Thecuriousmanspodcast

Matt Crawford speaks with author Kyne Santos about his book, Math In Drag. What do Drag and Math have in common? Kyne details his life, growing up gay, his love of math, his journey to becoming a Drag Queen and how he married both of them.

Matt Crawford speaks with authors Dr. Adaira Landry and Dr. Resa Lewiss about their book, MicroSkills: Small Actions, Big Impact. I don't think there are two more qualified individuals to write this book than Dr. Landry and Dr. Lewiss. As award winning physicians, educators, and mentors they bring their considerable knowledge to the fore and detail how to navigate our work, life no matter how old we are.

Matt Crawford speaks to father and son authors Steven and Clifford Simmons about their book, Where Do Ocean Creatures Sleep at Night? With lovely illustrations and rhyming words Steven and Clifford stoke that inner curiosity and invite us deep into the ocean to see what splendor awaits.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Beth Kurland about her book, You Don't Have to Change to Change Everything. A clinical psychologist for 30 years, Dr. Kurland brings that considerable experience to bear in this comprehensive review of how we can all better step back and put things in perspective to help us achieve that which we want. We discuss how to truly define and work for happiness, her different views to help us deal with life's situations and the different resources she includes in the book to help us utilize these new techniques.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Christopher Loric about his book, SESG Explorer. When an alien race, the Kammorrigans sends a message to our planet we decide to travel to them and make first contact, but how do we do this safely? Is this the beginning of global relations or a prelude to global war? This book is the foundation for a thrilling series that could be the blueprint for what global relations could look like and it touches on elements that relate to current events. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author Norman Ohler about his book, Tripped: Nazi Germany, the CIA, and the Dawn of the Psychedelic Age. Tripped, traces the roots of LSD to Germany during WWII and the Nazi's nefarious experiments to use it for mind control to the CIA's own interest in it for similar purposes. All the while the U.S government pushing the narrative that it was a dangerous drug and ignoring its benefits. Ohler highlights the corrupt U.S drug policies and the lack of scientific study that could have helped so many, to his own family's experimentation with it to treat his mother's dementia. As always Ohler does not disappoint, and this is impossible to put down.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Linda Stewart Henley about her book, Kate's War: A Novel. Based on Henley's own family history, Kate's War is historically based fiction that tells the story of a 20-year-old Kate living under the threat of German invasion in WWII England. Trying to wrestle the responsibilities to her family, her country and to her own dreams, Kate is torn between her own dreams and aspirations and doing her duty. A touching and introspective read that thoroughly entertains.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Todd Boyd about his book, Rappers Deluxe: How Hip Hop Made the World. This is a visual and cerebral journey through 50 years of Hip Hop evolution. As only Dr. Boyd can do, he takes us by the hand and leads us through the pivotal moments in Hip Hop culture, Rap and history to provide the context that is so often missing and helps us to understand the true meaning of this movement.

Matt Crawford speaks with Edward R. Murrow winning journalist, podcast creator, producer and host Ben Bradford about his new podcast Landslide. Bradford takes us back to the pivotal primary and general election of 1976 and how 3 improbable candidates; Ford, Reagan and Carter would set the stage for a pivotal shift in our political landscape. An intriguing listen for anyone regardless of your interest in politics this is a podcast that is sure to pull you in and grab you.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Alexander Brash about his book, A Whaler at Twilight: A Long Lost True Account of Whaling and Redemption in the South Pacific. When Brash discovers a manuscript of his great, great grandfather's, Robert Armstrong written in the 1840's it set off a lovely chain of events that lead to this book. Detailing the hardships of a whaler and the 10 years away from home and his journey around the world, Armstrong's story is that of suffering and searching for redemption. That story would be enough to hold our gaze but Brash also provides his own context and perspective which make this story even richer.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Ann Parson about her book, The Birds of Dog: An Historical Novel Based on Mostly True Events. This novel takes us back in time to early 19th century Boston and the burgeoning scientific community. Using the fantastic device of letters between Catharine and Charles Pickering to capture the events of the day this is an exhilarating romp through history and it is sure to thrill.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Malia Lazu about her book, From Intention to Impact: A Practical Guide to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Drawing from her background as a community organizer, corporate career as a bank president and now as a leading consultant of DEI, Lazu highlights the importance of DEI and the missteps that companies can make when trying to implement. Most importantly however, Lazu discusses the responsibility we have to make sure DEI is implemented, not just for the sake of it but because inclusion is a fundamental need for society to thrive.

Matt Crawford speaks with investigative journalist, lawyer and author Doug Kari about his book, The Berman Murders. January 6, 1986, Barry and Louise Berman went for a hike in the Mojave Desert's Saline Valley and never came back. 3 years later their remains were discovered but justice has still not been brought to this family. Kari tells us not only about the investigation and the possible suspect, but more importantly he introduces us to Barry and Louise Berman. Who they were, what they were like and what may have happened to them.

Matt Crawford speaks with author William Carl about his book, Assassin's Manuscript. When former CIA assassin last hit goes sideways, he attempts to leave that life of darkness behind and escapes to a career in the ministry. Inextricably Hunter is pulled back into his dark past to help solve a code hidden in an ancient manuscript that could thwart a terrorist plot. A fast-paced thriller that will leave your head spinning in the best ways, this is one to pick up. Good luck putting it down!

Matt Crawford speaks with author Samir Chopra about his book, Anxiety: A Philosophical Guide. Through his own experience Chopra describes how philosophy has helped him deal with his own anxiety. We discuss looking at this affliction through a new and inspiring lens which I think all will find quite stimulating.

Matt Crawford speaks with lawyer and author Tawfiq Rangwala's book, What WE Lost: Inside the Attack on Canada's Largest Children's Charity. Many of us may not heard about the Canadian based children's charity WE and its downfall, but Rangwala details the hundreds of thousands of children it helped and how it was brought down by disinformation and a media smear campaign. A cautionary tale that highlights the public's lack of critical thinking and how facts seldom matter in the court of public opinion.

Matt Crawford speaks with author and wellness coach Brittany Gowan about her book, Turn to the Sun. Gowan discusses how nature can have an acute effect on our mindfulness and overall, wellbeing. Included in the book are exercises to teach us how to turn on our sensory wakefulness and how to disconnect and recenter no matter where we are. 

Matt Crawford speaks with author and podcast host Emily P. Freeman about her book, How to Walk Into a Room. Many of us do not know how or when to leave a situation that doesn't suit us. We also have trouble discerning what to take and what to leave. Freeman discusses how to decide when the time is right to move on and how to do so with grace, dignity and closure.

Matt Crawford speaks with author Dr. Angela Bowers about her book, Overcoming. A psychotherapist for over 40 years Dr. Bowers decided to share one of her most challenging and complex patients with us. Using the name Emma to protect her identity, Dr. Bowers shares the intense therapy Emma needed for 6 years to try and heal from the vast trauma, of all different types that she had suffered. A story that can be difficult to read it is also one that is sure to uplift. Emma's words are also included in this book, and it shows how indominable the human spirit truly is. While we all may have not experienced what Emma has, her story will strike resonance with some of our struggles and illustrate that there is always hope.

Matt Crawford speaks with journalist and author Roger Rapoport about his book, Searching for Patty Hearst. 50 years ago, socialite and billionaire heiress Patty Hearst was kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA.) After two months in captivity Hearst joined the SLA and participated in a bank robbery and kidnapping. Rapoport has followed this case from the start and is still uncovering details about it. This is a story so unbelievable it begs to be read.