Here's A Thought
A blogcast for people who overthink. I'm Jan M. Flynn, a writer who thinks way too much about all kinds of things, so I know what that's like. Sometimes you need a little break from your brain — so here's a chance to get out of your own head for a bit, by getting into mine. Short, weekly episodes give you a glimpse into what's been on my mind: thoughts about life, the universe, and the weird or wonderful things people do. Occasionally I'll share some short fiction or poetry. Think of this as recess for your mind. Join me on my website at www.JanMFlynn.net, where you can leave a comment or suggestion on my blog page, and join my email list and receive a free download of my audio short story, "The Collector". Music courtesy of lesfm at pixabay.
Episodes
117 episodes
Don't Be Afraid of Your Comfort Zone
If you pay attention to all the slogans and memes, you should be very worried, or guilty, or ashamed, if you spend even a second in your comfort zone. Slacker! Couch potato! Taker up of valuable space on the planet!I'm calling shenaniga...
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9:46
Here Comes My Second Childhood, And I'm Excited
"Second childhood" is a term with unfortunate connotations. But if you look at it a different way, it sounds kind of wonderful. Let' give it a think.Intro Music by
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9:46
Why You Should Never Buy a Bra Online But I'm Doing It Anyway
When the girls need a new house because their old one's wearing out . . . attention must be paid So let's talk about the one article of clothing for which I really, truly hate to shop. I bet I'm not the only one.
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8:59
Is That a Worm in Your Head, Or Are You Just Running For President?
The recent news that presidential candidate RFK Jr. has disclosed that doctors discovered a (dead) worm in his brain has me overthinking about . . . things that want to eat our brains. Real things, not zombies. Turns out it's not just w...
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11:57
Am I The World's Oldest Spoiled Brat?
In which I follow another writer's clever writing prompt -- and get in touch with my inner Princess.Want to play along? Check out Karen Schwartz and her
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10:19
Are You House-Proud?
"House-proud" is how my mother's generation used to describe someone (always a woman) who was fussy and vain about how her house looked -- or, somebody whose home someone like my mother might worry was nicer than hers.It's an old-fashio...
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8:39
How the movie "Civil War" Helped Me Find Meaning -- Where I Wasn't Looking
Going to see the movie Civil War, the 2024 release written and directed by Alex Garland, isn't like seeing most movies. You walk out of the theater with a lot to think about -- a...
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14:03
Why Did the Sheep Cross the Road?
In which I witness a semiannual Idaho tradition — when sheep take over a major roadway on their way to greener pastures. It's an Idaho thing.Want to learn more? Helpful links:
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10:38
If You're Feeling All Alone — You're Not. Science Says So
This week, we give thought to how much of us is really "us" — turns out it's way less than we thought. You really do contain multitudes.Pardon a few technical glitches this week, thanks to a crabby audio system and a very tight schedule...
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8:27
My Classmate Didn't Just Drink the Kool-Aid: She Brewed It
The Jonestown Massacre happened 46 years ago. But to me, it feels way too close — because one of the people who died there was a girl I went to school with. She was a quiet, shy girl, the daughter of a pastor when I knew her. For years I ...
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15:46
Haiku With Poo
A brief meditation on how my dog and I may walk the same path, yet our journeys differ. Trigger warning: contains haikuSound Effect from
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4:58
Sayonara, Summer Body
It's spring at last — a season that brings hope, energy, renewal — and for far too many of us the dread of swimsuit season. In this episode, I celebrate reaching the threshold of Summer Body Exemption.Spring Sound Effect from
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10:55
Thanks for Flying Clickbait Air (Not)
In which I describe our recent experience with what's politely called a "low-cost carrier" airline. They aren't all this sketchy, thank God.Opening Music by
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8:56
That Time My Husband Found Me on the Bathroom Floor
Sometimes our best intentions have completely unanticipated results. Here's what happened when I signed up for a research study.Resources for Alzheimer's and dementia:
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16:00
Psst . . . Universe, Are You Listening? I Have A Request
In which your devoted overthinker contemplates the manner and method of her own final exit. Not being negative or nihilistic here -- just stating my preference.I might even have stumbled on a loophole.
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6:52
Season 3, Episode 2: A Solution to the Woman Problem
Thanks to the recent Alabama Supreme Court decision that says frozen embryos in test tubes equal are human beings, yours truly has been listening to the fallout (for example, what this means for IVF treatments) and overthinking what this means....
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10:18
We're Back! Season 3, Episode 1: Yes to the Dress . . . And Now?
For a habitual overthinker like me, the happiest of occasions can cause a spiral. Especially when there's nothing to worry about. IYKYK, and if not, don't tell me to calm down.
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9:50
Cheers to Episode 100! Now, Let's Get Serious
In this episode, Here's A Thought reaches a milestone that a lot of podcasts never achieve — and that is entirely thanks to listeners like you. So I'm enormously appreciative.I'm also thinking deeply -- which is distinct, I hope, from o...
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14:19
Of Turkeys, Real and Symbolic
In this 99th episode of Here's A Thought, we think about Thanksgiving, which is happening in the U.S. this week — what it means, what it's supposed to mean, how it started, and what happens when it doesn't live up to expectations: a medit...
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8:40
The Box in My Closet That Haunts Me
I keep the journals I've written over the years — but now, as the recipient of the many private journals and diaries that my mother wrote over the course of decades, I'm rethinking whether I should hang onto mine. Or, hers. What's the r...
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8:40
What Horses Can Teach Us About Teenagers (and Writing)
In this 97th (!) episode of Here's A Thought, I offer the lessons that horses have taught me about adolescent humans (they have a surprising amount in common), and why I write for them — adolescents, that is, not horses. Sound Effe...
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11:26
Meet the Man Who's Not Worried About Death -- Because He's Never Going to Die
Here's hoping you and yours enjoyed a lovely Halloween! This episode is going live on November 1, traditionally the Day of the Dead: so I've been overthinking about a news article I read not long ago about a very rich, very determined man who i...
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14:55
October Story Time, Week 4: "Turn"
There's a lot of thought and discussion about the three aspects of the feminine: the Maiden, the Mother, and the Crone. All three have their positive and negative aspects, but in our youth-obsessed culture, a lot of women find it very, very pai...
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25:02