After 127 episodes it feels about time to make some changes to the podcast.

I've done a lot of thinking over the last few weeks. While there are some bright spots and I do truly believe I'm onto something with this podcast, the show is lacking the momentum and the focus that great podcasts have.

Because of that, I'm going to take time to make much-needed changes to get it growing.

You can expect to see changes to the following elements of Destination Different:

• The format - Right now it's intro, music, host intro, music, interview with no editing, music, host outro, music. I need to tighten it and make it more interesting
• The audience - Right now I haven't broken beyond my friends/family/friends of guests audience. In order for DD to grow I'm going to need strangers to be talking about it
• The topic - Right now the show description literally says "A show about creatives, entrepreneurs, adventurists, and everyone in between." If it's for everyone, then it's for no one. I need to focus my topic and niche this thing down.
• The host - Right now, I'm ok as a host. I need to think about how I can be an entertainer and an educator. Listeners may come for the guests, but the reason they'll stay is because of me. That means I need to get better.

So that's the plan. 

If you've listened to this show more than a handful of times I BEG you to reach out, so that I can talk to you about how to make the show better.

Changes are coming to Destination Different. Let's get weird.

I honestly think my dream job might be creating ridiculous custom jerseys and apparel for sports teams.

And that's EXACTLY what the fellas at Clubhouse Athletic are doing.

The idea all started when Adam Lavitola was in college and began referring to himself as "The Custom Guy." He would create custom tee-shirts, tank tops, jerseys, you name it, for college friends, intramural teams, greek life events, etc. And as business continued to roll in he realized if he was making custom everything it made it pretty tricky for people to know what to go to him for. He narrowed the scope to focus specifically on sportswear and Clubhouse Athletic was born.

Over the years Clubhouse has collaborated on some amazing pieces with brands, sports teams, and individuals; and pride themselves on being the most collaborative partners in the business. A little over a year and a half ago, Adam brought on Nick as the Head of Business Development; the company's first full-time hire to help grow the brand. And just recently, in January of 2022, Adam made the leap and started working on Clubhouse full time. I have no doubt there are big things coming for them in the year ahead.

We talked all about their philosophy on going deep vs wide, how they approach a custom piece, and how Adam operates as a color blind designer. 

It's an awesome episode. If you want to check out what Clubhouse is up to you can follow them on Instagram @clubhouseathletic or get in touch about a custom jersey on their website at clubhouseathletic.com

We're getting weird with things on social. You should follow along.

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

TikTok - @destinationdifferent

Up until July of 2021 college athletes couldn't make money off their own name, image, or likeness.

While schools and conferences and the NCAA raked in hundreds of millions of dollars a year, the student-athletes who were putting on the show were mostly left out to dry.

That all changed last summer with some new NIL legislation. And Pat Johnson saw an opportunity to build a business in a completely untouched industry.

So Vantage Sports was born. It's an online platform that connects current college athletes with prospective college athletes (i.e. high school or middle school students) for 1-on-1 training or group sessions; allowing college athletes to make money from their name and for younger athletes to get training from the best in the biz. It's a win win.

We talked all about how Pat birthed this idea WELL before the NIL legislation went into place, the struggles of raising funds to push the business forward, and how he's leveraging partnerships to elevate the brand.

If you want to check out the Vantage platform you can find them over at vantagesports.com or on Instagram @vantagesports_nil

We're getting weird with things on social. You should follow along.

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

TikTok - @destinationdifferent

It has happened to all of us at one point or another...

You come across a homeless person on the street and want to give them a couple bucks for a sandwich or a water or some basic necessities. But when you reach into your wallet you realize you've got no cash.

In an increasingly digital world the homeless have fewer options.

GiveCard has set out to fix that. Founded by Lurein Perera and Diksha Thach, the duo's model is to put a couple hundred dollars a month on a debit card, put it in the hands of the homeless, and trust that they will do good with it.

So far it seems to be working.

The non-profit has already seen multiple homeless participants find places to live after getting access to a card. I'm over here hosting a podcast and they're out here changing the world... Color me impressed.

If you want to keep up with what GiveCard is doing or donate to this incredible cause, you can support on their website at givecard.io.

We're getting weird with things on social. You should follow along.

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

TikTok - @destinationdifferent

Have you ever wanted to become a professional creative? To make a living with your own voice and words and thoughts and actions?

I know I have.

And if there's ever a person to learn from... it's Jay Acunzo.

Jay started his career in the marketing world and eventually made the switch to life as a full-time podcaster, author, showrunner, and speaker; sharing his knowledge gained in the business world with others looking to rise above all the average content out there. He got so good at running his own show, that dozens of others now go to him to help launch, run, and sometimes even host their shows.

Jay dabbles in a little bit of everything, but at the end of the day he's a storyteller. And while he says he's not there yet, his goal is to one day become the "Anthony Bourdain of the Business World." I'd say he's well on his way.

If you want to check out Jay's work you can find him on his podcast, Unthinkable, you can read his book, Break The Wheel, or you can just check out his website jayacunzo.com to see all the other creative things he's up to.

We're getting weird with things on social. You should follow along.

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

TikTok - @destinationdifferent

Chipotle serves up made-to-order Mexican bowls. Sweetgreen serves up made-to-order salads to go...

Now Kured is serving up made-to-order charcuterie boards and boxes.

What started with Gilli Rozynek driving around Cape Cod delivering meats and cheeses out of the trunk of her car has evolved into a full-fledge operation with multiple retail stores, an e-commerce offering, catering for your next event, ANDDDD an eye on expansion.

Kured officially opened its first retail shop in June of 2021 with absolutely zero experience in the food service industry outside of waiting tables in high school, but that didn't stop them. They learned on the fly and business has been booming ever since.

In this episode we talked all about the logistics of opening a retail store, how Morgan went from intern to co-founder, and partnering with local artists to bring some life and personality to their brand. 

I also dub them the Unofficially Official Inventors of the Meat Cone (trademark pending).

Incredible episode. If you want to get your hands on some charcuterie check out kured.co or follow them on Instagram @kured.co for the latest and greatest.

We're getting weird with things on social. You should follow along.

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

TikTok - @destinationdifferent

Some people might see it as old junk just laying around the house...

Ryan Kelley sees it as his next piece of art.

The insanely talented creative (appropriate dubbed "Wire By Ryan") is quickly coming up on using 100 miles of wire in his career, and he shows no signs of stopping.

After taking an interest in art in high school he threw himself into his creative work and hasn't looked back. Today, he is the creator of some of the largest and most impressive wire sculptures on the planet; pieces of art that sit in homes and galleries across the country.

Not only is Ryan a talented artist, he's also an incredible advocate for the creative community at large. He regularly teaches classes for both kids and adults, and is currently in the process of building out a state-of-the-art live-in studio for local artists to come and hone their work.

If you want to keep up with what Ryan is doing you can find all of his work at wirebyryan.com or follow him on Instagram at @wirebyryan

As for this show, we're experimenting with some new things on social. Come get weird with me. 

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

TikTok - @destinationdifferent

ash·ram /ˈäSHrəm/ - noun - a hermitage, monastic community, or other place of religious retreat.

If you had "ashram" on your Destination Different bingo card this week, then you are a winner!

My guest on this week's show spent an entire year at an ashram in the woods of northern California with no phone, no computer, no connection to the outside world. She practiced mindfulness and meditation, and learned the teachings of ancient wisdom from monks.

It's fairly safe to say the experience changed her life for the better.

My guest's name is Nina Purewal and she is the co-author of the best-selling book, Let That Sh*t Go, and founder of the company Pure Minds.

Everything about Nina's story is incredible. She left a stable, well-paying corporate marketing job (that she was VERY good at!) to start her own thing because she knew there was more of a purpose in this world for her. We covered a little bit of everything in this episode from what "ancient wisdom" actually means, to how the universe helps you when you put yourself out there, to the art of a hand-written note.

If you want to set-up a 1-on-1 mindfulness session, organize a corporate meditation workshop, or read her Let That Sh*t Go, you can find everything on Nina's website at pureminds.ca

This is the FINAL week to submit your Love Letters for Destination Different. We can win this thing. Submit your 280 characters below before it's too late.

SUBMIT YOU LOVE LETTER HERE

Website - destinationdifferent.co 

Instagram - @destinationdifferent 

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