Where There’s Smoke

May 28/2022

• 
  Sadly, my grandmother passed away this week at the age of 99. You might remember her from episode #49 of WTS: Can't Get There From Hair (Acceptance).  She was a force and I hope you take a few minutes to listen to what she has to say. Article written in 2019:  https://tntribune.com/mother-of-the-year-a-tribute-to-mrs-verleon-h-s-grant-age-98/?fbclid=IwAR223gtu-k4umJtZgWW6MkyPs5yv7OkEzS8EHrrv_AXFo6jGUpxaA3iUUa8
• 
  It is December and any show worth its weight in gold (or frankincense… or myrrh) has a Christmas episode - and WTS is definitely with its weight in tree resin. This episode comes to you in the form of two audio gifts. We even wrapped them and put them under the tree for you. We[...]
• 
  What is Halloween without the trick or treating?That is the question that started the journey of this episode. A lot of our traditions over the next few months are going to look different this year. Not just Halloween. It’s unlikely that celebrations of US Thanksgiving, Diwali, Hanukkah, or Christmas will have the same gatherings of[...]
• 
  The world is grappling with a lot of tough issues. Issues that are nuanced and layered. Issues that don’t necessarily have a right or wrong answer. Issues that demand dialogue for progress. And yet we seem to mostly be doing something else.  This week we are talking about talking. Debate vs Dialogue. Nick revisits an[...]
• 
  This week our episode is inspired by the life of Chadwick Boseman. We challenge ourselves to look at how we are showing up in the world. With all of our fears and doubts and distractions, and over corrections and under corrections, and at times just plain laziness or indifference - how many of us manage[...]
• 
  “Change is the only constant in life.” Heraclitus said that back in 500 BCE. It was true then, and 2500 years later, it is still true.  That said, there are times in life when it feels like we are in a more intense period of change. As we release this episode, it is June of[...]
• 
  This week, as the world continues to reckon with race and equality after the murder of George Floyd, we try to understand what an ally IS... and what it isn't.Brett and Nick both hold up a mirror to look at their own actions (or lack of them). And Nick has a conversation with Holliday Philips,[...]
• 
  Life moves pretty fast and, if you're not careful, it's easy to be swept away by it. (How's that for a mixed metaphor?) Anyway, today's episode asks several important questions: What would it mean to slow down? What does it mean to be mindful? Is it even possible anymore? What does any of this look[...]
• 
  This episode is a riddle, wrapped in an NBA championship, wrapped in a chance encounter, wrapped in privilege, wrapped in mashed potatoes, washed over by the ocean, and inside of a critical message for our world about humility. Our journey starts  with a celebration and a question, and ends with a celebration and a question.[...]
• 
  It's our first new Where There's Smoke episode in two years! Pliny the Elder said, “The only certainty is that nothing is certain.” In a world where nothing is certain and so much is out of our control, what options do we really have? Should we fight? Do we give up? Or is there something[...]
• 
  Author Frank Herbert once said, “There is no real ending. It’s just the place where you stop the story.” In this final episode of Season 4, Brett & Nick take a look back and ask “What is the story of Season 4?”, “Was it a success?”, and - most importantly - “What’s next?”. Thanks for[...]
• 
  If you could tell the world just one thing, what would it be? And, what impact might it have? This week, Nick explores that idea through the music of The Beatles and shows that you reap what you sow. (Spoiler alert?) Also, Brett goes straight to the source for some wisdom that we all need[...]
• 
  This 48 Hour Challenge is going to be classic. Literally. But what is classic? How do we define it? Is there a Classic version of you? And if so, what can the Classic You teach the Current You? Once again, we gathered show topic suggestions from our audience, threw them into a word randomizer, and[...]
• 
  Integrity is defined as “a state of being whole and undivided”. It is a simple concept, and yet at times, living it can be some of the hardest work we will ever do. This week we hear from Matthew Schueller about an important journey in his life - it’s his journey to integrity. We know[...]
• 
  Expression is the process of taking something from a spark of an idea through to existence. And, while there can be moments in that process that are truly amazing, it can also run us through the ringer - several times over. So, what is required of us to press our expression out into this world?[...]
• 
  We’ve all had a time or two (... or three…) where we’ve shared a secret that wasn’t ours and it comes back to his us square in the face. Sometimes, before you even think about it, you’ve let something slip out of your mouth and immediately cringe - just wishing you could jump into a[...]
• 
  The 48 Hour Challenge is back! We gathered show topic suggestions from our audience, threw them into a word randomizer, and ended up with “self-acceptance”. From there, our challenge was to research, write, and record a brand new episode in 48 hours straight (including sleep). Did we do it? Well, give it a listen and[...]
• 
  Jim Cuddy has been making music with Greg Keilor for 40 years. For the last 34 of those years, they have made up the songwriting duo for one of Canada’s most beloved and best-selling bands, Blue Rodeo. Brett sits down with Jim to talk about that partnership along with the challenges and benefits of a[...]
• 
  In the 1976 movie Network, upon being prompted by news anchor Howard Beale, people in cities all over the USA get up, open their windows, and yell, “I’m mad as hell as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore!”. It is now 2018 and people still seem mad as hell - only now,[...]
• 
  What would it take for this to be your best year ever? That said, what is a year? Is it the days between January 1st and December 31st? Or is it any 12 month span of time? And does it even matter? Are cassette tapes coming back? Could Nick rock Steve Harvey’s New Year’s Rockin’[...]
• 
  What does it mean to explore in a world where everything’s been found? That’s the question posed to Brett by Bassam Tarazi - author, entrepreneur, adventurer, and friend of the show. Bassam participated in The Mongol Rally which is plugged as “the greatest motoring adventure on the planet” - a 10,000 mile intercontinental car rally,[...]
• 
  We’ve heard it countless times before: “Beautiful minds inspire others,” “Time to inspire,”, “Get out there and inspire people”, or simply “Be inspiring.” But, despite all of what the people and posters hanging on office walls say about inpiring others, rarely does anyone tell you how to do that. How do you inspire others? Communication[...]
• 
  We are getting tragically hip this week with a story about a band, a country (Canada), and all the people in it. But, this episode is really about everyone, everywhere. So, regardless of who you are, where you live, and what listen to - there is a message here for you. Just listen and see.[...]
• 
  Halloween is coming up and that means Halloween movies and TV specials! To celebrate, Nick explores one of the earliest and most famous Halloween specials - It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown. An often overlooked element in that show is the fact that Linus must be sincere in order for the Great Pumpkin to arrive.[...]
• 
  Have you ever heard of The Golden Rule? If you have, you may realize that while it sounds nice, it has a pretty significant flaw in it. In this episode, we expose that flaw and go on an exploration to try and fix it.  We are joined in this journey by author, speaker, and fellow[...]
• 
  It’s easy to see that the world has a lot of problems right now. But as the saying goes, slightly paraphrased, ‘The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good people to do nothing’. And we don’t feel that anyone who listens to this show is interested in doing nothing. So, in[...]
• 
  Where There’s Smoke is coming back in September for their Fourth Season! In this episode you will hear all the details - launch date, frequency, etc. But first, Brett and Nick seem to have slightly different views on how exactly to launch this new season. It is not a problem unique to them. Often we[...]
• 
  This week, Nick asks himself AND the listeners a hypothetical question. If you have an answer or a thought that you'd like to share, visit www.wheretheressmoke.co and leave a Speakpipe message.  To help get you in the mood, Nick presents the first two acts from his first podcast, One Degree of Separation. These segments are now[...]
• 
  Succeeding at something isn’t just about having a good idea. That’s part of it, but there’s so much more. This week, we are talking about strategy - and breakfast - but mostly strategy. How do you take the idea you have in your brain and turn it into a successful endeavor in the real world?[...]
• 
  Brett provides an update and shares some thoughts. Listen to past episodes of Where There's Smoke at www.wheretheressmoke.co.   
• 
  Two holiday vignettes make up this week’s episode:  First, Brett peels back the veneer of the joyful and festive holiday season, to acknowledge that sometimes … Christmas sucks. But, what if that’s actually be a good thing? If you are feeling a bit blue this Christmas, or know someone who is, then this segment is[...]
• 
  How much of who we are is influenced by where we are? And what do we do if we feel our environment is draining us, instead of charging us? A year and a half ago, Brett moved from San Francisco to the suburbs of Toronto, and lately he’s wondering - well, actually he’s worried -[...]
• 
  Mahatma Gandhi never said, "The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.". But … that doesn’t mean it's not an accurate statement. This week, we explore what we can do to make a difference through service. We hear from author and speaker Jon Gordon; education leader Jim Kielsmeier; former Peace[...]
• 
  We don’t know if you’ve heard yet, but it’s Election Day in the United States of America. And that is causing many people just a bit of anxiety. So today, rather than release a new episode, we thought we could provide you with something calm, short, and packed with a smile or two to help[...]
• 
  What does it mean to be certain? Which comes first: judgement or reason? What is the difference between our differences dividing us or empowering us? And what does any of this have to do with riding an elephant? This week Nick & Brett explore the concept of certainty, as it exist in everything from our[...]
• 
  The US Presidential Election is weeks away, and while Brett and Nick initially thought they wouldn’t address it in the show, it eventually became clear there was no way around it. After all, the whole premise of Where There’s Smoke is to take pop culture and current events, and wrap it up into a conversation[...]
• 
  It’s the Season 3 premiere and Brett and Nick are asking: “Is stress really THAT bad?” To help them unpack this question they are joined by health psychologist and lecturer at Stanford University, Kelly McGonigal. Kelly’s most recent book is The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to Get Good[...]
• 
  So much of our life is going from Point A to Point B, and it is about execution, deliverables, and responsibilities. And there is an absolutely a place for that. However for our sanity, and our success, it is also important that we take breaks. And these breaks provide us with much more than just[...]
• 
  Eventually, we’re all forced to turn around and face the truth. In today’s episode, Nick shares a truth with Brett that he is having a hard time accepting and together - with some very special help - they try to get a handle on it. Where There’s Smoke is approaching the Big 5-0 (this is[...]
• 
  Do a Google search for ‘How Do I Find My Life Purpose’ and you will find a slew of articles and videos claiming to help you discover your purpose in 7 minutes … 5 minutes ….3 minutes...and even “less than 5 seconds”. But is there even a such thing or is purpose about something else[...]
• 
  Our first ever 48 Hour Challenge! We took suggestions from our listeners and this week we were assigned trauma. We’ll explore some of our own traumas, uncover what causes it, how we can cope with it, and even how we can thrive from it. And through it all, we are reminded that no matter our circumstances,[...]
• 
  All time is indeed created equal. Where it becomes unequal is in how we choose to spend it. This week’s episode started with 87 hours - 87 hours that Brett spent with his son, Radek. And those 3.5 days turned into an exploration of Quality Time: What is it, how do we create it, and[...]
• 
  Criticism seems to be running rampant in our world these days. This week, we ask some important questions: Why do we seem more interested in tearing others down than building them up? What is the deal with this plague of criticism in our world? Why do we do it? And what does it cost us?Then we[...]
• 
  It's Single-Tasking Day and we’re taking the chance to talk about all things related to “focus”. We thoroughly explore multitasking and single-tasking while trying to understand what these habits do for our efficiency and our health. Plus, we also get to the bottom of who started Single-Tasking Day in the first place! We also speak[...]
• 
  This is the second episode in our examination of truth and lies. This week we’re exploring the lies we tell ourselves. Why do we do that and how can we figure out when we’re doing it? We talk to Dr. Cortney Warren, author of the book Lies We Tell Ourselves: The Psychology of Self-Deception. She[...]
• 
  In honor of the return of Serial, this week we’re looking at Truth - well, truth and lies. Sometimes we lie for good reasons and sometimes we lie for bad ones. Which is which and why does it matter? Also, Author Scott Berkun also talks to us about The Myths of Innovation. Note: This is[...]
• 
  Where There’s Smoke is a year old and as Brett & Nick bounced around several themes for the anniversary show, everything kept pointing back to one idea: work. Yup. Work is both hard... and awesome. So this week they explore work. First, Nick shares Ira Glass’ concept of The Gap - a precarious place to be[...]
• 
  Every week, we strive to use the stories around us - news, pop culture, sports - to help make a positive change within ourselves and our listeners. With so many people emotionally impacted by the recent death of David Bowie (including us), we wanted to try and understand what we can learn from his life.[...]
• 
  New Year’s Resolutions. Around 45% of Americans will set a resolution for 2016 and by the end of January 36% will break them. Ultimately, only 8% of people who make resolutions, achieve them. Why? Well, according to a survey by the American Psychological Association, people cite the number one reason for not following through as[...]
• 
  Just what IS Christmas Spirit? Is it real? If so, how do we get it? What the heck does CWB stand for? And what’s the role of nostalgia in this whole holiday season?This week, it’s A Where There’s Smoke Christmas. Brett finds himself a little down in the dumps around Christmas, but Nick may have[...]
• 
  “Creativity is not a talent. It is a way of operating.” Those are the words of John Cleese in a talk he gave back in 1991 on Creativity. In this episode we explore the concept of Creativity. What is it? Are YOU creative? Can you be MORE creative? And how DOES creativity impact other areas[...]
• 
  Why is it so hard to ask for things? Why do we resist? Why don’t we do it when we need support? This week, Brett and Nick launch their Patreon campaign - but they process was a difficult one. First, they had to wrestle with asking their listeners for support! This led them to ask[...]
• 
  What is it about music that just takes you back to specific people, places, and moments? Well, this week, we explore how music intersects with our lives. Whether it’s playing, listening, or escaping it, music is finds a way to bury deep within us and remind us of our own stories. Nick is running this[...]
• 
  “Be so good they can’t ignore you.” That’s Steve Martin’s advice for anybody looking to be successful. We hear some form of this idea from countless actors, musicians, athletes, scientists: Do good work. This week, we attempt to unpack what “good work” truly means. We’re talking about “quality” - specifically as it pertains to situations[...]
• 
  Each day, roughly 205 billions emails are sent, 3.5 billion Facebook messages are posted, and 40 million tweets are shared. In short, we are talking, texting, tweeting, and chatting at a very high rate. But in this process of sharing so many words - both in speed and quantity - we ask: Do we treat[...]
• 
  Lulu Miller of NPR’s Invisibilia joins us this week to talk about curiosity. Well, she really wanted to talk about adventure, exploration, and discovery; but for reasons we discuss in the show, Brett just couldn’t let curiosity go. Simply by asking, “What is curiosity?”, we find ourselves confronted with another whole set of questions: How[...]
• 
  This year marks the 100th anniversary of Robert Frost’s classic poem, The Road Not Taken. Also, October 21, 2015 has become known as Back to the Future Day because it is the exact date that Doc Brown, Marty McFly, and Jennifer travel to in the movie, Back to the Future 2. Now, if you look[...]
• 
  Listeners asked and so our second season premiere covers a topic that everyone struggles with: Procrastination. Unfortunately for Brett and Nick, life quickly began to imitate art when they found themselves caught in their own web of procrastination to get the episode finished. Brett and Nick ask: Why do we put things off? Why do[...]
• 
  For the past couple of years it seems like one of the biggest buzzwords in business and entrepreneurship is “Hustle”. And most of the messaging around hustle is about “go, go, go!” - harder, faster, stronger, more. But what if that’s not the whole story? What if hustle is also about slowing down, pausing, and[...]
• 
  Whether we realize it or not, day after day, we’re asked to make meaning out of our experiences. Why did something happen? What does it mean? What kind of person am I? The kinds of meanings that we pull out of these moments will have a huge influence on how our lives take shape. In[...]
• 
  Much of life is out of our control. Often we are in situations where our level of control is small, but the impact of not having control is potentially large. And these moments can challenge our character, hamper our forward progress, or just be incredibly frustrating. This week, we talk about how you can grasp[...]
• 
  Two stories separated by two years. Two moments moved by music. Have you ever felt lost? Ever found yourself stuck in a moment where you look outside of yourself for answers? Or where an answer came from outside - even when you weren’t looking? Throughout history music has played the role of the catalyst for[...]
• 
  What if you could be more satisfied your life? Strengthen your problem-solving skills? Raise your awareness and intuition? Change your attitude about things you dislike? Be more creative? More innovative? Enjoy waiting in lines? And what if the power to affect all these things could be attained in the simple, yet powerful, process of a walk?[...]
• 
  Who do you consider wise today? Does anyone immediately come to mind? This week we explore the unexpectedly complex question: What is wisdom? Additionally, we discuss the state of wisdom today and how we can foster more of it in our world. Also, Nick & Brett pick themselves up from France’s rejection and reach out[...]
• 
  Today’s episode opens with a story about fathers and, yet, the show is just as much about mothers, grandparents, teachers, and friends as anything else. We explore several important moments to uncover the true meaning of gratitude and how we can best practice it in our lives. Also, Brett has a vulnerable conversation with Corporate[...]
• 
  Superman can’t lead for sh*t. That was a playful title in the mix as we crafted this episode on vulnerability. As you listen, you will start to understand what that means, and how vulnerability feeds creation, fuels innovation, dissolves barriers, and expands presence. This week’s episode is an exploration of vulnerability -- why it’s scary,[...]
• 
  The road to frustration is paved with good intentions. Most of us can relate to having an experience, a conversation, taking a class, reading a book, listening to a podcast - and something grabs your attention. Sometimes it can feel like a 2X4 to your forehead. And you think, “I need to make a change!”,[...]
• 
  To get from Point A to Point B - there is always a process. Sometimes it's intentional and other times it just happens. Some aspects of that process may be effective and, ultimately, help an endeavor succeed. Other steps in the process can actually be a hinderance; and slow down or derail, even the best[...]
• 
  REMEMBER to leave an iTunes Written Review for your chance to win free coaching from Brett, free consulting or editing from Nick, or a 30-second spot on the show. * * * Values guide our every decision, whether we are aware of it or not. And they also have the power to align our character, attract[...]
• 
  Experience. It’s more than Jimi Hendrix’s band. It is the thing which shapes and sculpts us throughout our lives. It is the process by which wisdom and mastery are created. This week on Where There’s Smoke we explore the value of our experiences. We dig through our desire for instant gratification to discover that perhaps[...]
• 
  Taste. What’s good? What’s bad? People often come guns blazing with their opinions on things - whether it be music, movies, art, food, or drink. But where do these ideas come from and why are they so deeply ingrained? This week on Where There’s Smoke we talk taste. Producer Nick Jaworski joins Brett as co-host[...]
• 
  Community is a living organism - it’s always changing. And while it once only existed in a physical place, now it can also exist in just space. Technology has helped communities to evolve and become global. As Nick and Brett both leave Northern California for separate destinations, we explore what community is, why it matters,[...]
• 
  Life is a series of moments and, these days, many people struggle to do two things - fully experience and fully capture their moments. And it turns out, doing both might be impossible. In this episode, we explore our modern tendency to use our smartphones to document everything around us. Then, we look to uncover a[...]
• 
  There is a saying, ‘It’s not how you start that matters, but how you finish.” But what if how you finish is, in fact, dictated by how you start? Hard to say more than that without giving something away. Miracle Morning creator and author, Hal Elrod, joins us in the second half of the show[...]
• 
  Is fear really the only thing we have to fear? In this episode we seek not to define fear, but to understand it - and, in turn, to get a better grasp on its antidote - courage. We have a conversation with consultant and speaker Brad Axelrad on the five specific fears that may be[...]
• 
  Success. Most people say they want it, and yet few know what “it” is to them. Ask most people what success means to them, and they aren’t sure. In this episode, we give you a new perspective to contemplate success - by starting with “feeling”. And we borrow an idea from a “President of the[...]
• 
  Why do we ask questions? What power do they have? And how can they help us create and shape our businesses, relationships, and lives? What would it sound like to take an exploration into the world of questions? Could we start with some famous movie quotes? Perhaps steer into historic moments? And maybe dig into:[...]
• 
  Thinking, Fast and Slow would be a great name for your mind, if it were a professional wrestling duo in the ‘80s. It is also the title of a 2011 best selling book by psychologist Daniel Kahneman which analyzes the dichotomy between two modes of thought – Intuition (System 1) and Reasoning (System 2). This[...]
• 
  Love is the still the killer app. No matter how much we innovate our strategies and advance our technology, all great leaders will tell you that caring is still at the heart of success. This week, we explore powerful concepts like kindness and support, while honoring the life of Stuart Scott - a man who[...]
• 
  "Fish discover water last” is a French Proverb. It’s meaning is that when we are completely immersed in something, we are oblivious it is there. It is only when are pulled of it, that we can see how immersed we were. This week we leap off a viral rant by Gary Vaynerchuk and discuss the[...]
• 
  Welcome to the first “extrasode” of Where There’s Smoke. These are quick episodes we produce between our full Tuesday episodes when we feel that we’ve got something to say. This week, we received an email from a listener in New Jersey commenting on our visualization episode and asking about the risks of being overly optimistic.[...]
• 
  The Breakfast Club was released into theaters 30 years ago this month. John Hughes’ classic is about five teenagers who spend a Saturday in detention and realize they are more than their respective stereotypes. As with most Hughes movies, the themes and lessons are still very relevant today. So, what can we learn from The[...]
• 
  Stories are built into our DNA. For thousands of years they have shaped cultures, religions, and whole civilization. And they may just be the answer to the age-old question, ‘Who Am I?’ In this episode of Where There’s Smoke, we explore the power of stories - their ability to help you influence others and the[...]
• 
  Imagine if you knew how something was going to end, before it started? How much more effective would you be? How much more confident?  In this episode we leap off of Malcolm Butler's post Super Bowl interview to uncover the power of preparation and visualization in life and business. How does what we think and do[...]
• 
  Sure, we could have layed up like David Simms at the US Open for Episode 4, but we’ve got too much Roy McAvoy in us. So, we are charging forward and tackling one of the biggest questions of all, “What’s the meaning of life?” The episode starts with a question from a 6-and-3/4-year-old boy, veers[...]
• 
  In this episode, we put Tom Brady forth as the main character in a show about accountability. This may ruffle the feathers of non-Patriots fans, and disengage non-sports fans; but if both can keep an open mind, we believe you will get great value. This episode will take you from Tom Brady, to comedian Mike Birbiglia,[...]
• 
  Tomorrow, January 28, is the 29th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. In this episode, Brett shares his memories of where he was when he found out, who told him, and how he felt. What it is about certain events that causes our memories to be so visceral, while others seem impossible to recall[...]
• 
  We launch Where There's Smoke into the atmosphere with an exploration of one of the hardest, and most valuable, skills in life to master - listening. The episode starts with a question: "How would Einstein have fared in today's comment culture world?" From there, it veers through the chatter in our brain, Facebook HQ, Mariah[...]

Where There’s Smoke explores self-development through the filter of current events, pop culture, and experience. We surf the zeitgeist through an array of audio clips, quotes, concepts, and conversations. In the spirit of The Daily Show and This American Life, we throw everything into an audio centrifuge that separates ‘what’ from ‘why’. You walk away with insights and actionable solutions to improve your business, relationships, and almost any area of your life.