Life 2.0

Get Up and Walk

I've been producing radio for over 25 years, and that has created side bar for me to produce podcasts for clients. Just last week, I was with two of my newbies, Billy Dexter and Melissa G. Wilson on their "Awake in The Network" pod, and the talk turned to the journey we all have to take in life, and next thing I know, the long walk I took from the UP of Michigan to Chicago and back, became the topic of discussion. The boots I wore, that sit in my studio, are a reminder to me that sometimes the most important lessons, come on the last 100 miles But in order to do that, you've got to get up and walk. A little musical back-up from my brother Mark B. Cleveland on this one.

Tuckered Out!

On the heels of Fox News having to cough up nearly a billion dollars for "gross inaccuracies" (aka BS on the channel for an extended period of time as it pertains to voting in the last election) a few names have been dropped from their roster. The biggest of course, is Tucker Carlson, who apparently had zero idea that he'd broadcast his last show. Being the polarizing figure that he is, you might be surprised that I actually agree with him on some things, and his departure comes as a reminder that if you don't own the company, and you become a liability, you lose your parking spot.

Earth Matters 2023

Humans have been around in our present form for about 250,000 years. Earth however, is 4.65 billion years old, so in geological terms, we're just a blip on the radar, which accounts for the lack of consciousness when it comes to our place on the planet. I've enlisted the help of my friends Dr. Jane Goodall, Bill Kurtis and the late John Denver, in reminding us that "Earth Matters."

A Little Good News

When I came across the research that shows 54% of Americans aren't as smart as an octopus or squid, I knew it was time for a refresher course in being conscious of what you consume (like calamari.) In keeping with my mantra of common sense for uncommon times, a little good news was needed to balance out the BS that takes up so much of our attention. Add to that the fact I brought brass knuckles to the movies last night, as well as some music from country legend John Berry, and you've got another rousing episode of the Life 2.0 podcast. 

Resurrection

On this day before Easter, I have been thinking about the gift of resurrection. Not in the traditional, biblical sense, but rather the many times in my life, when I thought I couldn't go on, and yet somehow found the faith to move forward, rising up from what appeared to be the ashes of my life at the time.  It's not what happens to you in life that counts, but rather how you respond that matters most.

Hope Matters

Hopelessness, characterized by despair and helplessness, is on the rise globally, with 48% of Americans experiencing it since COVID-19. Hopelessness has a significant impact on retention, productivity, absenteeism, violence, addiction, self-harm, and all areas of mental health, including suicide. In so many ways, we are teaching our children "hopelessness" with the constant bombardment of negativity that permeates so much of unsocial media. Kathryn Goetzke, The CHO (Chief Hope Officer) of The SHINE Hope Company, joins me for a pivotal conversation about keeping hope alive.

Podcast Smorgasboard

A Smörgåsbord is a buffet-style meal of Swedish origin. It is served with various hot and cold dishes, and in homage to my mom's side of the family, I offer up a smattering of stuff for you to ingest, digest or just plain egest. So, what do the following things have in common? Baseball, April Fool's Day, Kinesology, country music superstar Heidi Newfield, overweight walleyes and karma have in common? That's easy, they are all part and parcel of another edition of the Life 2.0 podcast. It's another audio exercise in "Common Sense for Uncommon Times." 

Lessons of The Rhine

I wasn't sure what to expect when we left Chicago headed for Amersterdam, for an 8 day cruise down the mighty Rhine River in Germany. Suffice to say that it was an excursion for the senses and palate, but also a serious perspective shift, when some of the buildings there are 4 times older than our country. From spending time at an ancient cathedral, to a bar full of Germans singing "Country Roads" it was a reminder that people all over the world are basically the same. 

TALK THAT MATTERS

In order to save my voice (while battling back a head cold) thought I would enlist the support of other voices for this episode. I went back into the Aurora Media Productions audio vault, and pulled up conversations with Royce Elliot, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Ed McMahon, Bill Kurtis & Jean Michel-Cousteau, and Chicago Cubs legend Ron Santo. Enjoy-

Creature Features

So, what do the following things all have in common? The Creature from the Black Lagoon, a country music legend in Chicago, lunch with three guys I haven't seen in a half-century, gas prices in 1943 and a new pack of underwear? Not really sure myself, but they are all puzzle pieces for this week's Life 2.0 podcast.