The Cocktail Napkin

The Cocktail Napkin

Some of the greatest ideas begin as scribbles on the back of a cocktail napkin. On this periodical of uncurbed ideas, a wide variety of guests discuss creativity, ideas and inspiration.

Your Host

#49: A Love Affair With Failure

November 18, 2011 at 10:00am • 27 minutes • Computer Video

The smart creative person knows that a trophy case full of failures is as important as the successes those failures ultimately produce. Some creative people, like Yuvi Zalkow, have a true affection for failure and wear it like a badge of honor.

Special guest Yuvi Zalkow.


#48: Mental Jewelry

November 10, 2011 at 10:00am • 34 minutes • Computer Video

Improv is more than just a comedy form. Good improvisation skills translate into a variety of business skills that help you make better things, and Scott Connerly explains the fundamentals of freeing your mind.

Special guest Scott Connerly.


#47: Creative Aversion Therapy

November 4, 2011 at 8:00am • 28 minutes • Computer Video

The Industrial and Labor Relations School at Cornell University published a study on human response to creativity. Apparently even though we value creativity and innovation, truly novel and innovative ideas turn our stomach. My friend Jacob Edenfield and I discuss how knowledge work can be aversion therapy against this.

Special guest Jacob Edenfield.


#46: Let's Consume Everything

October 27, 2011 at 4:30pm • 25 minutes • Computer Video

A well-rounded mind is a hungry mind, and San Francisco journalist Anna Rascouët-Paz tells Jeremy about all the ways she expands her world via unfettered curiosity.

Special guest Anna Rascouët-Paz.


#45: Henry Ford Was A Tinkerer

October 20, 2011 at 12:00pm • 27 minutes • Computer Video

Ford Motor Company was built by a tinkerer and inventor. In an age when branded social media still errs on the cautious side, Scott Monty takes the attitude of his corporate ancestor to guide communications that surprise and delight.

Special guest Scott Monty.


#44: Post-Apocalyptic Hyperviolence

October 6, 2011 at 3:00pm • 33 minutes • Computer Video

Brian Winkeler, co-creator of the comic Bastard Road, visits with Jeremy about comics, characters, dreaming up "they must have been high" kinds of ideas and Kick Buttowski.

Special guest Brian Winkeler.


#43: Baggage For Your Imagery

September 30, 2011 at 11:45am • 39 minutes • Computer Video

Jeremy spends some time with photographer Alistair Tutton about the changing face of the photography business, renovating silent movie theaters, the beauty of Best Buy 0% financing and letting someone else determine your best work that represents you.

Special guest Alistair Tutton.


#42: Broadcast On Your Own Terms

September 22, 2011 at 12:00pm • 25 minutes • Computer Video

How can someone make the best podcast they can, no matter the size of the production? Jeremy gives some thoughts during the opening keynote at PodCamp Pittsburgh 6.


#41: Keep the Maker Mind Moving

September 15, 2011 at 12:00pm • 11 minutes • Computer Video

While he's on the road this week, why not listen to some of Jeremy's thoughts while on the road last week. In this episode, Jeremy begins thinking about the maker mind vs. the manager mind and how the two can work in harmony in the same office.


#40: Ditching The Pith Helmet

September 8, 2011 at 12:00pm • 32 minutes • Computer Video

Jeremy and Jason Permenter talk about being "too creative" with science. So much so, Jason moved from the world of volcanology to web design. But in the end, Jason finds that many aspects of the scientific process influence his creative approach.

Special guest Jason Permenter.