Uncommon History

Once upon a time, in the lush green heart of the Andean region of South America, there lived an ancient civilization that was about to change the course of human history. The year was 3,000 BC, and the Incas had just discovered a magical plant that would eventually spread its influence across continents, cultures, and centuries. This plant was none other than the coca plant, and the magical substance extracted from its leaves was cocaine. Little did the Incas know that their innocent discovery would one day fuel the fires of addiction, crime, and controversy.

Today, we'll be discussing the process of starting an online store and the role patience plays in making it a success.Segment 1: The Beginning of an Etsy JourneyThe thrill of setting up your shop and listing your first products.The importance of patience in the early stages, as it takes time to build a customer base.The value of learning from others through podcasts and forums.Segment 2: The Importance of PatiencePatience allows you to learn from your experiences and make necessary adjustments to your shop and products.It takes time to build a reputation and establish a loyal customer base.Patience is key in dealing with the inevitable ups and downs of running an online store.Segment 3: Strategies for Staying PatientSet realistic goals and expectations for your store's growth.Celebrate small wins and milestones to keep yourself motivated.Stay engaged with the Etsy community and learn from others' experiences.Segment 4: The Long-Term Rewards of PatienceAs your store grows, you'll experience increased sales and a more stable income.You'll develop a loyal customer base that appreciates your products and supports your business.The skills and experience you gain will help you continue to grow and succeed in the future.

Last week I was on vacation and decided I would start an Etsy shop and post videos about it so that a community of like minded individuals like yourself could get involved and together we can figure out the true formula for success. So I’m one week in and this is what I’ve learned so far.Hey there, creative spirits and aspiring makers! Welcome to my new podcast, what I hope will become your one-stop shop for navigating the exciting world of starting your Etsy journey, even if you're flying solo! I'm here to be your cheerleader, guide, and fellow crafter as you turn your passions into profits.Maybe you've been whipping up stunning polymer clay earrings in your kitchen or hand-knitting cozy scarves everyone admires. But the question is: how do you take that amazing talent and translate it into an Etsy shop that actually thrives?Let's start with the spark. What ignites your creative fire? What unique products or skills do you bring to the table? Remember, there's a niche waiting for you, even if it feels small and specific. Embrace your individuality and own it!

This story takes place five years ago and it still haunts me to this day. My family was having a rough holiday season. None of us were getting along and our house had an uneasy feeling. We were all on edge. Something wasn’t right. It was Christmas night and my family were driving home from a fancy restaurant we go to every year. I, unlike my family, wasn’t tired, so the forty-five-minute drive seemed perpetual. On top of that, my little sister was constantly moaning about how her friend didn’t get her anything for Christmas. After about 20 minutes of driving my dad stopped at a gas station to get some cigarettes and my sister, brother and mother all got out to pee. I stayed in the car as I had already gone before we left. Once they all left I decided to play a few games on my phone. I looked at the car clock and saw that ten minutes had passed, so I immediately wondered what was taking them so long. As soon as I peered out the car window, I saw a man staring at our car. The man startled me as I didn’t know how long he had been watching. What made it even more unnerving is that he had a blank stare from behind his matted beard, no expression at all. It was hard to make out any features as it was pretty dark, he was wearing a dark hoodie that didn't fit and he wasn’t standing in an illuminated part of the station. He was about 5 foot 9 and looked to be middle aged. Once he saw me notice him, he started walking towards the car, instinct told me this was not good and I felt a sickness explode in my stomach. Luckily my dad came back with the rest of the family just as the man took a couple steps. My dad apologized and told me he had been in an argument with the cashier. I didn’t care, I was just glad that my dad was with me. I took another glance at the man outside, and he was still staring, but this time he had an annoyed look on his face. We drove off and for the rest of the car ride, I couldn’t stop thinking about that man. This wouldn’t have been too bad if it had ended there, but it didn’t. Later that night, I was watching YouTube while everyone else slept, and luckily for me, a storm was raging over us. I enjoy storms, it makes me cozy as I’m laying in bed. I put my phone down and just enjoyed the ambience. That didn’t last for long as I heard something smash into the window behind me. I lurched forward and nearly fell out of the bed. I thought a bird had just smashed into the window. I parted the blinds and what I saw next still haunts me. I saw a man standing out by my parent’s cars, looking up at my room. I took a closer look and I nearly had a heart attack. It was the same man that I saw at the gas station, only this time, when our eyes met, he grinned. Being the fourteen-year-old I was, I did the manly thing and screamed at the top of my lungs. My dad came running down the stairs and entered my room. “Why the fuck are you screaming?” He said. I told him about the man and I explained everything that had happened. My dad grabbed a baseball bat and told me to call the police. After 10 minutes, the police turned up outside our house and found the man in our shed. He was arrested and that was the last time I saw him. The next day my dad inspected the house and we found the handle of our back door had been damaged, not completely broken, but definitely damaged from the outside. Even creepier was that my dad also found where someone had been living in our toolshed. A pile of things from our house was also found in the shed including some of my mom’s intimate clothing. Someone had made a bed out of an old tarp and some spare bedding from the linen closet in our house. In this make-shift bed were several stuffed animals from my sister's room. The shed smelled like piss and body odor and we found food wrappers and food containers from things we had in our pantry. To this day I hesitate to enter the remote areas of our house without thinking about who or what may be lurking there. I have since learned that this is called Phrogging. Phrogging is when someone secretly lives in another person's home without their knowledge. The name comes from the idea of leapfrog, with the intruder hopping from place to place like a frog—whether that be someone's basement or attic or crawlspace.Happy holidays everyone. Stay safe this season and be sure to take care of each other. Be sure to like comment share and subscribe it helps small time content creators like me beat the big corporate tech machine algorithms. Until next time, I am out.

The story of Christmas, Santa and the horrible Krampus. The Krampus’s historical origins are generally believed to have emerged onto the Yuletide scene in Slavic and Austrian celebrations. Winter festivals in the Alpine regions of Austria, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Germany,and Italy all feature versions of this monstrous anti-Santa, though originally “Krampus”was really more of a category of monster rather than the name of an individual creature. The word itself comes either from the Middle German for ‘claw’ (Kralle) or the Bavarianword for something lifeless and dried out (Krampn), with plenty of regional variations[Kramperl, Klaubauf, Tuifl].Half-goat, half-demon, Krampus are fanged, with cloven feet and often long, pointed tongues.The oldest and most traditional versions have multiple sets of horns. They may carry a pitchfork and a basket to collect children in. And they always have that switch in their hand—most often one made of birch branches.The better to beat you with, my dear.

So the pushback against “wokeness” has emerged as a central theme in Republican politics, it will play heavy in the upcoming 2024 presidential race. While current front‐​runner Donald Trump has mocked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for his overuse of the word, Trump himself will no doubt campaign as an anti‐​woke culture warrior if he wins the nomination — considering that back in 2016 he ran as a crusader against “political correctness” and enjoys that role today.Meanwhile, the consensus among Democrats and liberals is that “wokeness” is a fake problem ginned up by the right as culture‐​war agitation — and they say, woke is just a code word to dimenish racial and gender issues. As someone who does not subscribe to any political ideology, I can tell you the left is wrong: The problem does exist, and denying it is bad for Democrats, emboldens Republicans and is bad for culture as a whole.

Many people sing it to bring in the new year without actually understanding its meaning or even the words. The text on which the lyrics are based isn’t even in English — it’s 18th-century Scots, a similar but distinct language. The words had been used by a Scottish church for the previous 600 years, as a funeral oration, and it was finally documented by Robert Burns in 1788 and he also wrote and included some original content.Auld Lang SyneShould Old Acquaintance be forgot,and never thought upon;The flames of Love extinguished,and fully past and gone:Is thy sweet Heart now grown so cold,that loving Breast of thine;That thou canst never once reflectOn old long syne.Chorus:On old long syne my Jo,On old long syne,That thou canst never once reflect,On old long syne.**TABLE TALK Conversation Card Deck: http://TTDeck.comSPONSORS:ROBB SHOPP: https://RobbShopp.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrett

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 and is both a sacred religious holiday and a worldwide cultural and commercial phenomenon. For two millennia, people around the world have been observing it with traditions and practices that are both religious and secular in nature. Christians celebrate Christmas Day as the anniversary of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, a spiritual leader whose teachings form the basis of their religion. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends and, of course, waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. So that is what most of us know today, but what is the backstory of the modern Christmas holiday?**TABLE TALK Conversation Card Deck: http://TTDeck.comSPONSORS:ROBB SHOPP: https://RobbShopp.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrett

This is what happens when you give a psychoactive drug to your pet.One of the stranger aspects of the modern human-pet relationship is that many cat owners recreationally dose their pets with a psychoactive drug. I'm talking, of course, about catnip.Catnip is a bizarre phenomenon for a few reasons. It's the only recreational drug we routinely give to animals, and though it basically makes them freak out — rolling on the ground, drooling, and mashing their face into wherever the catnip was sprinkled — it has essentially no effect on us. If you've ever wondered how it works, this podcast is for you.

What is the world’s worst sandwich… I’m talking about worst sandwich ever? And, how did Pre-Prohibition Drinking Laws lead New Yorkers to Create it? The pre prohibition laws, early in the U.S., were driven by the temperance movement and the temperance movement was everywhere at the turn of the 20th century. So did a bunch of tea tootlers create the world’s worst sandwich?**TABLE TALK Conversation Card Deck: http://TTDeck.comSPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrettODYSEE: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

One of the best feelings in the world is losing your attachment to yourself.So much of our time is spent in self-focused ways. What happens if I do this? Or that? Doubt. Fear. Self-judgement. The judgement of others against ourselves. Planning. Scheming. It’s a whole lot of I, I, and I. You get the point.Yet there’s a paradox: all of this self-focus is not very good for ourselves. Studies show that self-absorption is associated with clinical depression, personality disorders, and anxiety.SPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrettODYSEE: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

As often as we talk about the benefits of sleep, more than a third of Americans are not getting the proper amount of shut-eye. Instead, we push aside our rest to complete more work, hang out with friends, or—let’s be real—binge another episode of Succession. But even though most of us are still yawning into our coffee cups, taking a nap might be the cure to combat those midday crashes because of its health benefits.If the thought of adding one more thing to your already busy schedule is making you stress out, you can consider naps as a natural way to recharge for the day. “Taking a nap can enhance your sleep cycle, regulate your sympathetic nervous system, help you think and let go of things that are causing you stress, and be used as a circadian marker to help your body understand where you are in the 24-hour cycle.SPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrettODYSEE: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

The molecule responsible for hangovers is ethanol,which we colloquially refer to as alcohol.Ethanol is present in all alcoholic beverages, and generally speaking,the more ethanol, the greater the potential for a hangover.The symptoms and severity can vary depending on weight, age,genetics, and other factors.But still, hangovers generally share some common— and unpleasant— features.So how exactly does alcohol cause a hangover?And is there any way to reliably prevent one?Alcohol slows down the communication between neural cells.After someone has had their last drink,as the concentration of alcohol in the blood drops back to zero,the brain rebounds from sedation and swings in the other direction,entering a hyperactive state.This may lead to the tremors or rapid heartbeat associated with hangovers.It also makes sleep shorter and less restful than normal.But these effects are just the beginning—alcohol impacts so many of the body’s processes,throwing delicate balances off-kilter.And even the most familiar hangover symptoms have surprising contributors.For example, alcohol disrupts levels of many hormones.One of those hormones is cortisol.Normally, fluctuating cortisol levels help regulate wakefulnessthroughout the day and night.So the disruption in cortisol during a hangovermay cause people to feel groggy or disoriented.Another hormone alcohol interferes with is vasopressin,which normally decreases the volume of urine made by the kidneys.By decreasing levels of vasopressin,alcohol causes people to pee more and become dehydrated.Dehydration can lead to thirst, dry mouth, weakness, lightheadedness, and headache,one of the most common hangover symptoms.In addition to dehydration, hangover headaches can resultfrom alcohol’s influence on chemical signaling in the brain,especially on neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling.Alcohol can also damage mitochondria,which are responsible for producing the ATP that gives us energy.This may contribute to the fatigue, weakness, and mood disturbancesexperienced during a hangover.Meanwhile, alcohol stimulates the immune system,leading to inflammation that can damage cells within the brain,affect mood, and impair memory.And it can irritate the gastrointestinal tractand inflame the lining of the stomach and intestines.Alcohol may also slow down stomach emptying,which could lead to increased production of gastric acid.This is why alcohol can cause stomach pain, nausea, and vomiting.Alcoholic drinks also contain other substances that are producedduring the fermentation process that give the drink its specific flavor.Some evidence suggests that one of these, methanol,is particularly bad for hangovers.The body doesn’t start metabolizing methanoluntil it’s done processing ethanol.And when it does, the toxic metabolites of methanolmay potentially worsen the hangover symptoms.Beverages that are closer to pure ethanol, such as gin and vodka,may cause fewer hangover effects.Meanwhile, the presence of flavoring ingredients in beverageslike whiskey, brandy, and red wine,may make these kinds of alcohol cause more hangover symptoms.So, the choice of alcoholic beverage matters,but any of them can cause hangovers, simply because they all contain alcohol.So, do common hangover remedies actually work?Drinking water and electrolyte beverages can help reduce symptomsrelated to dehydration.And eating— especially carbs— can help replenish the glucose levelsalcohol reduces.But ultimately, the only sure way to prevent a hangoveris to drink alcohol in moderation or not at all.SPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrettODYSEE: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

How to 80/20 Your LifeYou can get the results you want with less. It’s all about identifying where to make the split.In 1906 there was an Italian economist named Vilfredo Pareto. One day Pareto noticed that every year, 20% of the pea pods in his garden produced approximately 80% of the peas.This got him thinking about economic output on a larger scale. Sure enough, he began to find that in various industries, societies and even companies, 80% of the production often came from the 20% most productive faction.This became known as the Pareto Principle, or what is now often referred to as the 80/20 Principle.The 80/20 Principle states that 80% of the output or results will come from 20% of the input or action.In terms of time management, they often found that 20% of their time created 80% of their productivity, and that 20% of their employees created 80% of the value.The examples go on and on. And of course, nobody was actually there with a yardstick measuring out exactly 80% and 20% for all of these items, but the approximate 4-to-1 ratio popped up constantly. Whether it was actually 76/24 or 83/17 is irrelevant.The 80/20 Principle became a popular management tool that was used widely to increase efficiency and effectiveness within businesses and industries.It’s still widely taught today.But few people thought to apply the 80/20 Principle to everyday life or the ramifications it could have.For instance:What are the 20% of your possessions you get the most value out of?What do you spend 20% of your time doing that gives you 80% of your happiness?Who are the 20% of people you’re close to who make you the happiest?What are the 20% of the clothes you wear 80% of the time?What’s the 20% of food you eat 80% of the time?Chances are these are easy questions for you to answer. You’ve just never considered them before.And once you’ve answered them, you can easily focus on increasing the efficiencies in your life. For instance, the 80% of people you spend time with who only add 20% of the pleasure in your life (spend less time with them). The 80% of crap you use 20% of the time (throw it out or sell it). The 80% of the clothes you wear 20% of the time (same thing).Identifying the 20% of the food you eat 80% of the time will probably explain whether you keep a healthy diet or not and how healthy it is. Hey, who needs to follow a diet? Just make sure to switch to where the 20% of food you eat 80% of the time is healthy.When I first considered how the 80/20 Principle applied to my own life, I instantly realized a few things.A few of my hobbies (television shows and video games) accounted for 80% of my time, but only brought me 20% of my fulfillment.I didn’t enjoy a few of my friends who I spent 80% of my time with (hence I was not happy in my social life).80% of what I spent my money on was not useful or healthy for my lifestyle.Recognizing these things eventually inspired some hefty changes in my choices and my lifestyle. I dropped video games and television for one. I made efforts to identify other friends to spend more time with, and I paid more attention to what I bought with my money.And of course, the 80/20 Principle can still be applied to productivity at work.What tasks do you spend 80% of the time doing that bring in 20% of the returns (i.e., checking email over and over, writing memos, taking a long time to make basic and unimportant decisions, etc.)?What is the 20% of your work that gets you 80% of the credit and recognition from your team or boss?And finally, you can apply the 80/20 Principle to your emotional life and relationships as well. What are the 20% of behaviors that cause 80% of the problems in your relationships? What are 20% of the conversations that create 80% of the intimacy with your partner?These are important questions that most of us never even consider.It doesn’t occur to us that there’s an efficiency to every aspect of our life, to everything we do. And not only is there an efficiency, but we have control and influence over that efficiency. It’s something we can take responsibility for and improve.What changes could you make in your life today based on the 80/20 Principle?One of the most obvious answers, of course, is possessions. It’s highly likely that 80% of what you own brings you a small amount of your pleasure or happiness. An obvious place to start 80/20’ing yourself is with all of that extra stuff laying around.Obviously, the 80/20 rule is not necessarily a rigid dictum to live by (don’t let the 80/20 rule become the 80% that gives 20% of the results!). But think of it as a tool, a lens to view aspects of your life through. Sit down and think about it, maybe even write it out. You’ll likely be surprised with the realizations you come to.SPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

We underestimate the stupid, and we do so at our own peril.In 1976, a professor of economic history at the University of California, Berkeley published an essay outlining the fundamental laws of a force he perceived as humanity’s greatest existential threat: Stupidity.Stupid people, Carlo M. Cipolla explained, share several identifying traits: they are abundant, they are irrational, and they cause problems for others without apparent benefit to themselves, thereby lowering society’s total well-being. There are no defenses against stupidity, argued the Italian-born professor, who died in 2000. The only way a society can avoid being crushed by the burden of its idiots is if the non-stupid work even harder to offset the losses of their stupid brethren.SPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfBETTERHASH: https://www.betterhash.net/?ref=65168CONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://locals.com/member/RobbJarrettODYSEE: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

In the early 1960s, Michael Rockefeller vanished somewhere off the coast of Papua New Guinea. His disappearance shocked the nation and prompted a manhunt of historic proportions. Years later, the true fate of the heir to the Standard Oil fortune has been uncovered — and it’s more disturbing than anyone at the time imagined.SPONSORS:ROBB ORIGINALS: https://RobbOriginals.comTHE CALIFORNIA WINE CLUB: https://shrsl.com/27lqbBLUE COOLERS: https://shrsl.com/28ljfCONNECT WITH ME:WEB: http://robbjarrett.comPODCAST: http://robbcast.comLINKEDIN: http://linkedin/in/robbjarrettYOUTUBE: https://bit.ly/3k75arkFACEBOOK: http://fb.me/robbjarrettpodcastTWITTER: http://twitter.com/robbjarrettINSTAGRAM: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastMINDS: http://minds.com/robbjarrettRUMBLE: http://instagram.com/robbjarrettpodcastLOCALS: https://robbjarrett.locals.comODYSEE: http://minds.com/robbjarrett

In recent days, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has identified cases of deadly avian influenza in U.S. flocks and put the poultry industry on high alert. At the same time, an outbreak was confirmed in a backyard flock of birds in Fauquier County, Virginia.In December 2014, avian influenza (also known as bird flu or HPAI H5) had spread in the U.S. for the first time since 2004. Since that December, more than 40 million turkeys and chickens have been killed by the virus.This is a worrisome time for many backyard chicken farmers. Many people are unsure how best to care for their chickens during this time. We have compiled the latest information on bird flu so you have everything you need to keep your chickens safe during this endemic time.

We can rattle off Elon Musk’s accomplishments in our sleep: co-founder of monetary giant PayPal; founder of Tesla, the electric car company that is literally changing the world; and founder of SpaceX, the company that is trying to take us out of this world and colonize another. We can also absentmindedly rattle off a stream of adjectives that describe him: innovator, leader, genius, visionary, futurist, entrepreneur.But can we describe why Musk is the way he is? And can we not only quantify those things that make Musk so successful, but also begin to embody them in our own lives? This might be a little bit more difficult to do, but I think it's possible.

What can you do with a can of it? Lubricate M-16s, catch bigger fish, de-ice door locks, clean turtles, repel pigeons, remove dog shit, make a flame-thrower, and a bunch of other things you probably never thought of. If you could take the American spirit which is equal parts Daniel Boone, Chuck Yeager, and Elon Musk—and distill it into an aerosol, it would be a blue-and-yellow can of WD40. A 1983 survey revealed that 4 in every 5 American homes had a can of WD40 in them.For more than 60 years, we’ve been relying on the 40th attempt of a Water Displacement formula to fix, well, whatever needs fixing. The WD40 website promotes dozens of uses for their product, as well as a list of 2,000 uses submitted by actual users. Some are genius. Some are just plain wacky. And some are stupid as hell.The story of WD40 begins in 1953, when the fledgling Rocket Chemical Company—all three employees—set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and degreasers for the aerospace industry. Working out of a tiny lab in San Diego, it took them 40 attempts to perfect a water-displacement formula. And so Water Displacement 40 came to be. An aerospace contractor named Convair first used the product to protect the outer skin of the Atlas Missile, which had external steel “balloon” fuel tanks that were so thin and delicate that they had to remain pressurized even when empty to keep from collapsing. Over time, Convair employees began sneaking the stuff home for their own uses. By 1958, the product was commercially available.There have been all sorts of guesses about what exactly is in WD40, but the company isn’t saying. In 2009, Wired Magazine sent some to a laboratory to have it analyzed. The verdict? Fish oil, Vaseline, and “the goop inside homemade lava lamps.” Fact is, nobody knows. The formula has never been patented, apparently from fear somebody would find out. Instead, it’s a closely guarded trade secret locked up in a bank vault in San Diego.By 1960, the company more than doubled in size, growing to seven people, and sold an average of 45 cases per day from the trunks of their cars to hardware and sporting-goods stores in the San Diego area.The small-niche nature of the business began to change in 1961, when Hurricane Carla struck the U.S. Gulf Coast. WD-40 Employees came in on a Saturday to produce extra product to meet the needs of disaster victims, to recondition flood- and rain-damaged vehicles and equipment. Before long, it spread like wild fire into American households and industry.In 1969, the Rocket Chemical Company was renamed for WD40, which by then was its sole product. Early versions of the can show a rocket on the label. But by the time of the name change, it was long gone. It’s not just for rockets anymore. During the Vietnam war, packages containing the spray were being sent to soldiers to keep their finicky M-16s cycling.For years, the number one complaint about the product was that people lost the little red straw that came with each can. In 2005, the company introduced the foldable Smart Straw to solve this problem. Some extremely weird uses for the product have been reported over the years. Police once used WD40 to remove a naked burglar who had become wedged inside of ductwork. It was used to help pull a boa constrictor from pipes on the underside of a bus. A pet owner used it to free his parakeet—and himself—from sticky fly paper.The unusual use most of us are likely aware of is as a fish attractant. According to the company, customers call in all the time claiming that they’ve caught their biggest fish ever after spraying hooks or lures with WD40 and thus assume that the product must have fish oil in it. But that is not the case, say the owners, and they do not recommend using the spray as a fish attractant.Some tout WD40 as a waterproofer for boots and shoes. It’s also recommended to stop wicker chairs from squeaking. Some anglers use it to de-ice the guides of a fly rod. It also stops mice from squeaking, mostly because a good shot of it will kill a mouse. It kills bugs, bees, and spiders, too.Sales of WD40 have gone up since the COVID-19 pandemic began, a whopping 26 percent over the last year. The company’s CEO, Garry Ridge, says that the nationwide popularity is to lock-downs and people working on renovation projects. The company’s market value is over $4 billion. And the reason I wanted to share this all with you today is because I saw a bumper sticker that read, “Duct Tape Makes It Stop – WD40 Makes It Go.”

On Feb. 14, sweethearts of all ages will exchange cards, flowers, candy, and more lavish gifts in the name of St. Valentine. But I can tell you that at the root of our modern holiday is a beautiful fiction. St. Valentine was no lover or patron of love.Valentine’s Day, in fact, originated as a liturgical feast to celebrate the decapitation of a third-century Christian martyr, or perhaps two. So, how did we get from beheading to betrothing on Valentine’s Day?