Franklin Taggart's Unconventional Life Blog

I've been a self-help, self-improvement, self-development junkie for decades.  I've spent tens of thousands of dollars on books, programs, curricula, behavior modification, weight loss, smoking cessation, discipleship training, and seeking my vision in the wilderness. If I had invested that money in making more money, I would be comfortably retired by now. For all the time, money, and effort, I would have hoped for a better result.  As Jamie Smart says, shouldn't light be streaming from all my orifices by now? But I'm not much, if any, different than I was before all of this. I struggle with the same things, think the same negative thoughts, worry about everything, and don't see the improvement I've been striving for. I use the techniques - mindset shifts, meditation, yoga, nature walks, writing my desires and goals clearly, clarifying my intentions, and doing all the prescribed work - but I'm no better off as a person or in life. Don't get me wrong, I h

It's safe to assume that any link you see in my review pages is an Amazon Associates affiliate link. This allows me to collect a few cents if you use the link to do your shopping. Thanks! I've done a lot of reading this year, and I won't list all the books I've read here, but I wanted to list a handful of favorites in both fiction and non-fiction. I've also shared some other titles I've read on Goodreads, so if you have an account there, please add and follow me there:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29732821.Franklin_Taggart Fiction Raves: Top of my fiction list:  Remarkably Bright Creatures , by Shelby Van Pelt, Narrators - Marin Ireland and Michael Urie I've recommended this book to almost everyone I know. It's a bittersweet family drama with an octopus as the real protagonist. Marin Ireland and Michael Urie give an enchanting voice performance.  The White Lady , by Jacqueline Winspear, Narrator - Orlagh Cassidy Child spies bringing down Nazis

  I'll be joining my friend Teresa Funke for another round of the 5 Creative Ways to Start and Use a Blog class at Blue Moose Art Gallery in Fort Collins. If you've been thinking about starting a blog or reenergizing one you've already started, this class will be filled with practical information and a bunch of inspiration for your next steps. Space is limited and will fill up fast, so make your reservation now at this link:  https://bluemooseartgallery.com/collections/classes/products/5-creative-ways-to-start-use-a-blog-wed-10-18-23-6p See you there!

  In the category of life imitating art, I am excited to return to production of the Virtual Coffee Break.  You may have seen my last post about the final episode of Your Own Best Company, but if you haven't, be sure to check it out. 2023 has been filled with a lot of reflection and evaluating activities. The pandemic years were good for business, but I ultimately found that any expectations formed during that time were largely abnormal. I've noticed that much of my work has shifted back to the levels and activities I had before the pandemic. I've also had more than a few people contact me for coaching as they navigate new twists and turns in their career and business paths. Most recently, three find themselves having a Rip Van Winkle moment - waking up from a long nap to find that everything is different for them than before. One has been taking care of a dying parent, another has been sending the last of her children to college, and another has rekindled a music career af

  The idea for the Books Applied Podcast is one of the most fun and creative I've run across. Iggy Perillo of WSL Leadership is the creator and host. The premise of Books Applied is that Iggy invites people to read a book related to their professional expertise and then discuss it on the podcast. So much fun! The book I was invited to discuss was Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, by Elizabeth Gilbert , the celebrated author of Eat, Pray, Love.  I had already downloaded the book on my Kindle probably two years earlier, but Iggy's invitation was the impetus to crack the cover and read it. I won't give away the whole conversation, but I'll spill the beans on a couple of things to listen for. Iggy and I both had lukewarm responses to Eat, Pray, Love. We each had our own reasons, but it didn't make our recommended reading lists. In Big Magic, I found much to agree with and felt very affirmed by many things she wrote. I did feel like there was a push to make the cre

  Your Own Best Company podcast listeners heard me interview Michelle Nedelec back in May about the rebellious nature of entrepreneurship. Click here if you missed it! Since that episode, I've had more opportunities to talk with Michelle on two of her podcasts, The Business Ownership Podcast and The Little Blue Pill for Business Podcast. Michelle is a brilliant entrepreneur, a prolific podcaster(hosting and producing five shows at last count), a top-notch interviewer, and wickedly funny for the win.  I'll feature my interviews below, but in case you want to get in touch with her, Michelle can be found at https://michellenedelec.com , and on LinkedIn at  https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellenedelec/ . Our first conversation was for The Business Ownership Podcast on the topic of Creating a Creative Business We had a lot of fun talking about how creative people with little or no business experience can learn the ropes quickly and develop the business that allows them to continue c

▼▼▼ Watch and Listen Below ▼▼▼ I had a conversation earlier today with a friend who was interested in listening to podcasts, but he'd found it difficult to find and access podcasts he might like to hear. If you are a new podcast listener or would like to start finding and enjoying podcasts, this quick tutorial will help you get started. Here's a link to the free mini course with access to Franklin's list of recommended podcasts and more! Finding a Phone or Device App The first step is to find an app you can use to listen on your smart devices. You already have at least one app on your phone or tablet that has podcast listening built in. I suggest you find an app that allows you to search, subscribe, stream, download, share, and review podcasts. If you have an Apple device like an iPhone or iPad, Apple Podcasts should be installed on your phone or easily accessed in the app store. Apple Podcasts is easy to learn how to use, although I have heard complaints about its search f