Check Your Bias

We had a guest drop by just as we were set to record our 75th episode, and it turned into a fruitful conversation with a certified bad ass.

In one of our favorite episodes ever the gang talks about Queen Elizabeth, #MeToo, and the sexism in the mother effin' room. 

We discuss the media's handling of the FBI raid, the seizure of documents from Mar-a-Lag, and the narratives that take hold in the media and political landscape.

School vouchers, Roe, mid-field prayers, January 6 hearings, and squirting. We have a lot to catch up on.

Mark English, a Qigong energy practitioner under the Shaolin Kung Fu tradition joins us to talk about energy breathwork, breatharians, bodywork, fasting, celibacy, and the history of the Qigong practice.

Futurist Micahel Bruno climbs up in the Crow's Nest with us to see what the hell is on the horizon in all directions. We touch on Fukuyama's End of History, what that means given the situation with Russia and Ukraine, the global population crisis (not quite the narrative we've been taught to fear), balancing freedoms with control of misinformation, the hope of change millennials and gen z can bring about, and so much more. One of our favorite conversations with one of our favorite guests. 

Kirstin Olson, host of the Rational in Portland podcast and area trial lawyer, joins us to talk about issues affecting Portland, Oregon. Homelessness, ANTIFA, cultural clashes, race, political structures, and the growing pains of a city that went from a timber town to a national destination. Should Portland strive to be an international city, comparing itself to larger west coast cities? Or should it embrace being a human-scale city, more in the realm of Austin than Seattle?

Talking mind expansion and plant medicine with our favorite Fed.

We're familiar with birth doulas, but today death doula Tonya Abernathy joins us to share her deep experience of intimately being with people as they end this phase of life/existence.

Reposting this interview of Hoyt Richards that we did back in July because it seems more topical than ever. In it, Hoyt used his own intense experience as a cult member to highlight ways in which we all are designed to fall into cultish behavior.When I spoke to Hoyt this week he said:"What I endured and learned from my cult experience is more relevant today than even when I was going through it...our society is quite cultish by nature. So many of the masses have been indoctrinated in extremist narratives. Very black and white, binary, all or nothing thinking. Where are the shades of gray? And where is the critical thinking?"Hoyt recently started his own podcast called "WhaTheFlok" in which he and co-host Chele Roland talk to people about their cult survival stories. There is no more engaging voice on this topic and we hope you check it out wherever you get your podcasts.  WhaTheFlok Podcast

Divorces are at a high point, a covid related phenomenon...or perhaps the splits are occurring over disagreements over Joe Rogan and the regulation of conversation?

Amy Vandenbroucke of POLST (Portable Medical Orders) joins us to discuss getting our shit together, by which she means advance care planning in relation to end-of-life decisions. Whew! Starting the new year with comfy conversations that people don't stress about at all. Amy has some ideas that may make the subject more approachable and empowering for those of us that don't rush toward this topic naturally. Links discussed:POLSTThe Conversation ProjectPrepare for Your CareGo WishGet Your Shit Together

John "Dubby" Dubin, founding partner of Pineapple Brothers Lana'i, joins us to discuss the ethics of hunting. Dubby run a deer hunting outfit out of the island of Lana'i, Hawaii and has hunted all over the world, always harvesting the meat of any animal he has killed. Does having a direct connection to our meals matter in a modern world? Is there a cost to losing this connection?Dubby was also on the FBI SWAT team for many years and just so happened to be trained by our beloved Marty Gilvary upon entry to the Bureau. He came armed with stories and tap shoes.

The Supreme Court hears a case that essentially has aspects of Roe v. Wade in the balance. We talk about a variety of issues connected to and adjacent to the topic, as well as our own role in these conversations.Referenced in the episode:Hear the Supreme Court ProceedingsWhy You're Wrong - and Right - About AbortionThe Dishonesty of the Abortion Debate

We finally talk about #PornShoulders, then dip into college football before diving right into porn wholeheartedly, as one does.

"Julia" joins us to discuss a difficult topic through which she is still in the process of traveling: the limited conversation we have and allow about adoption. 20 Things Adoptive Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents KnewDeclassified AdopteeAnne Hefron

Author and healer Dmitria Burby joins us to talk about her journey of rediscovery, getting back in touch with an inner truth she had gradually wandered away from during a high-powered corporate career, and how she hopes to touch people in need of a similar rediscovery themselves.

Our friend Jay joins us from San Francisco to talk about the vast world of plant-based medicines, their role in the Great Awakening progressing through society, and his journey from devout Christian to student of spirit gardening (yes actual gardening) and plant-based guide.

A lively discussion on COVID vaccines, vaccine mandates, and the limits of persuasion.

Observe constantly that all things take place by change, and accustom thyself to consider that the nature of the Universe loves nothing so much as to change the things which are and to make new things like them. For everything that exists is, in a manner, the seed of that which will be.-Marcus Arelius

Notes:How TikTok's Algorithm Figures Out Your Deepest Desires:https://www.wsj.com/video/series/inside-tiktoks-highly-secretive-algorithm/investigation-how-tiktok-algorithm-figures-out-your-deepest-desires/6C0C2040-FF25-4827-8528-2BD6612E3796 

Hoyt Richards was the first male "super model" travelling the world for shoots with the likes of Naomi Campbell and Cincy Crawford, while at the same time returning to New York to live in a cult leader's New York apartment where he slept in a closet and handed over all his earnings. Hoyt joins us to tell his tale of nearly 20 years enmeshed in a powerful cult, how he was recruited, how and why he escaped, and the work he's done in the decades since to help others recognize their own cultic behaviour, and to pull themselves out of abusive groups and relationships if necessary. Hoyt also generously touches on the humility it takes to admit to yourself that you've been fooled, then to go back and reframe a life through a clearer lens.

Lee Clay joins us to discuss the identity and ego challenges that came with a transition out of a successful entertainment career and into a new career in impact financial advising. How does identity play on the ways in which we perceive ourselves and our willingness to make necessary changes in life? Why do we cling to ego-based identity, and to the situations and relationships that those identities demand? Lee spent over two decades deeply entrenched in the world of Hollywood film production and is now an Impact Investing Specialist with Regatta Capital Group, www.regattainvest.com. He focuses on sustainable, socially conscious investment strategies for his clients. Lee can be reached at lee@regattainvest.com

Retired FBI Counter Intelligence Agent Nicole Morris Rothe tells us why yoga was a key to balance in her career, and what her hopes are for infusing it into law enforcement training going forward.

Follow the Science became a mantra rather quickly and steadily under COVID so today we have a good talk about current COVID policies and to what degree they seem to be actually following the science. What do we do when we don't like what the science says? Also, Marty learns that lit candles are hot.

Tallahassee PD Officer Justin Reed Hill talks about policing as a black man, why he got into law enforcement, the importance of educating citizens about policing, wanting to get into schools to teach kids how to best interact with police, the challenges of policing, helping a community that doesn't like you and often won't cooperate, and how to bridge that gap through understanding, patience, and seeing a time of strife as an opportunity.

Catching up from the road with a conversation about eldercare and family, the nature of a geographically fluid way of life, the lure of conspiracy theories and cults, and why Marty is misunderstood.

On the year anniversary of the COVID shutdowns, we talked to our kids about their experiences and outlook.

After a partially natural disaster-imposed hiatus, we get back in the saddle and talk a bit about why Ted Lasso is hitting us in the heart and speaking to our better angels. We even forgave Marty for being super late today.

Sari gets into setting goals, being productive during COVID, tune the instrument, spending time with people you like, including yourself, doing the hard part first, and why, no matter what it is, fear is what's holding you back.

Sari Meline joins us to discuss communication, bringing people into the conversation, "moving up", learning how to ask for help and how to offer, COVID sanity, embracing of self, seeing our parents as real human beings and forgiving ourselves for our own mis-steps as parents.

We have a free-wheeling conversation about resilience, dignity, gender challenges in parenting and in the workplace, and why single guys don't want to talk about your kids.

We have a good chat about gender roles, expectations, coming up against barriers of discomfort, being a Mormon stripper on Korean tv, and why Marty wants to look at boobs but won't.

CNN law enforcement analyst James Gagliano joins us to talk about his mayoral run in Cornwall on the Hudson, the Trump Insurrection and domestic terrorism, The failings of the Capitol Police, police interactions with communities of color and shooting statistics, as well as security measures for the Biden Inauguration.

Professor James Harrigan continues his discussion with us, veering into gun control, his new book "Cooperation & Coercion", and the Trump Insurrection of January 6, 2021.

Political Science Professor James Harrigan joins us to discuss last week's insurrection attempt on The Capitol, allegations of election fraud, and his new book "Cooperation and Coercion". Part 1 of 2.

Professor Antony Davies, economics Ph.D with Duquesne University, returns to talk COVID response and restrictions, and what to hope for and expect going forward.

Britt Pixton officially joins us as co-host and we recorded a funny and poignant episode, centering most importantly on the role of our parents as we age, the challenge of losing them, and the gift that can come from taking the time to interview them.

Darren Moore, owner of San Diego's, Shore Rider, Cove House, Cordova Bar, and Dough Momma Pizzeria joins us to discuss the impact COVID and COVID shutdowns have had on his businesses and on his employees.

A discussion about where we are in the COVID era, where we're going, and how we feel about it.

Britt Pixton shares her experience of growing up in, then as an adult leaving the Mormon church.

Robyn Poarch Linstroth joins us to talk about her experience living as a devout feminist and devout Christian.

Aaron Rapf, Lake Oswego resident, throws his hat in the ring of local politics and joins us to discuss his experience running for city council, the impetus to give back and contribute, why so few younger people are involved in local politics, the challenges of the political climate even at the local level, what running as a republican has meant in 2020, Trumpism and its effect on the country, and his hopes, win or lose, for the landscape of citizen involvement in local politics.

A conversation about OJ segues into issues of the current day.

We have a conversation about the highly recommended Netflix documentary "The Social Dilemma". Do we all really understand what Silicon Valley companies are up to, what their end goal is, and why exactly has this resulted in them being the richest companies in human history? What are they selling that is that valuable? Do we really understand what is for sale?

A little perspective at a time when folks may need it.

Predictably there has been another controversial police shooting. Can a conversation be had about the details and context of the actions, or does that not matter in the bigger picture? And if the latter, what does that mean in practical terms? We seek to avoid the temptation of easy simple narratives during the conversation, a task easier said than done at times.

Peter Moskos is from the Department of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and received his PhD in sociology from Harvard University. He also spend time as a street police officer in Baltimore, MD.

Peter Moskos is from the Department of Law, Police Science, and Criminal Justice Administration at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and received his PhD in sociology from Harvard University. He also spend time as a street police officer in Baltimore, MD.

Should college football be played in the fall of 2020? Is the answer clear? The optics depend upon the eye of the beholder, but the health consequences may be multi-layered.

Ben Weston joins us to discuss entrepreneurialism, the importance of key partners at work and in life, social justice lessons learned as a teacher, recognizing the role of privilege in our life options, the advantages of knowing when to quit, the hidden world of tap handles, and being a National Champion and Olympic Trails level swimmer.