Here's A Thought

Send a text In which we examine five unfortunate phrases that we may find ourselves using when speaking to those in younger generations — and why we shouldn't, if we want to have a chance at being taken seriously. Or even just heard . . . Ohio Express, "Yummy Yummy Yummy (I Got Love in My Tummy)" 1968 Support the show Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode?...

Send a text In which we consider the surprisingly common and weirdly persistent phenomenon of imposter syndrome: odds are you've experienced it too, at some point in your life. Don't fret: you're not alone — and maybe knowing that can help you stop seeing yourself as a fraud and start seeing yourself as fabulous. References: EM&Friends Card Studio Imposter Syndrome Institute htt...

Send a text In which we contemplate what happens when AI goes so far beyond what we expect . . . that we don't even know what to expect. The thing is, we may already have reached that point. There's no bottle for this genie; let's hope it's benevolent. Sources: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/12/opinion/chatbots-artificial-intelligence-future-weirdness.html?searchResultPosition...

Send a text At some point in our lives, we all ask God or the Universe the same question. Here's a story that helped me understand the answer — even though that answer is another question. Sound Effect from Pixabay Support the show Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at HeresAThought8@gmail.com...

Send a text In which we consider why we keep up the absurd ritual of changing our clocks twice a year — and what it does to us, and how we got here in the first place. If you're feeling out of sorts this week, it's not your fault. And you're not alone. Article links: Here's a Horrifying Picture of What Sleep Deprivation Will Do To You," Huff Post, December 2017: https://ww...

Send a text We don't expect to get through our whole lives in perfect physical health, without ever having to see a doctor or a pharmacist or maybe even a personal trainer. Why do we have such trouble asking for support with our mental health? This week, I  talk about reaching a place where I realize it's time for me to walk my talk. Support the show Do you have comments to share or an i...

Send a text All dog stories should have happy endings. This one doesn't have the ending I'd hoped for — but maybe it will have an even better one.  Support the show Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at HeresAThought8@gmail.com Or, contact me on my website at www. JanMFlynn.net Or, DM me o...

Send a text In which we consider the tired phrases, overworked buzzwords, and meaningless jargon that clogs our language like the freshwater clams that clog our lakes. It's time for a cleanout, and thanks to the eagle-eyed folks at the Lake Superior State University School of Arts and Letters, we know just how to do it! That is, if we agree with their opinions . . . Here's the official 2...

Send a text We've all had this happen: somebody says something that they mean nicely . . . but that lands on us uncomfortably. For instance, I think I recently received my first "old lady" compliment.  There is always only one way to respond. But there may be a lot to process. Support the show Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthoug...

Send a text We all run into people who we find to be overbearing, self-involved,  and who like to dominate every conversation.  But what if the domineering or difficult person in your life is truly a narcissist — not just somebody who's pushy or overconfident, but who may have a personality disorder? It's a topic that seems especially timely, and thanks to one of the show's listener...

Send a text This is the blogcast for people who overthink, hosted and produced by a veteran overthinker. And since overthinking is closely related to worry, we spend this week's episode delving into the overwhelming likelihood that, whatever you're worried about at the moment, it's not what you should be worried about. For example, asteroids on a collisions course with Earth . . . S...

Send a text In this episode, I announce the publication of two of my real-life dog stories in the newest collection from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Lessons Learned From My Dog — and how this came about, the dogs my stories memorialize, and why I have to bake 100 homemade dog cookies. Source links: https://www.chickensoup.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Chicken-Soup-Soul-Lessons-Friendship-ebook/dp/B0B...

Send a text In this week's episode of Here's A Thought, we consider the remarks of a freshman member of  Idaho's House of Representatives — who, in introducing himself to the Agriculture Affairs committee, really stepped in a big stinking cow pie. Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at...

Send a text When something comes along that rattles your foundations and makes you question your place in the scheme of things — it's not a comfortable place to be. In this episode, we check out the perspective — humbling, yet comforting — offered by a long-ago bed of marigolds. Why make life harder than it has to be? Do you have an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I&...

Send a text In which we consider the whole notion of setting goals — or resolutions — as we begin another year. As we'll see, sometimes it's a double-edged sword. What might happen if we plan a little less and trust ourselves a little more? Do you have an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at HeresAThought8@gmail.com Or, con...

Send a text In which, now that the Christmas chaos is behind us, we consider the unique charms while the world slows down until New Year's. Take a breath, relax, and settle in.  This week only comes around once every twelve months. Do you have an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at HeresAThought8@gmail.com Or, contact me on my...

Send a text In which I conduct an interview with Chatbot GPT, the new publicly accessible artificial general intelligence from OpenAI. The responses are everything from bland to alarming — and they sound almost human. Almost, sometimes, better than human. It's a new world, my friend. Have we just created a tool so powerful that it might end up using us? Thanks to my digital guest, Chatbot GPT...

Send a text Season 2, Episode 2: In which we talk about a change every woman — or every person assigned a factory-equipped female body — is bound to go through if they live long enough. That's right, we're going to talk about The Change. The Big M. Menopause. It's high time to do some overthinking about a topic that isn't talked about enough. Grab a cool drink and let's di...

Send a text In which Here's A Thought returns to reveal the theme for Season 2. But first, in view of the holiday season hurtling towards us, we consider our attempts to control the most uncontrollable aspect of our lives: time itself. Have an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from you! Email me at HeresAThought8@gmail.com Or, contact me on my web...

Send a text This is the blog cast for people who overthink — but what do we mean by overthinking anyway? Let's give that some thought, while we celebrate Here's A Thought reaching its 48th episode — and the end of its first season! Help us take the next season in a new direction! Email me your comments and suggestions for what you'd like me to overhink in an upcoming episode — at He...

Send a text There's lots to overthink right now: climate crises, democracy in upheaval, contentious elections coming up — so it strikes me as odd that one of the things that has people all worked up these days is bathrooms. That is, who gets to occupy them, and when. In the light of everything else going on, it seems like an odd thing to fret over. What if it's not so much about having t...

Send a text In which — well, in which there are two topics: 1. I'd love to hear from you — your thoughts, your over-thoughts, your comments, and ALSO your suggestions for whatever you'd like me to overthink in an upcoming episode.  Just email me at HeresAThought8@gmail.com   — I'll never sell or share your email address, promise! 2. If I run into you, especially if it's somewhe...

Send a text In which we consider how much energy we use up trying to control things we can't. That's not because we're bad or foolish — it's because we're human. But maybe we could be a lot happier and more content if we learned how and when to lose control. Marcus Aurelius and Audrey Hepburn might agree. Leave me a comment, suggest what you'd like me to overthink on...

Send a text In which I stumble upon Encore.org and discover their exciting and hopeful mission — to bridge divides and bring the generations together to help heal the world and make it better. It's called cogeneration, and it's a very good thing. Join me as I take a peek. Also mentioned: the new podcast from Crow's Feet: Life As We Age — check it out! Leave me a comment, suggest wha...

Send a text In which we consider how our jobs — those things we do to pay the bills but that also do so much to fill our days and even define us — can be a source of fulfillment or a miserable slog. What makes them that way? Often, it's not about the things we think, like how impressive the job title is or even the size of the paycheck. Leave me a comment, suggest what you'd like me to o...