The Long and The Short Of It

Jen faces uncertainty about her studio lease and seeks Pete's guidance on navigating change. They explore what success truly means and how to reframe challenges into opportunities. Using brainstorming techniques, they unleash creativity to devise alternatives. The duo discusses the importance of clarifying one's purpose in their work and challenges the notion of a traditional studio space. Ultimately, they emphasize embracing uncertainty as a vital skill, prompting Jen to define her vision of success as a guiding principle.

Pete and Jen dive into the world of reading, tackling the guilt of unfinished books and how to liberate ourselves from them. They discuss unique methods like reading to the punchline and using Gretchen Rubin's freedom to quit rule. Discover how podcasts and curated lists can guide your reading journey. Jen highlights the magic of indie bookstores and the joy of serendipitous finds. Together, they emphasize the importance of decluttering shelves and setting intentions for a more enriching reading experience.

This week, Jen and Pete go through their intentions, phrases, and things they are thinking about in preparing for the year ahead.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How do Jen and Pete reflect on the past year, in order to look ahead?How is an unexpected unknown shaping Jen's year?What intention is Pete going to set for his upcoming year?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

In the final days of 2025, Jen and Pete noodle on what should be the top priority to have prepared as we move in to 2026.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:Why is it important to have an idea of what success looks like for you?What is an outcome goal? What is a process goal?How might we measure and take an audit of our existing assets?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Jen and Pete dive into their favorite things of 2025, exploring fiction and non-fiction gems. Pete shares why he loves rereading classics like The Great Gatsby with his daughter, while Jen raves about the emotional depth of Beartown. They highlight must-listen podcasts, with Jen calling out Las Culturistas. The duo discusses impactful episodes from their own show, along with transformative plays and heartwarming moments from Bluey. New mantras emerge as they reflect on personal growth, revealing newfound insights about themselves.

Jen introduces a fresh concept called 'relative effort,' exploring the balance between the creator's and receiver's effort. They discuss how this mindset can alleviate the pressure of perfection, particularly in emails and workshops. The duo emphasizes simplifying objectives in auditions to combat the disparity in preparation time. They also share insights on prioritizing audience needs over flawless execution. By addressing relative risk, they highlight that confronting fears can significantly reduce anxiety, leading to more productive outcomes.

In Pete's version of an episode about running, he noodles with Jen about the idea of cadence, and how to break our routines projects into smaller steps.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What does "cadence" mean, and how might we apply the idea to our everyday lives?Why is it better to not rush to the finish line, either while running or working? How might we return to the basics in our work and creative processes?To hear all episodes and read full transcripts, visit The Long and The Short Of It website: https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/.You can subscribe to our Box O’ Goodies here (https://thelongandtheshortpodcast.com/) and receive a weekly email full of book and podcast recommendations, quotes, videos, and other interesting things that Jen and Pete are noodling on. To get in touch, send an email to: hello@thelongandtheshortpodcast.com.Learn more about Pete's work here (https://humanperiscope.com/) and Jen's work here (https://jenwaldman.com/).

Explore the concept of the Perspectives Wheel, a simple exercise that encourages considering multiple viewpoints. Discover how this framework benefits personal growth and enhances empathy through the practice of sonder. Jen and Pete delve into choosing the most useful perspective over the likely true one to reduce fear-based responses. They emphasize the importance of context and intentional action, rather than knee-jerk reactions, all while providing practical coaching techniques to generate options for decision-making.

Pete grapples with the distinction between competence and complacency after running multiple workshops. They discuss how boredom can blur the lines between mastery and going through the motions. Jen highlights the importance of having a trusted coach for objective feedback. They explore keeping repeated performances fresh and the idea that effortless delivery can signal true competence. The duo emphasizes setting clear intentions for each session and defining success based on outcomes rather than novelty.

Discover a framework that can revolutionize your career! Explore the six points of focus: artistry, industry knowledge, marketing, mindset, network building, and skill development. Learn how to translate these concepts into actionable micro goals. Find out which areas often get neglected, like marketing misalignments and the struggle with networking. Jen and Pete share personal insights into their strengths and weaknesses, making the framework relatable. This is all about honing your focus and carving your path forward!