(updated 2021 and changed original title “Podcasts in 2018 that brought me delight” to Year 2018 in Podcasts to make posts more consistent)
An anarchist’s bakery, Captain Data’s wrath, Chuck E. Cheese, FUBR …
“Making 2018 Meaningful”: Part 2: Podcasts
An anarchist’s group of businesses in Ann Arbor that Obama visited
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment.
So many. How he applied anarchist principles into building his businesses, how he somehow managed to execute an anti-hierarchical organizational structure, how he was willing to spent literally decades to refine a business.
How did it change me?
I started my own visioning exercise, something he and his team do regularly. Those 2 hours of writing out the vision of our work were the most meaningful time I spent this year. I have a strong feeling that in the future when I look back, this will be a watershed moment for me. I urge everyone to listen to this.
Magic happens when all star interviewers interview each other
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment:
He brought his own tape (recording) to the interview. When he played it, he actually also brought his own music, and produced it on the spot, with his own sound board and all.
How did it change me?
I decided to try and structure and present (produce!) my presentations, Ira’s style. I injected things like, “Why did I do that”, “How did I feel at that moment”, and wondered how the group would react. It’s definitely a great way to practice something different (and screw up mightily).
How to play fire with a dictator and risk your life
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
An interview of Maria Ressa, a journalist that is putting her life on the line to fight the Philippines’ government and democracy.
The 😲 Moment.
97 percent of Filipinos on the internet are on Facebook. Maria Ressa is a activist/journalist that’s trying to fix the issues and preserve democracy there, and Facebook has been misused so significantly that it’s literally destroying the country. She described her mission as “holding the line”. She has been sued by the government, threatened by the crazy, and frankly, evil President Duterte, and the risks of her personal safety to fight this battle were daunting.
How did it change me?
She literally was ready to die for her causes. It made me think if I have things outside of my own personal life that I would risk my life to fight for. I feel shameful and also hopeful.
A Podcast Bros’ Lovefest
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment.
Authenticity is overrated. When he was discussing the important difference between being authentic and being professional, and Tim Ferriss echoed, “Plummers don’t have plummers’ block.” Being a professional does not just show up whenever he/she feels like. Being a professional does what he/she said would, consistently. It is a choice that one makes, and it is not situational.
How did it change me?
I am late to the Seth Godin hype. Ever since then, I read a few of his books, and followed his blog. I must admit, his words and ideas will shape the way we approach our endeavours, significantly. For example, I can’t wait to fire some of our customers.
Billionaires are destroying the world by claiming to change it
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment.
He was invited to speak at a retreat of this nomination only benevolent secret society the Aspen Institute. In front of a room full of millionaires and billionaires and trustees of this institute, whom were people at every major company in America — Facebook and Google and Goldman etc. He decided to say, “Look, rich people in our time all think that they’re changing the world. They’re making it a better place. They’re trying to do good. I think we need to confront the fact that we, in this room, may literally be the problem.”
How did it change me?
I now recognize my own tendencies to behave exactly like these people, and I am certain when I look back this will be one of the seminal moments that turn me into a world hating hermit.
Who are those scammers?
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment.
This journey, from a scam call, all the way to the other side of the globe, was a highly enjoyable and fascinating ride.
How did it change me?
On one hand I was fascinated by how gullible we could be, on the other, when Alex Goldman and the scammer somewhere out in Asia ended up chatting like … buddies.
Meet the guy who defined the childhood of my generation
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment
The fact that it’s the same guy that created Atari and Chuck E. Cheese.
How did it change me?
One of my dreams is to have my own games arcade. It’s a childish thing. But then, he did it, twice. So maybe, just maybe, it is ok to try to inject this into my vision, because he reminded me that at the end of the day, it’s still understanding the economics of running a business. Oh well.
FUBR. FUBR. FUBR.
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment
When the recordings of the last days at the camp was played. Listening to hundreds of people talking themselves into killing their families and themselves, was gut wrenching, and a sad reminder of who we are as humans.
How did it change me?
Try to catch myself when I am inside a bubble. And yes, I am in many many bubbles.
Facebook is run by Captain Data, and it’s very disturbing
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment:
About 30 minutes in, Kara started to go in. On the topic of how Facebook contributed to the atrocities in Myanmar, Kara asked, “How did you feel?” Mark answered logically with his solutions. Kara continued to push and repeatedly asked, “But how did you feel?” He somehow just wouldn’t, or couldn’t find ways to describe his feelings. Kara then tried to help and shared her own feelings (I am sick to my stomach), and asked again differently, “what was your emotion?”
How did it change me?
This interview made me understand Zuckerberg. His lack of empathy was illuminating (and frankly, made me a lot more self aware of my own ability to empathise). I went on a journey to quit Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp (and struggled mightily). At the same I am still on a journey to see if there are alternatives to the utility that I love and miss the most from Facebook — creating meaningful communities at scale.
A convincing rant by a somewhat bitter guy of why voice computing is the future
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment:
When he called Apple with Siri.
How did it change me?
The simple point he articulated — using voice, is just being human. Whereas mouse and keyboard and touch, are just transitional workarounds that we have to develop to work with machines. Hence, the “#voicefirst” movement (not voice only, which is a critical distinction to be aware of). Now I am more aware of ways in everyday life/apps/interfaces where #voicefirst could make things better, and not just for the sake of it. I also start to see how the AirPods Apple Watches iPhones Macs and HomePods could truly make our lives easier, when voice is integrated into them.
BONUS: I decided to pay up for this podcast on Patreon
https://overcast.fm/+OvO_Dz72w
The 😲 Moment.
Listen to the end. This was more a 🤯 moment for my daughter. “How did he know?” “When was he in Hong Kong?” “Was he in our car (we usually listen to this podcast while driving)?!”
How it changed me?
This was the first podcast I decided to contribute regularly via Patreon.