Thecuriousmanspodcast

In this interview Matt Crawford speaks with author Beverly Gooden about her book, Surviving: Why We Stay and How We Leave Abusive Relationships. This is one of the most impactful books I have ever read, full stop. Gooden, a survivor of domestic abuse tells us her story about living through violence and how she survived and thrived. So often we hear stories of abuse and ask the question, "Why did they stay?" Almost immediately it becomes the victims fault, why is that? Survived, explains to us the many different forms abuse takes, how sinister the abusers can be and the social stigma attached to its victims. Most of all though this is a story of hope and like the title says, Surviving. Please read this book and have a conversation about it. 1 in 4 women are victims of domestic abuse, that means that while you may think this doesn't effect you or anyone you know, you could be wrong. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Steve Brusatte about his book, The Rise and Reign of The Mammals, A New History, from the Shadow of the Dinosaurs to Us. Brusatte traces the evolution of Mammals and their amazing journey through history and takes us along for the ride. A sweeping and eye-opening lesson that includes illustrations and Brusatte's own field work to really bring us back in time and show us, how we became what we are today. The history of dinosaurs and mammals is often thought of as separate, but it is intimately linked and while mammals were somewhat in the shadow of dinosaurs, the largest animal to ever live is on earth now and is a mammal! Brusatte is true rock star and Paleontology Advisor for the film, Jurassic World Dominion. Eat your heart out Chris Pratt!!

Matt Crawford speaks with author Ray Scott about his book, The NBA in Black and White. Ray Scott recounts his life in the NBA and beyond in this refreshing and down to earth memoir. Scott played in the NBA for the Detroit Pistons for 6 years, then was their coach, and the first black man to win coach of the year. All this while the Civil Rights movement and the fight for racial justice was raging. Scott provides us his unique insight as he looks back on his life and looks ahead at our future. I hope you will all give it a read.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Eden Collinsworth about her book, What the Ermine Saw. A story over 500 years in the making, this is a book that needs to be read. Ludovico Sforza, duke of Milan commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to capture his mistress, Cecilia Gallerani in a portrait as a symbol of his power and her beauty. I think Leonardo might have captured even more in the painting. Lost for over 200 years after Cecilia's death this painting has survived multiple wars and destruction while changing hands from one owner to the next. A painting of an amazing woman, this painting was championed and saved by amazing women on multiple occasions.  A truly thrilling ride, Collinsworth takes us along as she tracks where and what this portrait has seen over the centuries. This is a story that will excite and imbue hope will reading, I hope you will. 

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with author Eric Jay Dolin about his book, Rebels at Sea. What is the difference between a Privateer and a Pirate? Often seen as interchangeable Dolin goes back to our revolution and shows, not only how different the two were but how integral to our survival Privateers were. Few realize just how precarious a position the colonies were in during our fight for independence. With a nascent navy to go up against the British Navy behemoth, Privateers and their vessels proved to be a deciding factor in the fight. An exciting and fresh look at the American Revolution that is sure to delight. Dolin has done it again, give a listen to whet your appetite and then give the book a read.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Victoria Wolcott about her book, Living in the Future. Utopianism is often dismissed as unrealistic and even cultish. However, when we study the Long Civil Right Movement, we see that Utopianism was the foundation of that early work. Desegregation, gender equality, unionism and peaceful resistance training were all basic tenets of these communities. We are all aware of Martin Luther King Jr. and the Civil Rights fight of the 60's, this book takes us back to the roots of that movement and introduces us to those who came before.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks with Nolan Higdon about his and Mickey Huff's book, Let's Agree to Disagree. Where have the good debates gone? Most of us find it difficult to sit around a dinner table with our loved ones and have a discussion about current events without an argument. If we can't find common ground with people we love, how can we do that with strangers? This is why we all need to read this book. Higdon and Huff give us the tools to first realize our own bias but to also approach these conversations from the correct footing. With tools to sharpen our critical thinking, more effective communicators and critical media literate citizens. I hope you will all pick this up and then strike up a conversation so that we can all learn from one and other.

In this interview Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Katey Walter Anthony about her book, Chasing Lakes. This is such a rich story with so many facets that any reader can pick this up and find something that will move them. Anthony describes her work in the field of ecology in her search for greenhouse gas emissions in the arctic and their effect on our climate. However, this is not just a book about science, it is also a sort of memoir. Anthony brings us back to her childhood and the affect a fractured family had on her childhood, as well as her search for love and on finding how her faith and her work as a scientist fit together. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Steve Adams about his book, What's What and What to Do About It. A refreshing and unique read that is equal parts humor, philosophy and self-help. This is a quick, fun, yet profound read. We all have those little voices of doubt and worry in our head and without the benefit of perspective we often give them too much credence. Adams brings his life experiences and humor to the table in the form of advice columnist Waldo Mellon, an alter ego you will be sure to fall in love with. From the silly to the sublime, Waldo dishes out pearls of wisdom that will make you laugh out loud. A perfect gift or book for anyone, please pick this one up and give it a read. You will not be disappointed, and you will look at the world a bit differently. 

Matt Crawford speaks with musician, entrepreneur, business coach, mindfulness enthusiast and co-host of The Subtle Art of Not Yelling Podcast Bill Small. In this wide-ranging conversation we discuss what holds us back in life and how to take an artist's view of the world. How will looking at our life as our creation change it? If we take the view that we are the ones shaping our life instead of thinking that life is something that happens to us, where will that lead us? I hope you all enjoy this conversation as much as I did.