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This one was the brain child of guest editor Rob Leonard, who suggested that “There are so many people I can talk to for hours, then there’s the other ones that want to talk for hours, but contribute nothing to a conversation…

We’ve all been in their company and we all want to avoid the awkward “getting stuck with that guy” at a social function. Are there tips to handle this socially awkward situation?

(You can listen to a little of the conversation by clicking on the media player, above.)

How do YOU entertain “conversation ball droppers”?

Let us know in the comments…

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Our web guy, Gary Choronzy, joined us as a guest editor for Episode 38 at O’Toole’s, and he suggested that we talk about political correctness. (You can listen to Gary pitch the idea by clicking on the media player, above.)

To me, the topic this brings up the broader question of how political correctness impacts us individually.

SOOOOO… How do you handle “political correctness”?

Please tells us in the comments!

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Julie Braun thought we should add an entry about “pet peeves” to our new manual for modern living, and you can hear what  she had to say by clicking on the media player, above.

(Julie told us that “when I started thinking about it I realized how many I have…”)

How about you; What are your pet peeves?

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One of the things I love the most about facilitating our weekly gatherings is that I get to hang out with some of my favorite people - and that I get to meet some amazing new people as well – and this week was no exception.

Julie Braun (one of my new acquaintances) suggested the question, What is your favorite random act of kindness?, and Fred Lyle, a guy I grew up next to (and idolized, by the way), provided an answer that involved my family. (You can hear the story by clicking on the media player, above.)

So, What’s your favorite random act of kindness?

Please tell us in the comments…

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This topic was proposed by “man show” guest Justin Gill, and refers the the sometimes awkward social situations that arise from what I consider to be a frightening trend: self-checkout.

(Justin is concerned that “There’s always that person – they’re just kind of  creeping in on your personal space…”)

You can listen to our conversation by clicking on the media player, above, and join the conversation in the comments.

How do you deal with self-checkout creepers?

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The early “Barber Poll” voting has been decisive – you’ve told us we should crowdsource John Broker’s question about advice;

“What’s the best (or worst) advice you’ve ever gotten?”

John was inspired to ask the question based on some advice he received as a youngster, and you can click to listen to his story, above…

And now we invite YOU to weigh in – in the comments…

Erika, one of our guest editors this week, has a nasty commute – from the Massachusetts border to Wallingford, a one hour proposition.

While not a multi-tasker, Erika utilizes “a lot of books on tape – however I cannot text or do my taxes, or whatever it is that you do…” (She has also noticed a good deal of what she refers to as “face cleaning”.)

Paul Schatz and my cohost Duo Dickinson advocate good old fashioned AM radio. (Personally, I prefer public radio… and urge you to become a member today! I digress.)

Erika wants to know: How do you utilize your commuting time effectively?

Please let us know in the comments…

For me, it’s Madmen, starting with season one, episode one, on Netflix streaming.

(Duo comments, in this week’s radio show/podcast, that Madmen was so well done that it brings back vivid personal memories. I second that emotion!)

What are you watching?

This questions was suggested by Amy Nawrocki (one of this weeks guest editors), and it immediately resonated with me.

You see, I very much would like to be politically active – but I tend avoid unpleasantries in general. When you hear the way guys like Glenn Beck incite animus I tend to run screaming. This is not an excuse, mind you. (Okay it’s an excuse.)

So,  How can you be politically active if you can’t stand politics?

This question comes from Cindy Papish Gerber the producer of our public radio show.

When she isn’t producing our show (for free, I might add – as is the case for all of us!) Cindy is a writer, and she was telling me the other day that she finds herself procrastinating over the stories she’s not excited about.

You’ll hear our guest editors tackle this question on Sunday’s show, but for now, it’s your turn;

How do you motivate yourself for a project you’re not excited about?