Let's Pause

How's your mind, spirit, and body balance? Have you found upekkha or samatvam ? Have you embraced Memento Mori ? How about adopted mental detachment as a strategy for contentment in a world of materialism...or just used it as Awa Kenzo instructed his archers? On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff do a deep dive into Ryan Holiday's Stillness is the Key . We explore a modern...

Sick and tired of email? Wonder if the world would be a better place without it? If so, you are not alone! On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff tackle a review of Cal Newton's New York Times bestselling book, " A World Without Email ". Explore the creation of the hyperactive hive mind and consider what happens when our ancient archaic human brains meet the modern dema...

Have you ever worn a wig? Have you ever watched Queen Charlotte on Bridgerton and wondered "how the heck did they make that!?" Enter the world of theater through the eyes and art of a Wig Master! On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff host Lilly Bennett, lead touring artisan for hair and makeup on The Music Man . How does one become a Wig Master? How are wigs even made? What...

On this "Misfit" episode of Let's Pause, Jeff (as host) confronts Mark (as guest) over the three most important "life tips" on What Not to Do. We all know that Mark has made many mistakes...let's see if he's learned anything from them to pass back to the future generation! Tune in and join the conversation... Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn mor...

Want to learn about how to forge a high performing team? Have you ever been a member of a team that needed better leadership or teamwork? On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff explore Patrick Lencioni's, The Five Dysfunctions of a Team . Lencioni chronicles a leadership fable, highlighting five potential friction points (dysfunctions) that teams commonly struggle with - trust, c...

Why do so many people pray? Across faith traditions and spiritual disciplines, prayer stands out as a universal constant. But does it work? What is the power of prayer and what does the science say? What do you say? Tune in to this "Misfit episode" as Mark hosts and Jeff is his guest, answering the age-old question about the efficacy and value of prayer! Thanks for listening to Let'...

Ever dive for Megalodon teeth? How about for a plastic bag or a boat anchor? Ever wonder if humanity can bring back our oceans from the brink the disaster we've created? On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff are joined by Bryan Hart, a retired Pararescueman (PJ) who has found meaning and purpose in giving back through Marine Conservation via Force Blue , a nonprofit "unitin...

On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff are joined by Rose Young...an experienced business owner, entrepreneur, musician, and life-long educator who spent 20 years living overseas. From small town Arkansas to Taiko drumming in Okinawa and performing Verdi's operas in Germany, Rose has "lived the life" and joins the Let's Pause podcast to share her many lessons learn...

Will micro-plastics be our undoing? Is the rise of AI likely to end humanity? Why is it so important that we first ask " should we? " and not just " can we? " On this Misfit episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff explore the question, "Is humanity too clever for its own good?" Tune in and join the conversation as Jeff hosts and Mark "guests"!  Thanks fo...

On this Misfit episode of Let's Pause , join Mark and Jeff as Mark is your host and Jeff is the unwitting guest! Mark poses three questions that probe the depths of Jeff's soul...will you be bold enough to ask yourself the same? Tune in and find out! Thanks for listening to Let's Pause! To learn more, check out www.letspause.org  Leave us a message at markandjeff@letspause.org!

Ever wonder what it's like to fly a military helicopter? How about a drone in combat? On this episode of Let's Pause , we are joined by Spencer Cole, former US Army Warrant Officer and Black Hawk Pilot who currently flies the friendly skies for American Airlines. Tune in as we track his journey from young hot air balloon adventurer to the Army's premiere aviator training pipeline, t...

Want to be able to shoot under par, drive the ball 300+ yards, and never miss a putt?! Good luck with that...this episode is unlikely to make that a reality. BUT, if you've ever wondered about how someone becomes a Golf Pro or been interested in some practical tips about the game and life...this episode is for you! Join us as we host Professional Golfer Kelly Mitchum. Kelly was a four-time Al...

On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff explore Adam Grant's seminal work, Think Again . Grant is a renowned organizational psychologist and in Think Again, he details why human being are cognitively lazy, seeking to economize and reduce our mental and emotional loads down to sound bites. The troubling result? Individual biases, cognitive distortions, and rigid thinking patterns t...

On this episode of Let's Pause , we are joined on location at a remote Lake house in the Mountains of New York by three friends, John, Matt, and Clifford. Tune in as we explore the subtle nuances that distinguish one bourbon from another... differences that get harder and harder to detect as the pairings increase! Following our exploratory mixology and our philosophical musings, we press our...

Ever stepped out into the unknown? Ever sought to manifest a new future reality? Do you possess the leadership qualities to adapt in a dynamic and often hostile environment? Yeah...me neither. On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff explore the world of adaptive leadership, as envisioned by Tod Bolsinger in his book, Canoeing the Mountains . Bolsinger chronicles Lewis and Clark's...

On this episode of Let's Pause , Mark and Jeff welcome Jonathan Lewis, an experienced Police Chaplain and ordained minister of the Wesleyan church. Jonathan serves in many capacities, but we focus on his role in serving those who protect and preserve our community. How does "a man of the cloth" fit in with law enforcement and first responder personnel? Do cops that don't share...

Ever wonder about the roads not taken? Ever look back on your life and think about alternative jobs, occupations, or even places you might have lived? On this Misfit series episode, Jeff plays host as Mark guests and together they explore what could have been! They also address the age old question, why did George Washington choose to be on the one dollar bill and not the twenty! Spoiler alert, he...

Ever over-eaten, had too much to drink, or been in a one-sided toxic relationship? What did the ancient Greeks mean when they said " moderation in all things " was the key to a life well-lived? Don't feel like you have good work-life balance? Jeff hosts and Mark "guests" in this Misfit series episode, exploring what it means to live in moderation. Tune in and learn more ab...

Anxiety up 134% in last 15 years while depression is up 106% (in U.S. undergrads)...what's happening?! This disturbing trend is isolated to younger generations...but not older ones, why? In today's episode, Mark and Jeff review Jonathan Haidt's latest book, The Anxious Generation . Haidt makes the case that there has been a rewiring of Gen Z through parental over-protection from the...

Are you making money or memories? Investing in your 401K or an experience annuity? On this episode of Let's Pause, Mark and Jeff conduct their own life audits based on the best selling book, Die with Zero by Bill Perkins. Join us as we dive into the book, explore experience over wealth, compounding memory dividends, spending down our bank accounts, longevity, gifting and balancing health, mon...

 On this episode of Let's Pause, we are joined by Chip Gentry (and wife Summer), master Falconer from Hawk Manor Falconry. This is Part II of a two part series that explores the ancient practice of hunting with predatory birds. If you missed Part I, hit pause and begin at the beginning! It's time to meet the birds! A red-tailed Hawk that looks like baby T-Rex by 8 weeks and the fastest a...

On this misfit series episode, we answer the age-old question...why does Microsoft provide 300+ fonts to choose from? Tune in as Jeff is our host and Mark is our guest while we explore equity and diversity from the perspective of font choice. Are you a word-dog (with a finely tuned sense of fonts)? An aesthetic (the creative side of you just has to use Old Bookman? Do you hate Aptos and believe it...

On this episode of Let's Pause, we are joined by Chip Gentry (and wife Summer), master Falconer from Hawk Manor Falconry. This is Part I of a two part series that explores the ancient practice of hunting with predatory birds. How do you train an Owl? ...the same way you train your cat! (you probably don't) How about a Hawk? Now we're talking about you family Labrador. A Falcon? The...

Think you're hip? cool? to legit to quit? When you look in the mirror, do you see a square, a nerd, or feel like bagging your face? Well...on this episode of Let's Pause, we dive into the world of generational slang. Mark is our host while Jeff is our guest and we get to see just how much cred Jeff has....will he bring receipts or RIP this episode? Tune in and catch the vibe....and find...

On this episode of Let's Pause , we are joined by Frank Daniels IV, executive producer at Pilot Radio and The Pilot. Frank is journalistic royalty in North Carolina, descending from several generations of journalists and newspaper publishers, including his grandfather, who led the iconic News & Observer (Raleigh, NC). Frank is also an accomplished artisan and creative who honed his craft...