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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