When Brent Ridge and Josh Kilmer-Purcell left their high-powered New York City careers for a 19th-century farm in upstate New York, they didn’t set out to build a skincare empire. But after losing their jobs during the 2008 recession—and taking in a neighbor’s herd of goats—they discovered that frugality, creativity, and a deep commitment to kindness could grow into something remarkable. In this conversation, the founders of Beekman 1802 share the values and scrappy problem-solving that helped them turn goat milk soap into a nine-figure brand. We talk about the surprising business advantages of kindness, why constraints fuel creativity, how to stay grounded as you grow, and why success is best defined on your own terms. Get their new book, G. O. A. T. Wisdom: How to Build a Truly Great Business--From the Founders of Beekman 1802 Show notes and resources from this episode: http://reconsidering/p/episode-50-kindness-is-a-strategy

In this episode, we sit down with philosopher Valerie Tiberius to explore the surprisingly complex topic of values—how we develop them, how they change over time, and how to align them with our actions in a chaotic world. Valerie, a professor of philosophy at the University of Minnesota, shares insights from her decades of research and writing, offering practical tools for reflecting on what matters most. We discuss the difference between values and morals, the influence of culture and technology, and why your emotional reactions might be the key to understanding your core values. She also introduces her “Lab Rat Strategy,” a refreshingly grounded approach to self-reflection. Whether you’re rethinking your goals, raising kids, or just trying to stay sane while doomscrolling the news, this conversation will give you fresh language—and a bit of clarity—for navigating modern life. Show notes and transcript: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-49-values-and-what-matters

What if the next frontier of human rights isn’t out in the streets but inside your own head? We talk with Dr. Simon McCarthy-Jones, Associate Professor of Psychology at Trinity College Dublin, about the modern fight for freedom of thought. Simon unpacks how everything from social media algorithms to brain-reading technologies are reshaping not just what we think, but how we think. We explore the psychological and legal implications of a world where our inner lives are no longer entirely private—and where even a simple Google search might be treated as a window into your mind. We also discuss: Why freedom of thought is an absolute right under international law—and why it’s so underdeveloped The blurred line between thought and speech in the age of ChatGPT, Google, and digital diaries Whether persuasive tech and personalized AI are eroding mental autonomy What you can do to protect and reclaim your inner cognitive space Simon also offers practical strategies for thinking more freely, from managing your attention to cultivating reflective habits—and why real thinking might be more social than solitary. Show notes and resources: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-48-ai-algorithms-and-the

What happens when the work that makes us most human—caring, listening, connecting—is increasingly outsourced, automated, or pushed to the margins? As AI enters every aspect of our lives, it’s ever more imperative to answer the question, “what does it mean to be human?” Sociologist Allison Pugh has been thinking deeply about that question. In her new book The Last Human Job: The Work of Connecting in a Disconnected World, she explores the overlooked emotional labor of roles like teachers, nurses, and social workers—and why these forms of connection are essential not just to our economy, but to our collective humanity. In this conversation, we unpack the invisible scaffolding that keeps our care systems running, why “connection” work is under threat, and what we lose when efficiency becomes more valuable than empathy. Whether you’re managing a team, raising kids, or just trying to be more present in your relationships, Allison’s insights will challenge how you think about the work of being human. Show notes and links: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-47-the-last-human-jobs-with

We don’t talk enough about caregiving. Especially the kind that unfolds quietly while juggling jobs, parenting, and the slow, disorienting decline of aging parents. But Liz O’Donnell is changing that. In this deeply moving episode, Liz—founder of Working Daughter and author of the book by the same name—shares her story of navigating career ambition, caregiving chaos, and emotional survival after receiving a double diagnosis for both of her parents. What followed was a crash course in elder care, systemic gaps, and radical acceptance. In this episode we discuss: How to show up at work when your personal life is falling apart Why letting go of guilt is one of the most challenging acts a caregiver can embrace What caregiving reveals about family roles, unspoken expectations, and sibling dynamics Why our culture still stigmatizes elder care—and how we can start the right conversations now Liz’s story isn’t just about hardship. It’s also about grace, humor, and the unexpected gift of showing up fully for those we love. Show notes and resources:

Noticing the details in life is eminently satisfying, yet surprisingly hard to do. Bird migration patterns, the moon phase, the details of a rearranged room all go unnoticed by most of us because our attention is fragmented. When the pandemic hit the pause button on life, many of us realized just how much we were missing everyday. Our attention is fragmented by a phone, a to-do list, our choices. Rob Walker, author of the book The Art of Noticing: 131 Ways to Spark Creativity, Find Inspiration, and Discover Joy in the Everyday, has a different plan for us. His book and his course on Sam Harris’ Waking Up app prompt us to pay attention in new ways that open our eyes to the world around us. In our conversation, Rob shares how noticing is different from mindfulness, what happens to our creativity when we learn to tune in, and how the way we direct our attention shapes who we are. Show notes and resources: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-45-the-art-of-noticing-with

Few health risks conjure deeply held fears as effectively as cancer. Most of us have someone close to us who has been taken by the disease, but risk communications expert David Ropeik wants us to reconsider the scope of our fears. Drawing on decades of research and his new book, Curing Cancerphobia, David unpacks why cancer—now a treatable or chronic condition in many cases—still looms larger in our psyches than heart disease, which actually claims more lives each year. He explains how fear drives unnecessary screenings, unproven preventions, and even aggressive treatments for cancers that might never have done harm, and reveals the psychological roots of that fear—from the sense of lost control to the visceral dread of pain and suffering. Throughout the conversation, David draws on key insights from the psychology of risk perception: Control vs. Imposed Risk: We fear risks we can’t control (cancer) more than those we feel responsible for (heart disease). Fear First, Think Second: Our brain’s instinctive “uh-oh” response precedes rational thought, making early judgments emotionally charged and often distorted. Right-Sizing Fear: By pausing to let rational thinking catch up—acknowledging the “risk perception gap”—we can make healthier, more balanced choices. Show notes and resources mentioned: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-44-rethinking-fears-of-cancer

Family estrangement is a silent epidemic affecting millions, yet it's rarely discussed openly. In this episode of Reconsidering, we sit down with Dr. Karl Pillemer, a leading sociologist and gerontologist, to explore the complexities of fractured family relationships. Drawing from his extensive research, including the Cornell Family Reconciliation Project, Dr. Pillemer offers evidence-based insights and practical advice on how to navigate and mend these deep-seated rifts.​ In this episode we cover: The prevalence and impact of family estrangement in modern society Common causes and misconceptions surrounding familial rifts Strategies for initiating reconciliation and fostering healing The role of empathy, communication, and forgiveness in rebuilding relationships​ Show notes: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-43-family-estrangement-with

In this episode of Reconsidering, we sit down with Matt Abrahams, a leading expert in communication and a lecturer at Stanford Graduate School of Business. Matt shares insights from his latest book, Think Faster, Talk Smarter: How to Speak Successfully When You’re Put on the Spot, offering practical strategies to enhance spontaneous speaking skills. We delve into techniques for managing speaking anxiety, the importance of reframing communication as a conversation, and methods to craft concise and compelling messages. Whether you’re navigating impromptu questions or aiming to improve your everyday interactions, this conversation provides valuable tools to communicate with confidence and clarity. Show notes: https://www.reconsidering.org/p/episode-42-matt-abrahams-on-mastering

In this special, live episode from the Config conference at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, Jesse James Garrett recounts his significant career co-founding Adaptive Path, pioneering foundational processes in software design, and navigating strange waters as his company was sold to Capital One. Just as he was finding his footing as a design executive coach, he got a cancer diagnosis that reshaped his view on work and life. Now on the other side of cancer, he shares what he learned. Transcript and show notes: http://reconsidering.org

Being nice is a virtue—until it's not. Compulsively helping and staying positive to the detriment to your sanity and needs can lead to resentment and broken relationships. Dr Aziz Gazipura, author of Not Nice: Stop People Pleasing, Staying Silent, and Feeling Guilty... And Start Speaking Up, Saying No, Asking Boldly, And Unapologetically Being Yourself, wants to help us rethink what it means to be "nice". In this episode, we talk with Dr Aziz about his personal journey from habitual people pleasing to setting boundaries and learning to communicate honestly. He shares practical guidance about how you can be kind, which is different than being nice, while still being true to yourself and your needs. Show notes and transcript: http://reconsidering.substack.com

Americans love a hard worker. The employee who toils eighteen-hour days and eats meals on the run between appointments is usually viewed with a combination of respect and awe. But for many, this lifestyle leads to family problems, a decline in work productivity, and, ultimately, physical and mental burnout. Bryan Robinson, author of Chained to the Desk in a Hybrid World, knows a thing or two about work addiction. He spent years hiding and repressing destructive addition to his work, which took a toll on his relationships. Today, he’s helping other break the chain including Allanis Morriset who has “greatly benefited from his guidance, experience, knowledge and wisdom on the topic of healing from what I consider to be the quietest and most insidious (and often praised) addiction in today’s times.” Shownotes and transcript: https://reconsidering.substack.com/p/work-addiction-with-bryan-robinson

It's the Thanksgiving holiday break in the US, so we're re-broadcasting one of our favorite episodes about friendship and community, which is very timely as we approach the holiday season. Living in isolation for two years without the support of community clarified for many of us just how nourishing and essential relationships are to us. Now that we’re starting to re-enter the world, how might we be more intentional about cultivating community? Tina Roth-Eisenberg—Swissmiss to her hundreds of thousands of followers on the web—has thought about this deeply. She’s the founder of Creative Mornings, a global creative community in 224 cities and 67 countries that welcomes thousands of people each month to inspiring events. She’s also a master at bringing small groups together for support, and as you’ll hear in this episode, pretty clever at building new friendships. Show notes and transcript: https://reconsidering.org/episodes/15

Katherine May first joined us on Reconsidering in 2020, during the height of the pandemic, to talk about her book Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times. It was a timely topic and a memorable conversation as most of us were confronting one of the most challenging and isolating holidays seasons of our lifetimes. With that moment now thankfully behind us, Katherine has returned with a new book, Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age. This time around, she turns our attention to fundamental questions about how else we might live and in particular how might we find a way to reconnect in a quiet and intimate way with the natural and immediate world that surrounds us all. It’s an important question, a wonderful book, and a rich starting point for our conversation. Thanks for listening. Show notes and transcript: http://reconsidering.org/episodes/37

It's time to confront one of life's most certain yet most avoided topics: the end of life. While death eventually greets us all, most of us skirt around the topic and what it means for us and our loved ones. In this illuminating conversation, we aim to demystify this phase of life and empower you to approach it with a sense of preparedness and dignity. Our guest, Shoshana Berger, serves as the Global Editorial Director at Ideo and brings a unique expertise to the table. She's worked on transformative projects with Zen Hospice to improve end-of-life experiences and is also the co-author of the pivotal book 'A Beginner's Guide to the End: Practical Advice for Living Life and Facing Death' with Dr. BJ Miller. Together, we'll explore why people are so hesitant to talk about facing death, arm caregivers with essential knowledge for this stage, and discuss how to articulate your own wishes for this profound chapter of life. Show notes and transcript: https://reconsidering.org/episodes/36

In the bestselling book Radical Candor, author Kim Scott laid out a simple framework for how to create, foster, and thrive in a culture that effectively gives and receives feedback—direct, clear, concise, and actionable. However, when you write a book about feedback, well, you get a lot of feedback, and indeed she did. Rather than ignoring or hiding from it, however, Kim decided to do the hard work of internalizing and processing it with the result being her latest book, Just Work. We had the pleasure of talking with Kim about just work, as well as hearing about the personal journey and experiences that motivated her to write it. Show notes and transcript: https://reconsidering.org/episodes/35

Think your job is stressful? Try being an emergency response physician at the Mayo Clinic, one of the top hospitals in the US that sees some of the most extreme emergencies. Dr Richard Winters has been responding under pressure in chaotic situations for a long time, and it’s taught him valuable lessons about decision making and leadership. In his book, You're the Leader. Now What?, Richard distills his knowledge into simple frameworks and practical tactics that can help us lead colleagues and communities with confidence and make decisions with clarity. Show notes and transcript: http://reconsidering.org/episodes/34

An apology can mend old wounds, reunite people, and heal communities. Despite the potential power it can have, a good apology is hard to find. There's a simple structure to a good apology we should all have memorized along with the traits of a bad apology that will only lead us into pain and misery. In this episode, we're going to the apology experts for guidance, Marjorie Ingall and Susan McCarthy, authors of the book “Sorry Sorry Sorry: The Case for a good apology” and founders of SorryWatch.com. Marjorie and Susan teach us how to make a good apology and give examples of bad ones. Learning this essential skill will help you preserve and strengthen the most consequential relationships in your life. What could be more important?

Like it or not, change is inevitable. Your career, relationships, body, health, mood are all in constant motion. We can fight it but it’s unproductive and leads to suffering. Our pal Brad Stulberg is back on the show to help us look at change differently. His new book Master of Change: How To Excel When Everything Is Changing - Including You is full of deeply researched wisdom from science and philosophy that will help you become more resilient and adaptable. Show notes and transcript: https://reconsidering.org/episodes/32

There’s a point in our lives when we’re told it’s time to grow up and stop playing games. To move away from the trivial pursuits of childhood and get serious about how we spend our time. But what if that advice is wrong? What if games are actually one of the best ways to spend our time and one of our best opportunities to learn about our world and even ourselves? Why are games so embedded in the human experience and how should we think about them as part of our own lives? That’s the topic of our discussion today with author Oliver Roeder. Oliver is a senior data journalist at the Financial Times who has also written for the Wall Street Journal, FiveThirtyEight, and the Economist. He is also the author of “Seven Games” – a book about the history and culture of seven of the most popular games in the world today: checkers, chess, go, backgammon, poker, scrabble, and bridge. Show notes, a transcript, and links from this episode are at: http://reconsidering.org/episodes/31