Tools, software, podcasts, and newsletters I use and recommend.

Podcasts

  1. This American Life by Ira Glass – Engaging real-life stories and journalism. Ira is the best storyteller alive.
  2. Radiolab by Jad Abumrad & Robert Krulwich – Science, philosophy, and storytelling blend.
  3. How I Built This by Guy Raz – Founder stories behind great businesses.
  4. Acquired by Ben Gilbert & David Rosenthal – Deep dives into legendary companies.
  5. The Daily by Michael Barbaro – Essential news explained in less than 20 minutes.
  6. The Journal by Kate Linebaugh & Ryan Knutson – Business and economics made digestible.
  7. Revisionist History by Malcolm Gladwell – Rethinking overlooked events and ideas.
  8. Stratechery by Ben Thompson – Tech, media, and business analysis.
  9. Invest Like the Best by Patrick O’Shaughnessy – Conversations with top investors.
  10. Asianometry by Jon Y – Deep dives into Asia’s technology, semiconductors, and business history.
  11. Hidden Brain by Shankar Vedantam – Psychology and neuroscience insights to understand your own mind.

Podcast Series

Limited series that left a lasting impression:

  1. The Prince by The Economist – An 8-part investigation into Xi Jinping’s rise to power and what it means for China and the world.
  2. Serial by Sarah Koenig – The podcast that launched the true crime genre. Investigative journalism that redefined storytelling.
  3. S-Town by Brian Reed – A haunting, beautifully crafted story about a man, a town, and the mysteries that bind them.

Newsletters

  1. Stratechery by Ben Thompson – Tech news with a strategy focus.
  2. The Diff by Byrne Hobart – Economics, business breakdowns, tech perspective.
  3. Money Stuff by Matt Levine – Finance errata, laced with wit.
  4. Net Interest by Marc Rubinstein – Financial sector insights from a former hedge fund manager.
  5. Construction Physics by Brian Potter – If you’ve ever wondered about the economics of construction, this is the newsletter for you.
  6. The Generalist by Mario Gabriele – Deep dives into the people, companies, and technologies shaping the future.
  7. Baiguan – Actionable insights and data on China’s tech ecosystem and business landscape.
  8. Escaping Flatland by Henrik Karlsson – Essays on thinking, relationships, and building agency.
  9. 3-2-1 by James Clear – Productivity and self-improvement wisdom.
  10. Demand Curve – Startup growth and marketing strategies.
  11. The Browser by Robert Cottrell & Caroline Crampton – Curated thought-provoking articles.

Productivity Software

I’ve spent four years building productivity software, so I care deeply about these tools. Here’s what I use daily:

  1. Raycast (launcher) – I use Raycast for all my system controls, text snippets and clipboards. The core features are free, with Raycast Pro available at $8/month ($96/year) for advanced features. I end up using Raycast and Spotlight both simultaneously.

  2. Logseq (note taking) – A knowledge management tool. During lockdowns, I was introduced to knowledge management (Zettelkasten) by apps such as Obsidian and Roam Research. I loved Roam Research but was worried about the longevity of the company and data privacy. I switched to Logseq, which is unrestricted, open-source, and syncs to your iCloud. Most importantly, the data is locally stored.

  3. Readwise Reader (read-it-later) – My preferred read-it-later app. I have been a long-time Pocket user, but the folks at Readwise have just outdone every other vendor in the market. Also, Readwise helps you sync all your highlights in one place.

  4. Anki (flashcards) – I use Anki as a personal memory system for spaced repetition. Someday I will write about how Anki has changed my life. Meanwhile, you can read Michael Nielsen’s amazing post about Augmenting Long Term Memory with Anki.

  5. Cleanshot (screenshots) – I take screenshots very often. Although the native Mac screenshot application works for most users, it is pretty basic. I want to annotate my screenshots and even record small GIF videos, especially when working with developers/designers to give feedback on a live application.

  6. Setapp (bundle of Mac apps) – A value for money bundle of good Mac applications such as Bartender, Cleanshot, Paste and many new apps. I also get to try new apps which I would not have tried without Setapp.

Last updated: December 2025 – Added Asianometry and Hidden Brain to podcasts, and a new section for limited series that left a lasting impression (The Prince, Serial, S-Town).