Derate The Hate

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Can you believe the Derate the Hate podcast is a year old already? Episode 1 was published exactly 1 year ago from the date I'm recording this episode and man what a year it's been!In this 1 year anniversary episode, I briefly recap some of what I saw as the more important episodes that I've recorded over the past year. I also introduce what I believe, if participated in by you the listener in an intentional and purposeful way, it will change your life and in turn change the world.Do you want to change your life? Do you want to change the world?Join me in doing the DTH 30 day Attitude of Gratitude & Personal Accountability Challenge! As I discussed with Denise Albright back in Episode 50, when you begin to record daily things that you are grateful for, you begin to naturally find more things to be grateful for and as a result become a happier person. This is also in large part due to the reticular activating system which I discuss in Episode 52.The same can be said for personal accountability. Much of what happens "to us" in life is the result of our own actions and decisions.  By accepting accountability for those actions and decisions, we consciously learn to make better decisions. We as individuals are responsible for our actions, and how we react to outside forces, no matter what those forces may be. No matter how much one wants to deny the truth, much of the "bad" we encounter in life could have been avoided by making better decisions, &/or reacting differently to outside influences.Don't believe me? Prove me wrong! Join me in completing the  DTH 30 day Attitude of Gratitude & Personal Accountability Challenge by downloading this FREE form, ordering one of Denise Albright's incredible Gratitude Finder Journals, or simply keep track in a notebook. However you choose to do it, just participate and see how fast your life begins to change!For those who participate, email me your experience and I'm thinking I'll be asking a few listeners to share some of their stories with me on the podcast sometime in late May'21 or possibly June...I also talk in this episode about a feel good sThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!What is the Reticular Activating System?It's best if you think of the Reticular Activating System like a filter within your brain that can be used for good or for bad. You see, the human brain only has the capacity to focus on so many things at once, and you have to choose what it is you're going to have your brain focus on. Some very helpful YouTube videos can be found below.Blaine Oelkers discusses "Unlocking The Screen of Your Mind" in a TedX talkReticular Activating System explained by Mike SweetHow does (RAS) Reticular Activating System relate to The Perpetual Victim Mentality?For many, perception is reality, and when it comes to peoples' perception of things, it begins with what they are most focused on most of the time. I've stated it many times before and I'll continue to say it, those who constantly drive the victim mentality into their children are committing child abuse. What this does is set the primary focus in that child's mind that the world is out to get them and as such, their reticular activating system will seek out every opportunity in their day to day lives to manifest that as a reality.  Conversely, as I discussed with Denise Albright in Episode 50 of the podcast, when one focuses on and looks for things to be grateful for, finding gratitude daily becomes easier, and subsequently, happiness and a more fulfilling life becomes the result. It's a tale of 2 choices with entirely different results.This is truly an episode that everyone can greatly benefit from! I challenge you to prove me wrong...Here's a feel good story that you may not have seen...Here's a story by Derica Williams of Fox6 News Milwaukee about a brother and sister that have an extraordinary bond. You see, Mary Baliker developed kidney The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!How big of a problem is Human Trafficking in the United States today? If you are anything like me, you probably know it's happening but don't give much thought to how big of an issue it really is. After this interview with Amy Storer, I now realize it is a much more prevalent evil among us than I ever would have guessed. Parents, this is definitely an episode of the Derate the Hate podcast you should not miss, and you're going to want to share it with every parent you know!Have you ever stopped to think, What are some of the consequences that the Covid Lockdowns pose for our children? This is another question that comes up in this week's interview.Are your children safe online? Is my child safe online?There are many things the internet is good for, but it is not a good place for kids according to this week's interview guest, Amy Storer. Who is Amy Storer? Full bio below...Amy Storer is an Analyst for Homeland Security Investigations in Miami, Florida, currently assigned to the Joint Intelligence Operations Center.  Previously, Storer worked at Washington D.C. Headquarters, with collective national security experience at the National Targeting Center; the Tactical Intelligence Cell; the National Intelligence Watch, and the Office of the White House Liaison.  Storer also served as a Congressional Liaison representing Homeland Security on legislative efforts to abet the Homeland mission.  Her work is victim-centered with human slavery and child exploitation cases in prime focus.  Ms. Storer holds two master’s degrees from Harvard University and Johns Hopkins University.  Serving as a devoted Professor at Savannah State University since age 27, Storer has taught American Government, Homeland Security, and Human Trafficking courses.  Michigan Tech University honored Amy for the "Top 5 Alumni Under 35" event to inspire future generations.Storer holds an active Top-Secret security clearance and takes pride in working joint task force investigations.  Maintaining active involvement with the National Child Protection Task Force is one of hThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Do you ever find yourself having a hard time finding things to be grateful for? When you do find something to be grateful for, do you write it down so you'll remember it later? Have you ever heard of the Gratitude Finder Journal created by Denise Albright and found at DeniseAlbright.com?As anyone who knows me, or that has listened to the Derate The Hate podcast for any amount of time knows, I truly believe happiness begins and ends with gratitude. I don't believe it is possible to be a happy person if you are not a grateful person. This past year, my wife purchased the Gratitude Finder from DeniseAlbright.com, not only for herself but for many people as gifts for this past Christmas. After having a look at this product, I knew Denise was someone I wanted to talk to more and share that with my listeners.In this episode, I am joined by Denise Albright, founder and "She-E-O" of DeniseAlbright.com and creator of the Gratitude Finder journal. When you look at the cover of this journal, there is a phrase on there, "Look for something Great, & you'll always find it!" and in requesting this interview I found someone great in Denise. Her bright and cheerful organizational stationary products are doing great things for many and it was a true pleasure to have the opportunity to speak with her.Not only is the story of how Denise built her company inspiring, but in this episode we also discuss in our conversation a number of examples on how the Gratitude Finder Journal has been used in creative ways to help others find things to be grateful in their own lives. Look for some great and important highlights in the interview on how the Gratitude Finder is being used beginning around the 28 minute mark. This is definitely a part of this episode that made it all worth while.Make no mistake about it, the products you willThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Have you ever asked yourself, "Why don't more Muslims stand up to Islamic Extremists?" Have you ever heard of Average Mohamed? Mohamed Ahmed is the creator and executive director of AverageMohamed.com and through his outreach and grass roots efforts, he is truly battling extremism with an alternative narrative.What is Average Mohamed? Who better to tell you than Average Mohamed himself, Mohamed Ahmed. This week's interview gives you a great insight in to what Mohamed does with his counter ideology organization dedicated to stopping extremism and hate. Average Mohamed uses pop culture, social media platforms like Facebook & YouTube, as well as other mediums to promote peace, democracy and anti-extremism. His outreach has put him in front of tens of thousands of youths across America and his videos have been seen millions of times worldwide.Average Mohamed is not only about battling Islamic Extremism, but extremism of any kind. In our conversation he told me how Average Mohamed is teaming up with Parents for Peace, an organization that supports families, friends and communities concerned about their loved ones becoming involved in extremism. Parents For Peace is a non-governmental public health nonprofit empowering families, friends, and communities to prevent radicalization, violence, and extremism. Are you worried that you or a loved one is going down the path of extremism? If so, Parents for Peace has a hotline you can call 1-844-49-PEACEEach week that I don't have an interview, I like to highlight ordinary people doing extraordinary things. I truly have to say, and it should go without saying, that Mohamed Ahmed is one such person that needs to be highlighted. Such a very important mission, and I am truly grateful for having had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Mohamed.As I do every week, I ask you, “what have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place?” The world is a better place if we are better people, and that begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another, be grateful for everyThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Do you think our country is currently "A House Divided"? Unless you've been stuck under a rock, without television, radio, internet or any type of personal interaction, I think most people would say a resounding "YES"! Did the events of January 6, 2021 in the US capitol disturb you as, it did most reasonably minded Americans? Have you asked yourself, "what can we do to bring this country back together"?What is Braver Angels?Recently I became aware of a grass-roots organization called Braver Angels when I met Rick Hotchner. He and his wife Barbara are state ambassadors for this organization that has a mission to bring civility back to public discourse when it comes to the toxicity surrounding our current political environment.In this episode I had the pleasure of sitting down for a conversation with Rick and Barbara to discuss how they came to be part of BraverAngels.org.  You see, Rick and Barbara are in what they self-describe as a mixed marriage. Now this is not your typical mixed marriage, but Rick falls more in line with Conservatives and Barbara is more Liberal. After long careers in public service and returning to the states, Rick and Barbara sought out an organization that would help them Bride the Divide in their political differences, as well as the divide in their beloved country. They found the perfect venue to do just that in their local Minnesota chapter of  Braver Angels. If you find you're frustrated with the divide within our great country, you are not going to want to miss this episode! If you want to find a way to get involved with your local Braver Angels organization, become a member or find someone to contact within your state, you can click on this link here.As I do every week, I ask you, “what have you done today to make your life a better life?, what have you done today to make the world a better place?” The world is a better place if we are better people, and that begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another, be grateful for everything you’ve got, and make each andThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Who listens to the Derate the Hate podcast?There are a number of things about the Derate The Hate podcast that people may find appealing. Our listeners may have, or have had anger issues. They generally oppose the "woke" or cancel culture that seems to be prevailing in some circles these days. Real racism has no place on the Derate The Hate podcast, though we know and make a clear distinction between real racism and the FAUX RACISM that many throw around in these turbulent times. It's quite possible that a DTH listener could have been bullied as a child, or maybe they are being bullied now. Our listeners realize government is a necessity, but big government is a thief of liberty and liberty is imperative to a good and happy society. Gratitude is incredibly important to the DTH listener because gratitude is instrumental in happiness and it's nearly impossible to be happy without understanding and being grateful for all the blessings in our life.Who are Sufis and what is Sufism?In this episode I dive a bit into a Sufi Saying from a meme my wife showed me recently. Now, I don't know much about Sufis, but in this NY Times article they say "Sufi practice focuses on the renunciation of worldly things, purification of the soul and the mystical contemplation of God's nature. Followers try to get closer to God by seeking spiritual learning known as tariqa."And while I don't know much about Sufism, I do know a good saying and a good meme when I see one."Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates.At the first gate, ask yourself, 'is it true?'At the second ask, 'is it necessary?'At the third, ask, 'is it kind?'"I do dive a little deeper in to the kindness part of this in this episode.I stumbled upon a great little article this week that includes 4 feel good stories to lift the spirits a The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!This may not be the best title for this week's episode, but I'm torn over some things that happened this week both in my personal life and in the news. In last week's episode, Dr. Elana Fishbein asked the question, (rhetorically, not to me) "are  you racist, look in the mirror, are you racist, I'm not racist, my kids are not racist". So much these days is considered and blamed on racism, yet there is very little racism in this country. The great economist Thomas Sowell said it best, "Racism is not dead, but it is on life support - kept alive by race hustlers and people who get a moral superiority by denouncing others as racists"So much of what we see in modern culture and the main stream media these days has to do with so called "racism" or this "ism" or that "ism". In recent days we've seen Mr. Potato Head stripped of his "MR.", the Muppet show being preceded by "viewer discretion advised for potentially offensive content" and now several of Dr. Seuss' books being removed from circulation for alleged racist undertones. The madness must stop, but I fear the perpetrators of this nonsense have a vested interest in keeping people divided, mad and confused. My wife and I have been participating in something for church called the "Red Letter Challenge" and over the past couple days part of the teaching in here, which does come from the Bible has to do with being judgemental and forgiveness. Either those perpetrating the nonsense I spoke of above are not familiar with the Bible's words on being judgemental and forgiving or they're to self-absorbed to know what they are actually doing. In this week's feel good story I found a neat little story out of Melrose, Mass. where 2 high school seniors found a way to put a twist on "paying it forward".  Catherine McCarron and Michaela Szymczak started the "Pay it with a post it" movement in the La Qchara coffee shop in Melrose. A neat little story of a couple youngsters doing good things you can check out here.As I do every week, I ask you, “what have you done today to make your life a better lifThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Is your child's education important? I think most, if not all people would say yes. Do you know what your children are being taught in school? What do you believe the role of the school is in teaching your kids values as opposed to what the role of the family is in teaching values? These are questions we all need to be asking and in this week's episode, I interview Dr. Elana Fishbein, and we dive in to one of today's greatest problems when it comes to the education of our children. This is an unbelievably important episode you're not going to want to  miss!Who is Dr. Elana Yaron Fishbein?Elana Yaron Fishbein is a Doctor of Social Work, earning her degree from the University of Pennsylvania.  She also holds Master’s (from Rutgers University) and Bachelor’s degrees (from Hebrew University in Jerusalem) in social work. She specialized in child welfare.  Her early training was in clinical social work and as she advanced in her career she focused on planning, policy, management and research.   Dr. Fishbein grew up in Israel and served in the IDF.  She is married and a full-time mother of three boys (19, 10 & 8) who lives in Gladwyne, PA (a suburb of Philadelphia).  She is the Founder and president of the grassroots movement No Left Turn in Education. What is No Left Turn in Education?No Left Turn in Education is a movement who's mission is "To revive in American public education the fundamental discipline of critical and active thinking which is based on facts, investigation, logic and sound reasoning.""We are vocal. We are loud. We are tenacious. We must be heard. But we are civil. We respect the rules of society and authority. We will not stand down because we are the majority – patriotic Americans who believe that a fair and just society can only be achieved when malleable young minds are free from indoctrination that suppresses their independent thought."As I do every week, I ask you, “what have you done today to make your life a better life?, what have you done today to make the world a better place?” The world is a better place if we are better people, and that begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another, be grateful for everything you’ve got, and make each and everyThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!From his early years in life, living in poverty, whether it was his early childhood in the housing projects in Harlem, NY or the trailer park in Oklahoma, Kendall Qualls knew that poverty was not what he wanted and he knew that it was up to him to change that. He also knew that the United States of America was the best place on earth for anyone, of any race, to make their dreams come true. Kendall knows, as well as anyone, that "where you start in life is not where you have to stay in life."Kendall Qualls, president of Take Charge Minnesota, knows the American Dream is possible for EVERYONE, regardless of race. In this interview, Kendall and I discuss how "Critical Race Theory" is nothing but a way for those seeking power to divide, while Take Charge Minnesota has a better goal. Rebuilding and resurrecting the American Black Family through Faith, Family and Education.Kendall and Take Charge Minnesota outright denounce the idea of systemic racism, white privilege and abhor identity politics and the promotion of victimhood. Instead of promoting and perpetuating that perpetual victim mentality, Take Charge MN is an organization that has truly made its mission, for individuals to Take Charge of their own Life, Family and Community. You're not going to want to miss this episode!Notable Quotes from Kendall Qualls:"Where you start in life is not where you have to stay in life.""I've been called ghetto kid, trailer trash, and a lot worse""Critical race theory sets (whites and blacks) up as adversaries, (promoting division) because  whites have privilege and blacks can't get ahead""We don't have a racial issue, we have a 2 parent privilege issue."Again, you are NOT going to want to miss this interview with Kendall Qualls talking about his new project Take Charge Minnesota.As I do every week, I ask you, “what have you done today to make your life a better life?, what have you done today to make the world a better place?” The world is a better place if we are better people, and that begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another, bThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.