Editor's note: In keeping with our theme of social media this year, we asked each of "the 20" to submit personally curated photographs and answer questions that offer a sneak peek into their private, as well as professional, life. We also had them choose a location for their lead photo shoot that ties into who they are.
DAN JACOBS
Humanaut executive producer/commercial and music video director; AdAge top 10 agency in the country (2019); "Nice Talk Show" co-host
Age: 37
* Facebook or Instagram?
Instagram.
* What would your personal hashtag be?
#nicetalk
* Most-used emoji?
Fencing emoji. I don't know what it means but it feels applicable in every situation.
* What would you list as your top 3 likes? And, dislikes?
Likes: Nice talking, Little River Canyon, my wife's laugh. Dislikes: People fingering their belly buttons, apathy, focusing too much on the handshake that I completely forget the person's name I'm meeting.
* How old were you when you got your first cellphone?
I was 16, but called it a car phone and it stayed in the glove compartment.
* Piece of tech you couldn't live without (or wouldn't want to)?
I keep trying to live without it, but my phone is pretty versatile. I've got such a terrible sense of direction, and GPS has been a real life-changer.
* Social media - love it or hate it?
Love would be a strong word, but that's OK. Strong words are fun, and social media can be fun. It can also be devastating. Another strong word.
* What was your last post (about)?
It was a short video with a friend talking nice to each other.
* What do you consider your biggest accomplishment?
Watching my son being born. My wife (obviously) did everything, so it was really her accomplishment, but I've always been prone to fainting whenever pregnancy was mentioned, and so didn't think I'd be able to stay on my feet on the big day. I went to a hypnotist, meditated daily, and really worked on being present. I was able to be there to cheer my wife on and see my son through the whole experience. It was beautiful. Unfortunately, I didn't prepare at all for my second child, and passed out almost immediately. I got cocky, I guess.
* What is the biggest challenge or hardship you have overcome?
I would hope someone writing my life story would lie and say something to the effect of "Dan walked the same in the rain as he did in the sun." The end. IT WAS ME, THE DAN JACOBS STORY, A NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLER, NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE (full title). I've always found it's better to not let the truth get in the way of a good story.
But, parenthood. And I haven't overcome it. Yet.
* What kind of influencer would you be?
I would create something silly, funny and kind. Nice talk.
* Any goals for this year?
Being more present in my day-to-day.
* What's one thing you would change about Chattanooga and why?
More love for our public schools. A quality free education is an important step in addressing inequality in our city, and I'd love to see more community buy-in for our public education system.
* Why did you choose this location for your shoot?
I spend a lot of time in the Humanaut studio, directing commercials as well as experimenting with personal passion projects like the "Nice Talk Show," a daily video meditation on Instagram/TikTok/YouTube. When I'm in the studio I feel a great sense of peace with myself and how I fit into my surroundings.
* Tell me about one of your favorite memories.
My first Mardi Gras in 2008. I had a revelation watching the city shut down to celebrate and dance in the streets. It was like the climax of some Christmas movie, and I finally realized the error of my ways. I'd been doing life wrong. A community should treat each other like Mardi Gras every day.