The Firebelly Chronicles | What's Burning in You? | Weekly Podcast | Interviews to Inspire, Motivate, and Empower You

This week's Firebelly guest—Money expert and Attorney, Emily Chase Smith—knows a lot about money and the loss of money in business. As Emily points out, for individuals who wish to be creative in their business (which includes anyone who is starting a business, but especially individuals wanting to make a living being creative—writers, filmmakers, cooks, etc.) figuring out and organizing the money piece in your business is very important, if not key.

Today's Firebelly guest, author, Laura Vanderkam and her book, What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast is a tremendous resource for those of us with a full life, eager to find the time to do those things that we know make us who we are and who we want to become. Laura has studied the productivity of thousands of individuals, and breaks down those key items successful people focus on (or don’t focus on) throughout their day. Most importantly, she brings to light the early morning hours before most of the world rises. These early morning hours — this is where you can find the most successful people — this is how they thrive.

In this week’s Firebelly interview, Filmmaker Gina Leibrecht talks about being broke, cold calling, and working for free, all in pursuit of her dream of becoming a filmmaker. Gina knew she couldn’t work the typical 9-5 job, it just wasn’t who she was. A true inspiration, Gina is someone who felt that fire in her belly and went for it, no matter what.  She’s a documentary filmmaker — a producer, a director, an editor and a grant-writer (and she does everything else in between when it comes to filmmaking).

Bunmi Laditan says the key to doing what you love is to just start where you are. Bunmi created the Twitter feed, The Honest Toddler back in April 2012 and 4 short months later an agent called and offered her a book deal. Today The Honest Toddler Twitter feed has over 280,000 followers. Her Facebook page >> 198,000 followers.

Now, she's currently working with television producers to transform The Honest Toddler into a TV series. Darren Starr, the creator of the famed Sex and City series has even approached her about the possibility.

The Honest Toddler is based on Bunmi’s now four year old daughter, which is only appropriate as to why you’ll hear her sweet daughter in the background of our interview.

What's burning in you?

Owner Daniel Keeton of Bend, Oregon had an idea. He wanted to create a healthy beer-like beverage for dogs.While working at Boneyard Brewery, one of the local breweries in his town, Daniel created Dawg Grog - a nutritional liquid treat for your best friend. It's made from Boneyard Brewery's malted barley water, liquid glucosamine, and organic vegetable broth.In only a matter of months, Dawg Grog has already gone international, even making into one of Conan O'Brien's nightly monologues.Daniel created Dawg Grog and manages Dawg Grog while at the same time, continuing to work his full-time job.How did he do it, and how does he do it?Learn all about the Dawg Grog story in our interview here.And after watching the interview, let me know if you too are working a full-time time while creating your project. How are you balancing it and what advice can you offer to the Firebelly Chronicles' community? Share your advice and thoughts in the comments below the video and audio after viewing at www.thefirebellychronicles.com.

I first heard the name "Roko Belic" when I was in graduate school in San Francisco. Years before, Belic's directorial documentary debut, Genghis Blues had been a huge hit. It won the Sundance Audience Award and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. I had been working on my graduate thesis film which explored the topic of Happiness, and several people I met throughout my research pointed me in Belic's direction. Eventually our paths crossed when I attended a voice-over recording for his most recent film's narration.

For his most recent film, HAPPY, Belic teamed up with Hollywood heavyweight Tom Shadyac (director of Bruce Almighty, Liar, Liar among other films), who executive produced, to direct the feature documentary. HAPPY combines powerful human stories from around the world with cutting edge science to give us a deeper understanding of what makes us ultimately...happy.

What I admire most about Belic (besides his outstanding filmmaking) is his steadfast focus to keep true to himself and his art. He practices what he preaches and is a true example of artists helping artists, people helping people. He is in this with us.

Go here to learn more about Roko Belic and his HAPPY movie

Have you ever dreamed of making a living producing that thing you feel like you were born to create?Tony Lawrence, Owner and Brew Master of Bend, Oregon's Boneyard Beer, is an example of someone who set out to create a good product, while following his passion for brewing beer. I know a good beer. I grew up in Santa Rosa, California, home to Russian River Brewing Company. I was raised on Pliny the Elder, Pliny the Younger and Blind Pig. Russian River Brewing Company is a beer company known across the globe for their expertise in creating award winning beers.The first time I tried Boneyard RPM IPA I was completely blown away. I had never tasted a beer as good as those brewed at Russian River Brewing Company. I knew immediately that I had to meet the brewer at Boneyard Beer and learn about the company, and those creating the beer behind the scenes. What I love about Boneyard Beer is not only their amazing beer product, but also the authenticity of their brand – who they are, what they stand for, and what they don’t stand for.They are a company and a brewery to watch (...and taste).Afterwards, join our conversation in the comments below the audio and video. Enjoy!

Dave Dahl from Dave’s Killer Bread went from serving 15 years in prison to now owning a multi-million dollar company. The road to success comes with its ups and downs — all lessons, guiding us one step closer to our goal — our creation. Dave is a perfect example of someone who overcame obstacles – including prison – and transformed himself into what he calls, “A Good Seed.” He spreads this goodness not only in his own life and in his bread, but in the lives of those around him. Dave says, “The Good Seed” is one of the keys to success and happiness in his own life.