Time Slice Witnesses - 105

What if you could send your mind through history and witness a slice of time? Where would you go? What would you see?

On this episode of the Soul Forge, Shawn and Stephanie use this thought experiment to discuss their dreams and desires. Starting off with a brief discussion about what super powers they would have, and why, the duo dive into the past. Join them and recreate your own mind adventures. In this scenario, your consciousness is sent back in time. You cannot change any event you are a witness to. You can experience the feelings of the people you see. You can watch from above like a flying drone camera, or you can be inside the head of a person living at that time. Where will you go?

In this episode, Shawn discusses going back and seeing what the Woodstock music festival of 1969 was really like. It's like being there without all the mess.

Stephanie wants to see the crucifiction of Jesus firsthand. What really happened and what were the people thinking? Did the events really go as reported in the Bible? Was Jesus even a real person? The only way to know for certain is to be a time slice witness.

The death of Socrates, the first few meetings of your grandparents, and the first time you made love are further ideas discussed in this episode. Shawn's earliest memory is just after his baptism at approximately 9 months old. The memory is vivid. Did the event really occur as in his memory? The only way to know for sure is by becoming a time slice witness.

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Wanna Start A Podcast?

If you wanna start a podcast, there are some things you gotta know!

Okay, so, here it is; I'm going to tell you the basic outline on how to start a podcast of your very own. I'll be going over some of the basic facts, and I'll be sharing my story and what I have learned from my five and a half year journey. Keep in mind that this is my own perspective and other people have gone about things in different ways.

The first thing you will need is an idea to base your show around. In this episode, I tell you what went into my thought process. What knowledge did I already have that would help me to create a show that I would enjoy producing week after week? Remember that the name of your show is extremely important for your branding purpose. And episode titles are likely the hardest part of the whole enterprise.

Equipment is important but there are many different kinds and set ups. Depending on your level of experience, income and passion, your equipment set-up will be unique to you. You're going to need some kind of microphone. These range in price from $10 to several hundreds or more. You need software to record your voice onto. You need editing software. And you are going to need a host in which to upload your finished episodes. Post your episode to as many different places as possible including TuneIn, Stitcher, and iTunes.

Social media can be your friend. Post to as many places as possible and interact with everyone you can. Cross promote with similar podcasts. Make connections. Use Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and any other platforms you feel comfortable with.

Almost everything I have learned about podcasting is included in this episode. I've made many mistakes, and made many friends along the way. The number one thing to remember is that if you have a passion for something, podcast about it. If not, podcasting may not be for you.

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Road Trips & Rock Walls

Shawn is back from all the road trips and has stories to tell. Enter the Soul Forge for all the details.

You'll hear what it is like on a road trip in an old RV with fathers and sons. Listen in for the what it's like in the north eastern part of the United States. Did Shawn ever track down Stephen King? How many break downs occurred? What are the Reversing Falls? Bear and Deer and Moose, oh my!

Robin gives us an update on his working situation and tries to contain his laughter.

Any further show notes would just spoil the episode.

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The Happiness Ninja - 102

The Happiness Ninja visits the Soul Forge Podcast!

Meet Lisa Wilson. She wears many hats as a successful life coach. She is known as a transformation champion, the happiness ninja, and a communication guru. Being a life coach brings with it many responsibilities and as such requires many differents kinds of skills.

You will learn exactly how and why Lisa entered into life coaching as a profession. Her Human Resources experience was a definite asset to her new career. The whole thing really got started when she was laid off from work. Most people would see being let go as a negative experience. But not Lisa. She viewed this change as a gift, and as a push to start anew.

Transformation services: we learn how this works as a career or a job. When someone is laid off from work, Lisa will come in as part of what is called transiition services. She helps the former employee as they are leaving their work for the last time.

Life coaching: we hear about the specifics of the job as it relates to personal and corporate clients.

No. The word 'no' can be a complete sentence. We are over extended in our personal and professional lives and sometimes just saying no is the best option. No explanation or excuses needed.

Communication. It is important to learn how to communicate with others, but it is more important in some cases, to communicate with ourselves. We need to get to know who we are as people, and we need to listen to when our bodies tell us we need to slow down.

Be comfortable with yourself. The happiness equation. Society is always telling us that we need more stuff to be happy. We are always chasing happiness. Society tells us that DO + HAVE = BE HAPPY.  But that equation is wrong and needs to be looked at another way. We need to be happy and do things that are fulfilling and then we will have what we need. BE + DO = HAVE.

Find Lisa on the web at lmwcoaching.ca and on all social media at @lmwconsultation

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Existential Crisis - 101

It's time for an existential crisis! We were all just about due for one anyway. Just like clock work, here is a nice big one for you all to digest.

This week on the Soul Forge Podcast, I will be going over the details of my partial mental breakdown. Mind you, this is not a complete collapse. I still retain my sanity and self-awareness; as well as my self preservation instincts. Some times people need help. This is one of those times.

You will be hearing about how I have been crying at commercials and television shows. I am not one to express emotions very easily, and yet, they seem to be leaking from me beyond my powers to control them. The irrational anger and irritibilty may just be one of the most intensely annoying aspects of this crisis.

Worrying about things that will never or can never happen is exhausting. It is especially bad when you make up scenarios without realizing you are even thinking about them. I suppose it is normal to worry about a road trip where you will be in a motorhome for a week with family members that do not always get along so well. I have that to look forward to in the coming week!

I have learned I need to stop putting other people first. I need to take care of my own needs. And I need to stop being afraid of ending up alone. Time to stop taking the unhealthy relationships just because they are there.

Other concerns of mine include the collapse of civilization, the extinction of the orangutan within the next 10 years, the garbage in the oceans, and all the money we are wasting which could be better spent on saving the world from human misconduct.

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Birthday Sex - Episode 100

Sex for your birthday is a wonderful experience. It is even more spectacular when you are losing your virginity. So what better way to celebrate the one hundredth (100th) episode of The Soul Forge Podcast than by a look back at the time Shawn lost his innocense? The best part? On this episode, the girl involved is on the show to tell her side of the story.

For episode 100, Shawn and Stephanie get together and listen to episode 31 of the podcast. On that episode, Shawn broke the story of his first love. He reviewed his thoughts, feelings and memories. And he speculated on what would make Stephanie decide to sleep with him. Stephanie after all, is a lesbian. It's not every man that can say he lost his virginity to a lesbian. So on this episode, we hear Stephanie's perspective on the situation.

If you have not listened to episode 31 you may want to go do that first. It is not necessary to enjoy this 100th episode, but it would add some context to the discussion at hand. That episode was recorded without any input from Stephanie. Shawn was going through his memories and filling in the background details of his life.

Sit back and relax as we celebrate 100 amazing, crazy, head-scratching episodes of The Soul Forge Podcast. Soul Forge - the only podcast that makes you take a hard look at your own life.

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My Brother’s Keeper - 99

Shawn's brother Robin has moved in, and now it is up to Shawn to be his brother's keeper. Robin is undergoing a complete reboot and overhaul of his life. It is up to Shawn to guide and nurture Robin on this quest.

On this recording, the brothers discuss their new endeavour. They discuss the new living situation as well as what it is going to take to put Robin back on the right track. Robin talks about what went wrong in his life to bring him to this point. He analyzes what he has left behind him. He talks openly and with candor about what he needs to do, and what he wants in the way of help from his brother.

Listen in as Robin tells you about the jobs he has lost, and the reasons for this. He will explain his ways of thinking. Robin explores his passions and his hopes and dreams. He may have hit rock bottom, but he has not given up hope, and he is not alone.

Shawn and Robin explore what it is going to take to make a success out of what they have been given.

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She Lives In Her Van - 98

Stacey Arrowsmith lives a minimalist life in her van.

For many years Stacey lived a typical, traditional life. She had a husband, children, a four bedroom house with a garage. And lots of things. She had so much stuff. Then she got a divorce and started downsizing. This is the story of how a person can go from a traditional life to a minimalist life. But this isn't the story of minimalism. This is the story of how Stacey found her happiness.

Stacey works for Canada Post as a Route Measurement Officer. We discuss a little bit of what this job entails, but mainly we find out how she lives her life on the road in her van. We learn how to downsize your possessions quickly and efficiently. We find out where and how to store your extra belongings if you have any. Also, the necessity of a physical address even if you do not have a physical, stationary location.

When living in a van, you must pay close attention to the weather and to the temperature. It can be a lot to adjust to, both physcially and mentally. There is also the social stigma, other challenges and the many reactions from various people.

Stacey also tells us about how she does her laundry, and the types of clothes she is able to have in her van. Food prep can be a challenge depending on circumstances. And finding places to park and sleep is also something to think about.

Join us on this week's Soul Forge Podcast as we journey into the world of living in a van. You can follow Stacey's blog at www.chipmunksrvlife.com and on Twitter @chipmunksrvlife

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My Transgender Friend - 97

My transgender friend Crystal opens up about her life.

Coming to terms with who you are as a person is often a difficult process. It can be even more difficult when you are a trans individual. This week, our story begins with In The Turn, a documentary about the Vagine Regime, the queer Roller Derby collective. Crystal's story, and the Vagine Regime story intersect in a fascinating and unique way.

Crystal was a fun loving and confident child. Then the school decided she wasn't allowed to play sports because they couldn't figure out which team to place her on. This naturally lead her to withdraw from a lot of life's activities.

Many people in her life were afraid she was suffering from a mental illness of some kind. The doctor suggested that Crystal's mother buy her a dress. The dress unlocked a massive change in behaviour. Crystal felt whole. "Skirts don't cure mental illness."

Also in this episode we learn about the reactions people have towards Crystal, as well as the amount of intolerance she faces. She teaches us how to interact properly with a trans person, and which pronouns to use. You'll hear about rudeness, acceptance, stealth trans people and more.

Crystal shares her story in an unflinching and brave manner. We learn about hormone blockers, mental health, acceptance and gender re-assignment surgery.

If you would like more information, as always you can email the podcast at soulforgepodcast@gmail.com or contact Crystal directly on Twitter @blinkthunder

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Camping Season - 96

It's time to pitch a tent, because camping season is upon us! On this week's Soul Forge podcast, Shawn and Deidre share some of their camping memories.

What is camping anyway? We looked up a definition just to be funny. According to Wikipedia, Camping is an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home in a shelter, such as a tent. Typically participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural ones in pursuit of activities providing them enjoyment. To be regarded as "camping" a minimum of one night is spent outdoors, distinguishing it from day-tripping, picnicking, and other similarly short-term recreational activities.

We touch on a lot of various topics including Deidre's time in both Girl Guides and Pathfinders. Shawn briefly talks about his time at Air Cadet camp.

Of course, we also talk about the regular camping stuff such as fires and marshmellows and getting rained out. You'll hear about the time Shawn went hiking with his brothers and how that turned out to be a disaster. We talk about crawdads, fishing for squirrels, pitching a tent in the backyard and more. No discussion about camping is complete without a reminder regarding tent etiquette. We may have also mentioned something about drinking and a horrible grade 8 class trip.

This week's podcast promo: The Flopcast