Products of the Mind: A Conversation About the Intersection of Business + Creativity

Welcome to Episode 26 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with journalist, Chief Film Critic of the New York Times, and author: A. O. Scott.

“The point of real criticism I think is to move beyond just the statement of opinion, which isn’t necessarily very helpful to anyone, and turn your opinion into something useful, into an argument that people can grapple with.”

Today we chat with Tony Scott: a film critic for the New York Times and author of Better Living Through Criticism. Tony talks a bit about the role of print vs online journalism as they relate to criticism; what goes on in a writer’s head; and the perceptions a critic might have of a popular hit movie.

What is criticism? Have there always been critics? Will there always be critics? What impact might criticism have on the thing being criticized? Tony fills us in on the unique role of criticism, and the interesting dynamics between criticism and film versus television. Is it possible Netflix and Hulu are changing the way we think about on-screen entertainment?

Think being a critic is easy? Tony discusses getting blasted on Twitter by Samuel L. Jackson after his review of The Avengers. He also discusses the outcomes and possible benefits of these interactions as they relate to journalism overall. Ever wonder what inspires a critic to do what they do? Learn about the kind of influence satire films and Mad Magazine had on Tony’s career.

We’ll also discuss the “golden age of television,” serial shows versus movies, and what might make a film boring.

This and more today with A. O. Scott.

Tony is @aoscott on Twitter

Tony’s New York Times Page

Other mentions from this Episode:

• Mad Magazine
• The Oddfather
• Tangerine

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 25 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with author Alicia Eler.

“When everything is a yes/no, left or right, there’s no room for maybe or gray area; and that I think is where actually a lot of the real vulnerability or potential relationships or friendships can occur. But the app doesn’t lend any space or time to maybe.” (On Tinderization)

Today we speak with multi-talented artist and author Alicia Eler. We discuss Alicia’s recent essay The Tinderization of Feeling, which explores what Alicia calls the “emotional labor of Tinder.”

What might you find at the intersection of sexuality, gender studies, queer studies, and technology? At a minimum, you’ll find some of Alicia’s amazing work and collaborative writing, which explores social sexual dynamics.

Today Alicia discusses questions such as: How might persons on dating apps become players in a game; and, how might this dehumanization impact social relationships as well as our own psychology?

Also on this episode with Alicia: growing up as a writer; finding herself (and her major) at Oberlin College; learning to open up and share as a writer; being drawn to L.A. by Kate Durbin; and advice for up-and-coming artists.

Links and Honorable mentions from this episode:

• Alicia’s Site
• Alicia’s Instagram
• Alicia is @aliciaeler on Twitter
• What Color is Your Parachute? (Book)
• The Teen-Girl Tumblr Aesthetic (Essay)
• The Windy City Times
• How to Win Tinder (Essay)
• Lena Dunham
• Kate Durbin Tumblr

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 24 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with Editor in Chief of Voice of San Diego Scott Lewis.

“Every city in America is defined by landmarks that were philanthropically made by their newspaper tycoons. The newspapers were so powerful that they could build Symphony Halls and they could build Hearst Castles. Newspapers were extremely profitable and that was because they owned the bundle that you all had to get into.”

Today we hear from the voice behind the Voice of San Diego, Scott Lewis. Scott provides informative answers and interesting insights on journalism, the history of newspapers, and the future of investigate reporting.

Scott talks about growing up as a non-Mormon outsider in Salt Lake City; hanging out with anarchists in Spain; and feeling the importance of journalism during his time at the University of Utah. He also tells us about his transition from anarchism to Navy husband (and how he finally got to read Moby Dick).

What is the current state of journalism? How did the internet change newspaper “bundling”, and what’s in store for the future? How does Buzzfeed make money on a viral cat video?

Also, you might be a fan of the L.A. Times newspaper; but would it be wise to purchase the entire business, and if so, how much should you pay? Find out answers to these questions and much more on today’s episode with Scott.

Links and honorable mentions:

• Anarcho-syndicalism
• George Orwell’s Homage to Catalonia
• Clay Shirky
• Eli Broad
• Buzzfeed

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 23 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with Jennifer Briney, creator and host of the Congressional Dish podcast.

Congressional Dish exposes corporate influence in the bills passed by Congress and tells us what’s really in all of those huge omnibus bills. While Jennifer gets into lots of details, the show is intended for an audience who aren’t already experts in politics or policy—she always takes the time to explain the process as simply as possible.

I enjoy the show and I find it fascinating how she was able to take her anger about what’s wrong with Washington and turn it into an informative, educational listener-supported podcast. Congressional Dish doesn’t accept any advertising dollars (we talk about why), and it’s become Jennifer’s full-time gig…with a few bumps along the way.

Jennifer talks about how she went from not really paying attention to politics to spending all of her time watching C-SPAN, reading congressional bills, and discussing the topic on her podcast. Why did she choose to create a podcast rather than a blog or some other means of getting the word out there? What are her future plans, and how has she grown her audience? What does she think about Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders? What kind of Congressperson would Jennifer be? All of this and more on today’s episode.

Links and honorable mentions:

• Jennifer’s Twitter handle: @JenBriney
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CongressionalDish
• Webpage: http://www.congressionaldish.com

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 22 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with lifelong entrepreneur and founder of Hera Hub, Felena Hanson.

“It’s not about segregation, we have men in the space every day. It’s about creating that environment and that community where women can flourish.”

What do you do when you experience three layoffs before the age of 30? Unleash the “entrepreneurial spirit” and become a solopreneur!

Today we chat with Felena Hanson, founder of Hera Hub: a spa-inspired coworking space for female entrepreneurs. Felena tells us about growing up in an entrepreneurial family; the decision on whether or not to go to college; and the struggle of being a professional marketer in the tech industry.

We’ll learn about how Felena’s trials and tribulations as a marketer initiated her desire to create something new, and how her successful “something new” brought more trials and tribulations. Felena discusses the challenges associated with franchising, and how commercial real estate can be a roadblock for entrepreneurs and startups.

What is a coworking space? How does Hera Hub differ from executive suites and other office environments, and why is this such a valuable need? There’s a “prediction that 50-60% of knowledge-based workforce will be independent by 2020…where will all these people work (besides Starbucks)?” Tune in to find out!

Links and honorable mentions:

• Hera Hub Expansion
• Ladies Who Launch
• Flight Club Video (Felena speaks at Tedx)
• Hera-Labs Startup Accelerator Program
• Hera Fund
• Once Upon a Farm Baby Food

Musical Bonus

In honor of Leap Day, this episode includes the song “2/29” by Rookie Card. Thanks to Rookie Card guitarist/singer/songwriter Adam Gimbel for giving us the OK to play the song. Click here to buy it in iTunes.

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 21 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with musician and activist Peter Yarrow.

“I wasn’t about being the center of attention that was so exciting and rewarding. There was a magic going on in the village at the time…This was a crucible of change where in the air was this spirit that something dramatically was changing. Something was going to happen in the world to challenge all the points of view with which we had been handed society’s rules… The sixties was a search for authenticity.”

Today we speak with Peter Yarrow, musician, activist, and member of Peter Paul and Mary. It’s always fascinating to learn about how musicians and artists get inspired, and Peter’s story does not miss the mark.

Peter takes us back to his childhood as a Jewish New Yorker and the strong cultural influence his mother had on him. From not having money for new clothes, but always having money for arts and culture, Peter takes us back to his first instrument…the recorder, and how his love of folk music stemmed from his mom’s 78 records by musicians such as Paganini, Josh White, and Burl Ives.

Peter tells us about teaching English as an undergrad at Cornell, and how singing in the classroom helped catapult his love for music and community. Learn about how musical inspirations such as the Everly Brothers, The Weavers, and Pete Seeger influenced the folk group that became Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Peter describes the seemingly magical time in 60’s Greenwich Village, a place of musical inspiration and hope social and political change. Peter discusses the role of music and musicians in social activism, and how society attempts to restrict the art of music during times of social upheaval. Hear about how the Red Scare influenced artists and musicians when the threat of communism was at the social and political center stage; and naturally how those musicians fought back.

Of course we couldn’t talk with Peter and not ask about Puff the Magic Dragon. What is the song about? What is the inspiration behind the music? Get the answer straight from the source, and so much more on today’s episode.

Peter’s Homepage

Operation Respect

Honorable mentions from this Episode:

• Shrimp Boats
• Leonard Bernstein’s Young People’s Concerts
• Isaac Stern
• The Weavers Kisses Sweeter than Wine
• High School of Music and Art
• Bob Dylan’s Blowing in the Wind
• Selma to Montgomery March
• Weave me the Sunshine
• The Weavers Banned by NBC (article)
• Peter’s Don’t Laugh at Me

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 20 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with multitalented artist Bryan Landers.

“I think that’s the underlying design and art challenge that I love; it’s sort of just finding your way to the impossible through some very logical process.”

Not many musicians leave L.A. for another place in order to get gigs, but when they do, that musician plays the banjo…and that other place is Nashville!

Today’s talk is with Bryan Landers: an athlete who gave up skiing in order to protect his hands for banjo playing. Bryan talks about his inspirations Jerry Garcia, Jimmy Page, and Bela Fleck; picking out an instrument for the first time; and how you get to ski every day at boarding school in New Hampshire.

As an artist who utilizes multiple media, learn about how his not-well-received art portfolio pushed him a little closer to music; and how he ultimately leveraged one talent to support another. Well also talk a bit about the importance of getting in on things from the ground up (or not getting in on new ventures like Pinterest).

Also on this episode: learning to code in the internet age; making money as a freelance web developer; learning the hard way which career path you don’t want; how “idea validation” can save you time, money, and heartache; and of course: the musical talents of Steve Martin.

All this and much more today with Bryan Landers.

Links and honorable mentions:

• Bryan Landers’ homepage
• Twitter @bryanlanders
• Bryan’s new venture for new businesses: Cobble
• Bill Keith Wiki
• CalArts
• CDBaby
• Scott Vestal

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 19 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with comic book writer, shop owner, and entrepreneurial innovator Mike Wellman.

Today’s talk is with Mike Wellman: a comic book artist, shop owner, and a man who is always looking to expand his business by helping others. Mike talks about growing up in North Carolina and being perceived as the bad kid for having comic books. And what do comic book bad boys from North Carolina do? Move to L.A. of course!

Hear about Mike’s many jobs from street marketing to doing coverage of scripts. Not a fan of American History X? Apparently Mike wasn’t either… he gave the original script a big thumbs down! Learn about how Mike’s aspirations to become a screenwriter halted in a failed job interview with Tim Daly, and how that fall-through led him to his job at Geoffrey’s Comics.

It’s all downhill after that, Mike now owns the Comic Bug in L.A. Tune in to learn how his shop sets themselves apart from other comic book vendors, and why The Comic Bug is a great place for aspiring new artists and entrepreneurs.

Other Topics: Tribulations of publishing comics; how small opportunities can open big doors; and supporting Bernie Sanders.

Links and honorable mentions:

• Mike Wellman is @macafro on Twitter
• Mike’s Instagram
• Mike’s shop The Comic Bug
• The Comic Bug on Facebook
• Geekin Out with the Comic Bug
• Guns A’ Blazin’
• Geeks for Bernie Sanders
• Hawkeye
• American History X on IMDB
• Geoffrey’s Comic Shop
• Snuggie
• Mac Afro Comics
• Hi De Ho Comic Shop
• Objective Five
• Artist Danny Miki
• Trigun Comic
• Cyborg 009
• Robert Rodriguez’ Rebel Without a Clue

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Welcome to Episode 18 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with artist N.C. Winters.

“Anything I wanted to learn I just started doing it. You figure out why the wrong ways don’t work by doing them, and you figure out the medium by using it. It’s not about your brushes and your paint; it’s about picking anything and starting, and failing a whole bunch.”

What do you do when you can draw Ninja Turtles in elementary school? Charge a quarter of course!

Today we talk with fine artist N.C. Winters about growing up as an artist and making his way into the art world. Hear about N.C.’s excursion through the New York art scene, majoring in art, working as a solo artist, and getting his foot in the gallery door. N.C. and I discuss the relationship between pop culture and art, and we get into the details of how technology and society impact our pop culture.

Also discussed: working at a New York design firm; making something your own thing; navigating the social media world; and of course…intellectual property in art and music.

This and more on today’s episode with N.C. Winters.

N.C.’s Homepage

N.C.’s Instagram

Twitter: @ncwinters

N.C.’s Tumblr

Honorable mentions from this episode:

• Hi Fructose Magazine
• Juxtapoz Magazine
• 1988 Gallery
• Egon Schiele
• Song Exploder Podcast
• Robert Williams

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram

Products of the Mind Episode 17: Author Marina Krakovsky on the Value of Middlemen

Welcome to Episode 17 of Products of the Mind. On this episode, I speak with reporter and author of The Middleman Economy Marina Krakovsky.

“I noticed that people have this very conflicted, often ambivalent attitude toward middlemen; we need them but we often resent them.”

“What is a fair price of a snow shovel after a snowstorm?” Today we chat with Marina Krakovsky, a reporter, researcher, and author. We chat about behavioral economics, or what happens the intersection of psychology and economics. Marina tries to answer the question, “How do people behave in economic situations?”

What is the true role of those “wheelers and dealers” known as economic middlemen? Do middlemen profit fairly; what value do they provide? How is Craigslist both a middleman and a platform for other middlemen? Why is eBay’s “power seller” award a highly coveted middleman status?

Also: Why we use Amazon; why your cable company might be the most reviled middleman; friction-free capitalism; and the six categories of middlemen.

All this and more today with Marina Krakovsky.

• Marina’s Homepage

• Twitter: @marinakrakovsky

• Marina’s Book on Amazon: The Middleman Economy

• The Middleman Economy Site

Honorable mentions from this episode:

• “Famous” paper on fairness in selling
• Bill Gates’ “The Road Ahead”

Thanks for Checking Out Products of the Mind!

If you enjoyed today’s show, please share it by using the social media buttons you see at the top and bottom of this page.

Also, please consider taking the few seconds it takes to leave an honest review and rating for the podcast on iTunes. They’re very helpful when it comes to the ranking of the show and I read every one.

Finally, don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast on iTunes or your favorite podcast app to get automatic updates every time a new episode goes live.

Here are instructions on how to subscribe, rate, and review the show in iTunes.

The Credits

Products of the Mind is produced by Mana Monzavi.

The theme music for this episode was provided by Le Chateau. The track name is “Bury You.” Go buy it on Soundcloud!

This episode and these show notes © 2016 David Lizerbram