Pursuit of Unhappiness

Today I’m joined by Kale Divelboss, brewer with Chuckanut Brewery based in Washington state. We dive into a range of things from him getting into craft beer - and a psychic telling him when he was going to move - wild, to business and music. This was a fun episode.

So before we jump into the conversation, I wanted to share that after this episode comes out, I plan to take a hiatus from the show for a bit. I’m not sure how long, but I recognize the space I’m in right now and that means I need to pause a few things I do and reset my focus on the things that need it most.

I expose in this episode, more than I have before, that I’m working on a brewery project which is the primary thing that needs my attention. I recently started working again after taking 6 months off and the transition has revealed a familiar pattern. I have this habit of trying to maintain multiple things on my plate and give them appropriate attention, but it’s not realistic at this point. The caveat to where I’m at is that I enjoy all of the things I do, but it’s a great reminder that there is only one of me. I only have 100% of myself to give to the projects I keep on my plate, which means not every thing is getting the appropriate proportion of the Megan pie.

So… I’m going to take a moment for myself, honor the transition I’m going through, brainstorm ways to manage my schedule differently and see how I can more efficiently use my time and resources to continue to work on the projects that matter to me without having the pressure of keeping up with everything.

I don’t see this show going away ever, I think it’s a great time to evaluate how I present this show to you and consider options whether it means the format of the show, or platform that I send it out to the world or whatever.. I’m also open to ideas that you can email or message me.

Instagram: Kale Divelboss
Instagram: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Spotify: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Instagram: meganfromtheblacklagoon
Email: [email protected]

What a special episode today. So much happened leading up to sharing this episode and a big part of that was that I came down with covid the day or the day prior to me recording with Laura. In the introduction I share how covid had a pretty significant impact on my mental health but also, how I waded the waters and learned some lessons along the way.

BUT, I am SO excited to introduce my guest today. I sat down with a fellow brewer, Laura Ulrich. She’s been brewing well before me and I always saw her as this MFing badass. Over time I got to meet her and at least say Hi but we never really got to know one another. It was an insane pleasure for her to share space with me, so I hope you enjoy as we nerd out over brewing, deep dive into who Laura is and experience as she shares her own struggles.

Laura is so innately fearless and a doer. She is also insanely encouraging to people who are genuine and showcase passion. While leaving space for you to figure out what is your best path.

Our conversation reminded me how we don’t have to figure everything out now, or tomorrow, or ever. I heard this gentleman on a podcast a long time ago discuss how his career / life has changed over the decades. When he said we can have a new life every decade, it resonated and I knew I needed to keep that in mind. Especially if I’m ever feeling stuck. 

Instagram: Laura Ulrich
Instagram: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Spotify: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Instagram: meganfromtheblacklagoon

Today I want to share with you a conversation that I had with Lisa Rome. Lisa and I have followed each others journey's on social media for quite some time now, so when I saw her begin to post about her journey getting sober I immediately reached out to her. I felt like as brewers we don’t talk so much about the way alcohol can negatively impact our lives. In ways that can feel isolating. So, I really wanted to bring her on the show to talk about her journey, share some things she has learned and offer some resources for those who may be curious. Please see below for resources that we discussed.

Reddit: Reddit - Stop Drinking
Therapy for Women: Instagram Link
Zoe Rose: Dinner at Midnite
Zoe Rose: The Existential Clown
Instagram: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Spotify: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Instagram: meganfromtheblacklagoon

Today I want to share with you a conversation that I had with my friend Tim Zydek. He was one of the early listeners to this show and that became a way we connected, which I sincerely appreciate.

Tim took through his journey from working in the culinary world to getting his foot into the beer industry and the lessons he learned along the way. I found it cool to learn what translated from him working in a kitchen and behind the bar to his job as a brewer. I wanted to catch him before he moved…to MF Copenhagen to brew with To Øl. So I’m very appreciative to him for finding time to talk.

This episode is heavy on the beer industry talk, so if you’re interested in getting insight into the beer world, or have had interest and getting your foot in the door this one is full of good stuff.

Toward the end of the show Tim mentions one of the best things you can do to get your foot in the door is hang around beer industry folks. I started reading Atomic Habits this week and I found a cool tie between the two. The book atomic habits breaks down how we can change our own habits by making very small incremental changes in our lives. One of the tools James Clear talks about is how our environment can shift our habits over time. Which sounds like a no-brainer, but it’s something we can easily overlook because as social beings, we would much prefer to stay within a comfortable space or place or with a group of people than to possibly shift the environment we exist in or the people we surround ourselves with. But I think it’s something great to keep in mind if you feel stuck, or are looking for a change in career, or simply are looking to evaluate your own habits.

Alright, now let’s get to my talk with Tim, but before that I just want to say how much I appreciate you all supporting the show. If you would like to continue to support this show and the other work I’m doing, you can follow along my adventures primarily on instagram meganfromtheblacklagoon. I also swapped an art page I was sitting on called butttergang to all the Pursuit of Unhappiness stuff, so give that one a follow too!

Instagram: Tim Zydek
Instagram: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Spotify: Pursuit of Unhappiness
Instagram: meganfromtheblacklagoon
Instagram: Halloween is Forever
Spotify: Halloween is Forever

Hey Friends! Every episode, I take a deep dive with my guests about their life, experiences, life lessons with the goal to share with all of you new perspectives. I believe there is so much power in learning from one another that allows us to uncover new things about ourselves and the more we uncover about our individual self, the closer we get to feeling what we are all looking for and that is purpose.

Today I have such a cool guest. I’m joined by Pedram Valiani from the bands Frontierer, Sectioned, and We (are). We connect on instagram and you’ll hear in this episode how it all came together.

He took me through the journey from not really being a fan of music to finding what he truly loved about music. We talked about what truly matters to Ped when it comes to music and being a creator. I found so many parallels to my own experience in craft beer. There’s so many good moments in this episode, so I won’t give them all away. Also - pardon in advance that I had a couple fangirl moments, but overall I do have such an appreciation for what this band is doing and how they approach creating music for us as fans.

I appreciate you all supporting the show. If you would like to continue to support this show and the other work I’m doing, you can follow along my adventures primarily on instagram meganfromtheblacklagoon.

Lastly, this will be my final plug here about the LIVE SHOW my other podcast (Halloween is Forever) has coming up THIS FUCKING SATURDAY. We are doing this live show for our one year anniversary! I’m terrified and excited all at once. The live recording is coinciding with a beer release that I’m part of called May Queen. It’s the second year we are releasing the beer with Hop Farm Brewing in the neighborhood of Lawrenceville here in beautiful Pittsburgh. HIF got involved because the whole beer name / style was derived from the 2019 Ari Aster classic Midsommar. So here are the details - June 25th from 7-10PM at Hop Farm in their warehouse, we will be sippin’ on some May Queen, raising money for the Pink Boots Society and then from 8-9 HIF will kick off a really fun live recording where we are going to highlight clips from the movie Midsommar. It’s a MFing free event, so come out and support women in the craft beverage industry, support my other podcast, it would ya know be super cool.

Instagram: PedramValiani
Instagram: Frontierer
Spotify: Frontierer
Instagram: Sectioned
Spotify: Sectioned
Band Camp: We (are)
Instagram: meganfromtheblacklagoon
Instagram: Halloween is Forever
Spotify: Halloween is Forever
May Queen Release & Live Show

Today I am joined by Chad Medved from the podcast I’ll Call You Right Back. Chad started his podcast back in 2017 to simply learn about great people doing great things. Getting to know him a little bit more through our recording, I can tell you that he is probably one of the most curious people I’ve met. We share a wide ranging list topic from self discipline, abstaining from drinking (because fuck hangovers), to creating what you want to see in the world and more.

I want to add a quick plug here that my other podcast Halloween is Forever is doing a live show for our one year anniversary! I’m terrified and excited all at once. The live recording is coinciding with a beer release that I’m part of called May Queen. It’s the second year we are releasing the beer with Hop Farm Brewing in the neighborhood of Lawrenceville here in beautiful Pittsburgh. HIF got involved because the whole beer name / style was derived from the 2019 Ari Aster classic Midsommar. So here are the details - June 25th from 7-10PM at Hop Farm in their warehouse, we will be sippin’ on some May Queen, raising money for the Pink Boots Society and then from 8-9 HIF will kick off a really fun live recording where we are going to highlight clips from the movie Midsommar. It’s a MFing free event, so come out and support women in the craft beverage industry, support my other podcast, it would ya know be super cool.

Thank you for all the support on the last episode. If you want to continue to support this podcast or my work, follow me on instagram meganfromtheblacklagoon or donate to the show with my venmo meganfromtheblacklagoon. All the things I’m working on are shared primarily through my IG page. Also, a like, share, save always helps. If you find that any of these episodes or intros resonate, please shoot me a message. I always love talking more in depth with you individually and I appreciate knowing that what I’m doing is hitting you some place inside your adorable heart or mind.

Love you all - Enjoy this amazing conversation!

EMAIL ME: [email protected]

Instagram: I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

Spotify: I'll Call You Right Back Podcast

Spotify: Halloween is Forever

Allegheny City Farms - Hot Sauce!

The Science of Self Discipline - Book!

Turner's Tea - YOU KNOW!

This week I'm joined by the amazing Abby Krizner - Radio DJ, Musician, Badass, Inspiration…You name it. I’m excited to bring you this episode for a number of reasons, but what I love is that I went into the interview planning to take our conversation one way and we went a completely different direction and all for the best. Steve, who edits my episodes, responded to it by saying it was my best yet. I hope you all think so too. If you’re looking for nuggets about taking chances, finding your own voice, or relationships, we’ve got it in this one.

Thank you for all the support on the last episode. If you want to continue to support this podcast or my work, follow me on instagram meganfromtheblacklagoon or donate to the show with my venmo meganfromtheblacklagoon. That’s posted in my bio link. All the things I’m working on are shared primarily through this page. Also, a like, share, save always helps. If you find that any of these episodes or intros resonate, please shoot me a message. I always love talking more in depth with you individually and I appreciate knowing that what I’m doing is hitting you some place inside your adorable heart or mind.

Love you all - Enjoy this amazing conversation!

Well what a whirlwind of a time it is. WE ARE BACK! I'm so stoked to bring you my conversation with Jen AKA Hello Brewtiful. Please check her social media pages below. 

We talk feminism, experience in the craft beer industry, life lessons. Definitely a lot of nuggets to take away from this episode. 

For context - The intro is long, but shit has been WILD. I share five lessons I've learned from a BIG event that happened recently. Enjoy & as always I would love to hear from you. 

Hello Brewtiful:
Instagram
Twitter
Find her on TikTok too!

Contact:
Email - [email protected]
Instagram - @meganfromtheblacklagoon
Venmo - @meganfromtheblacklagoon

This week I'm joined by LaTroya Butts aka Troya. Troya is a brewer with Five Wits Brewing Company in Tennessee. Troya and I have been following each other on instagram for a while as I do with most badass lady brewers. For those of you who don’t know how I find guests for the show, it can sometimes be a friend who I connect with and naturally have deep conversations with, like the last episode with Paul and Shannon. Other times, I approach people who I  may not even know, but see the things they talk about whether that’s in interviews or on their social media, kind of like my guest Moss Clark. When I see that there is a whiff of anything related to self help or just thinking outside of the box when it comes to life, I get really excited. That happened with Troya. I am so jazzed to finally sit down and chat. She is so thoughtful in her perspective on life and life as a brewer, so I hope you enjoy our chat in my pursuit of unhappiness.

Welcome Back, folks! This week I am joined by another good friend of mine, Nico Killips. We became fast friends and have found this mutual ground of curiosity about life and understanding things / people around us. What a better time to explore a topic familiar to him and new to me than introversion. We explore how that's defined for him along with how he deals with day to day life. In addition, Nico is a musician so I asked him all about how that factors into his life. Enjoy all of this and more (like how I put Nico into an uncomfortable position the first time we hung out.) 

I'd love to hear your story! Where do you fall on the introvert / extrovert spectrum? How does it impact relationships / work / how you flow through the day?

Housekeeping Schtuff - PoU will be released bi-weekly moving forward. Be sure to follow the podcast through my instagram @meganfromtheblacklagoon or email me with requests, questions or general conversation at [email protected]