Wit & Wisdom with Tom Greene

Today’s kids are the product of the most mental health intervention, the most therapy, the most anti-anxiety meds and the most understanding and empathetic parents in history. But, the kids are also the most anxious, depressed, medicated, lonely, sad and fearful kids in history. With all this sympathy and intervention, shouldn't our kids be improving? Shouldn't the number of kids suffering from anxiety and depression be going down? (Hint: it goes up every single year.) Tune in to learn why much of the struggling might just be our fault.

The Great Recession in 2008-2009 started a downward trend in the birth rate. The slide continued until we hit an all-time low in fertility 2020. That’s surprising since people were quarantined at home and should’ve been more active in the slap & tickle department. The US population hit a record low the following year. Not good. So, will the next generation buck the fertility trend in order to save Social Security and Medicare before it goes bankrupt? Listen to this episode to find out.

We are living in terribly polarizing times. But, how did we get here? The answer requires a little history lesson....and a little background in architecture. Yes, architecture.

It's that time of year in the United States. A time filled with anxiety and, even, dread. Yes, we are in the window each spring when high school seniors (and their parents) anxiously await to see whether Junior got into his "dream school". Yes, an enormous amount of anxiety is in the air. But, what if I told you that none of this really matters? That your kid's success has very little to do with the their college acceptance or even their college completion. If you're out standing by your mailbox waiting on the mail you definitely need to give this a listen.

There's a violent cultural shift coming. You can't see it yet, but it's rolling down the track like a speeding freight train. When it hits it will reverberate across the land like rolling thunder on a late summer night. So, what's this violent cultural shift? Tune in to find out.

If the past few years have taught us anything, it's that life is uncertain. Everything is fluid. Everything. Our health. Our livelihood. Our family. Our politics. Our peace of mind. It's all fluid. Have you already forgotten about the pandemic? I thought so....

Each season holds meaning in our lives. Some seasons, like spring and summer, create energy with their abundant light. But, winter is a time of rest, stillness and reflection. An opportunity to grow in the midst of uncertainty. It's a metaphor for life. But, fortunately, spring always comes with it's light a green shoots. We evolve stronger, rested and resilient, ready to begin afresh, empowered by the light.

We live in a constant state of distraction. Awash in information; starving in wisdom.

Trying to matter can be an inspiration for an enormous amount of goodness. However, it can be a curse if we spend our entire lives trying to matter for the wrong reasons.

It's the season of giving all around the world. And a great time to focus on those we love and those less fortunate than us. It's also time to recognize the 2023 Altruist of the Year award winner: Jimmy Donaldson. He can cure blindness. How? Well, you're gonna have to tune in to find out.

It’s the single most important question of every man’s life. And, it’s imperative that you know the answer. The answer to this single question can provide much needed grounding throughout the course of your life. But, you'll have to listen to find out what it is.

No matter how you slice it, today's generation of men are lonelier than ever. The pressures of work, marriage and trying to be the "Dadliest Dad" on the planet mean that friendships take a backseat. For most men, there's a sense of guilt associated with maintaining friendships. But, with today's pressures, men need friendships more than ever.

Tough questions: what do you want the end of your life to look like? Do you prefer heroic measures and last-ditch efforts to save your life, like CPR and intubation? Would you want to pursue every possible clinical pathway to life, regardless of the drastic nature of the procedure or the quality of life that might result? Or, would you prefer to enjoy your last days at home, surrounded by friends and family and music and dogs? These are important questions, even if they are incredibly difficult.

We often think of Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos as our benchmarks of wealth. But, that's like comparing your golf swing to Victor Hovland's golf swing. But, here's the secret. Comparing yourself to these gazillionaires will only leave you feeling inadequate. The simple truth is that if you live in the United States, Canada or Great Britain you are already rich. Crazy rich when you compare our incomes and standard of living to other countries. So, how much money does it take to be considered rich in the world's richest countries? You'll have to listen to find out. (Hint: it's not as much as you think.)

The simple truth about men is that our thoughts are not that complex. Most men aren’t thinking about another woman or nuclear fusion or how to cure pancreatic Cancer. In a recent study, researchers established that the average man thinks about sex 19 times a day. (One respondent claimed to think about sex 388 times a day.) But, frankly, most men think about food and sleep a lot more than sex. So, other than these things, what do men think about? You'll have to listen to find out.

Prior to the pandemic, 60% of people worked in an office or other workplace setting. Fast forward a few years and only around 20% of people are back in the office. Listen to this podcast to learn the latest trends following The Great Resignation. Things like Quiet Quitting and Bare Minimum Mondays. If everything is so rosy in the work from home community, why are so many people unhappy at "work"? Lots to uncover in this important episode.

Quick question: What demographic in America has the highest suicide rate? It’s the angsty teens and their social media addiction, right? Wrong. Could it be those middle-aged millennials (25-44)? Nope. Then, it must be the Gen X’ers. Wrong again. The demographic with the highest rate of suicide in the US is..... I guess you'll have to listen to find out.

I’ve been writing about happiness a lot lately, and as I think back on those articles, I realize they can be boiled down to five secrets. So, here we go!

Life’s major milestones, like graduating college, getting married, or achieving a promotion, may feel like reaching that proverbial summit. Here’s the thing though, reaching those milestones is only half the journey. It’s just the beginning of the trek down Mt. Everest. Reaching them is like the starter’s pistol for a new chapter, whether it’s a new career, raising a family, or proving you deserved that promotion. Achieving the goal isn’t the “end goal,” it’s simply a means to an end (goal).

There are instances when worrying can be constructive. I call it “constructive anxiety.” For example, it can help you prepare for something important, like delivering a speech in front of a large audience. Moderate levels of worry can help mentally prepare you for stressful tasks. However, excessive worry drains your energy and instills fear, making it a potentially distracting emotion when used in excess. But, is worry really worth the trouble?

Regret is a thief. It can literally rob your life of joy and happiness. It is the enemy of imagination, creativity, and, most importantly, contentment. You simply cannot be content and regretful at the same time. Regret is the most private feeling or emotion we own. Nobody really wants to air all of their dirty laundry, right? Deep down, we all have a lockbox full of those cringeworthy decisions. Decisions that, when replayed in our minds, can stop us in our tracks.

As we approach Independence Day, an American holiday loaded with baseball and hot dogs, I’m mindful of the ties that bind. The things that bind us together as a nation. Things like patriotism, family, friendship and faith in a higher power. Those long-held American values that define us and make America great. (They also form the foundation of every good country music song.) But, as we approach Independence Day in the United States, we are seeing a rising level of, well, independence. And, a sense that people are abandoning these long-held values.

Life isn’t about avoiding struggle. It’s about how we see those challenges and our ability to come back stronger, wiser. As the saying goes, nobody gets out of here alive. Nobody. So, let's dive into to the three secrets of resilient people.

I believe that most people in this country are good people. I believe that most people in this country are kind. And, that we are the friendliest and most generous country on earth. But, every once in a while we run into Ass-Clowns. You know, those people that enjoy making an ass of themselves? These kind of people can lead you to believe that the world has changed; has become less friendly and more self serving. Maybe. But, for the most part, nothing has changed. I’ve started to catalog some of the nice things that happen during my day. And, I’ve found some great thinkers that agree with me. You’ll love this episode and likely feel better about the world in ten minutes or less.

Over 60% of young men are single today. Why? They just aren’t interested in having sex. What??? It’s true. Young men today are more than twice as likely as young women to be unattached, asexual, lonely and friendless. I wrote about this earlier in a piece called The Laziest Generation in American History and The Friendless American Male. This asexual trend applies to both heterosexual and LGB males. So, why is this happening? You'll have to tune in to this week's episode of Wit & Wisdom to find out.

McLeod Buckham-White was, perhaps, the finest young man I’ve ever met. On the outside he was a quiet, humble soul whose smile and amazing voice could light up a room. On the inside he was quietly troubled by forces greater than himself. On March 30, 2023, McLeod Buckham-White climbed the steps of the Wien Residence Hall at Columbia College in New York and “slipped the surly bonds of earth”, ending the battle that had been raging inside of him.

Life is full of an enormous amount of uncertainty. It's painful, at times. That uncertainty, and our willingness to embrace it, is the key to spiritual growth.

Have you ever wondered what the key ingredients of a meaningful life are? An 80 year old Harvard study on aging holds the secret.

I think you can learn a lot about people by how they handle bullshit. When you watch someone totally lose their marbles on an airline gate agent over a delayed flight, it tells you something about them. It tells you they don’t do travel very well. It tells me they don’t do life very well, either. Cause when things go awry, it doesn’t matter who you are. Or, what your status is. Or, how important you think you are. Delays in travel are normal bullshit. And, losing all your marbles won’t change the outcome. In fact, you’re just making an unfortunate situation worse for everyone else. (And, you may never see your luggage again.)

About 90% of parents responded that it’s extremely or very important to them that their children become financially independent. Roughly the same number of parents responded that it’s extremely or very important that their children have jobs or careers they enjoy. The stunning part is that parents weigh these outcomes as four times more important than other more traditional aspirations, like getting married or having children. So, what happened to the American Dream?

Since none of us will get out of here alive, don’t you think we ought to identify the things we truly love to do? And, try to do them as many times as possible before we die? I do. And, so does Bill Perkins, the author of my new favorite book: Die with Zero.

As we travel through the various seasons of life, there is a dramatic shift in who we spend our time with. We develop relationships with friends, family, co-workers, partners, etc. But, how does our commitment to these constituencies change over time-and why?

Each season holds meaning in our lives. Some seasons, like spring and summer, create energy with their abundant light. But, the end of Daylight Savings Time in the fall introduces a season where light becomes scarce. The transition can be difficult for some. Many suffer from seasonal affective disorder as less sunlight impacts the production of serotonin and melatonin. Yes, after 100 years of Daylight Savings Time, our bodies still struggle to process the change and prepare for winter. Winter is a time for the plants and animals to go into survival mode. The trees shed their leaves and prepare for the storms of winter. The animals store up food or hibernate. Oddly enough, even in the harshest of winters, neither the plants or the animals seem to be bothered by the cold or the darkness. But, we humans are. So, what is the message that nature is trying to send us? And, how can we learn to weather the storm and come out more resilient on the other side?

A recent survey suggests that the happiness of today’s young adults has crashed over the last few years. So, what’s making the kids so unhappy? Let's dive in and find out together....

As grown-ass adults, we should be able to openly discuss public health policy. Not to hold executions of our public officials as Twitter suggests, but to determine the best way forward. And, we ought to be able to do that without fear of recrimination so that next time we are prepared to handle a public health emergency with a little more grace. During the height of the pandemic, California and Florida presented two very disparate approaches to controlling the spread. California is the fifth largest economy in the world, so one might argue that their aggressive lockdowns were necessary. Florida is the 15th largest economy in the world. It remained largely open after the initial lockdowns. This is important because in about 15 minutes the governors of those states are gonna be in a slug fest for the 2024 Presidency. So, which state faired better?

When we’re unhappy we buy things to make ourselves feel better. Even if we don’t have the money. Some folks call it “retail therapy”. But, when times are tough we choose less expensive options. The advertising world knows this strategery as Premium Mediocrity. Just watch any episode of Mad Men to learn more. Premium Mediocrity is all about creating the illusion of exclusivity. Critics might argue that my writing is Premium Mediocrity. There’s an illusion of exclusivity-and it’s sometimes mediocre. Hope you enjoy this mediocre podcast.

Leading up to the pandemic in 2020, things were generally okay in this country - for most people. The economy was hot, unemployment was low, and the stock market was on fire. We were all feeling bulletproof. Then the pandemic hit and everything changed in an instant. The flexibility and autonomy created a greater appreciation for time. A greater appreciation for freedom, for family, for friendship and for a higher quality of life. Yes, the lasting legacy of the Pandemic is a shift in the things we truly value. Suddenly people had the autonomy and flexibility they craved. Things once reserved for Robin Leach and the “champagne wishes and caviar dreams” crowd. As if we, all at once, tasted their freedom. And, the people cheered.

Research at some of America's finest academic Universities are exploring the impact of psilocybin on treatment resistant depression. Yes, it turns out that Timothy Leary was on to something big back at Woodstock in the 60's. Are magic mushrooms about to have a revival? Listen to find out.

Turn on any cable news network or open any newspaper and the message is the same. This election is the most important election in American history. Democracy literally hangs in the balance. Some might even suggest that if the vote goes the wrong way…that people will die. Extremely disturbing stuff, except it’s all complete horseshit. Give me ten minutes and I'll explain why.

Prior generations had tremendous respect for wisdom. Think: Abraham Lincoln, T.S. Elliot and Martin Luther King, Jr. But, in earlier times there were far fewer voices. And, with fewer voices there was less tolerance for bullshit. Today it seems that everyone has a megaphone. The most outrageous voices have the biggest platforms. People like the Kardashians and Kanye West. People with little intellect or wisdom. And, despite their low intelligence, they have enormous following of devoted fans.

Can you imagine complaining about your Organic Chemistry class and actually getting the Professor fired? Well, it happened at NYU. But, the Professor may have the last laugh....

Divorce after age 50 is on the rise. Between 1990 and 2010, the so-called “gray” divorce rate doubled in the United States and continues to climb. But, why is this happening? Could it have anything to do with Viagra????

The United States is drifting away from it’s aristocratic roots. We are exchanging the old, formal ways of life for newer, more casual ways of living. King George, III must be rolling over in his grave at Windsor Castle. I’m a big fan of casual. But this drifting has blown us off course. The drift has normalized casual sex and drugs.

We live in a seemingly more dangerous world. Last week, September 11th reminded us that there is still evil in the world. Anxiety about our children’s safety can often turn the most rational human into an overprotective parent. According to a recent study, parents spend an astounding 37 hours each week worrying about their children.

It was an exciting week for about 43 million Americans. President Biden announced he will forgive up to $20,000 of college loan debt. With a stroke of the pen, the President wiped away between $400 billion and $600 billion in student loan debt. The move also extends the moratorium on student loan repayments to January 2023, a full two years after the initial payment pause was initiated. But, is this the best way to fairly spend our tax dollars?

It’s hot. And, unless you’re in complete denial I think we can both agree that the planet is getting hotter. Last week, 60 Minutes ran a story on the alarmingly low water levels in our western reservoirs. It seems the mighty Colorado River is getting thirsty, The river serves seven western states and 30 Native American tribes. It’s the lifeblood of the region. The river has been suffering from the impact of an epic drought, as it struggles to serve it’s 40 million constituents. But the river is also suffering from immense population growth. According to the 1990 US Census, California had 29.8 million residents. Today, California boasts 39.2 million residents. According to Stanford University, the state has 1,500 dams and more than 1,300 reservoirs that can store 43 million acre-feet of water. But, the last new reservoir was build in 1980. So, the supply simply cannot meet the demand for water. Lake Mead sits just behind the majestic Hoover Dam in Nevada. It supplies water for the city of Las Vegas and surrounding areas. As the water level recedes, the Lake is giving up her ghosts. This week authorities removed the fifth skeleton from the lake.

I’m afraid of snakes; actually terrified of snakes. But, what if I told you that more people die each year taking selfies than die from snake bites? Yes, it’s truly the age of vanity. Some people will literally die for the perfect “selfie”. In fact, the trend even has a name: the kilfie. That’s right, people are taking enormous risks to create a photo in search of likes on the social media platform Instagram. The interwebs are littered with articles of The Top Ten Most Dangerous Selfies.

The US House of Representatives passed the massive Inflation Reduction Act on Friday on a purely partisan vote. The $430 billion bill includes new taxes totaling $739 billion. Here are some of the highlights of the Schumer-Manchin bill: $9 billion for climate agricultural programs to reduce bloating in cows; $27 billion for local and state governments to procure zero-emissions technology; $60 billion for “environmental justice programs, and Enormous subsidies for wind, solar energy, electric vehicles and energy-efficient housing materials. I’m not an economist, but dontcha think if everything is getting crazy expensive it’s a good time for the government to put the Amex card away?

We have all been living in the future. A future full of cheap, on-demand services willing to cater to your every whim. Need a ride, hail Uber. Need an idea for dinner? Blue Apron delivers a five-star meal kit to your home. Need a dozen Krystal burgers at 2am? Postmates brings it to your doorstep. But, the era of uber-cheap Uber and other subsidized, on-demand services is nearing an end. Yes, it’s true, the Millennial lifestyle subsidy is ending.

Do you dread watching the News? Turns out you are not alone. But, there’s more to it than you think. Let me explain.