Sarcastically Optimistic: Recent Episodes
Rummel Requerme
The “Sarcastically Optimistic” Podcast is a series of chaotic shower thoughts that will discuss the likes of personal development and the nonlinear journeys we take as individuals. Whether the road to get where we want to be is smooth or rocky, we can only hope to remain optimistic while also laughing at the cards life dealt us. Ranging from guests that discuss their own journeys to some life advice: remember to keep laughing adversity in the face and to keep going!
The feeling of being "inadequate" or not enough is common nowadays. It can even be a daily feeling for most of us. This episode is meant to give you some encouragement. A reminder that you ~can~ do the things you envision for yourself accomplishing. Hope it helps.
~
New episodes every Monday
~
Email: rummelreq@gmail.com
~
Available on all music/podcast streaming platforms!
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
You know that person that has 20 tabs open and can't get a single task done? If the answer is "yeah, it's me" then this episode is for you. There's no need to flip the table when the work gets tough. That's a nice table! In this episode, we discuss how to get over procrastination ruts and how to improve your overall productivity.
This is not only a message for students, rather to anyone who experiences obstacles in getting things done.
Books Mentioned:
"The ONE Thing" by Gary Keller & Jay Papasan
"Essentialism" by Greg McKeown
"Make Time" by Jake Knapp & John Zeratsky
~
New episodes every Monday! :)
~
Email: rummelreq@gmail.com
~
Available on all music/podcast streaming platforms!
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
When was the last time that you thought about the past? Did you reflect on if it has had an impact in your life now? This episode is an extension of "Your Teachers Were Wrong About You" and delves a bit deeper into how we can reframe our past in a positive light, even when the past is a scary place.
~~~~~~~
New episodes (mostly) every Monday! :)
~~~~~~~
CONTACT ME
Email: rummelreq@gmail.com
~~~~~~~
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
Ever hear people call themselves the "main character"? Have you ever felt confident enough to call yourself that? In this episode, we dive into what steps we can take to actually embody what a main character is. Life's too short to be a background extra.
Books Mentioned:
"A Million Miles in a Thousand Years" by Donald Miller
~~~~~~~
WHO IS THIS PODCAST FOR?
Whether you are a teenager, 20-something, 30-something, or beyond: feeling lost or hopeless in life is a timeless feeling. This podcast is a reminder that you can do it, no matter what life throws at you.
~~~~~~~
New episodes (mostly) every Monday! :)
~~~~~~~
Email: rummelreq@gmail.com
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
Instagram: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
Imagine this: you run into your old middle school teacher at the store. How do you feel? What emotions do you associate with this person? What core memories do you share with them? It all depends on if you label them as "good" or "bad". This was a "bad" teacher in my life. In this episode, we talk about why the universe allowed this cameo to happen in a different chapter of life. Will we let the past define us or refine us?
New episodes (mostly) every Monday! :)
Let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
Follow on...
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
Have you recently felt more overwhelmed than usual? Do you miss the "good days" when you were younger with little-to-no responsibilities? Hitting the age when you have to decide for yourself what to eat, wear, do, etc. can be really scary. And this episode is to remind you that you aren't alone in being afraid. Hope you enjoy!
New episodes (mostly) every Monday! :)
Let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
Follow on...
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
Ever hear the words "arrogant", "conceited", or "narcissistic"? Hopefully, none of those words were directed at you. We all want to stand out in our own way, but we all know individuals who believe in themselves a little ~too~ much. Being "humble" is the general solution to curing arrogance, but is it really that easy to cure? Is having pride in oneself really a bad thing? Who the heck is "ego"? Isn't that the critic in Ratatouille??
Books Mentioned:
"Ego is the Enemy" by Ryan Holiday
New episodes every Monday! :)
Let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
Follow on...
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
What do people who are on their deathbeds look back on when reflecting on their lives? Luckily, a nurse has collected enough answers from her late patients to answer just that question. We dive deep into each of the top 5 regrets and come actionable solutions to prevent you from having them in the first place!
Original article:
https://bronnieware.com/blog/regrets-of-the-dying/
New episodes every Monday! :)
Let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
Follow on...
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
The Rascal Flatts were right when they said "life is a highway". But the reality is that life is also a warzone. Well, not literally. More emotionally. Every day, we experience something that tests our willingness to keep going and be our best selves. Hard times will come into your life, no matter what you do. A small interaction may ruin your day. But when these small battles do occur (because they will): are they really worth your energy to fight?
New episodes every Monday! :)
Let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
Follow on...
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
This episode is a little more nuanced than usual: are you separating your own wants and desires from those others want and desire for you? In other words, are you allowing the outside world to steer your life or are you actually in control? It's okay if you don't! That's part of the world we live in now. But we can always decide to take control now and steer our own ship.
New episodes every Monday! :)
Let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
Follow on...
Youtube: @SarcasticallyOptimistic
IG: @sarcasticallyoptimisticpodcast
"Memento mori" is a term that comes up a lot in Stoicism and Philosophy, but what does it mean? This episode wasn't meant to be dark but rather shed some light on how temporary life can be and a reminder to appreciate the time that you have. Hope you enjoy it!
Email me and let's connect!
rummelreq@gmail.com
It’s really important to find the people who will support you until the end. Even if they aren’t going to stay forever, they will support you in this phase in your life and you support them. That’s all you really need out of this life. What is life without the meaningfulness that comes from the relationships that we cultivate with the people around us? How we experience life is determined by how we look at it and who we spend it with. Make it count.
Reach out to me and let me know what you think of this podcast!
Email: rummelreq@gmail.com
As weird as the title is, according to author Ryan Holiday: there is a difference. We talk about the major factors that differ between being 'scared' and being 'afraid' and how we can identify them accordingly. Is one more destructive than the other? How will we know when we are feeling either of these emotions?
Reach out to me and let me know what you think about this podcast!
Email: rummelreq@gmail.com
Books mentioned:
"The Obstacle is the Way" by Ryan Holiday
Things have been tough lately. Every year we set the same goals/intentions. The only problem is the lack of consistency that lurks in the corner, waiting for the perfect moment to kick you off track. However, every year we still tend to learn more new things about ourselves and the world around us. This year is no different. Today's topic is a little heavier than most episodes, but I hope it will provide the needed encouragement to keep going and persevering with what you intend to accomplish this year!
Welcome back to Sarcastically Optimistic! We're officially back from our hiatus and starting the new year with a bang! We begin the year with an extremely important question to ask yourself as you close out your 2022 chapter and reflect: what does it mean to have 'enough'? When will you really sit down and think "I am satisfied"? Today. we rant and talk about the significance of this question. Happy New Year!
It's been a rough couple of months since we last saw each other. I hope you have been taking care of yourself as much as you need to. All that aside, it's good to be back! In this episode, we talk about why this podcast was created in the first place and reflect on where it will be going from here. Just in time for the upcoming new year! Missed you guys!
I know. I know. Obvious answer. "The process brooooo". But when was the last time that you asked yourself this question? When was the last time that you took time to yourself to think about what drives you? In this episode, we talk about whether we are riding through life on auto-pilot or actually thinking about what's best for us. Shifting away from a "book" podcast into one that asks questions on a deeper level. Hope you enjoy it!
Biology lesson incoming. Ever catch yourself scrolling more through media that you didn't even care about in the first place? What about that motivational YouTube video? Did it actually help your life? We talk about how to think more intentionally about if we are consuming more content than actually taking action on any of it. Little do we know, making even the smallest contribution can provide us with the needed clarity in regards to our purpose in life.
This may be the most important episode to date.
Have you ever felt the fear and guilt that prevented you from talking about your career aspirations with your parents? I know you read that from the title, but I just had to ask you again. It is one of the hardest, most complex discussions that you could have with them. Most people don't even have them and continue down paths that they believe to be their calling, but in actuality is their parents' dream, not theirs! If you haven't taken the first step and really want to in terms of opening this line of conversation: this episode is for you!
Mom and I are co-creating a new project called "Let Me Go!": a podcast co-hosted by both of us that will serve as a resource for kids & young adults when not knowing how to discuss certain difficult topics with their parents. This is her own personal project that she hopes can break down some stigmas and taboo conversations and bring to light both the perspective of the parent and child in a respectable, loving manner. Hope you all enjoy it as much as we do talking about it!
Reminiscing on the book that my dad handed to me several years ago: what you do today matters. There are so many books out there that are recommended by random people but the books that are given to us by others impact us in a different way. This is that book for me. The first step to valuing each day: making sure that your energy is in the right place, at the right time. How can we do that? What does that mean? Let's discuss it!
Books Mentioned:
"Today Matters" by John C. Maxwell
I know the title sounds dramatic but I just had to get your attention. Coming back from a long hiatus has got me thinking about a lot of things. The showers have been longer, the tears have nearly tripled; but most importantly, the gratitude is still there. We talk about the two questions that linger in our hearts but never fully address. Hope you enjoy it!
Have you ever felt so passionate about something but only to have it die out over time? Perhaps it was you lost some momentum due to circumstance or maybe there were some things along the journey that have discouraged you from achieving what you set for yourself. We live in a world of scarcity. But the most destructive scarcity you'll ever experience in your life is not one you expect: self-belief. In this episode, we discuss what "grit" means and how it's different from words like "perseverance" or "motivation". We have much to talk about and to catch up on! Welcome back!
Ted Talk Suggestion:
"Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance" by Angela Lee Duckworth
Are you creative enough? Do you feel like you aren't growing enough? Do you just feel like you're not enough? This Summer is the best time to reflect and ponder the ways of life and where our journey goes from here. It can be a time for either mental relaxation or overthinking. I've definitely been thinking too much. Go out to the beach and strike your best 'Thinking Man' pose. Inhale. Exhale. Scream. Cry. Smile. Laugh. Repeat (in that order).
**These are lessons that I've learned so far. I have much learning to do so take lessons with a grain of salt and lime.
Books Mentioned:
"Show Your Work!" by Austin Kleon
Why am I not as successful as I should be at this age? Why do I not have my life as figured out as them?! We have all felt this way and it's something we don't fully address outwardly. What could all this mean and does the feeling of being behind in life actually mean you are?
Sunday Morning rain is falling... but so is your energy? Mornings are essential to the rest of the day, to the point that they actually predict how the rest of the day will unfold. We discuss how you can build a routine that is suited for you and a few ways to utilize those first waking hours to your advantage!
Books Mentioned:
"The Miracle Morning" by Hal Elrod
Man, that hit deep. We all sometimes need to be reminded of the harsh reality of things. It's hard not to take things for granted with so many options out there for us. However, we should always remember we have one life to live and each moment wasted could have been a potential opportunity lived.
Thread Mentioned:
"11 Harsh Truths that Changed My Life" by Sahil Bloom
https://twitter.com/SahilBloom/status/1513143686896435200
What exactly is the difference between 'willpower' and 'motivation'? Is having a lot of willpower and a lot of motivation two separate things? Today we discuss a bit about how we can tell the difference between the two and discuss some ways to maximize both when you most need it!
Books Mentioned:
"The Willpower Instinct" by Kelly McGonigal, Ph.D.
"The Motivation Myth" by Jeff Haden
Volunteer. Donate. Be selfless. All things that we associate with "being of service to others". But are those the only things that we can do to make an impact on the lives of the people around us? What kind of things can we do to encourage others to be their best selves? You don't need to make a $100/month donation to be considered generous. Today we talk about how the littlest acts can mean the world to other people. No Master's degree is required to be kind.
Books Mentioned
"Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius
A little scroll through Facebook won't interrupt your work, right? Well, it's more destructive than you think. Introducing "Traction": the better-looking, buff brother of "Distraction"! Today we talk about what causes these little attention-sucking activities may keep you from being your best self and how to direct yourself toward "traction" than "dis-traction"!
Books Mentioned:
"Indistractable: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life" by Nir Eyal
Think about what you would look like in 20 years (You 2.0). Will you have your dream career, a mansion, and six-pack abs? Have you ever thought about how that person was once the person we are today? Once we tie in our future self & our present self into one, solid identity, it grants us more clarity on our goals and our choices. Can you see into the future and say 'hi' to the future you? Time to VISUALIZE & MANIFEST.
Books Mentioned:
"The Willpower Instinct" by Kelly McGonigal Ph.D.
Have you ever been paralyzed with fear when it comes to something you know you SHOULD be doing? Well, this is your reminder to be taking action on the things that matter most to you and to take those leaps of faith to ultimately become the person you have always dreamed of becoming!
"It's better to go into life's continuous battle with a dull sword than it is to perpetually sharpen your sword and not fight at all."
Books mentioned:
"The 5 Second Rule" by Mel Robbins
"The High Five Habit" by Mel Robbins
knock knock it's your inner child! Did you forget about them? Will you allow them to run free or hold them inside yourself? Have you ever thought about what people mean by "inner child"? We discuss how powerful it is to hone in on who we were as children and how that plays a role in our daily lives as we mature. Is having an inner child childish? Or is it more important than we realize?
Have you ever set a goal for yourself, not reach it, and just feel worse about yourself? How do we navigate this world which is all about checking off items on your to-do list? Are you a better, more successful person the more goals you set for yourself? We discuss how we can increase your success in achieving your goals by implementing systems, a process that should not be overlooked!
"You do not rise to the level of your goal. You fall to the level of your system."
Books mentioned:
"Atomic Habits" by James Clear
Have you ever felt that you weren't in the driver's seat of your life? Almost as if you don't have full control over where it may take you next or when making some difficult life choices? The old Stoic question of "What are you really in control of?" challenges us to see if we really are the captain of our own ship. We'll talk about what 'control' really means and how we can infuse a sense of "essentialism" into our lives.
Books Mentioned:
"Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown
How many times has someone told you they were "too busy"? Have you ever been the one to say that? The definition of 'busy' has been evolving over the past few years, but does being "busy" mean that you are more productive and important than someone else? Time to look at our calendars and weekly planners and see if we're as busy as we say we are.
Books Mentioned:
"Rest: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less" by Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
"Today Matters" by John C. Maxwell
"The 4-Hour Work Week" by Tim Ferriss
"Deep Work" by Cal Newport
Time for our first interview! Mom Requerme joins the podcast universe with this episode, discussing her journey from her time navigating the politically-intense lands of the Philippines to the unknown areas of America. Reflecting back on her life as a life-long learner, Mary Ann gives some insight into how to embrace the unpredictability of life and the dangers of sticking to tradition, from living a non-linear life herself. Although retired now, she still remains sarcastically optimistic for what else life holds in store.
Have you ever considered yourself a "creative"? What exactly does it mean to be "creative"? And what exactly is "creativity"? We dive into why creativity plays a bigger role in your life than you might think and how you being creative might just be your superpower. No art skills required.
Books mentioned:
"Big Magic" by Elizabeth Gilbert
Long time, no hear! It's good to be back and to have you back! Apologies for the quick hiatus, but we're back better than ever! This episode will be addressing the cause of the hiatus and some things that you can do to maximize your energy and happiness on a day-to-day basis using the "mental cup" exercise! You only have so much energy to give in a day but how do you create enough energy to attain the happiness you seek daily?
Is there really a difference between 'being productive' and 'hustling'? How do we define those terms and how can we maximize our productivity? This episode is a little science-heavy, hence the length, but I hope it still provides some insight on what roles productivity and hustle play in our own lives!
Books mentioned:
"Why We Sleep" by Matthew Walker, Ph.D.
"Deep Work" by Cal Newport
"Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport
"A Mind for Numbers: How to Excel in Math and Science (Even If You Flunked Algebra)" by Barbara Oakley, Ph.D.
"Go Wild!" by John J. Ratey, MD
Constantly looking to the next big thing, we forget to really live in the moments. "Don't count your days. Make your days count." What does that even mean? What exactly are "small wins" and why are we waiting for the next big thing to happen to us? And who the heck is the host?!
Welcome to the "Sarcastically Optimistic" Podcast! This episode, being the first episode, gives a brief run-down of what the podcast is about, what you can expect from it, and get to know who your host is! We also talk about an important principle from the book "Bending Reality" by Victoria Song that may prove useful when going about your busy day-to-day life! Hope you enjoy it and that we continue on this journey together!
Books mentioned:
"Bending Reality" by Victoria Song