Best Can T Read Can T Write Podcasts (2025)

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When AI Cannibalizes Its Data | Short Wave 14:12

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1h ago14:12

14:12

Today, we’re featuring an episode from NPR’s science podcast Short Wave. In it, host Regina G. Barber talks to computer scientist Ilia Shumailov about maybe the buzziest topic around: AI. I’m sure you know AI models like OpenAI's ChatGPT are trained on millions of examples of human-written text. Nowadays, a lot of content on the Internet is written…

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The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas - Episode 230 1:43:44

3d ago1:43:44

1:43:44

Happy Halloween! This episode was supposed to air on 11/4, but we figured you'd all appreciate hearing this one a week early in the spirit of the season. The next episode will air on schedule on 11/18, so make sure you check out some older spooky season TBC episodes while you wait: The Hog from Carnacki, the Ghost Finder by William Hope Hodgson *Sp…

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S17:E26: The Real Purpose of the Second Act (And Why You Can't Skip It) 20:05

4d ago20:05

20:05

What would stories be without their long, uncertain middles? In this episode, we explore the real purpose of the Second Act in story structure. The Secodn is the heart of every story, where transformation happens. You'll learn why this "middle" isn't just filler, but the symbolic journey that tests your characters, deepens your theme, and gives you…

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The inside story of Notre-Dame's incredible reconstruction | Philippe Villeneuve 15:02

7d ago15:02

15:02

In a moment that stunned the world in 2019, the famed Notre-Dame in Paris went up in flames, threatening the future of the centuries-old Gothic treasure. Philippe Villeneuve, the chief architect of the cathedral’s restoration, recounts the collective effort to bring the building back to life while honoring its history. Listen for a story of craftsm…

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Other Misfortunes (The Enchantment and You'll Find It's Like That All Over) by Eric LaRocca - Episode 229 1:13:18

10d ago1:13:18

1:13:18

For this year's Spooky Season, we headed over to reddit to see what r/horrorlit thought were the worst horror books they read in 2024. It seemed that Eric LaRocca's novella Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke was widely hated by the sub, but since the Antiques Freaks already reviewed that back in October 2023, Paris chose to instead read t…

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S17:E25: "Who Am I?" The Midpoint as Self-Recognition in Story Structure 19:30

11d ago19:30

19:30

Discover how the Midpoint in story structure is more than a Moment of Truth. It's self-recognition in which characters remember who they are.By K.M. Weiland

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I’ll probably lose my job to AI. Here’s why that’s OK | Megan J. McArdle 14:11

14d ago14:11

14:11

Artificial intelligence could cost many of us our careers — but that doesn’t mean we should stop its development, says journalist Megan J. McArdle. As she watches AI encroach on her own craft, she shares a fresh take on the 19th-century Luddites, who tried to destroy machines that would upend their trade. Looking back, McArdle reframes today’s fear…

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How Texas became America’s biggest producer of wind energy 26:59

21d ago26:59

26:59

This is the surprising story of how Texas – rich in oil and gas – became America's biggest producer of wind energy. For our first episode, Ryan and Anjali talk with Pat Wood, once George W. Bush’s right hand man and head of Texas's Public Utility Commission, to uncover the innovative approach that turned Texas into a renewable energy powerhouse. It…

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From Fan To Family: Embracing Jason Momoa's World by Ligaya "Aying" Espina Cerny - Episode 228 1:23:48

24d ago1:23:48

1:23:48

Today's book was suggested to us by a fan on Instagram who said, "Your schedule is probably still full but I have the book to end all terrible books. [Redacted] wrote this about her love (obsession) for Jason Mamoa and it is a mess; it's absolutely terrible." This extremely personal book of poetry rotates around the axis of Jason Momoa and takes us…

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The Inbox Series - Episode 014 – How to Write the Perfect Newsletter (That People Actually Want to Read) 8:09

28d ago8:09

8:09

Most brand newsletters are either boring or non-existent. They show up only when there's a product to sell, or they read like a flyer that landed in your inbox by accident. But a good newsletter? It feels like a mini magazine. Something people actually look forward to opening. In this episode, I'm giving you a simple, step-by-step structure to writ…

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Inside a dark web kill list | Carl Miller 16:25

28d ago16:25

16:25

Who pays for an assassin on the internet? Dark web researcher Carl Miller spent years tracking down the answer to this question. In this chilling talk, he shares how he uncovered real kill orders placed online by seemingly ordinary individuals — and gives an unsettling look at what drives people to the brink. (Note: This talk contains descriptions …

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Interview: The plant-based coating that is eliminating food spoilage | Jenny Du 20:51

1M ago20:51

20:51

If food waste were a country, it’d be the third highest emitter of greenhouse gas emissions after China and the US, says Apeel Senior VP of Operations Jenny Du. Following her talk at TED2025, Du sits down for a conversation with host Sherrell Dorsey on how her lab is creating plant-based coating that can help reduce food spoilage. From combating fo…

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The Inbox Series – 013 – How to Take Back Control of Your Time (With Time Blocking) 11:57

1M ago11:57

11:57

If your days feel chaotic, constantly busy but never accomplished then this episode is for you. Time blocking isn't about rigid colour-coded schedules or mapping every second of your day. It's about taking back control so you feel calmer, clearer, and more focused in your business. In this episode, I'll walk you through: ✨ The biggest time challeng…

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After Dinner Conversation Magazine: Sample Issue - Episode 227 1:23:02

1M ago1:23:02

1:23:02

This week, Paris discusses her experience reading the sample issue of a magazine called After Dinner Conversation from the non-profit philosophy and ethics short fiction publisher of the same name. They DM'ed us on Twitter saying they wanted us to try their free sample issue, so we actually took them up on this offer because we've never reviewed a …

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S17:S24: Big vs. Small Character Arcs: Understanding the Degrees of Change in Storytelling 26:22

1M ago26:22

26:22

Not every story needs a protagonist who undergoes a massive, life-altering transformation. Some of the most memorable tales hinge on smaller, quieter shifts, or even on characters who remain steadfast throughout. In this episode, we'll explore the full spectrum of character arcs: Big arcs that redefine a protagonist's worldview Small arcs that mirr…

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How to build in space for life on Earth | Ariel Ekblaw 13:01

1M ago13:01

13:01

Is space the “final frontier” — or the perfect place to revolutionize life on Earth? Space architect Ariel Ekblaw reveals how self-assembling structures could build orbiting real estate in space dedicated to solving humanity’s greatest dilemmas on Earth, leading to scientific and medical breakthroughs only possible in zero gravity. Interested in le…

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The Inbox Series – 012 – Why Your CTAs Aren't Working (And How to Fix Them) 14:54

1M ago14:54

14:54

If you've ever ended a post with "link in bio" and wondered why no one clicks… this episode is for you. Because CTAs (calls to action) are tiny lines with a huge impact. They're the difference between content that gets ignored and content that actually converts. In this episode, I'm breaking down: ✨ The 4 rules of a CTA that converts ✨ Why "link in…

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S17:E23: How a Character's Personality Shapes Arc, Voice, and Goals 22:06

2M ago22:06

22:06

What makes a character unforgettable? It's not just quirks or dialogue. It's personality. Your characters' personalities shape their arcs, influence their voices, drive their goals, and and connect plot and theme into a cohesive whole. In this episode, we'll explore why personality is the secret ingredient to compelling storytelling and how you can…

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The Inbox Series – 011 – 4 Emails You Should Be Sending to Get Consistent Sales 9:14

2M ago9:14

9:14

If your email marketing is stuck on "welcome sequence" and "launch announcement," you're leaving money on the table! Consistent sales don't come from one-off big launches. They come from regular, thoughtful touchpoints with your customers that build trust and create urgency. In this episode, I'm breaking down the four types of emails you should be …

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The AI revolution is underhyped | Eric Schmidt 29:51

2M ago29:51

29:51

The arrival of non-human intelligence is a very big deal, says former Google CEO and chairman Eric Schmidt. In a wide-ranging interview with technologist Bilawal Sidhu, Schmidt makes the case that AI is wildly underhyped, as near-constant breakthroughs give rise to systems capable of doing even the most complex tasks on their own. He explores the s…

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I Am Not Starfire by Mariko Tamaki / Illustrated by Yoshi Yoshitani Patron's Choice - Episode 226 1:12:18

2M ago1:12:18

1:12:18

Our patron rootbeercutie recommended I Am Not Starfire and since we had somehow not done a graphic novel in the 10 years of this podcast, Chris stepped up to tackle this Teen Titans spinoff. Today's episode features a whole lot of superhero tropes and parent/child strife; even good art and a lesbian protagonist who gets a happy ending couldn't save…

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S17:E22: Why All Stories Are Myth—and How They Transform Us 21:17

2M ago21:17

21:17

Why All Stories Are Myth (and How They Transform the Psyche) What if every story you've ever loved—whether it's Spirited Away, The Lord of the Rings, or Pride & Prejudice—wasn't just entertainment or even "realistic" fiction, but myth in disguise? In this week's episode of the Helping Writers Become Authors podcast, we explore the mythic foundation…

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The Inbox Series - 010 What Reality TV Can Teach You About Leadership & Running Your Fashion Brand 12:17

2M ago12:17

12:17

The Inbox Series – 010 – What Captain Sandy Taught Me About Leadership (and Why It Matters for Your Brand) Leadership is one of the scariest parts of growing a fashion brand. How do you delegate without sounding bossy? Give feedback without crushing someone's confidence? Or step into being a "leader" when you've always seen yourself as a creative? …

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The future of finding love with Bumble CEO Whitney Wolfe Herd | ReThinking with Adam Grant 36:29

2M ago36:29

36:29

What will dating look like in the age of AI? Whitney Wolfe Herd is the founder and CEO of Bumble, the popular dating app that has helped millions of people meet their match. In this episode, Whitney chats with Adam about her vision for the future of dating online and offline, her decision to take a break from leading Bumble, and the importance of p…

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A concrete plan for sustainable cement | Ryan Gilliam 10:43

2M ago10:43

10:43

Cement is one of the most-consumed materials on Earth — second only to water — and it accounts for a whopping eight percent of the world's carbon pollution. What if we could turn this climate villain into a hero? Clean tech innovator and serial entrepreneur Ryan Gilliam reveals his company's surprisingly simple process for transforming waste from t…

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The Inbox Series – 009 Let's Talk About Money (Without Feeling Weird About It) 11:51

2M ago11:51

11:51

Feel awkward charging for your work? Say "I can't afford that" without thinking? This episode is for you. We're diving into the real reason why your relationship with money might be holding you back and how to shift it without turning into a walking Pinterest quote. Inspired by this book, this is a mindset-meets-practical episode designed to help y…

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Secrets of Adulthood: Simple Truths for Our Complex Lives by Gretchen Rubin - Episode 225 1:01:06

2M ago1:01:06

1:01:06

We haven't done any self-help lately, so Paris braved Oprah's Book Club list to pull the recently published Secrets of Adulthood straight from its maw. Though it attempted to take her, she fought her way out to bring you this episode about the science of happiness and the pop cultural grift which swirls around it. References & Resources: Dr. Robert…

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S17:E21: What's Happened to Modern Storytelling? (+ 6 Ways Storytelling Can Find Its Soul Again) 24:34

2M ago24:34

24:34

Feeling bored at the movies? Learn what's happened to modern storytelling and what it will take to restore the magic and emotional impact.By K.M. Weiland

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A survival guide for musicians in the age of AI | Harvey Mason jr. 15:36

2M ago15:36

15:36

Artificial intelligence can write a song in seconds, but does that mean human songwriters will become obsolete? Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. doesn’t think so. A songwriter himself, he offers a four-step “survival guide” for human creators to endure the age of AI, urging musicians to embrace technology while preserving the emotional essenc…

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The Inbox Series – 008 Real Stories from Fashion Founders - The Magnetic Transformation 14:28

2M ago14:28

14:28

If you've ever wondered what actually changes when someone joins a programme like Magnetic, this one's for you. This episode isn't about features or bonuses. It's a BTS look at the quiet shifts that turn overthinking into action and second-guessing into confidence. I'm sharing real stories from past & current Magnetic members who came in feeling ov…

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S17:E20: Writing Better Character Conflicts With the 5 Conflict Management Styles 21:59

2M ago21:59

21:59

Here's how writers can apply the five conflict management styles to create richer, more realistic character conflicts in your fiction.By K.M. Weiland

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Why your phone battery gets worse over time | George Zaidan 9:47

3M ago9:47

9:47

Almost all batteries, even single-use batteries, are theoretically rechargeable. That's because the metals and other chemicals are still there in the battery. So chemically speaking, a dead battery is actually not that different from a fresh one. Then why do batteries die in the first place? And what should you do with them once they're spent? Geor…

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The Inbox Series - Episode 007 What Actually Happens When You Book A Discovery Call With Me 8:09

3M ago8:09

8:09

Ever hovered over the 'book a call' button and then… closed the tab? This episode is for you if you've been curious about joining Magnetic : Marketing Accelerator but keep putting it off because you're not sure what to expect or whether you're even ready! I'm walking you through exactly what happens on a sales call with me before you join Magnetic.…

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TBC Plays DragonRaid by Dick Wulf Special Guests Phoebe & Kami - Episode 224 2:11:55

3M ago2:11:55

2:11:55

One dark day in the TBC Patreon chat dungeons, our Patron Austin scrawled the following message to us: "...[D]uring the 80s there was a guy literally named Dick Wulf (Not to be confused with law and order producer and writer Dick Wolf) who made a Christian version of D&D called Dragonraid. There's very little documentation online about what the gam…

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Will AI make humans extinct? | Yoshua Bengio 15:42

3M ago15:42

15:42

Yoshua Bengio — the world's most-cited computer scientist and a "godfather" of artificial intelligence — is deadly concerned about the current trajectory of the technology. As AI models race toward full-blown agency, Bengio warns that they've already learned to deceive, cheat, self-preserve and slip out of our control. Drawing on his groundbreaking…

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The Inbox Series - 006 - Want £10K Months for your Fashion Brand? Here's What It Actually Takes 6:58

3M ago6:58

6:58

£10K months sound great but have you actually worked out what it takes to get there? In this episode, I'm walking you through the common traps that keep founders stuck and introducing the Magnetic Money Matrix. It's a free tool I created to help you stop guessing and start planning. You'll learn what £10K months really look like based on your numbe…

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S17:E19: The 5 Types of Scene Endings Every Writer Must Master 21:44

3M ago21:44

21:44

Discover the 5 types of scene endings—Yes, No, No But, and No And—and why one of them might be weakening your story's momentum.By K.M. Weiland

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Is AI your next hire? | Fixable 30:45

3M ago30:45

30:45

What do you do when there’s too much work but not enough people to do it? Bring in some support! This week, Anne and Frances talk to a listener whose expert sales team can no longer keep up with everything the company offers. Together, Anne and Frances outline ways to simplify work for a stressed out team—including the use of AI to reduce complexit…

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The Inbox Series - Episode 005 - Thinking of Discounting Your Prices? Listen to This First 9:25

3M ago9:25

9:25

Ever felt tempted to drop your prices just to get a sale? In this episode, I'm sharing a story that perfectly sums up why cheaper doesn't always mean better and what that means for how you price your products. Because the truth is, lowering your prices won't always build trust. In fact, it might raise more questions than answers. If you've ever pan…

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Bob Honey Who Just Do Stuff by Sean Penn Patron's Choice - Episode 223 1:13:46

3M ago1:13:46

1:13:46

Paris must conquer her fear and loathing to survive this gonzo, idiocratic adventure from the mind of Sean Penn (yes, the actor). Our Patron George submitted this as his Patron's request this season saying, "I've been listening to you guys for a long time and this is the first time I've ever found anything that you folks might be interested [in]. I…

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S17:E18: 7 Ways to Watch and Read More Intentionally 19:44

3M ago19:44

19:44

If writers don't consume stories with intention, who will? Here are 7 mindful habits to read more intentionally and get more from stories.By K.M. Weiland