really connect through running.

So getting to do a podcast episode with Brittany Charbonneau (one of the fastest female marathoners in the country, and an established comedian) was so cool. Learn all about Brittany at http://thefunnyrunner.com. We explored the way humans connect through running (and comedy). We talked about the rhythm of running and relationships. We talked about how weird runners are and why it’s important to #ownyourweird — it was awesome.

Big thanks to Brittany and to all the runners out there who create an atmosphere of invitation, celebration, and community. Cheer on Brittany as she works to qualify for the 2020 Olympic team and crushes trails, roads, and comedy clubs with joy and weirdness and positivity along the way.

Josh Orendi is a co-creator of The Social Excellence Project and a co-author of Social Excellence: We Dare You. He’s also one of the most curious people you’ll ever meet in your life. He’s a master question asker. And he doesn’t disappoint in this episode. Listen to the end when he challenges the host with a question that sticks him right in the heart (in a good way).

This episode also features the audio from Matt Mattson’s (the host of the podcast) recent TEDx Talk titled, “Curiously Uncertain.” Enjoy it, share it, and consider its implications on your life. How can you ask more and better questions every day.

Curiosity is such an innocent little idea. Sure, just ask questions. But asking excellent questions that actually push conversations forward and take your relationships “off script” as is discussed in this episode requires intention, thought, and perhaps most importantly… practice.

Enjoy this episode of The People People Podcast! Thanks for listenting!

Earlier this year Matt Mattson (host of the podcast) got to lead a multi-day educational program with a cohort of brilliant college students at Northeastern University in Boston. The program turned into a podcast recording session, uncovering some of the fears and challenges these real life college students face when trying to create real human connection.

College is tough. And creating meaningful relationships (not just surface-level) with roommates, classmates, and organizational members can be tougher. These college students not only talk about the difficulties, but they also offer practical and wise advice on creating that connection consistently.

Rev. Dr. Steve Poos-Benson, Head pastor at Columbine United Church, and author of Sent To Soar: Fulfilling Your Divine Potential For Yourself and For The World is our guest for the first episode of season two!

Steve was a first-responder to the Columbine High School shooting. On April 20, 1999, two boys killed 12 students, 1 teacher, and then themselves. 21 other people were injured. Countless others were traumatized forever. Steve and other pastors from his church ran toward the chaos and tried to do what they could to help. Since then, Steve has found himself supporting far too many families through far too many school shootings — including another that recently hit his community.

We explore what human connection, or the lack thereof, has to do with the massive societal problem that is school shootings, and the solutions to that problem.