Best Spec Network Podcasts (2025)

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Backup Plans and Risk Reward Curves 13:50

Play Pause

4h 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…

1
Kim Whitler | Colonel Mustard in the Study With the Job Spec How Poor Design Shortens CMO Lifespans 39:19

2d ago39:19

39:19

A CMO Confidential Interview with Kim Whitler, professor at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, board member, and former GM and CMO. Kim shares insights from more than a decade of research with over 500 CMO's including how 50+% of roles are misaligned, the huge gap between CEO's and CMO's, the fact that misalignment results in wea…

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How to Multitask as a Screenwriter: Balancing Multiple Projects 53:27

1d ago53:27

53:27

Life gets crazy and overwhelming. Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman break down how screenwriters multitask - balancing multiple projects, writing more than one script at a time, and staying productive along the way. Plus... TWIW! Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist…

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DF Direct Weekly #228: Elden Ring/FF7R Switch 2! #StutterStruggle Fixed? Valve Console Specs! 1:51:32

3d ago1:51:32

1:51:32

With Rich unable to escape infection at #gamescom2025, it's down to John and Alex to share their impressions from the show, with Oliver completing the panel. The team share their thoughts on the Switch 2 ports of Elden Ring and Final Fantasy 7 Remake in the wake of very negative and very positive reactions from the showfloor. Alex is optimistic abo…

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#496 Hotcakes: Cannabidiol (CBD)-induced liver injury, IV iron for HFrEF, bedtime BP meds, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome & RA, & Finerenone for HFpEF 58:49

2d ago58:49

58:49

Join us as we review recent practice-changing articles on cannabidiol (CBD)-induced liver injury, IV iron for HFrEF, bedtime administration of blood pressure meds, carpal tunnel syndrome & rheumatoid arthritis , & FDA approval of finerenone for HFpEF. Fill your brain hole with a delicious stack of hotcakes! Featuring Paul Williams (@PaulNWilliamz),…

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Second Order Consequences and Forcing Functions 23:45

5d 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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DF Direct Weekly #227: Battlefield 6 PC is Superb, Drag x Drive Switch 2, RTX 4090 Handheld! 1:58:30

9d ago1:58:30

1:58:30

In the calm before the storm of Gamescom 2025, gaming and technology news is thin on the ground - and there's some degree of disappointment beyond the brilliance of the Battlefield 6 open beta. Drag x Drive on Switch 2 underwhelms, AMD releases an RX 9060 that you can't buy - and isn't really that much different to the 9060 XT. Light relief comes i…

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Tom Goodwin | If You Dropped the Best Marketers of the 1950's Into Today's Environment, How Would They Do? 39:21

9d ago39:21

39:21

CMO Confidential Interview with Tom Goodwin, author, speaker, and former innovation head at Publicis, Zenith, and Havas. Tom discusses his belief that today's CMO's are overly focused on efficiency versus marketing principles and that the contemporary playbook has been created by tech companies focused on performance metrics. Key topics include: an…

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Are Pro Screenwriters Just Like Pro Athletes? 49:44

9d ago49:44

49:44

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman sit down with Screenwriter and Tennis Pro, Michael Basha, to discuss how the psychology of professional athletes can be a useful road map for professional screenwriters, and other ways pro sports mirrors the screenwriting industry. Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Paul Lundquist…

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#495 Fungal Infections -Histo/Blasto/Cocci with Dr. Andrej Spec 1:12:46

9d ago1:12:46

1:12:46

Why we need to stop calling them “endemic” mycoses & more fungi fun! Feeling muddled about endemic mycoses? We tackle the clinical presentation of diseases like histoplasmosis, blastomycosis, and coccidioidomycosis, the importance of testing, and how to diagnose fungal infections with our esteemed guest Dr. Andrej Spec, MD! Claim CME for this episo…

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

11d 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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David Aaker | Vice Chair, Prophet | Why is Brand Value Still Not a Generally Accepted Principle? 37:23

16d ago37:23

37:23

A CMO Confidential Interview with David Aaker, Vice Chair of Prophet, author of numerous marketing books including Aaker on Branding 2nd Edition, formerly a Haas School of Business Professor. David discusses the history of brand equity starting with the BCG model from the 90's and why that model and scanner data drove a short-term sales focus at th…

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Writing RED SONJA: From Script to Screen with Tasha Huo 49:20

17d ago49:20

49:20

Host Tasha Huo talks candidly about her writing journey on her first produced film, RED SONJA, from her first pitch to getting rewritten to final credits determination. RED SONJA releases in theaters on August 13th, and streaming on August 29th. TWIW: Josh's old script idea is now a Brendan Fraser movie, but not how Josh expected / Tasha used a pla…

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DF Direct Weekly #226: Are PS6 Spec Leaks Accurate? Is Sony Going Multi-Plat? Apex Legends Switch 2! 1:53:56

17d ago1:53:56

1:53:56

Many, many thanks for an amazingly positive reaction to our news that we've parted ways with IGN in favour of full independence! Rich spends some time talking about the reaction and answering Supporter questions on the changes, with actual gaming and technology news discussing nascent PS6 spec leaks, Apex Legends tested on Switch 2 and misconceptio…

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#494 C. diff, Diarrhea, the Microbiome, and New Therapies with Dr. Cynthia Sears. Live from Johns Hopkins Grand Rounds 57:50

16d ago57:50

57:50

Dominate C. diff! Learn to distinguish colonization from infection, select first-line therapies, and counsel patients on recurrence prevention and microbiome recovery. We’re joined by IDSA past president and expert on foodborne and intestinal infections, Dr. Cindy Sears (Johns Hopkins University) for a comprehensive update on Clostridioides diffici…

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

17d 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'…

1
DF Direct Special: Digital Foundry Leaves IGN, Now Fully Independent - So What Happens Next? 34:55

20d ago34:55

34:55

Amazing news! Digital Foundry has parted ways with IGN and we've bought their shareholding in the business. What this means is that from now on, all aspects of DF are decided upon by DF. We answer to nobody but you, the audience. We are fully independent, we’re proud of that, we think it’s the future of games media - but how far we push, how ambiti…

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Bonus: Hypermobility Q&A with Bendy Bodies Dr. Linda Bluestein 51:22

20d ago51:22

51:22

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Linda Blustein (Bendy Bodies https://bit.ly/m/BendyBodies) addresses listener questions about Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) and hypermobility spectrum disorders. 00:00 – Introduction 00:59 – Can PCPs diagnose hEDS without a geneticist? 03:19 – Limitations of the Beighton Score 05:40 – 2017 hEDS criteria & upcoming …

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Auren Hoffman | Why Vendor Management Is A Skill You Need to Master Now | Chairman SafeGraph, Former LiveRamp CEO 34:42

23d ago34:42

34:42

A CMO Confidential Interview with Auren Hoffman, CEO of SafeGraph, formerly co-founder and CEO of LiveRamp. Auren discusses his belief that vendor management is the most critical skill for the future and why most companies should "rent" a high caliber pool of talent instead of hiring individual executives. Key topics include: thoughts on improving …

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DF Direct Weekly #225: Battlefield 6 Reveal, Next-Gen Xbox Silicon Leaked? Nintendo Direct Reaction! 2:07:45

24d ago2:07:45

2:07:45

A new, gigantic Direct sees John, Rich and Oliver mull over what might be next generation Xbox silicon, bringing together consumer CPU and GPU parts into custom APUs that could genuinely shake up the PC market. The team react to the excellent-looking Battlefield 6 reveal, while there's a mixed reception to the latest Nintendo Direct. Meanwhile, Joh…

1
Is San Diego Comic-Con good for Screenwriters? + Are You Excited?: August Edition 49:13

24d ago49:13

49:13

Host Tasha Huo went to San Diego Comic-Con this year and has thoughts on why it's a great con for Screenwriters. Plus, Are You Excited about what's coming out in theaters in August? TWIW: How to get unstuck in your writing / Jurassic World: Rebirth / Happy Gilmore 2 made Tasha cry Questions / Comments: [email protected] Edited by the GREAT Pa…

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REBOOT: #452 NAFLD/MASLD with Dr. Elliot Tapper 1:14:01

24d ago1:14:01

1:14:01

We have a classic Curbsiders episode for you. Expert guest Dr. Elliot Tapper (@ebtapper) shares his framework for approaching NAFLD/MASLD and the treatment tools he recommends including lifestyle modifications and medications.By The Curbsiders Internal Medicine Podcast

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

1M 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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Are You Excited?: July 2025 Edition 45:59

1M ago45:59

45:59

Hosts Tasha Huo and Josh Hallman talk about which July Summer movies they're excited about, and give some interesting behind-the-scenes Screenwriting tidbits about how some of these movies got made. TWIW: Tasha is having an IP crisis / Do you need a feature sample to meet at feature companies? / Josh's run-in with a Hollywood icon Questions / Comme…

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DF Direct Weekly #224: PS5 Low Power Mode=PS6 Handheld? Fallout Bakersfield, Crytek 25th Anniversary 1:55:49

1M ago1:55:49

1:55:49

The previously leaked PlayStation 5 Power Saving mode enters beta firmware, stoking rumours that it lays the groundwork for Sony's next generation portable. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077's VRR "no show" on Xbox Series X gets official comment from CD Projekt RED and the team are enthused by an amazing "Fallout Bakersfield" teaser trailer. Oblivion Remas…

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#493: Joint Pain in Older Adults with Dr. Una Makris 1:13:56

1M ago1:13:56

1:13:56

An age-friendly approach to arthralgias. Attack arthralgias with ease! Learn how to evaluate and manage common joint complaints in older adults. We’re joined by Dr Una Makris, @unamakris.bsky.social (UT Southwestern). Claim CME for this episode at curbsiders.vcuhealth.org! Patreon | Episodes | Subscribe | Spotify | YouTube | Newsletter | Contact | …

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REBOOT: #454 Kidney Boy on Managing Diabetes and Hypertension in CKD 1:03:57

1M ago1:03:57

1:03:57

Here is a classic Curbsiders episode with one of our favourite guests of all time, Dr Joel Topf. Learn how to manage diabetes and hypertension in chronic kidney disease with expert tips from Kidney Boy, Kashlak’s Chief of Nephrology, Dr. Joef Topf @kidney_boy. Finerenone is FDA approved for managing CKD in patients with diabetes. **Update as of Jul…

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

1M 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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Peri Hansen | Leader, CMO Practice, Korn Ferry - Is Marketing Still Marketing? 29:43

1M ago29:43

29:43

A CMO Confidential Interview with Peri Hansen, Korn Ferry Leader, CMO Practice, North America. Peri discusses why the CMO position is becoming the vanguard of innovation, the importance of an "agile learner" mindset, and why there's no substitute for great leadership. Key topics include: how nothing "returned to normal" after COVID; the importance …

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Social Media in your Screenwriting Career: Interview w/ Nic Curcio and Kristen Tepper 59:45

1M ago59:45

59:45

This week, we chat with screenwriters Nic Curcio and Kristin Tepper about branding, social media, and what it means to create content as a writer in today’s industry. We dive into how writers can approach their digital footprint, whether you need to be on social media, how to build an authentic brand, the blacklist, and a ton more... Nic Curcio: @N…

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DF Direct Weekly #223: Cyberpunk 2077 VRR Tested, Space Marine RT Upgraded, New SNES Doom Wows 1:52:13

1M ago1:52:13

1:52:13

The latest DF Direct Weekly sees Rich get to grips with Cyberpunk 2077's console VRR - putting our work-in-progress VRR capture tools to the test. Meanwhile, Alex checks out the ray traced ambient occlusion that's been added to Space Marine 2 and investigates odd reports of broken UE4 ray tracing on RDNA 4 graphics cards. John shares more on Donkey…

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#492 Hair and Nails with Helena Pasieka MD MS 1:28:45

1M ago1:28:45

1:28:45

Combing through common dermatologic complaints in Primary Care Hone your framework for assessing generalized and patchy hair loss and learn how to counsel patients about the hair loss advice they hear on social media. We discuss useful tests and treatments, psychosocial factors in relation to hair loss, variations in hair types and mention relevant…

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Investigating Your Invisible Systems 16:20

1M 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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PATREON UNLOCKED #39 Exclusive! Travel Medicine 39:47

1M ago39:47

39:47

Matt and Paul recap top pearls from a recent episode on Travel Medicine with Dr. Boghuma Titanji (audio version) and share their picks of the week. Below are links to the original interview & show notes. #449 Travel Medicine Picks of the week: Paul recommends: Clutch - Psychic Warfare; Harry Nilsson - The Point Watto - Mr. McMahon (Netflix Docuseri…