Porc Therapy

Archive for December, 2010

Porc Therapy 107: Shot Down

December 30, 2010

Your love’s sister is about to have a baby and requests that you get an influenza vaccination (a “flu shot”) in order to come visit and see the baby, but you are opposed to the flu shot (for, perhaps, legitimate reasons!). What do you do? In this episode we talk about a listener who was in this situation and how she dealt with it.

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4055

http://skeptoid.com/episodes/4180

Are germs aggressive? I mean, if someone is sick and contagious and they infect you, are they being aggressive to you?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Typhoid_Mary

http://freetalklive.com

1) Thanks for the donations

2) Cool mimic octopus

3) Listener Feedback:
I first ran across this idea in “Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus”

Like Stephanie I am wary of generalizations because individuals are so variable, you’ll find them all over the range. Men, women, people of different ethnicities – you might generalize about things that could come from culture and social expectation, or maybe from genetic predisposition – but you’ll find people who break the generalization.

People are so variable and changable that the generalizations might be a trap as often as it helps.

4) Question:
What do you do when you have unresolved issues from your past that cause you not to trust people in the present here and now?

In this episode we discuss whether Porc Therapy offers advice or opinions, and Mike reveals his concern over being considered an “advice podcaster.”

Hi Stephanie & Mike!

Something that’s been bugging me lately came up in a conversation earlier tonight, and I thought it might make for good PT fodder… I have a hard time meeting & maintaining relationships with women. (I’m a straight lady myself.) Well, initially meeting them is not the issue. I’m friendly and easy to talk to, but I never seem to be able to get past the acquaintance stage with new females in my life. I have several good childhood female friends, but honestly, I haven’t made a “best girl friend” in many years. I know I’m not completely socially awkward, because I have lots of male friends with whom I get along really well. Part of it, I think, is that I have NO clue what other women are thinking much of the time! I think this intimidates me. (Is this how men feel?!)

To give an example of this whole issue… I have a part time job where over 90% of the staff is female. I’ve been here for about 4 or 5 months and while I’m friendLY with my coworkers, I wouldn’t say I’m friends with any of the women here (or the men, but they’re the bosses, and a good deal older.) I try to talk to everyone and be open, yet I can’t make a connection. I crack jokes and no one laughs. **sad violin**

But I’m a happy gal, in general. I’m not even really looking to make a change. I’m curious to hear what you (and maybe a peanut or two) have to say about this topic, as I know I’m not the only one.

Thanks, guys! I love the show. It always leaves me smiling!

- sign me Anonymous

PS – let me know if I need to clarify anything; it’s 3:30 AM aka way past my bedtime!

1) Clarification of the “state” cuss word

2) [Listener feedback] Dear MICHAEL and Stephanie :)

Thank you. Although I felt bad about my sleepy word salad about Grafton Gulch, I enjoyed the rest of the episode. :) :) :)

I didn’t expect you two to be able to do therapy on me by remote control from one e-mail. However good ideas are where you find ‘em.

I am digging into Branden’s online program thanks to your recommendation.

3) Grafton Gulch Update

4) [Question] Is it true that when most men hear someone talk about a problem they start to try to fix it, but when women hear someone talk about a problem they prefer to empathize and sympathize and listen and be compassionate?

http://www.cnvc.org/Training/needs-inventory

http://www.cnvc.org/Training/feelings-inventory

http://GraftonGulch.com

http://karakiri.com

Porc Therapy 101: Swearing

December 1, 2010

On this episode we talk about swearing – cuss words, profanity, curses, F-bombs, etc.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-do-we-swear

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seven_dirty_words#The_words

http://www.wordnik.com/words/swear