Back to Work

Latest Episodes:

Episode 233: Emotional Density Aug 11, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: Can I ask you a question?

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the complexities of communicating effectively via email. They also begin to sketch out a unified field theory for escalating communication media based on informational and emotional destiny.

Also, more thoughts on The Smiths, plus some recommendations on books and comics for kids.

Links for this episode:

Food Safety Talk 79: You’re Into Botulism Country (with Merlin Mann) — Food Safety Talk
Merlin Mann joins Don and Ben for a discussion on food safety and cooking using science at home.
How Long Does Food Last? Shelf Life & Expiration Date Guide
The Podcast Resurgence: Your Definitive Listening Guide - WSJ
SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #1 | DC Comics
Amazon.com: Superman Family Adventures, Vol. 1 (9781401240509): Art Baltazar, Franco: Books
The Complete Wreck (A Series of Unfortunate Events, Books 1-13): Lemony Snicket, Brett Helquist: 9780061119064: Amazon.com: Books
Harry Potter Paperback Box Set (Books 1-7): J. K. Rowling, Mary GrandPre: 9780545162074: Amazon.com: Books
Dutch angle - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Dutch angle, also known as Dutch tilt, canted angle, oblique angle or German angle, is a type of camera shot where the camera is set at an angle on its roll axis so that the shot is composed with vertical lines at an angle to the side of the frame, or so that the horizon line of the shot is not parallel with the bottom of the camera frame.
R.E.M. - Letter Never Sent - YouTube
Reconcilable Differences - Relay FM
Fans Petition Fox To Sell Fantastic Four Rights Back To Marvel Studios | Comicbook.com

Brought to you by Wealthfront (Visit wealthfront.com/5by5 to get your first $15,000 managed for free), and lynda (Learn something new today by visiting lynda.com/backtowork to get a free 10 day trial to their 3,000+ courses).

Episode 232: You Got This. Aug 04, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: Don't just be the meatbag in the room.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about "the fill-in guy," TV shows they're loving, listener feedback, improving presentations, The Smiths, the evolution of podcasts, contact management woes, and remembering what you're capable of.

Links for this episode:

'Mad Max: Fury Road' Will Be On iTunes Soon So Catch Up With Some Of Your Favorite Heroines First | Bustle
Conversation Parade: An Adventure Time Podcast | Podcast | Infinite Guest Podcast Network
In this limited-run series, Open Mike Eagle (rap artist and host of Infinite Guest’s Secret Skin) and John Moe (host of Infinite Guest's Wits) talk about the characters, story lines and themes in the hit Cartoon Network animated series Adventure Time. John and Mike also talk with the creative forces behind the show, interviewing the actors, storyboard artists, producers and others who make Adventure Time.
She'll be right - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
She'll be right (often followed by a friendly term of address such as mate) is a frequently used idiom in Australian and New Zealand culture that expresses the belief that "whatever is wrong will right itself with time", which is considered to be either an optimistic or apathetic outlook.
Fake, soiled underpants for home security. » Coolest Gadgets
Dirty Underwear Hidden Safe | Cheaters Spy Shop
Amazon.com: The Brief Safe Hidden Contents Travel Passport Wallet - Diversion Safe: Clothing
Bona Drag - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Smiths - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Police - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Louder Than Bombs - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Smiths - Hatful of Hollow - Amazon.com Music
Smiths - Queen Is Dead - Amazon.com Music
Smiths - Smiths - Amazon.com Music
Syncman | Synchronize Address Book with Gmail
Mac App Store - Contacts Cleaner
Man. People. | kung fu grippe
Macular degeneration - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Macular degeneration, often age-related macular degeneration (AMD or ARMD), is a medical condition that usually affects older adults and results in a loss of vision in the center of the visual field (the macula) because of damage to the retina.
5by5 | Back to Work #38: Sorry. You Can't Have a Candle.
The Smiths : Hand in Glove (Old Grey Whistle Test 1983) - YouTube

Brought to you by Squarespace (Use the code ITSYOURSHOW for a free trial and 10% off of your first purchase), Casper (Visit Casper.com/backtowork and use the code BACKTOWORK to get $50 towards your brand new mattress), and Wealthfront (Visit wealthfront.com/5by5 to get your first $10,000 managed for free).

Episode 231: Hot Rod Hospital Ship Jul 28, 2015

Show notes

With Merlin on sabbatical (returning next week), Dan is once again joined by John Roderick. They discuss the significance of dreams, sleep paralysis, unexplained phenomenon, alien abductions, a relationship with magic, the importance of history, night terrors, and leaving a legacy.

Links for this episode:

Brought to you by Harry's (Start shaving smarter today by using the code COMICS at checkout to get $5 off the starter set), TextExpander 5 (To learn more and download a free demo of TextExpander 5 visit smilesoftware.com/b2w), lynda (Start learning something new today by visiting lynda.com/backtowork to get free 10 day trial access to their 3,000+ courses), and Wealthfront (Visit wealthfront.com/5by5 to get your first $10,000 managed for free).

Episode 230: My Emotional Reservoir Jul 21, 2015

Show notes

With Merlin on sabbatical, Dan is joined by John Roderick to talk about being a candidate, taking care of yourself, managing introversion, trying on ideas without fear, the Thirty Years War, and the struggle of being a generalist.

Links for this episode:

Brought to you by HipChat (Visit HipChat.com/backtowork to get 90 days of HipChat Plus for free), Harry's (Use the code COMICS to get $5 off the starter shave set), and lynda (Learn something new today by visiting lynda.com/backtowork to get a free 10 day trial to their 3,000+ courses).

Episode 229: Shrimp in the Desert Jul 14, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: The perils and joys of just getting started.

This week's episode is chockablock with awesomeness, from the sublime to the ridiculous. It ends on a very inspiring note. But, en route:

Mexican guys love Morrissey
Shabbos goys cause fire to be created
An eruv is an ad hoc house described by string
Merlin has Aloha for Judaism
Teaching History is hard
America owes some apologies
Endorsing "Ordinary People Change the World" books
Endorsing Mr. Robot and Humans
Thanks for great Holacracy feedback (more later)
Feedback on Merlin's lightning cable corrosion
Dan's Concern: Acura recall
What's up with "over the shoulder syndrome?"
Is it dangerous to talk on a phone in the car?
Is it dangerous to approbate?
HUGE followup on "perfect is the enemy of the good"
Just make a mark on a page.

Links for this episode:

MaxFunCon: Merlin Mann on Doing Creative Work; The Sound of Young America | Maximum Fun
Merlin Mann talks about the process of doing creative work, and particularly how to abandon the quest for perfection, get off your butt and get started.
How email became the most reviled communication experience ever
CBT is becoming less effective, like everything else « Mind Hacks
Time management is only making our busy lives worse - Quartz
The Avalanche of Options — Medium
Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) | 2014 Acura MDX | Acura Owners Site
Part of the Advance Package, the Collision Mitigation Braking System™ (CMBS™) with heads-up warning was developed to help reduce the likelihood of a frontal collision. The system is designed to alert the driver of a potential collision and take steps to help mitigate the severity of a frontal collision if the system determines it to be unavoidable.
Shabbos goy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shabbat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Activities prohibited on Shabbat - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eruv - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eruv - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lisa's Substitute - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Amazon.com: Christopher Eliopoulos: Books
I am Abraham Lincoln (Ordinary People Change World): Brad Meltzer, Christopher Eliopoulos: 9780803740839: Amazon.com: Books
Douglas Adams Quote
Rules that describe our reactions to technologies...
The Sisters Of Mercy - This Corrosion HQ - YouTube
The Smiths - There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - YouTube
Google Ngram Viewer
approbation
Why do Mexican Americans love Morrissey so much? - The Washington Post
What is the appeal of Morrissey (or “Moz”) to this community? With help from Nancy Marie Arteaga, a former diehard Moz fan, I asked three major Morrissey fans about the Latino fixation.
Resolved: Stop Blaming the Pancake | 43 Folders

Brought to you by Warby Parker (Visit WarbyParker.com/dan to get free 3 day shipping on your final frame choice), HipChat (Visit HipChat.com/backtowork to get 90 days of HipChat Plus for free), Squarespace (Visit the link and use the code ITSYOURSHOW to get a free trial and 10% off your brand new website).

Episode 228: Tibet's Next Top Buddha Jul 07, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: What kind of "perfect" can you tolerate?

This week, Dan and Merlin have a big week. A huge week.

Opening with a thank you to generous listeners, the boys then proceed to tackle some FU on the complicated world of H.H. Dorje Chang Buddha III (he is recognized!).

Next up is some preliminary discussion on Pando's recent hit piece on Tony Hsieh, his weird edict for Holacracy at Zappos, and his strange and checkered history with theoretically transforming downtown Las Vegas.

Moving forward, "Merlin's Concern" about his bizarre lightning cable problem is addressed and assigned to further research by the Fun Bunch.

Finally, the meat of the episode is served in an extended meditation on whether and when "perfect is the enemy of good"—and how that concept maybe relates to aspects of Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

Links for this episode:

Pasadena Artist Who Claims To Be Buddha Reincarnated Is Wanted In China: LAist
A Pasadena man who claims to be the reincarnation of Buddha is selling his art for millions. He's also wanted by the Chinese government for fraud.
Worship long-haired handsome at cult-museum on first Thursdays | SF Arts
Still, new favorite museum. It has a treehouse, holograms, and I wasn't abducted despite the fact that there was maybe one other visitor there on the first Thursday I was waved in from the sidewalk. The other visitor was a guy who talked loudly on his cell phone about how he was "just checking out some museum man, they like said it was free so I was like cool."
Pasadena man Dorje Chang, known to followers as Buddha, is gaining followers in art world
She described Buddha as a ?holy being? who can cure ailments, conjure nectar and move objects with his mind.
Dorje Chang Buddha III has been recognized: True Buddha Dharma spoken by H.H. Tathagata
"H.H. Tathagata Dorje Chang Buddha III is recognized!"
Holacracy - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Holacracy is a social technology or system of organizational governance in which authority and decision-making are distributed throughout a holarchy of self-organizing teams rather than being vested in a management hierarchy. Holacracy has been adopted in for-profit and non-profit organizations in the U.S., France, Germany, New Zealand, Australia, and the UK.
A Holacracy of Dunces
I’m a sucker for stories of giant risks and giant rewards, so it took me a while to figure out why Holacracy made me feel queasy rather than excited. I’d watched before as Hsieh had made big announcements which turned out to be disasters. People had lost their jobs before, and there had even been suicides. Why did his plan for Holacracy somehow seem even more reckless?
Perfect is the enemy of good - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
"Perfect is the enemy of good is an aphorism which is commonly attributed to Voltaire, who quoted an Italian proverb in his Dictionnaire philosophique in 1770…"
Negative Thought Patterns and Cognitive Therapy CBT
All-or-Nothing Thinking. "I have to do things perfectly, because anything less than perfect is a failure." Disqualifying the Positives. "Life feels like one disappointment after another." Negative Self-Labeling. "I feel like a failure. I'm flawed. If people knew the real me, they wouldn't like me." Catastrophizing. "If something is going to happen, it'll probably be the worst case scenario."
Kundun (1997) - IMDb
Amazon.com: Uni-Ball 207 Retractable Micro Point Gel Pens, 12 Black Ink Pens Plus 2 Bonus Pens (1905408): Office Products
Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy: David D. Burns: 0071001008999: Amazon.com: Books
Apple Lightning connector pinout diagram @ pinouts.ru
Lightning Cables Failing Due to Corrosion, Cause Unclear - Mac Rumors
Smart bracelet changes design with the touch of a button - ArabianBusiness.com
Insight Meditation Center: Insight Meditation Center
Amazon.com : Sanford Prismacolor Premier Markers, 5-Pack, Fine Line, Black (14171) : Artists Markers : Office Products
How Netflix Reinvented HR - HBR
Lord of the Flies - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lord of the Flies is a 1954 dystopian novel by Nobel Prize-winning English author William Golding about a group of British boys stuck on an uninhabited island who try to govern themselves with disastrous results.
Won't You Pimai Neighbor? - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
At the party a number of objects, one of which belonged to Sanglug, are laid out on a rug for the candidates to choose from
The meeting room hardware virus
Then, someone else forced this into their Mac. Perhaps two pins tried to go into just the one socket. At any rate, it would now break the socket and get it all out of whack. That socket, used with another adapter in another room, would then break that adapter. This new broken adapter would then go on to break even more Macbook DVI connectors.
5by5 | Back to Work #227: The Treasure Room
[AUDIO] Andrea Fella: "Anxiety Worry and Fear"
Highly recommended talk that Dan and Merlin both love.

Brought to you by HipChat (Visit HipChat.com/backtowork to get premium features like unlimited file storage, unlimited message history and guaranteed support FREE for 90 days) and Harry's (Use the code COMICS to get $5 off the starter shave set).

Episode 227: The Treasure Room Jun 30, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: Learning to shut up and relax.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about the challenges and benefits of getting out of your own head.

Links for this episode:

Art Museum | San Francisco | International Art Museum of America
The International Art Museum of America - Museums - SoMa - San Francisco, CA - Reviews - Photos - Yelp
Inside Out (2015) - IMDb
Life Is Beautiful - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Why Stoicism is one of the best mind-hacks ever – Lary Wallace – Aeon
Stoicism is, as much as anything, a philosophy of gratitude – and a gratitude, moreover, rugged enough to endure anything.
Stoicism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Stoics taught that destructive emotions resulted from errors in judgment, and that a sage, or person of "moral and intellectual perfection", would not suffer such emotions.
Stoicism | Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Stoicism is essentially a system of ethics which, however, is guided by a logic as theory of method, and rests upon physics as foundation.
Stoicism 101: A Practical Guide for Entrepreneurs | The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss
The Dalrymple Report
Summer camp: Where kids grow up on their own and parents back home stay the same.
They are moments you experienced truly for yourself. In Homesick and Happy, Michael Thompson writes about a study where people were asked about their happiest childhood memory
The Practice of Loving-Kindness (Metta): As Taught by the Buddha in the Pali Canon
Facets of Metta by Sharon Salzberg
Dan's Wish List
Merlin's Wishlist

Sponsored by Casper. Use code BACKTOWORK to get $50 off your awesome new mattress, and by Smile the makers of PDFPenPro for Mac.

Episode 226: Only Child* Jun 23, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: Hitting and sharing and dietetic lunch.

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about having and not having siblings (and what it may or may not actually mean) as well as addressing some of the rapid changes coming to the business of podcasting.

Links for this episode:

Reconcilable Differences #3: Helena Sell - Relay FM
This week, John and Merlin finally set themselves to the task of beginning to argue about their differences.After a look at their feelings about reviews (and review culture), John takes Merlin to task for his stance on the 1999 film Fight Club (and Fight Club culture). Then, things conclude with a passionate debate on the societal impact of sports (and sports culture).
The Dalrymple Report
Ungainly X-Mann Meetup #9 — Merlin Mann
MERLIN MANN (Back to Work, Roderick on the Line, Reconcilable Differences, You Look Nice Today, et al.) invites you to drop by Two Cats Comics on the evening of Thursday, June 23rd to hang out, talk about comics, and just say, “Hi.”
5by5 | Quit #66: Pick up the Bandsaw
Til Debt Do Us Part (Season 2, #8) — StartUp — Gimlet Media
The tensions start out small. But then things quickly escalate into arguments over equity and roles in the company. Lauren and Emma find themselves having conversations with each other they never thought they’d have. Plus, they get some advice from someone in the business of dealing with cofounder disagreements, the CEO Whisperer.
A Practical Guide to Sous Vide Cooking
On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the Kitchen: Harold McGee: 9780684800011: Amazon.com: Books
5by5 | Amplified #141: I'll Eat My Own Hand
Culture Gabfest

Sponsored by MailRoute (To remove spam from your life for good visit the link and get a free trial and 10% off the lifetime of your account).

Episode 225: A Different Kind of Happy Jun 16, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: You can't have ALL the phone calls.

This week, Dan and Merlin battle Skype to talk about Dan't hissing floor, text editing on iOS, plus more followup on WWDC announcements.

Spotlight on a second look at last week's conversation about how we do and don't communicate.

Links for this episode:

Special 2: The Original Trilogy of Merlin Mann
In August 2012, Brett interviewed Merlin Mann on the now-legendary 6th episode of Systematic. Thus was a trilogy born. From processes to pills and apps to naps, one of Systematic's signature returning-guest series was born.Using the latest in bleeding-edge digital technology, we have restored these episodes to the original creative vision that was literally, figuratively, and metaphysically impossible at the time.We've gone all the way back to the original masters, removing and modifying content (ads) that distracts from the auteur's intent. What results is a bespoke, artisanally created Special Edition product unlike any in the crowded Merlin Mann Podcast market today.This presentation of The Original Trilogy of Merlin Mann includes bonus, never-before-heard, ultra-exclusive deleted content, presented in the most ridiculous and semi-obtrusive way possible that does not involve a Blu-ray player.Special Thanks to George Lucas, the Fair Use Clause, The United States of America, and The Merlin Mann Trust.Artwork Sacrilege performed by Philip Mozolak
NBD. Just two grown men eating nuts in the... | kung fu grippe
Google Photos is fun. | kung fu grippe
Ulysses
5by5 | Back to Work #224: Sugar Pills and a Pack of Cigarettes
TOPIC: Poundsign CommunicationThis week, Dan and Merlin talk about evolutions in how we do and don't communicate with each other.

Sponsored by lynda.com (To start learning something new today visit the link to get free 10 day access to their 3,000+ online courses) and MailRoute (To remove spam from your life for good visit the link and get a free trial and 10% off the lifetime of your account).

Episode 224: Sugar Pills and a Pack of Cigarettes Jun 09, 2015

Show notes

TOPIC: Poundsign Communication

This week, Dan and Merlin talk about evolutions in how we do and don't communicate with each other.

Links for this episode:

Reconcilable Differences #1: We All Ruined It Together - Relay FM
In this inaugural episode of Season 1, John and Merlin begin framing the conversation on exactly how they got how they are.From the dungeons of Usenet to the dragons of roving bullies, origins are explored, awkwardness is catalogued, and differences are provisionally reconciled.
Unjustly Maligned | "Watchmen" with Merlin Mann (Episode 15)
Writer and podcaster Merlin Mann joins Antony to stand up (mostly) for the “Watchmen” movie, discuss the difficulty of separating source material from its adaptation… and then there’s that ending.
Apple - Live - June 2015 Special Event
? Brian Tong's Apple Watch Review - 5 Things to Like/Dislike - One Month In - YouTube

Sponsored by Squarespace (Use the code ITSYOURSHOW for a free trial and 10% off) and Citrix GoToMeeting (Try it free for 30 days by visiting GoToMeeting.com and click the “TRY IT FREE” button).

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected