Metalearn

This episode is a special one on equations that changed the world.  And what better one to start with than Isaac Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity – an equation that ultimately helped us put a man on the moon! In simple terms the equation reads: Earth’s Gravitational Force = (G x M x m) / D squared  Earth’s Force = (Gravitational Constant x Earth’s Mass x Mass of the Object) /  Distance between the Earth and Object Squared What this equation allowed the smart scientists at NASA to do was to to establish with accuracy where exactly the moon was, which was no mean feat in itself.  And by calculating the rate at which gravity diminished on the way to the moon, they determined what size rocket they’d need and the best route to get there. Today’s guest, Kalid Azad, is the founder of Better Explained, one of the world's most popular maths websites that makes hard concepts easy to understand.  After studying Computer Science at Princeton, Kalid spent a few years at Microsoft as a program manager, founded a Y

Tiago Forte helps people and companies improve their productivity and prepare for the future of work using design thinking and technology. He does this through his consultancy and training firm Forte Labs, and as editor of Praxis, a members-only online publication on the future of productivity. He has also produced a series of highly successful online courses on productivity and has written a book on the future of work. In this conversation we get into: - The fundamental pillars of a great note taking system - How design thinking can be used to improve your productivity - The actions you can take to prepare yourself for the future of work So whether you’re looking to finally get organised in 2018 or want to future proof your career, this episode will give you plenty of awesome insights that you can apply right away. 

Today’s episode is a special one for several reasons.  First, it’s episode 100 of the podcast! This is a big milestone so thank you for supporting the show and I’m looking forward to taking things forward in the weeks and months to come.    Second, it’s the first day of 2018 – so Happy New Year and all the best to you and yours for the year ahead. And third, this episode is my review of 2017, so in it I’ll discuss 5 key lessons I’ve learned in the year gone by. I’ll take story from my own experience that demonstrates each lesson and then try and draw some generalisable advice that you can apply to your learning and life.  In this episode I discuss:  - The 3 qualities of all exceptional learners I’ve discovered from my interviews - How to identify great teachers and filter through the average ones - The importance of accountability and how to set up systems that create it  So whether you’re looking to pick up a new skill in 2018, want to find a great teacher or are just curious about what I’ve learned in t

Nat Eliason is the founder of Growth Machine, a new content marketing business and the host of the Made You Think and Nat Chat podcasts. In this conversation we discuss: - How to teach yourself anything with the sandbox method - How to run and manage self-experimentation projects - Career lessons from building a thriving blog, podcast and a business So whether you’re looking to upgrade your learning or run a few more self-experiments this episode has you covered.

Ali Almossawi is an author of books on critical thinking and computer science and a data visualizer at Apple. In this conversation we discuss: - How to use algorithms to think smarter and make better decisions - How to improve your critical thinking skills in a world full of noise - How to make sense of the data deluge of the 21st century So if you want to see the world like a computer scientist or level up your critical thinking skills, this episode has you covered.

Choosing what to learn is no easy task if you’re doing it right. But doing a bit of work up front can save you a lot of trouble in the end. In this episode I discuss: - The major differences between passion and professional projects - A simple framework for identifying the skill you should learn next - The three skills everyone should be developing in the 21st century So whether you’re overwhelmed with multiple ideas or can’t come up with what to learn next, this episode has you covered.

Cecily Sommers is a futurist and author who speaks, writes, and consults on the forces shaping our future. In this conversation we discuss: - The universal principles behind mastering any skill or field of knowledge - The 4 Forces shaping the 21st Century and what to do about them - The mental models and habits needed to think like a futurist So if you want to learn more about the mindsets and skillsets needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world, this episode has you covered.

Stephen Kosslyn is world-renowned cognitive scientist and the Founding Dean of Minerva, an innovative new university. In this conversation we discuss: - How Minerva applies the science of learning to its curriculum and pedagogy - The major misconceptions about the Minerva project and its key innovations - The importance of community in any learning program Whether you’re interested in the application of learning science or curious about the latest innovations in education this episode has you covered.

Seth Godin is one of the world’s best marketers, the author of 18 bestsellers and the founder of the altMBA. In this conversation we discuss: - What Seth has learned from building a successful online education program - Seth’s insights on creativity, including quitting projects and getting feedback - Seth’s advice on selling and marketing effectively Whether you’re looking for creative inspiration, insight into alternative education or the secrets to selling well, this episode has you covered.

Oli Barrett is an entrepreneur and speaker who makes valuable connections between people and ideas. In this conversation we discuss: - How to turn contacts into connections and build relationships that last - The best strategies for effective communication in different contexts - The best time management techniques for juggling multiple projects Whether you’re looking to build better, hone your speaking skills or manage your day better, this conversation will give you all that and more.

Kyle Pearce is the Founder of DIY Genius – a self-education platform that helps people learn faster online. In this episode we discuss: - How Kyle learns best and the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century - How to access the flow state that produces optimal performance - Kyle’s travel experiences and what he’s learned from other cultures So whether you’re looking to learn more effectively online, build a mobile business, or get into flow this episode will give you all you need and more.

Jonathan Levi, an entrepreneur, angel investor, and online educator who hails from Silicon Valley. Since 2014, Jonathan has been one of the top-performing instructors on Udemy, including a flagship course on speed reading, memorisation and accelerated learning techniques called Becoming A SuperLearner. He has also snowballed this success into a top-rated podcast, Becoming SuperHuman, and numerous other online courses in a range of subjects from productivity to bitcoin. In this conversation we discuss a range of topics including: - The most common mistakes people make when trying to process and remember information - The value of nootropics and cognitive enhancers in learning - What Jonathan thinks makes great online education So whether you’re looking to discover the techniques that will help you consume and remember information more effectively, experiment with nootropics or gain insight into the principles of good online education, this conversation has you covered.

Noah Kagan is the founder of AppSumo and Sumo.com, two multi million dollar companies that help businesses grow. In this conversation we discuss: - How Noah learns best and his experience learning a new language - The lessons Noah has learned from building an 8-Figure business - The secret behind getting your ideas heard in a world full of noise So whether you’re looking to build or grow your business or accelerate your learning with beginner’s mind, this episode will give you all that and much more.

Dr. Alex Pattakos is a bestselling author and the founder of the Global Meaning Institute. In this conversation we discuss: - The importance of finding meaning in learning and how to do it - The lessons Alex learned from his mentor, the psychiatrist, Viktor Frankl - The lessons that we can learn from the Greeks to live a more meaningful life So whether you’re looking to find meaning in your learning or want to develop greater self-awareness this episode has you covered.

Matt Clifford is the co-founder of Entrepreneur First, the world's leading technology talent investor. In this episode we discuss: - The qualities aspiring entrepreneurs should be looking to cultivate - The environmental characteristics that produce startup hubs - What Matt has learned from creating over 100 startups in the tech space So whether you’re looking to build a startup or want to get some insight into the tech trends that will affect us in the future, this episode has you covered.

While your brain doesn’t come with a user’s manual, there are things we’ve learned that apply to most humans. In this episode we discuss: - The most common brain myths dispelled including the 10% myth - The 3 key insights from neuroscience about the brain in recent years - The MetaLearning strategies that build on these insights So if you’re looking to learn more about your own brain and how to use it better in learning and life, this episode has you covered.

My first video course, Make Me A MetaLearner launches today and I’m doing a special episode here to celebrate the launch! In this episode I discuss: - Why I made Make Me A MetaLearner in the first place - The learning problems that I’ve faced on my journey - How I designed Make Me a MetaLearner I believe that MetaLearning is the ultimate 21st century superpower. Check it out for yourself from the courses section on my site or from the link below http://metalearn.teachable.com/p/make-me-a-metalearner/

Jonathan Cutrell is the founder and host of the Developer Tea Podcast and the Director of Technology at Whiteboard. In this episode we cover: - The core skills of a good developer and advice on learning to code - How Jonathan got his pilot’s license and learned to fly planes - Jonathan’s lessons from 300+ episodes of the Developer Tea Podcast So whether you’re looking to learn how to code, start a podcast, or fly a plane, this episode will give you everything you need and more.

George Spencer is the founder of Rentify an online letting agent disrupting the property rental market. In this conversation we discuss: - How George learned enough about the property market to disrupt it - How to develop core business skills including raising money and hiring - The most common media myths about entrepreneurship So whether you’re looking to build business skills or understand how to leverage tech to disrupt inefficient markets this episode has you covered.

Play is one of the most heavily neglected aspects of learning something new. In this episode, we discuss: - How to find a balance between play and hard work - How effective gamification is in improving the learning process - How to reframe whatever you’re doing to make it more enjoyable So whether you’re looking to make your learning more fun or you want to learn more about gamification, this episode will give you all that and more.