Hello everyone! Thank you for checking out our website. We spend our podcasts getting to know other people so we figured it was only fair to help the listeners get to know us a little bit.
Chris Stemp – Host & Creator
Age: 28
Interests: Too many, that’s why we created the podcast. Primarily sports, health & happiness. Surrounding myself with people gives me energy (along with coffee). I like to ask why and then why not?
Background: I come from a military family so I was born in NJ and moved to Germany until I was 5. I’ve lived in the Northern Virginia area for most of my life with a 4 year stop in Harrisonburg, VA where I went to James Madison University and got my degree in finance. Being thrown into adulthood I took the highest paying job I could find and worked in commercial real estate for 5 years. Now I’m searching for the next stop in this journey.
Currently I am: Coming up with new business ideas, working on this podcast and lowering my handicap (it’s a golf term). I’m the guy in the picture above to the left – I didn’t want you to get confused bc sometimes people say me and my dog Bronx are twins.
Jon Rojas – Host & Creator
Age: 29
Interests: I like funny things… Stand up, improv, and sketch videos. I also enjoy sports and trying to improve my golf swing…it is working. Slowly.
Background: Undergrad at James Madison University. Currently working for a “Big 4″ consulting firm. Lived my entire life in Virginia and am currently in Shirlington.
Currently I am: Learning how to build a podcast from the ground up. I have always had an interest in radio, so this experience means the world to me. Creating content is something I get really excited about. I’m hoping to get my hands dirty with video production.
How to reach me: Twitter: @jonrojas or @SmartPeoplePod. If you post something funny on Youtube, I will find it.
jo says:
You guys are doing a great job. Great information that you are sharing..Keep it coming.
Connie says:
I am genuinely enjoying your podcasts……the shows are alway interesting and entertaining. More!
Vera says:
Came upon your podcasts by accident, but it’s a happy one. Really enjoying them.
Bob says:
Your podcast is great. I also have a “Big 4″ job and I listen to you guys while at work to keep excel from eating my soul. I will be making all amazon purchases through your link. Would love to hear either something about finance/business or maybe a guest with a fresh race/class socioeconomic theory that differs from the norm. Keep up the great work.
smartpeoplepodcast says:
If we can provide some sanity in the world of cubicles and excel, we feel we have done our duty!
Willy Kaye says:
Hi Jon and Chris,
I just came back from a lovely weekend skiing in Vermont and I spent a good couple of hours listening to your podcasts while I skied…what a great day and how inspiring. Your popularity is clearly a sign that you are doing the right thing. You are personable, honest, and direct. Your genuine curiosity comes through in the way you ask questions without prejudice or predisposition in the pursuit of knowledge. Thank you so much.
I would like to suggest you interview some climate scientists and environmentalists. If you have not yet explored them, try listening to some of the archived lectures at the Long Now Foundation in San Francisco. I would love to hear you interview Stewart Brand.
Thanks again…..Willy Kaye
smartpeoplepodcast says:
Willy, thanks so much for the kind words! After doing some research on Stewart Brand, we are going to try to reach out to him.
Keep spreading the word!
Michael Roberts says:
I am an International Baccalaureate Coordinator and will use some of your podcasts to stimulate thought, discussion and writing within my Theory of Knowledge classes. Great work. I applaud your entrepreneurial spirit. We live in the Age of Innovation and your site provides more evidence that Americans can get the job done.
Melissa P Gay (This Common Reader) says:
Enjoyed your interview with Jeff Frieden and his new book The Lost Decades. It’s now on my 2012 reading list. This Common Reader will post a list of books for folks to consider reading in 2012. What is on Smart People Pod Cast’s list to read in 2012?