I am rowing toward the past. I am trying to squeeze out of each stroke a better image of myself, and I am trying to enlist the ghosts of history to help power the oars. I want them as friends, as comrades, as partners, as ancestors.
~ Barry Strauss
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The reality is, behaviour change is hard, and many people have not been taught effective goal-setting. For example, someone might know that they’re unhappy and have intentions to change, but they focus on something too broad (‘I want to be happy’) or on what they don’t want (‘I don’t want to be depressed’). An ill-defined focus can lead to trying many things without following through on any one thing.
~ Kiki Fehling from, How to stop living on auto-pilot
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I see countless examples of mindlessness any time I venture out into the regular world. But I also see examples of mindfulness! They’re not as common, but some people I encounter are awake. Some people I encounter are interested and interesting. Some people’s presence makes the immediate area a better place.
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What is the relationship between creativity, resilience, and adaptability in pursuing diverse interests and entrepreneurial endeavors?
Auraiya Madrid highlights the significance of creating meaningful relationships, embracing creativity, and being intentional in her practice, offering insight into her journey as a performer, athlete, and gym owner.
I try to live my life [without regrets] because you do the best with what you know and what you have at the moment. Generally, as long as you’re doing that, that’s all you can do.
~ Auraiya Madrid 18′ 55″
Craig Constantine talks with Auraiya Madrid. They explore her dynamic approach to life as a self-described “Hobby Hoarder,” constantly embracing new projects and challenges. They discuss the transition from performer to content creator and the importance of building authentic connections with audiences. The conversation also dips into Auraiya’s experience founding Edge Movement, a parkour gym, and the valuable lessons learned. Throughout the conversation, Auraiya emphasizes the significance of creativity, diversity, and intentionality in her practice.
Creativity is definitely a skill set … anyone who doesn’t think they have it, that just means they haven’t practiced it. You can always get better at creativity.
~ Auraiya Madrid ~3′ 20″
Takeaways
Embracing Diverse Interests — Erica is a self-described “Hobby Hoarder” who enjoys exploring various activities like movement, arts and crafts, music, and more. Embracing diverse interests can lead to personal growth and creativity.
Creativity as a Skill — Erica emphasizes that creativity is a skill that can be developed with practice. It’s not limited to a select few, and anyone can become more creative through consistent effort.
Prioritizing People and Mentorship — Erica prioritizes paying her coaches well and fostering strong mentor-student relationships. She believes in the importance of investing in people’s growth and providing a positive influence in their lives.
Resources
Edge Movement — https://www.edgemvmnt.com
@auraiyamadrid on IG — https://www.instagram.com/auraiyamadrid/
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Happiness. I’m inclined to think it is something that arises spontaneously; When I create space within—meaning when I don’t fill my thoughts and actions up with stress and chaos—then sometimes I discover that happiness fills that space. But I can also tell you that it doesn’t always fill that space.
Kahneman contends that happiness and satisfaction are distinct. Happiness is a momentary experience that arises spontaneously and is fleeting. Meanwhile, satisfaction is a long-term feeling, built over time and based on achieving goals and building the kind of life you admire. On the Dec. 19 podcast “Conversations with Tyler,” hosted by economist Tyler Cowen, Kahneman explains that working toward one goal may undermine our ability to experience the other.
~ Ephrat Livni from, Daniel Kahneman explains why most people don’t want to be happy
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Perhaps I don’t understand the difference between the experience of happiness and satisfaction. I can only note that the idea of, “I am satisfied” or “I am not satisfied”, is a necessary part of feeling satisfaction. Have I ever been and felt satisfied? Yes, I’ve definitely experience that. But how is that different from happiness?
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All I insist on, and nothing else, is that you should show the whole world that you are not afraid. Be silent, if you choose; but when it is necessary, speak—and speak in such a way that people will remember it.
~ Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
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How does the podcast “Seasons of Sobriety” explore the journey and challenges of long-term sobriety?
The process of creating a podcast about sobriety becomes a lesson in embracing imperfection.
If you try to have the perfect podcast you go perfectly insane.
~ Howard M (11:43)
The conversation explores the creation and purpose of the podcast Seasons of Sobriety, which focuses on the experiences of individuals with long-term sobriety. Howard discusses the challenges of finding guests with extensive recovery time and the deeper layers of personal growth required beyond abstaining from alcohol. He emphasizes the importance of sharing stories that can inspire others to believe recovery is possible.
The discussion also touches on podcast production, including the difficulties of editing, embracing imperfection, and maintaining creative integrity without monetization. Themes of connection and fellowship arise as critical elements, not just in recovery but also in the podcasting journey. Howard views his work as a contribution to the recovery community, aiming to foster hope and connection.
Takeaways
Creating a podcast — embracing imperfection and focusing on the message rather than technical perfection.
Long-term sobriety — exploring the deeper challenges beyond simply not drinking.
Fellowship and connection — highlighting their importance in recovery and creative work.
Curating podcast guests — focusing on individuals with decades of sobriety to provide unique insights.
Personal growth — the continuing journey and layers of change required in recovery.
Non-commercial podcasting — viewing the podcast as a charitable contribution rather than a business.
Resources
Seasons of Sobriety podcast — A podcast focusing on long-term sobriety stories.
Seth Godin’s Akimbo and workshops — Courses and content inspiring podcast creation.
Simplecast — Podcast hosting platform used by Howard.
Penn & Teller’s performances — Referenced for insights into embracing imperfection.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Quit your yakkin’ and get busy. Quit wasting time obsessing about pimping your ass and checking your stats. Instead, MAKE stuff. Make AMAZING stuff. Make stuff that is so good that people have no choice but to find out about it. Otherwise, you REALLY are just wasting your time. This game is already TOO hard and TOO BIG a time suck to fritter away on what is, for the most part, a big ol’ distraction.
~ Hugh MacLeod
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But if progress is real and important—how do we judge this? How do we justify that improvements to material living standards are good? That technological and industrial progress represents true progress for humanity?
~ Jason Crawford from, Progress, humanism, agency
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In a few dozen words, this article goes from zero to gloves-off, let’s take about the nature of what is good. Yes, please. Lets discuss this more often. I find, without exception, it’s completely pointless to discuss anything—the climate, energy sources, guns, health, rights… choose your favorite third-rail topic—if myself and the other(s) don’t share the same values.
And I mean the big values of philosophy. When I start thinking about what does human autonomy mean? …what rights and/or responsibilities does consciousness confer? …what is truth? Big yawning questions! …when we don’t agree on that stuff, then no wonder we’re at odds on the other things.
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How does one creator engage with and understand their audience in order to amplify the voices within their school community?
Amplifying individual stories aims to create collective understanding within the school district.
Yeah, so that’s exploration. I’m trying to figure it out. I think that the local school community— maybe the first step is to raise the question: Where can all of us find like-minded people in our local school community? And if you are able to find someone that believes the same thing— […] If it’s possible to get together, and to talk about this and then to say: Hey you know, we are not a PTA member, and we’re in the public schools. What can we do to come together and to have our voice heard?
~ Jessica Zou (12:44)
The conversation explores how the podcast, “Duck Tape Rocket Ship,” addresses the challenge of amplifying parent voices within the public school system. One central topic is the feeling among parents that their opinions and concerns are undervalued in the education system. By sharing individual stories and experiences, the podcast seeks to motivate community members to recognize their collective voice and engage more deeply with the schools.
Another focus is the strategy of targeting specific audiences, such as parents and educators, and understanding their needs. The podcast also interacts with the broader education system, including its bureaucratic and social challenges, aiming to build bridges between parents and the school administration. Jessica reflects on the complexities of public education and how focusing on singular objectives can bring about meaningful change.
Takeaways
Audience understanding — The podcast creator is unsure who exactly listens but recognizes teachers as an engaged part of the audience.
Amplifying voices — The podcast serves as a platform for parents to feel heard and validated within their community.
Systemic challenges — Public education’s complexity often sidelines individual voices, which the podcast aims to address.
Complementary efforts — The podcast is one of several tools used by the creator in their school leadership work.
Specific focus — The creator believes concentrating on one aspect of the system is more impactful than addressing multiple issues simultaneously.
Resources
Duct Tape Rocket Ship Podcast — Jessica’s podcast aiming to amplify parent voices within public education.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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To see them from above: The thousands of animal herds, the rituals, the voyages on calm or stormy seas, the different ways we come into the world, share it with one another, and leave it. Consider the lives led once by others, long ago, the lives to be led by others after you, the lives led even now, in foreign lands. How many people don’t even know your name. How many will soon have forgotten it. How many offer you praise now—and tomorrow, perhaps, contempt.
~ Marcus Aurelius
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One of the signs of the dawning of moral progress is the gradual extinguishing of blame. We see the futility of finger-pointing. The more we examine our attitudes and work on ourselves, the less we are apt to be swept away by stormy emotional reactions in which we seek easy explanations for unbidden events.
~ Epictetus
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As long as war is regarded as wicked, it will always have its fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular.
~ Oscar Wilde
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The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong in the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry.
~ Ernest Hemingway
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Maxim:
Dead last finish is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start.
~ unknown
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Corollaries:
Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
~ Plato
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Never throw in the towel. Use it to wipe the sweat from your brow. Then keep going.
~ unknown
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The hardest part of any journey is believing you are able to begin it.
~ unknown
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The hardest part of any journey is believing you are able to begin it.
~ unknown
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Never throw in the towel. Use it to wipe the sweat from your brow. Then keep going.
~ unknown
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Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.
~ Plato
4a116.
Dead last finish is greater than did not finish, which trumps did not start.
~ unknown
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