Feeding Curiosity

Today's conversation is a continuation of Bill's, most recent chapter of his life with the completion of his graduate degree. Bill will now be working with Northrop Grumman and it's NASA partnership for the James Webb space telescope.

Bill Waterstreet returns to the podcast, as he wraps up his graduate degree from the University of Michigan. Bill enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, starting his service in January 2011. When deployed to Afghanistan in 2013 and 2014, he assists army units in their information operation capacities. He was honorably discharged in January of 2015 at the rank of Sergeant.

Following his service, Bill began attending the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in the fall of 2015. There he majored in mechanical engineering and minor in electrical engineering. After graduate his bachelor's degree, he continued at Michigan and achieved his master's degrees in mechanical engineering with a focus on controls and completed the degree in April 2020.

Show notes:

(00:05:53) James Webb Introduction

(00:08:50) Seeing back in time

(00:10:44) Can you see farther back in time than the age of the universe?

(00:15:06) Folding Spacetime

(00:16:48) What was before the big bang?

(00:18:04) Testing the James Webb

(00:20:24) The Sunshade

(00:22:57) Problems with launching the Hubble

(00:25:11) How to make sure nothing fails?

(00:29:23) Points of Failure and working on the telescope

(00:35:22) The Daily Work

(00:39:11) The Cuckoo's Egg

(00:39:54) How did Bill get the Job?

(00:42:26) SpaceX

(00:44:24) The Dragon Capsule

(00:47:37) Bill's Final Project

(00:51:13) How did bill get interested in rockets

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

— FRITZI HORSTMAN

Fritzi Horstman is the Founder and Executive Director of the Compassion Prison Projection organization dedicated to bringing compassion, childhood trauma awareness, and creative inspiration to all men and women living behind bars.

She is currently directing “Step Inside the Circle,” a documentary about childhood trauma behind bars. The PSA created from some of the footage from the documentary has already received over 2 million views across all platforms.

She produced HBO’s “The Defiant Ones” directed by Allen Hughes which premiered July 9, 2017, and has garnered several awards including IDA Best Limited Series, NAACP Outstanding Director in a Television Movie or Special, Grammy for Best Music Film and was nominated for five Emmy Awards including Best Documentary.

Fritzi is passionate about equality, civil rights, education, and stories about justice. It is her life’s work to makes sure these stories get told.

Show Notes:

(00:06:11) A longing to change the world

(00:07:51) Forgiving yourself and violence towards the self

(00:10:24) Always doing something

(00:12:44) Focus on human flourishing

(00:14:47) Prison as stored darkness and shame

(00:17:43) The Impact of Prison from Podcasts and Films

(00:19:30) Unpacking the Death Penalty and Trauma

(00:25:54) ACE Test

(00:31:11) Advice to start forgiving yourself

(00:36:49) Workaholism

(00:39:28) Taking a compliment

(00:42:57) Being Kind

(00:45:21) Where does the depth of connection come from?

(00:49:13) Goal of 2020

(00:52:55) The Year is 2025, we've healed society: how did we get there?

(00:54:20) Accountability and compassion to everyone

(00:56:55) Nature and Nurture

(01:01:03) How do we begin to rebuild?

(01:02:27) Connect with Fritzi

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

— KRISTEN HOLMES

In this episode, we are joined by Kirsten Holmes. As Vice President of Performance Science at WHOOP, Kristen drives thought leadership by engaging with industry-leading researchers and partners to better understand individual and team biometric and performance data across high stakes verticals. Kristen also works with hundreds of the best tactical, professional, surgical teams, and NCAA Athletes/Teams in the world helping them interpret WHOOP data to optimize training, recovery, and sleep behavior.

Show Notes:

(00:06:56) How did Kristen get interested in wearable technology?

(00:09:01) What is Heart Rate Variability (HRV)?

(00:11:50) Perception vs. Internal Signal in terms of Recovery

(00:13:51) Whoops isn't a step tracker

(00:16:40) Providing Information on areas of improvement

(00:18:54) Quality of Sleep

(00:20:45) Consistency of Sleep and Compromising on the weekends

(00:22:18) Getting through sleep deprivation

(00:23:22) Blue light blocking glasses

(00:25:43) Dr. Andrew Huberman and sky transitions

(00:27:09) Sunlight, Vitamin D, Fish Oil, and effect on physical states

(00:29:06) General Guidelines and then find what works best for you

(00:32:24) Iterative Process and Domino Effect

(00:34:11) Intermittent Fasting to improve behaviors

(00:35:18) Auto Regulation

(00:37:55) Magnesium benefits before bed

(00:40:38) Research with Whoop

(00:42:43) COVID-19 and Resilience

(00:45:51) Psychophysiology

(00:50:04) What is a meaning framework and where to start?

(00:53:11) Closing

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

Erich shares some ideas that he's been working through. In the last few weeks, the weight of the problems and chaos of the world almost feel insurmountable. At its worst, how can one person possibly make a real difference in the chaos?

On a more optimistic note, we can anchor in what we can control. Erich believes that starts with this, "You don't know what you don't know." What this means is that you have actively fill in the gaps by exposing yourself to people, places, and things that you've never experienced.

One of the most beautiful gifts this podcast has given him is the ability to empathize with people who think differently. It doesn't mean you have to agree with everyone one, but you can at least make an effort to say, "I can see why you see or believe that."

We need to end thinking in tribal terms when the world is more connected than ever, and yet in the United States, we can't even understand where our neighbor. In the end, it about being curious enough to see where others are coming from. We can make happen that one conversation at a time.

Dan Clark is a serial entrepreneur, traveler, and the CEO, Brain.fm, an innovative technology company that helps users be more productive through the use of functional music created by composers and artificial intelligence.

Daniel has been in love with technology- and its potential to positively impact the world- for as long as he can remember. From building websites when he was 13, starting a design and advertising business at 18, and driving millions in revenue for multinational brands as a director for a boutique ad agency, he has truly been at the forefront of how technology can exponentially grow successful businesses.

One of Brain.fm's first users, he called the company 12 times before they agreed to bring him in for an interview. When he did receive an offer, he jumped at it (even working for free for the first few weeks). He eventually moved up to Head of Technology and is now the CEO. As CEO, Daniel is continually striving to build a company that can not only change the world through music but also is one of the best companies for people to work for and grow with.

Show Notes:

(00:05:52) What is Brain.fm?

(00:07:38) How did Dan discover the power of music?

(00:10:00) What is happening in the brain when listening to music?

(00:11:56) What binaural beats and misconceptions?

(00:15:30) Other use cases for Brain.fm

(00:18:09) Music and Recovery

(00:20:43)Where did the foundation of science come from

(00:23:51) A perfect storm of technology to make this possible

(00:25:13) Where does AI play a role?

(00:26:43)What was it like for Dan to stumble into this?

(00:31:03) Circadian Rhythm and Sleep Routines

(00:33:13) Making technology in service of the user

(00:34:53) Pattern interrupts to get focused

(00:37:33) The Power of Travel

(00:40:33) How has Dan been challenging himself in 2020?

(00:41:53) Leadership and Trust

(00:44:36) Connection and Communication

(00:47:02) Growth and how to foster it

(00:51:05) Anchor to the process

(00:52:56) Recommended Books

(00:54:38) The power of sport

(00:56:09) Advice on jumpstarting into a new direction

(00:58:36) Control what you can

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

Terry Rice is a Business Development Consultant based in Brooklyn. As the founder of Terry Rice Consulting, he helps entrepreneurs monetize their knowledge without sacrificing their health, family, or personal interests. His focus is advising professionals on how to launch or scale their knowledge-based businesses which can include consulting, speaking appearances, online courses, and associated revenue streams. Terry is also an Adjunct Instructor at NYU where he leads workshops for career-driven individuals. A recognized Digital Marketing expert, his previous experience includes helping clients achieve their business goals while working at Adobe and Facebook.

Connect with Terry on his website: terryrice.co

Show Notes:

(00:04:43) Terry's Professional Background

(00:05:44) Are there hacks to large followers?

(00:07:14) The difference between seeming and being

(00:07:54) Where did the inspiration come from to take the entrepreneurial leap?

(00:09:56) Terry's Personal Philosophy and first jobs out of college

(00:11:39) Are you Entrepreneurial or do you have a problem with authority?

(00:12:25) Uncovering your personal philosophy

(00:15:21) What were the skills Terry had to acquire?

(00:17:26) What is the One Thing?

(00:18:16) 50 Minute Intervals

(00:19:01) Wiggle your Toes and Connect to the present

(00:21:08) Working out and movement

(00:23:48) Don't bring stressors home

(00:25:21) Putting space between stimulus and response

(00:27:23) A Stoic optimist

(00:28:22) Mindfulness or other stress relievers

(00:30:25) Getting into meditation

(00:33:03) The reaction is your choice

(00:34:17) What jump-started these changes in viewpoint?

(00:35:26) How to keep pushing your edge?

(00:37:20) What were people's reactions to starting your own business?

(00:38:24) How to take the first step in anything

(00:39:49) Sources of new information

(00:41:57) A good parent or a crappy parent

(00:43:52) Bad recommendations or pitfalls

(00:45:44) Final Thoughts

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

In this episode, I am joined by two of my closest friends that have been with feeding curiosity. Since the very beginning, I'm joined by Jordan, Chris, and Joe Jackowski. With both of them here, we dive into making sense of the events over the last few weeks.

Show Notes:

(00:06:45) Opening to the conversation

(00:08:19) The Chaos of the last few weeks

(00:09:06) Jordan's Account of the Chicago Protest

(00:16:01) Aftermath of the protests

(00:19:58) Hierarchical Systems

(00:23:58) Extreme End of Brutality

(00:27:13) Awareness and escaping the moment

(00:34:56) Everyday people and trained professionals

(00:36:52) Normative Error and Peter Attia

(00:40:50) The Moral Element

(00:43:19) Daryl Davis

(00:48:10) How can someone hate me if they don't even know me?

(00:52:35) Dunbar's Number

(00:56:22) Dave Chappelle

(00:59:26) The rawness of this time period

(01:06:35) The Streets are speaking for themselves

(01:10:01) An openness to having a difficult conversation

(01:14:51) Converging morally

(01:25:02) Emotional Awareness

(01:26:39) Wrapping up

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

I am joined with my friend, Joe Jackowski, and this conversation took place after about four hours of conversation, unpacking everything that has happened in the wake of George Floyd's murder.

This is the first time that we can look at and take stock of the events of the protests, riots, and the surrounding reactions, in the world.

This was not to try and pose any solutions, but realistically this conversation was sense-making for myself and Joe. We do our best to try and layout the land of the current situation, which in turn looking at the extremes of this situation and asking. What if; how bad could this get?

And now roughly a week later, do I think it's getting worse? No. I don't think it's getting worse. So I'm hopeful in that sense. But I do believe that the broader philosophical discussions about the direction of this country are speaking between order and chaos.

This was our honest attempt at the layout of the reactions on both sides.

As I said at the end of this conversation is everything we say, and everything I've said, is all about providing a viewpoint that is the most nuanced. And to see this country go in a better direction. Then where it has, obviously some things need to change, and those will change. The big question is, how do we go about changing those things? How we figure this thing out.

There will be one other conversation where myself, Joe, and Jordan, will have our first conversation together.

And that one I think is even better than this one. So stay tuned for that one. It will be the next episode to be released. But until then, please enjoy this conversation with Joe Jackowski.

Show Notes:

(00:04:34) Emotion is a compass

(00:07:14) Dismissal of Habeas Corpus

(00:12:33) Orderly Aspect

(00:14:50) Territory Mapping

(00:17:19) Risk of too much information

(00:19:46) Finding the middle ground

(00:21:35) Orderliness

(00:22:34) Ghost in the Shell

(00:25:13) Overspecialization

(00:27:36) The Funnel of Information

(00:29:31) Hilter and Orderliness taken too Far

(00:32:09)Tying back into Habeas Corpus

(00:33:27) Iceland's reaction to COVID-19

(00:35:59) The left side is a bit tricky

(00:40:03) A case for right-wing to be upset at what happened to George Floyd

(00:45:01) The Left going too far

(00:46:35) Nihilism

(00:49:19) Where is the line on the left and Evergreen

(00:57:57) Coming back together

(00:58:57) What steps can we take now?

(01:03:21) Multivariate problem

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

CT Kaupp helps service-based businesses create a powerful online presence so they can thrive in their marketplace. After five years honing his craft at his late father's adverting agency, he started his own website design business (CT Kaupp, LLC) to disrupt that industry - by providing an uncommon level collaboration and personal 1:1 service. From creating, updating, and maintaining your website, he has you covered. 

CT has spent the last three years on a journey of self-discovery – figuring out what makes him tick, what brings him the most joy and fulfillment, and how to live it out authentically. He approaches each day with purposeful intention and hopes to inspire you to do the same. 

His motto? "BE ELITE" (hat tip to P.J. Fleck, head coach of the Minnesota Golden Gophers).

Show notes:

(00:05:30) Meet CT

(00:06:58) CT's Why

(00:09:38) What CT learned from his father?

(00:12:57) Personalization of craft

(00:14:28) Inspired by coaches

(00:18:02) Brendon Burchard

(00:19:24) It's not just about motivation you have back it up

(00:24:45) What are habits that have worked for you

(00:27:53) Fixed Mindset

(00:31:01) Asking why and thinking outside the box

(00:33:54) Giving yourself space from work

(00:36:53) Power Down Routine

(00:39:16) Dealing with self doubt

(00:42:12) Why being level headed is important

(00:43:35) Being an entrepreneur

(00:46:20) Why are podcasts important?

(00:49:31) Biggest work in progress

(00:52:32) How does CT feed his curiosity?

For more content head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/

A conversation about the ESPN documentary series The Last Dance: from there, we transition to a broader discussion about basketball and legacy of Michael Jordan. Michael Jordan shaped the modern perception of basketball players. We talk about how sport can change the world. Sport provides a blueprint for pushing yourself to do the impossible.

In the fall of 1997, Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls allowed a film crew to follow them as they went for their sixth NBA title in eight seasons. That resulted in a stunning portrait of one of the sport's most iconic athletes and a celebrated team. "The Last Dance" follows the Bulls' 1997-98 season from start to finish, while also covering the rest of the chapters in Jordan's remarkable career. The 10-part docuseries follows the Jordan timeline from when he was an emerging star on his high school team to becoming a worldwide marketing force and cultural figure. The series takes its name from a phrase coined by then-Bulls coach Phil Jackson, who knew that the season would likely be the final run for the core members of that 1990s Bulls dynasty.

Show Notes:

(00:05:13) Introduction

(00:09:15) The ceiling prior to Michael Jordan

(00:14:07) The Bulls and Partying in the beginning

(00:18:58) Scottie Pippin

(00:21:25) Jordan’s break to play baseball

(00:27:17) A higher standard?

(00:33:28) Why Sport can change the world

(00:37:08) Visiting Boston and Patriots Game

(00:44:57) Why is Jordan the GOAT?

(00:55:40) Phil Jackson and a new breed of coach

(01:01:43) The Legacy of Michael Jordan

(01:14:21) Shoes to fill after MJ

Head to https://feedingcuriosity.net/ for more content!