KENfluence: Recent Episodes
KENfluence
Kenneth's unique story-telling approach will weave comedy throughout the podcast, with science, business, fitness, exploration of the mind and self-help woven in. This podcast is made for all audiences--hopefully it will focus on bringing good vibes to an audience that needs them. This is not a "traditional" podcast-- this is uniquely KENfluence. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Awakenings are just real life. Life is a journey, and some journeys have been eventful, full of twists and turns that we have had to manage in order to get to where we are now. Every time I've encountered obstacles along the way, I've gotten stronger and more confident because of them. I believe life throws everything at us to strengthen our character, harden our souls and make us better people. It doesn't matter if you're the victim of misfortune or if your life's in a mess, you can always find new hope and rebuild yourself from scratch. In this episode we talk about, not just The Journey as described in this series, but the literal tale of The Odyssey and draw comparisons between this classic epic and the paths we choose to take in our own lives.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
We are bombarded with information and stories every day. From the news, to Instagram posts, from podcasts to Netflix documentaries. The more we tell our story, the easier it becomes for others to relate and listen. As humans, we’ve been telling stories since the beginning of human existence. This was how we learned to live together, survive the elements and grow as a species. Everything from the creation of medicine to modern day cinema was built upon the practice and profession of storytelling. I think we're all aware that words have power and meaning, but it's important for us all to remember that every story has been written by a human being who is trying to convey or communicate something through narrative that can impact our lives. Additionally, it’s also equally important to use stories to help share the experiences, successes, and lessons learned along our own journeys.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Everyone’s watching you. Everyone has the highest and lowest expectations for you and your journey. Foaming at the mouth to judge every move you either do or don’t make. Everyone’s invested, and that might make you nervous. But before we give into our nerves and we fold inward to the pressure of having so many watching eyes tuned into our story, let me let you in on something… Well it turns out everyone’s faking it. Every single person - no matter how they look, talk or act - is faking it. That self-assured friend who you thought had their shit together? Faking it. That brainiac genius with the perfect marriage and family? Faking it. Even the world’s most successful people are faking their way through. Nevertheless, here they are; dressed and seated to watch you live and in person. The Audience.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Part 2 of The Hypothesis reveals how critical thinking, scientific principles and deductive reasoning can be applied to every aspect of life – from personal relationships to physical health. In this episode we'll focus on the importance of trial and error.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
We never stop learning. We learn from our mistakes and use them as an opportunity to be more like ourselves - our best ones. Our ability to hypothesize is key to learning, problem solving, and creating new knowledge. In this episode of The Journey, we'll discuss using the If Then statement to evaluate different elements in our lives.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
We all know that person who just likes to argue and say negative things. Everybody loves a serial contrarian. They are essential for any good party, firing up debate and daring people to disagree with them. Serial contrarians dislike almost everything and will begin debating you on matters with which they have little expertise because "they don't trust the experts." They never agree to disagree. Today, we ALL agree they have to stop it.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
In a world of constant vigilance & monitoring, please be cognizant that folks are watching you too. A wide cast of onlookers are frequently tuning in for status updates on specific details of your life. Generally, these onlookers can be categorized into one of two classes - supporters & spies. Today, we take a look at both parties and how to navigate these situations.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
The "safety net" is an archetype for a fundamental human tendency – and often a major inconvenience. It's a crutch we lean on again and again, believing it will cushion our failures in times of need. But when we lay unguarded in the comforts of the net, our dominant safety mechanism, we set ourselves up for inevitable failure. Today we discuss.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
I had to reclaim my phone from a gang of amateur, homeless thieves. But only after keeping watch for a marine making bowel movements in a parking lot, admiring a rendition of "The Last Super" featuring Kanye West, and going airborne off an electric scooter. True Story.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
This episode of KENfluence goes through the allegory of the Mountaineer and the Traveler. We find these two partners looking to enjoy a beautiful journey over a mountain and to a breathtaking destination. After covering some deep, specific motivations each character has for making this journey, we use our own lives as an example on how we can have very different goals/motivations, even though we might be taking part in the same adventure (for the time being). Whether you are a climbing up a mountain or traveling down a road, there are times when you will indeed need to "lighten your load."
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
When do you delve into your passions, power and ego, and when do you check in with your tranquility, serenity and peace? Eh...that's the question a lot of us are asking right now. I may or may not have it figured out. Maybe it's because I've really gotten consistent with mediation and dissecting my feelings.... or maybe it's because I just love Star Wars. In a video game I played throughout most of my childhood, there's a demonstration of the difference between those two extremes. Sometimes the Dark Side is fun, but it's also confrontational and aggressive. But does the only path to peace and the Light mean being selfless, psuedo-self-aware, dogmatic, and well rested (shout out to the sleepy, heavy-eyed folks out there)? Whatever the case may be, here's an answer to this question. And, if you've been wondering the same thing, don't worry--you are not alone. Check out this episode, "Peace & Power", to uncover the mysteries of the Dark Side!!! Or listen to a few anecdotes, personal case studies, a pretty hype spoken word poem, and more. "Peace of mind or Power and influence? Is there a balance and at what cost?"
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
A vital, and often overlooked part of casting off and exploring new frontiers is keeping your vessel in place. A good anchor serves as a symbol of our firm hold in the world; it can be found in relationships that provide us with supportive, steadying influences. They hold us down. Finding the right sized anchor for your boat - the one you have or may acquire throughout your life's journey - is key. However, this is much easier said than done. How do you find an anchor able to hold you down without holding you back? In this episode, I describe the importance of anchors, my personal experiences with acquired "the wrong sized anchors", and how to identify what's right for you (and your boat... yaht).
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Welcome to Houstatlantavegas. In a 2009 Drake-like fashion, I update you on the past 60 days: my projects, products, and perspectives on current events - all while looking out the window at 2am. Let's talk about the importance of balancing rest and stress and how to maneuver this apocalypse... I mean pandemic. I've reset, I've recalibrated and I'm ready to get into it!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Stop the "Suprise Sermons." A Surprise Sermon being forcefully spouting unsolicited advice (or internalized dogmatic views) at your friends and family who are too polite to tell you to hush. Nobody likes to be/feel preached at and talked down to. Even if you have a point there's a way and best time to communicate it. No need to ambush somebody with a "good point". You don't have to chase people down with winning lottery numbers, however, a chase may be necessary if instead you're pushing a scrap of crumpled paper of your own pre-rehearsed monolog. Have some self awareness. Be present enough to realize "I've lost the crowd". Read the room. The more you continue to force your dogmatic, preachy views on people, the less they're going to want to speak candidly with you.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Sleep is as overrated as it is integral to your health, mood and memory. Goal-driven academics/business professionals/entrepreneurs will all likely agree - sleep is a luxury. On the other hand, my rest-positive community may be more in favor of sacrificing a task here and there to mitigate a dip in energy. Is cutting sleep the only real way to meet the demands of a saturated, task-filled day? Stay tuned KENfolk as we expand this premise and explore sleep, sleep strategies, and how it fits into our routines.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
As interchangeable as we may incorrectly use these terms, responsibility and accountability are two different and distinct concepts. In this episode we delve into the definitions, meanings, and implementation of both - comparing and contrasting these concepts along the way. What does it mean to be responsible? Can you hold other people accountable? What makes a person responsible or accountable and how can you support them?
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Sometimes done is done and done is good enough. "The Good Ole College Try" and "C's Get Degrees" are usually clichés we use to communicate our unwillingness or inability to give 100% towards an objective. Do you agree with "C's Get Degrees"? Is consistent mediocrity more advantageous than perfection paralysis? In this episode, we take a look at these phrases, the use of "Low Power Mode", "Eco vs Sport Mode", and how to sustainably portion your energy towards projects that matter in your day before you reach E.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Everyone has a talent/gift/area of hyper-expertise, usually identified as a passion. A lot of the times we'll take these passions and transform them into something more tangible such as a business, product, content series or forum. Once that initial content is released, it's open to criticism! Some people will love, hate, support, oppose, and overlook your works, however, it's important to note - Everything Ain't For Everybody (and that's ok). In this show, we navigate the feelings attached to our intimate works, handling external scrutiny, and affirming the validity and importance of our expertise/labors despite the naysayers and haters.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Finally, the long awaited interview series is underway. First guest? We have none other than Rosey from "The Rosey Perspective Podcast" in the building! High energy, insightful and far from bashful, Rosey takes us through her podcasting journey, introduces us to her platform, and discusses what makes a show/episode great. A leader in the podcast community and an all around pleasure of a person wrapped tight in her bubbly personality, I know you're going to enjoy every bit of Rosey's interview as much as I did. See you there, KENfolk!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
What makes you you? What's your life story? There's a library of knowledge and information we process that becomes a part of who we are. That library of knowledge gets refined and filtered through our experiences, creating our book - our story. Finally that story gets simplified down into a quick elevator pitch of a synopsis, explaining who we are, what we are, what we value, and where we're going. Be careful how you frame and narrate your story if you haven't first evaluated why you've chosen those lines to explain who you are. Here, I talk about your narrative, it's importance, it's impact, and how to change it.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
All things change. Sometimes to our delight or displeasure. Building comfort - in any situation - takes time, trust, effort, and vulnerability; disruputing that Palace of Comfort can feel world shattering. In this episode, I explain how challenging existential thoughts & looming complacency 365 days ago changed my life for the better (buying a home in LA, traveling frequently, building new relationships, promoting to Captain, purchasing my dream car, and more).
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
What's poppin KENfolk? In today's episode we focus on what it takes to be Better Than Yesterday. How do we deal with the "default options" in life? "Managing master plans", information retention, & more are all covered in this episode. Learn to lean into your day, leverage yesterday, & truly get yourself on track to live the fulfilled, sustainable life you want to live. See you there!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
You are what you eat; you are what you consume. If this is true of food, would this not also translate to our intake of media, relationships, and many other activities or behaviors we engage in? KENfolk, in today's episode, we take a look at positive/constructive behaviors, indulgences, and explore the point at which our indulgences become corrosive. In a world driven by indulgences, is there a way to rebaseline and begin to chose constructive actions with more ease? Tune in to this episode of KENfluence to find out!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Due to attention demanding headlines, memes, and 60 second Tik Tok videos, people are becoming increasingly less able to focus & listen for long durations. As time passes, listening becomes more and more vestigial, dampinging our ability to truly process what others are expressing. These gaps will only continue to widen as people go on to neglect the most ancient and fundamental conversation skill. The Art of Listening requires focus, attention, and intention in order to gain deeper understanding as well as bring support/acknowledgement/encouragement to the significant individuals in your lives. KENfolk, take the journey with me to unpack Listening, how Supportive it can be to those around you, and ultimately Learning to Listen.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
How much will it cost you to quit? How much could I pay you to give up and pick comfort over discipline? What's your price? This is a question that often goes unanswered until you've already succumbed to the will and agenda of complacency. Humans are story-driven creatures. Through stories we lecture on greatness, follies, preventative measures, cautionary tales and more. With story and mythology comes significant emotion and adjoining sentiment. Use the power of storytelling to write your own mythology; your own hero's tale of why your goals are important and why, despite the obstacles and perils, you'll remain victorious. To add, new levels require new efforts. Once you ascend from one tier to another, you may notice the schematics used to get you the previous tier may not be as accurate to guide you to the next. Each level requires its own unique strategic effort, tactical approach, and execution.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
The start of the fifth consecutive day running +10 mi! Today I'm addressing the following topics prior to the run: "Always Close Out", "Tripping at the Finish Line", "Love to Win vs Hate to Lose" & "Accountability Coaching". Today's full of gems and gold bars you won't want to miss, KENfolk!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
IT HURTS !!!.... But so what?! The Wall. Runners know what I'm talking about. The Wall is a point in a run in which runners inexplicably collapse after a certain distance. This wall comes up for everyone during every long-distance run. While the runner may not always faint or lay down as if their legs no longer worked, they may also be susceptible to prolonged periods of walking, after which they find it hard to pick up a running pace again. The decision to stop, faint, or keep going is truly all psychological. Congruently, this wall also surfaces in other aspects of our life: relationships, work, projects, etc. In this episode, I explain what methods I used to climb or break through these walls and how knowing my limits helps dictate how I interpret my fatigue/pain in these situations. Another day, another +10 miles.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Day four of consecutive +10 mi runs. Here, I outline "50% Complete", 50% complete is relative and doesn't always mean halfway done; "Receipts", self-accountability goes beyond talking yourself into believing you can still do things you used to be able to do; & "Accountability Coaching", message me for fitness tips or accountability coaching (especially for physical fitness or military training).
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Another post-10 mile run brings an insightful series of revelations. We're applying pressure today, KENfolk! In this episode of KENfluence, I detail three concepts: "The Efficiency Credit Card", giving yourself credit for things you've yet to complete on the basis of your credibility; "It's Always Personal", take the things that matter to heart; & "King Energy", using your situation to push yourself to greater heights for your family (current or future).
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
I'm overly competitive... Foot race, card game, leggo building tournament, mimosa chugging; you won't win if I decide it's worth winning. In this episode, I lay out the rules of a running competition I've entered at work and the lengths I'll go to in order to secure the win. With that... there may be some petty antics and hijinks involved along the way. Post +10 mile run interview underway!
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
Recently I was watching the show "Intervention". Knowing the content I was preparing to delve into - a series of stories capturing individuals struggling with addiction and their supported, gracious journey to rehabilitation - I took pause. The funds, resources, rallying communities and professional care was astounding. Upon further investigation 🔎 into the episodes/seasons (available on Hulu), I noticed something: there was not one black face representing an episode. This leads me to believe that there are no (and if any, few) episodes empathetically portraying the struggles Black Americans face attempting to overcome addiction. Rather, Black Americans' struggles with addiction are portrayed on the likes of "Cops". Punitive action as a response for the same things others, in masses, are getting more than just professional help with. As important, these people are also treated with grace, dignity and respect. I highlight this issue to spotlight many. The scales are different. Continue to be observational. Continue to root out nuances and extrapolate and scrutinize when people are quick to say "things are even." Change is catalyzed by awareness.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
In the process of self-improvement, goal setting is an integral preliminary step. Implementation of our goals, however, can sometimes be a bit challenging. Visualization - clearly holding moving, mental imagery fitting to your success criteria - is imperative to actualizing your expectation. But how do we visualize? What are tools we can use to clearly see in our minds what we want and how to get there? Well... seems like the Porn industry has made great strides towards answering those questions already. In today's episode we follow how to properly use archived data points to help materialize our goals and set/achieve our success criteria.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
What's Poppin KENfolk!!! Today we go live and answer questions about Potential (is it important or not), Comfort Zones (what to do when you become too comfortable in your situations & flipping weaknesses into strengths), and how to maintain a healthy Work/Life Balance (it stems from preparation - enjoy ALL of your week)! Come aboard and let's have fun with this one.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
"Your attitude determines your altitude." How/why do clichés like this ripple through our culture (as well as workplace posters and IG posts)? Is there any merit to this tried, overused statement? Let's take a look at our thoughts and how we use them to shape the world around us. What's poppin' KENfolk! Welcome to another episode.
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support
A deep-dive into a regularly scheduled Thursday haircut appointment that takes a sharp and interesting turn. Plots, schemes, and new alliances have been formed! Spring is upon us and with that comes more than just the season of sunshine, flowers, and growth. More strategies are at play here. Be aware KENfolk 😂
Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/kenfluence/support