Shows
Purple Elephant RadioZach Greene: The Economics of Exponential Technologies (Online Learning, "Unlimited Wealth" & 3D Printing) - #047
How are exponential technologies going to affect artists and creatives?
What is missing in the education industry today?
What can people do as more and more jobs become replaced by machines?
Why is it important to distinguish wealth from money? Can there really be "unlimited wealth"?
All this gets discussed and more with entrepreneur - Zach Greene.
BUY THE PURPLE ELEPHANT ARTIST - On Sale Now:
(Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FCKHZXW?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
Bold by Peter Diamandis:
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2021-10-1855 minPurple Elephant RadioSean Greene: Why is the Elephant Purple? (Origin Stories, Stage Fright & My New Book) - #031
Where did the name Purple Elephant come from?
Can too much curated content be a bad thing?
Why is writing so important for any creative medium?
What are the 4 major themes of The Purple Elephant Artist book and why are they important?
All this gets answered and more with the creator of PEC - Sean Greene.
BUY THE PURPLE ELEPHANT ARTIST:
(Amazon) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09FCKHZXW?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860
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Thank...
2021-08-2357 min
Just Winging It113 // Pandemic BabyLeaving the hospital with a new baby is already a surreal experience. Taking those steps out into a world where a pandemic was just declared brings a new level of intensity.
Patrick and John bring Ash Kosiewicz onto the show to share his experience over the last year as he and his wife brought their daughter into this new pandemic world. The dads reflect on the future of parental leave and childcare in a post-pandemic world.
2021-05-1746 min
Just Winging It112 // Putting Parenting Advice to the TestReading great parenting advice is one thing; using that advice isn't as easy.
After exploring some ancient parenting techniques shared in "Hunt, Gather, Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans" by Michaleen Doucleff in the last episode, Patrick and John chat about ways they've attempted to challenge themselves and adapt their style to test new (old) parenting practices.
2021-04-261h 05
Just Winging It110 // A Healthy Dose of Risk-takingSome of our most basic parenting instincts focus on keeping children safe from danger. At the same time, in order to support our kids as they learn new skills we're often faced with the balancing act of introducing physical and mental risks.
Patrick and John bring back Peter from the Midwest to explore the calculated risks involved in raising well-rounded kids who can grow with confidence and deal with danger; whether learning how to ride a bike or skateboard or develop street smarts to navigate the world.
2021-03-281h 00
Just Winging It109 // The Battle to Raise Helpful KidsWhy does so much of parenting feel like a battle of wills? Getting kids to contribute around the house—or even clean up their own mess—is a struggle amplified to greater volumes now that we've been stuck home for so much of the last year.
Thankfully, John and Patrick can tap a better resource then their own brains for this one. The new book, " Hunt Gather Parent: What Ancient Cultures Can Teach Us About the Lost Art of Raising Happy, Helpful Little Humans" by Michaleen Doucleff could not have come at a better time. The dads dig...
2021-03-1441 min
Just Winging It108 // Dad BodAlright, so there's staying healthy and then there's trying to look good as the years start adding up. But what does looking good even mean anyway?
Patrick and John bring on occupational therapist Joe Rich to share some tips and dig into what the heck we're all even trying to look like in the first place.
2021-03-011h 12
Just Winging It107 // Pandemic PetsPet adoptions are skyrocketing during our pandemic lives. In households already occupied with raising little beings, the choice to add animals into the mix gets complicated. So what goes into making the decision to bring a pet into our families now?
John and Patrick reflect on their recent pet adoptions and add a bit of commentary on pet culture and animal ethics.
2021-02-141h 08
Just Winging It106 // Just Lifting ItHow are those new year exercise goals going? Just Winging It is back to lift you up! Or... maybe just to make you feel better about yourself?
Patrick and John kick off season four with physical therapist Denis Long to talk about how to setup and stick with a good exercise routine while dadding in 2021.
2021-01-311h 17
Purple Elephant RadioAllie Greene: Adventures in Teaching Kindergarten - #011
What are the top 3 myths of teaching?
How do you teach someone to read (and teach them how to love it)?
Can creativity be taught (from a teacher's perspective)?
What's it like teaching a class of kindergarteners on Zoom?
All this gets answered and more with an elementary school teacher from Rockwood School District - Allie Greene.
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Episode #011 Show notes: https://purpleelephantcollective.com/radio/eps-11
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Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/purple-elephant-radio/support
2021-01-0457 min
Just Winging It105 // Joy This Season?What. A. Damn. Year.
We're still adapting daily with the uncertainty of it all while also falling into all- too-familiar of a routine with life during the pandemic. What comes next?
Patrick and John close out 2020 and season three of Just Winging It considering how and where to find joy during these tough times, reflecting back all the way to episode 22 when they discussed The Book Of Joy by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and the Dalai Lama.
2020-12-2159 minPurple Elephant RadioZach Greene: Legally Stoned (Cannabis, Creativity & Sustainability) - #009
What's the downside of the CBD craze?
Will cannabis ever be compared to a fine wine experience?
How can sustainability be incentivized for the end consumer?
Are you stuck as the average of the 5 closest people to you?
All this gets answered and more with co-founder of Quarter Coast Consulting - Zach Greene.
CHECK OUT ZACH'S website & the mentioned non-profits:
QUARTER COAST CONSULTING: http://www.quartercoast.com/
PIANOS FOR PEOPLE: https://pianosforpeople.org/
US GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL (MO): https://www.usgbc-mogateway.org/
(SUBSCRIBE - New Epi...
2020-12-141h 26
Just Winging It104 // The FeelsThe transition to the cold, dark months brings on some tough emotions even in a normal year. In this intense 2020, the impending winter feels particularly intense.
John and Patrick sort through the latest parenting challenges brought on by the pandemic, how they're feeling about the upcoming season, and the concept of adult pandemic tantrums. Yeah, it's a thing.
2020-12-0643 minPurple Elephant RadioRyan Greene: The Point of Pottery for Purpose-Driven People - #006
How complex is ceramics really?
How can you use nature to get into a flow state?
How does Plato's allegory of the cave relate to education?
What might the future of in-person education look like?
All this gets answered and more with ceramist - Ryan Greene.
FOLLOW RYAN on all his pottery Instagram:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liveslow_pottery/
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Episode #006 Show notes:
https://purpleelephantcollective.com/radio/eps-6
2020-11-231h 02
Just Winging It103 // Processing An Emotional ElectionThe stakes for the 2020 US presidential election could not feel any higher. The results show a country torn in half. Where do we go from here?
Just a couple days after the election was called for Biden, Patrick and John process the emotional rollercoaster and grapple with what comes next for our country and for the way we parent through the sharp political divide that persists between us.
2020-11-1531 min
Just Winging It102 // Work From Home DadPandemic life has transformed our work and home lives for the indefinite future. With school back in session for several weeks now, a new rhythm is emerging.
John and Patrick talk specifically about their work from home setup; while their wives are out working, the two dads balance working from home with getting kids through hybrid school schedules and abrupt quarantines.
2020-11-0152 min
From The Desk of Pat GreenePat Greene interviews with Jim DrainJim Drain is an artist who mostly works with textiles but is definitely not limited to any medium. His work in film and music is worth checking out. He currently teaches at Rhode Island School of Design in Providence. He went to school there, where he was a large part of the Fort Thunder and Forcefield Collectives. They were featured in the Whitney Biennial in 2002. I met him when he lived in Miami. He was a founder of the Bas Fisher Invitational. His textiles have been worn by the likes of Bjork, Erase Errata, and many others. His work...
2020-10-3044 minFrom The Desk of Pat GreenePat Greene interviews Jim Walker and Shauta MarshFor most of this century, Big Car Collaborative in Indianapolis has been not only the biggest force for redefining Social Practice Art, but they have also been extremely effective in practical terms of bringing parts of Indianapolis back to life, and reemerging these areas in a better way. Married couple Jim Walker and Shauta Marsh are the brains, the brawn, the creative and emotional forces that have made this work. In 2015 London’s Guardian presented them as an example of how gentrification can work, and be sensitive and aware of who lives in these neighborhoods and giving them a be...
2020-10-231h 02Just Winging It101 // In Touch With NatureOne of the silver linings through this pandemic is the increased time we're all spending outdoors in nature. Isn't that where our children are supposed to spend their days anyway?
The famed Pete From the Midwest comes on to probe into the subject with Patrick and John, exploring how meaningful nature has been for them growing up and now—and how they've managed to promote the outdoors with their kids.
2020-10-191h 00From The Desk of Pat GreenePat Greene Interviews Megan FryeMegan Frye is a writer, photographer, and translator. She has been living in Mexico for the past few years. She has been published in many national and international publications. She has a keen eye for detail and is a compassionate observer.
2020-10-131h 05Just Winging It100 // Celebrating The Big One HundredJust like that, we've been just winging it for 100 episodes. In case you missed it, a lot has happened over the last 2.5 years since the show began. But we're not here to talk about world events right now.
John and Patrick reflect back with listeners on the last 99 episodes; some of the funniest JWI moments, their favorite topics, and as a reminder of why the heck they're doing this in the first place.
2020-10-051h 27
Just Winging It99 // So It BeginsLabor Day has passed, school is officially starting; so marks the transition from summer to what feels like a new year, and a new phase of life in a pandemic.
Patrick and John go deeper to explore the rewiring of our brains and our lives as we settle into our adapted lifestyles this school year.
2020-09-1348 min
Just Winging It98 // Emerging From The ChrysalisAs the summer winds down, the reality ahead for families is sinking in. We're about to emerge from our relatively sheltered Spring and Summer to hunker down for school, work, and all that the Fall and Winter will bring. And maybe transform into something entirely new.
John and Patrick unpack the emotional toll of the pandemic during this transitional time of year.
2020-08-3140 min
Just Winging It97 // Back to... School?The Fall is approaching quickly and the reality of beginning a new school year amidst the pandemic is settling in.
Patrick and John work through what's on every school age parent's mind right now; how the heck is school going to work this year?
2020-08-1637 minJust Winging It96 // Kids Birthday Parties (During the Apocalypse)Two years ago (episode 19), planning kids birthday parties was stressful enough. Somehow now with the pandemic backdrop, it has become both simpler and more complicated.
John talks Patrick through his daughter's week of birthday parties and their strategy to manage expectations with their kids, while still celebrating their big day with friends and family.
2020-08-0338 minFrom The Desk of Pat GreenePat Greene Interviews composer and visual artist Guillermo GalindoI interviewed composer and visual artist Guillermo Galindo. Guillermo was born in Mexico City. He received his Bachelor's degree from Berkeley College in Boston. He received his Master's from Mills College in Oakland. At Mills College he was introduced to composer Pauline Oliveros and other major influences. Mills College merged with the San Francisco Tape Center in the 1960s. The Tape Center was started by composers Ramon Sender and Morton Subotnick. The Center also had Terry Riley, Pauline Oliveros and several other major influences. As a result of this merger Mills College has become a hub for New Music. G...
2020-07-2846 minFrom The Desk of Pat GreenePat Greene interviews Simeon Coxe of Silver ApplesI interviewed Simeon Coxe of Silver Apples in 2016 in his backyard in Fairhope Alabama. Simeon is a true pioneer of electronic and rock music. He spent some time at Andy Warhol's factory in the 60s. Andy painted a portrait of Simeon. Silver Apple's oscillator based sound has been a huge influence on experimental music. The name Silver Apples comes from composer Morton Feldman's piece Silver Apples of the Moon. Coxe continues to play and tour, and he also continues to paint.
2020-07-2149 min
Just Winging It95 // Change Is In The AirThe pace and scale of change around us is without precedent in our lifetime. So it's no surprise that change is manifesting in all sorts of ways, big and small, in our families.
John and Patrick chat about some of the latest changes in their households, including a transition back to daycare, a new dog, and the beginning of a new career.
2020-07-2051 minFrom The Desk of Pat GreenePat Greene interviews Tom Smith of To Live and Shave in LA.I interviewed Tom Smith who is most well known for being the front man, and founder of the band To Live and Shave in LA. Tom also did a stint with Peaches of Immortality, and Pussy Galore. To Live and Shave operates more like a rotating collective of musicians on the fringe. Thurston Moore, Don Fleming, Andrew W.K. , Weasel Walter, Rat Bastard. Mark Morgan, and Ben Wolcott are some of the names who have played with TLASILA. Tom has taken cues from noise, musique concrete, the ethereal crooning of Scott Walker, and other sonic pioneers. His sound is constantly...
2020-07-141h 05
Just Winging It94 // Rediscovering Outdoor ActivitiesGetting outside with our families has been more important than ever. So why not take the time to teach our kids—and ourselves—some new outdoor activities?
Patrick and John share their latest outdoor discoveries as they keep on working through how to take advantage of all this extra time with the kids.
2020-07-0548 min
Just Winging It93 // The Neverending Home ProjectsFrom the moment you move into a new home, the projects begin and never stop. With all this extra time at home now during the pandemic, it seems the projects have multiplied.
John and Patrick celebrate Father's Day with a chat about their home improvement ups and downs. Let's be honest, mostly downs. Happy Father's Day!
2020-06-2142 minJust Winging It92 // Showing Up For Black Lives MatterA spark has ignited across the country as we slowly climb out of the pandemic while facing head on a crisis that continues to plague the US: the oppression of black people.
Patrick and John work through how to show up meaningfully and helpfully in this moment as two white men. Most important, they want to listen and amplify black voices. Founder and co-host of the Perfect Organism podcast, Jaime Prater, joins to share some of his experience growing up holding dual identities, black and white, and to reflect with John and Patrick on the significance of...
2020-06-081h 12
Just Winging It91// New BeginningsSpring is peaking, the pandemic curve is sloping down, and we're all gradually emerging to figure out our new reality.
That new reality for Patrick and his family includes a new house in new state. He and John chat about the big move, what it has been like to transition homes at this particular moment, and how we're all feeling some sense of new beginnings.
2020-05-2434 min
Just Winging It90 // Just Zooming ItWe meant it when we said it's important to check in with each other during this time of insanity. John and Patrick bring on a group of listeners for a Zoom roundtable on how we're all managing life during a pandemic.
2020-05-101h 26
Just Winging It89 // Preparing For The Long HaulThe school-year is officially canceled. Daycare is closed for a couple more months. What has felt temporary, is now settling into something more.
Patrick and John dig into what it's going to take to prepare for this longer-than-expected episode of life.
2020-05-0355 min
Just Winging It88 // Relearning How to Get Stuff DoneAs we settle into week five of staying home and trying to balance managing a family and work, we're having to relearn how to keep up with parenting.
John and Patrick catch up on the latest life events and how they're getting stuff done, continuing to adapt, and maybe making some discoveries along the way.
2020-04-1956 min
Just Winging It87 // The Importance of Checking InMore than ever, it's important that we find time to check in with ourselves and with our friends and family.
As the COVID-19 crisis peaks in the US, Patrick and John catch up on their weeks—the continued stress of parenting through a pandemic. Because honestly, what the heck else is there to talk about?
2020-04-1237 min
Just Winging It86 // Attempting Business As UsualThis is life now. It's socially distant. It's virtual school and work. It's 24/7 parenting. And as much as it's all feeling like Groundhog Day, each week has it's own flavor.
This week, John and Patrick describe what it has been like to attempt the things we had been doing before the pandemic. In the face of these challenges, the two dads try to figure out how they can do better.
2020-04-051h 03
Just Winging It85 // Adapting to QuarantineOur society's response to COVID-19 has triggered rapid changes in how we live—with such frequency that we're left trying to adapt daily as best we can.
Patrick and John talk through how they're managing to settle into some kind of new rhythm with their families and what they're learning so far amidst this crisis.
2020-03-2959 minJust Winging It84 // Processing a PandemicAlright folks, now we are just winging it at a whole new level. Families everywhere are coping with the day-to-day uncertainty brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. And this is only the beginning.
John and Patrick take some time together to process the last couple of weeks—the closing of schools, the quarantining, the working from home with kids, and all the rest of it. As usual, we don't have any answers here. We're just learning how to be okay with that.
2020-03-2247 min
Just Winging It83 // Fathers Finding FriendsSocializing becomes a whole lot different after having kids; when it happens at all, it often involves a half-engagement with other people and half-focus on watching or thinking about our kids. We know friendships are generally a good thing to pursue, but who has the time to put into them anymore?
Patrick and John welcome guest Finn McSweeney to chat about what it has been like for he and John to connect via their kids. The three dads explore why the pursuit of friendship with other dads is a worthy one.
2020-03-091h 09
Just Winging It82 // The Best Laid PlansWhen it comes to planning anything with kids, there's the fantasy version of the event we hope will happen and then there's the reality. Parenting is all about how you mind the gap.
John and Patrick talk about their recent Valentine's Day and other activities they plan with their families—and how they've managed when things don't turn out the way they were "supposed" to turn out.
2020-02-2458 min
Just Winging It81 // Managing ImpermanenceTime keeps on rolling by, each and every moment fleeting. Despite having a multitude of methods to capture memories of our kids, it never quite feels like we're recording enough of them.
Patrick and John work through the right balance between being in the moment and capturing the moment to enjoy later, sharing some strategies on how to do a better manage their responsibility as parents to make some of the impermanent permanent.
2020-02-1059 min
Just Winging It80 // Get Down With the SicknessThe first few years of our kids lives come with an onslaught of sickness. Slowly, their immune systems build up while we get to repeat childhood episodes of colds, fevers, and vomit.
John and Patrick chat about some of their kids' recent ailments and how the families dealt with it in the moment and in the stressful aftermath. You might not want to listen to this episode while you're eating, or after you ate, or... ever.
2020-01-2752 min
Just Winging It79 // Doubling Down in 2020A new year. A new season! A new me?
Patrick and John are back for season three of Just Winging It! It's time to catch up and chat about why, no matter how many new years we've begun already in our lives, it still feels like a time we need to reinvent ourselves. How will we make this year, this season, and ourselves, better than ever?!
2020-01-1952 min
Just Winging It78 // Taking Stock 2019It's the end of the year! A season filled with celebrations and maybe a bit of time to reflect on the fact that we raised our family through another full year.
John and Patrick close out season two of Just Winging It. The dads take stock, reflecting back on the 40+ episodes they recorded this year, and chat about where they'd like to take their lives and the show in the new year.
To all those just winging it in 2019 and those about to just wing it in 2020: thank you for hanging out with us and...
2019-12-2346 min
Just Winging It77 // All Joy And No Fun (Part 2)The modern US family household typically centers around children, dictating many of the life choices that parents make. It wasn't always that though. In her book, "All Joy And No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood," Jennifer Senior brings some historical context to parenting today.
Patrick and John continue their discussion, going deeper into the pressures of modern parenting and exploring what the future stages might look like as their kids get older.
2019-12-161h 03
Just Winging It76 // All Joy And No Fun (Part 1)What if parenting doesn't bring the happiness we're led to believe it should? How do we deal with the gap between our experience and the expectations we've set with every other parent? These are some of the questions Jennifer Senior explores in her book, "All Joy And No Fun: The Paradox of Modern Parenthood."
John and Patrick unpack the first half of the book, hitting on many of the threads discussed previously on the podcast about how kids impact parents— this time based in some insight from somebody who might actually know what they're talking about.
2019-12-0953 min
Just Winging It75 // Star Wars DadsA generation that grew up with the Star Wars phenomenon now get the chance to pass on the ways of the force with their children.
Ahead of the latest Star Wars theatrical release, Patrick and John reflect back on their love of the movies and franchise. And they consider the joys of being part of the millennial dad Jedi order.
2019-11-2551 min
Just Winging It74 // Just Stay-at-home-dadding ItWhat does the life of a stay-at-home-dad look like? Episode 34 guest Joe Ketner returns to report live from the front lines after leaving his job ten months ago to be home with his young children.
Joe reports back to John and Patrick what it has been like to transition, how he manages his days, and what he's learned about himself on this journey.
2019-11-1152 min
Just Winging It73 // Monster Mash-upAfter a week off, Patrick and John have a monstrous mash-up of catching up to do. The dads talk about how to level up family vacations, take advantage of nature hikes, do Halloween costumes, and more.
2019-11-0435 min
Just Winging It72 // The Decision To Have More KidsHow many children do we want to have? How will we know when we have the right number?
The decision on whether or not to have more children can be jam-packed with financial, logistical, emotional, and practical considerations. John and Patrick sort through it all while it's a fresh conversation they frequently have with their spouses: should they bring a third child into the world?
2019-10-2143 min
Just Winging It71 // Making A Call On PetsThere are some big decisions that come along with making the choice to get a pet, particularly when we've already got little ones running around. There's another set of tough decisions when it comes to treating a sick pet.
Patrick and John recall their experiences with pets, before and with kids, as John weighs the options around putting his cat down and (eventually) bringing a new one into the family.
2019-10-1458 min
Just Winging It70 // Just Winging it Live! WTF Am I Doing?In their first ever live show, Patrick and John chat with an audience at the Somerville Armory Cafe to explore what the fudge they are doing.
As parents, we're faced with this sort of question constantly; am I making the right decisions with my parenting style? Where do I find meaning in life? And what the flip-phone am I doing recording a live show about parenting?
2019-10-071h 21
Just Winging It69 // This Is WaterIn 2005, the writer David Foster Wallace gave a commencement speech that would take on a life of its own, traveling far beyond the audience he delivered it to that day. It spread all across the world and would deeply influence countless people.
Patrick shares how he came to discover the speech and why it and Wallace's work left such a lasting mark on his life. He and John unpack the significance of this speech and how it informs their lives as parents.
Listen to the full speech or watch this short film with an abridged...
2019-09-301h 10
Just Winging It68 // Back to the Future: FOMOJohn is traveling back in time to bring episode four, FOMO For Parents, back to the future. Yeah okay, it's a fancy way of saying Patrick and John had a hectic week and couldn't record a new episode for you.
Sometimes, going back to the advice you gave yourself a year and a half ago is just what the doctor ordered. John begins the episode with an original, never-before-listened-to (and never-should-be-listened-to) reflection on what made episode four such a great one, and why time management for parents remains an important practice in insanity.
2019-09-2351 min
Just Winging It67 // From Planning Activities to Writing The BooksWouldn't it be handy to have actual guides to planning activities for young children? Author and former educator Autumn McKay decided to turn the creative activities she planned with her own kids into a range of useful guides for other parents. Her engineer husband, Seth, decided to create coloring books to teach kids how things are made.
This enterprising duo talk to Patrick and John about what it's like to author their own books while managing three kids of their own. And because we all like you so much, they offer a special free resource for Just...
2019-09-1652 min
Just Winging It66 // Always Trust MagicThere are some children's books that stand out and strike a particularly strong chord with only a few words. That succinct power became a trademark of the prolific author Amy Krouse Rosenthal.
Many parents know her from reading one of her many children's books. Even more know her from an essay that quickly went viral after she wrote it for the New York Times only days before she died of cancer, "You May Want To Marry My Husband."
John shares excerpts from one of Rosenthal's memoirs, Textbook Amy Krouse Rosenthal, and contemplates with Patrick the...
2019-09-0951 min
Just Winging It65 // Moving Our Family Out of Their Comfort ZoneMuch of this podcast has focused on how to break out of auto-pilot mode in our everyday lives as a parent. What would it look like to take it up a notch and totally disrupt life to discover more as a family together?
Cully Lundgren made this choice with his family when they decided to pickup their life and move it all to a rural village in Nicaragua. Cully joins John and Patrick on the show to talk about what spurred them to live abroad for nearly a year and what it has meant to them now...
2019-09-011h 01
Just Winging It64 // Back to SchoolEach year the end of summer seems to come more quickly. Back to school season hangs in the air. Anticipation, anxiety, excitement, worry; our kids go through the spectrum of emotions, and so do we.
Patrick and John chat about this latest back-to-school season, with a mix of kids just starting school and going back again, working through how they support their kids and get through it themselves.
2019-08-2654 min
Just Winging It63 // Road TripsGoing on vacation with young kids often means hours-long car rides. If all goes well, the journey can be as much fun as the destination. If not, it can make for a rough vacation.
John and Patrick talk about their approach to enjoying family road trips, or sometimes just getting through them.
2019-08-191h 04
Just Winging It62 // Is Social Media Good For Us?Remember life before social media? It's difficult to recall how we stayed connected with our network of friends before Facebook, but somehow we did.
Social media is here to stay, so Patrick and John ponder this question: Has this powerful connector of people across the world made our lives better or worse?
2019-08-1259 min
Just Winging It61 // Actively ParentingGetting into a rhythm is pretty essential to parenting. But what happens when routine becomes a little too routine and we fall into patterns that might benefit from being broken?
John and Patrick dig further into how to stay motivated, change up our repertoire, and make the choice to actively parent.
2019-08-0459 min
Just Winging It60 // Getting Creative With ActivitiesThe task of thinking up new ways to keep our kids engaged each day can be exhausting. So how do we keep it from feeling like a burden?
Sometimes we just need some fresh ideas. Patrick walks John through the crazy, creative festival of activities he planned for his kids, and breaks down how other parents can have fun with planning out engaging—even educational—activities.
2019-07-2942 min
Just Winging It59 // The Beach With KidsA trip to the beach is typically equated with rest and relaxation. But now going to the beach with little kids is pretty much the opposite.
And yet, we still decide to do summer outings to the beach as a family. John and Patrick chat about how to beach with kids and keep it from being awful.
2019-07-221h 06
Just Winging It58 // MindfulnessHealthy eating and exercise will get you pretty far in life, yet there's still the major mental challenge in our day-to-day that is stress.
In this latest of the healthy living trilogy of episodes, Patrick and John navigate practicing mindfulness to stay present (and sane) amidst hectic parenting life.
2019-07-011h 09
Just Winging It57 // Finding a Healthy DietWorking out is one aspect of taking care of yourself and living a while, but a healthy diet is equally important. And with this too, being a parent means we've got to model what it looks like to eat right. So... what does it look like?
John and Patrick talk about their continuing journeys to find healthier diets; from junk food college days to the modern day foodie adult times. Needless to say, they've still got some work to do.
2019-06-2457 min
Just Winging It56 // Working OutWe all know we're supposed to get in some exercise every week in order to live long, healthy, happy lives. How exactly do we pull it off when work and parenting devour most of our days?
Patrick and John haven't necessarily figured this one out all the way (as you can tell looking at them), but in this episode they talk about how they've managed to cobble together some workout routines that get in that critical physical activity even amidst full schedules.
2019-06-1757 min
Just Winging It55 // Prioritizing Human ConnectionWhen's the last time you had a real conversation with your neighbor? Or asked someone at work more than the obligatory, "How are you?" These days that kind of connection to people in our real everyday lives can feel pretty distant.
John and Patrick reflect on how they operate in their day-to-day with people beyond their close family and friends to consider how they might disrupt things and maybe serve as better examples to their watchful kids.
2019-06-0942 min
Just Winging It54 // SmorgasbordAfter a couple weeks off from recording, it's time to catch up on what's going on with Patrick, John and their families. A smorgasbord of topics, featuring some of the latest challenges with food, tales from Great Britain, the art of dance, and, as always, pee and poop shenanigans.
2019-06-0347 min
Just Winging It53 // Time TravelIf time travel were possible today, would you do it? What would the world look like if it were as commonplace as flying in an airplane?
As a follow-up to there recent just imagine it segment, Patrick and John delve into the subject of time yet again, this time through a crazy ass thought experiment. As parents, we're constantly aware of the passage of time. What if time didn't carry that same weight in our lives?
2019-05-2047 min
Just Winging It52 // Take Your Kids to Work DayWhat, there's a national day to bring your kids to work on the fourth Thursday in April?! Is it a wonderful idea or totally bonkers?
John and Patrick talk about how they pulled off their first-ever, world-colliding experience taking kids to work for a day.
2019-05-1344 min
Just Winging It50 // Potty TrainingWhen it comes to potty training, there are lots of strategies to choose from. But like all the rest of parenting, strategy only gets us so far. Getting kids to use the toilet is messy—physically and emotionally.
Patrick updates John on the last few days of potty training his youngest son, and the two dads go a level deeper to try and understand this milestone and its challenges from their kids' perspectives.
Happy 50th episode! If you're enjoying the show, drop us a review and share it with someone you love... or hate.
2019-04-281h 06
Just Winging It49 // Thawing OutThere's nothing quite like the magic of entering a new Spring. Dark days yield to sunshine, and warm air beckons us all outside, finally.
Patrick and John reflect on the challenges and joys of getting outdoors with little ones, and some back-in-my-day stories you'd expect from the old fogies.
2019-04-2253 min
Just Winging It48 // A New DadEntering parenthood is rough. No matter how prepared you think you are, the first few weeks home are utter, sleep-deprived chaos.
Jeff Deutsch returns to the show, now as a new dad, to talk to John and Patrick about the reality of this deeply challenging transition into fatherhood.
2019-04-151h 03
Just Winging It47 // Catching UpSometimes we just need to take a bit of time to catch up: with our kids, our partners, our selves, and our co-hosts.
John and Patrick catch up on their latest adventures including a vacation, a science fair, and an unfortunate poop.
2019-04-0859 min
Just Winging It46 // Reconnecting With Your PartnerRemember that person you have a relationship with outside of co-parent? It's all too easy to lose touch with that person when you're both so focused on the daily demands of parenting life.
Patrick and John talk through how they try to keep strong connections with their partners amidst the craziness, including some ideas for breaking out of the daily routines that can keep us taking our better halves for granted.
2019-04-0136 min
Just Winging It45 // Finding Some InspirationEvery now and then it's nice to recharge with a dose of inspiration—open our minds to some new ways of thinking. Not that there's much time for that as a parent.
John shares with Patrick his experience traveling to a conference recently, featuring a healthy serving of wisdom he heard from the likes of President Obama and Oprah Winfrey.
But first, some proper dad-whingeing in yet another new segment on the show.
2019-03-2558 min
Just Winging It44 // How to WinterWinter with children can be a magical thing, filled with sledding, snow angels, and hot cocoa. But magic takes work, and a ridiculous amount of laundry.
Patrick and John chat about how they enjoy (and make it through) winter with the kiddos with a variety of outdoor and indoor activities to keep life full.
2019-03-1152 min
Just Winging It43 // Beating CancerWe all know someone who has fought cancer. It carries a particularly heavy weight in life, taking away far too many people we love and remaining high on our list of fears. What happens when it strikes us?
John recounts his episode with cancer ten years ago as he was graduating college. He and Patrick work through the perspective shifting moment that comes with this diagnosis and how it impacts more than just the individual.
Heavy topic, but don't worry, we manage to get in the usual Just Winging It insanity—poop jokes and all—up f...
2019-03-041h 12
Just Winging It42 // Dad-to-beThe decision to become a parent is probably the biggest one we make in our lives. And we each have a unique series of events that bring us to that decision point.
Patrick and John bring on Dad-to-be, Jeff Deutsch, to hear what led him to the decision a little later in life, and to explore his current state of blissful ignorance when it comes to the earth-shattering world he's about to enter.
2019-02-251h 15
Just Winging It41 // Tidying UpShe's taken America by storm with her novel approach to tidying up. Now Marie Kondo joins John and Patrick for a conversation about how she manages the spotlight, the fame, and the clean house, all while raising her children.
That would be a pretty great conversation. Instead, the two dads will fumble through the KonMari method to see whether it passes the just winging it test. Can it really be done with kids? Is it possible to stay this organized? Can anyone really fold like that?
2019-02-181h 10
Just Winging It40 // Handling PlaydatesWere playdates even a thing when we were kids? Getting together with our friends sure seemed simpler then, but maybe that's because we weren't the parents who had to deal with the dynamics of organizing with other families.
Patrick and John navigate the interesting, the fun, and the sometimes awkward situations that arise when planning with other parents.
On another note: Did you know studies have shown that people who share this podcast are eleven times happier than people who don't? Give it a try!
2019-02-111h 07
Just Winging It39 // Choosing A PreschoolObsessing about the best preschool option for our kids is probably not something most parents anticipate happening. But once the time comes to make a choice, the same part of our brain that craves reviews (Yelp!) before going out to eat or purchasing a product kicks into full gear.
John and Patrick discuss the stakes when it comes to choosing the right preschool: will it set their kids on a path of future success (or failure)? Is it just daycare under the guise of school? And why does it have to be so expensive!?
2019-02-041h 06
Just Winging It38 // Sharing the SharingTeaching our kids to share is one of those fundamental things we're supposed to do as a parent, lest we have the kid who isn't sharing toys at a play date. Combine that challenge with the sibling dynamic and we've got some explosive situations—even without poop.
Patrick and John work through the difficulties of teaching sharing between siblings and whether it can even be done with young kiddos.
But first, and more importantly, what would you do if your kid turned into a zombie? You'll hear John and Patrick talk about it in this ep...
2019-01-2855 min
Just Winging It37 // Call it a ComebackA new year, a new season, and the same two dads who know everything about nothing—and can't wait to share it with you.
John and Patrick are back from holiday break chock-full of useless stories about taking time off, getting kids (and ourselves) involved in recreational activities, and—of course—poop.
2019-01-211h 08
Just Winging It36 // Wrapping Up The YearThe end-of-year festivities and craziness are upon us! As with most of parenting, the magic and the stress are a package deal during the holidays.
In this episode, Patrick and John close out the year—and the first season of Just Winging It—with the latest stories, a reflection on the year, and a look ahead.
Thanks for, you know, putting us in your ears this year. From our just-winging-it families to yours: have a fantastic holiday and joyous new year.
2018-12-241h 02
Just Winging It35 // Gifts & Gratitude'Tis the season to buy lots and lots more stuff. Gift-giving (and getting) can be another magical aspect of the holidays, especially for the kiddos. How do we keep consumerism at bay this time of year, and keep grounded in ye olde spirit of generosity and gratitude?
John and Patrick prep for holiday fun, strategize gifts, and think about how to add a dash of thankfulness to the festivities.
2018-12-1758 min
Just Winging It34 // Stay-at-home DadWe're living at a time where more than half of families with children have two working parents—a shift from the days when it was typically expected that mothers would stay home. Yet even with today's increasing acceptance that either parent can bring home the bacon, so few dads choose to stay home.
Enter this episode's guest, Joe Ketner, who is about to transition from the workforce to the diaperforce. Joe talks to Patrick and John about what went into his decision and how he's planning to enter life as a stay-at-home Dad.
2018-12-1057 min
Just Winging It33 // Is Santa Claus Coming to Town?The concept of Santa Claus is just one of those things that's in the air during the holiday season; our kids will catch it one way or another. But the extent to which we indulge in the magic (lie!) of Santa and the way we work through the eventual unraveling is a parenting responsibility worth giving some thought.
John is about to enter this holiday season with a three-year-old who's only just starting to become aware of Santa Claus. Patrick helps him work through whether and how he'll go about it. Oh, and this article from PBS...
2018-12-0353 min
Just Winging It32 // NostalgiaHard to believe we're already breaking out the, "back in my day" phrase, but here we are. Young parents have been through dramatic changes in pop culture, technology, and life over the last few decades. Sometimes it's nice to pause and remember how damn cool the nineties were.
Patrick and John look out to their past from rocking chairs on the front porch as they dwell on the good ol' days. And then ponder what their kids will look back upon with nostalgia.
2018-11-1953 min
Just Winging It31 // Perception of TimeWhen you become a parent, time and its passing can quickly become an obsession. The whole notion of time, of memory, of aging surfaces constantly as that little being grows.
John and Patrick stumble into this episode's subject, looking at how they perceive time and how they can maintain a healthy relationship with it.
2018-11-121h 13
Just Winging It30 // Cultivating Character (Avoiding Entitlement)Maybe there's more to this whole identity thing after all. While our kids are the center of our world, how do we raise them to know they aren't the center of the world?
Patrick and John go deeper to explore a parent's role in cultivating moral character, this time with some guidance from the book 8 Keys to Old School Parenting for Modern-Day Families by Michael Mascolo. They talk through why their generation often gets labeled as entitled and how they can prioritize virtues that avoid that sort of behavior in their own kids.
2018-11-051h 11
Just Winging It29 // Forming IdentityMuch of the time our focus as parents is on the now; helping our kids and ourselves navigate daily life. But we're also playing the long game, attempting to raise what we hope will become well-adjusted, self-sufficient human beings.
Who are our kids going to be when they grow up? How much of their identity is set and how much is being shaped?
John and Patrick think back to their (sometimes awkward) searching for themselves as they grew up, and talk about how they might help their kids form identities of their own.
2018-10-291h 11
Just Winging It28 // HalloweenThis is Halloween! A day that doesn't come with the stresses of most holidays, Halloween becomes all the more fun to celebrate with kids.
Hang out with Patrick and John for a spooktacular conversation about festivities, costumes, and frights. And maybe something about how to Halloween with kids, too.
2018-10-221h 00
Just Winging It27 // Grasping DeathThere's a moment in each of our lives where we first come to terms with the concept of death. The concept, like so many, carries even more weight now as a parent. How do we help our kids have a healthy understanding of the fact that we've all got an expiration date? And what are we going to tell them happens next?
Probably, these are questions we've got to work through ourselves first. Just another light, fluffy conversation as John and Patrick reflect on how their own understanding of death has been shaped over the years.
2018-10-151h 16
Just Winging It26 // Parenting HacksIt's amazing how much more efficient we can get with everyday tasks in order to (sort of) keep up with taking care of kids. We've all got our techniques and shortcuts to make the best of the limited time now.
Patrick and John share some of what you might barely call parenting hacks, proving once and for all that they have nothing of value to offer listeners. Thankfully, some of you shared your own parenting hacks to add into the mix for this episode.
2018-10-081h 10
Just Winging It23 // BreastfeedingIt's one of those subjects we don't hear much about before having kids, and then suddenly breastfeeding—whether or not to, how to, and the countless challenges that arise—became a major focus of life when raising a new baby. It's also a topic with fierce opinions behind it.
You won't hear those opinions here, but John and Patrick feel like it's worthwhile to share some of their perspective as dads through this critical aspect of child-rearing. Needless to say, they play the supporting role. So how do dads lean in to that and help moms navigate this...
2018-09-1758 min
Criminal Justice EvolutionCJ Evolution / May 16th / Episode 204 - Speaker, Writer & Entrepreneur - Jonathan GreeneHello everyone and welcome back to the show. In this episode Patrick welcomes Jonathan Greene. Jonathan is a speaker, writer and entrepreneur who is an expert in efficiency, system-based productivity, social media content creation and micromarketing. He is a former state prosecutor and criminal defense attorney in Florida and has tried over 200 cases. When his father passed away, a lawyer himself, Jonathan started his creative journey into the art world. He has been the Head of Business Development, a teacher, mentor and then a successful real estate agent who built a large team only to leave it behind to li...
2018-05-1636 minJust Winging It00 // Just Winging It TeaserTwo thirty-something dads, John Abdulla and Patrick Greene, explore poopy diapers and the meaning of life.
2018-04-0901 min