Cortex
Relay • Technology
Relay • Technology
Cortex
Relay • Technology
Relay • Technology

About

Cortex is a show that explores how creative people think about their work — and how they get it done. Each episode dives into the workflows they follow, the apps and devices they depend on, and the habits that keep projects moving. Hosted by CGP Grey and Myke Hurley.

Episodes

  • 174: Marques Brownlee (MKBHD) – State of the Workflow
    Myke talks to Marques Brownlee about how he builds his reviews, from shaping a product narrative and writing scripts to collaborating with his team, deciding what becomes a video, and managing the pressure of creating at massive scale.
  • 173: Hank Green – State of the Workflow
    Myke talks to Hank Green about how he manages an impossibly full creative life — from YouTube and Crash Course to books, businesses, and Good.Store — using simple tools, structured weeks, selective meetings, delegation, and a constant flow of new ideas.
  • 172: David Pierce – State of the Workflow
    Myke talks to The Verge’s David Pierce about the workflow behind his Humane AI Pin review, how he collaborates to make podcasts like The Vergecast, and how his Installer newsletter helps him highlight the positive side of the internet each week.
  • 171: Casey Newton – State of the Workflow
    Myke talks to Casey Newton about his workflow for running Platformer, from idea capture to writing and publishing, and how he balances reporting with access to some of the most powerful people in tech.
  • 170: Simone Giertz – State of the Workflow
    Myke talks to Simone Giertz about her workflow for turning ideas into products, from early sketches and CAD prototypes to manufacturing, launching, and running a product studio alongside her YouTube channel.
  • 169: John Gruber – State of the Workflow
    Myke interviews John Gruber of Daring Fireball. They take a deep-dive into how John’s writing takes shape – from capturing ideas and drafting articles to the meticulous editing behind his influential work.
  • 168: Austin Evans – State of the Workflow
    Myke kicks off the new ‘State of the Workflow’ series with YouTuber Austin Evans. They explore the apps, gear, and systems—like dual phones, YouTube Shorts strategies, and analytics deep dives—that fuel Austin’s creativity and 1.5 billion views.
  • 167: Ten Years of Cortex
    Grey and Myke look back on ten years of the show.
  • 166: The Social Network
    Grey and Myke watch the 2010 biopic 'The Social Network'. They discuss their thoughts on the film, its portrayal of Facebook’s early days, and how it prompted them to reflect on their own use of social media today.
  • 165: How to Win Friends and Influence People
    Grey and Myke explore why this foundational self-help and business book remains relevant today, breaking down its core principles on human interaction and influence—and sharing how they’ve applied its ideas in their own lives.
  • 164: Screen Crimes: The Ghost Device
    Grey and Myke reveal their ‘Screen Crimes’ – how do they actually use their devices, and for how long? Meanwhile, Grey is in full team-management mode, and Myke is preparing to start his parental leave.
  • 163: Start a Timer, Make a Decision
    Grey and Myke discuss how and why they track their time, Myke shares his thoughts on announcing his upcoming child, and Grey drops a task management bombshell.
  • 162: 2025 Yearly Themes
    Grey and Myke use Yearly Themes to guide their personal and professional lives. In this episode, they reflect on how 2024 went and reveal their plans for 2025.
  • 161: I Fight Prime Numbers
    Grey discusses why Apple Intelligence message suggestions feel ‘anti-human’. Myke shares his current iPad Home Screens. Also, Ask Cortex questions on breaking free from the 7-day week, productivity music, and finding balance on text-based social media.
  • 160: State of the Apps 2025
    Grey and Myke discuss the tools they use to get work done, highlighting new additions and workflow changes. They also showcase their current home screens and reflect on how their work has evolved over the past year.
  • 159: The Magnetic Pull of September
    Grey and Myke talk about how they take breaks during their workdays, share some fiction books they’ve enjoyed, discuss a major change Myke is making to his tech setup, and express their sympathy for phone case makers.
  • 158: Is AI Still Doom? (Humans Need Not Apply – 10 Years Later)
    Grey and Myke mark the 10-year anniversary of 'Humans Need Not Apply,' taking the opportunity to share their current thoughts on AI.
  • 157: Being Better
    Grey and Myke contemplate the conundrum of always striving to improve in creative work, evaluate technology that significantly impacts their productivity, discuss how they handle failure, and assess the success of a viral Instagram Reel.
  • 156: Average Content
    Grey and Myke discuss some of the features from WWDC that excited them, and consider the impact of Apple integrating AI tools directly into iOS. Myke also provides an update on his email and notification experiments.
  • 155: State of the Hardware 2024
    It's time for Grey and Myke to talk about the devices they've chosen to use in their lives. From the computers they use to the offices where they use them, as well as the devices they choose for entertainment, travel, smart home, and fitness.