FiremanRich on

FiremanRich on

Welcome to Simple Joe. I’m glad you’re here.

In today’s episode, I talk about this wild thing researchers discovered — sea lions can actually clap underwater, and loud enough to sound like a whip cracking. I share the weather for my friends in Bangkok, Thailand, along with what’s going on here in Cincinnati. We look at today’s birthdays, including Lou Rawls, Woody Allen, Richard Pryor, Bette Midler, Wally Lewis, Sarah Silverman, DeSean Jackson, and Zoë Kravitz, and I touch on Rosa Parks’ historic stand back in 1955. We also go through today’s celebrations like Antarctica Day, National Pie Day, Eat a Red Apple Day, and National Christmas Lights Day. And since it’s Monday, we check out a handful of Interesting Headlines that caught my eye:

I wrap things up by asking which headline you want me to dig into for Thursday’s show, and I leave you with a reminder to spend time with the people you love because—no matter what day it is—memories are always better than stuff.

Email me at [email protected] or send me a text at 513.399.6468. Just say hi, I would love to hear from you.

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A few years ago, my company did a lot of games during the month of December. This one was "Name that Tune." I created over 20 spots made up of 3 different Holiday Tunes and everyone took a turn and naming the songs. The trio was easy, medium, hard. How many can you recognize?

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Welcome to Simple Joe. I’m glad you’re here.

In today’s episode of Simple Joe, I talk about the incredible power of lightning, explore the weather in Berkhamsted, England, and Cincinnati, Ohio, celebrate birthdays like Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Ridley Scott, and Ben Stiller, and look at historic events, including the first international football match and the Sylacauga meteorite strike. I highlight celebrations like Computer Security Day, National Mason Jar Day, National Moose Day, and National Mississippi Day, and then dive into a full Faith Connections conversation about what Christian generosity really means, especially when it comes to caring for widows and orphans and the people today who fill those same vulnerable roles, like single parents, foster children, the elderly, immigrants, people with disabilities, and anyone without a support system. I also share practical reflections on sacrificial giving, presence over provision, and stepping into someone’s story with compassion. It is a good one, and I hope it brings encouragement, thoughtfulness, and maybe a challenge to live generously today.

Email me at [email protected] or send me a text at 513.399.6468. Just say hi, I would love to hear from you.

You can get Simple Joe T-Shirts and other cool stuff at thesimplejoe.com/store

Check out what I'm reading at thesimplejoe.com/reading

If you share the show on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please use #simplejoeismyfriend; you might get a free t-shirt!

Welcome to Simple Joe. I’m glad you’re here.

In today’s episode of the Simple Joe Daily Podcast, I kick things off with the wild fact that honey never spoils, even after 3,000 years in an Egyptian tomb, then share a quick Knoxville memory before giving you the full weather for Knoxville and Cincinnati, running through today’s birthdays, historic events, and celebrations, and diving into a personal development talk about choosing progress over perfection, how perfectionism can freeze us in place, why small imperfect steps matter more than perfect plans, and how tiny bits of action can create momentum, reduce overwhelm, and help you build a life rooted in consistency and honesty instead of fear and waiting for the “perfect moment.”

Email me at [email protected] or send me a text at 513.399.6468. Just say hi, I would love to hear from you.

You can get Simple Joe T-Shirts and other cool stuff at thesimplejoe.com/store

Check out what I'm reading at thesimplejoe.com/reading

If you share the show on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please use #simplejoeismyfriend; you might get a free t-shirt!

FiremanRich on

In this episode of Set Lusting Bruce, host Jesse Jackson welcomes guest Jay Armstrong, a longtime friend and one of the podcast's earliest guests. Jay shares insights from his teaching experiences, where he used Bruce Springsteen's 'Thunder Road' as a poetic exercise for his students. The episode dives into the longstanding debate over whether Mary gets in the car and how perspectives on the song have evolved over time. Jay discusses his new book, 'Follow Your Dreams Down: Scenes from Small Towns, Jukebox Nights, and Roads That Give Second Chances,' which is a collection of short stories inspired by Springsteen's songs. The conversation also touches on Jay's experiences with his medical condition, the importance of resilience, and the challenges of writing fiction. Tune in for an engaging discussion about music, teaching, and the human experience, all through the lens of Bruce Springsteen's work.

00:00 Introduction and Special Guest Jay Armstrong

00:28 The Thunder Road Classroom Debate

03:10 Jay's New Book and Writing Journey

05:24 Exploring Themes in Bruce's Music

07:28 Jay's Fiction Writing Inspiration

10:56 Challenges of Writing Short Stories

18:16 Bruce Springsteen's Recent Works and Collaborations

23:41 Reflecting on Youth and Urgency

24:16 Anticipation for the Bruce Springsteen Movie

25:13 The Challenge of Being True to Oneself

26:47 The Fear of Rejection

28:12 Writing and Letting Go

29:37 Lessons from Living with a Condition

31:54 Memories and Stories of Loved Ones

33:08 The Absurdity of Love

36:10 Crafting a Book Like a Concert Setlist

40:45 Connecting with Readers

44:32 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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FiremanRich on

Welcome to Simple Joe. I’m glad you’re here.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friend. Today I talk about the very first Thanksgiving meal back in the autumn of 1621 and how it probably had lobster, eel, goose, and five deer from the Wampanoag instead of turkey. I share the weather for Delmar, New York and here at home in Cincinnati, and then we dig into the headline you chose from Monday’s Interesting Headlines: a wild new “zap the ice” technology that uses electricity instead of heat to clear your car windshield in seconds. I walk through how it works, why it could change winter mornings for all of us, and why it might even be one of those quiet investment game changers. I also spend time reflecting on Thanksgiving itself, talking about family, friends, gratitude, awkward holiday dynamics, and why today is such a powerful day to make memories with the people you love and the people who love you. And of course, I tease tomorrow’s Top 10 List, suggested by listener Andy Hoffman: the Top 10 Most Popular Soups, because it is fall and soup season is definitely here.

Email me at [email protected] or send me a text at 513.399.6468. Just say hi, I would love to hear from you.

You can get Simple Joe T-Shirts and other cool stuff at thesimplejoe.com/store

Check out what I'm reading at thesimplejoe.com/reading

If you share the show on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, please use #simplejoeismyfriend; you might get a free t-shirt!