Mark Explains [the universe]

Some might call it fate, others might call it coincidence, but meeting Jesse & Rachel a month ago was pure magic. I'm humbled to call them friends.  Name is Jesse Delavern and love all things fitness. I worked In The fitness industry for 9 years before starting my professional career in medical sales. I worked in the industry for 5 years and realized I was not being fulfilled and gave it all up to follow my passion in fitness. My wife Rachael and I are now the owners of Gnarly Fit Gym and Apparel which launched in March of 2023 and are striving to build a brand that embodies hard work and following your passion. **NOISE WARNING** there are periodic loud noises in this episode. *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Muscle Man Music Company is the brain child of two fitness enthusiasts who had a great conversation over too many beers that had evolved into the grassroots company of fun it is today. Specializing in fitness festivals and nonprofit events, DJ Rhabdo and MC Hammercurl want to help make these events what they should be: easy, fun, and a party where everyone is invited. MC Hammercurl is Dennis Farney and the voice of MMMCo. He loves working on his home with his wife and his dog, Lulu. His favorite lift is the deadlift. DJ Rhabdo is Kenny (he has no first name) and is the soul of MMMCo. He loves disc golf, his dog Klaus, and his favorite lift is bench press. *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Had a great conversation with my good friend Myles Barlow. Myles is a Veteran, and 4th year Medical Student at MSUCOM   *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

I was honored this week to sit down with my old friend Corey Baker as we had an incredible conversation about his views on life.  Corey is a husband, father, dad, cubs fan and former pastor. He currently works as a transformation coach dedicated to helping people that want to reinvent themselves.  You can contact him through his website www.thecoreybaker.com  Also make sure to listen in on his podcast Chasing Better. *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

My dear friend Tom Fifer joins me on this interesting episode where we discuss life and death, and all the things in between. Please note, this is a heavier podcast, do what you need to do to feel safe, or reach out to us if you need  help or support. We are all in this together.  *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

World travelers and outdoor enthusiasts, Brandie (38) and Nate (44), get in their feels as they prepare for the most foreign and adventurous journey they've ever embarked: parenthood. From symptoms, hormone driven emotions and childhood backstories this couple explores their hopes for their child's future amidst the challenges 2023 (and beyond) holds.   *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Nicole studied psychology because humans and their behavior fascinate her and she wanted to better understand herself. This was the beginning of a lifelong adventure of self-discovery which led to travel worldwide. Wherever Nicole goes she finds herself in interesting conversations with others. She created the Wise Human podcast as a space where she and guests share their authentic human experience and what they've learned along the way, with the intention to inspire others to live fully in their truth, unapologetically. Nicole feels most free when she is outside, traveling, and connecting with others. She is a certified yoga instructor, meditation guide, and host of the Wise Human podcast. Lucie graduated from the University of Michigan with Summa Cum Laude honors and quickly got scooped up into the corporate world. It wasn’t long before she decided to ditch the cube and leave her comfy corporate career to go against all odds and pursue her passion of horses. There’s not a single day that goes by where she has regretted taking that leap of faith and trusting her instincts. Lucie currently owns and operates High Vibe Trail Rides, an extremely successful public trail riding company that provides trail rides, meditation rides as well as empowering weekend retreats. Lucie is a spiritual teacher who credits all of her success to the simple practices of daily morning meditation, creative visualization and journaling gratitudes each night. Spending time with Luce is always an energetic breath of fresh air and an exciting adventure ready to unfold. *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Perennial guests Amnestie Lillian Tate VerDuin and Jenn Vanderploeg join me in a special episode highlighting each of their pieces in this ArtPrize 2022.  Gateway in the Garden (by Amnestie): "I want to create a large-scale woodcut featuring floral elements, botanical plants, animals, pollinators, etc. local to Michigan and more specifically the city of Grand Rapids. Wood-carving takes lots of small cuts, planning, adjusting...there is something very organic about the process that parallels so heavily in my mind to nature and life. I think it would be beautiful to create and carve this piece over the course of the event and in front of viewers. Once the carving is complete, I hope to print the piece in front of the public as well." Ascension (by Jenn): "Who doesn't feel a thrill with freshly fallen snow? This Friesian Stallion is exuberantly enjoying a romp in the deep MI snow! This 54"x72"x2" painting is representational of my favorite style of painting; impactful, playful and uplifting to view! The horse is a symbol of spirit, freedom and strength; Just as strong as they are soft and connecting. They teach us to be mindful, present and to enjoy the moment!"   *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast  

Julie joins us again as we sit down with one of my greatest friends and talk about politics, student loans, fitness, nutrition, and just about everything else. Jason has degrees in Human Resources management and nursing. He is a nurse manager at a rehab facility in East Lansing, MI. His interests include CrossFit, nutrition, guitar, and travel *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

My dear friend Kelly Carbary is a 16-year Michigan Army National Guard (MIARNG) veteran who has now begun a different path in her military career. In 2006 Kelly enlisted as an army supply specialist and transitioned to the dark side to become an army commissioned officer in 2010; commissioning from the University of Michigan as an army aviator. She pushed herself through many challenges in her military career, to include successfully passing Airborne School, Air Assault School, SERE School, and obtaining a commercial pilot certificate for rotor wing aircraft in the UH-60 A/L/M Black Hawk. But her story doesn’t stop there! Influenced by her grandfather’s resilience and grit, and by her time as a military leader, she decided to embark down a road towards working in another difficult career – Medicine. She will graduate from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in 2023 as an Osteopathic Physician, and she has goals to stay in the MIARNG as a flight surgeon. Listen as she explains her story, all while encouraging everyone to be kind to themselves because too often we are strong and kind to others, but we sometimes forget to do the same for ourselves. Peace. Love. COM. *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Julie Lynn is a Michigan native, current Chicago resident, and a long time friend of mine. It was an absolute blast having Julie return to the podcast as we talk about the list of questions I have compiled for doing podcast with strangers. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did   *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Ayda is a Resident Pediatrician, Michigan native and recent transplant to Santa Barbara, CA. She is the daughter of Iranian immigrants, a fitness fanatic, and has an intense drive for adventure in life... especially roller blading! You can find her on Instagram @alalayda  *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

In this episode, a great friend of mine Ben Schartow sat down with me and we got to discuss some of the deep philosophical questions regarding faith and those who hold those questions deeply. This was a conversation I'm so honored to have recorded, as we navigated some dense conversation.  Benjamin is an an energetic, hard working, and a loyal professional with many years of experience in leadership, sales, public speaking, and administration. He was a founding member with a team that began Journey Life Church in Holt, MI. Benjamin then began and successfully pastored Realife Student Ministries for 14 years. During this time he also launched Building Twentyone, a non profit teen center supporting 6th - 12th grade students after school in a safe space with opportunities to incite passion and purpose. He is currently the Family Pastor at Journey Life Church while still serving the community as the Executive Director of Building Twentyone.  TW/CW: religion, the gospel, faith *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

I got to sit down with one of my best friends Terrence O'Neil and we talked about all things real estate and fitness. Terrence has been in Real Estate since Jan 2018. When he isn’t helping clients buy or sell you can find him working out, and coaching CrossFit at Rogue River CF in Rockford, MI. To learn more or work with him you can find him on Instagram @GRFitRealtor.  *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Mark & Ashlen talk about the leaked supreme court document which discusses the overturning of Roe vs. Wade.  TW: Rape, incest *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Deb has been a great friend of mine for the past decade. From Deb: "They call me Big D or DLove. Lover of women…. Seeker of truth and justice, fighting for equality in a country built to strive from inequality But seriously Deborah Mitchell. Married to the most amazing woman LeChele Parris with three amazing children and an adorable pup. Originally from the thumb been in Lansing for 22 years. Working at the Michigan Indigent Defense Commission." *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

My good friend Andy Bailey joins me for a couple hours of complete nonsense, and I couldn't be more thankful for the dialog. Guaranteed to be a great time.  *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact us with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

We are just so honored to have our good friend Matt Beal back on the show to continue these conversations around Mental Health. Matthew S. Beal is a Ph.D. candidate in practical theology at Boston University School of Theology and a licensed psychotherapist with experience in crisis counseling, pastoral counseling, and outpatient therapy for major mental health disorders. His research at the intersection of psychology and theology engages feminist and womanist gender theory, poststructuralism, ethnography, trinitarian theology, and psychoanalytic theory. His dissertation develops a pastoral theology for liberating men from toxic masculinities. You can reach him with any questions you might have or just to say hi or thanks at mbeal.logos@gmail.com *TW/CW: Rape, sexual abuse, religious abuse. Please do what you need to stay safe.  *Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)* *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

How would humanity respond if we found proof of Aliens beyond Earth? This is the topic of conversation today as 2 of my great friends Chase Smith and Tom Fifer join me to dive into some great questions. We talk about the latest science in astronomy and astrophysics, and also how to view our faith through different perspectives.  Chase is a worship pastor, student ministry pastor, and an all-the-time podcaster. In 2018 he founded Press Play Podcasts. Check it out at pressplaypodcasts.com Tom is one of the hosts of the Podcast Unravelling with Tom and Pete, and has frequented the Mark Explains Podcast. He brings so much to our conversations, make sure to check out his podcast wherever you listen.  *Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)* *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast

Mark and Ash talk about how Mark just got a vasectomy. As well as Cobra Kai, and simulation theory and a dozen other ridiculous things.  You can find this episode of Mark Explains Podcast on iTunes, Spotify, or wherever you normally listen to your podcasts.  *Please be advised, there is some language in this episode that some might find offensive (but we don't)* *All music scored by host or royalty free* Please contact Mark with any questions, or just to say hi! markjayshortt@yahoo.com  IG: @Mark.Explains FB: @markexplainspodcast