I enjoyed this podcast on Handel's Messiah from Christianity Today.
Some additional references related to the podcast:
Some other interesting research included:
I enjoyed this podcast from Search Engine entitled "Who buys luggage at the airport luggage store?"
Some additional links of potential interest:
Image Source: VoodooHammer on DEVIANTART
Here are some post-election podcasts that I've listened to recently. They offer intellectually stimulating perspectives on the 2024 Election.
I still need to re-listen to them and make some notes.
Podcast #1 --
Fareed Zakaria on What Just Happened, and What Comes Next: After a dramatic election, Donald Trump has returned from exile. We hear what to expect at home and abroad — and what to do if you didn’t vote for Trump.
Podcast #2 --
Election Analysis From Down Under: Looking for a fresh point of view on the recent U.S. presidential election, Cal Fussman reaches out to his Australian friend, Holly Ransom, who gives leadership conferences around the world as the CEO of Emergent Global. Richard Branson nominated Holly for Wired Magazine’s Smart List of Future Game Changers to Watch in 2017. And you’ll hear why when you listen to this podcast. Bonus: A lot of leadership takeaways!
Podcast #3 --
Tania Israel: The Science of Political Unity on Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People Podcast
Podcast #4 --
David Farrier's Flightless Bird podcast Election Night
- It's OK to Feel Shitty
- Feedback: [email protected]
Podcast #5 --
If you have other resources, then please let me know.
I am a big fan of Cal Newport's Deep Life podcast.
One of his monthly goals is to read at least five books, which he then covers in his podcast.
Fellow podcast fan Bram Adams ([email protected]) has created a database of all Cal has read here: Cal’s Five Books of the Month.
Bram's site also makes fantastic use of Notion.
Thanks, Bram!!
Here is an update to my 2023 plan.
This year, I am reading and journaling about the following two books as part of my daily morning routine:
I was wondering if I was going to do The Daily Stoic book again, as I've re-read it for the last four years. However, after the first week, it is just so good that I'm happy I am re-reading it again.
As far as last year's two other books:
I enjoyed both of them very much, and I recommend them if you are looking for something to do as part of your daily routine.
I am reading these books on my Kindle Paperwhite (which I also recommend if you want a dedicated ebook reader).
Photo by Frank Holleman on Unsplash
In a recent episode of Cal Newport's The Deep Life Podcast -- Episode 238: The Joys Of The Reading Life -- Cal provided his well-thought-out ideas on how to have a deep reading life and how that intersects with our digital technologies.
I agree with Cal that reading deeply needs concentration and is free from distraction. Physical books are excellent for those that want that experience.
I also agree that reading on the Kindle (or other dedicated eBook readers) can be a deep reading platform. My Kindle Paperwhite is my primary device for all my reading with my eyes. [NOTE: Listening to audiobooks is reading. Don't get me started.]
He is also correct that reading on most people's standard mobile phones or digital tablets like an iPad is not a deep reading platform.
If you do end up reading on a phone or tablet, here are my recommendations.
My phone already has very minimal alerts, but with a quick swipe, I turn on "Do Not Disturb." And in my Kindle application on the phone, I have changed the background color (Layout > Page Color) from white (default) to green. The other options are: tan, white, or black. I'd choose tan if you don't like the green color.
I find having that green background - uncommon like the tan - tells my mind that I am now in reading mode and not scanning mode (like with a white or black background). This lets me read more deeply when I don't have my Kindle and only my phone. Once I finish reading, I turn off "Do Not Disturb."
Reading on my iPad is more straightforward, as I have 'Do Not Disturb' always on. And I am only reading content on my iPad with colors: comic books, WWII books with maps, Star Wars guides, recipe books, etc. I don't change the background color on my iPad.
Thoughts? Comments? Feedback is always welcome!
Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash
Back in 2019, I embarked on a daily morning personal devotion and growth plan by reading these two books on my Kindle Paperwhite (no ads):
Since then, I've rotated the faith devotional book yearly, but I have kept re-reading the The Daily Stoic (it is really that good). The previous faith devotionals were:
In addition to reading these, I have been practicing journaling whatever comes to mind before my readings. Looking back over my journaling, I see some themes: what happened the day before, or what is going to happen soon; prayers; concerns/worries; and insight into how I am feeling or how I am doing professionally and personally. I also capture some thoughts or ideas that stand out from my readings. I have tried to journal both on paper and digitally. I have currently settled on paper. I am currently using a Moleskin that was given to me by Manager-Tools.com.
Another practice I have been doing is high-lighting those verses mentioned in the faith devotionals in my Bible (NIV Faithlife Study Bible: Intriguing Insights To Inform Your Faith). It is becoming very interesting to see what verses get used across different authors, and those that only get one or two mentions. An additional insight is how much of the Bible hasn't been referenced. It is also especially interesting to me when my "Faith Daily Devotional" is very aligned with the "Stoic Daily Read."
This year I am going to read in the morning:
I am looking forward to Rolf's book as I've been listening to his podcast for years, and he inspired me to take this Europe Trip in 2019.
NOTE: Links to things you can buy go to Amazon Prime.
#human_generated_content
I learned a lot about Adam Smith that I didn't know about in this three part podcast from Freakonomics.com: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.
Here are a few examples:
My current personal external Getting Things Done (GTD) brain/tool is Nirvana. I recently decided to move some of my "content" related items in my Someday/Maybe list to external list options in tools that are native for that type of content.
For books I moved them to an Amazon Book Want To Read List. This is using Amazon's Wishlist option.
For movies and TV shows, I am using the Watchlist feature in IMDB.
One of the benefits of this approach was it got each of these content types into a more "non-text" list in Nirvana with more visuals, and it helped to speed up my review of my Someday/Maybe items during my GTD Weekly Review.
I also have a Wishlist on Amazon for physical things I might want to purchase. When something new comes a long that looks interesting, but I don't know for sure that it will be useful, I put them in this list. And then I review it every month or so to see if any items are really something I need. Not just something I wanted at the spur of the moment.
If you have any suggestions on other types of list tools for content, then please let me know.
This photo is part of my Blurry collection.
CURRENT HAPPENINGS
All but one of us is vaccinated. Guess which one? Ha Ha! #stay_home_if_sick, #wash_your_hands, #social_distance, #wear_a_mask
Christy and I had a great 2nd retreat to The Oaks to celebrate our 27th Wedding Anniversary. It was super reflective and restful. Here are some photos!
I recently did a Getting Things Done (GTD) related presentation to Manager-Tools' M Conference attendees alumni group. Here is more information about the presentation with an offer to present to other groups or organizations that are interested in productivity.
My work did a virtual Spring Break scavenger hunt (above are some of the photos). It was super fun and collaborative with friends & family helping out. It was also nice to get out-and-about little bit more. I highly recommend doing something like this if you have the opportunity.
LOOKING FORWARD TO
Carson is going to be graduating high-school soon, and has decided to go to Long Beach State to study nursing. We are very proud and excited for her upcoming college season.
Summer vacation plans seem to be coming together: Mission Beach beach house rental, back to The Oaks, Def Con (Las Vegas), and camping at San Elijo State Beach.
I am hoping that my friend's D&D session (mentioned in previous posts) will get us through this epic battle I have been DMing for months, and on to a new "underwater" related adventure created by our other DM Darren.
TECHNOLOGY, TIPS, & SUGGESTIONS
Here are some greate Windows 10 tips from ZDNET. The one about the new Clipboard History is especially useful as I have had to use a 3rd party tool to do this in the past. To open Clipboard History, press Windows key + V. Neat!
I have been experimenting with these Rode Wireless Go Compact Microphone Transmitter & Receiver Systems for The PodCraft Beer Show. So far they are working well, and they definitely decrease the amount of gear I need to drag to each recording. I think they are also making the conversational style of the podcast easier to record, and edit on the back end. I'll probably do a future full review, so standby for more information.
Engadget's article on "Google makes it easy to jump back to the search box by pressing '/' -- The new shortcut makes it easier to refine your search results." should enable you to quickly expand searches to include addition terms.
I knew how to schedule the release of emails, but this article from Wired describes how to do this on Apple iOS devices and on Google Android devices for text messages. Super handy to know.
QUOTE I'M THINKING ABOUT
“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.” - Peter Drucker