The Maslow Peak Podcast

Private Investigator, security entrepreneur, former police officer, and self-described “fixer” Eric Peterson from Peterson Investigations joins us to talk about keeping you and your family safe, his career providing security for celebrities, how just because you saw where your favorite celebrity had for dinner, that doesn’t mean you’re friends, how no one uses “The Club” anymore, getting to know your neighbors, the current state of police relations in our country, and how to get out of your next speeding ticket.

[Note: At one point in this podcast we discuss mass shootings and safety and security at large public gatherings. This was recorded edited before the events in Las Vegas transpired. Bret personally believes that all assault rifles, large-capacity magazines, and automatic weapons should be outlawed for personal use. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by the horrible events in Las Vegas.]

Lake Forest City Council Member & Mayor Pro-Tem Leah Basile joins us to talk about local government, getting things done in your city, getting involved wherever you can, parenting, being a good listener, and doing the right thing no matter the consequences.

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Advertising executive/“Social Media Charlemagne” and political activist Jarred Romley from Anyone Collective joins us to discuss his career in advertising, how it is and isn’t like “Mad Men,” how you get to the core of an idea and interpret that message, the state of our nation, listening to each other and trying to find common ground, raising daughters in this modern world, the human beauty of getting to know your neighbors, and how we can make America kind again.

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Pizza chef, entrepreneur and veteran paratrooper Craig Buscemi from Pizzami Buscemi joins us to talk pizza, pizza and more pizza, becoming a certified “pizzaiolo” in Verona, Italy, our shared love of motorcycles, his road from making pizza, to selling houses, to jumping out of airplanes in Italy, and back to pizza, dough secrets, our favorite toppings, food truck mechanical issues, why real pizza makers hate ranch, and much more.

Program manager, self-described problem solver, and “English Guy” James Ridgers from Blizzard Entertainment joins us for a remarkably wide-ranging and thoughtful conversation about about solving problems, happiness, compassion, helping out wherever you can, how not all gamers are griefers and trolls, choosing what to believe, coming to terms with your failures, not being late (ever), his newfound love of wine, and much more.

After the credits roll at the end, there’s another bonus conversation where we do a deep, deep dive on British music (“BritPop”) in the mid-90s, the political and cultural atmosphere behind the music, how an era’s music always reflects the anxieties of the time, and how the social media age has changed how we express ourselves and thus the art we make (or don’t make).

Entrepreneur and audio engineer Derek Bargaehr from Vanguard Audio Labs discusses owning your own microphone company, the importance of having a strong support system behind you while you chase your dreams, fostering a lifelong love of learning, the alchemy of electronics and the very real discomfort of shocking yourself, the joy of making something and putting it out into the world, marrying form and function, and not letting fear of the unknown hold you back.

Comic book artist and Chief Creative Officer Darrell May from Stranger Comics discusses creating whole worlds with a pen and paper, taking risks and making sacrifices to pursue your dreams, the complicated world of “Game of Thrones,” the intersection of anthropology and Christianity, telling stories that represent all cultures and peoples, doing The Work to overcome your “lack of inspiration,” LARPing before it was cool, working with Amandla Stenberg, and much more.

Music industry veteran Chad Pearson (Tooth & Nail, The Militia Group, Reach Records) joins us to discuss his journey, from growing up in Papua New Guinea to moving to Seattle, working with some of my musical heroes, how the record industry isn’t like “Empire” (at all), fighting for art that you believe in, treating your interns well (because they might be your boss some day), the grey hair in our beards, and how it all comes back to relationships

Writer/Personal Historian Jeannette Encinias joins us to discuss writing, telling people’s life stories, turning your passion and skill set into a career, getting through your initial fear and getting started, taking care of yourself so you can do your best work, the intimacy of telling someone’s life story, and how it’s never too late to change course.

Keith Longo from Los Angeles rock band Flights Over Phoenix joins us to discuss his journey from Boston to LA, following your musical dreams, our shared belief in aliens, songwriting and inspiration, our favorite movies and 90s pop songs, staying positive and working at your craft, and taking steps towards your goals every day.