

The Long and The Short Of It
Peter Shepherd & Jen Waldman
A weekly podcast for curious people ready to explore the art and science of being human from every possible angle: macro, micro, Australian, American, tall, short and everything in between.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 9, 2025 • 18min
376. Cadence
In Pete's version of an episode about running, he noodles with Jen about the idea of cadence, and how to break our routines projects into smaller steps.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What does "cadence" mean, and how might we apply the idea to our everyday lives?Why is it better to not rush to the finish line, either while running or working? How might we return to the basics in our work and creative processes?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Dec 2, 2025 • 17min
375. The Perspectives Wheel
Jen shares a framework with Pete for thinking about many different perspectives at once, as opposed to sticking with the first perspective you might think up.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might you choose to believe in a perspective that is most beneficial to yourself?Why is considering many different perspectives a version of sonder?How might we broaden our idea of multiple perspectives in order to increase our level of empathy for others?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Nov 25, 2025 • 16min
374. Competent or Complacent?
Pete grapples with the distinction between competence and complacency after running multiple workshops. They discuss how boredom can blur the lines between mastery and going through the motions. Jen highlights the importance of having a trusted coach for objective feedback. They explore keeping repeated performances fresh and the idea that effortless delivery can signal true competence. The duo emphasizes setting clear intentions for each session and defining success based on outcomes rather than novelty.

Nov 18, 2025 • 19min
373. The Six Points of Focus
Discover a framework that can revolutionize your career! Explore the six points of focus: artistry, industry knowledge, marketing, mindset, network building, and skill development. Learn how to translate these concepts into actionable micro goals. Find out which areas often get neglected, like marketing misalignments and the struggle with networking. Jen and Pete share personal insights into their strengths and weaknesses, making the framework relatable. This is all about honing your focus and carving your path forward!

Nov 11, 2025 • 20min
372. Lessons from a Triathlon
After completing his first triathlon, Pete shares with Jen some learning that he found in training, and while swimming, biking, and running.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:Why is there power in acting as if?How might we more actively encourage and appreciate each other?What does it mean to taper?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Nov 4, 2025 • 17min
371. Shark Week
What if every week felt like Shark Week? Jen and Pete explore living without constraints, urging us to indulge in our passions year-round. They discuss setting goals without waiting for January and emphasize consistent business practices to keep momentum. Jen encourages treating every performance like an opening night, while Pete highlights finding energy-boosting activities. They also reflect on identifying areas where listeners already inject excitement into their routines, all while balancing the joy of frequent engagement with the allure of scarcity.

Oct 28, 2025 • 19min
370. Collegial
Explore the fine line between collegiality and constructive challenge in team dynamics. Jen and Pete dissect how excessive niceness can stifle honest feedback and limit effectiveness. Discover the power of shared goals to enable productive debates and meaningful revisions. They also highlight coaching techniques and the importance of challenging conversations to foster improvement. Tune in as they share insights on breaking down barriers to feedback and recalibrating communication for better collaboration.

Oct 21, 2025 • 19min
369. The OK Plateau
Jen and Pete explore the concept of the OK Plateau, where skill development stagnates due to automaticity. They discuss pushing beyond comfort zones to enhance skills and share tools for incremental improvement. Through examples like memory training and strength coaching, they reveal how micro adjustments can lead to elite performance. Listeners are encouraged to self-audit their skills and consider the trade-offs between being 'good enough' and striving for excellence. The importance of coaching in nudging clients off plateaus is also highlighted.

Oct 14, 2025 • 19min
368. Kicking Cans
This week, Jen confronts a metaphorical can that she's been kicking down the road for several months, and she and Pete noodle on where else these cans might show up in our lives.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we name and tackle certain decisions or projects that we've been delaying?What effect does fear of other people's opinions have on our actions?Why might lessening the amount of cans you're kicking actually lead to more success?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.

Oct 7, 2025 • 16min
367. Tool Kits
This week, Pete and Jen dive in to the idea of auditing your leadership tool kit, to help you solve problems and become more efficient.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What are some tactics you might use to evaluate and assess your various skill sets?Why is it important to borrow ideas, questions, and tools from other leaders?How might we become more aware of our tool kits, so that we can reuse the tools we have in difficult conversations?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).


