Skip The Repeat

While working as a creative director in San Francisco with a beautiful family, Carol Gardner led the dream life. But after going through a traumatic divorce, she was left broken and in heavy debt. At the advice of her attorney who suggested she get a therapist or a dog, she adopted an English bulldog, who became the key to her reinvention. A few years later at the age of 52, she launched Zelda Wisdom, a multimillion dollar company today and one that she remains very much involved in. Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

Lucia Liu grew up in many different places and, as she puts it, was raised “free-range.” Attending the University of Pennsylvania without an expectation to become any particular thing, she explored many different areas as a student. She’s taken this mindset of being a learner to change directions many times in her career, from working at American Express as a marketing analyst, to becoming a chocolatier, to becoming host of the Rock the Boat podcast, a show about Asian American leaders.  Follow the show on Instagram: @skiptherepeat

As a budding young cellist, Jeremy Turner dreamed of playing in the greatest orchestras in the world. As a senior at The Juilliard School, he accomplished just that: becoming the youngest member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. For the first few years, he was living the dream, collaborating with the best in the business. But slowly, he began to wonder if opera was all there was for him, exploring rock music and tinkering with creating music of his own. At the age of 36, he left the Opera to try his hand at something he had no training in - composition. Today, he is one of the most in-demand composers in the film industry, most recently creating the score for “Chef’s Table” on Netflix. Follow the show on Instagram @skiptherepeat

This is Part Two of my conversation with Heather Marold Thomason. Heather and I talk about what she went through the first time she slaughtered an animal (2:30), the mind-blowing statistic of how many families are fed by one animal (19:10), and the moment she knew she had to open her own shop (27:10). We also discuss how important self belief and patience have been to her journey (38:20) and how this pandemic is not the most difficult obstacle she has faced (46). 

Heather Marold Thomason leaps first and thinks later. Heather and Kai talk about her previous life as a dancer and graphic designer (3:40), burning out in college (10:40), and how becoming friends with farmers came to change her trajectory (29:20). They also discuss apprenticing on a farm (43) and how her previous life as a dancer and artist shapes her life now (53:30). 

Danielle Eva Schwob loves listening to whole albums. Danielle and Kai talk about being the most adventurously dressed kid in school (3:30), what kept her going through tough times during her first years in NYC (20), and not dwelling on competition (33:30). They also discuss how important being a part of an artistic community is (38) and her new album (41:20). 

JJ Kirkpatrick loves to work out on traveling rings. In this episode recorded two weeks ago, JJ and Kai talk about his fantastic new single, Ultraviolet (6), the hidden virtuosity of pop music (12:40), and how he incorporates personal health into his life as an artist (23:25). They also discuss the black lives matter protests happening around the world (32:25) and being a frugal guy (59:40). 

Gabríel Ólafs loves living in Reykjavík, Iceland. Gabríel and Kai talk about his upbringing (9), loving Pixar and his dream of becoming a film composer (13:50), and the wild story of how he got signed to a record label (22). They also discuss what he thinks of his success at a young age (33:30) and his album, "Absent Minded" (34:30).

Jobs in the coffee industry are meant to be temporary. So the saying goes. But that doesn’t have to be true. In this episode, we talk with Andrea Allen, 2020 U.S. Barista Champion and co-owner of Onyx Coffee Lab about how she got into the specialty coffee industry, cultivating a coffee culture through Onyx Coffee Lab, and why we should all take a chance on a specialty coffee roastery.

Baristas are integral to our specialty coffee experience. But who are baristas? Why did they choose to become baristas? And what do they love about specialty coffee? In this episode, we talk with Chaereen Pak and Seth Wiley, two fabulous baristas about their story.

Specialty coffee is special, right? In the coffee community, the answer tends to be an enthusiastic "yes." But what makes it so special? In this episode, we talk with Dave Wong and Alex Levitt, two self-professed "coffee nerds" about their first experiences with coffee, what qualifies a coffee to be "special," and why people are at the center of it all. 

When we buy a bag of coffee, many of us only see the beans. But to Justin Kagan, owner and roaster of Badbeard's Microroastery in Portland, OR, it's much more than that. For Justin, coffee is about supporting the farmers who grow it and bringing you back to a place deep in your memory - he wants to take you back in time. In this episode, we talk with Justin about his journey in coffee, the impact Mexico had on him, and what he's learnt. 

Gabriela Lena Frank is also a beekeeper. Gabriela and Kai talk about her Creative Academy and the initiative GigThruCovid19 (4:20), the hate crime that happened to her on the way to New Mexico and what was born out of that (16:50), and her spirit of giving back (23:50). They also discuss what she's discovered for herself since moving to a small town in northern California (36:00), and the importance of knowing who you are (50:08). 

Casey Wojtalewicz initially didn't want to move to LA. Casey and Kai talk about being a Peace Studies major in college (9:40), how he became a touring musician once he moved (14:20), and how he got involved in coffee (20:18). They also discuss how he met his partner and co-founder of Canyon Coffee, Ally Walsh (23:21), and the beautiful idea they want to convey through their business (30:30). 

Anna Phoebe and Aisling Brouwer changed directions from politics and law. We talk about how this quarantine is going for two touring musicians (6:15), the effect their families had on them growing up (16:03), and what went through their minds when they switched career paths (39:29). We also discuss how they met at the Indian Embassy (52:30) and how what was initially a side project became such an important part of both their lives (1:02:30). 

Zsolt Bognár adores the city of Cleveland. Zsolt and Kai talk about why Cleveland doesn't suck (4:26), how his show came about from an attempt to make a professional website (30:30), and the hilarious episode with pianist Yuja Wang (37:52). They also discuss being open to possibilities (48:05) and whether he compared himself to his upstairs neighbor, superstar pianist Daniil Trifonov (51:10).  

Vijay Iyer didn't know his life could be in music until he was 23. Vijay and Kai talk about watching his parents build an Indian community for themselves while living in a largely white city (6:54), how he created opportunity for himself by playing in the dining hall at Yale (11:28), and quitting his Ph.D. in Physics to pursue music (27:40). They also discuss the subject of self-worth (37:30) and his approach to life and creating (46:57).  

Joan Tower loves dancing. Joan and Kai talk about how growing up in Bolivia was the best thing that happened to her (4:50), the importance of having a sense of urgency (17:07), and her first terrible compositions at age 18 (24:23). They also discuss what kept her going through those first compositions (27) and what propels her to work at 81 years old (33:45).  

Micah Wilkinson roasts his own coffee. Micah and Kai talk about the value of live performances (10:20), the similarities between professional orchestral musicians and professional athletes (15:20), and not always being the best player growing up (24). They also discuss how he practiced to make leaps and bounds (35:30), and the unbelievable story of how he became Principal Trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (43:44). 

Joshua Weilerstein has two pet rabbits. Joshua and Kai talk about how carrots are like donuts for rabbits (4:48), growing up with superstar cellist Alisa Weilerstein (12:18), and balancing respect with collaboration as a conductor (18:50). They also discuss managing competition with colleagues (34:07) and his podcast, "Sticky Notes" (37:35).