Between the Covers Podcast

For this month's hero's study, we are looking at one of my favorite silent protagonists, Link from the Legend of Zelda franchise. Why is he one of my favorite heroes? He's the embodiment of courage, literally. He is the hero of time, the legendary hero, and he's the one who wields the Triforce of Courage. If you want someone to relentless help his friends and protect the land, Link's your guy...er...elf. Let's look at what Link's heroic qualities are and how we can apply them into our lives.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

*A correction: I misappropriated Joshua Haymes' words at belong to Brooks Potteiger until I found the actual clips. Brooks does want James Talarico crucified, but most everything I attributed to Brooks was actually said by Joshua.

Let's talk about how power corrupts people, using some real examples for 2026 here. One of the things that is causing so much harm in our world today is the blatant disregard for the humanity in others. Discourse, particularly on the far right of the political aisle, uses language that demeans and distorts the very nature of people. Growing up in the Christian tradition, it was very common to see people as different from the church going, Bible-believing, avoid-the-sins-of-the-world, and they were often equated with such descriptors as "demonic, sinful, wordly, and anti-Christ/Christian." If that's the kind of language you are using to describe people, then you're missing their humanity and have likely been corrupted by power and influence. Here, we are going to take a look at those in power and what they are saying and compare that to those who we have defined as heroic.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth's actual words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yc3ifKCm-3w

Brooks Potteiger's & Joshua Haymes' slavery words: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hnaoXiYRSg

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

Let's talk about spiral dynamics today. This is a model of evolution that tries to explain the process that society takes as we develop toward, hopefully, a more egalitarian society. It uses colors to denote the different stages and what each one can tell us about a specific group of people. It's no wonder with the current power structures in the United States at the moment, this came upas they are a perfect example of what is denoted at the color Red, and that's not because they are Republicans. We'll get more into it, so join me for this conversation.

https://www.smartliving365.com/how-spiral-dynamics-helps-to-explain-why-its-hard-to-get-along/

https://scottjeffrey.com/spiral-dynamics/

https://angelicaoung.medium.com/spiral-dynamics-explained-with-terrible-people-22738e1f77c7

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

Let's talk about another franchise that I love and adore that has taught me some lessons. I'll warn you in advance, this gets a little chunky with some fractions when I'm talking about rare item drop rates and finding rare enemies.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

Let's talk about what unites us today. In an age where we are more and more characterized by what makes us different, it's important for us to see what brings us together. Even people with different spiritual and religious beliefs, cultural backgrounds, political perspectives, and upbringing, there are more things that unite us than separates. A love for life. A desire for acceptance and comradery. To be accepted for who we are. To have community and a place to feel safe and secure. Instead of trying to tear ourselves apart, what would happen if we instead focused on what unites us?

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

For this month's hero's study, I go back to the roots of these episodes. Today, we're looking at Samwise Gamgee from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Some have said at he's the true protagonist in the story. He exemplifies so many heroic traits through his loyalty, brave when he needs to be, and always supports those closest to him without question. In the epilogue of the story, he's one of the first to stand up to Saruman and Wormtongue when they lead a group of bandits to take their revenge against the Shire. He starts out as a humble and timid farmer who doesn't speak up for himself to becoming the one who literally carries the ring bearer to the volcano so he can complete his task. Sam is a true inspiration!

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

Let's continue to talk about some political woes and why they are so exhausting. As we are moving into spring and looking toward the summer and the political landscape continues to heat up, it's important to remember what's happened over the last year and a half. This is a reminder so we don't forget.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

Let's talk about the notion that we are problems to be solves, because we're not! This is a message I've wrestled with since childhood and it's something that was taught by family, neighbors, friends, and society. If you've struggled with this message, then please tune in! We aren't problems to be solved. We may have problems that need to be worked on, such as mental and physical health, but that doesn't mean we are the problem. With many clients I've worked with, this is almost a universal mental wall that needs to be dismantled.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

Let's talk about what others are saying about us, and even what we are saying about others. If you're like me, then there is a running inner dialogue that is often less than flattering, but it doesn't have to be this way. If you are your own worst critic, then I challenge you to look outside yourself and see what others say about you. Let's face it, the people closest to us often see things differently from what we see and can shed some light on our good qualities. In fact, I encourage you to take a challenge that I did back in June of 2025: ask people who know you well to describe you in 3-5 words.

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"

For this month's hero's study, I had the opportunity to interview John Duresky, the Democratic candidate for the US House of Representatives in Washington's 4th District. In this conversation, we discuss politics and almost everything it entails including health care, gerrymandering, voting, the tragedies from ICE in Minnesota, and what his plans are for this midterm election if he gets into the House. We also go over all the usual questions, and while it always meanders back to politics, it's was a great conversation with an awesome person. Enjoy!

You can connect with/follow and even donate to his campaign with the links below.

[email protected]

https://secure.actblue.com/donate/john-duresky

Social Media:

https://www.instagram.com/johnduresky4congress/

https://www.youtube.com/@JohnDuresky4Congress

https://www.tiktok.com/@johnduresky

https://bsky.app/profile/fjohnd4.bsky.social

https://x.com/JohnDuresky4

https://www.threads.com/@johnduresky4congress

Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.

Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social

Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.

Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/

Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call

Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources

"Nonstop"