- #160: Inside Network School 4 | Conversation with Alyssa Phelps
In this episode, we welcome Alyssa Phelps, an artist and former professional in international trade research and taxation. Currently based at the Network School, Alyssa shares her passion for women's health, sustainable fashion, and creative arts, including her journey into tufted art and silversmithing. Topics Covered: 1. Women's Health and Period Products: - Alyssa's personal journey into investigating the safety of period products. - Key findings on harmful substances in period products, including PFAS, dioxins, and heavy metals. - Discussion on the lack of mandatory safety tests in the industry. - Suggestions for safer product choices and the importance of consumer education. 2. The Environmental Impact of Fast Fashion: - How fast fashion contributes to environmental harm through overproduction and poor-quality materials. - Alyssa's thoughts on the addictive nature of platforms like Shein and their negative impact on personal and environmental health. 3. The Value of Secondhand Clothing: - Benefits of thrifting: uniqueness, quality, and environmental sustainability. - Overcoming stereotypes around hygiene and secondhand shopping. - Tips for finding secondhand treasures and repurposing vintage items creatively. 4. Creative Pursuits and Sustainability in Art: - Alyssa's process for creating a tufted snake vase, inspired by Vietnamese artist Shishi San. - The role of art in sustainability and self-expression. 5. Fashion Evolution and Personal Style: - How to develop personal style using tools like Pinterest and mood boards. - The importance of quality over quantity in curating a wardrobe. 6. The Broader Impact of Sustainability: - Insights into the need for a systemic change in both fashion and women's health industries. - The role of informed consumers and creative thinkers in shaping a more sustainable future. Resources Mentioned: * Network School * Dr. Shanna Swan * 1638 - Dr. Shanna Swan - The Joe Rogan Experience * Global Organic Textile Standard: Home - GOTS * Follow Alyssa on IG * Dr. Stacy Sims: Female-Specific Exercise & Nutrition for Health, Performance & Longevity * MAMAVATION | Non-Toxic Products For Healthy Families * Natural Pads for Periods - Natracare * GoodwillFinds: Online Thrift Store * How Dangerous Are Lululemon Leggings? * Toxic fabrics in Shein’s clothes: what are the materials to avoid? * Shishi San’s Vibrant Tufted Sculptures Celebrate the Colorful Motifs of Chinese Vases Alyssa will soon be sharing content on sustainable style, thrifting tips, and identifying quality garments. Stay tuned for her website link, which will be added to this page as it becomes available.
- #159: Inside Network School 3 | Conversation with Björn Öeste
In this conversation, Björn Öeste discusses the Darksun.is project, an AI agent designed to explore esoteric knowledge and connect disparate ideas. The project includes a meme coin and aims to enrich the marketplace of ideas by uncovering suppressed knowledge. Björn Öeste shared the significance of the #binary meme, the role of the AI agent Holmes, and the importance of community engagement through gamification content. He also touches on decentralized archaeology and the collaborative nature of the project, highlighting the team's dynamics and future plans. SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: * darksun.is * Follow Björn Ö * Follow Mitch * The Network School events * Why I created darksun * Nemesis Star Theory: The Sun's 'Death Star' Companion * Robert Sutton Harrington * Michael Saylor * Nemesis Star Theory w/Neil deGrasse Tyson * The Three-Body Problem * The Network School
- #158: Inside Network School 2 | Conversation with Neter & Mili
INTRO My guests today are Mili and Neter, my classmates from the Network School. In this episode, we reflect on our experiences so far, dive into some exciting ideas from our lectures and discussions, and share our personal journeys in crypto and beyond. Whether you're curious about the Network School or the future of decentralised living, this episode has something for you. WE DISCUSSED: * Two months in: Our lives at the Network School and daily routines * Highlights from student-led events and how AI can help you understand yourself better * Guest speaker insights and Balaji's thought-provoking lectures * Pop-up cities and the concept of network state nodes * How we entered the world of crypto and Bitcoin hitting $100K * Our plans for life after finishing the Network School SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: * The Network School * The Network State * The Network School events * My First Million Podcast with Ryan Peterson * Vitalik Buterin's website * Inside Network School X Thread * Zuzalu City
- #157:Inside Network School | Conversation with Berkeley Wanner and Sterlin Lujan
Intro My guests today are Berkeley Wanner and Sterlin Lujan. In this episode, we discussed their journeys into cryptocurrency, the influence of Balaji's ideas, and their experiences within the Network School. Timeline 00:00 Introduction to Network School and Guests 02:50 Philosophical Foundations of Cryptocurrency 06:39 Experiences with Balaji's Ideas 10:07 Application Process for Network School 13:49 Daily Life and Structure at Network School 34:47 Expectations and Future of Network School 39:57 Advice for Future Network Schoolers SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: * The Network School * Follow Berkeley Wanner * Follow Sterlin Lujan * A Newsletter That Pays You * Timothy C. May: Libertaria in Cyberspace * Blueprint Bryan Johnson * Lu.ma * Toastmasters * Counter Governance Substack * The Network State * Praxis Gets $525 Million in Commitments for Planned ‘Heroic’ City * Zuzalu City * H.L. Mencken * Burning Man
- #156: Language Preservation, LLMs, Arctic World Archive, OSV and Skateboarding Culture with Jack Connor
My guest today is Jack Connor, a linguist, programmer, and author who speaks more than seven languages and has built various AI language technologies. In 2023, Jack launched a project to preserve endangered languages, believing that losing a language means losing an entire culture. Outside of his work, Jack is also a semi-professional skateboarder and has lived in ten countries. TIMELINE 00:57 Introduction to Language Preservation and LLMs 03:23 The Importance of Navajo Language and Its History 05:58 The Arctic World Archive and Language Storage 08:28 Cultural Significance of Language Preservation 11:15 AI's Role in Language Preservation and Revitalization 13:43 Challenges in Preserving Living Languages 16:32 Traditional vs. Modern Methods of Language Preservation 21:16 Preserving Languages Through Technology 22:22 Working with Native Speakers for Accuracy 23:46 The Importance of Quality Assurance in AI 25:14 The Risks of Machine-Generated Content 25:49 Language Diversity and Dialects 27:42 The Complexity of Language Classification 29:28 Cultural Exchange and Language Learning 30:53 Skateboarding and Language Preservation 33:50 Self-Motivation in Learning Languages 36:01 Experiencing Culture Through Language 37:57 Global Trends in Language Extinction 41:13 Cultural Connections Through Language 42:42 Preserving Endangered Languages 48:52 The Role of Fellowships in Language Projects 53:45 Language Learning and Cultural Immersion 56:01 Linguistic Determinism in Sci-Fi 58:57 Future of Language Preservation and AI's Expanding Role SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE: * Follow Jack Connor on Twitter * Navajo language * [Navajo Code Talkers](https://www.britannica.com/story/navajo-code-talkers-infographic#:~:text=That language had no alphabet,code based on word substitution.) * Code Talker, book by Chester Nez * The Future of Data Preservation - AWA * Sami language * Naba language * Basque language * Mutual intelligibility * Cahuilla language * Documenting Endangered Languages: 𝕏 Interview * O'Shaughnessy Fellowships * Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut * Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
- #155: Creative Codex, Carl Jung, Misfit Artists, Tragic Heroes, and Creative Genius with MJDorian
My guest today is MJDorian, the host of one of my favourite shows Creative Codex. He is also an artist and composer. In today’s episode, we talked about… 1. Behind the Scenes: An inside look at the making of the podcast show, Creative Codex. 2. Carl Jung’s Influence: How Carl Jung’s work has shaped MJDorian's creative process and influenced the reading of The Red Book. 3. Modern Impact: What makes Carl Jung's work particularly compelling for today's artists and creatives? 4. William Blake Encounter: The mysterious and unexplainable experience with William Blake’s iconic painting, The Ancient of Days. 5. Nikola Tesla’s Paradox: Discussing the paradox of Tesla's genius and how his innovative approach can inspire modern artists. 6. Kurt Cobain’s Symbolism: Interpreting the rich symbolism and personal references found in Kurt Cobain's lyrics. 7. Children’s Drawings: Observations on children's drawings and the exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. 8. Creative Decay: Strategies for artists to cope with creative decay, loss of inspiration, and overcoming writer’s block. 9. Dreams and Creativity: How recording dreams and taking naps can boost creativity and enhance artistic expression. Resources Highlighted in This Episode * MJDorian’s website * The Third Eye Drops Podcast * The Red Book (Jung) * MJDorian Patreon * My Spiritual Odyssey * The Ancient of Days * Nikola Tesla & The Paradox of Genius * Alexander McQueen • Woven in Shadows * Jimi Hendrix Electrifies The Star Spangled Banner * Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015) * The Magic Secrets of Salvador Dali * Caravaggio: 100 Famous Paintings Analysis and Biography * Chiaroscuro * Leonor Fini • The Dark Masquerade
- Monologue: Wondrous Encounters in the Heart of the Mountains
In May this year, in Manchester, I witnessed an aurora reminiscent of angels descending to earth. Later, I came across trending news on X about a blue meteor appearing in Portugal. Coupled with constantly seeing fractal geometries in purple, gold, and green during breathwork sessions, and Buddhist mandala patterns, I've been in a dreamlike state, prompting me to ask myself deeply: What exactly is our universe up to? During a recent breathwork session, I suddenly saw my Huachuma (San Pedro) guide playing the flute in the valley, calling me back into the embrace of one of Peru's most sacred plants. So, I immediately booked a train ticket and headed to The Lighthouse Retreat to seek guidance and find clarity. The past four days in the remote mountains of Portugal felt like I've lived millions of years, experiencing the joys and sorrows of everything... I wanted to record my thoughts and feelings, but I realised the limitations of written words. So, I'll leave these scattered notes here, in the hope that if you happen to stumble upon this piece, you can personally experience this natural gift and interpret the messages that Huachuma communicates through your own bodily sensations. Books/links mentioned in this episode: * The Lighthouse Retreat * Transcendental Meditation * Exploring Psychedelic Journeys * Life is nothing but a grand role-playing game * Jade Dragon Snow Mountain * Sisyphus * The Doors * The Doors of Perception * The written article of this piece can be found on Chiwi Journal Substack
- Monologue: On Carl Jung
Based on the advice of an online mentor who suggests exploring influential books called 'earthquake books'—those that can significantly shake and impact our perspectives—one such powerful book is the profound works of Carl Jung. As I explore Jung's works, certain sections of his books have left a lasting mark on how I perceive things, resonating deeply with my journey. So I recorded this episode to share my learnings. Books/articles mentioned in this episode: * Memories, Dreams, Reflections: An Autobiography * The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious * The Red Book * CATAFALQUE: Carl Jung and the End of Humanity * Tom Morgan's newsletter * In Basel * Rudolf Steiner * Goetheanum * Retrospect on My Two Years at Leipzig. 1868. * I Ching (易经) * Mandala * Higanbana “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” - Carl Jung
- #154: Premier League, Football Journalism, Interview Superstars, and Women in Football with Liv Wang
My guest today is Liv Wang, a renowned Premier League journalist with a massive following of millions. I've been a follower of Liv's work for quite some time now, admiring her unique content creation and interviewing style with Premier League footballers. Recently, I had the opportunity to meet Liv in person during my visit to Manchester. Needless to say, it was an enlightening experience. So get ready for an insightful conversation about her journey, experiences, and perspectives in the world of football journalism. In today’s episode, we talked about… 1. Passion for Football: Liv shares what drew her to football and the inspirations behind her decision to pursue a career in football journalism. 2. A Day in the Life: Discover what a typical day looks like for Liv as she covers Premier League press conferences and conducts player interviews 3. Cultural Insights: Liv reveals interesting cultural nuances, such as Ruben Dias and Bernardo Silva's Chinese nickname, Jorginho's foray into writing Chinese characters and Anthony Elanga learning Chinese 4. Player Interviews: Liv discusses her experiences interviewing prominent players like Mo Salah, Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Erling Haaland 5. Managing Online Presence: Learn how Liv navigates negative online comments and maintains a positive online presence, especially with a large follower base. 6. Social Initiatives: Liv shares her initiative during the Women's Football World Cup to distribute sanitary pads 7. Women's Football Development: Liv explores the development of women's football and addresses stereotypes surrounding female football fans 8. Behind the Scenes: Discover fun facts about Liv's job as a football journalist, along with the unique challenges she faces. 9. Premier League's Development in China: Delve into the Premier League's remarkable rise in the Chinese market and her perspective on the current state of Chinese football Links mentioned in this episode * Premier League * Follow Liv Wang on Instagram * Ruben Dias’ nickname * “What a scarf” with Jude Bellingham * Essential Items Campaign
- #153: Special Episode: At Bakery CrossFit with Edu, Mel and Diogo
Today, we have the pleasure of welcoming three individuals to our conversation. Joining us are Luis Eduardo Arruda, not only a head Coach but also a co-owner of @thebakerycrossfit. Alongside him is Melissa Haun, a formidable athlete representing the Bakery Athletics team. And last but not least, we have Diogo Costa, who wears dual hats as both a data analyst at Revolut and an athlete within the Bakery Athletics team. This podcast is being recorded live at Bakery Cafe. If you happen to be nearby, why not stop in for a cup of coffee or even join us for a training session at the Bakery CrossFit? We’d be super happy to have you here! So, get comfortable and let's delve into today's conversation. 1. Let's kick things off with a brief introduction to Edu, Melissa, and Diogo, and their deep involvement with Bakery CrossFit. 2. Ever wondered what CrossFit is all about? We'll delve into its significance, particularly exploring why the CrossFit Open holds such weight within the community. 3. Follow along as we trace Edu's coaching journey, culminating in his role as co-owner of the Bakery CrossFit Box. 4. The Bakery Athletes program 5. Discover how Diogo balances his role as a data analyst at Revolut with his dedication as a Bakery CrossFit athlete, leveraging his analytical skills to enhance his training. 6. Melissa shares her transatlantic journey from the USA to Europe, alongside a heartwarming love story with Edu.💗 We'll also explore her daily routine, balancing training with work commitments. 7. What makes Bakery CrossFit so special, delving into the creation of a supportive and inclusive community for all its members. 8. Conquering fear and cultivating mental resilience are key themes. Join us as we explore everyone's unique perspectives on competitions. 9. Discover how Edu collaborates with fellow coaches and staff to ensure members receive an excellent fitness experience. 10. Get to know the remarkable staff members and coaches at Bakery CrossFit, including another enchanting love story that blossomed within the box.💗 11. Being a vegan in the fitness world presents its challenges. We'll share valuable tips on maintaining nutritional balance to support optimal training. 12. Finally, we'll discuss the future vision for Bakery CrossFit and hear Mel and Diogo's aspirations, both as athletes and in their personal journeys ahead. 13. Bonus: Obi’s story 🐶❤️ Links mentioned in this episode * Join The Bakery CrossFit * Follow Edu, Mel, Diogo and coach Sara, Hugo, Slavik and Gui * CrossFit official website * CrossFit Open * Learn more about The Bakery Athletics * Visiting Bakery Cafe
- Monologue: Exploring Spiritual Enlightenment and Mystical Experiences
If the doors of perception were cleansed every thing would appear to man as it is, Infinite. For man has closed himself up, till he sees all things thro' narrow chinks of his cavern. ― William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell In recent times, we've immersed ourselves in deep discussions challenging traditional beliefs and values. Concepts such as meditation, metaphysics, and the power of myths have taken precedence in our conversations. There's a growing acknowledgment of the limits of reason and scientific rationalism, alongside a newfound embrace of spiritual enlightenment. Despite technological marvels enhancing our lives, a subtle dissatisfaction persists. It seems we're fatigued with a system prioritising efficiency over spiritual fulfilment. Perhaps our collective consciousness has reached a turning point, urging us to seek meaning beyond the material. Last year, I had inexplicable visions defying scientific explanations, deepening my belief in the vastness of the universe. In this episode, I'll share glimpses of my journey from childhood to the present—a preliminary draft, with more stories awaiting exploration. So, relax and join me as we delve into the mysteries of the soul.💗 Books and Links Mentioned in This Episode: * The Marriage of Heaven and Hell * Famen Temple * 《尼采传:我是太阳》 * I Ching (The Book of Change) * Ray Dalio * Tim Ferriss * Transcendental Meditation * Journey to Inner Peace: A Ten-Day Vipassana Meditation Experience * Flowism: My Philosophy of Living * How I overcame depression, learned to trust myself and grew as an indiepreneur * Bronte Parsonage Museum * The Invisible Third Culture Adult * Jim O'Shaughnessy: Infinite Loops * Tom Morgan: What's Important? * The Lighthouse Retreat * The Doors of Perception: Heaven and Hell by Aldous Huxley * A books recommendation thread on spirituality * Unearthing Hidden Emotions through Zen Buddhism Study * Auerbachs Keller * Ye Gong Hao Long * What we know is a drop. What we don't know is an ocean. – Adam, Dark | Netflix
- #152: Mentorship, Inner Journey, Intuition, Life Coaching and Spiritual Crisis with Devin Martin
Today, I'm joined by Devin Martin, the visionary behind Lifestyle Integrity and a distinguished executive life coach. In this episode, we talked about… 1. Delving into some key moments or practices that have significantly shaped the course of Devin’s personal growth and transformative journey. 2. Why it's crucial for people to pause and limit external stimuli in their pursuit of clarity and self-understanding? 3. Reflecting on our experiences with psychedelics (Ayuhuasca), how do we contemplate the evolution journey of our worldview? 4. Exploring the power of intuition and the truth about reality. 5. Face the abyss, but don't let it consume you. For in its depths lie both the darkness of fear and the light of hope. 6. Body and mind awareness and facing various sensations (pain). 7. The distinctions between therapy and life coaching, and how do these approaches complement each other in supporting clients? 8. Balancing support for clients' journeys while encouraging them to take ownership of their growth and decisions. 9. The future of life coaching in light of the increasing influence of AI. Books/links mentioned in this episode * Life Integrity * A Transformation Guide. Interview with Devin Martin * Ken Wilber * Jordan Peterson * Ayahuasca * Devin’s blog * Tom Morgan: Presence, Synthesis, and Giving the Master Its Due * The Art of Living * Vipassana Meditation * Dance your darkness with this playlist * Dark retreat
- SPECIAL EPISODE: @ETHGlobal Istanbul Hackathon
Kia Ora, Ni Hao, and Hello! Welcome to a special edition of the Chiwi Journal podcast, recorded live at the ETHGlobal Istanbul Hackathon. In this episode, I bring you exclusive interviews with the brilliant minds who won scholarships from the Take Off Web3 program and are building exciting projects here. Join me now to delve into their inspiring ventures and creations and learn about their fascinating Web3 journeys. Speakers: @HooCrypto @Simonpuebla_ @nastyarods @vDarph @filmacedo Special thanks to @TakeOffWeb3 @TalentProtocol for sponsoring 15 scholars coming to Istanbul to attend DevConnect and ETHGlobal.
- #150: Typefully, Building a Lean & Remote Team, Co-founders Relationship and Lisbon Life with Fabrizio Rinaldi and Francesco Di Lorenzo
My guest today is Fabrizio Rinaldi and Francesco Di Lorenzo. They are serial tech founders and currently focus on building a writing, scheduling & publishing tool on 𝕏 and LinkedIn, Typefully. In today’s episode, we talked about… 1. Explore the story of Fabrizio and Francesco’s initial X (Twitter) encounter, which led to the co-founding of business. 2. Learn about the inspiration behind Typefully and discover key features designed to enhance the writing experience for users. 3. Delve into the dilemma of offering AI content generation features for creators. 4. Gain insights into building a remote, lean team while maintaining a work-life balance as founders. 5. Discover Lisbon's unique living and working atmosphere and recommendations for newcomers. 6. Uncover the personal and business benefits of being based in Lisbon while addressing potential drawbacks. 7. Get to know upcoming features and the future vision for Typefully. 8. Learn what they enjoy most about co-building a business and how their partnership has evolved over time. Lisbon Recommendation From Francesco: * Best Italian pizza in Lisbon https://www.marrecreo.com/en/home/ * Best pasta https://www.instagram.com/ilmatricianolisbona/ * Nice higher-end Italian cuisine https://www.rocco.pt/ * Best Cortado in Lisbon, laptop-friendly https://maps.app.goo.gl/ZCRAGP6qb6bmMS7EA From Fabrizio: * Small and cozy, amazing specialty coffee https://maps.app.goo.gl/mfjd5UbYEsPJVLV68?g_st=ic * Best “salted caramel latte”, seriously incredible https://maps.app.goo.gl/mTR4c8UBD2AgCaf98?g_st=ic * Amazing ramen at the original Ajitama https://maps.app.goo.gl/dtEKenGWwMAdHwY86?g_st=ic * Good pizza and standup comedy for a different night out with friends https://maps.app.goo.gl/NReLRX3sSoCQ4YWJ6?g_st=ic From Camellia: Google map list: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Qv3YdpZk6jUrCiH9 Follow Fabrizio Rinaldi, Francesco Di Lorenzo and Typefully on X
- #149: Lifestyle Brand Sapiens, Healthy Living, Live-streaming in Chinese Market and Empowered Mindset with Ellen Chen
My guest today is Ellen Chen. Ellen is the cofounder of the lifestyle brand Sapiens. With a background in biomed and bioengineering, Ellen also serves as a science communicator, connecting with a broad online audience. In today’s episode, we talked about… 1. Ellen's background in biology and how it influenced her journey into entrepreneurship and healthy living. 2. The inspiration behind Ellen's healthy lifestyle brand, Sapiens, and its mission. 3. Key principles and practices of a healthy lifestyle that you can incorporate into your daily routine. 4. The differing perceptions of health and fitness standards between Western and Asian cultures, including discussions on body image and body positivity. 5. Insight into beauty standards in China. 6. The impact of social media on people's health. 7. Ellen's secret recipes for making complex scientific papers easy to understand. 8. The age-old question: "Do you lose muscle if you do cardio?" 9. Drawing inspiration from science communicator Andrew Huberman. 10. Strategies for lifestyle community building in the Chinese market. 11. Ellen's approach to creating informative and interactive content through live-streaming. 12. Ellen's insights on balancing her time and routine while running a business, writing, and exercising. 13. The three key mindsets Ellen wants to leave with listeners, especially those facing challenges on their healthy living journeys Books/links mentioned in this episode * Follow Ellen on Instagram @minor_demon * Diet, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer: a Global Perspective Report * Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari * First Interview in the Metaverse * Flexible Dieting by Alan Aragon * Why Calories Don't Count by Giles Yeo * [Body positivity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_positivity#:~:text=Body positivity is a social,as an undesirable social construct.) * The Circadian Code by Satchin Panda * Dose-response relationship between weekly resistance training volume and increases in muscle mass * Exercise Snacks * Huberman Lab * Lex Fridman Podcast Follow Sapiens Club Dou Yin 1: @SapiensClub Dou Yin 2: @新西兰Summer WeChat Channel: @SapiensClub “For humans and all species, the sensations, the perceptions and the thoughts and the feelings that we have in our life span, none of that is actually carried forward, except the ones that we take, and we convert into actions, such as writing, actions, such as words actions, such as engineering new things.” - Andrew Huberman