Scree

noun : an accumulation of loose stones or rocky debris lying on a slope or at the base of a hill or cliff.

Conversation with Helena Roth

Published November 4, 2021 · All posts on Nov 4

What makes a conversation meaningful and how does one cultivate the skill of engaging in impactful dialogue?

The interplay between coaching and conversational skills reveals itself in surprising ways.

[I]t’s more towards the other [end] in my podcast. […] There hasn’t been an agenda. There hasn’t been a set timeframe. There hasn’t been any, ‘this is what we need to get through, or the goal we need to reach, or anything.’ And, surprisingly, you know it’s gone really well.

~ Helena Roth (1:07)

This conversation explores the dynamics of creating meaningful dialogues, with an emphasis on curiosity and presence. Helena and Craig discuss the distinction between structured interviews and organic conversations, highlighting the challenges and rewards of allowing spontaneity to guide the flow. Insights are shared about how to cultivate an environment where natural exchanges can thrive, contrasting the vibrancy of unplanned dialogue with the rigidity of pre-set agendas.

They touch upon the art of listening and the interplay of coaching principles in conversations, including withholding judgment and fostering genuine curiosity. Reflections on well-known podcasting styles illustrate the impact of personal involvement in interviews. Practical techniques, like recording from the first moments to capture authenticity, also surface, underscoring the importance of preparation in producing organic conversations.

Takeaways

Curiosity as a driver — Authentic conversations are fueled by genuine curiosity rather than adherence to rigid formats.

Judgment in dialogue — Skilled conversationalists avoid answering on behalf of others, allowing responses to unfold naturally.

Role of presence — Effective hosts contribute by being present and engaged without necessarily steering the dialogue.

Structured vs. unstructured — A discussion on how agenda-free formats can yield unexpected depth and resonance.

Coaching and listening — Coaching techniques enrich dialogue by emphasizing open-ended questions and a non-intrusive approach.

Recording strategy — Starting recordings immediately helps capture authentic moments often lost in staged setups.

The vitality of conversation — Lifeless exchanges often stem from transactional, pre-scripted interactions lacking spontaneity.

Reflection and evolution — Re-listening to past conversations reveals new insights, demonstrating the depth of recorded dialogues.

Resources

Walter Isaacson — A biographer known for his works on Steve Jobs and others; his style was critiqued in the conversation.

On Being with Krista Tippett — A podcast blending spiritual and intellectual inquiry, cited as an example of presence in dialogue.

Ocean Vuong — Poet and author, mentioned for a memorable conversation with Krista Tippett on “On Being.”

Tankespjärn — Helena Roth’s podcast emphasizing unscripted, organic conversations.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Eggs and omelettes

Published November 4, 2021 · All posts on Nov 4

There is no angst. There is no disease, suffering, and death. There is no killing. There’s no lust or envy or avarice of pride. There are no eviction notices or IRS audits.

In other words, it isn’t real life.

~ Gaping Void from, «https://www.gapingvoid.com/blog/2021/07/19/the-power-of-culture/»

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But that’s particularly difficult to remember when you are the down-the-stairs end of something monsterous and the up-the-stairs person is going s l o w l y and futzing with their grip. Or when you are traffic. (My omission of the word “in” is intentional.) Or the queue at the security check point is crazy. The children on the bus are unruly. The tire goes flat. The microwave craps out. And on and on. Because it’s precisely in those moments that we choose what sort of person we want to be.

Presume good intent. Trust, (but verify. My fave Russian proverb, btw.) Everyone we meet is fighting a great battle. No one knows how hard I work—read that as “I” in your mind’s reading voice, so it really refers to yourself—therefore, I know not how hard others work. There are lots of ways to aphorize the sentiment, and I use every single one of them, every day, as I don the armor of the Angel of my Better Nature and try.

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Joy with Jayne Heggen

Published November 3, 2021 · All posts on Nov 3

How does the experience of podcasting, particularly with a focus on mentoring, allow for the exploration of meaningful stories and connections?

Mentoring bridges the gap between telling stories and finding solutions through shared experiences.

What mentoring does is, it tells stories about solutions. Which is way different from coaching, which is asking questions to get to solutions. Which is different from counseling, which is you’re asking questions to get to problems.

~ Jayne Heggen (8:44)

The conversation focuses on podcasting as a tool to explore and share meaningful stories, particularly through the lens of mentoring. Jayne shares how her background in radio contrasts with her current experiences in podcasting, highlighting the interactive and engaging nature of the latter. She discusses the challenges and opportunities in creating a successful podcast, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, connection, and authenticity in storytelling.

Another key theme is mentoring, which is presented as a process of sharing experiences and perspectives to help others navigate their paths. Jayne differentiates mentoring from coaching and counseling, underscoring its unique role in offering solutions through storytelling. She explores how podcasting can amplify these stories, making them more accessible and impactful, while also reflecting on the balance between editing and preserving authenticity in recorded conversations.

Takeaways

Mentoring — A skill and passion that involves sharing experiences to guide others.

Storytelling — Central to mentoring, as it conveys lessons and solutions effectively.

Podcasting as Engagement — The interactive nature of podcasting fosters deeper connections.

Vulnerability — A key factor in successful podcast conversations and mentoring.

Authenticity in Editing — The importance of maintaining the mentor’s authentic voice while editing.

Superpowers — Unique personal experiences and skills make each mentor irreplaceable.

Resources

“The Greatest American Hero” — A classic 1980s TV show referenced as a metaphor for exploring one’s potential.

Business Process Reengineering — Mentioned as the guest’s professional background, focusing on aligning corporations with people-centric processes.

Jayne Heggen on LinkedIn

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Lunacy?

Published November 3, 2021 · All posts on Nov 3

But there’s a message all of our readers should appreciate: Blog posts are not enough to generate the deep fluency you need to truly understand or get better at something. We offer a starting point, not an end point.

~ Shane Parrish from, Blog Posts, Book Reviews, and Abstracts: On Shallowness

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First off, I totally read that as, “to generate the deep lunacy …” which is probably closer to the truth than I’d like to admit for my own blog if one tries to just read it. Second, this is so meta. I’m writing a blog post about a blog post that is referring to the other posts on that same blog.

I’ve said this sort of thing before, but it bears repeating: On this blog, I’m showing my process of reflection. I would get the exact same benefit if I did all this writing, and pressed delete instead of publish. (With the notable exception that I do also use my blog as an archive to re-find things.) But I make no claim that simply reading this blog will do anything for you. “Look! Here are my footprints, stumbles, side tracks and snow angels in the woods.” Maybe you can see some art, or some fun, or whatever. But the whole point of having it out there for you to read is to encourage you to do your own reflection.

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Maybe I should walk back?

Published November 2, 2021 · All posts on Nov 2

As autumn settles in where I am, I’ve been looking ahead to winter with longer nights, brisk days, etc.. I also looked back at the shape I’ve been in in years past. I’m not lamenting, “if only I had my youth back.” Rather, just thinking about health, movement, and what would be the minimum effective dosage of some exercise to move me in the direction I want. (That DuckDuckGo link should make you wonder why a medical-sounding phrase is used most relating to exercise not medicine, and strength training in particular.)

Sometimes—by which I mean any time running comes up—I say that running is both the best thing for me, and the form of activity I hate most. Both of which are untrue. What’s actually best for me is zone-2 aerobic exercise and that’s sometimes what I get when I run. It’s best for me, because that is the main driver of base fitness until you get well up into being a competent athlete. But usually, being quite over-weight at the moment, any running drives my heart-rate above the surprisingly low/slow zone-2. The second part about hating it is also untrue. It turns out that one time—the one single day apparently—that I was ever in shape, I enjoyed running. I was walking, the weather was beautiful, and I had an irresistible urge to run, (and so I did.) But, literally, that happened once.

Anyway. It’ll suffice to say: I spent a few weeks recently thinking about going full-on nerd with zone-2 training. To do it right requires planning, scheduling, and—sources vary—between 150 to 180 minutes exercising each week. And warm-up and cool-down time are not included in those weekly times. Honestly, the deal-breaker was I’m seriously pissed at FitBit, (and their watches are useless without a FitBit account,) and I refuse to spend many-hundreds on an Apple watch. Also, my $30 Timex is nicer, for my definition of “nicer.”

My thinking continued, and eventually I thought: I should just walk back from Mordor.

…except this time I’m not going to bother trying to track the actual mileage. Just walk as many days as I can. Listen to some podcasts some of the time. And basically just stroll along thinking, “If this isn’t nice…“

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Eureka

Published October 30, 2021 · All posts on Oct 30

But this moment cannot come without the days of frustration at the blackboard. “You can’t really blame the storytellers,” Rockmore writes, “It’s not so exciting to read ‘and then she studied some more.’ But this arduous, mundane work is a key part of the process.”

~ Cal Newport from, On the Myth of Big Ideas – Cal Newport

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And Niels Bohr said something similar about Painful experience. And I bet your experience agrees. I know mine does.

Nobody sees how much time I spend working on podcasting. Every facet is complicated. I’m regularly noticing new things, picking up interesting skills and ideas from nearby areas of expertise. Structural wisdom from the field of authors. Empathic skills from the field of therapists. New kinds of questions from the field of hosts. New vocal skills from the field of speakers. And teachers and mechanics and on and on.

The eureka moments get the attention but they’re very few and very far between.

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Difficult questions

Published October 29, 2021 · All posts on Oct 29

What would be a good question to ask? How do I evaluate a potential question, in real time during a conversation, to decide if it’s good? What can I do to make this guest enjoy this conversation? In the same vein: What should I do? And what, if anything, must I do? What does this person really want to talk about? What don’t they want to talk about? And if I figured that out, is the right thing to, to honor their desire to avoid it, or to help them face it? Can I help them more by letting them find their own energy level, or by trying to help them change their energy level? Would calming down enable them to communicate more effectively? Would riling them up help them work through their feelings? Should we explore how they are feeling, or how this event we’re discussing made them feel? Should I be more open, and share more with them? Or would my consuming our time doing that, block them from doing what they need to do, or from saying what they need to say? Should we be having more fun? Should we be more serious? Should we instead do the opposite, (make light of a serious subject, or vice versa,) of that society would normally expect? Should I ask them a deep question? Should I ask a question on the same line-of-thought and take us even deeper? Deeper a third time? Or should I pivot to indicate that I want to follow them, not drive them into a corner?

What’s that? …oh, you thought I was going to be talking about the actual questions one might ask another person. Yeah no that’s another question altogether. :)

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Questions with Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez

Published October 28, 2021 · All posts on Oct 28

Questions with Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez

How does exploring one’s center and asking questions influence personal growth and understanding?

Asking the right questions transforms challenges into opportunities for growth.

I think that a way to find creativity and inspiration is, try to read something, try to see something that is not what you usually see, that is not what you usually do. Make yourself feel uncomfortable, and make yourself feel comfortable in the uncomfortable.

~ Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez (2:30)

The discussion explores the concept of finding one’s center and how this aligns with personal growth. Sebastián emphasizes the importance of stepping outside comfort zones to spark creativity and curiosity. He shares insights on seeking inspiration through diverse experiences, such as books, podcasts, and challenging unfamiliar activities.

The conversation also touches on the importance of asking meaningful questions, both of oneself and others, to uncover purpose and direction. Philosophical principles, movement practices, and mindfulness techniques are interwoven to illustrate how individuals can align their actions with deeper values. Practical lessons, like maintaining good technique in physical training, underscore the need for balance and awareness.

Takeaways

Finding inspiration — Engage with unfamiliar or challenging ideas to spark creativity.

The importance of questions — Use questions to challenge assumptions and uncover deeper understanding.

Solid foundations — Build strong roots and bases to support sustainable growth.

Teaching through challenges — Encourage self-discovery by posing questions and fostering problem-solving.

Movement as a center — Align physical and mental practices with a central guiding principle.

Mindfulness in action — Maintain awareness by centering thoughts and actions in everyday life.

Avoiding injury — Prioritize proper technique and self-awareness to prevent harm.

Philosophical connections — Relate ideas from philosophy to practical life applications.

Resources

Simon Sinek — Author of “Start With Why” and creator of the Golden Circle framework, emphasizing the importance of purpose in personal and professional contexts.

Start With Why — A book by Simon Sinek that discusses the power of understanding “why” to drive inspiration and success.

Peace Revolution — A meditation project by a Buddhist foundation in Thailand, promoting inner peace as a foundation for sustainable world peace.

Rise of the Guardians — An animated film by DreamWorks that explores themes of purpose and identity through characters like Santa Claus and Jack Frost.

CrossFit — A functional fitness training program combining strength and conditioning, emphasizing holistic body movement.

Sebastián Ruiz Jiménez on LinkedIn

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Empathy with Scott Perry

Published October 28, 2021 · All posts on Oct 28

How can individuals harness empathy, creativity, and purpose to achieve personal fulfillment and make meaningful contributions to others?

Empathy becomes a transformative practice when it evolves from effort into compassionate action.

Empathy is really hard. It requires a lot of effort to put your—to see, hear, and understand someone for where they are.

~ Scott Perry (9:33)

The conversation explores how authentic, engaging conversations can foster personal clarity, growth, and meaningful connections. It highlights the value of leveraging creativity and podcasting as tools for understanding oneself and one’s purpose. Insights from Akimbo courses and personal experiences underscore the importance of community and serendipity in learning.

Empathy and its connection to compassion are central themes, with a detailed discussion on how understanding others can lead to actionable support. Stoicism emerges as a guiding philosophy, offering practical wisdom for navigating life with intention and resilience. Gratitude and generosity are emphasized as foundational practices for improving one’s mindset and relationships.

Takeaways

Conversations as way-finding tools — Engaging with others can help clarify personal goals and purpose.

Empathy and compassion — Empathy requires effort, but it can lead to actionable compassion that benefits all involved.

Gratitude practices — Simple acts of daily gratitude can enhance mood and perspective.

The value of a compass — Instead of following predefined paths, individuals should develop their own compass to navigate life.

Stoicism as guidance — Stoicism provides actionable principles for resilience and intentional living.

Creative endeavors — Sharing one’s creativity through podcasting and blogging supports personal exploration and connection.

Learning through community — Collaborating within a community accelerates learning and idea refinement.

Resources

Creative on Purpose — Scott Perry’s platform for helping individuals find purpose and fulfillment.

Scott Perry on LinkedIn

Marcus Aurelius’s Meditations — A stoic guide for living with intention and integrity.

altMBA — A workshop designed to foster leadership and personal growth.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Perspective with Chris Grant

Published October 28, 2021 · All posts on Oct 28

Perspective with Chris Grant

What lessons and insights can be drawn from personal experiences in Parkour and community development?

Exploring how personal growth intertwines with professional experiences in Parkour and community development.

Getting things out there, 85, 90% done, and then there maybe being a few little fixes you do, is actually harmless compared to making people wait or never getting to the end of a project.

~ Chris Grant (15:49)

The conversation explores the evolution of roles and responsibilities within the Parkour community. Chris discusses his transition from being a coach to a development manager at Parkour UK, emphasizing the value of building systems that support practitioners. He reflects on how stepping back from Parkour full-time provided him with a broader perspective and transferable skills, which he now applies to help others in the community.

The discussion also touches on practical advice for those navigating entrepreneurial endeavors in niche fields. Topics include the importance of financial stability, embracing imperfection in projects, and the benefits of setting boundaries to avoid burnout. Chris highlights the need for humility and openness to new learning opportunities, even after years of experience in a field.

Takeaways

Financial stability — A foundational element that enables greater flexibility and decision-making power.

Adaptability — Skills learned outside a primary field often enhance one’s ability to contribute meaningfully.

Perfectionism — Often a barrier to progress, where action is more valuable than ideal outcomes.

Community support — Building systems that ease the workload of active practitioners is vital for growth.

Perspective — Stepping away from a practice can offer valuable insights when re-engaging with it later.

Boundaries — Setting limits on work hours is crucial for maintaining personal well-being and professional effectiveness.

Continual learning — Embracing a mindset of humility and constant improvement enhances one’s impact.

Resources

Parkour UK — An organization focused on the development and promotion of Parkour in the UK.

Chris Grant on LinkedIn

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Failure

Published October 28, 2021 · All posts on Oct 28

I’ve recently begun the long project of looking through my past recordings. Only in the last month or so have I been keeping notes about the conversations as I record them, and I want to go back to day-one, (January 28, 2017,) and update my notes on who, when, where— but also the themes and ideas that were discussed. (I’m not listening to everything, just going through the scattered information I already have about the recordings.) Although it’s a lot of work, it’s rewarding to see so many things organized in one centralized system! These days, ideas and connections I find in the slipbox also point me to my specific conversations.

It’s inevitable that you’re going to fail. If you’re not failing, then you’re definitely doing something wrong because you’re supposed to find your limits. There are parts of it that are going to suck the whole way along— that’s a perfect possibility, but you’re going to grow.

~ Adam McClellan

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You may fail miserably, or you’re gonna break through it— you’re gonna learn something new about yourself, and you’re gonna develop a new skill out of necessity that you didn’t have at the beginning of the painting. So that’s what keeps me excited about making paintings, is because I couldn’t do the same thing over and over again. I have to manufacture some sort of potential failure there.

~ Jonny Hart

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Also: Delightful connections like the two quotes above fall into my lap along the way.

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Learning with Steven Low

Published October 27, 2021 · All posts on Oct 27

Learning with Steven Low

How does one balance pursuing multiple creative and physical endeavors while maintaining long-term growth and curiosity?

Practical insights into climbing, gymnastics, and writing illuminate the shared themes of persistence and adaptability.

My real goal is to get people thinking about how to apply all these different kinds of steps to their own training or injuries or whatever they are working on and be able to do things for themselves.

~ Steven Low (15:59)

This conversation weaves through the journey of pursuing physical and creative challenges, reflecting on how to balance growth and curiosity over time. Topics range from the iterative process of writing deeply informative books to the physical and mental intricacies of climbing and gymnastics. The discussion emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and adapting methods based on personal experiences and new scientific insights.

Personal anecdotes highlight the interplay of curiosity, physical limitations, and the satisfaction derived from mastering difficult tasks. The conversation touches on teaching as a vehicle for personal fulfillment, drawing parallels between activities such as rock climbing and whitewater rafting in terms of their unique ability to offer new perspectives and foster resilience.

Takeaways

The process of iterative refinement — Decisions about revisiting or updating projects depend on scientific advancements and user needs.

The importance of problem-solving — Physical activities like climbing offer unique opportunities for analytical thinking and pushing limits.

Balancing multiple interests — Shifting focus to new projects can sustain long-term curiosity and motivation.

Encouraging independent learning — Teaching concepts rather than step-by-step instructions fosters autonomy and adaptability.

Practical application of concepts — Trial and error helps individuals tailor training approaches to their unique circumstances.

Avoiding repetitive monotony — Preference for varied and challenging activities highlights the value of engaging pursuits.

The role of curiosity in growth — Directed curiosity helps bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

The appeal of outdoor activities — Activities like climbing and hiking combine physical effort with an appreciation for nature.

Adapting training methods — Personal experience and feedback guide modifications to improve outcomes.

The significance of goal-oriented training — Structured challenges provide satisfaction and a sense of accomplishment.

The interplay of teaching and learning — Effective teaching ignites curiosity and helps others become self-sufficient problem solvers.

Resources

Overcoming Gravity — Steven’s book focused on mastering gymnastics-inspired training.

Overcoming Poor Posture — Steven’s book addressing common posture problems and their solutions.

Steven Low’s Blog — Articles exploring fitness, health, and training methodologies.

Steven Low on LinkedIn

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Two people is magical

Published October 27, 2021 · All posts on Oct 27

I often find things scattered about which make little connections appear in my mind. That’s literally what the word composition means when it’s used in the context of writing and literature; writing which composes something new from some number of other things already found. This little missive has been laying in the pile of such things for far too long… and so I’m putting up here to see where it leads us.

Way back in March of 2021 I listened to this podcast episode:

Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection with Marissa King from the Masters of Community podcast, March 22, 2021.

Around 46 minutes in David Spinks asks…

Marissa King: What she found is people consistently underestimated how much their partner was enjoying the conversation. So the short answer to this is you’re actually more likable than you think just the way you are.

David Spinks: That’s really interesting. What are the steps then? …for somebody to become a better conversationalist?

Marissa: Do they just have to become aware of that fact, and stop worrying about it so much? I think that’s part of it. And what I try to do throughout my book is actually to give people the tools of social science to allow them to apply this in their own life. […] So for instance, imagine you’re walking into a cocktail party. What we know, based on human interaction is when I walk in, I often will just see a wall of people. […] But we know that people actually don’t just form walls, that they tend to form small groups or clusters. The question becomes, which cluster do you go to? And people will have all sorts of different ways of choosing this. […] It turns out, that people are in these clusters, because of just the way that humans are built, that we have two eyes, and we have two ears, almost all conversation actually happens in dyads—groups of two. And because of this, if you look for an odd number group, whether it’s 1, 3, 5, 7… When you join that conversation, you’re giving someone else a conversational partner, and so you’re really creating balance. […] oftentimes if you apply this, or you imagine that you are one of these people who feel this aversion, or you feel like I don’t know how to do this, by applying these basic tools, it actually allows you to engage in these types of activities more comfortably.

(I did that transcription by hand and edited it all lightly for clarity.)

That show is all about communities. It’s intended for community builders, managers and moderators. A lot of its content is about health and wellness, as well as the more obvious topics of strategies and tactics for community building.

But this part of this episode really grabbed my attention from my “I record conversations with people” podcast creator point-of-view.

TWO PEOPLE

I’ve long believed that two is the perfect number of people in a podcast. Yes, there are exceptional instances of podcasts with the other numbers of people in them. But there’s magic in two.

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PS: In the above, that small idea about “composition”… that came from some other reading which I unpacked in, Thank you Miss Merrill.

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Tribe of Mentors

Published October 26, 2021 · All posts on Oct 26

Ferriss’s Tribe of Mentors was published in 2017, and arrived in my collection as a gift in 2018. It took me three years—until 2021, March of this year in fact—before I was finally ready to read it. I have a couple, (and “couple” always means two,) of things to say about the book.

Excellence is the next five minutes, improvement is the next five minutes, happiness is the next five minutes. This doesn’t mean you ingore planning. I encourage you to make ambitious plans. Just rememeber that the big-beyond-belief things are accomplished when you deconstruct them into the smallest possible pieces and focus on each “moment of impact,” one step at a time.

~ Tim Ferriss

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As I was reading, I marked about 50 quotes. I didn’t count the markers I inserted, and some of them are at sections with several quotes. There are quotes from the people in the book, there are quotes that Ferriss included in single-page, “quotes I’m pondering” section breaks, and there are precisely three quotes from Ferriss himself. (All three are here, in this post.)

The first thing I want to share about this book is that it’s not really Ferriss’s book. He didn’t write a book. The vast bulk is other people’s work and writing. Some of those people impressed me, some were “just” solid humans being their best, and some struck me as self-deluded; which makes it a superlative book. Where—let’s be honest—can one get insight on 100 different people and tuck it under your arm? Insight on people you’ve heard of, people you’ve not yet heard of, and even some people you’ll probably never care to hear of. Furthermore, having myself done a bunch of, “you’re just capturing what other people say,” work, I’m qualified to say: He did the deceptively difficult work of asking. He asked and followed up and nudged and organized (and indexed and cross-indexed) and cast light on people he thought were worth giving a platform.

To paraphrase Jim [Loehr]: The power broker in your life is the voice that no one ever hears. How well you revisit the tone and content of your private voice is what determines the quality of your life. It is the master storyteller, and the stories we tell ourselves are our reality. For instance, how do you speak to yourself when you make a mistake that upsets you? Would you speak that way to a dear freind when they’ve made a mistake? If not, you have work to do. Trust me, we all have work to do.

~ Tim Ferriss

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Which brings me to the second thing: There’s a very slim section hiding at the back. If I noted its existence when I read the Table of Contents, (I always read Tables of Contents,) six months later I’d certinaly forgotten the section existed. I could very easily have put the book down most of the way through and completely missed it. If you read nothing else in the book, this last section is the part you should read. I checked and it’s not published as a blog post by Ferriss, (but it’s small enough it could be.) Borrow or buy the book if just to read the last section.

Based on everything I’ve seen, a simple recipe can work: Focus on what’s in front of you, design great days to create a great life, and try not to make the same mistake twice. That’s it. Stop hitting net balls and try something else, perhaps even the opposite. If you really want extra credit, try not to be a dick, and you’ll be a Voltron-level superstar.

~ Tim Ferriss

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If you’ve not already guessed, all three of those quotes from Ferriss are from the last section of the book.

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Opportunity with Stacey Cordivano

Published October 25, 2021 · All posts on Oct 25

How do podcasts create opportunities for connection, learning, and personal growth?

Exploring how veterinarians use podcasting to promote well-being and personal development.

We don’t take care of ourselves very well. We focus on the caregiving for the animal and for the owner and we tend to put ourselves last, so my podcast focuses on well-being and personal development.

~ Stacey Cordivano (8:03)

The conversation examines how podcasting fosters connections and opportunities for growth. It discusses how starting a podcast can lead to new professional and personal relationships, opening doors to collaboration and unexpected outcomes. Stacey reflects on the challenges and rewards of podcasting, emphasizing the importance of consistent effort and feedback from the audience. She also note how social media has complemented these efforts, particularly within niche communities like veterinary professionals.

Another focus of the discussion is the unique perspective veterinarians bring to podcasting, rooted in their caregiving nature and their need to adapt and problem-solve. Stacey shares how her podcast addresses mental health and personal development within the veterinary field, aiming to provide resources and insights that are not typically emphasized in their professional training. She also highlight the joy of learning and how their podcast keeps them accountable and motivated.

Takeaways

Connections fostered by podcasting — Building relationships with new contacts leads to opportunities.

Mental health in the veterinary profession — Podcasts can address the unique challenges faced by veterinarians.

Audience feedback as a motivator — Positive listener responses drive continued podcast production.

Social media as a supportive tool — Platforms like Instagram play a role in strengthening professional communities.

Balancing content creation and life — Finding workflows and schedules that minimize stress is essential.

Accountability through podcasting — Hosting a podcast encourages ongoing learning and self-improvement.

Resources

The Whole Veterinarian podcast — A podcast focusing on well-being and development for veterinarians.

Student Loan Planner — A resource mentioned for managing student loans.

Stacey Cordivano on LinkedIn

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Curiosity with Flynn Disney

Published October 25, 2021 · All posts on Oct 25

Curiosity with Flynn Disney

What role does curiosity play in shaping movement, interactions, and personal growth?

The nuanced relationship between uncertainty and opportunity defines how we engage with challenges.

If you protect yourself from all uncertainty, maybe you are protecting yourself from falling down a well or getting eaten by a bear, but you’re also protecting yourself from love.

~ Flynn Disney (8:05)

The conversation begins with an exploration of curiosity as a driving force behind personal growth and movement practices. Curiosity is described as a positive sense of uncertainty, where individuals embrace the unknown with hope rather than fear. This attitude ties directly to embodied experiences, where physical movement reflects the mental and emotional processes involved in navigating uncertainty.

The discussion touches on boundaries, games, and goals, emphasizing their roles in learning and engagement. A notable insight is the idea that boundaries create meaning in challenges, as seen in activities like parkour and games. The interplay of failure and success, described as the resolution of uncertainty, is vital for developing curiosity and staying motivated. Personal anecdotes, such as training dogs and solving puzzles, highlight how curiosity manifests across diverse contexts.

Takeaways

Curiosity as a mindset — Embracing uncertainty with positivity leads to exploration and growth.

Boundaries and goals — Defining clear limits gives meaning and direction to challenges.

Failure as a tool — Error and near-success foster curiosity and engagement.

The role of games — Structured play highlights universal principles of learning and connection.

Embodied practices — Physical movement reflects and reinforces mental and emotional exploration.

Uncertainty’s dual nature — It holds risks and opportunities, requiring a balance to embrace.

Social dynamics — Shared curiosity creates a sense of belonging and mutual understanding.

Resources

Flynn Disney on LinkedIn

Flow by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi — Explores the concept of engaging deeply in activities that balance skill and challenge.

Parkour training insights — Explores the movement discipline emphasizing adaptability and exploration.

Rubik’s Cube puzzles — Used in the conversation as a metaphor for learning through trial and error.

Positive uncertainty — The philosophical and psychological exploration of uncertainty’s benefits.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Click

Published October 25, 2021 · All posts on Oct 25

I’m a child of the vinyl album era. We had a collection—about 5 feet of shelf space—of classic rock, some jazz, the usual suspects collected during the 60s, 70s and into the 80s. There was sublime magic in that vinyl. My dad wasn’t an audiophile per se, but he had a few nice things that comprised the stereo system, and the crown jewel was a Marantz turn-table. We had special soft-cloth cylinders for gently lifting dust off the surfaces. We even had a little space-ray-gun-looking thing that [as far as I recall] neutralized static charge on the vinyl, (which apparently can accumulate when you pull them out of their sleeves.) A classic Pioneer amp… at one point he found someone who rebuilt his speakers for him—repair rather than replace was, at one time, the norm in America. There was a dedicated cabinet for the gear, with a built-in power strip, and lighting…

And the CD was invented while I was a kid. We—society at large—had endless arguments about sound. I even did a high-school presentation about how CDs actually work to encode the sound digitally, and how that encoding uses compression, and how quality is lost… and I bought more and more CDs. I skipped right over collecting cassette tapes; I made countless of my own from albums and CDs, but I don’t believe I ever bought a single one. The Sony Walkman was the driver for my recording cassettes. Then the portable CD players arrived and all hell broke loose. I only purchased a handful of vinyl albums and I never ever set up the Marantz after my dad died. (I passed it to my cousin who did get into collecting vinyl as a kid. I made him promise to spin the helll out of it, and play music loud— damn loud.) And my CD collection grew to thousands. Then I mixed in my dad’s extensive CD collection which had almost zero overlap with mine. My stereo? I keep a scary-old little AirPort Express plugged in, with a cheap-ass set of “computer” speakers, with a woofer, plugged into the AirPort’s 3.5mm headphone jack.

This morning… “I think some Mozart would be nice.” Click, click… and click… and Symphony no. 39, recorded in 1977 by the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra streams from the little stereo. Rather loudly I might add.

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This is click bait

Published October 24, 2021 · All posts on Oct 24

German Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) influenced some of the more prominent minds in the world. His writings and lessons traverse time and discipline. Schopenhauer confronted similar problems with media to the ones we face.

~ Shane Parrish from, Master Your Attention: Schopenhauer’s Strategy Against Clickbait

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The scale of Philosophy—just “western” Philosophy alone, even—is mind boggling. Who thought what, at which point in their career. Who influenced whom. Who’s work is now considered bunk, and which is bunk but still necessary to understand some other piece. What is in which language, and then which translation of that should one choose. If so-and-so had an influence on other-person, in what way? …did they build upon, tear down and correct, or push farther the influencer’s work?

At one point, I had deluded myself into attempting a systematic survey of Philosophy. ahahhahaahhaahahhaahahahahahhahaaa. Silly human.

But this small-ish article from Parrish led me to actually wonder about some of Schopenhauer’s essays. And I’ve ended up with an English translation of his On Reading and Books now sitting on my read-next table.

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