Good People, Cool Things

Well, we've arrived to the final episode of Good People, Cool Things. Since this show has always been about featuring good people doing cool things (you know, like the name implies), I wanted to celebrate this milestone of 200 episodes and a successful podcast experience with clips from ten of my favorite conversations across the past four-plus years.You can always catch episodes and see other updates at goodpeoplecoolthings.com. Thank you to all of the guests who have taken the time to chat, to Sounder.fm and RSS.com for hosting the show over the years. Most importantly, thanks to you for listening, sharing kind comments, and making this one heck of a ride. We'll talk again soon.

Ashley Nickelsen experienced a dearth of healthy options while spending frequent time in the hospital with both her parents. She set out to do something about it, creating B.T.R. Nation to deliver good-for-you and good-tasting snacks.We’re chatting about a failed flavor, the marketing channels B.T.R. Nation has found most successful, and the best artists to throw on during a run.

Mariana Barbuceanu decided to give the digital nomad life a try a few years ago and soon realized she could make a living as a travel blogger while exploring all the world has to offer. And after jetsetting around Europe, she’s decided to settle in a European country for the next year. We’re chatting all about that new phase of her life, how she’s managed to travel on a comfortable budget without wildly altering her lifestyle, and the top karaoke songs to perform.

Being in a band is among the coolest experiences one can have in life. This episode's guest knows all about that — Todd Tucker is getting the hair metal band back together as the director and writer of Rockbottom, a new movie featuring SO MANY impressive musicians. We’re chatting about the inspiration for Rockbottom, his career as a makeup and special effects artist, and how he got hurt doing a very unathletic move during the making of The Passion of the Christ.

Back in my YouTube Z-list celebrity days, I had an ongoing series called 20 Pretty Bad Impressions in 1 Minute. Friends and I would go back and forth, quickly doing impressions. As the name suggests, the quality of said impressions was not good.Luckily, my guest today is significantly better at impressions. Lauren LoGiudice is the author of Inside Melania: What I Know About Melania Trump By Impersonating Her. Beyond her spot-on impression, she’s done a ton of cool stuff in the sketch comedy world and also hosts the Misfits Makin’ It Podcast, which is just an absolute delight to listen to. We’re chatting about what makes for a good character to perform, why asking for audience feedback is so helpful, and the best ways to get better sleep.

Marc Hartzman has an innate interest in the strange, unique stories from around the world. He’s written about ghosts, Mars, Oliver Cromwell's embalmed head, and weird things on eBay, just to name a few. His latest book, We Are Not Alone: The Extraordinary History of UFOs and Aliens Invading Our Hopes, Fears, and Fantasies, looks into the vast universe of aliens, extraterrestrials, and outer space.We're chatting about where the term “flying saucer” came from, a few lesser-known stories, and his top alien movies and TV shows.

Did you know the average attention span is nine seconds? That’s less than the attention span of a goldfish! It can be super frustrating to read a lengthy article and feel like you haven’t gotten anything out of it or you’re more confused than when you started. It’s especially upsetting when we’ve already got busy days and our time to consume content is limited. Priyanka Vazirani understands that frustration and is setting out to do something about it. She’s the co-founder of Volv, a platform that takes all the content out there on the internet and gives you the scoop in nine-second overviews. Volv is also working with creators to help them share their work with more people.We’re chatting about how Volv got started, what surprised Priyanka after talking with her users, and her favorite adventurous activities.

Alysia Silberg is perhaps the biggest fan of AI out there — it's even in the name of her company, Unemployable AI. And she shares how AI has played a major impact for her in her book, "Unemployable: How AI Transformed My Work and Life." Joey and Alysia are chatting about how a pair of rollerblades led to an entrepreneurial career, common mistakes companies make, and the three weird things she does every day.

Cori Myka is the founder of Calm Within Adult Swim, teaching adults not only how to swim but also how to develop habits and mindsets to overcome fear and build confidence. Those are great skills to have in any walk of life.We’re discussing where the idea for an online swim instruction business came from, what Cori has learned from helping people transform their lives, and whether it’s better to jump into a body of water or walk in slowly and steadily.

Carlos Baker moved to Northern Germany without much of a plan. He just knew he and his family needed a change. Since then, he’s released multiple albums with his C.K. Baker Band, written a book, and had a lot of fun along the way.We’re chatting about the albums that have most impacted Carlos’s songwriting, his worst gig, and why discipline is crucial for his mental health.

Many of us dream of making money by doing creative things that we love to do. And the most successful creatives are making income in several different ways, consistently opening up doors to new opportunities.    This episode’s guest realized a lot of creatives DON’T know that these different income streams are not only critical but also doable for anyone. Tonya Lawson is making it her goal to educate musicians, artists, writers, and more on building their financial empires, using SEO as a trusty tool. We’re talking about how creatives can earn passive income without paying a ton of money upfront, what Tonya has focused on with her websites, and the time she got to “clap back” at a student that was acting out of turn.

Media may not fundamentally change our behavior, but it can shape what we believe. That's why sharing messages of togetherness, unity, and genuine interactions is so important.Modello Brown is the founder of Hip Hop Littles, which is bringing cultures together through books, music, fashion, art, and much more. We’re chatting about how he creates the Hip Hop Littles characters, something that’s surprised him about marketing the brand, and his top three 90s cartoons. 

Rachel Hanson is Editor-in-Chief of the digital magazine Sound Sorceresses, highlighting women who are doing incredible work in audio storytelling. There aren’t a ton of spaces out there in this realm, which needs to change, because there are a LOT of cool women in podcasting and audio storytelling.We're talking about how Rachel got the idea for Sound Sorceresses, one of her favorite stories from the publication, and her foray into public office.

Welcome back to Good People, Cool Things! Bananas to think we're kicking off the SEVENTH season of this show. We're starting this season off in style with a true underdog story — or, more accurately, many underdog stories!After being cut from his 7th-grade baseball team, Tyler O’Shea has always found inspiration in athletes who have succeeded against the odds. That drive led to both a collegiate career on the diamond and the founding of Joker Mag, a digital media platform dedicated to inspiring underdog stories in sports.We’re chatting about how niching down has helped Tyler grow Joker Mag, why he’s found tremendous value in hearing from his audience, and his favorite recent underdog stories.Special shout-out to One Hit No Wonder for supporting the show! If you dig this podcast, you'll enjoy that one, too.

The new season of Good People, Cool Things is nearly upon us! This trailer is a sneak peek at what you can expect — and don't you worry, the corny jokes aren't going anywhere.Be sure to follow or subscribe to the show (depending on your listening platform of choice) to have all the episodes tastefully delivered to your earbuds starting on February 7. For more, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.

Welcome to the last episode of the year! There’s a lot more to come in 2024, and I’ll be back with the new season on February 7. For now, let’s wrap this season up in style!Jennifer Chen is a writer and the author of Artifacts of an Ex and the creator of Joy Ride, a lovely newsletter that highlights some of the brighter spots in life. And with the way 2023 went for a lot of us, that’s something we could all use.We’re talking about Jennifer’s writing journey and how she helps herself focus, what surprised her about her book launch day, and her favorite Ted Lasso episodes.

For much of their lives, Alejandro Martignon and Fred Taylor were never big coffee drinkers. Alejandro helped out in his grandma's cafe in Colombia, and Fred watched as his NFL teammates downed several Venti Starbucks cups during practice.But soon, the pair learned about mushroom coffee. Different fungi offer unique benefits, such as reduced stress, better brain health, and stronger energy and focus — without the afternoon crash. They partnered to create The Mushroom Coffee Company to share those benefits with coffee drinkers across the world. We're talking about the growth of mushroom coffee, the most surprising part of running a business, and a moment from Fred's NFL days that fans still bring up when they meet him.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on things this year, you’ve probably heard about the rise of AI. Artificial intelligence can have some scary implications, such as stealing jobs or impersonating voices to extort money from people over the phone.While that’s certainly a concern, there are plenty of people out there using AI for good. One of those guys is Gabriel Cowan, the founder of Audio Design Desk. The company uses AI to help make sound design easier, faster, and more efficient when creating movies or other content. Gabriel is also doing some fascinating stuff with AI and education.We’re talking about ways to improve your sound, the challenges with software design, and how Gabe turned a potentially disastrous live music gig around to win over the crowd.

Social media can be a powerful tool for musicians. And Josh Simons has seen the power it can have. He co-founded Vampr, the world’s largest and most active social media network specifically for musicians.Josh knows what musicians want because he’s had plenty of experience as one. He’s spent over a decade as an artist, songwriter, and producer, touring and working with folks like Carrie Underwood, Troye Sivan, and Travis Scott. Today, Josh heads the recently launched Vinyl Group.We’re talking about that new venture, how to properly use metadata to make money, the power of horizontal networking, and Josh’s worst gig as a touring musician.This episode is also supported by 6 Degrees of Cats! A delightful podcast featuring fascinating facts, stories, culture, and history about the mysterious world of felines.

Leif Cocks is the founder of The Orangutan Project. He’s developed conservation plans for orangutans and influenced positive change for orangutan protection and survival, including the first successful reintroduction of the zoo-born orangutan. Leif also educates people on the positive impacts orangutans have on forests and climate change.We’re talking about Leif’s first meeting with an orangutan, how he helps give them a second chance at life, and his favorite singer/songwriters.For more episodes, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.

There’s something magical about a holiday movie, isn’t it? Even the Grinchiest of people can find something to like when the Christmas spirit hits the silver screen. The music, the decorations, the treats…they’re all part of the experience, and it is an absolute delight.You might also have a friend who regularly hosts a holiday party, bringing friends and family together for a last soiree before the new year. For one Los Angeles neighborhood, Christine Weatherup is that friend. And her annual party was part of the inspiration for See You Next Christmas, a film she wrote, directed, and acted in.We’re talking about the process of making See You Next Christmas, what it’s like to shoot a movie in your own home, and one of Christine’s worst moments on a movie set.

Jessica Nguyen is a revenue-generating legal counsel at Lexion, a smart contract management system that uses AI to help customers gain insights into legal agreements. She’s had quite the impressive journey to get to where she is today — and she’s not afraid to let loose with some dancing when the situation calls for it.We’re talking about lessons she’s learned throughout her career, some of our best fast food jobs, and her favorite Paul Rudd films.

Erin Zhurkin has lived in several countries abroad, and she’s the author of Plus-Size in Paris, a fish-out-of-water story based on her own experiences living in the City of Love.We’re talking about Erin’s inner journey in writing her first novel, some of her favorite slang, and where she thinks America can step up its game.Special shout-out to the Misfits Makin’ It Podcast! If you dig this show, you’ll definitely enjoy all the misfits over there. Check it out!

Regular listeners of this show know I have a tendency to dabble in side hustles. Between multiple podcasts and newsletters, a band, and a freelance writing career, I'm always juggling a few things going on.Marika Flatt embraces that spirit wholeheartedly. She’s the founder of PR By the Book, which helps authors get their works noticed. She’s the travel editor of Texas Lifestyle Magazine, teaching you all that’s great in the Lone Star State. And she regularly makes appearances on TV to share travel tips so your next trip is your best one yet.

As you may have noticed, we’re less than a week away from Halloween. Good People, Cool Things enjoys a good spooktacular to celebrate the holiday.This time around, we’re here to educate! This episode features five fun Halloween facts that hopefully brighten your day. Grab your favorite candy and enjoy.And if you need even more facts, you should definitely subscribe to Fun Fact Friyay. Happy Halloween!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? I'd go for an extra pair of arms.Joe Field is a superhero in his own right — he's what Paul Bunyon would be if he were also a writer. Joe is the creator of the LEGENDS UNIVERSE and author of Arrowhead Legends, Skoldrum Legends, and Chokecherry Legends. His books are enjoyed by middle grade kids, young adults, new adults, and the young at heart, or as he calls them, fun adults.We’re talking about navigating the Texas heat with a newborn, his top tool for taking notes, and how he writes entire books using a technique called mind writing.

Betty Lu loves to travel and hike. Yet when she found herself reaching for protein bars to satiate her hunger, she encountered boredom more than yum-dum. So, she made herself a lightweight snack that still tasted great, pulling inspiration from the markets she went to growing up in Singapore and other flavors around the world, and using colorful plant-based ingredients like okra, sweet potatoes, radishes, and shiitake mushrooms.And thus, Confetti Snacks was born.We’re talking about the importance of upcycling imperfect produce, some of Betty’s favorite travel destinations, and how Confetti Snacks uses humor to connect with shoppers.

At the Texas Rennaissance Festival, you’ll see engaging experiences nearly everywhere you turn. Between themed weekends, local business owners peddling their wares, and elegant performers interacting with visitors, it’s a spectacular time.Presiding over it all is the King of the Texas Renaissance Festival, who just so happens to be this episode’s guest. Yes, we’re kicking off the new season of Good People, Cool Things in royal style! So, put on your finest garb, grab a turkey leg, and let’s have a grand ol’ time seeing what’s in store for this year’s Ren Fest.

Good People, Cool Things returns on October 4. In the meantime, I'm highlighting some other cool shows that I think you'll enjoy!This week, we're flipping the script. Normally, I'm the one doing the interviews and highlighting the lovely things my guests are doing. But on this episode? I'm the guest, and I'm being interviewed by Rabiah Coon, host of the More Than Work podcast.More Than Work features individuals who have found their self-worth is more than their job title, whether they're pursuing side hustles, finding ways to give back, or diving into other creative hobbies. Since I'm usually in the midst of five to 68 different projects at once, I'm a terrific guest!This episode of Rabiah's show is called "Tepid Regards," which is a wonderful email sign-off that I suggest you use. Enjoy the show, and I'll see you in the new season on October 4!

Good People, Cool Things is returning with new episodes on October 4. In the meantime, I'm sharing episodes of other shows I think you'll dig.Today's episode is from The Artist's Work Ethic with Mike Pelak. Mike is chatting with actor Terry Serpico, an actor who's currently recurring on Law & Order: SVU as Chief of Detectives, Tommy McGrath. Terry's appeared in films such as Hannibal, Michael Clayton, The Interpreter and The Purge: Election Year; as well as TV shows such as Yellowstone, Army Wives, Cobra Kai, and Designated Survivor.While you're listening, why not take a moment to subscribe to Fun Fact Friyay? You'll get fun facts to your inbox once a week to make you wiser and more entertaining at parties — just drop your fact into a conversation and fade into the night. Plus, subscribers get shoutouts, special perks, and you might even have a poem or song written about you, if you so desire. What a time to be alive!

Good People, Cool Things will return on October 4. In the meantime, we're sharing episodes from other shows doing great stuff.Today's highlighted show is The Integrated Schools Podcast, hosted by Andrew Lefkowits and Val Brown. Housing and school segregation are closely intertwined, yet the story of how that came to be is rarely taught. The students at EPIC Theatre Ensemble were commissioned to write a play about this topic through the EPIC Next Program. These students created Between The Lines, an original play exploring the connections between America’s housing policies and educational segregation. This episode features student actor Dilisima Vickers and co-artistic director Jim Wallert. They discuss how the show came to be and what they learned through making it. You'll also hear excerpts from the show, including an original song and a game show.Want some more cool content in the meantime? Check out Fun Fact Friyay, my newsletter of fun facts.

Good People, Cool Things is returning October 4. In the meantime, we're highlighting other cool podcasts!Access to Inspiration is a not-for-profit podcast that aims to improve people’s lives by helping them transcend their day-to-day challenges and reflect on what they're capable of. From accomplished artists and entrepreneurs to visionary thinkers and resilient leaders, the podcast uncovers the underlying sources of their inspiration, the challenges they’ve overcome, and the strategies they’ve employed to foster creativity and drive positive change.This episode features musician, performer, and composer Simeon Wood, who chats with host Sue Stockdale about his career and why music makes us feel good. And spoiler alert: You'll feel good by the end of the episode.Want some more good stuff until new episodes return? Head to Fun Fact Friyay and LIVE IT UP.

Good People, Cool Things is returning October 4. In the meantime, we're featuring other cool podcasts!Art Heals All Wounds is a podcast that features a different artist each week whose work is having an impact on their communities. These artists share what motivates them, what issues in their lives have inspired their creativity, and the ripple effects of their work in the world. Today’s episode features the breakout musical artist, La Doña, from San Francisco’s Mission District. This episode was part of a mini-series on Art Heals All Wounds called “Cultural Evolutionaries” which featured artists who stayed true to their roots while also embracing the growth necessary to address a changing world.Want some more in the meantime? Head to Fun Fact Friyay.

EJ McCoy mowed his first lawn when he was eight years old and soon learned that he could turn that activity into a pretty successful business. He also discovered that, hey, most people don’t like to deal with their pet’s waste. Shocking, right?Luckily, EJ doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty, and he’s turned Scoop Soldiers into a successful business of pet waste removal. He’s also evolved his lawn company into Chorbie, which aims to be a one-stop shop for any home service need you can think of.We’re talking all about how EJ got started as an entrepreneur, how he’s grown it over the years, and some of his top pet poop-related stories. I promise they’re not crappy.This episode is brought to you by Banned Camp, a comedy podcast about why books are banned. Be sure to check it out and give them a listen. Search for them wherever you listen to podcasts.Good People, Cool Things will also be taking a bit of a summer break, returning October 4. But don't worry, there are plenty of fun goodies that will happen in this feed during that break, so don't venture too far off!

When Cassie Petrey was a mere 12 years old, she created a newsletter for the Backstreet Boys that reached fans worldwide. She’s parlayed that fangirling into a highly successful career, playing a role in social media marketing for several major artists, including those very same Backstreet Boys, Camila Cabello and Britney Spears.Cassie is the co-founder and co-CEO of the marketing and music management firm Crowd Surf. Cassie is a Forbes 30 Under 30 and Billboard 30 Under 30 recipient and a massive fan of sea turtles, which is just a lovely combination.We’re chatting about how to make it as a musician with no connections, using TikTok to your advantage, and some of her most memorable social media campaigns.This episode is brought to you by Banned Camp! Hosts Jennifer and Dan read through a book that's ended up on a banned list and determine whether the ol' ban was the right move. It's quirky, delightful, and a whole lot of fun. Check it out here.P.S. Did you know I have a Fun Fact newsletter? It's WONDERFUL. Subscribe here.

While merch and tours can help musicians make more money, they’re not the only ways to go. Evan Price helps artists think more like artistpreneurs. He wants them to approach their music like a business — because that’s what it is.Evan founded his first company when he was just 14 years old. Now, he’s the head of Artist Collective, helping musicians monetize their creative skills and giving them the foundation and framework to keep the good times rolling throughout their entire careers.We’re talking all about the artistpreneur mindset, how to grow your tribe of creatives, and some of the top vacation destinations. Evan also has a very helpful free training using tips from artists who have made a ton of money through his program — check it out here.

Reenita Hora is an award-winning screenwriter, novelist, and audio producer. Her female-driven comedy Operation Mom has won all kinds of awards, including the Grand Prize of the Chanticleer International Book Awards. Her young adult fantasy screenplay, Shadow Realm has a bunch of recognitions, like being a Script2Comic finalist. And her newsletter is chock full of good tips for better writing and marketing your work.We’re chatting about how to find your perfect audience, how to use AI to improve — or hinder — your writing, and the importance of promoting real experiences of South Asian culture.This episode is brought to you by Banned Camp! Hosts Jennifer and Dan read through a book that's ended up on a banned list and determine whether the ol' ban was the right move. It's quirky, delightful, and a whole lot of fun. Check it out here.

After many years of struggles, I've started to get back into the succulent game, I have a duck planter filled with fun lil' greenery. My personal favorite: lithops, which are also known as “living stones.” They look like little brains to me, but I also heard a shop owner refer to them as “pig’s noses,” so your mileage may vary.While my green thumbs are slowly but steadily improving, this episode's guest has been gardening for virtually her whole life. Monique Allen realized there’s quite a bit of overlap between landscaping and growing a business, and after that light bulb went off, she started her career as The Lifescape Coach.Today, she works with companies across the trades and helps them nourish their business far more competently than I nourish a garden. She created the Life-Scape Method to guide people toward improving their land, lives, and professional satisfaction. There’s a lot of cool stuff nature can bring us, and Monique is all about incorporating those good things into our daily lives.We’re talking about how The Life-Scape Method has evolved over the years, how business owners can get rid of toxic employees, and why the “triple bottom line” is so important.

I’ve always felt fortunate that my family has loved to travel. Before I went to college, I had been to a luau in Hawaii. I had held koala bears and rode underwater scuba motorcycles in New Zealand and Australia. I had seen tortoises in Ecuador and traversed Machu Picchu in Peru.Even a mere few months ago, I embarked on a month-long trip across Europe. It was a wonderful time, and…psst, in case you’re newer to the show, there’s a full episode about it. It’s just a few episodes before this one! What a promo.Matt Kepnes didn’t have such an extensive travel background growing up — he didn’t take his first international trip until he was 23. But boy, has he made up for it. He’s traveled through over 100 countries, wrote the books How to Travel the World on $50 a Day and Ten Years a Nomad and is the founder of Nomadic Matt, a website designed to help people travel smarter while spending less money.Matt’s website is full of goodies, so we’re talking about how he’s built up his travel brand, the importance of journaling, the time he got stabbed while traveling abroad, and much, much more.

When you think of tourism, what comes to mind? Like how Paris, Texas has an Eiffel Tower with a cowboy hat on top? Or how some cities base their entire economy around one major event, like Williamsport, Pennsylvania does with the Little League World Series? Well, Diana Edelman, founder of Vegans, Baby!, has a different type of tourism.Diana is, in her own words, a former publicist-turned-travel-blogger-turned-elephant-rescuer-turned-writer and frequent television personality. She’s also set up plenty of vegan tourism events in multiple cities.We’re talking all about the moment she decided to go vegan, something surprising about veganism, what it looks like setting up these events, and how she’s built her brand.

Whether you're a fan of brainteasers, puzzles, or board games — or all three — this episode is right up your alley. Austin-based company Project Genius makes brainteasers and puzzles designed to get your mind stimulated. The company is also women-owned and an active member of the Austin Autism Council. One of those owners is Brandi Pinsker, who founded the company and serves as CEO.Brandi shares how she got into this world, what the creation process is like, and how to build more diverse and inclusive workplaces for everyone.

Patrick Grimes is the founder and CEO of InvestOnMainStreet.com, a private equity firm that provides tax-shielded and inflation-hedged passive investments in alternative investments. What does that mean? Well, since 2007 — which, you may remember, was right before a massive housing crash — Patrick has purchased distressed real estate assets, renovating and stabilizing them for long-term cash flow. He’s raised over $50 million to acquire a portfolio worth more than $600 million, including about 5,000 units in multifamily apartment communities in emerging markets across Texas and the southeastern United States. And because diversification is always important, Patrick also has an energy portfolio that includes 100+ natural gas and oil wells in 5+ locations across 5 states. We’re talking all about how Patrick got into this world, what he’s learned along the way, and busting some of the myths about real estate investing.Did you enjoy this episode? I'd love it if you left a review on whatever platform you're listening! You rock.

When you were in school, you probably did some kind of project or report on a family member. Chances are you didn't uncover something like my guest.Pepper Anne is a true crime writer, and the author of The Notorious Texas Swindler about Bob Leach, a cattle rustler turned con man and the mastermind behind the Grayson County Five, a group of fugitives who escaped from the Grayson County Jail in Sherman, Texas. Concurrently, Bob was also rustling cattle from unsuspecting ranchers and hosting a party ranch with his then-wife.Bob is Pepper Anne’s cousin. She’s spent over a decade working on this story, piecing together interviews and insights from family members, victims, law enforcement officials, private investigators, and more. And she’s dealt with some unique threats along the way.We’re talking all about how she discovered her cousin’s history, what it’s been like writing this story, and how she kept track of all the madness—because there is a LOT of chaos to unpack here.This episode is presented by Firebreathing Kittens. Check 'em out here!

We've got plenty of good guests in store for the latest season, but I'm ridin' solo for the first episode back!I just spent a month traversing around Europe, and I've told everyone within earshot that they should go have a European adventure of their own. Since you are, in fact, within earshot, you're getting a sneak peek at my itinerary.Enjoy walking through the fabulous sights and sounds. Let me know where your next trip is taking you!Here's the statue of King Wenceslas I mention in the section about Prague. What a spectacle! And here are more quirky Prague statues.

Payal and Kajal Vitha left their jobs in tech to follow their hearts and start their own jewelry business. Their goal? To make Sonu Company the premier engagement ring destination for this generation.We're talking about their appearance on Indian Matchmaker, what it's like working with family, and tips for keeping your ring sparkling.

The world could use a little more love, and that's one of the guiding forces behind author Emma Barry's books. Romance novels are about love, relationships, and hope. In a dark world, that's endearing!If you have any inkling to write...well, anything, you'll find plenty in here. Emma shares why she has a writer ethos, the reason she fired her agent, and how Saturday Night Live inspired her most recent work.By the end of this episode, you may very well be inspired to read a romance novel. And it should probably be one of Emma's books.

Have you ever done something you didn't want to do — and it turned out to be an incredible decision?Holly Curby is no stranger to finding inspiration in all kinds of people and places, but she never expected to be an entrepreneur or write a book. Now, she's done both and is thriving.We're talking about her unexpected business growth and her book journey, from writing to a deeply personal cover. Plus, her top tools and how you can find a mentor who's right for you.Learn more about Holly at hollycurby.com.

Mike Fata was raised by a poor single mother, dropped out of school as a teenager, lost more than 100 pounds, and started a business in the hemp food space. A few years ago, he sold that business for nearly half a billion dollars.Mike will be the first to tell you that his journey isn't the "typical" one, but it's a great reminder that success comes in all different shapes and forms. Now, Mike works with entrepreneurs across a variety of industries, helping them grow their businesses while offering advice and resources. His goal? To empower people to structure their best day ever and enjoy life as an entrepreneur.His new book, Grow: 12 Unconventional Lessons for Becoming an Unstoppable Entrepreneur, looks at his story and shares how you too can have your best day ever — whatever that looks like for you.Pick up a copy of Grow here.

You may have noticed we’re in the middle of March, which means it’s time for the greatest time of the sports year — March Madness.It can seem daunting to fill out a bracket, particularly if you haven’t watched a lick of basketball all year. But there’s good news: It’s equally as difficult to fill out a bracket even if you have watched many basketball games.Luckily, Chris Hayes and I are here to help you fill out your bracket. We share some actual basketball data, but more importantly, we break down schools based on mascots, hairstyles, and much more.

People are often surprised to learn that I host multiple podcasts. Perhaps my self-promotion skills need a bit of work…in any case, I am, in fact, a multi-podcast connoisseur. My other current show is called Sports R Dumb; each episode dives into a silly element of sports.It may seem like there’s not a ton of crossover between a sports-centric show and a show about building a brand. But Good People, Cool Things has always been about education, too. I want you to walk away from any given episode having learned at least one new thing (and hopefully smiling once or twice along the way).So, in the spirit of education, today’s episode is a feature of Sports R Dumb. Learn all about the very silly ways professional athletes — and every day, normal people — can be fined.If you enjoy Sports R Dumb, feel free to listen to additional episodes here or follow the show on Instagram.