Music: getting started in 2024

February 20, 2024By Travisthings that inspire

A barista at the local cafe today asked me what a young musician can do to build more momentum with their target audiences, and how to make music that’s close to them while also appealing to what’s trendy in the mass market at that time. Admittedly, the latter question made me sad. 😂 Artists should … Read More

Vulnerability in relationships

February 19, 2024By Travispsychology, behavior, and other science things

I came across a Reddit post recently in the r/AskMenAdvice sub regarding vulnerability in relationships. The OP posed the question: help me understand the fear that someone will use your vulnerability against you. How does someone hurt you if you share personal feelings or vulnerable info? Several male redditors chimed in detailing accounts with their … Read More

Pennebaker writing protocol and effects on well-being

February 13, 2024By Travispsychology, behavior, and other science things

I caught a recent Andrew Huberman podcast detailing a writing protocol found to influence long-term outcomes in health and short-term indicators of physiological arousal and reports of negative moods, first introduced by Pennebaker, J. W., & Beall, S. K. (1986). Pennebaker et al. found that writing about traumatic or even trivial events can have therapeutic … Read More

Brianna Wiest and Letting Go

January 3, 2024By Travisthings that inspire

Brianna is a great writer. Looking back, I’m fortunate to have kept most of my friends. I’ve only received one “you’ve changed” and one “you’re almost there,” both in negative contexts, both implying that I don’t fit some ideal, of sufficiency or perfection. Memories that are vivid in my mind. But by practicing the values … Read More

Pizza Crawl 2023

January 1, 2024By Travisstory time

As the fellas entered their late thirties (and forties), they decided it might be best to move away from the annual drunken Columbus, Ohio pub crawl, and adopt a more responsible pizza crawl instead. The now infamous 2022 pizza crawl saw a valiant effort to keep the focus on pizza tasting, but was interrupted by … Read More

2023 Review

January 1, 2024By Travisstory time, things that happened, things that inspire

I challenged myself. I completed a masters program. I traveled solo by bike through Europe. I competed in the pro division of an XC mountain bike race. I moved to a new place. I read many books. I wrote hundreds of thousands of words. I met amazing people. I prioritized my mental and physical health. … Read More

Disappointing affirmations

December 18, 2023By Travispsychology, behavior, and other science things

Disappointing Affirmations is a popular instagram handle that pairs the comedy of sarcastic affirmations, a parody of the current trend in wellness content, against the beauty of nature and landscape photos. There is an overwhelming amount of wellness content out there. Assuredly, people are becoming fatigued by it. The verdict is out on whether practicing … Read More

Adam Grant creative filtering process

November 28, 2023By Travisthings that inspire

From the Huberman Lab podcast. On getting feedback for a new book concept, Adam suggested the following process: Other notes Visit Adam Grant’s site at: www.adamgrant.net Visit Andrew Huberman’s site at: www.hubermanlab.com