Yakkin With Nick

Long time, no hear! Just poppin in for a quick update. Been busy busy busy on the farm. Almost too much to write about in this boiling hot room... Nah, not even almost, too hot to write. Listen to the episode, you cheater. 

Thanks to all the Patrons that have supported me through an absence of content. It really means a lot, not just the money, but knowing that people care about what I'm doing. Thank you all. 

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852290741714815

While I've been podfading, I've been looking at the variables in my life. The things that affect what I'm trying to do with my life, of which there are many. I have goals and a purpose in life, and I'm constantly trying to be focused on them. But it's easy to be distracted and easy to lose what you're trying to attain. It's impossible to be in control of all variables in you life, even impossible to influence them all. 

But what can you do about problematic variables? 

Good question that I don't have a complete answer too. Today I focused on the variable of relationships, the people in my life.

Dealing with people can be quite difficult, but also quite rewarding. I discuss how to deal with people and what I'm doing to improve my relationships.  

Internal Family Systems website mentioned: http://sfhelp.org/gwc/guide1.htm

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

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I thought I'd let you know what's going on on the farm, animals are fed and healthy(not all dry though). Our goals are getting met slowly, we're making it work. 
Been tapping maple trees for syrup, nursing sick pigs, taking care of baby animals. I FORGOT TO MENTION BABY GOATS! We have had a bunch of goat kids, which are totally adorable. The only baby creatures on the farm that don't run away from you immediately.
The grass is growing, the mild winter has blessed us with green grass and lots of mud in high traffic areas. 

Life is great on the farm. 

How is your year going? Accomplishing the tasks you laid out? Reaching your goals? Are you enjoying your time?

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

I'm on a strange kick of enjoying the fuck out of life. I'm not used to having this level of satisfaction in my life. Things are going well, but I'm still not where I want to be. I haven't met my goals, I'm not even on top of everything I'm doing in my life. None of it's perfect, or even close to it, but I'm still enjoying it. 
I think I can give credit to some changes I've made in my mindset. Particularly a focus on enjoying every moment I have. Trying to find the beauty and the joy around me anytime I have the chance. I try to make everyday a day in the life I want to be living. 

I hope you can find that for yourself, and I hope this helps. 

Yakkin With Nick Feedback Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852290741714815/

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

Mass shootings suck, anytime innocent people die sucks. Many people are talking about the recent shooting in Florida, and I'm glad that so many people care about tragedies like this. But I'm not seeing very many truly helpful responses to this event. The messages I'm hearing are "The left is politicizing tragedies!" "The right doesn't care about children!"

That's not helpful. That doesn't change people's minds, it drives them into their corners and trenches deeper. And it doesn't solve the issue, that mentally unstable children(adults too) with the intent of killing their peers, are getting access to very dangerous weapons and carrying out their violent dreams on innocent people. I know these events don't happen very often statistically, but it is an issue, and attempting to remove a technology from the public is silly. 

The problem isn't that AR-15's exist or even that there aren't enough armed guards at schools. The problem is that systems, societies, families, and institutions in this country are creating these monsters. Kids aren't violent because of guns, they're violent because of how they were raised. If we want mass shootings to stop, we have to take responsibility in our own hands. Not the legislature's, not law enforcement's, not even school administrators'. It's your responsibility to make sure your kid grows up with an appreciation of life and love. 

Geoffrey Hazelton is my father's father, and has been an inspiring and very encouraging figure in my life. I think one of my greatest advantages in life has been an amazing family who encouraged learning, critical thinking, and setting yourself apart.
The elder Hazelton's in my life really sparked my interest in politics at a young age, this is where I got my desire to speak my mind and challenge ideas. 

My grandfather is one of my favorite teachers. I may have introduced some novel and important ideas to his world, but he has studied and broken down many of these ideas for me. A lot of my knowledge on stoicism comes from discussions we've had and a daily stoic practice journal he gave me a few years ago. 

I didn't know much about Grampa Jeff's life, just some of the highlights, so I wanted to dig a bit deeper today. We discussed his life journey and some of the important lessons he has learned while living on this planet. 

I've been thinking about human brutality throughout history as I've been researching some brutal times in America, specifically Oregon. The history of the native peoples here is quite tragic, so I explored some of my feelings and thoughts on that history and how I've been affected by it.

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

I'm just yakkin today. I wanted to talk about the show I did with Thaddeus Russell a bit, and I ended up rambling for half an hour. Haha, it's a decent solo episode, I think you'll enjoy it.

As always, let me know what you think!

Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

Yakkin With Nick Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852290741714815/

Thaddeus Russell of Renegade University joined me to talk about American history, culture, and how to change and influence culture. 

I really think history is important to study, after all, it repeats itself. If we're going to work on a better future, we better understand our history. Thaddeus brings up the ideas of puritanism and hedonism and how they've developed through our culture. I think these are important things to keep in mind. 

Unregistered Podcast: http://www.thaddeusrussell.com/podcast/

Renegade University: http://www.thaddeusrussell.com/courses/

Yakkin With Nick Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/justyakkin

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1852290741714815/

I talk about my relationship with animals and my thoughts on raising livestock animals for meat. 

Most people in the modern world don't raise or even see the food they eat. Part of the reason I raise animals is to provide that experience for myself, but also to allow others to get to at least see and know how their meat lived. 

Many people think eating meat is a black and white issue, good or bad. But just like anything in life, it's much more complicated. 

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