Bedtime Stories to Power Laws: Wisdom Across Generations | Matt Reustle and John Candeto

Mar 25, 2025

In a captivating conversation, Matt Reustle, CEO of Colossus and media expert, teams up with John Candeto, founder of Phronesis Fund and a storytelling enthusiast. They dive into the significance of bedtime stories, exploring how classic tales ignite imagination in kids. The duo shares transformative travel experiences that reshape perspectives and foster connections across generations. They also discuss the profound impact of sensory experiences on storytelling and how time acts as a filter for truth, shaping our personal narratives.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Bedtime Stories

John Candeto reads abridged classic stories to his kids, finding the original versions often best.
Matt Reustle mixes classics with improvised stories about his son's memories.

INSIGHT

Value of Classics

Classics offer wisdom and perspectives applicable at any age, planting seeds for future understanding.
They expose children to diverse settings and cultures, broadening their horizons.

ANECDOTE

Space Travel

John Candeto tells his kids they will go to space, encouraging a sense of possibility.
He believes each generation should strive to be better than the last.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

Join host Matt Zeigler on Just Press Record from Cultish Creative as he brings together two fascinating guests for the first(ish) time: Matt Reustle, CEO of Colossus and host of the Business Breakdowns podcast ( @joincolossus ), meets John Candeto, founder of Phronesis Fund and host of The Art of Quality podcast @TheArtofQuality-AoQ ) on this episode!

In this captivating conversation. Matt and John explore the intersections of storytelling, wisdom, and the human experience—from bedtime stories to multi-generational travel adventures. With a blend of personal anecdotes, philosophical insights, and reflections on time as a filter for truth, this episode is a treasure trove of ideas for anyone curious about how we shape our lives and legacies. Don’t miss this dynamic discussion that bridges business, creativity, and the pursuit of meaning.

Main Topics Covered:

Bedtime Stories and Classics: Matt and John share their approaches to storytelling for their kids, emphasizing the enduring value of classics and the role of imagination in creating memorable narratives.

Travel as a Transformative Experience: From Patagonia to Ireland’s Torr Head Road, the trio recounts awe-inspiring travel moments that reshape perspectives and connect generations.

The Power of Senses in Storytelling: A deep dive into how sensory experiences—like smell and sound—tie into memories and enhance the stories we tell ourselves and others.

Time as a Filter for Truth: John’s concept of time as a powerful filter sparks a discussion on durability, legacy, and what lasts across generations, from leather goods to music.

Nuance vs. Polarization: Matt Reustle reflects on the death of nuance in a polarized world, while John ties it to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding complex systems.

AI and Human Creativity: The group debates whether AI can replicate human inspiration, using examples like The Beatles’ “Yesterday” to explore the limits of technology.

Career Evolution and Aspirations: Matt and John recount their childhood dreams and how their professional paths evolved, connecting personal passions to their current work.

Periods and Pyramids: Inspired by Chris Abdelmessih, they discuss balancing short-term projects (periods) with long-term legacies (pyramids) in life and work.