So even if this is your first time hearing ofThe Nod, read on.
Edits are the special sauce, the meetings that make the episode a real, living thing.
Location:Brooklyn, NY
Current Gig:Co-hosts ofThe Nod.
The Nod is a podcast that tells the stories of Black life that dont get told anywhere else.
Eric:Oh lord, this is a long story.
But I have worked in MANY different industries as a digital strategist.
But in 2014, Brittany and I startedFor Colored Nerds.
I worked on two of their shows,Mogul: The Life & Death of Chris LightyandUndone.
In 2017, Brittany and I pitched GimletThe Nodand the rest is history.
Quit my marketing job to work at Gimlet in September 2015.
I hosted a show calledSampler.
Take us through a recent workday.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
Brittany:I dont really do apps for the sake of appsI value utility and minimalism.
I journal all my thoughts and feelings via the iPhone Notes app.
Oh and I LOVE GOOGLE CALENDAR!
Every time I close my eyes I see a Google Calendar weekly view and I love that about myself.
Eric:I like apps.
Notes has very recently changed my life.
I used to use Evernote but some of their recent changes made that untenable.
Im also obsessed with Google Sheets.
There isnt a problem I cant solve with a spreadsheet!
Whats your workspace setup like?
Brittany:All ergonomic everything.
If I dont work with this setup, Ill get shooting pains in the right side of my neck.
Eric:My workspace is best described as managed clutter + hot sauce headphones.
Multitasking is a lie.
Whats your best shortcut or life hack (no matter how small or niche)?
Eric:I do not under any circumstances attempt to multitask.
Multitasking is a lie.
When I am doing a task I take a stab at intensely focus on that one thing.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
My mind is so clear when I first get up.
It makes work feel like a joy and not a chore.
I used to freak out about getting off my routine, but now I just embrace it.
My hair might be a little fucked up for a few days, but I wont miss that deadline.
Every time I close my eyes I see a Google Calendar weekly view and I love that about myself.
We also work with an engineer, Cedric Wilson.
Hes uniquely responsible for mixing the show and giving it the rich and polished sound it has.
They are the smartest, kindest, hardest working, funniest people we could ever hope to work with.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
I get so much satisfaction from checking them off each day.
Its a source of true joy in my life.
Eric:Im very scatterbrained and get distracted very easily with a lot of to-dos and meetings.
In between, I can let my mind wander to the million small tasks that run through my brain.
Its a very imperfect system.
How do you recharge or take a break?
Ill do that or hole up in the bathroom and scroll Instagram.
I also find Amazon shopping really soothing.
Something about stocking up on a 3-pack of liquid hand soap makes me feel whole.
Eric:I also enjoy a good walk and will sit and watch Instagram stories like they are TV.
In addition, I watch a ton of actual TV and movies.
Lastly, nothing beats hanging out with my 3-year-old.
Whats your favorite side project?
Brittany:I actually dont have a side project right now.
Eric:Im also on side project hiatus.
Taking care of plants, home decorating, yoga.
Its been awesome pushing myself out of my comfort zone.
My hip alignment has never felt better!
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
when Im not working.
Other than that, Im readingSing, Unburied, Singby Jesmyn Ward andI Cant Date Jesusby Michael Arcenaux.
Its awesomely and broadly curated and I always find new writers to obsess over.
Also, I really REALLY enjoy TV/movie recaps and criticism.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Eric:Mike Schur, the creator ofThe Good Place,Parks and Rec, andBrooklyn Nine-Nine.
No one else more accurately captures the key in of humor I love.
I need whatever process he has.
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
As the great Kathy Tu ofNancyalways says, There is no such thing as a podcast emergency.
So give yourself a break and the opportunity to do your best work.
Eric:Stay low and build.
Weve seen a really crazy amount of positive change over the past few years weve been in podcasting.
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
Brittany:Im terrible at maintaining time to relax and enjoy myself, or to just do nothing.
Most hours of most days of my life are consumed with activity.
Its a hard habit to break, and a harmful one to maintain, but Im trying.
I try a lot of different systems but when things get crazy they all break down.
Answers have been lightly edited and some links have been added.
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?
