#008 – Relationship Questions to Spark Great Conversations with Nicole Meisburg

Did you know that there are specific relationship questions that can help you quickly spark a great conversation with your partner?

 Wanna know more? I’m on top of it…

Welcome to a special edition of the Jon Top of it show! While the show has recorded several audio episodes in the past, this is the first episode recorded in video!


My guest today is my wonderful wife Nicole Meisburg, who has graciously allowed me to interview her. In today’s episode, we discuss some interesting relationship questions that help to quickly spark great conversations.

Note: if you found these questions interesting and would be interested in using them to spark up a conversation with your partner as well, here’s the link! http://bit.ly/2lZdRez

Enjoy!

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If any listeners have communication skills to share, the Jon Top of It community would love to hear from you…

What are some of your favorite questions to ask someone to spark a great conversation?

Let me know in the comments.

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#007: Psychedelic Crisis Counseling at Burning Man with Seth Pearson

Did you know that there are actually counselors out there that help people that are tripping on psychedelics through a potential psychedelic crisis?

 Wanna know more? I’m on top of it…

Welcome to episode number seven where we’re going be talking about psychedelic crisis counseling.

But first, you may or may not have heard of Burning Man, a temporary metropolis in the Nevada desert that’s dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. But what’s it really like? Are the people there all on drugs? And if so, how does Burning Man ensure their guests stay safe? Well in this episode, you’ll learn about a harm reduction organization that partners with Burning Man called The Zendo Project.

Second, have you ever wondered about people that have taken psychedelics like mushrooms or LSD? What happens if someone is having a hard time with the experience and perceives it to be a psychedelic crisis… do they just have to ride it out? Or is there anything someone can do to help them?  Well in this episode, you’ll learn about the four pillars of psychedelic crisis counseling and how anyone can use these pillars to talk someone through a difficult psychedelic experience.

My guest today is Seth Pearson (@SethPearson), who is a psychedelic crisis counselor for the Zendo Project. He has experience working several years at one of the wildest places on earth: Burning Man. Now, not only does he act as a psychedelic crisis counselor, but he’s also a self-love counselor and teaches people how they can practice self-love in their daily lives. As a bonus, in this episode, you’ll learn some tips to practice self-love in your daily lives so you can be your best self.

Enjoy!

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If any listeners have experience with trip sitting, the Jon Top of It community would love to hear from you…

What was it like to tripsit someone? And did you learn anything through doing it?

Let me know in the comments.

JUMP TO A SECTION:

What is a psychedelic?2:18
What is a psychedelic crisis?4:18
What is Burning Man? 1/26:28
How Shambhala music festival practices harm reduction.9:39
What is Burning Man? 2/211:29
Burning Man: The burning of the man.15:23
What is the Zendo Project?18:48
Seth’s first experience with the Zendo Project.19:14
How Seth’s perceived psychedelic crisis got him through his fear of death.26:11
The Zendo Project mission, vision, and accomplishments.29:11
What is it like being a psychedelic crisis counselor?32:18
What is the “set” in set and setting?35:05
What are the four pillars of psychedelic harm reduction?35:33
How psychedelics can help someone process trauma.37:29
What is the “setting” in set & setting?39:46
Dealing with fearing how psychedelics could change you.56:20
What’s most difficult about being a psychedelic crisis counselor?1:02:52
What the most rewarding part about being a psychedelic crisis counselor?1:05:57
How Seth became a self-love counselor.1:08:05
Defining self-love.1:11:27
How to practice self-love when you don’t feel like it.1:13:29
Tips to start practicing self-love.1:18:28
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#006: The life of a transgender porn star with Jordyn Starstruck

Ever wonder what it’s like being transgender? What about being a transgender porn star that manages a five-story dungeon? Wanna know more? I’m on top of it.

Welcome to episode number 6 where we’re going to be talking what it’s like, not only being transgender, but a transgender porn star.

My guest today is Jordyn Starstruck (@PrincessJordynS) who is a transgender porn star. Not only is she is an erotic actress with over 28 thousand followers on Twitter, but she considers herself to be a professional dominatrix and even manages a five-story dungeon.

In this episode, we’ll talk about what it’s like realizing you’re transgender, what “coming out” can be like, and things in general that people should know about being transgender.

Next, we’ll talk about what it’s like working in the adult entertainment industry as a  transgender woman, as well as some common misconceptions.

And finally, we’ll discuss some interesting transgender-related questions from our Jon Top of It audience on social media.

Enjoy!

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If any listeners have experience with transgender issues, the Jon Top of It community would love to hear from you…

What do you wish people knew about being transgender?

Let me know in the comments.

JUMP TO A SECTION:

When I realized I was transgender.1:21
What “coming out” was like.2:13
Things I wish people knew about being Transgender.3:32
Working in the adult entertainment industry.6:16
How I got into the adult entertainment industry.7:18
What’s it like working in the adult entertainment industry.8:45
Managing a dungeon.9:19
My favorite part about working in the adult entertainment industry.11:03
Common misconceptions about being a Transgender pornstar.12:54
Does the adult entertainment industry treat Transgender people the same as Cisgender?14:30
Q&A: What is your relationship with drag?15:46
Do you think being a Transgender pornstar helps or impedes the LBGT movement?17:38
Q&A: What do you think of Rocky Horror Picture Show?19:36
Final word19:58
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#005: Get high…quality cannabis experiences with Izaak Fukuyama

Did you know, with a few simple tips and tricks, you too can get high…quality cannabis experiences? Wanna know more? I’m on top of it.

Welcome to episode number five, where we’re going to be talking all about cannabis, what it can do for you, and provide some tips and tricks in order to take out a lot of the guesswork on your part so you can make better, more informed choices as a cannabis consumer.

First, there’s so many options when it comes to selecting and using cannabis. How do you know what’s right for you? Well in this episode, we’ll discuss some of the best ways to get started.

Next, if you’re suffering from any health issues, it may be because your body systems are out of balance. Well in this episode, we’ll learn how cannabis has the ability to bring balance to your body systems, which could potentially cure your health issues.

Also, you may have heard people consuming something known as CBD by itself to treat pain and anxiety. But in fact, consuming CBD without THC is actually much less effective than consuming them together (something known as the Entourage Effect). In this episode, we’ll explore this further and discuss what ratio of CBD to THC could be right for you.

My guest today is Izaak Fukuyama, who works in the Washington State cannabis industry since it became legal and has a lot of experience. In this episode, he’ll share his experience, explain why you should support ethically-grown farms, and offer tips and tricks for all things cannabis.

Enjoy!

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If any listeners have experience with cannabis, the Jon Top of It community would love to hear from you…

What cannabis tips and tricks can you share?

Let me know in the comments.

JUMP TO A SECTION:

Izaak’s journey into cannabis2:12
Introducing your endocannabinoid system10:28
Your endocannabinoid system might be out of balance13:03
Symptoms of a malfunctioning endocannabinoid system13:59
Supplementing a endocannabinoid deficincy15:56
Cannabis: a great way to supplement endocannabinoids18:54
How THC gets you high 20:52
How Izaak describes being high.22:58
How “runners high” is similar to THC25:14
The entourage effect (why you need THC & CBD)29:17
Why you should ask your cannabis store for test results34:26
What CBD/THC ratio is right for me?40:36
Best way to get someone hesitant started with CBD41:39
Beyond getting high: the medicial benefits of THC PT147:10
How prohibition affected THC in cannabis.48:18
Beyond getting high: the medicial benefits of THC PT251:04
Treating wounds with THC extract 51:39
How THC can “potentially” help with cancer53:34
How THC can help with nausea and appetite57:37
How THC can treat sleep disorders1:00:02
How CBD can help with anxiety1:01:06
How CBD can help PTSD1:03:54
How do terpenes in cannabis affect us?1:08:13
How the terpene “mercene” causes couch lock.1:11:04
Known therapeutic benefits of the terpene “mercene”1:11:32
How the terpene “pineine” can help with memory1:12:36
Known therapeutic benefits of the terpene “pineine”1:13:26
How do I know what strain of cannabis is right for me?1:14:01
Why Indica and Sativa are not useful terms1:17
How the website Leafly can help you1:20:41
Cannabis side effects and how to avoid some of them1:21:28
The number of people that overdosed on cannabis: zero1:22:43
Safety concern #1: Brain is developing until age 261:23:39
Safety concern #2: Chronic use1:25:57
Safety concern #3: memory issues from chronic use1:26:59
Safety Concern #4: Smoking1:28:23
Options on consuming cannabis1:30:40
Heat points important for different strains of cannabis1:32:17
What is dabbing cannabis?1:33:49
What is vaping cannabis?1:34:23
Benefits of cannabis flower vs. extract1:36:16
Get the most bang for your buck with cannabis products1:37:23
Seattle Store: Dockside Cannabis1:39:18
Different ways of consuming can affect you differently1:40:53
That one time I accidently got high for three days1:43:41
How edibles affects people differently1:44:40
Tip #1: Start low and go slow1:47:34
Tip #2: Avoid germs1:48:19
Tip #3: What to do if you’ve gotten too high1:49:40
Tip #4: Don’t inhale more than five seconds1:50:53
Tip #5: Don’t use grinders1:51:26
WA citizens can’t legally home grow…yet.1:54:58
Why cannabis regulation is important1:57:06
The WA cannabis industry: what they did right1:58:50
WA Cannabis Industry Opportunity:2:02:09
What is the Sun Cup?2:06:33
Why you should prefer sun-grown cannabis2:09:30
How you can make a difference in cannabis legalization2:13:25
Why supporting cannabis grown indoor is unsustainable2:15:50
WA Cannabis Industry Opportunity: regulating pricing2:17:08
Why you shouldn’t select cannabis based on its name2:20:52
Q&A: How do I keep track of Sativa & Indica’s effects?2:21:52
Q&A: Which cannabis oil processing method is best for maintaining the entourage effect?2:24:07
Q&A: What’s being done about white privledge in the cannabis industry?2:25:23
Q&A: How has corporate cannabis businesses in WA affected small cannabis businesses?2:28:00
Q&A: Should more attention be put on the negative effects of cannabis?2:31:35
Q&A: Cannabis stocks, cryptocurrency, and upcoming regulation?2:35:54
Q&A: How is medical and recreational cannabis different?2:37:27
The final word2:39:23

HELPFUL LINKS

INTERESTING LINKS

WASHINGTON STATE LINKS

IZAAK’S RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS:

Flower

Raw CO2 Oil

Enhanced Joints (Flower + Concentrates)

  • Trifecta Joints from Puffin Farm (Very heavy hitting. Typically in Hindu Kush. Meant to be shared with a group.)

Edibles

Hardware

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#004: Speed up your Computer and Internet with Matt Tochterman

Did you know that there are some quick and easy things you can do to make your Internet faster and your computer perform better? Wanna know more? I’m on top of it.

Welcome to episode number 4 where we’re going to be talking all about networking, the Internet, and the computers we use with them.

First, whether you use a desktop, a laptop, a tablet, or just your smartphone, they’re all the same thing at their core – computers. And if you’re like me, I’m sure you’ve experience your computer running slower than usual at some point. Well in this episode, we’ll learn how to keep your computer performing at its best.

Second, whether you live in an apartment or a huge house, you probably have a router wirelessly sending Internet to your computer to use. But have you ever noticed that the connection is weaker in some areas than others? Well in this episode, we’ll learn how you can use a mesh network to make your Internet faster.

And finally, if you work in a company where you connect to their internet, I’m sure you’ve wondered before – is someone spying on what I’m doing online? And if they are, what do they care about? Well in this episode, we’ll learn the truth…and a whole lot more.

My guest today is Matt Tochterman, who is a Network Specialist at the University of Washington. He has a ton of experience working not only in network support but in computer support as well. He also has a ton of experience practicing patience. We’ll learn why by hearing some of his best/worst/and funniest stories supporting employees.

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SHOW NOTES

  • What is a network specialist? 3:10
  • How did you get into working as a network specialist? 4:13
  • Are network specialists spying on employees? 5:38
  • What happens when an employee accesses NSFW content? 10:16
  • What % of employees see network specialists as “big brother”? 13:41
  • How do you prioritize bandwidth? 17:05
  • What can you do with a gigabit Internet connection? 20:38
  • What smart devices do you have on your network? 22:37
  • What is a mesh network? 27:41
  • Mesh network: case study 32:10
  • Does being a network specialist make you better at networking with people? 37:23
  • Common IT support categories 40:46
  • Dealing with frustration from supporting employees 43:07
  • Zen and the art of IT support 44:43
  • Learning to be patient people that need tech support. 47:34
  • Friends that only act like friends when they want tech support 51:25
  • That one time a computer I was trying to fix caught on fire 52:43
  • Have you tried turning it off and on again? 54:01
  • What is RAM? 55:50
  • Humor (Pebkac & Layer 8 Issues) 57:09
  • Do you solve employee’s issues for them or show them how to solve on their own? 58:23
  • Awkward moments remotely connecting to other people’s computer 59:21
  • Remote desktop and practical jokes 59:56
  • What was your worst experience supporting an employee? 1:01:45
  • What was your funniest experience supporting an employee? 1:03:54
  • Frustrating employee support experiences 1:05:07
  • What solution have you come up with to support a customer that would make MacGyver proud? 1:09:38
  • How to effectively manage your electronics cables 1:12:06
  • What can someone do to make their computer perform better? 1:15:05
  • What can someone do to make their phone perform better? 1:17:10
  • What is malware? 1:18:51
  • Why you should read before clicking Next when installing software 1:19:41
  • Increasing PC performance with MSCONFIG. 1:23:07
  • How to quickly install multiple PC programs at once. 1:25:57
  • How do VPNs work and what does my ISP know about my Internet activity? 1:27:08
  • What VPN provider would you recommend? 1:30:18
  • Why do I have to plug a USB cable in six times before it goes into its port? 1:30:47
  • How do you handle project management and learning new skills? 1:31:38
  • Final tips & tricks recommendations from Matt 1:36:55


QUESTION FOR YOU

If any listeners have experience with optimizing their network and/or computer, I’d love to hear from you…

What tips and tricks can you share to help your Internet and computer perform better?

Let me know in the comments.

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#003 How to Embrace Change with Nathan Ashby

Self-Starter. Performer. Experimenter. Originally hailing from London, England, Nathan Ashby has leveraged his passion for travel and hard work to acquire a multitude of world experiences to push himself forward in life through embracing change and the fear that naturally comes with it. Over the course of his life so far, he’s traveled the world, eventually relocating to the United States, started over with forming relationships, and has worked in many different industries, finding his place in life.

In this episode, you’ll hear his story on how he learned to embrace the many changes in his life. You’ll also learn some tactics on how to become more resilient so you can bounce back from changes in your life, stronger than ever before.

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SHOW NOTES

  • Moving to America and starting over 1:19
  • Adapting to Hawaiian culture 6:07
  • Lessons learned from moving to a new country 8:45
  • Trying different jobs 14:01
  • Embracing change 20:57
  • Why feeling fear is good 22:02
  • Transitioning into the corporate world 30:00
  • Transferrable skills 33:18
  • Reasons people fear change 1/2 36:56
  • Major life changes 39:28
  • Avoiding the hedonic treadmill 42:59
  • Reasons people fear change 2/2 46:46
  • Transferrable Skills 2/2 49:09
  • What does adapting to change mean to Jon Meisburg? 53:12
  • Going through multiple changes at once 54:50
  • Formative years and adapting to change 58:29
  • What makes a relationship last 1:01:58
  • How the universe can force you to change 1:04:47
  • How to be more resilient 1:08:41
  • Can negative emotion be used in a positive way? 1:10:10
  • Is forgiveness necessary to move on? 1:21:51
  • The Hedonic Treadmill 1:24:29
  • Final Words 1:27:30


SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

QUESTION FOR YOU

If any listeners have any experience with change, I’d love to hear from you…

How have you been able to embrace change and become more resilient?

Let me know in the comments.

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#002 Making A Difference In Today’s Political Environment with Nathan McKay

Ambitious. Passionate. Dedicated. Nathan McKay (@Nathan_D_McKay) was the former Vice Chair of Field Operations and Data for the Duval County Democrats and is currently a board member on North East Florida progressives, and President of Jacksonville Young Democrats. In 2018, he campained for Florida candidate for governor Andrew Gillum. He loves advocating for his fellow American and is willing to roll up his sleeves and do whatever it takes to help a political cause he believes in.

In this episode, we talk about how to make a difference in today’s political environment, why voting really matters, and how to have more productive political discussions on social media.

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SHOW NOTES

  • Campaigning for Governor of Florida: Andrew Gillum 1:30
  • Meeting Joe Biden 10:11
  • Nathan’s motivation to get involved in campaigning 11:25
  • How could a listener get involved? 14:34
  • Local Government Intervention Example: Lime Bike 16:15
  • Why do you think Trump won? 29:09
  • Will Trump win in 2020? 38:37
  • Why we need rank choice voting. 44:28
  • What will be the big issues in 2020? 49:00
  • Why should people vote? 1:01:12
  • Fake News 1:05:25
  • Hacking Voting Machines 1:06:55
  • Regaining trust in our elections. 1:10:30
  • How can you detect fake news? 1:13:47
  • How to have productive political conversations on social media. 1:17:26
  • Q&A from the audience 1:22:47

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

QUESTION FOR YOU

If any listeners have any political experience, I’d love to hear from you…

How have you been able to make a difference in today’s political environment?

Let me know in the comments.

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#001 How Vision Therapy Can Change Your Life with Nicole Rand

Personable, creative and fun-loving. Nicole Rand (@NicoleKRand) is a vision therapist that’s passionate about connecting with her patients at their level to create a comfortable atmosphere to learn and grow through activities. She loves to encourage her patients through every step or struggle and incorporate that patients interests into therapy, making it enjoyable, novel and fun. In her free time, she loves to drink coffee, watch movies, play board games, cheer for the Seattle Sounders and Seahawks, and hang out with friends and family.

In this episode, Nicole shares what vision therapy is, who can benefit from it, common signs & symptoms you may need it, and some powerful success stories.

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SHOW NOTES

  • What is Vision Therapy? 1:22
  • Who benefits from Vision Therapy? 5:05
  • Vision Issues Signs & Symptoms 12:59
  • Common Vision Therapy Services 18:03
  • Vision Therapy Success Stories 21:12
  • What is a Brock String? 27:32
  • Eye Exercises 32:29
  • Questions from the audience 35:47

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

QUESTION FOR YOU

If any listeners have experienced vision therapy, I’d love to hear from you…

How has vision therapy helped you?

Let me know in the comments.

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