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In this third annual Christmas tradition, I welcome Eric back to the show for a wide-ranging conversation about books, reading, and the lifelong pursuit of understanding. We talk about his ambitious “great books” journey—now stretching toward what may become a 40-year project—covering everything from Greek tragedies and Plato’s dialogues to Confucius, Viktor Frankl, and modern classics.

We dig into Eric’s disciplined reading habits, his yearly practice of starting January and February by reading the Bible (including his experience with the King James Version this year), and how he structures his reading year to stay motivated without burning out. We also explore big ideas like Plato’s theory of forms, the difference between philosophers and sophists, how ancient texts continue to shape modern thinking, and how AI can be used responsibly to deepen understanding—after you’ve done the hard work of reading.

Eric shares the books that stood out most to him this year, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, Man’s Search for Meaning, The Analects of Confucius, and The Idea Machine, along with the powerful concept of finding a “single thread” that ties together everything you read. We close with practical, encouraging advice for anyone who wants to read more: start with what you love, and let curiosity do the rest.

This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation for readers, thinkers, and anyone looking to build a richer reading life—perfect for closing out the year and setting the tone for the next one.

Click here to see Erik's list of books read in 2025 https://books.booksoftitans.com/2025-reading-list/

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Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

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Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
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Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

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Resources and Links
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My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
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Likeness isn’t luck—it’s design. On this episode, I sit down with live digital caricature artist Angie Jordan to explore how she turns a trade show aisle into a packed crowd and a stream of branded keepsakes. Angie breaks down the math behind caricature—allocating space to the biggest feature, exaggerating for clarity, and composing faces that are often more recognizable than a photo.

She shares how she teaches kids with her “30-box” method, reads silhouettes at a hundred feet, and blends drafting precision, showmanship, and portable tech—from Wacom tablets and compact rigs to fast printers and client-facing TVs. We also talk branding, style, and influence, from Hanna-Barbera to Al Hirschfeld, Steven Silver, and Tom Richmond, and why embracing quirks often beats chasing symmetry.

If you’re planning a booth, corporate event, or wedding, Angie offers practical tactics to drive dwell time, spark conversations, and create shareable art that keeps your brand in the feed.

Check out her work and book Angie at angiejordan.com
and on Instagram at @AngieJordan7. If this conversation sparks ideas for your art or event strategy, subscribe, share, and leave a review so others can find the show.

Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

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Resources and Links
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My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/
Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

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In this episode of The Scott Townsend Show, I reconnect with longtime friend and marketing leader Jacquelyn LaMar Berney, President of VI Marketing and Branding in Oklahoma City. Jacquelyn—an accomplished marketer, community leader, and trustee for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art—joins me for a thoughtful and energizing conversation about authenticity, personal branding, and the strange new world of LinkedIn advice.

Jacquelyn and I unpack a recent post she wrote that began with the bold opener: “LinkedIn advice is worthless.” That hook sparked a deep dive into why people chase engagement, how AI-generated posts are changing the platform, and why contradictory “thought leadership” leaves people confused rather than helped.

We talk about the “Harvard Trust Triangle,” what it means to have a “wobble” in how others perceive your empathy, logic, or authenticity, and how to show up as your real self without oversharing. Jacquelyn also reflects on the evolution of LinkedIn—from résumé site, to networking hub, to something that sometimes feels like Tinder-for-business.

Together, we explore:

• Whether authenticity is still possible in an algorithm-driven world
• How personal brands are built (whether you mean to build one or not)
• Why trend-chasing feels hollow
• How to genuinely help people without turning into an “influencer”

It’s a smart, funny, and honest conversation about the tension between being yourself and performing yourself online—and why showing up with integrity still matters.

Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2

Resources and Links
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My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/
Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

Send us a text

In this episode, I visit with Max Skinner, Senior Manager of Community Development for Movember. Men’s health needs more than awareness—it needs action people can see, measure, and join. Max and I explore how a global mustache movement has evolved into a U.S.-anchored engine for impact, funding programs that tackle prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and the growing crisis of men’s mental health and suicide prevention.

We dive into Mind Moves, Movember’s mental-wellness program tailored for collegiate student-athletes navigating performance pressure, identity shifts, and the new NIL reality. Hosted on a platform that reaches more than 150,000 athletes, Mind Moves teaches students how to spot warning signs, start real conversations, and use campus resources—turning education into prevention.

We also unpack the Real Faces of Men’s Health Report, a first-of-its-kind U.S. analysis offering state-by-state data, demographic insights, and policy recommendations that move the conversation from slogans to strategy.

The numbers are stark—60 men die by suicide every hour worldwide, and three out of four suicides in the U.S. are men—but the solutions can start small. Max and I talk about meaningful check-ins, building shared rituals that keep friends connected, and why growing a mustache still works as the perfect conversation starter.

If you want to help, it’s easy: grow, move, host, or “Mo Your Own Way.” Link your miles with Strava, use free templates and guides, and see where funds go through clear U.S. reporting.

Ready to turn a mustache into momentum?
Sign up at us.movember.com, join a team, or donate to support programs and research that save lives. If this conversation moves you, subscribe, share it with a friend you care about, and leave a review to help more people find it. Your next check-in might change a life.

Skydiving Naked

👉 Donate to my Mo Bro page and help me hit my goal:
https://us.movember.com/mospace/13009249

Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2

Resources and Links
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My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/
Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

Send us a text

Jake Frew's YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@JakeFrew

Jake Frew's Patreon page https://www.patreon.com/c/JakeFrew

What would you choose if YouTube hid views and subscriber counts—hype or your own taste? I respond to Jake Frew's Patreon post about YouTube Metrics and Airline etiquette. I discuss a world without public metrics and trace how that shift might bring us back to trust, storytelling, and the simple power of word of mouth. From the Mona Lisa’s fame without a counter to the way a Spielberg credit earns an automatic watch, I explain why following a creator’s voice can be more satisfying than chasing whatever tops the charts.

As for airline etiquette I talk about being a shades-up person most of the time, when it’s kind to drop them, why not reclining in tight cabins respects the person behind you, and how back-to-front boarding logic beats aisle gridlock. Add a few low-friction habits—slide over, don’t guard the aisle, stash bags fast—and everyone’s flight gets easier.

I believe we should support the creators who earn your trust, whether that’s subscribing, sharing, or joining their Patreon. If this resonated, hit follow, share it with a friend, and leave a quick review with your take.

Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2

Resources and Links
--------------------------------------------
My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/
Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

Send us a text

Join me as I sit down with Sam McCullough from OneHope.com to explore the world of Gen Alpha—kids who’ve never known a life without screens. We dive into the real sources of influence shaping their decisions, from social media feeds and AI to mental health pressures, and discuss how parents and leaders can guide them toward grounded faith.

In this episode, we cover:

• Who Gen Alpha is and what it means to be a digital native
• How AI, tech habits, and screen time shape trust and perspective
• Mental health challenges tied to social comparison
• The impact of exposure to violent or desensitizing content
• The vital role of parents as primary influencers and disciple makers
• Building biblical literacy and fostering honest conversations
• Moving kids from spoon-fed answers to critical thinking
• Engaging hot topics with clarity, warmth, and relevance
• Practical ways to connect across generations
• Cultivating hope in a mission-minded, bridge-building generation

Learn more at OneHope.net or follow Sam on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/samuelaaron/

Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2

Resources and Links
--------------------------------------------
My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/
Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar

Send us a text

A mustache can start a conversation, but the real goal is changing the rules men grew up with. This episode digs into Movember as a catalyst for men’s mental health, exploring why so many guys carry stress, anxiety, and depression in silence and what it takes to make sharing feel safe. We talk candidly about the phrases that shape boys—man up, boys don’t cry—and how those scripts follow men into adulthood, where vulnerability can feel like breaking the code.

I share a simple ritual that helped my son and me build trust: a monthly hour where he spoke and I listened without judgment or quick fixes. It began awkwardly and grew into easy “man dinners” where anything or nothing could be the topic. From there, we map out practical tools you can use right away: lead with your own truth to lower the bar, ask open-ended questions that invite stories, and give silence room to work. When words come, resist the urge to solve. A sincere that sounds tough, I get it can be more powerful than a dozen solutions.

We also spotlight ways to engage with Movember beyond facial hair. Move for Movember turns empathy into action with 60 miles to honor the 60 men lost to suicide every hour around the world. Hosting a moment—a simple gathering—creates community, connects men to resources, and chips away at stigma one conversation at a time. The throughline is clear: culture change happens in living rooms, on sidewalks, over wings, and with small, honest check-ins that make help feel normal. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs a nudge, subscribe for more conversations that matter, and leave a review to help others find the show. Who will you check in with today?

Movember https://us.movember.com/

Donate here https://movember.com/m/thescotttownsendshow?mc=1

Support the show

I ♥ my podcast host @Buzzsprout. This link will get us both a $20 credit if you upgrade! https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1087190

The Scott Townsend Show Merchandise https://teespring.com/stores/tsts-2

Resources and Links
--------------------------------------------
My contact info:
LinkedIn https://bit.ly/2ZZ4qwe
Twitter https://bit.ly/3enLDQa
Facebook https://bit.ly/2Od4ItO
Instagram https://bit.ly/2ClncWl
Send me a text: 918-397-0327

Executive Producer: Ben Townsend
Creative Consultant: Matthew Blue Townsend

Shot with a 1080P Webcam with Microphone, https://amzn.to/32gfgAu

Samson Technologies Q2U USB/XLR Dynamic Microphone Recording and Podcasting Pack
https://amzn.to/3TIbACe

Voice Actor: Britney McCullough
Logo by Angie Jordan https://blog.angiejordan.com/contact/
Theme Song by Androzguitar https://www.fiverr.com/inbox/androzguitar