Happy New Year, dear listeners! AJ and Chris are back for the first episode of 2026, kicking off the year not with resolutions, but with something far more honest: use it or lose it. From digital overwhelm and doomscrolling, to the resurgence of analog life, retro tech, journaling, and intentional living, this episode is a wide-ranging, reflective conversation about what’s worth carrying forward…and what might be better left behind. 🌐 Use It or Lose It (instead of a Resolution) Instead of New Year’s resolutions, AJ frames 2026 around sustainability: what habits, tools, and practices help us maintain in an era of information overload—and which ones quietly drain us. 📱 Losing Doomscrolling A candid discussion about social media algorithms, attention capture, and how easy it is to feel trapped by always-on digital life. The antidote? More intentional, analog-adjacent experiences that slow things down. 📼 The Return of Analog (and 90s Tech) From cassette players and iPods to dedicated single-task devices, the guys explore why 90s-era tech feels like a “vaccination” against hyper-connectivity. Less friction, fewer notifications, more presence. 🎮 Retro Gaming & Intentional Play AJ dives into handheld emulators, retro consoles, and the rise of the “90s Nook,” including why replaying those classic retro games can be comforting, affordable, and surprisingly fresh thanks to modern communities like RetroAchievements. * Retro Achievements - https://retroachievements.org/ * Retroid handhelds - https://www.goretroid.com ✍️ Journaling, Simplified Chris shares a major shift: stepping away from premium pens and notebooks in favor of simpler tools that remove pressure and invite use. Cost doesn’t equal meaning, and sometimes less really is more. * Muji - https://www.muji.us/collections/paper-goods?srsltid=AfmBOoqisSkxF5sZ96uEtQQNMhG9pTUx7j8KUaF73Z0pA1qvMevqHyIg 📓 Gamifying Life with the Hero’s Journal AJ talks about transitioning to a Hero’s Journal, a guided, quest-based journaling system that blends reflection, goal-setting, and storytelling, plus how journaling has become a shared, normalized practice with his son. * The Hero’s Journal - https://theherosjournal.co 📻🎧 KMRE Love A heartfelt thank-you to KMRE 88.3 FM, proudly broadcasting The Bellingham Podcast on the terrestrial dial and online. 🌲 Quality Assurance 🔥 Fire & Story (Waypoint Park) Fire & Story, a January event featuring music, storytelling, and community warmth down at Waypoint Park. Sauna groves, live performances, and family-friendly vibes—one to keep an eye on next winter. * Fire and Story - https://www.fireandstory.com/ * Energy Pyramid band - https://energypyramid.earth/ 📚 Silent Book Club Chris’s talks about Silent Book Club — a relaxed, introvert-friendly gathering for anyone who loves to read in good company (but without the pressure of discussion). Bring your own book, grab a drink if you like, and enjoy focused reading time alongside others. It’s all about presence, calm, and intentional community — a perfect fit for our use it or lose it theme. * Learn more at https://silentbook.club * In Bellingham at Ponderosa Books https://www.ponderosabeerandbooks.com Thanks for starting 2026 with us. Whether you’re using it, losing it, or figuring it out one analog step at a time: we’re glad you’re here. Take care of yourself! AJ & Chris This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bellinghampodcast.substack.com
