I've been reading a wonderful book by G. Ott Romney entitled, "Off the Job Living: A Modern Concept of Recreation and its Place in the Postwar World" published in 1945. Romney was primarily known for some solid football, basketball, and track coaching at Montana State University and BYU; however, this book goes far beyond sports and athletics. In this segment, I share his views on developing your tastes in life through a multitude of enriching experiences with some cautions about consuming too much pre-designed entertainment.
*Photo: G. Ott Romney 1928 in the Montanan (Wikipedia)

While doing some research for my upcoming keynote lecture in June, one of the men I'm researching made a reference to how treadmills were originally used for punishment in prisons! I found this intriguing so dug into it, and sure enough--it's true. Who knew?! Here's an interesting summary of the history of treadmill machines and how they factored into crime and punishment and eventually into the modern fitness industry.
*Source: https://daily.jstor.org/treadmills-were-meant-to-be-atonement-machines
*Graphic: Wikipedia

There is a lot of buzz about Americans moving into a "four-day work week" and how this WILL enhance people's lives...hold on! History has some warnings and guidance here!

A tyrant has been defined as "someone who rules without law using extreme and cruel methods." Let's chat about some recent events that in my opinion--are all planned with the specific intent to break our country down even further and destroy the freedom of the people.

During some more research on the historical significance of leisure time and how to use it wisely, I learned more about ancient Rome and what led to their demise--largely due to a foolish and reckless use of leisure time that was financed by the elites to appease the masses by giving them "bread and circuses." We have been warned--just like the Romans.

*Reference: "The Leisure Age: Its Challenge to Recreation" by Norman Miller & Duane Robinson (1963)
*Graphic: Wikipedia (artist unknown)

I had the honor of attending a conference on "All-Black Towns of Oklahoma" yesterday in downtown Tulsa sponsored by Tulsa University. These small rural black towns have an amazing history and are a rich part of not only Oklahoma history--but also United States history. I hope you enjoy today's show which summarizes many of the key points from the conference. The whole conference was professionally videotaped and will be available for free viewing soon through Tulsa University's Oklahoma Center for the Humanities.
*Conference Link: https://calendar.utulsa.edu/event/all-black-towns-of-oklahoma-symposium
*Photo: "Early 1900s Black Cowboy" by unknown photographer. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

There is a very important topic found in the studies of culture and how to elevate culture that underscores the importance of including beauty in your life--and many today are completely out of touch with the real beauty which is NOT what the social media influencers are advocating. Here are some beautiful words of wisdom from those before us.

Sources: "The Leisure Age: It's Challenges to Recreation" by Norman Miller and Duane Robinson (1963); "Nineteen Recreation Principles" by Joseph Lee and the National Recreation Association
*Photo Credit: Ron Jones

I've been thinking deeply about this whole alien thing lately in view of flying objects being shot down. For purposes of discussion--what would happen to established religions "if" there was in fact life outside of earth in the form of beings that are visiting us? How would this impact people's established beliefs in their version of "God" or existence?

I found an old bottle buried in debris and leaves on my property during some cleanup. As I started to discard it, I noticed a plant growing inside and thriving inside--basically a terrarium had formed inside the bottle. This will to survive struck me as worthy of a quick inspirational show.

Have you ever wondered why people riot and become violent after their team wins a major sports championship? What is the real reason for this from the physiology standpoint? Here ya go. Listen up and understand why spectating runs right into a fight or flight sympathetic nervous system response--then control yourselves and act like adults!
*Reference: "Philosophy of Recreation and Leisure" by Jay B. Nash (1953)
*Graphic: "Anger" by DARKVINE (2018)