Life Slowed Down

With the chaos of modern life, I've often found myself wondering about balance. What is it? How do I strike it? Where do I start? In today's episode, I attempt to answer those questions with an idea that's simple in theory, but a little more complicated in practice. I talk about the danger of multi-tasking, and share some strategies that I've used in my efforts to create balance in...

The unhindered pursuit of our dreams and visions is unavoidably riddled with hurdles, which often discourage us from setting forth on that pursuit in the first place. In today's episode, I discuss the growing trend of detachment and aversion to embarrassment on social media, and the impact this can have on creative minds near the start of their journey. I discuss a biblical representation of w...

In part 2 of my conversation with my dad, we discuss his experience of navigating the weight of providing for our family and his moments of triumph and regret. Finally, he leaves us with a couple final pieces of advice, some lessons he wishes he had known before becoming a father. Thank you for listening, it means the world -TJ (and my dad)

When I asked my dad if he would be willing to share some of his thoughts for the show, I had a certain idea in mind of how our conversation would go. To my great pleasure, it went nothing like I had imagined. In this, Part 1 of our conversation, my dad shares his thoughts on religion, agency, and his recently developed testimony of giving others the grace to utilize their agency even when that mea...

I don't like to draw attention to my birthday, but it felt like an affront to myself and everyone who loves me to simply treat it like any other day. Considering this episode airs on my birthday, I figured it deserved some special treatment. So, what have I learned over my 27 years trying to navigate this crazy life? There are so many lessons and principles I love that it's hard to choose...

Do we really have the ability to choose whether or not to be happy? At the risk of sounding overly reductive, I would argue that we do have the choice. While there are many arenas in which our happiness is battling it out with something else, I'll be focusing today's episode on the ongoing battle between happiness and pride. I share some of my own experiences of the battle between pride an...

Have you ever felt as though you were pursuing something, or someone, that seemed only to be leading to a dead end? That despite all your best efforts, there was nothing you could do to fix the situation, but you weren't yet willing to abandon the pursuit? All of us, at one point or another, have been victims of the "Dead Horse," the hopeless pursuit that we refuse to leave. In today...

At what point does the boundary of Forgiveness end? I have often mulled over this question and the conundrum of the balance it maintains with Justice. I consider the unfairness that runs rampant in our world: the Injustices enacted by those with ability against those who cannot resist, and the Injustices enacted even upon them in their coveted seats of power. Is it right to measure their lots agai...

What dream have you been holding onto, but have been too scared to pursue? What's holding you back from chasing after it? What would it look like if you chose to pursue it despite those fears? These are the topics of today's conversation, a brief follow-up to the earlier episode with my friend, Neil Bryce. We talk about his short time as a boxer, as he entered the literal arena to pursue h...

My mom is the best, what more can I say? Actually, there's a lot more that can be said... My mom is one of the most incredible people I know, an example of perseverance, sacrifice, and love that is second to none. Over the years I've had the opportunity to watch her grow into the woman she is today, and much of that growth came through hard lessons. Today I have the gift of sharing just some of th...

My mom is the best, what more can I say? Actually, there's a lot more that can be said... My mom is one of the most incredible people I know, an example of perseverance, sacrifice, and love that is second to none. Over the years I've had the opportunity to watch her grow into the woman she is today, and much of that growth came through hard lessons. Today I have the gift of sharing just so...

Who really causes the fall or rise of society? While the answer is likely as cheesy as you may expect it to be, there is great importance and depth to the principle I discuss. I share historical and fictional anecdotes of cases where society has changed for the better, and offer my personal experience with how this principle has shaped my own decisions and influenced me to live more intentionally....

In today's episode, I have the opportunity to share my discussion with Neil Bryce, founder and owner of Utah Pizza Company. We talk about his experience of making his dream a reality and what it takes to build your destiny. He shares his thoughts on "burning the bridges" when pursuing your dream, being flexible when your dream changes, and the beauty of your unique dream and the role...

In today's episode I share another story from the Bible, this time about the Pool of Bethesda. I relate this story to our own search for happiness, discussing what it means to look for happiness in the same place you lost it, and share some personal examples and a story of what this can look like. Many, if not most, of us have engaged in this hopeless search, and today's dialogue aims to h...

In today's episode, I discuss a new perspective on legacy. Rather than viewing our legacy as one built by certain defining moments, I share the idea of viewing it as a daily endeavor, one in which the small, seemingly insignificant actions are equally important. I share examples of people in my life who have left an honorable legacy, and how they have influenced me for the better. Finally, I s...

On today's episode of Life Slowed Down, I make a case for viewing the path to success as one paved by contribution rather than competition. I share a personal experience that helped shape my view of success and apply this idea in both relational and professional contexts. Finally, I make a case that, despite the free-market focus on competition, contribution is a more sustainable, effective, a...

Join me as I tackle the struggle of finding and creating meaning in our lives. The grapple with meaning and purpose is a difficult, but necessary one, and although I still don't have all the answers, I have uncovered some things through this wrestle that have worked for me. I'll share my personal experience of desperately wishing I was part of a classic hero story, and how I've taken t...

In this episode, I have the privilege of sharing my conversation with my friend and mentor, Adam Treadwell. He proposes the idea that viewing solutions as simple, "right or wrong," is not only unhelpful, but unrealistic, and that we should instead be viewing the solutions to our problems as trade-offs. Adam relates this idea to the way we should try to understand others, and we break dow...

In this episode, I discuss the inherent risk of being passionate about something. I discuss the pain of rejection and the fear it instills against further pursuit. I share the personal story of a friend who experienced this pain firsthand, but who has chosen to continue pursuing her passion despite that fear. I touch on the impact that you can make in someone's life by supporting and encouragi...

On today's episode, I discuss what it looks like when we try to "be like someone else." I share stories of characters who chase these visages and the price they pay to get there, and offer a new perspective on the price of their pursuit. Finally, I share some personal examples of how some of my personal pursuits to "be like someone else" have managed to bless my life despit...

In this episode, I discuss the claim that religion doesn't inherently make someone a good person. I provide two different ways I've seen religiosity hurt those involved, and offer personal examples from people close to me who have experienced the pain of religious beliefs being used against them or their loved ones. Finally, I discuss how these experiences have influenced the way I choose...

In today's episode, I tackle a topic that is becoming increasingly controversial: what it means to judge someone. I use teachings from the Bible and A Christmas Carol to discuss the difference between judging someone and condemning them, and make a case in favor of being a righteous judge. Thanks so much for listening, it means the world. - TJ

In part two of my conversation with Jonah Cannon, we discuss what it means to live without an audience. Jonah shares his personal experience of craving an audience and finding it through dance, and how that negatively impacted his performative focus. We discuss the difficulty of expressing yourself, how others' understanding can become a drug, and the difference between living for, and sacrifi...

In this episode, Jonah and I discuss a different, more positive perspective on hypocrisy. We share personal examples of our own hypocritical behavior and the positive growth we experienced as a result. Thank you so much for listening, it really does mean the world -TJ

In the second interview of Life Slowed Down, I have the opportunity to share my conversation with my brother, Dan Rosier. Dan shares his insight about what it means to truly know something, and we discuss how this depth of knowing applies to our profession, our relationship with others, and our relationship with God. I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation and hope you do too! Thanks for listening....