In today's episode:

Ian and Doug catch up after a few weeks of being "out here in these streets." Ian discusses the new urban planning projects that have been keeping him busy while Doug discusses how he's been getting back on stage over the past few weeks. 

For this episode, Ian reviews the new book by Omar El Akkad titled: "One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This." It's a challenging book to read due to its unwavering realness but an important book to read, no less. Ian gives a brief overview and the fellas discuss.

To lift the mood a bit, Doug reviews the 1972 Jamaican classic, "The Harder They Come," Starring the one and only Jimmy Cliff. This is a film that Ian grew up watching with his father. Doug breaks down the film and gives his perspective. 

We conclude today's episode with another addition of everyone's favorite gameshow about whether-or-not something happened in Canada or America... "Which Side of the Border."

Please let us know if there are any films you think we should watch or books you think we ought to read. Also, feel free to send along topics you'd like us to cover. Thanks for watching!

#bookreview 
#filmreview 
#america 
#canada 
#haveitoldyoulately 
#onedayeveryonewillhavealwaysbeenagainstthis
#gaza 
#jimmycliff 
#thehardertheycome
#standupcomedy 
#comedy 
#funnyperspective 
#funnytake 
#standup 
#standupcomedian 
#urbanplanning

Welcome back!

Today's episode starts off with a little catch up between Ian and Doug and although this is not a political podcast, we couldn't help but get into it a little bit. The state of the world, especially American politics is wild at the moment and the fellas hadn't spoken in three weeks, almost all of Black History Month, so some catching up was needed. 

Today's film review by Ian is on Wes Anderson's film "Asteroid City." To be fair, Doug recommended that Ian watch "The Royal Tennenbaums" but due to some crossed wires, Asteroid City made the cut. The idea was to expose Ian to Wes Anderson's film making, something he hadn't yet experienced. Doug loves the Royal Tennenbaums, but admittedly had some trouble making it all the way through Asteroid City for various reasons that he describes in this episode. Ian did make it through the film, with much effort and he lived to tell us all about this monotoned, symmetrical work of a film making. 

Following the film review, Doug reviews a book titled "I'm Lying But I'm Telling The Truth" by Bassey Ikpi. Tune in to this episode to hear what this book is all about and to hear Doug's take on it. Here's a hint, it has something to do with mental health. 

Finally, the fellas wrap up today's episode the way they always do, by playing everyone's favorite game show about the American and Canadian border: "Which Side of the Border." Make sure to subscribe to our channel and let us know what books and films you'd like to hear us review. 

#imlyingbutimtellingthetruth
#basseyikpi
#wesandersonstyle 
#wesanderson 
#filmreview 
#filmreviews 
#bookreview 
#bookreviews 
#comediansreviewingbooks
#bipolar 
#bipolardisorder 
#bipolardiscordertype2
#haveitoldyoulately 
#friendshippodcast
#mentalhealth 
#mentalhealthawareness 
#canada 
#america

Welcome back everyone!
In this episode, Ian and Doug open with a brief story and short discussion about the importance of prioritizing personal time in order to better serve those around us. After the duo catches up they dive into this week's book and film reviews. 
Ian reviews the book "Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance and shares his perspectives including a list of alternative titles for the book. Doug and Ian discuss many of the books themes and give their overall rating of the book. From there, we hear Doug's review of the film "Hollywood Shuffle" by Robert Townsend. This late-80's comedy about the struggles black actors face in Hollywood is a throw back to the days of the Wayans Brothers and In Living Color. 
We end this episode with everyone's favorite game about whether something has happened in either Canada or America, "Which Side of the Border." Thanks for listening!

Book reviewed this episode: "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance
Film reviewed this episode: "Hollywood Shuffle" a film by Robert Townsend

Let us know your thoughts on this episode. Are there any books or films that you'd like Ian and Doug to review? Remember to subscribe to the channel and stay tuned for more episodes. 

#hollywoodstatus 
#hollywoodshuffle
#blackactors 
#americanactors 
#professionalartists 
#professionalactor
#hillbillyelegy 
#jdvance 
#roberttownsend
#keenanivorywayans
#inlivingcolor 
#1980s 
#filmreview 
#filmreviews 
#bookreview 
#bookreviews 
#moviereview 
#moviereviews 
#whiteworkingclass
#blackworkingclass

In this week's episode, the fellas discuss a book, suggested by Ian and a film, recommended by Doug. The idea is to expose one other to cultural ideas, insights, jokes and realities that may appear hidden when only viewing the world through the eyes we were given at birth. We hope that this method of podcasting will open up doors to understanding each other's worlds. 

This week, Ian suggested a book called "The Truth About White Lies" by Olivia A. Cole. It's a story about the deep roots of racism in American society and the frustration brought on by our attempt to hide the reality of it all from ourselves. Ian wanted to hear Doug's thoughts on the concepts presented in this story and open up a conversation about them. Have you ready this book? What are your thoughts? Feel free to leave a comment below with your insight and please give us any book recommendations you'd like us to discuss. 

Doug recommended that Ian watch the film "Joe Dirt" starring David Spade. While this suggestion isn't as serious as Ian's book recommendation, Doug was interested to hear what Ian had to say about it. The idea is to find books, films, music, etc that the other host hasn't been exposed to and this film is just that for Ian. What are some films that you'd like to hear us discuss? Leave your suggestion in the comments below.

The guys end today's episode the way they always do, with another round of "Which Side Of The Boarder." 

Thanks for listening! Please take a moment to subscribe to our channel. We hope you enjoyed the show.

Doug & Ian

#thetruthaboutwhitelies
#oliviaacole
#literature 
#race 
#raceinamerica 
#filmreview 
#bookreview 
#davidspade 
#joedirt 
#america 
#canada 
#toughconversations 
#friendship 

The Truth About White Lies - by Olivia A. Cole: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58066018-the-truth-about-white-lies

Joe Dirt - Starring David Spade 2001 - 

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0245686/

Ian considers being a Karen on the bus while Doug gets Karened in the park. Have you ever encountered a Karen or has your inner Karen ever come out at the wrong time? Have you broken a law only to be called out by someone? How did you react?

Today’s main topic is Friendship and Loneliness. We listen to Esther Perel discuss modern loneliness and the lack of community support in modern society. She discusses “ambiguous loss” as unresolved mourning and how this plays itself out in our everyday lives. Tell us your thoughts on this topic. 

The guys discus how working from home and our modern-day work lives remove us from community and connection in everyday life. Do you work from home? If so, how has “the rise of artificial intimacy” changed in your life due to a lack of immediate, daily community in your life?

What expectations are you placing on your friendships? What are some ways that you stay in touch with friends that don’t live near you? 

Doug did stand-up for the 1st time in 11 years and he lived to tell the tale. What are some things that you love that don’t quite fit into your life and how have you managed your relationship with this thing?

We end today’s episode with everyone’s favorite game show: “Which Side of the Border?”

Music to check out:
 
Glorious Game - Black Thought & El Michels Affair - https://open.spotify.com/album/73IZHjXw93CWjWoDpmQ6Vy?si=EwCq6g0VTwaspUNd1wi-QA

Cheat Codes - Black Thought & Danger Mouse - https://open.spotify.com/album/4TPi1tGDVXCdQOjn4NSRaB?si=xHOg3cSyQpC4KQiT5BQgYw

References / People To Check Out: 

Esther Perel - https://www.estherperel.com/

Yolande Cornelia “Nikki” Giovanni Jr. - https://nikki-giovanni.com/

#friendship
#loneliness 
#socialmedia 
#estherperrell
#aloneness 
#ambiguousloss
#relationships 
#karen 
#dogparks 
#artificialintimacy
#modernloneliness 
#love 
#friendship 
#standupcomedy 
#gettingbackup

We start today's episode off discussing house projects, working on your own home and Bob Villa's affect on the modern housing market. Doug discusses the red flags you should look for when purchasing a home that indicate that the house has been flipped. The fellas discuss the phenomenon of only fixing up your home to sell it as opposed to re-appreciating your home every few years in order to breathe new life into the same space.  

The conversation turns to the concept of designating creative spaces for ourselves in our lives. Doug discusses how he spent his younger years trying to prove to himself that he was an artist because he grew up in a world where no one was an artist. Doug and Ian discuss the importance of encouraging your children's creative impulses and how designating creative spaces within our lives can help them feel more connected to those creative parts of themselves.

We share our new audio intros from our friend Ezra and discuss our thoughts on them. Doug brings up the potential genetic defect behind white people "clapping on the 1" and the fellas debate whether mayo consumption may or may not be the culprit. 

Ian discusses a recent interview he saw featuring Scott Galloway and shares his thoughts. The conversation turns to modern masculinity, fake masculinity and the current "crisis of masculinity" in our culture today. Is it a lack of masculine leadership? Is it a lack of modern rites of passage in our culture? Share your thoughts in the comment section. 

Today's talk ends with a short conversation at the intersection of black conservatism and gay/trans issues. Ian drops some wisdom in this segment. 

We round out today's episode with another round of everyone's favorite international quiz show: "Which Side Of The Border."

Enjoy the show!

If you're enjoying the content, consider subscribing to our channel. Thanks!

#manhood 
#friendship 
#beyourself 
#creativespaces 
#creativekids 
#masculinity 
#mentorship 
#familyman 
#ritesofpassage 
#homerepair 
#manlyman 
#fatherhood

In this episode, Ian and Doug start by discussing a topic that haunts so many aging men... balding. What's the best decision to make when the time comes for you? Do you shave it? Let it grow out, like a wise old man on a mountaintop? Do you wear hats? What's your approach to balding? Whatever you do, we support it! Doug also tells a short story about how he had no idea that he had curly hair until he was in his mid-twenties. 

Today's conversation takes a natural turn from balding and aging into death, everyone's favorite topic. Doug tells Ian the storyline to the book, "Tuesdays With Maury" and the duo discuss what steps they've been taking to manage their individual health, with aging in mind. What sort of things are you doing to make sure you're maintaining your strength as you age? Ian tells us about how choosing to ride his bike and take public transportation recently has exposed him to the "Gym of Life."

Ian and Doug discuss the effects that exercise has on their mental health. They also discuss seasonal effective disorder and how winter can be very challenging for some people. Are you heavily effected by the weather? What sort of things do you do to help yourself during the darker part of the year?

Today's episode is rounded out by everyone's favorite trivia game, "Which Side of the Boarder."

Enjoy the show!

To start this week's episode, Ian takes us through his decision to sell his car and rely on his bike and public transit to get around his neighborhood in Toronto. This launches the fellas into a conversation about our human programing to select comfort over everything else. Doug discusses his decision to start growing his own food 16 years ago and how that decision completely changed his life. He tells a story about how his first trip to Whole Foods led to his discovery of self-reliance. Let us know your thoughts by responding to a question below.

The conversation changes to dating when you're married and how to approach intimacy as you get older. As we get older, our priorities can sometimes shift from romantic to sleepy and not only is that ok, it's also pretty funny. 

Next, Doug tells another Sauna Story titled "The Small Talker" or "What Do I Gotta Do To Let You Know I Don't Want To Talk To You." 

We end this episode with another round of everyone's favorite game "Which Side Of The Border."

In today's episode, Ian and Doug discuss The Underground Freedom Train and how Canadians celebrate it's history. Doug and Ian get into their own ancestry before Doug hits us with another Sauna Story. The fellas discuss the stigma of mental illness in men and how most of us don't quite understand mental illness or how to help our friends struggling with it. They also discuss eldership and the lack of positive male role models, ego and it's effect on men and modern man's role in feminism. The episode ends with another round of "Which Side of the Border. 

Thanks for listening and enjoy the show!

In today's episode:

Ian begins with a story about a local man who seems to have it all figured out... or does he? Doug and Ian discuss how the grass can sometimes seem greener based on where you're standing. Doug shares the inner monologue of an aging tradesperson. How do you know when it's time to move in a new direction? When should one transition?

The conversation turns to the topic of "transition / transitioning" as Doug and Ian each share elements of transition in their lives lately. Ian takes us through his recent decision to rely on public transportation instead of his car. He brings us into what it feels like to be a black man riding on a bus with his family, stressing how social stigmas are everywhere and can sometimes sneak up on you. Doug dives deeper into his thoughts of "what to do with the next 20 years."

Enjoy the show!