Englishman In Montreal: Recent Episodes
Daniel Mounter
Musings and audio journal of a former cult member and former British man now living in Montreal, Canada.
Where did I go, and why? Why am I coming back to this relic of the pandemic? All will be explained in this short re-opener.
As it becomes clearer that I can no longer continue working for the EB while not being a follower of their system, I weigh up the U turn they took over technology which helped exponentially to my being disenchanted with their whole system.
All the fun of the farm! How I adapted quickly to all the new skills and tasks in a very different environment. The fun in turning a £500 implement into a £10k implement with a 30 minute pressure wash...
In more depth why commuting was both liberating and limiting. How I came to make decisions related to my needs and not be overruled by unreasonable demands. How I handled a violent road rage incident. How McDonald's led me astray from the E B System!
How I managed to evolve my own job tasks, and how contact with normal people helped me to normalise my own life. How opening my mind helped me to open the box I had been unsuccessfully trying to keep shut.
How I correctly anticipated the emotional fallout from telling my first boss I was moving on. Introducing the principle that the excitement of a honeymoon is easily quenched. Why I had no time for the EB System guilt trip.
The suspicion EB System businesses had towards technology was especially evident in my first full time EB run job... in this episode I look at how we worked around the limitations... and how I learned not to judge things in black and white.
In a job that provided next to no training and required no qualifications, how did I become competent? This is how.
The advantage of working in my first long term job? The people. The disadvantage? The people. How I learned to relate more to normal people and not prejudge them. Also a look at some funny characters among my clientele...
Some memorable moments from the beginning of my longest uninterrupted job, seven years to be exact. Setbacks and triumphs. Life lessons. Weird and funny people...
A humorous look at the strange computer-matrix Jig-Cal career finder, the Trident internship experience, and my first real job when fresh out of school.
Working with and for very special people... bizarre experiences and life lessons in my early teen years...
Looking at my first foray into the world of work... this episode details my earliest memories of earning money...even danger money!
In which I introduce yet another series of podcasts, reminiscing and discussing my insanely complex CV and the people I have worked with. Also mentioning why the before/after leaving the EB system was such a paradigm shift.
A departure from the tourist-orientated podcasts, an anecdotal trip from one country to another, one language to another by virtue of an unforgettable train trip. An outline of what characterizes Wales, and how I had some of my preconceptions debunked.
An offbeat visit to a very peculiar region of the UK, with which I'm intimately familiar. This episode is a little off the beaten track, feel free to comment or leave feedback!
In episode 2 of season 5, we pay a visit to the historic, beautiful and less well known former capital of England. Though the Baedecker series of podcasts is founded on my experience and opinions, there is something for everyone in this beautiful city that always plays second fiddle to London!
Going back and exploring some of my early life experiences of being alone and without adults present...reflecting on why this does not seem to impact today. Connecting the dots with current feelings and life. In this episode, I have incorporated some of your valuable feedback...please let me know your opinions!
As an opening, I discuss one of my all time preferred areas of the UK. The reasons why this is first pick. What to do there. Things to avoid. Take-home suggestions for those planning a trip.
Season five topically covers the many places on my "Baedecker list" of British areas that I strongly recommend people to visit rather than waste their time and money on package tours. Based mostly on experience, these will be full of suggestions to get the most from my maternal land.
The pandemic has highlighted two things; the primordial nature of in-person friendship, and the previously underappreciated value of distance friendships. In this episode I pull apart what these loose categories of friendship mean to me.
A journalistic episode with a topic that has been foremost in my mind recently. How can I reframe things that cause impatience, and recognize the things over which I have no control?
Musing on the hope that arises from the change of leadership in the US and the benefits of the vaccine which is being rolled out. Delving into the concept of ownership vs rental, physical vs virtual. The importance of respecting people's value of things.
Episode 3/3 Analyzing the similarities between a cult and the disinformation epidemic. Looking at apocalyptic scenarios, the End of Days. The concept of believing in enlightenment. How can false and damaging beliefs be countered without making enemies or falling into the same cognitive bias traps?
The principle of a common enemy: Us and Them. Harnessing human vulnerability and cognitive biases. Priming and conditioning for any scenario: an explanation for everything.
Introducing the analogies which I draw between a cult, and the current plague called the disinformation movement. Uniformity/conformity, Groups peak, mystique, vagueness and fudging explanations. Leader and influencer infallibility and purity of motive... part two will continue the analogies.
Episode 9/season 4 takes a break from the journalistic approach and examines the biases and faulty logic that makes us believe a canceled Christmas would be a huge loss.
The big news promised in last episode! Current and future projects outlined for this exceptionally different Christmas period.
Some anticipated, some not so. In this episode I do not attempt to play catch up, rather to look to onward and upward developments.
This is very much a transitional week. Many probable and foreseen changes, increased productivity and new stressors.
Experimental... despite background noise, I'm recording this episode of my audio journal outside. The cicadas are providing an almost nonstop backdrop. Major distractions have been filtered out. Any and all feedback very gratefully received.
First full episode including all the categories outlined in pilot episode. As always, feedback greatly appreciated.
Teaser of upcoming new format for this season. New episodes will include some of the following: 1. Biography entries, 2: Observation, journalistic posts, 3: the emotive element, thoughts and feelings. 4: progress updates. 5: projects. 6: projections, plans, hopes and dreams.
Making binary choices, dealing with inevitable negative consequences, silencing the inner doubt. I also look at my process for making these choices.
When making life altering decisions and changes, which approach is better? A measured, planned approach? Or a flexible, spontaneous and seat-of-the-pants dive in the deep end? With the use of real life analogy, I delve into this thorny subject.
Analyzing external and internal causes of this irrational fear of being "put on the spot" in front of others. Why life is not merely a performance or an act. Coping strategies and rationalizing this emotional response which is common to us all.
The evolution of IT has been delayed in coming to the closed off, seperationist EB System. In this final episode of the season, we look at how tech developments and world events have forced many U turns in policy...and some heartache. Ultimately though, the take-home from this story is positive. Opening horizons and borders, opens dialogue and freedom where once there was restriction and fear.
I dip into the morass that is the EB System's entertaining culture. Musing on how entertaining is a channel for the money and energy that would otherwise go to entertainment in a mainstream culture.
Looking at the looser and more permissive event of the EB weekly calendar. Wrapping the series on the same subject and teasing three upcoming episodes.
Examining the strange phenomenon of the EB "Interchange" weeknight meeting. The strange ritual migration that happened 2-3 times a week, and how it impacted life as an EB follower.
Describing the mid week "city reading" meeting of the EB calendar. I go into more descriptive detail of their "interchange" system and the impractical nature of this arrangement.
In which I highlight the difficulty of incorporating inverted commas into a spoken word piece. Why Tuesday night is often fraught for EB followers.
On the prayer meetings held by EB on Monday evenings. The difficulties of obligatory participation and the reality vs fantasy surrounding it.
Describing the "essential occasion" and the many other commitments that EB followers make on this, their busiest day of the week.
In which I give an overview of what two types of gathering are held on Saturdays. Also includes explanations of the word "Interchange" and why the "care meeting" Saturdays are so eagerly anticipated by so many EB followers.
In this I explore the various trajectories that open up to those who leave the EB System...and how they continue to affect life in decades following leaving.
A closer look at the disparity between male and female EB followers in terms of personal appearance, dress and development.
I explore the labeling of the EB as a system. Dip into the do's and don'ts. Give a brief overview of how my re-labelling reflects the EB's own re-branding
A look at the meeting halls built and used exclusively (go figure!) by the EB System's followers. A walkthrough a typical city meeting hall. A teaser of upcoming episodes.
I dip into the controversial subject of official vs informal roles that most followers of the EB system fall into. Debating also on the notion of a hierarchy versus token democracy.
Beginning a new season with a close look at the system of control into which I was born. What it is, how it affects me today, and how it shapes my approach to humanity.
I analyse why I take a different approach to broadcast music, entertainment and recorded media. I also look into how this is evolving since the advent of the internet. Finally, a resume of the upcoming new season/series of this podcast.
How self reflection tools are helpful in dealing with the past, present and future- whatever form they may take.
Triggers, coping strategies, a way forward to make nostalgia a positive asset rather than a depressing liability in my new life in Canada.
In this I explore what having a vehicle or means of transport has meant to me over the years. I also vent a little on my privileged frustration at not having a car currently.
In this episode, the Englishman in Montreal breaks down some of the challenges of becoming just such a person. With a final wrap of what lessons have been learned 10 years down the line.
What I love about these institutions; also why I'm disappointed they don't exist in the same form in Canada, and why online ordering is not the same.
How my love of model making survived a drastic clean up and emigrating to another country. The creative spark lives on even when asleep.
Part one of two, detailing my introduction to modelling, and the part it has played in my emotional and developmental experience.
Touching briefly on those who helped foster the creative germ. Both living and those no longer with us.
A second look at art and creativity, this time detailing how I was able to foster the creative side despite the regimented lifestyle into which I was born.
Touching on the various forms of creativity in my life, and how each helped me to break free of the constraints of a very severely restricted lifestyle.
The global pandemic has resulted in recurring deja vu for me. In this episode, I attempt to analyze whence these feelings. I also draw positive conclusions from how I am experiencing this, and how it provides hope for a way forward.
As mentioned in the previous episode, having pen pals was a huge vector in my trip through life and getting to Canada. In this offering, I share how my mother's 55 year penpal friendship with a woman from the other side of the world inspired me to take up and continue the hobby.