Podcasts are a great way to shape your informational intake. I like podcasts mainly because I get to choose what I listen to as opposed to accepting what is force fed, and I can listen when I choose. I try to gather different perspectives but steer away from those that are blatantly agenda based. Here’s my current listening list:

After an especially wet winter and anticipating a strong summer monsoon season, I decided a new “creek bed” around our house would add a layer of protection against water intrusion. It is almost complete and looks great. Even better, it works.

Averell Harriman, Dean Acheson, Robert Lovett, George Kennan, John McCloy, and Charles Bohlen played pivotal roles at a pivotal time in modern history. Most were born to Ivy League privilege; some came from more humble backgrounds. Dean Acheson’s memoir is titled “Present at the Creation,” an appropriate tag for each of these giants who helped guide America through WWII and who, in various ways and not always in agreement, were the architects of the post-war period.

A journaler and master list maker for years, I started using a modified version of Bullet Journaling a few months ago. Then I decided to actually read the book. As a result, I’ve modified my approach to be much closer aligned with the structure Ryder Carroll presents, one that is remarkably similar to my ’80’s Day Timer system. Basically, BuJo (as it is affectionately known) is a well-engineered system for capturing every thought you need to capture in a systematic and short form fashion.

An interesting contrast has developed in how I choose to live my life, and the world in which I live it. This contrast is not absolute mind you, the edges sometimes blur in interesting and not necessarily intuitive ways. I have learned that I sometimes prefer the simpler, slower, more thoughtful ways of doing things; and I have learned that they have distinct advantages. They may not be as fast (frenetic) or as modern (cool), but they can be more beneficial (effective).