What I Listened to This Week
I really love podcasts. I listen to them when I'm riding, hanging out in the house, commuting and they even make their way into my bed with me when I'm trying to turn off my anxious thoughts as I fall asleep. I really miss being in college and having a captive audience of people who had to listen to my thoughts about current events, pieces I had listened to or read. That's why I decided to hijack this blog that I had been (slowly) updating with my bike adventures. Here are the two most recent podcasts I've listened to below:
Cash, Sweat, and Tears: The Big Business of Fitness
Material World (Bloomberg News)
I've certainly noticed my fitness wardrobe expanding this last year, so I was drawn to this podcast focusing on the fitness industry. Peloton got a plug, as well as Buddhify. I'm intrigued that Peloton is distancing themselves from the the bike industry and looking to expand to off the bike activities. The Buddhify interview challenged me to think about access issues related to the fitness industry - how what you wear to the gym/on the trail/etc is a symbol of your class.
Episode 28: Me, Me, Me
Hidden Brain (NPR)
Well, it wouldn't be a piece about the "me" generation if they didn't mention the Kardashians, complete with an audio clip. This week featured and interview with Jean Twenge, who focused on the myths regarding the need for high self-esteem in order to achieve success. The interview had a bit of a pop science feel (correlation doesn't equal causation folks!), but Twenge challenged me to think about the concept of over-confidence. I can't help but link it to the pressure to raise the self-esteem of my generation. What pushed me to review this podcast doesn't come until towards the end of the interview, when Twenge touched on expectations not being met in the 30+ crowd, and their resulting unhappiness. It turns out when you tell kids, "You are special and can do anything!" over and over they start to believe. But when these same kids grow up and don't feel like they are making a difference and are all that special, you're left with some disillusioned adults.Ear graphic made by Freepik from www.flaticon.com
