David and Michelle rap about the influences of location upon an artist.  David discusses his experiences in Milan and rolls the dice by coaxing a real-time response from his stoic partner about her opinions on his recent chapter submissions.  Michelle freely expresses her opinions and the two discuss one of the unique features of the new book.  The homework is reflective of the fact that every artist should stand on the shoulders of their heroes.  The question is, will you be visible?  

What the?  On this day dedicated to leadership.... David shares his harrowing tale of trying to extinguish his flame of desire for his guitar collection back home by going far and wide and being persistent, unrelenting, in his pursuit.  Michelle calls it a true rock and roll moment.  And while he is eventually vindicated, like with a boat, it is unlucky to not have a name for your axe - he struggles with this new task in the moment.  Maybe someone can assist?  

Sitting completely naked, perched upon a rock wall in the harbor of bustling Dubrovnik, David arrives at an epiphany.  Michelle is an apt pupil and takes David's quiz on body image and eating disorders. They both conclude, using COVID as evidence, that if the globe wants to eradicate a disease or disorder, they can pool together their resources and get it done.  The only way of interpreting this not being done, is acceptance of the illness and accepting the outcomes of destruction in it's path.  Michelle asserts that the evil lurking behind the sloth, is money.  And, she's very likely correct.   

As you may have surmised, David is recording from Montenegro.  He is trending hard on self-disclosure this week and humbly admitting that before this trip, he had no idea that Montenegro was even a place, getting it confused with Sierra Leone somehow.  Michelle is right there with him, joining him as she falls on her sword, admitting the same.  And to say the least, this is a great lesson and, for sure, a ripe environment to create remarkable memories.  

In rare form, David, once again, shares a deeply personal story at risk of significant judgement and questioning, only bonding us all together more.  HIs relationship with the number 11 is intriguing to say the least.  Michelle has similar instances and makes it her homework to dig down to discover more.  Can you unravel the mystery of the constant recurrence of the number 11 in David's life?  

On this day dedicated to humility, David shows his bravery by sharing a deeply embarrassing story.  He recounts getting royally bitch-slapped by tourists for his arrogance in not learning so much as a single word of the language of his new host country.  Caught off-guard with no funny quip at the ready, he does the unthinkable, he abandons his attractive accusers and feigns urgency to get home, tail between his legs, he retreats.  Michelle is dumbfounded but appreciates David's honest divulgence and encourages him to maybe learn some of the language!   

Completely consumed by his non-stop writing, David has an epiphany while reading some of his earlier work.  Michelle confirms that her journalling is very similar and they discuss the effect it has on them in discovering who they really are through examination of their own past voices.  

A few simple observations of Croatian children playing on playgrounds and their guardian's responses to injuries sends David into deep introspection and yet another rant about how Americans are destroying their children's competitive edge.  The second generation of everyone gets a trophy, banning homework and coddling the living shit out of their progeny.  Michelle weighs in and couldn't agree more.  The answer to why American kids are not the majority in their own Ivy League colleges is pretty simple.  Yet we still watch as parents disable their children with a strange sense of urgency and then lament, surprised, dismayed, perplexed, at how their kids didn't get accepted into quality colleges, or into any college at all.  Entitlement is always at the root of these behaviors and their subsequent outcomes and it starts at a young age, guided by strong parents. 

There he goes again, David, in a completely random and unexpected moment, makes a huge deal out of seemingly nothing.  Michelle, of course, not only follows him down the rabbit hole, but champions his cause and shares her valuable insight and offers alternative perspectives.  The question remains.... will you smell my fingers?  

Bordering on a rant, David shares his observations of how contrasting the US is to Croatia.  He makes some bold statements and Michelle is right there with him, riding shotgun with him.