Episode 60: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff II

“When we judge or criticize another person, it says nothing about that person; it merely says something about our own need to be critical.”
— Richard Carlson
“Sadly, many people spend far more time washing their car or watching reruns of television shows they don’t even enjoy than they do making time for aspects of their life that nurture their hearts. If you remember that what you practice you will become, you may begin choosing different types of practice.”
— Richard Carlson

This week, we give a second reading of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and further discuss some chapters in the book, focusing on behavioral habits, criticism of others, understanding and graciousness. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to our previous reading here. As before, if you are interested in getting the book for yourself, we've included some links below.

Episode 60: Don't Sweat the Small Stuff II
Kip Clark and Caroline Borders
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Episode 59: Celebrating Columbus Day

“These people are very unskilled in arms... with 50 men they could all be subjected and made to do all that one wished.”
— Christopher Columbus
“Gold is a treasure, and he who possesses it does all he wishes to in this world, and succeeds in helping souls into paradise.”
— Christopher Columbus

As Columbus Day concludes its 78th year of official celebration as a federal holiday in the United States, we should consider its broader legacy, the man it honors and his impact on America as a result of his actions. With increasing disapproval and protest from groups of indigenous cultures, we wanted to examine the holiday more closely and consider both sides of the debate.

*As a crucial note, I refer to "Native American language" used by code-talkers during WWII. This was an error on my part, when there are numerous and varied languages belonging to different Native American cultures. I apologize for the mistake - Kip

Episode 59: Celebrating Columbus Day
Kip Clark and Caroline Borders
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Episode 58: Leprosy in the Middle Ages

“Throughout its history, leprosy has been feared and misunderstood. For a long time leprosy was thought to be a hereditary disease, a curse, or a punishment from God. Before and even after the discovery of its biological cause, leprosy patients were stigmatized and shunned.”
— "History of Leprosy" - Stanford

There are vast swaths of history often untouched and glossed over by most of us. This week we welcome Nick Rogers, who wrote his thesis on leprosy in Medieval Europe, one such topic. We discuss some of the approaches to the disease at the time, curious details and misconceptions surrounding it, medical practices in the Middle Ages and how we might learn from this historical period.

Episode 58: Leprosy in the Middle Ages
Kip Clark and Nick Rogers
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Episode 57: College as a Small Community

“The simple truth is that you can understand a town. You can know and love and hate it. You can blame it, resent it, and nothing changes. In the end, you’re just another part of it.”
— Brenna Yovanoff
“Living in a small town...is like living in a large family of rather uncongenial relations. Sometimes it’s fun, and sometimes it’s perfectly awful, but it’s always good for you. People in large towns are like only-children.”
— Joyce Dennys, Henrietta Sees It Through: More News from the Home Front 1942-1945

This week we take a much more personal approach than usual. Zac Caputo returns as a guest and we discuss our experience at Kenyon College, a small, liberal arts school in rural Ohio. Specifically, we examine the impact student body size has on our social, personal and emotional lives. What are the benefits and drawbacks of small communities respectively? Does this experience distort our reality? Does it help to clarify elements of our lives?

Episode 57: College as a Small Community
Kip Clark and Zac Caputo
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