Seemingly Ordinary

Mary Flannery O'Connor is in my top three authors. She is hilarious!! And satirical. And shocking. And violent. When I read anything she writes the first time, I am startled by what happens. When I finish, I wonder why she ended it that way. So, I reread her, and then I catch all the comic lines.A world-class author who is considered to be one of the greatest of the 20th Century, Flannery O'Connor will shock you, make you laugh, and turn your world sideways. Enjoy!

I've always liked the party animal author, F. Scott Fitzgerald, although I wouldn't want to be neighbors with him--too dangerous. Even so, I find he and his wife, Zelda's, lives fascinating. Here is a little about his twenties (the party) and his thirties (the hangover). He also has powerful life lessons, inadvertently given, for anyone who wants to be happy.

F.I.R.E. (Financial Independence Retire Early) is a movement where people get $1,000,000 in investments by their early thirties. Tyler Supalla is on this road, and it is working great for him!(This episode is a blast from the past.)

The Dark Side of the MBTI, Part 2.  The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator almost always discusses how wonderful people are. And they are! But what about horrible behavior? Dishonesty? Theft? Vandalism? Pointless criticism? Beating people up? Why do people do awful things? Dr. Eve Delunas & Dr. David Keirsey (who wrote "Please Understand Me") have answers. Last week, I discussed the Blues (ENFP, INFP, ENFJ, INFJ) and the Greens (ENTP, INTP, ENTJ, and INTJ). This week, I discuss the Oranges (ESFP, ISFP, ESTP, & ISTP) and the Golds (ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, & ISTJ). Enjoy!

If you've taken the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator--and over 100,000,000 Americans have, not to mention millions more people from around the world--you may have noticed its very cheerful tone: It believes every type of person is wonderful. I believe this, too--but what about crime? Lying? Stealing? Assault? People cheating on their spouses? According to the MBTI, why do people do these things?Dr. Eve Delunas & Dr. David Keirsey (who wrote "Please Understand Me") have answers. And they are deeply insightful, regarding both the origin--and the solution--for these devastating crimes and sins that can cause so much misery.Today, I discuss primarily the Blues (ENFP, INFP, ENFJ, INFJ) and the Greens (ENTP, INTP, ENTJ, and INTJ). Next week, I'll discuss the Oranges (ESFP, ISFP, ESTP, & ISTP) and the Golds (ESFJ, ISFJ, ESTJ, & ISTJ).

It isn't for the faint-hearted.

Fourteen possible causes, and several possible solutions.

Allison Mark is nearly a senior in high school. In this episode, we discuss how she likes school (even in late May of her junior year), her lifelong hope of playing sports, her faith life, psychology, friendship, and much more.

Once a TV reporter who survived and covered a hurricane (episode #182), Caroline Burkard has re-invented herself. How did she do it? Enjoy this fun update featuring love, photography, starting your own business, and--bonus--where she rates money, power, fame, love, growth, contribution, and Jesus in her life, these days, on a scale of 1 to 10.She's always up to something amazing!

For about 1750+ years, Christians thought charging interest was wicked and exploitative. From Jesus (Luke 6:34-35) to Augustine to Aquainus to others, they didn't like it. But in the 18th Century, things started to change. Even so, many Christians today have severe misgivings about the morality of charging any interest. C.S. Lewis worried it was anti-Christian. And yet, we have it. Can anything be done about it?I also discuss families. What should we do to help each other with our debts? Teach each other the mechanics of money? Give each other copies of "Rich Dad, Poor Dad"? Because, like Proverbs 22:7 says, "The borrower is slave to the lender." And no one should have to be a slave.Join me for a meditation on this thorny topic.

Adam Clement is a licensed marriage therapist who has worked with all kinds of hard cases, from addiction to trauma to spouses who say no to everything, young men who won't leave their rooms, and people suffering from identity crises (like teens who don't know what to do, or your classic 40 year old who feels lost). In this episode, I ask him about hard cases.

Every day, I notice more and more in many conversations: what isn't being said. It's often the most important part.

Michelle Downard - Birth Parent Peer Support / Birth Mother:"My name is Michelle Downard, and I am a birth mother who has been working for American Adoptions since 2003. My primary focus is peer support for all the birth mothers that we work with who want to know that they are not alone and that someone else understands how they feel. I placed my son for adoption in February of 1998. He is the love of my life, and I know that it is because of adoption and his wonderful adoptive family that he has had all of the opportunities and experiences that he has been blessed with. I also handle the pictures and letters here at the agency and love being able to talk with both adoptive couples and birth mothers about their experience and contribute in making it a positive experience for everyone."E-MAIL: michelle.d@americanadoptions.comInterviewing Michelle was a ton of fun, and very heartwarming. Everyday, she helps people in deep need. Very inspiring.  

And if so, how? Some people believe we have to change the system.Note: I am not saying this is his plan. But between President Trump's proposal that income taxes go away for everyone making under $150,000, and the tariffs--who knows just how creative the chief executive will get?

What's fake? Maybe the food, our fuel, a bunch of people in government, the media, the money, the pharma, what some call "bu!!shlit jobs," some of the education, and much more. People complain about conspiracy theories, but it would help if we got to the bottom of things, instead of just moving on. After all, most Americans don't believe what they've heard about JFK; RFK; MLK, Jr.; 9/11; and so much more. But every time there's a crisis, we end up with interested parties telling us what they want us to believe. But--how about just the facts? Is there a solution? I truly believe that honesty and standards solve almost all problems. That's all I want: real investigations. Then I think we'd have real solutions. (I recorded this episode on March 8, 2025.)

How do you help people who isolate themselves? "Hikikomori" is a worldwide phenomena--where young men (usually ages 18 to 25) isolate themselves. They tend to talk to no one and not have jobs. In Japan, there are 1,200,000 people like this, and there are many in other nations, including the U.S. These people don't have goals and they don't have relationships. Can they be helped?It takes a lot of work, but popular Catholic Bishop Fulton Sheen, and professional terrorist, and kidnapper-negotiator, Chris Voss, appear to have found a way. If someone you love is in this situation, and you'd like to help, but you don't know how, this might be an answer.For more information, look into:* The William George Agency for Children's Services;* EverGreen Meadow Academy;* Boys Republic;* The Menniger Clinic;* Yellowbrick;* and Exposure =Therapy.Note: I'm not endorsing any of the above. I'm just saying that it's worth looking into.(I recorded this episode on March 8, 2025.)

Debt on a personal level can easily damage your life, remove your opportunities, give you a spirit of fear and always saying no, and hurt your imagination. LIfe was not meant to be this way. In this episode, I give thoughts on: the psychology of debt, how debt keeps us from being our best, and I offer a few solutions.

The national debt is designed to never be paid off--and it costs us our health, prosperity, and many other good things. And it makes it easier for nations to go to war.  But there are two alternative systems that are worth discussing--a hard money system (like gold, silver, and/or Bitcoin), and something I never heard of until about last week: a Sovereign Monetary System.Join me for what may be a very healthy solution to our current destructive, dysfunctional, rigged game that hurts us, and also hurts the world. These solutions have worked before. They can work again.

In 1963, Eric Berne wrote a book that still sells well today: "Games People Play." It is about ridiculous, repetitive patterns that people fall into, like "I've Got You Now, You Little S.O.B.," and "Kick Me." In this episode (third in a series), I discuss several more of these self- and other-destructive games, as well as two of Dr. Berne's other insightful concepts: "Rackets" and "Stamps." You'll like it! I also provide resources (like other books on this subject, like "Born to Win" and "Scripts for Life.") This episode is #3; the first two were #227 & #229.

"(I've Got a) Wooden Leg"..."(You've Got a) Blemish"..."Kick Me"...and "Look What You Made Me Do!" These are four more Games that People Play. In the 1960s, psychologist Eric Berne noticed that some people repeat the same silly arguments &/or patterns over & over again. He called these destructive patterns "games." But even though they prevent people from having fun, solving problems, and getting along, they are common. In this episode, I cover four more, as well as get into Berne's solutions. Careful...you don't want a game to become a life-script. (This episode was recorded on Jan. 25, 2025.)

Spencer Steinert is a guide at Wonder, an Acton Academy which was featured on Jordan Peterson's podcast when Dr. Peterson interviewed Zach Lahn, the founder of Wonder. And now Spencer is opening his own Acton Academy, in Overland Park, Kansas, in August 2025. Acton Academies are hard to describe—but they are catching on like wildfire, with over 300 of them in the U.S. and other countries, since the first one opened in 2009. I'd like to say more about Spencer: he is a startup veteran, Innovation Design Expert (he has an M.A.), and a passionate educator who teaches kids to be entrepreneurial, and to tackle their projects (which they choose) with self-discipline and verve. And he's a great marketer.Read more about Acton (and Spencer) here:a) https://www.daringtowonder.comand also here:b) https://www.actonacademy.org/findAnd listen to episode #221 (“Jacob McKnight Is Opening an Acton Academy”) of this podcast. * * * Contact at spencer@daringtowonder.com * * * 

"Games People Play" is a book that explains the social and relationship games that people play. These are no-win situations that we should avoid. I cover three: "I've Got You Now, You Little $$#@!," "Ain't It Awful," and "Yes, But." I also discuss the author, Dr. Eric Berne's solutions. Even though this book is sixty years old, it still sells well because it's so flippin' good. I found it eye-opening. Enjoy!(This episode was recorded on Jan. 20, 2025.)

Apparently, law school makes people strong, smart, and gives them mesmerizing stories to tell. Reed just completed his third semester; it was agonizing and exhilarating, and (in my view) it made him into a better man in every respect. (This episode was recorded on Jan. 9, 2025.)

Law school is a stark adjustment for most people. How did Sam Dierberger fare? It lead him to question practically every aspect of his life, and also his beliefs.(This episode was recorded four days ago.)

Even though I've had a two-drink limit for myself for decades, I decided last March that maybe I'm done. Since then, life has gotten very interesting.Books & podcast resources included.(This episode was recorded Jan. 4, 2025.  The artwork features athletes drinking water.)

Awarded "Teacher of the Year" by his peers, Michael Consiglio is a teacher and a coach who, all his life, has been willing to take on brand new challenges.This is a replay of the very first episode of Seemingly Ordinary, which debuted in 2020.

I ask Lee Ann Oches, a smart lady with six kids, what she would do differently if she had $20M and unlimited help in educating her six kids. Plus, we discuss at least eight jobs that one or both of us think every person should have for six months or longer. (We recorded this episode on Dec. 14, 2024.)

This is a new kind of school, although there are 300 of them, worldwide, and they've been around since 2009. They help kids perform 1, 2, or even 3 grade levels ahead, and they teach kids to start their own businesses, start their own charities, write their own plays, or otherwise build something that matters to the public. They are very different. Jacob & Caitlin McKnight are opening one: OriginsKC, in Pleasant Valley.You can reach them here:https://www.originskc.com and heroicorigins@originskc.comOr use the QR code that is this episode's thumbnail.Or this: https://qrfy.io/r/KwAk6oDDHL(This episode was recorded Dec. 6, 2024.)

Jacob McKnight is starting a brand new school, and he's also lived an incredible life. In this episode, I wanted to hear stories from his life--and what a shock! His two young daughters could have died. Not only that, if they lived, the chance that both would recover from what happened to them--nearly drowning--was under 4%. And yet...well, you'll just have to listen.Jacob also spent time in Iraq, and helped soldiers survive after they'd lost a lot of blood. We also discuss a little about his new school, which is an Acton Academy. We start with that, because that's his major professional goal, but what an Acton is, and how it's different, is our topic for December 10, 2024.For more information about Jacob's new Acton Academy in Pleasant Valley, MO, contact him at: https://www.originskc.com and heroicorigins@originskc.comOr use the QR code that is this episode's thumbnail.Or this: https://qrfy.io/r/KwAk6oDDHL(This episode was recorded Dec. 6, 2024.)

Money. Romance. Careers. Love. We all have opinions and attitudes on life's most important topics--but where did we get them? Chances are, we absorbed them when we were too young to do anything else, maybe from family, friends, enemies, the media, and more. And then, by the time were were 25, we have a whole range of beliefs that have shaped our lives--sometimes for greatness, and at other times, for pain. Adam Clement--marriage therapist, business creator, and personal finance expert--and I discuss subconscious programming: what is it, how can we identify it, and is it possible to change your mind when it would be to your benefit to do so? Our conversation may wander, but everything Adam says is always worth listening to.

What is confidence and how do you get more of it? Marriage, addiction, trauma, and otherwise great therapist Adam Clement explains.

Peter King is a recent graduate of a very unique, traditionalist college in California.

Join Caroline Burkard (former TV reporter & current photographer) for a wide-ranging discussion on imposter syndrome, and how to develop confidence.

211. Adam Clement on Raising Good Kids

Reed Wilkinson didn't just have a faith journey or a faith metamorphosis...he's had a faith revolution. This powerful event changed his life.

Law school is famous for destroying many students, but Reed Wilkinson loved it, and got stronger mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Here's how he did it.

Mark and Ann Marie Wertin raise their seven children in a natural setting that emphasizes family, hard work, faith, and spontaneous fun. But how do you begin to live this dream life? Mark Wertin gives his very first steps.(This episode was recorded on June 10, 2024.)

Mark and Ann Marie Wertin raise their seven children in an idyllic setting--on a farm with cows, pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens, and horses. They garden, and raise almost all of their own food. Ann also has an M.A., and they homeschool. Their kids are wonderfully happy and social. How did they come to lead this ideal life? In this episode, Mark covers what their family believes a true education is, and how they achieve it. Next week, in Part II, we get into how to get started on this astonishing lifestyle that many people crave.(This episode was recorded on June 10, 2024.)

All Caroline Burkard ever wanted to do was be a TV reporter. She succeeded. But when a hurricane hit where she lived, it nearly broke not just the city, but also her. This is the story of an amazing young woman who achieved her dream--only to literally face a natural and very personal disaster. (This episode was recorded on Feb. 23, 2024.)

Dr. Shane Rapp is the principal of St. James Academy, a school that has prospered since it opened, in 2005. What's in store for it's future?