Where There's Smoke

"Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating." Those are the words of John Cleese in a talk he gave back in 1991 on Creativity. In this episode we explore the concept of Creativity. What is it? Are YOU creative? Can you be MORE creative? And how DOES creativity impact other areas of our lives? We go on this exploration with author, artist, entrepreneur, and activist David Usher, who earlier this year released the book, Let The Elephants Run: Unlock Your Creativity and Change Everything. Plus, a special Holiday edition of WTS Digs. GUEST: David Usher Website: www.DavidUsher.com Twitter: @DavidUsher * * * If you love the show and want to support what we do, please visit www.supportwts.com and consider a donation to our Patreon campaign. Also, help others find the show by LEAVING AN ITUNES REVIEW! Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS. * * * Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends A Very Murray Christmas on Netflix Nick recommends John Denver & The Muppets, A Christmas Together * * * JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes Find us on Pocket Casts here: http://pca.st/smoke You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Why is it so hard to ask for things? Why do we resist? Why don't we do it when we need support? This week, Brett and Nick launch their Patreon campaign - but they process was a difficult one. First, they had to wrestle with asking their listeners for support! This led them to ask some questions about asking. What about asking makes us so uncomfortable? Through the journey, they had conversations with Patreon's Creation Relations Manager, Cole Palmer, and personal development facilitator Kathy Quinlan-Perez. Brett & Nick ask you to visit www.supportwts.com and consider supporting Where There's Smoke. They just want to keep saying "YES!" to making this show every week. Thank you for your support! * * *GUESTS Cole Palmer, Patreon Twitter: @cepvi0Kathy Quinlan-Perez, PSI Seminars Website: www.psiseminars.com * * * Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS. * * * Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends Walking Through Airports/Malls/Busy Streets listening to Christmas music on headphones (Experience) Nick recommends Psychonauts 2 & Mystery Science Theater 3000 (Crowdfunding Campaigns)* * * JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes Find us on Pocket Casts here: http://pca.st/smoke You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Want to help support Where There's Smoke? Visit www.supportwts.com. Thank you for being the best and reading to the end of these podcast notes. Gold star for you!

What is it about music that just takes you back to specific people, places, and moments? Well, this week, we explore how music intersects with our lives. Whether it's playing, listening, or escaping it, music is finds a way to bury deep within us and remind us of our own stories. Nick is running this show this week and opens with a story about love, loss, and the Bb concert scale. Next, Elizabeth Sweetly tells us about how music seemingly haunted her until she came to grips with the realities of her own life. Finally, Jessi Broughton tells us about how music brought her best friend into her life - twice. We also speak with neuropsychologist Dr. Amee Baird about her research into music and memory. So, put on a stupid grin and let's get to listening. GUESTS Dr. Amee BairdSpecial Thanks to Listeners Elizabeth Sweetly (@ej_sweetly) and Jessi Broughton (@searchtofindyou) for sharing their stories. Special thanks to Breathing Rhythm Studios in Norman, Oklahoma for audio recording assistance. For more about the legacy that Ben has left behind, visit https://www.facebook.com/beninspired/. * * *Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS. * * * Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends Mr. Nice. Nick recommends the Snarky Puppy song, Lingus. * * * JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes Find us on Pocket Casts here: http://pca.st/smoke You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

"Be so good they can't ignore you." That's Steve Martin's advice for anybody looking to be successful. We hear some form of this idea from countless actors, musicians, athletes, scientists: Do good work. This week, we attempt to unpack what "good work" truly means. We're talking about "quality" - specifically as it pertains to situations where we are looking to break into a particular profession, get a promotion, or create a successful product. In those situations, doing "good work" requires us to understand what is expected in a given space and then be able to create it ourselves. Joining us in this conversation is Franklin Leonard, the founder of The Black List. We also hear from author and speaker Jon Gordon, and receive some emails from the author of The Martian, Andy Weir. Oh, and we talk about getting struck by lightning. Don't ask, just listen. GUESTS Franklin Leonard Website: www.blcklst.com Twitter: @franklinleonard / @theblcklst Jon Gordon Website: www.jongordon.comTwitter: @JonGordon11 * * * Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS. * * * Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends Rhye - Woman (Album) Nick recommends My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (TV Show on CW and Hulu) * * * JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes Find us on Pocket Casts here: http://pca.st/smoke You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Each day, roughly 205 billions emails are sent, 3.5 billion Facebook messages are posted, and 40 million tweets are shared. In short, we are talking, texting, tweeting, and chatting at a very high rate. But in this process of sharing so many words - both in speed and quantity - we ask: Do we treat words with the same care we once did? And, do we ever stop to truly consider their power? We also ask: What if the phrase "Actions speak louder than words" wasn't always true? What if, in our modern times, it's the opposite? Our conversation starts with the first of Don Miguel's Four Agreements; then we take a ride through some of the stories that have elicited reactions online and offline over the past 4 months; and, lastly, we go back a decade to hear a story about Nick and his Mom, including an interview with Nick's mom herself, Barbara Jaworski. * * * Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS. * * * Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends Brooklyn Nine Nine (TV Show). Nick recommends Ghost and their song, Cirice (Performance of The Late Show). * * * JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes Find us on Pocket Casts here: http://pca.st/smoke You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Lulu Miller of NPR's Invisibilia joins us this week to talk about curiosity. Well, she really wanted to talk about adventure, exploration, and discovery; but for reasons we discuss in the show, Brett just couldn't let curiosity go. Simply by asking, "What is curiosity?", we find ourselves confronted with another whole set of questions: How curious are you? How do you measure it? Could one believe they are curious, and then discover they're not? Could curiosity be something different than you think? Plus, we tip our hat to the great comic strip Calvin & Hobbes, which debuted 30 years ago this November and rode off on a toboggan 20 years ago this December. Well, if we want to get any answers to these questions, there's only one thing left to do: Let's go exploring! * * * Guest: Lulu Miller Website: http://lutimestwo.com / http://www.npr.org/people/348775905/lulu-miller Twitter: @lmillernpr * * * Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends: Pocket Nick recommends: Nathan For You JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of Robert Frost's classic poem, The Road Not Taken. Also, October 21, 2015 has become known as Back to the Future Day because it is the exact date that Doc Brown, Marty McFly, and Jennifer travel to in the movie, Back to the Future 2. Now, if you look at both of these works - The Road Not Taken and Back to the Future 2 - they might seem vastly different! But, beneath the surface, both works examine the idea of choice. This week we dig deeper into Frost's poem and discover that many people - including ourselves - have misunderstood its meaning. We lean on some insights from columnist David Orr and his new book, The Road Not Taken: Finding America in the Poem Everyone Loves and Almost Everyone Gets Wrong. And we also talk about hard choices through some powerful ideas from Ruth Chang's TED Talk on the same subject. And all of this exists within a big hat tip to the Back to the Future trilogy. As Brett & Nick take on the pseudo roles of Marty McFly and Doc Brown to take listeners on a ride through time, as only they can. * * * Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends You're The Worst on FXX (Season 1 is available on Hulu). Nick recommends Bojack Horseman on Netflix. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes Find us on Pocket Casts here: http://pca.st/smoke You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Listeners asked and so our second season premiere covers a topic that everyone struggles with: Procrastination. Unfortunately for Brett and Nick, life quickly began to imitate art when they found themselves caught in their own web of procrastination to get the episode finished. Brett and Nick ask: Why do we put things off? Why do we avoid them? And, if procrastination is just a symptom of something larger, then what are its sources? For answers, Brett turns to writer and blogger, Mark Manson. Mark shares some thoughts from his insightful article, "Everything You Wanted To Know About Procrastination But Were Too Lazy To Figure Out". Was Mark able to set Brett right? Will they cure their own procrastination and make it to the end of the episode? Will Nick stop playing Mario Kart? Stay tuned. * * * Guest: Mark Manson Website: www.markmanson.net Twitter: @IAmMarkManson * * * Be a pal and LEAVE AN ITUNES REVIEW! K? Thx. Connect with the show on Facebook: www.facebook.com/wtspod and Twitter: @exploreWTS Links from our newest segment: WTS DIGS! Brett recommends Ryan Adams' cover of Taylor Swift's album, 1989, as well as the mash-up album, Yeezer. Nick recommends Double Fine Adventure. * * * JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

For the past couple of years it seems like one of the biggest buzzwords in business and entrepreneurship is "Hustle". And most of the messaging around hustle is about "go, go, go!" - harder, faster, stronger, more. But what if that's not the whole story? What if hustle is also about slowing down, pausing, and being still? And what if it is in that stillness that the best hustlers are made? In this episode, we discuss this concept with Kyra Maya Philips, co-author of the book The Misfit Economy -- which was named by The Telegraph, Tech Republic, and The Huffington Post as one of the Top New Books to read in 2015. We also bring in lessons from the life of convict-turned-entrepreneur, Duane Jackson. We also hear some wise words from writer and traveler, Pico Iyer. Lastly, we receive some widsom from author and activist, Lynne Twist. When it is all said and done, you may be left with a new idea of how to "Do The Hustle". (Just in time for the 40th anniversary of it reaching #1 on the Billboard 100.) *Remember* to leave a written iTunes review to help raise the visibility of the show. Also, make sure you encourage others to listen as well! Guest: Kyra Maya Phillips Website: www.misfiteconomy.com Twitter: @ThisIsKyraMaya JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Whether we realize it or not, day after day, we're asked to make meaning out of our experiences. Why did something happen? What does it mean? What kind of person am I? The kinds of meanings that we pull out of these moments will have a huge influence on how our lives take shape. In this episode, Brett and Nick grapple to make meaning for themselves. Also, Nick speaks with Teri Griege - triathlete, cancer survivor, and author - about living and succeeding with cancer and how others derive meaning from her experiences. Lastly, we hear from a couple of listeners outside of North America! (Still no France.) Guest: Teri Griege Website: www.terigriege.com and www.poweredbyhope.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/terigriege JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Much of life is out of our control. Often we are in situations where our level of control is small, but the impact of not having control is potentially large. And these moments can challenge our character, hamper our forward progress, or just be incredibly frustrating. This week, we talk about how you can grasp control from the hands of defeat. How you can stay proactive in these situations where you have little influence, and by doing so, learn how to increase your influence in seemingly impossible situations. To understand these ideas in action, we hear a powerful story from celebrity nutrition and fitness expert JJ Virgin. Her story shows how this approach to control can literally save a life. Also, the host of the Entrepreneurs & Coffee podcast, Brendan Hufford, shares some of his thoughts. And we announce The 42 Project - a chance for our creative listeners to share their inspirations, promote themselves, and inspire others. *Remember* to leave a written iTunes review to help raise the visibility of the show. Also, make sure you encourage others to listen as well! Guest: JJ Virgin Website: www.jjvirgin.com Twitter: @JJVirgin JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Two stories separated by two years. Two moments moved by music. Have you ever felt lost? Ever found yourself stuck in a moment where you look outside of yourself for answers? Or where an answer came from outside - even when you weren't looking? Throughout history music has played the role of the catalyst for everything from our individual lives to the direction of our societies. This week we explore that role - from the micro to the macro - through two vignettes. The first, a personal moment of struggle for Nick, and the second, Brett's personal experience of a national moment of struggle. Each informing the other in some way, and linked by through the themes of music, being lost, and finding hope. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

What if you could be more satisfied your life? Strengthen your problem-solving skills? Raise your awareness and intuition? Change your attitude about things you dislike? Be more creative? More innovative? Enjoy waiting in lines? And what if the power to affect all these things could be attained in the simple, yet powerful, process of a walk? This week, we do something a little different for our 25th Episode of Where There's Smoke. We invite you to take a walk with us. We are joined by Alexandra Horowitz, author of On Looking, as we literally walk a few blocks of New York City - exploring the power of paying attention and observation to change our lives. Guest: Alexandra Horowitz Twitter: @DogUmweltWebsite: http://pages.simonandschuster.com/onlooking JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Who do you consider wise today? Does anyone immediately come to mind? This week we explore the unexpectedly complex question: What is wisdom? Additionally, we discuss the state of wisdom today and how we can foster more of it in our world. Also, Nick & Brett pick themselves up from France's rejection and reach out to all of our listeners outside of North America. And our headlining act for today's episode is PhilosophersNotes' founder, Brian Johnson. Brain is a reader, writer, teacher, and lover of wisdom, who is on a mission to optimize his life and the lives of others. Guest: Brian Johnson Website: PhilosophersNotes.com / brianjohnson.me Twitter: @_Brian_Johnson JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Today's episode opens with a story about fathers and, yet, the show is just as much about mothers, grandparents, teachers, and friends as anything else. We explore several important moments to uncover the true meaning of gratitude and how we can best practice it in our lives. Also, Brett has a vulnerable conversation with Corporate Renegade founder Matthew Goldfarb and Nick shares how you can be a part of the Where There's Smoke team. Plus details on our upcoming meetups in Toronto, Vancouver, and New York City. Guest: Matthew Goldfarb Twitter: @MattsGoldfarb Website: www.CorporateRenegade.com JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Superman can't lead for sh*t. That was a playful title in the mix as we crafted this episode on vulnerability. As you listen, you will start to understand what that means, and how vulnerability feeds creation, fuels innovation, dissolves barriers, and expands presence. This week's episode is an exploration of vulnerability -- why it's scary, how we can re-frame it, and why the world so desperately needs it. And four times TEDx speaker and a man know for heart based connection in networking, Bobby Umar, joins us in the second half of the show. He shares a story that exemplifies vulnerability, both in its details and his willingness to share it with us. Guest: Bobby Umar Twitter: @RaehanBobby Website: www.raeallan.com JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

The road to frustration is paved with good intentions. Most of us can relate to having an experience, a conversation, taking a class, reading a book, listening to a podcast - and something grabs your attention. Sometimes it can feel like a 2X4 to your forehead. And you think, "I need to make a change!", "I am going to start doing that!", or "I'm going to stop doing that!" But then, contrary to our good intentions and certainty in the moment, we don't follow through. Why? What happens? This week we are exploring behavior change and providing you with important insights to better understand how to motivate and facilitate change in your life. We are joined by two experts in the field of psychology. BJ Fogg, whose focus is on creating habits to affect change; and Jason Lassner, who looks at how to sustain change once we've made it. Guest: BJ Fogg Websites: www.bjfogg.com Twitter: @BJFogg Guest: Jason Lassner Websites: www.readysteadychange.com JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

To get from Point A to Point B - there is always a process. Sometimes it's intentional and other times it just happens. Some aspects of that process may be effective and, ultimately, help an endeavor succeed. Other steps in the process can actually be a hinderance; and slow down or derail, even the best of intentions or ideas This week on Where There's Smoke - for our 20th episode - we sifted through hours of Voxer messages and Skype chats, along with countless text messages and emails, to unpack the making of one episode of Where There's Smoke. Specifically, last week's episode on Values. And in this process we will analyze the process of process. What are some key elements that successful creators have implemented throughout the centuries? What do you most need to be aware of? What can serve you - and what can sink you? *Remember* to leave an iTunes Written Review for your chance to win free coaching from Brett, free consulting or editing from Nick, or a 30-second spot on the show. DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co).

REMEMBER to leave an iTunes Written Review for your chance to win free coaching from Brett, free consulting or editing from Nick, or a 30-second spot on the show. * * * Values guide our every decision, whether we are aware of it or not. And they also have the power to align our character, attract others to us, and impact our ability to influence. This week on Where There's Smoke we dig into values; share some examples of how they drive decisions; define what values are, how you recognize them, and why identifying yours is so important. Then, author and entrepreneur Chalene Johnson joins Nick and Brett in a conversation about values in action, and the discuss what you the listener can do to positively shift your mindset around values today. Guest: Chalene Johnson Website: www.chalenejohnson.com Twitter: @ChaleneJohnson Check out Chalene's fantastic podcast, The Chalene Show. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Experience. It's more than Jimi Hendrix's band. It is the thing which shapes and sculpts us throughout our lives. It is the process by which wisdom and mastery are created. This week on Where There's Smoke we explore the value of our experiences. We dig through our desire for instant gratification to discover that perhaps it just isn't that gratifying. And we have a conversation with author and explorer Bassam Tarazi on why 3rd gear should be sexier. Also, we have a favor to ask you - the listener. It's easy. It will make a huge difference. And we are even offering some awesome incentives in return. Remember to leave a review on iTunes for your chance to win free coaching from Brett, free consulting or editing from Nick, or a 30-second spot on the show! Guest: Bassam Tarazi www.bassamtarazi.com @BassamTarazi JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Taste. What's good? What's bad? People often come guns blazing with their opinions on things - whether it be music, movies, art, food, or drink. But where do these ideas come from and why are they so deeply ingrained? This week on Where There's Smoke we talk taste. Producer Nick Jaworski joins Brett as co-host this week and shares a story involving Canada's top selling recording artist, the United States Air Force... and soap. And after exploring many influences and interactions of taste, we talk to Dr. Robert Woody from the University of Nebraska. He expands on taste as it relates to fandom, and teaches us about "burging" and "corfing". Guest: Dr. Robert Woody Dr. Woody's Blog: http://beingmusicalbeinghuman.com/ Psychology Today: https://www.psychologytoday.com/experts/robert-h-woody-phd JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Community is a living organism - it's always changing. And while it once only existed in a physical place, now it can also exist in just space. Technology has helped communities to evolve and become global. As Nick and Brett both leave Northern California for separate destinations, we explore what community is, why it matters, how we embrace it, and also... how to let it go. We also talk to international educator, Jeff Utecht, to discuss the evolution of communication technology, how we adapt to change, and what's next? Guest: Jeff Utecht Learn more about Jeff at www.jeffutecht.com Also: www.learning2.org and www.edurolearning.com Twitter: @jutecht JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

Life is a series of moments and, these days, many people struggle to do two things - fully experience and fully capture their moments. And it turns out, doing both might be impossible. In this episode, we explore our modern tendency to use our smartphones to document everything around us. Then, we look to uncover a solution to more effectively live our moments and manage our memories. We also talk to author and speaker, Kevin Carroll, to explore the power of play and how we can be more curious and present in the moments of our lives. Guest: Kevin Carroll Learn more about Kevin at www.kevincarrollkatalyst.com. Twitter: @kckatalyst JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

There is a saying, 'It's not how you start that matters, but how you finish." But what if how you finish is, in fact, dictated by how you start? Hard to say more than that without giving something away. Miracle Morning creator and author, Hal Elrod, joins us in the second half of the show to provide an almost foolproof method to start your days as your best self - present, grounded, focused, grateful, learning, and energized. Guest: Hal Elrod Learn more about Brad at www.halelrod.com Join the Miracle Morning Community on Facebook at www.facebook.com/groups/MyTMMCommunity Twitter: @HalElrod LIKE our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wtspod. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Is fear really the only thing we have to fear? In this episode we seek not to define fear, but to understand it - and, in turn, to get a better grasp on its antidote - courage. We have a conversation with consultant and speaker Brad Axelrad on the five specific fears that may be stopping you from creating your success. And Brett has a special Birthday wish… Guest: Brad Axelrad Learn more about Brad at www.faceyourdragon.com Twitter: @BradAxelrad JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod. P.S. If you've bothered to read all of these show notes, then please do us a favor and share the show with a friend - we'd appreciate it. Until next time...

Success. Most people say they want it, and yet few know what "it" is to them. Ask most people what success means to them, and they aren't sure. In this episode, we give you a new perspective to contemplate success - by starting with "feeling". And we borrow an idea from a "President of the Internet" to help you define it. We then have a conversation with Entrepreneur and Podcaster, Brendan Hufford, about what one psychologist called a "significant predictor of success" and how we can create that for ourselves. Guest: Brendan Hufford Learn more about Brendan at www.brendanhufford.com.And listen to his podcast, Entrepreneurs & Coffee Twitter: @BrendanHufford If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. Make sure to visit www.wheretheressmoke.co for complete show notes and links to all of the awesome people mentioned during the middle of today's show! DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co).

Why do we ask questions? What power do they have? And how can they help us create and shape our businesses, relationships, and lives? What would it sound like to take an exploration into the world of questions? Could we start with some famous movie quotes? Perhaps steer into historic moments? And maybe dig into: Why do we ask questions? What stops us from asking them more often? How can we strengthen our questioning skills? If I told you that your question asking skills may have peaked at 3 years old, would you listen? How do we incorporate two guests into the show? Would you be excited to hear from HopeLab's Chris Marcell Murchinson and clinical psychologist (and game creator!) Dr. Kelly Werner? What if they share specific questioning tools we can use to accelerate connections and build authentic communities in our businesses and our lives? Guests: HopeLab's Chris Marcell Murchinson and Dr. Kelly Werner Learn more about HopeLab at www.hopelab.org Learn more about Dr. Kelly Werner's Tell Me game at www.tellmethegame.com Twitter: @HopeLab Facebook: www.facebook.com/HopeLab DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website: www.wheretheressmoke.co.

Thinking, Fast and Slow would be a great name for your mind, if it were a professional wrestling duo in the '80s. It is also the title of a 2011 best selling book by psychologist Daniel Kahneman which analyzes the dichotomy between two modes of thought – Intuition (System 1) and Reasoning (System 2). This week we use the Internet as a springboard to start a conversation about how quickly we can jump to conclusions - both online and offline. We dig into our cognitive biases, which can often lead us astray in the art of decision-making, and we make note of the need to surround ourselves with people who can help us check and balance all of this. Along the way we get a splash of Anchorman, a hat tip to early 90s SNL, and hear wise insights from Daniel Kahneman himself. We close by having a "dinner conversation" with author, entrepreneur, and traveller, Bassam Terazi -- who brings it all home. Guest: Bassam Tarazi Learn more about Bassam at www.bassamtarazi.com or www.colipera.com. Find Bassam on Twitter: @BassamTarazi. Don't forget about our "Rate and Review Drive"! Go to iTunes and leave us a written review. Our goal is 115 written reviews by next episode. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod. Remember to subscribe to the show on iTunes or Stitcher. New episodes every Tuesday!

Love is the still the killer app. No matter how much we innovate our strategies and advance our technology, all great leaders will tell you that caring is still at the heart of success. This week, we explore powerful concepts like kindness and support, while honoring the life of Stuart Scott - a man who practiced both habits throughout his life. We also look to tombstones for some wisdom, and explore the "philosophy of life in a nutshell" with Milton Mayeroff ("On Caring"). In our final act, we look at how lives get shaped by the actions of others, and introduce the concept of #PivotalForces. Who are the people who have positively changed the trajectory of your life? How can you thank them in a way that inspires others? A very special thanks to Dave Powers for appearing in this episode. Want to show your support for the podcast? Then please take a few minutes to RATE AND REVIEW THE SHOW ON ITUNES AND STITCHER. One review makes a huge difference and it would mean the world to us if you took the time to help us out. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co) DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online. Connect with the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wtspod.

"Fish discover water last" is a French Proverb. It's meaning is that when we are completely immersed in something, we are oblivious it is there. It is only when are pulled of it, that we can see how immersed we were. This week we leap off a viral rant by Gary Vaynerchuk and discuss the state of criticizing, complaining, and gossiping in our workplaces, our lives, and our world. What's really going on? What are the costs? Who's paying them? And what can we do about it? We have a powerful conversation with Will Bowen, the founder of A Complaint Free World. He tells us the five reasons why people complain and we challenge you to use one solution to rid yourself of all of them. Also, we not only answer last week's question of "Who's Listening to Us in Ghana?", you actually get to meet him in a cool (and old timey) "Listener of the Week" segment. Guest: Will Bowen Learn more about Will at www.willbowen.com Twitter: @WRBowen Facebook: www.facebook.com/WillBowen Make sure to follow us on our new Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WTSpod. We'll keep your news feed full of interesting and engaging content that may or may not be related to a recent episode. Either way, we want to keep you thinking. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Welcome to the first "extrasode" of Where There's Smoke. These are quick episodes we produce between our full Tuesday episodes when we feel that we've got something to say. This week, we received an email from a listener in New Jersey commenting on our visualization episode and asking about the risks of being overly optimistic. Leaping off a New York Times article he provided, and weaving through articles in Forbes & Scientific American, we pass through a TED Talk, and end up realizing that "knowing is half the battle". JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. Join our mailing list by texting SMOKE to 66866, or by visiing our website. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.cofor links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

The Breakfast Club was released into theaters 30 years ago this month. John Hughes' classic is about five teenagers who spend a Saturday in detention and realize they are more than their respective stereotypes. As with most Hughes movies, the themes and lessons are still very relevant today. So, what can we learn from The Breakfast Club that we can apply into our lives and businesses? In this episode, we weave through the '80s, dip our toes into the '90s, and end up in the present day discussing different modes of empathy - their benefits and costs. We finish in a "truthbump" conversation with author, speaker, and word nerd, Kevin Hall. Guest: Kevin Hall Learn more about Kevin at www.powerofwords.com. Connect with Kevin at www.facebook.com/KevinHallLike. JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word "SMOKE" to 66866, or go to our website (www.wheretheressmoke.co). (Remember, we'rer sending new mailing list subscribers pictures of whatever we're doing when we hear from them!) DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Stories are built into our DNA. For thousands of years they have shaped cultures, religions, and whole civilization. And they may just be the answer to the age-old question, 'Who Am I?' In this episode of Where There's Smoke, we explore the power of stories - their ability to help you influence others and the role they play in defining you. We weave through scientific studies, TED Talks, and documentaries; as well as doing flybys of Mad Men, Seinfeld, Frankenstein, The Princess Bride, and others. Oh, and curious about the story of Where There's Smoke itself? Who's behind it? How did it start? Why? Well, we'll give you a glimpse into that, too. And we finish on a fantastic interview with author and speaker Ty Bennett, where we provide even more tangible insight and strategies for you to apply. Guest: Ty Bennett Learn more about Ty at www.tybennett.com JOIN our MAILING LIST by texting the word SMOKE to 66866, or go to our website: www.wheretheressmoke.co. One more thing: Please keep those reviews and comments coming on iTunes and Stitcher. We've had an amazing first four weeks and the show is passing some fun download milestones. Those reviews help us quite a bit… okay, a lot. Be a friend and let others know what you think!

Imagine if you knew how something was going to end, before it started? How much more effective would you be? How much more confident? In this episode we leap off of Malcolm Butler's post Super Bowl interview to uncover the power of preparation and visualization in life and business. How does what we think and do prior to an event dictate our success during the event? You'll find out in this episode, along with a great conversation with ex-NFL linebacker and current performance expert, Matt Mayberry. Guest: Matt Mayberry Get motivated and inspired by Matt at www.mattmayberryonline.com DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. Join our mailing list by texting SMOKE to 66866, or by visiting our website. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

Sure, we could have layed up like David Simms at the US Open for Episode 4, but we've got too much Roy McAvoy in us. So, we are charging forward and tackling one of the biggest questions of all, "What's the meaning of life?" The episode starts with a question from a 6-and-3/4-year-old boy, veers through Monty Python, Douglas Adams, and Tony Robbins and ultimately lands not a place, but a perspective. We end the show talking to positive psychologist Laura Delizonna, and she helps us to understand what happiness really is, and it's benefits in the workplace and in our lives. Guest: Laura Delizonna Find out more about Laura Delizonna at www.choosinghappiness.com DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from iTunes here: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes. You can also go to www.wheretheressmoke.co for links to Stitcher, SoundCloud, and/or to stream online.

In this episode, we put Tom Brady forth as the main character in a show about accountability. This may ruffle the feathers of non-Patriots fans, and disengage non-sports fans; but if both can keep an open mind, we believe you will get great value. This episode will take you from Tom Brady, to comedian Mike Birbiglia, to a viral blog post by a recruiter in Australia, and through one of the best movie speeches of all-time. In the end, author and speaker Sam Silverstein joins us and you will be left with no more excuses for creating accountability in your life and business. To find out more about Sam Silverstein, visit http://www.samsilverstein.com/. For complete show notes, including a list of all audio clips and references, visit www.wheretheressmoke.co. Join our mailing list by texting SMOKE to 66866, or visiting our website. Also, remember to rate and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

Tomorrow, January 28, is the 29th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. In this episode, Brett shares his memories of where he was when he found out, who told him, and how he felt. What it is about certain events that causes our memories to be so visceral, while others seem impossible to recall in any detail? We will weave through the words of Maya Angelou, a Boston College psychology study, Tiger Woods, and Monet; to end up in a conversation with Dr. Paul White on how we can authentically appreciate people, create more influence with them, and build cultures that work. To learn more about Dr. Paul White, visit http://www.appreciationatwork.com. For complete show notes, including a list of all audio clips and references, visit www.wheretheressmoke.co. Join our mailing list by texting SMOKE to 66866, or visiting our website. Also, remember to rate and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

We launch Where There's Smoke into the atmosphere with an exploration of one of the hardest, and most valuable, skills in life to master - listening. The episode starts with a question: "How would Einstein have fared in today's comment culture world?" From there, it veers through the chatter in our brain, Facebook HQ, Mariah Carey, and The Wizard of Oz. Lastly, we speak with Courtland Warren for guidance on the questions we can be asking ourselves, in order to better be hearing others. Find out more about Courtland Warren at http://courtlandwarren.com/. For complete show notes, including a list of all audio clips and references, visit www.wheretheressmoke.co. Join our mailing list by texting SMOKE to 66866, or visiting our website. Also, remember to rate and review us on iTunes, Stitcher, and wherever else you get your podcasts.