In this episode, Joe and Erich discuss their experiences in 2022 and their plans for 2023. They reflect on how they felt stagnant in the previous few years and lay the groundwork for the reemergence that started in late 2022. They talk about the shift in momentum when Joe began to live streams after moving to Nashville in mid-2022. Erich also talks about pushing himself physically with runs and rides, which has led to his commitment to run in the Chicago Marathon in 2023. They mention how the book "The Comfort Crisis" has influenced them to get more comfortable with the uncomfortable. They also talk about Joe's pursuit of a master's and Ph.D. and the importance of being critical of human culture and striving for something greater. They believe that setting aspirational goals, even if the likelihood of achieving them is small, can lead to personal growth and embodiment of those goals.

This conversation can be seen as a continuation of the previous episode, Meaning, Power and Virtue, as we are still exploring the topic of meaning. We start today's conversation by articulating the importance of writing and some of the tools we use to structure what we write.

We discuss the psychology of meaning using history to understand power, responsibility, and connecting with the social world.