Here We Are: What Makes Us Human: Recent Episodes
Joy Bork
Welcome to the podcast where we are co-learners on a journey to uncover stories, concepts, and themes of what makes us human. Your host, Joy Bork, loves asking questions, learning more about people, and following wherever her curiosity leads.
Empathy is more than just a trend. It is a dedication to care - for yourself first, and then others. Tune in as Joy and Ella dive into this feelingful topic!
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Today's interview is with Chef Halee Raff, known in the Chicagoland area for her amazing gourmet pop-tarts. But there is so much more to Halee than pop-tarts! Tune in to learn more.
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The art of Nails is SO much more than just polish on your finger cartilage. Today's guest is here to tell us that it's actually about connecting. Caring. Being with.
You know you want to listen.
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From a rocketry class taught by a health teacher to now being an advocate for equity in STEM education, Kam Yee is here to make a difference. Tune in to this week's episode to hear more of her story!
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With the seasons changing, it is definitely pet fur-shedding season! Today's interview came about because of Joy's two adorable, very sheddy dogs, and the groomer that now loves them. We're gonna dive into what it takes to groom dogs!
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On today's podcast, Joy interviews one of her friends about friendship. Together, they uncover some beautiful truths about the link between self love and healthy friendships.
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Today's episode is a heart-warmer! Join in as Joy talks with Genesis Simmons, a creator, barista, and all-around good human, about how we see story all around us.
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When I met Marta at her London restaurant, Naughty Piglets, in August of 2022, I knew immediately that we'd be nerd friends. And let me tell you. We are.
This episode goes deep into the power of fermentation, how vinegars and acids impact food flavor, and the beauty of foraging. Enjoy the happiness!
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When Leslie told me she wanted to nerd out about love, I was a little skeptical. I greatly underestimated the number of words we could use to talk about this multi-faceted concept. Tune in this week to hear how Leslie Marshall shows love through who she is and how she interacts with the world.
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Eva is one of those humans that when I met her, I just knew we were kindred spirits. We first interacted on the in-person set of a virtually broadcast conference. Next thing I knew, we were zooming across the floor in office chairs, talking deeply, and enjoying each other's personhood. And this is exactly what we're talking about today: being welcoming.
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Today's episode is brought to you by....SCIENCE! Put on your imaginary lab coats, and let's learn all about fish virology!
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We're bringing back a fan favorite! Enjoy the resurrection of this amazingly fun and informational podcast with Chelsea Pribyl.
One of Brie's first loves has always been going outside. From a young age, she has found belonging in the arms of Mother Nature. This week, Brie dives into her love of going outside, and provides super practical tips for staying prepared, dry, and warm, no matter what the weather.
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Art and Activism have gone hand in hand for so long. But has it always happened through cross-stitch classes? It has now! Tune in to this week's episode to learn more about how cross-stitching builds community.
Find out more here!
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Approaching the world with open hands and curiosity sounds lovely. It's actually quite difficult to achieve. This week, we dive in with Jen Verruto as she shares all about her journey with openness.
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Sit down, buckle up, and put your listening ears on! Today's episode is a hard-hitter in the best way possible. Join us as Tim Wolfe shares his thoughts on conformity.
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Creating Space. These two words encompass SO MUCH of the world around us. Spaces can be interpersonal connections, physical rooms, interactive environments, and so much more. This week, lighting and production designer John P Marovich shares with us all about the spaces he creates and curates.
Questing. Not a word often heard without the accompaniment of the word, "huzzah!" But today, we're talking about questing in terms of being present. Mindful. Trusting yourself. And finding out what happens along the way. Join us!
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Boats. Watercraft. Speedy things over the surface of a body of water. Or sometimes not so speedy. Today's guest loves all types of water vessels. And he loves making them look like new again.
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Just when you thought flour was just a white powder....
Oh no. It is SO much more.
Tune in today to hear all about what flour is, how to process it, and about many varieties of the glorious grain!
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Join us this week as we dive headfirst into the concept of food as love. And also concepts like fried chicken being a sandwich? Macaroni and Cheese being a soup?? What is happening?
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Books. A place of wonder. But also a place of expanding your mind. Creating space for diversity. And a place for exploration. Join us this week as Children's Librarian Hannah Bunn tells us all about her journey of loving books!
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Get ready for storytime, discovery, and a whirlwind of curiosity with Amy Quinn! We'll learn all about her vocational journey and have a few good laughs along the way.
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The first quarter of this year has been wonderful, busy, and also hard! We're going to take some time to pause, rest, and gather new content. Here We Are will be back with you as soon as we can!
I love asking questions. And I've also realized asking questions is a privilege. This week, I share some of my favorite questions to ask - and I hope it'll get you started asking hard questions too!
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My go-to activity of late - Climbing! I don't like lots of forms of exercise, but climbing engages me in ways other activities don't. It uses my mind, emotions, AND my body all while asking me to solve puzzles that lead me to the top of a wall.
Tune in this week to learn more!
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Glee. It isn't just a hit TV show. For today's guest, it has been a catalyst for dreams. Tune in this week to hear Donnie Williams unpack the goodness of Glee!
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If you're anything like me, you probably have no idea that Jim Henson has a different artistic style than the Muppets. And. It's dark.
Prepare to enter into a Grimm world crafted by the mastermind of the puppeteer master Jim Henson.
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Prepare to meet a legend who leads with curiosity, learns deeply, and chooses to act upon what she cares about. You may know Mikaila Ulmer for her famous Me & The Bees lemonade, but there is so much more to her than just that! Tune in this week to learn about another one of her passions: American Sign Language!
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Show calling? What does that even mean? Well. I'm so glad you asked! Join us this week as one of my fellow show callers and I discuss the crazy world we work in.
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Do you ever hang out with a human that you're consistently fascinated by? Gary is one of those humans. His life is full of seemingly random experiences that all build on each other to craft the human that Gary is. And in this episode, we get a front-row seat to learn about how creativity has brought Gary to where he is.
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Dance. It isn't just choreographed movements set to a form of rhythm or beat. It is embodiment. It is togetherness. It is being with yourself at a deep level. With or without others. This week, Beverly Davis-Schuller tells us all about the deep beauty of her relationship with dance.
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Some people look at art or listen to music and see the surface level of what is presented. Jennifer Whiting dives deeper into the feeling of creative expression. Join us as we jump headfirst into the glory that is choral music.
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Cemeteries. Most of us think they're creepy. But Todd Elliott is here to tell us otherwise. Join us as we learn about epitaphs, medallions, and even a little history!
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I. Love. Kombucha. It is another flavor of science and fermentation!!! This episode dives into Joy's nerd love of the fermented brew - and she hopes you'll come out loving booch too :)
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Nary shall be the day when I am caught without some form of entertainment in hand! I'm always ready with some sort of way to entertain myself, which in turn entertains those around me. Check out this week's episode to learn more about how I learned how to do this!
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Meditation can come in many forms. In today's episode, Joy and her new friend Tabitha discuss how organization is a type of meditation, and what it feels like to be grounded and present.
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Contrary to popular belief, spreadsheets aren't boring. They're beautiful. They're practical. They're all things MAGICAL. Don't believe me? Tune into this week's episode and challenge yourself to see things in a new way!
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I don't know about you, but I often make mistakes in relationships. I try to use my words well, but I end up creating rifts between instead of strengthening bonds with those I'm around. This week, Marriage Therapist Gretchen Harro takes time to chat with us all about the "Oh Help!" moment - when you realize you're in over your head. You're not gonna wanna miss this one!
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Water. Yeast. Flour. Salt. These ingredients create utter MAGIC. And this week, The Bread Dude himself tells us all about his love and nerd all around this beautiful alchemy: bread.
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It's time to get down and nerdy! This week, Joy and Ryan Pribyl dive into the world of video gaming, how to still game with vintage consoles, and all other sorts of nerd.
Here are the websites for the gear Ryan mentioned:
- https://www.retrorgb.com/
- http://www.gretrostuff.com/store/gscartsw/
- https://www.retrotink.com/product-page/5x-pro
- http://www.curtpalme.com/ChromaPure_iScanDuo.shtm
- https://www.intl.onkyo.com/products/av_components/av_receivers/tx-rz730/index.html
- http://pro.jvc.com/prof/attributes/features.jsp?model_id=MDL102506
- https://retrogamingcables.co.uk/
- https://videogameperfection.com/
- https://insurrectionindustries.com/
AND. If you want to watch the Donkey Kong Country VHS that Ryan mentioned, he found a link to it! Watch it here.
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This isn't just your normal sticky situation! Join us as we dive headfirst into all that is adherent and adhesive! You won't regret it!
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The land of disc golf is ever so worthy of being explored! This week, Matt Swing tells us all about how he learned to play, some great fundamentals of throwing discs, and even some of his major victories on his journey. Also, check out the work he's doing in Chicago at www.discgolfchicago.com!
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If you're in need for some tips JUST IN TIME for Black Friday shopping, this is the place to go! Join us as Joy and Chelsea laugh and talk about Black Friday shopping adventures.
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Sometimes, I forget that the words I use at work don't translate well into normal life. So. This episode is all about bringing you up to speed on tech speak. Because learning is fun!
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Though frustrating, crosswords are an outlet of calm for me. And a connection to my grandpa. Check out this week's episode to hear more of my short history with these puzzles!
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Pew pew pew!!!
Today's episode is all about the beautiful stories weaved within the Star Wars universe, lest ye think that Star Wars is only about shooting light rays and playing with laser beams that make whizzing noises as they go by your head, as I may have at some point...
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Ohmygoodness. This episode takes us from here, to there, to EVERYWHERE! All via digital means! Tune in as Sammy Marrco reveals the glory of exploring the world from the comfort of your own home!
Want to learn more about Sammy's exploration? Check out his YouTube and Instagram!
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Sportsball!
For some, the topic of sports is a definite nerdtopia. For Joy, not so much. Enter into the scene: Thomas Hewitt, sportswriter. Tune in to hear more about Thomas' journey into writing and loving sports! If you'd like to read his work, check out his substack page!
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Some things deserve to be fought about and opinions hard fought for. One of those things for my friend Marie and me is typefaces. Fonts. How letters are shown in the world. Sometimes it is good. Sometimes it is really bad. But above all else, NEVER use Comic Sans, Papyrus, or Bleeding Cowboy.
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Loving people well and creating spaces for connection isn't something that comes naturally to us all. But it is a HUGE part of how Leigh Carlson enters the world. Tune into this week's episode to hear more about Leigh's connection with connection.
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Life is full of stories. And we have the opportunity to tell them in meaningful ways! This week, Alexis Carter Thomas joins us for a dive into storytelling.
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It takes a nerd to know a nerd! This week, Joy dives in with one of her nerdiest friends about FOOD STUDIES! What is this? How do you learn more about it? Listen to find out!
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This week, we dive headfirst into the history-filled, curious world of Dr. Who! Join Nathan and Marie Dufour, who have been featured before on this podcast for individual episodes on Dungeons & Dragons and Star Trek, as they change Joy's mind!
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Sometimes gifts are hard. In this nerdlet, Joy talks about her way of giving gifts that everyone seems to love.
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Welcome to Nerdlets: A small look into Joy's flavors of nerd. This week, we're exploring Joy's journey with podcasting! You're not going to want to miss this!
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Words are so much more than just ink on a page. They are the vehicle by which we are able to share our stories, be whisked away to other worlds, and let our voices be heard. This week, September Vaudrey shares her love of words with us. Learn more about September on her website, read The Colors of Goodbye, or check out her Twitter.
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Never have I ever known so much joy to be had in a conversation about fly fishing! Join Joy as she interviews Jacob Patterson from @living_on_the_fly and get caught up in the world of the fish hunt.
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This week, Joy dives in headfirst with Bill Spigner, a real-life, down-to-earth, wonderful human who nerds out about bowling. After all - he is a pro! Check out his website to learn more about him!
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Tune in as Joy's college friend Marie tells her all about the goodness of Star Trek!
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Joy literally can't get enough of delightful nerds! This week, Joy interviews her friend Kathy all about ideas, teaching, Vini, Vidi, Vici, and curiosity.
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The "Your Flavor of Nerd" theme continues in an epic interview quest with Nathan Dufour, a creative Game Master, who joins us with info all about Role Playing Games. Specifically honing in on Dungeons and Dragons.
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This week, we are continuing the "Your Flavor of Nerd" theme with an interview like none other. Julia Lane is a dynamic human and dog trainer with a flare for seeing the good. Check it out!
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It is here! Season 3 is here!
We are kicking off the "Your Flavor of Nerd" theme with an interview with Joy's co-host from the Parks and Rewatch podcast, Joe Patterson!
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I promise there will be a season 3! I need your help!
Season 3 is going to be based around the theme "Your Flavor of Nerd."
What is something that you could nerd out about all day or talk someone's ear off about excitedly? For me, it is the Parks and Rewatch podcast, Harry Potter, LEGO, cooking, sourdough, pies, and oh so much more!
Do you have a flavor of nerd you'd like to share with me? I'd love to hear about it!!
Shoot me an email and let's get a discussion going!
Home. It isn't just a place. It is so much more than that.
What does the feeling of home mean to you?
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But wait, there's more!
I LOVE IT WHEN LISTENERS CALL IN WITH STORIES! This week, we are hearing from Becky about a story that the Things and Stuff series reminded her of!
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This week, we conclude the Things and Stuff series! Hard to believe we've been talking about things and stuff for three weeks now! This episode focuses on the things we ascribe value to because they mark important moments and help us remember our value.
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Some things gain value because they are irreplaceable. But what does it actually mean for something to be irreplaceable? Who says they are irreplaceable? Listen to today's episode to learn more!
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Some of my favorite possessions are the ones that have sentimentality attached to them. They've been passed on to me, I've passed them on to someone else, or I just plain like the thing because I want to! Tune into this week's episode to hear stories all about favorite possessions.
Want to learn more? Here are some helpful links.
- Truly, Madly, Deeply: John's Research Article
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They are all around us. We use them daily. Yet - why are we attached to our things and our stuff? This episode kicks off a 4 part mini-series on Things and Stuff!
Want to learn more? Here are some helpful links.
- Truly, Madly, Deeply: John's Research Article
- Check out what Taylor and Kevin are up to!
- Check out Here We Are on Instagram, Facebook, or Patreon!
Smell has so much influence over us! Today, we spoke with Dawn Goldworm of 1229 and Scent for Good and with our friends Taylor Glymph and Kevin Wilson all about the power of smell!
Want to learn more? Here are some helpful links.
- Dawn Goldworm’s TED Talk
- Dawn Goldworm’s Instagram
- Scent for Good’s Website, Facebook, and Instagram
- Pre-Order Dawn’s new book, The Smell of a Rainbow.
- Check out what Taylor and Kevin are up to!
- Check out Here We Are on Instagram, Facebook, or Patreon!
I've been thinking - where does creativity come from? Does everyone have it? Are creativity and imagination the same?
Join us as Joy, Taylor, and Kevin dive deep into this topic together at the table.
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This week, Haddie Wetzel guest hosts Here We Are and interviews Joy about one of her favorite things! LEGO!
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Send Joy an email!
Check out the Facebook and Instagram pages.
This week, Ellie Wetzel guest hosts Here We Are and interviews her mom, Janine Wetzel about the glories of Lasagna!
Support Here We Are! Join us on Patreon.
Send Joy an email!
Check out the Facebook and Instagram pages.
As the saying goes, one day at a time, right? Sometimes that's all we've got. And it is a huge thing to be grateful for.
There's one question I just can't fully find an answer to. Listen as Grandma Mattie, Carolyn, and Alexis come the closest to answering this question ever!
In this bonus episode, we jump into my conversation with Courtney Ackerman and discuss the question of who deserves my gratitude.
While Joy is prepping for season 2 of Here We Are, here's a bonus episode where Joy and Tim talk about foods they'd eradicate.
While Joy is prepping for season 2 of Here We Are, here's a bonus episode featuring Jim Brule, our storytelling Maggid.
While Joy is prepping for season 2 of Here We Are, here's a bonus episode about grilling meat with our friend Adrianne.
While Joy is prepping for season 2 of Here We Are, here's a bonus episode featuring Deb Behnke sharing a story about holidays.
Ice cream. A delight. A joy. An experience. In this episode, we learn so many things about the Bork family, the importance of ice cream, my favorite Ice Cream brand, and even some science!
Even though COVID's rampage means travel restrictions, a huge part of my human experience to this point has been engaging with the glory of road trips. Let's go on a podcast road trip together!
Music is everywhere. It is something we engage in every day. But what is really happening when we listen to or play music?
Episode Music Provided By:Melody Stroth: Nobody Knows the Trouble I’ve Seen (Arr. by Victor Labenske)
Delwin Eiland: Still Near, This Uncertain Year
From campfire ghost stories to fables, to retellings of family lore and everything in between, storytelling is woven into the fabric of humanity. This episode dives into the beauty, science, and enrapturement that is the art of storytelling.
From history to science, from daydreams to experience, Pizza has left its mark on our world. Join Joy as she learns more and more about the glory that we know as Pizza.
Additional Music by:
Bushwick Tarantella by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1300002
Artist: http://incompetech.com/
There is so much more to books than just words on a page. It affects all of our existence. Join Joy as she learns more about reading, literacy, and the joy of reading.
From wishing, to desire, to hope - what all does this mean? Join us as we dive into what hope feels like: anticipation, ice cream, and so much more!
Bonus Reading: Mission Impossible article referred to in the podcast by the American Psychological Association.
So many exciting things coming your way with Season 1!! Prepare yourself for new episodes every Wednesday!