where thoughts sit...quietly.

Brad Bates
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where thoughts sit...quietly is a short spoken word podcast featuring reflective, thought-provoking monologues on faith, grief, fatherhood, identity, hope, loss, healing, and the deeper questions of everyday life. Each episode is brief, honest, and emotionally grounded, designed to spark reflection in just a few minutes. If you enjoy spoken word, poetic storytelling, contemplative podcasts, and meaningful short-form audio, this show offers a quiet space to think, feel, and breathe.

Episodes

  1. APR 28

    06. talked to...not talked at

    What happens when conversation stops being about understanding and starts becoming a demand for agreement? In this powerful spoken word podcast episode, we explore the difference between being talked to and being talked at, and why so many modern discussions break down before real dialogue ever begins. This episode examines the tension between communication and control, expression and validation, persuasion and genuine discourse. It challenges the idea that disagreement automatically means disrespect, and asks deeper questions about listening, emotional maturity, boundaries, and the pursuit of truth. Too often phrases like “you’re not listening,” “you don’t care,” or “you’re being defensive” can become shields against honest pushback rather than invitations to deeper understanding. Here, we unpack how healthy conversations require more than being heard, they require humility, curiosity, clarity, and mutual respect. If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misunderstood, silenced, or frustrated by surface-level debates, this episode offers a thoughtful reflection on how to communicate better, think deeper, and engage disagreement without losing dignity. This spoken word piece is for anyone interested in self-growth, emotional intelligence, healthy relationships, communication skills, conflict resolution, critical thinking, personal development, and meaningful conversations in a divided world. Because to be understood is human. To understand others is maturity. But to do both together is where growth begins.

    6 min
  2. 05. mental load - two sides of the same coin

    APR 13

    05. mental load - two sides of the same coin

    This spoken word piece explores the growing noise of modern “influencer” culture and the way it often creates division rather than understanding—especially between men and women. Through a thoughtful and grounded lens, this episode challenges the idea that one perspective carries more weight than the other. Instead, it reframes the conversation around balance—highlighting how men and women often carry different forms of the same burdens, approaching care, responsibility, and “mental load” from opposite angles of the same reality. From the pressures of providing to the weight of managing the home, this piece unpacks how these experiences are not competing…they’re complimentary. If you’ve ever felt frustrated by conflicting advice, tired of the constant battle of perspectives, or caught in the middle of conversations that seem to divide more than they unite, this episode will resonate deeply. It speaks to clarity, partnership, emotional awareness, and the importance of seeing the full picture—not just one side of it. Perfect for listeners who enjoy: Spoken word poetryThought-provoking commentaryRelationships and communicationMental health and emotional awarenessCultural reflection and perspective This episode is a reminder that understanding doesn’t come from choosing sides… it comes from recognizing that sometimes, we’re just looking at different sides of the same coin.

    6 min
  3. 04. park the helicopters

    APR 9

    04. park the helicopters

    This spoken word piece explores the tension between modern church culture and the simplicity of the Gospel — questioning how far we’ve drifted from the heart of what we’re meant to represent. Through the lens of Easter celebrations, it reflects on the rise of attraction-based methods — where spectacle, entertainment, and competition can begin to overshadow the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. With honest and thought-provoking imagery, this piece wrestles with the idea that in trying to draw people in, we may unintentionally dilute the very message we’re called to share. It challenges the notion that bigger, louder, and more attention-grabbing always means more effective — and asks what we might be sacrificing in the process. At its core, this is a reflection on authenticity, intention, and what it truly means to reach people. If you’ve ever questioned the balance between culture and faith, or felt the tension between presentation and purpose, this piece will resonate deeply. It speaks to conviction, simplicity, and the quiet power of living out what we believe. Perfect for listeners who enjoy: Spoken word poetryFaith and spiritual reflectionChurch culture and authenticityThought-provoking and challenging contentMinimalist, introspective storytelling This episode is a reminder that sometimes the most powerful message isn’t the one that makes the most noise… it’s the one that simply remains true.

    5 min
  4. 03. I saw two names

    APR 6

    03. I saw two names

    This spoken word piece reflects on something we don’t often talk about out loud… the quiet awareness of death. It begins with two names. Two lives that ended. And a realization that the distance between “them” and “us” isn’t as wide as we like to believe. Through a raw and honest lens, this piece explores what it feels like to wrestle with that awareness — the weight of getting older, the uncertainty of how and when life ends, and the tension that lives between faith and fear. It touches on moments many of us have experienced: getting “the call,” standing in rooms where life has already left, and imagining what it must be like to be present in the moment someone passes. Some experiences don’t translate… they imprint. Even with faith. Even with hope. There can still be questions. A quiet whisper that asks: “What if I’m not ready yet?” This piece isn’t about what comes after death as much as it is about living with the uncertainty of it — the lack of control, the fragile line between today and someday… between faith and fear. If you’ve ever found yourself reflecting on your own mortality, feeling the weight of time, or navigating the tension between belief and uncertainty, this piece will resonate deeply. Perfect for listeners who connect with: Spoken word poetryMortality and the human experienceFaith, doubt, and spiritual tensionGrief, reflection, and inner thoughtQuiet, thought-provoking contentThis episode is a reminder that life is not something we control… it’s something we’re given. And while we may not know when it ends...we still have today.

    6 min
  5. 02. an unannounced ending...

    APR 6

    02. an unannounced ending...

    This spoken word piece explores the emotional journey of fatherhood, parenting, and the passage of time through the lens of life’s “last moments” — the everyday experiences we don’t realize are ending until they’re gone. From carrying your child to bed, to bedtime routines, to watching them grow up and leave home, this reflective spoken word poem captures the bittersweet reality of raising children. It dives into the emotions of becoming an empty nester, balancing pride and joy with grief and loss as your children become independent. If you’re a parent, father, or anyone navigating change, growing up, or letting go, this piece will resonate deeply. It speaks to love, memory, nostalgia, and the quiet, unannounced endings that shape our lives. Perfect for listeners who enjoy: Spoken word poetryEmotional storytellingParenting reflectionsFatherhood and family themesInspirational and reflective contentThis episode is a reminder to cherish the present moment, because one day, it may be the last time — and you won’t even know it.

    6 min
  6. 01. where my thoughts sit quietly waiting for an answer

    APR 6

    01. where my thoughts sit quietly waiting for an answer

    This spoken word piece explores the quiet, internal world of overthinking, doubt, and faith — the thoughts we carry but rarely say out loud. It reflects on the mental and emotional weight of unspoken thoughts… the ones that feel like fear, sound like doubt, and don’t always align with what we believe. Through a raw and honest lens, this piece captures what it’s like to wrestle with your own mind while trying to hold onto faith, clarity, and peace. From lingering thoughts that won’t pass, to the tension between belief and uncertainty, this reflective spoken word poem dives into the reality of internal struggle, self-reflection, and the search for understanding. If you’ve ever dealt with anxiety, overthinking, or questioned your faith while trying to stay grounded, this piece will resonate deeply. It speaks to mental health, vulnerability, spiritual tension, and the quiet battles we fight within ourselves. Perfect for listeners who enjoy: Spoken word poetryMental health and self-reflectionFaith and spiritual growthOverthinking and anxiety topicsDeep, thought-provoking contentThis episode is a reminder that doubt doesn’t mean you’ve lost your faith… sometimes it simply means you’re still searching, still growing, and still holding on — even when the answers don’t come easily.

    4 min
  • 6 Episodes

About

where thoughts sit...quietly is a short spoken word podcast featuring reflective, thought-provoking monologues on faith, grief, fatherhood, identity, hope, loss, healing, and the deeper questions of everyday life. Each episode is brief, honest, and emotionally grounded, designed to spark reflection in just a few minutes. If you enjoy spoken word, poetic storytelling, contemplative podcasts, and meaningful short-form audio, this show offers a quiet space to think, feel, and breathe.

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