Rich Conversations: 030. Jason Knoespel
Jason Knoespel discusses his experience in Chicago during the Coronavirus pandemic. He shares his personal reflections on Rich’s questions about life.
How are you doing during the coronavirus situation?
All things considered, I can’t complain too much. I’m in a better position than most. Compared to what a lot of other people about there are going through, that might not have a home to quarantine in, I’m fortunate. I’ve been moving throughout this time, so I’ve been outside more than most people, but I’m self-isolating now. Considering this is probably the biggest event of our generation and we’re being asked to sit on our couch and isolate, I’m doing good.
How do you normally spend your time in Chicago?
I’m someone who prefers to work in the office. I’m on the bus heading downtown every morning. I enjoy that part of my routine and read along the way. Being in the office and seeing people on a daily basis and meeting with people in person is what I like. I had been training for a marathon leading up to March, but that’s kind of gone away.
What’s your daily routine like social distancing?
It’s been a pretty consistent loop of shower, walk to my desk to start working, finishing up there, and then getting on the 22 bus up Clark and casually moving things in each night. That was the cycle for a good 14-20 days.
What’s something new you’re doing or feeling that surprised you?
This is kind of a cop out, but I wash my hands all the time now. They’re very dry. If I’m being honest, I feel less bad about doing nothing. There used to be an underlying guilt of doing nothing – like I was wasting my time. Now we’re being told do nothing.
What music have you been listening to since social distancing?
I’ve turned on Kendrick. I’ve gone to my staples and listen to their discography. Kanye’s trilogy – his first three albums. Yeezus seems to be fitting for the moment. I’ve been primarily listening to podcasts or Howard Stern. Maybe subconsciously I’m been drawn to the music I know I’ll appreciate. There’s a comfort level.
What are you most excited to experience again in the city?
That’s easy. Being on the beach and on the lakefront. The neighborhood I moved to is closer to Wrigley and while I don’t like walking around Cubs fans, I’m hoping for that nostalgia. I kind of miss that.
What’s one restaurant you’d love to just go visit and eat at right now?
I mean any rooftop bar in the city is what I’ve been craving the last week or two. Pequod’s is definitely more of a winter experience. Crisp is a good example of how overcrowded that place is. That’s like true communal dining. It’s the complete opposite of what we’re supposed to be doing right now.
Describe the best day of your life.
I would say April 20, 2012. It was the first Demon-THON. It was kind of a whirlwind. It’s a 24-hour dance marathon where students fundraise $250 to stand for that entire time. All the money and proceeds went to Lurie Children’s Hospital. For me, being a part of the group that put it on, it was closer to 30 hours. There were a lot of expectations that we put on ourselves. No one knew how much money we raised leading up the last hour of the event and then to find out we surpassed $100,000, which broke the record for a first time event. To see that all culminate together. That was a memorable 24 hours.
What’s your favorite travel experience?
Going to southeast Asia was really cool. The unique part of this was how different it feels to be in Chicago than in Vietnam. We also went to Hong Kong and Thailand. The people were so kind and cheerful. Hanoi was the most memorable. The humidity too. You can tell you’re not too far from the jungle. Phuket was my favorite, personally. Being on the beach and wave jumping in the ocean.
What’s the most memorable scent in your life? Sound?
Probably in Hanoi. The street food, humidity, exhaust of the motorbikes altogether. I smelled it for the next month on the clothes I brought.
The sounds of baseball growing up. The hitting of the ball, music during warming up. I think partly because the game does move kind of slow, you’re able to be more mindful. It’s nostalgic.
What’s the most influential book you ever read? Film or TV show watched?
How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia is a really good novel. It’s a really well-written story. It’s my favorite piece of non-fiction from the last few years. Principles by Ray Dalio. Just the constant self-reflection through life. The most influential on my trajectory would be Moneyball. Basically using data and statistics instead of the traditional scouting in finding ways to win. At the time I wanted to be a general manager of a baseball team. Looking at the connected dots, I’m in healthcare analytics now. You can draw it back to this book I read in 7th grade of how you can use data to make decisions.
I don’t watch a lot of movies. I’m more of a television person. I watched the last season of the West Wing, which was airing at the time. It was during the 2004 presidential election. I went back and watched the series from the beginning. It’s been influential in what my interests are now and what I follow.
What’s something about you that few people know or understand?
People I interact with on a weekly basis know this but it’s not something I advertise a lot. I watch or listen to every show of Howard Stern. There’s a level of self-awareness that you don’t find a lot of places.
What’s been a difficult time in your life and how did you overcome it?
Probably when I found out I had Melanoma just over five years ago. I was lucky enough where I was able to get removed and didn’t have to do chemo or anything like that. I actually found out on my birthday. It was eye-opening and forces you to reflect on what you’ve been doing and what you would like to spend your time doing when you’re physically limited. That’s when I started getting into running.
After this pandemic situation passes, what’s a positive result that you imagine could emerge?
I have a macro and a micro answer. Macro: I hope it forces governments and institutions to take serious the threats that a pandemic presets to humanity. I hope it spurs more global collaboration, especially among countries whose values might not be aligned normally. Investment into necessary resources and equipment to fight a pandemic. Infrastructure for dealing with these down the road. Micro: I hope it forces people to not take for granted just the ability to walk outside and enjoy the simple things in life. It’d be nice to come out of this, as a human race, a little bit more mindful of the things we take for granted.