5 Things I Consumed Last Week (lend an👂)
on finding your calling, building relationships, infinity, walking & how to start over
Dear reader,
Of lately I have been listening more than reading. When I started listening to podcasts, I was only listening to short-form pieces/news digest until I stumbled on Naval Ravikant’s episode on Joe Rogan. It was the first breakthrough and since then I have been deeply interested in long form interviews.
This issue is a snapshot of some of the long-form podcast episodes I enjoyed this week and are worth lending an ear to.
Note: If my emails end up in the ‘promotions’ tab, please move them to the inbox so you don’t miss out.
Lessons from Geniuses, Billionaires, and Tinkerers (#173) on The Tim Ferriss Show
This episode with Chris Young is an epitome of inventing employment (no not disguised) and following your calling.
Chris Young is a Seattle-based entrepreneur and professional chef with a background in theoretical mathematics and biochemistry. The ep. revolves around how he managed to get jobs working for the best restaurants in the world despite having no credentials and ended up working for Heston Blumenthal.
I have grown up watching Heston’s Fantastical Food on TV where he used to perform science experiments (read magnified) on food and it was a treat to watch (literally). My fav was ‘The Big Brew’ where he proves why dunking biscuits elevates their flavour. Dunk Dunk!
If you’re busting your ass and if you’re not slacking and if you’re just not totally incompetent, people are going to build you up, at least if you’re in a good place. If you’re not in that kind of place, you should probably leave. ~Chris Young
Listen to this episode for some good career advice on excellence and perfection.
Eric Barker - Everything you know about relationships is (mostly) wrong on Smart People Podcast
I look forward to reading Eric Barker’s blog Barking Up The Wrong Tree (which is also a book - a 100% recommend) every fortnight. It is smart, funny and full of wit.
In this episode he talks about his new book ‘Plays Well with Others’. For a primer read this thread. His writing style is breezy and is a mix of research, anecdotes, storytelling and science and so is his speech.
If you have been told all your life that ‘How To Win Friends And Influence People’ is the bible for developing relationships, Eric’s dig on it will make you uncomfortable. His take on why ‘Netflix and chill’ with your partner might lead to a boring dating life and his thoughts on developing friendships with vulnerability will make you call your besties right away.
The Beginning of Infinity, Part 1 on Naval’s Podcast
Especially these days, when we’re told to “believe in science”—which is an oxymoron—people respect science, but they don’t understand what science is.
Naval being Naval digs deep into the idea of explanations in reference to the book The Beginning of Infinity by David Deutsch. David Deutsch does something astonishing in this book: he explains the nature of explanation itself.
In this podcast, Naval discusses about the idea that ‘you don’t need to know every single fact to fundamentally understand everything that can be understood’, how knowledge transforms the universe, how proofs are not certainties, how creativity and subjectivity is elemental to explanations and much more.
Maira Kalman on Walking and Looking as a Way of Life on Time Sensitive Podcast
Can you imagine if your job is “to walk around and look.”? Well that’s Kalman but we can’t blame her for anything considering how splendid her artwork is.
“And somebody said to me, ‘Is everything a book for you?’ And I thought, Kind of.”
In this podcast, Kalman speaks about walking and looking as strategies for getting through loneliness and giving your mind a breathing space. She also discusses her penchant for cleaning, collecting objects, and reading obituaries. Her journey as an illustrator and a writer is worth a listen.
“I just like being occupied. It gives my life meaning. Otherwise, I’m a little bit lost.
“You’re going to have to accept the fact that it’s a thinking and feeling kind of roller coaster that your life is.”
A perfect complement if you are cleaning and want to listen to some old age wisdom.
How to Identify What You Enjoy on How to Start Over by The Atlantic
Usually I take a rain check on everything that starts with ‘How to’ unless it’s an electronic device but when Lori Gottlieb, a leading psychotherapist on Atlantic’s advice column ‘Dear Therapist’ is the guest, you don’t miss it.
Imagine breaking down the equation of happiness into pleasure, joy, and satisfaction and pondering more over the things that bring you joy.
Gottlieb believes that we not only find it challenging to make time for day-to-day enjoyment, but also struggle to identify what it should feel like.
Follow your envy. It tells you what you want. And so when you are envious of someone or something or some experience, that’s a clue to what might be enjoyable for you. We are so hesitant to look at our desire. We don’t want to give space for desire. We’re so much about the shoulds, as opposed to the “What do I want? What does desire look like for me?” We feel like it’s almost a selfish act.
This one will definitely make you question so many things!
See you next week🙆🏻♀️
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As always, I appreciate your feedback (suggestions, critiques, positive reinforcement) as well ideas that inspire you, reading/podcast recommendations etc.
You can write to me on bhumikasankhla12@gmail.com. or connect with me on IG at _i__cook or use the comment section!
With love and gratitude,
The Hummingbird🌺
"Find a relationship where you, naturally being you, makes the other person happy. And the other person, naturally being the other person, makes you happy."
@naval