Chris’ll Deal With It

EP 30 - Water You Going To Do Now?

Today's question:
I just had my first annual review. My boss was critical of pretty much everything: My work, my attitude, and my future with the company. I like my job and would like to keep it, but I don’t think there’s anything I can do to change my bosses’ mind. What should I do now?
The 6 Metaphors:
Water always finds its level
It’s water under the bridge
The Parable of the Depths
Mit allen Wassern gewaschen (Washed with all the waters)
“Be Like Water”
You can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink
Episode Quote: David Foster Wallace's This Is Water
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 29 - Balancing The Benefits Of Our Tech

Today's question:
I’m struggling to find a balance between the benefits of all our technology with the downsides of their effects on me individually and on our society as a whole. Any advice?
References in the episode:
RocaNews
Morning Brew
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 28 - Each Of Us A Ship Of Theseus

Today’s episode explores the concept of the Ship of Theseus. This philosophical paradox asks: If you replace every component of a ship, one by one over time, does it remain the same ship?
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 27 - Managing The Middle: Building Walls While The House Is On Fire

The Managing The Middle series offers advice on serving as a better bridge between the divides within our organizations, societies, and lives. It’s the kind of advice I would have benefitted from when I started managing projects and people in my twenties. The series is also intended as a counter to polarization and extremism, an aide to embracing the shades of gray between issues.
Today I’m focusing on one of my favorite sayings:
It’s hard to build walls when the house is on fire.
It’s meant to capture a specific tension: Balancing the building of meaningful, substantial things that matter (such as systems, tools or products), against the constant barrage of modern life (unplanned problems, constant interruptions, mundane tasks & demands on our time)
The previous Managing The Middle Series: Episode 9 - 5 Strategies For Charlie Bucket
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 26 - Advice In The Age of Algorithms

Today's question:
I’m a junior in college and gearing up for my first major summer internship. I’m worried about the rising influence of AI apps like ChatGPT. What advice would you give to someone entering the workforce in this new environment?
References in the episode quote: Rob Reid’s article on Ars Technica
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 25 - A Forest of Decision Trees

I recently caught up with a friend coping with the aftermath of a difficult situation. We got to talking about decision trees as a model for the complexity of that situation. It helps to frame the challenges faced, and provide deeper context to the end result. On today’s episode, I’m expanding my thoughts on this mental model, in the context of past events, potential future ones, and handling projects & processes.
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 24 - Exhausted Yet Eager

Today's question:
What do I do when I’m exhausted? Do I force myself to do what I planned, or reschedule it? Should I make sure I accomplish something, even if it’s something less than planned?
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 23 - 6 Phases For Prosperous Pitching

Today's question:
I’ve recently been promoted to a role that requires sales outreach. I’ve never had to setup something like this before. Plus, I don’t think of myself as a good networker. What advice do you have on organizing my effort to successfully pitch potential customers?
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 22 - Book Notes: Program Or Be Programmed by Douglas Rushkoff

Late in 2022 I read Douglas Rushkoff’s 2010 book Program or Be Programmed: Ten Commands for a Digital Age. Despite it’s publication date, Rushkoff presents evidence and arguments targeted to the emerging trends of the time. As those trends have been realized, his arguments have become even more vital.
On today’s episode I’ll review my book notes, highlighting my key takeaways & actions that will help me implement his ten commands into living a better life.
This was the most impactful book I read in 2022 - and I haven’t stopped thinking about it since. I can’t recommend this book enough, and it’s inspired the first of these Book Notes episodes. While I’m providing my personal highlights, this is one of those books where the summary isn’t enough. It’s a concise, accessible book. Rushkoff’s writing style and depth of understanding are critical to crystallizing his arguments and commands.
It’s my hope that listening to this episode inspires you to pick up this deeply influential work and explore it for yourself.
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 21 - Live Interview: Jack Parra - Working With Artists

I sat down with Jack Parra at PhilCon 2022 for a live interview. It's part retrospective on working together on the Rainy River Bees series, part deep-dive into working with artists.
There's great links and reference images in the show notes. To download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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