What does 'being connected with self' actually look like…feel like?  It’s impossible to describe, as we explore with Sydney in part 2 of this conversation. 

Whether or not we can describe it, what is true from this conversation is that vulnerability and the willingness to express it with yourself and others is a big step in finding that connection.

Once she was willing to be vulnerable with her music it all changed, and her music went to a new level.

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Today, we are with singer/songwriter Sydney Lauren.  SYDNEY TELLS STORIES THROUGH HER SONGS. SHE GREW UP SINGING AND WRITING MUSIC JUST OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY, THE PLACE SHE NOW CALLS HOME. THE CITY SERVES AS HER INSPIRATION AS WELL AS HER STOMPING GROUNDS, AND SHE HAS PERFORMED IN NYC VENUES LIKE THE DELANCEY & THE BITTER END.

SYDNEY’S TRAINING IN PIANO, GUITAR AND SONGWRITING ARE CLEARLY REFLECTED IN HER SONGS, WHICH TAKE INSPIRATION FROM SOME OF HER FAVORITE ARTISTS INCLUDING JP SAXE, SARAH BAREILLES, INGRID ANDRESS, AND MORE. HER MUSIC HAS BEEN FEATURED ON “TEMPTATION ISLAND” AND "THE BIGGEST LOSER" ON USA NETWORK.

SYDNEY’S NEW ERA OF MUSIC REPRESENTS A CHAPTER IN HER LIFE LYRICALLY, AND HER AUTHENTIC VISION SONICALLY. SHE DIVES INTO THE EMOTIONS THAT OCCUR DURING HEARTBREAK AND THE SIMPLISTIC HAPPINESS THAT CAN COME WITH LOVE. NEW YORK CITY WILL ALWAYS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HER MUSIC, WHETHER IT’S A STREET SHE REFERENCES OR THE SUBWAY HOME. SHE’S A STORYTELLER AT HEART AND HOPES TO SING WORDS YOU WERE THINKING BUT DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO SAY.

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Topics we discuss:

• How she got good at her Music
  • Accepting that she is good at it
  • Music built her confidence
• Tracking Downloads and attention
• Being vulnerable through her music
• Turning Around a bad mood
• Creating music that resonates with people
• Understanding Self

References:

• Harkness Method
• Nodes Scene from Pitch Perfect
• Her song Bucket Hat 
• Sydney Lauren.com

Credits:

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

What is a fact?  A fact is something that is true.  Yet, today we are so conflicted about our facts because we have decided to conflate them with truth.

Truth is subjective.  What is true to you may not be true to me.  You may think The Matrix is the greatest cinematic accomplishment of the 20th century.  I may think that award belongs to Schindler’s List. 

What isn’t true is that either sentiment is a fact.  This is merely an opinion one holds.  However, we have the tendency to think of our truths as facts and it can create serious issues connecting with others and navigating conversation.

We explore this reality with Sydney in part 1 of our awesome conversation with her.

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Today, we are with singer/songwriter Sydney Lauren.  SYDNEY TELLS STORIES THROUGH HER SONGS. SHE GREW UP SINGING AND WRITING MUSIC JUST OUTSIDE OF NEW YORK CITY, THE PLACE SHE NOW CALLS HOME. THE CITY SERVES AS HER INSPIRATION AS WELL AS HER STOMPING GROUNDS, AND SHE HAS PERFORMED IN NYC VENUES LIKE THE DELANCEY & THE BITTER END.

SYDNEY’S TRAINING IN PIANO, GUITAR AND SONGWRITING ARE CLEARLY REFLECTED IN HER SONGS, WHICH TAKE INSPIRATION FROM SOME OF HER FAVORITE ARTISTS INCLUDING JP SAXE, SARAH BAREILLES, INGRID ANDRESS, AND MORE. HER MUSIC HAS BEEN FEATURED ON “TEMPTATION ISLAND” AND "THE BIGGEST LOSER" ON USA NETWORK.

SYDNEY’S NEW ERA OF MUSIC REPRESENTS A CHAPTER IN HER LIFE LYRICALLY, AND HER AUTHENTIC VISION SONICALLY. SHE DIVES INTO THE EMOTIONS THAT OCCUR DURING HEARTBREAK AND THE SIMPLISTIC HAPPINESS THAT CAN COME WITH LOVE. NEW YORK CITY WILL ALWAYS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN HER MUSIC, WHETHER IT’S A STREET SHE REFERENCES OR THE SUBWAY HOME. SHE’S A STORYTELLER AT HEART AND HOPES TO SING WORDS YOU WERE THINKING BUT DIDN’T KNOW HOW TO SAY.

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Topics we discuss:

• Knowing when to walk away from conflict
  • Harkness Method
  • Saying what you don't mean
  • Being Brutally Honest
• Facts vs. Truth
• Accepting Others

References:

• Harkness Method
• Nodes Scene from Pitch Perfect
• Her song Bucket Hat 
• Sydney Lauren.com

Credits:

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats

In a postindustrial, technology centric, world we are taught to be productive, get a job, work, work, work…

We reserve play for short periods of time and for our childhood.  Yet, we are increasingly demanding more productivity of our children to get ahead. 

The thing about play, is that it is a necessity of life.  We need it.  We especially need it to improve learning and how we absorb information.  Games are a great way to help kids learn and also enjoy life.

Mastermind Adventures is helping kids who have a hard time learning social and emotional skills.  They are doing it by challenging kids through games so they also have fun with their life. 

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Today we are with Krysten Callina.  She is the Founder of Mastermind Adventures LLC, a talent management agency for professional game masters of tabletop role playing games (like Dungeons & Dragons).  Krysten helps people find connection and community through games so they can embrace their creativity and individuality and have more fun. Her goal is to create the industry standard for professional game masters and to establish a vibrant, safe community of fans of role playing games.

Examples of non-traditional game applications developed by Mastermind Adventures are Quest! Adventure Game for Social Skills Mastery to help kids improve their social emotional skills, and The Game of Influencers, a unique training program for businesses to learn about how to use influencers as part of a marketing strategy.

Mastermind Adventures is currently developing programs that will serve as inroads for young people into the gaming industry - especially for kids in marginalized communities. Krysten is a serial entrepreneur, loves cooking, gardening, photography, interior decorating, nerd topics and whiskey. 

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Topics we discuss:

• Income correlation to effectiveness of Homeschooling
• Building perspective
  • Traveling
  • Exposing to others
• Creating Mastermind Adventures
  • How it started as a Game Night
  • What it is now
• The concept called BLEED
  • Managing the potential dangers

References:

• Home schooling resources
• Mastermind Adventures
  • Live Action Role Play (L.A.R.P.)
  • Who is Percy Jackson
• More In Common Website

Credits:

Music:

Main Theme: "Eaze Does It" by Shye Eaze and DJ Rufbeats, a More In Common Podcast Exclusive.

All music created by DJ Rufbeats