How would humanity respond if we found proof of Aliens beyond Earth? This is the topic of conversation today as 2 of my great friends Chase Smith and Tom Fifer join me to dive into some great questions. We talk about the latest science in astronomy and astrophysics, and also how to view our faith through different perspectives. 

Chase is a worship pastor, student ministry pastor, and an all-the-time podcaster. In 2018 he founded Press Play Podcasts.

Check it out at pressplaypodcasts.com

Tom is one of the hosts of the Podcast Unravelling with Tom and Pete, and has frequented the Mark Explains Podcast. He brings so much to our conversations, make sure to check out his podcast wherever you listen. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

Mark and Ash talk about how Mark just got a vasectomy. As well as Cobra Kai, and simulation theory and a dozen other ridiculous things. 

You can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

It's been on our hearts for a while to release a series on Mental Health, but this is also a topic that is naturally quite sensitive in nature. We aren't sure how many episodes will be incorporated in this series, but as we move forward, we want to bring to light the things that live in the dark. We also want to preserve the fidelity and integrity of those that are professionals and experts in this field, so we will be inviting some people that are much smarter than we are to talk about these things.  

This first episode we talk about Ashlen's panic/anxiety attacks, a little bit about the science behind what those are, and why they come about. Anxiety is widely felt among all of humanity, however our responses are vastly different, and we talk about what we can do and the tools we can put in our belt to help in those most vulnerable times.

If you are someone who deals with anxiety, depression, or thoughts of suicide, please seek professional help as you are a precious human being who is loved. We want to help you, if you don't know who to reach out to, email us below and we will get you in touch with professionals who can help you. 

You can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Trigger Warning: anxiety, depression, panic/anxiety attacks

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

Do any of us truly have cognitive autonomy? In this past week, the US was yet again divided strongly over the verdict of Kyle Rittenhouse. This polarizing news almost forced every American to choose a side: either he was using self-defense and this showed the justice system works, or this was the perpetuating narrative of white supremacy. 

My good friend Tom joins Ashlen and myself on todays Podcast. The conversation today does not revolve around the events of what took place in Kenosha, WI, but rather we are asking the question "Why do I believe" a certain thing about what we believe? It's a much denser, and honestly more important question. And the viral and divisive verdict of Kyle Rittenhouse is a perfect example of the exposure of these belief structures.

This is the link to the article read in the beginning of the episode: https://kareem.substack.com/p/why-the-kyle-rittenhouse-verdict?fbclid=IwAR1SdcsyWFl1VZtAPS_S9DbEk1VEsHAba3_wI1MwxGa5uAsiemX0BLm9Dio

You can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

The universe is so wild. I met Sam through the TURO app renting a car from him out in San Diego, which led us to super interesting conversations, and naturally we had to do a podcast while I was out there. And it was even more radically eye-opening than I could have imagined. He introduced me to Jared and the conversation that took place is what everyone needs to be talking about. 

They run the GrowTogether Podcast, which features "conversations with the movers-and-shakers furthering access to natural medicine and wellness. We shed light on new developments in how people are growing and using natural substances and foster conversations about our rights and responsibilities as growers, practitioners, and consumers.  We talk with entrepreneurs, cultivators, doctors, scientists, practitioners, spiritual leaders, thought leaders about the revolution in natural health and wellness."

Check out www.growtogethernetwork.com for more information.

Jared Coleman, J.D. 

After graduating NYU Law School in 2000, Jared began his career as a founder of one of the first mobile phone marketing technology platforms, MobileMetrics.  After selling the company in 2003, he spent the next decade representing technology companies in emerging markets. He shifted his career in 2009 and began working as a constitutional-rights litigator and appellate public defender where he has handled over 200 felony appeals based on constitutional rights issues that have resulted in 13 published decisions.  His and representation of landowners in the civil rights arena led to judgment against Sacramento county for violation of due process. He continues to practice business law and counsels companies focused on new technology, health care, and in venture capital and private equity transactions. In 2020, he launched the GrowTogether Project to help enhance discussion and awareness of our rights to reasonably grow and use crops for ourselves and our communities. 

Sam Taggar

After graduating Boston University with a  BS in Manufacturing Engineering in 2006, Sam began his career within a top 4 consultancy in New York working within the Management Strategy practice assisting Fortune 50 companies with growth, optimization and scale. After 2 years he joined a Biotech Venture Capital firm focused in early stage drug discovery. This took him to the other side of the world to Beijing, China where he was a Senior Business Director of one of the portfolio companies  in which he assisted in the growth of the company from 70 scientists to over 600 people within a 2 year time-span. After the company sold for $77 million, he spent the next 3 years working within China, he explored entrepreneurial opportunities,  immersed himself in the Chinese culture, learning the language and learning and exploring Traditional Chinese Medicine.  He returned to the USA in 2013 to focus his efforts in the realm of E-commerce, digital marketing, data and audience building within health care, SaaS, online education and plant medicine sectors. Helping companies leverage data and build sales system online so they can scale on social platforms and increase their level of automation and growth online which has lead him to generate over $5 million in revenue online. He continues to run his own media agency and consults businesses in designing high converting customer journeys  and helping them build legal and ethical methods of data collection to  build their own  audiences to further provide compelling content, stories and education that helps them build trust, become an expert and dominate in their respective niches. He spends his time also conversing with thought leaders, experts and sages in the business, mental health, and plant medicine industries through several podcasts he launched in 2018 and most recently in 2021 launched the The Grow Together podcast to  help enhance discussion and awareness of our rights to reasonably grow and use crops, plant medicines for ourselves and our communities.

You can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

It was such an honor of mine to be able to sit in on the Unravelling Podcast with Tom and Pete a few weeks ago. The conversation goes in a bunch of directions, but this was by far one of the best conversations about some dense topics revolving around church and faith. 

Go check out Unravelling with Tom and Pete on iTunes and Spotify, give them a like & a listen. Really great content.

Also, you can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

What are ghosts? Can they hurt you? Is the paranormal experience real? In this Halloween special, we get to talk to 2 experts in the field of paranormal activity, Julie Rathsack and Nate Roberts. Both have extensive experience in paranormal investigations as well as numerous stories that are quite spooky. 

Julie is Michigan based, and also co-wrote the book "Ghosts of Grand Rapids" which can be found wherever you get your books. Nate grew up in Arizona and has investigated some of the most famous "haunted" locations known in the US including Tombstone and Jerome, AZ. 

You can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

Jenn is a great friend of mine that I met a few months back and is just such an interesting person. The conversation gets really fun when she starts talking about the life lessons she's learned as an equestrian from all of her encounters with horses over the years. Such a great conversation.

You can also find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast

This was by far one of the most fascinating conversations I've had in a long time. I got to sit down with a great friend of mine Tom Fifer, who is a former pastor, now current bartender/barista/fitness coach/podcaster. We sit down at Elk Brewing in Grand Rapids, MI and dive DEEP into the complexities of the bible, prayer, the universe, particles, love, and so much more. 

Tom's podcast is called "Unravelling with Tom & Pete" and can be found where you normally listen to your podcasts. 

You can also find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts. 

*Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)*

*All music scored by host or royalty free*

Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! [email protected] 

IG: @Mark.Explains

FB: @markexplainspodcast