QUOTATIONS

Episode 102 - Poetry Explication #6: Dulce et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen

Wilfred Owen died at age 25 while fighting on the front lines in France during the last days of WWI.  He died for his country, but not before penning this haunting poem.  In it, he describes the horrors of death by gas attack, all too common in WWI.  He cautions us to not glamorize or view through rose-colored glasses, what is, and always will be, the nightmare that is war.  

Episode 101 - John Stuart Mill on the Truth of Opinions

John Stuart Mill was a utilitarian thinker who spent a lot of time considering what was "right" and how we can be reasonably certain of our rightness before we act.  In his book, On Liberty he attempts not to define "rightness" but rather to provide us with a litmus test for the rightness (or wrongness) of our opinions.  That test is the topic of today's episode.  

Episode 100 - Albert Schweitzer on Gratitude

In this, the 100th episode of Quotations, we'll explore the words of the great Dr. Albert Schweitzer.  Missionary, medical doctor, and Nobel Laureate.  He paved a way for many to follow in humanitarianism, kindness, and altruism.  He also understood that gratitude is a necessary response to the assistance we receive during the challenges we face.  Today, I thank you, listener, for standing by me through 100 episodes.  

THANK YOU

Episode 99 - Ruth Bader Ginsburg on Living a Meaningful Life

Ruth Bader Ginsburg, or "RBG" as she was often called, was just the 2nd woman ever sit on the highest court in the United States.  As you would expect, she had a lot to say in her years on the bench and today we'll look at just a few of those words and see that underlying the professionalism and capability of this frontrunner was a heart built of compassion, empathy, and community.  

Episode 98 - Mike Rowe’s S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, part 2

This is the 2nd episode about the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge and in it we discuss statements 7-12 of the pledge required of all MikeRoweWORKS scholarship applicants.  What's important is not just the contents, but that we recognize and acknowledge that we need not be pursuing a trade or a scholarship at all.  These statements, together with the first 6 comprise a list from which we can all learn something.  Perhaps then...it is a pledge we should all take.

Episode 97 - Mike Rowe’s S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, part 1

Mike Rowe is a household name.  You've likely seen him on Dirty Jobs or Deadliest Catch or heard him on The Way I Heard It.  He also runs a scholarship foundation called MikeRoweWORKS.  Applicants for his scholarships must read, internalize, and sign a S.W.E.A.T. Pledge, which stands for "Skill & Work Ethic Aren't Taboo."  In this two-part series, we'll explore the pledge, looking at each statement for its value to us.  This is the first part covering 6 of the 12 statements.  

Episode 96 - Ulysses S. Grant on Getting Out of The Way

Ulysses S. Grant, General, President, and protector of the Union, was as imperfect as the rest of us.  He fought well at Vicksburg, Chattanooga, Petersburg and others, but was nearly undone by his imperfections as President.  When Grant interacted with Sheridan at Charlestown in 1864, he showed his finest leadership.  He knew the plan, kept it in his pocket, and got out of the way...

Episode 95 - A Glimpse at John Harbaugh’s Leadership

John Harbaugh has led the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League for more than a decade.  He's seen ups and downs, winning seasons and losing seasons.  He's made hard decisions...some good, some bad.  In this episode, we get a glimpse at how he handled a tough situation WITH his players near the end of the 2021-2022 NFL season.  

Episode 94 - Martin Luther King Jr.’s Wisdom from a Birmingham Jail, part 2

In part two of our analysis of the many great words held within Martin Luther King's Jr.'s jailcell response to his critics, King moves from uniting the cause to igniting the cause.  He has plead his case for unity and for his methods, and now he reminds us all, then and now, that justice and equality will not be freely given, but must be demanded.

Episode 93 - Martin Luther King Jr.’s Wisdom from a Birmingham Jail

Martin Luther King Jr. is the most well known civil rights activist in American history.  His speeches and writings have long outlived him and hold truths and lessons in many forms.  So many, in fact, that I couldn't narrow it down to just one today.  We'll examine multiple quotes from his days spent in jail for resisting the powers of the day, unjust as they were.