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Fun Lately
I’ve felt I needed more podcasts for a while. I’ve caught up on my favorite so get an episode only once a week or once every two weeks. I think it was a recommendation or ad, that caused me to see The Friendship Onion which is a new podcast by Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd. I guess Billy Boyd’s voice is more of a distinctive one, but I don’t think that it was merely a lack of distinctiveness and memory that caused me to feel that Dominic Monaghan’s voice changed considerably while Billy Boyd’s is instantly remembered?
The Minimalists had Jeanette McCurdy (of iCarly) on again. And apparently she now has a podcast called Empty Inside. So I gained two new podcasts in a week, such luck.
I’m not on TikTok, I was afraid of a new time waster, and then at one of my jobs we had mandatory security training mentioning the security hazard the TikTok app is for anyone who uses it. I suppose that is another safeguard of my time, nevertheless, I feel like I’m missing out on the new Vine like I missed on the old one. I occasionally see hilarious compilations on Youtube which make me feel like I’m missing out. One of these was this video If Dog Breeds Were People.
My sister has an (she was told) Aussie Doodle (we see NO evidence of the Poodle, he’s copper and longish haired shepherd look). The Australian Shepherd energy was spot on.
She also has a chihuahua (there is NO mistaking the heritage of those piranha teeth), daschund (also hard to mistake that shape), possibly terrier mix. Her personality absolutely, to a T has those elements displayed in the video. They were killer. It’s so hard to pick favorites.
Now, my little Bjorn doesn’t match the pom, the Golden retriever one, however, that’s him.
Also, I feel like I shared this one, but I can’t find the post, and it’s too good to miss. If People Acted Like Korean Drama Characters. I’ve only seen part of one, but from that and what I’ve heard, it sounds like they run to type like Hallmark (Amy mentions how comforting formulas are in this post). The kiss scene in the one I saw was exactly like that, lol. And the end is just, genius.
And finally, more poking fun at dramas, this time period dramas. I happened on this page and this page shared by other Instagrammers. I spent some time scrolling the first one and laughing, there are some amazing gems, and sending some of the memes to my sisters and sister-in-laws. The 2nd one had this gem.
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What I’ve Been Listening to Lately
What We Said. I’m all caught up (I skipped a lot of the earlier interviews, don’t care for those), I wish they had 2x a week with a Patreon or something, I’m missing binging. Life advice and girl from a pair of hilarious best friends. Hilarious secret spilling episodes (so much for avoiding gossip), and I just found this via Spotify lists.
What Next? I found this on my Spotify suggestions. It’s not a super favorite at least not yet, for one thing I prefer more humor and two hosts.
It’s funny, both Jaci Marie Smith and Michelle Reed are Youtubers, but I found their podcasts first.
I’m not a huge music person, a song has to catch me from someone, its hard for me to “try” music. And I’m so picky, one song that I love doesn’t mean that I will love the rest unfortunately. And really, I prefer quiet most often. Both of these I heard on Instagram, the first on an ice skating story from Vintage Facade, and the second on I thought a post from Foraging Pages, but I can’t find it.
Primavera by Ludovico Einaudi. Its still melancholy, which is another reason I shy from music, its always mostly melancholy or unhappy or mean (pop particularly).
Soldier, Poet, King by The Oh Hellos. This is just, oh perfect. I love folk, true folk, and this feels like the old real stuff with just a sparkle of modern.
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What I listened to August 2020
The Minimalist podcast and their secret podcast (esp. the latter), they dive deep so deep, so many layers on so many things, they don’t only or mainly deal with minimalism but how to live well and thoughtfully. I only thought I’d heard deep thinking until I started listening to their podcasts. Also, I’d been judging them based on younger, simplified regurgitation of selected parts of their philosophy (and what I’d seen of their documentary, which I still don’t want to bother with, it irritated me a few seconds in still, I think for one thing, documentaries are often very faux intellectual), and how I’ve missed out! Oh, my. I want to read and relisten and research so many of the books and people they feature.They feature and display truly diverse views held deeply with Christians and non. I think this is the 3rd instance of such an intellectual respectful exchange of differing but sincerely held beliefs (not merely cultural), I’ve come across, and its SO inspiring, refreshing. I so appreciate the respectful treatment and acknowledgement of true believers in Christianity especially when they come from (or Ryan at least) a traumatic or twisted religious background and are not religious themselves. Usually such people who reject Christianity follow a very stereotypical path of throwing everything out revengefully, illogically, un-intellectually in its entirety which is both boring and disturbing (and makes me feel like an alien, since I’m not a Christian but didn’t do that).I’ve been in the mood to streamline my stuff and this is really helping me to think through things more carefully, I don’t think I’ve really dealt with my shopaholic/hoarding tendencies despite purging (it’s a bit cyclical). I don’t want to me truly minimalist, and I don’t have the same tastes continually, and I get bored of things or go through phases, but there is a healthy and an unhealthy way to do that. -
What I’ve Listened to: May and June 2020
Do Less Guests podcast. Trey Kennedy’s version of a patreon.
Ghostrunners. Silly and goofy, I’ve needed light stuff. Trey’s film guy Jake who he’s had on his podcast (which were my favorites) and one of his best friends. They talk about fast-food a lot. Now I really want some Chick-fil-a.
Speaking with Joy. She describes herself as a Christian humanist. She has degrees from Oxford and St. Andrew (where she is currently located). This is not just for those who are Christian or of a Christian background. She discusses deep things with other people who appreciate deep things. She mentions have friends of different religions and how they love to discuss these things openly and intellectually.
This is refreshing, sometimes it seems the options tend to be shallow Christianity that gets hatred and mockery, the hateful and mocking group. Or legalistic, cold Christianity that doesn’t befriend equally those who are not elect (moi, sore subject). Or apathetic non-religious people. But this podcast shows that no, there can be other options. And it hearkens back to the rich tradition of Christian humanism which with Christian media often tending to be of the most abysmal quality, is SO refreshing.
I was listening to something that felt pseudo intellectual and felt I really needed something intellectual. Since I’d quit Google Podcast in a huff, I hadn’t listened to anymore Speaking with Joy. Google had fixed it (or rather made it easier for me to fix the issue, one never knows with Google). And oh, this podcast, especially when she has guests, does as she intends to “feed [my] soul.” It is SO rich in beauty and intellectualism.
I recommend. Many of these I want to re-listen to and look up all the recommended books and such.
- The Consolation of Mystery Novels with Boze Herrrington of twitter fame. Oh, good my obsession is justified, just kidding, I do need to think deeper on my own reading of mysteries.
- Golden Fury. Alchemy with the author of a book who writes a ya historical novel featuring alchemy.
- Places to Belong. I think this was one the first I listened to when I started listening again, Wendell Berry and home. Sign me up.
- Do Something that Won’t Compute. More Berry.
- The Celtic Way with her sister Sarah (author of Book Girl). I love anything Irish and Celtic I can get my hands on which leads me to Turning Darkness in Light in which she discusses an independent Irish film as part of her theme.
- Jane Austen the Moral Philosopher with Karen Swallow Prior (I’ve GOT to read On Reading Well).
- Narnia and the Seven Heavens with Dr. Michael Ward author of Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis. I’m so intrigued to read this!
- Feasting and Fasting with her friend David.
- Good Stories of Good Men and Heroes and Anti-Heroes with her brother Nathan.
- Decent Men in Indecent Times.
- The Wisdom of Whimsy. This was one of the first episodes I listened to ever. Before I really got bit my the podcast bug.
- Girls Club: Dear Joylena one and two with her best friend Elena where they answer lots of questions about friendships and such. The Girls club series is based on the Clarkson women’s book on female friendship. And Women’s Friendship in Film and tv also with Elena.
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What I’ve Been Listening To: Podcasts
I’d go insane at work if I didn’t have something to listen to while I’m at work. For awhile music was enough, then James Herriot books which I still haven’t finished. I then started listening to the College Info Geek podcast.
I’ve been listening through Spotify because the Google podcast app wouldn’t show on the lock screen, I had to unlock phone to do anything every time, and that really isn’t good for work.
- I follow and have tried many podcasts, I have a huge playlist to try, but I’m SO picky. And moody.
- I need to find the tone/audio/voices smooth/calm more chatty in vocal tone (my favorites seem to be mostly mid-west and softened southern accents).
- It needs to be pithy, not rambling unless the rambling (like Rhett and Link and the guys on College Info Geek) is also witty and/or informative.
- I don’t like feelsy and/or veering into pseudoscience podcasts
- I can’t STAND subtle dissing (which I realize I have a problem with doing myself) when the person then turns around and reinvents the wheel. Or anything else of the humble-brag or self-righteous variety.
- I’d rather the subject matter be positive too. I’ve got some history podcasts in my library but they all seem so depressing. I also tend to veer towards informative podcasts. I know there are different genres, like story or “news” (NOPE) or whatever. I could do story if it was sort of radio dramas or something.
I’d really like to listen to podcasts I really like, but thus far that is only the guys from College Info Geek. I wish Ramit Sethi had a podcast of his own. I’ve listened to one he was a guest on. I’d really love if MuchelleB did a podcast as well.
The College Info Geek. This isn’t only applicable to college, and since the guys are my age they’ve been moving away from that. I’ve listened to almost every episode from the last few years and am sad it’s ending and hoping their new podcast starts soon and is as helpful. I really like the guys and what they have to say. I follow Thomas Frank on YouTube which is why I started the podcast. I’ve exhausted this podcast, and I’ve made a list of episodes to go back and listen in my free time when I can take notes.
A Strong Sense of Place. This is a new podcast I first heard about on What Should I Read Next. It features books around countries or geographical things (like the sea). Oh, I want to read so many of these. This podcast is SO good and the title is so apt. I need to check out the blog because I think they often have a matching post with extra resources such as recipes to go with the area!
The Beautiful Mess Podcast. It features some self-improvement, some art and design, and general lifestyle. It’s also new, and I think I’ve listened to most of the episodes. This is another problem, I exhaust my favorites so fast!
What Should I Read Next . . . selectively, some are good, most are boring to me.
One Great Book. Overall I preferred this to the above (both by Anne Bogel), and of course, I’ve exhausted it, and this one is currently on hiatus or possibly done.
Earbiscuits. Also selectively. These guys are so interesting and funny.
The Perfectionism Project. I want to like this more, it has really good information, but I have a harder time focusing and having patience. It needs to be scripted/edited down.
If I find any new I like I’ll do another post, I’m open to suggestions (PLEASE), I find it hard to find good podcasts.
