Shit You Don't Learn in School

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 dis...

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 o...

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.

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...

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 o...

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-ti...

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 PlayingThis episode is not affiliated with Steph's work at a16z and is for informational purposes only; should NOT b...

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 cult...

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 mo...

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 an...

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 thes...

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.

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 ...

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 IdeaBest New Life HackBest New ExperienceBest/Worst PurchaseBest/Worst TrendBest Personal Win/Accomplishment#1 Goal for Next YearPrediction for the New YearJumpstart 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 wor...

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 thi...