

Just Press Record
Matt Zeigler
Make curiosity a habit. All the fun parts of learning without the boring bits of going to school for it. "Just Press Record" is a conversation-style interview, featuring two commonality-lacking guests discussing one commonly-grounded topic. Welcome to the (audio/visual) Personal Archive of Matt Zeigler.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 22, 2025 • 28min
W-2s Are Dying. Entrepreneurs Are Winning | Lindsey Bell on What’s Next
]🎙 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.

Jul 15, 2025 • 37min
The Death of Shared Experiences | Bob Seawright on Sports, Family & Connection
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.

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h 27min
Talent Won’t Save You | Grant Williams and Craig Pearce on Luck, Timing, and Publishing
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

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 35min
Different Eras, Same Fight | Why Keith Morris (69) & Ned Russin (35) Refuse to Stop Creating
🎙️ 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

11 snips
Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 41min
The Scoreboards We All Get Wrong | Cullen Roche & Coach Vass on Winning in Finance and Life
Join Cullen Roche, founder of Discipline Funds and macroeconomic thinker, alongside Coach Chris Vasseur, a football strategist, as they explore the unexpected connections between finance and coaching. They dive into personal growth, the behavioral side of investing, and the importance of mentorship in overcoming imposter syndrome. Their conversation highlights how to craft personalized investment strategies and the impact of politics on finance. Expect laughter, deep insights, and creative metaphors that bridge worlds, from Wall Street to the football field.

17 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 39min
Most Creators Miss This | Matt Reustle on What Makes Content Transformational
Matt Reustle, CEO of Colossus and host of Business Breakdowns, dives into what makes content truly transformational rather than just entertaining. He explores the roots of 'infotainment' and how experience fuels transformation. With insights into self-promotion, he highlights the importance of respecting your audience and crafting value-driven content that resonates personally. The conversation touches on lessons from various industries, the role of nostalgia in content, and how even trivial topics can significantly impact audience experiences.

Jun 3, 2025 • 1h 30min
What Everyone Gets Wrong About Friendship and Family | Lara Crigger and Nina Badzin
Two accomplished writers. Two unique journeys. One unforgettable conversation.In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler introduces Lara Crigger and Nina Badzin ( @dearninafriendship ) —two women who've never met but instantly click in a conversation that blends parenting, friendship, faith, and career twists. From NASA satellites and video game journalism to friendship advice and Torah study, Lara and Nina reveal how their upbringings shaped who they are, how they parent, and how they write.🎙️ Topics Covered• What it’s like to be the only woman in a physics program• Why Nina left teaching to pursue writing—and how her parents reacted• How Lara turned down grad school offers to become a writer• How faith shapes both women’s parenting and professional paths• The cost of oversharing as a parent and writer• The complexities of Jewish identity in public and creative life• Imposter syndrome, ambition, and claiming expertise• How friendship—online and off—can be life-saving and sacred

May 27, 2025 • 29min
Stop Chasing Growth | Eric Markowitz on How to Outlast
In this special “Oh Snap, Guess What I Saw” edition of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler welcomes back writer and thinker Eric Markowitz for a deep reflection on resilience, longevity, and the power of being unapologetically human in a digital age. Centered around a powerful clip from Christina Garnett and Vic Ruggiero, the conversation unpacks how meaningful connection—whether in business, creativity, or content creation—can help individuals and organizations outlast in a short-term obsessed world.🎯 Topics Covered:Why compounding only works if you survive long enoughHow “breadcrumbs” on social media create emotional connectionThe shift from mass distribution to authentic engagementWhy human presence is the best defense against AI samenessInverting the model of leadership and innovationWhat businesses that have lasted centuries teach us about resilienceThe difference between learning and teaching in modern content creationBuilding community as a sustainable growth strategy

May 20, 2025 • 1h 19min
The Power of Midlife Reinvention | Nancy Burger & Julia Duthie on Fear, Identity & Showing Up
What happens when two women who’ve lived, led, and learned through fear, reinvention, and transformation meet for the first time? In this moving episode of Just Press Record, Nancy Burger and Julia Duthie share personal stories about stepping into the spotlight — one at 14, the other at 40 — and unpack what it really means to live authentically. From coming out later in life to healing childhood wounds, this conversation is packed with wisdom, honesty, and humor. Whether you’re navigating career shifts, personal identity, or just trying to figure out how to show up fully, this one’s for you.Topics Covered:The role of fear in personal growth and creative expressionNancy’s story of overcoming stage fright at 40Julia’s experience coming out at 50 and living authenticallyHow childhood experiences shape our adult narrativesThe link between vulnerability, leadership, and trustWhy being yourself everywhere is a superpowerHelping younger generations build confidence and resilienceThe power of storytelling, music, and embracing change

7 snips
May 6, 2025 • 1h 20min
For Every Pathology, a Profession: Bob Seawright & Jim Carroll on Markets, Writing & Finding Purpose
Join financial market experts Jim Carroll and Bob Seawright as they blend insights from markets with a love for music. Carroll, an author known for his reflections on finance and music, shares how iconic tunes inspire creativity. Seawright discusses his unconventional journey from law to finance, emphasizing personal growth and risk-taking. They tackle the impact of music on decision-making, the value of silence for creativity, and how writing bridges their passions, ultimately revealing their paths to purpose in the competitive financial landscape.