PODCAST ARCHIVES!

"A Möbius Strip of Curiosity" with Matt Wastradowski (GWTW564)

If there is a question that today’s guest inspires me to think about in my daily life, it’s this: “Why should people care?” Matt Wastradowski is a travel writer who uses his curiosity and insatiable drive to discover Oregon’s majestic places, people, and experiences. In this conversation, he talks about his latest travel guide, Moon Columbia River Gorge & Mount Hood: Waterfalls & Wildflowers, Craft Beer & Wine, Hiking & Camping, and shares a few of his favorite moments in the research and writing phases of the project. There is something for everyone in this guide, from a neon sign museum and wine tasting to picnics on the Columbia River and apple orchards in Hood River and everything in between.

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"The Path of the Hard Way" with Christos Kalogirou (GWTW563)

If you were to write a book about your life, what would be the captivating moments that would reveal themselves? Christos Kalogirou mined his memories to share stories of his youth in his book, Wild Dogs: An Adventure in Adolescence. From attending a prestigious private school and being expelled to eventually returning, graduating, and even receiving an Alumni of the Year award, he has lived a life of urban legend, entrepreneur, and prankster. In this conversation, he talks about the power of perspective, what he learned about business, his process for writing his book, why you should value your time, and what he learned living on the path of the hard way.

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Let the Goal Go? (GWTW562)

For the past two years, I have kept a reading list of all the books I’ve finished. My goal in 2020 was to finish 120 books, which meant I should read about ten books a month. I hit 121 books on December 31, 2020. This year, I’m on track to finish closer to 130. Before you think this episode is a flex about how many books I read—which it totally is—it’s really about goal setting. Specifically, what happens when you stop obsessing over goals and let things happen naturally.

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"The Beauty of Words" with Sara Rosinsky (GWTW561)

As a self-professed word-slinger for capitalism, Sara Rosinsky brings words and stories to life through her company, Shiny Red Copy. She is also the author of Unflubbify Your Writing: Bite-Sized Lessons to Improve Your Spelling, Punctuation, and Grammar. In this delightful conversation, she shares her love for words and the stories behind every single word. We talk about the origin story of her business, the power of mentorship, the ethereal nature of copy, and the beauty of limitations—not to mention her curiosity for typefaces and etymology. Sara has a lot to teach you throughout this conversation if you want to have more fun with your writing.

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"The Hilarious World of Art" with gough (GWTW560)

If there’s one line of dialogue that I will never forget, it’s from the movie Empire Records: “I don’t feel that I need to explain my art to you, Warren.” Fortunately for us, gough is here to explain his art to us, the latest film from Beernuts Productions, Biography Of A Star — Christian Victoria. In our conversation, we talked about all things art, including criticism, snobbery, and reverence. We also dive into his collaboration with an artist to create Christian Victoria’s body of work, the challenges of casting his films, and his hot tip for using social media.

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"A Story About Growth & Resilience" with Michael e. Stern (GWTW559)

Have you ever wondered what it takes to navigate and sustain a 42-year independent creative career? Michael e. Stern is here to share a story about desire, goal-setting, perseverance, and resilience as he moves from being behind the camera to leading a team. In this conversation, he talks about who taught him what a producer does, his approach to communication and leadership, how he trusts his instincts and team, and how he meets people. I always learn from Michael, and this conversation is rich with wisdom and insight.

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A Dose of Encouragement (GWTW558)

Earlier today, I had a conversation with a good friend—Hey Kim!—and felt encouraged and empowered to keep producing this show and all the other work I find myself obsessively pursuing. As the creative entrepreneurs listening can attest to, it can be challenging to find the motivation to do the next episode, task, or project, especially when it comes to passion projects. Doubt can creep in: Is anyone paying attention? Does anyone care? In this episode, I wanted to do something a bit different and provide a dose of encouragement for anyone who needs to hear it.

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"Heart-Centred Business" with Chris Lambert-Gorwyn (GWTW557)

How are you making someone’s life better with your business, no matter how tiny? This is but one question that reveals what today’s guest is all about. Together with his wife, Karene, Chris Lambert-Gorwyn brings their philosophy of heart-centred business to other business leaders through coaching and mentorship, not to mention other business ventures and a bestselling book that encapsulates their actionable insights and tools. In this conversation, Chris and I talk about what it means to be heart-centred, the paradox of power and play, aligning goals with values and rewards, how to create your own economy, and the importance of finding a different way to do business. If you are an entrepreneur looking for new ways to approach your business, this interview is for you.

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Is It Time to Take a Break? (GWTW556)

I begin today’s episode with a rhetorical question: Is it time to take a break? If you’re listening to a podcast called Getting Work To Work, you probably could use an extended break. You’re hard-working, pushing yourself to learn and grow, and creating the future. But when faced with the decision to take time off—or even go to bed—you instead dig in and do more work, all to the detriment of your future self. In this episode, I’m going to explore the fears and anticipations of taking an extended break from your work.

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"Art is Anything & Nothing!" with Debbie Clapper (GWTW555)

The opening paragraph of Debbie Clapper’s artist statement perfectly sums up our time together: “My work’s main intention is to take the viewer beyond the surface level, delving deep into the piece, allowing exploration and self-reflection.” Debbie loves abstract art because it can be anything and nothing. In this conversation, we explore her endless curiosity for grace, how she overcomes the critical voices that show up in the middle of the night, and how she took what she learned from her graphic design business to transform her art through collaborative relationships with others.

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How Do You Measure Success? (GWTW554)

I’ve been thinking a lot about success: what it is, where it’s present, and how to measure it. Looking back over the show’s history, I haven’t spent a lot of time reflecting on success in the popular sense of the word. I don’t subscribe to or share the methodologies and frameworks that promise followers, likes, influence, and 7-figure paychecks. But as I take the time to understand what success is for me, I see it showing up time and again: purpose and meaning. If you struggle to find and measure success for your life and work, this episode is for you.

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"Your Next Chance" with Brittany Wagner (GWTW553)

You know that dream for your life that you lie in bed every night hoping it comes true? Not only is it possible for you, but you don’t need all the details figured out before starting. And today’s guest will tell you why. Brittany Wagner is a motivational speaker best known for her role in the Netflix documentary series Last Chance U and author of Next Chance You. In this conversation, Brittany shares powerful insights into shifting your mindset from “last chance” to “next chance,” overcoming bitterness and perfectionism with decisive action, and looking for ways to grow by devoting time and effort to improving one area at a time.

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"What's...Living Your Dream?" with Justin Stanley (GWTW552)

What happens when your lifelong dream finally occurs after 20 years of perseverance? For data nerd Justin Stanley, he finds his way on the Jeopardy! stage only to face the 3rd-winningest champion in the game’s history. In today’s conversation, Justin shares his journey from qualifying to competing and recounts his favorite and embarrassing moments. As a fan of the show, it was an absolute blast to hear all the behind-the-scenes goodness, not to mention celebrating the culmination of a friend’s lifelong dream.

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"What Lights You Up?" with Jeff Straw (GWTW551)

What lights you up? For today’s guest, his obsession with learning new things is how he answers that question. Jeff Straw is a man of many talents: photography, branding, music, and teaching. In this conversation, he shares not only his musical journey from sax to guitar, with a healthy mix of DJ’ing, but also how he built his photography business by carving a lane and finding his style, one project at a time. He talks about the importance of sharing and teaching through his vlog, helping unlock others so they can get creative, and how he wields his power of improvisation.

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"The Computer Ate My Photos" with Aaron Hockley (GWTW550)

My impromptu support of independent authors continues this week with Aaron Hockley, who just released his brand-new book, The Computer Ate My Photos: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Photography. Aaron is a photographer, speaker, and author fascinated with the intersection of photography and technology. In this conversation, he shares the two-year journey of writing the book, how artificial intelligence technology has evolved, and how AI will impact the world of photography in the future. From his vantage point, the future is hopeful, one that I hope sparks your curiosity to learn more.

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"Infinite Sonic Possibilities" with Drop Music Branding (GWTW549)

Have you ever thought about what your core values sound like and how they fit into the sound universe? Today’s guests on Getting Work To Work have by taking their drive, passion, and hunger for music and sound and translating it into audio branding. Gabo Agüero, Dalmiro Lacaze, and Mauro González are the creative forces behind Drop Music Branding out of Argentina. In this conversation, they share their entrepreneurial journey to make a living through music and sonic branding. They touch on topics that impact us all, including the importance of partnerships, how there are no excuses to create, ways to keep the game fresh, and a new way to look at staying in your lane.

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"The Gospel of Independents" with Kelley Baker (GWTW548)

Kelley Baker, affectionately known as the Angry Filmmaker, is one of my favorite people. Not only is he a filmmaker, sound designer, and editor, but he is also an author, having penned several collections of short stories and non-fiction books. In this conversation, Kelley and I travel the shores of comfortable and uncomfortable topics: from the joys of eavesdropping and the curse of remembering too much to influences and the origin of ideas. We talk about his latest book of short stories, Dennis Barton is a Bastard and Other Stories, telling the truth in art, and how to continue growing and evolving as an artist. Most importantly, Kelley preaches the gospel of independents and how every one of us can support independent artists with our time, money, and attention.

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"Grow Through Experiments" with Kay Coughlin (GWTW547)

How are you using experiments to grow through barriers such as perfectionism, inertia, and the status quo? That is a question I explore with today’s guest, Kay Coughlin, an entrepreneur, podcaster, and life coach for caregivers. She also happens to be my business coach, and I’m her podcast producer. In this conversation, we explore experiments and the primary role of noticing emotions, thoughts, beliefs, and data without judgment in the experimentation process. She shares about how to overcome confirmation bias, the value of failure, being okay with discomfort, building successful collaborative partnerships, and all things boundaries.

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Dreams and Visions (GWTW546)

What dreams are you devoting the remaining time of your life on planet Earth to bring into being? What is your vision for your work and community? How will you know what the right thing to pursue is? Nothing but big questions as I explore dreams and visions. You can probably tell a lot about my state of mind by the books I’m reading. Lately, the theme is all about big dreams of a better future. As I apply what I’m reading to my life and work, I start to see a transformation take place. My intuition is daily sharpened, my discernment is taking shape, and I’m devoting my days to something bigger than myself.

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"How It All Works" with Paul Nylander (GWTW545)

Where does your curiosity lead you? For today’s guest, Paul Nylander, his curious nature has taken him from the world of high-energy physics to book design as he searches to understand how everything works. Paul is a book designer, engaging storyteller, and owner of Illustrada, a studio that collaborates with small presses and independent authors to get their ideas into the world. In our conversation, he shares his curious journey from physics to design. He also explores where his love for books comes from, the art and science of change, the nature of generalists and specialists, and the role of questions and trust in his design process.

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Curiosity Builders, Pt. 2 (GWTW544)

It’s been almost three years since I started talking about Curiosity Builders. In my mind, I knew what I wanted to do: teach and share about the virtues of curiosity. I wrote courses, filmed videos, and started sharing with others. Then something happened. I got stuck in my head. Overthinking ensued and fear took over. And the vision, passion, and action drifted away into the recesses of my brain. But over the past year, the idea for Curiosity Builders shifted as I changed through various experiences. In today’s episode of Getting Work To Work, I’m going to share about what it has become and how you can be part of it.

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"Notes & Chords" with Randy George (GWTW543)

What is the DNA of who you are and what you do? For today’s guest, the answer is in the notes and chords that make up the foundation of his music. Randy George is a bass player and multi-instrumentalist, most known for his work with Neal Morse. In this conversation, he shares the importance of trial and error, and the role influences play in discovering new sounds. He talks about the value of listening and hearing where the music wants to go, being flexible in the collaborative process, and how risk, doubt, and learning from failure are critical no matter where you are in your career. We also dive into his fascination with film and TV production.

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Things I'm Thinking About (GWTW542)

In the middle of a busy week, my body decided I needed to rest. I don’t like to stop, I want to stay active and productive, but I couldn’t argue with the cold that kindly greeted me early Thursday morning. For four days, I slept, read books, and watched movies. I couldn’t believe all the fascinating things I started thinking about: the role of influences in creativity, why being a giver matters, love, boldness, risk, relentless optimism, The Beach Boys, and of course, Ted Lasso. May you find encouragement and inspiration in today’s monologue.

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"Crisis and Growth Leadership" with Dr. Rob Fazio (GWTW541)

How will you respond to the next crisis you will face? Dr. Rob Fazio is a Leadership Psychologist and Crisis Consultant who shares several ways to respond to the current crisis we are facing and the one just around the corner with growth leadership. In this conversation, Rob talks about his curiosity around how people change their minds, applying sport psychology in the world of business, and understanding what drives our motivations. He also gives several ways to work through burnout beyond self-care, why we need simple strategies for success, and how conversations are the most critical tool in business.

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Infinite Loops of Overthinking (GWTW540)

I’m a chronic overthinker. I like to tell myself that it’s a new feature of my life thanks to the uncertainty of the times. But if I’m honest with myself and everyone listening right now, I’ve been this way for as long as I can remember. When I overthink, my ability to take action on tasks and projects dwindles until I worry about everything. Decision-making becomes daunting and fraught with over-analysis. Perfectionism and fear hide around every corner until I lose momentum. Then, a miracle occurs! I get a beautiful fresh idea, and suddenly I’m back in business. The old melt away in favor of the new, that is, until I begin overthinking, yet again.

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"Make Your Heart Smile" with Michelle Boulé (GWTW539)

What is making your heart smile? What desires are you listening to deep within yourself? How are you aligning who you need to become with what you want to bring to life? These are three questions inspired by today’s conversation with Michelle Boulé, a professional dancer and life coach. In our time together, Michelle shares her journey of growth and helping others see the possibilities within and around themselves. She talks about how injury allowed her to find new directions for her life, the role of alignment and energy in growth, and why she loves to explore the edge of creativity. If you are struggling to discover a way forward or lacking the belief that you too can grow, I hope you find encouragement and empowerment to change in Michelle’s words.

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Not For Immediate Use (GWTW538)

How much of your life do you spend trying to redeem every ounce of value in everything you consume? When you think of growth, what is the first thought that enters your mind? The answer to both of these questions is related. Growth is the result of not wasting any time and making sure that everything is valuable. While this sounds great and all, not everything is meant to be helpful today. Some things are not for immediate use. And that’s what this episode is all about. As I unblock myself from a cycle of overthinking, I let the culmination of a 20-year story resolve in my mind. The tension melts away, and I recognize an underlying thought: If I only ever live for the moment in the shallow end of life, there will be nothing to reflect upon tomorrow as I wade into deeper waters.

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"The Art of Slacking Off" with Michael Arnold (GWTW537)

What instantly enters your mind when you hear the phrase “slacking off”? How about “slacking off for fun and profit”? If you’re anything like myself and many others, guilt, shame, laziness are right there, not to mention bonbons. Michael Arnold, the author of Slacking Off: A Successful Way to Work From Home, is today’s guest on Getting Work To Work and he wants you to know that slacking off is a good thing for us. Not only does it boost our creativity, but it also increases our productivity. In this conversation, we talk about his entrepreneurial journey and relationship with working and slacking off, the importance of learning from failures, not just successes, why self-love matters, and the best gift he gives his readers: more time.

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Your Story Matters (GWTW536)

Did you know that your story matters and is worthy of sharing with others? If the first thing that enters your mind is doubt, represented by the insecure thought, “Even my story, Chris? You don’t know!” The answer is yes, even your story. We live in a world that elevates a relatively small number of people when there is an abundance of beauty found in other’s stories around the world. If there is a core value that fuels this show and a fundamental belief that gives my life meaning, it’s the truth that every story matters. In this episode of Getting Work To Work, I explore seven reasons people think their stories don’t matter and how to see the truth.

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"Be True! Be You!" with Ashwin Chacko (GWTW535)

How do you show up in your work? Do you create work that is true to who you are and what matters to you? These are two questions I’ve been reflecting on since talking with Ashwin Chacko, a seriously playful illustrator and storyteller based in Dublin, Ireland. Our conversation begins with Ashwin’s curiosity about the social interactions that drive culture and the role artists play in our world. He then shares stories of his early years as a child of missionaries, learning critical adaptability skills and gaining new friends wherever he goes. We talk a lot about making sense of chaos, overcoming fear by telling it no, finding his purpose and calling, and why it’s essential to separate yourself from your work. He also teaches us the 4Ds of unlocking any creative blocks you might be facing.

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Getting Life to Work (GWTW534)

I’ve always been fascinated by work, leadership, and entrepreneurship. In many ways, I’ve become obsessed with my work, always working, even when resting. But lately, my eyes have been opening to the reality and necessity of self-care so I can live a more functional, beautiful, and glorious life. Your work ultimately won’t work if your body, mind, and spirit don’t work. And I learned this lesson most recently from a series of books. I know not surprising, but the book that had the most significant impact on my well-being might surprise you.

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"Doing Good in the World" with De & John Ingles (GWTW533)

What good can you do in the world? A powerful question guiding the life and work of today’s guests, De & John Ingles, the husband-wife team behind Smiley Graphix Studio and Wild Routed. Our conversation begins with the early days of playing outside and spending all day in adventure. From there, we join their entrepreneurial journey starting Smiley Graphix in 1997, losing a job of 31 years in 2019, going on a five-week road trip, and then creating a retail side project. Story after story, they talk about the memories and the people who have made a difference in their lives. By being open to what life has for them and sharing it with others, De & John have created a life worth living. Enjoy the conversation.

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