Chess Journeys

Hi, it’s Aiden.

Every now and then, I have a discussion with someone and things just click into place.

Ideas flow, both parties contributing. Each learning from the other.

It’s a magical feeling to be in step with someone else, talking about big ideas that matter.

I’m one of those people that struggles with small talk. I find it draining.

Merlin Mann once wrote (paraphrased), “if you hate small talk, you’re not listening very hard.”

I try to listen hard, but small talk and I still don’t get along.

I prefer the deep conversations. The ones where everyone involved comes away with a new insight, some new way to look at the world.

Even better if it happens while someone’s recording!

Lucky for me, someone was.

This week I had the great honor of meeting Dr Kevin Scull and guesting on his wonderful Chess Journeys podcast.

Kevin regularly speaks with adult improvers about their journeys through this complex, brutal, enchanting game to which we all find ourselves tied.

I’ve been a fan for a while. (One of you recommended it to me actually. Thanks Steve.)

And I can’t think of any better way to enter the world of Chess podcasts than guesting with Kevin.

In our episode, we discuss visualization, brains, mental models, aphantasia, and breaking out of plateaus.

Somewhere in there while we were recording, I felt us fall into step with each other.

Insights were flowing back and forth. I learned from him and he learned from me. The energy was electric.

I knew we were making something special.

I think you’ll enjoy it. I’m very proud of it.