68. The Cost of Excellence

Shit You Don't Learn in School

#Self-Improvement #Calvin Rosser & Steph Smith #Calvin Rosser #Steph Smith #Careers #Business #Podcasting Education

32:12

DaQuane Cherry was once the kid who wore a hoodie to hide skin flare-ups in school. Now he’s an artist and advocate helping others feel seen. He reflects on his psoriasis journey, the power of small joys, and why loving yourself first isn’t a cliché—it’s essential. Plus, a deep dive into the history of La Roche-Posay’s legendary spring. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.…

2 years ago 59:07

MP3•Episode home

The Master Somm test is widely recognized as one of, if not the hardest test in the world. Only 273 people have passed it since it was incepted in 1969, also making it one of the rarest distinctions out there (<0.00001% of the world!)
In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss some of the hardest human feats, from athletics to intelligence to, and whether a healthy ambition can lie behind them.
They also discuss where they've taken things the furthest, and where they're still driven to do more.
This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.

89 episodes

Shit You Don't Learn in School

68. The Cost of Excellence

Shit You Don't Learn in School

53 subscribers

published 2 years ago

MP3•Episode home

89 episodes

#Self-Improvement #Calvin Rosser & Steph Smith #Calvin Rosser #Steph Smith #Careers #Business #Podcasting Education

All episodes

Shit You Don't Learn in School

1
82. Creating 6-Figure Projects Online (With a FT Job!) 1:21:24

29 weeks ago1:21:24

1:21:24

Technology has enabled more people than ever to support their lives via online side projects. Steph is one of the people who understands this world well, having created multiple six-figure projects over the last few years. In this episode, Cal interviews Steph about her perspective on bringing an idea to life, managing your psychology, maintaining a reputation, how to price projects, and doing all of this while working a full-time job. Check out Internet Pipes: https://internetpipes.com/ Discount Code: SYDLIS Resources: Josh Pigford's project list Pieter Levels’ project list Pat Walls’ project list…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

1
81. Sprucing Up Your Space (Without Busting Your Budget) 1:03:21

31 weeks ago1:03:21

1:03:21

You probably spend more time at home than anywhere else. And how you feel about that time is heavily influenced by the design and functionality of your space. But how do you create a space that you truly enjoy? Unless you're an interior designer or have the resources to hire one, you may not know where to start and default to keeping things the way they are. That's okay, but what if you could make a few simple, affordable changes to enhance your experience at home? In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss how a trip to Japan inspired them to spruce up their home after years of not giving this topic much thought. You'll learn about what they did, how they made decisions in a world of infinite choices, how much it cost, and other ideas that may give you a head start if you take on a similar project. Items Mentioned: Affordable side table lamps Marshall Bluetooth speaker…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

1
80. 80/20 Experiments in Health 1:17:08

33 weeks ago1:17:08

1:17:08

You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t say their health is paramount, yet you'll be just as hard-pressed to find someone who knows what to do to "get there". While every person’s health journey is going to be unique, in this episode Cal and Steph share their experimentation across many of the major categories – from sleep to supplements and beyond. Of course, this podcast is for information purposes only and is not health or medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for any medical concerns or questions. Topics Covered: 6:53 - Foundational elements 8:52 - Morning routine 13:24 - Sleep 24:30 - Pain and injury 31:30 - Supplements 38:16 - Mental health 39:31 - 80/20++ (blood work, CGMs, fertility, CO2 monitors) Additional Resources: Patrick Collison’s pollution page Casey Means on Huberman Lab on 7 indicators metabolic health (time-stamped) CGM tracking template Cal’s sleep gear: eyemask , silicon earplugs , pillow…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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79. Running Toward a Healthier Life 56:42

35 weeks ago56:42

56:42

Everybody warns you that your body slows down with age, but that deterioration so sneaky, we continue to convince ourselves that we’re doing just fine. At least, that’s what happened to Steph over the past decade, going from an athlete in her youth to waking up one day without the fitness she once remembered. This episode is a walk through that story, but more importantly, how she got back on track and just ran her first half-marathon. This year, she’ll surpass over 500 miles and next year, the aim is 1000+. The best part is? This cornerstone of all our lives – health, that is – is possible for all of us to turn around. Steph’s training modeled after this article Want to join Steph on her goal for 1000 miles next year? Join this Strava group . (No need to be in SF, Strava just forces me to choose a location!)…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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78. Navigating the Best Country in the World 1:23:16

37 weeks ago1:23:16

1:23:16

In part 2 of our series in Japan, we dive into the how behind planning a trip there, from what is worth seeing, how to navigate the epic train system, their unintuitive review system, and more. After traveling to 40+ countries each, we’ve found Japan to be a unique beast, and hope this helps you navigate one of the best countries in the world. If you missed part 1 , start there! Resources discussed: Full list of Japan recommendations (in different cities) 📌 Pico Iyer’s Beginner’s Guide to Japan Don’t forget to look out for takkyubin (luggage transport)! Tabelog for reviews JR pass calculator Suica card Airolo e-sim Japanese konbini Reddit recommendations here and here Listicle here (the custard at #7!) Kappabashi kitchen district Mount Fuji hut list Naoshima Benesse House Recommended ryokans: Yoshimatsu Yamanochaya More city-specific recommendations in the guide This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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77. The Good, Bad, and Weird of Japan 1:17:26

38 weeks ago1:17:26

1:17:26

We’re back with a whole new season. In our first episode back, we discuss everything from the wonderful to the wacky of Japan. You'll hear about an epic art island, specialty coffee and konbini (AKA convenience store food), 100+ year-old businesses, the philosophical ideas that make Japan such a distinct place, and much more. In our next episode, we get tactical and break down exactly how we would plan a future trip to Japan, in case that's something you've got on the horizon. Resources discussed: Full list of Japan recommendations 📌 Pico Iyer’s Beginner’s Guide to Japan Episode on Yayoi Kusama Ivy’s post about Japan Akiya websites: Akiya Banks and All Akiyas Glitch coffee shop: Ginza and Chiyoda Cokuun coffee omakase Cocktail omakase: Bar Cacoi Recommended ryokan: Yoshimatsu Cattle tracking website (need ID to use) This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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76. The Half-Baked Business Idea Roast: Sensory Museums, Zyn Tins, Unrecordable Spaces, and Much More 50:45

2 years ago50:45

50:45

This is the 10th episode back for SYDLIS, so if you want us to continue creating new episodes for the podcast, let us know by leaving a review at ratethispodcast.com/learn . In this episode, Steph and Cal bring a medley of half-baked business ideas to the table. They introduce the origin story of each idea, rate it on a scale of A-F, discuss modifications that would make it better, and most importantly, roast each other when the idea is a little too half-baked. This episode is a part of the broader nudge Steph and Cal push for everyone to see that there are endless ideas to pursue when you learn to see them in the world. Business ideas covered: Marketplace for premium goods Hot sauce tasting kits Long-duration gifting platform AI-powered collectible evaluators The upgraded ZYN tin! Unrecordable digital spaces Making friends as an adult workshop Bidirectional poll-based newsletters Hyper-localized surf guides Immersive, animal sensory museums…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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75. Identity: The Strongest Force in the World 37:35

2 years ago37:35

37:35

There is something out there that can make one person more productive and kind, while another inharmonious -- even resentful. That thing is identity. And while we passively adopt parts of identity, we often forget that much of our identity is left up to us. In this episode, Cal and Steph explore the depths of identity and how being intentional around what parts of your identity you adopt, shed, or embrace can lead to a more fulfilled life.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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74. Opportunity is Everywhere: Using Twitter, Wikipedia, Patents, & Niche Databases to Discover Trends 54:55

2 years ago54:55

54:55

The internet has a treasure trove of information that you can use to generate business ideas, spot trends, and understand what the future will look like before everyone else. But to benefit from the internet's wealth of knowledge, you need to learn how to use it in the right ways. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss four unconventional ways that you can use the internet to find good ideas for businesses and products that people actually want. You’ll learn how to: Use Twitter searches to discover products that people want Tap into a rich reservoir of unsolved problems with Wikipedia Leverage a sci-fi technology database to dream up the future Leverage patents to see what companies are investing in Resources Mentioned Wikipedia’s list of unsolved problems Patent Drop newsletter Not Boring Sci-Fi Idea Bank and further reading on the database Twitter Searches "request for product" min_faves:200 "someone please build" min_faves:200 "I’d pay for" min_faves:200 “why doesn’t this exist” min_faves:100 "business idea” min_faves:1000 This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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73. Writing to Save Your Life 1:02:54

2 years ago1:02:54

1:02:54

Writing is one of the most powerful tools on Earth. But few have mastered the craft. Perhaps because success in writing often actually veers you off course, leading you to a life of talking instead of living -- the very thing that drove the quality of your writing in the first place. One man -- (who has written several novels, thousands of poems, and hundreds of short stories) has some merciless takes on the art of writing. And although merciless, many ring true. In this episode, Cal and Steph dive into the mind of Bukowski and the key lessons we can learn about creating art that truly shakes you alive . This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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72. Inside the Early Days of Digital Nomadism 57:04

2 years ago57:04

57:04

Few waves have hit the world quite like remote work; a wave impacting billions of people overnight due to a worldwide pandemic. But in reality, this wave was brewing for decades and thousands of nomads had long been proving there was a different and viable way to work. Calvin and Steph were two of those people, starting in 2016. Now that the world has caught up, they decided to reflect back on what was so special about that period and what, in retrospect, they might've seen then that much of the world had still not (and in some ways still hasn't) understood. Listen in for a look inside the early days of digital nomadism. This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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71. The Most Influential Artist You've Never Heard Of 40:25

2 years ago40:25

40:25

Few people inspire us more than Yayoi Kusama. Cal recently discovered this 94-year old's work while at the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Like many others, he was immediately gripped by her art – enough to be the only artist he looked up after his visit. Little did he know she was one of the world's most successful living artists, had been creating thousands of pieces across nearly a century, and has quite the storied past. In this episode, you'll learn about this incredible artist, from her long-time struggle with mental health (she has been living out of a mental facility for 50 years!) to her alienation from the art community and Japan, and how she ultimately succeeded beyond all of that noise by continuing to create a gobsmacking amount of art. A true hero's journey. It's truly a wonder that we hadn't heard of Yayoi earlier. We hope this episode leaves you just as astounded by her as we are.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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70. What Do You Want?! 33:37

2 years ago33:37

33:37

Many people waddle through life without asking themselves a simple, but important question: What do I want? In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss how to figure out what you want and avoid some common traps that take you down unhelpful detours. The episode is based on two of Cal's recent articles, which you can read here: What Do You Want? Calvinball: The Only Game Worth Playing This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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69. Tipping Culture: Have We Gone Too Far? 59:55

2 years ago59:55

59:55

Some people argue for tipping. Some people argue against. But the one thing that unites most people with an opinion on the topic is a lack of understanding of where the practice came from in the first place. In this episode, Cal and Steph walk through the history of tip culture, how that led to vastly different norms around the world, and the confusing place we're left in today – especially in an era of Square terminals and where tipping seems to be infiltrating the unexpected. Has tip culture gone too far? Listen in to find out. This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

1
68. The Cost of Excellence 59:07

2 years ago59:07

59:07

The Master Somm test is widely recognized as one of, if not the hardest test in the world. Only 273 people have passed it since it was incepted in 1969, also making it one of the rarest distinctions out there (<0.00001% of the world!) In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss some of the hardest human feats, from athletics to intelligence to, and whether a healthy ambition can lie behind them. They also discuss where they've taken things the furthest, and where they're still driven to do more. This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

1
67. The Long Road to San Fransisco 59:28

2 years ago59:28

59:28

After years of being nomadic, we embarked on an experiment of living in Encinitas. That experiment lasted 3 years, but provided us with a clearer view of what we wanted next. But could we get past the multi-year stand-off around location and find a place that fit both of our needs? Listen in to find out. This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

1
66. The AI Debate: Where Do You Sit? 1:01:06

2 years ago1:01:06

1:01:06

ChatGPT broke records in adoption, hitting 100m monthly active users in a matter of months... faster than any other web platform prior. Even faster than TikTok! But with fast adoption comes equally swift resistance, surfacing questions around how this technology is changing the wider world. Should AI models be allowed in schools? How about the courtroom? Do stock image photographers have a fighting chance? In this episode, Cal and Steph step into the shoes of many people tackling these difficult questions right now. From the middle school teacher to the college admissions officer, to the owners of a stock image sites, or even the head of the Bar Association... how would you respond? What questions would you be asking? Listen in to hear Cal and Steph's takes. This episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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65. Finding a Life Partner 44:37

2 years ago44:37

44:37

One of the most important decisions in life is who you choose to spend your life with, yet it's also one of the hardest things to get right. Inspired by a recent conversation with a friend that may have unrealistic expectations, Cal and Steph discuss the data behind dating, but also their own very different approaches to it... and if they ever ended up back on the market, how they might do things differently in an era dominated by apps.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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64. The Weight of Things – From Physical to Digital 36:29

3 years ago36:29

36:29

Have you ever looked around your home and thought, "Where did all this stuff come from?!" Cal and Steph are currently going through this exercise, as they go through their first move in years. It turns out they're not alone in this feeling of overwhelm and is shared by many others who used to be nomads. The need for *things* is universal, but so is the slippery slope to acquiring too many. In this episode, Cal and Steph explore why weight of stuff – both physically and mentally – and how our decisions are often unconsciously driven by phenomena like the Diderot and Endowment effects. They also explore how our digital lives, although seemingly benign, can also turn into weights on your life and what simple frameworks they're using to change behavior.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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63. The Best Sh*t We Learned in 2022! 1:00:55

3 years ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Each January, Steph and Cal sit down to reflect on the prior year and this one is no different. You'll find out their... Best New Idea Best New Life Hack Best New Experience Best/Worst Purchase Best/Worst Trend Best Personal Win/Accomplishment #1 Goal for Next Year Prediction for the New Year Jumpstart 2023 by doubling down on the best activities and avoiding the worst. It's going to be an awesome year. PS: If you liked the sound effects in this episode, we found them here . PPS: Since Steph now works at a16z, please note that the content here is for informational purposes only; should NOT be taken as legal, business, tax, or investment advice or be used to evaluate any investment or security; and is not directed at any investors or potential investors in any a16z fund. For more details please see a16z.com/disclosures.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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62. Opportunity is Everywhere: Lupini Beans, Niche Sports, and More 41:57

3 years ago41:57

41:57

A few weeks ago, Steph and Cal had a locksmith come in. It cost $185 and was shockingly quick... just 10 minutes! Little did they know it would also be the fodder for one of Steph's most popular tweets of all time. Perhaps it shouldn't be surprising – people love learning about new opportunities. That's why they decided to record this (hopefully) recurring segment where they share various opportunities they've found in everyday things and how they're crafted a curious lens with time. In this episode, they discuss 6 business ideas: niche sports like freediving second-hand LEGO markets the AI education opportunity lupini beans: the next healthy snack? the story behind the music using the full agave plant Let us know if you liked this episode on Twitter . If there's enough demand, we'll continue to run it monthly.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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61. Is Cheating Ever Okay? 44:18

3 years ago44:18

44:18

There has been a wave of recent cheating scandals, from chess to poker to fishing. But cheating is not new, nor is it a rare occurrence. In fact, some articles sport stats like "75 to 98% of college students have cheated" or "over 46% of respondents in a monogamous relationship said they had affairs." In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss when – if ever – cheating is okay. They even share their own experiences of being caught in the act and how it's shaped their perspectives since.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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60. Generative AI: The Next Big Thing? 1:06:24

3 years ago1:06:24

1:06:24

For years, people thought that artificial intelligence would wipe out repetitive tasks, but leave the creatives untouched. But recent developments have left many people surprised and taken the creative world by storm. Tools like DALL-E, Midjourney, and Stable Diffusion gave anyone with a keyboard and a wifi connection the ability to spin up images from text prompts, far earlier and higher quality than many imagined. So what comes next for the artists... the writers... the musicians...? No one knows for sure, but in this episode Cal and Steph discuss the exciting new world of generative AI. They discuss what it is (and isn't), the tools they've played with, how culture and trust are shifting, who "wins" in this new world, and what they think might be on the horizon. Check out Steph's new AI-generated avatar Check out Calvin's new AI-generated avatar Lexica prompt database Nat Eliason's article Marie Dolle article Profile Pic AI AvatarAI…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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59. Be a Magnet, Not a Jail 43:11

3 years ago43:11

43:11

It's human nature to worry about the things that can go wrong. But often overlooked is the mentality of attraction instead of detraction, or in other words focusing on what you can bring to the table instead of what you can prevent from happening. While so many companies signal they want entrepreneurial candidates yet don't allow side projects, want out of the box thinkers yet expect them to work in a box (office), and vow they only hire top talent yet pay below market rate... there's power in thinking through whether you're truly focusing on attracting the right people or just trying to prevent wrong behavior. In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss the mentality of being a magnet instead of a jail, originally inspired by this tweet of Steph's.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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58. Money x Relationships 1:02:55

3 years ago1:02:55

1:02:55

Money is a leading cause of problems in relationships. It’s not just not having money, it’s conflict around money, lack of alignment, and the downstream effects of that. Money is complicated because it’s influenced by your direct circumstances, but also by your childhood, psychology, and trajectory. It's also complicated because so few people talk openly and honestly about money. In this episode, Steph and Cal open up the kimono and explore how they deal with and think about money in their relationship. They share their current working philosophy on money and stories about the things they struggle with and are still working on.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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57. [Part 3] How to Get Married in 10 Days 1:03:27

3 years ago1:03:27

1:03:27

In part 3 of our 3-part series, Steph and Cal discuss how they planned a wedding in 10 days, what they did (including traditions kept and scrapped), and the pros and cons of taking a less conventional approach to marriage.

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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56. [Part 2] Love, Marriage, and Monogamy 35:43

3 years ago35:43

35:43

In part 2 of this 3-part series, we decided to re-air part of our most popular episode, #35: Does Marriage, Retirement, or the 40-Hour Work Week Still Make Sense? In this segment, we share: How humans are actually not wired for monogamy What animals within the animal kingdom are monogamous The history of marriage and when marriage started to be associated with love Explore the concept of love and whether the 37% rule could be applied to it Understand the key difference between animals and humans The importance of travel and exposure to different ways of living How narratives drive the adoption of technology…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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55. [Part 1] The Narratives Behind Love with Amanda Natividad and Marissa Goldberg 58:15

3 years ago58:15

58:15

In part 1 of our 3-part series, we're joined be Amanda Natividad and Marissa Goldberg – two friends of the podcast – to discuss the traditions that surround love. After getting engaged last year, Steph found herself in a place she didn't expect and with emotions that she didn't feel entitled to have. That led her down a deep rabbit hole of questions, ultimately ending up in a bunch of societal narratives. She discusses them here with Amanda and Marissa, as they share how they navigated the narratives that underpin love, from engagement to name changes to family involvement and more. Without giving too much away, all three women have found their own unique way forward. Resources: The Gottman Institute (for fantastic research-based marriage advice) Harvard grad speech on committing A name change service that Marissa recommends A before marriage list of questions Post-engagement anxiety article 1 Post-engagement anxiety article 2 Getting engaged made me feel miserable Amanda's "declaration of interdependence" Marissa's elopement video Thank you Amanda and Marissa for joining us! You can find them at... Amanda's personal site Amanda's Twitter Marissa's personal site Marissa's Twitter…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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54. Ask Us (Literally) Anything 1:04:16

3 years ago1:04:16

1:04:16

In this special episode, Cal and Steph answer audience questions across a wide range of topics including writing, relationships, finances, and even death. Listen in to find out. Next Steps Essay about the nuance of privilege If you liked this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review . To receive the latest updates, follow The Sh*t You Don't Learn in School on Twitter .…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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53. The Promises and Pitfalls of the Creator Economy 57:09

3 years ago57:09

57:09

Steph has some exciting news to share in today's episode! Listen in to find out. In this episode, Cal and Steph also cover the rise of the creator economy -- both its promise and pitfalls. They breakdown why the heightened attention toward creators, whether we can expect a creator "middle class" anytime soon, the importance of IP, and even explore what it truly means to be a "creator"... Is it the things they build? Is it the audience they have? Is it the money the make? They also cover upcoming trends that they expect to hit this growing "creator economy" including the rise of digital influencers, content automation, crypto, and gaming. If you'd like to ask Cal or Steph a question for an upcoming AMA episode, we encourage you to submit your questions here !…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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52. Deciding Where to Live with Endless Choice 51:14

3 years ago51:14

51:14

We all know that where you live is one of the most important decisions you can make, but it may be more important than you think. And with more people working remotely, there is no more freedom than ever in deciding where you call "home." In this episode, Steph and Cal discuss how to think about where you should live, why it matters more than you think, and how you can make a decision when it involves two people who have different desires from a location. In one of our next episodes, we'll be answering listener questions! You can ask your questions here: Next Steps Paul Graham's essay: http://www.paulgraham.com/cities.html If you liked this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review . To receive the latest updates, follow The Sh*t You Don't Learn in School on Twitter .…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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51. The Life You Could've Lived 53:53

3 years ago53:53

53:53

Life feels like a bunch of micro-decisions, yet a few macro-decisions often end up determining how you spend most of your time. Perhaps one of the most significant are the degree you choose and the first job you take. The decisions that follow those are inevitably pulled by their inertia. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss the importance of exploring the diversity of jobs out there and how many people become fixed in a singular path. If you liked this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review .…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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50. Making a Difference During Wartime 1:07:29

3 years ago1:07:29

1:07:29

We believe that the desire to give is universal, but is just as much a skill as anything else in life. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss the how you can make a difference during your limited time on this earth, with the limited resources you have -- especially during times like these. They dive into... Creative ways that people have supported Ukraine Striking a balance between hedonism and altruism Making difficult problems tractable A breakdown of the gender pay gap Impact starting with small actions WTF is effective altruism? Whether charities should be structured differently If you'd like to join us in giving back, we're giving to givewell.org .…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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49. The Hidden Power of Language 1:04:37

3 years ago1:04:37

1:04:37

Language is one of the most powerful tools that humans have accessible to them. Don't believe us? Consider the fact that someone could walk up to you and say something that could immediately change your mental state. Nothing around you has changed, other than the words echoed through the air. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss the power of words and how language can shape the way we think. They use untranslatable words to convey these concepts and share how language has been shown to impact anything from our impression of time, space, or even emotional regularity. If you're interested in digging into this more, Steph has built a directory of untranslatable words ( Eunoia , which itself is an untranslatable word) and has written an article about the topic here . Send us a message with your favorite "untranslatables"! Liked this episode? Make sure to subscribe and leave a review .…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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48. It's Time to Leave the Casino 55:32

3 years ago55:32

55:32

The allure of getting rich quick is intoxicating. It's even more intoxicating when you're trapped inside and it seems like all your friends have cashed in big. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss Cal's experience with active investing over the last 20 months and ultimately, why it's time to walk away from the casino. If you liked this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review . You can also read Calvin's article on the topic here . And if you're also stuck in the casino, don't be afraid to reach out to Cal or Steph on Twitter. We'd love to hear your story.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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47. What Can Happen in 300 Years? 1:00:29

3 years ago1:00:29

1:00:29

"The only constant is change", they say. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss just how drastically the world has changed and will continue to change. From the iPhone... to the Internet... to antibiotics... to human flight... to to the sequencing of DNA... to perhaps the most important fact that humans now live more than double as long... these developments all happened within the last 100 years. Given that things within a single lifetime can go from being inconceivable to ubiquitous, it's mind-blowing to imagine what might be come. They use the remainder of the episode to explore what might be to come, whether it be proactive medicine, computer-brain interfaces, printed food, digital warfare, and much more. If you liked this episode, make sure to subscribe and leave a review . Resources: The Great (TV show) Life expectancy data Neal's fun tools…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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46. The Life Lessons You Shouldn't Ignore 1:11:03

3 years ago1:11:03

1:11:03

There's an endless sea of advice online. Whether it's from a vague Twitter thread or a clickbait blog post, the advice sounds catchy, but if we're honest... often holds little water. However, we all know from experience that the right lessons, sometimes even sitting in plain sight, can genuinely change the trajectory of one's life. In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss the few pieces of advice that they think matter most and shouldn't be ignored. Love this episode? Give it a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/learn Resources: Calvin's article: https://calvinrosser.com/40-pieces-of-advice/ Josh Pigford's project page: https://joshpigford.com/projects Doing Time Right: https://doingtimeright.com/…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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45. Are You Playing Russian Roulette With Life? 46:45

4 years ago46:45

46:45

In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss the hidden side of risk: the infrequent, often unpredictable events that make the biggest differences in our lives. If you look around, rare, high-impact events are everywhere. A small number of days in the stock market drive the bulk of the returns. Large businesses like Google, Amazon, and Best Buy have tested thousands of products, yet have a single profit puppy. Insurance companies make money on most customers, but have to pay out very large claims to a few people. A handful of people have had more of an effect on the future than the other 7 billion people combined. This episode is all about navigating tail risk and tail opportunity. You'll learn how to better avoid the catastrophic events in life, and on the flip side, to take advantage of the life-enhancing opportunities with asymmetric upside. Love this episode? Give it a review at https://ratethispodcast.com/learn…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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44. The Best Sh*t We Learned in 2021 1:00:43

4 years ago1:00:43

1:00:43

In this episode, Steph and Cal break down the best of 2021. You'll find out the... Best New Idea Best New Skill Best New Life Hack Best New Experience Best/Worst Purchase Best/Worst Investment Best/Worst Trend Best Podcast Creator of the Year Best Personal Win/Accomplishment #1 Goal for Next Year Prediction for the New Year Jumpstart 2022 by doubling down on the best activities and avoiding the worst. It's going to be an awesome year. PS: If you liked the sound effects in this episode, we found them here .…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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43. Technology that People Feared 50:26

4 years ago50:26

50:26

What do airplanes, railroads, and jazz music have in common? They were all innovations that people feared. In fact, if you look into any key technology shift from the past, you'll find a wealth of fear, uncertainty, and doubt surrounding it. And while this shouldn't be surprising, we can still learn from the skeptics of the past. We can learn just how difficult it is to predict what's to come and look toward our future with a humble perspective, an acceptance that we probably will get it wrong again. In this episode, Calvin and Steph talk through how people viewed inventions seemingly as innocuous as the bicycle or teddy bear, what we can learn from these stories, and how to stay open minded and capitalize on opportunities as technology takes us into the future.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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42. Special Episode: Finding Meaning in Sudden Death 1:58:19

4 years ago1:58:19

1:58:19

Death is universal part of the human experience. During our lives, we often must confront the painful reality of death around us, and eventually, we face that reality ourselves. What's odd is that despite death being at the core of the human experience, many people avoid talking or thinking about it. So when people pass away or we face a health scare that brings us into contact with the fragility of life, we often don't know what to do. In this episode, Calvin shares his experience with the death of two close loved ones: his mentor and his mom. He dives into the depths of those experiences, whether it's choosing to take his mother off life support or the psychedelic experience that helped him process his guilt. And most importantly, he shares what he's learned from years of grieving. We hope this episode serves as a jumping off point for people to speak more openly about death and to connect with the many people that have lost a close loved one. As a disclaimer: If you are unable to listen to difficult topics like suicide, mental health, or sexual abuse, please do not listen to this episode. Resources: My Mom’s Path to Suicide: Battling the Darkness in a Broken System I Will Make You Proud: A Eulogy for My Mom The Power of Mentorship and Paying it Forward Unpacking Unit 73: Insights from Revisiting My Youth…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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41. The Future of Work: What Comes Next? (Part 2) 50:12

4 years ago50:12

50:12

In the second part of this series on the future of work, Steph and Cal dive into new products and services, alongside macro trends that they predict are in full flux. These include mass migration, global tax infrastructure, opportunities for services to specialize, increased isolation, UBI, and of course... the metaverse. :)…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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40. The Future of Work: What Comes Next? (Part 1) 1:06:43

4 years ago1:06:43

1:06:43

People say that COVID was an accelerator, forcing trends that may have taken decades to develop, to instead take hold in much less time. Remote work was one of those trends. But we're not done yet! The future of work is constantly evolving and it doesn't just impact whether you can Zoom without pants. :) In this episode, Cal and Steph discuss the second and third order effects of the remote revolution and what's to come. And in part one of this series, they discuss how this equation impacts the individual and companies. In part 2, they'll talk about new products and services, and macro trends to come. Resources: Printable user manual prompts: bit.ly/user-manual-questions Steph’s user manual: bit.ly/steph-smith-user-manual Calvin’s user manual: bit.ly/calvin-rosser-user-manual…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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39. 80/20 Habits, Beliefs, and Products 35:31

4 years ago35:31

35:31

The information age gives us access to so much advice that it can be hard to see through the noise. 4AM morning routines that don't make sense for you. Productivity hacks that hardly move the needle. Hindsight bias cloaked as success stories. Most advice is well-intentioned, but rarely translates to improvements in another person's life. So this week, Cal and Steph took a step back to ask the simple question: what are the 80/20 habits, beliefs, and products that had an outsized impact in changing their lives. While many of their answers aren't revolutionary, they're universal and can be adopted by anyone. If you find yourself looking for an 80/20 episode that cuts through the noise, this one is for you.…

Shit You Don't Learn in School

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38. Open Salaries and Solving for an Equitable Workforce 51:00

4 years ago51:00