Good People, Cool Things

Psst, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. YOU have a ton of knowledge, and that knowledge is valuable. And I'd guess you probably know even more than you think.

Musician Fabiana Claure realized this amid a period of burnout. But instead of trying to overwork herself, she learned to start being more protective of her time and more efficient with her offerings—and it's paid off big time. Now she's helping other musicians do the same thing.

We're talking all about how musicians can earn more money, how to market your work, and a couple of near-disaster gigs she's played.

Want to support the show? Head on over to the merch shop or buy a copy of my book!

Back before the days of the Internet, there was a role perhaps more valuable than just about any other: that of the corporate spy. Most people could barely stomach it for an hour, let alone a day. Yet through immense curiosity, concentration, and a "gift of gab," Robert Kerbeck became the world's top corporate spy, extracting information worth hundreds of millions of dollars for global companies.

His entire story is fascinating, and he's chronicled it in RUSE: Lying the American Dream from Hollywood to Wall Street. We're getting a sneak peek of it today.

We're also talking about why short stories are so valuable for writing, his most unusual audition as an actor, and the greatest working experiences he's had with celebrities.

Learn more about Robert and buy a copy of his book at robertkerbeck.com.

Support Good People, Cool Things by sharing this episode, picking up some merch at the shop or buying my book: Kind, But Kind of Weird: Short Stories on Life's Relationships. Thanks for listening!

This may surprise you, but running a business is hard work. In fact, your to-do list probably just grew by about four tasks in the time it took to read this sentence.

With so much going on, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Maybe your operations are in need of updates, or you want to grow your business but aren't sure where to start. Jessi Burg felt the same way, and she was discouraged by how little information there was out there to help small business owners.

So, she did something about it. Jessi is the founder of Outgrow Your Garage, which offers self-guided courses, tips, and resources for owners looking to grow their business. No matter the type of company, if you offer a service, you'll find plenty of value here.

Want to check out other episodes with more helpful content? Visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.

Will Wood isn't like most musical artists. He incorporates standup comedy into his shows. He writes songs about topics most people overlook, like the life of a mouse that's been trapped. And he hates social media — even as it's brought him tons of new fans and millions of new listens.

Sure, social media might be the downfall of us all, but there's plenty of good out there, too. From connecting with fans at live shows to being more vulnerable in songwriting, things aren't SO bad. We're talking about all of that and more in this episode.

Seinfeld went off the air nearly 25 years ago, and yet it's still one of the most popular sitcoms ever. That's largely thanks to Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David creating terrific characters and storylines about the odd quirks of our society.

Even though Seinfeld isn't airing new episodes, Seinfeld is still touring. And this episode's guest, Mark Schiff, has been touring alongside him for decades. In fact, Seinfeld wrote the foreword for Mark's new book, Why Not? Lessons on Comedy, Courage, and Chutzpah.

It is a wonderful read with plenty of cool people in it (fitting for this podcast) and it explores far more than comedy alone. And wouldn't you know it, this episode does the same: Mark shares some terrific life lessons and what he's picked up along the way. Plus, we have SEVERAL jokes at the end, instead of just one.

This episode is presented by MyLifeInABook.com. They offer a super fun way to get to know your loved ones better, collect timeless memories for future generations, and bring the family together! Use code "GPCT" at checkout or click right here and save.