Story World Explorers

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This week’s guest is our good friend, Eric Clarke!  Eric is an event photographer stationed here in Chicago, doing work for networking event groups, corporate events, and even doing work for companies like Netflix.  We got to know Eric through Tony P’s Networking Events (listen to our conversation with Tony P and Greg DeKalb here) where he was the primary event photographer.  With no events happening in person for the foreseeable future, what’s an event photographer to do?

We spoke about the impact COVID has had on events and the way forward, Eric’s strategy of not missing anything during events, and doing work for your portfolio v. doing work for free.

We had plenty of laughs about tackling hurdles, the world’s largest rooftop bar, and how long a day feels while shooting an event.

It’s a photogenic conversation!  

Follow Eric:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eclarkephoto/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericmichaelclarke/

 Special thanks to our on and only Patreon Supporter, Tony Perez :)

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Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our new friend, Chris Johnson!  Chris is one of the founders of SIL (Strategic Introductions League) which is a networking group here in Chicago and expanding.  SIL made a pivot during the pandemic to move to online networking, allowing for them to continue to grow the membership while allowing for vetting of each member to get rid of the “takers”.  This has made a cohesive group orientated around giving and helping each other. 

We spoke about networking during the pandemic, making sure you make the “second call”, and how to ask for things after giving.

We also had laughs about Chris inability to drink IPA’s, the common euphemism “eat your own dog”, and Frank’s voice cracks.

A connecting conversation!

Follow Chris:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-johnson-309575b/

Want to join SIL?  Contact a member or Chris!

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our new friend, James McGuinness!  James is the founder of PondLeap, which helps entrepreneurs and companies looking to expand into new countries establish a sales strategy, hire freelance salespeople, and coach those freelancers to sell their products all for the average price of one full time salesperson.  Having experienced the struggles himself, PondLeap’s aim is to minimize the risk of hiring and managing salespeople.

We spoke about how important reputation is in business and sales, how you should do your research before talking to anyone, and how CEO’s need to be fundamentally well versed in all aspects of the business while allowing themselves time to learn stuff they don’t know.

We had a bunch of laughs at the expense of Elon Musk, ranting about how awful marketplaces are, and invented anew cocktail named the “English Matthew McConaughey”.

Grab a warm beer and join us for a great conversation!

Watch Here: https://youtu.be/Ui-UnpQpqV8

Follow PondLeap:

Website: https://www.pondleap.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pondleap/

Follow James:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesmcguinness/

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our good friend, Kyle Jackson!  Kyle is the director of operations at a luxury hotel here in Chicago. Kyle has developed a reputation for caring about the well being of the people who work for him.  This reputation is due large in part to his belief that people matter more then profit.

We spoke about the importance of people over profitability, the value of customer money, and how you shouldn’t make money your life goal.

We also had plenty of laughs about the Kyle Half-Smile, his amazing financial skills, and how bad Kyle is at building rollercoasters.

It’s a great conversation!

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our new friend, Leigh Lahav!  Leigh is an animator and a writer, though on the podcast we discovered she’s more or a writer then an animator.  She’s worked on several projects as a writer and has channel on YouTube where she posts he own parody animations (super funny, see link below).

We spoke about how it’s always good to have multiple projects while pitching, using yourself and family in your writing to make characters more real, and how important good producers can be to a project.

We also had lots of laughs about Leigh being a walking product placement for Coke Zero, how little Leigh cares about who write what on any given project, and swapping writers room stories.

It’s an animated conversation!

Follow Leigh here:

Twitter: Twitter.com/leighlahav

YouTube: Youtube.com/onlyleigh

#animation #adultanimation #writer #writersroom #script #screenwriter #comedy #passion #artist #creator #parody #story #storyteller #inconversation #podcast

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Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest id our good friend, Clint Barnard-El!  Clint is a model (if you didn’t notice).  He’s represented By Select here in Chicago and globally, and getting paid to model for about 10 years.  We spoke about receiving rejection, how networking catapulted his career, and why models often have to country hop to get new work.

We also had a lot of laughs about fixing your face, how we are charging Clint 70% commission on anything he makes via our network, and Jack’s new gravel business.

A stunning conversation with Clint!

Follow Clint:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/barnardclint/

Select Model: https://www.instagram.com/selectmodelchicago/

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our good friend, Jason Weight!  Jason is a writer, director and voice actor with his own series named Starship Goldfish as well as several other projects for companies like Crunchy Roll.  Starship Goldfish has been a labor of love for the past 10 years, and recently signed with Starburns Industries to produce the show.  He is currently still pitching to find a home for the project.

We spoke about his 10 year journey with his project Starship Goldfish, how important having a social following is for a project to being picked-up, and how you don’t need to be an animator to create an animation (find animators!).

A great conversation with the always witty, Jason Weight!

Follow Jason & Starship Goldfish:

Starship Goldfish Pilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRZZ7kpdGvo

Starship Goldfish Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/StarshipGoldfish/

Jason’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ajasonweight/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-weight-45279417/

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our new friend, Austin McCulloh!  Austin is the founder of Austin McCulloh Advising, where he performs as a Sales & Accountability Consultant.  He helps financial advisors grow their business by providing psychology revamping and leadership training.  Essentially, he helps salespeople understand themselves so they can help other people.

We spoke about the abundant v. lack mindset, how sales are about helping other people NOT yourself, and how asking for help from experts isn’t an expense but an investment. 

We also laughed our asses off at people who hide their ideas & networks, Austin’s Freudian slip about his sex life, and even gave some tips about recording through a web cam.

It’s an electric and hilarious conversation! 

Follow Austin:
Website: https://www.austinmcculloh.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-mcculloh/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/austinmcculloh/

Want to see the people behind the beautiful voices?  This episode is available on YouTube!

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Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

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This week’s guest is our friend, Asher Ahmahd Waldron!  Asher is a musician and yoga instructor focusing on bringing physical and mental balance to musicians.  We spoke about the importance of artists health, how art is not easy, and how discouraging it is as an artist not to be valued enough to be compensated accurately. 

We also had laughs about a devious plan to expose people asking musicians to perform with no notice for exposure, a new architect named Frank Lloyd Bright, and musing about how awkward instruments are to play.

A Zen and hilarious conversation! 

Follow Asher:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asher_ahmahd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/asher-waldron-0bb51279/

Listen:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5WH6IEymV2whxgXCJAIiXW?si=YtjdSyf1SAOyfrAAV9cCAA
Bandcamp : https://wearenoneofyourconcern.bandcamp.com

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest

Send us Fan Mail

This week’s guest is our new friend, Caitlin McAllister!  Caitlin is the COO (chief operations officer) at Workbox, a tech incubator and accelerator.  We are currently members of Workbox’s Faster Smarter Accelerator program for our own tech idea!  

We spoke about how fundraising for a start-up is a lot like dating, how founders have more to gain by being open about their tech idea rather then being secretive, and how important networking is for everyone.   

We also had many laughs caused by speaking gaffs, the importance of wearing pants even on Zoom calls, and how the Midwest is better than the west and east coast. 

It’s an informative and hilarious conversation!  

Follow Caitlin:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlinmcallister/

Follow Workbox:

Website: https://www.workboxcompany.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/workbox-company/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/workboxcompany/

Support the show

Are you an intrepid explorer with your own story world?  You should be a guest on Story World Explorers!  Connect with us here: https://www.storyworldexplorers.com/be-a-guest