The Everyday Human

Eastin DeVerna
  • 5.0 (6)
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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. 17h ago

    That Which Doesn’t Kill You Brings You Closer

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 15 And there is something strange and mysterious about danger and death that latches on to each end of the thread and yanks it quickly and mercilessly until it is taut. It comes about from natural disasters, accidents, wars, shared traumatic events. When the waters recede, when the tinkling of broken glass and the hissing of the destroyed radiator subside, when the bullets stop flying and the bombs stop dropping—the thread is pulled so tight you might worry it’ll snap. The survivors look to one another with surprise and wonder and a thankful air about them—to god or the universe or fate—that they survived, but then more than that, that another soul survived with them. Reflection title: That Which Doesn’t Kill You Brings You CloserCreative inspiration: Stephen Crane, The Red Badge of CourageReflection question: What bonds have formed from close calls or strenuous situations in my life?

  2. 1d ago

    Chuck the Hats

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 14 There is a version of us that we shouldn’t have to water down or bend or make logical or force to fit the current fashion. Yes, if you’re a creative, you must be yourself. Now it is more important than ever, I believe. But just as a human, too—there needs to be an outlet for the true you. You have to be able to throw all of those hats away, even if only for a moment, to let that true inner version of you stretch and breathe. Be it in a quiet moment of solitude in the morning before the house wakes. Be it dancing and singing by yourself, spontaneously given life by a random song on your playlist. Or be it conversing and being in the presence of another soul who accepts and loves you for who you are without reservation and without judgment. Someone who doesn’t want or need all those other versions of you to be present in the moment and embraces the simple, unadulterated, unabashed you. Reflection title: Chuck the HatsCreative inspiration: Ann Rice, Franz Kafka: The Complete Short Stories (Intro)Reflection question: Am I wearing too many hats and sometimes forgetting to take them off? What do I look like without them?

  3. 2d ago

    To Love, To Serve, To Create

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 13 I think, in order to lead a fulfilling life, we can and must do three things (or maybe two if you look at it through Stevenson’s lens): love, serve, and create. And while it is possible to love oneself and create for oneself, to serve oneself might be a stretch sometimes (though you must care for yourself, which is a sense of service, I suppose). But relationships and friendships make all of these things possible. In doing these three things, whether intentionally or not, meaning is created. Purpose blooms. There becomes a reason to wake up in the morning, get dressed, and get to work—whatever that might look like for you. This shines a light on what is beyond the day-to-day redundancies, and the seemingly meaningless tasks we must do to participate in society suddenly are given meaning. In doing so you become, in a way, indispensable. You cannot be useless when you are loving, being loved, serving, and creating with and for others. Here is the true value found in life. And it cannot be bought or sold. Reflection title: To Love, To Serve, To CreateCreative inspiration: Robert Louis Stevenson, Lay MoralsReflection question: Am I loving, serving, and creating? With whom or for whom?

  4. 3d ago

    To Gift a Dandelion

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 12 A gift is not a utilitarian act. Sure, you could give someone something they “need” like a tool or a car (who actually gives cars other than the weirdos in car commercials at Christmas time?), but that sort of gift might soon be forgotten. No, a gift—a true gift with meaning—is a symbol. It’s a physical representation or manifestation of the bond of love and friendship between two people, and they can serve as beautiful (but also painful) reminders of certain times and people in your life. Yes, a gift is a beautiful part of what it means to be human. Reflection title: To Gift a DandelionCreative inspiration: Eastin DeVerna, Dead World: A Post-Apocalyptic TaleReflection question: When did I last give or receive a meaningful gift? And why was it meaningful to me?

  5. 4d ago

    It Means Nothing Without Them

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 11 In another life you are a warrior-chief made of stone and flesh. You train your people endlessly against the threat of invasion, or for the promise of expanding your territory. You take them to the highest peaks of the mountains to slay the winds and into the darkest depths of the cavernous continent below the surface to batter the shadows. You forever seek out the strongest and most hardened opponents to test your mettle and sharpen your blades upon. Until one day, the child from the red hells below—Death—arrives. He has come to expand his collection with those from your world and the challenge is welcome, until first Coden is slain and then you must fight and bargain with the child and he promises to take not every soul, but only those he seeks—and he seeks all but two, leaving you with your young child to roam the lands as ghosts from another world. But soon, more come—a wizard and king seeking your strength—and they take the last thing you have left . . . your child. With none left to wield the invention of war, your world flourishes. Vines cover spears and swords sink into the earth, trees overtake towers, and waters that once ran red now run crystal cerulean and it is a realm of peace. But as you wander alone, it means nothing to you. It means nothing without them. Reflection title: It Means Nothing Without ThemCreative inspiration: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Wilhelm Meister's ApprenticeshipReflection question: What are those things on this earth that are better shared with others? And who do I wish to share them with?

  6. 5d ago

    Or Following You Like Hounds

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 10 Sometimes the measure of a friendship can be weighed by the trouble you find yourself in—by fault of your own or not—and the friends you can’t trust to let you face it alone. Is it who you expected it to be? Or is that person nowhere to be found when you need them? Or is it someone else? Someone you never thought would come to your aid? You can’t expect people to follow you blindly or put themselves in danger or difficult situations for you, but if they do, you can be sure that’s a friend. More than 20 years later, I don’t even remember what those fights were about that led to quitting the band and the breakup. What I do remember is the friend who drove out to my house that night when I didn’t have anyone else. Reflection title: Or Following You Like HoundsCreative inspiration: J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the RingReflection question: Who is willing to stand by me and follow me like a hound? And who am I willing to do the same for?

  7. 6d ago

    Plenty To Go Around

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 9 Joy is a beautiful thing that can be felt individually, but is somehow all the more sweeter when sharing it with a friend. The next time you stumble upon a little bit of joy, make it a point to share it with your partner, friend, colleague, whoever—you’ll make their day, and you’ll be a little better off for it. Reflection title: Plenty To Go AroundCreative inspiration: Mark Twain, Following the Equator: A Journey Around the WorldReflection question: What joy has someone shared with me lately? What joy have I shared, and can I make it a point to share a bit of joy today? Let me come back here at the end of the day or the start of the next to write down the bit of joy I shared.

  8. Sep 8

    Who Are the Friendless?

    September: On Friendship and Connection September 8 Humans are not meant to be lonely and without companionship. We aren’t made for it. Our minds and bodies deteriorate in isolation (not to be confused with a controlled amount of healthy solitude). Isolation is even used as a punishment or form of torture. Touch, smiles, laughter, conversations, presence—these are essential things to strip one of. These are inherently part of what makes humans human. You might as well take the air or the sunlight or water away from them.  If you find yourself without friends or companionship now or in the future, and if you’re feeling up for it, look for ways to make some. Start with what interests you—it’s sure to interest others—and go from there. And if you are fortunate to have the sustenance of friendship, nurture it and keep it healthy, but also reach out to someone who may not be so lucky. It could make all the difference in their life . . . and in yours. Reflection title: Who Are the Friendless?Creative inspiration: Home Alone 2: Lost in New YorkReflection question: How can I nurture the friendships I have? How can I start new friendships for myself or others?

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

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
    261
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Everyday Human
  • Show Website
    The Everyday Human