RE:Productivity

In this wide-ranging episode, Casey and Christine dive deep into leadership transitions, complex systems, and the art of managing large-scale projects. Christine discusses her new role as Head of Engineering at a Series D startup, managing 60+ people and Casey discusses the counterintuitive challenges of scaling teams. Christine shares her synthetic biology progress, building an orbital shaker from scratch and exploring the intersection of hardware and biotech. The conversation spans from ancient Roman infrastructure projects to modern space exploration, touching on hiring challenges, the value of going to primary sources, and why some historical civilizations came tantalizingly close to industrial revolution but never quite made the leap.Arabian Sands by Wilfred ThesigerNow It Can Be Told about the Manhattan ProjectWhat Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall GoldsmithAccelerate by Nicole Forsgren, Jez Humble, and Gene KimRadical Candor by Kim ScottPlayground - Contemporary science fiction novel about seasteading and AIClimbing Gold - Alex Honnold's podcast (featuring Vitaliy Musiyenko’s Sierra traverse story)Conversations with Tyler - Tyler Cowen's interview showLex Fridman Podcast - Episodes with Jeff Wasserstrom (China scholar) and Tim Sweeney (Epic Games)The Complete History & Strategy of Standard Oil (Part I) (Acquired)Founders Podcast - Episodes on Jeff Bezos shareholder letters, Jim Simons, John D. Rockefeller, and Estée LauderHow Andreessen Horowitz Disrupted VC & What’s Coming Next (Ben and Marc Discussions)The DER Task Force - Distributed energy resources podcast (Jesse Peltan episode)Main Engine Cut Off - Space industry podcast T+303: The Trump 2024 Transition (with Mark Albrecht)The Almost-Industrial Revolutions of Rome and China Cost of Glory - Ancient history podcast (Julius Caesar series)Circuit Playground Express - Adafruit electronics learning boardAda Fruit Orbital Shaker Tutorial - DIY lab equipment projectThinking by My Wits - Website featuring Scholar Alex Jones's literary works

Bronze Sword Replication Project - Inspired by a 3,400-year-old bronze sword found in South Central Germany in 2023Lost PLA Method - Similar to the lost wax method for metal castingCybertruck Experience - Family rented and drove Tesla's CybertruckGlowing yeast experimentCRISPR experimentDNA athleticism gene testingVoyage of the Southern Sun - Book by Michael Smith about flying around the world in an ultralight aircraftLike War - Book about social media's impact on global politics and warfareAbundance by Ezra Klein - Audiobook being listened to by hostsAcquired Podcast - Episode on MeituanRadiohead - Music being enjoyed in the biology labHeracles and the Trojan War - Historical/mythological reference point for the bronze sword eraNon-alcoholic beers - Athletic Brewing, Partake, and Sober Carpenter brands mentioned

Show NotesTerraform's new blog post - Casey's Terraform 2.0 announcement and job postingsPalladium Magazine - Why Starship Matters - Casey's article on what Starship meansBeast Academy - Math enrichment programUNSW Math Enrichment - University math problemsModern Relationships Podcast - Agnes and Arnold - Episode with Agnes and Arnold discussedYour Undivided Attention - Cult deprogramming - Podcast on cult deprogrammingDwarkesh Podcast - Scott Alexander - Scott Alexander's first podcast appearanceSituational Awareness blog - Leopold's blog on AI safetyChristine’s create a home biolab blogpost updateChopin Nocture in C-sharp minor, Op. Posthum.

Note-Our audio was challenging this week! We did our best to postprocess to improve, and we promise the backlog is higher quality listening.This week, hosts Casey Handmer and Christine Corbett Moran share stories from their recent family road trip to Las Vegas for a cousin's wedding. They discuss the efficiency of Vegas weddings, touring the Hoover Dam and its impressive Art Deco design, and experiencing the technological marvel of The Sphere. The conversation explores engineering history through the lens of Henry Kaiser's accomplishments, biohacking experiments, professional achievements, and Casey's ongoing Mars terraforming project. Sure Thing Wedding Chapel in Las VegasTouring the Hoover Dam and learning about its Art Deco architectureVisiting the Great Unconformity geological formationExploring the National Atomic Testing MuseumExperiencing The Sphere and its "Postcard from Earth" show by Darren AronofskyDiscussion of Western Colossus (Kaiser biography)Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (book club selection; Christine does not recommend though)Bayesian Conspiracy podcast - "Super Babies" episodeFounders Podcast - Henry Kaiser EpisodeCost of Glory PodcastModern Relationships podcast with Eric Weinstein

Show notes:Bento Lab - Portable DNA analysis lab with centrifuge, gel electrophoresis, and PCR machineBio Bits - Kits for demonstrating protein synthesis with fluorescent indicatorsShannon-Hartley theorem - Information theory concept discussed related to signal transmissionRock climbing for kids - REI resource about climbing with childrenThe Martian - Book referenced during discussion of radio communications from MarsJoule-Thomson effect - Physics concept mentioned regarding gas expansionBlue Ghost lunar lander - Recent moon landing discussedStarship test flights - SpaceX's Starship development programErica DeBenedictis' work - Research on microbial tolerance to Martian environmentsMoving Mars - Science fiction book by Greg BearHabit Chaining - Productivity concept mentionedIKEA Poäng chairs - Mentioned as ideal reading chairsStreet Parking - Modified CrossFit workout program Christine usesThe French Laundry Cookbook - High-end cookbook Christine purchasedAfter Meat - Book about bioreactor technologyAcquired Podcast: Lockheed Martin episode - Podcast Christine is listening toBanff Mountain Film Festival - Film festival they attended with their childrenThe Weirdest People in the World - Book by Joseph HenrichGuns, Germs, and Steel - Book by Jared DiamondThe Machiavellians - Book by James BurnhamHis Majesty's Dragon - Historical fantasy novel with dragonsRed Mars - Book by Kim Stanley Robinson about Mars colonization28C3 Cellular protocol stacks for Internet (Harald Walte) - (Video)How to Set Up a Home Biohacking Lab for Education - Christine’s blogpost

In this week's episode, we explore Christine's new adventures in biohacking and home biology experiments, including plans for a PCR machine and DNA analysis. Casey shares detailed insights from his recent visit to SpaceX's Starbase, discussing the facility's impressive growth and the technical challenges of Mars colonization. The conversation weaves through topics from DNA structure to educational approaches for children, while touching on historical figures and the evolution of dating technology.Links:Lost in Math by Sabine HossenfelderBeast Academy - Math education programThe Amoeba Sisters - Biology education resourcesBento Lab - Portable DNA analysis laboratoryBiotechnology 101Bacterial CRISPR and Fluorescent Yeast Combo Kit BioBits - Educational biology kitsSpaceX Starbase - SpaceX's launch facilityEveryday Astronaut's Starbase TourDwarkesh Podcast with Jeff DeanTSMC Founder Interview on AcquiredValentine's Day reflections: single women in STEM into single men in STEMHenry ParkesScientific Concepts:Histones - Proteins that help organize DNAKaryotype - Chromosomal displayPCR Machine - DNA/RNA amplification technologyGel Electrophoresis - DNA/RNA separation technique

In this wide-ranging discussion, Casey and Christine explore recent projects and interests, from Mars launch window calculations to precision fermentation technology. The conversation covers space exploration, particularly SpaceX's Starship development and its implications for Mars colonization. They discuss Christine's renewed newsletter project, language learning preparations, and her exploration of alternative protein technologies. The episode also touches on topics like personal productivity systems, piano practice, and reflections on hardware startups versus software development. Books:Clean MeatWriting Irresistible Kid LitIntermezzo by Sally RooneyFive Levels of GiftedThe Wild RobotPodcasts:80,000 Hours - Alternative Proteins EpisodeAcquired - LVMHAcquired - NintendoAcquired - HermèsComplex Systems Podcast - 2024 Year in Review with Sammy CottrellMusic:Jan Lisiecki's Performance Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minorAbout Chopin's Nocturne in C-sharp minorCompanies & Organizations:Good Food InstituteSpaceXBYD (Build Your Dream)Y CombinatorBeehiivTechnical References:Liberty Ships & Richmond Shipyards Historical InfoPrecision Fermentation Technology Overview

Re:Productivity Podcast - Week 3, 2025In this episode, Christine and Casey discuss their recent evacuation experience during the LA wildfires, exploring themes of emergency preparedness, community resilience, and the aftermath of natural disasters. They share personal insights about family dynamics during crisis situations, reflections on urban planning and fire prevention, and their impromptu journey to Palm Springs and the Salton Sea, weaving together discussions about infrastructure, technology, and parenting."The Salton Sea lives rent free in my brain. When it's full, it's 240 feet below sea level, but historically, that's an anomaly. Over the last 1000 years, it was actually mostly full – and by full, I mean 40 feet above sea level. Like really high up. You can see the water line. It would go from completely full to completely dry in about ten years. And then remain dry. You stand on the edge of it, and you think this is not a puddle – it's a sea. The shoreline is 110 miles. For an absolute environmental festering hellhole, it was actually pretty nice. And now we're thinking: what if we turned it into the world's largest swimming pool?"Media and Books mentioned:Watch Duty appKlara and the Sun by Kazuo IshiguroBecoming Trader Joe by Joe CoulombeThe Wild Robot series by Peter BrownThe Settler Sea by Traci Brynne VoylesRicher, Wiser, Happier by William GreenLive Players podcastComplex Systems podcastAcquired podcast (Microsoft episode one and Microsoft episode two)Chopin’s Nocturne in C sharp minorThe Los Angeles Wildfires are Self Inflicted blogpost by Casey Handmer

Re:Productivity Podcast - Episode 1, 2025 Summary In our first episode of 2025, we dive into our recent activities, from 3D printing train whistles to exploring the complexities of hardware manufacturing and global supply chains. We discuss parenting in the digital age, share thoughts on the limitations of school-provided technology, and debate the future of manufacturing and strategic resources. The conversation ranges from technical deep-dives into Mars colonization literature to practical discussions about New Year's resolutions and the challenges of running hardware startups. We also touch on historical infrastructure projects, vaccine development, and the evolving landscape of global industrial production. Show Notes Books & Media Mentioned: Arabian Sands by Wilfred Thesiger Red Mars (and the Mars Trilogy) by Kim Stanley Robinson Seven Powers: The Foundations of Business Strategy by Hamilton Helmer Becoming Trader Joe by Joe Coulombe Three Habit Chaining — Productivity concept Acquired Podcast episodes: IKEA Amazon Walmart Kids Educational Resources: Beast Academy (Art of Problem Solving) Ubuntu for kids' computing Historical Documentaries: Building the Hoover Dam Liberty Ships & the Richmond Shipyards Projects & Technology: 3D printed train whistle designs The Salton Sea restoration project Signal Messaging PGP Key Management

From the challenges of raising curious kids to scaling Mars simulations and building hardware prototypes, hosts Christine Corbett Moran and Casey Handmer dive into a whirlwind of creativity, productivity, and life as parents on a mission. Whether it's simulating space elevators, exploring AI for kids, crafting non-alcoholic cocktails, or hiking with heavy weights at night, this podcast is a deep dive into the intersection of parenting and innovation. Featuring discussions on tech, philosophy, books, and the occasional digression into shipbuilding history or chess strategies, this episode is par for the course in the Corbett-Handmer household. Tune in for updates, insights, and plenty of laughs.Links and Resources Mentioned: Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (Amazon ) Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (Amazon) Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne (Amazon) Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology by Chris Miller (Amazon) Poor Charlie's Almanack: The Wit and Wisdom of Charles T. Munger by Charles T. Munger (Amazon) Acquired Podcast (Website) Founders Podcast (Website) OpenAI (Website) Data Button (Website) Chess.com (Website) Henry J. Kaiser - Explore his life and contributions (Wikipedia)

Today I talk with Kara Linse Buckley https://www.karabuckley.com/about, Kara currently works with U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Properties, representing commercial rights for Team USA and LA 2028 where she develops innovative new commercial strategies to help athletes and sponsors. Kara is also a mom of 2.In this episode we chat how the arc of the pandemic and global climate has shaped our relationship to productivity, work, and our families while speculating about the changes the future may bring.Editing note: Kara's audio for the first 8 minutes is a little more challenging than the rest of the podcast. Stick with us, it gets better, and I'll get better at phone call recording next time! 

The past few weeks I've focused on writing as a hobby, switching up my approach to creative writing to keep in a routine. With world events I've also been reflecting on what it means to focus on such minor-in-the-scheme of things activities. I've also coined a term "post-precedented times", to indicate unprecedented times, without hope of return to normalcy.

In this episode I review what has worked for me so far in 2022 in terms of bringing changes that meet me at where I am in my life, and take me to where I want to go. To do that I've had to increase reflection, find new catalysts, change the units on my habits, bundle them, unbundle them, track them, and sometimes change the intensity. I've come a long way even in a month or so, and you can join me for my journey and take inspiration (or lessons learned) to yours.

Re:Productivity is the parenting and productivity podcast for parents with goals

Christine talks media that energizes and relaxes with a focus on books. JP calls in with a question: how to fit in reading after the so called "witching hour"

Christine and Teagan chat parenting newborns in this unique pandemic environment, and transitioning back to professional work after a newborn.

Christine and Casey talk logistics of creating a family holiday letter, tradeoffs with childcare before and during the pandemic, and considerations regarding COVID and kids.

We talk about recent productivity reads, New Year's intentions, and self publishing. We talk about baby sleep and toddler playtime. 

We talk electronic music and unicyling and parenting in the pandemic in our first podcast post parenting! Since we last talked we've had two children. 

Christine and Dr. Shanying Cui talk parenting, exercise, research goals, and team management in the New Year.