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Shawn Vanderloo

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Soul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSo Long and Thanks For All The Fish: The Final Episode - 339We're better! We're healed! We are our best selves. The forging of souls is complete. Welcome to the final episode of the Soul Forge Podcast. It's been a crazy 7+ years, but we made it. This week, Shawn is joined by his brother Robin, to say goodbye to the Soul Forge faithful. There is plenty of memories, and a few new tidbits to entertain all of you out there in Podcastland. Robin talks about a few of his favourite things. Shawn thanks everyone for their support over the years. Whether you were a guest, a subject, sent an...2024-10-0333 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBypassing Camus Two - 332Bypassing Camus Two! What does that mean? Is there a deeper meaning to this odd podcast episode title? On this special episode of the Soul Forge Podcast, Shawn and Leah travel a few hours for the weekend. They find themselves in Sudbury, Ontario to visit someone Shawn has known for more than half of his life. Who is this mysterious man named Cory? You are about to learn all that and more on this exciting episode. Shawn and Cory met in the late 1990s. Cory was dating Laura, whom Shawn already knew, and they moved...2024-08-0833 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe 7 Year Itch - 331The 7 Year Itch is here to celebrate the seventh anniversary of the Soul Forge Podcast. Shawn and Leah cover a variety of topics this week, while also marking this monumental occasion. Come celebrate 7 years with us. Our first topic of conversation is all about new beginnings. After a fun preamble about 7 years of forging our souls, and more than 10 years of podcasting, we are talking about new ideas. Soul Forge began as a way for Shawn to heal from years of loss and trauma. The podcast became a place to talk about the things and ideas people...2024-08-0124 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWhat About Bob - 330What about Bob Newhart and Shannon Doherty? These are two of the major celebrity deaths the world experienced recently. Back when Shawn was hosting the Rusted Robot Podcast, each episode began with that week's famous deaths. Although that pop culture podcast ended more than three years ago, it is never far from Shawn's memory. This week, Shawn and Leah jump from topic to topic. There is a lot on their minds. Since two weeks have passed since the last episode, they have a lot of catching up to do. Minor topics include the end of the LCBO...2024-07-2524 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBoobs, Burgers and Beer - 329Boobs, burgers and beer! These are three things that almost everyone loves. This episode tells you all about the upcoming fashion show hosted by Amore: For Your Pleasure. On this episode of the Soul Forge Podcast, your host Shawn goes on location for a chat with Gaelyn, the owner of Amore: For Your Pleasure. For those not in the know, Amore is the premiere adult toy store in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Shawn and Gaelyn discuss the upcoming fashion show. This is the ultimate sexy lingerie fashion show. There have been four or five previous...2024-07-1120 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWhat We Leave Behind - 328What we leave behind is not nearly as important as what we take with us. At least, when it comes to moving or down-sizing. This is nothing to do with the legacy of our lives. This week the podcast tackles the topic of finding a new home. Leah's dad is moving. Gord currently lives about a 20 minute drive from his wife. The wife is in a nursing home as her health is poor. Every second day Gord drives 20 minutes down the highway to visit. Gord is 78 years old and his health is also deteriorating. Luckily, Gord's wife...2024-07-0427 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBridgerton, Bacon, The Boys and More - 326Food, History, television shows, work, feedback and more on this week's episode. No topic is too obscure for us to cover! The weather is our first mini topic. A veritable heat wave has descended upon us. From hail to humidity, no one is safe from these extremes. Some days it feels as though we are sitting here melting. We had our yard sale this last weekend. Turns out we prefer going to sales, rather than hosting them. There is a lot of prep work involved. Pricing items is quite important, and having an organizational system...2024-06-2035 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastTaking Care of Dad - 325Taking care of dad for our Father's Day episode! We start this episode with a brief history of how Father's Day began. Did you know this holiday is not much older than a century? In fact, Father's Day was introduced in 1910. Naturally, it was a response to Mother's Day and soon became associated with retail and commerce. You will learn even more in this episode. Shawn and Leah discuss their fathers. They each have dads, fathers-in-law, as well as stepfathers. Shawn talks about being a father and a step-father. An important aspect of this discussion...2024-06-1333 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastChuck's Roadhouse Restaurant Review - 324New ideas are brewing at Soul Forge HQ. Shawn and Leah are bringing you more excitement and adventure. The topics are going to be vast and wide-ranging. We plan to bring our listeners an enhanced podcast experience. Stay tuned for the updated format! So, we recently got into meal prep. It seemed like a great idea to have ready-made ideas for a week's worth of dinners. An amazing meal was planned, but time got away from us. Therefore, we decided to go to a restaurant because it was too late to cook. We went to Chuck's and...2024-06-0625 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastLet's Host A Yard Sale - 323We love yard sales. Hosting them. Going to them. Finding hidden treasures. There is very little not to love about a yard sale. Or should we call it a garage sale? On this episode of the Soul Forge Podcast, Shawn and Leah talk everything there is to talk about yard sales. They will soon be hosting their own. Have you ever hosted a sale? Would you do so again? What is the best thing you have ever gotten at a sale? Let us know at soulforgepodcast@gmail.com Shawn and Leah talk about some of...2024-05-3029 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWedding Week Adventures - 322Our wedding in Las Vegas and our honeymoon in California. Leah and Shawn flew to Las Vegas to get married. After spending a few days in Sin City, they drove to Cathedral City, California. This episode of the Soul Forge is a day by day recap of their adventures. May 2nd and 3rd: The first day was a travel day. Major delays were the main topic of conversation. Mechanical problems caused a 7 hour delay in travel. The second day was much better. The couple got their marriage license. The line was huge. The heat in...2024-05-161h 05Soul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast321 - The Final CountdownThe wedding of the century is almost upon us. Shawn and Leah will be married in Las Vegas on May the 4th. This episode of the Soul Forge discusses their plans and the countdown until the big day! But first, we talk about smile cookies. Tim Hortons, Canada's number 1 coffee shop sells their smile cookies once a year. This is the big fundraiser that sends kids to camp for the summer. These cookies, while delicious, are not packaged up very well. There may be some drunk singing in Vegas. Leah hopes to get Shawn singing...2024-05-0230 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastAnimal Consciousness and Other Ideas - 320Are animals self aware? Scientific evidence supports the assumption that it “feels like something” for a fish to be caught on a hook. Shawn and Leah have a bit of a lively discussion regarding animal consciousness. They talk about their dads, wedding preparations, taxes, television shows and more! Scientists and philosophers across the globe agree it is reasonable to assume the vast majority of creatures on Earth are sentient in some way — including lobster, squid and the tiny flies that swarm over drinks left outside in the summer. The New York Declaration on #Animal #Consciousness, releas...2024-04-2528 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastOur First Fight - 319Our first fight recently took place. What was it about? How did the issue get resolved? Find out on this exciting episode of the Soul Forge Podcast! This particular episode premieres on April 11, 2024. It was 17 years ago on this date that Shawn joined the Post Office. Since that time, he has delivered hundreds of thousands, if not millions of letters, flyers, magazines and parcels. How many more years will he continue? Only time will tell! On Monday of this week, the world experience a solar eclipse. People travelled far and wide to catch a glimpse...2024-04-1127 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastInternational Love - 318International love is the tale of two strangers who became friends, and then embarked on a long distance relationship. This multi-year romance blossomed. Soon, it turned into a 90 day fiance situation. A year ago they moved in together. Six months ago they married. This is their story. But that's not all! Luke and Dakota have a story for the ages. He is American. She is Canadian. They once lived thousands of miles apart. Dating for five years over long distance presents many challenges and obstacles. Somehow, Luke and Dakota found a way to overcome everything in their...2024-04-0431 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastDisney DREAM Cruise Line Review - 316Disney Dream cruise of March 3-8, 2024. This is Shawn and Leah's report! The Disney Dream is a cruise ship operated by Disney Cruise Line, part of The Walt Disney Company. The first of the Dream-class, she is the third ship of the overall fleet, the other four ships in the fleet being the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. She currently sails four-day and five-day cruises to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean calling at Cozumel and Grand Cayman, as well as Disney's private island Castaway Cay. In May 2023, the Disney Dream sailed across...2024-03-1250 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastNot Packed, But Ready To Go! 315Talking about our first cruise together. This is Shawn's very first cruising experience. Leah has been on several. While this episode has a heavy focus on travel, there are several other topics covered as well! One of Leah's favourite parts of going on a cruise -- multiples stops and visits in one trip. Seeing a good amount of different places on the same vacation is rather enticing. Shawn is excited to see a new part of the world. A major factor in travel are the airports. Layovers can be a challenge. Leah believes a longer layover is...2024-03-0127 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastPublic Displays of Affection - 314Public displays of affection is the topic on this special Valentine's Day release! This is episode 314 so naturally we talk about pie. Why pie? 3.14 is the basic formula for pi. That's something to do with math and circles. Shawn and Leah joke about doing an entire episode about pi and pie. This is not that episode. Next up is a brief review of the movie I.S.S. From its website, a brief description: Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station (I.S.S.) as a worldwide conflict breaks...2024-02-1423 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSticks and Stones - 313Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can hurt just as much. Sometimes they hurt more. This week, Gaelyn, the owner of Amore joins Shawn for an intimate chat. Amore is Sault Ste. Marie's premier adult toy shop. You can find them at 331 Korah Road. As Shawn walked into Amore to record this episode with Gaelyn, he overhead something about a human auction. The better part of valour suggested that he wait until the conversations was over before asking anything about it. Turns out there will be a fun fundraiser. The human auction is to...2024-01-3126 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastAttacked By Monsters - 312Awesome feedback received this week! Jim from the Monster Attack podcast wrote in to say he is listening. There has been much sickness in the house, but that has not stopped us from making plans and doing the things! From Jim we learned that our show is engaging and enjoyable. Shawn and Leah have great chemistry and this is apparent when listening. Jim will keep on listening--there are a lot of episodes to catch up on. We will be listening to his Monster Attack podcast. Everyone in our house has been down with the sickness...2024-01-2524 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Iron Claw - 311The Iron Claw tells the story of the professional wrestling family, the Von Erichs. Shawn and Leah just saw this film in theatres, and are here to share their thoughts on the movie, and recall their wrestling memories. Of the two, Leah is a bigger fan of wrestling than Shawn. She has met many professional wrestlers. One time, Shawn saw Hulk Hogan walking up some stairs. The bulk of Shawn's wrestling knowledge is from the mid-1980s to about 1991. Leah has had much more interaction in the world of wrestling, including going on a wrestling inspired cruise.2024-01-1123 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastDecade - 310Decade 2014 to 2024. This week is the 10 year anniversary of Shawn's podcasting journey. Join us as we look back at some of the highs and lows of this decisive decade. It all started in 2012 when Shawn got a second-hand iPod. A co-worker introduced him to the world of podcasts. Beginning with Star Trek pods, Shawn soon began to expand his interests. There were so many different shows, formats, genres and types of hosts. That's when he realized he had opinions he could share with the world. His wife agreed to co-host and the Rusted Robot Podcast was born.2024-01-0240 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastShawn, You Move Too Fast - 309Welcome to the final episode of 2023! On this show, Shawn and Leah look back on the year that was. After the break, they talk about some future plans. Were you aware of everything that took place in their lives? Are you rooting for the success of their lives together? Shawn, you move too fast is something Shawn has heard more than once. Is he dumb, or does he have unlimited hope and confidence in his decisions? Only you can decide the answer to these questions. The future is wide open, and it seems Shawn and Leah may...2023-12-2132 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastRoad Trips, Renovations & Romance - 308Shawn and Leah were on holidays this week. Rest assured, it was no vacation. While Shawn took a tour of the great Canadian north, Leah stayed home to renovate the bathroom. What they thought should have taken a few days, became an ongoing saga. However, there are many good times ahead. The road trip! On Sunday, Shawn drove up to Timmins. He lived there for 19 years, and his doctor is still there. Finding a new doctor is all but impossible. Two days spent in Timmins. Shawn visited his son, a few friends, and cleaned out his building...2023-12-0422 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBuy, Rent or Renovate - 307Buy, rent or renovate....these are the options that face us today. Shawn and Leah discuss the possibilities they have as they progress in their relationship. The upcoming week is full of adventure - Shawn is driving up north to see friends and family, while Leah is staying home to redo parts of the bathroom. Decisions for the future are looming. Shawn's building in Timmins has recently sold. This means that he is mortgage-free, and is free to buy a home in Sault Ste. Marie. The happy couple has been looking at homes in town...2023-11-2423 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastFive Nights at Freddy’s - 305Five Nights at Freddy's movie review and franchise history! This week on the Soul Forge we talk about everything to do with Five Nights at Freddy's (FNaF). We just saw the movie on opening night. Our initial thoughts and reactions, fresh from the theatre are here for you to enjoy. Also on this episode, we have a brief recap of the last week in our lives. Shawn and Leah have been cooking. When they went to Disney World, they tried the cheeseburger spring rolls. They were delicious but expensive. After finding the recipe, they made...2023-10-2733 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastKeeping Up Appearances - 304Keeping up appearances can be a full time job. Shawn and Leah are not trying to keep up with the Joneses. In this case, we are talking about a British sitcom created and written by Roy Clarke. Leah recently introduced Shawn to some of her favourite British television shows. The Keeping Up Appearances sitcom follows Hyacinth in her attempts to prove her social superiority, and to gain standing with those she considers upper class. Her attempts are constantly hampered by her lower class extended family, whom she is desperate to hide. Much of the humour comes from the conflict...2023-10-1924 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSex Talking - 303Being vulnerable with your partner is fundamental to building intimacy. Communication is a wonderful way to deepen your intimate connection while building trust on the way. Communicating about vulnerable past events or disclosing something that has been weighing you down can build the skills necessary to address sensitive events in the future. Fear from not knowing how your partner will respond may stop some people from sharing things that make them feel vulnerable. But disclosing and seeing how your partner responds can help you determine if there is a long-term future with this person. If they respond dismissively and...2023-10-0526 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastOur First Disney Vacation - 301Our first Disney vacation is in the books! This episode of the Soul Forge is a day by day recap of our exciting adventures. At the end of each day, Shawn and Leah sat down and recorded their memories of the excitement. Florida in September is still quite warm. Walt Disney World requires a lot of walking. Here is the story... The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, or simply abbreviated WDW, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of...2023-09-211h 01Soul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Adventure Challenge - 300The adventure challenge brings couples closer together. Shawn and Leah just celebrated their birthdays and the adventures are just beginning! Episode 300 is a huge milestone in podcasting. On this episode, Shawn and Leah talk about travel, growing closer and buying some cool stuff. Leah tells Shawn that since they became a couple, she has listened to many Soul Forge episodes. She has learned a lot of things that she would not have thought to ask. Although Shawn's brother said he should scrap the podcast and delete all the episodes, no harm has come to him from keeping...2023-09-0732 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSex Blankets and Kink - 299This week's episode is not safe for work. Children should also not listen to this particular episode. But if you are looking to join the kink community, or you are looking for new products, this is the show for you. Once again we are at Amore, For Your Pleasure...Sault Ste. Marie's premier adult toy store. G, the owner of the shop invited Shawn to chat with a couple of her friends about their specific interests. Get ready for sex blankets and kink on the 299th episode of Soul Forge Podcast! Rob is a reseller...2023-08-2424 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastMoving Parts - 298Episode 300 of the podcast is fast approaching. We here at the Soul Forge would love to hear from you. Send in your thoughts, opinions, concerns, reviews, fears, emotional outbursts, or anything else you would like. Anything you send in will be read or played on the 300th episode. An Mp3 would be great, or just a regular email is fine. Send anything you want to soulforgepodcast@gmail.com On this episode, we talk about a little bit of everything. During the past weekend, Shawn drove to Timmins after work on Friday to visit his son. Although the...2023-08-1717 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWho’s Getting Married? - 295Who's getting married? Now that is an excellent question. Multitudes of couples get married every day. This year, two of my podcasting friends are getting married. Exciting times are coming! So, it has been 2 weeks since the last episode of the podcast came out. That episode featured the first meeting of podcast legends Shawn and Paul. These two have been podcasting together for 9 years, but up until about 2 weeks ago, they had not met in person. If you have haven't listened to last week's show, you owe it to yourself to do so! I need...2023-07-1316 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastShawn and Paul Finally Meet In Real Life - 294Shawn and Paul finally meet in real life! Shawn is from Canada. Paul is from England. They have been podcasting together for over 9 years. They have spoken over Skype and Zoom. However, it was not until this week that the two friends finally met in person. This is the episode where they discuss their history, their visit, and a huge pile of other topics! Paul, his wife Linda, and their two boys have come to Canada to visit Paul's aunt. It was 1994 the last time Paul and Linda made the trip. Since the two friends...2023-06-2924 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastVideo Games - 288Video games are typically categorized according to their hardware platform.  This traditionally includes arcarde video games, console games, and computer (PC) games. A video game is an electroic game that involves interaction with a user interface or input device. These devices include such things as a joystick, controller, keyboard, or motion sensing device. The first video game prototypes in the 1950s and 1960s were simple extensions of electronic games using video-like output from large, room-sized mainframe computers. The first consumer video game was the arcade video game Computer Space in 1971. On this episode of the S...2023-04-2721 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBatman and More - 286Batman and more! We are taking a break from the serious side of the Soul Forge Podcast this week. We have pop culture news, memories and ground-breaking insights. Starting off, we take a walk down memory lane. Shawn's first memory of playing with 'dinky cars' was a Batmobile with a trailer and a boat. No one knows where it ended up, but some light research suggests it was made by Corgi in the 1960s. This memory dovetails nicely with Shawn's current obsession -- collecting batmobiles from Hot Wheels. The 1980s and 90s were a great...2023-04-1329 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWhere Home Is - 285Where home is, is the place where you feel in control and properly oriented in space and time. It is a predictable and secure place. In the words of poet Robert Frost, "Home is the place that, when you have to go there, they have to take you in." In short, “home” is the primary connection between you and the rest of the world. For all people, home is the center of the world and a place of order that contrasts with the chaos elsewhere. When asked to draw a picture of “where you live,” children and adolesce...2023-04-0623 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSearching For Joy - 282Searching for joy is a necessary part of life. There are many day to day things that can bring you down. Sometimes you must actively seek out joy. On this week's episode of Soul Forge Podcast, Shawn and Amanda are doing their best to find the joy in the every day aspects of life. What exactly is joy? According to the dictionary, joy is: the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. However, in regards to the podcast, joy is simply the act of feeling good. ...2023-03-1624 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastNot Every One Is A Winner - 278It's a mixed bag of topics this week. There is no theme holding all the thoughts together. What will Shawn say on this week's episode? No one knows--not even him! Prepare yourself for a cosmic adventure to nowhere! Valentine's Day was this week. How did you spend the day? Is it Single Awareness Day? Did you go to a fancy restaurant? I spent the day at work, followed by an evening of watching TV, eating chocolate and relaxing. Melissa went to Mexico with her family. We celebrated earlier in the week. Television and movies are...2023-02-1616 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastTime, Life & Aging - 275Time, life and aging. Time moves quickly, but where does it go? The seasons of life keep on turning. Before you know it, you have become an older person. This week on the podcast, Shawn and Melissa talk about aging and growing up. This topic came up because of an article Melissa shared with Shawn. The article was about suddenly finding yourself in the last quarter of your life and not really knowing how you got there. Aging, aches and pains, and wrinkles appear as if by magic. You're dying your hair to hide the grey. You...2023-01-2623 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBest of 2022 - 272Best of 2022 lists are everywhere. Here is another one! The first episode of the new year sees Shawn and Krista looking back over the year that was. 2022 is a year that won't soon be forgotten. From books and movies to television and events, 2022 was quite a year! Krista's year was quite eventful. She moved out on her own for the first time in 22 years. No roommates. No kids. Just Krista. And then she started a new job. This is apparently the best job she has ever had. Her boss is also the most awesome boss...2023-01-0530 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastIs it Stress or Just Life - 270Is it stress or just life that causes you to feel the way you do? This week on the podcast, we are taking a look at what has been on the mind of your host. As of late, there has been a bit of nostalgia on the mind. And as such, it might be time to look ahead to what might be coming. A return to the Rusted Robot Podcast might be in order. Shawn hosted that pop culture podcast for about 7 years. Rusted Robot was your weekly dose of geek style news and reviews. Its return...2022-12-0818 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastMeteor Shower by Steve Martin - 263Let's Put On A Show! presents Meteor Shower by Steve Martin. There is a new theatre company in Sault Ste. Marie and their first play will be a comedy written by Steve Martin. Leah Frost and RJ Renner are directing Meteor Shower. You can see the show from October 21st to the 23rd. There will be three showings. On this episode of Soul Forge, Shawn talks to Leah and RJ about their theatrical origins and the origins of the new theatre company. We learn about where the company name comes from, and the need for...2022-09-2920 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastShort Attention Span Theatre - 254Captain Distraction strikes again. And appears when you least expect it. Short attention span theatre is a real thing, but also a fun name for this episode. It is our theory that attention spans are getting shorter and shorter. Shawn believes attention spans have been getting worse, while Amanda thinks they have always been pretty bad. What is the truth of the matter....the world may never know! As a species, humans have always been distracted by the next big thing. Focusing on one thing at a time is quite difficult. You don't want to miss out...2022-06-1621 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Original Geek Twins - 238Andrew and Shawn are the original geek twins! Ok, maybe not the originals, but they have been geeking out together since the late 1980s. And this is an episode where they join forces to record their first podcast together. They met back in 1987 during the sixth grade. Their bond over all things geek was, if not immediate, long lasting. With birthdays only 7 days apart, how could they not have a lot of interests in common? Both Andrew and Shawn and huge fans of pop culture. They spent many hours together playing video games and watching...2022-02-1021 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastFast and Loud - 221Fast and loud is an episode about excitement, adventure, fandom, health and more. Sit down, strap in and get ready for the thrill ride of your life! First, we are talking about the new CPAP trial that Shawn is partaking in. What is CPAP? A continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine is the most commonly prescribed device for treating sleep apnea disorders. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) causes interruptions or pauses in your breathing, often because your throat or airways briefly collapse or something temporarily blocks them. A CPAP machine sends a steady flow...2021-09-3026 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastFriends - 219 Friends! Who are they? What are they good for? How many friends do you have/need/want? This week's episode tackles the nature of friendship! And it all came about because of a meme I happened to come across. I shared the meme. It touched people's souls. They shared and commented on the meme. Turns out friendship is a delicate and complicated topic/feeling. My friend Dan was especially moved by the topic. As he explored the idea of the meme, and saw that other people could also relate, he began to suspect that perhaps...2021-09-1633 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWired and Tired - 217Your host is both wired and tired on this week's episode of the Soul Forge Podcast. It's a fun, random episode filled with the usual irreverant humour you have come to expect! Why are we wired and tired? Well, Shawn has been exhausted and irritable as of late. This has been going on for many months. He is often out of breath and has a short fuse. So, the doctor hooked him up with a sleep lab study. In this episode, you hear all about that experience. Just take a look at the cover art to see...2021-09-0222 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastMighty Fine Ideas - 205Mighty fine ideas are coming at you left and right on this week's episode of Soul Forge! Brother Robin joins Shawn to discuss so many weird, wacky and wonderful ideas. Although the audio quality this week is not up to our usual standards, there is still a lot of good information to be found. We present some mighty fine ideas indeed! First we start off with an update on Shawn's business idea. As this episode was recorded on the weekend, more progress has already been made than what is mentioned here. Perhaps next week will have tons...2021-06-0325 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastWhen Good Things End - 199When good things end is the 199th episode of the Soul Forge Podcast. And yet, it's so much more than that. This episode is a kind of eulogy for the Rusted Robot Podcast. Rusted was my baby for more than 7 years, and I did everything I could to make it successful, entertaining, and fun. Those days are over now, and this is a nostalgic look back at something I put my heart and soul into. Enjoy! The Final Episode of The Rusted Robot Podcast April 18, 2021 It's been a long road getting from there to here. From humble beginnings, to...2021-04-221h 25Soul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastCurtis, Debbie and Kate: Marriage Success - 197How do Curtis and Kate define marriage success, and just who is this Debbie person anyway? One of the goals of the Soul Forge Podcast is learning the secrets to a happy and successful relationship. An excellent way of doing so is to conduct conversations with couples who are success stories in their own ways. Episode 140 focused on Josh and Kitty. It has taken a long time to find another successful couple who were willing to share their story with us. This episode deals with Shawn's brother Curtis, and his wife. This couple (Curtis and...2021-04-0832 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastPuppy Love - 196We got a new puppy! If there's one thing I said I would never do, it's getting a dog. However, the moment I saw Nimoy, I knew I had to have him. This episode is the story of our teacup Yorkie. Dan and Paul from the Cosmic Pizza Podcast join Shawn for a lively discussion about pets. Teacup Yorkie is a smaller version of the same pure breed Yorkie, also known as Toy Yorkie or Micro Yorkshire Terrier. It’s a tiny dog breed at about 5 to 7 inches tall, weighing between 2 to 4 pounds. The average li...2021-04-0124 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBehind Castle Walls - 194Ryan Castle from the 2 Stoned Dudes Podcast joins Shawn for a chat about his life, his podcast, his self-esteem issues, and a bit of everything else under the sun! Ryan is a man from Arizona. Of the many careers he has had, professional wrestler, and member of the US Marine Corps are two of them. We talk briefly about wrestling and the marine corps, and then transition over to how Ryan lost his virginity. Punched in the face for love on multiple occasions, Ryan has lead quite an interesting life. It turns out that having a rough...2021-03-1831 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastLights! Camera! Live Stream! - 182Lights! Camera! Live Stream! is a unique moment in podcast history. In the year 2020, Indie Pods United was formed. Indie Pods United is a week long celebration of independent podcasts. The event was created by Tina Marie Trimpert of The Psyche-Delic Podcast, This week on the https://www.facebook.com/SoulForgePodcast/ we present the live stream event from December 3rd. Consisting of your host Shawn Vanderloo sitting in front of a camera, this special episode includes all of the excitement, nervousness and exhaustion that you would have seen if you viewed the video at the time of t...2020-12-1032 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastTalking About Communication with Julie - 173Julie joins me for a chat about effective communication. Communication is simply the act of transferring information from one place, person or group to another. Every communication involves (at least) one sender, a message and a recipient. This may sound simple, but communication is actually a very complex subject. The transmission of the message from sender to recipient can be affected by a huge range of things. These include our emotions, the cultural situation, the medium used to communicate, and even our location. On this episode, Shawn and Julie talk about...2020-10-0826 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Life Coach Session - 164In the life coach session episode, Shawn talks with his brother Robin about his latest endeavour. Robin has decided to pursur a career in life coaching. On this episode, we learn about the reasons why Robin is pursuing this new direction, and we learn a bit about what the course entails. Robin admits he has no specific talents. However, he is pretty good at finding the talent in others and encouraging them. He feels that by becoming a life coach, he should be able to unlock the potential in others. Life coaching is not therapy...2020-08-0626 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastCosmic Pizza - 158The Cosmic Pizza Podcast is here! Your Soul Forge host Shawn has started a new endeavour with a couple of British dudes. After recording an episode of Dan's Temporal Trek podcast, the 3 friends decided their chemistry was so good, they should create their own podcast together. A bit of brainstorming later, and the Cosmic Pizza Podcast was born. What you will be hearing on this episode of Soul Forge, is Paul, Dan and Shawn introducing the new podcast to the world. Take a listen. If you enjoy it, head on over to your favourite podcast app and...2020-06-2519 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastMighty Morphin' Podcast Rangers - 151We podcast because we love it. We are the Mighty Morphin' Podcast Rangers! Ok, ok, so we are not all that mighty. And we definitely do not morph. But we do adapt and change over time. Also, we aren't really rangers of any kind. Fine, you got me...we are not super heroes at all. However, we do enjoy the world of podcasting. That's what we do! On this episode, Shawn, Paul and Dan go behind the scenes. This is a conversation they had after recording an episode for Dan's Temporal Trek Podcast. You can...2020-05-0729 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastJust Like Sex In Your Mouth - 150Shawn and Julie celebrate 150 episodes of the Soul Forge Podcast! Podcasts are evolving entities. What was originally intended for a show can, and often does, change over time. On this episode, Shawn takes his girlfriend Julie on a tour of the Soul Forge. They talk about the original intention behind the podcast. And they talk about some of the episodes that mean the most to them. Has the podcast served its original intent? How has it changed over the course of its existence? Join us for introspection, laughter, cussing and so much more on this 150...2020-04-3027 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastRobin's Year In Timmins - 149Robin left home a year ago. He moved from Sault Ste. Marie to Timmins, Ontario. This is about a 6 hour car ride away from his home. The idea was to move into his older brother's house. As the older brother, Shawn felt it was his duty to take care of his youngest sibling. The idea was for Robin to take stock of his life. The time had come to put everything in order. Robin felt as though he had used up all the goodwill that his hometown had to offer. Would Timmins be any different? Would he...2020-04-2327 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSuccess Redefined - 141What is success? How do we as a society define success? We here at the Soul Forge think it's time that success gets redefined. Shawn and Tracy ask each other if they feel successful in their own lives. Why do they give the answers they give? They answer by thinking of some of the things they have or do that make them successful in their own ways. It is important to realize that our definition of success can change over time. As a young man, Shawn found it necessary to collect as many action figures...2020-02-2726 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastHome Again! Home Again? - 128Can we go home again? This week we explore the idea of returning to our roots. The idea of going home again can be very powerful and intoxicating. We must realize, of course, that we are not the people we once were. As time moves on people change. Our homes, even if our family is still living there, are not the same. The structure may be identical, but everyone involved has grown, matured, or changed in some way. So yes, you can go home again, but you need to be aware that everything is different. Your experiences...2019-11-2123 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastMarc Maron's Cats - 127Random updates, general thoughts, and feedback. This week Shawn is here to provide you with some much needed updates. He figured it was time to just check it on the situation and fill you in. General chit-chat is never a bad idea! We start the episode with a mini tribute to Shawn's uncle Frank who recently passed away at the age of 84. You will get a brief background on Frank and the Vanderloo clan. Shawn will then talk a bit about work. How is he coping with the recent changes? Does he enjoy...2019-11-1425 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastJokes, Comedians, Laughter - 126Laughter really is the best medicine. Jokes, comedians and laughter are on the agenda for this week's Soul Forge Podcast. Shawn and Tracy are telling jokes, and trying to make each other laugh. They are discussing some of their favourite comedians. Movies that they find funny are also mentioned. Shawn's brother Robin has dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian. Or at the very least, going up on stage and giving it a try. If this actually happens, you can be sure we will have a recording on an upcoming episode! On the topic of comedians...2019-11-0736 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThat Made My Day - 122Talking about those things that make your day. The small, seemingly insignificant moments that add up to so much. Those things that make you say, "that really made my day!" On this week's episode, Shawn is joined by Deidre. They laugh and carry on and discuss all the things that help us get through our days. Deidre has an amazing practice she calls Priming. She wakes up early, but stays in bed. She spends the time reliving moments of joy in her life. And she finds 3 moments of gratefulness. Picking goals and envisioning them as already done...2019-10-1026 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThis Version of Reality - 120Are we living in the best possible version of reality? Did the decisions that we made when we were younger result in the older version of us being the most content? How can we ever know if we made the correct choices? Can we imagine what life we could be living right now if only we had made a different decision? Obvioulsy there is no way to peer behind the curtain of reality. We cannot ever hope to know what the alternate reality version of us is doing right this minute. No way to know if that...2019-09-2630 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastTime For A Change - 118Yup, it's time for a change. When things become stale, old or boring, we must look for a fresh perspective. We cannot continue to live by our old patterns. Like a snake that sheds its skin, we too must start over, begin again. This episode of the Soul Forge will take on the topic of change. Your host Shawn is joined by his brother Robin, and together they discuss and examine the changes in their lives. Robin has recently changed everything about his life. He had a job, a car, and a house in Sault Ste. Marie...2019-09-1227 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastDragonCon 2019 - 117DragonCon 2019 is over, but it was an amazing experience. On this episode, Shawn talks about all the adventures experienced, incredible people met, the panels attended, and so much more. DragonCon is held in Atlanta, Georgia over the Labor Day weekend. This was the 33rd event. To get to Atlanta, Shawn drove his little black car from Timmins, Ontario. He crossed the province of Ontario, and then drove through 5 states. Each way, there and back again, took approximately 22 hours over 2 days. Would he do it again? He certainly would! 4500 kilometres is a long way to go to get...2019-09-0527 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastRoots Run Deep - 116Geek roots run deep. What is the fake eyeball sneeze story and how does it provide the jump into this episode? You can thank Chantale for this.... Shawn has always been into the worlds of science fiction and fastasy. He also strives for deeper meanings and connections in the world. On this episode, Shawn takes you on a journey into the heart of himself. You will discover why his geek roots run so deep, and where these roots came from, and how they took hold. Through poetry, collecting, work and the like, Shawn...2019-08-2928 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Skeptical Atheist - 115In conversation with Jarman, the skeptical atheist and co-host of A Play On Nerds Podcast. Friend of the show, Jarman, whom you all know at the voice of the opening narration of this very podcast, sits down for a chat with Shawn. They engage in an animated discussion regarding the world the atheism. We learn about Jarman's religious upbringing, what changed, and where he is today. Topics includes morality, prayers, dating and so many other things. You'll also learn something about Shawn's spirituality. Atheism is not an affirmative belief that there is no...2019-08-2225 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Cheryl Saga - 111The Cheryl saga started about 4 years ago. Although we had known each other for about a decade longer, the actual start of anything resembling intimacy began in August of 2015. As most things do, this began with flirtation and a great sense of fun. Shawn was looking for that indescribable feeling that he lost when his marriage fell apart. Cheryl was willing to stand by Shawn's side no matter what Shawn said or did to push her away. On this episode, Shawn and Cheryl discuss many aspects regarding their 4 year cycle of on-again, off-again relationship. You'll learn about...2019-07-2524 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastDrunken Fun - 110It's drunken fun with Shawn and Stephanie. And Karen. And Jason. This is the fifth of the 5 episodes in the Stephanie cycle. At the end of February, my old pal Stephanie came for a visit and we recorded 5 episodes back to back to back. Starting with episode 90 these shows have been released every 5 weeks. So for the complete experience, you'll want to listen to episodes 90, 95, 100, and 105 before listening to this, episode 110. However, you do not need to have heard the other shows to enjoy this one. As we recorded, we tried several craft beers that Stephanie brought...2019-07-1830 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastLisa Beere - Author, Poet, Brain Injury SurvivorOn episode 107, Shawn has a chat with Lisa Beere. She is a children's author, song writer, poet, and a brain injury survivor. On Writing: the challenge of longer stories vs stories meant for children; paying attention to the details in long format writing. Lisa talks about the writer's routine and what she does daily. The publishing industry can be difficult to navigate. Two useful resources for aspiring writers are Writer's Market 2019: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published and Guide to Literary Agents 2019: The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published. We learn about...2019-06-2730 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastTime Slice Witnesses - 105What if you could send your mind through history and witness a slice of time? Where would you go? What would you see? On this episode of the Soul Forge, Shawn and Stephanie use this thought experiment to discuss their dreams and desires. Starting off with a brief discussion about what super powers they would have, and why, the duo dive into the past. Join them and recreate your own mind adventures. In this scenario, your consciousness is sent back in time. You cannot change any event you are a witness to. You can experience the feelings...2019-06-1334 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastRoad Trips & Rock WallsShawn is back from all the road trips and has stories to tell. Enter the Soul Forge for all the details. You'll hear what it is like on a road trip in an old RV with fathers and sons. Listen in for the what it's like in the north eastern part of the United States. Did Shawn ever track down Stephen King? How many break downs occurred? What are the Reversing Falls? Bear and Deer and Moose, oh my! Robin gives us an update on his working situation and tries to contain his laughter. 2019-05-3026 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastBirthday Sex - Episode 100Sex for your birthday is a wonderful experience. It is even more spectacular when you are losing your virginity. So what better way to celebrate the one hundredth (100th) episode of The Soul Forge Podcast than by a look back at the time Shawn lost his innocense? The best part? On this episode, the girl involved is on the show to tell her side of the story. For episode 100, Shawn and Stephanie get together and listen to episode 31 of the podcast. On that episode, Shawn broke the story of his first love. He reviewed his thoughts, feelings...2019-05-0930 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastMy Brother's Keeper - 99Shawn's brother Robin has moved in, and now it is up to Shawn to be his brother's keeper. Robin is undergoing a complete reboot and overhaul of his life. It is up to Shawn to guide and nurture Robin on this quest. On this recording, the brothers discuss their new endeavour. They discuss the new living situation as well as what it is going to take to put Robin back on the right track. Robin talks about what went wrong in his life to bring him to this point. He analyzes what he has left behind him...2019-05-0241 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastCamping Season - 96It's time to pitch a tent, because camping season is upon us! On this week's Soul Forge podcast, Shawn and Deidre share some of their camping memories. What is camping anyway? We looked up a definition just to be funny. According to Wikipedia, Camping is an outdoor activity involving overnight stays away from home in a shelter, such as a tent. Typically participants leave developed areas to spend time outdoors in more natural ones in pursuit of activities providing them enjoyment. To be regarded as "camping" a minimum of one night is spent outdoors, distinguishing it from...2019-04-1129 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSigns From The Universe - 95We all experience or receive signs from the universe. However, not all of us are open to such signs/signals/messages. Most surprising of all, the universe doesn’t always make these things totally obvious, or even always easy to see. But if you start paying attention, you will realize that the universe is sending you signals all the time that show you where you need to go and what you need to do to create the life of your dreams. This can all seem a little bit 'out there' or even a bit 'woo-woo.' ...2019-04-0434 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastJealousy or Envy - 91We look at the ideas of jealousy and envy. Recent comments and observations have prompted the hosts to discuss their feelings in regards to these emotions. Thus, we have the ideal topic for this week's podcast episode. Jealousy generally refers to the thoughts or feelings of insecurity, fear, concern, over relative lack of possessions. It can consist of one or more emotions such as anger, resentment, inadequacy, helplessness or disgust. Envy (from Latin invidia) is an emotion which "occurs when a person lacks another's superior quality, achievement, or possession and either desires it or wishes...2019-03-0726 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Best Guy She Knows - 90Are you the best guy she knows? Shawn's best friend from university, Stephanie, comes for a visit and a chat about the old times. Steph tells Shawn why she thinks he is the best guy she knows. Stephanie came for a weekend visit and guest hosted on Shawn's other show, The Rusted Robot Podcast. To hear her podcast debut, check out episode 235 of that show. Some of her opinions were in direct contrast to those of Shawn's co-host Josh. A good time was probably had by all involved. Shawn and Steph begin this episode by...2019-02-2829 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastGet Over Yourself - 87Sometimes you just gotta get over yourself. What does that mean, and how does one accomplish such a lofty ideal? Glad you asked! That is the subject of this week's Soul Forge Podcast. We start with a discussion about the nature of existence and who we are as people. Is everyone around us a simulation put there for us to interact with? Are we a simulation in an alien lab? Could our memories be newly implanted and each day we awake for the first time? We feel as if we are the centre of the universe, but...2019-02-0729 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Crush List - 86The Crush List is a return to form in the classic style of the Soul Forge Podcast. This week, Shawn talks about the many crushes he had during his school years. The depth of memory is an amazing thing! We start by examining where the idea for this topic came from. Credit goes to Britney Spears, with a special shout-out to the Spice Girls. Did you have a favourite Spice Girl? After talking about attractive singers of the 1990s, we delve into early childhood crushes beginning with Kindergarten. We then move onto grades 6 through 8, and finally into...2019-01-3123 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastLet's Talk Mental Health - 85Bell Let's Talk is a wide-reaching, multi-year program designed to break the silence around mental illness and support mental health all across Canada. The more we speak up and share what we're going through, the more it will help others talk about it too. Let's keep talking all year long.  In any given year, 1 in 5 people in Canada experience a mental health issue. 8% of all adults will experience a major depression at some point in their lives. 49% of people do not seek help. One of the biggest hurdles for anyone suffering from mental illness is overcoming the s...2019-01-2457 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastCape Fear - 83Cape Fear! Not the movie, nor the remake, but a state of mind. Cape fear is what occurs when you are not comfortable in a particular style of clothing or fashion. The Sunday Morning Coffee Club is a rather new experiment in socialization. The club was founded by your ever-present host, Shawn. Through the club, new friends are made, and interesting conversations are had. Coffee club has lead to several ideas for Soul Forge topics. Cape fear is just such a particular topic. Fashion confidence is a big deal. You may think you can wear...2019-01-1030 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastShawn's Tarot Card Reading - 82Happy New Year Soul Forgers, and welcome to the first episode of the year! Presented for your listening pleasure, is audio of Shawn's first ever Tarot card reading. Is there a secret source of knowledge hidden by the universe? Can Tarot cards, psychics or tea leave readings uncover this mysterious wisdom? Can arcana be real or is this all just made up mumbo jumbo? We may never know for sure, but we can have fun speculating about it. Join Shawn as he gets his first Tarot card reading. What secrets will be revealed? Without knowing...2019-01-0324 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastYear In Review 2018 - 81Looking back at the year that was 2018 - this is our Year in Review special. Shawn is joined by two of his semi-regular co-hosts, Tracy and Jason. On this episode, the Soul Forge gang takes a peek at some of the most significant episodes produced by the podcast in 2018. Highlights include love, loss, and minimalism. Strippers, booze, and drugs are also mentioned, as is divorce and intimacy. A major topic this year was the idea of sex. Sex appeared in a number of episodes. Shawn talked about his first sexual experience. Whit told his story...2018-12-2834 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThe Lonely Shawn Problem - 79The lonely Shawn, also known as, the sad Shawn episodes were a series of Rusted Robot Podcast shows. For a time, Rusted Robot was co-hosted by husband and wife team Shawn and Brigitte Vanderloo. For a variety of reasons, that relationship fell apart. Yet, the team decided to continue on hosting the show together. However, due to various circumstances, this was not always possible. Shawn felt the show must go on, even if there wasn't always a co-host around. Shawn was so dedicated to his audience, that he felt it important to always be providing new content. ...2018-12-1349 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastThoughts On GOD - 78Now is the perfect time of year to share some thoughts on God, religion and the Christmas season. This episode starts with ruminations on the Christmas decoration season and goes back into history with a tale of Christmas carol annoyance. We wrap up the holiday talk with a look at how the corporations use the season in their manipulative marketing ploys to get us to spend money on things we don't need by playing to our emotions. We then take a look back at religious education. When they decided to take the Lord's Prayer and teachings about...2018-12-0626 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge PodcastSleep and Dreams - 77Sleep and dreams on episode 77 of the Soul Forge Podcast. Shawn and Tracy are discussing their earliest memories of sleep, and talking about bedtime habits and routines. Everyone you know has a unique set of night-time rituals. Napping is a thing that some people love to do, while others have never gotten into the nap habit. Insomnia can totally destroy your enjoyment of sleep. Ideal sleeping conditions also vary from person to person. What do you need for a good night rest? Do you prefer the dark, or do you need some light? ...2018-11-2931 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast75 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...2018-11-1539 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast70: Adult FriendshipsHow 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 w...2018-10-1127 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast69: SEXSex 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 g...2018-10-0435 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast68: The Brigitte EpisodeThe 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 su...2018-09-2841 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast67: Pumpkin Spice EverythingHallowe'en is just around the corner and that means pumpkin spice is in the air! This episode is a friendly chat between Shawn and Tracy about local events, the pumpkin spice season, favourite podcasts, and a bit of Brigitte stuff. Our Hallowe'en talk includes such topics as the proper age for Trick 'r Treating, and the types of candy we do or do not enjoy.  In a surprise twist, we do not mention anything about costumes or parties. Shawn had an encounter with a bear this week.  We talk a bit about that, th...2018-09-2029 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast66: Would You Rather?What will you do?  Choices.  Decisions.  Deliberations.  Choose your own adventure!  This week, Shawn and Tracy pose a series of questions to each other.  These queries range from the philosophical to the downright silly.  One thing all the questions have in common is that they will make you stop and think.  Is there a better option?  Why would someone pick that choice over another, perhaps more advantageous option? Join the Soul Forge this week and ask yourself the same questions.  We would love to hear your answers.  You can always contact the show by email at soulforg...2018-09-1325 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast62: The Art of TattooThe art and history of the tattoo. First, we take a look at the reasons for the tattoo across history, and we briefly explore ancient and modern tattoo techniques. Society has viewed the tattoo in many ways, from art form to trendy fad, and from taboo to outlaw. Why do people get inked? Pure Addiction Studio's $13 tattoo marathon. Women's bodies and tattoos. Pain and pleasure of inking. Shawn's tattoo history. Tracy's tattoo history. Future tattoos. Share your tattoo pics...2018-08-1636 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast59: Reincarnation - A Thought ExperimentWhat is reincarnation and is there even such a thing? Shawn and Tracy conduct a thought experiment, imagining that reincarnation is a real phenomenon, and then piece together how it might actually work. The immortal soul's travels and the ultimate journey. The consciousness equation...the give and take between the mind and the soul. Destinations - The Soul's choice vs higher power. Achieving enlightenment, lessons learned, what is the purpose? Do we have a soul? What is the spark of consciousness? Self-awareness, memory and emotions vs instinct. 2018-07-2637 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast58: Soulmates and IntimacyExploring the ideas of soulmates, twin flames, intimacy and chemistry. A soulmate allows us to be our true, open and honest self. Shawn talks about his own experiences feeling that soulmate connection.  There is discussion on several definitions of what a soul mate is.  The energetic cloth and the patterns and wave lengths that bind two people together in a soulmate connection.  Soulmates come into our lives to awaken and challenge us to become our best versions of ourselves. There is more than one type of soulmate. Twin flames.  Are they really a thing?  There is ta...2018-07-1928 minSoul Forge PodcastSoul Forge Podcast56: Forks In The RoadLife is full of choices.  Choice, by its very nature, has multiple options.  These option points are what we call forks.  You can choose to follow one path or another, and the outcomes can be life altering. This week, Shawn is joined by Dave, Rene and Bob.  Together, these 4 friends discuss some of the forking choices in their lives.  They talk about various kinds of forks, such as those dealing with school, career, marriage, and regret. This episode will explore how life could have gone.  How do you define success?  What about mental forks, such as age...2018-07-0528 min