Chris’ll Deal With It

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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EP 20 - 2022 Reading Review

What a year of reading it’s been. On today’s episode I’m going to recap what I read this year, in case anything piques your interest for 2023 reading. Check the show notes for images & links to all the titles mentioned on the show.
Sites Mentioned on the show:The Story GraphGoodreadsNotion
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 19 - Shaming A Suspicious Solicitor

Last month, while working from HQ, I spotted a solicitor dropping flyers off through my neighborhood. On this episode, I share this odd story and strategies you can use to better identify red flags around suspicious sales tactics to protect yourself and your neighbors. And if you’re a local business looking to drum up business door-to-door, heed the warnings within!
NOTE: On this episode I edited out any reference to the company or specific service - this isn’t intended to be a hit piece on this specific solicitor.
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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EP 18 - Be A Blizzard Wizard

Here in the Northeast, winter slowly approaches. Over the years, I’ve witnessed many incidents due to poor planning. On today’s episode, I’ll share some tips that might help people experienced with blizzards to those who get the rare winter dusting. There’s plenty of actionable advice for dealing with all kinds of storms, so let’s unpack what it takes to be a Blizzard Wizard.
For more info & to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI
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