dHarmic Evolution

The topic of this episode of the dHarmic Evolution podcast is meetings in corporate America. James shares his own experiences in meetings that seem to have no purpose except wasting time and money. Too often, James says that people abide by the “when in doubt, call a meeting” philosophy, but when you are paying people to stop their normal work in order to attend a pointless meeting that could have been an email, the system is broken. James mentions Jeff Haden, a writer, and editor of Inc. Magazine, who has written on this topic. Many industries thought leaders like Seth Godin don’t even take meetings anymore because they have found that it is more productive to handle the problem or project in a smaller and more direct setting. In addition to just having fewer meetings in general, James also thinks that people should not be allowed to “think out loud” during a meeting because they should have been fully prepared ahead of time. He also advocates for having meetings at odd times like 9:03 or 11:54 so we don’t neglect the lonely numbers that never get scheduled. Finally, James plays a recorded Skype call between English Bob and Jacked Up Jimmy in which they discuss James’ European tour. English and Jacked Upstart the call by discussing an upcoming meeting with an unknown purpose and unknown attendees. They decide that they should schedule a meeting before that meeting, so they can determine what the meeting should be about, where it should take place, what they should eat, and who should be invited. After a few minutes of banter resembling Abbott and Costello, hopefully, listeners get the point that more thought should go into calling meetings.

On this episode of the dHarmic Evolution podcast, James is joined by the infamous English Bob, a friend of the equally-infamous Jacked Up Jimmy from a few episodes ago. English Bob transports listeners into the unparalleled and quirky world of Lower Ipswich much like Lewis Carroll introduced the world to Wonderland. English Bob’s mastery of the English language will somehow simultaneously be crystal clear and make you scratch your head in confusion. But regardless of your comprehension of his tall tales, you will undoubtedly be entertained and your creativity will be pushed to its limits by the end of our time together. You won’t believe the turn of events that took Mama Bob from gathering gooseberries in the thicket to being destined for the Guinness Book of World Records. Auntie Griselda certainly has her own theory for the tragically provident incident that prompted the doctors to conduct an operation involving a zipper. English Bob had to pause his tour with Jacked Up Jimmy to rescue some orphans of a starchy variety and organize an adoption program in the community of Lower Ipswich, which is still recovering from Granny Grabowski's escapade involving pink stilettos. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our videos of English Bob instructing fencing and luring the North American Yeti, both of which for very unique reasons! English Bob is truly a character, but we could all learn a thing or two from his exceptional wisdom, if even not in the way we expect.

“Speak to Me” its the subject of today's discussion, have you ever found yourself unconsciously repeating phrases, statements, using language that is not yours? Have you suddenly awoken after the words left your mouth and said to yourself, where the hell did that come from? that’s not me. I want to get into all of that on today's show and question why do we (the huddled masses) impersonate each other constantly, and most of us do it in a way that we are not even aware of? What about the unconscious repetition of certain words or phrases?“Absolutely” (I believe) started with the hit movie Rocky 1976, it started kind of slowly, But then it picked up speed and everyone everywhere in the US started saying, (instead of “I agree with you”), they opted for “Absolutely” and it picked up steam. What about here in the NY/NJ area, “it” got substituted for, “It is what it is”? How do you speak to people, how do you communicate? Do you observe what you say to people and is it authentic, or are you replaying sound bytes from your mind’s memory that is not really you being your authentic self? The Reason why silence is good, it's healthy, my best friend, why Speak to me was necessary for me to write, was it really a man and woman, or was it, God? Quotes: “I love Seth Godin, the guy is so brilliant, I am reading his new book” “This is Marketing”. “He protects his intellectual integrity by doing things that most people don’t do, like not watching TV, and not going on Facebook.” “My favorite strategy is silence, so I am in the Seth camp, I have not watched TV for months and months, I can’t do Network Television stuff.” “Everybody has to find their own way to protect themselves from the media bombardment, I think the overstimulation does not allow your brain to process properly, in a way that is healthy for you.” The 10 most common misused phrases: 1) “I could care less” 2) “For all intensive purposes” 3) “You’ve got another think coming” 4) “ A complete 360” 5) “Jive with” 6) “It’s a doggy dog world” 7) “On tender hooks” 8) “Runner-ups” 9) “Nip in the but”? 10) “Irregardless” About two years ago I noticed one yoga instructor started using the word “Equanimity” suddenly every Single Yoga class I attended, the instructor would start using “Equanimity” always a female, no dude is going to use that in a sentence! In the US we had an election here in 2016 and shortly after that, I remember everyone using the term Xenophobe, how many people really knew what the word Xenophobe meant or where it came from? Talking heads on all the news channels they all knew all about it. Seth Godin, the brilliant man, I am reading his new book, “this is marketing”, he stopped watching TV, does not go on FB…………me 2 on the TV, network TV is so horrible and unimaginative. It seems that after 9/11 we all decided we need a TV in every possible commercial office in the land, but don’t bend over, they are coming for your orifice next! My mind is a precious thing, and I will not waste it. The Reason why silence is good, it's healthy, it’s my best friend, why Speak to me was necessary for me to write, was it really a man and a woman, or was it, God? Lyrics Speak to Me Author/Composer James Kevin O’Connor Speak to me, if only with the beating, of your heart, Hey walk with me, can you feel the lines of demarcation, melt apart? I Cherish every single color, in your silhouette, your presence, and your inner voice would always cut right through, all the noise, all the noise. Speak to me, I’ll share with you the tools of my experience, I acquired them through the language of uncertainty, and I’ve learned that simple silence, holds the key, enlighten me, enlighten me... Bridge I will protect you from the avalanche of pain, he’s just an old familiar visitor, from past campaigns, from past campaigns... Break Speak to me with a silent gesture, with innocence and honesty, a warm look in your eyes, a gentle touch, your shared energy with me, and although you never made a sound, you now know how, to speak to me, you speak to me... Follow James: and find out how we can broadcast your global career!  

What has happened to the American Family? * Why I wrote “Family of Strangers” what was it all about, released in 1989, but written most likely two years before that, it address’s the weakening fabric of the American Family, how it used to be the core strength of our society, it’s not anymore, lets find out why? * The Changing American Family * European charts, and why certain countries have higher divorce rates than others * Weather, do people stay together in the warmer climates? Because they are happier? I was convinced this is true, but I was all wrong! It’s the exact opposite! * Why have so many of us turned our backs on God? * What was it like to go public with a divorce in the ’60s? * The US has the highest prison population in the world! Why is that? * Why are people getting remarried? Do they really want another family, or do they just Is fear being alone? * Ireland and Italy have a lower percentage of divorce. * We should take time after a breakup to find out “who we are” * 2nd and 3rd marriages have even higher failures! * “Gender Genocide” another song about divorce that fits this episode. * Curtis and Lisa Hudson wrote “Holiday” for Madonna, and Lisa sings with me on this featured track “Family of Strangers” KO Electric: Mike Carroll: Drums and Percussion Charlie Peer: Bass James Kevin O’Connor: Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals “Family of Strangers” Lyrics, Author James Kevin O’Connor I can hear the sound of footsteps, walking on down the street, a cadence shuffle worn by kids With frantic feet, second mother third home, two stepbrothers and me, I can’t believe this is what God has planned for me there are no blood ties here, so Chorus We’ve become a Family of Strangers, No more leather bound traditions, that we used to know We’ve become a Family of Strangers Inside and upside down, makes it hard for love to grow I can see young fatherless faces Silhouettes flash on my wall, I can hear them asking questions, As they stumble and fall Hey Ma can you tell me, what my father was like Did he walk and talk like me, and did he have ambition like me  I would have loved to see but Follow James: and find out how we can broadcast your global career!

We celebrate episode #200 on the dHarmic Evolution today with an old friend, “Jacked up Jimmy” he comes to the interview in classic Jacked up Style loud and boisterous as ever. But he left the interview in such a sweat that he jumped into some strangers Hot Mustang and sped off to take care of his Union problem!                                          On the show, he explains to James Kevin about his troubles with the Union, men showing up without their workboots, and no hard hats. Member of the Elks Club Lodge bowls with his buddies on Tuesday night.                                                                                               Favorite quotes by Jacked up Jimmy: “A guy comes with his boots off, what is that,? or he shows up without his hard hat, sometimes they don’t cooperate and I gotta make sure they do” “You gotta have alignment, you can’t just have complete anarchy.” “It's like going to bowling at night without the ball, sometimes we do go bowling without the ball, its just a happenstance of circumstance.” “Listen you gotta understand something about the bowling, it’s never about the bowling, it’s an excuse the get away from our wives.” “Its camaraderie, its escapist, it’s escapism, that's the whole thing about it.” “James Kevin, so you have a camaraderie session, and you sit there and complain about your wife.” Injuries to Vilhelm Fernandahollow, who threw the ball so hard that he sprained his scrotum, but he will be back, he will be bigger than sliced bread. On the subject of English Bob: “He’s got me waiting in the Lobby!” “Maybe there is some trouble at home with Mama Bob?” “Mama Bob, she’s the Matriarch, she’s like the ark of the covenant.” Jacked up Jimmy’s beeper went off and he had to go take care of “Union business and throw some guy off a roof or something.”                                                                                           and find out how we can broadcast your global career!