Spirit of the Midwest

Wesley and CK take a brief look back at "season one" of Sprit of the Midwest, highlighting their favorite moments and thanking the amazing guests (and listeners!) who made everything possible. Stay tuned for more in season two!

Adam is a writer, podcaster, video producer, designer, coder, and more! We discussed his journey to the development world via small towns, military service, and large charity organizations. His story is full of closed doors and we enjoyed his advice on how to push through those obstacles.

Colby Jennings is an artist and a teacher from Springfield, Missouri. In this episode he tells his story and talks about his craft. He walks us through his own favorite interactive art piece, and explains what it means to make in order to understand from his artist statement. He also talks about how personal anxiety informs his work, and shares advice to his younger self. He is a deep, DEEP thinker with a unique outlook on life in the Midwest.

Doug Wilson is a designer and filmmaker from Springfield, Missouri. In this episode he talks about why he likes Springfield and what makes the Midwest special. He tells the story of how Linotype: The Film was made, and the democratization of creating that allowed him and the film team to produce it. He also talks about traveling and the importance (and difficulties) of following your passion. He's so cool, he bikes to work every day.

Logan Pyle is a designer from Springfield, Missouri. In this episode he talks about his rough journey to doing the work he loves, and how he kept his passion alive in the process. He talks about the morbid mindset that sets importance on family and the rock that family is in his own life. He also talks about how he manages social media by limiting it through disciplined use. Logan would never admit it, but he's a hipster and that's ok.

Brandon Rike is a graphic artist from Columbus, Ohio. In this episode he talks about the meaning behind the title "graphic artist", as well as his journey to that place from growing up in a small town. He talks about the value of doing hard, exhausting work, as well as some of the generational differences that exist in the workforce today. Let’s all keep pressuring him to write a book - this guy has got some great thoughts.

Jane Grant-Abban is an artist from Stillwater, Minnesota. In this episode she tells her story of moving to the Midwest from the UK, and the discovery of her talent. She talks about what it takes to achieve excellence in her craft, and the importance of focus and setting goals. As the teacher of a few intentionally small art classes, she also shares her experience with the therapeutic qualities of painting. Jane is the perfect kind of person to sit and have tea with.

Chris Coyier is a web designer, developer, writer, and do-er from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. In this episode he tells his story of growing up in the Midwest and his brief stints on the east and west coasts. As the founder of css-tricks.com, he talks about making it his main income source and the Midwest work ethic that powers him and the people who live here. He's like that really cool classmate that everyone likes but you wouldn't know about his life as a rockstar because he's so humble.

Danielle Evans is a food typographer from Columbus, Ohio. In this episode she tells us her “tale of woe” and her journey from that place to where she is today. She talks about bottoming out, doing work that you think is valuable, and the benefits of sharing your work with others. She also talks about what makes the people of the Midwest special. Danielle bubbles over with happiness and creativity, and is definitely "the cool aunt."

Christian Gideon is a photographer from Springfield, Missouri. In this episode he tells his story and explains the focus of his photography. He shares how his Midwestern roots prepared him for what he does, and he talks about being authentic in his craft. He also talks about how his personal shooting affects his professional shooting. This guy loves his job and passionately cares about the why behind it. A big thanks to him for being our very first guest!