MEET AUSTIN "HAPPY TO HELP" WEAVER
Our team at Chatterkick is full of very unique personalities. Austin Weaver is no exception. As one of our Ad Strategists, Austin is highly analytical and very creative, and we’re sure you’ll notice that in his well-thought-out, yet comedic responses to our questions. We are super pumped to have Austin in the Chatterfam, and we think you’re gonna love him too!
What would you tell your 5-year-old self?
I would probably start with something like, "Hey! Whoa. This is SO WEIRD," and then something about how I've just probably doomed us to some butterfly effective time paradox. I'd probably follow all of that up with something like, "You've got this, bud." I don't know if I would try and reveal too much because all of the things I've experienced have brought understanding and strength in different ways. I wouldn't want to alter that.
What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
I would DEFINITELY dive more into music production. I've been carrying so many amps and instruments around for the past few years and I hardly ever get them out these days. When it gets to 8 or 9 pm, I just kind of feel like zoning out. COVID hasn't helped with that either, since so many shows have been canceled and venues have been closed. Shows used to be some of the main sources of motivation for writing or learning new material. I have a goal to make this year a year of writing and performing. Thanks, Pfizer!
What did you always want to try and never did?
For a while, I was curious about hot stone massage, but a few years ago, I received a gift certificate for a local masseuse and it was AWESOME! Definitely would recommend it. The stones were smoothed with essential oil and rubbed into my back. Just amazing.
Something else I've been curious to try, but haven't is sensory deprivation. If you've ever seen the Netflix show, Stranger Things, you may be familiar with the concept because it's what one of the main characters, Eleven, used to help her find people in the “upside-down.” The idea is that you fill a small pool or a tank up with enough water to float in, and you fill that water with enough salt that you float on the surface of the water. The water is heated to room temperature, so when you're laying there, you don't really feel anything. Then, you put in some earplugs and turn off the light and just float there for a while, not seeing, not hearing. It has been explained to me as an extreme form of meditation.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
My dad was a graphic designer, so growing up, I had access to Photoshop. When I was in junior high, I started making show posters for bands that were coming through town. I really loved the idea of communicating information through visuals. I also really loved the idea that I could use my own creativity to promote artists I was excited about. I remember seeing one of my posters on the merch table at a show I was promoting and it sort of felt like I was working with my favorite superheroes. I don't know if that makes sense, but it was invigorating. I ended up going to school for visual communication and wound up learning a lot about marketing, specifically the process of sharing messages for different audiences and for different purposes.
What’s the best way to start the day?
I'm still trying to figure this one out. I always start with prayer or meditation, and some scripture. My hope is that those things will help me refocus my sense of humanity and goodwill. Beyond that, as an Ad Strategist, my days start in different ways depending on what I need to accomplish that day, or what goal I have for that day.
- If the goal for the day is to be productive or get ready for a meeting, I get some exercise, a healthy meal and some caffeine to help my brain focus. I find that combination of things gets my OS up and running, ready to process information.
- If the goal is relaxation, I take my time getting up and enjoy a relaxing run. I'll usually have a smoothie or some yogurt to help maintain a sense of relaxation. Is it the lack of chewing that makes those things seem relaxing to me? I don't really know the answer to that, but it's an interesting thought.
What is your life's motto?
I feel like I say this a lot: "Work hard and be kind."
What is your go-to "get pumped" music?
I used to be into a lot of Italo disco, a sort of a sped-up version of Toto's "Africa." I think I tend to get pumped with retro dance music, or anything that has clear roots in older dance stuff. I think the easiest way to answer this question will be to give a few examples of songs that get me pumped. So, song number one is, "Sucker," by Broods. It has a really driving bass line and a sort of brightness to it that seems pretty hopeful. Song number two is, "Without You," by Dillon Francis and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs. Third is a song by Kate Boy called, "Midnight Sun." I don't think I've ever gone through my music to find songs that specifically get me pumped, but after answering this question, I'm noticing that driving synth bass gets me consistently pumped.
What is your favorite karaoke song to perform? (Or sing loudly in your car when you're alone)
I haven't done it, but I think, "Walk Right Back," by the Everly Brothers would be really fun to sing if I could crank up the reverb and slip on some cowboy boots. I feel like karaoke was created with that style of music in mind.
What is your superpower?
ADHD.
Cats or dogs? and Why?
I try to take things on a cat-by-cat, dog-by-dog basis. Not all dogs or cats are the same. I will say that sharp teeth and claws make me uncomfortable. Both animals have both of those things and are pretty much monsters by definition. I'm allergic to them all, but I speak politely to them when I see them.
What makes a burger a Seattle-style burger?
Oh man. I moved to the South just over a year ago and was craving a burger from a place called Dick's Drive-in. It's a Seattle staple. If you're ever up in the area, I'd recommend checking it out. I think a Seattle-style burger has a combination of mustard and relish that adds a little tartness. If you have a Five Guys restaurant nearby, you can order a cheeseburger with lettuce, onion, barbecue sauce, mustard, and relish and have a pretty good idea of what a Seattle-style burger tastes like. Let me know what you think!
