A Simple Life with Michael Jefferies
By Michael Jefferies
A Simple Life with Michael JefferiesAug 31, 2020
#24b Two Friends and a Microphone with Daniel Bedich
This conversation is really just two friends taking time to engage with each other on beliefs, values, and life updates. The result is a meandering interview without being boring.
Resources:
#24a The Birth of the Podcast with Daniel Bedich
My good friend Daniel Bedich and I talk about the birth of the podcast in this episode, and how pivotal his encouragement was for me to move past talk and into action.
#23 Hope Reger on the killing of her son
In 2016 Hope’s son was shot and killed by a roommate, just a few days before Thanksgiving. This is Hope’s story of grief, frustration, anger, and guilt that eventually turns into a story of giving to others and becoming a friend of God.
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#22 Finding Spirituality in Improv with Michael Greenberg
Chicago-based dermatologist and improvisational actor Michael Greenberg shares how the rules and practice of improv have enhanced his spiritual, professional, and personal life.
Resources:
#21 Living on the Streets of Las Vegas with Tiffani Patlán
Tiffani Patlán, best-selling author of Unlocking Your Ability to Heal, shares how she grew up on the streets of Las Vegas after being kicked out by her mom, survived incestuous rape, and eventually became a christian.
Resources:
#20b Behind the Scenes before the Interview
This mini episode of the podcast gives listeners a little behind the scenes look by sharing a pre-interview conversation between Michael and his guest.
#20a Martin Bunzl on Moral Philosophy
In this episode I interview Martin Bunzl, a La Jolla-based author and professor of philosophy. Martin joins the podcast to promote his book, and generously engages in a conversation that ranges from philosophy to morality to environmentalism.
Resources:
Thinking while Walking: Reflections on the Pacific Crest Trail
#19 Life as an Addict and Alcoholic
In this episode, I expose myself as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I start with early memories from childhood, then tell the story of the disease's progression in my life up till I lost a job, a friend, and a wife before reaching my bottom. The episode culminates with reflections and gratitude for the new life I’ve been given in recovery.
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#18b Divorce, Abandonment, and God with Kristance Buelow
This is the second of a two-part interview with Kristance Buelow. During this portion of the interview, Kristance shares the story of losing her mother on her last day of high school; and how feeling abandoned by her church changed her opinion of God, and herself.
#18a Kristance Buelow on Her Body
The first of a two-part interview with my high school friend Kristance Buelow. This portion of the interview centers on her remarkable story of health and how she deals with a body that is always surprising her.
Resources:
Feedspot’s list of Top Philosophy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/
#17 Mike Iamele on Facing Death and Finding Himself
In this episode I interview Mike Iamele, a Boston-based author and branding consultant. Mike openly shares his failures and what they’ve taught him, how uncomfortable “going viral” made him feel, and how he’s come to define success. All woven into stories told with a vivaciousness that is incredibly entertaining.
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#16 Vivian on becoming the Wounded Healer
In this episode, I interview a Facebook friend who in real life was an acquaintance from twenty years ago. Vivian shares her journey from a childhood where she didn’t feel seen or heard to a divorce that left her nearly homeless, right up to her current reality of finding real healing.
#14b A Lesson from Lady Land with Catharine Clarenbach
In this episode, I revisit my interview with Catharine Clarenbach from episode 14a. This portion of our conversation centers on the rules Catharine and her wife use when fighting. It ends with me getting vulnerable by sharing my hopes for healthy relationship conflict.
Resources:
Catharine Clarenbach’s website - TheWayOfTheRiver.com
Intro video on Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication - https://youtu.be/VT8KGgDo6TY?t=19
#15 To Do is to Know
My vulnerability abounds in this episode. I introduce a new segment called Bible Thoughts. Today's thoughts center on chapter 2 in the book of John.
Resources
#14a Being a Spiritual Teacher with Catharine Clarenbach
In this episode, I interview a Wiccan Unitarian Universalist minister who offers one-on-one and small-group spiritual guidance via her website, TheWayOfTheRiver.com. During the conversation, we discuss a number of topics that relate to religion and spirituality. Such as her thoughts on how our understanding of God’s gender can, in extreme cases, be very damaging to us as humans.
Resources:
Rev Catharine Clarenbach’s website - TheWayOfTheRiver.com
Xero Shoes - XeroShoes.com
#13 How a Sleep Test Changed my Life
In this episode, I get vulnerable about being selfish and hard-headed towards my wife, the value of health insurance to my family, and how a CPAP machine is probably adding years to my lifespan.
#12 Martin on War and Emotional Stability
In this episode, I interview a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy who’s been one of my very best friends since we were twelve. We start with memories, like fishing for bluegill and the time we almost sunk my sailboat because we forgot to put the plug in the hull. We end with him laying it all out there including helicopter crashes, his divorce, mental health issues sustained in two warzones, and his gratitude for spiritual and emotional stability.
Resources:
4-H - The program for K12 kids we talk about at the beginning
#11 Growing up in a Cult with Navy and Khaki
Podcast Sponsor: Dyper (Check them out! They are awesome!!)
In this episode, I interview two of my oldest friends about our experiences growing up in the Advanced Training Institute, an ultra-conservative cult of homeschoolers. The conversation centers on what they saw and felt in their late teens, how this part of their upbringing informs their understanding of the world now, as well as the baggage they have brought to adult relationships with parents, partners and kids.
Resources:
RecoveringGrace.org - The website Khaki mentioned in the episode.
This is Spinal Tap - If you know why I’m linking this, you pass the test.
#10 Searching for Fatherhood
In this episode, I briefly talk about my vocational history, some intense times of stress, how I found confidence in making changes to how I pay the bills. And what that has meant in my life as a father.
If you want to support the podcast, like & share, and consider buying some high-quality diapers for your baby or your friend's baby via this affiliate link: https://getdyper.com/?ref=michaeljefferies
#9 Becoming a Gym Guy
In this episode, I talk about my 13 month journey from considering myself an overweight, trashy eater to becoming a regular at my local fitness club and realizing I can be whoever I want. I talk about how I got started, some of the mind-games and challenges I faced. And how I finally realized that I'm not faking myself out. I really am a gym guy.
If you want to support the podcast, like & share, and consider buying some high-quality diapers for your baby or your friend's baby via this affiliate link: https://getdyper.com/?ref=michaeljefferies
#8 Linking Climate Change to Religious Mythology
In this episode, I talk about ideas I've had on myths and early civilizations to offer an explanation for climate change, and our difficulty as a human species to stop it, even though we should never stop trying. I also open up more about my religious upbringing and how it relates to my context on this issue and many others.
Resources:
- Documentary about the Great Lakes' lakebottoms
- Article about the Yonaguni Jima ruins off the coast of Japan
- Berkey Water Filtering Systems
#7 Sebastian Fryer on Expatriation and Adventure
In this interview, Sebastian details his adventure as an English teacher living in South Korea. He shares what the experience taught him, after growing up in Southwest Michigan as the son of an immigrant, and concludes with themes that apply to all of us equally in our need to find adventure and fulfillment.
#6 How The Serenity Prayer Has Helped me Refocus my Energy
Sponsors: Lems Shoes and Dyper Subscription Diapers (Check them out! They are awesome!!)
Description:
In this episode, I open up about how The Serenity Prayer has brought goodness and truth into my life.
Resources:
More info about The Serenity Prayer
The Courage to be Disliked by Fumitake Koga, the book I mentioned in the closer
#5b Jason Goodin's take on Noah and the Flood
In this 2nd part of my interview with Jason Goodin, Jason lays out the interpretation and meaning he has found in the ancient story of Noah and the Flood, rather than the more traditional, mainstream, christianized version, he had as a boy. If you skip past the first part of the episode, 5a, just realize you aren't getting the contextual background and experiences of Jason's life that have contributed to his opinions and views.
Resources:
The Prophet, a book quoted by Jason in the episode
#5a Shedding Childhood Beliefs with Jason Goodin
Podcast Sponsor: Lems Shoes and Dyper Subscription Diapers (Check them out! They are both awesome!!)
In this interview, Jason shares how letting go of ideas he believes were learned by growing up in a midwestern-republican version of christianity may have saved him from suicide. Instead of losing his reason to live, he now feels that he has found out what living was really all about.
Resources:
- The Prophet, a book quoted by Jason in the episode
#4 How the Whole30 Diet Changed My Life
Podcast Sponsor: Lems Shoes (Check them out! They are awesome!!)
In this episode, I talk about how spending thirty days super focused on what I put in my mouth has changed my life forever.
Resources:
- More info about The Whole30
#3 Steena Marie on Polyamory, Being a Badass, and What Growing Up is Like
Podcast Sponsor: Lems Shoes (Check them out! They are awesome!!)
In this episode, I interview Steena Marie, a Kalamazoo author and business owner who's also a good friend. Steena opens up on topics like her spirituality, and her experiences in a polyamorous marriage relationship, among other things. I like Steena and I think you will too.
Resources:
- Steena's website: http://steenamarie.com/
#2 The Eternity of Now
Podcast Sponsor: Lems Shoes (check them out! They are awesome!!)
In this episode, I talk about how important it has been for me to let go of my guilt and shame from the past, let go of my fear and anxiety about the future, and focus on enjoying my now.
Resources:
I mention different resources in the episode that I've linked below:
- Imagine, a song, by John Lennon.
- Hoopla, an app that integrates with your public library for audio/digital books, movies, etc.
- The Power of Now, a book by Eckhart Tolle.
#1 How to Buy a Quality, Cheap Car
Podcast Sponsor: Lems Shoes (check them out! They are awesome!!)
In this episode, I share principles and tips I've honed over the past fifteen years that will help you buy a dependable car, even on a small budget. You'll hear my approach to negotiation & haggling, why you actually want vehicles with more than 100,000 miles, some surprising benefits to owning really old cars, and more.
The resources I mentioned in the episode include
Edmunds.com Appraisal Tool and Chupp Independent Insurance Agency