Gaining unique and individual perspective on life is often developed through personalized experiences. For each and every one of us, this is unique, yet develops us into the people we have become today This episode analyzes how cultural experiences can help develop your perspective allowing you to become a more adaptable individual to whatever life throws at you. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your favorite credit card? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode We've lost the ability to communicate with each other Madison Bear Garden in Chico, CA Learning to communicate through a conversation Show Notes Perceptions are that adaptability is tied to being culture [02:48] Jeff Flowers background [03:34] The requirement of learning to interact with a diverse group of people [04:33] The ability to get along with everyone [05:22] We have lost the ability to communicate with each other [06:58] How Jeff advises his kids to leverage Facebook to have conversations with people [07:50] Having the ability to start a conversation [10:03] He's in sales [12:35] Learning to be comfortable while you're uncomfortable having conversations with people [16:37] Having the ability to spend time overseas [18:15] The awareness and understanding of being in another culture [20:24] Not getting wrapped around the axel [23:32] Get out of the country and travel if you have the opportunity [24:34] Traveling at age 24 in Las Vegas all alone [27:32] The ability to adapt [31:42]

Pause. Think. Consider.

Developing Your Perspective Through Cultural Experiences - Pause. Think. Consider.

In celebration of Thanksgiving, Jean and Jesse talk about what they're thankful for this year. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What are you thankful for this year? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Documentary called Happy Show Notes What helped increase people's happiness according to the documentary Happy [01:52] What Jean is happy and thankful for this Thanksgiving [03:12] What Jesse is thankful for this Thanksgiving [05:01] People Mentioned this Episode Jean Dalhquist

Happy Thanksgiving - Pause. Think. Consider.

Everyone's sense of humor is a little different, but the term Schadenfreude is one that applies to only select individuals. This episode discusses what Schadenfreude means and how you can enjoy life through humor and friendship with your friends. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What makes you laugh? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Avenue Q Schadenfreude by Avenue Q Dennis Leary and the song I'm an Asshole Jackass The Movie Blazing Saddles Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory Hebrew Hammer Having a great imagination Family Guy Your Squad Show Notes Avenue Q song Schadenfreude [01:41] Why Mike Efird loves watching others fail [03:25] Katarina asks why are things so funny? [06:14] I'm an Asshole [06:45] I enjoy when something is embarrassing [10:05] Why is bathroom humor so funny for males and not females [11:16] Love making fun of each other and ourselves [13:17] Mike Efird eats a ham sandwich [14:49] How can you laugh about the same thing so often? [17:51] The wall of smell [19:21] We cry a lot, but we have fun and it's infectious [21:07] Life is too short to not laugh [22:57] Being a highly judgemental person [23:30] Fighting for the magic moments of humor [25:34] Not taking yourself too seriously [27:08] The elixir to the seriousness of life is to laugh [29:52] How to raise your kid [31:07] Laughter is the best form of medicine [32:45] Being in the moment and the enjoyment of the situation [34:34] Finding your group to be a part of and better your temperament [36:46] People Mentioned in this Episode Tosh.0 Dennis Leary Three Stooges Seth Patterson Howard Stern Robin Williams

Schadenfreude - Pause. Think. Consider.

After 30+ years as a postal carrier for the United State Post Office my Father has finally decided to retire effective June 2017. While it never seemed fathomable, the time has come This episode discusses what retirement means, how to plan for retirement, future plans and a few memories of the past. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What does retirement mean to you? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Show Notes On the verge of retiring [01:49] Fears of retirement [05:40] Planning for retirement [06:42] Setting and making priorities to ensure you're prepared [07:16] The current routine and sacrifices made [10:00] How the routine will change once retirement starts [12:11] Family time going forward into retirement [13:25] Bucket list items [17:21] Fondest moment during the working years [20:04] People Mentioned Clark Howard

Retirement - Pause. Think. Consider.

As Thanksgiving approaches so does the holiday season and ultimately Hallmark's favorite time of year: gift giving. This episode discusses different philosophies about giving gifts including some alternative views on how gift giving shouldn't be restricted to specific times of the year. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your philosophy on gift giving? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Starbucks 'Pay it Forward' Show Notes Being a traditionalist with respect to the holiday season [03:03] Checking people off the gift giving list [04:11] Not gift giving simply during a specific part of the year [04:49] Specific holidays feel like they were made simply to give gifts [05:45] Not feeling right by giving people holiday gifts [06:51] Breaking yourself of the holiday gift giving routine [07:38] Desensitization of gift giving [08:29] Different family gift giving philosophies [09:40] Giving ideas for what you want so you don't get random crap [10:30] Not being the asshole that doesn't reciprocate [11:14] People aren't asking for gifts and the breeding ground for bad gifts [12:30] Random acts of kindness [13:40] Starbucks gift card handouts to show appreciation [15:20] Living through someone else via your gifts [19:12] The expectations of getting and giving a gift [20:18] Try giving gifts outside the holiday season [21:22] People created holidays as an excuse to get together [22:13] Not having an expectation of receiving a gift [22:35] The phrase, "Hey how are you doing?" [24:21] If you don't care, don't ask the question [25:39]

Philosophies on Gift Giving - Pause. Think. Consider.

Yesterday's election was a historic event that has caused what appears to be a great divide among the U.S. However, what is needed most at a time like now is to come together. This episode discusses the concept of unity, is it necessary and how we can collectively come together even during the toughest of times. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: How do we ensure we collectively come together? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode How will the U.S. come together after a contentious election? Show Notes The reaction to the presidential election [01:17] The election is supposed to be the unification of the country [03:24] The disappointment is in the reaction to the election not in the result of the election [04:32] The lack of unity that's transpired from this recent presidential election [05:34] Is unity necessary? [06:59] We're unifying our own personal agendas and situations not unifying for the greater majority [08:37] What is a majority? [11:31] What inhibits the forward momentum that's trying to be gained? [13:28] What is best for the largest majority of people? [16:21] Focus energy and thoughts on what is the best possible actions and outcome that we personally can take to have the greatest positive impact on the most number of people possible [19:58] People Mentioned Donald Trump Hillary Clinton Barrack Obama

Unity - Pause. Think. Consider.

Effiecny is a skill and technique that comes with time and experience. The ability to be clear, concise and to the point is not only appreciated, but one of the most commendered abilities. This episode discusses what it takes to exhibit brevity in each and every activity we do and the neccessary methods it takes to levearge this ability consistently. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your personal ability to leverage brevity? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Episodes with Mike Efird Home cooked meals Show Notes Being clear, concise and straight to the point [01:41] Having the ability to be efficient with your thoughts and your spoken word [02:55] How long episodes of Pause. Think. Consider typically take [03:52] Having the ability to anticipate and become increasingly more efficient as a result of experience [05:40] Exhibiting brevity within any activity [08:10] You have to work at it in order to have the ability to adapt and leverage brevity [09:52] How do you get from point A to point B? [11:10] You have to do the exact opposite of brevity in order to figure out the most efficient method [12:05] People Mentioned Mike Efird

Brevity - Pause. Think. Consider.

There's pluses and minuses to everything, but what we choose to focus on and what we choose to sacrifice often makes all the difference in the world. This episode examines how we set priorities and what we're willing to do in order to achieve our dreams and goals. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: How do you set your personal priorities? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for show notes… Show Notes Setting and making on-going priorities have been an on-going challenge [01:28] What are you going to sacrifice as an on-going self assessment based challenge [02:01] You can have a great physique too  [02:58] Sleep and basic organization things are currently on the back burner  [04:28] It's easy to criticize someone else's priorities [06:17] Acknowledge where the other person is coming from [07:35] How do you determine what your priorities are? [07:59] Don't criticize yourself to the point of sheer disappointment [09:08] Sometimes you take on too many things [10:44] Determine what sacrifices you're going to make for your priorities [14:06] I don't believe in luck [15:18]

Setting Prioroties - Pause. Think. Consider.

Unfortunately, Made in the USA products are more expensive than products that are made in third world countries. Yet, the environmental impact and labor practices that are followed to produce these third world made products are not considered for so many consumers. This episode analyzes the impact of our purchasing dollar and how purchasing goods Made in the USA, or through resale, can boost our country's economy, reduce the unemployment rate, have a positive impact on our environment and encourage fair worker wages and working environments.  QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What is your thoughts on Made in the USA goods? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Made in the USA New Balance shoes Leveraging credit cards The True Costs Documentary Made in America Christmas Where Nike products are produced? Jag Jeans Shinola: Made in the USA watches Buying in bulk for spices Allen Edmonds: Made in the USA dress shoes Show Notes Made in the USA is making a comeback  [01:33] Made in the USA is just a fad [2:05] Do your own fact checking [3:07] The True Costs Documentary: The affects of producing goods overseas [4:17] Large corporations are all about profits [6:21] Our purchasing habits for Christmas [7:28] The impact on the US job market from Christmas purchases [8:03] Supporting in-house and local instead of sweat shop ridden work environments [9:26] The wheat industry example and its environmental impact [10:08] Why our goods are so cheap when manufactured overseas [12:04] We as consumers have encouraged US based businesses to seek greater profits by getting as high quality product as possible for as cheap as possible [12:41] We believe we're more wealthy and superior as a result of materialism -- Yet it actually makes us poorer [13:51] How Nike leverages marketing to create desire [15:07] You need to do your own research on the products you purchase [17:31] I either try to buy consumer goods either Made in the USA or resale [19:00] By purchasing resale it prevents net new products to be introduced to the market [19:44] Vote with your dollar [20:17] How aware are you of where the products you purchase come from? [20:42] Third world countries had their own production markets and then the US came into the market and pulled a Walmart [21:27] We would be outraged if what occurs in third world countries happened in the US for work environments [22:32] There has to be a demand for specific product categories for them to be produced in the USA [23:34] Shinola watches produced in the USA [26:13] Buying quality, not quantity [29:17] Our environmental impact as a result of buying quantity over quality [31:06] Each and every purchase you made is a vote for the environmental impact and the labor practices [34:52] If you can't convert over to Made in the USA then leverage resale for non-net new products [35:46] We vote with our dollar -- If you're going to get a net-new product simply, do the research before you make the purchase [37:21] By supporting Made in the USA and purchasing local it helps keep revenue in-house and grow our economy [38:32]

Why Made in the USA is Important - Pause. Think. Consider.

After 108 years of waiting, the Chicago Cubs and their fans finally have a championship. In what is being called one of the best games in MLB history, the Cubs took home the pennant today overcoming some incredible odds. This episode discusses the Chicago Cubs and their recent win of the World Series breaking a 108 year long winless streak. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: Where were you when the Cubs won? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Villanova buzzer beater to win 2016 NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Show Notes Growing up watching sports with my Father [05:38] Fans that are bandwagoners [07:56] One of the databases of useless information [09:35] 2016 Game 7 World Series [12:30] People Mentioned Joe Madden Theo Epstein

Cubs Break The Streak - Pause. Think. Consider.

Credit cards can be incredibly lucrative, but can also be extremely dangerous. In order to utilize credit cards properly you have to understand a few basic points. This episode discusses, as part of a week-long series on buying and purchasing habits, how to leverage and what credit cards to use in order to capitalize on earning points, miles and cash back for your purchases. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your favorite credit card? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Habits Boarding Area blogs Flyertalk TPG Guy by Brian Kelly View from the Wing by Gary Leaf Million Mile Secrets by Daraius Dubash Travel Codex by Scott Mackenzie Extra Pack of Peanuts by Travis Sherry The Truth About Credit Card Debt by Dave Ramsey Credit card startegy by Suze Orman How your FICO score is calculated Show Notes Stumbling upon the world of travel hacking [07:18] Travel hackers that I read on a daily basis [08:30] Deciding on what your goal is and how you can leverage credit cards [14:19] Every purchase should be made with a credit card [15:48] If you are going to utilize credit cards you should not ever carry a balance [18:07] If you cannot control your spending habits you should not have a credit card [19:54] Using 0% APR credit cards as a college student [21:14] How my credit score has been affected through credit card churning [24:31] How your FICO score or credit score is calculated [26:30] Understanding the rules each bank has with regards to credit cards [36:57] Don't bite off more than you can chew applying for too many credit cards at once [41:13] Leavening and utilizing personal and business credit cards [42:18] The options you have available for credit cards [45:01] Fee versus no-annual fee credit cards [46:33] Real world examples of leveraging credit cards [50:36] Recommendations for credit cards for you to use [58:39] People Mentioned Brian Kelly Gary Leaf Daraius Dubash Scott Mackenzie Travis Sherry Dave Ramsey Suze Orman

Leveraging Credit Cards for Cash Back & Points - Pause. Think. Consider.

The good, the bad and the ugly are all established as a result of habits we've personally created. Many of our greatest strengths, and weakeness, directly result from habits that we have formed. This episode discusses, as part of a week-long series on buying and purchasing habits, how habits are created, how we can change them and how we can solidify them to ensure they become permanent. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your most successful workout routine? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business by Charles Duhigg The Power of Habit 1-page Cheatsheet The 3 R’s of Habit Change: How To Start New Habits That Actually Stick by James Clear The Habit Change Cheatsheet: 29 Ways to Successfully Ingrain a Behavior by Zen Habits How Long It Takes to Form a New Habit by Brian Pickings Show Notes Analyzing habits: What they are and how we can change them [06:08] The cheatsheet on the Power of Habit [06:58] The 3R's of habit change [16:24] 29 ways to ingrain a behavior [22:16] How long it takes to form a new habit [24:25] People Mentioned Charles Duhigg James Clear Tony Dungy Rosa Parks Jeremy Dean Brian Pickings

Changing, Forming & Solidifying Habits - Pause. Think. Consider.

What's in it for me? The discussion is becoming much more mainstream in regards to student athletes thanks to several lawsuits and events that have happened in the past few years. This episode discusses whether student athletes should be paid, is there a way for them to be compensated for their NIL rights and why you're not getting any sympathy from me. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your most successful workout routine? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Sam Keller settles lawsuit Supreme Court will not hear Ed O'Bannon case EA Sports Lawsuit Josh Rosen on UCLA's new Under Armor deal New NBA Draft rules for NCAA athletes Nigel Hayes returns back to school Brandon Jennings path to the NBA College GameDay Nigel Hayes on ESPN Gameday Venmo Nigel Hayes rips the Big Ten for their revenue  UW-Madison cost of tuition Cost of Attendance stipend Increase of healthcare premiums due to Obamacare College athletes sign away NIL rights The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-Life Earnings by Census Cracking the Cartel by Theodore Ross Student athletes are the new indentured servants School's ability to pay for college sports program Pacific University brings back football to help increase revenue Show Notes Ed O'Bannon & Sam Keller submits a class action lawsuit for NIL [02:33] Student athletes are not allowed to get paid under the current jurisdiction of the NCAA [03:51] The supreme court will not hear the Ed O'Bannon case to get student athletes paid [05:05] The perception is that the NCAA is not a non-profit organization as a result of the money they make [06:13] EA Sports lawsuit is settled with $60 million being distributed to NCAA athletes [06:57] Josh Rosen and his Instagram post in reference to the Under Armor apparel deal that UCLA signed [08:51] Nigel Hayes the individual that caught Jesse's attention of paying student athletes [09:38] The scouting process of gathering information prior to declaring themselves for the NBA Draft per the new NCAA rules  [11:07] Nigel Hayes attends College GameDay [14:59] Comparing the Big Ten conference and their revenue to his scholarship [18:43] All the extra benefits that Nigel Hayes gets as a Division 1 athlete [19:21] The main issue is NIL: not being able to make money off the name, image and likeness [24:58] The numbers from the Census regarding what students make upon graduation [25:46] Student athletes shouldn't be paid [31:25] It's hard to have a differing perspective when you don't have the opportunity to see things from their side [31:52] The difference between Nigel Hayes and other students [35:14] Universities bringing in additional sports programs to help increase revenue [36:08] The cost implications for universities providing for student athletes [38:52] Cost, deficit, and funding, but what are the implications of making changes [40:38] Without student athletes the university may not even exist [41:52] Find a way, with the NCAA and keeping athletes an amature, to allow student athletes to collect NIL funds [43:17] You're not going to get any sympathy from people because of your situation as a student athlete [46:03] People Mentioned Sam Keller Ed O'Bannon Josh Rosen Nigel Hayes Jean Dahlquist Darius Miles Andrew Bynum Lebron James Kobe Bryant Kevin Garnett Brandon Jennings Colin Kappernick Mark Zuckerberg Theodore Ross George W Bush Johnny Manziel Donald Trump Mike Efird

Paying Student Athletes - Pause. Think. Consider.

Technology has created a modern convenience that allows us to connect with any and everyone in the world. However, the personalization of that communication has decreased as technology has become more adopted. This episode examines the significance of a phone call and how despite the modern convenience of email, we should leverage calling someone more often than we currently choose to. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your most successful workout routine? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Communication Breakdown The Art of Listening Show Notes Technology has provided us opportunities to connect with any and everyone [03:11] The social experiment of leveraging a phone call instead of email communication [06:31] We'd all rather send someone an email than to pick up the phone and call someone [08:39] What are we losing out on by not calling someone on the phone?  [09:05] Advertising is all about finding ways to connect with your audience and trying to make things more personal [13:55] The Challenge: Find once a week, an opportunity where it's possible to call the individual, and instead of sending a text or email, pick up the phone and call them instead [16:44]

The Lost Art of Phone Calls - Pause. Think. Consider.

There's nothing like a home cooked meal and yet, too often we spring for convenience instead of taking the time to produce a meal ourselves. This episode examines convenience, time, financial impact, health benefits and the camaraderie you can gain from producing home cooked meals instead of eating out. QUESTION(S) OF THE DAY: What's your most successful workout routine? Please let me know in the comments. Scroll below for links and show notes… Selected Links from the Episode Business of Craft Brewing Certificate by Portland State University Oregon GMO Labeling Oba in Portland, OR Village Inn restaurant Learning to Cook The Kitchn Super Size Me Show Notes Cooking has gained popularity thanks to Food Network and social media [03:52] We've become very foodie, you don't need cooking to be in your family blood to learn it [04:28] It's not necessary to go to culinary school to learn to become a cook anymore [06:27] The elasticity of supply and demand [09:02] The convenience of cooking at home versus eating out [09:49] Where are you willing to put your time in? [10:59] The financial impact of making a home cooked meal [12:18] You can control your health more from the ingredients you use with a home cooked meal [17:47] The camaraderie that eating home cooked meals will provide [25:21] People Mentioned Mike Efird Jean Dahlquist Morgan Spurlock

hubhopper

Pause. Think. Consider.

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