Time For A Change - 118

Yup, it's time for a change. When things become stale, old or boring, we must look for a fresh perspective. We cannot continue to live by our old patterns. Like a snake that sheds its skin, we too must start over, begin again. This episode of the Soul Forge will take on the topic of change.

Your host Shawn is joined by his brother Robin, and together they discuss and examine the changes in their lives. Robin has recently changed everything about his life. He had a job, a car, and a house in Sault Ste. Marie. Due to certain circumstances he lost all of those things. He needed to make a change. He could have remained in his hometown, or he could start fresh. Start fresh is what he did. Moving in with his brother Shawn helped Robin financially and emotionally.

Shawn recently turned 43. The seasons are changing. The postal routes are also changing next week and Shawn is forced to change his shift. It is time for a change. Everything needs to change. Shawn would like to leave Timmins. He wants a new job, a new car, a new house. Winning the lottery is not an option, and yet something drastic needs to change in Shawn's life. Perhaps this is a continuation of his recent existential crisis. What changes will Shawn make? Will he stay stuck in familiar patterns? Only time will tell.

This week's podcast promo: The Nerdy Laser

DragonCon 2019 - 117

DragonCon 2019 is over, but it was an amazing experience. On this episode, Shawn talks about all the adventures experienced, incredible people met, the panels attended, and so much more. DragonCon is held in Atlanta, Georgia over the Labor Day weekend. This was the 33rd event.

To get to Atlanta, Shawn drove his little black car from Timmins, Ontario. He crossed the province of Ontario, and then drove through 5 states. Each way, there and back again, took approximately 22 hours over 2 days. Would he do it again? He certainly would! 4500 kilometres is a long way to go to get your geek on, but totally worth it.

On this episode, you will hear about the celebrity panels Shawn and friends attended. The number of people Shawn met is beyond counting. One of the highlights was meeting Kine Corder from episode 41 of the Soul Forge Podcast. Other highlights include Jarman Day, Mike and Judy Faber, Robert J. Sawyer, Mike Gordon and the rest of the ESO Network crew.

Sweet Tea is amazing.
Don't stay at the Motel 6 in Findlay, Ohio.
Check out Shawn's Facebook page for the DragonCon photo album: https://www.facebook.com/vanderloo

This week's podcast promos: ESO Patreon and Earth Station Who

Roots Run Deep - 116

Geek roots run deep.

What is the fake eyeball sneeze story and how does it provide the jump into this episode? You can thank Chantale for this....

Shawn has always been into the worlds of science fiction and fastasy. He also strives for deeper meanings and connections in the world. On this episode, Shawn takes you on a journey into the heart of himself. You will discover why his geek roots run so deep, and where these roots came from, and how they took hold.

Through poetry, collecting, work and the like, Shawn discusses how he has tried to reach other people. The world is a scary and lonely place, but he believes that through common experiences, and a bit of communition, connections with others can be made. For the benefit of self, and the rest of humanity.

This episode is wide ranging. There are so many ideas and topics covered, but some of these are collecting, selling, television, podcasting and toys.

This week's podcast promo: Earth Station One

The Skeptical Atheist - 115

In conversation with Jarman, the skeptical atheist and co-host of A Play On Nerds Podcast.

Friend of the show, Jarman, whom you all know at the voice of the opening narration of this very podcast, sits down for a chat with Shawn. They engage in an animated discussion regarding the world the atheism. We learn about Jarman's religious upbringing, what changed, and where he is today.

Topics includes morality, prayers, dating and so many other things. You'll also learn something about Shawn's spirituality.

Atheism is not an affirmative belief that there is no god nor does it answer any other question about what a person believes. It is simply a rejection of the assertion that there are gods. Atheism is too often defined incorrectly as a belief system. Despite the fact that atheism is not a religion, atheism is protected by many of the same Constitutional rights that protect religion. That, however, does not mean that atheism is itself a religion, only that our sincerely held (lack of) beliefs are protected in the same way as the religious beliefs of others. Similarly, many “interfaith” groups will include atheists. This, again, does not mean that atheism is a religious belief.

This week's podcast promo: Flopcast

Move Along Home - 114

It's time to move along home. This week on the Soul Forge Podcast we are talking about moving. We mainly focus on what it is like to move as a child when you have no choice in the matter. Of course, we also touch on moving as an adult, although this is usually not as traumatic. So get ready, pack your bags, and join us on a journey into the unknown.

Our guest this week is Steve. He comes to us from the A Play On Nerds podcast. This is a great podcast and if you haven't checked it out yet, you owe it to yourself to do so.

Steve's mom was a pastor. As such, they were required to move every few years. These moves were often across the country. Steve found himself in a lot of strange situations. What is it like to be one of the only white kids in your class? You'll find out on this episode. So listen to us chat away about our various moving experiences. This may not be a 'lessons' episode, but you'll be highly entertained as we move along home.

This week's podcast promo: DragonCon Khan Report

Tactical Minis or Quick Shots - 113

With this experiement of an episode, the Soul Forge Podcast presents something wholly new. Whether we call them tactical minis or quick shots, each segment brings you on a journey. While most podcasts invite you to experience a single topic, this episode presents several different ideas.

A tactical mini is an idea. It is an idea with such focus that it cannot be expanded upon. Each mini will touch on a feeling that is unable to be contained. Single ideas. Single topics. Focus. Depth. Call them quick shots or tactical minis -- the name has not been locked down as of yet. The basic idea is that something has come to my attention and is intruding upon my mind. I need to get it out of my system. Therefore, I drill down into the heart of an issue and get it off my mind, and I free my soul.

These tactical minis or quick shots are only three to five minutes in length. The concept is such that the topic of the mini is too small to become an entire full length episode. Therefore, I have recorded 4 minis and put them into this one episode. It is the first of its kind - an experiment of sorts to see if this whole idea is workable.

Your feedback is encouraged and appreciated. What do you think of this idea? You are more than welcome to record a tactical mini of your own to be played on a future episode of the Soul Forge Podcast. Send your emails to soulforgepodcast@gmail.com or tweet your feelings on the show to @soulforgepod

This week's podcast promos:

Cigar Nerds,
Pop Culture Cosmos,
The Monster Scifi Show
Rusted Robot Podcast

Faith and Magical Thinking - 112

What is faith and magical thinking? On this episode of the Soul Forge Podcast we take a deep dive into the world of the unknown. Faith is something that you just have, or have not. And we are not talking about religious faith in a god of some kind. No - this is the faith you have that things will work out for the best, even though you don't necessarily know how this is going to come about. Magical thinking is related to this concept, but in a much more basic way.

We start by discussing superstitions such as wishing upon a star, or birthday cake candle wishing. This form of faith and magical thinking is where we get our beliefs about the world. We all want to impose some type of control over events which cannot be controlled. We all want control. Magical thinking is the idea that 'if I do this, then this thing will happen.'

The episode moves into the idea that we don't always get what we want, but somehow we get what we need. The universe has a way of providing for us. Some of us have an absolute unfounded faith in things just working out for us. We provide several examples from our own lives as evidence.

We round out the topic by covering how we are connected to nature. And we wonder if we are all in some type of simulation. Are we somehow controlling aspects of the simulation without knowing or realizing it?

This week's podcast promo: The 42 Cast

The Cheryl Saga - 111

The Cheryl saga started about 4 years ago. Although we had known each other for about a decade longer, the actual start of anything resembling intimacy began in August of 2015. As most things do, this began with flirtation and a great sense of fun. Shawn was looking for that indescribable feeling that he lost when his marriage fell apart. Cheryl was willing to stand by Shawn's side no matter what Shawn said or did to push her away.

On this episode, Shawn and Cheryl discuss many aspects regarding their 4 year cycle of on-again, off-again relationship. You'll learn about the good times, the bad times, and the interference they faced from those around them. Sit back and get ready for a tale you won't soon forget. It's the Cheryl Saga!

This week's podcast promo: Earth Station One

Drunken Fun - 110

It's drunken fun with Shawn and Stephanie. And Karen. And Jason. This is the fifth of the 5 episodes in the Stephanie cycle. At the end of February, my old pal Stephanie came for a visit and we recorded 5 episodes back to back to back. Starting with episode 90 these shows have been released every 5 weeks. So for the complete experience, you'll want to listen to episodes 90, 95, 100, and 105 before listening to this, episode 110. However, you do not need to have heard the other shows to enjoy this one.

As we recorded, we tried several craft beers that Stephanie brought with her. This episode, unlike the other 4, does not have a coherent theme. You could almost consider it pure chaos, except for the fact that it is hilarious. It turns out that when I (Shawn) am drunk, I become a raving loon. There is a certain amount of structure to the episode, but most of it is people trying to keep me on topic. Enjoy this episode for what it is. Raw and unedited.

This week's podcast promo: Myopia Defend Your Childhood

Booze, Babies and Motorbikes

What do booze, babies, and motorbikes all have in common? They fill out the background of this very special episode. Our friend Whit returns for his third time on the Soul Forge. He's already talked with us about sex and virginity. Now he has a few things to tell us about his life before podcasting.

The first thing we do is get an update on where Whit is currently, and what he's been up to lately. This episode was recorded just a couple of days before the birth of his first child. You will get to hear about his thoughts and feelings on the upcoming birth. Learn about his fears and his excitement. I will provide you with all the baby details at the end of the episode.

2016 was the worst year of Whit's life. After years of people who were close to him dying, he had had enough and was completely over life. Too many deaths lead to depression and feelings of helplessness. Whit had been working out and trying to lose weight. After a particularly difficult death, he began drinking heavily.

Drinking lead to some drug use. Destructive behaviour was on Whit's menu. He tells the story of his drinking and drugging and how he heard the wake up call. Almost trying Meth snapped him out of his dark behaviour. Find out all the details on what Whit learned.

This week's podcast promo: Nerdbliss