Digest

This podcast episode features a casual conversation between two friends, Bertram and Tom, as they discuss various aspects of their lives. The episode begins with Tom sharing his experience quitting nicotine after eight days, detailing the withdrawal symptoms he endured. This leads to a broader discussion about death and mortality, prompting reflections on the aging process and the fragility of life. The conversation then shifts to a story about a black woman who works for Tom and her reaction to a video of a fraternity meet-up at Langston University, an HBCU in Oklahoma. This sparks a discussion about racial stereotypes and the importance of understanding different cultures. Tom and Bertram also discuss their experiences on tour and how Tom prefers touring to other aspects of his work. They talk about the challenges of staying healthy on the road and the importance of finding balance. The episode includes several advertisements for various products and services, including Draft Kings Sportsbook, Shopify, Policy Genius Life Insurance, Liquid IV, and Blue Nile. Tom and Bertram continue their conversation about body count, with Tom revealing his own count and comparing it to Leanne's. They discuss the awkwardness of these conversations with their kids and the upcoming departure of their daughters for college. The episode also features a discussion about Tom's daughter Georgia, who is a very thoughtful person and enjoys reading books. They talk about their reading habits, including their preference for skipping prologues and their willingness to quit books that don't grab their attention. Tom introduces James Mishner, a genre-bending fiction writer who writes historical family sagas. He describes Mishner's writing style and how he incorporates real historical events into his fictional narratives. Tom and Bertram discuss the Netflix docu-series "Turning Point," which covers the Cold War. They talk about how informative and well-produced the series is and how much they learned from it. The episode concludes with Tom and Bertram discussing their upcoming events, including a bottle signing in Orlando. They invite listeners to attend and talk about the possibility of going wakeboarding with Parks Bonnefei.

Outlines

00:00:00

Life in LA and Quitting Nicotine

The podcast begins with a casual conversation between two friends, Bertram and Tom, who are discussing their recent move back to LA and their experiences in Austin. Tom shares his experience quitting nicotine after eight days, describing the withdrawal symptoms he experienced, including feeling shaky and having thoughts about death.

00:00:41

Social Commentary and Cultural Understanding

Tom shares a story about a black woman who works for him and her reaction to a video of a fraternity meet-up at Langston University, an HBCU in Oklahoma. The conversation touches on racial stereotypes and the importance of understanding different cultures. Tom and Bertram discuss their experiences on tour and how Tom prefers touring to other aspects of his work. They talk about the challenges of staying healthy on the road and the importance of finding balance.

00:03:01

Family Dynamics, Social Media, and Fashion

Tom and Bertram discuss the upcoming departure of their daughters for college and the feeling of their families being "over." They talk about the possibility of becoming grandparents and the different ways their kids view them as parents. Tom and Bertram discuss the potential negative impacts of social media on mental health, comparing it to the opioid crisis. They talk about how social media can affect people's self-esteem and lead to unhealthy behaviors. Tom shares his own experience with excessive screen time and how his daughters confronted him about it. He discusses how social media can be a distraction and how it's important to find balance. Tom and Bertram discuss their lack of interest in fashion, except for Tom's love of James Perse t-shirts. They talk about how Perse's shirts are expensive but comfortable and how they've both become fans of his brand.

00:07:19

Upcoming Events and Conclusion

Tom and Bertram discuss their upcoming events, including a bottle signing in Orlando. They invite listeners to attend and talk about the possibility of going wakeboarding with Parks Bonnefei. The podcast ends with Tom and Bertram saying goodbye to their listeners and expressing their love for them.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the challenges of quitting nicotine?

  Tom describes experiencing withdrawal symptoms such as feeling shaky and having thoughts about death. These symptoms highlight the difficulty of quitting nicotine and the impact it can have on mental and physical health.

• How does Tom feel about social media and its impact on mental health?

  Tom expresses concern about the potential negative impacts of social media on mental health, comparing it to the opioid crisis. He believes that social media can distort people's reality, affect their self-esteem, and lead to unhealthy behaviors.

• What is Tom's favorite thing about James Perse's clothing?

  Tom loves the comfort and style of James Perse's t-shirts. He appreciates the quality of the clothing and how it makes him feel good. He also enjoys the fact that Perse is a cool dude and someone he wants to be friends with.

• What is Tom's experience with surfing like?

  Tom enjoys surfing and finds it to be a fun and challenging activity. He describes how he was able to ride a wave and even walk up the board, which he found very satisfying. He also appreciates how Leanne enjoys surfing and how it has brought them closer together.

Show Notes