When you have acquired a contempt for things that are external and lie outside the sphere of choice, and have come to regard none of them as your own, but only this as your own, to judge and think aright, and exercise your impulses, desires and aversions aright, what further room is there after that for flattery, what room for an abject mind?
~ Epictetus
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Inspired by a reader’s question to me, I thought I’d ask our followers on Facebook and Twitter for an answer to the question: What books would you recommend someone read to improve their general knowledge of the world.
I must say the number and quality of the responses overwhelmed me. The box Amazon just delivered reminds me that I ordered 9 books off this list.
~ Shane Parrish, from What Books Would You Recommend Someone Read to Improve their General Knowledge of the World?
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I know there are too many books—old books, new books, red books, blue books … A friend of mine just published a book, Before You Say Anything, and Jiminy Cricket I’d love to read it— I hovered on the add-to-cart button. But I paused, managing to trigger my habit-change “wedge” of repeating: “simplfiy. simplify. simplify.” I digress.
I skimmed that list of books from Parrish and felt I should probably read every one of them. Instead—simplify. simplify. simplify.—I noted I’ve read several, have several more already in my possession, and several others on the wishlist. With a life-is-short shrug, I’m passing it along to you and moving on with my morning.
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How can creative collaborations, like podcasting and music installations, drive personal growth, enhance understanding of one’s craft, and foster connections with an audience?
The challenges and rewards of collaborative artistry illuminate surprising pathways to personal development.
I would never have the courage to say things which I have the courage to say when I’m with Anna. Somehow the conversation just flows, and we actually discovered new levels of philosophy or whatever. We become courageous together much more than when we are alone.
~ Monika Manauskaite (15:00)
The conversation centers on the creative journeys of two classical musicians who use innovative projects, like podcasts and music installations, to explore self-discovery and audience engagement. Anna and Monika discuss how engaging with podcasting and vlogging has shifted their mindsets, exposing them to diverse perspectives and helping them grow personally and professionally. Their experiences reveal how artistic collaboration fosters mutual courage and enhances creative outputs, as seen in their ability to explore and express new ideas together.
I realized how much I’m learning. You know, after a few months I realized I’m exposed to so many different worldviews and so many different aspects of people’s lives, and I just felt, you know, a big improvement in my mindset in everyday life.
~ Anna Szalucka (2:15)
Monika and Anna highlight their music installation project, emphasizing its impact on their understanding of their audience. The project challenged stereotypes about young people’s disinterest in classical music, revealing instead a significant curiosity when accessibility barriers are removed. They also reflect on the role of collaboration in combating self-doubt, leveraging shared passion to overcome imposter syndrome and take bold creative steps.
Takeaways
Collaboration in artistry — Discusses how working with others amplifies creativity, courage, and productivity.
Audience engagement in classical music — Highlights how accessibility can attract younger audiences to classical performances.
Self-discovery through creative work — Explores how podcasting and vlogging can reveal personal insights and deepen one’s connection to their craft.
The role of mindset — Examines how adopting a collaborative or experimental mindset can drive innovation in creative projects.
Flow state in performance — Describes the unique dynamics of achieving flow during solo versus collaborative performances.
Combatting imposter syndrome — Emphasizes the value of shared passion in overcoming self-doubt and achieving personal growth.
Innovative concert formats — Presents the idea of interactive music installations as a reimagined classical concert experience.
Resources
The Piano Phase project — Monika’s and Anna’s piano project.
Open Arted Podcast — Monika’s podcast mentioned as part of their exploration into creative and personal development.
Documentary of the Piano Phase Project — Captures their performance and interviews, providing insights into their creative process.
Steve Reich’s Piano Phase — The minimalistic music piece performed during their installation project.
European Capital of Culture Program — A platform where their next performances and cultural events will take place.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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How does podcasting foster personal growth, learning, and connection?
Compassion and empathy emerge as essential skills in podcasting and beyond.
I believe by making the show, you are really expanding. I’m expanding my consciousness.
~ Özlem Özkan (19:41)
The conversation centers on podcasting as a tool for exploration, learning, and connection. One of the key themes discussed is the value of preparation in podcasting. Özlem emphasizes the importance of deeply researching and understanding her guests to create meaningful conversations. This preparation leads to authentic exchanges, which highlight the importance of honesty and openness in both podcasting and life.
Another significant theme is the role of empathy and compassion in fostering authentic connections. The discussion touches on the challenges of being a guest or host and how people often strive for perfection, which can undermine their authenticity. Podcasting, Özlem notes, has helped her practice being themselves in various settings, whether in relationships, professional interactions, or creative pursuits. The conversation also examines how listening attentively allows for deeper understanding and helps create safe spaces where genuine connections flourish.
Takeaways
Podcasting as a learning tool — Emphasized as a method for both hosts and guests to grow and gain new perspectives.
Importance of preparation — Thorough preparation allows for better conversations and helps guests feel valued.
Authenticity in podcasting — Discussed as critical for creating meaningful and memorable episodes.
The role of empathy — Highlighted as essential for connecting with guests and understanding their perspectives.
Practical strategies for hosting — Includes pre-recording rituals like music to create a relaxed and open atmosphere.
Challenges of being a guest — Addressed how striving too hard to perform well can lead to inauthenticity.
Listening as a skill — Listening attentively is portrayed as key to expanding understanding and fostering connection.
Podcasting as life practice — Lessons learned from podcasting extend into personal growth and daily interactions.
Resources
The Bridging Podcast — Özlem’s podcast aimed at connecting people and exploring human stories.
Dalai Lama’s Teachings — Referenced for his views on compassion and happiness.
Zencastr — The platform used to record the conversation, optimizing audio quality for remote calls.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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How does a supportive community influence the success and motivation of podcasters?
Shared experiences and mutual encouragement shape the journey of podcasting beginners.
The magic of sound comes through… it surprises you every time.
~ Bryon Howard (9:55)
The conversation highlights the impact of community in the podcasting journey, focusing on how collaboration and mutual encouragement help creators persevere through challenges. Bryon and Craig discuss the importance of connections formed during a podcasting workshop, noting how these relationships motivated them to continue their work despite initial uncertainties. Bryon reflects on how a few key individuals in his network were instrumental in his success.
Bryon also examine the technical and emotional aspects of podcasting. The discussion includes overcoming imposter syndrome through listener feedback, practical tips for in-person and virtual recording sessions, and the value of genuine interactions. Bryon explores how podcasting, even as a hobby, can provide meaningful personal and professional growth.
Takeaways
Community as a motivator — The support and warmth of a like-minded group play a significant role in sustaining podcasters’ efforts.
Importance of listener feedback — Positive feedback, even when sparse, can validate efforts and inspire continued work.
Recording in-person vs. virtual — In-person recordings enhance shared experiences and natural timing, creating a richer connection.
Balancing passion and practicality — Podcasting can be pursued as both a hobby and a professional tool, with room for curiosity and personal interests.
Managing challenges rationally — Rational approaches to logistical and health concerns, such as in-person recording during a pandemic, ensure smooth execution.
Resources
Calgary Living: Real Estate and Lifestyle — Bryon’s podcast focusing on Calgary’s lifestyle and real estate insights.
Podcasting Workshop by Akimbo — A structured course designed to teach podcasting skills and foster community.
Movers Mindset Podcast — A podcast exploring the intersection of movement and personal growth.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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But what if my friends there should die? What else could that signify except that men who are mortal have died? Do you at once wish to live to be old, and yet not to see the death of any one you love? Do you not know that, in a long course of time, many and various events must necessarily happen? That a fever must get the better of one person, a highwayman of another, a tyrant of a third?
~ Epictetus
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A highly influential book for me in designing Automattic was Daniel Pink’s Drive, where he eloquently introduces the three things that really matter in motivating people: mastery, purpose, and autonomy. Mastery is the urge to get better skills. Purpose is the desire to do something that has meaning, that’s bigger than yourself. These first two principles physically co-located companies can be great at. But the third, autonomy, is where even the best in-office company can never match a Level 4 or above distributed company.
~ Matt Mullenweg from, Distributed Work’s Five Levels of Autonomy | Matt Mullenweg
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I’ve read and listened to a bunch of stuff from Mullenweg and he’s consistently someone with his head on straight and his priorities—particularly those related to the many people working for his company—in order. If you just went, “Matt who?” definitely read that little post, and then, perhaps, dip into his podcast, Distributed. (Maybe try the episode, Automattic CEO Matt Mullenweg on building a fully distributed company, to get a good taste.)
Also, yes, more autonomy for everyone.
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The modern struggle — Lone individuals summoning inhuman willpower, fasting, meditating, and exercising, up against armies of scientists and statisticians weaponizing abundant food, screens, and medicine into junk food, clickbait news, infinite porn, endless games and addictive drugs.
~ Naval Ravikant
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The great biographer Robert Caro once said, “Power doesn’t always corrupt, but power always reveals.” Perhaps the same is true of the most powerful networks in human history.
Social media has not corrupted us, it’s merely revealed who we always were.
~ Mark Manson from, The Real Dangers of Social Media
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There’s a lot of good—writing, concepts, anecdote, data—in this article. But the thing that leapt out at me was something I’d already known, but seem to have forgotten… or, if not fully forgotten, I’d failed to connect it to other things in my model of the world: The idea of the silent majority.
About 90% of the people participating on social networks, are not even participating. They’re simply observing. It turns out that the other 10% are the people with extreme views; not “blow stuff up” extreme, but simply more towards the opposing ends of whatever spectrum of views you care to consider.
Two things to consider: First, boy howdy guilty as charged! I’m on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn— but the only content I post is related to my projects. I don’t engage with anything, reshare… or even, really, participate unless it’s related to a project. *face palm* Woa! I’m literally a member of the silent majority. Perhaps you are to? If 10 of you are reading, then 9 of you are just like me.
Second, because math! If you look at the stream we all like to say, “it’s endless!” Right. There must be thousands of posts, right? I’ll pause while you do math… right. If there are only thousands of posts for me to see, I’m clearly not seeing all the activity from the millions of people. Sure, some of that is the platform filtering, but I have the feeling that the numbers hold true: If everyone posted a lot we’d have thousands of times more stuff flying around.
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One never notices what has been done; One can only see what remains to be done.
~ Marie Curie
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Somebody has arrived from Rome. “I only hope there is no bad news.” Why, what harm can happen to you when you are not there? — Somebody has arrived from Greece. “I only hope there is no bad news.” Why, at this rate, every place can be the cause of misfortune to you. Is it not enough for you to be unfortunate where you are, but must you be unhappy on the other side of the sea also, and by letter? Such is the security of your condition!
~ Epictetus
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I believe the standard how-to book contains too much new stuff for a human brain to take on board once, or at least it does for my brain. Implementing a single habit – flossing before bed, for example – is something most people can do if they’re really focusing on it, but even that is hard. Converting your workday into the full-bore Pomodoro system, or (God help you) the GTD system, represents a dozen or more habits that all have to come online more or less at the same time.
~ David Cain from, How to Get Things Done When You Have Trouble Getting Things Done
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This is an unusual post from Cain. It is very much nuts-and-bolts material—ending in a pitch for a book of his own—rather than his usual philosophical pontifications. To his observation quoted above I’d like to add the following: If I am able to find just one good idea in a book which I can implement, then I get very excited.
For example, one can read many books and come away with new ideas. (Man’s Search for Meaning, or Leaves of Grass, spring to mind as examples.) But the vast majority of books do not contain actionable things that can be implemented to make a difference in your life. An idea like, “be the change you want to see in the world,” is sublime. But how—be specific in your thinking here—do I do that? There are many examples: “Practice gratitude.” How, exactly? And compare that to the same idea, in actionable form: “Begin each day by writing down three things for which you are grateful.”
I’m not trying to denigrate great ideas. I’m trying to explain my sheer delight when I do find a great idea which is readily attemptable. Many of those actionable ideas still fall by the wayside, but a few of them have really stuck and served me well.
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…the world is one great city, and the substance out of which it is formed is single, and there must necessarily be a cycle of change, in which one thing gives way to another, and some things are destroyed and others come into being, and some things remain where they were and others are moved.
~ Epictetus
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If you take risk out of climbing, it’s not climbing anymore.
~ Yvon Chouinard from, «https://www.rockandice.com/people/yvon-chouinard-what-ive-learned/»
Just checking: Be sure you know who Yvon Chouinard is.
Risk is everywhere. If you’re not a climber, I’d venture to guess that you regularly ride in automobiles, which is the most dangerous thing you regularly do. It’s not particularly risky—the chances of catastrophe are low. And it’s a risk I’m comfortable with. Comfortable in both senses: I’ve rationally assessed the risk and do what I can to reduce that risk, and I’ve been exposed to the risk so often that it no longer evinces a visceral reaction.
Certainly, in climbing the objective hazards loom larger; when you’re looking down on large birds cruising the ridge-lift, your physical perspective shifts your mental perspective on life. But there are objective hazards everywhere. For me, I like to do everything reasonable to reduce all of the risks, but knowing that the risks exist— spending some time each day sitting with those risks, knowing I cannot fully eliminate all of them— that’s living.
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[Concerning our dealings with other people,] it is better to fall in with crows than with flatterers; for in the one case you are devoured when dead, in the other case while alive.
~ Antisthenes
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In part, Faraday credits his own “inventing the method of invention” to reading Watts’s books, particularly The Improvement of the Mind — a self improvement guide a few centuries before the internet. Watts recommended keeping a commonplace book to record facts, and Faraday did. Watts recommended he be guided by observed facts, and Faraday was. Watts recommended finding a great teacher, and Faraday starting attending lectures.
~ Shane Parrish from, Isaac Watts and the Improvement of the Mind
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Yes, that Michael Faraday. And book ordered.
I’m a vigorous agreer with Will Smith’s comments about reading, (and I believe him regarding running but my body is not yet on board.) I hope that reading this book is a wonderful exercise in, “I already knew that. And that. And also that.” However, my current traipsing through, A College Manual of Rhetoric has proven to be a font of—apparently—long forgotten by most everyone, gems. As such, I’m willing to bet my hoped-for reading of, The Improvement of the Mind will turn out similarly.
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How can storytelling and purpose be effectively integrated into business and podcasting to create meaningful impact?
Explore the transformative power of storytelling for purpose-driven leaders and entrepreneurs.
I don’t know if it’s introverts or extroverts, or necessarily these characterizations. But I think that there are people that are generally kind of thinking really big picture, and maybe community-oriented. But they have to be paired up with these implementors, and these ‘takers’—as I call them—to bring this stuff to life. I keep seeing this pattern in a lot of different places, and people use a lot of different language to describe them.
~ Karen Bailey (10:18)
The discussion emphasizes the importance of integrating storytelling into business and podcasting, focusing on its ability to make abstract concepts like purpose tangible and actionable. Storytelling is framed as a tool not just for engagement but for education and leadership, offering insights into how businesses can clarify their purpose and create meaningful impacts on their communities and stakeholders. Karen shares her personal journey from blogging about purpose to podcasting, highlighting how audio storytelling allowed for richer, more dynamic sharing of ideas.
The conversation also explores the characteristics of purpose-driven leadership and the dynamic between “idea makers” and “idea takers.” Emphasis is placed on the synergy between these roles, with practical examples of how they complement each other in successful businesses. The value of collaboration, community, and accountability among podcasters is discussed as a key driver for overcoming challenges and achieving goals. The exchange concludes with reflections on the importance of clarity and intentionality in both podcasting and broader business efforts.
Takeaways
Storytelling in business — It serves as a tool for making purpose more tangible and relatable.
Shifting market expectations — Consumers and employees increasingly value purpose-driven organizations.
Synergy between roles — The interplay of “idea makers” and “idea takers” is crucial for implementing visions.
Purpose-driven podcasting — Audio storytelling enriches the ability to share diverse voices and insights.
Community and accountability — Connecting with peers helps overcome challenges and fosters growth.
Constraints and creativity — Both freedom and restrictions can stimulate innovative thinking.
Alignment and action — Clarifying and aligning purpose with actions enhances impact on communities.
Resources
Alignd on Purpose — Karen’s consulting firm helping business owners define their purpose and align their organization around it.
The Corporate Purpose Podcast — Karen’s podcast.
Start With Why — Simon Sinek’s book discussing the importance of understanding purpose.
The Four Tendencies — Gretchen Rubin’s book describing a framework for understanding motivation and behavior.
Quiet — Susan Cain’s book about the power of introverts in a world that values extroversion.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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The school of a philosopher is a surgery. You should not depart from it in pleasure, but in pain, for you are not healthy when you come in, but one of you has a dislocated shoulder, another an abscess, another a fistula, another a headache. And am I to come up with pretty thoughts and reflections, so that each of you will go away praising me, but with the same dislocated shoulder, the same aching head, the same fistula, and the same abscess that you brought in?
~ Epictetus
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Diet modulates weight. Nutrition quality will improve how fast you lose or gain weight. Exercise modulates body composition. Exercise intensity will improve how fast your body composition changes.
~ Steven Low, modified from, The relationship between diet and exercise – Steven Low
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Frankly, diet and exercise are topics that require a lifetime of study. The four sentences above—which I’ve reordered, but not otherwise edited—are as simple as I’d be willing to go in a description of “diet and exercise.” Fortunately, Low goes on. Much farther on.
I’ve tried a lot of things, and I’m confident that while several of them were turning points for me, not a single one of them is a panacea. In a very real sense, this meat-bag is nothing more than a moderately complex, space ship for my consciousness. It’s dented, sure, but it has a lot of good miles left on it.
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How can podcasting serve as a tool for musicians to grow their audience, overcome challenges, and share their personal and professional journeys?
Exploring the intersection of music, entrepreneurship, and mental health highlights new paths for creative growth.
I think the way that musicians can use podcasting to their advantage is by talking about other subjects… other than trying to sell their music.
~ Simon Christopher Pellett (13:53)
The conversation examines how musicians can leverage podcasting to enhance their careers, foster deeper connections with their audiences, and navigate challenges in the music industry. Simon discusses the evolving landscape of creative media and entrepreneurship, emphasizing how podcasting allows artists to bypass traditional gatekeepers, explore diverse topics, and reach new audiences. Examples highlight the importance of reframing perspectives and embracing opportunities for growth, even in challenging circumstances.
Mental health emerges as a significant theme, with reflections on how personal struggles can shape professional journeys. The conversation touches on the Simon’s own experiences with anxiety and depression, showing how podcasting became a tool for self-expression and connection. Practical advice for musicians includes the benefits of sharing diverse interests, collaborating with a team, and finding unique ways to market their work.
Takeaways
Using podcasting for connection — Musicians can connect with audiences by exploring personal and professional stories beyond their music.
Breaking down barriers — Podcasting removes gatekeepers, offering direct access to audiences and creative freedom.
Reframing success — Shifting perspectives from single big breaks to long-term, consistent efforts helps musicians approach success realistically.
Mental health awareness — Discussing mental health reduces stigma and fosters a sense of community and understanding.
Team collaboration — Successful musical projects benefit from clear communication and delegation of roles among team members.
Marketing innovation — Sharing interests beyond music, like food or sports, helps artists engage audiences creatively and broaden their reach.
Entrepreneurial mindset — Applying business principles and leveraging unique opportunities allows musicians to sustain their careers.
Resources
Music On Your Own Terms Podcast — Simon’s podcast focusing on entrepreneurship, mental health, and the music industry.
Song Exploder Podcast — A podcast exploring the stories behind songs, featuring in-depth discussions with artists.
Simon Tam — Member of the band The Slants, known for innovative marketing strategies like Yelp-based band promotion.
CD Baby — A platform for independent musicians to distribute and promote their music.
Tony Robbins — Author and motivational speaker whose content inspired the speaker’s personal growth journey.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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