Unqualified Advice

After an unintended “summer break” that didn’t feel much like one, Dan and Sean are back at the mics. This episode ranges from the personal to the global: burnout, survivor’s guilt, therapy culture, and the constant tug-of-war between staying informed and staying sane. On the business and economics front, they dive into tariffs, reshoring, and whether Intel should be nationalized. From semiconductor foundries to data center booms, robots that work for $5 an hour, and the inevitability of bubbles, the conversation traces how global systems reconfigure under pressure. Books and ideas also surface: Abigail Shrier’s Bad Therapy, Lanny Bassham’s With Winning in Mind, Robert Anton Wilson’s Prometheus Rising, and Hans Rosling’s Factfulness. The through-line? How to balance inner chatter, community, and coping strategies in a time when, as Dan puts it, “we are moving from an age of thinking into an age of feeling.” Along the way: Why over-therapy might be counterproductive Gen Z and the “lost rites of passage” (driving, dating, drinking) Corn subsidies, Eli Lilly, and the high-fructose dilemma What Clarkson’s Farm gets right (and wrong) about farming How cultural norms shape family, community, and loneliness It’s part catch-up, part forecast, and part reckoning — a reminder that sometimes the best strategy is just to “keep your head above water and ride the wave.”

This week, Dan and Sean dive into the deep end of economic uncertainty—from the philosophical origins of “the economy” to the lived reality of layoffs, inflation, and shifting trade routes. Why do oil rigs in North Dakota matter to the price of cheese? Are we witnessing demand destruction or just another panic? And what does “creative destruction” really look like when the grenades are turning into landmines? Along the way: internal combustion nerdery, fourth turning fatigue, and a fair bit of macroeconomic exasperation. If you’re feeling off-balance in today’s economy, you’re not alone. We're all just trying to stay afloat in choppy waters—and sometimes the best you can do is keep your head up and wait for the next swell. Books Discussed: In This Economy? – Kyla Scanlon A Splendid Exchange – William J. Bernstein Amusing Ourselves to Death – Neil Postman The Fourth Turning – William Strauss and Neil Howe The Siege – Ben Macintyre The Fifth Risk (and a new companion) – Michael Lewis Podcasts Referenced: Odd Lots Hidden Forces (Grant Williams + Demetri Kofinas – The Hundred Year Pivot) The Fed Guy (Joseph Wang) Quote of the Week: “They’re not grenades anymore—they’re landmines we’ve set for ourselves.” Chapters: 00:00 – Weekend work and the managerial grind 01:00 – Oilfield layoffs and sour vs. sweet crude 04:00 – Why internal combustion is still the apex of engineering 06:00 – What does “economy” actually mean? (spoiler: it’s Greek) 10:00 – Sheep barons, trade routes, and the roots of specialization 14:00 – Consumer sentiment vs. reality: is the mismatch getting worse? 18:00 – Tariffs, inflation, and the risk of stagflation 24:00 – Layoffs, rate cuts, and the Fed’s boxed-in dilemma 30:00 – Budget gaps, fake fixes, and the math that doesn’t math 34:00 – The future of global trade (with or without us) 39:00 – Will the Fed move fast enough—or too late again? 45:00 – NIH cuts and the role of scientific “waste” 51:00 – A fresh read from Michael Lewis + other book recs 56:00 – The fourth turning isn’t over: the ecpyrosis continues 59:00 – Swimming, surfing, or just floating through it all 1:04:00 – Walmart’s margins and the myth of “just eating” tariffs 1:10:00 – Median income, optionality, and the meaning of wealth 1:13:00 – Outro: shifting sands and the promise (or threat) of change

Dan and Sean return to the mic with a message for the wanderers, the misfits, and the intellectually restless. This episode explores what it means to seek challenge instead of comfort, to embrace unfinished thoughts, and to carve out space for messy, real-time reflection. If you’ve ever felt like a mental nomad—curious but unrooted—this one’s for you. Topics Covered: Why we sometimes feel allergic to routines The surprising difficulty of “simple” goals Building the room when you don’t fit the ones you find Podcasting as an act of unscripted exploration The value of talking through your thoughts before they’re fully baked

Hello show notes readers! This week, we're trying something new in our mission to bring you insights from the world of entrepenuership.  We're bringing in an outside expert to exlpore an area of entrepeneurship that some of you may have thought about - real estate! This week, we’re joined by Lindsay Howard, broker and entrepreneur, for a deep dive into the real world of real estate — starting a family brokerage, surviving the NAR commission shakeup, why Zillow is the villain nobody asked for, and how the 6% mortgage panic is mostly a memory issue. We also talk through the hidden challenges of working with builders, why every new agent needs a second income stream, and what’s really driving the current buyer’s market. Plus: the forgotten days of Rolodex MLS listings and 15% mortgage rates. Whether you are thinking about diving into real estate, or just wondering why every third house on your street has a "For Sale" sign, we hope this episode will help give you some new insights.  Thanks for listening to Unqualified Advice. If you're looking for a Houston-area agent — or just want to learn more about Lindsay — visit HowardHomeRealty.com.

🧵 Episode Summary In this episode, Dan and Sean delve into the complexities of tariffs, the decline of U.S. manufacturing, and the philosophical underpinnings of leadership. They challenge conventional narratives around NAFTA, explore the historical impact of events like the bombing of Dresden, and discuss the strategic philosophies of Sun Tzu, Lao Tzu, and Donald Trump. The conversation also touches on the challenges of reshoring manufacturing, the intricacies of global supply chains, and the disparities faced by U.S. sellers on platforms like Amazon. 📚 References & Mentions Books: The Maniac (historical fiction on John von Neumann) A Splendid Exchange by William J. Bernstein The Tao Te Ching – Lao Tzu The Art of War – Sun Tzu The Art of the Deal – Donald Trump Substacks: Market Memo: Seeing the Stag from Citrini Research - Companies: Amazon Apple Craftsman Chevron Exxon Unusual Whales 🕰️ Chapter Breakdown 00:00 – Mustelid Mischief: A Ferret Allegory for Tariffs 01:18 – Who We Are: Sean and Dan Reintroduce Themselves 03:03 – Liberation Day and Tariff Mayhem 06:56 – Options, Whiplash, and Quiet Billionaires 09:21 – From Bretton Woods to Financialized Fragility 13:05 – The Myth of NAFTA and Manufacturing Decline 16:23 – America, Socks, and the Imaginary Labor Army 19:02 – Merchant Marines and Military Logistics 24:33 – Deep Supply Chains, Shallow Solutions 29:19 – Nukes and the Trigger Points of War 34:03 – The Compound Effects of Complexity 36:25 – The Tao of Strategy: Sun Tzu, Trump, and Lao Tzu 44:48 – Governance by Table: Three Philosophies Compared 48:20 – Amazon’s Tilted Playing Field and Ecom Frustrations 52:48 – Bezos vs. Jassy: Vision, Risk, and Systems Thinking 59:40 – An Economic NATO? Supply Chain Strategy for the Future 1:02:07 – Why We Can’t Make a Wrench 1:10:02 – Corporate Whiplash, Lead Times, and Stainless Steel 1:14:14 – The Stock Market Is Not the Economy 1:17:21 – Book Recs and Trading as Human Nature

In this episode, Dan and Sean navigate through numbness, nuance, and the uncomfortable edges of modern life. From tariffs and fentanyl policy to the messy mechanics of entrepreneurship, they discuss the complicated reality of staying engaged in a world that often feels overwhelming. Also on deck: what it really means to be an entrepreneur, thoughts on Prometheus Rising, unfair competition on Amazon, and a shoutout to 23andMe’s vanishing business model. Oh, and if you see a quarter, pick it up. Topics include: – Volatility and numbness in 2025 – Dan’s new startup idea (inspired by Skype’s shutdown) – Surviving tariffs, uncertainty, and unfair Amazon practices – Fentanyl and the difference between drug policy and public safety – Thoughts on Prometheus Rising and reality tunnels – Survivorship bias, investing parlor games, and the danger of hindsight – Trying not to get drafted Books discussed: – Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson – Abduction: Human Encounters with Aliens by John E. Mack – The Comfort Crisis by Michael Easter – References to ideas by Jim O’Shaughnessy and Ben Hunt

Hello show notes readers, What is writing? What is art? Did I create this or did a robot and how would you be able to tell the difference? This week we coin the term "adverbious", hoping to prove we aren't robots and also to give you a tool to figure out who the robots are. We can't define it but we know it when we see it, if you know what I mean?  Later, we delve into Dan's masterful schedule management as an entrepreneur. Dan explains what it took to get there, what it takes to maintain, and why it is one of the biggest benefits of entrepreneurship.  Finally, we get a little woo and explore the work of Robert Anton Wilson. I share some early thoughts from Prometheus Rising and Dan provides some context from other authors.  As always, thanks for listening! We welcome your feedback! Find Dan at www.twitter.com/danielhatke or Sean at www.twitter.com/slowvsm.  📚 Books Discussed Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson The Expectation Effect by David Robson Antifragile by Nassim Nicholas Taleb    Fooled by Randomness by Nassim Nicholas Taleb The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Hello show notes readers! This week, Sean and Dan look into the rhythms of the oil and gas world — how things speed up, slow down, and sometimes just stop. They talk about layoffs making headlines, how organizations expand and contract like they’re breathing, and what it feels like to be on the inside when that happens. Sean explains why fewer rigs don’t always mean less oil, and why the people most affected aren’t always the ones you’d think. They get into how managers try (sometimes awkwardly) to protect and coach people, what it’s like to get blindsided, and why being chased by a metaphorical predator might not be all bad — at least for keeping you sharp. The converstion takes a detour into parenting, classrooms, and whether pulling your kid out of tough situations helps or hurts in the long run. Plus: what homeschooling has in common with org charts, why messy code and stuck loops are part of building anything, and a few thoughts on agency, grace, and figuring out when to hold on or let go. Books Discussed Prometheus Rising – Robert Anton Wilson; explores consciousness, reality tunnels, and mindset shifts. Factfulness – Hans Rosling; emphasizes how the world is improving despite negative perceptions. The Fifth Risk – Michael Lewis; highlights essential but overlooked government jobs and inefficiencies. Lectures Referenced Neville Goddard: https://youtu.be/zXsZnDakDVA     Chapters 00:00 - Weather and Cyclicality 01:07 - Oil Layoffs & Market Trends 02:55 - Why the U.S. Exports Oil 06:38 - Fracking & Efficiency Gains 07:34 - The Workplace "Breathes" 12:47 - The Role of Fear & Agency 16:52 - Education & Homeschooling Trends 28:38 - AI, Coding, and Debugging Frustrations 40:57 - AI Slack Bots for Work Productivity 50:43 - Prometheus Rising & Reality Tunnels 55:15 - Telepathy Tapes & The Tower of Babel 1:02:00 - Manifestation & The Power of Thought 1:06:02 - Government Jobs & Bureaucracy Debates 1:17:05 - Wrapping Up: Big Topics & Future Thoughts

Hello dear show notes reader, We're 25 episodes in! Woo hoo! (Imagine Leslie Knope. Now read the italicized bit again.) As the author of these show notes, I feel like 25 should be a significant number, but I also don’t have any valid reason why. Nonetheless, I felt inspired to make these show notes really shine! What’s good about this episode? While editing, I had two realizations: Dan is a better podcast host than I am. (I’ll deal with that emotionally later.) This episode’s format unintentionally gave me a meta-analysis moment—right here, in these show notes. Here’s what I mean: we both read long quotes from books we’ve been chewing on. When one of us shares a quote, we know a follow-up question is coming—something like "What do you think?" Since we expect it, we listen more actively, playing with the idea in real time instead of waiting for our turn to speak. By the time the sharer is done, the listener is already mentally off to the races, turning the quote over, looking for angles. That made for some damn good back-and-forths. What’s bad about this episode? The prep work. As you will hear, we listened to the auidobook version of The Sovereign Individual, by Jame Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg, and neither of us enjoyed it. But we hope you enjoy our discussion about this slog of a book.    Books Discussed The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg The Fourth Turning by William Strauss and Neil Howe Prometheus Rising by Robert Anton Wilson The Tao Te Ching by Laotzi Three-Body Problem by Liu Xicin   Chapter Titles with Timestamps [00:00] "Should We Just Move to a Tax Haven?" [02:11] "Books That Should Have Been Shorter" [04:33] "Did They Predict the Future?" [06:48] "The Doomers Strike Again" [10:16] "Technology Changes Power, but Does It Decentralize It?" [17:59] "The Cyber Economy That Wasn’t" [24:39] "Populism, Power, and the Small Guy’s Revenge" [32:40] "Why Build a Few Big Things When You Can Build a Million Small Ones?" [41:52] "Has the Outrage Faded?" [45:31] "Should Governments Pay for Performance?" [54:11] "The Future of Democracy and Its Critics" [58:39] "Loneliness, Power, and the Failure of Community"

Hello dear show notes readers! In this episode of Unqualified Advice we discuss our recent experiences writing code for building websites and apps with Cursor. In short, we're having a blast working with these new tools and have a few tips for those just getting started. We've recommended it before, but it's worth repeating Nat Eliason's Course Build Your Own Life Coach is a great course for beginners wanting to get started. And here is a demo of GumLoop from Greg Isenberg's channel on YouTube that impressed us both.  In the back-half of the episode, Dan stumbles across Nietzsche’s Modern Vices and we try to determine our views on overwork, curiosity, and sympathy.  Books & Influences Mentioned The Machiavellians, defenders of freedom by James Burnham: Recommended as a read on political freedom and preference falsification. Boom by Bern Hobart: Suggested for its fresh perspective on economic and innovation booms. Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman: Referenced when discussing modern media, communication, and information overload. Abduction by John E. Mack: Mentioned in the context of case studies on alien abductions, altered states of consciousness, and The Telepathy Tapes. Nietzsche’s Ideas: The discussion on modern vices is heavily inspired by Nietzsche’s critique of overwork, vague curiosity, and universal sympathy   Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Current Events 02:56 Navigating Bureaucracy and Organizational Dynamics 05:37 Leadership Styles: Wartime vs. Peacetime CEOs 08:29 Embracing Change and Future Planning 11:17 Exploring New Skills and Content Creation 14:00 Technical Challenges and Innovations in Development 21:37 Exploring Competitors and AI Tools 26:31 Building in Public: Branding and Messaging 30:57 Modern Vices: Overwork, Curiosity, and Sympathy 39:58 Navigating Organizational Changes with Compassion 45:24 Exploring the Concept of Booms in Society 50:13 AI and Contextual Understanding

Hello dear show notes readers! Welcome to another episode of Unqualified Advice. We recorded this one on Inauguration Day, so a few viewpoints have already been proven wildly-off or dead-on. We hit a lot of topics this week, as we catch up on our recent podcast addiction (The Telepathy Tapes) and what *it all means, man!* If you're a fan of sci-fi or an opponent of generational bashing, this one is for you! Themes Discussed Generational Differences: Millennials vs. Zoomers, attitudes toward work, alcohol, risk-taking, and mental health. Weather & Climate Resilience: Houston’s rare snow event, infrastructure issues, and the impact of extreme cold. Telepathy & Consciousness: Discussion of The Telepathy Tapes podcast, skepticism vs. belief, scientific and philosophical questions about consciousness, metaphysics, and the nature of reality. Science Fiction & AI: Blade Runner 2049, The Matrix, Star Trek, and their influence on how we think about AI, consciousness, and society. News & Media Consumption: The role of cable news, Twitter, and TikTok in shaping public perception, information density, and generational media habits. Entrepreneurial Opportunities Under Trump 2.0: Speculative investment ideas based on anticipated policy shifts. Personal Growth & Mentorship: Volunteering, teaching, and giving back to the community, including discussions about Minds Matter and mentorship programs. Books Discussed The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman The Coddling of the American Mind by Jonathan Haidt Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves The Martian and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir Galápagos by Kurt Vonnegut Annihilation (Southern Reach Trilogy) by Jeff VanderMeer Companies Discussed Manplow: Endorsement of a large snow shovel for efficient driveway clearing. TikTok: Discussion about its potential ban and its impact on younger generations. Diageo: Mentioned in the context of alcohol consumption declines and industry challenges. Jensen Huang/NVIDIA: Brief reference in relation to AI and robotics. Trump Coin: Mentioned in the context of speculation and financial opportunities. Chapter Titles with Timestamps "Happy Inauguration Day" (00:00) – Opening banter and Houston’s weather chaos. "The Manplow Revolution" (02:47) – Discussion about the oversized snow shovel. "The Telepathy Tapes: Mind-Blowing or Pseudoscience?" (04:06) – Deep dive into the podcast and consciousness theories. "Sci-Fi, AI, and The Matrix" (12:48) – Exploring how science fiction shapes views on AI and the future. "Millennials vs. Zoomers: Who’s Got It Right?" (40:04) – A generational comparison on risk, alcohol, and mental health. "Mentorship, Minds Matter, and Giving Back" (1:09:19) – The role of volunteering and its personal impact. "Making Money Off the Grift Economy" (1:05:57) – Investment speculation under the new administration.

Hello my dear show notes readers, Welcome back for another episode advice. This one starts of personal for me as I explain how I've been getting into lifting weights. In the process, life reminded me of the old adage "experience is what you get, when you don't get what you want." In short, I try to be as honest with myself and you as I can about hitting the bit 4-0 and making some important life decisions.  Later, we devolve into our usual banter with a heavy dose of AI talk. Dan and I are both having a blast with Nat Eliason's Course Build Your Own Life Coach. If our convo piqued your interest, you should check it out.  Later, Dan decides to match my energy - if you don't know what I mean, check out the Adam Grant and Charles Duhigg books below - and gets personal on recent challenges facing one of his ecomm businesses.  Y'all, it's simultaneously hard and exciting out there and we get REAL this week.  Cheers, Sean Books Discussed: The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg Works of Carl Jung Companies Discussed: Bloomberg Amazon Google Apple Walmart Peloton Academy Sports + Outdoors Chapters 00:00 Embracing the Big 4-0 03:53 Winding Down Fig: A Tough Decision 09:55 Lessons Learned from Business Ventures 12:48 Setting New Goals and Exploring AI 25:36 The Evolution of AI and Data Privacy 33:31 Personal Updates and AI Coding Adventures 40:28 Challenges of E-commerce and Tariff Enforcement 48:13 Navigating Tariff Codes and Compliance 54:08 Exploring Global Living Options 59:18 Insights from Carl Jung 01:04:16 The Power of Consciousness and Fate 01:08:11 Reflections on Planning and Control

Hello, Show Notes Readers We find ourselves neck-deep in a discussion about stated versus revealed preferences for the half of the show, as I take us on a trip down memory lane after doing my Christmas shopping. Nostalgia alert! Dan explains his theory on capital flight and we come to the realization that 80s dystopic downtowns were symptoms and not causes of previous preference shifts.  After that, we look into the future as Dan tells us about his experience learning to write code with AI tools. The discussion gets a bit technical, but if you're thinking about how to apply AI in your day-to-day, be sure to listen in for Dan's tips on where to get started.  Thanks for tuning in and we hope you enjoy! Cheers, Sean Highlights include: Why the retail landscape continues to evolve and what that means for the future of malls and city centers. A discussion on downtown revitalization and population density: can we break the boom-and-bust cycle of urban centers? Dan’s hands-on experience with AI-powered coding tools and how they’re changing the game for developers and non-developers alike. Practical tips for getting started with AI tools like Cursor, Bolt, and more. Companies Discussed Sharper Image Amazon Brookstone SLB (formerly Schlumberger) Microsoft Google Tesla Simon Property Group Chapters 00:00 Holiday Reflections and the Evolution of Gift Shopping 06:44 The Changing Landscape of Malls 10:39 Capital Flight and Urban Revitalization 20:10 The Future of City Centers and Density 26:49 Economic Dynamics in Urban Development 31:48 Shifts in Urban Living Preferences 34:41 The Future of Software Development with AI 41:31 Building Software Solutions for Industry Challenges 47:07 Strategic Opportunities in the Oil and Gas Sector 51:46 Identifying Use Cases in Industries 54:24 Automation and Error Reduction in Business Processes 57:59 The Future of AI and Automation 01:00:37 Comparing AI Tools: ChatGPT vs. Claude 01:04:12 Exploring New Ideas and Recommendations

Hello my dear show notes readers! I've missed you so. We took a little longer than expected break this time, because someone recently turned 40 and hit it a little too hard in the fine city of New Orleans. Have you ever been? If not, you really must go. One night is not enough. Two nights are divine. Three nights are for 30-somethings.  But back to the crux of the matter! This week, we take a look back at some dumb stuff we said about 2024 last January, have a hearty chuckle, and proceed to say some dumb stuff about the coming year. We had a blast and hope you enjoy listening in as we stare down at our big shiny crystal balls.  Hugs and kisses, Old Man Sean Chapters 00:00 Reflections on Predictions for 2024 09:28 Lessons Learned from Past Predictions 12:19 Bold Predictions for 2025 -15:22 The Future of Advertising and Market Behavior -17:56 Labor Market Predictions and Economic Corrections -21:03 Jay Powell Buys Bitcoin? -28:29 Anticipating Scandals in Private Equity -31:50 The DEI Pendulum Continues to Change Direction -34:06 Labor Strikes: Frequency vs. Success -37:28 The Future of SEO and AI Integration -41:05 Revamping Old Apps with AI Technology 48:27 Personal Growth and Life Reflections

Hello dear show notes readers! Resolutions are for wusses! This week we're goal setting!? Yeah, we're not really sure what the difference is either, but we hope you listen-in and help hold us accountable in the year to come.  Here's a summary of how we want to improve ouselve in 2025: Dan's Goals Embrace Radical Acceptance Improve Quality of Presence Focus Do better at being ‘off’ Punctuation Do things you can tell your grandkids about Do better than pay bills  Enact "strategy days" (check out our episode on the topic) Enjoy my weirdness and embrace goofy Can’t save souls in an empty church Add value See Podcast Goals below Aspire to Optimism (link goes to David Deutch on Optimism) Dan's not sure yet, but he's gonna get back to us after clicking that link Sean's Goals Finding Guideposts & Punctuation Exprience one "Top 10 Day" Find 12 flow states Asking better questions - helping others do the same Habits 100 bike rides 50,000 words written Learn how to integrate AI into workflows Create an AI agent to learn how and not be left behind.  Unplugged time Create designated unplugged time and track progress Try a hobby that involves physical creation Anyone got a recommendation for a 3D printer? Podcast Goals 5,000 downloads 10,000 YouTube engagements Set up an email so you can email us. Not that anyone wants or needs more email, but really do we want to hear from you if you have something to say.     

Hello Show Notes Readers! This week, turned into a bit of a bookclub episode. We compare our notes on the start of Sovereign Individual and talk about areas where the authors imaginations hit or missed the mark. The one thing we both agree on, so far: it's a long book. The discussion turns towards the attitudes we've witnessed on the heels of the assassination of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare. Are the ugly attitudes we see around our healthcare institutions symptoms of a larger scale fragmentation of society envisioned in Sovereign Individual?   Books Recommended Five Decembers by James Kestrel Artemis and The Martian by Andy Weir Jo Nesbo's Harry Hole Series The Winter of our Discontent by John Steinbeck 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami   Chapters 00:00 Synthwave and Futuristic Sounds 04:14 Exploring Literature and Reading Recommendations 08:35 Diving into Non-Fiction: The Sovereign Individual 14:03 The Future of Government and Digital Economy 22:29 Healthcare System Reactions 33:22 Cultural References and Language 38:30 Doomsday Predictions and Societal Fragmentation 40:28 Comparing 'Sovereign Individual' and 'The Fourth Turning' 43:25 Books That Challenge Us  

Hello show notes readers! This week, Billy Pilgrim is becoming unstuck in time as we talk about how "the daily routine" is simultaneously a blessing and a curse. We explore the importance of marking life's milestones - "punctuations in time" - and how they shape our sense of memory and progress. We ask, "Can carefully curating your media diet help with your sanity?" and dive into the mental toll of algorithms, social media, and the constant noise of the digital age. Along the way, we urge you to check out Tim Urban's Monkey, and reflect on the fascinating interplay of rationality and chaos in our minds. Other highlights include: The magic and madness of Spotify Wrapped and what it reveals about us. Eastern vs. Western philosophies and how cultural lenses shape perception. Reflections on AGI, the future of sensory technologies, and what comes after the Information Age. Parenthood, presence, and finding joy amidst the chaos of family life. Manifesting intentions for 2025 and the art of asking more meaningful questions. Join us as we laugh, reflect, and try to make sense of the absurdity of it all. Things to Check Out The Daily Tay: this or this. Tim Urban's Monkey, Books Discussed How to Know a Person by David Brooks Chatter by Ethan Kross The Tao Te Ching by Lao Tsu The WEIRDest People in the World by Joseph Henrich  Companies Discussed Spotify Apple (Apple Music, Apple One) Tidal Osmo.ai (smell digitization) Lux Capital (investments in innovation) Obsidian (note-taking app) Chapters 00:00 - Spotify Wrapped Insights 04:19 - Economics of Streaming Services 06:34 - Questions for Reflection and Personal Growth 14:13 - AGI and the Future of Technology 28:06 - Travel and Routine in Parenting 41:29 - Internal Dialogue and Mental Health 48:28 - Eastern vs. Western Philosophies 55:10 - Manifesting Goals for 2025 1:09:56 - Closing Thoughts and Humor

Hello show notes readers! I hope this episode finds you well. We are dabbling with a weekly release schedule here this quarter and hope you enjoy a little extra content.  This week on Unqualified Advice: Dan flys to Cebu and I drive up the Pacific Coast Highway and we arrive at the same point: Nat Eliason is wrong and The Fourth Turning is nowhere near it's end.  Chapters 00:00 Weather and Reflections on the Philippines Trip 06:41 Work and Transparency in Business 09:06 The Fourth Turning Discussion -11:54 Crisis and Reconstruction -14:36 Economic Perspectives on Tariffs -17:16 The Future of Trade and Manufacturing -23:29 Envisioning a Golden Age -26:25 The Impact of Global Trade on Society -27:21 Trust in Government Institutions -31:02 Reforming Entitlement Programs -35:47 The Future of Social Security 41:02 The Importance of Connection with Nature 43:21 Navigating Parenthood Challenges -46:13 Support Systems for Parents -49:17 Socioeconomic Disparities in Education -52:15 The Role of Service in Society -55:21 Progress and Challenges in Society

Hello to the readers of the show notes! This time around, Dan braves Denver traffic to bring us insights from the Smart Marketer conference he attended in October, including a very poignant question from keynote speaker Gabby Bernstein. We ruminate on his takeaways before diving into the challenges behind unit economics and shipping faced by small business owners in today's e-commerce landscape.  While Dan was busy at his conference, I was busy being way too online. So, I brought him up to speed on the Washington Post declining to endorse a candidate for president and had an Aha! moment in the process.  Spoiler alert, we're with Jeff on this one? It's December, this is old News! you say? Maybe, but the insights remain timeless.  We circle back to Gabby's influential message, discuss why she hadn't hit our radar until now, and look for some male analogs that may (or may not) currently exist.  As always, thanks for tuning in! Cheers, Sean Books Discussed: Books by Gabby Bernstein While specific titles weren’t named, she has written several New York Times bestsellers centered on spirituality, meditation, and self-improvement. Possible examples currently from my content queue include The Universe Has Your Back and Super Attractor. Give and Take by Adam Grant A book Dan recommended - that I have since finished and Wow! - as a valuable read for understanding reciprocity and its impact on personal and professional relationships. Of Boys and Men by Richard Reeves Discussed in the context of addressing male issues and broader societal dynamics. Companies Discussed Smart Marketer: A digital marketing education and agency platform co-founded by Ezra Firestone and Molly Pittman. This was the central organizer of the marketing conference Daniel attended. Native Deodorant: A brand founded by Moiz Ali, mentioned as an inspiration for Daniel to attend the conference after reading a tweet where Ali credited it as life-changing for his business. Amazon: Discussed extensively in relation to its logistics dominance, FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) vs. FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant) models, and customer expectations for shipping costs and speed. The Washington Post/Blue Origin: Brought up during a discussion about Jeff Bezos’s decision to prevent the editorial board from endorsing political candidates, sparking debates on journalistic bias and freedom of expression.  Meta (Facebook Ads): Referenced in the context of digital marketing strategies, as Meta ads are a key tool for businesses and a focus at the conference Daniel attended. Walmart Plus: An alternative platform that may be getting a bump from customers dissatisfied with Amazon’s business practices. USPS (United States Postal Service): A critical element in Daniel’s shipping logistics strategy, particularly for small orders and flat-rate shipping. Meow Wolf: Highlighted by Sean as a new immersive art experience in Houston, providing an interactive and surreal environment, with locations in Santa Fe, Denver, Dallas, and Las Vegas.  St. Arnold's Brewery: A local Houston brewery located adjacent to the new Meow Wolf Houston location. Seriously, y'all, come visit H-town sometime and hit @SlowVSM up on Twitter.    Chapters 00:00 Conference Insights and Personal Growth 03:35 Marketing Strategies and Team Development 06:21 E-commerce Challenges and Solutions 08:53 Shipping Economics and Customer Experience 11:46 Amazon's Business Model and Market Impact 14:33 Editorial Independence and Media Ethics 20:33 Cultural Experiences and Community Engagement 24:36 Reflections on Turning 40 25:28 Travel Plans and Celebrations 26:54 Culinary Adventures in Hawaii 29:13 Insights from Gabby Bernstein 31:44 Empowerment and Self-Reflection 33:41 The Challenge of People-Pleasing 35:27 The Value of Connection at Conferences 37:13 Understanding and Befriending Your Demons 39:55 Exploring Male Role Models 44:07 Traveling to the Philippines

Hello show notes readers! This time we dive into markets, media, and misinformation. We discuss TSMC’s record setting Arizona fab and its impact on semiconductor production, national security, and the Pheonix water market.  I tell Dan why the Schiller PE ratio has been haunting me, as we ponder its historical significance and what today’s elevated levels might mean for the economy. Are we due for a downturn? Is it time to adjust your investments? On the cultural front, I shares insights from Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death, sparking a discussion on the perils of media overload, misinformation, and what it takes to inoculate ourselves against disinformation in the TikTok era. Like the perception of their quality, we take a dive into the broken incentives at Boeing, the importance of innovation over shareholder value, and the role of corporate bonds in stormy economic skies.  What the AI Reviews are Saying: "With humor, wit, and plenty of tangents, this episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of markets, technology, and modern life." - GPT 4o Companies Discussed: TSMC NVIDIA Apple ASML Holdings Boeing Airbus Embraer Bombardier Books Recommended: Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman Wayward Pines Series by Blake Crouch  Chapters: 00:00 Market Movements and Economic Insights 04:15 TSMC's Advancements, Water Usage and Environmental Concerns 09:12 Literature Recommendations and Reflections 11:50 Media Consumption and Information Overload 14:51 The Role of Education in Critical Thinking 17:33 Misinformation vs. Disinformation 20:26 The Evolution of Television and Entertainment 22:52 Personal Reflections on Media Consumption 32:04 Understanding Market Indicators and Valuations 34:46 Investment Strategies in a High PE Environment 38:03 Debt vs. Equity: Navigating Asset Classes 41:43 Evaluating Corporate Bonds and Recession Risks 43:45 The Future of Major Corporations: Boeing and TSMC 48:34 The Disconnect in Corporate Incentives 52:10 Speculating on Future Trades and Investments