Where There's Smoke

Brett Gajda and Nick Jaworski

Where There's Smoke explores self-development through the filter of current events, pop culture, and experience. We surf the zeitgeist through an array of audio clips, quotes, concepts, and conversations. In the spirit of The Daily Show and This American Life, we throw everything into an audio centrifuge that separates "what" from "why". You walk away with insights and actionable solutions to improve your business, relationships, and almost any area of your life.

  1. 18H AGO

    "That's All I Remember of Her." - Nick's Christmas Podcast

    Hey, Explorers! It's a Christmas miracle! We know we've been quiet, but during some sort of post-Thanksgiving-fueled mania, Nick decided to make a short mini-series where he dives (too) deep into the 2012 Made-For-TV Christmas musical, The Mistle-Tones. The podcast is called Unwrapping the Mistle-Tones.  While you CAN watch the movie first and get a lot of enjoyment, the episodes were designed so that you don't have to see the movie, because... mostly people haven't. So, today, we present to you the first episode of that series and hope that you enjoy it! If you want the rest, just go check out Unwrapping the Mistle-Tones wherever you get your podcasts! Spotify  Apple Podcasts (Also, has anyone else been hearing the rumblings coming from Metaphor Beach?) Unwrapping the Mistle-Tones Episode Description: In our first episode, we're not only figuring out how to make this thing, but we're also exploring whether or not Joseph Campbell's monomyth (aka "The Hero's Journey") can help us understand perhaps the central theme of The Mistle-Tones: grief. Thanks to Dr. Candi Cann! For more information about what's done done and what she's doing next, visit https://www.deathscholar.com. Thanks to Jason Rogel for both speaking with me, but also kinda blindly accepting what this whole project is. Watch The Mistle-Tones right now on ⁠Amazon Prime⁠ and ⁠Hulu⁠. For more about Nick, check out⁠ www.podcastmonster.com⁠. Disclaimer: Unwrapping the Mistle-Tones is an independent commentary podcast and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Freeform, ABC Family, Disney, or the creators of the film. All trademarks and copyrights are the property of their respective owners. Clips are used for critical analysis under Fair Use doctrine.

    36 min
  2. 12/18/2020

    82: A Christmas Episode

    It is December and any show worth its weight in gold (or frankincense… or myrrh) has a Christmas episode - and WTS is definitely with its weight in tree resin. This episode comes to you in the form of two audio gifts. We even wrapped them and put them under the tree for you. We hope you enjoy them and, perhaps, even take away an idea or two that helps your holiday season be merry and bright. Thank you to Joseph Quinn for joining us in this episod and also for crafting and recording this year's jazzy holiday version of our theme. p.s. This is Where There's Smoke's 3rd Christmas episode. If you love Christmas and all things Christmas, be sure to check out the other two - 38: A Where There's Smoke Christmas and 56: Soaking in the Holidays (Feeling) . The first is an all-time fun and wacky WTS classic, and the second is a beautiful and reflective listen. Find full show notes for this episode (with links to resources) at www.wheretheressmoke.co * * * If you dig this episode, please share it with at least one person! And don't forget to subscribe yourself, so you never miss a new episode in the feed. Get our newsletter and updates by joining our mailing list at www.wheretheressmoke.co. To reach out to us or give the show a signal boost, find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We are @exploreWTS on all three. You can also email us on connect@wheretheressmoke.co. * * * DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes You can also find us on PocketCasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Episodes are also available at www.wheretheressmoke.co.

    36 min
  3. 10/27/2020

    81: Halloween or Hallo... won't? (Play)

    What is Halloween without the trick or treating? That is the question that started the journey of this episode. A lot of our traditions over the next few months are going to look different this year. Not just Halloween. It's unlikely that celebrations of US Thanksgiving, Diwali, Hanukkah, or Christmas will have the same gatherings of people they have in the past. And that sucks. And many people feel stuck. And this feeling of being stuck is not exclusive to Halloween where 2020 is concerned. So how do we adapt? And is perhaps perhaps a tool that can help all of us adapt? For Halloween … and beyond. Find full show notes for this episode (with links to resources) at www.wheretheressmoke.co * * * BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We want to share the mic … with you! What does that mean? Well, how would you like to create an episode of Where There's Smoke? Do you have an idea, concept, something you've been pondering, and you think 'That would make an amazing Where There's Smoke'? Well, let's make it!  We are looking for collaborators, co-writers, and co-hosts. Fresh new perspectives to be a part of the Where There's Smoke universe. Is that you? If so, email us at connect@wheretheressmoke.co If you want to pitch us an idea for a show. Great. But you don't need to have an entire pitch right now. Just tell us why you want to work with us.Tell us why you think you'd be a great person for us to work with. Tell us why you think you'd make a great addition to the WTS universe.  Email us at connect@wheretheresmoke.co and let's start a dialogue. * * * If you dig this episode, please share it with at least one person! And don't forget to subscribe yourself, so you never miss a new episode in the feed. Get our newsletter and updates by joining our mailing list at www.wheretheressmoke.co. To reach out to us or give the show a signal boost, find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We are @exploreWTS on all three. You can also email us on connect@wheretheressmoke.co. * * * DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes You can also find us on PocketCasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Episodes are also available at www.wheretheressmoke.co.

    26 min
  4. 10/09/2020

    80: Can We Talk? (Dialogue)

    The world is grappling with a lot of tough issues. Issues that are nuanced and layered. Issues that don't necessarily have a right or wrong answer. Issues that demand dialogue for progress. And yet we seem to mostly be doing something else.  This week we are talking about talking. Debate vs Dialogue. Nick revisits an actual debate, and both Nick and Brett attempt to create some dialogue.  In the end they hope to answer the question, Is dialogue dead? Find full show notes for this episode (with links to resources) at www.wheretheressmoke.co * * * Make sure to check out Nick's new podcast, Shame Rules!. Click here and subscribe: http://smarturl.it/jjuoz0   BIG ANNOUNCEMENT: We want to share the mic … with you! What does that mean? Well, how would you like to create an episode of Where There's Smoke? Do you have an idea, concept, something you've been pondering, and you think 'That would make an amazing Where There's Smoke'? Well, let's make it!  We are looking for collaborators, co-writers, and co-hosts. Fresh new perspectives to be a part of the Where There's Smoke universe. Is that you? If so, email us at connect@wheretheressmoke.co If you want to pitch us an idea for a show. Great. But you don't need to have an entire pitch right now. Just tell us why you want to work with us.Tell us why you think you'd be a great person for us to work with. Tell us why you think you'd make a great addition to the WTS universe.  Email us at connect@wheretheresmoke.co and let's start a dialogue.

    34 min
  5. 09/25/2020

    79: Lessons from Chadwick (Generosity)

    This week our episode is inspired by the life of Chadwick Boseman. We challenge ourselves to look at how we are showing up in the world. With all of our fears and doubts and distractions, and over corrections and under corrections, and at times just plain laziness or indifference - how many of us manage to consistently show up in our life? For ourselves and for others? To bring all of ourselves to the party? We hear a story from Personal Story expert, Bo Eason. And you may just leave this episode with a different view on generosity, and a renewed commitment to bring it.   Check out Bo Eason's new book, There's No Plan B for Your A-Game: Be the Best in the World at What You Do, at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43263553-there-s-no-plan-b-for-your-a-game And find out more information about Bo and his Story Power workshops at https://boeason.com Find full show notes for this episode (with links to resources) at www.wheretheressmoke.co   * * * WTSdigs Brett: Ted Lasso, on Apple+ Nick: Avatar: The Last Airbender, available on Netflix Nick's wedding links: here and here. Want to get Nick and Ashley a wedding gift? http://smarturl.it/jjuoz0 And we want to hear from you. What is your strongest example of something that is much better than it has any right to be / much better than it needs to be. Share on socials using #BetterThanItNeededToBe or email us with your example at connect@wheretheressmoke.co. If you dig this episode, please share it with at least one person! And don't forget to subscribe yourself, so you never miss a new episode in the feed. Get our newsletter and updates by joining our mailing list at www.wheretheressmoke.co. To reach out to us or give the show a signal boost, find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We are @exploreWTS on all three. You can also email us on connect@wheretheressmoke.co. * * * DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes You can also find us on PocketCasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Episodes are also available at www.wheretheressmoke.co.

    34 min
  6. 06/30/2020

    78: Stay The Course (Change)

    "Change is the only constant in life." Heraclitus said that back in 500 BCE. It was true then, and 2500 years later, it is still true.  That said, there are times in life when it feels like we are in a more intense period of change. As we release this episode, it is June of the year Two Thousand and Twenty AD. We've got a pandemic that is still very much happening, economic uncertainty, and the world is starting to look closely at systemic racism. Oh yeah, and a globally significant presidential election is happening in the USA. This episode we are exploring 'Change'. What is change? How do we accept it? How do we fight it? And how can we as individuals make positive change for ourselves or the world.  This is our final episode before a mid-season summer break. We are working on a brand new newsletter this summer and have some special announcements coming before the fall. Please go to www.wheretheressmoke.co and sign up for our Mailing List, so you don't miss a thing! Here is Rhett Power's article, 10 Inspirational Podcasts That Will Make You Better: https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/10-inspirational-podcasts-that-will-make-you-better.html Find full show notes for this episode (with links to resources) at www.wheretheressmoke.co If you dig this episode, please share it with at least one person! And don't forget to subscribe yourself, so you never miss a new episode in the feed. Want to support the show and help keep it going? Please check out Support WTS.com for our Patreon campaign.  To reach out to us or give the show a signal boost, find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We are @exploreWTS on all three. You can also email us on connect@wheretheressmoke.co. * * * DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes You can also find us on PocketCasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Episodes are also available at www.wheretheressmoke.co.

    28 min
  7. 06/16/2020

    77: To Act or To Action (Allyship) w/ Holiday Phillips

    This week, as the world continues to reckon with race and equality after the murder of George Floyd, we try to understand what an ally IS... and what it isn't.Brett and Nick both hold up a mirror to look at their own actions (or lack of them). And Nick has a conversation with Holliday Philips, who recently published the article 'Performative Allyship Is Deadly (Here's What to Do Instead)'. ARTICLE: Performative Allyship Is Deadly (Here's What to Do Instead) https://forge.medium.com/performative-allyship-is-deadly-c900645d9f1f READING LIST recommended in Holiday Philips article: https://medium.com/the-open-bookshelf/a-reading-list-in-the-wake-of-the-killing-of-george-floyd-f44eb7630763 FOLLOW Holiday Philips on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/holidayphillips Find full show notes for this episode (with links to resources) at www.wheretheressmoke.co REMINDER that our FUNDRAISER FOR JUSTICE is still happening This is a way that you can be an ally with your wallet, AND get a pencil care package from Nick to support your own mindlessness, intentionality, and exploration. Go to www.wheretheressmoke.co and click on the 76: Pencil Something In episode to see ALL the details in the show notes.. If you dig this episode, please share it with at least one person! And don't forget to subscribe yourself, so you never miss a new episode in the feed. Get our newsletter and updates by joining our mailing list at www.wheretheressmoke.co. Want to support the show and help keep it going? Please check out Support WTS.com for our Patreon campaign. To reach out to us or give the show a signal boost, find us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. We are @exploreWTS on all three. You can also email us on connect@wheretheressmoke.co. * * * DOWNLOAD & LISTEN directly from Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/wts-itunes. If you dig the show, please take a moment to rate & review it on iTunes You can also find us on PocketCasts, Spotify, Google Play, Stitcher, Soundcloud, and wherever else you listen to podcasts. Episodes are also available at www.wheretheressmoke.co.

    34 min
4.8
out of 5
528 Ratings

About

Where There's Smoke explores self-development through the filter of current events, pop culture, and experience. We surf the zeitgeist through an array of audio clips, quotes, concepts, and conversations. In the spirit of The Daily Show and This American Life, we throw everything into an audio centrifuge that separates "what" from "why". You walk away with insights and actionable solutions to improve your business, relationships, and almost any area of your life.