Inefficiency Podcast

Two first generation Americans from vastly different backgrounds found love and have done (and are doing) the difficult work of allowing their love to change each other and now, us.  Sharifa Stevens is a communicator (writer, speaker and singer) and emphasizes the intersection of culture and theology.  Jonathan started a coffee business off of a Ural Motorcycle with a built in espresso machine.  He is a natural connector, teacher and builder.  Together the two live in Dallas, Texas with their two children.  

Brian D. McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. 

Brian has served on a number of boards, including Emergent Villiage, Sojourners, International Teams and, The Seattle School, and his a founding member of Red Letter Christians. He has appeared on All Things Considered, Larry King Live, Nightline and On Being.  Brian's work has been covered by other news outlets such as Time, The Washington Post, Huffington Post and Christianity Today.

Brian resides in Florida with his wife Grace. He has four grown children and five grandchildren.  

Kristen is a friend of the podcast, on a journey of articulating her identity, and doing so through the medium of her hair. Up until 2 years ago, she had always chemically straightened her hair, and has recently gone through the (long) process of growing out her natural curls. This inefficient process has allowed her to connect w her self and feel a greater sense of connection to her roots! (No pun intended although Kristen loves bad puns.) She lives in Austin, TX w her husband who has cheered her on, inspired her, and held her up in this rough period of hair growth and personal growth. If you see her around town, do not use the word "cool" to describe her hair.

Matt Inman is host of Inefficiency Podcast and a psychotherapist in private practice in Austin, Texas. He normally serves as the question maker for the podcast but this episode, the tables are turned and Dallas based psychologist Michael Leach asks the questions while Matt appreciates them and possibly answers a couple of them.  This swap is timely in helping Matt work through his decision making process and creativity in expanding Inefficiency from just a podcast and into an organization. This is the type of conversation that moves us out of our fearful positions and into the spaces where we can jump into the unknown.

Mom's are strong and creative in the most tangible ways possible. Today is a celebration of them and a look into the various stages of motherhood.  Six mothers have been interviewed, all representing different stages of the motherhood process to give us a look into what is tough, good and unseen.  Happy Mother's Day!!!!

I have been waiting for this big moment for over two years and it has finally happened! I worked diligently to get a good episode together with some dear friends of mine on burnout and with one push of a button (and yes, one additional button push confirming) I erased the interview, all my edits and the intro and outro.  GONE!  So here is me verbally processing this sad, sad event and working through out.  Inefficiency.  

Benjamin Mathes has been an actor for the past 20 years and works with artists and leaders in an executive coaching role. He leads Urban Confessional, a free listening movement made of up of volunteers who believe everyone needs to be heard. Benjamin resides in the Los Feliz neighborhood of Los Angeles and can be seen on street corners listening to people. 

David Salinas curates The Department of Brewology.  He is an illustrator by trade and works a great deal with typography, prints and murals.  David was on the podcast during the early episodes to talk about the good but difficult inefficiency of combining his two loves together, both art and coffee.  David does his art centered around coffee all over the world and most recently, crafted a phrase that has impact for many, WE FILTER COFFEE, NOT PEOPLE.  He stopped by to talk about what was behind the phrase for him and the vast reactions as well.  You can check out David's work at the following sites...

 www.departmentofbrewology.com

 @departmentofbrewology

Year two of Inefficiency is in the books and this episode is a look back through the many different conversations this past year.  You will hear from a host of different guests that show off inefficiency in some of its greatest forms. Enjoy some memorable moments from this second year of Inefficiency.  

We have done 52 shows in the past two years and we are celebrating! Friends joined us at Stouthaus Coffee Pub for a talk on birthdays getting down to inherent value, storytelling of inefficiency, pies in the face and an almost dance party.  So much fun!