The Sharp End

30/07/2026

There are many sources of creative inspiration; this one is no surprise.

I have spent more than my fair share of time recently transporting my mind to a certain place that allows my imagination to run wild. The Theater.

From Les Misérables in New York, that thrusts you behind the barricades in 1832, to becoming the fifth member of Million Dollar Quartet at Sun Studio in Memphis in 1956, you are there, connecting familiar and unfamiliar dots and letting your mind be free.

Artistic Director of the PA Shakespeare Festival Jason King Jones puts it best in a quote from Paula Vogel. “The audience writes the play. “

Let's think about that. The experience exists in your mind. And in the moment, you are a part of that performance.

In Jason’s words, “Theater is a terminal art. Once it is done, it is done. All that is left is the experience.” That and some unlikely threads that you have dared piece together that may or may not see the light of day. That’s up to you.

I interviewed Jason last year, and he shares his thoughts on the creative process, becoming an actor, gig work, and how your early story shapes your life. Everything up to the current season is up to date, personal, insightful, and he is a joy to listen to. No surprises there; he is an actor.

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7oZuUSym6vJSzXheUsrRCF?si=879a1627948343ef

The 35th anniversary PA Shakespeare Festival Series ends this weekend. Don’t miss the opportunity to let your mind wander and immerse yourself in a web of mystery, revenge, or tragedy. Three shows, three chances for your mind to be the playwright.

CAFE W.O.W. - Unearthing uniqueness in business, music, writing & more · Episode

25/07/2026

A unique product and experience. Both deliver the promise at Sophistiqué French Bakery. The heart of Paris baking in the heart of Allentown. Love the high top tables for a quick drop in European style.

24/07/2026

Few Props, just Anticipation.

Last night I saw a preview of the Shakespeare play Coriolanus at the prestigious PA Shakespeare Festival.

Shakespeare done properly. The actors come together a week before, and then the magic happens.

There are few props for the production. The gates of Rome, the rowdy Senate scenes, are all conjured up in your mind. All you have is supremely talented actors delivering on a promise of performance.

It struck me how much products, services, and organizations dress themselves up with props and noise, and forget what the true promise of performance really is.

A flawless product perfectly delivered on time, on spec, to the right audience at the right price.

It’s pretty simple. Unearth your uniqueness. Focus on what matters most to your audience, and strip away the rest.

Spoiler alert: you don’t want your product or service ending up the same way as Coriolanus.

24/07/2026

Few Props, just Anticipation.

Last night I saw a preview of the Shakespeare play Coriolanus at the prestigious PA Shakespeare Festival.

Shakespeare done properly. The actors come together a week before, and then the magic happens.

There are few props for the production. The gates of Rome, the rowdy Senate scenes, are all conjured up in your mind. All you have is supremely talented actors delivering on a promise of performance.

It struck me how much products, services, and organizations dress themselves up with props and noise, and forget what the true promise of performance really is.

A flawless product perfectly delivered on time, on spec, to the right audience at the right price.

It's pretty simple. Unearth your uniqueness. Focus on what matters most to your audience, and strip away the rest.

Spoiler alert: you don't want your product or service ending up the same way as Coriolanus.

09/04/2026

Ever wondered what it's really like to spot a teenage Whitney Houston singing in a tiny New York supper club and help turn her into a global superstar? Or how one song can bring an entire country together — even if it took a whole lot of near-misses and pure luck to get there?

Join me, chatting with Rick Blaskey — the music insider behind some of the biggest crossover moments of the past few decades.

Rick shares how he launched artists like Russell Watson and violin sensation David Garrett, worked with legends like Barry Manilow and Andrea Bocelli, and created massive anthems that defined events and generations.

He opens up about the old music business versus an algorithm-driven world, why great melodies and hooks still matter, and his deep passion for using music to heal and bring communities together.

Plus, he opens up about his lifelong passion for Sheffield Wednesday and why fighting for your local club (and community) still matters.

He is funny, honest, and full of real behind-the-scenes tales. If you love music stories, underdog journeys, or just a good yarn about how hits (and careers) actually get made I guarantee you will love this episode.

Listen on all podcast platforms and cafewowpodcast.com



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Cafe W.O.W (Words of wisdom) is a place where host and barista John Dodds unearths the uniqueness of his guests and the crafts they practice. From marketing to music, podcasting to poetry and all stations in between, guests share some of the innermost secrets of their profession as well as a few of....

12/02/2026

In a world obsessed with perfect production and viral polish, I chose a different path for Cafe W.O.W. Early on, I knew I couldn’t (and didn’t want to) compete with the big-budget podcasts out there. Instead, I borrowed a timeless Motown maxim: “It’s what’s in the grooves that counts.” Motown legends focused on the soul of the artist—the raw emotion, the real stories etched into every track—not the shiny extras. That’s exactly how I approach these conversations: intimate, unfiltered, packed with real Words Of Wisdom from guests who’ve lived it. The first grooves were cut with Ty Hildenbrandt of The Solid Verbal, and the depth? Pure magic. No flash needed when the heart is this strong. Come listen to what’s really playing. Episodes waiting at the link in bio. What’s one “groove” (life lesson) that’s stuck with you forever? Share below!

11/02/2026

500 years ago in Ottoman Istanbul, coffee houses were where ideas sparked, stories unfolded, and wisdom was shared over strong brews. Today, Cafe W.O.W. brings that same energy to your ears: intimate conversations packed with real Words Of Wisdom from incredible guests. Unearthing uniqueness, one chat at a time. Tap the link in bio to listen now → www.cafewowpodcast.com What’s your go-to coffee spot for deep talks? Comment below!
Ottoman coffee house : source Wikicommons

11/02/2026

Ever wonder where the magic of deep conversations over coffee really began?

Back in the late 1400s Ottoman Empire, coffee houses became legendary gathering spots—places where merchants, poets, scholars, and everyday folks shared ideas, debated life, and brewed wisdom together. They were called the "schools of the wise" for a reason!

Fast forward to today: That's exactly the spirit behind Cafe W.O.W.—a podcast where real Words Of Wisdom flow like the perfect cup of Turkish coffee. Intimate chats, personal stories, highs and lows, all about unearthing what makes each guest (and each of us) truly unique.

My obsession with coffee started at 30 during an all-nighter for a Shell Marketing course... and it's never left me. Now it's the heart of this podcast.

Pull up a (slightly rickety) chair and join us.

First episodes are live → www.cafewowpodcast.com

What's one piece of wisdom that's stuck with you over coffee? Drop it in the comments!