The Everyday Human

Eastin DeVerna
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Welcome to the Everyday Human podcast.  My name is Eastin DeVerna. Each day, I'll share a reflection written by me and inspired by literature, poetry, music, movies, video games, and more. And after that, I'll share a prompt for you to write your own reflection. Together, we'll explore what it means to be human. Every month we'll walk a new path, taking a look at life, death, the universe, and everything in between. Thanks for coming along. For more, visit eastindeverna.com or join me on Instagram @the_everydayhuman.

  1. 4 hr ago

    Who’s Driving This Thing?

    July: On Family July 6 As you grow, as seeds of independent thought and choice sprout in your mind, and as you are able to shelter and feed yourself, things inevitably change. Sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. Again—neither good nor bad, just life. And as you meet people who show you different perspectives and teach you different ways of life, your heart opens up to the fact that should you desire to, or for your own health and well-being, should you need to—you have the ability to create a new family of your own. This can be through friends, partners, lingering artifacts from the family you were born into—it can be a beautiful collage of existing relationships or it can be a painting on a blank canvas that you sat down to paint without even knowing how to hold a brush. And this family, whether you were born into it or created it—should and must give you hope. Though you were brought here helpless and at the whims of fate, just remember there comes a time when you will have the power to push fate aside and take the reins. Reflection title: Who’s Driving This Thing?Creative inspiration:  Sarah J. Maas, A Court of Wings and RuinReflection Question: Am I helpless and at the whims of fate when it comes to my family? Or am I in control of my own life?

    6 min

  2. 1 day ago

    Search and Find

    July: On Family July 5 I’ve been fortunate enough to travel the world. I’ve been to around 15-20 different countries (lost track). I’ve met fascinating people from four different continents, and I’ll always remember them and the people I traveled with. But without fail, every time I’m away, and as much as I’m busy appreciating the different people, landscapes, architecture, food, music, and cultures, I think of home. And a part of me longs to be back there with those who make it a home. I’m lucky for that, I know it. Going on a journey does this to you. If you’re fortunate enough to have a safe and welcoming home and family, it reminds you of what you have—that there will always be people there waiting to welcome you back. If you don’t have that—the journey’s purpose is to help you find it (and if you are in search of one, I hope you do). Travel if you can—it doesn’t have to be a trip around the world, but just get away from home for a little while. Get away from the routine and the day-to-day. Take a journey and let it change you in big or small ways. Travel miles and miles and miles in search of what you need if you must, but then return home to find it. Reflection title: Search and FindCreative inspiration:  George Augustus Moore, The Brook KerithReflection Question: Am I searching for something outside of my home and family? What is it I need? And what do I have here, right in front of me that makes me whole or not whole?

    7 min

  3. 2 days ago

    The Gods Will Fall

    July: On Family July 4 I blink. No way. Is that really my dad? Is that really what I think it is in his hand? The thing they’ve taught me never to do—the thing that just killed my grandma down in Florida? No fucking way. But it’s true. There he is, right in front of my eyes, just laughing and sipping and puffing away. I run up to him, ask him what he’s doing—he says something, but I don’t know what he’s saying. Doesn’t really matter, and I ball my hands into fists and start hitting him in the legs before I run out the door into the dark night, looking for . . . what? I haven’t the slightest. But the glass shatters. The veneer peels. The god falls. I turn to see if he’s following me out the door—maybe I’m not looking for anything or anyone else, maybe I just want him to drop the bottle and the butt and follow after me, telling me it’s not what I think, that he was just holding it for a friend. But he doesn’t look back—eyes on the blonde lady, laughing, smoking, drinking. And I begin to wonder what else he does when he thinks I’m not looking, or when I’m not around. This godlike figure who can do no wrong . . . apparently can. Years later, I’ll know it was just a cigarette, but I’ll also know that horrible infections can start with a small scratch, and that one tiny nibble from the wrong bug can kill a great and tall tree. And as I stand there in the dark, I may not realize it right away . . . but from that day on, I’ll never look at my father the same way again. Reflection title: The Gods Will FallCreative inspiration: John Steinbeck, East of EdenReflection Question: Knowing that neither I or my family are perfect—that we are all fallible humans—what will I do with that knowledge? Can I still forgive, even when the veneer has been stripped and the glass has been shattered and the god has fallen?

    10 min

  4. 3 days ago

    Remember Where You Came From

    July: On Family July 3 Jobs, social status, privilege—all this too can change a person, and it often does. It can lead to an emotionally shallow family dynamic. It can make actions that once were filled with joy and intention become absurdly performative—like ticking off a box on a checklist. Don’t save genuine feelings or forgiveness for a fancy meal, or trip, or holiday—try to remember the times when you relied on each other. When you loved each other. Before all that other stuff came in and got in the way. If it doesn’t work out—and it might not—that’s okay. That’s life, remember? But at the very least, you can say you tried. Reflection title: Remember Where You Came FromCreative inspiration: Oscar Wilde, A Woman of No ImportanceReflection Question: Have I lost the thread of family? When was the last time I was genuine and true with my family?

    6 min

  5. 4 days ago

    Go Ahead, Get Idealistic

    July: On Family July 2 I don’t know if it will ever happen. And whatever—I don’t care if it’s idealistic to hope for it. I’m a writer. Part of my job is to literally dream up better worlds (after putting my characters through hell, so it goes). But if we can begin to see ourselves as a family—doesn’t have to be a perfect one either, all families have their issues, but one bound together by something greater—then maybe the distance between us won’t seem so far and things will change for the better. And not in some heaven-like utopian way, but in the small, everyday moments where empathy replaces fear, and kindness and understanding replace anger and ignorance.  Families offer hope . . . and since we’re all one big human family, well, here’s to hoping. Reflection title: Go Ahead, Get IdealisticCreative inspiration: Mary Oliver, "At the River Clarion"Reflection Question: How do I treat my extended human family? Do I see them as others? Or as brothers and sisters?

    5 min

  6. 5 days ago

    What’s in a Family?

    July: On Family July 1 The month of June, On Conflict and Courage is over. That brings us to July and the new topic of On Family. It doesn’t matter who or what it is that you call family. The world is big, wide, and beautiful, but without family, it can be small, isolating, and crushing.  What matters is that whoever they are, your family brings you light in the dark and keeps you warm in the cold. And that you do the same for them. Reflection title: What’s in a Family?Creative inspiration: André Maurois, The Art of LivingReflection Question: Who is my family? Who would do anything for me? And in turn, who would I do anything for?

    7 min

  7. 6 days ago

    Silence Is a Paper Shield

    June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 June 30  Do yourself a favor and learn this lesson while you can from those who came before and learned it for us. Death and pain and confrontation are inevitable. They’ll come for you no matter what. They’re coming for you right now whether you say what must be said or betray yourself with small silences. You’re better off getting the words out. Speak your truth, for others—those you wish to help and protect—and for yourself. Start small if you must. Unlock that cage, let a few words out at a time. You’ll watch the silence wither and you’ll see speaking the words of your heart will help put your fears in perspective. It will teach you more about others, the world, and yourself.  It will give you a great strength.  Reflection title: Silence Is a Paper ShieldCreative inspiration: Audrey Lorde, "The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action"Reflection Question: What truth have I been afraid to speak? And what or who am I so afraid of that I would lock the words of my soul away?

    9 min

  8. 29 Jun

    Lemon Boys in June

    June: On Conflict and Courage GoFundMe for my wife's cancer fund: https://gofund.me/3682c6720 June 29 As I pulled up the grass and tossed it aside, Oliver’s words echoed in my mind and I had no choice but to stop and consider the determination of this grass—and the grass in the cracks in the driveway or growing through the sidewalks in town. I can’t say if the grass knows of the harsh conditions it must push through in order to find life, or the bravery it takes to grow where it desires, even in the face of those who would cut it back (me, I guess—thanks to the damn HOA), but I have a feeling that even if it did know, it would push on anyway right past those unending obstacles. And for me and maybe for you that’s something to consider. And maybe it’s even something worthy to remember. Now, time for that tomato sandwich.  Reflection title: Lemon Boys in JuneCreative inspiration: Mary Oliver, "Evidence"Reflection Question: Where in my life do I need to channel the stubborn bravery of the grass to push through obstacles? What will I do today to be more like the grass?

    7 min
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About

Welcome to the Everyday Human podcast.  My name is Eastin DeVerna. Each day, I'll share a reflection written by me and inspired by literature, poetry, music, movies, video games, and more. And after that, I'll share a prompt for you to write your own reflection. Together, we'll explore what it means to be human. Every month we'll walk a new path, taking a look at life, death, the universe, and everything in between. Thanks for coming along. For more, visit eastindeverna.com or join me on Instagram @the_everydayhuman.

Information

  • Creator
    Eastin DeVerna
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    189
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Everyday Human
  • Show Website
    The Everyday Human