I’m sure I’ll have a longer post with the specifics of what I learned and with a bunch to share. If you haven’t checked out anything from the Idea Camp – please let me encourage you to do so. Next up is Orlando and the next for me is Las Vegas in September.

Please check out The Idea Camp

Yesterday marked the Two year mark for me in Los Angeles – my most recent adventure in life.  Over the past few weeks I’ve been spending a fair amount of time thinking about the community I’m a part of, the church I go to and the work I’m doing.  On each of those areas I thought I’d share what I’m thankful for and what I’m blessed with.

From Human Trafficking to Those Experiencing Homelessness

I moved to LA with a desire to lend my talents by impacting the awareness and education side of human slavery. The past two years I’ve had an opportunity to work with multiple different organizations that are looking to change the global landscape. And in the last year and a half the issue of poverty and homelessness has become such an important issue to me.  Consistent inspiring stories from Andy Bales and Mark Horvath of people on the street and the efforts of those to fill the gaps in complex housing systems. The common ground with both issues is how complex they are and how many intelligent people are working on these issues – the best part is that there’s room for you too! Please let me encourage you to get involved with either one and make it local – influence your network!

My Family

What a year! The older I get, the more I appreciate these relationships. Cute kids, hilarious people and great conversation – it doesn’t get any better. Recently we’ve had a lot of very real communication and I’m super excited about where that’s leading. I love you all!

Tim Grahl

He’s a great friend, not afraid to disagree with me and tell me what’s going on and he’s also an incredible problem solver.  Professionally, he gets work done and leads an amazing team that I’ve yet to be able to stump. Personally, Tim has been a great guy to kick me in the ribs and encourage me to greater things. Thank you Tim!

Chronicle Project – Dave Mahanes and Brent Gudgel

Without these two guys my life would be much less. I got to be next to them as they launched Deidox – a 2 year journey realized and now impacting thousands of people.  From “Portnoy Bombs” to trips to San Diego and getting to hear about what they’re working on.

Kavi

So excited for what happens this week. I feel really privileged to be near Gregg Helvey as he goes through this process.  His film is up for Best Short in the Academy Awards and I’ve never rootd so hard for a film.  If you haven’t see it – check it out!  Or host a home screening and buy the movie direct from Gregg at www.KaviTheMovie.com

Northland Village Church

June started with Barbecues and September started with regular meetings.  We’re just 4 weeks away from officially launching and it’s been a great pleasure to be a part of.

Derek Kolstad

The guy is just plain genius! He’s a writer that I’m dying to share some of his work with you very soon. Derek’s a great guy, an easy collaborator and we keep great pace on bad movies, nerd trivia and what’s happening around town.

All in all, I feel so blessed to have connected with so many and there are no signs of it slowing anytime soon. HUSSAH!

If you like this post you might also dig – My first Year in LA

Watch live video from TWiT Live on Justin.tv

I find this news very inspiring and I think the lesson learned is to make something small, make it well and then release it. Sign with an agent and manager and then you make your own luck.

How do you make your own luck?

It’s just a few weeks away and I’m literally counting the days to Idea Camp. I think this whole idea has been a bit of a phenomenon. Idea Camp wasn’t even a glimmer of an “Idea” a year ago and to be already posting it’s second event – it’s really unheard of.

Here’s why I like it:

The distance between the facilitators/presenters and attendees is tiny.
This is a lot like the Blog World Expo in Vegas. The guys/gals at the front of the room are talking to relative equals not newbies vs experts. As a result it keeps presenters from giving bad info because they’d be called on the carpet. It also guarantees that with so many good brains in the room everyone leaves with some new knowledge.

The networking is amazing
If there has been one event that has been paramount in making connections during the last year and a half in California – it’s idea Camp. I met organizations, non profits and thought leaders that I would never meet otherwise. On top of that I got to share meals with them and got to have my socks knocked off. This is also a good place to tell you my most embarrassing moment. The very lovely Cynthia Ware (The Digital Sanctuary) lead the Facilitators luncheon, it was going great until she gave some small instructions: “We’re going to go around the room and tell us a little bit about yourself, why your here and really take your time.”

She then looked to her right and I went first… and as it turned out I followed her directions exactly but, in fact, too well. I took the lions share of that time… Looking back I was mortified at my actions and thankfully a few different presenters didn’t let me forget it (You know who you are!!)

The attitude is so different
The best part about the luncheon (and the weekend) was that just about every person was surprised to be counted in the same group with people at the table. It was great servant leadership and I was thrilled to be a part of it. It also doesn’t hurt to be helmed by Charles Lee, if you’ve met him, you know what I mean. He’s so humble and he’s brilliant – so it’s tough to buck that trend.

Workshops, workshops, workshops!!
At the first event the workshops were varied and it was easy to navigate which ones interested me. But for DC, I’m already seeing the lineup and I’m going to have a tough time making choices. The amount of guys who are coming into DC on their own dime to share their expertise in really unheard of.

You get out what you put in
The whole ethos of the 2 day “un-conference” is to hear ideas. Ideas come and go – the genius is there.. and then it’s gone. The beauty about Idea Camp is that if you’re coming to the table with some ideas – there are a lot of people at the Idea Camp who will give your idea a whack and see if it holds up.

It’s FREE
Looking back – I would’ve paid at least $50 for the first Idea Camp, but you don’t have to!

So Dan, what are you doing with it?

So glad you asked! I’ve got the fortunate pleasure of talking about video/film as a device to tell stories better. You know it’s done, you know it’s obvious. The wild thing to me is that although it’s simple.. it’s not easy to do it well. I’ll be sharing some examples I’ve found that show both success and failure.

And the best part about it – I get to set the table. I already know some serious digital storytellers will be in the room and they’ll be bringing a ton of great info. I hope you can make it!

The Idea Camp is taking place in Arlington on August 28th and 29th – Click here to register This installment is all about compassion and social justice and already over 40 organizations will be represented. See you there!