
184: Writing the Newsletter Tech Executives Read, with Ben ThompsonSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Ben Thompson about how he writes Stratechery, from deciding what is worth covering to working to a deadline every night, and the workflows he has built to produce one of tech’s most influential publications. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Ben Thompson Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools Submit Feedback 👕 Shop The Subtle Range – Available until November 19th 👕 Stratechery by Ben Thompson Apple and a Hacker’s Future – Stratechery by Ben Thompson Between our discussion and the publishing of this episode, Ben's computer got hacked due to a security vulnerability. Stratechery Plus Dithering Write Things Down – Stratechery by Ben Thompson Frontier Overhangs – Stratechery by Ben Thompson Sharp Tech Workflowy Notational Velocity nvALT Simplenote Clubhouse – Stratechery by Ben Thompson The Tech of F1 is WILD - Inside Red Bull Racing - Austin Evans - YouTube
183: Scouting Indie Games for a Living, with Lucy JamesSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Lucy James about going independent after 12 years at GameSpot, building a newsletter that recommends the best indie games, and announcing it days later on stage at Summer Game Fest in front of millions of viewers. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Scribe: AI-powered workflow documentation. Get your first month free. Guest Starring: Lucy James Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools Submit Feedback 🎗🤠 Relay for St. Jude Relay for St. Jude Podcastathon 2026 - YouTube lookingfor.game Lucy James – Instagram The Friends Per Second Podcast - YouTube Summer Game Fest player.gg
182: Reporting on the World’s Most Secretive Tech Company, with Mark GurmanSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg about his workflow for reporting on Apple, building and verifying sources, balancing speed with accuracy, and how publishing a scoop can uncover the next part of the story. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. Guest Starring: Mark Gurman Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools Submit Feedback Mark Gurman – Bloomberg Power On by Mark Gurman – Bloomberg Things The new iPhone... - 9to5Mac – Mark's First Big Scoop Apple's next major Mac revealed: the radically new 12-inch MacBook Air - 9to5Mac Apple's Successors for CEO Tim Cook, Other Top Executives - Bloomberg Apple’s John Ternus Profile: The Likely Successor to Tim Cook as CEO – Bloomberg Who Will be Apple’s Next CEO After Tim Cook? - Bloomberg Cortex #178: The Process of Investigative Reporting, With Jason Schreier - Relay
181: The Workflow Behind Track Star*, with Jack CoyneSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Jack Coyne about turning the viral hit Track Star* into a media business, growing a creative team without adding complexity, and building new shows while protecting what made the original special. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Backblaze: Unlimited cloud backup for macOS and Windows. Try it for free today and get 20% off with code cortex20. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. Guest Starring: Jack Coyne Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools Submit Feedback Jack Coyne – Instagram Public Opinion Public Opinion – YouTube Track Star* – Instagram Track Star* – TikTok Track Star* – YouTube Track Star* with Pianist Lang Lang – Instagram Jack's Road Trip Videos - YouTube Testing Elmo's Music Knowledge | Track Star* - YouTube Air Why This Knicks Parade Was Different - Public Opinion - YouTube
180: From Instagram Poems to a Bestselling Book, with Loryn BrantzSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Loryn Brantz – illustrator, poet, and bestselling author – about her journey from Sesame Street and BuzzFeed to becoming an independent creator, how her poems grew into a book, and the routines she uses to make space for new ideas. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Loryn Brantz Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools Submit Feedback Gabby - Coaching & Meditation App - App Store Loryn's Website Loryn Brantz – Instagram The Good Advice Cupcake – Instagram Poems of Parenting – HarperCollins I Am a Spicy Nugget – Books of Wonder Brick If Disney Princesses Had Realistic Waistlines – Buzzfeed Ms. Rachel - Wikipedia Dos and Don'ts of Sharing Photos of Your Children on Instagram and Facebook | WSJ - YouTube Amazon Is Making an AI-Animated ‘Good Advice Cupcake’ TV Show. Its Original Creator Is Furious | WIRED Loryn's Post about Cuppy and Buzzfeed – Instagram Designed in California — Kickstarter Campaign Upgrade #621: Road to the Apple II: The Partnership (Part 2) - Relay
179: The Philosophy of Obsidian, with CEO Steph AngoSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Steph Ango, CEO of Obsidian, about building tools for thought, working without meetings, managing knowledge with markdown and links, and how a seven-person team builds software used by millions. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Steph Ango Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools Submit Feedback stephango.com Obsidian Minimal Theme for Obsidian How I use Obsidian — Steph Ango Obsidian Web Clipper How I do my to-dos — Steph Ango Manifesto - About - Obsidian If you're remote, ramble — Steph Ango Always Bet on Text - graydon2 File over app — Steph Ango Don't delegate understanding — Steph Ango Caloric energy is precious — Steph Ango Obsidian CLI
178: The Process of Investigative Reporting, With Jason SchreierSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Jason Schreier of Bloomberg about the realities of reporting – how stories start, how sources are built, and how he balances fast-moving news with the slower, deeper work of writing books. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Jason Schreier Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) — Bluesky Jason Schreier | Bloomberg Sony UX570 Digital Voice Recorder Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier – HarperCollins Press Reset by Jason Schreier – Hachette Book Group Play Nice by Jason Schreier – Hachette Book Group Why 'Silksong,' Team Cherry's Sequel to 'Hollow Knight,' Took So Long to Make - Bloomberg Triple Click | Maximum Fun
177: How Major Life Changes Reshape Creative Workflows, With Quinn NelsonSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs about adapting a creative workflow after becoming a parent – how major life changes reshape priorities, time, and systems, and how creators rebuild sustainable ways to keep making things. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Quinn Nelson Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback Quinn Nelson - Snazzy Labs - YouTube Spark Mail Notion We made the Mac mini ACTUALLY mini! - Snazzy Labs - YouTube I Made My Own Mac! You Can Too! - Snazzy Labs - YouTube Brick Quinn's Home Screen Rivian When Did I…? Narwhal 2 for Reddit MDR Dasher Keyboard – Kickstarter
176: Going From a Newsroom to Being Independent, With Becca FarsaceSubtitle: State of the Workflow Myke talks to Becca Farsace about beginning her life as an independent creator—shaping a new workflow, making videos on her own terms, and carrying lessons from her years at The Verge into this next chapter. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Becca Farsace Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback Becca Farsace - YouTube This is the best phone of 2025… (sorry, MKBHD) - Becca Farsace - YouTube Why I left The Verge - Becca Farsace - YouTube Becca's Merch Store I tried to replace my screens with an Apple Vision Pro… - Becca Farsace - YouTube I took 1,000 photos with the iPhone 17 Pro... - Becca Farsace - YouTube the smartwatch that changed my mind about smartwatches - Becca Farsace - YouTube I quit my job to become a YouTuber, here is how much $$$ I made - Becca Farsace - YouTube Becca's Home Screen
175: Technology Connections – State of the WorkflowMyke talks to Alec from Technology Connections about how he turns everyday tech into compelling videos, from topic selection and deep research to scripting, hands-on experimentation, filming, and editing entirely on his own. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. Guest Starring: Technology Connections Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback Myke's 2026 Yearly Theme - Cortex - YouTube My 2026 Yearly Theme – The Enthusiast Technology Connections - YouTube Technology Connections | Patreon Teleprompters are clever, simple, and also pretty neat - Technology Connections - YouTube This goofy fridge has a really clever design. It's also kinda terrible. - Technology Connections - YouTube Video projectors used to be ridiculously cool - Technology Connections - YouTube Catalytic converters are simple, but getting them to work is not - Technology Connections - YouTube My car charger can boil water really fast - Technology Connections - YouTube Brown; color is weird - Technology Connections - YouTube Alec's Home Screen Tusky Pocket Casts Good Store - EcoGeek - Dishwasher Powder
174: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) – State of the WorkflowMyke talks to Marques Brownlee about how he builds his reviews, from shaping a product narrative and writing scripts to collaborating with his team, deciding what becomes a video, and managing the pressure of creating at massive scale. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Get 6 months of the Team plan free with code cortex. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. Guest Starring: Marques Brownlee Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback MKBHD.com MKBHD - Marques Brownlee - YouTube The Studio - YouTube WVFRM Podcast - YouTube Auto Focus - YouTube TickTick OnePlus 15 Review: This is Not Normal! - MKBHD - YouTube Do Bad Reviews Kill Companies? - MKBHD - YouTube Wait... Smart Glasses are Suddenly Good? - MKBHD - YouTube Marques' Home Screen Superhuman Arc Dia MKBHD Store
173: Hank Green – State of the WorkflowMyke talks to Hank Green about how he manages an impossibly full creative life — from YouTube and Crash Course to books, businesses, and Good.Store — using simple tools, structured weeks, selective meetings, delegation, and a constant flow of new ideas. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Stuff: Organize your life and achieve your goals. Get 50% off your first year of Extra Stuff with code STUFF. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. Guest Starring: Hank Green Links and Show Notes: Submit Feedback 🚨 Get 20% off an annual Moretex subscription 🚨 👕 Shop The Subtle Range – Available until November 19th 👕 vlogbrothers - YouTube hankschannel - YouTube Crash Course Focus Friend, by Hank Green App - App Store DFTBA Good Store SciShow - YouTube Dear Hank & John Complexly Google Tasks Airtable The Hardest Problem Evolution Ever Solved – hankschannel – YouTube Hank's Home Screen Hank Green | Book of Good Times – DFTBA Awesome Socks 🎁 Get 20% off an annual Moretex subscription 🎁
172: David Pierce – State of the WorkflowMyke talks to The Verge’s David Pierce about the workflow behind his Humane AI Pin review, how he collaborates to make podcasts like The Vergecast, and how his Installer newsletter helps him highlight the positive side of the internet each week. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CORTEX with this link and get 60% off an annual plan. Guest Starring: David Pierce Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback 🚨👕 The Subtle Range – Available for a Limited Time Only! 👕🚨 David Pierce | The Verge Humane AI Pin review: the post-smartphone future isn’t here yet | The Verge Workflowy Notion Craft I spent three months with Telly, the free TV that’s always showing ads | The Verge Do Bad Reviews Kill Companies? - MKBHD - YouTube Installer Newsletter | The Verge kottke.org Waxy.org The Marginalian A Thing or Two Downtime The Linkfest TV Insider Reelgood Typora The Enthusiast – Myke's Blog The Vergecast Airtable Version History The Rest Is History - YouTube The Rewatchables - The Ringer David's Home Screen Myke's Home Screen in the Installer Newsletter Myke's Action Button Shortcut Notion Calendar Remind Me Faster Arc Search Quiche Browser
171: Casey Newton – State of the WorkflowMyke talks to Casey Newton about his workflow for running Platformer, from idea capture to writing and publishing, and how he balances reporting with access to some of the most powerful people in tech. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Nexos.ai: All-in-one AI platform for enterprises. Get a 14 day free trial now. * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code cortex50off Guest Starring: Stephen Hackett and Casey Newton Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback 🎗Relay for St. Jude – Donate Today Platformer What really happened at Basecamp - by Casey Newton Capacities What I learned about productivity this year – Platformer Google Docs Ghost Why Platformer is leaving Substack – Platformer Ghost Todoist My dinner with Altman – Platformer Casey Newton (@crumbler) – Threads Hard Fork Podcast Sam Altman upstages the critics – Platformer Notion Installer Newsletter | The Verge Casey's Homescreen Bear Balatro Notion Calendar Relay for St. Jude - Donate Today Relay for St. Jude Podcastathon 2025 - YouTube Streaming live from 12pm to 12am US Eastern time on September 19, 2025
170: Simone Giertz – State of the WorkflowMyke talks to Simone Giertz about her workflow for turning ideas into products, from early sketches and CAD prototypes to manufacturing, launching, and running a product studio alongside her YouTube channel. This episode of Cortex is sponsored by: * Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX. * Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership. * Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code cortex50off * Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Get 6 months of the Team plan free with code cortex. Guest Starring: Simone Giertz Links and Show Notes: Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads. Submit Feedback Simone Giertz - YouTube Yetch Studio The Coat Hinger – Yetch Studio A chair built for your half-dirty clothes - Simone Giertz - YouTube Why I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger - Simone Giertz - YouTube Fusion 360 Patch Cap – Yetch Studio Screwdriver Ring – Yetch Studio Coat Hingers – Foldable Coat Hangers – Kickstarter The Every Day Calendar – Kickstarter The Every Day Goal Calendar – Yetch Studio Spool Table – Yetch Studio What I’ve learned from 10 years on YouTube - Simone Giertz - YouTube Yetch Studio – Instagram Edge Piece Puzzle – Yetch Studio Why sales is the worst part of my job - Simone Giertz - YouTube Simone's Home Screen Brick Microsoft To Do Microsoft To Do Paper Apps™ TO•DO Notebook – Gladden Design Pencil Dice™ – Gladden Design