Between the Covers Podcast

Today I want to talk about taking pride in Pride. This last June I had the privilege to man a booth at the local Pride Rally for Therapists @ Pride, a group of therapists in this area who are LGBTQAI+ themselves, or affirming of these people. It was fascinating to see all of these people who are stereotyped, persecuted, and judged having the freedom to be and represent themselves. Let's take a look at some of the lessons I learned from participating in the second Pride Rally I've ever been a part of since my faith deconstruction.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

My apologies for the noise disturbances in this episode. My microphone doesn't always want to cooperate and until I have the funds to replace it, sometimes it's going to be a pill.
Let's talk about what we are holding within us. I had an experience around my birthday where I had a release of emotion that I didn't know was stored within me. Times were tough and stress and pressure build up over some weeks. The disappointment with a lackluster birthday, changes in plans that required less time to prepare for a D&D one-shot for my nephew, on top of all the usual difficulties of work, finances, and mental health in my home. What helped me get the emotion out? Of all things, fantasy tavern AI music videos. I don't even remember how I found these videos, but there were some lyrics that spoke to me in such a deep way that it helped to release these emotions. I know! Two AI music videos spoke to me and helped release everything that was being held inside. That being said, what is it that you are holding on to? It's possible that the solution to release it all will come in an unexpected form.
Person Crying Stock photos by Vecteezy: https://www.vecteezy.com/free-photos/person-crying
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

For this month's hero's study, we're looking at the character Mega Man X (X for short) from the...Mega Man X video game franchise. This titular protagonist of this post apocalyptic future of mankind is also the progenitor of a race of sentient robots called Reploids. X is one of those reluctant heroes. He was specifically built to protect the last remnants of mankind. He also has many hidden talents that are granted to him by his long passed creator and he learns to find confidence in himself and even does all he can to avoid violence in his later years. Does it work? Not quite. He wrestles with his own creation, whether he is able to avoid falling into the dysfunction of the Mavericks he hunts, and has to work through the betrayal of people that he trusts. X is a very complex character and I can't wait to share about him with you!
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about some things I've learned from the game Stardew Valley. This is one of my favorite life/farming/adventure simulation games that came out in 2016. Just like any other game that touches on how life actually is, there are some striking lessons to learn from the character interactions throughout the game. As usual, I came up with a list of 10 and only talk about 5 because then these episodes would be as long as an interview. Let's dive in!
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about the impressions our characters make. This is one of those actions speak louder than words kind of conversation. You see, at the time of this recording, there have been some incidents that have shows how people in power are saying one thing, but then acting in another. At the White House Correspondents Dinner, a shooter broke through a security checkpoint. Once it came to the attention of everyone in power that this was happening, there was only one example of these "pro-life" men who actually made sure that his wife was safe. Everyone else completely ditched their spouses. That has left an unfortunate impression that these people aren't walking the walk that they talk. Let's get into it.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about what we are able to do, because we are all able to do something. This is inspired by the saying that comes up often in recovery that you can't do everything, but you can do something. Even if what needs to be addressed is something that you didn't contribute to. *cough*politics*cough* Regardless of what is bringing about our current situations, we can always do something, even if it's small and all you can do for that day. With enough small efforts, we can make a huge difference.
Thumbnail Artmilanicreative.art@milanicreative
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about trying new things today. This is one of my favorite topics to discuss with my clients because I'm essentially giving them permission to play and explore. We all need to, even if we are adults. On my recent vacation to Victoria, BC with two of our friends, Libby and I tried a lot of new things. The thumbnail is a picture taken from the metal concert we went to for Three Days Grace. What did I discover? It's not my cup of tea in a concert setting, but seeing my friend Brandon in his element with all of these other people who have been moved by this bands music makes me consider giving it another chance, only with me being in control of the volume. What does it look like for you to try new things?
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

For this month's hero's study, we are looking at Katniss Everdeen, the protagonist of the Hunger Games books and movies. This is a hero who has spent all her life in the almost abyss of District 12 of Panem and found herself the head of a rebellion against not one, but two forces of power vying for the right to rule. She overcomes so much threat, danger, and attention from millions of people, has to wrestle with the results of the tragedies thrust upon her, and through it all is a powerful and dangerous badass to her enemies and a stalwart friend to those who she loves and cares for.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about our need for control and how it's often an illusion. I'm reminded early on when working with my therapist that we reviewed a poster that said showed the most common things in life that people become anxious about and how that anxiety is often due to feeling like life is out of control when in fact we are trying to control things that we don't have control over. We want to be in control of people, situations, and outcomes. We want to make sure that life is going our way and if it doesn't, then we throw the blame at others. It doesn't need to be this way. Let's see how this can change.
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Let's talk about advocates and the value in finding one, or two, or more. This is a wonderful privilege I have with my partner, friends, family, and even some clients. It's valuable to have someone standing beside us to help speak our thoughts and/or stand between us to fight for us when someone or a system isn't working for us. As a coach, I can be an advocate along with my roles of being a cheerleader and mentor. I share some examples from recent events, so stay a while and give this a listen.
Advocate Handwriting ImageAlpha Stock Images - http://alphastockimages.com/Nick Youngson - link to - http://www.nyphotographic.com/
Please rate and review the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Follow me on Bluesky! @marcus-spaur.bsky.social
Have questions you'd like discussed on the podcast, or people to interview/research for future hero studies? Send me an email! You can reach me at questions (dot) btcpod (at) gmail (dot) com.
Website: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/
Interested in working with me? Schedule a free discovery call: https://calendly.com/marcus-spaur/discovery-call
Free Recovery Resources: https://www.betweenthecoverscoaching.com/free-resources
"Nonstop"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/