The LFG episodes are the fortnightly recorded checkins between Andrew and Nathan, that they hope help inspire your curiosity and creativity. These are different from typical guest episodes as they are less focused on conversation.

This episode delves into the future of work and education, significantly impacted by the rise of AI. Andrew and Nathan challenge the traditional four-year college degree, highlighting its exorbitant cost and often poor return on investment, as graduates frequently require extensive on-the-job training. They advocate for embracing skilled trades which are in high demand and offer lucrative careers, sometimes recruiting students even before graduation.

Support the pod: https://3reate.com, https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

The LFG episodes are the fortnightly recorded checkins between Andrew and Nathan, that they hope help inspire your curiosity and creativity. These are different from typical guest episodes as they are less focused on conversation.

In this episode, Andrew and Nathan confront the intense hype and "fear, uncertainty, and doubt" (FUD) surrounding Artificial Intelligence, drawing strong parallels to the exaggerated promises of past technologies like blockchain and crypto. They express frustration with tech leaders who manipulate public perception, citing examples like Theranos and the dangers of AI in sensitive areas like mental health. The core discussion revolves around the popular question: "Will AI take my job?" The hosts argue that AI is primarily a powerful tool for automation, particularly for rote or procedural tasks, and that it enhances human capabilities rather than replacing them entirely. They emphasize that while AI can streamline processes like note-taking or initial data synthesis, it lacks true creativity, nuanced human understanding, and the ability to operate outside predefined patterns—skills essential for complex roles. Their advice: learn to leverage AI as a tool to boost your productivity and stay competitive.

Read things mentioned in the podcast: One of ChatGPT's popular uses just got skewered by Stanford researchers, Publishers facing existential threat from AI, Cloudflare CEO says, AI sceptic Emily Bender: ‘The emperor has no clothes’, Unpacking the bias of large language models

This episode briefly discusses why not to use AI for therapy and suicidality. Please talk to a human, the 988 Lifeline is available for you.

Support the pod: https://3reate.com, https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

The LFG episodes are the fortnightly recorded checkins between Andrew and Nathan, that they hope help inspire your curiosity and creativity. These are different from typical guest episodes as they are less focused on conversation.

Catch up after a month-long break. Andrew shares stories from his vacation in Vancouver, including navigating a "snowmageddon" and attending unique theater performances like an interactive murder mystery dinner. Nathan gives an update from Puerto Rico, where he's exploring sustainable energy solutions, visiting non-profits, and navigating the complex bureaucracy of microgrids. This sparks a broader conversation about the challenges of innovation and the "analysis paralysis" that plagues both government and business. Andrew also shares major company news, discussing the decision to shut down a profitable app to focus on new AI-driven projects and the frustrations of building for restrictive app store ecosystems.

Support the pod: https://3reate.com, https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

Today we speak with Melissa, an arts administrator, who moved back to her rural hometown of after 13 years in Minneapolis Minnesota's vibrant arts scene. Driven by a desire to give back to her community and a love for the tranquility of rural life, she discusses her work as Executive Director of Mainspring, a community arts organization that aims to make art accessible and foster connections. They explore the challenges of funding, misconceptions about art in rural areas, and the unique creative opportunities that arise from constraints. The two also touch on are the difficult conversations communities need to have and challenging one's prejudices.

About Melissa: Rural community storytelling is at the heart of Melissa Wray’s creative practice, told through writing, textile art, and audio stories. Her roles include founding director of Mainspring – a nonprofit arts and cultural center in Caledonia, MN – and program director at the multidisciplinary rural arts organization Lanesboro Arts.

Find local arts: Springboard for the Arts, Arts Midwest

Explore the Driftless Region: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driftless_Area

Read what Melissa's reading: Tar Beach by Faith Ringgold

Support the pod: https://3reate.com, https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

In this episode, Andrew revisits with Christine, who is now five months into her role at Essance skincare, after transitioning from a decade in recruiting. They discuss her learnings, challenges, and surprises in the new role. Key topics include the unexpected positive dynamic of working with her long-time friend as a boss, the challenges of limited resources, strategies for building a brand in a saturated market, the importance of customer experience, and utilizing data to make decisions.

Christine shares insights on company culture, the value of feedback, and offers advice for others navigating career changes. They emphasize starting with a focus on adding value to customers, and the importance of being clear on who you are as a brand. They touch on the value of taking a pause before posting on social media and the value of rest in the creative process. They also discuss how the next job opportunity happens through conversations and being top of mind by adding value and creating relationships.

Christine has built high-performing teams for startups and Fortune 500 companies, specializing in HR and recruitment. Now, as VP of Operations at Essance Skincare, Christine focuses on sustainable and innovative beauty initiatives, blending eco-conscious practices with operational excellence.

Support the pod: 3reate, https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

The LFG episodes are the fortnightly recorded checkins between Andrew and Nathan, that they hope help inspire your curiosity and creativity. These are different from typical guest episodes as they are less focused on conversation. This episode centers around Andrew's recent frustration with a lack of intellectual curiosity and evidence-based reasoning in society. He argues that this trend, fueled by social media, has led to the "death of liberalism and empiricism" where uninformed opinions are valued as highly as expert knowledge. He illustrates this point with a personal anecdote about a Thanksgiving dinner conversation where he was challenged on his expertise in AI.

Andrew then delves into his own career journey, explaining how he transitioned from psychology to technology, highlighting the value of saying "yes" to opportunities and the importance of developing intellectual grit. He concludes by emphasizing the need to combat societal toxicity and encourage genuine curiosity.

Support the pod: https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

Dmitri Kalashnikov is a climate scientist and National Science Foundation postdoctoral research fellow at the University of California-Merced. Having created Convolutional Neural Network-based predictive models for lightning in the western United States; he is currently working on applying these predictive models to climate models to project future changes in the climatology of lightning storms in the western United States.

The humans discuss Dimitri’s journey into a Ph.D, climate change as a dynamic system, the challenges of communicating climate science; bomb cyclones and the impossibility of humans creating or steering hurricanes.

Listen to Dmitri's most recent Episode 26, Using AI to predict the risk of lightning caused fires with Dmitri Kalashnikov | EP 26 | 3reate

Learn more about Dmitri

Read what Dmitri is reading: The Happiness Trap by Dr. Russ Harris

Chapters:

(1:51) A Scientist's Non-Traditional Journey: Learn how Dmitri pivoted from careers in logistics and sales back to his true passion for climate science in his thirties.

(7:15) The Superpower of Life Experience in Academia: Dmitri and Andrew discuss how maturity, discipline, and real-world perspective can be a major advantage in graduate school.

(13:45) Why Climate Science is So Complex: Dmitri breaks down the challenge of studying a dynamic system where the atmosphere and ocean are constantly interacting and changing.

(20:07) Decoding Weather Jargon: Atmospheric Rivers & Bomb Cyclones: What is a "Pineapple Express"? Dmitri explains the origins of popular weather terms and what they actually mean.

(24:10) The Difference Between Weather and Climate: The hosts use rainfall to explain why looking at long-term averages can hide the real story found in the changing patterns of extreme events.

(26:45) When Your Perception Doesn't Match the Data: Dmitri reveals that while it may feel like rain is getting more intense in Oregon, long-term data actually shows a different trend.

(31:34) Can the Government Control Hurricanes?: The hosts tackle the viral conspiracy theory, explaining why the sheer energy of a hurricane makes it impossible to create or steer.

(47:39) How Weather Forecasts Are Actually Made: Dmitri explains the science of "ensemble forecasting," where computers run dozens of simulations to predict a storm's most likely path.

(50:33) A Call for Deeper Understanding: In a world of soundbites, the hosts make a case for taking the time to understand complex issues instead of latching onto simple conclusions.

(54:48) Book Recommendation: The Happiness Trap: Dmitri shares a book about processing all emotions—not just chasing happiness—and how it helps reframe life's challenges.

Support the pod: https://3reate.com, https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

The LFG episodes are the fortnightly recorded checkins between Andrew and Nathan, that they hope help inspire your curiosity and creativity. These are different from typical guest episodes as they are less focused on conversation. This episode delves into Andrew’s experiences as a solo software founder, navigating the complexities of company structuring, fundraising, and product development. He criticizes the unsustainable practice of relying on venture capital and free user bases, advocating for a more direct and honest approach to monetization. Andrew laments the decline of information literacy and critical thinking in the face of social media algorithms and political polarization. The two underscore the importance of individual responsibility and action, encouraging listeners to engage in constructive dialogue and challenge prevailing narratives. Also, dinner with strangers via Timeleft?!

Support the pod: https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

Tom Grier is a retired Professor of Mass Communication at Winona State University. Tom was the founder and Director of the Navajo Oral History Project, from 2006 through 2016. Additionally he was the Founder and Director of the Aerial visual Communication Lab at Winona State University from 2013 through 2021. They discuss the evolution of media and its impact on attention spans and critical thinking including the shift from in-depth reporting to soundbites, the rise of algorithmic bias, and the decline of grit and perseverance in education. They also touch upon the importance of seeking diverse perspectives and the need for more nuanced public discourse.

Read what Tom is reading: Think Out of the Box by Mike Vance | The Habit of Noticing by Darden Smith

Support the pod: https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate

Ania Korsunska, founder of Zemlia, discusses her vision for a new social platform that prioritizes user well-being and societal benefit over advertising revenue. She highlights the negative impacts of traditional social media, including addiction, misinformation, and the loneliness epidemic. Ania emphasizes the importance of intentionality, sustainability, and community building in creating a platform that empowers users to achieve personal and collective goals. She also shares her insights on the challenges of building a company that goes against the grain of capitalism and the importance of personal growth and lived experience knowledge sharing.

Ania Korsunska brings a decade of experience in interdisciplinary research, data science, user-centered design, communications, creative work, and community building to Zemlia. Led by the guiding principles of empowerment and collaboration, she manifests these values through tangible actions that contribute to a better future for everyone. Prior, Ania was the project lead of the ROADMAP, the first description of the state of rare disease drug repurposing, and Community Lead at Climate Vine. She completed her PhD in information science from the Syracuse iSchool in May 2024.

Zemlia is a social network platform empowering individuals at the intersection of health, data privacy, and sustainability. Our ad-free platform provides a secure space for personal growth and meaningful connections, prioritizing user control over data and offering insights through analytics and habit tracking. We aim to create a safe, secure space for users to connect deeply, learn continuously, and grow together, leveraging a knowledge-sharing community for social and environmental impact. By addressing the need for a non-addictive digital environment, Zemlia facilitates meaningful connections and real-world positive change, helping users achieve personal goals and contribute to collective social action.

Watch what Ania is watching: https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/

Read what Ania is writing: Nevertheless

Listen to Ania is saying: Along The Same Lines

Read: Doughnut Economics https://doughnuteconomics.org/about-doughnut-economics

Support the pod: https://ko-fi.com/3reate or https://patreon.com/3reate