Real Talk with Mark West

A lot of us have a conflicted relationship with food, but lately I've been tapping into the idea of finding joy in eating. Experiencing the tastes, smells, thoughts, and feelings of enjoying a meal. Food is a central part of every human culture and a big part of the human experience! I talk about food as a way of connecting to yourself or a location and the new food tours I'm leading this summer. Then I speak with Phil the Blerd Explorer (@theblerdexplorer) about food in Korean culture and his new ebook, The Black Travelers' Guide to Daegu South Korea. | @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com --- Check out a Mark West foodie adventure through Tour Chicago: www.tourthechi.com With your booking, you also support Palenque LSNA, a woman of color led nonprofit organization serving the residents of Logan Square. Palenque LSNA is a catalyst for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities and allies to take care of one another and take strategic action for systemic change and a just, resilient, and joyful future. | www.palenquelsna.org --- Phil The Blerd Explorer is an avid traveler and travel content creator based in South Korea. Blerd, means Black Nerd. He aims to produce travel information from the viewpoint of a Black person in an effort to demonstrate to the community how traveling the world can be an enriching and life-changing experience. About the Book: “Over the years black tourism has grown into a billion dollar industry. It's a wonderful feeling to see more black travel content on social media. Unfortunately our presence is still minimum compared to other demographics. The Blerd Explorer has returned to create a new travel guide for black people by black people. This guide will focus on one of the largest cities in Korea, daegu. For the first time, readers will be able to read stories from other Black people who have lived in Korea.” Check out his ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Travelers-Guide-Daegu-South-ebook/dp/B092R7LRPL --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

This episode is edited and produced with music and other features in the Real Talk with Mark West episode, "#26: The Art of Living | D'ya Eat?" A lot of us have a conflicted relationship with food, but lately I've been tapping into the idea of finding joy in eating. Experiencing the tastes, smells, thoughts, and feelings of enjoying a meal. Food is a central part of every human culture and a big part of the human experience! I talk about food as a way of connecting to yourself or a location and the new food tours I'm leading this summer. Then I speak with Phil the Blerd Explorer (@theblerdexplorer) about food in Korean culture and his new ebook, The Black Travelers' Guide to Daegu South Korea. | @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com --- Check out a Mark West foodie adventure through Tour Chicago: www.tourthechi.com With your booking, you also support Palenque LSNA, a woman of color led nonprofit organization serving the residents of Logan Square. Palenque LSNA is a catalyst for Black, Brown, Indigenous, and Immigrant communities and allies to take care of one another and take strategic action for systemic change and a just, resilient, and joyful future. | www.palenquelsna.org --- Phil The Blerd Explorer is an avid traveler and travel content creator based in South Korea. Blerd, means Black Nerd. He aims to produce travel information from the viewpoint of a Black person in an effort to demonstrate to the community how traveling the world can be an enriching and life-changing experience. About the Book: “Over the years black tourism has grown into a billion dollar industry. It's a wonderful feeling to see more black travel content on social media. Unfortunately our presence is still minimum compared to other demographics. The Blerd Explorer has returned to create a new travel guide for black people by black people. This guide will focus on one of the largest cities in Korea, daegu. For the first time, readers will be able to read stories from other Black people who have lived in Korea.” Check out his ebook: https://www.amazon.com/Black-Travelers-Guide-Daegu-South-ebook/dp/B092R7LRPL --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

My friend Tracey Redding from the Art Institute of Chicago (@artinstitutechi) joins me to talk art, beauty, and anime. Beauty has become a sore subject in today's world, understandably so. It stirs up a sense of anxiety, fear, and, at times, self-hatred. I recently came to the realization that beauty is an essential part of a fulfilling life, and to seek out beauty in the world is to find the beauty within you. @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com --- Mark West's Art of Living | Family Meal - Are You on The List? I believe the best dining experiences are the ones in which we're seated around a table sharing food and stories with others. Family Meal is a dining experience where the goal is to deepen human connections through food, while learning something new about the city. Once a month, I curate a progressive, fine dining experience for me and 12 guests at one of Chicago's many great restaurants. Invitations with event details are sent monthly via email only to those on The List. Visit heymarkwest.com/familymeal to learn more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

This episode is edited and produced with music and other features in the Real Talk with Mark West episode, "#25: The Art of Living | I am Beautiful". My friend Tracey Redding from the Art Institute of Chicago (@artinstitutechi) joins me to talk art, beauty, and anime. Beauty has become a sore subject in today's world, understandably so. It stirs up a sense of anxiety, fear, and, at times, self-hatred. I recently came to the realization that beauty is an essential part of a fulfilling life, and to seek out beauty in the world is to find the beauty within you. @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com --- Mark West's Art of Living | Family Meal - Are You on The List?I believe the best dining experiences are the ones in which we're seated around a table sharing food and stories with others. Family Meal is a dining experience where the goal is to deepen human connections through food, while learning something new about the city. Once a month, I curate a progressive, fine dining experience for me and 12 guests at one of Chicago's many great restaurants. Invitations with event details are sent monthly via email only to those on The List. Visit heymarkwest.com/familymeal to learn more. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

The Holy Theatre is the place where the invisible is made visible; where we face and conquer our own inner demons. The Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of Richard III plays May 12 - June 25, 2022 at The Factory Theatre, in which I play the role of Buckingham. I share what my character has taught me about myself then sit down with Director Steve Scott, Text Coach Paulette Hicks, and Cameron Faegin who plays Richard III. I hear their take on happiness, if theatre has fed into their overall happiness, and whether our Shakespeare show has any relevance to today's topics of conversation. Finally, I have ways you can get in on exclusive Chicago dinner parties and a special announcement about my new appointment! @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com --- RICHARD III TICKETS: www.heymarkwest.com/nowshowing --- Over a career that spans nearly fifty years, Steve Scott has directed more than 300 productions for local, national and international theaters, including the Goodman Theatre, where he served as producer from 1986 to 2017 and now sits on the Board of Trustees. In 2017, he won a special Jeff Award, Chicago's top award for excellence in theatre, for his service to the Chicago theater industry, as well as the League of Chicago Theaters' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He now serves as the Artistic Director of the Dunes Summer Theatre in Michiana Shores, Indiana and on the faculty of the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. --- Paulette Hicks has worked as a text coach with Redtwist Theatre, The Dunes Summer Theatre, and City Lit Theatre to name a few. Productions include King Lear, The Merchant of Venice, and Macbeth. As an actor she has worked with Redtwist Theatre, Oak Park Village Players, W. Shakespeare & Co., and The Human Race Theatre Company. --- Cameron Faegin plays the title character, Richard III. She is a proud member of the Promethean Theatre Ensemble where her productions include Arcadia, The Winter's Tale, and The Player in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Other credits include Hamlet at Midsummer Flight, The Elephant Man at BoHo Theatre and Court-Martial at Fort Devens at Victory Gardens. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the Real Talk with Mark West episode, "#24: The Art of Living | Holy Theatre" The Holy Theatre is the place where the invisible is made visible; where we face and conquer our own inner demons. The Promethean Theatre Ensemble's production of Richard III plays May 12-June 25, 2022 at The Factory Theatre, in which I play the role of Buckingham. I share what my character has taught me about myself then sit down with Director Steve Scott, Text Coach Paulette Hicks, and Cameron Faegin who plays Richard III. I hear their take on happiness, if theatre has fed into their overall happiness, and whether our Shakespeare show has any relevance to today's topics of conversation. Finally, I have ways you can get in on exclusive Chicago dinner parties and a special announcement about my new appointment! @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com --- FOR RICHARD III TICKETS: www.heymarkwest.com/nowshowing --- Over a career that spans nearly fifty years, Steve Scott has directed more than 300 productions for local, national and international theaters, including the Goodman Theatre, where he served as producer from 1986 to 2017 and now sits on the Board of Trustees. In 2017, he won a special Jeff Award, Chicago's top award for excellence in theatre, for his service to the Chicago theater industry, as well as the League of Chicago Theaters' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. He now serves as the Artistic Director of the Dunes Summer Theatre in Michiana Shores, Indiana and on the faculty of the College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. --- Paulette Hicks has worked as a text coach with Redtwist Theatre, The Dunes Summer Theatre, and City Lit Theatre to name a few. Productions include King Lear, The Merchant of Venice, and Macbeth. As an actor she has worked with Redtwist Theatre, Oak Park Village Players, W. Shakespeare & Co., and The Human Race Theatre Company. --- Cameron Faegin plays the title character, Richard III. She is a proud member of the Promethean Theatre Ensemble where her productions include Arcadia, The Winter's Tale, and The Player in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead. Other credits include Hamlet at Midsummer Flight, The Elephant Man at BoHo Theatre and Court-Martial at Fort Devens at Victory Gardens. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

Travel is more than just escaping the everyday grind and forgetting about what's back home; it's a necessary ingredient to a full and happy life! I share my experiences traveling to China as a young actor performing at various Universities, and the lessons it taught me. Then, my BFF Christina Roman (@the_roman_empirec) joins me from Phoenix to talk about the importance of travel, her run in with an angry bull, and meeting a Princess in Mexico. @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com  For more content on Travel and my travel experiences, visit: https://www.heymarkwest.com/art-of-living-travel --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the Real Talk with Mark West episode, "#23: The Art of Living | Travel" Travel is more than just escaping the everyday grind and forgetting about what's back home; it's a necessary ingredient to a full and happy life! My BFF Christina Roman (@the_roman_empirec) joins me from Phoenix to talk about the importance of travel, her run in with an angry bull, and meeting a Princess in Mexico. @ibmarkwest | www.heymarkwest.com  For more content on Travel and my travel experiences, visit: https://www.heymarkwest.com/art-of-living-travel --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

It's a deep truth held by psychology that is carried in many religious traditions. It is also a key part of philosophy. Each of us is just as much defined by who our friends and family are, how we treat them and are treated by them, by whom we love and what we love to do. Mary Runestad is one of my childhood educators and mentors who joins me today to talk about the misinterpretation of Happiness and the inner landscape of our lives. She sheds light on "the invisible world” that is constantly intertwining with what we can know and see, and the simple beauty of being alive and human. From mystical wisdom, dogmatic religion, to modern confusions and longings, does this have an impact on who we are, how we feel about ourselves, and whether we can achieve happiness? For more content visit www.heymarkwest.com| @ibmarkwest --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

This interview is edited and produced with music and other features in the Real Talk with Mark West episode, "#22: The Art of Living | I'm Invisible." It's a deep truth held by psychology that is carried in many religious traditions. It is also a key part of philosophy. Each of us is just as much defined by who our friends and family are, how we treat them and are treated by them, by whom we love and what we love to do. Mary Runestad is one of my childhood educators and mentors who joins me today to talk about the misinterpretation of Happiness and the inner landscape of our lives. She sheds light on "the invisible world” that is constantly intertwining with what we can know and see, and the simple beauty of being alive and human. From mystical wisdom, dogmatic religion, to modern confusions and longings, does this have an impact on who we are, how we feel about ourselves, and whether we can achieve happiness? For more content visit www.heymarkwest.com| @ibmarkwest --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

Today, I'm kicking off my new series, Mark West's Art of Living: Creating Your Own Happiness! I've got fun episodes and live events lined up as I share ways to tap into the Art of Living and start Creating Happiness! But what does any of that mean? Especially in the toxic positivity world we live in. I'm not looking for more branded self-care, I want some lasting solutions. So, first I want to figure out, what is happiness? I take answers from different people as I try to find out. | Get more content at www.heymarkwest.com | @ibmarkwest --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I'm super excited to be releasing EPISODE NO. 20! To celebrate, I want to kick-off a new series talking about an art form I believe everyone can benefit from. Plus, READING IS FUNDAMENTAL! Did I tell you about my audiobook? | More content at: www.heymarkwest.com | Instagram: @ibmarkwest --- Audiobook: https://www.audible.com/pd/B09P9TCMQK/?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWU-BK-ACX0-291739&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_291739_pd_us --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I'm a new dad! Plant dad. I talk to Marcheita from Missouri--someone close to me--and she opens my eyes to the truth about my habits and I am shook! I got a real good look at myself, but what now? | For more content: www.heymarkwest.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

A homeless man wanted to slit my throat the other day! My friend Donnie spoke to me about how I should be treating people, and I think I might need to change my perspective. | For more content: www.heymarkwest.com  --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I've had an epiphany! Last week I started exploring ways to better understand myself by making an emotional "Me List," and I now realize what it is I need for a happy life, and what I have to do to get it. There's been an element missing this entire time that I hadn't even considered. I now have the answer, and it's so simple and so obvious; I have to tell you! It's simple in theory, but a lot harder than you'd think. | To access the resources I mentioned, visit www.heymarkwest.com --- Wake Up Call (Spotify) Wake Up Call (Apple) --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I'm back, and I want to talk about emotional currency! I took a short sabbatical to get back in touch with myself after the 2021 I had. I asked some difficult questions I haven't wanted to answer honestly, but, because of that, I have been letting self-blame, invalidation, and fear lead me to accept things I don't want for myself. It's time to understand and discover me and what I need so I can take charge of my life and stop falling into the same emotional traps. Get more content at: www.heymarkwest.com --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I have been avoiding some very negative feelings the past couple of months, and it's time to address them. If we're going to talk about the elephant in the room, we have to talk about the ways we can take ownership of our feelings, and use them to motivate us towards positive life change. It's not at all comfortable, but we can't keep blaming other people for the road we're on. It's your own asphalt! www.heymark.west.com -- My Wake Up Call (Apple) My Wake Up Call (Spotify)  -- Get more content on my Patreon --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I just saw Don't Look Up on Netflix and you can guess, it got me thinking. So many of us live our lives solely through what we experience online and, as plugged in as we may be, are disconnected from reality! It's time to be in charge of our own reality; it's time to be in charge of our own attention and thinking. But first, have you heard the latest news about what's being outsourced?? Let me tell you! www.heymarkwest.com -- The article I referenced: https://www.nature.com/articles/nature.2012.11401 My Wake Up Call (Apple) My Wake Up Call (Spotify)  --  Get more content on my Patreon --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

I'm on a break this week as I get ready for all the exciting new content on this, and my new daily podcast, Wake Up Call. However, I still wanted to leave you with some Food for Thought until we're together again. In this new year and strange times what's really important, and where are you looking for the answer? --- www.heymarkwest.com --- Wake Up Call -- Thoughtfully crafted audio to help you start your day. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

It doesn't have to be the New Year to decide to re-evaluate yourself and what's important, but it's a popular time to do it. I'm letting go of toxic ideas, toxic relationships, and this insane demand to fit into a toxic culture and way of thinking. It's time for something new; new podcasts, new acting projects, and new life goals and objectives. It's time to get real about what's working and not working in our lives, even if the toxic one is us. Follow me! @ibmarkwest -- https://www.heymarkwest.com/ --- Get Bonus Content on Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support Show Transcript: https://www.heymarkwest.com/real-talk-with-mark-west/12-real-talk-new-year-new-focus --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

People don't like to talk about the anxiety, stress, and sadness that can be associated with the holidays. I want to share my thoughts about how to deal with the unavoidable feelings that go hand-in-hand with this time of year. Then, I'm coming clean! I don't like to name drop but I have a secret connection to one of the most iconic voices in Hollywood, James Earl Jones. It's true! And finally, I'm cancelling Christmas! Alexa says that reindeer can't fly, so how can Santa be real?? I did some scientific investigation and I'm debunking this Santa myth! https://www.heymarkwest.com/ --- The article I referenced: Daily Mail UK - James Earl Jones YouTube Channel: https://youtu.be/dr2hzwHg514 Support this show: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support Show Transcript: https://www.heymarkwest.com/real-talk-with-mark-west/scary-christmas-holiday-anxiety --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

It's time for a change! I have not been true to myself and it's time to stop. This new age of toxic positivity has us avoiding the much needed work we have to do to get better as individuals and get over the trauma of our past. I'm no longer gonna tip toe around issues and problems and neither should you; it's time to do the work. It's time to keep it real. Learn more at www.heymarkwest.com. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support

A podcast about owning you sh*t, and playing through life. www.heymarkwest.com --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ibmarkwest/support