Steve Portigal, a user research consultant and author, discusses the motivations for writing and the challenges of creating a second edition. They explore the evolution of brands, the responsibilities of working on projects with rich histories, and the process of content production and teaching for books. They also provide information on finding the speaker online, book sales, and preordering their new book.

Audrey Crane, Head of Growth at DesignMap, discusses strategies for organizations to maximize the value they get from design work, including shadow design and its relationship to organizational maturity, investing in dedicated design teams, exploring 'design enlightened' organizations, and strategies to address shadow design.

Nate Davis, independent information architecture consultant, discusses IA sub-disciplines influencing digital UI construction. Topics include UI structural engineering, AI integration, educating customers about IA, collaboration between information architects and knowledge engineers, design sustainability and scalability, the evolution of IA, aligning personal intentions with the system, accountability in IA, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Life hacker Karl Voit discusses his use of Org Mode in Emacs to manage personal information, including collecting web bookmarks, integrating file management, and troubleshooting computer issues. He also explores using Orgzly on mobile devices and customizing Emacs. The episode concludes with a workshop announcement on building a personal knowledge garden.

Karl Fast, an independent scholar, information architect, and futurist, discusses reading practices and strategies with the host in preparation for their upcoming personal knowledge management workshop. They explore topics such as different reading habits, creating a supportive physical space for reading, the concept of 'mise en place' applied to knowledge work, and their love for recommending books and the library experience.

Jenae Cohn, Executive Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at UC Berkeley, discusses her book 'Design for Learning' and how online teachers can benefit from UX design principles. Topics covered include applying user experience research to online instruction, designing for learning outcomes, creating conversation and feedback loops, and the importance of teaching interactions and design choices.

Sönke Ahrens, author of How to Take Smart Notes, discusses the role of notes in thinking and learning. They explore the Zettelkasten method of note-taking, organizing and visualizing analog notes, the concept of smart notes and the importance of connections, and the impact of note-taking on building coherent arguments.

Former UX designer and information architect, Chiara Ogan, discusses organizing her personal library for a career change. Topics include physical vs. digital books, limitations of the Dewey decimal system, and different library classification schemes

Alex Wright is the Head of User Experience at Google News. He’s also an author, and his most recent book, Informatica, is the second edition of Glut, his deep history of the information age. In this conversation, we discuss the history of information technologies and why learning about it matters to people who work in tech.Show notesAlex WrightAlex Wright (@alexgrantwright) / XAlex Wright - LinkedInInformatica: Mastering Information through the Ages by Alex WrightCataloging the World: Paul Otlet and the Birth of the Information Age by Alex WrightPaul Otlet - WikipediaS. R. Ranganathan - WikipediaCharles Ammi Cutter - WikipediaMelvil Dewey - WikipediaAnthony Panizzi - WikipediaUniversal Decimal Classification - WikipediaVannevar Bush - WikipediaThe Printing Press as an Agent of Change by Elizabeth Eisenstein bookThe Square and the Tower: Networks and Power, from the Freemasons to Facebook by Niall FergusonCarl Linnaeus - WikipediaGeorges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon - WikipediaBetamax - WikipediaWalkman - WikipediaApple II - WikipediaThe Futures Cone, use and history – The VoroscopeInstitute for the FutureClaude Shannon - WikipediaShow notes include Amazon affiliate links. We get a small commission for purchases made through these links.If you're enjoying the show, please rate or review us in Apple's podcast directory:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-informed-life/id1450117117?itsct=podcast_box&itscg=30200

Aidan Helfant is a college student who’s using personal knowledge management (PKM) to improve his learning. He’s also sharing his methods and tools to help other college students succeed. In this conversation, we unpack Aidan’s approach to note-taking for learning.Show notesAidan HelfantAidan Helfant - YouTubeAidan’s newsletterAidan’s blogAidan Helfant (@AidanHelfant) / TwitterAli AbdaalBuilding a Second BrainThe PARA Method: The Simple System for Organizing Your Digital Life in SecondsLinking Your ThinkingLeague of LegendsStardew Valley - WikipediaFinite and Infinite Games by James P. CarseCornell UniversityObsidianHow to Take Smart Notes by Sönke AhrensThinking Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanGoogle WorkspaceNotionTinderbox: The Tool For NotesShow notes include Amazon affiliate links. We get a small commission for purchases made through these links.If you're enjoying the show, please rate or review us in Apple's podcast directory:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-informed-life/id1450117117?itsct=podcast_box&itscg=30200