Revisionist History Podcast

Revisionist History Podcast

Absolutely devoured this first season of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast. Gladwell retells the stories of historic events because sometimes the true message doesn't make it into the history books. He is - of course - a great storyteller, but he is also quite outspoken!

StartUp – Gimlet Media

StartUp – Gimlet Media

Gimlet's first podcast and still the one I enjoy the most. Follow Alex along all his struggles in starting this company and tear up when he and Matt get together as co-founders. Since then they have also started great other shows like Reply All and the Mystery Show. And their current fall lineup is looking really strong!

FastCompany - Why is something funny, and why should we care?

FastCompany - Why is something funny, and why should we care?

If you click just one thing, let the clips in this article brighten your day. Why are some things funny? This article offers 4 theories (Superiority, Relief, Incongruity and Benign Violation). Reminds me of Scott Adams (of Dilbert) saying that to be funny a story should include 2 of the following 6 elements: Clever, Cute, Bizarre, Cruel, Naughty or Recognizable.

Jonathan Coe - Sinking Giggling into the Sea

Jonathan Coe - Sinking Giggling into the Sea

Satire of the ones in power is important. It can act as a conduit for clear though and action. But too often it merely replaces thought/action. "A snigger here, a snigger there – it all adds up". Also, it is often misunderstood! We often take from it what we want to hear. The Colbert Report and Loadsamoney were popular both on the left and right wing.

The Unbounded Spirit - 12 Life-Changing Pieces of Wisdom to Keep in Mind

The Unbounded Spirit - 12 Life-Changing Pieces of Wisdom to Keep in Mind

I agree with all of them. "Work can be beautiful" "Everything is temporary" "Simplicity is the key to the good life" All easy to agree with. Difficult to grasp. Even harder to internalise, remind yourself of or act upon. Which one rings true for you?

Jamie Varon - To Anyone Who Thinks They’re Falling Behind In Life

Jamie Varon - To Anyone Who Thinks They’re Falling Behind In Life

With the risk of adding to the pile of things you should do, but please allow yourself to simply be yourself. I think we don't have to over-stress having to be productive. Let alone stressing over the outcome. Do what you can. If you care so much that you're stressing out about it, you're already ok.

Hunter S. Thompson - On Finding Your Purpose: An Extraordinary Letter

Hunter S. Thompson - On Finding Your Purpose: An Extraordinary Letter

Wise words on picking a path or direction instead of a predefined goal. Choosing it on merit of whether the path allows you to efficiently use your abilities to gratify your desires. Written when he was 22 years old, before he had become the author we know. Foreshadowing his own path.

Guardian - Still ticking: The improbable survival of the luxury watch business

Guardian - Still ticking: The improbable survival of the luxury watch business

We still buy watches even when we don’t really need them. And Swiss manufacturers manage to have 60% of the global watch market value while only producing 2% of them. Why is there such a high-paying market for them? Well, it’s the only jewellery a man wears. It’s also a result of a long process – the end of a feat of infinitely intricate human engineering – that appeals to the watch connoisseur.

National Geographic - Before the Flood

National Geographic - Before the Flood

Great documentaire produced by Leonardo DiCaprio and given to the world. It doesn't say anything that wasn't already known. It doesn't give any new solutions. But man does it powerfully lay bare how serious the problem is. It absolutely grips for the full 90 minutes and motivates you to take action!

Brain Pickings - Telling Is Listening (Ursula K. Le Guin)

Brain Pickings - Telling Is Listening (Ursula K. Le Guin)

One of Maria’s favorites. Wait? Amoeba sex holds the key to communication? That talking and listening are ultimately the same thing. That listening is not a reaction, but a connection to join into.

10 Learnings from 10 Years of Brain Pickings

10 Learnings from 10 Years of Brain Pickings

Brain Pickings is quite the inspiration to me. I love this labor of love. And to sustain something like it for a decade is impressive to me. Here are the 10 lessons Maria Popova distilled over that time period and her 10 favourites that fueled them. #6: “Presence is far more intricate and rewarding an art than productivity.”

Simon Sinek: Understanding the Game we’re Playing

Simon Sinek: Understanding the Game we’re Playing

Simon Sinek at his best. In a passionate address, Simon Sinek talks about the millennial generation. How what can be perceived as entitlement is really a nurtured belief that they(/we) can have it all and a trained impatience. And that the game of life/work should really be seen like a journey and progress instead of like a scavenger hunt to find quick success. 

Brainpickings - Keltner’s Power Paradox

Brainpickings - Keltner’s Power Paradox

The paradox is that - once you have the power - people seem to loose the qualities you got power with. How to prevent falling in that trap? (1) Keep the focus on the other and help them. (2) Keep your interests in check. (3) Avoid getting too busy.