Here’s something I need Recs on: who are some indie creators you really love that are doing sweet innovative stuff in terms of how they connect to their audience and/or have figured out how to make their work financially sustainable? I need me some models / mentors
Obvi you are aware of this one, but Anne Helen Petersen jumps to mind. She has a fairly large reach, but has really dialed in on the community aspect. I think also Lyz Lenz and Jessica Valenti are doing so as well.
Music-wise, I think the band JUNGLE and the artist Tinashe are both fascinating, albeit different studies in parlaying some of the trappings of the mega-music industry (leaving labels, late night shows, etc) and coming through with music for the fans.
some of these might not be exactly what you're talking about but in comedy i think jo firestone and josh gondelman are great examples of this kind of thing. and ramin nazer and shane mauss. (i'm at there "mind under matter campout festival" this weekend and it's a beautiful community that they've fostered in such a short time.)
And great read Alex! I wonder how many folks will recommend your writing as lightning bolt? I recall finding out what Terry looked like years ago and I was Shocked as it didn't fit the image in my head.
Oh I don't listen to too many podcasts, and the host's visage is usually proudly displayed on the podcast image so I will have to think on it. . . although, while I do know what Craig from the Wednesday Audio looks like, I can't say that I know yet what Tom from Tragedies of Modernity looks like . . . .
as for recommendations that i am seeking, a good friend of mine shared with me that gretchen rubin (author of "the four tendencies" which i like a lot!) refers to certain books as (i believe) "lightning bolt books," books which entirely change one's paradigm in such a way that we live differently after reading it (in a way that is meaningful and chosen), because we now see the world in a completely different way.
for example, my girlfriend just read a book called "why we sleep" and since reading it, she goes to bed hours earlier than she used to, regularly, because the information in the book about sleep health was so compelling.
so my question to anyone reading this is: do YOU have any lightning bolt books? any paradigm-shifters? any mind-altering life-changers? asking for a friend and the friend is me and everyone.
also, doesn't have to be a book if you don't want! could be a movie or music or magazine article or other art/science/life/world engagement. also, doesn't have to be anything. you're doing great as you are.
Love this concept! LOWER ED by Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom is one of those lightning bolt books for me. I highly recommend it, especially in understanding the context of the small debt jubilee going on now! https://thenewpress.com/books/lower-ed
"everything is illuminated" is a great lightning bolt book, name-wise at least! (and i understand that that's not the only reason you're including it. i understand. everything is illuminated.) thank you friend!
thank you for sharing this! i just saw that book at the bookstore i think and it looked good! but instead of getting it, i Did Nothing. am i a doing nothing savant already?
also, this kind of reminds me of "4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" which is absolutely a lightning bolt-ish rec over here as well!
Lightning bolt book recently was Quiet by Susan Cain, specifically the idea of ‘restorative niches’. Now i understand the point of having the BBQ away from the main gathering spot.
terry gross looks like tigger
trrygerooss
this is all very funny.
may i also submit "tiggerry gross"?
Here’s something I need Recs on: who are some indie creators you really love that are doing sweet innovative stuff in terms of how they connect to their audience and/or have figured out how to make their work financially sustainable? I need me some models / mentors
Obvi you are aware of this one, but Anne Helen Petersen jumps to mind. She has a fairly large reach, but has really dialed in on the community aspect. I think also Lyz Lenz and Jessica Valenti are doing so as well.
Music-wise, I think the band JUNGLE and the artist Tinashe are both fascinating, albeit different studies in parlaying some of the trappings of the mega-music industry (leaving labels, late night shows, etc) and coming through with music for the fans.
this is all very true and frankly useful. thankj you
some of these might not be exactly what you're talking about but in comedy i think jo firestone and josh gondelman are great examples of this kind of thing. and ramin nazer and shane mauss. (i'm at there "mind under matter campout festival" this weekend and it's a beautiful community that they've fostered in such a short time.)
damn that's awesome!!
And great read Alex! I wonder how many folks will recommend your writing as lightning bolt? I recall finding out what Terry looked like years ago and I was Shocked as it didn't fit the image in my head.
I would be honored and shook if anyone did such a thing but I appreciate you for even suggesting it!
And yes terry gross. Insane. Who do you think we should do next? Ideally someone you still don’t know what they look like
Oh I don't listen to too many podcasts, and the host's visage is usually proudly displayed on the podcast image so I will have to think on it. . . although, while I do know what Craig from the Wednesday Audio looks like, I can't say that I know yet what Tom from Tragedies of Modernity looks like . . . .
thank you as always for these posts, my friend.
as for recommendations that i am seeking, a good friend of mine shared with me that gretchen rubin (author of "the four tendencies" which i like a lot!) refers to certain books as (i believe) "lightning bolt books," books which entirely change one's paradigm in such a way that we live differently after reading it (in a way that is meaningful and chosen), because we now see the world in a completely different way.
for example, my girlfriend just read a book called "why we sleep" and since reading it, she goes to bed hours earlier than she used to, regularly, because the information in the book about sleep health was so compelling.
so my question to anyone reading this is: do YOU have any lightning bolt books? any paradigm-shifters? any mind-altering life-changers? asking for a friend and the friend is me and everyone.
also, doesn't have to be a book if you don't want! could be a movie or music or magazine article or other art/science/life/world engagement. also, doesn't have to be anything. you're doing great as you are.
love and thanks, all!
Love this concept! LOWER ED by Dr. Tressie McMillan Cottom is one of those lightning bolt books for me. I highly recommend it, especially in understanding the context of the small debt jubilee going on now! https://thenewpress.com/books/lower-ed
beautiful, thank you for the rec! and for the kind words!
I love this question.
A few books:
Letters to a young poet
Finite and infinite games
The art of loving
The courage to be disliked
Everything is illuminated
the netanayahus
Tv show
Fleabag
I’ll prob think of others soon
"everything is illuminated" is a great lightning bolt book, name-wise at least! (and i understand that that's not the only reason you're including it. i understand. everything is illuminated.) thank you friend!
Myq, your girlfriend may enjoy this podcast about the scientific errors in Walker's book "Why We Sleep." I'm not sharing this to tell you that everything about the book is wrong or that it shouldn't be read, it's just a super interesting sort of sleuth piece that may actually provide more enlightenment than accusation for your lady. Enjoy! Podcast Transcript: https://drjohnberardishow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Dr.-John-Berardi-Show-Im-Calling-BS-Part-2-Transcript.pdf and Podcast link on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/0uVmgTu8hmqBRwrpuu8YYn
thank you for sharing this! i passed it along and she has found it meaningful indeed! much appreciated!
Oh, glad to hear!! Thanks
Speaking of Odell : I’m halfway thru this interview she does w Douglas rushkoff on his book and I’m loving it: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jenny-odell/id1140331811?i=1000578933617
thank you for sharing this! i just saw that book at the bookstore i think and it looked good! but instead of getting it, i Did Nothing. am i a doing nothing savant already?
also, this kind of reminds me of "4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals" which is absolutely a lightning bolt-ish rec over here as well!
oh yea I loved that book!! It changed my life for like 5 min until I completely forgot all about it!!
Lightning bolt book recently was Quiet by Susan Cain, specifically the idea of ‘restorative niches’. Now i understand the point of having the BBQ away from the main gathering spot.
I thought Terry Gross was a man because I am Canadian and we are not all up on NPR shows. So I pictured Terry Pratchett.
Before he died I mean