Chris Deals With It

Today’s question:

My mother-in-law recently reacted to a shady text message that was a clear phishing attempt. We cancelled her credit card in time, but I worry this won’t be the last time, because she’s not great with tech. Do you have any advice on how I can help her better recognize and understand these threats, while also limiting her exposure to them?

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

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It’s been another fantastic year of reading. On today’s episode, I’ll recap my 2023 reads, in case anything piques your interest. You can view the complete list, with links to each book in the show notes.

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Recently, I read “Klondikers: Dawson City's Stanley Cup Challenge and How a Nation Fell in Love with Hockey” by Tim Falconer. It’s a hockey history book about the 1905 Stanley Cup challengers from Dawson City, the small, gold rush outpost-turned-capital city of Canada’s Yukon Province. After traveling for nearly a month across Canada, the Nuggets got absolutely obliterated by the defending champions in Ottawa.

While it’s a great hockey book about the early days of organized hockey, it also provides perspective on that period of Canadian history. Through the turn of the 20th century, the British colony of Canada was transitioning out of the Victorian era. This was an era when many held tightly to Victorian ideals regarding amateurism in sport. Getting paid in any sense got you labelled as a professional; an affront to the prevailing ethics of sport itself. This debate continued for many decades after in Olympic sports, and still plays out today with college athletes here in North America.

And what constituted being labelled a professional back then? Simply getting paid to play. Sometimes it didn’t matter if you got paid in a different sport. Hockey, and especially the Stanley Cup, were quickly gaining coverage and prominence. The desire to claim the trophy by any means necessary, and more importantly enjoying greater profits from growing audiences, brought money into the equation. Shouldn’t the players, often battling through grueling, bloody matches, get a cut of the action too?

Klondikers was a wonderful, well-researched book. Within it, I heard some amazing phrases from that era, including Shamateurism. In the context of this history, it described arrangements for players where they weren’t outright and obvious about getting paid to play. Instead, they might receive benefits for joining a particular team on the sly. This might be expensive gold baubles, or cushy jobs with employers with a financial stake in the teams and/or rinks.

But this term shamateurism got me thinking:

• What are the modern differences between amateurs and professionals?

On today’s episode, I share my thoughts stemming from this curiously fun phrase.

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Today’s question:

I’m in my mid-twenties and a professional in the medical field. I love what I do and its importance to society. But it’s an incredibly demanding field. I’m currently dealing with a short-staffed organization, exhausting shifts, and a manager who emotionally drains me. During a recent vacation, they went so far as to call me just to make me feel guilty for taking time off.

Nobody should feel anguish or animosity at work. At least not on a daily basis. But you are right to check yourself, especially when it can lead to a career & lifestyle altering decision. Is what you’re experiencing a case of organizational toxicity you should leave, or a sign you might lack the grit the job requires?

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

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We’re facing a crisis of civility in our civilization. From my perspective in the suburbs of New York City, I’m struck by the carelessness with which some suburbanites treat others. Suburbs are meant to provide more space, quiet, and ideally a community of neighbors you can actually get to know. On this episode, I’ll attempt to unpack my feelings towards these Suburban Savages and some of the root causes that permit them to thrive.

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

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I recently returned from a family trip to Disney World. While I enjoyed the trip, it was overshadowed by the tragedies in Israel. I struggled with the juxtaposition between human joy and the knowledge that others elsewhere were suffering horrible atrocities.

These issues were on my mind while waiting in line at the Imaginarium at Epcot. While I waited to introduce the kids to Figment, there was a sign off to the side that struck me. The sign reiterated the core messages of Figment: That we should all Explore, Create, Dream, Imagine, and Inspire.

It’s a challenge to feel creative, to find joy and purpose during difficult times. And these five reminders from Figment struck me as vital ideals. By living them, despite our circumstances and surroundings, we can help create a better world. It’s a message I hope my children never get too jaded to forget.

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

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Over the summer, I had a conversation with a close friend & fellow creative mind. He also happens to be a board gamer & designer, who was providing a kind ear for your host. I was feeling overwhelmed with the amount of stuff on my plate. My time was being stretched too thin, often by forces out of my control.

This friend made a comment about my life resembling a worker placement game, which resonated and stuck with me long after our conversation. This model of thought was interesting and helpful enough that I want to share it with the audience today.

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

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This is part 13, the last in our summer PRINCIPLES series. It can be listened to by itself, but for greater context refer back to the intro Episode #32. 

Principle #13 - Make wrong things right

Note that the principles in this series are what work for me. They allow me to thrive and live my values as best as I can. I’m not advocating the adoption of my specific set of principles. Rather I’m attempting to showcase the power of principles by providing more context on how they can be defined, codified, and embedded into the thoughts and actions of our lives.

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

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This is part 12 of our summer PRINCIPLES series. It can be listened to by itself, but for greater context refer back to the intro Episode #32. 

Principle #12 - Success is found in the effort

Note that the principles in this series are what work for me. They allow me to thrive and live my values as best as I can. I’m not advocating the adoption of my specific set of principles. Rather I’m attempting to showcase the power of principles by providing more context on how they can be defined, codified, and embedded into the thoughts and actions of our lives.

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

Join the Kreuter Studios mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/810367311f3d/ksbulletin

This is part 11 of our summer PRINCIPLES series. It can be listened to by itself, but for greater context refer back to the intro Episode #32. 

Principle #11 - Create beneficial things with passion

Note that the principles in this series are what work for me. They allow me to thrive and live my values as best as I can. I’m not advocating the adoption of my specific set of principles. Rather I’m attempting to showcase the power of principles by providing more context on how they can be defined, codified, and embedded into the thoughts and actions of our lives.

For more info and to download a free PDF of today's episode notes, visit: www.chriskreuter.com/CDWI

Join the Kreuter Studios mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/810367311f3d/ksbulletin