Kentucky Fried Chicken is the most popular chicken chain of all time, with 25,000 locations in 145 countries. But before the world tasted Colonel Sanders’ secret recipe of 11 different herbs and spices, the Colonel was broke. At 65. Driving around the South pitching his recipe to restaurant owners and weathering over 1000 rejections. Then he got some unbelievable news.
Author Archives: sidney
Rejecting Jonathan Larson (Rent)
When Rent premiered in 1996, it became a runaway smash hit. The venue sold out for months on end. Lines stretched around the block. People pitched tents in order to secure rush tickets. Celebrities were photographed under the marquee. But, what many people didn’t know, was that over the previous 15 years, writer and composer Jonathan Larson faced nothing but rejection.
Rejecting Chrissy Metz
Chrissy Metz is Kate Pearson. No, really. When the script for This Is Us crossed her desk, she couldn’t believe the similarities. Naturally, she was cast and the series became a runaway smash hit – catapulting Metz to stardom and an Emmy nomination. But before landing the role, Metz was an agent in Hollywood watching her clients land part after part while she struggled to make rent.
Rejecting South Park
South Park was named one of Rolling Stone’s greatest TV shows of all time. The animated series earned four Emmys and a cult-following, catapulting its creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone to billionaire status. But rewind 25 years, South Park was rejected.
Rejecting Misty Copeland
Misty Copeland made history as the first Black female principal dancer with the prestigious American Ballet Theatre. But along her incredible journey to the front of the stage, Copeland was told she had the wrong body for ballet. That she was too curvy, too short, too old, that her skin colour ruined the “aesthetic.”
Aradia
This is my interview – well, mostly morning coffee and jam session with the artist known as Aradia.
Tommy Chong & Patrick Lane
In this episode, Steve and Diana go on an EPIC journey with none other than legendary comedian and weed aficionado, Tommy Chong. What do they talk about? WHAT DO THEY NOT TALK ABOUT?! In a beautifully unique twist, Tommy then shines a posthumous light on someone we should all know more about in Canada – poet Patrick Lane.
Rejecting Rocky Bleier, Part 2
In Part Two of Rejecting Rocky Bleier, Bleier visits his old coach at Notre Dame who gives him some upsetting news. The Steelers have a changing of the guard. And the team that drafted Bleier for his heart, gets to see it in action.
Rejecting Hinge
The global online dating market is expected to reach $11B USD by 2028. With websites like Match.com and eHarmony and apps like Tinder and Hinge, today’s singles have the world at their fingertips. But back when Hinge was in its infancy, founder Justin McLeod was rejected by investors. Then users. Then the Apple app store. Then Vanity Fair magazine. Before becoming one of the leading dating apps in North America and the most-mentioned dating app in the New York Times wedding section.
Ron Sexsmith & Lori Cullen
This week, Diana and Steve chat with the songwriter’s songwriter of songwriters. None other than Mr. Ron Sexsmith. Ron then shines the spotlight on his fellow musician, songwriter and friend Lori Cullen.