The Power of Ideas
A podcast with interesting people about their lives, their purpose and their calling using stars and stories. Be your own best idea.
info_outline
2024. Ep 8. Credit Card Points & Financial Health - with Darren Aasen
04/22/2024
2024. Ep 8. Credit Card Points & Financial Health - with Darren Aasen
Growing up, credit cards were always a thing I feared. It was a way to get in trouble with money. And indeed, like many (I am sure), I got into some credit card debt early on in life. Recently, however, I have been introduced to the world of credit card points and financial literacy more generally. Now, its a whole new world! To woo new customers, credit card companies have to offer better and better perks like bonus points, airport lounges, upgrades to first class and business class, etc. The result of this is a system that - If you work it right - means that you can get a lot of free stuff. That said, its complicated! Yet, lucky for me, my friend Darren has become a credit card points wizard. In this episode, I sit down and talk with Darren about how he got into the world of points, what kinds of things he has gotten from points and what you should be thinking about before starting to dive into this world. Welcome to the Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/30535798
info_outline
2024. Ep 7. The Astrology of Death...and Bitcoin?
04/08/2024
2024. Ep 7. The Astrology of Death...and Bitcoin?
A few years ago, the woman who taught me much of what I would come to know about astrology told me about her theory on the astrology of death. The skepic in me was, well, skeptical. Yet, what she ended up theorizing made more sense than I expected. In short, she said, where past astrologers had failed, they failed to take in the context of others around the person they were trying to predict. I thought it was a very smart idea. Recently, in a bit of random insight and astrological experimentation, I took that idea and applied it to one of my newest favorite curiosities - bitcoin. What I found was, in my opinion, absolutely fasciniting. In this episode, I delve into the nuanced art of predicting death through the stars, advocating for a theory that, while intriguing in its own right, shines even brighter when applied to forecasting the future of phenomena like Bitcoin. The secret sauce? Shifting the astrological lens from Bitcoin's chart to that of its staunch advocates, a strategy that promises a richer, more accurate glimpse into its destiny. Welcome to The Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/30734268
info_outline
2024. Ep 6. All Saturn in Pisces Everything. With Black Girl from Eugene
03/25/2024
2024. Ep 6. All Saturn in Pisces Everything. With Black Girl from Eugene
We had a plan! Then, in true pisces fashion, we threw the plan out the window. While I had come in thinking we were going to discuss racial consciousness, our pre-recorded talk went down the road of "what the f*** is going on with the astrological weather right now?!" And so we went with it. (Racial consciousness episode coming soon!) As two people who think of themselves as in some ways guided by our intuitions, Ayisha and I discuss the challenges we both have recently felt in being able to find the muse, so to speak. What happens when our intuitions fail us? How do we respond when it becomes obvious that we are going to need to work a little harder and be a little more organized with our thoughts and works? In short, what happens when Saturn asks us Pisces to get our shit together - just a little bit - so we can make sure everything works well and is clear for everybody. This episode works well as a companion to the last episode, "Ep. 5: Lying and Serious Religion" where I take seriously the ways in which we construct our visions, illusions and lies. Take a listen to that first and you may enjoy this episode just a bit more. Welcome to The Power of Ideas. * Ayisha's Podcast: Ayisha's Website: https://blackgirlfromeugene.org/
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/30530863
info_outline
2024. Ep. 5. Lying & Serious Religion
03/11/2024
2024. Ep. 5. Lying & Serious Religion
Why do we lie? We all lie. So, perhaps a better question is - how do we lie? This question then leads to a different, and even more important one - WHAT IS A LIE? In this episode, I tackle these questions through considering what Saturn, the planet of seriousness, moving through Pisces, the sign of vision, means. In other words, what happens when seriousness meets vision. The possibilities are more vast than you may realize. One of the most obvious ones may be religion. But what is a religion? I delve into film and tv, family and the necessity of lying to those we love, drugs and alcohol, sobriety, atheism, sports and even a careful contemplation on the limitations of medicine and health care. In the end, I even consider my own potential limits - what if astrology is just my own illusion? Welcome to the power of ideas. **** If you are enjoying this podcast, please consider sharing your favorite episode with a friend. Start a discussion and tell me about on twitter. Use the hashtag #TPOI
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/30324393
info_outline
2024. Ep. 4. The Biracial Agenda(?) & Tacit Racism W/ Black Girl from Eugene
02/19/2024
2024. Ep. 4. The Biracial Agenda(?) & Tacit Racism W/ Black Girl from Eugene
Is there such a thing as the "biracial agenda?" Shortly after my previous conversation with Ayisha, I heard a clip from Van Lathan about what he called the biracial agenda and "biracial supremacy." It was a provocative claim instigated by Michael Porter Jr's comment about jealousy. I thought this clip would be a good one to continue the conversation from last episode about the one drop rule and half black as "just black." We finish by discussing a form of racism known as tacit racism which I contextualize through the discussion of a chapter of the book called "fractured reflections." This idea relates to how high status black men do not often get their high status identities validated. Ayisha discusses how this is perhaps even more true for black women. Tune in. Welcome to the Power of Ideas. Ayishas Website:
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/30020593
info_outline
2024. Ep. 3. "If you're half black, you're just black?" w/ Black Girl from Eugene
02/05/2024
2024. Ep. 3. "If you're half black, you're just black?" w/ Black Girl from Eugene
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/29785678
info_outline
2024. Ep. 2. Chat GPT with Trevor Auldridge Reveles
01/22/2024
2024. Ep. 2. Chat GPT with Trevor Auldridge Reveles
Artificial intelligence is changing. More speicifcally, it is rapidly improving. And it may change the world, potentially faster than we can imagine. Over the last year, Chat GPT has made this clearer than ever and abstract conversations about it took on new urgency. In this episode, I talk with my own personal expert, and good friend, Trevor Auldridge. Trevor is a PhD candidate at UC, Santa Barbara where he studies rurality and social mobility. Yet, recently, he became fascinated with Chat GPT and has since become incredibly competent with it and has begun incorporating it into his life and work. No one I know understands Chat GPT as well as Trevor and so I wanted to discuss how he became familiar with it, how he uses it and what he thinks others should know about using it. Welcome to The Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/29554913
info_outline
2024. The Greater Good?
01/08/2024
2024. The Greater Good?
In this episode, I want to explore some themes that I expect to come up over the next year and beyond. Astrologically speaking, 2024 marks the beginning of a twenty year period that relates to technology, artificial intelligence and social movements. Yet, an underlying theme that I think will be embedded within conversations about these things to a far more heightened degree is morality. In our everyday speech, I imagine "the greater good" may become a far more common term. And even if it is not, the theme will be. In fact, I think I already see it emerging in places obvious and not-so-obvious. So, in this episode, I discuss in a kind of free associative way about what I think we can all expect over the next year, and potentially the next twenty years. It will be a helpful episode to come back to as I continue the podcast and discuss all sorts of different ideas for the next however-long. Welcome to the power of ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/29357113
info_outline
The Sociological Imagination: A Framework for Listening to the Podcast
04/19/2023
The Sociological Imagination: A Framework for Listening to the Podcast
In this episode, I return with a framework that I hope will accomplish two things. One, help people understand the overly complicated and often misunderstood question of "what is sociology?" And, second, use it as a framework to help listen to the podcast. The sociological Imagination is a concept and framework put forward by sociological C. Wright Mills in which he says that the best way to understand societies is through looking at the intersection of biography and history, or put differently, personal troubles and public issues. Here, I make the case that whatever a sociologist tells you sociolgy "is," they all, in fact, use the same framework - the sociological method. With that in mind, it can help us all make better sense of the world, and also help you better understand how to listen to this podcast and what I am seeking to do with the concepts, conversations and ideas in it. Welcome to the Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/26582436
info_outline
Dan Duvall - Becoming a (sober) Comedian
06/28/2021
Dan Duvall - Becoming a (sober) Comedian
Dan is a comedian, and a fucking funny one at at that. However, his journey to sobriety and struggle in relationships makes him not just a funny dude but a deep one as well. We talk comedy, sobriety, relationships, addiction, mental health and much more. At the end, we realized we didn't even answer the question of how he became the director at "Comedy here Often," a signifcant podcast network in Canada so this is just Part 1.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/19636856
info_outline
Retrospective Astrology & Mercury Retrograde in Gemini
06/20/2021
Retrospective Astrology & Mercury Retrograde in Gemini
While it is fun to use astrology to predict the future, I think the best use of astrology is lookin back. In this episode, I use the wild mercury retrograde in Gemini to talk about why looking back is more useful than looking forward.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/19518644
info_outline
IN THE ETHER w/ Black Girl from Eugene
06/06/2021
IN THE ETHER w/ Black Girl from Eugene
In this week's mercury retrograde episode, I bring back my segment with Ayisha Elliott called "IN THE SKY." We talk about Mercury Retrograde (communication and review), Saturn Square Uranus (power struggles and break throughs) and Jupiter in Pisces (increase/growth of the woo woo and spiritual life).
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/19365317
info_outline
Mitchell Balfe Pt. 2 - Shared Imaginaries and Dungeons & Dragons
05/30/2021
Mitchell Balfe Pt. 2 - Shared Imaginaries and Dungeons & Dragons
Mitchell is not ignorant to the stigma attached to Dungeons and Dragons. His response to a friend who invited him to join a DnD campaign? "Dude. I don't wear capes." But as fate would have it, he has become deeply immersed in the DnD universe - minus the cape. Listen in as we talk about sharing imaginary worlds, dungeons and dragons, the marvel universe and, of course, astrology. Welcome to The Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/19117256
info_outline
Mitchell Balfe - Goals, Effort & Life
05/23/2021
Mitchell Balfe - Goals, Effort & Life
Mitchell Balfe has a variety of interests and because of his tenacity and "obsessive" (his words) personality, he has seen some success in various interesting domains. While I asked Mitch to be on the podcast to talk about his expertise in Dungeons and Dragons, he is so interesting to talk to that the first hour, we just talked about his life, his interests and other things. So, this is part 1 of a 2! Listen in as we talk finance, home owning, goals, friendship and much more. Welcome to the Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/19116680
info_outline
Shadin Khreis - The Struggle for Palestinian Liberation
05/16/2021
Shadin Khreis - The Struggle for Palestinian Liberation
Today is a special episode. I talk with Shadin, a Jordanian-Palestinian woman with family that was displaced by this "conflict." I talk with her about the history of Palestine, the colonization of Palestine by Israel with the support of European nations and the US. We discuss why this is such an urgent and grave concern historically and we then discuss what is going now.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/19125314
info_outline
Quinton Richardson Brown - Overcoming Adversity
05/02/2021
Quinton Richardson Brown - Overcoming Adversity
In today's episodes, I talk with my nephew, Quinton. Q is wise beyond his years and striving every day to become the best version of himself. And he isn't just saying it, he is doing it through his actions. Attempting to hold himself accountable and be grateful along the way. Through his adversity, faith and family, Q has somehow created a mindset that is more mature than many of the "adults" I know. It was an absolute pleasure to talk with him and share it with you. Welcome to The Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/18934577
info_outline
Shelley Maddox - What is Love?
04/25/2021
Shelley Maddox - What is Love?
Venus is the planet of love. But what is love? And moreover, what is love, astrologically? In todays episode, I talk with my good friend Shelley Maddox about these questions. We frame the conversation around our own astrological placements (Venus in Aries and Venus in Gemini). Listen in as we try and flesh through the messiness and the poetry that is one of the oldest questions there is - love. Welcome to The Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/18843446
info_outline
Ayisha Elliott - New Moon in Aries, New Beginnings & Ayahuasca
04/18/2021
Ayisha Elliott - New Moon in Aries, New Beginnings & Ayahuasca
Season 3 is here. I begin by talking with Big Sis, Ayisha Elliott about the New Moon in Aries, New Beginnings and Ayahuasca. What are you beginning? Listen in. Welcome to the Power of Ideas.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/18759173
info_outline
Kacie Rogers - Becoming an Actress
08/23/2020
Kacie Rogers - Becoming an Actress
Next week, Kacie will be joining me for the 2nd installment of "The Tenth House." We will break down the tenth house astrology of Will Smith. We will talk about his career, his life, his personality and, of course, his wife Jada (who doesn't have a birth time so I couldn't include her as much. Sigh). But before we did that, I wanted to re-introduce her to all of you. So, this is the conversation we had in 2018 in which we talk life, love, religion, acting & communication .
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15554750
info_outline
TPoI Solo Episode: How did I get here?
08/16/2020
TPoI Solo Episode: How did I get here?
After 4 months of doing this tiny podcast, I pause to think back on how it came to be in its current iteration. In short, I look at how it came to be a podcast about Astrology AND Sociology. Meaning, how did I become interested in these two things? One answer is more serendipitous/random (sociology) and the other appears to possibly have its roots in the very moment I was born (astrology). I try to tell the story as linearly as possible even though I've discovered that nothing in life is really that linear.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15553925
info_outline
Emily Koval - Homelessness to HomeFULLness
08/02/2020
Emily Koval - Homelessness to HomeFULLness
Emily Koval is a program coordinator for City Net, a non-profit here in SB that helps people find housing. How do we treat our homeless neighbors? How can we find sustainable solutions to help those who need shelter? Emily sheds light on how SB works with its city partners like the police & hospitals to do this... And also the frustrations and issues that plague making this work WORK in the long term. Oh, and of course, I manage to relate it to astrology at the end.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15439409
info_outline
In the Sky with Black Girl from Eugene - August 1st - Mars in Aries Square Pluto, Jupiter, Saturn in Capricorn
07/26/2020
In the Sky with Black Girl from Eugene - August 1st - Mars in Aries Square Pluto, Jupiter, Saturn in Capricorn
Each month, I highlight an astrological aspect to discuss with podcast host of Black Girl from Eugene, Ayisha Elliott. This month, we discuss the square that occurs between Mars in Aries and Pluto, Saturn and Jupiter in Capricorn - on the day when the moon is NEARLY full also in Capricorn. This means fireworks. What could we expect? What is coming up in our lives?
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15336686
info_outline
14. Robin Woodward - The Astrology of 2020, Part 2.
07/19/2020
14. Robin Woodward - The Astrology of 2020, Part 2.
In part 2 of our conversations, we talk Mars, a whole bunch of mars. Also, we talk what to expect as we near the election, what the jupiter/saturn conjunction on the Solstice will mean and how this is just the beginning. 2020 is simply the beginning of one the most electrifying decades of our lifetimes. Buckle up kiddos.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15260045
info_outline
Robin Woodward - The Astrology of 2020, Part 1.
07/12/2020
Robin Woodward - The Astrology of 2020, Part 1.
In this episode, I talk with Robin Woodward about the astrology of 2020 because, obviously, everyone wants to know what in the f*** is going on!
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15173069
info_outline
Robin Woodward - Becoming an Astrologer
07/05/2020
Robin Woodward - Becoming an Astrologer
Next week, I am going to have Robin Woodward on to talk about the astrology of 2020. So, I thought it was prudent to rebroadcast the conversation I had with Robin two years ago about her learning of astrology and becoming an astrologer. As most stories with those who find astrology, it begins with a mind-blowing personal experience/revelation. We talk about her learning of astrology, the "science of cycles" and more. Get familiar with Robin so you can jump in next week.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/15053972
info_outline
Trevor Auldridge - Building Community & Hope
06/28/2020
Trevor Auldridge - Building Community & Hope
Trevor is a PhD student whose work focuses mainly on hope amongst rural boys of color. However, I have known him as someone deeply interested in the work of community and organizations as well.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/14991725
info_outline
Ayisha Elliott - Mixed Race Identity, Blackness & Friendship
06/21/2020
Ayisha Elliott - Mixed Race Identity, Blackness & Friendship
In this conversation, me and Ayisha discuss the issue of blackness in the context of mixed-race identity. As you'll hear, there are no easy answers. I have a feeling this is a conversation many people will begin to have as these injustices against not only black people but all people of color begin to emerge. Because police brutality is also a pandemic but it has been at it its worst - you could even call it a plague - for black people for centuries.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/14903018
info_outline
In The Sky with Black Girl from Eugene - June 2020 - Neptune, Mars, Moon Conjunction in Pisces
06/14/2020
In The Sky with Black Girl from Eugene - June 2020 - Neptune, Mars, Moon Conjunction in Pisces
As I did a few weeks back, I am introducing a new segment. This one I am calling "In The Sky."
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/14807327
info_outline
Dr. Ada Onyewuenyi - Psychology, Sociology & Race
06/07/2020
Dr. Ada Onyewuenyi - Psychology, Sociology & Race
Dr. Ada Onyewuenyi is a professor of Psychology who does research on the identity development of black youth across the diaspora. In this episode, we talk about everything from psychology, sociology, education and, of course, a little astrology. We do so in the context of George Floyd, race and racism, Black Panther, language appropriation by white supremacists, Journal paywalls and much more.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/14724260
info_outline
Jenn Whetham Pt. 2 - Hypnosis & Structures of Mind
05/31/2020
Jenn Whetham Pt. 2 - Hypnosis & Structures of Mind
In part 2 of our conversation, we talk hypnotism, Freud, Shakespeare, Macklemore, Astrology, Mental Models and so much more. In short, we dip, dive, twist and turn around what makes the mind the mind. This one is hard to summarize in a few short sentences - its a fun and wild ride.
/episode/index/show/ideas/id/14612321