There was no sense of trying to balance my desire for doing good and useful things with my desire for comfort and pleasure. I let the good and useful always outrank the pleasurable and comfortable. Operating this way entailed a fair amount of physical discomfort, but it felt far more emotionally comfortable than trying to manage two competing sets of values.
And here’s the interesting part: pleasure and comfort arose constantly anyway. I enjoyed them when they did, with no sense of tradeoff or guilt. However, I didn’t do anything just because it was pleasurable or comfortable, and ironically that made for a much more pleasant and comfortable existence.
I have a few reminders that are variations of the idea that I cause all the problems I experience. The more I let that idea seep in, the better things seem to get. It takes energy to balance; balancing priorities, balancing goals, balancing time-frames of planning, balancing rationalization versus guilt, balancing energy levels, balancing responsibilities, balancing gratification versus delay, …
Try this: find something to balance on. Something pretty easy. A 2×4 laid on its wide side, or stood on it’s narrow edge. A curb. A railing if you dare. Get a stopwatch and balance (your toes/heel go along the thing you’re on, not perched like a bird) for 30 minutes. No music, no walking forward or backward, no doing anything else. Shift to the other foot when one side is tired. If you fall off, don’t chide yourself. Simple get back on. Practice being kind to yourself as you do this.
It would be for me, what Tyler Cowen would call a “a quake book,” shaking everything I thought I knew about the world (however little that actually was). I would also become what Stephen Marche has referred to as a “centireader,” reading Marcus Aurelius well over 100 times across multiple editions and copies.
There is an insane amount of anecdotes, (his memories of his experience upon, or around, reading some part of the book,) tangential knowledge, take-aways, lessons learned, nuances of translations, … You can skim Holiday’s post and learn a lot about Aurelius’s Meditations. You can read more carefully and it will tip you over into deciding to read it yourself. If you’ve already read it once, (or thrice even,) you can read Holiday’s post and find a number of new avenues of exploration within Aurelius’s Meditations.
I did the latter. It took me three separate sittings with his article until I was all the way through. I bought one new book, re-read several pieces from Meditations on-the-spot to see what I thought [based on what I did to my book,] and what I thought [staring at it in that new moment.] But mostly I thought: “It’s impressive that he was able to write so many thoughts and recount so many inspirations and connections, from one book.” What would it be like to spend enought time with a book . . .
And then I realized it’s been over a year since I added a part to that series… (pause here) And I’m back after fetching the book from the book shelf and moving it to my small pile of books that lie directly on my desk. Actually, I think I’ll snap photos of all the pages and turn it into a daily reader/study like I did with The Daily Stoic.
How does proper breathing and posture enhance the podcasting experience and overall well-being?
Confidence and focus emerge from the synergy of upright posture and mindful breathing.
Not only does sitting up nice and tall, or standing nice and tall, benefit your posture, it increases your focus. It’s just good physically. It’s good mentally. It’s good energetically.
~ Nadine Kelly (13:11)
The conversation focuses on the intersections between breathing techniques, posture, and podcasting. It examines how intentional breathing can diminish nervousness, enhance clarity, and improve vocal performance during recording. The importance of proper posture is emphasized, highlighting its benefits for focus, physical alignment, and the quality of breath. Visualizations, such as the “teardrop-shaped balloon,” are introduced as aids for more effective breathing.
The discussion also touches on the role of physical habits and preparation, such as maintaining energy through morning workouts and arranging a workspace conducive to calmness and productivity. Nadine shares insights into crafting moments in podcasting that allow listeners to process heavy topics, underlining the subtle power of breath and pauses to connect with an audience emotionally and physiologically.
Takeaways
Improving breathing techniques — Discusses reducing stress and enhancing vocal clarity in podcasting.
Maintaining good posture — Explains the role of upright posture in breathing and focus.
Morning workout routines — Highlights the benefits of early exercise on energy levels throughout the day.
Incorporating pauses in podcasts — Explores using intentional breath and pauses to enhance listener engagement.
Visualizing breath exercises — Introduces the “teardrop-shaped balloon” method for mindful breathing.
Resources
The Yogi M.D. Podcast — Nadine’s podcast focusing on physical and mental health topics.
How can podcasters understand and utilize statistics, engagement strategies, and listener feedback to improve their shows?
Podcasting statistics spark a deep discussion on what truly matters in creating a meaningful show.
It’s amazing, really, the whole idea— This medium of finding your voice, and then putting something that you really care about out there in the world, and having it have its own life.
~ Elisa Graf (12:41)
The conversation explores various aspects of podcasting, starting with the motivations and themes behind creating a show. Insights are shared about producing content that showcases transcendent stories and meaningful encounters. Discussions include how podcast statistics can both aid and distract podcasters, revealing what metrics are most relevant depending on the goals of the show.
Engagement strategies and experiments are highlighted, such as leveraging social media platforms and featuring specific guests, to boost listener interaction. Personal feedback from listeners is recognized as a rewarding outcome, affirming the value of creating authentic and impactful content. The broader topic of maintaining motivation and balancing analytics with creative passion is also discussed.
Takeaways
Finding a unique podcast theme — Stories about transcendence and the collision of the extraordinary with the everyday resonate with audiences.
Balancing analytics and creativity — Podcast statistics provide valuable insights but can also become an unhealthy focus.
The role of social media — Strategic use of guest tagging and experiments with platforms can significantly increase engagement.
Podcast longevity and evergreen content — Older episodes often continue to attract downloads, emphasizing the long-term value of a quality back catalog.
Listener feedback as motivation — Personal notes and stories from listeners provide deep gratification and affirm the impact of the work.
Experimenting with formats and guests — Trying new approaches, like featuring family members or changing marketing tactics, can reveal unexpected growth opportunities.
Resources
Mystic Takeaway Podcast — Elisa’s podcast exploring stories of mysterious encounters and the transcendent.
Simplecast Analytics — A podcast hosting platform offering detailed analytics to track downloads and listener data.
Podnews — A daily podcast industry news source featuring articles, insights, and ratings analysis.
Apple Podcasts — A popular platform where listener ratings can influence podcast visibility.
Pandora — A streaming service noted for its unexpected popularity among certain podcast types.
When you start something, don’t raise other people’s expectations. What is highly praised seldom measures up to expectations. Reality never catches up to imagination. It is easy to imagine something is perfect, and difficult to achieve it. […] Honorable beginnings should serve to awaken curiosity, not to heighten people’s expectations. We are much better off when reality surpasses our expectations, and something turns out better than we thought it would.
How can storytelling techniques be used effectively in podcasting to create compelling narratives?
The discussion reveals the power of asking consistent questions to uncover unique stories.
It really depends on the person and their storytelling style— how tangential we get. So some of them, it’s like a chainsaw that you have to go in with— a chainsaw first, and that’s the first edit.
~ Linda McLachlan (6:35)
The conversation explores storytelling as a central element in podcasting, emphasizing its role in creating engaging narratives. Linda discusses using consistent questions to uncover unique stories while following a structured story arc inspired by workshops like Bernadette Jiwa’s Story Skills. She describes how this approach helps craft compelling episodes, balancing predictability and surprise. Editing styles are also addressed, with Linda explaining how some episodes require significant reworking to achieve clarity and impact.
The discussion touches on influences, mentioning podcasts like “On Being” by Krista Tippett and books by Brene Brown as inspirations for exploring human connection and vulnerability. Linda also reflects on the creative freedom podcasting offers, encouraging creators to embrace restrictions as opportunities for innovation while staying true to their personal vision. The conversation concludes with practical advice for aspiring podcasters, underscoring the importance of authenticity and the freedom to experiment.
Takeaways
The importance of storytelling in podcasting — Structured storytelling can create compelling and engaging episodes.
The use of consistent questions — Repeatedly asking similar questions can uncover diverse and unique stories.
The role of editing — Editing styles vary significantly depending on the guest’s storytelling style.
Inspiration from other creators — Works by Krista Tippett and Brene Brown serve as examples of engaging narrative creation.
Creative freedom in podcasting — Podcasting offers flexibility and freedom to experiment with ideas and formats.
Resources
The Arena Podcast — Linda’s podcast exploring human stories through structured storytelling.
On Being — A podcast by Krista Tippett focused on deep conversations about meaning and faith.
A Bit of Optimism — Simon Sinek’s podcast sharing optimistic ideas and conversations.
Wisdom Shared — Carole Blueweiss’ podcast featuring diverse personal stories.
It’s a small thing, and it was really really difficult. But I did it.
Instead of sticking to my “publish on Wednesday’s at 10am”… like I did for the first 100 episodes. 101 was published Tuesday around 7pm. I know that sounds dumb—but I’m not be sarcastic or hyperbolic. Over the years I’ve gotten really adamant about that publication day-of-the-week and time-of-the-day. Sure we weren’t able to do one every week… but I kept trying to keep things neat and tidy. “Wednesdays at 10am” was that one little bit of structure.
But really, who cares. Any structure you’re clinging to?
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Jade Amber Ragoschke: Deafness, architecture, and accessibility →
How do the experiences of deafness, architecture, and parkour intersect to influence design and accessibility?
While it’s not immediately apparent that Jade Amber Ragoshke is unilaterally deaf, it is a defining factor for her life and work. She shares her experiences with deafness, learning about it, and adapting to it. Jade discusses architecture and her ongoing research into the connections between architecture, parkour, and accessibility. She reflects on disability, designing for all people, and creating more inclusive environments in all communities.
I think, after this conversation that we’ve had about art— I think that what art really is, is breaking the boundaries of the standard.
~ Jade Amber Ragoschke (30:14)
Jade Amber Ragoschke is an architect, parkour practitioner, and the vice president of World Deaf Architecture. Her involvement in parkour led to her interest and eventual career in architecture. After finding her place in the Deaf community, she discovered a new perspective and approach to architecture that is more inclusive, empathetic, and accessible to everyone. Jade specializes in accessible design for people with disabilities and provides architectural consultation to parkour communities. She advocates for inclusive play spaces for all ages and is researching the intersections between architecture, parkour, and accessibility.
This conversation explores the unique intersections of parkour, architecture, and accessibility, weaving together personal experiences and professional insights. Discussions highlight how accessible designs often double as ideal spaces for creative physical movement, reflecting an unexpected synergy between inclusivity and play. Jade emphasizes the importance of designing spaces at a human scale, focusing on sensory experiences and personal engagement rather than purely aesthetic considerations.
The dialogue also examines the philosophical and practical roles of architecture and art in memorializing history and shaping societal experiences. By referencing specific examples like the 9/11 Memorial and other landmark designs, the conversation illustrates how architecture can evoke emotions, honor history, and inspire resilience. The shared experiences of adapting to hearing loss further contextualize Jade’s perspectives on design, emphasizing the transformative potential of inclusivity.
Takeaways
Architecture and human scale — The focus on personal experience in space design emphasizes sensory engagement over aesthetics.
Parkour and accessibility — Accessible spaces unintentionally become ideal settings for creative movement and parkour.
Art and architecture integration — Structures can serve as both functional spaces and artistic installations, enriching urban environments.
Design as inclusivity — Inclusive designs provide comfort and accessibility for all, enhancing the utility of spaces.
Memorializing through design — Architecture captures historical moments, offering spaces for reflection and resilience.
Architectural unpredictability — People often use spaces in unintended ways, revealing the dynamic relationship between design and behavior.
If you create podcasts — whether you’re thinking about it, just starting out, or are publishing your 100th episode — we’d love for you to join us. It’s free to create an account. Logging in enables the platform features and you can immediately begin posting/replying in the public categories.
I don’t idle well. I get an idea in my head, and I start thinking about all the ways it could be realized. Recently, I’ve had a few separate conversations with podcasters who were looking for something—what they each wanted was different. And so I set off to build it.
Nothing but what you get from first impressions. That someone has insulted you for instance. That —but not that it’s done you any harm. The fact that my son is sick —that I can see. But, “that he might die of it,” no. Stick with first impressions. Don’t extrapolate. And nothing can happen to you. Or extrapolate. From a knowledge of all that can happen in the world.