<![CDATA[ON A POSITIVE NOTE - Episodes]]>Tue, 16 Apr 2024 02:03:15 -0400Weebly<![CDATA[Etched in the Heart]]>Tue, 18 Jan 2022 23:26:49 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/etched-in-the-heart
A hand-drawn map of a Chinese village. The title reads: Episode 16: Etched in the Heart
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
​SUMMARY
It's can be easy to get distracted by the demands of every day life and forget where you are, where you came from, and where you're headed—especially when you don't take the time to create meaningful and memorable connections with your past, present, and potential future. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to hear an inspiring story of how one man connected with his past to help lead him home after three decades.

OFFER
Hashtag Positivity helps emerging and established leaders experience in their work, life, and community. To see what Hashtag Positivity can do for you, connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: www.hashtagpositivity.com/connect

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Joke about an actor who isn’t Happy
01:22 Insight about
02:02 Positive news story about
05:22 Insight about
06:04 Reflection question
06:21 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
Associated Press. (2022, January 5). "Child trafficking victim finds family after decades with help of a map." New York Post. https://nypost.com/2022/01/05/map-helps-child-trafficking-victim-find-family-after-decades/

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
"Hero's Ascent" by Chris Haugen
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

INTRO
Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.


JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about an aging couple experiencing signs of memory loss. Their doctor recommended they try writing down the things they hope to remember, and the couple agreed to give it a try.

The next day, the couple was sitting in the living room when the husband turned to his wife and said:

“I could go for some ice cream. How about you?"

“Oh yes!" The wife replied. "Would you get us some? I'd like vanilla with chocolate sprinkles.”

The husband got up to go into the kitchen, but the wife stopped him, “Wait a moment, dear, remember what the doctor said. Shouldn't you write this down?"

“Nah! I’ll be fine!” he said. "I can remember what you asked for."

Fifteen minutes go by and the husband walked into the living room with a plate of bacon and eggs.

“What is this!” the wife exclaimed. "I told you to write this down but you refused!”

“What did I forget?” he asked.

She angrily replied: "You forgot the toast!"


INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. It can be easy to get distracted and forget where you are, where you came from, and where you're headed when you don't take the time to create meaningful and memorable connections with your past, present, and potential future. Yet, when you take the time to reflect on and write about what you most hope to remember, you empower yourself to etch your most meaningful hopes and dreams into your heart to help lead you home.


STORY
And on that note it brings us to today's positive news story which comes to us from China, about a hand-drawn map that helped reunite a family after three decades.

In 1989, 4 year-old Li Jingwei was abducted from his village in the southwestern city of Zhaotong in the Yunnan province. Li said he cried when he realized what had happened, understanding that he had met bad people and would never be allowed to return home.

Though he was so young and didn't even know his parent's names, what Li did remember was the landscape of his home village. He remembered the mountains, the bamboo forest, a pond situated next to his home, and all the places he used to play.

Every day for thirteen years Li drew maps of his village until it became etched in his memory and heart. At first he would use sticks to draw in the sand, but when he entered school, he started drawing his maps in notebooks. It was his obsession.

As he got older, Li began collecting clues from his adoptive parents and more recently even consulted DNA databases, but nothing led him closer to finding his biological family.

But one day in 2021, more than 30 years after his abduction, Li posted a video of himself on social media holding one of his meticulously hand-drawn maps. He was able to recreate it from memory in less than ten minutes because of his dedication to preserving its memory in his heart.

Li's post went viral with tens of thousands of views, garnering help from all across China. With the help from social media tips, police were able to narrow down their search and local villagers were eventually successful in identifying Li's family.

Li, now 35 years old and with two teenage sons of his own, first reached out to his mother over the telephone.

"When she mentioned the scar, I knew it was her," Li said.

For as long as can reminder. He's had a scar on his chin, and his mother told him it was caused by a fall from a ladder.

After the phone call, further details and recollections confirmed without a shadow of doubt that Li had found his family, including a DNA test that confirmed his heritage.

On January 1, 2022, Li and his family were reunited in Lankao in central China's Henan Province. Overcome with emotion, Li collapsed to the ground when he first saw his mother. His younger brother and sister helped lift him up and was finally able to hug his mother after more than three decades.

Speaking about the reunion, Li choked up when he mentioned his father, who had long-since died. He now plans to take his children to meet his family at his father's graveside. "It's going to be a real big reunion," he said, adding, "I want to tell him that his son is back."


INSIGHT
It's can be easy to get distracted by the demands of every day life and forget where you are, where you came from, and where you're headed—especially when you don't take the time to create meaningful and memorable connections with your past, present, and potential future.

Taking the time to reflect on and write about where you're headed is a valuable activity that can help you etch your experiences, hopes, and dreams into your heart and perhaps even help lead you home.


REFLECTION
How might you use Li’s story as inspiration to create meaningful connections in you life, to help lead you home to who you truly are?


WRAP-UP
I hope you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Heart of Gold]]>Sat, 15 Jan 2022 05:26:49 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/heart-of-gold
A javelin thrower throws a javelin, and the words say:
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
​SUMMARY
Olympic medals don't always go to the best athletes in the word, but sometimes they do go to Olympians with hearts of gold—even when it's a long shot. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to hear the story of a silver medal winner with a heart if gold.

OFFER
Hashtag Positivity helps emerging and established leaders experience in their work, life, and community. To see what Hashtag Positivity can do for you, connect with Jonas today to discuss your challenges, goals, and obstacles: www.hashtagpositivity.com/connect

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Joke about a javelin thrower
00:35 Insight about a javelin thrower
01:20 Positive news story about a javelin thrower
02:41 Insight about a javelin thrower
04:57 Reflection questions
05:13 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
  • Andrejczyk, M.M. (n.d.). “Maria Magdalena Andrejczyk.” Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/mm.andrejczyk
  • Siemaszko, C. (2021, August 18). “Polish Olympian auctions medal to pay for toddler's heart operation.” NBC News. https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/polish-olympian-auctions-medal-pay-toddler-s-heart-operation-n1277086

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
"Hero's Ascent" by Chris Haugen
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
​Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

INTRO
Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about the Olympian vying for a medal in the javelin contest. She'll need a lot of training and maybe even a little luck, though. After all, it's a long shot.

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. Olympic medals don't go to the best athletes in the world. They go to the best athletes who actually show up to the arena. And even then, a slight wind at the just the wrong time could send a javelin even just centimeters off, just enough to lose the contest. Winning a medal is truly a long shot, because we can't predict what's going to happen nor control everything that happens to us. But what we can do is choose to have the heart of a true Olympian who never gives up despite the odds, championing for what sincerely matters most.

STORY
And on that note, this brings us to today's positive news story that comes to us from Poland about an Olympic Silver Medal winner with a heart of gold.

At the 2016 Rio Summer Olympics, Polish javelin thrower Maria Andrejczyk missed winning a medal by just two centimeters. But she persevered and vowed to return to the Olympics and try again. But before she could compete again, she had to endure shoulder surgery in 2017 and treatment for bone-cancer in 2018. Despite the challenges stacked against her, at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, the 25 year-old finally took home a medal with a silver-winning 64.61m throw.

Speaking about her medal, Maria said it's “a symbol of faith and perseverance in the face of great obstacles.” And in honor of that symbol, she decided to auction it off.

Eight-month-old, Miłoszek Małysa was born with a serious heart defect, causing artery-damaging high blood pressure in his heart and lungs, forcing his family to raise $380,000 for a life-saving operation to keep him alive. But as the operation date approached, they had only raised half of what was needed. Miłoszek was running out of time. That’s when the Olympian stepped in.

When she heard about the challenge facing Miłoszek, Maria said she was reminded of her own battle. "I fought like a lioness through a lot of pain and depression,” she said, and winning the medal brought her enormous happiness. Which is why she was inspired to pay that happiness forward to someone who could surely use it, to help give the young boy a fighting can be to beat the odds, just as she has.

The winning bid of $125,000 was won by the Polish convenience store chain, Żabka, and the money was generously donated to pay for Miłoszek's operation at Stanford University Medical Center.

“The true value of a medal always remains in the heart," said the Olympian, adding, "A medal is only an object, but it can be of great value to others. This silver can save lives, instead of collecting dust in a closet.”

But the kindness and generosity doesn’t end there. After winning the auction, Żabka returned the medal to Maria, stating: "We were moved by the beautiful and extremely noble gesture of our Olympian, so we decided to support the fundraiser for Miłoszek. We also decided the silver medal will remain with Mrs. Maria."

INSIGHT
Maria's compassion is a worthy example of what's possible when we maintain humility and focus on what truly matters most. Though medals can serve as meaningful symbols of overcoming great odds, Maria reminds us that a medal's true value is found not by being put on display to collect dust, but rather when we give it away so it can serve the needs and happiness of others. Olympic medals don't always go to the best athletes in the word, but sometimes they do go to Olympians with hearts of gold—even when it's a long shot.

REFLECTION
How might you use Maria's example as a reminder of what truly matters most in your life and the lives of those in your community?

WRAP-UP
I hope you enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Social Support]]>Mon, 01 Mar 2021 00:46:51 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/social-support
Picture
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
This episode shares a valuable reminder of the importance of sharing kindness and generosity towards the individuals, families, and businesses in our communities. We’re all in this together as a community, and together as a community, we can come out on the other side of challenges stronger than before, so long as we stick together. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to learn more.

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:16 Joke about noodles and social support
00:35 Insight about social support
01:35 Positive news story about noodles and social support
02:55 Insight about social support
03:27 Reflection questions
03:39 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
Hongo, A. (2020, May 28). “10 positive news Stories from Japan most of us missed during the coronavirus outbreak.” Retrieved from https://www.tokyoweekender.com/2020/05/positive-news-japan-during-covid19/

https://twitter.com/orisho_yonezawa 

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about the woman who was running low on cash and went to the ATM to check her bank account balance, but instead of printing a receipt the machine printed out a coupon for ramen noodles!

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. Many people these days are struggling to make ends meet due to the global pandemic, leading individuals, families, and businesses to come up with creative ways to make cuts to their budget and bring in more money. Some are forced to seek a second job, or a new job in the instances where they were laid off. Others are coming up with creative ways to market their services in the hopes of bringing in extra cash, and in many cases we’re called to reduce our spending, perhaps even relying on the generosity of others to make ends meet, a valuable reminder that we’re all in this together as a community, and together as a community, we will come out on the other side of this challenge even stronger than before.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story which comes to us from Japan, where a restaurant on the brink of bankruptcy was saved by Twitter.

The owner of the soba noodles restaurant, Orisho, located in a beautiful mountain region in Yonezawa, Yamagata, was about to shutter its doors for good due to the lost business as a result of the global pandemic.

As a last good faith effort to stay in business, on April 20 of last year the owner joined the world of social media by creating a Twitter account, where he let followers know of their predicament and that despite the lock down, they were still able to make deliveries of fresh soba noodles, stating: “Whoever is interested, please give us a call!”

Within three days the tweet went viral, having been reposted over 12k times! As a result, the restaurant started receiving over 200 orders a day, putting them back in business and saving them from bankruptcy. Now their only problem was figuring out how to fulfill so many orders!

INSIGHT
This story is a valuable reminder of the importance of sharing kindness and generosity towards the individuals, families, and businesses in our communities. After all, we’re all in this together as a community, and together as a community, we can come out on the other side of this global challenge stronger than before, so long as we stick together.

REFLECTION
How are you being supported by your community? And how might you show your support for others?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Stick Your Neck Out]]>Sun, 17 Jan 2021 23:51:42 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/stick-your-neck-out
Episode 3 Cover: A giraffe sticks its neck out
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
SUMMARY
We often find ourselves in “long shot” situations, yet the story you’ll discover in this episode  encouraging reminder of what’s possible when you start with who you are, honor your uniqueness, and stick your neck out to grow beyond what you thought was possible and beyond your reach—like a fish learning to climb a tree or a giraffe learning to ride in a raft—stretching your comfort zone and moving instead into your growth zone. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to learn more!

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources to help you initiate and manage positive change for your growth and development. Enroll now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Joke about a giraffe in a horse race
00:33 Insight about long shots
01:26 Positive news story about a community that rallied together to save a herd of giraffes
03:22 Insight about sticking our neck out to help others, even when it means stretching our comfort zone
04:30 Reflection
04:46 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
HOST
Jonas Cain is a Human Performance Consultant, Positivity Coach, Learning Experience Designer, and Facilitator of Fascination. Through his company, Hashtag Positivity, he helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for individual, team, and organizational growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about a giraffe that entered a horse race. No one would beat on the giraffe though, because they all thought that it was a—ahem—long shot.

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. After all, it’s all well and good to judge a monkey by how well it can climb a tree, but you would never judge a fish by that same criteria. Any time we’re out of our element and in an environment or situation that we are not made for, have not prepared for, and have never been in before, well, our success will certainly be a long shot—whether we stick out our long necks or not. And this is an encouraging reminder to always remember who you are, to honor your uniqueness, and to move beyond that it’s always going to call you to stick your neck out of your comfort zone and prepare you for your growth zone.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story which comes to us from Kenya where a community has come together to save a herd of giraffes.

The family of eight giraffes became stranded on a shrinking island in the middle of a crocodile infested lake when intense flooding cut their peninsula off from the mainland.

What made this rescue so important was that these particular giraffes are the most endangered of all the giraffes, with less than 1,600 left on the earth.

To help save them, a group of conservationists, government officials, and members from the Community Wildlife Conservancy built what they called a “giraffe-raft” to ferry the animals across the lake to safety on higher ground.

But this operation was certainly a tall order to fulfill, because these giraffes stand as high as 20 feet tall and weigh as much as 2,500 pounds! Their high center of gravity alone made keeping the raft upright a particular challenge, especially if the giraffes got spooked by the sight of any nearby crocodiles.

But the team really stuck their necks out and persevered, and after several months of effort they finally got the first giraffe safety across the lake.

David O’Connor, President of Save Giraffes Now, who participated in the rescue efforts, said “It is a relief for all involved to have got her safely across to the mainland and we are sure she is enjoying the space in her new home!”

INSIGHT
Gandhi once suggested that “the greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated." And I believe that’s true, because what we do for those who can offer no favors in return is a direct reflection of who we really are, of what we value, and of our moral character.

And it’s also a reminder that giraffes aren’t meant to travel by raft. That herd was certainly out of their element, in a situation that they simply aren’t designed for, making success truly a long shot.

Yet this is also an encouraging reminder of what’s possible when you start with who you are, honor your uniqueness, and stick your neck out to grow beyond what you thought was possible—like a fish learning to climb a tree or a giraffe learning to ride in a raft—stretching your comfort zone and moving instead into your growth zone.

REFLECTION
How might this story inspire you to step up to serve others, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone and into your growth zone?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[From Pain to Passion]]>Thu, 31 Dec 2020 17:02:07 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/from-pain-to-passion
Episode 12 Cover: Climbers on top of a mountain above the clouds
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
Watch the Interview!
When we experience pain it can be easy to try and avoid the suffering that comes with it, but as the author Andrew Buerger reminds us, we have a valuable opportunity to use that pain to fuel our passion and make the world a better place as a result. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to learn more about making every day a positive day through purpose and passion.

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Introduction to Andrew Buerger
01:04 Joke about mountain climbing
01:57 Insight about mountain climbing
03:24 The dangers of avoiding pain
05:11 How to turn pain into passion
06:36 Positive stories of turning pain into passion
07:10 A quote from Mark Twain
07:20 The secret to wellness
07:49 Alleviating suffering through Jodi’s Climb for Hope
08:42 The secret to nutrition discovered in Iceland that turned into B’more Organic
09:50 How to make every day a positive day
10:24 A story about not letting pain hold you back
12:40 Where to find Andrew’s book
13:24 The power of having a purpose to wake up every day
14:49 A quote from Viktor Frankl
14:07 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
Buerger, A. (2020). Carrying a flag from pain to passion. Outskirts Press.Join a expedition with Jodi's Climb For Hope: https://www.climbforhope.org/
Learn more about Andrew’s company B’more Organic: https://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2019/09/28/fast-growing-bmore-organic-closes-its-doors.html
Andrew mentions the work of Simon Sinek. Visit https://simonsinek.com/ to learn more.

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

Hi everyone, Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and
even a little levity.
 
And on that note, today is a very special day because today we have our
first ever guest on the show. So please help me welcome Andrew Buerger.
 
Andrew, welcome to the show.
 
ANDREW: Good morning, good morning.
 
JONAS: I'm so excited to have you.
 
ANDREW: It's great to be here. You know, one of the positive things got out of COVID is that you spend more time seeing out-of-town friends. It's a bummer you don't get to see your next door neighbor, but it's great to see old friends like you, that I don't get to see often. So this is a real, real pleasure for me.
 
JONAS: Yeah, up until recently I would only see you once a year during expeditions, which is what we're gonna, we're gonna share your story in just a moment, but through COVID I've seen you a lot more.
 
ANDREW: It has been, it's been a great game. It's nice to have some coffee together with you this morning.
 
JONAS: Yes, it is. So, Andrew, I like to start off these, these episodes with a little levity. So do you have a joke for us today?
 
ANDREW: You're puttin' me on the spot there, Jonas. So let me see. So we're, I guess we're talking about mountain climbing so let me see if I have a mountain climbing story but I'm not sure if it's a joke but it's more of a mountain climbing story. You know, 'cause we've climbed together we've done some expeditions. One of them was a mountain climbing expedition on Mount Adams. And we know what it's like, and I think as you probably have learned very quickly the three most important things about being a good mountain climber is one, a poor memory, two, the ability to suffer, and then three, I forgot the third. Get it? Poor memory, I forgot the third? There we go, there we go.
 
JONAS: Okay.
 
ANDREW: The studio audience will get that.
 
JONAS: I get it. No, you know what-
 
ANDREW: The guys at home got that. The guys at home got it.
 
JONAS: That is what makes it so funny is because it's so authentic and so genuine.
 
ANDREW: Yeah.
 
JONAS: I could, I could speak with authority on that because the first expedition
that I did with you was the Grand Canyon.
 
ANDREW: Yes. Right.
 
JONAS: And I had met you the second day of the trip because it was, the one that I did was a rim to rim to rim. So hiking from one side of the Canyon down in and up on to the other side and then being exhausted and wanting to just give up and not even knowing if it was possible for me to go back in the next day. But you know what, I woke up in the morning, I was like, "Oh, I got this."
 
ANDREW: Yesterday wasn't that bad.
 
JONAS: Oh my goodness.
 
ANDREW: I remember, you stumbled into camp a mess. And I'm like, "There's no way that guy's going tomorrow." And then there you were. I was gonna call a medical on you, get out of there.
 
JONAS: Ability to suffer.
 
ANDREW: Yes, yes.
 
JONAS: And a poor memory. You're absolutely right.
 
ANDREW: Yes. Absolutely. You see, that's kind of, you know my positive message is that, you know, for me I feel like suffering is a muscle that we need to build. And in our society we don't suffer enough. You know, I tell the story of my daughter, you know she loves going to the dentist. Yeah, she's like, "Dad, oh, yay! "I get the laughing gas." They have these TV screens where she's watching cartoons. They give her a little prize when she leaves, she feels no pain. Right, she was like, "Brush my teeth? "Why do I need to brush my teeth? "I get to go to the dentist." You know, for us, it was a horrible, horrible experience. And then, you know, I tell the story that my friend, he got a new car, and it's like, "Well, how's your car?" "Oh, it's awesome." "Oh, it's great." "What's the best part of it?" He said the heated steering wheels. Like he, you know, God forbid we get in our car and our hands get cold for two minutes. So all this stuff is so wonderful and it is positive, right? You know, the Novocain, they pre-Novocain your mouth these days. Back then, they just give you this awful shot. Now you don't even feel the shot. Our society is great. You don't want to get your arm amputated without, you know, while you're awake, but at the same time we've lost that muscle to suffer and to go through difficult times. And that's why one of the many reasons COVID has been so hard for people. And not to diminish it, Jonas. Because, you know, it is awful. But sitting home, watching Netflix, is not like going off to war during World War II. It's just not. And you know, there's the old adage that, you know, our grandparents went off to keep us safe often to Europe and we can't stay home to keep them safe. So it's relatively not that bad. There's so many positive things that we talked about COVID and how do we come out of this better than we came into it? What positive aspects? I wrote a book.
 
JONAS: You literally wrote a book on, from-
 
ANDREW: I literally wrote a book. I wrote a book on how to suffer through COVID. I could tell you, you know, 50 awful things but I can tell you a hundred great things that have happened in the past nine months.
 
JONAS: And could you tell our listeners the title of your new book?
 
ANDREW: Yes. I have to read it. "Carrying a Flag From Pain to Passion".
 
JONAS: I just ordered this book and I'm excited to dive into this because with the trips that I've been on with you, you know, that is the core message, you know, as we're about to ascend the mountain or where we're about to dive into the canyon is you're talking about diving into the pain.
 
ANDREW: Yes.
 
JONAS: You're really using that as the fuel. to get us to the summit
 
ANDREW: Yes, yes.
 
JONAS: Using it, you know, literally as the passion to keep us going.
 
ANDREW: Correct.
 
JONAS: Can you tell us a little bit more about how you arrived at that title and how you decided to do these expeditions and what all this means to you?
 
ANDREW: Well, well, you know, in the time it takes for somebody to brush your teeth this morning or pour their cup of coffee, my brief history of my life is that, you know, I had, like, so many people, not just me or you who have had challenges and adversity and grief in their life. But you know, when I was an infant, less than six months old, my mother died. And then my dad died when I was 31. He was only 58 of heart disease. And then my sister developed metastatic breast cancer and died when she was 45. And so through all those awful tragedies, all that pain, I found my passion, which is helping people stay well. The two most important days in a man's life, according to Mark Twain, or a person's life, is the day he's born and the day he figures out why. And so all those tragedies taught me about wellness and I searched and figured out how to stay well which is how to eat right and exercise so I took care of that part. And so that can take care of 87% of disease, by staying well. But the other 13, you know, you can't really prevent. And things like multiple sclerosis and breast cancer are really tough to prevent. There are certain things you can do to reduce your likelihood. So after my sister got sick, I developed, we started the nonprofit. We talked about Jodi's Climb for Hope, which takes people climbing around the world to raise money for breast cancer. If I didn't have enough challenges, my wife developed multiple sclerosis less than six months after we were married.
 
JONAS: Wow.
 
ANDREW: And so, you know, that just furthered my desire to raise more money. So we've raised over $850,000 for both breast cancer and multiple sclerosis here at Johns Hopkins University.
 
JONAS: That is amazing. And what I love about that, you've literally taken this unfortunate situation you know, and you used it as fuel to not only improve the lives of the people that you love, but really helping to alleviate the suffering of people you'll never even meet.
 
ANDREW: Yes, exactly.
 
JONAS: It's beautiful.
 
ANDREW: So one of those expeditions in Iceland I discovered this product called skyr which is a Icelandic yogurt, very similar to Greek yogurt, and I fell in love with, this is, you know, 12 years ago, before Greek yogurt got really hot and I really wanted to develop a protein drink that was organic, without any chemicals and that also didn't have sugar. So I discovered this thing called skyr, I looked at my wife and said, "Jen, this is what I want to do the rest of my life." So I came back home and quit my day job and started bottling this skyr and made an organic protein drink that in 2017 was the fifth fastest growing organic and natural brand in the country.
 
JONAS: That is amazing.
 
ANDREW: So we got a really, really, really healthy product. And we donated 1% of sales to Jodi's Climb for Hope. And so, you know, that again was part of my life's mission is to help people stay healthy by giving them healthy food and then donating money to disease research. So, you know, all those challenges, my wife, my family, my loved ones, all gave me a reason to get out of bed. I get excited not just out of bed, not just to drink good coffee, but to help with my life's mission. And I know what my mission is which is to take a bite out of disease. And that's why I get up every day. And so I've been fortunate that I have a purpose. And when you discover a purpose, every day is a positive day, as you know, Jonas. That's what I'm, that's what the book is about, and that's what I'm imploring people to do through COVID is, why are we going through this suffering? Why are we on this earth? What makes us, what is our purpose in life? And through that, a lot of exploring, you know, Simon Sinek does a good job helping people through and find their passion. Hopefully, you can include that in the show notes, Simon Sinek. And so, you know, we were climbing on Kilimanjaro as a Jodi's Climb for Hope expedition, and we kept seeing this group go up, you know, we're going up with the group. We came back down, I ran into the same group and I said, "Hey, how'd you guys do?" And they said, "Oh, well, 12 of the 24 of us summited" And I'm thinking 12 of the 24 summited? "Why is that?" He said, "Well, Billy's feet got cold, "so Susie took him down, and Joey got tired, "so Bobby took him down." And I'm like, what? We had flags we were carrying to the summit with my sister's name on it. We had people that were at home waiting for us to get that flag, that thank you flag, the Climb for Hope flag that was in our packs the entire way. We weren't getting all that cold feet or fatigue, stop that. And so once you carry a flag in your pack every single day, whether that's to the mountain or whatever it is, it's so hard to stop you. It really is, and you're not going to let altitude sickness or tired feet or cold toes stop you from accomplishing that mission.
 
JONAS: That is such a powerful, powerful reminder of really having that ability to suffer. I mean, it kind of goes against the poor memory because you know, because you're, by literally putting your passion into that flag, you know, that is keeping, that is remembering, you know, your whole reason for getting up there. I remember, I'm climbing Mount Adams with you thinking about my dad and I summited that mountain. I was the last one to get to the top. 'Cause I really struggled that whole last hour.
 
ANDREW: It's rough, it's suffering.
 
JONAS: But I was thinking about my dad. I summited on the five-year anniversary of his death, who died of cancer. So I was just, I was remembering him, you know, he was my flag, he was my reason, my purpose for carrying on because he's not able to anymore.
 
ANDREW: That's right.
 
JONAS: Oh my goodness. You have such an amazing, such a powerful, powerful story, Andrew.
 
ANDREW: Well, I really appreciate you letting me share it with you, as do you. So I thought it was so important that we talk about it together.
 
JONAS: So how can people get your book?
 
ANDREW: I mean, a lot of places you can get it. There's, I guess the simplest is to go to Amazon, it is on Amazon.
 
JONAS: And it's called "Carrying a Flag From Pain to Passion"?
 
ANDREW: Yes, "Carrying a Flag From Pain to Passion." So, you know, you can obviously get it from Amazon but hopefully you can put it in the show notes, there's a great independent bookstore in Ann Arbor that you can order it from. I just don't remember the URL. So hopefully you can put that up and let people support this woman-owned business in Ann Arbor.
 
JONAS: I absolutely will. I will put all of that in the show notes. Well, Andrew, thank you so much for being here. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day. And thank you for having such a powerful mission and a powerful story. As you know, there are, in my research I've found that there are three core pillars of positivity. And one of those pillars is having a purpose, having a reason to wake up every day on fire. 'Cause that is what, you're absolutely right, that makes every day a positive day. So I'm so happy that you've-
 
ANDREW: As Victor Franco said, Victor Franco said, "When your why is big enough, "you can overcome any how." And so, as you and I know, our lives are so big that, you know, we all have setbacks and challenges and bad days, but our lives' big enough so we can overcome any how.
 
JONAS: That's beautiful. Well, Andrew, it's been a joy having you on the show.
 
ANDREW: It's been lovely my friend, thanks.
 
JONAS: And to all of our listeners, I hope you've enjoyed today's episode. And I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that's the best way to really let other people know about this positive resource. If you have any questions for me, you can email me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com and that email will also be listed in the description of today's episode. Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain, and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Relish the Moments]]>Mon, 28 Dec 2020 19:21:30 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/relish-the-moments
Episode 11 Cover: Three hotdogs covered in condiments
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
SUMMARY
It can be easy to take everyday life for granted—perhaps even treating the best of friends as mere furniture in our lives. Yet, when we’re mindful, we become empowered to recognize that even ordinary moments, like sharing a hotdog with a friend, can become an extraordinary moment if only we take the time to relish it. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to learn more and hear the inspiring story of one person who went above and beyond to relish a friendship.
​
OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:16 Joke about two friend eating hotdogs
00:45 Insight about relishing the moments
01:52 Positive news story about a hotdog vendor who relished his customer
03:10 Insight about relishing friendships
03:46 Reflection question
03:59 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

INTRO
Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.
​
JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about two friends enjoying lunch at a local hotdog joint. As they were adding condiments to their dogs, one friend turned to the other and asked, “What’s the best way to enjoy a hotdog?” The friend replied, “I think it’s the same way you enjoy friendship. Relish it.”

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. The term “relish” comes to us from the Latin word relaxare meaning “to loosen and stretch out” which evolved into the Old French word ”relais” meaning "something remaining, that which is left behind.”

To relish something, then, implies that we loosen our grip on what we have and stretch out our hands and hearts to leave a part of us behind—leaving an aftertaste of smiles, love, and hope to be savored.

It can be easy to take everyday life for granted—perhaps even treating the best of friends as mere furniture in our lives. Yet, when we’re mindful, we become empowered to recognize that even ordinary moments, like sharing a hotdog with a friend, can become an extraordinary moment if only we take the time to relish it.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story which comes to us from British Columbia where one food cart vendor went above and beyond to serve one of his customers, by giving him one of his kidneys!

When Skully White, owner of the hotdog cart Lullys Food Experience, learned that his long-time customer, Tim Hiscock, was desperately awaiting a kidney transplant, he knew instantly what he needed to do. He told Tim that if he was a match, he would gladly donate one of his kidneys. And sure enough, just days later they got the results back from the lab that they were a match and could go ahead with the transplant at Vancouver’s General Hospital.

After the surgery, Skully said that he’s now offering free hotdogs for life to anyone who follows in his footsteps to save someone’s life. "It shouldn't scare anyone,” he says. “You have two kidneys and by the time you die, you won't even have used half of one. People live all the time with one kidney."

INSIGHT
Skully’s example serves as a positive reminder of what is possible when we loosen our grip on what we have and instead stretch out our hands in friendship to help those in need. In this case, he literally left a part of himself behind, and in so doing created a pleasing aftertaste of hope for a brighter future to be relished, revealing that what truly remains, is love.

REFLECTION
How might you use Skully and Tim’s story to relish the moments in your own life?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Meet New Friends]]>Fri, 25 Dec 2020 16:22:13 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/meet-new-friends
Episode 10 Cover: An elderly woman surrounds herself with thousands of Christmas cards from new friends.
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
SUMMARY
The years can often be unkind, as loved one pass away and we are left to carry on without them; even still, we are presented with opportunities to meet new people, reminding us that we are not alone in this world, and that if we allow it, we can see that the best truly is yet to come. Check out this episode of On a Positive Note to learn more.

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Joke about growing older
00:37 Insight about growing older
01:27 Positive news story about an elderly woman who made thousands of new friends
03:01 Insight about meeting new friends
03:30 Reflection question
03:44 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
Good News Network. (2020, December 24). “Lonely grandma receives over 1,000 Christmas cards from around the world restoring her faith in human nature.” Retrieved from
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/nancy-letham-receives-1000-christmas-cards-from-around-the-world/

Image provided by South West News Service, https://swns.com/

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about an elderly woman who was asked about the best part of growing older. She replied: “The nice thing about aging and losing your memory is you get to meet new friends every day!”

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. The years can often be unkind, as loved one pass away and we are left to carry on without them; even still, we are presented with opportunities to meet new people. And who knows? Maybe the very people we haven’t met yet will turn out to be the very best of friends. And perhaps most interesting of all, maybe these new friends are people we have already met, but just haven’t taken the time to get to truly get know them yet, serving as an encouraging reminder that perhaps there is some truth to the notion that the best truly is yet to come.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story which comes to us from Fife, Scotland where a 92-year-old great-great grandmother has received over a thousand Christmas cards from around the world.

The woman, Nancy Letham, says that in recent years she usually only receives four cards or so around the holidays, since most of her friends have since passed away.

Hearing this, one of Nancy’s granddaughters, Leo Sheppard, decided to do something about it and posted an appeal online. The granddaughter said she expected maybe 40 or so cards to come in from the local area, but her grandmother was soon receiving over 50 cards a day from all over the world, including Portugal, India, Canada, Australia, Italy, Spain, the United States, and beyond.

The granddaughter said, “It’s just really nice to see how many people have taken the time. It’s not just cards, people are writing letters and letting her know about their lives and struggles. It’s letting my gran know that she’s not alone in the world.”

Nancy says that she never expected such a thing would happen and that the experience has returned her faith in humanity.

INSIGHT
The years can often be unkind, as loved one pass away and we are left to carry on without them; even still, we are presented with opportunities to meet new people, reminding us that we are not alone in this world, and that if we allow it, we can see that the best truly is yet to come.

REFLECTION
How might you use Nancy’s story to connect with others and continue to make new friends through the years?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Shared Blessings]]>Tue, 22 Dec 2020 18:04:38 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/shared-blessings
The cover for episode 9: A donation box overflowing with food
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
SUMMARY
What happens to one of us affects all of us, and when the necessities of life become luxuries that not all of us can afford, it is then that we must rise up and stand together, to get by with a little help from our community. Check out this episode of One a Positive Note to learn more.

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Joke about charity
01:06 Insight about charity
02:00 Positive news story about charity
03:04 Insight about charity
03:40 Reflection questions
03:54 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
CBS 46. (2020, July 10). “Small town tries to spread kindness in a big way.” Retrieved from https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/good-news/small-town-tryies-to-spread-kindness-in-a-big-way/ar-BB16ygFe

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News, charity, blessings box, love thy neighbor

​Transcript

INTRO
Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about a man seeking donations for a local family in need. He found himself on the doorstep of a woman known for being charitable and when she answered the door he shared with her their plight:

“Please, miss, can you find it in your heart to help this poor family? The father recently lost his job and the mother has fallen ill. They’re about to be evicted from their apartment and turned out into the cold streets unless someone can pay their rent.”

The woman was heartbroken to hear this sad news and said, “Bless your heart for being their advocate and seeking help for them! Who are they to you? Are you a friend or a family member?”

“No,” he replied, “I’m their landlord.”

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth. After all, it’s said that a rising tide lifts all boats, but the opposite can also be just as true; that a lowering tide can run all ships aground. As people lose their jobs and business shutter, they become unable to pay their bills, which in turn causes landlords to be unable to pay their own bills, and so the cycle goes on and on.

This is a valuable reminder that what happens to one of us affects all of us, and when the necessities of life become luxuries that not all of us can afford, it is then that we must rise up and stand together, to get by with a little help from our community.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story coming to us from Lula, Georgia, where a resident named Mandy Stewart has started a passion project called “The Blessing Box” where community members can anonymously donate items such as food, toiletries, and clothing.

We may live in a world of abundance, extravagance, and wealth, but we also live in a world where life necessities have become luxuries that not everyone can afford. Mandy says that she started this initiative because she wanted to find a way to connect resources to those in need.

The box is available 24/7 and anyone can make a donation or take anything out of it at anytime, serving a worthy demonstration of love for the people in the community. In her own words, “It's good to know that people might not know you but they still care. It's good for the heart and it's good for the soul.”

INSIGHT
Mandy’s leadership demonstrates that effective solutions don’t need to be complicated. It can be as simple as a box where community members can share their blessings. This initiate also serves as a valuable reminder that what happens to one of us affects all of us, and when the necessities of life become luxuries that not all of us can afford, it is then that we must rise up and stand together, to get by with a little help from our community.

REFLECTION
How might you use Mandy Stewart’s example to rise up and stand together with the people in your community?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Authentic Character]]>Mon, 21 Dec 2020 20:10:15 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/authentic-character
The cover of Episode 8 of the On a Positive Note Podcast: Depicting the iconic Hollywood sign as scene from behind.
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
SUMMARY
​Throughout our lives we will be called to play many roles, and though we may not always get the role that we had hoped for—and perhaps not even the ones we feel most suited for—even still, we are challenged to step up and play our part with authentic character. And when we do this, we become empowered with opportunities to be Happy, regardless of the roles we play.

Check out this episode of One a Positive Note to learn more.

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:15 Joke about an actor who isn’t Happy
00:31 Insight about happiness
01:12 Positive news story about an actor with integrity fighting for equality
02:31 Insight about equality, integrity, and happiness
03:57 Reflection questions
04:26 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
Travis, B. (2020, September 28). Chadwick Boseman boosted Sienna Miller’s 21 Bridges salary from his own pay. Retrieved from https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/chadwick-boseman-boosted-sienna-miller-s-21-bridges-salary-from-his-own-pay/

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News, Hollywood, Chadwick Boseman, Sienna Miller, character, integrity, equality

​Transcript

Well hello! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive news stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about an actor who landed a role in a theatrical rendition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, but he didn’t get the role he wanted. He wasn’t Happy.

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does suggest an important truth. Throughout our lives we will be called to play many roles, and though we may not always get the role that we had hoped for—and perhaps not even the ones we feel most suited for—even still, we are challenged to step up and play our part with authentic character. And when we do this, we become empowered with opportunities to be Happy, regardless of the roles we play.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story which comes to us from Hollywood and the production of the 2019 film 21 Bridges.

The actress Sienna Miller was approached to play a supporting role in the film but when it came to negotiating her salary, she ran into problems. In an industry where woman typically make 30 cents to the dollar compared to their male counterparts, Sienna remained adamant that she would only take the part if compensated fairly, or they would have to find someone else.


When the producer and leading actor in the film, Chadwick Boseman, heard about this, he stepped in to make sure she was compensated fairly by donating a part of his own salary. Chadwick told Sienna, “You're getting paid what you deserve, and what you're worth. It’s what you should be paid.”

The actress said it was the most astounding thing she had experienced in her career, because that kind of thing just doesn't happen, and serves as a testament to the kind of man that Chadwick was, revealing his true authentic character.

INSIGHT
It’s said that our reputation is who people think we are, while our character is who we actually are.

And while we may have some influence over our reputation, in the end we truly have no control over what others think, feel, or say about us.

Yet, what we can control, is our character, as shaped by how we choose to live our lives, regardless of what others may or may not think of us.

And this is a lesson that Chadwick Boseman knew well, as demonstrated in the way he chose to live with honor by doing what’s right even when it meant making personal sacrifices.

Sadly, Chadwick lost his battle with cancer this year at the age of 43, yet even though he may be physically gone from our world, he remains in our hearts, with his character serving as a lasting legacy for us to follow.

And even though we may never land a role in a theatrical production of Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, when we have positive role models to look up to and when we step up to the challenge of living with authentic character, we become empowered with opportunities to be Happy, regardless of the roles we play.

REFLECTION
  1. What roles do you play in life, and how do you bring your authentic self to them?
  2. Think of a time when your character became more important than your reputation. What challenges did you have to overcome to see past what people thought of you so you could focus on who you really are?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
]]><![CDATA[Valuable Skills]]>Mon, 19 Oct 2020 01:37:44 GMThttps://www.onapositivenote.com/episodes/valuable-skills
On a Positive Note Logo with the episode 7 title: Valuable Skills
View the Notes & Transcript Here ⬇︎
SUMMARY
​Even the most seemingly mundane skills can be used to our advantage and may even be just the thing that sets us apart from others. Check out this episode of One a Positive Note to learn more.

OFFER
Become an official member of Hashtag Positivity and gain access to valuable resources for your growth and development, including the exclusive members only Hashtag Positivity Podcast! Join now at learn.hashtagpositivity.com/join

CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
Email: jonas@hashtagpositivty.com
Website: onapositivenote.com

TIMESTAMPS
00:16 Joke about a security guard
00:33 Insight about valuable skills
01:18 Positive news story about using valuable skills to help other
02:33 Insight about kindness
03:12 Reflection questions
03:29 Wrap up

LINKS & REFERENCES
Corbley, M. (2020, July 7). Supermarket security guard is going viral for holding an umbrella over dog standing in the rain. Retrieved from
https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/supermarket-security-guard-holds-umbrella-over-dog/

HOST
Jonas Cain is a Learning Experience Designer and Facilitator of Fascination for Hashtag Positivity, an educational company that helps emerging leaders and their influencers initiate and manage positive change for personal and professional growth.

MUSIC
“Safety Net” by Riot
“Lightning Bugs” by Geographer
“A Quiet Thought” by Wayne Jones

TAGS
Positivity, Inspiration, Social-Emotional Skills, Mindset, Purpose, Relationships, Emotional Intelligence, Psychological Capital, Self-Awareness, Self-Regulation, Motivation, Empathy, SocialSkills, Hope, Efficacy, Resilience, Optimism, On a Positive Note, Positive News Stories, Some Good News

Transcript

Hi everyone! Jonas Cain here with Hashtag Positivity, and welcome to On a Positive Note, the podcast that offers hope through positive stories, practical insights, and even a little levity.

JOKE
And on that note it brings us to today’s joke about a man applying for a job as a security guard. He spent twelve hours in the waiting room waiting for the interview before someone finally came in and announced: “You’re hired!

INSIGHT
Even though this is just a joke, it does point to the truth, because even the most seemingly mundane skills can be used to our advantage and may even be just the thing that sets us apart from others. After all, the patience to stand around a waiting room all day is just the kind of patience that a competent security guard needs in order to effectively do the job. So the next time you’re feeling unsure of yourself, take stock of what you do well, because even your most seemingly mundane skill may be just the thing that sets you apart from the rest.

STORY
And on that note it brings us to today’s positive news story that comes to us from Giffnock Scotland, where a security guard is being hailed as an “everyday hero.”

23-year old Ethan Dearman works security at Morrison’s grocery store and one day he was patrolling the parking lot when it started to rain. Dearman observed that there was a dog tied up in front of the store and without missing a beat he ran into the store for an umbrella and then stood in the rain holding the umbrella over the dog’s head.

This touching moment was caught on camera by Twitter user Mel Gracie, who promptly shared the sweet moment for others to be inspired by, and it has since generated thousands of responses applauding the security guard’s gift of kindness.

When asked about the experience, Dearman replied that he likes to keep an eye out for dogs, adding, and “You never know how dogs feels about the rain.”

INSIGHT
There’s a lot that we can learn from this touching story of a man who didn’t think twice before jumping into action to help. It’s easy to get wrapped up in your work and your own concerns that you forget about how others are dealing with life events. Yet, it truly doesn’t take much to show others that you care, to show them that they matter and that someone is thinking of them. Demonstrating kindness can be as simple and mundane as holding an umbrella; and who knows, such and act may be just the thing that sets you apart from the rest.

REFLECTION
What skills do you have? And what can you do to use these skills to help make your community a better place?

WRAP-UP
I hope that you’ve enjoyed today’s episode, and I encourage you to leave a rating and subscribe to the podcast, as that’s truly the best way to let others know about this positive resource.

If you have any comments or stories that you’d like to share with our listeners, you can send an email to me directly at jonas@hashtagpositivity.com. And that email is also listed in the description of today’s episode.

Until next time, my name is Jonas Cain and this has been another episode of On a Positive Note.
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