LLL089 Flip Florey: Give Yourself that Little Push #podcast #bance @GameKnight

Flip Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Flip Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Recorded in the aftermath of Huzzah! the Historical Wargaming Convention for New England, Flip brings the Bance! We talk about board games, clowning, balloon twisting and how to make the world a better place. Flip dishes that he met his wife Deb while playing Magic The Gathering. We chat about Flip The Table, playing HeartThrob, VHS tape games, and what BANCE really means. We commiserate about getting pulled over in our clown costumes, and reminisce about wearing our costumes in public. Flip talks about working as the Easter Bunny and tells me why he takes funny business seriously. And he answers 10 questions.

Flip Florey

Since his application to Starfleet as the first Jedi/Robot Lion pilot was denied at the age of 12, Flip Florey went on to greater things. Such as balloon twisting, clowning, boardgame evangelist, podcaster and student. Long time friend of the one and only Lanna Lee and fellow enthusiastic cat lover, Flip Florey is one bad bald dude that can’t dance and dreams about hunting down a copy of Vanilla Ice’s Electronic Rap and Rhyme board game one of these days.

The 411: Flip Florey

LLL086 Todd Neufeld: Wherein Todd is a bad influence #podcast

Todd Lounges with LannaLee and gets a couch!

Todd Lounges with LannaLee and gets a couch!

Todd and I sit down to chat after helping build a 5-story balloon sculpture and reminisce of our days twisting together in Boston; back when I was a clown and he was a law student. Todd tells me how we can make the world a better place and he solves my performance anxiety. We are too loud for Suzanne, and won’t let Mike in the room. We talk about “Lawyer school” and how Todd created Manager Sal. Todd dishes about twisting balloons at the White House. And he answers 10 questions.

Todd Neufeld

Todd “Twistin’ Todd” Neufeld is a professional balloon artist in New York City. He has been featured in many TV shows and magazines, at the White House, and most recently, on an episode of Lounging with LannaLee.

The 411: Todd Neufeld

LLL052 Robbie Furman: Balloon Missionary @twisticologist

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Robbie Lounged with LannaLee and got a couch!

Here is the sixth part of a six-part series featuring those special people who make art and entertainment out of folding air into latex balloons. Our conversations centered on making a living doing art, how they started in the biz and their creative processes. Laypeople and twisters alike will enjoy these fantastic conversations.

Robbie tells Lanna about his missionary work, how he loves to help people, and his simple creative process. Robbie and Lanna geek out about balloons, while Robbie explains how he got started twisting. Robbie makes Lanna cry. And he anwers 10 questions.

Robbie Furman

Originally from Parsippany, New Jersey Robbie Furman, CBA has been working with balloons for over 20 years. His original designs and techniques have become the mainstay of many balloon decorators and artists the world over.

As a small boy, Robbie saw his first twisted balloon at a birthday party and told his mother he wanted to make balloons when he grew up. His mother quickly replied…”Yes Dear, I’ll remind you…now go play” Well, his mother forgot to remind him, but years later, while working in a used book store, Robbie found a copy of Balloon Magic, by Marvin Hardy- and as they say, the rest is history.

With this new love and knowledge of balloons, Robbie started volunteering at various non-profit events and, after several years, had a calling to become a full-time volunteer. He dedicated a year and half of his life to missionary work in San Diego and also served in the Domestic Peace Corps. During that time, he used his balloons to put smiles on many peoples’ faces. As a result of these experiences, he had a chance to try new things with his balloons and venture into the Deco-twisting world full-time.

Robbie is currently based in the Northern New Jersey area, where his unique style has allowed him to decorate for thousands of events over the years. His balloons have been seen on ABC’s All My Children, One Life to Live, Live with Regis and Kelly, Ugly Betty and Good Morning America.

Over the past several years, Robbie has been teaching his Deco-Twisting style to thousands of students around the world. Most recently Robbie has traveled to Israel, France, Italy, Colombia, Japan, and England.

Robbie’s passion and desire is to share his balloon knowledge and enthusiasm with those around the world. Recently, Robbie was awarded the Golden Light Award, given in honor of the late Linda Bruce.

The 411: Robbie Furman