Schooling Struggle

Episode Guest: Natalie Robinson Natalie takes us into her reality of navigating life with Epilepsy & Seizure Disorder after massive head trauma suffered during a soccer game. She dives deep into the challenges of navigating daily life, the shame brought on by her injury, and her reluctance to lean on others for help. Natalie chats about how this struggle has helped her to become a better perso...

The guys go deep on self-awareness here.  How they each define it for themselves, how to measure it, and tactical ways to sharpen or heighten it.  Along this discussion journey a series of points to ponder and relevant questions pop up that have proven universal for all humans as we strive to navigate life's struggles.

Welcome to our "Story Time" series... Pete leads this episode off with a story from his past that in all honesty he is rather reluctant to share. He stares in the face of vulnerability and takes ownership for learning a life lesson the hard way. Enjoy the first of this series where we sit back, relax, and get into some good ol' fashioned storytellin'!

Episode Guest: Dr. Bill Slammon What is that uncomfortable feeling of self-perception that many of us feel for short periods or that permeate our mind for endless amounts of time? Here, Dr. Bill leads the guys in a deep dive on the difference between guilt and shame. As a clinical psychologist Dr. Bill has vast experience and a helpful perspectives in helping us navigate these confusing notions th...

Guest Speaker - Jordy Allard: college baseball player and student. Peter and Todd share space and conversation with our guest, Jordy, discussing all things at the intersection of life and athletics. Jordy shares with us his life's progression, the pieces of it, and what he has uncovered so far.  From family support structures to individual expansion, our struggles lead the way to discovery an...

Peter and Todd exercise another five-by-five session (the five questions below).  The design - Peter springs five questions, which each of us put our thoughts and answers to while we discuss and share related points around each.  Ideally, we try to cap the responses to five minutes per question, for the first four, and the fifth question without constraint. 1.   What is an issu...

Peter and I discuss success. What that word means and holds for us individually, how the idea has changed over time, and in different spaces of areas of our lives.  How do we get insight from and share perspective to those around us, in this regard, of success. Success definition = The accomplishment of an aim or a purpose. Mental habit / action / tool examples: Question the ideals behind wha...

Episode Guest: Doug Anton - Teacher (Social Studies/Economics), and many other hats. We pick the mind of our guest for perspective on financial matters and choices as well as the environment we construct and place ourselves in (socially).  Shared along the way are frameworks for thinking about these things, as well as lessons learned and tips and tricks. Mental habit / action / tool examples:...

Episode Guest: Adam Adatto Sandel - philosopher, (previous) Guinness World Record holder for Most Pull-Ups in One Minute (68), and an award-winning teacher, author, and current assistant D.A. in Brooklyn NY. Much discussion about pull-ups, philosophy, world records... Mental habit / action / tool examples: Sometimes frustration can become a realization of opportunity. Listening to the limitations...

One year, from concept and first action - that went fast – this a retrospective.  We talk about what has transpired, what we think about it, what we’ve learned, and what comes next for us. Key Questions: Q. What have you learned about yourself thought he podcast? Q. What’s the perspective about how the podcast fit into your life? Mental habit / action / tool examples: - Always look for ways y...

Episode Guest: Dr. William Slammon - Clinical Psychologist Stress... having it, avoiding it, dealing with it, leveraging it.  We chat about this topic at length with our guest.  We dive into mindset, sleep, how to be useful to others who ask for a hand in schooling their struggles. Stress (definition) - Is when there are forces impinging on us, that in the moment exceed our sense of our...

Episode Guest: Steve McCloskey This episode is all about continuums.  Exploring the depths, contexts, and contrasts of (or between) several levels.  This of course dives into all related areas and nuances which may overlap or are derivatives of those terms.   Interesting Question (also in the poll):     - Do you need to love yourself, to love someone else? Mental...

Peter brings reality through sharing a few recent experiences with his family, one which gave him a pause and point to reflect on what the people in our lives can teach us if we slow down to observe their model. Mental habit / action / tool examples: Slow down with your frantic needs.  Try to be a human 'be'ing not a human doing. W.A.I.T = Why Am I Talking If you are willing to embrace challe...

Here we meet one of Peter's former students, Camden.  A measurable undertaking with the heaviest weight of 292 pounds, Camden shares with us his journey, his wins, losses, and learned lessons - as well as his future and how he is moving forward. Mental habit / action / tool examples: 99.9% of engaged parents genuinely believe are doing the best they are able. Be aware as you slip into new hab...

Spirals and paths.  How do we find the right path, how do we know we are on a path to positivity or wellbeing? Speaking to the three questions just below Peter and Todd provide our responses and discuss points which pop up along the way. Intended topic questions: What are the things which can disrupt the flow or routine in life?  How can we hedge against spirals which are taking us away...

Part of Two: We resume our time with Keith Smith.  From 'the bubble' to realization of what it takes to achieve keep balance.    Mental habit / action / tool examples: If you feel blocked or stuck, keep pushing, there is another way around, and it's going to take work to find it. Sacrifice is often involved when enabling dreams. Look for times of transition to double down on achievi...

Part One of Two: In this episode we welcome our first guest, the one and only Keith Smith.  We dive into his story, from early sports analytics, through high school and college, to the workforce, and then into what he wanted ‘to do for a living’.  Mental habit / action / tool examples: Long term relationships built atop commitment, lead to accountability and resilience over their duratio...

Peter leans into a challenge he experiences personally, well quite a few come up in this episode.  Family reunions, lobster dinners, COVID, pet deaths, self-image, parenting.  The show is a continuation of a previous show where we lost time (surprise) and here we follow through to the end. Mental habit / action / tool examples: Hitting the gym can help exercise and build self-confidence....

In this episode Peter and Todd get back together after some vacations on both sides.  We discuss where we place attention and time (as the title suggests), each of us brings to the table three areas of life where we could use a higher level of mental strength, or three areas where we tend to get rattled more than we are comfortable.  Sidebars include arbor speak and discussion, hosting s...

In this episode we touch on perspective (some may say advice), about embarking upon major life changes.  As typically occurs we fall into some common themes of alignment, intention, purpose... Housekeeping notice: Show notes are a thing I (Todd) love to do.  I have been struggling to release them due to complications of my attention and situations of life, go figure.  I intend to do...

An AMA session (Ask Me Anything) where students of Peter's ask him at the conclusion of the school year.  We ported this into a five-by-five, again, then a speed round, then created two of our own.  Each question (of 5) we each try our best to stick to 2:30 for each response.  The questions come from a grab bag, so we answer and discuss in real time for flair. Mailbag Questions: Wha...

In this episode, Peter rides a shotgun seat - Todd takes the bull by the horn.  Topics range from compassion to parenting mishaps - through a lens of... as you may guess lived, raw, enduring struggle.  Uncovered herein is a huge realization of how being part of this podcast has unearthed unlikely and surprising benefits in multiple ways. Related points: No stoplights and two post offices...

In this prepisode (pre-episode) we set the stage for, well, our next episode. To be completely transparent Todd failed to complete his homework and gather up content to discuss around (self) compassion topics. Peter unveils his plans for a new experimental class in his community/school relying on the wealth of experience he has found, and how he can attempt to fill the gaps. Related points: In Ver...

In this episode Todd and Peter dive a bit into sleep… its purpose, utility, restorative powers as well as learned tips, and tricks to get more and of better quality.  As sometimes happens, our conversation wanders this way and that, but mostly related (this time) to the topic. Related points: Lead with gratitude, helps disarm overwhelm. It is often difficult to get a good night’s sleep with n...

The title hits the larger themes in this episode however Peter and Todd explore the intersection of Storytime and M3 (Magical Microphone Monday's) going into places unexplored.  Might not be typical for these two, given the ‘structure’ of other releases – or – not.  Hope you all enjoy it. Related points: Sometimes books are worth a revisit, depending on where you are along your life’s pa...