Episode 369 - LIVE DEEP NOT FAST In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield reflects on the concept of focusing on what truly matters in life, inspired by a famous legend about Michelangelo and his statue of David. Robert delves into the idea of removing distractions and unnecessary activities that do not contribute to our goals, likening it to chiseling away everything that is not part of the masterpiece within the marble. Robert introduces the story of Henry Se...
Jun 14, 2024•18 min•Ep. 369
Episode 368 - CRASHED INTO SUCCESS In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment" podcast, host Robert John Hadfield delves into the nature of change, both personal and societal. He explores the two types of changes we face: those forced upon us and those we impose on ourselves. Through historical examples from 1903, including the Wright brothers' first flight, the debut of the silent film "The Great Train Robbery," and a major market crash, Robert illustrates how monumental changes can reshap...
Jun 13, 2024•24 min•Ep. 368
Episode 367 - ADDING A VERSE In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound impact of Walt Whitman, using the iconic scene from "Dead Poets Society" as a springboard. The episode begins with a reflection on the memorable "O Captain! My Captain!" moment from the film, which is rooted in Whitman's poem written about Abraham Lincoln. Robert explores the dual themes of triumph and sorrow within the poem and then reads it aloud, highlighting its b...
Jun 12, 2024•23 min•Ep. 367
Episode 366 - TODAY WE KEPT SWIMMING In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment" podcast, host Robert John Hadfield shares a personal story about his gardening experiences in Denver and Utah. He reflects on the anticipation and patience required to grow plants from seeds, drawing a powerful parallel between nurturing seeds and pursuing goals in life. Robert recounts his first-time gardening adventures, the excitement of seeing the first green shoots appear, and the persistence needed when h...
Jun 11, 2024•19 min•Ep. 366
Episode 365 - LED ZEPPELIN AND THE GREAT FLOOD In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield explores the fascinating phenomenon of how quickly societies forget significant historical events. He opens with reflections on how new generations, not having lived through certain impactful events, often overlook or forget them. Using the example of 9/11, he illustrates how memories fade over time, even for monumental events. Robert delves into a lesser-known tragedy, the ...
Jun 10, 2024•30 min•Ep. 365
Episode 364 - The Scorpion's Lesson: Embracing Change and Letting Go In this episode, host Robert John Hadfield shares a series of personal anecdotes and reflections that revolve around the themes of change and growth. From his experiences in Saint George, Utah, to the fascinating characteristics of scorpions, Robert weaves a narrative that explores the symbolism of scorpions and the importance of embracing change in our lives. Personal Reflections: Robert recounts his move from Denver, Colorado...
Jun 09, 2024•22 min•Ep. 364
EPISODE 363 - Life's Rapids - Survival to Mastery "The Thick and Mystic Moment" explores the physical and spiritual elements of life through personal stories, philosophical insights, and practical advice. It often delves into how individuals navigate and master the challenges they face, transforming these experiences into personal growth and life lessons. Episode Summary: In this episode, Robert John Hadfield recounts a vivid adventure he had with a highly intelligent friend who was an electrica...
Jun 08, 2024•19 min•Ep. 363
Episode 362 - BURNING THE EQUIPMENT In this episode, Robert John Hadfield shares a personal story from his youth about a significant lesson learned through trial and error with sound equipment. The narrative begins with a request from a relative for outdoor audio equipment, leading Robert to reminisce about his early days as a musician. He recounts the time when his teenage band invested in a six-channel mixer amplifier, marking their first significant purchase and a step up in their musical jou...
Jun 07, 2024•30 min•Ep. 362
Episode 361 - HAPPY TREES AND ACCIDENTS In this episode, Robert shares an anecdote about creating a video tutorial on repairing cassette tapes, which unexpectedly garnered significant attention and views. This leads him to discuss the broader fascination people have with the process of making and repairing things, drawing a parallel to the popular TV show "How It's Made." The story transitions to an inspiring tale about Bob Ross, the beloved painter known for his soothing TV show "The Joy of Pai...
Jun 06, 2024•22 min•Ep. 361
Episode 360 - Dependence Day Recognizing Our Interconnected World In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield shares personal reflections inspired by his time with his new granddaughter. The episode delves into themes of dependence and independence, exploring the journey from a baby's complete reliance on caregivers to the ideal of becoming independent and selfless adults. Hadfield reminisces about the astonishing smallness and helplessness of newborns, illustrati...
Jun 05, 2024•24 min•Ep. 360
Episode 359 - TWO STATEMENTS AND TWO QUESTIONS Join Robert John Hadfield in Episode 359 of "The Thick and Mystic Moment" as he explores profound insights and principles that shape our lives, especially during times of unexpected change. In this episode, Robert shares a compelling story and reflections from a recent discussion with a group, diving deep into the nature of changes forced upon us and those we choose for ourselves. Key Points Discussed: Two Types of Changes: Understanding the differe...
Jun 04, 2024•21 min•Ep. 359
Episode 358 - How a Doctor's Journey and Motorcycle Wisdom Reveal Life's Greatest Lesson In this episode, Robert John Hadfield shares a personal anecdote about a Harley Davidson repair shop owner trying to persuade him to buy a motorcycle. Despite having a motorcycle endorsement, Robert has never owned one. He recounts his experience in a motorcycle endorsement class where the instructor emphasized that a motorcycle goes wherever the rider looks, highlighting the principle that "where your focus...
Jun 03, 2024•19 min•Ep. 358
Episode 357 - Why Imperfection Makes Art (and Life) Beautiful When I was a young kid, I was really into music, a passion I’ve talked about before. I had thousands of records and was especially fascinated as I started playing the guitar. Listening to these recordings of bands, I marveled at what sounded like perfect execution. The first time I took my band into a studio, we were about 14 years old. I remember listening to those recordings afterwards, hearing all the flaws and mistakes—the timing ...
Jun 02, 2024•30 min•Ep. 357
Episode 356 - RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOU Welcome to another episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," hosted by Robert John Hadfield. In today's episode, Robert shares a compelling story from his time in Denver, where he observed birds tragically colliding with a massive glass window. This incident draws a fascinating parallel to the historical struggles faced by Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis in the 1800s, whose pioneering work on handwashing in hospitals initially faced skepticism and resistance. Join Robert...
Jun 01, 2024•27 min•Ep. 356
Episode 355 - READY TO DEFY GRAVITY In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield reflects on his son's year and a half journey in karate. He shares insights gained from watching his son's progress, highlighting the transition from clumsy beginnings to impressive skill with a staff routine. The story unfolds with a powerful lesson from the karate instructor, emphasizing the difficulty of quitting challenging endeavors and the ease of quitting simple ones. This conce...
May 31, 2024•25 min•Ep. 355
Episode 354 - BECOMING CONTAGIOUS Join Robert John Hadfield, host of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," as he shares a delightful family adventure in the breathtaking Snow Canyon. In this episode, Robert recounts a memorable evening spent with his kids and grandkids playing in the soft, expansive sand dunes just outside St. George, Utah. As the children revel in the simple joy of pouring water into the sand, Robert reflects on the contagious nature of enthusiasm. He delves into the profound meaning ...
May 30, 2024•24 min•Ep. 354
Episode 353 - DOING AND HAVING DONE Welcome to another episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment" with your host, Robert John Hadfield. In this episode, Robert delves into his personal journey with running, starting from his early days of exercise to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Despite the physical and mental challenges, he shares how the act of running was never enjoyable for him. However, the sense of accomplishment and the long-term benefits made it all worthwhile. Robert explores the conce...
May 29, 2024•22 min•Ep. 353
Episode 352 - OBVIOUS ORIGINALITY In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield delves into a pivotal lesson he learned during his bachelor's degree in advertising. Join Robert as he recounts an early assignment where he and his classmates were tasked with creating a print ad for Blue Diamond almonds. Through this exercise, Robert uncovers the pitfalls of obvious thinking and emphasizes the importance of originality and creativity in advertising and beyond. Robert h...
May 28, 2024•24 min•Ep. 352
Episode 351 - ORDINARY STORY In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield explores the lost art of serialized storytelling, a once-popular format in newspapers that gave birth to many classic novels we know today. From "The Count of Monte Cristo" to "Uncle Tom's Cabin," serialized stories captivated audiences by delivering narrative installments on a regular basis. Hadfield delves into the fascinating origin of "Mrs. Miniver," one of the most influential serialized...
May 27, 2024•21 min•Ep. 351
Episode 350 - BOMB OR BOOMERANG In this thought-provoking episode of The Thick and Mystic Moment , your host Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound impact of questioning our certainty. Inspired by the legendary game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire , Robert explores how the simple phrase "Is that your final answer?" can teach us valuable life lessons. Robert revisits memorable moments from the show, including celebrity contestant Gene Simmons' classic blunder, and ties these anecdotes t...
May 26, 2024•23 min•Ep. 350
Episode 349 - THE FIELD OUT BACK In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield reminisces about his childhood adventures in a vast field behind his house. As a kid, this field seemed enormous, an endless playground for his imagination. Today, it’s just three average home plots, but back then, it was his world of exploration and discovery. Robert draws parallels between the boundless excitement of his childhood adventures and the thrill of discovering new places as a...
May 25, 2024•19 min•Ep. 349
Episode 348 - MOMENTS OF A ROCK ICON In this special episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield visits with Brad Sinsel, the iconic lead singer of rock bands TKO and War Babies. Robert reminisces about his vast record collection and the pivotal role TKO's music played during his teenage years. He recounts how one random record purchase turned into a lifelong admiration for Brad's powerful music. Throughout the interview, Brad shares intimate stories from his music career...
May 24, 2024•58 min•Ep. 348
Episode 347 - SNAPSHOTS OF RESILIENCE In this special episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield sits down with Rex Jones, a renowned photographer and videographer from southern Utah. Rex shares his incredible journey of facing a life-altering cancer diagnosis and navigating the immense changes that followed. Rex opens up about the pivotal moment when he discovered a lump in his armpit while training at the police academy. Initially dismissing it as a pulled muscle, Rex’...
May 23, 2024•47 min•Ep. 347
Episode 346 - HOW I WILL BELIEVE In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," hosted by Robert John Hadfield, we delve into the remarkable life of Richard Neuberger, a prolific writer turned politician. Known for his works on Lewis and Clark, Richard's journey took an unexpected turn when he entered the political arena, serving in the Oregon State House of Representatives and the Oregon State Senate alongside his wife, Maureen. Join us as we explore Richard’s insightful article, "I Will Bel...
May 22, 2024•31 min•Ep. 346
Episode 345 - TIE YOUR CAMEL In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield shares a compelling story from the early days of his media company. Robert recounts filming a stage production and the unforeseen challenges faced during dress rehearsals. A dramatic incident occurs when an actor, tasked with standing still for an extended period, faints on stage, highlighting the critical importance of rehearsals. Robert uses this experience to explore the broader theme of c...
May 21, 2024•24 min•Ep. 345
Episode 344 - MAKING THE SERGEANT In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield delves into the surprising connections between beloved cartoon characters and real-life icons. Using "The Flintstones" as a starting point, Robert explores how many of the show's characters were inspired by famous personalities. One notable example is the episode "The Astro Nuts," where Fred and Barney inadvertently end up in the Army and meet a manipulative sergeant, based on the charac...
May 20, 2024•20 min•Ep. 344
Episode 343 - WHAT HAVE I GOT? In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," Robert John Hadfield dives deep into Nina Simone's 1968 song, where she masterfully combines two pieces from the musical "Hair" - "Ain't Got No" and "I Got Life." Simone's rendition begins with a mantra-like recitation of all the things she lacks, creating a powerful meditation on loss and deprivation. Midway, the song shifts, celebrating the inherent aspects of life that no one can take away, like her hair, brain, ...
May 19, 2024•18 min•Ep. 343
Episode 342 - SICK DAYS AND SLIME In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield takes a nostalgic journey back to childhood memories of staying home sick from school and the TV shows that shaped those days. He recalls the simpler entertainment of the late 70s and early 80s, with shows like "I Love Lucy," "The Andy Griffith Show," and game shows like "The Price is Right" and "Family Feud." Hadfield contrasts this with the chaotic and messy kid's game shows of the 90s...
May 18, 2024•29 min•Ep. 342
EPISODE 341 - DO I GET THE FOUR YEARS BACK In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound impact of the 1976 sci-fi movie "Logan's Run" on his childhood and its enduring message on life and mortality. Hadfield recalls the chilling experience of watching the film as a young boy, especially the scene involving a terrifying robot in an ice cave. He contrasts the special effects of "Logan's Run" with those of "Star Wars," noting how the latter revolut...
May 17, 2024•25 min•Ep. 341
Episode 340 - FICTION IN THE MIRROR In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound reflections inspired by Aerosmith's iconic song "Dream On." The discussion begins with an exploration of the song's creation by a teenage Steven Tyler and its lyrical significance, particularly the opening line, "Every time I look in the mirror, all these lines in my face getting clearer." Robert challenges the literal interpretation of this line, arguing that daily...
May 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 340
