Use Your Words

This week Paul is joined by Aaron as we talk about what is going on in Kenosha, Wisconsin.  Both of us live close to the town, and have been there multiple times ourselves.  We wanted to talk about what we are seeing in Kenosha as people that live close to the community.  We also touch on what we think about people who are encouraging people to jump to judgment without facts, and how the story starts one way and quickly morphs once data starts entering into the conversation.

With Covid and other things going on around the world - it has been popping up on Social Media that only those who are experts in their respective field should be giving information on their respective field.  If you are not a verified expert and give an opinion (even if you have done extensive research on it) then per these people your educated opinion should be discounted.  Is this a proper way to live life?  Do you have to be an expert in order to give informed opinions?  Can a layman talk about things?

This week Aaron wanted to talk about how to deal with changing culture both in the world and inside the church.  Well we talked long enough about the former that we never got to the later - so stay tuned to next month to hear the continued conversation regarding this.  In this episode we talk about what to do when culturally it changes to where you don't agree with it, social media being toxic, and Josh - well - Josh does Josh things.

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to be part of a fundraiser for Covid-19 support for families in the Wisconsin.  While this is a shorter episode (we had to keep it short on purpose) we felt it was appropriate to release it.

Aaron wanted to talk about division - it started out as a very generic topic but eventually we focused in on how to deal with division in the church.

This week Aaron wanted to talk about motivation - and how does a lack of motivation compare to just getting too busy (and are they related in any way?).  This week we talk about that - and learn what Josh is shopping for.  All this and more on this week's episode of Use Your Words Podcast.   Visit our website at: http://useyourwords.cc

This week Paul finally wraps up the past four weeks of Use Your Words with the overarching theme which answers the question about why people want to tear down statues, why people want to create laws which allow discrimination, why people are being Karens online, and why the world is as it is today - and offers up a theory that this may be a new religion which those who shun religion actually are following.

I did an experiment recently on social media to see what would happen if I intentionally made a post that was contrary to the thoughts and opinions of the people in the post. The main rule for this was that the post itself could not be incendiary, and be as neutral as possible but in the spirit of opposite to what was in the thread. No name calling, no fighting, just simple words. I went in with a premise that social media made people toxic, but in the end I learned that toxic people make social media toxic. So what did I do to warrant toxic attention to myself? What words could I have said that would get me called a dirty mexican, an idiot, a science denier (who asked for links to peer reviewed papers?) and multiple other insults culminating with someone threatening to cancel me from my job. Well let's talk about what evil thing I said and how to respond to other people you meet online that you disagree with. Visit our website at http://useyourwords.cc #podcast #twitter #podernfamily #pod #uyw #words #conve

I have always thought California was a little odd regarding some of the crazy things coming out of that state - but I have to admit they have done a few things right throughout the years. If you remember a little while ago I did a video called "Stop Being My White Knight" saying let me prove myself based on the merit of my work - and don't give me special favor just because my skin has a little more melanin in it then other people. Well the state of California did just that, back in 1996. In 1996 California voted on and approved an amendment (referred to as Prop 209) to the state constitution to prohibit state government institutions (schools, government contracts, etc) from considering race, sex, or ethnicity when making their decisions such as school admittance, granting the contract, or anything else related to the public institution. When this amendment was created, it was based on the Civil Rights act of 1964 - and was approved by the residents of the state of California. In the past few years, a new a

Life is hard - especially during Covid. But what can you do to help yourself and help someone else who is suffering in this time? What is self care? What can you do to make it through these stressful times? This Monday Paul talks about some techniques you can use to help yourself stay a little healthier mentally at least - this includes self help, mindfulness as well as self soothing. Paul talks about some of the things he is working on as well to help himself as well. Visit our website at: http://useyourwords.cc Reach out to support at https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ Also check out heartsupport at https://heartsupport.com #mentalhealth #mental #health #covid #heartsupport #suicideawareness #help #support #itsok #reachout #gethelp #mentalhealth

A recent trend in the unrest in America is groups of people tearing down statues (illegally) that they feel are problematic.  We have gone beyond cancelling people to wanting to cancel statues of historical figures.  Should this be allowed?  What does this trend say about America?  How is this related to last weeks episode?

Aaron wanted to talk about Chap/Chop this week.  He wanted to talk about them even though he didn't know too much about the inner workings of this.  So Paul decided to school both Aaron and Josh on what has been going on over there.  So let's take a look a look at what is going on in Chaz/Chop/Chap/whatever it's named now a days.

Another bonus clip (read: outtake) from this past Wednesday's episode.  There was no context to keep it in the episode but was too good not to share.

Vulnerability in Americans seems to be almost nonexistent - partially as a result of our culture that likes to be individualistic that preaches that showing any vulnerability is a weakness instead of a strength.  It has caused a rampant increase in mental health issues as well as a multitude of other issues.  With that as the backdrop, the guys wanted to talk about vulnerability this week - so join us for this important discussion.

This is a bonus episode.  It was extracted from this past Wednesday's episode as it was not on topic - but at the same time - it needed to be shared.

This month seems to be the Aaron month with him bringing up ideas/topics to drive the conversation - while Josh goes and buys a saw online  (more on that on Friday).  Aaron brings up a couple of things he wanted to discuss - such as a discussion on Heaven - and what it means that we don't deserve to go to heaven by our own nature and what does that mean in our everyday life and our spiritual/religious life.  Listen to the conversation - mostly between Paul and Aaron - but Josh does jump in once in a while.  While Aaron wanted to discuess a couple of things - we end up not getting to everything we wanted - but what was gotten to is important an d is crucial for understanding our (Paul, Aaron, Josh) worldview and how we view things in this world.

The TV show community has the concept of the darkest timeline in the series to drive part of the narrative.  While re-watching the series, Paul was struck with the idea that we are in the dumbest timeline.  What does it mean to be in the dumbest timeline?  Let's find out.

This week Aaron wanted to talk about bad christians.  No - not the podcast but those who claim to be christian and yet do things that are deceptive, or knowlingly false.  We also talk about the issues with judging as a Christian, and we learn that Josh...well...you have to listen to it.

I had the privilege of being part of a podcastathon to help raise money for an organization that helps kids learn how to better socialize, learn skills, and go through life - in other words they mentor them.  This got me thinking about how mentoring has been impactful in my life both as a mentee and a mentor, and how we are really lacking in that department in America right now.  So let's talk about why it's important - and what you can do about it as well.

Both Aaron and Josh recently had birthdays, and as they have gotten older have started to reflect on things as they have changed. We tell Aaron what his birthday surprise was supposed to be and how he ruined it.  Aaron then goes on to talk about how he is feeling like an old man now that he is a quarter of a century old.  After this revelation that is a quarter of a century old, Paul prods them for what they have learned growing older and how their expectations have been with getting older versus reality.