The Lifestyle Artist

Midterms and Political Machinations

Sat, 05 Sep 2026 13:57:13 +0000

Today we talk about some recent events and what they mean for us individuals. While events that are best sorted into the circle of concern are generally not worth a lot of our time and energy, they often hold lessons and guidance for the average person. Happy Friday!

Bubble-ish But Not Broken

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 16:12:05 +0000

Today we talk about the economy and how things are looking as of the end of August 2026. We go into several metrics and data points indicating high valuations in certain areas of the market, talk about the "run it hot" playbook, and discuss some consumer related data that indicates some, perhaps increasing, stress. As always, not financial advice, but a high level overview of the economy. While many people despise economics, developing our ability to look at data improves self-reliance and strong decision making.

On Trusting Experts, AI Guardrails and Financial Markets: Recent Events and You

Fri, 14 Aug 2026 16:40:57 +0000

There is a lot going on in the work these days, and it is quite difficult to keep up. Today we talk about a few recent events that have significant ramifications. While most media is worth ignoring, some stories are important to consider for their implications in our lives.

Financial Empowerment: Building A System of Consistency

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 16:20:52 +0000

We have talked a lot in recent episodes about personal finance. A lot of information, tools and tips have been reviewed. But we all know how life throws us curveballs. So we must learn to expect setbacks, anticipate them, and develop a system that promotes consistency in the pursuit of our goals. Willpower is a fantastic muscle to continually exercise, and building a system that allows us to maintain a course with minimal willpower needed will ultimately support success. With that, here is to your financial empowerment!

Financial Empowerment: Using Debt and Credit as Tools to Achieve Your Goals

Tue, 04 Aug 2026 16:04:35 +0000

In this installment of the financial empowerment series we talk about debt and credit. Having good credit can be a powerful ally in your journey toward your financial goals. While debt is like carrying a backpack full of bricks on that journey. Tune in for this high level analysis of using credit well, and eliminating debt that holds you back. As always, not financial advice, just the opinions of this podcaster.

Financial Empowerment: Overcoming Psychological Barriers with Money

Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:40:39 +0000

Our mindset, psychology and emotions inform the lens that we see the world through. There are a lot of emotions involved when it comes to money. Are your emotions and psychology holding you back from financial empowerment? Today we unpack some of the adverse mental models in personal finance and how to counteract them. As always, not financial advice, just relevant tips for everyone in their financial journey.

Financial Empowerment: Keep a Budget and Stave Off High Living Costs

Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:48:01 +0000

In this episode we talk about the benefits of keeping a simple budget. How it helps you dial in your expenses related to your income, and what are some factors to consider if you are feeling money-stressed. Money issues are very common and can be quite difficult and impactful. So taking charge of your financial wellbeing is a key step the the journey of the Lifestyle Artist. And budgeting is a simple and powerful too to support your financial success.

Financial Empowerment: A Simple Guide to Improving Your Finances

Tue, 28 Jul 2026 15:54:54 +0000

The poor state of American's financial literacy is something everyone should take into account. How financially literate are you? What are your good and bad habits? Taking a look at our own finances is commonly a dreary task filled with uncertainty. It is also very important to your present and future to take control of your finances, address issues, and plan for success. This first episode in my series on financial empowerment provides an overview of the issue that we will dive into.

Human Skills in the AI Age: Creative Thinking for Beginners

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 23:59:58 +0000

All over the internet you hear people talking about how AI is going to change the world and anticipate the mass unemployment of humans. In this episode we talk about one skill that is uniquely human: creativity. Somehow in the process of growing up it seems that many of us lose our creative edge, which is unfortunate. Not only does creativity enrich our daily live life in many ways other than overt art forms, but the skill of creative thinking is relevant and potentially transformative in all walks of life.

Mastering Intellectual Honesty: Way of the Truth Seeker

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 16:05:22 +0000

Can YOU handle the truth? Be truthful now... Haha! If truth were an animal it would be an endangered species. This time in the evolution of humanity is marked by a distinct lack of truth. The internet, which most humans interact with daily, has algorithms that sort people into bias-dominated echo chambers. The past several years has witness the emergence and preeminence in public discourse of terms like misinformation, disinformation, mal-information... and there are surely more. And political polarization that almost seems to idealize segmenting society into tribal groups unable to consider compromise.

The good news is, it is not your fault. The bad news is, it is your job to navigate the world that exists, and finding truth has gotten ever harder. In this episode we provide tools and insight to help you see the effects of our post-truth world in your daily life and become repellant to the singleminded-ness that results. Your relationships and human interactions will benefit from this conversation!

Mindset and Lifestyle: Improve Your Life by Avoiding Rigid Thinking

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 15:56:05 +0000

Every day we interact with people. Whether they be casual interactions with strangers, professional interactions in our work lives, or intimate interactions in our personal lives. Interactions are so ubiquitous learning how to do them better can bring huge jumps in life satisfaction. In this show we talk about closed-mindedness, how it inhibits personal growth and development, and can lead to prejudice and denial of reality, which will hold you back in life. By increasing awareness of rigidity in your thinking process, you can learn to become more open-minded, improve your experience in daily life, and become that person that everyone is interested in.

GeoPulse: 2nd Week of July

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 16:27:45 +0000

Today we check in on global stories that are dominating the air time. Tune in, put on your thinking cap, and lets try to expand on the conventional narratives that people are engaging with.

Fitness Program Part 2: Updates to the 20min Daily Challenge

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 16:05:07 +0000

When I began this podcast months ago I presented a fitness challenge. That was to be active for 20min daily. After months of adhering to that plan myself (as best I could) I have learned some things. In this episode I talk about what I have learned, the purpose of the challenge, and some new considerations a person should be aware of when participating in the challenge.

Fitness Program Part 1: Myths and Misconceptions

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 14:25:38 +0000

When I launched this podcast I challenged listeners to join me in a daily fitness activity. It has now been months since that day and I want to update some things that have been illuminated over the course of this challenge. In this first section of a 2 part update we will talk about things that are not well understood by people engaging in a fitness program.

An Introduction to Composting

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 19:44:43 +0000

Apparently composting is something that causes many people confusion. So, in this episode we will go in depth.... or maybe survey for a high level the details.... on this confusing and consequential to the home gardener topic. Enjoy!

Do You Make Good Decisions?

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 17:10:08 +0000

Decisions are a part of everyday life. Some people avoid decision making, some make poor decisions and some seem to always know what the right decisions is.... but are they right? In this episode we introduce a decision making process intended to improve your decisions and help you avoid some of the typical, and less than helpful, processes people use.

Adapting With What Nature Gives You

Sat, 13 Jun 2026 21:30:16 +0000

Well, folks are saying this weather pattern is going to yield a strong El Niño which means much of the world is contending with somewhat challenging environmental conditions. Today we talk about adapting to things outside of our control, specifically in the garden, though with lots of relevance for life as a whole.

Leveraging Brain Science to Create Your Dreams

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 23:09:27 +0000

Did you know your brain is constantly reorganizing itself? Did you know there are ways you can harness that reorganization to optimize brain function? Well both of those are true. And, developing a few practices can help you optimize this neural process to enhance your ability to achieve your dreams. Lets dive in...

7 Habits of the Critical Thinker

Fri, 29 May 2026 17:24:19 +0000

How does a person improve their critical thinking skills? In this episode we talk about habits of the critical thinker. Developing these skills and applying them to your life situations is a strong step toward building the skills.

How to Think Critically

Tue, 26 May 2026 23:52:21 +0000

Critical thinking is a really important skill that we all.... should.... use in daily life. Unfortunately, critical thinking skills seem in relatively short supply. And considering all the tools we have in the contemporary world, including AI, it is easy to get through the day-to-day without doing much thinking, critical or otherwise. But here we are about developing skills that help us to live a good life, rather than accepting skill atrophy. Onward!

The Inexact Science of Watering Your Garden

Wed, 06 May 2026 13:51:06 +0000

There are a lot of factors to consider when you are embarking on growing a garden. One of those factors that causes constant confusion is watering. How do I know if I am watering too much.... or too little? Tune in today for a deep dive into watering, things to look for and some best practices. If this doesn't clear up your confusion, it will at least give you more to be confused about ;)

Building a Purposeful Existence In Our Time Of Overload

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 18:58:47 +0000

People often complain of feeling disconnected from others, not seeing the importance of their actions, and feeling unmotivated. The routines of life can easily settle over creating a lens of dullness over one's lived experience. Having ways to develop and maintain your sense of purpose can be instrumental to building empowerment and bringing the color and excitement back to life. In this episode we dive into purpose and talk about some actions you can take to build a purposeful life.

Become More Resilient Because Life Throws Curveballs

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 23:01:30 +0000

When something doesn't go according to plan, how does it affect you? Does a difficult conversation throw you off? Are you worried about emergent issues impairing your life? Well you can do something about it. Building more resilience into your life will pay dividends regardless of whether you experience a significant adverse event. It's just a good idea, and isn't even difficult. In this episode we dive into resilience from an individual perspective and illuminate a few simple ways to cultivate it.

Trust The Experts, They Said....

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 15:17:24 +0000

In the deluge of information people are subjected to daily, the experts often stand out as a way of discerning what is good information. But, experts are also wrong. In this show we talk about some ways to critique expert opinions and engage our own critical thinking process in order to make good decisions regardless of the situation.

What Should I Grow In My Garden

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:25:27 +0000

There are so many things that are possible to grow in a home garden I don't know where to start...? Get over the Analysis Paralysis and just start. This show talks about some high value plants to consider that covers a wide range of plant types. Get started and learn what works well for you and your climate through trial and error -- the best way to learn!

8 Thing You Might Not Think About When Thinking About Gardening

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 00:35:36 +0000

It is that time of year to get your gardening plans in order. And doing some work, strategizing in particular, is critical to your seasonal gardening success. In this show we talk about some of the key considerations to get a handle on when thinking about growing your own food.

Climate Change; A Critical Thinking Exercise

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:32:47 +0000

Is the world going to end because of cow farts and humans driving cars? How can we know what is worth worrying about, and what is best to detach from for our own wellbeing. This episode explores a high visibility current issues causing extreme angst, especially among the younger generations.

Lots of Activity in the World; What Does it Mean for You?

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 16:18:42 +0000

In this episode we talk about some of the top stories of the past week in global news. There is a lot going on in the world, and it will likely affect you in different ways, and probably already has. But what should we as individuals do about the issues going on in the world?

Feed Your body and Soul

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 15:01:05 +0000

Gardening is about so much more than just growing food. In this episode we talk about some of the many things gardening does for us, from improving our nutrition to growing our sense of connection with consciousness and the cycle of life.

Checking the World's Pulse; Top 5 Global Stories

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 16:15:17 +0000

There is a lot happening in the 24/7 news cycle. In this show we sift through 5 global stories for insights that are relevant to our daily lives. If there is nothing we can do about the worlds happenings, then keep moving forward working on things relevant to making your life better.

Don't Lose Sleep to Pay the Bills of the Media Complex

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 17:34:06 +0000

In the 24/7 news cycle everyone competes for YOUR attention. This attention economy creates databases that outlets sell to advertisers who use it to make money. Be critical of the tactics used by the media to gain eyeballs and win the game of extracting from you for a profit.

War and Worry; What's to be Done?

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 18:06:48 +0000

There are a lot of moving pieces on the global stage. Generalized anxiety abounds, but most people have little, or no, power to influence the events that concern them. Focus on things you influence to reduce anxiety and improve your life and the people and things that are important to you.

How to Make the Most of College

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 17:06:33 +0000

Is college worth it? What should I study? How can I afford it? College is a significant investment of time and money, and not everyone benefits from a college degree to the same extent. This show will give you some tips on how to make the most of this investment in your knowledge and abilities.

Make Yourself Impervious to Manipulation

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 18:46:06 +0000

Americans spend many hours every day on digital devices. Those devices track you and turn into databases that are sold to advertisers. They use your information to develop ways of manipulating you. Don't be manipulated!

Only You Can Change Your Life

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 20:26:04 +0000

The Self-help industry is massive. Many people seek self improvement but don't find solutions and even end up financially stressed from the costs. A lot of the industry says you are the cause of your problems.

I say you are the solution. There is no easy fix, but everyone can achieve a great life.

Smart Money Moves: The 5 Key Things

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 19:40:38 +0000

Whether you're a beginner looking for personal finance tips or someone ready to level up to financial independence, you'll walk away with actionable steps to create better money habits in 2026 and beyond.

Unapologetically Selfish

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:02:46 +0000

Being selfish is an art. Long seen as a despicable trait, this critical skill is the key to a thriving life. When you properly value your time and energy, the way you engage with the world transforms, and you are more able to show up for those important others in your life.

What's in Your Diet?

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 17:35:11 +0000

A primer on optimizing your diet, the implications and some practical tips.

The Activity Challenge!

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:35:53 +0000

Be Active Every Day. A primer on everyday fitness.

Americans Are Not Well

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 19:39:46 +0000

How to improve your sense of wellbeing.