Today’s author promises to help us understand how considering when can help us live richer, more engaged lives. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to decipher the scientific secrets of perfect timing. Support the Show Mike’s Newsletter poll When by Daniel Pink Dead Wake by Erik Larson Daily Rituals by Mason Currey Fear Setting Poor Charlie’s Almanack…

A conversation with one of the longest-serving and most consequential artistic directors and producers of the modern era of Philadelphia theater history, Sara Garonzik. As we continue our Season Four, we learn about her early years - first as and actor, then as a director, then as a producer at the Philadelphia Theatre Company. And we learn her sto…

Our interview with teacher, writer and director Robert Hedley - the former Chair of the Theater Departments of both Villanova and Temple Universities. In our conversation, we discuss many things - including his early years, his coming to Villanova, his work with playwright David Rabe and producer Joseph Papp, and his work in helping to found The Ph…

This episode of Bookworm is brought to you by: The Saint Louis Pen Show – Join us June 26-29. Tickets on sale now! Today’s author promises to help us overcome our fear by giving us the courage to go after what we really want. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to embrace the boldest versions of themselves. Support the Show Mike’s 3 Levels of Knowledg…

Today’s author promises to help us reject the default path, define our priorities, and achieve lasting happiness. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to design their dream lives. Support the Show The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer I’ve Got Time by Paul Loomans Focused #228: Time Surfing, with Paul Loomans The Library (Mike’s communit…

Cato: A Tragedy was a famous 18th Century play by Joseph Addison - supposedly the favorite play of George Washington himself! What connection did it have to the history of America - and the theater history of Philadelphia? This is an edited audio recording of a panel discussion at the Museum of the Revolution in Philadelphia, recorded on April 9th,…

Today’s author promises to help us train our minds for extraordinary performance in every aspect of our lives. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to move beyond the pursuit of happiness and embark on a journey toward a life of purpose and fulfillment. Support the Show The Library (Mike’s community) Bookworm #219: Tiny Experiments Mike’s Plus Minus Ne…

Today’s author promises to help us live freely in a goal-obsessed world. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a journey to turn challenges into self-discovery and doubt into opportunity. Support the Show Focused #225: Tiny Experiments, with Anne-laure Le Cunff Tiny Experiments by Anne-Laure Le Cunff Ness Labs Atomic Habits by James Clear Cortex #162:…

The story of three small ambitious cutting-edge Philadelphia theater companies of the 1970s. Why did some survive - and some falter? For a blog post with images of the productions and people we discuss in the episode, go HERE. (Cover photo for the episode shows the actor Daniel Oreskes in The Servant of Two Masters, which was being presented by The…

An interview about Philadelphia theatrical projects that employed so many local actors before and during the Bicentennial Year of 1976. In the very place where the American experiment began, regular work in "historical re-enactment" and patriotic storytelling gave young and ambitious Philadelphia theater artists a boost in their careers. This episo…

Today’s author promises to help us identify the key barriers to change and show us how to mitigate them. Join Mike & Cory as they explore how to catalyze change. Support the Show Mike’s newsletter from the Newsletter Marketing Summit The Catalyst by Jonah Berger Recommend a Book Liminal Thinking by Dave Gray Good to Great by Jim Collins Simple Mark…

Today’s authors promise to help us sort through what works and what doesn’t when it comes to the science behind successful learning. Join Mike & Cory as they consider their own approaches to lifelong learning and self-improvement. Support the Show Cory’s YouTube channel Recommend a Book Mac Power Users #784: Exploring AI & Productivity, with Michae…

An interview with the director, writer and artist Tom Bissinger, in which we talk about his work in the 1960s and 70s, including his all-too-brief term as the final Artistic Director of the Theatre of the Living Arts in Philadelphia. A native of San Francisco, Tom's fascinating life story is interwoven with so many iconic names from the 60s and 70s…

Today’s authors promise to help us unlock our full potential and free ourselves from the shackles of past traumas and societal expectations to find true personal happiness using principles from Adlerian psychology. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a journey toward lasting happiness and personal fulfillment. Support the Show The Courage to Be Disl…

A recut and remixed and refocused version of an interview with the director Mary B. Robinson, about her years she spent in the 1990s as the Artistic Director of the Drama Guild. (Stay tuned at the very end for an brief announcement about the future direction of the podcast - and my thoughts about current events) A short blog post on our website has…

Today’s book is a collection of wisdom shared by one of the world’s most brilliant business minds. Join Mike & Cory as they explore Charlie Munger’s encyclopedic knowledge of business, finance, history, philosophy, physics, ethics, and (of course) mental models. Support the Show Poor Charlie’s Almanack Bookworm #214: Simple Marketing for Smart Peop…

Gregory Poggi successfully led the Philadelphia Drama Guild throughout the decade of the 1980s. He talked with us about his memories of those days - tussles with board members, battles with critics, fundraising triumphs and the growing audience support for professional nonprofit theater companies in the city. For a blog post on our website with add…

This episode of Bookworm is brought to you by: Morgen: Turn your to-dos into daily action plans. Save 10% off any subscription with the code LifeHQ10. Today’s author promises to teach us a new way to craft marketing content that compels customers to act without feeling sleazy. Join Mike & Cory as they try to shun complexity and give belief-building…

The sudden success of the Drama Guild - a former amateur theater group transformed into a professional local powerhouse - finally fulfills the promise of giving Philadelphia a flagship nonprofit theater company. For a brief blog post with images from the episode, go HERE. On Sunday, June 29th, the author and podcaster Peter Schmitz will be appearin…

Today’s author shares personal wisdom from almost 2000 years ago. Join Mike and Cory as they examine an ancient classic of wisdom literature to see if it stands the test of time. Support the Show Focused #218: Turning Down the Volume, with Stephen Hackett Writebook Bookworm #211: Anti-Time Management Bookworm #210: Free Time Meditations by Marcus A…

A reprise of one of our early episodes from Season One, in which we travel back 225 years to a single fascinating day in American theater: January 1, 1800. Philadelphia's premiere theater company rang in the New Year with their production of the spectacular Romance entitled "Blue Beard, or Female Curiosity." Meanwhile, in the audience, there are ot…

Today’s author promises to equip us with the tools, insights, and inspiration needed to create the life of our dreams. Join Mike & Cory as they consider what it means to live boldly and authentically. Support the Show Mike on Bluesky Cory on Bluesky Vidpros Mike’s YouTube channel Never Play it Safe Mike’s Notes from Never Play It Safe Clay Hebert’s…

Three new Philadelphia theater complexes are built for the mid-century modern era - funded by wealthy philanthropists. The Annenbergs would donate grand new Modernist-style Arts Centers at Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania, and the Haas family would spearhead the drive to renovate the old Walnut Street Theatre. For a blog post wi…

Today’s author promises to help us find our motivation, prioritize our ideals, and create a flexible lifestyle — no matter how busy we are. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to flip the traditional approach to productivity on its head. Support the Show Bookworm 210: Free Time Anti-Time Management by Richie Norton Mike’s mind map notes for Anti-Time …

A re-edited, reduced and remixed account of the entire history of the Theatre of the Living Arts – the first major professional theater company in Philadelphia's modern era. Photo of the company of The Line of Least Existence was taken by Bill Watkins. Links to blog posts on our podcast's webpage, with other images and information about our sources…

Today’s author promises to give us a playbook to free our minds, time, and team for our best work. Join Mike & Cory as they consider what it looks like to run a heart-based business. Support the Show Mike’s Black Friday deal details Ugmonk pen Free Time by Jenny Blake Mike’s notes for Free Time Bookworm #207: Storyworthy Pivot by Jenny Blake Cortex…

Our first episode of Season Four - introducing our plans and hopes for the upcoming year on the podcast. Support the show "Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia" the BOOK can be ordered from independent bookstores and at all online book retailers now! To order our book via Bookshop.org - GO HERE Our website: www.aithpodcast.com Our email addr…

Today’s author promises to give us a map for a liberating journey toward a more meaningful life. Join Mike & Cory as they attempt to embrace their non-negotiable limitations. Support the Show Bookworm #208: Good Work LifeTheme Cohort LifeHQ Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Mike’s Notes from Meditations for Mortals Bookworm #135: Four Thou…

What if work wasn’t just something you did but was a portal to a life where you felt fully alive? Today’s author challenges us to think differently about our profession. Join Mike & Cory as they embark on a mission to find their own “good work.” Support the Show Good Work by Paul Millerd Mike’s mind map notes for Good Work Bookworm #169: The Pathle…

Like the ghost of Hamlet's father, the body of John Barrymore would not stay still . . . one dark night it suddenly appeared in his hometown. A story about the wandering remains of a member of Philadelphia's most famous acting family, taken from Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love, a book by Thomas H. Keels. This episode was orig…

Whether we realize it or not, we are always telling stories. Today’s author and storyteller extraordinaire promises to help us tell them better. Support the Show LifeHQ Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks Bookworm #169: The Pathless Path Storyworthy YouTube Channel Aaron Beverley’s speech Bookworm #40: The Artist’s Way Building a StoryBrand by Donald Mill…

An encore presentation of Peter's reading of the chapter "Oh, It's a Lovely War: The Mischianza 1778" from Thomas H. Keels' Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love. Wicked Philadelphia: Sin in the City of Brotherly Love by Thomas Keels, is available on Amazon.com. Please visit Tom's website, www.thomaskeels.com, for more information …

Today’s author promises to change the way we think with a collection of essays about why we should pursue purpose over passion, embrace negative thinking, see the wisdom in daily routine, and become aware of the cognitive biases that are creating the way we see our lives. Support the Show LifeHQ Drafts Write of Passage 101 Essays That Will Change t…