Flirting With Failure

Jonah Saesan is an actor, improviser, teacher at the Second City, father, husband, and veteran. In this episode, we talk about TikTok fame, improv, and Jonah's unique journey through the Marine Corps to a career in the arts. 

For two decades, LaVonda Wagner was living her dream as a women’s basketball coach. When that dream came to a screeching halt, she turned to what many people turn to when the going gets tough: wine (but not in the way you may think.) Now a certified level two sommelier, LaVonda joined me on the pod to share her story of loss, perseverance, and redemption from the basketball courts all the way to the vineyards of Italy. 

In the season one FINALE of Flirting With Failure, I had the pleasure of interviewing Chicago-based opera artist Will Liverman. On top of having a voice that sounds like liquid gold, Will is also a complete delight to chat with and learn from. He was kind enough to share with me his journey through the opera world: where his interest in the art form began, what it was like attending arguably the most famous performing arts college in the world, the ups and downs of transitioning into being a full-time artist, and performing at the Met in New York City. Will's words of wisdom about being a performer and what he wished he would've known when he was younger were like music to my ears, and I know they'll make you light up too. 

Mighty Mike McGee is a poet, a humorist, an exceptional friend, and the former Poet Laureate of Santa Clara County (among other things.) His profound love of words, art, and human connection pours out of him and fills up every crevice in every conversation you have with him. In this particular conversation, Mike tells us what it's like to be the Poet Laureate, how achieving a lifelong dream of touring changed his life in surprising ways, and reminds us that we are simply doing the best we can. This episode is different than any episode I've recorded so far. Do yourself a favor- grab your headphones, sit back, and listen to Mike be the inspirational wordsmith we all need to hear. 

Alexis Nido-Russo, CEO and Founder of Local Eclectic Jewelry, refers to herself a creative person who also happens to be great at business and I couldn't agree with that more. She went from a degree in Fine Arts, to a temp job, to touring with Miley Cyrus (yes, you read that right), to a booming online jewelry shop with almost 800k Instagram followers. Every step on the way to where she is now was more surprising than the last, but one thing never changed- she was willing to put in the work. Truly delightful and inspiring, Alexis' stories are sure-fire brain fuel for artists, business people, and every combination of the two.