EPISODE 341 - DO I GET THE FOUR YEARS BACK

In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound impact of the 1976 sci-fi movie "Logan's Run" on his childhood and its enduring message on life and mortality. Hadfield recalls the chilling experience of watching the film as a young boy, especially the scene involving a terrifying robot in an ice cave. He contrasts the special effects of "Logan's Run" with those of "Star Wars," noting how the latter revolutionized the industry.

The episode explores the film's dystopian premise where society's inhabitants live in a domed city, leading idyllic lives until they are forced to sacrifice themselves at the age of 30. This narrative sets the stage for a discussion on the illusion of security and the importance of living life to the fullest. Hadfield shares a pivotal scene from the movie where the protagonist, Logan 5, is tasked by an artificial intelligence to infiltrate and destroy a sanctuary for those who refuse to conform. This mission abruptly reduces Logan’s remaining lifespan from four years to zero, forcing him to confront his mortality.

Hadfield connects this to the concept of the "thick and mystic moment" – a sudden, radical change that redefines one's life direction. He emphasizes the symbolic use of the ankh in the movie, representing life and the importance of truly living, not just existing. Drawing from a 70-year-old article titled "When Will You Start to Live?" by Shirley Moore, he underscores the tendency to postpone living, waiting for a future that never arrives.

Hadfield encourages listeners to seize the present and make the most of their lives, challenging them to break free from the routine and embrace the unknown. He concludes with a poignant quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson: "We are always getting ready to live but never living," urging everyone to start living now, while there is still time.

Episode 340 - FICTION IN THE MIRROR

In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound reflections inspired by Aerosmith's iconic song "Dream On." The discussion begins with an exploration of the song's creation by a teenage Steven Tyler and its lyrical significance, particularly the opening line, "Every time I look in the mirror, all these lines in my face getting clearer." Robert challenges the literal interpretation of this line, arguing that daily changes in our appearance are too subtle to notice, unlike the gradual yet significant transformations over years or decades.

Robert uses relatable examples, like weight gain and graying hair, to illustrate how these slow changes often escape our notice. He emphasizes that if such changes occurred overnight, we would be shocked into action, but their gradual nature allows us to overlook them. This concept extends to how we perceive ourselves versus how others see us. Robert recounts personal anecdotes, including being called "dude" instead of "sir" due to his appearance and realizing his graying hair during a haircut, to highlight the discrepancies between self-perception and external perception.

The episode also touches on how we perceive our voices and appearances differently than others do, often disliking our recorded voices because they don't match what we hear internally. This misalignment of self-perception and reality can be a significant obstacle in understanding how we are perceived by others.

Robert reads an insightful article by Charles Jackson, author of "The Lost Weekend," which discusses the challenge of truly knowing oneself. The article suggests that ultimate self-knowledge may only come at life's end, as our true selves often elude us despite our best efforts to understand them.

The episode concludes with a call to action: to strive for self-awareness by recognizing these gradual changes and seeking honest self-reflection. Robert encourages listeners to set long-term goals and make small, consistent changes to align their self-perception with their desired identity. This journey, he argues, requires commitment and the willingness to see oneself as others do, ultimately leading to a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Episode 339 - NO ONE LIKES A FROWNY FACE

In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield delves into the profound lessons from the iconic film, The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford and Tommy Lee Jones. Using the movie's tense and dramatic scenes, Robert explores the significance of actions over feelings, especially in moments of crisis.

Robert recounts a pivotal scene where Ford’s character declares his innocence, only to be met with Jones' indifferent yet honest response, "I don't care." This moment serves as a powerful metaphor for how people often respond to others' troubles—not out of cruelty, but out of necessity and practicality.

Drawing from a personal experience at a mall, Robert illustrates how people's demeanors—positive or negative—affect those around them. He shares an encounter with a store employee whose overt negativity made a lasting impression, emphasizing how such interactions can shape our perceptions and responses.

The discussion then shifts to the philosophy of renowned talk show host Dennis Prager, who champions the idea of acting happy as a societal duty. Inspired by Prager’s "Happiness Hour," Robert underscores the importance of projecting positivity, even when personal feelings don't align. This concept is beautifully encapsulated in a 1954 article by Mildred Cram, highlighting happiness as a contagious and transformative force.

Join Robert as he weaves together cinematic moments, personal anecdotes, and philosophical insights to explore the power of actions over feelings and the duty of happiness in our daily lives. Remember, a simple smile can make the world a better place.

Key Points Discussed:

1. Analysis of The Fugitive and its themes of justice and indifference.
2. Personal story about encountering negativity at a mall.
3. Dennis Prager's philosophy on the duty of happiness.
4. The impact of projecting positivity in everyday interactions.

Tune in for a thought-provoking episode that blends entertainment, personal reflection, and profound life lessons.

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Episode 338 - THE POWER OF PATIENT PATIENCE
In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield shares his recent visit to the Sphere in Las Vegas with his son. He describes the Sphere's impressive exterior, which transforms into various visuals like a giant eye or the moon, and its immersive interior that features a massive screen and innovative displays. During their visit, they watched "Postcard from Earth," a visually stunning film designed to maximize the Sphere's unique capabilities.

Hadfield then delves into a personal reflection sparked by his thoughts on U2, a band that had a residency at the Sphere. He recounts his evolving appreciation for U2 and their song "40," which is based on Psalm 40 from the Bible. This leads him to discuss the concept of patience, both in the context of the song and its deeper meaning in life.

He draws parallels between patience and the experience of being a patient in a hospital, sharing anecdotes about his own injuries and the advice he received from doctors to be patient during recovery. Hadfield emphasizes that patience involves calmly tolerating situations without indifference and that it is a crucial virtue to develop over time.

To illustrate the power of patience further, Hadfield reads an article by General Omar Bradley titled "Patience is Power." Bradley's insights, written in 1953 during the Korean War, highlight the importance of patient steadfastness in both personal and national contexts. He argues that patience can prevent the misapplication of power and lead to more thoughtful and effective actions.

Hadfield concludes by stressing that true patience is tested during challenging times, not during moments of calm. He encourages listeners to reflect on their reactions in difficult situations to assess their level of patience genuinely. Through his thoughtful narrative, Hadfield underscores the value of patience as a guiding principle in life.

Episode 337 - NEVERMIND THE EXPLOSION

In this episode of the "Thick and Mystic Moment" podcast, host Robert John Hadfield explores the concept of life-altering moments, focusing on how pivotal events can redirect the course of individual lives and broader societal trends. The episode delves into several historical moments that have shaped music culture, particularly highlighting the impact of iconic musical performances and bands such as The Beatles and The Who.

The discussion begins by reflecting on how unforeseen changes—whether personal, societal, or global—can precipitate significant shifts in direction for people's lives. Hadfield cites The Beatles' 1964 appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show as a transformative cultural event, emphasizing its profound influence on numerous future musicians, including notable figures like Gene Simmons and Sammy Hagar.

Further, the podcast examines another influential musical moment—The Who's energetic performances, particularly their 1965 release of "My Generation" and a notorious 1967 appearance on the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, where an explosive stunt led to significant hearing loss for Pete Townshend. This segment sets the stage for discussing Butch Vig, a pivotal figure in the music industry whose career trajectory was significantly influenced by watching Keith Moon's performance as a child.

Butch Vig's journey from a piano-playing nine-year-old to a renowned music producer encapsulates the central theme of the episode—how moments of inspiration and setbacks can lead to unexpected opportunities. Hadfield traces Vig's early rejections and self-driven foray into music recording, leading to his critical role in producing landmark albums such as Nirvana's "Nevermind" and The Smashing Pumpkins' "Siamese Dream."

The episode concludes by drawing broader lessons about perseverance, the value of self-teaching, and the impact of harnessing one's drive and talents despite limited resources. Hadfield uses Butch Vig's story to inspire listeners, suggesting that transformative success is possible when individuals are willing to navigate through and beyond the challenges they face.

Episode 336 - EXCUSES AND THE FINAL SCORE

In this episode of the "Thick and Mystic Moment" podcast, host Robert John Hadfield delves into the theme of accountability and the impact of making excuses on success and failure. The conversation begins with a casual story about a disappointing basketball game, setting the stage for a broader discussion on the dynamics of sports and the lessons they offer about life.

Hadfield reflects on his own experiences with sports during his school years, highlighting a poignant lesson from his coach: "excuses lead to failure." This idea becomes a central theme as he explores the ways in which excuses can detract from achieving goals, both in sports and in life.

The discussion extends to historical examples and literary references that emphasize the detrimental effects of excuses. A notable example from a 1914 newspaper article, which reads like a poem, admonishes the use of even "good excuses" and promotes seizing opportunities. Hadfield also recounts a piece from 1952 that discusses overcoming laziness and procrastination by prioritizing responsibilities over comfort.

Throughout the episode, Hadfield interweaves personal anecdotes and reflections, reinforcing that the final results—the scores on the board in sports, or the outcomes of one's efforts in life—are what truly matter, not the excuses made along the way. The podcast episode is a compelling narrative on personal responsibility, the illusion of valid excuses, and the pursuit of success without self-deception.

Episode 335 - MOSES BLOOMS LATE In this compelling episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield tells the inspiring story of Anna Mary Robertson, known as Grandma Moses, an American folk artist whose career flourished unexpectedly in her late seventies. Born in 1860 in Greenwich, New York, Grandma Moses lived through hardships and personal tragedies, including the loss of five of her ten children. Despite these challenges, her story is a testament to perseverance and the power of art.

The episode delves into significant moments of her life, from receiving crayons instead of a red dress on a day marked by President Lincoln's death, to her late blooming art career sparked by a need to cover a bare wall at home. Her artistic journey began in earnest when arthritis made her switch from embroidery to painting, leading her to produce over 1,500 paintings, some of which would eventually sell for millions.

At 78, her paintings caught the attention of art collector Louis Calder, which led to her work being displayed in the Museum of Modern Art. By 80, she was known as Grandma Moses, a name coined by the press. Her vivid, lively paintings captured the essence of American rural life, gaining her nationwide acclaim, and even recognition from President Truman.

This episode not only explores Moses' art but also her philosophy on life—emphasizing beauty and resilience over hardship. Join us as we explore how Grandma Moses became an icon of American art and culture, reminding us all of the enduring human spirit.

Episode 334 - WHERE NO MAN HAS COMPOSED BEFORE

In this episode of "The Thick and Mystic Moment," host Robert John Hadfield takes us on a nostalgic journey that explores the power of childhood influences and their unexpected impact on creativity. He shares his fond memories of listening to a simple AM/FM radio as a kid, turning the dial to discover favorite music and letting songs like Rick Springfield's "Jessie's Girl" inspire him. Hadfield then delves into the story of Alexander "Sandy" Courage, the brilliant composer behind the iconic Star Trek theme. Sandy Courage's early exposure to radio and a song called "Beyond the Blue Horizon" left an indelible mark on him, shaping his future career in orchestration.

Courage's journey from an Army Air Corps bandleader to a key orchestrator in Hollywood led him to work for MGM Studios, and eventually CBS Radio, where he collaborated with the likes of John Williams. His most recognized achievement, the Star Trek theme, blended a majestic American fanfare with a rhythmic motif inspired by "Beyond the Blue Horizon." His orchestration prowess, combined with his ability to innovate even in sound effects, brought the Enterprise’s journey across the cosmos to life.

Hadfield emphasizes how Courage's path serves as a reminder of the value of learning from the greats and surrounding oneself with those who inspire and challenge. This episode inspires listeners to reflect on their own influences and the importance of nurturing greatness by cultivating enriching relationships. Whether you're a fan of Courage's work or simply fascinated by creative journeys, this episode provides a thought-provoking exploration of how passion, curiosity, and dedication can lead to something as iconic as the Star Trek theme.