Further Reflections

In this final episode of Further Reflections Mark looks back on his podcasting journey. From 2007 podcasts have been a constant in his life whether it was teaching English as a Second Language, volunteering in the Peruvian Amazon or getting involved in sustainable initiatives in Ottawa, Canada. Hear about how his own podcasts have evolved over the years and what he liked most about producing Further Reflections.

In this episode Mark Arneson discusses Tai Chi, Qigong as well as his long-standing interest in Astrology through a lens of health and vitality and helping others. In the second half of the podcast travel from home as Mark shares 10 destinations he hasn’t talked about on the show before. In the Final Five minutes there’s a review of the movie The Lighthouse.

Abrah Arneson, Amber Westfall and Adele Stratton return to the program to discuss the COVID 19 Pandemic and the value of connecting to nature. In the Final Five minutes Mark talks about At Eternity's Gate.

In this episode of the podcast Mark delves into his final few months as an English Language Teacher. Before deciding on a career change he spent a couple of months in Casablanca, Morocco. Looking back Morocco was memorable even though it may not have necessarily seemed that way at the time with all the changes going on. Learn about visits to the largest car-free zone in the world in Fes, exploring the ancient city of Meknes and a meaningful encounter with a Pakistani heart surgeon. In the second part of the podcast Mark looks at 3 2006 films: Children of Men, Babel and Pan's Labyrinth and their directors. Can we draw any parallels to today? In the Final Five minutes Mark reads from two books about Jesus.

In this episode of the podcast Mark delves into his time teaching English as a Second Language in Poland for two years from 2008-2010 and draws parallels to that time and today. Hear about heartbreak in Wrocław, setbacks in Warsaw and redemption in Krakow as well as travels to the other parts of the country as well as the Czech Republic and Slovakia. Also included are reviews of two books on the subject of pilgrimage by the author Robert C. Sibley, The Way of the 88 Temples and The Way of the Stars which talk about journeys he undertook in Japan and Spain respectively. In the Final Five minutes Mark plays a song by Antje Duvekot.

In this episode of the podcast Mark dips into the archive of Reflections On to re-broadcast an interview from 2011 with poet and philosopher Henry Beissel. Hear Henry discuss coming to terms with his childhood in Nazi Germany, his call for greater equality in society, Humanism, Daoism and Christianity and living sustainably and many other thoughtful subjects. In the second part of the podcast Mark plays reviews of three books set in the Amazon rainforest: Mother of God by Paul Rosolie, Pulse of the Jungle by Daniel Cleland and Into the Jungle by Erica Ferencik. In the Final Five minutes Mark talks about sickness and health and how the focus of the podcast may be changing along with his interests.

In this episode of the podcast Mark presents an interview with Dr. Ian Prattis to discuss his book Shattered Earth: Approaching Extinction. Through a collection of short stories and personal anecdotes Ian reflects on the climate emergency we find ourselves in. He talks here about how to be better stewards for the earth and society, community activism, his involvement in the climate strikes in Ottawa, the need for mentors, experiences in Scotland and more. In the second part of the podcast Mark re-broadcasts a talk Ian gave in 2011 talking about his book Earth My Body, Water My Blood. In the final five minutes Mark presents some words of wisdom by astrologer Naidya Shah.

In this episode of the podcast we take a look back on the last year and a look forward with a new interview. It’s the two year anniversary of Further Reflections and Mark plays some of the highlights of podcasting in 2019. Hear excerpts from interviews with Mitch Horowitz, Ivy Xie McIsaac, Abrah Arneson and Joe Gunn, discussions about travel and some unique experiences in China. Also hear Mark reflect on the movie Midsommar and the book Shaman by Kim Stanley Robinson. In the second half of the podcast there is an interview with author Alex Chionetti discussing his book Mysteries of the Tayos Caves: The Lost Civilizations Where the Andes Meets the Amazon. Learn all about the myths and legends of these little known caves and share in Alex’s enthusiasm for travel and adventure. In the Final Five minutes of the podcast Mark gives some appreciations and discusses the future of Further Reflections.

In this episode of the podcast we hear from 13 previous guest discussing the subject of travel. Mark had posed the question if you could travel anywhere in the world you haven’t been where would you go and why? This lead to some wide ranging discussions on such topics as the value of travel, how climate change will mean less of it and how maybe staying in one place can be the greatest learning experience. Hear why people want to go to Finland, Ethiopia, Colorado, The Amazon Rainforest as well as many other interesting places. Among the guests featured are authors David Chernushenko, Dr. Emma Mardlin and Mike Nickerson, David McGee of Lost Ottawa and Pamela French of the Authentic Relating Ottawa community. Mark also share some places he would like to go as well including Russia and Guatemala.

Consider this a bonus episode. Mark has been sharing stories of his time teaching English in China from 2004-2008 and here they are in one place. Hear about life in Fuzhou, Xuzhou and Guangzhou cities and many interesting travel experiences..