The Simple Life with Gary Collins

Have you ever wondered how America became the most obese country in the world? Are you struggling with your weight and health? The statistics say there is a good chance you are. In this episode, Gary sits down with Charlie Deist, who discusses the relationship between our personal freedom, wealth and health.  

Charlie Deist is a writer and radio producer from the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his BA in economics from UC Berkeley in 2011, writing his undergraduate thesis on monetary policy during the Great Recession of 2007-2008. Fascinated by the wide-ranging effects of the economy’s booms and busts, Charlie began to study alternative economic and social models, including “seasteading,” or homesteading the high seas. His writings on sea farming and environmental economics have been featured on BBC.com and in Erraticus Magazine. He has also been featured on KPFA, and routinely guest hosts a weekly AM radio program, The Bob Zadek Show, which he produces from Berkeley, California. Charlie is passionate about the link between the health of the land and the health of people that it nourishes. He recently attended an agricultural writer’s workshop in Modoc County, where he wrote about the sustainable grazing practices of a ranch in Ft. Bidwell, California. Charlie lives in Berkeley with his wife Emma.

Topics Discussed:

* A little about Charlie* How he found The Paleo diet and what he did wrong* What is "folk activism" * What are the prospects for voluntary societies/jurisdictions that freedom-seekers establish from the ground up, i.e., seasteading * Why the Green New Deal would be doomed, and what a decentralized/free-market approach to environmentalism might look like? * What is the Natural Movement philosophy?* How has government contributed to various health epidemics – dating back to the advent of agriculture, through the modern subsidies and nutritional misinformation.

Episode Resources:

* Charlie's website* The Bob Zadek Show* Become part of the Simple Life Circle here* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Is it possible that the art of deep thinking is the key to living a happy life? In this episode, Gary chats with J. Thorn, author, entrepreneur, and co-host of the Career Author Podcast, and many others. 

J. Thorn is a Top 100 Most Popular Author in Horror, Science Fiction, Action & Adventure and Fantasy (Amazon Author Rank). He has published two million words and has sold more than 185,000 books worldwide. In March of 2014 Thorn held the #5 position in Horror alongside his childhood idols Dean Koontz and Stephen King (at #4 and #2 respectively). He is an official member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, the Horror Writers Association, and the Great Lakes Association of Horror Writers.

Thorn earned a B.A. in American History from the University of Pittsburgh and an M.A. from Duquesne University. He is a full-time writer, part-time professor at John Carroll University, co-owner of Molten Universe Media, podcaster, FM radio DJ, musician, and a certified Story Grid nerd.

Topics Discussed with Author J. Thorn

* A bit about J. Thorn* The art of deep thinking and what does it mean* The dangers of social media* The importance on focusing on the things that matter* The cost of multi-tasking* How to quiet your mind* The art and benefits of meditation* The power of collaboration as an author and entrepreneur

Episode Resources:

* J. Thorn’s main website* The Career Author Podcast* J. Thorn’s books here* Join the TSL Simple Life Circle* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

In this episode, Gary sits down with Bryan Cohen. He’s the creator of Best Page Forward and co-host on The Sell More Books Podcast, who went from a Barista at Starbucks to a successful six-figure author and business owner. 

Bryan Cohen is an experienced copywriter and a bestselling author. After launching Best Page Forward in June 2015, he was immediately inundated with orders for book descriptions. He’s written over 2,000 descriptions for authors to date, and he’s in the process of coaching authors to learn the craft of copywriting themselves.

Topics Discussed with Bryan Cohen:

* A bit about Bryan* What was Bryan’s motivation to be an author and start his own business* How making mistakes is just part of being an entrepreneur* How did Bryan build up a team to help manage his life better?* What does Bryan do, and what you can do when your work-life intrudes on your home life* How do you balance trying to make money with your health and happiness? 

Episode Resources:

* Bryan’s website for Best Page Forward* Bryan’s podcast with Jim Kukral – The Sell More Books Show* Bryan’s books on Amazon* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife* The Simple Life website: https://thesimplelifenow.com

Chris Badgett shares his amazing story and best secrets of going from a glacier in Alaska to a successful tech entrepreneur.

He started learning about online education on a glacier in Alaska. He's created courses on everything from organic gardening to woodworking. He is passionate about helping other entrepreneurial educators find success and create an impact.

He is self-taught in WordPress and in figuring out how to create and sell online courses. Chris has been experimenting with WordPress, WordPress LMS plugins, and WordPress learning management themes since 2008. He joined forces with the talented team at codeBOX and helped architect the LifterLMS plugin.

What does LifterLMS software do? LifterLMS exists to democratize education in the digital classroom.

LifterLMS exists so that anyone in the world can create transformative educational experiences through the internet.

LifterLMS exists so that education entrepreneurs worldwide can create online training programs with very limited initial expenses. The free core LifterLMS software allows these education entrepreneurs to validate their training programs and make sure their students are getting real-world results.

Topics Discussed:

* A bit about Chris* Chris discusses his past nomadic lifestyle* The challenges involved while living nomadically* How did Chris fund his nomadic lifestyle* What is involved in running a remote business* How did he start LifterLMS and what does it work* Why teaching and creating a product of value is the key to being a successful entrepreneur* When it comes to online courses what is the biggest challenge* What makes a good online course* Does it take a big following to have a successful online course* What is the future of online courses* Topics of successful courses that might shock you* Best advice for someone wanting to start an online course

Episode Resources:

* Chris’ website for LifterLMS: https://lifterlms.com* Chris’ podcast for entrepreneurs and online course* Chris’ book on Amazon* How to be in the Simple Life Circle* This episode https://thesimplelifenow.com/e16

Have you ever wanted to sell everything and live the nomadic lifestyle while traveling the world? In this episode Chris, Holly and I will tell you how.

Chris and Holly Santillo, of Five Backpacks, have taken up and succeeded with the nomadic lifestyle. Yes, even with their three young children.I always hear from people that they can't live a nomadic lifestyle or off the grid because they have a family and that I can do it because I'm single. I have said it time and time again - most people living the nomadic and/of off the grid lifestyle are married, and a great deal of them have children and pets. Chris and Holly will back me up on this, so if you are interested in this lifestyle, it is time to stop making excuses and make it happen!

Chris Santillo is a founder and head instructor at Potomac Kempo, a martial arts studio with four locations in Alexandria, Virginia. Holly is the founding conductor of Mount Vernon Children's Choir and a Senior Instructor at Potomac Kempo. Together, they have been working with and educating children for more than thirty-five years. Chris has a degree in computer science from Harvey Mudd College and an MBA from Georgetown University; Holly has a degree in anthropology from Willamette University. As of the date of publication, they are nomadic, exploring the world and worldschooling their three children.

Santillo Family Credo:

Right here, right now, I am grateful for the health of my mind, body, and spirit; and the beauty that surround me.

Everyday I am grateful for the opportunity to create my destiny, which I greet with optimism, confidence, and joy.

All my life I am grateful for the love of friends and family whom I serve with generosity, patience, and kindness.

For this moment, for this day, and for this life, I am truly grateful.

Nomadic Lifestyle Topics Discussed:

* A bit about Chris and Holly

* How and why did they decide to live nomadically as a family

* The trade-off between spontaneity and preplanning

* How to be vigilant and keeping your family safe in far away places

* How they are funding their nomadic lifestyle

* How to and what is involved in running a remote business

* What it takes to have the entrepreneurial mindset

* Chris and Holly’s family values

* How parenting seems to have gone so wrong today

* What is their primary mission of living nomadically

* The challenges involved while living nomadically

* What are the key ingredients to a well-lived life

Episode resources and links:

* Chris and Holly’s Book: Resilience Parenting: Raising Resilient Children in an Era of Detachment and Dependence

Chris and Holly’s websites:

 www.potomackempo.com ― Martial Arts For Men, Women, and Children 

www.fivebackpacks.family ― Wandering and Worldschooling

www.resilienceparenting.info — Raising Resilient Children

How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife

Have you ever wondered what it takes to get healthy when it seems all the odds are stacked against you?

Brian Nichols host, of The Brian Nichols Show, drops by for a chat. Brain shares how he lost 180 pounds and is now focused on being as healthy as he possibly can be. He has not only changed his health, but most importantly changed his life.

Topics Discussed with Brian Nichols:

* A bit about Brian* What is the Brian Nichols Show and what is it about* Brian’s childhood and how he became obese* Dealing with being overweight and the obstacles he faced* Brian’s wake up call that made him take action* Our broken healthcare system* How he lost 180 pounds* His shift in mindset outside of just losing the weight* Why taking charge of your life is the key to happiness* His new lease on life and his new direction* His advice for those fighting being overweight

Episode Resources:

* The Brian Nichols Show* How to be in the Simple Life Circle: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife * The Simple Life website

Do you struggle with exercise and being healthy, or looking for a saner more practical way to accomplish your health goals? Listen in to this episode.

In This episode, I talk to Erwan Le Corre of MovNat.com. Erwan Le Corre is the founder of “MovNat”, a synthesis of his long-term passion for real-world physical competency, his love of movement in nature, his extensive knowledge of Physical Education history, and his personal philosophy of life. He believes it is everyone’s universal and biological birthright to be strong, healthy, happy and free. He calls this state of being our “True Nature”.

Basic Human Fitness Topics Discussed: 

* A little about Erwan

* What it MovNat and why did Erwan create it

* The primary principles of MovNat

* The exercise everyone should be doing

* The relationship between nature and exercise

* Erwan’s book “The Practice of Natural Movement”

* MovNat eating and nutrition principles

* Why acting like a human in nature should be your exercise routine

* Why by choosing to be unhealthy you are being selfish

Podcast resources and links:

 The MovNat website

Erwan’s Book on Amazon

Join Simple Life Circle here: https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife

Get show notes and resources here: https://thesimplelifenow.com/e13

Amazon Best Selling Thriller Author AC (Adam) Fuller drops back in for a chat. This is an update on the progress on The Crime Beat Thriller Series Adam and Gary are working on. As this episode was recorded, we are finishing up book 5 of the 9 book series.

Adam was a journalist in New York, he now writes fiction at the intersection of media, politics, and technology. Before he began writing full time, he was an adjunct professor of journalism at NYU and an English teacher at Northwest Indian College.

He is also the creator of the WRITER 2.0 Podcast, which ran from 2014 to 2016 and was consistently one of the top independent writing podcasts in the country.

In addition to NYU, A.C. has taught writing for the Pacific Northwest Writers Association, the Write in the Harbor Conference, the Royal City Literary Arts Society, the Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network, and many local libraries. He lives with his wife, two children, and two dogs near Seattle.

Topics Discussed with AC Fuller:

* An update on The Crime Beat book series we are working on

* A bit about how the inside of big publishing works

* The good and bad of being self-published

* Our process during the writing of The Crime Beat

* The ending we hope no one will see coming

* The possibility of future projects

* Getting ready for the 20booksto50k indie writers conference in Vegas

Episode Resources:

Adam’s website: http://www.acfuller.com

Get a free copy of one of Adam’s books here

 Adam’s Amazon Author Page

Go here to get on the Simple Life Circle https://thesimplelifenow.com/betterlife

In this episode, I interview Caleb Franz creator of the Reintegration Project. We discuss how to take your freedom back and live the life you want.

Caleb is the Founder and Executive Director of The MilLiberty Initiative. Before founding the organization, Caleb served as the Head Media Producer at OUTSET Network. It was at OUTSET that he started his podcast, MilLiberty, that inspired this organization.

Now, in addition to leading The MilLiberty Initiative, he has moved his show on milliberty.com where he continues to tackle important issues and interview high profile guests within the movement. Caleb also has a history of working with several liberty-minded nonprofits, appearing on and guest hosting radio programs, and providing editorial contributions.

Your Better Life Topics Discussed: 

* A little about Caleb

* What is MilLiberty and the Reintegration Project?

* Why he created the Reintegration Project

* Helping convicted non-violent offenders get back on their feet

* The difference between reform and punishment

* Defining freedom and liberty

* The broken state of our criminal justice system

* The detrimental side effects of our consumer-based economy

* Our ridiculous drug laws

* The power of big government and big business has on our lives

* How to take your freedom back and live the life you want

Episode Resources:

Caleb’s Website MilLiberty

Join the Simple Life Circle here

Get resources and show notes for this episode here: https://thesimplelifenow.com/e12

Do you think that living off the grid is just too hard? Did you know we have a U.S. Congressman doing just that?

In this episode, I talk with Congressman Thomas Massie, who not only talks the talk about personal responsibility and self-reliance but also lives it… a rare politician indeed!

U.S. Representative Thomas Massie entered Congress in November 2012 after serving as Lewis County Judge Executive. He represents Kentucky’s 4th Congressional District which stretches across Northern Kentucky and 280 miles of the Ohio River.

U.S. Representative Massie attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. During school, he invented a technology that enabled people to interact with computers using their sense of touch, and leveraged that technology to find SensAble Technologies, Inc., which raised over $32 million of venture capital, created 70 jobs, and obtained 29 patents. The hardware and software he developed is now used to design automobiles, jewelry, shoes, dental prosthetics, and even reconstructive implants for wounded soldiers.

In Congress, Thomas serves on two committees: the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

The House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure has jurisdiction over roads, bridges, mass transit, railroads, aviation, maritime and waterborne transit. Thomas’s selection to the Oversight and Reform Committee puts him in a position to hold the federal government accountable to taxpayers. 

Thomas lives on a cattle farm in Kentucky with his wife and high school sweetheart, Rhonda, and their four children.

He’s honored to be able to serve the citizens of Kentucky’s 4th District.

Off-grid Topics Discussed with Congressman Thomas Massie:

* A little about Congressman Massie

* What values were instilled in you growing up that helped develop your political worldview?

* What made him interested in living “off the grid”?

* His do’s and don’ts while trying to live off the grid

* Some of the mistakes he and I made in the beginning of our off-grid projects

* Understanding solar power and its limits

* Why building and living off-grid builds character and keeps things in perspective

* What led him to run for Congress?

* Dealing with his life in Congress

* How are political institutions are failing us

* What has he learned from your time in Congress and what has surprised him the most?

* How focusing on your optimal health, financial freedom and life purpose is the key

* How survives in what we know as the political zoo… U.S. Congress

Episode Resources:

Congressman Massie’s website

Get on the Simple Life Circle here

Get resources and notes for this episode here