Matt Miller: What would you learn if you took notes on the best podcasts? – Crazy Wisdom

Key Takeaways

• “Pretty much everything I do now, I think I’ve learned from the world of podcasting”
  • For Matt, this includes: Frequently using the sauna, getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, eating lots of vegetables, and wearing blue light blocking glasses before bed
• There are so many interesting people to learn from and because of the internet it’s easier than ever before to connect with them
• Ask yourself: “If nothing else mattered but how I were spending my time, how would I occupy it?
  • Whatever your answer is…. do more of it! Who knows where it will lead you down the line?
  • The world needs more people doing what they truly love – everyone is better off because of it
• The podcast space is still at its infancy and has a lot of room to grow

Intro

• Matt (@PodNotesMatt) is the Head of Content at Podcast Notes
• Host – Stewart Alsop (@StewartalsopIII)

Matt’s Recent Backpacking Trip

• Matt recently returned from a long backpacking trip where he spent time in Thailand and Vietnam
  • The trip served as a trial run for running Podcast Notes full-time
    • It’s always a challenge to balance work while traveling and still manage to make time to check out the sites and sample the local cuisine
    • Eventually, Matt fell into a routine which allowed him the best of both worlds:
      • Mornings – working on Podcast Notes from a select rotation of coffee shops
      • Afternoons – workout out, exploring, eating
      • Early evenings – back to Podcast Notes
      • Late evening – dinner and more exploring
  • Matt is planning to travel again in the fall in order to continue the digital nomad life

About Podcast Notes

• Matt has been working on Podcast Notes since the summer of 2017
  • Podcast Notes was originally started by Yoni Falkson in 2015
• There is no specific formula as to what podcasts are covered – Matt mainly takes notes on self-improvement podcasts that interest him
  • (Fortunately, many other people in the Podcast Notes community have those same interests!)
• Podcast Notes is still growing and it’s unclear where the future will take the site
  • One thing’s for sure – the podcast space is still at its infancy and has a lot of room to grow

Lessons Learned from the Podcast World

• “Pretty much everything I do now, I think I’ve learned from the world of podcasting”
• Here are a few lessons Matt picked up from listening to podcasts, mixed in with his daily routine:
  • He doesn’t use an alarm to wake up and usually sleeps for 8+ hours
  • He tracks his sleep with an Oura Ring
    • Purchase a ring of your own using this link for a $50 discount applied at checkout
  • Matt practices intermittent fasting
    • Breakfast = lots of black coffee
  • Every now and then he practices meditation (but as many would agree, it’s hard to stick to)
  • After taking these Podcast Notes, Matt stopped drinking tap water and switched solely to spring water
  • Matt uses a VARIDESK standing desk
  • After working the whole morning, Matt often hits the sauna for a midday break
  • Matt usually breaks his fast with a late lunch around 3-4 PM
  • Matt typically hits the gym 3-4x a week focusing mainly on the compound lifts (squats, deadlifts, and bench press)
  • When it comes to diet, the best advice people need to hear: eat more vegetables
  • At night, Matt tries to minimize the amount of blue light he’s exposed to by wearing blue light blocking glasses (use the code “PodcastNotes10” for 10% off at checkout) 
  • To wind down before bed, Matt will often read a bit of fiction
• The main lesson learned from Kapil Gupta: Look for the truth in all of life’s situations

Matt’s Favorite Podcasts

• Everything on this list – The Top 10 Podcasts of 2018
  • If you’re pressed for time and can only pick one to listen to, Matt would suggest Brandon Stanton’s Appearance on The Tim Ferriss Show
  • And of course, Sleep Expert Dr. Matthew Walker’s Appearance on Joe Rogan is a must listen
• Everything Naval Ravikant puts out

Why take notes?

• Podcasts very often tend to be 2-3 hours in length, making it hard to finish in one sitting
  • Because of this, it’s difficult to really grasp and remember the episode’s key concepts – that’s where Podcast Notes comes in!
• The act of writing things down (or typing) really helps solidify the information in your brain

Parting Advice From Matt

• Combine the following advice:
  • “When you create one opportunity for yourself, often times that opportunity will create more opportunities – so get off your ass and go do something.” – Ramit Sethi
  • Ask yourself: “If nothing mattered but how I was spending my time, what would I be doing? What would be most nourishing for me in any given moment?” – Brandon Stanton
• So – if nothing else mattered but how you were spending your time, how would you occupy it?
  • Whatever your answer is…. do more of it! Who knows where it will lead you down the line?
    • The world needs more people doing what they truly love – everyone is better off because of it

Additional Notes

• Advice for podcasters – experiment and have fun with it! There are no rules.
  • Stewart is considering recording a podcast while giving his guest a massage
  • Someone should take up recording podcasts in a sauna (the intense heat is thought to have a truth serum like effect)
• Podcast Notes offers health, diet, and fitness consultations
• There’s a trend in the podcast industry towards shorter podcasts (like what Naval Ravikant and Kapil Gupta are doing)
• There are so many interesting people to learn from and because of the internet, it’s easier than ever before to connect with them
• Today people say “Let’s get coffee” when they want to connect with someone new or hang with an old friend
  • 5 years from now, it’s very likely that will change to “Let’s record a podcast”
• Podcasting is like a networking party for introverts