Controlling the Ship

In this episode, I share why I'm sunsetting the Life Through a Dram podcast, and introduce the show that's taking over from it, Podcaster Stories. I want to thank you for being here for this show's life, and hope to see you over at the new one. Slainte var. https://podcasterstories.com (Check out Podcaster Stories) Support this podcast

One of the impacts with the new normal due to the coronavirus is having our kids home from school past the normal March Break period. Not only does this offer a unique situation for parents to deal with, but also teachers, as they come to the realization that they may not get to finish the school year with their kids. After all, given they spend 7 hours a day, 5 days a week with our kids, it's only natural to have teachers look to their students as part of their family. Given the sadness many teachers are feeling at the moment, I thought it'd be nice to show our appreciation Topics on today's show include Why teachers are such an important part of our lives How they can shape our most important decisions with what may seem a small action at the time Why a lot of the person we are today stems from our teachers Why it's important for us to share our gratitude Settle back for a chat about the role teachers play in shaping the adults we become, and how you can offer your own thanks. Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://pod.do//lifethroughadram (Listen on your favourite app) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://amzn.to/2QybcF0 (Rode PodMic) https://amzn.to/2wWspkR (Focusrite Solo Scarlett 3rd Gen Audio Interface) https://amzn.to/37ifmGG (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://amzn.to/39qiB06 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/66/ardbeg-10-year-old (Ardbeg 10 year old) https://www.theglobeandmail.com/topics/ontario-teachers-strike/ (Ontario teachers strike) https://www.dannybrown.me/2016/08/02/dear-mr-houston-an-unfucd-thank-you-letter/ (My letter to Mr. Houston) Support this podcast

Being a good person is not a given - you can say all the stuff in the world about how good you are, and how you'll look out for those around you. But if your actions don't back up your words, you'll never be anything other than the person that said so much and delivered little. This is especially true with the current global coronavirus pandemic, and how people are selfishly reacting to that. We don't have to be that person. We shouldn't be that person. Whether we are or not, though, comes down to one simple question: Do you want to be a better person, truly? Topics on today's show include How our decisions when we're younger impact our future lives Why we need discipline in our lives How I could have been a very different - as in worse - person than I am today Why we need to come together as a community in these trying times Settle back for a chat about actions being more effective than words, and why the world needs us all to be better people. Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://pod.do//lifethroughadram (Listen on your favourite app) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://amzn.to/2SBhsfp (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://amzn.to/2wWspkR (Focusrite Solo Scarlett 3rd Gen Audio Interface) https://amzn.to/37ifmGG (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://amzn.to/39qiB06 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/45601/glenrothes-12-year-old (Glenrothes 12 year old) https://www.businessinsider.com/coronavirus-panic-buying-toilet-paper-stockpiling-photos-2020-3 (Corona virus panic buying) https://armycadets.com/ (Army Cadets) Support this podcast

As parents, we want what's best for our kids, no matter what that may relate to - school, fun, love, etc. We sign them up for new adventures, hoping they'll find enjoyment there. But are we really signing them up for stuff that they want to do, or stuff that we want them to do, with the belief that we, the parents, aren't being selfish? These questions came to me as a moment of realization a couple of years ago, when my son decided he no longer wanted to do martial arts, something I'd done as a younger man and was now pleased to see my son take an interest in. Topics on today's show include Why we need to remember kids are still just kids Why we need to step back and ask the reasons we want them to do something Why disappointment isn't the best approach Why we need to let kids choose what makes them happy, as opposed to what we feel will Settle back for a chat about lessons from kids, and adults realizing that selfishness and encouragement tread a very fine line sometimes. Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://pod.do//lifethroughadram (Listen on your favourite app) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://amzn.to/2SBhsfp (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://amzn.to/37ifmGG (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://amzn.to/39qiB06 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/2922/suntory-hakushu-12-year-old (Suntory Hakushu 12 year old) Support this podcast

Do all kids simply have imaginary conversations, or are there spirits of kids that died early that roam the earth looking for friends to keep them company? Do all kids find a storytelling gift early, and it's only when they go to school and are taught that it's "bad" to use your imagination that they lose the will to converse with someone that isn't there? These questions came to me again recently following a conversation with my daughter, and a memory of something that happened when she was 4 years old. Topics on the menu include Having your 4 year old daughter freak you out Movies that scare you There's a lot of kids have weird experiences I believe in UFO's Christmas movies and the message they share Settle back for a chat about invisible friends, imaginations being allowed to grow, and why we need to rediscover the child in us. Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://pod.do//lifethroughadram (Listen on your favourite app) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://geni.us/mDWyiz5 (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://geni.us/nGkr (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://geni.us/AifWU5 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://youtu.be/k10ETZ41q5o (The Conjuring movie) https://www.thedodo.com/do-cats-see-ghosts-2197881469.html (Can cats see ghosts?) https://disney.fandom.com/wiki/Mushu (The meaning of Mushu) https://youtu.be/TQhRqtt-Fpo (The Polar Express) https://www.dannybrown.me/2017/05/16/telling-5-year-old-kids-theyre-a-failure-is-bullshit/ (Why we need to listen more to kids) https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/lagavulin/lagavulin-16-year-old-whisky/ (Lagavulin 16 year old) Support this podcast

Being an entrepreneur can be hard. Coping with mental health issues while growing and running your own business can add immense stress, both to you personally and those around you. This is something that green industry professional Josh Currivan knows only too well. The last time we chatted, we spoke about his younger life, his upbringing, his mental health issues, and how that had led him to where he is today. In this episode, we catch up one year later to talk about mental health and entrepreneurship, and how the two are intertwined. Topics on the menu include What it means to be an entrepreneur while coping with mental health How it can impact your personal, family, and professional life How having ADHD impacts your business Why the predominantly male-dominated green industry still needs to talk more about mental health Why it's important to take moments of stillness for yourself Settle back for a chat about the pressures of wanting to succeed, why you need to take the emotion out of business decisions to, and why the "go after everything" mindset is hurting you. Connect with Josh: https://www.instagram.com/jaycurri/ (Josh Currivan on Instagram) https://anchor.fm/thewescapepodcast (The WeScape podcast) Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://pod.do//lifethroughadram (Listen on your favourite app) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://amzn.to/2SBhsfp (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://amzn.to/37ifmGG (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://amzn.to/39qiB06 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://player.captivate.fm/c532ed77-8b65-41cc-8421-18300838490e (Mental Health, Juve Systems, and MeToo, with Josh Currivan) https://player.captivate.fm/0abf4870-aa96-4bd2-8377-86d4a4cb706e (My wife and I, and our journey with mental health) https://www.facebook.com/groups/lawncarelegends/ (Lawn Care Legends Facebook group) https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/5747/bowmore-12-year-old (Bowmore 12 year old single malt whisky) Support this podcast

Life takes us on many twists and turns. Some, we control, some, we have zero input on whatsoever. Some turns are full of hope, opportunities, moments that turn into memories. Some are full of desperation, and a reminder of the unfairness that life can throw at us any time. Like the friends I have that are impacted by cancer at the minute, and may be fighting a losing battle, no matter how hard they push back. These twists and turns make us question the validity of living life well. After all, if we live life to the best we can, and be the best we can, yet still be struck down by something as devastating as cancer… Why bother? Why live life well at all, if that's our reward? Except… that's not our reward. Our reward is continuing to live, and enjoy, and be happy, and bring happiness to others. Because that's what defines us. That's what makes us who we are, as I discuss on this week's show. Topics on the menu include How not to pronounce Glenmorangie :) How small decisions can make big changes How leaps of faith can change lives Why we should look at our life as a reward Settle back for a chat about fate, destiny, what we can and can't control, and why we shouldn't worry about the stuff outside our control. Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://pod.do//lifethroughadram (Listen on your favourite app) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://geni.us/mDWyiz5 (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://geni.us/nGkr (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://geni.us/AifWU5 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://www.dashboardconfessional.com/ (Dashboard Confessional) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120148/ (Sliding Doors movie) https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/7088/glenmorangie-10-year-old-original (Glenmorangie: The Original) Support this podcast

With the Super Bowl weekend just gone, it seems more people are talking about the halftime show with Shakira and JLo than the actual winners of the game. And, to be honest, it's kind of ridiculous. Across multiple social media channels, posts were shared - and continue to be - from people appalled by the outfits the two Latina superstars wore, the dance moves they performed, and the apparently suggestive nature of the performance as a whole. Many NFL fans berated the organization for allowing such a show to take place, complaining that it had ruined what used to be a family-friendly event. Here's the thing, though - the NFL is hardly the beacon of family-friendliness, nor has it been for a while, as I talk about in this week's show. Topics on the menu include The hypocrisy of many NFL fans The numerous examples of where the NFL has shown their lack of family-friendly ethics The irony of the complaints about Shakira's and JLo's outfits Why we need more strong, culturally proud performers doing their thing Settle back for a chat about all that's wrong with those who'll quickly condemn the two artists at this year's Super Bowl halftime show, while happily supporting an organization that consistently shows how morally corrupt it is. Support Life Through a Dram https://ratethispodcast.com/dram (Leave a review) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://geni.us/mDWyiz5 (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://geni.us/nGkr (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://geni.us/AifWU5 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://www.news.com.au/sport/sports-life/jennifer-lopez-and-shakira-were-too-sexy-at-halftime-show-parents/news-story/19e6d6b4cf8903aa1ef07f684983cd10 (Social media backlash about the Super bowl halftime show) https://www.dannybrown.me/2014/11/19/when-does-convenience-of-service-overcome-lack-of-ethics/ (My blog post about the NFL's lack of morals) https://player.captivate.fm/dc0ac178-6d32-4c57-ba1d-17a595169fe3/website/ (Colin Kaepernick ostracization) https://www.thewhiskyexchange.com/p/66/ardbeg-10-year-old (Ardbeg 10 year old) Support this podcast

Almost seven years ago, I wrote a short story entitled The Cautionary Tale of Balderdash and Hogwash, which was a chapter in my book, http://getbook.at/parables (The Parables of Business). I was reminded of this by one of the readers of my newsletter, who emailed me with a note that stated, "More relevant than ever, with today's climate of fake news, political divisiveness, and groupthink mentality when it comes to critical thought." I re-read the chapter again and, while I'd like to think that the world in general isn't as gullible as the followers of the two main characters, current events would suggest otherwise. I thought I'd share it here with you in this week's episode, and add some new thoughts, seven years later.. Topics on the menu include How the gullible will always have someone ready to take advantage Why we need to heed the lessons of history if we're to avoid making the same mistakes Why we need to keep fighting for those who have no voice of their own How sometimes the silliest of stories have the biggest ring of truth Settle back for a chat about not taking anything for granted, and why this time, this place, is where we need to take a stand. Support Life Through a Dram https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/life-through-a-dram/id1378026245 (Listen or leave a review on iTunes) https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zYTBlOTJjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz (Listen on Google Podcasts) https://open.spotify.com/show/1oNmjjai1QRpPn5vfxHvLn (Listen on Spotify) https://play.radiopublic.com/life-through-a-dram-Gqz2w5 (Listen on RadioPublic) https://pca.st/itunes/1378026245 (Listen on Pocket Casts) https://overcast.fm/itunes1378026245/life-through-a-dram (Listen on Overcast) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://geni.us/mDWyiz5 (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://geni.us/nGkr (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://geni.us/AifWU5 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show http://getbook.at/parables (The Parables of Business) https://www.getrevue.co/profile/dannybrown (My newsletter) https://www.macleans.ca/politics/canada-is-a-tinderbox-for-populism-the-2019-election-could-spark-it/?utm_campaign=The%20Little%20Weekly%20Note%20Revue&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Revue%20newsletter (Canada and the rise of populism) https://www.themacallan.com/en/sherry-oak-18-years-old (Macallan 18 year old sherry cask) Support this podcast

This week saw the death of Rush drummer Neil Peart. A Canadian icon, his death saw many people on social media share what he and the band he drummed for meant to them, as well as personal stories and examples of how he specifically had made a difference in their lives. One of these examples was from my good friend Bob LeDrew who, when speaking about Peart's death on Facebook, made a comment that really stuck with me, and is the title of this week's show: life owes you no more time. It's a statement that is really timely, as it comes at a time when another good friend is detailing his battle with cancer. In the Facebook group he set up to chart this journey, John Haydon posted a video that talks about how he feels at "this stage of his life", and why he believes the terminology about this being any kind of stage of life is incorrect. In this week's episode, I dive deeper into both these poignant statements, as well as how other cultures look at life, and why it's only a borrowed amount of time - eventually, we have to give it all back. Topics on the menu include The fallacy of life being in stages Why we should stop talking about middle-aged as if it were a quantifiable number Why we should heed the wisdom of those nearing the end of their lives The beliefs of the Ufaina tribe, and what vital force is Settle back for a discussion on the finite time we have on this planet, and the mindsets that are holding us back in the short calendar we call life. Support Life Through a Dram https://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/life-through-a-dram/id1378026245 (Listen for free or leave a review on iTunes) https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8zYTBlOTJjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz (Listen for free on Google Podcasts) https://play.radiopublic.com/life-through-a-dram-Gqz2w5 (Listen for free on RadioPublic) https://overcast.fm/itunes1378026245/life-through-a-dram (Listen for free on Overcast) https://paypal.me/socialmediabusiness?locale.x=en_US (Support with a donation) - it helps keep the whisky topped up! :) Contact me: danny@dannybrown.me My equipment https://geni.us/mDWyiz5 (Samson Q2U Dynamic Mic) https://geni.us/nGkr (RockJam MS050 Adjustable Mic Suspension Boom) https://geni.us/AifWU5 (Dragonpad Pop Filter) Mentioned on today's show https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/music/2020/01/11/remembering-neil-peart-whose-jaw-dropping-talent-inspired-a-generation-of-musicians-and-wannabes-alike.html (Remembering Neil Peart) https://www.facebook.com/bobledrew/posts/10102801720797076 (Bob LeDrew on Neil Peart) https://www.facebook.com/groups/136145213741094/permalink/515147495840862/ (John Haydon on "this stage of life") https://www.dannybrown.me/2016/09/07/this-borrowed-life/ (This Borrowed Life) http://www.unbrokenself.com/life-owes-us-nothing/ (Life owes us nothing) https://www.masterofmalt.com/whiskies/ardbeg/ardbeg-10-year-old-whisky/ (Ardbeg 10 year old) Support this podcast