Cool Tools

Paleontologist-Futurist Michael Garfield works in mind-jazz across genres to help navigating our world of accelerating weirdness and cultivate the curiosity and play for people to thrived in it. Host of Future Fossils, former Digital Media Strategist for The Santa Fe Institute and host of Complexity Podcast, former Community Manager for The Long Now Foundation and Research Analyst for a stealth Mozilla AI spin out, his latest project Humans On The Loop examines agency in the age of automation through conversation, music, essay, social weaving, and the rearing of bespoke language models. LINKTREE SUBSTACK YOUTUBE TWITTER TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:01 – Boss RC-505 mkII Loopstation 16:53 – Brunton Transit pocket compass 25:47 – Black Diamond Storm 500-R headlamp 33:17 – FLUXX by Looney Labs 42:14 – Humans on the Loop Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/VdHo_mkIAkc For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/michael-garfield-paleontologist-futurist/ To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Mr. Burke is a serial entrepreneur. Mr. Burke has over 34 years of enterprise software company management and start-up experience and has worked for 11 software and technology services companies. Mr. Burke is a father of 3 kids and husband to his lovely wife, Irina. WEBSITE TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:31 – Leatherman Skeletool 6:13 – Samsung Galaxy Ring 14:26 – Kindle Paperwhite 19:27 – SimpleNote 23:17 – Cognitive Medical Systems For show notes and transcript visit: https://youtu.be/gKYcYmR9Eok To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Christina K. is a home organizer based out of metro Vancouver area. She helps the neurodivergent to the neurotypical find space and peace in their home whether virtually or in person. She also in a previous life was a marketing coordinator helping small and big businesses in the tech space find their voice in a loud world. When not working you can find her baking, watching educational YouTube or collecting too many squishmallows. WEBSITE INSTAGRAM TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:38 – Snackle Box 4:57 – Finch 9:50 – Buy Nothing Facebook Groups 15:21 – Apple Password Manager Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Vy8sEYZLDw8 For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/christina-k-home-organizer/ To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Based in Texas, Chordophony, is a software engineer by day who moonlights as a music technologist and sound explorer. He has developed innovative devices and software to facilitate sonic creation and streamline production workflows. Chordophony is an avid collector and enthusiast of music-related tools and instruments. Social Media Links:Instagram.com/chordophony Twitter.com/chordophony TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:45 – Bluetooth MIDI Footpedal 8:18 – iPad Air as musical instrument 13:45 – AUM 20:10 – Custom Hybrid Pedalboards (aka CHyPboards) Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/chordophony-music-technologist/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Data storyteller RJ Andrews is obsessed with data graphics. He helps organizations solve high-stakes problems with visual metaphors and persuasive graphics. He recently produced designs for The White House, Google, and MIT. RJ’s newest book is “Info We Trust: How to Create Value with Data Graphics.” He is also author of “Florence Nightingale: Mortality and Health Diagrams” and other works. Learn about all publications at Visionary Press. RJ lives/works in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. Links: Newsletter X Profile Bluesky Profile TOOLS:0:00 – Intro 0:47 – Cheap book cradle (airplane neck pillow) 2:30 – Weighted bookmark 9:00 – Bendable neck reading light 12:58 – Giant desktop bookstand 20:43 – Visionary Press 20:43 – Info We Trust Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/rj-andrews-data-storyteller/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Julian Bleecker, Ph.D., is an accomplished engineer and author with a BS in Electrical Engineering from Cornell University, an MSEng from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz. He founded Near Future Laboratory in 2005 and OMATA, a one-person innovative hardware product design studio, in 2014, which he sold in 2022. Julian has written It’s Time To Imagine Harder and co-authored The Manual of Design Fiction. He also wrote the influential essay, Design Fiction: A Short Essay on Design, Science, Fact and Fiction. His engineering expertise and innovative work in Design Fiction have significantly shaped creative practices worldwide. Near Future Laboratory Podcast LinkedIn Instagram TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:34 – Baofeng 5RM Multi-Band Ham Radio 7:43 – Make Playing Cards 17:08 – Sendy.co and Instructions 24:23 – Astro + Netlify Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/julian-bleecker-engineer-and-author/ To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Mac Moss is an Idaho based graphic designer who operates his own one man studio known as mm.s. Heavily inspired by science fiction and the American West, his work has naturally drifted into predominantly the outdoor industry. Outside of work, Mac races competitively at ultra marathon distances.   TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:29 – Solar Awareness / Lumos Sun Tracking App 11:27 – Hori Hori Garden Tool 14:41 – Sodastream Hack 21:51 – Quanta Vinyl Streaming 30:11 – Getty Pacific Standard Time exhibit 30:35 – The Ecology Center   LINKS:  Instagram: @macmoss.studio Website: macmoss.studio   Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/mac-moss-graphic-designer/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

David Rager is an accomplished Creative Director with over two decades of experience in design leadership, brand building, and environmental experiences. As NASA’s current Creative Director, he oversees the agency’s visual brand and iconic Graphics Standards Manual and is responsible for reintroducing the NASA Logotype (Worm). Previously, Rager led teams at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Disney, the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and the New Museum, and co-founded Weekends, a design studio operating between Paris and Los Angeles. TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:29 – Solar Awareness / Lumos Sun Tracking App 11:27 – Hori Hori Garden Tool 14:41 – Sodastream Hack 21:51 – Quanta Vinyl Streaming 30:11 – Getty Pacific Standard Time exhibit 30:35 – The Ecology Center Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/david-rager-creative-director-at-nasa/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

ABOUT DANNY KIM: 20+ years of vehicle architecture & prototype development. Inventor w/ 65 issued int’l patents, 22 USPTOs. Focus of HBS case study: Industrial design & sustainable transportation. Former Land Rover mechanic, machinist, woodworker, welder, and vehicle integrator. Reed College, UCB, RISD, & Media Lab. LINKS: LIT MotorsWefunder Flickr Instagram YouTube TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:19 – 48″ Margining steel lead screw shaft Rockwell 52 (AKA Handy File) 7:48 – Spectrum 375 Plasma Cutter (1/2″ lightsaber “Scissors’) 14:35 – Edwards 65 Ton Ironworker 16:07 – Miller MIG Welder 23:58 – Maybe cardboard would be a prototyping tool 23:49 – LIT Motors prototype Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/danny-kim-inventor/

Aishwarya Khanduja is the founder of a stealth entity working to solve wicked problems through lenses of complexity, markets, and power. She's spent the majority of her career thus far being a founder or supporting founders. Her companies span biotech, ed-tech, and the future of work. She writes a weekly letter, essays, technical primers, and other musings on aishwaryadoingthings.com.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:08 - Hero 329 pen: https://geni.us/jcjsKx 8:48 - bamboo book stand: https://geni.us/mPf9 11:06 - tetr app: https://tetr.app/ 16:30 - vestoj: the journal of sartorial matters: https://vestoj.com/buy/ 24:20 - The Analogue: https://www.theanalogue.group   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/R-CNQMPVXxE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/aishwarya-khanduja-social-and-health-tech-innovator/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Adam Hill (He/Him) is a dad who loves science, cooking, math, engineering, skepticism, espresso, and politics! He has been a teacher, an engineer, and now a software business analyst. Curiosity now and forever! TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:46 – Burley Bee Bike Trailer 5:20 – Nanofoamer Pro 12:07 – Magsafe wallet 16:22 – Eat Your Books   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xFTW8E6aSVI     For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/adam-hill-software-business-analyst/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form.

Mia Coots is a Senior at Nokomis Regional High in central Maine and an amazing presenter for the Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine for the Department of Education. LINKS: http://SLAMShow.org TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:53 – ATEM Mini Switcher 7:50 – Rode Wireless II Mics 15:22 – MuteSync 18:50 – Canva Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/mia-coots-student/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Josué Moreno, a Spanish composer and sound artist, has made Finland his home, where he inspires the next generation of musicians as a teacher at the prestigious Sibelius Academy’s Music Technology Department. Known for pioneering Urban Sonic Acupuncture, Josué seamlessly blends the vibrancy of live electronic compositions with the innovative realms of Computer-Assisted Composition and Generative Arts. Since 2017, he has been creating interactive soundwalking experiences through cutting-edge phone applications and guided sonic acupuncture exercises broadcasted through engaging radio shows. Josué Moreno’s work is an invitation to reshape how we engage with the sounds that surround us.   LINKS: Website YouTube TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:02 – Roland Mobile Cube 10:39 – Max Music Software 25:08 – Overleaf 33:01 – Ulysses Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/josue-moreno-composer-and-sound-artist/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form.

Kern Kelley is a Technology Integrator at Maine School Unit #19. Starting his teaching career in New Zealand, he has provided support to educators for over two decades and conducted professional development across the globe. He advises a student produced technology show for the Maine Department of Education at MLTI.me and brings his student presenters, the Student Leadership Ambassadors of Maine to numerous conferences around the world and authored the Google Apps Guidebook. TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:45 – Air Rocket Launcher Educational Kit 9:44 – Creality CR-30 3D Mill Infinite Z Belt Printer 16:33 – GoPro Hero 10 (used with High Altitude Balloon Launches) 21:57 – DJI Mavic Pro 3 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/rx09sOuX9Uk   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/kern-kelley-technology-integrator/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Rich Edwards is the CEO of Mindspan Systems, which helps community financial institutions transform themselves with data-driven strategies and technologies. Rich has worked extensively with banking, insurance, and financial services clients worldwide during his career. He has led product strategy in data center automation and artificial intelligence, including the launch of IBM Watson Developer Cloud. Rich has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Masters of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and served as an engineering officer in the US Army. You can follow Rich on Twitter @richedwards. TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 0:35 – Uni Core mechanical pencil 7:05 – Scotch tape runner (extra strength) 14:43 – Making a 1993 factory car phone fully functional today (a triumph in defeating obsolescence) 17:01 – Matter, turn any webpage into an audio book (great Evernote companion) Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/rich-edwards-ceo-of-mindspan-systems/ To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form.

Brent Deverman founded and sold a China-based internet startup providing services to tourists and English speakers based in Shenzhen, China. With over 20 years of experience in software development, analytics, digital transformation, and e-commerce development, Brent has also executed technical projects for HSBC, CNN, DFS, and AIA. He graduated from Michigan State University with a dual degree in Computer Science and East Asian Studies. Personal Website LinkedIn TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:22 – Rust 7:20 – Readwise 12:47 – Minaal Carry on Bag 3.0 19:47 – Slate AX Travel Router Watch on YouTube   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/brent-deverman-consultant/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form.

Chris Butler is a chaotic good product manager, writer, and speaker. He has extensive experience in product management leadership at Microsoft, Waze, KAYAK, Facebook Reality Labs (aka Meta), and Cognizant. He is now Group Product Manager in Google’s Core Machine Learning team. He is also the co-founder of The Uncertainty Project a community focused on decision making and strategy. LINKS: LinkedIn The Uncertainty Project Chris Butler's product, strategy, randomness, adversarial, and AI/ML talks Twitter TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:43 - Delegation Poker cards 12:10 - Work Kit of Design Fiction 29:46 - The Decider app 34:24 - Flipper Zero 44:32 - The Uncertainty Project Watch on YouTube For show notes and transcript visit To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form.

Bud Thorpe is a long time photographer, a life long educator, and former paramedic. He and his wife specialize in creating artwork of dogs (and their well behaved families). They run the Dog Art Gallery in historic Portsmouth New Hampshire. He teaches studio lighting for photographers online at The Master Lighting Course. His website is BudThorpe.com. TOOLS: 0:00 – Intro 1:03 – Knipex 12 62 180, Self Adjusting Wire Stripper 8:47 – Snap-On TMS4E 1/4″ drive Speeder 17:49 – Titanium AAA Flashlight by Maratac REV 5 25:21 – Volty Switch Keychain Multimeter   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/BSZNulvab54   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/bud-thorpe-photographer/ To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form.

Davey Rogulich is a Stagehand and Maker from Albuquerque, NM. He has toured internationally with Tricklock Theater Company and throughout the US with “Blue Man Group” and “Cathy Rigby is Peter Pan!”. He is currently the Technical Director of NDI New Mexico at The Hiland Theater in Albuquerque and the owner of Davey Craft & Tools. His hobbies include woodworking, leather working, aircraft restoration, collecting tools, and caring for orchids in his greenhouse. You can find Davey on Instagram @daveycraftandtools.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:03 - Knipex 12 62 180, Self Adjusting Wire Stripper: https://www.kctool.com/knipex-automatic-wire-insulation-stripper-awg-24-10/ 8:47 - Snap-On TMS4E 1/4" drive Speeder: https://shop.snapon.com/product/Speeders%2C-Chrome-(1-4%22)/1-4%22-Drive-16%22-Speeder-Drive-Handle/TMS4E 17:49 - Titanium AAA Flashlight by Maratac REV 5: https://countycomm.com/collections/aaa-flashlights/products/polished-titanium-maratac-aaa-flashlight-rev-4 25:21 - Volty Switch Keychain Multimeter: https://pcpoodle.com/products/volty-switch-keychain-multimeter-leatherman-compatible   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/r9C9Y0rKD1c   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/davey-rogulich-stagehand-and-maker/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Mike Harris legal assistant, bookworm and amateur photographer who likes the surreal and the silly. Mike writes a newsletter called ThinkTrove, where he wrangles the week's wonders.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Fidget cube: https://www.antsylabs.com/collections/fidget-cube 5:34 - MyNoise.Net: https://mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/japaneseGardenSoundscapeGenerator.php 11:46 - Inoreader: https://www.inoreader.com 16:44 - Periodically: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=app.periodically 22:11 - ThinkTrove: https://www.thinktrove.org   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/5Lxj2u4CjPg   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/mike-harris-legal-assistant/

Casper Kelly is a writer/director of weird TV and movies including the viral short Too Many Cooks and the 2023 horror movie Adult Swim Yule Log. His website is casperkelly.com and he's on Twitter and Instagram @heycasperkelly.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Chromadepth glasses: https://geni.us/cbvJf 4:53 - Mage.space: https://www.mage.space 21:51 - Tiny Habits; https://bjfogg.typeform.com/to/QXc0WJ? 25:04 - Focusmate: https://www.focusmate.com/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mQ-ynOLZNgg   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/casper-kelly-writer-director/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Marc Payne is an IT specialist working for the Federal Government. My passion is flipping items via thrift stores, yard sales and retail arbitrage on Ebay and Amazon. You can find Marc on Twitter @houseofpayne.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 2:24- Index cards: https://geni.us/Jc1f7 7:54 - Box resizer: https://geni.us/xGGHI 12:34 - Scotty peelers: https://geni.us/qUEr9Dy 17:12 - 3” packing tape dispenser: https://geni.us/fBjclC6   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/uVCwU78XimE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/marc-payne-it-specialist/

Theodore Gray is a co-founder of Wolfram Research and creator of the Notebook user interface (since lovingly copied by Jupyter Notebooks). He is the author of several books and iPad apps including the NYTs best-seller The Elements, and writer/director of Disney Animated (BAFTA award winner and Apple's iPad App of the Year 2013). His latest book is TOOLS, which is all about his favorite tools.   Website: https://theodoregray.com   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k2eZ4W7VgYs   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/theodore-gray-co-founder-of-wolfram-research-3/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

EDITOR NOTE: Due to technical audio issues, this episode might sound better for those listening at 1.5x or 2x speed.   Tom Robertson is an IT professional, currently leading IT at FreshBooks out of Toronto, Canada. Tom has a background in theatre, and has written and produced several shows in the Toronto area. In his spare time, he enjoys computer related hobbies, and has built a retro arcade cabinet, a kitchen display, and during Covid wrote an automated newsletter summarizing Covid numbers for his home province of Ontario. His website is tommertron.com.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:40 - Ryobi Inflator: https://www.homedepot.ca/product/ryobi-18v-one-high-volume-power-inflator-tool-only-/1001063829 7:43 - Partake Non-Alcoholic IPA: https://drinkpartake.com/collections/beers/products/ipa-ca?variant=40002665611469 11:16 - Anker GAN Prime Charger: https://www.anker.com/products/a2148?ref=ganprime_top_itemlist&discount=WS7D5ZM242 15:26 - Dakboard: https://dakboard.com/site   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uw1vvpwFeHI   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/tom-robertson-it-professional   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Miles Hunter is a UX researcher, based out of Seattle but originally a Brit. Learning to woodwork. I enjoy restoring things, everything from old tools to video and photos.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mileshunter/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:53 - Evaporust rust remover: https://www.evapo-rust.com/evapo-rust-remover/ 5:29 - Incogni - personal information removal service: https://incogni.com/ 10:17 - Japanese 'paper clam' for clipping together papers more securely than a paperclip: https://geni.us/siEAg0 14:34 - Topaz Video AI - video enhancement tool for slow resolution video: https://www.topazlabs.com/topaz-video-ai 22:35 - Miles Hunter’s Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aboutmiles   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XpUiFkeUGCY   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/miles-hunter-ux-researcher/

Will Walker is a lead human interface designer at Google, working on wearables, digital assistants, generative AI and conversational controls. His design career has spanned across interfaces for hybrid digital maps, 3d printers and volumetric scanners to leading the design of exotic running shoes. He paints, hikes, plants and rennovates a victorian with his daughter, partner and shiba in San Francisco and sunny Oakland CA. You can find him on Instagram @wr_walker and on Twitter @walkerwill.    Website: www.willwalker.design   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 2:00 - Supercritical dryer for making aerogels: https://www.tousimis.com/critical_point_dryers/MEMS_drying_system.html 13:40 - Paint shaver pro for historic plaster restoration: https://paintshaver.com/paintshaver-pro/ 23:18 - Abacus for finite element analysis for design of structural gels or foams: https://www.3ds.com/products-services/simulia/products/abaqus/ 32:49 - Form 3 resin printer for biohacking or making ceramic slip cast molds: https://formlabs.com/store/refurbished-3d-printers/refurbished-form-3-package/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MitjxPvqF6s   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/will-walker-lead-designer-at-google/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

David Buxton is a tech founder based in London, UK. He loves making stuff, especially with software. He's also a qualified pilot and a pretty good cook.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidmrbuxton/ Website: https://hrharriet.com   TOOLS: 0:45 - Workflowy: https://workflowy.com 12:54 - Tern GSD e-bicycle: https://www.ternbicycles.com/uk/bikes/472/gsd 19:47 - Langchain (LLM dev framework): https://python.langchain.com/docs/get_started/introduction.html 27:29 - Leuchtturm Line a Day journal: https://geni.us/v0B7C5k 35:43 - Harriet AI HR assistant: https://hrharriet.com   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/dp4IcBImx-U   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/david-buxton-tech-founder/

Asa Hillis is a furniture maker who lives in Silicon Valley. He is known for creating pieces of furniture that have a timeless quality. Asa combines traditional and modern techniques, including CNCs and 3D printers, to craft his furniture from wood and metal. He is currently managing Behind The Tech Labs in Los Gatos, CA. When he is not working in the shop, Asa enjoys spending time with his wife, daughter, and standard poodle.   Website: asahillis.com Instagram: @asahillis   TOOLS: 1:00 - Wixey digital angle gauge: https://geni.us/f20Hgi 6:42 - Surge leatherman: https://geni.us/a7sz91 14:49 - Festool domino: https://www.festoolusa.com/products/domino-joining-system/domino-joining-machines/576419---df-500-q-plus-us#Overview 25:44 - Shaper Origin: https://www.shapertools.com/en-us/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MOH98lczKFM   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/asa-hillis-furniture-maker/

Natalie Buda Smith is Director of Digital Strategy at the Library of Congress, the largest library in the world. Her career spans three decades in design, technology, and culture. The Library of Congress serves millions daily in their pursuit of researching our rich cultural archives, understanding U.S. legislation, and serving our nation's creative communities through Copyright.   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebuda/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:09 - Newspaper Navigator: https://news-navigator.labs.loc.gov 6:55 - Citizen DJ: https://citizen-dj.labs.loc.gov 11:44 - Library of Congress photo library: https://loc.gov/free-to-use 16:39 - Lib guides: https://guides.loc.gov   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/NAShjOghAWo   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/natalie-buda-smith-digital-strategy-director-at-library-of-congress/

Arun is a product designer, engineer, photographer, and writer. Most recently, he was co-founder and product designer at Carrot Fertility. He writes at arun.is.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:49 - BMI 40b x4 tape measure: http://www.bmitools.com/ads/products/categories/steeltapemeasures/window-tape.html 6:26 - BMI Inklinat level: https://www.bmi.de/en/products-spirit-levels-682-inklinat.php 10:00 - Merco packing tape dispenser: https://mercotape.com/products/merco-dtn 15:00 - Pinecil soldering iron: https://www.pine64.org/pinecil/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mu8HC75K78M   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/arun-venkatesan-product-designer/

Joseph Wright is a fullstack software engineer and data sensemaker in Pittsburgh. You can find Joseph on Twitter @joegle. His website is joegle.com.   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:44 - Benchmade Mini Bugout 533 Folding Knife: https://geni.us/kh2DivE 5:42 - County Comm Glow-in-the-dark parts tray: https://countycomm.com/products/glow-jumbo-parts-tray-armorer-non-slip?_pos=9&_sid=9c8bbb078&_ss=r 10:31 - Snow Peak double walled mugs (for seasoning with coffee): https://geni.us/gGOd 16:24 - Analog chess clock (my fav is Seiko BZ361L): https://geni.us/9jfbJ   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yGgYzW-gDes   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/joseph-wright-fullstack-software-engineer/

Ethan Stone has been a business lawyer for over twenty-five years, practicing in large and small firms and in-house. He has been a solo practitioner since 2011. He has represented clients in raising angel and venture capital, selling and acquiring businesses, technology licensing, executive hirings and departures and a wide variety of strategic partnerships, joint ventures, revenue sharing, service outsourcing and technology development agreements. He and his four parrots live in Berkeley, California.   Website: https://www.stonebusinesslaw.com   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:02 - Voter registration (and other information) cards: https://www.vistaprint.com/business-cards 4:11 - Reusable can tops: https://geni.us/l0AvG 7:54 - Stainless steel cocktail shaker (aka Farraday cage): https://www.target.com/p/stainless-steel-hammered-cocktail-shaker-threshold-8482/-/A-50973212#lnk=sametab 12:59 - The compare feature in Microsoft Word: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office/compare-and-merge-two-versions-of-a-document-f5059749-a797-4db7-a8fb-b3b27eb8b87e 27:51 - Swing Left East Bay: https://swingleft.org/group/sf_east_bay/join   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/B_AnicSbn_U   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/ethan-stone-business-lawyer/

Jason Swihart is a freelance digital product strategist with 30 years of experience developing sites and products for the internet. He specializes in providing product development leadership for clients who need guidance and advocacy through the product development life-cycle. Jason works in wood, metal, and plastic, making furniture and other objects for the home as well as collecting and restoring mid-century furniture; he is a champion swing dancer, event organizer, and founder of Pacific Swing Dance Foundation; he is also a vintage menswear enthusiast and lifelong skier. He lives in Altadena, CA with his wife, Shana, two dogs, Hampton and Benny, and entirely too many unfinished projects.   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mobilhomme/ Website: http://mobilhomme.com   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:51 - FastCap Laminate Tape: https://geni.us/wHcLu 8:19 - Milwaukee M12 Fuel Drill/Driver Kit: https://geni.us/ZGTz 20:12 - Harbor Freight 4' x 8’ utility trailer: https://www.harborfreight.com/1720-lb-capacity-48-in-x-96-in-super-duty-folding-trailer-62671.html 30:10 - Social Dancing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_dance 40:14 - Automobile vinyl wrap: https://geni.us/LHlbH 42:35 - Verity Workshop: https://verityworkshop.com     Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QnuYyqsC_k4   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/jason-swihart-mobilhomme-com/

Jonathan Whitaker is a deep learning researcher and consultant working on generative AI. He also makes and shares tutorials and courses on the latest AI techniques through his YouTube channel and blog, Data Science Castnet.   Blog: https://datasciencecastnet.home.blog/ YouTube: https://youtube.com/@datasciencecastnet Twitter: twitter.com/johnowhitaker   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:39 - Battery powered jigsaw: https://geni.us/WiFgssh 5:43 - Raynox macro 'lens' adapter: https://geni.us/WiFgssh 13:20 - Roli Seaboard Rise 2: https://roli.com/products/seaboard/rise2 18:22 - Google colab: colab.research.google.com   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XNYi2X0HawQ   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/jonathan-whitaker-data-science-castnet/

Graham Briggs was born in northern England in the fishing town of Grimsby. For most of the last 2 decades he's lived in Japan, both in Tokyo and on the Pacific Coast. Most of his career has been in different engineering fields and currently works for a web marketplace company. Hobbies include motorcycling, snowboarding and photography. Website: https://www.nanikore.net/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:43 - Pinlock Motorcycle Visor: https://pinlock.com/ 5:35 - Nelson Rigg motorbike cover: https://www.nelsonrigg.com/motorcycle-covers/defender-extreme-motorcycle-cover-detail 9:36 - Manfrotto Monopod: https://www.manfrotto.com/global/294-aluminum-monopod-4-sections-mm294a4/ 14:05 - Kuriviger Online Map and Route Tool: https://kurviger.de/en   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/HhqcRAHR6gE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/graham-briggs-nanikore-net/

Amber Dohrenwend is an American artist based in Marquette, Michigan. She constructs post-consumer cardboard sculptures, costuming and installations. You can find Amber on Instagram @cardboardcollect.   Personal Website: www.amberdohrenwend.com The Cardboard Collective: www.thecardboardcollective.com   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 1:44 - Bostitch B8 Heavy Duty Stapler: https://geni.us/IV5a9Uk 7:10 - Offset Metal snips: https://geni.us/dEv7fkR 12:54 - Nejisaurus: https://geni.us/IfL8P 15:07 - Awl: https://geni.us/1m43o 17:12 - Art Week 2023 sculpture: https://www.mqtcompass.com/blog/art-week-2023/art-week-2023-community-built-art-installation/   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/42NirmKMUXE   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/amber-dohrenwend-artist/

Rob Ray is an artist and Associate Professor of Design at California State University, San Bernardino, where he is currently researching the intersections of site-specific mixed-reality technologies and experimental documentary storytelling. He is also a DJ at KDZU, a fictional real radio station possibly based in Goldfield, Nevada. Rob was previously a lead designer for ProtoSpace, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s mixed-reality collaboration platform. Rob has also worked as a technical experience designer building mobile interfaces for Electronic Arts and Industrial Toys. From 1999 to 2008, Rob was the founding curator of the DEADTECH, a proto-hackerspace and electronic arts center in Chicago, IL.   Rob's Links: https://post.lurk.org/@shimmeringtrashpile https://www.youtube.com/@shimmeringtrashpile http://shimmeringtrashpile.com http://kdzu.org http://robray.net   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:35 - Chessex dice set: https://store.chessex.com:11552/IW_Products.m4p.pvx?;products_no_tree?company=chx 8:45 - Thrift stores: https://www.thethriftshopper.com/ 16:47 - Koala sampling app: https://www.koalasampler.com/ 22:34 - Open Library: https://openlibrary.org 29:10 - Antennaobscura: https://kdzu.org   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wbTCO2z5-Aw   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/rob-ray-artist/

Joe Richards is a Summer Camp Director, Maker and thinker on the future of summer camps. Joe speaks on Creativity, Leadership, and Life. Joe has spoken across North America with a variety of youth, camping, and corporate organizations. Joe has been the Executive Director at Pearce Williams Summer Camp & Retreat Facility, in Fingal, Ontario, for 19 years – doing what needs to be done to make sure campers have the most amazing experience. You can find him on TikTok @campyoyojoe.   Website: https://www.yoyojoe.com/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:48 - Picquic screwdriver: http://picquic.ca/ 7:32 - UJK Parf Guide System Mark II: https://tsoproducts.com/jigs-fixtures-guides/parf-guide-system/ujk-parf-guide-system-mark-ii/ 13:31 - Tool Box Drawer Organizer Bins: https://www.schallercorporation.com/tool-box-drawer-organizer-bins/ 24:55 - Gridded Cutting Mat for workshop Table: https://www.joann.com/36x59-cutting-mat/2622033.html   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/SNbFSphP5N0   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/joe-richards-summer-camp-director/

Ben Gold is a product designer based in New York City who has a mild obsession with tools. He’s worked on at places like Tumblr, Google, and currently Microsoft. His newsletter is called The Consumerist, a weekly digest of products that you might find interesting or useful.   Newsletter: https://consumerist.substack.com/   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro 0:52 - Swann Morton Retractaway Premium Scalpel: https://www.craftknives.co.uk/product/retractawaypremium 6:50 - Pilot Vanishing Point Fountain Pen: https://geni.us/DA9va8G 14:31 - Woodpecker’s Paolini Pocket Rules: https://www.woodpeck.com/ppr-2019.html 18:48 - Knax 8 Wall Coat Stand: https://knaxshop.com/en/accessories/knax-wall-coat-stand   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k5wCUYaucvY   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/ben-gold-product-designer/

Jeremy Shorr is a STEM education and workforce consultant and futurist who is passionate about innovating the instructional experience for learners of all ages. Jeremy has been recognized as one of the National School Boards Association’s “20 to Watch”, as the Ohio Technology Administrator of the Year, the Ohio Educational Leader Innovator, one of the Center for Digital Education’s “Top 30 Technologists, Transformers and Trailblazers”, as one of the Crain’s Cleveland Business “Forty under 40”, ISTE’s Making It Happen award, and was recognized by Ohio Governor John Kasich for service to Ohio’s students. Jeremy is a Certified Educational Technology Leader (CETL), a Google Certified Innovator, an Apple Distinguished Educator (ADE), a Raspberry Pi Certified Educator, and received his MBA in Executive Leadership. Jeremy was an Educational Policy Fellow with the Institute for Educational Leadership in 2015-2016. Jeremy, his wife Kimberly, and his daughters Lila, Lucy, and Luna live in Twinsburg, Ohio. You can find him on Twitter @JeremyShorr and on LinkedIn @jshorr. TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro  0:41 - Problem solving cards: Designers Critical Alphabet: https://www.etsy.com/listing/725094845/, Pip Decks, Storyteller Tactics: https://geni.us/saPM,  Creative Whack Pack: https://geni.us/Bjn7x 14:47 - EXPLR Classroom: https://www.explr-media.com/ 25:46 - Anker USB charger: https://geni.us/ORfA 31:45 - Elgato USB-C Stream Deck: https://geni.us/zbxo   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/uwS7TTaVX0s   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/jeremy-shorr-stem-education-consultant/

Luke Stein is a financial economist and professor at Babson College. He does research at the intersection of corporate finance and labor economics, and is an award-winning teacher, including as the 2022 “Professor of the Year” as chosen by Babson’s graduate students. You can find him on Twitter and YouTube @lukestein and at lukestein.com.   TOOLS:  0:00 - Intro 0:41 - Wurkkos-brand flashlights (and modern, rechargeable flashlights more generally): https://geni.us/uD1esdS 11:31 - stagetimer.io: https://stagetimer.io 18:16 - Segway Max electric scooter: https://geni.us/QtDJ 30:09 - Concert sized ukulele (in general, or specifically a Donner solid-top): https://geni.us/GaCrVt   Watch on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/ryi2-qgHl9U   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/luke-stein-financial-economist/

Nabhan Islam is a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) in the biotech industry, based in beautiful Vancouver, BC. As a perennial traveller and outdoor gear nut, Nabhan always has an eye for durable, well-designed gear that makes his life easier and more enjoyable.   TOOLS:  0:00 - Intro 0:54 - Victorinox Cadet Swiss Army Knife: https://www.victorinox.com/us/en/Products/Swiss-Army-Knives/Medium-Pocket-Knives/Cadet-Alox/p/0.2601.26 6:14 - MSR reactor stove system: https://www.msrgear.com/ca/stoves/stove-systems/reactor-stove-systems/reactor-stove-systems.html 17:03 - Helinox Chair Zero: https://helinox.com/products/chair-zero?variant=16664192286790 23:53 - Fjallraven backpack: https://www.fjallraven.com/us/en-us/bags-gear/backpacks-bags/daypacks/high-coast-rolltop-26   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gSmKDOkODsM For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/nabhan-islam-medical-science-liaison/ To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Linda Tapp works in her “day job” as an occupational safety consultant, author, and speaker. Evenings and weekends, she writes and publishes Dabble, a Substack newsletter dedicated to encouraging others to try new things along with summaries of what she has “dabbled” in during the previous week and suggestions for getting started with the activities. She has 3 children, 2 dogs, and 1 husband who she has been married to for 32 years.   Dabble: https://dabblenews.substack.com/   TOOLS:  0:00 - Intro 1:07 - Center Cam webcam: https://thecentercam.com 4:37 - PETBABA Double Dog Leash: https://geni.us/BWRM 7:00 - Amazon Echo frames: https://geni.us/NSLqRr 14:11 - TriPole USB Desk Fan: https://geni.us/BWodaa   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Mm3poolqc7s   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/linda-tapp-occupational-safety-consultant/   To sign up to be a guest on the show, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/qc496XB6bGbrAEKK7

Ryan is a native of the San Francisco Bay Area who has spent his career helping companies get the most out of enterprise software systems. In his life outside of work he is an outdoors enthusiast who has hiked, biked, and backpacked all over California and beyond. You can find on Twitter @RyanHelft.   TOOLS:  0:00 - Intro  0:56 - Cocoon Air-Core Hood/Camp Pillow https://www.rei.com/product/205187/cocoon-air-core-hoodcamp-pillow 4:52 - FITCO 16-in-1 Bike Multi Tool Kit https://geni.us/U49AMg 9:13 - SONGMICS Bike Repair Stand Rack: https://geni.us/5Elr 15:12 - Mountainsmith K9 Dog Pack: https://geni.us/Z9Bb4ay   Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4vqrwzlTDQw For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/ryan-helft-outdoors-enthusiast/

William Osman is a mechanical engineer turned YouTuber. Since 2016 he's been making science and engineer videos that have been viewed by hundreds of millions of times. Notable projects include electrifying carpet to keep his upstairs roommate from walking loudly, a bicycle built entirely out of wood, and inventing and manufacturing a PCB blood squib in 3 weeks for a 3 million dollar YouTube production. His recent endeavor is founding a STEM event called Open Sauce happening this July 15-16 in San Francisco. Open Sauce is a celebration of weird inventions and scrappy engineering. You can find him on YouTube @WilliamOsman2.   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/william-osman-mechanical-engineer-and-youtuber/

Adam Grosser is an engineer and an entrepreneur with a love of craft. His passion is building things in and around mobility, like cars, motorcycles, and hydrofoils.    For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/adam-grosser-engineer/   If you're enjoying the Cool Tools podcast, check out our paperback book Four Favorite Tools: Fantastic tools by 150 notable creators, available in both Color or B&W on Amazon: https://geni.us/fourfavoritetools

Josiah Martens is a builder in Eugene, Oregon where he makes music, analog video art, and custom woodwork. As often as he can, Josiah crews on tallships and canoe-camps the rivers of the Northwest.   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/josiah-martens-builder/

Mike Basista is a prop builder and general maker. He's willing to try building or making just about anything. He currently lives in Pittsburgh after stops in Michigan and Southern California. You can find him on Instagram @evilgeniusprops and on YouTube @mikeandsheilamakestuff.    For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/michael-basista-prop-builder/

Chris Zukowski is a game marketing consultant who helps small indie game developers understand their audience and communicate with them in a more personal way so they can share their art with the world. Website: http://howtomarketagame.com/free For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/chris-zukowski-game-marketing-consultant/

Joel Rosenberg is part of the Special Projects team at Rewiring America. He is an educator and entrepreneur focused on helping solve the climate crisis for his elementary-age daughter, his amazing partner, and the future of everyone on the planet. He has worked on science and engineering education — especially how to teach about energy systems — at the Museum of Science, Boston; the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany; the Lawrence Hall of Science at U.C. Berkeley; Maker Media; and Otherlab. He is also the co-founder of 3D Fab Light, an industrial laser cutter company. Joel has a mechanical engineering degree from MIT, and a master’s from Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism.    Website: rewiringamerica.org Twitter: @learngineer   TOOLS: 0:00 - Intro  1:02 - Portable inverter-driven heat pump: https://geni.us/q93npBK 10:45 - Portable induction cooktop: https://geni.us/PfMedBB 17:12 - Community solar: https://neighborhoodsun.solar/ 22:53 - Bookfinder: https://www.bookfinder.com/ 29:52 - Electrify Everything in Your Home: https://www.rewiringamerica.org/electrify-home-guide   For show notes and transcript visit: https://kk.org/cooltools/joel-rosenberg-rewiring-america/