Rich Conversations

218. Lakshman Srinivasan on Paris and Using Plasma Physics to Create 21st Century Technology

Lakshman Srinivasan joins us from Paris, France. After discussing Paris, its work culture, and FC Barcelona, Lakshman and Rich explore plasma physics and its application in the 21st century. Lakshman shares how he’s built a reactor and uses the elements Gallium and Nitrogen to create semiconductors. The conversation ranges from quantum theory and computing, teleportation, the theory of everything, and much more.

Follow Lakshman on Instagram: @lakshmann__

217. Grace Broderick on Wildlife Photography and Paleobiology

Grace Broderick joins us from Bristol, England. She’s originally from Hyde Park, Chicago. She’s developed an interest in bird photography, taking incredible photos of animals that occupy the natural world all around us—including urban areas! It’s helped her become more present and appreciate the interconnectedness of our ecosystems. She shares her process and what she’s learned so far. It’s also allowed her a space to have conversations about conservation. Grace also shares her knowledge of dinosaurs with a giddy Rich. Their conversation ranges from Jurassic Park to new information from improved technology to how we can learn from past extinctions and how species adapt to help us apply in the future.

Follow Grace on Instagram: @gkb_wildlife

216. Rich Answers: Questions from Justina Nguyen

Justina Nguyen is a close friend of Rich and provides the questions for this episode. Justina is a creative & experiential strategist. She’s known as DJ Supesbase around Chicago, spinning and delivering good vibes. She was a guest on episodes 22 and 97. Rich recorded his at one of his favorite coffee spots in Chicago: Bourgeois Pig Cafe in Lincoln Park. Justina’s questions are the following:

1) You're one of the most avid, disciplined readers I know, which also means you learn so much (even if you don't retain forever) about so many different subjects. And through Rich Conversations, you speak to folks from different disciplines, experiences, and backgrounds.

Do you have any goals in 2022 to learn/experience new topics/world outside of books and picking other people's brains?

2) We've had discussions on your expectations on topping the Summer of 2020. Do you still have these expectations? Since 2022 is already looking optimistic as mask mandates are being lifted, what do you predict for a Rich Summer of 2022?

3) What new music have you discovered lately?

4) What country would you like to travel to next and why

5) If you could have chosen your own name, what would you choose and why?

Justina's Instagram: @supesbase

Justina Nguyen previous appearances:

97. Justina Nguyen on Understanding the Human Experience to Create Culture

 

22. Justina Nguyen on Her Chicago Experience

Bourgeois Pig Cafe Website ​​

 

215. Felipe Hernandez on Upcoming Summer, Packers and Bucks, and Rock Music

Felipe Hernandez joins the 3x club. In his third podcast appearance, Felipe and Rich reminisce about the past two summers and look forward to what Summer 2022 has in store. Felipe shares experiences working on the CTA in Chicago. The two discuss the Green Bay Packers and Milwaukee Bucks. Felipe also shares memorable concerts and which band he’d like to see next.

214. Griffin Furlong’s Journey from Homeless Youth to Valedictorian to Civil Engineer

Griffin Furlong joins us from Tampa, Florida where he works as a civil engineer, imagining the future of buildings and structures, approaching them like puzzles to be solved. His journey to where he is now is both unique and inspiring. After his mother died when he was six years old, his family struggled with homelessness for years. He used it as motivation, focused on always maintaining a great mindset, and committed to learning and being the best student he could be. Often, children and teenagers are encouraged that school and academics is a way out or route to stability—Rich’s experience included. Even two weeks before his graduation, upon discovering he would be valedictorian, he also experienced homelessness again. Interested in math, he studied at Florida State University and continued to push himself. In this episode, Rich discuss homelessness, the importance of cultivating a great mindset, and Griffin’s work as a civil engineer.

Follow Griffin on Instagram: @griffin.furlong

Follow Griffin on Twitter: @griffinfurlong

213. Rich Answers: Questions from Kat Kennedy

Kat Kennedy is a 3x guest. She works in Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Since Kat and Rich share a strong interest in dinosaurs, he recorded at the Field Museum in Chicago. The questions are the following:

1. What is your death row last supper meal?
2. What is one thing you wish people knew about you?
3. When was the last time you laughed so hard you cried? What were you laughing about?

Kat on Twitter: @tikatasaur2112 

Kat’s previous appearances:

188. NASA’s Kat Kennedy on Mission Control, James Webb Telescope, and Compounding Technology

120. NASA's Kat Kennedy on Critical Thinking Skills, Technological Progress, and Dinosaurs

057. NASA's Kat Kennedy: Exploring Space and Using Science to Push Our Imagination

 

 

212. Elaine Posadas on Creating Empowering Stories through Animation and Design

Animation Designer Elaine Posadas joins us from São Paulo, Brazil. With the perspective as an immigrant from Peru, she shares the rich cultural diversity of São Paulo and the many communities that make it a vibrant city. She shares how she became interested in art and important influences. Elaine and Rich discuss internet history and the platforms that came and went like MySpace and Tumblr. Elaine elaborates on the nuances of Emo culture. While we all have unique backgrounds and experiences throughout the world, we’re all still trying to navigate life on Earth.

Follow Elaine on Instagram: @elimxrgz

Elaine’s Animation Instagram: @mxrqzart

211. Choreographer Denver Schantz on Dance and Movement as Self-Expression

Choreographer Denver Schantz joins us from Denver, Colorado. We discuss his journey of discovery through dance and how it enables humans to communicate without saying a word. Across all cultures and history, one will find dance as an important part of tradition. Denver describes being in the moment and flowing with the vibe of the music. He competes, teaches, and performs. He shares his approach and the importance of stretching. Rich and Denver also discuss how technology affords new opportunities to train and connect with others with similar passions.

Follow Denver on Instagram: @denverthelastdino

Denver’s Dance Crew on Instagram: @tha.homies

210. Rich Answers: Questions from Alexandra Kladi

Singer/Songwriter Alexandra Kladi lives in Athens, Greece. She joined us on episode 190. Alexandra asked five questions for Rich. He recorded them at the Chicago Athletic Association.

1. What did you study at the university?
2. Did your studies help you to create a career or did you choose an entirely different path?
3. You spend a lot of time doing video editing. Do you enjoy it or is it a boring process that you have to do?
4. What are your dreams for the future, professionally and personally?
5. Where in the world would you like to live except from America?

Full Episode 190 with Alexandra Kladi on YouTube

Episode Description: Alexandra Kladi joins us from Athens, Greece. She’s a singer/songwriter and music teacher. She’s an all-round renaissance girl who loves to continually learn. I had been listening to her album Shampoo on Spotify and I loved the vibe of it. Kind of loungy and relaxing. I had no idea what any of the lyrics were but I dig the sound. We talk all about Greece, creativity, and music history. 

Follow Alexandra on Instagram

Chicago Athletic Association Website

209. Physicist Gino Aliperio on the Philippines, Traveling Asia, and Working in Nuclear Energy

Physicist Gino Aliperio joins us from Manila, Philippines to discuss his life and career path beginning in his country and learning in others. A former physics professor, now he works for the government’s nuclear agency. What is the outlook for nuclear energy? Gino shares how the stigma of nuclear, emphasized through certain events and stories, has clouded the fact that nuclear delivers the most energy for the least amount of material. He shares how his travels abroad influenced his perspective and what he’s curious about currently. 

 

Follow Gino on Instagram: @markgino21