Thanks to her groundbreaking work in the world of upcycling, multidisciplinary designer Nicole McLaughlin is a pioneer in the world of fashion, design, and art. Known for transforming trash or discarded items into fashionable, ready-to-wear pieces, her social media posts have become must-see content for apparel, footwear, and fashion professionals. She's also worked on design collaborations with the biggest brands in the outdoor and fashion industries. On this episode, the New Jersey native shares her journey from a creative child to a successful designer, as well as the most pivotal moments in her career, her creative process, and the importance of sustainability in fashion. Nicole also explains how she overcomes creative blocks with outdoor activity and how small work hiatuses can keep the creative ideas flowing. Finally, she tells host Tim Sweeney about her aspirations for future projects and the impact she hopes to make in the industry.

00:00
Introduction and Creative Background

02:45
Creative Process and Social Media Influence

05:42
Education and Early Career

08:39
Transition to Reebok and Early Projects

11:21
Discovering Upcycling and Personal Projects

14:34
The Shift to Freelancing and Collaborations

17:25
Sustainability in Fashion and Brand Collaborations

30:28
The Art of Upcycling and Repair

35:22
Creative Process and Vulnerability in Design

39:43
Tools of the Trade: Crafting Unique Designs

43:44
Balancing Creativity and Functionality

48:37
Overcoming Creative Blocks and Finding Inspiration

51:10
Navigating the Business Side of Creativity

53:52
Future Aspirations and Dream Collaborations

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Visual storyteller Tommy Roark spends his days (and some nights) capturing stunning video images as a co-founder of Experience Media Studios. He's filmed helicopter tours in Hawaii and spent long, sleepless nights filming EDM shows and massive music festivals like Coachella. Tommy stopped by the Long Distance Lounge to share a few stories of those wild DJ sets and sketchy travel shoots that almost ended in disaster. He also shares his thoughts on balancing technical camera equipment know-how with natural creativity in photography and filmmaking. Finally, we get a little career advice -- including the significance of continuous learning -- from a guy who is doing what he loves at the ripe, old age of 27.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Setting the Scene
06:03 Navigating the Pandemic and Career Shifts
08:12 Learning the Craft: From Amateur to Professional
10:54 The Balance of Technical Skills and Creative Vision
12:18 Investing in Equipment and Understanding the Industry
14:27 Continuous Learning and the Role of Mentorship
17:56 Creative Process and Client Relationships
21:59 Building a Network in San Diego
22:27 Adventures and Challenges in Filming
24:51 Filming Music Festivals: Behind the Scenes
30:00 The Art of Capturing Live Events
32:40 Multicam Challenges and Techniques
34:58 The Highs and Lows of Touring
40:19 Family Ties and Personal Motivation
42:28 Career Advice for Aspiring Creatives

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Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

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Aussie outback guide David McMahon spends his life surrounded by crocodiles, snakes and any number of creatures that can kill you in Australia's Northern Territory. Is it as dangerous as it sounds? Should you be afraid to visit? Hear from a guy who lives among the wildest area of the wildest country. David started as a chef in South Australia, but today he guides guests into the remote places he loves in Arnhem Land, Kakadu National Park and more. With host Tim Sweeney, David discusses the significance of the local Indigenous culture, the diversity of languages in "The Territory", and the challenges of living alongside dangerous wildlife in his role as a lead guide for Venture North Safaris. His passion for spending life in "The Bush" and his experiences in the wild provide listeners with a vivid picture of life in this extraordinary part of the world, and the host chimes with a few of his own yarns from a visit to Darwin and the Top End of Australia.


Chapters

00:00 Introduction to a Unique Lifestyle
10:12 The Wildness of Northern Australia
14:09 Living with Nature's Dangers
17:05 The Abundance of Food in the Bush
20:13 The Impact of Nature on Tourists
22:39 Conclusion: A Life of Adventure and Learning
29:21 Exploring Diverse Travel Experiences
30:21 Cahills Crossing: A Crocodile Hotspot
32:52 Understanding Crocodile Behavior and Risks
35:19 The Unique Ecosystem of Northern Australia
37:46 Close Calls: David's Wild Encounters
41:22 Favorite Animals and Fascination with Snakes
45:48 Future Aspirations and Adventures
48:03 Travel Recommendations for Northern Australia

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Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

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Follow Tim Sweeney on Instagram at @tesweens

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Ever thought about visiting Normandy, France? Local Normandy D-Day guides join host Tim Sweeney to share some of the heroic, personal stories you will hear if you take a trip to the Normandy region of France. Morgane Bowen and Pierre-Alexandre Roussel spend their days sharing the knowledge they've gained as local Normandy tour guides for Bayeux Shuttle. Morgane, who has lived in the area for a decade, and Pierre, who grew up in Normandy, explain the welcoming nature of the local people and what it's like to bring visitors to the sacred beaches and villages of Normandy. The host shares how his own visit to Normandy impacted him and they discuss the scale of the invasion, the legacy of sacrifice, and practical advice for planning a visit to this historic area.

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Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

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Longtime cycling journalist Andrew Hood talks to host Tim Sweeney about his journey from small town daily newspaper reporter in Colorado reporting on ski vacations of the royal family to becoming a prominent figure in cycling journalism for Velo. Plus, how to plan your trip to the Tour de France, what it’s like to be inside the circus of world’s great bike races, and the craziness of camping out with cycling fans on the side of a French mountain. They also discuss the current state of cycling and the evolution of the sport in America. Having forged a media career in an era that has seen disappearing print outlets and the birth of social media, Hood offers career advice on the importance of being adaptable to change in your professional life and how community journalism was an ideal training ground.

Hood has covered dozens of editions of cycling's spring classics as well as the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, and Vuelta a España, along with numerous world championships in road, track, and mountain biking. He’s also covered multiple Olympic Games and reported on bike races across six continents. His work appears in the Outside cycling network, and he has written for The New York Times, Sports Illustrated, ESPN, the Washington Post, and many more.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Background

02:41 - Journey into Cycling Journalism

09:05 - The Evolution of Cycling in America

14:56 - Community Journalism and Its Impact

19:01 - Breaking into the Cycling World

22:48 - The Rise of American Cycling

34:55 - Covering the Tour de France: A Journalist's Perspective

43:24 - The Challenges of Reporting in a Fast-Paced Environment

46:36 - The Fan Experience at Cycling Events

50:24 - The Publicity Caravan: A Unique Cycling Tradition

52:33 - Exploring Alternative Cycling Events

57:20 - Riding Iconic Climbs: A Cyclist's Journey

01:01:28 - The Current State of Cycling: Trends and Predictions

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Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

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Follow Tim Sweeney on Instagram at @tesweens

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Michelle Barry, a scuba diving instructor based in Cairns, Australia joins host Tim Sweeney to discuss the beauty and diversity you can experience on a visit to the Great Barrier Reef, the immersive sensory experience of diving, and the importance of reef conservation. Hear what it's like to have a massive bull shark swim meters beneath you from a woman who has spent a great deal of her life underwater. A Master Reef Guide with Pure Snorkeling, Michelle also shares her journey from growing up in New Hampshire in the US to learning to dive in San Diego to moving to Queensland, Australia to do what she loves in one of the most premier places on earth to do it. The conversation also touches on the health of the reef, the impact of climate change, and the role of tourism in conservation efforts.

Chapters

01:10
Exploring the Great Barrier Reef

02:26
Meet Michelle Barry: Scuba Diving Expert

03:33
Journey to Becoming a Dive Instructor

06:13
Life Underwater: Diving Experience

08:57
Cairns: The Gateway to Adventure

09:42
The Job of a Dive Instructor

12:34
Understanding the Great Barrier Reef

18:10
The Immersive Experience of Diving

21:15
Health of the Great Barrier Reef

24:32
Personal Connection to the Reef

27:51
The Dynamics of Reef Predators

43:05
Shark Species of the Great Barrier Reef

50:10
Conservation Efforts and Eco-Tourism

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Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

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Follow Tim Sweeney on Instagram at @tesweens

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Rúnar Karlsson chats with host Tim Sweeney from Ísafjörður, Iceland, where he runs Borea Adventures with his partner, Nanný Arna Guðmundsdóttir. Rúnar, Nanny and their team take worldwide visitors on wildlife photography trips, ski touring adventures, whale watching cruises, and hiking and kayaking trips in the remote West Fjords of Iceland.

A true local expert who grew up in the area, Rúnar explains how to approach your own Iceland adventure and tells us why the famed arctic fox loves to pose for photos with the guests he draws from around the world. An outdoor lover, he also discusses how a digital detox in nature can reinvigorate a guest. Finally, Runar explains how a “career” in Iceland can be a winding, varied path and why skills and experience are never a bad thing as you plot your own journey.

SHOW NOTES:
02:25 - Exploring Iceland's Tourism Boom

05:05 - Life in the Westfjords

10:37 - The Remote House and Its History

16:08 - Wildlife Photography and Nature Exploration

18:55 - Skiing Adventures in Iceland

21:32 - The Unique Experience of Remote Living

33:17 - Digital Detox in Nature

44:05 - Travel Tips for Iceland

49:59 - Career Paths and Life Lessons

55:29 - Exploring Iceland: A Unique Perspective

55:39 - Career Insights and Alternative Paths

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Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

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Follow Tim Sweeney on Instagram at @tesweens

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Travel author and global adventurer Tim Sweeney goes on virtual visits to far-flung places by interviewing guests who live and work in locations that have a spot on every traveler’s bucket list. As the title suggests, the podcast harkens back to the days when people might strike up a conversation with a passing stranger at an airport bar during a layover (as opposed to looking down at their cell phone the entire time).

Among the guests: a SCUBA guide on the Great Barrier Reef, a Tour de France journalist, a snake-loving guide in the Aussie outback, an expert on the Normandy D-Day invasions. These individuals share their stories and offer advice on how to plan a visit to their neck of the woods. But it's not JUST travel. They also explain the career track they took to find their way to their current roles or a crossroads moment that urged them to chase their passion for their profession. If you’re considering a trip, looking for inspiration for one, or just curious how people end up in the interesting jobs they do, download and subscribe to the Long Distance Lounge.

Host Tim Sweeney—the author of a “hilarious,” 5-star rated travel memoir that documents his three years living and traveling through Australia—has lived and worked on three continents, including in the French Alps. His book (Yank Down Under: A Drink and A Look Around Australia) was hailed as "info-tainment" that is “medicine for the soul.” The Long Distance Lounge podcast fits the same bill. That is: interesting tales from worldly people with fun stories to share.

Subscribe to the podcast and share with friends.

Long Distance Lounge podcast is produced by Twin Thieves Media

For more information, visit TwinThievesMedia.com

Follow Tim Sweeney on Instagram at @tesweens

Logo by Kyle Johnston Designs