Podcast Title: Coffee With Cole: The Digital Writing Podcast
Host: Nicolas Cole
Episode: My $100k Dream Home Office Tour
Release Date: April 18, 2025

Detailed Summary

In the episode titled "My $100k Dream Home Office Tour," host Nicolas Cole takes listeners on an immersive journey through his meticulously crafted home office and production studio. This tour not only showcases the physical setup but also delves into Cole’s personal interests, work habits, and the underlying philosophy that drives his creative and professional endeavors.

1. Introduction to the Dream Office

The episode kicks off with Cole expressing his enthusiasm for his newly built studio:

“I spent over $100,000 building my dream home, office and production studio. And today I'm going to give you a tour.” [00:00]

He emphasizes the importance of creating an environment conducive to high-quality audio production, highlighting the installation of sound panels:

“We got sound panels all around the room. These sound panels are intended to insulate the sound.” [00:15]

This setup ensures that recordings are free from unwanted echo, maintaining the clarity and professionalism of his audio content.

2. Showcasing Rare Book Collections

Cole segues into one of his prized possessions—his extensive rare book collection. He shares stories behind several notable items:

• First Edition Harry Potter:

  “This is the second book in the series, the Chamber of Secrets. I can't remember how much I bought this one for. It was like a couple hundred bucks.” [02:10]

• Charles Bukowski’s Unpublished Poems:

  “This is a first edition of a short collection of poems that were never formally published. It was published in this little pamphlet, which I thought is pretty cool.” [03:00]

• Nikolai Gogol by Vladimir Nabokov:

  “This is a first edition. Cost me about 300 bucks. This is one of the first books that Nabokov wrote. One of my favorite authors in the English Language.” [04:30]

• First Edition James Bond Novel:

  “This is a first edition James Bond, You Only Live Twice by Ian Fleming. It was like two or three grand.” [05:45]

Cole recounts his experience purchasing these rare items from Peter Harrington's in London, adding a personal touch by sharing anecdotes about exclusive journals related to the James Bond series.

3. Exploring the Production Studio

Transitioning to his production studio, Cole details the technical aspects that enable his content creation:

“I have this whole desk built down here. I'm gonna end up putting a keyboard so that I can do some cool background sound effects.” [07:20]

He discusses his workflow, from audio recording to sound design, utilizing software like Logic on his computer:

“All the audio actually gets piped into this system. And so here I'll use Logic on the computer. I'll record all the audio.” [08:05]

This section underscores the integration of technology in his creative process, ensuring seamless production and collaboration with his team.

4. Daily Workflow and Study Habits

Cole provides insight into his daily routine and intellectual pursuits:

“The life of a writer is I basically sit there and I sit there for about 10 hours a day and I write.” [09:30]

His workspace is adorned with books he is currently studying, emphasizing that his reading is primarily for study rather than pleasure:

“I'm reading these two books right now by John Truby, all about the anatomy of story and genres in fiction and storytelling.” [10:15]

Other notable mentions include Michael Crichton’s The Andromeda Strain and essays by David Foster Wallace, reflecting his dedication to continual learning and skill enhancement.

Cole also incorporates tools like the Thinkers Thesaurus to expand his vocabulary, highlighting his commitment to linguistic precision:

“I try and teach myself and just keep expanding my vocabulary.” [12:00]

His leather-bound journal serves as a repository for ideas across various mediums—books, content, videos, and products:

“I just write down ideas, book ideas, content ideas, video ideas, product ideas. I just put them all in here.” [13:45]

5. Advanced Recording Setup

Delving deeper into his recording setup, Cole showcases his use of high-end equipment to produce professional-grade content:

“This is a teleprompter connected to a Canon EOS R5. And so what happens is I will take the script of the thing that I am recording from the main computer over here. That script will go to this teleprompter and I'll read the teleprompter.” [15:30]

He explains the process of filming long-form YouTube videos and audio books, detailing the seamless integration between his camera system, teleprompter, and computer.

6. Gaming Setup and Personal Motivation

Adding a personal dimension, Cole shares his gaming setup, which serves as both a hobby and a motivational tool:

“I currently have an undead mage grinding in the World of Warcraft. When I was a teenager, I was one of the highest performing and highest ranked World of Warcraft players in North America.” [18:00]

He draws parallels between gaming and his work ethic:

“Gaming really gave me the foundation, helped me build the skill set of just grinding. There's a lot in gaming that's really boring, but you do what you have to do in order to collect the reward and, you know, get the achievement.” [18:45]

The ongoing gameplay serves as a reminder of perseverance and productivity:

“If I wasn't doing this, I would just be grinding Murlocs in the World of Warcraft, trying to get some reward. I might as well just do that in real life, right?” [20:10]

This unique blend of personal interests with professional ambition illustrates Cole’s holistic approach to maintaining motivation.

7. Reflection on the Workspace Investment

In a moment of candid reflection, Cole muses on the significance of his investment in the workspace:

“I spent all this money building this and I thought it was so cool. I still think it's so cool.” [22:00]

However, he underscores that the true essence of his productivity lies not in the opulence of his setup but in the consistent effort he puts into his work:

“At the end of the day, I don't really need any of this. I literally just need a laptop and a table.” [24:15]

This sentiment highlights a grounded perspective, emphasizing that tools and environment are secondary to personal discipline and dedication.

8. Conclusion and Audience Engagement

Wrapping up the tour, Cole invites listeners to engage and inquire further:

“I hope you enjoyed the Office tour and if you have any questions about things that I've done in the studio, or if you want to know more about a certain part of it, just drop me a comment and happy to answer.” [26:30]

He leaves the audience with a blend of admiration for his achievements and a relatable message about the essentials of creativity.

Key Takeaways

• Investment in Environment: Cole’s $100k investment in his home office underscores the importance he places on creating a professional and inspiring workspace.

• Passion for Literature: His rare book collection not only serves as a personal treasure but also reflects his deep appreciation for literature and its role in his creative process.

• Technological Integration: The sophisticated setup of his production studio highlights the significance of using the right tools to enhance content quality.

• Continuous Learning: Cole’s rigorous study habits and constant pursuit of knowledge demonstrate a commitment to personal and professional growth.

• Balancing Hobby and Motivation: Incorporating gaming into his workspace illustrates how personal interests can synergize with professional objectives to maintain high motivation levels.

• Simplicity at Core: Despite the grandeur of his office, Cole emphasizes that the essence of his work lies in dedication and routine, not merely in material assets.

Notable Quotes

• “We got sound panels all around the room. These sound panels are intended to insulate the sound.” [00:15]

• “I'm reading these two books right now by John Truby, all about the anatomy of story and genres in fiction and storytelling.” [10:15]

• “Gaming really gave me the foundation, helped me build the skill set of just grinding.” [18:45]

• “At the end of the day, I don't really need any of this. I literally just need a laptop and a table.” [24:15]

This episode offers a comprehensive glimpse into Nicolas Cole’s creative sanctum, blending personal interests with professional endeavors. It serves as an inspiring blueprint for aspiring digital writers and content creators seeking to optimize their work environments for success.