uneven

We are launching our new community platform on October 1st, 2024. In today's podcast, we learn about this new platform, about its features, and about how to become a founding member and be a part of its creation. Come join us and we'll see you there. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  welcome 0:00:49  how am I doing? 0:01:55  what I've been doing lately 0:02:41  all about the "uneven community" 0:02:54  1) the pla...

Sometimes we find ourselves at the bottom of a deep, dark hole, and we just need a little motivation to start our climb back up. Perhaps a touch of gratitude might help. Perhaps we remember the sacrifices made by those who came before us. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  picture this... 0:01:03  I love a rainy afternoon 0:02:04  weather and other crazy stuff 0:03:08  I've been a way for a bit 0:03:34  perspectiv...

My wife's dad passed away last week. It's an overwhelming experience — one filled with anger, grief, and lots of tears. But also, introspection. Today, I talk a bit about this experience, share a few of my own trials, and finally settle on that "one thing." CHAPTERS 0:00:00  on the porch in a thunderstorm 0:00:57  podcast has been dark lately 0:00:70  yesterday's emotional release / sob fest 0:01:...

Lessons come from a variety of sources. Something as trivial as a favorite movie. Disabling as chronic pain. Or profound as waiting for a loved one to take their last breath. The most priceless lessons are often found in the darkest of times. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  podcast affected by my experiences 0:01:38  overall nerve pain 0:02:03  wife's dad brought home for hospice 0:03:38  coming to terms with d...

One of the key factors in chronic anxiety, is control. We are so afraid of what may, or may not happen that we try to control almost every aspect of our lives. Typically, with little success. Perhaps, learning to let go of the control is a better path. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  taking a walk in longmont, co 0:00:43  deciding what to talk about 0:01:25  lot of change in my life 0:02:03  when do you stand u...

Sitting on the back porch with Murphy as we contemplate the now and the not yet now. Mindfulness (focusing on the present) is a very useful tool for managing anxiety and depression. That being said, having something to look forward has its own rewards too. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  on the porch / summer is here 0:00:38  struggling lately 0:01:12  three eggs and a bran muffin 0:01:42  another emotional rel...

Every now and then we get overwhelmed with negative events. When that happens, when it seems as if the fates are against us, we need to find something hopeful to lift us up. Join me on my morning walk as we seek that light together. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  a morning walk with the birds 0:01:08  negativity overwhelm 0:03:02  finding a balance and connection 0:03:45  not everyone feels good most of the ti...

Relationships seem harder today than perhaps any other time in history. What does it take to find that special someone? And even more so, to keep that relationship going? I may not have the answers, but it should be a good discussion. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  intro 0:00:31  in the basement 0:01:10  health complications with father-in-law 0:01:59  what have i learned about marriage 0:03:13  we're designed...

We are more informed today than ever in human history — and equally so, more terrified. We don't know who to trust, what to believe, or where to turn. This state of instability leaves us fearful and anxious, desperately seeking answers and calm. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  I've been lost lately 0:01:55  still about anxiety 0:02:22  anxiety and generations 0:04:13  this struggle is different 0:05:34  eroding...

Enjoy this relaxing, guided meditation on the beach with ocean waves and the distant song of native birds. This is the first of our meditations on this channel, and I hope you like it. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  meditation intro 0:00:57  3 deep breaths 0:02:08  picture a beach 0:02:39  no worries 0:03:25  releasing the stress 0:04:40  easing back into the world RECODING INFO — RECORDED: Tuesday, May 7, 202...

When it comes to meditation, there are a lot of obstacles. Lack of time. Lack of dedication. Lack of success. While it may not be for everyone, meditation does have a proven track record in managing anxiety — and it only takes 5 minutes to give it a try. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  why meditation is not for me 0:00:55  you don't have to be good at it 0:01:21  perfectionism in meditation 0:01:53  mindfulness...

When life appears to have it in for us, how do we persevere? How do we find the tools and methods to lift our spirits and power through? The last few days have been difficult for me, but I've found solace in some old standards. What are yours? CHAPTERS 0:00:00  murphy says hi 0:01:29  keeping our spirits up 0:01:57  balance, sympathy, & doing the work 0:04:15  why I'm down right now 0:06:42  i...

Individuals who suffer from anxiety-related disorders have often been labeled as "weak" — but, is there any truth in this? What causes our anxiety? Who else suffers from excessive anxiety? And is there an upside to having an overactive mind? CHAPTERS 0:00:00  and then along came a breeze 0:00:51  navy seal training 0:01:26  how weak am i? 0:02:24  wrote about this in my book 0:03:07  anxiety and t...

Today, we kick off our Book Report series with "From Panic to Power" by Lucinda Bassett. This book helped me during some of my darkest days, and I just recommended it to a friend this past weekend — so I thought it was a good place to start. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  a few deep breaths 0:01:30  an emotional guy 0:02:00  book report series 0:03:39  one good sustainable idea 0:04:33  no one perfect book 0:0...

It's Friday afternoon, and the weekend looms ahead of us. For many of us, this means time off. How do we make the most of the weekend? Or even, just make it a little bit better? Here are five simple, off-the-cuff ideas. Maybe one of them might help. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  an episode about the weekend 0:00:32  signs of spring 0:01:20  make the weekend work for us 0:02:33  weather is changing around here...

By most standard metrics, the world is better off today than ever before. And yet, the rates of people suffering from "anxiety" is through the roof. What does this really mean? What is causing it? And why should we be careful when we diagnose? CHAPTERS    0:00:00  the answer is… 0:01:01  i'm a bit ornery today 0:01:22  watching "fallout" 0:02:11  murphy break #1 0:02:44  the high rates of anxiety...

Today, I started the day happy — because I am so sad. Today, my wife left for Tampa, and I don't know for how long. I missed her the second she left. And that is the greatest reminder of one true and indisputable fact — I am one lucky son-of-a-bitch. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  one luck s.o.b. 0:00:52  drove my wife to the airport 0:02:05  another emotional release 0:02:34  want to hear from you 0:03:39  i...

Plans made, suitcase packed, and the rental car sat in the driveway fully loaded — but I just couldn't do it. What does an anxiety attack teach us about pushing our boundaries, disappointing others, and most of all, having grace for ourselves? CHAPTERS 0:00:00  "I can't do it…" 0:00:35  welcome to uneven 0:01:21  i do road trips / flying? 0:03:03  past road trip challenges 0:04:21  another florida...

Your questions. Your comments. Your insights and advice. Welcome to the first mailbag episode of the "uneven" podcast. We'll touch on limitations &  meditations, my embarrassment with early episodes, and a criticism from Ukraine among others. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  downward spiral of podcast recording 0:02:40  our first "comments" episode 0:04:56  is this from december? (episode 1) 0:05:43  living...

The conflict in the Middle East escalated last night. What does this mean for the world — and even more personally — for you and your anxiety? When do we tune in to the news? When do we tune out? And when do we stand up for what we believe? CHAPTERS 0:00:00  part i: back patio sipping on my chai 0:00:34  recent news from the middle east 0:01:08  news, anxiety, and tuning out 0:02:06  i don't know...

Welcome to "uneven" — a podcast about life, anxiety, and being human. In this brief introduction, we share a bit of info about the podcast, about its host, and about how it all got started. I hope you'll check us out. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  welcome to "uneven" 0:01:10  the official podcast kick-off 0:01:52  a bit about your host 0:04:08  how "uneven" began 0:05:16  5 tenets of the podcast 0:05:29  1) r...

Another sleepless night and I just pressed record. No agenda, just thoughts. Companionship, making friends, brain cramps, mental health, pillow preference and a new Buc-ees. Just a friend — talking to another friend — trying to sleep. Sweet dreams. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  no topic for this one 0:02:24  the emotional wall 0:04:03  our collective struggles 0:04:49  the gift of companionship 0:06:32  those...

Right brain vs. left. Creativity vs. logic. Reason vs. emotion. Two distinct voices every person hears every single day, hour, and minute. But, which one should we listen to? And how do we avoid getting stuck? Let's take a look. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  emotions & sleeplessness 0:00:34  emotions & reason 0:02:25  mindfulness & being emotionless 0:05:23  reason & observing 0:06:03  which t...

12:30am. Sleep again evades me. My brain fixates on my lifelong need for approval and acceptance. And yet, after 58 years, I may finally be doing something solely for myself — and it feels good. CHAPTERS 0:00:00  you ever have that thought? 0:00:51  woke up at 12:30 0:01:12  change has consequences 0:02:14  realization that people move on 0:04:25  we are not as important as we think we are 0:05:14...

Back home in Colorado after a very difficult end to the road trip. I review the takeaways from our stay in the 55+ RV park, and compare it with other retirees. Do we have a say in how we age? CHAPTERS 0:00:00  closing out the road trip 0:01:24  caught a respiratory virus 0:01:44  news of tragedy on way home 0:03:32  road trip / glimpse of retirement 0:04:19  active retirement community 0:04:43  co...