Life Slowed Down

In a world full of such differing opinions, it can sometimes be difficult to respect those around us, especially when we deem them "unworthy" of that respect. Today I make the case that it is always worth offering our respect to others, even when they don't deserve it. I share my reasoning, attempting to take a more self-serving approach to the "why" behind this idea, and o...

There's something about finding meaning through suffering that has gripped me so for many years now, and I've wondered how people can accomplish such a feat against all odds. In today's episode, I discuss exactly that. I share parts of Victor Frankl's story, a man who survived Nazi Germany's concentration camps and came out on the other end as someone not crippled by grief or m...

In maintaining the theme of addressing the isolationist lie that seems to be making its rounds in our society, today's episode is focused on the idea of asking for help. There are a multitude of reasons we might find ourselves hesitant to reach out for help from others. Be it pride, stubbornness, or a desire to prove ourselves, there's an idea of ourselves that we're trying to maintain...

There's a lie that's been growing in our society, one that is especially prevalent among the youth in each rising generation. The lie is this: that the only person we can count on is ourselves, so we might as well resolve to "make it" on our own. It is this lie that I endeavor to address in today's episode. I attempt to answer the question of "why?" behind our need...

An enticing trap that many of us fall into is the belief that we can simply delay our decision, our action, without incurring a cost. The truth is that there is always a price for our inaction, and it's that cost that is the focus of today's episode. I discuss tangible examples of this in the form of compound interest and the story of the tortoise and the hare, and endeavor to address the...

They say that nostalgia is one helluva drug, but do they ever really tell us why that's the case? And is there something we can learn from our dopamine infused trips down memory lane? These are the questions I aim to answer in today's episode. I use a character from a popular TV show as a case study in why nostalgia can be so dangerous, and share my thoughts on what can be learned from the...

A couple years ago, I was listening to a finance podcast when the host, Anthony O'Neal, asked an interesting question about why we buy the things we buy. In a consumerist economy like the U.S. it can become easy to deceive ourselves into buying something we say we want or need when the true reason behind the purchase is because we want to influence the way others perceive us. This is the issue...

I hadn't ever thought of stubbornness as a good thing until meeting Aaron at the top of a lookout on the Wasatch Mountain Range. In today's episode, I endeavor to make the case for stubbornness as a virtue. I share examples of stubbornness in the context of marriage, and share its positive purpose in the niche sport of long-distance swimming. I use this sport as a metaphor for our lives, a...

Leadership has always been a hot topic with thousands of books, podcasts, articles, and opinion-pieces on the subject. In this episode I'll be adding my own thoughts to that pile in conjunction with the author of today's quote. I discuss what "Me" and "We" leadership look like, and offer an example of those ideas from the creator of some of our favorite fuzzy friends. I...

A couple years ago, I found myself at the tail end of a series of delays keeping myself from purchasing the new car I had been saving many years for. It wasn't until my hand was forced (R.I.P Sybil the Sable) that I finally pulled the trigger and bought the truck I've been happily driving since. So, why is this experience relevant? Have you ever found yourself dreaming of a proverbial &quo...

We all have them: unwanted and impulsive thoughts, the existence of which we wish we could smother and rid ourselves of entirely. But have you ever wondered if those thoughts define us as a person? In today's episode, I attempt to provide an answer to that question. I share Steven Bartlett's idea of the First and Second thought dilemma and discuss the danger of pursuing the first thought....

On a recent trip to Oregon, I had the pleasure of visiting The Japanese Garden in Portland and seeing their small exhibit of Bonsai trees. Their tiny beauty fascinated me and led me down an internet rabbit-hole of learning about the process of cultivating a normal tree sapling into a beautiful Bonsai. So, what does this have to do with our life? In today's episode, I discuss the metaphor that...

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...