Hey, Thinkers! Alanna is unfortunately under the weather this week, so with significant help from Producer Tyler we found this Patreon episode in the archives- and it turns out, it might be JUST what the doctor ordered. We know Alanna is a little woo-woo, and this is episode from Fall 2021 (!!!) is discussing the pagan holiday of Mabon and how it can be incorporated into anyone's life- from someone trying to celebrate as a budding pagan, to a Christian looking to understand their Celtic/Britton ancestors, anyone can benefit from the ideals encompassed by this sacred autumnal day of Thanksgiving. And as we move into that very transitional time of year, we want to let each of you know: we are thankful for you. Happy Mabon!

Alanna will be back next time, don't worry. ;)

As with any episode featuring Producer Tyler, this one is goofy. We had so much fun spending time reflecting, talking about the major differences between our school experiences, and discussing how Tyler is trying to make sure things are very different for his own son. Join us for not only a trip down memory lane, but a bit of philosophizing on the social options for kids, the education system, and even a guest appearance from (Alanna's mom) Karen herself.

www.ivebeenthinkingpod.com/blog

Don't forget to check out the Patreon for exclusive episodes, including the weird stuff Tyler and I will be dropping soon!

Listen to the episode on being OUTED in our small hometown HERE!

Join our friend, actor and fellow Appalachian Afsheen Misaghi for this enlightening episode on the 2023 SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes here in the United States. Afsheen provides an insider's perspective on why writers and actors in the US are striking, what they're looking to achieve, and why the average "working class" American should care at all about how "entertainers" are treated by the industry.

For more on the episode and to find Afsheen on socials, check out the shownotes!

To support IBT and get extra content, check out our Patreon.

(CW: alcholism, addiction)

We are excited to share this episode with you, Thinkers. One of my artist friends, Nic Seegel, joins us on this episode to discuss his experience with an addiction to alcohol. This is an amazing insight into the mind of a person experiencing alcholoism, what brough him to his breaking point, and how he dug himself out. In true IBT fashion, I do want to remind you- every story is different, so this might be an entirely different experience and journey with addiction and sobriety than what you or someone you know experienced. You also may never have known a person to go through this experience (although it's more likely that you have and didn't know it), so you think it's not for you. But it's for that exact reason that it's important to listen to Nic's story.

Find the shownotes HERE.

Check out our Patreon for early, ad free, and EXTRA content!

Hey, guys. Guess what? It's me- THE BIRTHDAY GIRL- and I'm coming in with a solo episode to chat with y'all a little bit about my goals for the year, where I'm at, my concept of birthdays as a clean slate AND some of my hopes and dreams. Just the usual, spilling my guts to whoever will listen on the internet lol. ANYWAY I hope this episode does something for you, or inspires you, or maybe enrages you, or at the very least entertains you. As long as you're engaging that noggin, I'm happy. Thanks, y'all!

Check out the website HERE or our Patreon, HERE!

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'Dances and Dames' by Kevin MacLeod - released under CC-BY 4.0.

Check out our sponsor, DEVKENYA- Go to devkenya.com and sign up for their waiting list. Use the coupon code DEVKENYAHASBEENTHINKING for 15% off your first website.

CW: child loss, cancer

Hey, Thinkers. In this episode, I bring you Jessie Huisken; mother, children's developmental professional, and superhero. Jessie shares with us the story of her baby girl, Phinley-Kate, a courageous little babe who fought a hard fight against a rare leukemia. Sadly, Phinley succumbed to her disease in the Fall of 2022, but her legacy prevails. Jessie and family have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of other families in similar situations- by writing a book, Phundraising for a research grant, and raising awareness for how underserved children's cancer resesarch actually is. I want you to know, though- this episode is not just for families who are living in the hospital with a chronically ill child. This episode will give you such insight into what this entire experience is like- into the difficulties and pain that you don't even think of, but also into how life can't go on pause, even though it feels like it should. Phinley was the perfect example of that.I hope that her story touches your heart like it has mine, and I hope this episode helps you gain a new understanding of families experiencing the unimaginable.

Please, if you're touched by this story- check today's shownotes on the blog for the links to Phinley's Facebook page, for Jessie's book, and for the Phinley's Phund Rally Fund donation site!

Find the shownotes and ALL of the links HERE!

Support the pod by sharing us with a friend and leaving us a rating and review wherever you listen. If you feel so inclined, we'd love if you join us on Patreon, as well!

ad music:
'Castles in the Sky' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au

We are rounding out Pride month at IBT with a bang, y'all- today's episode, with my mostly anonymous friend Alix, is a look inside the identity of an asexual, bigender, bisexual human. Alix patiently explains so much to us, doing a job that is not their responsibility- explaining the intimacies of their identity. But thankfully, they have taken the time and energy to do this with me, for you- to make an identity that might seem foreign to some of our listeners more understandable and more human. I hope that this episode maybe makes you think about the different ways a person can identify, and helps humanize the people that you might not understand. I hope this episode enlightens you on what asexuality is and how it can be experienced, as it did me. Overall- I hope this episode makes you think.

check out the shownotes for more info, links, etc here.

Support us on Patreon to help us continue this project.


Ad music:
"'Sunday Smooth' by Scott Buckley - released under CC-BY 4.0. www.scottbuckley.com.au"

We know, we know- we do some heavy episodes. So, to break things up and remind you of the importance of YOU, ole boss man Nate and I recorded this awesome episode about the importance of treating yourself. I hope it inspires you to get yourself a lil treat, and I hope it encourages a litte critical thought, too. ;)

https://www.ivebeenthinkingpod.com/
www.patreon.com/ivebeenthinkingpod

My friend Chris McLoone is an openly trans man here in the Florida panhandle, and has agreed to join us today to explain the contents of Senate Bill 254- and how they directly affect him as a trans adult. You see, I think it's very easy to hate someone you never interact with, and I think it's very easy to support legislation that limits a person's freedoms over their own body when you see them as less than human. So Chris is also here today to remind of us his humanity, and to elaborate on specific instances of this anti-trans legislation affecting his actual life. I think it's also very easy to take legislation at "face value", but the truth of the matter is that this bill is not written just for "protecting children", it is limiting the freedoms of adults to make decisions about their own bodies.



We had a lot of fun in this episode, but also talked about some really real shit. So happy Pride, y'all, and don't ever forget that it is first and foremost a rebellion.

show notes:
www.ivebeenthinkingpod.com/blog

This episode is a discussion of goals, of thankfulness, of growth and of the future. Can you believe it? Three years ago, in May of 2020, we began this journey together. Since then, we've joined Stove Leg, gained an editor/producer in Tyler, and grown this project in so many beautiful ways. I'm so grateful for y'all!!!!! Enjoy!!