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In this episode, Erik and Kris celebrate their 100th episode by discussing Cal Newport's Slow Productivity. They go through the book's three principles: do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality. They also reflect on what 100 episodes of Examining have taught them. SHOW NOTES Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout – Cal Newport: Cal's official book page, which his announcement post gives as calnewport.com/slow, and which offers bonus material alongside the book. https://calnewport.com/slow My New Book: Slow Productivity – Cal Newport: Cal's announcement post, which describes a Slow Productivity Primer (an annotated collection of his best writing on the topic) and a crash course video covering the three principles. https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/ On Slow Productivity and the Anti-Busyness Revolution – Cal Newport: An earlier essay (the comments are dated 2021) in which Cal argues we may need a slow productivity revolution more than an economic one. https://calnewport.com/on-slow-productivity-and-the-anti-busyness-revolution/ Slow Productivity Chapter Commentary – Cal Newport: Cal gives behind-the-scenes insights on each chapter of the book. https://calnewport.com/slow-productivity-chapter-commentary/ The Workload Fairy Tale – Cal Newport: Cal connects research on shorter workweeks to the book's idea of workload management. https://calnewport.com/the-workload-fairy-tale/ CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome and Reflecting on 100 Episodes(00:01:28) - How the Podcast's Focus Evolved(00:05:01) - Introducing Cal Newport's Slow Productivity(00:05:43) - Pseudo-Productivity and Busyness as a Measure of Work(00:11:55) - Principle One: Do Fewer Things(00:18:38) - AI, Jevons Paradox, and the Illusion of Saved Time(00:21:54) - Principle Two: Work at a Natural Pace(00:28:11) - Autonomy, Seasonality, and Using AI to Cut Tasks(00:31:17) - Productivity Guilt and Knowing When to Stop(00:38:35) - Principle Three: Obsess Over Quality(00:43:26) - Judgment, Teaching, and Applying the Book to Real Work(00:46:26) - Applying Slow Productivity to the Podcast Itself(00:52:28) - Final Thoughts and Closing

Erik and Kris discuss the latest Apple Event - "Surprise and Shine" - including the new phones, watches, and headphones. CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:08) - Welcome Back & Episode Overview(00:01:43) - Introducing the iPhone Duo Foldable(00:03:24) - Foldable Design and Hinge Engineering(00:05:24) - Software Transitions Between Displays(00:11:21) - Apple's History of Late Entry, Big Impact(00:13:29) - Ecosystem Advantages and Interoperability Pressure(00:14:16) - Rethinking iOS Layout on the Duo vs iPad(00:18:19) - Battery, Camera, and Touch ID Decisions(00:20:29) - Who Is the Duo Really For?(00:20:50) - New Pro Phones and On-Device Siri AI(00:22:56) - Apple's Privacy-First AI Strategy(00:24:15) - Apple Watch Series 12 Updates(00:26:07) - AirPods Noise Cancellation Update(00:26:44) - Final Thoughts and Takeaways(00:27:42) - Wrap-up and Looking Ahead to Episode 100

Erik and Kris interview Dr. Tom O’Neill, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. This episode was originally released on August 4, 2020. We are revisiting Tom's interview where he discusses ITP Metrics, a free online teamwork and behavioural assessment platform. Tom and his team created this platform to improve classroom team dynamics, and it has been used in several programs to great success. SHOW NOTES:  ITP Metrics platform:  https://www.itpmetrics.com/ GUEST INFORMATION: Dr. Tom O’Neill LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-o-neill-53bbb321/ UCalgary Profile:  https://psyc.ucalgary.ca/profiles/thomas-o-neill  CONTACT: Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod TEAM INFORMATION: Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris Interview Soroush Sabbaghan an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary's Weklund School of Education. The interview centres around Soroush's interest in AI and how it can be ethically and appropriately used in education.  Soroush's website: https://soroushsabbaghan.com/ Soroush's profile at UofC: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/soroush-sabbaghan CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris discuss Apple’s MacBook Neo and what it may mean for the future of the iPad. They also look at OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 release, including benchmark results, agentic coding, AI in medical triage, and the strange story of ChatGPT’s “goblin” habit. Finally, they revisit the ongoing question of AI and jobs, from Jensen Huang’s advice to study engineering to a Chinese court ruling on replacing workers with AI. SHOW NOTES MacBook Neo and Future of the iPad MacBook Neo’s Product Fit – Inc: Apple’s low-cost MacBook Neo appears aimed at first-time Mac buyers, students, and people who need an affordable computer more than a high-end Mac. https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/after-45-days-i-figured-out-exactly-who-the-macbook-neo-is-for/91336235 Apple’s iPad Phaseout Has Begun – Macworld: Macworld argues that the MacBook Neo, touchscreen MacBooks, and a future iPhone Fold could put pressure on the iPad from multiple directions. https://www.macworld.com/article/3109565/ipad-demise-touchscreen-macbook-pro-neo-iphone-fold.html ChatGPT 5.5 Introducing GPT-5.5 – OpenAI: OpenAI positions GPT-5.5 as a stronger model for agentic coding, computer use, knowledge work, and scientific research. https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-5/ GPT-5.5 Benchmarks – VentureBeat: VentureBeat reports that GPT-5.5 narrowly beat Anthropic’s Claude Mythos Preview on Terminal-Bench 2.0, while noting that model competition remains tight across benchmarks. https://venturebeat.com/ai/openais-gpt-5-5-is-here-and-its-no-potato-narrowly-beats-anthropics-claude-mythos-preview-on-terminal-bench-2-0 Where the Goblins Came From – OpenAI: OpenAI explains how a “nerdy” personality training pattern led ChatGPT to overuse goblin and gremlin metaphors. https://openai.com/index/where-the-goblins-came-from/ ChatGPT’s Goblin Obsession – Engadget: Engadget summarizes OpenAI’s explanation of the goblin issue and why personality tuning can have unexpected side effects. https://www.engadget.com/2161234/chatgpt-developed-a-goblin-obsession-after-openai-tried-to-make-it-nerdy/ AI and Emergency Triage – The Guardian: A Harvard study found that AI outperformed doctors in some emergency triage diagnosis tasks, while researchers warned that AI should be treated as a clinical support tool, not a doctor replacement. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/30/ai-outperforms-doctors-in-harvard-trial-of-emergency-triage-diagnoses Latest on AI Taking Our Jobs Jensen Huang on AI and Careers – Inc: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argues that engineering remains one of the safest career bets because it teaches first-principles problem-solving. https://www.inc.com/leila-sheridan/jensen-huang-engineering-jobs-ai/91337609 AI Layoffs in China – Gizmodo: A Chinese court found that employers cannot use AI automation as a pretext to unilaterally demote or terminate workers. https://gizmodo.com/its-illegal-in-china-to-lay-someone-off-to-replace-them-with-ai-court-finds-2000753791 CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:21) - MacBook Neo retrospective(00:16:48) - ChatGPT 5.5 and Goblins(00:48:13) - Careers safe from AI

In this episode, Kris and Erik discuss the announcement that Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO and turning over the role to John Ternus. Could this be a signal that Apple is returning to products with a hardware engineer at the helm? They discuss what it means for a tech industry focused on subscriptions. The co-hosts also discuss Anthropic's new Mythos model and how it has discovered many major software vulnerabilities. For the tip section, Kris and Erik discuss their experience using NotebookLM for learning new topics and keeping up to date with industry news. SHOW NOTES Apple Newsroom: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/04/tim-cook-to-become-apple-executive-chairman-john-ternus-to-become-apple-ceo/ Macrumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/20/tim-cook-stepping-down/ PCWorld: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2816617/microsofts-copilot-gamble-is-a-bustbut-ai-pcs-still-feel-inevitable.htm  Anthropic - Project Glasswing: https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-mythos-and-why-are-experts-worried-about-anthropics-ai-model/ CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Kris and Erik interview Dr. Hadi Fariborzi, an Assistant Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University. His research is situated at the intersection of international entrepreneurship. Dr. Fariborzi co-founded Hub Meta — an AI powered tool for conducting systematic reviews.  SHOW NOTES Dr. Hadi Fariborzi Hub Meta Google Scholar CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris chat with Ross "Memphis" Pambrun about his unique path across healthcare, firefighting, technology, music, and media. They discuss how Ross built a career that spans public service, AI and cyber innovation through The Memphis Group, storytelling through Red River Gold, and performing with his band, Memphis and The Grande. SHOW NOTES Ross Pambrun The Memphis Group Memphis and The Grande Red River Gold CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris discuss how trust keeps becoming the real story in tech. They look at Paul Thurrott’s skepticism about Microsoft’s latest promises to improve Windows, Anthropic’s massive global interview project on what people actually want from AI, OpenAI’s plan to nearly double its workforce as it pushes further into enterprise adoption, and the gamer backlash to Nvidia’s DLSS 5. SHOW NOTES Trust But Verify: https://www.thurrott.com/windows/windows-11/334053/trust-but-verify-2  What 81,000 people want from AI: https://www.anthropic.com/81k-interviews  OpenAI to nearly double workforce to 8,000 by end-2026, FT report: https://www.reuters.com/business/openai-nearly-double-workforce-8000-by-end-2026-ft-reports-2026-03-21/  Gamers react with overwhelming disgust to DLSS 5’s generative AI glow-ups: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/03/gamers-react-with-overwhelming-disgust-to-dlss-5s-generative-ai-glow-ups/  The hidden advantage of being over 50 in the age of AI: https://www.inc.com/joel-comm/the-hidden-advantage-of-being-over-50-in-the-age-of-ai/91312602  CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris explore the growing gap between AI adoption and AI literacy, highlighting how institutions, governments, and workplaces are struggling to keep up. They discuss practical frameworks for using AI responsibly, the risks of poorly implemented automation, and the opportunity for skilled professionals to stand out. They also break down Apple’s March 2026 product lineup, with a deep dive into the MacBook Neo, a $599 laptop that signals a major shift in Apple’s strategy and could redefine entry-level computing. SHOW NOTES MRU Library: Generative AI Applications Guide: https://library.mtroyal.ca/ai/applications Alberta AI Academy: https://albertaaiacademy.com/  Maclean’s: AI Has Entered the Cubicle: https://macleans.ca/longforms/ai-has-entered-the-cubicle/  New Apple hardware Apple: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/03/macbook-neo-iphone-17e-ipad-air-with-m4-and-more-are-now-available/  MacBook Neo reviews https://daringfireball.net/2026/03/the_macbook_neo https://9to5mac.com/2026/03/10/macbook-neo-review/ https://www.tomshardware.com/laptops/macbooks/apple-macbook-neo-a18-pro-review https://www.macworld.com/article/3081612/macbook-neo-a18-pro-review.html CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

Kris and Erik speak with Sasha Ivanov, creator of Maple Scan, a mobile app that helps Canadians identify products made in Canada while shopping. Sasha explains the motivation behind the project, how the app works, and what it reveals about Canadian manufacturing and supply chains. Maple Scan: https://maplescan.app/ CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

In this episode, Erik and Kris discuss the ongoing saga between Apple and Google, including the $20 billion deal that made Google the default search engine on Apple devices and the recent DOJ review of their partnership. Additionally, they explore how AI is changing the game for search behaviors and user expectations, citing a study from the NN Group. The co-hosts also share their personal experiences with using AI (over the long term) to boost productivity and reduce research friction. SHOW NOTES Google's Deal with Apple: Google paid $20 billion to become the default search engine on Apple devices in 2022 https://appleinsider.com/articles/24/05/02/google-paid-apple-20-billion-to-be-default-search-engine-in-2022 DOJ Re-Reviews Google-Apple Search Deal: The US Department of Justice has appealed and re-reviewed Google's deal with Apple, putting it back under scrutiny https://www.macobserver.com/news/google-and-apple-search-deal-back-under-review-after-doj-appeal/ Alphabet's Silence on AI Deal: Despite investor pressure, Alphabet (Google's parent company) remains tight-lipped about its AI agreement with Apple https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/04/alphabet-wont-talk-about-the-google-apple-ai-deal-even-to-investors/ The Future of Search: A recent report highlights how AI is changing search behaviors and user expectations https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ai-changing-search-behaviors/ CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

*This episode was originally published on December 8, 2023 In this episode, Erik and Kris tackle the unfolding drama at OpenAI and its implications. Kris discusses his recent AI panel discussion at MRU, while Erik offers an overview of his latest home organization project. Both hosts will share their holiday gift guide tips, perfect for the tech-savvy and the organized. SHOW NOTES AI Soap Opera OpenAI Announces Leadership Transition (OpenAI Blog): OpenAI announces significant changes in its leadership structure. Sam Altman Returns as CEO of OpenAI (The Verge): Sam Altman reclaims the CEO position at OpenAI, marking a new chapter for the company. AI Panel Discussion Highlights: Context of AI in Research: Discussing the evolving role of AI in academic and professional research settings. Panelist Introductions: Each panelist shares their background and how AI intersects with their research. Diverse Perspectives on AI: Highlighting unique insights from each panelist, providing a broad view of AI's role in different research areas. Practical Applications of AI: Exploring how panelists currently use AI in their work, including specific tools and methodologies. Successes and Challenges: Discussing what has worked well in AI-driven research and addressing the limitations and issues faced. The Future of AI in Research: Debating whether AI is a permanent fixture in research and the value of investing in AI knowledge and tools. AI as Collaborator or Competitor: Examining views on whether AI is augmenting human research capabilities or posing a threat to traditional research roles. Human Skills vs. AI Capabilities: Delving into which human skills might remain irreplaceable by AI and what research aspects can be effectively outsourced to AI technologies. Impact on Research Quality: Analyzing how AI tools influence the quality and rigor of research and their implications for academic integrity. Ethical Considerations in AI Research: Addressing the pressing ethical concerns in integrating AI into research and discussing potential norms for ethical AI use. AI, Accessibility, and Inclusivity: Exploring the implications of AI on inclusivity in research, especially between well-funded and under-funded programs, and discussing measures for fair representation. Organizational Guide: Cable Management: Emphasize the importance of Velcro ties for efficient cable organization. Labeling Essentials: Discuss the use of label tape and whiteout pens for clear labeling, even without a label maker. Consistent Systems: Stress the importance of grouping related items and maintaining a consistent organizational system. Space Utilization: Highlight the use of 3M Command hooks for maximizing space, especially inside cupboards. Document Organization: Recommend accordion folders for essential document storage, such as receipts and manuals. Life Consolidation: Encourage listeners to avoid having multiples of items and to refrain from collecting unnecessary tools (e.g., notebooks, notes apps, to-do lists). Digitization and Decluttering: Advice on using a scanner app to digitize important papers, followed by shredding the physical copies, except for sentimental items like children's artwork or per...

In this episode, Erik and Kris interview Randall Herd—VP Marketing at Arhket. Arhket is an AI driven prototyping tools that allows users to quicky get from ideation to prototype through a clever combination of visual wireframing tools and AI prompts. SHOW NOTES Arkhet: https://arkhet.app/ *For those interesting a discount on the Arkhet platform, contact Randall on LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/randallherd/  CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca

In this episode Kris and Erik discuss Microsoft's latest report on global AI adoption trends, explore highlights from CES 2026 including LEGO's groundbreaking Smart Bricks, Samsung's triple-folding phone, and AMD's new AI-powered laptop processors. Plus, we check out Repebble's new smartwatches and voice-recording ring. SHOW NOTES Zorin OS https://zorin.com/os/ (Linux-based operating system designed as a user-friendly alternative to Windows and macOS, featuring familiar desktop layouts and extended hardware support) Ollama https://ollama.com/search (Local LLM runtime platform enabling privacy-focused AI model deployment on personal hardware) Microsoft AI Economy Institute Global AI Adoption Report 2025 https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/topics/ai-economy-institute/reports/global-ai-adoption-2025/ (Comprehensive analysis showing AI adoption reached 16.3% globally with widening divide between Global North and Global South) Repebble Index 01 https://repebble.com/index (Voice-recording smart ring with button and microphone for capturing thoughts, requiring no charging for years of use) Repebble Watch https://repebble.com/watch (New e-paper smartwatches including Pebble Round 2 and Pebble Time 2 with long battery life and open-source PebbleOS) AMD Ryzen AI 400 Series Announcement https://www.amd.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-1-5-amd-expands-ai-leadership-across-client-graphics-.html (Next-generation processors featuring 60 TOPS NPU for AI workloads, 12 Zen 5 cores, and enhanced performance for laptops and mini-PCs) Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold Coverage https://www.engadget.com/mobile/smartphones/samsung-galaxy-z-trifold-hands-on-flexing-is-believing-at-ces-2026-224343480.html (Hands-on coverage of Samsung's triple-folding smartphone with 10-inch display that won Best Overall Product at CES 2026) LEGO Smart Bricks Star Wars Sets https://www.lego.com/en-us/aboutus/news/2026/december/lego-smart-play-announcement (Interactive LEGO platform featuring Smart Bricks with embedded sensors, speakers, and processors smaller than a LEGO stud, launching March 2026 with Star Wars sets) CONTACT Website:examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host  Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Website: krishans.ca