Theatre Tales of the Techie

In a world obsessed with instant results, this podcast dives into the grit behind greatness. Hosted by Damon “Dag” Atwood, an engineer, designer, and creative who has lived through both the thrill of success and the pain of setbacks, Never Give Up explores the real stories behind innovation, the failures, the late nights, and the sparks of inspiration that refuse to die. This episode unpacks how persistence fuels ideation, design, engineering, and development, from garage inventors to aerospace visionaries. You’ll hear how prototypes fall apart before they fly, how ideas evolve through rejection, and why the phrase “never give up” isn’t cliché, it’s the foundation of progress. If you’ve ever felt like quitting, if you’ve ever wondered why you keep building when no one’s watching, this is for you. Because in the world of creation, endurance isn’t just a trait; it’s the ultimate technology. Rock ON!

In this episode, I delve into some of the most overlooked yet absolutely critical aspects of working in the theatre industry. The Power of Networking – Why knowing people isn’t just about shaking hands, but about building long-term relationships that open doors, solve problems faster, and lead to opportunities you’d never expect. How Reps Work (and What Happens When They’re Replaced) – Sales representatives are the bridge between manufacturers, rental houses, and end users. I’ll break down how reps really function, what makes a great rep so valuable, and what shifts when that person is suddenly replaced. Prepping a Rental the Right Way – In theatre, a rental isn’t just a box of gear—it’s a reputation on wheels. I’ll share why proper preparation is the difference between a flawless show and a career-ending disaster, and give real-world examples of what happens when things are missed. Whether you’re a student, a freelancer, or a seasoned pro, this episode is all about the behind-the-scenes truths that make or break careers in our industry.

In this episode- Cool Brushes Engineered Models Talented People Awards Packaged Hoist 20 years later.

Everything- -Theatre People -Dealers -Big Sales -Management -To be on Top -Interview -Phase Changing -Bob Holland -Ship and get paid

This podcast is about a person who was a coach, mentor, and a great guy, but moreover, a Giant to me.

In this episode, I cover all sorts of things, including being interviewed, Ecceptinal ability, exceptional work ethics, and much more.

Hey folks! Sorry for the delay in getting a new podcast up. In this podcast, I talk about safety, why I like working behind the scenes, and a bit about design.

Karma Working Genius Trust Micromanaging NPD Shop Trade Shows

In this epidoe I share my thoughts on failure and a book called "The Six Types of Working Genius". The Six Types of Working Genius is a cool book with an assessment that tells you if you are in the right job. Loving what you do is paramount to your mental health and success.

A year in review.

Yes! I got a podcast up in less than a week! In this podcast, I share thoughts on all sorts of things. Sparking thought is so important for success.

What is a problem solver? For the most part, theatre tech people are problem solvers. A problem solver is a theatre person who uses their skills and experience to make decisions and resolve problems. Typically, they look at all factors in a situation and make a decision based on what they know will work.

I received a fantastic e-mail from a young man asking four questions!

I recorded this back in August of this year. It covers a conversation I had with a good friend. It was a debate, plain and simple.

In this episode, I share my thoughts on Risk. We should always be aware of risk, but we can't let it control us. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

In this episode, I share my thoughts on why we have success, how important people are, and why you need an edge. This episode was recorded on the morning of Sept. 10 If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

Tonight, we talk about Normal and why you don't want to go near being NORMAL!! I also share my thoughts on Burn OUT! Sorry folks, I said this was recorded August 4th, it was September 4th.

This will be a series of three podcasts. 1. A gift? How I learned to design. 2. What I learned (Projects) 3. Creativity, Imagination, Skills, and Experience equal Success. Why we fail.

This is a fun episode. My week leading up to this podcast was stellar. I then went to help my daughter set up her apartment while starting her senior year in college. We then had an awesome lunch. Our conversation made me remember some things I thought of when I was her age. Like I knew I was on the right path. Then, for some karmic celestial reason, an old pal called me while I had my 2.75-hour drive home from my daughter's college. Buckle up folks, I cover a lot in a short time in this one.

In this episode, I share an excellent conversation I had with a theatre guy named Mark. We discussed sales and design. At this time, I was not able to interview Mark. So I did my best to share what we discussed.

This podcast was recorded early on the morning of August 5th. I keep saying its night time. Sorry, habit. In this episode, I talk about a great conversation I had with a theatre guy named Dillion. We talked about the three dealers I worked for. We also talked about the challenges of working with so many different personalities.

I had a really great time speaking with Brenden Rowan. I asked Brenden these six questions- -What got you into the theatre industry? -What kept you in the theatre industry? -What's the coolest thing you've done in theatre? -What's the worst thing you have done in theatre? -Where do you see yourself in ten years? -Have you considered not working in a theatre, but in the theatre industry? -Dealer -Rep -Manufacturer Brended is a Design and Technology Student at Ball State University. He is working towards his BFA. And special thanks to Miriam Morgan for connecting Brenden and me so I could make this podcast possible.

In this podcast, I discuss how simple is better and more successful. Why complicate things when in most cases, there is a simpler solution that will work? However, it takes experience and skills to see a simpler solution. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

A long time ago, when I was sales manager of a dealer, I would do some very cool rentals. On occasion, I would do corporate rentals. This rental was special. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

I had a few pals tell me my podcasts are a bit too positive, and I need to share what happens when everything goes wrong. In this podcast, I share three stories about where fun goes to die. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

In this exciting episode, I share why working in the tech side of the theatre industry was the most excellent career choice I have ever made. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]

In this exciting episode, I share my thoughts on when you are not selling the number one brand. I also want to share a theory I have on why theatre people make such great salespeople. And then, I share how cool it was to manage reps over an eleven-year span. If you want to contact me, send an e-mail to: [email protected]