Best Counterfactual Podcasts (2025)

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Barriers at Home: The Case for Interprovincial Free Trade 44:39

Play Pause

4h ago44:39

44:39

In this episode of the Counterfactual Podcast, host Julia Potter sits down with Ryan Manucha, author and expert on interprovincial trade, to unpack why Canada still struggles with domestic trade barriers. They discuss the historical roots of these restrictions, the political and economic forces driving recent reform efforts, and how leadership from…

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The Good and Bad of Choosing Measurements - Traps and Opportunities of Measuring What Matters 15:01

5d ago15:01

15:01

In this episode, I dive into the management mantra that "what is measured is managed" and explain why this simple assertion often leads to a complex trap. We discuss why the act of measuring team productivity is never neutral—it's an intervention that immediately changes behavior, often resulting in unintended consequences like gaming the metrics. …

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Ep 267- My Kingdom for a Donut! 1:16:06

4d ago1:16:06

1:16:06

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at a fork where George III changes his diet, and avoids going mad. Panel: Dylan, Evan, and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If yo…

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Ep 266- South By Southwest 1:15:21

8d ago1:15:21

1:15:21

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the podcast looks at what would have happened if Christopher Columbus turns back without sighting land. Panel: Dylan, Evan, and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our…

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Ep 266- Announcement from the Podcast Committee on the State of Emergency 0:55

11d ago0:55

0:55

Send a Message to the Team Due to an unforeseen delay in post-production, the regular podcast won't be released until this coming Monday. Panel: The Podcast Committee on the State of the Emergency You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitte…

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Engage in Deliberate Practice to Level Up Your Engineering Leadership Skills 18:08

14d ago18:08

18:08

By Jonathan Cutrell

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Ep 265- Germane Germanicus 57:11

18d ago57:11

57:11

Send a Message to the Team In this fork, the team examines what would have happened if Germanicus, the heir apparent to the Roman Empire, survived. Panel: Dylan and Chris Show Note: The Commercial we are talking about is linked here. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https:…

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Shift Your Locus of Control to Take Charge of Your Engineering Career 20:45

20d ago20:45

20:45

This episode explores the concept of Locus of Control and why developing a more internal locus of control is beneficial for your career and life. You'll learn the difference between internal and external perspectives, why one is more useful than the other, and practical exercises to shift your mindset to believe you have more influence over the out…

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Ep 264- Putin's Post Perestroika Petersburg Purgatory 1:17:48

25d ago1:17:48

1:17:48

Send a Message to the Team In this fork, the team looks at what would happen if Vladimir Putin was never plucked from relative obscurity after his patron looses his reelection bid for mayor of St. Petersburg. Panel: Evan and Chris Show Note: The Commercial we are talking about is linked here. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Dis…

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Resumé Driven Development - Your Career is In Your Hands 12:27

28d ago12:27

12:27

In this episode we'll discuss why "Résumé Driven Development" is a powerful mental model for building a thriving career. Instead of seeing your résumé as just a job-hunting tool, you'll learn to use it as a guide for setting measurable, impactful goals that benefit you, your manager, and your company. Focus on Impact, Not Just Tasks: Discover why a…

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Ep 263- Durban Disarmament Decision 1:10:24

1M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Send a Message to the Team In this fork, the team examines a different outcome from South African nuclear disarmament. Panel: Evan, Kai, and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enjoy t…

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Conversation with New CBA Competition Law and Foreign Investment Review Section Chair Dominic Thérien 27:20

1M ago27:20

27:20

In this Episode, new Section Chair, Dominic Thérien, provides a brief overview of the Section and its committees; reflects on his journey in the Section over two decades; explains the nature and importance of the Section’s interactions with key stakeholders and counterparts, including the Competition Bureau, the Foreign Investment Review and Econom…

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Forced and Unforced Errors 15:31

1M ago15:31

15:31

In this episode, we introduce a simple yet powerful mental model from the world of sports: forced vs. unforced errors. By understanding this concept, you can shift your focus from things outside your control to the simple, foundational behaviours that truly define a successful career. Understand the Difference: Learn the distinction between forced …

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View Your Productivity Through the Lens of Values and Priorities 13:39

1M ago13:39

13:39

In this episode, we introduce two fundamental thought experiments to help you uncover your true priorities and core values. By exploring scenarios of scarcity and abundance, you'll learn to align your daily actions with what truly matters, leading to a more satisfied career and life. Uncover Your Priorities: Engage in a "5% exercise" where you imag…

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Ep 262-Rudolf the Brown-Nosed Nazi 1:10:30

1M ago1:10:30

1:10:30

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at what happens if Rudolf Hess was discovered before his flight to England in 1941. Panel: Evan, Kai, and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTub…

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Ep 261- The (Grover) Cleveland Show 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at a different origin for the US holiday Labor Day. Panel: Evan, Chris, and Kai. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enjoy the podc…

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This One Skill Signifies Seniority For Software Engineers 14:28

2M ago14:28

14:28

This episode explains what is arguably the best career advice you'll hear this week: the one skill that signifies seniority in software engineers is the ability to synthesise and optimise for multiple factors at once. Instead of focusing on a single factor, such as performance or maintainability, senior engineers identify and weigh the various trad…

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Ep 260- A Pork In Time 47:21

2M ago47:21

47:21

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, we look at the possibilities if Henry Ford doesn't come up with the idea of selling a waste product (charcoal) as a cooking fuel. Team Warning- you probably don't want to listen to this episode hungry. Panel: Chris and Dylan. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.co…

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Ep 259- Hot Trotskies down at the Hammer and Sickle 1:11:14

2M ago1:11:14

1:11:14

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team explores the outcome of a successful assassination of Lenin just after taking power. Panel: Evan, Chris, and Dylan. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube …

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Ep 258- Labor Day Special Announcement 2:50

2M ago2:50

2:50

Send a Message to the Team Just a quick update from the team- a regular episode IS coming this Monday. Panel: Hank and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enjoy the podcast and want t…

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Backup Plans and Risk Reward Curves 13:50

2M ago13:50

13:50

This episode focuses on the critical importance of having a backup plan, not just for technical redundancies but especially for situations involving human error, which are highly prevalent in one's career. The core argument hinges on understanding risk and reward curves, highlighting the disproportionate impact of failures compared to incremental s…

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Ep 257- Cactus Jack Goes to Washington 1:05:17

2M ago1:05:17

1:05:17

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team revisits (from episode #186) a successful assassination of FDR before his inauguration. Panel: Evan and Dylan. Original Episode-Here You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPod…

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Second Order Consequences and Forcing Functions 23:45

2M ago23:45

23:45

Todays episode delves into understanding and leveraging second and third-order consequences – the ripple effects that occur after an initial action – and introduces forcing functions, which are an inverted way of thinking about these consequences, designed to drive desired outcomes by first determining "what must be true" for them to occur. The epi…

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Don't Try to Solve Hyperobject Problems Once 15:46

2M ago15:46

15:46

This episode delves into the philosophical concept of hyperobjects – problems so vast and complex they lack clear boundaries and cannot be "solved" once and for all. It explores why attempting to permanently fix issues like technical debt, user experience, or performance management is often ineffective. Instead, it offers a new perspective: how to …

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Ep 256- Gibb or Take 1:03:27

2M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at a different fork if the Bee Gees don't record the soundtrack for a certain John Travolta Movie. Panel: Helena, Evan, Kai, Chris, and Dylan. Article referenced in the episode: Article referenced in the episode: https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2007/12/saturday-night-fever Alternative Sound…

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Behavior Change 101: Trigger, Incentive, and Ability 20:16

2M ago20:16

20:16

This episode delves into a powerful model for encouraging behaviour change, applicable to both managing others and self-improvement, by focusing on three critical factors: Trigger, Incentive, and Ability. It challenges common, ineffective management approaches and provides insights into fostering new habits and desired actions by making the 'right'…

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Ep 255- Ford II- Paint it Black (Tuesday) 59:11

3M ago59:11

59:11

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team continues down the (Henry) Ford Presidency into an alternate Great Depression. Panel: Evan, Chris, and Dylan. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channe…

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Ep 254- Leges Condicionesque Applicare 1:07:36

3M ago1:07:36

1:07:36

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at what would have happened if a famous medieval forgery was discovered as such much earlier. Panel: Evan and Dylan. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our Y…

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Goal of the Goal - Using Goals As A Prioritization Clarifying Tool 26:13

3M ago26:13

26:13

This episode delves into the crucial role of well-positioned goals in a developer's career. It asserts that goals provide clarity, perspective, and purpose, particularly focusing on clarity as a primary benefit. The discussion challenges common struggles with goal setting, including the often-overlooked importance of relevance (the 'R' in SMART goa…

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Ep 253- A little less lead would go a long way 1:15:47

3M ago1:15:47

1:15:47

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at what would have happened if the Franklin Expedition successfully finds the Northwest Passage. Panel: Dylan, Evan and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPod…

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Your Capacity for Growth Is Dependent on This Factor - Cognitive Load Theory 23:49

3M ago23:49

23:49

Today we explore Cognitive Load Theory. This concept can profoundly influence how you structure your workday, manage teams, and approach learning in your career. The episode highlights that much of professional work, particularly in knowledge-based roles like software engineering, is fundamentally about learning. You will discover that there is an …

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Ep 252- National Assembly's European Vacation 1:07:47

3M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team examines what would have happened if Louis XVI successfully flees Paris. Panel: Dylan and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enjo…

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Investigating Your Invisible Systems 16:20

3M ago16:20

16:20

This episode focuses again on the fundamental principle that your systems are perfectly designed for the outcomes you are experiencing, regardless of whether those systems were intentionally or accidentally created. Here are the key takeaways from the episode: Uncover how your systems, whether intentionally or accidentally designed, are perfectly c…

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Ep 251- National Assembly's Easter Vacation 1:04:06

3M ago1:04:06

1:04:06

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at what would have happened if Louis XVI did not try to flee Paris. Panel: Dylan and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enj…

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Perfection Is Fragile, and You Should Avoid It 20:03

3M ago20:03

20:03

This episode discusses why perfection is a dangerous and fragile goal, explaining how striving for 100% leads to unsustainable outlier states. It highlights how setting perfection as a bar can cause commitments to break and plans to fail due to a lack of slack, and offers strategies like building redundancy and planning with slack to achieve goals …

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Ep 250- Mudhen's Muckup 1:13:04

4M ago1:13:04

1:13:04

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team examines an escelated conflict between Ohio and the territory of Michigan over their shared border. Panel: Evan and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our Y…

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Your System is Perfectly Designed for Your Current Outcomes 18:14

4M ago18:14

18:14

This episode introduces the potentially controversial principle that your system is perfectly designed for its current outcomes, urging listeners to embrace greater responsibility for systemic issues. It explores how to redefine system boundaries to holistically integrate all influencing factors, like talent and organisational processes, ensuring t…

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Episode 249- General (Secretary) Zhao's Chicken 57:32

4M ago57:32

57:32

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at different machinations within the CCP during the Tiananmen Square protest. Panel: Evan, Dylan, and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube C…

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Using LLMs To Expand Your Working Vocabulary 13:26

4M ago13:26

13:26

This episode explores the fundamental mindset of building your vocabulary, extending beyond literal words to conceptual understanding and mental models, and how Large Language Models (LLMs) can be a powerful tool for expanding and refining this crucial skill for career growth, clarity, and navigating disruptions. Uncover why building your vocabular…

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Episode 248- There's Snow Business Like Show Business 57:46

4M ago57:46

57:46

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team explores the effect of a longer career for Lon Cheney, Sr. Panel: Helena Nash and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enjoy the po…

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Great Reviews and Terrible Tacos - Sharpening Substitute Questions with Counterfactuals 23:28

4M ago23:28

23:28

This episode delves into the use of substitute questions—simpler queries we use to answer more complex ones—and the crucial concept of cohesion between these substitutes and our true objectives. You'll learn how to leverage counterfactual thinking to scrutinize your assumptions and enhance the effectiveness of your decisions. Discover two powerful …

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Episode 247- Tea Drinking Surrender Monkies! 1:03:28

4M ago1:03:28

1:03:28

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team continues the Marshal Sanjurjo fork. Panel: Robert, Evan, Dylan, and Chris. You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Channel If you enjoy the podcast and wan…

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Why Maintenance Matters Now - Construal Level Theory, Marshmallows, and Hyperbolic Discounting 22:57

4M ago22:57

22:57

This episode explores why maintenance tasks, despite their fundamental importance, are often neglected or deprioritised in our daily lives and professional work. It delves into the psychological biases that make consistent maintenance challenging, such as hyperbolic discounting, where immediate gratification is valued over future gains, and the con…

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Episode 246- NOW how is Billy Joel going to rhyme Malcom X? 1:09:25

5M ago1:09:25

1:09:25

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team reminds everyone that this week isn't just the anniversary of the release of Hearts of Iron IV (Chris and Dylan just genuflected), but also of the Profumo Affair! The actual episode discusses what might have happened if the Profumo Affair turned out differently. Panel: Robert, Chris, and (Long Ti…

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Follow This Principle - Establish Your Baselines 8:00

5M ago8:00

8:00

This episode introduces a profound yet simple principle: knowing your baselines. This concept is crucial for effectively detecting and measuring change in your life and career. Uncover the fundamental idea that to recognise when something has changed, you must first understand what things were like before the change occurred. Often, people haven't …

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Episode 245- To Loose Toulouse 1:13:39

5M ago1:13:39

1:13:39

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team explores a different outcome of the Moor invasion of France in the early 700's. Panel: Dylan, Robert, and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintime Twitter: @AFITPodcast Our YouTube Chan…

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Episode 244- A Ford in Time 1:00:19

5M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, the team looks at what happens if the Roaring Twenties sounded like a Model T- and Henry Ford becomes the Republican nominee and eventually President in 1924. Panel: Dylan, Robert, Evan, and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook:…

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Advice on Advice - Taking Everything with a Grain of Salt 13:54

5M ago13:54

13:54

This episode explores the complex landscape of receiving advice in your career, particularly during uncertain times. It offers insights on how to critically evaluate feedback and external information, prepare for potential negative outcomes outside of your control, and adapt your focus to thrive in a changing industry. Explore why the vast amount o…

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190 - Indefinite Leave 19:38

5M ago19:38

19:38

190 - Indefinite Leave After a very brief summary of the changing data science landscape, Hilary and Roger do not actually end the podcast but discuss taking an indefinite leave, leaving the door slightly ajar for future opportunities. Show notes: Roger Peng Hilary Parker List of NSSD Fellows Get the Not So Standard Deviations book Subscribe to the…

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Episode 243- Red Ron 1:00:12

5M ago1:00:12

1:00:12

Send a Message to the Team In this episode, Evan and Chris explore the possible outcomes of Ronald Reagan (yes, THAT Reagan)'s application for membership in the CPUSA being accepted. Panel: Evan and Chris You can follow and interact with A Fork In Time on…. Discord: https://discord.com/invite/xhZEmZMKFS Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aforkintim…