#750: Neil Gaiman and Debbie Millman

This episode is a two-for-one, and that’s because the podcast
recently hit its 10-year anniversary and passed one billion
downloads. To celebrate, I’ve curated some of the best of the
best—some of my favorites—from more than 700 episodes over the
last decade. I could not be more excited. The episode features
segments from episode #366 "Neil Gaiman — The Interview I've
Waited 20 Years to Do" and episode #214 "How to Design a Life —
Debbie Millman."


Please enjoy!


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Timestamps:


[00:00] Start


[05:11] Notes about this supercombo format.


[06:14] Enter Neil Gaiman.


[06:44] What Ian Fleming taught Neil about writing — even when he
doesn't want to.


[09:56] Neil's biggest rule for writing.


[12:41] Neil's process for writing first drafts.


[14:30] What Neil aims to accomplish with his second drafts.


[14:40] Something Neil noticed when he first started writing and
editing with the use of computers.


[17:27] Notebooks Neil prefers for writing first drafts.


[21:56] Fountain pens Neil has known and loved.


[22:57] How Neil's default writing time has changed over the
years.


[24:56] The value of the Groundhog Day routine.


[26:24] Today's methods may not be tomorrow's.


[27:53] Lessons learned from Terry Pratchett.


[29:22] Parting thoughts and gratitude.


[31:21] Enter Debbie Millman.


[31:45] How Debbie describes her diverse background to new
acquaintances.


[33:38] A childhood drawing predicting Debbie's future.


[37:54] Debbie's unintentional path to becoming a designer.


[45:41] Overcoming initial rejection.


[50:04] Debbie's advice to her college self after that first
major rejection.


[54:25] Empathy vs. feeling slighted by those who reject us.


[59:28] Manhattan's influence on Debbie's pursuit of happiness
and career.


[1:06:42] Debbie's abuse history and its impact on her
self-sufficiency and charitable work.


[1:12:41] Coping with abuse aftermath and feelings of isolation.


[1:18:40] Debbie's experience being called a "corporate clown"
and "she-devil."


[1:37:00] From lowest point to godmother: a transformative
journey.


[1:37:38] The world-changing potential of brochures.


[1:43:14] The Design Matters podcast: origins and evolution over
12 years.


[1:46:46] Milton Glaser's impact on design and Debbie's life.


[1:52:16] The "10-Year Plan for a Remarkable Life" exercise.


[1:57:51] The nature of hard decisions.


[2:07:07] Recommended Design Matters episodes for design novices.


[2:07:55] Parting thoughts.


*


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