"Everybody wants to eat, but Few Will Hunt."

Today on the podcast with Joey Bowen and Drew Beech, co-founders of the apparel brand and community Few Will Hunt.

Joey and Drew spent their daily commutes through the gritty streets of Philadelphia on the phone for a year straight.

On these calls, they talked about business and life — especially the trends of self-entitlement and shortcut-seeking they witnessed in society.

These trends made them feel alone in an ever-softening world. “Are we the only ones that still believe in the power of hard work?” Drew asked. Joey responded, “It’s like we say at my hunting cabin — everybody wants to eat, but few will hunt.”

This statement perfectly summed up their frustrations with society. It became their mantra.

Business, Culture, SocietyErich WenzelMay 8, 2023Few Will Hunt, Books, Podcast, Mindset, Motivation, CommunityComment

Zach Wagner on Non Toxic Masculinity

ZACHARY WAGNER is a writer, researcher, ordained minister––thinker of thoughts and feeler of feelings. Originally from Chicagoland, he now lives in Oxford, England, pursuing a DPhil (Ph.D.) in New Testament studies at Keble College, University of Oxford. He also serves as the editorial director of the Center for Pastor Theologians, where he co-hosts the CPT Podcast. His research interests include economics in the ancient world, divine wages in Second Temple Judaism and early Christianity, Pauline epistles, the Gospel of Matthew, and New Testament masculinities. His first book, Non-Toxic Masculinity: Recovering Healthy Male Sexuality, was published in 2023 with Intervarsity Press. Zach’s other writing interests include evangelical and “post-vangelical” Christian discipleship, theological formation, and speaking against church-based abuse.

Culture, Philosophy, SocietyErich WenzelMarch 26, 2023Zach Wagner, Non-Toxic Masculinity, ReligionComment

Film Deep Dive | Everything Everywhere All At Once

In this episode of the podcast, we are joined by Brandon Wenzel to discuss the film Everything Everywhere All At Once. The film was written and directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. Starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Key Huy Quan. We had recorded this conversation earlier in the year, and since then, the film has gone on to be nominated six times for the golden globes, winning two of them, one for best actress and one for best actor. I couldn't be more excited for the recognition this film is getting, as I couldn't help but share thoughts on how this film impacted me. At its core, I believe this film is a major step in describing the experience of being online and how we can be bombarded with anything simultaneously. Life to those online is too much, with no context to put it in its proper place. So please enjoy this deep dive into Everything Everywhere All At Once without further preamble!

CultureErich WenzelJanuary 15, 2023Film Deep Dive, Everything Everywhere All At OnceComment

AI Art and Ethics

In today's podcast, we are continuing our discussion on AI art. We covered more technical ground last week but barely scratched the surface of what people are worried about on the ethical side of this new technology. As with any new technology, there will be growing pains, and in the world of art, many living artists have voiced concern about being drowned out by the flood of AI-generated pieces that could pass off as originals. So join us as we wade into this complex and evolving topic of AI art!

Culture, TechnologyErich WenzelDecember 11, 2022AI Art, Ethics, Joe JackowskiComment

Jordan Criss on Workouts, One Year of Lockdown and Fulfillment

In today's episode, I'm joined by my friend, Jordan Criss. What makes this podcast a little bit special is that Jordan was actually in person for this episode.

I'm sure most of you will be able to tell the impact of in-person as I felt in this conversation. I think there's just a certain level of energy that is brought to the table. When two people are in the same room, having an engaging conversation. And I really had a good time talking to Jordan as always.

We talk about the difference or the effect of workouts and mindfulness slash meditation. Highlighting what we think about this first year of the pandemic lockdown starting and how different life feels one year later or one year of living through this situation.

Last but not least, that was the through-line of this entire conversation: fulfillment and Jordan's background around creative interests and how society doesn't help foster creativity in people. We can maybe get more ideas on the table to help create a society in which more people can engage in their creative side.

CultureErich WenzelApril 5, 2021Creativity, Films, Music, Society and Creativity, Fufillment, Jordan CrissComment

Mike Hagensick on Empowering Others

My guest today is Mike Hagensick, who is returning to the podcast. Mike is the co-founder of the E3 collective. The vision of the collective was sparked while Mike was a special education teacher working with children with complex needs. During this time, he worked with many great teachers, paraeducators, physical therapists, and occupational therapists through close collaboration and a shared vision of opportunity.

Students could access unique experiences and opportunities, leading to improved quality of life as Mike transitioned into his new role. He started the Panther Academy for Water Safety to promote evidence-based learning to swim and water safety instruction to individuals with diverse abilities by integrating high-level teaching and community. PAWS strives to deliver excellent programs for children regardless of their individual needs.

CultureErich WenzelJanuary 9, 2021Mike Hagensick, Podcast, E3 Collective, Special Education, Empowering Others, Equip, Encourage, EmpowerComment

Brian Sharp on Building, Failing and Rebuilding

Brian is a B2B technology executive and entrepreneur with 25 years of experience building start-ups and early-stage companies in roles ranging from founder to C-level executive. Along the way, he has experienced great success and devastating loss (and everything in between), but he is fortunate to have been mentored, supported, loved, and coached by some of the best and most talented humans ever.

Currently, he serves as President for SafetyChain Software, a fast-growing SaaS startup in the manufacturing sector, and President for a 501 (c)3 non-profit started by his kids, The Tower of Niceness, that provides “niceness for those in need”. When he’s not working on building his own company and teams, you’ll find him working on his passion for helping others do the same through writing on his blog (Help & Hustle) as well as hosting his podcast (High-Performance Happiness) - both of which are dedicated to helping leaders balance the art of building better companies and living better lives.

Business, CultureErich WenzelDecember 20, 2020Brian Sharp, Help and Hustle, Podcast, Entrepreneurship, Learning, Tim Ferriss, Hugh JackmanComment

Joe Jackowski on Between Safety and Autonomy

On today's podcast. I am joined by my friend Joe Jackowski. in this episode, we discuss what has been happening at the University of Michigan as this pandemic unfolds. The university's different policies are putting in place beyond that discussion shifts into how to think about the pandemic issue. What it seems to come down to is this idea between safety and autonomy for the individual

Jessica Matat on Trust, Comfort and Beliefs

Jessica Matat is an Egyptian-American freelance producer who got her Bachelor's degree in film and television at Boston University. She also studied filmmaking and fashion photography at New York Film Academy.

Nick Buegel on Change, Acceptance and Identity

My guest, today on the podcast, is Nick Buegel. In this conversation, we try to unpack how Nick has adjusted during this pandemic. Like many of you, this has been a time of extreme change. And change that many of us don't either want to happen or have to accept that's happening. All of our routines have changed and shifted and adjusted. And in many ways, we have to learn to lean into that change and accept it for what it is.

Adam Lowenstein on Achievement, Honing Craft and Voting

This is Adam's second time on the podcast. And we left our first conversation, which I'll link in the show notes with many cliffhangers and much more to unpack. We took a few weeks and reconnected. And in this conversation, we spend a lot of our time talking around achievement and reorienting the goalpost of our life and how we get swept up by short-term thinking and what we're doing as a selfish pursuit when trying to lead a more fulfilling life. In reality, you should try to develop yourself to be the best version of yourself because you can be a better person for those you care about. And then by proxy for the world. And we spend some time near the end of this conversation, talking about voting.

Value the Ideas of Others

Erich shares some ideas that he's been working through. In the last few weeks, the weight of the problems and chaos of the world almost feel insurmountable. At its worst, how can one person possibly make a real difference in the chaos?

On a more optimistic note, we can anchor in what we can control. Erich believes that starts with this, "You don't know what you don't know." What this means is that you have actively fill in the gaps by exposing yourself to people, places, and things that you've never experienced.

CultureErich WenzelJuly 20, 2020Conversations, Ideas, Empathy, Talking, Listening, Learning, Shared HuamnityComment

Protests, Morality, and Change

In this episode, I am joined by two of my closest friends Jordan Criss and Joe Jackowski. With both of them here, we dive into making sense of the events over the last few weeks.

Some topics we cover:

Jordan's experience at the Chicago Protest

Learning from the Surgeon Code of Ethics and Normative Errors

Daryl Davis as an example to break through racism

Dunbar's Number

Dave Chappelle

and much more!

Dierdre Wolownick: Stewardship, Traveling and Listening to Yourself

Dierdre is fascinating in what she provides to people, her outlook on the world. Being able to push back on norms of how people assume you should be. And also, the power of writing because she believes that what you tell yourself informs what you're capable of doing. When you say, Oh, I'm supposed to be this or I should be that that's another person Value. And she says, writes your own story. Or that's what she would say after talking to her. And so with that everyone. Please enjoy this conversation with Dierdre Wolownick.

Kevin Carroll: The Power of Play and Catalyzing Potential

It's Kevin's job to inspire businesses, organizations, individuals from CEOs, and school children to embrace their spirit of play creativity and maximize their human potential for more meaningful business and personal growth.

Here's a quote on his website where he sums up what he's all about.

“The master in the art of living makes little distinction between his work and his play.” James Michener.

I love this quote because it encapsulates who Kevin is to an insane degree. And in this conversation, you're going to hear the intensity that Kevin brings to the conversation.

And not only that, Kevin turns the tables on me. And in some ways, this conversation is not an interview. It is an active discussion in real-time we're playing in this conversation. And he picked me apart, and he understands what I bring to the table. And I think honestly, that's what this is all about, but we also talk a lot about how we can show up as humans in this crisis in this Great Pause so that we can be better people when we get through this.

Corey McCarthy: Vulnerability, Starting Over and Checking Your Ego

In this conversation, we are joined by Corey McCarthy. I wanted to have a conversation with after watching the film Just Mercy. At the time, I was interested in learning more about the prison system and someone who was a part of the prison system. After setting up to record, COVID-19 swept the world in about a week. This shifted our discussion to talk around the work Corey has done to change his mindset and, in many ways, start over.

Andy Vasily: Darkness, Movement and Self Discovery

Andy Vasily is an educator who wants to push his understanding of teaching and learning to a deeper level. Andy decided to begin blogging to share his teaching practice and connect with other educators and top researchers around the world. The value that he saw in this exchange of vision and practical applications led to an enriched professional learning journey that he has shared with practitioners and scholars alike.

This conversation is a continuation of our first conversation you can listen to here. The first conversation covered Andy’s experiences related to travel, recovery, and connection. In this conversation, we expand on Andy’s inner exploration, starting with darkness in his life and experiences. Andy shares what works for him to keep the darkness from overwhelming him. We expand on the ideas of self-discovery and reflecting on your journey to help guide others on there own.

Michael Greenberg: Dealing with Fear, Anxiety and Helping Others

Dr. Michael Greenberg is a Dermatologist dedicated to providing patients with state-of-the-art care at the Elk Grove office of Illinois Dermatology Institute. He specializes in medical dermatology, as well as treating patients with an emotional or spiritual component to their skin condition. He is a co-founder of Illinois Dermatology Institute.Dr. Greenberg embraces the benefits of a group practice, stating that "practicing in a group that is more family than corporate has added to my joy of being a physician."

In this conversation, Michael shares his insights on how to cope with heightened stress-related to COVID-19. Michael strives to be in service to his community for as long as he can and truly wants to make an impact on each person he connects with. Even though this conversation takes place during this time I believe the ideas are timeless; they are only more relevant given the current situation.