The Power of Myth with Harry Corcell

My podcast guest today is one-of-a-kind. Those are words I’ve never used to describe any prior guest.

Strong words, you might say. Deserving, I’d throw back at you.

Harry Corcell is someone I’ve liked and respected since we met in late 2000s working at Idera Software.

I wish we’d met sooner. Yeah, that sounds like something you’d say about a romantic partner. But I’m leaving it here because I mean it. You’ll notice on this episode Harry & I can talk about almost anything (and do):

80s rap, hair bands, Red Sox baseball, being a girl-dad, journaling, race in America, and even Flow: Optimal Experience.

Born in Bogota, Columbia, Harry didn’t move to Boston till he was 8 years old. Listen closely when he speaks, and you’ll hear a cross between Boston & Brooklyn, a place he’s also lived. In fact, during Fun Questions, Harry said Brooklyn would be his top choice to live of all cities in the US.

Strong words, you might say. I’ve never been to Brooklyn, I’d rebut.

Whether selling tons of software, “killing” on stage at a comedy club, or “bombing”—he’s done all three over the last 20 years. And you won’t meet anyone more appreciative of the opportunities and experiences a man has had.

Harry’s got an affable manner that draws you in. He’s instantly likable. If I gave you three guesses as to what Harry does for a living, you’d probably guess it in one.

Not only is he a natural sales guy, but he views his vocation as a craft—he’s a true student of the profession—something we need more of.

Harry also discusses being on the The Hero’s Journey. After reading Joseph Campbell’s book by the same name, how could you not think you’re on the same path (albeit your own). By the way, I bought The Power of Myth after Harry said it was his favorite book.

I couldn’t be more fortunate to catch Harry the day before he moved to Miami, FL. If you enjoy good storytellers, this episode’s for you. If you like witty banter, again. this episode is for you. If you believe wide-ranging discussions about interesting topics are your favorite kind of podcasts, then by now you smell what that fella who earned a degree from “The U” in ’95 is cookin’.

Harry takes us through the ups and downs of how he got to where he is now, in a way that only he could. It’s a high bar, but I hope Miami treats Harry Corcell with the respect he deserves.

He’s a good man, hard-working and hilarious. Not the sort of person you’d want to compete with if you were selling a similar software product, which is the reason he’s bringing his A+ software game to South Florida—he got a job offer he couldn’t refuse.

Hope you get a chance to tune in to this episode, and enjoy it as much as I did.

Questions asked:

What were you doing at the gym in Houston?
[Question to Brad] What were your first impressions of me?
What have you gained these last couple years that you’ve been here [in Houston]?
Did you throw yourself into the job & the gym and just focus on personal growth?
So you’re into comedy—how does that happen?
How long did you work on your material [for that first gig]?
Was it weird to wait for the laugh after it carries from the microphone to the 500 people in the room?
[Question to Brad] Have you ever been to Boston?
What’s your favorite park? Have you been to the one in Arlington?
How long have you been in sales? What are the parallels between sales and dating?
What about the parallels between sales and comedy?
What is bringing you to Miami?
[Question to Brad] How has traveling changed your view on the world?
Have you been through AA or any of those?
[Question to Brad] Have you ever heard of the book The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron?
Do you have a best friend?
Do you think it’s social media that’s enabled us to have a lot of friends?
[Questions to Brad] What was your first job? How old were you? What did you do in high school? And then college?
You had this girl on Facebook & you posted quite a few pics. Did that just fall apart?
How long were you married [to your ex-wife]?
Did she expect you to make her happy?
[Question to Brad] Have you read The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell?
Can you tell a joke on the spot?
[Question to Brad] How many at-bats have you had in your life?
[Question to Brad] Is our speech really “free?”
[Question to Brad] How did you meet your wife?
What does your “authentic-self” mean?
[Question to Brad] How many countries has your daughter been to? Is she a picky eater or is she accepting of the different foods & different cultures?
Why should my wife & I follow your daughters’ Instagram account (Strings by P and F)?
What is it about 80s music? Is it the diversity or the fact that MTV came along & made it visual?

Fun questions

Is social media a net positive or net negative for society?
What is most important to you in the next 2-3 years?
If you could spend a day with Dustin Pedroia or David Ortiz (Big Papi), who would it be? Big Papi or Tom Brady?
Do you have a favorite book?
If you were forced to live the rest of your life in an American city that’s not Boston, what would it be?
Do you have a favorite podcast?
If you were a Jeopardy contestant & you got to choose the Final Category, what would you choose?
If you could go anywhere in the world for 2 weeks, where would it be?
Would you rather win a National Championship or a gold medal?