Latest Brain breaks Podcast Episodes
Rewind: A Meditation on Marigolds and Meaning
Here's A Thought - August 30, 2023 07:00 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. While I'm taking a break to do some traveling, research, and writing, I'm revisiting an older post from the first season of Here's A Thought — and with autumn now approaching (even if it doesn't feel like it), this one seems timely. If you missed it the first time, it's ...
Rewind Story Time: On The Wrong Track
Here's A Thought - August 23, 2023 07:00 - 30 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. Maybe you've heard this one before, and maybe you haven't: it's a short, weird little story I wrote in response to a contest prompt. Think trains, think time travel, think Twilight Zone weirdness. Just know that this episode is a repeat of one I posted in 2022 during the...
Rewind: Whatever You're Worrying About, It's Probably The Wrong Thing To Worry About
Here's A Thought - August 16, 2023 07:00 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. While I'm taking a few weeks to do some traveling and finish up some writing projects, I'm revisiting some of the Here's A Thought episodes from the first season. This one, I think, is worth a review if you've already hears it — because if you're an overthinker like I am...
Rewind: Ch-ch-ch-changes, or The Big M
Here's A Thought - August 09, 2023 07:00 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. While I'm taking a few weeks off to do some traveling and tackle some writing projects, I'm revisiting some episodes from the first season of Here's A Thought. This one in particular, because it's a topic that was recommended by a listener. LOVE that! If you haven't hear...
Rewind: Your Name Escapes Me (Don't Be Offended; Everyone's Does)
Here's A Thought - August 02, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. While I'm taking a few weeks off to finish up some writing projects and do some traveling, I'm revisiting an episode recorded during the first season of Here's A Thought. If you missed it the first time, it's a new one on you -- and if you heard it once, it just might be...
Rewind: Finding Out You're White in America
Here's A Thought - July 26, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. While I'm taking a hiatus — working on another novel draft and doing some traveling — I'm revisiting a former episode from 2022. Given some of the recent Supreme Court rulings, this one seems especially timely. If you missed it the first time, it's a new one for you — an...
Don't Believe What My Face Is Telling You
Here's A Thought - July 19, 2023 07:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. As I waltz happily into another decade, it seems part of me doesn't look as contented as I feel. It's developed a default expression that I don't agree with, and now I'm worried the gods are wreaking vengeance upon me for the Story Lady. Allow me to explain. Opening m...
Scaling Up: My Journey Through Body Shaming
Here's A Thought - July 12, 2023 07:00 - 20 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. Ozempic might be all over the news and the noxious term "heroin chic" may be seeping back into the culture, but body shaming is nothing new. Here's my own journey, and what it took to conquer my phobia about stepping on a scale. Content warnings: discussion of body sham...
It's My Birthday! I Get A Gift! You Get A Gift! Everybody Gets A Gift!
Here's A Thought - July 05, 2023 07:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. Just because July 4 has come and gone, there's no reason to stop celebrating now. Need a reason? I offer my birthday, with some virtual gifts to go around. You're invited! Opening Music by Muzaproduction from Pixabay Support the Show. Do you have comments to share or ...
There's A Trip We've All Got To Take One Day, So Let's Talk Packing Tips
Here's A Thought - June 28, 2023 07:00 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. With a milestone birthday and an overseas trip coming up, I'm putting some plans in place. Not the fun kind, but I think of it as a gift to my peeps who outlast me. And there are more options than you might expect . . . Music by Nesrality from Pixabay (Beethoven - Symph...
I'm Celebrating Summer! But Not Like This
Here's A Thought - June 21, 2023 07:00 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we revel in the advent of summer at long last — and take a look at some of the weirder ways people choose to celebrate the season. Sound Effect from Pixabay Support the Show. Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something ov...
Why Am I Turning Purple?
Here's A Thought - June 14, 2023 07:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. With a milestone (millstone?) birthday coming up, I consider some of the more surprising signposts along the journey of aging — like, nobody told me my skin would turn bizarre colors. Who knows what other non-returnable gifts are coming my way from the Wisdom Fairy? Mor...
Why We Drove Past A Dying Woman
Here's A Thought - June 07, 2023 07:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. An ordinary afternoon — until it wasn't. The paramedics were on the scene, and all we could do was witness it and stay out of the way. Or is there something more? Music by GuilhermeBernardes from Pixabay Support the Show. Do you have comments to share or an idea for ...
Maybe You Just Need a Wider Window
Here's A Thought - May 31, 2023 07:00 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which I reflect on my recent experience with teletherapy — and share some of the more useful takeaways, like the Three C's and the Window of Tolerance. References: https://timothykeller.com/ https://drdansiegel.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Mindsight-New-Science-Per...
What Was I Thinking? My Stupidest Moments, Ranked
Here's A Thought - May 24, 2023 07:00 - 17 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. This week, I reflect on 13 moments when my decisions ranged from questionable to I'm-lucky-to-still-be-alive. As someone smart once told me, we all have our stupid side. It's smart to remember that. Opening Music by SergeQuadrado from Pixabay Support the Show. Do you ...
5 Reasons Why Self-Care Isn't Self-Indulgent
Here's A Thought - May 17, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. If you, like me, grew up with the belief that being a good person means putting everyone else's needs, feelings, and preferences ahead of your own, the whole concept of self-care is a tricky one. But if we want to live honestly and responsibly, it's an idea we need to ge...
The Real — and Surprising — Story Behind Mother's Day
Here's A Thought - May 10, 2023 07:00 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. With the holiday fast approaching, it's a good time to uncover the little-known history of the day we choose to honor Mom. There's more to it than you might think (including an effort by its founder to get the holiday abolished). Opening Music by SoundGalleryByDmitryTar...
What Is The Mystery Beast Stalking Suburban Backyards?
Here's A Thought - May 03, 2023 07:00 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we examine whether or not a beast out of legend has arrived in a local neighborhood. Tread carefully after dark, my friends . . . https://worldanimalfoundation.org/animal_encyclopedia/params/category/173341/item/993754/ https://idfg.idaho.gov/species/taxa/expl...
Hate Being the One to Break Up? Let a ChatBot Do It For You!
Here's A Thought - April 26, 2023 07:00 - 14 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In this episode, we return to the amazing (and often unsettling) world of AI — but this time, with a look at an exciting potential. What if ChatGPT — or one of its versions — can take some of the sting out of having to tell your romantic partner that it's time to call ...
The Calfornia Gold Rush stagecoach driver who kept a secret until death
Here's A Thought - April 19, 2023 07:00 - 15 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. This week, Here's A Thought takes a side trip into history — namely, the wild days of Gold Rush California, where some of the most renowned badasses were the people who drove stagecoaches along terrible roads in all kinds of weather, facing down bandits along the way. On...
5 Things to Stop Saying (To Anyone Younger Than You)
Here's A Thought - April 12, 2023 07:00 - 8 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we examine five unfortunate phrases that we may find ourselves using when speaking to those in younger generations — and why we shouldn't, if we want to have a chance at being taken seriously. Or even just heard . . . Ohio Express, "Yummy Yummy Yummy (I Got Lov...
Feeling Like an Imposter? You're in Good Company
Here's A Thought - April 05, 2023 07:00 - 11 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we consider the surprisingly common and weirdly persistent phenomenon of imposter syndrome: odds are you've experienced it too, at some point in your life. Don't fret: you're not alone — and maybe knowing that can help you stop seeing yourself as a fraud and sta...
The Genie Without a Bottle
Here's A Thought - March 29, 2023 07:00 - 10 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we contemplate what happens when AI goes so far beyond what we expect . . . that we don't even know what to expect. The thing is, we may already have reached that point. There's no bottle for this genie; let's hope it's benevolent. Sources: https://www.nytimes...
The Question You'll Ask One Day — And Its Only Answer
Here's A Thought - March 22, 2023 07:00 - 7 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. At some point in our lives, we all ask God or the Universe the same question. Here's a story that helped me understand the answer — even though that answer is another question. Sound Effect from Pixabay Support the Show. Do you have comments to share or an idea for a...
How's That Springing Forward Working Out For You?
Here's A Thought - March 15, 2023 07:00 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we consider why we keep up the absurd ritual of changing our clocks twice a year — and what it does to us, and how we got here in the first place. If you're feeling out of sorts this week, it's not your fault. And you're not alone. Article links: Here's a Ho...
When It's Time For A Mental Health Checkup
Here's A Thought - March 08, 2023 08:00 - 9 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. We don't expect to get through our whole lives in perfect physical health, without ever having to see a doctor or a pharmacist or maybe even a personal trainer. Why do we have such trouble asking for support with our mental health? This week, I talk about reaching a pl...
The Dog Story I Didn't Want to Tell
Here's A Thought - March 01, 2023 08:00 - 13 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. All dog stories should have happy endings. This one doesn't have the ending I'd hoped for — but maybe it will have an even better one. Support the Show. Do you have comments to share or an idea for an upcoming episode? Need something overthought? I'd love to hear from...
Are You Still Using These Banished Words?
Here's A Thought - February 22, 2023 08:00 - 12 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. In which we consider the tired phrases, overworked buzzwords, and meaningless jargon that clogs our language like the freshwater clams that clog our lakes. It's time for a cleanout, and thanks to the eagle-eyed folks at the Lake Superior State University School of Arts a...
When a Compliment Means Well But Feels Weird
Here's A Thought - February 15, 2023 08:00 - 7 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. We've all had this happen: somebody says something that they mean nicely . . . but that lands on us uncomfortably. For instance, I think I recently received my first "old lady" compliment. There is always only one way to respond. But there may be a lot to process. Sup...
What If You're Involved With a Narcissist?
Here's A Thought - February 08, 2023 08:00 - 21 minutes ★★★★★ - 14 ratingsSend us a Text Message. We all run into people who we find to be overbearing, self-involved, and who like to dominate every conversation. But what if the domineering or difficult person in your life is truly a narcissist — not just somebody who's pushy or overconfident, but who may have a per...
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