Shows
Not Rocket ScienceEpisode 104 - Quarantine Lo-Fi Edition 👾😷In this episode, we are back at the rents' house to get out of NYC while this pandemic is happening. Instead of reviewing how people are losing their jobs left and right and all of the other horribleness we are collectively hearing every day, we decided to dive into how this pandemic is affecting companies that are essential businesses. We review types of problems that can occur even when there is a healthy demand for their products and services and how the federal government's approach to handling the economy is affecting these types of businesses.
We also...
2020-04-1521 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 103 - So...How Long Is This Thing Gonna Last 🤔🏥On this episode we dive into just how long we think this pandemic is going to happen by outlining the three most popular scenarios presented in most articles these days, and explaining which one we think is most likely to occur. We also break down how this is going to affect common occurrences like going to bars and other social gatherings moving forward, and how long it will be until major gatherings like festivals and sporting events can put on live shows again. We also look at the UFC’s interesting approach towards dealing with this crises since they ar...
2020-04-0722 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 102 - Is COVID-19 Breaking the Internet 🌐🙅♂️In this episode, we dive into one of the secondary problems that have arisen since the outbreak of COVID-19 which is the unexpected strain on internet bandwidth around the world that internet service providers are currently enduring due to everyone staying home. Of course, the biggest bandwidth hogs, video streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, HBONow, Youtube, etc. are getting more usage than ever and the increase in bandwidth usage is getting the FCC involved in tackling this problem. We review all of the data being released, dive into the conflict of entertainment based streaming versus work-based services like...
2020-04-0322 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 101 - Will COVID-19 Change Influencer Marketing Forever 🤔 📉On this episode, we continue to discuss the business impact of the current coronavirus pandemic and how it will particularly hit the world of social media influencing harder then ever. Without the ability to book photographers, travel and take high-quality pics of drinking coconuts under a waterfall in Costa Rica, we speculate how “influencers” on social media platforms like Instagram will change and whether there will be a shift back to bedroom DIY creativity that once made platforms like LiveJournal and Tumblr have their moments in the sun once upon a time. We also discuss how this situation impacts bran...
2020-03-2425 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 100 - How COVID-19 is Affecting the World 😷🌎On this episode, we dig into how the entire world has been currently flipped upside down with this COVID-19 outbreak. This episode is dedicated to providing both general thoughts to how it has directly affected New York City so far and whether residents are taking the spread seriously or not. In addition, I provide a little more insight in how it is affecting certain businesses such as online grocery, who are being swamped with demand during this time, as someone who works in the industry. We also analyze how how technological pursuit’s like Google’s sister company, Verily’s Proj...
2020-03-1723 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 99 - Business Implications of the Novel Coronavirus 😷📉On this episode, we address the impacts and implications that the novel coronavirus COVID-19 is setting on the business and technology industries along with society in general. Instead of discussing every little topic that folds into the very complicated issue, we talk about personal work experiences and how it has affected our day-to-day, office procedures and work. From sanitizer stations at the front desk to 10,000% spikes in search traffic for certain Ecommerce keyword searches, we break down everything we are personally seeing when it comes to the biggest news strip in the world these days. Stay safe out there!
2020-03-1026 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 98 - Why Waking Up at 4AM Probably Isn't Healthy For You ⏰😴On this episode, we are on a mission to dispel a popular “bro-science” belief that has become widespread on social media in the entrepreneurship niche which is the idea of having to wake up ridiculously early in order to be productive. We see Mark Wahlberg working out at 4:30AM and several articles about CEOs waking up at the crack of dawn but this episode goes into the science behind why waking up very early could be a benefit to certain people, and why it is a horrendous idea for others. It has something to do with a concept called “chrono...
2020-03-0322 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 97 - Breaking Down Cringey Job Description Buzzwords 📝🙈On this episode, we are back it putting the professional hiring world on blast with our episode completely dedicated to the cringiest buzzwords you tend to see on job descriptions that can be a potential sign for huge red flags at a given company. Inspired by a viral tweet by @mgoldst on Twitter, we give our take on the most ridiculously out of touch job descriptions and break down exactly why each term is 100% BS, what it really means and in certain cases, how to navigate through them at ensure that you go into applying with he most leverage...
2020-02-2428 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 96 - The Biz of Podcasting in 2020 🗣️🎙️On this episode, we reflect on the current state of podcasting and how companies have been utilizing them as a marketing tool for the business and determine how you can tell whether or not podcasting is an effective asset for a business because not all podcasts are made the same! We also dive into some technical aspects of the production process and break down what you would need to get started if you were thinking about getting into this podcast game and get into which pics to use, how to source into music, the best editing tools and more...
2020-02-1831 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 95 - The History of Valentine's Day Marketing ❤️ 💰With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, on this episode we decide to get all types of historical by divulging into the pretty intriguing history of Valentine’s Day marketing. These days every store has 800 different forms of chocolate heart-shaped boxes and every TV has mediocre jewelry companies vying to get your attention, this episode explains exactly how we got to this point and some of the reasons why it is actually such a natural fit for high-level marketing. From 19th century six-figure Valentine’s card businesses running out of a living room to ancient traditions of blind dates...
2020-02-1130 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 94 - How the Super Bowl Became America's Biggest Event 🏈📈On this episode, we dive look back on the history of the Super Bowl and the aspects of the game itself and how the NFL has structured their league and business initiatives that all led to the Super Bowl being the biggest event in the U.S. We look at how since the late 1950’s the NFL and Super Bowl has captured America’s attention and how it was successfully able to latch onto the rocket ship that was the growth of the TV industry to overtake baseball and be the dominant sport of the U.S. We all like...
2020-02-0424 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 93 - Packaging Design Tips for E-Commerce🖌️📦On this episode, we use a real-life occurrence at work to share our thoughts on how to approach designing packaging for your products. If you’re gonna try to do the private-labelling E-commerce grind then packaging and overall branding of your products could potentially make or break your business. So with all of that being said, we provide some design tips that pay attention to the context of the customer shopping of your product online and explain why just the aesthetic look and feel is nowhere near the most important thing that you need to consider. This episode gets a...
2020-01-2831 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 92 - The UFC, Conor McGregor & the Biz of Fighting 👊💰On this episode, we dive into a side hobby of mine, analyzing the business of fighting. If you have followed the show for awhile, you may have noticed that I have used MMA fighting as an analogy multiple times when discussing varies aspects of business and personal growth so I figured since Conor McGregor, the biggest star in the sport, is fresh off his 40 second TKO comeback, it was a good time to cover this directly. We discuss the current state of the UFC, how digital streaming services and their ESPN have changed the game going forward, how Conor...
2020-01-2131 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 91 - A Mattress Company Going Public? 🛏️📈In this episode, we break down the recent news of Casper (a mattress company, yup) recently announcing that they are planning on going public. We dig into why based on their current P&L statement, how they are trying to persuade investors, the $350+ billion dollar "Sleep Economy"they are going all in on, and their future plans to build products from other industries including meditation apps and medical devices. We give out take on whether they have the actual means to succeed or whether they are biting off more they can chew and creating a fake big and shiny...
2020-01-1434 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 90 - Should You Be Afraid of Using TikTok? 📱😱On this episode, we jumpstart the new month, year, decade etc. by talking a little bit about the year ahead and some high-level opinions about the next ten years as a whole in how technology will shape business and culture. We will also dive into the hottest social media app at the end of the past decade, TikTok and give our thoughts on it as a driving force in social media going forward. We also give our take on whether it is a truly dangerous app in lieu of the U.S. Navy classifying it as a cybersecurity risk...
2020-01-0829 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 89 - Looking Back at the 2010's 🕰️🎉To wrap up the year and decade, on this episode we look back at the 2010’s and pinpoint aspects of technology and business that were once giants in tech at the beginning or middle of the decade and are now completely irrelevant. We recap what went wrong and how culture and society influenced these mega busts. From the Amazon Fire phone to Fyre Fest we take a stab at breaking down he decade’s biggest misses…cuz why the hell not? We also look ahead to the next decade and try to piece together what trends may be forthcoming in the...
2019-12-3129 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 88 - White Christmas, Santa Claws 🎅🏼🍹In this Holiday edition of NRS we dive into a topic based on panic that settled in while trying to order a White Claw-themed Christmas gift on Prime (true story ugh). The pure disgust of this moment inspired to do an episode all about why there’s no laws when drinking Claws and how White Claw has exactly cornered the alcoholic seltzer market so effectively compared to their competitors (currently owning 50% of the space’s market share). We dive into the history of the brand, how spots like the Jersey Shore helped it take off, how two distinctly different demo...
2019-12-2424 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 87 - How Christmas Became Commercialized 🎄🤑On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we get our history lesson on by deep diving into the past to piece together how the holiday season (and in particular Christmas) has become the commercialized juggernaut that it is today’s. While we are hitting crunch time when it comes to holiday shopping, we recap department stores or the 20th century’s influence on what is now the common aesthetic of Christmas, how Black Friday was a term that came from the police and how some of the most well known Christmas tales and traditions can actually be traced to clev...
2019-12-1727 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 86 - The Business Behind College Football 🏈📈In this all new episode episode, we go in a somewhat different direction than normal shows where we dive into the business of college football. When it comes to college football, many people tend to be in the dark when it comes to how the sausage is made and why the contracts for coaches and facilities have jumped so significantly to the point where the numbers are completely mind boggling to a casual fan. I also break down why television (and streaming platform) contracts rule the entire industry, why only 25 or so programs are actually profitable, how all of...
2019-12-1039 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 85 - Why Internal Recruiting For Start-Ups is Kinda Broken 🙅♂️📨In this episode, we discuss why I've officially had enough when it comes to the business of internal recruiters and share some of my experiences that led me to this conclusion. We also breakdown down the difference in experiences between internal vs external recruiters, the copy-cat, start-up model for building "talent pipelines" and how it marginalizes candidates into having less leverage than ever before when getting serious about becoming a candidate. I also dive into my take on what to do instead of just taking it on the chin and where I think this model can potentially be going. O...
2019-12-0323 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 84 - How Facebook Became a Moral Wastelandl 💻👹In this episode, we break comedian Sacha Baron Cohen's recent speech after accepting an award at the Anti-Defamation League’s summit in NYC where he launched a scathing attack on Mark Zuckerburg and Silicon Valley's lack of ethics when dealing with advertising on their social platforms. Beyond recapping the highlights of his speech, we give our take on WHY these companies tend to bend the rules of basic ethics and morality when it comes to the content that they allow to be advertised on their platforms . Then we dive into how they are dependent on this model that makes pla...
2019-11-2626 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 83 - Imposter Syndrome Be Like... 🎭🕵️♀️On this episode, we get real when it comes to one of the hottest topics on Linkedin, Medium and pretty much any other content site these days, suffering from "Imposter Syndrome”. This terrible feeling, that tends makes someone feel inadequate or that they’re "faking the funk" at their job, feels more like a buzzword these days yet in our opinion, most content that surrounds it seems to be the typical fake self-help teacher fluff that annoys more than anything else (sorry ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ ). We touch on these conventional remedies for this problem and then describe our own ideas on how to fix i...
2019-11-1926 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 82 - YouTube Got A Facelift💄🎥On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we deep dive into the recent news of Youtube announcing that they are releasing a new design for their home page. We jump into all of the biggest changes and get our design nerd on when discussing the benefits, reasoning behind certain key changes like having less video thumbnails per row, and speculate over some of the potential risks and concerns for both Youtube as a business and for content creators with this new design. Haven’t done one of these design nerd episodes in a hot minute but we are getting ou...
2019-11-1226 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 81 - Old Job Horror Stories 😱😩On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we jump into story-time mode by sharing some of the worst jobs ever before any real career path was ever in motion. From bosses with hooker and blow addictions to 18 hour production assistant shifts in Times Square (yuck), this episode more of a change-of-pace in order to look back on some truly terrible work experiences. Whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or getting your inner entrepreneur on, hopefully this episode can be used as a reminder that things can always be worse so whatever rut you may be in ain’t so...
2019-11-0540 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 80 - What Does Having Real-World Work Experience Even Mean 🤔💪On this episode, we distill the deeper value of having "real life" work experience and what those years logged actually mean on a practical level. After a sloppy night out with old colleagues (most of whom have much more experience than me in their profession), I realized that how the benefits of having many experiences at work isn't what you traditional hear when you're bored at work looking at articles on how to up-level your skills on LinkedIn. We dig deep into approaching new challenges, how career building once again relates to the practice of martial arts, and drunk dr...
2019-10-2827 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 79 - The Pros and Cons of Being a UX Designer in 2019 ⚖️🤔On this episode, we give a complete breakdown outlining benefits and drawback of getting into the UX industry and becoming a user experience designer in 2019. Through my 6+ years experience in the industry, I try to fairly give praise and criticism to the many amazing experiences and and the not-so-rosy moments that you may potentially run into in a real life situation working for an in-house position or for an agency these days.
These are only the opinions of this show, but cast a wide net in summarizing the real life scenarios of being in UX if you...
2019-10-2233 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 78 - Cutting Through the Noise When Trying to Learn New Skills Online 👨💻🙅♂️In this episode, we discuss approaches when it comes to trying to effectively learn a new skill while navigating through the abyss of the content found on modern web platforms like Youtube. Let's keep it real, there is a decent amount of quality and a tonnnnn of not-so-great content out there so sometimes, despite the amazing access to information that we have these days, it can be a tall task sorting between the good stuff and the fluff. This episode contains some strategies to approach taking on new skills in a realistic manner from both an "external" (content) and...
2019-10-1531 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 77- How to Become Irrevelevant by Not Listening to Customers 📉On this episode, we dig into why businesses sometimes fail to adapt to the times despite their customers’ wishes and how this attitude can be the downfall for companies that were once major brands. We use a case study of a well known music production software company to highlight this point and provide granular insight on why and how this stubbornness can permeate throughout the company because often it isn’t as simple as the business just wanting to be frustrating to customers. The company provides the software used to produce these episodes (and the theme music) so it hits...
2019-10-0830 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 76 - Why Going With You Gut Feeling Usually Wins ❤️💪On this episode, we talk about gut feelings and why they tend to work out over getting feedback from others. We use the example of hip-hop producer YoungKio promoting an obscure beat that he made on his beat store, despite tons of negative feedback from his peers because of a gut feeling he had about the Nine Inch Nails sample he discovered. Eventually, the track was sold and later turned into the biggest song in years in "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X. We talk why subcultures create phenomena of collective groupthink that can effect people's confidence in t...
2019-10-0124 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 75 - Why Do Grocery Stores Still Dominate Over Food E-Commerce 🤔🛍️On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we dive into how the soundbites and content created Instagram and Twitter Business "Influencers" can be dangerously incorrect when presented as a blanket statement and use the "future of retail" as a case study. We talk Food E-commerce as an example of how brick and mortar retail isn't exactly going away at the rate that these fake gurus would like you to believe and some of the reasons why Food E-Commerce is taking off at a much slower rate from someone who is in it (hint has to with the good stuff, i...
2019-09-2423 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 74 - Is Being ✌️Data-Centered✌️ Becoming Corporate Jargon 🤔On this episode, we give some quick thoughts on how we're slowly seeing the idea of being a “data-centered company” slowly transforming from a process to create and market products and services more effectively to now being a way to throw money at a box to check off just to look like they are up to date with their tech stack. In other words, this show is dedicated around how “data-centered” is slowly becoming a buzzword and yet another piece of corporate jargon vernacular which is how it goes when older companies finally embrace what the start-ups have been doing fo...
2019-09-1723 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 73 - E-commerce Marketing and UX are Kinda the Same 🤷♂️On this episode, I talk about and my youtube binge sessions while hanging out with a sore throat and stuffy nose and the odd connection I made between two separate categories. These included E-commerce best practice videos and videos where British, Australian and New Zealanders tare interviewed to share their perceptions of American slang and culture (quite the rabbit hole, I know…sigh). However, these stuffy-nosed binge sessions led me to the conclusion how the differentiation in Commerce between marketing and UX/product design is nowhere near as specialized and company org charts would make you think, and how th...
2019-09-0927 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 72 - What Happens When You Don't Read Emails for a Week 📧🙅♂️On this episode, we’re fresh from an end of summer vacation and coming in HOT. On this episode we discuss the takeaways from being somewhat “off the grid” for a week and not checking any personal or work emails, slack messages, DMs etc. and how it can clear up some much needed perspective when it comes to one’s career and life in general. Besides explaining the benefits of going MIA for a bit, we also somehow dive into talking recruiters, night club appearance fees, James Bond, White Claw and a ton more!
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2019-09-0324 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 71 - What's the Future of the Design Industry 🤔🖌️On this episode, we get our design nerd on (hey it is the host’s job for crying out loud) and touch up on a hot topic in design media these days, which is trying to predict what the future of the design industry. This includes how roles within companies and design business’ in general which change along with skillset. We get deep into how design will change from an employment standpoint and share some thoughts around how design will be further tied into the financial side of business’ in the future. We also relate the current state of the de...
2019-08-2728 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 70 - Startups and Paid Acquisition 💸📊The big 7-0! On this episode, I dive into a little story time regarding I was recently STOOD UP on a Google Hangout interview from a start-up who shall remain nameless because a recruiter botched the scheduling. This led to me being a creep and finding both parties on Twitter which of course led me to an interesting back and forth on Twitter regarding the perception of “Paid Acquisition” as an acquisition tool from numerous Product VP hotshots for start-ups. I will break down the back and forth, why post of what was being said in regards to the nega...
2019-08-2028 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 69 - Taking Losses like a Champ and the Risks of Gamification 😓👾On the latest episode of NRS, we talk the potential pitfalls of gamification (looking at you Duolingo) and share thoughts on how to properly support a gamified experience in an ethical manner. We also dive into how to approach taking your L's in your career and how gracefully taking and analyzing your losses can lead to a better sense of self-understanding and how this sense of awareness can lead to a better-suited career path. So in other words, take you Ls in style! All that and more coming right up on Not Rocket Science!
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2019-08-1332 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 68 - How Language Learning Can Drive Empathy 🗣️🤝On this episode, I divulge into my latest pursuit of attempting to learn a language (yet again) and breakdown my progress with Spanish, what I am doing and why I think it is important. Instead of talking about different hacks and tricks to learn a new language I analyze and the personal value that language learning has brought me and how that value can be applied to other domains like business. I particularly harp in on empathy and how empathy can be built by pursuing another language. I also wind up ranting about Dueling and break down some of...
2019-08-0635 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 67 - Why Vanity Metrics Are Just The Worst 📈🙅♂️On this episode on Not Rocket Science, I recap a post on IG that TRIGGERED me in regards to using vanity metrics - ie. blanket data metrics that are easily manipulated, and do not necessarily correlate to the numbers that really matter to make someone look good - to persuade people into buying into an agenda. I deep dive into why people use vanity metrics, how to spot them and breakdown what was flawed in the specific use case that made me throw an IG fit. This episode is basically centered around how to cut through the BS at w...
2019-07-3030 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 66 - Dragon Pits, Lamborghinis and Quantifying Creativity 🐉🏎️🤓On this episode, I recap the sweltering, NYC heat-wave infused weekend of going down memory lane at my parents’ house and finishing Marty Neumeirer’s outstanding book, The 46 Rules of Genius. I break down how all of the nostalgia gave me a bit of a creative jolt and how this book does a fantastic job at quantifying what that “creative jolt” can ultimately be and provides a framework around how to harness it for growth. We talk high heels, lambos and even a little Wu-Tang in a discussion around what Mr. Neumeirer’s attempts to instill within its readers. I also eve...
2019-07-2329 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 65 - Reverse Engineering Stranger Things' Success 👽🙃On this episode, we keep the Stranger Things binge sesh going in full-force by breaking down exactly why Stranger Things’ has been so successful and which factors about its success has propelled it to the forefront of the zeitgeist. I break down all components of the show including the over-arching strategy of how any output tends to have a better opportunity for success when it maintains a balance between delivering something new and valuable and providing something that feels familiar on a certain level. I analyze how this works in mediums ranging from TV and film, to music, to bu...
2019-07-1634 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 64 - How to Spot a Crappy Company on Job Boards 👔💩On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I give some heads up to those entering the tech field regarding the digital mine field that is the modern job board. Whether LinkedIn, Indeed, Monster or any other board you’ll be sure to find your fair share of solid companies and absolute crap. I dig into a handful of bad job descriptions and summarize what to look out for when a role is pretty much guaranteed to be terrible. Whether it is the outlined responsibilities, salary or a company clearly not understanding what they are asking for, I give a co...
2019-07-0941 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 63 - Why Designers Can Become Marginalized at Companies 🖌️😦On the latest episode of get a tad ranty and dive into the topic of designers having the potential tendency to be marginalized at companies. What I mean by “marginalized” (not trying to be click-baity, sorry if it comes off that way) is how the overall org perception of the designer can essentially be perceived ONLY as a “set of hands” and not really a contributor to the overall company strategy. This can serve as true for product designers, graphic designers and even developers. I analyze why this phenomenon tends to occur in the first place, what factors manifest it into...
2019-07-0234 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 62 - Job Search Tips for a Career Transition into Tech 🤓💻On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I share my frustration with certain job site blog articles that outline what you need to land a job when trying to transition into a technical position. A lot of these blogs sugarcoat the transition and often spend time telling readers to focus on the wrong things. After seeing this over and over again I’ve decided to break down exactly what matters most when transitioning into tech based on my own experience and also break down what may be different about the transition based upon someone’s personality type (because on size...
2019-06-2535 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 61 - Viva Las Vegas 🎰🎲On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I divert a little from the normal tech/biz discussions to talk about a recent trip to Las Vegas and recap all of the thoughts and feelings of how Vegas monster casinos work as a business and all of the the ways that they try to take your money based on first-hand observation. We also dive into the types of people Vegas attracts, the weather and a whole lot more like the extremely lackluster and bizarre Criss Angel show that we attended and some of the characters that we saw hitting the...
2019-06-1830 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 60 - LinkedIn Be Crazy These Days 👔💻On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I talk about my up and down relationship with LinkedIn and analyze how the platform has changed for both the positive and negative compared to its early days. I highlight some of the most ridiculous features, companies and posts that I have seen in recent weeks which includes creepy dudes trying to slide into LinkedIn Das (weird), pretentious over branded companies and how LinkedIn think that working at 7-11 is a great fit for me! All that and more on the latest epi
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2019-06-1134 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 59 - In Biz It's All About Dat 30s Life 😎On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we touch up on a subject often discussed in the world of #hustleporn and #agencybro culture on social media which is the current craze of hitting it big in your 20s as a successful entrepreneur. We deep dive into explaining how Jai Paul, one of music’s biggest and elusive talents has returned after putting out zero new material as an artist in almost 7 years and how he has now returned in a much healthier, more balanced state in his early 30s. We relate this to how there shouldn’t be rush to h...
2019-06-0434 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 58 - Youtube Niche Accounts Be Crazy 🙃🎥On this episode I recap my hellish beach trip during Memorial Day Weekend and how my frustration was felt by so many people that it made the front page of the New York Post. Afterwards, I run down the latest Youtube rabbit hole I’ve fallen into which exposes the weird world of Las Vegas buffet reviews and I break exactly why I’ve become so intrigued by such a specific content category and how this type of model is the realest example of “finding riches in niches” compared to all of that dropshipping your Facebook Ads on the blockcha...
2019-05-2829 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 57 - Does Anybody Miss Myspace? 💻👴On this episode of Note Rocket Science, we go into nostalgia mode HARD thinking back to going to someone in high school’s Myspace page only to be introduced to the latest Dashboard Confessional single, some glittery Geocities-esque GIF wallpaper, neon color schemes and the ability to snoop at someone’s Top 8 and see if you made the cut? Ahhhhh the good ole days of Myspace, the original social media. We’ve been on a heavy early 2000s kick here at NRS recently and stumbled upon an awesome Youtube video recently titled “Why Myspace Failed” that went into great detail reg...
2019-05-2135 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 56 - Uber's IPOooops 🚗📉On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we recap the Uber’s rocky IPO from last week and break down both the reasons for such a terrible opening day and our overall skepticism of Uber’s long term investment potential. Everything from their promise of self-driving cars, to the reasons why they have never been profitable as a company to how they have gotten wiped out by start-ups such as Grab (in Asia) and Taxify (in Africa) in recent years gets analyzed with the goal of painting an honest picture of where Uber stands as a company. We also deep...
2019-05-1433 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 55 - #Hustleporn vs The Laptop Lifestyle 💪🌴On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I kick off the episode by (of course) ranting wayyyyy off topic ranting and raving about how I may be the only person on earth who decided to watch the first five seasons of Game of Thrones only to quit the show and how the current phenomena of GOT makes me feel like I’m crazy or something (the show is a solid B, let’s be real here). After that, I dive into something that has been on my mind for the past week which is how the cult of #hustleporn has...
2019-05-0741 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 54 - It's IPO Season Betches 🤑 📈Welp, it's that time of year again, IPO season and with a slew of tech companies going public this episode is all about giving hot takes on which plays will work out the best long term (don't take anything as financial advice, not a CPA, this in entertainment, blah blah blah). Anyway, I particularly dive into why I am so big on Pinterest after their IPO happened earlier this month and also ran down the positives and negatives of potentially investing in Slack, who recently announced that they are jumping on the "going public train" along with their tech...
2019-04-3038 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 53 - Is Instagram Thinking About Taking Away Likes? 🤔Let's face it, we all do it for the gram, right? With social media more popular than ever, the dopamine rush when racking up those likes is currently in full effect. However, recently screens of an internal Instagram prototype were leaked on Twitter showing that Instagram is, at least, playing with the idea of hiding likes from public view. On this episode of NRS, we get speculative and jump into the "what if" scenario of what would happen if Instagram did wind up hiding likes from public view as the prototype suggests and how it would impact this current g...
2019-04-2329 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 52 - How Coachella became...~🌵CoAcHeLLa!🌵~On this week's episode of Not Rocket Science, I give a little breakdown of the business history of Coachella Music Festival in Indio Valley and how it went from an alternative weekend festival that lost money in its first year (1999) to the music juggernaut that it is today. I dive into how the festival's unique setting is based on an idea shaped 6 years prior from the festival's first year when Pearl Jam picked the Indio Valley to perform a concert in protest of Ticketmaster's stranglehold on concert venues. I also focus on exactly what differentiates Coachella from other music...
2019-04-1640 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 51 - How "Old Town Road" Went Viral, A Case Study 🤠 📈On this week's episode of Not Rocket Science, I break down how Lil Nas X's hit song "Old Town Road" went viral, highlighting how its virality was the sum of multiple ingredients from the music to the pop cultural landscape at the time. I dig deep into the music production side (and how it samples a song I made a beat out of back in the day... waaatt 😵), how he essentially hacked Soundcloud for better distribution 🐱💻, how his past as a tweetdecker helped with the marketing of the song and how it timed up perfectly to leverage the "Yeehaw Agenda" c...
2019-04-0940 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 50 - April Fools Edition! 😂🃏Not Rocket Science turns the big 5-0 on this one, middle-aged AF! After giving a little bit of a retrospective on the show in general, I get into the current state of artistry and entrepreneurship and how the wall that has separated "business people" and artists has been seemingly shrinking over the years. I then pay my tribute to the great Nipsey Hussle (RIP) who was able to pioneer this emerging trend at a young age, talking about real estate investing in interviews when he around the age that I was still trying to figure out how how to cook...
2019-04-021h 04Not Rocket ScienceEpisode 49 - Apple Event Reaction 📱(they going after that Oprah 💸)On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I do a live reaction to yesterday's big Apple Event where they launched their brand new credit card along with their spankin new news, gaming, TV platforms. I react to a video that summarizes everything that went down at the event totally live and unfiltered and delve into what I think it all means as Apple as a business moving forward. I wrap up by expanding on the moves I like and the (ongoing) aspects about Apple that I find extremely frustrating and whether or not their new pursuit into the digital c...
2019-03-2643 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 48 - Social Media Armageddon + Podcast Q&A 📱😱On this episode we dig into the meltdown that occurred last week when Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp all went down at the same time and how it disrupted the social media world. This led to a deep dive regarding our reliance on social media, how people scramble to other platforms like twitter to deal with the situation and the relationship media social media platforms and their audience in regards to how crises like these should be handled from a PR standpoint. We also start a new segment of Q&A where we answer any random questions you may have...
2019-03-1946 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 47 - What I Learned From a Year(ish) of Podcasting 🎤📅On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I get very Inception-y and talk about podcasting and this podcast in general on the podcast...make sense? After being interviewed last week by a podcast researcher about why I do this and my overall process for creating this show, I decided to go back to the basics and revisit the basic reasons for doing this thing in the first place. In order to do this, I went through the exercise of writing down exactly my "Why" for this show after a year of "trying stuff out" to sharpen my focus along...
2019-03-1246 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 46 - How to Ethically Grow Your Instagram Account (Tips + Tricks ) 📈 😇On this episode, we follow-up last week's episode on the seedy underworld of Instagram marketing by diving into some super cool tips and tricks that we have used to ethically grow our Instagram accounts in the past without using automated bots or buying followers (yikes). This episode is short and sweet and gets right to the point in serving how you can grow your accounts of any size to any size if you follow these simple steps. A lot of people trying to become the authorities on Instagram on platforms like Youtube hint at this stuff in their little...
2019-03-0536 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 45 - Exploring the Underworld of Instagram Marketing 📱📈On the latest episode, we jump right into my seven(ish) month exploration into the somewhat slimy underworld of growing Instagram accounts. From private forums selling and flipping accounts, to python growth bots, to private engagement groups, I give the low down on everything you need in a nutshell to grow on Instagram including the stuff most people ask hundreds of dollars for in order to share (or force you to give them your email and sit through a crappy sales pitch disguised as a "webinar"). So sit back and relax while give you everything you need to about...
2019-02-2655 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 44 - Cannabis & CBD's "High" Advertising Potential 🌿🤑On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we first break down Amazon pulling out of their previously announced future HQ2 in Long Island City, Queens by breaking down each argument that liberal and conservatives often bring to the table when debating the net effects of the move. We also share some insight on how Amazon would have played into the crumbling infrastructure of NYC's subway system and whether or not the move would have helped or hurt repairing the damage.
After, we dive into the main topic of the day which is sharing our thoughts on th...
2019-02-1952 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 43 - The Rise of StockX 👟🤑On this episode of Not Rocket Science I do a throwback-style case study episode on the emergence of StockX, an online sneaker reselling and buying marketplace, and how combining the sneaker market with the stock market disrupted an industry. I also put on User Experience design hat on and give some design analysis of their iOS app. I find companies like StockX who become an industry leader by optimizing a cultural phenomenon particularly fascinating and was excited to give my take on this one.
I also break down the emerging backlash regarding Amazon's potential...
2019-02-1246 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 42 - Super Bowl Edition 🏈🏆On this episode of Not Rocket Science I break down the pains of New York in the dead middle of winter and wind up going on a nostalgic breakdown of how the perception of NYC can change from a Tri-State area local the second you are able to have a proper NYC bender for the first time. In addition, I dig into the business side of the upcoming (and now already-played by the time you're reading this) Superbowl LIII between the Patriots and Rams by diving into a recent survey on consumer purchasing behavior released by nicershoes.com. I...
2019-02-0545 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 41 - Fyre Fest & Why I Said Goodbye to "My Path Towards Financial Freedom" 👋💸On this episode I talk about the business, cultural and marketing takeaways from both the Fyre Festival documentaries that are currently the main topic of water cooler discussions at the moment and evaluate how Billy McFarland looks like a college kid and depressed middle aged man hitting the sauce at the same damn time. We also cover the recent terrible financial decision that I almost made a couple weeks back regarding throwing down 6k to join a program that teaches you how to game Google Business Page's system and create an optimized lead generation website that you "lease" to s...
2019-01-2947 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 40 - Are Work Conferences a Rip-off? 🤓🗣️🎫💸 🤑On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I recap a work conference that I recently attended and breakdown how I felt that the full-day event didn't come remotely close to being worth the price for a ticket (which seems like a pattern). I especially call-out how these "networking" events that you often see at these things and how the lazy organization of these things tend to lead to only the most awkward of conversations with perfectly fine people. I explain how I feel it feels as if the Workforce Illuminati is trolling me on the importance of "networking" relative...
2019-01-2235 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 39 - Stepping Into the Murky Abyss of Entrepreneurial MarketingOn this episode of Not Rocket Science, I divulge into my latest experiment of learning as much as I can about entrepreneurial digital marketing. You know... those guys with the scammy looking websites trying to offer you how to master Paid-Per-Click, Facebook ads, Google Keywords, Email Scripts, Sales Funnels etc. only to eventually try to sell you some eBook or masterclass for $2000. I try to wrap my head around all of the craziness and break down which types of products actually seem legit (if any) and which ones are just pure scams. I also talk about the interesting differences...
2019-01-1541 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 38 - How Tech Can Help You Stick To Fitness GoalsOn the first episode of new year, we go deep into my 2019 #fitnessgoals and I talk about my personal journey with a couple of my favorite fitness apps that have helped me shed some unwanted pounds over the past few months. I also talk about how these apps have held me accountable to my goals to a much greater extent than sheer willpower (lets be real here, I suck at that and you probably do too ¯\_(ツ)_/¯). In addition, I review some other fitness apps that I've demo'd to give you a tool to try out no matter what your goal...
2019-01-0856 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 37 - So...2018 Happened 🤷♂️🍾 🎊 📅On the last episode of the year, I give a recap of 2018 from the biggest headlines in tech, pop culture and business to my personal take on how this show went in its first year and how I want to continue to improve it heading into next year. I also dig into major events like Elon Musk's interesting year, legalized weed, Kanye being Kanye and how Facebook had a particularly rough 2018. This somehow turns into me giving the urban dictionary's definition of my stoner high school and my love for mall nostalgia. I predict will be the major trends of...
2019-01-0146 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 36 - Working with Recruiters 👩💻 👨💼📥😭On this episode of Not Rocket Science we get into talking all about recruiters, particularly spotting good ones from bad ones. I've personally had years of experience in working with recruiters on the both job candidate side and the hiring side so I give a deep dive on the good signs, bad signs and a ton more when first getting to know a recruiter for a specific role. Hopefully, it will help people navigate the tough and murky waters of applying to jobs. In addition, I dive into the latest in the biz culture headlines and weigh into all...
2018-12-2537 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 35 - Throwing Stones at Glassdoor 📉 👨💻 👔🤔🙄On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I go innnnn for all of those job seekers out their slanging resumes and hustling for interviews. I dig into my recent skepticism and befuddlement regarding Glassdoor's, a popular job searching site, salary estimator and how I might be homeless next year based on their salary data for my position which is currently in a free fall according to them but not anywhere else. I also explain why their company reviews might not be the most honest reflection of a company's overall working experience if you take them at face value. However, I...
2018-12-1834 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 34 - Farm Bills, Bills, Bills 💸🚜🌿 📈On the latest and greatest episode of Not Rocket Science I try doing this whole podcast thing after being in bed sick for 3 straight days so righhhht off the bat I apologize if I sound like if Bigfoot took up chainsmoking. Anyway, I dive right into a major farming bill that's likely going to begin the process of being passed this week which will likely turbo the legal hemp industry and all of the the pot stock hysteria that is going along with it. So if you are into investments and trying to get you 💰🤑 on , this is the episode for yo...
2018-12-1135 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 33 - Decembrrrr Gucci TimeAwwww snap, on another episode of Not Rocket Science I dive into the Christmas season full throttle and talk about how this is the best Xmas schedule possible for a 9-5er. Then I verryyy thoroughly explain my newly found craze of racking up credit card points and how I want to use them to buy my fantasy of being that dude in a cologne commercial on a European beach someone which turns into into me grilling cologne commercials in general, particularly that crappy Johnny Depp Dior ad. Then I jump into current events like how Dolce & Gabana stays dishing...
2018-12-0438 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 32 - Bitcoin Stayyyys LosingOn the latest episode of Not Rocket Science, I recap my Thanksgiving including dropping some knowledge on the BEST pie in all of NYC hands down (don't even try to come up with an alternative). I also dive into the world of crypto and how Bitcoin has been taking L's left and right including its most recent free-fall where it lost 40% of its value in two week (ouch). I give my extremely novice, rookie level take on why this is happening and when things will change along with my fascination with Crypto Twitter which has taken an equal amount of...
2018-11-2733 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 31 - Breaking Script and Keepin It RealOn this episode, I start by talking tech news but the show ends up taking a more personal turn and I just keep things real with what's working with the show, what's not and what I think I need to change. I do dive into a few current events including the awful wildfires going on throughout California and Amazon's move to my old work stomping grounds, Long Island City Queens. I also go over the inner turmoil I am facing of Thanksgiving and Friendsgivings clashing with my new intermittent fasting lifestyle. All that and a ton more on this episode...
2018-11-1941 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 30 - Networking SchmetworkingOn the Dirty 30th edition of Not Rocket Science I recap some of the latest current events, give an update on my intermittent fasting status and give a recap on a work conference that I attended over the weekend which included multiple "networking events". L pretty much let loose on detailing the awkwardness I feel when attending these types of events and give my take on why these types of interactions always leave me feeling a bit hollow. I also wonder if I am alone in my take on networking events? Do you love them get a lot out of...
2018-11-1338 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 29 - Gettin My Health On & What's Happening at Google?On the latest episode of Not Rocket Science I dive into the reasons why I decided to actually go to the gym regularly for once in my pathetic fitness life and how I plan on sticking to it. I also break down the latest march last week at Google's HQ after the revelations of high level execs getting paidddddddd to leave the company after being accused of sexual harassment and question the role diversity plays at the office and how we can get to optimal levels of fairness when it comes to diversity within fields like tech that have often...
2018-11-0644 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 28 - Social Media Gone Mad!On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I keep you guys updated on Red Dead 2 and my new gym habit....but enough about me. In this episode I dive into Soundcloud's new monetization program and how in reality it yet again screws over artists who didn't happen to go to law school or moonlight as contract writer. In addition, I break down the unfortunate current events and how Alt-Right Twitter alternative, Gab, is currently a platformed being de-platformed by other platforms due to the user base that it caters to. I also throw out some bigger questions like is the...
2018-10-3044 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 27 - Hello Red Dead 2, Goodbye Life!On the latest episode of Not Rocket Science, I explain my giddy enthusiasm for the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 which finally comes this week and how it will essentially ruin my life for the next month or two. I hope the GF doesn't leave me. Anywayyyyy..... I also dive into the latest in my ongoing "What's Elon Musk doing now" saga, go over getting my skinny-fat self back in the gym and analyze the world of finance information services. You know... the ones that tell which shady cryptocurrency or pot stock to buy. Are they legit? Are they snake...
2018-10-2340 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 26 - I Miss the Old KanyeWhat it do?!?! On this episode of Not Rocket Science we dive into the latest Kanye weirdness involving meeting with Trump, biting six year old plane designs from Industrial Designer's college thesis, giving impromptu keynotes on top of desks about seemingly nothing, and how I'm basically done with tolerating the ridiculousness at this point. I also dive into the latest iteration of the Amazon Echo Screen, throw shade at Instagram testing tap-based navigation through profiles and a rundown of other noteworthy current events including justice finally being served to the abortion of a music festival known as Fyre Fest.
Also...
2018-10-1628 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 23 - Big Data, Bigger BreachesOn the latest episode of Not Rocket Science, I run down the new phenomena of massive tech companies trying to out-data breach each other with Google recently throwing their hat into the ring with their recently announced Google Plus API bug that left users' data up for grabs for about three years. I also talk about how UFC's treatment of their latest controversy, a post-fight melee between Conor McGregor and Khabib Nurmagomedov's camps, can be seen a dangerous lesson for marketing and advertising. I also give my take on the latest Amazon Echo Show release and the future of VUI...
2018-10-0954 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 24 - RIP Instagram?On this episode of Not Rocket Science, we dive into the Elon Musk/SEC drama, the suspiciously quick exit of Instagram co-founders Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger from the Facebook Evil Empire. I also explain my very weird personal history with Facebook and why I still don't have a FB profile. I also recap my recent trip to New Orleans and why it isn't a good idea to drink frozen daiquiris on bourbon street like they are nothing. All that the Carter V and Kanye just Kanye-ing on this latest episode! Also, if you haven't yet please follow us on...
2018-10-0242 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 23 - Bert & Ernie, Drug Pies & Maroon 5On this episode I dig into the NFL's choice of Maroon 5 to play the next Super Bowl Halftime Show in Atlanta, give my take on the Bert & Ernie being gay saga unfolding on social media and Sesame Street's cringey response on Twitter. I also talk about my terrible diet over the past week and my NYC subway biggest pet peeves. All before I start packing to go to New Orleans for the next few days.
Also, yeah, yeah, yeah, I know it's lame to throw this in here but if you have a moment, please follow us on IG & Twitter...
2018-09-2433 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 22 - Apple's Underwhelming Latest Event &The Weather Channel's #Fakenews Scare TacticsOn the latest episode of Not Rocket Science I go all over the place running down everything form why I felt like ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ over the latest Apple Event to how I feel like I'm going to die every time I check the Weather Channel homepage during any major storm (even when it's weakening). In addition, I give my take on the latest rap beef between Eminem & Machine Gun Kelly and what Mac Miller meant to me. Finally I rundown some current events and give my best wishes to all of those in North and South Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Flor...
2018-09-1745 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 21 - AI generated Music?On the latest episode of Not Rocket Science I beatbox for you guys, recap Elon Musk's appearance on Joe Rogan's show (and the crazy aftermath shortly after it's release) and dive into the emerging world of Music produced by AI platforms like IBM Watson and Amper Music. I give my take on where this industry stands now, where it's going and whether or not the Pharrells and Rick Rubins of the future will be convolutional neural networks and complex algorithms. All of that plus current events!
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2018-09-1148 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 20 - Aging Rappers and Labor Day ShenanigansOn this episode of Not Rocket Science podcast we analyze Eminem's latest surprise album, 'Kamikaze' and the negative backlash that has ensued since its release earlier this week. In addition, I talk about why I am hungover on the podcast due to an interesting Saturday night. I also discuss the upcoming NYC Bodega addition of Adidas Ultra Boosts and profess my love for Bodegas in the city and why it is New York's biggest selling point. All that and much more on episode number 20! (I never really know what "much more" is supposed to mean in these things so I...
2018-09-0437 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 19 - The Business of Celebrity BickeringFresh off of vacation, I'm back with an all new episode of NRS! On this episode I break down what I've been up to over the past week, how the transformation of industries is affecting celebrity beefs and recap the Nicki Minaj vs. Travis Scott and Logan Paul vs KSI from a business and social perspective. I also mention an article about the later event from The Verge that sets me off on how people just need to get over the fact that humans just enjoy barbaric stuff like combat sports. It's a halfway-decent rant, I promise ;)
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2018-08-2841 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 18 - #Livingmybestlife...NotOn this episode of Not Rocket Science, I recap my bday weekend and the wacky things I saw when I went to massive, seven floor Japanese day spa outside of Manhattan. I also analyze Elon Musk's current mid-life crisis and give my take on wtf #livingyourbestlife is actually means (which was inspired by an excellent article on highsnobiety.com). All of this plus current events and gut reactions to random news headlines in the tech/culture niche.
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2018-08-2054 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 17 - WTF is Apple Thinking?On this episode, I dial into rant mode over the hypocrisy of Tim Cook (Apple CEO) throwing shade towards Spotify's algorithmic-centered music playlist curation. I also delve into recent current events including Tekashi 6'9's legal issues and give the latest update on my cookie recipes and Astroworld album review which are both carryovers from the last episode.
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2018-08-1434 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 16 - Astroworld & Cookies!On this episode, I provide my early take on Travis Scott's ridiculously hyped new album 'Astroworld' and let you in on the most baller-ist chocolate chip and marshmallow cookie recipe of all-time! Also, give quick rundown of current events including why I am #unimpressed with Apple's recent one trillion dollar evaluation until they fix some pretty basic stuff.
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2018-08-0741 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 15 - Why is the Jordan Brand Still so Iconic?In the latest episode of Not Rocket Science I put a spotlight on the Jordan Brand and analyze the crucial moments of the brand's history and origins that have made it one of the most recognized sneaker/clothing lines in the world including how Jordan could have easily wound up as an Adidas brand and the backstory of the original Jordan 1 model. I also deep dive into why Jordan has maintained and even grown in its brand equity long after Michael Jordan retired from basketball (and it most cases the public spotlight).
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2018-07-3145 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 14 - What's Up with This Chunky Dad Sneakers Trend?On this episode of Not Rocket Science, I talk about the biggest trend in sneakers for the past year(ish), these chunky dad sneakers. From household brands like Adidas to high fashion brands like Balenciaga, dad shoes have made some major noise for the past year or two and I dig into the history of this fad, when it will end and how crazy fashion trends like this one come into existence in the first place. I also, recap current events including my take on the most world's most Instagrammed sneakers, Snapcash ending about as quietly as it started, and...
2018-07-2448 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 13 - World Cup Roundup & US Soccer's Culture ProblemOn this episode of NRS, I recap the best of the World Cup including revealing my list of top 5 kits from the tournament and how France became the best team in the world. I also deep dive into why U.S. Soccer's biggest obstacle is a cultural problem in the pursuit of becoming a soccer powerhouse and I put my dorky college football recruiting knowledge to use in coming up with ideas to overcome this deep-rooted issue. I also dive into a few current events in tech, culture and in the case of this episode, soccer and continue to complain...
2018-07-1758 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 12 - Akon's "Crypto" City and Fake European Supreme StoresIn this latest episode of Not Rocket Science, I dig into the fad of fake Supreme stores opening in Europe and why it's technically legal and the new partnership between Snapchat and Amazon. I also dissect Akon's dream of building a "crypto" city in Senegal and explain why it is dangerous and ineffective to use techy buzzwords like "blockchain" and "crypto" as value propositions for these kinds of projects.
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2018-07-1043 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 11 - Drake's 'Scorpion' & the Great Generalists vs. Specialists DebateThis episode is, more than anything, me testing my ability to record with no fans or AC in the middle of an NYC heatwave #saunastatus. I review Drake's new album 'Scorpion' and use the album as a starting point to dig into the age old debate of "Generalists" vs. "Specialists" in various fields of industry. I argue how Drake is the ultimate "generalist" and provide some thoughts on figuring out which path may be more ideal for someone based upon their character traits. I also explain how slow of a week it has been in tech news and give my...
2018-07-0338 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 10 - Instagram TV?On this episode, I analyze Instagram's new IGTV app for creators to publish long-form video that's tied to their IG accounts and whether or not vertical video will continue to evolve as a thing. Also, I give my take on the terrible passing of rapper XXXTentacion and go in on the history of World Cup songs and how this year's version doesn't quite hold up to the past.
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2018-06-2640 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 9 - World Cup EditionOn this episode I give my thoughts on the biggest streetwear craze of the World Cup and how it exactly came to be. I also give my thoughts on the passing of a legend and how it influenced this show.
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2018-06-1934 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 8 - The Rise of Supreme and 90's NYC Youth CultureThis episode is one I've been meaning to do for awhile. Supreme is a clothing label that has fueled the global "hype" movement and created a subculture that is now penetrating the world of high fashion. I dig into the history of Supreme and how it went from a small Lower East Side skate shop to global juggernaut and how the NYC 90's youth culture played a part in its rise along with some clever design choices. In addition, I start a new segment called "Read and React" where I run down the latest current events in tech & culture including...
2018-06-1143 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 7 - #Voicefirst Episode (Alexas, Siris and Google Homes, Oh My!)In this episode, I analyze the recent hoopla over an Amazon Echo device recording and sending a conversation without its owners realizing it. I also dig into the state of virtual assistants and how it may be shaping the future and review Cathy Pearl's book, "Designing Voice User Interfaces: Principles of Conversational Experiences".
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2018-06-0436 min
Not Rocket ScienceEpisode 6 - Music Tech EditionIn this episode, I recap the recent Spotify Playlist controversy involving rapper XXXTentacion and why companies seem to be so consistently awful at handling these types of issues. I also give my thoughts on the startup that is currently taking over the music production space.
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2018-05-2945 minNot Rocket ScienceEpisode 5 - Impact of the Royal WeddingThis episode we are talking about the major pop culture event that occurred over the past weekend and how digital marketing plays a role in it. I try to wrap my head around the monetary effect of the wedding and how Meghan Markle's influence makes small brands have to build new factories due insane demand. I also may or may not be drinking high tea during the recording of this episode.
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2018-05-2125 min