Untitled with Samantha Schuffenecker

March 29, 2022

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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Spaced repetition

March 29, 2022

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

March 28, 2022

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

March 28, 2022

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.

Panda Ilén @pandajumps

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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A gift

March 28, 2022

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

March 28, 2022

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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Respecting people’s wishes

March 27, 2022

We’re not just respecting people’s time. We’re respecting their voice and their passion.

~ Seth Godin from, Respecting their time

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It’s a good post from Godin. This post of mine is a literal tangent from one thing he mentioned…

In cases where “we’re all going to be speaking” isn’t on the agenda, going around the room, (ala “let’s all introduce ourselves”,) robs people of their agency. I’ve heard it discussed that this wastes time—it does. But vastly worse is the fact that it removes people’s agency.

(Agency is critical. I’ll go out on a limb and say that depriving someone of agency is literally the worst thing you can do to a person. All the horrible physical crimes you just thought of, involve first depriving the victim of their agency. Imagine if taking someone’s agency was treated as the worst crime possible.)

I imagine I’m leading some session, and someone is sitting in the space. When their turn comes around… suppose they don’t want to speak? What if they didn’t want to be heard? By saying, “let’s go around”—even if I say, “and introduce yourself if you want to“—regardless, they are going to be seen. They have to speak, to decline to speak. They have to leave the room, or hide, etc. My “let’s go around the room,” literally robs everyone of their choice.

There are of course lots of situations where “going around” makes perfect sense. For example, if we’re sitting in a restorative justice circle, everyone there knows how it works. You’re free to not speak, and you know that you are going be seen. But the vast majority of times I’ve been in a “let’s go around” situation, it’s the theft of agency variety.

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Motivation with Adam Greenberg

March 26, 2022

How can podcasts be designed and produced in multiple languages to serve specific, localized audiences effectively?

A podcast is used as a tool to bridge gaps in health education for rural communities with limited internet access.

[It’s the] whole process of editing that’s tripped me up. What I’ve noticed, and what I’m realizing, is with the HIV podcast, doing that podcast for the community—for other people—is motivation for me to like… knock out those episodes in the same afternoon.

~ Adam Greenberg (10:16)

The conversation explores the creative and technical challenges of producing a multilingual podcast for rural communities, focusing on a project aimed at supporting HIV-positive individuals. This initiative, designed by a Peace Corps volunteer, leverages podcasts to share local stories and facilitate discussions. Technical hurdles, such as managing multiple RSS feeds in different languages, are discussed, alongside strategies for hosting and distribution on a budget.

Adam reflects on the broader challenges of content creation, contrasting the ease of creating for others with the difficulty of personal projects. Topics include finding motivation, balancing creativity with logistics, and navigating the numerous rabbit holes that technology and content production present. The importance of mentorship, setting boundaries, and focusing on meaningful goals also surfaces as key themes in the discussion.

Takeaways

The importance of hyper-localized content — A podcast can be an effective tool to reach rural and underserved communities.

Multilingual podcasting challenges — Managing multiple language feeds requires creativity and resourcefulness.

Motivation from serving others — Creating content for community benefit provides a strong drive to complete projects.

Avoiding technological rabbit holes — Focus and guidance help to bypass unnecessary technical distractions.

Boundaries as a creative aid — Setting limits can foster productivity and clarity in creative endeavors.

Mentorship and guidance — Having trusted advisors can help navigate complex decisions and stay focused.

Personal versus community storytelling — Storytelling for a community often feels easier than personal storytelling.

Resources

HIV Positive Voices podcast — A multilingual podcast designed for rural education and health support.

WordPress — A content management system used for hosting the podcast project.

Peace Corps — Peace Corps Volunteers put their purpose, passion, and skills to work in partnership with host communities in more than 60 countries.

AltMBA — A leadership and creativity workshop mentioned for its insights on focus and boundaries.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Humiliation

March 26, 2022

There is no change, no attempt, no reach that does not look strange to someone. There’s almost no accomplishment that is possible without calling some attention on yourself. To gamble on yourself is to risk failure. To do it in public is to risk humiliation.

~ Ryan Holiday from, Life Happens in Public. Get Used to It.

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I believe I’ve developed a healthy level of ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ when it comes to trying things with a risk of failure. I think this is one—possibly the only—upside to having terrible self-talk. I’ve told my self horribly critical things so many times… and then had that criticism proven to not be the case so many times… well, now I just try things.

Except for people’s names. I’m developing a phobia around saying people’s names. It just feels like the least I could do, when having a conversation with someone who I need to introduce to others… the least I could do is say their name correctly. Perfectly, even, on the first try. …in their native language’s proper pronunciation. What could possible go wrong?

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Perception with Ame Sanders

March 25, 2022

How can podcasting effectively contribute to fostering inclusivity and equity within communities?

A passion project evolves into a platform for amplifying community voices working on equity.

My goal is to work with communities to help them become more inclusive and equitable. The podcast grew out of the idea that I want to identify work that’s going on in communities, and individuals who are working to make their own communities more inclusive and equitable. I want to celebrate that work, elevate that work, showcase it, and understand it.

~ Ame Sanders (1:42)

The conversation explores the role of podcasting as a medium to foster inclusivity and equity within communities. Ame highlights her podcast as a platform to celebrate and share the efforts of individuals and communities striving to make their environments more inclusive. She discusses the balance between analytical approaches and heartfelt actions in achieving social equity. The discussion underscores the importance of showcasing local efforts to inspire broader change.

Another significant topic discussed is the personal challenges and motivations in pursuing passion projects like podcasting. Insights are shared about the need for introspection, recognizing biases, and maintaining authenticity. The conversation also touches on the importance of taking breaks, learning from reflection, and aligning one’s voice with thoughtful, impactful contributions to societal challenges.

Takeaways

Being analytical and acting from the heart — both approaches are vital for fostering inclusivity.

Podcasting as a platform — a way to amplify, celebrate, and share the efforts of those driving change.

Individual transformation — change begins with self-reflection and growth before influencing others.

Challenges in maintaining passion — intentional pauses and clarity of purpose help sustain long-term efforts.

Addressing biases — careful selection of podcast guests shapes the narrative and impact of a show.

Difficult conversations — creating safe spaces for guests to discuss sensitive topics is crucial.

Practical resources — extensive show notes and transcripts support further exploration and learning.

Taking ownership — fostering inclusivity is a collective responsibility that transcends individual experiences.

Resources

State of Inclusion podcast — Ame’s podcast highlighting work done in communities to foster inclusivity.

Hugh McLeod’s concept of “social objects” — A framework for understanding how shared ideas drive action.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Risk

March 25, 2022

Risk gives you choice, and it gives you opportunity to explore and challenge yourself. Risk is a choice, and you have to learn how to negotiate acceptable and unacceptable risks in our lives. Play is a very safe space to learn how to do that.

~ Caitlin Pontrella

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I keep trying to rearrange my efforts so I can spend more time re-experiencing the hundreds of terrific conversations I’ve experienced. Every single time I manage to find time to go back in, I find something wonderful. That quote is from episode 4 of the Movers Mindset podcast—it wasn’t even called that back then. It was a wonderful, chaotic, ramble of a conversation long before I realized the magic of conversation.

I keep thinking: Have great conversations and get them recorded. Get those conversations recorded so they can be heard by others is the most important part. I have a million other ideas about how to extract meaning, share the best parts, find threads and themes that run across large scales of people and times and …

My hope is that if I simply keep having great conversations, everything else will take care of itself.

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Process with Julie Duffy

March 24, 2022

What are the connections between writing, creativity, and podcasting as explored through the art of conversation?

The discussion highlights the parallels between storytelling in writing and crafting engaging podcasts.

Some people have a terrible time getting started because when you’re about to start writing you could write about anything. And when you can write about anything, you could write about everything. If you can write about everything, then what do you choose?

~ Julie Duffy (4:11)

The conversation centers on the interplay between writing, podcasting, and creative expression. It begins by discussing the challenges of starting a creative project, with an emphasis on how endless possibilities can be paralyzing. This leads to a broader exploration of overcoming creative blocks, the importance of completing projects, and how understanding the end goal can shape the process.

It also goes into the technical and emotional aspects of storytelling, highlighting parallels between crafting a podcast episode and writing a narrative. Topics include structuring stories, preparing mentally for creative tasks, and the unexpected skills that cross over between disciplines. Finally, the discussion emphasizes the value of listening and allowing space in conversations, which reflects a commitment to meaningful dialogue.

Takeaways

Creativity and process — Developing a structured approach can overcome disorganization and enable creativity.

Challenges in storytelling — Beginning, middle, and end each present unique hurdles that require specific strategies.

Parallels between writing and podcasting — Skills like storytelling and audience engagement translate well across mediums.

Listening in conversations — Effective communication requires a balance between speaking and genuinely listening.

Importance of mindset — Preparing mentally for creative tasks can significantly influence the outcome.

Use of technology — Live platforms like Anchor can help creators practice and improve their confidence.

Flexibility in approach — Writing and podcasting benefit from adaptability to keep creativity flowing.

Resources

StoryADay.org — A platform that offers writing challenges to help writers develop their craft.

Anchor — A platform Julie initially used for live podcasting to overcome editing perfectionism.

Seth Godin’s concept of “shipping” — Encourages creators to prioritize publishing their work over perfectionism.

The Hero’s Journey — A storytelling structure discussed in the context of writing and creativity.

Aldous Huxley’s essays — Referenced for inspiration on precise and impactful language use.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Priorities with Trevor de Groot

March 24, 2022

Priorities with Trevor de Groot

How does movement, in its various forms, influence personal growth, perspective, and community connection?

Parkour fosters a perspective shift that forever changes how individuals experience their surroundings.

I think it’s just about perspective. Everything in life is, and if you can take a fresh perspective that is beneficial to your overall long-term growth, then that’s perfect.

~ Trevor de Groot (10:03)

The conversation examines the multifaceted role of movement in personal and professional life. Topics include the transformative perspective Parkour offers, such as changing how practitioners view and interact with their environment. Trevor discusses the importance of maintaining diverse movement practices, including Parkour, climbing, and martial arts, to foster creativity and growth. He also reflects on the sense of community and collaboration that these activities provide.

The discussion explores balancing personal passions with professional responsibilities, especially in the context of managing a gym and navigating challenges like lockdowns. Trevor shares his insights on re-prioritizing activities to allocate time for personal fulfillment and development. Social media’s influence on sports communities and individual training approaches is also addressed, emphasizing the importance of finding intrinsic motivation.

Takeaways

The transformative nature of Parkour — It changes how practitioners see and interact with their environments.

Importance of movement diversity — Exploring multiple types of movement fosters creativity and resilience.

Balancing personal and professional priorities — A deliberate approach to time management can improve overall satisfaction.

The role of social media — It has both positive and negative effects on training and community interaction.

The value of collaboration in training — Shared experiences and challenges enhance both learning and bonding.

The necessity of perspective shifts — Viewing challenges as opportunities for growth helps in long-term development.

Resources

Play Project — Trevor’s Parkour gym offering training and community events.

Mountain Project — A resource for finding climbing routes.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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You have seen all

March 24, 2022

Life in itself is neither good nor evil; it is the scene of good or evil as you make it. And, if you have lived a day, you have seen all: one day is equal and like to all other days. There is no other light, no other shade; this very sun, this moon, these very stars, this very order and disposition of things, is the same your ancestors enjoyed, and that shall also entertain your posterity.

~ Michel de Montaigne

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The germ theory

March 24, 2022

Thus the germ theory, long before it led to medical treatments, drove down mortality rates by revolutionizing sanitation and hygiene.

~ Jason Crawford from, Draining the swamp

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No, literally draining the swamp. There are a few reasons to click through on that. The most amazing is simply to scroll through the long article and glance at all the graphs; Graphs of magnificent drops in mortality rates by the 1950s. The 50s and 60s were demonstrably amazing simply for the fact that by then, most people weren’t dying of the same infectious things that have been killing people for millennia.

But the little gem quoted above was something that made me pause. Yes, it’s always fun to chuckle from the privileged perspective of the third millennia of the Common Era: The germ theory. *giggles* “Theory.” That’s so cute. What made me pause though was the thought about sanitation. I’d always thought of how the germ theory *giggles* affected medical treatments—washing hands by physicians and surgeons and penicillin and all that good stuff. But the idea that, “hey tiny stuff we can’t see can hurt us… maybe we should, ya know, filter and treat the drinking water?” …it hadn’t occurred to me that that too became a thing we actually started doing because of the germ theory.

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Discover with David Wilk

March 23, 2022

What are the challenges and opportunities in creating and sharing meaningful content in podcasting and publishing?

Podcasting shares its challenges of discovery and audience building with the world of book publishing.

If I tell you about a good podcast, that requires you to sit down, focus your attention, go to a site, put on headphones or your earbuds, and actually listen. That’s hard.

~ David Wilk (15:50)

The conversation explores the intersections between podcasting and publishing, focusing on their shared challenges in audience building and discoverability. It emphasizes how the low barrier to entry in both fields has led to an overwhelming abundance of content, creating a highly competitive environment. The discussion highlights how the “long tail” has evolved into an environment with a top-heavy market where only a few creators dominate.

Another key topic is the personal nature of consuming books and podcasts, which presents unique challenges for sharing and marketing. Podcasts are described as private experiences that lack the social visibility of books. The conversation also reflects on cultural changes, noting how digital experiences have reduced opportunities for shared moments, adding friction to the process of recommending and sharing podcasts.

Takeaways

The abundance of content – Challenges arise from an oversupply of podcasts and books, making audience building difficult.

Audience segmentation – Both industries face issues with dividing large audiences into meaningful segments.

Loss of the midlist – The “midlist” in publishing has disappeared, leaving only top earners and smaller outputs.

Personal nature of media – Podcasts, like books, are inherently personal and harder to share socially.

Curation necessity – Aggregating and curating podcasts is essential for discoverability but remains difficult to market.

Antisocial consumption – Personal consumption habits reduce opportunities for shared cultural experiences.

Marketing disparities – Marketing tools for books are more developed than for podcasts, yet both remain challenging.

Resources

Live Writers – A project curating book-related podcasts into three categories: readers, writers, and publishers.

PRX – Mentioned as a significant player in podcasting, likely referring to Public Radio Exchange.

BBC – Recognized for its role in podcasting and media production.

Field of Dreams – Cited metaphorically for its “build it, and they will come” narrative.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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