Thecuriousmanspodcast

Matt Crawford speaks with Dr. Stephen Furlich about his book, Epiphany: Steps to Improve Your Nonverbal Communication. Such an important aspect of how we communicate with one and other often goes overlooked. Dr. Furlich explains just how important our nonverbal communication is and how it is engrained into our DNA. From body movement, pupil dilation, hand gestures, there are so many aspects to this and biology. All communication starts in the brain and there is actually physiological effects to our body based on it. Everyone will be able to utilize these tools in every aspect of their lives, I cannot stress what an important read this is. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Michael Gerhardt about his book, The Law of Presidential Impeachment: A guide for the Engaged Citizen. Michael Gerhardt is the leading scholar on the law of presidential impeachment. He is the only scholar to have addressed the entire House of Representatives on presidential impeachment and is one of only two scholars who have testified in three presidential impeachment proceedings - Bill Clinton's, Donald Trump's first and Joe Biden's. This is an interesting, nonpartisan read that we should all pick up and then discuss, especially in these fraught political times.  

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Tonya Evans about her book, Digital Money Demystified: Go From Cash to Crypto Safely, Legally, and Confidently. Many of us, including myself are very leery about investing in Crypto currency for a multitude of reasons. Dr. Evans did the heavy lifting for us as she learned about the process of investing and how Crypto works. Who better than a lawyer to ask the questions we would want to know and those questions we may not even realize to ask? A great read that is easy to understand and digest. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Daniel Schulman about his book, The Money Kings: The Epic Story of the Jewish Immigrants Who Transformed Wall Street and Shaped Modern America. We all know the names, Golman, Sachs, Lehman, Kuhn & Loeb, maybe not so much Seligman and Schiff. Schulman takes us back to the start of what would become our modern financial system to the immigration of Joseph Seligman in 1827, with the equivalent of $100 sewed into his pants. Enter Jacob Schiff and thing really get interesting. This sweeping narrative chronicles the interconnected origin stories of these families, how they navigated the Civil War, financial crashes, WWI and a deep rooted antisemitic upper class that was steeped in all corners of society. A deeply engrossing and phenomenal read. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Diane Namm about her newest children's book, Latkes & Lefse. Sibling Josh, Nora and Jacob love both Hanukkah and Christmas, latkes and Lefse. When Principal C tells them they can only pick one food for the holiday feast they are torn between their love of both, which represent their different cultures. How will they decide? A great story that represents our society and the mixed race, inter-religion and intercultural families that are more prevalent than ever. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author and poet about his book, Phone Ringing in a Dark House. This is a collection of poetry written over five years and touches on many different subjects. Rolly and I discuss why many of us may be intimidated by poetry because we are not sure what it means, or what it is supposed to make us feel. As I discovered through Rolly's poetry, even the poet doesn't know where their poems will take you and it is up to us the reader to make that journey. This was one of my favorite conversations and I hope you will give a listen and then a read. Follow up with a conversation after that and I am sure it will be inspiring.

Matt Crawford speaks to author Psychologist Joachim Reimann about his and his wife Psychologist Dolores Rodriquez Reimann's book, Immigrant Psychology: Heart, Mind, and Soul. Many of us think we know the plight of immigrants, whether legal or illegal but this book shows us just how fraught immigration can be on the human mind. While it can also be uplifting and often is, there are still many hurdles that people face moving to a new land, especially depending on the circumstance of that migration. This book is a great place to understand what immigrants go through and how we can receive and integrate them into our society better.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dennis Feece about his book, Love, Pride and Murder. New Hampshire Private Investigator T. B. Stone is a simple man with an intuitive streak. TB takes a case involving a lovely woman that entwines him with spies, assassins, organized crime and intrigue. This is a twist on the classic P.I stories we have all come to love, that is equal parts cozy and thrilling. A great anytime read that is hard to put down.

In this episode Matt Crawford speaks to author, director and producer Steve Stockman about his best-selling book and online course, How to Shoot Video That Doesn't Suck. We all have an amazing device in our pocket that can capture those moments in life we want remembered. However, most of us don't know how to capture that in a way that other people want to see. We shoot these videos, and they are never viewed again, taking up space on our phone. Stockman shows us simple tricks, regardless of what equipment you have that will turn you into a pro and have you shooting video that you and your family will actually want to watch.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Bob Burnett about his book, Death Is Potential. This is the first book of a mystery series set in Northern CA featuring US Federal Marshall Kate Swift. While attending a therapy workshop after a work incident, Kate bumps into an old flame in Tom Scott, who is attending after the passing of his wife. While exploring this burgeoning romance and what her future holds a murder takes place. Kate is drawn into the investigation and then has to balance romance, therapy and work while a killer is afoot. This is a great read that has something for everyone with, emotional, psychological and romantic aspects that intrigue and excite.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Jeff Fuhrer about his book, The Myth That Made Us. This book exposes the institutionalized myths that we have all come to believe. In a supposedly post-racist society, we have images of the self-made man, the primacy of profit, shareholder value-maximizing for businesses, and of minimal government interference. Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and this too can be you! Fuhrer detail how these myths take root and how we can take about them and understand how to counteract a system built on racist ideals.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Celia Ryker about her book, Augusta: A Novel. Based on Ryker's own grandmother this is a story of heartache and triumph. Life was not easy in the early 20th century for a poor single mother with children, Augusta takes us back in time and shows us a true story of love, determination and inspiration. 

Matt Crawford speaks with journalist and author Azam Ahmed about his book, Fear is Just a Word: A Missing Daughter, a Violent Cartel, and a Mother's Quest for Vengeance. This is the riveting true story of Miriam Rodriquez, a mother who fought back against the drug cartels in Mexico, pursuing her own brand of justice to avenge the kidnapping and murder of her daughter. Ahmed brings us into this family's home to share in their pain and anguish as they search for their daughter's kidnappers. We often hear about these horrible acts on the news but manage to turn a blind eye, Ahmed makes it impossible in this impossible to put down read.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. John Berger about his book, Solving the Climate Crisis: Frontline Reports from the Race to Save the Earth. Based on more than 6 years of research, Berger traveled the nation and abroad to interview governors, mayors, ranchers, scientists, engineers, business leaders, energy experts, and financiers as well as carbon farmers, solar and wind innovators, forest protectors, non-profit leaders, and activists. Berger then distills the information he gleaned and breaks it down in an easy to understand, exciting and hopeful format for his readers. This is the book to read if you want to understand just how many options and how close we truly are to a carbon neutral world. Please read the book, share and discuss with your family and neighbors.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Charles Crowson about his book, Jam Tomorrow? Why Time Really Matters in Economics. Most of us have a dim view of economics and its impact on our lives, we focus our energies mainly on work and providing for our families. Crowson lifts that veil and provides a new perspective of economics and its relationship to the other sciences; psychology, physics and philosophy. An accessible, enjoyable and thought provoking read; I promise this will change your view of economics and how it impacts your lives.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Fabrice Delaye about his book, The Medical Revolution of Messenger RNA. To the casual observer, it took about 10 months to develop the COVID-19 vaccine. That extraordinary success was made possible by decades of research and development in the use of messenger RNA (mRNA), the molecule that instructs cells to make a protein that stimulates production of antiviral antibodies. Fabrice bring us to back to the discovery of and evolution leading up to mRNA being used to treat this global pandemic and the scientists and companies who developed and produced it. A layperson's perspective, this book will make this subject easy to understand for all its readers.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Stephen Aronson about his book, The Search for Meaning and the Mystery of Consciousness. This book asks the important questions that will stir a most important conversation, the one inside ourselves. What is consciousness? Why do we limit the possibilities in our own minds with dogmatic ideals that we don't even subscribe to? Aronson and I ask these questions and more, I hope you will listen to this conversation, read the book and start a conversation of your own.

Matt Crawford speaks with author, Kathy Forti about her book series, Stacks: Library of Truth Series.

My interview with author Dr. Troy Urdahl about his book, Chasing Influence: Transformational Coaching to Build Champions for Life, is now posted. Coaches are an often-overlooked influence on the life trajectory of our youth and with almost twice as many coaches than teachers, that is a very important resource that needs guidance. Urdahl steps into the fore to do just that and give any budding leaders the tools to be successful and impactful. With a unique delivery device, Urdahl compiles inspirational stories in a book that is hard to put down. 

My interview with author M.R O'Connor about her book, Ignition: Lighting Fires in a Burning World is now posted. In a riveting investigation of the science and ecology of wildfires, journalist M.R. O'Connor ventures into some of the oldest, most beautiful, and remote forests in North America to explore the powerful and ancient relationship between trees, fires, and humans. She also writes about her experience working the fire line, the ecological balance of building and the need to purge the forest with “good fires.” A prescient read in our times that I hope you all will pick up.