Podcast Of The Week: Outputs > Outcomes (Chris Distefano Edition)

Mike Birbiglia asked a comedy club manager for an example of a comedian who wasn’t funny at all when they started, but now is famous for being funny. She answered quickly and without hesitation, “Chris Distefano.” She said he wasn’t funny at all when he started, but now is funny “times a million.”  When he … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Outputs > Outcomes (Chris Distefano Edition)

Saturday Morning Media: Kanye’s WTF Vs. Kendrick’s LFG (To Therapy)

Kanye has a new album out, and whenever Kanye has a new album out, I’m curious.  I don’t think Kanye’s a genius, but I do think he’s incredibly gifted. “Crazy and bipolar” (his words), ok. But this new record, I’m at a loss, and I think I can explain.   I do think Kendrick Lamar is … Continue reading Saturday Morning Media: Kanye’s WTF Vs. Kendrick’s LFG (To Therapy)

Podcast Of The Week: Pino Palladino On Questlove Supreme

How does a lanky Welsh kid become the most soulful and sought-after bass player in modern music? I’m still asking the question. I still don’t know.  He doesn’t read music. It’s all “feel.” And it’s all professional network-driven respect.  He’s a long-standing friend and fellow contributor to projects Questlove’s been on, including D’Angelo’s Voodoo (one … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Pino Palladino On Questlove Supreme

Saturday Morning Media: Tom Morgan On The Mystery Of Curiosity

Tom Morgan’s presentation, “The Mystery of Curiosity” is a thought, turned into a conversation, aided by research, shaped by more conversations, and finally brought to life as a presentation. I’ve been waiting for him to pull this together for a minute, and by George, he’s got it.  Tom says we’re facing “The Four Horsemen of … Continue reading Saturday Morning Media: Tom Morgan On The Mystery Of Curiosity

Saturday Morning Media: Teaching Logic Via The Viral JK Rowling Bias Teacher

The best way to teach critical thinking is to think critically through stuff you care about.  A student asks a teacher about JK Rowling being transphobic, pointing out how the author’s had a controversial past and said some bad stuff on Twitter. “Do you still like her work despite her bigoted opinions?” The teacher composes … Continue reading Saturday Morning Media: Teaching Logic Via The Viral JK Rowling Bias Teacher

Podcast Of The Week: Merve Emre’s New Criticism Podcast Might Be My New Favorite Thing

It’s one episode in and I’m prone to hyperbole, but.  I found Merve Emre via her book The Personality Brokers back in 2018ish. This book helped me better understand the Meyers-Briggs personality test. Not my particular personality (INTJ, as discussed here, or anyone else’s for that matter), but - where the test came from, who … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: Merve Emre’s New Criticism Podcast Might Be My New Favorite Thing

Podcast Of The Week: McRaney Thinks Even Billionaires Aren’t So Smart

David McRaney’s a household name around here. I’ve got several years worth of regular check-ins on his work if you're interested. But if you don’t know him, this is easily one of the best interviews I’ve ever heard him give.  Bogumil Baranowski had McRaney on the Talking Billions podcast - so of course the financial … Continue reading Podcast Of The Week: McRaney Thinks Even Billionaires Aren’t So Smart

How To Be Authentically Creative (Essay)

This is a collection of recent posts, lightly edited and merged into essay format, on the topic of Authentic Creativity. It was largely inspired by my LifeDesign+ interview on YouTube with Justin Castelli. Justin’s unique ability is to help people organize and simplify their thinking down to the point of action. It’s on full display … Continue reading How To Be Authentically Creative (Essay)

Saturday Morning Media: Dick Cavett’s Oscar Peterson Interview

Entertainment value AND educational value is determined by presentation.  Here’s Dick Cavett interviewing one of the all-time great jazz pianists, Oscar Peterson, back in 1979.  They start with Peterson playing some music. This sets the stage. Literally and figuratively - if you don’t know his work, the performance is intended to show the audience we’re … Continue reading Saturday Morning Media: Dick Cavett’s Oscar Peterson Interview

What It Means To Be Authentically Creative (My Conversation With Justin Castelli)

Justin Castelli had me on his LifeDesign+ YouTube/Podcast to talk about Authentic Creativity.  This is easily one of my favorite recorded conversations I've had. Justin helped me organize a ton of thoughts (see the whole prior week's posts on "Authentic Creativity" to understand). Plus - we had fun. So much fun.  I had to share … Continue reading What It Means To Be Authentically Creative (My Conversation With Justin Castelli)