Soul Forge Podcast

You're gonna die. I'm gonna die. We are all going to die. That is why it is important to think about end of life planning while you still can. You're gonna die. Therefore, it is up to you to plan how you wish to be taken care of. Preplanning your final arrangements can save your family and friends from having to make decisions at a difficult time. It also gives you time to make the right choices. The person you name in your will to handle your affairs (for example, your estate trustee) can change your plans at the time of your death, so it is important to discuss your wishes with him or her and your family members or friends. This week on the podcast, Amanda is here to remind us all that we are going to die. She pre-planned her and her husband's funerals. Because she knows you're gonna die, she has much to say on this topic. The main take away is that pre-planning your funeral arrangements saves those left behind from having to do it during their grief. It also ensures you get what you want. Remember to keep

It's a mixed bag of topics this week. There is no theme holding all the thoughts together. What will Shawn say on this week's episode? No one knows--not even him! Prepare yourself for a cosmic adventure to nowhere! Valentine's Day was this week. How did you spend the day? Is it Single Awareness Day? Did you go to a fancy restaurant? I spent the day at work, followed by an evening of watching TV, eating chocolate and relaxing. Melissa went to Mexico with her family. We celebrated earlier in the week. Television and movies are fun. I used to host a podcast all about pop culture and movies and toys. I am currently enjoying The Last Of Us. We are only 5 episodes into the series and it is really great so far. I haven't played the video game it is based on, but that doesn't seem to matter. The third and final season of Star Trek: Picard premieres this week. I have been eagerly anticipating seeing the reunion of the Next Generation crew. My brother Robin and I are going to see Antman and the Wasp: Quantumania on Thu

Love? Loss? Heartache? Anger? Sadness? Brother Robin visits the Soul Forge to celebrate his 37th birthday. Robin has a few things to talk about. Is he ready for the end of society, or can he turn his attitude around? Seasonal depression might be to blame for Robin's sadness. It could, perhaps, be his recently ended situationship. Right now, he is on a 2 forked road. Sharing memes about healing while waiting for the world to end. Most things in Robin's life are actually fairly positive. He has a place to live; family and friends who love him; a new vehicle, and a decent job. Money problems have always been an issue for Robin, but things are looking up. His job at Best Buy appears secure for the foreseeable future. Why is Robin ready to let the nukes fly? This mainly seems to stem from his recent breakup. He was not in a fully fledged relationship, but it seemed to be heading that way. This was the girl of his dreams. When she called it off, he was devastated. He is doing everything possible to feel better and

I went viral this past week. I walked into Walmart and saw that they were adding coin receptacles to their shopping carts. Pulling out my phone, I made a quick Tiktok video. After uploading the video to the service, I thought nothing more about it. Somehow, it attracted a lot of attention from the Tiktok community. Three days after I posted the video, it had 5 million views. A week after posting the video, it had amassed 10.5 million views and more than thirty thousand comments. Going viral is an online phenomenon that any active Internet user is most likely already familiar with, at least to some extent. When the word viral is used to describe a video, it doesn’t refer to the type of content but rather to the way in which it gains popularity. A video goes viral by quickly amassing millions of views due to social media users sharing it with their friends and/or followers. And the more people share, the higher the number of views. In short, a viral video is a video spread by users who share and like it, thus i

Time, life and aging. Time moves quickly, but where does it go? The seasons of life keep on turning. Before you know it, you have become an older person. This week on the podcast, Shawn and Melissa talk about aging and growing up. This topic came up because of an article Melissa shared with Shawn. The article was about suddenly finding yourself in the last quarter of your life and not really knowing how you got there. Aging, aches and pains, and wrinkles appear as if by magic. You're dying your hair to hide the grey. You look for an adult and then realize you are the adult. Also in this episode: stop saving things for good. Good never comes because good is all the time. Change your mindset from 'I have to' into 'I get to'. Don't let fear hold you back from living your best life. Tell your people that you love them. Wear your favourite outfit. Do the things. Here is the article/post that is responsible for this episode: You know …… time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years

Let's take another look at minimalism. In the first year of the podcast we took a dive into that world. In fact, we did two episodes about the minimalism journey. You can find those on episodes 25 and 50. Well, it's been 5 years since our last look. That means it is time to jump back in and see how our journey has gone. Did minimalism become our new normal? Have we utterly failed? You will learn the answers to these questions and more on episode 274! Minimalism is a tool that can assist you in finding freedom. Freedom from fear. Freedom from worry. Freedom from overwhelm. Freedom from guilt. Freedom from depression. Freedom from the trappings of the consumer culture we’ve built our lives around. That doesn’t mean there’s anything inherently wrong with owning material possessions. Today’s problem seems to be the meaning we assign to stuff: we assign too much meaning to things, often forsaking our health, our relationships, our passions, our personal growth, and our desire to contribute beyond ourselves. Becomi

The G spot. What is it? Where is it? Find out all about the G spot on the 273rd episode of the Soul Forge Podcast. This week on the podcast we are at Amore For Your Pleasure. Amore is the premier adult store in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Amore's owner is Gaelyn MacKenzie Gaelyn is better known as G. She has been the owner/operator of Amore for 11 years. The most important aspect of her business is making her clients feel seen and welcome. This is not a sex shop. This is an adult store. For a long time, the term "sex shop" invoked a certain image – a seedy place with a neon sign, shelves stacked with porno mags and blow-up dolls and a peep-show booth in the back where mostly male patrons watched X-rated movies for a fee. Amore is a bright and friendly place that is welcoming to couples, women, LBGT people and men. Men are becoming more comfortable and open. Gaelyn makes sure that her store is a safe space. There is no judgement. Questions are encouraged. There are 5 categories of products at Amore. 1. Novel

Best of 2022 lists are everywhere. Here is another one! The first episode of the new year sees Shawn and Krista looking back over the year that was. 2022 is a year that won't soon be forgotten. From books and movies to television and events, 2022 was quite a year! Krista's year was quite eventful. She moved out on her own for the first time in 22 years. No roommates. No kids. Just Krista. And then she started a new job. This is apparently the best job she has ever had. Her boss is also the most awesome boss a girl could want. Other than being sick for nearly half the year, Krista had a fairly decent 2022. Shawn made some major moves in the past year. After talking about it for nearly two decades, he finally made the decision to move back to his home town. Born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie, he has lived in Timmins for nearly 20 years. The decision to move was a gigantic one, but it has been positive beyond expectations. Re-connecting with old friends, and building new friendships are all part of the journey.

Cats and dogs are the most popular pets in the world. On this episode, my friend Melissa makes her podcasting debut. She is the proud owner of both a cat and a dog. Her cat's name is Charlie. Max is her handsome black Lab. Cats are more independent and are generally cheaper and less demanding pets. Dogs are loyal and obedient but require more attention and exercise, including regular walks. When you can't decide between becoming a cat person and dog person, it seems like there's only one solution: be both. Of course, becoming a dog-and-cat household isn't as simple as bringing a new animal into your home and hoping for the best. There are a number of factors to consider, such as how it will affect your current pet, your home, and lifestyle. When choosing between a cat or a dog, you should consider how much time you can dedicate to the pet (dogs require more time than cats, and don’t like to be left home alone), how much you can afford to spend (dogs are more expensive than cats), and what temperament of pet y

Is it stress or just life that causes you to feel the way you do? This week on the podcast, we are taking a look at what has been on the mind of your host. As of late, there has been a bit of nostalgia on the mind. And as such, it might be time to look ahead to what might be coming. A return to the Rusted Robot Podcast might be in order. Shawn hosted that pop culture podcast for about 7 years. Rusted Robot was your weekly dose of geek style news and reviews. Its return might be in the forecast. Kirstie Alley's death would have been a major topic on this week's episode had the podcast still been a thing. The Etsy shop is going well. It is called Rusted Robot Toys. If you are looking for some pop culture gifts, the Etsy shop should be your first stop. My YouTube channel is also called Rusted Robot Toys. Check it out! In other news, I purchased my first hour glass this weekend. I have wanted to collect hour glasses for 30 years but never did so. Will this be the start of a new craze? Time will tell (haha)! You a

How to be thankful is a vital skill in society. There are so many ways in which to present yourself in the world. Being polite and grateful will allow you to get ahead. Not everyone has the skills or the resources or even the desire to show thankfulness. Those that do have the knowledge and the willingness are well set for success. Practicing gratitude can be a game-changer: it has far reaching effects, from improving our mental health to boosting our relationships with others. Living your life with gratitude helps you notice the little wins—like the bus showing up right on time, a stranger holding the door for you, or the sun shining through your window when you wake up in the morning. Each of these small moments strings together to create a web of well-being that, over time, strengthens your ability to notice the good. Building your capacity for gratitude isn’t difficult. It just takes practice. The more you can bring your attention to that which you feel grateful for, the more you’ll notice to feel gratefu

90 day fiance or long distance fiance? Perhaps it's both! This episode of the Soul Forge dives into the relationship between Dakota and Luke. We will learn their story, their trials and tribulations. Most of all, we will experience the love they feel for each other. I have known Dakota since the day she turned 8 years old. She is my son's older sister. Dakota sees me as her father which is truly gratifying. I met Luke the day before we recorded this podcast episode. They have been in a long distance relationship for almost 4 years. Luke likes to travel. One day he decided to see how far north he could get. Dakota and Luke knew each other somewhat through their online gaming platforms. Luke found himself on the way to Timmins, Ontario. He is from Arizona. Due to a combination of factors including bad weather, Luke was stuck in Timmins and they met for the first time. They really hit it off. Now, 4 years later, they are engaged. Luke moved from Arizona to Wisconsin. Dakota has been desperately trying to get her

When your life is a disaster, there are only so many options to turn things around. This episode does not provide any answers. However, brother Robin leads a fairly amusing life. He sums his life up as a disaster. Is this true? I have known him for his whole life, and I would have to agree with him on this point. The good news is that Robin's mental health is in a good place. He is not sad, Nor is he depressed. Even though he does not have a job or any money, he is still feeling pretty optimistic about his future. It has been quite awhile since Robin has appeared on Soul Forge Podcast. We are getting an update on his life. His living situation, his kids, and his proximity to family. We discuss his job loss drama. Job loss is a recurring theme in Robin's life. We wrap up the episode with some wrestling talk. Robin recently suffered a mangled ear and a concussion. He almost had a chance to wrestle with the Cowboy James Storm. Robin's son recently got a chance to watch his dad in the ring. All in all, we get a l

The most common reason for sharing housing is to reduce the cost of housing. In many rental markets, the monthly rent for a two- or three-bedroom apartment is proportionately less per bedroom than the rent for a one-bedroom apartment (in other words, a three-bedroom flat costs more than a one-bedroom, but not three times as much). By pooling their monthly housing money, a group of people can achieve a lower housing expense at the cost of less privacy. Other motivations are to gain better amenities than those available in single-person housing, to share the work of maintaining a household, and to have the companionship of other people.  A roommate is a person with whom one shares a living facility such as a room or dormitory except when being family or romantically involved. Similar terms include dormmate, suitemate, housemate, or flatmate ("flat": the usual term in British English for an apartment). Flatmate is the term most commonly used in New Zealand, when referring to the rental of an unshared room within

Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, is a kind of depression that appears at certain times of the year. It usually begins in the fall when the days get shorter and lasts through the winter. SAD doesn’t only happen in the colder months though. A less common form of seasonal affective disorder affects people in the summer months and usually starts in the spring. It isn’t really clear what causes SAD, but it’s thought that winter SAD may be caused by lack of sunlight. But this may not be the whole answer, as it’s also thought to run in families: 13–17% of people who develop SAD have an immediate family member with the disorder. Adults—are at higher risk of SAD than children and teenagers. After the age of 50, the risk of SAD starts to decline. Researchers aren’t yet sure why. Women—may be more likely to experience SAD. Some research found that women may be up to nine times more likely to be diagnosed than men. People in more northern countries or cities—are more likely to experience SAD than those who live close

Doom Box Patrol is another fun conversational episode where we learn about a few weird and random topics. You are going to learn what a doom box is, how it relates to ADHD and what to do about these boxes. We are also going to cover parenting, being a GEN-X kid, trauma, and more! Doom Boxes – whether created accidentally or on purpose – are a space to stash items together with the intention of organizing them later. Most Doom Boxes though remain in use for years to come, and they become the go-to storage place for old receipts, spare parts, and memorabilia. Doom boxes are boxes containing random items that have been stored together because they don't have their own place in the home yet. Rather than signifying a gloomy or disheartening situation, 'Doom' is actually an acronym in this context (Didn't Organize Only Moved). They become an interim storage method and might be part of an intial attempt to organize a bedroom, office or living space. People with ADHD are more likely to possess a Doom Box because they

Let's Put On A Show! presents Meteor Shower by Steve Martin. There is a new theatre company in Sault Ste. Marie and their first play will be a comedy written by Steve Martin. Leah Frost and RJ Renner are directing Meteor Shower. You can see the show from October 21st to the 23rd. There will be three showings. On this episode of Soul Forge, Shawn talks to Leah and RJ about their theatrical origins and the origins of the new theatre company. We learn about where the company name comes from, and the need for community involvement in this new endeavour. Let's Put On A Show! will be doing more traditional comedies and dramas, as opposed to musicals. They chose this particular play for its humour as well as its more modern setting. About the play: Corky and Norm are excited to host Gerald and Laura at their home in the valley outside Los Angeles to watch a once-in-a-lifetime meteor shower. But as the stars come out and the conversation gets rolling, it becomes clear that Gerald and Laura might not be all that they

Climb that damn mountain. Do the things you have always been too afraid to do or try. This is the message behind this episode of the podcast. Amanda returns to talk about her recent knee surgery. Her main message or take away, is that if you want to do something, just do it. Climb that mountain. Take that trip. Start that business. Get the surgery that will allow you to live your best life. Amanda takes time out of her recovery to share her recent experiences with us. For most of the summer she visited friends and family in Thunder Bay. That is roughly 8 hours from home. Like most of us, she needed a mental health break - a vacation from her every day life. Why did Amanda get knee replacement surgery? Why was she awake and aware for the procedure? You will find out those answers and more in this exciting episode of the Soul Forge Podcast.  Knee replacement, also called knee arthroplasty or total knee replacement, is a surgical procedure to resurface a knee damaged by arthritis. Metal and plastic parts are use

If wishes were fishes, we would all cast our nets in the sea. This week's episode is a bit of a mixed bag. We are talking about my recent birthday weekend, but this episode includes a part of our eighth show. Labour Day weekend is always my birthday celebration time. Most years, people are busy and my special day gets overlooked. However, this year, I had the best celebration in recent memory. My lady and I went to the USA (across the river) and got some tattoos. We did some sight-seeing and a lot of talking. The second day was spent with her family at the Kinross County Fair. She gave me a replica of the Sword of Omens from Thundercats. Pop culture is briefly mentioned in this episode. The show is coming out on September 8th, which is Star Trek Day! I have been watching She-Hulk, The Orville, Lower Decks, House of the Dragon and Rings of Power. Finally, the episode finishes up with a re-use of our 8th show. In that one, I talked about what I would wish for if I were given 3 wishes. I figured this topic was a

My son Bishop comes for a visit! Five months ago, in April, I moved from Timmins back to my hometown of Sault Ste. Marie. This move was 19 years in the making. Fear held me back. Due to a severe bout of depression I made an impulsive decision and moved back home. I hadn't seen my son since I lelt town. At the beginning of August, I picked him up so he could stay and visit with me. Since I made the move to come back home, I have been living my best life. Whether that is due to my living situation, or because I'm on depression pills I can't really say. All I know is that I'm going to enjoy it. I wanted Bishop to see the state of my happiness. He enjoyed his visit so much, he extended his stay from 2 to 3 weeks. He would have stayed longer if he didn't need to go home to prepare for the upcoming school year. We had a great visit. For a boy who rarely walks anywhere, he sure did a lot of it. His cousin Trinity lives about 5 blocks away and he walked there nearly every day. He was able to touch a chipmunk for the