The first human who hurled an insult instead of a stone was the founder of civilization.
~ Sigmund Freud
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Civilization →
Plantar fascia →
Although plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of plantar heel pain, it’s not the only diagnosis. In fact, plantar heel pain that does not respond to conservative treatment is usually not plantar fasciitis.
~ Emily Splichal from, Got Heel Pain? It May Not Be Plantar Fasciitis
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Sometimes I simply want to share something informative and capture the URL for my later re-finding.
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Untitled with Samantha Schuffenecker →
How does the process of starting a podcast evolve for someone navigating the challenges of being a beginner?
A self-proclaimed beginner embraces the unexpected joys and challenges of podcasting.
[…] I’ve found that going through those steps leads to some development professionally, or personally. You can’t hide from that. So even if you don’t come out with a podcast, you’re still going to come out with that.
~ Samantha Schuffenecker (18:18)
The conversation begins with reflections on the challenges of starting a podcast, emphasizing the beginner’s mindset and the value of making mistakes as part of the learning process. The discussion touches on the technical aspects of podcasting, such as audio editing and selecting music, which unexpectedly spark creativity and a deeper appreciation for the craft. A recurring theme is how these technical challenges can overshadow the original purpose of the podcast, leading to the realization that content and connection with guests should take priority.
Another topic explored is the evolution of the podcast’s concept. Samantha shares how initial ideas around interviewing athletes transformed into a broader interest in connecting with diverse individuals, reflecting a shift from competition to connection. The conversation also highlights the struggle of choosing a title that encapsulates the podcast’s vision, underscoring how clarity in branding can shape a creator’s confidence and direction.
Takeaways
The beginner’s mindset — Mistakes and uncertainty are essential parts of the learning process in podcasting.
Audio editing as discovery — The process of editing can unlock unexpected creativity and self-improvement.
The challenge of clarity — Finding a title for a podcast can be a process of self-discovery and refinement.
From competition to connection — Podcasting can evolve beyond initial goals to focus on meaningful conversations.
Hiding in technicalities — It’s easy to get lost in technical aspects, but focusing on the core purpose of storytelling is key.
Professional and personal growth — The act of podcasting, even without publishing, fosters significant development.
Fear of starting — Taking the first steps in podcasting is often the hardest but most rewarding part.
Resources
Zencastr — A platform for recording high-quality audio and video for podcasts.
SquadCast and Riverside — Additional podcast recording platforms with similar capabilities.
Akimbo Workshops — A reference to workshops taken by the guest, likely related to creative processes and podcasting.
US Mid-Amateur Championship — A golf competition that inspired the guest’s podcast idea.
Sesame Street — Mentioned as an example of a title that doesn’t define its content but becomes iconic.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Footprints in the sand →
When we read, another person thinks for us: we merely repeat his mental process. […] From all this it may be concluded that thoughts put down on paper are nothing more than footprints in the sand: one sees the road the man has taken, but in order to know what he saw on the way, one requires his eyes.
~ Arthur Schopenhauer
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Spaced repetition →
Spaced repetition comes up in discussions of optimal learning. Once one learns something, it’s best to review it after a period of time, then a second review, third, etc.. with the time between the reviews increasing. There are class structures and software packages which implement this. (Randomly over the years I’ve even considered dumping everything I ever wanted to learn into such a system.)
Part of the power of the spacing is that you don’t come to expect when a particular bit of information will be reviewed. “Oh! I need that knowledge, I guess it is important.” It all apparently causes the brain to not allow the knowledge to expire and be lost. I’ve discovered that my regular usage of the slipbox is randomly, (in the sense that I have no sense of what or when to expect to bump into an idea again,) reminding me of things.
For example, I had a slip, “4c2se1j” with an idea for a blog post on it. As I was writing the post, which involved Sönke Ahrens, I flipped to her name in the slipbox to add this slip’s address to things related to her. She’s on the slip at “4c1ae(3)”. (Because “4c1ae” overflowed to a second “4c1ae(2)” and then third slip “4c1ae(3)”.) Next to her name I added “4c2se1j”. Your eyes may have glassed over, but that’s just another random moment in my using the slipbox—nothing particularly interesting there.
While doing that, my eyes flashed across two addresses already on Ahren’s line…
First, “2ho1”. Just four characters, but I instantly recognized the “2” as a book reference, and Ahren’s book is “HOw to take smart notes.” Several of the ideas from the book flashed through my mind.
Second, “4c2ko1a”. That looks gnarly, but “4c2” is themes. “4c2ko” then must be a word with first-letter K, and first-vowel O, and it has to be related to Ahrens? …that’s easy. That would be the slip for “KnOwledge systems”. I don’t know for sure (without looking) what’s on “4c2ko1a” but lots of ideas related to knowledge systems popped into my mind.
Don’t be distracted by my insane, paper-slips in physical-boxes system. There are countless ways to take notes. (Ahrens has a lot of great stuff to say about that, and I’d argue she has The stuff to say about it.) My point here is that by taking notes into a system that is designed to help me think—not tell me how to think—it does in fact help me think and helps me learn and remember.
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Opportunity with Morgane Michael →
How do creative endeavors like podcasting and writing a book evolve and create opportunities for growth and connection?
Exploring how passion fuels creativity in podcasting and writing a book.
There is an outcome that is super powerful that the present version of you can’t even conceptualize for the future.
~ Morgane Michael (4:33)
The discussion begins with Morgane sharing her journey of writing a book and starting a podcast, emphasizing how passion and a sense of purpose drive their creative efforts. The conversation highlights how pursuing projects like these involves balancing a full-time teaching career and personal responsibilities while staying true to one’s creative vision. Morgane discusses the interplay between inspiration and discipline, reflecting on the importance of aligning work with personal fulfillment.
Craig and Morgane explore themes of growth and reflection, focusing on how intentional journaling and self-assessment help shape creative endeavors. They touch on the role of habits and the tension between routine and mindfulness. Insights include the importance of creating meaningful content, building connections, and recognizing the long-term impact of seemingly small actions. The conversation also covers Morgane’s vision for future projects and her interest in amplifying voices through conferences and workshops.
Takeaways
Creating work to inspire — Passion and alignment with personal values drive meaningful creative projects.
Balancing habits and mindfulness — Finding harmony between routine and intentionality can fuel creativity.
Adapting processes for sustainability — Recognizing when to slow down or adjust helps maintain long-term energy.
Growth through reflection — Journaling and self-assessment allow for a better understanding of past successes and future directions.
Expanding platforms for others — Amplifying the voices of collaborators and guests brings broader impact and connection.
Learning from setbacks — Challenges can lead to new opportunities and unexpected outcomes.
Exploring diverse formats — Experimenting with different ways to present content enriches the creative process.
Resources
Burnt Out to Fired Up — Morgane’s book focusing on educator wellness and strategies to overcome burnout.
KindSight 101 podcast — Morgane’s podcast dedicated to educator wellness and community building.
Portfolio Career podcast — David Nebinski’s podcast (episode 198) feature Morgane Michael.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Exploration with Panda Ilén →
What connections and influences exist between Parkour, bouldering, and theater?
Combining theater and physical disciplines creates new dimensions for expression and skill development.
Happiness, honesty and exploration.
~ Panda Ilén (19:33)
The conversation explores the intersections of Parkour, bouldering, and theater in shaping movement practices and self-expression. Topics include the influence of environment, seasonal changes, and the impact of community versus solitude on training. Panda reflects on how bouldering introduces new ways of thinking and moving, which also informs their approach to Parkour.
Theater emerges as a complementary discipline, with a unique ability to channel movement skills into creative performances. Seasonal challenges, particularly in Nordic winters, and transitions between locations further frame the discussion, shedding light on the importance of adaptability in both practice and life.
Takeaways
Transitioning between locations — A return to community strengthens both Parkour and personal fulfillment.
Winter as an influence — Seasonal conditions shape both the mood and style of outdoor training.
Bouldering insights — Problem-solving and unique movement patterns from bouldering enrich Parkour lines.
Theater’s connection — Performance art brings additional depth and meaning to physical practices.
Filming for memory — Capturing movement on video is more about personal reflection than public showcase.
Movement community — The presence of others can amplify the joy and progression in physical practices.
Environment and creativity — Urban, natural, and built spaces all offer distinct movement opportunities.
Resources
Helsinki Winter Takeover video — A popular winter Parkour video featuring snow-based movement.
Gerlev International Gathering — Event where the host and guest initially met, including Parkour and performance arts.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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A gift →
I felt like I had a choice, and I had to look and choose. Do I go into nothingness, I give up, I quit, I walk off the cliff ahead of me, I just run off it and scream and that’s it, or do I accept that everything’s been taken away from me, but it was never mine to begin with? We come from dust, and we return to dust. We don’t have anything except what we’re given, and it’s a gift. Life is a gift.
~ Andrew Foster
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Conversation as a spectrum →
Communication between two people falls on a spectrum, and that spectrum has more than one dimension. In fact, I imagine it has many dimensions.
Information could be flowing predominantly from person A to B, evenly, or in the other direction; this can be imagined as one dimension of the communication. The tension—antagonism, slight repulsion, a neutral first meeting, mild interest, intimate whispers—can be negative or positive; this can be another dimension. Communication can be durable (recorded, written, notes taken, etc.) or ephemeral; that’s another dimension. It can also vary in the dimension from private to public.
It’s interesting to consider how real scenarios could be characterized using those dimensions. Consider: An interrogation involving torture, an interrogation of a subject with their rights observed, a private investigator seeking to solve a case, a journalist interviewing a war criminal, a journalist interviewing a cultural icon, two friends talking while sharing a meal, single-serving sized friends on a plane (hat tip to Chuck Palahniuk), or lovers sharing pillow talk. The scenarios, like life, are endlessly varied.
All of that is a reductionist analysis; how do I simplify the real scenario to find some principles that are durable across scenarios. That’s useful. But I could also turn my analysis around. While having a conversation, I could consider those principles as a way to guide my efforts to create a certain kind of conversation.
Direction of information flow? …should I be talking more or less? Tension? …is there, should there be, more or less? Durability? Privacy? There are certainly more dimensions, and therefore more principles, than those I’ve listed. And the insight gained from understanding every principle could be evaluated in the context—the right-now in each moment’s context—of every conversation.
What would happen if I continuously (as often as is possible in a conversation, but also by reflecting on each conversation and planning for the next), made conscious adjustments? What would happen if I did that over 100, 500, or even 1,000 conversations? Now that’s a good question.
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Be here now →
Be here now. […] That’s all there is, is what’s happening right now. The fear of the future or the regret of the past has no real bearing in their own place. Just what you’re doing right now.
~ Thomas Droge
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