Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

The Boy Scouts of America recently changed its name. The reason? Scouts USA will admit girls. These days a decision like that can kick off a firestorm of criticism. There’s even a new Christian alternative to the Boy Scouts. For my best friends and I, BSA was all about camping. We’ll talk about it in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Best Friends Like None Other

I had two best friends growing up. Both of them invited me into the Boy Scouts. The other day one of them texted me, concerned that the Boy Scouts would not admit girls. “Are you gonna do a podcast about that?”, he wondered. I said I didn’t think so. The idea of a podcast about changes in our social institutions though, stuck with me.

Summer Memories

Especially relevant is how summer brings back memories. It’s warm already in Minnesota and that makes me think about my best friends, camp outs, summer camp and fun. For us, that’s what the Boy Scouts were. So I’ll share some stories about our campouts in Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Nonconformist Scoutmaster

What’s more, as I researched and thought about this podcast I realized how important our scoutmaster was to all of us. It’s not what you’d expect. Our scoutmaster and the men who watched over us were anything but conformists.

No Patience For Rules and Regulations in 1970’s America

As world war two vets, our scoutmasters weren’t about to take crap from anyone. Moreover, they didn’t have much patience for bureaucracy, rules and regulations. What they did was make sure we were safe, had a good time, and took care of each other. They also stood up for us, celebrated us and had our back. In Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724.

Changing Institutions

Most noteworthy to this podcast is the idea that institutions like the Boy Scouts are changing. Crumbling even. There’s no shortage of criticism for ‘Scouts USA’ from commentators who make sure to tell the reader they were Eagle Scouts and went on to Explorers. We didn’t. In fact we thought ‘Super Scouts’ were kind of weird.

Friends For Life

For us it was all about camping and the kind of friendship none of us will have again. I think it was that way with our scoutmasters and the fathers of the kids who came to the campouts too. For me, I don’t mind leaving it all behind and keeping those times as memories. As Stephen King once wrote, “I never had friends later on like the ones I had when I was 12. Jesus. Does anyone?”

My sentiments exactly.

Was it the Boy Scouts? Or was it us?

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating Of Saint Paul

Farewell Boy Scouts America-Podcast 724

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Desk Time Lobby Time-Yoga Community Experience-Podcast 674

If you practice yoga you’ve, heard talk about the yoga community. For me, it starts in the studio before and after class. We’ll talk about it in Desk Time Lobby Time-Yoga Community Experience-Podcast 674.

Working At Home Can Make You A Shut In

I run my own business and I work out of my home. I don’t know if it will always be this way, but the truth is, I kind of like working from home. For me, the most social point of the day is daily practice and the time at the yoga studio.

Emotional and Energetic High Point Of The Day

When I first started practicing I heard a lot of talk about the yoga community. Is the community something that can be activated to serve a purpose? I think it is a little more etherial than that. We come together for the joy of practicing yoga. People who probably would never socialize in any other venue turn out to be the best people you’d ever want to meet. In Desk Time Lobby Time-Yoga Community Experience-Podcast 674.

What’s Desk Time and Lobby Time

At my studio the teachers call it desk time and lobby time. That period of time before and after class when they check students in and after when they’re available to talk with students about their experience. Sometimes it is a lot more than just customer service. Teachers and students have great conversations about all kinds of things.

The Social Experience At Yoga

In Desk Time Lobby Time-Yoga Community Experience-Podcast 674 we’ll talk about how much socializing is too much at the studio. Especially relevant is the fact that sometimes I can’t shut up! Much has been written these days about teachers who talk too much. What about us students? Where is the line between getting in the way and having a good time?

A Young Business Delivering Great Customer Service

Finally the business of yoga is a young business. Most of the teachers and managers are younger. There’s a lot of talk these days about millennials and their approach to work. Much of that talk is negative. My experience is these younger adults are exceptional at delivering a consistent experience for their yoga students and great at customer service in this environment. We talk about it in Desk Time Lobby Time-Yoga Community Experience-Podcast 674.

Sponsored by Reliafund and Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Desk Time Lobby Time-Yoga Community Experience-Podcast 674

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East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637

One of the greatest benefits to a road trip is seeing old friends. If you spend any time working in radio, you will have a lot of friends all over the country. Even better when they live in East Tennessee. Good thing about friends you went to high school with? They really know you. In East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637.

Two Different Paths Same Industry

John Holland and I took different paths in the radio business. When we get together, we compare notes. Naturally radio is going to come up in any conversation. Join us in East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637.

Local Radio

Holland appears to be obsessed with the potential of local radio. Specifically a radio station in Taos, New Mexico. I just don’t want to do another political podcast. So, a hot mess of random topics is on the menu in East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637.

Taos New Mexico’s Number One

In fact, my friend talked so much about this radio station in Taos, New Mexico I had a vivid dream about working for that perfect radio station somewhere, only to realize it doesn’t exist, and especially not these days. John says it does. In Taos. New Mexico.

Radio’s Fade And The Rise of Digital Media

Radio is fading as a medium and as a business these days. It seems like the part of the reason is a decrease in local radio’s ability to remain relevant to local communities. At least that’s John’s position. I believe much of the fading relevance is due to the fact that people have a vast array of choice on the Internet. Podcasts. Music services. Social Media. E-Books. You name it.

Work Until You’re Dead

The older you get, the more you hear contemporaries talk about retirement. Nether one of us can understand why. My feeling is one should work until they drop. It keeps you engaged and relevant. Finally, what’s so great about Tennessee.

East Tennessee Reflections On Radio’s Fade-Podcast 637

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