Just Press Record

JPR: Bob Seawright & Jim Carroll - Financial Markets, Music, and Life LessonsIn this episode of JUST PRESS RECORD, host Matt Zeigler brings together two financial market experts who've never met: Bob Seawright (author of The Better Letter on Substack) and Jim Carroll (author of Vixology on Substack). Their conversation weaves through shared passions for music, writing, market insights, and life philosophy - from their morning music routines to the realization that "for every pathology there's a profession."Key Topics Covered:Music's influence on both guests' lives and workHow writing helps clarify thinking and connects with audiencesUnconventional career paths into financial marketsThe value of silence vs. background music for creative thinkingDiscovering personal limitations and finding your true pathCollege advice and educational experiencesRisk perception and decision-making frameworksFinding your niche in competitive environments

In this episode of JUST PRESS RECORD, host Matt Zeigler welcomes back Matt Ackermann, Chief Brand Officer at Integrated Partners, for an insightful discussion on brand building and storytelling. Triggered by a clip featuring David Burkus ( @DavidBurkus ) and Kit Huffman, the conversation explores how to develop memorable brands that stand out in a sea of sameness. From storytelling fundamentals to strategic brand development, Ackermann shares his unique VCR (Vision, Capability, Reach) framework and explains why understanding your audience is crucial for brand success.Topics Covered:The challenge of standing out versus blending in when building brandsThe fundamentals of storytelling and why they remain constant across platformsUnderstanding your audience before creating contentThe VCR framework: Vision, Capability, and Reach for brand developmentCreating effective through-lines in your contentHow to balance tension and resolution in storytellingThe importance of taking time for reflection and perspectiveWhy identity is emergent rather than an emergencyUsing top-down and bottom-up approaches in content creation

In this engaging and thought-provoking episode of Just Press Record, host Matt Zeigler introduces two guests who've never met before: musician and author Mishka Shubaly and financial crisis predictor turned entrepreneur/Punks and Pinstripes community founder Greg Larkin. Their conversation weaves through transformative musical experiences, sobriety journeys, post-9/11 New York City, corporate culture, and finding meaning in life's "second mountain." Listen as these two seemingly different paths reveal surprising parallels about authenticity, purpose, and redefining success.Main Topics Covered:Transformative musical experiences and how live music creates moments of profound personal changeSobriety journeys and navigating social spaces while maintaining recoveryPost-9/11 New York City and the unexpected beauty of human connection amid tragedyThe concept of the "second mountain" - finding purpose after achieving conventional successCan you be a "punk" while working in corporate culture or finance?Finding joy in the present moment and learning to appreciate what you haveOpening yourself to unexpected "miracle windows" rather than chasing specific outcomes

In a captivating discussion, author, coach, and poet Sean Delaney shares insights from his book, "When Life Begins to Whisper." He explores how storytelling shapes our lives and the narratives we unconsciously cling to. Delaney emphasizes the importance of moving from unconscious to conscious awareness, referencing Carl Jung's view on internal narratives. He also discusses the creative process in coaching and the significance of intention, presence, and reflection in personal growth. This lively chat unveils the hidden stories that dictate our paths.

In this thought-provoking episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler brings together two fascinating individuals - Steve Willison, an HR executive with a passion for martial arts and stoic philosophy, and Mark Newfield, a financial advisor and thought leader. Their conversation reveals striking parallels in their life philosophies, professional approaches, and personal journeys, touching on stoicism, boundaries, the power of curiosity, and the importance of doing good in the world.Main Topics Covered:The many roles we all play in life and how to manage themStoic philosophy as a personal operating systemUnderstanding what's in your control versus what you can only influenceThe power of doing one good thing for one decent human being each dayProgress not perfection - embracing growth over flawlessnessHow our greatest strengths can also be our greatest weaknessesThe superpower of neurodiversity and reframing ADHDThe value of lifelong learning and curiositySetting boundaries and learning when to say "no"The importance of integrity in everything you do

Matthew Stafford on Showing Up with Soul | Just Press Record PodcastIn this special "Oh, Snap! Guess What I Saw" episode of the Just Press Record podcast, host Matt Zeigler welcomes back the "007 in any group of 9 others," Matthew Stafford, for an insightful and heartfelt conversation. Together, they dive into a powerful clip from a previous episode featuring Rusty Guinn and Cara Brookins, exploring the timeless wisdom of "always go to the funeral" and what it means to show up for the people who matter—whether it’s at a funeral, a friend’s speech, or during life’s toughest moments. Matthew shares personal stories, including the impact of losing his father in 2018 and the unexpected connections that carried him through, alongside his philosophy of being "default helpful" in life and business. From his 13+ years running "Find Your 9others"- a global networking community - to his ventures in VC and beyond, Matthew unpacks how trusting your gut, building high-quality relationships, and letting the "pot simmer" can lead to serendipitous magic. Expect a mix of deep reflections, practical wisdom, and a few laughs as Matt and Matthew explore how showing up with soul compounds into a life well-lived. Stick around to hear Matthew guess why this clip was a must-share, and find out how to connect with him on X (@m_stafford) and beyond.

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.

In this insightful episode of Just Press Record on the Cultish Creative YouTube channel, host Matt Zeigler welcomes back Mark McCartney ( @whatisagoodlife ) for a thought-provoking conversation sparked by a clip featuring Phil Pearlman  @PhilipPearlman ) and Jessica Yarmey ( @SizzleSociety ) . The discussion explores the profound idea that enlightenment might simply be remembering what was always there within us, rather than adding something new.Key Topics:The concept that self-development is about revealing what's innate rather than constructing or adding to ourselvesHow paying attention to life's natural fluctuations helps us find flowThe evolution from rigid mindfulness practices to a more integrated awareness of everyday lifeThe relationship between presence, attention, and loveMark's journey of self-acceptance and how it transformed his relationship with himselfThe power of giving attention to others and ourselvesThe connection between Mark and previous guest Sean DeLaney (author of "When Life Begins to Whisper")Reflections on Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist" as a source of affirmation (cc:  @Justin_Castelli  )

Want to grow your network? You're in the right place: Watch brand consultant Elie Jacobs and former investigative journalist turned hedge fund analyst Eric Markowitz as they meet for the first time ever! Only on "Just Press Record" - hosted by Matt Zeigler, right here on the Cultish Creative YouTube channel. Their discussion explores the critical distinctions between brand and reputation, the nature of risk in business and life, and the enduring value of authentic relationships in an increasingly digital world.Topics Covered:Brand vs. Reputation: The crucial difference between what companies say about themselves and what others perceive, with Elie introducing his concept of "risk aperture" to describe the dangerous gap between these narratives.Crisis Communication: How professional communicators like Elie work to align brand promises with actual delivery, using "red teaming" to identify vulnerabilities before they become public relations disasters.Business Longevity: Eric's research into companies that have survived for centuries reveals patterns of deep community connection, craftsmanship, and prioritizing relationships over rapid scaling.Technology's Impact on Human Interaction: Both guests explore how smartphones, AI, and automation are fundamentally reshaping human relationships, with potential consequences for how we develop connections and trust.The Value of Serendipity: Discussion about how unplanned encounters and meandering exploration lead to breakthrough ideas that structured, AI-assisted thinking might miss.Risk Assessment: Comparing Elie's crisis management approach to risk with Eric's investor perspective on conviction and decision-making under uncertainty.The Theranos Case Study: Analysis of how Elizabeth Holmes might have saved her company by being truthful about technological limitations rather than exaggerating capabilities.In-Person vs. Digital Connections: The irreplaceable value of face-to-face meetings in building trust, generating ideas, and creating resilient business relationships.Generational Divides: How different age groups approach technology, with concern about younger generations lacking foundational skills as AI increasingly handles cognitive tasks.Community Embeddedness: Examples of how businesses that maintain strong local ties receive support during crises, creating mutual benefit systems that transcend purely transactional relationships.This thought-provoking conversation reveals why understanding the stories we tell—and the stories we're told—is crucial for navigating risk, building trust, and creating lasting value in business and life.

Chris Mayer, an investor and author, is known for his insightful works on assumption and abstraction. Joined by Anne-Laure Le Cunff, founder of Ness Labs and author of "Tiny Experiments," they explore the intersection of curiosity and creativity. They share personal experiences with burnout and the importance of balancing structured creativity with spontaneity. Key topics include effective journaling, the evolutionary drive of curiosity, and the transformative power of community collaboration in overcoming challenges and fostering innovation.