The Zack Arnold Podcast

Qualia is quite possibly the most revolutionary product I’ve come across in my decade-long quest of personal development and self-optimization. It’s as close as you’ll ever get to experiencing the ‘Limitless’ drug. Yes...it’s that good. I’ve been experimenting with it behind-the-scenes for several months now, and I’m finally coming out of the closet to share it with you because I’m now thoroughly convinced this product delivers exactly what it promises, and more.In today’s episode I have an in-depth conversation about why Qualia works so well and is so effective in increasing focus, concentration, empathy, reducing anxiety, and simply improving the human experience with Dr. Daniel Stickler, the medical director at Neurohacker Collective, the company that created Qualia.Dr. Stickler and I dive into understanding what really fuels your brain from a nutritional standpoint and why supplementation shouldn’t be the answer if you’re constantly experiencing procrastination, brain fog, anxiety, and you have trouble focusing. We talk about the types of foods that can help promote (and inhibit) your creative abilities, the different types of diets (e.g Vegan, Paleo, etc) and how they can help or hinder your ability to focus, and then we break down how Qualia was formulated and why it has a much higher success rate than most other nootropics and smart drugs on the market.That’s right...the ‘Limitless’ drug is finally here. Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Medicine's focus on simply avoiding sickness rather than human enhancementDr. Stickler's experience with and expertise on integrative medicineTaking the biohacking "cure" mindset away from using optimizing supplementsSupplements are not a health solution but the enhancerHow you can naturally create new neural networks with dietary changesAltering your life through epigenetic modification (diet, exercise, meditation)The relationship between fat and the brainEverything you've learned about cholesterol is misinformedWhere you can fit beneficial fats into your diet"There is no perfect human diet."How Dr. Stickler came to realize how special Qualia really isHow Qualia is formulated differently than other nootropicsUseful Resources Mentioned:Apeiron Center for Human PotentialApeiron AcademyNeurohacker CollectiveIronman Executive PodcastQualia Nootropic (Use coupon code 'OPTIMIZE' for 10% OFF)Using HRV to Reduce Stress (and Master Your Nervous System) | with Ronda CollierFueling Your Brain For Optimal Creativity | with Mark SissonOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|Apeiron CenterDr. Daniel Stickler is Medical Director of Neurohacker Collective, bringing decades of forward thinking medical knowledge in wellness optimization and whole systems science to our team.Dr. Stickler is a future-focused visionary and a thought leader in human potential. He is the cofounder of the Apeiron Center for Human Potential and the Apeiron Academy. Disheartened by our current “sick care” approach to health, Dr. Stickler created Human Potential Medicine- an integrated, biospherical systems-approach that combines the scientific grounding and expertise of modern medicine with leading-edge genetic/epigenetic science and neuro-psychophysiological modalities to expand human capacity. He also established the Apeiron Academy, which offers advanced education to a tribe of like-minded individuals determined to shift the health & wellness paradigm from the current sick-care model to one of optimized human potential.Dr. Stickler entered medical school with a vision of helping people create an optimized life and found very quickly that the training focused predominantly on treating disease to postpone our stepwise progression to death. This realization was the catalyst for a several decade journey to create a new way of living. An opportunity to one promote youthful longevity and the potential for limitless life.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

HRV, or “Heart Rate Variability” is a term you might not be familiar with. It’s a biological measurement you should absolutely know just as you would your weight, your cholesterol, or you blood pressure. Simply put, HRV is the measurement of time between your heartbeats. While this sounds relatively simple, what is so profound about this measurement is how it can help you measure the strength of your nervous system, and more importantly how knowing it can help you predict your physical and mental performance based on a simple 5 minute measurement in the morning.In this episode I have an in-depth conversation with Ronda Collier, the CEO at SweetWater Health, LLC about what HRV is, how to measure it, and most importantly how to interpret these measurements to make improvements in your ability to manage stress and anxiety. This is one of my favorite episodes from very early in the ‘Fitness In Post’ podcast days, and I thought it beneficial to re-release it in advance of my next podcast which is all about Qualia from a company called the Neurohacker Collective, a new supplement that is as close to the Limitless drug as you’re going to get. In that episode coming later this week we talk about heart rate variability, and because it’s such an intriguing topic I wanted to make sure this episode was readily available to help you understand why HRV is something you should prioritize measuring every single day if you’re interested in optimizing your creative performance.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:What is Heart Rate VariabilityHow knowing your HRV can help you predict your physical performanceRonda's beginnings working tech in post housesRecognizing when your body goes into "fight-or-flight" modeHRV should be equal in importance to your weight, blood pressure, or cholesterolWays learning about HRV can enable you to combat stressLearn how to easily measure your HRVKnowing the difference between acting and respondingCreating a conscious response to your HRV drops with the Sweet Beat AppUseful Resources Mentioned:Ben Greenfield Fitness NatureBeat AppBulletproof Radio "Hacking Stress with HRV Sense"Ben Greenfield "Everything You Need to Know About HRV"Ben Greenfield FitnessOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|YouTubeRonda Collier, B.S.E.E., M.A. Psychology, is the CEO of SweetWater Health and has more than 25 years of experience in high technology product development with a proven track record of delivering leading edge consumer electronic products within both privately held startups and Fortune 500 corporations. She has spent the last 3 years as an independent scholar researching non-invasive health monitoring techniques to improve overall personal well being. This research led to the founding of SweetWater Health, L.L.C. in 2010.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

As of this week’s episode I have now recorded over 130 interviews with people all over the planet in many different industries with their own unique stories. But with all due respect to every single person I’ve ever interviewed, I can confidently say that talking today with Shane Burcaw was one of the highlights of my life. Rarely do you come across a human being that radiates such positivity, clarity, and confidence. If you don’t walk away from this interview feeling like you can overcome more than you thought you could, and if you don’t feel like you have a clear set of tools to make yourself happier without having to change the circumstances in your life at all, I recommend getting your ears checked because clearly you weren’t listening closely enough.Shane Burcaw is a co-founder of Laughing At My Nightmare, Inc., an organization dedicated to teaching people how humor can help them overcome their challenges, while also providing vital equipment to people living with muscular dystrophy. Shane is an award-winning author, Emmy-winning producer, and writer of a blog with over 600,000 followers. His nonprofit is responsible for over $60,000 in equipment provided to people living with muscular dystrophy. Shane and his business partner, Sarah, travel the country sharing the powerful idea that a positive mindset and a sense of humor can help anyone effectively overcome their challenges!And in case I haven’t mentioned it yet, Shane has lived with spinal muscular atrophy since shortly after birth and he’s quadriplegic. For those that don’t know what this means, we’ll talk about it more in today’s episode, but in short…Shane has little to no control of any of his four limbs and he has never walked.For my listeners that know my history, it’s probably no surprise that I’m so excited about having Shane on my show because I dedicated eight years of my life directing and producing the documentary film GO FAR: The Christopher Rush Story (narrated by Mark Hamill) about the first quadriplegic to become a certified scuba diver who was also one of the national poster children for the Muscular Dystrophy Association alongside Jerry Lewis back in the days of the Labor Day telethons. Christopher was not only the subject of this documentary, but he was also one of my closest friends who stood next to me at my wedding which unfortunately was the last time I saw him alive. But chatting today with Shane brought back so many memories of conversations I used to have with Christopher.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:The power of a willful mindset in the face of adversity"Everybody has a disability"How Shane uses humor to overcome difficult circumstancesEnabling yourself to realize when you are creating your own obstaclesShane's successful and occasionally unsuccessful athletic storiesProcessing hurtful media portrayals of physically handicapped individualsRecognizing when you have the power to improve your own situationsAccepting circumstances you can't control, so they don't end up controlling youLearning to ask yourself, "Is this going to matter in ten years?""Why not spend time loving as much as we can and exploring our passions? It's a hell of a better time to try and do good in the world."You don't have to feel guilty for not saving the world.What one thing made you smile today? When you are mindful of your joy, it will show up everywhere.Useful Resources Mentioned:GOFAR MovieShane Burcaw: Laughing at My NightmareMuscular Dystrophy AssociationOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Twitter|Facebook|InstagramShane Burcaw is a co-founder of Laughing At My Nightmare, Inc., an organization dedicated to teaching people how humor can help them overcome their challenges, while also providing vital equipment to people living with muscular dystrophy. Shane is an award-winning author, Emmy-winning producer, and writer of a blog with over 600,000 followers. His nonprofit is responsible for over $60,000 in equipment provided to people living with muscular dystrophy. Shane and his business partner, Sarah, travel the country sharing the powerful idea that a positive mindset and a sense of humor can help anyone effectively overcome their challenges!Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love! The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Wes Plate is no stranger to adversity. On the surface it may appear that he is incredibly successful having founded the software company Automatic Duck, as well as worked for companies such as Adobe and Pinnacle, not to mention years of editing commercials and main title sequences for network television shows. On top of all that Wes is currently a product designer for a little tiny tech startup you may have heard of called Apple.Beyond Wes’ professional success is his personal achievements. If you scan through Wes’ Facebook or Instagram profiles you’ll see numerous pictures of him holding medals for marathons and ultra-marathons like they’re no big thing. But the story that you won’t see on Wes’ social media pages or on his website’s about page are the years of living with obesity, eating garbage, and worst of all living with alcoholism that not only almost cost him his family but also his life.In this episode we discuss how Wes went from a high school athlete to being hospitalized for alcohol abuse in his early 30’s, to then running his first Ultra Marathon (50K) with many half-marathons in between. His amazing journey will inspire you to find the strength to achieve your own health and wellness goals, regardless of the obstacles in your way.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Wes’ early career as an offline editor at an advertising agencyWhy Wes started Automatic Duck and how they became the “Switzerland” of the app worldHow going between different apps has changed in the last 15 years (...it hasn’t)Wes discusses how some of the bad habits he developed early in his career helped lead him down a path to alcoholismThe turning point in Wes’ life: Christmas of 2007Why he decided it was time to go to rehabHow a combination of tracking his weight and quitting alcohol motivated him to lose 40 lbs right after rehabWe discuss how breaking your goal into much smaller pieces (GO FAR framework) can help you succeedWe discuss overcoming mental barriers and how positive change can happen if you believe in yourself and your abilitiesWe discuss Wes’ “why” and the goal of becoming a responsible father and better role modelUseful Resources Mentioned:From Out-of-Shape to Running a 240 mile Ultra Marathon | with Wes PlateWes Plate's SiteWes' blog on overcoming alcohol abuseStrava Cycling and Running AppGarmin GPS watchHal Higdon Training ProgramsTony HortonOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Twitter|LinkedIn|InstagramWes Plate worked in Seattle as an offline editor at Pinnacle as well as freelance in the late 90s and early 2000s.In 2001 he co-founded Automatic Duck, a software company that became well-known for making timeline translation plug-ins for Avid, FCP and AE users. Today he works at Apple as a Product Designer in the Pro Apps group.Wes also edits with select clients on commercials, main title sequences and other short form projects.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Billy Goldenberg is the Oscar-winning film editor of such films as Detroit, Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, The Imitation Game, several of the Transformers films, the National Treasure franchise, and many more. He’s done numerous collaborations with Michael Mann, Ben Affleck, Michael Bay, and he even won his Oscar the same year that his mentor Michael Kahn was nominated (if you’re not familiar with Michael Kahn, he’s Steven Spielberg’s longtime editor and collaborator). Needless to say, Billy Goldenberg knows a thing or two about what it takes to be successful in Hollywood.Sure, it’s easy to look at someone’s career like Billy’s from the outside and think, “Yeah it’s amazing what he’s done with his career, but c’mon, the guy was Michael Kahn’s assistant editor…there’s no way I’m going to be able to be as successful as he was!” there are actually fundamental steps you can extract from anyone’s career journey and apply to your own, and Billy is no different.In this episode rather than chatting about the ins-and-outs of film editing, Billy and I walk through his path from the beginning to where he is now and break down some of the lesser known skills necessary to be successful in any creative field where you collaborate with others on a regular basis.We discuss how important it is to respect the job you currently have and do great work at it while also being honest about what you want to do next, how honest you really should when giving your thoughts and feedback to producers and directors, the editor as the psychologist of filmmaking, and what it takes to move forwards given how demanding your current job probably already is, just to name a few examples.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Working hard at the job you're givenLearning to assess your place along your career ladderHow to to give honest criticism without creating bad work relationshipsWhen to trust the process and when to carve your own pathLearning how to take criticism and not take your creative work personallyHow to move up given the demands of working long hours as an assistantHow to approach your editor to cut your own scenesWhat it's like to work with Michael Mann and Michael BayStrategies to stay active and endure the long hoursWhen to draw the line on poor working conditionsThe importance of attitude!!!Useful Resources Mentioned:William's IMDb PageOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:William Goldenberg (born November 2, 1959) is an American film editor. He has more than twenty film and television credits since 1992. He won the Academy Award for Film Editing for the film Argo (2012), and has been nominated for The Insider (1999), Seabiscuit (2003), Zero Dark Thirty (2012) and The Imitation Game (2014). He has also received nominations for nine other editing-related awards Goldenberg has had an extended, notable collaboration with the director Michael Mann. Goldenberg has been elected to membership in the American Cinema EditorsShow Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love! The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

In creative industries like film & television post-production, it's extremely common to see job listings for free or low paid work, but how do you know if it's worth it or if you should run for the hills? After all, would you ask for services for free in other industries?Just imagine walking into an upscale restaurant and saying, “I’d love to try out the most popular item on your menu, and while I won’t pay for it this time, if I love it there’s a high likelihood I’ll have business for you in the future.” Um, that would be a big giant NO. So why is it okay for people to exploit creative talent and imagination in exactly this way?In this archival episode from my ‘Fitness In Post’ days, Alan Bell and I discussed how to distinguish between whether or not a low or no paying job is worth the gamble for the bigger picture of advancing your career. We evaluate the many reasons that a specific job opportunity may be worth it based on the potential long-term payoffs, and we also talk about when it is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances to take on a job that is clearly looking to exploit your talents and experience (not that anyone would ever be interested in exploiting your creative talents).Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Why I decided to leave a high paying job to go cut a low paying indie filmAlan’s background and creditsThere is good kind of free work out there, you just have to watch for itYou can’t treat every film and every job posting the same wayNever take a free job if you’re not going to get something out of it: participation points, producing, new experience etcHow Alan got his start in the film industry with free workAlan’s work experience with Norman HollynHow I learned After Effects by working FOR FREEFree work that’s right for one person might not be right for anotherTake stock of where you are in your career and life before deciding to work for freeHow taking on a free web series (Bannan Way link..which site should this link to?) helped jump start my career in televisionBuilding relationships is a key component to finding quality workBring your own questions to an interview! Make sure the job is a good fit for youTake the work that’s good instead of taking the work that’s thereQuestions you should ask during an interviewKnow your own temperamentLearn how to spot the “catch phrases” and red flags of exploitative producersBe honest with yourself and surround yourself with honest peopleBe aware of your situation and decide what’s best for youUseful Resources Mentioned:How a Tentpole Hollywood Feature Editor Stays Healthy, Fit, and Sane | with Alan Bell, ACEWhy You Don’t Need to Go to Film School to Be Successful | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 1]Mental Health is Not a Luxury…Even For “Top Guns” | with Eddie Hamilton, ACE [Pt 2]#SayNoToSpec VideoOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Film editor Alan Edward Bell A.C.E., is best known for his work on (500) Days of Summer, ‘Water For Elephants’, ‘The Amazing Spiderman’, and the last three installments of the “Hunger Games” series. His resume spans 30 years in post-production, and includes a long list of credits in editorial as well as visual effects. Over the last 15 years he has been pushing the limits of what is possible in the cuttingroom by blending visual effects and editing techniques. Alan currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and three sons.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

#AdvanceYourself month continues where we’re diving into the weeds talking about taking practical, boots-on-the-ground action steps to move your creative career forwards, or more specifically to this episode, how to transition from climbing one ladder to climbing a different one, even if that means taking one step back to take several forwards in the future.I’m incredibly excited for this episode because it’s with Wendy Calhoun who happens to not only be an incredibly decorated and accomplished writer and producer in Hollywood (here are her IMDB credits), but she’s also the very first person to hire me as a professional editor in Los Angeles.Wendy has worked on such gigantic network TV shows as Empire, Nashville, Justified, and Revenge, to name a few. She is also no stranger to adversity given she has climbed her way to the top in an incredibly competitive area of Hollywood - writing, executive producing, and now show running with upcoming projects such as No Place Safe for FX and Our Kind of People for Fox. And while great strides have been made in the past several years, let’s not beat around the bush. Making it as an accomplished writer/producer as either a female or an African-American is tough, but doing it as both is infinitely tougher. But regardless of the obstacles that stood in her way, Wendy forged ahead, changed her career path several times, overcame numerous obstacles (including a massive case of imposter syndrome), and defied the odds.In this episode we deconstruct Wendy’s unusual path to climb the ladder to the top to understand the basic fundamental steps that you can take to achieve the same levels of success, regardless of your circumstances.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Wendy's early theatrical writing and how it shaped her lifeProcessing your career goals when the path isn't clearHow Wendy and Zack came to know each otherTurning your creative passions into practiceDefining yourself by your desired vocation regardless of how you're getting paidHow writing for info-shows led Wendy to hits "Nashville" and "Empire"Learning to overclock the intensity and productivity of the writers roomWriting complicated, compelling, and honest female charactersHow producing Empire was "like a rainbow" for WendyThe importance of nurturing and giving opportunities to women and people of color in entertainmentHow Wendy plans to revolutionize inclusive production practices as a producer to tell the greatest storiesAdvice for up-and-coming writers and the importance of reaching your ten thousand hours of masteryUseful Resources Mentioned:Wendy Calhoun's IMDB PageOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Twitter|InstagramWendy Calhoun is a series creator developing content at multiple broadcast and cable studios. She’s currently writing and Executive Producing FX’s NO PLACE SAFE, a miniseries about the Atlanta child murders, to star Emmy winner Regina King. Her past credits include Co-Executive Producing and writing the historic first season of Fox’s hit series EMPIRE. In addition, she’s written and produced for ABC’S NASHVILLE, FX’s JUSTIFIED, ABC’s REVENGE, and NBC’s LIFE.Last summer, Calhoun wrote and directed the virtual reality short, LEFT BEHIND, sponsored by Google and honored as “Best in VR” at Digital Hollywood 2016. She received a 2010 Peabody Award and WGA Best New Series Nomination for JUSTIFIED. She received her second WGA Best New Series Nomination in 2012 for NASHVILLE.Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Calhoun studied film and television at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

'Advance Yourself' month continues where we’re diving into the weeds talking about taking practical, boots-on-the-ground action steps to move your career forwards, or more specifically in this episode how to transition from climbing one ladder to climbing a different one, even if that means taking one step back to take several forwards in the future.My guest today is Monica Daniel who has become somewhat of a legend on my former show. This interview was recorded a couple years ago and is the #1 most downloaded episode of my previous podcast ‘Fitness In Post’ because it answered the most common question asked out of complete and utter desperation in all of Hollywood:“How do I get out of reality television so I can work in scripted television instead?”Monica and I walk through the practical steps she took to decide if the transition was right for her, and then more importantly what steps she took to meet the right people and make sure she was in the right place at the right time. While the transition isn’t terribly easy, the steps are pretty simple.(Just to give you a quick head’s up, at the end of the episode we talk briefly about a bonus document summarizing her journey and that document is no longer available. But the good news is, it inspired me to create an Ultimate Guide that’s 10 times better, my brand new ‘Ultimate Guide to Making It In Hollywood as a Creative’)Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:Monica’s background editing reality televisionHow Monica first approached me at a networking event and why this was the RIGHT way to cold approach someoneSome of the WRONG ways to cold approach someoneHow Monica was ashamed to share the type of reality work she did with those who work in scriptedHow focusing on her health was one of the key factors to making the transitionThe different “phases” of her career and how each one was important to leading Monica towards working in scriptedThe conversation that Monica struck up with an editor that built the relationship that got her the job interviewHow taking a free gig helped lead Monica to getting a fantastic recommendation for her scripted jobHow Monica’s various skills in reality helped her transition to scripted and helped sell her as a unique talentWe break down the actionable steps anyone can take to make the transition to scripted (or any field for that matter)Useful Resources Mentioned:Going Postal ShowOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Twitter|FacebookMonica Daniel has edited various genres of television that have been broadcast worldwide over the last decade. She is known for her “sh*tting sparkles” slogan from her award show red carpet work. She recently transitioned from editing reality television into a high level scripted network show, and our conversation today breaks down her journey and how you can walk away with actionable steps to make the same transition, regardless of your situation.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

Up until maybe the last three to five years, when hearing the term “Blue Collar” one would immediately picture a coal miner, a steel worker, people working in factories, or other types of physically demanding manual labor jobs. But as our society has progressed so rapidly due to advances in technology, a common question that has begun to arise is, “Are tech workers becoming the new ‘Blue Collar’?”While working in a coal mine or a steel factory might sound imminently more dangerous than sitting behind a computer, it actually isn’t.“The typical seated office worker has more musculoskeletal injuries than any other industry sector worker, including construction, metal industry, and transportation workers. Today, the World Health Organization ranks physical inactivity—sitting too much—as the fourth biggest preventable killer globally, causing an estimated 3.2 million deaths annually. In just the last 20 years, the simple act of sitting has leapfrogged to the top of the health killer charts globally.”1I dive deep into this concept of tech workers and creatives like us who spend endless hours chained to a computer becoming the next blue collar with my guest today, the brilliant Maxim Jago, an award-winning filmmaker, editor, teacher, and futurist. This episode was inspired by an article in Wired Magazine titled, "The Next Big Blue Collar Job Is Coding."Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:How having a sedentary job can be more unhealthy than working in a mineThe game-ification of personal developmentWays the mind influences physical healingThe relationship between cognitive function and activityHow expressive creativity affects physical and mental healthThe implications of a highly-automated futureMaslow's hierarchy of needsHow important is your emotional response to your work?Creation as necessity rather than commodityChanging your perspective of monotonous work from boring to meditativeWhat will labor look like in twenty-five years?The importance of pursuing work that invigorates youUseful Resources Mentioned:Maslow's Hierarchy of NeedsProgramming is the New Blue Collar Job1Deskbound: Standing Up in a Sitting WorldOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Facebook|Twitter|Instagram|LinkedInMaxim Jago speaks on wide-ranging subjects exploring lessons learns from his work as a filmmaker, futurist, author, and media technology expert.He proposes an optimistic-realist attitude to future technologies and opportunities for growth in society, and in ourselves. As an award winning filmmaker and screenwriter, Maxim is currently engaged in three feature film projects that include true VR storytelling elements.As an Author, Maxim writes the official Adobe Premiere Pro Classroom in a Book - the standard text used by film schools all around the world.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content

For those who work in the filmmaking industry, ‘Below the Line’ is a pretty common term, but in case you’re not familiar with it, it originated as an accounting term to separate the fixed costs of a film’s budget (actors, director, writers, and producers, etc) from the variable hourly, daily, and weekly costs of those working in various crafts such as editing, costumes, or the art department, just to name a few examples. Unfortunately ‘Below the Line’ has become much more of a social status symbol rather than just a simple accounting term.Today’s interview is one of my favorites from way back in the ‘Fitness In Post’ archives where I had an in-depth chat with editor Mike J. Nichols, otherwise known as the ‘Edit Doctor’ about an article he wrote titled “Is the Term Below the Line Hitting Below the Belt?” In this very candid conversation we talk about the rampant idea that creative workers, film editors like myself being the perfect example, have simply become an extension of our workstations and how this affects the way we are treated by others, as well as our emotional involvement in our work. We also talk about what we need to do collectively to start standing up for ourselves.If you feel as if you’re being treated like a pair of hands chained to your desk and you want to know what you can do about it, this episode provides plenty of action steps.Want to Hear More Episodes Like This One?» Click here to subscribe and never miss another episodeHere's What You'll Learn:The rampant idea that we are a pair of hands chained to our desksMike’s first encounter with the phrase “below the line”What is “below the line”?How the term went from an accounting term to a status termOn getting emotionally involved in a project you have a limited say inOn how the “below the line” status is felt differently in each subset of editingThe feeling of your contributions being undervaluedWhat do we do about this status term?Most people don't even know what editors do!Technology as a driving factor in our dwindling status as filmmakersThe editor as the final writer -- especially in reality and documentaryWhere we can start with eliminating this “status” -- we need to stand up for ourselves and our healthSearch for the cause not just the symptomsWe need to have a better perception of ourselvesUseful Resources Mentioned:From Rehab to Ultra Marathon with Wes PlateWhiteboard Discussion - Avid Editors of Facebook GroupWhiteboard Discussion - Post ChatKuleshov EffectOur Generous Sponsors:This episode is made possible by Ergodriven, the makers of the Topo Mat, my #1 recommendation for anyone interested in moving more at their height-adjustable workstation. Listen, standing desks are only great if you’re standing well, otherwise you’re constantly fighting fatigue and chronic pain. Not like any other anti-fatigue mat, the Topo is scientifically proven to help you move more throughout the day which helps reduce discomfort and also increase your focus and productivity. And they’re really fun and a great conversation starter.Guest Bio:Facebook|TwitterMike J. Nichols – “A rare combination of artistry and technology – A young Walter Murch” – actor/director Larry Holden.As a teenager living in Ohio, Mike’s super-8 films garnered the attention of Frank Zappa’s son, Dweezil, who commissioned him for projects including work on a CBS network television series called, “Normal Life”. With the Zappa’s encouragement, Mike pursued film studies at Columbia College of Chicago winning two back to back short film first place awards which had never happened in the school’s student history.In Los Angles, Mike edited the award winning indie film, My Father’s House (directed by Larry Holden) which featured Cameron Diaz and Josh Charles. Martin Scorsese praised, “My Father’s House”, as one of his favorite independent films of that year.Alternately during this time, Mike’s anonymous editing work became famous in the Star Wars community with a video called, “Star Wars: The Phantom Edit”.“Star Wars: The Phantom Edit” became a phenomenon featured in numerous magazines, newspapers, and television news programs around the world. Chicago Tribune film critic, Michael Wilmington, wrote a 2 page review of Mike’s work summed up in the articles final thesis statement, “…done by someone with a gift for editing”.Chris Nolan’s film editor, Dody Dorn, was featured in a segment on NPR’s Studio 360 about the impact of Mike’s editing. J.J. Abrams gleamed about Mike’s edit to Entertainment Weekly and director Kevin Smith went on record in an interview calling it “Smart editing ”.HBO penned the largest syndication deal in history for their hit series, “Sex and the City” but editing out 9 minutes of show content proved to be a difficult endeavor. After two trial run episodes, Mike’s editing and attention to story integrity became the missing piece they were seeking and HBO wrote a exclusive contract making him PREditor for the original syndicated versions of “Sex and the City” .Musician Billy Joel and Exclusive Media/Spitfire Pictures were looking for a more narrative approach to their feature length documentary and Nichols was signed to be the Editor of “The Last Play At Shea” – written by Academy Award winning writer, Mark Monroe.“Last Play At Shea” featured three different stories editorially woven into one complete narrative and it premiered at the prestigious Tribeca Film Festival. “The Last Play at Shea’s” world premiere was the largest documentary opening in film history taking place at New York’s Citi Field Stadium for an audience upwards of 60,000 before playing in theaters around the country.In addition to hundreds of hours of broadcast film and television, Mike has also worked on the Emmy Award winning, “Vito: The Vito Russo Story”, AFI Audience Choice Award winner, “SpineTingler” and the editor on The Zappa Movie, a current film in production directed by Alex Winter.Mike is known throughout the industry as “The Edit Doctor”. He is an influential speaker regarding post production techniques and the “art of editing”. He has invented a new post production processes and currently has two patents for advanced post production techniques.Show Credits:This episode was edited by Curtis Fritsch, and the show notes were prepared and published by Jakin Rintelman. Special thanks to Krystle Penhall and Sarah Furie for helping to spread the love!The original music in the opening and closing of the show is courtesy of Joe Trapanese (who is quite possibly one of the most talented composers on the face of the planet).Note: I believe in 100% transparency, so please note that I receive a small commission if you purchase products from some of the links on this page (at no additional cost to you). Your support is what helps keep this program alive. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-zack-arnold-podcast/exclusive-content