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)

The Time Joey Ramone And His Mom Went On Geraldo

I should save this for Mother’s Day, but I just can’t.  In a segment titled “Heavy Metal Moms” (I know, I know, just sigh it out and keep going), Geraldo asks questions to Charlotte Lesher, Joey Ramone’s mom, about songs like “Beat On The Brat.”  Pause for a second and ask yourself - what do … Continue reading The Time Joey Ramone And His Mom Went On Geraldo

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

Get Down On It: What Else I’m Up To, 1/5/2024 Edition

It's been a wild start to 2024 - I'm kind of in shock the year is almost 15% in the books, and then I look at just how much happened and... some highlights! In no particular order - here's what else I'm up to. And if you want to know more frequently than these self-promotional … Continue reading Get Down On It: What Else I’m Up To, 1/5/2024 Edition

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

Before You Assume You’re Right, Try This

Before you assume you’re right about anything, remember to ask this question.  From Will Storr (as told to David McRaney, as relayed to Bogumil Baranowski): Am I right about everything? The answer is, “No.” It’s not even hard to say. Try it (we'll say it together. 1, 2, 3 and) - "I am most certainly … Continue reading Before You Assume You’re Right, Try This