Finlos Lives

In this episode, I deconstruct the cozy, meditative aesthetics of Ooo to expose the rot within our own structural "walls," using the Adventure Time episodes "Time Sandwich" and "Jake the Brick" as a dual lens for examining the current political crisis surrounding ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and political activism in general. I explore how "Time Sandwich&#3...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies , I look into the intersection of industrial chemistry and our daily biology, prompted by a University of Cambridge study on how common pesticides and pollutants affect our beneficial gut bacteria. I wanted to move past standard regulatory definitions of safety to explore how the degradation of these internal ecosystems, which are so central to our mental...

In this episode, I explore the radical tension between the "Stone", the rigid, official record used by institutions to exert control, and the "Echo," the subterranean flow of chisme that serves as a vital counter-archive for the marginalized. Moving from the forensic, de-mythologizing political photography of the Trump cabinet to the tactical social media survival databases used by...

In this episode, I dive into the profound emotional pull we experience as the calendar year winds down, a phenomenon I call the gravity of memory. I explore how the intense melancholy and nostalgia of the season, woven into our traditions and triggered by familiar recipes or traditions is not a weakness, but a healthy, necessary response to the symbolic death of the year. I argue that this time of...

In this episode, I explore what I call relationships of convenience, dissecting the difference between reciprocal care and the "extractive mindset" that treats people, whether romantic, platonic, or familial, like a temporary resource for short-term gain. I argue that this pattern is not accidental, but a personal manifestation of a broader systemic failure, rooted in colonial, capitalisti...

In this episode, I dive into the recent, ongoing US government shutdown to dissect the difference between the honest struggle of compromise and the easy aggression of sabotage, both in politics and in our personal lives. I argue that when one side refuses to negotiate over essential issues, like the expiring ACA premium tax credits that affect millions, they are replacing governance with a dangero...

In this episode of Finlos Lives, I look at what happens when someone important isn’t there—how absence alters routine, attention, and the body’s internal rhythm. Using the image of a vinyl record, I explore how relationships leave physical and emotional grooves that keep guiding us even after contact stops. Through psychology, daily practice, and reflection, I examine how missing someone shapes me...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, “Only I Will Remain,” I explore whether the goal of life is to eliminate fear or to face it and let that struggle define what truly matters. Drawing from the "Litany Against Fear" from Frank Herbert's Dune , I examine fear as a compass: an internal guide pointing toward our deepest values and hardest work. I connect this idea to modern cultura...

In this episode, I look at how performance has replaced authenticity, from the political stage to social media feeds and even our private lives. I explore the rise of “performative governance,” where spectacle wins over substance, and how the pursuit of clout has reshaped our understanding of strength and status. I break down the performative masculinity of figures like Donald Trump, Andrew Tate,...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I explore the complex and corrosive nature of hypocrisy, examining the gap between the story we tell about ourselves and the choices that show who we actually are. I unpack how this gap manifests from the grand stage of political contradictions—where optics are valued over honesty—to the quiet corners of our daily lives, where we use self-soothing explana...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I dive into the deeply complex and heavy topic of how we decide what's true and how we attribute blame in a world that feels increasingly polarized, exploring the dangerous divide between evidence-based decision-making and the use of events to simply confirm pre-existing political or cultural narratives. I unpack how this pattern erodes the foundation...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I explore the heavy topic of temporal poverty, which is the feeling of having no time for anything other than work and basic survival. The episode delves into how time has become a commodity whose value is increasingly tied to productivity, and how modern capitalism and the "always-on" culture have exacerbated this issue. I also explain how this p...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I'm diving into a topic that feels overwhelming and personal: the collapse of social norms and the feeling of anger with nowhere to go. I'm exploring what happens when the unwritten rules of our world, from political conduct to online behavior, are disregarded. We'll look at the historical context of these breakdowns, from ancient Rome to mode...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I'm diving into a feeling that's been weighing on me: the exhaustion that comes from being watched and controlled. I'm exploring the blurriness between political protest and criminal activity, and how those in power use surveillance to make people feel helpless. We'll look at the story of a Texas state representative who refused to be moni...

In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I'm diving into a feeling that's been weighing on me: the exhaustion of knowing. The line between fact and fiction feels blurrier than ever, and I'm exploring why this is happening. We'll look at how celebrity lawsuits and political rhetoric can manipulate our perception of reality, and how the rise of social media and influencers has turn...

Back-to-school season is a profound transition—not just for children, but for families, communities, and even society at large. In this episode, I reflect on the significance of milestones—from first-day photos that mark growth to the shifting role of public education in America. I explore the complicated emotions behind these changes—the relief and the loneliness, the pride and the nostalgia. I a...

Recorded 07.24.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I dive into what "normal" truly means today, specifically through the lens of the CDC's recent report on decreasing fertility. This isn't just a number; it's a reflection of evolving societal norms, individual choices, and how we define success and happiness. I explore the economic pressures, career ambitions, and c...

Recorded 07.22.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I explore the "analog revival" I'm witnessing firsthand, from my daughters' captivating camping videos and artistic pursuits to my own immersion in the world of artisans creating with natural materials. This leads to a deeper discussion on how embracing these hands-on, tangible activities is a powerful way to reclaim ou...

Recorded 07.18.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I dig into the complex and often contradictory ways society defines adulthood. Starting with the UK's recent decision to lower its voting age to 16, I explore historical precedents in both the UK and US, prompting a broader discussion on the varying ages at which we grant privileges and assign responsibilities, from military servic...

Recorded 07.14.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I dive into the nuanced and often challenging journey of "growing up" – a process far deeper than just accumulating years. I explore what it means to be a balanced adult: someone who embraces life's complexities, engages in difficult but crucial conversations, genuinely considers others' needs, receives feedback with gr...

Recorded 07.10.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I dive into the world of tinkering, exploring it as a form of healthy play—especially through the lens of making music with synthesizers and samplers. This leads to a discussion on why embracing our "inner tinkerer" is crucial for mental well-being and healing in adulthood, offering a powerful tool for stress relief, creativity...

In this episode of Finlos Lives, I'm diving deep into the creative process, from that initial spark of an idea to the sometimes messy, often surprising reality of bringing it to life. As I navigate the challenges of creating original music with my new synthesizers and sampler, I'm exploring why ideas rarely translate perfectly, the inevitable mistakes and time distortions that pop up, and...

Recorded on 07.01.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I explore the immense scale of the United States, from its diverse natural landscapes and weather patterns to its varied cultures and the inherent challenges of governing such a vast nation. This extensive cross-country journey sparks a deeper reflection on our own internal landscapes, prompting a discussion about embracing the mult...

In this episode I talk about life while being away from home for work: long work days, long walks, and long periods of time alone. I describe what a day working in Cleveland, OH looks like for me, I also describe my experience so far using the five senses.

Recorded on 06.04.2025 In this episode of Rowing with the Homies, I delve into the multifaceted anxieties surrounding upcoming travel, starting with the current stresses of air travel, from evolving security measures like REAL ID to the impact of air traffic control staffing shortages. This leads me to explore the broader discomforts and potential positives of extended time away from home, includi...