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Tyler Usterez
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Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 58 - The "Learn to Code" Era
Proudly Hosted by RedCircle: https://www.redcircle.com/tylersgrimremindersOn This Episode: For years, "Learn to Code" was pitched as the ultimate solution for anyone who was stuck in a dead-end or lackluster job. It was marketed as a guaranteed path to a high salary and a better life. Many people viewed software engineering almost like a golden ticket, believing that if they just learned how to program, they would be safe from the economic shakeups. This led to a boom in expensive coding bootcamps and celebrity-endorsed programs, all promising that a...
2026-02-07
1h 37
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 57 - Roger Boisjoly & The Cassandra Complex of Sea and Space
Proudly Hosted by RedCircle: https://www.redcircle.com/tylersgrimremindersOn This Episode: History is often presented through a sanitized, rose-colored lens that scrubs away the grit of human failure, yet the "unfiltered truth" reveals a recurring and brutal cycle of cruelty known as the Cassandra Complex, where those who prophesy disaster are silenced and eventually punished for their foresight. This phenomenon is perfectly personified in the tragedy of Roger Boisjoly, the Morton Thiokol engineer who provided absolute proof that the Challenger’s O-rings would fail in the cold, only to be told to...
2026-02-04
1h 33
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 56 - Is Ignorance Really Bliss
On This Episode: Is it always better to know the truth, or are there times when not knowing is actually the healthier choice? The phrase “ignorance is bliss” usually gets written off as an excuse to avert your gaze from reality, but that reaction skips over why that phrase has stuck around for generations, that phrase has stuck around even after long Cypher enjoyed his dinner reservation with Agent Smith in The Matrix. Awareness clearly matters; knowing what’s going on around you helps you make smarter decisions, assess the situation properly, and avoid problems that could have b...
2026-01-31
1h 30
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 55 - No Alternative Realities
On This Episode: Looking back at our last two episodes, we discussed the ideas of an alternate reality, with one point of view being the mad maker and the other the desperate seeker. Here in this episode, we go deeper into the personal allure, the idea of alternate realities can be appealing to people because it seems to offer a way out of the limits of ordinary life. Whether it appears in The Matrix, in virtual reality, or in imagined future simulations, the attraction is always the same: the possibility of stepping beyond the constraints of the...
2026-01-28
1h 41
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 54 - Cypher's Desire of A Comfortable Illusion (Part 2)
On This Episode: Previously on Episode 53, we peered into the world of Naruto, where we analyzed a character with a god-complex and a tragic background. We looked at Madara Uchiha, born in a time of endless war, emerged as a maniac of unthinkable power, driven by the conviction that reality is a cycle of endless bleeding. A child soldier raised in a world where peace was merely a temporary illusion, he sought to force humanity into a state of simulated bliss, the Infinite Tsukuyomi: a mystical power of omnipotence that would have been able to freeze the...
2026-01-17
1h 35
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 53 - Madara Uchiha's Dream of Perfect Peace (Part 1)
On This Episode: It's time to dive once again in the millennial age of cartoons, and this time, we dive into the world of Naruto. In that world, few figures embody both awe and terror like Madara Uchiha, a godlike antagonist, but also a man who looked at reality itself and came to a chillingly rational conclusion: the world he lived in was broken because he believed that reality moved in a fixed cycle where love gives birth to loss, loss turns into hatred, and hatred fuels that cycle once again. For Madara, this was not cynicism...
2026-01-14
1h 49
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 52 - Codified Decency: Laws to Protect Compassion?
DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, I don't offer legal advice. Anything that is said on this podcast is not legal advice. If I talk about the law, I do so strictly from my own perspective as a non-expert and they're just my personal opinions, which could be wrong. I’m just a podcaster blabbering for general informational and entertainment purposes only. So please, do not break the law, always follow the law, and always consult a professional for your specific situation.On This Episode: A new year comes with new laws an...
2026-01-10
1h 37
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 51 - New Year's Resolutions
On This Episode: Every New Year, there comes a moment for most folks out there that feels like a "honeymoon phase" of a "new start" on life, we think that turning a page on a calendar can somehow rewrite our entire personalities. It is a weird ritual that happens all around where we look at a new year and we decide that it’s the perfect time to trade in our actual habits for a "better" version of ourselves that doesn't really exist. We get sucked into this by diving into these massive goals th...
2026-01-07
1h 39
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 50 - Looking Back at 2025
On This Special Episode: We're just looking back at this year, how it all started and looking at the most notable Grim Reminders of Life that were quite a personal impact.Connect with UsProudly Hosted by RedCircle: https://www.redcircle.com/tylersgrimremindersSubstack: https://tylersgrimreminders.substack.com/If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. Please also leave us a review and let us know what you think. Your feedback helps us create better...
2025-12-30
36 min
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 49 - The Boots Theory
On This Episode: The true cost of a product is rarely found on the price tag alone. In the world of Captain Sam Vimes, a character created by Terry Pratchett, the math of survival reveals the harsh reality about how wealth actually works. A wealthy person might spend $50 on a pair of high-quality boots that remain waterproof for a decade. Meanwhile, someone else who is less fortunate has no choice but to spend $10 on a flimsy pair that may only lasts for a season. Perhaps after ten years, you have one person who still has dry feet...
2025-12-20
1h 27
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 48 - The Obstacle of Obsolescence: Too Good of A Product
On This Episode:Ever wondered why the things we buy, from our phones to our lightbulbs, always seem to break down right when we least expect it? Not because they’re defective, but because they were designed that way. It was about a century ago, there was a secretive group of companies, known as the Phoebus Cartel, a collective of companies who figured out a clever way to make sure their products didn’t last too long. Lightbulbs, the perfect example as well as that collective's specialty, were intentionally manufactured to burn out quicker than necessary, pushing cons...
2025-12-17
1h 10
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 47 - Is Fast Food Still Worth It?
On This Episode: In today's world, there’s something odd about fast food. Sometimes, you might feel that allure that seems to appear at the worst or best times. Maybe you’re running ragged, running late, or juggling a lot of things on your plate, and suddenly the drive-thru feels like a chance of relief. You tell yourself it’ll only take five minutes and it'll just be a quick fix that'll help you get through the day. That taste of those salted well-done fries, the familiar warmth of a burger; in that brief moment, everything feels okay...
2025-12-13
1h 36
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 46 - The Inversion of Productivity
On This Episode: We've always believed that innovation was suppose to make our lives easier. Every round of new tech and ideas was suppose to free us from the ever-increasing daily grind we call life or at least, our work life. Ideally, innovation and progress should lighten our load and give us more time for the things that truly matter. We want to believe that, don’t we? After all, who wouldn't want to work less and live more for themselves? But the reality is that instead of freeing up our work schedules, innovation has often pushed us...
2025-12-10
1h 41
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 45 - Tipping Culture is Internationally Despised (Part 2)
DISCLAIMER: I wasn’t sure if this disclaimer was necessary for this episode, so I’ll just leave this here just in case. I am not a lawyer. There is no legal advice here. I’m just a podcaster who blabbers stuff that is for general informational and entertainment purposes only.On This Episode:Continuing off the rant about tipping culture, it is despised internationally, yet somehow, it remains a stubborn cornerstone of the U.S.. Most countries around the world have long moved past the need for tipping, opting instead for fair w...
2025-12-06
1h 41
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 44 - Tipping Culture Sucks (Part 1)
DISCLAIMER: I wasn’t sure if this disclaimer was necessary for this episode, so I’ll just leave this here just in case. I am not a lawyer. There is no legal advice here. I’m just a podcaster who blabbers stuff that is for general informational and entertainment purposes only.On This Episode: Tipping in the U.S. has become so automatic whenever you go out to eat or get some kind of services, but it’s also turned into something that's kind of awkward, uncomfortable and terribly twisted. Before, it use to b...
2025-12-03
1h 46
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 43 - The Last Quarter Rush
On This Episode: Black Friday and Cyber Monday have really changed over the years. This used to be a one-day shopping frenzy, but then it turned into a two-day event with a weekend's break, and now it has turned into a month(s)-long event. It's a shopping bonanza at the last quarter of the year that is full of sales and "exclusive" deals, and those deals are what keeps us compulsive consumers hooked to the chase. Instead of it being a special occasion, it’s now a constant stream of promotions that are designed to keep us...
2025-11-28
1h 35
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 42 - Gilded Insurance
On This Episode: Corporate bailouts and golden parachutes have become the ultimate symbols of a deeply flawed economic system, one where failure is not only tolerated but rewarded, that is, if you’re at the top of the corporate hierarchy. When large corporations find themselves in financial peril, they often rely on taxpayer-funded bailouts to stay afloat. It's a move that forces the general public to shoulder the burden of corporate mismanagement. Meanwhile, executives who are largely responsible for steering these companies into trouble walk away with massive severance packages, or golden parachutes, that provide a cushy la...
2025-11-22
1h 43
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 41 - All Escapes from Reality Must Come to an End
On This Episode:Escapism can take on many forms, but they all serve the same purpose: they all give us a break from the daily grind. Whether it's sinking into a TV show, getting lost in a book, immersing yourself in a hobby, taking a vacation, or just zoning out for a while, these simple forms of escapism give us a temporary reprieve from the everyday pressures of life. When you're living in that moment, you're not thinking about work, responsibilities, or whatever else is weighing you down. But here’s the thing: no escape from life wi...
2025-11-19
1h 51
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 40 - A Deep Fried Edition of Our Ethos
On This Episode: There are some places out there that want you to feel good about what you eat. However, the one that will serve as our odd centerpiece of this episode wants you to question every decision that led you to its door, and somehow enjoy every greasy bit of it. First impressions may show just some other burger joint. But once you step inside, that's when you’ve entered a parody of fast food that's so bold and brash, it borders on performance art. Their staff are dressed like doctors and nurses just for kicks an...
2025-11-13
1h 23
Tyler's Grim Reminders
In Loving Memory
I love you Grandma. Rest in Peace.~ Tyler
2025-11-08
05 min
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 39 - A Crisis-Reactive Species
On This Episode: Murphy’s Law says that anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and even though we usually say that as a joke, there's still something honest about that saying that reflects how we deal with the uncertainties of this far-from-perfect world. Though failure rarely happens all at once; it usually builds slowly, it takes shape through our small mistakes, missed signals, and our comfort that settles in when things seem to appear steady as she goes. The warnings may be there, sometimes they're obvious, sometimes they're faint, but they quietly blend into our rh...
2025-11-07
1h 39
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 38 - A Dulled Tradition of Halloween
On This Episode:There was a time when Halloween transformed our ordinary neighborhoods into these enchanted realms that stoked the emotions of kids and adults. It was a short moment of exciting eeriness, where the laughter of all who enjoyed the cool night and spooky decor was mixed with the rustle of autumn leaves. The sidewalks used to overflow with costumes stitched together by imagination and a bit of elbow grease and ingenuity. The distant porch lights beckoned children to proceed forward through the crisp evening air, their drawn with curiosity and with a piece of candy...
2025-11-05
1h 20
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 37 - The Transience of Our Elder Relatives
On This Special Episode: There's usually a sneak-preview-ish description that I usually make for the episode's frontpage. But I'll skip that for this episode and instead, we'll keep the description straightforward. This episode is going to recall one of our earlier topics. It was a discussion about Transience and this time, we'll hone the conversation to be more centric to our elder relatives. After the main discussion, I'll explained what happened during my hiatus and because of the circumstances of that hiatus, there will be a spoken moment of honor and tribute before the episode comes to...
2025-10-30
1h 59
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Hiatus Until Further Notice
(This Hiatus Announcement will be deleted once Episode 37 is ready to go)UPDATE - October 26, 2025Hey everyone,I just want to give a couple of update on my current state of affairs (it’s a bit long).First of all, the original post of this thread was sort of thinking that the medical issue I had going on was going to take quite a long time for me to recover. However, with a bit of time and proper treatment, I...
2025-10-19
03 min
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 36 - Is the Rest of Outer Space Ready for Us?
On This Episode: People have always been restless and curious, always looking for what’s beyond the horizon. That same urge now drives our fascination with space. But this interest isn’t just about exploration, it’s also about what we’d rather not face here on Earth. While we talk about living on other planets, we’re still struggling with pollution, greed, and constant conflict at home. Space, unlike Earth, doesn’t care about us. It’s empty, silent, and honest. It reminds us how small and fragile we are. Yet we keep imagining it as a new beginnin...
2025-10-18
1h 19
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 35 - The Lobotomy
DISCLAIMER: The title of this episode itself warrants that this episode includes some details that may be uncomfortable or graphic for sensitive listeners. We also discuss and critique parts of the medical field’s history. I’m not a doctor nor any sort of medical professional. I'm just a podcaster. Nothing in this episode should be taken as medical advice or instruction. All opinions expressed are my own and are meant for informational and entertainment purposes only. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for any medical concerns. Listener discretion is advised.On This Episode:
2025-10-15
1h 24
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 34 - The Trashiest Place in the Universe
On This Episode: Earth is the only place we know that is capable of sustaining life or at least in accordance to the biology that we're all familiar with. And yet, it has become buried under its own waste. Out in space, however, the story is completely different. You could travel hundreds, thousands, even millions of miles and you will never come across a single scrap of litter. The universe stretches outward in silence, untouched, and the only signs of our human presence are the rare probes that are drifting alone through the stars. But here on...
2025-10-09
1h 25
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 33 - Body Dysmorphia
On This Episode: Body dysmorphia is tied to the natural desire of people wanting to change or improve how they look, but sometimes, that desire can go too far. Modern culture has sort of an acceptance to some of these modifications like piercings or tattoos; often, they are harmless ways of expressing yourself. However, it becomes more serious when it crosses into bigger changes like major surgery or the chasing of extreme physique goals. That’s where the difference between healthy self-expression and harmful obsession can appear. The problem often comes from the pressure of cultural and so...
2025-09-25
1h 31
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 32 - The Lottery: Just Another Gambler's Dilemma
DISCLAIMER: This episode and all sources listed in the "Resources" section do NOT promote gambling. All content and resources are provided for informational purposes only. We do not endorse gambling, and listeners are solely responsible for how they use the information discussed.On This Episode: It always seems harmless in the beginning. You slide a few coins or a dollar bill into the machine, you press a button or pull a handle, and it feels like the room itself is cheering you on with all these lights and noises that never stop...
2025-09-20
1h 52
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 31 - Why is Everything Smart Now?
On This Episode: Innovation used to be straightforward because that was when we were focused on solving problems that actually do mattered. The refrigerator freed families from using ice and piles of salt. The typewriter sped up hours of handwriting. The microwave turned cooking from a long chore into something quick and easy. These inventions stood out because not only were they revolutionary, but also they were necessary. They were the most effective solutions to actual challenges, that people accepted those solutions without hesitation. Today, the definitions of innovation and invention have become ever so stranger. Instead...
2025-09-17
1h 53
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 30 - Loneliness (Epidemic?)
On This Episode: Loneliness doesn't look like an epidemic like what we would typically imagine. There are no alarms going off, no people in hazmat suits blocking off neighborhoods, and no breaking news stories that captivate the entire world. Still though, it is something that spreads quietly through daily life. On the surface, people may seem fine. But behind those polite smiles and cheerful posts online, many of those people are carrying a type of isolation that wears down their health and well-being bit by bit. Think about it: how many people look like they have everything...
2025-09-13
2h 19
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 29 - Labor Day: From Protest to a Picnic
On This Episode: Labor Day was never just about hamburgers sizzling on the grill or one last swim before the summer closes. It was a holiday born from struggle. From the marches that filled the city streets to strikes where ordinary workers risked everything, including their wages, their jobs, and their safety, to demand fairness for all. Those workers were fighting for the most basic forms of dignity and their defiance and determination gave birth to a holiday carved into the calendar as a reminder that progress does not come freely, but it is won through collective...
2025-09-10
1h 38
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 28 - Toxic Positivity: An Ode to Our Ethos
On This Episode: Back in Episode 1, we had a bit of time to talk about why this show likes to do things differently. Unlike the numerous creators who habitually wrap the tough realities in shiny, optimistic platitudes, we've always desired to plow through a different path: we refuse to gloss over the gritty, uncomfortable truths of life. While most media offers endless silver linings and repeated mantras to “stay positive” and “look on the bright side,” that kind of relentless optimism often ends up feeling hollow, dismissive and an overload of that sort will eventually sound annoying. But it a...
2025-08-30
1h 34
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 27 - The Current State of Our Labor Unions
On This Episode: Unfortunately, union power has been weakening for many years. Many laws and court rulings now work against workers instead of protecting them. Politicians often look away, and corporations use their money and legal teams to delay until workers run out of energy and give up the fight. Globalization has added another challenge. Companies can move jobs overseas or hire cheaper labor abroad, and this makes it harder for local workers to negotiate for wages that cover the basic cost of living. Industries that were once supported by strong unions have been...
2025-08-27
1h 33
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 26 - The Continuity of the Human Species
On This Episode:In a previous discussion, we explored the freedom and relief that can come with choosing to live a child-free life. For some folks, the decision not to pursue parenthood offers independence, financial stability, and the ability to fully embrace a life of one’s own design. For others, parenthood remains a deeply meaningful path. But at the center of both realities is the right to choose, the power to make decisions about one’s own body and future without interference. Here, we turn to a more urgent question: what happens when that...
2025-08-23
1h 51
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 25 - Strong Together Until We're Not
On This Episode:That phrase "We’re all in this together" is often repeated to promote unity and a sense of shared purpose, reminding us that despite our differences we face many of the same challenges and that we ought to approach them collectively. In practice, though, everyday life rarely reflects that motto. People fall back into their own circles, and an unspoken "us versus them" attitude takes shape, creating tension and misunderstanding even as society insists on denying it or even so condemning such an outlook. Those words of "togetherness" may sound reassuring, bu...
2025-08-20
1h 35
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 24 - Recent History: Post-Avatar Depression Syndrome
On This Episode:Stepping out of the theater after James Cameron’s 2009 film Avatar was, for many, like returning to Earth after glimpsing another universe. The lush alien world of Pandora, rendered in dazzling, never-before-seen 3D, transported audiences into a sensory feast so immersive that coming back to ordinary life felt unexpectedly somber. The phenomenon was so pronounced that fans began describing a wave of post-movie blues, a melancholic ache for Pandora and a wish that reality could measure up to the breathtaking fantasy they had just experienced. Headlines buzzed with stories of “Post-Avatar Depr...
2025-08-16
1h 27
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 23 - A Child-Free Life
On This Episode: Sometimes, for all the ol' folks out there, we find ourselves reminiscing about the carefree days of childhood, those moments when life was simple, and responsibilities seemed far away. While adulthood offers new freedoms, it also brings a heavy load of obligations: bills, work, and the significant responsibilities of raising children. And for some, these responsibilities can be overwhelming like parenthood. Specifically speaking of, it leads to questions about whether parenthood is the right choice for them. In this episode, the idea of choosing a child-free life is worth meditating on...
2025-08-13
1h 30
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 22 - Power is Intoxicating, The Stanford Prison Experiment
On This Episode:Power is one of the most potent forces in human life. It does not simply enable people to do whatever they want; it transforms them into something that truly reveals a character. Throughout history and psychology, we witness how even the most ordinary people, once given authority, can begin to behave in surprising and sometimes unsettling ways. The infamous Stanford Prison Experiment drives this truth with a brutal clarity. In a matter of days, the students that were placed in positions of authority as guards began to wield their newfound power...
2025-08-09
1h 32
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 21 - Karoshi Around the World
On This Episode: Karoshi is a Japanese word that means "death from overwork," and it might be new to some people, but it’s nonetheless a serious issue. It happens when people work so many hours and face such a lot of stress that it causes serious health problems like heart attacks or strokes. You got some folks who push their bodies to the limit because of work. But even though the word started in Japan, this isn’t just an isolated problem, it’s a global phenomenon as of now. You got more and more workplaces that e...
2025-08-06
1h 58
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 20 - Misery is (Unfortunately) Profitable
On This Episode: When our motto tells us that we gotta embrace the suck, it's only natural that your feelings aren't going to be all cheery and bubbly. It's not as if someone drops that phrase on you and suddenly the clouds part and rainbows shoot across the sky, of course not. The foundations of embracing the suck are through feelings that are off. Think about it, when was the last time you truly embraced anything unpleasant with a big grin on your face? Those are not happy feelings, they are feelings of discomfort and misery. It's...
2025-07-30
1h 29
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 19 - Fines: The Cost of Doing Business
On This Episode:We see this story happen again and again: you got some big scandal blows up, all the news outlets jump on it, and on a set day, they broadcast live as some company rep, usually the CEO or some slick PR person, has to face the public and explain what went wrong. What happened to the company that was supposed to help their customers but instead, they ended up causing harm? Did they recklessly expose personal data without consent? Or did they cut corners, using substandard materials in products whose wear...
2025-07-26
1h 24
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 18 - The Matthew Effect
On This Episode:Life often feels like a game where some people start way ahead while others are stuck far behind, just trying to stay afloat. We usually think that working hard or being talented is all it takes to stay ahead of the game, but the truth is usually a lot more complicated. Those small advantages or problems that might seem unimportant at first can grow bigger and bigger over time, making things easier for some folks and much harder for those already suffering. Like a snowball rolling down a hill, those early...
2025-07-23
1h 28
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 17 - The Dreaded Performance Improvement Plans
On This Episode:Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) use to be a tool of development for workers who needed a "bit of assistance". But nowadays, they're more perceived as the corporate version of a “friendly” execution notice. You may be told that it’s all about growth, coaching, and feedback, but anyone who’s ever been through one of those probational periods knows that it’s more about ticking boxes and lining up the paperwork for your exit. It’s a game of smoke and mirrors, where the company pretends to lend you their support while quietl...
2025-07-19
1h 56
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 16 - A Gripe of Life: Zero Tolerances Towards Schoolplace Bullying
On This Episode: There’s frustrating, and then there’s "watching a kid get suspended for standing up for themselves" frustrating. These are the moments when school rules, especially the kind that allow no questions or exceptions, start to feel less like protection and more like policy theater. In this episode, this rant of a conversation revolves around the kind of rulemaking that seems more about appearances than real results. It explores how the push for automatic responses has led to some of the most ridiculous decisions in handling student behavior, we're talking about zero...
2025-07-16
1h 26
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 15 - 90s Throwback: Rugrats - Angelica's Last Stand
On This Episode: Previously (as in a few episodes ago), we dissected an episode from Family Guy and played around with the possibilities of real life with reflections of that episode we covered. For this episode, we take another cartoon and do the same thing, except this one is a bit more lighthearted. But don't get too comfortable because let's just say that this podcast still has a mission. The show in question is more kid-friendly than Family Guy, that's for sure. Particularly, it's Nickelodeon’s Rugrats, a show that offers more than just childhood nostalgia in th...
2025-07-10
1h 07
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 14 - PTO Donations
On This Episode: There are these workplace programs where employees are encouraged to donate their paid time off to their colleagues who are in dire situations. At a first glance, it might seem like a kind gesture; you got a workforce community that is helping each other out. But if you stop and really think about it, there's something that seems off about these acts of charity. Now depending on how limited the benefits are at a workplace, these donation programs are a system where workers are asked to give up their hard-earned time for the sake...
2025-07-05
1h 27
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 13 - The Ultra-Wealthy Doomsday Preppers
On This Episode: While most folks might pick up a few extra groceries or a flashlight just in case if something goes wrong, there’s a whole other world out there where money rewrites the rules of what it means to be prepared. These select few are equipped with private airstrips, hidden mountain retreats, and to top it all off, sprawling underground homes that look more like boutique hotels than bunkers but they are nonetheless. These are the kinds of “just in case” plans that are being quietly put in place by the ultra-rich. It’s a level of...
2025-07-02
1h 17
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 12 - Transience: The Temporary Things in Life
On This Episode: You don’t have to look far to notice how things change; it’s happens all the time, right under our noses. Sometimes it’s as simple as a new café opening up where your old haunt used to be, or the way your neighborhood looks just a little different in the morning light. People come and go, people's habits evolve, and even the things you thought would always stay the same have a way of "turning over a new page". It’s not always dramatic or life-altering, but all these little adjustments pile up, they...
2025-06-21
1h 09
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 11 - OceanGate: A Grim Reminder of Rules and Regulations
On This Episode:We're all familiar with what the ocean is to us: from the slow, rhythmic pulse of the current to the the vast blue and the descent to darkness pressing in from every side. Now picture a small vessel descending through that darkness, carrying five people toward the most famous shipwreck in history. There’s excitement, anticipation, and a sense of adventure. But there’s also something else: the faint, persistent hum of warnings, of voices that tried to speak up before the journey even began. In June 2023, there were five people who disappeared into the...
2025-06-18
1h 36
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 10 - Working Away from the Office
On This Episode:Have you ever opened your eyes in the morning and realized there’s no frantic scramble to warm up your car or catch the bus, there's no need to iron that shirt or rehearse for some polite small talk before you’ve even had your coffee? Instead, there’s a quiet moment where the day stretches ahead, and for once, it actually feels like it’s yours. You wander into the kitchen, make your own breakfast at your own pace, and maybe even let yourself linger by the window for a few extra minutes, just wat...
2025-06-14
1h 08
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 9 - Working in an Office
On This Episode: You ever walk into your job and just think, “Oh man, is this really it?” From the moment you plop down at your desk, you can already feel how the day’s is going to play out. It's those endless meetings that could have totally just been an email, and those long email chains that somehow turn into giant projects. Then there's that one coworker who seems to think they're the center of the universe and that everyone should revolve around their schedule. And by the time the clock strikes 5 in the late afternoon, you’re...
2025-06-11
1h 11
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 8 - Favoritism: A Rot in the Workplace
On This Episode: Sometimes, the most damaging things aren’t the loud clashes or visible conflicts, but the quiet shifts that happen beneath the surface, so subtle they almost escape notice. It’s in the moments that go unremarked, the choices that seem small but repeat often enough to create a pattern. The doors that open a little wider for some, while others wait longer in the hallway, their footsteps fading before they reach the room. Favoritism rarely shouts its presence in an obvious way. Instead, it communicates quietly, slipping into the background of everyday interactions. It’s foun...
2025-06-07
1h 04
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 7 - (Un)Dead Work Ethics
On This Episode: It's still here, dragging its way through our calendars and to-do lists, showing up every day without a second thought, and sitting through meetings with a blank stare. That’s work ethic, or what’s left of it. You can feel it in the quiet moments between emails. In the heaviness that lingers after a long day of “being productive.” It’s that moment when you open your laptop and feel your stomach drop, not from stress, but from something deeper. It’s like arriving at a party after everyone has gone home, but the music ke...
2025-06-04
1h 03
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 6 - The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire
On This Episode:On March 25, 1911, a terrible fire broke out at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City, which turned out to be one of the worst industrial disasters in the history of the United States. It all started, most likely, from a discarded cigarette, and it quickly spread through the upper floors of the Asch Building. At the time, hundreds of young women, many of them immigrants, were working there. Unfortunately, they found themselves trapped with no easy way out. The situation was made worse because the doors were locked, and the fire escape gave...
2025-05-29
1h 04
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 5 - Is a Cured Patient a Lost Customer (Family Guy & Real Life)
On This Episode: We talk about that wild episode of "Family Guy", the one called "The Old Man and the Big C." In it, Brian and Stewie go up against Carter Pewterschmidt, who actually has a real cure for cancer but keeps it hidden just to keep making money. It’s a pretty dark idea, but it makes you stop and think: do some companies really see cured patients as lost customers? The show takes this over-the-top story and kind of dares us to imagine what it would be like if big businesses cared more about profits th...
2025-05-24
1h 27
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 4: Human Resources Protect Who?
On This Episode: When you think about Human Resources, you might imagine a friendly team making sure everyone gets along at work. But the truth is that it ain't smooth and steady as we like to believe. Given their reputation as a sanctuary for workers, there's still plenty of workers all around that really do feel like they're on their own. There are many employers that still take advantage of their staff in ways that seem unfair, like paying them too little, making them work long hours, or forcing them to work in unsafe places. And sometimes...
2025-05-21
57 min
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 3: Quiet Quitting - The Great Resignation's Sequel
On This Episode: After the Great Resignation, we’ve started to see something new and persisting to this day: quiet quitting. Unlike the dramatic exits or loud protests we might expect, this is more about a silent withdrawal from work. Many workers are feeling really drained and disillusioned, so instead of putting in extra effort, they’re just doing the minimum required to get by. They’re showing up and doing their job, but their hearts aren't really into it. This trend ties closely to the latter. Lots of those who are quietly quitting are also on the lo...
2025-05-17
1h 03
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 2: Do we deserve to be ruled by AI (Real life vs. Metal Gear Solid 2)
On This Episode: We dig into the thought-provoking question: Should people be ruled by AI? We look at how artificial intelligence is woven into our everyday lives, from helping with mental health and keeping us organized to influencing big business choices and shaping our purpose. Using real-life examples, we talk about both the benefits and downsides of AI having more power...like how it can make life easier but also the dangers of becoming too dependent on it and losing our human connections. To mix things up, we relate these ideas to Hideo Kojima’s Metal Gear So...
2025-05-14
59 min
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Episode 1: Recent History - The Great Resignation of 2021
On This Episode: It's been a few years since the world turned upside down. Parallel to the events of the 2020 pandemic was also the Great Resignation of 2021, a phenomenon that saw millions of people leaving their jobs in search of better opportunities, work-life balance, or simply a break from the grind. We examine the underlying reasons behind this mass exodus. From burnout and lack of job satisfaction to the pandemic-induced shift in priorities, we discuss how various factors contributed to this significant workforce change. We also explore the implications of this trend on the job market, employers...
2025-05-08
52 min
Tyler's Grim Reminders
Season 1 or Season 0 (I'm not totally sure) Trailer
Corny music made with a few digital instruments...without any sense of music theory...which all sounds like an ear ringer of a doorbell...Check.Podcast title with a rhyme that doesn't totally show how amateur I am hosting a show from scratch...Check.Some trailer monologue that repeats the stuff that already stated on the main page of this podcast...regardless, to establish an official birthday of this show...Check.A world that's not completely on fire, but some parts of it are...
2025-04-21
05 min