[WITI No. 70] Books, Podcast experimentation, excommunicated for over 200 years and who doesn't love a belly rub
Hello, hello! Welcome to another issue of weekly newsletter called What is the Information. It’s where I check in with the people who are following me on my journey online. I usually write about what I’m reading, writing and thinking about. Though I haven’t been reading much - I’ve doubled down on my writing mostly about tax debt in 300 word chunks found here. Also, as if I wasn’t busy enough, I started a podcast for the Tax Debt America Project.
Currently listening to/reading:
Heart of Europe by Peter H. Wilson - this is the really complicated history of the European continent following the fall of Rome and the rise of the Holy Roman Empire. The audio version is about 32 hours long but it’s not a book that I can listen to while loading the dishwasher. There are too many people, dates and events that I must note, at least mentally, to understand what’s going on.
Mind Management Not Time Management by David Kadavy - I followed this guy on Twitter. I’m finding agreement in his thesis. I’m working to manage my energy to match what I have to accomplish. Also, trying to get to bed earlier so that I can wake up earlier to write a little bit while in the state of grogginess before having a cup of coffee and letting the caffeine electrify my brain. I’ll report on my experience doing this next week.
The Art and Business of Online Writing by Nicolas Cole - I’m still participating in Ship30for30 but missed 12 days of this cohort while out of town. Dickie and Cole like sailing analogies and say that a shipper has fallen off the ship. I certainly did but have gotten back on. This program has helped me publish over 70 atomic essays which is at least 21,000 words since January.
$100M Offers by Alex Hormozi - This is a very interesting business book. The idea is that the appropriate, unique offer can transform a business. The challenge is to keep trying offers until you find a grand slam. If you forgive the baseball analogy, you might have to strike out a bunch to get there.
Stop Asking Questions by Andrew Warner - I just bookmarked this in Scribd. Someone in my accountability group for the podcast class I just took mentioned it. The sticker on the cover says “Lessons from a Veteran Podcast host with 2000+ interviews.”
Podcastbet Cohort
Tonight, I put my 2nd episode of my Podcast for the Tax Debt America Project. I’m still learning a ton. Here’s my thoughts, so far.
I wanted some intro music. Thankfully, I was able to task my very talented son to do this for me.
I recorded my first episode. It was pretty rough. Special thanks to my guest, John Lister, regular reader of the WITI newsletter. The discussion revolves around tax but John is an industry outsider. It’s interesting to hear his opinion. I plan to interview experts, clients and others.
I finished my intro with music and used it on the second episode. Now, I don’t have to repeat the initial segment.
I still need to organize the interview/discussion. It’s a work in progress.
I’m getting better at audio editing - though right now I’m cutting out any of the content - so it’s probably rambley. This ain’t The Daily by Michael Barbaro
I’m surprised by how much fun I'm having. I can’t wait to see if clients want to join. I plan to put 30 daily episodes in the can and see what happens.
Concept of the week: Ivan Mazepa
The illegal invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Occupation forces is ongoing. I learned about Ivan from listening to Ukraine: What Everyone Needs to Know by Serhy Yekelchyk. Mazepa was a Hetman military leader in Cossack state and the Tsar was going to replace him. He deserted the Russians to the Swedes to fight against the Tsar Peter I. The Russian Orthodox Church excommunicated him and to this day refuses to revoke it. I find that hilarious.
Find of the week: Short term antidote to the insanity in Europe
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Tell me what you’re working on? Have you started something and gotten excited about it? Any good book recommendations? What deserves a 200 year old grudge? Comment below.
And think someone might be interested to hear the opinions of a husband, father, tax debt studier, voracious reader, and continuous writer and podcaster?
Das ist alles fur heute…Thanks for reading.
-George