Welcome to the Real Brian Show! We're here wishing you a Happy Saint Patrick's Day AND a Happy Superhero Friday with another installment of anything-goes. 
We are not raising our rates for this double feature, but hope you will find twice as many reasons to share the show. This week we made it into the Top 200 on iTunes, and that is all thanks to YOU! Thank you for listening and being part of this community. In this episode, Brian chats with Whitney whom he met at Happy Lucky's Tea House (which we got to hear a lot about on Wednesday this week!).
In The Episode
- Irish, Irish, Irish
- ...and a little of Japan
- Music
- Drinks & Food (Tea, Wine)
- Logan
- Male Modeling
- ATTITUDE!
Saint Patrick's Day
I would be remiss not to share some of my favorite Irish pleasures on this Saint Patrick's Day. Irish culture is one of my favorites to read about, rich in its history and its distinct culture. For a nation that has seen so much suffering, they've given the world some of the most distinct sounds in Celtic music and possess some of the most incredible landscapes in the world.
I don't joke around when it comes to Irish music. My proverbial music library is full of incredible Irish musicians, many of whom I learned of through Marc Gunn's The Irish and Celtic Music Podcast over the last 7 or so years. From Socks In The Frying Pan to Gaelic Storm, from Sean Macdonnchadha to FullSet, I don't discriminate. Every chance I get, I make people listen to Foreign Lander. And not just listen, but really listen. One of the reasons I love Irish music so much is because they often tell incredible stories or love and loss and unashamed, drunken stupidity.
Do you know the difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd's Pie? Other than both being delicious, Cottage Pie is traditionally made with beef whereas Shepherd's Pie is made with lamb. Lamb provides a very different flavor to otherwise traditional ingredients, if you're not used to it, but you might try this super yummy recipe.
Let's Talk About Attitude
Brian and Whitney have a great conversation about how attitude is so often driven by circumstance. The situations we find ourselves in drive our outlook and affect the way we perceive the present (and, in turn, how we treat the people around us and closest to us).
Attitude and mindset are tightly coupled concepts. Attitude is an outward expression of the inward mindset. A change in one influences the other, positive and negative. The fake-it-til-you-make-it concept isn't just an old adage, it actually has some merit! It's amazing how much a difference walking around with a smile on makes in your day than walking around with a scowl. And likewise, filling your mind with positive thoughts, encouraging thoughts, as opposed to self-deprecating thoughts, will directly affect your own perception of what you are capable of.
It's easier said than done, but most of the best things are. It is my sincere belief that attitude and mindset are habits that need to be formed. Attitude is reflected in behavior, and behavior, though we can control what we do, is so often rooted in memory. We behave a certain way because that's what we've been taught, or we behave in a certain way because we've been trained. We can train ourselves to be more vigilant about attitude and mindset, but it isn't something that can be accomplished with half our attention.
I've been noticing lately, and this week in particular, that when I can see the results of effort it reinforces a good, behavioral response. When a new workout has a positive impact, or a change in dietary habits improves your health, or doing a renovation on the kitchen makes a huge difference in usability, it makes us more inclined to continue exercising aspects of those behaviors. But sometimes it's hard to get started, even though we always have to start somewhere.
Start by smiling! Seriously. If you know you need to change your attitude, start by choosing to smile. Whether you're around people or alone, just smile!