The Armen Show

“In the scientific literature, I found confirmation of what I was hearing. In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the national lockdown cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation Loneliness is far more than just a bad feeling—it harms both individual and societal health. It is associated with a greater risk of cardiovascular disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. The mortality impact of being socially disconnected is similar to that caused by smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, and even greater than that associated with obesity and physical inactivity. And the harmful consequences of a society that lacks social connection can be felt in our schools, workplaces, and civic organizations, where performance, productivity, and engagement are diminished.” – Surgeon General in 2023 In episode 406, past guest Professor and psychologist Todd Kashdan joins me with my co-host on this discussion, Rebecca Faith Lawson, to cover the loneliness epidemic that was showcased this year by the Surgeon General, along with how it affects well-being, what can be done to not be isolated in the first place, and more. You can check out my prior episode with Todd here, and some recent episodes with Rebecca here, here, and here.

The social internet landscape continues to change rapidly, and a lot of people’s time is involved in the various applications in use. Recently, Threads came out from Meta, while TikTok continues to grab lots of attention and Instagram is one of the most default applications for people meeting each other. Within these applications, there are dynamics between creators and viewers, things that viewers are looking to see regardless of creator, and strategies creators are using to have their content showcased repeatedly. Understanding these dynamics is key to navigating the social landscape, as well as getting to the next apps or services that people will use, because the next are always based on the previous. On this informative episode, Rebecca Faith Lawson joins in discussion on these topics, along with what stands out from creators, the ability to make content that is true to you and unfiltered, and how to avoid getting into your own head when making creative content.

There’s an unspoken assumption when you go to see a doctor: the doctor knows your medical story and is making decisions based on that story. But the reality frequently falls short. Medical records vanish when we switch doctors. Critical details of life-saving treatment plans get lost in muddled electronic charts. The doctors we see change according to specialty, hospital shifts, or an insurer’s whims. Stanford physician Ilana Yurkiewicz calls this fragmentation, and, she reveals, it’s the central failure of health care today. In this gripping narrative from medicine’s front lines, she shows how a system that doesn’t talk to itself forces doctors, patients, and their loved ones to go to heroic lengths to bridge the gaps. With lives at stake and little other choice, we all do so―but the system is hanging by a thread, and we need better solutions. Radiantly humane, empowering, and ultimately hopeful, Fragmented is a prescription for what really needs fixing in modern medicine.

In this episode, we cover the topic of the big change in social media of the past decade, from a socially-based graph of our connections that is about familiarity, to an interest-based graph of our connections that is meant for discovery of novel creators and individuals. With guest cohost Rebecca Faith Lawson, we go into what the change in algorithms has done to the feeling of using various apps like Facebook, Myspace, Instagram, and TikTok over time. We look into what was good about then versus now, and what the current landscape might be missing. As well, we look into the comparison of content that is very polished or curated, as opposed to that which is straight from the mind or mostly unfiltered and real, and what types of feelings authentic content evokes. In closing, we look at how interest-based apps like TikTok may connect with the loneliness that is pervasive and increasing in society, and if the current algorithms contribute to that loneliness. As we had more to cover on these topics, this is a part 1 of the discussion. It’s always a delight having Rebecca on the program, and may you enjoy and learn from the material.

Livestream on your unique nature Reuploaded here after being streamed as episode 402

Hello and welcome to episode 401 with Jeff Lawson, theologian and elder at Faith Sarasota. This talk covered a range of life messages, and was an in-person one that went into a few topics of understanding and growth. Jeff’s passion is to utilize his gifts that facilitate an atmosphere that seeks to promote the goal of looking more and more like Acts 2:42. In this talk, various life happenings were described, along with scriptures that match up with them or represent ways of being. We hope you enjoy this one, and will see you on the next.

We have made it into the 400s here on the show. On this one here, I do a brief recap of the past 100 episodes, picking out a few that were notable along the way, and give a little preview of things I would like to include in the 400s. This episode has a new intro and outro, and look to be adding in pre-episode intros about the guests before their part, as well as a closing portion about the show before the final outro. Some of the items I look to be adding in are potentially more solo episodes as livestreams, and/or with guests, and then more panel type episodes possibly mixed in as livestreams. Here is to more good things, and thank you all for your continued support.

What does it take to do creative experimentation, and what can you get out of it? How does one build and work on their focus and motivation? What is required to build a newsletter, and what is in the Stretch Letter newsletter. Charlotte Grysolle joins on the show from Belgium in episode 399 to cover these topics and more. Charlotte has 10 years of advertising/production agency experience in Brussels, New York, Singapore, and London. She started writing online and re-discovered a long-lost curiosity and drive for learning and self-development. It was about 18 months between sharing her first words online and quitting her job. She made the jump to a fully remote, async role as Student Success Lead at Write of Passage – an online writing school with huge ambitions to change how people write online in the 21st century. As creator of the Stretch Letter newsletter, Charlotte shares tools and resources to experiment with your mental and physical performance. The content comes out weekly, is highly practical, and is guaranteed to teach you something new about your mind and body.

Embrace the future of creativity with “The Artificially Intelligent Creative,” a groundbreaking guide that will redefine the way you approach your creative projects. This comprehensive book will introduce you to the incredible potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and reveal how you can harness its power to revolutionize your artistic endeavors. It was written by Srinivas Rao, who joins us on episode 398 of the show. Discover how AI can elevate your creative process by: Automating tedious tasks, freeing up more time for imagination and exploration Enhancing your writing, art, music, and entrepreneurial projects with AI-driven tools and techniques Building an AI-powered “second brain” to help you synthesize knowledge and create at the speed of thought Developing an AI-assisted team to streamline your workflow and increase productivity Learning from real-world case studies that showcase the astonishing possibilities of AI in creative projects “The Artificially Intelligent Creative” is your essential guide to navigating the world of AI-driven creativity. Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or entrepreneur, this book will provide you with the knowledge and tools to harness the power of AI and take your creative pursuits to new heights. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to be at the forefront of the AI revolution in creativity. Embark on an extraordinary journey that will forever change the way you create.

Welcome to episode 397 of the show with Faith LeMasters, representing for sustainable fashion, and who has recently released a first issue of L’Avenir De La Mode Magazine. From the magazine description: “After interviewing with multiple designers and creatives, I realized there was a great need for designers, artists, and industry professionals to have a platform where they could truly (and openly) share their perspectives, ideas, experiences, and hopes for the future. This is that platform. Focusing on emerging talents in the fashion, visual art, and interior design industries (with an emphasis on that which is luxurious), LADLM spotlights these talents and gives them a platform where they can work with the media to generate content that is meaningful (for them and us). We work with established creatives as well who have a strong vision and strive to be innovative in all that they do. “L’Avenir de la Mode” directly translates to “The Future of Fashion,” and while we are expanding our reach beyond the fashion industry, it will always be at the heart of our publication and is the foundation for the content we create. The name is taken from a past interview I conducted where the designer noted that, at Los Angeles Fashion Week, everyone in the room was the future of fashion. While this content will differ from other projects and publications I collaborate with and work on, at LADLM, we will still be choosing to work with those who maintain a strong code of ethics and values (sweatshop labor is deplorable and we refuse to showcase brands that exploit people for monetary gain or any other reason). It is my greatest hope that this publication will add value to your life, inspire you along your own journey (whatever that may look like), and give you the encouragement you need to embrace all the beautiful things that make you, you. Because after all, it is this uniqueness that creates a kaleidoscope of incredible culture, community, and individuality (however juxtaposed that may seem).” You can find the magazine featured here.