Soul Forge Podcast

75 F@%&ING EPISODES!

We are celebrating 75 episodes, and we are doing it by letting loose, cursing, laughing and going totally random! Shawn and Tracy are joined by first-timer Melissa. Jay was unable to make it this time.

Canada Post is on strike and we discuss how that is affecting and disrupting daily life here in Canada (remember that Shawn is a letter carrier).

Things we will never do again - a topic that deserves its own episode, but we touch on a few things here.

Pet Peeves: other drivers is a common peeve, but did you know that hating the sound of other people chewing their food is an actual medical condition?

We hit upon a few things that we know for sure. What do you know for sure?

Want vs Need and Personal Definitions: We have a big discussion about things we need and things we want and how we may think we need things that we really don't. Does Shawn really need a $1000 Thundercat statue to define who he is as a person? What defines us as people? Who are we? What makes you who you are?

BUMPA-ISMS: Shawn's grandfather was a huge influence on him. From the way he thinks to the way he talks and behaves (control behaviour vs relax mode).

DNA testing. Tracy tells the story of how DNA testing lead to the catching of a killer.

Working from home sounds nice. We briefly discuss the advantages and disadvantages.

This week's podcast promo: RevCast Shark Podcast

How Social Media Changed The World - 74

Social Media has changed the universe of human interaction.

What is social media anyway?

There are many types of social media, including: MySpace, FaceBook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, chatrooms, etc.,

How does social media improve your life (connections and interactions) and how does it destract from your life (addiction, lack of attention span, cyberbullying)

Social Media and its obligations can feel like a part-time job, and applications such as Second Life can lead to a false sense of reality.

Dating apps such as Plenty of Fish and eHarmony are also discussed.

This week's podcast promo: The Geekly Oddcast

Meditation: A Brief Introduction - 73

Your meditation and meditating guide is here!

This week we're talking about what meditation is, what it entails, how and where to do it, as well as our personal experiences with it.  It's alright to feel ridiculous at first. We will fill you in on the techniques, the kinds of meditations there are, the apps, and the equipment you can use.

What is meditation used for: comtemplation, reflection, concentration, heightened spiritual awareness, breathing, etc.

Kinds/uses of meditation: falling asleep, self-esteem, acceptance, managing anxiety, (breathe, unwind, restore)

Meditating is good for students, athletes and those who wish to clear their minds.

Similarity between meditation and affirmation.

Meditation apps, classes, where, when, how.

Techniques, crystals, candle flames, pillows, singing bowls, beads...

MEDITATION: IT CAN'T HURT!

This week's podcast promo: The Flop Cast

72: Just Survive Somehow - Suicide

Suicide. It is a delicate topic. There are no easy ways to talk about it, other than directly. This week on the Soul Forge Podcast, Tracy makes her return to the show and opens up about her struggles with depression, anxiety, and guilt. In this emotional episode, she shares her story, her history and what lead her to try taking her own life.

You will hear the story as it was recorded. There was no editing of any kind. There are no ad breaks or promotions. This is Tracy's story.

71: Weed Love To Talk

Weed is now legal; welcome to Cannabis Canada!

No matter what you call it (Pot, Weed, Blunt, Chronic, Wacky Tabacky, Cannabis, Marijuana, Ganja, Mary Jane, Dope, The Devil's Lettuce) roll up a fancy cigarette and listen to our breakdown of the topic at hand.

LEGAL STUFF:

• where to purchase,
• legal age and restrictions,
• zero tolerance and penalties,
• possession rules and limits,
• parcel packaging and delivery rules,

We discuss our personal experiences with weed and other drugs, including the first times we tried smoking up.  We explore some family history, our initial opposition to cannabis and our eventual acceptance.

We talk about 'pulling a whitey' and feeling the actual experience of being high. Also included in the discussion are the ideas of bongs and other smoking paraphernalia.

The episode concludes with a brief chat about the meaning of 420 and some of the medical benefits that cannabis provides.

This week's podcast promo: Watchathon of Rassilon

70: Adult Friendships

How to make friends: a brief outline!

The Soul Forge is tackling the tricky world of making friends as an adult.  Some people say developing new friendships in adulthood is really difficult.  We take on that idea and turn it on its head.

Jay used to have a hard time making friends, but now he talks to everyone.  You too can talk to strangers.  Have a single-serving friend today!

Shawn and Yohann created an intense friendship, but it did not start on that way. 

Also included: having a coffee and watching the world, slowing down to enjoy life, people watching and more!

We have an update on friend of the show Whit from episodes 44 and 61.

Podcast talk and listening in reverse order and what that can reveal.

This week's podcast promo: Metal Geeks

69: SEX

Sex is this week's topic.  What else could we be discussing on episode number 69?

Shawn is joined by Karen and Jason for this brief look at sexuality.

We talk about how old we were when we lost our virginity, as well as where the event occurred and who it was with.  Then we transition over to public sex and the possibility of getting caught while doing the deed.  Sex in public parks is a great location because of wind on skin, and sex in a car or on the side of the highway is also a great place.

Fire escapes and rooftops are a great idea for being outside but unseen.  A lengthy discussion about elevator sex and other fantasy locations ensues.  We joke and laugh about partaking in an elevator sex road trip and having coitus in as many different elevators as possible.

We round out our chat with a few specific instances such as handjobs in movie theatres and blowjobs in cars.  There's talk about orgies and threesomes and the type of etiquette involved in these situations.

And finally, we offer advice on being safe and respectful.  And as it turns out, sometimes being open about your sexuality can lead super creepy people to try to make advances towards you.  Don't be creepy.

This week's podcast promo: Earth Station Who

68: The Brigitte Episode

The long awaited, much anticipated Brigitte episode is finally here! Listen in as Shawn discusses the relationship from its very beginnings right to the end.  Remember, these are Shawn's memories, and are accurate to the best of his ability to recall the events mentioned.

Topics include how Shawn and Brigitte met, where they worked, and the start of a very interesting friendship. There will be talk about subconscious attraction and how that manifested and developed.

What did a Christmas parade conversation have to do with setting things in motion?  Getting to know someone beyond the superficial can certainly have some long lasting repurcussions. And that brings us to the break-up of Shawn's relationship with Trish, the mother of his son Bishop.

Next we talk about the progression of the relationship with Brigitte and how that came to be.  Complications and guilt become a factor in everything that comes after.

Shawn and Brigitte get married. They have a second fake marriage with their friends in attendance. Instead of a honeymoon, they renovate their house. 2014 sees them throught many dramatic moments. These moments lead to a communication breakdown and an eventual split. Naturally, like the relationship at its core, the split is unconventional.

We conclude the episode with the soundtrack of heartache. Also, Shawn falls into a deep funk, but with the help of his son, he eventually bounces back. And we part with some final thoughts and feelings.

This week's podcast promo: We Podcast and We Know Things