Cortex

Ben Thompson, the technology analyst behind Stratechery, discusses the craft and machinery behind his influential publication. He explores choosing stories without chasing audience demand, writing under nightly deadlines, organizing research in Workflowy, and matching tasks to his energy. They also cover custom AI tools, learning from bad predictions, avoiding burnout through curiosity, and building Passport to power an independent publishing business.

Lucy James, a games media presenter and indie-game specialist, discusses leaving GameSpot after 12 years to build Looking for Game, a newsletter for overlooked gems and playable demos. She explores her independent workflow, discovering promising titles, managing releases and developer relationships, protecting her hands while gaming more, and stepping onto the Summer Game Fest stage before millions.

Mark Gurman, Bloomberg’s tech editor and Power On author, known for Apple scoops. He talks about how he built and verified sources, the nonstop rhythm of Apple coverage, balancing speed with accuracy, and how a published scoop often uncovers the next part of the story. He also covers succession reporting, supply-chain tips, and why some leaks mislead.

Jack Coyne, co-creator of Track Star* and co-founder of media company Public Opinion, built short-form music videos into a small media business. He talks about developing the Track Star* format, working with professional musicians, preserving fan-focused editorial values while scaling, and the simple tools and meeting rhythms that keep the team nimble.

Loryn Brantz, illustrator, poet, and bestselling author behind Poems of Parenting and the Good Advice Cupcake, reflects on moving from Sesame Street and BuzzFeed to independent creative work. She describes how late-night parenting lines became a book, her morning rituals and walks that spark ideas, and the routines and tools she uses to capture and shape half-formed poems.

Steph Ango, CEO of Obsidian and creator of the Minimal theme, talks about building file-first knowledge tools and running a tiny, effective team. She explores wiki-style links, plain-text workflows, lightweight task systems, asynchronous collaboration without meetings, and how privacy and AI shape growth. Practical startup and product trade-offs come up throughout.

Jason Schreier, lead video game reporter at Bloomberg and bestselling author, walks through how investigative stories start and how sources are built. He talks about balancing fast news with long-form book projects. He explains why phone interviews matter, how he corroborates tips, and the workflow he uses for messy research and fact-checking.

Quinn Nelson, creator of Snazzy Labs known for hands-on tech reviews and DIY builds, talks about reshaping creative routines after becoming a parent. He describes switching to an iPad Pro for writing, batching content for paternity leave, outsourcing admin tasks, simplifying systems with Notion, and protecting focus and family time while keeping projects small and sustainable.

Becca Farsace, an independent YouTuber and former Verge video director known for deep tech reviews and camera work. She discusses building a solo workflow, long-form testing like 1,000-photo reviews, balancing creative control with scale, keeping brands and thumbnails cohesive, handling income diversification and burnout, and carrying newsroom habits into independent work.

Join Myke and Alec, the creative mind behind Technology Connections, as they dive into the world of video production. Alec shares insights on his unique workflow, from researching everyday tech to crafting engaging scripts. He emphasizes the importance of hooks, deep verification, and hands-on demonstrations. Discover his preference for maintaining creative control, the challenges of scripting, and the unexpected success of certain videos. Plus, learn about his studio setup rituals and upcoming projects that promise to spark your curiosity!