Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our sixth and final discussion of a specific influence: our politics. As discussed in the episode, while religion may intuitively seem to be a more powerful influence on people's lives than politics, that may not be the case. As host Mike Marcella notes, politics has the potential to affect so many different aspects of our lives, and as a result, is a nearly omnipresent influence. And because of this, it's very powerful, especially when combined with religion. Also like religion, it is an influence made up of all our other influences, which synergistically combine to make it a force in our lives. Another similarity with religion is that this one also requires two episodes to cover, so today's episode will be part one of a two-part series. Enjoy, and please try not to get overly butthurt! And if you enjoy the podcast, please don't forget that most of the important program updates, news and additional content are all shared on our social platforms , so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Self-defense motivations for gun ownership: https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/11/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/#:~:text=2Protection%20tops%20the%20list,8%25)%20are%20major%20reasons (https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/05/11/key-facts-about-americans-and-guns/#:~:text=2Protection%20tops%20the%20list,8%25)%20are%20major%20reasons ) Your guns are more likely to be stolen than to be used in defense of your home: https://www.atf.gov/file/142186/download (https://www.atf.gov/file/142186/download) https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-15.xls (https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/tables/expanded-homicide-data-table-15.xls) Jim Jefferies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rR9IaXH1M0 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rR9IaXH1M0) Data on the danger of guns and the potential for tighter restrictions to reduce gun violence: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5801608/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5801608/) https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm (https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/injury.htm) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700838/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4700838/)

Welcome to our fourth edition of The Clean Thinkers monthly theme-based podcasts, and this one is all about August's theme: Our Authentic Self! In this episode we're talking all about who we are, our real, true, objective self underneath it all. Underneath all the subjective "oughttas" telling us who we should be and skewing us away from our authentic selves. In this episode, host Mike Marcella also details the new corporate training being offered by The Clean Thinkers, with a focus on diversity & inclusion, which will help companies become more successful and help their employees become more successful by teaching acceptance, understanding, and collaboration through the lens of Clean Thinking. Check it out, and if you think this training sounds right for your company, please reach out and let us know! And if you enjoy the podcast, please don't forget that most of the important program updates, news and additional content are all shared on our social platforms , so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Biological basis of sexual orientation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25172350/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25172350/) https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/massive-study-finds-no-single-genetic-cause-of-same-sex-sexual-behavior/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/massive-study-finds-no-single-genetic-cause-of-same-sex-sexual-behavior/) Chances of dying from all sorts of shit: https://www.businessinsider.com/death-risk-statistics-terrorism-disease-accidents-2017-1 (https://www.businessinsider.com/death-risk-statistics-terrorism-disease-accidents-2017-1)

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our sixth discussion of a specific influence: part 2 of our religion. If you found the first episode a little uncomfortable, this one is going to be akin to watching Basic Instinct with grandma. After introducing the topic of religion in the last episode and touching on some of the less serious potential detriments, in this episode host Mike Marcella discusses some of the more serious and impactful problems that come about when we forget the essential subjectivity of our religious beliefs, namely the expectation that others accommodate our pro-life stance as it relates to abortion. Mike then goes on to detail how this viewpoint is not serving anyone and is not adding value to anyone's lives. The episode closes with a reflection on the good and bad of religion and how through Clean Thinking, the bad can be mitigated while the good can be extracted. If you enjoy the podcast, please don't forget that most of the important program updates, news and additional content are all shared on our social platforms , so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Pregnancy Stress and Its Effects on Children: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528810/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2528810/) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499279/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4499279/) Ties Between Religiosity and Belief in Conspiracy Theories: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211368118301050 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S2211368118301050) https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-people-believe-conspiracy-theories/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/why-people-believe-conspiracy-theories/) Relationship Between Prejudice and Opposition to Same-Sex Marriage: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665159/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5665159/) Relationship Between Fear of Ambiguity, Tendency Toward Being Prejudiced, and Religion: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103113000991 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103113000991) https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/research-states-that-prejudice-comes-from-a-basic-human-need-and-way-of-thinking.html (https://www.psychologicalscience.org/news/releases/research-states-that-prejudice-comes-from-a-basic-human-need-and-way-of-thinking.html) Religion and Self-Image: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797611427045 (https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797611427045 )

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our fifth discussion of a specific influence: our religion. This is definitely a touchy one and personal for many, so enter at your own risk. Host Mike Marcella tries his absolute best to discuss the topic from an objective perspective with a focus on religion's potential to act as a negative influence on our thinking, while still giving it its due credit, but some may take offense nonetheless. If so, whattya gonna do? This is a pretty big topic to cover, so this is the first episode of a 2-part series on the topic. If you don't like the content from part 1, then tuning into part 2 is probably not in your best interest, but we hope you do, since there is much to learn about the topic and its effects on our thinking when viewed from an objective perspective. As mentioned in the episode, if sign up for our weekly newsletter The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://thecleanthinkers.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92ed7de7a83b0f0df0d5e3962&id=319d10b424&fbclid=IwAR1PDcuc6QBmV4Jv-Yp0xldgyCX3YjmUmkuRM6yierxa1uDFEg6OwmSc1kU (here), you will be granted free access to June's Deep Dive & Practica, which is a monthly video series where we take a deep dive (hence the name) into The Clean Thinkers' monthly theme, and then go through a practical application (hence the name again) of clean thinking techniques to situations related to the monthly theme. June's theme is Career & Business, and the lessons that can be learned can be applied to just about anyone's career or business. And don't forget that most of the important program updates and news are shared on our social platforms as well, so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Potentially habitable planets: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/abc418 (https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.3847/1538-3881/abc418) Familial influence of religiosity throughout life: https://www.pewforum.org/2016/10/26/links-between-childhood-religious-upbringing-and-current-religious-identity/ (https://www.pewforum.org/2016/10/26/links-between-childhood-religious-upbringing-and-current-religious-identity/) Role of genetics on religious beliefs / correlation between personality & religious beliefs https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-born-to-be-religious/ (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-born-to-be-religious/) Benefits of religious beliefs on grief processing https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC116607/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC116607/)

Welcome to our third edition of The Clean Thinkers monthly theme-based podcasts, and this one is all about July's theme: relationships! Since we just finished an episode about our friends & family influence - which are some of the most critical relationships in our lives - it makes sense to follow up with an episode all about relationships. And in this episode, we're going to talk about "those to whom we're responsible," which means our dependents and our partners. In the episode, host Mike Marcella talks about his own experiences in parenting his children - one of whom is with his wife Kelly, and another from a previous relationship - and the unique challenges that presents, along with ways that Clean Thinking can make it easier. Mike also talks about his relationship with Kelly and how Clean Thinking has helped them to successfully manage Mike's transition from working full-time in an office, to being a stay-at-home, startup owner dad, and Kelly's transition from being a full-time mom & full-time business owner, to the sole breadwinner with shared parenting duties. Although this episode primarily focuses on parenting and relationships between spouses, it still offers universal takeaways that can be valuable for anyone. By the way, and as mentioned in last week's episode, if you head over to www.drinkaktion.com and sign up for a monthly coffee subscription, you'll receive a coupon code after checkout for a free 1-month membership with The Clean Thinkers at The Clean level, a $100 value. Head over to get some awesome coffee and start working on your IMMACULATE Mind! Most of the important program updates and news are shared on our social platforms as well, so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)!

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our fourth discussion of a specific influence: our friends & family. This is our first discussion of an external influence and if you're planning on listening along with a friend or family member, you might want to wait until you're alone! Host Mike Marcella opens with another verbal thrashing of the bland and uninspiring genre of adult contemporary music and goes on to detail all of the ways that our friends and family can act as subjective influences in our lives, both for better or worse, and purposely or accidentally. He then goes on to describe how we might go about managing the potential detriments of those influences, while focusing on and nurturing those relationships that are valuable to us. As mentioned in the episode, if you head over to www.drinkaktion.com and sign up for a monthly coffee subscription, you'll receive a coupon code after checkout for a free 1-month membership with The Clean Thinkers at The Clean level, a $100 value. Head over to get some awesome coffee and start working on your IMMACULATE Mind! And to learn even more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://thecleanthinkers.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92ed7de7a83b0f0df0d5e3962&id=319d10b424&fbclid=IwAR1PDcuc6QBmV4Jv-Yp0xldgyCX3YjmUmkuRM6yierxa1uDFEg6OwmSc1kU (here). Most of the important program updates and news are shared on our social platforms as well, so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Evolutionary benefits of groups: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781880/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781880/)

Welcome to our third edition of Dirty Talk, where we're going to stick with last week's topic of past experiences, sort of. We're going to be talking about COVID again, but from the context of how things were handled, how we the citizenry then responded, and most importantly, what we can take away from this experience to help improve our thinking and decision-making in the future. We’re then going to talk about the struggles many businesses are having in finding workers after COVID and use that topic to discuss two concepts we’ll cover in detail later in the program: blaming and perspective. Specifically, we're going to talk about how it's important to consider other perspectives, along with the pitfalls of blaming and directing our attention outwards. As noted in the episode, The Clean Thinkers book Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk Volume 1 is available as an audiobook narrated by Mike, and can be purchased through https://www.audible.com/pd/Dirty-Thoughts-Lets-Talk-Volume-1-Audiobook/B093TBPFPH?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-255247&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_255247_rh_us (Audible), https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Thoughts-Lets-Talk-Introduction/dp/B093T9WWHT/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mike+marcella&qid=1620136668&sr=8-1 (Amazon), or https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/dirty-thoughts-lets-talk-volume-1-introduction-influences/id1565824874 (iTunes). Please go check it out to ensure you have the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking available in an easy-to-reference format! And to learn even more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://thecleanthinkers.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92ed7de7a83b0f0df0d5e3962&id=319d10b424&fbclid=IwAR1PDcuc6QBmV4Jv-Yp0xldgyCX3YjmUmkuRM6yierxa1uDFEg6OwmSc1kU (here). Most of the important program updates and news are shared on our social platforms as well, so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Viruses travel on saliva droplets – not in isolation – and they’re HUGE compared to O2 and CO2 molecules: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0388.focus (https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0388.focus) https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0560 (https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0560 ) Once again, masks work, homies: https://files.fast.ai/papers/masks_lit_review.pdf (https://files.fast.ai/papers/masks_lit_review.pdf ) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9 ) Review of overall vaccine safety: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00372/full (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00372/full ) Moderna Vaccine Research Summary: https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2035389/suppl_file/nejmoa2035389_research-summary.pdf (https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2035389/suppl_file/nejmoa2035389_research-summary.pdf) Pfizer Vaccine Research Summary: https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577/suppl_file/nejmoa2034577_research-summary.pdf (https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577/suppl_file/nejmoa2034577_research-summary.pdf ) Chances of dying from all sorts of shit: https://www.businessinsider.com/death-risk-statistics-terrorism-disease-accidents-2017-1 (https://www.businessinsider.com/death-risk-statistics-terrorism-disease-accidents-2017-1 ) All unemployment and wage data taken from: https://edd.ca.gov/ (https://edd.ca.gov/ )

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our third discussion of a specific influence: our past experiences. The episode begins in a familiar fashion, with some lighthearted humor with the intent to illustrate the pervasiveness of yet another past experience. Host Mike Marcella then goes on to detail the many different ways that past experience can influence our thinking, and beyond that, how it can influence who we are. From there, Mike walks us through a hypothetical example where one's education could actually lead to the incorrect conclusion, and further explains how that process can become a bad habit if not kept in check. As noted in the episode, The Clean Thinkers book Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk Volume 1 is available as an audiobook narrated by Mike, and can be purchased through https://www.audible.com/pd/Dirty-Thoughts-Lets-Talk-Volume-1-Audiobook/B093TBPFPH?source_code=AUDFPWS0223189MWT-BK-ACX0-255247&ref=acx_bty_BK_ACX0_255247_rh_us (Audible), https://www.amazon.com/Dirty-Thoughts-Lets-Talk-Introduction/dp/B093T9WWHT/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=mike+marcella&qid=1620136668&sr=8-1 (Amazon), or https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/dirty-thoughts-lets-talk-volume-1-introduction-influences/id1565824874 (iTunes). Please go check it out to ensure you have the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking available in an easy-to-reference format! And to learn even more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://thecleanthinkers.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92ed7de7a83b0f0df0d5e3962&id=319d10b424&fbclid=IwAR1PDcuc6QBmV4Jv-Yp0xldgyCX3YjmUmkuRM6yierxa1uDFEg6OwmSc1kU (here). Most of the important program updates and news are shared on our social platforms as well, so please give us a follow on http://www.facebook.com/TheCleanThinkers (Facebook), http://www.instagram.com/thecleanthinkers (Instagram), http://www.linkedin.com/company/the-clean-thinkers (LinkedIn), and http://www.twitter.com/Clean_Thinkers (Twitter)! Sources used in podcast: Statistical Learning: https://www.pnas.org/content/117/37/22760.short?rss=1 (https://www.pnas.org/content/117/37/22760.short?rss=1) Roots of personality: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00522.x (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-6494.1996.tb00522.x) Big Five Personality Traits: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/big-5-personality-traits (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/big-5-personality-traits) Generalization: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00652/full (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00652/full) Inaccuracy of memory: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1041608097900029 (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1041608097900029) Increase in memory inaccuracy over time: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11409-019-09206-7 (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11409-019-09206-7)

Welcome to our second edition of Dirty Talk, where we're going to be recounting a tale of juvenile grand theft auto in great detail, and will maybe learn a thing or two about the basics of automobiles, junkyard practices, and the potential pitfalls of bad parenting. The tale itself is extremely entertaining, but more importantly than that, it is relevant to Clean Thinking in many ways, since numerous influences contributed to host Mike Marcella's choice to steal a car in the first place. The episode finishes with some reflection on the value of updating one's viewpoints when presented with new and better information, said reflection accomplished through Mike's evolving viewpoints on automobiles from Tesla, and electric vehicles in general. Don't forget that membership signups with The Clean Thinkers are now live at www.thecleanthinkers.com. Please go check it out to find out which membership level is right for you! To learn more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette here: https://mailchi.mp/thecleanthinkers/the-clean-thinkers-immaculate-heralded-independent-gazette-volume-6 (https://mailchi.mp/thecleanthinkers/the-clean-thinkers-immaculate-heralded-independent-gazette-volume-6) Check out details on my beloved Dodge Raider here: https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1840861/7-suvs-1980s-you-just-dont-see-anymore/ (https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1840861/7-suvs-1980s-you-just-dont-see-anymore/)

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our second discussion of a specific influence: our feelings. Nothing more than feelings The episode begins with an overview of the influence and the conflict it can present in our thinking. Host Mike Marcella then talks about the three main ways that subjective feelings can affect our objective decision-making capabilities, utilizing a cheap rip-off of shitty holiday film, some real-life accounts of car thievery, and a hypothetical situation in which we imagine we're afraid of dogs. He then goes on to describe the evolutionary why and how our feelings affect our rational minds in the first place. This one is definitely not to be missed if you're interested in the journey to Clean Thinking! And don't forget to check out Mike's Interview on The Curious Jones podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-curious-jones-podcast/id1515070509?i=1000524389106&fbclid=IwAR0tPDX_jROVoxwtt-tMnL3ZHB_m1dt_Z_wdN6lgO4lu_WJmYADWC2p7C1E (here)! To learn more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://thecleanthinkers.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=92ed7de7a83b0f0df0d5e3962&id=319d10b424&fbclid=IwAR1PDcuc6QBmV4Jv-Yp0xldgyCX3YjmUmkuRM6yierxa1uDFEg6OwmSc1kU (here). If you don't want to wait to learn all about The Clean Thinkers program, please head over to our website https://www.thecleanthinkers.com/ebooks/dirty-thoughts-lets-talk-volume-1 (here) to pick up your copy of our introductory book Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk Volume 1: Introduction and The Influences on Our Thinking. And also don't forget that The Clean Thinkers membership signups go live on Tuesday June 1st! Sources used in podcast: Comorbidities and associated issues with depression: https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02546-8 (https://bmcpsychiatry.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12888-020-02546-8) The finite processing power of the brain: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17279852/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17279852/) Reduction of brain’s processing power through excess effort: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856320/?report=reader (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3856320/?report=reader )

Welcome to our second edition of The Clean Thinkers monthly theme-based podcasts, and this one is all about June's theme: career & business! This episode revolves around one of the most important concepts in all of Clean Thinking, which is the ability to recognize the differences between subjective information and objective information. It also focuses on another critical concept, which is understanding the effect motivated reasoning can have on our interpretation of objective information and how easy it is for us to skew a given collection of information so it fits a predefined narrative. Host Mike Marcella shares a tale from his professional life, where he allowed this to happen in his former career. Although the detriments may not have been that substantial in this instance, normalizing the practice of treating the subjective as objective has the potential to become a major issue in our lives. Have a listen to see just how easily we can allow our professional and personal lives to influence one another in potentially harmful ways. To learn more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://mailchi.mp/thecleanthinkers/the-clean-thinkers-immaculate-heralded-independent-gazette-volume-3 (here). If you don't want to wait to learn all about The Clean Thinkers program, please head over to our website https://www.thecleanthinkers.com/ebooks/dirty-thoughts-lets-talk-volume-1 (here) to pick up your copy of our introductory book Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk Volume 1: Introduction and The Influences on Our Thinking. Sources used in podcast: German energy grid in 2017: https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/en/documents/publications/studies/Stromerzeugung_2017_e.pdf (https://www.ise.fraunhofer.de/content/dam/ise/en/documents/publications/studies/Stromerzeugung_2017_e.pdf) US energy grid in 2017: https://www.epa.gov/energy/about-us-electricity-system-and-its-impact-environment (https://www.epa.gov/energy/about-us-electricity-system-and-its-impact-environment) https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/electricity-in-the-us.php (https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/electricity/electricity-in-the-us.php) IFO Study on Vehicle emissions https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/sd-2019-08-sinn-karl-buchal-motoren-2019-04-25.pdf (https://www.ifo.de/DocDL/sd-2019-08-sinn-karl-buchal-motoren-2019-04-25.pdf) Updated Swedish study: https://www.ivl.se/download/18.14d7b12e16e3c5c36271070/1574923989017/C444.pdf (https://www.ivl.se/download/18.14d7b12e16e3c5c36271070/1574923989017/C444.pdf)

In this week's episode, we're back to talking about the tenets and principles of Clean Thinking and we're doing so via our first discussion of a specific influence: our self-interest, the King of the Lizard Brain. The episode begins with an overview of the influence, its evolutionary roots, and the many ways it can influence our thinking, from fight-or-flight survival responses, to defense of our beliefs. Oh yes, it's involved in everything. Host Mike Marcella then walks through some ways we might go about managing specific examples of self-interest-driven thinking through Clean Thinkers' methodologies. Some of these examples of (maybe not such great choices) are sure to leave you shaking your head, enraged, or a touch of both. Either way, this episode is not to be missed if you're interested in the journey to Clean Thinking! To learn more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette https://mailchi.mp/thecleanthinkers/the-clean-thinkers-immaculate-heralded-independent-gazette-volume-3 (here). If you don't want to wait to learn all about The Clean Thinkers program, please head over to our website https://www.thecleanthinkers.com/ebooks/dirty-thoughts-lets-talk-volume-1 (here) to pick up your copy of our introductory book Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk Volume 1: Introduction and The Influences on Our Thinking. And also don't forget that The Clean Thinkers membership signups go live on Tuesday June 1st! Sources used in podcast: Neural mechanisms of belief defense: https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39589 (https://www.nature.com/articles/srep39589) Evolutionary desire for, and benefits of, groups: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685518/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4685518/) Cognitive preference for comfort: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393218303981?via%3Dihub (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0028393218303981?via%3Dihub) Evolutionary preference for avoidance of discomfort: https://www.pnas.org/content/104/30/12265?ijkey=5c9fda0f523e5702682c6c0ee4a6833bb6d725a7&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha (https://www.pnas.org/content/104/30/12265?ijkey=5c9fda0f523e5702682c6c0ee4a6833bb6d725a7&keytype2=tf_ipsecsha) https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1606/1606.08969.pdf (https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1606/1606.08969.pdf) Detriments of social media: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093386/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28093386/) Addiction-like pathways of junk food: https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2519 (https://www.nature.com/articles/nn.2519) Link between dopamine and preference for being sedentary: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29408363/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29408363/) Dangers of cell phone use while driving: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4001674/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4001674/) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710028/ (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3710028/) Rationalization techniques to accommodate being a selfish shit: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0160288 (https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0160288) Self-interest and altruism: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00199-006-0153-z (https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00199-006-0153-z) https://www.pnas.org/content/115/8/1766 (https://www.pnas.org/content/115/8/1766)

Welcome to our very first edition of Dirty Talk, where we're going to be talking about a range of topics, all of which kind of relate back to last week's theme-based episode about health & wellness! The episode begins with a dissertation on the basic vileness and unpleasantness of rodents, and not the politician kind, but real, live rodents like rats and mice. Through this tale, host Mike Marcella then discusses the general shittiness of the US healthcare and insurance industries, and then goes on to talk about COVID, masks, and vaccines. If nothing else, this episode will certainly make you cringe, probably make you laugh, and possibly make you cry. It earned a 5 of 5 on Mike's "laugh like an idiot while editing" scale, so it's one you don't want to miss! To learn more about The Clean Thinkers and to stay informed of all things happening with the program, please sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette here: https://mailchi.mp/thecleanthinkers/the-clean-thinkers-immaculate-heralded-independent-gazette-volume-2 Sources used in podcast: Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021756 (https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2021756) Masks work, homies: https://files.fast.ai/papers/masks_lit_review.pdf (https://files.fast.ai/papers/masks_lit_review.pdf) https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9 (https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(20)31142-9) Viruses travel on saliva droplets – not in isolation – and they’re HUGE compared to O2 and CO2 molecules: https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0388.focus (https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2009.0388.focus) https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0560 (https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2013.0560) Check out these amazing breweries: https://www.northparkbeerco.com/ (https://www.northparkbeerco.com/) https://www.imaginenationbrewing.com/ (https://www.imaginenationbrewing.com/) Review of overall vaccine safety: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00372/full (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00372/full) Moderna Vaccine Research Summary: https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2035389/suppl_file/nejmoa2035389_research-summary.pdf (https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2035389/suppl_file/nejmoa2035389_research-summary.pdf) Pfizer Vaccine Research Summary: https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577/suppl_file/nejmoa2034577_research-summary.pdf (https://www.nejm.org/doi/suppl/10.1056/NEJMoa2034577/suppl_file/nejmoa2034577_research-summary.pdf)

Welcome to our very first foray into The Clean Thinkers monthly theme-based podcasts, and this one is all about May's theme: health & wellness! The episode opens with a description of each theme offered throughout the year by the program and before jumping into the theme discussion, host Mike Marcella takes a quick detour to help explain the difference between a theory and a hypothesis, a concept that is important to the rest of the episode. The heart of the discussion talks about many misconceptions we hold about what is "healthy," the value of "natural," and goes on to detail ways that we can make better decisions about our health and wellness by recognizing the place of influences and subjectivity in the choices we make for ourselves and those to whom we're responsible. Sign up for and view our weekly newsletter, The IMMACULATE Heralded Independent Gazette here: https://mailchi.mp/thecleanthinkers/the-clean-thinkers-immaculate-heralded-independent-gazette-volume-2 Sources used in podcast: What is a theory? https://www.livescience.com/21491-what-is-a-scientific-theory-definition-of-theory.html  Agave syrup composition: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf3027342 Negative health effects of excess fructose consumption associated with agave syrups: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23460912/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0168827808001645 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23594708/ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12399260/ GMOs are safe: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/genetically-engineered-crops-are-safe-and-possibly-good-for-climate-change/  GMO’s environmentally beneficial: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/21645698.2020.1773198  GMOs reduce need for pesticides http://www.ask-force.org/web/Benefits/Phipps-Park-Benefits-2002.pdf

Are you ready to continue the journey to Clean Thinking and to the best version of yourself? Corresponding to Chapter 2 from the book https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0929GM6BG?pf_rd_r=544VJ1X1QFZW1T6HHHPC&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=e71c377f-5b36-4049-a50a-0561f24ee9f6&pd_rd_w=DUXV3&pd_rd_wg=dxSjf&ref_=pd_gw_unk (Dirty Thoughts? Let's Talk Volume 1: Introduction & The Influences On Our Thinking), this second episode further explores what The Clean Thinkers program is all about and details the types of content offered by program. Before delving into the program's content, however, host Mike Marcella takes you down a rabbit hole into the nature of reality itself, questioning all the things we "know" and are "certain" of. The perfect existential dread pick-me-up to accompany one's commute to work! Sources used in podcast: https://www.space.com/31562-weird-universe-revealed-in-quantum-entanglement-breakthrough.html (https://www.space.com/31562-weird-universe-revealed-in-quantum-entanglement-breakthrough.html) Fuwa, M., Takeda, S., Zwierz, M., Wiseman, H. M., & Furusawa, A. (2015). Experimental proof of nonlocal wavefunction collapse for a single particle using homodyne measurements. Nature Communications, 6(1), 6665. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms7665 Moreau, P.-A., Toninelli, E., Gregory, T., Aspden, R. S., Morris, P. A., & Padgett, M. J. (2019). Imaging Bell-type nonlocal behavior. Science Advances, 5(7), eaaw2563. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aaw2563