Just Press Record

Matt Zeigler
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Make curiosity a habit. All the fun parts of learning without the boring bits of going to school for it. "Just Press Record" is a conversation-style interview, featuring two commonality-lacking guests discussing one commonly-grounded topic. Welcome to the (audio/visual) Personal Archive of Matt Zeigler.

  1. SEP 30

    Bobby K Lost Thousands on His Horror Fest. Then Realized He Was Measuring Wrong

    Join us for a conversation with Bobby K, the founder of NEPA Horror Fest. We talk about the origins of the festival, the challenges of running community events, and why creating a space for indie films, music, and art matters so much. From Murphy’s Law stories to what it takes to bring Hollywood-quality experiences to local communities, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at passion, perseverance, and horror on the big screen. Topics covered: The history and evolution of NEPA Horror Fest Why Bobby K started the festival and how it’s grown since 2015 The challenges of running local community events The importance of showcasing independent films and local talent Why drive-ins and nostalgic venues matter for culture and connection Balancing financial struggles with the reward of community impact What’s new at the 11th annual festival, including the night market and live music How to support and attend this year’s event Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Murphy’s Law stories03:00 Local music and festival memories06:20 Why start a horror film festival in NEPA07:30 Growth of the festival and major guests09:00 Bringing Monster Mania–style events to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre10:00 Why indie films need a platform12:00 Nostalgia and the drive-in experience13:20 Film submission process and global reach15:00 Defining success beyond the numbers17:40 Event details: October 11th at Circle Drive-In19:40 Night market, live music, and family-friendly atmosphere21:50 Why supporting local culture matters

    26 min

  2. SEP 23

    Stop Wishing Away Your Days. Start Designing Them. | How to Make Work Feel Human

    In this episode, Nate Bagley and Bree Groff unpack how to design work that feels human, energizing, and worth your days. We dig into the real drivers of performance (recognition, meaning, and momentum), why so many teams misread burnout, and a practical “magic ratio” you can use this week to change culture. If you’ve ever caught yourself wishing away weekdays, this conversation offers concrete ways to redesign your day, your team habits, and your leadership playbook. Topics covered Why “work should be fun” is a serious performance principle The unseen work trap: wishing away days and treating people as resources Recognition as a love language and the behaviors that make it land The 20:1 magic ratio and why praise-to-corrective balance matters Psychological safety vs. aliveness and how to cultivate both How leaders can give better feedback and model the right habits Meeting hygiene, daily design, and micro-changes that compound Rethinking burnout: what most teams get wrong and how to fix it Metrics that matter: from output obsession to sustainable performance Practical scripts and experiments to try with your team this week Timestamps00:00 Intro and why work should be fun02:10 The unseen work trap and wishing away your days06:25 Recognition as a love language10:40 The 20:1 magic ratio explained15:05 Psychological safety vs aliveness19:30 Feedback that motivates without fear24:15 Meeting hygiene and daily design29:00 Burnout, misdiagnosed33:20 Metrics that actually move performance38:10 Leader scripts and experiments to try now42:45 Audience takeaways and next steps

    1h 23m

  3. SEP 9

    Friendships Fall Off a Cliff After 30 | Psychology Expert Reveals What Actually Saves Them

    In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt brings together journalist and friendship expert Anna Goldfarb and psychologist/behavioral finance analyst Naomi Win for a deep and wide-ranging conversation on friendship, uncertainty, and the ways we build and sustain human connection. The discussion moves from personal stories and research insights to cultural commentary, exploring how we navigate modern relationships in a world full of competing demands, distractions, and constant change. Topics Covered Why uncertainty shapes both friendships and personal growth Anna’s framework for understanding friendship hierarchies (bathtub, jacuzzi, swimming pool, etc.) The difference between agentic friendships and communal friendships How adulthood, family, and time scarcity reshape our social circles Cultural and societal impacts on modern friendship and loneliness The psychology of self-trust, repair, and vulnerability in relationships Trauma bonding vs. healthy friendship bonding Anna’s personal story of her father, uncertainty, and the importance of reaching out Why certainty, communication, and generosity matter in sustaining friendships

    1h 38m

  4. SEP 3

    You’re Playing the Wrong Game | Steve Willison on Work, Burnout, and Incentives

    In this episode of Just Press Record, Matt Zeigler sits down with Steve Willison—HR executive and author of Players, Payoffs and People—to explore how game theory applies to work, leadership, and life. The conversation weaves together stories of creativity, burnout, and identity with lessons on incentives, teamwork, and personal growth. From bands on tour to boardrooms, Steve shares how seeing the world as a series of "games" can provide clarity and direction in navigating relationships, careers, and organizations. Topics Covered: Finding your people and building the right "pool" of collaboratorsWork-life integration vs. balanceThe role of adventurous risk-takers in creative and professional projectsBurnout: causes, recovery, and organizational responsibilityIncentives, goals, and how shifting motivations impact teamsCooperation games vs. competitive games in relationships and the workplaceViewing life, leadership, and HR through the lens of game theoryCreativity, cross-pollination, and pulling lessons from unexpected places

    40 min

  5. AUG 26

    Stop Waiting for Permission | Preston Cherry & Jenny Wood on Owning Your Choices

    In this episode of *Just Press Record*, Matt Zeigler brings together Dr. Preston Cherry, author of *Wealth in the Key of Life*, and Jenny Wood, former Google exec and author of *Wild Courage*. They dive into the power of rejection, the value of “weird,” the courage to stand out, and why nobody likes to be “should on.” This conversation blends psychology, storytelling, and practical lessons on living boldly and authentically. ### Topics Covered * Why rejection is often just the first step toward success * Jenny’s “wild courage” story of meeting her husband on the subway * The role of fear—failure, judgment, and uncertainty—in holding us back * How to embrace “weird” as a strength in work and life * Reframing “manipulative” into the courage to influence for good * The balance between seeking permission and trusting yourself * The importance of stage of life, self-audits, and giving yourself grace * Session work, entrepreneurship myths, and the underrated power of enthusiasm * Practical frameworks like Preston’s “6 As” and Jenny’s “WINN” and “FLIP” tools

    51 min

  6. AUG 19

    The Late Starter's Advantage | Morgan Ranstrom on Why "Being Behind" is Actually Winning

    In this second conversation with Morgan Ranstrom, we dive deeper into the power of creating in public, the discomfort of vulnerability, and the surprising compounding benefits of sharing ideas openly. From creativity and wealth management to music, poetry, and AI, this episode explores how learning out loud can change careers, relationships, and the way we engage with the world. Special shoutout to my prior conversation with Chris Mayer and Anne-Laure Le Cunff (@neuranne) — we've got a great clip from their introduction to inspire this conversation! 👉 https://youtu.be/pgdhXiVh2zE?si=39uUxqOOARfITUE8 What We Cover: Why creating in public is so powerful The tension between being “late” vs. just starting anyway Compounding benefits of small creative risks Vulnerability vs. comfort in an AI-driven world Lessons from music, writing, and wealth management The role of the muse and the creative flywheel Finding balance between private long-term projects and public iteration How human connection transforms creativity

    41 min

  7. AUG 12

    The Trap of Validation. The Pursuit of Mastery | Bill Stephney & Lawrence Yeo on Lasting Creativity

    What happens when a hip-hop pioneer and a philosopher-turned-artist sit down to explore the tension between external validation and internal mastery? In this episode of Just Press Record, Bill Stephney—former Def Jam executive and cultural force behind launching acts like Public Enemy—and Lawrence Yeo—author of More To That (@moretothat) and creator of deeply reflective visual essays—discuss the creative journey from two unique angles. It's a conversation about art, ambition, history, and the challenge of staying true to yourself when everyone else is watching. • The early days of hip-hop and Bill's pivotal role in launching Public Enemy • Lawrence's discovery of beatmaking and how it shifted his creative worldview • The tradeoff between external recognition, financial success, and creative freedom • Why many creators move away from their first passion—and what replaces it • The LA beat scene, SoundCloud era, and how distribution has changed everything • Gatekeepers vs democratization: is quality being lost or redefined? • How the pursuit of mastery differs from the pursuit of fame • What motivates great artists—and how that changes over time • Bill's work on documentaries like Philly on Fire and Kaepernick in America • The importance of curiosity, creative tension, and following your "inner compass" 00:00 - Intro: Def Jam, Rick Rubin, and why these two guests had to meet 02:00 - Lawrence on learning about sampling and the genius of collage 08:00 - Bill's path from college DJ to discovering Chuck D and forming Public Enemy 13:10 - The syncopated roots of hip-hop and its cultural explosion 18:25 - Lawrence on the LA beat scene, Flying Lotus, and SoundCloud's golden age 24:00 - Why he left music: chasing validation vs. creative fulfillment 26:40 - Bill on managing art, fame, and commerce at Def Jam 31:10 - From music exec to film producer: the Tony Braxton origin story 39:00 - Democratization vs. quality: the creative tension of modern distribution 44:30 - What counts as "good" in a world without gatekeepers? 50:15 - Cultural movements that weren't planned—but changed everything 53:00 - Mastery, the inner compass, and why artists leave a mark 58:00 - The danger of overstimulation and protecting curiosity 1:03:20 - Saying yes, instinct, and the path to meaningful work 1:07:00 - A Grand Wizard Theodore story and the beauty of creative accidents

    1h 25m

  8. AUG 5

    You Think It Doesn’t Matter Now. It Does. | Morgan Ranstrom on Time, Compounding & Legacy

    In this deeply reflective episode of *Just Press Record*, Matt Zeigler sits down with Morgan Ranstrom for a conversation that moves beyond money and into the heart of what truly compounds in life. Prompted by a powerful clip from John Candeto, Morgan and Matt explore how time serves as the ultimate filter — for ideas, relationships, art, and legacy. Together they unpack the meaning of right living, the responsibility of generational impact, and how we can each live with intention today to shape the world of tomorrow. This episode isn’t about financial markets — it’s about the compounding power of decisions, creativity, and care. It’s about being an active participant in building something that outlasts you. **Topics Covered:** * * Why time is the ultimate filter for truth, art, and wisdom * The delayed rewards of living intentionally * Compounding in health, creativity, relationships, andparenting * The challenge (and reward) of thinking in decades, notdays * Legacy-building as an active, not passive, responsibility * Using music, writing, and presence to show our kids who weare * The epigenetics of love, trauma, and personal change * Why the Grateful Dead might be the perfect metaphor forenduring culture * What it *really* means to be a good ancestor

    34 min
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About

Make curiosity a habit. All the fun parts of learning without the boring bits of going to school for it. "Just Press Record" is a conversation-style interview, featuring two commonality-lacking guests discussing one commonly-grounded topic. Welcome to the (audio/visual) Personal Archive of Matt Zeigler.

Information

  • Creator
    Matt Zeigler
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Matt Zeigler
  • Show Website
    Just Press Record

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