Unrecorded Podcasts

“Unrecorded podcast” is a term I use to describe conversations that I have with friends with the following criteria:

1. They are regular. It doesn’t matter how regular (weekly, bi-weekly, monthly); what’s important is that these conversations are scheduled to happen. This commitment ensures you’re more likely to learn new things to discuss when the time comes.
2. They’re the length of a podcast (e.g. more than 30 minutes up to a couple of hours). This is long enough to dig deep, or cover a good breadth of different topics. Either way, you’re likely to learn something.
3. There’s at least 3 people. I tend to find that conversations are better with 3. Too many more and it can get too crowded. Keep it between 2-5.
4. Invited guest speakers. Inviting guests can introduce new ideas and perspectives. If you’re talking with someone more experienced, you’re also more likely to sustain a conversation as a group than on your own.

For example, I have a group chat where we talk about the latest in robotics. We send each other links and have a call every week or two. Sometimes we invite other people to join the call with us. My ability to learn about robotics is so much quicker now.

Everyone should have at least one unrecorded podcast. Maybe one day it’ll turn into an actual one.