Examining

Erik Christiansen and Kris Hans

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Technology
Updated Weekly

Examining is a technology-focused podcast that dives deep. Our co-hosts, Erik Christiansen and Kris Hans examine the technology industry, productivity, and education, and provide practical tech tips. (The podcast started as EdTech Examined in July 2020 with the goal of helping educators transition to online education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

2d ago

100: Slow and Steady

In this episode, Erik and Kris celebrate their 100th episode by discussing Cal Newport's Slow Productivity. They go through the book's three principles: do fewer things, work at a natural pace, and obsess over quality. They also reflect on what 100 episodes of Examining have taught them. SHOW NOTES Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout – Cal Newport: Cal's official book page, which his announcement post gives as calnewport.com/slow, and which offers bonus material alongside the book. https://calnewport.com/slow My New Book: Slow Productivity – Cal Newport: Cal's announcement post, which describes a Slow Productivity Primer (an annotated collection of his best writing on the topic) and a crash course video covering the three principles. https://calnewport.com/my-new-book-slow-productivity/ On Slow Productivity and the Anti-Busyness Revolution – Cal Newport: An earlier essay (the comments are dated 2021) in which Cal argues we may need a slow productivity revolution more than an economic one. https://calnewport.com/on-slow-productivity-and-the-anti-busyness-revolution/ Slow Productivity Chapter Commentary – Cal Newport: Cal gives behind-the-scenes insights on each chapter of the book. https://calnewport.com/slow-productivity-chapter-commentary/ The Workload Fairy Tale – Cal Newport: Cal connects research on shorter workweeks to the book's idea of workload management. https://calnewport.com/the-workload-fairy-tale/ CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:00) - Welcome and Reflecting on 100 Episodes(00:01:28) - How the Podcast's Focus Evolved(00:05:01) - Introducing Cal Newport's Slow Productivity(00:05:43) - Pseudo-Productivity and Busyness as a Measure of Work(00:11:55) - Principle One: Do Fewer Things(00:18:38) - AI, Jevons Paradox, and the Illusion of Saved Time(00:21:54) - Principle Two: Work at a Natural Pace(00:28:11) - Autonomy, Seasonality, and Using AI to Cut Tasks(00:31:17) - Productivity Guilt and Knowing When to Stop(00:38:35) - Principle Three: Obsess Over Quality(00:43:26) - Judgment, Teaching, and Applying the Book to Real Work(00:46:26) - Applying Slow Productivity to the Podcast Itself(00:52:28) - Final Thoughts and Closing
Sep 18

99: Two Airs Stuck Together

Erik and Kris discuss the latest Apple Event - "Surprise and Shine" - including the new phones, watches, and headphones. CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:08) - Welcome Back & Episode Overview(00:01:43) - Introducing the iPhone Duo Foldable(00:03:24) - Foldable Design and Hinge Engineering(00:05:24) - Software Transitions Between Displays(00:11:21) - Apple's History of Late Entry, Big Impact(00:13:29) - Ecosystem Advantages and Interoperability Pressure(00:14:16) - Rethinking iOS Layout on the Duo vs iPad(00:18:19) - Battery, Camera, and Touch ID Decisions(00:20:29) - Who Is the Duo Really For?(00:20:50) - New Pro Phones and On-Device Siri AI(00:22:56) - Apple's Privacy-First AI Strategy(00:24:15) - Apple Watch Series 12 Updates(00:26:07) - AirPods Noise Cancellation Update(00:26:44) - Final Thoughts and Takeaways(00:27:42) - Wrap-up and Looking Ahead to Episode 100
Jun 24

98: Rewind - Building Better Teams, Dr. Tom O'Neill

Erik and Kris interview Dr. Tom O’Neill, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Calgary. This episode was originally released on August 4, 2020. We are revisiting Tom's interview where he discusses ITP Metrics, a free online teamwork and behavioural assessment platform. Tom and his team created this platform to improve classroom team dynamics, and it has been used in several programs to great success. SHOW NOTES: ITP Metrics platform: https://www.itpmetrics.com/ GUEST INFORMATION: Dr. Tom O’Neill LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-o-neill-53bbb321/ UCalgary Profile: https://psyc.ucalgary.ca/profiles/thomas-o-neill CONTACT: Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod TEAM INFORMATION: Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca
Jun 3

97: Soroush Sabbaghan

In this episode, Erik and Kris Interview Soroush Sabbaghan an Associate Professor at the University of Calgary's Weklund School of Education. The interview centres around Soroush's interest in AI and how it can be ethically and appropriately used in education. Soroush's website: https://soroushsabbaghan.com/ Soroush's profile at UofC: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/soroush-sabbaghan CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca
May 7

96: Goblins in the Cloud

In this episode, Erik and Kris discuss Apple’s MacBook Neo and what it may mean for the future of the iPad. They also look at OpenAI’s GPT-5.5 release, including benchmark results, agentic coding, AI in medical triage, and the strange story of ChatGPT’s “goblin” habit. Finally, they revisit the ongoing question of AI and jobs, from Jensen Huang’s advice to study engineering to a Chinese court ruling on replacing workers with AI. SHOW NOTES MacBook Neo and Future of the iPad MacBook Neo’s Product Fit – Inc: Apple’s low-cost MacBook Neo appears aimed at first-time Mac buyers, students, and people who need an affordable computer more than a high-end Mac. https://www.inc.com/jason-aten/after-45-days-i-figured-out-exactly-who-the-macbook-neo-is-for/91336235 Apple’s iPad Phaseout Has Begun – Macworld: Macworld argues that the MacBook Neo, touchscreen MacBooks, and a future iPhone Fold could put pressure on the iPad from multiple directions. https://www.macworld.com/article/3109565/ipad-demise-touchscreen-macbook-pro-neo-iphone-fold.html ChatGPT 5.5 Introducing GPT-5.5 – OpenAI: OpenAI positions GPT-5.5 as a stronger model for agentic coding, computer use, knowledge work, and scientific research. https://openai.com/index/introducing-gpt-5-5/ GPT-5.5 Benchmarks – VentureBeat: VentureBeat reports that GPT-5.5 narrowly beat Anthropic’s Claude Mythos Preview on Terminal-Bench 2.0, while noting that model competition remains tight across benchmarks. https://venturebeat.com/ai/openais-gpt-5-5-is-here-and-its-no-potato-narrowly-beats-anthropics-claude-mythos-preview-on-terminal-bench-2-0 Where the Goblins Came From – OpenAI: OpenAI explains how a “nerdy” personality training pattern led ChatGPT to overuse goblin and gremlin metaphors. https://openai.com/index/where-the-goblins-came-from/ ChatGPT’s Goblin Obsession – Engadget: Engadget summarizes OpenAI’s explanation of the goblin issue and why personality tuning can have unexpected side effects. https://www.engadget.com/2161234/chatgpt-developed-a-goblin-obsession-after-openai-tried-to-make-it-nerdy/ AI and Emergency Triage – The Guardian: A Harvard study found that AI outperformed doctors in some emergency triage diagnosis tasks, while researchers warned that AI should be treated as a clinical support tool, not a doctor replacement. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/apr/30/ai-outperforms-doctors-in-harvard-trial-of-emergency-triage-diagnoses Latest on AI Taking Our Jobs Jensen Huang on AI and Careers – Inc: Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang argues that engineering remains one of the safest career bets because it teaches first-principles problem-solving. https://www.inc.com/leila-sheridan/jensen-huang-engineering-jobs-ai/91337609 AI Layoffs in China – Gizmodo: A Chinese court found that employers cannot use AI automation as a pretext to unilaterally demote or terminate workers. https://gizmodo.com/its-illegal-in-china-to-lay-someone-off-to-replace-them-with-ai-court-finds-2000753791 CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:21) - MacBook Neo retrospective(00:16:48) - ChatGPT 5.5 and Goblins(00:48:13) - Careers safe from AI
Apr 22

95: Focus on the Product

In this episode, Kris and Erik discuss the announcement that Tim Cook will be stepping down as Apple's CEO and turning over the role to John Ternus. Could this be a signal that Apple is returning to products with a hardware engineer at the helm? They discuss what it means for a tech industry focused on subscriptions. The co-hosts also discuss Anthropic's new Mythos model and how it has discovered many major software vulnerabilities. For the tip section, Kris and Erik discuss their experience using NotebookLM for learning new topics and keeping up to date with industry news. SHOW NOTES Apple Newsroom: https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2026/04/tim-cook-to-become-apple-executive-chairman-john-ternus-to-become-apple-ceo/ Macrumors: https://www.macrumors.com/2026/04/20/tim-cook-stepping-down/ PCWorld: https://www.pcworld.com/article/2816617/microsofts-copilot-gamble-is-a-bustbut-ai-pcs-still-feel-inevitable.htm Anthropic - Project Glasswing: https://www.anthropic.com/glasswing Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/what-is-mythos-and-why-are-experts-worried-about-anthropics-ai-model/ CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca
Apr 9

94: Hadi Fariborzi

In this episode, Kris and Erik interview Dr. Hadi Fariborzi, an Assistant Professor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Mount Royal University. His research is situated at the intersection of international entrepreneurship. Dr. Fariborzi co-founded Hub Meta — an AI powered tool for conducting systematic reviews. SHOW NOTES Dr. Hadi Fariborzi Hub Meta Google Scholar CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca
Apr 1

93: Ross ‘MEMPHIS’ Pambrun

In this episode, Erik and Kris chat with Ross "Memphis" Pambrun about his unique path across healthcare, firefighting, technology, music, and media. They discuss how Ross built a career that spans public service, AI and cyber innovation through The Memphis Group, storytelling through Red River Gold, and performing with his band, Memphis and The Grande. SHOW NOTES Ross Pambrun The Memphis Group Memphis and The Grande Red River Gold CONTACT Website: examining.ca Twitter: @ExaminingPod Erik Christiansen, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: erikchristiansen.net Kris Hans, Co-Founder & Co-Host Website: krishans.ca

Examining is a technology-focused podcast that dives deep. Our co-hosts, Erik Christiansen and Kris Hans examine the technology industry, productivity, and education, and provide practical tech tips. (The podcast started as EdTech Examined in July 2020 with the goal of helping educators transition to online education in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.)

Creator

Erik Christiansen and Kris Hans
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

104
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Erik Christiansen and Kris Hans
Show Website

Examining