It’s free. There are no tricks, no gimmicks, and there’s no “upsell” at the end. It’s simply an opportunity to synchronize with others who want to make progress toward some goal of their own choosing.
This session is for kind and generous people who want to get something, (something of their own choosing,) done. But, who feel they need some others to kindly and gently hold them accountable to doing the work. In the session, you’ll be part of a group of people working together.
It takes courage to let go of what’s not working. Rather than focus on what you’re losing, hone in on what giving up goals affords you, like more time and energy. Remember no decision is permanent. You can continue to make adjustments until you find the balance of goals that works for you.
I always liked those weird exploration games from the 1980s and 90s, like Zork and Myst, where you wake up in a strange environment, with no idea where you are or even who you are. You have to gather the context from the inside out, by wandering around, pushing buttons, peering behind wall paintings, and reading notes left by strangers who were here before you.
I don’t think I can really explain it. You either know what Myst is, (and it ate months of your waking hours,) and so know what he means; Or you don’t. “I like those games because that’s exactly what it’s to be a human being, if you think about it.” I hadn’t until I read it. But, zoinks, he’s right. The feeling I have in the middle of a great conversation is the same feeling I had exploring Myst, and while exploring all those other things Cain mentions learning about.
We equate being smart and being driven as the ways to get ahead. But sometimes, an attitude of alert watchfulness is far wiser and more effective. Learning to follow your nose, pulling on threads of curiosity or interest, may take you places that being driven will never lead you to.
As with everything I’ve ever seen Babauta post, I agree. If you’re feeling scattered, you could do a lot worse than to read that article. It provides perspective, and some small, actionable things to start on.
But, my Dear Reader, sometimes the problem is ourselves. We said ‘yes’ to one, or two, or twenty, things too many. And the yes’s are insidious. We are all so eager to help, that we rush in. (“The rescuer,” is one of the corners in the Karpman drama triangle. For which I refer you to M B Stanier’s, The Coaching Habit, p138.) So, if you’re feeling scattered: Check for drama.
The hard part is when you learn to start to set boundaries. Dealing with how setting boundaries feels when you’re comfortable being the rescuer is hard. Dealing with how it feels when everyone knows you as that person is hard. It takes cahones to relax and sink, to save yourself from the drowning swimmer you were trying to save. It takes chutzpah, when a friend asks you for what they think is a small favor, to pause for several seconds, to do the mental calculus, to set your boundaries for just how much effort you’re going to put into the thing… and only then answer them, ‘Yes.’ It takes brass to be kind enough to yourself to ensure you have boundaries that work for you.
What are the insights and challenges involved in creating and sustaining a podcast about learning and development?
A conversation about transforming technical challenges into meaningful dialogues unfolds with clarity and humor.
What we noticed was that the conversation started to go in all these different directions, and we weren’t achieving the goal of trying to get specific questions answered.
~ John Parsell (12:53)
The conversation explores the development and challenges of creating a podcast focused on learning and development. One central theme is the evolution from an initial idea of streaming live discussions to eventually crafting a podcast, which required navigating technical, logistical, and content challenges. The podcast aims to address practical issues, like engaging stakeholders and uncovering the root causes of organizational training requests, rather than focusing solely on technical skills.
Another significant topic is how the hosts approach guest engagement and content structuring. John emphasizes the importance of clear goals, preparation, and providing value to listeners. The discussion touches on their method of using templates and curated questions to guide interviews while maintaining conversational authenticity. Building strong relationships and fostering collaboration, both with podcast guests and within the learning and development community, emerges as a recurring theme.
Takeaways
Collaboration as a foundation — Relationships are key to effective problem-solving and project success.
Podcast evolution — Original plans often shift as new insights emerge during the creative process.
Community engagement — Interacting with diverse professionals enriches podcast content and purpose.
Preparation for flexibility — Balancing structured questions with open dialogue enhances guest interaction.
Practical challenges — Addressing real-world learning and development issues requires nuanced approaches.
Tools and templates — Organized frameworks streamline podcast production and maintain focus.
Resources
Rory Sachs — Co-host and partner in the podcast “Is Training the Answer,” focusing on learning and development challenges.
Is Training the Answer? — The official site, “Is Training the Answer,” offering insights and episodes.
Twitch — Early inspiration for streaming discussions, though not pursued as the final format.
The solution isn’t to flee, but rather to grab all the technology doo-dads by the, err… doo-dads and make them do your bidding. Notice when something annoys you, and then take the time—it might be seconds, minutes, hours or days—to solve that problem. Triple-word score if you can eliminate something entirely; delete your account from one social network that you’re ok with being without… that fixes annoying notifications. Delete an app. Find some web sites, (hey thanks for following mine,) that work the way you want them to. Subscribe to email if you like, use RSS if you like, etc.
Storms make us stronger. If I had one message for young people embarking on life, it would be this. Don’t shy away from the hard times. Tackle them head-on, move toward the path less trodden, riddled with obstacles, because most other people run at the first sign of battle. The storms give us a chance to define ourselves, to distinguish ourselves, and we always emerge from them stronger. The other key is to be kind along the way. Kindness matters so much on that journey of endeavor. It is what separates the good from great.
I understand now that I’m not a mess, but a deeply feeling person in a messy world. I explain that now, when someone asks me why I cry so often: “For the same reason I laugh so often— because I’m paying attention.”
The idea that we should focus on disruption rather than the new value that we can create is at the heart of the current economic malaise, income inequality, and political upheaval. The secret to building a better future is to use technology to do things that were previously impossible. The point of technology isn’t to make money. It’s to solve problems!
I’m not sure when we started sending out holiday cards. You know, the old fashioned way, in envelops with a stamp. But, it might be 20 years that we’ve been doing it. Some parts of it are a simple process; For example, we have a digital address list and I simply print the addresses on labels.
The two hardest parts however have always been finding holiday stamps that we liked—that sounds silly, but there it is. So this year, we’re breaking with tradition and simply using the generic postage stamps that we keep on hand.
And finding cards we like. By the time we get around to starting on our holiday cards, it’s too late to really do any custom ordering. Besides, neither of us is willing to buy something we can’t see/touch. And there’s the debate about do we print a photo of ourselves to include? …and what about including a sort of “this past year…” summary letter? Or perhaps those simple photo montages with a simple holiday slogan—we’ve been getting a higher number of those in recent years and it’s nice to see everyone’s photos…
This year we decided to do something different. We spent all of the time we would have spent finding the “right” stamps and finding the “right” cards… and bought cheap-ass plain Avery card stock and spent the time making them ourselves. The card is a solid mediocre job, as far as holiday cards go. But it’s exactly the card we wanted to send out.
How does the practice of design, particularly in cover art and podcasting, bridge functionality and storytelling?
Discover the parallels between designing podcast cover art and packaging consumer goods.
It’s like a very tiny story in a square footprint, and of course it should reflect you. And then, also, once your audience gets used to it, [it will] be like a shortcut to finding your new episode.
~ Hernán Braberman (2:18)
The conversation explores the relationship between storytelling and design, focusing on podcast cover art as a form of visual storytelling. Hernán explains how the design parallels packaging consumer goods, both requiring an ability to draw attention and convey meaning within a small space. He discusses how the elements of design—shapes, colors, and typography—can embody the emotional and functional attributes of a podcast’s narrative, making the artwork a recognizable shortcut for audiences.
Hernán shares personal anecdotes, including inspiration from Spanish designer Javier Mariscal, whose philosophy of “design without surname” influenced their perspective. He also draws an analogy between podcasting and scuba diving, emphasizing the unique medium and altered sense of time in both. The discussion reflects on how creativity in podcasting is an open-ended process, comparable to the iterative nature of design, and how sound and structure play critical roles in storytelling.
Takeaways
Storytelling in design — Visual elements in cover art serve as a narrative gateway for audiences.
Parallels between mediums — Podcast cover art shares similarities with packaging design in consumer goods.
Creative methodology — Starting with conceptual frameworks aids in refining design or restarting from new perspectives.
Influence of mentors — Inspiration from influential designers can reshape one’s approach to creativity and professional practice.
Role of sound in podcasting — Audio design enhances storytelling by creating an immersive, unique atmosphere.
Podcasting as a design activity — Structuring and planning podcast elements is akin to a creative design process.
Analogies in creativity — Comparing podcasting to scuba diving highlights the transformative experience of exploring new mediums.
Resources
Javier Mariscal — Spanish designer known for his multidisciplinary approach, blending graphic design, product design, and more.
Podcast directories — Platforms compared to supermarket shelves for showcasing podcast cover art.
Supermarket packaging design — Used as a metaphor for crafting engaging and functional podcast thumbnails.
How do the dynamics of conversation and storytelling impact podcasting and personal connection?
Effective podcasting techniques rely on balancing preparation and adaptability during interviews.
A lot of people never answer those questions, until somebody asks them. And, actually, you asking them often brings them insight they didn’t necessarily have.
~ Simon Ratcliffe (17:23)
The conversation explores the nuances of podcasting and the emotional dynamics of meaningful dialogue. One focus is the emotional highs and lows experienced in podcast production, from the joy of recording to the challenges of editing and releasing episodes. Another topic is the value of acknowledging guests’ individuality, with examples of how thoughtful questioning can lead to deep, meaningful exchanges.
The discussion also examines group dynamics, especially in the context of facilitating group interviews or research discussions. Key insights include the importance of recognizing and engaging all participants and the transformative power of contextual understanding in conversations. The conversation reflects on how certain techniques, such as effective pauses and unscripted interactions, contribute to authentic connections.
Takeaways
Understanding storytelling techniques — Conversations are enriched by focusing on the broader context of a person’s life.
Acknowledging individuality — Recognizing each participant fosters trust and engagement.
Balancing preparation and flexibility — Minimal but strategic notes can guide meaningful exchanges.
Value of silence — Different kinds of silence serve distinct purposes in conversations.
Emotional highs and lows in podcasting — The creative process involves both joy and challenges.
Role of group dynamics — Acknowledging everyone in a group encourages balanced participation.
Therapeutic elements of conversations — Thoughtful questions often lead to unexpected insights.
Those things are easy now. They might cost more than we’d like, but you can put them on a check-list and they’ll get done. What’s hard now is breaking the rules. What’s hard is finding the faith to become a heretic, to seek out an innovation and then, in the face of huge amounts of resistance, to lead a team and to push the innovation out the door into the world. Successful people are the ones who are good at this.
Despite having been published in 1910, Arnold Bennett’s book How to Live on 24 Hours a Day remains a valuable resource on living a meaningful life within the constraints of time. In the book, Bennett addresses one of our oldest questions: how can we make the best use of our lives? How can we make the best use of our time?
I’ve mentioned Arnold Bennett before, and my opinion remains the same: How to Live on 24 Hours a Day, is a delightful little read. Although this post from Parrish isn’t where I first heard of the book, it remains a terrific summary. If you’ve ever thought, “I wish I could find time to…” you should read Bennett’s thoughts.
Not just that every day more of our life is used up and less and less of it is left, but this too: If we live longer, can we be sure our mind will still be up to understanding the world—to the contemplation that aims at divine and human knowledge? If our mind starts to wander, we’ll still go on breathing, go on eating, imagining things, feeling urges and so on. But getting the most out of ourselves, calculating where our duty lies, analyzing what we hear and see, deciding whether it’s time to call it quits—all the things you need a healthy mind for… all those are gone.
So we need to hurry.
Not just because we move daily closer to death but also because our understanding—our grasp of the world—may be gone before we get there.
The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education.
