Zen and Not Zen - BroTime Edition

Life is a busy balancing act. With endless expectations — our own and everyone else’s — it feels like we're always trying to keep a dozen plates spinning at once. And as much as we complain, boast about our multitasking superpowers, or list it as a "skill" on our résumés, the truth is, multitasking is wearing us out. So, today, we're giving a single task the spotlight. Sure, the world isn't exactl...

Today, work challenges feel particularly front and center. It leads perfectly into an intriguing question: what if you woke up one day to find you were “generationally taken care of” rich? How would you spend your days? Would there be a phase where you did absolutely nothing? And could you truly step away from the drive for external validation? Let’s dive into the possibilities and explore what li...

So, my brother recently visited a friend who's off-grid homesteading in the wilds of Alaska, and that's where he stumbled across the curious term 'Law-ptional.' Turns out, when you're living in the middle of nowhere, some laws and rules become... well, more like suggestions! It got me thinking—what rules in our own lives have become 'law-ptional'? Do you always park by the book? Cross the street o...

Today, we explore the uncanny parallels between the film Wag the Dog and the current political climate. Along the way, we discuss how the term 'playing politics' often fosters unnecessary people-pleasing. We also dive into the fading presence of cultural rites of passage, share thoughts on aging with grace, and highlight our favorite headline of the week: 'Women Who Don’t Wear Makeup Are Psychopat...

Summer in the PNW is nothing short of spectacular, so it's been a minute since the ZNZBT crew gathered for a recording. But we’re wasting no time diving right back into the random conversations and topics that keep our ADHD brains buzzing. We catch up on Kinzie's travels to Italy and Vegas and Robin's to New York. Robin finally realizes that he may be a curmudgeon, but is this really n...

We race through life at such a breakneck speed that we hardly notice time passing, much less the changing of seasons or the years slipping away. From fleeting trends to the whirlwind of fast fashion, it feels like no one truly wants to keep up with the relentless pace we've set, yet we struggle to maintain the facade of enjoyment. Slowing down might be more challenging than we imagine. We'...

We’re all human by nature, but have you ever paused to consider what it truly means to be human? Imagine having to consciously think about things you do instinctively—walking, breathing, reaching for an object. It’s like the intriguing question making the rounds: how do you refer to yourself in your thoughts? Are you an "I," a "You," or a "We" In this conversation, we...

We’re surrounded by signs and symbols every day. Often, we accept them at face value, but what if there's a hidden, possibly harmful, meaning beneath them? Today’s discussion springs from a controversial "No U-Turn" sign in California. The more we dig behind the surface, the more disturbing truths seem to emerge. This might explain why the concept of the Heyoka keeps surfacing—someon...

In this episode, we dive into a phrase that’s haunted us for years: "You'll understand it when you get older." It was maddening, but recently, I finally got it—thanks to The Doobie Brothers. I now appreciate the key changes, the tempo shifts, and the incredible musicianship of their music. So, what else are we finally ready to understand with age? Join us as we explore generational g...

You might find it increasingly difficult to accommodate people with differing opinions. Today, we ask ourselves tough questions: Should I stay silent or take the risk of voicing my thoughts? Although balance is a vital aspect of life, it's often easier said than done. Opportunities for imbalance and triggers abound. Finding a balance that makes you feel good about your life is crucial for your...

How can one of the most creative and promising generations of our time be tied to the lamest catch phrases? Well, let's go...with this episode. Today we talk about the riveting Kidz Bop version of the Kendrick and Drake beef, which may be the only way I the associate with a beef again. But we also chat about the struggle of having a conversation where someone is trying to convince you that you...

Now I know that I can't know everything, but as an adult, I still get tickled when I learn something new about life. So imagine my surprise, and potentially yours, as we learn about "jump humping." And on a serious note, are we really in a place where fast food chains are sponsoring national parks? We still don't have flying cars, work and joy are typically on 2 very different en...

As I've gotten older, finding ways to disconnect and slow down has become increasingly important, especially in an era where staying connected is easier than ever. Recently, I discovered Darkness Retreats and spent 5 days in complete darkness to explore this unique form of unplugging. In today's episode, we'll delve into that transformative experience. We also discuss where we draw the...

Man, we are running the gamut today on tangents. After sharing stories of our misguided youths, we have a good discussion around meditation. From different ways to approach meditation, to dealing with meditation injuries, which sounds counter intuitive. But here we are. We talk a bit about growing up around racism and ignorance around equality, but we also wax poetic about our preference in soft o...

In this conversation, we attempt to explore the unexpected lessons hidden in life's randomness and glean the profound insights gained from seemingly trivial experiences. And we also bring light to the absurdity of mattress commercials in Texas, uncovering the curious quirks of regional advertising. If you don't know, check out Mattress Mack! We chat about a recent medicine journey I took a...

Join us for a thought-provoking journey as we delve into the fabric of our human experience. In today's episode, we ponder the notion of whether there's a malevolent force orchestrating our lives or if we're simply crafting meaning from the chaos. As humans, we're wired to weave narratives, finding significance even in the seemingly mundane. Ever heard of the Church of the Latter-D...

Topics come and go, but I love maneuvering through a seemingly nonsensical, tangential conversation. Join us as we navigate through seemingly nonsensical conversations that somehow always find their way back home. In today's episode, we tackle the ever-relatable topic of travel frustrations and share our savvy strategies for overcoming them. Ever wondered about the awkwardness of celebrity obs...

Today we are digging into the complexities of being nice while avoiding the pitfalls of people-pleasing. We'll explore impactful phrases like "being in trouble" and question who we're truly accountable to. Additionally, we'll dissect the notion of "confidential contracts" and how they silently erode relationships. But fear not, it's not all serious! We'll al...

Pranks have been a very active part of our lives. Sometimes whether we want it to be or not. The 3 of us had the pleasure of working together for a number of years, which involved many pranks and now our bonded friendship. Today we share stories of the pranks that we have been a part of. Whether on the pranking side, or the receiving side, as long as no one gets hurt, I always appreciate being inv...

Here at Zen and Not Zen, it's no surprise that we love our music. In today's episode, we're diving into the transformative journey of artists and how their evolution impacts our connection to their work. Inspired by Andre 3000's innovative flute album, we explore the question: do we grow alongside our favorite artists as they push boundaries in their craft? Witnessing artists evolv...

This episode is a personal favorite of mine. In our haphazard attempt to talk about 2023 and the impact it had on us, we end up talking about everything but 2023. We cover the influence that the band Blues Traveler had on us. How all spiritual and religious practices really just want us to be good people, when you boil it down. And how upside down pineapples can mean that you're into swinging....

What random jobs have you had? But more importantly, what random skills have the jobs you've had taught you? From splicing movies together to video game coin mech repairs, we may not know when this random knowledge will come in handy, until you need it. But more than that, what interesting practices do you have, or have you seen someone else do? We talk about ascetic Yogic practices like floss...

Why do we love villains so much? Is it that we empathize with them in some way? Maybe they're acting in a way that you wish you could sometimes. Or maybe we just love to see what chaos would look like, but from the safety of our own managed mayhem. Whatever your reason, we all seem to have some that we look to, so today we are talking about ours. We explore what we consider to be good villain...

Growing up in organized sports, our coaches used to cup check us constantly. Whether they were trying to see if we were in uniform, or it was some sadistic ritual, the jury is still out. But it seems that this has continued and is now going viral. So why do much of the "affectionate" rituals that men in the west observe seem to have undertones of a desperation to touch and be touched? Ar...

We at Zen and Not Zen love our entertainment! And we deeply enjoy adult cartoons. So today, we are spending some time talking about adult cartoons and cartoons that have adult overtones. We have the classics like The Simpsons, Family Guy & South Park, but what are your go to's? We also tackle the hard hitting topics like Chuck's vs Vans, Canadian musicians and whether or not the Ernest...