2×4: An Interview with Myke Hurley

2×4: One series that examines two topics, creativity and productivity, by request those who make things on the web the same four questions on both subjects.

Myke Hurley is your worst nightmare. Living, animate, walking, talking proof that yous can create something meaningful in your spare time. He's washed what almost of united states of america convince ourselves nosotros can't: build something amazing in the hours in between his full-time job. In just over 18 months Myke took what started equally his podcast, "The Bro Bear witness" and has grown information technology into a full-fledged geek and tech-oriented podcasting network that now includes 7 shows. The 70 Decibels network is home to several of my favorite podcasts including the same Bro Bear witness, The App Orchard and Plenty. It gets quite a bit of dearest, non but from united states geeks around the web, but from the folks over at iTunes. Several shows on the network are hosted by well-known members of the Read and Trust network including Stephen Hackett, Brett Kelly and Patrick Rhone.

Oh yeah, and he'due south British, which isn't only inherently awesome; information technology makes things even more impressive as many of his podcasts span both timezones and continents. In fact, a recent episode of Enough with Lifehack'south own Mike Vardy simultaneously spanned three countries at one time. Conspicuously I'm in awe of what the man has built, only rather than continuing to gush, I'm going to be quiet and let Myke practice the talking. Or in this case, the writing.

Without further ado, hither'southward a backside-the-scenes await at the upwards-and-comer of tech podcasting, Myke Hurley.

Creativity

Have you always considered yourself a creative person?

I have. Throughout my life and especially over the final few years I have tried and failed to launch many artistic endeavors. I have started and given up on many books and blogs. I never found that sugariness spot until I began podcasting in April 2010, when we started The Bro Show.

Since so we accept launched many shows and created the 70Decibels network that encapsulates them. The shows let me to be very creative and I try to ensure we have a range of different shows to fit all tastes. This also allows me and my co-hosts to dip in to many different areas.

Nonetheless, I accept now caught the problems for podcasting. If I could, I would launch a new show every calendar week and publish as many equally I could. The only thing that stops me doing this is time and 1 solar day I hope to be able to remove near limitations and focus on the network full-fourth dimension.

What mediums and inspirations do yous gravitate toward to realize your creative goals?

Obviously my chosen medium is audio. I find information technology then much easier to speak rather than write. I savor writing and think I'chiliad okay at information technology, only I'k far too critical. I afflict over every sentence and constantly go back over things to brand sure they read well earlier publishing. With audio yous cannot do that. Once something is said, it'due south said and your firsthand retention is the only record y'all have during the chat. If I don't remember the point I fabricated five minutes ago then I cannot change information technology, so whatever is said, is said. Additionally I accept a unwritten dominion with the shows not to edit for content. I don't cut parts of the shows out because somebody may have said something incorrect or non overly interesting. I feel that his amercement the integrity of the overall product and harms the flow of the conversation. I discussed this more in a contempo episode of my show Cooking With Brett And Myke.

I am heavily inspired by the pioneers of podcasting that came earlier me, Leo Laporte and Dan Benjamin. These men accept created Empires, non just podcast networks. They are where I aspire to be 1 day, with a whole host of excellent shows that are produced full-fourth dimension and broadcasted live to the masses. I too see Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht as an inspiration. Diggnation was the offset podcast I had ever heard of and it was through their show that I became interested in the medium.

If yous had to signal to one matter, what specific posts or creations are yous well-nigh proud of and why?

This is a actually tough question for me. I dear all of the shows and find it difficult to pick out specific episodes as I am ever happy with what's been recorded; I always feel good about what we commit to AAC.

Nonetheless, some people have remarked to me some of their favourite episodes of some shows. Episode 6 – Money of 11 Minutes is a fan favourite, every bit is Episode xiv – Don't Worry Do of Enough. I accept a love for Episode 52 – Happy Birthday of The Bro Show. I feel that of our most recent shows, Ungeniused, Cooking With… and The App Orchard, I have not had enough time to really consider favourites. But they are all similar children to me and I love recording every episode!

Whatsoever suggestions for those who feel they may non be creative enough to unlock their inner artist?

Just go on trying. It took me a long fourth dimension to realize the thing I enjoyed the most. I tried and then many dissimilar projects before I came to podcasting and at present I don't want to exercise anything else. Don't be agape to experiment and try new things out; you lot just don't know what y'all might find.

Productivity

Can you describe your current personal and professional responsibilities?

In the day I accept a real task at a existent, big company. I manage a team of people in a retail/finance environment. Then at home I run a podcasting network called 70Decibels. Nosotros have 7 shows that make up the network and nosotros are looking to aggrandize these next year. I am a host, producer and editor of these shows

How do you get about balancing the personal, professional and digital?

The residue can exist difficult. I leave my day job around 5pm and travel home to start work on the network effectually 7pm. I record Monday-Wed and practice general work for the shows throughout the week. My Friday-Dominicus is fourth dimension spent strictly with my better half, with no commitments from the network. I exercise occasionally have to work Saturdays for my day job.

Of course, sometimes emergencies or good ideas can pitter-patter up during my workday. I am more committed (long-term) to making a success out of the network, so I tend to deal with or capture these things whenever they come up. Obviously, this is provided they do not take up too much time; information technology's my day chore that allows me to proceed running the network, and it's the only thing that puts food on the table.

What tools and techniques do yous find yourself counting on to get through your workload?

I have tried then many different GTD apps only every bit of even so none have stuck for me. I tend to utilise Simplenote/nvALT as a way to capture things and I fifty-fifty use information technology every bit an inbox for to-do items that aren't particularly urgent.

I'm a big fan of pen and paper. I'thousand a Moleskine guy at heart, just remember I could be converted to Field Notes in the future. I observe paper to be the fastest, most efficient capture method. The only downside is that a notebook doesn't sync to the deject.

The network is produced and run from my MacBook Air. I use some built-in tools similar GarageBand to produce information technology and add some others like Skype to aid me get information technology washed. I have documented some of the tools I utilise on my web log and am currently planning a new and more effective way of sharing my experiences in podcasting. Sentry this space.

What is the best starting point for the unproductive amongst us, who are looking to get more than organized?

Find an easy capture method. GTD won't be anybody's cup of tea. Merely find something that works for you, something that yous tin take easy access to. Then build from at that place.

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Source: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifehack/2x4-an-interview-with-myke-hurley.html

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