Late Morning Coffee

Every so often I share a few podcast episodes that have stuck with me, and this round brings three very different perspectives. One looks at the gap between intention and action, another reexamines familiar films through the lens of relationship science, and a third offers a thoughtful account of life inside a Christian commune. Each raises questions worth sitting with, whether about motivation, c...

Two small ideas from mindfulness have lingered in my mind, each offering a different kind of shift. One works through the body, the other through imagination, and both open a space for calm and clarity. They serve as reminders that even modest practices can influence how we see ourselves and how we move through the day. Late Morning Coffee, Episode 26: https://lmc.fm/episode/26/

Scrolling through social media is often described as a way of losing time, but it may be happening in more ways than one. Beyond the hours that disappear into endless feeds, there is also a subtler shift: our sense of sequence is slipping. Platforms that once showed posts in order now serve up a mix from minutes ago, days ago, or even weeks ago, with little distinction. This episode considers what...

Labels are tempting because they simplify, but they rarely capture the full picture. Once we accept a description of who we are, it can quietly shape our choices and limit what we attempt. A label repeated often enough can become a story that feels fixed, even when it is not. This episode considers the risk of letting those shortcuts define us, and why leaving space for change may open the door to...

Hollywood stories, AI debates, and the science of flow all find their way into this wide-ranging conversation with Steven Puri. From what makes Indiana Jones compelling to why social media might be remembered like tobacco, the discussion moves through storytelling, technology, and how we manage our attention. Along the way we explore default and executive brain networks, the role of conflict in cr...

Carbohydrates have picked up an undeserved reputation as something to avoid, echoing the way fat was demonized in past decades. This episode looks at how that narrative misses the bigger picture. From fueling harder workouts to supporting recovery, hydration, focus, and even hormone balance, carbs often play a critical role; especially for people who train or simply want consistent energy througho...

Moments of inspiration can feel unstoppable, but they rarely last long enough to finish the bigger things we start. This episode looks at the tension between inspired bursts and the slower grind of habit, and what it takes to bridge the two. Is there a way to capture the spark of creative energy and turn it into something that endures? Or should we learn to shape inspiration into smaller, sharper...

Large language models have changed how developers learn and build, often collapsing the long climb of trial and error into something that looks nearly complete from the start. Yet that shortcut comes with its own tradeoffs. This episode reflects on the difference between steady, incremental progress and the disorienting feeling of landing near the end without knowing how close you actually are. It...

With music easier to access than ever, something important may have been left behind. This episode reflects on the shift from saving up for a single album to flipping endlessly through playlists, and how that change affects our connection to songs and artists. From the patience of wearing out a CD to the irony of skipping through limitless options, it considers whether music has become less meanin...

This episode builds on the idea of moving goalposts by exploring why they shift in the first place. Through concepts like the hedonic treadmill and arrival fallacy, it looks at how achievements become the new normal and why satisfaction often fades as soon as we reach a milestone. Alongside research and philosophy—from psychology to stoicism to Buddhism—it raises questions about what truly lasts:...

What happens when the end goal finally arrives, or when it never does? This episode reflects on the strange tension between reaching a finish line and watching it move further away. From the grind of mobile games to the ambitions we set for ourselves in work and life, the idea of shifting goalposts raises questions about satisfaction, motivation, and the cost of always chasing more. Consider this...

I break down the apps and devices that form the backbone of my workout and fitness tracking. My main trio is the Strong app for weightlifting logs, an Apple Watch for activity tracking, and Happy Scale for smoothing out bodyweight trends. I also talk about exporting and compiling years of data into a personal fitness site, why pulling information out matters as much as putting it in, and the chall...

If you'd be so kind as to drop me a vote for SXSW 2026, I'd really appreciate it. Voting Link: https://participate.sxsw.com/flow/sxsw/sxsw26/community-voting-sxsw/page/community-voting/session/1753666145387001b2JL

In this episode, I try—and mostly fail—to explain why my approach to diet and nutrition feels simple but really isn’t. What began as an attempt to share a few practical guidelines turned into a reflection on just how much discipline, structure, and life design sits underneath that simplicity. I talk about daily food choices, invisible guardrails, and the mindset shifts that have slowly become seco...

Podcast listening can feel strangely personal, almost like building a one-sided relationship over time. In this episode, I share three standout episodes from other shows that stuck with me long after listening. You Are Not So Smart 317: https://youarenotsosmart.com/2025/07/10/yanss-317-how-to-reimagine-the-marketplace-of-ideas-by-changing-how-if-and-when-we-talk-about-politics/ Sunday Story: When...

After hearing a striking study on the You Are Not So Smart podcast, I had to jump in and reflect. The episode explores how even the most rational, mathematically inclined people can twist numbers to support their identity-driven beliefs, often without realizing it. I unpack what that means for critical thinking, why simply informing people rarely works, and how it connects to behavior change, publ...

In this conversation with agent, psychologist, and coach Albert Bramante, we explore a different take on imposter syndrome: maybe it’s not something to conquer, but something to work with. Albert shares insights from his experience with performing artists; why self-sabotage shows up, how identity can quietly limit growth, and what it really means to "act as if." From reframing limiting beliefs to...

James Gunn’s new Superman movie is here, and it delivers something that’s been missing from superhero films for a while: hope. In this episode, I unpack what worked (a charismatic lead, a fun Lex Luthor, and actual optimism) and what didn’t (plot chaos, a maybe-unnecessary Justice Gang, and a few Gunn-isms that either land or don’t). I talk about how this Superman fits into a post-Snyder DC world,...

This episode explores why resisting the lure of your phone is so difficult and why it’s not just a matter of willpower. With thousands of behavioral scientists designing platforms to keep your attention, the odds are stacked against you. If you’ve ever found yourself reaching for your phone without thinking, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at why that happens and what you might try instead....

Fifty episodes might be arbitrary, but it still feels like a good moment to take stock. In this episode, I reflect on what I’ve learned so far, what I hope to do next, and a few follow-up thoughts from past episodes that deserved more airtime. Followup Items: - Ep 38: “Results show” vs. “Results prove” vs. “Results suggest” - https://lmc.fm/episode/38/ - Ep 11: Macrofactor — AI better now? - https...

What happens when search engines stop being the main way people find things online? I take a near-future look at how platforms like ChatGPT and social media are chipping away at traditional web search, and what that might mean for creators, websites, and the soul of the internet itself. From the heyday of personal blogs to the rise of YouTube as a destination, this is a reflection on what's been l...

After decades of loving Magic: The Gathering and gradually drifting away from it, a new card game finally offered something fresh. This episode reflects on the long arc of collectible card games, the shifting balance between strategy and accessibility, and the unexpected joy of finding a game that feels just right. It is about rediscovering fun in a familiar format and being caught off guard in th...

Momentum is easy to celebrate, but what about the moments in between? This episode looks at the quieter phases of growth and how the urge to always shift forward can blur the value of where you already are. It's a reflection on progress, pace, and the uncomfortable space between ambition and patience.

There is a growing chorus of voices repeating a message that sounds pragmatic on the surface: your job is not your family. It’s meant to clarify expectations, but underneath, it may be doing something else entirely. This episode pushes back on that narrative, exploring how language like this, even when well-intended, contributes to a larger trend of dehumanizing employees. The conversation isn't a...

Rules of thumb are supposed to set us free from rigid thinking, yet they often become rigid themselves. Whether it is advice from improv classes, leadership seminars, or motivational posters, we are surrounded by maxims that say "never do this" and "always do that." This episode questions that binary approach and looks at what happens when one well-intended rule just replaces another. Sometimes go...