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Media may not fundamentally change our behavior, but it can shape what we believe. That's why sharing messages of togetherness, unity, and genuine interactions is so important. Modello Brown is the founder of Hip Hop Littles, which is bringing cultures together through books, music, fashion, art, and much more. We’re chatting about how he creates the Hip Hop Littles characters, something that’s surprised him about marketing the brand, and his top three 90s cartoons. 

Rachel Hanson is Editor-in-Chief of the digital magazine Sound Sorceresses, highlighting women who are doing incredible work in audio storytelling. There aren’t a ton of spaces out there in this realm, which needs to change, because there are a LOT of cool women in podcasting and audio storytelling. We're talking about how Rachel got the idea for Sound Sorceresses, one of her favorite stories from the publication, and her foray into public office.

Welcome back to Good People, Cool Things! Bananas to think we're kicking off the SEVENTH season of this show. We're starting this season off in style with a true underdog story — or, more accurately, many underdog stories! After being cut from his 7th-grade baseball team, Tyler O’Shea has always found inspiration in athletes who have succeeded against the odds. That drive led to both a collegiate career on the diamond and the founding of Joker Mag, a digital media platform dedicated to inspiring underdog stories in sports. We’re chatting about how niching down has helped Tyler grow Joker Mag, why he’s found tremendous value in hearing from his audience, and his favorite recent underdog stories. Special shout-out to One Hit No Wonder for supporting the show! If you dig this podcast, you'll enjoy that one, too.

The new season of Good People, Cool Things is nearly upon us! This trailer is a sneak peek at what you can expect — and don't you worry, the corny jokes aren't going anywhere. Be sure to follow or subscribe to the show (depending on your listening platform of choice) to have all the episodes tastefully delivered to your earbuds starting on February 7. For more, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.

Welcome to the last episode of the year! There’s a lot more to come in 2024, and I’ll be back with the new season on February 7. For now, let’s wrap this season up in style! Jennifer Chen is a writer and the author of Artifacts of an Ex and the creator of Joy Ride, a lovely newsletter that highlights some of the brighter spots in life. And with the way 2023 went for a lot of us, that’s something we could all use. We’re talking about Jennifer’s writing journey and how she helps herself focus, what surprised her about her book launch day, and her favorite Ted Lasso episodes.

For much of their lives, Alejandro Martignon and Fred Taylor were never big coffee drinkers. Alejandro helped out in his grandma's cafe in Colombia, and Fred watched as his NFL teammates downed several Venti Starbucks cups during practice. But soon, the pair learned about mushroom coffee. Different fungi offer unique benefits, such as reduced stress, better brain health, and stronger energy and focus — without the afternoon crash. They partnered to create The Mushroom Coffee Company to share those benefits with coffee drinkers across the world. We're talking about the growth of mushroom coffee, the most surprising part of running a business, and a moment from Fred's NFL days that fans still bring up when they meet him.

If you’ve been keeping an eye on things this year, you’ve probably heard about the rise of AI. Artificial intelligence can have some scary implications, such as stealing jobs or impersonating voices to extort money from people over the phone. While that’s certainly a concern, there are plenty of people out there using AI for good. One of those guys is Gabriel Cowan, the founder of Audio Design Desk. The company uses AI to help make sound design easier, faster, and more efficient when creating movies or other content. Gabriel is also doing some fascinating stuff with AI and education. We’re talking about ways to improve your sound, the challenges with software design, and how Gabe turned a potentially disastrous live music gig around to win over the crowd.

Social media can be a powerful tool for musicians. And Josh Simons has seen the power it can have. He co-founded Vampr, the world’s largest and most active social media network specifically for musicians. Josh knows what musicians want because he’s had plenty of experience as one. He’s spent over a decade as an artist, songwriter, and producer, touring and working with folks like Carrie Underwood, Troye Sivan, and Travis Scott. Today, Josh heads the recently launched Vinyl Group. We’re talking about that new venture, how to properly use metadata to make money, the power of horizontal networking, and Josh’s worst gig as a touring musician. This episode is also supported by 6 Degrees of Cats! A delightful podcast featuring fascinating facts, stories, culture, and history about the mysterious world of felines.

Leif Cocks is the founder of The Orangutan Project. He’s developed conservation plans for orangutans and influenced positive change for orangutan protection and survival, including the first successful reintroduction of the zoo-born orangutan. Leif also educates people on the positive impacts orangutans have on forests and climate change. We’re talking about Leif’s first meeting with an orangutan, how he helps give them a second chance at life, and his favorite singer/songwriters. For more episodes, visit goodpeoplecoolthings.com.

There’s something magical about a holiday movie, isn’t it? Even the Grinchiest of people can find something to like when the Christmas spirit hits the silver screen. The music, the decorations, the treats…they’re all part of the experience, and it is an absolute delight. You might also have a friend who regularly hosts a holiday party, bringing friends and family together for a last soiree before the new year. For one Los Angeles neighborhood, Christine Weatherup is that friend. And her annual party was part of the inspiration for See You Next Christmas, a film she wrote, directed, and acted in. We’re talking about the process of making See You Next Christmas, what it’s like to shoot a movie in your own home, and one of Christine’s worst moments on a movie set.

Jessica Nguyen is a revenue-generating legal counsel at Lexion, a smart contract management system that uses AI to help customers gain insights into legal agreements. She’s had quite the impressive journey to get to where she is today — and she’s not afraid to let loose with some dancing when the situation calls for it. We’re talking about lessons she’s learned throughout her career, some of our best fast food jobs, and her favorite Paul Rudd films.

Erin Zhurkin has lived in several countries abroad, and she’s the author of Plus-Size in Paris, a fish-out-of-water story based on her own experiences living in the City of Love. We’re talking about Erin’s inner journey in writing her first novel, some of her favorite slang, and where she thinks America can step up its game. Special shout-out to the Misfits Makin’ It Podcast! If you dig this show, you’ll definitely enjoy all the misfits over there. Check it out!