Good People, Cool Things

Dave MacDonald from Crafted1K joins the podcast to talk all things cartooning. He shares how he developed a love of comics and doodling at a young age, how accidentally stumbling into a sales career led to his current business, and why every brand should tap into the "humor effect."

Natlyn Jones is just an all-around rock star. She started getting into boxing from her husband, boxer Roy Jones Jr., and quickly realized the many benefits boxing can bring to people. She channeled that focus into SheWarrior, a brand creating sustainable activewear for the fighter in all of us. In this episode, we’re chatting all about running a business, from getting started to social media to Natlyn’s worst moment as a business owner, and how she bounced back from it. We also wrap things up with a list of home workouts and songs to keep you motivated, so you can, like I always say, GET AFTER IT today. To celebrate 50 episodes and one year of Good People, Cool Things, I’m doing a MASSIVE discount on everything in the store. All month long, all items are 20% off, so get you some goodies.

Omar Mo is the founder of Nomadables and the host of The Nomadic Executive podcast. He helps online entrepreneurs that want to escape the daily grind of a 9 to 5 job and live a life of freedom and purpose. Centered around health, wealth, and wisdom, Omar uses life lessons he’s learned from his own experience and other experts across the world to empower people to live their best lives. Now it's your turn! Help support Good People, Cool Things by visiting the GPCT shop and pick yourself up a hoodie, shirt, mug, or hat. (https://goodpeoplecoolthings.com/shop)

You can grab a copy of any of the games — including some sweet combo packs — on the SociaLaughs website or through Amazon. Learn more about each game below. Passport to the Hood This game includes 3 volumes – and highlights hilarious moments of urban culture, says everything that you hear behind closed doors and reflects the things we experienced growing up. You are ready to play this game if you know: 1) What to do when you see people run 2) A New Yorker’s favorite word 3) What snitches get 4) What the PJ’s mean 4) What not to do at a cookout. The objective of the game is to not lose points by predicting what answers the opposing teams will select. CelebSaid The game that revives your favorite quotes, catchphrases and lines from some of our most beloved Black celebs. You are ready to play this game if you know these quotes...He shot me in my pinky toe. If the glove doesn't fit, you must acquit. King Kong ain't got sh*t on me. You ain't got to lie, Craig. 86 Quote cards, 4 Go cards and 16 Decision cards. Story of My Life Designed specifically for women, Story of My Life is fun-filled journey highlighting the social, personal and cultural experiences that cultivate the life stories of women. Play this game and find out what stories you have in common with your girlfriends. If you’re a fan of Good People, Cool Things, I would love your support. Feel free to subscribe on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and leave a rating or review on Apple Podcasts. That helps even more people discover these wonderful guests. You can also support the show by checking out the new Good People, Cool Things merch store. Thanks for listening!

Author Stacy Padula teamed up with NBA Coach Brett Gunning on a children’s book series based on the principles of his nonprofit, On the Right Path. And because every kids’ book needs some great illustrations, they called in Maddy Moore to sink a few clutch shots with her designs. We’re chatting about the book writing process, the best quarantines, and some of Brett’s most memorable NBA moments, including a delightful story about Kevin McHale.

Billy Van Zandt has been writing plays, TV shows, and films for nearly half a century. So, naturally, he’s got a few stories to tell about Hollywood. Luckily, he was taking notes along the way and has put his finest moments into his new book. GET IN THE CAR, JANE! Adventures in the TV Wasteland is a behind the scenes memoir of Emmy-nominated writer/producer Billy Van Zandt and his years making America’s favorite (and not so favorite) sitcoms.

No matter where you’re at on your entrepreneurial journey, you’re likely thinking about business growth. Zack Hurley, founder of apparel manufacturing company Indie Source, knows all about that — he grew his company from $788,000 to $2.3 million in just two years, and is on track to reach $5 million this year — all while maintaining a bootstrapped approach. Indie Source has tackled the outdated apparel industry and turned it on its head by offering entrepreneurs a way to get access to the insiders. Zack, along with co-founder Jesse Dombrowiak, started the firm to help designers get access to apparel supply chains, which is a HUGELY monolithic industry. Zack and Indie Source have worked with tons of celebrities, from Khloe Kardashian to NBA player Kareem Rush. He’s appeared on an episode of The Real Housewives of OC and was even asked to have his own reality show. Indie Source made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2018 and is still kicking butt today. Indie Source has worked with more than 500 entrepreneurs and brands to make apparel dreams come true.

Author Caroline Henrich talks about her book A Very Lappy Christmas, the impact of helping others, and gives us a peek inside her very full household.

As an actor, host, emcee, and podcaster, Brad Gage has met a ton of interesting people — and he’s certainly one himself. He’s appeared in movies and TV shows like Timeless and Jane the Virgin and has hosted content for Hulu, Mercedes-Benz, American’s Funniest Home Videos, and more. Throughout it all, he's found a passion for having in-depth conversations and getting to know people. That’s what Brad’s podcast Real Feels is all about. He asks guests to be vulnerable about masculinity and gender issues as they dive into who they are now and where they're hoping to go. Other highlights include a terrible acting gig Brad once had, the power of restorative justice, and some of the best 90s one-hit wonders.

Vanessa and Natasha of ATXFoodChronicles talk about their blogging career, revisit delightful old TV shows, and offer their favorite Austin spots to check out.

Nicole Riccardo may barely be five feet tall, but she sure has some mighty superpowers. She serves musicians and creative entrepreneurs who are ready to market themselves effectively and increase their impact + income. Bottom line, she can help you make some moolah to do what you love. How? Through a combination of branding, SEO, marketing strategy, the Instagram algorithm, and a whole lot more. We’re covering a bunch of it in our discussion, plus even more important topics, like playing the flute vs. the piccolo or the best rides at Disney World.

Matt Billings is the fourth generation of his family farm, which first started more than 100 years ago. And now, he's the founder of Ayo Yogurt, a vegan, dairy-free almond yogurt.

In honor of Halloween, we're having a spooktacular episode filled with scary stories! Hear from musicians as they reminisce on their worst and most outrageous gigs.

Musician Suzi Ragsdale talks about her new album Ghost Town, what it's like to record music during COVID, and why it's important to use music to lift people up.

Excy founder Michele Mehl talks about the inspiration behind her product, how it's helped people recover during physical therapy, and shows off her gold medal.

Erin is the face (and lens) behind Sew Stratton, an Austin-based photographer, fashion lover, volunteer, and occasional influencer — even though she's not fond of that term. She joins the podcast to chat about photography, how she started making jewelry, and her new mentorship program.

Atlanta-based rapper CEO Chino Marley is on a constant grind, working on his craft and growing his fanbase. We're talking about his newest music videos "High" and "Active" — two songs with distinctly different vibes and feels. But through it all, Chino stays true to himself and his ability to tell stories. We also chat his new album, the power of the Internet in promoting music, and some upcoming technology he's excited about.

Ashley Bugge is a young military widow/solo mom of three, explorer, and award-winning author who was forced to rebuild her life after her husband tragically died in a recreational scuba diving accident. We chat about her story, why bucket lists are overrated, and discuss some of the finest karaoke choices.

Fire-spinning sushi chef Bryan Sekine shares how he got into both industries, why sustainability is such a critical component of his brand, and how you too can start an online course to teach others.

Art Bell is the author of Constant Comedy: How I started Comedy Central and Lost My Sense of Humor. If that title doesn't immediately pique your interest, here's a little taste of what you'll find in this episode: Art talks about the hardships he encountered with his idea for a new TV channel all about comedy — and how he powered through multiple obstacles. We talk a WHOLE BUNCH of Mystery Science Theater 3K, one of the most important shows in comedy history. Art shares stories about top comedians, including a great conversation with Jerry Seinfeld's agent. We're having a ton of fun here and I know you will, too. Thanks for listening!

Ray Blakney has built multiple six and seven-figure businesses without any kind of cash — boot-strapping at its finest! Learn about his entrepreneurial experience, what lessons in sword fighting have taught him, and why you shouldn't start a business.

Have you ever reached the end of the day and felt overwhelmed? Maybe you didn't get a project done, or spent so much time on busy tasks you had to skip a workout. Caelan Huntress is a marketing coach for entrepreneurs and he helps business owners earn more money in less time. That frees up more attention and energy for you to focus on other areas, whether it’s in your business or personal life.

Get Lost with Lindsay founder Lindsay Myers joins the podcast to get her best tips for traveling on a budget, how to have a great date night at home, and why you should step up your virtual fashion game.

Women should support other women, especially in business—so why do so few of them do that? Lizanne Falsetto, founder of thinkThin wellness brand and Pink Talented Angels, joins the podcast to chat about her network of women founders, challenges of running a business, and why walks can be a super productive part of your day.

Christine Perakis has lived through not one, but TWO hurricanes (in the span of two weeks, no less!) and it led to her writing her book The Resilient Leader: Life Changing Strategies to Overcome Today’s Turmoil and Tomorrow’s Uncertainty. She works with businesses to help them turbo-charge their growth and reach new levels of success, and shares her story on the podcast.

Sarah Elkins joins the podcast to chat about her book, Your Stories Don't Define You: How You Tell Them Will. She shares the power of storytelling, how her life experiences has shaped what she's doing now, and her favorite small world connections.

Dr. Rob Bell shares his tips for improving mental toughness, defines what a hinge moment is and how to identify them, some of his most painful experiences, and shares highlights from his new book, Puke & Rally.

Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo of fitness brand Jane DO chat building a brand, new challenges and opportunities with home workouts, and how they've created a community to empower women across the world.

It's time to write a book, kiddos! Author Michael C. Bland discusses his new book The Price of Safety and shares tips and insights on putting a book together, from writing to marketing and much more.

The 512 Brewed Podcast ladies talk all things beer, how to build a personal brand, and we plan our buying strategy for Michael Jordan’s mansion. Give a shout out to the 512 Brewed Hosts on Instagram and check out a new episode every Friday at 512BrewedPodcast.com.

Maggie Grabmeier talks about her solo work as Maggie Gently, including her songwriting process, her worst gig (and the valuable lessons it taught her), and we discuss our favorite quarantine games. Check out Maggie's new EP, Good Cry, which is a raw, introspective look at losing a relationship with a friend. Or, as Maggie calls it, "five songs of sadness."

South Block founder Amir Mostafavi shares his tips for starting and running a successful business, plus the power of community and his favorite works of art.

Nettie Owens, founder of Sappari Solutions and Momentum Accountability, joins the podcast to chat about how to organize your professional and personal life, ways to maximize remote work efficiency, and why productivity accountability is so important.

Annette Silva, executive producer at Studio City Productions, knows the power of a good story. She joins the podcast to talk about producing TV shows, both traditionally and in the current all-digital landscape. She also shares why trust in the workplace is essential and why she started a budget to save money for her family — how you can do the same. After all, who doesn't love some good DIY projects?

Guitar player and educator Lance Ruby joins the podcast to talk about music in a time of social distancing, great guitarists, album art, and some of the worst gigs he's ever played.

Journalist Janet Jay joins the podcast to talk about her fantastic career, her penchant for upcycling, and the best tunes to choose for punk rock karaoke.

Author and writer Eric Carasella shares more than two decades of experience in writing and publishing, whether it's on Medium or publishing three books. We also discuss the "leap" of quitting a corporate job to go freelancing full-time.

Ian Roth of Talking Llama Media helps leaders by empowering them to speak and communicate confidently and effectively. He also runs two different podcasts, the Get Heard Podcast and The Talking Llama. We're chatting leadership, communication, and podcasting tools and tricks.

Deb Eckerling, founder of Write On and author of Your Goal Guide: A Roadmap for Setting, Planning, and Achieving Goals, joins the podcast to chat about writing communities, the importance of setting (and rethinking) goals, email and social media marketing tips, and super easy cooking recipes that'll make your tummy happy.

Scott Leese is a three-time winner of the American Association of Inside Sales’ Top 25 Inside Sales Professionals, and a highly sought-after consultant, advisor, leader, and sales trainer. With a focus on sales strategy, people, process, and infrastructure, he’s worked with several companies with a $0-$25m ARR, giving them expert guidance as they scale. If you have a product or service you want to sell, Scott will make it happen.

Working on your own side hustle? This episode, featuring Monotony: The Musical creators Sarah Luery and Jared Chance Taylor, dives into how to find your inspiration and discover the creative process that works best for you. It's really fun to sing along with, as well!

Sam Nulton may be one of the most interesting people you’ll meet. He’s a professional whistler, has covered tons of sports as a freelance camera operator, has traveled the world, and his music has been featured all over the internet, from workout routines to makeup tutorials. We're chatting the creative process, effective uses of social media, and some of his top experiences as a musician.

Eric Slepak-Cherney, co-founder of Beers & Board Games Chicago, joins me to chat all things beer and board gamin’. Eric started a community that continues to grow, and in this uncertain time, shares options for games you can still play while social distancing. Highlights of this episode include turning ideas into action, the benefits of being inclusive, and some of the best board game and beer pairings out there.

Tamika Bickham is an award-winning TV journalist with a knack for storytelling. She and I share the belief that everyone’s got a story to tell, and that the most impactful stories can help change lives for the better. No matter what kind of work you do, you can take her tips and experience and learn how to use storytelling for business success by creating the kind of content that will truly benefit your audience. Tamika’s passion for storytelling led to the creation of TB Media Group, a story-driven content marketing agency focused on cultivating stories, creating engaging content, and connecting with audiences in authentic ways.

Believe in the power of trusting yourself – it'll take you far. That's certainly an underlying theme of Margie Warrell's new book, You've Got This! The Life-Changing Power of Trusting Yourself, a handbook for learning to thrive in today's pressure laden and uncertain world.

Alyea Sandovar, Game Researcher and Digital Producer at TintHue, joins the podcast to chat about her process for making big decisions, which has led her down many paths and through many careers as she’s discovered what she’s most passionate about. She’s also a huge UFO fan, so of course we’ve included some fun links below. And Alyea dives into her unique ability to communicate with dead people, or at least disembodied voices. How could you not tune in?

This episode's guest is Michael Keaveny, chef and owner of Tavola and author of the new book Tavola: 10 Greatest Hits – Music and Food. Michael and I chat about his experience working in restaurants as a teenager and one of his favorite dishes, the power of being the hardest person in the room, and the biggest difference between successful and unsuccessful restaurants. Spoiler alert: these same principles apply to to any business.

If you’re looking to start a business, there are certain questions you’ll need to ask. What am I passionate about? Who is my target audience? What challenges can I address? Hassanatou Barry began answering these questions and saw an opportunity. She’s a young, innovative and resolute entrepreneur. She had been babysitting for years as a side hustle when she realized she had a tremendous passion for it. She soon started identifying opportunities in the market, learning there weren’t enough credible resources out there for caregivers. She took those insights and used them to start a business of her own: The Babysitter Guru.

Whether you’re an Instagram power user or just an occasional selfie star, knowing how to take good pictures is a skill anyone can have. And today’s guest, Feed This House founder Ashley M., is an absolute rock star when it come to taking photos. Her website is dedicated to food, family, and a whole lot more, and chock full of great photos (and occasionally brilliant puns too, though I’m not ready to admit she’s better than yours truly). I’d like to see your photos, too - or at least would enjoy hearing from you! Get in touch with Good People, Cool Things on Twitter and Facebook.

The phrase “when life gives you lemons, make lemonade” may be a cliche, but it applies in so many situations. Specifically, there’s a key word in there: make. You have to make the conscious decision to improve your situation. This episode’s guest, Joel Hawbaker, is no stranger to tough times – in the span of three years, he learned his dad had terminal cancer, got divorced, and lost his home. After hitting rock bottom while wandering aimlessly around a Walmart, Joel realized he could turn things around. He just had to commit to his self-improvement and consistently keep working at it. The end result? He’s developed leadership methods that anyone can use to help grow their business – or even just become more comfortable in their own skin. Joel is an award-winning teacher, author, speaker, and frequent podcast guest who loves helping young leaders overcome obstacles and grow through courage, confidence, and humility. By sharing personal stories of failure and success, with plenty of humor and engagement mixed in, Joel teaches leadership principles that audiences can apply as soon as they leave the event. His book, Inverted Leadership: Lead Others Better By Forgetting About Yourself was a #1 best-seller on Amazon.