26 Comments
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LB - The Happy Underachiever's avatar

I'm 1/2 way through "Inside the Box" and the writing IS so tight and efficient yet jam packed with substantial information. I actually have to read it slower and perhaps reread it. I see a huge difference from book 1, and even book 2 David!

In a world where people are used to skimming and reading fast, your book is forcing me to slow down to really digest the information in a deep way.

David Epstein's avatar

You've made my day. I really worked hard to get tighter with my writing, and I think having a structural plan helped tremendously with that. Thank you so much for leaving this note.

Cindy Ojczyk's avatar

Wow, powerful, vulnerable conversation. I'm glad Henny Heimenz recommended I read this. My favorite line - "Give yourself evidence you belong, then trust the evidence."

Brad Stulberg's avatar

Thanks for reading, Cindy! I'm glad you found this piece and it found you! If you haven't yet, check out the books! I suspect you'll love them! Much more where this came from!

David Epstein's avatar

Pass my thanks to Henny! And I agree, that's a great line.

Margit Kir-Stimon's avatar

I love the saying "Own your Own Seat". What a great way to talk about claiming your right to a voice and opinions and creative expression. It's taken me a lifetime to "own my own seat", but it's been worth the journey to finally get here.

David Epstein's avatar

That was my favorite part of Brad's book. That said, I'm definitely not all the way there, so comforted to hear that maybe it takes a lifetime.

Garrett Fowler.'s avatar

This was a great collab piece!

We have to avoid the distractions, find what we love, and go after it passionately.

It's cool to care! Be greater.

Brad Stulberg's avatar

Thanks, Garrett! Keep going!

David Epstein's avatar

Well said Garrett!

Proprietary AI Inventor.'s avatar

Beautiful article.

As an AI Architect for whom the world spins faster than a politician; I’m proud to be here😅

Brad Stulberg's avatar

Thanks, Max! (I picture a globe spinning at 101181817 RPMs in your world right now, haha!)

Proprietary AI Inventor.'s avatar

Well,? I didn’t want to say anything 😜🤣

David Epstein's avatar

So kind of you to say, Max! And very interestingly put. I'm happy to have you here;)

Proprietary AI Inventor.'s avatar

I hear the diplomacy, David; but in my mind…I see the smile☺️🫂

David Epstein's avatar

I genuinely enjoyed the unique turn of phrase!

Meg Daday's avatar

No surprise, I love this! 😆 I’ve started seeing where sharper focus, micro moves, and better constraints/rituals would improve pretty much every area of my life. More crossover content, please!

David Epstein's avatar

Hey Meg! And I appreciate the vote for more crossover content! Once I slow down a bit more from book craziness, I really do want to do more of that. I already have Angela Duckworth in my sites;)

JAMES LANSBERRY's avatar

Ok you convinced me. I bought the other book and I will read them together. Super helpful post of you conversation that overlays some personal struggles I’m coming to grips with in my work and life. Thank you.

David Epstein's avatar

James, you and me both. I'm working through a lot right now, both in work and elsewhere. I appreciate you sharing that, even just at a general level, somehow even just reading it made me feel a little less lonely in my efforts today. Thank you for being here, and I'm so glad you found something useful.

JAMES LANSBERRY's avatar

I started both books yesterday finally after finishing some other reading projects. After 1 chapter in for each they dovetail nicely and also address something I wanted to be focused on in my own life right now so I'm appreciating this conversation "recording" all the more. Range Widely continues to be one of my most recommended Substacks.

Antonio Iturra's avatar

Loved your joint jam!

I really value of you put yourselves out there complementing the research, as all of us are: people that are trying. We make mistakes. We struggle. We fear. But we're alive.

One of the mantras I need to keep repeating myself is "Do it. Then do it better". Part of the road has been also knowing myself deeper and wider. Embracing my identities and delving into each of them to see what I find. Not numbing down the signal.

And the texture you both provide is really delightful. Knowing Brad lifts weights, David was a runner and football player, and now trying to dance! I think that spikiness and weirdness, and putting it out there is what really makes us unique. From design, not by default. From the inner work. The examined life, if you want.

I'm about to finish David's work but I had Brad's book on my TBR. Maybe it's time to upgrade it and get it :)

Thanks to both and truly, I hope you continue to write together!

Brad Stulberg's avatar

Thank you for sharing all of this, Antonio! Yes, life is full and rich when we have the guts to step into the arena. The books pair like peanut butter and jelly! I hope you like it!

Daniel Gozo's avatar

I liked the idea of a ritual and cutting down toggling attention to regain focus on what matters in the moment. Great share.

Bridgitte Rodguez's avatar

I like attention management rather than time management-- that's a great way to think about how we move through the world now and the various activities that not only occupy our time, but our attention. There's that one quote-- I'm going to butcher it, but something about how we spend our time is how we spend our lives. That fits here. What we focus our attention on is how we prioritize, how we focus and ultimately what we're choosing to make important. So do we want our attention to be focused for hours on end on pointless videos on YouTube? Or do we want to spend our attention on something more meaningful? Anyway, as always another thought provoking interview, and another book to add to my ever growing tbr. Though I'm going to move both of these towards the top as I've unexpectedly found myself with hours to fill for the next few weeks and these might just be a good use of my attention for when I'm back home to my regular life.

Ruth Nelson's avatar

Thank you. I feel like I always start my comments thus, but 'tis fitting - the work you and Brad are doing is enriching the world, and as one of the beneficiaries of that enrichment, methinks I should begin with gratitude.

I particularly savored the comments on rituals and routines. I once watched a long interview with Angela Lansbury, given towards the end of her life. She continued performing into her 90s (I had the privilege of seeing her in Blithe Spirit!), and remained healthy and active. When asked for her secret, she emphasized the importance of routine. Her everyday habits - sleeping, eating, activities - were carefully regimented, down to the last cup of tea. Though many modern folks would see this as a stifling existence, for her, the stability of her life rituals centered her in each moment and empowered her to LIVE, fully and dynamically, years past her peers.

I see this in my life of faith as well. Growing up in nondenominational, somewhat unstructured church environments, I did not always value the importance of ritual. As I got older, though, I began to crave a more rooted style of worship, rooted in historical church traditions which have been practiced for centuries and are still practiced by Christians around the globe. My husband and I bonded initially over our shared interest in these more traditional forms of worship. We ended up getting married in an Episcopal church, and are now confirmed in the Anglican church. Every week, we go through the same service, reciting the same words and going forward to receive communion in the same posture. Though many modern folks - many modern Christians, specifically - would see this as stifling and rote, for me, the stability of these rituals centers me in the historical, global faith community and empowers me to LIVE my faith, more fully and dynamically with each passing Sunday.