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Mere Mortals Conversations

Mere Mortals Conversations

What is Effective Philosophy? Juan and I simplify hard to grasp concepts into pragmatic takeaways that can be applied to every day life (fitness, goal setting, work, parenting, travel, hobbies, finances, etc.,).

Recent Episodes

Feed snapshot refreshed Apr 15, 2026 at 2:04 AM CDT

  • Lifestreaming Ruins Your Life | Is 'Real Life' Interesting To Others?

    Lifestreaming Ruins Your Life | Is 'Real Life' Interesting To Others?

    Apr 5, 2026 at 4:06 AM CDT · 01:11:44

    What do Michael Gerry, Big Brother and Clavicular all have in common?In Episode #518 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: broadcasting everyday life (potentially 24/7), how feasible it is to capture more of life with minimal setup, early backpack rigs to Michael Gerry’s 2019 year-long life stream, the pull toward performative behaviour, the appeal of using life streaming as a mirror for self-improvement, why human interest in real humans won’t vanish in an AI-simulated world, predictions on “life media”/consent cha…

  • Monthly Goals | April 2026

    Monthly Goals | April 2026

    Mar 29, 2026 at 4:59 AM CDT · 00:40:34

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Thinking In Bets For Better Decision Making | How Prediction Markets Might Help Your Brain

    Thinking In Bets For Better Decision Making | How Prediction Markets Might Help Your Brain

    Mar 8, 2026 at 3:29 AM CDT · 01:05:19

    The mindset of a poker pro can now be applied outside of a narrow game.In Episode #517 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: Annie Duke’s 'Thinking In Bets' book and how the poker mindset can reshape everyday decision-making, why focusing on process over outcomes matters,  how using AI as a sounding board revealed hidden risk-taking in my own finances, testing assumptions in small experiments before going all-in, how arbitrage opportunities appear with prediction markets and why clarity on desired outcomes should dr…

  • Train Increasingly Harder, Not Smarter | Is The Best Advice To Simply Do More?

    Train Increasingly Harder, Not Smarter | Is The Best Advice To Simply Do More?

    Mar 2, 2026 at 5:30 PM CST · 00:56:18

    As much as it sucks, more volume is almost always the answer.In Episode #516 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: volume versus form (sparked by a YouTuber/runner known as Ran to Japan), what extreme running volume really looks like when you’re fast enough to compress a marathon into a couple of hours per day, how training load evolves across years, why sheer reps often trump optimisation, steadily ramping the volume to match your goals and importance, why novice gains come from doing more before optimising, how so…

  • Monthly Goals | March 2026

    Monthly Goals | March 2026

    Mar 2, 2026 at 2:51 AM CST · 00:41:43

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Let's Get Down To MM Business | The Innovators Dilemma

    Let's Get Down To MM Business | The Innovators Dilemma

    Feb 22, 2026 at 1:10 AM CST · 01:23:53

    Why is iterating hardware so difficult and what would we do if it came time to start a business.In Episode #515 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: Clayton Christensen's 'The Innovator’s Dilemma' book, why incumbents like IBM and Blockbuster struggled with disruptive shifts, how spin-outs can help large firms explore new markets, whether today’s tech giants (NVIDIA, Amazon, Alphabet) are genuinely pivoting faster than past eras, the trap of single‑thesis bets (e.g., x402 via Coinbase/Circle), the difference betwee…

  • The Sovereign Individual | Will Network States Displace The Nation?

    The Sovereign Individual | Will Network States Displace The Nation?

    Feb 14, 2026 at 11:17 PM CST · 01:32:05

    Will the lowering returns on violence along with digital wealth storage lead to an exodus?In Episode #514 of ' Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: The Sovereign Individual book (1997) highly recommended by Bitcoiners, early chapters bogged in Y2K angst versus strikingly prescient calls on digital money, decentralised media and the emerging cyber economy, how portable digital wealth might change the return on violence, what sovereignty means when nation-states still control critical infrastructure, historical arcs the …

  • Abundance Mindset In An Abundant World | Is An Infinite Utopia Possible?

    Abundance Mindset In An Abundant World | Is An Infinite Utopia Possible?

    Feb 7, 2026 at 9:11 PM CST · 01:00:27

    What makes a bun dance?In Episode #513 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the definition of abundance versus how futurists/technologists and everyday folks actually use it, the conflation of “lots of something” with “zero friction access,” whether abundance must be global or can be meaningfully local, test the concept across water, food, intelligence and money, why more does not equal free (or even better), scarcity’s persistent psychological pull, whether a world of replicators (à la Star Trek) would make us hea…

  • Becoming An Owner Of The Network | Chris Dixon's 'Read Write Own'

    Becoming An Owner Of The Network | Chris Dixon's 'Read Write Own'

    Feb 1, 2026 at 8:12 PM CST · 01:17:58

    Are there any downsides to taking part in upsides?In Episode #512 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: how the internet moved from corporate networks to open protocol networks to blockchain networks, Dixon’s framing (read, write, own), why he thinks open protocols like RSS struggled against corporate platforms, where blockchains might change take rates, the real-world viability of tokenomics, if ownership will matter for in a future of AI, micro‑payments and abundant digital goods, games vs music business models an…

  • Monthly Goals | February 2026

    Monthly Goals | February 2026

    Jan 31, 2026 at 10:14 PM CST · 00:37:22

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Hell Yessssss Vs No | Deciding On Where To Spend Your Time

    Hell Yessssss Vs No | Deciding On Where To Spend Your Time

    Jan 24, 2026 at 9:53 PM CST · 01:07:07

    You can't say yes to everything .... so where do you draw the line?In Episode #511 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the “hell yes versus no” decision-making lens and where it truly fits, opportunity cost/time constraints/certainty versus uncertainty, how emotion or rationality shapes decisions, stacking reasons to make a strong yes, a practical quadrant for choosing activities based on enjoyment and likelihood of meeting people. Stan Link: https://stan.store/meremortalsTimeline: (00:00:00) Intro(00:03:39) Conte…

  • AI Futurism Meets Medieval History | The Million Dollar X402 Wall

    AI Futurism Meets Medieval History | The Million Dollar X402 Wall

    Jan 18, 2026 at 9:17 PM CST · 01:25:37

    We're destressing and just going over all the non-goal related things swirling around in the current moment.In Episode #510 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the old million dollar homepage and the new x402 version, experimenting with a cheeky one‑pixel squatting strategy to test rent‑seeking dynamics, why some value‑for‑value/Lightning initiatives plateau despite strong early communities, advertising economics from retro web banners to F1 liveries, if energy could become the unit of exchange in agent‑to‑agent w…

  • Don't Let The Gremlins Steal Your Focus | What We're Leaving Behind In 2026

    Don't Let The Gremlins Steal Your Focus | What We're Leaving Behind In 2026

    Jan 10, 2026 at 9:11 PM CST · 00:58:24

    It's a new year ... no new goals ... instead we're focusing upon what NOT to focus upon.In Episode #509 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss:  what we’re not bringing into 2026, expectation inflation (how setting grand scenarios can pre-bake resentment), how to strike a workable balance between Eastern contentment and Western drive, choosing realistic marathon aims without sacrificing other priorities, ditching negative self‑talk, making room for smarter training decisions that prevent injury and burnout and avoidin…

  • AI Slop Killed The Podcast Star | The Shifting Landscape Of Media

    AI Slop Killed The Podcast Star | The Shifting Landscape Of Media

    Jan 5, 2026 at 8:25 PM CST · 01:10:43

    I'm shifting away from listening to podcasts and I'm a blog reader now.In Episode #508 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: why our media diets are shifting, how we each consume information across video, audio, books, Substack, X long‑form (even X Spaces), why written digital content is winning more of our attention lately, the flood of AI‑generated media (from YouTube videos to TTS podcasts spun from Reddit threads), the challenge of finding high‑signal sources, fiction vs non‑fiction swings, curation styles (tabs…

  • Monthly Goals | January 2026

    Monthly Goals | January 2026

    Jan 3, 2026 at 8:05 PM CST · 00:37:40

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Intention Is All That Matters | Every Day Use Of AI Agents

    Intention Is All That Matters | Every Day Use Of AI Agents

    Dec 27, 2025 at 9:58 PM CST · 01:20:36

    We're expanding out from an AI blog into the real world. Also had some issues with the audio this episode so I'm working from the backup copy (that was super loud for some reason). In Episode #507 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the shift from attention to intention in the AI era, what truly agentic AI might look like versus glorified chatbots and automated workflows, where the tech is actually useful right now, whether the real breakthroughs will come from bolt-ons to existing platforms or from new rails buil…

  • How To Collect Art & Become A Successful Artist | Why Investing In Art Is A Terrible Idea

    How To Collect Art & Become A Successful Artist | Why Investing In Art Is A Terrible Idea

    Dec 20, 2025 at 11:27 PM CST · 01:05:04

    Magnus is back with a master class on how to buy art.In Episode #506 of 'Meanderings', Juan and I discuss: the big blank wall behind us, how to choose something meaningful for your home, Magnus Resch’s books 'How To Become A Successful Artist' and 'How to Collect Art', why branding and networking matter in the art world, why most buyers should treat art as a sunk cost and purchase only what they truly love, practical buying tips (galleries, fairs, auctions, pricing signals), comparing art collecting with car colle…

  • The Rules For How To Get The Guy | A Question For The Men .... WTF DO YOU WANT?!

    The Rules For How To Get The Guy | A Question For The Men .... WTF DO YOU WANT?!

    Dec 13, 2025 at 11:25 PM CST · 01:12:31

    I'm a woman trapped in a man's body analysing dating advice for women given by a man. In #505 of 'Meanderings', Juan and I discuss: three dating and relationships books (The New Rules, Get the Guy by Matthew Hussey and Attached), how prescriptive “rules” aimed at women can backfire, why some advice feels outdated (Facebook walls and BBM), how scarcity games tend to attract the very players you might want to avoid, why attachment styles are useful as a lens but less so as a to‑do list, a focus on authenticity over …

  • Secrets Of The Art World | Power, Provenance & Pretentiousness

    Secrets Of The Art World | Power, Provenance & Pretentiousness

    Dec 6, 2025 at 9:05 PM CST · 00:56:36

    There is a reason why the art 'space' is divisive and why money distorts many things.In Episode #504 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: the book by Magnus Resch titled '100 Secrets of the Art World', tight‑knit gatekeeping at the high end of the market, how control of information shape what gets seen and sold (often more than artistic merit), parallels to other status markets such as watches/supercars, why 'better' often defaults to 'more expensive', where marketing can overshadow craft yet many collectors still …

  • Masters Of The Universe | Perhaps Mastery Is More Ideal

    Masters Of The Universe | Perhaps Mastery Is More Ideal

    Nov 30, 2025 at 7:17 PM CST · 00:46:54

    The master does nothing .... yet he leaves nothing undone.In Episode #503 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: why the mindset of mastery may matter more than the title of “master", Robert Greene’s book called Mastery, the role of obsession, whether teaching is required for mastery, “unearned” mastery and savant talent and a pragmatic take on how to design your own path toward improvement without sacrificing what matters most. Huge thanks to Petar for the support, very much appreciated! Stan Link: https://stan.stor…

  • Monthly Goals | December 2025

    Monthly Goals | December 2025

    Nov 29, 2025 at 8:35 PM CST · 00:42:10

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Maybe You Should Talk To Someone | Therapy, Men & Life Challenges

    Maybe You Should Talk To Someone | Therapy, Men & Life Challenges

    Nov 23, 2025 at 12:52 AM CST · 01:07:59

    It's time for the male version of therapy .... podcasting!!! In Episode #502 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: Lori Gottlieb’s book 'Maybe You Should Talk to Someone', the emotional burden therapists carry plus the mirror-like role they play in helping people surface what’s unsaid, my own brief stint with therapy as a late teen, why men seek therapy less, what they tend to talk about (anger, identity, intimacy, parenting), whether gym time/mates/modern tools like AI can substitute for a human therapist and how t…

  • ENJOY YOUR FUCKING LIFE OR YOU'RE GONNA DIE | Adventures Are Fun & Exciting

    ENJOY YOUR FUCKING LIFE OR YOU'RE GONNA DIE | Adventures Are Fun & Exciting

    Nov 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM CST · 01:10:23

    Let's help Juan find some excitement in the daily grind!In Episode #501 of 'Meanderings', Juan and I discuss: the shifting meaning of “adventure” across seasons of life, adventure beyond skydiving (think ballet classes, new walking routes, digital art experiments and structured learning), how vicarious adventures through kids or friends can scratch the itch without derailing priorities, a note on podcasting 2.0’s KeySend/LNURL Lightning shift and practical ideas to add novelty without burning your foundations.Huge…

  • Mere Mortals Podcast | November 2025 Updates

    Mere Mortals Podcast | November 2025 Updates

    Nov 12, 2025 at 9:16 AM CST · 00:03:24

    An easy update from the Mere Mortals podcast on what the future holds for us + the focus to come.Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcasts/ Connect with Mere Mortals:Website: https://www.meremortalspodcasts.com/Discord: https://discord.gg/jjfq9eGReUTwitter/X: https://twitter.com/meremortalspodsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/meremortalspodcas…

  • $6M+ in High-Ticket Sales — Orlando Santucci’s formulas, philosophies and life maxing

    $6M+ in High-Ticket Sales — Orlando Santucci’s formulas, philosophies and life maxing

    Nov 9, 2025 at 11:30 AM CST · 00:43:40

    He’s sold over $6 million in high-ticket offers, worked with the top names in the industry, and built a community of closers who actually win, not just talk about it.In this conversation, Orlando Santucci breaks down the formulas, philosophies and frameworks that drive consistent results.https://closerscult.com/00:00 – Who knows you, who you know (why attention matters)02:19 – From Macca’s & uni to first sales role (Jason Capital ad)03:03 – “Oh... I’m in sales” moment08:50 – Energy vs Skill: 60/40 of closing10:06 …

  • Half A Mil Of MM Value | Reflecting On 500 Episodes

    Half A Mil Of MM Value | Reflecting On 500 Episodes

    Nov 8, 2025 at 10:57 PM CST · 01:11:32

    We have reached half a (MIL)estone so let's give it a half assed effort!In Episode #500 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: six years of podcasting, the origin story of why we originally started, stats and highlights across YouTube and audio, mishaps (spiders, dead mics, random street cameos), how our focus on value has changed over the years, community shout-outs (thanks for the surprise cake, Mum!), the lessons learned from interviews and long-form chats and why we’ve kept ads out of the show, what “doubling dow…

  • Battle Of The Verts (Intro Vs Extro) | Who Shapes The World?

    Battle Of The Verts (Intro Vs Extro) | Who Shapes The World?

    Nov 3, 2025 at 7:08 PM CST · 01:02:20

    Is the real world actually shaped for social interaction!?In Episode #499 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: 2 x books of Susan Cain’s 'Quiet' alongside Paul McKenna’s 'Instant Influence & Charisma', the quiet revolution of introverts rising up, what the book gets right (high reactivity, Big Five personality traits, pseudo‑extroversion), whether energy is the true differentiator, why environments like open‑plan offices and classrooms may suit the loud but don’t always produce the best work or learning, Juan's immense…

  • Monthly Goals | November 2025

    Monthly Goals | November 2025

    Nov 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM CDT · 00:36:35

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Living With Ragrets | Feedback To Our Younger Selves

    Living With Ragrets | Feedback To Our Younger Selves

    Oct 26, 2025 at 12:14 AM CDT · 01:12:12

    If you wish you could have let yourself been happier, then why didn't you?In Episode #498 of 'Musings', Juan & discuss: advice we’d give to our 20-something selves after a decade of lessons, cringeworthy moments that come closest to genuine regret, why regret often intensifies closer to life’s end, the feedback loop of could-have-beens, when remorse is useful versus when it’s self-punishment, being more selfish about building skills and character, obsessively detailed on what you truly care about, applying first-p…

  • Mel Storey, From Lawyer to “Career Big Sis”

    Mel Storey, From Lawyer to “Career Big Sis”

    Oct 21, 2025 at 1:15 AM CDT · 01:08:11

    After 15 years in law, Mel Storey walked away to build Career Big Sis, a movement helping ambitious professionals back themselves, set boundaries, and take the first step even when they can’t see the whole staircase.We go deep on burnout, the moment everything broke after Covid, rebuilding with a mental health plan, and the practical maths she used to leave corporate safely. This one’s honest, useful, and fiercely encouraging.00:00 – Welcome & why this conversation matters01:45 – 15 years in law → leaving corporat…

  • Attracting Women Through Honesty | Mark Manson's 'Models'

    Attracting Women Through Honesty | Mark Manson's 'Models'

    Oct 18, 2025 at 9:02 PM CDT · 01:25:02

    The three fundamentals of lifestyle, action & communication.In Episode #497 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: the core idea of “true confidence” versus the old-school “fake it till you make it confidence” pickup playbook, startling a girl at the gym, how polarisation beats bland small talk, whether beginners sometimes need the “false confidence” phase to accrue the experiences that later support authenticity, why intent and adaptability matter more than scripts, the value of becoming excellent at something you love …

  • Sheridan Tolman, finding your SUB-60: Building Brisbane’s most welcoming gym

    Sheridan Tolman, finding your SUB-60: Building Brisbane’s most welcoming gym

    Oct 16, 2025 at 4:36 AM CDT · 00:51:50

    Guest:Sheridan — Owner/Head Coach, SUB 60 Coorparoo.Best contact: Instagram DMs (search “Sub 60 Coorparoo”)Sheridan (owner of SUB 60 Coorparoo) breaks down the reality of launching a hybrid gym: building a true community, programming for all levels, and grinding through 8 classes a day while raising a family. We cover HYROX ambitions, why she chose versatile equipment (yes, cables in a “functional” gym), what actually drives growth (referrals), and how to “find your own sub-60” — whatever that means for you.(00:00…

  • Omniscient, Omnipresent… Omniprompts | Is AI Becoming God?

    Omniscient, Omnipresent… Omniprompts | Is AI Becoming God?

    Oct 12, 2025 at 12:41 AM CDT · 00:58:08

    What if God was one of us, just a machine like one of us.In Episode #496 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: if AI is becoming our new god, why some people are treating AI less like a tool and more like an authority, grift vs belief vs larping on social media, what would convince us that it is indeed God, the human propensity for subservience and control (Big Brother vibes), whether competing AI “faiths” might emerge (mirroring historical religious splits) and simulation theory/multimodal AI/brain–computer interfaces …

  • Thoughts Into Actions | The Power Of Verbalising Words

    Thoughts Into Actions | The Power Of Verbalising Words

    Oct 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM CDT · 00:55:17

    That's right, we're going to begin manifesting oioioahahaoiaoiaheyayy!In Episode #495 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: the power of language in goal-setting, how small word choices can meaningfully shift direction over time, changing nouns to verbs (e.g., “find” to “bond,” “create” to “forge,” “build” to “care”), softening health goals as we get older and injured more frequently, verbalising intentions & how speaking thoughts aloud can catalyse action, reviewing long-term goals sparingly and focussing on habits tha…

  • Monthly Goals | October 2025

    Monthly Goals | October 2025

    Oct 4, 2025 at 11:01 PM CDT · 00:39:27

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Goals & Motivations Change | Kyrin's Making Moves In 2026

    Goals & Motivations Change | Kyrin's Making Moves In 2026

    Sep 28, 2025 at 2:10 AM CDT · 00:59:21

    We're analysing what I got up to in 2025 and changing my focus to the future.In Episode #494 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: tax-optimising mistakes/language detours, fantastic one‑arm handstand progress, an only ok year in review, a new overarching theme of revitalising hunger/focus, quarterly fitness blocks (legs, pull, running, endurance) with side quests like ballet and the Brisbane Marathon 2026, moving house to get out of a malaise, pruning relationships, moderating sugar, reworking financial information die…

  • Generators vs Trophies: Why Chasing Goals Will Always Fail You

    Generators vs Trophies: Why Chasing Goals Will Always Fail You

    Sep 25, 2025 at 3:06 AM CDT · 00:15:06

    In this episode of Mere Mortals, I break down the crucial difference between trophies (wealth, fame, happiness) and generators (the daily actions and systems that actually create them). Chasing the scoreboard leads to shortcuts, burnout, and emptiness. But when you build the engine—your habits, integrity, and craft—the trophies arrive as inevitable by-products. I share personal stories, practical frameworks, and timeless wisdom to help you shift from chasing shadows to building substance.(00:00) – Why You Shouldn’…

  • Andrew Taylor: Go until it breaks, scaling Live Co

    Andrew Taylor: Go until it breaks, scaling Live Co

    Sep 16, 2025 at 5:15 AM CDT · 00:52:33

    What does it really take to build a cult brand? Andrew Taylor, founder of Live Co, returns to share the uncomfortable truth: belief beats noise, community beats clout, and data beats feelings. We dig into 300% growth in a year, the Ultra Fit hat that solved a real problem, why followers/likes don’t matter, and his “push it till it breaks” method for scaling ad spend. We also cover picking the community’s car (hello HSV), limited-edition strategy, and the next 5–10 years.00:00 – Intro & setup01:12 – Belief swings &…

  • World Building Analysed | Creating A Popular New Universe

    World Building Analysed | Creating A Popular New Universe

    Sep 14, 2025 at 5:11 AM CDT · 01:05:09

    Is Juan about to create the newest version of LOTR or Gorillaz?In Episode #493 of 'Musings', Juan and I discuss: the origins of various types of lore, how these worlds are constructed with varying degrees of complexity and interactivity, hard versus soft world building, a creator's control over the narrative, how modern technology and platforms like Fandom wikis allow easier access, the challenges of maintaining a coherent narrative in a world where anyone can contribute to the story and the strategy we would take…

  • Avoiding Preventable Deaths | Thoughts On Silent Killers

    Avoiding Preventable Deaths | Thoughts On Silent Killers

    Sep 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM CDT · 00:58:31

    What's the current day equivalent of lead, radiation, asbestos or cigarettes?In Episode #492 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: hidden dangers in our environment that can significantly shorten our lifespan, whether you can do anything to avoid things like microplastics, how 'Bad Science' shows media & exaggerated information is unhelpful for informed decision-making, the potential future 'silent killers' that could emerge with new technology, how our modern conveniences might come with hidden costs & the ultimate imp…

  • Monthly Goals | September 2025

    Monthly Goals | September 2025

    Aug 31, 2025 at 1:40 AM CDT · 00:41:37

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Envisioning The 2100 Future |  Human-AI Symbiosis, Digital Gods & Consciousness Currency

    Envisioning The 2100 Future | Human-AI Symbiosis, Digital Gods & Consciousness Currency

    Aug 24, 2025 at 12:35 AM CDT · 01:36:12

    Juan didn't disappoint with his wacky, hair-brained ideas .... that he won't be able to protect!In Episode #491 of 'Musings', Juan and I discuss: a day in the life of the year 2100, the potential for cities to become the new countries, multigenerational housing as life expectancy increases, human-AI symbiosis plus normalised AI babies, humans becoming gods through digital universe creation, a world where everything is nearly free & creativity/consciousness/reserve currency/physical space/robotics and why it will p…

  • Investing In Creators | A Technological Twist On The V4V Model

    Investing In Creators | A Technological Twist On The V4V Model

    Aug 17, 2025 at 2:02 AM CDT · 01:17:38

    Time for Giga big brain ideas on the future of content creation.In Episode #490 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: how creators can monetise their work without diverging into unrelated business ventures, the distinction between spending and investing in creators, why images, audio, and video will be monetised via new technologies in the coming years, the potential impact of AI on the quality and accessibility of content, Juan's fancy formula for creator investing, why the attention economy will end up in measuring co…

  • Juan's 2025 Annual Goals | Plus A Quick Review Of 2024

    Juan's 2025 Annual Goals | Plus A Quick Review Of 2024

    Aug 10, 2025 at 2:57 AM CDT · 00:41:37

    How did Juan go last year and what's he got his focus on?In Episode #489 of 'Musings', Juan and I discuss: his past year's achievements, the evolution from having numerous goals to focusing on fewer, why he wants to run a marathon (but not necessarily with people), expanding his mind with grand business ideas, filling up his soul by establishing family values/traditions and why we are both a bit less selfish when we compare ourselves to our younger versions.Huge thanks to Cole McCormick for the support, we appreci…

  • The Moloch Problem | Destructive Forces From Competition

    The Moloch Problem | Destructive Forces From Competition

    Aug 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM CDT · 00:59:35

    Call it what you want (Malthusian trap, prisoner dilemma, race to the bottom, coordination failure, tragedy of the commons), the problems are real!In Episode #488 of 'Musings', Juan & I discuss: the concept of the Moloch problem (a philosophical idea that explores the unintended consequences of competitive behaviour), over-scheduling children's activities to the race for social media status, the silly idea of a dollar auction, how rational decisions can lead to suboptimal outcomes, uneffective philosophy & whether…

  • Monthly Goals | August 2025

    Monthly Goals | August 2025

    Aug 2, 2025 at 7:49 PM CDT · 00:41:17

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • Too Big To Grasp: How a Calm Mind Defies Overwhelm

    Too Big To Grasp: How a Calm Mind Defies Overwhelm

    Jul 30, 2025 at 10:10 AM CDT · 00:14:05

    In this episode, I explore the profound concept of hyperobjects, entities so vast they surpass our understanding and how recognising their presence can lead to mental clarity. I dive deep into the idea that life’s overwhelming nature isn’t always due to complexity, but our relationship to that complexity. By reframing calmness as a conscious acceptance of chaos, this discussion becomes a guide for cultivating tranquillity in a turbulent world.(00:00) - What If Life Is Too Big To Grasp?(01:30) - Introducing Hyperob…

  • Australia's Fitness Culture | But Are We Actually Healthy?

    Australia's Fitness Culture | But Are We Actually Healthy?

    Jul 26, 2025 at 11:46 PM CDT · 01:02:31

    Suns out, guns out!In Episode #487 of Mere Mortals 'Musings', Juan and I discuss: the stark differences in gym availability and fitness facilities of Australia vs the rest of the world, dilapidated gyms in Montenegro & well-equipped calisthenic parks in South America, the prevalence of gyms even in regional areas, whether Australia's high gym membership rates translate to a healthier population, statistics of obesity and Olympic medals per capita plus the potential economic benefits of a healthier population.Timel…

  • Fashionable Feminine Florence Vs A Monetary Masculine Mine Site | Food Trekking & Weight Changes

    Fashionable Feminine Florence Vs A Monetary Masculine Mine Site | Food Trekking & Weight Changes

    Jul 19, 2025 at 9:49 PM CDT · 00:56:25

    Get ready for some observations that only the Mere Mortals could make.In Episode #486 of 'Meanderings', Juan and I discuss: how the travel setting can allow for memorable moments (such as a boat trip in Mykonos and meaningful one-on-one conversations with friends), a Mere Mortal exclusive comparison between Florence and a mining site, the challenges of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while travelling, complaints about average pasta & lack of food choices (in general) and how our weight changes were rather unexpect…

  • European Adventures & Stories From The Road | Observations From Mere Mortals Abroad

    European Adventures & Stories From The Road | Observations From Mere Mortals Abroad

    Jul 16, 2025 at 6:00 PM CDT · 01:21:12

    We're back from Europe and giving you the downlow on where to travel to.In Episode #485 of 'Meanderings', Juan & I discuss: a tit for tat recounting of our European travels, a garage door mishap and newfound Zen, the unique experiences of staying in hostels, the stereotypes of Germans/French people that are way too true, the beauty of Switzerland and the livability of Zurich, the luxurious yet expensive allure of the South of France and a call for more places we should visit.Huge shoutout to Lyceum & Cole McCormic…

  • Monthly Goals | July 2025

    Monthly Goals | July 2025

    Jul 13, 2025 at 2:57 AM CDT · 00:40:43

    It's time for our monthly check in where we review our goals from last month and see what's coming up for the next.Do you set yourself monthly goals and if so, how many do you set? Juan and I on the first week of every month go over our progress from the previous month and where we are heading for the next. Emphasis as always is on the shortcomings; what we didn't achieve in the previous monthly goals and how we will fix that for the month that comes. We hope you get some value from this series, showcasing our own…

  • The Discipline Reset: Building Protocols After a Holiday Break”

    The Discipline Reset: Building Protocols After a Holiday Break”

    Jul 8, 2025 at 3:31 AM CDT · 00:19:21

    fter a massive European break, wedding, honeymoon, the works, I knew I couldn’t just ease back into life and hope for momentum to return on its own. In this episode, I walk you through the exact protocols I’m using to rebuild discipline: a month-long training system, my morning routine, and why I believe structure isn’t restrictive, it’s liberating. This is about reclaiming control and setting the tone for the next few months of my life. No fluff, no hype, just systems that work. Aka Effective Philosophy.(00:00) –…

  • Stand Up Comedy With Joey | The Greece Getaway Plus Travel Adventures

    Stand Up Comedy With Joey | The Greece Getaway Plus Travel Adventures

    Jun 16, 2025 at 4:19 AM CDT · 01:09:09

    We're in Greece (and thank god not LA)!In Episode #484 of Mere Mortals 'Meanderings', Juan & I (plus Joey, a long-time friend) discuss: Joey's challenges of stand-up comedy, the courage it takes to perform in front of a live audience, the impact of AI on creative industries, cultural experiences of traveling through Europe, our least favourite travel destinations, with Los Angeles/Alice Springs topping the list for their lack of charm and overwhelming tourist traps and a light-hearted attempt at stand-up comedy, a…

  • The Ring That Made Me a Man: Unexpected Lessons From My Wedding

    The Ring That Made Me a Man: Unexpected Lessons From My Wedding

    May 31, 2025 at 5:28 PM CDT · 00:14:42

    In this deeply personal and reflective episode, one half of the Mere Mortals opens up about his recent wedding. From the quiet maturity of wearing a ring to the raw emotional challenge of delivering vows, this episode explores how major life events can reshape our identity in surprising ways. It's a meditation on commitment, vulnerability, and the power of presence.(00:00) - The Big Reveal: I Got Married!(00:28) - Does Marriage Change Anything?(01:50) - Our Reverse Life Timeline(03:08) - The Surprising Impact of t…

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