Rich Conversations

099. What's Your Sgt. Peppers?

Time reveals how you spent it. What did The Beatles do when they stopped touring? They kept working. They stayed focused and created the greatest rock album of all-time. If you have purpose, external circumstances don't matter. So what did you spend your time on in 2020? What will you reveal to the world?

098. Jerry Benedetto on Bringing Chicago Tavern-style Pizza to Portland

When the pandemic started, Jerry Benedetto started making tavern-style pizzas at his house because he missed that style from the Midwest and Chicago. Now he’s making pizza for all of Portland. This episode ranges from the crazy story about how all of this came about to Chicago to pizza styles to food adventures to really how food can bring us all together and create lifetime memories. 

You can follow him on Instagram @jerryspizzapdx

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

Justina Nguyen returns to the show. She discusses what she learned from 2020, how she conducts "market research," using immersion and empathy to discover new ideas and perspectives, her current cultural influences, and what the music you listen to says about you.

(12:42) Conducting "market research." The study of human behavior in respect to a product, brand, or service. Learning about a group of people and studying them within their environment. Immersing oneself is the best.

(24:00) Some of Justina's cultural influences.

(29:30) Does the music you listen to reveal something about you?

(43:45) Justina provides her opinion on what all humans have in common. 

You can follow her on Instagram @supesbase and you can catch her on the weekends spinning some tunes as a DJ. 

096. Global Cities Index

What're the top cities in the world? The Global Cities Index ranks cities based on a number of criteria within business activity, human capital, information exchange, cultural experience, and political engagement. By just looking at this list and infusing our previous knowledge of geography and history, we can get a quick snapshot of our contemporary world and its influences.

095. The Road Less Traveled and the Dark Forest It Can Lead You Into

Of all the poems Rich has read (not many), the Robert Frost poem "The Road Not Taken" stands out. One has a decision to make in life. Take the easier and secure path which most take or the unknown path chosen by few. The potential consequence of the path less taken is that it can lead you into a dark forest. How will you respond? How will you find your way out? 

094. What Ancient Artifacts Reveal About Humanity

What can we learn about ourselves from the artifacts of ancient people and civilizations? Rich and friend visit the natural history museum and wonder how all these isolated cultures still came up with similar ideas and beliefs about themselves and the world. Let's explore!

 

*There is a bit of a mic issue during a brief segment of this episode*

093. In Appreciation of Everyone

Rich spends the time to express his gratitude for how different all of us are—we're each unique and together we make the world go 'round. From our own personalities (We explore the Meyers-Briggs test) to geographical backgrounds, communication is a huge part of life. Our differences do not hinder but rather enhance our experience.

092. Neal Francis on Chicago and his Music and Performing Experience

In this episode, we meet up with Chicago Musician and Performer, Neal Francis. We talk about Chicago, his music and inspiration, performing and touring, and we even touch on a bit of architecture, reading, and meditation. 

(2:18) What Neal's experience has been like playing music in Chicago.

(8:37) Going on tour for the first time in his life.

(10:30) Neal describes his instrument setup and musical influences.

(15:11) On his album, Changes, and songwriting process. How meaning can morph with age and experience. 

(17:05) Scheduled to have a big touring year in 2020, including Europe in the summer, how did Neal handle the emotional disappointment when the pandemic stopped that? How did he adjust creatively?

(21:38) Practice vs. Playing

(23:33) The significance of Picasso's "Three Musicians" painting in his promotional photo. Exploring the vintage environment of his now home studio. Rich and Neal discuss Chicago architecture, books, meditation, and curiosity.

(33:28) What venues does Neal dream of playing? What makes a great venue from the perspective of a performer?

Listen to Neal Francis on Spotify and Apple music. Follow Neal on Instagram @nealfrancismusic

 

 

091. The Economics of Self-Reflection

On his bus ride to the Field Museum, Rich noticed a long line of people standing outside the Burberry store on Michigan Avenue. He wondered why people would spend both their time and money on something so seemingly materialistic. What value does it bring to one's life? Is what we value influenced by society and our culture? Who gains the most from everyone status-seeking?

How much more economical would your life be if you took the time reflect on what you value and what success looks like to you personally? Play your own game of moneyball in life.

090. Chicago's Most Iconic Book: The Devil in the White City

Learn about Chicago's most significant cultural event: The 1893 World's Fair. The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson is the most popular book among Chicagoans. From the planning, building, and experience of the world event to the unbelievable evil acts of America's first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, this book will educate, entertain, and inspire readers. The city of big shoulders delivers.