Life 2.0

After barely surviving Da Bears (see what I did there) loss to the Lions on Thanksgiving, I was looking forward to heading to the Chicago Symphony for "Music and The Movies" featuring "The Wizard of Oz" conducted by my friend and internationally known conductor Richard Kaufman. It was an incredible experience on many levels, and reminded me of a talk I used to give when I was a platform speaker called "Follow The Yellow Brick Road." I can relate to all of the characters in L. Frank Baum's classic, because at some point in my life, I've been them and so have you.

I intended to create some sort of Thanksgiving message that was a reminder of the importance of counting our blessings. As it turned out, I already wrote the script for this episode way back in 2019 and posted it in the landfill of Facebook, after a phone call with Jerry Kramer, the HOF Green Bay Packer's guard who always has a story to tell and a lesson to share. This one isn't about football, but rather the game we all play every day-the game of life-and the importance of perspective.

A little help from Mr. Denver on this one as well. Safe travels.

In a time that often calls human intelligence into question, we are also on the brink of an artificial intelligence tsunami of sorts. Everything from Alexa to GPS to spell check already has a place in the world, but what about the more challenging aspects and risks AI brings with it? Best-selling author and CEO of The Cyber Dawn and world-respected AI risk expert Dawn Kristy joins me to explore the world of AI and how we can best protect ourselves. What is our collective moral responsibility as it pertains to the technology that we have created, which in turn might be a serious threat to humanity? 

Tomorrow is Bears vs. Packers and with that in mind, this show is like a football game. The first half is a review of the incoming fan mail regarding the Line in The Sand episode and one listener in particular decided to let me know how much of an &#($&@#@ I am. The 2nd half of the show is a total shifting of gears as I grabbed some audio from one of the many conversations I've had with longtime friend and Green Bay Packer HOF Guard, Jerry Kramer about his insistence that we can all find higher ground in our lives, it we are willing to pay the price.

Back from just about two weeks in London, Paris, and Normandy. I was able to witness the turmoil of the US POTUS election from a very unique perspective, from across the pond, surrounded by many people from different backgrounds. What stuck with me most, was the two days in Normandy, and all that went into D-Day 80 years ago, Operation Overlord which was the beginning of the end for fascism and the incredible line in the sand drawn by thousands of young men, who gave their last full measure to a cause greater than themselves, a character trait that has given way to a world of "it's all about me."

As I lock down the Aurora Media Studios for a much-needed and long-awaited hiatus, I wanted to share a few thoughts about the importance of perspective in these turbulent times. Also, I am remembering one of the most incredible people I've ever known-Amy Lyon- who I met way back in 1993, and after a 30-year battle, has transitioned to the beyond place, leaving all who knew her, richer for her presence in our lives.

With less than a week before the polls open for the 2024 POTUS race, the pressure has become formidable for many voters. I've always been fascinated by why people vote one way or the other, the factors, the circumstances, and the thoughts that go into going blue or red. Three people volunteered to join me on the episode to share their opinions that shaped their vote in the election on November 5th. The rudder of beliefs, both great and small steer our individual ships and perhaps some candid, civil conversation can help us all navigate the stormy political waters together...or not...but I'm willing to give it a shot.

Note: This podcast is approximately one hour and 14 minutes long.

No, that's not a typo in the episode title because gridiron glory can turn to gridiron gory in the blink of an eye or the launch of a "Hail Mary" pass and that's exactly what happened yesterday when the Bears came up short against the Washington Commanders. But to rub salt into the wound, the taunting by a Bears player before the game ended went viral and it begs the question about "excessive celebration" when it comes to everything from recovering a fumble to getting a sack. Somewhere, Dick Butkus is smoldering...

Halloween is a bittersweet holiday for me. It was without question, my dad's favorite time of the year, as he would transform our house into "The Haunted Castle" and himself from a mild-mannered banker, into "The Count." For over two decades my dad and his supporting cast of werewolves, mummies, monsters, and more, scared the living sh*t out of untold numbers of Chicagoans, just for fun. Long before the massive Hollywood-style terror-filled, high-priced experiences of today, my dad was charging a quarter and loving every single, horror-inducing moment of Halloween.  

So, what do Julie Murphy, Oprah Winfrey, Georgia O'Keefe, Vincent Van Gogh, Albert Einstein, Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Arden, Dr. Seuss, Chris Gardner, J.K. Rowling, and 'Yellowstone' creator Taylor Sheridan all have in common?

 

They all went through the wringer, which is a prerequisite to success.

 

The most successful and significant people I know have had to "go through the wringer" to bring their message and magic to the world. Despite all the marketing attempts to the contrary, there are no shortcuts to success. The path to your higher self is long, arduous, and difficult, which is why most people avoid it, but for those who take the journey, the reward is worth it—a little musical backup by KT Tunstall on this one.