Through social media and news, I've seen pushback against the idea of "defunding the police" and in my observation it stems from the opposition not understanding the term. With this episode, I aim to demystify and debunk the term fundamentally, because it in fact aims to better handle the various emergencies communities face. I also bring up the notion that no proposed reform will be perfect. BUT the current system is FAR FROM PERFECT and so anything BETTER is GOOD. Here's some articles to dig deeper into the notion: https://thehill.com/opinion/criminal-justice/502648-what-defund-the-police-actually-means, https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/06/what-does-defund-police-really-mean/612904/, https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/06/us/what-is-defund-police-trnd/index.html, https://www.thecut.com/2020/06/what-does-defund-the-police-mean-the-phrase-explained.html. Comment down below with any questions or thoughts that you may have. Hit me up on social media @PhilSvitek if it's easier. I'd love to hear from you. And for more free resources from your 360 creative coach, check out my website at http://philsvitek.com.  

RESOURCES, TOOLS & EASY ACTION STEPS REGARDING BLM MOVEMENT/POLICE REFORM: 

-Color of Change: https://colorofchange.org/about/ 

-Police Brutality Stats: http://useofforceproject.org/#review 

-Campaign Zero’s Use of Force: https://www.joincampaignzero.org/force 

-DeRay Mckesson Identifies What Police Reforms Actually Work: https://crooked.com/podcast/justice-for-george-floyd/ 

-Black Lives Matter Website: https://blacklivesmatter.com/ 

-Direct Ways to Help: https://blacklivesmatters.carrd.co/ 

-No More Police State (ft. Alex S. Vitale) Rumble Podcast: https://bit.ly/3fvi40e 

-The answer to police violence is not 'reform'. It's defunding. Here's why: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/31/the-answer-to-police-violence-is-not-reform-its-defunding-heres-why 

-Free E-Book “End of Policing: https://www.versobooks.com/books/2426-the-end-of-policing 

-New World Media, Value of Family & Why Boomers Need to Go: Ryan Holiday on The Portal with Eric Weinstein: https://podcastnotes.org/portal-with-eric-weinstein/ryan-holiday/ 

It's been a while since I last posted an episode and that's because I've been focusing on learning and doing what I can to be an ally in the Black Lives Matter movement. Part of what I'm reflecting on is my longer term role in this social cause. What happens a year from now? I also think about why I think there is pushback from people on certain ideas which stem to me from this idea that we need to become more open-minded to other's stories and histories. Plus I talk about the idea of law neutrality and how fundamentally this idea is flawed. And I give suggestions on how to engage your white friends to continue the conversation so BLM doesn't end up being a trend, but rather a true social movement. If you have any questions, thoughts, etc don't hesitate to write or hit me up on social media @PhilSvitek. Stay safe!

James Lott Jr. (@JamesLottJr) is a very good friend of mine and someone I admire because even though he's 51 years old, he has the energy of a teenager. This combines perfectly because his wisdom is vast and he has the ability to put it to use. I have learned a lot from him and am honored to call him a mentor. In this episode he joins me for a powerful conversation about race is America. He's experiences racism in various forms, especially in the corporate world. He's fought for social justice. These are moments of his history and the collective history that he openly shares so we as white people may listen and learn. But that is step one because listening is not enough. Action and reform must be taken. James highlights everyday things you can and should do to enact change. That's why I love James — he's very practical. Please listen with an open heart and acknowledge the gift he is providing. I call it a gift because IT IS NOT the job of Black people to educate us on racism anymore. It is our responsibility to learn. And yet, here he is willing to put in the time because he's optimistic that by doing so, it will create the change so many wish to see. Let's not the one hour he freely gave to us be in vain. Please share the whole interview or sections to anyone who may benefit from it. You can download directly and repost. No need to tag me. Tag James. In fact, be inclined to cut me out and just leave James' answers because I do not want this to be about me. It is about James and a whole community across America like him. Thank you.

Ashley Drew Jones (@OkDrewJ) is a dear friend of mine and she was kind enough to join me for a discussion on the various racist systems and structures plaguing America. She did this hours after her brother suffered at the hands of the police. I am in awe of her strength and fortitude to keep fighting for justice and with this interview I aim to amplify her voice and the voice of other's like her. But let me also be very clear. This is now an issue white America (I am very much lumped into this category) must solve. Black people have bared the burden of our sins and guilt is not enough. What I find fascinating is that at this point it is not the job of Black people to educate us. It is our own. AND YET, here is Drew willing to sit down with me and help educate me... AND YOU by extension. I sincerely hope that you listen. Not for me, but for her. And I encourage you to reshare this with whoever may benefit from it. Download it directly and reupload, that way I don't receive the views, because this is not a trend for me. Cut me out of the episode entirely if you wish but HEAR Drew. Continue to educate yourself while also taking action. That is my sincere hope in posting this so that way we can continue progress in the Black Lives Matter movement. Thank you.

There are times in life where you have to look beyond yourself and step up in a significant way. This is one of those times. I believe we have an inherent desire to make history. But if we're being honest, it's a selfish desire to BE historical, not to truly shape history. At least that's how I've acted in the past. And so in this episode I share my experience, directly aimed at white people, so you perhaps can see similar patterns within yourself and reflect on the necessary changes needed in our society. I try to highlight as many of the solutions as I can that I've learned, because WE NEED solutions, NOT COMPLAINTS. Complaints reflect selfishness, not progress. I incorporate as many resources as I can that have impacted me to know better and do better and I hope you can benefit from them too. If you have solutions, resources that you'd like me to check out, please comment. I want to use this time as a means of self reflection but also helping. And by you sharing, I'm sure others will benefit too. Thank you and let's come to the aid of our Black citizens who need our help desperately at the moment.

Almost a month ago I did a video where I stated I'd do a 21-day no-complaint challenge (https://youtu.be/MGWn1VZMr2k). In this episode, I highlight the result and findings from my experience. What you start to realize is that complaining doesn't make your problems go away. It instead means that you're stuck (https://youtu.be/b78XklNMrr0). And when you realize this, you can gain some agency over your life and look for solutions. You realize YOU ARE in control of your life and can take responsibility for what happens to you. One of the biggest revelations has been there is no world peace without inner peace (a notion that both Erwin McManus and Byron Katie have). And even though this episode is all about my experience, I share it in hopes of inspiring you to try this challenge as well so it may alter your life the way it has mine. For more lessons, creative tips, etc, feel free to check out my website http://philsvitek.com or follow me on social media @PhilSvitek.

In the past few weeks, I noticed that as a country, America hasn't really had the ability to mourn and grieve this pandemic. We have lost lives to Covid-19. We have lost lives due to natural circumstances. And we've lost jobs and the economy. This deserves to be processed so we can move forward. And because of this thinking, it hit me how allowing grief into your life can actually amplify your gratitude. Many self help books, gurus, etc teach the power of gratitude. But I haven't heard many talk about incorporating grief into it. I think when you do, it's a truly powerful way to consider things because it makes you so much more appreciative for your life and what you have (friends, family and even the material things). This is the notion I explore today in hopes that it serves you as well. Comment down below with any questions or thoughts that you may have. Hit me up on social media @PhilSvitek if it's easier. I'd love to hear from you. And for more free resources from your 360 creative coach, check out my website at http://philsvitek.com.  

Many people have started up podcasting, which is great. And Anchor.fm is a great FREE tool to publish and distribute your podcast. (FYI, here's an article I published on how to get start in podcasting from equipment to publishing: start a podcast: https://philsvitek.com/get-started-podcasting-with-both-audio-video/) But what about a website for it? How do you build that? In the past (https://philsvitek.com/squarespace-vs-wordpress-vs-wix-podcasters-guide-to-website-development/) I pointed people to Squarespace, Wix and WordPress. But now there's a simple tool dedicated to creating a website for your podcast and it's http://podcastpage.io. It's the easiest way to get a website going for your podcast BECAUSE it's dedicated to podcasting. I think that's fantastic and encourage you to check it out if you want to take your new or pre-existing podcast to the next level. Comment down below with any questions or thoughts that you may have. Hit me up on social media @PhilSvitek if it's easier. I'd love to hear from you. And for more free resources from your 360 creative coach, check out my website at http://philsvitek.com. 

When I was writing my first novel (Elan, Elan), I knew I needed someone to help me with structure, grammar and basically all things book related. Enter Emily Krempholtz. I've now known her close to two years and she's been a tremendous asset to me. In this episode she joins me for a discussion on the storytelling process, what it's like to be an editor and work with other writers, tricks and habits she employs plus so much more. So check it out, it's both entertaining and informative (at least it certainly was for me). If you too would like to work with Emily, you should check out her website http://emilykrempholtz.com. It's got her various projects, services and a way to connect with her. (Fun fact: her and I share the same birthday). Please be sure to comment with any thoughts or questions you may have. Or hit us up on social media @PhilSvitek & @WritersOfRohan. We’d love to hear from you! 

Within my circle of friends, I keep hearing them lament how if only these were ideal circumstances they'd know what to do and how to move forward. Sorry to break it to you, but there will never be ideal circumstances to life. Unexpected things happen all the time, sometimes as tragedies (whether 9/11, the stock market crash or a pandemic) and other times it comes as "luck". But we don't get upset with "luck" because it plays in our favor. Though I don't wish bad things on anyone, the more we start to accept that the greater world is outside of our control, the more at peace we can be and ironically, have greater impact because we'll be focused on what we do have control over. And that is ourself, the individual. That is what I explore today and while it might not sound easy breezy in terms of subject matter, it can actually be very liberating once you accept this in life. Please be sure to comment with any thoughts or questions you may have. Or hit me up on social media @PhilSvitek. I’d love to hear from you!