The Garage Mind cover art

The Garage Mind

The Garage Mind

Written by: Tony
Listen for free

About this listen

🎥 Watch the full video version here:

https://youtube.com/thegaragemind31

The Garage Mind is the podcast for people who feel like life is moving fast, money is tight, and nobody really tells you how this stuff works.

Hosted by Tony, The Garage Mind feels like sitting in a garage with a drink, shooting the shit, laughing, learning something unexpected, and finally slowing your brain down for a minute.

Each episode blends real-life talk, curiosity-driven deep dives, humor, and practical insight — without the fake motivation, influencer nonsense, or preachy self-help.

We talk about:

  • Money, work, stress, and why everything feels harder than it should
  • The weird systems, habits, and beliefs that quietly run our lives
  • Culture, nostalgia, psychology, history, and modern distractions
  • Tools, gear, and products that actually improve everyday life
  • Good news stories that remind you the world isn’t completely broken

This show is for people who want to understand life better, make smarter decisions, and still laugh while doing it.

No gurus. No hustle culture lies.

Just honest conversations, interesting ideas, and moments that make you stop and think — “Yeah… that’s exactly it.”

New episodes drop regularly and are designed for long-form listening, high retention, and real value — whether you’re driving, working, relaxing, or just trying to clear your head.

If you like podcasts that feel real, unfiltered, funny, and surprisingly insightful, welcome to The Garage Mind.

Tony ortiz
Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Side Quest: The Real Fun Parts Of Life
    Jan 24 2026

    A Link to The dominoes I talked about: https://amzn.to/3LFVtUq

    Keywords

    side quests, joy, productivity, life balance, hobbies, personal growth, nostalgia, self-discovery, happiness, creativity

    Summary

    In this episode of The Garage Mind, Tony explores the concept of 'side quests' in life—those spontaneous, unplanned moments that bring joy and fulfillment. He emphasizes the importance of stepping away from the grind of daily responsibilities to embrace activities that may seem pointless but enrich our lives. Through personal anecdotes and relatable examples, Tony encourages listeners to rediscover their passions, engage in fun activities, and allow themselves to enjoy life beyond productivity.

    Takeaways

    The best memories often come from unplanned moments.

    Life shouldn't just be a checklist of tasks.

    Side quests can reignite joy and creativity.

    It's okay to indulge in hobbies that don't yield productivity.

    Rediscovering old passions can bring happiness.

    You only answer to yourself when it comes to your happiness.

    Small, silly activities can enhance your mood.

    Embrace your quirks and be yourself.

    Fun is essential for a balanced life.

    You can create your own side quests anytime.

    Titles

    Embracing the Side Quest: Finding Joy in Life

    The Power of Unplanned Moments

    Sound bites

    "Do what makes you, you."

    "You only answer to yourself."

    "Life is good. Peace."

    Chapters

    00:00 The Importance of Side Quests

    09:51 Rediscovering Joy in the Mundane

    19:34 Embracing Fun and Creativity

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Why Everything Feels Too Much
    Jan 22 2026

    Link to prioduct I talked about if you want to try it out: https://amzn.to/4qab64N.

    Keywords

    adulthood, stress, mental health, productivity, self-care, modern life, overwhelm, emotional well-being, personal growth, coping strategies

    Summary

    In this episode, Tony discusses the overwhelming nature of modern adulthood, highlighting the invisible burdens that come with daily responsibilities and the constant pressure to be productive. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing these feelings and finding small ways to create space for oneself amidst the chaos. The conversation also touches on the shift in perspective that many are beginning to adopt, focusing on self-care and the need for honest conversations about stress and overwhelm.

    Takeaways

    Adulthood comes with an invisible burden of responsibilities.

    The brain is constantly juggling multiple small problems.

    Modern conveniences can lead to increased mental strain.

    It's normal to feel overwhelmed by daily life.

    You don't need to overhaul your life to cope with stress.

    Finding small moments of peace is essential.

    Self-talk should acknowledge survival, not just productivity.

    You're not broken for feeling overwhelmed.

    It's okay to admit when you're struggling.

    Many are starting to push back against the pace of modern life.

    Titles

    The Invisible Burden of Adulthood

    Navigating Modern Stressors

    Sound bites

    "Why everything feels like too much."

    "You're allowed to feel tired."

    "You're not alone. We all feel it."

    Chapters

    00:00 The Invisible Burden of Adulthood

    10:47 Navigating Overwhelm in Modern Life

    17:32 Finding Space for Self-Care

    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • Why food and ordering got so...
    Jan 21 2026

    Link to probe I use https://amzn.to/3NvrEGH

    Summary

    In this episode of The Garage Mind, Tony dives into the increasingly complicated process of ordering food, highlighting the absurdity of indecision and overthinking that many people exhibit when faced with menus. He humorously critiques the phenomenon where customers seem unprepared to order, despite having ample time to decide while waiting in line. Tony expresses frustration over the excessive customization requests and the overwhelming number of options available, which he believes contribute to a culture of indecisiveness and anxiety around food ordering. He also touches on the impact of technology and apps on the food ordering experience, suggesting that they have made the process more cumbersome and less personal.

    Tony further explores the societal implications of this trend, noting how the pandemic has exacerbated laziness and reliance on delivery services. He emphasizes the importance of returning to simpler, more straightforward food ordering practices and encourages listeners to embrace the joy of cooking at home. The episode wraps up with a call to action for listeners to simplify their food choices and not overthink the ordering process, reminding them that food is just fuel and should not be a source of stress.

    Keywords

    food ordering, indecision, customization, technology, pandemic, fast food, cooking at home, menu anxiety, delivery services

    Takeaways

    Ordering food shouldn't be stressful.

    People want reassurance, not just food.

    Menus have become overly complicated.

    Indecision reveals a lot about a person.

    Cooking at home can solve many food ordering issues.

    Titles

    The Chaos of Ordering Food: Why Is It So Complicated?

    Ordering Food: A Comedy of Indecision

    Sound bites

    "What were you doing the entire time?"

    "I'm mad at indecision, you know?"

    "Ordering food shouldn't be stressful."

    Chapters

    00:00 The Complexity of Food Ordering

    09:21 The Role of Technology in Food Choices

    16:32 Wrapping Up: Embracing Simplicity in Food Ordering

    Show More Show Less
    18 mins
No reviews yet