Weird Work

Weird Work

Sam Balter & Matthew Brown

Not everyone is fit for the 9 to 5. Weird Work celebrates all the folks who've pursued their passion and made a living -- no matter how weird it might sound. Hosted by Sam Balter & produced by Matthew Brown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I'm a monster truck driver."

"I'm a monster truck driver."

Sunday, Sunday, SUNDAY! Time to fuel those carbureted dreams of crushing cars and breaking hearts because today we have Monster Jam's Entertainer of the Year, the driver for team Megalodon, Bernard Lyght.Bernard tells us how he became the man behind the machine. The cowboy to these mechanical stallions (and how you can too, honestly). And he answers the biggest question of all: How real are these races?Support the show by grabbing some merch at: weird.workAnd remember – Weird Work loves you. Hos

Aug 20, 2023 • 33:18

"I'm the trivia master for Learned League."

"I'm the trivia master for Learned League."

You may know him as Thorsten A. Integrity. Around here, we know his true identity, Shayne Bushfield. And after leaving behind his secure life at Microsoft, Shayne pursued his passion to create one of the biggest invite-only trivia competitions -- Learned League.Learn what it takes to not only be a trivia master but the league's commissioner. And if you take a page out of Shayne's methodical approach to transitioning from corporate world to trivia mastermind, you may just find a path towards purs

Mar 16, 2023 • 30:05

"I'm a professional butler."

"I'm a professional butler."

If you own a castle on a secluded island, can you really expect to dress yourself? When you're cruising the Mediterranean on a super yacht, can you really be expected to make your own shrimp cocktails? The world needs butlers.Paul Huizinga lost his job in the financial collapse of 2008 . Left wondering what to do with his life in his mid-fifties, Paul decided to pursue his lifelong passion: becoming a professional butler. And today? Paul is the head recruiter at the Internal Butler Academy in th

Feb 7, 2023 • 32:37

"I'm a pet psychic."

"I'm a pet psychic."

Martha talks to animals. Martha Malone – pet psychic, pet communicator - surfs the astral plane to telepathically connect with animals living or deceased. She communicates between animal and human to help vocalize everything from behavior issues to closure after passing on.Martha talks about how she communicates with animals, animal spirit personalities, and what happens when you have two spirits in the same body. If you want to support the show check our our merch at weird.work Hosted on A

Aug 9, 2022 • 26:55

"I'm a financial dominatrix."

"I'm a financial dominatrix."

Whether your kink is karma or carnage, there’s always something out there for you. And our guest sure found her sweet spot - financial domination.We're talking with the manipulatrix, the vocal priestess, the hypno crypto queen herself – Theodora.Theodora dabbles in “traditional” dominatrix work, but her clients – or, pay pigs as they’re affectionately known – are most interested in her controlling their finances. That can mean controlling their bank accounts. It can also mean setting up her subm

Jun 17, 2022 • 42:27

"I'm a location scout."

"I'm a location scout."

Lori Balton has been a location scout with over IMDB credits to her name. She’s scouted locations for every type of film. From big budget action movies like Heat, Armageddon, The Dark Rises, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters to Nic Cage classics – Face Off and City of Angels.Not to mention, recent gold man award noms, like Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, There Will be Blood, Top Gun Maverick (prediction), and the upcoming, star-studded contender Babylon. For her contributions to the pr

Jun 2, 2022 • 29:37

“I’m The Points Guy.”

“I’m The Points Guy.”

Brian Kelly has been known to the world as The Points Guy since launching his blog in 2011, but he started slinging credit card reward points long before then. And today, the man with 25 credit cards is the guru of all things travel. Brian talks about the credit card he can’t leave home without, dispels the worst myth about credit cards, and helps you find your way to first-class air travel in no time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dec 4, 2019 • 29:44

“I preserve vintage TV art.”

“I preserve vintage TV art.”

Chi-Tien Lui is known the world over as one of the last people who can repair and preserve TV art. Because the video art by the likes of Andy Warhol and Nam June Paik were made with now antiquated televisions. Inevitably, those break. And finding the right replacement parts is almost as difficult as finding someone who knows how to actually fix these things. But the only other alternative is letting those works of art be lost forever. And that can’t happen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy

Nov 20, 2019 • 24:47

“I teach kids to be YouTube stars.”

“I teach kids to be YouTube stars.”

Summer camp usually brings to mind outdoor sports and campfire songs. But the idea of camp that so many people have come to know has evolved into something they might never have imagined. Alexander Rossi is the creator of YouTube STAR Camp, a summer program that helps kids learn the skills they need to become the next great YouTube stars. And while it might not sound like it at first, this camp has something every kid will want… and need. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati

Nov 6, 2019 • 26:38

“I’m a pet influencer agent.”

“I’m a pet influencer agent.”

Colleen Wilson was a top private mortgage banker in New York City. She was also the youngest. No small feat. But after rescuing a deaf pooch named Charlie, it completely changed the way she saw the banking industry. So she left it all behind. Not long after, Colleen founded Pets on Q, an animal influencer agency. She talks about what makes an animal a true influencer and what it’s really like to manage famous pets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 23, 2019 • 27:24

"I'm a dream analyst."

"I'm a dream analyst."

Jane Teresa Anderson knows how to get inside someone’s head. And her work as a dream analyst has helped countless people better understand their waking lives. That way, the subconscious becomes reality. She even reaches into Sam’s psyche to break down a dream he’s long struggled to understand. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 9, 2019 • 0:29

“I’m a conlanger.”

“I’m a conlanger.”

David J. Peterson is a creator of languages -- otherwise known as a conlanger. And he’s behind some of the most iconic languages ever heard on television and films. Maybe his most well-known conlang is Dothraki and High Valyrian for a little show on HBO called Game of Thrones. David talks about what it takes to create a language, how he landed the coveted Game of Thrones conlang gig, and he spills the secret to speaking Dothraki like Jason Momoa. Sign up for Classhook with promo code: WeirdWork

Sep 25, 2019 • 0:25

“I’m a podcast librarian.”

“I’m a podcast librarian.”

Ma'ayan Plaut is the podcast librarian at RadioPublic. But she’s not like the typical master of the Dewey Decimal System you know from your local public library. And she just so happens to be the only podcast librarian on the planet. In her three years at the company, Ma’ayan’s role has evolved from recommending individual podcasts to solving the larger discoverability issues with podcasting. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 11, 2019 • 0:26

“I’m a surf therapy dog.”

“I’m a surf therapy dog.”

Ricochet is a champion surf dog, who’s ridden giants with the likes of Rob Machado, and starred in films like Superpower Dogs. But it’s her surf and therapy work that makes this pooch a real surf legend.Judy Fridono, Ricochet’s owner and certified dog trainer, tells Sam how this surf-ice dog helps those with PTSD and those on the Autism spectrum.Sign up for Giftogram with the code: weirdworkAdditional research: National Autism Association--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/

Aug 28, 2019 • 0:26

“I’m an Elvis impersonator and wedding official.”

“I’m an Elvis impersonator and wedding official.”

Brendan Paul grew up as a young punk living in LA. But after one fateful haircut and a handful of paying impersonation gigs around town, he found himself ditching the Sunset Strip for the Vegas Strip. Today, Brendan is Sin City’s premier Elvis impersonator and wedding official at Graceland Wedding Chapel. Sign up for Giftogram with the code: weirdwork--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See ac

Aug 7, 2019 • 0:30

“I’m an international pizza consultant.”

“I’m an international pizza consultant.”

Anthony Falco is the reigning pizza czar of New York. And he’s taken his expertise around the world to help others realize their own dreams of opening up a pizza shop. We crawl the streets of New York in search of the best pizza and find out why pizza is so internationally beloved.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 31, 2019 • 0:39

“I’m bringing Weird Work back for Season Two.”

“I’m bringing Weird Work back for Season Two.”

Weird Work returns on July 31 with all new episodes every Wednesday. See you soon, you beautiful unicorn star children. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jul 24, 2019 • 0:02

“I make ramen that helps people find their dreams.”

“I make ramen that helps people find their dreams.”

You’ve been listening all season long to how people turned their passions into professions. And want to make the jump, too. But what if you don’t know what your passion is? How do you pursue your dream if you don’t know what your dream is? Well, there’s a ramen shop in Boston called Yume Wo Katare, and it’s got just the bowl for you. We talk with owner Tsuyoshi Nishioka about the concept behind his restaurant, and how he made helping others find their dreams his personal mission. Hosted on Acas

May 24, 2018 • 0:29

“I’m a comic book inker.”

“I’m a comic book inker.”

Mark Morales has probably worked on all of your favorite comic book characters. But the job of comic book inker is not only one of the most ambiguous in the industry, it’s an increasingly rare position. Mark takes Sam through the comic book production process, and explains how even outside the traditional 9 to 5, the almighty deadline still wields its own kind of superpower. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 17, 2018 • 0:27

“I created The Museum of Selfies.”

“I created The Museum of Selfies.”

Tommy Honton has a familiar story. Aspiring screenwriter who sets out to make it big in Hollywood. But eight years later, he found himself disillusioned and unhappy with his job. Rather than let the fear of complacency settle in, Tommy pursued another form of storytelling. This week, Sam talks with Tommy about designing immersive and experiential spaces like The Museum of Selfies and an unconventional escape room. Plus, he offers some advice for how to break out of the 9 to 5. Hosted on Acast. S

May 10, 2018 • 0:27

“I perform with cats and rats for Cirque Du Sewer.”

“I perform with cats and rats for Cirque Du Sewer.”

Melissa Arleth always loved rats. But she was also fond of her feline pets, too. So she took them both onstage with her and created Cirque Du Sewer, the world’s only cat and rat circus. Sam talks with this acrobat about working with acro-rats… and one confused cat. And he finds out that nature’s mortal enemies can not only get along, but put on a damn good show. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

May 3, 2018 • 0:27

“I’m a professional hand model.”

“I’m a professional hand model.”

You can spot Ashly Covington out in public or on the subway pretty easily. She’s the one wearing long black gloves, a sunproof hoodie, and playing an invisible horn. Such is the life of a professional hand model. In today’s episode, Sam and Ashly talk about the dedication it takes to cut it as a hand model, how Ashly broke into the business, and why the industry term for hand model work is perhaps the most unprofessional name out there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information

Apr 26, 2018 • 0:30

“I’m a dungeon master for Dungeons & Dragons.”

“I’m a dungeon master for Dungeons & Dragons.”

You’re stranded on a desert island. What do you do? If you’re Timm Woods, you find the nearest rock and start carving away at your latest Dungeons & Dragons campaign. Timm is a dungeon master, the game wizard who meticulously crafts each game. He tells Sam how he turned his lifelong passion into a profession, and why he still can’t accurately describe the game to his own parents. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 19, 2018 • 0:28

“I’m a professional mom.”

“I’m a professional mom.”

Nina Keneally is the founder of NeedaMomNYC, where for $40 an hour she’ll give you the full mom experience. Nina offers sage advice, helps you battle your landlord over security deposits, and weighs-in on big life decisions. But how do other moms feel when a stranger gives their child advice? Sam calls his own mom to get a second opinion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 12, 2018 • 0:29

“I write obituaries for The Economist.”

“I write obituaries for The Economist.”

Ann Wroe writes obituaries for The Economist. And she knows what you’re thinking: Writing about death must be terribly depressing, right? Maybe, but not for Ann. Sam gets Ann’s take on how she deals with death, and Ann shares her unique approach to writing about those who live on in the pages of the magazine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Apr 5, 2018 • 0:29

“I turn accidental fur into high fashion.”

“I turn accidental fur into high fashion.”

Pamela Paquin may have grown up on a farm, but she never thought her life would forever be linked with animals. She was living in Denmark with a high-paying job when her life was completely upended. That’s when Pamela began to notice inefficiencies in the fur industry. And after seeing the amount of fur going to waste on the side of the road, she grabbed a knife and got to work. She now creates high fashion from accidental fur for her company Peace Fur. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for

Mar 29, 2018 • 0:24

“I’m a professional gamer.”

“I’m a professional gamer.”

Peter “PPD” Dager is one of the winningest professional gamers in history. But we’re not just talking about trophies. Peter has made millions (and millions) of dollars as a professional gamer.Sam talks with Peter about his journey from being on top of the gaming world with Evil Geniuses, to becoming the team’s CEO, only to return once more to the lights, camera, controller with his new team, OpTic Gaming.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https

Mar 22, 2018 • 0:30

“I uncover conspiracy theories.”

“I uncover conspiracy theories.”

Katelyn Hempstead is a comedian and the host of Lizard People: Comedy & Conspiracy Theories, a podcast where her brilliant friends try to convince her to believe different conspiracy theories. You can even find Sam on there talking about the rogue artificial intelligence that created Bitcoin. Today, Sam and Katelyn peel back the podcast curtain to reveal how anyone (even the Illuminati) can get into the podcast game and grow an audience.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-wo

Mar 15, 2018 • 0:32

“I’m a professional wingman.”

“I’m a professional wingman.”

Thomas Edwards is a real life Hitch. And after nearly a decade of work, he’s helped over 150 people find love and get married. But this self-proclaimed hopeless romantic wasn’t always the ideal wingman.Thomas’ journey starts with Gary Vaynerchuck, hits a potential detour courtesy of Mark Cuban, and ends with the founding of a global wingman empire.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See acast

Mar 8, 2018 • 0:29

“I’m a professional garbage picker.”

“I’m a professional garbage picker.”

Martin Gregory scours the streets looking through people’s trash and sells his garbage finds on eBay. He writes about them on his website, Things I Find in The Garbage.Sam talks with Martin about teacups, the growing trend of minimalism, and just how much money you can make from selling garbage online. Because what’s one person’s trash is this man’s treasure.Sign up for free classes at HubSpot Academy, visit HubSpot.com/weird.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSuppo

Mar 1, 2018 • 0:23

“I’m a professional cosplayer.”

“I’m a professional cosplayer.”

Cosplay is a world of transformation, where art meets performance. And no one knows that better than Riki LeCotey. You might’ve seen her on SyFy’s reality tv show Heroes of Cosplay, or maybe you’ve seen her judging costumes at your local convention. Riki has turned her passion project into a full-time business. And she tells Sam how cosplay helped her land her latest dream gig: working on costumes for all the latest Marvel movies. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/me

Feb 22, 2018 • 0:29

“I make props for Hollywood.”

“I make props for Hollywood.”

Em Schulz is the co-host of And That’s Why We Drink podcast. But Em’s resume runs the gamut: Clown school graduate, professional Segway tour guide, and the list goes on. These days, Em makes props for Hollywood, famously making Eggo waffle boxes on a little show called Stranger Things. Em tells Sam what it’s like working at the top prop shop in Hollywood, and why not knowing what you want to do for a living isn’t always a bad thing.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messag

Feb 15, 2018 • 0:27

“I repair vintage arcade games.”

“I repair vintage arcade games.”

Gary Vincent is a vintage arcade game technician at Funspot, the world’s largest arcade. He’s also the president of the American Classic Arcade Museum where he works to preserve and promote the history of arcade games.On today’s episode, Sam learns that arcade game repair can be a dangerous job. And that there’s an entire world of history to be learned, right below his fingertips.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/s

Feb 8, 2018 • 0:42

“I’m a weed nun.”

“I’m a weed nun.”

Sister Kate isn’t your average nun. She’s a self-declared nun who owns Sisters of the Valley, a cannabis-based healing products company. But after her early days in the Occupy movement, she now answers to a higher calling.Sam talks with Sister Kate about working in the marijuana industry, how she grew the company into a million dollar global business, and how she’s helping empower women through her work.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https:

Feb 1, 2018 • 0:30

“I’m the listeners’ favorite episode.”

“I’m the listeners’ favorite episode.”

We asked you to tell us your favorite Weird Work episode of 2017 and man did you guys deliver. You mentioned Jen Glantz, the professional bridesmaid, Steven Kutcher, the Hollywood bug wrangler, and Kassandra Brown, the professional cuddler. But one episode stood a full broadsword above the rest. That’s right. Today, we bring to you, the Weird Work "Listener Favorite Episode."--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/suppor

Jan 25, 2018 • 0:36

“I’m The New York Times crossword puzzle editor.”

“I’m The New York Times crossword puzzle editor.”

Will Shortz is the crossword puzzle editor at The New York Times. But he’s also the only person in history to receive a degree in Enigmatology -- the study of puzzles. And he’s been creating and publishing his own puzzles since he was 14 years old. Today, Will talks with Sam about the origin of the paper’s famous crossword, and Will explains how the puzzle’s history is not so different from today. Oh, and there’s a puzzle. Did you really think we’d have Will on and not give you a brain stumper?-

Jan 18, 2018 • 0:48

“I’m a Vodou priestess.”

“I’m a Vodou priestess.”

Voodoo conjures up pin-pricked dolls and black magic spells. But it’s all just a product of Hollywood, not an actual religion. Everything down to the spelling of its name is bogus. Vodou, however, is a religion. And today, Sam speaks with Sallie Ann Glassman -- a Vodou priestess. She tells Sam about her journey to becoming a priestess and puts to rest all the myths made by Hollywood and beyond.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.f

Jan 11, 2018 • 33:01

“I’m a professional scent maker.”

“I’m a professional scent maker.”

Kevin Elkins is a scent maker. He’s crafted custom scents for luxury hotels like The W Hotels and Hotel Emma. For Kevin, the perfect scent is all about the romance.Today, Sam talks with Kevin about what it takes to be a scent maker, the science behind smell, and together, they figure out the unofficial scent of 2018.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio

Jan 4, 2018 • 0:27

“I’m a space psychologist.”

“I’m a space psychologist.”

Iya Whiteley always dreamt of becoming an astronaut. Only, there was a slight hitch. Iya grew up in the USSR where women were not allowed to become pilots.So she pursued her other passion of studying human behaviors and decision making skills under intense pressure and became a space psychologist. She explains what it takes to become an astronaut and settles an argument about whether taking a one-way ticket to Mars is really worth it.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/mess

Dec 28, 2017 • 0:30

“I’m the Saturday Night Live bandleader.”

“I’m the Saturday Night Live bandleader.”

It’s an iconic sound. Lenny Pickett’s saxophone solo during Saturday Night Live’s opening credits has become a hallmark of the show.Lenny talks with Sam about his responsibilities as bandleader, how he overcame his initial fears of performing on live television, and why he thinks music today is completely undervalued.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informati

Dec 21, 2017 • 0:27

“I’m an intimacy choreographer.”

“I’m an intimacy choreographer.”

For some actors, finding the line between intimacy on stage and in real life can be a bit murky. It takes strong direction and training in a safe environment. But like any good fight scene, it can’t be left up to the actors to choreograph themselves.Tonia Sina is an intimacy choreographer, and her work has helped provide protocols and safety nets that prevent the types of sexual harassment she’s witnessed first hand.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this po

Dec 14, 2017 • 0:28

“I’m an LSD microdosing coach.”

“I’m an LSD microdosing coach.”

When Paul Austin looks back on the first time he dropped LSD, he remembers the shame and fear associated with it. So when he created Third Wave, a company devoted to coaching the benefits of microdosing LSD, he knew he had to change an entire culture through education.You won’t die from taking LSD, nor will you later be labeled clinically insane. But some myths die hard. Paul puts these myths to rest and offers a glimpse into how psychedelics can best prepare humans for a future of AI and automa

Dec 7, 2017 • 0:33

“I’m the head knight at Medieval Times.”

“I’m the head knight at Medieval Times.”

Chivalry. Strength. Romance. There’s quite a few things knights are world renowned for. Only, knights died out centuries ago, right? If you’ve ever heard of Medieval Times, then you know the knightly tradition is alive and well. Today, we head down to New Jersey to talk with Andrew Thomas, the head knight at Medieval Times. He tells us how he made his way into knighting (turns out, it has everything to do with his hair) and shows Sam a few moves with a broadsword. Hope Sam signed that liability

Nov 30, 2017 • 0:35

“I’m a nude model.”

“I’m a nude model.”

For some, the nude body is taboo. But for artists, it’s been a constant source of training and inspiration. Ruby Magic has travelled around the world as a nude model. She tells Sam how she’s become more empowered in her own skin, and even gets Sam to give nude modeling one more shot.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nov 23, 2017 • 0:31

“I’m Hollywood’s resident bug wrangler.”

“I’m Hollywood’s resident bug wrangler.”

Let’s say you’re a director, and you need to film thousands of locusts descending upon a group of people. It’s a major production, but CGI just won’t cut it. What do you do? Well, there’s really only one person to call. Steven Kutcher built his living as Hollywood’s resident bug wrangler. He’s worked on hundreds of movie scenes, from the spider that turned Peter Parker into Spider Man, to that swarm of locusts from Exorcist II.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupp

Nov 16, 2017 • 0:30

“I’m a professional mystery shopper.”

“I’m a professional mystery shopper.”

It’s likely that at some point in your life, while you were out shopping at your favorite store, you were standing next to a fake customer. An imposter. These people are called mystery shoppers, and they act as quality control for many stores by pretending to be normal customers, and then reporting what they saw. In this episode, we talk to an original mystery shopper. Susan tells us all about the secret life of mystery shoppers, which includes disguises, deception, and even a chase scene.--- Se

Nov 9, 2017 • 0:27

“I’m the Bachelor in Paradise bartender.”

“I’m the Bachelor in Paradise bartender.”

What’s life really like behind the bar of a reality dating show? Wells Adams made the jump from radio show host to The Bachelorette contestant a few years ago. But it’s his recent gig as the bartender on ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise that cemented him in the hearts of Bachelor fans everywhere. Sam talks with Wells about the show, the scandal, and so much more. Plus, Sam and Wells even come up with their own spin off show.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this

Nov 2, 2017 • 0:56

“I’m a professional cuddler.”

“I’m a professional cuddler.”

In a previous life, Kassandra Brown was a parenting coach. Then one day, about six years ago, she was cuddling with a friend of hers when she had a personal breakthrough. So when she was searching for what to do next in her career, she landed on a combination of coaching and physical touch.She signed up for a company called Cuddlist.Kassandra believes that American culture has warped the idea of physical intimacy, and she’s on a one-woman mission to change that - one cuddle session at a time.---

Oct 26, 2017 • 0:29

“I’m a mermaid.”

“I’m a mermaid.”

When you’re a kid, you can be anything. You can be a firefighter, a police officer, hell even a robot. The thing is, we rarely get to grow up and live that childhood dream. Unless you’re Maria Russo. Then you’re exactly who you always wanted to be.Maria is a professional mermaid. She has an entire company devoted to the art of mermaiding. In this episode, she tells us how being a mermaid is a mix between dressing in drag and rock climbing and how anyone can become a mermaid. Yes, even Tom Hanks.

Oct 19, 2017 • 26:50

“I’ve written 18,728 songs and counting.”

“I’ve written 18,728 songs and counting.”

Go on Spotify right now. Type your name, or the name of someone you know. Chances are a strange band has a song about that name. And chances are the man who wrote that song is actually named Matt Farley.Matt’s written more than 18,700 songs, and that’s not even counting some of the custom work he does for people. In this episode, the Weird Work team goes to visit the most productive songwriter in the world and hang out in his home studio basement.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/we

Oct 12, 2017 • 0:30

“I press human ashes into vinyl records.”

“I press human ashes into vinyl records.”

Jason Leach founded Andvinyly as a way to face his own mortality. He heard Hunter S. Thompson had his own ashes set off in fireworks, and Jason wondered how he could be best remembered. Then it hit him: Vinyl records. What Jason didn’t expect was that he’d accidentally created an entire business model by going through the process. And as much as he tried to ignore it, the people had spoken. They too wanted to live beyond the groove. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Oct 5, 2017 • 0:26

“I’m a professional bridesmaid.”

“I’m a professional bridesmaid.”

If you’ve ever been to a wedding where the bride is considering grabbing an Uber and leaving, the ring bearer is missing, and the groomsmen are blackout drunk, you’ve seen what Jen Glantz calls a “normal weekend.” Jen is a professional bridesmaid, which means anything from being helping the bride pee, to wrangling a gaggle of groomsmen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 28, 2017 • 0:24

"I make ASMR videos."

"I make ASMR videos."

Heather Feather first realized the slight tingling sensations long ago. Years later, she realized the feeling was called ASMR. Today, there’s an entire ASMR subculture of online videos that trigger these feelings, to help people relax or even fall asleep. And Heather’s channel is one of the best. She tells us how she makes ASMR videos and even improvises an ASMR collaboration with Sam Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 28, 2017 • 0:32

"I make ASMR videos."

"I make ASMR videos."

Heather Feather first realized the slight tingling sensations long ago. Years later, she realized the feeling was called ASMR. Today, there’s an entire ASMR subculture of online videos that trigger these feelings, to help people relax or even fall asleep. And Heather’s channel is one of the best. She tells us how she makes ASMR videos and even improvises an ASMR collaboration with Sam. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support

Sep 28, 2017 • 32:55

“I write dinosaur erotica fiction.”

“I write dinosaur erotica fiction.”

Alara Branwen’s author page on Amazon says that she’s a “typical college student by day, but by night she is a crafter of sexy, hot, sensuous, ‘monster’ fantasy erotic fiction.” The reality is Alara, and frequent co-writer Christie Sims, are the same person. In fact, they’re the same guy.Turns out, most of your favorite dinosaur and monster erotica is written by men. In this episode, we talk about how Alara got into the business and why he pretends to be a woman online.--- Send in a voice messag

Sep 28, 2017 • 0:22

"I host a podcast about people with weird jobs.”

"I host a podcast about people with weird jobs.”

Starting September 28, Weird Work fills your ear holes with stories from the creative and inspiring people who work some of the weirdest jobs out there. Hosted by Sam Balter.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/messageSupport this podcast: https://anchor.fm/weird-work/support Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sep 11, 2017 • 0:02

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