Jey Jeyendran

Magic with Jey Jeyendran

November 19, 2021

How does podcasting serve as a medium for creativity, self-expression, and transformation, and what challenges and insights arise from engaging in this art form?

Podcasting emerges as both a blank canvas and a stage for personal transformation.

It’s the tricky thing about podcasting, is that it’s got a really, super-low barrier to entry, but a super-high barrier to continuation.

~ Jey Jeyendran (7:23)

The discussion begins with an exploration of podcasting as a creative and transformative medium. It highlights the realization that podcasting is more than a simple extension of oneself; it involves curating and presenting a version of oneself that aligns with the needs of the audience. This performative aspect is juxtaposed with the authenticity often touted as essential in podcasting.

Another key topic is the unique challenges inherent in podcasting. While the barrier to entry is low, maintaining momentum and overcoming “pod fade” proves significantly harder. The conversation underscores the importance of feedback, both as a measure of growth and as a motivational tool. However, podcasting often lacks sufficient avenues for such feedback, which can leave creators feeling unmoored.

Jey and Craig also touch on the joy and playfulness that can be rediscovered in podcasting. Through low-stakes exercises like creating short recordings, participants can reconnect with the essence of creative expression without the pressure of perfection. This emphasis on enjoying the process rather than fixating solely on the end product is framed as critical for sustaining passion and avoiding burnout.

Takeaways

Podcasting as a blank slate — A medium requiring creators to blend performance and authenticity effectively.

The challenge of continuation — The difficulty of maintaining podcasting momentum despite its low entry barrier.

Importance of feedback — The role of meaningful feedback in driving improvement and combating doubt.

Embracing playfulness — Rediscovering joy through low-pressure creative exercises.

The transformative aspect — Becoming the version of oneself that fits the podcasting persona.

The focus on process — Loving aspects of the creation process to sustain long-term engagement.

Resources

Radiolab — A podcast known for creating immersive soundscapes.

This American Life — A podcast blending narrative storytelling and unique perspectives.

Derek Sivers — Mentioned for his insight on performance and persona in creative work.

Stephen Pressfield — Referenced for his concept of the “shadow career” and creative pursuits.

Grant Cardone’s Podcast — A source of energy and motivation, particularly for overcoming inertia.

(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)

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Getting things done

November 27, 2019

GTD

The fact that you can’t remember an agreement you made with yourself doesn’t mean that you’re not holding yourself liable for it. Ask any psychologist how much of a sense of past and future that part of your psyche has, the part that was storing the list you dumped: zero. It’s all present tense in there. That means that as soon as you tell yourself that you should do something, if you file it only in your short-term memory, that part of you thinks you should be doing it all the time. And that means that as soon as you’ve given yourself two things to do, and filed them only in your head, you’ve created instant and automatic stress and failure, because you can’t do them both at once, and that (apparently significant) part of you psyche will continue to hold you accountable.

~ David Allen from, Getting Things Done

I talk often about David Allen’s, Getting Things Done. It’s one of a few books which I keep extra copies of on hand to give to people. There’s a Wikipedia article, Getting Things Done, but it talks more about it rather than describing what/how to do it.

I recently found a talk given by Allen which has been repurposed as a short podcast; Getting Things Done: 55 – Removing System Drag is well worth the few minutes it takes to listen.

Aside: Learning when and how to “go deep” is an important part of what you gain when you understand GTD. If the thought of spending five minutes listening to someone teach you something abhors you, you may need GTD more than you think. /preaching

If, however, what Allen said interests you, a fellow podcaster named Jey Jeyendran, (of Productivity Heaven,) is working on a mini series of podcasts on Allen’s GTD. They’re bite-sized, inspiring and you should check them out. https://productivity-heaven.simplecast.com.

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