What would you like to be doing when you are overtaken by [disease and death]? For you surely will be, whatever you are doing. If you think you could be doing something better than this when you are overtaken, go and do it. For my own part, may death overtake me while I am engaged in nothing other than the care of my own faculty of choice, so that it may be unhindered, unrestrained, serene, and free.
~ Epictetus
slip:4a364.
The algific talus slopes where relic species persist are steep, built atop limestone—itself a relic from a time, half a billion years ago, when a shallow tropical sea covered what’s now the Driftless. The porous limestone is easily eroded by even slightly acidic water, including rain. As a result it holds numerous caves, sinkholes, cracks, and fissures. These networks of open spaces deep in the hillside were never compromised by glacial steamrollers, and are crucial for the “breathing”—slopes’ respiration.
~ Gemma Tarlach from, The Ice Age Persists in the Upper Midwest, Where the Hills Breathe – Atlas Obscura
slip:4uaaai12.
There seems to be something special about Iowa. Pockets of Ice Age biodiversity, and Vonnegut, must somehow mean something. Atlas Obscura started as an ecclectic collection of interesting points scattered about the Earth. It’s grown to—in my opinion—rival Wikipedia in the context of places. And then it started producing these place-specific, in-depth articles.
In the endless sea of click-baity, bullet-listed, double-spaced individual sentence fragments posing as a “post” on some social network… because, honestly, a paragraph block of text just scares the shit out of too many people, so we’ll just
space out the phrases
so our feeble minds understand
what the bite-sized thoughts are supposed to be.
I digress. Over decades, I’ve found sources on the Internet that are continual fonts of wonder and joy. I follow them using RSS, and I’m better off for it.
É•
How does embracing meaningful connections, shifting perspectives, and holding space enhance the experience of podcasting and personal growth?
The conversation explores the transformative power of vulnerability and shifting perspectives in podcasting and beyond.
I think when we are vulnerable, when we let our guard down—and that’s what happens for me when I turn off the video—I let my guard down, and I’m just immersed in the experience.
~ Vivian Carrasco (7:03)
The conversation reflects on the evolving dynamics of podcasting, emphasizing the significance of pre-call moments as spaces for connection and preparation. Vivi and Craig explore how turning off video during recordings can enhance vulnerability and authenticity, allowing for deeper engagement. They highlight how these seemingly small decisions, such as opting for audio-only interactions, create a more relaxed and immersive environment. This shift not only impacts the podcaster but also fosters a more intimate experience for listeners.
Another theme revolves around the transformation in personal and professional approaches over time. The conversation highlights the playful curiosity that replaces the initial weight of overthinking and perfectionism, making podcasting more enjoyable. The discussion also touches on broader ideas, like creating space for meaning and magic, and how reducing the noise—both literally and metaphorically—enables creative breakthroughs and personal growth.
Takeaways
Creating meaningful pre-call connections — A pre-call sets the tone for authentic conversations and builds trust between participants.
Audio-only podcasting — Turning off video promotes vulnerability, intimacy, and a relaxed environment for both hosts and guests.
Shifting perspectives over time — A journey from overthinking tools and techniques to embracing playful curiosity transforms the podcasting experience.
Holding space for magic — Leaving room for silence and presence allows meaningful and unexpected insights to emerge.
Focusing on what matters — Prioritizing meaningful elements enhances both personal growth and professional output.
Letting go of perfectionism — Reducing effort and embracing the flow of conversation creates deeper and more authentic exchanges.
The role of technology — Tools and gadgets are still valued, but they no longer overshadow the essence of meaningful storytelling.
Resources
The Within (U) Podcast — Vivian’s podcast explores what it means to turn inward and find the answers within us instead of seeking external approval or validation.
Zoom H4 and H6 recorders — Mentioned in the discussion as tools for mobile podcasting and audio recording.
Circle Practice — A method for fostering connection and communication in group settings.
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series — A Marvel series that explores teamwork and resilience through fictional storytelling.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
É•
What factors influence the transition from podcast listener to podcast creator, and how can individuals overcome challenges in this journey?
Discover how a passion for storytelling leads to a new creative journey in podcasting.
Your voice, your story—I’m all about story, obviously. It’s why I’m working on this new project to help people write about their lives in journaling.
~ Heather Morrison (21:26)
The conversation explores the transformative journey from being a passionate podcast listener to becoming a creator. Heather shares how her lifelong love of stories and books inspired their enthusiasm for podcasting. She describes her initial struggles with self-doubt and technical know-how, highlighting a pivotal moment when a structured course helped bridge the gap between idea and execution. Reflecting on her creative journey, she emphasizes the importance of embracing enthusiasm and pushing through the discomfort of starting something new.
The discussion also touches on creative challenges, such as narrowing down podcast themes and managing self-imposed pressure. Heather candidly shares her experience of developing a niche podcast about community theater, which later evolved into broader topics. She stresses the value of persistence, self-awareness, and embracing imperfections. The conversation concludes with insights into how personal stories and authentic voices can create meaningful connections and inspire others.
Takeaways
Starting a podcast — Transitioning from listener to creator requires enthusiasm, structure, and persistence.
Creative struggles — Self-doubt and perfectionism can hinder progress but are part of the creative process.
Niche exploration — Developing a focused podcast theme often involves trial and adjustment.
Technical considerations — Equipment and preparation significantly impact the auditory experience.
Personal storytelling — Authentic voices and personal stories resonate deeply with audiences.
Journaling and reflection — Writing about life experiences can be a powerful tool for storytelling and growth.
Resources
Geeks in the Green Room — Heather’s podcast focusing on community theater and related creative endeavors.
The Podcast Fellowship — A course and community that supports podcast creators.
RadioLab — A podcast mentioned as a source of inspiration.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
É•
What motivates and sustains a creative journey into podcasting as a medium for personal and professional expression?
Explore the intersection of financial empowerment and creative storytelling through podcasting.
You know this isn’t very original, but it really is the journey. It’s the day-to-day experience and that for me has been sterling-platinum amazing.
~ Teresa Mitchell (8:00)
The conversation explores the intersection of personal passion and professional purpose through podcasting. Teresa discusses her journey from a career as a financial planner to creating a podcast, highlighting how podcasting became a creative outlet for self-expression after retirement. She describes podcasting as a space to break traditional rules and pursue ideas freely, emphasizing how the medium supports deep connection and personal growth. The challenges of mastering the technical and creative aspects of podcasting are framed as part of the rewarding journey of experimentation and learning.
The discussion also touches on financial coaching, particularly addressing the needs of women and encouraging financial confidence. Teresa explains her approach to making financial topics more accessible, combining mindfulness and practical advice to empower listeners. She envisions blending financial topics with other interests like cooking to create innovative content that mirrors real-life integration of passions. This conversation underscores the potential of podcasting as both a platform for impactful storytelling and a means to explore multidimensional ideas.
Takeaways
Podcasting as a creative outlet — Embracing podcasting as a space to break rules and explore self-expression.
Journey of learning — Emphasizing the importance of growth through technical and creative challenges.
Financial empowerment — Using podcasts to make financial topics accessible and engaging, particularly for women.
Balancing passion and profession — Combining personal interests like cooking with professional themes to create meaningful content.
The value of connection — Highlighting how podcasting fosters deep human connections in a unique way.
Mindfulness and purpose — Stressing the role of mindfulness in achieving financial and personal well-being.
Resources
Lady Money Podcast — A podcast blending financial advice and practical coaching aimed at empowering women.
Podcasting Workshop — A workshop that helps creators develop their podcasting skills.
Suzy Orman — A suggested collaborator for blending financial planning and lifestyle advice.
Mindfulness Resources — General mindfulness practices discussed as part of financial and personal growth.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
É•
The soul is like a vessel filled with water; and impressions are like a ray of light that falls upon the water. If the water is disturbed, the ray will seem to be disturbed likewise, though in reality it is not.
~ Epictetus
slip:4a388.
This is post number 3,000 — What a long, strange trip it’s been!
My very first post here, “Hello world,” was written on August 13, 2011. That marked the beginning of this second incarnation of my home on the Web. It’s been a sublime decade of tap-tappity-tapping away. I’ve learned a lot about werd-slingin’, and obviously developed my own way of doing things. Looking back, I believe I’ve settled into a comfortable melange of: posting photography rarely enough that they have real impact when they appear, and often enough that I feel I’m actually doing something with the digital photography I manage to shoot; quotations that inspire, conspire, and aspire to be helpful; random linking to the effectively limitless wonderful things created by humanity; working on my own thinking by exposing my reflection; pointing out interesting connections among people, places, and things.
I’ve collected a surprisingly small number of posts tagged “Meta”, (19 to be exact,) which share more of the what-and-how of this blog.
I spent the last year preparing for this little milestone by currating a collection of posts tagged “Apogee”, which are the best-of-the-best. I was hoping to find 100, and without paying attention as I was finding and tagging, I ended up with 96.
Finally, this blog is a labor of love, and the front of the blog acts as the central-most “start here” for my presence on the Internet. It would mean a lot to me if you shared something with anyone you think would also enjoy it.
É•
Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster. For when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.
~ Friedrich Nietzsche
slip:4a371.
So the worst-case scenario is someone who’s both naturally bitter and extremely ambitious, and yet only moderately successful.
~ Paul Graham from, Fierce Nerds
slip:4upaaa2.
Graham is one of that vanishingly-rare type of blogger: One who posts stellar ideas, very infrequently and is being heard. Follow that link, take a trip back to the 90s-blogs, and learn something about nerds.
If I’m being honest, I’m not sure if I’m a nerd or a geek… I mean, I don’t actually know the definitions of those nouns. Sure, I can go look—here’s a good definition-and-how-to-tell… but the words simply don’t stick in my head as standing for something. Worse, I can tick boxes on both columns of that how-to-tell page. On the other hand, this page has a nifty graph and I think I’m over on the nerd side.
On the other, other hand, looking for “nerd” versus “geek” here on my own blog, isn’t very helpful. Maybe… just maybe… I was a geek, but there’s a natural half-life to Geeknadium, after which a certain percentage of geeks spontaneously transform into Nerdomium?
É•
If you shape your life according to nature, you will never be poor. If you shape your lie according to people’s opinions, you will never be rich.
~ Epicurus
slip:4a372.
Few working scientists can give a ground-up explanation of the phenomenon they study; they rely on information and techniques borrowed from other scientists. Knowledge and the virtues of the scientific orientation live far more in the community than the individual. When we talk of a “scientific community,” we are pointing to something critical: that advanced science is a social enterprise, characterized by an intricate division of cognitive labor. Individual scientists, no less than the quacks, can be famously bull-headed, overly enamored of pet theories, dismissive of new evidence, and heedless of their fallibility. (Hence Max Planck’s observation that science advances one funeral at a time.) But as a community endeavor, it is beautifully self-correcting.
Beautifully organized, however, it is not. Seen up close, the scientific community—with its muddled peer-review process, badly written journal articles, subtly contemptuous letters to the editor, overtly contemptuous subreddit threads, and pompous pronouncements of the academy— looks like a rickety vehicle for getting to truth. Yet the hive mind swarms ever forward. It now advances knowledge in almost every realm of existence—even the humanities, where neuroscience and computerization are shaping understanding of everything from free will to how art and literature have evolved over time.
~ Atul Gawande from, Atul Gawande and the Mistrust of Science
slip:4ufoau1.
I can’t add to that. I only wanted to be sure that others see it too.
Meanwhile, I never bothered to read Gawande’s hit book, The Checklist Manifesto. (To be candid, bordering on obnoxious: Time is limited, and I don’t need to seek more information about processes. I’ve got that sorted.) But it has hovered in my awareness none the less. Recently, two unrelated sources gave over-the-top praise for Gawande’s newer book, Being Mortal. On those recommendations alone it’s now in my reading queue. I’ve cracked it open, and done the preliminary reading… Have you read it? Do you have any thoughts on it?
É•
You are a human being; that is, a mortal animal capable of making a rational use of impressions. And what does it mean to use them rationally? In accordance with nature and perfectly. What is exceptional in you? Is it the animal part? No. The mortal? No. That which enables you to deal with impressions? No. What is exceptional in you is your faculty of reason.
~ Epictetus
slip:4a391.
Right now, “sedentary culture” is part of the broader, overarching culture, but subcultures—including our individual culture—can also be sedentary. These sedentary subcultures end up reinforcing the overarching culture, so what can we do? I’m (obviously) interested in working on sedentarism at the broadest cultural level, but I recognize that the most immediate benefits can be found by changing our personal culture. I’ve made working on sedentarism at this level part of my work as well.
~ Katy Bowman from, «https://www.nutritiousmovement.com/changing-a-sedentary-culture/»
slip:4unuca1.
Overall, the amount of activity [for Americans] has gone up slightly since the 1970s. The big issue is that our diet is killing us. Becoming more active alone isn’t enough—and Bowman’s take is nuanced, I’m not disagreeing with her article. But the first-order thing is diet. (I don’t mean “restriction” or “reduction” per se, I mean what specifically are you eating? That, “diet.”) That said, “eat better stuff” and “move around” is the prescription.
I’m reminded of, that room we all euphemistically call a living room: Would I call it my sedentary entertainment room, if I were honest? I realized that I should call it that, and so I rearranged the entire room, and got rid of the dedicated “tv” device. I still consume entertainment, but now it’s just one thing I can do in that room, rather than what the room is designed to be used for. We’ve done this, and continue to redo this occassionally, for every space inside and outside our home. For example: We don’t have a “second bedroom” nor “guest room”; We have [what we call] the “middle room”… and it’s got foam mats on the floor and random exercise, self-care, movement stuff… a finger-board over the door, a full-length mirror, a pull-up bar bolted into the ceiling, a chalk-board wall for tracking and notes… space for books. And the room also has a folding frame, air mattress, and bedding for the extremely rare guests who visit.
Frankly, there isn’t much in the way of “sedentary” left that I can trim out of my life. The vast majority of what I do is mental work. So I’m reading, writing and computing a lot. What’s left for me is to develop a healthy relationship to food. I get mental—over think, extreme thinking, stuck in my head… that sort of thing—and the way I’ve learned is the easiest escape is to run to entertainment. And to eat while being entertained. But, I’ve only learned that as being the easiest. There are a number of other things that also work to “fix” my thinking: Reading, writing, and physical activity can all work too. The hard part is changing my learned behavior. For me, it’s a matter of crafting my environment to encourage me to do things other than seek entertainment. (Learning to not mentally stress myself out would be even better, and I’m working on that too.)
É•
How can someone with no technical expertise successfully create and sustain a podcast while navigating challenges and leveraging teamwork?
Hear the story of a podcast journey that started with a simple Facebook post and evolved into a partnership with a professional network.
What is your why? […] because I’m doing this because I want to talk about the taboo things around relationships and sex and love and [simply because] I want to? That’s my message and that’s why I want to make a normal conversation.
~ Elizabeth Cunningham (21:37)
The conversation explores how Elizabeth navigates the world of podcasting without a technical background. She shares her experiences of starting with zero tech knowledge and seeking help from friends and professionals along the way. Through simple actions like posting on Facebook and asking for guidance, she built a podcast with over 60 episodes, proving that technical expertise is not a prerequisite for success. The discussion highlights the importance of focusing on the message and reaching out for support when needed.
Another key theme is the significance of taking action despite uncertainty. Elizabeth reflects on how her regrets were always tied to inaction, while her successes stemmed from simply trying, even when the outcome was unclear. The conversation also touches on the benefits of forming a team and the synergy that arises when working collaboratively, as well as the value of starting small, mastering one thing, and building from there. These lessons apply not just to podcasting but to any creative or professional endeavor.
Takeaways
Starting without technical expertise — Emphasizing that podcasting can begin with little or no tech skills by focusing on the basics and seeking help.
Value of action — Highlighting how taking action, even in uncertainty, leads to growth and learning.
Building a supportive network — Stressing the importance of reaching out to others and asking for help, especially when starting something new.
Team collaboration — Discussing how forming a team can create synergy and improve creative outcomes.
Adapting to challenges — Sharing examples of how challenges like COVID-19 were met with adaptability and new approaches.
Focusing on the “why” — Exploring the need to understand and align actions with a clear purpose or mission.
Starting small — Encouraging listeners to focus on mastering one platform or skill before expanding further.
Overcoming mindset blocks — Addressing how mindset issues can hinder progress and providing ways to move forward.
Resources
Elizabeth Cunningham @elzcunningham
Love Dripping From the Walls Podcast — Elizabeth’s podcast discussing love, sex, and relationships.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
É•
At the mid-point of the path through life, I found myself lost in a wood so dark, the way ahead was blotted out. The keening sound I still make shows how hard it is to say how harsh and bitter that place felt to me —
~ Dante
slip:4a381.
Socrates knew how a rational soul is moved; that it is like a balance, and if a weight is thrown in the scale, it will incline whether you wish it or not. Show the rational governing faculty a contradiction, and it will renounce it; but if you fail to do so, blame yourself rather than the person whom you are unable to convince.
~ Epictetus
slip:4a333.
Most of us are content to live in a world where time is simply what a clock reads. The interdisciplinary artist Alicia Eggert is not. Through co-opting clocks and forms of commercial signage (billboards, neon signs, inflatable nylon of the kind that animates the air dancers in the parking lots of auto dealerships), Eggert makes conceptual art that invites us to experience the dimensions of time through the language we use to talk about it.
~ Ahmed Kabil from, How Long is Now? – Long Now
slip:4uloho1.
Thinking about the nature of time always feels like trying to find the other edge of the Mobius strip. At first, I’m mildly excited to be reminded of such a simple thing. It’s such an interesting thing to think about. I go around and around trying to grasp different time scales, and the entire expanse of time. But soon I realize that I’m really only thinking in circles. Is there a takeaway beyond, “being mindful is good”?
Or does simply performing the awareness of time and the circular thinking, somehow reset—or recenter, or realign?—my thinking? Reset my thinking in the same way that one resets the drum-brakes on your car, by backing-up and then braking firmly causes the drum brakes to adjust their grip on the brake cable.
Also, see other branching from when.
É•
Khan’s first powerful victories came from the reorganization of his military units, splitting his soldiers into groups of ten. This he stole from neighboring Turkic tribes, and unknowingly converted the Mongols to the decimal system. Soon enough, their expanding empire brought them into contact with another “technology” they’d never experienced before: walled cities. In the Tangut raids, Khan first learned the ins and outs of war against fortified cities and the strategies critical to laying siege, and quickly became an expert. Later, with help from Chinese engineers, he taught his soldiers how to build siege machines that could knock down city walls. In his campaigns against the Jurched, Khan learned the importance of winning hearts and minds. By working with the scholars and royal family of the lands he conquered, Khan was able to hold on to and manage these territories in ways that most empires could not. Afterward, in every country or city he held, Khan would call for the smartest astrologers, scribes, doctors, thinkers, and advisers—anyone who could aid his troops and their efforts. His troops traveled with interrogators and translators for precisely this purpose.
~ Shane Parrish from, Ego is the Enemy: The Legend of Genghis Khan
slip:4ufoeo1.
My understanding had been that Khan was a slew of things—vicious, ruthless, indefatigable, insatiable—which I’m certain I’d picked up through osmosis from countless small direct portrayals and indirect mentions I encountered randomly. I try not to rely on entertainment to be educating, but I hadn’t looked into this larger-than-life historical figure, and had wound up ill-informed.
This piece from Shane Parrish goes on to talk about humility. I don’t think anyone would have used that word to describe Khan. But it does make sense! What would someone who is humble do? (Click through. Click through!) They’d be continuously learning and always open to new ideas. They’d be searching for people who can teach them things. Sure, Khan went a step or three further to burn, pillage, etc. But he also did that continuous-improvement thing.
É•
The difference between successful people and very successful people is that very successful people say no to almost everything.
~ Warren Buffett
slip:4a377.
I think many people assume, wrongly, that a company exists simply to make money. While this is an important result of a company’s existence, we have to go deeper and find the real reasons for our being. As we investigate this, we inevitably come to the conclusion that a group of people get together and exist as an institution that we call a company so they are able to accomplish something collectively which they could not accomplish separately. They are able to do something worthwhile— they make a contribution to society (a phrase which sounds trite but is fundamental).
~ David Packard Jr. from, The HP Way: Dave Packard on How to Operate a Company
slip:4ufote6.
“Important result,” as in: One way to measure value created is to use accounting, and money is a wonderfully well-understood thing with which to keep account. There are other ways to measure value creation, obviously. But even a not-for-profit company has to keep account of it’s balance; if its income doesn’t balance expense, eventually the creditors will cease extending their services. Everything—people, companies, communities—is somewhere on the spectrum from consumption thru creation, via accounting of value. The magic sauce is our minds. We each use our minds to create value, and we each find a vehicle for taking our ideas to fruition.
Anyway, that’s how I see it.
É•