Are public servants truly serving the public, or are they finding ways to serve themselves? What happens when politics gets in the way of hiring qualified individuals for government roles? We're diving into these burning questions and exploring the consequences of controversial public servant pensions, hiring practices, and political patronage. 

In our eye-opening conversation, we discuss the evolution of public servant benefits and how their current pay and perks may be impacting taxpayers. We share the story of a public servant who resigned, only to continue receiving his salary and pension, sparking a debate on the fairness of such situations. Furthermore, we delve into the murky world of political influence on government hiring processes, touching on the story of Michel Andrew's involvement in a massive infrastructure project. 

As we examine illegal gambling, the sustainability of pension benefits, and the politics of taxes, we consider the far-reaching effects of these issues on our democracy and the overall health of our government. Don't miss this thought-provoking analysis that exposes the hidden side of the world of public servants and raises important questions about their true role in serving citizens.

Enjoy a multi-generational looks at learning and its hurdles.  
Our discussion ventures into the realm of charter schools, the role of parental involvement, and why persistence is a key ingredient to success in academic & professional settings.

What was school like for our grandparents, and how has the education system evolved since then?  Listen in on a captivating conversation as Frank reminisces about his experiences in elementary school and beyond. We take a trip down memory lane, examining the differences in subjects taught, teachers' focus, and even parental involvement in classrooms over time.

This episode isn't just about the past; we also tackle pressing issues facing today's education system. How do we ensure that children receive a well-rounded education that prioritizes critical thinking and independent reasoning? How do we balance school curricula with the importance of self-education and lifelong learning? 

We don't shy away from the more controversial aspects of modern education either. From the politicization of the school system to the importance of getting rid of bad teachers, we explore the challenges and potential solutions to create a more successful learning environment for our children. We also discuss the influence parents have on their children's behavior, particularly when it comes to issues like vaping, and celebrate the accomplishments of Sabrina Lambert, the Nurse Practitioner of the Year for the St. Joseph London, Kentucky. Tune in for an enlightening and thought-provoking discussion on the past, present, and future of education.

Why does society seem to rely more and more on therapists? Is it due to a lack of self-reliance, the decline of two-parent households, or even a misuse of therapy services? Uncover the complexities of therapy in today's world as we discuss the role of therapists, medical care, and doctor specialization in our lives.

We explore the importance of primary care providers and specialists in our health journey, shedding light on the potential pitfalls of being "ping-ponged" between different medical professionals. Delve into how trust plays a vital role in our interactions with doctors and how their varying expertise may impact our overall well-being. Furthermore, we question the motives behind seeking therapy and whether some individuals may utilize it as a crutch or status symbol, ultimately hindering their personal growth.

Join us as we navigate the disparities and controversies in American society, reflecting on the grit and work ethic of immigrants who have overcome adversity, and examining the potential blind spots in those who have achieved success. By claiming a win in the arena, we strive to find balance in conflicting views and encourage thoughtful discussions on the complexities of therapy, personal growth, and societal expectations.

Madeline & Frank provide guidance on growing families and businesses.  Although the episode starts abruptly, Grandmother Madeline is describing the difficult decision she made to switch cardiologists (for the first time in her 8 decades of life).   This is the first episode of Mind Your Thinker, taking place on December 26, 2019.  

Since June 9, 2022,  we have been without Frank Arena.   He used to say that the mind is a wonderful part of us.  It can recall cherished voices, faces, and places.  Those memories  can be comforting when confronting the harsh reality of loss of our loved ones.   Here is a little lagniappe he left us on May 29, 2022.   

la·​gniappe | \ ˈlan-ˌyap  , lan-ˈyap \ : a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase broadly : something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure.  The waiter added a cup of lobster bisque as a lagniappe to the meal.  First known use: 1844.  Mark Twain's Thoughts on Lagniappe: "We picked up one excellent word," wrote Mark Twain in Life on the Mississippi (1883), "a word worth traveling to New Orleans to get; a nice limber, expressive, handy word—'lagniappe'.... It is Spanish—so they said." Twain encapsulates the history of lagniappe quite nicely. English speakers learned the word from French-speaking Louisianians, but they in turn had adapted it from the American Spanish word la ñapa. (What Twain didn't know is that the Spanish word is from Quechua, from the word yapa, meaning "something added.") Twain went on to describe how New Orleanians completed shop transactions by saying "Give me something for lagniappe," to which the shopkeeper would respond with "a bit of liquorice-root, … a cheap cigar or a spool of thread." It took a while for lagniappe to catch on throughout the country, but in time, New Yorkers and New Orleanians alike were familiar with this "excellent word."

“Lagniappe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lagniappe. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.

Today's episode is on living within our means.   
keep up with the jonses.  idiom : to show that one is as good as other people by getting what they have and doing what they do.  people trying to keep up with the Joneses by buying expensive cars and clothes that they can't afford

“Keep up with the Joneses.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/keep%20up%20with%20the%20Joneses. Accessed 11 Sep. 2022.

We are back to chat about the first step of marriage.  wed·​ding | \ ˈwe-din.  : a marriage ceremony usually with its accompanying festivities.  first known use: the 12th century.  Today we get a blast from the past on weddings with Grandpa Frank.   In the 1950's, wedding music costs were 23 bucks and the stories are priceless. 

“Wedding.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wedding. Accessed 19 Feb. 2022.

Today we discuss the topic of profiling where we agree to disagree.   pro·​fil·​ing | \ ˈprō-ˌfī-liŋ  \ : the act or process of extrapolating information about a person based on known traits or tendencies//consumer profiling.  specifically : the act of suspecting or targeting a person on the basis of observed characteristics or behavior //racial profiling.  First known use: 1980.  "Profiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/profiling. Accessed 3 Oct. 2021.

Today we discuss the history of the stock market, real estate and interest rates, the importance of consistency in investing, and the unknown future of cryptocurrency. 
in·​vest·​ment | \ in-ˈves(t)-mənt  \ : the outlay of money usually for income or profit : capital outlay.  First known use: 1774.   “Investment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/investment. Accessed 19 Sep. 2021.

The vision of Mind Your Thinker stems from Grandpa Frank's favorite question to his grandchildren during their visits from Kentucky to their grandparent's home in Chalmette, LA for as long as they can remember: "What do ya think?"   The first episodes of Mind Your Thinker was from Cori & Frank's original podcast, "Today's Lagniappe."  Frank, born in Louisiana the 1930's brings history and Cori, born in Kentucky the 1980's brings curiosity to explore the past, present, and future of relevant topics.  Despite their occasional contrasting perspectives, conversations typically result in today's lagniappe - something given and obtained gratuitously.

This episode starts with a quote from Mark Twain about "lagniappe." We discuss the history of hurricane naming systems, the recent impact of Hurricane Ida on multiple state in America, and how catastrophes such as hurricanes shape individual, community, state, and national responses to mother nature. 

la·​gniappe | \ ˈlan-ˌyap, lan-ˈyap \ :a small gift given to a customer by a merchant at the time of a purchase broadly :something given or obtained gratuitously or by way of good measure//The waiter added a cup of lobster bisque as a lagniappe to the meal. First known use: 1844.

hur·​ri·​cane | \ ˈhər-ə-ˌkān  , -i-kən, ˈhə-rə-, ˈhə-ri- \
: a tropical cyclone with winds of 74 miles (119 kilometers) per hour or greater that is usually accompanied by rain, thunder, and lightning, and that sometimes moves into temperate latitudes.  First known use: 1955

"Lagniappe." Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lagniappe. Accessed 6. Sep. 2021. 

“Hurricane.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hurricane. Accessed 6 Sep. 2021.