Corona Convos
By CK Swett
Corona ConvosMay 18, 2020
Ricky Chen has been building a mattress company in Hong Kong
And Hong Kong has a lot more reps this century with novel coronaviruses and protests than just about anywhere else. He talks about all of this and more in our wide ranging conversation. For additional info about his start up, see the links below.
About Hush Home: hushhome.com/pages/about-us
IG: http://instagram.com/hushhomeliving
TV News Interview with Rick and Stephanie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLMayeJJMG4&feature=youtu.be (with English subtitles!)
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Caroline White Photography Makes A Splash During Lockdown
Personal Branding & Lifestyle/ Corporate Headshot Photographer, Caroline White, joins me for a second time to talk about all the media attention she received for the shoots she was doing in Los Angeles during lockdown.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Andy Lin on the Self Portrait Project and North Brooklyn Mutual Aid
I've known Andy Lin a long time. He's the founder of The Self Portrait Project. He helped Williamsburg Mutual Aid launch their facebook page. He's helping to raise money for North Brooklyn Mutual Aid. He's a great hang, super thoughtful and engaged. Spend some time with us. I don't think you'll regret it.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Tess and Zach had a baby!
Like last month! Their story of 2020 is really worth a listen.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Jackson Fratesi returns to talk all things logistics
And I promise you it's way more compelling than the title would lead you to believe.
For one, this video is referenced:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNVS9-C4tjs
Which a friend described as "CK, your entire life’s aesthetic has been building to that...that guy has been paying attention and did it just for you."
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Lucas on his first virtual auction
It's a brave new world out there of virtual auctions and galathons.
You can see Lucas's entire virtual gala here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1tWk9fkdEA
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Kevin with a Noah Baumbach worthy COVID-19 domestic drama
This story goes a lot of difference stories. I want to make clear ... THERE ARE NO BAD GUYS. We are all trying to do our best, all the people in this story included.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Drew gives us his work history
And it's a doozy.
For reasons too bizarre to explain, my buddy Drew texted me every job he's had, in chronological order, and it had a mythical quality. We take it step by step in this episode of Corona Convos.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Evan Westrup on life after the Governor's Office
In part three of my fascinating conversation with Evan Westrup, the comms director for former Governor Jerry Brown, he discusses what is next up and how he's thinking through his range of options. If you haven't yet listened to parts 1 and 2, please do go back and see how we got here.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Micah Clasper-Torch and the future of Punch Needle
Micah's drive to create over the last decade set her up particularly well for this current moment. As a Punch Needle artist living in Los Angeles, she has embraced the great pause and looks forward with considerable optimism. You can see her work here:
https://www.micahclasper-torch.com/
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Hannah's Virtual Barn Dance
Hannah and I have worked on a number of fundraisers over the years, and so when I saw that her school was holding a Virtual Barn Dance, I had to get her on the pod to find out how it went. The short answer: better than all could have hoped. Take a listen to hear how she and her team were able to pull this off.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Heather lost her job because of COVID-19, and was hired three weeks later
Heather's story is pretty remarkable. Her company was forced to lay off half its employees because of the pandemic, but Heather was optimistic that she wouldn't stay unemployed long. Less than a month later, she was hired by another tech firm and her first day, with an on-boarding from home, is tomorrow.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Erykah makes me feel a bit vulnerable
I was in kind of a rough place Friday. It happens right? Especially these days. And I considered rescheduling. But when you have a plan with Erykah, you don't push it back. So we went through with it. And there were some rough moments for me, when I didn't know what to say, and even if I did, how to say it. Erykah and I go back to Freshman year of college, and she knows me about as well as anyone out there. So if you want to hear some moments of vulnerability, check out the following conversation.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Lucas Hunt and the Artist's Soul
Lucas Hunt rejoins the pod to chat about some very specific instances that all charity auctioneers face. We go into great detail. He then reads us some Wordsworth, which may have been a top ten highlight of Corona Convos. Because let's be honest, this has been a lovely and sincere endeavor on my part, but we haven't skewed too far beyond the question and answer format. So for Lucas to give us a read, even a small one, was a nice change of pace. You can find his books of poetry here:
https://www.lucashunt.com/iowa
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Dave Rosen on saving nightlife in New York
Dave Rosen was the co-owner of the legendary Williamsburg bar Savalas. He went to on to co-open and operate The Woods, The Windjammer, The Breakers, and Aunt Jinny's.
We discuss his behind the scenes effort to save nightlife in our beloved city. For more information beyond our conversation, please visit:
http://www.savenynightlife.com
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Evan Westrup on the Governor Jerry Brown years
In part 2 of my conversation with Evan Westrup, Jerry Brown's for director of communications, we discuss his eight years in the administration.
If you didn't listen to part 1, definitely go back and check it out. It provides much needed context for this conversation, and it's downright fascinating.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Harry Santa-Olalla on Charity Auctions and virtual fundraising campaigns
In 2018, I was quoted in a glowing NY Post on Harry. At the same, I felt a bit threatened, but Harry reached out and could not have been more gracious. We met for lunch a few weeks later, and our friendship blossomed quickly from there. We talk over our current, similar circumstances, and how we plan to move forward.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Evan Westrup on how he became the Governor of California's Communications Director
Evan and I went to high school together, and we catch up on his fascinating path from university to the top position on the comms team for the leader of the world's fifth largest economy.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
John Munson is a natural born raconteur with an extensive library of stories to pull from
In Part 1 of this multi-part chronicle, John discusses the difficulties of high school before running away from home, watching 9/11 in real time from his dorm, falling into the life of a night life promoter while attending a quasi-HBCU, and that time he got married out in Las Vegas with his cab driver as his witness.
Ben on how The Great Unwinding lead him first there, and then us, here
Ben wanted to change the world. After a year abroad in Egypt, and time on Capitol Hill, he went to law school. He did his time in corporate law, following, and has been searching for his opportunity to have an impact now, as always.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Adam on white privilege, the racism undergirding the COVID protesters, and his daughter's tenth birthday party
Adam is one of my oldest friends. We've stay in touch consistently over the years, but in the middle of this conversation I realized we hadn't really spoken deeply about anything since probably high school. It was a revelation to hear how his thoughts had evolved, especially over the last six years or so.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Josh and I debate societal symptoms versus root causes
In a wide-ranging conversation, my fellow COVID-19 moment nerd Josh White and I talk over Trump's reelection strategy, the overlap of anti-intellectualism and anti-establismentism, the importance of adaptability, our varying faiths in institutions and current leadership, and a whole host of other hot topics.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Brian McComak and the fraternity of charity auctioneers
Brian and I were at Christie's together, and through his combination of warmth and showmanship, he is one of the rising stars in the charity auction season. We talk it all over in these uncertain times.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Ari on decoding Pandemic Assistance laws, drafting professions for a zombie apocalypse, and teaching his daughter to read
Ari and I grew up together, and his friendship always pushed me to always achieve more, in the most competitive sense you can imagine. One of the most incisive thinkers I know, he joins the pod to share his experiences over the last couple weeks,
We also touched upon the recent creative output of his dad, and I CAN'T ENCOURAGE YOU ENOUGH TO CHECK OUT THE SONGS ON HIS CHANNEL
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_zAU6tw0pIN741_mHlIw6w
Intro and outro music by @matthias.dewilde
Bobby on IVF, working for Biden in the mid aughts, and staying sane in dark times
Bobby and I lived in the same house toward the end of our senior year of college. He was always one of the more inspiring guys on campus ... if he had a superlative I would have voted him most likely to be a US Senator someday. This afternoon, we caught up and delved into some pretty serious topics, including IVF and his time working for Biden. He's such a smart, thoughtful man, I hope you enjoy the time we spent catching up and talking it all over.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Jesse Ballgame interviews me about Williamsburg, BK, circa 2005-2010
I met Jesse at Savalas in early 2005. It was clear, immediately, that he was a natural born raconteur. I have worked hard my entire life to try and imitate his effortless way with words. He turned the tables on me in this pod, and I got to be the interview subject, with a pretty specific focus on Williamsburg in those mid to late aughts. I had a lot of fun doing this one, and I hope we can get Jesse back so I can return the favor.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
GOODLIFE founder Chris Molnar on the earned resiliency of his clothing company
Chris has the fashion industry in his blood. We talk about the family business and how it lead up to this moment. When you get done listening, go online and get yourself a nice new piece of clothing for the summer here:
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Charlotte on her work with the National Down Syndrome Society
Charlotte is a Community Outreach Associate with the National Down Syndrome Society. Because of a heart transplant in 2012, she is severely immunocompromised, but has kept busy while sheltering in place, ballroom dancing, reading the classics, and baking treats like her special chocolate walnut scones, which she thinks all of you should try making this weekend:
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
3 tablespoons light olive oil
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 egg whites, divided
2 ounces bittersweet chocolate (60% cocoa or more), finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon water
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, 1/2 cup of the sugar, the baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a small bowl,
whisk together the sour cream, oil, vanilla extract, and 1 of the egg whites. Add to the dry ingredients, stirring just until
blended. Stir in the chocolate and walnuts.
Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. With floured hands, knead lightly 8 times. The dough will be crumbly.
Divide the dough in half and place each half on the prepared baking sheet. Pat each half into a 6” circle. Score each
circle into 4 equal wedges.
Beat the remaining egg white with the water. Brush over the scones and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon sugar.
Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly browned and a wooden pick inserted in the centers comes out clean.
Enjoy!
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Greg Bloom on whether or not content is King
Greg returns to the pod for my first debate-driven conversation on such questions as the role of content creation in society, the Great Man theory of history, can philanthropy be characterized as a whim, and many more hot topics.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Andrea Powell on UNITAS's efforts to fight Sexploitation
Andrea is the Director of Survivor and Youth Services at UNITAS North America. I met her last fall when I lead the fundraising efforts at the UNITAS Charity Gala. We discuss the rise of "sexploitation" and its sinister intersection with sheltering in place.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Lauren on personal finance and pivoting into math games and their marketing
Lauren is my oldest friend in NYC. We caught up on all the projects she's been working on the last few years and what the near future holds.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Bryant on his mom as the difference maker, working out of SoHo House, and his optimal starting five for the Alamo.
It's fair to say that the American Dream shines bright through the intelligence and fortitude of Bryant's mom.
Music as always by @mattias.dewilde
Victor on the ethics of chimpanzees making art for chimp-related charitable initiatives
Victor returns to the pod to tell us what he's been working on, how he's stay healthy and sane, and who he thinks should be Biden's running mate.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Garcia on sheltering in place alone, not peaking too early when zoom dating, vice presidential prospects, and traveling to the Sudan
Garcia and I went to college together but became much closer five years ago when we crossed paths in Russia, and then continued on through Sweden. His charisma shines through even now in the darkest of times.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Emily on the Flamboyance of late Capitalism
Emily and I discuss the political situation in Michigan and beyond, the New Leaders Council, fundraising in the era of COVID, and potential running mates for Biden.
Jess Jeffrey on growing up in Ecuador, Colombia and Florida
And some great stories about her brother.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Daisha on how having a husband and a baby is kind of the same thing
I caught Daisha late on Easter Sunday when the family was asleep and she was reflecting on life and marriage after a glass of wine or two to celebrate the resurrection.
50th Episode Extravaganza with my mom with a cameo from my dad
We made it. To 50. Here here! Exciting times at Corona Convos. I hope you enjoy this catch up with my mom. We recorded the first pod on March 11th, and 31 or so days later we got to 50. How about that?!?
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Dan Lad on having three passports, an unidentifiable accent, and reading self help books while sheltering in place alone in Amsterdam
Daniel is one of my favorites. He's also the one who made this happen:
https://youtu.be/OmFDzjlUmms
If you don't know — and I didn't — that is the English actor James Buckley and he's a favorite of both Luke and Vish. Basically Dani won bantering for Q2 if not the whole year.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Chris Jeffrey rejoins the pod to discuss the healing powers of instagram filters
It's true. See his miracle working here:
https://youtu.be/9-vlCc6V9RA
Also, we discuss in depth the brilliance of James Buckley roasting Luke and Vish courtesy of Dan Lads cameo request:
https://youtu.be/OmFDzjlUmms
Happy Easter everyone out there in Christendom.
Music by @matthias.dewilde
Vinny Eng on solving problems from the margins in
The headline in last year's SF Chronicle feature on Vinny was: Tartine’s Vinny Eng was just named sommelier of the year. Why he’s leaving it all, for a new start in politics. That unexpected pairing is a fitting preamble to a friend of mine who I hadn't spoken with since my time at Duke. In our nearly hour long conversation, Vinny describes his compassion-lead drive to help those "in the shadows," in large part through his work with SF New Deal. If your curious to know more about how he thinks through all of this, read his recent editorial in Food and Wine titled: We Should All Be Empathetic to Restaurant Workers, Especially Now.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Kellar on running a global team
Kellar, working out of the dining room of her childhood home, manages her teams in the Ukraine, Bolivia, Colombia and elsewhere, while convincing her parents to switch from Costco coffee to Intellegensia.
Chris on moving to NYC February 2020, Youtube vs. Twitch, and the Bernie or Bust cultists
This may be my favorite conversation so far. Chris is a family friend. His dad and my dad worked together. He's 29. He plays the trumpet. He just moved to NYC. He's a Bernie Sanders guy. We cover a lot of ground. I want him to turn start making viral videos like these from Italy. I'm going to get some videos of him playing the trumpet at some point. He's such a good hang. And he's got a better podcasting voice than I do. He sounds just like his dad as well, and hearing him talk always makes me smile.
And as always the piano track by @matthias.dewilde
Will Djinis on our permaculture future
Will (@dgenetics) discusses his regenerative work at 1 Tribe Farm and how he went from the music business to the permaculture business
Piano track as always from @matthias.dewilde
Ava on finding a new roommate and dating since the world ended
Ava takes us through what it's like to date in the new normal. And how hard it was to find a roommate replacement.
SHARK TANK STAR FORREST SHINNERS
Forrest and I discuss the future of his company Kit Lender, various ways to die, the career of Nicholas Cage, and my dad's time on Jeopardy.
JP was really sick
And now he's getting better. But recovery is a long and bumpy road.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde
Inanna and I figure out what to do next
Inanna and I discuss leaving Brooklyn and all that that means.
Allbriton and the Apollo Mask are almost here
Allbriton and I had coffee three weeks ago. In that intervening 21 days the world figuratively imploded and Allbriton start to try and piece it back together. With his non-profit start-up Apollo Mask, he is racing to find a solution for first responders around the globe. Listen as we discuss why the company is structured as a 5013c, and their ambitious plans for expansion and impact.
Music as always be @matthias.dewilde
People like Vish are the ones who are going to make the world better when this is all over
I spent an hour today catch up with my buddy Vishal D. His perspective always helps me feel hope.
Music as always by @matthias.dewilde