Doing What Works

A sneaky sad part of life is returning somewhere that was once important to you, then realizing it isn’t the same because you’re not the same. When Katie shared that observation in this edition of Doing What Works I was sad. At first. Then she taught me a new word, palimpsest, applied it to geography -- and inspired me to be more intentional about how I file my memories.

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George Carlin says an artist has an obligation to be en route.

A palimpsest is “a manuscript page, either from a scroll or a book, from which the text has been scraped or washed off in preparation for reuse, in the form of another document.”

Sometimes the way to help people feel better is to encourage them to feel even worse. For a while, at least. They can’t process their sadness, after all, without being sad. This edition of Doing What Works is one of our favorites, because we don’t pretend it’s easy -- but we do show our work.

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Staying the Course: A Runner’s Toughest Race taught me what it means to be a writer.

Donna Mills says aging is not for sissies!

Phil Stutz says he doesn’t think about his Parkinson’s so much as all the work he still wants to do.

If you find it difficult to ask for help, we can help. In this edition of Doing What Works we remind you how good it feels to be needed, and invite you to extend that opportunity to others.

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That feeling when a friend tells you you’re worthy of immediate attention.

The most important metric to track is personal energy.

In Blue Like Jazz, Donald Miller explores the idea of unearned grace.

The kind of week you have might depend on whether you ask yourself what you’re dreading, or what you’re looking forward to. This edition of Doing What Works is an invitation to change your mind(set).

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Dr. Daniel Amen suggests you challenge ants. No, not those. These! Automatic negative thoughts.

The Untethered Soul’s Michael Singer says the voice inside your head is like an obnoxious roommate who will not shut up.

Lollipop moments create ripples forever.

Donald Miller’s Blue Like Jazz, a book I read on Katie’s recommendation, is a winner. Promise!

Someone stumbles on a word and you jump in with a correction. Are you being helpful or obnoxious? In this edition of Doing What Works we examine boo-boos like “Pacific” when it’s “specific,” and whether corrections are kind or cruel. We also make a case against pointing out an unzipped zipper -- and how, while youth isn’t necessarily wasted on the young, feedback might be!

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“Casually cruel in the name of being honest” is a Taylor Swift lyric.

What do oranges, façades, butterflies, and dolls have in common? You’ll find out if you listen to this edition of Doing What Works. But bring your childlike self, because this is an experiment in random (with a dollop of whimsy).

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What are tapas?

What’s the squiggle under the C in façade?

What’s the precise definition of façade?

We all have a face that we hide away forever.

Would you like to see a periwinkle card from Papyrus that features a butterfly?

Would you like to hear one of Maureen’s favorite Tom Petty songs?

Have you seen Barbie?

Your next job. Your relationship. The apartment you want. Even if it doesn’t bother you to be vague about those plans or circumstances, the people in your orbit might pressure you to label them. Now what? That’s what we tackle in this edition of Doing What Works. Wish us luck!

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Casting director Jane Brody trusts her first impression at least in part because that’s how the audience decides whether to pay attention.

Katie was in Business Professionals of America in high school.

Katie and I fancy ourselves the enlightened sort, who only occasionally let our egos get in the way of doing the right thing. When really, those egos get in the way constantly. Now what? Katie thinks I did a great job of answering that question in this edition of Doing What Works, but we’ll let you be the judge!

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We contain multitudes.

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

The capacity for joy directly related to capacity for pain.

Who’s your role model for aging? Dennis Welch is one of mine. The publicist-turned-musician joins us for a special edition of Doing What Works. Dennis would never dream of getting to a point in life where he says, “Well, I guess this is it. I guess it’s all downhill from here.” Give him an hour and he’ll give you new hope for the next few decades of your life.

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If I Live to Be a Hundred is Dennis Welch’s latest.

Steve Martin says turning sixty means your long-term goals are now short-term.

Steven Pressfield says the time to start your next project is the day you finish the last one.

Storyworthy’s Matthew Dicks suggests you not fret your long-term goals. Just make things.

Dan Buettner is an expert on longevity.

Quick. What do you think of when you hear about the farm bill? Handouts to farmers, right? That’s what I thought, and I should know better. Our show’s producer, Darrell Anderson, has been hosting a daily farm feature for almost thirty years. In this edition of Doing What Works I learn what I should’ve learned long ago. You might find it enlightening, too!

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Scientist invents lab-grown beef only to realize cows exist.

Interested in a book about climate change misconceptions? Here you go!

Farm to Fork airs on more than 225 radio stations across the country.