I'm No Expert: Recent Episodes
Prometheus Lights
The podcast about everything and nothing. Jason Hui is a maker and founder of Prometheus Lights. Ben Hardy is a writer, content marketer, and former editor of Bobvila.com. Join their deep dives into topics in which they have much interest ... and no expertise.
Have you ordered your Apple Vision Pro yet? In this episode Jason and Ben explore this recent entry into the "mixed reality" space, from the fit and features to the viral videos circulating of early adopters upending the normal.
Maker Minute: Independent VR Goggle Makers (you know who you are).
In this episode Jason & Ben examine a viral YT video about the alarming state of big brands in America, what it means to "Buy American", and some of the easy ways YOU can be supporting the economy...wherever you live.
Video Referenced: "A Very Troubling Trend Within the Outdoor Community"
The dreaded midlife crisis. Except, why is it dreaded? In this episode Ben & Jason explore society's (mis)perception of the middle ages, from the questionable "signs" one is having a midlife crisis to the overwhelmingly negative bent given to this strange phenomenon.
Maker Minute: Click and Clack the Tappet Brothers AND the Mazda Miata
Part movie review, part paean to the original. Jason and Ben take on everyone's favorite 2022 summer blockbuster. Was it realistic, was it well-acted, does it matter? If you were (or weren't) a fan, you'll enjoy this hot take.
Maker Minute: Tom Cruise (oh yes we did).
Jason and Ben breakdown the grilling utensil Jason swears by, which can replace your tongs, spatula, and fork AND elevate your status all at once. It might be end of summer, but a true pit boss cooks over fire 12 months of the year.
Maker Minute: Jaccard Pigtail Food Flipper
Jason and Ben tackle the existential and touch on economics, morality, fairness, and Jeff Bezos' super yacht. We tried to get Bernie Sanders as a guest but the WiFi on his private jet was down.
Maker Minute: Warren Buffett
Jason is no stranger to having his products ripped off. But this latest incident is extra. The brazenness, the gall, the cheek of the people behind the Kappa counterfeiting operation is next level.
Maker Minute: All Makers (especially those who have had their sh*t ripped off).
Jason and Ben explore the burgeoning science of and exploration into immortality – how close are we and who are the figures/companies pursuing it? Also, should we? Also, favorite vampire movie? Maker Minute: David Sinclair
You have super powers, and this episode will teach you how to access them. Jason and Ben talk epigenetics, the placebo effect, the brain wave state you can access to unlock super powers, and more.
Maker Minute: Bruce Lipton
He might not be an expert, but Jason is clearly accruing experience in this field. We chat his history with 3D Printing, why he's excited about the increasing access to the process, and where it's headed.
Robbed trains? 90-week lead times? A White House Task Force? What is happening with the supply chain – and what can we expect in 2022 and beyond? Your resident non-experts weigh in. Maker Minute: USPS Workers
It's that time of the year when Jason reviews his highly organized system of post it note ideas and picks which ones we can expect to see realized in the coming twelve months.
It's a doozy of a list: Foursevens MX3, a new LED, more tritium products and a bunch of rad 3D-printed goodies.
There was only one way to go after the NFT episode. Jason and Ben swallow the blue pill and enter the Matr– I mean Metaverse and examine the promises of its virtual glory. The good, the bad, the unknown. It's not coming. It's here. Are you ready?
Maker Minute: Ready Player One
In an I'm No Expert first Jason and Ben bring on a guest to bring the two hosts up to speed on the fast-moving world of NFTs. Alex may not be an expert, but his passion runs deep. We talk nuts and bolts, artists to keep an eye on, and we absolutely 100% do NOT give financial advice.
Maker Minute: Dmitri Cherniak
Quitters never win? Think again. Sometimes they live to fight another day...and win THAT fight. Or something like that. Turns out there's some science behind the art of quitting. So stop banging your head against the wall. Walk away and find another one.
Maker Minute: David Blaine
Did the M 16 lose the Vietnam War for the United States? That's a bold claim and obviously an inaccurate one. BUT, there is an interesting story about the M 16 as it pertains to its reliability (or notorious lack thereof) that we dive into. A little war history, a little product design, a lot of non-expert discussion of a topic brought to mind on the heels of our withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Maker Minute: Mikhail Kalashnikov
Honorable Mention: Kenmore Progressive Vacuum Cleaner
Inspired by a recent Jocko Willink video post, Jason and Ben discuss the qualities of a good leader, their own leadership experience, and how different leadership styles can impact results. Fun AND serious. Kind of.
Maker Minute: Jocko Willink
A follow up to the "Don't Knock it Til You Try It" episode in which Jason and Ben happily list and explore the things they would NOT do, from hard drugs and hard climbs to fermented teas and pig's anus.
Maker Minute: The Last Traverse by Ty Gagne
Oh no, they're coming for our burgers! What's with the attack on meat? Should we be eating crickets instead? Or that lab-grown stuff? Or should we stick to the diet that served us well for millions of years? So many questions. All the answers.
Maker Minute: Paul Saladino (CarnivoreMD)
In the spirit of Green Eggs & Ham, Jason & Ben extol the value of first hand experience, using that lens through which to view gun legislation (among other things). Come with an open mind.
Maker Minute: Mike Rowe (again)
Grab your wands and spellbooks. Jason and Ben are channeling their inner Gandalf and banishing the demons of the ancient world. For reals though. Magick exists. It's wildly accessible, and can change your life. Ready to learn more?
Maker Minute: Damien Echols
Bonus: The Midnight Gospel Episode 3
Inspired by a recent crash of a SpaceX rocket, Jason and Ben throw on their Last Starfighter T-shirts and exit the atmosphere. Mars colony, (fake) moon landings, the challenges of a generation ship. It's final frontier time for your favorite non-experts.
Maker Minute: Everyday Astronaut
The Last Starfighter
Crystal ball time. What does the future hold for fans of Prometheus Lights and Foursevens? What new products does Jason have in store for us in 2021?
It's a tell-all episode. Or whatever-Jason-feels-like-telling-us episode. Not the same thing, but close.
David v Goliath. This is not Occupy Wall Street 2.0. This is something different...and the industries/establishment/platforms are reacting in a way that suggests something big is happening.
Your resident experts weigh in to solve all the problems.
Disclaimer: We are not financial advisors. None of what you hear in this show should be construed as financial advice. We are not experts.
Maker Minute: Wallstreetbets
Jason stayed up too late playing VR games so we talked about that, which beats RL (real life), ie the storming of the Capitol, which we also touched on. A fun ramble and great kick off to 2021.
Maker Minute: Brandon Laatsch
Not a glorification. More like an acknowledgement that more of us are doing more drinking, both of us have some funny drinking-related stories to share, and one of the most memorable lines from the film masterpiece that is "Friday" was delivered by a man who sadly has recently departed. You don't have to drink while listening, but it'd be a lot cooler if you did.
Maker Minute: Tommy Lister Jr. aka Deebo
Twas the night after COVID / and all through the town / not a human was stirring / because of lockdown.
Find joy during a pandemic? You bet your butts we will (try). Pour some eggnog, plug in the lights, set the Netflix fireplace channel to "no music."
Maker Minute: Gavin Newsom
Time for a routine check up. Pulse reading. State of the state. Jason and Ben talk politics, ignorance and fear, COVID, and Jason's upcoming trip to a supervolcano a few hundred (or thousand) years overdue for an eruption. 2020 seems the year to take such a trip, no?
Maker Minute: Pompeii by Robert Harris
This is you, standing in front of one. The play button is the key. Will you use it and find out what's beyond?
Maker Minute: Southord
The Story of Jose
"Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them." - Bruce Lee.
Being a small business owner ain't easy. Add a pandemic, a disrupted global supply chain, and a social upheaval and you'd forgive a person if they overlooked a detail here or there. But one that costs over $100K?
This one has to be heard to be believed.
Jason and Ben return to the microphones to discuss the state of the state, re-opening after COVID closures, how the world has and will changed, silver linings, and what happens when a NASA engineer tackles a squirrel problem.
Maker Minute: Mark Rober
What does Jason have cooking out west in his mad lab? It's pull-back-the-curtain time as he gives us a sneak peek at a few new products he hopes to launch in 2020, like the Beta Magnetic, a Titanium Preon, the MX3 and what's this? A Foursevens ALPHA? Coronavirus be damned. The show goes on.
You didn't think it could get any weirder? Jason and Ben go deep down the rabbit holes of the Coronavirus (spoiler alert: it's intentional), 5G (spoiler alert: it's tied to the Coronavirus), Jeffrey Epstein (spoiler alert: he didn't kill himself) and the Reptilian Elite. (Won't spoil that one). Enjoy the ride.
Tinfoil hat time! Jason and Ben dive into some of their all-time favorite conspiracy theories, from directed energy weapons and weather control to alien technology and military bio weapons tests gone horribly wrong. Isn't the internet amazing?
Maker Minute: Bitten
(We called an audible on the Maker Minute after recording. You'll understand when you listen to the podcast.)
Or is it? Are the victors always the good guys? Why is Disney pushing a genocide agenda? Jason and Ben take a walk on the dark side as they dissect this famous phrase in the context of the latest Star Wars installment plus other notable conflicts and conquests of both distant and recent past. Hold onto your light savers.
Maker minute: George Lucas and Industrial Light & Magic.
Notes: How Star Wars Was Saved in the Edit
Mental health check in time. For you, for us, for all of society. Jason and Ben explore the merits of happy lights, Vitamin D, sun gazing (it's real, look into it) and having a tribe. Also, we love you and we're here for you.
Maker Minute: Mr. Sun
Modders gonna mod. Ton of fun in this episode as Jason and Ben dive into some of Jason's philosophy on flashlight modifications, his favorites, his no-gos, radioactive mods, and the boys give a shout out to an old-skool modder lurking in the CPF.
Maker Minute: Saabluster
You can't avoid it, so you might as well embrace it. Jason and Ben talk traditions, tree cutting, Starbucks cup controversy and more. Get yourself into the spirit and don't forget that 15% off Holiday sale Jason's running over at www.darksucks.com. Discount code HOLIDAYME15 gets you savings on a bunch of great gift options.
Maker Minute: All of Amazon's seasonal workers.
Alternate title: Dogs vs Cats. Alternate alternate title: Dog People vs Cat People.
It's all of that and more. Hear tales of dogs throwing owners under the bus, magic cats who form uncanny psychic links with their owners, a dog that can detect blood sugar levels. Love em, hate em, can't live without em? Doesn't matter: they are hear to stay.
Maker Minute: Elle & Coach
We're baaaaack. Kicking off Season 2 with product recommendation on a pair of wiper blades that Jason swears by. Change your life. Maybe save your life. Bonus feature: they'll wipe away all those tears you've been crying since INE went on break.
Winter is coming. With it comes rain and snow.
Maker Minute: PIAA
Jason rocked the LED flashlight world a year and a half ago when he announced the acquisition of the Foursevens brand. Since then he's released updated versions of the Preon and Mini flashlights, and now he's finally launched the newest version of the Foursevens flagship flashlight: the Quark MKIII. We get into all the details about the new light and the process of iterating a legendary product.
See the new Quark MKIII
Maker Minute: Kickstarter
Death and taxes, right? Jason and Ben talk strategies to increase life expectancy AND improve the quality of those extra years, the biggest killers you can avoid, and immortal jellyfish. Ready to face the unknown?
Maker Minute: Cixin Liu
Jason grew up in Montana where lifetime hunting licenses are issued at birth (jk) and Ben lives in Vermont where half the bars are Hunters Only (also jk). They go full choke at first kills, breaking down hunting types, and why everyone should know their way around a firearm.
Maker Minute: Adam Greentree
More than 50% of Americans (including Jason & Ben) either work for or own a small business. So everybody: how's it going for you? The future of our country's economy depends on you listening to this episode. Don't let us down.
Maker Minute: (just you wait and see).
Where would we be without it? There'd be no podcast, for starters. No Prometheus Lights? Is there any great achievement in life that wasn't powered by coffee?
No surprise here: Jason took a scientific approach to determine the perfect brew, which he shares in this episode. It's an exploration in grind fineness, time in contact, filter properties, and, of course, personal taste.
We also briefly investigate a Department of Defense initiative aimed at discovering the optimal amount of coffee to drink – and when to drink it.
K-cups and dead turtles? Oh yeah, we go there.
Maker Minute: Mokhtar Alkhanshali
With realization of one’s own potential and self-confidence in one’s ability, one can build a better world. – Dalai Lama
And yet who among us hasn't suffered a crisis of confidence at some point in their lives? In this episode Jason & Ben explore self esteem & self confidence – how to define them, ways to manufacture the latter, and real-world examples that can inspire you to find yours.
Maker Minute: The Dawn Wall
Jason took a few driving courses so that basically makes him an expert. Both Ben and Jason recount their brushes with death behind the wheel, and Jason issues a sobering PSA to all you listeners who think "I can probably get another season out of these tires."
Maker Minute: Corey Hosford
Jason knows too well the negative impact knock offs can have on a small business. Unfortunately the small guy has little recourse when up against a big company or a manufacturer in China.
We dive into one of the more famous examples of a knock off – the Emeco Navy Chair, explore some of Jason's experience with Prometheus Lights and Beta knock offs, and offer a few ways (both practical and impractical) to fight back.
Maker Minute: The Emeco Navy Chair
From the good ole days of smoking sections and free meals to the modern day cattle cars with wings – this one's got it all. But we'll have to charge extra for most of it.
Tips to minimize travel stress, must-have travel carries, plus a billion dollar flight-related app idea that one lucky listener will surely rush off to develop.
If you are, are going to be, never will be, or might be (you know who you are) a parent, this is the Last Parenting Podcast Episode You'll Ever Need.
An optimist and a pessimist distill their combined decade+ experiences as parents into a de facto guidebook for the modern mom & dad.
Also, Nature Wins.
Also, stop judging other parents.
Also, cut yourself some slack.
Maker Minute: [You'll have to listen to this one to find out.]
Also called stress tests, torture tests have provided EDC enthusiasts (and makers) thousands of hours of fun (and just as many tears) dropping, smashing, and submerging all in the name of science. And cred. And YouTube views.
In this episode Jason and Ben explore the many ways a person can torture test a product, and Jason recounts some of the creative ways he has stress tested Prometheus products, including the infamous 2011 CandlePower Forums Alpha Drop Test gathering.
Maker Minute: Elzetta Tactical Flashlights
Process. Journey. Failure. Open pit cooking?
Stay with us on this one.
In this highly-anticipated follow up to the Art vs Craft episode, Jason and Ben go rabbit-holing on Craft, which is "art that is meant to be used." Or is it?
Grab those knitting needles and settle in.
Maker Minute: Ryan Nagata
It's coming. Will you survive?
Jason and Ben confront the sobering reality that is the impending Apocalypse and the unlikelihood of survival due to a myriad of factors, not least of which being Ben's myopia and Jason's urban setting. Cities will fall first...
Join them and evaluate your own level of preparedness.
Maker Minute: Patriots by James Wesley Rawles
The Lumen Wars drag on, with 20K lumen flashlights eligible for 3-day shipping on Amazon Prime and the maker of a 90K lumen flashlight admitting "This device isn't very practical for most uses because it just blinds you if you're shining it at anything closer than about 100 feet."
Charge your batteries and walk with us through across the battlefield, where falsely-advertised run times are the norm, unbalanced batteries catch fire, and a clutch of makers ask "What if there's a better way?"
Open your mind, then press play.
Maker Minute: Don "McGizmo" McLeish
Much has been made of the impact new tariffs are having on big industry and our country's economy. In some respect it's a "wait and see" scenario – we don't know how things may shake out over the next few years. But for a small business like Prometheus Lights the tariffs have had an immediate impact. Jason weighs in, and doesn't hold back.
We did NOT highlight a Maker in our Maker Minute this episode but rather reserve the space for YOU to reach out and tell us how the tariffs have impacted your small business, for better or for worse.
Embrace your imperfect self! Jason and Ben break down Wabi Sabi, the traditional Japanese aesthetic based on the acceptance of imperfection and transience. Guarantee you start to see it everywhere...
Maker Minute: Serge Panchenko
There are Things You Need to Know. And many folks out there don't. Part of it comes down to survival. Part of it comes down to pride. You still don't know how to change a tire? Come on, man. Get it together.
In this entirely non-aggressive and not-ranty episode of I'm No Expert, Jason and Ben bemoan the loss of basic knowledge and learning in our society but find hope within the pages of a book for kids.
Maker Minute: The Dangerous Book for Boys
Jason dropped bombs on this episode. One was the first official tease of the NEW Prometheus Lights Delta Flashlight, which is currently up on the darksucks.com site. Alpha, Beta, Delta – get it?
THEN he hit us with a ridiculously effective stain removal product that he and his stumbled upon and we have to share.
No, this is not a sponsored episode. It's just two guys sharing some tips on making life more bearable. You got stains, we got your solution.
Maker Minute: Zout
When we asked our audience to suggest some topics, @bertocaster requested "Working with Titanium, from raw material to fit and finish."
We didn't stick solely with Titanium because Jason has a lot to say about a few different materials, but Ti is definitely the star of this episode.
Maker Minute: La Costena
That famous burrito we mention. (Yes, that's a burrito).
How would you rate this podcast?
Just kidding, we know it's a five out of five.
Just kidding again, we don't have a review option.
If we did, would you leave one? Are you the kind of person who leaves reviews? Do you read others' reviews?
We (non)expertly dive into the topic of reviews in this episode of I'm No Expert and explore the trustworthiness of any review left of the internet, the power of a personal recommendation, and one of the greatest review scams ever pulled.
The Fake Restaurant Scam -VICE Story
Everyone has a super power, some just don't know it. Jason and Ben reveal theirs, and also tackle these life-changing questions:
1) Who's your favorite super hero?
2) What super power do you wish you had?
3) Would you rather have the ability to fly or turn invisible?
Remember: With great podcasts comes great responsibility.
(Super) Maker Minute: Ridley Pearson
Extra: Superman (Bollywood Style)
World Cup fever has hit INE. Jason and Ben reflect on youth league upbringings, hard-ass coaches, helicopter parents, and late night pick-up games in college. Plus a hard look at this year's tournament in Russia including the new VAR system and what it means to take away subjectivity from the world's most popular sport.
Maker Minute: Ronaldinho Guacho
Tell us your deepest, darkest fears. We tell you ours in this episode of I'm No Expert. Failure, public speaking, skydiving, hornets – come in, lay down on the couch. Let's get started, shall we?
Maker Minute: Michael Muller and "Into the Now."
Jason's back from his FIRST Blade Show and he can't wait to tell you all about it. Wolverine Claws, Alpha auctions, kitchen knife Kickstarters. It all happened, and Jason tells all.
Maker Minute: Lucas Burnley
Nita Chef Knife
What's going on with Foursevens? When are the new lights coming?
Jason hears your questions, and he answers them all in turn. Getting prototypes to market is no easy (or fast) business, but when you hear all the updates, upgrades, and plans for the near and far future, the wait will be worth it.
Shop Foursevens
Inspired by a video on a Japanese minimalist, Jason and Ben dive in (lightly, so as to not disturb the peace) to this topic with (reserved and delicate) gusto, exploring the magic of soft close drawers, the vanishing night sky, and fascinations with the ninja.
Maker Minute: "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less"
Jason's first Kickstarter campaign of 2018! It's also his first in over a year, so Ben flew all they way from Vermont to California to record the podcast in person and get a first-hand look at the Alpha Bamboo Fountain Pen.
Why a fountain pen? Why the bamboo design? Why write by hand when we have computers?
Enter the mind of a maker in this tell-all-meets-launch-announcement episode of Elon Musk's favorite podcast.
Back the Alpha Bamboo campaign: http://www.prometheuswrites.com/
Get the Foursevens T-shirt: http://bit.ly/47s_GloShirt
It's easy to criticize customer service, but how often do we hold up the mirror? What if it's not them, it's GASP us?
Jason and Ben dive into the customer-company relationship and outline THREE ways YOU can be a better customer. You do want a positive outcome, right?
Also hear tales of bad customers past and learn the "Three P's" of good customer behavior.
Maker Minute: The Four Agreements
What gets you out of bed in the morning? Jason and Ben answer this question, but also shed some light on techniques for YOU to use when exploring your purpose in life. Jason also reveals why taking on Foursevens was both a terrible business decision and exactly the right move, while Ben shares strategic renewal strategies he learned from Benjamin Franklin.
Maker Minute: Elon Musk
In which Jason and Ben discuss what is behind the somewhat recent exploding flashlight incidences, which in at least one case resulted in a fatality.
What is likely causing it and how to prevent it.
Incident One (fatality)
Incident Two
Incident Three
Two friends who met in college ask "was it worth it?" Is college worth it today? Maybe you should just go to a technical school. Or watch a bunch of YouTube videos. Everything is on YouTube, you know.
Maker Minute: Mike Rowe Works Foundation
In what may be their most controversial episode yet, Jason and Ben don their stars and stripes underwear, wrap themselves in Old Glory, and talk "Made in the USA."
Maker Minute: Jens Anso
Meta alert! After 23 episodes of claiming not to be experts, Jason and Ben question the premise of their show. Jason shares the definition of expert he learned from his father and reveals some of the wizardry at work in his recent experiments with pulse width modulation, while Ben talks sushi, soccer, and what he learned from Good Will Hunting.
Maker Minute: Jiro Ono
Pulse Width Modulation spell casting.
We're still not experts, but Jason HAS run 5 successful* Kickstarter Campaigns for Prometheus products, including the Beta QR AAA Flashlight, the Kappa Keychain Quick Release, and the Lambda Top. He shares his experiences both as a campaign creator AND a backer of projects that failed for one reason or another.
Covered in the podcast:
- The 3 Things Kickstarter is Good For (from an inventor/small business perspective)
- Why Hitting Your Funding Goals Does NOT Equal "Success"
- How to Make a Killer Kickstarter Video
- The NEXT Prometheus Kickstarter Campaign
Maker Minute: BackerKit
Jason defines a "successful" Kickstarter Campaign, based on his ahem* expertise on the subject.
Prometheus Lights Kickstarter Page
Jason and Ben are joined by David Chow of Foursevens to talk the recent acquisition, SHOTShow 2018, the state of the flashlight industry, and helicopter assembly.
Read the Official Acquisition Announcement.
In which Jason and Ben riff off a recent CandlePowerForums thread on tactical flashlights and answer two all-important, hotly-debated questions:
1) What makes a flashlight tactical?
2) Is there really such thing as a tactical flashlight?
Also, is there such thing as a tactical plunger?
Link to the forum here.
Maker Minute: CandlePowerForums
You don't need a New Year's Resolution. You need a strategic plan. Something Jason and Ben know more than nothing about.
Maker minute: John Foster.
Forbes Article mentioned: here.
In which Jason and Ben discuss the importance of making your bed, journaling, and hypnobirthing (a topic in which they are both DEFINITELY not experts).
Maker Minute: "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron
"Make Your Bed" speech ---> here
In which Jason and Ben talk plungers, ice scrapers, sleds, toothbrushes, and the completely rational fear of toilets.
Maker Minute: Liam Hoffman
Zipfy sled [listen to episode for context]:
How does a Maker "level up," and how many experience points are gained when making the leap from "hobbyist" to "full-time maker?"
What does it mean when a Maker goes from a solo act to a team operation?
Jason and Ben explore Makervese scale in this highly anticipated follow up to The Makerverse, Part 1.
Maker Minute: Tommy Mac, of "Rough Cut: Woodworking with Tommy Mac" and "Murder Matters."
What is the Makerverse and who occupies it? What are the barriers to entry? Is it expanding or contracting?
These questions and more Jason and Ben answer on this Part 1 of a two-part special.
Maker Minute: "Joone" by Emily Kate Moon.
In which Jason and Ben discuss the difference between art and craft, the cardinal sin that is "shelf queening" a maker's product, and the art concept so brilliant a toddler can do it.
Also discussed:
Laura Morelli's Ted-Ed on difference between art and craft
Nick Offerman's Woodshop
Maker Minute: Frank Buchwald's Lamps
In which Jason and Ben wax philosophical on taking care of our stuff, orange Volvos named Gertrude, and the book that started it all.
Maker Minute: R.M. Pirsig
In which Jason and Ben discuss personality inventories, strategic renewals, and why sometimes you need a little less balance in your life.
References made in this episode:
Strengthsfinder
Maybe We All Need a Little Less Balance
Maker's Schedule, Manager's Schedule
Maker Minute: Adam Savage of Mythbusters and Tested fame.
In which Jason and Ben talk about the recent Equifax hack and Jason shares stories of some of the crazier scams perpetrated on Prometheus Lights.
In which Jason and Ben question our society's reluctance to #maketheswitch from disposable batteries to rechargeable batteries.
In which Jason and Ben pull back the curtain on their podcasting set up, explain why the quality of episode 1 was so poor, and explore some of the best podcasts out there today.
In which Jason and Ben explore recent studies on video games, share their favorites, and discuss parenting in the times of first person shooters.
In which Jason and Ben discuss the importance of prototyping early and often, both as a maker and a creator. A look back at the IDEO shopping cart and the diverse team that brought it to life.
See the ABC Nightline special on the IDEO Shopping Cart here.
More on the IDEO Shopping Cart here.
In which Jason and Ben discuss "values," the final level in Shedroff's "Making Meaning." How does a maker's product reflect his values, and how does a consumer's purchases reflect hers?
Jason also relates his experience watching the eclipse in the path of totality, the billion dollar industry that is non-refundable eclipse glasses, and the case of the missing eclipse footage.
In which Jason and Ben discuss feelings, authenticity, and a $30,000 chef's knife none of you will ever own. The bar: do you derive joy from the products you use?
In which Jason and Ben move up Shedroff's pyramid to discuss price, a product's "story," and the difference between a Bic and an Alpha. Also, do airlines feel empathy for their customers?
In which Jason and Ben discuss Maslow's hierarchy of needs, Nathan Shedroff's "Making Meaning," and the similarities between the iPhone and a Swiss Army Knife.
In which Jason and Ben define quality, once and for all. As in the last definition you will ever need.
In which Jason and Ben discuss the creation of the Prometheus Lights logo, the fallacy of "the customer is always right," and personal history.