For our last episode of 2018, we decided to try something different (as we periodically do). For the first time ever, we took the show on the road and recorded a two-part interview with a guest (that’s a lot of “firsts”!).

As faithful listeners know, BTO is the podcast where we apply the management consultant’s toolkit to everyday problems. But we realize that many other industries have mental models that can help us improve our work and life as well. From time to time, we will interview successful people in other professions and have them share what thinking tools they use to make business and personal decisions.

We were thrilled to visit the offices of Shane Parrish in Ottawa for our inaugural foray into this format. Shane is the driving force behind one of the world’s most visited and influential blogs - Farnam Street (https://fs.blog/ and featured here in a recent New York Times cover story: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/11/11/business/intelligence-expert-wall-street.html) - as well as the host of the hugely successful podcast “The Knowledge Project” (https://fs.blog/the-knowledge-project/).

In a wide-ranging interview split into two 45 minute episodes, Mike and I ask Shane about everything from his approach to learning, the power of second-order thinking and what lenses he uses to evaluate businesses to what he believes are the secrets to successful parenting and why he thinks Tom Brady became such an amazing QB. There is a lot to ponder here, but also some very concrete ideas to put into practice for your business or life. Tune in to learn about a bit more about Shane Parrish’s toolkit.