Podcast Potluck: November 2019

Oct 31

As I have shared with many of you, I listen to podcasts like it's my job! I listen to podcasts when I brush my teeth, when I make breakfast, as I load data on excel sheets, when I walk or ride my bike, when I shower, as I do strength exercises, when I make dinner, when I clean, when I fold laundry... you get the picture. So if you want to discover my latest favorite episodes, from the sublime to the mundane, here goes.

Fresh Air: Second Founding: How Reconstruction Remade the Constitution. Terry Gross is the best interviewer on the air, hands down. I'd recommend almost any episode. But this one in particular, from September 17, was a bell-ringer. I learned so much about the constitutional amendments that emerged out of the Civil War and Reconstruction, and the impact those amendments still have today. I am committed to learning as much as I can about our history, especially as it relates to race. Definitely not pretty.

Armchair Expert: Nadine Burke Harris and the ACEs Inventory. As I've mentioned here before, the host of Armchair Expert, Dax Shepherd, is a bit of a knucklehead. But I have to say, he recruits some outstanding guests. This episode is outstanding - though you can ignore the last 40 minutes of "fact-checking" at the end. Dr. Harris is the first Surgeon General of California and WOW is she brilliant! The ACEs Inventory is a crucial tool being used in treating childhood trauma. My own involvement in working with under-served populations has seen its profound value. Give this a listen.

BBC Global News Podcast. A steady diet of US news gives one the impression that the only news out there relates to the latest tweet from You-Know-Who. So... to get a fuller sense of world news, I listen to this one every day. Perhaps I'm sucked in by all the diverse accents? But nevertheless, it is good for me to hear the latest about Venezuela, Nigeria, Chile, Hong Kong, etc., and not just US politics, which is crazy-making.

Finding Mastery: Apolo Ohno on Competition, Olympic Greatness & Transitions. Let's just say, Apolo Ohno is one VERY intense dude. This podcast was almost like a car crash... I wanted to look away at points because his competitiveness is so focused (and almost weird), but I was equally fascinated by it.

Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel. This one fascinates me, and it has already created copycats. On this podcast you get to listen in on a private counseling session! How wild is that?? It also provides helpful insights into relationship dynamics and just the way different people work. And Esther's Belgian/French accent slays me.

Office Ladies. This one is just a kick in the pants. Pure fun and tomfoolery. Plus, it is getting me to rewatch The Office episodes and that sort of relates to what this website is devoted to, right?? (Who am I kidding?) Just enjoy it.

Plus one article recommendation...

How Timeboxing Works and How It Will Make You More Productive. I have used this with a few clients this month. Certainly, there are so many productivity apps out there. But I find that simple to-do lists just don't get things done on a deeper level. I think the opening pair of sentences about to-do lists from the article sums it up well: "First, they overwhelm us with too many choices. Second, we are naturally drawn to simpler tasks which are more easily accomplished..." YES! I encourage you to give this article a good look.