CoRecursive: Coding Stories — "Quick Update" (September 2, 2025)

Overview

In this short update episode, host Adam Gordon Bell steps away from his usual storytelling format to offer reflections on the creative process, the challenge of consistency, and the ethos behind CoRecursive: Coding Stories. Instead of releasing a full episode, Adam shares honest thoughts about the struggles and motivations that keep the podcast going, what listeners can expect next, and why he values depth and connection over scale.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenge of Consistency (00:13–04:22)

• Consistency vs. Reality: Adam discusses the personal challenge of maintaining a monthly release schedule, admitting that this episode is only an update due to production delays.
  • Quote: "For me, it feels like this one episode a month is a minimum, right? Anything less and it doesn't really feel like a podcast." (00:28)
• Growth vs. Bandwidth: He reflects on things he’s “not doing”—like video content, sharing clips, maintaining a newsletter, and providing more for Patreon supporters—contrasting industry expectations with his reality.
• Experimentation Trade-offs: While experimenting with audio essays and different story formats keeps him engaged, it sometimes makes consistent output harder.
  • Quote: "That variation excites me, keeps me interested... but it does work against consistency." (01:44)

2. Upcoming Episodes & Pursuit of Quality (04:23–06:08)

• "Quality Over Schedule": Adam explains that two episodes are in progress: one delving into "software injustice," and another featuring a return interview with Matt Godbold (five years after the first).
  • Quote: "Reality has won. But if I'm not able to get an episode out, I'll try to put out a note like this in the future." (05:58)

3. The Creative Cycle: Highs and Lows (06:09–09:24)

• Referenced Media: Adam draws a parallel to the graphic novel Radio: An Illustrated Guide about Ira Glass, describing the ever-present race to meet deadlines.
  • Quote: "After all these years, it's still a race every month to the deadline." (07:06)
• Emotional Sine Wave: He details the roller coaster of podcasting—from the excitement of finding guests and conducting interviews, to the arduous editing process, and finally the satisfaction of publishing and receiving feedback.
• Listener Connections: Shares a touching recent message from a listener (Ron) about listening to the show with his son on a college drop-off road trip, illustrating the podcast’s real-world reach.
  • Quote: "I'm excited and shocked that my voice was riding along with them. That's humbling." (09:06)
• Changing Platforms: Notes how feedback shifted from public forums (Twitter, Reddit) to private email and Slack as social media landscapes evolved.

4. Sustainability and Life Balance (09:25–11:04)

• Lowering Effort: Adam is seeking ways to make producing the podcast less labor-intensive but acknowledges persistent cycles of energy tied to both podcast production and life circumstances.
• Limits and Continuity: While Adam acknowledges the podcast will eventually end, he affirms his continued commitment—at least for now.
  • Quote: "I am a human. I have a job, I have a wife, I have other hobbies. Sometimes I have the energy to go deep, and sometimes I don't." (10:12)

5. Depth Over Scale (11:05–14:42)

• Motivation Shift: Adam reflects on originally wanting big influence and audience but now draws purpose from connecting deeply with guest stories—even if it’s “fewer listeners.”
• Favorite Moments: Recounts the powerful experience of unpacking John Walker’s story live in a recent episode, emphasizing specifics and authenticity.
  • Quote: "I care about where were you sitting when the bug finally made sense. What did you do? Did you punch the air and say, found it? Yes. Did you wake up your wife in the middle of the night accidentally? I like that depth." (12:55)
• Intimacy Over Reach: Even when deeper interviews make some guests uncomfortable or result in smaller audiences, Adam prefers intimacy and impact.
  • Quote: “I will keep choosing that intimacy and depth, even at the cost of reach.” (14:17)

6. Gratitude and Looking Ahead (14:43–17:15)

• Personal Growth: Adam shares that the skills and connections from podcasting have led to career opportunities, such as speaking about AI and cloud infrastructure in Atlanta.
  • Quote: “I create content for developers for a living... But I can do it because of this, because people listened.” (15:41)
• Listener Impact: Thanks the audience for feedback, especially patrons, acknowledging their role in sustaining his drive.
  • Quote: “Because people gave me feedback, I kept doing it. I built up those skills and now I have a pretty interesting job. All thanks to that.” (16:09)
• Request for Input: He welcomes listener reactions and promises the upcoming episodes soon, inviting thoughts on which resonates more.

Memorable Quotes

• "Consistency is hard because I'm making each episode from scratch each month." — Adam (01:12)
• "I think that's where my strength lies... I care about those details." — Adam (12:24)
• "I'm aiming for a deeper connection, even if it means fewer downloads." — Adam (13:36)
• "Most of all though, thank you for your patience with my cadence and my constraints and the reality of my life. I'm still here. I'm still making this." — Adam (17:02)

Conclusion

While not a full episode, Adam's candid update offers insight into the ongoing creative struggle and fulfillment behind CoRecursive. He reiterates the value of authenticity, deep storytelling, and community—even at the expense of consistency or rapid growth. Upcoming episodes and continued dedication reaffirm his gratitude for listener support and patience, promising more nuanced stories in the near future.