

The Long and The Short Of It
Peter Shepherd & Jen Waldman
A weekly podcast for curious people ready to explore the art and science of being human from every possible angle: macro, micro, Australian, American, tall, short and everything in between.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 1, 2025 • 18min
353. Q&As
Dive into the world of Q&A sessions and discover strategies to host them successfully! The hosts reflect on the fears that often accompany these interactions and share personal stories of overcoming those hurdles. They emphasize the importance of honest responses to cultivate trust and deepen audience engagement. Explore innovative approaches that invite participants to reflect and uncover community priorities through their questions. It's all about connection, creativity, and empowering meaningful conversations!

Jun 24, 2025 • 17min
352. Geniuses Are Humans
This week, Jen and Pete reflect on how grateful they are for their clients, and what they can do when a genius is standing in front of them, ready to be coached.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:Why might a person who is excellent at their craft crave further guidance from a coach?What are some tactics and strategies for coaching a genius?How might ego stand in the way of coaching or leading?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/).

Jun 17, 2025 • 19min
351. Enough
Explore the intriguing concept of what exactly constitutes 'enough' in our lives. The hosts discuss how context influences our definitions and the societal pressures that push us to do more. Discover the emotional weight behind the word and its varied interpretations, alongside anecdotes that emphasize clarity in our personal and professional goals. They present a refreshing approach to productivity, suggesting that quality trumps quantity. Dive into the balancing act of success, personal satisfaction, and the standards we set for ourselves.

Jun 10, 2025 • 20min
350. Less Is More
Jen and Pete explore the idea of 'less is more,' inspired by Stephen Sondheim. They discuss why presenting two options is often better than seven, highlighting the importance of clarity in communication. The conversation introduces the humorous 'to-don't list,' emphasizing eliminating distractions to achieve goals. Listeners learn how simplifying daily tasks can enhance focus and effectiveness, promoting a 'to-do less' mindset to replace negative habits with positive actions.

Jun 3, 2025 • 18min
349. Turn the Tassel
This week, Jen and Pete noodle on the idea of turning the tassel on habits that are ready to be let go.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How might we think about the way our habits have served us?Why is it important to offer alternative to current habits we would like to let go of?How can we get more comfortable with the practice of examining and changing our habits?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/).

May 27, 2025 • 18min
348. Six Strokes
Pete introduces a transformative swimming concept that emphasizes mindfulness over intensity. They question why we often equate hard work with heavy breathing and explore how refining techniques can elevate performance. The duo discusses the importance of external feedback for improvement and how manageable goals can enhance motivation. Listeners are encouraged to rethink old methods to embrace more efficient processes, revealing that mastery can sometimes mean working smarter, not harder.

May 20, 2025 • 18min
347. Industry Standard
This week, Jen and Pete noodle on the idea of industry standards, and if / when they should be followed.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What is an example of an industry standard that should be followed? And what is one that should not?How might we think about the context of an industry standard?Why might following an industry standard actually be a form of hiding?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/).

May 13, 2025 • 18min
346. Uncertainty
This discussion dives into the dynamic interplay between leadership and uncertainty. It emphasizes the importance of context in decision-making and how leaders can embrace vulnerability while guiding their teams. Jen and Pete explore the critical traits of humility and self-awareness, essential for steering through unpredictability. They also analyze the balance between risk and tradition using the reimagined Phantom of the Opera as a case study, showcasing the innovative spirit required in leadership amidst challenges.

May 6, 2025 • 18min
345. Am I Ready?
This week, Jen and Pete dive in to the topic of readiness, and how the definition of being ready may change depending on context.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:What may get in the way of feeling ready to jump into a project?Who else, besides ourselves, might we be relying on in order to feel ready?What are some tools and strategies we can use to feel more prepared and less like an imposter?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/).

Apr 29, 2025 • 17min
344. Humans and AI
This week, Pete brings a raw noodle to the table, in order to talk to Jen about the similarities between coaching people and creating inputs for AI.Specifically, in this episode Jen and Pete talk about:How do both leadership and interacting with AI require curiosity?Why is it important to understand that AI platforms can be flawed?How does empathy inform our interactions with both humans and AI technology?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/).


