The MultiPod

We enter the 5th Anniversary week of The MultiPod, starting with Episode #099, published 5 years to the day from Episode #001 (What Does Multipotentiality Mean to You).

Episode 99 welcomes Deb Bilger, and quickly evolves into a conversation on "place," a common theme here over many episodes. Deb and co-host Vanessa both live in Edmonton, Alberta, and even co-host Ted spent a few short months there in between jobs, 16 years ago (although it doesn't feel that long ago). We chat about commonalities and the not-so-distinct nature of the city, where streets are numbered and the suburbs are uniform. It can be quite nice though, Edmonton certainly has its merits.

But how did Deb end up there, having grown up and spent formative years in Toronto, Ontario? In fact, it's an adventurous tale that starts with a true "lightbulb moment:" when Deb suddenly realized one day that she was ready to quit her job, sell virtually everything and move to Santiago, Chile to immerse herself in Spanish.

The takeaway: Just Do It. 

But it doesn't have to be a big life-changing decision. You can have moments like that every day, which is another valuable lesson.

Deb spent most of her time teaching Business English in Chile, but networking and serendipitous connections also led to some pretty unique and profound opportunities. She found herself translating, from Spanish into English, sensitive, raw testimonials from the 2010 Copiapó Mining disaster in Chile, where all 33 trapped miners were sucessfully rescued after 69 days.

And she had already lived through her own trauma, the 2010 Chilean earthquake, 8.8 on the scale for 3 minutes!

Then we switch to learning about writing and translating labels for Chilean wine, where the payment is sometimes made in bottles ;)

Language is another common theme on The MultiPod, and we find ourselves talking about dreaming in another language. Our subconscious brains certainly seem to know more than they are letting on to our conscious brain. It's fascinating to consider what we don't know we know.

Meanwhile, Deb has heard the Dalai Lama speak in person, twice. Meditation was a significant takeaway from these experiences, and these days there are useful apps to help you decompress and focus, even while waiting in your car.

Our conversation today is interspersed with numerous themes and topics, and includes a big announcement from Vanessa: A new Puttypeep is on the way! Due date in March!

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Quantum Computing and Artificial Intelligence take centre-stage in today's episode of The MultiPod, and it's framed around the challenge of building and shaping a career in those (and similar) fields, while maintaining a sense of control over your life, and balance between your interests and values.

Melissav is on this road as we speak, having embarked on a career in fascinating scientific disciplines, yet not wanting to be trapped into any one in particular. Fortunately, of late she has been in the midst of a healthy pause and reset, purposefully in between jobs, and considering her next options. This has meant taking time to rediscover hobbies and passions, build new and healthy habits and ponder her journey to this point.

As listeners of The MultiPod, in learning today about Melissa and her story we also get fascinating insight into her most recent field of Artificial Intelligence. Melissa's research includes studying "deep learning" in AI, and identifying and mitigating bias in AI models. Biased data comes from biased humans, so how do we circumvent that? Can we align AI with human values, and of course who determines what those values are?

Now, narrow-use cases mean it's very unlikely that AI would develop "a mind of its own." It's unlikely that your Tesla will become sentient. The goal in this stage of development is to creat authenticity in AI and the user experience (think chat bots and the like).

And then we pivot into quantum computing!, Melissa's next potential career step.

If you've heard the term and are curious to understand more and put it into perspective, Melissa gives us a great summary.

One of the impending impacts of quantum computing is on our current encryption models and systems. If you're familiar with Shor's Algorithm, you'll know what it could do in the hands of a quantum computer. We could (and probably should) be seeing wholesale changes to the structure and systems of our cybersecurity in the very near future.

So how does one build a meaningful "career" in a burgeoning field, while maintaining control over their choices and commitments?

And then there's the impact that starting a career and getting into the working world has upon other interests and hobbies, which get pushed to the wayside, almost intentionally. As we talk about often on this show, we need to recognize the need to be intentional about our projects, hobbies and interests. We can't count on them to materialize naturally.

"Shape your life *and* your calendar around what matters to you!"

Keep the conversation going with Melissa, check out her site and leave a message.

We even preview possible future Puttyverse Panel discussions, something new for the community...

It's an episode chock full of learning, inspiration, ideas and excitement!

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

From Zambia via The Puttyverse

Here in the Puttyverse we have always enjoyed connecting people together from around the world, in different time zones, languages and cultures, and The MultiPod is no exception. We're delighted today to welcome Mapalo, our first guest from Zambia, to share her story of being born and growing up in the US, but then moving to her family's native Zambia only later in her formative teenage years.

Mapalo is now busy building, with her business partners, an innovative and original business in Lusaka, providing digitization services for organizations that currently process information and tasks manually. It's an idea bursting with opportunity, and in true multipotentialite fashion has tremendous potential for variety.

One's mind is drawn immediately towards government or business clients, but they are also looking at ideas like giving amateur athletes access to a digital database, so scouts and colleges can more easily find them and unearth their talent. Or college students, who need to find a dormitory or similar residence, and could tap into an app that shows them available space and what their options are. 

Along the way, Mapalo has come to recognize that she's more drawn to entrepreneurship than following along the lines of her parents' structured careers, at least for now. She was in fact a step away from pursuing medical school, but fate perhaps intervened and sent her in a different direction.

Mapalo also tells us a bit about life in Zambia, learning the local dialect and even adjusting to the more British English that is spoken there, as opposed to the American English she grew up with.

Moving back then amounted to a sort of "reverse culture shock," where things seem familiar, and arguably should be, but it's still a massive adjustment to actually live through it. The conversation is reminiscent of our episodes talking about Third Culture Kids, and the adaptation that goes with it. All part of the international flavour of our community.

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

Today we welcome to the podcast Dee, our new Pop Up Friend. Dee is the type of Puttypeep who seems like she's been around for ages, and yet somehow only joined the community just a few short weeks ago.

Her profile is a wonderful and diverse mix of interests, passions, commitments, projects, businesses, studies and new beginnings. Co-hosts Vanessa and Ted chat with Dee today about as many of those as we can squeeze into 35 minutes. 

Dee's journey has taken her from a childhood in Southeast Asia to living the past decade in Berlin, Germany, reflecting her TCK (Third Culture Kid) roots. That remains her current home base, but it might change depending on the evolution of her latest project, which would ultimately involve a 15 year commitment, in other words an eternity for a multipotentialite!

In our conversation we chat about how empowering it is to end things on our own terms, even when to outsiders it typically seems like a strange or illogical decision. Dee reflects on her plethora of ideas and creative projects, and how for her, ideas that have application in the real world make them even more exciting and motivating.

Pursue your dreams and projects, but not to the detriment of everything else. Sometimes we have to focus and commit to something, but we each have to find the balance between putting enough time into it to make it worthwhile, or in other words, to "give it a chance," while still respecting our other interests and projects.

It's the constant give-and-take, and it can feel like a lonely journey. Thank goodness we have the Puttyverse, a community where you can share your latest, bravest, craziest dream and feel acknowledged, encouraged and understood.

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

The MultiPod is back from its latest summer break, and today's host Ted is joined by Puttyverse polyglot Roby for a fun and thought-provoking conversation that floats through languages, travel, making big career changes, trusting yourself and your instincts and immersing yourself in transitions.

Roby hails from Switzerland (the Italian-speaking part ;), and after training as a translator, walked away from a typical corporate, mainstream career path to move to Rome and become an actress. 

19 years later, with numerous roles and experiences under her belt, including being part of Academy Award-submitted films, it was time to change again and leave the crazy hustle and intensity of Rome behind. She returned to a small Swiss village of cows, churches and a few hundred people, near the Italian border, to plan her next step.

But as we talk about today, that didn't necessarily imply a short stopover or a transition with a deadline. More than two years hence, she remains there, pursuing new career and business ideas including coaching and mentoring, voice-over work and online opportunities, yet still with the intention of moving on. Probably.

It is a conversation about coming and going, finding home and awareness of place. Contrasts. Quiet versus noisy.

And on finding the things you really, really want to do - finding that clarity and confidence.

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

The MultiPod has been on our summer break, but we're getting warmed up again with this bonus episode for you.

One of our plans over the next little while is to profile some of the Groups in the Puttyverse, to learn more about them and perhaps give them a boost of attention, a chance to make some announcements, or recognize achievements.

The Entrepreneurs group has been up and running for about a year and a half, but it's down to one facilitator (Ted) and could use a bit of a boost. True to form, entrepreneurs can get pretty busy and sometimes things fall through the cracks.

New Puttyverse member Rossco is here to lend a hand with his bountiful energy and enthusiasm. 

In this bonus episode, we get a bit of an introduction to Ross and his background, but mostly dive into the nature of the Entrepreneurs group, how we can make it more useful and engaging, and cater to its members and their needs.

To that end, we promote an upcoming Huddle for the group, the next Offers & Needs Market, and in particular, highlight the Puttyverse Marketplace spreadsheet, where community members can find help in getting tasks done and supporting each other, whether through paid work, bartering, skills exchange or sometimes simply giving someone the chance to practice a skill.

There's lots to look forward to, and we'll see what we can accomplish organically, one step at a time.

If you are a Puttyverse Group Facilitator, reach out to The MultiPod at [email protected] and let us know how we can promote your group and its activities! Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

Sven Sommers is an audio producer based in Berlin, Germany, helping to lead a team of experts that fosters creativity and brings to life the projects of their clients. They recently put together the German language version of a new official Batman original podcast series, Batman under Toten (Batman Unburied), which was released simultaneously around the globe in different languages, featuring Hollywood actors.

In this role, Sven taps into his own creative energies, especially in the vein of audio design and music. Experiencing the reward of helping others figure out the intricacies of audio recording and get their message out to the world.

But how does the producer balance their own need to create, not to mention the day-to-day tasks of running a business, overseeing employees, marketing and client recruitment and making sure the bills are paid?

Sven's insight is that we each need to figure out the balance that works for us, whether you measure that in percentages of time, or let it unfold in a fluid, organic way that stays true to your needs and interests.

Co-hosts Vanessa and Ted join Sven today on The MultiPod, reflecting on the nature of "being a professional," where there are certain expectations and standards that come with the territory when money, contracts and commitments are involved. At what point can we let go of imposter syndrome, how do you know when you're good enough?

Meanwhile, there's the question of putting in the time and effort to become an "expert" in something, in the 10,000 hour mode, which clearly is a struggle for any multipotentialite! Multipods want to be good at something, but to devote that much time to a skill, at the expense of virtually anything else, is an instant source of recoil. We need to find that point of being "good enough," and trust in ourselves and in our ability to do something well, even if we haven't put in the 10k hours.

Sven shares his experience with this, particularly his contentment with his life and business, and finding that balance. Podcasting and entrepreneurship are great ways to combine a professional endeavour with variety and creativity.

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

Deepti Kannapan joins The MultiPod today to talk about Multipotentiality With a Purpose, and how to try to piece together all the options and interests that you have, especially as you face major life decisions.

Deepti is an engineer, working in the space industry. The company she works for are essentially conslutants to the government, solving problems related to designing and launching spacecraft! Even better, it is a very multipod-friendly environment, as Deepti is routinely bouncing from project to project.

She knew as a child that she was passionate about (at least) two things: nature/ecology/the environment, and math. "After a long negotiation with myself," How was she able to combine math and nature and find interesting, satisfying work?

Her solution has been to consider your interests as like particle clouds, each with their own components and distinct features. As these start to clarify and solidify, find a theme or direction that pulls everything together. Look for overlaps.

Deepti's underlying direction is to pursue a broader mission of environmental sustainability, and that guides her choices and commitments. It all sounds very methodical, but Deepti only considers it as such on a very small scale! She mentions the author Ellen Brock whom she discovered recently, who combines methodology and just winging it. Often we just rely on intuition, and intuition is like a weird click when it suddenly falls into place.

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

Where should I work?

It's perhaps the #1 question for most multipotentialites, at least at some point in your journey, and for many an ongoing struggle and challenge. Even if we find a job we enjoy, that suits our lifestyle and interests, how long will we be able to sustain that? What would happen if, for any reason, the job disappears or stops making sense: what are the chances that you could find something similar?

These are very existential questions, compounded by the fact that they may need to be resolved more than once, indeed it could reoccur many times.

Fortunately, in 2021 some determined and helpful Puttypeep took it upon themselves to set up a structured process to help multipotentialites with their job searching, in the form of an official group, the "Job Search Support Group." With now over 78 members, it has become a tremendously valuable resource and one of the most vibrant components of the Puttyverse.

Co-Facilitators Antonia, Elaine and Sonia join Vanessa in today's episode of The MultiPod to chat about the group's development, how it has impacted so many people and how it continues to grow and evolve.

The group is structured around two streams: the "Discovery" stream and the "Landing the job" stream. With coaching sessions interspersed between both. The two streamas were born out of the initial discussions on what people wanted:

- Discovering what is your ideal job, what you would like to do, what are your strengths. How to find a job that really suits you.

- Finding social and emotional support for job searching.

Having just passed one year as a group, with 11 coaches and 2 facilitators, at least 14 members have now found work that they enjoy, while others are moving along well in the process. The group is putting more and more emphasis on the monthly drop-in huddles as a way to connect and maintain momentum. 

Find your confidence, and know that you're not alone!

The Job Search Support Group helps you find what it takes to feel ready: gaining self-knowledge and awareness to follow each step. Remember to listen to your own voice. 

You can find the job that's right for you!

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.

April 17, 2012: The Puttyverse (Tribe) officially opened its doors to its first members, and a new experiment was born. Could an online, virtual community survive and thrive without revolving around a specific hobby or topic, but rather something far more transcendental like multipotentiality? What was that term anyway?

What would Emilie Wapnick have thought on that day, thinking "Imagine if this community was still around 10 years from now..."

And here we are.

Vanessa and Ted are joined by Emilie and Joel to discuss the early days of Puttyland, from concept to reality, and how it has changed, evolved, grown and adapted in the decade since.

When did Emilie start thinking about turning her blog into a community? What was the catalyst?

Tune in to learn the origins of the very first huddle!

And at what point did Emilie recognize she was ready for more substantial help, and turned to Joel, with a promise of full spreadsheet functionality?

Even for those of us who have been around for a few years, it's remarkable to go back even further to consider those early days, the growing pains and equally, the possibilites. 

What was the outlook like in the early days, would there be enough people to grow and sustain this? How does a community go from an idea to something real and concrete (at least digitally-speaking)?

The diversity of topics and subjects in the Puttyverse, as per the definition of it, makes the community so much different from other online communities that are typically focused on one interest or subject. We may be drawn here because of a yearning for identity and empathy, and then we discover all sorts of interesting ideas and projects to learn about and participate in.

But at the end of the day, it's a community first and foremost. We're drawn together and we stick around because we like each other and enjoy each other's company. The weird, wacky, creative, original, positive and encouraging people that make The Puttyverse what it is.

Our 10th Anniversary is a celebration of gratitude for what we've built, and of the relationships built therein. "They're relationships that mean something. They last," as Joel says.

So where is The Puttyverse 10 years later?

"Beyond what I ever thought it could be," - Emilie.

Stream more episodes of The MultiPod on our site, or on your favourite podcast app.