Relax-Its-Just-A-Game-Bob Davis Podcast 916

Lock Down, Stress, Relax

First of all it is spring in the Upper Midwest. Even more that calls for a Walk and Talk Podcast. Just a short time ago we were living our best lives. Now we’re in lock down. Time to relax and think of it as just a game. Learn more in Relax-Its-Just-A-Game-Bob Davis Podcast 916.

Stress Levels Redlining

These days stress levels are through the roof.

Stress Can Be A Silent Killer

In addition as stress increases we might not be aware of it.

Crisis From Distant Shores

I think it’s hard to believe just a short time ago we were running around doing our thing, oblivious to a silent crisis making its way to us from distant shores.

Social Media Isn’t Real

Certainly we’re spending way too much time with all kinds of media. Especially social media. The angst and intensity flowing through our veins isn’t real though. At least it doesn’t feel real on a warm spring night. I talk about how to dial down the stress in Relax-Its-Just-A-Game-Bob Davis Podcast 916.

Trump Changes Tone

In contrast the president suddenly says the first few weeks of April are going to the toughest on us, as a nation.

Worst Effects Haven’t Hit

Furthermore the economic effects of the corona crisis haven’t hit yet. Some analysts are predicting steep drops in economic output. Others are predicting huge increases in unemployment.

Human Costs and Sacrifice

Above all there will be human costs to the sacrifices we have had to make, and to the economic slow down. I’ve detailed what it might look like on a recent podcast you can find here.

Pretending It’s A Game Might Help

As the result of all these present and short term future difficulties I know I have to shift gears and prepare for the worst. It may not feel like a game, but it’s easier to parse it out and remain calm if we play it like one.

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Relax-Its-Just-A-Game-Bob Davis Podcast 916

 

How-To-Be-Your-Own-Reporter-Bob Davis Podcast 915

How To Be Your Own Reporter

These days our minds are the new battleground. To fight back we have to be our own reporters. I’ll tell you how to do that in How-To-Be-Your-Own-Reporter-Bob Davis Podcast 915.

Politicians Lie

It’s especially relevant to point out politicians and so called leaders lie. If it’s Monday, they lie. If their lips are moving they are lying.

Start With Skepticism

Any decent reporter starts with being skeptical when it comes to those who wield power. From there it’s all about checking details and establishing fact. Why? Because we live in a world where the information channels are filled with crap. Moreover, it’s on purpose.

Investigate Sources

In addition most so called ‘news sources’ these days are thin on resources. Newspapers have cut their newsroom staffs. Television networks don’t always fact check. More importantly cable news is all about personalities and arguments.

We All Have Blind Spots

Most noteworthy are the biases we all come to the table with. We all have blind spots when it comes to the ‘leaders’ we think are ‘doing a good job’. That’s how they use us.

What We Want To Hear

Even more most of us want to hear what we agree with. We want to feel secure in our beliefs and conclusions. Consequently we gravitate to the sources, stories and personalities we agree with.

Get Rid Of The Blind Spots

Above all if you really want to understand what’s going on you have to work on getting rid of the blind spots.

How I Lost My Blind Spots

Certainly I’ll tell you how I lost my blind spots in How-To-Be-Your-Own-Reporter-Bob Davis Podcast 915.

Sources, Biases and Facts

Similarly I’ll give you some pointers on how to use your devices to run down sources, determine biases and establish facts.

I Do Not Advocate

Finally, it’s my policy and the policy of my podcasts not to advocate for or against issues. I don’t fight for politicians. I am not financed by political donors.

Conspiracy Theories, Horoscopes and Psychics

Furthermore the longer I do this the more I believe we have to work with the facts we know we can confirm. Conspiracy theories and opinions are fun. Horoscopes and psychics are for entertainment only, right?

Not Fighting To Convince You

In conclusion I’ve given up trying to convince listeners and subscribers. I don’t fight for or against a politician.

Some Stories And How To Do Your Homework

I’ll tell you some stories and help you become your own reporter in this extra extra podcast.

(Editor’s Note: I do this all the time, I talk about someone off the cuff, and get the name wrong. In this case I refer to a certain Doctor Redmond at the CDC. It’s Doctor Robert R. Redfield, recently in the news with the Coronavirus crsis response.)

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul and Reliafund Payment Processors

How-To-Be-Your-Own-Reporter-Bob Davis Podcast 915

 

 

Covid-Chaos-Denial-Observations-Bob Davis Podcast 914

Welcome To Covid Crisis Denial

Seems like the whole world has gone crazy doesn’t it? Time for an easy talker about the Covid Crisis Denial. In addition some thoughts on the future. Learn more in Covid-Chaos-Denial-Observations-Bob Davis Podcast 914.

Podcast Series

I’ve produced a whole series of podcasts listeners are still getting caught up on. Click here for all of them.

The Politics of Panic

Podcast 910 on the politics of panic is especially relevant.

Loss Of Conservative Political Principals

Even more, podcast 912 details the breakdown of conservative principles in the face of fear.

Hey Dad, What’s an Economic Breakdown?

Finally there’s podcast 913. How could the world economy might break down and what might be done about it, even if that’s the wrong thing to do.

Additional Thoughts and Observations

Covid-Chaos-Denial-Observations-Bob Davis Podcast 914 consolidates some thoughts and observations from the earlier podcasts in the series.

What I have Not Said

I certainly will tell you in this podcast what I have not said in the series.

So Far Very Little Bloviating

I think it’s most noteworthy that I have not bloviated on medical and statistical explanations the way some media charlatans have. On the other hand I will share some stories.

Details On Spreading Dread

In conclusion the second half of this podcast explores some of the details about the spread of Coronavirus and the potential economic effects. One of the things I’ve noticed is despite the tools we have, many people are at a loss when it comes to fact checking what is being said.

I’d like To Order A Miracle Please

Above all I will say that I believe we are just at the beginning of a nationwide crisis only a miracle will save us from.

As I have said from the get go…Time Will Tell

(Editor’s Note: This is obviously a fast moving story. Every now and then I misspeak or get a fact wrong. It really bothers me when I do, especially when it comes to arithmetic or something I should have known. I apologize for those mistakes in advance. I think right now, it’s better to get the content up than to be worried about everything being exactly right. On the other hand I’m pretty confident of my observations in general.)

Sponsored by Fitness Together

Covid-Chaos-Denial-Observations-Bob Davis Podcast 914