The Coffee Buzz

"Empty is not absence. Empty is capacity."Welcome back to the porch. Today’s episode is a quiet one. I’ve been sitting with Verse 4 of the Tao Te Ching since before the sun came up, just watching the steam rise off my coffee and thinking about how much energy we spend trying to stay "full."We’re a culture of filling—filling our calendars, our houses, and our heads with noise. But Lao Tzu suggests that the most useful part of a cup (or a life) is actually the space inside it.In this episode, we’re untangling:The "40-Meeting Week" Trap: Why we treat silence like a problem to be solved instead of a room to breathe in.The Art of Blunting the Sharpness: Moving away from being "right" and toward being reachable.Working the Knots: Why yanking on your old resentments only makes them tighter, and how to ease them loose instead.Merging with the Dust: A reminder that we aren't standing above the world—we're made of the same stardust as the dirt under our feet.If you’ve been feeling a little "sharp" lately, or if your internal glare is a bit too bright, I hope this gives you permission to just... let it be empty for a second.Today’s Reflection:Where are you too full to receive anything new? What happens if you just sit in the "not-knowing" for the length of this episode?Thanks for sharing a cup with me.

In this episode, we sit with Verse Three from the Tao Te Ching and explore what happens when we overestimate greatness, overvalue possessions, and inherit desires that were never really ours.This verse can sound harsh at first, emptying minds, weakening ambition, creating confusion. But beneath the surface, it points to something deeply practical:How much of our striving comes from comparison?How much of what we want has been shaped by what we see others wanting?We reflect on:Why putting others on a pedestal can quietly make us feel smallerHow social media and career comparison distort our sense of “enough”The difference between ego-driven ambition and steady inner resolveWhat it means to “empty the mind and fill the core”How confusion can sometimes be the beginning of real clarityThis conversation isn’t about rejecting success or suppressing desire. It’s about gently questioning where our desires came from and whether they still belong to us.Verse Three invites us to step out of borrowed races and return to something steadier.Not what impresses.Not what competes.Not what looks good from the outside.But what feels true from the inside.“You can have resolve without ambition.You can be committed without being competitive.”Where in your life are you measuring yourself against someone else’s highlight reel?What desire might not actually be yours?What would “enough” feel like — not look like?If this episode resonated with you, consider sitting with the verse for a few days instead of moving on quickly. Let it work on you.Until next time… may your mind be empty, and your core be full. ☕

When does night become day? Where exactly does easy end and difficult begin?This week we're reading Verse Two from Stephen Mitchell's translation of the Tao Te Ching—a short passage about opposites, contrast, and why we exhaust ourselves trying to cling to only one side of life.We'll talk about mountains and valleys, cold drinks on hot days, and what it means to act without forcing.Pour some coffee. Take a breath. Let's sit with this for a few minutes.

After some time away, I’m returning with a simpler format: short, calm episodes centered around the Tao Te Ching one verse at a time.In this first episode, we begin with Verse One, a reminder that the deepest parts of life can’t always be captured in words, labels, or names.This is a space for quiet reflection, a cup of coffee, and a few honest thoughts.No rush. No pressure. Just a little room to breathe.Verse featured: Tao Te Ching, Verse OneTheme: The unnamed, the mystery, and letting life be what it isVerses are read from Stephen Mitchell’s translation of the Tao Te Ching.Thanks for listening. I’ll be back soon with the next verse.

Have you ever heard of ho'oponopono? This ancient Hawaiian practice goes beyond forgiveness, aiming to take responsibility and heal the source of negativity within ourselves and the world around us. In this episode, we dive deep into the core principles of ho'oponopono, explore its practical applications, and discuss the potential benefits it can bring to your life. if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Dive into the gritty and intoxicating world of Charles Bukowski, the poet and novelist who carved his name on the underbelly of American literature. I'll read his poem 'The Laughing Heart' and talk about why coffee should never be warmed up in a microwave. if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Carlos Castaneda was a Peruvian-born anthropologist and writer. He was considered a father of the New Age movement for his series of books based on the mystical secrets of a Yaqui Indian shaman.  if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are an Australian psychedelic rock band formed in Melbourne in 2010. They have released 26 albums, 14 EPs, and 3 live albums, and have toured extensively throughout the world. The band is known for their eclectic sound, which draws on a variety of influences including psychedelic rock, heavy metal, folk, and jazz. Start your journey through the Gizzverse! https://www.get-into-gizz.com/ https://kinggizzardandthelizardwizard.com if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening! The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1 My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Marcus Aurelius was a Stoic philosopher, and his Meditations are infused with Stoic teachings. Stoicism is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of living in accordance with virtue and reason. Stoics believe that we should not be attached to external things, such as wealth, fame, or pleasure, because these things are beyond our control. Instead, we should focus on developing our own inner character and living in a way that is consistent with our values. The Meditations is a deeply insightful and practical book that can offer guidance on how to deal with a wide range of challenges, from everyday annoyances to major tragedies. Marcus Aurelius's writings are full of wisdom and compassion, and they can help us to live more fulfilling and resilient lives. if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening! The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1 My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

I may have torched any hopes I had of ever being a professional podcaster. Not that the odds were significant, they are most likely minuscule at best, but I made it even worse for myself and I jumped off social media for a few months, deleted the apps from my phone. Then I started deleting all the accounts and instead of FOMO I now have JOMO (the Joy of Missing Out). Check out Die Like a Gentlemen here: https://dielikegentlemen.bandcamp.com/ if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening! The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1 My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Today I talk to my friend going back to the 6th grade, Daniel from The Infinite Calling. He is an ambient guitar player with a new album called Intentions and Ascensions. It’s one of my favorite albums of 2023 and you can find it on all the streaming platforms. If you’re in the Jonesboro area you can find him playing live every Thursday night at the Recovery Room. Stick around until the end he plays a new song he’s been working on. Hope you enjoy! You can find The Infinite Calling on all the streaming platforms or his Bandcamp page here: https://theinfinitecalling.bandcamp.com/album/intentions-and-ascensions if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

After having Dave Florence from the Evolution of Dave YouTube channel on the show a few years ago I started taking cold showers on a regular basis. I noticed I was more calm and had less stress in my life after just a few months. I only recently figured out that I've been stimulating my vagus nerve. Join me today as I talk about cold therapy and other ways to engage the vagus nerve on command. Find the Evolution of Dave here: https://www.youtube.com/c/EvolutionofDave if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

From social disruptions like economic recessions, pandemics, and new technologies to individual disruptions like getting married, career transitions, and becoming a parent, we undergo change and transformation—both good and bad—regularly. Change is not the exception, it’s the rule. Yet we endlessly fight it, often viewing it as a threat to our stability and sense of self. Master of Change flips this script on its head and offers a path for embracing and even growing from life’s constant instability. https://www.amazon.com/Master-Change-Everything-Changing-Including/dp/006325316X if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeebuzzpc/  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Breath work Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

The Fourth Turning is an interesting take on American history and how it repeats itself. First comes a High, a period of confident expansion. Next comes an Awakening, a time of spiritual exploration and rebellion. Then comes an Unraveling, in which individualism triumphs over crumbling institutions. Last comes a Crisis—the Fourth Turning—when society passes through a great and perilous gate in history. https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Turning-American-Prophecy-Rendezvous/dp/0767900464 if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeebuzzpc/  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Dr. Steven Greer recently held a press conference at a National Press Club Event in mid June. He outlined the alien technology that a covert group is exploiting at the risk of national security. He's going to make recommendations to the White House and Congress to disclose this information. Is this groundbreaking or a 'nothing-burger'? Coffee on this episode is Blackrock https://br.coffee/ if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeebuzzpc/  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

If you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

If you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Microsoft has release Chat GBT-4 and it has exponentially improved since their last version. It went from being the bottom 10% on the Bar exam to the top 10%. Some in the tech industry have called for a moratorium for 6 months on developing A.I. Something tells me that Microsoft isn't going to follow that suggestion. If A.I. replaces humans in the workforce what does that mean for our identity? if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeebuzzpc/  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd

Gwyneth Paltrow recently went on the Art of Being Well podcast and was blasted for an answer she gave about her daily routine. She does a mix of intermittent fasting along with a whole food palo diet with daily exercise and was accused of promoting eating disorders. People are hating on her because they don't understand nutrition or how the human body works. if you would like to help The Coffee Buzz please tell a friend about us and as always thank you for listening!  The Coffee Buzz https://www.thecoffeebuzzpodcast.com  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecoffeebuzzpc/  YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXokOi8mZDruRRfcp1NNxoA  thecoffeebuzzpodcast@gmail.com  The Coffee Buzz Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1nyJZinuwq4cj8ECflkvH1  My Wim Hof Youtube Playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxhqIqwvYIslIPrV7tCIKKJr6klrinHUd