#2 - "The Tail End" by Tim Urban

#4 - "Speed Matters" by James Somers

In this brilliant essay "Speed Matters," James Somers, a writer and programmer based in New York City, articulates why working quickly is even more important than it seems. From the essay: "The obvious benefit to working quickly is that you'll finish more stuff per unit time. But there's more to it than that. If you work quickly, the cost of doing something new will seem lower in your mind. So you'll be inclined to do more." The original essay: https://jsomers.net/blog/speed-matters

#3 - "The Death of Hobbies" by Sherry Ning

In episode 3, Jonathan Stern narrates Sherry Ning's essay "The Death of Hobbies". In the essay, Sherry confronts the cultural shift away from active, skill-based hobbies to the passive consumption of entertainment. She distinguishes between pleasure (which is passive) and enjoyment (which requires effort)—and argues that true enjoyment comes from creation and mastery, rather than from mere consumption. It’s a rousing call to reconsider our priorities and invest our time and energy in activities that fulfill the human spirit. Hat Tip: https://hattip.app YouTube: https://youtu.be/6u-TVlcCJdc The essay: https://www.theplurisociety.com/p/the-death-of-hobbies

#2 - "The Tail End" by Tim Urban

In episode 2, Jonathan Stern narrates Tim Urban's essay "The Tail End". This essay fundamentally changed how I think about time. Yes, life is short. But in the most important ways, it's even shorter than you think. "The Tail End" reflects on the idea that most of the in-person time we spend with our loved ones -- parents, siblings, close friends -- occurs early in life, with a significant portion already used up by the time we reach adulthood and are old enough to appreciate this. Urban urges us to prioritize living close to loved ones, consciously manage our priorities, and treasure the quality of the remaining time we have with them to make the most of these precious moments. Tim Urban is an Internet writer known for his insightful and humorous posts on a variety of complex topics. His blog, Wait But Why, uniquely combines witty stick-figure illustrations with deep dives into subjects like procrastination, artificial intelligence, and the possibility of alien life, attracting millions of readers and admirers such as Elon Musk. The original post can be found at https://waitbutwhy.com/2015/12/the-tail-end.html.

#1 - "Stay in the Game" by Drew Dickson

In episode 1, Jonathan Stern narrates Drew Dickson's classic essay "Stay in the Game". It's a story that transcends the ordinary, touching on themes of struggle, survival, and the unexpected heroes among us. Drew shares the ultimately uplifting journey of his son Max, from the depths of despair in London to a new beginning in Indianapolis, all catalyzed by the bond with a rescue dog named Chica and an extraordinary act of kindness by Kenny Moore. Drew Dickson is the founder of Albert Bridge Capital and serves as the Chief Investment Officer of the Alpha Europe funds. The essay can be found at https://www.albertbridgecapital.com/post/stay-in-the-game.