Shut Up and Say Something!® with Deedre Daniel

Do you think you can't do or experience something unless other things happen first? What if you were to skip all of those steps? Deedre wanted to give $1,000 tips to strangers but thought she needed to be a multi-millionaire first. She became tired of waiting around for that success and figured out how to do it without being obscenely rich. In this episode, Deedre discusses why she started The Big Fat Tip nonprofit. She also covers: 

🎙The latest show stats. Are you part of the majority of listeners?

🎙Fan-Doe-Phile updates and how you can become one. 

🎙The recap of the past four episodes with the famous hypnotist, Mike Mandel, the super-talented chef, Andrew Markert, the inspirational CEO, Joanna Pineda, and the NFT tickets entrepreneur, Hunter Abramson. 

🎙A bonus track with three life hacks for you! 

Please donate to The Big Fat Tip today because we want to give out more tips! 🥰

Donate here: https://bigfattip.org/donate/

Thank You for being a Big Tipper and for helping us to push more positive energy out into the world! 

Do you know the secret to making an instant connection with someone? What if you could be a real-life Jedi by using the right words to influence others' behaviors? Mike Mandel is a famous hypnotist who has intrigued audiences around the globe for over 40 years.  He talks to Deedre Daniel about:

🎙 The secret that could help you make an instant connection with someone.

🎙 Powerful words you could use to change others’ minds and the science behind them.

🎙 How you could diffuse a volatile situation with a simple change in your phrasing.

🎙 The tricks your brain plays on you and how you could use that to your advantage.

🎙 Words you should avoid – and why.

🎙 How you could cure your headache or other pains with a mind trick.  

🎙 How you could instantly close more sales.

🎙 Tricks and tips to get you hired or promoted.

🎙 How you can say anything by not saying it.

🎙 The magic word, which is a real-life Jedi mind trick.

🎙 How Mike hacked his way into becoming a famous wine expert.   

🎙 Knife fights, a unique form of martial arts, and what to do if you are attacked in a parking garage.

🎙 The rare phobia he developed as a child and how he overcame it as an adult.

🎙 How you could trick your mind into believing something is true.

And so much more!

This episode ends with some questions from The Very Interesting Game. Stick around to hear Mike’s answers.

Bio:

Mike Mandel’s career has covered many different fields: stage performer, police trainer, psychotherapist, handwriting specialist, forensic hypnotist, martial arts instructor, writer, opera critic, corporate speaker, and wine judge.

Born in England, the son of an electrical engineer, Mike inherited none of his father’s mechanical or practical skills, but his wit and imagination made him a natural entertainer. Using his creative forces, Mike single-handedly reinvented the persona of the stage hypnotist, rescuing it from its tacky beginnings and giving it rock star appeal. In the 1970’s he toured extensively with Canadian bands A Foot in Cold Water, Lighthouse, Max Webster, and Teenage Head and is immortalized in the Goddo song “Pretty Bad Boys”. Thereafter, Mike Mandel’s consistent popularity and captivating comedy led to five tours of Britain and appearances on CBCs Jonovision, YTV, Vision, W5, Discovery, Bravo! Arts and Minds, and numerous guest spots on Australian television. One of the world’s foremost hypnosis trainers, Mike Mandel has 18 nominations and 6 awards for excellence in entertainment. In June 2000, he was presented with the COCA Hall of Fame Award, previously won by Sarah McLaughlin, the Tragically Hip, and Jim Carrey.

Mike Mandel is a master instructor at a Toronto martial arts school in a British army form of Jiu Jitsu. He has trained OPP hand-to-hand combat instructors and security personnel and has toured England, teaching at martial arts academies, and he was profiled in both Martial Arts Illustrated and Eye Spy magazine. 

His varied contributions to delighting audiences expanded into creative writing, and the first short story he wrote was published in the Toronto Star. In 2005, under a pseudonym, Mike started writing a wine blog that was avidly consumed by wine fanatics for its bombastic style and bizarre comedic slant. In 2006 he was named “Canada’s Most Irreverent Wine Writer” by City Bites Magazine. In 2007 he was listed in Toronto’s “Hot Nine of Wine”, and hosted the Ontario Wine Awards as his alter-ego, Deacon Dr. Fresh.

Mike branched out again by entering the corporate speaking market. An enlivening keynote speaker, Mike Mandel is known for being simultaneously fascinating and hilarious. His innovative Brain Software presentations routinely earn rave reviews, and his impressive and diverse client list includes Microsoft, Canada Border Services, Scotiabank, Yamaha, and the Dept of Defense.

Mike currently runs the world’s foremost online hypnosis training academy with over 2,000 students around the world, including psychiatrists, medical doctors, and professional therapists. He is the co-founder of The Wellness Academy and teaches robust health and super fitness at any age. 

“(Mandel is)…an intellectual and emotional arsonist, both igniting the spirit and enlightening the soul.”         

- Arthur H. Perlini Ph.D,  Psychologist and Dean,  Algoma University

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them on a future episode by sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on November 21, 2022

Have your dreams ever been shattered? Have you ever given 110% of yourself to something, only to watch it collapse in front of you? How do you bounce back? Andrew Markert is the Head Chef, and Owner of Beuchert’s Saloon and Fight Club restaurants in Washington, DC. He talks to Deedre Daniel about:

🎙 The quick decisions he made to keep his restaurant afloat when COVID-19 suddenly arrived and forced him to close it - on the same day he celebrated its seventh anniversary.

🎙 How he innovated to meet consumer demand and pay the bills while working within the confines of the new COVID-19 rules imposed by the local government.

🎙 How he managed emotionally and financially when his expectations did not match reality – over and over again.  

🎙 How he dealt with the heartbreak of losing his newest restaurant, Newland.  

🎙 His experience competing on the reality-TV show, Chopped.  

🎙 His recipe for turning Thanksgiving leftovers into a delicious midnight snack.

🎙 The food he predicts will be on your plate in the near future.

🎙The famous Chicago restaurant he drained his bank account to eat at.  

🎙How he led his team and managed his businesses when he didn’t have a map to follow or a mentor to guide him.

🎙Pushing past fear and anxiety to keep his business afloat.

🎙His love of sandwiches and the creative spin he takes on traditional recipes.

🎙Alternative proteins, vegan tattoos, cockroach milk, and funny Yelp reviews.

And so much more!

This episode ends with some questions from The Very Interesting Game. Stick around to hear Andrew’s answers.

Bio: Chef Andrew Markert, the Head Chef, and Owner of Beuchert’s Saloon and Fight Club is known for cooking with an edge and attitude all his own. Chef Andrew brings new energy to fine dining by utilizing locally sourced ingredients and combining them in a thought-provoking way. A Baltimore native, Markert graduated from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI, before returning to the DMV. Markert brought his talents to many critically acclaimed Washington, DC area restaurants, including Citronelle, Notti Bianche, Vermilion, and Tallula, before assuming the role of Chef de Cuisine at Hook and PS7s. Markert’s focus on sustainable products and refined creativity continue to inspire Beuchert’s central mantra: serving playful, flavor-rich cuisine deeply rooted in our community.

In his free time, Chef Drew bikes around the city and volunteers with local philanthropic organizations dedicated to enriching the District. Most recently, he’s participated in the Share Our Strength campaign, committed to ending childhood hunger, and Gourmet Symphony, which creates multisensory music experiences by adding melodically compatible, locally-sourced cuisine to the classical concert performance. 

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them on a future episode by sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on November 14, 2022

How do you set your personal and professional goals? How do you stay motivated? And how do you curate a new group of mentors to hold you accountable?

Meet Joanna Pineda, CEO of Matrix Group International. She talks to Deedre Daniel about how you can stay motivated to reach your goals. They also discuss:

🎙 How choosing the right word could drastically change your life. 🎙 How becoming a black belt gave her a new swagger. 🎙 How sometimes you need to take a punch or two to position yourself to win. 🎙 How to reclaim parts of your life that you have neglected. 🎙 Andor vs. The Mandalorian 🎙 Joanna’s advice on how to pull together your personal board of advisors. 🎙 Interviewing tips to get you hired. 🎙 How your dream job could be within the association community. 🎙 The best days to deliver different types of news and why. 🎙 Korean dramas! 🎙 Size B batteries and cock roach milking. 🎙Robot best friends who do our laundry. And so much more!

This episode ends with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game. Stick around to hear Joanna’s answers! Bio: Joanna is the CEO and Chief Troublemaker at Matrix Group International, a digital agency that helps associations and nonprofits increase membership, revenue, and engagement. They do it through web, mobile, social, and virtual/hybrid meetings. For more information, go to: www.matrixgroup.net.

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them on a future episode by sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here: https://interestingconversations.com/links/ Originally recorded on November 8, 2022

Have you ever bought concert tickets from a scalper? What do you think about those excessive fees ticketing sites tack on to your purchase? What if you could do away with all of that nonsense with a ticket that contained future benefits, which far exceeded the value of the event you attended? 

Meet Hunter Abramson, the co-founder and CEO of Relic Tickets. He talks to Deedre about how he is revolutionizing (and disrupting) the event ticketing business. They also discuss:

🎙 The power of NFTs – and how your event ticket could drastically increase in value long after the concert, conference, game, or trip is over.

🎙 How businesses could use his ticketing platform to deliver the right product, service, or message to the right person at the right time.

🎙 How you could create an entirely new membership, loyalty, or community program with one of his smart tickets.

🎙 A story about what Deedre did with a stack of free tickets to the 2010 World Serie and how it led to a stranger having the best night of his life.

🎙 The future of events in the metaverse and how they will differ from “in real life.”

🎙Being able to manage security risks better and prevent unwanted guests at your events.

🎙 How to roll out new technology to non-digital natives.

🎙 Prostitute penguins.

🎙 A newly-created word and its definition.

🎙Eating bugs for dinner.

And so much more!

This episode ends with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game. Stick around to hear Hunter’s answers!

Bio:

Hunter is the co-founder and CEO of Relic Tickets. The fantastical world of promotions, experience, and marketing is all he has ever known. From a young age, he worked with and learned from the best, his late father, Tom Abramson, who changed the console game and entertainment world. Hunter continued breaking new ground in the sports and entertainment industries always scaling the limits on experience creation and engagement. He founded Relic Tickets to disrupt and extend the concept of ticketing by utilizing blockchain technology with NFTs. Relic is building what the fans want, what the venues need, and what the artists love. And that’s just the beginning of the opportunity.

[email protected]

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them on a future episode by sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on October 31, 2022

Deedre tells stories from her 30th high school reunion with a bunch of military brats, a lesson learned from a pair of homeless man’s shoes, and the unexpected joy of drawing penis cartoons. Plus, a recap of the past four shows and a preview of what's to come. 

Have you ever wanted to be on one of those massive parade floats? Did you ever consider all the work that goes into running a parade? Parades are a big business with a lot of details to manage. Meet Brian Kern, an event planner extraordinaire and the Head Spookster of the Krewe of Boo! Halloween Parade in New Orleans. He and Deedre Daniel talk about:

🎙 The long and fascinating parade history in New Orleans and the important role his family’s business played in the tradition and the continuing evolution of it.

🎙 His Krewe of Boo – all about the Halloween parade and the many parties and events he created to go with it, including a race filled with monsters and a jazz-themed killer party planned in March.

🎙 How YOU can be on a float in their next Halloween parade and attend all of the fun parties!  

🎙 The big business of parades.

🎙 Some friction points and other considerations event organizers deal with when planning a parade in any major city.

🎙 His shift away from throwing the traditional plastic beads to the crowd. 

🎙 His plans to enhance the Krewe-member experience and dreams to expand the Halloween presence in New Orleans further.

🎙 A ghost story involving a military vessel.

🎙 His entertaining and educational show recommendations.   

🎙 How his network led to finding new and interesting side hustles he loves – despite dealing with the annoying driving behaviors of the general public.

🎙 A new kind of hawt dog!

🎙 The magical powers of mushrooms – not the trippy kind.

🎙How he avoids germs.

🎙His top New Orleans restaurant recommendation.

This episode ends with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game® “HALLOWEEN” edition.

Bio:

Brian has made it his mission to build a spooktacular weekend for Krewe of BOO! and its many events, deeming himself the King of Halloween in New Orleans. Just as his father is dubbed "Mr. Mardi Gras," Brian is on his way to becoming "Mr. All Hallow's," the Jack Skellington of New Orleans, the Krewe of Boo's Chief Spookster.​

But his claim to fame, aside from organizing this weekend of spooky festivities, is his innovative solution to the beads waste problem: Locally-made throws that won't leave tons of leftover trash. Beads are still a big throw item, but to reduce the aftermath of trash, Brian has teamed up with the makers of New Orleans-made food items and local collectible objects that parade-goers will want to consume or keep as mementos.

Brian encourages parade-goers to don their favorite, family-friendly Halloween costumes, bring bags to collect throws, and shout "Throw Me Somethin', Monsta!" as they watch the Krewe of BOO! parade pass by.​

To ride on one of his Halloween floats next year, or to attend the other fun events he has planned, go to https://www.kreweofboo.com/

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them to be on a future episode by simply sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on October 17, 2022

Are you overwhelmed by the latest advancements in technology? Do you need to simplify your life, but you don't know where to start or what tools to use?

Meet Beth Ziesenis, an author, speaker, and tech nerd. She talks to Deedre about tech tips, tricks, and tools to make your life easier, including eliminating the Oxford comma used in this sentence. They also discuss:

🎙 Beth’s latest book, which is filled with more than 450 app recommendations for you.

🎙 How generative artificial intelligence is making huge leaps in writing, art, and film.

🎙 The importance of a password manager and the top ones to choose from.

🎙 Bad password habits you need to break *right now* and the future of passwords, which should make our lives safer and easier.

🎙 Virtual and augmented reality.

🎙 The questionable and unproductive management practices some employers use to track their employees’ every move every minute of the work day.

🎙 The redefined work day. 

🎙Canva’s new “Magic Pictures.” (Beth mentions MANY apps during our discussion. You have to listen to learn about them!)

🎙 Funny robots.

🎙 How to overcome your resistance to new technology.

🎙Controlling your email.

🎙 Time-saving keyboard shortcuts.

🎙 Sex dolls and their impact on society.

🎙Her disdain for the Oxford comma.

🎙Her “Best French Fries” award from McDonald’s and an “off-menu” tip, which might break the burger clown's nondisclosure agreement.

And so much more!

This episode ends with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game “HALLOWEEN” edition. Beth’s answers are all naturally nerdy. Stick around to learn about a Zombie app, a decorating app, and an app that combines apps.     

Bio:

Beth Ziesenis: Author. Speaker. Nerd.

Since her first Motorola RAZR flip phone, Beth has made a verb out of the word "nerd." She's here to help you filter through thousands of apps, gadgets, widgets and doodads to find the perfect free and bargain technology tools for work and home. Although the only real trophy she ever won was for making perfect French fries at McDonald's in high school, Beth Z has been featured on Best Speaker lists by several organizations who write best speaker lists. She has written a whole shelf of books on apps and has spoken to more than 100 thousand audience members just like you. And if you're puzzling over why she goes by "Beth Z"... it's because she only finds about three people a year who can pronounce her last name.

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them to be on a future episode by simply sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on October 10, 2022

Do you dream of being an author, but you make up excuses not to do it? Do you harness your fears, or do you allow them to control you? 

 Meet Owl Goingback, an award-winning author, who has been writing professionally for over 30 years. He talks to Deedre about:

🎙How he became a full-time working author.

🎙Overcoming the shame and embarrassment that first-time authors typically face.

🎙Dealing with critics.

🎙How reading horror novels could help us conquer our fears.

🎙The real appeal of horror stories and why people gravitate to them – especially during bad times.

🎙How he creatively taps into what he knows to explore (and create) unknown worlds.  

🎙How his motto about work: (Always say “yes” and worry about it later!) led to many lucrative writing jobs.

🎙Judging a book – and people – by their cover.  

🎙How our imaginations are so powerful that often the best writing, photography, and other art forms are those that intentionally leave out details so our active imagination can fill in the blanks.

🎙The thrill, excitement, and sometimes letdown of meeting celebrity crushes.  

🎙 A family of fans that scared him.

🎙Kissing up to a robot boss.

🎙Ghost stories, little people, and a water monster – oh my!

🎙Spirit animals and the meaning behind them.

🎙How to spot a shyster Shaman.

And so much more!

This episode ends with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game “HALLOWEEN” edition. Find out what this author would paint on his front door to keep scary people out.

Bio:

Owl Goingback has been writing professionally for over thirty years and is the author of numerous novels, children’s books, screenplays, magazine articles, short stories, and comics. He is a three-time Bram Stoker Award Winner, receiving the award for novel, first novel, lifetime achievement, a Nebula Award Nominee, and a Storytelling World Awards Honor Recipient. His books include Crota, Darker Than Night, Evil Whispers, Breed, Shaman Moon, Coyote Rage, Eagle Feathers, The Gift, and Tribal Screams. Owl's stories are often inspired by his Native American heritage. In addition to writing under his name, he has ghostwritten for Hollywood celebrities. l

In addition to his writing endeavors, Owl served as a sergeant in the United States Air Force, owned a restaurant/lounge, and worked as a cemetery caretaker.

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them to be on a future episode by simply sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on October 3, 2022

Do you feel like your love life needs a little more sizzle? Are you feeling distracted, numb, or a little disconnected from others and yourself? Perhaps reading a romance novel would help you get your groove back! 

Meet Tessa Layne, a best-selling romance novelist who talks to Deedre about:

🎙Being diagnosed with ADHD in middle age.

🎙How romance novels are for everyone because there is a story for everyone.

🎙How reading romance novels could help us embrace a full range of emotions we have suppressed – so we feel less numb.

🎙How to be a prolific author despite the massive distractions and time constraints we face every day.

🎙How she learned about sex as an awkward pre-teen before she had access to the internet and how it formed her expectations of it in adulthood.

🎙One of her secrets to boosting book sales.

🎙How the act of writing a short erotic story can fan the flames of passion, spark up your love life, and increase intimacy by reading it to your partner.  

🎙Typical “tropes” and genres in romance novels and her plans to create new ones.

🎙Why she thinks women deserve pleasure, should expect it, and take agency over it.

🎙The significant role conflict plays in our lives.

🎙The sexiness of daily chores.

🎙Her thoughts about older women with (much) younger men.

🎙Her pet peeves, fears, and what she looks forward to in the future.

And so much more!

In this episode, we end with some new questions from The Very Interesting Game “After Dark” edition, which are slightly naughty. Find out what this author thinks always deserves a spanking and the food that never should be served at an orgy.

Bio:

Romance Writer Tessa Layne is the author of the USA Today Bestselling series Cowboys of the Flint Hills, Heroes of Resolution Ranch, and the critically acclaimed naughty rom-com series Titans of Tech written as T.S. Layne. She's managed to write 24 books and counting while wrangling her two misbehaved cats, two teenaged daughters, and one wild-and-crazy husband. She loves all things Romance, The Great British Bake-Off, and secretly wishes she could have attended a party with Julia Child. Her book recommendations include lots of Romance, books her daughters love, her favorite cookbooks (there are lots!), and books she's been inspired by while researching her novels. To learn more about Tessa and sign up for her newsletter, visit TessaLayne.com

Do you know someone who lives a fascinating life or looks at the world through the lens of humor? Nominate them to be on a future episode by simply sending several ridiculous and intriguing questions about them to [email protected]. No need to send a BIO or fill out a lengthy application! If your nominee is selected, you will receive a shout-out on that episode, a SHUT UP and SAY SOMETHING!® sticker, and a mug of your choice from the merch page on interestingconversations.com.

Contact or Follow Deedre Daniel here:

https://interestingconversations.com/links/

Originally recorded on September 19, 2022