The last 24 hours have been difficult processing and mourning the loss of the great John C. Dvorak. I first started listening to John on No Agenda during the first dozen episodes. I’d work very long hours at a tech/marketing startup in the San Francisco financial district and listening to podcasts like No Agenda would immerse me in an insular bubble that helped me get through the day. John’s stories of how businesses operate and the boneheads you’ll meet, gave me a perspective to understand, laugh and get through those long days and nights. Who knew that a podcaster could be my most revered mentor?
Living in the East Bay, I got to experience the same haunts John mentioned during the show, like Berkeley’s Monterey Foods, the Richmond Costco, the pothole-ridden I-80 freeway, as well as numerous restaurants and stores. I enjoyed this aspect of experiencing what was mentioned on the show; in 2010, I started a producer project, No Agenda Entertainment – a blog that featured books, TV shows, movies, and wine tips. I changed the name to No Agenda Fun a few years ago and have since included posting John’s Tip of the Day discoveries.
I was priviledged to meet John at several No Agenda Meetups, the first at a urban winery in San Francisco, then the most memorable time where we all met at the Emeryville Amtrack station and boarded the infamous California Zephyr to Sacramento. There, we visited the Calfornia Train Museum, rode a excursion train then had a delightful lunch where John told many stories. I was looking forward the next Get John Out of the House Oakland in August, but it will be different now. A lot will be different – how to imagine that I listened to John’s voice six hours a week for the last 18 years.
The Dvorak family, Adam and Tina Curry are in my thoughts for their loss. I hope to continue making connections with the No Agenda human resources as Adam says, “The people that you meet are the most interesting, fun, creative, weird and wonderful people you will ever meet!” A real testesment to what John and Adam have created together
Sad Puppies,
Dave from No Agenda Fun.
Santa Cruz, CA
