Rob Morgan Is A Curious Person

Question 29 // At what point do I magically become confident? (feat. Brett LaCasse)

Brett is an electric guitar slinging friend of mine who, every time we play together, at some moment we find ourselves laughing and having a convo that goes deep. In this episode I convince Brett to sneak into a backstage storage closet between sets to record a conversation that ended up being one of my most personal, introspective ones yet.  Ever leave hanging out with someone and getting frustrated because you felt like you weren’t fully yourself around them? Did you used to think that one day all your insecurities would just disappear and you would become super confident? Ever have a hard time forgiving your past self? Me too. This one’s for you.  Recording Location: Backstage storage closet, Anoka MN For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com / / / / /  Want to leave a message to be played on the podcast? Call The Official Hotline: (612) 584-9330  This week’s Question: No question, Just call and leave a message about your thoughts and insight into this convo we had. I have a feeling we’re not alone in this. 

Question 28 // Does pretentiousness hurt the world of beer & music? (feat. Kevin Welch)

Kevin Welch is is the owner and head brewer of Minneapolis’ Boom Island Brewing Company. Sound familiar? I interviewed his wife Qiuxia. (Question 26 // Does Craft Beer Belong To White Men?) As a professional french horn player for the Minnesota Orchestra turned brewery owner, Kevin is passionate about both beer and music, however, the real reason I sat down with him is because of his passion to make both of those worlds as accessible as possible for the world to enjoy. Join me on a snowy winter’s night as I get out of the bitter cold to sit down with Kevin in his glowing warm brewery over one of his freshly brewed Belgian beers.  Recording Location: Boom Island Brewing Co, Minneapolis MN  For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com / / / / /  Want to leave a message to be played on the podcast? Call The Official Hotline: (612) 584-9330  This week’s Question: What’s the first beer you drank that you actually appreciated the taste? 

Question 27 // What can a 16yr old do about human trafficking? (feat. Kaiya Woller)

My research for this episode began months ago when I heard a statistic saying that the Super Bowl is one of the single largest events where human trafficking happens in the U.S. each year. With the Super Bowl happening [this year] just a few miles from where Sarah and I live, my original title was going to be “What is Minneapolis doing to fight against human trafficking during Super Bowl LII?” In my research, I stumbled across a website that talked about ‘HT’ as an ongoing problem in Minnesota and their goal of bringing awareness to it by organizing a 5k for the past couple years and an additional “Virtual 5k” right before the Super Bowl. My curiosity was sparked even more when I found out that the organization was started by a 16yr old. I sat down over coffee with Kaiya Woller to learn more about ‘Human Trafficking’, what led her to start this, and what it’s like being a girl growing up living downtown Minneapolis.  Recording Location: Corner Coffee, Minneapolis MN For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com

INTERLUDE: How do I select my guests?

My thoughts in response to this week's City Pages article encouraging more diversity on this podcast and my answer to the most frequent question I get in regards to this podcast: "How do you find and select your guests that you have on the show?" 

The Podcast Hotline: (612) 584-9330

Write in with your thoughts, comments or suggestions HERE: thecuriouspod.com/contact

Question 26 // Does Craft Beer Belong To White Men? (feat. Qiuxia Welch)

Qiuxia Welch, with her husband Kevin, owns Boom Island Brewing Co in Minneapolis, MN. I sat down over beers (her beers in fact) to hear her tell her life story and to find out what it’s been like to be a female minority in multiple industries. From China to America; from being a professional classical musician to owning a brewery, this ended up being an eye-opening conversation that I hope encourages us all to be slower to stereotype the people we meet.  Recording Location: Boom Island Brewing Co, Minneapolis MN

Question 25 // How can art impact politics? (feat. André Rodriguez)

There’s a lot of noise out there when it comes to people talking about their political opinions right now, and rightfully so! This has been a crazy year. Unfortunately, half the time (especially when it comes to Facebook and Social Media) it seems like people aren’t  trying to have a healthy conversation or debate and more trying to figure out if you agree with them so they can decide to keep you as a friend. Can we have quality interactions with people that disagree with us while still holding to the relationship AND our convictions? Are we steadily isolating ourselves from anyone that disagrees with us? How can art impact politics? And what happens when the most impactful album I’ve heard all year… is a Political EP?? I grabbed coffee with my friend André Rodriguez a month ago to see if he could answer some of my questions.  Like the music you heard in this episode? Go listen to the full EP HERE:  https://goo.gl/HB3Ng9 Recording Location: Canteen Coffee, Minneapolis MN For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com Want to leave a message to be played on the podcast? Call The Official Hotline: (612) 584-9330

Question 24 // How do I compare myself to other people without wanting to quit? (feat. Cory Wong)

Cory Wong is a “Rhythmic Stratocaster Guitar Player” - The Current called him “The most famous Minnesota musician you’ve probably never heard of” and I call him a professional. I sat down with Cory in this music heavy episode to see if I could get past WHAT it is he does to learn HOW he processes some of the issues we all deal with on a day to tay basis. Stick around to the end to hear a special bonus-feature as he tells his story of playing with one of music’s most legendary drummers.    Recording Location: Spyhouse Coffee (on Broadway), Minneapolis MN    For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com   Want to leave a message to be played on the podcast? Call The Official Hotline: (612) 584-9330

INTERLUDE: A Bucket List Big Enough To Live In

I get asked quite a bit about a story some of you have heard me allude to in parts of these interviews about a life “freak out” I had last year when it came to my career in music. Exactly one year later, I’ve decided to sit down and tell the story about a bucket list made in a Smurf-blue house; The 2 times I turned 30; the secret to my landing a gig flying in private jets and a New Years Day that happened in November. Curious? Trade your glass of Guinness in for a cup of coffee and I’ll fill you in...

Question 23 // Why do we treat life like a game of musical chairs? (feat. Danny Hoyt)

Danny Hoyt (@dannyhoyt) is a writer, producer and network television host for the likes of National Geographic, Fox, CBS, NFL, while still finding time to make it back home to LA each weekend to live host for the LA Chargers. At least, that’s what anyone with an internet connection sees… Anyone that knows Danny personally knows that his passion is far greater than just becoming a famous face on TV. We met back in the day studying at the same University and I’m not sure if I’ve ever met someone as quick witted, comfortable in an circumstance you put him or as magnetic. I had a chance to sit down with Danny while he was in town and our conversation ended up being one that would inspire just about anyone to get off their butt and start making things happen for themselves. 

 

Recording Location: The Lobby of Commons Hotel, Minneapolis MN

For Links, Guest’s Info, and Show Notes VISIT: www.thecuriouspod.com

Want to leave a message to be played on the podcast? Call The Official Hotline: (612) 584-9330

If you’d like to reach out to Danny or follow him on social media: @dannyhoyt or you can check out his website at www.dannyhoyt.com

Links and References: 
-the book Danny mentioned in our convo: (Making Ideas Happen) https://goo.gl/tMr6nV
-the MAAAAAALK video the intro audio is from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ty62YzGryU4
- Danny’s highlight reel (of which I thanklessly ripped and chopped audio from in the intro): https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=NKG2PAf6xIU

I’m so thankful that I don’t have to deal with sponsors. 
Otherwise, I would have to tell you to visit Guinness’ website HERE Otherwise, I’d be inclined to tell you that Guinness Draft (with it’s distinctive dark amber body and rich creamy head) is possibly God’s greatest gift to mankind and is the sole reason I’m thankful for being alive after it’s birth in 1759.

I’d also have to recommend that you to hire Narrate Films for your next video/film/music-video/photo booth/wedding photography/any photography needs and to visit their website HERE. Hell… they took the photos for this podcast and they turned out pretty bad ass if you ask me. 

Question 22 // Can you take your career to the edge of the world and back? (feat. Alex Potter)

Alex Potter (@alexkpotter) is a photo-journalist working mostly in the Middle East. Her work explores conflict and trust, loss and isolation within communities and relationships and her goal to bridge the gap between the foreign and familiar by creating thought-provoking and emotional images. I had the chance to sit down with Alex over coffee during one of her few days back home in the US this year to hear her story of how her passion has taken her all over the world and hear her advice on finding your calling.