Hello again;
Every so often, we need to find ways to reenergize ourselves and find new fuel to continue the journey.
When it comes to who I have on the What’s Your Excuse? Show, I’ve realized it’s time to do just that.
And I have a new friend to thank for the idea.
His name is Tim Schwartz, and he is the host of The Life After. Blindness blog & Podcast.
I was doing a pre-interview in advance of sharing my story on his podcast. We had a wide-ranging conversation that I honestly wish one of us had recorded.
It was like talking to a long-time friend I hadn’t heard from in years instead of a first talk with a fellow blogger and podcaster.
From him I got the idea of offering a new service where I would help podcasters reach out to those ideal guests that they don’t yet have the confidence to go after.
I will discuss with them what their show is really about, who their audience is, who their ideal guests are; and then do the work of getting these people to say yes.
And I decided that if I”m going to offer such a service I should start with a beta client. And who better to practice on than myself?
I ended up telling Tim that I was going to come up with a bucket list of people I want to come on the show. Further more, I promised to write this post sharing my list and letting you all see me work through the process.
I even suggested that me and Tim should do a similar exercise for his show.
And Tim has graciously agreed to be my accountability partner on this new adventure.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am grateful for everyone who has ever reached out to me about being on What’s Your Excuse.
I’m blessed that people find my interview ability up to a level that they want to have conversations with me on the show.
But for the first time in a while, I’m actually giving some thought to who my dream guests would be. And I’m going after them.
Just one last point before I get started. This list does not include people who have already agreed to come on the show. People who I just haven’t scheduled yet. Or who I have scheduled but haven’t recorded their interview yet.
- Elizabeth Gilbert
- Joseph Bommersbach
- Jessica Loomer
- Jeff Dunham
- Reba McEntire
- Danelle Umstead
- Tom Sullivan
- Jesse Cole
- Cody Rhodes
- Stephen King
- Alex Trebek
- Paul McCartney
Many of you know her for the amazing book Eat, Pray, Love. But, I am a fan of another book she wrote called Big Magic. It’s about the creative process, and it includes some great advice on the creative process.
He is also known as Blind Joe. He is a talented musician, singer, and performer who had a great run on The Voice.
I met Jessica while helping my friend Chelsea present at the Envisions Level Up Conference in Wichitaw this summer. She gave a wonderful talk, and I’d love to hear her share her stories and positive approach to life.
He is a terrifically funny ventriloquist. And from what I’ve heard about his life I believe he would have a lot to share about chasing a dream, overcoming setbacks, and finding unusual solutions.
I’ve read her biography where she talks about growing up in a family of ranchers and rodeo performers prior to her career as a singer, performer, and actress. I would love to hear more.
The blind paraolympian in skiing who recently appeared on dancing with the stars. She is also a speaker who talks about living your impossible.
He is a talented musician, singer, performer, entertainer, and documentary film maker who happens to be blind. But more importantly he was the first person I ever heard write about the idea of interdependence. Something that has become a big part of my own message.
He’s known as the yellow tux guy. I met him at PodFestExpo this year. Loved hearing how he turned around the Savanna minor league baseball team.
Yes, he is a professional wrestler, actor, and entrepreneur. But I want to learn how a man turns his back on a reliable stable lifetime income from an establish company to start his own wrestling promotion.
Yes, he is the master of the horror genre. But he has also written a great book for writers. I’d love to find out more about how he made it through those rough times.
I’ve been a fan for years, and many in my family think I should try out. But I mainly want to talk to him about how he is continuing to live his life while fighting pancriatic cancer.
Last year I heard a 60 minutes interview he gave. He talked about never feeling good enough. About having to always improve. I think this is a message more people need to hear especially when coming from one of the best who has ever lived.
I openly admit that I may not be able to get some of the people on this list. But I made the list out with the same approach I applied to choosing what city to visit when I won the Amtrak Writers in Residence Award.
Who do I want on the show. I will be updating the list throughout the process.
Not sure if I will do that by editing this post, updating you in the comments section, or writing additional posts.
I’m also open to suggestions of people to add to this list.
There are many arenas such as business and entertainment where there are surely people with great stories to tell who I am not familiar with.
I also want to share that I have felt a new energy around my podcast from making this list. It is becoming an adventure because I’m waiting to see just how I will get them to come on the show and what we will talk about.
I’m wondering who each of these guests may introduce me to. Or what opportunities may come along from stretching myself by going after guests like these.
And I hope you will continue to come along for the ride.
Whether I am interviewing celebrities or unknown heroes you can always count on me to ask the questions I want to know the answers to.
Thanks for your continued support. And take care out there, Max