Cardboard Cutouts

Christian (Crispy) Pollak
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  • SOCIETY & CULTURE

Inspired by the semi-fictional word 'sonder', Cardboard Cutouts is a project aimed at exploring the complex thoughts, experiences, and lives of those who would otherwise be considered strangers on the street. 

Episodes

  1. 07/24/2025

    012 Michael - A Nature Devotee and Runner in the Rain

    Michael gives us the pleasure of learning about his passion for people, nature, and mental health. As someone who has not only trekked the wilderness in a wide-array of locations, he's also trekked some paths of growth and healing within his own mind.  What is it like to constantly have your beliefs challenged willingly in black, white, and gray discussions? Michael values the idea of sharing opinions and perspectives constantly while making sure to find a middle ground of growth and understanding. To not just let temper control him, but rather to feel all the emotions that come with being a human. Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    1h 5m

  2. 04/25/2025

    011 Kaisa - A Community Leader and Swain of the Water

    Kaisa divulges the secrets, or not-so-secrets, to her optimistic outlook on life. From living with an abundant community of love and compassion, to being a leader of wellness, health, and joy, Kaisa explains the importance of caring for each other in a world that, otherwise, wants to pull us apart. She is an inspiration of finding yourself in a society that would rather tell you who you're supposed to be than letting you discover the universe inside of you.  Important resources mentioned toward the end of the episode: Mutual Aid by Dean Spade Queer Social Club Instagram Tri-County Health Network (Western Slope Colorado) Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    55 min

  3. 03/19/2025

    010 Donnalee - A Mountain Woman and Advocate of Mixed Berry Pie

    Donnalee, a rugged explorer of the world, tells us all we need to know about finding peace in our greater communities through the stories of her past. From living in Japan, to trying to fit into an American high school for a single year of her life, to finding out she was made for the Colorado mountains, she's experienced more self-discovery than most have in their entire lifetimes. Donnalee is a woman who cares about the poor, the discriminated, and the mistreated. She has finally found a place within her to fight the fight she thought she couldn't for many years.  Donnalee's audiobook can be purchased anywhere you can get audiobooks including this link to Audible: "Henrietta Cloud Brown: 1855-1941: Telluride Mountain Woman" Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    55 min

  4. 12/14/2024

    009 Helen - A Rash Risk-Taker and Exigent Board Gamer

    Helen joyfully steps us through the best times of her life and the hardest moments that have molded her perspective on what to expect. From working together with a stranger through broken English to find her way home, to getting married on a beach in Florida for $1000, and even finding the time to appreciate dick jokes from a long-dead poet, Helen has found a unique life full of adventure, risk-taking, and loving. Her parents may have inspired her to live a life considered full, but she has truly lived up to the meaning of "making your own path." You can find Helen's podcast Roll Plus Heart here: https://www.rollplusheart.co.uk Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    1h 14m

  5. 01/10/2024

    008 Midkhat - An Optical Engineering Student and Mixer of Tartar Sauce and Hot Sauce

    Midkhat bravely steps us through the moments of his young life that have made him who he is so far. He shares with us secrets that risk the love of his parents, choices that strengthen the binding of his friendships, and hopes of a future that fulfill his desire to help others.  This conversation was eye-opening for me as someone who has led a relatively "regular" American life up until this point. Midkhat's stories of his youth, moving from Uzbekistan and acclimating alongside his parents to an unfamiliar culture, learning of the benefits and consequences of his beliefs, has been inspiring to me in an effort to embrace change. I hope his stories do the same for you. Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    58 min

  6. 12/20/2023

    007 Jen - A Freelance Translator and Full-Time Dabbler

    Jen is a brilliant, clever, and goofy person who takes us by the hands and pulls us deep inside her mind in this episode. We get to explore all her beautiful passions and talents including (but not limited to) translating, learning languages, podcasting, traveling, and the one thousand other things she might have had an interest in at some point in her life. One thing is for certain: she shines kindness upon the world brightly. I cannot express more thoroughly my thanks to her for coming on the show and #blessing us with more stories from a stranger. If you want more of Jen you can find her podcasts in the links below (all Spotify links, my apologies, but you can definitely find it on other podcasting platforms): - Quest Fantastic - Roll Plus Heart - Jen and the Film Critic Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    1h 10m

  7. 12/05/2023

    006 Triumph - A Story Teller and Petitioner of Indoor Plumbing

    Triumph takes us along as he realizes all of the things he's truly passionate about, such as telling stories through performance and role-playing, exploring what importance an anti-hero has to the world of story exploration, making sure others are cared for with no expectations in return, and especially traveling all the way to Houston for the Renaissance Faire that has indoor plumbing.  Big thank you to Triumph for coming on the show and expressing deep truths about himself while at the same time recognizing that there may still be a lot he doesn't know yet.  Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    38 min

  8. 11/10/2023

    005 Holly - A World Explorer and Person Who Just Does It

    Holly takes us through her story, one consisting of living deliberately in a way that allows her to see the world, meet new people, and create an independence that empowers her. She explores the processes that led her to such an unconstrained lifestyle, delving into the past shoes she never felt comfortable in and, in turn, helping us understand what we can do to not let anyone guide our lives except ourselves. She has wonderful thoughts to share about living in a van, sharing it with her dogs, and grocery shopping all on her own. You can find Holly at the links below: Holly's website Deliberate Living Podcast (the Spotify link, but you can find it elsewhere as well) Her socials Her art (that you should definitely purchase) Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    48 min

  9. 10/15/2023

    004 Marley - An Independent Musician and Owner of a Likable Bike

    Marley steps us through how he's made his life truly his own. He discusses how his appreciation of art, particularly those who have struggled while making their art, has motivated him to keep true to himself and hold up others that deserve to been seen and heard. Listen to this story of someone with strength, pain, love, and a cool bike.  Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    45 min

  10. 10/02/2023

    003 Gina - A Performing Artist and Enthusiast of Cats

    Gina tells us of her greatest passions in life, the performing arts, cats, and going on walks. More so, we learn how her differences from those around her made for a difficult adolescence, and yet how those difficulties shaped her strong outlook on the life she leads now. Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    40 min

  11. 09/18/2023

    002 Paul - An Audio Wizard and Pursuer of Compassion

    Paul sifts through his memories of moving to China to teach English, laughing at a bewildered train passenger, and telling someone off as a telephone operator. We learn about some of Paul's most cherished experiences, his darkest moments, and his requests of humanity. You can find Paul at the links below: Quest Fantastic A DnD podcast about heroes coming out of retirement to help an old friend. One Good Thing A podcast exploring the redeeming qualities of really bad films. Run//Phase Paul's self-produced music Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    55 min

  12. 09/12/2023

    001 Emily - An Animator and Lover of Christmas Pork

    Emily tells us about her love of being an animator, the inspirations and empowerment her Cuban heritage has bestowed, her regrets and passions, and of course the one thing she misses so much about Miami... the Christmas pig.  Produced and edited by Christian "Crispy" Pollak Sorry, no social media for this project yet, but if anything changes in that regard, keep your eyes on this space. However, you can send an email to: cbco.pod@gmail.com Intro/Outro songs licensed through Musicbed "Off the Lawn" by The Brook & The Bluff "Everything Is Just a Mess" by The Brook & The Bluff sonder (uncountable) (neologism) The profound feeling of realizing that everyone, including strangers passing in the street, has a life as complex as one's own, which they are constantly living despite one's personal lack of awareness of it.

    53 min
  • 12 Episodes

About

Inspired by the semi-fictional word 'sonder', Cardboard Cutouts is a project aimed at exploring the complex thoughts, experiences, and lives of those who would otherwise be considered strangers on the street. 

Information

  • Creator
    Christian (Crispy) Pollak
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Cardboard Cutouts
  • Show Website
    Cardboard Cutouts