Podcasts about behavioralism

Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music written and performed by Jeff Foote.

Thanks to everyone who supports TMBH at patreon.com/thetmbhpodcast You're the reason we can all do this together! Discuss the episode here Music written and performed by Jeff Foote.

Rococo Deluxe by Eagle Gryphon Games is the huge box fancified new version of a classic, beloved game. How is it with the updated treatment? Well, still the same game as before, so let's talk about it. We also discuss recent news with Board Game Arena and talk about not punishing the behavior you want to see from people.

Realism vs Idealism; Tradisionalism vs Behavioralism

In this episode of Verbal Processing, Zach and Jenny discuss five modern educational philosophies currently used in our public schools, as well as the five basic educational philosophies of homeschooling. The five modern educational philosophies that we discuss are Progressivism, Essential ism, Perennialism ,Existentialism, and Behavioralism. The five educational philosophies behind home education that we discuss are Classical Education, the Charlotte Mason Method, Unschooling, Transitional/School at Home , and Eclectic. (Montessori and unit studies make a breif apperance, but they will be discussed in a future episode.) What are the of the pros and cons that are generally associated with these methods? Who created these methods? What are some resources to get started into looking into these methods? Books, websites? All of these questions, and more are covered in this episode of Verbal Processing. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/jenny828/message

Today, Jack tackles the issues of sex and gender and how our society and our biology conflict with one another. He will break down how we tend to create norms (i.e. stereotypes in this particular case) that cause many of the problems we see today. He will help us to see past these 'norms' and understand the person underneath. This serves a nice little break from all our leadership talk, so just sit tight for a few more days and we will be back on that hayride! As Jack says, nothing better than enjoying this gorgeous fall weather than enjoying some fresh coffee in a Crack Talk juice box. Head over to our website and click the link to order yours today! https://cracktalk.us

Well, despite our rant regarding Dr. Covey's reference to Sir Winston Churchill somehow being relevant to the topic of synergy (spoiler alert...it isn't), the point of synergy is WORKING TOGETHER. It naturally feeds off of habits 4 and 5, 'Think Win-Win' and 'Seek First to Understand', synergey is about putting the plans and ideas created in those two habits into action. It is not just collaboration, although it kind of is, syngery is about mutually beneficial goals, almost dependent (where collaboration could have independent goals, even though all parties got what they wanted): A campaign manager and a nominee working towards the the election is synergy; Coke and Pepsi agreeing to put soda machines next to each other is collaboration. There is much to be said on this topic as we close in on the end, so get settled in, we get a little fired up in this one!

Habit #5 seeks to have us look past our own mis- (or pre-) conceptions and engage our empathic system to better ascertain and appropriate what the underlying reasons are for a person's behavior. Catch that? Basically, our erudite vernacular is simply saying it is better to listen first, respond second. We take further issue with Dr. Covey's application of a registered trademark to common English phrases for the sake of marketing and profit, but he is writing a book after all. That aside, we do agree with the fact that when in conversation or conflict, we should try to understand the other person's point-of-view and realize there is usually more than one way to skin a cat, right? This kinda falls back on 'Think Win-Win' in that we should be empathetic (as we should in practially all of the habits...) because by doing so, we should the other person we genuinely care about them and their opinions, even if we disagree. Give a shot and let us know how it works for you!

We can sum up habit number 4 in one word: empathy. That's right. It's all about truly understanding the other person to really be able to come to a mutual and mutually beneficial resolution because let's be honest, no one likes conflict and to lose a 'conflict situation' feels like we lose part of our stake in life, right? We have to learn to let go of our deisres to best the other person, or get to the front of the line, or have the highest grossing podcast on the planet. Let's take a look at how we can help others and in doing so, we will find that we have helped our own purposes much more than anything else we could have done. Yes, there are those who seem to succeed (or get away with) everything they do, but they are the exceptions, not the rules. Be rulers (as in, measurement tools) people! Peace out coconuts.

This episode, we focus on habit number 3, which despite Dr. Covey's insistance it is about imagination, it is really about prioritization (per him). Anyway, the idea is really about focusing on what matters and eliminating what doesn't. We certianly agree with this idea and they are words to live by, but hte interesting thing about weeding out the non-important things is, if all of your non-priority things have been removed, then what is left to prioritize?? We discuss this interesting aspect and much more on this episode, so be sure to join us as we make our way through. Also, be sure to tune in next episode as we drop the bomb on a nifty new feature of the podcast that is sure to get you on the edge of your seat, or at the very least, get you thinking a little more. Stick around coconuts, it only gets better!

Dr. Stephen Covey's second habit of seven tells us to 'begin with the end in mind'. We do like the idea behind it, basically saying have an idea of where you're going. Well, what happens when you don't know where you are going? We all have times where we feel compelled to do something bigger, better, grander, whatever, but we may not know what that is. It isn't as simple as Dr. Covey states in having clarity or vision. Sometimes, the end is all about the journey. We need to take time to understand what we are going through and how it impacts our lives. Sometimes we need to be told 'You're not The One' (The Matrix) to find out what being 'The One' really means to us (and not someone else). It is about making our own luck or creating our own destination, but do not forsake the journey in getting there. It isn't about arriving. Take the time to stop and smell the roses and listen to the clock ticking in the other room. Of course, if you are one of the lucky ones that knows exactly what it is you want to do with your life, bully for you! Now go help someone else find their passion. Buckle up coconuts, this one gets deep!

Well, we had a small technical difficulty with Jack's microphone, i.e. the cable is bad and we dont' have a replacement. We know, we should have extras, but we don't so we're stuck. We are going to pick back up on Thursday due to travel committments, so stay tuned and we'll talk to you then!

There is much to be said for Dr. Stephen Covey's book, 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.' This episode marks the first of seven (see what we did there?) where we look at each habit and dissect it a little bit. We don't disagree with Dr. Covey's thoughts and ideas, we just believe they need to be unpacked a little and made a little less 'drive-thru.' What do you think when you hear the term 'proactive?' Does it conjur up images of fortune-telling and telepathic clairvoyance? Probably not, but we would bet dollars to ducks that you think being 'proactive' is an admirable trait. Well, if you think about it for a few seconds, you should come to the same conclusion we did, which is 'being proactive' is really just 'reacting' to something, right? You can't truly be proactive. We hear you screaming though, you're saying, 'Being proactive means no one is telling you to do something,' and we absolutely agree. However, why don't we just say, 'Be active, not lazy!' Because it isn't pithy enough to put on a bumper sticker. So, be ACTIVE and fire up your podcast app and get listening!

We know you are sad that we are done and moving on from regert, but every good thing must come to an end. And to that end, we are gonna shift our focus a little bit onto the topic of habits. Specifically, we're gonna dig into Stephen Covey's 7 Habits and see if we can unpack them a little more and expose some their soft under-bellies. Not that we think they're wrong, far from it. We just believe there may be more to them than the nice little package they are so neatly wrapped up in. We're going to start by just talking 'bout habits (not love): how they're formed, why they're hard to change, and what we can do to change them (if they even need changing!). There is much to be said for the power of our brains and it isn't about being lazy, as much as it is about understanding what is going on and what may be getting in our way. This should be a fun ride for sure. Hit us up on Twitter and let us know what you're thinking!

Okay, we know you're probably getting sick of hearing us say 'regert' instead of 'regret', but hey, it is what it is and that's all it is. Right? Right. However, rather than just talk about it, we're gonna talk about how to deal with it. We're gonna apply a common organizational planning technique that helps deal with change systematically. You may have heard it called PDCA, OPDCA, FACTUAL, DMAIC, ABLE, etc. ad nauseum. We're gonna walk our way through a process of journaling, reflecting, seeking feedback, making a plan, acting on the plan, and being accountable for that plan. We know, long-winded, but hey, the episodes are smaller now so win-win! We want to send a very special 'thank you' out to all of our lovely coconuts for helping us get to the front page on Apple Podcasts. You are the reason we are there because it was a team effort! Share Crack Talk with all your homies and welcome in some new nuts to the family. Hit us up on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and of course, you're favorite podcast app. We are here for you! Peace out Coconuts!

So you may have heard of this little thing called 'regert'? Well, it's this nasty little trick our brains play on us where it makes us think we are doing something good, but turns out, OUR BRAINS DON'T CARE! We know, it's confusing, and ironically makes your brain hurt in the process, but that's what we've been talking about: the LAZY brain. This just means that our brains really liek to be efficient, and what's another for efficiency? Lazy. It isn't that our brains don't like ti work, it just means they like to do as little work as possible to save energy. It's kind of like a fever. Our brain says, 'CRANK THE HEAT AND BURN THOSE LITTLE !@#$^%*!@ OUT!' but it kind of goes overboard and can end up damaging us long term, ultimately. When our brains are happy, i.e. lazy, they like to influence our decision-making self into picking the easiest option (which, unfortunately, is usually not the right one). This makes our brains happy but our cognizant selves miserable. Join us for this 'sparkly' episode to learn how to hijack that little disconnect.

OUR BRAINS ARE LAZY! Now that we have your attention, what we mean is (and have been saying), is that our brains don't want to be burdened with spending extra energy on thinking new thoughts (does your brain hurt after that one?). Basically, as we talked in previous episodes, our brains want to schematize, compartmentalize, and anthropomorphise everything we come into contact with (well, not that last, at least not in this context) because it is easier to make a decision on something our brain already knows how to deal with. If you run into something you have never dealt with before, your brain has to create new thought patterns and actions to deal with, and it don't like dat berry much. Hit us up twitter to let us know what you're thinking!

We are at war, people. War with the very thing meant to keep us safe. That thing? Our brain and its inner-workings. In a obsessive-compulsive drive, our brains are constantly seeing comfort, clarity, and closure. When our emotions take fire up, our brain is more than happy to comply (and suggest) the worst of decisions to help return to its state of low-energy, high-efficiency existence. It is the brain's way of reaching homeostasis (which is just a bis psycho-babble word meaning, equilibrium). Our brains do not like being out of whack and having our emotions running on super-extreme mode isn't helping matters any. The next time you get that nasty gram from your boss, or your kids make you want to pull every last hair out, do yourself a favor and remove yourself from the situation and find a way to calm down. We cannot make good decisions when we are running on over-drive. Yes, the decision may be justified, by you are gar-on-teed to feel loads of REGERT and inevitably, you will look back on the incident in a few days/weeks/months, and realize you could have handled it better. Rather than wait to make a decision later looking back, make a decision NOW (while you're calm) and decide how you will handle that incident in the future. You'll thank us later! Hope y'all had a safe and wonderful 4th of July!

Our world is built on 'gotta have it now.' Why do you think Facebook is so popular? Why are there more smartphones on this planet than there are people? Why is there now such as thing known as the 'Google Effect' (The tendency to forget information that can be found readily online by using Internet search engines)? Because we want what we want when we want, i.e. NOW! I want that new car now with a massive interest rate and 8-year loan because I feel invicible in the unknown. I want that Hostess Cupcake now and I will deal with the consequences later. We make these gotta-have-it-now decisions based on a small issue our brains have with predicting how we will FEEL in the next 3 months, 6 months, 8 years. I will take that new job with a 2-hour commute because it is great money. The drive won't bother me, you say to yourself. Let's see how you feel in six months! It is very difficult (i.e. IMPOSSIBLE) for our brains to gauge how we will feel about something when it is way out in the future. Maybe we even trick ourselves into thinking something better will come along and save me. Listen up coconuts, if frogs had wings...well you know. Get settled in, we're taking off!

Our worlds (and more specifically, our brains) are often overwhelmed with a need and a drive for urgency. We need that new car NOW. We need that Hostess Cupcake NOW. We agree to something we KNOW we cannot deliver on because of the instant reward. I know that cupcake does nothing for me, but the sweet, chocolately, amazingness that sits before me will make me feel oh so good...now. Yes Mr./Ms. Manager I will take on this new responsibility NOW even though I have no time and in six months I will probably be fired for being unable to deliver. To get past these nuclear-bomb-type catastrophies that our brains so frequently bestow upon us, we need to slow down. Slow down our thinking, slow down our reaction, slow down, period. This doesn't mean there is never a time for quick thinking, it is just about understanding the difference and the pitfalls with each. Join us today as we discuss this peculiar and very intriguing aspect of that 'lump that's three-feet above our @$$'. Hang loose coconuts!

When you are labeled, or if you are labeling others, you create a roadblock to your own development and growth. This lasting E-ffect (not A-ffect) can be so sneaky and debiliating, that sometimes we don't even know it is happening. Maybe we do know, but it is entirely possible you may not even know where the label came from or what the label may even be. This is how deceptively destructive labeling can be. Labels are not only applied to people, but they can be applied to businesses, groups, even concepts like organizational visions and missions (these are generally referred to as mental models) and they can be just as destructive, but when applied at the organizational level, we now have to be concerned for the well-being of not only the company or organization, but also each and every person within the organization. Join us today as we dig into this deep topic as we close in on the end of season 3. We are still soliciting feedback from our survey (https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PPJ3DDR) to learn how we can improve Crack Talk. We also look at some fun-in-numbers regarding how you enjoy Crack Talk and other things from the nerdery. As usual, follow us on facebook (https://fb.com/cracktalk.us) and let us know what you're thinking!

Do you feel like your boss, supervisor, manager, coach, etc. isn't promoting you like you think he or she should be? How many times do you feel that you are doing everything you can to get that promotion but your boss isn't helping? Maybe it isn't your boss' fault. The problem may very well be YOU. Now hold your temper down a little, we're not saying you're incapable or something, we're just asking if it is possible that you might be overlooking something? We cannot sit back and let others control our fate (as much as many of them do). What we mean is, are you really doing everything you can? Have you talked to your manager/coach/boss about the areas he or she believes you need to work on? As much as you may disagree with your supervisor's action (or lack thereof), you have to help them get past their hangups and start seeing you for what you are really worth and the simple truth is, if you don't, no one else will. You cannot force a promotion but you can do many, many things to help kick it along. And remember, promotion isn't always about money or titles, many times it is about recognizing (and having recognized) your actual and self-worth. Lastly, we are inviting all of our listeners to take part in a quick survey to let us know how we're doing. Please head over to https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/PPJ3DDR and let us know what you think. It is totally anonymous, so please feel free to be candid. Thank you all very much for being a part of this fun little trip!

So how do you prefer to receive feedback? There is a popular technique in modern organizational studies to utilize the 'feedback sandwich.' This means you open with positive, insert the negative negative, then close with positive again. The idea is it is easier to take and easier to administer. This is all well and good, but the problem is it tends to make the recipient feel handled or maniuplated. In the case of a supervisor/subordinate, if they are called into the office or approached in the work area, they are already apprehensive and to be told, 'We need to talk' only sets up the anxiety even more. The better approach is to simply be honest and direct with your feedback, but more importantly, is to be caring, understanding, and emotionally astute to the personal needs and circumstances of the recipient. Either approach is fine IF you know who you are talking to and you have taken the time to get to know them. Then, when the negative (or constructive) feedback is given, they will see truly for what it is: an honest effort from a superior/mentor/coach to help him or her succeed (which is the TRUE role of leaders anyway). Even in the worst of times, feedback is meant to correct and improve, never to demean and belittle. Grab your favorite Earl of Sandwich and join us for another delicious episode!

Back on track! We do apologize for the late postings these last couple of weeks, but we've have taken the initiative to get back on schedule. Tonight, we drag up that ol' dog of motivation. What does marching band have to do with management? Well, quite a bit as it turns out as you will hear in this (clearly one-side) episode (sorry Jack..). The key point is not to let others dictate who you will be. You may not be able to kick down a door and demand a promotion or a raise, but that doesn't mean you have to resolve yourself to the box you've been placed into by others. We can never stop trying to be who we want to be. Yes, it may mean we need to work harder than others, we may have to go farther than we wanted, and we may have to wait longer than we wanted, but giving up is not an option is we desire true happiness. Don't let the big scary word 'compartmentalize' keep you from recognizing it when it happens. Just remember, it means someone else is putting you in a box of THEIR design and understanding. It is all about getting them to see the limitations they are putting on you. This is a great episode and a bit long ot keep you glued to your chair. Jump on our Facebook page and let us know your story. We would love to hear it!

Not much to add other than we hope you all had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend and you took time to thank a service man or woman, past or present. We are indebted to those who gave the ulitmate sacrifice to help continue the liberties and freedoms we so often enjoy (and possibly take for granted). Aside from that, we are continuing our discussion on what burns us, and this week it is about those people who have their beliefs so buried down into their psyche that they refuse to look at anything from other perspectives. The key to growing as a person is understanding we don't know every damn thing. Whether you like it or not, you are not the most important person in the world and the sooner you come to terms with that, the better off you will be. What you are, is YOU. Be YOU. Just don't be a jerk and certainly don't be a tick. Peace out coconuts!

Well, this is so unlike us to be this late with our episodes, but duty calls sometimes and it just throws off the weekend. Tonight, we stretch out intellectual loins a bit and really look at the psychodynamic behaviors associated with Jungian and Freudian analysis systems. We explore unchartered reagios of the pre-frontal cortex and the inner-workings of the limbic system as it relates to both anamorphic and post-secondary processes. We then turn our attention to the socio-psycho development of inner-city youth in thrid-world countries who have been devastated by war, poverty, and American pop culture. We dissect the troubled dichotomy of bipolar depression and manic euphoria to determine the length and breadth of autistic tendencies in psychopathic narcissists who insist they are introverted recluses. Really, we just talk a bunch of crap about different food, Facebook posts, and how fast it takes a boll weevil to consume a Reese's peanut butter cup. You're just gonna have to listen to this one to be sure!

Sorry for the disturbance folks. The moose out front shoulda told ya. It's the cowboy way. One of the worst performances of my career and they never doubted it for a second. Can you name the movies from these quotes? Let us know on facebook and win a Crack Talk Juice Box!

So have you watched #CobraKai on YouTube Red!? Well, if not, DO IT NOW! Yes, the acting is a little cheezy (and mostly on Daniel Larusso/Ralph Macchio's part), but it is a great look at how we take life events and either learn from them (in Johnny's case) or let them rule over us (as in Daniel's case). We need to look at the events in our lives not as drastic, altering moments, but rather opportunities for growth and change. After all, that is what life is all about. We also share our infinite wisdom on the opposite sex and how best to please them so as to live a long and happy life, with a loving and understanding wife. You've heard it before, 'happy wife, happy life.' Just don't be that dude that thinks he is God's gift to dudes and chicks because, newsflash, ya ain't. #JusticeForJohnny #CobraKai #DoOrDie #CrackTalk

NO! You aren't allowed to act however you want just because you didn't get what you thought you should! What is it about people that they feel entitled to behave like a--holes?? If we all derserve equal treatment, then that means we all deserve competent, well-adjusted behavior, doesn't it? Just because Popeye's didnt get your order right doesn't mean you can freak out and trash the place! We've all been there. Some idiot cuts you off in traffic, takes the last watermelon at the grocery store, or is vaping in class, but does this justify our behavior in lashing out? We need to remember social norms exist for a reason and are put in place by the society that comprises the population. This culture of #ExpectantAccomodation is getting to disturbing levels. As the maitre'd said in Ferris Bueller, "I weep for the future." #CrackTalk

What a wonderful season! We look back over some past episodes and guests and reflect on what has transpired. We also look forward to next season and what that will bring. We are eternally grateful to each of our listeners and guests who have joined us from both season one and season two and we look forward to spending time with you as well as new listeners and new guests in season 3. Don't forget to get out in your community and volunteer or thank someone! Show them some love on Instagram or Twitter and pick up some cool Crack Talk swag in the process! Visit us on our website (cracktalk.us) and let us know what you're thinking!

Nathan Aish and Robbie Chasse join us all the way from California to discuss their grassroots organization, Journeymen of San Diego; a wonderful organization to teach young men life skills, vocational capabilities, and leadership qualities. We discuss everything from the lost ideals of older generations to the problems palguing our current society. Robbie and Nathan share with us how the impact of fatherless guidance is devastating our country. Of course, our current society doesn't like to hear this, that being a 'man' is fundamental to the success, growth, and sustainability of our country, but the fact is there. We are challenging all the men out there in coconut nation to step up and #SwingTheHammer, as Nathan and Robbie like to say. It's time to teach our young men what being a man is all about. Get out there and share the wealth of knowledge you have gained. If someone took time to share it with you , it's your duty to pass it on to the next generation. We would love to see our lovely coconuts out swingin hammers. Snap a pic and share it on Instagram and Twitter and use the hashtag #SwingTheHammer (and #CrackTalk of course). We'll pick some lucky winners to get an o-fish-al Crack Talk Juice Box. Let's get crackin!

You've heard us talk about him on many other episodes, but tonight we finally have him with us! Who, you may ask? Well fire up this episode to find out. We are talking more about the breakdown in employee expectations through a nasty little word called, 'ENTITLEMENT.' What are people drinking these days to think having a job is a right? That somehow, business owners OWE them a job or something? What happened to the good ol' days where people worked for the joy of being able to provide for the family, not to see how much they can squeeze the employer or government for? Yes, we live in a difficult society and we have some of the fiercest tax laws in the world, but the American dream is within reach for everyone when coupled with a healthy amount of determinism, hard work, and integrity (oooh, there's that word again). It all comes down to your true priorities, but what are you expectations as a worker? There is much to be said about tonight's topic so you do NOT want to miss this one. And, just to see if you reading all of this juicy little text, the first person to give us a shout out on Instagram or Twitter with the hastag '#CoconutNation' will get their very own Crack Talk Juice Box! Come on people, let's get tweeting! #AnotherShamelessPlus #CrackTalkJuiceBox https://cracktalk.us

A wise man (well, Jack) once said, tips are like daisies: easily given, not really edible. Uh.. yeah. Not sure how that relates to our topic tonight, but we do talk about tips and what they mean to our current society as well as our discussion on leadership. All too often we give tips our of compulsion or societal pressure, but why? Why do we need to tip many of the individuals that we do? Why do we tip valet drivers? Why do we tip pizza drivers? Our purpose is not to dissect this dilemma so much as it to look at the underlying issues brought on by the lack of effective and compassionate leadership. As a society, our great nation has lost sight of what a truly rewarding job does for the soul, the psyche, and a worker's output (this is that whole 'intrinsic' thing we keep blathering about). Despite many rap tunes, it is in fact, NOT all about the benjamins. It is, in fact however, about Benjamin; and Suzy; and Tom; and Sandra; and on and on. Make the reward for the people and about the people. We go to work to feel purposeful, to feel we are contributing to society in some capacity, that our efforts enrich the life of someone else. That takes a lot of support and norm-setting by our organizational cultures. As someone once said, 'Culture eats strategy for breakfast.' Stop trying to save a penny and start investing in the people. #ShamelessPlus #CrackTalkJuiceBox https://cracktalk.us

How do you define success? Where do you seek satisfaction? What is your purpose in life? We dig deep into these topics with our special guest this week. A long-time educator and local leader, our guest shed slight on leadership and the way we seek to fill the lives of others. As he said so perfectly, leadership is about 'getting others to go to places that they never thought they could get to.' That, our little coconuts, is what leadership is all about. It has nothing to do with position, authority, power, or perception. It is all about the benefit given to others that defines the level of leadership provided. Many great thoughts in this week's episode that you don't want to miss. By the way, don't miss out on our new weekly Facebook Live broadcast! We welcome any and all who would like to participate. We simply gather 'round the campfire to talk about the latest episdoe, current events, whatever's on your mind. We are here to talk! And, as always, like us on Facebook, leave us a review on iTunes, give us a shout out on Twitter and Instagram. We love getting feedback (and love) from our lovely coconuts. Lastly, thank an educator this week!

You know, a person would think that it would be fairly easy to STAY ON TOPIC with these podcasts, but today is a prime example of that NOT happening... We really are trying to stay off of guns because it is a volatile and polarizing subject, and since we are here to educate, proliferate, and even humor-ate (yes, just made that up), we can't help ourselves sometimes. We do talk leadership and how it avails itself in many different situations. It does not only reside in authoritative positions, nor is it found lacking amongst everyday people. Leadership exists where we create it and that is our point (and cause for derailment) in that we do not do enough to create and embrace true leadership from the bottom to the top. It is everyopne's responsibility to encourage mutual growth through common influence. We need to stop being partisan defendents and start coming together towards an ideal goal. We have to lay ourselves open to critique and opinion for the sake of finding the best solution, not simply the one that fits OUR agenda. We'll get back on track, just hang in there with us! Juice boxes! Get your juice boxes! Go to our website (https://cracktalk.us) and get hooked up!

Sooo...we may have strayed a bit on this one... We tried to keep it focused on leadership, and specifically dealing with conflict, but in light of our last few episodes, we ventured into hot topic territory with more talk on guns, politics, and religion. Of course, we managed to sneak some leadership principles in to continue the conversation from last week with Bill, but one of us may have climbed onto a soapbox once or twice... Anyway, there is much to be said for the way we deal with conflict, but nothing more importantly than looking past the person and focusing on the issue. As Jack always says, 'love the noun, hate the verb.' Don't attack the person, address the issue. We don't have to agree on the manner in which we believe the problem needs solved, but if we want a successful outcome, we had darn sure work together on it. Hang in there our little coconuts, we might hit light speed with this one! Don't forget to get some Crack Talk swag. Go to our website (https://cracktalk.us) and get hooked up!

Joy, love, and cream cheese?? Yep, you heard us right. Welcome a very special guest this week as we discuss work-life balance, or as Jack said, work-life harmony. We had so many tweetable moments will Bill from Ozark Mountain Bagel Company in northwest Arkansas (go getcha some!). A tremendous role model, community leader, and genuine lover of people. You cannot help but want to get out and spread joy and love, or as he loves to say, #slinggrace. It is a wonderful time discussing how to enjoy life and work no matter what you do when it is all about the relationships you create and invest in (doesn't this sound familiar?). Go visit them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ozarkbagels/) or their website (http://www.ozarkmountainbagelco.com). You do NOT want to miss this one!

So, here's our dilemma: We are certainly pro-gun, pro-life, and pro-awesome (and that is 'professional' awesome, bee tee dubs), but we also recognize there is a problem with guns in this country. In light of the recent shooting in Florida, we discuss the systemic issue that surrounds these types of incidents and the potential causes that lead up to them. We believe that while some of the tragic incidents would have happened regardless of gun control (i.e. 9/11, OKC, etc.), we also believe we cannot look to our politicans and law-makers as our saviors to this current state of affairs. As we have been talking, this is a systemic problem. That means we all have a role to play. To quote a recent guest, 'the responsibility lies with each and every one of us.' Parents, coaches, teachers, pastors, state officials, all the way up to the POTUS have a part to play. We all have responsibility and we dig into this for today's episode. We are going to try and keep it focused on leadership examples and principles, but hey, we're human, we veer from time to time. Be sure to let us know what you're thinking. Give us some love or feedback on our website (https://cracktalk.us) or your favorite podcast player-of-choice. Hang in there coconuts, we're gonna get through this!

So why is 'leading by example' a bad thing? Well what happens when your 'leader' messes up? Did he or she intend to do that? Does 'leading by example' only count when the leader is working hard, sweating passion, doing everything that needs to be done? What about the times when the leader is doing all of the other duties that no one else is doing in hopes that someone will take notice and step up? Well, news flash coconuts: There...ain't...no...bat. Oh wait, wrong analogy. It...ain't...gonna...happen...period. When the leader takes up the slack, the 'followers' are just gonna get lazier. What we should be doing (as leaders, or expecting as followers) is to MODEL (or BE) THE BEHAVIOR WE EXPECT. This is important and we dive deep into the coconut sheel tonight with a very special guest. Join us and find out why. Oh, and the next time you see a first-responder, tell them 'Hi', 'Thanks', 'We love you', or buy them a beer, an ice cream, or get a selfie. Post it up on our Facebook page (cracktalk.us), shout it out on Twitter (#cracktalk), or give 'em some Instagram love (@cracktalk.us)! #welovefirstresponders

Hey, did we mention the Patriots lost the Super Bowl?? Wasn't sure if we got that out there. As we alluded to in season 1, this season we are going to look at the organizational/occupational side of our lives. We discuss compartmentalization, attribution error, inspiration, motivation, perspiration...oh wait, not that. Anyway, to help us kick off season 2, we welcome a very special guest (a certain host's dad...) to tell us what to look for in good bosses, bad bosses, hard work, and the circle of life. Well, we're gonna talk systems thinking again so cue up so hard rock, crack open your favorite drink, and let's get a little nuts!

Thank you to all of our listeners for sticking it out with us through season 1. This episode is where we give back. It's your turn to be on our show. We invite five very special guests on with us this evening as we talk Facebook, football, movies, TV, selfies, and yes, The Greatest Showman (who just so happens to be the great-great-great uncle of one of the hosts). We do apologize greatly for getting this out so late, but the stupid Super Bowl got in our way. As always, let us know how we're doing. You can reach us at our website, https://cracktalk.us. Let's get crackin!

This is the final episode of season 1. Last week we started the conversation of bullying and how social media is impacting it but also the way we interact. There is much more to solving the issue of bullying than expecting one single entity to correct it. It will take a concerted and compassionate effort from the schools, the government, organizations, families, teachers, friends, neighbors, coaches, and the list goes on. This is a complex and difficult topic but one that warrants our full attention as the number of kids we lose to suicide each year is unjustifiable. Join us tonight as we welcome Dr. Clyde Hedgcoth (PhD in research psychology, substance abuse counselor) and Pamela Godsey (Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor) to help us look at this problem psychologically and sociologically, and maybe even make a few Super Bowl picks (go Eagles! haha, take that Jack!). Don't forget, we still want you, our lovely little coconuts, to join us on our next episode so get on Facebook (cracktalk.us) or our website and let us know. We would love to have you on!

If you have listened to our last few episodes, you know we've been discussing the impact social media has had on the way we interact and converse with others. We have touched on the issue of the anonymity and false sense of security cyberspace brings, but do you ever stop to think about the impact it has on others? It is easy to get swept up in the relative safety of cyberspace to turn constructive conversations into heated (and in some cases, deadly) exchanges, but we are challenging you to rise above it. Numerous studies exist that show how social media has weakened and corroded our ability to communicate face-to-face. Join us tonight as we talk through these issues and set the stage for our season finale next week. Hang in there our little coconuts, we're on a roll!

We rein in tonight with the conclusion on social media after our long discussion last week. We discuss the impact social media has on our behavior both online and in-person and the destructive tendencies these mediums release in us. Whether we are speaking out against injustice or caught up in ignorance, social media provides a drastic false sense of security that damages relationships, threatens livelihoods, and just makes some of us unbearably intolerable. Alex sums it up perfectly: 'Responsibility lies with each and every one of us.' Join us today as we tell you the secret weapon against all of this.

With technology looming around every corner and prying its way into every aspect of our lives, how do we keep our human nature human? Social media encourages an environment of selective and selfish behavior by eroding our ability to be empathic (or empathetic, your choice). Today we start the first of a two-part series looking at how lack of empathy and over-abundance of false security can lead to destructive conversations and the decay of social betterment. We all have a responsibility in this social world and maybe 'looking out for number one' isn't the bes strategy. It's gonna be great (and man is it a long one!). Strap in tight our little coconuts, it's a doozy!

We try to unpack what little is known about this author, while providing a "succinct" description of the book. Along the way we discuss the publishing industry, book awards, obscenity, themes and the mythical reputation this tome has garnered over the years. Interested in the media we discussed this episode? Please support the show by purchasing it through our affiliate store: Gravity's Rainbow Inherent Vice The Crying of Lot 49 V. American Flagg Divided States of Hysteria Casanova Satellite Sam Moby-Dick The Illuminatus! Trilogy The Kills Field Notes Additional Resources: George Plimpton on Thomas Pynchon's V. V. Squared Pynchon from A to V Duncan, J. (2013). Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon. Salem Press Encyclopedia Of Literature. Muste, J. M., & Weisenburger, S. C. (2014). Thomas Pynchon. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia. Herman, L., & Weisenburger, S. (2013). Gravity's Rainbow, Domination, and Freedom. Athens: University of Georgia Press. Pulitzer Jurors Dismayed on Pynchon  Pulitzer.org Pulitzer People are no Prize  Thomas Pynchon's letter to Bruce Allen L. McLaughlin, R., (2002). Unreadable Stares: Imperial Narratives and the Colonial Gaze in Gravity's Rainbow. Pynchon Notes. (50-51), pp.83–96. DOI: http://doi.org/10.16995/pn.72 Thomas Pynchon shows us how white writers can avoid appropriation Pynchon’s Gravity's Rainbow: The V-2 Rocket Cartel as Multinational Corporate Conspiracy Rocket Power  

Today we are talking about New Year's resolutions and why they are so difficult to keep. Why is that? What is it about goal-setting and goal-keeping that seem to make them at odds with each other? Psychological studies have shown that failing to achieve goals can create a neurological bias that causes us to 'enjoy' failure! We have to re-teach our brains on how it SHOULD feel when we fail at something. This does not mean we accept our lot in life or presume to believe we are doomed to failure. It simply means learning how to take the good with the bad and understanding the bigger picture. It sometimes means looking at the whole and not the parts.

Mindfulness is becoming the buzz-word of many pseudo-psycho social circles today and they are terribly mistaken its true function and purpose. Mindfulness is not simply sedentary meditation, far from it! Mindfulness gives us a way to increase our enjoyment, vigor, excitement, and immersion into this wonderful world around us. We talk about how to be truly happy and how to identify true happiness by learning immersive mindfulness into everyday life and everyday things that we often overlook as minutiae and mundane. Henry David Thoreau gives us the true definition when he says to 'just be.' Join us today and get on the path to a better you.

Can you think of a time where you either gave a gift or received a gift and it did not go as expected? Did you put a lot of effort or thought into it only to have the recipient not appreciate it, or even worse, get angry about it? What about when you got mad or hurt over a gift you were given? Maybe you feel your feelings weren't considered? Maybe you feel the giver cheated or insignificant because of it? Listen in today as we talk about ways to avoid this dangerous pitfall in all of our relationships.

Have you ever thought about the conversations we have with others? Do they often end in anger and frustration or is there mutual learning and understanding? This doesn't mean you have to change your point-of-view, but are you open to both sides of the argument? It isn't about biting the bullet and admitting you're wrong or swallowing your pride to appease or approve, it just means take the time to consider both sides before jumping into a fight. Join us today as we welcome Alex Riesenkampff of GetVokl.com (http://www.getvokl.com) and his revolutionary idea to empower conversation.

One week to go until we're all gettin stupid on turkey! It also means one week left until that inevitable family blow-up. We give you a couple tools and techniques to help deal with these pesky, family controversies so you have more time to enjoy food and family. Anxiety can be very difficult to deal with but understanding where it stems from and learning some techniques to quell its impact can go a long way in improving your interactions with others. We take a chip off of this iceberg in our second episode, so hang in there! Oh yeah, we also talk about a horrible movie...

Let's talk turkey! Well...maybe relationships? Why do we have such difficulty maintaining good relationships with our friends? Our neighbors? Co-workers? Our family? As we gear up for turkey day, we all know that family fight is just waiting for us. Something about turkey, family dinners, the looming winter, and the joy of the holidays simply brings out the worst in us sometimes. Family gatherings can be great memories, both good and bad. Join us for our inaugural episode, looking at the 'psychology of everyday life', as we talk about ways we can improve our relationships and reduce the occurrence of blow-ups, creating more good memories and experiences than bad.

In this episode Ema and Julia delve into the world of Behavioralism: a school of economic thought that strives to incorporate psychology into economic models. Easily one of our favorites, this school works with a more dynamic view of the average consumer and fundamentally challenges the mainstream idea of the profit driven consumer (aka Homoeconomicus).

People are frustrated with our school system and I can't really blame them.  One would think that all that money, teacher training and standardized tests would produce better students, yet the students are getting unnervingly dumber and more out of control.  In a country where money fixes everything, how can this be?   Well, what if the school system is doing exactly what it is supposed to?  The media never asks that question.  What if compulsory schooling was designed from the beginning to create insecure, fearful, perpetually childish children, who could never really grow up.  They would have to be managed and the controllers already had a management system in mind: socialism.  All the difficult decisions would be handled by the government, while the citizens would work and play and NOT think.  A bloodless revolution to bring about socialism in the U.S. has happened in the realm of chalk dust, chewed pencil erasers and graffitied school desks.  Who would thunk it?