Round the Sofa by GASKELL, Elizabeth Cleghorn: Recent Episodes
Daniel & Marek
Round the Sofa (1859), is a book of stories by the lady that Charles Dickens called his “dear Scheherazade” due to her skill as a story teller. That Lady was Mrs. Elizabeth Gaskell (North and South, Wives and Daughters, Cranford etc.). Mrs. Gaskell begins with Round the Sofa, a short story which she uses as a device to stitch together six previously published stories into a single work. It introduces us to a set of characters who take turns to recount stories to one another during their weekly soirée. My Lady Ludlow tells the story of the widowed, aristocratic Lady Ludlow and her fierce resistance to change. It is told through the eyes of one of her young charges. Incidentally, it was one of the books used to create the TV series Cranford. An Accursed Race is actually an essay about a persecuted minority group, the Cagots in Western France. The Doom of the Griffiths. A Gothic short story about a cursed family and set in Wales. Half a Life-Time Ago. A novella set in the Wiltshire Dales. The Poor Clare. A Ghostly short story! The Half Brothers. A sad short story about brotherly love and a sheep-dog dog named Lassie! (Summary by Noel Badrian)
Marek had a fantastic idea and a worldly realization “words mean things!” They do, and we are often unconscious of the ones we choose. In this episode you get to explore the words we choose on a daily basis and the effect they can have on the way we see, think and feel about things. Not to mention the impact they can have on the outcome that we say we want! This episode focuses on the definition and use of words: Tired – “In need of sleep or rest” vs Spent – “having been used and unable to be used again”, “having no power or energy left” Spending – “passing (time) in a specified way or in a particular place” vs Investing – “devote (ones time and effort or energy) to a particular undertaking with the expectation of a worthwhile result” Humour: Daniel has a better cup than Marek, long winded points, Marek finally had a good idea! Tangible Takeaway: You only have X amount of energy (and time!) so be clear on how you’re spending it – are you investing in the problems, or the solutions? (“There was ‘one’ Tangible Takeaway Marek, not four!”)
It’s one thing to see yourself as a victim temporarily, it’s another thing to live life there. Exploring 1st world problems and perspectives, this episode looks at the choice and consequences of playing the victim and how it can keep you away from what you say you want. Humour: Marek can’t drink water like a grown up, Daniel has no empathy for anyone, and attachment theory is apparent for Marek and his notepad. Tangible Takeaway: You only have X amount of energy so be clear on how you’re spending it – are you investing in the problems or the solutions? (“There was ‘one’ Tangible Takeaway Marek, not four!”)
Through fear of being ‘seen’, we often choose to be a copycat in order to people please, fit in and be accepted. In this episode (with a lot of ‘authentic’ laughter!) we explore why we are often reluctant to be true to ourselves, and others, in the pursuit of being liked. When often the reality is ‘your tribe’ will find you the more authentic you become. In what situations are you afraid to be seen for your true authentic self? Humour: “We were laughing too hard to remember!!” Tangible Takeaway: Be real…because people ‘see’ you anyway.
Here you get a chance to slow down and stop the train. We explore how relinquishing “perceived” control, not taking action and standing in the face of adversity is sometimes the best ‘action’. Humour: Becoming a tree, levitating and ‘leafing’ the planet. Tangible Takeaway: There’s a time to Act, Retract and Stand. Stillness is still action.
Here we share with you our take on Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem and masterpiece ‘If’. A rare opportunity where Daniel and Marek lessen their own words to let a true master inspire you. Humour: Marek, the American, tries his best to read a famous English Poem. Tangible Takeaway: Listen. Learn. Apply. Then… Listen. Learn. Apply. Again! Link: ‘If” by Rudyard Kipling https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSSqc1qG238
Here Marek shares with you his beliefs and 4 areas of “pursuing” Happiness – Gratefulness, Forgiveness, Service, Flow/Passion. You will get a internal and external look at why ‘the pursuit of happiness’ is a myth and how a way of being actual determines your level of joy and fulfillment. Humour: Rocking the boat, poor English language, mohawks, rainbow coloured hair and Nike ticks. Tangible Takeaway: Wake up each morning in the pursuit of being grateful, forgiving, serving and being in flow – and happiness will meet you along the way.
Our natural tendency is to view obstacles as barriers. In this podcast you will see how reframing the way you view the obstacles can dramatically change your outcome. Here Daniel shares how overcoming one of his biggest obstacles became one of his biggest opportunities. Humour: Testicles as obstacles, scared sheep and becoming a country western singer with no voice or talent. Tangible Takeaway: Identify the possibilities within an obstacle.
Awesome book written by Ryan Holliday “Ego is the Enemy”, and it can be. This episode will explore however, that Ego can be both friend or foe. Join Marek and Daniel for a journey into what they believe determines a healthy and unhealthy ego. Humour: Dan thinks he has no ego, but thinks he’s amazing?! It’s all about Dan. Tangible Takeaway: Check in with yourself to see whether you are reacting out of ego or responding with a healthy motive and intent.
“Our Altitude is determined by our Attitude” Zig Ziglar Choosing the way you see things strongly determines your outcome. Here you get to explore real life examples of how reframing your thoughts to any given situation results in a more productive and successful outcome. Humour: Dolphins with thermal underwear, building muscles with chess, and pulling drinks and pouring coffee…badly! Tangible Takeaway: Give yourself time to pause, consider and reframe the way you see, feel and think about things .