American Horror Story: Tom’s Kids | 2 Bears, 1 Cave

At a Glance

• Reading Habits - ‘I never read the prologue. I never read the foreword, any of that shit. It’s like, put that…If you want me to read it, call it chapter one.’ This highlights a humorous and relatable disdain for preliminary sections in books, emphasizing a preference for getting straight to the main content.

• Book Quitting Philosophy - ‘Ryan Holiday said this great thing about that one time because I was telling him about like quitting a book. And he was like, yeah, you should.’ This point underscores a practical approach to reading, suggesting it’s okay to abandon books that don’t engage, attributing responsibility to the author.

• Event Promotion - ‘I just went on sale with Boston at TD Garden and Austin at the Moody Center.’ This is significant as it shows the speaker promoting upcoming events, highlighting their active engagement in performances and connecting with audiences.

• James Mishner’s Writing - ‘Most of his books are fictional family sagas covering the lives of many generations set in geographical locales incorporating detailed history events.’ This description of James Mishner’s work emphasizes the blend of historical context with fictional storytelling, showcasing the author’s unique literary style.

• Comment on Social Media - ‘It’s like a version of a reality show. You’re like, oh my God, you see this person say this? And then people get like, yeah, they get some type of rush from that whole thing.’ This reflects on the impact of social media on society, likening it to a reality show that captivates and sometimes negatively affects people.

• Personal Anecdote about Ex-Boyfriend Photo - ‘So I took the picture down and I fucking hid it.’ This funny anecdote highlights a moment of jealousy and humor, as the speaker deals with an uncomfortable reminder of his partner’s past.

• Discussion on Body Count - ‘And they’re like, what’s mom’s body count? And I was like, this conversation’s over.’ This part of the conversation brings humor and a bit of awkwardness as it delves into personal histories, showing the speaker’s discomfort.

• Misunderstanding Historical Figures - ‘No, I watched a documentary on Cesar Chavez and then started doing research on Julio Cesar Chavez.’ This mix-up between two well-known figures named Cesar Chavez adds a humorous twist to the conversation, highlighting confusion and interest in historical research.

What to Do

• ‘Don’t feel an obligation to finish a book if it doesn’t grab your attention’ - This advice suggests that one should prioritize their enjoyment and interest when engaging with literature, rather than feeling compelled to complete something that does not resonate or provide value.

• ‘Explore your life insurance options if you have family or anybody that relies on you for their well-being’ - This emphasizes the importance of planning for the future and ensuring that loved ones are financially secure, highlighting the responsibility one holds towards their dependents.

• ‘Stay reading, but just pick up another book’ - This encourages continuous learning and exploration through reading, while also acknowledging that not every book will meet one’s needs or expectations, thus promoting flexibility in one’s reading choices.

• ‘Planning ahead is crucial in life, especially when it comes to what happens when you’re gone’ - This advice underlines the significance of being proactive about life planning, particularly in terms of preparing for events that will occur after one’s lifetime, ensuring peace of mind and security for oneself and family.

• ‘If you ever need help or guidance, they have an expert license support team to answer your questions, handle paperwork, and advocate for you throughout the process’ - This point advises seeking professional help when dealing with complex processes like insurance, which can be intricate and overwhelming, thus making the case for utilizing available resources and expert advice.

What to Get

• Liquid IV - Used for hydration and energy during travel and outdoor activities.

• Weed (Blue Dream pre-rolls, vape pens, Kiva mints) - Used for relaxation and recreational purposes during travel.

• Book about Patti Smythe/Patti Smith - Read for inspiration and enjoyment.

• James Mishner’s book ‘Hawaii’ - Read to understand the history and culture of Hawaii during travel to the location.

Summary

In this engaging podcast episode, the hosts delve into a variety of personal and relatable topics, sharing anecdotes and opinions that range from reading habits to family dynamics, and even touch on some humorous and controversial subjects.

The conversation kicks off with a discussion about reading preferences, where one of the hosts expresses his disdain for prologues and forewords in books, preferring to jump straight into the main content. This leads to a broader conversation about when it’s appropriate to quit a book if it fails to capture one’s interest, with the hosts agreeing that it’s the author’s responsibility to engage the reader. They also touch on the advice from Ryan Holiday about not feeling guilty for abandoning a book that doesn’t hold one’s attention.

The hosts then shift gears to talk about their personal lives, particularly focusing on the bittersweet feelings of seeing their children grow up and leave for college. They share their emotional struggles with this transition, discussing how it marks the end of a significant chapter in their family lives. This segment is particularly poignant as they reflect on their roles as parents and the impact they’ve had on their children’s lives.

Amidst these deeper discussions, the episode is peppered with lighter, humorous moments. For instance, they laugh about a past experience with a racially insensitive audiobook, highlighting how societal norms have changed since the book was published. They also make playful jabs at each other’s parking skills and discuss upcoming events and personal projects, keeping the tone lively and varied.

Overall, the podcast episode offers a mix of humor, heartfelt moments, and insightful commentary on everyday life and cultural shifts. It provides a candid look into the hosts’ personalities and their perspectives on a range of topics, making it a relatable and entertaining listen for anyone dealing with similar life transitions or interested in a light-hearted yet meaningful conversation.