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Dave on Dave is an ongoing series in which David Cho and David Chen gather together to discuss life and work. Also, usually David Cho has some harsh words to say about David Chen's stuff!

In this episode we discuss David Chen's leave of absence from work and what he's trying to accomplish. Plus, a bonus at the end: How DavidC is contributing to the terrible misinformation environment we live in.

As always, thanks for your support! Your feedback in the comments is valuable for helping us understand if you want more conversations like this.

Links:

Follow David Cho on Twitter

Follow David Cho on Instagram

Conan O'Brien NYTimes interview

David's fake news tweet

Files

Comments

Patryk Prus

Perfect start to the weekend!

Richard Hamilton

I’m interested in hearing more. Just sayin’.

Peter Behravesh

Shout-out to Mr. Yelland! (There's a test on the horizon...)

Maddox Finkel

Dave! I think this is an interesting discussion, I'm happy to hear more for sure, because it feels like I'm involved in this weird internet friendship and I'm curious and all that. My only hesitation is this: Is making these thoughts and decisions while you're "on stage" going to somehow effect the decisions? I wouldn't want that to be the case, I don't want anything you're doing towards your well being to have to do with performative-ness. If that isn't the case, I'll take it, happy to be a listener! Keep well homey.

Brandon Lee Tenney

I’d appreciate hearing more. As someone who successfully pivoted from a more creatively-fulfilling career which was not financially stable to the inverse over the last year or so, it’s fascinating to listen to a similar dialogue to the one I engaged in with myself in my own head. Learning and understanding that everyone is dumb and improvising every minute of our lives is the key that will unlock your future.

Clifford Robinson

One of our profs in college would also tell all the guys to take off their caps: “Gentleman must remove their hats when a lady is present.” She would also instruct us guys that “a gentleman’s socks should match his trousers,” which I’ve always found to be helpful advice

Andy Sherwood

Great episode, Daves! Would certainly like to hear more. Unifying multiple Dave Chen media properties under a single banner might be beneficial, but it will certainly be at least as much work as your corp job is today. Perhaps more. If you’re tired and looking for a break, well - running a media company is definitely NOT that. Maybe a longer sabbatical is in order? Take a year off from the corp job, rest up, then re-assess. There is absolutely value in Dave Chen, above and beyond what a corp could offer. I’m excited to see what you do next!

Leigh Walant

I'd definitely like to hear more on this. I assume Dave will be thinking about it between now and then either way. I went through a similar transition last year. I think there is a lot of freedom that comes with self-employment that you guys didn't really touch on. Good luck with your decision process, Dave! Choose what will make you happy (easier said than done I know)!

Patryk Prus

Tales of my fame have been grossly exaggerated. :)

Jef Caine

Hell yes we want to hear more dirty details about your career goals and plans - To the extent you feel comfortable of course! Dave Cho is seriously like thousand-dollar-an-hour level career coach! Every time I listen to one of these it makes me re-asses all my career / life choices. This is quality content!

Clifford Robinson

It’s interesting to hear your thoughts on your career and life plans. But to me, the main question is whether you’re best served by having these deliberations in public and what will help you make the best decisions; I think only you can judge that aspect

Peter Behravesh

Having now listened to the whole episode, I'd like to add that I'd be very interested to hear more on this as well! As someone with a steady day job (which I do find fulfilling) who still feels the burden to CREATE, I'm always curious to hear how others manage balance. The burn-out is very real, and I hope you're able to find happiness and fulfillment in whatever path you choose. I'd also love to hear the two of you talk about the current conversation around Asian-American identity. Even though I'm of West Asian descent, I've never felt comfortable calling myself Asian, since it seems to be reserved for people of East Asian descent (and more recently, South Asian). What does that leave me with? Middle Eastern (an orientalist term that the world can't seem to shed)? MENA (same problem)? SWANA? Very curious to hear the Davids' takes, as this conversation obviously hits your communities differently from how it hits mine.

Chris

I really enjoy these Dave on Dave episodes. In terms of career decisions, I think Cho hit the core issue which is what will make you happy. As a consumer, I would love more content from the Chen factory but not at the cost of you happiness. Someone commented earlier about taking a longer sabbatical and I think that is a good idea. Take more time to decide what it is you want and come up with a plan to execute that goal. Just as a side note, I’ve also been enjoying all of the extra Twitter spaces you’ve been conducting like the Q&A and talk with Ryan Broderick. I’m sure they’re time consuming but I appreciate the conversations and I hope to seem more of them on the Patreon.

Michael Cavanaugh

David Chen! What an interesting juncture you are at. Just to reflect back to you, you are SO flipping ready for this new adventure. It's like Monsignor Pruitt says "Just take the first step out of the boat..." You've been so wise to keep yer corporate gig and to make sure that all your self-worth doesn't come from the capriciousness of the internet. But now you are at a crossroads, You've burnt out on doing both at the same time, so now "what's it gonna be, man?" This makes for extremely thrilling viewing for all of us patrons. Did you ever listen to the season of the StartUp podcast all about Alex Blumberg building Gimlet Media? He took the gamble you're pondering and did lots of it in public. So riveting. And Gimlet is thrumming along... Those of us who pays our ducats here each month really believe in you. Your voice is unique, challenging and hilarious., Your values and relationships are paramount, your ability to grow and listen and work hard live on-the-air is inspiring. I mean, come on, who else has gotten Rian Johnson to play banjo and give you sass yet also educate me on issues of asian-americas experiences in media (and America)?Thanks for all you've done up to now, Dave Chen. Here's to hoping you do more. In public.

Perniciousducks

I hope the LLC that Dave creates is called “Dave Chenterprises LLC”

Matthew LaBerge

This is specifically directed towards the last portion of the discussion. I for one enjoy the discussions, and hearing about your own struggles with what to do. It helps me sort out my own shit, as I too am going through some self reflection regarding my current trajectory on the path that is life in America. I have some reservations about it though, is it right to sit through someone else’s “therapy session”, (for lack of a better term) for entertainment. Possibly not, but if you’ll have me I’ll just sit in the corner and watch from the sidelines and munch on a bag of Popcorn while Dave questions your every word and tone of said word. But seriously keep up I the great work, whatever you decide I’ll be here, your humble servant.

Chloe Jade Skye

I know you asked a yes or no question, but I honestly believe you should do both. Spend time alone writing about the big picture, maybe talk to a therapist about it (or just Dave, he seems to always be both challenging and encouraging), and make sure you get in touch with your self and personal goals/motivations. ALSO I want to hear you talk through some of those challenging topics live on-air, because it’s helpful to hear someone I look up to, whose content I have enjoyed for over a decade, thinking through the challenges I also have as a creator. It’s nice to know I’m not alone, and maybe the way you get to your answer helps me find a path to mine.

M. R. Turnage

I'm going to ask about the elephant in the room - are you planning on starting a family? You don't need to answer publicly, but this was a HUGE factor when I was faced with similar choices, and there was very little talk about it. There was a lot of "this is a decision between you and your wife" talk in the podcast, and, from my experience, 95% of my career decisions came from those factors and 5% came from what I wanted to do to for my personal emotional fulfillment. Having a kid was a huge part of that 95% conversation. Like 80% of that 95% which works out to about 76% of the total influence on the decision.

Alec Rodriguez

Really appreciated this candid conversation. Would enjoy more like this. Good luck, Dave!

Mike Gonzalez

I really love these conversations, though I’m not sure if that’s in spite (or because) of how much (Co-Host) Dave needles (Host) Dave on nearly every single statement. :) Thank you for being so candid, regardless. Of course, I (and I’m assuming everyone here) would be interested in hearing more about your specific plans and goals, so long as it doesn’t appreciably reduce the likelihood of you achieving them. Alex Blumberg was able to make it work, to some extent, with his podcast on Gimlet. It’s certainly possible if done with some consideration. I’ll just add, as a personal note, that I support this Patreon because I want you to feel supported. I’ve always believed that if something, or someone, provides value to your life, you should make an effort to reciprocate. I was excited when you and Joanna launched your first kickstarter because it was a tangible way for me to show my appreciation to the two of you. Even if ultimately it was a pretty small amount. In that way I’ve really liked Patreon. I can throw in $5 a month to a few podcasts I really enjoy, and feel morally at peace knowing I’m giving back. That’s a very comfortable amount for me. The reason I support your personal Patreon at the level I do, which is by no means a hardship, but probably at the upper limit of what I can comfortably afford, is because I want you specifically to feel supported. The amount isn’t going to change your life, but maybe the fact that someone you don’t know is choosing to give that, when they don’t have to, will give some indication of the value your creative work has to those who are listening. Maybe even encourage you to pursue it with more vigor. I assure you, I have relatively low expectations in return (really loving the weekly box office conversations though, thanks so much for adding them to the feed. I really dislike twitter spaces), but as far as parasocial relationships go, yours has been a very meaningful one to me over the years. Wishing you well in whichever direction you choose to go with this. ✌🏽

Warpstone

Just going to echo David’s advice. Follow your happiness.

Ron Harshman

Sorry I'm late getting to this episode but I love hearing this discussion. Go after whatever brings you the most joy I feel is the least like work. I'd love to hear more about where you are with all of this. Best of luck to you Dave.