ARE WE BEING CONTROLLED BY FEAR?
It seems like America runs on fear these days. That’s been the case way back to FDR who warned in 1933, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” But it’s only gotten worse. Especially since COVID. Madison Ave knows it. The government knows it. Big Pharma knows. Political parties know it. All you have to do is spread the fear, and you can make people spend lots of money, take lots of medicine, do drastic things, and even hate their neighbors. A lot of the problem is our fault. We want cushy, predictable, healthy and wealthy lives. In the process we live in the constant fear of suffering or missing out on happiness.

In this episode of “At the Intersection with Doug Newton” I share my thoughts and a personal story showing what we each can do to help our fear culture dial back the worry-- and everyone "just take a breath." Catch it live today

In the podcast I refer to a follow-up free downloadable resource (CROSSWALK) for further reflection. Here is that link as well as a couple others:

The CROSSWALK download:
fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode28

Elements of Character: Here's where you find character development modules on practicing 12 different traits with a guidebook of 30 specific, creative exercises for each trait.
https://www.fresh-impact.com/character-traits

Catch the video version on YouTube at:
https://youtu.be/w8Z08zsht2I

Other information about the At the Intersection with Doug Newton podcast:
https://bit.ly/ati-podcast-info

Admirable people are inspirational. Their example helps you set your sight on higher standards for yourself. They show you what’s possible. In today’s special episode of “At the Intersection with Doug Newton” you’ll meet Dan Fisher who gave 28 years of his life helping high school students discover new possibilities for their lives through character-based education. The personal sacrifice and risks he took to do that is a story worth hearing.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/xpZKYFrHtQ8

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In this interview we talk a lot about respect and perseverance. If you're interested in how we teach people to develop those traits you can find modules for respect and perseverance by clicking on this link:
https://www.fresh-impact.com/character-traits

Check out the audio version of all my podcasts:
https://bit.ly/at-the-intersection

Other information about the At the Intersection with Doug Newton podcast:
https://bit.ly/ati-podcast-info

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We live in times of mounting protests. Researchers point to a sharp increase worldwide since 2006. Do “disruptive protest tactics” work? Americans are blessed to live in a country that prizes and protects the freedom of speech and assembly. But too often protests share similarities with classic tantrums. Shouting. Screaming. Sitting down in the middle of everything. Do those behaviors accomplish anything that helps the protestors’ cause?

In this episode of “At the Intersection” Doug Newton reviews six ethical standards to observe as we exercise our rights or else our protests of all sorts become mere tantrums. No side of the various political and cultural divides is exempt. So it’s worth listening.

In the podcast I refer to a follow-up free downloadable resource (CROSSWALK) for further reflection and character training modules. Here are both of those links as well as a couple others:

The CROSSWALK download:
fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode27

Elements of Character:
Here's where you find character development modules on practicing respect and integrity
https://www.fresh-impact.com/character-traits

Check out the video version of this podcast at:
https://youtu.be/ciI-HIjujr0

Other information about the At the Intersection with Doug Newton podcast:
https://bit.ly/ati-podcast-info

There are deep divides in America over how we should view our country. The 1619 Project, modern day injustice, racial inequality, government corruption and cover-ups all combine to create a chasm between people. One side accuses the other of nationalism because they still want to see America as great. Those folks retaliate with accusations of “anarchists” or “ingrates.” Face it. Back and forth volleys do nothing but foment more and more friction and factions. In this episode I will explore an important bridge-building step that can lead to peacemaking. It requires working on our character. Are you willing?

In the podcast I refer to a follow-up free resource (CROSSWALK) for further reflection and character training modules on the development of the traits of respect, humility and generosity. Here are both of those link as well as a couple others:

The CROSSWALK download:
fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode26

Elements of Character:
Here's where you find modules on respect, humility and generosity.
https://www.fresh-impact.com/character-traits

Video version of this episode
https://youtu.be/DDQ0bapYO8M

Check out my YouTube channel for more ATI videos:
bit.ly/fresh-impact-channel

Other information about the At the Intersection with Doug Newton podcast:
https://bit.ly/ati-podcast-info

No one doubts the incredible possibilities Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already bringing about and will continue to bring about in medicine, technology, education, communication — virtually every sphere in life and culture. Yet lots of people are firing off warnings. Virtual reality is becoming less virtual and more real. Real enough to take over? Maybe not. But real enough to fool us? Yes, in hundreds of ways. Some say it might even affect the outcome of this year’s presidential election. Yikes!

Although I see great value of open-AI to humankind, in this episode I point out its likely impact on human character if we aren’t careful. The very nature of “human nature” might change for the worse. So let me show you what to watch out for and guard against. And we’ll all be OK.

In the podcast I refer to a follow-up free resource (CROSSWALK) for further reflection and a character training module on the development of the trait of industry. Here are both of those link as well as a couple others:

The CROSSWALK download:
fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode25

Elements of Character: Honesty Module:
fresh-impact.com/practice-industry

Other information about the At the Intersection with Doug Newton podcast:
https://bit.ly/ati-podcast-info

HOW TO DISARM DISINFORMATION
Disinformation. It's a pandemic worse than COVID. In fact it contributed not only to controversies surrounding COVID but arguably worsened its impact. However, the COVID issue is not the only one fraught with disinformation. National politics, the economy, the southern border crisis, Middle East conflict, and environmental issues on the national and global levels have been hit hard. But disinformation hits home at the regional and local levels on every social media channel. The problem is so severe many people advocate new levels of censorship as the way to combat it. But I have two other suggestions much less severe and constitutionally questionable. There's a long-term solution and a solution you can implement starting today. Both solutions will take time, effort and significant adjustments in educational methods and personal character. But it will be worth it!

In the podcast I refer to a follow-up free resource for further reflection and a character training module on the development of the trait of honesty. Here are both of those link as well as a couple others:

The CROSSWALK download:
fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode24

Elements of Character: Honesty Module:
fresh-impact.com/practice-honesty

Other information about the At the Intersection with Doug Newton podcast:
https://bit.ly/ati-podcast-info

WHO KEEPS YOU GOING?

Life can be hard, and pain is real. So how can you keep pressing through to be strong and not let pain win? In the discomfort and struggle you don’t want to slip into frustration and treat people poorly. You want to rise above the hardship, keep your promises, fulfill your responsibilties, follow through on your commitments and not let people down. But how?

’ll share the fourth and final secret in this last episode of the mini-series “HANDLING PAIN IN A BUBBLE-WRAP CULTURE.” Of all the advice I have given on this topic, this is the most important point of all. Check it out.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/kC5hq623XRM

In this episode Doug referred to a free reflection/interaction guide called "CROSSWALK" to help you process what he was talking about. Here's the link: https://fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode23

THE REAL SUPERHEROES

It doesn't take a superpower to be a superhero.

Marvel Comics and DC Comics have filled the world with superheroes with their superpowers. But they're not the kind of heroes the world needs. We need real people--not comic characters--who can press through pain, discomfort and fear in order to do what's right and good. Those are the real superheroes. But they are much harder to find in a culture like ours that's so addicted to comfort and safety.

What does it take to be a real superhero? In this episode I’ll reveal one secret that motivates all heroes and gives the ability to handle pain and trouble so you can fulfill your goals, keep your promises and make a difference in your corner of the world. This episode is Part Three in the mini-series “Handling Pain in a Bubble Wrap Culture.” Check it out.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/iJQBQD_oyAE

In this episode Doug referred to a free reflection/interaction guide called "CROSSWALK" to help you process what he was talking about. Here's the link: https://fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode22

HOW DO YOU HANDLE PAIN in a culture that has declared all out war against pain? We have marshalled everything from medicine, to technology, to government to help us experience pain-free living. With so many ways to protect us from discomfort, we have had much less practice handling pain and we want to avoid it at all cost. However, pain has its benefits. It makes our character stronger, our empathy more tender, our compassion more responsive and even God seem closer. So rather than avoid pain altogether, why not learn to handle it better. In this second episode of the mini-series “HANDLING PAIN IN A BUBBLE-WRAP CULTURE” you’ll discover the first step in handling pain: the use of distraction. It works. It’s like BenGay for your brain.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/2MdXw9ow8wE

In this episode Doug referred to a free reflection/interaction guide called "CROSSWALK" to help you process what he was talking about. Here's the link: https://fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode21

Are you at war with pain? Do you want to live a pain-free life? Probably. Our comfort-oriented culture is at war with pain, and our technology-rich world has found ways to eliminate much pain from our lives. But is that the best thing for you? What happens to a person over the course of time when they become addicted to comfort? What happens to a whole culture? What gets lost? Well, one thing’s for sure: we lose our ability to handle discomfort well and tend to become frustrated victims of our circumstances.

In this new series, I’ll be talking about ways to increase your ability to handle pain and trouble in order to make it through and fulfill your goals, keep your promises and make a difference in your corner of the world.

YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/dyZrlqstUbY

In this episode Doug referred to a free reflection/interaction guide called "CROSSWALK" to help you process what he was talking about. Here's the link: https://fresh-impact.com/crosswalk-episode20