Life 2.0

The Dilemma

When a friend of mine suggested I watch a documentary about the effects of social media on humanity at large, I carved out 90 minutes-which might have better been spent watching "Creature from the Black Lagoon." The documentary made some great points, but being a media insider for a couple of decades, nothing I haven't really heard before-and since I still think that common sense in uncommon times is usually the best answer-I offer up a solution to the "Social Media Dilemma."

Nitwits, Dimwits & Halfwits.

I received an email last week from Christopher Wray, the Director of The FBI-informing me that after much searching and validation, I've been chosen to receive $10.7 million dollars tax free! I deleted the email of course, but somewhere in the world there's someone who thinks they finally hit the lottery-but only nitwits, dimwits or halfwits need apply.

 

That email had me going down the rabbit hole of human behavior and our seeming lack of common sense during uncommon times-which of course is nothing new.

Post-It Note

What do the following things have in common?

 

Theodore Roosevelt, my barber, an internet troll, Burger King, a Post-It Note and the American flag have in common?

 

They are all part and parcel of the latest episode of the Life 2.0 Podcast.

 

Enjoy.

JSA

Coming Attractions

Finally! 2020 is officially in the history books, and life can start anew! Well...not exactly. While the concept of a clean slate is a good thing, but expecting 2021 to be a cake walk, is a set-up for depression, anxiety and a host of other soul crushing maladies, and while some major names passed away last year, I also wanted to take a little time and remember a few friends I lost, and also what I found, in their passing. 

The Lessons of Scrooge

'Twas the day after Christmas, and all through the house, hardly a creature was stirring, except my computer mouse. So, I fired up my mic and swung into action, just to see if I could get a reaction. As we put another Christmas in the books, perhaps it's the perfect time to remember a few lessons that Charles Dickens wrote about 177 years ago, and that unfortunately are still much needed reminders today, and as a matter of fact...every single day of the year.

Lest We Forget-Pearl Harbor

George Reinwand was a lanky 19-year-old sailor aboard the USS St. Louis, on December 7th, 1941 at Pearl Harbor. Remembering him and the "day that will live in infamy" 79 years later. 

Lessons of Camelot

THIS IS THE WORST TIME IN AMERICAN HISTORY! WE'VE NEVER BEEN SO DIVIDED! WE WILL NEVER HEAL THIS NATION! 

 

Meh...okay.

 

Sometimes a little perspective is in order, to maintain and preserve our brain cells, as they are bombarded with news we can't use- or do anything about.  57 years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, at the age of 46.

 

One year ago, I recalled some of that time, as a matter of perspective, as we were heading into 2020 and I'd forgotten about what I had written in 2019, until a friend sent me a note, thinking it might be a good time to re-share my thoughts, in light of the current reality show we are all cast in.

 

This is the year so many people hoped would bring everything into a much clearer view of the world. 

 

Oh, we got clarity all right.

 

 

 

Monsters, Memories and More

Halloween was bigger than Christmas at our house, it was the time of year my dad would transform from banker into full-blow Dracula mode, scaring the snot of out people in our basement, for over 20 years. I felt it was the perfect day to share perhaps the most unnerving event I have ever been witness to, from my book Phenomena, when a voice came through a speaker and gave the name of a man who had died 93 years prior, in the Eastland disaster on the Chicago River. And finally, my high school apparently has residents that have never left, especially in the library, where I caught something on tape that is beyond unexplained. Happy Halloween indeed...

Disposable Heroes

When news reached me last week that my friend Matt Blair had passed away, it set off a ripple effect of emotions-some good, some not so good. Matt played all 12 of his NFL seasons with the Vikings, racking up 1,452 tackles and from 1977 to 1982, Matt made it to six consecutive Pro Bowls with a 1980 All-Pro selection.  In Blair's 12-season tenure with the Vikings, they went to the postseason seven times and played in two Super Bowls. But, Matt Blair was so much more than a football player. His passing from CTE related dementia had me thinking about my own time wearing a helmet, and the "disposable heroes" like Matt, that offer up their long-term health for the short-term entertainment of fans and talk radio. 

Remembering John Denver.

On October 12th, 1997, John Denver perished in a plane crash, the earth lost its greatest voice, the music world lost a legendary performer, and Ron Deutschendorf lost his brother. Ron joins me to share his thoughts about John, and how 23 years later, his influence and impact continues to create ripples of positive change. For me, my friendship with JD is the root cause of the entirety of my radio career, and without a song heard on vinyl back in 1974 and a chance encounter after a concert in 1992, my life path would be very different.