Best 306 Media Productions Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 349: Sam Altman On Productivity 1:12:04

1d ago1:12:04

1:12:04

Cal talks a lot about his ideas for producing meaningful work in a distracted world. But how do other people tackle this goal? To help better under this question, Cal reacts to a 2018 article from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in which he details his productivity philosophy. Cal then answers listener questions and concludes with a dystopian tech corner. Fi…

1
TGE Episode 307– Eric Schmitt 1:41:54

5d ago1:41:54

1:41:54

Send us a text Join TGE host Rich Reardin as he welcomes Eric Schmitt, a talented singer/songwriter and professor from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Eric's passion for Americana music shines through his storytelling, blending elements of folk, country, and blues into heartfelt and evocative compositions. As an educator at Louisiana State University, he b…

1
IN-DEPTH: Architecting a Deep Life (w/ David Dewane) 1:35:21

5d ago1:35:21

1:35:21

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by David Dewane, the architect responsible for the “eudaimonia machine” featured in DEEP WORK. In this wide-ranging conversation, Cal and David talk about the challenges of finding depth in a distracted world, and the results of David’s personal experimentation in creating a deep life of his own. Video fro…

1
#325 Real world sustainability and the digital revolution 33:58

5d ago33:58

33:58

The rise of AI and machine learning promises a revolution in how we live and work. Expert reasoning and mundane tasks will be completed for us in the cloud. But the cloud is not ethereal or abstract. It is a globe spanning mass of physical infrastructure. Enabling this transformation will demand a huge expansion in data centre construction. Data ce…

1
Jon Muq: Uganda, Cruise Ship Food and His Googly-Eyed Guitar, ep. 306 34:55

5d ago34:55

34:55

Originally from the village of Mutungo, Uganda (near the country's capital of Kampala), Jon Muq's journey to his current life of touring with an Austin, Texas home-base has been unconventional. Onboard the Cayamo cruise earlier this year, we talked to Jon about his childhood experiences, including fetching water with friends and "We Are the World,"…

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308 Inside a Sales Funnel: How I Became a Raw Dog Food Superfan in 7 Days 51:27

6d ago51:27

51:27

It started with a few innocent dog scratches. My dog Daisy was itching like crazy, and I began to wonder: could it be her food? One Google search later, I found myself tumbling headfirst into a raw dog food rabbit hole—complete with Facebook ads, blog articles, YouTube videos, and a subscription box I could not refuse. In just seven days, I went fr…

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Ep. 348: Manage Your Time in 5 Minutes a Day 1:22:45

8d ago1:22:45

1:22:45

Cal has been writing about time management for a *long* time. In this episode, he returns to a chapter from a book he wrote twenty years ago that is titled “manage your time in 5 minutes a day.” He revisits his old advice to see what he thinks still works and what needs updating. He then answers listener questions and returns to the tech corner to …

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UX for business with Joel Marsh 44:24

12d ago44:24

44:24

S03E08 (#336). Based on feedback from his booked UX for beginners, Joel Marsh has produced UX for business. A comprehensive guide for designers navigating real-world challenges. We talk to him about his own journey from design principles to practical business applications. We chat about Joel’s VDP methodology: Value, Diagnosis, and Probability, emp…

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#324 A Shift of Power on Europe’s Borders 48:11

12d ago48:11

48:11

This February, with the flick of a switch, there was a vast shift of power on Europe’s borders. The Baltic states’ electrical grids, built in the 1960s while these countries were forcibly incorporated into the Soviet Union, had been under the control of Moscow. In one weekend, the transmission system operators in Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, wor…

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Ani DiFranco & Carsie Blanton: Menopause, The Wild Child, and Naps to fight Capitalism, ep. 305 43:44

12d ago43:44

43:44

Basic Folk is making trouble at sea with Ani DiFranco and Carsie Blanton! Hosts Lizzie and Cindy had the opportunity to speak with the two like-minded radical songwriters aboard the 2025 edition of Cayamo, a roots music cruise. Our conversation kicks off with Ani sharing her transformative experience performing as Persephone in the Broadway show 'H…

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307 Five Signs It's Time to Raise Your Farm Prices 42:54

13d ago42:54

42:54

Are you charging enough for your farm products or services? Recently, I was on a coaching call with a farmer who ran a wedding event space on their farm. They were booked solid for over a year—yet hadn’t raised their prices in years. That’s a major sign they could (and should) charge more. The truth is, most farmers hesitate to raise prices because…

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Ep. 347: The Forgotten Phone Harms 1:09:17

16d ago1:09:17

1:09:17

Phones have been receiving a lot of criticism recently, but what if these concerns are missing the mark? In this episode, Cal introduces the difference between primary and secondary phone harms, and argues how our obsession with the former hides the importance of the latter. He then answers reader questions and reviews the books he read in March 20…

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#323 Engineers Deliver Impact: The Engineering Matters Awards 2025 41:10

19d ago41:10

41:10

Engineers from around the world gathered at the Postal Museum in London for the Engineering Matters Awards 2025, presented in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, IMechE, and Engineers Without Borders UK, EWB UK. In this episode, we introduce the award gold champions. In episodes to come, we will look in more detail at each win…

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Loudon Wainwright III: Oversharing, Family Ties, and Musical Legacy, ep. 304 46:20

19d ago46:20

46:20

The legendary Loudon Wainwright III, whose career has spanned over five decades, is known for his deeply personal songwriting and sharp wit – and oversharing. The patriarch of the Wainwright folk dynasty (which includes Rufus, Martha, their late mother Kate McGarrigle, as well as Lucy and her mother Suzzy Roche), Loudon reflects on the balance betw…

1
306 5 Ways to Get Your First-Time Farm Customers to Buy Again (And Spend More!) 55:40

21d ago55:40

55:40

Is your farm’s sales funnel doing a great job of bringing in first-time customers—but then dropping the ball when it comes to getting them to buy again? I recently coached a farmer who sells grass-fed chicken, pork, and beef by the cut, along with farm bundles and beef shares. He had an amazing sales funnel that was driving leads and converting fir…

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Ep. 346: Getting Smarter in a Dumb World 1:10:01

23d ago1:10:01

1:10:01

In last week’s episode, Cal discussed data that indicate that the rise of the smartphones is making humans measurably dumber. Here he discusses aggressive strategies for resisting this reality. He then answers listener questions and ends with a tech corner. Find out more about Done Daily at DoneDaily.com! Below are the questions covered in today's …

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Service literacy with Lou Downe 41:29

26d ago41:29

41:29

S03E07 (#335). Lou Downe, author of Good Services and former director of design for the UK government joins us in this episode. We sat down with Lou and asked—Where is service design going wrong, and are we even doing service design? Among the topics we discussed were: The complexity of modern services and the complete reliance on infrastructure, a…

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#322 Engineering Ecosystems: Italy’s Seagrass Meadows 32:16

26d ago32:16

32:16

Seagrass meadows are the engineers of the marine ecosystem. They provide habitats, support biodiversity, prevent coastal erosion and sequester carbon dioxide. For this reason Italy has embarked upon a world leading project to map these coastal ecosystems at a national scale, enabling it to plan protection and restoration measures that will improve …

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Olivia Ellen Lloyd: West Virginia to Brooklyn, Finding Ground in Water, ep. 303 1:01:14

26d ago1:01:14

1:01:14

Olivia Ellen Lloyd's latest album, 'Do It Myself,' sees the West Virginia-born Brooklyn-based songwriter reflecting on the powerful imagery of water. She shares how it has been a source of grounding and calmness in her life, from childhood memories spent on the Potomac River to her current love for the ocean, these elements have shaped her artistic…

1
TGE Episode 306 – Ron Houston and the Berry Pickers 1:59:52

27d ago1:59:52

1:59:52

Send us a text Join TGE host Rich Reardin as he talks with talented singer-songwriter Ron Houston, frontman of Ron Houston and the Berry Pickers. Get ready to dive into Ron's creative world, hear the tales behind his songs, and discover what makes his unique sound resonate with listeners everywhere. Stay tuned for an unforgettable episode!" Ron Hou…

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305 Top 5 Places to Advertise Your Farm’s Lead Magnet 33:39

28d ago33:39

33:39

March 26, 2025 A few weeks ago, my farmer friend Glen Young (shoutout to Glen!) sent me a message: "Hey, Corinna—did you know your website pop-up isn’t popping anymore?" Uh-oh. Turns out, something had changed inside Kit.com (my email service provider), and I needed to go behind the scenes to tweak a few settings. That pop-up is one of the biggest …

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Ep. 345: Are We Getting Dumber? 1:08:48

30d ago1:08:48

1:08:48

Multiple listeners recently sent in a Financial Times article that asks whether humans have passed “peak intelligence.” In this episode, Cal looks closer at the data in this article to try to understand why we seem to be getting dumber, and more importantly, what are the practical steps individuals can take to avoid the trend. He then answers liste…

1
#321 Circular Construction – Designing for Disassembly 20:39

1M ago20:39

20:39

We can reuse and retrofit buildings to extend their lifespans, and reduce their embodied carbon impact. But some structures may not be suitable for full reuse: some will have reached the end of their safe life; others will have no viable reuse; and some retrofit projects may require partial dismantling to reduce loadings on the original structure. …

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Bonnie "Prince" Billy On Making Nashville Musical Magic, ep. 302 1:04:32

1M ago1:04:32

1:04:32

Will Oldham, also known as Bonnie "Prince" Billy, has led an illustrious, sometimes mysterious career which has spanned decades and genres. Hailing from and still living in Lexington, KY, in our Basic Folk conversation Will reflects on his journey from a young artist struggling to find his place in the music world to a seasoned musician who embrace…

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TGE Episode 305 – Gene Parsons - The Byrds / Flying Burrito Brothers 1:19:05

1M ago1:19:05

1:19:05

Send us a text Join TGE host Rich Reardin as he talks with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Gene Parsons. Gene played with The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and is also well known for designing his 'B-Bender' Telecaster guitar for his best friend Clarence White in the sixties, changing the face of 'Country Rock' forever. This is from G…

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304 How to Document Your Farm Promotions So You Can Recycle Them Easily 36:37

1M ago36:37

36:37

Have you ever found yourself scrambling to write an email or social media post for a promotion—only to realize you already did it last year? What if I told you there’s a simple way to save yourself hours next season? Today, I’m sharing how documenting your promotions as you go can eliminate the guesswork and make next year’s marketing 10x easier. I…

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Ep. 344: You Are Not a Cog 1:25:57

1M ago1:25:57

1:25:57

Modern knowledge work jobs should be cushy gigs. Fixed hours, air conditioning, no hard manual labor, flexibility. So why are we so often burnt out and what can we do about this reality? In this episode, Cal draws a lesson from an unexpected corner of computer science, computer security research, about how we can fix some of the big problems of wor…

1
Defending against evil with Aarathi Krishnan 40:39

1M ago40:39

40:39

S03E06 (#334). Aarathi Krishnan is an international aid expert, specialising in humanitarian futures and strategic foresight. In a world where the sets of rules that have governed us as humanity are rapidly changing, how will we know if the solutions that we are designing now are going to be fit for purpose? Aarathi pushes the importance of account…

1
#320 International Year of Quantum: 100 Years of Quantum Mechanics 35:34

1M ago35:34

35:34

Quantum mechanics has transformed our understanding of reality, but how did we get here? In this episode, we celebrate the International Year of Quantum, marking 100 years since the birth of this groundbreaking field. From the fierce debates between Einstein and Bohr to the mind-bending implications of superposition and entanglement, we explore how…

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Rose Cousins & Edie Carey: Bast Friendship, Music, and the Art of Spatula-ing Life, ep. 301 1:25:31

1M ago1:25:31

1:25:31

Rose Cousins and Edie Carey's friendship has blossomed for over two decades. On the occasion of Rose releasing her new album, 'Conditions of Love - Vol 1,' the pair appear on Basic Folk to discuss the new music. They reflect on their early days and their first meeting as well as the ways they’ve influenced each other's careers and personal growth. …

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TGE Episode 304 - C. Daniel Boling of 'The Limeliters' 2:36:50

1M ago2:36:50

2:36:50

Send us a text Join TGE host Rich Reardin as he talks with singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist and member of 'The Limeliters', C. Daniel Boling. In this episode, Daniel and Rich talk about the history of 'The Limeliters', writing music with Tom Paxton, his guitars and instruments, and inspirations from the road. Why folk music has been so impor…

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303 Five Ways to Use ChatGPT to Get Simple, Repeatable FARM Marketing Tasks Off Your Plate 57:46

1M ago57:46

57:46

Feeling overwhelmed by all the little marketing tasks that pile up in your farm business? What if I told you that AI can take some of that off your plate—without being complicated, expensive, or scary? Today, I’m breaking down five simple ways you can start using AI right now to make your marketing easier, save time, and get better results—without …

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Ep. 343: A Minimal Protocol for Taking Control of Your LIfe 1:30:50

1M ago1:30:50

1:30:50

One of the most commonly recurring themes on this show is the conflict between too much versus not enough productivity. In this episode, Cal attempts to find new clarity in this debate by identifying a minimal viable productivity system – that is, what are the bare minimum components needed to escape the chaos and stress of total disorganization. H…

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IN-DEPTH: Greatness on Trial (w/ Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper) 1:18:44

2M ago1:18:44

1:18:44

In this episode of IN-DEPTH, Cal is joined by the writers Brad Stulberg and Clay Skipper to talk about the topic of “greatness.” They attempt to pick apart the weird moment we are in where, on the one hand, we feel aversion to performative demonstrations of “pseudo-greatness” (think: Elon Musk on-stage with his chainsaw) but on the other, still adm…

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#319 Revisited: Green Engineering, with Bison 23:31

2M ago23:31

23:31

Britain’s biodiversity has been declining sharply over the last 50 years. The country is now one of the most nature-depleted nations in the world. Despite legislation and efforts to stem the tide of wildlife population decline, little has helped. In February 2025, the UK government announced a new approach to reintroductions of beavers in England. …

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Sierra Hull: Mandolin Magic and Small Town Roots, ep. 300 1:06:40

2M ago1:06:40

1:06:40

When mandolinist Sierra Hull was little, her dad told her she was really good "for a ten year old." The older Hull knew Sierra had a fiery passion for the instrument and he knew exactly how to motivate his daughter. He went on to say that if she wanted to go to jams and porch-play for the rest of her life, she'd learned enough. He gave her realisti…

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302 How to Build a Marketing Mesage that Sticks: The Secret of Content Buckets 48:47

2M ago48:47

48:47

Feeling like you’re always scrambling to come up with content ideas? What if you had a simple system that not only made content planning easier but also helped your customers remember your farm’s message—and feel like they truly “get” what you’re about? In this episode, I’m sharing the concept of Content Buckets: a simple framework for organizing y…

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Basic Folk Presents: Folk Files: Shady Grove 25:27

2M ago25:27

25:27

Editor’s note: Basic Folk is pleased to introduce our listeners to one of our favorite podcasts by sharing an episode in our feed! Folk Files is a podcast hosted by Olivia Harding that seeks to uncover the mysteries of folk music through the ages and dive deep into the tangled history of murder ballads, sea shanties, rebel songs, and other music th…

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Ep. 342: The Good Life Algorithm 1:18:36

2M ago1:18:36

1:18:36

How do escape a life of shallowness and distraction to cultivate something deeper and more meaningful? In this episode, Cal draws from both algorithm theory and the habits of a reclusive author to highlight an effective strategy for achieving this goal – one that underscores the advantages of the small targeted changes versus major grand leaps. He …

1
Fail early 42:42

2M ago42:42

42:42

S03E05 (#333). A linkshow. James and Per discuss two articles they’ve stumbled on. This time we feature articles about things that slow down your website’s experience and why you can’t do anything about it plus the concept of “failing early” but not in a “failing fast” startup way. Article one is Six things that slow down your site’s UX (and why yo…

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TGE Episode 302 - Neale Eckstein 1:57:24

2M ago1:57:24

1:57:24

Send us a text In this episode, host Rich Reardin sits down with singer-songwriter and studio owner Neale Eckstein, the heart and soul behind Fox Run Studio. Neale reflects on his lifelong musical journey, from learning guitar during the Peter, Paul and Mary era to his time in college playing in cover bands. Though he became a pediatric dentist, Ne…

1
TGE Episode 301 - 'Mean Mary' James 1:03:42

2M ago1:03:42

1:03:42

Send us a text In this episode, host Rich Reardin sits down with the incredible 'Mean Mary' James, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose life story is as wild as her music. Born in Geneva, Alabama, and raised in a nomadic family, Mary’s journey from roughing it in the wilderness of North Minnesota to becoming a renowned folk musician …

1
TGE Episode 303 - Billy Coulter 1:13:41

2M ago1:13:41

1:13:41

Send us a text In this episode, host Rich Reardin sits down with Washington, D.C. singer-songwriter Billy Coulter, whose distinctive sound blends Roots Rock and Power Pop. Drawing influences from legends like Springsteen, Petty, Lennon, and Bowie, Billy has crafted a unique style that pays homage to the classics while feeling fresh and authentic. W…

1
TGE Episode 211 - Don Merckle 47:43

2M ago47:43

47:43

Send us a text Join host Rich Reardin as he sits down with South Carolina singer-songwriter Don Merckle, a darkly honest and wry artist from Charleston. Known for his ability to blend rock and roll with smoky barroom introspection, Don's music reflects his roots in the mixed traditions of American sound. With a rich history leading the Appalachian/…

1
TGE Episode 212 - Sarah Pierce 39:07

2M ago39:07

39:07

Send us a text Join host Rich Reardin as he interviews Texas singer-songwriter Sarah Pierce, a true cowboy’s daughter with deep roots in the cattle ranching world. Raised in West Texas, Sarah’s remarkable journey in music began at a young age, from singing in her stepfather’s band to performing across the globe, from New York City to Europe. Known …

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TGE Episode 213 - Jesse James DeConto 1:13:51

2M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

Send us a text Join host Rich Reardin as he talks with singer-songwriter Jesse James DeConto of the band The Pinkerton Raid on this episode of the podcast. With their unique blend of dreamer folk and campfire pop, Jesse takes us on a journey through his eclectic influences—from Nordic forest legends to Broadway tunes turned football fight songs. Dr…

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#318 Gaming Out a Career in Nuclear 33:56

2M ago33:56

33:56

At a unique hackathon in Manchester, a diverse group of hackers, coders, and gamers gathered to design digital solutions for the nuclear industry, blending innovation, teamwork, and pressure-driven problem-solving. The event, called HackAFuture, served as a groundbreaking careers initiative, offering the winning team not just bragging rights, but j…

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Gary Louris talks to Mark Erelli on Songwriting, Late in Life Love, and Technology, ep. 299 1:01:02

2M ago1:01:02

1:01:02

You probably know Gary Louris as the leader of The Jayhawks – or as they refer to themselves, “a band from Minnesota.” The Jayhawks are pioneers of roots rock, alt-country, and Americana. Whatever you wanna call it, they’ve been making records where rock, pop, country, and other forms of American roots music overlap since the mid-1980s. But Louris’…

1
TGE Episode 209 - Katie Oates 1:19:15

2M ago1:19:15

1:19:15

Send us a text Join host Rich Reardin as he sits down with Asheville-based singer/songwriter Katie Oates. A lifelong vocalist, Katie’s journey from belting hymns in her crib to finding her own voice is a story of musical evolution and personal growth. Raised in a preacher’s household, Katie’s diverse vocal training spans genres like classical, folk…

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TGE Episode 210 - Gary Van Miert 1:01:01

2M ago1:01:01

1:01:01

Send us a text Join host Rich Reardin as he sits down with New Jersey singer-songwriter Gary Van Miert. Known for his electrifying performances, Gary blends his deep roots in traditional American music with a fresh, psychedelic twist. With a voice that echoes the golden age of Gospel and a sound that now incorporates elements of sixties psychedelia…

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