Archive for July, 2010

Twitterview #117 – With Moon and Staci (@moonANDstaci)

Posted by on Friday, 23 July, 2010

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to the Twitterview of @ks95′s very own @moonANDstaci. Lets rock!

Q – #1    To start off with, where did each of you grow up?

A:    I (Staci) grew up on Devils Lake, North Dakota

I (Moon) grew up in Sidney Nebraska.

Q – #2    2nd question for both of you – What got you interested in doing radio for a living?

A:    For me (Staci) I was always a little performer in plays and choir and stuff so it seemed like a natural thing

Moon: Tired of being a farm boy. I listened to the radio in the tractor and thought I could do it.

Q – #3    What are some of the radio formats and locations that you did before you did this show with each other?

A:    Moon: Houston, TX was the same format. Las Vegas, adult contemporary. Denver was Top 40 and Hip Hop and then country.

Staci: first was news & info in Devils Lake. Grand Forks -Top 40. Fargo (AC, AC, top 40) St. Cloud – top 40 & country @

Q – #4    If you weren’t doing radio, what was a “plan B” for you?

A:    Staci: I went to college for TV. I have a degree in television production and a minor degree in theater.

Moon: I would have started my own advertising agency.

Q – #5    Besides for your program, do either of you use Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare or do any blogging?

A:    S: I do a lot of videos and photos on both the station website and my FB. I don’t tweet much – feels like overkill

M: I Facebook, (rarely) but that is about it. Too much to deal with! S: Moon has kids in his custody. Must concentrate!

Q – #6    Hehehe! Now for your FAVS: Favorite – restaurant, store, MN lake and summer activity or summer event.

A:    Staci’s Faves: I LOVE Target (I’m a simple girl). Fast food restaurant is Noodles.

S: I like(d) Azia a lot. It’s closing. :( M&S Grill is awesome too

S: I live in Mound so all the lakes in Minnetonka area are awesome. Just drop me in I don’t care. We Kayak.

S: I’m a runner so summer is awesome running time for me. Again the kayaking…any boating, really.

M: restaurant is Fogo de Ciao. Store isThe Perfect Ash. Lake Prior Lake. Fav activity is motorcycle riding!

Q – #7    Almost done now, so to end with for today – what thought or mantra would each of you like to share?

A:    Moon: Any manual labor I’ve done was purely by mistake.

Staci: Flaming globes of sigmund!

@JoelECarlson – Thanks to both @moonandstaci for participating in this Dual Twitterview today. Have a great Friday and a super weekend!


Twitterview #116 – With Natalie Kane (@NatalieAKane)

Posted by on Friday, 23 July, 2010

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone on this fabulous Friday! Lets start right away with the Twitterview of @NatalieAKane. On with the show! :)

Q – #1    So @natalieakane – Where did you grow up, and what were some of the step that you took to get to what you do for work today?

A:    I grew up in a suburb of St. Paul and started taking dance classes when I was 3. That pretty much set the stage (ha!)

I danced competitively f/ 6th grade thru to college & joined the Timberwolves Dance Team my sophomore yr at St. Thomas.

After 4 yrs w/ the Wolves, I decided to audition for the in-arena host. I got it along with @mikeryalnder.

Once I started there (& worked very hard) opportunities w/in broadcast began to present themselves and I never said no.

Now I’m with the Wolves, Fox Sport, Big Ten Network, CW, LTF Vision, KDWB, KFAN and various others.

Q – #2    Typically, people see 1 person associated with 1 brand/network. How were you able to diversify yourself?

A:    Freelancing is the future. It’s in your best interest to diversify as it will give you the greatest level of success.

The most successful ppl w/in the field today are working in mult mediums – Seacrest, Ellen, Rancic, etc.

Q – #3    As someone that is managing it successfully, what advice would you give to other freelancers in other fields?

A:    Be contractually bound to networks w/o exclusivity – become your own biz rather than an element of someone else’s.

Get a macbook

The key is organization and mentors. My dad is an entrepreneur and has taught me a lot about running your own biz.

I was only half kidding about the macbook :)

Q – #4    LOL! (re:Mac) Would you ever do a @BRAVOtv show about your jam packed life if they offered, or too much exposure?

A:    Absolutely! Reality TV can be tricky, but I think there’s a way to do it without overexposure.

If the show is about my work life, that’s the focus. Every1′s lives have many layers. U don’t have to see all at once.

Q – #5    Interesting! Now on to Social Media briefly. Which tools do you use, and who are some people that you like to follow?

A:    Twitter, Fbook, 4Square. I love @huffingtonpost, @thecurrent, @citypages, @louiseroe, @stephenathome, @lookbookdotnu

Q – #6    Now to your FAVS: Favorite – restaurant, store, place to travel to, summer activity and MN lake.

A:    112 Eatery & Cafe Victor, Covered & Planet Blue (LA), Rome or Paris, cabins, West Battle Lake.

Q – #7    Now how is your diet different than standard meat eaters?

A:    I’m a pescetarian. I occasionally eat fish & eggs, but no other meat. I’ve been this way for about 2.5 yrs and love it!

Q – #8    Interesting! Well, to end with today, what thought or mantra would you like to share with everyone?

A:    I’ve be subscribing to the idea of decisionless decision making lately. Don’t worry or make any decisions until…

…u have 2. U never know what answers will present themselves in the meantime. It’s the best way to enjoy the journey!

@JoelECarlson – A very big THANK YOU to @natalieakane for fitting a Twitterview into her busy schedule today! Keep up the good work!

@NatalieAKane – It was my pleasure! Great questions, Joel. You are very talented. It was great to meet you. Best of luck!


Twitterview #115 – With Mike Rylander (@MikeRylander)

Posted by on Thursday, 22 July, 2010

@JoelECarlson – Hello everybody and welcome to Twitterview with @MikeRylander as our guest. (Sorry, no Doritos or stunts today.)

Q – #1    So @MikeRylander – Where did you grown up, and what are some of the steps that led you to what you do today?

A:    I grew up in Minot, North Dakota where I started performing onstage when I was in the 3rd grade…

I stopped performing when I was in junior high as I played sports all-year round, but rediscovered theatre my Sr year.

After high school, I attended @NDSU on scholarship for Computer Engineering & Mathematics. (I was a “good” student)

It was there that I realized my skills in those areas didn’t translate to a ‘passion’ for engineering & math.

It was also there (@NDSU) that discovered ‘improv’. I was hooked instantly. I moved back home, saved $ & moved to Mpls.

Q – #2    So once you were in Mpls. What kind of work have you done, and who have you worked with or for?

A:    Studied & performed improv & sketch comedy at @BNWImprov for 4yrs & have been working professionally for the past 5yrs.

@MikeRylander – So what you do now, is it more promoting, acting or interviewing?  Would you like to do more commercials?

The work I’ve done in Mpls has been very diverse. I’ve performed in many theatrical productions with many companies…

…I’ve been the In-Arena Game Host / Co-Announcer for the @MNTimberwolves for the past 5 seasons…

…I’m a Guest Host for @ShopNBC, an On-Air Host for LTF Vision – @lifetimefitness’ national in-club tv network…

…I’m a former Live Event Emcee for @fsnorth, a former On-Air Personality for the Twin Cities @cw_network…

…I’ve been in a plethora of local & national commercials, training videos, web videos, short films, etc…

My 1st love is & will always be acting. Storytelling. Invoking emotion & thought. Playing characters. Making people laugh…

Hosting work, promotional work, even commercials – they are a means to an end. They are a way for me to pay my bills.

Don’t get me wrong, I like hosting. I LOVE my job w/ the @MNTimberwolves. I like working on funny tv & web commercials.

But ultimately, *acting* in feature films & narrative television is the goal. Storytelling. That’s when I’m happiest.

Unfortunately, that type of work isn’t prevelant in Mpls, so I do what I have to do now to get where I want to be then.

Q – #3    A professional “career juggler”? :) Good for you! So how do you use Social Media in your work and personal life?

A:    Social media, especially Twitter, has changed EVERYTHING. It’s applications & uses are incredibly diverse…

It allows artists & entertainers to promote their work (of all kinds) on a global level for free. It connects people.

Twitter in particular connects artists & comedians to other artists & comedians in a way that was unimagined before.

It creates new friendships, strengthens old ones & ultimately, allows a free medium to broadcast thoughts, ideas & your work.

Q – #4    FAVS questions – Favorite: restaurant, store, MN lake & summer activity?

A:    Fav restaurant: @commonroots. Fav store: Hmm. I kind of hate shopping. Materialism will destroy us all. Live simple.

Fav lake: Sakakawea (ND). MN? Any of them. Still trying to hit all 14K. Fav summer activity: Camping. Hiking. Nature.

Q – #5    Nice comment on living simple! :) So to end, what thought or mantra would you like to leave with everyone?

A:    “Dream as though you’ll live forever, live as though you’ll die today.” -James Dean (That quote changed my life)

Also life-changing: the movie “Waiting for Guffman” and the book “The Alchemist”. Don’t dream it; be it.

@JoelECarlson – Thank you @MikeRylander. This interview was MORE than I expected. Nice work! Have a great afternoon and GO WOLVES! :)

@MikeRylander – No Joel; thank YOU.


Foursquare – Should I check-in here?

Posted by on Thursday, 22 July, 2010

Foursquare is becoming more and more popular amongst people and businesses as another way to connect with people and to share their life in an open forum. Though you do have control as to how broad of an audience you want to let know your whereabouts, maybe just your friends on Foursquare, maybe everyone that follows you on Twitter or on Facebook. Ultimately, you have the power.

Could there be some places that you shouldn’t check-in so that nobody knows that you’re there? Here are a few NON check-in suggestions.

You might now want to check-in at:

  1. The police station
  2. The doctors office
  3. Where you live
  4. Where your kids attend school
  5. Your bank
  6. Your personal storage location
  7. Your vacation home or cabin
  8. Where a friend lives
  9. A weight-loss clinic

Do you agree with these?  Can you think of other locations a person might not want to check-in on Foursquare at, especially for privacy or secrecy? What boundaries should be set for themselves?


Twitterview #114 – With Tricia Severson (@mndesigngal)

Posted by on Wednesday, 21 July, 2010

@JoelECarlson – Excuse the delay. Hello everyone and welcome to the Twitterview of @mndesigngal. Lets create!

Q – #1    So @mndesigngal, where did you grow up, and what steps led you to what you do today?

A:    born in Alexandria MN, HS grad Owatonna, moved 10+ houses and 8+ different schools between Wisconsin too!

the step part is tricky, because i am still taking steps in my career being a designer. always will be i feel…

main thing about my work is i’m so passionate about being creative it is crazy! at 10 yr i was an architect for career day.

working through college in the publication office, printers and more when left school told to apply for 3-5 yr of experience?!

Q – #2    Wow! So what kind of design schooling/training have you had over the years?

A:    opened a half-billion dollar casino, done pre-press at printer, entertainment, food, hospitality, automotive, consumer, B2B…

Life isn’t about finding yourself; it’s about creating yourself.

Q – #3    Interesting. So what kind of projects are you doing now, and what types of art formats do you use?

A:    currently am the designer and digital brand marketing specialist @brandsynchrony (plug) wide range from social media, print, email, website+

work with brands such as jennieo, cargil, J&J, bluebunny, slushpuppie amd more also some internal food and school reward programs

Q – #4    A big variety! So how do you used and benefit from using Social Media in your work and personal life?

A:    @JoelECarlson i joke w/ friends if they would have “social media” be a major when i was in college, i would have double majored. #growingup

always coming up with SM promos. 1role is #twitter #FB for clients. Knowing HOW to use for benefit of client is key =RESULT$

and personally have been asked out 50+ times #joke :seriously tho great way to promote my nonprofit work, learn from friends+

currently am the president of Ad2 and work closely w @adfedmn for it really is a cool way to network, learn, educate & :) hour

Q – #5    Who are say 5-15 people that you follow on Twitter that you feel you benefit from connecting with?

A:    knew this one was coming Joel… you can answer this one very “inspirational” or just do a #FF of my top fav follows. #hmmmmmm

peeps that inspire me or just like what they say or don’t mind their profilepic: @craigpladson @bradwellman @futureadexec @jtimberlake

my agency daily watch : @russellherder @prestonkelly @labreche2020 @modernclimate +++

Q – #6    Fair enough. How about your FAVS – Favorite: restaurant, store, museum and summer activity?

A:    finally, tweets that take me away: Not even engaged or married but @weddingxpert : fav eat? @crave because they tweet so much i crave #sushi

never been to walker (and have an art minor) hardly get to shop and summer activity has to involve the sun, water and a corona

I see. Well to end today, what thought or mantra would you like to share today with everyone?

The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up. #jectv #random

Q – #7    I see. Well to end today, what thought or mantra would you like to share today with everyone?

A:    Thanks @JoelECarlson for approaching me for #jectv interview> not going to lie i didn’t really get it but was refreshing to do w u today! :)