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The Iowa Idea: Josh Krakauer

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Josh Krakauer. Josh is the CEO of Sculpt, a B2B social media marketing agency. Sculpt launched in 2012 with a mission to connect clients with their human customers more humanly. Josh has developed social media strategies and awareness campaigns that have launched three best-selling books, humanized publicly-traded corporations, accelerated early-stage startups, and convinced tech workers to move to Iowa. He is obsessed with connecting people passionate about their ideas. Josh sits on the advisory board of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, and was named one of the CBJ’s 40 under 40 (at 25).

While Josh now works remote from Washington, DC, but will still convince you Iowa City is the best city on earth. We explore Josh’s journey as an entrepreneur and community connector. I appreciated Josh’s thoughtfulness and perspective on how he has shaped Sculpt.

It was an honor having Josh join me on the show. I thank him for sharing his time and insights. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Josh

Josh Krakauer is the CEO of Sculpt, a B2B social media marketing agency. Sculpt launched in 2012 with a mission to connect clients with their human customers more humanly. Today, Sculpt uses that philosophy to help B2B marketers reach their customers, inspire their advocates, and close more deals.

Josh has developed social media strategies and awareness campaigns that have launched 3 best-selling books, humanized publicly-traded corporations, accelerated early-stage startups, and convinced tech workers to move to Iowa.

Josh is obsessed with connecting people passionate about their ideas. Josh sits on the advisory board of the John Pappajohn Entrepreneurial Center, and was named one of the CBJ’s 40 under 40 (at 25).

Josh works remote from Washington, DC, but will still convince you Iowa City is the best city on earth.

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast theme music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Erin Becker

“Make sure you have something to say.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I’m joined by Erin Becker. Erin is a writer, communications consultant, and storytelling expert. She founded and runs Becks Communications, a consultancy that helps clients in a range of industries in the US and Latin America use storytelling and effective communications principles to move people, sell products, and make change. She also runs a newsletter, The Storytelling Weekly, where she shares storytelling tips and analyzes culture high and low to help her readers learn how to tell great stories and achieve their strategic goals. She holds her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She writes criticism, essays, poetry, and fiction, and has been published in outlets like Lambda Literary, Barrelhouse Reviews, Interstellar Flight Press, and more. Erin also heads up communications for digital literacy nonprofit Write Away.

We explore Erin’s journey as a writer and entrepreneur; what it’s like to live abroad and struggling to accurately express yourself in another language and culture; and how writing can help us clarify our own ideas. I liked Erin’s advice to “think about the content before you think about the vehicle.” I enjoyed Erin’s perspectives on writing and storytelling.

It was an honor having Erin join me on the show. I thank her for sharing her time and insights. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Erin

Erin Becker is a writer, communications consultant, and storytelling expert. She founded and runs Becks Communications, a consultancy that helps clients in a range of industries in the US and Latin America use storytelling and effective communications principles to move people, sell products, and make change. She also runs a newsletter, The Storytelling Weekly, where she shares storytelling tips and analyzes culture high and low to help her readers learn how to tell great stories and achieve their strategic goals. She holds her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She writes criticism, essays, poetry, and fiction, and has been published in outlets like Lambda Literary, Barrelhouse Reviews, Interstellar Flight Press, Make Lit + Luz, and more. Erin also heads up communications for digital literacy nonprofit Write Away. You can subscribe to Erin’s newsletter, get in touch about her communications consulting, schedule a storytelling workshop, and find out more about her writing at erinbecker.me.

Credits

Episode produce by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Dave Gould

“Feeding friends and community.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I sit down with David Gould. Dave is a modern-day embodiment of the Iowa Idea. He is a self-described accidental academic. David is a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Iowa’s Public Policy

Center. Previously, Dave served The University of Iowa as an administrator at the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent, the Associate Director of Professional Student Development in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences,

Lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Physiology, and the first

Obermann Center Public Scholar. He worked with Zappos CEO Tony

Hsieh’s Downtown Project in its effort to transform Las Vegas into the “most community-focused large city in the world.” In addition to his work in higher ed, Dave has produced a number of documentary films and creative community events.

We explore Dave’s journey as an artist, student, and creative that brought him to Iowa City. We dig into the power of connecting people and ideas. For those that follow the podcast closely – first, thank you!; second, Dave’s name has come up in interviews with Andy Stoll, Jesse Elliott, and Mark Nolte. So, it seemed appropriate to go to the source. I really appreciate Mark introducing me to Dave.

During the pandemic, Dave has brought his powerful Life Design course as a free, online experience for alumni and friends. The last session will be broadcast live on Wednesday, January 27 with special guest, Dan Learner of NYU. If you have the chance, check out the final installment.

It was an honor having Dave join me on the show. I thank him for sharing his time and insights. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Dave

David Gould is a Visiting Associate Professor at the University of Iowa’s Public Policy

Center. Previously, Mr. Gould served the University of Iowa as an administrator at the Belin-Blank International Center for Gifted Education and Talent, the Associate Director of Professional Student Development in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences,

Lecturer in the Department of Health and Human Physiology, and the first

Obermann Center Public Scholar. Mr. Gould also worked with Zappos CEO Tony

Hsieh’s Downtown Project in its effort to transform Las Vegas into the “most community-focused large city in the world.”

For over a decade, the focus of Mr. Gould’s work has revolved around reimagining higher education, and in turn, he has created a number of distinctive university courses concentrated on issues of meaning and community engagement. These courses have garnered considerable media attention and professional recognition.

From 2010 – 2020, graduating seniors at the University of Iowa have recognized Mr.

Gould as one of the top faculty and staff members “who has had a positive effect on

their life.” Mr. Gould was awarded the 2020 Honors Teaching Award and the 2019 David J. Skorton Staff Excellence Award in Service to The University of Iowa. Mr. Gould is also a sought-after public speaker whose presentations include the commencement address for the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Educating 21st Century Adolescent Learners (keynote, Tokyo, Japan), Luther College Convocation, Next Gen. Summit (keynote), TEDx Iowa City, and TEDxUNI.

Mr. Gould directed the documentary Two Sides of the Moon (Atlanta International Documentary Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, UNSPOKEN Human Rights

Film Festival, FLICKERS: Rhode Island International Film Festival, among others.) He also produced The Checker King (HBO2), and Freestyle: The Victories of Dan Gable

(HBO Signature). Currently, Mr. Gould is producing the feature film Gable.

Credits

Episode produce by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).

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The Iowa Idea: Tim Carty

“Actively choose where you live.”

In this episode of The Iowa Idea Podcast, I sit down with Tim Carty. Tim has lived in Iowa City since 2009 and has lived in Iowa most of his life. He is a passionate advocate for local development and entrepreneurship. Tim has served as an ambassador for the Iowa City Area Business Partnership and has recently co-founded a new talent attraction agency called RoleCall. RoleCall works with cities and economic developers to strengthen and build successful talent attraction strategies.

We explore Tim’s journey from New Jersey to Iowa and the roles, managers, and mentors that have helped him along the way. We dig into what it’s like to launch two businesses in the time of the pandemic, as well as why it’s important to be intentional about improving the communities where you want to live.

It was an honor having Tim join me on the show. I thank him for sharing his time and insights. I hope you enjoy the episode.

About Tim

Tim has lived in Iowa City since 2019 and worked in local economic development with the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce (Now IC Area Business Partnership) and ICR Iowa for the last several years. Tim, along with his business partner has recently launched a new talent attraction agency called RoleCall, where they work with cities and economic developers to strengthen and build successful talent attraction strategies.

Credits

Episode produced by Spark Consulting Group (www.inspiredbyspark.com) in Iowa City, with support from Executive Podcast Solutions (https://www.executivepodcastsolutions.com/).

The Iowa Idea Podcast music written and performed by Paisley Bible (https://paisleybible.bandcamp.com/).