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There are more than 4000 colleges in the United States--many of them hundreds of years old.  Adam Braus decided to create a new one.  In this episode he shares why he took this bold step, as well as the many hoops he had to jump through to gain accreditation (and the "corruption" he claims he encountered along the way). Elton College is built on Braus's background in education and philosophy.  Elton turns a lot of conventional wisdom about learning on its head--students get one-on-one tutoring about the subjects that most fascinate them; they can start any time of the year (not just in the fall); there are no semesters; and more. It is, as Braus calls it, an "artisanal model of education."

In this episode:

• Why start a new college? (01:40)
• What differentiates Elton from other colleges (05:29)
• How Adam's research into motivation, and background in philosophy, inform Elton (09:54)
• Special attributes of Elton College (13:16)
• Study whatever interests you (17:05)
• Finding professors (19:34)
• Tuition at Elton (24:57)
• Adam's vision for Elton moving forward (28:50)
• 
  

• Learn about Adam (and the books he's written):  https://www.adambraus.com 
• Find out more about Elton College: https://www.eltoncollege.org/
• Listen to Adam's podcast: https://www.solutionsfromthemultiverse.com/

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Last year, Cal Currier decided to try to sail across the Atlantic Ocean from Massachusetts to Portugal, alone.  But he was only 16--and he didn't know how to sail! With a lot of dedication and determination, and a refusal to take "no" for an answer, Cal overcame every obstacle (including convincing his initially-reluctant mother); and in late June 2022, he set out solo, into the Atlantic Ocean, heading east.  The trip wasn't as "exciting" as Cal had hoped, but he did encounter 20-foot waves and potentially deadly jellyfish, and he had to endure day after day of solitude and 90-minute sleep cycles. Along the way, Cal learned that he was setting a world record, as the youngest person ever to solo sail west to east across the Atlantic.  But that was never his motivation.  Hear Cal's remarkable perspective--and who he says the real heroes are of this remarkable journey.

In this episode:

• Days and nights flowing into each other on the ocean (01:35)
• Why do it when it wasn't "fun"? (04:12)
• What Cal did for entertainment on the boat (05:36)
• How he dealt with sleep deprivation (09:30)
• What he ate at sea (14:35)
• How this idea came became reality (15:45)
• Technology's role in this adventure (18:41)
• Unknowingly setting a world record (21:24)
• How Cal's parents felt about this journey (22:22)
• Characteristics that may make Cal a good candidate for this adventure (24:40)
• Landing in Lagos, Portugal (29:21)
• Reflections on life and the "real heroes" of the journey (30:35)
• What's on the horizon for Cal (32:25)

Want to know more about Cal?

• Watch this video of his journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcct4RgHEsM

Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Can you imagine living on a beach, in a bigger house, with more disposable income and more free time, doing work you enjoy?  Julia Vitality, the guest on this week's episode, says stop dreaming--make this your reality.  Julia and others like her are using a strategy called geoarbitrage: lowering their cost of living, usually by moving to a different town or country, to make their incomes go further.  Julia -- a Ukranian-Canadian now living in Cancun, Mexico -- shares her fascinating life story, along with practical strategies and plenty of inspiration for anyone flirting with the idea of making a life change. 

In this episode:

• 01:10 Definition of geoarbitrage
• 01:58 Why Julz decided to use this strategy; some of her background
• 05:12 Comparing living costs in Toronto vs. Cancun, Mexico
• 08:53 Things to consider before moving 
• 11:12 Language issues (or lack thereof!)
• 13:43 Taking on such an adventure as a single person
• 19:08 Working in a foreign country
• 24:17 Getting rid of unneeded "stuff"
• 26:32 Medical system in Mexico

Want to know more about Julz?

•  Find all sorts of information about her here: http://PositiveImpact.TV

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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When I was 28 years old, I packed up my things and moved to Billings, Montana to become a television news anchor and reporter.  I knew I was getting out of my comfort zone, but I had no idea how far.  The person who helped me through it--my colleague, Jonathan Marcus--is my guest on this episode.  We reminisce about our experiences working in local news; living in Montana; and realize that over the years we've both had the same idea: that we should write a screenplay or a novel--or something... because truly, as our experience working at KULR-8 showed us, the truth can be stranger than fiction.  From the one-armed cameraguy who prowled the Montana highways all night long looking for footage, to the inappropriate news director; from drinking on the job to getting hit on in local bars... you can't make this stuff up. And we didn't.  

In this episode:

• How Jon ended up in Montana (02:21)
• Elizabeth's initial impressions of the station (and of Jon) (04:04)
• Some of the craziness that took place at the station (09:28)
• How Jon saved Elizabeth her first time anchoring (13:10)
• Being recognized around town (16:00)
• Elizabeth's experience being critiqued for superficial qualities (23:03)
• What should you do if you want to get into the business? (28:48)
• Nerf ball in the newsroom + other stories (31:01)
• Jon's excellent renegotiation skills (34:20)

Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Anthony Febo--AKA "Febo"--brings poetry to life as a spoken word artist. He describes spoken word poetry as "poetry written with the intention to perform"--and his performances are deeply personal, emotional, and rich, with touches of signature humor. (He performs two amazing pieces in this episode.) Febo is not only an artist; he is also a teacher--so listeners get to be students, learning how to write and perform spoken word poems.  Febo encourages his students to end their poems with hope--he always seeks to choose joy in the face of what is trying to break you.

There are also fun tidbits about Lin Manuel Miranda (Febo is a huge fan), rap, hip hop, and much more.  

Poetry has never been so much fun. 

In this episode:

• When he started writing in 7th grade (02:42)
• Febo's definition of spoken word poetry (05:01)
• Intersections among hip hop, rap, and spoken word (07:14)
• Febo performs one poem, "Tonight I'm Cooking" (10:27)
• Themes in his work (13:33) 
• His process of working--and how/why it evolves (17:26)
• Febo's experience of performing on-stage (20:47)
• What teenagers learn from writing and performing (25:44)
• Writing a spoken word poem (32:20)
• Febo performs a second poem, "Luna's First Birthday Party" (38:42)

Want to know more about Febo?

• Follow him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adobofishsauce/ and https://www.instagram.com/thisisfebo/
• Find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.febo/
• Tweet him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/thisisfebo  (note: Febo's Diaper Haikus are posted on his Twitter account!)

Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Like lots of other starry-eyed young actors, Barret Swatek moved to Los Angeles right out of college with dreams of making it in Hollywood.  Unlike most of them, she succeeded.  In this truly behind the "scenes" conversation, Barret shares her journey--from skanky agents, acting classes and sneaking onto studio lots, to finally landing her breakthrough role on "Seventh Heaven," all the way through her recent turn on "Yellowstone" and beyond.  She talks about  auditioning, life on a set, watching herself onscreen, and hanging out with friends who have become huge recognizable stars.  Come backstage with us to find out what it's really like to work in Hollywood.

In this episode: 

• When Barret first arrived in Los Angeles (02:33)
• How she got her first (sketchy) agents (06:13)
• How she got her (good) agent (09:08)
• A typical day on the set (12:49)
• What it's like to be a guest star on a TV show (17:52)
• Getting roles now--offers and auditions (20:30)
• Working on "Yellowstone" (22:34)
• Process of finding a character (26:43)
• Dealing with rejection (28:23)
• If she's ever felt intimidated by other actors (31:13)
• Dealing with pressure to always look good (36:00)
• What Barret would tell her younger self (36:59)
• Getting recognized in public (40:50)

Want to know more about Barret?

• Follow her on Instagram: @barretswatek 

Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Pull up a seat at the table for a day-before-Thanksgiving chat between Elizabeth and her mom, as they discuss why this day is one of their favorites of the year. 

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Not many people's resumes include "pediatrician, medical philanthropy consultant, and cartoon writer"... but Dr. Cliff Harris clearly is a man of many talents.  In this episode, he shares how he got started in cartooning (including a very special childhood story involving "Peanuts" creator Charles M. Schulz); how he got connected with "Bizarro" creator Dan Piraro; and how his careers in medicine and philanthropy affected his writing.  

We walk through specific cartoons and discuss how Cliff was inspired to write them (he even tests Elizabeth on a word puzzle!); links below.

This is a story about much more than just cartooning.  Cliff takes us on a journey of discovery, self-awareness, and finding joy.

Cliff's "Bizarro" cartoons mentioned in this episode:

• https://www.dropbox.com/s/7nsft0klehinzfj/Address.JPG?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/hnbpuezlbdbta08/Grape%20Nuts.jpg?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/bdgh1l612dd8of2/4%20to%20104.jpg?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/xoabwpuolugkg4m/Air%20Guitar.JPG?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/5h0smjn1ec8fuwu/Analogy.gif?dl=0
• https://www.dropbox.com/s/j1j7j43362525ub/Bizarro%2010-24-21%20WEB.jpg?dl=0

Dan Piraro's graphic novel: https://peyotecowboy.net/ 

In this episode:

Cliff's story of talking with Charles M. Schulz as a child (02:02)
How he connected with Dan Piraro of "Bizarro" (06:51)
Connection between hard times and good joke writing (10:38)
A second link to Charles M. Schulz (13:35)
Going through various cartoons and explaining them (20:20)
Describing word puzzles (29:55)
Leaving the practice of medicine (35:17)

Want to know more about Cliff Harris?

• email him at: [email protected]

Want to know more about the podcast What It's Like To... ?

• Sign up to be on our Insiders' List to receive our newsletters and insiders' information! Go to whatitsliketo.net (sign-ups are at the bottom of the page)
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Justin Spring went from tumbling around his neighborhood to later winning NCAA gymnastics titles and eventually earning a place on the 2008 Olympic team.  The road getting there had its share of twists and turns (pun intended), including a slew of injuries leading up to the Olympics.  Justin shares behind-the-scenes stories of his journey, from the lowest moment in his gymnastics career (when he had to army-crawl to his coach's room due to excruciating pain); to the mental techniques he relied on to get his body back into shape; to what life was really like in the Olympic Village.  Justin is now a college gymnastics coach (formerly for the University of Illinois men; now for the University of Alabama women).  We learn about pressure, expectations, why men's gymnastics is losing popularity (and college teams) in the U.S., and why competing for "perfect 10s" makes women's gymnastics much more entertaining. 

In this episode:

• Why gymnastics is such a difficult sport (05:47)
• How gymnastics suited Justin's personality (08:20)
• Thoughts about pursuing the Olympics and gold medals (09:26)
• Justin's many injuries (15:06)
• The importance of mental training in recovery (15:58)
• His journey through injuries to the Olympic Trials (19:30)
• The darkest moment of Justin's career (21:32)
• The underdog story at the 2008 Olympics (25:07)
• What the Olympic experience was like (31:06)
• The state of men’s gymnastics in the US (34:04)
• What's happening in collegiate sports (36:05)
• Thoughts on coaching (41:42)

• Follow him on Instagram: springerzz
• Find him on Twitter: @justinspring 

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