What happens when the world shuts down just as you’re stepping into adulthood?
In this episode, Mac sits down with writer, amateur historian, and Substack creator William E. to discuss how the COVID lockdowns disrupted his transition into adulthood and sent him into a season of isolation, stagnation, and what he describes as his own personal “Heart of Darkness.”
Fresh out of high school when the world suddenly closed its doors, William found himself trapped in a cycle of endless news consumption, YouTube documentaries, movies, and video games. What initially felt like freedom slowly became what he calls a comfortable misery, a life filled with entertainment but lacking purpose.
The conversation explores the psychological effects of isolation, why consumption alone can never satisfy us, and how creativity, community, and meaningful work helped William chart a new course.
William shares how reconnecting with family, developing a love for writing, building an eBay business, taking online classes, reading great books, and creating stories transformed his life and helped him find a way out of the wilderness.
This is a conversation about purpose, creation, faith, technology, personal responsibility, and what it means to choose your own path when life doesn’t go according to plan.
About William
William Ezell is a Christian writer, amateur historian, Sunday school teacher, and creator of The Old Northwest on Substack. He currently works at a Christian camp in New Mexico and publishes both nonfiction and fiction, including his serialized fantasy adventure A Cop in Camelot.
In This Episode
* Graduating high school during the COVID lockdowns
* The mental and emotional effects of isolation
* Endless entertainment and the trap of comfortable misery
* Video games, YouTube, documentaries, and passive consumption
* Why knowledge is not enough without action
* The lessons of Heart of Darkness
* Technology, isolation, and modern society
* The importance of structure and responsibility
* Reconnecting with family during difficult seasons
* Learning to write despite struggles with spelling and dysgraphia
* Building confidence through small victories
* Creating stories instead of merely consuming them
* Starting an eBay business
* Reading, history, and lifelong learning
* Faith, purpose, and finding direction
* Why personal freedom means choosing your master before your master chooses you
Memorable Quotes
“Personal freedom is picking your master, not having your master pick you.”
“Finding my way out of the wilderness.”
“The isolation situation doesn’t cause you to do those things. It amplifies what you’re already doing.”
“Hell is where you have nothing to do but amuse yourself.”
“Knowledge isn’t power. Applied knowledge is power.”
“Comfortable misery.”
Books Discussed
📚 Heart of Darkness — Joseph Conrad
📚 Ender’s Game — Orson Scott Card
📚 The Chronicles of Narnia — C.S. Lewis
📚 A Cop in Camelot — William Ezell
Connect with William
Substack: The Old Northwest
Fiction Series: A Cop in Camelot
The Personal Freedom Podcast
The Personal Freedom Podcast shares the stories of people who chose a different path—overcoming adversity, rebuilding their lives, pursuing purpose, and defining freedom on their own terms.
If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who may be looking for their own way out of the wilderness.
RV Life_Digital Nomad _Fisherman that is trying to be a better Hunter_Lover of poems and songs_An enjoyable drinker, eater, and breather_A man who is rebuilding something greaterSigning OffThe Personal Freedom Podcast, Mac Dohm
There are rainbows in the storms.
Check out my nomadic art gallery for pictures, posters and prints showcasing my life on the road! Use the Code FREEDOM for 20% off.
Art Gallery:
https://macnomadicfineartfromtheroad.pic-time.com/
Ritual Organics
Sun Tallow – Whipped Beef Tallow Face Cream with Non-Nano Zinc
Product Description from Ritual Organics’ website:
Grass-fed tallow meets mineral zinc in one whipped, do-it-all balm. Six ingredients. Zero white cast. Zero nonsense.
Why people are obsessed:
One step. Done. Moisturize, nourish, and shield from UV in a single swipe.
Clear Zinc Tech: real UV defense, no chalky ghost face.
6 ingredients. Grass-fed whipped tallow, organic jojoba, non-nano zinc, vitamin E, organic rosehip, organic lavender. The end.
Non-greasy, non-comedogenic, all skin types, including the dramatic ones.
Skinimalist & non-toxic: no fragrances, parabens, preservatives, or mystery chemicals.
90 days to fall in love. if you don’t, email or DM us for a full refund. No returns. No questions.
Ever Accountable
If you’re trying to build a more intentional life and create healthier digital habits, I’ll leave a link to a tool I personally use called Ever Accountable.
Freedom isn’t just about where you go. It’s also about who’s driving the wheel. Tools like Ever Accountable help create honesty, intentionality, and accountability in a world designed to distract and consume you.
This is a great tool also if you are a parent and want better protection for your kids online.
* Try this link for a limited 14 day free trial and 20% off after that 14 day trial expires.
Want to promote your business?
Email [email protected] and/or book some time to chat.
Subscribe to The Personal Freedom Podcast
New episodes every week featuring conversations about:
* Purpose
* Adventure
* Creativity
* Faith
* Relationships
* Recovery
* Rebuilding
* Mindset
* And the ongoing pursuit of personal freedom
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who may need the reminder to keep pursuing freedom in their own life.
Where to Find PFP
Watch on YouTube
Watch & Listen on Substack
Listen on Apple
Listen on Spotify
Get full access to The Personal Freedom Podcast with Mac Dohm at thepersonalfreedompodcast.substack.com/subscribe
