July 25, 2017
Elliott Blaufuss is an artist. Music just happens to be the medium with
which he creates his art. You’ve probably seen him singing duets on stage
with Kelly Clarkson or Music Directing for Eric Hutchinson. When I was
asked to take the position of Music Director with the band Owl City just
before their massive Asia tour a few years back, multiple people said I
needed to pick Elliott’s brain. I did… it ruled. We decided to meet up
again at the same spot we did a few years prior at Black Forest Inn. Grab
your favorite German stein (it better be able to hold a Liter) and pull up
a stool. Prost!
In this episode we talk about:
-How traveling with music might be in Elliott’s family blood
-Elliott’s intro to the world of performing music
-The ‘meat and potatoes’ of music // “it’s all about story”
-What is an artist? (secret sharers)
-Elliott’s belief that music is tied into the fabric of life // I agree
-Money and Music: “Do it and forget about it.”
-“Is it beautiful Do I love it?”
-How to be present in the moment
Recording Location: Black Forest Inn, MPLS MN
Drinks: Hacker Pschorr Dunkel
For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com
July 18, 2017
Scott Dillon is the owner of a cocktail company called The Twisted Shrub.
After a chance meeting in passing, I instantly knew I had to learn more
about his story and after reaching out, he was kind enough to sit down with
me over drinks. How did He go from a secure job at General Mills to
starting his own cocktail company? Why does he think that the most legit
people view vulnerability as a sign of confidence? And what are these
‘Shrubs’ he’s basing his entire business on?
In this episode we talk about:
-What are “Shrubs” and how did Scott Discover them
-The beauty of craft-beverages forcing you to be in the moment
-Scott’s history with General Mills and how the recession changed his life
path
-The importance of honest friendships (you need people to call you on your
shit)
-The danger of binary career thinking (thinking you either choose to have a
fun career and not have it be smart financially or you have a borring
career that gives you financial security)
-The greatest skill Scott learned from his time at General Mills (LISTENING
& LEADERSHIP)
-Leadership Advice
-The importance of vaulnerability and NOT the fake it till you make it
mentality
-The importance of ‘Winning’ and bringing a competitive spirit in anything
you do (Scott explains why)
-Colin Powell’s '40/70 Rule'
-Vulnerability and being willing to ask questions when you don’t know is
the ultamate sign of confidence (Scott explains why and talks about
Questions. "If you don’t ask, you don’t care.”)
Recording Location: Parlour, Downtown Minneapolis
Drinks: Seasonal Smash & Parlour Old Fashioned
For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com
July 11, 2017
Eric Pierson is a television, film and commercial actor who recently
started showing his prowess in the directing world. Some of his recent film
credits include the Netflix Original Series "Lady Dynamite”, "Driven By
Bacon” and "Wilson" starring Woody Harrelson & Laura Dern. If you haven’t
Netflix-and-Chilled over those yet, you’ve most likely seen his bearded
face on more than one commercial. Beyond all that, Eric is known to me as
someone who thinks deeply about life and is a great storyteller. I knew you
would enjoy hearing what he has to say and he didn’t disappoint… and I may
or may not have laughed so hard I cried for the first time on the podcast.
Enjoy.
(Side note for Sarah’s fans: Sarah originally wanted to title this
question, “Have you ever looked a man in the eye while he poops?” )
In this episode we talk about:
-A hilarious story of Eric meeting someone in the woods
-The benefits of meditation
-Not worrying about tomorrow
-Not letting your day get derailed by someone else trying to get your
attention before your body is ready to take it (i.e. social media and
emails first thing in the morning)
-Working out
-What Kobe Bryant, Michael Jackson, and Mike Rowe have in common
-Just doing the work and putting the time in
-Nobody’s going to give you permission to live your best life, decide who
you want to be and do it!
-The importance of starting your own project or buisiness
-Eric’s definitrion of success (probably one of the best I’ve heard)
-My add to Eric’s definition: Whatever success means to you is good as long
as it can be found internally.
-The hardest working people always seem to be the luckiest
Quote from Eric during the interview that stood out to me:
“Let living with intention become part of your routine”
Recording Location: Eastside Co-Op, Northeast Minneapolis
Drink: Kombucha
For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com
July 4, 2017
A Seanchaí is a traditional Gaelic storyteller/historian. In Scotland, they were called seanchaidh. I believe that there are Seanchaí hidden all around us in our everyday lives if we’re willing to cultivate a genuine sense of curiosity about other people and are willing to stop and listen.
What would happen if we saw people we come in contact with for what they really are, hidden Seanchaí, secret storytellers walking among us.
Thank you to Ray, possibly one of the most interesting and humble people I’ve ever met, for sharing this week’s story with us.
