Episode 230: Meichi Ng, the Barely Functional Adult behind ‘Barely Functional Adult’

By Brendan O’Meara

Become a Patron!

Meichi Ng is the genius behind Barely Functional Adult, her wildly popular web comic. Her first book is … Barely Functional Adult: It’ll All Make Sense Eventually (Harper Perennial).

I can’t speak highly enough about it. It’s hilarious and heartfelt.

In this episode we chat about:

  • Holding onto positive thoughts in a negative world
  • The scary nature of hitting publish
  • Her comic workflow
  • Balancing images and prose and lots more

You can now become a Patreon member of the CNFin’ community. I have four tiers of membership and if you do the math on the BIG tier, it’s actually a killer deal.

Becoming a member supports the podcast, supports the audio mag, grants you exclusive content, transcripts, and access to me as an editor and coach. Every dollar goes into producing the show and leading to more creative independence, which means I can make more cool stuff for you.

I know it’s a big ask, but I figure it’s better than a tip jar as you’ll get some cool stuff in exchange for your membership.

Keep the conversation going on social media @CNFPod and consider leaving a kind review on Apple Podcasts. They help with the packaging of the show. If you can’t or don’t want to leave one on Apple, you can email me a review and I’ll read it on air and use it as I court sponsors.

Don’t forget to subscribe to the free monthly newsletter where I share reading recommendations, articles, blogs, and what you might have missed from the world of the CNFin’ podcast. First of the month. No spam. Can’t beat it.

Brendan’s Monthly Newsletter: First of the month! No spam! Can’t beat it!

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Episode 229: A License to be Curious with ‘Fossil Men’ author Kermit Pattison

Kermit Pattison in the field in Ethiopia. Love the notebook in the pocket.

By Brendan O’Meara

Kermit Pattison (@KermitPattison) steps up this week to talk about his new book Fossil Men: The Quest for the Oldest Skeleton and the Origins of Humankind (William Morrow, 2020).

It’s a great read about the rivalries among scientists, the purity of the mission, discovery and inquiry. Kermit does an admirable job of making this science accessible.

We talk about:

  • His license to be curious
  • Developing his chops as a reporter
  • Deciding what to leave in and leave out
  • His Bookshelf for the Apocalypse (!) and much more!

Keep the conversation going on social media @CNFPod. Consider leaving a kind a review of the show wherever you listen to podcasts. I’ll be sure to read it on the air and give you the love you deserve.

A Patreon page is coming VERY soon, so I want to prime the pump for that. I’m excited to offer some cool goodies and access and coaching for those who are willing to take the leap. It’ll help keep the lights on. This enterprise is free, but it ain’t cheap!

Kermit’s Bookshelf for the Apocalypse

Norton Anthology of Poetry
A John Le Carre novel
Collected Works of Charles Dickens
Fossil Men
A blank journal

A special call out to journalists and nonfiction writers who could use some extra support in these unpredictable times. Writers House Pittsburgh is accepting applications for a 6 month residency starting as early as January 2021. The Writers House is a physical home and long-term residency seeking to provide housing stability, mentorship, and community when you need it most. Head over to WritersHousePittsburgh.org to learn more. Applications will close on November 30th. 

Brendan’s Monthly Newsletter: First of the month! No spam! Can’t beat it!

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Episode 228: Annie Duke Tells You How to Decide

Annie Duke
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By Brendan O’Meara

Annie Duke (@AnnieDuke) is a world-class poker player and the author of How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices.

This book is essential reading because what is more fundamental to life than making decisions? It provides a framework for making the most educated decisions, objective decisions, and the context to tell you whether or not a bad outcome was, in fact, the result of a bad decision.

There are many instances where you make a great decision, but the outcome is horrible. When you see the play calling at the end of Super Bowl when New England beat Seattle, you realize Pete Carroll’s decision to throw was a brilliant decision, but it had the worst possible outcome.

It’s a bad throw. But that’s not the point. Annie breaks this play down in the podcast.

Great decision … TERRIBLE outcome. What if they complete the pass? Greatest, gutsiest call in history! That’s resulting and that’s what Annie gets at, among other things, in her new book.

Keep the conversation going by linking up to the show on social media, @CNFPod.

Books by Annie

How to Decide
Thinking in Bets: Making Smarter Decisions When You Don’t Have All the Facts
How I Raised, Folded, Bluffed, Flirted, Cursed and Won Millions

CNFin’ Monthly Newsletter!

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Episode 227: The Futility of Reassurance and Being on the Hook with Seth Godin

Seth Godin Photo credit: Darius Bashar and Archangel
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By Brendan O’Meara

“That’s what the practice is. It’s for people who have read enough blog posts or books to know the method, but for whatever reason look straight at the method and blink,” says Seth Godin.

Seth is the author of twenty books and I’m thrilled to celebrate his latest book, The Practice: Shipping Creative Work.

It’s an incredible book and the book we need for these distracting and troubling times. You’ll want to pair this book with The Dip and This is Marketing. And Linchpin.

You’ll want to keep the conversation going on social media, @CNFPod, across the Big Three.

Signing up for the my monthly newsletter is where it’s at! Reading recommendations, writing tips, and news from the podcast. I hosted the first CNFin’ Zoom Happy Hour for newsletter subscribers. If you want to come to the next one, subscribe! Once a month. No spam. Can’t beat it.

If I’ve made something worth sharing, I hope you you’ll considering linking up to the show on social media. And if you have a moment, leave a kind review on Apple Podcasts.

OK, that’s it, friend. Please enjoy.