The Chat

Robert and Carlos chat about Robert's latest ailment, the benefits of genetic testing, the plethora of AI tools, the ups and downs of book publishing, and interlude with a garage door. If you're an author looking for a manager/agent (CGC's manager has one, maybe two openings) to take care of ALL writer business stuff so you can focus on WRITING, email Carlos at cgc@cg-cooper.com and he'll whisk your info to his rockstar manager/agent for consideration. Check out Robert's books HERE and Carlos's books HERE.Listen to Free Audiobooks --> BookTV

This week Robert welcomes guest Matt Davis and they chat about stand-up comedy, Matt's dog Cali (yes, that one), the shocking rise of anti-semitism over the last few years, rigged games, the downsides of the justice system, and the gangs of South America. Check out Robert's books HERE and Carlos's books HERE.Listen to Free Audiobooks --> BookTV

Reunited and it feels so good! Carlos and Robert are back with a extra-long conversation that wanders through some of the favorite topics on their minds: AI and how it may save or obliterate us, how Hollywood is constipated, why the kids aren't growing up, and the business of authoring. Check out Robert's books HERE and Carlos's books HERE.Listen to Free Audiobooks --> BookTV

NOTE: This episode was recorded February 18th, when the price of Bitcoin was around $51,000.Returning guest and friend of the podcast Mike Lorenz returns to discuss AI, money, Bitcoin, and the financial messes we live with. Check out Robert's books HERE and Carlos's books HERE.Listen to Free Audiobooks --> BookTV

Chatting about rising chaos, fantasy football drafts, things that bring the TSA down on you, the radicals of the sixties, and how Robert is allergic to his own face.  

Chatting with guest Mike Lorenz about Bitcoin, how CFOs sped up smartphone adoption, the urban doom loop in San Francisco,  'zombie companies', the abuses of private equity investing, and the implications of eradicating morality from social and business relationships.

Chatting about writing Westerns, the creative process, maintaining steady success, the trials of parenting during summer, taking inspiration from the Fast and Furious movies, the realities of international relations, solo travel and New York City's reputation through the decades.

Part 2 of Carlos's conversation with Brad Warren, on half of the hit songwriting duo The Warren Brothers.Ever wondered what the journey of a song looks like, from the writing room to the radio? Well, my good friend and Grammy-nominated songwriter, Brad Warren, is here to unravel the mystery. Together, we navigate the intricate process and share stories of unexpected breakthroughs in the music industry - like how rapper Connor Price and his wife spun a globe for their next collab decision and powered through electricity outages in Zambia. As we wade through the world of rhymes and records, we explore the traditional music industry versus the newer, more creative forms of art showcase. Brad and I swap notes on the potential of AI, the power of mentorship, and lessons from the successful young songwriter, Ernest. We also delve into the appreciation of passion as we discuss Elon Musk's achievements and remind ourselves that it's vital to stay curious, not envious.If you've ever chased success or felt overwhelmed by it, our chat on balancing success and downtime will resonate with you. We stress the importance of having a well-structured day, managing time, and pushing past comfort zones. We cap off with heart-warming stories of finding perspective, inspiration from others, and how small decisions can create significant impacts. Check out Brad's podcast, The Good Grief Good God Show: https://goodgriefgoodgodshow.com

Part 1 of Carlos's conversation with Brad Warren, half of the hit-writing duo The Warren Brothers. Get ready to be captivated by the life and journey of none other than Brad Warren, the multi-number one writing and Grammy-nominated songwriter from Nashville. This chat with Brad is nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Starting from his initial dream of pursuing a rock star career, forged by the powerful chords of classic rock, to his battles with addiction, and his rise as a successful songwriter, Brad's story is an inspiration.Experience the power of mentorship through the tales of Brad's mentor, Tom Douglas. Learn about Tom's distinctive writing style, his vast vocabulary, and his heart full of dreams. Brad doesn't shy away from discussing the profound influence of young songwriters and how their seemingly rule-less writing often leads to extraordinary work. This conversation also uncovers how Brad incorporates his personal experiences and truth-telling to connect with his audience.Finally, don't miss out as we journey into Brad's creative process. He stresses the importance of understanding one's writing style and shares how he overcame the pressures of the songwriting industry. From using advice given by friends in shaping his writing to putting words on paper to unlock creativity.Check out Brad's podcast, The Good Grief Good God Show: https://goodgriefgoodgodshow.com Check out Robert's books HERE and Carlos's books HERE.Listen to Free Audiobooks --> BookTV

Join us as we unravel the mysteries of creativity, drawing inspiration from Elizabeth Gilbert's book, 'Big Magic'. We dive into the importance of seizing ideas when they occur and the liberating feeling of discarding ones that don't resonate. We also share how we've adapted our writing approach, creating a sticky note system that fosters a vibrant idea pool.Think back to the last time you accomplished a manual task. Maybe it was mending a broken fence or even baking a loaf of bread. Remember the satisfaction of immediate and tangible results? We bring you the extraordinary tale of a retired corporate executive who traded boardroom meetings for farming in South Dakota. The immediacy and satisfaction of manual labor contrasted with his former corporate life, bringing about a profound perspective change. We further discuss our method of character tracking in writing and the simple joy of crossing items off a checklist. Our conversation takes us through a variety of subjects, from a retired cardiac surgeon's unexpected journey into cattle farming to the influences of the sexual revolution on stand-up comedy. We share our thoughts on the evolution of Nashville's skyline, our book reading habits, and engage in a spirited debate on the preservation of history versus progress. And of course, we have some light-hearted banter about the mild discomfort of attending the Opry with your father-in-law. 

Chatting about Christopher Nolan, the genius behind the films like 'Following', 'Insomnia', and 'Memento', diving into the depth and layers of his narratives. It's not just about the films, we also explore how his creations stand apart from modern cinematic norms. Shifting gears from Nolan's cinematic world, we delve into the changing landscape of Hollywood. (Carlos wonders what the hell its all about) Ever thought about how streaming services have disrupted traditional compensation models for writers? Or, how the quest for storytelling sometimes ends up in unsatisfying endings? We draw parallels between modern comedic TV shows and the timeless 'I Love Lucy'. Also, come laugh with us as we discuss the unique style of standup comedy and the comedic genius of Nate Bargatze. Finally, Robert tells us about his family trip along the East Coast. (FAIR WARNING: he's got choice words for Asheville). From exploring the beauty of Asheville, North Carolina, to the culinary delights of Charleston, South Carolina, we share our experiences and reflections. We also tackle some serious issues, addressing addiction and the responsibility that comes with dealing with substance abuse.  Check out Robert's books HERE and Carlos's books HERE.Listen to Free Audiobooks --> BookTV

Carlos & Robert chat: Have you ever wondered how the Mission Impossible series manages to deliver one thrilling installment after another? We unpack this mystery in our latest episode, discussing director Christopher Macquarie's captivating style and Tom Cruise's ability to drive a story. We also draw comparisons between the practical effects of the Mission Impossible series and the CGI of Marvel movies. Plus, get ready to experience the nostalgia as we revisit the legendary Harrison Ford’s varied roles and the iconic DeLorean from Back to the Future. As we venture further, we address the ongoing debate on the value of a college education. Can you imagine attending college classes without paying or having an AI professor? To lighten the mood, we confess our favorite Taco Bell treats and our cherished taco spots, and even delve into the fascinating world of pies.We then move on to discuss our football fandom, and the unique spirit of attending high school football games. We also offer an insider's view of the University of Central Florida's growth and how universities attract students. Our conversation about career choices and self-actualization is especially enlightening as we share our thoughts on the importance of choosing a career path that brings joy rather than misery. Lastly, we end on a scrumptious note, reminiscing about our favorite food memories from Taco Bell, tortilla making, and our ultimate pies and crumbles. 

Robert & Carlos chat: We take you from Orlando, to the green of Alaska, and through riveting tales of family reunions in Michigan and food in Chattanooga. Scenic hikes and gaming events.Avid film buffs, we don't just stop at travel tales. We venture into Hollywood, dissecting the trend of deconstructed hero tropes and their impact on characters we hold dear. We share our insights on films like Force Awakens and Indiana Jones 5, and mull over Harrison Ford's comeback and the intriguing role of Phoebe Waller-Bridge.We tackle some serious economic concerns, discussing the challenges tech startups face in a cash-poor environment and the looming economic downturn. We consider its potential impact on the world of streaming services, and share some valuable financial lessons we've learned along the way. As we wrap up our journey, we invite you to join us in debating the merits of turkey legs vs. chicken legs and sharing our favorite food adventures. 

Robert and Carlos chat: We've all had those chaotic summers where life feels like a whirlwind, and this year was no exception for us. Amidst dance recitals, in-law visits, and writing struggles, we decided to take a break and have a heart-to-heart about everything from navigating the dangers of sugar addiction to which movie to watch. 

Episode 29: Chatting about the carb-loaded first week of summer, the corrosive effects of reboot/remake culture, Robert, the fantasy author can’t remember Anduril, Flame of the West, a deep discussion into the greatest TV show of the last decade, and the fraught consequences of the sexual revolution. 

Episode 28 - Carlos chats with Ben Middleton, Regional CEO of Centerstone. They talk about the life-changing power of mentors, early years, figuring things out, the compounding effect of doing the right thing, parents having the courage to move the family for a new start, finding your aptitude and personal connection. For more information on Centerstone and their mental health and addiction services visit https://centerstone.org

Episode 27 - Robert chats with Mike Lorenz about the affinity of psychopaths for gin, the ins and outs of bank failures, who’s going to buy the US debt, the domino theory of the financial system, revolutions, bad economic theory, the rise of individualism, and who is rewriting the code of society?

Episode 26 - Chatting about alligator farm investment opportunities, mortal combat sports, the locus of control theory, the power of military wives, hidden secrets in the basement of the Louvre, Robert’s unquenchable craving for Middle Eastern food, the boys’ longing for brunch, and the taste of poverty.

Episode 25 - Chatting about the plague on the pantry that is teenage boys, sustainable dieting, the explosive growth of health care costs and college administration, and how the American education system is a badly-engineered relic.

Episode 24 - Chatting about mystery box storytelling, why a friend will jump in a hole with you, commiserating about the worst part of writing a book, how men develop respect after fist fighting, and why authors are the most dramatic people.