Heartful Technologist Podcast by @ckhicks

Podcast: Heartful Technologist Podcast by @ckhicks

  • Valuing the Invisible Details

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Valuing the Invisible Details
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    EPISODE 11

    This episode explores the importance of small diligences in our work and personal lives. CK uses the cleanliness of headphones as a metaphor to discuss how we take care of the small, often invisible things that make up our daily routines.

    By paying attention to these small details, we can build habits and disciplines that contribute to our creative confidence and professional growth. The episode invites listeners to reflect on their own practices and share their thoughts on how small diligences can add up over time.

  • The Power of Daily Creative Practice

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    The Power of Daily Creative Practice
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    EPISODE 10

    CK shares his experience with a photography project where he takes and posts a photo every day for a year. He discusses how this daily practice has become more intentional over time, forcing him to be more observant and creative. This project has also given him a new perspective on the importance of daily practices and creative processes.

    Through his journey, CK highlights the value of committing to a daily practice, whether it’s photography, writing, or coding, and how it can lead to personal growth, increased confidence, and a greater appreciation for the world around us. He invites listeners to share their own experiences with daily practices and offers ways to follow along with his project.

  • Balancing Human Intervention

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Balancing Human Intervention
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    EPISODE 009

    This episode explores the importance of human intervention in technology systems. CK shares a recent experience where a small change to a routine process had unintended consequences due to a breakdown in communication and human interpretation.

    Let’s discuss the need for a balance between human intervention and automation, emphasizing that technology systems are built for humans…right?

    CK encourages listeners to reflect on their own experiences with technology systems and to consider the importance of human communication and collaboration in ensuring that these systems work effectively and efficiently. He promotes a deeper understanding of the complex relationships between humans, technology, and processes.

  • Fighting Through G.A.S.

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Fighting Through G.A.S.
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    EPISODE 008

    This episode explores the concept of “gear acquisition syndrome” (G.A.S.) where individuals feel an overwhelming desire to acquire new equipment, often driven by influencer marketing.

    CK shares his personal experience with G.A.S. while preparing for a 365 photography project and discusses how he overcame the urge to buy a more expensive camera.

    By being mindful of the underlying desires and needs, individuals can shift their focus from acquiring gear to acquiring experiences and lessons, ultimately leading to a more fulfilling and creative journey.

  • Your Proficiency Craves Purpose

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Your Proficiency Craves Purpose
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    EPISODE 007

    This episode explores the importance of having a purpose or plan for growth as a creative. CK shares insights on how to break out of a creative rut by developing simple habits such as documenting lessons learned, maintaining a tidy workspace and personal appearance, and regularly exploring new experiences.

    By incorporating these habits into daily life, creatives can build confidence, stay adaptable, and approach problems with a fresh perspective. Not only is this encouraging, it’s the key to growth and a greater impact in any field.

  • Rubber Ducking and Beyond

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Rubber Ducking and Beyond
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    EPISODE 006

    Feeling stuck? Explaining your problems out loud can help. This simple trick, known as “rubber ducking,” can be done with a rubber duck, a large language model, or another human being.

    Explaining yourself in detail to someone else can lead to surprising results and new insights. By sharing your thoughts and problems with others, you can gain a deeper understanding and find solutions.

    The key is to seek out opportunities to explain yourself in long form to other humans, rather than just relying on technology or solo reflection.

  • Courage for Creativity in the Daytime

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Courage for Creativity in the Daytime
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    EPISODE 005

    This episode explores the idea of when we do our best creative work. CK reflects on his personal journey of realizing that his most productive and creative hours are not late at night – they’re actually during the day. He discusses how this shift in perspective has impacted his approach to work and creativity.

    He invites listeners to consider their own productivity and creative patterns, encouraging them to experiment with focusing their best work during daytime hours.

    If you’ve known CK for any length of time, this is a big mindset shift for him. Tune in to hear how his thinking has changed over the years – you might find something that unlocks your creative output as well!

  • Meaningful Individual Contributions

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Meaningful Individual Contributions
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    EPISODE 004

    “It’s not even for clean water, man.”

    In this episode, CK reflects on late nights, big efforts, and the sobering realization that some projects weren’t all that meaningful.

    We sometimes experience a quiet disillusionment – perhaps you feel it in your own work – and it’s not bitterness, just perspective.

    Even when your contributions feel small or disconnected, they still matter if you bring heart and intention to them. Not everything we do needs to be world-changing to be worthwhile. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is show up, do your piece well, support the people around you, and keep moving forward.

  • Childlike Relationships with Tools and Gear

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Childlike Relationships with Tools and Gear
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    EPISODE 003

    In this episode, CK gets a little sentimental (in the best way) reflecting on the gear we collect in tech—and how our relationship with tools can shape our work. Watching how children curate their own little “kits” of favorite objects, their simplicity stands in stark contrast to his collections.

    It’s not an anti-gear rant, more of a gentle nudge: don’t let the hardware become the point. The real work isn’t in collecting, optimizing, or system-switching. It’s in creating, sharing, solving, and doing.

    The childlike mindset isn’t naive, it’s pure. Use what you have, share it freely, and don’t overthink the setup. Gear should be a means, not an end. A delight when possible, yes—but never the destination.

    A great reminder that in the endless churn of tools and tech, sometimes the best compass is a little Sterilite bin full of favorite things.

  • Finding Purpose in Slow Work

    The Heartful Technologist
    The Heartful Technologist
    Finding Purpose in Slow Work
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    EPISODE 002

    In this reflective episode, CK shares how a year of independent work has brought a deep sense of calm and clarity. He ties the feeling to the changing Midwest seasons—fall’s natural slowing echoing his own shift in pace.

    After years of software development at agencies, this new rhythm has helped him realize the power of purposeful work. Even amid stress and uncertainty, having direction reshapes how he approaches his craft and manages tension.

    It’s not about working less, but working with intention. We often get pulled into directionless building in tech, which traps us in limbo. It’s exciting at first but ultimately hollow.

    Listeners are urged to build with purpose—not just because we can but because something meaningful is worth sustaining. Our best work is done not out of opposition but out of love for what we’re trying to protect or create.