Stuff I Learned Yesterday
About Stuff I Learned Yesterday
Stuff I Learned Yesterday is a podcast that aims to encourage, inspire, challenge, motivate, and improve the lives of those who listen to it. Stuff I Learned Yesterday is released each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each episode ranges from 5-15 minutes long and contain short stories based on real events and lessons learned by the hosts. Friday episodes are called the Friday Forum and are filled with inspirational and motivational thoughts submitted by Stuff I Learned Yesterday listeners. Submit your story for a Friday Forum episode by calling 304-837-2278, visiting our feedback page, or click on the Send a Voice Message button on the left hand side of this page.

179- Snap Judgement
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 10:43 — 6.8MB) | Embed
About 9 years ago, Clint and I had just bought our first home. We were excited and anxious as we made changes to the paint, ripped off wallpaper, laid down tile and pulled out carpet. We also had to purchase new large appliances including a washer, dryer and refrigerator. As we selected paint chips and appliances, I remember feeling like we were spending more money than we had seen at that point. We made our big decisions based on functionality, product ratings, personal experience and our “wants”, knowing that we’d more than likely be living with these large purchases for quite a while.
We opted with a traditional energy-saving washer and dryer combo, avoiding the beautiful, but more costly top loaders. When the time came to purchase the fridge, we were dazzled by the huge array of options, each adding extra dollars to the cost. We stood in the large appliances sections of Best Buy, Sears, Lowes, and Home Depot looking both stupefied and giddy at our potential prospects. Did we want Stainless steel or black? Did we want a side-by-side, or fridge-over-freezer drawer combo? Some fridges had panel inserts that could slide in to change the look of the refrigerator completely. Read More…

178- The Treehouse
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:59 — 8.7MB) | Embed
In 2005 when we build our new home on the outskirts of town an idea struck me that would push my kids to want to spend more time outside. My son was 9 years old and my daughter was 6. With so many trees in our yard wouldn’t it be wonderful to build them a treehouse to play and have their own adventures in. Read More…

177- Thankful For My Clients
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In September of 1994 I was hired as a part-time cashier for a local bookstore chain. Nineteen years later I left that chain having worn many hats along the way. I was a cashier, stocker, department head, key carrier, assistant manager, store manager, buyer, co-manager, internet sales coordinator, internet sales manager, and director of ecommerce.
No matter what my title was, my job was essentially always the same. That is, my job was to serve others. I served customer, co-workers, bosses, suppliers, and vendors. I served those who worked above me, beside me, and below me.
Despite what others may say, entrepreneurs do not work for themselves. Entrepreneurs, at least the successful one, work for others. Read More…

176- Thankful For the Golden Spiral Media Team
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In the summer of 2008 a couple of co-workers and I decided to start a podcast about a new JJ Abrams show called Fringe. Fringe turned out to be an incredibly rewarding adventure that spanned 5 seasons. We had much more success than we ever imagined and it opened my eyes to see a whole new world of possibilities and opportunities.
When those two co-workers decided to drop out of the podcast in the middle of the second season, I really wasn’t sure what to do. From nearly the very beginning of our podcast we had been a team of four. The fourth member was a sciency friend of mine named Clint. So Clint and I decided to keep moving forward and do the best we could with just the two of us. Read More…

175- Friday Forum
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:22 — 6.0MB) | Embed
Today is the Friday Forum!! In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday I share a contribution from Jill. You can participate in Friday Forum by visiting our Feedback Page or calling our voice feedback line at 304-837-2278. Read More…

174- Getting in the Groove
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:22 — 8.3MB) | Embed
Over the past couple of weeks I have become diligent about re-entering the habit of getting healthy. Temperatures have plummeted here, just as I know they have taken a nosedive in the rest of the Midwest recently. Two days ago we were enjoying sunshine at the zoo with temperatures in the mid-70’s, and today when I asked Siri about the temperature outside, first she shivered, then she informed me that it’s 22 degrees Fahrenheit. Read More…

173- The Lesson Is In The Leaves
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This was exactly what we had always wanted. We had our dream home, in a beautiful, quiet neighbourhood, and when the summer foliage at it’s fullest all visibility is cut off from the homes around us. We can enjoy the privacy of our back yard without worrying about nosy neighbours. It’s like our own private getaway. Read More…

172- Thankful For My Kids
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:48 — 6.3MB) | Embed
Continuing in my series of episodes about what I’m thankful for, today I want to tell you about my kids. I know I talk about them a lot. Why shouldn’t I? They’re a major part of my life. They’re a major part of me.
It’s hard being a parent. For me, it’s the hardest thing I do. Where is the right balance between establishing boundaries and allowing them to learn for themselves? What things should they be exposed to so that they are aware of the world around them, and which things should I shelter them from. Sometimes those questions are very easy to answer, and sometimes they are quite challenging. Read More…

171- Thankful For My Marriage
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 9:46 — 6.2MB) | Embed
Last Friday night my cousin, Lacey, got married. It was a beautiful evening for an outdoor wedding, and really as nice as it gets here this time of year. Lacey was even more beautiful. After a short ceremony they were pronounced husband and wife and now they’re off on their honeymoon.
I haven’t spent a whole lot of time with her now husband, but he seems like a really great guy. I wish them a lifetime of happiness and love.
At their reception there was a table set up with pictures of them as kids and as an adult couple. There was also a place set up for us to write down words of advice to the newlyweds. My advice: let him play video games as often as he wants, and make him his favorite meal every Friday night.
No, that’s not what I said. I offered up two pieces of advice. First, I told them to always respect each other. Second, I told them to have fun. Read More…

170- Friday Forum
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 13:25 — 8.3MB) | Embed
Today is the Friday Forum!! In today’s episode of Stuff I Learned Yesterday I share contributions from Bonita and Aren. You can participate in Friday Forum by visiting our Feedback Page or calling our voice feedback line at 304-837-2278. Read More…



