In this episode I do my best to spell out my plan for the future, especially when it comes to this project itself. 

I speak on writing, presenting, planning, and so much more. All in a good faith effort to sneak up on why exactly it is even important to talk about this stuff in the first place. 

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Debuting music inspired by the concept of this podcast; I give thanks to todays guest Wes Dahms, who humbly walks us through his creative process. 
Our conversation touches on music, philosophy, jiu jitsu, 9line training, being a (flight) paramedic, and more. 

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Most recently teaching political science while stewarding the Kinder institute on constitutional democracy at Mizzou, todays guest Justin Dyer is really going places.  Unfortunately for Missouri that means saying farewell for the time being.  Though he is doing very necessary work building a new institute in Texas focused on teaching, understanding, and appreciating American values.

We cover some important facets of our carefully layered system.  The case is strongly made that "local social capital" might be a concept we can look at when wondering how to make the world a better place.

"The cultivated mind is the guardian of democracy."

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This epic conversation with jiu jitsu coach and longtime MMA fighter Jarrett Harrison flows through a broad spectrum of topics including religion, politics, guns, violence, discipline, managing priorities, the origins of MMA in Mid-MO, and finding balance through it all.  

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The restaurant "Fly Over" here in Columbia, MO is a local treasure, and fortunately so are the owners themselves.  Today I got the chance to join my friend Dan on a conversational journey through the details of how he has tackled the biggest, most pivotal moments in his life.  The lessons learned, the wisdom gleaned from the hindsight, the decision to take control of ones life, and our best effort at tackling the impossible task of articulating how to humanely bring the next person through these difficult lessons.

These conversations help me maintain and even build hope for the future.  

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Sam owns and operates Active Life Chiropractic here is Columbia, Missouri.  In this episode we expand on the concept of an active life, the implications of what taking control of our narrative means for our future, and what doing better looks like to us currently. 

We touch on several hot topics including gun control and the overturning of Roe v Wade.  The thing we can agree on for sure is: these conversations must take place.  

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Having both grown up in Howard County, MO; one thing it is easy for us to agree on is that things are changing fast.  Though where to draw the line on issues of personal discipline, parental discipline, work/life balance, and the details on how technology should be incorporated into our day-to-day are fascinating topics that need to be addressed as they evolve.  

Taking ownership of ones situation and defining their discipline as they see it is powerful.  Instead of a finish line, that empowerment is the beginning of a new chapter in ones life where they can then see how their existing discipline is working for them and take steps to change it for the better. This mastery opens up doors that one could never have expected.  

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I was able to sit down this evening with my fellow veteran Kyle Denton, who got out in 2018.  His unique experience and thoughtful perspectives lead this conversation through several examples of military and civilian cultural norms that have changed over the last 10-15 years.   Some maybe for the better, others perhaps not as much. 

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This episode is an epic,  free flowing conversation with Josh Turkewitz; who is a professor of philosophy and a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu.  We explore 21st century life, tolerance, and when to apply the best pressure.  it seems there is no way to simply turn a blind eye to the wisdom which can be found in old books.  however, which old books, and to what degree we believe in them is (fortunately, or unfortunately) still on the chopping block.

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There are many facets of this world which may never be fully understood without experiencing them directly. I find, often, the most impressive skills or deep insights have been developed through years of careful, deliberate, training.  The martial arts exist almost entirely in this space...

This episode acknowledges the rich history that we are a result of, and why this framing will always be relevant. 

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