This week, we give a third reading of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff and further discuss some chapters in the book, focusing on minding one's own business, paying attention to the snowball effect of our thoughts and embracing the problems in our lives rather than avoiding them outright. If you enjoyed this episode, you can listen to our first or second reading from the book. As before, if you are interested in getting the book for yourself, we've included some links below.
Episode 124: The Appeal of Podcasts
“Under the old rules, a gatekeeper who owned the airwaves would never give you a radio show if you didn’t have the credentials he deemed necessary. So, your story would go untold.
Times have changed. We now live in a time in which we can control our own platforms and tell our own stories. We no longer need approval, so don’t wait for someone else to tell you to start.”
“Since the beginning of time (and the advent of humans), oral storytelling has served a critical role as the sole means of abstracting experiences and emotions in narrative form. Ancient oral storytellers were revered keepers of local knowledge, history, and traditions in their communities.”
Every week, we share our thoughts and feelings with you in the form of this podcast. But why do we rely upon this medium? What sets it apart and what do we find most appealing about it? Edison Research indicates that 21% of Americans listen to at least one podcast a month, reflecting a positive trend (up from 9% in 2008 and 12% in 2013). Big players like the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times and others are entering the young market which also contains podcast-focused groups like Gimlet Media and Radiotopia. This week Kendall Theroux joins us to share some of her thoughts as an avid podcast listener. But how should the medium expand and what are its current limitations as a means of human and artistic expression?
Episode 123: Dickinsonian Opposites
“Forever is composed of nows.”
“I dwell in possibility.”
“Success is counted sweetest by those who never succeed.”
“I’m nobody, who are you?”
We often choose our words because of their meanings, whether personal or mutually agreed upon. But in language, we also elect to use certain terms or phrases to directly oppose arguments, ideas or speakers themselves. This week, Spencer Huffman joins us to examine and recreate a poetry class assignment which confronted opposites as they relate to the poetry of Emily Dickinson. How does the concept of "opposites" become more complex and cumbersome as words become phrases and systemic ideas? How might our adherence to black-and-white opposing structures of thought lead us to reduce larger ideas and erase nuance? Does the concept have the power to create opposition within otherwise similar and cooperative groups of people?
Episode 122: How We Show Respect
“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.”
“If you have some respect for people as they are, you can be more effective in helping them to become better than they are.”
“There is no respect for others without humility in one’s self.”
Although we often refer to respect as a vital concept in our society, it often becomes an umbrella term, a placeholder. We presume that respect, in a general sense, includes any behavior which treats another person in a kind, morally correct way. But what do our beliefs about respect say about us? This week Milad Momeni joins us to discuss the roots of our respect for ourselves, our environments and others. We also examine what actions and attitudes we employ in demonstrating our respect for the aforementioned groups. How do our languages of respect affect what we interpret as respectful or disrespectful? Why do we hold respect for those we do and are our signals of respect mutual?
