August ends and school starts. Change in motion.
This is very much a transitional week. Many probable and foreseen changes, increased productivity and new stressors.
Aug 31, 2020•18 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Englishman In Montreal
Musings and audio journal of a former cult member and former British man now living in Montreal, Canada.
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Episodes
Return of the cooler weather!
Why this time of year is nostalgic for me in so many ways, both good and bad.
Aug 27, 2020•31 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Journal 19 August
Experimental... despite background noise, I'm recording this episode of my audio journal outside. The cicadas are providing an almost nonstop backdrop. Major distractions have been filtered out. Any and all feedback very gratefully received.
Aug 19, 2020•27 min•Season 4Ep. 2
17 August 2020 journal
First full episode including all the categories outlined in pilot episode. As always, feedback greatly appreciated.
Aug 17, 2020•20 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Season 4 Episode 1 (Pilot)
Teaser of upcoming new format for this season. New episodes will include some of the following: 1. Biography entries, 2: Observation, journalistic posts, 3: the emotive element, thoughts and feelings. 4: progress updates. 5: projects. 6: projections, plans, hopes and dreams.
Aug 17, 2020•11 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Insight into making decisions with two negative possible outcomes
Making binary choices, dealing with inevitable negative consequences, silencing the inner doubt. I also look at my process for making these choices.
Aug 15, 2020•27 min•Season 3Ep. 3
Dip the toe or dive right in?
When making life altering decisions and changes, which approach is better? A measured, planned approach? Or a flexible, spontaneous and seat-of-the-pants dive in the deep end? With the use of real life analogy, I delve into this thorny subject.
Jun 30, 2020•29 min•Season 3Ep. 2
Stage Fright and Performance Anxiety
Analyzing external and internal causes of this irrational fear of being "put on the spot" in front of others. Why life is not merely a performance or an act. Coping strategies and rationalizing this emotional response which is common to us all.
Jun 29, 2020•31 min•Season 3Ep. 1
Technology and the EB System : awkward roommates
The evolution of IT has been delayed in coming to the closed off, seperationist EB System. In this final episode of the season, we look at how tech developments and world events have forced many U turns in policy...and some heartache. Ultimately though, the take-home from this story is positive. Opening horizons and borders, opens dialogue and freedom where once there was restriction and fear.
Jun 28, 2020•27 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Entertaining vs Entertainment
I dip into the morass that is the EB System's entertaining culture. Musing on how entertaining is a channel for the money and energy that would otherwise go to entertainment in a mainstream culture.
Jun 27, 2020•29 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Flexible Fridays
Looking at the looser and more permissive event of the EB weekly calendar. Wrapping the series on the same subject and teasing three upcoming episodes.
Jun 26, 2020•15 min•Season 2Ep. 14
EB Calendar: Thursday, commuting for communion.
Examining the strange phenomenon of the EB "Interchange" weeknight meeting. The strange ritual migration that happened 2-3 times a week, and how it impacted life as an EB follower.
Jun 25, 2020•25 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Wednesday: Hump Day or the Hill of God
Describing the mid week "city reading" meeting of the EB calendar. I go into more descriptive detail of their "interchange" system and the impractical nature of this arrangement.
Jun 24, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Tuesday: the day of tension in the EB calendar.
In which I highlight the difficulty of incorporating inverted commas into a spoken word piece. Why Tuesday night is often fraught for EB followers.
Jun 23, 2020•15 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Monday: the "Power Meeting" day
On the prayer meetings held by EB on Monday evenings. The difficulties of obligatory participation and the reality vs fantasy surrounding it.
Jun 22, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Sunday: the "Lord's Day"
Describing the "essential occasion" and the many other commitments that EB followers make on this, their busiest day of the week.
Jun 21, 2020•25 min•Season 2Ep. 9
The EB Calendar: Saturday, the freedom day.
In which I give an overview of what two types of gathering are held on Saturdays. Also includes explanations of the word "Interchange" and why the "care meeting" Saturdays are so eagerly anticipated by so many EB followers.
Jun 20, 2020•22 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Nature vs Nurture
Challenges facing ex EB followers and those close to them
Jun 19, 2020•33 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Off The Leash- the dangers of trading a system of control for self control
In this I explore the various trajectories that open up to those who leave the EB System...and how they continue to affect life in decades following leaving.
Jun 18, 2020•27 min•Season 2Ep. 6
50 Shades of Compromise: lifestyle choices and non choices
A closer look at the disparity between male and female EB followers in terms of personal appearance, dress and development.
Jun 17, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 5
EB Lifestyle, Culture. Why a System and not a Cult?
I explore the labeling of the EB as a system. Dip into the do's and don'ts. Give a brief overview of how my re-labelling reflects the EB's own re-branding
Jun 16, 2020•31 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Where do the Exclusive Brethren gather?
A look at the meeting halls built and used exclusively (go figure!) by the EB System's followers. A walkthrough a typical city meeting hall. A teaser of upcoming episodes.
Jun 15, 2020•32 min•Season 2Ep. 3
The EB followers...who are they and what are their roles?
I dip into the controversial subject of official vs informal roles that most followers of the EB system fall into. Debating also on the notion of a hierarchy versus token democracy.
Jun 13, 2020•28 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Pilot Episode: Intro to the Exclusive Brethren System
Beginning a new season with a close look at the system of control into which I was born. What it is, how it affects me today, and how it shapes my approach to humanity.
Jun 12, 2020•21 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Experience with music and entertainment
I analyse why I take a different approach to broadcast music, entertainment and recorded media. I also look into how this is evolving since the advent of the internet. Finally, a resume of the upcoming new season/series of this podcast.
Jun 11, 2020•26 min•Season 1Ep. 16
Journaling, self analysis and insight
How self reflection tools are helpful in dealing with the past, present and future- whatever form they may take.
Jun 10, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 14
Dealing with Homesickness
Triggers, coping strategies, a way forward to make nostalgia a positive asset rather than a depressing liability in my new life in Canada.
Jun 09, 2020•24 min•Season 1Ep. 13
The freedom of owning a car or bike
In this I explore what having a vehicle or means of transport has meant to me over the years. I also vent a little on my privileged frustration at not having a car currently.
Jun 07, 2020•17 min•Season 1Ep. 12
The double challenges faced by an emigrant and immigrant.
In this episode, the Englishman in Montreal breaks down some of the challenges of becoming just such a person. With a final wrap of what lessons have been learned 10 years down the line.
Jun 06, 2020•32 min•Season 1Ep. 11
The Charm of Secondhand Bookshops
What I love about these institutions; also why I'm disappointed they don't exist in the same form in Canada, and why online ordering is not the same.
Jun 05, 2020•28 min•Season 1Ep. 10
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