Man Made Podcast ep. 45 Awkward Interactions

Explicit content warning

01/25/24 • 52 min

Welcome to the ManMade Podcast

This Podcast is with Shawn Helvey and Adam Thorne. Shawn is a licensed behavioral health counselor and Adam is a graduate student in behavioral health counseling. They’ve known each other for over 25 years and talk every week about the trials and tribulations of life.

Awkward interactions are like uninvited guests at the party of life; they just show up, usually at the most inopportune times. Picture this: You're in an elevator, and your brain decides it's the perfect moment to forget every social norm. You blurt out to a stranger, “Nice weather inside, isn’t it?” and immediately wish you could vanish into thin air. But fear not! The key to overcoming these cringe-worthy moments lies in embracing them with a hint of humor. Think of them as mental burpees - slightly uncomfortable but great for your social fitness. Next time you find yourself in the middle of an awkward tango, just smile and think, “Well, this will make a great story for my pet turtle!” Remember, everyone has these moments, and they’re just tiny blips in the grand scheme of things. So, laugh it off, maybe share your awkward tale with a friend, and watch how a little chuckle can turn a face-palm moment into a fun anecdote. It’s like giving your mental health a high-five!

Some resources that may be useful:

Key & Peele Friend Who Makes Everything Awkward

https://psychcentral.com/health/socially-awkward#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

Welcome to the ManMade Podcast

Some resources that may be useful:

Key & Peele Friend Who Makes Everything Awkward

https://psychcentral.com/health/socially-awkward#_noHeaderPrefixedContent

Previous Episode

Man Made Podcast ep. 44 Shallow Self Discipline

Welcome to the ManMade Podcast

Shallow self-discipline, as practiced by some life coaches, can often resemble a motivational poster that's lost its way – all flash and no substance. Imagine a life coach, armed with an arsenal of clichés, eagerly dispensing advice like a vending machine stuck on the 'inspirational quotes' setting. They often miss the mark, offering cookie-cutter solutions to deep-rooted issues. The irony is that their messages, intended to spark discipline, often lack the very depth and discipline they're preaching about. True discipline is more than just a catchy hashtag or a well-timed pep talk; it requires empathy, compassion, and understanding. It's about guiding someone through their journey with the gentleness of a friend and the wisdom of a sage. Think of it as trying to teach someone to swim by throwing them a pool noodle instead of jumping in the water with them. The best coaches dive in, ready to demonstrate each stroke with a blend of kindness and expertise, turning the daunting task of learning into an enjoyable swim in the ocean of self-improvement.

Some resources that may be useful:

Motivational Speakers

Next Episode

Man Made Podcast ep. 46 Unexpected Events

Welcome to the ManMade Podcast

Alright, picture this: You're minding your own business, living your life, when suddenly, out of nowhere, life decides to throw a curveball at you. It's like, "Hey, here's a little surprise for ya!" And it's never a good surprise, right? It's always something ridiculous that makes you go, "Really? This is what we're doing now?"

So, what do you do? You gotta deal with it, but here's the kicker—you deal with it like Bill Burr would. First, you gotta face it head-on, with that classic Burr skepticism. You look at the situation, shake your head, and say, "Oh, fantastic. What's next? Aliens landing in my backyard asking for directions to the nearest Starbucks?"

Then, you gotta laugh at it. Not just a little chuckle, but that full-on, Bill Burr-style, sarcastic laugh that says, "I can't believe this is my life right now." It's all about finding the humor in the absurdity of it all. Because, let's face it, sometimes life's just a poorly written sitcom, and you're the main character dealing with the world's most absurd plot twists.

And finally, talk about it. Rant to your friends, your family, or even to a bunch of strangers at a stand-up show if that's your thing. Turn your misfortune into a hilarious story. Because when you think about it, the best way to deal with life's unexpected punches is to punch back with a joke. And who knows? Maybe you'll end up with a bit that's so good, it'll have people rolling in the aisles, forgetting all about their own crazy life plot twists.

Some resources that may be useful:

How to recover from a bad day