Rich Conversations

050. Life Transitions and New Chapters

Rich discusses his recent life transition of moving from the neighborhood of North Center, where he spent the last seven years and his twenties, to Uptown. He reflects on the idea of life chapters and the feeling of having a blank slate. The individual choices you make in each chapter determine what it will look like. Make it beautiful.

049: Paleontologist Tim James and Life in the American West

Paleontologist Tim James joins the show. Rich wonders what daily life is like for a Cenozoic paleontologist in the American West. Every day is different at the World Fossil Finder Museum in Hot Springs, South Dakota. (9:52) The path that led Tim to his work today. His roots in Albuquerque, New Mexico and the importance of science education for kids. (18:03) How we benefit from the work of paleontologists. (27:22) The advancement of science and technology in the 21st century and how it allows us to learn more about Earth's history. (38:47) Tim's favorite natural history museum in the U.S. Life in New Mexico and its film scene (49:36) Tim's favorite extinct animal. Mammoth Hot Springs in South Dakota. La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California. The historical richness of the Midwest. (1:02:07) What he's looking forward to in the field. The relationship between private and public fossil collectors and Tim's hope for collaboration in the future.

You can follow Tim: @dinoguy1997

 

048. Cities: Thinking About and Understanding How to Create Thriving Communities

Remington Tonar joins the show to discuss cities. Both Remington and Rich have lived in cities their whole adult life (Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, and Houston). This episode explores the dynamism of city life and imagines what needs to occur for a thriving future.

The importance of affordable housing for growth and health. (7:45) Why cities are dynamic and magical places (10:10) How will ideas be exchanged if people spread out post-COVID (22:27) The consideration of measuring time rather than distance for transportation (29:09) The complexity of cities, like any systems, networks, or biological organisms. The problem with using historical data to project the future. The importance of qualitative data like talking to residents of neighborhoods (i.e. Jane Jacobs) (37:04) How can communities keep their culture and vibrancy under the threat of gentrification (43:14) Big picture thoughts on the future of cities.

047. Putting Ourselves into Perspective by Stargazing and Exploring Space

Paul LeCrone joins the show to discuss "Pale Blue Dot" by Carl Sagan. "Pale Blue Dot" was the July book of the month. By thinking about the fragility of our planet and its place in a vast universe, we can reflect deeper about ourselves and how we can contribute and work collaboratively with others to make human progress.

046. Bourbon, Cigars, and American History with Dr. Dave

While drinking bourbon and smoking cigars in the backyard, Rich and historian Dr. Dave discuss a range of American history topics. Dr. Dave shares his experience and work in Charleston, South Carolina. Confederate monuments, the Civil War, Ulysses S. Grant, and creating change. (25:20) Personal libraries and the different styles of reading Dr. Dave and Rich subscribe to. Learning from history to shape the future. (37:17) Chicago history, Frederick Jackson Turner, the American West, American landscape art, George H.W. Bush's funeral. (47:38) Traveling America, Frederick Douglass, John Brown, Eleanor Roosevelt and the role of First Lady (or First "Spouse").

045. Conversations with Our Former Selves

Rich discusses a tool he's used over the past two years. Instead of comparing yourself to others, have conversations with your former selves. You're growth (or lack of it) will be very clear. The more you understand yourself, the more you'll know how to be happy.

044. Future of Learning with Remington Tonar

Remington Tonar stops by to discuss the future of learning. The two cover COVID-19 accelerating the digitalization of higher education, campus industrial complex, access to broadband, technology disrupting learning, self-education, quantum computing, and the importance of philosophy and learning how learn.

043. The Beatles and Their Impact on My Life Philosophy

Rich gives a summary of The Beatles career and their impact on culture. He discusses the personal lessons he's gained from listening to the group and studying the history of the phenomenon and sixties decade. After doing a deep dive the last six weeks and reading "Revolution in the Head: The Beatles' Records and the Sixties" by Ian MacDonald, Rich finds parallels with 2020.

042. Walden with Paul LeCrone

Living intentionally and minimally is the focus of Henry David Thoreau's Walden. Paul LeCrone joins the show to discuss the book and its themes. How can we relate it to the 21st century? Quite easily.

041. Capitalism with Remington Tonar

Remington Tonar joins the podcast to discuss capitalism. In the era of COVID-19 and the surge of new energy from the Black Lives Matter movement, what does the future of capitalism look like? How can we create a better system with our shared values?