Harmonious Gentlemen

Buckle up! In this special episode, you can join the gents on their voyage to Cow-town for the East Town, Get Down music and food festival. Their adventure begins on a busy highway, and meanders through scenic cocktail establishments, too-small parkades, empty dive-bars, rockin' bowling alleys, and hoppin' Phillipino restaurants. The quest leads them to a Phillipino restaurant, where long-ago guest and favourite rapper, Homeboy Sandman performs. They deliver a t-shirt, and talk to a special guest before making the long, dark trek home.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

With a particularly significant provincial election looming, the gents felt like attempting a harmonious conversation about politics. The conversation starts with general reflections on the state of our world and political discourse. Why does it seem to be getting harder and harder to have harmonious conversations about basically everything, but politics in particular? What's changed? Then, they share opinions about how democracy currently operates and whether or not this is the way it should be. How does privilege relate? Additionally, they talk about the horrible comments made recently by local UCP candidate, Jennifer Johnson. How much are voters willing to overlook when it comes to the integrity of their representative? When politicians say the quiet part out loud, does it actually help their campaign? Give the conversation a listen and let the gents know what you think. Whether you live in Alberta or not, this episode should start some good conversations about the state of our democracy. Keep it harmonious, or at least try!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Harmonious Gentlemen, the gents discuss "The Wisdom of Your Body" by Hillary L. McBride. The book explores how we can find healing, wholeness, and connection through embodied living, but let's face it - sometimes our bodies can be a pain in the butt (or neck, or knee). The gents share their reflections on the book, what they've learned, and what they continue to wonder about. They discuss ways to overcome societal pressures and expectations to develop a more positive self-image and a healthier relationship with ourselves and others. For some, embodiment can even lead to a fuller experience of the divine! Tune into this, the first book club episode, for some laughs, insights, and a reminder to appreciate the amazing machine that is our body.
.
A huge, special, thanks to Hillary L. McBride for writing this book, which was well-received by the gents. And thanks to Codi who recommended this book in a previous episode, and listeners who encouraged us along the way or read along with us!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, the Gents share something interesting and scientific. Through linguistic politics, plastic-eating worms, and the economics of happiness, they seek a harmonious approach to the complex world they live in. This episode was recorded in the company of friends, at the Craft Beer Commonwealth in Red Deer, Alberta.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

Youths in the wild, password management, people who don't help when help is clearly needed... The gents got together at Phil's restaurant to rant and complain about pet peeves over eggs and corn beef hash. What exactly are pet peeves and where do they come from? If developing pet peeves is unavoidable, and annoying others with our behaviour is inevitable, how do we navigate this topic harmoniously? For starters, don't talk about it with your mouth full - and make sure you listen to this episode.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

How can we do the most good for the world? What's the "elephant in the room" when it comes to opiate addiction? What does working for two years in the Alberta Oil Sands look like?
.
In Episode 89, the Gentlemen prove that they know how to read by taking turns sharing about something they've read recently. They present their key learnings, reflections, challenges, and questions to each other and have a brief conversation. The topics vary greatly, but they find harmony in the end.
.
Discussed in this episode:
Doing Good Better by William MacAskill
Opioids and the Elephant in the Room by Vincent Lam
Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton
.
The Harmonious Gentlemen Book Club:
The Gents are going to read The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary L. McBride. Join them by reading it yourself! They will discuss the book in a future episode and would love to hear your thoughts along the way.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

When you think about the "youth of today", are you hopeful or hopeless? In Episode 88, The Gents are joined by educator (he won the flippin' Governor General History Award for Excellence in Teaching), skateboarder, punk rocker, and "Rad Dad", Kristian Basaraba. They discuss whether or not we should be worried about the future of our species and how we can do a better job coming alongside the young people in our society more harmoniously. They talk a bit about parenting, teaching, Tik-Tok, and the good that results from a do-it-yourself punk-rock attitude. Thanks to Kristian for joining the Harmonious Gentlemen. Check out one of his more recent projects with the Rad Dads, at www.raddadsyeg.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

Father Cristino Bouvette, who is of Métis and Cree-Ojibwe heritage, joins the gents and discusses his view on faith and reconciliation as an Indigenous person and Catholic priest. He explains his rational, measured, and nuanced positions and shares an inside perspective on the recent Papal visit. From a unique point of view, Father Cristino addresses ideas such as ideological colonization, racial immunity, marxification, the media's illogical conclusions, and the importance of friendship in moving forward harmoniously. The gentlemen hope this episode serves as a catalyst for important conversations we need to keep having.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

Did you know that our friends at Blindman Brewing enjoy a well-crafted story almost as much as they enjoy a well-crafted IPA? Over the past number of years they have worked with Alberta writers and CKUA to bring these two art forms together by publishing micro-fictions on the sides of their super-tall cans. The Gents have loved reading these stories while sipping a Super Session, Coffee Stout, or Super Mild, but had the pleasure of hearing some of these stories told live at a special event in the taproom at Blindman. In this episode, the Harmonious Gentlemen touch on the importance of a good story and how they are an important part of a more harmonious society. But, this one isn't about the Gents. It features the stories, told in the writer's own voice, as performed at the "Session Stories" event at Blindman earlier this year. We hope you are able to sit back and enjoy these terrific tales as much as we did!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe

Join the Harmonious Gentlemen as they delve into the world of Artificial Intelligence. The rapid advancement in AI technology has led to both excitement and fear. In this episode, they explore the potential benefits and dangers of AI, and separate fact from fiction. They'll be discussing the latest developments in AI and what they mean for our future. From ChatGPT to self-driving cars to intelligent robots, they'll be examining the impact of AI on society and the economy. They'll also be discussing the ethical implications of AI and the responsibilities of scientists, engineers, and policymakers. So whether you're an AI enthusiast or a skeptic, this episode is for you. Tune in to "The Rise of Artificial Intelligence: Brave New World or Dystopian Nightmare" and be part of the conversation.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com

Get full access to The Harmonious Gentlemen Podcast at harmoniousgentlemen.substack.com/subscribe