With @JosephMichaels

Some questions are tricky in that in that by asking them, you miss the answer. This a morning soliloquy toying with some thoughts on the nature of curiosity and the duality of it’s benefit, whatever that is supposed to mean. Sometimes we just go with the flow and see what comes out. Here is an example of that.

I only know my grandfather through the stories my mother would tell me. On this day in particular she recalled every memory she could muster up of him, fondly recanting in detail what she could still envision of him. These memories, all of which are from before she would turn 8. This is what I learned about mi abuelo Bartalo Padilla.

A reflection on an encounter.

A guilty pleasure of mine is indulging in videos or stories of people who are openly racist getting justice delivered to them, often in the form of losing their jobs and in certain circumstances having violence brought again them. I can’t say that this is a healthy outlook or something I’m proud of. I’m challenging myself to have more compassion towards them because in my own way, in past, I too held bigoted beliefs. Through education, and exposure to the arts, comedy, theater and individuals who held more progressive beliefs I was delivered from my faulty thinking. As it’s said, familiarity breeds empathy. To hold hate or resent towards an entire group of people even if they are racist or bigoted does not contribute to a solution. When we wish hate on others, do we not bring about more hate unto ourselves? I’m seeking a more civil productive answer, to rid myself of my hate and ignorance. How can we move the needle forward in our culture and find more common ground? How can we foster love and unity. I’m curious to hear what you think and wonder if you share these sentiments?

I finally let some stuff go. It’s not rational but I felt reservations up until the point where I tossed that shit down the shoot. It was a heavy feeling but I actually do feel lighter and look forward to letting more stuff go. Wow I have this large empty suitcase which I can put winter clothes in to free up closet space or give away as a blessing to someone. Progress.

It’s time for me to get rid of some shit. Over the years I’ve carried a tendency to hold on to items senselessly. This has accumulated into multiple boxes and suitcases as well as about 10 shoes boxes stacked up in my walk in closet. In my effort to declutter and beginning my path toward being a more tidy and minimalistic person I’ll need help. Comment at me on Instagram @Josephmichaels if you identify with this or have found ways to become more tidy or minimalistic yourself. Over the next few episodes I’ll share my progress with you.

Back Pain

I just took my first step to being debt-free and wanted to document and share this with you. Share with me your success stories, or where you’re at with this journey.

Today I mourn with the rest of the world.

A personal reflection. This is a raw moment of what was going on in my mind during this moment of clarity, these seconds of bliss. Elicited by the scenery and an openness to a calling of nature within me that I responded to.

During this episode I share 5 lessons from the last year.

In this talk Chad and discuss Joker, Yesterday and the touch in El Camino the Breaking Bad Netflix movie. We’ll warn ya about spoilers but join the conversation and reply to tell us what you thoughts on the films.

With just 21 hour remaining until my research paper is due I'm mostly relaxed, though I'm not yet confident in what I've created. I've always said pressure makes diamonds, so we shall see what comes of this.

As I gazed at the horizon watching the sun dip below the blue of the seemingly unending ocean. There is a peace I receive from this visage. One the day before I felt so far from. It’ll doesn’t feel sexy to say but as wonderful as I feel my life is, I am not impervious to mental health challenges. I’ve experienced challenged with anxiety and sometimes panic. As grateful as I am and as good as my life is going there are times I feel the physical manifestation of this biological state. I share this to say that if you are in that state or feeling this way, I want you to be encouraged in know that you’re not alone and that it is okay. You’ll be my self doubt, the discomfort in my voice as I attempt to open up about this. This is practice for me, learning to share my voice and distilling my observations for life in a way that is palpable and able to be deployed as tactics for better living. I don’t want to experiment this fits of anxiety in the future but I acknowledge that the circumstances of my life or biology may not allow for that. With this understand I choose get to know myself more and to share that I might bounce back to gratitude more quickly every time, to presence and to peace. That is what a sunset is for me. A bridge back to peace, reminding me of the scale of it all. This wildly glorious situations we humans have found ourselves in. To be able to exists. What a gift.

Life update: My last Monday of 28. During this short solo cast I share some reflections and updates on what’s going on with the state of the podcast, my journey going back to school, and some personal projects I’ve been working on.

Are you dreaming? This is a rant, an audible insight to my mental process during my journey back from jury duty I felt compelled to express some ideas I’ve been reflecting on around how I’ve began to architect my reality. Through establishing what is within my control I’ve discovered purpose behind why I do the things I do enabling me to finding joy in the process. Writing this now it seems convoluted to me to describe but this is why I choose to talk trough my ideas. I was encouraged through this process and hope you receive something from this self talk practice.

Ditatoms and getting to know myself by the bay.

There are two sides of the bed. Ocassionally we get up on the wrong side. It could be something we ate the night before, a mild morning annoyance, the red lights or traffic, something more serious or nothing at all. This audio is a raw look into my thought process during the tail end of an episode of anxiety, as well as a commentary on how I responded the following morning.

This is a conversation with Jitesh Mishra about the Future Of AI and autonomous vehicles and how this will impact the workforce around the world.

In this sit down we discuss bridging the divide, Trump 2020 and racism in America. Fame vs. Fortune, Kanye 2024, and debate where the line is drawn in freedom of speech. We discuss the state of our society and how internet culture is influencing politics and social dynamics in America. Ramon graduated with his masters degree in sports administation from Central Michigan University. He has worked with the Detroit Pistons, coached colligiate basketball, and works with non profits mentoring youth. Ramon is like a big brother to me and this is one of our many raw uncut conversations to come. Ramon is based out of Los Angeles, California.

The real happy. We really went down the rabbit hole during this dialogue questioning the fabric of the monetary system. Learning how to thrive on a $10/week diet. Theories are presented that President Trump doesn’t publish his own tweets let alone know how. People still don’t believe Obama wasn’t born in America. Also we discussed the grim fate of humanity or the possibility of a Utopian state with universal citizenship. All featured in this cast featuring Luis Baez and Matt Shakir. Video Break credits to the North Face video https://youtu.be/Yqum9FhyGkQ

A post morning run rant about the correlation between struggle and growth.

I’ve been noticing a ton of dead or dying bees the last few months. Have you?

What is the current state of masculinity in our society; what role does it play and what has influenced it? During this cast, Allan Candelore and I discuss the evolution of masculinity, the problem with mass incarceration as well as manipulation at scale through social media. I'm learning how to define these segments appropriately but really this is just a couple of buddies catching up over some Thai takeout and talking about some heavy topics. Allan is a man I have learned a lot from and look up to. He is known to as a philanthropist, businessman, a good friend and a mentor generous with his time. He's among the greatest connectors I've met and am glad to have been able to be on the receiving end of the perspective and wisdom he shares during this podcast. Allan is running for San Diego Community College Board District E which plays a critical role to play in educating and empowering SD's diverse and growing student base. The primary election is June 6th.

Success is an ambiguous word defined accurately only by the user. Am I successful? What does that even mean? Over the period of a few days I reflected on these questions and came to a few conclusions. During this solocast I discuss my idea of success and what living successfully looks like to me.

Thoughts before walking into work - was was welcomed warmly.

A rant while on a rooftop in Mexico City reflecting on what i've learned about myself on this jorney.

I unpack a lot here during this short morning walk.

Sacred place reflections. These are some thoughts I had while hiking one of my all time favorite places and packing out some litter.

Gratitude walks, my first documented morning stroll.