Audio Signals Podcast

Book "My Limitless Life" I Interview with Authors Karen Meades and Barry Finlay | Audio Signals Podcast With Marco CiappelliGuests: Karen Meades, Author https://www.amazon.com/My-Limitless-Life-Karen-Meades/dp/1068973102 Barry Finlay, Author https://www.barry-finlay.com _____________________________ Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society & Technology Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast On ITSPmagazine | https://www.marcociappelli.com _____________________________ This Episode’s Sponsors Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel? 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network _____________________________ Episode Introduction Book "My Limitless Life" I Interview with Authors Karen Meades and Barry Finlay Welcome back, storytellers and story lovers! A new year, a fresh start, and more stories to share. After an intense 2024 filled with thought-provoking conversations, I took a little time in January to recharge, reflect, and prepare for what promises to be an even bigger and more exciting year of storytelling. Many episodes have already been recorded and are making their way into production, and I can't wait for you to hear them. So, if you love stories—real or imagined—this is the place to be. Audio Signals is not just about storytelling; it’s about the storytellers, the people who craft, shape, and bring stories to life. And what better way to kick off 2025 than with a conversation about pushing limits, embracing adventure, and turning extraordinary experiences into words on a page? For this first episode of the year, I’m joined by Karen Meades and Barry Finlay, co-authors of My Limitless Life. Karen’s story isn’t just about endurance—it’s about the power of saying ‘yes’ to adventure. Years ago, she was a busy professional, a mother, and—by her own admission—far from an athlete. But when she signed up for a simple 5K race, something clicked. That one decision led to another, and then another. Before she knew it, she wasn’t just running local races—she was pushing herself into the most extreme environments on the planet. From conquering 250-kilometer self-supported ultramarathons through the Amazon jungle, the Sahara Desert, and even Antarctica, to swimming from Alcatraz to San Francisco, Karen has consistently sought out the toughest physical and mental challenges imaginable. But she doesn’t see herself as extraordinary. She believes that anyone can take on big challenges, step by step—just as she did. Her story is a reminder that limits are often self-imposed. That the difference between the impossible and the achievable is often just a willingness to try. And yet, life has a way of throwing unexpected twists. In recent years, Karen had to confront a new and very different challenge—one that forced her to reimagine adventure in a whole new way. But, as you’ll hear, she didn’t stop moving forward. She simply found a new path. Barry, an accomplished writer and adventurer himself, helped bring Karen’s journey to life, weaving her experiences into a compelling book that’s as much about personal growth as it is about adventure. In our conversation, we explore what drives someone to take on seemingly impossible feats, how pushing boundaries can change the way we see the world, and what happens when life forces us to redefine our own limits. Whether you’re looking for motivation, an adrenaline rush, or just a great story, this episode has something for you. So, let’s jump in. Welcome to 2025, welcome back to Audio Signals, and here’s our first episode of the year—enjoy! About Karen Meades Her story is nothing short of inspiring. From joining a running club for some “me time” to becoming the third Canadian woman to conquer the Racing the Planet/4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series, her journey is remarkable. Despite not seeing herself as athletic, Karen's feats in running, swimming, and navigating some of the world's toughest terrains are truly awe-inspiring. Balancing a successful career as an accountant and executive with her adventurous spirit, Karen's professional achievements are equally impressive. She co-founded a health program in the North, raised an extraordinary daughter, and even married her husband in Antarctica. After a medical diagnosis, Karen's resilience continued to shine as she embraced new passions like exploring the rugged New Zealand Alps on an e-bike, walking in the woods, and beekeeping. Her story, My Limitless Life, is a captivating read filled with humour, tension, and breathtaking scenes, encouraging readers to embrace challenges with courage and optimism. _____________________________ Resources Get The Book: https://www.amazon.com/My-Limitless-Life-Karen-Meades/dp/1068973102 _____________________________ For more podcast stories from Audio Signals: https://audiosignalspodcast.com Watch the video version on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@itspmagazine Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel? 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network

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Drawing from Empathy: Storytelling, Mythology, and Cartooning with Mythtickle Creator Justin Thompson | Audio Signals Podcast With Marco CiappelliGuest: Justin Thompson, Senior Artist at Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates On LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-thompson-91a47339/ On Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mythtickle/ _____________________________ Host: Marco Ciappelli, Co-Founder at ITSPmagazine [@ITSPmagazine] and Host of Redefining Society Podcast & Audio Signals Podcast On ITSPmagazine | https://www.itspmagazine.com/itspmagazine-podcast-radio-hosts/marco-ciappelli _____________________________ This Episode’s Sponsors Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel? 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network _____________________________ Illustrator and cartoonist Justin Thompson returns to Audio Signals for a creative deep-dive into storytelling, teaching empathy through art, and the mythological mischief behind his comic strip Mythtickle. From working with Peanuts to staging a children’s book play, this is a heartfelt, hilarious, and highly visual journey into the art of emotional storytelling. ⸻ 🖍️ Drawing from Empathy: Storytelling, Mythology, and Cartooning with Justin Thompson By Marco Ciappelli ⸻ It’s always a good sign when you know a conversation is going to go longer than planned. This is my second time sitting down with the incredibly talented and endlessly creative Justin Thompson, and—just like the first—we could have talked for hours. You may know Justin from his long-standing work with the iconic Peanuts universe. Yes, that Peanuts—Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the unmistakable world built by Charles Schulz. But what makes this conversation truly special is the other side of Justin’s creative journey. His comic strip, Mythtickle, blends humor, mythology, and heartfelt emotion into something that is both whimsical and quietly profound. From Egyptian underworlds to Norse gods in detention, it’s a storytelling playground built for meaning and mischief. ⸻ ✍️ From Snoopy to Schulz to Something Personal Justin’s professional path is a story in itself. He spent years as an actor and stuntman before pivoting into illustration and landing at the Schulz Studio in Santa Rosa, California. There, he reviewed merchandise, traveled to Japan as the studio’s liaison, and eventually contributed original creative content for the Peanuts brand—including authoring and illustrating several books. One of those books, If I Gave the World My Blanket, is now being adapted into a musical stage play for children. Yes—his book about empathy, kindness, and Linus’s iconic blanket is literally being brought to life. And somehow that still wasn’t the most exciting thing he had going on. ⸻ 🎭 Mythtickle and the Mythology of Emotion Justin’s comic strip Mythtickle, published on GoComics since 2007, is what happens when you throw mythological characters from every culture into middle school together—and then ask, “What if they actually had feelings?” There’s Karma, a Japanese girl. Ziva, an African goddess. A mischievous pre-teen version of Thor. A dragon. A knight. All interacting in one bizarre, beautiful mytho-universe that’s as educational as it is hilarious. Justin doesn’t just write jokes—he teaches emotional storytelling through art. Literally. He teaches kids in Brooklyn, in Tanzania, and through The Mentor Project. His method starts not with technique, but with empathy: “What is that character feeling? And how can you show that with no words?” Because, as he says, “A good cartoon can be funny. A great cartoon can speak to anyone—anywhere—without needing translation.” ⸻ 📚 Paper vs. Pixels: The Emotional Layout We spent part of this episode reflecting on something I think about a lot—the difference between digital and analog storytelling. “I want people to see the whole page,” Justin told me. “Composition, balance, flow—it hits you all at once. On a phone, it’s just frame by frame. You lose something.” He’s right. Comics, like music or visual art, are a full-body experience. You don’t just scroll through them—you step into them. You feel them. And Justin’s work is full of that layered, emotional resonance. ⸻ 🔄 Teaching Through Comics (Without Saying It Out Loud) Perhaps the most powerful thread in this conversation is how Justin teaches cartooning to middle schoolers—not by focusing on punchlines or technique, but by embedding lessons in emotional intelligence. Empathy. Attunement. Compassion. He doesn’t label it that way, of course—because kids would roll their eyes. But it’s there, in every facial expression they draw. Every emotion they map from observation to page. “It’s humanity training,” he says. “They just think it’s cartooning.” ⸻ 🎯 The Mythtickle Takeaway If you’ve ever wondered how silly jokes and ancient mythology could collide to form something deeply human, Mythtickle is your answer. And if you’ve ever wanted to see what a creative life looks like when it’s lived with intention, compassion, and more than a few dragons… then spend some time with Justin’s work. You’ll laugh. You might cry. You’ll definitely want to draw something. ⸻ RESOURCES Listen to the episode on Audio Signals 👉 https://www.audiosignalspodcast.com Watch the video on Youtube: 👉 https://youtu.be/9Yl4quXCkc8 📚 Explore Justin’s work and order his book 🔗 https://mythtickle.com 🔗 https://maddolphin.com 🔗 https://www.facebook.com/p/MythTickle-100057584344635/ 🎨 https://www.gocomics.com/mythtickle Keywords: Justin Thompson, Peanuts illustrator, Mythtickle comic strip, Charles Schulz Studio, empathy through art, teaching cartooning to kids, GoComics comic artists, mythology and storytelling, emotional storytelling, Linus blanket children’s book, drawing without words, Audio Signals Podcast _____________________________ For more podcast stories from Audio Signals: https://www.itspmagazine.com/audio-signals Watch the video version on-demand on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnYu0psdcllS0aVY7qlwHxX3uiN7tqqsy Are you interested in sponsoring an ITSPmagazine Channel? 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/sponsor-the-itspmagazine-podcast-network

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