Have you ever tried something that is out of your comfort zone, just to try it? 

Welcome to The Old Show Podcast. 

In this episode you’ll hear LJ tell about a couple of adventures he had, at sea, while trying some new things. 

If you have an interesting story to share about a time you tried something new, we would love to hear about it. Get in touch with us by clicking on our Fan Mail link.

Music Credit: Paradise, by Otherguys (Epidemic Sound)

Welcome to The Old Show. 

Why do workplaces tolerate bullying and abusive behavior—especially when organizations have policies that say they don't?

That's the question LJ raises in this week's conversation, and it leads us into a discussion about workplace bullying, organizational power, accountability, and what happens when badly behaved employees are protected rather than held responsible.

We talk about the difference leadership can make, why policies don't necessarily reflect what actually happens inside an organization, and workplaces where expectations for respectful behavior are more than words on paper.

This conversation also takes me back more than five years.

In 2021, I created and hosted a podcast called Workplace Fairness and Dignity, where I explored workplace abuse, bullying, organizational culture, employee dignity and fairness. Two episodes focused specifically on research and information from the Workplace Bullying Institute.

I stopped producing that podcast in 2021, but people continue to find and download those episodes today.

So, for anyone who listens to this episode of The Old Show and wants to explore the subject more deeply, I'm including a link to Workplace Fairness and Dignity below. Some of the reference points in those episodes are now more than five years old, but the larger questions about workplace bullying, power, accountability and dignity remain remarkably relevant.

Listen to Workplace Fairness and Dignity:
https://workplacefairnessanddignity.buzzsprout.com

Listen to The Old Show:
https://theoldshowpodcast.buzzsprout.com

Music credit: Midside Notes by Martin Landstrom (Epidemic Sound)

From Prison to Prime Rib

In this episode, LJ and I start out talking about a criminal case involving young people whose choices cost them the rest of their lives.

That leads us into a bigger conversation about choices and consequences, peer pressure, prison, and what happens when young people get caught up with the wrong crowd.

We go from crime and punishment to politics, protesting, troublesome tenants, squatters who take over other people's property—and eventually, prime rib with au jus.

We didn't plan any of it. We just started talking.

Listen in.

Music Credit: Sugarsnaps by Ennio Mano (Epidemic Sound)

"Dirty Birdie" Preachers

In this episode of The Old Show, we talk about the world of “storefront preachers” and react to some of the things we've seen and heard online—from requests for sizable donations to displays of wealth that raise more than a few questions.

LJ and I discuss the preachers who require congregants to give, give, give. If you’re interested, you can view a parody of such preachers. 

Druski, a comedian and actor creates skits, including one that’s a parody of Mega church pastors’ behavior. In one of his YouTube videos, Druski gives a sermon talking about impregnating the church with the word of God. He explains he wears Louboutin shoes because he walks in the blood of Christ. A link to the YouTube video is in the show notes.   https://www.youtube.com/shorts/58hfPPHCRIU 

Music credits: The Spirit by Daniel Fridell and Sven Lindvall

Debt Collectors Revisited

Remember those debt collectors who kept calling LJ looking for someone else?  Here is an expanded conversation where he considers the recommendation that his approach to debt collectors could make a good business model. 

Music credit: Outsider by Nick Caution (Epidemic Sound)

In this conversation, Larry picks up where he left off, telling Cecilia about the debt collectors who call his phone, looking for someone else. They don’t listen when he explains that they have the wrong number. So, he decides two can play at their game. Larry is the only person I know who has debt collectors trying to avoid him.

Music credits for this episode are below:

1.      Hide and Sneak by The Fly Guy Five (Epidemic Sound)

2.      Freezing Hands Meet Piano by Harry Edvino (Epidemic Sound)

3.      Enlightenment by Howard Harper Barnes (Epidemic Sound)

4.      Piexoto by Elquipo Del Norte (Epidemic Sound)

5.      Marygold Spring, by Daniel Kaede (Epidemic Sound)

6.      How Long Blues/Singin’ the Blues by South Side Aces & Humans Win (Audio Blocks)

7.      Almost Baked, by John Runefelt (Epidemic Sound)

8.      Grifting in Vegas by Kit & The Caltones (Epidemic Sound)

9.      The Spirit by Daniel Fridell and Sven Lindvall (Epidemic Sound)

In this brief episode we share why we started this podcast, and why we chose the show's title. 

Music credits for this episode are below:

Such A Swinging Good Time by Neil Cross (Audioblocks)

Welcome Party People by John Runefelt (Epidemic Sound)