Freedom Matters

How important is place when we think about deep work? Why is inspired rest so important, and how can we find it? In this episode, we welcome Alicia Navarro, a serial tech entrepreneur with a passion for product, brand, design and culture. In 2007, Alicia founded Skimlinks, which she grew to a $50 million a year global business and which in 2020 was acquired by Connexity. In 2018 she stood down from her role as Skimlinks CEO and went on a journey to find her next venture. On that journey she became frustrated by the lack of creative spaces for deep work. And so her latest company, Flown, was born. Flown is creating deep workplaces and spaces for knowledge workers today. In this episode we discuss: how to put Cal Newport's theory of Deep Work in to practice how to change corporate culture to embrace inspired rest why saying no as an entrepreneur, maybe the best thing you can do. More on Flown: https://flown.com Mission & Story: https://flown.com/story-and-mission Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

How do objects inspire action? And are smartphones really the right tools to get our tasks done? In this episode, we welcome Kaiwei Tang. Kai is the co-founder and CEO of Light, and his Light Phone is leading a grassroots revolution against our overconnected digital culture. He believes that the right technology tool can empower us to be our best selves and to appreciate our lives more. Light Phone was launched in 2014, and is available in 71 different countries. It has been named the 10 most innovative consumer electronics companies in 2020 by fast company and the best a hundred innovations in 2019. In this episode we discuss: the story of Light what tools do we really need to go light how objects inspire action More on Light: https://www.thelightphone.com Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

"A.I. is everywhere. Jobs are being automated. Algorithms run your life. What are you doing about it?" (excerpt from Futureproof by Kevin Roose) In this episode, we welcome Kevin Roose, an award-winning technology columnist for the New York Times and the New York Times bestselling author of three books: Futureproof, Young Money and The Unlikely Disciple. He has also hosted Rabbit Hole, a New York Times produced podcast about internet culture. He writes and speaks regularly on many topics, including automation and AI, social media, disinformation, cybersecurity, and digital wellness. In this extended 30 minute episode we discuss: his own tortured relationship with technology, and why he describes himself as a sub-optimist what led him to write Futureproof, and what it's all about the nine rules which will help us to reclaim autonomy in an age of AI For more on Kevin Roose: https://www.kevinroose.com/bio To read his latest articles: https://www.nytimes.com/by/kevin-roose To order Futureproof: https://www.kevinroose.com/futureproof Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

What are Good Burdens? Why do we need them? And what is the relationship between laziness, love and technology? In this episode, we welcome Christina Crook, a leading voice in the field of digital well-being. As the author of the award-winning book, The Joy of Missing Out, and the leader of the global #JOMO movement, she interviews other mindful tech leaders as the host of the JOMOcast and leads the JOMO Membership - Navigate- focusing you on the wisest investment of your time online to help you live more deliberately and experience more joy. Her new book, Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in the Digital Age will be available in November 2021. In this episode we discuss: the concept of Good Burdens the relationship between laziness, love and attention the algebra of joy and how it relates to technology For more on Christina Crook: https://www.christinacrook.com/ And to pre-order Good Burdens: How to Live Joyfully in a Digital Age: https://www.amazon.ca/Good-Burdens-Live-Joyfully-Digital/dp/1771089784/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=good+burden+christina+crook&qid=1622134583&sr=8-1 Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

Is being in nature the antidote to the negatives of technology use? Or does technology have a place to enhance our experience of nature? In this episode, we welcome Jenny Tough, an endurance athlete and adventurer, and Alex Roddie, nature photographer and explorer. Jenny is currently working on a global challenge to run, solo and unsupported, across a mountain range on every continent. Alex is a long-distance backpacker, mountaineer, and lover of wild places. At work he’s a freelance writer, photographer, and the editor of Sidetracked magazine. In this episode we discuss: the place for technology in exploring our relationships with nature and technology how getting outdoors can support creativity More on Alex: Website: www.alexroddie.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/alex_roddie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alex_roddie/ Sidetracked: https://www.sidetracked.com/ More on Jenny: Website: http://jennytough.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/terms/unblock/?next=/jennytough/ Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

Many people blame distraction in the workplace on tools like email and Slack. Would our life be improved if we just took those tools away?  Unfortunately the answer is not so simple... In this episode, we speak with Cal Newport, computer science professor at Georgetown University and a New York Times bestselling author of seven books, including Digital Minimalism and Deep Work. His work focuses on the intersection of digital technology and culture, and he is particularly interested in our struggle to deploy technology in ways that support, instead of subvert the things that we care about. Today we focus on his latest book, A World Without Email, to discuss: Why is email such a problem? How do workflows need to change to support a better work environment?  What does the future of work look like, and is there a place for email? Learn more about Cal and his work: Homepage: https://www.calnewport.com/ A World Without Email: https://www.calnewport.com/books/a-world-without-email/ Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

As the world switches to hybrid working, many of us are having to learn how to manage our space, time and demands now that we work from home. But authors have been doing it for decades. What is the secret to success? In this episode, we welcome Joanna Rakoff, the author of the international bestselling memoir My Salinger Year and the novel A Fortunate Age, winner of the Goldberg Prize for Fiction, the Elle Readers’ Prize, and a San Francisco Chronicle Bestseller. She has written frequently for The New York Times, Vogue, Marie Claire, O: The Oprah Magazine, and many other publications. In this episode we discuss: Her working environment and the habits which keep her on track What productivity means to her The impact of social media on writers and their work The film adaptation of My Salinger Year stars Margaret Qualley as Joanna and Sigourney Weaver as her boss. Directed by Oscar-nominee Philippe Falardeau, the film opens in theaters and streaming in North America on March 5, 2021 and in the UK on May 17, 2021. To find out more about Joanna (joannarakoff.com) To watch My Salinger Year (in the US): https://www.amazon.com/My-Salinger-Year-Margaret-Qualley/dp/B08XRXS8YB Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

The data is inconclusive. Conflicting studies will paint very different stories about the relationship between technology and the mental health of young people. This episode hopes to bring some clarity to the situation. In this episode, we welcome Larissa May, founder of Half the Story, a global not-for-profit, whose mission is to empower youth to engage in technology with intention. Time, Forbes, Good Morning America and CNN have all acclaimed her powerful work and influence as a digital wellness activist. In this episode we discuss: Her journey to founding Half The Story The important difference between connections and connecting Relativity and our relationship with technology The dangers of commercializing mental health Half the Story: https://halfthestoryproject.com/ Larissa's website: https://www.livinlikelarz.com/welcome Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare Additional Audio Editing: Steven Raets – Sonark Media

Technology is getting a bad rep. In fact, gaming is a super-food, productivity itself is 'toxic', and urban geography is more to blame than iPhones when we consider the challenges of society today. In this episode, we welcome Jocelyn Brewer, a Sydney-based registered psychologist with a special interest in the psychology of technology and staying human in a digital age. In 2013 she created Digital Nutrition as a positive framework for addressing digital wellbeing issues and our love-hate relationship with technology. In addition to her private psychology practice, Jocelyn is a sought-after speaker, educator and media commentator. In this episode we discuss: Why gaming is a super-food Why tech-is a convenient, but misplaced 'fall-guy' for the challenges of today Why critical thinking lies at the heart of our future relationships with tech To find out more from Jocelyn (jocelynbrewer.com/) To find a diverse set of positive games: (taminggaming.com) Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare

Can AI know our children better than we do? What are the signs of mental health problems online? And is it right that technology should be the first to spot them? In this episode, we welcome Doug Kaufman, the founder and CEO of Vertroos Health, which has created Nika. Nika is a tool to help parents identify mental health challenges in their children by decrypting their online activity. Doug, who holds a PhD in Psychology, is a serial entrepreneur, but never before has he built a product so personal to him. In this episode we discuss: Doug's own journey that led him to create Nika how technology can detect signs of mental illness in online behaviour the role of AI in supporting us to know ourselves and our children better For further resource on teen mental health, parenting and more: https://getnika.com/resources For more on Nika: https://getnika.com Find Doug Kaufman on LinkedIn Host and Producer: Georgie Powell Music: Toccare