Taking Five takingfive

If you’re truly passionate about something, you can find a way a way to make a living at it. You just have to keep doing it, even if it kills you. For Matt Emmons, all he did was just keep drawing. Even through a shitty job as a waiter and multiple trips to conventions where everyone walked by his booth without even glancing, he knew that if he just kept making art and putting it out into the world, he would figure out a way to make it work. But, most importantly, did he handle it when the thing he used to do as a reprieve from his work becomes work itself? How does he continue to find joy in it and keep the flame alive? And how in all of holy HECK did he get so many Instagram followers?

Artist and graphic designer Matt Emmons (@second.at.best) has never done things by the book. Unless you count the literal books he’s published. I guess what I mean to say is that he’s one of the more unique artists I’ve met.
Back when we went to high school together, it was fairly common knowledge that Matt was an extremely talented artist, and he was always one of those kids who you just knew was going to be successful. Sure enough, a couple of cool things have happened since we graduated six years ago: One, he got a nice new haircut that I think really suits him well. And two, he created a huge graphic design brand with a steadily growing following and has been touring the country selling and promoting his work.
If you want to hear about an artist’s journey from doodling monsters in the back of the classroom to becoming a published freelance artist, how to build up a profitable brand in the graphic design world, or if you just want to hear two goofy, immature, old friends from high school catch up and talk shit for 45 minutes, this episode is for you.

The more we talk to Dionysia, the more we're amazed they even had time to come on this show...let alone to do normal human things like 'eat meals' and 'go for walks' and 'socialize with others' and whatnot. Garrett and Julian give us even more insight on their trials and tribulations as they balance their day jobs with a night-life. From opening for huge bands like Kongos to applying to the major music festivals, they really are in a super interesting spot; being right on the edge of a full-time music career is a lot of work, and these guys are in it for the long haul.

Dionysia is not your typical rock band. Sure, they have hit songs, millions of streams on Spotify, and multiple national tour dates booked, but they also have....9-5 jobs? As Engineers?? Dafuq???? On today's episode, the band's two lead singers, Garrett Brown and Julien Vandal, sit down and give us some insight on how they manage to make it all work. They touch upon how their music has improved as they've been together longer, what it's like to be right on the edge of really breaking out, and why they still bother having full-time jobs on top of highly demanding music careers. And yes, Kate is absent on this one, since she's flaunting around somewhere in Europe as she 'studies abroad' and 'experiences new cultures' and whatnot. But she'll be back. They allllllways come back.

Remaining open to change and saying yes to new opportunities - that's what has enabled Steve Robinson to keep climbing up the content creation ladder. He gives us his advice for anyone looking to work in broadcasting and contemplates whether he made the right choice by going down the path of radio and podcasting instead of sticking with his political career. In addition to spoiling our attempts to impress him by having already read everything we throw at him, he also gives his thoughts on education, networking, and transitioning between career fields. Also, Kate went on a date? Like a real person??? Woah.

Steve Robinson did not grow up thinking he was going to be a podcast producer. He didn't grow up thinking he was going to have his voice be heard by thousands of people on radio stations and podcasts on a daily basis. And he DEFINITELY didn't grow up thinking he was going to be making dick jokes for a living. But, such is the life of Barstool Sports podcast producer. Steve tells us about his unique path from working in Politics to producing one of the most popular sports podcasts on the market, and how he was able to work his way up from sound guy to full-fledged on-air personality.