Episode #12 - Carl Smith (Community Builder and Philosophical Futurist)

Join host Matt Walker on The Pie Guy Podcast for a nostalgic and freewheeling conversation with his longtime friend Carl Smith, founder of The Bureau of Digital in Jacksonville, FL. What begins as a plan to talk football takes a delightful detour into the world of music, creativity, and community. Carl, a passionate community builder and philosophical futurist, shares stories from his musical past—from his first Black Sabbath concert at age 12 to his deep love for Prince, the Eagles, Van Halen, and more. Matt and Carl dive into the raw energy of 80s rock, the genius of unfiltered artists like Eddie Van Halen and Dave Grohl, and the collaborative spirit of bands like the Traveling Wilburys. They lament the loss of authentic connection in modern music and celebrate the joy of creating without constraints, drawing parallels to Carl’s work with The Bureau—a vibrant 1,400-member collective where digital agency leaders share ideas, solve problems, and grow together. From tales of Prince’s boundary-pushing artistry to the communal power of a hackathon, this episode is a heartfelt ode to creativity and connection. Tune in for a fun, music-filled chat that captures the eclectic spirit of The Pie Guy Podcast!