Schooling Struggle: Recent Episodes

Schooling Struggle

The only guarantee in life is that all humans struggle at various times throughout their journey. The Schooling Struggle Podcast dives deep into the theories and tactics that are not often a focus in formal education. The discussions of this podcast center around the most integral skill needed for a life driven by purpose and fulfillment - How to cultivate a mindset to embrace struggle.

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Joey Beggs joins the show to chat about all things life balance. He dives into the stress that accompanies trying to do multiple things at a high level. How do we please all of the most important people in our lives while still being available for ourselves? Joey shares openly about this challenge and the stress that is induced when it comes to the balancing act of life.

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Harper Robinson joins the show to discuss what she has learned in the past year about making sustainable lifestyle changes in the arenas of mindset and nutrition. In this light-hearted and engaging manner, Harper shares some powerful insights that she has recently learned about herself. These include her habits and the actions she can take that are within her circle of control. In addition, Harper openly shares about the challenges she faces during this season of her life.

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52 days ago Todd went alcohol free. In this special "Episode 100" he shares his recent realizations regarding 4 decades of alcohol dependency and the changes that have transpired in his life since putting down the bottles and cans of Bud Light and Crafts Brews. This turned out to be an incredibly enlightening conversation for Pete.

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Brian Fortier joins the show to share his insights on turning failures into successes throughout the journey of life.

He also shares his favorite motivational poem, titled...

"DON'T QUIT"

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a fellow turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out.
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow –
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man;
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out –
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It might be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit –
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit.

~John Greenleaf Whittier

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"Profe" Katie Hluchyj joins the show to share some great stories from her adventures about how chasing one's heart can lead to purpose & fulfillment. Katie dives into her thought process regarding the value of challenge and the worth of venturing outside of her comfort zone. Katie believes in the importance of human connection while pairing it with a mindset that allows her to go all in with both feet in what sets her heart on fire. Muchas Gracias Profe!

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As they surpass 10,000 downloads since creating episode one, the guys chat about what goes into the logistics of producing an episode as well as a myriad of other listener questions that have been submitted over the years. This episode finishes out with a question that each of the co-hosts has always wondered about the other but have not yet ventured to ask. It is a fun one (at least we think so) Enjoy!

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Brian Fortier joins the show to share what make his mindset practices tick. He shares stories from his past and how these experiences have influenced his approach to life today. His wisdom is infectious as he strives to teach those in his orbit what he has learned through the myriad of roles he has taken on throughout the course of his life.

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The guys continue to dig into the "5 Pillars of Health." Pete shares how he implements small measurable goals when intending to improve upon aspects of each pillar in his life. Both of the guys discuss various measures and steps one can utilize to make progress in each of the 5 buckets: Mindset, Connection, Sleep, Exercise, Nutrition.

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Rory S. joins the show for her 2nd episode on the mic. She chats with Pete in this "5x5" episode addressing topics such as life-long paradigm shifts, being called out recently, imaginary data stats after death, and the all important "Pineapple on Pizza" question. Rory is such a refreshing addition to the Schooling Struggle Team! We are so grateful to have her aboard.

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Flowchart 1: https://u.cubeupload.com/demonlesondledon/FinFlowChartv43.jpg

Flowchart 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bogleheads/s/1YuwQQRGzG

Doug Anton drops by for his monthly contribution to chat about securing one's financial future with a step-by-step format using the flowcharts that are linked above. Lots of takeaways for anyone trying to get ahead financially!

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In this episode Pete pulls back the curtain on the mindset practices he has been sharing with the students in his classes. He and Todd cover a range of topics culminating in a mantra they coin as "Calm, Kind, & Curious."

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In this episode Pete and Todd share impediments from their own lives that prove as obstacles when striving to optimize nutrition, exercise, sleep, relationships and fostering a strong mindset. In addition, they spend a little extra time diving into the topic of equipping one's perspective as it pertain to "curiosity and judgement."

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Both Todd and Pete have recently engaged in endeavors that have surprised and challenged them. In this episode they share the detailed nuances of their specific experiences by digging into what they have learned as a result. Congrats to Todd for the safe and healthy delivery of his new grandchild!

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Adam Justice joins the show to discuss navigating childhood trauma, focusing on what is most important in life, connecting with others, and accepting the fact that consistently persevering over the course of the long haul is critical to overcoming obstacles and experiencing a lifetime of purpose and fulfillment. Adam's wisdom is infectious!

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INPUTS: An investment in our physical, emotional, or cognitive well-being. We first learned of this term a number of years ago from Mat Fraser, 5 time fittest man on earth. In this solo episode, Pete shares his thoughts and perspectives regarding how he navigates the inputs in his life.

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Pete comes to the realization that in order to maintain a healthy mindset he needs to make a few lifestyle changes - namely finding ways to chill out a bit. He discusses his plans and strategies on how he thinks he might accomplish this in an effort to yield a more sustainable mental approach to his day and his life.

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Doug Anton makes his monthly visit to the show to discuss a topic he deeply enjoys digging into... Unconventional Wisdom. Among the topics discussed in this episode are recent lessons both Doug & Pete have learned regarding "once thought to be true" perspectives that have evolved with updated evidence. They cover health, financial credit, nutrition, sleep, and sound relationship advice!

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The guys discuss the impact of blood sugar levels and why humans feel like crap after consuming large amounts of glucose (sugar), specifically Pete's daughter. The conversation includes strategies we can use to mitigate against elevated blood sugar for both the long and short term. This is how we avoid the "pancake effect."

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The guys dig into a viral audio clip from the women's basketball team at Duke University. Head coach Kara Lawson urges her charges to "Do Hard Better" during an impromptu speech at one of her team's practices. These words of motivation and inspiration can be taken and applied in many facets of life. Coach Lawson declares that doing Hard Better is integral for pursuing any meaningful purpose in life.

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Doug Anton (officially now a regular contributor to the show) drops some knowledge on all that he has learned about the circumstances that dictate human decisions. On this episode he shares his perspective on the many aspects of "free will" that fascinate him. This content was both new and quite intriguing for Pete to explore in his conversation with Doug. Also…Listen and learn about how Doug used a lollipop to avoid the wrath of fast food!

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This episode brings yet another 5X5 format: 5 Questions with 5(ish) minutes spent exploring answers. The guys dive into their irrational fears, recent screw-ups, hopes, skills they want to acquire, and new information they have recently learned.

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Pete dives into what he learned in 2023 regarding the 5 Pillars of Health: Mindset, Exercise, Nutrition, Sleep, & Connections. He shares tactical strategies from each of these buckets that he is currently using to improve various aspects of his lifestyle.

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In this episode Todd opens up about his struggles and current mindset 6 months after being laid off from his decades-long career position in the tech world. He reveals his vulnerabilities as he continues to navigate how to provide financially while simultaneously seeking purpose in his work. He also shares his latest meditative discoveries about what he calls "Quality of Presence."

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The guys dive into 5 specific health benefits of patience. They discuss how and why patience yields a more healthy mind and body. In this episode both Todd and Pete reflect on areas of their own lives where they lack patience and how they strive to use patience to navigate struggles.

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Doug Anton joins the show to discuss what he learned fromThinking, Fast and Slow, a 2011 popular science book by psychologist Daniel Kahneman. The book's main thesis is a differentiation between two modes of thought: "System 1" is fast, instinctive and emotional; "System 2" is slower, more deliberative, and more logical.

The book delineates rational and non-rational motivations or triggers associated with each type of thinking process, and how they complement each other.

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Todd's daughter Katelynn joins the show for this episode to dive into the topic of judgment. What role does judging ourselves or others play in our lives? Why do humans judge in the first place? What utility does judgement serve? How can we embrace a mindset that uses our judging tendencies to become better versions of ourselves?

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Pete's 8 year old daughter Lauren joins this episode to ask a series of questions that she has been pondering as of late. She asks her dad to dig into some past experiences and share some stories along the way!

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Halleck Pogue joins the guys to discuss the benefits of chasing life's discomforts. Halleck shares his experiences about growing up on a farm, through-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and building his own house. He dives into other challenges that he chooses to embrace as well such as why he refuses to own a cell phone. Some might call Halleck old fashioned. However, after listening to this episode one might see his approach to life as incredibly intentional.

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Pete dives into his past to share stories about his anger issues. He reveals the strategies and tactics he now uses to manage and mitigate angry reactions to life's frustrations. Todd speaks about his inability to relate to past feelings of intense emotions of anger. This episode weaves a tapestry of experiences and perspectives related to anger.

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Pete brings one of his current life struggles to the conversation to get Todd's perspective. Here they dissect how to best spend one's energy units (or spoons) so that our actions stay in line with our priorities.

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The guys created this episode to answer a plethora of listener questions. They dive into missed opportunities in life, current personal goals, skills they wish they possessed, and a host of other topics.

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Dr. Slammon joins Todd & Pete to discuss how to initiate the process of letting go of what we cannot control in life. Each of the guys shares strategies and tactical approaches to focusing their energy and attention only on that which is within their control. This topic was brought to light by one of Pete's students who asked..."How do I begin the process of letting go of all the things that bother me in life that I know I have no control over?"

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Regardless of one's age, fitness level, or experience level Pete strongly believes strength training is essential for one's lifelong health, wellness, and vitality. In this episode he shares with Todd (and the listeners) much of what he has learned after 2+ decades of studying the nuances of strength training (also known as resistance training) and its wide array of health benefits.

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The guys bring another 5X5 episode in this one consisting of 5 questions they both take a stab at answering. Among them... The integral facets of all functional relationships, lessons learned the hard way, personal travel tips, embracing difficulty, and picking up on the positive habits of others.

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Jonas Spaulding drops in to share his story with the guys... He touches on life as an elementary school expat in Germany, his calling for adventure in the outdoors, and chasing a life of discomfort and thrill in the mountains. Jonas also delivers a detailed account of his recent Denali ascent in the Alaska range and what he has learned from coming up short when striving to accomplish his goals. In this episode Jonas shares with us how he copes with struggle when brushing up against near-death experiences as he actively seeks a life of purpose & fulfillment.

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Dylan Gunzinger, a 9 year veteran of the Marine Corps, joins Pete to discuss his backstory of navigating life's struggles. He digs back into his experience growing up in school while also sharing tales of life in Marine boot camp, being stationed in Japan, facing the daily grind of committing to the Corps, and the challenges that accompany these experiences. Dylan finishes out this episode by revealing what he feels are biggest life lessons he has learned through a life of military service. "Don't Pet Burning Dogs!"

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Cean Lieberman joins the guys to chat about his past and current struggles while navigating life's obstacles through the lens of Attentional Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Cean describes his alternative schooling experiences as a child and how they have manifested into the present. He also addresses how he strives to find value in himself as he enters adulthood.

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Rory Salzano shares her struggle in navigating an unconventional childhood and how that manifested into life as a "Mean Girl." She dives deep into the work she is now putting in to repair her mindset, mental state, and proprioception while addressing past mistakes. Also in this episode Rory reveals her vulnerabilities and what she has learned from life as she strives to grow and mature into a women that can be a resource for others who navigate similar struggles.

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At the age of 19, Caroline Hamilton is on a mission to destigmatize the mental health challenges faced by her community members. As she continues to navigate her own mental health struggles, Caroline shares in this episode her story about the launch of her awareness initiative in Hartford, VT. "Hope Happens Here" a mental health awareness organization, remains alive and well at Hartford High School as she departs for the next chapter of her life in college. Throughout this episode Caroline shares the tactical strategies she has learned as she continues to navigate the challenging realities of living through anxiety and depression.

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The guys help each other work through the challenge of saying no to life's offers & opportunities. They dig deep into what mastery means to them and the areas of life where they strive for said mastery. Todd helps Pete come to some realizations that may prove fruitful down the road as Pete continues to seek a better ability to remain present and intentional with his time and attention.

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Episode Guest: John Cassel

John C. joins the show to discuss the role technology plays in our society. Todd & Pete also each share their perspectives and opinions on tech's role in each of their lives given their personal demographics.

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As the title suggests... Pete and Todd respond to 10 (+1 bonus) questions they find interesting and feel the listeners might as well. In this "10x2" format, questions range from go-to snacks, impactful books, the worst advice they have ever received, and challenging long held beliefs.

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All Aboard!! In this episode the guys focus on what they have discovered about holding tightly onto things (a.k.a. luggage) in our figurative lives. This entails emotions, thoughts, judgements, and perspectives we may not need to carry throughout our lives. Also, dogs and robot helpers! Also covered are deep thoughts brought on by meditation, how we do our best as we ride the train of life… diving for lobsters, generational gratitude and much more. Hit us up at schoolingstruggle@gmail.com, just to say hello, share feedback, or make guest suggestions.

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Walking (if we are able) is good for many things in life, physically and mentally. In this installment we welcome (back) Doug and his friend Eli. Their winding tale involves friendship, challenge, discomfort, planning, expectation, resilience, and realism. How what sometimes begins with a simple idea, helps us navigate so many other aspects of life that we cannot always perceive when starting something new.

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The trio (Todd, Wild Bill, and Peter) come together to discuss standards, social circles, negative self-talk, , labels and narratives around how our history shapes who we are yet also serve as tools to be better. Included are tips and tricks to help us see greatness in ourselves, to move forward.

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Iaen Ellis - Todd's youngest son joins the show to chat about a myriad of topics including challenges that accompany growing up with ADHD, starting a new life across the country, and takeaways he can utilize from a lifetime of his father's modeling.

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In this 2nd edition of "Story-Time with Mr. D." Pete takes us back to age 12 when his disdain for the dentist was at an all time high. He shares how he craftily navigated childhood trips to the dentist chair and what he learned along the way.

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The guys share some recent physical and emotional struggles they have each been navigating as of late. The conversation melds into the role that pain plays in human lives. Todd & Pete cover a range of topics under this umbrella such as what can be learned from pain, it's challenges, and specifically 14 benefits of pain.

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Grounded Series Episode - guest Nick Wolfe

Peter invites Mr. Wolfe to share struggles and what lessons they have held for him. From homesteading to child rearing, to attacks of anxiety and all stops along the way. If you're new to the show, we (Peter and Todd) mix in our own struggle experiences into a mosaic of messiness, weaving in direction and depth.

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Another 5x5 session. If you are not familiar we cycle through five (5) questions/statements providing our response, and sometimes go a bit deeper and sidebar. 1) If everyone did x everyday, the world would be a better place. 2) What is something that you have learned recently? 3) What is a current struggle in your life? 4) What scares you? 5) Name a specific aspect you will look back upon with nostalgic fondness.--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/peter-driscoll/message

Habits. What they are, where they come from, and how we can impliment new ones in our lives. Leveraging four steps from James Clear's guidance, Peter uses Todd as a subject, in real time to vet and explore the steps. Todd's topic is trash (literally), rather taking the trash to the road for pickup. How we speak to ourselves, the way we identify as something, this is the first step. As the other steps unfold, so too does our conversation within the context of our respective lives and how our habits evolve as well as other around us.

Full of tactical tips about starting, stopping, and replacing habits.

James Clear's summary of Atomic Habits

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Definition: grounded - Sensible and reasonable

Adjective. If you say that someone is grounded, you mean they understand the importance of ordinary things in life.

Heather Pogue (mother, wife, & teacher) shares what keeps her grounded throughout the midst of strife and life challenge. She discusses the nuances of navigating the challenges that accompany teaching in inner city Chicago and beyond.

Heather also discusses the tactical approaches she takes to remaining calm when life gets overwhelming and the habits she strives to instill in an effort to be the best version of herself.

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Comparison is the Thief of Joy and the Foundation of Unhappiness...

Weaving our way through the levels of comparison - how we see its many facets and understand how it manifests in our lives. The overall conversation focuses on the difference between comparison and expectation, where we see it around us, how we know it impacts us, and how respond to what it can teach us.

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Todd, Pete, & Dr. Bill each share 3 pieces of "Life Advice" which can better described as, "Stuff that works for us & may or may not work for you!"

Plus Todd drops a bonus #10!

The guys cover a brought range of topics from guilt and self-talk to fat loss. Enjoy!

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This bi-annual episode features the "Ask Me Anything" questions that Pete's students recently posed to him in class.

The guys cover a range topics that are as deep as a dried up puddle to 20,000 leagues under the sea and everything in between.

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Episode Guest: Natalie Robinson

Natalie takes us into her reality of navigating life with Epilepsy & Seizure Disorder after massive head trauma suffered during a soccer game. She dives deep into the challenges of navigating daily life, the shame brought on by her injury, and her reluctance to lean on others for help. Natalie chats about how this struggle has helped her to become a better person in a myriad of ways. Enjoy!

Natalie lives in Seattle, Washington.
Natalie is a graduate of Pacific Lutheran University where she graduated with a Bachelors in Communications with a minor in philosophy. While at Pacific Lutheran University, she was a member of the Women’s Soccer team for 4 years and a member of the Track and Field team for one. She is currently pursuing a Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Management.

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The guys go deep on self-awareness here. How they each define it for themselves, how to measure it, and tactical ways to sharpen or heighten it. Along this discussion journey a series of points to ponder and relevant questions pop up that have proven universal for all humans as we strive to navigate life's struggles.--- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/peter-driscoll/message

Welcome to our "Story Time" series... Pete leads this episode off with a story from his past that in all honesty he is rather reluctant to share. He stares in the face of vulnerability and takes ownership for learning a life lesson the hard way. Enjoy the first of this series where we sit back, relax, and get into some good ol' fashioned storytellin'!

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Episode Guest: Dr. Bill Slammon

What is that uncomfortable feeling of self-perception that many of us feel for short periods or that permeate our mind for endless amounts of time? Here, Dr. Bill leads the guys in a deep dive on the difference between guilt and shame. As a clinical psychologist Dr. Bill has vast experience and a helpful perspectives in helping us navigate these confusing notions that in some way, shape, or form challenge every human being at one point or another.

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Guest Speaker - Jordy Allard: college baseball player and student.

Peter and Todd share space and conversation with our guest, Jordy, discussing all things at the intersection of life and athletics. Jordy shares with us his life's progression, the pieces of it, and what he has uncovered so far. From family support structures to individual expansion, our struggles lead the way to discovery and growth.

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Peter and Todd exercise another five-by-five session (the five questions below). The design - Peter springs five questions, which each of us put our thoughts and answers to while we discuss and share related points around each. Ideally, we try to cap the responses to five minutes per question, for the first four, and the fifth question without constraint.1. What is an issue in the field of health and wellness which people should be aware of and/or talking about?

This is going to make me sound old, but I’m going to say ________, regardless.
What is one life decision that if you could take back and redo, you would?
When was the time when you were most physically uncomfortable, by choice?
What is something you've recently learned that you find yourself pondering and contemplating?
We are experimenting with our show notes format (as you may have observed above) in contrast to our typical layout. If you have feedback about that, or any other thoughts, feedback, questions, random musings, or anything else… please contact us using the methods below.

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Peter and I discuss success. What that word means and holds for us individually, how the idea has changed over time, and in different spaces of areas of our lives. How do we get insight from and share perspective to those around us, in this regard, of success.

Success definition = The accomplishment of an aim or a purpose.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Question the ideals behind what drives your definition of success, personally.
Leveraging the perspective of others around us to hone our actions in areas we aspire to do better, can be an especially useful lens to what we ourselves fail to see within ourselves.
There is no replacement for time together, between parents and children.
Push others to do their best but try not to push them into conformity or your ideas of what that means to you.
If you fail to ask, you will fail to understand.
Tracking your mindset at points of time (hourly, daily, weekly, …) and mapping the result can help us have awareness of how we are moving, in which direction.

Related points:

Many hands make light work.
As we get older, sometimes we are less willing or able to share with others what we hope to achieve (think audacious goal) to others.
Sometimes one’s ‘drive’ is not easy to find or even know what all that encompasses.
Is success measured by accomplishment, purely? The validation of efforts from others?
Kids typically do not get a hand in choosing their unique nicknames.

Quotes / quips:

“If you fall flat on your face, that's a good sign you are moving forward. “
“As long as you are trying and moving toward that which moves you forward, you are succeeding.”
“The beautiful want to be seen for their smarts, and the smart want to be seen for their beauty.”
“Do the best you can, from where you are, with what you have.”

Rando Mentions:

Colin O’brady
Calm (meditation platform) - www.calm.com
Adam Grant

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Episode Guest: Doug Anton - Teacher (Social Studies/Economics), and many other hats.

We pick the mind of our guest for perspective on financial matters and choices as well as the environment we construct and place ourselves in (socially). Shared along the way are frameworks for thinking about these things, as well as lessons learned and tips and tricks.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Financial wellness = to be financially and economically fit and well.
To be financially fit = Are your short-term needs and wants taken care of, and do you have a reliable long-term plan?
Physical wellness and financial wellness can complement each other.
Look for strengths within yourself and others, and leverage those to amplify success.
Very few choices in our life are all or nothing. Use decisions at the edge to focus on the present yet do not 'dent' the future.
If we spend money on things which align to our goals, this is an investment in self.
Look for opportunity in everything, and constantly as we move forward, and things shift.

Related points:

Key to success in life? Maybe delay of gratification.
One way to think of moving forward is how are what we are doing in the present.
Be aware of the people whom you surround yourself with, these relationships have a significant impact on one's environment.
We can aspire to be in a way, and not always hit the mark all the time. Be kind to yourself and give space and grace.
Evidence based research can be useful when considering ice cream intake and timing.
Few thumbs up (in social environments) for maxing out your ROTH contributions - more for bankrupting yourself to purchase a flashy car.

Quotes / quips:

“Be willing to give up what you want now, for what you want most."
"We can shape our environment in order to improve our fitness in any element."
"If you are only living for the future, you'll have a pretty bad time on the way there."
"Social interaction is the fabric of what makes us human and what makes human lives meaningful."
"The way the world is, is not always the way the world seems."
"Nothing is certain, but we can often shift the odds in our favor, by shifting your environment."

Rando Mentions:

Marshmallow Test Revisited
Opportunity Mindset
Choice architecture

Contact us:

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/peter-driscoll/message

Episode Guest: Adam Adatto Sandel - philosopher, (previous) Guinness World Record holder for Most Pull-Ups in One Minute (68), and an award-winning teacher, author, and current assistant D.A. in Brooklyn NY.

Much discussion about pull-ups, philosophy, world records...

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Sometimes frustration can become a realization of opportunity.
Listening to the limitations of your own body can lead to meaningful transformation.
Stacking what we learn from previous experiences has utility in the next endeavors we undertake.
Beware of getting wrapped up in a goal, no matter the topic.
There exists a relationship between many efforts physically and things in our natural environment.
Philosophy can serve as a framework for deeper connection, awareness of the deeper levels of connectedness we experience throughout life.
Try to keep an open awareness of obsession around goals. When things you see somehow in your mind, carry you back to the obsession, this is a flag.
Qualities of character define us outside our typical endeavors.
Friendships - are important in the exchange and deep meaning of what that word means to us all. Allies, Friends, Acquaintances.

Related points:

Drop and give me twenty push-ups, often it is not thrilling.
Sometimes in the rain, it can seem like your running pace is expedited.
Sometimes pullups trump what can be gleaned from law school.
Don’t be afraid of letting go (holding less tightly) when you get too close and become overly obsessed in goal chasing.
Happiness. It most often involves overcoming some sort of hardship.

Quotes / quips:

"If I’m encountering these difficulties, could it actually be nature’s way of telling me I need to go in a different direction?”
“Sport can take you into a different zone, a more expansive zone, where you can appreciate the world around you in a new way and shift your perspective on things.”
“When we get too hung up on the goal, it can be damaging. As a result, we can lose an appreciation for the activity itself.”
“What can I take from this experience that's going to last, that I can carry forward.”
“If you have a passion, if you’re motivated, go for it!”
“If you want good neighbors, be a good neighbor - same goes for friends.”
“Happiness isn't something you find, rather a way of acting/being.”
“A life that is happy, is a life that involves meaningful struggles. And ones that fit into a narrative that you can own up to.”

Rando Mentions:

Chest to Bar Pullups
Harvard Philosophy Department
Amazon.com: Adam Adatto Sandel: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
Guiness Book of World Record

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/peter-driscoll/message

One year, from concept and first action - that went fast – this a retrospective. We talk about what has transpired, what we think about it, what we’ve learned, and what comes next for us.

Key Questions:

Q. What have you learned about yourself thought he podcast?

Q. What’s the perspective about how the podcast fit into your life?

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Always look for ways you can learn new things from seemingly mundane actions.
Try not to reach too far for what seems appropriate for an audience – rather do it for something that resonates within you.
Always lean into what’s uncomfortable – what is hard for you.
Sharpen an awareness which allows you to observe current actions, especially those which are not working toward your intentions.
Giving ourselves in a meaningful way can serve as an example (to ourselves and others) of how we aspire to be.
See the lens of what you do but realize that that lens is not who you are.
Sometimes the things which drain us are not of our making. Keep a vigilant eye.

Related points:

Peter loves podcasting, and he never thought it would be as rich as an experience when we began.
Portal, the term can be scary - ask Peter. Magic happens there.
Launching a podcast from an iPhone 6, is a path potentially fraught with danger.
WWPD – What would Peter do?
If you have a podcast (or similar platform), people may be more likely to engage and join a conversation, than just a coffee chat or random call.
Text exchanges with Todd can drive you mad with a blast of fragmented responses.

Quotes / quips:

“It’s a very difficult thing to be always aligned with the person you wish you were.”
“Remember why you started.”
“If I verbalize that I’m going to do something, I am more likely to do it.”
“I don’t want my students to be done being my students when the day or semester ends, I want to be their teacher for life.”
“It’s like a pen pal, but fast forward.”

Rando Mentions:

The Pete Driscoll Vlog
Pen Pals
ASB – Associated Student Body

Contact us:

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Episode Guest: Dr. William Slammon - Clinical Psychologist

Stress... having it, avoiding it, dealing with it, leveraging it. We chat about this topic at length with our guest. We dive into mindset, sleep, how to be useful to others who ask for a hand in schooling their struggles.

Stress (definition) - Is when there are forces impinging on us, that in the moment exceed our sense of our own capacity to manage.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

(Quality) Sleep is essential to good health.
Healthy stress on/in the body is natural, and beneficial for us to grow.
Chronic stress (when we are stressed all the time, excessively) is unhealthy for us over time.
Poor habits are typically born/leveraged as a response to combat or offset stress.
Healthy stress can be used to unwind these poor habits through physical movement.
Keep a list of helpful things that have helped rise above or alleviate stress situations.
Exercise, that is enjoyable and sustainable, has the potential to be universally beneficial to everyone.
To help others with stress - listen to hear, validate their experience - leveraging healthy relationships.
Ask for permission to give a hand and interact with others, to help arrive at a plan working on what can be done in the now.
Mindset is key to offset stress response. Choose to look at things as an opportunity, and what they can teach us.

Related points:

Our body has a physiological response to stress. This is by design and exists for our survival at the base class.
Our bodies/brains keep track of the stresses we've experienced over time.
Temperament plays a role in how we work on stress, therapy, and such, is approached.
We are designed, humans, to be engaging physically in our world.
Our brains are prediction machines. We create our reality based on what has already occurred and try to anticipate what will occur in the near future.
Culture predicates the stories/script which serves as our defaults in life.
Oncologists tend to save the term curable, for specific cases.

Quotes / quips:

"I don't need a bunch of studies to tell me that exercise makes me feel better."
"I believe that the best, healthiest way to live is to move and exercise building that into your day."
"Pain is inevitable, but suffering is a choice."'
"I've had plenty of suffering in my life, I've learned the power of how I think about it completely changes the experience."

Rando Mentions:

How Bad Do You Want It? Mastering the Psychology of Mind over Muscle - Matt Fitzgerald
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma - Bessel van der Kolk
Born to run - Christopher MacDougall

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The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

Episode Guest: Steve McCloskey

This episode is all about continuums. Exploring the depths, contexts, and contrasts of (or between) several levels. This of course dives into all related areas and nuances which may overlap or are derivatives of those terms.

Interesting Question (also in the poll):

Do you need to love yourself, to love someone else?

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Kindness is more than treating someone in a pleasant way. Sometimes it's more than what's nice or comfortable.
Can you be equally kind to people who you know, and those you do not, alike?
Which criteria predicate how we determine our response to others?
Seek activities where you know that what you are giving of yourself is used to better of be of utility to others.
It is not wrong to have boundaries for your time and how / when / why others seek or receive it.
Consider that there are different lived experiences and circumstances of specific things across the world. Some examples, poverty, privilege. Be aware of the true relativity of how those things play into your intentions.
Joy has more depth and longevity than simple happiness.
Acknowledging and expressing fully emotions, letting them swell and release. This unblocks the dept of emotions we can accept and feel.
Sometimes what we want now is not aligned with what we want most. To get what we want most, we need to look past what we want now.

Related points:

What is the difference between nice/polite/civil and kind?
The language we use is dynamic. It changes over time.
Very few individuals aspire to simply be 'nice' in life.
It's easier for some to intentionally help people in physical proximity.
If you want an autograph, get in line but try not to be 103rd in line.
A home without a foundation doesn't give much to build upon.
"Love" can have many different meanings and contexts.
There is much strife in parenting.
Sometimes in Peter's mind, joy can conjure images of peaches and rainbows.
Kindness can be costly.

Quotes / quips:

"You can have anything you want, but you cannot have everything you want."
"Niceness is to kindness, as happiness is to joy."
"It is so easy to do easy things in life. Be the type of person that is willing to do challenging things."
"If you don't have good well-maintained care for self, then the care for others will be diminished or others."
"The way you do anything, is the way you do everything."
"Don't postpone joy."
"We have to embrace discomfort for something deeper and more durable in the long run."

Rando Mentions:

The Ohio State University
Princeton Theological Seminary
Amanda Barnhart - CrossFit

Contact us:

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https://aka.ms/SchoolingStruggle/Feedback

Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/peter-driscoll/message

Peter brings reality through sharing a few recent experiences with his family, one which gave him a pause and point to reflect on what the people in our lives can teach us if we slow down to observe their model.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Slow down with your frantic needs. Try to be a human 'be'ing not a human doing.
W.A.I.T = Why Am I Talking
If you are willing to embrace challenges, try to slow down and look for the beauty within that challenge and what you can learn, rather than just rush to the finish line.
Humans seek consistency for reliability and trust, yet at the same time a balance of change to keep it interesting.
Authentic experiences are those which can be absorbed through the human senses without corporate intervention.
Ponder relying less on what humans bring to the world to be satisfied or fulfilled during the day.
Be less dependent on the niceties of life and commerce.
Don't use "can't" alone, always follow it with "yet".
Sometimes it's easier to remove small squares of carpet over time, to prompt you to eventually replace it.

Related points:

Todd's patio in Parkland sometimes sounds like a raceway.
Sometimes knees need three servings of surgery.
Picking flowers should never be annoying, even mildly so.
Peter sees no utility in smores, disliking marshmallows.
Running/moving water and dancing fire can be alluring because they are consistent yet always evolving, interesting, and engaging.
Kids love holes filled with water (think swimming pools).
The utility of human connection appears to be increasingly obfuscated.
Sticks and rocks and leaves are great materials for constructing fairy houses.

Quotes / quips:

"Your children will teach you the things that you miss no matter what."
"Every single person you interact with plays a role in your life."
"Rely on yourself, to be with yourself."
"The busyness of the world is magnified by those who teach the world's perceived expectations."

Rando Mentions:

The episode about Todd and his daughter's deep conversation.
Life Is Not a Journey - Alan Watts

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Here we meet one of Peter's former students, Camden. A measurable undertaking with the heaviest weight of 292 pounds, Camden shares with us his journey, his wins, losses, and learned lessons - as well as his future and how he is moving forward.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

99.9% of engaged parents genuinely believe are doing the best they are able.
Be aware as you slip into new habits, try to remain sharp to what you're trading off for new ones.
Weight moves weight, but physics doesn't mean carrying around excess body fat upon your skeleton is a good thing.
A shift in surroundings and environment can be a powerful catalyst for change. These changes can snowball. Quickly.
Moving outside our typical 'comfort zone' expedites our ability to be resilient and open to adopting new habits or behaviors.
Being accountable to/for other living things (plant, animal, human) helps us reach beyond our own needs.
A new habit recipe often encompasses things which are enjoyable, sustainable, and which move us closer to our goals.
It can be daunting when weight loss begins, as it can be difficult to 'see' the difference in how you look physically.
Tracking what you eat very closely can be a very great tool and point of awareness.
Watching ourselves grow in a positive way often rewards us with internal motivation and confidence.
Slight changes in diet and habits can have profound and compounding impacts.

Related points:

Hard to water the grass during a drought.
113 pounds is a massive endeavor
Three people Petering (calling Pete, Peter), is worth mention. and an honor.
Divorce can seed behaviors for a host of reasons.
It can be a struggle to eat healthily if you are working in a restaurant kitchen.
Walking in Florida, where it is often hot and humid, can be a recipe for perspiration.
As a podcast host, it's easy to accidentally ask more than one question at a time.
Shockingly high calorie foods include nuts, peanut butter, oils, dressings.
Don't let extra skin deter you from losing weight.

Quotes / quips:

Somehow nothing to report here.

Rando Mentions:

Daytona Beach, FL
Farm Strong
Pace University, New York
Norwegian Elkhound
Turkey Trot
Paper Towel Effect
MyFitnessPal - Calorie Counting App
TDEE - calorie burn calculator

Contact us:

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/peter-driscoll/message

Spirals and paths. How do we find the right path, how do we know we are on a path to positivity or wellbeing? Speaking to the three questions just below Peter and Todd provide our responses and discuss points which pop up along the way. Intended topic questions:

What are the things which can disrupt the flow or routine in life?
How can we hedge against spirals which are taking us away from our intentions?
How do we break the spiral and get realigned?

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Set routines can help us keep moving in a positive way.
To acknowledge the lens of positivity, and employ it, can be useful in how we navigate life.
Instead of focusing upon the things you dislike, switch to the things you do (like) instead.
The more beaten the 'path' of habits, the more well defined they become.
Structure and routine can be very soothing and result in stability for some personalities.
Comparing oneself to a previous version can be a double edge sword.
Commitment is a key, for some, to reorientation.
Balance is extremely hard for some to achieve. Knowing the type of person you are when looking at where you'd like to be or go can be a very useful tool.
Using food to teach yourself a lesson can be a dangerous lever to pull.
When there are planned events, letting oneself off the 'hook' can offset a negative spiral.
Unplanned changes can create a rut or disruption.
Working back in incremental and intentional ways can help restore a path to stability.
A-B-C = Always Be Communicating.

Related points:

In the upper left corner of the United States, is the state of Washington.
- Should anyone reading this have any ideas for content topics, please share them with us at any of the contact endpoints listed below.
- Starting where you find yourself is often a beautiful place to begin taking action.
- Peter is so positive that when thinking of his routines as they apply to his direction in life, he sees only how to keep the positive sharp, not how to get rid of those he knows are negative. This is exactly the opposite of Todd. Isn't that interesting?
- There was a time when cookies "spoke" to Peter. They had a deep conversation one afternoon and invited milk.
- Mike Hathorne is good at cutting hair.
- Magical sounds can be heard around 34:30. From whence they came, a true mystery.
- Sometimes insults can be appreciated.

Quotes / quips:

"Fans and cats, but not fans of cats."
"I don't call it age; I call it experience."
"If I don't hold myself accountable, I don't feel that good about myself."
"Why are you trying to balance something which you know has been historically un-balanceable."
"I find myself beating myself up about achieving balance, because I don't understand why a balance needs to exist."
"Is the best way to get out of a rut, not to fall in at all?"
"I really appreciate your thoughts and insults."

Rando Mentions:

Google Sheets
Aversion Therapy - Schick Shadle

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Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/peter-driscoll/message

Part of Two: We resume our time with Keith Smith. From 'the bubble' to realization of what it takes to achieve keep balance.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

If you feel blocked or stuck, keep pushing, there is another way around, and it's going to take work to find it.
Sacrifice is often involved when enabling dreams.
Look for times of transition to double down on achieving balance.
Sleep is important, prioritizing it is key.
Be open, be approachable, talk to people.
Don't fear challenging work.
Do what takes care of people, that's important. And remember, you are one of those people too.
Imposter syndrome is real for everyone. Looking at points of positive validation or praise can help get out of the tailspin.
Know the granular details of your budgeting and realistic expenditures before making a large life switch.
The minute you accept money for something, do what you say you're going to do for that money. Don't accept money and not deliver. It's a mutual investment.
If you find yourself saying to yourself, I don't want to do this. It's likely you need to have a conversation with someone about it.

Related points:

People want to be helpful and kind, as their natural inclination.
Fear will drag you down, it will steal from you.
Having self-compassion and making sure you can encourage yourself.
You're never too old to start something new, just take a step.
Leave things better than you find them. No burning bridges.
You can always come home and have a sandwich.
If you are able, positioning yourself in meetings to multitask can have large rewards.
Great Superbowl tickets can be had in sketchy dark closet like settings.
Great friendships are ones which you feel like you can ask for anything, nothing would be off the table.
Sometimes in life, between generations, shifts which seem unstable can make our loved ones question our decisions.
Make more chairs then. They are more than just a tool for sitting.

Quotes / quips:

"I'm done with doubting; I can do this."
"People are generally more approachable than we fear they won't be."
"Sometimes it's more important to know the things you don't know, than to know what you do know."
"Nobody is ever going to die saying, I wish I could have spent another day at work."
"Chase what you love, and things will fall into place."

Rando Mentions:

NBA Front Office - Podcast
Scott Skiles
Drunk and Dungeons and Dragons - Podcast

Part One of Two: In this episode we welcome our first guest, the one and only Keith Smith. We dive into his story, from early sports analytics, through high school and college, to the workforce, and then into what he wanted ‘to do for a living’.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Long term relationships built atop commitment, lead to accountability and resilience over their duration.
Leverage where you are to learn and add skills to your toolbox.
Skill acquisition is a fantastic way to steadily add new tools to your toolbox.
One approach to learning is go it as far as you are able THEN look for reference and/or ask individuals who are proficient in that space.
Know the limit of your bandwidth when considering shifting gears to chase dreams.

Related points:

Pete wore exceptionally large basketball shorts for many years. Comfort is key.
An inflatable raft can serve very well as a cheap air mattress replacement.
Basketball is one of the few team sports one can practice effectively in solitary.
‘Front office’ in the basketball world, works on scouting and team management aspects.
Walt Disney World (Florida US) is twice the size of Manhattan (NY, US).
You can work at McDonalds near your home, there’s no need to move hundreds of miles away to do that.
No strollers on the handicap ramp, in Walt Disney World. Hard stop.
Big corporations love acronyms and hierarchical re-organization.
133 million dollars (USD) is the standard NBA salary cap.

Quotes / quips:

"If you think you’re the only one who cares about something, go to Google and type it in, if it auto fills… someone else cares about it too.”
“Thank you for a thoughtful and thorough idea.”

Rando Mentions:

The Disney Scholarship Program
USA Today (newspaper)
Gen Ed
Vista Way of Walt Disney World
Walt Disney World
Chris Haynes – Yahoo Sports
Keith Smith – Twitter
2020 NBA Bubble
Rudy Gobert

Peter leans into a challenge he experiences personally, well quite a few come up in this episode. Family reunions, lobster dinners, COVID, pet deaths, self-image, parenting. The show is a continuation of a previous show where we lost time (surprise) and here we follow through to the end.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Hitting the gym can help exercise and build self-confidence.
Feeding one's ego can be tricky if attaching self-worth to egoic aspects.
Competition can help shift perspectives from extrinsic to intrinsic.
Eventually one's age will catch up in several ways. Anticipate and accept that our abilities slow as age increases.
What leads to a healthy and fulfilled physical and mental life? What leads to vitality later in life? If we can find things which move us in these directions we will flourish.
Consider using choice while raising children, allowing them to choose and understand the options while doing so.
Choose words wisely around children, words carry a lot of hidden connotation and signal. (⬅️Todd is terrible at this.)
Surround yourself with people who make you feel valued and loved.

Related points:

Pete was the fittest he has ever been in 2018.
Sometimes when challenges occur, they appear to compound
Emma the cat, was seventeen. Rest in peace, Emma.
Every human has a relationship with their body.
If anyone has "The Parenting Handbook", please let us know.
A special star tops Peters parents' tree at Christmastime.
Singing and dancing are not skills Peter currently possesses.

Quotes / quips:

"The only guarentee in life is that Struggle is going to come our way."
"Without difficulty, there is no progress."
"You can create cardio in months, but for strength it takes years."

Rando Mentions:

Reactive Airways Disease
The Rescue - Nat Geo
Jimmy Chin
Napoleon Complex
The Body Keeps the Score
Low trajectory, distant horizon.

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma

In this episode Peter and Todd get back together after some vacations on both sides. We discuss where we place attention and time (as the title suggests), each of us brings to the table three areas of life where we could use a higher level of mental strength, or three areas where we tend to get rattled more than we are comfortable. Sidebars include arbor speak and discussion, hosting snacks, and other small loosely related yet interesting personal tie-ins.

Peters three (well two):

Being a fan of sports teams.
Longing for landscaping that meets some lofty expectations of the past (for self or others). (Massachusetts -vs- Vermont)
To be continued

Todd's three (two):

What are the things I know I do, that I observe other people do not do, that I wish I could do differently.
Constant procrastination.
Adopting irritation.

Related points:

Sometimes the pitter-patter of little feet can drive us nuts.
Age is just a number, and forty-six is not that many in the scheme of things.
We might all benefit from small helpings of 'ish' from time to time.
Depending on your friends and social circles, Fantasy Sports can have some allure.
The human condition is that we all want to feel noticed and enjoyed - connected.
In Brazil, you might find armed guards near the soccer pitch - during rivalry games.
Getting your federal income tax done, in July, is better than ignoring them altogether.
You'll be hard pressed to find someone in Vermont saying that the winter is great because there's no need to do yardwork.
~60% of Hawaii power comes from burring invasive vegetation.
When the company is over, pour the chips in the bowl, not all hands should be reaching into the bag.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Take a poll of things you spend your attention and time upon, and review how they make you feel.
Utilize your awareness to know when your thoughts are hijacking how you respond to others.
Writing lists can be a way to hold oneself accountable. Narrow a list to "the things" that you must accomplish. Checking the done box can help drive completion.
Small wins accumulate into large swaths of positive reinforcement.
Consider giving away the (perceived) ownership of things you hold on to for egotistical/selfish reasons.

Quotes / quips:

"Sports teams is simply rooting for laundry."

Rando Mentions:

Ragnar Relay - Northwest Passage
Los Angeles Rams
Stihl FS-94 Line Trimmer
Black Locust Tree
Danny Canzler - Canzler Tree Service (Tacoma WA)

In this episode we touch on perspective (some may say advice), about embarking upon major life changes. As typically occurs we fall into some common themes of alignment, intention, purpose...

Housekeeping notice: Show notes are a thing I (Todd) love to do. I have been struggling to release them due to complications of my attention and situations of life, go figure. I intend to do better going forward so we can indeed have a consistent release cadence. I appreciate your patience and support as we grow and navigate our own paths. Ok, back to the shownotes...

Six (6) tips in total, three (3) from both of us.

Peter's Tips:

How we do anything is how we do everything.
Nobody owes you anything, you must earn everything.
When taking on something new, do not let your ego get in the way of your learning.

Todd's Tips:

Just start.
Say it aloud. Tell the world, or at least the people in proximity.
Question everything. Especially what is humbling.

Related points:

Stay tuned for info about Peters behind the scenes release, in upcoming episodes.
If you're not making mistakes, you're not really learning much.
People who are passionate about something are extremely excited and willing to share what they have learned.
Always accept what others offer, especially in Brazil and if coconuts are involved.
There is no failure if you are trying new things and chasing what interests you.
AMA = Ask Me Anything

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Allow intentional changes, if possible, to spill into other events of your day. With the idea of being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Act in a manner which you would even if nobody is watching.
We can get out of our own way, by just taking the first shaky step. If we wait until we're ready, we'll never begin.
Do the things which you must, to the highest degree of your ability.
When you look in the mirror, ask yourself, deeply, how you can be the best.
If we can admit our faults / shortcomings... that is where we are open to learning most/best.
Instead of trying to be the best, try to start something new.
Don't do what you don't want to do. Absolutely just chase what you love.

Quotes / quips:

"It's hard to find fault in an honest human being."
"I don't provide advice; I only provide perspective."
"If you say the word can't, you must follow it with yet."
"If you don't invite yourself places, you'll never do anything cool."
"In order to be the best, you need to do what you hate as if you love doing it."

Rando Mentions:

Karate Kid (film)
Over the Top (film)
PaleoPushers (Todd's previous cookie side hustle)
Iron Mike Tyson

An AMA session (Ask Me Anything) where students of Peter's ask him at the conclusion of the school year. We ported this into a five-by-five, again, then a speed round, then created two of our own. Each question (of 5) we each try our best to stick to 2:30 for each response. The questions come from a grab bag, so we answer and discuss in real time for flair.

Mailbag Questions:

What is your single best childhood memory or moment of specific amazement?
What is something that you once steadfastly believed, and now you have changed your tune?
At age 18, did you see yourself being what you are today, if not, what did you see yourself being at your current age when you were eighteen?
What is one thing that you would change about yourself?
What is the hardest thing you must wake up and do every day?

Lightning Round Questions:

First car?
If you could make any food in the world healthy, what would it be?
Do you love yourself?
If you could meet anyone, alive or dead, and spend 24 hours with them, who would it be?
If you could be any age for the rest of your life, what age?
At what age were you at your lowest?
What is a set of words that you'd like to model your life by/after?

Totally off the cuff Questions:

What's the first toy you remember as a child?
Tell me in succession the jobs you've had in your life?

Related Points:

Sometimes sleep is illusive.
Fat free foods are not a proper nutritional balance for longevity.
Would you rather have a loose cannon, or no cannon at all?
It can be difficult to see, but teachers (by and large) are typically not the enemy.
Enduring cumbersome events, although a challenge, can be acceptable if doing so allows work on things which are meaningful.
In Vermont educational systems, teachers don't make sense, but they do make dollars.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Try to have gratitude in the moment. Being grateful for the/a thing as its occurring.
Beware of the sources of news you consume. The media is a machine solely based upon profiteering.
Try to sharpen your awareness of addictive mechanisms in your day, news, tech, social media, eating. These things steal our time in tricky ways.

Quotes / quips:

"Win the morning, win the day."
"The youth is wasted on the young."
"When you get older, you lose hair in places where you want it, and get it in places you don't."
"You can't change the world, but you can change your neighborhood."
"When times are sweet, say thank you and enjoy. When times are challenging, say thank you and grow."

Rando Mentions:

Jury Duty
Typhoon Lagoon
Westport, Washington (USA)
Razor Clams
Jack In the Box - Loaded Breakfast Sandwich
See 'n Say

In this episode, Peter rides a shotgun seat - Todd takes the bull by the horn. Topics range from compassion to parenting mishaps - through a lens of... as you may guess lived, raw, enduring struggle. Uncovered herein is a huge realization of how being part of this podcast has unearthed unlikely and surprising benefits in multiple ways.

Related points:

No stoplights and two post offices in Hartland Vermont.
Communication is key and sets intention for all those involved. Lack thereof leaves gaps and places for confusion.
It's hot in Arizona, but it is a dry heat.
Sometimes the celebration of an event pales in contrast to attending the event itself, and in its entirety.
Laundry rooms, although small, can hold large topics and host huge conversations.
At the spot where words turn into emotion, or flirt right on that edge. This is the spot where being truly alive and present demands attention.
Perspectives differ between every individual. What one person sees in us, oftentimes is something we are completely blind to ourselves.
Frogging can be fun.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

If you think you know something about an event you've never attended - try to remain aware of that fact - the assumptive nature of what you think you know, and how that may impact your presence or decisions.
When a statement or message from someone triggers a sense of emotion in your body - listen closely and look for an opportunity to stretch and grow. It will be uncomfortable, even to look, but holds a wealth of education if you allow it in.
Seek feedback and when it's given, look at it as a gift.
Ask more questions than statements, as much as possible.

Quotes / quips:

"It's more important to be loving than to be right (in a marriage/relationship)." - Keith
"Do I want to be looked at as the person that is right, or do I want to be looked at as the person who is caring?"

Rando Mentions:

University of Arizona
Healthy resting heart rate.

In this prepisode (pre-episode) we set the stage for, well, our next episode. To be completely transparent Todd failed to complete his homework and gather up content to discuss around (self) compassion topics. Peter unveils his plans for a new experimental class in his community/school relying on the wealth of experience he has found, and how he can attempt to fill the gaps.

Related points:

In Vermont when the school year winds down, the yardwork season ramps-up.
Be vigilant employing awareness around areas of heavy investment in your life, seeking balance about where you place your largest efforts.
Research points to a shift/increase of health issues (in our younger populations) with the rise and adoption of social media.
How can we directly measure the efficacy of mental health initiatives, especially in learning environments?
Making rewind (cassette tape) sounds can be entertaining for those who are able to relate with the events of the era.
Many times, humas tell their stories of struggles, post experiences. Many things can be learned by sharing space, in the middle of the struggle itself.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Use your emotion, the sense felt in your body, to plant curiosity into deeper introspection.
Our perception is/or becomes our reality.
Learning that our feelings are fleeting – then – understanding what can be done about those feelings – let that sink in.
Do the best you can to keep genuine connections with those closest to you, at all costs. Time is involved here, and it slips through our fingers much faster than we ever recognize.

Quotes / quips:

"If you don’t make time for health (physical/mental) now, you will be forced to find time later.”

Rando Mentions:

Brene Brown
Dr. Kristin Neff
Dare to Lead (book - Amazon)
Permission To Feel (book - Amazon)

Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive

In this episode Todd and Peter dive a bit into sleep… its purpose, utility, restorative powers as well as learned tips, and tricks to get more and of better quality. As sometimes happens, our conversation wanders this way and that, but mostly related (this time) to the topic.

Related points:

Lead with gratitude, helps disarm overwhelm.
It is often difficult to get a good night’s sleep with newborns in proximity.
If you consistently disregard sleep, its loss will appear in numerous places.
R.E.M. = Rapid Eye Movement (not just an American rock band – see below).
It is more common than you might think, getting hooked/dependent on sleep masks.

Peters 10 tips for better sleep…

Treat sleep like medicine needed to maintain health.
Pre-bedtime routine is key to success.
Stay away from and/or block blue light.
The darker the room, the better the quality of sleep.
60-67 degrees (F) is the optimal sleeping temperature.
Try to keep from eating 2-3 hours before bed.
Keep your bed(room) a dedicated space for sleeping, purposefully.
Those who exercise on a regular basis, tend to have better sleep… this can be overdone.
Calm the mind and the body for solid sleep.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Sleep and hydration are the two biggest things we need to operate well.
Mileage may vary by individual, on what actions will help achieve harmony in sleep.
As sleepy time nears, you’ll get more effective sleep the longer it has been since you’ve peered into a device or screen.
Alcohol inhibits deeper cycles of sleep.
Breathing/meditative techniques can help calm the mind and body for sleep.
It’s been said that when counting sheep to get back to sleep, imagining them atop snowboards doing park tricks works wonders.
Sleep supplements can assist with making humans sleepy, again mileage varies.

Quotes/quips:

"Trying to get my life from being overwhelmed, to just whemled.”
“Moderation is for cowards, so let’s just go all in.”

Rando Mentions:

Bloomsday Run (Spokane WA)
Sleep deprivation
Whoop Strap
Stages of sleep
R.E.M. (The musical band)
Cooling mattress cover(s)
Box breathing technique(s)
CPAP Machine
Power broom in action
Power napping

The title hits the larger themes in this episode however Peter and Todd explore the intersection of Storytime and M3 (Magical Microphone Monday's) going into places unexplored. Might not be typical for these two, given the ‘structure’ of other releases – or – not. Hope you all enjoy it.

Related points:

Sometimes books are worth a revisit, depending on where you are along your life’s path.
Measure of success can be pinned to ‘some guy’ in Vermont asking you to co-host a podcast.
Death – what happens in the mind of the dying.
Sometimes the body fails, yet the mind is 100% intact.
How can you make every interaction, personally, result in someone feeling noticed and enjoyed?
Jumping across breezeways sixteen floors up might not be the best idea – sober or not.
Irritation can help some drivers remain awake.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Leaning into scary or uncomfortable experiences in our lives can reshape who we are, in many ways.
Share, if you can, the experiences and actions which have shaped your life with others. To share what we learn is to add to the wellbeing and growth of those around us.
Thoughts which are outside our control / comprehension are often fruitless to ponder. Fruitless in contrast to our forward intentions in the present.
If you feel uncomfortable when leaving a situation, when you ponder it and feel there is something undone / left unstated – this is an opportunity to lean in and take a step into discomfort.
Listen to your emotions, the felt sense of how they feel in your body… these feelings have utility but are often discounted or ignored.

Quotes/quips:

“Definition of focus – paying close attention to the detail while always keeping the big picture in mind.”
“The human condition is that everyone wants to be noticed and enjoyed.”

Rando Mentions:

How to Win Friends & Influence People – book
The Top five regrets of the Dying – book
Robert Waldinger: What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness | TED
Logan Raymond – Raymond Construction Hartland VT

How to Win Friends and Influence People

The Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing

In this episode Peter digs a bit deeper into Todd’s backstory… several of our listeners expressed their hunger for additional depth in this department – so let this serve as an extended play (the first was episode three). When/if we look close into the things which drive our decisions and behaviors, sometimes we can see what unfolded outside our knowing in real time.

Related points: * Peter has been a PE teacher for 16 years, so now he has known the current class since kindergarten. Shoutout to Alex. * Differences found against others’ expectations, at an early age, can be the place where labels are applied. * Parenting is difficult – should you hear differently, lean in, and ask questions. * Rarely (in our current times) are students ‘held back’ in school (redo grade 5 as an example).

Mental habit / action / tool examples: * Create interesting ways to allow others to discover themselves, in unique ways. * Find things which interest you, and as much as possible allow those to pull you into learning more. * If you don’t feel like what you are doing has value, you may discover an aversion to being in that environment and/or what is found there. * You cannot run fast enough to escape the real world, self-imposed, financial problems. * If you are willing to look, opportunity exists in EVERYTHING. Every event in our lives.

Quotes/quips: * "The baggage we carry stays with us for much of our life’s journey." * "You can’t know what you don’t know, but how else can you find out if you’re not willing to go see."

Rando Mentions: * Population of Tacoma Washington * What is Snocross (Adam)? * What is a savant? * ADHD * Synchronicity

Time. Attention. How it’s spent, and what that expenditure aligns with is the topic Todd and Peter cover in this episode. They discuss how understanding where time goes can highlight points where making intentional adjustments can help us create a path to fulfillment and purpose.

Related points:

In Vietnam, the busses have vomit bags for everyone, which get used. But when they clean up, they throw the bags out the windows into the motor scooter commuters.
We end up paying attention to things, but many times on an unintentional basis.
How do we add value to our life, through our attention?
How do we add value to other people’s lives, through how we employ our attention?
Sleep is key and underpins all we do and can accomplish as humans.
Shout out to Rory for helping to lift points of awesome in others.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

If something is of importance to us, we will give it our attention.
Try to observe your time, and document it to understand where it goes and how it's spent.
What our values are is often what makes our attention most useful.
Understanding / Defining our values is a long endeavor, but one which is essential to understanding how what we do adds value.
Make slight changes to shift attention and action toward things which we value as essential – and – away from things we realize are less fruitful.
If you are able, solicit feedback from those closest to you to uncover things often obfuscated from our self-perception.
Save amounts of time to entertain new thoughts and ideas – or even just allow intentional quiet.

Quotes/quips:

"As long as we’re alive, we have time.”
“It’s not that I didn’t have time, it’s that I chose not to make time.”
“We all have the same 24 hours in a day, how we spend them determines what we become.”
“Discipline is the difference between what we want now and what we want most.” – Abe Lincoln
“Don’t let life do you, go do life.”

Rando Mentions:

Stand by Me – Barf-O-Rama
Route 2 through Boston
Muppets - Swedish Chef

How do you restore your reserves? Are you intentional about that, or rarely think about what's involved? In this episode Peter and Todd discuss the processes they have found and employed, what has and has not worked. As usual there are a few sidebar conversations which eventually come back around to the point of discussion.

Related points:

Having an awareness of balance and a mindset of acceptance when balance shifts.
Different scale of restoration events. Micro and macro, and things in-between.
Brain recharge and reset, mindset of restoration.
Where we find joy shifts in life with its variables – families, circumstances, environment.
Different methods of restorative action can be found anywhere, and at any time.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Once a year, try to unplug and detach completely, and look or go into yourself.
Cultivate an awareness of your feelings and boundaries. Know when they are overstepped or shifting.
Look for and note the things which you know rejuvenate you.
Appreciate when you are present in that which recharges you for added benefit.
Example recharge rules:
Don’t do anything you don’t want to do.
Look for comfort in structure/routine.
Consider having dedicated spaces for dedicated events.
Bed = sleep
Gym = workout
Living room = lounging

Quotes/quips:

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” - Benjamin Franklin

Rando Mentions:

The Silence of the Lambs (novel) - Wikipedia
Anderson Island (Washington) - Wikipedia
Intermittent Fasting: What is it, and how does it work? | Johns Hopkins Medicine
Why do we block blue light? - A simplified explanation – GembaRed

Ever feel like the thoughts of others might be playing some sort of role in the way we act... well, we have, and so in this episode Peter and Todd dive into this topic.

Related points:

Hypocrisy: a feigning to be what one is not or to believe what one does not:behavior that contradicts what one claims to believe or feel.
Sometimes what we think about what other people think about us can be an interesting thing to ponder.
There is a shifted cultural norm where people are distancing themselves from each other with increasing frequency. We each make a choice how to interact with (or respond), or in, that norm.
Do we hold importance of what others think as a moniker of how we lead and adhere to our values or intend to?
It is best to put your beer in a paper bag.
The metaverse is on its way.
Humans often change their mannerisms based on our environment and the people or things within it.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

How we respond to a stimulus, predicates how we appear to others around us.
The weight of how others perspective of us, can be shifted through alignment of values.
Practicing holding a space to contemplate how we can feel, how we may react, how we might respond – allows experimenting with different outcomes.
Follow your values, then through reflection and awareness, we are better equipped to manage the clutter we find.

Quotes/quips:

"I try explain to them like the popularity machine of high school doesn't exist when you leave high school."
"In this moment, what's my intention and how can I proceed with that... in the way most aligned with my values."

Rando Mentions:

The Daily Stoic
Metaverse
Ready Player One (book) (film)
Responsible AI
Grasping (Buddhism)

Ready Player One

Peter and Todd talk about the elements/drivers of and change and behavioral modifications. We stack the ideas and discuss where we think we are on the continuum, and how we could do better. As an educator, Peter reflects where the topics found in the coursework intersect with school settings – and shares what he is learning with us all here.

Definitions:

Autonomy: The capacity to make an informed uncoerced decision.
Mastery: Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a subject or accomplishment.
Purpose (noun): The reason for which something is done or created, or for which something exists.
Purpose (verb): To have as one intention or objective.
Ambivalence: Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something so.

Related points:

Fuel prices have been up in the last few weeks... strange behaviors sometimes ensue.
Many of our listeners are helping others be better versions of themselves.
Peter is on a nutritional education quest.
The drivers of motivation are mastery, autonomy, and purpose.
It's amazingly easy to see our own shortcomings.
‘Y’all’ is a good replacement instead of using ‘you guys’.
Sometimes you just need to reboot.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

The five stages of change: Precontemplation, contemplation, preparation, action, and maintenance.
To help support someone change, start with empathy through reflective listening.
Adjust to resistance rather than opposing it directly.
Surround yourself with people who you can trust, and who can trust you.
Never be afraid to assert that you don’t know something if you truly don’t.
If a situation is challenging, chances are there many opportunities within that struggle to be a better version of yourself.

Quotes/quips:

"Someone once wiser and smarter than me said everything moves at the speed of trust.”
“I'm not certified anything, but I'm an expert in what I'm interested in.”
“I know what I know, and I don't know what I don't know.”
“I truly don't believe in bad days, just challenging moments within 24-hour periods.”

Rando Mentions:

Motivational Interviewing - Books by Stephen Rollnick | Stephen Rollnick
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Anniversary Edition: Covey, Stephen R.: 9781982137274: Amazon.com: Books
George Carlin - Wikipedia

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: 30th Anniversary Edition

In this episode we unveil and speak to (in real-time), the second half of John C's questions.

What are you looking forward to most in the next 10 years?
What is the best gift you've ever received and why?
Who was the most helpful and inspiring person in your life, in your younger years, and why?

Related points:

Slow motion is better than no motion.
If you don't have the right bike, at least have the right mindset.
Every John/Jon has an 'n'.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

If you are driving and need to remember something, pull over and capture it safely.
Chase your passions with reckless abandon.
Try to focus less on your devices and spend more time getting to know people around you.

Quotes/quips:

"I like to say I'd rather live 10,000 days than live the same day 10,000 times."
"Tell the people that we love the most, how much we love them because tomorrow is not guaranteed."
"I think that there's dog lovers and their dog haters, and nobody falls in between."

Rando Mentions:

Scott City, Kansas
Blizzard Beach Water Park (seems to keep coming up)

Ever find sometimes it is so hard to begin, ever think more about that and the why or reasons behind it? Peter and Todd dive into this thought track and uncover things along the way which have served them as well as things which maybe... well not so much.

Related points:

If we wait until we're ready, we risk never getting started at all.
The more you resist doing something, the more you will get from doing it.
It can become paralyzing to gather 'all' the info before making a decision.
For many, interest drives adoption and beginning.
Make a decision and move forward like it was the right one.
To motivate the unmotivated - find the smallest piece and build from that.
Learning something new can be a catalyst of interest and intent.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Progress is the biggest motivator - but to have some level of progress, you must act even when you don't feel like it, and that takes a certain level of mental resolve.
Begin a monolithic task by discovering the smallest thing you can take any action on/toward - the minimal viable piece.
The better than yesterday's is based on a low trajectory with a distant horizon.
With failure or setback along the way to a goal, try to observe the instance (of failure or setback) as a 'strike' rather than an 'out' (baseball terms).
Everyone is motivated differently, discovering what motivates you is a wonderful place to begin.
If you put off starting because you have no skill in that area, find one small skill and begin learning.

Peter’s tactical tips: (~27:49 thru ~32:15 - to hear Peter's framework and example in the show)

Find the smallest place to start and commit to X amount of time, whether it's 30 seconds a minute, 5 minutes, whatever.
Keep a written log or journal that you can see somewhere so you know if you achieve that goal or not for the day - with a check mark, or an X, or a highlight, whatever that is.
Share your success with someone who genuinely cares about you so.
Add a reward to keep you moving forward.

Quotes/quips:

"Luck only happens when preparation meets opportunity."
"I believe in luck and what I've learned is the harder I work, the luckier I get."
"I have to say I'm going to do as well as I can today and feel as good as I can about myself."
"The definition of focus is giving your attention to the details while always keeping the big picture in mind."
"Mental Strength == knowing the difference in what we have control over and what we don't."

Rando Mentions:

Ketogenic Diet
Big Hairy Audacious Goals
Spoons Theory

In this episode we unveil and speak to in real-time, a listener (John C., I see you!) round of submitted questions. We only got to half of the set, so this is part one of two along this same thread.

What are the best and worst characteristics of yourselves? How do you cope, prevent, or respond - or how do you deal with the worst ones?
What's the most interesting thing you've ever seen at a party?
What is a time you've hurt someone the most?

Related points:

Not let someone else's opinions about an individual lend bias to how we see them.
Don't eat your wife's beans!
How an awareness of impatience can lead to growth.
Practical jokes can backfire horribly.
Flavors of pain get bolder when we are finally able to relate (put ourselves in a comparable situation).

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Positive intention, let that lead all that you do.
Give full attention to the things which warrant it, in that very moment.
See the best version when interacting with anyone/everyone.
If you observe feet (if there are feet) not pointing toward people when they are communicating, this can be an indicator of non-interest.
Multi-tasking is a danger when it comes to intention and deep presence.
Don't make assumptions of individuals' strengths or weaknesses based on the visual cues.
Lean into discomfort where you see or know your shortcomings exist and do so as often as you are able.

Quotes/quips:

"The only time we stop making progress is at the point where we know we are approaching failure."
"I lack intention and attention, way more frequently than I'd like to admit, but that I'd like to apply in my life."

What we do in any situation is either a response, a reaction, or inaction. Peter and Todd discuss their thoughts and perspectives about stimulus and what we do in reply to it. We share with each other, and you all, how playing with the exposed dials led us to more meaningful ways to learn from these things.

Related points:

First responders, not first reactors.
A reaction may not move a situation forward, a response may be more effective.
Can responses become more natural or override reactions?
Transactional vs Transformational interactions.
Intoxication leads to poor reactions.
A pause in time to contemplate how we respond, vs a knee jerk reaction without thinking.
In the moment, reactions can have a greater impact or utility (think safety).

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Taking time when we see we have reacted and use that as a point to consider how to respond differently in the future - leads to being a more transformational figure for others.
If you don't know something, state that as your response.
Owning our shortcomings can garner respect from others.
Look for emotions in ourselves to be aware of opportunities to better respond.

Quotes/quips:

"If you do the easy things now, life will be hard. If you do the hard things now, life will be easy."
"Always tell someone why you are teaching them, what you are teaching them."
"The more difficult response becomes the most rewarding in the end."

Rando links:

Dog Sledding in Maine

Peter and Todd discuss mental strength and/or mindset. Using Maslow's hierarchy format, we delve into how we can use a similar structure for how we approach mindset. As we think about mindset and all the things which can and do influence it, how does that then lead to how we navigate our experience - conversely - how have the things we have experienced influence how we realize our mindset and then choose to work with or upon it toward new outcomes.

Related points:

Victim mentality
Triggers
Ownership
Situational curiosity
Supporting others before ourselves
Character flaws, and what aspects can we work on?
Thriving

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Effort and attitude.
Choices, and making them intentionally.
Exploring the difference between response and reaction.

Quotes/quips:

"Confidence is the foundation upon which all our successes are built."
"Courage is willing to try something regardless of what the outcome could be."
"Mental strength is the ability to understand the difference between what we have control over and what we don't." - Peter
"Awareness creates intention, and intention creates action."
"Mental strength is the willingness to do uncomfortable things." - Todd
"We can't be available to others, if we aren't available to ourselves first."
"The number one ability is availability."
"Often when we complain, it is about things we have no control over."
"Whatever we focus upon, that's what we bring our attention to."
"What you do is what you get."
"What you see as lacking in your marriage, is what you fail to bring to it."

Rando links:

Maslow's hierarchy of needs - Wikipedia
Bergeron's Hierarchy of Mindset | The Actor's Dojo (dojoactors.com)
Wim Hof (breathwork)
Apnea tables (breathwork)
RomWod (CrossFit flavored yoga)
Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art (book by James Nestor)
Hangry (definition)

Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art

Expectations, what a crazy lofty topic! What we think something, or someone should be & how we form standards in our minds - this is the root of expectation. Pete and Todd explore what expectations mean to them, where they originate, how to keep an awareness around expectations to see them for what they are and how they can guide/drive behaviors.

On the other side of our individual expectations rests how "others' expectations" can weigh on us and influence how we react to them.

Three facets we consider...

The way that we view ourselves
The way that we think others view us.
The way that we are actually viewed by others.

Mental habit / action / tool examples:

Embracing others to be the best versions of themselves.
Being aware of our expectations, as well as those of others.
The pause (choice).
Form words in our head, with an awareness of expectations, before they come out of our mouths.
Lean into situations where expectation arises and shift your response to play with different outcomes.
Being aware of the 'should'.

Quotes/quips:

"Happiness is reality, minus expectations."
"Expectation is the mother of all disappointment."
"Looking at the heart (of an individual), not the action."
"Routine is freedom."
"Our greatest strength is our greatest weakness."
"No bad days, just challenging moments within 24-hour periods."

Rando links:

Whistler, British Columbia, Canada

The fellas discuss their different perspectives around a quote Peter drops about inspiration and habits. Sharing these ideas, they find that aspiration, motivation, action, and stress make an appearance. They discuss the differences between physical and mental actions, and how each has its utility. Further into the episode they get into mindfulness, and how the practice and focus of this habit can strengthen our intentions.

The quote to spur our conversation:

"First forget inspiration. Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not. Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't. Habit is persistence in practice." - Octavia Butler

Mental habit / action examples: mindset, moving forward, persevering, resilience, awareness.

Quotes/quips:

"Don't put all your habits in one basket."
"When the student is ready, the teacher appears."
"Habit is what we repeatedly do, and we are what we repeatedly do - we are the sum of our habits."
"Motivation is temporary but inspiration is permanent."
"We are human beings, not human doings."
"When you're intentional you notice more things."

Books:

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive - Mark Brackett
Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain - John J. Ratey MD
Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World - Mark Williams, Danny Penman

Rando links:

Firework - Katy Perry
Mount Rainier
Man in the Arena - Tom Brady - Docu-series

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves, and Our Society Thrive

Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain

The guys discuss some frequently asked questions, then dive into a new topic-experiment deemed the "5 X 5." In this format, Todd & Pete each speak to 5 questions for no more than 5 minutes total ( 2.5 minutes apiece).

So many books/shows/podcasts were discussed that we'll start a list and publish that soon - listen for a mention in an upcoming show.

Any suggestions, topic ideas, or guest suggestions - please use this link.

Todd & Pete often mention striving for a life of meaning and PURPOSE. In this episode the guys discuss different perspectives around life's PURPOSE - where to find it, how it evolves, and tools they've learned to determine how to chase it. Along the way are ties to values, action, intent, gratitude and human connection.

No notable reference links to share in this episode, as much as we enjoy adding them.

In true Peter form, we explore a completely new topic in real-time. In this episode our discussion centers around "an endeavor where anticipated struggles were not actually realized, and what was the take-away / lesson in the end." As our podcast form evolves we sometimes digress, but are striving toward keeping the most important thing just that... the most important thing: which is sharing our struggles with a hopeful side benefit for others to learn from, or at the very least, relate to what comes up.

Special shout to John C. - Thank you for being engaged and interested.

Hope you all enjoy.

Quotes and quips (new section experiment):

If you want something done, find and ask the busiest person you know.

Of mention:

Small Jar of Trash
CrossFit Methodology
Whole 30
Paleo Diet

In this episode we unspool some questions Todd discovered that kept popping up in his brain after hearing the stories Pete shared across previous episodes. There was no real road map, and as Todd's mind works you can see it’s a random jumble. While no specific struggles were targeted when they started, as one can imagine, a few unfolded along the way!

Hope you enjoy.

Of mention:

Self-sealing bicycle tires
Mt Bachelor, Oregon
Spartan Races
Wu-Tang Clan
Social Privilege

Change in any capacity is difficult - to think about, to experience suddenly, to begin on our own - in so many ways. As the new year arrives many of us are striving to make resolutions. In this episode Todd a & Pete discuss how the default for humans is comfort or doing just enough to remain comfortable - yet that makes the process of realizing our potential (and beyond) difficult to navigate.

Here, the guys discuss their perspectives on this topic, what they have discovered to work well for them personally and in environments where they find themselves. All humans struggle and fail, it's how we learn, sharing ideas with others who are interested helps us all move more efficiently through some common challenges that we hope you may find useful and can be found within.

Podcast feedback - click here.

Points of mention:

The 5 Second Rule - Mel Robbins
Atomic Habits - James Clear
Virtuosity (CrossFit Journal - Greg Glassman)

Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones

The 5 Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage

Resuming Pete's backstory, this time from the college years through present times. There are many nuggets that underline points of upbringing, which we can see directly impact how Pete navigates his reality. Join us as we travel his journey from San Diego to Alaska with layovers in Vietnam and Kansas… we hope you enjoy!

Show feedback? Click Here Notable mentions:

Disney's Blizzard Beach Hartland, Vermont (US) Marshmallow test (experiment)

From his first memory all the way to the end of college and the trouble he got into along the way, the guys unwind Pete's recollections touching upon struggles and stories found across the range of his formative years and beyond.

Part 1 of 2: Pete's Personal Histories.

Points of mention...

80's CATV selector
Holyoke MA (USA) history
Luddites
Dee Brown

Peter and Todd dive with both feet into Todd's background, unwinding challenges and struggles while discussing lessons they offered.

When we are willing to intentionally slow down and look back, it is amazing what we can learn from the experiences that have molded us into the individuals we have become. Often this is where we insert the '20/20 hindsight' quip, but if we really look for lessons which can offer growth, it can be a powerful tool itself.

I wrote this myself (Todd), after reviewing the draft audio. To me it's lived, however for others it may be hard to see - so worth stating that I am grateful to be on this ride with someone who eloquently helps my story flow through question timing and thoughtfulness. Thank you, Peter.

We are interested in your thoughts. Should you choose to share them we created a simple form for that ➡️ https://aka.ms/SchoolingStruggle/Feedback

In this episode we discuss gratitude (with a few anecdotal sidebars). This conversation focuses on how gratitude was discovered along our paths, how we have morphed our views on it, and ways we have relied upon and employed it to help shift perspectives and brighten the days of others.

Thank you for listening, we are grateful.

Mentions in the show:

The Obstacle is the Way - Ryan Holiday

The Obstacle is the Way: The Ancient Art of Turning Adversity to Advantage

On this inaugural episode Peter and Todd discuss the why behind this effort, how they met, and some small snackable bites about who they are beyond the microphones.

This is the beginning, and all that comes from it and afterward is pure opportunity.

Trailer Episode! The only guarantees in life: 1) We are never going to make it out alive! 2) We are all going to struggle.The discussions of this podcast center around the most integral skill needed for a life driven by purpose and fulfillment - How to cultivate a mindset to embrace struggle. Come join us in the struggle!