The Race Against Time: AI Takeover, Climate Crisis, and the Fight for Human Cooperation
No sitting on the sideline dad
Release Date: 04/19/2025
The Future of Work: Trades, Mentors, and the Skills We Need
No sitting on the sideline dad
Terry Iverson has spent more than 40 years in manufacturing, carrying on a family legacy built on precision, craftsmanship, and mentoring. In this conversation, Terry talks about the future of skilled work, why trades matter, and how young people can build meaningful careers without drowning in debt. terry2 We cover the shift away from hands-on skills, the importance of soft skills and critical thinking, and how mentorship shapes confidence and opportunity. Terry also shares why manufacturing is still a strong path, how AI is changing work, and how parents can help their kids explore...
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Why You Feel Everything: Understanding Highly Sensitive People with Todd Smith
No sitting on the sideline dad
Some people feel the world in a deeper way. You might walk into a room and notice tension right away. You might catch a shift in someone’s voice before they even admit something is wrong. You might replay moments for days because your mind doesn’t let them go. If this sounds familiar, this episode will help you make sense of it. I sat down with Todd Smith, host of the podcast Stress Management for Highly Sensitive People. Todd has spent years helping people understand why sensitivity isn’t weakness. It’s a real trait that shows up in about 15 to 20 percent of the...
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Uncomplicating Wellness: Why Willpower Is a Myth & What Your Body Is Really Telling You (with Jen Trepeck)
No sitting on the sideline dad
Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting health advice? You're not alone. Only 12% of Americans are metabolically healthy, and the wellness industry is designed to keep you confused. In this episode, health coach and author Jen Trepeck breaks down why the "eat less, move more" approach fails, what your body is actually trying to tell you, and how to cut through the noise to reclaim your health. You'll discover why willpower isn't the problem, what GLP-1 medications really do, and the six fundamentals that matter more than any supplement or biohack. If you're tired of feeling like you're failing at...
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Living Large and Slowing Down with Barbara Stone
No sitting on the sideline dad
What can we learn about presence, gratitude, and courage from our dogs? In this heartfelt episode, Joe sits down with Barbara Stone, a leadership coach, author, and TEDx speaker, to discuss her book, So Much to Drool About: Dog-Inspired Wisdom for Living Large. Barbara shares how her Great Danes taught her to slow down, live with curiosity, and embrace life with full presence. Together, they explore topics like: How dogs model authenticity and emotional awareness The importance of play and curiosity as adults Why gratitude changes how we experience the world Leadership...
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How Dr. Kenneth Cooper Helped NASA Astronauts and World Cup Champions Stay Fit
No sitting on the sideline dad
At 94 years old, Dr. Kenneth Cooper is still proving that health isn’t about adding years—it’s about adding good years. Known worldwide as the “Father of Aerobics,” Dr. Kenneth H. Cooper changed how people think about exercise, prevention, and longevity. In this episode, he shares how decades of research show that regular movement can add a full decade of quality life—and why no drug can match the power of an active lifestyle. What You’ll Learn in This Episode The groundbreaking story behind Dr. Cooper’s 1968 book Aerobics and how it launched a global fitness...
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From Prison to Possibility: Why Words Matter
No sitting on the sideline dad
What if the key to second chances was as simple—and as powerful—as learning how to communicate better? In this episode, Joe sits down with Dr. Kim Nugent, leadership coach, author of From Prison to Possibility, and mentor to incarcerated men and women. Together, they explore how the words we use can build bridges, rebuild trust, and even change the course of someone’s life. From prison mentorship programs to everyday parenting conversations, Dr. Nugent shares practical strategies for listening deeply, asking better questions, and choosing words that invite connection instead of...
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Surviving Narcissistic Abuse: From Hidden Journals to Healing with Dana S. Diaz
No sitting on the sideline dad
In this raw and revealing conversation, Dana S. Diaz—author of Gasping for Air: The Stranglehold of Narcissistic Abuse—opens up about surviving a lifetime of narcissistic relationships, from a painful childhood to a dangerous marriage. Dana shares how a hidden journal became her lifeline and later, her book. We dive into what narcissistic abuse really looks like (it’s not just vanity), the toll it takes on health and self-esteem, and how healing is possible—even when it seems like the darkness won’t lift. Whether you’ve experienced emotional manipulation, co-parenting...
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Rewiring the Brain: Parenting, Tech, and the Fight for Focus
No sitting on the sideline dad
Rewiring the Brain: Parenting, Tech, and the Fight for Focus Guest: Dr. Carl Marci Are smartphones making it harder to be present with your family—or even with yourself? In this episode, I sit down with Harvard-trained psychiatrist and author Dr. Carl Marci to talk about how technology is reshaping our brains, our attention spans, and our relationships—especially when it comes to parenting in a digital world. We dig into: The impact of screens on kids' brain development Why multitasking is a myth (and what it’s really doing to your brain) The connection between screen time and...
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21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet with Jean Alfieri
No sitting on the sideline dad
Losing a beloved pet is one of the most emotional experiences a family can go through—especially when you’re trying to support your kids while grieving yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by Jean Alfieri, certified grief coach for pet loss and author of 21 Ways to Weather the Loss of Your Pet. Jean shares practical ideas, tender stories, and thoughtful advice on how families can process grief and honor the pets that meant so much. We explore: The emotional weight of pet loss (and why it’s often underestimated) How to talk to kids about death in an age-appropriate,...
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The Healing Power of a Wish: Dr. Jen Pratt on Hope, Childhood Cancer, and the Make-A-Wish Impact
No sitting on the sideline dad
What if one wish could change the course of a child’s recovery? In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Jen Pratt, a pediatrician, childhood cancer survivor, and Make-A-Wish recipient turned advocate. At just 11 years old, Jen was diagnosed with bone cancer—a life-changing moment that launched her into a world of hospitals, chemo, and uncertainty. But her journey also included something magical: a wish. Jen shares her deeply personal story of receiving a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation and how that experience not only helped her cope during treatment but also inspired her path...
info_outlineIn this powerful episode of No Sitting on the Sideline Dad, Joe sits down with David C., an engineer, author, and big-picture thinker who’s spent decades studying the trends that could shape (or endanger) our future. David doesn't just warn us about climate change — he connects the dots between three mega threats: climate crisis, unregulated AI, and our growing human division.
Joe and David dive into real talk about:
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Are we sleepwalking into disaster while waiting for technology to save us?
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How microplastics are invading not just oceans, but our bodies.
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Can we trust AI in medicine, law, and society — or is it already outrunning us?
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The scary pace of rising sea levels and what cities like Miami and Jakarta are doing to survive.
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How everyday families and parents (yes, like you and me!) can actually make a difference.
With stories from Maine’s lobster fishermen to Europe’s AI regulations, this episode pulls no punches but leaves you with hope — and actions you can take today.
Joe and David ask the hard questions:
Are we prepared to protect our kids from a future run by machines and scorched by rising temperatures?
Stay tuned until the end for David’s list of practical actions parents and families can do right now to fight back against these mega-trends.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why climate change is more than just a "trend" — and how overlapping natural cycles are being accelerated by human actions.
✅ How AI could slip from helper to ruler if left unregulated.
✅ Why human cooperation (or lack of it) is just as dangerous as climate change or AI run wild.
✅ Practical, everyday actions you can take as a parent, community member, and citizen.
✅ How to challenge your elected officials about AI and climate policies (without needing to be an expert).
Guest Spotlight:
David C., author of The Entity series, engineer, and passionate advocate for proactive solutions to humanity’s biggest threats. David’s sci-fi series isn’t just fiction — it’s a chilling roadmap of what could happen if we stay divided and complacent. Learn more about his books and mission at: www.theentity.us
Books by David C.:
📖 Earth’s Exit: Hope 2147
📖 Earth’s Exit: Desperation 2647
📖 Earth’s Exit: Extinction 3147
(Available on Amazon & Atmosphere Press)
Resources & Mentions in This Episode:
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Digital Services Act & Digital Markets Act (EU Regulation of AI)
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Plastic pollution and microplastics in our water and food systems
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Florida sea level rise investments
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AI outperforming doctors in diagnostics
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Climate change impacts on Maine’s lobster industry
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Organizations: International Alliance to Abolish Weapons, WWF, Doctors Without Borders
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Campaign: NFL's Time Out Against Hate
Action Steps You Can Take:
🌱 Plant trees with your kids.
💡 Switch to LED lighting to save energy.
🗳️ Ask your local elected officials about their policy on AI and climate action.
🧩 Start family conversations about AI ethics and climate responsibility.
📚 Get your kids involved in school projects about future technologies and environmental stewardship.
🤝 Support organizations working for peace, wildlife protection, and humanitarian aid.
Connect with David C.:
Website: www.theentity.us
Publisher: Atmosphere Press
Books: Available on Amazon
Connect with Joe & the Podcast:
🎙️ Website: www.nosittingonthesideline.com
🎧 Find this episode at: www.nosittingonthesideline.com/episode156
Join the Conversation:
What future are we leaving for our kids? Are you hopeful or concerned? Share your thoughts and stories with Joe at the link above — we’d love to hear from you!