The Firehouse Salon

I was interested in what was going on with Openclaw and heard that Lan Wei, a PHD at MBZUAI had won a hackathon experimenting with the edges of a new technology. Turns out her keen interest is the intersection between AI and storytelling. We talked about the reasoning behind creative choices and explored the idea of chaos in agentic systems ad their iteraction with humans creatively. We debated whether taste can be educated, examined the value of inefficiency and what makes life worth living.

I came to Eduardo's office expecting to talk about cells and data. What I found on his wall were the illustrations of Ernst Haeckel, a 19th-century German naturalist whose drawings of jellyfish, radiolaria and embryos were so beautiful they shaped how an entire generation understood life on earth. That felt like the right place to start.What followed was one of the more honest conversations I've had about AI. Eduardo's argument isn't complicated: the only thing AI won't do for you is think. Everything reducible to a recipe, a template, a repeatable process, it will handle. What remains is the part that actually matters.We ended up talking about struggle as the engine of learning, about what education might look like when you can no longer mistake output for understanding.I left thinking we are measuring ourselves against the wrong things, and that AI, strangely, might be the thing that forces us to stop.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:19 Ernst Haeckel Art Science03:29 Accuracy Versus Emotion05:23 Beauty in Science06:47 Visualizing Molecular Data09:01 AI and Creative Fear13:10 Livelihood Versus Transcendence15:15 AI Forces Education Rethink23:15 Struggle and Learning29:07 Craft Art and Creativity34:24 Slow Down for Depth36:00 Elegant Output Conclusion

Drawing on a 1960s speech by Howard Luck Gossage that contrasts money-driven business builders who want repeatable formulas with creative people who become more exploratory and less controllable as they earn more.Ashley, our host, connects this to curiosity as a driver of ideas, citing Stephen Johnson on creativity and Charles Babbage, and argues that in an AI era, adaptability, resilience, and curiosity matter.00:00 Mountain Intro and Updates00:40 Season Topics Teaser02:26 Howard on Money vs Tedium06:31 Rubenstein Chopsticks Analogy08:47 Curiosity as Creative Fuel10:31 Skills and Knowledge in an AI Age

After a five-month hiatus and a move to Abu Dhabi to take up the role of Head of Creative at the AI university MBZUAI, I've finally worked out why I got stuck with the Salon, and what it should become.A conversation with Richard Tseng reframed Gossage's relevance for me. He drew a connection between the post-war age of propaganda, when Howard fell into advertising as a new medium, and the birth of technologies like the Gutenberg press, where early mass production eventually gives way to something more transformative and human.We are at a similar inflection point: audiences will grow jaded by mass-produced, uncanny content, and creators will be pushed back toward compelling storytelling and genuinely novel experiences. AI and capitalism will threaten many creative roles. But I remain an optimist.Which is why I'm repositioning the Salon around the conversations I find most alive right now: curious, tediophobic people finding ways to make a positive creative dent in the world.00:00 Back After Hiatus00:46 Richard Sparks A Breakthrough02:08 Advertising As Propaganda02:54 Gossage And New Media04:19 AI Echoes The Revolution05:50 Why Howard Matters Now07:49 Threats To Everyday Creatives09:33 The New Firehouse Mission

After 2 years on BBC sounds the link to our radio show is no longer working... so... the opportunity to share it with you here. One of the advantages is the opportunity to share with you a new 'director's cut' - a little shorter, and some additional elements we decided to put in. Enjoy!Back with the next episode after a summer break.Ash & James

In this episode of Firehouse Salon Live, we discussed creativity and the process behind it with our guests:Filmmaker Philip Rachid - https://www.linkedin.com/in/philiprachid/and Designer Dave Officer - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-officer/We talked about the balance between spontaneity and structured creativity, the role of AI in the creative process, and the importance of producing authentic human ideas (even with AI). We touched on the significance of cultural sensitivity in marketing and design, the challenges and joys of working with clients, and the necessity of pursuing personal creative projects to stay inspired. 01:19 Exploring the Creative Process02:02 The Role of Spontaneity in Creativity02:45 The Mystery and Charm of Creativity06:28 AI and Creativity: A Double-Edged Sword07:48 The Human Touch in Creative Work10:16 Constraints and Creativity18:51 Client Collaboration and Creative Freedom32:59 Navigating Client Challenges and Design Thinking34:28 Trust and Adaptability in Creative Projects38:31 The Impact of Visual Identities and Branding41:05 The Role of Storytelling in Design42:48 Iterative Processes and Creative Freedom49:59 Balancing Client Work and Personal Projects56:09 Cultural Sensitivity and Global CollaborationLinks we discussedCompanies/OrganisationsHey Human - Neil Davidson's company - https://heyhuman.com/Madar 39 - Culture innovation space in Abu Dhabi - https://www.m39.ae/Story Things - Team mentioned for prototyping approach - https://storythings.com/Pixar - Referenced for "Brain Trust" collaborative approach - https://www.pixar.com/Creative MethodologiesDesign Thinking - Double diamond methodology - https://www.thefountaininstitute.com/blog/what-is-the-double-diamond-design-processParkinson's Law - "Work expands to fill the time available for its completion" - https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-parkinsons-law-6674423Brain Trust - Pixar concept - https://medium.com/great-business-stories/lessons-from-pixar-1-the-braintrust-e306843a5153Films & Media"28 Years Later" - Film shot entirely on iPhone - https://www.motionpictures.org/2025/06/how-28-years-later-dp-anthony-dod-mantle-turned-20-iphones-and-a-custom-rig-into-danny-boyles-epic-vision/"Tangerine" - Film shot on iPhone - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQj1Ie0ip38"Andor" (Disney series) - Just fantastic - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duN-KQgOjYsPrivate Eye Magazine - Small ads with personality - https://www.eyeads.co.uk/Quote“The audience comes last. I believe that. I'm not making it for them. I'm making it for me. And it turns out that when you make something truly for yourself, you're doing the best thing you possibly can for the audience.” — Rick Rubin

In this episode, we dive into the legacy of Howard Luck Gossage and explore creativity, environment, and unconventional thinking. Guests:Ali Grant - Designer and inventor of the Halo -  https://www.instagram.com/halosoundsystems/John Kieselhorst - Co-Creative Director of Geezer Creative - https://www.geezercreative.com/Ali discusses his pioneering work with Halo Sound Systems and his focus on creating immersive, respectful sound experiences in nature. John explores the overlooked potential of the over-fifty demographics & creatives in advertising and the significance of purpose-driven creativity. We talked about the historical and cultural parallels between the 1960s and today, touching on the transformative periods, sound healing, and the influence of mindfulness and nature on creative processes.01:06 Introduction to the Salon01:21 Discussing 99 Non Zebras and Creativity02:01 Meet the Guests02:20 Ali Grant on Halo Sound Systems02:40 John on Geezer and Age in Advertising05:47 The Role of AI in Creativity07:26 Ali Grant on Music and Community10:02 John  on Marketing to Older Audiences16:08 The Power of Music and Shared Experiences25:47 Exploring Consciousness and Psychedelics27:51 Inspiration from Buckminster Fuller and Hacken Bay32:22 Reflecting on Historic Times33:53 Impact of the Pandemic35:35 Personal and Professional Shifts36:45 Environmental Observations37:23 Cultural and Political Consequences49:46 Creative Processes and Mindfulness54:37 The Role of Environment in CreativityMentions this time:Books"Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth" by Buckminster Fuller - Referenced by Ali Grant"The Incal" by Alejandro Jodorowsky and Moebius - Graphic novel mentioned by John about inducing theta states"Mood Mapping" by Dr. Liz Miller - Book about neuroscience and bipolar disorderCompanies/OrganisationsHalo Sound Systems - Ali Grant's startup for sound cancellation technologyGeezer - John Kemo's startup agency targeting 50+ demographicsTemporary Autonomous Art Exhibitions - Art collective inspired by Hakim Bey's conceptWalker Art Center - Museum that held Buckminster Fuller retrospectiveFilms & Media"Jodorowsky's Dune" - Documentary about the unmade film adaptation

The Firehouse Salon: Exploring Creativity and EnvironmentIn this episode of the Firehouse Salon, hosts James and Ashley delve into the 1960s world of Howard Luck Gossage's and his work environment at his firehouse ad agency. We talked about the impact of physical, interpersonal, and psychological environments on creativity. We explored the balance between freedom and constraint, and how different settings can either nurture or hinder innovative thinking. We discussed the importance of creating spaces that foster collaboration, and the unexpected ways in which creativity can arise from both structured and chaotic environments.01:16 Exploring the Concept of Environment and Creativity01:55 The Physical, Interpersonal, and Psychological Environments02:58 Howard Gossage's Unique Work Environment05:04 Balancing Solitude and Collaboration06:41 The Role of Constraints in Creativity23:04 Corporate Environments and Creative Rebellion30:08 Final Thoughts on Creativity and Environment

In this episode we explored the topic of magic and communication, particularly how persuasion and manipulation shape media and advertising.Our guests:Maz Farrely - Exec Producer of so many shows you've watchedLindsay Campbell-Crafts - Communications ManagerBen Dietz - Chief Strategy Officer, former Partner at Vice Mediahave eclectic experiences in television production, community, creative communications and media. We discussed the transformative power of developing formats, the cultural nuances in global advertising, and how true engagement often stems from authenticity and relatability. We explored the broader implications of communication magic in addressing societal issues like misinformation, stressing the importance of kindness, human connection, and emotional resonance in effective storytelling.00:29 Meet the Guests05:44 The Breakfast Club and Community Building07:11 Cultural Communication in the Middle East11:29 Creating Magic in TV and Marketing24:47 The Role of Failure in Creative Success26:49 Embracing Failure and Creativity27:17 The Magic of Reality TV28:19 Ethics and Manipulation in Reality TV33:05 Cultural Differences in Media38:13 The Power of Iconic Advertising47:00 The Allure of Magic and Deception52:11 The Role of Kindness in Communication54:06 Concluding Thoughts on Human Connection

In this episode, we delve into the theme of magic in human belief, particularly magical thinking and its impact on advertising and communication. The hosts explore Howard Luck Gossage's ideas on how magical thinking has been leveraged in marketing, juxtaposed with real-life examples from their own experiences in storycraft.We discussed the responsibility of using magical thinking ethically, the thin line between persuasion and manipulation, and how authentic storytelling can create powerful, positive changes in society. Our conversation also touched on the nostalgic allure of traditional magic shows and the intrinsic human desire for wonder and optimism. 00:00 Excerpt of Howard's writing - read by Peter Coyote00:43 Welcome to the Firehouse Salon01:08 Exploring Gossage's Magical Thinking02:21 Magic in Advertising05:19 Responsibility and Ethics in Magic10:30 The Power of Authenticity14:20 Persuasion vs. Manipulation22:00 Magic in Storytelling32:49 Gossage's Legacy and Final Thoughts

In this episode of the Firehouse Salon, host Ash, along with our guests:Sophie Whippy - TediophobesJérémie Maret - ArtistShane Elliot - SculptorGuillem Gallego - Chief Marketing Officerdelve into the process of ideation and creativity. The guests, ranging from artists to entrepreneurs, share their unique perspectives on how ideas are born, developed, and brought to fruition. We talked about the intrinsic motivation behind creative work, the role of audience in artistic endeavours, and the balance between inspiration and execution, the triumphs each guest encounters in their creative journeys and themes of trust, and courage.00:31 Introducing the Guests01:35 The Creative Process06:03 From Ideas to Action06:57 Challenges and Growth08:18 Artistic Perspectives28:11 The Role of Trust in Creativity30:49 The Role of Intrinsic Motivation33:37 Courage and Vulnerability in Creativity37:30 Balancing Rapid Pace and Depth in Fashion39:41 Personal Sacrifices for Creative Fulfillment47:02 The Significance of Audience in Creative Work50:42 The Shape of Ideas and Creative ProcessesGuest links:https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillem-gallego-4a67a34b/https://www.linkedin.com/in/j%C3%A9r%C3%A9mie-maret-4958b5108/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-whippy/https://afortunetellerstable.com/https://www.theproposal.art/https://weroar.me/

In this episode, James & Ash explore Howard Luck Gossage's sixth chapter from 'The Book of Gossage,' examining his critique of traditional advertising and his belief in advertising's power to spread meaningful ideas.They discuss creative approaches, the emotional impact of effective advertising, and practical strategies for idea generation. The conversation also covers Gossage's thoughts on problem-solving and the vital connection between creator, audience, and idea.00:00 Welcome to the Firehouse Salon00:31 Exploring the Book of Gossage02:46 Advertising's True Purpose04:17 The Pink Air Campaign06:22 Modern Advertising Trends14:24 Creative Processes and Methodologies21:06 The Role of Emotion in Marketing

In this episode of the Firehouse Salon, host Ash chats to this Eps guests: Jenna, a documentary filmmaker with a background in neuroscience; Ammie, a multidisciplinary artist; Abdallah, a cultural expert from Abu Dhabi working on the Saadiyat Cultural District; and Mick Wilson, tech editor of DJMAG UK Global. In this episode, we dig into how human behavior and cultural influences shape each other, explore why spaces matter so much in art and culture, and question how technology is changing the way we consume culture.We also look at art's role in helping us make sense of society, how our changing environments affect the way we act, and the importance of sharing cultural experiences with others.00:00 Introduction to the Firehouse Salon00:21 Guest Introductions and Their Cultural Interests03:02 Exploring the Intersection of Neuroscience and Culture04:21 The Dance Music Scene and Its Cultural Impact06:42 Developing the Saadiyat Cultural District09:45 The Role of Art in Personal and Public Spaces19:05 The Influence of Digital and Physical Spaces on Art Perception31:31 Technology's Role in Cultural Dissemination35:54 Defining Culture and Its Evolution41:12 Cultural Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

In this episode of the Firehouse Salon, we delve into the complex world of culture with Howard Luck Gossage and his 'firehouse gang'. We discuss how culture is often something to support rather than genuinely enjoy, and explore the insights it provides into our past, present, and future. The conversation covers the impact of Gossage's work in advertising, the role of authenticity in brand content, and the blending of cultural products with marketing. From highbrow references in ad campaigns to the rise of agile companies like A24, the dialogue highlights the evolving standards of communication and the importance of creating valuable, audience-first content. 00:00 Introduction to Culture and Howard Luck Gossage00:33 Defining Culture and Its Impact01:24 Howard Gossage's Influence on Advertising03:54 The Firehouse Salon and Diverse Perspectives06:33 Blurring the Lines Between Ads and Editorials10:58 Modern Marketing and Viral Sensations13:50 Cultural Products and Brand Integration19:58 The Role of AI and Future of Content Creation21:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

Time to have a conversation with the man at that started our journey with the Salon - Howard Luck Gossage.And time for us to reset our approach in our second year. Feel free to take a look at our vision & format for 2025 - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UJg43IlSKAh53WJzLdpWYwASB6OEcL3ZyjN9HE7WsYs/edit?usp=sharing

This time our  highlights one of Gossage's notable campaigns for Blitz Weinhardt Beer during the Oregon centennial, which humorously proposed reforesting Times Square to compensate New Yorkers for the beer's unavailability. The campaign garnered massive attention despite its outlandish nature. Furthermore, Gossage's playful and inclusive copywriting style, often featuring collaborative projects with renowned figures like Stan Freeberg, and his inclination towards creating memorable ads.

In this episode, we delve into the lively discussions from the latest Firehouse Salon Live held in London. Host Ashley Pollak brings together three intriguing guests—Oliver Turnbull, a technology consultant and comedian; Ash Bhardwaj, a journalist and author; and Barnaby Cook, a video production expert. The conversation spans a variety of topics, including the importance of asking questions, the concept of eroticism in travel, the motivations behind why we travel, techniques for making any topic interesting and the role of curiosity in journalism. Join us as we uncover how to engineer peak moments of interestingness in communication.00:00 Introduction to the Firehouse Salon00:37 Meet the Guests01:13 Diving into the Conversation01:45 Oli on Facts and Curiosity05:27 Ash on Travel and Motivation11:00 Barnaby on Journalism and Curiosity19:40 The Creative Science of Interestingness - talk - Ashley Pollak

In this edition of the pod we discuss the influence of Howard Luck Gossage on modern advertising with guest Johan Gustafsson, Partner at the Swedish creative agency Differ. Johan shares insights on Differ's ethos of creating impactful and sustainability-focused campaigns. We explore examples of their work -  'Gotland's Ugliest Lawn' contest, an initiative to conserve water, and 'Sweden's Oldest Spice,' aimed at reducing food waste. Johan emphasises the importance of creativity, simplicity, and being open to unconventional ideas in achieving meaningful change. He also discusses the agency's focus on earned media campaigns, their cautious selection of clients, and the broader impact of their work on sustainability.00:00 Introduction to the Madcap World of Howard Luck Gossage00:55 Introducing Johan and Differ Agency01:52 Johan's Journey with Gossage's Work06:16 The World's Ugliest Lawn Campaign11:03 Other Notable Campaigns by Differ21:07 Balancing Sustainability and Creativity31:12 The Role of Cultural Perceptions in Sustainability33:11 The Human Element in Advertising and AI36:55 Closing Thoughts and Takeaways

Exploring the power of honesty and authenticity in Tech, Business, and Art. Our panel includes Elizabeth - An Olympic athlete with experience combining comedy & tech pitches.Julian - Tech entrepreneur and Immersive StorytellerDee - Talent & HR expert - fromer Amazon/Goldman and now working at UCLAand Ian - story scientist & former Head of Video Strategy at Conde NastKey topics include the impact of honesty on productivity and creativity, corporate culture, and digital representation. We also explore philosophical perspectives on art created by humans versus AI and the authentic human connection. The show looks at the significance of vulnerability in leadership through insights from Amazon's culture and other real-world examples. Furthermore, it touches on the necessity of genuine emotional experiences in content creation, supported by a framework of honesty, magic, and soul. The conversation concludes with an optimistic view on the future, suggesting a harmonious blend of human and artificial intelligence fostering greater authenticity and emotional resonance in various aspects of life.00:00 Welcome to the Firehouse Salon00:50 Introducing Elizabeth and Snark Tank01:54 Meet Ian Edgar: The Story Scientist03:57 The Power of Honesty in Business05:25 Honesty in the Startup World08:25 Corporate Honesty and Authenticity14:13 The Role of Authenticity in the Digital Age17:10 Philosophical Insights on Representation and Reality24:32 Jumping to Venice with D. Clark34:34 The Role of AI in the Workplace35:57 Human Connection in the Age of AI38:11 The Impact of Digital Culture on Youth39:28 The Future of Authenticity and Art42:16 Cultural Nuances in Communication44:39 The Quest for Human Connection54:37 The Importance of Honesty in Business01:03:57 Reflections on Honesty and the Future

Your hosts James King and Ashley Pollak dive into Gossage's legendary work, where he flipped advertising on its head by embracing radical authenticity.Ever heard of an ad that doesn’t even mention the brand? Gossage did just that.Join us as we explore how Gossage’s wild ideas can inspire today’s advertisers to embrace honesty, absurdity, and a touch of chaos. 

This episode features a rich discussion on building and sustaining interconnected, resilient communities transitioning from virtual to in-person interactions. Set in The Firehouse Salon at The Hub co-working space, the dialogue includes insights from Amy (PR consultant), Sam (co-founder of The Hub), and Will (head of production at Pasha). Key topics include the significance of capping memberships to maintain intimacy, balancing scaling with close-knit atmospheres, and the role of vulnerability and open-mindedness in fostering connections. Highlighting lessons from the electronic music scene and iconic venues like Pasha, the conversation underscores the importance of sustainability, feedback, and passion in driving successful communities and marketing strategies. The episode concludes with reflections on iterative improvement, honest customer engagement, and upcoming discussions focused on authenticity in business.00:00 Welcome to the Firehouse Salon00:07 The Importance of In-Person Connections00:29 Exploring Community Dynamics01:04 Introducing the Panelists01:30 Defining Community03:54 Challenges of Scaling Communities10:50 The Role of Events in Building Community16:27 Sustainability and Sobriety in the Music Scene18:17 Carbon Neutral Event Initiatives18:46 Inspiring Communities and Event Brands19:54 Club Culture and Community Vibes21:05 The Role of Founders in Community Building23:24 Authenticity in Marketing and Branding25:06 Challenges and Strategies in Marketing31:52 Feedback and Adaptation in Business35:40 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

In this episode, hosts Ashley Pollak and James King discuss the lost art of letter writing. Turning to their patron saint, Howard Gossage, they explore how his letter writing turned ink into conversation and later collaborations with iconic figures like John Steinbeck and Marshall McLuhan.From putting pen to paper to sending voice notes, Ashley and James share how they have used unconventional forms of communication to open doors and forge new relationships.Whether you're looking for a reason to reach out to someone you admire, or you're wondering what the modern equivalent of a pen pal looks like today, listen on.

This episode features an insightful conversation with Andy Pearson, VP of Creative at Liquid Death. Discover how Liquid Death's unique approach to humour-driven, engaging, and purpose-driven marketing parallels Gossage’s philosophy. Andy shares his journey from ad school to building a radically creative brand, discussing standout campaigns and the strategy behind Liquid Death’s success. This episode underscores the importance of entertainment and genuine engagement in marketing.00:00 Introduction to the Firehouse Salon and Howard Gossage03:15 The Creative Journey of Andy and Liquid Death05:41 Innovative Marketing Strategies and Campaigns08:32 The Philosophy Behind Liquid Death's Marketing11:52 Challenges and Criticisms in the Marketing World15:15 Liquid Death's Unique Approach to Branding23:31 Future Aspirations

Our latest monthly online meetup bringing together diverse minds come together to discuss topics aimed at broadening perspectives.This episode host Ashley Pollak brings together a fantastic group of humans - Motorbike Innovator Hugo Eccles, Comedian Pierre Hollins, Creative Craftsman Jamie Bell and my Tediophobe Sophie Whippy  We delved into the concept of absurdity, particularly how it can be based on either nonsensical or hardworking principles to effectively communicate serious messages.  Explored various examples of successful campaigns utilising absurdity, including famous ads like the Monty Python radio ad and campaigns by brands like Liquid Death and Elvie. We explored the need for authenticity and real observation in absurdity to make a lasting impact, and how brands can leverage absurdity to stand out and resonate more with their audience.

In this episode hosts Ashley Pollak and James King explore the groundbreaking work of advertising legend Howard Gossage, focusing on his use of absurdity and humour. They discuss how Howard challenged industry norms with campaigns like the Qantas Airlines promotion, where he offered a live kangaroo as a prize, and his partnership with comedian Stan Freberg on the Contadina tomato paste ads, which helped the brand rise to the top of its market. The conversation also covers Howard's Pink Air campaign for FINA, where he humorously promoted the fictional "pink air" for tires, creating engagement and community around the brand. Ashley and James explore how the trauma of World War II led to a surge in absurd, anarchic comedy, particularly in Britain with shows like The Goon Show, featuring war veterans like Spike Milligan, Peter Sellers, and Harry Secombe, who used humour to process their experiences. This post-war comedy, born as a reaction to the serious and repressive atmosphere of the time, provided escapism and influenced global humor, paving the way for Monty Python. The hosts discuss how this shift in humor eventually made its way into advertising, with Howard Gossage pioneering the use of wit and absurdity in his campaigns.

We delve into the multifaceted world of attention in today's digital age, traversing the spectrum of focused obsession and casual consumption, unravelling how attention works, its implications for both content creators and consumers.

Join hosts Ashley Polak and James King as they delve into the inventive world of advertising legend Howard Gossage. In this episode, they explore Gossage's unique approach to capturing attention through the ingenious paper airplane competition, created to entice major airlines to advertise in Scientific American. Discover how Gossage's playful and interactive campaign not only met its objectives but also became a cultural phenomenon, drawing entries from around the globe and securing extensive media coverage. Learn about the strategies behind the campaign, the humorous and creative elements involved, and the enduring impact of Gossage's innovative advertising methods. Plus, enjoy special insights from industry experts and a clip from the legendary Peter Coyote. 

Welcome to The Firehouse Salon Live. In this episode Emma Stackhouse, Ashley Pollak, Sam Richardson, Adam Skuse, and Justin Obermann discuss how Gossage’s approach to interactive and participatory advertising is still relevant. The panel explores how modern brands can integrate personalisation and tactile experiences, akin to Gossage's use of coupons, in a digital age. They delve into the impact of social media and platforms like LinkedIn, emphasising the importance of bravery in creative marketing, and the potential for reinstating more human, conversational elements in advertising.  

"This is a story about an ad. It also says a good many implicit things about the ad-reading public...You can take a look at the ad hereThe ad is question sang the praises of a certain make of shirt, and it appeared in the New Yorker. In order to demonstrate the excellence of the shirtmaker's workmanship, a handkerchief-sized piece of shirting mysteriously equipped with buttonhole and pocket was offered free to readers who would write in and say what they thought the thing was for. Suddenly the "Shirtkerchief" was famous and Miss Afflerbach was deluged with mail. At last count, 11,342 people had written in - a record-breaking response in The New Yorker's experience..."Howard Luck Gossage, 1960This podcast episode documents that marvel.

Join us as we recreate the Firehouse Salon that Howard Gossage and his gang ran in the 1960s. This month, we will be discussing a campaign created by Gossage which inspired a fashion revolution, and exploring if that's STILL possible today...

A beer company, classical music radio station and clothes manufacturer walk into a bar... and create a never-seen-before product paving the way for fashion in years to come.You can take a look at the ad that started the story hereBut instead of a bar, imagine an ad agency in the heart of San Francisco.And instead of a bartender fixing the drinks, imagine Howard Gossage (ad-man meets Socrates) fixing all their business problems with one simple ad.

In this live edition of the show join recovering journalist Pia Hinckle, New Yorker journalist Nick Romeo, Radio Producer Jago Lee, Writer James King and your host Ashley Pollak as we explore all things radical, including what it means to 'stir the beehive.' 🐝Hinckle gained his reputation as the radical author and editor of Ramparts Magazine - a spectacular San Francisco muckraker that captured the spirit of the 60s and repeatedly scooped the New York Times, revolutionising American journalism forever.Today, when journalism has largely become an extension of clickbait marketing or the all-too-familiar 'safe zone', it's hard not to question if journalism is hitting the mark. What does it take to create a radical piece of copy? And who is doing it today?

In this episode we "uncover the largely untold story of Ramparts magazine, the spectacular San Francisco muckraker that captured the zeitgeist of the '60s and repeatedly scooped the New York Times, changing American journalism forever"You can see a selection of the amazing covers from the magazine hereWe interview Peter Richardson who has written critically acclaimed books about the Grateful Dead, Ramparts magazine, and Carey McWilliams, the radical author & journalist of The Nation magazine.About the show - We've now got into a rhythm with our format. New episodes will now be released fortnightly usually on a Wednesday. The Firehouse Salon live events take place once a month.Theme music - Translucent Mind by Jamison Dewlen

In this live edition Sherry Horowitz and Neil Davidson join our host Ashley to explore how Marshall McLuhan's predictions have to come to pass in the age of AI, and the role that creative people can play in leveraging the possiblities.About the show - We've now got into a rhythm with our format. New episodes will now be released fortnightly on Wednesdays. The Firehouse Salon live events take place the second Thursday of each month.

In this episode we explore the ideas, observations and 'predictions' of Marshall McLuhan, the Canadian professor who Wired magazine called their patron saint.Our hosts on this episode - Ashley Pollak and James King, discuss the relevance of McLuhan's thinking today, sharing archive clips for context. We also are really grateful to Andrew McLuhan for joining us for an interview. Marshall's grandson runs the McLuhan Institute and helps to make much clearer the key tenets of McLuhan and how we can apply the thinking to be more aware of the effects technology has on us.About the show - We've now got into a rhythm with our format. New episodes will now be released fortnightly on Wednesdays. The Firehouse Salon live events take place the second Thursday of each month.Archive source:This Is Marshall McLuhan - The Medium Is The Massage (1967)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFwVCHkL-JU&t=676sTheme music - Translucent Mind by Jamison Dewlen

Join the Tediophobes and friends as we recreate the Firehouse Salon that Howard Gossage ran with his gang in the 1960s. In this second edition we bring together inspiring speakers to discuss the work of EF Schumacher and debate the idea that growth is an essential part of the global economy. This leads us onto discussion and examples of how thinking small and local can lead to big things.

In this episode we explore the economic concept 'Small is Beautiful' and it's relevance to the Howard Luck Gossage story. Howard always believed in keeping things small. His ad agency for example never grew beyond 12 staff, and his infamous New Yorker ads would run just once. His discovery of an anarchic, philiosopher, economist Leopold Kohr led to his involvement in a revolution in the Carribean. We'll be covering that story about Anguilla in a future episode.In this show we get the chance to hear more from Kohr himself, along with his pupil E FSchumacher. Their thoughts are especially relevant now to the challenges of economic growth, the digital world and Artificial Intelligence.Archive sources:1989 radio interview with Leopold Kohr, interviewed by David Cayleyhttps://www.davidcayley.com/podcasts/2017/11/25/leopold-kohrSmall Is Beautiful: Impressions of Fritz SchumacherDirected by Donald Brittain, Barrie Howells and Douglas Kiefer - 1978 | 30 minNFB.cahttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIlsgMngyhE&t=533sTheme music - Translucent Mind by Jamison Dewlen

Join the Tediophobes and friends as we recreate the Firehouse Salon that Howard Gossage ran with his gang in the 1960s. This time the goal of this workshop is to explore ideas of how to help activists sell the message of how we can Save the World, (small goal for a Thursday afternoon ; >)

In this episode we explore the Grand Canyon campaign - "It was the introduction of direct action and that was the first time it had ever happened. Now every political campaign or every cause, it's all about direct action.  And they did it in this analog time when you had to literally cut it out, put it in an envelope and post it."You can take a look at the ad that the story hereTheme music - Translucent Mind by Jamison Dewlen

In this first episode hosts Sarah Luck Gossage and Ashley Pollak talk about how they both started on the journey to explore the life of Howard Gossage and how that led to the BBC Radio 4 documentary which was first broadcast on the 20th May 2023.Theme music - Translucent Mind by Jamison Dewlen

Welcome to the Firehouse Salon. A show inspired by a man who became known as the Socrates of San Francisco. This series has developed following a radio show for BBC Radio 4, so it seems only fitting to give you a flavour of that radio documentary to get you in the door of our intentions with this podcast. If this catches your imagination make sure to login to BBC Sounds to listen to the whole show - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001m4dk