This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features segments from episode #366 "Neil Gaiman — The Interview I've Waited 20 Years to Do" and episode #214 "How to Design a Life — Debbie Millman."
Please enjoy!
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Timestamps:
[05:11] Notes about this supercombo format.
[06:14] Enter Neil Gaiman.
[06:44] What Ian Fleming taught Neil about writing — even when he doesn't want to.
[09:56] Neil's biggest rule for writing.
[12:41] Neil's process for writing first drafts.
[14:30] What Neil aims to accomplish with his second drafts.
[14:40] Something Neil noticed when he first started writing and editing with the use of computers.
[17:27] Notebooks Neil prefers for writing first drafts.
[21:56] Fountain pens Neil has known and loved.
[22:57] How Neil's default writing time has changed over the years.
[24:56] The value of the Groundhog Day routine.
[26:24] Today's methods may not be tomorrow's.
[27:53] Lessons learned from Terry Pratchett.
[29:22] Parting thoughts and gratitude.
[31:21] Enter Debbie Millman.
[31:45] How Debbie describes her diverse background to new acquaintances.
[33:38] A childhood drawing predicting Debbie's future.
[37:54] Debbie's unintentional path to becoming a designer.
[45:41] Overcoming initial rejection.
[50:04] Debbie's advice to her college self after that first major rejection.
[54:25] Empathy vs. feeling slighted by those who reject us.
[59:28] Manhattan's influence on Debbie's pursuit of happiness and career.
[1:06:42] Debbie's abuse history and its impact on her self-sufficiency and charitable work.
[1:12:41] Coping with abuse aftermath and feelings of isolation.
[1:18:40] Debbie's experience being called a "corporate clown" and "she-devil."
[1:37:00] From lowest point to godmother: a transformative journey.
[1:37:38] The world-changing potential of brochures.
[1:43:14] The Design Matters podcast: origins and evolution over 12 years.
[1:46:46] Milton Glaser's impact on design and Debbie's life.
[1:52:16] The "10-Year Plan for a Remarkable Life" exercise.
[1:57:51] The nature of hard decisions.
[2:07:07] Recommended Design Matters episodes for design novices.
[2:07:55] Parting thoughts.
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