077 – Remember Why You’re With Them in the First Place

079 – Hobbies From Way Back When

“I DON’T HAVE TIME FOR HOBBIES. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I TREAT MY JOB AS A HOBBY. IT’S SOMETHING I LOVE DOING.” -DAVID BECKHAM This episode of the show, I discuss ways to not get distracted while trying to find a new hobby. Don’t copy hobbies from people you admire, rather think back to what you had fun doing with you were young. Plus a little bonus challenge to chew on. Thanks for listening.

078 – Understanding the Jones Act (A Real Merchant Mariners Take), w/ Michael Gordon-Tennant

“TO THE SPREAD OF OUR TRADE IN PEACE AND THE DEFENSE OF OUR FLAG IN WAR A GREAT AND PROSPEROUS MERCHANT MARINE IS INDISPENSABLE. WE SHOULD HAVE SHIPS OF OUR OWN AND SEAMEN OF OUR OWN TO CONVEY OUR GOODS TO NEUTRAL MARKETS, AND IN CASE OF NEED, TO REINFORCE OUR BATTLE LINE.” -PRESIDENT THEODORE ROOSEVELT In this episode of the show, I delve into the weeds of international shipping and commerce with Michael Gordon-Tennant. Mike is one of my closest friends going back to 2007 when we met in the local Baltimore swing dancing scene.  Swing DANCE, not swing… perve, get your mind out of the gutter! ANYWAY… I’ve been a bit hot and bothered with the delayed recovery in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017. Lots of smart people who’s podcasts I listen to say a big part of this is the obscure thing called “The Jones Act,” which, if you listen to the shows I’ve heard…”is a huge part of the problem with the recovery as it makes the cost of goods for the recovery significantly more expensive.” As a one of the mariners on these container ships for the last 12+ years, Mike has a great take on it and makes a great argument both for keeping it in place, and common sense ways around its restrictions in times of emergency like with Puerto Rico. This one was fun! Mike’s a stitch, and you will love this one. Thanks for listening.

077 – Remember Why You’re With Them in the First Place

“RELATIONSHIPS SINK WHEN THEY HAVE TOO MANY PASSENGERS.” -UNKNOWN Never forget where your relationship came from. How it started, and what made you happy then. That stuff will still work today… You just need to remember and talk about it. Thanks for listening!

076 – Midwifery… A Funny Name For Amazing Work, w/ Jamie Hatcher

“IT’S NOT PRACTICING MEDICINE ETHICALLY IF YOU DON’T EXPLAIN TO A PATIENT WHAT’S HAPPENING TO HER.” -JAMIE HATCHER In today’s show, I chat with Jamie Hatcher, Certified Nurse Midwife, and the person that helped deliver our youngest daughter, Ada. Midwifery, as it’s referred to, had a MASSIVELY bad wrap here in the good ol’ US of A, and I wanted to talk to someone I know and trust in that world to come on and debunk some of the myths about it. I was very skeptical about my wife using the services of a midwife with our first daughter as I had all the same mental images most people have… crunchy old ladies wearing beads tying my wife’s wrists to the sturdiest branch of an oak tree while giving birth standing upright, and a lookout shooting blow darts at the doctor who dared approach to check my wife’s heart rate!  And after working with them both times, I was TOTALLY correct! I’M KIDDING! It was the best, safest, and most positive experience possible for both my wife (for whom it really mattered) and me. We get into the weeds with this one, but worth it if you have never learned about what a midwife really is, how they function within the US healthcare system, and maybe have some appropriate decisions to be made in your future, sooner or later.  Jamie is a sweetheart who took wonderful care of us, so I really hope you enjoy this conversation.  Thanks for listening!

075 – Done is Better Then Perfect!

“THINGS MAY COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT, BUT ONLY THE THINGS LEFT BY THOSE WHO HUSTLE.” -ABRAHAM LINCOLN In this episode, I discuss an small change to the 5 topic rotation I like to hit on the show. I also change gears to discuss the importance of mindset in any and all small moves that you try and implement into your life. This will be a topic area I hit regularly from now on as I’ve seen a dramatic personal improvement since having a recent change in my personal mindset.  Thanks for listening!