Carter Will Explain His Sak Yant

Please excuse me for reminiscing. It’s been almost two years since I returned home from Thailand, and I miss it dearly.

It was July 2017 that I was blessed by a Buddhist monk with the ink on my back. I referred to it in my NPR cover letter and am often asked about it when I take off my shirt. But this is no ordinary tattoo, and I’d like to take this moment to underscore its significance in both Thai culture and my own personal growth

https://expertvagabond.com/sak-yant-tattoo-festival/

For the ultra-inquisitive, check out this article. It details a little bit of history around the tradition.

For me personally, getting a Thai tattoo was a way to take ownership of my body. I wanted some way to display externally how much my time in Southeast Asia had changed me internally.

The process took a total of 3 or 4 hours, several of which were spent talking in broken Thai about my hopes and dreams. In order to provide the best blessing, the monk would need to know my aspirations and how I saw the world. We talked about the meaning of life and how I made decisions. We talked about my shortcomings, my flaws. We talked about what I wanted and what I thought of myself. We talked and talked and talked.

When he was satisfied that he knew how to best bless me for the life-long journey ahead, he took a few moments to sketch out his design and presented it to me with a smile. He was proud of this one.

He used a long metal rod with a bamboo tip and free-handed the whole thing as I clutched a pillow to my chest. When he was done with the excruciating process, he lathered my back in oil and muttered a blessing as he pressed gold leaf onto my skin.

The circle symbolizes the monk that walks before Buddha and represents overcoming adversity.

Each line of Ancient Khmer text contains a different blessing: adventure, wisdom, truth.

Breaking it down a little further, the first line is about living a long full life of fulfillment. The second is about learning a great deal along the way. And the third is actually somewhat of a mis-translation of “theatre.”

I didn’t know how to talk about theatre, so I said something along the lines of how storytelling was my passion, which somehow turned into truth-telling.

And there you have it!

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Carter Will Purchase A Cap And Gown

This blog post is dedicated to all the graduating seniors in the University of North Carolina’s Class of 2019. GO HEELS!

In 2012, Marina Keegan wrote an essay for her school newspaper titled, "The Opposite of Loneliness." It was published the night before her college graduation. And as we barrel faster and faster towards the end of my own college experience, her words resonate: Not because I’m nervous to join the real world, but because of all I’m leaving behind. She writes:

“We don't have a word for the opposite of loneliness, but if we did, I could say that's what I want in life. What I’m grateful and thankful to have found at this university, and what I’m scared of losing when we wake up and leave this place. It's not quite loving, and it's not quite a community; it's just this feeling that there are people, an abundance of people, who are in this together.”

Who are on your team.
When the check is paid, but you stay at the table.
When it's 4:00am, and no one goes to bed.
That night with the guitar.
That night we can't remember.
That time we did,
we went,
we saw,
we felt.

Marina died in a car crash three days later... two days after her college graduation. She was gone before she even had the chance to experience whatever-the-hell comes next.

The opposite of loneliness… Marina put it better than I ever could. It’s something we’re all searching for - and yet, something we find difficult to put into words. It’s not easily described. But it’s something I found at UNC.

A place that makes us feel safe and accepted and part of something… even on those shitty mornings when we stumble out of bed — hungry, tired, barely awake. We’ve surrounded myself with groups that make us feel loved and safe and part of something… even on our loneliest nights when we stumble home to our computers — partner-less, exhausted, awake.

For those of us graduating, we won’t have this next year. We won’t live on the same block as all our friends. We won’t have a million group-texts . And that’s scary. More than finding the right job or city or spouse – I’m scared of losing this web we’re in. This elusive, indefinable, opposite of loneliness. This feeling I feel right now.

On Leaving

As graduation rears its ugly head, those of us in our final year are also becoming acutely aware of all the things we wish we did: our readings, that cute boy across the hall...

But the thing is, nobody did college perfectly. Nobody went to ~every~ party. Nobody did all of the readings (except maybe your b-school friend who's working for Goldman Sachs). We set our standards impossibly high and will probably never live up to the fantasy of our perfect future-self. I slept in too late. Procrastinated. Let myself down. More than once I’ve looked back on my High School self and thought: How did I do that? How did I work so hard? Our insecurities follow us and will always follow us.

But over the course of the last four years, UNC taught me how to celebrate that. By celebrating our faults, our failures, our darkest days and happiest hours, our glorious triumphs and hilarious defeats, we share with one another what it means to be a human being. And the more we grew together, the more I realized that we could do anything. And we can still do anything, for the rest of our lives we can do ANYTHING. We can change our minds. We can start over. The notion that it’s too late to do anything is comical. It’s hilarious. We’re so young. We can’t MUST not lose this sense of possibility... because in the end, it’s all we have. And as long as we trust in each other, everything is going to work out wonderfully.

So as I venture off into the real world, there are a few things to keep in mind…

  1. Anything is possible when you trust in yourself and those around you.

  2. Surround yourself with love.

  3. Keep playing.

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Carter Will Reminisce About His Time In The Wilderness

For this blog post, check out the portfolio page I made about my time in the Yukon!

BONUS: Here’s the description our instructors wrote at the end of the course:

This 30-day wilderness backpacking expedition explored the rugged Coast Range Mountains of Canada’s remote Yukon Territory. Our team of 16 students and 3 instructors walked 140 kilometers. Our journey began along a bushy river valley then climbed the steep slopes of bush and rock to the open, rolling tundra. We camped by alpine lakes and bubbling creeks. As a team, we summited two breathtaking mountains - the first under the watchful eye of wild sheep, the second, bigger climb took us to 6800’ where we enjoyed a juicy watermelon. During these early days we learned to camp well, bake pizza, and take care of ourselves in all weather conditions. After 8 days in the wilderness, we arrived at the turquoise shores of Primrose Lake, overjoyed, where many ran into the chilly waters for a swim. Our second ration arrived by floatplane to this site with food for another 9 days. During this time, we challenged our skills, navigating through steep terrain, endless talus and scree, snow, brush, and tundra. The instructors began to step back as the students took over more leadership. Students learned first aid and began hiking independently during these days. The Yukon continued to delight with sightings of swimming moose, curious caribou, and the elusive porcu-bear! After a tough final push through some very dense forest, we reached the expansive Bennett Lake and the site of our second re-ration. The students easily ran the show and when the floatplane took off, we had secured another 11 days of food. Our final section was busy with some of our biggest hiking days, including one epic 3300 foot climb to “cloud camp,” more first aid practice, and preparations for independent group expeditions (ISGE). The Yukon tested us with a big lightning and hail storm, wind, and some of the coldest wet weather of the trip.All pulled together and carried on with smiles and good style. Students began their 5-night ISGE undeterred by wind and rain. When the group reunited, stories of success, wildlife sightings (herds of caribou, giant moose, an a wolf!), and solid teamwork were shared around a glowing campfire. This month we worked hard, we pushed ourselves, we laughed whole-heartedly, we built community, and we took care of each other - all in great style!

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Carter Will Get In Trouble With The Law

So this happened…

Oh frick.

And we wait…

Well, good. Great. Perfect. Let’s get to work.

Hopefully, by the time you’re reading this, I’ll have rolled out the new logo. Either that, or I’m in prison.

Pour one out for all the homies that have had their hopes and dreams blow up in their face!

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Carter Will Break Into An Abandoned Airfield ... Again !

THIS BLOG POST IS DEDICATED TO THE STUDENT PILOTS WHO USED TO FLY AT THE OLD CHAPEL HILL AIRPORT (UNTIL THE UNIVERSITY STRANGLED THEIR FUNDING AND SHUT IT DOWN).

My housemate, Thomas, is a recurring joke on the podcast. He likes to go to bed early, and we kept him awake for hours that first night of recording. What our readers might NOT know, however, is that Thomas is also a brilliant entrepreneur. He’s always full of good ideas and quick to take action. The most recent of his wild plans:

“Carter, how do you feel about barbed wire?”

Now, to be perfectly honest, I had never hopped a fence before… BUT I’VE SEEN MOVIES.

In Fight Club - with Edward Norton and Brad Pitt - they throw a rug over the barbed wire and scramble over the top without a scratch, so OBVIOUSLY, we followed suit.

I wouldn’t ordinarily recommend trying to replicate the stunts you see in films. That’s why they flash the big “DON’T TRY THIS AT HOME” warnings on Youtube videos. But in this particular instance, it worked like a charm. In no time, we were out on the tarmac, racing down almost a mile of open road.

Our joyous wops filled the air, our wheels grinding the pavement beneath our feet. And when we sat down to appreciate our surroundings and re-hydrate, two things immediately stood out: the deafening silence and the vast swath of blue sky above our heads. Nowhere else in Chapel Hill can you experience such stillness or take in such an open expanse. It felt as if we had been transported to Arizona or New Mexico.

The air was hot, but every breath felt deep and full. We were completely alone, and yet rarely have I ever felt such camaraderie. Everything was exactly as it should be.

Look, who cares if you fail? Stop feeling inadequate, go out into the world, and make memories! Have yourself a life worth living!! At the end of the day, tiny moments with the people who love you can be just as much impact as that incredible internship. A deep conversation at 2:00am can alter the course of your life in a way that even four years of college education may not be able to. It’s that day in the sun, that night with a friend, that single moment of pure bliss that provides us with fulfillment. So by all means, chase your dreams, and never stop chasing them… But don’t forget to enjoy yourself along the way. Relish the journey, and delight in the small things.

As always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Carter Will NOT Be An NPR Intern ! (Part 1)

Podcaster Carter Guensler made it his mission to land an internship at NPR. Now that we know his dream will not be realized this summer, Carter shares what he learned throughout the process and sets his sights on the future!! This is: Carter Will NOT Be An NPR Intern… yet!

UGH. Failure.

No, wait… That’s not quite the attitude we’re going for here.

HUZZAH! YES, FAILURE!!!

Ah, much better.

Surprise surprise… Carter didn’t get the internship this summer.

I know, I know! You can vent your frustration in the comments section below. Life is so completely bogus and totally unfair.

But take heart! Just creating the podcast provided quite an adventure, and despite its ultimate failure to achieve the intended end goal (Carter becoming an NPR intern), the making of Carter Will Be An NPR Intern was both extremely valuable and rewarding. Besides, this is only Chapter One! The saga is really just beginning.

First and foremost, thank you for following the story of podcaster Carter Guensler and his quest to make his lifelong dream—employment by National Public Radio—a reality. It was an adventure that taught him a great deal, kept his housemate from getting adequate sleep, and branded him as “that kid who’s tryina be an NPR intern” on and around campus.

Let us fill you in on some things you might have missed over the past few months:

Carter Was Blocked On LinkedIn By The Current NPR Interns

Yikes. We’d provide you a link to their profiles, but uh - yeah. They look like this:

One can only assume they took action in tandem.

Now, we know what you might be thinking:

“Good god, Carter! What did you say to these interns that made them block you on this well-respected business social media platform??”

Well reader, we have an answer for you:

Literally nothing. Not a word.

So how did they come to the decision to block our podcasting protagonist, let alone even know he exists?? These interns are shining, golden examples of broadcast journalism success. They are gods among men, and Carter is but a mere mortal maggot by comparison - unworthy of their attention.

Granted, Carter did spend a significant amount of time reading (and then rereading) their profiles in an attempt to glean information that might be of some use in his own pursuit of an internship. What made them such incredible applicants? Why were they chosen? What must he do to follow their example. How could he fill their shoes and live up to their impressive legacy?? Carter poured over their experiences tab, clicked through their accomplishments, and eyed their interests. Surely, answers would lie somewhere within these web pages!

Actually, come to think of it… Y’know, that might be what tipped them off. LinkedIn allows users to see who’s visited their profile, and we’re almost certain Carter’s face popped up in their notifications because one or both of them looked at Carter’s profile as well.

Maybe they thought the podcast title was too ~ presumptuous ~ or aggressive. Maybe they didn’t like my face! Interaction between current interns and potential applicants is discouraged, but blocking Carter entirely seems a little extreme, don’t you think?? The point is: Carter was now lost, adrift in a sea of unease. More questions swirled around in his head: Did they even listen to Episode One? Did they not like it? Good grief. Did they talk to Peter Sagal about it? Does this mean Carter has been blacklisted?!? Should he just give up?????

It was at this moment that Carter started to regret everything.

Maybe he should have thought of a better name for the podcast. Maybe he shouldn’t have done the blog at all. Maybe he should have listened to his grandfather and learned how to golf when he was younger.

Ah, woof. There it was. The rejection email.

But Carter’s faith was unwavering!! He applied to two jobs with Wait, Wait! Perhaps they would only be considering him for one of…

Nope. There was the second. Good. Cool. That’s fine. We held out hope for a full day.

Actually… You know what?

If you strike me down, I shall become more powerful than you can possibly imagine!!

Er, wait. That was Obi-Wan Kenobi. This is Carter Guensler. What we mean to say is:

Your rejection emails will only make my future cover letter more entertaining than you can possibly imagine!

Make no mistake. This isn’t over. Not by a long shot. The dream is still very much alive.

Look. The point we’re trying to make is that Carter may not be an NPR intern, but you can rest assured that he’ll be back.

This is not a tale of woe, but an exposition. Every hero must overcome adversity to achieve greatness!

This is the journey of an underdog from crushing rejection to public radio fame and glory. Everybody loves an underdog.

This is still elaborate ploy to impress Peter Sagal and Miles Doornbos.

This is Carter Guensler, signing off. For now.

This … is NPR.

Listen on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving catalog of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

An About The Blog Post

People don’t seem to actually read the about me section, so I’m making it a blog post as well. Enjoy!

This blog/podcast is the chronicle of a journey from humble beginnings to public radio fame and glory.

“My name is Carter Guensler, and I’m going to be an NPR intern.” —Carter Guensler (me)

This is a very serious, strictly-professional endeavor. I am a very serious, no-nonsense professional. Look at my picture to the left. I’m wearing a suit. I look professional. I have a serious, professional LinkedIn. It’s very serious and very professional. Seriously.

This is NOT a joke. I WILL be an NPR intern.

This is earnest. This is humorless.

This … is NPR.

~ continue scrolling for more ~

Insatiably curious, I seek out adventure wherever possible. I’m always on the hunt for opportunities to experience new and unfamiliar things. Most recently, that need to explore took me on a year-long expedition around the globe: milking cows in Switzerland, publishing research in Bangkok, performing onstage in London, buying and repairing a motorbike to ride the length of Vietnam… you get the idea.

Now, I’m finishing up my final semester at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, where I study environmental science, dramatic arts, and mathematics. I believe in a healthy, sustainable planet and the fight against climate change. I believe in the power of story-telling and vulnerability. I enjoy creative problem solving and thrive when challenged.

In 2015, I was designated Georgia's STAR Student by the PAGE foundation, which honors the highest achieving student in the state. Four years ago, I did pretty okay on the SAT. I once won an argument with my younger sister. I have worked, studied, and traveled in more than 20 countries.

Carter Will Get Business Cards !

Today’s the day!

I’ve ordered business cards for my podcast, and let me tell you - they look FRESH.

I doubt my grandparents will know how to use the QR code, but all the millenials out there will surely appreciate it.

They should be arriving soon. Be on the lookout for me around campus if you want one!

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Carter Will Share His NPR Cover Letter

This blog post is dedicated to my mom. Thanks for editing my cover letter! Yes, I’m almost 22-years-old and still send the most important applications to my mother. Shout out to moms everywhere for reminding us that wordy clichés do not belong in serious, no-nonsense endeavors.

11 February 2019

 

Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Production Intern - Summer 2019

Requisition Number: WAITW01854

To Whom It May Concern:

I have been an avid NPR listener for as long as I can remember, and becoming an intern at NPR would be a life-long dream realized. I grew up listening to Wait Wait every weekend on the way to soccer games and Car Talk on the way back. I get my news from Morning Edition, and I’ve re-listened to every single episode of Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me dating back to 2009. That’s a full decade of Wait Waiting!

Insatiably curious, I seek out adventure wherever possible. I’m always on the hunt for opportunities to experience new and unfamiliar things. That need to explore took me on a year-long expedition around the globe: milking cows in Switzerland, publishing research in Bangkok, performing onstage in London, buying and repairing a motorbike to ride the length of Vietnam... you get the idea. I have now worked, studied, and traveled in more than 20 countries, and I returned home with a tattoo written in Ancient Khmer, inked on my back by a Buddhist monk following a three-hour conversation in broken Thai. His blessing, loosely translated, identifies me as an adventurer, truth-seeker, and good storyteller. I didn’t tell my mom about it for a while.

More recently, that need to explore has brought me to you! I’ve started a blog entirely dedicated to becoming an NPR intern, and on it, I’ll be regularly writing posts that chronicle my journey to public radio fame and glory! Sneak Peek: My next post will be about the organizational skills I’ve developed through bullet journaling (and other relevant traits that qualify me for the job). Visit carterguensler.com for my blog and portfolio!

If you visit my site, you’ll also find the first episode of my podcast, Carter Will Be An NPR Intern. Now also available on Spotify! I’d highly recommend you give it a listen if you haven’t already. Think of it as a very serious, very professional, no-nonsense supplement to my formal application.

I would love to share more via interview. Until then, I’ll be finishing up my final semester at UNC, where I study environmental science, dramatic arts, and mathematics. I believe in a healthy, sustainable planet and the fight against climate change. I believe in the power of story-telling and vulnerability. I enjoy creative problem solving and thrive when challenged.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

 

Carter Lewis Guensler

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Class of 2019

Environmental Science B.S. | Mathematics Minor

Hopefully, this does the trick!

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

How I Utilized the Bullet Journal Method to Score an Internship at NPR (Part 1)

This two-part blog post series is dedicated to Miles Doornbos, the man responsible for the internship program at Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me in Chicago, Illinois. Visit my About Page for the What’s-What.

When it comes to landing a job as a summer intern at NPR, organization is everything.

From day one, interns at NPR are given real-world, hands-on responsibilities. Working alongside top professionals in the field, interns do meaningful work across a variety of departments at NPR. - Want To Be An NPR Intern? Website

Great responsibility necessitates a strong work-ethic, time-management know-how, and organizational dexterity. Don’t be mistaken, to become an NPR intern, one must possess superior organizational prowess.

Take, for example, the qualifications for the Wait Wait...Don’t Tell Me Operations Intern:

  • Strong organizational skills

  • Attention to detail

  • Computer literacy (Mac preferred)

  • Sense of humor *

*It should also be noted that one of the responsibilities listed for the Wait, Wait Production Intern is “Gather tape as needed.” I’d like to point out that I excel at gathering tape. Sign me up for the next Tape-Gathering Olympics because I’m a Pro.

You read that right: “strong organizational skills.”

Naturally, I typed “Organizational Skills” in my Google™ search bar, and one of the first links that came up was an article from Monster Worldwide Inc. (the company name leaving little doubt that this was a highly credible, scholarly source). The article outlined ideal buzzwords to showcase in one’s résumé. I was onto something.

“From working in the kitchen at your local fast food franchise to managing a doctor's office [to becoming an NPR intern], your sense of organization shows that you have the focus, clarity, and strategic ability to fulfill a variety of tasks successfully.” - Monster Worldwide Inc.

Focus. Clarity. Strategic ability. I liked where this was going. It was time to see if I, too, possessed any of these highly-employable traits:

Creating and Keeping Deadlines
Project Management
Making schedules
Coordinating Events
Productivity
Filing
Keeping Records
Taking Notes
Documentation

A solid list. Becoming an NPR intern would definitely require advanced proficiency in these skills and others… but I was decidedly mediocre at all of them.

Enter: The Bullet Journal.

Considered by many to be the holy grail of organizational proficiency, successfully-maintaining a bullet journal has provided me the organizational expertise necessary to secure a gig at a syndicate with all the poise and prestige of National Public Radio.

The Bullet Journal is a powerful tool that allows me to organize all my thoughts, notes, plans, and ideas into a central location.

I used to attach sticky-notes to every surface in the house. I had 619 separate notepads in my iPhone. I wrote expo marker messages to myself in ALL CAPS on the bathroom mirror (full disclosure: I still do this … and then transfer them to my “Shower Thoughts” list on pages 72 - 73 of my bullet journal). Every morning was like the plot of the 2000 crime drama, Memento, a scavenger hunt of conspicuously placed reminders that I desperately needed to remember.

Wasn’t there something I didn’t want to forget last night? Sh*t.

Before the bullet journal, I found myself rummaging through my backpack for notes scribbled on napkins in ballpoint pen. Post-bullet journal, I established a routine system: Where did I write down that idea for a dope, soon-to-be-famous podcast about becoming an NPR intern? Let’s check the index! Ah, pages 42-46! Done. Easy.

Don’t scoff, fellow Millennials. I’m well-aware that it’s 2019. Ordinary pen and paper may seem boorish and lackluster to the unenlightened, but I assure you, there is SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE to back me up. Neuroscience Explains Why You Need To Write Down Your Goals If You Actually Want To Achieve Them. This thing WORKS!

In the digital age, we constantly crave our electronic devices. We feel physically uncomfortable when our precious iPhone is held by anyone but ourselves. Our electronics rule our lives, and there are myriad organizational apps you can download to further digitize your existence. Every computerized calendar and integrated note-taking platform claims to increase your productivity, but in actuality, they’re probably slowing you down. They might, in fact, be preventing you from securing that internship position with National Public Radio.

Here’s the thing: you’re more than welcome to follow Alice down the rabbit hole of programmed “productivity,” or you can get serious about managing your time effectively. Ditch the digital tools that only claim to help you get somewhere and start actively achieving your goals instead. The modern-day success story is analog.

Huge shout-out to Ryder Carroll, the man who saved my schedule… and inadvertently helped me get an Internship at National Public Radio.

Continue Reading…

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

How I Utilized the Bullet Journal Method to Score an Internship at NPR (Part 2)

THIS TWO-PART BLOG POST SERIES IS DEDICATED TO MILES DOORNBOS, THE MAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM AT WAIT WAIT...DON’T TELL ME IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

I had always wanted to keep a log of my everyday happenings. Frustrated by how easy it is to forget, I would start journaling but fall behind when things got busy. I simply didn’t have the hour needed each day to craft an entry that adequately chronicled my experiences. I could barely keep up with the day-to-day happenings of my life in the first place, much less find time write about them.

I spent my first three years of college in a state of constant panic. Frazzled, on-edge, and always on-the-go, I was late more often than I’d care to admit. I never had quite enough time to do anything fully. I was a textbook tidsoptimist.

| tids•op•ti•mist, n. 1. someone who is optimistic about how much time they have, who is therefore often late or just in time 2. time optimist

Let me be clear: I am no slacker. A tidsoptimist is usually characterized by their unparalleled zest for life and drive to achieve. The tidsoptimist is so passionate that they’ll never say ‘no.’ The tidsoptimist wants to do everything, climb every mountain, take on every challenge, be everyone’s best friend, help all those in need, and scout everywhere yet unexplored. Fueled by rainbows of sheer joy and optimism, the bright and bubbly tidsoptimist is an effervescent, spontaneous motivator… until they crash and burn in a gruesome tire fire of late arrivals, missed deadlines, and unrealized personal expectations. This is the price you pay for unbridled, unregulated enthusiasm. This is why the tidsoptimist must carefully strategize and be intentional about how they schedule their time.

Again... Enter: The Bullet Journal, the do-it-all organizational method that set me straight (and landed me a job as an NPR intern).

It’s important to remember that Bullet Journaling isn’t so much about doing more as it is about being intentional. As Jennifer Chan writes in her article on Medium. “The point isn’t to be an Energizer Bunny. It’s to know, on a fundamental level, how you’re spending your time.”

I used to struggle with a response when my parents asked what I had been up to… not for lack of content, but because I was still reeling from fully-packed days of TOO MUCH. Now, I keep everything meticulously and ~efficiently~ journaled in bullet form, which has allowed me to stop over-committing. Plus, I have an easy-access log of what the hell I’ve been doing all day. Go ahead, ask me how my week was. I dare you.

And the best part? My bullet journaling only gets better. The more I use it, the more efficient I become. I no longer have to scour cluttered, unorganized pages for something resembling useful information. By streamlining everything, time spent being productive has become easier and more rewarding. Journaling went from a time-suck to a time-saver.

Perhaps most importantly, bullet journaling allows me to de-stress. By actively engaging when I write something down, I’m able to stop that worry from swirling around in my head. Bullet journaling removes distractions by freeing up the precious mental resources I would have spent holding onto that slippery thought, allowing me to focus on more important tasks—like becoming an NPR Intern.

You can do it, too! It’s as easy as putting pen to paper. Just place that reminder in your bullet journal and relax. It will be waiting for you there when you come back.

Huge shout-out to Ryder Carroll, the man that saved my schedule… and inadvertently helped me get an Internship at National Public Radio.

Read Part One Here.

And as always, listen to Carter Will Be An NPR Intern on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.

Episode 1

Carter and his friend, Tenley, decide that Carter will be an NPR intern.

Carter Guensler will be an intern at NPR this summer, even if that information is not yet possessed by National Public Radio. This is the story of how it happened.

Introducing: Carter Will Be An NPR Intern !

Podcaster Carter Guensler has made it his mission to land an internship at NPR. Now, after creating a website and recording some audio for his ridiculous podcast, he’s feeling optimistic about his chances — “as long as I don’t f--k it up.”

This is the story of podcaster Carter Guensler and his quest to make a simple, yet seemingly impossible dream—being employed by his favorite radio station—come true. It’s a story about how he will use a podcast to make it happen. But above all, this is a story about trolls.

Yes: As Laura Bradley writes in her Vanity Fair piece, The Unbelievable True Story of How Three Podcasters Trolled Their Way into Trolls 2, the McElroy brothers finally did it! They successfully leveraged their absurd podcast to scheme speaking characters in a full-length DreamWorks film!

“After a year of toiling away behind their microphones, the McElroy brothers landed roles in the upcoming 2020 epic, Trolls World Tour—the sequel to 2016’s Trolls, which starred Justin Timberlake and Anna Kendrick.”

It occurred to Carter, an avid listener of the troll-themed podcast: If the McElroy Brother’s could do it… Why not him?

“In fairness, the McElroys are not exactly no-names,” Bradley writes. “They’re prolific, wildly popular podcasters who frequently tour with My Brother, My Brother and Me—an advice show in which the brothers field both personal questions from viewers and queries culled from Yahoo! Answers. The show has become notable for the McElroys’ wild, comic tangents and wealth of inside jokes.”

Oh.

It would seem the McElroy brothers had a bit of a head start in that sense… but Carter would not be deterred! He is a nobody, yes. His podcast hasn’t accumulated the extensive fan base of MBMBaM (nor even posted an episode yet), true. He doesn’t really have anything comparable to the small media empire of the McElroy Brothers, fine… but he DOES have a computer and a dream. Squarespace will serve as his canvas, and his upcoming podcast, Carter Will Be An NPR Intern, will be his live-recorded application.

Stay tuned as Carter makes his aspirations a reality.

This is a journey from humble beginnings to public radio fame and glory.

This is an elaborate ploy to impress Peter Sagal and Miles Doornbos.

This is a story about trolls.

This … is NPR.

Listen on Spotify at: spoti.fi/2N5Cu2L

For a what’s-what about the podcast, visit my about page.

For an evolving page of photos/experiences, visit my portfolio.