

Blinkist Podcast - Interviews | Personal Development | Productivity | Business | Psychology
Ben Schuman-Stoler. Making big ideas personal. Get personal growth and business lessons from thought leaders and entrepreneurs.
Please visit us at blinkist.com/simplify to see our new podcast, Simplify!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 15, 2021 • 38min
Farai Chideya: You’re More Than Your Job
Keep your career thriving in today’s volatile job market with a new perspective on identity and jobs from Farai Chideya.
EPISODE NOTES
For a lot of us, our job is a profound expression of selfhood. That means that when we lose a job, or when a business fails, we might feel like failures, too. And in today’s uncertain economy this happens a lot more than anybody would like.
In this episode, Farai Chideya, author of The Episodic Career https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-episodic-career-en [1], offers a new perspective on how to approach your career path so that you can both survive and thrive at work in the age of disruption. When you understand that you're not your job, but rather that it’s a thing that you do, it's much easier to bounce back, make a pivot, or even temporarily earn less on your way to doing work that really fulfills you.
Sci-Fi podcasts recommended by Farai:
1. Clarkesworld
2. Escape Pod
3. StarShipSofa
Books mentioned by Caitlin and Ben:
1. How to Find Fulfilling Work by Roman Krznaric (The School of Life)
2. What Color Is Your Parachute: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success by Richard N. Bolles with Katharine Brooks
3. The Multi-Hyphen Life: Work Less, Create More, and Design a Life That Works for You by Emma Gannon
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify\][2], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code REBOOT.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][3], Ben at [@bsto][4]. Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller, Ben Schuman-Stoler, Ines Bläsius, and Marta Medvešek. Thanks to Odysseas Constantinou for audio engineering chops and music.
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-episodic-career-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify
[3]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller
[4]: https://twitter.com/bsto

Jun 15, 2021 • 2min
Trailer: Simplify Season 7
After a long pandemic's nap, Simplify is BACK with 9 episodes that range in topic from career pivots to bandwidth to dropping the ball, through to parenting and how to have a good death.
EPISODE NOTES
To show you just how much we've missed you, season 7 of Simplify is extra large and extra excellent! This time, you'll hear from a dating psychologist on connecting at the deepest level, the ultimate productivity expert on working in seasons, and even a hospice physician on how to have a good death—and live life to the fullest in the meantime.
As always, this season features bestselling authors like Tiffany Dufu, Ken Page, Farai Chideya, and Kathryn Mannix, and as a bonus, Shortcast hosts Natalie Lue and Erik Fisher!
If you haven’t subscribed, make sure to do so before the first new episode drops on May 20th. If we’re lucky enough to already count you as a Simplify fan, then please spread the word and tell your friends. It really does help! Send us feedback, suggestions, or questions about anything you’ve heard or would like to hear at podcast@blinkist.com. And if Twitter’s your thing, you’ll find Caitlin @CaitlinSchiller and Ben @bsto.

Oct 31, 2019 • 36min
Sebastian Klein: Change Your Behavior, Change Your Business
Sebastian Klein, psychologist, entrepreneur and co-author of The Loop Approach, shares how small changes in behavior can make big organizational transformations.
In this interview, Caitlin and Sebastian discuss how businesses around the world are making changes that transform them from hierarchy, to more effective and people-centered organizations. Sebastian explains why designating roles rather than titles is more empowering, how he determines whether organizations genuinely want to change, and how to have better communication at the workplace. This episode is great for anyone who has identified changes they want to make, and finds themselves asking the question, “but, how?”
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-workplace-evolution-seb-klein/ [2]
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code LOOPS.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].
Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-loop-approach-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-workplace-evolution-seb-klein/
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto
[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-seb-klein-transcript/

Oct 25, 2019 • 40min
Sonya Renee Taylor: Love Yourself, Save the World
In this episode of Simplify, Sonya Renee Taylor explains how our language and mindset about our bodies impact us in ways that we are often entirely unaware of. Increasing our awareness of this factor enables us to better understand our own low moments, but also helps to explain major historical and societal harm. Listen in to learn more about what we can do to avoid repeatedly making these same mistakes.
Sonya Renee Taylor is a multi-talented artist, activist, educator and transformational leader. She is the Founder and Radical Executive Officer of The Body is Not An Apology- a digital media and education company spreading the message of radical self-love as a means for personal as well as broader systemic and social change. She is the author of two books, including The Body is Not An Apology, an award-winning poet, and has been recognized by organizations such as Planned Parenthood, Bustle Magazine, and the Obama White House for the influence that her work has had.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-self-acceptance-sonya-renee-taylor/ [2]
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code RADICAL.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].
Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/the-body-is-not-an-apology-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-self-acceptance-sonya-renee-taylor/
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto
[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-sonya-renee-taylor-transcript/

Oct 23, 2019 • 37min
Randolph Nesse: It’s Not You— It's Evolution
In this episode of Simplify, Caitlin asks Randolph Nesse why he believes that humans have evolved to experience hardships such as depression, anxiety and grief. As it turns out, while many of our most painful emotions often do not serve a proper function in our modern world, they may have a history that allowed for our ancestors to survive.
Randolph Nesse is a Professor and Founding Director of The Center for Evolution and Medicine at Arizona State University. His decades of experience in a clinical setting have informed his research and commitment to furthering our understanding of modern psychology through the study of evolution. He has written a handful of books covering topics such as bereavement, depression, interpersonal relationships, and his latest book, Good Reasons for Bad Feelings, connects all of these with Evolutionary Psychiatry. He has devoted his career to bringing insights from evolutionary biology into our practice of medicine today.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychiatry-randolph-nesse/[2]
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code evolve. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].
Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/good-reasons-for-bad-feelings-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-psychiatry-randolph-nesse/
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto
[6]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-randolph-nesse-transcript/

Oct 22, 2019 • 36min
Ingrid Fetell Lee: Make Your Own Joy
Can we make joy, on-demand? Ingrid Fetell Lee, joy researcher and former IDEO designer, reveals how in transforming our spaces, we also have the power to transform our wellbeing.
Find out how color brought life back into a struggling city, how you might be able to cheer up a loved one in the hospital, and how to set up a meeting at work to bring more energy and positivity into the room.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-joy-ingrid-fetell-lee/[2]
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code **joyful**. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].
Simplify is produced by Caitlin Schiller with unparalleled co-hosting by Ben Schuman-Stoler. Thanks to Ines Bläsius for production assistance and Christoph Meyer for audio engineering chops. The new Simplify theme is by the one and only Odysseas Constantinou.
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/joyful-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-joy-ingrid-fetell-lee/
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

Oct 22, 2019 • 35min
Johann Hari: Depression’s Not (Just) In Your Head
In this episode of Simplify, journalist and two-time New York Times-bestselling author Johann Hari reveals the cultural causes of depression: loss of connection to meaningful work, meaningful relationships, a future that makes sense, and other amorphous factors, both political and personal, that just can’t be blamed on the human mind. Hear Hari tell Caitlin the stories of how people have reclaimed their connections to meaningful work and the moving story of the Berlin community that saved itself through connection and care, and learn how we can all start to reconnect with what matters.
Johann Hari is a writer and journalist and a two-time New York Times bestseller. He’s written for publications including The Independent and The Huffington Post and has written books on the topics of depression, the war on drugs, and the monarchy. He has also given a TED talk on the topic of addiction.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-depression-johann-hari/ [2]
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/simplify][3], tapping on Try Blinkist at the top right, and entering the code **connect**. Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5].
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/lost-connections-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-depression-johann-hari/
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/simplify
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto

Oct 1, 2019 • 38min
Susan Cain: It's Okay To Be Quiet
In this episode of Simplify, Susan Cain discusses the ways in which introverts and extroverts react differently to stimulation and why we often overlook the strengths of introverts. Giving introverts permission to be themselves not only makes them feel better, it can unlock their potential. With a few simple tweaks, schools and workplaces can create an environment in which introverts are better able to use their unique strengths to benefit everybody.
Susan Cain is the author of the bestselling book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, as well as its companion book for teens, Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverted Kids. Her 2012 TED Talk about introversion has been viewed over 20 million times, and is considered one of the most popular of all time. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Wall Street Journal, as well as other publications. Susan has spoken to hundreds of companies, associations, schools and parenting groups about providing environments in which introverts can thrive through her accurately named organization, Quiet Revolution.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-introversion-susan-cain
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code **quiet**.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4] & Ben at [@bsto][5].
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/quiet-en
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-introversion-susan-cain
[3]: www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=quiet
[4]: twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: twitter.com/bsto

Mar 13, 2019 • 39min
Amanda Siebert: It's Just a Plant
Picture a person who uses cannabis regularly. Did you imagine an Olympic medal-winning athlete, or a successful entrepreneur? Or did you think of someone who fits the standard stoner stereotype? If, like most people, you conjured up the latter, then today’s episode of Simplify might challenge some of your assumptions about what cannabis-use looks like, and what it’s used for.
In this episode, Caitlin interviews cannabis journalist and author of The Little Book of Cannabis, Amanda Siebert. As the plant begins to be legalized on a more widespread basis, for both medicinal and recreational use, Siebert analyzes how the drug got so demonized, the wide array of benefits it can have for many people, and how we need to reconsider our preconceptions about the humble weed.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-amanda-siebert-cannabis/
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code **cannabis**.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4], Ben at [@bsto][5] and Terence at [@terence_mickey][6]
That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][7] and [Facebook][8].
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/a-really-good-day-en/
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-amanda-siebert-cannabis/
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=cannabis
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto
[6]: https://twitter.com/terence_mickey?ref_src=twsrc%5Eappleosx%7Ctwcamp%5Esafari%7Ctwgr%5Esearch
[7]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux
[8]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux

Mar 13, 2019 • 49min
Robin DiAngelo: Think Impact, Not Intention
What does whiteness mean? If you're a white person, the occasions on which you've thought about it might be few. If you're a person of color, the time you spend reckoning with its meaning & consequences are likely far too many. Today's episode of Simplify is an invitation to grapple with what white means in the world, and how to have more generative, revelation-ready mindsets and conversations about racism as a system.
As a Racial Justice Educator, Robin DiAngelo exhorts white people to consider what their skin color means on a cultural, economic, political, and personal level. She's written *White Fragility: Why It's So Hard for White People to Talk About Race* as an educational tool for white people who want to be better allies, inspect their biases, and find their way out of a racist system that continues to do harm.
For more info, including links to everything discussed in the episode, check out this link: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-robin-diangelo-white-fragility
Try Blinkist for free for 14 days by going to [https://www.blinkist.com/en/nc/friends/][3] and typing in the code **fragile**.
Let us know what you thought of this episode, or just come say hi on Twitter! Find Caitlin at [@caitlinschiller][4] & Ben at [@bsto][5].
That excellent music you heard is by Nico Guiang. You can find more of it on [Soundcloud][6] and [Facebook][7].
[1]: https://www.blinkist.com/en/books/white-fragility-en/
[2]: https://www.blinkist.com/magazine/posts/simplify-robin-diangelo-white-fragility
[3]: https://www.blinkist.com/friends/?v=fragile
[4]: https://twitter.com/caitlinschiller?lang=en
[5]: https://twitter.com/bsto
[6]: https://soundcloud.com/niceaux
[7]: https://www.facebook.com/niceaux