Simple Questions Podcast

Episode 28: What Is Stop Motion Animation? - has Threadwood Award-Winning Animators, Alexis Deprey & Scott DaRos, speaking about the creative process and techniques involved in crafting stop motion animation.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Alexis & Scott, both of whom are Emmy Award-winning animation professionals. Having worked on projects independently for network shows such as Robot Chicken, SuperMansion, SpongeBob Squarepants, Dinosaur Office, Mad, as well as feature films like Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio. Not only have they animated for others, but they are both the owners of Threadwood, a boutique animation studio located in upstate New York.Listen as Alexis & Scott share their passion for stop motion and offer valuable tips for aspiring animators looking to explore this fascinating medium.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Introducing Alexis Deprey & Scott DaRos00:44 - Early Exposure11:31 - What is it?17:19 - Animation Time Estimates24:19 - Staying Patient28:30 - Materials & Props33:07 - The Size of Figures & Sets34:18 - Beginning Stop Motion Animation40:01 - Speaking Animations46:46 - Animation Jobs53:42 - The Strengths of Threadwood52:26 - Advice to Aspiring Stop Motion Animators1:01:36 - Closing Remarks1:03:10 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Threadwood WebsiteThreadwood InstagramThreadwood TwitterThreadwood LinkedInThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music here.

Episode 27: What Challenges Do Entrepreneurs Face? - has Zohr Founder, Komal Choong, speaking about starting a business.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Komal, a remarkable individual who has made a name for herself as the founder of Zohr, a mobile tire repair company. Through her exceptional entrepreneurial abilities, Komal has achieved great success in the business world. Her tireless efforts and innovative approach have propelled Zohr to become a leading provider of on-demand tire services.Listen as Komal explains the process of raising capital, adapting to challenges, and offers advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Introducing Komal Choong00:44 - Entrepreneurial Beginnings04:17 - Working at SpaceX13:10 - Starting a Business19:41 - Facing Challenges27:33 - Pivoting31:51 - Finding People to Trust36:30 - Networking38:41 - Startup Funding44:40 - Enjoying Being an Entrepreneur49:52 - Advice For Others52:26 - Current Challenges54:28 - Closing Remarks56:27 - Conclusion and InformationResources:ZohrLinkedInKomal's FamilyOther Zohr PodcastThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music here.

Episodes 14-26: Highlights - a power-packed compilation of our recent best moments!Episode Summary:This episode features a highlight from the last 13 episodes of the Simple Questions Podcast. You will hear condensed bite-sized highlights from a variety of topics such as negotiation and cultivated meat, while featuring music spanning all genres. These highlights will introduce new listeners to our podcast and allow loyal listeners to relive the best moments we've had on the podcast.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Introduction01:04 - Episode 14: How Does Inflation Work?2:58 - Episode 15: How Do You Plan A Diet?5:57 - Episode 16: How Do You Use Cryptocurrency?9:23 - Episode 17: How Do You Play Video Games Professionally?11:26 - Episode 18: How Are Weather Forecasts Made?14:51 - Episode 19: How Is A Cause Of Death Determined?16:36 - Episode 20: How Do You Tell A Good Story?20:25 - Episode 21: What Is Lucid Dreaming?23:59 - Episode 22: What Are The Benefits Of Cultivated Meat?28:41 - Episode 23: How Do Ants Live?32:13 - Episode 24: How Do You Negotiate?35:33 - Episode 25: What Is Aphantasia?39:23 - Episode 26: How Do You Care For Houseplants?42:06 - Conclusion & Closing RemarksThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music here.

Episode 26: How Do You Care for Houseplants? - has houseplant expert, Jane Perrone, recommending ways you can keep your plants healthy.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Jane Perrone, a talented individual who has established herself as a prominent figure in the world of gardening, thanks to her exceptional plant expertise and entrepreneurial abilities. As a freelance journalist, she has contributed her writing skills to a variety of renowned publications, such as the Guardian, Gardens Illustrated, and The English Garden. But her passion for plants and gardening extends beyond the written word, as she has also become the host of the popular gardening podcast, On The Ledge, and the author of the captivating book, Legends of the Leaf.Listen as Jane explains appropriate potting soil mixes, watering your plants, and how to know if your plant is unhealthy.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Requiem for the Dirt Man by Jason Beers01:07 - Introducing Jane Perrone01:37 - Plant Beginnings09:37 - Common Mistakes & How To Avoid Them12:03 - Researching Plants15:49 - Humidity19:21 - Knowing The Health of Your Plants23:10 - Understanding Watering30:12 - Soil & Potting35:27 - Beginner Plants39:44 - Where to Purchase Plants From41:13 - Propagation48:08 - Best Piece of Advice50:50 - Jane's Favorite Plant53:16 - Closing Remarks54:44 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Jane's WebsiteLegends of the LeafOn The LedgeVICE DocumentaryJason Beers' Bandcamp

Episode 25: What Is Aphantasia? - features the Co-Founder of the Aphantasia Network, Tom Ebeyer, explaining how people are unable to form mental images.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Tom Ebeyer, one of the original 21 cases identified by Neurologist Dr. Adam Zeman as having aphantasia. Tom's experiences led him to co-found the Aphantasia Network, which has a mission to improve the lives of people with aphantasia through advocacy, research, and support to unleash the power of image-free thinking.Listen as Tom explains what we know about aphantasia, the spectrum of visual imagination, and what hyperphantasia means.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Face the Beast by The Whatnots01:04 - Introducing Tom Ebeyer03:22 - Pronunciation04:44 - What is It?06:49 - Thought Process08:32 - Lack of Conversation10:51 - Discovery14:21 - Common or Uncommon?16:12 - Hyperphantasia18:53 - Lifelong Aphantasia22:36 - Finding Out29:17 - Impacts on Communication35:45 - Cognitive Strategies to Remember41:12 - Visual Imagination Spectrum44:31 - Dreaming47:14 - Research49:55 - Aphantasia Network51:05 - Closing Remarks51:52 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Aphantasia Network

Episode 24: How Do You Negotiate? - has Former Hostage Negotiator & The Black Swan Group Instructor, Sandy Hein, teach you powerful negotiation techniques.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Sandy Hein, a former hostage negotiator and negotiation instructor with The Black Swan Group. The Black Swan Group is a negotiation service that solves business communication problems with hostage negotiation strategies.Listen as Sandy explains how to mentally approach a negotiation, effective negotiation techniques, and when to walk away from a negotiation.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Boots on the Ground by Chris Hudson (Apple & Spotify)00:54 - Introducing Sandy Hein04:44 - Hostage Negotiation Career09:57 - Negotiator's Mindset15:33 - Negotiation Process19:21 - Common Negotiations23:57 - Labeling28:14 - Negotiation Techniques33:03 - Types of Yes35:15 - Accusations Audit40:14 - Saying Why44:42 - Approaching Another Skilled Negotiator46:30 - Walking Away51:09 - Accusations Audit55:04 - Closing Remarks58:35 - Conclusion and InformationResources:The Black Swan Group WebsiteThe Black Swan Group YouTubeNever Split the DifferenceWhy Aren't We Shaming Offenders Instead of Blaming Victims?

Episode 23: How Do Ants Live? - has Stanford PhD student, Mila Pamplona, take you on a journey into the fascinating world of ants.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Mila Pamplona, a Stanford PhD student who has studied the biological rhythms of foraging and leafcutting activities on colonies of leafcutter ants and developed machine learning software to identify and count ants in their ant trail.Listen as Mila Pamplona explains the social structure of ant colonies, how ants communicate with each other, and the role of the queen ant.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Feeling Low by Times & Places01:19 - Introducing Mila Pamplona09:32 - Journey to Stanford16:17 - Ants Communicating19:28 - Foreign Ants & Predators22:54 - Species of Ants27:53 - Invasive Ants40:35 - Colony Social Structure47:08 - The Numbers52:32 - Cultivating Fungi1:07:59 - Closing Remarks1:11:31 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Mila Pamplona's Podcast & BlogAnts CanadaThe World War of the AntsThe Billion Ant Mega Colony and the Biggest War on EarthBest Of Ants | BBC Earth

Episode 22: What Are The Benefits Of Cultivated Meat? - has Bioprocessing Senior Scientist & Founder of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection, Dr. Faraz Harsini, describe how lab-grown meat can change the future.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Dr. Faraz Harsini, a Bioprocessing Senior Scientist at The Good Food Institute that focuses on overcoming technical and scientific obstacles facing cultivated meat. Outside of Dr. Harsini's scientific role, he is the Founder and CEO of Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP). ASAP is a non-profit organization that assists students in advocating for human and nonhuman animals.Listen as Dr. Harsini explains what cultivated meat is, how it is created, and the impact this technology will have on our food system.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Blue by Fresh of Breath Air (Apple & Spotify)01:19 - Introducing Dr. Faraz Harsini02:43 - What Is The Best Thing You Can Do With Your Life?08:46 - Leading To Animal Consumption12:52 - What Is Cultivated Meat?15:26 - Creating Cultivated Meat17:11 - Animal Cells & Structure19:35 - Obstacles To Adoption22:39 - Volume Of Production25:48 - The Good Food Institutes Role28:02 - The Benefits33:43 - Antibiotics41:51 - Allied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP)46:07 - The Connection Between Animal & Human Rights49:32 - Omission Of Death52:30 - What Makes You Excited About Cultivated Meat?54:23 - The Future Of Cultivated Meat55:34 - Closing Remarks59:24 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Dr. Faraz HarsiniAllied Scholars for Animal Protection (ASAP)Sources Referenced: Documentary, Antibiotics, Greenhouse Gases/Water Consumption, Greenhouse Gases by Food

Episode 21: What Is Lucid Dreaming? - has co-author of A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming, Jared Chiang-Zeizel, describing what lucid dreaming is.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Jared Chiang-Zeizel, co-author of A Field Guide to Lucid Dreaming. Jared's lucid dreaming work has led him to become a TEDx speaker, be on national TV, be on national radio, be mentioned in over 45 academic papers, and be featured by outlets such as NPR, Vice, Gaia, NBC, Fox News, oprah.com.Listen as Jared explains the benefits, techniques to induce, and things you can do while lucid dreaming.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Halo by Black Light Animals (Apple & Spotify)01:06 - Introducing Jared Chiang-Zeizel04:44 - First Lucid Dream06:23 - Writing a Book12:30 - Average Dream Experience18:05 - Dream Differences20:44 - Feeling Of Consciousness25:54 - Creating Habits32:51 - Crazy Lucid Dreams35:35 - Benefits40:50 - Nature or Nurture43:18 - How To Begin Lucid Dreaming49:15 - Different Techniques58:53 - Dreaming Levels1:03:16 - Cultural Significance1:08:25 - Closing Remarks1:10:53 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Jared Chiang-Zeizel: Website and Book

Episode 20: How Do You Tell A Good Story? - has Author and 57-time Moth StorySLAM Champion, Matthew Dicks, explain ways you can improve your storytelling.Episode Summary:This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast features a discussion between Dylan Carnahan and Matthew Dicks, an internationally bestselling author, 56-time Moth StorySLAM champion, and 9-time GrandSLAM champion. Matt speaks to large audiences at TEDx events and performs at open-mic storytelling competitions because he is a great storyteller. His storytelling abilities are of the highest caliber, but you can learn how to tell great stories of your own by reading his book Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling.Listen as Matthew Dicks explains how you can tell better stories by improving your delivery, increasing stakes, and avoiding common mistakes.In this episode we discuss:00:00 - Say by Say It Again (Apple & Spotify)01:08 - Introducing Matthew Dicks04:44 - Moth StorySLAM08:02 - Bearer of Secrets10:30 - Importance of Stories13:09 - Story Selection27:33 - Delivery33:13 - Common Mistakes38:08 - Heightening Stakes41:35 - Emotionally Difficult Stories50:00 - Storytelling Intuition54:17 - Closing Remarks56:59 - Conclusion and InformationResources:Matthew Dicks: Website, Storyworthy, TEDx talk, & Social Media.Moth StorySLAM