Latest / Crafted Connections / EP 60: Why Your Insignificance is Your Superpower with Jennifer Magley

Transcript

EP 60: Why Your Insignificance is Your Superpower with Jennifer Magley · Crafted Connections

0:04
SPEAKER_00: Hello and welcome to Crafted Connections.
0:07
SPEAKER_00: I am Kaelin Calhoun.
0:08
SPEAKER_00: Always pumped to have you here listening to the pod.
0:12
SPEAKER_00: We bring on guests, we talk about story, we talk about people's experiences, I'm here to give you a little bit of inspiration.
0:19
SPEAKER_00: I'm here to find things that'll make you go for what you want, do what you want to do, and then share it wide and far with the world.
0:27
SPEAKER_00: And today you are in for a treat because Jennifer Magley is on the pod.
0:32
SPEAKER_00: Ugh, this woman, she is so quotable.
0:35
SPEAKER_00: Holy goodness.
0:36
SPEAKER_00: Like, I would say there's at least 10 inspo quotes that'll drive your life in this episode.
0:42
SPEAKER_00: Jennifer has been doing this really cool thing called Stage Quest.
0:47
SPEAKER_00: It is season two of what she calls Quest.
0:50
SPEAKER_00: And let's break it down like this, just so we have context before we dig into this conversation with Jennifer.
0:55
SPEAKER_00: So essentially, Stage Quest is a hundred stages in 365 days.
1:01
SPEAKER_00: She sets a goal every 365 days and she takes them on like nobody's business.
1:07
SPEAKER_00: So I was fortunate enough to have her on the podcast for stage number 35.
1:13
SPEAKER_00: And as of this week, publishing the podcast, she has 50 stages down.
1:18
SPEAKER_00: 50 stages down and a little under 200 days to go.
1:21
SPEAKER_00: So let's just dig in with Jennifer.
1:24
SPEAKER_00: Let's get that inspiration.
1:26
SPEAKER_00: Let's take on our Thursday or whatever day you're listening to this.
1:29
SPEAKER_00: I'm so grateful you're here.
1:30
SPEAKER_00: And I'm extremely grateful that I got Jennifer on the pod today.
1:34
SPEAKER_00: So enjoy.
1:39
SPEAKER_00: Tell me a little bit about Quest.
1:40
SPEAKER_00: Tell me where it started.
1:42
SPEAKER_00: And then we'll I'll fill in the gaps as to like who you are, magical human, right?
1:47
SPEAKER_02: I, you know, I've been getting invited to a lot of universities to share about this live case study in ambush marketing, and some would call it brand jacking.
1:59
SPEAKER_02: Basically, it started just realizing that regardless of your political affiliation, you can now ride a personal brand all the way to the White House.
2:10
SPEAKER_00: That actually, what an impignant point that you just made.
2:14
SPEAKER_00: That is, and I think people don't, they don't like they get lost in the sauce with that.
2:19
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, they don't realize that the main points of crossover were WWE, reality television, ESPN, and name brand recognition.
2:30
SPEAKER_02: And so those were the four verticals that I identified.
2:33
SPEAKER_02: And it turned out that there was a a Bro Sports Talk Show films here in town that met those four.
2:39
SPEAKER_02: So there was WWE connection, yes, their broadcast, their podcast on uh ESPN every day.
2:47
SPEAKER_02: There was name recognition, and it is very similar to a reality TV show.
2:52
SPEAKER_02: So quest started when I said, what if I applied the strategies and tactics of unapologetically bombastic men and see if they work for everybody?
3:03
SPEAKER_02: That's what I get to, I've been getting to share with college students, and it's been so much fun.
3:11
SPEAKER_02: And the and so for for 365 days, I created content and it turned out to be 677 pieces of cot content, Caitlin, to try to land on the Pat McAfee show.
3:24
SPEAKER_02: So that was really a unique, unique experience because you know, you you don't see people doing things like that, especially folks that I call myself, you know, middle-aged, midwestern, melanated mom.
3:36
SPEAKER_02: You don't see that.
3:38
SPEAKER_02: But that's what made it compelling for a lot of people during season one.
3:42
SPEAKER_00: No, absolutely.
3:43
SPEAKER_00: And so I want to go into two things with this.
3:46
SPEAKER_00: Uh, let's start with like the inception of the idea.
3:48
SPEAKER_00: Like, where did like this even play, you know, you you are a very creative and very dynamic person.
3:55
SPEAKER_00: Like we've all heard speakers and keynotes, but like you, the way you move and like you almost have physical comedy in the way that you like speak.
4:04
SPEAKER_01: Well, thank you.
4:04
SPEAKER_01: Thank you.
4:05
SPEAKER_01: Yeah.
4:06
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
4:06
SPEAKER_00: And it's, I mean, it's so dynamic.
4:08
SPEAKER_00: And so I to give people who don't know you a little bit of that context too, right?
4:12
SPEAKER_00: Like you're not just like out here sending bold emails.
4:16
SPEAKER_00: It's like when if you actually like go to Jennifer's pages, like the videos are so dynamic.
4:21
SPEAKER_00: And like if you see her speak, it's so dynamic.
4:23
SPEAKER_00: So I just I want to give people that background.
4:25
SPEAKER_00: But the idea, what like where did the seed from?
4:28
SPEAKER_00: How did it all come to be?
4:29
SPEAKER_02: I'm in the gym, Caitlin, trying to transform my body.
4:32
SPEAKER_02: Again, middle-aged Midwestern mom.
4:34
SPEAKER_02: You know, I'm on my protein fiber kick.
4:36
SPEAKER_02: So we're three years into this.
4:38
SPEAKER_00: This is before Duncan and all the companies got on the protein kick, too.
4:42
SPEAKER_00: It's like, where are you gonna find your protein pre, you know, corporate America jumping on board?
4:47
SPEAKER_02: Big protein is after all of us.
4:49
SPEAKER_02: So I'm in the gym and I see that this show is on TV, and I'm like, what the heck is this?
4:55
SPEAKER_02: And it was kind of like, oh, I don't know.
4:57
SPEAKER_02: I don't know if I like it, I don't know if I don't like it.
5:00
SPEAKER_02: It's it's subtitles, so you can't hear it.
5:02
SPEAKER_02: I've got my music in.
5:03
SPEAKER_02: So when you just read the show and you're not hearing the nuance, you're not so certain.
5:08
SPEAKER_02: And what I realized is I actually love this show because I grew up with a lot of toxic masculinity, a lot of alpha males, and the thing that I wasn't liking was that it was missing me.
5:20
SPEAKER_00: And sometimes you're like, excuse me, where's Jennifer?
5:25
SPEAKER_02: Also, or someone that was a bro.
5:27
unknown: Yeah.
5:28
SPEAKER_02: Maybe didn't look like a bro.
5:30
SPEAKER_02: So I thought to myself, how pissed would you be if they brought in another contributor or quote contributor because of Stooge on the show?
5:39
SPEAKER_02: It doesn't mean that you were a seller athlete.
5:41
SPEAKER_02: It just means that you are goofy, you're silly, you love sports, and you talk trash.
5:45
SPEAKER_00: You're a big thing.
5:47
SPEAKER_00: And so the Pat, so the Pat McAfee show is just for my understanding, it's I mean, it's him, right?
5:54
SPEAKER_00: I anytime I go to lunch anywhere and they've got a TV, you see Pat.
5:57
SPEAKER_00: And I'm talking like, I'm living in Ohio now for the time being.
6:01
SPEAKER_00: And like, you know, originally I was like, oh, Indiana, that makes sense, right?
6:04
SPEAKER_00: But it's a national show, right?
6:06
SPEAKER_00: He's he's out here, like I always giggle to myself, PMS, like when I see like that's the initials for the show.
6:12
SPEAKER_00: And it's like there's no women to be seen on the show.
6:15
SPEAKER_00: But anyway, so like the Stooges, are those the like people who are accompanying him?
6:18
SPEAKER_00: Because I, in the same way, have consumed it where it's just subtitles.
6:22
SPEAKER_02: It's it is an elevated form of a sidekick.
6:24
SPEAKER_02: So there's there's two guys that are that are prominently featured that were not professional athletes.
6:30
SPEAKER_02: They got on the show by doing, you know, there was like an open call, I believe, back in the day.
6:35
SPEAKER_02: They made videos, one of them made videos and he got on.
6:38
SPEAKER_02: And then the other one, who is now, I I understand it, a producer on the show, he got on because he did a bunch of videos with Skits.
6:45
SPEAKER_02: And so I, you know, said, you know what?
6:47
SPEAKER_02: I'm gonna do the exact same thing as them, and let's see if it catches their attention.
6:52
SPEAKER_02: Let's see if we get an answer.
6:54
SPEAKER_02: Didn't think I'd ever get an answer.
6:55
SPEAKER_02: So I kicked it off by dressing as Pat McAfee and cutting a promo.
7:01
SPEAKER_02: I, you know, I got the Pat McAfee starter kit on Amazon, got my little crop, you know, wig, got uh double chains and a black tank, and I already had a gold watch and emulated the mannerisms with a bunch of junk and chotchkis on my desk.
7:18
SPEAKER_02: And so the thought was, let's make one video applying the tactics and see how they respond.
7:26
SPEAKER_02: And they responded same day, saying very accurate.
7:29
SPEAKER_02: And so that began the mere exposure effect, which is a principle from you know the 1800s, made made made popular in the 1960s by a psychologist, where if the person responds positively to a stimulus, you just need to expose them to the brand 20 more times.
7:50
SPEAKER_02: So since it was a positive vote of confidence, a little tee hee hee ha ha, then we say, all right, let's proceed 365 days.
8:01
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, let's go.
8:03
SPEAKER_00: I know, right?
8:03
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
8:05
SPEAKER_00: It's perfect.
8:06
SPEAKER_00: No, it's so perfect.
8:06
SPEAKER_00: It's just like, and you know, I'm doing this thing right now and it's raw, it's just for my own like creativity, but like to I'm I'm posting on Instagram daily like mini vlogs of of like what my day entails, right?
8:17
SPEAKER_00: Because every phone call that I jump on, people are like, where are you right now?
8:22
SPEAKER_00: Right.
8:23
SPEAKER_00: Because I'm doing this like nomadic journey and and I'm in a in a transitional chapter.
8:27
SPEAKER_00: So it's it's but but ultimately I didn't start out with like, let's do it for a whole year.
8:31
SPEAKER_00: But I love that transition you had.
8:33
SPEAKER_00: So, like, what did when you were like, cool, let's go through 65 days, did you connect with the folks that responded to your video, or did you just say, I'm gonna publicly announce it?
8:42
SPEAKER_00: Like, what was the transition there?
8:44
SPEAKER_02: So it just, you know, started off with moderate activity, right?
8:50
SPEAKER_02: I'm just gonna keep posting, you know, every day uh to kind of show who I am.
8:57
SPEAKER_02: But then a couple months in, I had that diagnosis with my vision that they didn't, they didn't know if I was gonna lose my vision.
9:06
SPEAKER_02: I thought I had an aggressive eye disease.
9:09
SPEAKER_02: That around January is when the quest went from like, oh, I see, you know, Jennifer Magley's trying to get on this show, to like if this is the last thing that I ever do, I am gonna go so hard.
9:25
SPEAKER_02: I'm gonna turn the silence, you know, to towards all of this content up so loud that it will be the most annoying thing in Indiana.
9:34
SPEAKER_02: Because also I love Tim Robinson with from I think you should leave.
9:39
SPEAKER_02: I love Nathan Fielder from Nathan Furle.
9:42
SPEAKER_02: I love awkward comedy.
9:43
SPEAKER_02: I'm inspired by those comedians.
9:46
SPEAKER_02: I'm in and I come from the era of Ashton Kutcher of this content, Caitlin, is not for those that are not familiar, wasn't like, oh, I want to be on the show.
9:56
SPEAKER_02: There's three fake shows that I created.
10:00
SPEAKER_02: Different shows with full series that I created in order to be on the show.
10:03
SPEAKER_02: Uh, the naked cowboy wrote a song for this.
10:07
SPEAKER_02: We had a a cannon, a t-shirt cannon that shot custom t-shirts into the Thunderdome with a 360 camera and a drone over the airspace and a mobile billboard downtown.
10:18
SPEAKER_02: We had a bit about the tampons, like you talked about.
10:21
SPEAKER_02: I was a tampon CEO firing someone at the company for printing.
10:25
SPEAKER_02: I got my box here, 500,000 boxes of the US tampons.
10:31
SPEAKER_02: That went viral.
10:32
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
10:33
SPEAKER_02: I edit myself into the show, and then that clip is what plays on the mobile billboard around Indianapolis with sound.
10:40
SPEAKER_02: And then I go and report in front of the billboard as though I'm not so these pieces of content are not just like, get ready with me.
10:50
SPEAKER_02: It's like get ready with me as I go shoot a t-shirt canon today.
10:54
SPEAKER_00: 100%.
10:55
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
10:56
SPEAKER_00: No, and it's it's also the layers, right?
10:58
SPEAKER_00: You're like, not only am I like on this billboard with sound, like let's talk about like the significance of that, but I'm also gonna dress up as a character to report on it.
11:06
SPEAKER_00: And you're like, she's layered.
11:07
SPEAKER_00: You can't be stopped.
11:08
SPEAKER_02: Hey, and you know what?
11:09
SPEAKER_02: And here's the thing about it these guys do the exact same thing with a much bigger budget.
11:15
SPEAKER_02: You know, they're taking their shirts off.
11:16
SPEAKER_02: I'm wandering around with no shirt on, also.
11:19
SPEAKER_02: Because if it's funny when a when a white guy takes his shirt off, it's funnier when someone with stretch marks, two kids deep into the middle life game, takes it off and is just as confident as you.
11:30
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
11:31
SPEAKER_02: So I think like that's what I that's what I wanted to do.
11:34
SPEAKER_02: So no, I never heard from the show about whether they liked it or hated it, was hoping that I would get a response.
11:42
SPEAKER_02: But after 365 days, we got a bunch of silence, which is perfect for season two.
11:48
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, it is perfect.
11:49
SPEAKER_00: It's also like because it's try doing something for that long.
11:53
SPEAKER_00: It's I I've been really encouraging, you know, myself and folks listening to the podcast about how the you know, do you know the um 1000 true fans concept where theory where like, yeah, so essentially the idea is like if you have a thousand true fans and they all pay a hundred dollars a year, then you essentially the math, you know, ekes out to a hundred K a year.
12:18
SPEAKER_00: Then you have essentially what is a livable, you know, amount.
12:21
SPEAKER_00: And and so like I've been thinking a lot about like when we show up and we're visible and we try like crazy ideas, like when it comes to it, like what is it?
12:29
SPEAKER_00: The like, you know, you reach for the stars, you might land on the moon kind of thing, or or vice versa.
12:33
SPEAKER_00: And going for it.
12:34
SPEAKER_00: And I think you you for for years have been talking about this.
12:37
SPEAKER_00: A mutual friend of ours, Caitlin Sullivan, always quotes to me.
12:40
SPEAKER_02: I love Caitlyn.
12:41
SPEAKER_02: She says, I mean, we do photographer, yeah.
12:43
SPEAKER_00: Amazing photographer.
12:44
SPEAKER_00: She's a she's just uh like a lovely business human to to know too.
12:48
SPEAKER_00: And she always quotes you in the the collecting the nose quote.
12:51
SPEAKER_00: What can you do?
12:52
SPEAKER_00: Oh yes.
12:53
SPEAKER_02: Yes, it's my job to collect nose.
12:55
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and so and so that's like what you're doing, but in a really fun way with this, you know, stage quest.
13:01
SPEAKER_02: You know, I think that in the state of Indiana, people need to know why a woman shows up on social media every day.
13:12
SPEAKER_02: And if I can provide people that consume content with a very clear North Star, then they can accept every single thing that I do.
13:24
SPEAKER_02: So if I tell them, I'm, you know, now it's your turn to help me land on a hundred stages.
13:28
SPEAKER_02: Maybe you like this, maybe you didn't.
13:30
SPEAKER_02: But it's it's your turn.
13:32
SPEAKER_02: You can grant that wish, you can be Pat McAfee.
13:35
SPEAKER_02: Well, then now we're activating the base for more fun, you know, more fun, more wild things from New York City Fashion Week.
13:47
SPEAKER_02: I sat front row with Christian Seriano to audition.
13:51
SPEAKER_00: We love Christian.
13:53
SPEAKER_02: He really is auditioning for Drewski.
13:56
unknown: Okay.
13:58
SPEAKER_02: He's, you know, 12 million followers on Instagram.
14:01
SPEAKER_02: Cool.
14:01
SPEAKER_02: All the way down to competing and milking a cow this summer at the state fair, going off to roller derby, not town roller derby, and I don't know.
14:08
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I saw the roller derby video.
14:09
SPEAKER_00: That was so cool.
14:10
SPEAKER_02: And this is these are the shenanigans that people want to see.
14:13
SPEAKER_02: People don't necessarily want to see you winning, they want to see you trying.
14:17
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and you're feeding, you're feeding your community too.
14:19
SPEAKER_00: Like you're you're giving attention to like, because like the you know, the local roller derby folks, you know, the not the people derby, they're the best.
14:27
SPEAKER_02: The best.
14:28
SPEAKER_02: Talk about experiencing aha moments.
14:31
SPEAKER_02: When I went out for that, they were so supportive.
14:34
SPEAKER_02: What really struck me when as I continued to fall down and be terrified of running into other people, they said to me, Your job is to take care of you.
14:44
SPEAKER_02: It's not to worry about other people running into you.
14:47
SPEAKER_00: Okay, well, that's my second goofbump moment with you today.
14:50
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, many times in life have we been so afraid of someone hurting us or or running into us or harming us or trying to anticipate what other people are gonna do.
15:01
SPEAKER_02: And I and it when you're uncomfortable, that's kind of where our base nature comes out.
15:06
SPEAKER_02: So what I'm finding is I'm in all of these rooms that you know I belong nowhere.
15:11
SPEAKER_02: So I am everywhere.
15:12
SPEAKER_02: So I get to experience what it's like.
15:15
SPEAKER_02: People don't realize that you can go to Fashion Week even though you're not in the business.
15:19
SPEAKER_02: Right.
15:19
SPEAKER_02: 100% looking to share is like, come on, like if you want to be in that room, be.
15:24
SPEAKER_02: You don't have to belong, just be in the room.
15:27
SPEAKER_00: I love.
15:28
SPEAKER_00: I love.
15:30
SPEAKER_00: Hey y'all.
15:31
SPEAKER_00: You know I love telling stories, gathering stories, and finding a way to help people connect their story with the people that will get it.
15:40
SPEAKER_00: And that's what my story strategy sessions are all about.
15:42
SPEAKER_00: So over at Calhoun Creative Consulting, my strategic storytelling firm, we do one-on-one and or facilitated workshops in relation to really honing in the strategy around your story.
15:55
SPEAKER_00: It's a bit of messaging, meets content creation, meets storytelling, and then how do we put that out in the world?
16:00
SPEAKER_00: How do we show up regularly?
16:02
SPEAKER_00: There's a bit of mindset work around it, right?
16:03
SPEAKER_00: To actually tell your story.
16:05
SPEAKER_00: Whether you're launching something new or trying to rework your brand or just feeling a little foggy on how to communicate with your people, this is how to get clear.
16:12
SPEAKER_00: We'll dig into things like your narrative, how to uncover what matters most, maybe map out a few content pillars while we're at it.
16:18
SPEAKER_00: You'll also get a recording of our session so you can revisit the conversation anytime you like.
16:22
SPEAKER_00: Let's shape a story that actually feels like you.
16:24
SPEAKER_00: So book yours today.
16:26
SPEAKER_00: There is a link in the show notes.
16:27
SPEAKER_00: And hey, while you're at it, use the code podcast, all caps, podcast for 25% off your session.
16:35
SPEAKER_00: I would be honored to spend time with you and suss out your story.
16:39
SPEAKER_00: Let's dive back into the episode, shall we?
16:44
SPEAKER_00: So can we back up to your the pivotal moment of the, you know, the first season, Stooge Quest, when you like had that vision scare and you were like, okay, now it's time to turn up the heat.
16:56
SPEAKER_00: It is like tell me about that experience and like what it looked like, maybe, you know, feelings-wise, action-wise, whatever, whatever you're drawn to share about it.
17:06
SPEAKER_00: Because that's real.
17:07
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, when they told me that I'm they thought I was losing my vision aggressively, it was the greatest sense of existential dread I've ever experienced.
17:19
SPEAKER_00: Oh, I believe.
17:19
SPEAKER_02: I've probably got two great fears in my life, and I got to confront one of them last year.
17:26
SPEAKER_02: And and I and frankly, I still have to go in every six months just to be certain that I'm, you know, it's not like I'm oh, I'm out of the woods, what a scary.
17:36
SPEAKER_02: Never mind, but no.
17:38
SPEAKER_02: Not yet.
17:40
SPEAKER_02: So I realized that I live, I'm like most people in America.
17:47
SPEAKER_02: We live in the middle of nowhere.
17:50
SPEAKER_02: And it's very hard to feel in the Midwest like you're a global citizen.
17:56
SPEAKER_02: A lot of times you feel like I live in Indianapolis, I don't live in the world.
18:00
SPEAKER_02: And I think that I'm not the only one that feels that way.
18:03
SPEAKER_02: But the reality is more places are like Indianapolis than New York, then LA, then Chicago, then Miami.
18:11
SPEAKER_02: So we all have this collective sense of all right, maybe big things aren't happening here, but it doesn't mean entertainment-wise, that doesn't mean that I cannot have big dreams since I am dreaming in this world of entertainment.
18:27
SPEAKER_02: And to be clear, uh, a lot of people don't understand fame and attention economy.
18:36
SPEAKER_02: Something like the Pat McAfee show signs a contract to be broadcast on ESPN for millions of dollars.
18:44
SPEAKER_02: You know, I think it was reported$84 million so that they can have bigger eyeballs, more eyeballs on their show because they want to hack the ESPN audience.
18:55
SPEAKER_02: They're getting paid to entertain the ESPN audience.
18:58
SPEAKER_02: And for someone like me to attempt to do the same, to get the attention of one brand is not outlandish.
19:06
SPEAKER_02: So how that ties into my vision is why not me, why not now?
19:10
SPEAKER_00: Perfect.
19:11
SPEAKER_00: Why not me, why not now?
19:13
SPEAKER_00: And I also think it's important, even though, like, you know, we have those those scares and those moments, like it's like, and that's why I love doing this podcast is like sharing experiences like that and people then recognizing, oh, I'm not going through that and what what am I doing?
19:27
SPEAKER_00: You know, and like taking a look at their lives and being like, how can I, how can I turn it up just a little bit today?
19:33
SPEAKER_00: Or, or, you know, or or a lot of bit, depending on how they're feeling.
19:37
SPEAKER_00: And I just absolutely love that.
19:39
SPEAKER_00: So then we're, you know, we're going through season one.
19:41
SPEAKER_00: And I love, I love what you're talking about, bringing it to, you know, you people are following you in this, and then you get to like season two, and you're like, cool, you've been excited.
19:50
SPEAKER_00: Now it's your opportunity to like to have the mic with me.
19:54
SPEAKER_00: And that's so cool.
19:55
SPEAKER_00: At what point in the season one were you like, ooh, what if I invite people in next time?
20:01
SPEAKER_00: When when were you like, ooh, it's time for season two?
20:03
SPEAKER_00: Like, I and I also want to acknowledge, and and we'll go into this a little bit more, but I love how yes, you've got enthusiasm.
20:10
SPEAKER_00: Yes, you're you know, approaching it in a bombastic way.
20:13
SPEAKER_00: Like, uh, but it's just like so data driven as well.
20:15
SPEAKER_00: You're really acknowledging this, this, this, this, right?
20:18
SPEAKER_00: Like, you're not just being like, today I'm gonna film in front of a billboard.
20:21
SPEAKER_00: No, you have to do the research, you have to do this.
20:23
SPEAKER_00: You're you're referring to like psychological terms in marketing, in business.
20:28
SPEAKER_00: Like you are the ultimate definition of boss.
20:31
SPEAKER_00: Like, you can't be stopped.
20:33
SPEAKER_02: Well, I'll tell you what, there's two books that I that I drew from when you know, being the architect of this quest.
20:40
SPEAKER_02: One was all the worst people, and he was the the PR guy for Gaddafi.
20:46
SPEAKER_02: And the other one is Trust Me, I'm lying by Ryan Holliday, who's now the stoic dad, right?
20:52
SPEAKER_02: And they all have to do with attention economy, mass manipulation, persuasion, and strategy.
20:59
SPEAKER_02: So when you go into something like this, understanding the brand that you're targeting, I I think that is the key.
21:07
SPEAKER_02: So when we we launched the uh t-shirts into the Thunderdome because the team loves the Terminator.
21:16
SPEAKER_02: So if you look at the preview of the Terminator and you look at the content, that specific piece of content, pretty much frame for frame for the preview for this film is going to be that because that's what they like.
21:29
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
21:29
SPEAKER_02: Right.
21:30
SPEAKER_00: And when you say the team, you're talking about the Pat McAfee team.
21:33
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, the PMS team.
21:34
SPEAKER_02: You know, they've they they like whatever it is that they like, that's the space that we're gonna play in.
21:40
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
21:40
SPEAKER_02: And it's authentic because I share the same interests, but it's funny because we all know that I'm not what you want in your studio, which is why we created Stooge Quest, which is me out on the streets asking people street interview questions.
21:58
SPEAKER_02: So that that third hour, which Tends to drag its broadcast on YouTube.
22:02
SPEAKER_02: They have something to talk about.
22:04
SPEAKER_02: How cool to have a man on the street, air quotes, a stooge on the street, as we called it, and they have something else to talk about because listen, it just turns into QVC at some point.
22:14
SPEAKER_02: What are you doing this weekend?
22:15
SPEAKER_02: What are you doing this weekend?
22:16
SPEAKER_00: 100%.
22:17
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
22:22
SPEAKER_02: I'm not even in the studio.
22:23
SPEAKER_02: I'm on the team because I love the brand.
22:25
SPEAKER_02: Let's go.
22:26
SPEAKER_02: So that's the offering, that's the strategy, that's the data behind it.
22:30
SPEAKER_02: Was it cool that now Stooge Quest, when you type in what is a Stooge or Stooge with AI, you know, on Google, that we dominated that space?
22:37
SPEAKER_02: Sure.
22:37
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
22:38
SPEAKER_00: Would that mean and that like wasn't the that was like a like a side perk, right?
22:42
SPEAKER_00: Like that wasn't like we're gonna go out, we're gonna get this AI optimization.
22:46
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
22:47
SPEAKER_02: I think most people on social media are missing out on in regards to their opportunities.
22:54
SPEAKER_02: What happens when you create content for one brand to accomplish one thing as opposed to trying to go viral?
23:03
SPEAKER_02: Going viral would not help me get on that show.
23:06
SPEAKER_02: Going viral would not help anything because it's one person that determines you know, within one huge brand who gets on that thing.
23:16
SPEAKER_02: So when you don't have the constraints of feeling that you need to be popular, you don't care.
23:21
SPEAKER_02: So I don't care.
23:22
SPEAKER_02: I don't need to be viral to make money on stage.
23:25
SPEAKER_02: I just need people to tell me yes.
23:27
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, 100%.
23:29
SPEAKER_00: Well, and then that's is that where that's where brand hacking essentially comes in, right?
23:32
SPEAKER_00: You're like you're connecting with a brand, and the people who connect with that brand are now like kind of connecting with you.
23:37
SPEAKER_00: Am I understanding that?
23:38
SPEAKER_02: So Ryan Holliday talks about it, and the term that he he these aren't his exact words, but I would say I would rephrase him by saying it's a bit like riding a whale.
23:51
SPEAKER_02: And so now a year later, when everyone, you know, when I'm out and about, or people that are familiar with this with this quest, the question is, have they ever responded?
24:01
SPEAKER_02: Why aren't you on the Pat McAfee show?
24:03
SPEAKER_02: A year ago, that would never even be.
24:06
SPEAKER_01: Nobody's out here.
24:08
SPEAKER_01: And it's funny.
24:09
SPEAKER_01: Come on, it's hysterical.
24:11
SPEAKER_01: It is, yeah.
24:12
SPEAKER_01: That's so ridiculous.
24:14
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
24:15
SPEAKER_01: People know.
24:16
SPEAKER_00: Because you're also your people love you.
24:18
SPEAKER_00: They love you and they wanted they wanted you to say, I don't know.
24:20
SPEAKER_00: And that's something I think we we like don't we count ourselves out on like like the people around you are cheering you on, so they're like, yeah, like they're almost like a bunch of mothers.
24:29
SPEAKER_00: They're like, of course you should be on the show.
24:31
SPEAKER_00: You're perfect, sweetie, because you are.
24:34
SPEAKER_02: Caitlyn, there were women out at the Super Bowl that are like on entertainment tonight that are called Osprey, um, Osprey Collectives.
24:42
SPEAKER_02: And they said they saw him, they started chanting my name, Maggie, Maggie.
24:46
SPEAKER_02: This poor guy during the Combine.
24:48
SPEAKER_02: Somebody called me up.
24:50
SPEAKER_02: I ran into him face to face, and I asked him when he's bringing you on the show.
24:53
SPEAKER_02: And I'm just like, oh my God, I love you.
24:55
SPEAKER_02: I know.
24:56
SPEAKER_02: At the same time, I feel so bad for Pat McAfee because I mean, what is he supposed to do?
25:02
SPEAKER_02: I think he could answer and that could stop all of it.
25:05
SPEAKER_02: But why?
25:06
SPEAKER_02: You know, why?
25:07
SPEAKER_02: Why I say this often.
25:09
SPEAKER_02: My insignificance is what empowers me.
25:11
SPEAKER_00: Yes, yes.
25:12
SPEAKER_00: I love that.
25:13
SPEAKER_02: I love that.
25:14
SPEAKER_02: So if I'm nobody and I don't even deserve an answer, then I can keep doing whatever I want to do.
25:21
SPEAKER_02: So it's perfect.
25:23
unknown: Perfect.
25:24
SPEAKER_00: How awesome is that it's so awesome.
25:27
SPEAKER_00: It's so incredible.
25:28
SPEAKER_00: And I and it's like and so inspiring.
25:31
SPEAKER_00: Like it's just so good for people to like hear this experience that you've had.
25:35
SPEAKER_00: And like, because and it goes back to what I shared with you a little bit earlier, which is, you know, people, the first thing they say to me when I'm on the phone with them is like, where are you?
25:43
SPEAKER_00: kind of thing.
25:44
SPEAKER_00: Because they know I'm on the move, you know, and they're and to be fair, I really haven't moved all winter.
25:48
SPEAKER_00: But like, you know, when I reconnect with people in the last like five, six months, they don't necessarily know because what they do know.
25:54
SPEAKER_00: And it's just so fascinating how yeah, you can just like build something in a year like you have, and then and then your community's like, let's go.
26:02
SPEAKER_02: Right at dawn.
26:03
SPEAKER_02: These books, they will roll out for me.
26:06
SPEAKER_02: It is so amazing.
26:08
SPEAKER_02: And here's my favorite thing: the people that hate it, baby, I own space in your brain too.
26:14
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
26:15
SPEAKER_00: You own space in Pat McAfee's brain.
26:17
SPEAKER_00: Like, if people I don't know, he who knows.
26:19
SPEAKER_00: I mean, I'm not like I'm not saying you're saying that.
26:22
SPEAKER_00: I'm just saying it.
26:23
SPEAKER_00: You know what I'm saying?
26:24
SPEAKER_00: So, like, we don't have to say that you said that here, but it's one of those things where it's like if people are bugging him all the time, he's like, Who is this woman?
26:31
SPEAKER_00: You know, like where's she coming from?
26:33
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, I'm sorry.
26:34
SPEAKER_00: I mean, yeah.
26:36
SPEAKER_02: Like, I they were a rocket ship.
26:37
SPEAKER_02: These folks, they don't need me.
26:39
SPEAKER_02: Who gives a F, right?
26:40
SPEAKER_02: But but at the same time, the moment that has been created is a win-win for him.
26:47
SPEAKER_02: He has a fan who thinks the show is fantastic.
26:51
SPEAKER_02: He can say yes.
26:53
SPEAKER_02: Oh my gosh, dreams come true.
26:55
SPEAKER_02: What a great guy that made this crazy person's dream happen.
27:00
SPEAKER_02: He can say no politely and say, Oh, appreciate your enthusiasm.
27:05
SPEAKER_02: Seats taken.
27:06
SPEAKER_02: We'll keep you in mind.
27:07
SPEAKER_02: Should that ever change?
27:08
SPEAKER_02: And of course, I would respect that, right?
27:10
SPEAKER_02: That's what an amazing.
27:11
SPEAKER_02: I would, I would have loved to know, you know, or he could be nasty and make me Taylor Swift, and he can be Kanye.
27:17
SPEAKER_00: So it's like a bunch of moments.
27:20
SPEAKER_00: It's like, and that's what are you, I you said uh live cultural experiment is what you're doing.
27:27
SPEAKER_00: It's so fascinating.
27:28
SPEAKER_02: There's no losing here.
27:29
SPEAKER_00: No, no problem.
27:30
SPEAKER_02: How would he he has nothing to lose by saying yes, no, or not responding?
27:35
SPEAKER_02: Because the coolest thing about him not responding is he can still have me on at any moment because he's wizard of oz, right?
27:42
SPEAKER_00: It's not going anywhere.
27:43
SPEAKER_00: It's not going anywhere.
27:44
SPEAKER_00: Oh my goodness.
27:45
SPEAKER_00: Well, and I do want to come back to your your like ride at dawn crew.
27:49
SPEAKER_00: And I want to acknowledge that like that comes from as well.
27:52
SPEAKER_00: Like, I mean, it took you like you maybe responded to me in 10 minutes when I, you know, DM'd you on LinkedIn about this, right?
27:59
SPEAKER_00: I was just like, does this count as one of your stages, you know?
28:01
SPEAKER_00: And and and the thing is, it's like, it's like because you give back to your people and like you know, because you're you are a busy lady and I respect your time so much, and I was so grateful you said yes.
28:11
SPEAKER_00: And it's also one of those things where it's like, but the fact of the matter is because you are so gracious, like, of course people are gonna ride it, Dawn for you.
28:19
SPEAKER_00: You know what I'm saying?
28:19
SPEAKER_00: Like it's like it makes sense to me, like the math, math.
28:23
SPEAKER_00: And I love it.
28:23
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, thank you.
28:24
SPEAKER_02: I tell you what, this is stage 35 on the way to 100.
28:28
SPEAKER_00: What a great number.
28:29
SPEAKER_00: What a great number.
28:30
SPEAKER_02: Stage 35 is my dad's number, my siblings' number in basketball.
28:34
SPEAKER_02: So it is a special number.
28:36
SPEAKER_02: Perfect.
28:36
SPEAKER_02: And you know, I think that I'm really fortunate to have people in my life that are like, yes, I will introduce you for a documentary short so we can get this on the the film, you know, the film festival circuit, qualify you for Academy Award nomination potentially.
28:54
SPEAKER_02: Yes, I think a serial vertical is a great idea.
28:58
SPEAKER_02: How do we get you in front of Netflix, HBO, Prime?
29:01
SPEAKER_02: I mean, these are the these are the dreams, these are what's next.
29:04
SPEAKER_02: You know, I've got asked, oh, what would you want to MC?
29:07
SPEAKER_02: You've you've you know, you've done things now with WWE, you've NFL Media Day, you are out on ESPN doing Microsoft Excel World Championship, you've been hired to do comedy, and they say, Well, what's the big V vision?
29:19
SPEAKER_02: I'm like all of it.
29:20
SPEAKER_02: Why count it out?
29:22
SPEAKER_02: You know, if if if it if I have the opportunity, I'm happy to do it.
29:26
SPEAKER_02: But you know, I think that Indianapolis and what I do is unique in the sense that I am really not a social media person.
29:41
SPEAKER_02: The social media just backs up the messaging and the outreach that I'm doing behind the scenes.
29:49
SPEAKER_02: So that when somebody answers my message and looks on my social, they say, Oh, she really is serious about this.
29:54
SPEAKER_02: So when I spoke at Butler, they were I just had follow-up calls.
29:58
SPEAKER_02: Some students asked to meet with me, which is so sweet.
30:01
SPEAKER_02: I just got on here today.
30:02
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, I want to be clear the social media alone is not gonna move the needle.
30:07
SPEAKER_02: You have to do the real life work behind the scenes to make things happen.
30:12
SPEAKER_02: So yeah, that's that's what's so special about that group.
30:16
SPEAKER_02: And and a lot of people are new, and even the quest is new to everyone.
30:21
SPEAKER_02: Nobody outside of Indianapolis has probably heard of this.
30:24
SPEAKER_02: So that's why if with if this was euphoria and you know how they just wrap a season, now we go back and edit, and how do we open this up to the broader world for season one of Quest?
30:36
SPEAKER_00: Very cool.
30:37
SPEAKER_00: Okay, so to go back to your experience during season one and when you were like, cool, we're gonna introduce Stage Quest as our next season, you know, Stooge Quest season one, stage quest season two.
30:48
SPEAKER_00: When did that kind of happen?
30:49
SPEAKER_00: Why, what was the timeline?
30:50
SPEAKER_00: What was the pivot?
30:51
SPEAKER_00: What was the inception of like, cool, we're gonna keep going?
30:54
SPEAKER_00: You know, she she's she's done 365, she's about to complete 365.
30:58
SPEAKER_00: The the what's next question for us quest.
31:01
SPEAKER_02: And at 365, we had a huge party, by the way.
31:04
SPEAKER_02: Let's pop in and broad ripple, which is sadly.
31:08
SPEAKER_02: Oh, yeah, not the business, but the location.
31:12
SPEAKER_02: And I was really hoping that we would have a thumbs up or a thumbs down, and I was thrilled with either one.
31:18
SPEAKER_02: And unfortunately, I thought we had an answer, but turns out we didn't.
31:22
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, but it goes back to what you were sharing that win-win.
31:25
SPEAKER_00: I it makes total sense of like the not response with like a, you know, because like they're keep like someone's keeping their eye on you potentially.
31:31
SPEAKER_00: And it's like it's like a and in the in the air, but you're like, you're not gonna stop, you're gonna move forward with something else in the meantime.
31:38
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I love I I don't know if they'll ever have me on, but I will say that it ended on November 12th, because it started on November 12th, 2024.
31:49
SPEAKER_02: Stage Quest ran until November 12th, 2025.
31:53
SPEAKER_02: And two days later, we announced Stage Quest and began the momentum for that, like starting from scratch.
32:01
SPEAKER_02: I decided probably towards the end of Stooge Quest that what would the what would the next quest look like?
32:09
SPEAKER_02: Would the next quest to be on someone else's show when I pick someone else?
32:14
SPEAKER_02: And but I wouldn't because the PMS show is filmed in Indianapolis.
32:19
SPEAKER_02: So that is the proximity for like the yard signs, all of that.
32:24
SPEAKER_00: The significance of that is a big deal.
32:34
SPEAKER_01: Totally, totally.
32:35
SPEAKER_02: So then I was like, you know what?
32:37
SPEAKER_02: I think we just we went really we went really focused on like one minute, one one little tiny thing, right?
32:46
SPEAKER_02: Which was getting on this show.
32:48
SPEAKER_02: Now let's broaden it.
32:50
SPEAKER_02: I mean, if we went like micro, then let's go macro and get on a hundred different stages, implore some of the same type of vibes that you know you saw with like dirty jobs.
33:04
SPEAKER_02: You remember the guy that did all these different dirty jobs for CNN, and he used to have a show about that.
33:09
SPEAKER_00: Yes, yes, Mike Rowe.
33:11
SPEAKER_00: Actually, that's weird that I his name just came to my mind.
33:14
SPEAKER_00: I'm not out here thinking about him that often, but there you go.
33:16
SPEAKER_00: Go, Mike Rowe.
33:17
SPEAKER_00: But that goes to the brand.
33:18
SPEAKER_00: Yes, so the dirty jobs.
33:19
SPEAKER_02: And then start to show what it looks like for a middle-aged Midwestern mom to be front row fashion week, to be at a farm, to be in all the to to win a shrimp cocktail eating competition with St.
33:32
SPEAKER_02: Almo in front of a packed house at Gain Bridge and train for that.
33:37
SPEAKER_02: I'm not good with spicy food.
33:39
SPEAKER_02: And you know, just really create this lore around the quest and what even counts as a stage.
33:47
SPEAKER_02: People are wondering what is a stage?
33:49
SPEAKER_02: A stage is anything with an audience, an intentional audience.
33:52
SPEAKER_03: Totally.
33:53
SPEAKER_02: So that's what I want to show people in Indiana and beyond is I have never seen a melanated mom in a shrimp cocktail eating competition.
34:02
SPEAKER_02: Like, I want to see myself in spaces that I have never seen.
34:05
SPEAKER_02: And I don't care if I do well, I'm just always going to try my hardest.
34:09
SPEAKER_00: That's for sure.
34:10
SPEAKER_00: I love that.
34:11
SPEAKER_00: I love that.
34:12
SPEAKER_00: So, with that, like what when someone else is like trying to figure out their version of this, like what do you do people come up and ask?
34:19
SPEAKER_00: I mean, and we could kind of even do a like, like, how would someone find their own version of what you're doing and how you're showing?
34:27
SPEAKER_02: Ambush marketing.
34:28
SPEAKER_00: I think for me, it is I feel that I know a bit works when I go, like your response to like someone else doing it or the fact that you have to do it and you're like, oh god.
34:46
SPEAKER_00: Both.
34:47
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
34:48
SPEAKER_00: All the above.
34:49
SPEAKER_02: So if you if you have the appetite for ambush marketing, if you are willing to take, you know, a recording of what someone said about you, turn it into a mixtape, and hire uh a break dancer to do choreo for it.
35:03
SPEAKER_00: Speaking from a friend's perspective, totally.
35:05
SPEAKER_00: Never, never heard of it, never.
35:06
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
35:06
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, you know, we did that.
35:08
SPEAKER_02: I got tutoring from the same dancer to the same clip of somebody talking about me.
35:12
SPEAKER_02: I mean, if you're really willing to push all the chips in, I think you play the game and you say, What if I was gonna lose, fill in the blank about myself?
35:24
SPEAKER_02: What would I do for the next year?
35:26
SPEAKER_02: And that is your North Star.
35:28
SPEAKER_02: If I'm gonna whatever, whatever sense you love about yourself, like your sense, your physical senses, that will stir some kind of crazy creativity within you that that makes you go, Wow, I don't know if that's it, but I'm sure gonna try.
35:47
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah.
35:49
SPEAKER_00: You know, I heard you speak, gosh, what year was that?
35:52
SPEAKER_00: Maybe like 2017 for IWL when I was I was like, yeah, I was like, I was I was their videographer a few years in a row.
36:00
SPEAKER_00: And I remember you speaking on their stage, you know, oh gosh, I feel like it was seven lifetimes ago, right?
36:05
SPEAKER_00: I think the the thesis behind your your talk that day was was like basically like, hey, let's talk about our dream, let's talk about our vision, and then I want you to go bigger.
36:14
SPEAKER_00: Like I've you were challenging everybody in the audience to go bigger.
36:17
SPEAKER_00: And that feels like this, but even more fun, right?
36:19
SPEAKER_00: Like, like it's like, okay, like I want to attempt ambush marketing or like push myself in this category of my life.
36:27
SPEAKER_00: How do I stretch it even further?
36:28
SPEAKER_00: And it's like you said, it's like that reaction, that like visceral, like, oh God, what am I doing?
36:33
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, I that's so sweet that you remember that.
36:36
SPEAKER_02: That was my first time speaking in front of like nearly three.
36:39
SPEAKER_00: It's a big group.
36:40
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
36:40
SPEAKER_02: That was my I've I've learned so much since then.
36:43
SPEAKER_00: But then that goes back to, I think I said this earlier.
36:46
SPEAKER_00: It is wild.
36:47
SPEAKER_00: And it's also you like you said, you put all the chips in.
36:49
SPEAKER_00: You do, like even like it, it because you've seen keynote speakers, like, and and and they do have great messages.
36:56
SPEAKER_00: But the way that, again, like your movement on stage was very like, I'm gonna get your attention, I'm gonna wake you up, kind of thing.
37:02
SPEAKER_00: And then we're gonna, and then we're gonna dream together.
37:05
SPEAKER_00: Let's go.
37:06
SPEAKER_00: Um because yeah, they're there, and it was fun.
37:07
SPEAKER_00: I mean, as an editor on the video of that stage, like to like cut in your like your movement, you know, like on stage turning around, like really made the highlight reel look really great, which again goes to like if you you showing up, then raises the people around you, kind of thing.
37:23
SPEAKER_00: So my point is I see you doing that here too, with with that.
37:27
SPEAKER_00: And and it's really cool to like see the theme carry through and just become more and more authentic.
37:32
SPEAKER_00: And so it's like the more chips you put in, the more you commit to the bit, like you actually become more yourself.
37:37
SPEAKER_02: Yes.
37:38
SPEAKER_02: You know, I've said previous like before that I feel that anyone that hires me to be on stage or invites me, they will know more who of who I am than any employer I ever had before I took a job.
37:52
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and that's why even like a you know, a PMS bringing me in as an intern or not bringing me in, they actually know what they're getting themselves into.
38:03
SPEAKER_02: Yeah.
38:03
SPEAKER_00: So it's right, because you're telling them your flavor ahead of time.
38:06
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and and you know theirs.
38:08
SPEAKER_02: I mean, how cool if you could watch a couple weeks or months or years of the workplace that you would want to go into and still say yes.
38:15
SPEAKER_02: I think that's what makes it special.
38:18
SPEAKER_02: So for but but the unique, I will just go back to like this you this really unique uh moment that we're in with social media that traps a lot of people up.
38:29
SPEAKER_02: I was chatting with the stud the student today from Butler, and I believe that there's on one hand, social media is like junk mail.
38:39
SPEAKER_02: Like if a lot of people are not even familiar with junk mail because we don't get it as much anymore from your mailbox, not your email.
38:46
SPEAKER_02: Because it's it's just disposable content, right?
38:50
SPEAKER_02: And since it's junk mail, to me, I find that freeing.
38:54
SPEAKER_02: The problem is when we when we view it as a legacy piece.
39:00
SPEAKER_02: So, okay, I'm gonna put this out, but what if this is the last thing I ever buy and it lives longer than me?
39:07
SPEAKER_02: It's like really I mean, maybe that's a content issue, not in the fact whether you should post or not.
39:16
SPEAKER_02: So, in my view, there's different types of content that you can post.
39:21
SPEAKER_02: And sure, some of my pieces were more edited, you know, and I learned how to do all these things myself.
39:28
SPEAKER_02: They were cleaner, they were crisper.
39:30
SPEAKER_02: That doesn't mean it's gonna be the piece that performs well.
39:34
SPEAKER_02: So I just want to encourage anybody who's like, how do I start this ambush marketing?
39:39
SPEAKER_02: What can I learn?
39:40
SPEAKER_02: I mentioned those two books earlier, but also just consider doing something that makes you feel like you want to throw up.
39:50
SPEAKER_01: That's how you know.
39:52
SPEAKER_01: That's how you know that every day I woke up, I was like, freaking hey, man.
39:59
SPEAKER_00: Oh God, here we go.
40:01
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, no, and it's that's why that's why I brought back that talk I filmed of yours back in the day, because it I remember being like, okay, how do I get bigger?
40:09
SPEAKER_00: How like what you know, and it's almost like your brain stops you to protect you from like getting to that stage.
40:15
SPEAKER_00: And and so I love that that now I've got like an actual like physical experience that will like indicate cool, she's hit the mark, like on like the goal setting or the vision.
40:25
SPEAKER_02: 100%.
40:26
SPEAKER_02: I've ever I've ever gone viral.
40:28
SPEAKER_02: Like I went viral on LinkedIn for not having a job, for being laid off during the pandemic.
40:33
SPEAKER_02: I thought I was gonna be sick everywhere in my room before I posted that, you know, and even afterwards, I was like, oh yeah, oh yeah, yeah.
40:40
SPEAKER_02: I am waiting right now to see if I made it made the cut on the Drewski show.
40:44
SPEAKER_02: I feel like I want to throw up.
40:47
SPEAKER_00: Like, yeah, you know, it's just it's so it's not just one point of throwing up, there's multiple potential throw-up moments for you.
40:54
SPEAKER_00: You're like, how much more can I?
40:55
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
40:56
SPEAKER_02: Because I think it's just like the it's the ego.
41:01
SPEAKER_03: Yeah.
41:02
SPEAKER_02: Because you wanna, yeah, it's a weird dance to say your show's so great, but it it would be better if I was on it.
41:08
SPEAKER_02: And yeah, it's weird.
41:10
SPEAKER_02: Some people hate that.
41:11
SPEAKER_02: And I'm like, cool, good for you.
41:13
SPEAKER_02: You don't have a show, you're not gonna put me on it.
41:17
SPEAKER_02: So to me, being the thing that I'm afraid that I used to be afraid of being too much, it's like, oh, am I too much?
41:27
SPEAKER_02: Oh, you don't think I'm too much?
41:29
SPEAKER_02: Let's try again.
41:30
SPEAKER_02: Until finally, I'm so much that I've just got to make a tutorial video of how you can unfollow me if you're not familiar with how to unfollow me because I'm just so damn much, right?
41:41
SPEAKER_00: I gotta I'm gonna link that in the show notes though.
41:44
SPEAKER_00: Like, that's good.
41:45
SPEAKER_00: That's so good.
41:46
SPEAKER_00: You're like, thank you, unsubscribe if you can't.
41:50
SPEAKER_02: You I do unlock it.
41:52
SPEAKER_02: How to unsubscribe because nobody is forcing anyone to watch, engage, or like this content.
42:00
SPEAKER_02: And everyone has opinions.
42:02
SPEAKER_00: You get to curate what you're consuming.
42:04
SPEAKER_00: And so if you're out here and you just want to be on the hate train, excuse me, thank you so much.
42:09
SPEAKER_00: Goodbye.
42:10
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
42:11
SPEAKER_02: It's fine.
42:12
SPEAKER_02: Send me a hate email, and I'm gonna make it into a t-shirt, and then I'm gonna shoot that shirt back into the Thunderdome.
42:18
SPEAKER_02: So I just into the Thunderdome.
42:21
SPEAKER_02: It's all content to me.
42:23
SPEAKER_00: It is, and they go to go back to your point about people being like, oh, what if this is my legacy and people remember this in the future and archaeologists find it's like it's like we're holding it too sacred because especially now, yeah.
42:34
SPEAKER_00: It's and especially as like the slop machine is like churning and turning, and like you're here to have a good time, you're here like with this one life, you're doing the dang thing.
42:45
SPEAKER_00: And I say you, meaning you, Jennifer, me, Caitlin, and everybody listening.
42:49
SPEAKER_00: Like it's like we're doing the thing.
42:51
SPEAKER_00: And I love Caitlin.
42:52
SPEAKER_02: The thing that's changed from 2017 to 2026 for me is I used to be here for your edification.
43:03
SPEAKER_02: I really wanted to help people, I really wanted to change people's lives, right?
43:09
SPEAKER_02: But now I'm not here for your edification, I'm here for your entertainment.
43:14
SPEAKER_02: And I believe that is the biggest difference because the greatest thing that we have is our attention.
43:22
SPEAKER_02: And if I can captivate your attention, that is where the change begins.
43:28
SPEAKER_02: So I've got to be really good at learning how to take up space, so much space that there's real estate in your mind.
43:37
SPEAKER_02: Because then when there's real estate in your mind, you are thinking, what?
43:41
SPEAKER_02: That I'm gonna keep her top of mind, whether I want to or not.
43:44
SPEAKER_02: I might not like her, I might not understand her, but damn, you know what?
43:48
SPEAKER_02: I actually respect her.
43:49
SPEAKER_02: I can't stand her.
43:50
SPEAKER_02: And I'll take that.
43:53
SPEAKER_02: Thank you, sir.
43:54
SPEAKER_02: May have another.
43:54
SPEAKER_02: Thank you, sir.
43:56
SPEAKER_00: 100%.
43:56
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
43:57
SPEAKER_02: My whole life is built on failure from sports.
44:00
SPEAKER_02: Until today.
44:00
SPEAKER_02: I'll take the I'll take the hits every damn day.
44:03
SPEAKER_02: Every day since I was three years old, I'll take it and I'll continue to take it till I can't take it no more and I'm gone.
44:08
SPEAKER_02: And then my AI will live on forever.
44:11
SPEAKER_00: And it's like, uh yeah, you're like, just put my brain in a robot.
44:14
SPEAKER_00: We'll be fine.
44:14
SPEAKER_01: It's probably happening to all of us in a way.
44:17
SPEAKER_00: Oh my gosh, it's so real.
44:18
SPEAKER_00: It's so real.
44:19
SPEAKER_00: I know.
44:20
SPEAKER_00: But the but what I love about your your approach to it all is like, yeah, like there's some bleak shit, but like you're such a like welcome presence, you know, in the feed because because the enthusiasm, because the excitement, because you're just like, well, they're doing it.
44:34
SPEAKER_00: Let's go.
44:35
SPEAKER_00: And I think that's great for just so many people that are just like, you know, consuming what you do, what you got going on.
44:42
SPEAKER_00: And with that, I just like, I'm just so grateful for your time today.
44:45
SPEAKER_00: I want to make sure if there's anything that you want to share with people, invite them in.
44:49
SPEAKER_00: Like, obviously, we've been talking about Stage Quest.
44:52
SPEAKER_00: So, like, feel free to share how people can help you get this and actually define the actual Stage Quest goal because we haven't actually like listed that out loud, right?
45:00
SPEAKER_00: We've we've backed up, we've talked about all the seasons.
45:02
SPEAKER_00: You launch Stage Quest in November of 2025.
45:06
SPEAKER_00: What is the actual goal?
45:07
SPEAKER_00: What's the actual breakdown of what you're doing?
45:13
SPEAKER_02: So these quests are 365 days, one goal every time.
45:17
SPEAKER_02: And this time it is 100 stages.
45:20
SPEAKER_02: And what is a stage?
45:21
SPEAKER_02: A stage is anything with an intentional audience.
45:24
SPEAKER_02: So today is stage 35, and we've booked, we're almost at 50 in regards to total stages completed and booked.
45:34
SPEAKER_02: So, you know, well continuing on the same pace of 10 a month, we could hit it in September and begin releasing season three of Quest, which is going to, I mean, look, this is this is a very, very long, slow burn to the point of reaching your dreams.
45:53
SPEAKER_02: And and I actually believe that making it, or you know, as we call it, is the universe, God, what have you, whatever, just pointing at you and saying, you next.
46:08
SPEAKER_02: Everyone I've ever read that's been successful in entertainment never got there from grinding.
46:17
SPEAKER_02: They put themselves in those positions, but half the time they were just walking down the street and someone said, You need to be a model, you need to be an actor.
46:24
SPEAKER_02: So if that never happens for me, perfectly fine.
46:27
SPEAKER_02: I've had a hell of a time, a wonderful journey trying to be in the right place at the right time.
46:33
SPEAKER_00: Totally, totally.
46:35
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, and just like you know, feeding the luck machine by being visible and being top of mind.
46:39
SPEAKER_00: Like that's all you can do.
46:41
SPEAKER_00: Like at all.
46:42
SPEAKER_00: Like you just you're taking that aligned action and and the people, you know, they're enjoying it.
46:48
SPEAKER_00: So it is fun.
46:49
SPEAKER_02: It is really, it really is fun to serialize your life and tell stories that people can have a through line to follow.
46:59
SPEAKER_02: I think there's different ways to maximize it.
47:01
SPEAKER_02: And I'm getting more and more into different AI tools and products, scaling and pipelines and you know, all the things.
47:09
SPEAKER_02: But I just want to encourage anyone that is considering should I do this idea?
47:14
SPEAKER_02: Do it.
47:15
SPEAKER_02: Find out if it sucks.
47:17
SPEAKER_02: Everything's great in our heads, but it's okay if you do it and it doesn't work.
47:22
SPEAKER_02: Do something else.
47:23
SPEAKER_02: Like keep trying or make that thing better.
47:25
SPEAKER_00: It's info gathering too, right?
47:27
SPEAKER_00: You're you're just getting data by like plugging in and trying things.
47:30
SPEAKER_00: Like if you don't iterate, like, then you're just gonna sit there in a corner.
47:33
SPEAKER_00: Like, I don't, you know, I just don't know how else to do it.
47:36
SPEAKER_02: You know, there's a quote in this book from Ogmandino, the greatest salesman in the world.
47:41
SPEAKER_02: It's a book that came out in the 70s, really strong, short book.
47:45
SPEAKER_02: And it says that some people like the idea of never visiting Mecca, if that's their faith base, because they always have something to look forward to.
47:57
SPEAKER_00: Interesting.
47:58
SPEAKER_02: And the practical application from that book, from that quote, is what is that thing that you hold sacred to yourself?
48:07
SPEAKER_02: That you say, This is what I really want to do, and I feel called to do that thing.
48:14
SPEAKER_02: I say go do the thing and find out what's next after you went to the place that's very sacred in your mind and heart.
48:24
SPEAKER_02: I did that for a year, and there wasn't necessarily a conclusion, but there were certainly amazing outcomes of that journey.
48:34
SPEAKER_00: Totally.
48:34
SPEAKER_00: Well, and then to go to when people are like, What's the big V vision?
48:38
SPEAKER_00: You're like, I'm literally living it, I feel like is the answer.
48:41
SPEAKER_00: You're like, I'm doing the big V vision, I'm in action.
48:44
SPEAKER_00: It is towards that.
48:45
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, when people are like, start your own sports show.
48:48
SPEAKER_02: I'm like, baby, you're watching this show.
48:51
SPEAKER_00: I know.
48:52
SPEAKER_00: We're already in the simulation.
48:54
SPEAKER_00: You better watch it out.
48:56
SPEAKER_02: Like they they're not putting me on the show.
48:59
SPEAKER_02: Don't you get it?
49:00
SPEAKER_02: This is the striving never arriving.
49:02
SPEAKER_02: This is the like this is this is Lucy trying to eat all the chocolates.
49:08
SPEAKER_02: This is total idiocy that we were all raised on.
49:11
SPEAKER_02: It just looks different when I'm doing it, and you think it's real because it's social media.
49:15
SPEAKER_02: It's real, but if we're kayfabing, this means you we both have suspended our disbelief.
49:22
SPEAKER_02: So I love so much.
49:26
SPEAKER_02: You know, it's so much fun.
49:28
SPEAKER_02: And even the haters have a role in it.
49:31
SPEAKER_00: 100%.
49:32
SPEAKER_00: Well, and even to go back to your like unsubscribe video, you're like, this is how you unfollow me video.
49:36
SPEAKER_00: There's a woman that I really enjoy, and she's her name's Courtney Johnson.
49:40
SPEAKER_00: She's great about exactly what you're saying, like not holding it sacred, leaning into the cringe.
49:44
SPEAKER_00: And she calls haters engagement fairies in that and like how it just like feeds it and like they'll keep going if you keep feeding them, you know, and just feeding the trolls.
49:53
SPEAKER_00: And like, and it is, it's one of those things where it's like, you know, you're a human being.
49:57
SPEAKER_00: Like, let's not get on there and like hate on people, but still, like knowing that like this is probably someone who's just afraid to do what you're doing when it comes down to it, like they're giving you some engagement, and that's great.
50:08
SPEAKER_00: Thank you for the thank you more, like you said.
50:10
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, yeah.
50:11
SPEAKER_02: And I think the most wonderful thing about free will here in them in America is we can still keep taking action in the face of uncertainty.
50:23
SPEAKER_02: And that is the that is the winning, is that I is that I didn't crawl up in my in a bed and a ball and never got out again from that bed.
50:33
SPEAKER_02: You know, when you get bad news, it's it is the getting up again.
50:36
SPEAKER_02: I think it is not even the outcome.
50:38
SPEAKER_02: And that that's the beauty of this this wild adventure and this journey of 365 days at a time.
50:45
SPEAKER_00: Great.
50:45
SPEAKER_00: And I imagine just and if I'm projecting, please let me know.
50:49
SPEAKER_00: But like I imagine there are days where you're like, okay, just let's just do another day today.
50:54
SPEAKER_00: Like, because 365 might feel like a little much sometimes.
50:56
SPEAKER_00: And and even if it's not like what you're experiencing now, like I'm sure in the past you've been like, okay, we're moving through this day, and that's we're just gonna make it happen, kind of thing.
51:05
SPEAKER_02: So tell you what though, the joy that this thing brought me that's great to be able to say, like, I've got this really unique idea.
51:14
SPEAKER_02: I just for the life of me cannot locate a t-shirt canon.
51:19
unknown: Yeah.
51:20
SPEAKER_00: Or like if you're like, if that's my biggest problem, I'm having a good life.
51:24
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, okay.
51:24
SPEAKER_00: I love I love that perspective.
51:26
SPEAKER_00: Thank you.
51:27
SPEAKER_02: Like, this is this is a quest of privilege.
51:31
SPEAKER_02: No one that's a woman gets to do stuff like this every day and then get paid to talk about it.
51:37
SPEAKER_02: Does a dream come true?
51:39
SPEAKER_02: And so I think that's the the biggest part about it.
51:42
SPEAKER_02: I mean, I when in 2017, you know, my life had just changed.
51:47
SPEAKER_02: I was living off of my my grandma was helping me pay rent on her credit card.
51:52
SPEAKER_02: I mean, where I'm at now versus where I used to be is is profound.
51:58
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and so anybody that uh doesn't get it or doesn't understand, it's perfectly fine.
52:05
SPEAKER_02: Maybe it's not for them, or it is for them, they just haven't watched enough yet.
52:09
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
52:10
SPEAKER_00: They're they haven't gotten there yet, and that's okay.
52:12
SPEAKER_00: Like, yeah.
52:13
SPEAKER_01: You know, maybe you're a late adopter.
52:16
SPEAKER_01: That's totally fine.
52:18
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, totally.
52:18
SPEAKER_00: And well, that's too.
52:19
SPEAKER_00: It's like it's a series, so it's gonna be out here.
52:21
SPEAKER_00: Like people can they can come back to it later.
52:24
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you know, I love I love it.
52:26
SPEAKER_02: We're gonna be on different platforms because here's what I view, how I view social media, and you know, this is all about being creative, right?
52:33
SPEAKER_02: This this podcast.
52:35
SPEAKER_02: Farmers every day, let's say they've got livestock, they wake up, you gotta feed your pigs, your cows, and your chickens, and then you have your your crops, right?
52:46
SPEAKER_02: Let's say that you gotta feed our four different things that you make money off of.
52:50
SPEAKER_02: Well, when I wake up, I gotta feed LinkedIn, I gotta feed Instagram, I've gotta send my cold messages, and you know, I'm gonna add another a few others in there.
53:00
SPEAKER_02: I gotta add some more animals.
53:01
SPEAKER_02: I gotta add in TikTok, I gotta add in YouTube if I really want to scale.
53:05
SPEAKER_02: So they're all different animals, they all require different attention.
53:08
SPEAKER_02: But if farmers are waking up every day doing this, as a creative, this is just what you do every day.
53:15
SPEAKER_00: 100%.
53:15
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, usually you know, lay eggs or not.
53:18
SPEAKER_02: You got chickens.
53:21
SPEAKER_00: Keep feeding them.
53:21
SPEAKER_00: If they're not laying, you gotta figure out why they're not laying.
53:24
SPEAKER_02: That's right, little piggies, eat up.
53:26
SPEAKER_00: It's like, let's go.
53:27
SPEAKER_00: I know.
53:28
SPEAKER_00: It's not all, it's not just cute piglets all the time either, you know?
53:31
SPEAKER_00: It's not just those little cuties right away.
53:34
SPEAKER_00: But yeah, no, I love, I love that analogy.
53:36
SPEAKER_00: I love, I mean, dare I say, I love you.
53:39
SPEAKER_02: You are just the good energy.
53:42
SPEAKER_02: But seeing you do everything from, you know, I remember the documentary project.
53:47
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
53:48
SPEAKER_00: I'm out here.
53:49
SPEAKER_00: Yeah.
53:50
SPEAKER_02: That's so exciting.
53:51
SPEAKER_00: And it allows, you know what it allows to for me as a like a multifaceted, curious about bunches of things, you like just showing up and really expressing yourself in these ways.
54:01
SPEAKER_00: Like, I look and I'm like, cool, we get to do that.
54:03
SPEAKER_00: We get to just let it be creative.
54:05
SPEAKER_00: Nobody's gonna put us in a box about it, and we're just gonna go.
54:09
SPEAKER_00: And I love it, right?
54:10
SPEAKER_00: Because like, yeah, I've got my documentary films, I've got my adventures, I've got this podcast, and I've been talking a lot about that recently with folks.
54:16
SPEAKER_00: That it's like, it's an ecosystem that I'm just I'm feeding, I'm taking care of, I'm loving on.
54:21
SPEAKER_00: It's feeding me, I'm feeding it, and and my people are in there.
54:24
SPEAKER_00: It's just, I love it.
54:25
SPEAKER_00: I love it, and I love seeing, you know, being inspired by what you're doing.
54:29
SPEAKER_02: So thank you for having me on and for sharing your platform.
54:32
SPEAKER_02: And let me know what I can do support and connect you because I think that's the other part behind this, uh, you know, in real life is I have it brings me great joy to make introductions to people who want to meet each other and to brands that want to meet each other.
54:49
SPEAKER_02: And so that's that recruiter in me that will never go away.
54:53
SPEAKER_02: So please count me in your corner.
54:55
SPEAKER_02: Um my gosh.
54:57
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, we're just in each other's corners, rocking it out, creating great content, doing our best, right?
55:02
SPEAKER_00: Do you want to direct the people anywhere to like support you on the stage quest?
55:06
SPEAKER_00: Or just want people to like enjoy and consume it, right?
55:09
SPEAKER_00: Like I'll link, link all the.
55:11
SPEAKER_00: I think you just have your Instagram you shared with me, but is there any other place you want people to connect with you?
55:16
SPEAKER_02: Yes, so Instagram is kind of my secondary place.
55:20
SPEAKER_02: I live on LinkedIn.
55:22
SPEAKER_00: Me too.
55:23
SPEAKER_00: I'm a LinkedIn girly.
55:25
SPEAKER_00: I love it.
55:25
SPEAKER_02: It you know, I love it because it's easy to stand out.
55:28
SPEAKER_02: Uh that's why that's why I love it.
55:29
SPEAKER_02: Yes, I also love it because they're human beings, there's not a fakery going on in regards to likes and views and follows, at least not yet.
55:37
SPEAKER_02: So I'm on LinkedIn, so feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.
55:40
SPEAKER_02: Instagram is kind of where the more chaotic lives.
55:44
SPEAKER_02: TikTok is a lot a lot more on the random, just kind of testing different stuff.
55:51
SPEAKER_02: And, you know, eventually I'll be building out YouTube, which is you know, may take more time.
55:56
SPEAKER_00: Um yeah, that's that's a whole like another branch of your farm that's gonna take, you know, it's gonna take an investment and energy.
56:03
SPEAKER_00: And yeah, no, I totally get it.
56:04
SPEAKER_00: I totally get it.
56:06
SPEAKER_02: It's a different thing.
56:06
SPEAKER_02: And it is, and it is, it is just me, essentially, right now doing all of it.
56:11
SPEAKER_00: Right.
56:11
SPEAKER_00: And I'm even like I'm thinking of yeah, I'm thinking about everything you're describing, and I'm like, you are, yeah.
56:15
SPEAKER_00: I mean, I'm sure you I'm assuming that are are once in a while contractors involved, but yeah, like the actual like keeping keeping the the boat afloat.
56:23
SPEAKER_00: You're like, let's go, we're rowing.
56:25
SPEAKER_02: Just out here throwing feed everywhere every morning.
56:30
SPEAKER_00: Well that oh my gosh, I love this video where like you're all decked out in farmer garb and you are Well, that's gonna happen at the state fair later, isn't it?
56:37
SPEAKER_02: Yes, I cannot wait.
56:39
SPEAKER_02: I'm really hoping I get to MC the corn on the cob eating competition.
56:43
SPEAKER_02: I will find something special to wear for that.
56:45
SPEAKER_02: But I yeah, I got my stars and stripes overalls for the cow milking.
56:49
SPEAKER_02: I'm hoping Traders Point Creamery will give me a willing cow and teach me, you know, give me a little tutorial.
56:55
SPEAKER_02: We can do a little tutorial for the people.
56:57
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, the people need it.
56:59
SPEAKER_02: Yeah, and also I'm I'm going up against other people that are not professional milkers.
57:04
SPEAKER_02: You know, you get 60 seconds with the cow.
57:06
SPEAKER_02: You get who can get the most milk out.
57:08
SPEAKER_02: I gotta win.
57:09
SPEAKER_00: Yeah, you can do it.
57:11
SPEAKER_00: I'm excited.
57:12
SPEAKER_00: This I'm like flagging all the things that I gotta keep up with on like this this journey.
57:16
SPEAKER_00: This is so fun.
57:17
SPEAKER_00: Well, Jennifer, thank you so much for your time.
57:19
SPEAKER_00: I appreciate you.
57:20
SPEAKER_00: You're the bomb.com.
57:22
SPEAKER_00: Don't ever stop, don't change, and just keep inspiring the people.
57:27
SPEAKER_02: Oh, thank you so much.
57:31
SPEAKER_00: Crafted Connections is lovingly produced by Kelvin Creative Consulting, a strategic storytelling firm dedicated to helping people and brands tell their stories in a way that resonates.
57:42
SPEAKER_00: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe and connect with us on Instagram at Crafted Connections.
57:49
SPEAKER_00: Keep creating, keep connecting, until we meet again.