The Eclectec Company: Coffee & Convo With Dad & Daughter

"I don't know why I keep getting this kind, but I'm pretty excited. Number four is: THE GREAT STINK. I love that this was a literal period of time ... over a two month period [in July and August of 1858] of extreme heat, the smell of human waste that had been dumped into the river Thames intensified and flooded the city of London ... Sometimes I forget how much I love indoor plumbing."On this week's episode of The Eclectec Company, Dad & Daughter discover a Buzzfeed article citing 24 of the weirdest Wikipedia pages. So of course the have to check it out. And hilarity ensues.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "What's the best excuse you've given or would give to a bill collector?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"Who knows, right? Things happen all the time in our normal three-dimensional space-time world that seem weird, but they happen. The probability was unlikely that it would happen, but it wasn't zero. And it happened. So, it makes me think about this idea that one era's wizard is the next era's scientist. And it reminds me of that book we read together [called] 'Off To Be The Wizard'. It is so very that."This time, the Dad and the Daughter visit the Redditor-recommended Wikipedia page titled "The 1593 Transported Soldier Legend" and give their thoughts on a variety of topics relating to the legend including--but not limited to--teleportation, tequila, quantum physics, 2D space vs 3D space vs 4D space, and even people's willingness to accept new evidence and facts about our world.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "When you were a kid, did you have any posters on your wall, and if you did, what were they?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"According to Dexter himself: 'My name is Lord Timothy Dexter... and I am the first man of the east and the west and the north and of the south, and I am the greatest philosopher of the world... and none but myself could be my parallel.' Yet according to his contemporaries: 'His intellectual endowments not being of the most exalted stump.'"On this week's episode, Eric the Dad and Lauren the Daughter jump down the rabbit-hole called "Timothy Dexter." You'll just have to listen to find out who this gentleman was and what he was all about. Trust us when we tell you that he is one very interesting fellow.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "If you ever decided to run for President, what would be your campaign slogan?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"[If I could send a message to each person privately in their mind] it would be something something to the effect of : Relax, breathe, whatever you're doing, whatever you're mad about, it's gonna be fine, just deal with it.I think it's an admirable answer that Brad gave. But what I think is interesting is that...Brad gave his answer even knowing that no one else would hear this advice. It's this idea that 'who you really are is determined by what you do when no one else is around.' Intent is important."This week features our SECOND-EVER guest, Brad. Brad is a good friend of Eric's (the Dad). Together with Lauren (the Daughter), the three discuss a number of topics ranging from Brad's book recommendations to cryptocurrency to how Brad and Eric met, and even Brad's advice to his fellow man. This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "Is there an experience you have not had that you regret not having yet?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"I m just gonna say that this play doesn't NOT not sound Shakespearean... And I feel as though reality TV has been around a lot longer than TV. This is a soap opera. I'm pretty sure 'The Young and the Restless' already stole this episode... Classic Shakespeare."This week Lauren (the Daughter) and Eric (the Dad) talk about the most popular Wikipedia page of the moment (according to Redditors): "The History of Cardenio", which turns out to be a long-lost play commonly attributed to William Shakespeare. This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "Who texts you the most and why?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"I can tell you as an English teacher that a source of great frustration is that in many cases money is an obstacle in getting books in the hands of kids. And that's just incredibly messed up. So these [free mini libraries] are a cool little project that people can build and support in an effort to get books in people's hands."On this week's episode, the Dad (Eric) discusses the topic of "Public Bookcases"--the number one trending Wikipedia page at the moment according to creditors--with his Daughter (Lauren). The discussion weaves in and out of the topic itself as well as other ideas of charity, ebooks, and dad&daughter projects.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "Which talent would you most like to have?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"Isis has always been interesting to me because of her relationship with Christianity and her correlation with [the Virgin Mary], and also Osiris and Isis and the story of death and rebirth, correlating to Jesus [and his death and rebirth] and how similar those are."This episode, Daughter Lauren and Dad Eric wrangle with the most trending Wikipedia page topic (as chosen by redditors) of the moment: Mysteries of Isis.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "When and where were you happiest?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

"Everyone in my family has an inflated board game ego, so it's really competitive. But I don't have that quality, I just always win. I'm just honest."For the first time ever, Lauren the Daughter and Eric the Dad have a guest on the show. The guest segment includes a bio of guest, Jana, as well as a formal (but eclectec) interview of her and finishes up with a set of entertaining "Speed Run" questions.This week's guest: Lauren's best friend, Jana, an entrepreneur, wife, mother, land-owner, and all around cool human.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "What word or phrase do you overuse?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of sailor superstitions: "It's considered good luck to have the cowl of a newborn child to prevent anyone (of the sailors) from drowning. And at first I thought they were talking about a woman's cowl--like a cowl from a cloak--but it's actually the amniotic membrane around a newborn child. So I guess you're just out getting supplies for [your sea voyage] and you're like 'Crap! I need the amniotic sack of a newborn infant!' Well, I guess that's what alchemy shops are for, right?"With this episode, Daughter (Lauren) and Dad (Eric) answer one of the "3000 Questions" and then let the redditors of the wikipedia subreddit choose the topic of this week's episode.This week, the main topic they discuss is sailor's superstitions.This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "On what occasions do you lie?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of Dr. Robert Huey: "Professor Huey continues to work in classical and  medieval waka (a form of Japanese poetry) . I love this picture already: older white dude living in Hawaii and teaching as a professor about Japanese literature and poetry. How cool is that? Yeah, and it gets even cooler!"In this new season of the podcast, Lauren the daughter and Eric the dad continue to use the new podcast format. With each episode, the DadAndDaughterDuo visit a random Wikipedia page and discuss that topic.This week, WikiRoulette.co sent us to the wiki page about "Robert Huey."This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "What is the most overrated virtue?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of the series of software games, Thinkin' Things: "[These games] are described as having no story, impersonal characters, no overarching goals, and no competitive play. The user--the kid--gets to experiment and explore with interactive objects in different ways. There is no endgame, just play."In this new season of the podcast, Lauren the daughter and Eric the dad use a new podcast format. With each episode, the DadAndDaughterDuo visit a random Wikipedia page and discuss that topic.This week, the page selected by WikiRoulette.co is "Thinkin' Things."This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "What is your greatest fear?"TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of organizational routines: "These routines are stored as procedural memories not as declarative memories... Procedural memories are things which occur unconsciously in your brain... [as opposed to] declarative memories which are things you have to actively initiate."In this inaugural episode of Season 2, Lauren the daughter and Eric the dad kickstart a new podcast format. With each episode, the DadAndDaughterDuo visit a random Wikipedia page and discuss that topic.This week, the randomized page provided by WikiRoulette.co is "Organizational Routines."This week's question from 3000 Questions About Me : "What is your idea of perfect happiness?TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of video games history: "In the summer of 1979 my friend Jim got an Atari, and that was huge because first of all, that was the first time I had ever seen video games in color! And second of all, it wasn't just one game... the cartridge had been invented... and you could change the game you were playing... the home console came into play."In this week's episode, Lauren and Eric share with each other and the listeners their very first memories of video games. Eric (the Dad) starts his journey in the late 1970's, and Daughter Lauren begins hers in the mid 90's. Main frame computers playing tic tac toe on main frame room-sized computers. "Computer time" in the classroom. The origin of the video game home consoles. Launching controllers across the room in frustration. And more...Inspiration-of-the-Week = A local artist donates "kid art kits" free of chargeTip-of-the-Week = Save those red and green Christmas decorations!TWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of Tribalism (kind of... LOL): "The idea that politicians  [are the leaders] and run the way things go is absolutely bonkers.  If you think about the things that have actually improved the quality of human life, it's always been NOT religion, NOT government, it's been technology... Even if politicians were sincere in wanting to make things better for people, these aren't the people we need to go to solve our problems... it's the scientists, the engineers, you could even say the philosophers and the artists are the ones that have brought about improvements."This week, Lauren aka The Daughter talks to her Dad about her vision for a money-less society and how the world can move towards being more of a single tribe. Eric, the Dad, offers both agreement on some points and disagreement on others. Some questions get answered and new ones are created, a common byproduct of the duo's discussions.Inspiration-of-the-Week = Kamala Harris, the first woman Vice President of the USATip-of-the-Week = Being kind makes you feel betterTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of Egyptology: "So Wikipedia and Britannica essentially define Egyptology is the study of all things ancient Egypt... Egypt from around 5000 B.C. to around 400 A.D.... when they essentially became a province of Rome... and [this discipline includes] the history [of Egypt], the language, their religion, the art & architecture, and their literature."During this week's episode,  Eric the Dad & Lauren the Daughter talk about their mutual fascination and love of Egyptology. The Dad shares the story of why and how he initially became interested in the subject, as does the Daughter. After a quick overview of what Egyptology is, they discuss everything from Egyptian history to Egyptian religion to Egyptian language and literature.Inspiration-of-the-Week = The entrepreneurial spirt in AmarilloTip-of-the-Week = A trick you can use to re-inspire yourself about something you have lost your inspiration to doTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of astrology: "[A birth chart] kind of makes me go back to that darkroom metaphor... When you create an image on paper with a projector, you usually have this image that is like the negative... And so you are  projecting light through that and you are creating this image, BUT while it's being projected you can manipulate that image. You do have free will to change some stuff but you still have to work within the confines of this thing."This week, Dad & Daughter have a discussion about the usefulness of astrology and birth charts. In preparation for the discussion, Lauren (the Daughter) had her Dad download an app and input his birth information, as well as browse a couple of websites. Lauren is a long-time believer and user of astrological information while Eric (the Dad)--a skeptic by nature--is unsure of the topic and its credibility. However, by the end of the talk the Dad admits he can see the value of astrology, even if he is still not completely sold on it.Inspiration-of-the-Week = The songs and videos of the singer, AuroraTip-of-the-Week = A slew of handy lifehacks found on the webTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of how quickly technology is progressing: "The problem for us now is that we are mired in [this technological progression]--we're always mired in it actually, we've been for tens of thousands of years--but we're mired in it at a rate now in which [our collective consciousness] can't keep up with.”This week, Eric "the Dad" and Lauren "the Daughter" discuss how humanity has always had to deal with technological progress and new technological breakthroughs, but that the problem now is that this technological progression is happening too quickly for our collective human consciousness to deal with and adapt to. They end by offering some suggestions on how we can mitigate this inevitable problem though.Inspiration-of-the-Week = Various storytelling card games that are trendingTip-of-the-Week = How to discover and capitalize on "your style" as an artistTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of  art literacy: "There is a responsibility on both parties [art creator and art viewer] to be competent. There is a responsibility on part of the artist to be competent when using these objective tools  or processes, but there is also a responsibility on part of  the viewer [to understand these tools and processes] as well."This week, "the Dad" Eric and "the Daughter" Lauren discuss what art literacy is and why it is important--now more than ever in a world in which we are bombarded by visual imagery and called upon to create our own.Inspiration-of-the-Week = The charitable contributions of Dolly Parton and her "Imagination Library" foundationTip-of-the-Week = How to use every last bit of your candleTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyTIKTOK EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of  Alan Watts: "Here is a person who surrounded himself with an eclectic array of people throughout his whole life: Joseph Campbell... Jean Burden... Aldous Huxley... the community of Druid Heights... Carl Jung... Buddhist monks... Episcopalian priests... but who are all truth-seekers, and that commonality they had no doubt is what drove their friendship."This week, Eric AKA the Dad and Lauren AKA the Daughter talk about Alan Watts, a thinker and author that Eric originally discovered in the 1980's and has now recently come back to. Alan Watts lived from 1915-1973 and was known in his time to be one of the leading experts on Asian mysticism and Eastern religion in the U.S.  He has recently resurged in popularity on the internet and social media.Inspiration-of-the-Week = Disney's bevvy of announcements this past week about Marvel and Star Wars content coming out in the next two years.Tip-of-the-Week = Using the power of manifestation to trick your brainTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of the philosophical takeaways from CUBE: “This film is a big metaphor for life. Ultimately, [the creators of the film] were challenging the purpose of purpose. What is the purpose of purpose and does dwelling on that serve a function?"This week the Dad unit (Eric) and the Daughter unit (Lauren) grapple with the 1997 film "CUBE" and discuss its characters, themes, and various philosophical threads.Inspiration-of-the-Week = Artist Jim Gaffrey and his unique "heavy acrylic" artworkTip-of-the-Week = On why you shouldn't deify your heroesTWITTER  @EclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of Quaker beliefs: “Quakers were very involved in the Abolition movement... to the extent that... they had underground railroad areas. Yea! That's something I am so proud of... I brag on that any time I get a chance... about my ancestors."This week Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) discuss some of the basic tenets and guiding principles of "The Society of Friends" (aka Quakers) and the Quaker heritage of their Dennis ancestry dating back to the 17th century.Inspiration-of-the-Week = Rene West: mentor, professor, photographer, artist, all-around inspirerTip-of-the-Week = Make handmade crafty cards and gifts for people this holiday seasonTWITTER  @TheEclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of the Meow Wolf storyline: “Before there even was a universe, things existed in this... amorphous...  primordial state where everything was one. And then this event happened: BOREDOM.  And when boredom set in... this explosion of time and space and reality took place... creating the multiverse."This week Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) discuss the underlying narrative of "Meow Wolf" and their interactive art museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico called "The House Of Eternal Return".Inspiration-of-the-Week = The public art located on I-27 near Amarillo called "The Legs" or "The Legs of Ozymandias" by Lightnin McDuffTip-of-the-Week = When faced with a tough choice, draw a decision t-chart on a piece of paperTWITTER  @TheEclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

On the topic of meditation: “Instead of  trying to make your monkey-brain just sit still, give it a simple task: give it a pile of buttons and tell it to move this pile of buttons one button at a time over here.”This week Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) discuss having a routine of yoga and meditation and then move on to compare and contrast the warrior codes of Bushido and Chivalry.Inspiration-of-the-Week = The charity and kindness of Shi Lee's BBQ & Soul Food of Amarillo, TexasTip-of-the-Week = Utilize Snopes.com and/or Factcheck.org before posting or reposting things on the internetTWITTER  @TheEclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

This week Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) look at the use of Tarot cards and then discuss how the books we read as children and pre-teens influence the rest of our lives.Inspiration-of-the-Week = The author C.L. Clark and her "Stanley Pargo in Suburbia" booksTip-of-the-Week = "Using what you have first"TWITTER  @TheEclectecCompanyINSTAGRAM  EclectecCompanyEMAIL  the.eclectec.company@gmail.com

During this week's episode, Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) discuss fashion history and the fashion backlash in the early 2000's as well as Dad's aversion to false dichotomies & his fascination with the concept of "mu."

This week, Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) talk about Lauren's inspirations for becoming an artist and continuing to create art, followed by a glimpse into the origins of Eric's 40-year long love affair with Dungeons & Dragons.

On this week's episode, Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) talk about the initial steps of Lauren's "art process" and then they fall down the rabbit hole of narrative "multiverses and crossover events" including bit not limited to: the DC Film Universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, that time when "Friends" met "Mad About You", and why Sherlock Holmes never appears in any Doctor Who episodes.

In this episode, Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) discuss Lauren's obsession with drag and drag queens as well as a possible synthesis between the children fairy tales of Hans Christian Andersen and the cosmic horror of H.P. Lovecraft.

In this initial episode, Dad (Eric) and Daughter (Lauren) discuss Inktober and the lost child of Cleopatra and Marc Antony.