“Making Secondhand Second Nature” with Kimberly Lau & Linda Young (GWTW856)
There is often a moment in every interview on Getting Work To Work that stops me in my tracks. In today’s interview with Kimberly Lau and Linda Young, they dropped the mic twice with these two mind-blowing moments: “We have enough clothing on the planet to clothe the next six generations” and “Since we opened nine months ago, we have saved 2,500 pounds in textile waste from the landfill.” In our conversation, they share the mission and purpose behind Project ReWear, a resale business that goes beyond reselling clothes by rebuilding a system through tracking and valuing donations, measuring real-time impact, and making secondhand second nature. They are finding a way to impact the planet positively for generations to come and here to show you how you can too.
“Our AI Present & Future” with Ben Tasker (GWTW854)
As much as I love imagining dystopian and doomsday scenarios of AI overtaking humanity, talking with experts about positive implementation strategies is a better use of my time (and mental health). Building upon an education in Data Science and Analytics and AI ethics, Ben Tasker currently “leads a Data & AI Academy that upskills and reskills more than 36,000 employees in the public utility sector, preparing them to be AI-ready and future-ready.” In our conversation, he brings stories of real world applications of technology and AI. We also talk about how to actually upskill and reskill, why disruption isn’t new but the speed of change is, blended work environments and whether we’ll have AI bosses, AI as a system not a tool, practical ways to use AI, how to develop a learning plan and apply AI to it, and how AI can be used in small business.
“Lightkeeper of Love & Loss” with Stacy Bass (GWTW852)
What is the connection between photography and memory? What are the stories beyond the frame of our most cherished family photos? What will we wish we had known about our loved ones? Profound questions and thoughtful answers with today’s guest, Stacy Bass, photographer and author of Lightkeeper: A Memoir Through the Lens of Love and Loss. Fulfilling her curiosity for behind the scenes stories, Stacy tells her own tales of writing the book, why she became a photographer, what she discovered about her parents through photographs and memories, what it’s like to be the de facto family archivist, the marriage of photography and writing, and how to keep the light of our loved ones alive after they are gone.
“The Freedom Route” with Georgie Darling (GWTW850)
If there’s a quote from today’s interview that sums it all up, it’s this: “What’s the point in building a business if you’re not gonna build one that you really love?” Georgie Darling is a freelance writer and coach who helps woman build businesses that lead to freedom. In our conversation, she shares her journey from the world of journalism and branded content to coaching and freelance travel writing. We talk about why you often have to leave behind what’s known to reveal the future, why people who travel to Bali become coaches, what it means to edit your life, burnout, quick wins versus long-term burns of meaning and purpose, unique ways Georgie uses ChatGPT, and the role community plays in finding freedom.
“The Search for Something Real” with Alex Woodard (GWTW848)
Have you ever listened to a song that completely changed your life? What about hearing a sax solo so intense, you end up moving across the country and changing careers? This is but one example of the power of art and music shared by today’s guest, Alex Woodard, writer, musician, observer, and storyteller. In our conversation, he shares his origin story of becoming an observational artist in the worlds of music and words. He talks about why leaving social media behind wasn’t the death knell for his creative career, why he produces companion albums for his books, the role of nature in his life and work, and our work as a record of our lives. Throughout, he sprinkles powerful questions and observations that will get you thinking a little deeper about how you’re living your own life.
“Anatomy of a Con Artist” with Johnathan Walton (GWTW846)
How do you know the person you just met is who they say they are? A family member just called asking uncharacteristically to be bailed out of jail, what do you do? What do you say to someone whose offer to help is too good to be true? These are the questions at the core of today’s conversation with Johnathan Walton, author of the must-read book, Anatomy of a Con Artist: The 14 Red Flags to Spot Scammers, Grifters, and Thieves. In this conversation, Johnathan shares how getting scammed out of $100,000 led him to his life’s work of exposing con artists and helping people who have been scammed to find justice and peace. We talk about his journey from television reporter and reality TV producer to podcast producer and con hunter, why people don’t educate themselves about con artists, how technology can be used against you and what to do about it, how he developed unshakable resilience, and what we can learn about creativity from studying the inexhaustible creative work of con artists. In a world of AI and frictionless technology that can be used to craft stories and keep track of endless details, Johnathan’s work will prepare you for your own life’s work: protecting yourself from the scammers, grifters, and thieves.
“Fear: Our Greatest Teacher” with Guryan Tighe (GWTW844)
Have you ever met a Fear Technician? Well, in this episode of Getting Work To Work, you’re going to meet Guryan Tighe, a fear technician who works with people to unmask their fears. Her company was founded “on the belief that understanding and working with our fears, rather than trying to conquer them, yields more professional success and personal fulfillment.” In this conversation, Guryan and I have a deep conversation about fear and how it is our greatest teacher. She also talks about rational and irrational fears, the role of self-awareness in understanding how fear is holding us back or wanting us to move toward something new, why we should honor the cycle of our beingness, and engaging with our fears and empowering ourselves with curiosity, gratitude, and purpose. If you are looking for a different way to dance with your fear, then this conversation is for you.
“Baby Hawk and Other Tales” with Tom Epperson (GWTW842)
I love it when people come on the show with deep curiosities about life and what it’s all about. Why? Because that depth of exploration shows up not just in the conversation, but also throughout their creative journey. And today’s episode with writer Tom Epperson is one of those moments. Tom shares countless tales from his life including his creative origin story when he learned he wanted to be a writer, deciding to leave Arkansas with a childhood friend for Hollywood determined to make it, resilience in the face of adversity, the importance of keeping good things alive in yourself when surrounded by evil, and how characters come alive in his mind. We also discuss his most recent book, Baby Hawk, a novel in verse.
“Open to Life & Kindness” with Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman (GWTW840)
The best part of podcasting is meeting people who look at the world in ways that rewire your own vision. Today’s guest is Dr. Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: 8 Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, speaker, entrepreneur, and former child refugee. Our conversation begins with a poem Neri wrote putting us right into a single moment of her life. From there, we talk about the beauty of ambition, how she learned to see opportunity in discarded materials, immigrant entrepreneurship and the lessons that immigrants can teach us, why legacy is more important than profit, and what she sees in the next generation that fills her with hope for the future.
“Slip! Slop! Slap!” with gough (GWTW839)
For those new to Getting Work To Work, today’s guest is gough, a legally blind filmmaker from Australia. He’s also a comedic genius, raconteur, shameless self-promoter, and holds the distinction of being on this show 23 times. His latest film—available now at BeernutsProductions.com—is a dark comedy called MR. X about a blind hitman who falls in love. In our conversation, we talk about serious and important topics, such as the challenges of writing blurbs without giving too much away, ways to shake up the creative process, geography lessons, and the best ways to prepare kangaroo and emu. Oh, and I should probably give you a content warning. If you are sensitive to profanity, bad jokes (mostly on my part), or two guys making themselves laugh across three oceans (again, not great with geography), then tread lightly with this episode. But if that’s not you, let’s go!