
Shit You Don't Learn in School
Formal schooling does a terrible job of preparing you to thrive as an adult. The Shit You Don't Learn in School podcast exists to make up for this societal failure. In this show, Calvin Rosser and Steph Smith share stories, insights, and resources designed to help you improve the quality of your personal and professional life. If all works out, you'll be at least 1% better at navigating the waters.
Latest episodes

Sep 24, 2023 • 57min
72. Inside the Early Days of Digital Nomadism
Reflecting on the early days of digital nomadism and the changing landscape of remote work. Exploring the definitions of digital nomads, remote workers, and expats. Debunking the myth that only tech work can be done remotely. Exploring asynchronous work as an efficient alternative and introducing innovative tools. Discussing the loneliness of remote work and the need for 'third places'. Discussing the impact of fellow digital nomads and the mindset of new digital nomads.

8 snips
Sep 18, 2023 • 40min
71. The Most Influential Artist You've Never Heard Of
Discover the captivating story of Yayoi Kusama, an artist who struggled with mental health, yet created a staggering amount of art. From her iconic infinity mirror rooms to her advocacy for freedom and anti-war activism, Kusama's fearless and unique approach to self-expression is truly inspiring.

12 snips
Sep 9, 2023 • 34min
70. What Do You Want?!
The hosts explore the importance of clarity in life and discuss the illusion of safety. They encourage listeners to break free from the default path, challenge assumptions, and crack the code of life. They emphasize the significance of understanding and reflecting on what you want in order to design a fulfilling existence.

Sep 2, 2023 • 60min
69. Tipping Culture: Have We Gone Too Far?
The podcast explores the history and impact of tipping culture, including the growing prevalence of tipping in modern life and the low minimum wage for tipped workers. They discuss the origins of tipping, arguments for and against it, and hidden charges in San Francisco restaurants. They also share personal experiences with guilt-tripping customers and the importance of allowing customers to make their own decisions.

13 snips
Aug 26, 2023 • 59min
68. The Cost of Excellence
Exploring the world of Master Sommeliers, the pursuit of excellence and the cost of hyper ambition, reflections on achievements and accomplishments, and the relationship between ambition, drive, and happiness.

9 snips
Aug 19, 2023 • 59min
67. The Long Road to San Fransisco
Speakers reflect on their nomadic lifestyle and decision to settle in San Francisco. They discuss the challenges of finding a home and prioritize socialization. Living in a social city affects drinking habits, and they explore the diverse beauty of San Francisco. Comparison of Austin and SF.

24 snips
Feb 16, 2023 • 1h 1min
66. The AI Debate: Where Do You Sit?
ChatGPT broke records in adoption, hitting 100m monthly active users in a matter of months... faster than any other web platform prior. Even faster than TikTok!But with fast adoption comes equally swift resistance, surfacing questions around how this technology is changing the wider world. Should AI models be allowed in schools? How about the courtroom? Do stock image photographers have a fighting chance?In this episode, Cal and Steph step into the shoes of many people tackling these difficult questions right now. From the middle school teacher to the college admissions officer, to the owners of a stock image sites, or even the head of the Bar Association... how would you respond? What questions would you be asking? Listen in to hear Cal and Steph's takes.This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

10 snips
Feb 10, 2023 • 45min
65. Finding a Life Partner
One of the most important decisions in life is who you choose to spend your life with, yet it's also one of the hardest things to get right.Inspired by a recent conversation with a friend that may have unrealistic expectations, Cal and Steph discuss the data behind dating, but also their own very different approaches to it... and if they ever ended up back on the market, how they might do things differently in an era dominated by apps.

16 snips
Jan 19, 2023 • 36min
64. The Weight of Things – From Physical to Digital
Have you ever looked around your home and thought, "Where did all this stuff come from?!"Cal and Steph are currently going through this exercise, as they go through their first move in years.It turns out they're not alone in this feeling of overwhelm and is shared by many others who used to be nomads. The need for *things* is universal, but so is the slippery slope to acquiring too many. In this episode, Cal and Steph explore why weight of stuff – both physically and mentally – and how our decisions are often unconsciously driven by phenomena like the Diderot and Endowment effects. They also explore how our digital lives, although seemingly benign, can also turn into weights on your life and what simple frameworks they're using to change behavior.

36 snips
Jan 12, 2023 • 1h 1min
63. The Best Sh*t We Learned in 2022!
Each January, Steph and Cal sit down to reflect on the prior year and this one is no different. You'll find out their...Best New IdeaBest New Life HackBest New ExperienceBest/Worst PurchaseBest/Worst TrendBest Personal Win/Accomplishment#1 Goal for Next YearPrediction for the New YearJumpstart 2023 by doubling down on the best activities and avoiding the worst. It's going to be an awesome year.PS: If you liked the sound effects in this episode, we found them here.PPS: Since Steph now works at a16z, please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.
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