Butt Shot Deluxe - 212

Black Widow is the official title. They should have called it Butt Shot Deluxe. Why Butt Shot Deluxe? If you have seen the film you will certainly understand, but I will explain in more detail during this episode.

Next week will be the 4 year anniversary of the Soul Forge. If you have any words, thoughts, comments, concerns, questions, or anything else you would like to say, now is the time. You can always email the show at soulforgepodcast@gmail.com

Yard sales and travel have opened up again. The world was on pause for the last 16 months, but we are almost all ready to get back into the swing of things. This last weekend Julie and I travelled to North Bay/Mattawa for a bit of a visit. We stayed with my friends Frank and Martha. I picked up almost half of the 2000 VHS tapes Frank found for me. We did a bit of yard sale shopping. Junk and antique stores were visited. Julie got to take a small tour of North Bay where I went to university. A great time was had by all.

Black Widow is now in theatres. Julie, her daughter, and I went to see the film. I'm more into the MCU than they are, but we all enjoyed ourselves. Butt Shot Deluxe should be the name of the movie because that's pretty much all the film-makers focused on. There's more to be said, but you need to listen to the episode to learn more. Also, the latest episode of Cosmic Pizza Podcast that we just recorded is all about alternate superheroes. Stay tuned to Cosmic for more information.

We wrap up the show by talking about the billionaire spacemen. Elon Musk. Richard Branson. Jeff Bezos. They're all super rich. They're all going to space or working towards space. What about solving climate change or the hunger crisis? Nah! Space is much cooler!

This week's podcast promo: The Con Guys, Dr Geeks Vax

Purple El Camino - 211

Buy that purple El Camino? While many people on Facebook are encouraging, they do not know my car buying history as well as I do. Just because you want something, doesn't mean you should get that thing. That statement could be a mantra for my entire life actually! In this episode we are talking cars, VHS tapes, selling things, movies and a few other topics!

Are you on YouTube? Did you know that Soul Forge is on YouTube? Almost every episode we have published has been uploaded. There are also many episodes of the Rusted Robot Podcast which no longer exists anywhere else. Additionally, there are several videos of me and my awkwardness on YouTube. Check out my channel and subscribe by following this link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCataaeTRQltObb7n1GHW_qw/videos

I also want to give a huge shout-out to the listeners in Kuwait. The people of Kuwait have been keeping me on the top charts in the mental health category for over a month. Just a quick acknowledgement to express my gratitude to all the listeners everywhere, but especially those in Kuwait!

Listener emails are fun to get! This week we answer several questions from Bill L. Bill wants to know about the history of the building I am purchasing. Eventually I'll be putting my store in that space. So, I answer Bill's questions, give some building history, some store details and updates and talk about 2000 VHS tapes. My Etsy shop is doing decent business. It's been open a little more than 2 weeks and I have made 9 sales. If you'd like to check out the store, follow this link: www.rustedrobottoys.etsy.com

Movies are also discussed in this episode. As I'm recording this episode, it is July 14th. Everyone knows that July 14th is Con Air Day! Listen to this episode for more information. We also talk about Disney+ and Black Widow. And we finish off with a brief discussion of The Tomorrow War.

If you'd care to support the show, you can leave a review in Apple Podcasts at https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/1-soul-forge-introduction/id1265658912?i=1000390465638&mt=2 or you can donate to the Kofi (coffee) fund at https://ko-fi.com/rustedsoul

This week's podcast promo: Soul Forge Podcast, Dr. Geek's Vaccination

Classic Retro Rewind - 210

Baby, it's a classic! Classic Retro Rewind is the 210th episode of the Soul Forge Podcast. It is also what I believe to be our first mostly repeat show. What you are about to hear is an episode that I released back on September 5, 2017. Episode 12 was all about celebrating birthdays, and why we do such a thing. I talk about the history of birthdays, and actually go into some pretty good details. You will learn about the Germans, the Romans, the Greeks and the Egyptians.

The earliest recorded birthday party in Western annals appears in Genesis in the Old Testament, as the Egyptian pharaoh whom Joseph served is described having one to mark his. Many polytheistic civilizations marked birthdays in conjunction with astrology, in hopes of using that to predict their future destinies, although celebrating birthdays was usually reserved for those potentates who could afford it. Judaism, in contrast, never mentions anyone’s birthday, although it does mark one’s 13th with the rite of passage of a bar or bat mitzvah, since at that age they make the transition to maturity and are expected to understand and take up all the faith and attendant responsibilities of a Jewish adult. Early Christianity had an equally hard time accepting the whole concept of a birthday, regarding astrology as a pagan practice and an individual birthday as a celebration of ego, the exact opposite of the attitude they sought to encourage.

Due to some unforeseen emergency repair work here at work, there really wasn't time to research and record a fully new episode. I hope you enjoy what I was able to put together for you. Sure, I could have skipped a week, but I really don't like doing that.

This week's podcast promo: Cosmic Pizza Podcast, Dr. Geek's Vaccine Push

Ask and Receive - 209

Ask and receive! This episode is about getting whatever it is that you want. There are rules. There are guidelines. The problem with asking generic questions of the universe is that you won’t know what the answer looks like. Until you can say, with some degree of certainty, what you actually want, how can you possibly know whether or not you receive it?

We all ask the universe for things; it’s not always a conscious process, but through our hopes and dreams, every one of us puts in requests in one form or another.

What that power is and how it works is a matter for debate – God, the universe, the source, cosmic energy – it doesn’t really matter. Asking for something can work. Whatever you believe in, the process of asking and receiving is the same. It’s not enough to just ask, you have to keep the following steps in mind to reap the full benefits:

1. Be sure, be precise
2. Ask and let it go
3. Be patient
4. Watch for signs
5. Trust that the universe knows best
6. Send reminders now and again
7. Be thankful

Here's a fun Bible verse that sort of relates to the this topic.

Luke 11:9-13
I tell you: ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and everyone who seeks, finds; and to everyone who knocks the door will be opened. Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, would give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, would you give him a scorpion? So if you, even though you are evil, still know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Check out my etsy shop: www.rustedrobottoys.etsy.com

Support us at www.ko-fi.com/rustedsoul

This week's podcast promo: Cigar Nerds, Dr. Geek's Vaccine

I’m Sorry - 208

I'm sorry - simple words that can be highly impactful. Apologizing can be one of the most difficult aspects of being human -- there's a certain amount of vulnerability involved. And yet, simply saying you're sorry can make a world of difference in someone's life. This episode is my apology for last week's episode.

Effective apologies are simple if you know what to say.

When you've made a mistake or hurt another person, there are many good reasons why you should apologize. By apologizing, you are able to:

• Acknowledge that you were wrong.
• Discuss what is allowed and not allowed in your relationship.
• Express your regret and remorse.
• Learn from your mistakes and find new ways of dealing with difficult situations.
• Open up a line of communication with the other person.

A sincere apology can also bring relief, particularly if you have guilt over your actions. An apology alone doesn't erase the hurt or make it OK; it does establish that you know your actions or words were wrong and that you will strive harder in the future to prevent it from happening again.

So that's the main motivation for this episode. It's also another walk-and-talk show. There is a lot of wind noise that I would like to say I'm sorry about, even though nature is not mine to control. I'm also talking about the store, mail delivery, installing a screen door, finding my great-grandfather's grave stone, and several other topics.

This week's podcast promo: But First, Let's Talk Nerdy, and the vaccine promo

Boss Level Sweet Tooth - 207

Boss Level Sweet Tooth and other updates!

This week is a bit of a mixed bag. No major topic of discussion, but we do have many smaller, bite-sized things to discuss. Just enough to whet your appetite and bring you back for next week's episode!

Starting off with Father's Day. It's coming up this Sunday. What did you get your father-figure for his special day? For those of you lucky enough to have a father, or a good relationship with your father, I hope you make the most of this time!

Kickstarter campaign news! We're talking about the latest figures from my first attempt at fundraising. It is not going so well. As of this recording we are only 9% funded.

I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos as of late. I'm learning everything I can about antiques and how to set up a store. I'm also a bit obsessed with G.I. Joe Classified action figures.

Dog stuff! We have a couple updates about the puppies. In fact, you can hear Daisy the Golden Doodle barking in the background. Nimoy the teacup Yorkie is doing well, He's a happy dog. He eats anything and everything. Potty training is not fun!

Residential school stuff. Bad things have happened in Canada. 215 bodies were recently found in Kamloops, BC. I offer a brief history of Native treatment here in Canada. I don't have a lot of knowledge, but I share what I do know.

Store stuff! I have a five year plan. I am really very excited to get this operation up and running. Recently, I updated the Facebook page for The Rusted Robot. I've also added some products that are for sale. A real website should also be up and running soonish.

We end the show by talking about some recent shows I have been watching. On Netflix I recommend Sweet Tooth. It's a cute 8 episode show about human-animal hybrid babies and the end of the world. Boss Level on Amazon Prime Video is a time-loop movie. Highly recommend both of these!

This week's podcast promo: Best Saturdays of our Lives, Dr Geek's vaccination campaign

Kickstarter My Heart - 206

Kickstarter My Heart - Episode 206 of the Soul Forge Podcast.

This week I am discussing the Kickstarter campaign I have recently launched. This campaign is in support of the toy and antique store I am planning to open in the near future. This is a dream I have had for more than 3 decades. I will detail my plans to you in this episode.

But first I discuss the weather. What is a podcast without a personal weather story? This week has been brutally hot. As a mailman, I work outside for most of my day. We were given an early start option on Monday. A great idea in theory which did not work out so well for me. You will need to hear the episode to find out what happened in my attempt to beat the heat!

Another update is my toy collecting obsession. I am currently in the midst of trying to downsize my collection. As a kid I never got to have my own G.I. Joe action figures. HASBRO has decided to re-release these toys in an all-new 6 inch version. I want them. I don't need them. It's an issue!

The bulk of the episode is taken up by talk of my Kickstarter campaign. I talk about how it works, the reward levels, and my goals. Additionally, I also give a background on my history of being a collector and my sales background.

If you would like to share the Kickstarter link (or donate!) you can do my with this link: http://kck.st/3vSp3sx

This week's podcast promo: 42Cast, Dr. Geek's Vaccine Spot

Mighty Fine Ideas - 205

Mighty fine ideas are coming at you left and right on this week's episode of Soul Forge! Brother Robin joins Shawn to discuss so many weird, wacky and wonderful ideas. Although the audio quality this week is not up to our usual standards, there is still a lot of good information to be found. We present some mighty fine ideas indeed!

First we start off with an update on Shawn's business idea. As this episode was recorded on the weekend, more progress has already been made than what is mentioned here. Perhaps next week will have tons more good news!

And then we come to some interesting Robin updates. His life is filled with excitement and adventure. It turns out that Robin has been doing some physical labour. This is quite a departure for him. He is helping his buddy with his lawn care and landscape business. In a surprise twist, he's been working on our other brother's property! Additionally, Robin is still working on his t-shirt and mask making business. And finally, Robin tells us about his wrestling video ideas.

There is actually a lot of information packed into this episode. We talk about life goals, life coaching, and how fear prevents us from doing certain things. We hope you enjoy the mighty fine ideas presented to you this week.

This week's podcast promo: Blurred Nerds, Vaccine promo

The Entertainment Special - 204

The entertainment special is a look at some recent movies, television and books that I have been consuming. This week I wanted to share with all of you some things you may have missed or not been made aware of. Whether you are an avid reader or TV watcher, there are likely some items on this list that you haven't come across. Prepare to be entertained by the ENTERTAINMENT SPECIAL!

This episode starts with an update or two. I'm talking about our COVID vaccinations, and I'm talking about the building I'm trying to buy. If all goes well, there will be a new toy store in Timmins in 2022!

Now I'm just going to list all the shows and movies I mention in this episode. Also, the author profile this week is Mitch Albom. He's a fantastic writer and you should seek out his works. As for things to watch, there are many. Here's a list of things I have been enjoying: Lucifer, 13 Reasons Why, Master of None, Love, Flaked, Disenchantment, Castlevania, She-Ra, Love, Death and Robots, Voltron, Black Mirror, Stranger Things, Lost in Space, The Greatest American Hero, The Boys, UFO, Space:1999, Army of the Dead, Brightburn, Jiu Jitsu, Bill and Ted Face the Music, Happy Death Day (2U).

So many amazing and not so amazing things to watch and be amused or distracted by. I hope you enjoyed our first Entertainment special!

This week's podcast promo: Watchathon of Rassilon, Vaccine PSA

Get Your Drivers License - 203

It is super important to get your drivers license. And I'm going to tell you why in this new episode of the Soul Forge Podcast! Get your drivers license -- don't wait!

But not only that, I also give some updates on last week's episode. In that episode, I discussed my ideas for a new business, a toy store to be exact. Some progress has been made. I do qualify for the mortgage. However, the down payment just might be more than I can handle at this time. So, we have to wait to see what will happen.

Julie and I have decided to get our COVID vaccines. We were hesitant because of the blood clots we hear about in the news. Apparently, the clot issue is so rare, it is not even worth considering. So, despite our uncertainty, we will be getting our shots. We may even end up with a cool mutation like flight or invisibility!

Finally, we talk about driving. My grandfather was one of my driving teachers. That was scary. And yet, I also went to formal driver training. Sure, I failed 2 times, but I did eventually get it. I also talk about the graduated licensing system that Ontario introduced in the mid 1990s. And I talk about all the cool cars I wanted.

If you'd care to support the show, tell your friends about Soul Forge. Leave a 5 star review. Or, send a couple bucks our way with our ko-fi link: https://ko-fi.com/rustedsoul

This week's podcast promos: Thunder Talk, Vaccine promo, ESO Patreon