Grey Matter: A Podcast About Ideas
73 episodes - English - Latest episode: 9 months ago - ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsGrey Matter: A Podcast About Ideas is for people who love talking about creativity and exploring, simply, where the best ideas in the world come from and how dreams become reality.
Host Jason Kahner, Grey Global Chief Client Officer, is joined by agency colleagues in discussions about the challenges that sparked innovative and effective solutions. Hear first-hand stories from the founders, creators, and inventors who are shaping the world.
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Episodes
What feeds Chef Akshay Bhardwaj's passion?
July 25, 2023 10:00 - 39 minutes - 54.8 MBFor Executive Chef Akshay Bhardwaj, becoming a chef was not always the plan. It took perseverance and a little bit of defiance for him to rise in the ranks and become the Executive Chef of Junoon, which at one time was the only Michelin Star restaurant in New York City serving Indian food. In this episode, you will hear about Akshay’s path to cooking, how he approaches collaborations with other chefs, and where he finds inspiration for dishes when traveling. Grey Inter...
Where does Cyndie Spiegel find Microjoys?
July 11, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutes - 92.9 MBFor A Year of Positive Thinking author Cyndie Spiegel, writing her second book came after a year of personal struggle and loss in 2020. Yet, she still found moments of joy and documented them in her second book, Microjoys: Finding Hope (Especially) When Life Is Not Okay, a collection of personal essays designed to help us find joy wherever we can. In this episode, you will hear about Cyndie’s journey to writing the book, the lessons she learned from the people closest to her,...
What led Arielle Assouline-Lichten to build Slash Objects?
June 20, 2023 09:00 - 39 minutes - 90.6 MBArielle Assouline-Lichten’s dream was to create a furniture design studio that creates social change - that’s what led her to start Slash Objects, an award-winning, sustainable design studio. Arielle is a Best of NYC x Design winner, and she was a finalist contestant on the HBO Max show Ellen’s Next Great Designer. In this episode, you will hear Arielle’s story of how she brought together her interests, architecture background, and entrepreneurial spirit to create Slash Objects....
Why did Rob Herting press play on QCODE?
June 06, 2023 09:00 - 40 minutes - 91.8 MBRob Herting saw a void within the podcast space where nobody else did – cinematic quality audio fiction. After leaving his job at a talent agency, he became the CEO and founder of QCODE, an audio-based production studio, creating a new outlet for creatives to tell their stories. QCODE is behind multiple critically acclaimed fiction podcasts like Blackout with Rami Malek, Carrier with Cynthia Erivo, Dirty Diana with Demi Moore, and Hank the Cowdog with Matthew McConaughey, to name a ...
How did Dr. Zach Thomas grow his channel on YouTube?
May 23, 2023 10:00 - 48 minutes - 111 MBFor Zach Thomas, the idea of doing anything other than teaching tennis seemed out of reach while studying at Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Now Zach is a podiatrist who runs the YouTube channel Foot Doctor Zach, where he reviews the latest performance shoe tech and breaks down the most advanced shoes for athletes. In this episode, you will hear from Zach about what interested him in studying podiatry, why he chose to review shoes, and what he learned when starting a bus...
What did Nathalie Walton expect with Expectful?
May 09, 2023 09:00 - 42 minutes - 97.7 MBNathalie Walton found that there were not enough resources devoted to the mental health of expecting mothers. After a serious health scare during her pregnancy, Nathalie turned to the Expecftul app to find peace of mind. The app moved her so much that she became an advisor and eventually a late-stage co-founder and CEO. She helped transform Expectful from a mediation app to a powerful tool for parents and soon-to-be parents. In this episode, you will hear Nathalie’s stories of...
How did Neil Tanna find time for Howbout?
April 25, 2023 10:00 - 42 minutes - 98.4 MBFor law school graduate Neil Tanna, the idea of losing touch with his university friends was heartbreaking. Motivated by the excitement of creating and keeping connections, Neil and his team made a UK-based social platform called Howbout. Howbout raises the question, “Why is it easier to schedule a meeting with your boss than it is to schedule a drink with your best friends?” The app brings scheduling, planning, and chatting together into one place to take the hassle out of ge...
How did Gavin McIntyre grow Ecovative from the ground up?
April 11, 2023 10:00 - 37 minutes - 86 MBFor Gavin McIntyre, what started as a classroom project and a passion for helping the planet, is now an audacious goal of ending the world's dependency on plastics through the mycelium materials company, Ecovative. Gavin and his partner Eben Bayer have used mycelium — aka fungi — to create leather alternatives, a meat substitute product, and a fully compostable packaging foam. Based in Green Island, NY, Ecovative has been named a TimesUnion Top Work Place three years in a row. On ...
What made The Sloomoo Institute stick?
March 28, 2023 10:00 - 41 minutes - 94.4 MBFor co-founders and longtime friends, Karen Rabinovitz and Sara Schiller, the idea of creating a place for play was always at the tip of their fingers. Together, they found joy and healing during difficult times in an unexpected way – by playing with SLIME. They partnered with artists, architects, and advocates to bring the concept of a sensory playground to the world through The Sloomoo Institute. Based in SoHo in New York City, with locations in Chicago and Atlanta, this uniqu...
What set the stage for Jessie Mueller?
March 14, 2023 10:00 - 40 minutes - 91.6 MBJessie Mueller’s Broadway career started in 2011 with the revival of On a Clear Day You Can See Forever, where she starred alongside Harry Connick Jr. She then went on to star in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical as Carole King and in Waitress as the lead Jenna. But before that, she was a theatre kid growing up outside Chicago and a student at Syracuse University. On our season 4 premiere, we will hear Jessie’s story of coming up in the business, what she learned along the way, a...
New Trailer
March 07, 2023 12:00 - 2 minutes - 3.8 MBNew episodes of Grey Matter: A Podcast About Ideas are launching soon and will release every other Tuesday. The Webby Award winning podcast is back with new guests, a new logo, and a new host! Follow to hear firsthand, how the best ideas were thought up from some of the most innovative creators, founder, and inventors.
Season 4 Trailer
March 07, 2023 12:00 - 2 minutes - 3.8 MBNew episodes of Grey Matter: A Podcast About Ideas are launching soon and will release every other Tuesday. The Webby Award winning podcast is back with new guests, a new logo, and a new host! Follow to hear firsthand, how the best ideas were thought up from some of the most innovative creators, founder, and inventors.
Six Feet Over: Shared Perspectives From The Time We Went Away
December 14, 2021 12:00 - 29 minutes - 67.9 MBThis week, we're sharing a special episode of Grey Matter, featuring an idea from within the walls of Grey, a project called Six Feet Over. Six Feet Over is a collection of almost 400 artifacts, images, objects and stories submitted by the folks of Grey NY. It was designed to introduce and reintroduce us to each other by spotlighting our individual journeys and the strange moment in history: the Covid pandemic through the lens of humanity and creativity. Together it creates a work ...
How did Christie Horvath unleash Wagmo?
September 21, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 74 MBWagmo is a pet insurance brand founded by serious dog-lover Christie Horvath. She learned just how important pet insurance could be after her dog was sadly diagnosed with a brain tumor. On this episode, we will discover how Christie went from business student to business owner with the support of her friends, family, and of course, her dogs! Grey Interviewer: Carly Quellman, Associate Creative Director
How did Christie Horvath unleash Wagmo?
September 21, 2021 10:00 - 32 minutes - 74 MBWagmo is a pet insurance brand founded by serious dog-lover Christie Horvath. She learned just how important pet insurance could be after her dog was sadly diagnosed with a brain tumor. On this episode, we will discover how Christie went from business student to business owner with the support of her friends, family, and of course, her dogs! Grey Interviewer: Carly Quellman, Associate Creative Director
Who inspires Alyse Nelson of Vital Voices?
September 07, 2021 10:00 - 45 minutes - 104 MBAlyse Nelson has spent her entire career empowering women worldwide. Her non-profit, The Vital Voices Global Partnership, has served more than 18,000 women leaders across 182 countries. On this episode, Alyse speaks with Grey New York Chief Creative Officer Justine Armour about how women lead and what they've learned from women leaders around the world. Grey Interviewer: Justine Armour, Chief Creative Officer of Grey New York
Where did Dennis Crowley pioneer FourSquare?
August 24, 2021 10:00 - 42 minutes - 97.6 MBDennis Crowley created the first community that integrated social media with the real world when he invented Foursquare, the location-based technology company. On this episode of Grey Matter, we will pinpoint how this idea was crafted, track down its origins, and hear exactly where the mayor-badge was cooked up. Interviewer: Kenny Gold
Where did Dennis Crowley pioneer Foursqaure?
August 24, 2021 10:00 - 42 minutes - 97.6 MBDennis Crowley created the first community that integrated social media with the real world when he invented Foursquare, the location-based technology company. On this episode of Grey Matter, we will pinpoint how this idea was crafted, track down its origins, and hear exactly where the mayor-badge was cooked up. Interviewer: Kenny Gold
Where did Dennis Crowley pioneer FourSquare?
August 24, 2021 10:00 - 42 minutes - 97.6 MBDennis Crowley created the first community that integrated social media with the real world when he invented Foursquare, the location-based technology company. On this episode of Grey Matter, we will pinpoint how this idea was crafted, track down its origins, and hear exactly where the mayor-badge was cooked up. Interviewer: Kenny Gold
Why is connection key for Susan McPherson?
August 10, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MBSusan McPherson was not expecting to spend a year in isolation when she sat down to write the book, The Lost Art of Connecting. Susan leads McPherson Strategies, is an angel investor and corporate responsibility expert, but is truly a connector at her core. On this episode, you'll hear about the foundations of Susan's book, how she learned to deepen connections with others at a young age, and how that translated into a life and career in connecting others. Grey Interviewer: Holly ...
Why connection key for Susan McPherson?
August 10, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 74.8 MBSusan McPherson was not expecting to spend a year in isolation when she sat down to write the book, The Lost Art of Connecting. Susan leads McPherson Strategies, is an angel investor and corporate responsibility expert, but is truly a connector at her core. On this episode, you'll hear about the foundations of Susan's book, how she learned to deepen connections with others at a young age, and how that translated into a life and career in connecting others. Grey Interviewer: Holly Williams,...
How did Jim McKelvey capitalize with Square?
July 27, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 74.6 MBWhen Jim McKelvey invented the Square card reader with Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey, he had no idea he was headed into a David vs. Goliath battle with Amazon that he would ultimately win! On this episode, you will hear what drove Jim to make payment simpler, how he and the team conquered competition, and what he's up to next. After listening to the podcast, you can read more in Jim’s new book, The Innovation Stack. Grey Interviewer: Kenny Gold, Executive Director, Social
How did Jim McKelvey capitalize with Square?
July 27, 2021 09:00 - 32 minutes - 74.6 MBWhen Jim McKelvey invented the Square card reader with Twitter Founder Jack Dorsey, he had no idea he was headed into a David vs. Goliath battle with Amazon that he would ultimately win! On this episode, you will hear what drove Jim to make payment simpler, how he and the team conquered competition, and what he's up to next. After listening to the podcast, you can read more in Jim’s new book, The Innovation Stack. Grey Interviewer: Kenny Gold, Executive Director, Social
How is Tiana Epps-Johnson modernizing U.S. elections?
July 13, 2021 09:00 - 35 minutes - 81.3 MBTiana Epps-Johnson and her co-founders had an ambitious and critical goal; to simplify and modernize U.S. elections. To reach this goal, they established The Center for Tech and Civic Life (CTCL), whose data has been accessed over 250 million times by U.S. voters through partnerships with local election committees, Google, and Facebook. On this podcast, you'll hear from Tiana, the co-founder and Executive Director of CTCL, about the organizations' humble beginnings, how its work b...
How did Sadie Kurzban kick start 305 Fitness?
June 29, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 71.7 MBIt's no wonder 305 Fitness founder and CEO Sadie Kurban has been called "the next fitness cult leader" by the New York Observer. With seven studios across New York, Washington D.C., and Boston; and 1,000 certified instructors teaching worldwide, 305 Fitness has been seen by over 100,000 people and counting. On this week's podcast, Sadie shares the story behind 305 Fitness and how she built an entire community around feeling good. Grey Interviewer: Carly Quellman, Associate Creativ...
How did April Walker refashion Walker Wear?
June 15, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 111 MBApril Walker became a legend in the hip-hop fashion scene, as the first woman to break into the industry when she opened her store, Fashion in Effect in the late 80’s. Over the decades, she dressed icons like Biggie, Tupac, Jay Z, and Mike Tyson in her Walker Wear brand. In the process, she herself became an icon. For our season 3 premiere we’ll hear April’s story, from her inspirations growing up in Brooklyn to the next generation she is inspiring now. Grey Interviewer: John Patr...
How did April Walker refashion Walker Wear?
June 15, 2021 10:00 - 48 minutes - 111 MBApril Walker became a legend in the hip-hop fashion scene, as the first woman to break into the industry when she opened her store, Fashion in Effect in the late 80’s. Over the decades, she dressed icons like Biggie, Tupac, Jay Z, and Mike Tyson in her Walker Wear brand. In the process, she herself became an icon. For our season 3 premiere we’ll hear April’s story, from her inspirations growing up in Brooklyn to the next generation she is inspiring now. Grey Interviewer: John Patroulis, Wo...
Grey Matter Season 3 Coming Soon!
June 09, 2021 16:00 - 53 seconds - 2.02 MBNew episodes of Grey Matter: A Podcast About Ideas are launching on Tuesday June 15th and release every other Tuesday. Follow to hear firsthand, how the best ideas were thought up from some of the most innovative creators, founder, and inventors.
The Pillars of Creativity: Audacity
April 27, 2021 09:00 - 41 minutes - 75.3 MBThis episode wraps up our deep dive into the question “What makes a good idea a great one?” We’re deep-diving into the creative criteria we hold our work to at Grey. This week is “Audacity.” On this episode host John Patroulis, the creative mind behind the criteria, and Grey New York’s Chief Creative Officer, Justine Amour, articulate a definition for what audacity means in creativity as they share personal stories from their journey to creative leaders.
The Pillars of Creativity: Craft
April 20, 2021 09:00 - 33 minutes - 61.4 MBWe are continuing to investigate “What makes a good idea a great one?” through the creative criteria we hold our work to at Grey. This week is “Craft.” On this episode host of the show, John Patroulis chats with season two guest Keith Cartwright, the co-founder of the creative collective Saturday Morning , and founder/CCO of Cartwright, a West-coast agency recently launched in partnership with Grey, about how craft has played a huge part in his work. John and Keith also reminisce a...
The Pillars of Creativity: Simplicity
April 13, 2021 09:00 - 19 minutes - 45.3 MB“What makes a good idea a great one?” is the question we will continue to explore on this bonus series. We’re discussing the creative criteria we hold our work to at Grey. This week is “Simplicity.” On this episode, producer Joey Scarillo chats with season two guest Greg Marsh, founder and CEO of Keyme, about how simplicity has factored into his work. He also tells us how the company has adapted during the pandemic.
The Pillars of Creativity: Surprising but Feels Inevitable
April 06, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 71.3 MBWelcome to Grey Matter’s first bonus series, exploring the question: “What makes a good idea a great one?” We’re diving into some of the ideas we’ve featured in the podcast, through the lens of the creative criteria we hold our work to at Grey. First is “Surprising but Feels Inevitable.” On this episode, producer Joey Scarillo chats with former Grey Matter co-producer Graham Nolan about the inevitability of starting this very podcast in 2019. Think of it as Grey Matter’s origin st...
The Pillars of Creativity: Suprising but Feels Inevitable
April 06, 2021 09:00 - 31 minutes - 71.3 MBWelcome to Grey Matter’s first bonus series, exploring the question: “What makes a good idea a great one?” We’re diving into some of the ideas we’ve featured in the podcast, through the lens of the creative criteria we hold our work to at Grey. First is “Surprising but Feels Inevitable.” On this episode, producer Joey Scarillo chats with former Grey Matter co-producer Graham Nolan about the inevitability of starting this very podcast in 2019. Think of it as Grey Matter’s origin story.
Listen now to #5Things
November 09, 2020 11:00 - 1 minute - 2.1 MBCheck out #5Things from Grey, a weekly round table panel that covers the latest in social media. Check it out wherever you get podcasts. Spotify Apple Podcasts Stitcher Breaker Google Podcasts Overcast Pocket Casts RadioPublic
Why did George Dawes Green start The Moth?
September 22, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutes - 49.4 MBWhen George Dawes Green hosted his first Moth event, before even calling it The Moth, the event, in his words, was “horrible.” Through determination and a passion for the telling a good story, George grew the idea into a global platform to celebrate raconteurs. In our Season 2 finale, we will hear George’s story and learn the inspiration behind the international storytelling platform, The Moth. Grey Interviewer: John Patroulis Please participate in our Grey Podcasts survey, it can be foun...
Why did George Dawes Green start The Moth?
September 22, 2020 10:00 - 53 minutes - 48.8 MBWhen George Dawes Green hosted his first Moth event, before even calling it The Moth, the event, in his words, was “horrible.” Through determination and a passion for the telling a good story, George grew the idea into a global platform to celebrate raconteurs. In our Season 2 finale, we will hear George’s story and learn the inspiration behind the international storytelling platform, The Moth. Grey Interviewer: John Patroulis Please participate in our Grey Podcasts survey, it ca...
What moved Jackie Carter to invent the Not Reaching! pouch?
September 08, 2020 10:00 - 51 minutes - 47.1 MBWhen Jackie Carter earned her three post graduate degrees in her 40’s, all she wanted to do was help people. After the brutal murder of Philando Castile in 2016, her mission became clear – make traffic stops safer for black motorists and police officers alike. She is the inventor of the Not Reaching pouch, and on this episode, you will hear her inspirational story. References: Not Reaching | The Alliance for Safe Traffic Stops Grey Interviewer: Lori Bullock
What moved Jackie Carter to invent the Not Reaching! pouch?
September 08, 2020 10:00 - 51 minutes - 47.6 MBWhen Jackie Carter earned her three post graduate degrees in her 40’s, all she wanted to do was help people. After the brutal murder of Philando Castile in 2016, her mission became clear – make traffic stops safer for black motorists and police officers alike. She is the inventor of the Not Reaching pouch, and on this episode, you will hear her inspirational story. References: Not Reaching | The Alliance for Safe Traffic Stops Grey Interviewer: Lori Bullock
How did Unsplash change the creative process?
August 25, 2020 10:00 - 32 minutes - 29.6 MBWhen Mikael Cho and Stephanie Liverani created Unsplash they had no idea how quickly they would find success – seemingly overnight. Unsplash fills the unmet needs of creative professionals – a free and culturally aware, current solution for people who are simply trying to make cool things. Grey Interviewer: Kenny Gold Link to Mikael's OMG album on Unsplash
What motivated VC Chickering to write her first book?
August 11, 2020 10:00 - 46 minutes - 107 MBAfter navigating a painful divorce, VC Chickering used her personal experience to write her first novel, the humorous and racy, Nookietown. We’ll learn how she landed her first book deal, insight into her writing process, and the struggles between the creation of her first and second books. Grey Interviewer: Holly Williams Content Warning: This episode discussed adult themes and may not be suitable for children.
Why did Keith Cartwright redefine Saturday Morning?
July 28, 2020 10:00 - 33 minutes - 76.6 MBIn 2016, motivated by the deaths of Philando Castile and Eric Garner and many others, Keith Cartwright, and his collaborators, started the creative coalition, Saturday Morning. In this episode, you’ll hear what led Keith, one of Saturday Morning’s co-founders, to the many partnerships and creative endeavors that Saturday Morning takes on as an organization. We’ll also hear exclusively from Keith, Saturday Morning’s goals for the future. Grey Interviewer: Jhanell Biggs
How does Tal Zvi Nathanel keep things interesting at Showfields?
July 14, 2020 10:00 - 33 minutes - 75.8 MBAs a child, Tal Zvi Nathanel would look through the department store windows in New York City and be transported to a magical place. This passion for wonder and imagination led him to create Showfields, often called the Most Interesting Store in the World. Tal, the co-founder and CEO of Showfields, talks about how he and his team reimagined the shopping experience through the eyes of the customer using immersive experiences, great service, and discovery. Grey Interviewer: Kenny Gol...
Has 2020 been what Great Good Fine Ok frontman Jon Sandler expected?
June 30, 2020 10:00 - 32 minutes - 75.4 MBWhen Jon Sandler started collaborating with his bandmate Luke Moellman, there was an instant musical chemistry that led them to start the band, Great Good Fine Ok. On this episode of Grey Matter, you'll hear from Jon, the band's lyricist and lead vocalist, learn the secrets of their success, and find out how Jon was feeling when he wrote the song "2020." Grey Interviewer: Holly Williams
Has 2020 been what Great Good Fine Ok frontman Jon Sandler expected?
June 30, 2020 10:00 - 32 minutes - 75.4 MBWhen Jon Sandler started collaborating with his bandmate Luke Moellman, there was an instant musical chemistry that led them to start the band, Great Good Fine Ok. On this episode of Grey Matter, you'll hear from Jon, the band's lyricist and lead vocalist, learn the secrets of their success, and find out how Jon was feeling when he wrote the song "2020." Grey Interviewer: Holly Williams
Where did Claudia Edelman find the inspiration for We Are All Human?
June 02, 2020 10:00 - 30 minutes - 70.4 MBFor Claudia Edelman, advancing an agenda of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Hispanic community can be traced back to her most-formative childhood experiences. In this episode, Claudia speaks about her vision for We Are All Human, the non-profit she founded; and discusses how important it is to talk about failure openly. Grey Interviewer: Karol Chang
What motivated Greg Marsh to open KeyMe?
May 19, 2020 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.9 MBWhen Greg Marsh's wife was locked out of their apartment, the experience of calling a locksmith was so negative that it inspired Greg to innovate. In this episode, you'll hear the story that led him to KeyMe, a security technology company famous for its digital key printing kiosks in retail locations. Grey Interviewer: Dan Bennett
What motivated Greg Marsh to open KeyMe?
May 19, 2020 10:00 - 27 minutes - 25.6 MBWhen Greg Marsh's wife was locked out of their apartment, the experience of calling a locksmith was so negative that it inspired Greg to innovate. In this episode, you'll hear the story that led him to KeyMe, a security technology company famous for its digital key printing kiosks in retail locations. Grey Interviewer: Dan Bennett
How did Dr. Shantanu Gaur blow up weight loss?
May 05, 2020 10:00 - 31 minutes - 28.6 MBThe challenge for Allurion Technologies co-founder, Dr Shantanu Gaur and his team was to invent a safe and inexpensive way for a gastric balloon to enter and exit the stomach. The solution was a true innovation in weight loss, the Elipse. You’ll hear how Dr. Gaur’s passion and perseverance led him to drop out of Harvard Medical School for a path of entrepreneurship. Grey Interviewer: Joey Scarillo
How does J. Ivy catch an idea?
April 21, 2020 10:00 - 55 minutes - 50.4 MBJ. Ivy is a poet, rapper, and spoken word artist whose creative journey began when a teacher assigned him to speak in front of a crowd. His love of language has led him down many paths, including Kanye West’s 2004 hit album, The College Dropout. You’ll learn what inspires J, what famous singer got their name from J, and you’ll get to hear him recite his own poetry live in the studio. Grey Interviewer: John Patroulis
How did Wesley Kang and Tanya Zhang find the right fit with Nimble Made?
April 07, 2020 10:00 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MBTanya Zhang and Wesley Kang are the co-founders of the men's fashion brand Nimble Made. They created a clothing brand focused on size inclusion for men needing a truly slim shirt. Hear how they launched from their apartment and what they learned on their road to entrepreneurship. Grey Interviewer: Karol Chang