About the Guest(s):

Lauren Tousignant is a seasoned journalist with a robust background in both digital and print media. Her career trajectory took her through various media landscapes, from her early aspirations of writing for a fashion magazine to tackling major societal issues. Notably, she served as the editor of Jezebel, a publication focused on female-oriented content with an unapologetic and candid approach. During her tenure, Lauren guided the publication through significant challenges, including a shutdown and subsequent resurrection. Her work is characterized by a fearless willingness to tackle controversial topics and a deep commitment to shedding light on underreported issues.

Episode Summary:

In this revealing episode of Story and a Bottle, host Dan Maccarone sits down with Lauren Tousignant, the tenacious editor of Jezebel, to unpack her fascinating journey through the ever-tumultuous media industry. While sipping on Aperol Spritzes, they delve into the controversial shutdown of Jezebel and the rollercoaster ride leading to its revival under Paste magazine.

From the onset, Lauren's storytelling illuminates the inside workings of a media company on the brink. Her recount of the days at Jezebel, the challenges of aligning journalistic integrity with profitability, and the painful yet transformative experience of the publication crumbling and rising anew, capture a microcosm of today's digital media landscape. The conversation is enriched with Lauren's personal anecdotes, reflecting on early career aspirations, navigating the industry's highs and lows, and cementing her martini order as a rite of adulthood.

• The episode is a commemoration of journalistic resilience and the relentless pursuit of a publication's soul even as it faces existential threats. Lauren articulately discusses how, amid these tribulations, Jezebel's voice became more crucial than ever, especially as political landscapes shifted.
• The dialogue transitions into an explorative discourse on the roles of journalism and objectivity. It is a timely reminder of the importance of storytelling that doesn't shy away from taking a stance – a theme symbolized by Lauren's professional evolution and belief system.
• As evidenced by Lauren's poignant reflections and Dan's engaging narrative style, this episode is a testament to the vitality and indispensability of voices like Jezebel in an era where media narratives shape public consciousness and societal action.

Key Takeaways:

• Lauren's experience at Jezebel showcases the fragility and resilience of digital media publications.
• The conversation highlights the importance of aligning a publication's values with its content, especially on contentious issues.
• There is an exploration of the delicate balance between journalism as a practice of objectivity and advocacy.
• The episode underscores the significance of Jezebel's unique editorial voice in the broader media sphere.
• Lauren's career pathway mirrors the evolving demands and challenges faced by today's journalists.

Notable Quotes:

• "I was a little disruptive, but I was a great writer."
• "I do not think anyone writing in college should publish anything on the Internet."
• "I don't think there needs to be objectivity with those things (abortion and reproductive rights)."
• "It does feel weird because I kind of was like, this was not. I don't know, I just was. It was, yeah, it was a very bizarre feeling."
• "We cannot have the Comstock act. Just…That's the first thing I was like, we need to write about the Comstock act every single day."

Resources:

• Jezebel's Website

We encourage our audience to listen to the full episode for an authentic and informative conversation that provides insights into the world of journalistic integrity and media challenges. Stay tuned for more enlightening content from Story and a Bottle.

About the Guest(s):

Nolan Bushnell is a pioneering figure in the technology and gaming industry, with a career marked by innovation and entrepreneurship. As the founder of Atari and the creator of Pong, Bushnell revolutionized arcade and video games in the 1970s. His entrepreneurial spirit manifested early, as he sold strawberries and created a "shocker" toy during his childhood. Bushnell has not stopped innovating, with his career spanning the creation of Chuck E. Cheese's, involvement in various tech start-ups, and now, shifting his focus to the intersection of education and gaming through his latest venture, Exodexa.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of Story in a Bottle, host Dan Maccarone interviews Nolan Bushnell, known for his groundbreaking work with Atari and Chuck E. Cheese. In an intimate conversation over glasses of Chardonnay, Nolan retraces his journey from his earliest entrepreneurial ventures to the world of amusement parks and gaming, shedding light on how these experiences have influenced his current endeavors. The episode delves into Nolan's philosophy on innovation, education, and fatherhood.

Nolan Bushnell reflects on how selling strawberries as a kid kickstarted his entrepreneurial mindset, leading to a lifetime of creativity and business acumen. This episode also explores Bushnell's transition from Atari to Chuck E. Cheese and his perspective on educating through games. Through engaging storytelling, Nolan shares his vision for reshaping education via gamification, emphasizing the impact of immersive learning experiences through platforms like VR.

Key Takeaways:

• Nolan Bushnell's entrepreneurial journey began at age eight, highlighting the importance of early business experiences in shaping one's approach to innovation.
• The creation of Atari and Pong was as much about technological advancement as it was about understanding market needs and consumer behavior.
• Bushnell emphasizes the concept of 'flow' in education, advocating for gamified learning as a means to significantly enhance engagement and retention.
• The significance of life skills in education is underscored, with the need for real-world knowledge like financial literacy and legal know-how being just as critical as STEM subjects.
• Nolan proposes an educational supercharger concept, blending physical locations with gamified software to create a new paradigm for learning.

Notable Quotes:

• "Selling strawberries as a kid taught me that as an entrepreneur, you can make more money than selling your time." - Nolan Bushnell
• "Life isn't unconditional. So the father's job is to provide conditional love...to help kids transition from childhood to adulthood because the world doesn't care about you in general." - Nolan Bushnell
• "There's a theory that kids who grow up in fatherless homes may have a harder time transitioning to adulthood because they don't learn that there are consequences in life." - Nolan Bushnell
• "I've described my life as a series of happy accidents... from selling strawberries to playing with ham radios." - Nolan Bushnell
• "Engagement is when you have a problem that is right-sized, not too hard, not too easy, just right. That's when you enter the state of flow." - Nolan Bushnell

Resources:

• Nolan Bushnell's book, "Shaping the Future of Education," briefly discussed in the episode.
• Official websites and social media handles of Nolan Bushnell and his projects, were not clearly specified in the transcript.

Tune into the full episode to witness the wisdom Nolan Bushnell imparts through the lens of gaming history and innovative thought. Stay connected for more intriguing conversations that delve deep into the stories behind prominent figures in tech, media, and entertainment.

About the Guest(s):

Alexa von Tobel is a highly-driven founder and financial expert best known for her pioneering work in the financial technology sector. She’s the founder and former CEO of Learnvest, a personal finance company that was acquired by Northwestern Mutual. Alexa’s relentless pursuit to make financial understanding accessible has led her to author several books, including “Financially Fearless” and a kid’s book, “Rebel Girls: Money Matters.” Her latest endeavor, Inspired Capital, finds her on the venture capital scene, investing in other innovative founders with big ideas.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of Story in a Bottle, host Dan Maccarone engages with Alexa von Tobel over several glasses of Chardonnay. Alexa dives into her journey from art-fencing entrepreneur as a child to revolutionizing personal finance with Learnvest. The conversation provides a raw look at the trials and tribulations of standing up a disruptive fintech startup and the road leading to its eventual acquisition.

Alexa also discusses the inception of her venture fund, Inspired Capital, which focuses on early-stage, generalist investments. From discussing the success and mindset required to back transformative ventures to understanding the intricates of raising a venture fund, the episode is a treasure trove of experiences. With marriage-like mergers and the significance of education in finance, Alexa outlines a life dedicated to impact.

Key Takeaways:

•          Alexa’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited early in her childhood, culminating in the creation of Learnvest and its mission to democratize financial planning.

•          Even after a successful exit, Alexa’s passion for building has led her to venture capital with Inspired Capital — seeking to empower the next generation of entrepreneurs.

•          Her decision to write a children’s book on financial literacy underlines her lifelong commitment to educating people on managing their finances.

•          The episode touches upon the evolution of Learnvest from a content site centered on women and finance to a comprehensive financial planning platform.

Notable Quotes:

•          “Learnvest, I really love investing my core. I am somebody who is really thoughtful about how do we make great financial decisions.”

•          “I think social media is the one that’s, like, a third rail for us. And so there’s this great professor at NYU, Jonathan Hate, who’s talking all about the impacts, like, the data-driven impacts.”

•          “It’s New York City. And so I love to think, know, New York City is an underdog. We’re in so many ways a capital of the.”

•          “I became a certified financial planner. I was like, if I’m going to do this, I got to do it right.”

Resources:

•          Alexa von Tobel’s book: “Financially Fearless”

•          Her book focussed on tech and finance: “Financially Forward”

•          Kid’s book on financial literacy: “Rebel Girls: Money Matters”

Tune in to the full episode to hear the complete narrative of Alexa von Tobel’s entrepreneurial journey and her insightful views on investing and finance. Be sure to catch more episodes from Story in a Bottle for compelling conversations with leading voices in tech, media, and entertainment.

About the Guest(s):

Eric Friedman is a seasoned professional with deep roots in the New York startup scene. His illustrious career includes significant Union Square Ventures, Foursquare, and Expa Labs roles. At Union Square Ventures, Friedman was at the forefront of identifying and investing in high-potential startups, such as Foursquare, where he was one of the earliest employees and contributed to its growth in multiple capacities. As the head of Expa Labs, he leveraged his vast experience to propel one of the most successful accelerators in New York City. His entrepreneurial spirit eventually led him to found Go Fractional, a platform designed to foster a community for fractional executives to find work and share collective wisdom.

Episode Summary:

In this Story in a Bottle episode, host Dan Maccarone delves into the expansive New York tech ecosystem with guest Eric Friedman, whose journey weaves through some of the city’s most influential startup ventures. Friedman shares his unique experiences from Union Square Ventures to his pivotal role at Foursquare and his leadership at Expa Labs.

The conversation highlights Friedman’s latest venture, Go Fractional, which aims to revolutionize the concept of executive employment by harnessing the untapped potential of elite, high-caliber talent seeking fractional work. As Friedman unravels the rationale behind fractional work, the dialogue shifts to the multifaceted challenges and revelations accompanying finding and trusting this specialized group of executives. Listeners are treated to a deep dive into the intricate world of startups and venture capital through the lens of a seasoned insider.

Notable Quotes:

• “It is much easier to embrace behavior than create behavior.” - Eric Friedman
• “If everyone would just do this, it’s going to work. And I’m like, great. How do you get the first person to do that?” - Eric Friedman
• “You could do it in three weeks versus three months.” - Eric Friedman
• “The goal of hiring someone is to hire someone smarter than you.” - Eric Friedman
• “I feel like you should be a paid spokesperson for gofractional.” - Dan Maccarone

Resources:

• Go Fractional Website: Go Fractional (URL not mentioned in the transcript, derived from context)

Join us for the entire episode to explore the transformative ideas and inspiring stories shared by Eric Friedman. Stay tuned for more engaging content from Story in a Bottle, where tech, media, and entertainment leaders open up over their favorite beverages.