Micah Baize, PhD

An analytical mind at heart, I seek to understand things in depth. I also like to share what I have learned -- or at least think I have learned -- with others. I pursued a PhD in Philosophy in large part to understand how philosophers have answered the question: How should I live? My main areas of interest are in ethics, theory of knowledge, and philosophy of religion. As the result of the meager academic job market, I switched careers and became a software engineer. Currently I'm using my philosophical education to co-host a podcast that covers Ray Dalio's Principles, a New York Times Bestseller that aims to help you be successful in your life and career. See more about it in the Podcast section.

Podcast

I co-host the Dalio's Principles: A Philosophical Examination podcast with John Sextro. In this unofficial podcast we analyze Dalio's book Principles. Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, one of the world's most successful hedge fund companies. He has been on Time’s 100 most influential people list. The book is a New York Times Best Seller in the Business category. In Principles Dalio shares his life story, helping his readers understand how he came to incorporate two ideas into his way of living: 'radical truth' and 'radical transparency'. He then shares the principles which developed through his application of those ideas to his life and work. Those principles are what he believes have led to much of his success. More info about the book can be found at www.principles.com.

The podcast is a kind of virtual book club for readers (or future readers) of Principles, working through the book chapter by chapter. John Sextro has been a practicioner of Dalio's principles for several years and draws from his experiences to help listeners better understand the principles. I draw on my philosophical background to help listeners assess the truth of Dalio's claims. This includes clarifying Dalio's claims, considering alternative philosophical positions, and analyzing the strength of his arguments.

My co-host John Sextro is an experienced podcaster. He is perhaps best known for his podcast This Agile Life. He also hosts the World Wide Technology Software Development podcast.