
Just Press Record
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.
Latest episodes

Dec 31, 2024 • 36min
Seven Unforgettable Just Press Record Conversations | Best of 2024
Seven standout moments from Just Press Record's first year, curated by host Matt Zeigler. Starting with the power of small acts over institutional loyalty, moving through engaging conversations about artistic co-creation, personal change, balancing structure with spontaneity, authentic relationship building, and ending with a powerful lesson on being present that will hit you like a lightning bolt...
Each clip celebrates the show's core mission: showing you how to play more deeply with your networks of both ideas and people. As my Cultish Creative blog turns 7 years old, these moments showcase why connecting with others in meaningful ways, and, taking the time to reflect on those interactions, matters more than ever.
Watch the full breakdown with timestamps for each featured guest:
Ben Hunt & Paul Millerd on Make, Protect, Teach
Dave Nadig & Angie Colee on co-creation
Julia Carreon & Hal Hershfield on personal change
Josh Spector & Dennis Moseley-Williams on balancing structure and spontaneity
Vic Ruggiero & Christina Garnett on authentic connection
Kara Brookins & Rusty Guinn on showing up for others
Sean DeLaney & Mark McCartney on being present

15 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 22min
How to Win at Life Without Trying to Win at Everything | Luca Dellanna and Dylan O'Sullivan
Luca Dellanna, author of "Ergodicity" known for his deep insights on long-term decision-making, and Dylan O'Sullivan, a literary editor with a knack for existential storytelling, engage in a profound discussion. They explore balancing ambition with life's complex priorities and the impact of personal narratives. Luca shares how his cancer diagnosis reshaped his outlook on time, while Dylan emphasizes the significance of crafting meaningful stories. The conversation also highlights the value of deep connections over superficial ties, urging listeners to reflect on their choices in the context of mortality.

Dec 3, 2024 • 1h 39min
From YouTube House Builder to Cider Maker: Finding Your Path | Cara Brookins and Rusty Guinn
Cara Brookins, author of "Rise: How a House Built a Family," recounts her incredible journey of constructing a house with her children using just YouTube tutorials. Rusty Guinn, a former corporate professional turned cider maker, shares his experiences transforming a historical property into a thriving orchard. They discuss the emotional fulfillment of hands-on creation and the deep connections forged through physical labor. Their conversation highlights the significance of community, resilience, and the impact of technology on modern life, encouraging listeners to find authenticity in their own journeys.

Nov 21, 2024 • 1h 22min
Stop Being Boring: A Marketing Masterclass | Josh Spector and Dennis Mosely Williams
On this episode of Just Press Record, I bring together two fascinating guests who've never met but share an uncanny ability to transform audiences through their work - Josh Spector and Dennis Moseley-Williams.
Josh ( @JoshSpectorVideos ) has built his career helping people get clients from their content, running a wildly successful daily newsletter "For The Interested" and coaching creators on growing their audiences. Dennis ( @seriousshift ), a keynote speaker and author, helps turn brands into cults by making CEOs into charismatic leaders and services into memorable experiences.
Watch as these two masters of audience engagement discover their shared philosophies on authenticity, the power of word choice, and why "don't be boring" might be the cardinal rule of business. From Seth Godin's influence to surprising stories about Norm MacDonald, this conversation weaves through fascinating territory about what it means to truly connect with and transform an audience.
We explore:
Why the smallest viable audience might be better than mass appeal
The importance of being true to yourself in business
How comedians perfect their craft and why it matters for business
Why self-promotion can be a selfless act
The art of charging what you're worth
Whether you're a creator, business leader, or someone interested in the psychology of audience engagement, this conversation offers valuable insights on how to matter more to the people who matter most.
Subscribe to Cultish Creative for more conversations that make curiosity a habit.

Nov 7, 2024 • 1h 30min
The Art of Being Untouchable: Finding Your Life's Natural Rhythm | Sean DeLaney and Mark McCartney
In a heartfelt conversation, Sean DeLaney, host of "What Got You There," and Mark McCartney, host of "What Is A Good Life," delve into living authentically. Mark shares his pivotal moment leaving finance to discover life's rhythm, while Sean discusses self-mastery and presence. They explore the power of silence in a noisy world and the transformative lessons that arise from pain. The duo emphasizes the importance of being present in parenting and relationships, underscoring that true connection springs from mindfulness and authenticity.

Nov 4, 2024 • 1h 20min
"There's Nothing New": HORROR MOVIES + STORYTELLING MASTERCLASS w/Frazer Rice and CT Reese, pt. II
CT Reese of @WatchWithCT and Frazer Rice of @Frazerrice1873 are BACK for a continuation of our prior conversation about horror movies, genre flicks, and why EVERYBODY can learn something from the murder, mayhem, and monsters of the (silver? cell phone? where do people watch movies now?!) screen(s)!

Nov 2, 2024 • 1h 8min
Introvert-Networker meets Extrovert-Marketer: Matthew Stafford & Matt Ackerman Just Press Record!
I was so excited to introduce these two, here's why: Matthew Stafford thinks of himself an introvert, and yet he’s been hosting 10 person startup founder dinners, once a month, for 13+ years(!). Matt Ackermann is a self-described extrovert, gracing conference stages and making content for decades, with a community service attitude like few others I know (ex. coaching, PorchFest, etc.!). Plus, they’re both music nerds. AND, they’d never met. Until now.
We delved into several fascinating topics, including:
The power of helping others without expecting anything in return
The importance of collecting, curating, and connecting people and ideas
How to build and maintain valuable networks
The art of being a good conversationalist in networking settings
Embracing failure as a stepping stone to success
The value of trusting your gut instincts in business and life
Matthew Stafford shared insights from his "Nine Others" initiative, which brings together entrepreneurs to share challenges and support one another. Matt Ackerman discussed his experiences in the financial advisory world and his community-building efforts through events like PorchFest.
We also had some fun discussing our desert island music picks and reminiscing about our first websites. The conversation highlighted the importance of curiosity, compounding goodwill, and being a champion for your ideas and community.
Overall, this episode was a fantastic exploration of how to build meaningful connections, foster creativity, and make a positive impact in both business and personal life. I'm grateful to have had these two insightful guests on the show, and I hope our viewers found the conversation as enriching as I did.

Oct 31, 2024 • 52min
Music Journalist Aaron Carnes Meets Finance Shrink Dr. Daniel Crosby: Subculture Psychology and Ska!
In this episode of Just Press Record, I'm diving into the world of ska music and behavioral psychology with two fascinating guests: Aaron Carnes, author of "In Defense of Ska," and Dr. Daniel Crosby, author of "The Soul of Wealth."
We explore:
The cultural impact and misconceptions surrounding ska music
The psychology behind musical subcultures and identity
How popularity can change the perception of a genre
The balance between sincerity and irony in music and life
Generational differences in expressing emotions and dealing with mental health
The importance of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing vulnerability
We also touch on some surprising connections between ska, punk, and even financial psychology! Whether you're a music enthusiast, psychology buff, or just curious about subcultures, this episode has something for everyone.

Sep 13, 2024 • 1h 4min
The Big Quit, Commit, Pivot
In this episode of Just Press Record, I've brought together two incredible minds who've never met before and an incredibly inspiring conversation ensued.
Meet Dr. Hal Hershfield, the future self guru from UCLA, and Julia Carreon, a thought-leader in finance and technology. We dive deep into how we see what Hal's research calls our "future selves" and why it matters.
Julia shares her journey of quitting a high-profile job to pursue a passion project, and then pivoting again. Hal breaks down the psychology behind these big life decisions, and we explore how generations from Boomers to Gen Z are reshaping the workplace.
We tackle some heavy topics too, like the challenges women face in male-dominated fields and how to bridge the gap between generations in family businesses. But don't worry, we keep it light with some unexpected detours into pop culture (who knew a cartoon dog named Bluey could teach us so much about society?).
Whether you're plotting your next career move, trying to understand your kids (or your parents), or just love a good conversation about human nature, this episode's got something for you. So grab a drink, press play, and let's get curious together!

Aug 28, 2024 • 1h 4min
The Metaphysical Psychologist and the Entrepreneurial Athlete
In this episode, I bring together two incredible guests: Phil Pearlman, founder of the Pearl Institute, and Jessica Yarmey, founder of the Flex Society.
I love connecting people from different worlds, and this conversation didn't disappoint. We dive deep into aligning our personal values with our professional lives, exploring how Phil and Jessica have each navigated this journey in their unique ways.
We cover so much ground in this chat:
How Phil and Jessica found authenticity in their careers after periods of misalignment
Building real, meaningful communities in fitness and personal development
The power (and challenges) of being vulnerable on social media
Moving beyond traditional goal-setting to find true purpose
The art of letting go and embracing new chapters
What I love about these two is how openly they share both their successes and struggles. Whether you're into psychology, fitness, marketing, or just figuring out your path in life, I think you'll find some real gems in this conversation.