I think the reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.
~ Rita Mae Brown
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Conformity →
More reason to worry →
For even peace itself will supply more reason for worry. Not even safe circumstances will bring you confidence once your mind has been shocked—once it gets in the habit of blind panic, it can’t provide for its own safety. For it doesn’t really avoid danger, it just runs away. Yet we are exposed to greater danger with our backs turned.
~ Seneca
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The source of all human evils →
Why, do you not reflect, then, that the source of all human evils, and of mean-spiritedness and cowardice, is not death, but rather the fear of death? Discipline yourself, therefore, against this. To this let all your discourses, readings, exercises, tend. And then you will know that in this way alone are men made free.
~ Epictetus
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Embarking on writing →
What’s it for?
For as long as I’ve been recording podcasts I’ve wanted to figure out how to learn more, and retain more, from the conversations. An audio recording of a good conversation can be a good experience for the listener; It can be good experiential learning. But the conversations contain so much more—facts sure, but also connections to other people, projects, stories, new perspectives, insights—which I know I’m missing. If something prompts my memory, I can recall the experience of the conversation, but everything else is either never learned, or if it was, I’ve subsequently lost it.
I’m reminded of…
If you remember what an author says, you have learned something from reading him. If what he says is true, you have even learned something about the world. But whether it is a fact about the book or a fact about the world that you have learned, you have gained nothing but information if you have exercised only your memory. You have not been enlightened. Enlightenment is achieved only when, in addition to knowing what an author says, you know what he means and why he says it.
~ Mortimer Adler, author of How to Read a Book, 1972
There are multiple levels of understanding and learning, contained in each conversation. At the root of my feeling that I’m missing out is the knowledge that I’m only retaining the most-superficial level of the experience.
Who’s it for?
It’s obviously for me. But by doing the writing in public everyone who finds a specific episode interesting would be able to capture and retain more of those “levels of experience” for themselves.
(more…)Joan Hanscom: Racing, Outreach, and Intense Passion →
What makes bike racing a unique and transformative experience for individuals and communities?
Bike racing is Joan Hanscom’s life; from racing for fun, to professionally organizing races, to running an entire bike racing organization, Joan has done it all. She talks about all things bike racing; from how she got started, to organizing, to the challenges facing women in the sport. Joan discusses her work at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, and the importance of outreach and the larger picture. She shares her insights on passion, training, podcasting, and what a career in the sport means to her.
As a person who’s had a career in bike racing since 2002, I was well versed in knowing what the velodrome was, and it was sort of an honor to be tasked with this role. If there’s one thing that I want the velodrome to be is, it’s fun, because that matters. But I also want it to be a place where little kids Pee Wee Pedalers, Squirts and Weebles Wobbles, all the way up to master’s racers, and everybody in between, elite or not, can come and have fun. To me, it’s a place where we can cultivate this lifelong enjoyment of the bike.
~ Joan Hanscom (20:53)
Joan Hanscom is a cyclist, podcast host, and the Executive Director at Valley Preferred Cycling Center. Her love of the sport helped her build a unique career in race promotion and production, working with organizations such as the US Gran Prix of Cyclocross, Cyclocross World Championships, and USA Cycling. Currently, Joan is the Executive Director of the Valley Preferred Cycling center in Trexlertown, Pa, and hosts the Talk of the T-Town podcast.
It’s the process. It’s the process, no matter what your pursuit is. If you are pursuing excellence in the ballet, it is repetition. It is absolutely repetition. The process of the ballet is every day, there’s a bar, there’s plies, there’s grand plies. There’s jete. It’s a repetition and it’s a process of perfection. Maybe ballet is skewed a little bit more towards perfection than other sports, but it is definitely a repetition and a process and a refinement that you do daily.
~ Joan Hanscom (42:50)
This conversation centers on the multifaceted world of cycling, highlighting its unique sensory and communal experiences. A core theme is the immersive nature of bike racing, from the visceral sounds and sights at the velodrome to the inclusive, community-focused atmosphere it fosters. Joan reflects on her lifelong passion for cycling, tracing it back to her childhood and describing how the sport bridges personal enjoyment and professional achievement. She shares her experiences in organizing races, engaging the local cycling community, and her work at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center, aiming to create an inclusive space for all cyclists, from children to elite athletes.
Another key discussion point is the systemic challenges in the sport, especially regarding women’s participation. Joan outlines how structural gaps, like fewer racing categories and opportunities for women, make progression difficult. She emphasizes the need for investment in underserved groups, stressing that fostering diversity and inclusion can strengthen the sport and grow its community. Alongside these insights, Joan connects cycling to broader values of process, repetition, and community building, drawing parallels to other disciplines like ballet and movement practices.
(more…)Another →
The average man does not know what to do with his life, yet wants another one which lasts forever.
~ Anatole France
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Feedback →
One final note: say the obvious. Sometimes we might feel that something is obviously good or obviously wrong, and so we don’t say it. Or sometimes we might have a doubt that we don’t express because the question might sound stupid. Say it—that’s okay. You might have to reword it a little bit to make the reader feel more comfortable, but don’t hold it back. Good feedback is transparent, even when it may be obvious.
~ Erin Casali from, Asynchronous Design Critique: Giving Feedback – A List Apart
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If you are a human, and particularly if you ever interact with other humans, I think you’ll like this article by Casali. I’m a level-100 Technology Wizard with a sub-specialization in Explaining Things, and I found several insighs—e.g., “timing + attitude + form = respectful feedback”—that improved my integration of what I know about feedback.
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Longevity with Callum Powell →
What insights can be gained from a 15-year journey with Parkour, including its challenges, influences, and personal growth?
Parkour becomes a lens to explore passion, longevity, and the evolution of personal practice.
The thing with Parkour, we don’t have enough money in our industry right now to care enough about rehab and pre-hab… strength and conditioning and everything.
~ Callum Powell (18:48)
The conversation focuses on Callum’s 15-year journey with Parkour, exploring how his passion has remained steadfast despite challenges. He discusses the balance between pursuing high-level skills and staying connected to the joy of movement. Injuries have played a significant role in shaping his approach, forcing him to listen to his body and adopt a more generalist mindset. This shift has led to a deeper appreciation for longevity and sustainability in practice.
Another key topic is the cultural and structural aspects of Parkour, including the lack of resources for injury prevention and recovery. Callum highlights his efforts to learn from other sports and share this knowledge with the Parkour community. Additionally, he reflect on the concepts of performance, play, and dedication, emphasizing the importance of adapting one’s goals over time to maintain passion and fulfillment.
(more…)Intuition with Curtis Cates →
What are the challenges and opportunities of using different formats, such as podcasting and blogging, to express ideas and connect with an audience?
The conversation explores the connection between intuition and art as a means of personal discovery.
There is an understanding there. But that’s where intuition comes in. Your intuition understands art better than your logical mind does.
~ Curtis Cates (15:00)
The conversation examines the intersection of creativity and personality, with a focus on how personal traits influence the ways we communicate ideas. It touches on the challenges of moving from blogging to podcasting, emphasizing how the written and spoken word require different skills and mindsets. The discussion highlights how preparation, such as scripting, can bridge this gap for certain personality types.
Another key topic is the appreciation of art and the role of intuition in understanding it. The conversation critiques the barriers imposed by overly academic interpretations of art and advocates for a more personal, intuitive connection. This theme extends into the broader idea of connecting to oneself and others through creative expression. Curtis also shares insights into his podcasts and how these projects intertwine with his personal journey.
(more…)