Just Press Record

In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler sits down with Steve Willison—HR executive and author of Players, Payoffs and People—to explore how game theory applies to work, leadership, and life.The conversation weaves together stories of creativity, burnout, and identity with lessons on incentives, teamwork, and personal growth. From bands on tour to boardrooms, Steve shares how seeing the world as a series of "games" can provide clarity and direction in navigating relationships, careers, and organizations.Topics Covered: Finding your people and building the right "pool" of collaboratorsWork-life integration vs. balanceThe role of adventurous risk-takers in creative and professional projectsBurnout: causes, recovery, and organizational responsibilityIncentives, goals, and how shifting motivations impact teamsCooperation games vs. competitive games in relationships and the workplaceViewing life, leadership, and HR through the lens of game theoryCreativity, cross-pollination, and pulling lessons from unexpected places

In this episode of *Just Press Record*, Matt Zeigler brings together Dr. Preston Cherry, author of *Wealth in the Key of Life*, and Jenny Wood, former Google exec and author of *Wild Courage*. They dive into the power of rejection, the value of “weird,” the courage to stand out, and why nobody likes to be “should on.” This conversation blends psychology, storytelling, and practical lessons on living boldly and authentically.### Topics Covered* Why rejection is often just the first step toward success* Jenny’s “wild courage” story of meeting her husband on the subway* The role of fear—failure, judgment, and uncertainty—in holding us back* How to embrace “weird” as a strength in work and life* Reframing “manipulative” into the courage to influence for good* The balance between seeking permission and trusting yourself* The importance of stage of life, self-audits, and giving yourself grace* Session work, entrepreneurship myths, and the underrated power of enthusiasm* Practical frameworks like Preston’s “6 As” and Jenny’s “WINN” and “FLIP” tools

In this second conversation with Morgan Ranstrom, we dive deeper into the power of creating in public, the discomfort of vulnerability, and the surprising compounding benefits of sharing ideas openly. From creativity and wealth management to music, poetry, and AI, this episode explores how learning out loud can change careers, relationships, and the way we engage with the world.Special shoutout to my prior conversation with Chris Mayer and Anne-Laure Le Cunff (@neuranne) — we've got a great clip from their introduction to inspire this conversation!👉 https://youtu.be/pgdhXiVh2zE?si=39uUxqOOARfITUE8What We Cover:Why creating in public is so powerfulThe tension between being “late” vs. just starting anywayCompounding benefits of small creative risksVulnerability vs. comfort in an AI-driven worldLessons from music, writing, and wealth managementThe role of the muse and the creative flywheelFinding balance between private long-term projects and public iterationHow human connection transforms creativity

What happens when a hip-hop pioneer and a philosopher-turned-artist sit down to explore the tension between external validation and internal mastery?In this episode of Just Press Record, Bill Stephney—former Def Jam executive and cultural force behind launching acts like Public Enemy—and Lawrence Yeo—author of More To That (@moretothat) and creator of deeply reflective visual essays—discuss the creative journey from two unique angles.It's a conversation about art, ambition, history, and the challenge of staying true to yourself when everyone else is watching.• The early days of hip-hop and Bill's pivotal role in launching Public Enemy• Lawrence's discovery of beatmaking and how it shifted his creative worldview• The tradeoff between external recognition, financial success, and creative freedom• Why many creators move away from their first passion—and what replaces it• The LA beat scene, SoundCloud era, and how distribution has changed everything• Gatekeepers vs democratization: is quality being lost or redefined?• How the pursuit of mastery differs from the pursuit of fame• What motivates great artists—and how that changes over time• Bill's work on documentaries like Philly on Fire and Kaepernick in America• The importance of curiosity, creative tension, and following your "inner compass"00:00 - Intro: Def Jam, Rick Rubin, and why these two guests had to meet02:00 - Lawrence on learning about sampling and the genius of collage08:00 - Bill's path from college DJ to discovering Chuck D and forming Public Enemy13:10 - The syncopated roots of hip-hop and its cultural explosion18:25 - Lawrence on the LA beat scene, Flying Lotus, and SoundCloud's golden age24:00 - Why he left music: chasing validation vs. creative fulfillment26:40 - Bill on managing art, fame, and commerce at Def Jam31:10 - From music exec to film producer: the Tony Braxton origin story39:00 - Democratization vs. quality: the creative tension of modern distribution44:30 - What counts as "good" in a world without gatekeepers?50:15 - Cultural movements that weren't planned—but changed everything53:00 - Mastery, the inner compass, and why artists leave a mark58:00 - The danger of overstimulation and protecting curiosity1:03:20 - Saying yes, instinct, and the path to meaningful work1:07:00 - A Grand Wizard Theodore story and the beauty of creative accidents

In this deeply reflective episode of *Just Press Record*, Matt Zeigler sits down with Morgan Ranstrom for a conversation that moves beyond money and into the heart of what truly compounds in life. Prompted by a powerful clip from John Candeto, Morgan and Matt explore how time serves as the ultimate filter — for ideas, relationships, art, and legacy. Together they unpack the meaning of right living, the responsibility of generational impact, and how we can each live with intention today to shape the world of tomorrow.This episode isn’t about financial markets — it’s about the compounding power of decisions, creativity, and care. It’s about being an active participant in building something that outlasts you.**Topics Covered:** * * Why time is the ultimate filter for truth, art, and wisdom* The delayed rewards of living intentionally * Compounding in health, creativity, relationships, andparenting * The challenge (and reward) of thinking in decades, notdays * Legacy-building as an active, not passive, responsibility * Using music, writing, and presence to show our kids who weare * The epigenetics of love, trauma, and personal change * Why the Grateful Dead might be the perfect metaphor forenduring culture * What it *really* means to be a good ancestor

What happens when a legendary radio insider meets a modern-day playlist curator? In this episode of Just Press Record, host Matt Zeigler brings together Laurie Kaye, the last person to interview John Lennon, and Kevin Alexander, the music-obsessed mind behind the On Repeat Records Substack. Together, they explore the emotional power of music discovery—from transistor radios under the covers to Substack playlists in your inbox. With stories that span from David Bowie and Mick Jagger to record store revelations and underground concerts, this episode is a love letter to curation, connection, and the soundtracks of our lives.🎧 What We Cover• Laurie’s unforgettable interview with John Lennon hours before his death• Kevin’s mission to recreate the magic of musical discovery in the streaming age• The power of DJs and how radio shaped identity and culture• Why playlists are passports—and why curation still matters• Laurie’s chance encounters with Bowie, Jagger, the Ramones, and more• Kevin’s record store job and the thrill of hidden A&R gems• The joy (and danger) of having only one tape to play• Why some artists grow on us—and why others never click• How both guests try to spark that “lightning in a bottle” moment for others• The emotional gravity of being a tastemaker and passing music forward• Local music shout-outs, mixtape rituals, and the timeless role of live shows⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Why Laurie Kaye and Kevin Alexander Needed to Meet01:00 – Laurie's Early Love of Radio and Discovery Through Headphones02:15 – The Day Laurie Interviewed John Lennon05:00 – Radio Contests, Winning Stones Tickets, and DJ Magic08:30 – Kevin on Portland Radio and the Magic of Community Airwaves10:00 – The Role of DJs in Shaping Identity14:30 – Laurie’s First Radio Job and Her Beatles Special18:00 – The Art of Curating Playlists: Then and Now22:00 – Kevin’s Weekly Substack and the Joy of Editing for Others25:00 – Local Band Love: Molly Hammer and the Midnight Tokers27:30 – From Dive Bars to CBGB: How Discovery Happens31:00 – The Grateful Dead Debate: From Hate to Love (or Not)38:00 – Getting Stuck With One Tape: Musical Imprinting44:00 – Kevin’s Record Store Stories and Promo Bin Finds46:00 – Surprise Phone Calls: Mick Jagger and David Bowie49:00 – Talking Heads, Dick Clark, and Behind-the-Scenes Memories53:00 – Ramones Memories and Their Love of The Beatles57:00 – Little Richard, Wedding Offers, and Musical Mentors1:00:00 – Joe Angel: The Mentor Who Changed Laurie’s Life1:04:00 – What It Means to Curate for One Person1:07:00 – Double Fantasy, John & Yoko’s Love, and Missed Dinners1:10:00 – Final Music Recommendations and Emotional Reflections

]🎙 Lindsey Bell on Career Pivots, Purpose, and the Future of WorkIn this special “O Snap” episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler sits down with Lindsey Bell to explore the messy, magical in-between of career pivots and how the future of work is being shaped by a new wave of entrepreneurs. Using a powerful clip from Hal Hershfield and Julia Carrion as a jumping-off point, they dive into the importance of adaptability, the test-and-learn mindset, and why mission and work are becoming inseparable in today’s labor market.🔑 Topics Covered:The real drivers of career change: desperation vs. discontentWhy career pivots are messy but transformativeHow testing and learning builds adaptability and resilienceThe explosion of entrepreneurialism among skilled workersWhy the W-2 job may be fading in relevanceHow identity and purpose shape the future of workThe economic implications of a more fragmented, resilient workforceThe growing importance of community in a decentralized work worldWhy the “1,000 true fans” model resonates in 2025Lessons from Lindsey’s TED Talk on career ownership⏱ Timestamps:00:00 – Why Matt had to show Lindsey the Hal & Julia clip01:00 – The messy truth behind pivots and personal transformation04:11 – What Lindsey’s been up to since her last appearance05:10 – The Hal Hershfield & Julia Carrion clip07:14 – First reactions: the beauty and pain of career pivots09:00 – Why real change is triggered by pressure or exhaustion11:00 – Test and learn: the new model of career development12:00 – A seismic shift toward entrepreneurialism14:50 – The rise of skilled, mid-career entrepreneurs16:08 – Why traditional jobs are becoming less reliable18:34 – It's never been easier to build something new20:00 – Are we chasing "enough" instead of "more"?21:03 – Fragmentation as a defining economic force23:21 – Finding purpose and identity in the brands and communities we choose24:38 – The future of work is deeply personal and communal26:15 – Where to find Lindsey Bell and her TED Talk📌 Watch Lindsey’s TED Talk: "How to Take Ownership of Your Career"📬 Connect with Lindsey on LinkedIn: [Insert Link]🔔 Subscribe to Cultish Creative for more deep dives into creativity, purpose, and the future of work.Let me know if you’d like to customize the intro tone or simplify the bullet points.

In this episode, we’re joined by writer, thinker, and Substack author Bob Seawright for a wide-ranging and deeply human conversation about what sports, fandom, and Moneyball can teach us about markets, behavior, and decision-making.We explore why live shared experiences matter, how fandom evolves across generations, and where investors misunderstand data-driven models like Moneyball. Bob also shares personal stories about his family, his love for soccer, and the nuanced differences between playing a “loser’s game” and a “winner’s game”—in sports, investing, and life.Topics covered include:Why shared live experiences like sports are increasingly rare and valuableHow fandom forms across generations—and what it reveals about identityThe limits of Moneyball thinking in both markets and lifeThe difference between normal and extraordinary performance modelsWhy some systems reward optimization while others require breakthrough creativityPromotion and relegation, cultural accountability, and the flaws in American sports ownershipHow to think clearly in a world full of comforting delusionsBob’s blend of insight, humor, and storytelling makes this a must-listen for anyone who cares about markets, meaning, and the messy beauty of being human.

In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler brings together two brilliant minds—Grant Williams, renowned author and podcaster, and Craig Pearce, publisher at Pan Macmillan/Harriman House—for a conversation full of humor, insight, and heart. From childhood memories and music that shaped them, to deep reflections on leadership, books, publishing, and the unpredictability of success, this dialogue offers wisdom on culture, values, and the art of meaningful work. Whether you’re here for snooker stories, James Bond nostalgia, or lessons on how great leaders pass down values, you’ll find plenty to enjoy.Topics covered in this episode:The values their fathers passed down and the role of great leadersEarly influences: favorite childhood books, movies, and musicHow parents shape kids’ musical and cultural tastesThe magic of books and their role in lifelong learningThe challenges and realities of modern publishingWhy luck, talent, and timing drive cultural hitsThe difference between good leadership and bad actorsReflections on integrity, politics, and the legacy of leadersThe enduring joy of sport, snooker, and football

🎙️ Two Generations of Punk. One Shared Truth.In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler brings together two icons from different eras of punk rock - Ned Russin (Title Fight, Glitterer) and Keith Morris (Black Flag, Circle Jerks, OFF!) - for a candid, passionate conversation about music, community, and the punk ethos. Recorded during a turbulent moment in U.S. politics, this intergenerational exchange explores how punk has evolved while staying true to its roots in DIY, brotherhood (literal in Ned's case, figurative in Keith's - you have to hear the Jeffrey Lee Pierce segment, and the raw energy you can only get from live performance. Come for the stories, stay for the mutual respect, the laughs, and definitely a few unforgettable tales from the road.💥 Topics Covered• Playing for 4 people vs. 4,000 — and why both matter• The history and importance of all-ages DIY venues• What it’s like to tour with your twin brother (for Ned)• Keith’s stories from the LA punk scene’s earliest days• The surreal moments: from working at Webster Hall to headlining it• Community, identity, and creative survival over decades• Why Jeffrey Lee Pierce gave Keith a song in exchange for a band name• The lasting power of music, even as the industry changes• What keeps them both going — from their first gigs to today