This Conversation with Jed Taufer

Latest Episodes:

Meredith Kestel - Essential Jun 01, 2020

Show notes

There are few things in my experience as a business owner and entrepreneur that have been more of a mixed bag than employees. A good employee is worth their weight in gold, and a not-so-good employee can make things very challenging to say the least. I haven’t broached the subject much on this podcast…not intentionally, but the opportunity hasn’t really presented itself. Until recently. A few weeks ago, I had the privilege to speak with Meredith Kestel. She works for Midwest Lifeshots Photography owned by Scott and Jen Elder. I can tell you that after just a couple minutes of my time with Meredith, I knew she was the type of person that anyone would want as an employee. So listen in to hear a bit from an employee’s perspective. The word essential has been used quite a bit lately. I think Meredith embodies it’s meaning perfectly.

Bruce Dorn - The Director May 28, 2020

Show notes

It’s not often that we get to meet living legends, much less spend some time with them. That’s why I was excited and a little nervous when Canon gave me the opportunity to sit with Bruce Dorn. I’ve known of Bruce for a very long time, but I never imagined I’d get to have a conversation with him. I was continually struck by all that he’s been through…all that he’s seen and captured. And I’m quite certain I don’t know the half of it…or even the half of one percent of it. Bruce has lived a very full life. And I have the feeling he’s not done by a long shot. Have fun with this one, friends. I know I did. Oh! And if you want to see what we look like, you can watch this interview, and many others on our YouTube channel.

John Gress - Creating YouTube Content May 25, 2020

Show notes

There are several things that I’ve seen people focus on as we’ve weathered this pandemic. I’ve been encouraged by those who use their time in ways that seem productive and positive. John Gress is a photographer in Chicago…one of the hot spots for this virus. He’s been creating more YouTube content during his stay at home time the last couple months. Here, he shares some insight into what life is like for him, and how he’s using this time to put himself out there. He’s using his skills to reach out to others in similar situations so that they can learn and be inspired by what he has to offer. There are many ways to look at our situation right now. I appreciate that despite being in one of the hardest hit spots in the country, John is using his time well as we move through this. Thanks for listening, friends.

Scott Robert Lim - The Mission and the Trick May 18, 2020

Show notes

We talk about it a bit in this episode, but I knew I had to speak with Scott Robert Lim the second I saw his Facebook post about his Dad’s shoes. If you’ve lost a parent, what is it about them that stays with you? In retrospect, what did they teach you? And not just with their words, but with what they did and who they were? If you still have your parents like I do right now, when is the last time you thanked them or just had the conversation about the helpful things you’ve learned from them? My conversation with Scott really grounded me…humbled me, even. I love his mission to help others. And I can relate to his “trick” many times over. And now that 2020 has turned out to be the way that it has, I’m more grateful than ever to the examples of strength and courage I’ve had in my life. We’re getting through this, friends. Stay strong and stick to your mission.

Dane Sanders - Uncertain Times May 11, 2020

Show notes

Gary Hughes and Booray Perry - In All Seriousness May 04, 2020

Show notes

I don’t know what state you’re in…geographically or psychologically. I know this past month has seemed more like a year to many of us and, of course, I have no idea how much longer this strangeness will last. But sometimes I gather comfort in the little things…like a smile, or a giggle, or even a full blown guffaw. And speaking of laughter, I got to sit with a couple dudes who really set the bar high for podcasts in our industry. Gary Hughes and Booray Perry joined me at WPPI a few months ago…or was it a few years ago? I can’t remember. In any case, we had a ball talking about all kinds of stuff. I felt like I was in the middle of a comedy duo act as we discussed everything from internet trolls to self-driving ride shares and how everything is more amazing than ever. Look, I know that right now, things may be amazing in a lot of ways, but it’s also a very strange, crazy time. My hope is that that light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter. My hope is that you are safe and sound right now. And my hope is that you enjoy this silly conversation between three goofballs who just wanted to make each other laugh a bit. Stay strong, friends.

Tom and Mario Muñoz - Love and Legacy Apr 27, 2020

Show notes

My brother Kippy is just a year behind me. We grew up and were thick as thieves. We played together (for and against each other), fought together (for and against each other), grieved together, and celebrated together. And no matter what the situation was, we always had each other’s back. In adulthood, we’ve had our ups and downs. Most people that know us are aware of this. But I’m here to tell you, even though there have been times when I felt like shooting him, I’d take a bullet for him right now. When I got to sit with Tom and Mario Muñoz at WPPI this year, I saw the same thing in them. Like other relationships, the bond of brotherhood is a one that’s tough to describe if you don’t already have it. But if you do, you know it when you see it. Tom and Mario exemplified brotherly love to me. I could see it in their eyes. And I’m here to tell you, after spending some time in person with those boys, there’s no way I’d ever think of crossing either one of them. To have a problem with one, is to have a problem with the other. Or as Tom would say, to have an event with one, is to have an event with the other. Whether you have a sibling or not, there’s some great stuff here, friends. I hope you are all safe and sound. Stay strong and stay safe.

Phillip and Eileen Blume - Celebrate Life Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

As a husband and a father, I find myself looking at other guys are who married with kids and comparing myself. Now, these comparisons are by no means rational. I very little about most of these other guys. I just base my comparisons on what I see and hear and experience. I do the same thing with other married couples. I observe how they act in general and how they interact with each other and I can’t help but compare sometimes. In doing this, I discover those couples whom I consider to be standard bearers for myself. Phillip and Eileen Blume are one of these standard bearer couples for me. I haven’t known them super long, but they have consistently come across as genuine and honest and vulnerable in exceptional ways. And in these trying times, they are the type of people I look to for guidance and wisdom. As we all go through this pandemic together, we are finding out what it is like to collectively suffer…at all kinds of different levels. I’m here to tell you, that for me, it’s people like Phillip and Eileen who set a standard when things are quote unquote normal, that when applied in our lives can really help the rest of us when things aren’t quite so normal. In short, they strive to celebrate life in a way that isn’t dependent upon circumstances or…normalcy. And that’s a mindset I can really use right now.

Parker Pfister and Elizabeth Alina - Living the Why Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

What have you learned about yourself in the last few weeks? When we get to the other side of this pandemic, how will your choices have evolved as a result of this challenging time? As I re-listened to this conversation I had with Parker Pfister and his partner Elizabeth Alina from Imaging USA in Nashville this past January, I came at it from a completely different perspective. Our lives have been collectively altered. Things will be different on the other side of this whether we like it or not. And that “different” will look different for everyone. But, after hearing this again, it made me wonder, how much of my different can be altered, or in some cases, tempered, by my choices? Some things, no doubt, are out of our control. Some things we just need to accept or deal with, even if it’s only for the time being, but there are many things, I suspect, that are determined by choice. And that’s the crux of what the three of us spoke about a few months ago. Obviously we had no idea that this life altering event would occur, but now that it has, I’m thinking some of the messages we discussed might be more important than ever. I hope you are safe, friends. I hope you are healthy, and I hope we are close to the other side.

Brooke Shaden - What is Weird? Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

You know those conversations where you start off going down one path and it’s turns into something you never saw coming? Brooke Shaden and I sat together again to talk about, “What is Weird”? We also wanted to cover the concept of “selling out” and some other things, and we did that. But with Brooke, you always get more than you bargained for. She’s very adept at underpromising and overdelivering. She’s also wise beyond her years…an old soul, so to speak. And for me, that means she always has something new for me to learn. So yeah, we discuss the concept of what weird is among many other things, and, as has happened many times before, I walk away with some fresh perspectives. I think you will, too. Stay home, friends. And stay safe. This, too, shall pass.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

This Conversation with Jed Taufer

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected