MetaLearn

Kevin Kelly is an editor. He is the founding executive editor of Wired magazine and has also been a writer, photographer, conservationist, and student of Asian and digital culture. He has written multiple bestselling books including What Technology Wants, The Inevitable and Cool Tools and has written many novels on his interest in cybernetics and all things tech. His latest book, Excellent Advice for Living, is a collection of Kevin's wisdom on everything from career to relationships and travel to finances, and is the starting point for our conversation.  This conversation was recorded on Monday 29 May 2023.

Steven Pressfield is a writer. He is the author of historical fiction, non-fiction, and screenplays including his novels Gates of Fire and The Legend of Bagger Vance and his non-fiction books The War of Art and Turning Pro. Steven was fifty two yeras old before his first novel was published. Along the way he worked 21 jobs in seven states incluidng schoolteacher, attendant in a mental hospital, truck driver, migrant fruit picker, advertising copywriter and Hollywood screenwriter.  None of this was intentional. All of it is in his latest book, a memoir called Govt Cheese, which is the starting point for our conversation.  This conversation was recorded on Wednesday 24 May 2023.

In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: closing the gap between knowing & doing, the challenge of living your values and the path to human progress.

In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: closing the gap between knowing & doing, the challenge of living your values and the path to human progress.

In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: how to ask great questions, the role of curiosity in progress and the impact of modern media and technology on expertise, sensemaking and democracy.

In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: the importance of creativity for individuals and society, the process of discovering your genius and the difference between the gift and market economies.

In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: how to understand your emotions, the patterns driving human behaviour and why mental health culture isn't improving mental health. 

In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss: how to focus in a world full of distractions, the challenges of ADHD and how to deal with it, why myths about attention are harming you

The Next Loop is a 12 part series summarising the most important insights from 6 years of conversations with some of the world's greatest thinkers, entrepreneurs and artists on the MetaLearn Podcast. In this episode Nasos & Andrea discuss the topic of futureproofing yourself - how to adapt to a rapidly changing environment whilst maintaining your humanity so you can thrive in the modern world of work and live a good life.

Andrea Domenichini is a media producer and podcaster who runs his own show Voices in the Dark, and has been helping me with the latest episodes of the MetaLearn podcast. In this episode we discuss: - How to apply Robert Greene’s 48 Laws of Power in practice- Avoiding manipulation and how to defend against people using power plays- The true nature of power and how we misunderstand it in modern society So whether you want to become a modern Machiavelli, realise your true potential or stop being the victim of other people's games, this episode will give you everything you need and more.

Raoul Pal is the CEO of Real Vision, a cutting edge financial media company and also runs his own macro research business, Global Macro Investor. In this episode we discuss: - Raoul's 3 scenarios for how the war between Russia & Ukraine plays out - The outlook for different asset classes including stock & bonds, commodities & crypto - Why the tokenisation of culture through communities like Bored Ape Yacht Club are so significant We also talk about the practical implications of potential social unrest and how people should be thinking about their life choices in that context as well as Raoul's philosophy of living in the future.

Visakan ‘Visa’ Veerasamy is a creator, marketer and the author of two books, Friendly Ambitious Nerd and Introspect. In this episode we discuss: - How to navigate the hero’s journey of developing self awareness- Confronting your inner tyrant so you can do the work you were built for- Becoming friends with yourself and earning your own self-respect and admirationThis was a special conversation that will leave you with the mindsets and skillsets to better understand yourself, win your inner battles and realise your potential in all areas of life.  

Iain McGilchrist is a psychiatrist and author of The Master and His Emissary and The Matter with Things. In the episode we discuss: - The differences between the left and right brain hemispheres and how they shape your perspective - The 4 pathways to understanding - science, reason, intuition & imagination - How the big problems we face including the assault on Nature, destruction of Culture are all related We also talk about the significance of morality and the intersection of science and religion.

Andrew Warner is an entrepreneur, author and the founder of Mixergy, a platform for interviewing the world’s top founders. In this episode we discuss:- Andrew’s techniques for learning anything from anyone, based on 2000+ interviews - How to interrupt someone, ask tough questions and rescue bad conversations- Strategies for building a thriving content business around interviews We also discuss how Andrew improved his interviewing over time, what he learned from some of his interviewing heroes like Charlie Rose and the key mistakes to avoid for new interviewers.

Demetri Kofinas is a media entrepreneur, financial analyst and the host of the Hidden Forces Podcast. In this episode we discuss:- The key events that shaped the modern world including 9/11 and the 2008 Financial Crisis- The rise of ‘financial nihilism’ and how it’s playing out in asset markets including crypto - How to build a profitable media business with integrity in a post truth world We also talk about Demetri’s recovery from a brain tumour that almost completely wiped his memory, the pros and cons of the different forms of media & the power of memes in crypto.

Oliver Burkeman is a journalist and author of the book 4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals. In this episode we discuss: - The time management myths that are holding you back - Practical strategies that help you focus on what matters most- The true cost of convenience culture and what you lose We also talk about how writing the book changed Oliver’s relationship to time, the path to producing original creative work and the issues with self-help culture.

Armand D’Angour is a professor of classics at the University of Oxford and the author of several books including Socrates in Love and his latest, How To Innovate. In this episode we discuss:- The 3 different types of innovation and how to use them to your advantage - How the Greeks thought about change and what we can learn from them- The relationship between innovation and ethicsWe also cover the true story behind Archimedes’ famous “Eureka!” moment and Aristotle’s thoughts on political innovation.

Larry Grobel is a writer and interviewer who has interviewed every big name in Hollywood from Robert de Niro to Nicole Kidman, Al Pacino to Angelina Jolie. In this episode we discuss:- The art of a great interview informed by Larry’ work with the world’s biggest stars- Techniques for building rapport fast to make people feel comfortable and open up - Larry’s principles for great storytelling that he’s used in his writing & interviewing We also talk about Larry’s 10 days on Marlon Brando’s private island, his close 30 year friendship with Al Pacino and his controversial interview with former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight.

Gary Lachman is a writer and philosopher, whose work focuses on human imagination and the history of occult ideas. In this episode we discuss: - Moving between the rational and the imaginative modes of consciousness - The rise of meme magic in politics and how Trump, Putin others have used it - How to make sense of a world dominated by philosophies of nihilism We also discuss Gary’s experience in the rock band Blondie in the mid 70s, how the internet shapes reality and the history of some of the most important ideas about consciousness.

Andrea Domenichini is a media producer and podcaster who runs his own show Voices in the Dark, and has been helping me with the latest episodes of the MetaLearn podcast. In this episode we discuss:- The role curiosity plays in learning and how to cultivate it in yourself and others- The nature of knowledge and the thread running between science and the arts- What Dungeons & Dragons has taught Andrea about storytelling, creativity and media We also talk about growing up in different cultures, neurodivergence and the HBO Series Westworld and what it teaches us about consciousness.