Tools For Tools with Ninja & The Birdman

14 episodes - English - Latest episode: almost 4 years ago - ★★★★★ - 13 ratings

Welcome to Tools For Tools, a podcast where a couple of self-proclaimed "tools" share the tips and tricks they've learned to lead a more mindful and meditative lifestyle. Focusing predominantly on the themes of birding, martial arts, nature, and meditation, hosts Hardee Merrit (aka Ninja) and Tom Ferguson (aka The Birdman) reminisce on outdoor adventures and discuss how their own hobbies, behavioral changes, and mindful practices have become tools to assist them in their busy lives. Expect lots of talk about birds, camping gear, weapons, wilderness skills, fitness, and more.

Hobbies Leisure Business Entrepreneurship tools for tools ninja & the birdman your birding story the ninja everyday birding ninja business entrepreneur motivation
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Episodes

Episode 013 - Be Do Have or Have Do Be?

June 27, 2020 14:00 - 20 minutes - 19 MB

We are all struggling during this pandemic, and Tom and Hardee are again finding that hobbies (both old and new) are crucial to keeping the mind and body occupied. But what is a hobby exactly? Does one need to immerse themselves fully in order to call it as such, or can it be something that we just casually do? Do we need every single tool of the trade to begin or can we start with nothing? And if your hobby is based around being outside, do you have alternatives for a rainy day? I...

Episode 012 - Like A Hair In A Biscuit

June 10, 2020 14:00 - 26 minutes - 24.5 MB

It's been almost 6 months since there's been an episode of Tools For Tools with Ninja & The Birdman. In this catch-up episode, Tom and Hardee talk about what they've been doing during the pandemic to keep their businesses (and minds) afloat and how those changes have affected them personally. Tom talks about innovations he made at Rise to keep his employees working and Hardee reflects on how to teach a contact sport via video. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -...

Episode 011 - The Pied Piper

January 20, 2020 15:00 - 22 minutes - 21 MB

Tom has been super busy with his D-Town Bird Club, spreading the awareness of the therapeutic value of birding, and getting Your Birding Story off the ground. It's taking a toll on him, as you can hear in this episode, but in typical Birdman fashion he cannot be stopped. It's a lot to take on with a family and, oh yeah, the BISCUIT EMPIRE that he still runs. Meanwhile, Hardee is sore to the core from shoveling gravel but he still finds time to train a couple times a day. Is the secr...

Episode 010 - Tenth Episode Retrospective

January 05, 2020 19:00 - 25 minutes - 23.8 MB

What started as an outdoors-themed podcast with an emphasis on mindfulness has become more of a story about the life journeys of hosts Tom Ferguson and Hardee Merrit. For this look back on the podcast's growth, the fellas are joined by the third member of the band, producer Jon Gregory. They follow-up on some past topics and also discuss how they feel about the podcast so far and where they see it going. Topics include donuts, naming pets, getting back to nature, and eating cheese i...

Episode 009 - New Blood

December 10, 2019 17:00 - 21 minutes - 19.5 MB

When you start a new hobby or business or job there can be a transition period where you feel like a bit of a poser. There are also those who don't have the credentials yet feel like they have truly become the thing they emulate. Tom talks about what it has been like breaking into the birding world this past year. Is feeling like a poser all in his head? And how badly can he mess up a rare bird sighting? Meanwhile, Hardee kills us with his least-favorite Christmas tradition and then...

Episode 008 - Mind Over Matter?

November 12, 2019 18:00 - 20 minutes - 28.1 MB

Tom finally did it. After 35 years, he quit smoking. But when a friend implies that his methods were too drastic, Tom decides he has a thing or two to say about "mind over matter". Today's episode delves into why we need tools to assist our minds when overcoming challenges. Tom gets passionate about mental illness and his new favorite movie while Hardee shares relatable stories from his own life to keep the discussion moving. A segment at the end debates whether the practice of "sni...

Episode 007 - Fanny Packs Are Optional

October 13, 2019 16:00 - 19 minutes - 26.6 MB

In a return to form, Ninja & The Birdman discuss recent retreats they've been on, Tom having just returned from a managerial team build in the woods and Hardee fresh from a scouting mission in Hawaii. Tom shares details about leading his first sweat lodge while Hardee entertains us with funny but harrowing tales of hiking with his wife in Kauai. This lighthearted episode even has a fictional (but meaningful) Bird Of The Day. Featured music: "Lord Of The Flies - Original Score" by P...

Episode 006 - Integrity

September 11, 2019 22:00 - 21 minutes - 29 MB

In this episode, a noticeably pensive Tom is hung up on the notion of integrity. How do we lose it? And how can we get it back? A discussion of selling out in the food industry is followed by a tale of tobacco farming, a hammock review, and an uplifting story about a Golden Eagle. Featured music: "Crossover" by EPMD "Hennessy N Buddah" by Snoop Dogg A note from our producer: As Tools For Tools progresses, we have found ourselves meandering a bit in our focus. What was originally ...

Episode 005 - Discipline/Motivation

August 04, 2019 19:00 - 21 minutes - 30.3 MB

With "discipline" and "motivation" being the buzz words for this episode, Ninja & The Birdman's conversation centers around Hardee's recent trip to Japan. Topics include classical cooking educations, seeking modern culinary innovations, a comparison of cooking to martial arts, a reflection on Bruce Lee, the pros and cons of strict discipline, bicycle-riding murderers, and more. Some of the transition music was pulled from Soloists of the Ensemble Nipponia - - - - - - - - - - - - -...

Episode 004 - Find Time For Your Family

July 09, 2019 16:00 - 16 minutes - 22.5 MB

Even though Ninja & The Birdman are constantly pushing for their listeners to immerse themselves in their hobbies and interests, it's also important to remember the other people in your life who may or may not share your same passions. Your family is who you have to answer to at the end of the day, so how can you show them that they matter too? In this episode, Tom and Hardee talk about what happens when families and hobbies collide and how to be a better part of that family unit wh...

Episode 003 - A Little Help From Your Friends

June 24, 2019 15:00 - 21 minutes - 30.1 MB

Whether it's a hobby or a path to recovery or something entirely different, what keeps us coming back? What helps us persevere as we make progress toward learning a new skill or even just making discoveries about ourselves? Hardee and Tom would argue that the friendships made along the way are a huge part of it. In this episode, they discuss the importance of friends they've made during birding and martial arts retreats and how friends can motivate, teach, and inspire. - - - - - - ...

Episode 002 - Enjoy Your Exercise

May 25, 2019 16:00 - 19 minutes - 18.2 MB

Even though Hardee and Tom are as active as you might think, it's not necessarily about the exercise for them. Or is it? Getting down and dirty with something that you might enjoy but also keeps you fit is an important tool in being healthy and ready to face life's challenges. The guys talk about what they've been up to and ways that they have used their passions to sugarcoat dreaded exercise. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hardee Merrit (aka Ninja) is th...

Episode 001 - Shoot Your Shot

May 10, 2019 13:00 - 23 minutes - 21.8 MB

This episode's theme is "mindful marksmanship". Hardee and Tom reflect on their passions for shooting and photography, discuss the meditative aspects of both, and break down their favorite gear. Also: birds. Lots of birds. Learn more about Tom's guide Paul Bithorn http://crowdandcloud.org/bio/paul-bithorn - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Hardee Merrit (aka Ninja) is the owner of Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts. He has been studying To-Shin Do Ninjitsu for 21...

Episode 000 - Intro

April 30, 2019 21:00 - 20 minutes - 18.8 MB