The Mango Times

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Welcome to Episode 29 of theMangoTimes Podcast: Turning Dreams into Reality

In this episode, I delve into the invigorating process of making your aspirations come alive. Join me as we navigate through the practical steps of transforming dreams into tangible achievements.

What’s on the Agenda?

A Few Updates from Mangoland: Catch up on the latest happenings, from recent episodes to life updates, including the adventures in Fletch’s garage and escapades on the improv stage.

The Fletchifesto Revisited: I take a moment to reintroduce "The Fletchifesto" and share its origins, setting the stage for today’s theme.

Special Interview with Kendra Fletcher: My  wife, Kendra, shares her inspiring journey from dreaming about graduate school to actualizing her goals. She discusses how she navigated through the challenges of balancing family responsibilities and her career, and overcame the barriers that stood in her way.

Overcoming Obstacles and Conquering Fears: Kendra opens up about the hurdles she faced, such as family obligations and work demands, and emphasizes the crucial role of family support. She also reveals her personal fears during this journey, including practical concerns about traveling and battling impostor syndrome.

Advice and Encouragement: Kendra offers her strategy for tackling fear: "Do it Scared." She discusses why age should never be a barrier to pursuing dreams and the significance of being receptive to new opportunities.

Prepare to be inspired by this episode as we encourage you to shift from dreaming to doing. Whether you’re looking to reignite your passion or take the first step towards a long-held aspiration, this episode is a must-listen for anyone ready to make a significant change.
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Guest Information
Kendra Fletcher, BA, MSt received her Bachelor’s degree in Music from the University of the Pacific and her Master’s in Literature and Arts from the University of Oxford. She currently teaches high school literature, writing, and critical analysis. Kendra lives in California’s Central Valley, where she serves on the board of the Modesto–Stanislaus Historical Society and interns at the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.

She has raised a shocking number of children, homeschooled for twenty-five years, spoken about it all over the place, podcasted, and authored two books about leaving weird religion: Lost and Found: Losing Religion, Finding Grace and Leaving Legalism. You can find her at kendrafletcher.com.

LINKS:
KendraFletcher.com
The Holstee Manifesto
The Fletchifesto

Music used in this episode:
No music used.

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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

After kicking off my return to podcasting with Episode 27—where I sat down with my son-in-law Roy Mendiola and talked about doing what you love and doing it often—I couldn’t be more excited for this next episode. Because this time, I’m sitting down with a guy who’s been around long enough to have some serious street cred… if the street was a dirt road in the 1930s.

That’s right, in Episode 28 of theMangoTimes, I’m sitting down with my 94-year-old father to talk about life in the ‘30s and ‘40s. And let me tell you—this man isn’t just my dad; he’s a walking history book with a side of sarcasm and a lifetime of wisdom. If you’ve ever wanted to hear firsthand what it was like to grow up during the Great Depression, navigate a world without WiFi, or hear why he thinks kids today have it too easy, you’re in for a treat.

To make it even better, I bought some portable microphones, grabbed my pipe, and set up shop in his smoke shop (because, let’s be honest, where else would this conversation happen?). What followed was a goldmine of stories, laughs, and classic PopPop-isms that I can’t wait for you to hear.

And here’s the best part—this isn’t a one-time deal! This is just the kick-off. The palate cleanser, if you will. My dad will be back for more episodes, and you can be a part of it. Head over to theMangoTimes.com and hit that Let’s Connect button. Got a burning question for Pop? Want to hear his take on life, love, or why people used to walk uphill both ways in the snow? Leave a written comment or send in an audio message, and I’ll make sure he answers it in a future episode.

So grab your headphones, light up your pipe (if that’s your thing), and get ready for some old-school storytelling with a guy who’s seen it all.

Welcome to In the Smoke Shop with Pop—this is gonna be fun.

LINKS:
No Links This Show

Music used in this episode:
Got A Lot Of Traveling To Do - by Willie Nelson (BUY IT HERE)

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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

Four years? Has it really been four years since I last dropped an episode of theMangoTimes Podcast? A lot has happened in that time, but we won’t cover it all in this episode.

Instead, join me as I dive deeper into The Fletchifesto and explore the idea: “Do What You Love and Do It Often.” I'm joined in the studio by my son-in-law, Roy Mendiola, as we talk about his passion for making music and his journey in pursuing it.

Don't miss this episode—it's one you won’t want to skip!

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Guest Information
Roy Mendiola
A graduate from CSU Stanislaus with a degree in music performance. You can find him on Apple Music here.

Resources and Links
The Fletchifesto

Music used in this episode:
On the Road Again - by Willie Nelson (BUY IT HERE)
Kite - by Roy Mendiola- (BUY IT HERE)

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Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

Life is Good. It is a popular brand of clothing, a book, a quote, and for many people it’s quite simply a way of life. I’ll be the first to admit that some optimists can be annoying. They can seem overbearing with their chronic sunshine personality. You might even think they are being fake or ignoring reality.  Bert Jacobs, founder of the Life is Good company and author of the book by the same name says this,  “Optimists are able to view rejection as an opportunity to adjust and improve, embracing the chance to learn, grow and try again.”  Like I said, they can be annoying.

On this episode of theMangoTimes podcast, grab your favorite cup of coffee and join Fletch and a few special guests as they dive a little deeper into his Fletchifesto and look at why he believes Life is Good. I promise it won’t be annoying.

LINKS:
The Fletchifesto
God Walk: Walking at the Speed of your Soul by Mark Buchanan

Music used in this episode:
Breath In, Breath Out, Move On - by Jimmy Buffett (BUY IT HERE)
Look for the Good - by Jason Mraz- (BUY IT HERE)
Quietly Making Noise - by Jimmy Buffett (BUY IT HERE)

LINKS:
The Fletchifesto
God Walk: Walking at the Speed of your Soul by Mark Buchanan

Music used in this episode:
Breath In, Breath Out, Move On - by Jimmy Buffett (BUY IT HERE)
Look for the Good - by Jason Mraz- (BUY IT HERE)
Quietly Making Noise - by Jimmy Buffett (BUY IT HERE)

Support the show

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

On this episode of theMangoTimes podcast, we dive into the simple practice of taking a walk and how that can be more than a means of transportation. What does it mean to saunter? What does it look like to slow down and consider the practice of contemplation. Listen along as Fletch invites guests  from literature and real life to help us how to discover the glory of God in walking.
Grab your favorite pair of walking shoes and join us for this fun discussion.

EPISODE LINKS:
God Walk by Mark Buchanan
Struggling for Purpose podcast with John Wilkerson

Music used in this episode:
Walk of Life - by Dire Straits (BUY IT HERE)
I Walk the Line - Johnny Cash (BUY IT HERE)
Walking on the Moon - The Police (BUY IT HERE)
Walk on the Wildside - Lou Reed (BUY IT HERE)
Walk This Way - RUN DMC/Aerosmith (BUY IT HERE)
Baby Elephant Walk - Henry Mancini (BUY IT HERE)

Support the show

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

What does it look like to be curious about others? What if we chose to stop and understand why someone believes what they believe and listen to their perspective? On this episode of theMangoTimes Podcast, Fletch dives into another belief of the Fletchifesto and shares what it means to him to live with an open mind and an open heart.

Will we change who we are? Will we convert our thoughts and beliefs? Will we stop loving our favorite sports team, political party or church affiliation? Probably not, but we just may learn something along the way. Listen along as Fletch encourages you to move beyond the easy conversations with those you love to doing the hardworking of listening and learning from those you disagree with.

Grab you own favorite cup of coffee and join us for this fun discussion.

SHOW NOTES:
Jesus & John Wayne by Kristen DuMez
Open Your Mind and Heart to New People

Music used in this episode:
None

Support the show

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

On this episode, we continue our series called “Discover” where we dig deep and ask ourselves  where we find the glory of God in the world around us. 

Join Fletch as he “virtually” sits down with Ben Kenoyer, the owner and coffee roaster at Revive Coffee Roasters to find the glory of God in roasting coffee. But wait, it turns out that Ben doesn’t want to just roast beans for the perfect cup of coffee. He wants to revive cities and create community, and here’s the kicker: he is using his coffee to make that happen.

Grab you own favorite cup of coffee and join us for this fun discussion.

Support the show

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

The 2020 holiday season has arrived. For many of us, that means great meals and great family conversations around our dinner tables. For others, Thanksgiving and Christmas are difficult holidays filled with  tough relationships and forced interactions with tricky family members. I remember a wise man who once told me, “You know Fletch, there are those you love and those you’d rather spend time with.”
Yikes. What are we to do in a year that seems to have divided our families and our friendships in two?

Join Fletch as he reminds himself and his listener to make extra space at their tables and extra space in their life for those who disagree and debate about everything. Listen along as he encourages all of us to improve our ‘table manners.’

Support the show

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

Three months since the last episode of theMangoTimes podcast? It was time for Fletch to jump back behind his microphone for another edition of the podcast.

What happens when you realize you may have been wrong? What does it look like to open your mind and heart to the other side and see the world from their perspective?

On this episode, of theMangoTimes podcast, Fletch discusses with the listener how he made the journey from one party to another. What was it that changed his mind and how did he begin to see there was more than one way to see and enjoy the world. Hold onto your leash and enjoy an episode listening to Fletch admit he was wrong.

SHOW NOTES:
Rasta the Chocolate Lab - check out the mascot of theMangoTimes
Music used in this episode:
Top Cat Theme Song
Stray Cat Strut

Support the show

Send Fletch a Voicemail or Text!

2020 came in like a hurricane. A global pandemic. New discussions, community divisions and national debates about racial imbalance and privilege. All of this pointing to the fragility of our discourse with one another.

What does it look like to enjoy the journey in the middle of hurricane season? At the same time, what does it look like to live a life of contentment without becoming complacent?

On this episode, Fletch dives into the Fletchifesto to discuss what it means to enjoy the journey. Along the way he shares some great music and a podcast that he thinks you will like even more than theMangoTimes.

Quietly making noise,
Fletch

SHOW NOTES:
The Fletchifesto - check out each of the life quotes.
Wired Magazine: Steven Levy Interviews Larry Brilliant
Music by Jimmy Buffett:
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On
One Particular Harbor

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