Archive for August 2013
Positive Feedback!
Posted on: August 28, 2013
The first three episodes of SLW! Podcast have drawn encouraging, positive response.
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This is helpful! – Albertha
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Woah! I’m really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a fantastic job with this. Also, the blog loads very fast for me on Chrome. Superb Blog
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First, great job! I love the color scheme of the website. I like the sound quality of the podcasts. Fabulous and appropriate music. Next, the podcasts are meaty. You may want to keep it to 15. . . maybe even make them shorter, but more frequent? That’s the start of my feedback. More later.
Elysha
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Content: Excellent, I enjoyed getting to know you in the first podcast, learning more about you and simple living in the second, and sealing the deal in the third. The relationship is well on its way.
Production Value: Voice quality is excellent, you have the perfect pitch for audio. Background music is well thought out and pleasing. Show notes are are helpful, links are helpful and logical. In fact, I found myself watching videos about simple living from the past.
I can see where your passion comes from, and it’s infectious. Thank you for sharing your life’s work with the rest of us.
Peace,
Craig
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Jerry,
I’ve listened to the first one. It’s a relaxing sound, slow-paced, clear. From the music to your voice. It’s sort of Mister-Rogers-like—that uncle talking about living simply in today’s world. I think you educate your listeners on what “show notes” are and where to find them. (smile)
Lee
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Hi, Gerald: I listened to episode 3 so far — my only recommendation is to clean up the transition between music and spoken word. Other than that, it was good and your voice came through. I’ll look forward to when you can interview people and be a bit more spontaneous with your comments so we can get a feel for you, not just your message. Thanks so much and I’ll send more comments when I listen to the others.
Amy
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iTunes Customer Review
Great “simple” podcast! 5 stars
Very simple podcast about simple living. Just what I was looking for. A little slow, but lots of inspirational ideas. Keep it up!!
Pete
[NOTE: I increased the pace in episode 4.]
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The Plan
After our initial series of three shorter, getting-acquainted episodes, we intend to produce a half-hour podcast twice a month, hopefully educational and inspiring for you, your family and your congregation or group.
How to Listen and Comment
With podcasts, we can listen at a time that suits us.
I subscribe to my favorites so that they’re automatically downloaded into my computer. Then I simply plug my iPod into my computer and easily transfer them into my iPod for listening. I can also listen on my computer.
If you know the actual name of the podcast you want to hear, key that name into the search box at the upper right of the iTunes Store page.
There are numerous podcast services, such as Stitcher.com. iTunes can be used on PCs or Macs. It’s no more complicated than your browser for your email. SmartPhones and iPads (or tablets) also have apps to listen to podcasts.
You can access all the podcast audio and the show notes either at SimpleLiving.startlogic.com/SLW-PODCAST or at SimpleLivingWorks.org (then click window #3).
Or access individual episodes:
We’ll send you an email when each episode is posted when you click the box at the bottom of the show notes.
I hope you’re feeling comfortable accessing them, fitting them into your life and feeling their benefits.
When you go to the show notes — the written introduction — for each podcast episode, you’ll see an outline of the program plus lots of links to related or supporting material on the internet.
Your comments are welcome, either here, at the show notes, on the SLW! Facebook page, or by email at Podcast AT SimpleLivingWorks DOT org. You may want to comment on the content, the production values (like voice quality), the helpfulness of the show notes, etc.
If you think podcasting is a passing fad, be aware that iTunes just announced its one Billionth podcast subscription!
Do your friends a favor. Share this blog and podcast.
If you’re still not convinced, you may want to read my recent blog The Joy of Podcasts.
Peace, Gerald
Episode 3: Saga of Simply Enough
Posted on: August 25, 2013
Here are condensed Show Notes for this episode of SLW! Podcast.
You can access the direct podcast audio and the complete Show Notes with audio players (also at SimpleLivingWorks.org, then click window #3).
In this episode. . .
If you read my blog on Choose Justice awhile back, then you may especially enjoy The Saga in the context of a podcast.
“Simply Enough” DVD re-issued as “Choose Justice” by World Vision Canada.
1. Going on the road; meeting Tony & Shane
2. Planning, recording, editing, guide, design, marketing DVD
The adventure of making the original video.
3. YouTube hacker
4. V. 2.0 – Choose Justice
Order the new DVD from The Simple Way, $10US.
5. Future
To LISTEN, click the player at the top or the bottom of the show notes. To SUBSCRIBE, click “Notify me of new posts by email.” Or subscribe through the iTunes Store, Stitcher.com or your favorite podcast service.
I subscribe to my favorites so that they’re automatically downloaded into my computer and easily transfered into my iPod for listening whenever/wherever I choose. I can also listen on my computer.
Enter Simple Living Works into the search box at the upper right of the iTune Store page. iTunes can be used on PCs or Macs. It’s no more complicated than your browser for your email. SmartPhones also have apps to listen to podcasts.
Contact us at Podcast AT SimpleLivingWorks DOT org (or our previous and still active SimpleLivingWorks AT yahoo DOT com and SimpleLivingWorks2 AT gmail DOT com).
After three shorter, getting-acquainted episodes, we intend to produce a half-hour podcast twice a month, hopefully educational and inspiring for you, your family and your congregation or group.
You can access the podcast audio and the show notes either at SimpleLiving.startlogic.com/SLW-PODCAST or SimpleLivingWorks.org (then click window #3).
We’ll send you an email when each episode is posted when you click the box at the bottom of the show notes.
I hope you’re feeling comfortable accessing them, fitting them into your life and feeling their benefits.
Still unconvinced? You may want to read my blog The Joy of Podcasts.
Peace, Gerald “Jerry” Iversen, Chief Activist
P.S. I also co-host and produce a monthly podcast with Jubilee-Economics.org, called TheCommonGoodPodcast.com. We have really interesting folks lined up for this fall.
Episode 2: 5 Life Standards
Posted on: August 19, 2013
Here are condensed Show Notes for this episode of SLW! Podcast.
You can access the direct podcast audio or the complete Show Notes with audio players (also at SimpleLivingWorks.org, then click window #3).
In this episode. . .
If you read my series of blogs on the 5 Life Standards awhile back, then you may especially enjoy them in the context of a podcast.
Five Life Standards from Living More with Less inform the mission of SLW!
1. Do Justice – using only our fair share of the Earth’s resources
2. Learn from the World Community – openness to other cultures; reverse missions and Fair Trade
3. Nurture People, Not Things – focus on relationships over stuff
4. Cherish the Nature Order – caring for Creation
5. Non-conform Freely – developing spiritual resistance to advertising that pressures us to buy things we don’t need
Support material for Living More with Less | Simple Living Works! web site THEMES/Seasons Index
TheCommonGoodPodcast.com, episode #27 with co-host Lee Van Ham, briefly presents the 5 Life Standards. (The interview starts at minute 13. Only an excerpt was used in SLW! #2.) The conversation goes on to Practical Implications in episode 28. (Hint: We have really interesting folks lined up for this fall.)
SUBSCRIBE through iTunes, Stitcher.com or your favorite podcast service. iTunes categorizes them, such as religion, education, etc. Enter “Simple Living Works” into the search box at the upper right of the iTunes Store. iTunes can be used on PCs or Macs. It’s no more complicated than your browser for your email. SmartPhones also have apps to listen to podcasts.
I’ve subscribed to a dozen favorite podcast series, so that they’re automatically downloaded into my computer to listen. Or I simply plug my iPod (mp3 player) into my computer and easily transfer them into my iPod for listening whenever/wherever I choose.
After three shorter, getting-acquainted episodes, we intend to produce a half-hour podcast twice a month, hopefully educational and inspiring for you, your family and your congregation or group. We’ll send you an email when each episode is posted when you click the box at the bottom of the show notes.
I hope you’re feeling comfortable accessing them, fitting them into your life and feeling their benefits.
You can access the podcast audio and the show notes either at SimpleLiving.startlogic.com/STW-PODCAST or SimpleLivingWorks.org (then click window #3).
Still unconvinced? You may want to read my blog The Joy of Podcasts.
SACRIFICE
Posted on: August 16, 2013
Sacrifice is in our heads. When we have enough, it is not a sacrifice or loss or deprivation to give up something we don’t really need.
In our affluent country, most of us have the privilege – not the “right”! – to decide our own needs, our own level of enough.
That level is determined by many factors – income, level of debt tolerance, morals, religion, up-bringing.
A big deciding factor, however, is the distinction between needs and wants. Basic human NEEDS are relatively easy to fulfill – food, shelter, love. WANTS are rarely ever satisfied. We are pulled by peer pressure, desire for status, and commercial messages (advertising) to fulfill more wants.
Needs are real. Wants are imaginary.
Giving up a want is not a sacrifice! That’s only in our heads. Giving up a real need is a real sacrifice.
Peace, Gerald “Jerry” Iversen, Chief Activist
Access the new SLW! podcast audio and the show notes (or SimpleLivingWorks.org, click window #3). SUBSCRIBE through iTunes or your favorite podcast service.
I hope you’re feeling comfortable accessing our podcast, fitting it into your life and feeling its benefits. Please read my blog The Joy of Podcasts.
Episode 1: Getting Acquainted
Posted on: August 13, 2013
We can listen to podcasts at a time that suits us.
Here are condensed Show Notes for this episode of SLW! Podcast.
You can access the podcast audio and the complete, official Show Notes (or at SimpleLivingWorks.org, then click window #3).
In this episode. . .
WHAT’S HAPPENING TO SIMPLER LIVING?
WHO WE ARE
What is Voluntary Simplicity?
What is Simple Living Works!?
Living More with Less support materials
WHAT WE’RE NOT
WHAT TO EXPECT
Links to other worthwhile organizations and sites
Simple Living Works! web site home page | THEMES/Seasons Resource Index
NEWS
1. Order Choose Justice DVD | The adventure of making Simply Enough with Tony and Shane
2. Alternatives’ 40th Anniversary. A brief history.
3. Submissions to Whose Birthday? 2013 | Issues 1-24
SUBSCRIBE in the iTunes Store or through you favorite podcast service.
Contact us at Podcast AT SimpleLivingWorks DOT org
I subscribe to my favorites so that they’re automatically downloaded into my computer. Then I simply plug my iPod into my computer and easily transfer them into my iPod for listening. I can also listen on my computer.
I use iTunes to subscribe to podcasts, though there are several podcast services, such as Stitcher.com. Think of iTunes as a newspaper carrier, delivering a podcast from the publisher to you. iTunes can be used on PCs or Macs. It’s no more complicated than your browser for your email. SmartPhones also have apps to listen to podcasts.
iTunes categorizes them, such as religion, education, etc. If you know the actual name of the podcast you want to hear, key that name into the search box at the upper right of the iTune Store page.
After three shorter, getting-acquainted episodes, we intend to produce a half-hour podcast twice a month, hopefully educational and inspiring for you, your family and your congregation or group.
We’ll send you an email when each episode is posted when you click the box at the bottom of the real show notes.
I hope you’re feeling comfortable accessing them, fitting them into your life and feeling their benefits.
Please read my blog The Joy of Podcasts.
I also co-host and produce a monthly podcast with Jubilee Economics, called The Common Good Podcast. We have really interesting folks lined up for this fall.
Deep Change
Posted on: August 11, 2013
Metanoia (meht-ah-NOY-ah) is a Greek word meaning change or transformation. Metanoia stories are usually touching, at least fascinating. Several appear at Jubilee-Economics.org, one of our collaborating organizations.
Read and hear the stories of Anastasia, Rick and Karen. Simple, just living begins to look real, possible, rewarding.
Metanoia is also the name of Jubilee Economics’ newsletter: “opening our eyes to a new economic paradigm that reshapes our lives and communities.” You’re welcome to subscribe for free at Jubilee-Economics.org.
Peace, Gerald
New SLW! Podcast Launched
Posted on: August 8, 2013
I can remember when it hit me. I was sitting in a modest hotel room in Paris, France. We were on a family vacation. The elevator only hauled one person at a time. I was reading a book from Alternatives. I was given clear, inspiring permission to non-conform. (We Lutherans need permission.) My eyes were wide. I devoured the book.
Now decades later this retired guy is learning how to produce and distribute podcasts, this somewhat new-ish form of narrowcasting (not broadcasting). Almost anyone who has the passion and stick-to-it-ive-ness can reach out to people who have a similar interest, almost for free.
I’ve learned much about the skill from my volunteer job as co-host and producer of The Common Good Podcast each month. Thanks, Jubilee Economics, for the opportunity, which I plan to continue. (Btw, Lee and I have really interesting folks lined up for this fall.)
This reminds me a bit of the time I moved a pipe organ of 1000+ pipes into our geodesic dome from a church in Wisconsin. Or the time we moved the dome from Sioux City to Sergeant Bluff. I said at the time, “I’m too old to have to learn all this stuff about zoning regulations.” But my wife has a saying, “Do something everyday that scares you.”
The Plan
Our initial offering is a series of three shorter, getting-acquainted episodes to “get the bugs out.” They’re all available now. Yes, there are a couple of embarrassing moments.
Then we intend to produce a half-hour podcast twice a month, hopefully educational and inspiring for you, your family and your congregation or group.
I’ve been listening to my favorite podcasts on my little player for the last several years. With podcasts, we can listen at a time that suits us. The topics usually appeal to a small but loyal audience. There are thousands of podcasts series. iTunes categorizes them, such as religion, education, etc. If you know the actual name of the podcast you want to hear, key that name into the search box at the upper right of the iTune Store page. (Don’t be confused or distracted by the other media offered by iTunes, such as songs for sale.)
How to Listen and Comment
I have a dozen favorite podcast series, some monthly, most weekly, some 30 minutes, most an hour. I’ve subscribed to them so that they’re automatically downloaded into my computer. Then I simply plug my iPod into my computer and easily transfer them into my iPod for listening. I can also listen on my computer.
I use iTunes to subscribe to podcasts, though there are several podcast services, such as Stitcher.com. Think of iTunes as a newspaper carrier, delivering a podcast from the publisher to you. iTunes can be used on PCs or Macs. It’s no more complicated than your browser for your email. SmartPhones and iPads (or tablets) also have apps to listen to podcasts.
You can access all the podcast audio and the show notes either at SimpleLiving.startlogic.com/STW-PODCAST or at SimpleLivingWorks.org (then click window #3).
Or access individual episodes:
We’ll send you an email when each episode is posted when you click the box at the bottom of the show notes. Or subscribe through iTunes Store or your favorite podcast service and each episode will be delivered to your inbox.
I hope you’re feeling comfortable accessing them, fitting them into your life and feeling their benefits.
When you go to the show notes — the written introduction — for each podcast episode, you’ll see an outline of the program plus lots of links to related or supporting material on the internet.
When you click ABOUT, you’ll see credits at the bottom. The theme song is, of course, “Simple Gifts,” performed by Earth Mama® at www.earthmama.org with Joyce Rouse, vocals; Catherine Marx, keyboard; Jim Hoke, harmonica.
The Cover Art “Peter’s Dancing Person” (also known as “Dancing with Spirit”) by Peter Yuichi Clark appears in Spirit of Simplicity: Quotes & Art – 3c. Celebrating #3A-305; and in Worship Alternatives: Items: Other/Hunger #353. Used by permission of Seeds of Hope – SeedsPublishers.org.
Your comments are welcome, either here, at the show notes, on the SLW! Facebook page, or by email at Podcast AT SimpleLivingWorks DOT org. You may want to comment on the content, the production values (like voice quality), the helpfulness of the show notes, etc.
If you think podcasting is a waste of time, a passing fad, be aware that iTunes just announced its one Billionth podcast subscription!
Do your friends a favor. Share this blog and podcast.
If you’re still not convinced to try it, you may want to read my recent blog The Joy of Podcasts.
Peace, Gerald
Two Types
Posted on: August 4, 2013
There are basically two types of planners – long range and “spontaneous.” The first make five-year plans; the second, five minute plans. OK, I’m exaggerating a bit.
Getting Our Group Ready for Fall Education Season
August is the time when it’s getting clear that our church or group needs a plan for the fall season. If we’re not using our national curriculum, we need to come up with our own.
Here’s help!
For adults. . .
Faith and Money Study Guide – faith-based
Northwest Environmental Group – a whole series of worthwhile guides, not faith based
Jubilee Economics – faith-based
Peace resources
The SLW! Study Guide index includes year-round and seasonal suggestions, for children, teens and adults, from one-session to multi-session, some video. Many are free on the internet.
Peace, Gerald
Graphic: Worship Alternatives: Art #2105
Simple Living Works! 