The Common Counterpart

Josh and Mark kick off the summer talking about water in California.  This will be a two-part episode as they try to get people to understand how unique the "California Experiment" is and how it could easily fall apart, leaving the world's 5th largest economy to fail.  Josh explains the physical science of where the water in CA comes from, while Mark focuses more on the human-environment interaction and what we have done to the land.  Next week the boys will focus on water problems as well as creative solutions that are currently in the pipeline, no pun intended.  APES & AHUG come together once again.  Wisdom of the Week from Will Rogers "The farmer has to be an optimist or he wouldn't still be a farmer."

Follow us on instagram for exclusive content and videos @TheCommonCounterpart

Josh and Mark recap 2021 so far and talk about some of their favorite episodes, while hinting towards future episodes.  The last week of the school year has them both on burnout mode, but they still find the energy to argue with each other.  Sometimes its worth stepping back and keeping it light.  Wisdom of the week comes from Jordan Peterson "Tell the truth, or at least don't lie."  APES & APHUG come together once again.

Follow us on instagram for exclusive content @TheCommonCounterpart

Mark and Josh discuss urban farming and food deserts.  Turning unused space into productive land for food and community is the goal of urban farming, and comes as a necessity in areas where fresh food is not readily available or affordable.  Mark claims to want community but doesnt want people involved, and Josh thinks about starting his own garden.  APES & APHUG come together once again.

Wisdom of the week from Booker T. Washington "No race can prosper till it learns there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem."

follow us on instagram for exclusive content @TheCommonCounterpart

Josh and Mark recap the farmer protest in India over the new legislation that will essentially ruin the livelihood of the small farmer.  Over 250 million people took to the streets with tractors trucks to block the interstate leading in and out of the capital.  With enough rations to last up to 6 months, they are fully prepared to wait this thing out.  Mark calls it growing pains of development, and Josh gives a look at what the Green Revolution did to crops worldwide.  Wisdom of the week comes from Gandhi and his Seven Social Sins: Wealth without work, Pleasure without conscience, Knowledge without character, Commerce without morality, Science without humanity, Religion without sacrifice, Politics without principle.  APES & APHUG come together once again. 

Follow us on instagram for exclusive content @TheCommonCounterpart

Josh & Mark discuss the lumber industry during the pandemic and Covid-19.  From every aspect of the supply chain, the price of lumber has skyrocketed and people are stuck paying the price.  Josh leaves his tinfoil hat on a little too long and Mark doesn't think theres only one person to blame, but everyone is responsible for the solution.  Wisdom of the week comes from George Orwell, "In a time of deceit telling the truth is a revolutionary act."  APES & APHUG come together once again.

Follow us on instagram for exclusive photos and content @TheCommonCounterpart

Josh and Mark start a two-part episode on the lumber....or timber? industry.  Something that goes invisible to most people but is a crucial aspect of life in the 21st century.  From building materials to common household products, we are nothing without trees.  In Part 1 they dig deep into the history of lumber as well as provide background info for next week's episode where they focus on the pandemic and the lumber shortage.  Mark celebrates a birthday and Josh warns that the tin foil sombrero will be coming out next episode.  Wisdom of the Week "We can evade reality, but we cannot evade the consequences of evading reality." - Ayn Rand.  APES and APHUG come together once again.

for visuals from the episode and other exclusive content, follow us on instagram @TheCommonCounterpart

Josh and Mark discuss the pirate life in the 21st century.  From Somalia to the West African coast, pirates still exist and it is a bigger problem that people realize.  They discuss creative solutions to the issue, and also connect previous episodes to prove once again that nothing happens independently in this world.  Wisdom of the week comes from Brownell Landrum "A thief might steal from anyone.  Why he's stealing from you is what you need to understand."  APES & AHUG coming together once again.  Thanks for listening Commoners!

Follow us on instagram for exclusive content @TheCommonCounterpart

Mark and Josh recap the Ever Given event in the Suez Canal and expand into choke points and their significance in global trade.  The boys talk oil and cargo, and the vastness of the oceans.  Wisdom of the week coming from Beyonce "The ocean makes me feel really small and it makes me put my whole life into perspective...it humbles you".  APES & APHUG come together once again.

follow us on instagram for exclusive images and additional material @TheCommonCounterpart 

Josh and Mark discuss the plastics in the ocean and the hype around the new documentary on Netflix "Seaspiracy".  The boys try to bring some truth to light and have an honest conversation about the future of our oceans and the issues we are currently facing.  APES & APHUG come together once again.  S/O as always to "The Commoners" for rocking with us every week. 

Wisdom of the Week: "The sea finds out everything you did wrong." - Francis Stokes

Follow us on instagram for visuals and additional content @TheCommonCounterpart

Josh and Mark get back in the groove of work and the pod with a fun Q&A session.  Thanks to all the fans and followers for submitting questions.  We had a silly time and will definitely be doing this again.  Although not serious, APHUG & APES coming together.  Wisdom of the week "Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. - Voltaire". 

Follow us on instagram @TheCommonCounterpart