Ken Burns on the Art of Storytelling, Upcoming Documentaries, Reflecting on Baseball

Today, I'm thrilled to host legendary filmmaker Ken Burns. Join us as we explore his unparalleled storytelling and the history that shapes us all. 0:00 - Introduction to Ken Burns as a master storyteller and his influence on filmmaking 1:13 - The importance of humility and the flaws of heroes in storytelling. 3:05 - The subtractive nature of storytelling and finding the essence of a narrative. 4:12 - Ken Burns shares advice on storytelling: authenticity, perseverance, and the hard work behind the craft. 6:52 - Discussion of his signature style, adaptability, and the broader impact of his work. 11:22 - reflections on his collaboration with Steve Jobs and the creation of the Ken Burns Effect. 14:09 - The role of humility in leadership and history, with examples from American figures. 20:30 - Overview of Burns’ current and future projects, including films on the American Revolution, Reconstruction, and civil rights. 28:05 - Details on the iterative process of filmmaking, from research to editing and final production. 38:00 - Burns’ philosophy on storytelling as an ongoing learning process. 45:00 - Burns’ reflections on the broader impact of storytelling, the importance of space and setting, and his creative inspirations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I challenge the idea that more input always leads to better outcomes. Counterintuitive? Maybe. But stick with me for 20 minutes, and this might be the episode you can’t unhear for the rest of the year. 🚀 What We Cover: • Why listening less (yes, less) might be the key to your best year yet • How external voices—whether from social media, coworkers, or even well-meaning family—can derail your focus and confidence • The unexpected lesson from equine therapy at Miraval Resort that completely shifted my perspective • How tuning out more could make you a better friend, partner, and creative thinker • The personal goals Tim is tackling in 2025—including a New York Times bestseller and a school with 200+ students 🔥 Key Takeaway: The more you listen, the more you absorb expectations that aren’t yours. But if you listen less—strategically—you might just hear yourself more clearly. 👂 Give yourself the gift of quiet. Hit play, and then maybe… tune out. 👉 If this episode resonates, let me know: @timmchiusano on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My conversation with a new friend and fellow NYC dad, John McDonald, one of New York City's longest-standing and most successful restaurateurs. From inside his flagship restaurant, Lure Fishbar in Soho, we chat about the potential closure after 20 years due to Prada's real estate interests. John shares his journey from Phoenix to New York, establishing Merc Bar in 1993 and later opening Lure Fish Bar in 2004. The conversation reveals that Lure serves 350-400 people on busy nights and is one of the city's largest oyster sellers. McDonald discusses his management philosophy, the challenges of running restaurants in NYC, and his approach to menu development. The interview also touches on personal aspects, including how McDonald teaches his children about food and his interest in wellness practices like the 12-hour silent walk concept. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lows that can come with a first semester at college. How I found myself living alone in Fredericton, New Brunswick, drinking SoCo & Tang, eating KFC family meals solo, getting beat up at a hockey tryout, and watching Mighty Ducks 3 in the theater several times (also solo). Proof that a horrible start at school doesn't mean anything other than potentially making for a great story further down the road. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Keyes is one of the most fascinating and admirable CEO's in the history of corporate America and someone we can all learn from. His humble beginnings are staggering, his career is aspirational, and his wisdom is Yoda-esque in the corporate world. My confidence has been one of the biggest challenges over the past 152 days since I left my corporate job. The opportunity to spend a bit of time with my friend (who I have been calling "The New Guy" since we first collaborated on TikTok together) is always a treat, and I knew he would have some fantastic insights on the topic of confidence and the state of the world overall. He is the former 7-11, and Blockbuster CEO and author of "Education Is Freedom". If you ever hear him speak or pick up his book, the broader lessons you can learn are invaluable. Jim truly came from humble beginnings, and it is my absolute pleasure to share this conversation with you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary In this conversation, let me reflect on how I am in the current state of being a 'hot mess' and embrace the idea that everyone is a hot mess in their own way. I discuss the challenges and conundrums of transitioning to a new phase in life, such as sustainability and finding a balance between change and stability. I am also happy to share the progress made, including spending more time with my daughter and trying to bring my vision for helpful content to life. I will happily explore the importance of accepting and understanding one's flaws and shortcomings and emphasize the need to learn and improve continuously. Keywords hot mess, transition, challenges, sustainability, balance, progress, flaws, shortcomings, learning, improvement Takeaways Embrace your own 'hot mess' and accept that everyone has flaws and challenges. Find a balance between change and stability in order to navigate transitions effectively. Reflect on your progress and celebrate the milestones you have achieved. Be aware of your shortcomings and strive to improve and learn from them. Continuously seek to understand what 'good' looks like for you and work towards that vision. Titles Embracing Your Best Hot Mess Celebrating Progress and Milestones Sound Bites "We're supposed to be our best hot mess." "How much change is enough, how much needs to stay?" "Being addicted to cereal... embracing your flaws." Chapters 00:00 Embracing Your Best Hot Mess 02:28 Navigating the Challenges of Transition 09:24 Celebrating Progress and Milestones 20:35 Addressing and Learning from Shortcomings 23:23 Striving for a Clear Vision of 'Good' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Summary In this episode, Timm shares a lighthearted story from his early career in college football production. He talks about his first job as a production assistant for ABC Sports and the intense training he went through before the college football season started. Timm recounts the challenges he faced on his first day on the job, including the late arrival of the students he hired and his panic when asked to operate the graphics machine. Despite making mistakes, Timm emphasizes the importance of remaining calm and owning up to your mistakes. Takeaways Mistakes are inevitable, especially when starting a new job or taking on new responsibilities. Remaining calm in the face of challenges allows for better decision-making and positive influence on others. Owning up to your mistakes and addressing them directly with your team builds trust and respect. Learning from your mistakes and taking responsibility for them is crucial for personal and professional growth. Titles Owning Up to Mistakes and Building Trust in the Workplace The Importance of Remaining Calm in High-Pressure Situations Sound Bites "Whoever asks the most questions as we are going through this wins whatever." "Everybody has those moments where they're like, this is never going to happen. This is not going to work. I'm going to get fired." "Staying calm is always going to be a superpower." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 05:13 Handling Logistics and Challenges 09:30 Dealing with Mistakes and Overcoming Panic 18:29 Learning from Mistakes and Building Trust 21:30 Taking Ownership and Moving Forward 23:26 Final Thoughts and Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The next big challenge in your career is just the next level of the video game, and you will be okay. You earned the right to be at that level. You worked your ass off to see the next big scary obstacle. You will not get it right the first time, but if you keep playing, you will be fine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y'all ask the best questions on LInkedIn and if I could spend all day everyday just answer them, I would but I would never get to them all and I dont know how I can do that and pay the bills (yet!). So, I took about 100 of the last 1,000 and put them into ChatGPT and asked for the themes. #1 of them was "Career Transition & Pivoting" whether that was due to a layoff situation or just broader change needed in your career. That is what this episode is about. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the high level concept of a 30-60-90 planning mentality to why some influencers are way to intense about "grinding through August", lets have a chat simply to plant a seed about what's possible over the next 3 months and how to get yourself there with some kindness along the way too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices