It's a new year, and on this episode of Generations, we talk about our plans for 2025, focusing on our goals and themes. We discuss our methods for tracking our progress, what some of those goals are, and how we think last year went.

• Aubrey discusses the start of the new semester and her excitement about returning to school and wedding planning.

• Peter reflects on a tough start to the year due to work challenges.

Wedding Planning Updates:

• Aubrey shares that she has chosen her wedding dress and secured a venue and photographer, expressing relief at having major tasks completed.

• She mentions creating a detailed master spreadsheet with her fiancé Hayden to track wedding planning progress.

New Year Reflections:

• The hosts reject the idea of New Year's resolutions, opting instead for broader yearly themes and systems to guide personal growth.

• Peter reflects on his 2024 theme, the "Year of Improved Health," and evaluates its successes and challenges.

• For 2025, Peter introduces his new theme, the "Year of Conscious Action," emphasizing mindfulness and intentionality in daily actions.

Aubrey's Themes and Goals for 2025:

• With significant life changes ahead--graduation, moving, and marriage--Aubrey focuses on being present in the moment and reducing anxiety.

• Her goals are categorized into academic, physical, mental, and relationship-focused areas. She emphasizes simplicity and achievability in her goal-setting.

Daily Routines and Habit Tracking:

• Peter discusses his efforts to optimize his morning routine, including journaling and habit tracking, to create a more intentional start to his day.

• He reflects on his use of the "Theme System Journal" for structured reflection and gratitude practices.

• Peter recommends habit-tracking apps, specifically highlighting Strides and Atomic Habit Tracker, explaining their features and benefits.

Aubrey's Habit Practices:

• Aubrey shares her experience using the Eden app for habit tracking but emphasizes the importance of separating habits from larger goals.

• She revisits her love of using GoodNotes on her iPad to organize her goals in a simple, structured format.

Other Topics:

• Aubrey shares her excitement about publishing her astrophysics research, which involved coding a program to simulate supermassive black hole growth.

• Peter comments on recent trends in continuous glucose monitoring and daily hormone testing, cautioning against unnecessary data overload for non-diabetic individuals.

Aubrey and Peter dive into the highs and lows of cardio workouts, reflecting on personal experiences from marathons to boxing, while dishing on the best (and worst) Peloton instructors. The father-daughter duo also brings their signature mix of science and wit, exploring how machine learning and quantum physics intersect and tackling the testosterone therapy trend.

Episode Highlights:

- Finals Week Triumphs: Aubrey wraps up her toughest semester yet with marathon study sessions and shares how her professor's grading curve saved her thermodynamics grade.

- Cardio Confessions: The hosts bond over their love-hate relationship with cardio. From Peter’s treadmill marathon misery to Aubrey’s sprints-and-boxing endurance battles, they get real about what works and what doesn’t.

- Peloton Picks: A hilarious breakdown of Peloton instructors they love (Ally Love, Tunde Oyeneyin, Dennis Morton) and those they… don’t (sorry, Robin Arzón and Alex Toussaint).

- Fitness Alternatives: Peter shares his passion for rucking and jump rope, proving there’s more to cardio than running.

- Quantum Physics Meets Machine Learning: Aubrey explains how neural networks are advancing quantum state modeling and why quantum computers could unlock the future of physics.

- Testosterone Therapy PSA: Peter, a urologist, debunks myths about testosterone replacement, calling out online clinics and urging men to prioritize lifestyle changes over quick fixes.

Key Points

- Fitness is about finding what works for you—even if cardio isn’t your favorite.

- Advances in quantum physics and machine learning are reshaping what we know about the universe.

- Beware of trendy health solutions—there’s no substitute for putting in the work.

In this special episode, Peter, Aubrey, and guest co-host Jess gather in person for an engaging conversation. From nostalgic memories of early podcast days to intriguing science and health facts, this episode is packed with insights and fun. Tune in to hear:

Podcast Highlights:

• How each host discovered podcasts and their favorite shows, including Dear Hank and John, Science Vs., and Worlds Beyond Number.

• The evolution of podcast apps and listening habits--remember the days of syncing iPods?

• Recommendations for science, tech, and storytelling podcasts.

Science Tidbits:

• Aubrey dives into dark matter research, sharing how scientists are on edge, waiting for a supernova that could help unravel one of the universe's greatest mysteries.

• A fun fact about axions and their potential connection to dark matter--plus why timing is critical for detection!

Health and Fitness:

• Peter shares surprising data on the connection between walking and a reduced risk of prostate cancer, as well as why staying active benefits overall health.

• A reminder: It's not about perfection in fitness; it's about finding movement you enjoy.

A Personal Connection:

• Reflections on why Peter and Aubrey started their podcasts and the joy of exploring shared interests with friends and family.

Whether you're here for podcast inspiration, fascinating science, or practical health advice, this episode has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this lively and thoughtful discussion!