" What?! Is this even a question? Stewart would kill Obama. It'd be embarassing. Canada would love it." You seem quite certain. Isn't Obama considered a superior orator? "Perhaps. But, Obama writes his speeches prior to delivering them. I assume Stewart does the same. But, Stewart interviews people everyday. He's constantly supplying witty, off the cuff, insights and humor. Essentially, he's free-styling every single day."

Upon meeting Chad Nikolz you're practically bowled over by the volume of energy he's capable of pouring into a conversation. It's a little bit unsettling, or inspiring. I suppose it depends upon the conversation.

Today Chad and I are talking about one of his favorite subjects, the Stoodio 32 webzine. As we talk, sweat pools into the armpits of his NikApparel T-shirt, his eyes bulge from behind his Gin Optics sunglasses and he constantly reaches into what seems to be a never-ending box of Chocolate #9 energy gel.

"This agave sweetened goo is truly AMAZING!" He remarks, his lips stained the color of poop. "I put Chocolate #9 on everything! Cheerios, hamburgers, my toothbrush... everything!"

In this particular conversation, Mr. Nickels leaves me less inspired and more unsettled.

The dude is in the circus... he's intense.

Chad Nikolz was born and raised in Seattle, WA. Every job he's ever had, all of his schooling, even every single romantic date has happened in Seattle. In fact, he still lives in the same neighborhood he grew up in.

"If I was a gangsta' rapper, the fact that I'm still in my old 'hood would be pretty cool."

But, since he's just another middle class, white guy, it's only awkward.

When posed with the "What" question, Chad closes his mouth for the first time in our entire conversation. He absentmindedly pokes at the foam in his latte, shaping it into what appears to be a dragon fighting a unicorn. Finally, he responds.

"Wow. I suppose that's THE question, aint it... On an issue by issue basis, I know EXACTLY what we're doing here at Stoodio 32. But, when I look a little bit further down the road, things start entering an X-Factor territory. Meaning, I see this little webzine becoming capable of heading in significant directions... Bringing significant amounts of people together to share significant things. I'm only speaking on behalf of a hunch, mind you. But, I'm like a ninja with my hunches."

Despite Chad claiming otherwise, "THE" question is actually the "Why" question.

Why?

"Wow. You're REALLY good at this interview stuff." Begins Chad, "Well, I suppose I'm a part of Stoodio 32 because I want to be a part of the cultural cycle. Meaning, I want to be both influenced AND influence what's going on in our world. I don't want to just sit on the sidelines and watch. I want to be a game changing player."

But, that's just the tip of it. As Chad catches his breath, he reaches back into his box of Chocolate #9, tears off the tab and squeezes a mouthful of Belgian chocolate flavored goo into is gaping mouth. Infused with energy, he continues,

"It's actually a REALLY special time in our world. Especially in terms of how we communicate and do commerce. It's all changing. The big trees are falling and the sunshine is reaching the little guys. It's been quite awhile since there's been this much room for new ideas and methods... It's like the Wild West out there and Stoodio 32 isn't panning for gold, we're drilling for oil."