EP #5: Nic Voge: Helping Princeton students learn, Procrastination, Self-worth

01/23/21 • 109 min

Learn with Avthar #5: Nic Voge

This episode is with the person I call the most for learning advice: Nic Voge.

I worked under Nic as a learning coach at Princeton University and he’s one of the most knowledgeable people I’ve ever met when it comes to learning and education in high performance, high intensity environments.

About Nic

Nic Voge holds a masters in Education focusing on learning and literacy. He’s worked with some of the worlds brightest students in the most demanding university environments, spending 10 years co-ordinating the study strategies program at University of California, Berkeley and 12 years at Princeton University, where he’s currently the Senior Associate Director of the McGraw Center for teaching at learning, where he oversees 180 tutors, graduate fellows, learning consultants and professional learning strategists.

Nic is also a published author, with his book "Life Beyond Grades: Designing Intrinsically Engaging College Courses” published by Cambridge University Press in 2017.

Episode Contents

(2:37) How this learning and teaching expert found his strengths
(8:29) What’s it like helping students at America’s best university?
(17:44) Textbooks aren’t designed for students
(23:31) Why “transfer” is the most value skill to learn
(28:58) Learning coach vs tutor, Collaborative strategizing
(40:48) Self worth theory and life beyond grades
(47:58) How college changes your self image
(51:51): Procrastination and Identity
(1:00:00) Motivation Stacking
(1:07:38) Can Extrinsic and Intrinsic rewards Coexist?
(1:11:18) Quickfire questions
(1:20:05) Success is an internal experience
(1:22:20) Why is college so hard
(1:47:03) Closing gratitude and get in touch with Nic Voge

Connect with Nic

Learn more and stay up to date at www.avthar.com

Learn with Avthar #5: Nic Voge

This episode is with the person I call the most for learning advice: Nic Voge.

About Nic

Nic is also a published author, with his book "Life Beyond Grades: Designing Intrinsically Engaging College Courses” published by Cambridge University Press in 2017.

Episode Contents

(2:37) How this learning and teaching expert found his strengths
(8:29) What’s it like helping students at America’s best university?
(17:44) Textbooks aren’t designed for students
(23:31) Why “transfer” is the most value skill to learn
(28:58) Learning coach vs tutor, Collaborative strategizing
(40:48) Self worth theory and life beyond grades
(47:58) How college changes your self image
(51:51): Procrastination and Identity
(1:00:00) Motivation Stacking
(1:07:38) Can Extrinsic and Intrinsic rewards Coexist?
(1:11:18) Quickfire questions
(1:20:05) Success is an internal experience
(1:22:20) Why is college so hard
(1:47:03) Closing gratitude and get in touch with Nic Voge

Connect with Nic

Learn more and stay up to date at www.avthar.com

Previous Episode

EP #4: The Social Impact Filmmaker - Andrés Bronnimann - on creative life, life lessons and "The Universality of It All"

Learn with Avthar #4: Andrés Bronnimann
I was excited to invite Andrés Bronnimann onto the podcast to celebrate the release of his first feature-length documentary entitled, "The Universality of It All". The film focuses on the topics of human migration, climate change and social inequality.

I was also curious about what he learned from making the film, as well as his creative and entrepreneurial processes he picked up as an independent filmmaker with 30+ productions in 25+ countries.
About Andrés:
Andrés Bronnimann was raised in Costa Rica, by a Swiss father and Mexican mother. He's a graduate of United World College Costa Rica and was a Davis Scholar at Ringling College of Art and Design, in Florida, USA, where he earned a degree in film and business.

Andrés' filmmaking portfolio is as diverse as his personal background, having worked for both social causes and large brands looking for an edgier media profile. His clients have ranged from Red Bull and Land Rover, to Projects for Peace. While pursuing freelance projects for other organizations, he also helped start an independent ad-agency, 'BE Latinoamérica', where he was CEO.

Throughout his film career, he has traveled to more than 30 countries, creating music videos, web series and commercials for numerous brands, artists and organizations. Andrés has worn many hats in the film production pipeline, having been a producer, writer, manager and creative. "The Universality of it All" is his debut film, nearly two years in the making, where he was the only crew member.
In the podcast we cover:

Andrés' Hero's Journey about how he became a filmmaker
The tragic backstory and inspiration behind "The Universality of It All"
How your life is a film, with you as both director and main character
The importance of patience and perseverance as an independent filmmaker
The financial and emotional hardships that came with filming, producing, and promoting an independent film
The business of creative endeavors: How to find your audience and serve unmet needs
Avoiding the rabbit hole of research
Connecting macro and micro world issues
Respecting the ugly side of life
The intangible value of authenticity and gratitude
How can we measure the social impact of media?

Connect with Andrés Bronnimann

Learn more and stay up to date at www.avthar.com

Next Episode

EP #6: Shamay Agaron on the Neuroscience of Wellness, Wearables, and the Brain-Body Connection

Learn with Avthar #6: Shamay Agaron - The Neuroscience of Wellness, Wearables, and the Brain-Body Connection

ABOUT SHAMAY

Shamay Agaron is a Princeton-trained neuroscience researcher and science communicator. He's also the author of Friday Brainstorm, a popular newsletter that makes neuroscience accessible and actionable to everyday people.

Friday brainstorm newsletter https://brainstorm.substack.com

Shamay's website: https://shamay.com

TIMESTAMPS

08:05 -Shamay's journey in neuroscience

14:01 - The (un)surprising link between food and mood

21:07 - Our environment's impact on our brains

33:52 - Forget lo-fi, listen to soundscapes

41:13 - Alternative wellness 49:20 - Gut-brain connection

54:48 - Consumerism and health

59:04 - Level up your health by BREATHING

1:03:41 - The double-edged sword of quantified personal data

1:36:50 - A Neuroscience Researcher's Top Book Recommendations