Episodes
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Our First Fight - 319
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Thursday Apr 11, 2024
Our first fight recently took place. What was it about? How did the issue get resolved? Find out on this exciting episode of the Soul Forge Podcast!
This particular episode premieres on April 11, 2024. It was 17 years ago on this date that Shawn joined the Post Office. Since that time, he has delivered hundreds of thousands, if not millions of letters, flyers, magazines and parcels. How many more years will he continue? Only time will tell!
On Monday of this week, the world experience a solar eclipse. People travelled far and wide to catch a glimpse of the totality. Here in Sault Ste. Marie, we were not in the path. Shawn did manage to take a video of the partial eclipse. However, it was cloudy. There was not much darkness, although the shadows became well defined. And the irony is that after the event was over, the clouds disappeared and the sky was clear.
Star Trek Discovery has returned for its fifth and final season. The first two episodes were decent. Leah created a Facebook group dealing with Jeep ducking. You should all join Soul Forge Jeep Ducks.
Shawn and Leah are fairly well prepared for their wedding on May 4th. Flights and hotels are booked. Dinner reservations have been made. They have plans for several adventures. They hope to go axe throwing and go karting. There is a 2 floor candy store to visit and a movie prop museum to tour. They also plan to visit Disney Land and Alcatraz.
Our first fight happened over the Easter weekend. What was it about? You must listen to find out. And this episode ends with a question and answer session. Leah found some interesting questions on TikTok.
This week's podcast promo: Cigar Nerds
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
International Love - 318
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
Thursday Apr 04, 2024
International love is the tale of two strangers who became friends, and then embarked on a long distance relationship. This multi-year romance blossomed. Soon, it turned into a 90 day fiance situation. A year ago they moved in together. Six months ago they married. This is their story. But that's not all!
Luke and Dakota have a story for the ages. He is American. She is Canadian. They once lived thousands of miles apart. Dating for five years over long distance presents many challenges and obstacles. Somehow, Luke and Dakota found a way to overcome everything in their way.
Due to their distance, they learned to communicate. This was all they had during the long years when they could not be together. Brutal honesty is their strength. Now that they are living together, this communication ability is a major asset. They have learned about their love languages.
Dakota feels spoiled. Her love language is Acts of Service. Luke does everything for her. He ensures she is fed and hydrated. Anything she needs, he makes sure she has. For Luke, is need is Quality Time. As long as he knows Dakota is there, he feels safe.
Other topics on this episode include all the government hurdles they need to jump. So much paperwork and bio-metric work can be overwhelming. Fingerprints and photos have been taken numerous times.
Shawn and Leah talk about their trip to Milwaukee to visit Luke and Dakota. Leah picked up a much sought after DVD. Shawn gathered a pile of Hot Wheels. Their Jeep was ducked. What's ducking? Find out here!
This week's podcast promo: The 42 Cast
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Relationship Level Ups - 317
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Thursday Mar 21, 2024
Relationships go through predictable stages. Each stage builds upon the previous one. Are there 4 stages, five, or seven? This all depends on which particular website or expert you check with. For the purposes of this episode, we will assume there are 4 stages, or levels.
The first stage is the initial meeting and attraction. A significant aspect of this stage is the role of hormones like dopamine and oxytocin. Dopamine, often dubbed the ‘feel-good hormone’, creates feelings of euphoria, craving, and motivation, which are typically associated with the early stages of romantic attraction. Oxytocin, frequently referred to as the ‘love hormone’, fosters feelings of attachment and deepens the emotional bond between partners, especially during intimate moments.
Level 2 is the infatuation or romance stage. Infatuation is “foolish” in that we can only see our partner’s light side. We’re in complete denial of their dark side. Early attraction often involves the physical attributes of the potential partner, and include things like outward appearance, body type, interests and personality traits. At this stage, the attraction may not be too “deep” and each half of a couple is generally putting his or her best foot forward.
Stage 3 is the enlightenment or stability level. Couples often go “deeper” in their connection. Trust is stronger and more intimacies may be shared at this next stage as couples take away some of their “best face” and allow themselves to act more naturally and relaxed. As intimacy develops between the two people, more self-disclosure emerges, both verbally and nonverbally as couples act in ways that are more like how they are in their daily life.
Level 4 is the commitment stage. At this stage in a relationship, couples should have a good understanding of their partner’s values, lifestyle, and goals for the future. You’ve learned to love each other by having to like each other. You choose each other consciously.
This week's podcast promo: Watchathon of Rassilon
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Disney DREAM Cruise Line Review - 316
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Tuesday Mar 12, 2024
Disney Dream cruise of March 3-8, 2024. This is Shawn and Leah's report!
The Disney Dream is a cruise ship operated by Disney Cruise Line, part of The Walt Disney Company. The first of the Dream-class, she is the third ship of the overall fleet, the other four ships in the fleet being the Disney Magic, Disney Wonder, Disney Fantasy, and Disney Wish. She currently sails four-day and five-day cruises to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean calling at Cozumel and Grand Cayman, as well as Disney's private island Castaway Cay. In May 2023, the Disney Dream sailed across the Atlantic Ocean and began sailings in Europe. She entered service in 2011; her sister ship, Disney Fantasy, was deployed in 2012.
This was Shawn's first ever cruise, and Leah's third Disney cruise. On this episode of the podcast, they give you a day by day breakdown of events. Highlights include: trivia, the food, the people they met, and the weather. The fish extender gift exchange was a fun feature. Derived from the fact that outside every stateroom on a Disney Cruise, there is a fish that is used to hold communications from the ship to you. People started making a pocketed cloth container that hangs from the fish (thus Fish Extender) to collect little gifts from others that were cruising on the ship. Everyone who signs up for the Fish Extender is also volunteering to create or buy a gift for everyone else in the group and leave it in their Fish Extender during the cruise. The gifts can be as simple or as elaborate as you’d like them to be. There are no rules about what the gift has to be.
Shawn and Leah also tell you about the broadway-like events they witnessed. Believe and the Golden Mickeys were great fun! Rum tasting left them tipsy, but happy. Castaway Cay and Grand Cayman Island were beautiful to see. The crystal cave tour was a sight to behold, although the tour felt rushed. Pirate Day, and Marvel Day at Sea were fun to experience.
This week's podcast promos: Modern Musicology, ESO Patreon, Monkeeing Around, Monster Attack, Tales from Hollywoodland
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Not Packed, But Ready To Go! 315
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Thursday Feb 29, 2024
Talking about our first cruise together. This is Shawn's very first cruising experience. Leah has been on several. While this episode has a heavy focus on travel, there are several other topics covered as well!
One of Leah's favourite parts of going on a cruise -- multiples stops and visits in one trip. Seeing a good amount of different places on the same vacation is rather enticing. Shawn is excited to see a new part of the world. A major factor in travel are the airports. Layovers can be a challenge. Leah believes a longer layover is not necessarily a bad thing. Longer layovers afford you the opportunity to wander the airport, go to the bathroom, and make your way across the terminal without missing your connecting flight.
In 2 months we will be going to Las Vegas to get married. Our original honeymoon plan was to fly to Hawaii. However, we have decided to explore California in a rental car. We have not packed for our trip this weekend, but we do know what we are bringing to both Florida and Vegas. We are not packed, but ready to go, yes we are!
This episode comes out on Leap Day. Leah's dad's wedding anniversary is on February 29th. He thinks it is hilarious that he only has to celebrate once every 4 years. Shawn and Leah talk about their first Valentine's Day date and what an experience that was.
Leah recently had a root canal and some fillings. She is now awaiting a crown. Travel is expensive, and their is discussion about credit card debt, pensions and retirement money, and only living once so you may as well enjoy it.
Shawn and the boys from the Epsilon Three podcast recently wrapped up their review of Babylon 5's final season. This has a fun tie-in to emotion. Leah does not think Shawn is expressive and she's definitely correct.
This week's podcast promo: The Flopcast
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Public Displays of Affection - 314
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Wednesday Feb 14, 2024
Public displays of affection is the topic on this special Valentine's Day release!
This is episode 314 so naturally we talk about pie. Why pie? 3.14 is the basic formula for pi. That's something to do with math and circles. Shawn and Leah joke about doing an entire episode about pi and pie. This is not that episode.
Next up is a brief review of the movie I.S.S. From its website, a brief description:
Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station (I.S.S.) as a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the US and Russian astronauts aboard each receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite brings together a stellar cast including Academy Award®-winner Ariana DeBose in this high-stakes space thriller.
Did Shawn and Leah enjoy the movie? This episode of the Soul Forge Podcast has that answer, and many others!
Leah will be having a root canal in the near future. That procedure will require a 3 hour drive to Sudbury. As if we didn't have enough travel planned. Upcoming trips include a Disney cruise in March, an Easter visit to Milwaukee in April and a flight to Vegas in May for the wedding.
For some reason we are talking coffee. And smoothies.
The main topic of conversation is public displays of affection. While visiting Traverse City recently, Shawn and Leah were stopped by strangers more than once. It turns out that PDA is rare in northern Michigan. We were looking for antiques and hot wheels. And we made quite the impression with our hand holding. We're precious! Do you hold hands in public? Let us know at soulforgepodcast@gmail.com
This week's podcast promo: Epsilon Three
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Sticks and Stones - 313
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Wednesday Jan 31, 2024
Sticks and stones may break our bones, but words can hurt just as much. Sometimes they hurt more. This week, Gaelyn, the owner of Amore joins Shawn for an intimate chat. Amore is Sault Ste. Marie's premier adult toy shop. You can find them at 331 Korah Road.
As Shawn walked into Amore to record this episode with Gaelyn, he overhead something about a human auction. The better part of valour suggested that he wait until the conversations was over before asking anything about it. Turns out there will be a fun fundraiser. The human auction is to raise money for the Scarlet Affair Annual Drag Show. This is a fund raising event for Harp and families or individuals that have been affected by HIV or AIDS. Tickets are on sale at Amore for the event.
So essentially, there will be a celebrity auction to raise funds. The event will be held on February 17, at the Soo Moose Lodge. You can bid for a date with a local celebrity. The date will be held a month later. These dates will be in a public space for safety reasons. Jay's Piston Broke Pub and Amore's St Patrick's Day fashion show is where the dates will be taking place.
There are some new products coming into the shop! The emojibator comes in many different shapes and styles. As stated on their website: The most evocative emoji of all, and our most popular toy, the Eggplant Emojibator is the ultimate party starter. Inspired by the eggplant emoji, this adorable toy offers 10 vibration patterns in a waterproof design that's safe for bath and shower play. It will leave you buzzing all night long, and will never leave your texts unread.
Sticks and stones are often less hurtful than words. It is still possible to get bullied after leaving school. Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort. Bullying can take the form of physical contact, words, or more subtle actions. The bullied individual typically has trouble defending him or herself and does nothing to “cause” the bullying.
Different types of bullying
There are many different types of bullying:
The different types of bullying
Verbal bullying
Name calling, teasing, putting someone down, threatening to cause someone harm.
Physical bullying
Poking, hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, tripping or pushing someone, breaking someone’s things, pulling faces or making rude hand signals.
Social bullying
Lying, spreading rumours, playing horrible jokes, leaving someone out on purpose, embarrassing someone in public.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is using technology like email, mobile phones, chat rooms or networking sites to hurt someone by sending hurtful messages, pictures or comments
This week's podcast promo: Earth Station Who
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Attacked By Monsters - 312
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Thursday Jan 25, 2024
Awesome feedback received this week! Jim from the Monster Attack podcast wrote in to say he is listening. There has been much sickness in the house, but that has not stopped us from making plans and doing the things!
From Jim we learned that our show is engaging and enjoyable. Shawn and Leah have great chemistry and this is apparent when listening. Jim will keep on listening--there are a lot of episodes to catch up on. We will be listening to his Monster Attack podcast.
Everyone in our house has been down with the sickness the last month. We are on the road to recovery, but it is taking longer than expected. Shawn even called in sick to work and that is quite a rarity. There was a recent birthday dinner. Curtis, one of Shawn's brothers, had a birthday in December and this past week, the 3 brothers were able to mesh their schedules and go to Chuck's Roadhouse to celebrate.
Bathroom renovations have been on hold. The leaky sink has sunk our motivation to continue. We are however, planning a cruise, a visit to Milwaukee for Easter, and a trip to Traverse City this weekend. Some time away is required after being sick and taking care of Shawn's dad. There are some fun plans for the next few months!
Check out our Etsy shops! Leah's store can be found by searching Collect and Cast On. Shawn's store is Rusted Robot Toys.
This week's podcast promo: Monster Attack
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