Derailed Conversations w/Nik+Carl

O. E. Rolvaag wrote “Giants in the earth” which I read and recommend. Here I spend 20 minutes trying to get to the point which is, I liked it. I do that via watching films, endlessly commenting on them, sitting on people's couches and wishing they'd be quiet so I can focus. I wanted to give the photographer who did the cover credit but the price tag covered the name.

Poor Carl discovers the hard way that a special language is needed to interpret recipes, the kitchen is possibly not the best place for massive wood projects and running water in the room where you're trying to bake could be a good idea. If your kitchen has ever looked like a congress of baboons had their way with it you'll find this monologue familiar even if only vaguely, hopefully only vaguely.

She writes, she blogs, she publishes, she provides Amazon with recommendations, in short she is leaving me in the dust AND she makes money. I'm trying to stay in the game.

While Nik hides from a Maharaja Carl interviews songwriter, composer, performer, podcaster, blogger (say that three times fast) Michael Stenger, a third culture kid expressing this creativity all over the place.

Nikki suggests speaking your mind without offending is an art we'd better learn. Carl notices in the court room you are judged on two separate issue, the original offense and your courtroom demeanor. Behavior in court determines how much you'll pay.

Here Nik describes when and exactly how it's acceptable to eat with your hands in India and when you're called a ‘junglie' if you get this wrong. Plus Carl confesses to pretending to be someone else, explains what being called a peasant in Russia means shares that he is called Papazito and how he's not exactly sure if it's complimentary.

Nicole is a cross cultural consultant and brings light to what's behind Indian women in the workplace surrendering their saris while explaining why subcultures in Mumbai may know little about arranged marriage. Meanwhile I just try to interrupt!

An educational system in need of repair, with teachers teaching parents, Russian army has no socks, ADD described from the inside, who gets to have a career in this marriage and how long should this pre-marriage list actually be?

Nik tells true stories of immigrants obtaining their goals while I try to figure out why the word respect is necessary when getting dressed. Plus, whether it's family, Tinder or Carla Brunei's friend, arranging marriages is alive and well on planet Earth.

With a bit of discussion about Nick's idea of bizarre films and agreeing that IMDBs list is far too mild, we dive into a brief description at least of how I felt about watching the weirdest movies of my life. If you like weird films this one's for you.

Joe Schmo Interviews is a subsection of Derailed Conversations w/ Nik & Carl. It is where the common man is questioned about his own life. He doesn't have a million bucks, he's not a celebrity but he has thoughts, interests and feelings that may resonate with you. Certainly it is interesting to hear success stories of the high achiever but we can all identify with the guy next door and I find it refreshing to hear his thoughts. Enjoy.

Nik uses a swear jar for herself and adult friends, griping is exposed as the preferred communication of the bottom feeders but it all ends well when a Floridian wrestled his puppy out of an alligator's jaw, so there!

Nik knows you need to give a date to a Saudi Arabian with his coffee but she also knows what two fingers on top of the cup means. We discuss age related respect in different cultures and Germans teaching kids to have opinions. Also included is info on the almond pollination process in Cali and the plight of bees.

Nik confirms a loin cloth could be used accidentally by a tourist as a scarf, asks people to expose themselves to other cultures and shows what she thinks about intellectual arrogance.

A set of horns in my closet 6 feet wide, wearable, spandex clothing, Steven King's Misery, mother-in-law suits and sleeping with Arabs on a pile of sheepskins and a million cousins, all in this episode! “Magine” that!

Nikki explains how she finds my art bizarre whether it's my street performances, my films, etc while informing me that our competition on social media includes cooking babies and raccoons. Yikes!

While Nikki knows a lot of people in arranged marriages and has a lot to say about it, Carl couldn't get either of his parents to advise him on whom to marry. This combo makes for a fun chat between the two friends.

Nikki and I explore mindsets, definitions and expectations connecting with the partner seeking experience. A person's behavior in one country can be completely misinterpreted in another. With loads of examples and faux pas this episode will most likely bring a smile to the face of the most staunch listener.

Nikki and I investigate the role stress plays in the process of reaching our goals as well as molecular activity that helps us with our moods. Happiness may be the greatest measure of success after all.

In this episode Nikki and I investigate how a bit of knowledge in the realm of neuroscience, habits, environment and philosophy can be used to redirect life and create a more desired outcome.