Challenge with Seth Ruji →

Published July 28, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 28  ·  

Challenge with Seth Ruji

What drives personal growth and the mindset necessary to embrace challenges in physical and mental practices?

A journey of self-improvement unfolds through insights on goal-setting, risk assessment, and personal evolution.

Through parkour, I’ve been able to open up my perspective on life a ton and it’s created so many different opportunities.

~ Seth Ruji (20:04)

The conversation centers on personal growth, emphasizing mental and physical discipline. Topics include the importance of structured training plans, the mindset needed to assess and embrace risks, and the influence of high-stakes challenges on personal development. Seth highlights how parkour fosters self-awareness, teaching individuals to recognize his limits and set realistic, achievable goals.

The discussion also explores broader life themes, such as balancing professional ambitions with personal well-being, maintaining discipline amidst challenges, and the joy of continuous improvement. Insights are drawn from parkour and professional experiences, underscoring the interplay between mental resilience and physical achievement.

Takeaways

Luck and preparation — Success often arises from seizing opportunities through meticulous preparation.

Self-identified risk — Parkour teaches recognizing and respecting personal limits to improve safely.

Goal flexibility — Goals should be ambitious but adjustable to maintain growth and motivation.

Balancing roles — Managing competing priorities like professional work and personal interests is essential for sustainable success.

Mindset evolution — Personal and professional experiences contribute to a broader perspective on life and goals.

Continuous learning — Breaking down challenges into smaller, manageable steps aids consistent progress.

Resources

Swift Movement Studio — A parkour and movement training facility in Cincinnati, Ohio.

The Now Habit — A book on overcoming procrastination through practical strategies for effective goal setting.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Desires →

Published July 28, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 28  ·  ,

It is easier to suppress the first desire than to satisfy all that follow it.

~ Benjamin Franklin

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Together →

Published July 28, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 28  ·  ,

It’s an endless list of little things that you think you’ve forgotten, but you haven’t. You are quite literally built to sense an infinite amount of subtle bits of signal from your fellow humans. We were not built to live alone in caves; we were built to live together in them.

~ Rands from, What We Lost – Rands in Repose

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As the “online interaction” soared in recent years, I’ve gradually moved away from feeling grumpy about the quality of (for example), video calls online. Through that time I continued to enjoy in-person interaction as much as I ever did, and I had already spent years massively reducing the frequency of those. My feeling is that all the online interaction has expanded—not replaced, nor “attempted to replace” nor anything negative like that—my human interaction. I’ve had multiple conversations with people from other continents I’d never had been able to meet in person.

I’m not suggesting “Rands” has it wrong. No, he has it quite right. I’m simply pointing out that these sense-limited interactions can be an enormous positive addition when we don’t think of them as replacing normal human interactions.

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Drive with Ben Moreno →

Published July 27, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 27

What experiences and insights shaped the transition from video to audio storytelling?

A podcaster’s journey uncovers the nuances of voiceover work and audio engineering.

It just puts you down back to the ground and reflect how quick it happened. I had a bad car accident, and it almost took my life.

~ Ben Moreno (22:48)

The conversation explores Ben’s creative evolution from photography to video production, and eventually to podcasting and voiceover work. This journey was driven by personal milestones, such as the birth of his daughter, and technical challenges, particularly in achieving quality audio for video projects. Craig and Ben discuss the differences in audio storytelling, including the unique demands of podcasting and audiobooks.

Ben shares a deeply personal story of a life-altering car accident, which led to reflection on priorities and values. Stoicism and daily Bible reading play significant roles in their life, providing a philosophical and spiritual foundation. Technical details about microphones and recording setups illustrate their passion for audio production, while their foray into narrating audiobooks highlights their continuous pursuit of creative challenges.

Takeaways

Creative transitions — Moving from photography to video and podcasting as a medium for storytelling.

Technical growth — Overcoming challenges in audio quality and exploring different tools for production.

Personal philosophy — The integration of stoicism and daily spiritual practices as guiding principles.

Adapting to challenges — Building a professional setup from limited resources.

Life lessons — A near-death experience leading to deeper reflections on priorities and faith.

Voiceover insights — The complexities and technicalities of narrating audiobooks.

Resources

Talk Active Podcast — A podcast encouraging the practice of wisdom, courage, justice, and moderation.

ACX — Platform owned by Amazon for audiobook creation and distribution.

Zoom H6 Recorder — A portable audio recorder often used in podcasting and voiceover work.

Rode Microphones — Discussed as a preferred brand for podcasting and voiceover.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Perspectives with Robbie Corbett →

Published July 27, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 27  ·  

Perspectives with Robbie Corbett

What are the challenges and opportunities in advancing Parkour as a sport, a community activity, and a professional field?

The conversation explores the evolution of Parkour and its integration into schools and professional spaces.

The idea is we want a place that they can be creative, and not just be forced to do [movement] by the book. Maybe they could build stuff, maybe they can make new challenges.

~ Robbie Corbett (1:24)

The discussion begins with reflections on the creation of a pop-up Parkour playground tailored for schools. Emphasis is placed on designing spaces that encourage creativity and adaptability, offering both basic and advanced challenges. Robbie shares experiences working with equipment manufacturers and schools, highlighting the importance of lesson plans and collaborative design to maximize the utility of these spaces.

The conversation then shifts to broader topics, such as the evolution of Parkour as a sport and its interaction with other industries like film, Ninja Warrior, and tag. Challenges include appropriation of Parkour concepts without acknowledgment and competition from larger organizations like FIG. Despite these issues, the conversation recognizes the diversity and creativity within the Parkour community, showcasing its potential to innovate through unique events and grassroots gatherings.

Takeaways

Designing adaptable spaces — School playgrounds and pop-up structures can encourage creative movement and multi-age participation.

Challenges in recognition — Parkour faces appropriation from industries and organizations, hindering its independent growth.

Opportunities in collaboration — Collaboration with schools and communities can enhance Parkour’s accessibility and value.

Creativity in competition — Events like jams and non-traditional gatherings showcase the sport’s diversity.

The struggle with governance — FIG’s control over competitions creates barriers for Parkour’s self-regulated development.

Community engagement — Bridging small, insular groups could foster a more unified and collaborative environment.

Resources

World Freerunning and Parkour Federation (WFPF) — A global organization promoting Parkour through events and certifications.

Parkour Certification — Provides training for coaches and athletes, ensuring safety and skill progression.

MoveNYC — A unique event blending competitions, workshops, and communal activities for Parkour practitioners.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Have we become wiser? →

Published July 27, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 27  ·  ,

We live in the age of philosophy, science, and intellect. Huge libraries are open for everyone. Everywhere we have schools, colleges, and universities which give us the wisdom of the people from many previous millennia. And what then? Have we become wiser for all this? Do we better understand our life, or the meaning of our existence? Do we know what is good for our life?

~ Jean Jacques Rousseau

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Perspective and awareness →

Published July 27, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 27  ·  , ,

The thing about status dynamics, though, is that they aren’t in one spot. There isn’t a whole world that is being fully and accurately perceived, except for one blank space that’s being glossed over.

~ Duncan Sabien from, The metaphor you want is “color blindness,” not “blind spot.” — LessWrong

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This is an interesting unpacking of some metaphors. If one has a blind spot in vision, simply shifting your gaze or moving slightly, will reveal what one is not seeing. This is a key way in which the “blind spot” metaphor is inaccurate and insufficient for systemic differences (in people, culture, society, etc.). The metaphor of red-green color blindness carries more utility because it points out that the things, or the distinctions, which one can’t see are everywhere; they are not literally in one stationary location (the problem is not simply under this X on this map), and no matter what one does—gaze shifting, moving around, thinking a great deal—those invisible thing are not going to appear.

The only way I’ve found to get through such problem is to engage with others whose literal and conceptual perspectives differ from my own. I’ll sum that up as: Discovery.

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Collaboration with Cassandra Ellis →

Published July 26, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 26

How can the experience of working collaboratively in podcasting inform and enhance creative and personal growth?

Supporting others’ podcasting journeys can provide surprising insights into personal creativity.

Listening to that has led me to situations and experiences and people that make—that have me feeling uncomfortable in a good way, uncomfortable in a, ‘Oh, this is the next thing.

~ Cassandra Ellis (19:52)

The discussion emphasizes the importance of relationships in fostering creativity and collaboration, especially in the context of podcasting. Cassandra shares insights about hosting a “creativity potluck,” an event that inspired a collaborative partnership in supporting another’s podcast project. This interaction highlights the value of seeing creative work as part of an artistic continuum rather than a solitary task.

The conversation also explores how discomfort can be a catalyst for growth, urging creators to lean into challenges and follow their intuition. Recognizing podcasting as a relationship-driven process rather than an isolating endeavor provides a framework for discovering blind spots, whether technical, emotional, or creative. The exchange advocates for embracing small acts of courage and openness to serendipity.

Takeaways

Relationships in creativity — Learning happens best in connection with others or with non-human elements like nature.

The value of discomfort — Growth often comes from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

Collaborative roles — Reframing roles as partnerships enhances creative dynamics.

Continuum of creativity — Podcasting and similar endeavors are part of broader artistic expressions.

Intuition and serendipity — Listening to internal cues can guide transformative decisions.

Blind spots in podcasting — Identifying personal or professional gaps can lead to better outcomes.

Interpersonal growth — Supporting others fosters unexpected self-discovery.

Resources

Virtual birthday creativity potluck — An event concept designed to celebrate and share creativity among participants.

Support groups for newsletters — Initiatives that focus on helping individuals develop and maintain email newsletters.

Rule Breakers Support Group — A renamed initiative encouraging people to rethink self-imposed rules, especially in business.

Podcasters’ collaborative retreats — A concept where podcasters meet to share ideas and develop creative projects together.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Forgetting →

Published July 26, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 26  ·  ,

I think we are well advised to keep on nodding terms with the people we used to be, whether we find them attractive company or not. Otherwise they turn up unannounced and surprise us, come hammering on the mind’s door at 4 a.m. of a bad night and demand to know who deserted them, who betrayed them, who is going to make amends. We forget all too soon the things we thought we could never forget. We forget the loves and the betrayals alike, forget what we whispered and what we screamed, forget who we were.

~ Joan Didion

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Guilt loops →

Published July 26, 2022  ·  All posts on Jul 26

Guilt is the emotion that you feel when you believe you have failed to live up to your own moral standards. It is perhaps the most enervating emotion. It makes you want to curl up in a little ball to block it out and avoid it.

~ Jean Moroney from, Dealing with Earned Guilt Loops – Thinking Directions

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This raises an interesting question for me. There’s a lot I’ve considered in how I think when I’m depressed. (I mean, thinking when I’m not depressed, about how I think when I am depressed.) There are a lot of valuable ideas and actionable things in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For all my efforts though (including professional therapy), I’ve never thought that guilt might be a source. I’ve surely considered it in passing. That phrase up there, “your own moral standards,” however slaps hard. Because I have insanely (using that word in the literal sense), high moral standards for myself. Seems to be that notching down to extremely high moral standards, and paying close attention to adding a modifier, “aspirational,” might be a wise maneuver.

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