Be Productive, Learn About War & MAGIC ARMS! | Sunday Recommendation (Patreon)

It’s Sunday! Which means it’s time for the weekly barrage of things that I've found interesting recently.

YOUTUBE

Today we’re giving Thomas Frank a nod. You’ve probably heard me talk about personal improvement and workflow. Well, here’s a full channel of just that. It’s a world that’s often full of magic strategies and snake oil, but Thomas cuts through that and offers simple real world advice that I think you might find really helpful.

Thomas Frank

PODCAST

Jcoko Podcast is an experience. Jocko Willink is a decorated seal who led Task Unity Bruiser in Ramadi, amongst other things. Since military life he started a business management consultancy firm, has authored multiple (excellent books) and started his podcast after a fateful run-in with Tim Ferriss. 

Jocko tends to see things differently. In a world where we all tend to worry and overthink, he brings a much needed practical perspective. The core tenants of his book “Extreme Ownership” are something to apply to life, as is the learnings from his recent book “The Dichotomy of Leadership”. 

Whether you lead people or work under a boss, his work is focused on you winning. What’s even better is that he is also a student of history. His podcast often feels like a book club.

The difference is that Jocko goes head first into the darkest parts of humanity. Things like such as Gulags, the Holocaust and the Rape of Nanking that we would do well not to forget. If you are interested in military history, then his podcast covers a lot, from the modern era, to the world wars, and even times before that. All through the lens of leadership.

Where to start

I’m going to link you some of the military history episodes that I have enjoyed. They’re an excellent gateway as you get a compelling story along with the lessons.

94: “Men at Arnhem”, by Geoffrey Powell | Jocko Podcast] 

106: “We Were Soldiers Once… And Young.” | Jocko Podcast] 

PRODUCT

Magic arms. Freaking magic arms. These are designed for video work but I’ve found them to be very useful past that. Basically, one end is a clamp and the other is a standard screw thread. You loosen them, position them where you want and then screw in the knob. It magically tightens the entire thing. 

Amazing for attaching stuff to a camera rig or tripod, but generally useful for almost anything. I gave my dad a bunch of them at Christmas, and he has loved them. He is a classic motorbike collector, so he’s always tinkering with things, and the magic arms have been great for holding magnetic parts trays & torches.

Magic arms. The solar roadways of the clamp world. I used the Newer ones from Amazon.

Link: Magic Arm 

Let me know you’ve came across anything cool recently!