171: Casey Newton – State of the Workflow | Cortex

In this episode of the Cortex podcast, host Myke Hurley interviews Casey Newton, writer of the Platformer newsletter and co-host of the Hard Fork podcast, about his workflow and productivity systems. Casey discusses his preference for using a laptop, his process for generating ideas for Platformer, and his approach to working with sources. He also shares his thoughts on AI's role in his work, his decision to move from Substack to Ghost, and his strategies for promoting his work on social media. The episode concludes with Stephen Hackett joining to discuss Relay's fundraising efforts for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, sharing his personal connection to the cause and highlighting the hospital's global impact.

Outlines

Part 1: Casey Newton - Workflow and Devices

Part 2: Content Creation and Ethics

Part 3: Platform and Team Dynamics

Part 4: Productivity and Social Media

Part 5: Audience and Impact

Part 6: Home Screen Analysis

Part 7: St. Jude and Podcastathon

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171: Casey Newton – State of the Workflow

Cortex

Part 1: Casey Newton - Workflow and Devices

00:00Introduction to Casey Newton and His Most Important Device

Introduction to Casey Newton and His Most Important Device

01:12The Importance of Laptops for Writing and the Need for Powerful Hardware

The Importance of Laptops for Writing and the Need for Powerful Hardware

Part 2: Content Creation and Ethics

03:02Idea Generation and Working with Sources for Platformer

Idea Generation and Working with Sources for Platformer

07:04Device Security and Protecting Sources

Device Security and Protecting Sources

09:11Idea Storage and Note-Taking Systems

Idea Storage and Note-Taking Systems

12:56Outlining and the "Sh**ty First Draft" Approach

Outlining and the "Sh**ty First Draft" Approach

15:56Writing Tools and the Evolution of CMS

Writing Tools and the Evolution of CMS

18:21AI's Role in Editing and Research

AI's Role in Editing and Research

20:43Ethical Considerations of AI and the Use of AI-Generated Images

Ethical Considerations of AI and the Use of AI-Generated Images

Part 3: Platform and Team Dynamics

22:52Transitioning from Substack to Ghost and Content Moderation Issues

Transitioning from Substack to Ghost and Content Moderation Issues

25:14The Unsustainable Business Model of Substack and the Benefits of Ghost

The Unsustainable Business Model of Substack and the Benefits of Ghost

27:10Team Structure, Communication, and the Downfalls of Slack

Team Structure, Communication, and the Downfalls of Slack

28:49Slack's Impact on Company Culture and the Importance of Moderation

Slack's Impact on Company Culture and the Importance of Moderation

Part 4: Productivity and Social Media

31:37To-Do Management and the Aesthetic Appeal of To-Do List Apps

To-Do Management and the Aesthetic Appeal of To-Do List Apps

33:04Todoist as a To-Do List App and Promoting Work on Social Media

Todoist as a To-Do List App and Promoting Work on Social Media

35:06The Loss of Twitter and the Search for a Replacement

The Loss of Twitter and the Search for a Replacement

37:13The Impossibility of Replicating Twitter and the Hope for New Social Networks

The Impossibility of Replicating Twitter and the Hope for New Social Networks

Part 5: Audience and Impact

39:32Audience Reading Habits and the Resurgence of Email

Audience Reading Habits and the Resurgence of Email

41:26Analytics, Feedback, and Building Community

Analytics, Feedback, and Building Community

44:04Responding to Criticism and the Value of Paid Subscribers

Responding to Criticism and the Value of Paid Subscribers

47:14The Impact of Writing and the Responsibility to Readers

The Impact of Writing and the Responsibility to Readers

49:52Access to Executives and the Importance of Penetrating the Industry

Access to Executives and the Importance of Penetrating the Industry

53:32Interviewing Executives and the Challenges of Polished Messages

Interviewing Executives and the Challenges of Polished Messages

55:02Staying Inspired and the Biggest Story of a Tech Career

Staying Inspired and the Biggest Story of a Tech Career

57:57Saving Interesting Things and Using Notion AI

Saving Interesting Things and Using Notion AI

1:00:30Playing with New Technology and David Pierce's Installer Newsletter

Playing with New Technology and David Pierce's Installer Newsletter

Part 6: Home Screen Analysis

1:03:35Home Screen Analysis: Bear App

Home Screen Analysis: Bear App

1:04:33Home Screen Analysis: App Store and Settings

Home Screen Analysis: App Store and Settings

1:05:07Home Screen Analysis: Threads

Home Screen Analysis: Threads

1:05:50Home Screen Analysis: Bellatro

Home Screen Analysis: Bellatro

1:06:21Home Screen Analysis: Claude and ChatGPT

Home Screen Analysis: Claude and ChatGPT

1:07:35Home Screen Analysis: Google App and Notion Calendar

Home Screen Analysis: Google App and Notion Calendar

Part 7: St. Jude and Podcastathon

1:08:19Introduction to Stephen Hackett and His Connection to St. Jude

Introduction to Stephen Hackett and His Connection to St. Jude

1:11:26The Impact of St. Jude on the Hackett Family

The Impact of St. Jude on the Hackett Family

1:13:01Giving Back to St. Jude

Giving Back to St. Jude

1:14:55The Global Impact of St. Jude