Thecuriousmanspodcast

Matt Crawford speaks with top marriage and parenting author and speaker, Arlene Pellicane about National Marriage Week. Arlene has written several books about marriage and hosts the Happy Home Podcast. We discuss the importance of National Marriage Week, why it was started and why it is so important to celebrate it. We also talk about the secrets to a long and happy marriage, as well as how to keep a happy spouse. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Ditte Lysgaard Vind about her book, Danish Design Heritage and Global Sustainability. Why should we care and what can we learn from Danish designers? Vind describes the circumstances that led to certain tenets of Danish design developed and how those practices were steeped in sustainability and ecology. We can all agree that we have taken too much from this planet and we need to start rolling back that impact. How though can we start if we don't understand how and why we impact the earth the way we do? This book is the perfect place to start and Vind includes solutions as well as case study and proof that we can act responsibly, and people have been doing it for decades. There are solutions and we just need to be open to them. 

Matt Crawford speaks with Reagan Sova about his epic poem, Wildcat Dreams in the Death Light. This work has been described as an incantatory work of narrative poetry. Infused with hobo melancholy, Jewish lore, bloodshed, and hilarity, this epic poem is nothing short of a contemporary masterpiece. Set in 1910s America, Wildcat Dreams in the Death Light traces young  Mort Sloman’s odyssey to honor his jockey uncle—the only dead man ever to have won a horse race. But before Mort can organize a worthy funeral, he must acquire “the Locksmith keys”—a form of esoteric knowledge beyond the understanding of even graybeard rabbis. Sova and I describe what lies underneath his poetry and what influenced him to write this work. This is a literary journey that will force us all on our own path of discovery, I hope you will all come along for the ride. As has been said, this is a work that begs regular rereading and years of contemplation. I wholeheartedly agree!

Matt Crawford speaks with author Ronald Drabkin about his book, Beverly Hills Spy: The Double Agent War Hero Who Helped Japan Attack Pearl Harbor. Frederick Rutland was an accomplished aviator, British WWI war hero, and real-life James Bond. He was the first pilot to take off and land a plane on a ship, a decorated warrior for his feats of bravery and rescue, was trusted by the admirals of the Royal Navy, had a succession of aeronautical inventions, and designed the first modern aircraft carrier. He was perhaps the most famous early twentieth-century naval aviator. So how did this hero end up working for the Japanese stealing American aviation trade secrets while living in a mansion in Beverly hills, throwing lavish parties for the Hollywood elite? Drabkin details all this through recently declassified FBI files and through exhaustive research through MI5 and Japanese Naval archives that few English speakers have access to, and sources thought to be lost to history. A book that reads like a novel this is one

Matt Crawford speaks with Psychiatrist Dr. Steven Lesk about his book, Footprints of Schizophrenia: The Evolutionary Roots of Mental Illness. Schizophrenia remians one of the most misunderstood mental illnesses and thos that suffer from even more so. Dr. Steven Lesk brings over 40 years of expierience in the psychiatric field and reserach to posit a new theory of its causes and how we may better treat thos afflicted. A truly intresting read that shines a light on a dark corner of our soceity.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Jennifer Belle about her book, Swanna In Love. Set in the summer of 1982 14-year-old Swanna, is picked up late from camp by her mother Val, her lovable younger brother Madding and mom's boyfriend Borislav. Instead of heading home as expected they are dragged to Vermont—to an artist colony where kids are not welcome, and they are forced to sleep in the back of the truck. Swanna then meets Dennis, a handsome married father of two and she sets out to convince Dennis to help her by seducing him. But love seldom obeys rules, and even a tough, smart, city girl like Swanna might not be able to handle falling in love. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Peter McGraw about his book, Solo: Building a Remarkable Life of Your Own. We live in a world built for two, think about renting hotel rooms, insurance and taxes. There are many benefits baked onto society when you are two but what about when you are one? Societal pressures make it almost unacceptable to be Solo. McGraw gives the Solos out there the blueprint to live their best life and enjoy their choices. For the so-called spinster or bachelor, Solo is the resource for people who are happily single.

Matt Crawford speaks with editors and authors David Head and Timothy Hemmis about their book, A Republic of Scoundrels: The Schemers, Intriguers, and Adventurers Who Created a New American Nation. The founding of our nation is crowded with names like Washington, Adams, Jefferson and Hamilton. However, there are many names unknown to many that were of a different and some would say more unscrupulous nature, who had significant influence on how our nation was shaped. Head and Hemmis edit and contribute to this fantastic work that is sure to keep you reading. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author H.L Howard about his book, A Journey Must Be Taken-Playlist. This a story of love between Tauri, and older man and Libi a younger woman. Although they only meet a couple of times before COVID-19 looks them down there is a connection. Along and now divorced Tauri reaches out for that love and Libi expresses it through musical playlists. Tauri also uses Tarot to guide him towards his love, but it is not an easy courtship. A deep read that has many underlying meanings we can all take something away from.

Matt Crawford speaks with author and Vermont Poet Laureate Sydney Lea about his work, What Shines. Poetry can be intimating to some and even pretentious, Lea writes poems that are accessible and stirring. If you'd like to dip your toes into the art of poetry this is a good place to start.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Maria Baltazzi about her book, Take a Shot at Happiness: How to Write, Direct, and Produce the Life You Want. As one of the original lead supervisors on Survivor, Mria knows all about high pressure situations. While working in the fast-paced entertainment industry Maria realized that while successful, she wasn't happy. Thus started her search for true happiness and why she wrote this book. Maria walks the walks and shares that journey with all of us so we can find our own version of happiness. Everyone is sure to take something meaningful and inspirational away from this book. It could also change your life so what are you waiting for?

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Catherine Zipf about her book, Frank Lloyd Wright's Falling Water: America Architecture During the Depression Era. Frank Lloyd Wright was a polarizing figure and many books have been written about his life and work. However, the pivotal era in his life between his initial fame and his great works like Falling Water often go under covered. The depression era would help set the stage for his pivotal peace and Zipf takes the deep dive to show us how that arose. A great read that is sure to entertain.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Amy Pollack about her children's book, The Adventures of Jelly Bean. Jelly Bean is precocious 4th grader who has a lot to deal with. Many children's books talk down to their readers, but Pollack includes many difficult situations that tackle what many young people have to face.  A great read for young children and even their parents!

Matt Crawford speaks with author John Langmead about his book, Ballyhoo!: The Roughhousers, Con Artists, and Wildmen Who Invented Professional Wrestling. This book reads more like fiction than reality. Jack Curley was a pivotal figure in helping to foster the sport of wrestling and what it would become today. A character unto himself I doubt there was anyone else with the will and the moxey to pull of what he did. This book does not disappoint and is as entertaining as any Friday night Smackdown.

Matt Crawford speaks with Dr. Parul Dua Makkar about her book, Life Interrupted: Dr. Dua's Survival Guide. Parul shares her brother Dr. Manu Dua's writings while he was being treated for cancer. Eventually he would lose that battle, something which he was aware of while writing. This is such an impactful and uplifting read about grace and hope while suffering through the end of one's life. I cannot recommend this enough. 

Matt Crawford speaks with Andy Lee Roth about Project Censored and their State of the Free Press 2024 Edition. Project Censored highlights their picks for 25 of the most underreported and important stories of the last year, and profiles those brave journalists who continue to fight for media that is free of for-profit benefactors and political agendas. We all consume corporate driven media which has profit as their main objective, Project Censored is the antidote for all those looking to learn, absorb and make their own decisions. Please buy the book and visit their website to stay up to dat with all the work Project Censored is working on.

Matt Crawford speaks with Dr. Stephen Cohn about his book, All Bleeding Stops: Life and Death in the Trauma Unit. With over 40 years of experience Dr. Cohn brings a lot to the table and gives his readers an intimate look at what it is like to work in a trauma center. A good trauma surgeon must be expert in dealing with calamity and Cohn shares some of his funniest and most harrowing cases. This also shows us how policy can affect safety and the volume of cases these surgeons have to deal with. 

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.