Resources

Podcasts

I’m a big podcast person since I’m often on the move, and listening is easier than reading when you need your eyes to see where you’re headed. Here are some of my favorites combined with other popular podcasts depending on your taste:

Learning/Exploring podcasts

Health-related podcasts

Interview-Style and Self-Improvement Podcasts

Biotech Podcasts

And how about this…a ‘top hits’ site for the best moments from a variety of podcasts…check it out: Airr link

Books

I was originally tempted to list my favorite books, but since this website isn’t about me I decided it would be better to list some of my sources for figuring out what to read instead:

  • Blinkist (think of this as the ‘Cliff’s Notes’ version for nonfiction books. A subscription isn’t cheap, but a free account will provide access to one blinkist (book summary) per day. Though you don’t get to choose, the appeal of reading the daily pick is that it will push you into reading on topics you might not otherwise choose to pursue.
  • Derek Sivers’s book page (I aspire to organize my notes and thoughts from books I’ve read the way Derek does!)
  • Good book list for entrepreneurs by Taylor Pearson.
  • Another great book list by Ryan Holiday (himself being the author of some great books on Stoicism)
  • Tim Ferriss has interviewed some of life’s biggest stars, and makes a habit out of asking them which books have influenced them, and more commonly which books they have most often gifted to others. Here are two summaries he put out and a masterful summary compiled by someone else: listing of books and references from Tribe of Mentors and the full list with episode reference.

There are a lot of folks on-line who I learn from, many of whom have podcasts I’ve listed above. Here is a great resource for health, particularly on different holistic approaches to nutrition (including environmental and ethical considerations):

Naomi Whittel’s page

And how could you not love the Ice Man? Here’s a summary of him as well as a nice breathing technique he’s published:

Supplements

For now, see what I have to say on this post: https://gt-healthy.com/200126-access-to-more-information/

Continual Improvement

We all want to be happier, right? As I mentioned in the Mother’s Day blog put the time in to really learn the science of well-being. It certainly reinforces much of what is discussed in this website. Here is a summary for those who don’t want to invest the ~hour/week for 9 weeks to take it:

  • Maintain a regular gratitude practice (many options here, but typical is to recite or record 1-3 things you’re grateful for each morning and/or evening
  • Perform random acts of kindness
  • Opt for spending your money and time on experiences over material things. Lots of reasons to do this, but consider these two:
    • With material possessions, your mind and body will eventually adapt to take them for granted and the pleasure will quickly fade an expectations for something ‘more’ grow
    • With experiences you also gain happiness from the anticipation of it coming, and pleasure from the memory
  • Live in the present moment (which most people only do ~53% of the time). Dwelling on the past leads to depression, and fretting on the future leads to anxiety
  • Find your ‘signature strengths’ and use them. This will provide more fulfillment, a feeling that you are doing ‘your calling’, and in general more positive experiences
  • Reach a flow state by participating in highly challenging tasks that play to your skills and hence are attainable.
  • Focus on the process and learning, not the outcomes.
  • Practice mindfulness, exercise, and get good sleep!
  • Knowing is NOT half the battle. You need to enact what you know and form appropriate habits.
  • Create SMART goals

Though I provide an obvious summary here that should be helpful, I’d encourage you to take the course. If you’re a scientist like me, you will find plenty of moments to criticize, as her data presentations could use some improvements (some misleading axes and many lacks of standard deviations) and there is a bit of confirmation bias in the content, but everything presented is directionally correct. While the professor may not be the best scientist, she’s a very good presenter and pulls everything together in a very logical manner. All the references and helpful links are provided as well if you want to dig deeper and draw your own conclusions.

It’s all free, too, but I’d encourage you to make the $50 donation (buying the certificate) so that they could produce more good on-line content.

UPDATE April 2021: They have actually published the results of a study from the students of the initial class offerings (of which I was one). The paper can be found here: link to SoW study

Don’t forget to always check out more ways to self-improve on your relationships…or perhaps better to improve together with someone else!

Always more to come!

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