The Scribble with Jeremy Bradley

There are so many fads and fleeting trends nowadays that it's tough to keep up -- or even know what they are. Jeremy Bradley talks about hearing of new currencies and investment concepts, yet no one he's asked can explain to him what they are or how they work. "You're not really selling me on it if you can't tell me what I can do with it," JB said. Later, JB talks about multi-level marketing (ahem, pyramid schemes) that hook people looking for fast and easy money. "People just need to get a regular job and get paid regular money."

The latest online trend is holding a pity-party telethon for yourself and asking -- demanding -- money and handouts from the audience. Whether it's GoFundMe campaigns or direct links to send money, people have no shame when it comes to expecting "gifts" (donations) from an internet full of strangers. Jeremy Bradley talks about when the worlds of entitlement and lazy collide for a new embarrassing trend on social media. "People are posting, 'It's my birthday, here's my Venmo' to blatantly ask for money," said JB. "Or they do a live stream and get progressively angry when viewers don't kick in." Later, he talks about a relative who had every excuse in the book to not get a job and provide for himself... and his wife... and his son.

Jeremy Bradley -- who has a life -- talks about recently learning of the politics and drama amongst social media content creators. Because of those platforms, everyone thinks they should be broadcasting anything and everything -- all the time. But lacking originality is a problem in those creator circles. And when they start making content taking shots at the others' content, it gets catty, petty and hilariously (and sadly) entertaining, said JB. He goes on another rant about the delusions of an "influencer" lifestyle and why most people should stick to having a job and working for someone else.

What a major miscommunication! Jeremy Bradley talks about the time his relative proclaimed the wrong family member died. It was a game of telephone gone wrong -- very wrong. JB's mom shared that a different relative died so he thought two loved ones died in a matter of one hour. Craziness ensued as JB and his cousin tried piecing together who was still alive and who had died. Later, JB talks about the obligation he always has to speak at funerals thanks to his history as a professional writer and broadcaster. Sometimes, though, there's an awkwardness... especially when you'd never had a conversation with the deceased. JB reflects on three recent deaths that caught him off guard... and off guard... and off guard. Finally, JB talks about his I-remember-where-I-was-when moments as an entertainment host covering celebrity deaths.

Your job is dunzo. But... what's the story you tell everyone? Did you quit or were you fired? Jeremy Bradley talks about the embarrassment of getting fired and spinning the story to make it sound like it's the employer's loss... and entirely your doing. He recounts the first time he was fired from a job and the impact it had on him. What's the story to tell your parents when you get turfed as a teen? "I quit, I couldn't handle the job anymore, mom," JB said. Did she believe him -- about the job he never once complained about? He discusses how employment standards have changed over time since that 1999 event. 

"I've never been into Pride -- or what used to be called Gay Pride but now is 'everything that isn't straight,'" says married gay man, Jeremy Bradley. He talks about how the over-the-top flamboyant spectacle isn't his scene -- and never has been. "I remember, before I was out, watching the news with my parents and the Pride parade came on. Seeing clown-makeup drag queens and guys being so feminine. I knew that wasn't a representation of me and I feared my parents would think I was 'one of them' when I had no desire to fem it up and wear a dress and paint my nails. I was just a guy who was attracted to guys." In recent years, Pride has become so commercialized that JB feels the true meaning has been lost. "At first, it was cool when corporations changed their logo to a rainbow but with that came them making money off of Pride. And what happens July 1? The roll up the rainbow swag and it's put away until next year."

The chaos is real at CBS News with much of the long-time team at 60 Minutes out the door. The Scott Pelley firing this week rocked not only the company but the journalism industry as a whole. Jeremy Bradley, a journalist who's been in the business for over 20 years, shares his thoughts about the CBS shakeups under new management. Plus, he talks about how "citizen journalism" or "independent journalism" isn't the same thing as mainstream media -- and why that's a problem, especially in today's world where the MSM is no longer as highly regarded or trusted.

It's time for an entrepreneur smack down. Jeremy Bradley unloads on wannabe business people who attempt to make themselves look bigger than they are. His biggest gripe: "I can't stand when people go on Shark Tank and refer to a business as "we" when it's just them: "We've been in business for five years" and later admit it's a one-man show." JB gives examples of the smoke and mirrors he's run into with fellow broadcasters who attempted to make their operations seem larger than they were. For instance, a radio station having Studio K -- which was a kitchen... in a crammed apartment above a convenience store on a busy downtown street. "There's nothing better than doing it on your own and taking pride that you've accomplished everything by yourself."

It's the big debate: should you steal to compensate for your efforts at self-checkout? Jeremy Bradley talks about shoppers feeling the need to grab extra items while ringing up their purchases at stores without cashiers. His controversial statement, "I understand why people feel that way" is often misinterpreted as support. He explains why that argument, however, doesn't mathematically add up. "For the two minutes of work you do -- based on what the hourly wage is in that store -- you would be entitled to a few cents of merchandise." JB talks about why customers are frustrated and how they justify their bad behaviors if store staff isn't around -- or isn't paid enough to care.

Living your best life. Family is everything. Manifest the amazing. You make today special. The best is yet to come. Does any of this crap motivate you and give you a bounce in your step? Does it help you power through your workday? Jeremy Bradley talks about motivational phrases and mantras that people, apparently, need to get through the day. Do trendy buzzwords and empty phrases really make a difference?