A Large Regular

Todd McFarlane, creator of Spawn and founder of Image Comics, had a fascinating two part podcast interview with Tim Ferriss.

In Part 1: He discussed growing up and breaking into the comic book industry. He also spoke about his rise at Marvel where he eventually became the top selling author/artist and how he walked away from that to found Image Comics which was a hit from the start because of Spawn.

In Part 2: He discussed his friendship with Stan Lee, making best selling toys, getting into the music video industry, plus some pretty good life advice.

If you have a few hours - these podcasts may be worth your time.

Was a fan of Hugh Jackman the actor but after listening to these two podcasts I'm an even bigger fan of Hugh Jackman the person.

Hugh Jackman with Peter Attia.

Hugh Jackman with Tim Ferris.

If you have time this weekend both podcasts are well worth your time.

Miscellaneous thoughts and observations.

I wonder how much of Stamps.com's success is due to being an early supporter and advertiser on podcasts... I know it's a serious problem for many but I'm still amused by fact that Yankee "great" Mark Teixeira is the new spokesperson for Depends. Next up A-Rod as spokesperson for Valtrex? One can only hope... I would honestly like to see a Caddyshack III starring Amy Schumer (just so we can get the title of the worst movie of the decade out of the way early)... Why is it "happy as a clam?" Is it because clams don't have brains or feelings?... Whiskey Smoothie would be a good name for a band (or slang for hangover related diarrhea)... Eddie Van Halen has died. RIP to the best guitarist I ever saw in person... I like Dan Wetzel but his argument that it isn't necessarily politics that's causing low NBA ratings was disingenuous. The word China never appeared in the article nor did the fact the NBA will let you have jerseys that say "Black Lives Matter" but not "Blue Lives Matter" or "All Lives Matter." Politics is the number one reason NBA numbers are down and why they will not rebound... 

This podcast of Naval Ravikant speaking with Matt Ridley is highly recommended.

Just under a half-hour in length and well worth your time.

I also placed an order for Matt Ridley's new book How Innovation Works: And Why It Flourishes in Freedom after listening to it.

Looking forward to Part II.

If you're thinking of doing a podcast (which I am) here's two good resources:

Full-Time Podcaster an e-book guide to starting a successful podcast. Note - I haven't read this guide yet but it comes highly recommended.

Tim Ferriss goes over the gear he uses for his broadcast and why he's chosen these items.

"Even a Marxist thinks that you have to first get the capitalists to do things before you can redistribute stuff." - Peter Thiel

I enjoy moments of serendipity in my life. This past week I listened to The Portal podcast by Eric Weinstein and his first episode was a close to 3-hour discussion with Peter Thiel. It was a fascinating discussion that I will be listening to again.

Then shortly after I listened to the podcast Farnum Street posted an article on Eight Things I learned from Peter Thiel's Zero to One. Needless to say I ordered the book and it should arrive today.

Sometimes when the universe sends you signals - you should listen to them.

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Has the Euro been harmful to European economies?

- Interesting - the 50 best podcast episodes of 2018. Looks like I have a lot of listening in front of me.

- Heh Heh

- 20 tips for a positive New Year (this is a list I'll plan to revisit from time to time during the year)

- American Jews and Israeli Jews are headed for a messy breakup

- Good advice

- More good advice.

Really enjoy the back from the dead Jeselnik & Rosenthal Vanity Project podcast. This podcast is the rebirth of the old Rosenthal & Jeselnik Vanity Project which was cancelled by the NFL Network.

 I may be childish but the humor of this podcast is right up my alley. Don't expect much hard NFL news and especially don't expect predictions.

Economist Russ Roberts succinctly summarizes why there is such an "outrage epidemic" in media these days. When you think about it this also explains why fewer and fewer people are relying on the major media outlets.

I highly recommend Russ Roberts' podcast EconTalk.

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- History will not be kind to the Obama Administration

- Amazon agrees to give Massachusetts tax officials data on Mass resellers doing business with Amazon. Can providing States with customer data be next?

- Animals on planes. I think if an airline said that they would only allowed certified service animals on their planes - that airline would most likely win my business.

- Now I'm going to have this chart in my head every time I hear a Steely Dan song

- James Altucher and Tim Ferris - two podcasts filled with valuable life lessons

- I too remember The Traveling Wilburys being old at the time. Turns out not so much.

- Cool - here's what its like to find $8 million worth of cars in a random garage.

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Flying cars are coming closer to reality.

- Very cool - Saturn peeking out behind the moon

- Heh Heh

- Love Secretary Mattis

- Did not know this

- 10 podcasts that will make you smarter

- Damn - so sad to hear of the passing of J. Geils

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- 27 of the most amazing science photos from 2016

- Another Christmas gone by without getting something I really wanted

- This is awesome! "Give me yer belt Joe Rogan!"

- I agree - for those who know recent Irish history this might be Tweet of the year!

- 45 podcasts from TedTalks. Has to be a couple there I'd enjoy.

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- Great story from Pedro Martinez on the lesson Johnny Bench taught him the evening of Pedro's HOF induction.

- Why it's great to be a Boston sports fan and lousy to be a Washington DC sports fan

- Heh heh - sometimes I have the sense of humor of a 10-year old boy

- Brad Thor's well thought out opposition to Donald Trump

- Speaking of Trump

- 45 podcasts recommended by Ted.com

Stuff I found interesting or amusing and thought I'd share.

- How much shuffling does it take to randomize a deck of cards?

- Is he into you? Animal kingdom edition. "Try casually flirting with him by urinating close to where he's grazing."

- Weedkiller Roundup may cause non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

- PJ O'Rourke remembers friend John Hughes

- Interesting look at the financial success of Adam Carolla's pirate ship

Interesting interview with Joe Rogan. A lot of the information wasn't new to me because I'm a fan of his podcast - The Joe Rogan Experience. It got me thinking about podcasts. Here's the list of podcasts I listen to on a regular basis - am I missing out on any good ones?

Adam Carolla
WTF with Marc Maron
The BS Report (Bill Simmons)
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Common Sense with Dan Carlin
The Rich Eisen Podcast
Penn's Sunday School (Penn Gillette)
Stuff You Missed in History Class
RadioLab
Bill Burr's Monday Morning Podcast
Fitzdog Radio (Greg Fitzsimmons)