Want to learn how to tell better bedtime stories to your kids? 

Gillian McDunn is an acclaimed children’s book author, mother of three, and the perfect guide to teach you the art of the bedtime story. She talks about how to make your stories entertaining, encourage interaction and connection with your kids, why “what if” is such a powerful tool, and how introducing problems defines our stories characters and teaches our kids powerful lessons. 

We also talk about Gillian’s book writing process, what it’s like working with editors and publishers, how it feels reading reviews of her own work, and we discuss the themes and characters of her first two books “Caterpillar Summer” and “The Queen Bee and Me.” 

Whether you’re an aspiring writer yourself, have children you’d like to tell better stories to, or just want a fascinating peek behind the scenes to understand how a writer goes about writing and publishing a book you’ll love Gillian’s stories and insight. Enjoy!

Links:

Caterpillar Summer on Amazon:

https://amzn.to/308Ckzg

The Queen Bee and Me on Amazon:
https://amzn.to/2FWOlB6

Gillian’s website:
https://www.gillianmcdunn.com/

Twitter:
twitter.com/gillianmcdunn

Instagram:
instagram.com/gillianmcdunn

Gillian’s article on bedtime stories:
https://bit.ly/331fmfj

Caterpillar Summer Reviews: 

“An engrossing, heartwarming, beautifully written debut.”
-Kirkus Reviews

“This absorbing, heartfelt novel seamlessly blends the challenges of life with a neurodivergent child into a story of one tween’s burgeoning self-awareness as she figures out how to reclaim her childhood.”
-New York Times

Want to win a book by Gillian?

Tag @ignorantcurious on Twitter or Instagram with your bedtime story breakdown. We’ll mail a copy of your choice - Caterpillar Summer or The Queen Be and Me - to our favorite. 

Got feedback for the podcast? Guests or topics you’d love to hear? Let us know!

Twitter.com/ignorantcurious

Instagram.com/ignorantcurious

ignorantcuriouspod@gmail.com

Randy Rarick is the most interesting surfer alive. He co-founded the pro surf tour in 1976, ran the Triple Crown contest in Hawaii for over 30 years, has traveled to 170 countries and surfed in 70; being the first person to surf in several countries around the world. 

He’s been mentored by Duke Kahanamoku, shaped boards with Dick Brewer, and surfed big Waimea with Eddie Aikau. He has also shaped and restored over 12,000 surfboards and is more knowledgeable than any person alive on the history and evolution of the surfboard. 

This episode is a fascinating lesson on surf history, philosophy, travel, race, and empathy told through one front row seat story after another. 

If you're not a surfer, or just wanna nerd out more, here's some cool links and movies to  fuel the stoke:

Encyclopedia of Surfing - website
Watch 110 year old black and white footage of surfing in Waikiki set to ragtime music, then see jet skis tow surfers into 60 ft waves to heavy metal. This is an insanely cool site full of articles, archival footage, vintage pics, and newspaper clips covering the history and movements of surfing over the past 100+ years. Thank you Matt Warshaw! Free for a week then $3/mo. 
https://eos.surf

EOS Bio on Rarick
https://eos.surf/entries/rarick-randy/

Riding Giants
Best surf doc ever. Amazing portrait of early days riding big waves on North Shore of Oahu. Tells story of Greg Noll’s ’69 wave at Makaha. Rent or buy on Amazon.
https://amzn.to/32Q1B1Q

Step Into Liquid:
Great surf doc to convey essence/stoke of surfing to non-surfer. Rent or buy on Amazon.
https://amzn.to/3brhkrT

Endless Summer 2:
Original Endless Summer is the most famous surf film of all time; RR was location scout for part 2. Free on Youtube.
http://bit.ly/endsum2

Bustin’ Down The Door
Talks about formation of pro surfing scene and clash between Aussies and locals in Hawaii and 70’s on North Shore of Oahu. Free with Amazon Prime.
https://amzn.to/35fOha3

Barbarian Days by William Finnegan
Best surfing book there is. Won Pulitzer Prize. You don’t need to surf to enjoy this. No other book, film, anything captures the essence of why we’re pulled back to the ocean and waves better than this.
https://amzn.to/3gTfOAd

Also,
Randy’s vintage surfboard auction in Hawaii:
http://bit.ly/hisurfauction

Got feedback for the podcast? Guests or topics you’d love to hear? Let us know!

Twitter.com/ignorantcurious

Instagram.com/ignorantcurious

ignorantcuriouspod@gmail.com

Sean Rash is a professional bowler, currently ranked top 10 on the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA) Tour, and in 2011-2012 was voted PBA Player of the Year. 

I had a lot of questions. We hear a lot about massive contracts in NFL, NBA and other pro sports. Bowling? Not so much. How much do bowlers earn in sponsorships? What does it cost to play a year on tour? Do they exercise or have mental coaches? And what the hell does double wood, cliffed lanes, and playing the puddle mean? 

Sean explains it all, gives insight to life as a pro bowler, and even throws in some tips so we can all suck a little less at bowling. 

Relevant Links:

ESPN Sports Science Video with Sean
http://bit.ly/ESPNScienceSeanRash

Sean’s perfect 300 at 2014 PBA Wolf Open in Shawnee, OK
http://bit.ly/SeanRash300

League of Ordinary Gentleman bowling documentary:
https://amzn.to/3hvk361

FB Fan Page:
https://www.facebook.com/SeanRashFanPage/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sean_rash

Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/sean_rash

Website:
http://www.seanrashbowling.com/

2020 PBA Rankings:
https://www.pba.com/SeasonStats/TourWinnings/152

Feedback for the show?

Twitter.com/ignorantcurious

Instagram.com/ignorantcurious

ignorantcuriouspod@gmail.com