Monday, November 27, 2017

EB06: Star Wars 1) Ranking the movies, and what's still Star Wars Canon


We are big Star Wars nerds on this podcast. But who isn't?

We wanted to commemorate the launch of Episode VIII: The Last Jedi with a few episodes leading up to December 15, so, without further ado, here they are.

This is the first of five Star Wars episodes, and we wanted to kick it off right. We talk about what might make us such fans. Without diving too far into the rabbit whole of what makes human psychology work at all, we guess it might have something to do with how it unlocks our imaginations, both our own imaginations and that of any child who has ever stepped into a theater and wondered just what it might be like to swing a real lightsaber through the air.

Then we rank the episodes. Spoiler alert, here are Justin's rankings -- Dustin's are very similar:
  1. Episode V: Empire Strikes Back
  2. Episode VII: The Force Awakens
  3. Episode IV: A New Hope
  4. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
  5. Episode VI: Return of the Jedi
  6. Ep 3
  7. Ep 2
  8. Ep 1
Then we discussed what George Lucas did with the Star Wars canon through the 80s, 90s and up to his sale to Disney and how he kept a tight leash on it. What's canon? Wikipedia says canon refers to the concept of "the conceptual material accepted as 'official' in a fictional universe's fan base." So -- yeah, it's important to us Star Wars nerds.

In the 90s, Lucas let out the leash a bit, by having Timothy Zahn write the first official novel since the canon was on lock down. Star Wars: Heir to the Empire, launched to positive reviews and breathed life into a relatively stagnant franchise. This new line of story telling turned into what we assume was a money making machine for Lucas, which helped him fund the creation of the prequels (blech).

So we then presume that after every parsec of the Star Wars universe was written about and Lucas had nowhere to go, he did the only thing he could do: sell it to someone who was ballsy enough to wipe out the thousands of pages of extended canon universe:Disney (Star Wars sold for more than $4B, by the way). Now, to that day, the all those stories in the extended universe were canon, which Star Wars nerds throughout the land held as sacred as the Bible.

Today, Disney is cashing in on the ability to turn a blank slate into a blank check by re-writing each minute of the Star Wars universe starting with the minute the second Death Star blew up--which they literally did by selling the "Shattered Empire" comic series and the "Aftermath" book trilogy.

While Disney is filling up this new blank slate with money-making materials (many of which I am happily throwing my money at), they are indeed keeping an equally, if not tighter, leash on the creation of new story lines through a story group much a modern-day Jedi council telling each author who has the right to become Star Wars story telling Jedi Master--Anakin still does not have that right. It’s clear Disney is being very strategic with their baby and, I think, ensuring they maximize the return on their investment.

In fact, supporting this theory, it's widely known that Disney has fired several directors from the Star Wars movies (we're not even halfway done with this new trilogy), and hired trustworthy Hollywood mainstays like Ron Howard or Star Wars' own J.J. Abrams to fill their place.

We discuss whether or not this is purely money driven or if it's in the best interest of the fans. Of course we'll leave the final decision up to you.

Check out some of the materials we mentioned below. Enlightened Bros uses affiliate links and may get a small portion of a commission if items are purchased.

-Justin



Saturday, November 18, 2017

EB04: Meat, Design Thinking, Russian roulette questions


History of, and five tips for better meat
  • Types of cooking meat
    • Dry heat 
    • Roast 
    • Broil
    • Bbq or grill 
      • Thought to originate in the Caribbean 
      • Spanish settlers called it Barbacoa which has obviously evolved into the word barbecue 
      • Grilling is technically a method of broiling 
      • We used to be idiots about this. In in Minnesota we thought grill was barbecuing. Hot dogs and dry charred ground beef pucks. 
      • Now the event barbecue and the food category barbecue might be two different things but lest we be too enlightened I don't want to get into the etymology there.
    • Pan broiling
    • Stir frying 
    • Deep far frying
  • Wet heat 
    • Great for less tender cuts of meat 
    • Braising 
    • Stewing
    • Simmering: Used for less tender
    • Poaching: More tender cuts
      • No sear so I always thought this sounded lame. Like boiling your chicken and it tastes like um watered down chicken, but there are obviously delicious ways to braise in different liquids
Design thinking
  • Design thinking - A project and product management and planning methodology - has been around for decades 
    • Today it really represents a multi-disciplinary approach to human-centered projects that leverages research and rapid ideation. 
      • I describe it at work as a project design and management methodology that is better at innovation and human centered approach than some other boring business project methodologies. 
    • Has gained in popularity recently 
  • Back in history
    • In the 1960s - product and environment design began to evolve to try and solve programs more effectively
    • This resonates with me, think of the funky designs from the 60s like ergonomic chairs and the like 
    • We go through history with everyone designing their balls off - Scandinavians started IKEA at some point. Thanks.
    • In 1991 the design firm IDEO is formed out of a 3-way merger. 
    • Then in 1992 - a guy by the name of Richard Buchanan tied process of design thinking to innovation - and it looks like he said design has no subject matter which makes this a powerful discipline. 
    • Going forward, Ideo While most design firms hire people with backgrounds in designing furniture or spaces or graphic design, this place hires people from academia, business strategy and other disciplines. Their firms starts to win all kinds of awards with their multidisciplinary teams attacking their projects. 
    • Today, design thinking is gaining a foothold in the business world 
      • Business schools are teaching it
      • A young coworker of mine told me an assignment of his was to attend a sporting event and chart his high and low emotion points through the experience. 
    • So what is design thingijng? 
    • A lot of different ways you can attack it, but I've started to use this basic process, which I adapted from the IDEO handbook
    • Five basic steps: 
      • Research 
      • Brainstorm 
      • Prototype
      • Launch 
      • Iterate 

Mentioned in this podcast:

EB03: Coffee, Dating, and butter




In episode 3 - we discussed the history of coffee, our favorite brewing methods, and why we should probably open a coffee shop.
  • Our favorite brewing methods
    • Justin: Aeropress: the best-tasting cup of coffee you will make at home (or anywhere, really). Downsides: you only brew one cup at a time.
    • Dustin: French Press - it's "as coffee as coffee can get," as a wise Batdorf and Bronson employee told us once. It's a quick, dang tasty cup of coffee and clean up is quick and easy

  • Coffee History
    • 11th century - goat herders noticed their goats getting all crazy after eating these red berries off bushes. So they checked it out. It was coffee. Boom.
    • 15th century - Arabian peninsula - started cultivating coffee. They brewed at home but also at public coffee houses. The wifi was terrible, but the coffee was the FRESHEST.
      • A lot of intelligent conversations so they were dubbed the “schools of the wise”
    • 17th century - coffee made its way to Europe and started to become popular. Of course some thought it was from Satan like everything else that's become popular in history of everything. But I guess cooler and more caffineated heads prevailed.
    • Pope clement 8 gave it his stamp of approval so that helped.
    • Same century - coffee made its way to New York
    • Thomas Jefferson called coffee "the favorite drink of the civilized world"
  • Different waves of coffee
    • 1st wave - Folgers - this is what pushed coffee into omnipresence throughout the U.S.
    • 2nd wave - European espresso became popular in the states
    • 3rd wave - single origin specialty rosters, high end boutique coffee shops - manual brewing
Dating profiles -
  • History of dating services
  • Personal experience
  • Call on the phone and work up the balls to say out loud “will you go out with me?”
  • Now you just ask 300 girls if you wanna get a drink and you're going to succeed on some level as long as you're not 100% creep or 100% gollum from lord of the rings in your pics
  • Our generation and using them now
  • Texting, insta, Snapchat, messaging - if it's bad it's tough to get to the date
  • Lack of personal connection
Wild card
  • How fancy do you want your butter and in what applications?

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

The Bro's Gift list

This is the infinitely buy-able list of cool stuff for dudes. You can likely buy this for just about any man on your list. And, most certainly, us, if you're in the mood to gift us these things. That would be super cool. Or make your own gift list to share with your family, lady, and coworkers and guilt them in to buying you something cool. Or, our favorite, just buy yourself something on this list right now.

But let's get on to the goods.

Duke Canon anything

Seriously. They make awesome everything. But if you want a pro tip, we love their Old Milwaukee soap, which has been around for a bit. And just in time for the holidays, they launched this Buffalo Trace soap and I'm angry at the world that I'm not already in the shower with it. Buy these for anyone. They will love you.


Chemex 10-cup Brewer

For the coffee lover in your life, they need to know the magic of the Chemex. It's clean, it tastes wonderful, and it looks like a work of art on your countertop. Go with the 10-cup so you can make this magic elixir for your guests. Trust me, filling the 6-cup twice is not as fun as it sounds when you're trying to entertain your father in law, mother in law, brother in law, his girlfriend, etc,etc...



A freakin Millenium Falcon bottle opener

Yep - we're Star Wars fans and yes we own this. (Justin has the Falcon, Dustin has Darth Vader). Can't go wrong with this for the Star Wars fan on your shopping list (or for yourself - just do it.)



Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss

We loved Ferriss' last book, Tools of Titans, which highlighted key lessons from his many podcasts. It was a huge book, and it was an incredibly interesting read which gave countless tips to help build a better life. We're looking forward to Tribe of Mentors, a sequel of sorts. Either and/or both of these would be solid holiday gifts.


 



Canon T6 DSLR with a 50mm lens

The budding photographer/videographer can't shoot on the iPhone forever. This Canon T6 DSLR is a great step into the "real" camera world and offers wi-fi connectivity (I'm jealous). For those that want to get serious, don't get the kit lens, which will only disappoint you later in life and pick up this incredibly-priced 50-mm fixed lens. You won't be able to zoom, which will only make you better at intentionally setting up shots. .... Canon T6 too pedestrian for you? check out the Canon 80D or the Canon 6D.


   


Fenix E05 Flashlight

Fenix makes excellent, nearly indestructible flashlights. This one makes a great addition to anyone's EDC. Not sure what EDC is? Then buy this immediately and start reading up.



Makita combo drill set

Every dude needs a drill. You can't go wrong with this rugged combo set in a flippin' metal carrying case from Makita.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Our favorite men's podcasts

Justin

These aren't all men-specific, but help establish an entertaining knowledge base that an enlightened bro might be interested in. There’s a heavy side-hustle focus, and of course, a nice enlightened focus. I want to be thinking about side hustles and understand the bigger context within which we’re trying to create these side hustles, hence the news podcasts.

Stuff You Should Know

These guys know their stuff. Hence the title. They’ve inspired me to be smarter about what I’m talking about. They’re so smart. In fact, they were smart enough to include some of the same stuff about beer history that we went through in our episode 2 about "effin IPAs." I presume they may have heard our podcast, loved it so much, then taken a time machine back and recorded it before we recorded ours. Time travel is a big theme with our podcast. So it's totally possible.

Side Hustle School

This polished provides a brief explanation of side hustles and how they got started. I really appreciate it because it’s a quick bite-sized piece that gives you some good food for thought on a regular basis.

Art of Manliness

Brett McKay is the godfather of men’s new media. Or something like that. Art of Manliness was my instruction manual for a my pivotal yo-pro years. His guests are thought leaders and experts in their field. I recently listened to a discussion with an author on the history of camping. What a brilliant topic that Brett must have stolen from us in the future and gone back in a time machine because we’re totally going to do that some day soon.

HBR Ideacast

This little nugget of wisdom is usually pulled from larger articles published in Harvard Business Review. Who couldn't use intelligent tips to unleash on your high-impact corporate job, if you have one. And if not, these are likely often relevant for the rest of you bros "doing what you love," or whatever.

Life Time Cash Flow through Real Estate Investing with Rod Khlief

I've been on a real estate kick recently doing some work with a friend of mine who’s crushing it on AirBnB. Rod’s podcast is a good one that focuses on the benefits of apartment buildings more so than single-family houses, while….

Bigger Pockets

...focuses a lot on the success in single family buy-rehab-rent-refinance-repeat model. They really make it sound like a great way to start building semi-passive income.

NY Times The Daily

NY Times gives a fairly quick bite-sized piece about the headline(s) of the day. I don’t read the newspaper every morning over orange juice and toast before I put on my short sleeved button up, get in my Chrysler station wagon, and drive to my job like it’s the 1980s, so it’s nice to get the latest world happenings on the commute.

NPR Planet Money


This is a great podcast that covers some sort of economic story in depth really well with millennial-friendly looseness and humor that one might gravitate toward in a podcast. Sounds awfully enlightened….

Enlightened Bros



They're just getting started, but these guys have got it figured out. Well, we're figuring it out. But we think you might like this thing, because as much as I might hate the sound of my own voice, I get a chuckle out of myself, and they always say if you laugh at your own jokes, then you've got incredible podcast material, right?

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Movember is finally here!

Movember has launched. After pink everything, including gloves and cleats on my purple clad Vikings (killer outfit, guys), us men have unleashed a month of pent up, anxious but hopeful, “us too!” energy with a massive marketing, grassroots, and corporate effort that would knock over the thickest of pink-and-purple offensive linemen.

 Oh wait. Not really.

 I wonder, year after year, why men get the shaft on this “health awareness” train. Did we unwisely pick November after all the everyone's leftover annual donation budget was spent on pink cookies? Do men just plain suck at organizing our shit in time (again this year)? Do we lack a color (and a massive corporate effort) to shock everyone into a frenzy of donations and awareness?

 Honestly I think it's a mix of all of this and more. But one of the biggest being the lack of a color, and the corporate effort. If my memory serves me right, in the 90s or 2000s, the Susan G Komen foundation went HAM on pinkifying everything from car magnates to lemonade. This pink thing really took off and grew legs of it's own… in a bad way. Less than reputable profiteers made pink anything and labeled it as “breast cancer awareness,” so, regardless of where profits went (said profiteers pockets), they were still raising “awareness” by selling some cheap pink garbage, which was now everywhere. That omnipresence of this jow classic pink, regardless of the level of good being done (& we’ll just skip the whole discussion about non profit overhead at this point), i think really did create acute awareness throughout the land. Everyone from your local gas station to massive global brands got on board. And now, which I've made painfully clear I'm not a fan of, to this day, we have to watch little pink distractions bounce around the football field to support awareness.

 Yet. Here we are. Movember. No shave November. Men's frickin health month. And we don't have blue, green, neon yellow, or chartreuse accessories adorning every shop, street corner, or coffee cup. I think Matt Lauer grows his face fuzz out, but it's not mentioned on every news channel every hour. Yes, there's the Movember foundation. But their mix of bro humor and a mustache growing contest feels like it doesn't fit in the board room like the words “Susan G Komen.” How does a national broadcast anything take a mustache logo seriously enough to throw it up next to campbells soup and nationwide insurance? And how do I go to my in laws for thanksgiving with a ratty half-grown mustache and say “hey you guys, remember to take the balls, doctors appointments, and mental health of all men seriously. Oh yeah and donate to the cause.”

 Don't get me wrong. Breast cancer needs to be stamped out. We need to advance medical progress to help the millions of women (and men) who have to go through that and may die from it. It's affected several women very close to me including my mom. But it's time men find a way to create a focus, a name, and a color to rally the world to double down after a month of breast cancer awareness, and finally give a damn about the millions of men dying too young.

-Justin

EB10: Star Wars 5) The Last Last Jedi

Ok folks - we didn't love this one. And it sounds like a lot of fans didn't either. I was watching the Today Show this morning ...