Podcast appearances and mentions of Eric Fisher

The lessons that shape us often come from the places we never planned to go and the challenges we never expected to face. In this conversation, I speak with Eric Fisher about the experiences that shaped his approach to mental wellness, resilience, grief, and personal growth. Eric shares how martial arts taught him balance, self-control, and perseverance, and how those lessons now help him guide people through addiction recovery, relationship challenges, and life's hardest moments. We explore the realities of grief, the power of trust, the difference between inpatient and outpatient counseling, and why healing often begins with self-acceptance. Eric also discusses his books, including The Martial Art of Recovery and Buried Alive, revealing how personal experiences and family stories continue to shape his work. If you've ever faced loss, adversity, addiction, or the challenge of rebuilding after setbacks, I believe you will find both practical insights and encouragement in Eric's story. Highlights: 08:10 - Eric shares lessons learned from his FBI internship experience. 18:43 - A friend's crisis leads Eric and his wife to move to New Zealand. 23:38 - Martial arts becomes a foundation for recovery and mental wellness. 37:05 - Eric reflects on grief, loss, and the importance of support. 43:12 - Self-acceptance plays a critical role in addiction recovery. 50:26 - Couples learn to face problems together instead of against each other. About the Guest: Eric Fisher, a Canadian transplant, is a counselling therapist who resides in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Originally from Tennessee, he has over 15 years of experience working outpatient and inpatient treatment settings in the US and Canada. He has two books published at this time: The Martial Art of Recovery: Self-Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness, and Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in EyeMovement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. Eric's private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families both locally and remotely. In the past, Eric has supervised masters-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. He has won multiple awards for his screenwriting: The Departure - official finalist in biographical/historical genre - 2014 Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest. Only 16 Miles - Finalist - 2014 Horror Screenplay Contest. Universal Escapade (Finalist - Top 25) - WeScreenplay International Screenplay Competition. Hipster Z (co-written) - best feature screenplay - 2017 Action On Film International Film Festival. Hipster Z - Best horror/comedy Screenplay - 2017 International Horror Hotel Film Fest. Additionally, Eric has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. One interesting thing about Eric is that he had the opportunity to be an intern with the FBI -- twice. Eric enjoys hiking and riding his bike outdoors, music concerts, tasting new food dishes to keep his taste buds guessing, travelling near and far, and meeting people. . Ways to connect with Eric: Website: https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com Linktree:  https://linktr.ee/ericfisherauthor  Instagram - @recoveryartscounselling - https://www.instagram.com/recoveryartscounselling/ @ericfisherwriter - https://www.instagram.com/ericfisherwriter Linkedin - Eric Fisher - www.linkedin.com/in/eric-m-fisher-5b83724a Facebook - Recovery Arts Counselling - https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryArtsCounselling About the Host: Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog. Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards. https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/ Thanks for listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below! Subscribe to the podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset . Leave us an Apple Podcasts review Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts. Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson  00:03 One of the biggest things holding you back isn't what's in front of you, but rather what you believe. Welcome to Unstoppable Mindset, where inclusion, diversity, and the unexpected meet. I'm your host, Michael Hingson, speaker, author, and advocate for inclusion and possibilities. This podcast explores how the beliefs we carry shape the way we live, lead, and connect with others. Each week, I talk with people who challenge assumptions, face adversity head on, and show what's possible when we choose curiosity over fear. Together we focus on mindset, resilience, and the small shifts that lead to meaningful change. Let's get started. Well, hello there, everyone. I am your host Michael Hinkson, and you have found the Unstoppable Mindset Podcast. Today, we get to chat with Eric Fisher, who is a rather interesting person. I believe he's a counseling therapist, he's a transplant, he now lives in Calgary, but he used to live in Tennessee, very similar. I'm sure we'll have to find out more about that, but I'm really glad that that you're here with us. Eric, welcome to Unstoppable Mindset. Eric Fisher  01:29 Yes, thank you for having me on, Michael. I appreciate it. Glad to be here. Michael Hingson  01:32 Well, I'm going to have to ask, how did you get from Tennessee to Calgary, besides by Claire? But you know, but Speaker 1  01:41 it's a bit to make a long story short. The wife, you know, yeah, she's from Calgary originally, so I surrendered up here. Michael Hingson  01:52 Yeah, well, is there a backstory that you want to tell? Speaker 1  01:57 You know, the quick version would be from Mississippi to New Zealand to Calgary, and that was over a span of, you know, two and a half years, and then finally to Calgary. After those other two places, was she Michael Hingson  02:10 with you during all of those? Mississippi, New Zealand, and then Calgary. Speaker 1  02:14 She was for the long haul. Yeah, yeah, she's experienced humidity and the dryness, all the extremes. Michael Hingson  02:24 When we moved to New Jersey in 1996 my wife didn't really want to go. She was a California native, but it was where the job had to take me, and it was either that or go find a new job, and I really didn't want to undertake a job search, because that's pretty traumatic. So, especially if you happen to be blind, because people think blind people really can't do stuff, and that's why the unemployment rate among employable blind people is in the 70% range. So the bottom line is that we moved to New Jersey, we were there for six years, and then of course the World Trade Center happened, which is kind of a dramatic way to allow us to get back to California, but it worked, so here we are. Speaker 1  03:05 Yeah, that is a lot of different places, and it's unfortunate with that percentage, right? Michael Hingson  03:10 Yeah, well, and she passed. She was in a wheelchair her whole life, and she passed in November of 2022 We were married 40 years, and I'm sure she's monitoring me from somewhere, so I work on continuing to be a good kid, because if I'm not, I'm going to hear about it somehow, Speaker 1  03:27 one way or another. There's, there's still some surveillance happening. There Michael Hingson  03:31 is, I am absolutely sure of it. Well, tell us kind of about the early era growing up, and all that. Speaker 1  03:37 Grew up in Arkansas, yeah, Newport, Arkansas, you know, grew up behind a Walmart in a small subdivision, and moved to Tennessee at an early age. I was around five years old, going over, going on six at the time, I believe, and so I understand what it means to kind of get uprooted from somewhere and place somewhere else, and my dad was in the medical profession, so that's the reason that we moved, and so that's a little bit about that. My mom's family is from Kansas City, so I really did enjoy going up to the city there and being with my mom's family during holiday seasons. That was really my only exposure to, like, a city, like an urban population, more than what I experienced anywhere else. So, and yeah, got one brother, played with him a lot, and a lot of it was being creative outside, getting outside and doing stuff, and having fun outside, you know, little bit different from a lot of kids today, perhaps. Michael Hingson  04:44 Yeah, well, it's also a lot scarier, I think, today, even though there's a lot of value in being outside. There are just so many crazy things going on. It's got to be scarier for kids, and certainly even more scary for parents, and they tend. To want to really monitor their, their children a lot more, and that's got us pluses, minuses, but it still has got to be really scary to let them just go outside. Speaker 1  05:09 Yeah, just, you know, looking at what's on the news and the possibilities of what could happen. Michael Hingson  05:16 Yeah, so where did you, or did you go to college? I assume you went to college. Speaker 1  05:22 I did. Yeah, I went to a small private Christian university in Tennessee called Freed Hardiman, and you know it was interesting because there's this whole thing about townies versus us being called freedies because of Freed Hardman. The course, the joke is, you know, free hardly because of the expense of going to the institution. Yeah. Michael Hingson  05:48 Well, with your experience and your observation in life, what do you think about going to a small college as opposed to a larger college? Speaker 1  05:55 I really enjoyed it, being from a rural area. I mean, it was a good transition for me, and just getting to know people I feel like might have been easier in a more rural setting, as opposed to urban. Michael Hingson  06:10 I went to University of California, Irvine, way back, starting in 1968 and when we started at UCI, there were like 25 2600 students, and I think when I graduated with my bachelor's, it was like a little over 3000 students, but I loved the fact that it was a smaller college. I think it was for me a lot better, and I, I really like the smaller college environment, and I understand why colleges have advantages when they're bigger, but by the same token, for students, if you want to really stand out, it's kind of harder to do with a big college. Well, and now University of California, Irvine, where I went to school, has 32,000 undergrads in it, Speaker 1  06:52 32,000 as opposed to the around, that's a huge jump from like 25 2600 yeah, Michael Hingson  07:00 yeah, and so it's, it's a huge place. I was there last a year and a half ago. I was invited to join. I couldn't do it as an as a student because the chapter was formed just as I was leaving, but Phi Beta Kappa, and they heard about me along the way, and I was invited to join as an alumni member back in 2024 So that's the last time I've been to UC Irvine. What a huge place! Speaker 1  07:29 Wow, yeah. Of course, UC Michael Hingson  07:30 Irvine, UCI really stands for Under Construction Indefinitely, so you know Speaker 1  07:38 they make that, they made that kind of humorous remark up here, with like winter and construction, that's the two seasons of Calgary. Yes, I totally get that. Michael Hingson  07:47 My brother-in-law lives in Sun Valley, Idaho, in Ketchum, and has been a skier for most of his life, and in the summer he's a master cabinet maker. Now he's a general contractor, but he's thinking about retiring, but in the winter everything goes by the wayside for skiing, Speaker 1  08:10 everyone's out on the slopes, you know. Well, and what he did Michael Hingson  08:12 to even make it more fun is he got his professional ski guide status in Europe and became a professional ski guide, taking people to do off-piece skiing in the French Alps, which is, Speaker 1  08:25 that's really nice, awesome. Michael Hingson  08:28 I love to, I love to say that I'm not gonna go skiing, because I know those trees are out to try to get me. Speaker 1  08:35 They start to grow their branches, you know? They just spring Michael Hingson  08:38 out at you when you're not looking. Speaker 1  08:40 Yes, I just.. Michael Hingson  08:42 I've never skied. I don't have anything against it. It's just not one of those things that I've done, but he enjoys it, and I'm sure it's a lot of fun to do. Speaker 1  08:51 Yeah, I can appreciate people that do. Michael Hingson  08:53 Yeah. Well, what did you do after college? Well, you got your undergrad, then you went on. Speaker 1  08:58 Yeah, so after my undergrad, I stayed at the university, and you know, I had a bachelor's in psych, and I was like, well, what do I do with this degree? And so I decided to move forward, since I didn't see too much availability, and did a master's in clinical mental health counseling, and during that time of my master's, I was able to intern with the FBI, which was a great opportunity. Michael Hingson  09:25 What caused you to do that? Speaker 1  09:28 I found, I mean, part of it was just a lot of curiosity, and of course, watching a lot of media and the work that they do. Yet I also found the possibility of implementing the psychology from a law enforcement angle on a federal level with this, so I did interning in my bachelor's FBI, that was really nice at a local office, and then later on in my master's at the FBI headquarters in DC, and just really interested in just the field and this the different. Psychological opportunities, Michael Hingson  10:02 you didn't stick with it, though. Or Speaker 1  10:05 I did the internships, I did the agent exam, and failed. Oh boy, just kind of had my time with it, and then moved on. It was a great experience. Michael Hingson  10:16 What you learned from it, the Speaker 1  10:19 importance of teamwork, the importance of community, the importance of intention to detail, and I can't say how I came to those, because then I have to bring up certain things that I can't talk about, but yeah, just the importance of being able to work with other people from other walks of life, and just seeing everyone's different perspectives is something that I learned, coming from, you know, small town, quite homogeneous, small university, and then being able to meet people from different parts of the country, even different territories, like Wall, it was, it was amazing to branch out and just have that life experience, Michael Hingson  11:06 get a lot of different experiences, and you saw how people in other parts of the world live, which obviously has to be an interesting perspective. Speaker 1  11:18 Yes, yes, it was really interesting, and just seeing how they think and their outlook on the world, and I had to take a polygraph examination for both internships, so the importance of honesty, and not that I didn't think honesty was important before, but definitely when you're under the microscope of being asked yes or no questions, it's an interesting experience. Michael Hingson  11:40 Yeah, well, I guess you must have passed the lie detector test. They didn't throw you away or put you in jail. Speaker 1  11:48 That's right. Neither of those happened. I did have one question asked of me that was a little bit ambiguous. It was coming up that I deceived. It's something that happened earlier in the day, and then they asked me about it, and then I said something that was not the truth, and then I explained the reasoning as to why. And then the agent was like, okay, thanks for letting me know, it's all good. It's like, okay, that's good. Michael Hingson  12:21 Yeah, they have to be pretty skilled interrogators to really be able to do that, and, and ask questions, and I, and I know no matter what's going on with the lie detector technology, they're observing you as well, so they're looking for things, and I suppose it's possible to fool the lie detector technology, but I know that it continues to get better too. Speaker 1  12:45 Yeah, and wondering if that's because, like, people are sociopaths, or they don't have any - they actually believe what they're saying. Yeah, yeah, Michael Hingson  12:54 I've never taken lie detector tests, but I know that for me, I'm not a good fibber, so I've got to tell the truth, and like I said, my wife's watching anyway, so I gotta always be a good kid. Speaker 1  13:06 If you were taking a lie detector test knuckle and you said something, you might get an invisible slap, like, oh, Michael Hingson  13:12 exactly, Speaker 2  13:13 okay, I get it, or Michael Hingson  13:16 a poke or something. Yeah, yeah, no. So, better, better to just be honest about it, but yeah, I understand what you're saying, but it is, it is fascinating. I'd love to experience taking a test sometime, but because I only understand all about it intellectually, having never seen it on television or anything like that, but by the same token, I'm glad that the technology exists, and I'm glad that the people do what they do, and I, I too very much believe in law enforcement. I believe in the value of the FBI and police, and so on. I took a couple of police-oriented courses when I was at UC Irvine. We had an engineering professor who was a reserve deputy sheriff, so we, we got to do ride-alongs, and even went down and visited the Orange County Jail once, and you know, because he, he said it all, so it's kind of fun to be able to do it, and I learned a lot and value that. Speaker 1  14:19 That's awesome. I'm glad you had that experience. Michael Hingson  14:21 Yeah, I think it's kind of cool to be able to have had that. So, you got a master's degree? Did you get a PhD? Speaker 1  14:29 No, you know, I was encouraged to do so, to pilot higher and deeper, as the PhD acronym goes. Yeah, and I just, I decided to not go that route. Michael Hingson  14:40 So, what did you do after you got your master's? Speaker 1  14:43 After the master's, I started to do well. I was doing my practicum during the master's, yet after the master's, I started to work primarily where I did my practicum in Mississippi and started actually doing counseling work. So I was doing what's called a mobile therapist. For this organization, where I would go to people's houses and speak with people, do counseling work, which was pretty cool. I got to be out in the community, meet a lot of folks, made confidentiality sometimes a little bit of a challenge, small town. And then two days a week I was in the office, doing whoever came in through the clinic, so I was in the, I was in the work, I was in the grind, just doing what I had been trained to do. Definitely learning on the job, though, for sure. Michael Hingson  15:27 Where in Mississippi, Speaker 1  15:29 Corinth, Mississippi, which is like right at the state line. Yeah, they actually have a road called State Line Road, where houses on one side, North or Tennessee houses on the other side have Mississippi license plates. Michael Hingson  15:45 That's pretty funny. In New Jersey, when we lived there, there were a number of streets in towns that had a very interesting environment, and that is that every town had its own tax base. There wasn't a statewide thing for property taxes and everything else, or for a lot of taxes, so every town had its own, and you could be on a street where someone may pay 1213, $14,000 a year in taxes, and if you lived on the other side of the street, you were in a different town, and your taxes were like 4800 $5,000 Speaker 1  16:24 Whoa, no, Michael Hingson  16:26 it's crazy. Speaker 1  16:27 That is a sheer difference. Michael Hingson  16:30 It is a huge difference, and the other thing that that we experienced is that a lot of the the work is done by lawyers when you're closing a house, for example. Back there, they didn't really have escrow, was all done through attorneys, and so on. And some of those people were involved in the tax stuff as well. It's kind of a very fascinating and interesting place to be, certainly different than what we experienced in California. Speaker 1  16:57 Yes, that sounds like a very, very different type of experience, for sure. Wow, wow. Okay, Michael Hingson  17:04 but you know things happen. Well, so you, you started doing counseling and therapy, and as you said, and I can appreciate how it must have been difficult sometimes from a confidentiality standpoint, because it is a small town and people overhear or talk about, and that's not always a good thing. Speaker 1  17:24 Yeah, you know, things like that come up. You know, you hear the whispers, and one time I was actually trying to find a place in a lower-income part of town, and I was doing circles in the neighborhood, and a police cruiser started to follow me, and so I stopped my car, got out with my credentials, towed the towed the police officer who I worked for, and then he was just kind of like, oh, okay, carry on. So, did Michael Hingson  17:46 you ask him for directions? Speaker 1  17:49 You know what, I did not know, like that would have made sense. I'm trying to look at find this house, never. Oh, over there, sir? Okay, but no, I did not. Michael Hingson  18:05 So, how long were you in Mississippi? Then Speaker 1  18:09 I was in Mississippi from around 2009 to 2013 I want to say, we left. We left for New Zealand for the whole year 2013 so no, 2012 sorry, the end of 2012 so about three and a half, three or so years. Okay, yeah. How did you Michael Hingson  18:33 meet your wife in all this Speaker 1  18:34 online? Yeah, back when it was clandestine, like you met somebody online, are they an ax murderer? Can you trust them? Do you need to get references, which she did. Yeah, yeah. And we checked you out, huh? She checked me out for sure. She even called people that I gave references for. And then we courted for two and a half years. And then after that, tied the knot in Tennessee, moved to Mississippi. Well, she moved to Mississippi, where I was already living, and yeah, we were there until we went to New Zealand about 10 months later. Michael Hingson  19:06 So she was living in Tennessee at the time, Speaker 1  19:09 she was up here in Calgary, or she was in Calgary. Michael Hingson  19:12 Okay, Speaker 1  19:12 we, we got married in Tennessee, Michael Hingson  19:14 okay. Well, that's that's cool though. What, what prompted the trip and moving to New Zealand for a year, I've been there, and I actually spent three weeks there, and very much enjoy it. Speaker 1  19:28 Whereabouts? Well, I wanted to ask, all over New Michael Hingson  19:30 Zealand, I mean, I was there with the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. They asked me to come and speak in 2003 talk about September 11, and so on, and they were trying to raise funds, so we helped them raise something like over $375,000 in a three week period, and literally I had 21 speaking events in 13 days all over both islands. Speaker 1  19:55 Wow, that's that's a, that's a lot of speaking events, and a certain amount of days. Days you've been, you probably been close more than I've been, more places than I've been. So, what, what prompted the move was a friend of mine I had made previously being there. He reached out to me through just electronic media. He was having a spiritual emergency, and he asked me, he asked me to come to come help him, and so I just said, "Sure, let's do it. My wife and I left the rental unit, the rental house where we were staying, and left furniture behind, two cars behind, appliances, and we just, just left him, or there for 13 months, didn't look, didn't look back. Michael Hingson  20:45 Did you spend any time in Dunedin while you were there? Speaker 1  20:49 We didn't spend any time in Dunedin. We weren't only there for like a week when we did some vacation time. Michael Hingson  20:57 Yeah, I, they gave me literally a half, three quarters of a day off from speaking. In fact, they said you can play in Dunedin, and so we were there, and it was one, I guess, was a one full day. They had some unique toys to play with in New Zealand. They had a thing called a bungee rocket. Have you ever heard of that? Speaker 1  21:22 A bungee rocket. No. So, Michael Hingson  21:24 you know what bungee cords are, and you stretch them out and all that. Well, the bungee rocket, you attach bungee cords to this platform, this cage, but the bungee cords are attached to a device way up high, and then they're also attached to this plat, this cage, then they pull the cage down, and they fasten it, so the bungee cords are very stretched, and then people get in, and they sit down, and they fasten seat belts, and then when everybody's all secure, they loose the platform, and the bungee cords pull this thing up like a rocket. Speaker 1  22:01 Whoa, yeah. I wasn't about to do that. I was with someone who Michael Hingson  22:05 did, and he came off apparently as white as a sheet. He said, "I'm never gonna do that. Speaker 1  22:10 It was a one and done experience for him. It was Michael Hingson  22:16 for me. It was, "I'm not gonna do that, brother. And I had my guide dog, and somebody would have held the dog, but I wouldn't do that. I have other memories, which are more fun, I think, and probably for me more pleasurable. Speaker 1  22:31 Yeah, one of the things we did down on the South Island was some knife making, and it was really.. it was something I surprised my family with. They didn't know we were doing that day, and this guy was hilarious. I mean, something straight out of a documentary about New Zealand, as far as, like, locals, you would see he had a witty sense of humor, and he would, he would like, finish off the knives for us after we did the preliminary steps, just to make them look nice. Yeah, that was one of my favorite memories down there. Michael Hingson  23:00 Wow, yeah, I've, I've got a lot of memories, even though it was back in 2003 so 22 years, 22 and a half years, but I love the memories, and love being down there was a wonderful place, Speaker 1  23:13 awesome, so that was pretty cool. Well, so you, you came back, and, and you eventually ended up in, in Calgary, which is, which is great. So, what do you do now? Got a few hands in a few honey jars. I have a private practice for the counseling. I work for a retreat center company out of a place called Brad Creek, called Vita Wellness. I work for a nonprofit up in a place called Erdrie as a consultant. I work for a clinic remotely that's in the city as an associate. Am I forgetting anything? I think that's the main ones right now. Also, work doing like couples therapy for a relationship-based app. Yeah, so that's a lot of people that are in the States, there. So, it's yeah, few things to keep me busy. Speaker 3  24:13 If you enjoy Unstoppable Mindset and would like to help us continue bringing these conversations to you each week, we've created a way for you to support the show. Your contribution helps us cover production costs and continue sharing stories, insights, and ideas that inspire people to live with purpose and possibility. If supporting the podcast feels right for you, you'll find the link in the show notes. Thank you for being part of the unstoppable mindset community, Michael Hingson  24:47 they do well. You also write Speaker 1  24:50 that as well. Yeah, Michael Hingson  24:52 you've written a couple of books, and I guess you've also done some screenwriting and all that, and love to hear more about all that. Tell. You bought your books. Speaker 1  25:01 Yeah, the first book that I published, self-published, and that was two years ago now. That was called, that is called The Martial Art of Recovery: Self Mastery Practices to Subdue Addiction and Achieve Mental Wellness. Say three times real fast. So, yeah, that book is all about the intersection of martial arts concepts with addiction and mental health treatment, so that has personal experiences, and my times in the martial arts, and also I just bring in like holistic health techniques, and also I get some interviews, some of them are a little bit shorter than others, but at least some some chunks from people that I know in different disciplines, different fields, like an old martial arts teacher, a medicine family medicine doctor here in the Calgary area, people like that. So that was that was about a 14 month writing experience before it was published. Michael Hingson  25:57 When was it published? Speaker 1  26:00 Back in March of 2023 Michael Hingson  26:05 Okay, not your first book. Speaker 1  26:07 Not that's my first book. Yes, Michael Hingson  26:09 yeah, Speaker 2  26:10 yeah. Michael Hingson  26:12 What do you, what do you think of being an author and the whole experience of writing? Speaker 1  26:19 There was not. there was a lack of faith, for sure. I had a really difficult time, even acknowledging, "Hey, this is something I could do. Had a lot of self-doubt, and so even the process I found pretty daunting, pretty, like pretty challenging, for sure. And I do enjoy the process. It's like a double helix, though. I, I enjoy it, yet it kind of puts the screws to me, as far as enjoyment, but also challenge, yet I do enjoy the experience and being able to get my voice out there, yet I listen to someone else talk about publishing, and the person said, you know what, when you publish it, now it's that person's turn to take it on and they can make it their own, Michael Hingson  27:04 yeah. Speaker 1  27:04 So I found that to be a really cool way to look at it. So yeah, and I enjoy it. It's been, it's been good, it's been fun. Michael Hingson  27:13 And then you wrote a second book, Speaker 1  27:15 I did. Yeah, that one's called Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt. It's a lot more personal, I think, because it is about a true story that happened to my dad, and something that was quite harrowing for him, which, yes, as the book title suggests, is what happened, and part of the book is about the interviews I did with the three men involved with this very scary incident back in February of 2000 so 25 years now, and talks about their different perspectives on what happened that day when they were digging for Native American artifacts, arrowheads, and I bring in some self-help concepts that apply to what happened that day, and also just for anyone that's looking to bring those into their own lives, Michael Hingson  28:03 what happened? Speaker 1  28:05 Yeah, so they were digging at what's called an overhang, which is like a cliff face that shuts out small little, I don't know if you would even call it a cave, but there was a place underneath the overhang that kind of came in anyway, when Native Americans would come to an area, they wouldn't ever bring dirt out, they would always bring dirt in, and so there was so much dirt that was piled up over the years that my dad and the people that were digging with him, I was there six months to the day before this incident happened, we would, we would have to dig, they would dig to get to their arrowheads that were quite far down underneath the dirt, Michael Hingson  28:46 yeah, Speaker 1  28:47 yeah, yeah, and so this unfortunate day, my dad was in a hole, probably I don't know, eight or nine feet, and a little dirt fell on him, and you know, he kind of joked with his friend Jason, who was further up this hall, and a few seconds later all that dirt just came in, just, just quickly, automatically. He was vanished without a trace, and then a big rock came down on that dirt. If it wasn't for that third person that decided to come that very morning, they did not come before. His name's Jerry. Then I'm sure that my dad would have died, Michael Hingson  29:25 because Speaker 1  29:25 there was no way that Jason, who also was stuck up to like his knee in dirt, could have got out in time to get the rock and then to unearth my dad. So, Michael Hingson  29:39 yeah, a fascinating book. Now, you, you self-published that one as well. Speaker 1  29:43 I did, didn't wait around, just went ahead, and yeah. Michael Hingson  29:49 Do you have other books in you? Speaker 1  29:51 I have one done. I needed to get it edited, and editorial reviews, and get my book cover designer over in Italy to do her magic. She did on the last two books, so yeah, I do have one in the, in the oven. Michael Hingson  30:05 Can you tell us a little about what it will be about, or what it's called, or anything? Speaker 1  30:08 Sure, the book right now is called I'm Listening, and it's all about my experiences, my pitfalls, my learnings as a therapist, and so it's a bit of a memoir of my professional work in the field, and some, some personal experiences. Michael Hingson  30:25 I think one of the most powerful things about books, especially when you're, when you're dealing with more nonfiction, because fiction books usually have stories with them, but a lot of nonfiction books don't really provide enough, I think, of a personal inroad to the individual who wrote the book. One of my big beliefs, one of my pet peeves, is I think textbooks are so boring, like physics. My master's degree is in physics, and I maintain that the big problem is that none of the physics professors who are writing all these books ever put anything in about their own personal experiences to really get people excited because of of their their stories and what they can teach through their stories. It's just all math and equations and and words, just about the physics, but never the other part. I think that textbooks would be better if they put some stories in them, Speaker 1  31:22 I think. So, too, I think people's eyes wouldn't come out of their sockets, and they wouldn't, you know, be comatose. You know, they can actually keep up, and they can be engaged and involved with the material. Yeah, Michael Hingson  31:35 I had a colleague when we were at UC Irvine. We were in the same physics class together, and he had this one book, and he noticed that there didn't seem to really be any typos or whatever in it, and he meticulously, through the whole quarter, went through that whole book, and I think he finally found one misspelled word, and he was so proud of both that there were there were no others other than the one, but that he found one misspelled word we do with our lives. Speaker 1  32:07 What people do sometimes for kicks. Well, I'm glad. I wonder where that word was. Like, did he go through the whole book, and it's like on the last page, or you know, where is that at? It was Michael Hingson  32:22 near the end, but it wasn't on the last page, but it was.. it was.. it took him a long time to find it. Speaker 1  32:29 I wanted to do that with my first book. I could have easily done a book about the intersection of martial arts themes with, you know, mental wellness, but I mean, why not? I mean, I had that experience for over four years in the martial arts. Why not do that? Michael Hingson  32:48 So, tell me about that. You've mentioned martial arts several times, so obviously you've had some involvement with martial arts. Speaker 1  32:54 I have. Yeah, so when I was a preteen, I got a black belt in what's called a Water Rule Karate, so it's like W A D O R Y U, and when I was a teenager, like 16 to 18, I was doing what's called American Campo, and that did have a little bit of Jiu Jitsu thrown into the mix, Michael Hingson  33:16 so what prompted the interest in doing that Speaker 1  33:20 first was my dad, you know, part of my family was interested, so the guy, why not? And I don't know at that time whether I was experiencing bullying. Unfortunately, I experienced bullying like going to church before church started, which was unfortunate, say. So I mean, I think it was just a really good experience for me, looking back for balance and discipline in that way, and getting to meet people in the community. I can't, I can't initially remember what prompted that. My dad was interested, my brother was too, so was I. And then when I was 16, I was like, let's pick it up, let's do something different, let's try something new, and so we were able to go to this really small outfit, which was called the Snake Pit at the time, very different from the more like larger dojo in the community from my early years. Michael Hingson  34:14 What has being involved with the martial arts done to help you or to you or for you in dealing with mental wellness and the whole issue of what you do today. How is martial arts affecting all of that? Speaker 1  34:35 Yeah, it's a really good question. Martial arts showed me the importance of balance when we're doing sparring, when we're doing more, so when we're doing training on techniques, I can't be too far away when I'm sparring someone, because then it's not natural, it's not organic, nor, but I can be so close that I might hit them, so there needs to be some type of balance and self control, and that's. Something else, as well as being out of some self control. Yeah, Michael Hingson  35:05 well, martial arts is, I understand, it seems to me, as much about your mental being as learning physical techniques, because there is a whole lot that really comes down to how you approach it mentally. Am I correct? Speaker 1  35:24 Yeah, there's a big piece when it comes to stamina. When I was doing sparring, I actually had to find a place between being so passive, but also not being super aggressive. Like, how do I get that mental, emotional stamina to do this powering, you know, in a way that was quite balanced. Yes, but there is a lot when it comes to being in touch with my body, being in touch with where my mind is, with focus, with being not beating myself up, not really being perfect, or trying to achieve perfection. Yet, there's a certain vulnerability that comes with that in the mind, and also when it comes to the body, Michael Hingson  36:06 how so Speaker 1  36:10 well, there's vulnerability just simply with doing different techniques, because if you don't, if you don't like being touched, then it's going to be really difficult, because there's often a lot of touch happening, and and when it comes to the mind, it's there's vulnerability with putting myself out there and being seen by others, because we're often watching one another with training, and so there is this piece around vulnerability around, hey, you know what, whatever they think, okay, they can think I'm still working on this technique, Michael Hingson  36:40 mm and it, and it does, as you grow mentally with, with martial arts, I'm sure that it also helps in terms of your resilience. Speaker 1  36:55 Resilience plays a key factor, indeed, because you know, when it comes to even with sparring, you know, getting hit, I can't just kind of, oh, I got hit and I want to go back and I want to go in the corner. Well, no, I've got to keep going. Yeah, gotta keep moving, gotta keep walking and deflecting, and you know, going with the punches. And I, there was one experience with a young man, at least two years younger than me, he was a silver glove boxer, like a champion silver glove, and there had to be some resilience for me there, because I was getting clobbered, I was getting, I was getting hit over and over, because he was using a boxing type of, you know, boxing moves I wasn't used to defending against, and he was quick, and there comes a certain level of humility when it comes to being in the martial arts as well, because there's going to be experiences like that. Michael Hingson  37:49 Well, did you eventually get to the point where you could defend yourself against him? Speaker 1  37:55 He wasn't there for too long. Yeah, the more yet, the more that I was able to work with him, the more I was able to, you know, understand a little bit more where he was coming from with the moves, Michael Hingson  38:05 right. Well, in your life and all the things that you've done, have you experienced grief in any way? And kind of, what was that? Speaker 1  38:14 Yeah, there was a moment, there wasn't an issue when it came to a disenfranchised loss. My wife had a silent miscarriage, and so that was pretty brutal. How that turned out for her, and vicariously for me, and seeing her go through that really difficult, emotionally painful situation was hard. And so I mean, I've sure I've lost all but one grandparent at this point, and I did lose some child, like one childhood friend, when I was 16 to a car accident that was pretty brutal. Yet this loss was, yeah, was really difficult, because it's something that a lot of people don't understand, they don't want to talk about, they don't know what to say, or it's really difficult just to listen, and that was hard. Michael Hingson  39:09 Yeah, but at the same time, as you well know, from all that you've experienced, God doesn't give us things that we can't handle, and we have to learn to move forward Speaker 1  39:22 with resilience, with God's help. Michael Hingson  39:24 Yeah, Speaker 1  39:24 yeah, with prayer, perseverance. Yeah, Michael Hingson  39:27 I lost my father, actually, on November 1 of 1984 and my mother in May of 1987 and then my brother actually developed breast cancer in 2011 and they, they dealt with it, and he went into remission, but it came back, and he didn't take care of himself very well, as I understand it, because he lived in Florida, and we were in California, but anyway, it came back, and it metastasized, and so we lost him in 2015 so at the same time. Yeah, there were relatives on my wife's side that we lost a couple very unexpectedly, and yeah, you do learn to deal with grief, but you learn that you got to go forward, and so when Karen passed in 2022 at least it wasn't totally all of a sudden, so I had some time to prepare, but you know, I still miss her, and I wouldn't want it any other way. Speaker 1  40:23 Yeah, for sure. I, and I mean, losing your parents around two and a half or so years apart, and with your brother, and then with your wife, that's a lot. That's a lot. Yet I hear that even though there was some preparation time for you, it can still be, it can still be difficult, it can still hit the nail, you know. I was doing some grief work, a grief course, and they showed us this poem called Whose Whose Grief Is Worse, basically. And there were these two experiences of someone that lost someone suddenly and someone that knew, and at the end of the poem. Basically, it's both are painful. There is no worse grief. Michael Hingson  41:05 There's no, there's no wrong or right answer to all of that. It's, it's different, but we all can learn to deal with it. I know when the events of September 11 happened, for me, ironically, the greatest blessing I had was that the media got my story and we started getting a lot of requests for interviews and my wife and I decided we would accept them and I got asked so many questions by so many different reporters, some dumb questions were absolutely stupid, idiotic questions, but some that were very insightful, and so I probably was able to move on from that day much more because of all of the questions and getting used to dealing with those questions than anything else that could have come along. It Speaker 1  41:58 was a choice, and you probably appreciated those reporters that took the time to ask those carefully planned questions. Michael Hingson  42:06 I've had some people, no matter how many times the story gets repeated, who still say, "What were you doing in the World Trade Center, anyway? And I'm sitting there going, "Have you read Thunderdog? Have you read any of the stories in the press? What do you mean, what was I doing in the World Trade Center? Speaker 1  42:23 It's not like, you know, it's out there, you know, it's been published, you can read it. Yeah, Michael Hingson  42:30 I wasn't a spy for the terrorists, I can tell you that. Speaker 1  42:36 I wouldn't, I wouldn't have thought that for a second, Michael Hingson  42:41 but but, but you know, things happen, and you never know where you're going to be, you never know what might come up, and it's just one of those things that we, we all really need to deal with in one way or another, and that's just what's so important. Speaker 1  42:56 Absolutely, you know, one of the quotes I heard from my training was, and I take it with me, and I, I definitely relate to it personally. Is joy shared is joy doubled, and grief shared is grief halved, and the stuff we're doing, even today, and even those listening that might have been through grief, is as long as we're able to talk about it, and just talk about something that does not make any sense whatsoever to us, that's part of the healing process. Michael Hingson  43:23 Yeah, it's important to talk about it. It's important to share, and I understand you want to be careful. You don't want to just talk necessarily about it with anyone, but you do need to find people that you can share with and that you can talk to about Speaker 1  43:39 it. Totally, yeah, the grocery store clerk, you know, that I'm getting my bread and butter from, maybe they're not ready for that, that particular topic, Michael Hingson  43:48 yeah, Speaker 1  43:48 yeah, Michael Hingson  43:50 and and the thing that we all need to do is to really, I think, do a lot more to listen to our inner voice, it'll tell us what we need to do if we listen, Speaker 1  43:58 yes, I believe that for sure, I've seen, I've seen that. Yeah, Michael Hingson  44:03 so you've dealt with all the, this, the psychological work that you do. You dealt with addiction, and so on. How does martial arts play into that? What have you learned from martial arts that helps you in dealing with recovery from addiction? Speaker 1  44:16 Oh, well, where to start. I think that one piece to really focus on is this concept of self love, and I don't mean self love like I'm better than other people out there, but just being okay with where I'm at for myself, but still pushing myself to learn new things, so some acceptance about where I'm at when it comes to martial arts, that has to be there. I might not be doing the technique perfectly, and I, there was times where I could really easily beat myself up mentally, like, "Oh, why can't I get this? Yet it's just trying to take a step back and see that I'm worthy enough to make the. Approach to make these changes when it comes to addiction. I'm worthy enough to seek out help. These feelings I have that they're okay to feel, and I don't have to beat myself up for this. Michael Hingson  45:11 Yeah, because addiction is is a disease, and I think anyone who condemns somebody just because, for example, they use drugs, and, well, they shouldn't do that. They're dumb for doing it. They really miss assess what's going on. Speaker 1  45:28 People that have that mindset that it's more of a mere choice, they don't understand that if you put, you know, a shot of alcohol in front of someone and you tell them not to drink it, and you put a gun on them, they're going to be wondering, maybe he'll slip his hand off the trigger, you know, that kind of thinking, that's that's the disease aspect. And I recommend anybody that wants to know more about addiction being a disease, check out Kevin McCauley's documentary, Pleasure Unwoven. It's a really good documentary that shows the different aspects of the disease. Yeah, Michael Hingson  46:08 I have never taken drugs in that way, and don't want to, but again, that's my choice, and I've learned enough from other people that I know that if, if I'm having a problem, taking drugs isn't going to help me solve the problem, and it isn't going to even really help me hide from it, but I guess that's just my makeup that I know that I have to face whatever comes along head on. Speaker 1  46:33 Yes, the resilience piece, Michael Hingson  46:36 the resilience piece, and I've wanted to do that. Speaker 1  46:39 Awesome, I can see with everything you've been through, Michael, you've definitely lent in, you've leaned in, you've pushed forward. Michael Hingson  46:47 Well, I think that part of the issue is as a, as a blind person who's faced a lot of challenges and seen things, what I choose to do whenever anything happens to me is I want to learn from it, so I don't want to ignore it, even if it's something that's totally not related to me in any way. I want to learn from it, if I'm involved, because I think that's the only way I'm going to be able to make sure that I deal with anything like that, any kind of surprise. The next time I talk about a lot when I am talking to people about blindness, about surprises, and I talk about the fact that I could be crossing a street, I could get to the corner and listen to the traffic, and when I hear the traffic going the way I want to go, then I'll cross the street. So I start crossing a street, and all of a sudden I hear a car from behind me, and it's not going the way I want to go, suddenly it's, it's turning, or there's somebody that is is across the street from me, not the way I'm going, and I start to cross the street when it's supposed to be my turn, and they decide they're going to go, and so I am, I've learned to constantly be alert, but at the same time, what I have to do is figure out very quickly, do I want to go forward or do I want to go backwards to have the best chance of getting away from this, Speaker 1  48:11 which way do I move in my direction with my spatial awareness with your spatial awareness, and that, and that brings me to another, I think, actually, another piece with martial arts and how it intersects is treating the addiction like an opponent that may be sauntering around that corner at any moment in time, and being able to see that I need to be on the alert, I need to know more than one direction, as you mentioned a moment ago, more than one direction that I could go, rather than just the free, the ability to have choice. Yeah, Michael Hingson  48:51 can addiction truly be cured? Not the reason I asked the question is I know so often I hear when I hear people talking about alcoholism, you can't really cure alcoholism, and maybe that's true. I don't know, Speaker 1  49:10 you know, it depends on how you ask, from a medical standpoint, from a disease standpoint, since we see it as a chronic progressive primary condition, which means nothing necessarily causes it every time. The answer would be no, because of its progression. However, can it can addiction, whether it's alcoholism, whatever, be stunted as far as its progression? Absolutely. Can be, can people live fulfilling lives? Absolutely. Can there be reversal of certain symptoms and signs. Yes, however, just I think that to say, you know, one day someone's gonna wake up and they no longer have cravings or the warning signs or the the neurobiology. Logical strings, it's tough to say that's a no. Michael Hingson  50:04 Yeah, thanks. That's the makeup of the individual that brings that about. I, I have.. I take an occasional drink. In fact, Karen and I used to have a drink on Friday night, one drink, and I kind of honor her by having a bourbon and seven every Friday night when I make, when I cook dinner, but one, because I've never been a great fan of the taste of alcohol, but I understand there are a lot of people who really like the taste of it, and that has led them into pretty dark places, which is unfortunate. Speaker 1  50:36 Yeah, still Michael Hingson  50:37 happens. Speaker 1  50:38 It does still happen, for sure. And I appreciate you liking bourbon. We make a bourbon walnut ice cream, and I don't ever drink the bourbon by itself. It's been in the cupboard for months now. And anyway, Michael Hingson  50:55 well, my bourbon and seven is a whole lot more seven up than bourbon. Speaker 1  50:59 Totally right, and good for you for having that ritual, you know, for you and for Michael Hingson  51:06 her. That's kind of neat to be able to do that, but I've just never felt that I need to, and I'm, and I'm glad. So it's continuing to share that. Well, you do a lot of couples therapy. How does all that go, and what kind of challenges does that make for you and for them? Speaker 1  51:29 Well, I'll give you this short story. We were eating at Denny's with this man, and just a friend of a friend, and he said to us, he asked me about my work, and I told him, yeah, I'm working with, you know, a lot of addiction, and with couples, he's like, I heard from another counselor, Eric, that if you really want to make it hard on yourself, you work in addiction, and you work with couples that always make it have a challenge, and, like, yeah, true. And so, when it comes to working with couples, it is challenging. There's something about having two people to work with, there's so many dynamics at play, different than perhaps being with just one person, you know, coming from two different histories, biographically different life upbringings, family upbringing, personalities. It can be really challenging. I do appreciate challenge. I've learned so much. I learned from each couple that I work with, and it's a whole different beast. Michael Hingson  52:29 Yeah, and, and it is. I like what you said, though. You learn from it, and that's probably the most important thing that any of us can do with anything in any endeavor that we undertake is that we learn from it. Speaker 1  52:44 If I can't learn from something, what am I, what am I doing there? And if I'm not learning from something, how can that benefit other people that I'm trying to help support? So, yeah, I tried to get the couple to start to be, you know, them versus the concern, rather than you versus me. That's a big goal of couples therapy. Michael Hingson  53:08 That's an interesting way to put it. That makes a lot of sense. I've never thought of it that way, but it's them. It does have to be them, but them versus the concern. That, that's interesting. Speaker 1  53:18 Yeah, yeah. Then they start, they start looking at how can we collaborate rather than trying to annihilate each other. Michael Hingson  53:26 Yeah, Speaker 1  53:27 metaphorically speaking, Michael Hingson  53:31 so you've talked about the work that you did when you were in Mississippi, when you worked in small towns, and so on, and you worked in probably some fairly substantive places as well. What do you find that's different about outpatient versus inpatient work, and in terms of what you do and how you approach it? Speaker 1  53:52 Well, I'll just say that doing inpatient work is kind of like raising kids, so not.. I mean, I don't have any experience, because I don't, I don't have kids, I got nieces and nephews yet. I know that feeling well. Yeah, there's just something about being around someone more than just like that hour, hour and a half, seeing them like eight or nine hours a day, you get to know them pretty well, as opposed to, you know, once an hour every one or two, three weeks, that in that comes some benefits with the inpatient work. Yet also it can be really difficult when it comes to boundaries. They feel like you can do things that maybe you're not able to do professionally with them, maybe like as far as like self-disclosure wise or things like that, and there's just there's just a thing around boundaries, and even with the inpatient work, you know, I'll have one client come and say, 'Hey, this other counselor said I could do this, and I would be like, 'Okay, and then I found out later the counselor didn't say that at all, so there's that type. The drama got to deal with, with it, with the inpatient work, Michael Hingson  55:04 but you don't find that as much without patient, because you tend to be able to get closer to the individual, and that probably also develops a higher trust level. Speaker 1  55:14 There is a higher trust level if you mean, like, doing outpatient work, or outpatient, but we have the outpatient, for sure, because I am solely with them, and they know that time is of the essence, whether it's weekly or bi-weekly, whatever, and I'm being able to focus on them, for sure, yeah, Michael Hingson  55:35 and it's a lot harder to do that when it's an impatient kind of situation Speaker 1  55:40 in my two experiences, both up in Calgary and also Mississippi, with inpatient, there's so many other things in the inner workings of doing inpatient going on that sure I can still add that time with somebody, yet I'm also thinking about, you know, the next class and next group offering other logistical duties, it's a little bit easier to do that one on one. Yeah, indeed, indeed. Michael Hingson  56:10 Do you think that you can develop? I assume the answer is yes, but I'll ask, do you think that it's possible to develop the same level of trust in doing inpatient work, or it may be harder, but can you do it? Speaker 1  56:28 That can happen on a case by case basis, depending on my relationship with someone. Yes, I can get there, and you know, just.. and sometimes, paradoxically, it can happen even quicker than outpatient, depending on the situation, because I am with them. There is a positive with that. Yes, Michael Hingson  56:48 it's.. it's a matter of working to build it, you know. And, unfortunately, human beings, especially nowadays, are so mistrustful of so many things, we've learned not to trust, and so in my latest book, Live Like a Guide Dog, I talk about that a lot, because while I think dogs love unconditionally, they don't trust unconditionally, but they're open to trust, they want to develop trusting relationships, and we just assume everyone has their own hidden agendas, and it's so hard to develop trusting relationships, Speaker 1  57:24 very hard, very difficult. It takes time and effort and patience, tolerance for myself, the other person, and that makes sense with dogs, because I mean, enough's, you know, when a dog's been abused, they don't want to trust right away, no, for sure. Michael Hingson  57:38 Well, but even even dogs that aren't abused, like I believe it takes for me, and I think if you really analyze it, for most people with a guide dog, I think it takes a good year to develop such a working relationship that you develop such a trust that essentially you each know what the other is thinking and you really know how to work it. It's not that they're not mistrustful, but they're open. They're open to trust, but you've got to, you've got to gain their trust, and that's my job as the team leader. And I'm supposed to be the team leader, but it also means that I have to agree, well, earn or gain their trust. The neat thing, and what makes it possible to do that, assuming that you approach it the right way and don't assume a dog is just a dumb animal, which they're not, is that in fact working with a dog, you know that they're more likely to be open to trust, and that makes it a little bit easier than our prejudice that says everybody's got a hidden agenda that we got to focus on, Speaker 1  58:47 yeah. And appreciate you sharing that, and it shows just the amount of work that comes into play with trust. Michael Hingson  58:54 Yeah, it's it's a challenge, but it is doable. Well, so what's next for you? Speaker 1  59:01 Yeah, just doing some work after this with the work that I do, and yeah, it's starting to get that book into the place of having editorial reviews and starting to get that edited professionally. Michael Hingson  59:14 Have either of your books been converted to audio? Speaker 1  59:17 The second one has. Yes. Michael Hingson  59:22 Is it? Where is it available? Audible, or how is it available? Speaker 1  59:25 It's my own special design. It's actually got a, it's got a Texan man, a doing it. He's got a nice voice, pretty soothing. Yet it's through what's called the Hero app, H I R O. And I can send you the link if you're interested. For that, Michael Hingson  59:40 love to, yeah, Speaker 1  59:42 yeah. Michael Hingson  59:44 Well, this has been enjoyable, certainly by any standard. If people want to reach out to you, maybe use your services or talk with you. How do they do that? Speaker 1  59:53 They can find me, Michael, through Recovery Arts counseling.com and that's Counseling with 2l's since I'm up here in Canada. You can find me through Instagram at Eric Fisher Writer or Recovery Arts Counseling. You can find me Facebook the same way on LinkedIn, just type in my name. You can look for, like, Calgary, like counselor recovery counseling. What do else? That's right, everybody learned something new today, if they did not, if they didn't already. So, those are a few Michael Hingson  1:00:25 ways. Well, that's great. Well, I really appreciate you taking the time to be here, and I value greatly your insights. I've learned things, and I always enjoy doing that. And I hope all of you out there listening have as well. Love to get your thoughts, so I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to email me at Michael M I C H A E L H I at Accessi B A C C E S S I B e.com Wherever you're listening or watching, or both, this podcast, please give us a five star review. But even more important than a review, a rating, five star rating, give us a review. We really value reviews and people who might be interested in listening to our podcasts, are going to read those reviews. I can tell you for sure that people love to know what others think. So, we value your reviews a great deal. And if any of you, including you, Eric, know of anyone else who ought to be a guest on Unstoppable Mindset, we'd love an introduction, because we're always looking for people who want to come on and tell their stories, so I hope that that we'll find ways to do that, and definitely value you being here, Eric, and doing all this, and I want to thank you again for being here. This has been a lot of fun. Speaker 1  1:01:37 Thank you, Michael. Happy to be on you. thank Michael Hingson  1:01:43 you for being here with me on Unstoppable Mindset. I hope today's conversation left you with a fresh perspective, a new insight, or at least something worth thinking about. If you're ready to go deeper into the ideas that shape how we see ourselves and others. I have a free gift for you. Head over to Michael hingson.com and download my free ebook, Blinded by Fear. It explores the invisible beliefs that hold us back and shows you how to reframe them, so you can move forward with clarity and confidence. Be sure to subscribe to our podcast, leave a review, and share this show with someone who can use a reminder that growth starts with mindset. When people think differently, we all move forward together. Thanks again for listening. Keep learning, keep questioning, and keep choosing to live with an unstoppable min

Eric talks who has it worse: the Leafs or Canucks. Eric also talks the illusory connection between MLB team payrolls and winning, TB's misplaced USA chant, the Mets, Kirby Dach and his DTLOW. He also interviews Eric Fisher from Front Office Sports.

Eric talks, NHL playoff format, Michael Hage, Maple Leafs, Rick Bowness and the collapse of LIV Golf. Eric also interviews Eric Fisher from Front Office Sports on MLB's ABS and a possible MLB lockout

The lords of the realm will be back in full force as Major League Baseball is once again staring at a less-than-desirable labor war brewing between the players and owners. Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports gets Nestor primed for the MLB season on the field and how the contentious labor situation will inevitably affect this season and everything that follows. The post Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports gets Nestor primed for MLB season and an offseason of labor war first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

While you will be able to finish out this season being able to watch Orlando Magic games on FanDuel TV, the future of the network is in jeopardy. How will you be able to watch Magic games (as well as other teams) after this season? Eric Fisher explains the situation.

TEATIME WITH MISS LIZ —December 9th, 7 PM ESTFeaturing: ERIC FISHER — Canadian Certified Counsellor, Trauma Specialist, Author & Award-Winning ScreenwriterTeatime with Miss Liz Serves: Eric Fisher — Trauma Therapist, Recovery Expert & Award-Winning Screenwriter December 9th, 7 pm EST Transformation begins where truth, courage, and healing meet. Miss Liz doesn't serve a beverage — she serves real-life changemakers.Tonight, she serves Eric Fisher, a Canadian Certified Counsellor originally from Tennessee, now residing in Calgary, Alberta — a compassionate, trauma-informed therapist with over 15 years of experience helping individuals and families reclaim their lives. Eric is the author of The Martial Art of Recovery and Buried Alive: Four Ways to Free Yourself from the Dirt, blending mindfulness, trauma healing, martial arts discipline, and mental wellness into powerful, practical tools for recovery. He is a master practitioner in Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and trained in EMDR, both evidence-based trauma treatments used worldwide. Eric's private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves clients locally and remotely, offering recovery support, trauma therapy, couples work, and emotional healing. Beyond therapy, Eric is an award-winning screenwriter, a black belt in two martial arts, a two-time FBI intern, and a man driven by curiosity, adventure, and mindfulness. His story proves that healing is both an internal art and a lifelong journey. Watch LIVE or catch the replay on all Miss Liz Teatime platforms. Miss Liz will pour a cup of resilience, awareness, and recovery with Eric Fisher, a Canadian Certified Counsellor, trauma specialist, martial artist, writer, and a man who has devoted his life to helping others heal. Eric brings over 15 years of experience in outpatient, inpatient, and private practice settings across both the United States and Canada. His mastery in ART and his training in EMDR make him a powerful guide for survivors of trauma, addiction, emotional overwhelm, and life transitions. His books, The Martial Art of Recovery and Buried Alive, merge the discipline of martial arts with the internal work of mental wellness — showing that healing is not just a process but a practice of self-mastery. With award-winning screenwriting accolades, two black belts, and even two FBI internships behind him, Eric's story blends curiosity, adventure, compassion, and deep mindfulness. We will explore transformation, trauma recovery, identity, storytelling, and how choosing healing can reshape a life from the inside out. We will have a powerful and soul-shifting Teatime with Eric Fisher — a conversation grounded in truth, compassion, and the courage to face what lies beneath the surface. Eric will remind us that healing is a journey of curiosity, mindfulness, and self-respect. Through trauma therapy, martial arts discipline, and emotional recovery, he offers tools that help individuals break cycles, integrate pain, and reclaim their inner strength. His insights on ART, EMDR, addiction recovery, emotional resilience, and the mind-body connection provided deep value, clarity, and hope. Thank you, Eric, for bringing your compassionate heart, expertise, and adventurous spirit to the Teatime table. And to everyone joining live or watching the replay — thank you for continuing to support the ripple of healing and humanity Miss Liz serves each evening. Eric Fisher, MS, CCC, is a Canadian Certified Counsellor specializing in trauma recovery, addiction, and emotional wellness. Based in Calgary, he integrates ART, EMDR, and martial arts principles into therapy. An award-winning screenwriter and author, he brings curiosity, compassion, and mindfulness to every aspect of his work.#TeatimeWithMissLiz#TraumaHealing#RecoveryJourney#MentalWellness#EricFisherCounselling New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount

It's a murky picture throughout Major League Baseball as the Winter Meetings begin and Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports returns to discuss the state of the game, on and off the field. And the business and labor of MLB and a pending working stoppage might be affecting much more than just the payroll of the Baltimore Orioles heading into 2026. The post Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports tells Nestor what Orioles need to do this offseason to find relavancy in AL East first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

From 'Spits & Suds' (subscribe here): Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports joins host Gavin Spittle to break down the recent article that came out about the Dallas Stars possibly moving to Plano in 2031. Eric talks about how this story came about and how this could have major economic upside because this would be the Stars building, not one they'd have to share like they currently do at the AAC. Eric peels the curtain back with how other teams are looking to move location and why, and applies that to why the Stars would move. Then Eric explains how politics comes into play with decisions like this and how the City of Dallas doesn't want to lose the Stars and Mavericks. Eric also notes that this is not a done deal, Dallas could still be the home for the Stars. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week, I'm picking up where Episode 304 left off, diving deeper into the practical strategies that successful salon owners use to build strong teams, great cultures, and profitable businesses.If you've ever asked yourself, "Why can't I find good people?" or "Why won't my team step up?"  this episode is for you. I'm walking you through the exact traits, systems, and standards that top-performing salons share from how they hire, to how they train, to how they reward results. These aren't theories. These are lessons from real salons, doing real numbers, with real six-figure stylists. And the good news? You can implement them too.IN THIS EPISODE:[00:00] Welcome and recap of the Leadership Crisis and its impact[01:28] Why true leadership is in short supply[04:06] Point 1: Strong foundations and non-negotiables[06:29] Point 2: Hire for attitude and ambition[08:54] Point 3: Build systems that support your culture[11:53] Point 4: Treat your team as your second client[13:14] Point 5: Create financial security through smart pay systems[14:26] Point 6: Set performance standards and accountability[15:08] The most important word: implementation[15:26] 6 steps to start improving your culture today[19:19] The final question every salon owner needs to askWant MORE to help you GROW?

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world. Covering an area of 135,000 square miles, it is bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined. Lay it out across Europe and it would reach from London to Moscow, making it is the largest living structure in the world and the only one visible from outer space.    Today, we're going to the best place in the world to experience it: Tropical North Queensland. And we're in good company with Dr Eric Fisher, a marine biologist who specializes in the Great Barrier Reef. This is a conversation is about one of the great wonders of the natural world, and what it's like to see it first-hand. But it's also about something special that Eric has introduced: Dreamtime Dives.   Most experiences on the reef tell its story from a western viewpoint. Eric has developed a new program where you can explore it from an indigenous perspective too. Guided by Aboriginal Sea Rangers, whose connection to the reef stretches back over 60,000 years, it's an opportunity to see the reef from a new perspective, and in doing so perhaps learn things about the reef we never knew before.    FIND OUT MORE Thanks again to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the Tropical North Queensland experts and helped to connect us with the awesome guest you heard from today.    If the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, head over to DownUnderEndeavours.com/Armchair to find out how you can see it for yourself. They've got lots of great ideas, and you book with them you'll get $500 off your next trip. It's a great way to support the show. (and please note my American friends, ‘endeavour' is spelt the proper British way with a U at the end  )   CONNECT WITH TODAY'S GUEST      Experience Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel at ReefUnlimited.com Find out more about Eric's research and conservation work at gbrbiology.com   If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who've lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.    Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast ____________________________________________________________________________ Presented by: Aaron Millar Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie Produced by: Armchair Productions

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest reef system in the world. Covering an area of 135,000 square miles, it is bigger than the United Kingdom, Holland and Switzerland combined. Lay it out across Europe and it would reach from London to Moscow, making it is the largest living structure in the world and the only one visible from outer space.    Today, we're going to the best place in the world to experience it: Tropical North Queensland. And we're in good company with Dr Eric Fisher, a marine biologist who specializes in the Great Barrier Reef. This is a conversation is about one of the great wonders of the natural world, and what it's like to see it first-hand. But it's also about something special that Eric has introduced: Dreamtime Dives.   Most experiences on the reef tell its story from a western viewpoint. Eric has developed a new program where you can explore it from an indigenous perspective too. Guided by Aboriginal Sea Rangers, whose connection to the reef stretches back over 60,000 years, it's an opportunity to see the reef from a new perspective, and in doing so perhaps learn things about the reef we never knew before.    FIND OUT MORE Thanks again to Down Under Endeavours for partnering with us on this episode. They are the Tropical North Queensland experts and helped to connect us with the awesome guest you heard from today.    If the Great Barrier Reef is on your bucket list, head over to DownUnderEndeavours.com/Armchair to find out how you can see it for yourself. They've got lots of great ideas, and you book with them you'll get $500 off your next trip. It's a great way to support the show. (and please note my American friends, ‘endeavour' is spelt the proper British way with a U at the end  )   CONNECT WITH TODAY'S GUEST      Experience Dreamtime Dive & Snorkel at ReefUnlimited.com Find out more about Eric's research and conservation work at gbrbiology.com   If you're into real stories of epic places told by the people who've lived them, make sure to subscribe—that way you choose the adventure, not the algorithm.    Instagram: @armchairexplorerpodcast ____________________________________________________________________________ Presented by: Aaron Millar Audio & Sound Design: Charles Tyrie Produced by: Armchair Productions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[310] Have you ever considered entering the Salon Today 200? Or want to know more about this industry-leading program that showcases salon business success? Behind every honoree's recognition are pages of essays. Stories of innovation, vulnerability, resilience and transformation. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the competition and celebrate the grit and vision of two 2025 Salon Today 200 honorees in the Technology best practice category: Soleil Salon & Spa and Eric Fisher Salons. From navigating crises with creativity to reimagining systems, these salons discuss the real-world decisions that shaped their transformation. Alongside Stacey Soble, Director of Brand Content Strategy at Salon Today, we also unpack the judging process, reveal tips and strategies for submitting essays that stand out, discuss the power of storytelling, and why authenticity always wins. Guests: Bobbi Springer (@beautybar_allure), Maggie Di Falco (@maggiethesalon), Stacey Soble (@salontodayofficial), Luisa Gladymir Garcia (@soleilsalonspanh), Eric Fisher & Cathy Salas (@efsalon) and Veronica Ballard (Phorest). Click here to learn more about the Salon Today 200. Enjoyed the episode? Leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts! Click here to subscribe to the PhorestFM email newsletter or here to learn more about Phorest Salon Software. This episode was edited and mixed by Audio Z: Montreal's cutting-edge post-production studio for creative minds looking to have their vision professionally produced and mixed. Great music makes great moments.

EPISODIO 251.Temporada 6-30.EPISODIO PATROCINADO POR:CBM Clases de batería Madrid. https://clasesdebateriamadrid.com/ .Superdrummer Academy.www.simonefolcarelli.com .COMUNIDAD DEL CBM de Iñigo Iribarne:http://Clasesbateriaonline.com .EL MÉSTODO. ​​https://t.me/unmetodoalmes/ .FORUM MUSIKAE - UNIVERSIDAD DE BATERÍA.https://www.forummusikae.com/profesorado/musica-moderna/departamento-de-bateria/ .DISCO RECOMENDADO por Simone.Mannarino - Supersantos:https://open.spotify.com/intl-es/album/0Hbm7XpvPA6EdNrS7JE7Mg?si=i6w6qIWVTqGRHKe7gQpFSA .LIBRO RECOMENDADO por Iñigo.Rhythm and Drumming Demystified de Dave Dicenso : https://amzn.to/3QVy9B3 .TOP TRI.Simone:Brian Clancy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ynl32s8yeV8  .Andrey Chingrin: https://www.youtube.com/@andreyplaydrum .Eric Fisher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N02uaYuqOos&t=1128s .Iñigo:Jack Manders: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QhMnJU0avbU .Alex Miguel: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sdb3j4-UJfk .Mike Compitello: https://www.instagram.com/takayukiozjazz/ .Síguenos en: FB: https://www.facebook.com/Drumless-el-Podcast-101614758071997 .INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/drumlesspodcast/ .TELEGRAM: https://t.me/drumlesspodcast .ABEL:https://www.instagram.com/kustomdk/ .SIMONE:https://www.simonefolcarelli.com .http://clasesdebateriaonline.com .IÑIGO:http://inigoiribarne.com .https://Clasesdebateriamadrid.com .https://www.twitch.tv/inigobatera .https://www.ellibrodelascorcheas.com  .http://Clasesbateriaonline.com  .http://insidethegrooveof.com/ .BUY US A COFFEEPaypal: https://www.paypal.me/inigoiribarne .Bizum: 606424669 . 

Our defending champion of two decades of being the "MASN'spaliner" for Nestor and Baltimore Orioles and Washington Natonals fans, Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports helps piece together the future of new media money for MLB and life after Peter Angelos for David Rubenstein and the future of the city, Camden Yards and the baseball franchise. The post Eric Fisher of Front Office Sports helps Nestor piece together the new media money of Orioles and MLB first appeared on Baltimore Positive WNST.

In late February, ESPN announced that after the 2025 season, it is forgoing the remaining three years of its current contract. MLB responded by ripping the network, saying it has covered baseball less and less over the years. ESPN paid $550 million per season, and baseball will attempt to replace the upcoming lost revenue by replacing it with other networks and digital app opportunities. Eric Fisher is making his second appearance on the show. He last appeared in Episode 421 to discuss various topics in sports business. This time, he focused on the MLB-ESPN break-up and the fallout from it. He also discussed the baseball impact of the recent shakeup in Regional Sports Networks and how some teams broadcasts are being produced by MLB. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code SPORTSWITHFRIENDS at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: http://incogni.com/sportswithfriends.

The 2013 draft was awful and the Chiefs managed to get Eric Fisher and Travis Kelce... They can make it work again this year. The same goes for the cap configurations we are about to see with this team.

 We're halfway through the show now and the fun continues!  Eric Fisher explains the earthquake; we have weird stories, and Marco joins us in studio! Listen to Billy & Lisa Weekdays From 6-10AM on Kiss 108 on the iHeartRadio app!    

In this episode of the Crazy Wisdom Podcast, host Stewart Alsop reconnects with Eric Fisher, one of the show's earliest guests. Their conversation weaves through profound topics like the evolution of AI, the potential consequences of large language models (LLMs), and how AI might reshape both spirituality and education. Eric shares reflections from his time at Facebook, offering behind-the-scenes insight into the creation of algorithmic feeds and how those decisions echo into today's world of AI-driven interactions. Together, Stewart and Eric explore the nature of human attention, the future of work, and the potential divide between tech-driven living and a return to nature. Their discussion raises essential questions about where humanity is headed in the face of exponential technological change and how people can retain their sense of agency and spirit along the way. If you want to learn more about Eric visit his website mindfulimprov.com.Check out this GPT we trained on the conversation!Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Reunion00:44 Reflecting on Past Interviews01:18 Spiritual Understandings and AI01:32 The Dual Nature of AI02:43 The Evolution of Facebook's News Feed05:32 AI's Role in Future Technologies13:47 AI in Education and Synthetic Data16:58 The Future of AI and Society21:54 Spirituality and Technology27:58 Humanoid Robots: Beyond Sex Dolls28:28 The Role of Robots in Agriculture and Home29:07 Industrial Robots vs. Home Robots29:44 The Philosophy Behind Technological Advancements30:22 The Vision of the Future: Post-Steve Jobs Era31:17 The Impact of AI and Automation on Society32:55 Accelerationism vs. Degrowth: The Tech Debate40:41 Demographic Crisis and the Future of Humanity45:18 Economic Inequality and the Common Man46:39 The Evolution of Political Ideologies52:09 The Future of Work and Society54:14 Concluding Thoughts and Future DiscussionsKey Insights1. The Dual Nature of AI: Promise and PerilEric Fisher highlights the dual potential of AI as both a tool for human advancement and a source of unforeseen challenges. Drawing from his experience at Facebook, he explains how algorithmic feeds designed to increase engagement eventually led to widespread issues like polarization and misinformation. This echoes in today's world of LLMs (Large Language Models), where AI's utility as a tool for learning, troubleshooting, and content creation exists alongside the risk of biased or manipulative outputs. The key takeaway is that technology, like a rock, is neutral — its impact depends on how it is used and who is using it.2. The Evolution of Attention as a ResourceAttention has become a central currency in the modern economy, and Fisher points out that the concept of "attention economy" wasn't even part of public discourse a few decades ago. Today, with the rise of LLM-driven AI companions and algorithmic feeds, attention is being sliced and sold with increasing precision. This shift raises questions about how much of human autonomy is being traded away in favor of frictionless convenience. As AI becomes more adept at predicting and shaping user behavior, the concept of "free will" within an attention-driven economy becomes murkier.3. The Next Phase of Education: Self-Directed Learning with AI TutorsBoth Stewart Alsop and Eric Fisher recognize the potential for AI to revolutionize education. Instead of the traditional classroom model, self-directed learning with AI-driven tutors could allow for personalized, one-on-one learning experiences for every student. Fisher notes that tools like ChatGPT have already enabled him to troubleshoot complex home systems, like his geothermal cooling system, without needing to call a specialist. This self-sufficiency could be mirrored in education, where AI assistants offer instant, tailored guidance to students across a range of subjects.4. The Blurring of Reality: Personalized AI-Generated WorldsA provocative idea discussed in the episode is the possibility of AI-generated personalized realities. Through augmented reality (AR) glasses or VR headsets, individuals could project and experience personalized versions of reality. Fisher points out that, in many ways, people already live in "personalized mental realities" shaped by language, perception, and cultural narratives. AI could make this more literal, with each person living in a bespoke, algorithmically generated world. While this concept sounds thrilling, it also hints at a future where shared consensus reality — the "real world" — becomes more fragmented than ever.5. Economic Shifts: From Worker-Centric to Business-Centric SystemsTracing the legacy of figures like FDR and LBJ, Fisher reflects on how America shifted from a society that valued the working class to one that prioritizes business interests. While earlier eras emphasized worker rights, health care, and public welfare, today's economy is focused on empowering small businesses and startups. Everyone is now expected to be a "business of one," as independent creators, gig workers, and personal brands become the dominant paradigm. The result is a world where individual workers act like micro-businesses, managing their own healthcare, retirement, and financial stability — often with no safety net.6. The Threat of Decentralized AI and the Loss of TruthWith Meta and OpenAI releasing LLMs and synthetic AI models into the open-source community, Fisher expresses concern about the fragmentation of "truth." As more people train and deploy their own AI models, the risk of misinformation rises. Just as search engines can prioritize certain content over others, decentralized AI models may be subtly — or overtly — biased. This issue becomes even more concerning if companies start inserting ad-driven recommendations into AI responses, giving users the illusion of objectivity when, in fact, they're being guided toward a commercial end.7. The Coming Collapse and the Chance for RenewalThe episode touches on a cyclical view of history, where moments of collapse often lead to periods of rebirth. Fisher compares this to the aftermath of the bubonic plague, which killed half of Europe's population but led to the Renaissance and an era of cultural flourishing. He speculates that a similar phenomenon could play out today. Whether through demographic decline, AI-driven disruption, or a collapse of old economic models, humanity could experience a dramatic contraction. Paradoxically, such a collapse might bring about an "age of spaciousness" where fewer people, better technology, and renewed humanism create a richer and more thoughtful way of life.

Juan Soto has been taking meetings with a slew of suitors, but only a few can truly afford him—for now. Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins the show to assess which owners are capable and willing to break the bank for Soto, and how MLB is counting on its new CBA to balance things out. Plus, Cleveland has emerged as the latest suitor for a WNBA team, joining ... just about everyone else. FOS reporter Colin Salao explains the craze to secure the final WNBA expansion spot. Also, the NFL saw its biggest TV audience of the season, the Bruins fired their coach, and the LPGA will have a major increase in prize money next year.

A top international MLB prospect had his offer from the Padres rescinded after an investigation revealed he was five years older than his paperwork indicated. Plus, Gerrit Cole opted out for the Yankees, throwing another potential wrench into an already pivotal offseason for the pinstripes.  Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins with the latest in MLB.  Also, Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu joins the show to discuss the team's unexpected early success, Adam Silver wants an NBA team in Mexico City, and a top SEC program unveils a stunning new facility.

Cal Ripken watched the Los Angeles Dodgers win a World Series, and now he is hoping to bring a championship to Baltimore as part-owner of the Orioles. He joined the show to discuss the series, Juan Soto's free agency, building a successful MLB roster, and how the new Orioles ownership will be different from the previous one. Plus, Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher analyzes the MLB offseason, and how certain teams may be constrained by an uncertain media situation. Also, Unrivaled expands, Patrick Mahomes wants a WNBA team, and the media tries to drum up an NBA rivalry while the players involved brush it off.

Eric Fisher is a Candian certified counsellor with over 13 years experience working in inpatient and outpatient treatment environments. Originally from the US, Eric specializes in helping those with addiction and trauma. He operates his private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, in Calgary, AB.

The World Series matchup between the Yankees and Dodgers has delivered on the field and off, with game 1 ending in a walkoff grand slam, and an average of 15.2 million people tuning in. Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins the show to discuss his trip to Los Angeles for the first two games and the unique star power of Shohei Ohtani. Plus, Reggie Jackson discusses the A's legends softball game he is putting on at the Oakland Coliseum before the stadium is converted into a soccer facility. Jackson notes that he had a higher bid for the team when it was sold to current owner John Fisher. We also hear from United Football League president Russ Brandon on the latest attempt to popularize spring football. In other news, Tua Tagovailoa took the field for the first time since his dramatic concussion, Bronny James will spend time in the G League, and the NBA revealed its NBA Cup courts.

MLB is getting its wish of its two biggest markets facing off in the World Series. The presence of Shohei Ohtani in the Fall Classic could lead to viewership in Japan above that of the US audience. Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher explains how big this series could get. Plus, multimedia reporter Derryl Barnes reports from Los Angeles to contrast the Lakers and Clippers' home openers, including some bizarre and futuristic details from the Intuit Dome. Later, we hear from Bloomberg's Jason Kelly on the rise of the WNBA and the enviable position of the NBA. Also, Unrivaled unveiled team names and logos, MLS could radically change its schedule, and the New York Giants make their case for the status quo.

The Unrivaled league is preparing a “Messi-Like” offer for Caitlin Clark before its inaugural season in January, according to Front Office Sports “Tuned-In” columnist Mike McCarthy. He joins the show to explain how Clark could get more than a salary from the league. Plus, the Timberwolves begin the NBA season as title contenders despite being in the midst of an ownership dispute. Newsletter writer Eric Fisher explains the state of that team.Cincinnati Bengals' Sam Hubbard joins to discuss this NFL season, playing in the Super Bowl, and being on the field for Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury. Also, NIL payments for college basketball players are reaching new heights, ESPN had a massive Monday Night Football fail, and a 45-year-old soccer legend plays his first professional tennis match.

The Raiders made two sets of headlines Tuesday, starting the day off by trading Davante Adams to the Jets, and ending it with Tom Brady's official approval to become a minority team owner. Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher was on-site at the NFL owners' meetings and takes us behind the scenes of Brady's approval. We also hear from The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt on the Jets' side of the Adams trade, plus the latest on Haason Reddick and the team's midseason coaching change. Also, Atlanta Dream co-owner Renee Montgomery joins the show to discuss her surprise retirement, the WNBA's rapid growth, and what she learned by going from the court to the front office.

Amy sat down with three class of 2024 inductees into the Marcy Weston Athletics Hall of Fame. She asked them about their time at CMU, what it means to them to be Hall of Famers and how CMU prepared them for their lives after college. Interviewees - Football player Eric Fisher, who attended CMU from 2009 to 2011 - Gymnast Sarah Dame, who attended CMU from 2000 to 2003 - Baseball and basketball player Chad Pleiness, who attended CMU from 1999 to 2002  

Friends, this episode is a departure from my usual offerings. I will return to meditations and occasional interviews after my mini book tour, but today I'm talking about my novel DAWNLAND, and what IT has to do with meditation, particularly the question: Do we sometimes meditate by accident? And if so, what's happening there? Inadvertent meditation might seem like an oxymoron.  We usually associate meditation with intention and focus. Even devotion. But I think there are moments when life meditates us. And the more we practice, the more we open ourselves for this to happen spontaneously. The characters in DAWNLAND don't meditate in a traditional sense, but they each have their own way of connecting inwardly. I describe examples in case they resonate with you. This talk invites you to relax your grip on "solving" and "fixing," to be radically open to the silences that emerge in your day, to notice when life meditates you. Savoring those moments, even for a breath, allows a sense of spaciousness to seep into your mind and your body, a spaciousness that allows the responses you need in any given moment to arise on its own. Thanks for listening!You can find DAWNLAND at Bookshop.org, Amazon or Audible.Audio by the magnificent Eric Fisher of audio-refined.com.Support the Show.Tess on Insight TimerTess on YouTubeTess's novels: https://tesscallahan.com/Thank you for listening !DISCLAIMER: Meditation is not a substitute for professional psychological or medical healthcare or therapy. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred by you acting or not acting as a result of listening to this recording. Use the material provided at your own risk. Do not drive or operate dangerous equipment while listening.

NFL owners voted to allow private equity money into the league, opening up a new funding source and altering the league's ownership rules. Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher provides a report from the meetings that will likely soon reshape NFL ownership groups. Plus, we also look at the present and future of the Washington Commanders, one year into the Josh Harris era, as the team names their current stadium and eyes a new one.

What if the journey to overcoming your biggest challenges didn't just require strength of will, but also a shift in mindset? What if the key to recovery was hidden in the same techniques that teach us to defend ourselves?Today, we're stepping into a world where the art of self-mastery meets the fight against addiction, anxiety, and depression. Our guest is not your typical counselor—he's a black belt in American Kenpo who has taken the powerful principles of martial arts and applied them to mental wellness. His name is Eric Fisher, and his book, The Martial Art of Recovery, offers a fresh perspective on how we can strike down self-sabotage and embrace a life of balance, discipline, and self-love.In this episode, you'll hear how Eric connects the dots between martial arts and mental health, offering tools that anyone, regardless of their background, can use to navigate life's toughest battles. So, whether you're struggling with addiction, searching for inner peace, or simply curious about a different approach to self-care, you're sure to enjoy this conversation.So let's get on the road.Connect with EricRecovery Arts Counseling websiteThe Martial Art of Recovery on AmazonInstagramFacebookLinkedIn#menswork    #menshealth  #mensmentalhealth  #mensemotions  #mensemotionalhealth  #masculinity   #emotionalhealth  #vulnerability  #AuthenticityRoad  #MentalHealthAwareness #EmotionalIntelligence  #recovery#martialarts Send us a Text Message.Visit the Authenticity Road website: authenticityroad.onlineConnect with us here.© Authenticity Road, Inc. All rights reserved. Authenticity Road, its related marks, and "Adventures in men's work" are the exclusive property of Authenticity Road, Inc.

The US Men's National Team has reportedly hired a new coach: Mauricio Pochettino, formerly of Chelsea FC. We sit down with ‘Yanks Abroad' host Will Balsam, who provides insight into the decision and what we should expect with Pochettino at the helm, as the US looks forward to hosting the 2026 World Cup. Plus, Colin Kaepernick has a coaching offer on the table, baseball's biggest dumpster fire is slashing ticket prices, and FOS newsletter writer Eric Fisher has the latest on another NBA team is ditching its regional sports network.

These days, we talk a lot about mental health and self-care and rightly so. The most simple aim in life is to be happy. And if we can leave everyone we come into contact with a little happier for the experience, then surely that's a day well spent.  My guest on today's podcast is Oscar Bond, not only is he one of the happiest people I know, but he's also a great hairdresser, a very accomplished educator, a great entertainer, and he has a stutter, and the most refreshing thing is he couldn't care less about it. Like most of us, Oscar admits to having all the daily challenges that we all face, and amongst the good times he has had some tough times in business.  But through it all, he's always smiling and makes those around him lighten up and laugh. In today's podcast, we will discuss: ●      Happiness●      Stuttering …and…●      Overcoming the challenges that life throws at you And lots more!  In this Episode: 00:51 Meet Oscar Bond: The king of happiness01:25 The secret to happiness07:11 Dealing with stuttering18:17 Oscar's journey: From Sassoon's UK to the USA20:56 Facing Adversity: The school fire and bankruptcy24:18 Appreciating life and work25:06 Facing bankruptcy and recovery26:18 The importance of having supportive people in your life.30:09 Challenges in the Salon Industry today32:23 The shift towards independent salons36:01 Leadership and excellence in salons37:51 The evolution of haircutting trends43:50 Connect with Oscar on social media45:29 Final thoughts and farewell  Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I also love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support!  Until next time!  Antony Links and Resources: Grow My Salon Business  Website | Facebook | Instagram Oscar BondInstagram Podcasts mentioned on this episodeEpisode 136 with David WagnerEpisode 141 with Van CouncilEpisode 244 with Eric Fisher  

Sports business insider Eric Fisher gives Nestor economic realties of MLB and Orioles hurdles moving forward

TNT has elected to match Amazon's offer for NBA media rights, throwing chaos into a long process that appeared to be nearing its conclusion. Front Office Sports newsletter writer Eric Fisher joins the show to break down what we know and what happens next. Plus, we explore the big narratives of the Paris Olympics with former IOC executive Aneesh Madani, the host city is drastically ramping up security, New Jersey could lure the 76ers, and Norwegian soccer fans shut down a game with fishcakes.

The ascent of National League starting All-Star pitcher Paul Skenes is unprecedented in modern times, but teams are already for the next insta-star. That change in mentality was on display at the MLB Draft as teams showed a marked preference for MLB-ready talent. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show to explain that phenomenon, the rising stature of the Home-Run Derby, and Juan Soto's next contract. Plus, Ligue 1 may have narrowly avoided a crisis, a minor league team is relocating after seven decades, and Spain had one of its best sporting days in history.

Nike announced major layoffs this week, punctuating a steady decline for the leading apparel brand. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show to explain how the dominant company fell from its lofty perch. Plus, Arch Manning will be part of EA College Football 25 after all and two NFL Hall of Famers are battling in court.

MLB had its best-attended weekend in over a decade, while its local broadcasting future gets hashed out in court. Meanwhile, a change in the minor leagues provides hints on the future of umpiring. The league is also commemorating the Negro Leagues with a game in Alabama, as it continues its series of custom-built specialty games. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show to break down everything going on with the busy league. Plus, Pat McAfee reportedly remains without a contract to keep his place on ESPN's College GameDay, and many Charlotte residents are unhappy with a proposal to spend $650 million renovating the Panthers' stadium.

Eric Fisher talks about the selling point for NFL teams like the Browns and cities like Cleveland to build a dome, the upside in the option in Brook Park compared to downtown and the latest with Bally Sports and parent company, Diamond Sports Group.

Eric Fisher joins the show and Nick and Daryl discuss why the Browns' dome option is making more sense over time. 

Building a successful business isn't easy, and sometimes at the beginning of our journey, we look at established businesses and wonder how we could possibly ever achieve that. The important thing to realise is that nobody starts with a big successful business. Every new salon owner has doubts and experiences setbacks and challenges along the way.  But through grit and determination and a never-ending thirst for knowledge, the skills and knowledge of the owner grow, and the business grows with it. Today I am talking with Eric Fisher from Wichita Kansas where he has 4 world class salons, a school, and a business education company.  In today's podcast, we discuss:●      What it takes to build a successful salon business.●      What makes building a big salon business both harder and easier today than it was 30 years ago?●      Why where you are located shouldn't be something that holds you backAnd lots more! In this Episode:[02:31] The three or four principles that Eric would give the 25-year-old version of himself to follow as he starts out in business.[05:40] Talking about the learning environment, the importance of culture,  making mistakes and learning from them.[06:48] Eric discusses his business in Wichita Kansas and why he decided to open up a school.[11:46] The business model that Eric has in his salons and why.[20:47] With all of the new technology available to salons now, what would make building a business like Erics harder/easier today than what it was 30 years ago? [26:57] Why you don't have to live in a big city to have international reach.[31:52] What a successful stylist looks like today in Eric's business.[37:14] The compromises that Eric has had to make to attract and keep good people in today's workforce.[43:23] Discussing the profit margins of salons today.[46:18] Where you can connect with Eric Thanks so much for joining me this week. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review. Ratings and reviews are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated!  They do matter in the rankings of the show and help other people find my podcast. I also love to hear what's been helpful and what you love about the podcast! Just click here to review, scroll to the bottom, tap “Ratings and Reviews” tap to rate with 5 stars and “Write a Review” and let me know what your favourite part of the podcast is. Thank you for your support! Until next time!Antony Links and Resources: Grow My Salon Business Website | Facebook | InstagramEric FisherInstagram | Website | Eric Fisher Academy

What is the floor and ceiling for each of the Chiefs 2024 Draft Picks?Jeffri Chadiha (NFL Network/NFL.com/@JeffriChadiha), Eric Eager (Sumer Sports/SumerSports.com/@EricEager_) and Soren Petro (Sports Radio 810 - WHB/810whb.com/@SorenPetro) break down each of the Chiefs seven draft picks this year using a past Chief to describe the floor and ceiling for each selection.- Is it fair to put Tyreek Hill out there for Xavier Worthy?- Can Kingsley Suamataia reach an Eric Fisher level?- Dare we mention Travis Kelce with Jared Wiley?- What safety resembles Jared Hicks?- Is Hunter Nourzad another Tim Grunhard?- Will Kamal Hadden be yet another late round starting CB?- Does C.J. Hanson reach the level of Dave Szott?

When life presented an unexpected challenge that shook the foundations of Eric's world, it was the principles of martial arts that enabled him to regain stability. Duane is delighted to introduce Eric Fisher, a certified counselor and martial artist based in Calgary, AB Canada. In the episode, they delve into how the discipline of martial arts can serve as a formidable ally in combating addiction and as a valuable resource for promoting mental wellness. Eric recounted his transformative journey, illustrating how the balance, discipline, and self-respect he cultivated through martial arts formed the cornerstone of his approach to counseling.Strap on your mental gi as we unpack the metaphorical power of martial arts in grappling with recovery. Eric walks us through the concept of 'thundering uncertainty,' viewing addiction as a formidable opponent and utilizing 'five swords' – affirmations to defend against the battle of addiction. Eric also discusses his application of martial arts in his therapeutic work, where the dojo becomes a training ground not just for physical agility but for emotional resilience. The parallels between sparring and facing the challenges of recovery reveal a narrative of growth that extends well beyond the mats. For those looking to harness self-mastery and mental wellness, this episode is a testament to the profound impact that the warrior's path can have on the road to healing.In this episode, you will hear: Martial arts in addiction treatment Preparing for uncertainty in martial arts Overcoming introversion in martial arts Writing a book on recovery techniques Follow and Review:We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Supporting Resources:https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com/NovusMindfulLife.comEpisode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When life presented an unexpected challenge that shook the foundations of Eric's world, it was the principles of martial arts that enabled him to regain stability. Duane is delighted to introduce Eric Fisher, a certified counselor and martial artist based in Calgary, AB Canada. In the episode, they delve into how the discipline of martial arts can serve as a formidable ally in combating addiction and as a valuable resource for promoting mental wellness. Eric recounted his transformative journey, illustrating how the balance, discipline, and self-respect he cultivated through martial arts formed the cornerstone of his approach to counseling. Strap on your mental gi as we unpack the metaphorical power of martial arts in grappling with recovery. Eric walks us through the concept of 'thundering uncertainty,' viewing addiction as a formidable opponent and utilizing 'five swords' – affirmations to defend against the battle of addiction. Eric also discusses his application of martial arts in his therapeutic work, where the dojo becomes a training ground not just for physical agility but for emotional resilience.  The parallels between sparring and facing the challenges of recovery reveal a narrative of growth that extends well beyond the mats. For those looking to harness self-mastery and mental wellness, this episode is a testament to the profound impact that the warrior's path can have on the road to healing. In this episode, you will hear: Martial arts in addiction treatment Preparing for uncertainty in martial arts Overcoming introversion in martial arts Writing a book on recovery techniques Follow and Review: We'd love for you to follow us if you haven't yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We'd love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast. Supporting Resources: https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com/ NovusMindfulLife.com Episode Credits If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

https://www.recoveryartscounselling.com/ https://www.instagram.com/recoveryartscounselling/ https://www.facebook.com/RecoveryArtsCounselling https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-m-fisher-5b83724a Eric Fisher is a certified counsellor in Canada with over 13 years of experience working in outpatient and inpatient settings in both the US and Canada. He's a master ART practitioner (Accelerated Resolution Therapy), and he is also trained in EMDR; both ART and EMDR are evidence-based treatments for trauma. He serves as a professional consultant for a local non-profit organization called Harmonized Health, which seeks to give an integrated treatment approach at the community level for people with mental health and addiction challenges. Eric's private practice, Recovery Arts Counselling, serves individuals, couples, and families locally and remotely. He also works as an associate for local clinics in the surrounding area. In the past, Eric also served in a supervisor role for masters-level graduate students and counsellors early in their careers. He has a black belt in two martial arts styles: American Kenpo and Wadō-ryū. Eric's first book comes out in May 2024, titled "The Martial Art of Recovery." One thing most people find interesting about Eric is he also interned with the FBI on two separate occasions.  Support the Show Click a Link BelowBelow

Eric Fisher is a certified counselor based in Canada. He has over 13 years of experience working in both outpatient and inpatient settings in the US and Canada. Eric is a master practitioner of Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART) and is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), both of which are evidence-based treatments for trauma. His first book, The Martial Art of Recovery: How to Subdue Addiction & Achieve Mental Wellness, is set to be released in May 2024.Join us as we chat with Eric about the prevalence of emotional eating within society, and share some tangible tips to move beyond your self sabotaging habits. 

It's beer and weather together on this episode of the podcast as Boston CBS Meterologist Eric Fisher joins the show. For more Drink Beer, Think Beer check out All About Beer.Host: John HollGuest: Eric Fisher Sponsors: All About BeerTags: Weather, Treehouse, Blizzard, Travel, Boston, Eclipse 

Sub-Zero temperatures in Kansas City's "Peacock Bowl," an utter collapse by the Dallas Cowboys, and the Lions first playoff win in over 30 years made for a wild weekend in the NFL. Newsletter co-authors Eric Fisher and David Rumsey break down the wild-card weekend that lived up to its name. Afterward, soccer reporter Ben Jacobs joins Owen Poindexter to share all his thoughts on this season's international transfer window — including Kylian Mbappe's future and the implications of Premier League clubs' financial fair play violations.

With Taylor Swift taking over the NFL, Prime Time in Colorado, or the ongoing saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, it is easy to say that a lot has happened this year. No one is more aware of that than our two newsletter co-authors, Eric Fisher and David Rumsey. As we continue our review of 2023, Fisher and Rumsey join FOS Today to share their favorite stories of the year—and with so much to talk about, make sure you check out this jam-packed episode.

The NFL has seven national broadcasts this week, with all of its major media partners involved. That includes three games on Christmas, typically the NBA's territory. Front Office Sports newsletter co-author Eric Fisher joins the show to discuss the league's ever more ambitious media plans. Plus, U.S. Ski & Snowboard president and CEO Sophie Goldschmidt discusses the state of winter sports in the U.S., the Winter Olympics, the growing revenue of her organization, and how snow sports are responding to a changing climate.

This episode focuses on several topics involving the business of sports. Eric Fisher is a newsletter co-author at Front Office Sports. Fisher is a nearly three-decade veteran of the news business, having previously covered sports business in editing and reporting roles with SportBusiness, Sports Business Journal, and The Washington Times, and he started his career with the Easton (Md.) Star Democrat. This episode covers the Tampa Bay Rays' new Stadium plan, the latest with the NBA's new TV contract, the future of the two remaining Pac-12 schools, Saudi influence on sports, streaming service's impact on future rights deals, and if team values indicate the health of a particular sport. Check out Eric Fisher and the Front Office Sports newsletter at https://frontofficesports.com/newsletters/.