What Works

The discussion kicks off with the financial realities of supporting creators in today's economy, revealing the challenges they face. It delves into the fragile relationship between creator support and traditional charity, highlighting vulnerabilities. The future of media organizations is scrutinized, emphasizing the need for genuine support rather than profit motives. There's also a compelling look at how storytelling shapes desires and societal beliefs, advocating for narratives that empower communities. Plus, a seminar for creative thinkers promises to enhance critical thinking through adventurous exploration.

Navigating big goals is often unpredictable, resembling the twists of a roller coaster. Expect challenges as success can feel like failure, prompting emotional turmoil in the workplace. Embracing confusion can lead to valuable learning moments. The discussion includes insights on evolving procedures and the importance of adaptability in changing environments. A new seminar is introduced, blending speculative fiction with critical thinking, encouraging participants to explore complex work dynamics creatively.

In this conversation, Sean McMullen, husband of Tara McMullin, dives into the heated debate surrounding Ann Leckie's comments on AI chatbots versus search engines. He emphasizes the nuances of information, data, and knowledge, while critiquing the often condescending perspectives of some tech commentators. The discussion explores how AI tools influence critical thinking and user engagement, highlighting the difference between exploration and efficiency in learning. Sean also reflects on the importance of curiosity in navigating digital inquiry.

Explore how transforming chaotic thoughts into structured narratives enhances communication and creativity. Delve into the significance of storytelling in a media-saturated world and learn strategies to combat information overload. Discover the speaker's journey from anxious interviews to engaging podcasts, emphasizing empathy and narrative development. Uncover practical techniques like notetaking and diagramming to clarify complex ideas. Plus, get a sneak peek into an upcoming seminar designed for deep intellectual engagement.

"No one is ever completely safe from the critical gaze of a culture steeped in the makeover ethos." —Micki McGeeI have a theory that you can measure the decline of any social media platform by the time it takes for its feed to become a firehose of unsolicited advice. Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn are all sludge piles of advice now, but it took them years to devolve. TikTok took maybe 18 months. Substack Notes? Like 3 months. Threads? Instant.Most of us (I think) can agree that the vapid posturing that occurs through posting advice on social media makes a platform less enjoyable. I don't open one of these apps in the hopes that I'll learn the one weird trick that can turn my frown upside down or give me six-pack abs. What we once loved about these platforms is how people shared their everyday descriptions of life, love, family, and curiosity. But much of that mutual exchange of experience has been ceded to the commercial interest of advice.After all, we love advice. We also hate advice. We love it when someone can tell us what we should do next. And we also hate being told what we should do next. So what gives? Today, a description of why that is. But first, things are going to get awkward.Footnotes:Read the written version of this episode.Awkwardness: A Theory by Alexandra Plakias"Signs of social awkwardness and 15 ways to overcome it" via BetterUpSelf-Help, Inc by Micki McGeeSelf-Help, LLC - a special What Works series exploring the business and culture of self-help (00:00) - EP 493: Why We Just Can't Quit Advice Culture (19:44) - Credits ★ Support this podcast ★

Explore how rethinking societal challenges can lead to innovative solutions. Discover the significance of enabling structures in fostering creativity, using historical gems like the Federal Music Project as inspiration. Delve into the complexities of content moderation and the shift from restrictive practices to nurturing dialogue and community values. Learn how these concepts can transform not only macro issues but also enhance our everyday work and family lives.

Explore the compelling concepts of your inner critics, personified as Tiny Capitalists like the Tiny Puritan, Tiny Manager, and Tiny Entrepreneur. Discover how societal pressures about productivity shape our views on work and rest. The discussion reveals the impact of cultural beliefs on labor exploitation and self-worth. Unpack the evolving narratives around capitalism and the role of collaboration in reimagining our relationship with work. It's a witty and thought-provoking journey into our psyche and the systems we accept.

Explore how standardization shapes our choices, from clothing sizes to voting preferences. Discover its impact on education and consumer behavior, revealing how tests like the SAT influence identity. Dive into how standardized categories can constrain self-perception and challenge the labels that limit us. The conversation encourages embracing diverse frameworks for understanding identity and navigating personal and social issues in a more nuanced way.

Explore the concept of temporal bandwidth and how it shapes our commitments and relationships. Discover how the perception of time influences our ability to pursue meaningful projects beyond the urgency of the present. The discussions include intriguing insights from the Steerswoman series, linking the protagonist's journey to our need for deeper understanding and connection. Learn how expanding our view of time can enhance personal growth and enrich storytelling, ultimately allowing us to navigate life’s significant questions.

Most of the work I do that's not this revolves around coaching, editing, and/or thinking with people who have meaningful ideas they want to better express to the world. In this work, the question I hear most often is about making sense of a complex idea—the kind of idea that contains many smaller, supporting ideas and stories and research. The sort of complex idea best expressed in a lengthy essay, a book, a podcast series, or a documentary.How does one make a plan for tackling that kind of idea? How does one get started writing or designing that complex idea? How does one keep track of all the bits and bobs that go into a massive project like that?From my perspective, three biases tend to trip us up when working on a project of this sort. I'll call them the linearity bias, the stick-with bias, and the waste-not bias. I'll explain how each gets in the way of big, messy projects—but first, I have to tell you about HONEYDEW.Footnotes:Read this episode as an essay12 Bytes by Jeanette WintersonBird by Bird by Anne LamottThunder and Lightning by Natalie Goldberg"Making What Can't Be Sold" by Tara McMullinI work with people who want to turn their meaningful ideas into remarkable content. Whether you want feedback or thought partnership in a 90-minute strategy session or you've got a more hands-on project involved, I'd love to help. Click here to learn more about working with me. (00:00) - Honeydew (Or, 3 Biases That Derail Meaningful Ideas) (19:10) - Credits ★ Support this podcast ★