John C. Spokes, CFRE, Senior Vice President, Netzel Grigsby Associates - Specializing in capital and annual campaigns, strategic plans, and board development, John brings a wealth of experience across diverse nonprofit sectors, including arts, education, health care, social services, and youth development. Recent successful partnerships include Musical Theatre West (Fundraising Assessment), Temple Isaiah (Capital Campaign), Prosser Boys & Girls Club (Study and Campaign Counsel), and Mirman School (Campaign Counsel). John's method is marked by creativity, offering innovative solutions to navigate complex challenges. His ability to ignite creative thinking among clients is a testament to his commitment to thinking outside the box. Here he discusses how his upbringing led him to become a friend to humanity and the rewards of finding purpose.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

Mike Nicholas an editor/filmmaker based in Los Angeles, making shorts, educational and branded content for Nickelodeon, Paramount, and a litany of toy companies. He also has a long history with short films, producing and co-writing past award-winning shorts like “Funky Butt” (2018), “Stag” (2017), and “The Man from Mars” (2016), but is now sitting down into the director’s chair for the first time with the Louisiana Film Prize grand prize-winning short “Sex Date”(2024), currently beginning it’s festival run. Here he discusses how he realized the thing he was good at all along was actually his dream.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.

David Hertz, FAIA, Architect, founded Syndesis in 1983 and S.E.A. The Studio of Environmental Architecture, a practice focus on regenerative design in an age of resilience. David won the 2022 Smithsonian Cooper Hewitt National Design Award for Climate Action. In 2018, Hertz won the Water Abundance XPRIZE a 1.5 M prize to make over 2,000 liters of water from air.In 2006 David was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award from SCI-Arc and in 2008 he was elected to the prestigious American Institute of Architects College of Fellows, as one of its youngest members in its over 155-year history. David's award-winning work has been published widely and exhibited internationally. Some highlights include exhibitions in the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Building Museum, and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. David has taught studios and lectured at Yale,USC, UCLA and Art Center. Here, he discusses how his rebellious nature turned him into a master problems solver.

*note: this was recorded before the LA Wildfires.

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Michael Murphy is a Senior Creative currently working hard in advertising brand design creating IMPACT, VALUE and EXCITEMENT. He also recently published a book called “Googie Modern" Angel City Press and is an Exhibitor / Artist. Outside of work and creative pursuits, he can be found volunteering for the Venice Heritage Museum one wheeling, cycling, aeroponic gardening, cooking, parenting, and husbanding. All not too far from the ocean, gratefully. Here, he discusses how his passions for art and history, help him form a brand narrative and maintain balance in his own life.

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Aasif Mandvi is an award-winning actor, writer, and producer. He can be seen starring in the Paramount+ drama EVIL, the Hulu comedy THIS WAY UP, as well the CW’s comedy panel show WOULD I LE TO YOU, for which he served as host and Executive Producer. Well known for his decade long work as a correspondent on THE DAILY SHOW WITH JON STEWART, he was also a writer, producer, and ​co-​star on the HBO series THE BRINK. Other film and TV credits include: MOTHER’S DAY, MILLION DOLLAR ARM, THE INTERNSHIP, THE DICTATOR, SPIDER-MAN 2, THE PROPOSAL, THE LAST AIR-BENDER, GHOST TOWN, A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS, BLUE BLOODS, YOUNGER, CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, and the upcoming TERROR: DEVIL IN SILVER. Mandvi also co-wrote and starred in the film TODAY’S SPECIAL, which premiered at the London Film Festival. His theatre credits include the National Theatre/Broadway production of OKLAHOMA, Lincoln Center’s premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning play DISGRACED (Lucille Lortel Nomination), and he was the recipient of the OBIE award for his solo show SAKINA’S RESTAURANT at the American Place Theatre. Mandvi and Kahn are recipients of a Peabody Award for co-creating the web-series, HALAL IN THE FAMILY, which addressed anti-muslim bigotry through humor. Aasif is also the author of the book, NO LAND’S MAN, a collection of humorous and personal stories published by Chronicle Books. Here, he discusses what it’s like to be an Indian born, British actor who found success beyond his wildest dreams in America.

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Scott Nathan is an award winning celebrity, beauty, fashion & advertising photographer/commercial director. His fine art series "Confessional" opened at 2019's Frieze L.A to rave reviews and global press. "Confessional" features more than 100 women free from the power of objectification through the triumph of empathy. In addition to his photography, Scott hosts a podcast called "The Bad Decisions Podcast" and wrote a book of The Big Book of Bad Decisions. Here, he discusses the many phases of his journey and the friends who helped along the way.

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This week’s guest, RHEA SEEHORN will next be seen starring in the UNT VINCE GILLIGAN SERIES which she is currently shooting for Apple TV+. She was recently seen in BAD BOYS: RIDE OR DIE, opposite Will Smith & Martin Lawrence. Previously, Rhea starred as 'Kim Wexler in AMC's hit series BETTER CALL SAUL, which ran for six seasons earning Rhea 3 Critics' Choice Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, 3 SAG nominations for Best Ensemble in a Drama Series, and most recently, 2 Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama, and a nomination for Best Actress in a Short Form or Drama Series for 'Cooper's Bar.’ Seehorn has also been awarded 2 TCA nominations & a win for Individual Achievement in Drama, a Gold Derby Award, 4 Saturn Awards, an HCA Award, and a Peabody. Here, Rhea discusses her journey as an artist and how she has survived her career and the doubts that come with success.

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Born and raised in Los Angeles Eric has been immersed in film and TV his entire life. As a Camera Operator and assistant Camera Operator, Eric has an accumulated over 45,000 hours of onset experience. Past credits include HUNTERS, A WRINKLE IN TIME, SNOWFALL and MY CRAZY EX GIRLFRIEND. During his many years of camera work, Eric has developed a keen eye for what it takes to build a scene with a strong visuals. As well as master the art of working interdepartmentally to get the days work completed. Here, he discusses navigating relationships, hierarchy, hours, and technology changes.

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Special thanks to Wiser Time for providing the show's music.