Apologies Now.

We really tried to boost visibility for our previous episode on social media but got rejected! Apparently having a picture of the American flag on a social media post is an issue?? Hetal and Stevie talked about this and also had a casual conversation about Hetal's strengths and weaknesses! There is likely more convo to come about these guys. Keeping listening!

We met with Dr Jimmy Graham who actively practices medicine with Hetal. Dr Graham grew up around the civil rights movement in Atlanta and expressed how it was to attend college at Emory and move on to medical school. We sat back and listened and intend to meet up again to continue the conversation. What a great time and something for the younger generation to hear for a glimpse back to our past.

Ikigai is a concept that combines the Japanese terms iki, meaning “alive” or “life,” and gai, meaning “benefit” or “worth.” When combined, these terms mean that which gives your life worth, meaning, or purpose.

Stevie brought this concept to the table while recording and it took over the episode! Hetal and he ended up talking about this and if happiness is something one should be looking for at work. The conversation took a twist towards working efficiently and Hetal's new-found belief that efficiency is a function of discipline. Check out the episode and contact us about your ikigai!

We had a guest. Our guest had to cancel. We talked about how diet and activity affects our health and potential for obesity. There was a public statement from a very well decorated physician about how obesity is all genetic. While Stevie and Hetal are not obesity experts, they are quite versed in eating and activity. They also claim to have common sense that they applied quite well to this topic. Listen up, eat right, and exercise.

Bumps, bruises, fractures or breaks we endure many challenges in life that leave their painful marks. When we search within we might find the tattered parts of our souls. Hopefully, over time we heal. Be it through maturity, counseling or simply experience we mend those flawed pieces. Could it be the process of changing ourselves and healing our broken hearts that actually rebuilds our character thus making us better, more beautiful people? Stevie had recently come across the Japanese concept of Wabi sabi. Simply put...flawed beauty. This episode ended up being about Wabi Sabi and how it may relate to our own flaws and how they may make us stronger.

Hetal had recently been going down a rabbit hole about the ongoing Tik Tok concern across the country. He described possible national security issues and recent legislative changes to minimize the potential use of user data by the Chinese company. Some discussion came up about the indiscriminate use of Tik Tok by the youth of our country and how the Tik Tok user agreement is scary as hell. While both guys agreed that Tik Tok is a serious concern, it turned out Stevie learned about Wabi sabi...on Tik Tok!

We had a great time chatting with Evil Josh about Jiu Jitsu. There was limited time for this one but plan on having him back on to chat more Murder Yoga and what ever other topics we meander into.

We discussed the origins of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in the early 20th century and how Josh got into it. It turns out there it's quite common for people to try it and never come back. Maybe people don't like to feel like they are consenting to torture prior to their own death??

All jokes aside, it is definitely an extremely difficult art to learn but worth every painful minute.

Well...we took almost two years off. Life is complicated and we kept wading through it. It felt right so we are back and glad for it.

One of Hetal’s friends, Teshia, orchestrated a meaningful conversation with Ms Debra Cooper but wasn’t able to attend herself. Our friend, Dr Ishmail Lamptey-Mills, just happened to be in town and joined us. Ms Cooper and Dr Lamptey-Mills talked about the importance and meaning behind Black History Month. The vibe was magical while learning about some truly significant achievements in American history that were accomplished by people of African heritage. The conversation meandered as it usually does with Stevie and Hetal. We talked about soul food; Hetal didn’t know about chitlins. Stevie even called Governor George Corley Wallace Jr a son of a b*@ch much to Ms Cooper’s surprise. We forgot to mention beforehand that mild to moderate profanity presents itself here at Apologies Now…from time to time. Stevie confirmed that it was quite appropriate in this context.

Black History Month is imperative for reminding the community, especially the black youth, of the various accomplishments and successes of black women and men that may have gone unnoticed or forgotten. These images and stories have to exist in the minds of children for them to recognize their own full potential. Lamptey-Mills’ description of his childhood in Ghana truly solidified this sentiment for us. The entire conversation was short and sweet but it was apparent that it was just the intro to many future discussions.

Learn tequila. Blanco…Reposado…Anejo…Extra Anejo. We sat down with Paul Coffman and John Hardaway to start tasting Paul’s 88 variety tequila collection. We aren’t talking about Mezcal folks. Listen to learn the difference. We didn’t get far but plan to sit down again for more…learning.

2020 will be a milestone in human history for the drastic changes that occurred almost overnight when the world was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. We here at the podcast were damn tired of the pandemic and definitely done talking about it. When human ingenuity and diligence produced a vaccine before the end of this ridiculous year, we had to talk about it.

Our friends, Dr Jack Austin and Dr Tom Zickgraf, joined Hetal for a discussion about the vaccine that should not be missed. Stevie was laid out...from the virus. He was recovering in quarantine and so sat this one out. Don't worry, he is good now.