What Works

As 2025 wraps up, a couple reflects on their messy journey towards getting life back on track. They explore unexpected joys in creative projects like pottery and video animations. Habits that supported well-being emerge, with practical systems for daily routines. They also discuss memorable reads, including feminist sci-fi, and share their favorite new words. Looking ahead to 2026, they anticipate enjoying their ongoing projects even more. It’s a candid and entertaining look at the process of steering through life’s chaos.

Discover the secrets behind capturing attention in a world full of distractions. While algorithms can help get eyes on your message, building genuine connections is far more challenging. Dive into tales of storytelling, where complex topics like finance become relatable. Explore the Swimming Pool Theory of Communication, urging experts to guide novices without diluting their message. Learn how true attention requires us to let go of our biases and genuinely connect with others' concerns for impactful communication.

If you’ve ever chosen an ambitious, unconventional, or deeply meaningful aim only to see your plan devolve into something far more run-of-the-mill, this one is for you.Footnotes:Read the essay version of this episode."AI Can't Even Turn On the Lights" on The VergecastAbout OpenAI"Applying Systems Archetypes" via The Systems ThinkerSam Altman saying we've "surpassed" the definition of AGI from 5 years agoMore from Tara on AI:"What is a search engine? Or, Anne Leckie versus the 'Well, Actually' Bros""Always Be Optimizing""Black Box Thinking" ★ Support this podcast ★

Explore the deeper dimensions of busyness beyond just task overload. Discover how social and structural elements contribute to our relentless schedules. The insights from HBO's The Pitt illustrate the constant pressure in high-stakes environments. Delve into theories of busyness that reveal its roots in uncertainty and conflicting responsibilities. Learn to distinguish between temporary and persistent busyness, and gain practical strategies to prioritize effectively while maintaining meaningful commitments. This is a pathway to navigate life with more grace.

Explore how our mindset shapes problem-solving in unexpected ways, from crosswords to coffee shop stories. Discover the power of questioning assumptions to enhance decision-making. The discussion also highlights the importance of clear communication in a crowded media landscape, introducing an interactive workshop designed for creators. Rethink your approach and learn to convey your ideas more effectively!

The podcast delves into the troubling trend of 'leisure crafting,' where relaxation is transformed into another task to optimize. It critiques how this mindset blurs the lines between productive and passive leisure, potentially harming our ability to unwind. The discussion also emphasizes the need for a supportive work environment and how curiosity can propel personal growth while balancing workloads. Listeners are encouraged to assess their capacity for curiosity before diving into new pursuits, promoting a healthier relationship with work and leisure.

"Competence porn" is an indistinct genre of media that showcases people doing their jobs (loosely defined) exceptionally well, often using niche skills or uncommon expertise. You've no doubt seen it in documentaries, in short-form video, and even in a courtroom procedural or medical drama. What is it that's so appealing about competence porn? And why call it "porn?" And what can it tell us about what's missing from our work? This episode gets into all of that. But first, I gotta tell you about the day I became a boulderer.There are just 6 open spots in my next cohort of Making Sense! If you'd like to communicate more clearly and help others make sense of our complex and oft-confusing world, check out this 8-week interactive workshop. Get all the details and register here: makingsense.fyiFootnotes:Read the written version of this episode."My Summer of Strategic Incompetence" by Kate ManneFree Solo (2018 film)"Competence Porn is Comforting" by Rachel Ayers in ReactorLFG (2021 film)"The Uses of the Erotic" by Audre LordeTeaching to Transgress by bell hooksThe Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord (00:00) - Desperately Seeking Embodied Competence (20:00) - Credits ★ Support this podcast ★

Explore the chaos that arises from unmet expectations and how it shapes personal growth. Discover three powerful mental models to navigate life's complexities and enhance communication. Unpack the contradictions of social media algorithms that prioritize engagement over quality content. Examine how societal norms and personal biases influence our perceptions of chaos, especially in health insurance and technology. Plus, learn about an interactive workshop designed to help transform insights into impactful media.

Explore the intriguing idea that sensemaking often begins in chaos. Discover how misaligned expectations can create confusion and frustration in everyday life. Learn about the essential role of mental models in communication and how they can shift perspectives for better outcomes. The discussion highlights the need for proactive updates to these models in today's chaotic media landscape. An upcoming workshop promises to empower individuals to transform their meaningful ideas into impactful media.

If you're like me, you often think about what you would have done to prepare for... this job, this economy, this political climate, this financial situation, etc... if only you'd known. But you didn't know (I didn't know). And you (I) couldn't know. Some of the loudest shoulds and supposed-tos we face are those we couldn't have achieved due to the time we were born or the family we grew up in.In this episode, I reflect on the rapid changes occurring in work and the economy in the 21st century and how they relate to how I guide my now 17-year-old daughter. Then, I share my interview with sociologist and political economist Mauro Guillén about his book The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society.Footnotes:Read the written version of this episode.The Perennials by Mauro GuillénThe Folded Sky by Elizabeth BearMidlife by Kieran Setiya***Making Sense is back!This 8-week online seminar is a step-by-step framework for turning your meaningful ideas into remarkable media—and helping others make sense of our complex and often confusing world. Whether you're a creator, academic, marketer, speaker, podcaster, or any other kind of communicator, this program is for you.The program is limited to 15 participants and runs from September 16 to November 4.Enrollment opens soon!  ★ Support this podcast ★