This is the Long Version, episode 009

There is no gratuitous violence or explicit language in this episode. There is, however, what might be considered a gratuitous intro. In fact, this introduction runs half of the entire episode. That’s what happens when you go off-book. Or off-script. Enjoy!

This episode clocks in at 31 minutes and 41 seconds.

00:00:00 Introduction.
I acknowledge that I used ice cream in my coffee and say some nice things about Costco. In particular, I note how inexpensive cashews are right now.

00:01:20 Christopher Nolan
I refer to the upcoming film Tenet and how I’ve already received an invite to see it. I also passive-aggressively remind everyone that my birthday is coming up.

00:02:10 Crocodiles and hurricanes.
The movie Crawl, which I watched by myself on a recent Saturday night as people slumbered all around. Giant predatorial alligators amidst a Miami hurricane and a girl trying to rescue her dad? I’m in.

00:02:50 Science : Galaxies.
I sneak in a little bit of stuff about Galaxies and give some context for the size of our problems and challenges on earth. Also, I sneak in my not-so-secret desire to someday travel the Trans-Siberian Express.

00:05:50 Parenting, empathy, mask-deniers.
How to understand how others might view or feel things during this time. I talk about its importance and segue into my thoughts about how kindness, understanding, empathy, and unity as positive traits can also be used to stop progress and slow down change that is necessary. I talk about protests, riots, and the strange defense of those who refuse to acknowledge the benefits of wearing masks during this time.

00:13:40 The importance of having a shared framework for discussing language, facts, and sources.
The importance of having shared vocabulary, ideas, and news sources that we can agree on as a foundation for discussion.

00:19:10 Trickle-down leadership and mask-deniers.
What would have happened if 45 had led the way on mask-wearing early on?

00:20:30 The excitement of getting mail (thank you, U.S. Postal Service)
Mail used to be exciting. Let’s make the act of opening our mail great again. I go through a big stack of mail and have a surprise gift and letter. “Red Herrings & White Elephants.” Thank, you listener Allyson, for your wonderful letter and kind words.

24:00 Eleven Things I Want All My Students in the Whole Wide World to Remember Forever and Ever and Ever, and Never Forget, Ever.
Stuff I think every student, child, teacher, parent, and human being should use as a map for living life.

31:41:00 The End.

As always, thanks to Jeremy Long for his song and assistance with post-production.

Love y’all and thanks for listening.

— Joseph

Thanks for listening!

Episode 001

Episode 002

Episode 003

Episode 004

Episode 005