Hi Reader,

I’m heartbroken by the devastation caused by the fires here in LA.

So many in our community—friends, colleagues, and fellow RadReaders—have lost their homes and everything they own.

(Thankfully, we are 20 miles south and, as of this writing, unaffected.)

In times like these, as a community there are so many ways to help— offering shelter, donating to rebuilding efforts, funding GoFundMes, providing essentials, volunteering, or supporting our heroic firefighters.

If you’re looking to get involved or lend a hand, just reply to this email, and I’d be happy to share recommendations.

***

Today, I wrote a short essay about a course I'm taking learn how create web apps using AI.

I've been wanting to take the plunge for a long time, but I always got overwhelmed by the technical details of GitHub, command-line interactions and deploying to the web.

Nat Eliason's course Build Your Own Apps has been a complete game changer - I truly think this course will change my career arc.

Read on to see how I've been using it.

(Full disclosure, I'm an affiliate but am an active participant in the course and learning community.)

​// sponsored by Brain.fm ​ What’s your ‘Focus-Type’? Finding the right focus music has always been a challenge for me. I tried Spotify and YouTube focus playlists, but nothing really worked. I'd spend more time playing DJ than actually getting work done. Then I discovered Brain.fm, a science-backed music app that knows that different brains need different things, and focus music isn’t one-size-fits-all. ​Brain.fm taught me that my focus-type needs stimulation, but is also easily distracted (a recipe for poor focus). So, Brain.fm gives me music that is specially made to have high stimulation and low distraction. Now I can get focused within minutes of hitting play, every time. Signing up for Brain.fm takes you to a quiz that tells you what your brain needs, and sets you up to get personalized focus music, just for you. Sign up to learn your focus-type (and get a free month of Brain.fm)

​

How I'm coding using AI

Here's an embarrassing little confession.

I've been using Rogaine since I was 22 years old.

Well, while that is true, what I really wanted to share was that I was a Computer Science major in college.

A really sh*tty one, where I racked up mostly Cs and a few Bs.

I did not embrace the suck and have never coded since.

But recently everywhere I looked, I saw that "everyone could become a coder with AI."

Well in that case, I've got a million little app ideas and SaaS products that I'm ready to spin up.

It turns out, easier said than done.

Here are this week's top reads:

// one

I am rich and have no idea what to do with my life

6 minutes | Vinay Hiremath

“Everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer,” Jim Carrey once said. Vinay Hiremath co-founded Loom and personally took out an estimated $60-90 million. He is emphatically post-achievement AND post-financial. Yet figuring out what brings him joy, fulfillment and life satisfaction remains freakily elusive.

→ Read the article​

// two

Avoiding sadness can backfire, here’s how to turn towards it

12 minutes | Psyche

Are you resisting sadness because you think it makes you weak? This thought-provoking piece explores how fighting our emotions creates deeper second-order effects in our wellbeing. By shifting our vantage point – from self-judgment to self-compassion – we might discover that sadness isn't a problem to solve, but a muse.

→ Read the article​

// three

It’s called a pre-mortem—and it’s the most productive thing you’ll do all year

5 minutes | Wall Street Journal

What happens when you plan your life by starting at your deathbed? Billionaire Ron Shaich writes an annual "pre-mortem" where he pictures himself as an old and fragile man. His ritual shows that deep reflection shouldn't be delayed until you're in twilight years.

→ Read the article​

This Week on The Examined Life Podcast

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This week's episode: What if we've been thinking about retirement planning all wrong?​

Below the Fold
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LAST WEEK'S MOST READ

• ​45 life lessons (at 45 years old) (RadReads, 465 clicks)
• ​Are you a post-achievement professional? (RadReads, 396 clicks)

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And finally, just two dudes cranking out one of the most iconic songs ever.​

With gratitude,

Khe

PS, here's how we can help you:

​Apply for our Coaching programs: Are you an executive or founder undergoing a career change? We’ll give you frameworks and accountability for this transition.

​The Life Operating System: Your home base for personal productivity. It combines tasks, notes, project management and a CRM in one place.

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