Pen{g}sieve Vol. 20: My Favorite Podcast Episodes in 2022

January is the month of goal setting. Thanks to Tiago Forte’s PAR workshop, developing a Personal Annual Review (PAR) in January has become my most important new year ritual over the past three years. This year, I will share my PAR in three components.

Personal Annual Review (Part I): Podcasts that help me grow in 2022

Good content is hard to come by in the age of information overloading. Here is a list of podcasts I listened to in 2022, which have become a huge part of my learning environment.

• Commencement speech

  • This is Water by David Foster Wallace

  • Why: This 20-min speech is short and profound.

• TED talks

  • Why I live in mortal dread of public speaking by Megan Washington

  • Why: my all-time favorite TED talk. This episode always lifts me and brings me a laugh.

• MasterClass

  • Yo-Yo Ma teaches music and connection

  • Why: beautifully designed masterclass, Yo-yo Ma got me when he asked, “Are you human? Do you have feelings?”

• The Art of Accomplishment podcast

  • Leading w/ Crippling anxiety w/ Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (AoA podcast, select EP39)

  • How to see through limiting beliefs (AoA podcast, select EP63)

  • Why: AoA is undoubtedly my favorite podcast; I listen to it multiple times, and I attend AoA community events; its content is unique; it is not information sharing but teaching

• The knowledge project podcast

  • The essentials of leadership w/ Marshall Goldsmith

  • Trusting your instincts w/ Diana Chapman

  • Why: Diana’s episode led me to the 15 commitments of conscious leadership; Marshall (considered the #1 coach of America) is just so wise but with a light touch.

• Flow research collective radio podcast

  • Speak without notes: fill your speech with flow using ultra speaking

  • Why: the Ultraspeaking method surprised me. Because of this episode, I am part of the Ultraspeaking January cohort (halfway through and mind-opening in their public speaking training, highly recommend it)

• Tim Ferris show podcast

  • The lion tracker’s guide to life w/ Boyd Varty (my all-time favorite)

  • How SNL Trains Writers w/ Michael Schur

  • Why: If you do not know where to start on building personal systems, start with the Tim Ferris show. He gets A-list guests and keeps excellent show notes. I often crawl through his show notes to get good recommendations for books, movies, other podcasts, etc.

• I will teach you to be rich podcast by Ramit Rethi

  • Who should pay on a date? Money, dating @ dealbreakers with Mattew Hussey

  • Why: Ramit talks about money psychology. He exemplifies great listening skills and conflict resolution. It’s fun to listen to.

• One Insight by Rich Litvin

  • Power of transitioning

  • Why: Rich is a master coach and likes to challenge people’s thinking. This podcast consists mainly of short coaching sessions. When I feel complacent or need a dose of new thinking, I listen to One Insight.

• Movie

  • Good Luck to You, Leo Grande by Emma Thompson

  • Why: great script, great acting, for mature women watching by themselves