Cortex

183: Scouting Indie Games for a Living, with Lucy James

182: Reporting on the World’s Most Secretive Tech Company, with Mark Gurman

181: The Workflow Behind Track Star*, with Jack Coyne

180: From Instagram Poems to a Bestselling Book, with Loryn Brantz

179: The Philosophy of Obsidian, with CEO Steph Ango

Obsidian functions as a powerful, link-based knowledge management tool that prioritizes user ownership through local, plain-text Markdown files. Unlike traditional software, the app avoids rigid structures like folders in favor of a Wikipedia-style linking system that allows users to connect ideas organically. Steph An...

178: The Process of Investigative Reporting, With Jason Schreier

Jason Schreier, lead video game reporter at Bloomberg, details the intersection of daily news reporting and long-form book authorship. His methodology centers on high-trust, phone-based investigative work, prioritizing direct conversations over email to maintain source security and accuracy. He emphasizes that his role...

177: How Major Life Changes Reshape Creative Workflows, With Quinn Nelson

Major life events, such as becoming a first-time parent, force a fundamental reassessment of creative workflows and professional priorities. Balancing the demands of a high-output YouTube channel with the non-negotiable constraints of family life requires shifting from an expansionist mindset to one focused on sustaina...

176: Going From a Newsroom to Being Independent, With Becca Farsace

Transitioning from a seven-year tenure at The Verge to independent YouTube creation requires balancing creative autonomy with the professional rigor learned in a newsroom. Success stems from prioritizing personal passion over algorithmic trends, exemplified by rigorous testing methodologies like the "1,000 photos" seri...

175: Technology Connections – State of the Workflow

Creating educational content about everyday technology requires a rigorous focus on narrative hooks and audience curiosity rather than adherence to standard YouTube optimization practices. Alec, the creator of Technology Connections, treats video production as a form of "verification research," where he physically diss...

174: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) – State of the Workflow

In this episode of Cortex, Myke Hurley interviews Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) about his video production workflow, particularly focusing on iPhone reviews. They discuss the timing of reviews, the challenges of switching between phones, and how MKBHD integrates devices into his life for testing. Marques explains his note-t...

173: Hank Green – State of the Workflow

In this episode of Cortex, Myke interviews Hank Green, a prominent figure in online content creation, about his productivity system and how he manages his numerous projects, including YouTube channels, books, apps, and businesses. Hank shares his reliance on Google Tasks, the Notes app, and his assistant for managing d...

172: David Pierce – State of the Workflow

In this episode of Cortex's "State of the Workflow," Myke Hurley interviews David Pierce, editor at large at The Verge, about his work, focusing on product reviews, the Installer newsletter, and podcasting, including The Vergecast and his new show, Version History. Pierce discusses his device preferences, workflow for ...

171: Casey Newton – State of the Workflow

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 ...

170: Simone Giertz – State of the Workflow

In this episode of State of the Workflow, Myke Hurley interviews Simone Giertz, an inventor and product studio owner, about her creative process and workflow. Simone discusses the importance of her laser cutter for rapid prototyping and shares insights into Giertz Studio's product development, emphasizing the creation ...

169: John Gruber – State of the Workflow

In this episode of State of the Workflow, Myke interviews John Gruber of Daring Fireball about his work habits and technology preferences. Gruber reveals his reliance on his MacBook Pro for work and personal tasks, detailing his writing workflow, which includes using a paper notebook, the Tot app for bookmarking, and M...

168: Austin Evans – State of the Workflow

In this episode of "State of the Workflow," Myke interviews Austin Evans, a tech-focused YouTuber, about the devices, apps, and workflows he uses in his creative process. Austin shares his preference for phones, balancing between iOS and Android, and his fondness for unique devices that spark creativity, like the S25 E...

167: Ten Years of Cortex

In this special 10-year anniversary episode of Cortex, Myke and Grey reflect on the show's origins as a ten-episode pilot, its evolution, and its impact on their professional lives. They discuss the challenges of creating a non-news-driven show, the importance of editing, and memorable episodes like the AI and book clu...

166: The Social Network

165: How to Win Friends and Influence People

This episode explores the classic self-help book, "How to Win Friends and Influence People," by Dale Carnegie, analyzing its enduring relevance and impact. The hosts discuss the book's structure, focusing on its four sections and the timeless principles of effective communication and interpersonal relationships. Mor...

164: Screen Crimes: The Ghost Device