After a whole weekend of great conversations, we finally got the man behind the madness behind the mic. Mike helped bring everyone — including us — together at The Lively Grit Daily House for SXSW 2025. We chatted about dealing with stress, putting on live events, why ‘Zoom Fatigue’ is bullshit, faking football knowledge, bowl cuts, Linkin Park, the difference between a fad, a trend, and a culture, and a lot more in between. “There will be one person walking down the side of the street and you'l...
Mar 31, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Haley is an actor who uses her background in foreign affairs to inform her work on screen and stage. We chatted about reconnecting with old friends at SXSW, being influenced by different perspectives from around the world, taking the untraditional path, going from the Cannes Film Festival to monitoring elections in Serbia, finding balance, journaling, Nickel the service dog, her idea for a children’s book, and a lot more in between. “One thing I'm grateful for is that I don't have regrets and I ...
Mar 28, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 14
A recent Austin transplant, Larry was at The Lively Grit Daily House spreading the word about WLTHYWISE, his personal finance app that helps students realize the financial potential through personal financial forecasting. We talked Austin vs. LA, basketball, Mr. Beast, the beach, snowboarding tricks, the efficacy of influencers, and a lot more in between. “ I really strongly believe that cool is all from a perspective of yourself. You can't really rely on someone else to tell you if you're cool ...
Mar 27, 2025•21 min•Season 2Ep. 13
A licensed psychotherapist and sex therapist, Nikita Fernandes was invited to speak at SXSW’s Lively Grit Daily House about the perils of burnout culture. We sat down with her after her presentation to talk about why people feel compelled to do uncool things, TikTok culture, ostriches, the Internet, and more. “To say that something is not cool that is generally seen as cool means that you're putting yourself at risk for social isolation. And social isolation and feeling isolated is not cool." Ar...
Mar 26, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Event producer, brand activation savant, and music festival curator Harley Jennette joined us in the recording booth at SXSW 2025’s Lively Grit Daily House to talk about music journalism, meeting people at concerts, skateboarders, a snacking event he’s putting on with Lively Local Markets, and most importantly, what’s cool. “If your friends don’t think you’re cool, then they’re not your friends." Connect with Harley on LinkedIn , and find some of his upcoming Lively Local Markets events. Special...
Mar 25, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Jessica stopped by The Lively Grit Daily House with members of Yorkseed, her startup collective. She also brought her infamous wearable QR code. We chatted about her SXSW origin story, how Instagram is unfortunately cool, being legendary, skipping the line in front of your haters, and a lot more in between. “ I still try to keep a part of me that's like always be open minded and stay cool. You only live once — I really believe that. You’re going to have to try out everything. Then you know what ...
Mar 24, 2025•18 min•Season 2Ep. 10
A returning guest of the pod, Chris joined us during his yearly pilgrimage to Austin to chat about deep fakes, ask why we all think sunglasses are cool, talk Chicago style hot dogs, being unique, why arrows don’t hurt as bad as you think, the Psychopath Test, and a lot more in between. “ I'm always drawn towards anything that's really different. It's like, how did that happen? That’s where you get the really interesting conversations with people.” See Chris’ portfolio , connect with him on Linke...
Mar 21, 2025•25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
After kicking off the weekend with a presentation about America’s skeptical attitudes towards Generative AI and personalized advertising , YouGov’s Ryan Gross joined us at the Lively Grit Daily House to discuss hobbies vs identities, dogs, pants, embracing authenticity, and more. "Only your own vision of what is cool, is cool.” Did you attend the 2023 Coolios at Stand Up New York? You might remember Ryan from playing a few songs at the awards show. If you're listening to this episode on Spotify,...
Mar 20, 2025•19 min•Season 2Ep. 8
A multivariate speaker at the Lively Grit Daily House at SXSW 2025, Kit Huffman sat down with us just before her Saturday keynote to talk about LinkedIn, fame, ski gear, and most importantly — cool.“You walk in a room and there's that aura… that person that has that absolute charisma. They got the outfit, they have the social media following, they have people that know who they are… They just own a room in a lot of different ways, whether that's a literal room or an online room.” Connect with Ki...
Mar 19, 2025•13 min•Season 2Ep. 7
A veteran of the tech conference scene, Peter brought his unique POV — and love of hot dogs — to his conversation with us at The Lively Grit Daily House. We talked about prescription sunglasses, acceptable hot dog toppings, getting his dog on The Today Show, how the Irish say things are cool, “raw data” from strangers, what he saw at CES ‘25, a crawling bedside table lamp, and a lot in between. “ I think it's important to be cool and in your own sense of cool and in your own skin and in your own...
Mar 18, 2025•26 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Andrew and Mike made their way to SXSW to show off Mado Dynamic — their new solar-powered, fully automated shades, which we got the chance to test out in the Lively Grit Daily House. We talked about the product, Curb Your Enthusiasm, the perils of corded blinds, “pane” points, being “baller”, how to get strangers to think your new product is cool, western shirts, The Sound of Music, and a lot in between. “ I thinkI'm a good listener. I talk to people, I understand their position in life. And so,...
Mar 17, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Kati had a busy South by Southwest, speaking at the Lively Grit Daily House, a panel at the convention center, and a session at New Mexico House. We sat down with her early in the trip, right after her speaking gig at Lively Grit Daily House. The conversation ranged from basketball to bands to whether or not it's cool to have a political stance (spoiler: Kati says it is!), gaming, coolness as a parent, and a lot in between. She also spoke about her job at Meow Wolf - an immersive art adventure a...
Mar 14, 2025•22 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Between wrangling speakers and everything else that goes into putting on a speakeasy at SXSW, Lisa popped into the studio to talk about why she, Mike, Mary, and the team hosted the Lively Grit Daily House at SXSW 2025. We talk about dogs, parenthood, the gender dynamics of cool, and more. “It's your personality and how you connect with people and what your vibe is and how you're communicating and talking and treating people… The way you treat others makes you cool or not.” -Lisa DelMonte Connect...
Mar 13, 2025•20 min•Season 2Ep. 3
JC is no stranger to cool. He might be more of an expert than us. We connected at The Lively Grit Daily House to get his take on what’s worth paying attention to. We talked about the pressure to talk about AI, not caring, spicy guacamole, Jaws, the Johari Window, British words we’d never heard of before, and a lot in between. “If you don’t think you’re cool, other people won’t think you’re cool, and you’re going to think other people don’t think you’re cool.” Connect with JC on LinkedIn. Special...
Mar 12, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 2
We tried to turn off the mics. We really did. But we're back and podcasting from The Lively Grit Daily House in Austin, TX for SXSW 2025. Stay tuned for more conversations with cool people, people who think they're cool, and maybe a robot. Drop by if you're in town: The Lively Grit Daily House Details And hit us up at 848-863-9917 if you want a free code to get in. howcoolisthis.show...
Mar 08, 2025•4 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Die cool, or live long enough to see yourself become uncool. After more that 5 years and 200 episodes, How Cool Is This? is finally ready to answer our original question: what IS cool? For our 200th episode and series finale, we’re revealing the results of a YouGov survey to discover what Americans really think is cool - with a few twists.
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 200
After more that 5 years and nearly 200 episodes, How Cool Is This? is finally ready to answer our original question: what really is cool ? But is that even possible? And more importantly, is answering the question cool? Take the Cool Survey. RSVP for the Episode 200 live stream on Sunday, February 23 at 8 PM EST. howcoolisthis.show...
Jan 24, 2025•5 min•Season 1Ep. 199
Brian and Nick discuss whether or not this medium is cool. But is it a good thing that podcasts feel more powerful than ever? And more importantly, is that cool? You can call (848) 863-9917, but you probably won't get your idea on the show. Stay tuned for details on a LIVE episode 200. howcoolisthis.show
Nov 15, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 198
America is currently deciding whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump will be the next president. But are either of them actually cool? And more importantly, is it even possible for the president to be cool? Get your idea on one of the last episodes of How Cool Is This? by leaving us a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show
Nov 05, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 197
X user @PaperWash has an idea for a haunted house that brings together people from your past. Would this really be that scary? And more importantly, is it cool? Happy Halloween! Get more from @PaperWash on X. And get one of your ideas on one of the last episodes of How Cool Is This? by leaving a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show...
Oct 31, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 196
X user @brosaleigh thinks that more entertainment should happen in the morning. But is the morning the best time to be entertained? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from @brosaleigh on X. Hear your idea on one of the last 5 episodes of How Cool Is This by leaving us a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show
Oct 11, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 193
X user @Jvanitypress wants a robot to floss for him. But will this actually get dentists to stop complaining about our poor mental hygiene? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from @JVanitypress on X . Want to be on one of the last 6 episodes of How Cool Is This? Leave us a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show...
Sep 27, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 194
Andy thinks weddings should have the opposite of a best man. But is that the best time to celebrate a bad guy? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from Andy on X. Want your idea on one of the last 6 episodes of How Cool Is This? Leave us a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show
Sep 20, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 193
X user @carterhambly suggests that ER patients should have the opportunity to operate on themselves. Would this DIY emergency room be safe? And more importantly, is it cool? Get more for @carterhambley on X . Want your idea on one of the last 7 episodes of How Cool Is This? Leave us a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show...
Sep 13, 2024•3 min•Season 1Ep. 192
X user @aidankeeping wants the comfort of a blanket without the heat. Would that be a good way to sleep? And more importantly, would that be cool? Get more for @aidankeeping on X . Want your idea on one of the last 8 episodes of How Cool Is This? Leave us a voicemail at 848-863-9917. howcoolisthis.show
Aug 30, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 191
X user @chi_urbanist_ proposes a new type of burger. Would the Chicago-style Hamburger have too many ingredients? And more importantly, is it cool? Get more from @chi_urbanist on X . Get your idea on one of the last 10 episodes of How Cool Is This? by leaving us a voicemail at (848) 863-9917 or sending an email to [email protected]. howcoolisthis.show...
Aug 16, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 190
X user @_hood_mona_lia wants a new type of competition added to the Olympics. Would a chili cook-off be too big of a departure from the essence of Olympic Games? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from @_hood_mona_lisa on X. Get your idea on one of the last 11 episodes of How Cool Is This? by leaving us a voicemail at (848) 863-9917 or sending an email to [email protected]. howcoolisthis.show...
Aug 09, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 189
X user @kinoyahh wants the work week to be less than five days. Would that work with our work culture? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from kino on X. Get your idea on one of the last 11 episodes of How Cool Is This? by leaving us a voicemail at (848) 863-9917. howcoolisthis.show
Aug 02, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 188
X user Keshia wants an airline for adults only. Would that make for a better flying experience? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from Keshia on X. Get your idea on one of the last 12 episodes of How Cool Is This? by leaving us a voicemail at (848) 863-9917 or sending an email to [email protected]. howcoolisthis.show...
Jul 26, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 187
X user @imaniems_ thinks local libraries deserve to take the budget of local cops. Would that make our communities better? And more importantly, is that cool? Get more from @imaniems_ on X. Want to get your idea on one of the last 14 episodes of How Cool Is This? Leave us a voicemail at (848) 863-9917. howcoolisthis.show
Jul 05, 2024•5 min•Season 1Ep. 186
