It’s the show for the renaissance person, the polymath, the multipotentialite! We discuss a variety of things because we LOVE a variety of things. Enough with the niches! Enough with always doing things the way we’re supposed to! Enough with the mainstream!!
In This Episode
- March Madness
- Bill and Ted have a new movie coming out?!?
- Captain Marvel review clarifications
- Battlefield V
- NEW Music
- HDMI truths and woes
- TV show reviews and updates
- Starbucks Cloud Macchiato
- Strategy vs Just play the game already!
- New music added to Real Brian's Spotify playlist!
Give us Some Insight From Your Days as a Player
Hehe, these are HILARIOUS commercials and worth checking out. Super short. Super funny. These are the types of commercials we deserved for the Super Bowl. And that is why March Madness is better than football. <Smirk>
- OK March Madness: Player
- OK March Madness: Rebound
- OK March Madness: Freebird
- OK March Madness: Color
Links
OH NO!!!! The Real Brian is taking over the blog posts again! Everyone RUN!!!! SCREAM IN TERROR!!!!! OH THE HUMANITY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ok, fine. Here's what I have to say to whet your beak. To entice you. To scintillate your senses. Welcome to the show for those with a multitude of interests and the desire to unleash their superhero. We value all. We empower all. As always, we have a variety of topics to discuss today, including some reviews of shows and books, things we’re curious about and nerding out on, and some things that will inspire and empower you! AND, yes, we have a very intense, truthful, non-spoilery review on Captain Marvel. The Real Brian and Captain Influence, from the FUTURE, interrupted our transmission this week in order to give us a review, since present-day TRB and Captain Influence haven't, yet, seen the movie. It's bizarre, I know, but think 4th dimensionally and you'll be fine. Strap in, superheroes! Let's ROCK IT!
In This Episode
- Captain Marvel non-spoilery review (a little later in the episode FYI)
- March Madness is happening!
- Kitchen destruction updates
- Netflix Documentary "Struggle" about Stanislaw Szukalski Review
- Update on the Mortal Engines books!!
- Update on The Orville, Star Trek Discovery, and Arrow
- A POWERFUL piece of inspiration, encouragement, and empowerment!
- New music added to Real Brian's Spotify playlist!
Is Captain Marvel Worth it?
Captain Influence and I very much differ in our reviews and opinions about Captain Marvel. There's been a HUGE amount of controversy around the film (most of it is way overblown and people need to relax, get over it, shut up, and respect each other). That's our opinion. My thought is this: if we just valued and respected ALL people, regardless of who they are, what gender or color they are, where they come from, what they've done, etc. etc. etc., we'd avoid all this ridiculous agenda-pushing. Instead, we'd truly unleash our superhero and create a safe, respectful, and healthy community.
But what do I know? LOL.
HOWEVER, there are some issues with Captain Marvel that are there, warranted to nitpick about, and may be a concern for the future of Marvel movies...
Regardless, listen to our conversation about it, go see it for yourselves if you want to, and just know that seeing Captain Marvel isn't really necessary (for the majority of the movie) in order to be ready for Avengers: End Game. Yet, I'm still glad I saw it. But you get to decide whether or not Captain Marvel is worth it!
Sunshine in a Cup
I had a GLORIOUS drink that I had to share with you on this week's episode, so listen in! But I also just really enjoyed the idea of "sunshine in a cup." It's spring finally! We have a BEAUTIFUL day of sunshine and have had a few this week. It's warming up. The birds are out. So, drink some sunshine in a cup. Let the glorious drink spill over (pun intended) into your attitude and outlook for the day. Have a GREAT weekend. Make someone else's weekend great as well!
Thank you, always, for listening!! PLEASE join in our community (links are below)!! We'd love to have you in our Facebook group, join me on FB and Instagram, join our Slack Channel, etc! Come hang!!
Links
"You don't have to change the world to make a difference!" Today, Real Brian is joined by two real-world difference-makers, Caffeinatrix and Mr. Non-Renewable (he's everyone's favorite fossil fuel). Listen in as our newest cohosts of The Real Brian Show bring fresh perspective to the show as they discuss customer service, social media, cultural customs, music, and more!
In This Episode
- Caffeinatrix and Mr. Non-Renewable (aka C.O.A.L. or Fossil Fuel) join Real Brian in the studio
- Make someone's day with a simple, yet sincere, "How are you?"
- Shout out to the home of everyone's favorite waffle fries, Chick-Fil-A!
- Treat your barista right: tip well, check the floors, and leave on time!
- Driving in bad weather gets to the best of us
- Why is "Bro" okay but "Sis" is weird?
- Social Media... real life is not what you think
- Traveling is awesome! Yay airports!
- New music added to Real Brian's Spotify playlist!
"Yeah, in their 30s, so older..."
Ok, I don't want to make Caffeinatrix feel bad, but when she uttered those words, my heart died a little. I will freely tell anyone I'm 33 years old, and until I listened to this episode, that didn't feel particularly well-advanced in years. Now I'm reminiscing back to teenage-me, when I was thinking that thirty-somethings were so entrenched in work and kids and taxes, which explained why they were so disconnected from pop culture. And I'm realizing that I am that out-of-touch mom whose clothes were in style, like, ten years ago, and who is shocked when she turns on the radio and hears music from her high school years playing on the oldies station. Is this the beginning of my mid-life crisis? Is it happening now?
Truthfully, I'm very happy with where I am in my life. I have an adorable husband (married 11.5 years!), four gooberlicious children, a house, and a bunch of responsibilities I could never even have dreamed of when I was 19 years old. But listening to Caffeinatrix and Mr. Non-Renewable was a breath of fresh air for me.
You see, they reminded me what it was like to have freedom to travel the world and capture life's little moments of joy. I mean, check out Natalie's Instagram. Look at all the places she visits. Her pictures, even if they're only taken with a T3i, are amazing. Don't you want to be there, having fun with her?! And then we've got Cole's Instagram. This guy's photographs and videos are vibrant, exciting, and full of energy and passion that is severely lacking in my day-to-day life. Don't you want to get to know him better?
Beyond their social media accounts, both Caffeinatrix and Mr. Non-Renewable are outspoken about their expectations of respect, both for themselves and for others. They know what it takes to have positive interactions with people, and they really want to work to make the world a better place, even if it's just one little smile at a time. What profound wisdom they've gained from working in a customer service position-- they know that sometimes you truly need to reach out and ask how someone's doing, and find a way to make sure they know you care. They're right, guys. We all need a reminder every now and then. Someone cares. Someone truly wants to know how you're doing. On the flip side of that coin, someone needs you to care. Someone needs you to ask how they're doing. And to listen, even when the answer is, "I'm not doing so good." That's your chance to breathe fresh air into their life. And who doesn't want to do that for someone else?
I'm fortunate to have this platform to thank Natalie and Cole for talking with Brian and sharing their insights and enthusiasm. You guys rocked that episode, and I was so happy to hear what you had to say. For anyone else who wants to thank Natalie and Cole, make sure to send them a shout-out in the Slack group.
Links
- Give Back to TRBS via Patreon
- Send The Real Brian an email!
- Join our Slack group
- TRBS Facebook Group
- Real Brian's Spotify Playlist (including music recommended by Caffeinatrix and Mr. Non-Renewable!)
RobDog returns on this tremendously terrific talkathon of podcast-length. Listen in as Real Brian and RobDog nerd out on smart lighting, sound, games, shows, and more. They ask for your opinion on several matters of utmost importance. RobDog gives us some pointers on making healthy lifestyle choices so you're not a terror to your teeth. And finally, be prepared to be shocked by the results of a recent study investigating the correlation between a popular fizzy sugar-free beverage and your health. Yes, yours!
In This Episode
- Real Brian is joined by the Terror to All Teeth himself, RobDog
- Back to the Future Lied to us!
- Captain Influence crashes the segment with some deep thoughts
- Smart Bulbs are awesome (psst! Check out the Novostella ones RobDog uses here!)
- How does the Balrog roar?
- Eating out and craving healthful foods
- Common dental issues and what they reveal
- A new Diet Coke study is in... and the results aren't good....
- TV shows, movies, and games galore!
Maybe this Episode should have Aired in January!
Okay, I'm not going to lie. I, like Real Brian and so many others out there, have fallen into some not-so-awesome habits when it comes to caring for myself. Real Brian has an excuse- he has no kitchen, for Pete's sake! But I... have no excuse. I have a fully-functioning, healthful-food-containing, water-dispensing, kitchen. And yet I listened to this episode with a guilty grimace because my body and my teeth have become a terror to me!
I have done a year-long sugar fast in my past. It was a great year! I felt awesome. Truly. It was also the year I was training for a marathon. I was newly married, in my second year of teaching, young, and overall very healthy. The combination of the exercise, great diet, good night's sleep, and enjoyable work created the perfect environment for my body to thrive. I visited the dentist with no fears or concerns and had excellent appointments. But things changed.
Here I am, several years later, feeling gross. I'm tired all the time. I keep craving more sugar. My teeth are sensitive to cold and sweets. I am terrified to visit the dentist because I know my wallet and my mouth will be hurting for a long time afterward. I know all these things are because I spend so much of my time not exercising, I eat whatever I want, whenever I want, and I keep myself up late into the night each and every night. I am tired of it, though. I'm super over it.
It seems like I'm ready for a new New Year's Resolution! Who's with me? I'm serious. I'll follow up in more show notes later this year. Someone join me, puh-leez! Here's the plan:
- Set a regular (better) sleeping schedule that allows for ample time for screen-free relaxation before bed.
- Drink a whole lotta water every single day. In fact, if you want to be extreme like me, you can go ahead and drink ONLY water. That's what I'm gonna do.
- Walk a bit every day. Treadmill, outside, whatevs. Just walk some. And then walk some more.
You know what? That's all I'm going to do. A better sleeping schedule will prime my body for a better day every day. I tend to drink my sugar (juices, sweetened coffee), so drinking only water will significantly reduce the amount of sugar I consume. And pretty much any walking I can do on top of the little walking I currently do will be a dramatic increase.
So, if you're joining me, please comment, or leave Real Brian a message using the "Send Me a Message" button on the side over there, so I will know who to connect with. I'm going to sink my teeth into this new challenge for myself, and I'd love to encourage some of you to do the same. I'll walk with you. (Literally and figuratively!)
Your Ideas Needed
Real Brian, Captain Influence, and RobDog need your help coming up with next week's guests' superhero handles! Natalie, from Harbinger Coffee, and Cole will be joining the fun, but it will be way more fun if they have alter-egos. So send your suggestions Real Brian's way and listen next week to see if the name you suggest is chosen!
Additionally, Real Brian and RobDog are stumped. They want to use RobDog's super awesome sound and lighting equipment to enjoy a movie in RobDog's basement... but which one should they choose? They're looking for something featuring awesome sound so they can get the full effect of RobDog's setup. Any suggestions? Check out the links below to connect and toss your ideas into the hat.
Links
- Give Back to TRBS via Patreon
- Send The Real Brian an email!
- Join our Slack group
- TRBS Facebook Group
- Real Brian's Spotify Playlist (including LOTS of new music!!!)
Miss Ice’s alter-ego, Beatrice la Fleur, joins our fabulous Friday fellas, The Real Brian and Captain Influenza (seriously, Captain Influence is really that sick). But Beatrice isn’t wearing any pants! Um… well… that’s awkward… Pants or no pants, Beatrice and the fellas treat us to a show dedicated to entertainment. They discuss gaming, Netflix, and social media, as well as sharing some practical tips and really deep thoughts.
In this Episode
- TRB and Captain Influence are joined by Beatrice La Fleur, Miss Ice’s alter-ego
- Practical tips for surviving in subzero temperatures
- What’s with all the video game hype?
- Variety on Netflix: overwhelming or awesome?
- Negativity vs Positivity vs Meh
- Deep Thoughts with Captain Influenza
Hot Gossip: Beatrice Isn’t Wearing Any Pants!!!
TRB poses an interesting question in this episode, one that is a good litmus test for how we view the world. He asks us to consider what type of information or media engages us most: negative, adrenaline-evoking stories and arguments; positive, endorphin-releasing, happy/feel-good items; or neutral, “safe” choices that don’t elicit much of a response. Our truthful response to this question requires more than a first gut-reaction.
Both Beatrice and Captain Influence wrestled with their thoughts quite a bit before each of them agreed with TRB that while our society’s preferences may be skewed toward negative input and engagement, we need a massive paradigm shift so we can begin to engage in ways that are more positive and uplifting overall. Not to say there is something inherently wrong with having a negative response; TRB even talks about how he and Sarah were so moved by the movie Taken that they donate funds to an organization that helps women coming out of sex trafficking.
Pain, cruelty, and sorrow are unavoidable in our culture. As the sagacious Beatrice points out, in order to understand and appreciate true joy, one must first experience deep sorrow. But that doesn’t mean we need to be totally consumed by negativity or seek it out nonstop. Our hearts aren’t meant to deal with a constant influx of heavy emotion; the more attention we give in one area, of life, the less we have to give in another. We need to be wise and choose where we will devote our time and energy. If we are not willing to do our part to turn negativity around by stepping in and making a difference, there is no reason for us to wallow in it. We do not need to take the world upon our shoulders.
Imagine a world in which everyone worked on doing their own part to seek out and share joy. What would it be like if we took the time to look one another in the eye and express the things we love about each other? How would you feel if your boss took you aside and said, “You know, when you did that presentation, I could tell you worked hard and put a lot of energy into it. You were so well-prepared. Thanks for doing your best.” Or if your spouse surprised you with a clean home and a thoughtful card just because you are the one their heart delights in? How would our world be different if every child was told how precious and loved they are right here and now, instead of being asked to perform more or better next time?
What can you do to influence those people in your circle? How can you break the cycle of gossip and anger that is so constant in our world? What actions can you take to diffuse a tense situation and turn it into a learning experience that is meaningful and beneficial for everyone involved? (hint: Captain Influence touched on this in Episode 150! Go back and listen to what he had to say!)
Respond
Seriously, what are your thoughts on this question? TRB and Captain Influence would love to hear what you think, and possibly even share your ideas on the show. It’s super easy to let them know what’s clanking around in that ol’ noggin of yours: look to the right → for the black “Send Me a Message” button, or head down below to leave a comment. Let’s find a way to work together to make a difference in this world.
Special Thanks
How cool is it that there are folks engaging in this community and offering their time and talents so TRB can focus on bringing back some interviews? I know that’s always been my favorite part of this show. Thanks to everyone who has contributed on Patreon (link below). Thanks to Kryptonite for editing, and especially for your super awesome surprise blooper mashup last week! And thanks to TRB for allowing me this opportunity to share my voice!
Links
- Give Back to TRBS via Patreon
- Send The Real Brian an email!
- Join our Slack group
- TRBS Facebook Group
- The Real Brian's Spotify Playlist (including LOTS of new music!!!)