Mark introduces the topic of self awareness. He shares that their “pregame” discussion was very self reflective. He suggests that the time of year, as well as some other personal events from Jim’s life and Mark’s have the guys a bit mired in self reflection and self awareness

Mark reads a couple of quotes Jim brought to the recording. One secular (Stoic) and one Biblical (Thomas)

Jim shares some context for his quotes and shares his position on self awareness and what’s going on in his life

Jim reflects on yesterday being the 5 year anniversary of his father’s death. He says to really understand yourself, you have to go back in time. Family history and stories. Jim came across some photos of his dad he’d never seen before. Then he reflects a bit on his grandparents (4 grandparents/four quadrants - that shape you)

Jim asks about Mark’s conversation with his dad and comments about “peeling back Jim’s onion”

He talks about piling multiple issues all on top at once and how that makes tough stuff even tougher

Are we getting more “Imperfect” or more self aware

Mark shares his mom and dad’s influence and then describes his memories of his grandfathers…not from memory but from stories

Jim returns to our fathers and specifically his relationship with his father. How he has gained appreciation and gratitude for his dad since his death. Jim also suggests that he’s grown too

Mark gives Jim kudos for being personally accountable with all these things for being responsible for his response to hardship and challenge. Learning from his experiences

Mark shares that his dad also had 10 brothers and sisters too. Both guys are also middle children

Mark shares his self image

Jim shares another saying/quote about virtues and vices

They discuss both. Jim thinks we all strive to be the best versions of ourselves

Mark reflects on being fathers of young adult kids and what fathers face as their kids get older - more people more problems How to navigate these additional relationships. They joke about the meaning of love and different types of love

Intimacy, jealousy, all the emotions

Mark says it’s also a function of the time of year

Jim shares his experience going through the photos of his dad. He got them touched up - colorized and they came to life. He reflects about how his father tried to discuss these things with Jim when he was younger

Mark brings up his mom’s suicide and how his feelings have evolved as time has gone by. For his kids too

Mark says self awareness enables us to address and feel these things

Jim asks Mark to speak more about his mom. Mark talks about his younger brother and how he feels like he inherited his troubles from his mother

Mark goes deep on his mom’s suicide story. How he went from anger to sadness to forgiveness and empathy/love

Mark is grateful for her now. He sees her asa troubled soul

Jim says we’re all troubled souls

Mark thinks there are two types of people. Melancholy and not melancholy

Jim asks about Mark’s father. Mark says his dad was the exact opposite. He shares his parents divorce and some of the details

Jim asks more about Mark’s mom. Did he recognize his mom’s condition when he was young

Mark oversimplifies the impact his parents had on his 3 siblings and himself. He shares some suicide and addiction reflections

Jim begins to wrap up and Mark adds a takeaway

We are all going through stuff. We’re not alone

Mark loves the 4 quadrant approach of your 4 grandparents

Jim reflects on how this episode relates to our flywheel

Relationships and worldview

As our family members get older…more episode material:)