A point of view can be a dangerous luxury when substituted for insight and understanding.
~ Marshall McLuhan
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On this day
July 30thClarity with Ron Decter
What are the challenges and opportunities of creating a meaningful podcast that effectively communicates its intended vision and resonates with an audience?
Craig Constantine and Ron Decter discuss the importance of moving towards dialogue rather than a typical Q&A format, making podcasts more engaging.
Ron’s podcast, Simplest State, invites you to explore the mysteries of higher consciousness and the potential of the human mind. They also discuss the struggle of describing one’s show in a few words, highlighting the importance of clarity and coherence in conveying its essence to potential listeners.
Simplest State is for anyone who’s ever felt that there’s something more to life than the mundane, that there’s something beyond the daily routine of life or someone who’s ever felt that the power of the mind is something much more than we have harnessed so far.
~ Ron Decter (10:48)
Takeaways
Embracing Dialogue in Podcasting — Shifting away from a journalistic question-and-answer style can add depth and authenticity
Exploring Profound Topics — Creating podcasts with deep and thought-provoking themes can attract a niche audience seeking intellectual and spiritual exploration.
The Importance of Defining a Podcast’s Essence — The significance of clearly defining a podcast’s essence in concise language.
Resources
Simplest State — Ron’s podcast can be found wherever you normally listen.
Make Noise — Eric Nuzum’s book mentioned in this conversation.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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39 — More running
(Part 7 of 46 in series, Level 52 countdown)
An out-and-back that we frequent. Tomorrow I need some no-impact activity; will be doing squats, hanging leg-raises and pushups.
July 30, 2023 — #43
Reading time: About 6 minutes, 1200 words
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This issue is https://7forsunday.com/43
Physical literacy
I’ve been creating and capturing conversations for the Movers Mindset podcast for over 5 years. In the beginning the people and the content were directly related to Parkour. But it soon became apparent that there was something more. (Actually, it became apparently that there are two somethings. My general love for the art of conversation is one something. But here, I’m just talking about the other something.) Over the years, the podcast name and descriptions shifted to center on the word “movement” as I tried to point at the something more that I couldn’t identify.
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Physical literacy is often described as the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding that provides human beings with the movement foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity. Importantly, it incorporates elements that are beyond mere physical development, such as motivation and confidence to move, and ranks them just as highly as attributes like strength and speed. Anyone who trains in parkour for even a single session soon understands just how fundamental these non-physical elements are to our natural movement capabilities, and our potential.
~ Dan Edwardes from, The Power Of Physical Literacy – Dan Edwardes
I’ve been saying for years that in the Movers Mindset podcast, “I talk with movement enthusiasts to learn who they are, what they do, and why they do it.” People often ask me, “what’s the podcast about?” and I’ve always felt that my description doesn’t quite explain it.
But now I know what it’s about.
This article has given me a new phrase: Physical literacy. Thanks, Dan. This isn’t the first thing you’ve given me. (Dan joined me on the podcast back in 2019 for a wonderful in-person conversation titled, Dan Edwardes: Motivation, efficacy, and storytelling.)
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The resistance
When the resistance shows up, I know that I’m winning. Not my fight against it, but my fight to make art. […] The resistance is a symptom that you’re on the right track. The resistance is not something to be avoided; it’s something to seek out.
~ Seth Godin
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The pit of despair
When—despite your best efforts—you feel like you’re losing at the game of life, remember: Even the best of the best sometimes feel this way. When I’m in the pit of despair, I recall what iconic writer Kurt Vonnegut said about his process: “When I write, I feel like an armless, legless man with a crayon in his mouth.” Don’t overestimate the world and underestimate yourself. You are better than you think. And you are not alone.
~ Tim Ferriss
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R e p e t i t i o n
The popular history of spaced repetition is full of myths and falsehoods. This text is to tell you the true story. The problem with spaced repetition is that it became too popular for its own effective replication. Like a fast mutating virus it keeps jumping from application to application, and tells its own story while accumulating errors on the way.
~ Piotr Wozniak from, The true history of spaced repetition – SuperMemo
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If you’ve never heard of Super Memo, and you click over there, it’s likely to distract you for an hour. This article is both the origin story for Super Memo and for spaced repetition. I’ve read at least one other thing (I’ve not read this article in full, but I have read at least one other one), that is a comprehensive deep dive. Today, I’m sharing this in the hopes that you’ll glance over at it, skim around and realize that, since you will then be acquainted with Wozniak, I am not the most systems-crazy person you know of.
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Education with Nicole Colter
How can podcasting serve as an effective tool for active learning and decentralizing power dynamics in the classroom?
Experimenting with podcasting helps students move from passive listeners to active creators.
They always get surprised at the end that, even as painful as it is in the process, you can look back and be like, ‘I knew nothing about any of this and now look what we’ve created.’
~ Nicole Colter (19:36)
The conversation explores the innovative use of podcasting as a tool for active learning in higher education, particularly in a management class. Nicole explains how podcasting helps decentralize classroom power dynamics, allowing students to collaborate, manage projects, and co-create learning experiences. By recording interviews with textbook authors, students engage in active learning while gaining communication and organizational skills.
Nicole highlights the broader learning benefits of podcasting, such as fostering creativity, confidence, and reflective listening. She shares how students begin to see themselves as creators and take initiative beyond assigned tasks. Topics discussed include decentralized pedagogy, alternative assessment methods like “ungrading,” and the value of indirect learning outcomes. Nicole also reflects on challenges such as students’ initial struggles with conversation and project management, ultimately noting their surprise and pride in their final accomplishments.
Takeaways
Active learning through podcasting — Students engage deeply by creating content and interviewing experts.
Decentralized power dynamics — The course empowers students to manage their learning experience collaboratively.
Indirect learning outcomes — Podcasting facilitates valuable skills beyond stated course objectives, like communication and confidence.
Overcoming communication struggles — Students learn and practice the art of meaningful conversations.
The role of reflection — Listening to their own recordings helps students critically evaluate and improve their communication.
Project-based education — Podcasting replaces traditional tests with real-world, outcome-driven projects.
Encouraging creativity — Students begin to see themselves as capable creators, even outside assigned tasks.
Experimentation and adaptability — Nicole views each semester as an opportunity to refine processes based on reflections and feedback.
Practical management skills — Students apply concepts like planning, organizing, and leading through collaborative projects.
The value of open resources — Projects like interviewing textbook authors create accessible learning materials for others.
Resources
The Last Lecture — Randy Pausch’s book referenced for the concept of “head fake” learning, which emphasizes indirect learning outcomes.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Education with Mark Hochgesang
What motivates someone to start podcasting as an educational pursuit after retirement, and what are the challenges they face?
Podcasting begins as a post-retirement pursuit but becomes an unexpected journey of storytelling and learning.
And also kind of express my point of view on a multitude of different things happening in that sports world. So that’s how it all kind of kicked off and as we talked about kind of pre-mic episode here I am a learner at heart and I knew that I was starting from ground 0 but that was invigorating for me.
~ Mark Hochgesang (1:21)
The conversation explores how podcasting became an unexpected post-retirement pursuit for Mark. Starting with a suggestion from former colleagues, podcasting offered a way to share perspectives on sports while continuing to learn and engage with others. The discussion touches on the personal aspects of podcasting, such as storytelling, preparation, and the intimacy of audio communication. His episodes often feature guests who have overcome adversity or achieved significant milestones, reflecting his interest in inspiring and game-changing stories.
The conversation also highlights the challenges of producing a podcast, from mastering technical aspects like sound quality to managing the editing workload. Preparation and thoughtful content development play significant roles, as does the balancing act of how much of the host’s personality to include. Podcasting has also strengthened connections within his immediate circle and reconnected him with old colleagues, further emphasizing the communal and connective power of the medium.
Takeaways
The learning process — He views podcasting as a continuous educational journey.
Game changers in sports — The podcast highlights guests who have overcome adversity and made significant impacts.
The power of preparation — Extensive research and planning go into every episode to ensure engaging storytelling.
Podcasting as a post-retirement pursuit — It serves as a meaningful and creative way to stay active and connected.
The intimacy of audio — Podcasting creates a personal and compelling form of communication.
Balancing personal presence — He reflects on how much of himself should be included in his podcast episodes.
Technical challenges — Managing sound quality and editing initially proved time-consuming but rewarding.
Building connections — Podcasting reconnects him with former colleagues and introduces him to inspiring new people.
Resources
Heavy Hitter Sports — Marks’ podcast featuring inspiring stories of game changers in sports.
Zencastr — The recording tool used in the conversation.
The Rookie (Movie) — A Disney film about Jim Morris, a guest mentioned in the podcast.
Multipliers — Liz Wiseman’s book discussed during the episode.
(Written with help from Chat-GPT.)
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Actions and perceptions
Operatics, combat and confusion. Sloth and servility. Every day they blot out those sacred principles of yours—which you day-dream thoughtlessly about, or just let slide. Your actions and perceptions need to aim: at accomplishing practical ends; at the exercise of thought; at maintaining a confidence founded on understanding. An unobtrusive confidence—hidden in plain sight.
~ Marcus Aurelius
When will you let yourself enjoy straightforwardness? Seriousness? Or understanding individual things—their nature and substance, their place in the world, their life span, their composition, who can possess them, whose they are to give and to receive?
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And speaking of cognitive biases
Confirmation bias is one of my faves. You know, where you suddenly notice all the other cars like yours when you buy one, or spot coincidences from which you draw an [erroneous] causal conclusion. I know right? Screw you cobbled-together-brain! But this coincidence can’t just be a coincidence:
I’ve been reading-around my copy of The Daily Stoic for about 5 years now. Each page of the book is for a specific date. I long-ago got sick of lugging the book around, so I photographed every page, and loaded them into my personal productivity software. For five years, I’ve had annually repeating todos with the day’s image attached. (Yes, it was a few hours of work to set up 365 todo’s, with “recurs every year on the same date,” and an attached image. Yes, it was absolutely worth it.) So every year, on the same date, the same photo of the same page of the Daily Stoic comes up for me to read. (Craig-level crazy: The image for February 29 is attached to the todo for February 28 and I read it every year.) Finally, you need to know that only a small percentage of the Daily Stoic entries quote from Marcus Aurelius’s, Meditations.
Recently, I bought a fresh, hardcover of my favorite translation of Aurelius’s Meditations. (My paperback copy of this same translation is mangled and marked up, and the typography isn’t as spiffy.) I photographed each page, and set it on recurring todos. This was slightly more complicated because it’s not a page-for-each-date. I simply counted the images and made the todo’s recur that often. So each day a page comes up, but it’s not the same page on the same date each year. (There are 139 pages of content, so I’m reading Meditations 2+ times per calendar year.) For added complexity, the modern book is comprised of Aurelius’s 12 original books; Each was a long scroll on which he wrote entries in sequence. What’s on each page of the modern book is simply determined by book layout: It might be Aurelius’s original book 4, entries 11 and 12, or it might have part of an entry continued from the previous page, or an entry which is cut short that runs to the next page. Sure, it’s messy to try to read a book a-page-a-day if it wasn’t designed that way, but it works, and I get to visit Marcus each day.
That’s the setup. Here’s the coincidence…
Today I hit a Daily Stoic entry that quotes Meditations. The page that’s up for reading in my sequence from Meditations, CONTAINS THE QUOTED PASSAGE.
o_O
After looking around suspiciously… “Am I on Candid Camera?” After looking up suspiciously… I decided I better blog about this.
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Nom nom nom consumption
If wisdom was as simple to acquire as reading, we’d all be wealthy and happy. Others help you but they can’t do the work for you. Owning wisdom for oneself requires a discipline the promiscuous consumer of it does not share.
~ unattributed from, «https://fs.blog/2020/07/thinking-for-oneself/»
I’m often thinking about the distinction between “consumer” and “producer.” Each of us of course variously take on both roles in our myriad daily activities. But today I want to talk about this—it’s in the above quote—common mistake with the concept of a consumer: Reading does not destroy that which one reads! We are not consumers of media, (books, television, social media, etc..)
Yes, we can get into pragmatic word-play—and I’m pretty durn good at that. But that’s not where I’m going with this thought. I’m fully aware that there’s a softer definition of consumer which colloquially means what one does when aiming one’s retinas at a television. But we have other, and better, words for that. (Such digression being left for another day.) Rather, I want to be specific about the word consumer. Let’s please stop using it in contexts where destruction is in fact not happening. When it’s used specifically, then the word can do more work
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Intentional about people
People who cultivate an inward orientation on purpose are still relegated to the “alternative” fringes for the most part. Only a minority of people I know seem to have any interest in mindfulness and meditation, which are really just ways of practicing inwardness so that we can stay receptive in ordinary moments — which probably don’t contain hot tubs or ice cream or cocktails or anything else that’s exceptionally agreeable.
~ David Cain from, Two ways of viewing the world
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I’ve said this before, and I’m sure I’ll say it again: I’m lucky to be surrounded by a network of people who are exceptional.
Where by “lucky” I mean: The harder I work, the luckier I seem to be. I’m intentional about the people I spend time with. Time is short, and there are countless people. By choosing who I spend time with, I’m controlling one facet of the experiences to which I’m exposed, and that’s one part of actively guiding who I become.
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The first hurdle
(Part 2 of 11 in series, A Tracer's Manifesto)
( In late 2016 I began a small discussion with a few friends about an idea. Eventually the project became a web site [now gone] and this series contains the posts from that site. The project continues in the Parkour Forum. )
Originally published Nov 29, 2016
I think choosing a name for “it” is the first hurdle we should clear. It’s obvious the name creates a huge first impression, so it should be chosen wisely. But we need the name asap so we can do things like create a more-public facebook group/page, register a domain name, and build a web site.
I’ve been actively thinking about this for weeks and the only useful idea [imo] that I’ve had is that it should NOT have any of the common terms Parkour/Freerunning/ADD in it’s name. Including those common names would instantly bring divisive baggage into the first impression.
So I’ve mentally wandered way into the weeds thinking of ideas like “Code of Conduct”, but so far they all sound too vague and pompous to my ear. I’ve been searching for some way to hint at the obvious tie to PK/FR/ADD, but there’s no reason the code has to be explicitly about/for that community. Other ideas I’ve had, include playing off of the “tracers” or “traceurs” words, or phrases like “Movers Code of Ethics”.
So, is this hurdle where we should start?
…and if so, any ideas for discussion?
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Not mine
Not my circus.
~ Polish proverb
Not my monkeys.
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Memento Mori
At the Picasso Museum today– a photograph of Picasso “contemplating death”… some days I push myself physically, some days mentally.
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