The Maslow Peak Podcast

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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.

Sabina Correa from Napa Psychological Services joins us for a wide ranging discussion about the human mind, parenting, helping people cope with trauma, changing attitudes towards mental illness, determining whether someone actually has mental illness or if they’re just looking for easier sentencing (or a warm bed for the night), changing attitudes towards gender dysphoria, the psychology of mass shootings, and finding small moments of peace every day to help keep you grounded.

Shaun Keating joins us to discuss writing, “fake news,” the psychology of why we believe what we believe, consciously reading the news and considering the source and intent of the author before taking it as ultimate truth, his unbiased news summary venture News Feather, his failed career as a sci-fi novelist, figuring out the rhythms of parenting, getting retweeted by a Kardashian, writing in other people’s voices, work/life balance and trying to fit everything you want to do in the hours you’re awake, “Game of Thrones,” and much more.

Jimmy Bryant from Atomic Child joins us to discuss art, illustration vs. design, growing up in the middle of nowhere, “the work” vs. “the art,” the joy of making things that people love, how much we both loved “Logan,” pursuing your passion without a backup plan, how real life often ends up differently from what college told you it would be, and how you have to put your work out there.