Life 2.0

Drilling On Fodder

There was a time that I paid my bills running an 80 pound jack hammer all day. The lessons of those years of hard work, have played out in my literary life decades later. Whenever it's scorching hot and I'm doing yard work, sweating in the summer sun, I go back to that time as well as football practice and the memories infiltrate my mind. Also, its a fodder filled show that has me wondering if John Denver should be in the Colorado Authors Hall of Fame (maybe/maybe not) and a follow up on the sh*t show from last week with listener suggestions. 

The Sh*t Show-Happy 4th!

My dad used to say that the only difference between sh*t and spaghetti, is the sauce. Fresh off a stop at the auto parts store, where F'bombs were dropping in blitzkreig like fashion, thought I would share the "Know Your Sh*t" list, so you can be more accurarte in your verbiage. Monday is our 247th birthday as a nation, and I've got some trivia you can use at the BBQ to impress your friends and neighbors. Did you know that a 16 year-old designed our current flag? Didn't think so. Be safe!

Fifty Years & Father’s Day

50 years. That's how long it's been since I last saw many of my classmates from the Belding Elementary School Class of 1973. Back then, I was a tadpole in terms of human development. Last night we celebrated the half-century mark, with a few hours of memories and laughter, bundt cake and pictures. It also took me back to that day in June, when my dad took off a half-day of work, and with Father's Day fast approaching, some lessons learned from Poppa John. Add to that my mom's efforts that transformed my bedroom into a Rocky Mountain cabin, and it all adds up to another deep dive into the memory pool on the Life 2.0 podcast.

Wednesday with Weigel

We're rolling back to Father's Day 2022 on this episode as Jen and I share memories of our dads, and some thoughts on the journey of our friend Joe McQuillen, who lost his son Chris, but continues to inspire and inform grieving parents. The lighter side is a romp through my first sit-down drinking experience with my Old Man, and a rare "Daily Duff" feature from the highly talented Chris Duffy.

It's talk that matters. 

Perspective

It's been another interesting week. But, when you see life from a certain perspective, everything becomes interesting, if not magical. What you focus on expands, so the bottom line is that if you want to keep getting what you are getting, keep doing what your doing. If not, change your perspective. I had a little help with that at the gym, when a group of elderly ladies reminded me that expressing ourselves in the world is so very important. A little musical back-up from the incredibly talented Heidi Newfield. 

Wednesday with Weigel

For the past three Wednesdays, I've been airing reruns of the "John & Jen Show" that was broadcast in Washington D.C. in 2022. HOWEVER, this episode from is our conversation yesterday, not last year. It's amazing to me how much ground we cover (on and off the air.) Ever the journalist, Weigel turns the tables on me, and has me answering questions I never intended to, but that's part of her super-power. Everything from the very long walk I took in 1996 to the karmic kick-back that had me on the floor (literally) in a training session, to our upcoming writer's workshop and pretty much everything else in-between. 

JAWS Rewind

Little did I know back in 1975, that by covering a shift for a co-worker, I would be exposed to a couple of new experiences. I discovered the glories of the Burger King Whopper, and it was the summer that a mechanical shark cleared beaches around the world, and I became a JAWS aficionado. In this episode, I've dropped in my conversation with JAWS screenwriter Carl Gottlieb from a couple of years ago, as well as another episode of "Earth Matters with Bill Kurtis."

“You're gonna need a bigger boat…”

Wednesday with Weigel

If you missed the John & Jen Show from last year that aired in Washington D.C. here's your chance to get in on the rewind, every Wednesday.

Recounting how Jerry Kramer and I made every attempt to put Maker's Mark out of business when he was in Chicago, and some of the success principles that Lombardi touted. Add to that the time Steve "Mongo" McMichael broke up a hockey-game and how quickly the "back nine" creeps up on us.

Jen shared about spending a few days with Steph Arnold at the Edgar Cayce Instititue, and goes for higher ground when it comes to finding the purpose of life. Later in the show, the wonderful and talented Lisa Dietlin joins us and bestows some great insights into the world of charitible giving.

It's talk that matters.

MEMORIAL DAY

Definition of the word memorial: “something (such as a monument or ceremony) that honors a person who has died or serves as a reminder of an event in which many people died.” Doesn't say anything about buying tires, mattresses or that it’s a reason to celebrate. Memorial Day isn’t for those who are currently serving-that’s Armed Forces Day. It’s not for those of us who have served and returned home-that’s Veterans Day. This is to honor those who served, gave their last full measure for an ideal, a cause or effort that represents the best of American values and conscience. Remembering Nikolas Daniels, Ryan Jopek, Donald Sansone, Kurt Duncan and Nathaniel Bruckenthal.

Wednesday with Weigel

I've known the Emmy award winning journalist, best-selling author, and stellar radio show host Jen Weigel-for 20+ years. In 2022, we tag-teamed a weekly audio outing in Washington D.C. that most of you never heard, unless you lived in area code 202. So, when I came across a file with all the "John & Jen Show" files, thought it would be a good idea to share them each week on this platform. Had to take the music out, but other than that, Ms. Weigel and I are off to the races in many different directions. It's talk that matters...