#18 Michael Vawter- Music, robotics, and businesses - a podcast by PJ (Poh Jie)

from 2021-01-21T16:08

:: ::

My guest today is Michael Vawter. He is the co-founder of two businesses- Robot Academy, which is a STEM education centre for kids, and Bleeps and Loops, which promotes and educates electronic music production. Please enjoy the show.



Show Notes
  • [0:37] Michael’s self-introduction


  • [1:43] What prompted Michael to take coursework in psychology, organisational studies, economics, computer science and vocal performance at college?


  • [4:22] Homeschooling and its impact


  • [8:29] Becoming champion of First Lego League and designing robots


  • [13:04] Allocation of time for projects in different discipline


  • [21:57] Morning routines


  • [23:39] Productivity systems


  • [25:43] Entrepreneurial projects in college


  • [27:46] Quitting the first job after a year


  • [32:39] Why is Michael bearish about the current VC-backed startup model?


  • [34:49] Adapting business models to Covid-19


  • [37:43] Modular synthesis and Bleeps and Loops


  • [45:01] The social media marketing experience for Bleeps and Loops


  • [48:20] Upbringing and religion


  • [56:54] Learning photography


  • [58:57] Balancing both inner voice and outer chatter



Mentions

Michael Vawter's website/Instagram



Michael’s essay on individualism



OmniFocus



Ken Wilber's Integral Theory



Connect

If you like to find out more about me, please find me on my personal website at www.pohjie.com, or connect with me on Twitter (@pohjie_pj).



Outro

Thank you for listening to this episode. If you like this episode, please leave a review on Apple Podcasts and share this episode with 1-3 friends. I started this podcast with the intention of having awesome conversations with interesting people, and having your support means a lot. Thank you.



Music credits

Further episodes of PyJamas Pillow Talk

Further podcasts by PJ (Poh Jie)

Website of PJ (Poh Jie)