Remote Pep Talks with Ryan Millar

Sometimes events can bum us out, big things out of our control. In that case, let's focus on what we can manage. In this episode, which happens to take place on the sidelines of a community football match, Ryan lays out three things that you can focus on to help you power through. 

Ryan talks the importance of finishing work, and to prove the point he shares a rap song he made a few years ago, that actually turned out to be pretty good. Finish your things. Not all of them, of course.

Ryan takes a walk in the woods and discusses the importance of taking steps, both physical and figurative.

Topics covered include podcasting, push-ups, housework and parenting. 

A delightful, wide-ranging and in-depth chat with the fascinating and delightful Jillian Vorce of the Jillian Group. 

In addition to being an exceptionally good hang, Jillian is a B-Corp consultant, podcaster, and speaker with a heart for sustainability. In this episode we look back at how she started her agency, grew it so rapidly, and how and why she ended up changing directions in her personal and professional life, and what all of that has taught her. 

In this episode Ryan sits around the campfire and discusses sticking with projects even during the time when they start to get tricky, and the initial enthusiasm wanes. It's short and sweet with lots of useful reinforcing ideas about the value of sticktoitiveness, which is incidentally a great word.

Let's head to the library and talk about words. Ryan loves words, and he loves using them and talking about them. He's also celebrating the publication of a new book "Daft Poems & Twisted Tongues: An Assortment of Wonderful Words", hence today's topic. The discussion covers Speak and Spell, tongue twisters and the reasons for putting together a kids' book of poetry and using a nom de plume. Here's an Amazon link to check it out: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9082771438

On this episode Ryan sits with Mike Brown of New York's Pineapple Improv (https://www.pineappleimprov.com/). This discussion falls under the heading of a "Project Pitch Polish" episode, as Ryan and Mike dive into the mechanics and specifics of how Mike talks about his improv baby, and also they talk about the value of using the gift of pineapple as conversation fodder. They also get into Mike's love of collectibles, dinner party etiquette, and film buffery. Mike is an ebullient, engaging and passionate guy who also happens to be a seasoned improviser and all-around good human. Enjoy! 

Ryan's back from yoga, and it's put him into a new perspective, which is: the importance of taking it easy. So don't forget to relax, and enjoy that. 

How can we continue to develop as people and as practitioners of whatever it is that we're working on? Ryan visits the Straat Museum in Amsterdam Noord and reflects on the importance of artistic evolution to keep us stimulated and engaged. From bucking your own system to keeping your identity small, Ryan explores how continued evolution is necessary for continued fulfillment.   

In this ultra-short episode, I start warming up the feed for Season Three, after a long hiatus. A quick check-in, just to get us back to square zero. More episodes coming soon.