A Simple Life with Michael Jefferies

2020 was a huge year of change in my life. Not only did I begin a 12 step program of recovery from drugs and alcohol, but I took a mental healthcare journey that I talk about in this episode. And then, towards the end of the year my then-wife filed for divorce. This on top of moving back in with my parents and a global pandemic lockdown. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

This conversation is really just two friends taking time to engage with each other on beliefs, values, and life updates. The result is a meandering interview without being boring. Resources: Alan Watts Waking Up with Sam Harris --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

My good friend Daniel Bedich and I talk about the birth of the podcast in this episode, and how pivotal his encouragement was for me to move past talk and into action. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In 2016 Hope’s son was shot and killed by a roommate, just a few days before Thanksgiving. This is Hope’s story of grief, frustration, anger, and guilt that eventually turns into a story of giving to others and becoming a friend of God. Resources: grief2hopesupport.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

Chicago-based dermatologist and improvisational actor Michael Greenberg shares how the rules and practice of improv have enhanced his spiritual, professional, and personal life. Resources: crawlspacecomedy.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

Tiffani Patlán, best-selling author of Unlocking Your Ability to Heal, shares how she grew up on the streets of Las Vegas after being kicked out by her mom, survived incestuous rape, and eventually became a christian. Resources: tiffanipatlan.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

This mini episode of the podcast gives listeners a little behind the scenes look by sharing a pre-interview conversation between Michael and his guest. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode I interview Martin Bunzl, a La Jolla-based author and professor of philosophy. Martin joins the podcast to promote his book, and generously engages in a conversation that ranges from philosophy to morality to environmentalism. Resources: Thinking while Walking: Reflections on the Pacific Crest Trail mbunzl.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode, I expose myself as a recovering alcoholic and drug addict. I start with early memories from childhood, then tell the story of the disease's progression in my life up till I lost a job, a friend, and a wife before reaching my bottom. The episode culminates with reflections and gratitude for the new life I’ve been given in recovery. Resources: Alcoholics Anonymous --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

This is the second of a two-part interview with Kristance Buelow. During this portion of the interview, Kristance shares the story of losing her mother on her last day of high school; and how feeling abandoned by her church changed her opinion of God, and herself. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

The first of a two-part interview with my high school friend Kristance Buelow. This portion of the interview centers on her remarkable story of health and how she deals with a body that is always surprising her. Resources: Feedspot’s list of Top Philosophy Podcasts - https://blog.feedspot.com/philosophy_podcasts/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode I interview Mike Iamele, a Boston-based author and branding consultant. Mike openly shares his failures and what they’ve taught him, how uncomfortable “going viral” made him feel, and how he’s come to define success. All woven into stories told with a vivaciousness that is incredibly entertaining. Resources: MikeIamele.com/map --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode, I interview a Facebook friend who in real life was an acquaintance from twenty years ago. Vivian shares her journey from a childhood where she didn’t feel seen or heard to a divorce that left her nearly homeless, right up to her current reality of finding real healing. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode, I revisit my interview with Catharine Clarenbach from episode 14a. This portion of our conversation centers on the rules Catharine and her wife use when fighting. It ends with me getting vulnerable by sharing my hopes for healthy relationship conflict. Resources: Catharine Clarenbach’s website - TheWayOfTheRiver.com Intro video on Marshall Rosenberg’s Nonviolent Communication - https://youtu.be/VT8KGgDo6TY?t=19 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

My vulnerability abounds in this episode. I introduce a new segment called Bible Thoughts. Today's thoughts center on chapter 2 in the book of John. Resources John 2 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode, I interview a Wiccan Unitarian Universalist minister who offers one-on-one and small-group spiritual guidance via her website, TheWayOfTheRiver.com. During the conversation, we discuss a number of topics that relate to religion and spirituality. Such as her thoughts on how our understanding of God’s gender can, in extreme cases, be very damaging to us as humans. Resources: Rev Catharine Clarenbach’s website - TheWayOfTheRiver.com Xero Shoes - XeroShoes.com --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode, I get vulnerable about being selfish and hard-headed towards my wife, the value of health insurance to my family, and how a CPAP machine is probably adding years to my lifespan. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

Podcast Sponsor: Dyper (Check them out! They are awesome!!) In this episode, I interview a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy who’s been one of my very best friends since we were twelve. We start with memories, like fishing for bluegill and the time we almost sunk my sailboat because we forgot to put the plug in the hull. We end with him laying it all out there including helicopter crashes, his divorce, mental health issues sustained in two warzones, and his gratitude for spiritual and emotional stability. Resources: 4-H - The program for K12 kids we talk about at the beginning --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

Podcast Sponsor: Dyper (Check them out! They are awesome!!) In this episode, I interview two of my oldest friends about our experiences growing up in the Advanced Training Institute, an ultra-conservative cult of homeschoolers. The conversation centers on what they saw and felt in their late teens, how this part of their upbringing informs their understanding of the world now, as well as the baggage they have brought to adult relationships with parents, partners and kids. Resources: RecoveringGrace.org - The website Khaki mentioned in the episode. This is Spinal Tap - If you know why I’m linking this, you pass the test. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message

In this episode, I briefly talk about my vocational history, some intense times of stress, how I found confidence in making changes to how I pay the bills. And what that has meant in my life as a father. If you want to support the podcast, like & share, and consider buying some high-quality diapers for your baby or your friend's baby via this affiliate link: https://getdyper.com/?ref=michaeljefferies --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/asimplelife/message