The Maslow Peak Podcast

Tarik Sykes aka the streetwear legend DunkonDunks from Billet Video Studios joins us to discuss his journey from making cabinets in Iowa to shooting celebrities, fashion, luxury real estate and more in New York City. We talk caps, sneakers, capturing quiet moments in the City That Never Sleeps, challenging yourself with new experiences, shooting Kevin Durant and Amber Rose, chasing your side hustle without blowing up your life (and making things hard for your family), and how if you feel stuck but never change your situation, your situation will never change.

Alex Mitchell and Len Kori from Thrill SF join us to talk about their journey from legendary cap collectors to respected cap designers. We pour one out for the Clink Room (RIP) and discuss the sickness that is cap collecting, design, and obsession, networking your way to doing something you’re passionate about, formative memories impacting the rest of your life (and your fashion choices), the 2010, 2012, and 2014 World Series Champion San Francisco Giants, and not being afraid of creating.

Philanthropist, social innovator and community builder Shawn Saleme from Burners Without Borders joins us to talk about being a global citizen, meeting people where they’re at, boom economics in Silicon Valley, misconceptions about Burning Man versus the actual experience, getting out of your comfort zone and expanding your worldview, and choosing to do what you can to help make a difference in someone’s life, whether in your community or across the globe.

Game Developer Monte Krol from Blizzard Entertainment joins us to talk about World of Warcraft, realizing that someone has your dream job (which means you can too), virtual blood plagues studied by real world epidemiologists, turning down NASA, putting family first, surviving “crunch” with crunchy tacos, learning to be part of a team in order to accomplish goals bigger than yourself, and of course, "Leeeeeeroy Jeeeeeenkins!!!!"

Teacher of the Year Joe Schuster joins us to talk about the challenges of educating tomorrow’s leaders, giving kids a reason to care about learning, turning this morning’s news into today’s lesson plan, that crap they call music these days, the very sobering realization that your chosen college major may not lead to a plethora of job opportunities, and trying your hardest to reach people in the way they’ll best receive it.

Our host Bret Griffin takes some time to thank you for listening and give you all a sneak "peak" of what's to come in 2017. It's been a great couple of months, and we're just getting started.

Illustration/entrepreneur team Brad & Krystal Woodard from Brave the Woods join us to talk about design and illustration, their awesome new venture Artists for Education, the "white whale" client that got away, the blessings of challenges of being married, working together, and raising kids all in the same house, having way too many ideas, weekend getaways, the outdoors, the importance of paying your taxes, and the freedom found in crafting the life you know you’re meant to live.

Attorney turned soapmaker Sarah Sherman joins us to talk about her company Psalm 51 Soap, the soapmaking process, the inevitable "Fight Club" comparisons, the reasons behind her decision to put her childhood dream on hold for her family, turning your hobby into a business, making sure your hobby-turned-business doesn't poison your family or burn your house down, finding inspiration all around you, and staying true to your beliefs and yourself, even if it means missing out on an opportunity.

Physician Assistant & Orchestral Flautist (that's right) Kelli McConnehey joins us to talk about working in infectious diseases and trying not to die, choosing a path out of your two competing and divergent dreams, the importance of arts in the civic landscape, and balancing the demands of your career with doing the things you need to do to feel like yourself.

Emmy-Nominated television editor Ed Greene joins us to talk about the art of crafting narratives out of reality footage, making powerful enemies in Hollywood, BattleBots, Deadliest Catch, film school, becoming Alan Smithee, why he didn’t love Stranger Things, and focusing on what you discover you like doing the best.