It's Not All Bad

Sometimes simple acts of kindness, warmth, and empathy are incredible powerful.  In this short solo episode, I discuss some thoughts about the human behaviors, and even about fish!  Well, the fish situation is just to get our minds thinking outside of the usual box of human thought and emotions.    Enjoy.

The goal of my podcast is to discuss interesting topics either in solo episodes or with guests and guest-hosts. Sharing thoughts on different issues, especially those that are humorous, thoughtful and thought-provoking, meaningful, insightful, and even heartwarming at times.  If you found this episode or my podcast interesting, please consider sharing it with friends, family, and colleagues.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms and others wherever you listen to your podcasts:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

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*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

The 2022 worldwide televised Oscars event was, well, truly eventful!  The night witnessed the first ever best actor nominee - Will Smith - sucker slap presenter and comedian Chris Rock on live television.  It was a sad and disgusting event of toxic masculinity parading as male chivalry.  But there's something else unfortunate about that situation, it's consuming dinner conversations, at work conversations, water cooler conversations, and even bar and lounge conversations.  It happened, it was eventful, it was sad and disgusting, but move on we all must.  There are other situations in the world and maybe in your immediate community that require attention.  Yes.  This event was the slap heard around the world, but we must deal with more pressing issues that influence and affect our daily lives, our communities, the world, and this planet.

The goal of my podcast is to discuss interesting topics either in solo episodes or with guests and guest-hosts. Sharing thoughts on different issues, especially those that are humorous, thoughtful and thought-provoking, meaningful, insightful, and even heartwarming at times.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

You can listen and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available on the following platforms:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

Just as COVID-19 pandemic consumed the airwaves and social media for almost two years, the war in Ukraine is now the main topic of each day and each hour of every day.  The pandemic was truly a destructive worldwide pandemic that influenced our lives and livelihoods, increased income and often ethnic and racial inequality.  Some even further weaponized this pandemic in fomenting fears of the other, especially people of Asian descent.  

With the Russia invasion of Ukraine, the constant and overwhelming media coverage of the carnage and despair of the Ukrainian people is causing emotional distress for many people.  And now the media's heavy coverage of talk of a possibility for chemical and nuclear weapons to be introduced in this equation is causing many people to ponder the heavy question of whether we're close to the outbreak of world war three.

This short episode offers no solutions and doesn't delve into the politics and real security concerns of Russia's unjust, uncalled for, and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.  But we cannot ignore the heavy negative emotional toll it's taking on people.  We're now facing a recovery of sorts from maximum mitigation efforts to combat COVID-19, and now we've transitioned into a new level of dread with the crises in Ukraine.

It's okay to disconnect from this 24/7 news coverage of this war, associated carnage, and seemingly endless despair.  Yes, it's fine to consume the news, but we must avoid being consumed by it to the point of emotional bewilderment and even depression and a kind of fatalism.  It's okay to disconnect from the constant drumbeat of war and take moments or even days to breath and refresh yourself.

The goal of my podcast is to discuss interesting topics either in solo episodes or with guests and guest-hosts. Sharing thoughts on different issues, especially those that are humorous, thoughtful and thought-provoking, meaningful, insightful, and even heartwarming at times.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

Have you noticed that even in the best of times friendships can be complicated.  The weather can be perfect, your mood can be perfect, your work-life balance may appear to be just right or close to it, but friendships may come and go.  Unfortunately, often for reasons many of us don't quite comprehend.  It affects all of us at one time or another.  Whether young, middle aged, or elderly, the beauty and pitfalls of friendships often influence our daily lives and emotions.

There are no answers to the friendship puzzle, but my guest co-host - Micaela "Mica" Baldivieso-Gutierrez and I chat about this subject on today's episode.  No, our discussion, although humorous quite a bit and somewhat serious at times, is not from a sociologist's perspective.  It's just a general chat concerning friendship experiences and thoughts that people have throughout life.  So, please enjoy the show today.  Mica and I enjoyed the discussion of friendships, and we hope you will find it interesting too!

The goal of my podcast is to discuss interesting topics either in solo episodes or with guests and guest co-hosts. Sharing thoughts on different issues, especially those that are humorous, thoughtful and thought-provoking, meaningful, insightful, and even heartwarming at time.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

The The World Happiness Report is a publication of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network released annually in March.  We've all seen or heard about Finland often ranking number one in happiness in this report yet again.  After reviewing, I can understand why Finish people - collectively - would rate high on the happiness meter.  There's no single factor that determines this happiness quotient.  The survey includes reviewing levels of trust, benevolence, freedom, income, and life expectancy.

This 2021 report doesn't elevate Finland as angelic or demonize the countries that are on the lower end of the spectrum in any way.  But it does give a glimpse of what people may consider important, satisfactory, and whether government is benefiting all residence or just a select few because of position or power.  As you listen to this episode, you will note some interesting statistics, not boring quantitative analysis of those stats.

Reference:  https://worldhappiness.report/ed/2021/

The goal of my podcast is to discuss interesting topics either in solo episodes or with guests and guest-hosts.  Sharing thoughts on different issues, especially those that are humorous, thoughtful and thought-provoking, meaningful, insightful, and even heartwarming at time.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7  

As we all navigate our individual and collective paths through life, there are successes and challenges that ripple throughout our existence.  That's totally fine because that's, well, life.  But as people deal with frustrations, anger, joy, and happiness, these emotions can create bumps in the road.  Sometimes it's maybe a good idea to self-reflect on these three words, "Why," What" are we, and "Who" are we.  

To get our creative and thoughtfulness juices flowing, I discuss these issues on this short episode.  Nothing too deep or even remotely emotional, but exploring that it's fine for each of us to ask, "Why" am I the way I am and think the way I do; "What" am I besides just being a human; and "Who" am I.  Some people may not admit it to others, but we all go through this kind of self-reflection, which can be somewhat enlightening and the start of gaining a tip of wisdom of sorts.

 The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests periodically share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/its-not-all-bad

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

There are thousands of people from all walks of life, with varying educational backgrounds, and in different vocations doing meaningful things to make this world and our lives worth living.  Workers include healthcare providers, military service women and men, teachers, refuse and recyclables collectors, wait staff and cooks at restaurants, gig economy workers as delivery partners with Uber & Uber Eats, Lyft, GrubHub, DoorDash, and even volunteers who work in hospices helping to bring sunshine and care for terminally ill patients.

In the US, we are quick to utter the words, "Thank you for your service" to military active duty members and veterans.  Indeed, they deserve this recognition and more.  Yet there are still other workers that help maintain our society to keep in functioning along the lines of healthcare infrastructure, water and sewage systems, the nation's electrical grid, public safety and law enforcement, farm to table supply chain, faith-based ministries, elder care and child care, and even school crossing guards and yoga instruction.  

We often overlook the millions of people contributing to keeping our society functioning.  When COVID-19 struck, many of these professionals weren't able to step back and stay home when various states, cities, and hamlets went into reduced in office and at work presence.  They continued working throughout this entire time.  Sadly, many succumbed to this dreaded disease.  Yet workers from every background, ethnicity, nationality, and gender persevered and continued working to the best of their abilities.  Unfortunately, these non-military workers and fellow human beings are usually overlooked even though many have been labeled "essential Workers."  

Even on important federal holidays, many people often have to work.  

Maybe the next time we go into a coffee shop, store, healthcare facility, standing next to a public safety/law enforcement official, pass a school crossing guard, or happen to be in close proximity of the worker who collects our refuse each week, consider uttering these words to them as well, "Thank you for your service."

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/its-not-all-bad

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

There are many reasons for concern in the world, including issues with global warming, violent conflicts, pandemics, natural and manmade disasters, and so much more.  However, there are many reasons for optimism and persistence including to make things better for our planet, improve the health of lives the world over, reduce poverty, and belief that we humans can make a positive difference in our own and in the lives of others.

My two guests - Zhanna Imel and Ardian Maloku - are to such optimistic and persistent people.  Zhanna (twenty something) was adopted from an orphanage in Kazakhstan.  She came from a life of difficulty and not the best outlook for her future.  Once in America, moved around with her adopted parents for many years.  Finally, living in a RV with her Mother and Brother always moving, always, on the go, and different schools.  When you hear Zhanna's voice on this episode, you'll understand her commitment to a brighter future for herself and others.  She's now in the US Foreign Service (US Department of State) as a US Diplomat.  Although life wasn't that easy for her, she never lost her sense of optimism.

Ardian (a young thirty something), a former Albanian refugee who's family escaped war torn Kosovo when he was just years old.  He's seen death and destruction up close.  He arrived in the States without being able to speak and read English.  There were many instances Ardian could have gotten involved with the wrong crowd, sought the wrong things, or looked for some imaginary east path to financial or material success.  But his goal was to become a US Diplomat and serve his adopted country in public service.  Ardian is now in the U.S. Foreign Service (US Department of State) as a US Diplomat.  Even when life through him some difficult curves, he persevered to make a positive difference for himself and others.

As you listened to their voices, Zhanna and Ardian remind us that it's fine to be optimistic and to persist to be our better selves.  I do hope you consider sharing this episode with others who may find their stories interesting as new US Department of State Foreign Service Professionals.

 For more information about US Department of State internships and employment opportunities, please see information contained via this website: https://careers.state.gov/

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/its-not-all-bad

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7

Images of people, especially children, in hunger is disturbing sad, and appears perpetual.  Although there are millions of hungry and often times starving populations the world over, there are hundreds of thousands of concerned and active people working diligently to alleviate this plague of hunger and starvation.  And, yes, there are commercial and even some wealthy individuals and organizations doing their part to end this problem.

By the way, there may be those who believe there's just not enough food being produced to feed everyone on our planet.  Well, studies from the UN, non-governmental organizations, educational and research institutions, and non-profits have confirmed there is plenty of food to alleviate hunger.  Unfortunately, waste, overconsumption, consumer demand for certain food products, and global warming all contribute to this human-influence conditions.

I share some thoughts and statistics about the world hunger issue, and it's not just hunger associated with underdeveloped and less developed countries.  Countries with developed economic, social, and food production systems also have food insecure populations.  One point is certain, all of us can do our small and sometimes significant parts to alleviate this problem.  We must avoid the knee-jerk reaction and trap that assumes those who are chronically hungry and malnourished is entirely their fault.  We also must avoid the rabbit hole of believing that if the hungry would just stop having children.  Should the economically middle-class and upper income people stop having children to reduce wasteful food consumption who often will discard food the minute it reaches the, "Best Used/Consumed By" date?  Of course not.

No.  We don't have to put off addressing food insecurity and hunger for some future decade because the world already produces enough food now to feed the worlds population.  Unfortunately, by one United Nation's study, food production to table results in over 1 billion tons of food waste each year.

All of us who are fortunate to have plentiful and nutritious food for daily meals, we can do our part in buying what we need for consumption not to excess, consider purchasing products that are produced sustainably and ethically, and not wasting perfectly edible products.

If you found this episode (and my podcast in general) interesting, please share it with friends, family, and associates.

The goal of my podcast is to have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

If you're like me, people have either read or heard of the most recent school shooting that took place in Michigan, November 30th, 2021.  A 15 year old high school student used a semi automatic pistol to shoot and kill four students and injure 8 others.  School shootings isn't a new phenomenon in society, it's become frequent enough to the point of just short of normality and expectations.

During this episode, I mention some of the concerns of both sides of the gun debate, but emphasizing more can and should be done.  Just as our society has not resigned itself to never being able to find a cure for cancer, we must not relegate meaningful discussion and action to the trash bin off inaction on gun safety.  

Thank you for listening.  If you found this topic and episode interesting, please consider sharing it with family, friends, and colleagues.

The goal of my podcast is to delve into topics of the day, and have interesting guests share their thoughts on different issues, have guest co-hosts to discuss various topics (especially those that offer humor), and even share short episodes in which I discuss thoughtful and even heartwarming issues.

*Twitter: @stewartdevine5

*LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/stewart-devine

**Comments and/or opinions expressed by the host and guests are their own**

You can listen to and subscribe to, "It's Not All Bad," that's available from the following platforms:

Special thanks for Devine & Company (https://www.devineandcompany.com/) for their guidance on subject matter content and technical issues.

*Anchor - https://anchor.fm/stewart-devine

*Google Podcasts - https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82MDYwNGQ2MC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==

*Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-not-all-bad/id1574392751?uo=4

*Breaker - https://www.breaker.audio/its-not-all-bad

*Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0X6Gn9zC85iEyfKbNmpINM

*Pocket Casts - https://pca.st/beu5r0lv

*RadioPublic - https://radiopublic.com/its-not-all-bad-WDjRy7