Podcast
Cortex
Cortex is a show that explores how creative people think about their work — and how they get it done. Each episode dives into the workflows they follow, the apps and devices they depend on, and the habits that keep projects moving. Hosted by CGP Grey and Myke Hurley.
- Episodes
- 184
- Releases
- Monthly
- Typical length
- 1 hr 22 min
- On air since
- 2015
- Latest episode
- 1 week ago
Episodes
184 episodes, newest first
-
1 hr 6 min
Writing the Newsletter Tech Executives Read, with Ben Thompson
Episode 184
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Ben Thompson about how he writes Stratechery, from deciding what is worth covering to working to a deadline every night, and the workflows he has built to produce one of tech’s most influential publications.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools
👕 Shop The Subtle Range – Available until November 19th 👕
Apple and a Hacker’s Future – Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Between our discussion and the publishing of this episode, Ben's computer got hacked due to a security vulnerability.
Write Things Down – Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Frontier Overhangs – Stratechery by Ben Thompson
Clubhouse – Stratechery by Ben Thompson
The Tech of F1 is WILD - Inside Red Bull Racing - Austin Evans - YouTube
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57 min
Scouting Indie Games for a Living, with Lucy James
Episode 183
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Lucy James about going independent after 12 years at GameSpot, building a newsletter that recommends the best indie games, and announcing it days later on stage at Summer Game Fest in front of millions of viewers.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Scribe: AI-powered workflow documentation. Get your first month free.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools
Relay for St. Jude Podcastathon 2026 - YouTube
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57 min
Reporting on the World’s Most Secretive Tech Company, with Mark Gurman
Episode 182
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg about his workflow for reporting on Apple, building and verifying sources, balancing speed with accuracy, and how publishing a scoop can uncover the next part of the story.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools
Power On by Mark Gurman – Bloomberg
The new iPhone... - 9to5Mac – Mark's First Big Scoop
Apple's next major Mac revealed: the radically new 12-inch MacBook Air - 9to5Mac
Apple's Successors for CEO Tim Cook, Other Top Executives - Bloomberg
Apple’s John Ternus Profile: The Likely Successor to Tim Cook as CEO – Bloomberg
Who Will be Apple’s Next CEO After Tim Cook? - Bloomberg
Cortex #178: The Process of Investigative Reporting, With Jason Schreier - Relay
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55 min
The Workflow Behind Track Star*, with Jack Coyne
Episode 181
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Jack Coyne about turning the viral hit Track Star* into a media business, growing a creative team without adding complexity, and building new shows while protecting what made the original special.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Backblaze: Unlimited cloud backup for macOS and Windows. Try it for free today and get 20% off with code cortex20.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools
Track Star* with Pianist Lang Lang – Instagram
Jack's Road Trip Videos - YouTube
Testing Elmo's Music Knowledge | Track Star* - YouTube
Why This Knicks Parade Was Different - Public Opinion - YouTube
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1 hr 26 min
From Instagram Poems to a Bestselling Book, with Loryn Brantz
Episode 180
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Loryn Brantz – illustrator, poet, and bestselling author – about her journey from Sesame Street and BuzzFeed to becoming an independent creator, how her poems grew into a book, and the routines she uses to make space for new ideas.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools
Gabby - Coaching & Meditation App - App Store
The Good Advice Cupcake – Instagram
Poems of Parenting – HarperCollins
I Am a Spicy Nugget – Books of Wonder
If Disney Princesses Had Realistic Waistlines – Buzzfeed
Dos and Don'ts of Sharing Photos of Your Children on Instagram and Facebook | WSJ - YouTube
Loryn's Post about Cuppy and Buzzfeed – Instagram
Designed in California — Kickstarter Campaign
Upgrade #621: Road to the Apple II: The Partnership (Part 2) - Relay
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1 hr 12 min
The Philosophy of Obsidian, with CEO Steph Ango
Episode 179
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Steph Ango, CEO of Obsidian, about building tools for thought, working without meetings, managing knowledge with markdown and links, and how a seven-person team builds software used by millions.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Check out the Cortex Brand store – Premium Productivity Tools
How I use Obsidian — Steph Ango
How I do my to-dos — Steph Ango
If you're remote, ramble — Steph Ango
Don't delegate understanding — Steph Ango
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1 hr 1 min
The Process of Investigative Reporting, With Jason Schreier
Episode 178
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Jason Schreier of Bloomberg about the realities of reporting – how stories start, how sources are built, and how he balances fast-moving news with the slower, deeper work of writing books.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Mercury Weather: Forecasts, beautifully done. Download now for free.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier.bsky.social) — Bluesky
Sony UX570 Digital Voice Recorder
Blood, Sweat, and Pixels by Jason Schreier – HarperCollins
Press Reset by Jason Schreier – Hachette Book Group
Play Nice by Jason Schreier – Hachette Book Group
Why 'Silksong,' Team Cherry's Sequel to 'Hollow Knight,' Took So Long to Make - Bloomberg
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1 hr 14 min
How Major Life Changes Reshape Creative Workflows, With Quinn Nelson
Episode 177
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Quinn Nelson of Snazzy Labs about adapting a creative workflow after becoming a parent – how major life changes reshape priorities, time, and systems, and how creators rebuild sustainable ways to keep making things.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Quinn Nelson - Snazzy Labs - YouTube
We made the Mac mini ACTUALLY mini! - Snazzy Labs - YouTube
-
54 min
Going From a Newsroom to Being Independent, With Becca Farsace
Episode 176
Show notes
Subtitle: State of the Workflow
Myke talks to Becca Farsace about beginning her life as an independent creator—shaping a new workflow, making videos on her own terms, and carrying lessons from her years at The Verge into this next chapter.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
This is the best phone of 2025… (sorry, MKBHD) - Becca Farsace - YouTube
Why I left The Verge - Becca Farsace - YouTube
I tried to replace my screens with an Apple Vision Pro… - Becca Farsace - YouTube
I took 1,000 photos with the iPhone 17 Pro... - Becca Farsace - YouTube
the smartwatch that changed my mind about smartwatches - Becca Farsace - YouTube
I quit my job to become a YouTuber, here is how much $$$ I made - Becca Farsace - YouTube
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1 hr 4 min
Technology Connections – State of the Workflow
Episode 175
Show notes
Myke talks to Alec from Technology Connections about how he turns everyday tech into compelling videos, from topic selection and deep research to scripting, hands-on experimentation, filming, and editing entirely on his own.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. New users get $100 in Sentry credits with code cortex26.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Myke's 2026 Yearly Theme - Cortex - YouTube
My 2026 Yearly Theme – The Enthusiast
Technology Connections - YouTube
Technology Connections | Patreon
Teleprompters are clever, simple, and also pretty neat - Technology Connections - YouTube
Video projectors used to be ridiculously cool - Technology Connections - YouTube
Catalytic converters are simple, but getting them to work is not - Technology Connections - YouTube
My car charger can boil water really fast - Technology Connections - YouTube
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1 hr 21 min
Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) – State of the Workflow
Episode 174
Show notes
Myke talks to Marques Brownlee about how he builds his reviews, from shaping a product narrative and writing scripts to collaborating with his team, deciding what becomes a video, and managing the pressure of creating at massive scale.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Get 6 months of the Team plan free with code cortex.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
MKBHD - Marques Brownlee - YouTube
OnePlus 15 Review: This is Not Normal! - MKBHD - YouTube
Do Bad Reviews Kill Companies? - MKBHD - YouTube
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1 hr 21 min
Hank Green – State of the Workflow
Episode 173
Show notes
Myke talks to Hank Green about how he manages an impossibly full creative life — from YouTube and Crash Course to books, businesses, and Good.Store — using simple tools, structured weeks, selective meetings, delegation, and a constant flow of new ideas.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Stuff: Organize your life and achieve your goals. Get 50% off your first year of Extra Stuff with code STUFF.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
🚨 Get 20% off an annual Moretex subscription 🚨
👕 Shop The Subtle Range – Available until November 19th 👕
Focus Friend, by Hank Green App - App Store
The Hardest Problem Evolution Ever Solved – hankschannel – YouTube
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1 hr 29 min
David Pierce – State of the Workflow
Episode 172
Show notes
Myke talks to The Verge’s David Pierce about the workflow behind his Humane AI Pin review, how he collaborates to make podcasts like The Vergecast, and how his Installer newsletter helps him highlight the positive side of the internet each week.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Incogni: Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CORTEX with this link and get 60% off an annual plan.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
🚨👕 The Subtle Range – Available for a Limited Time Only! 👕🚨
Humane AI Pin review: the post-smartphone future isn’t here yet | The Verge
I spent three months with Telly, the free TV that’s always showing ads | The Verge
Do Bad Reviews Kill Companies? - MKBHD - YouTube
Installer Newsletter | The Verge
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1 hr 24 min
Casey Newton – State of the Workflow
Episode 171
Show notes
Myke talks to Casey Newton about his workflow for running Platformer, from idea capture to writing and publishing, and how he balances reporting with access to some of the most powerful people in tech.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Nexos.ai: All-in-one AI platform for enterprises. Get a 14 day free trial now.
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code cortex50offGuest Starring:
Stephen Hackett and Casey Newton
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
🎗Relay for St. Jude – Donate Today
What really happened at Basecamp - by Casey Newton
What I learned about productivity this year – Platformer
Why Platformer is leaving Substack – Platformer
My dinner with Altman – Platformer
Casey Newton (@crumbler) – Threads
Sam Altman upstages the critics – Platformer
Installer Newsletter | The Verge
Relay for St. Jude - Donate Today
Relay for St. Jude Podcastathon 2025 - YouTube
Streaming live from 12pm to 12am US Eastern time on September 19, 2025
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1 hr 13 min
Simone Giertz – State of the Workflow
Episode 170
Show notes
Myke talks to Simone Giertz about her workflow for turning ideas into products, from early sketches and CAD prototypes to manufacturing, launching, and running a product studio alongside her YouTube channel.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Factor: Healthy, fully-prepared food delivered to your door. Use code cortex50off
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Get 6 months of the Team plan free with code cortex.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
The Coat Hinger – Yetch Studio
A chair built for your half-dirty clothes - Simone Giertz - YouTube
Why I spent 3 years working on a coat hanger - Simone Giertz - YouTube
Screwdriver Ring – Yetch Studio
Coat Hingers – Foldable Coat Hangers – Kickstarter
The Every Day Calendar – Kickstarter
The Every Day Goal Calendar – Yetch Studio
What I’ve learned from 10 years on YouTube - Simone Giertz - YouTube
Edge Piece Puzzle – Yetch Studio
Why sales is the worst part of my job - Simone Giertz - YouTube
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1 hr 32 min
John Gruber – State of the Workflow
Episode 169
Show notes
Myke interviews John Gruber of Daring Fireball. They take a deep-dive into how John’s writing takes shape – from capturing ideas and drafting articles to the meticulous editing behind his influential work.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Get 6 months of the Team plan free with code cortex.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Daring Fireball: The M4 iPad Pros
Daring Fireball: Something Is Rotten in the State of Cupertino
Getting Things Done - Wikipedia
Daring Fireball: Introducing Markdown
The Enthusiast – Myke's New Blog
This is how Apple rolls – John Gruber – Macworld
Daring Fireball: WWDC 2007 Keynote News
Daring Fireball: Dive Into Markdown
Apple Extended Keyboard - Wikipedia
tinkerBOY ADB Keyboard/Mouse to USB Converter
ThinkPad Silent Bluetooth Mouse
Daring Fireball: Kotoba: The Best iOS Dictionary App You've Never Heard Of
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1 hr 38 min
Austin Evans – State of the Workflow
Episode 168
Show notes
Myke kicks off the new ‘State of the Workflow’ series with YouTuber Austin Evans. They explore the apps, gear, and systems—like dual phones, YouTube Shorts strategies, and analytics deep dives—that fuel Austin’s creativity and 1.5 billion views.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.
• Sentry: Mobile crash reporting and app monitoring. Get 6 months of the Team plan free with code cortex.Guest Starring:
Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max - Apple
iPhone 12 Mini - I'm switching! - Austin Evans - YouTube
Why the S25 Edge is BETTER than I thought - Austin Evans - YouTube
I'm NEVER Switching Again - Samsung Z Flip 6 - Austin Evans - YouTube
The End of YouTubers - Austin Evans - YouTube
Is DealDash a SCAM? - Austin Evans - YouTube
The Tech of F1 is WILD - Inside Red Bull Racing - Austin Evans - YouTube
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1 hr 35 min
Ten Years of Cortex
Episode 167
Show notes
Grey and Myke look back on ten years of the show.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.Links and Show Notes:
Special episode artwork illustrated by Ceej Rowland.
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
Introducing Relay FM's 2015 Summer Pilots — Relay
#134: AI Art Will Make Marionettes Of Us All Before It Destroys The World
#59: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
#165: How to Win Friends and Influence People
#120: Episode Out of Time: Rio Heist
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1 hr 31 min
The Social Network
Episode 166
Show notes
Subtitle: Cortex Movie Club
Grey and Myke watch the 2010 biopic 'The Social Network'. They discuss their thoughts on the film, its portrayal of Facebook’s early days, and how it prompted them to reflect on their own use of social media today.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Rocket Money: Cancel unwanted subscriptions and manage your expenses.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Zocdoc: Find the right doctor, right now with Zocdoc. Sign up for free.Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
The Social Network - Wikipedia
DP/30: The Social Network, screenwriter Aaron Sorkin - YouTube
The Social Network (soundtrack) - Wikipedia
Jesse Eisenberg: I don't want to think of being associated with Mark Zuckerberg - BBC News
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1 hr 39 min
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Episode 165
Show notes
Subtitle: Cortex Book Club
Grey and Myke explore why this foundational self-help and business book remains relevant today, breaking down its core principles on human interaction and influence—and sharing how they’ve applied its ideas in their own lives.
This episode of Cortex is sponsored by:
• Squarespace: Save 10% off your first purchase of a website or domain using code CORTEX.
• Fitbod: Get stronger, faster with a fitness plan that fits you. Get 25% off your membership.
• Memberful: Best-in-class membership software for independent creators, publishers, educators, podcasters, and more. Get started now, no credit card required.
• Google Gemini: Supercharge your creativity and productivity.Links and Show Notes:
Get Moretex – More Cortex, with no ads.
How to Win Friends and Influence People - Wikipedia
How to Win Friends and Influence People: Updated For the Next Generation of Leaders – Amazon
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