

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

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/).

Sep 30, 2025 • 16min
366. Momentum Mindset
This week, Jen and Pete noodle on a topic that they were both surprised to have never recorded an episode on: momentum.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What is momentum mindset?How might we turn an ending into a beginning?Why is it important to not sit around and wait for motivation or inspiration?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/).

Sep 23, 2025 • 19min
365. Value Add AI
Jen and Pete dive into the transformative role of AI in 2025. They explore how AI can serve clients better, framing it through a service-first lens. Practical examples abound, from leveraging AI for meeting summaries to enhancing accountability. The duo also tackles the complexities of trust in AI, highlighting how transparency can foster relationships. Plus, they discuss AI's potential as an inclusive leadership coach. The conversation is packed with insights on using AI generously for others!

Sep 16, 2025 • 20min
364. Into the Woods
Jen shares insights from a week in the woods where she directed a unique creative project. They explore the importance of having a clear agenda and constraints for effective work. Collaboration emerges as a vital component in the creative process. The duo discusses innovative tactics for sharing works-in-progress, emphasizing transparency and the value of feedback from both collaborators and audiences. Ultimately, it’s a journey into embracing imperfection and fostering creativity in partnership.

Sep 9, 2025 • 17min
363. Curious Leader
After being taken by surprise by a question in a workshop, Pete noodles with Jen on what it looks like to show up as the opposite of a curious leader, and how we might return to a more curious state.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What does it mean to be curious? What tactics might we utilize to spur curiosity?How might you rely on your team, to give you feedback about when you are at your best and worst?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/).

Sep 2, 2025 • 18min
362. Running 2025
In their annual tradition, Jen talks to Pete about ways in which running (or not running) has taught her about life.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we decide whether or not to take action on something that is hard or painful?What opportunities might arise from saying no to something?Why is it important to revisit the reasons behind our practices and routines?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/).

Aug 26, 2025 • 20min
361. Making Friends
Jen and Pete dive into the complexities of making new friends as adults. They explore creative strategies to forge connections, highlighting the importance of lifting friendships beyond superficial interactions. The duo reflects on navigating adult relationships, sharing personal anecdotes that emphasize the need for intentionality. They'll also challenge listeners to engage in friend-making activities, all while pondering the significance of human connections in our increasingly digital world. Get ready to rethink how you connect!

Aug 19, 2025 • 17min
360. Lower Back Pain
For the first time in three years, Pete is free of lower back pain, and he shares with Jen his journey and learnings on his way to healing.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:Why might we hide from our problems by creating a self-diagnosis?How can we work on discovering what our problems actually are?Who are the people in our lives who might serve as mentors and coaches?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/).

Aug 12, 2025 • 20min
359. Building Skills
Dive into the intriguing world of skill-building as the hosts challenge conventional thinking. They explore the distinctions between finite and infinite skills and how leaders can effectively coach groups. A unique 'bingo card' metaphor is introduced to enhance team skill development. Discussions highlight the difference between technical and relational skills while emphasizing psychological safety. Plus, learn how actors refine their technical prowess through self-reflection and consistent practice, fostering continual artistic growth.

Aug 5, 2025 • 16min
358. Caramelized Onions
This week dives into the art of caramelizing onions, emphasizing the importance of patience in cooking and life. Jen and Pete explore how efficiency isn't always ideal and share tactics for persevering through uncertainty. They draw parallels between the layers of cooking and the creative process, highlighting the value of intentionality and thoughtful pacing. Personal anecdotes add humor while illustrating how waiting can yield richer outcomes, both in culinary adventures and artistic endeavors.