JR Sparrow returns with a personal update episode, checking in with listeners on a snowy January day. In this candid conversation, JR shares what he's been up to, upcoming events, and important reminders for podcast guests.

In This Episode:

• Podcast Updates: Spares Under Review is now ranked on Apple Podcasts and thriving as a sister show
• Upcoming Events: JR and Stacey will be at Lexington Comic Con (March 26-29) with a crossover episode
• Behind the Scenes: JR reveals he ghost writes podcast episodes and series for other creators
• Gaming Life: Deep dive into Fatal Fury training and PlayStation VR experiences (including getting scared by Resident Evil!)
• Movie Reviews: Ongoing series covering films from 1986, 1996, and 2006
• The Y Series: Promises to bring back this neglected series soon
• Guest Etiquette: Important message about respecting recording times and treating podcast appearances professionally

Key Takeaways:

• Recording schedule: 6:00 PM sharp - no-shows after 6:05 PM are future endeavored
• JR schedules multiple guests per day knowing some will fall through
• New recording setup: DGI microphones for in-person interviews on the road
• College football NIL money has changed the game completely

Shout Outs:

• Vanessa at Tri-State Time Machine
• King Germ Rode, Common Mystics
• Katie Brinkley (for podcast guest management insights)
• Alex Sanfilippo and the Pod Fest team
• Corp projectors and Sound Core (RIP Nebula)

Connect:

• Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr: @WVUncommonPlace
• Merch: woncommonplace.square.site
• Guest Form: [Available on website]

Kendra Erika, an innovative artist known for her unique fusion of jazz, dance, and EDM, is set to release her album "License to Thrill" on February 13th, reimagining iconic Bond songs with her distinctive sound. Overcoming personal obstacles, such as being born tone deaf, and growing musically under the guidance of a German operatic coach, Kendra infuses her work with resilience and a touch of the James Bond elegance. Her perspective on the album's release is centered around honoring divine vision and unfolding a journey through the decades of Bond, with carefully chosen tracks that promise further volumes. The album's debut showcase in Las Vegas on February 15th marks a pivotal moment in her career, as she channels the grace of artists like Kylie Minogue and Katie Lang, while fans are encouraged to support her work for a tangible connection with her evocative music.

00:09:39) License to Thrill: Reimagining Bond Songs

(00:11:13) Decades of Bond-Inspired Musical Journey Release

(00:13:58) Bond-Themed Album Showcase with Kendra Erika

(00:20:29) "Surrender": A Hidden Gem by Katie Lang

(00:26:34) Classy and Timeless Style Emulation

(00:33:22) Supporting Artists Thr

In this episode, hosts JR Sparrow and Stacey welcome guest Nathan Smolensky, author of "Common Ground from the Ground Up." The conversation explores political polarization, the importance of curiosity in dialogue, class and political identity, and building bridges across divides. Nathan shares insights from his upbringing, his work with the Florida Forward Party, and practical steps for fostering healthier conversations in communities.

Key Topics & Highlights:

• Introduction to WV Uncommon Place:
  A variety podcast covering mental health, empowerment, podcasting, pop culture, and unique guest stories, with a special focus on West Virginia.

• Meet the Guest:
  Nathan Smolensky, author and political thinker, discusses his background growing up in Massachusetts in a politically divided family and community.

• Class, Politics, and Identity:

  • JR shares personal stories about class differences and political stereotypes in Virginia.
  • Nathan reflects on class and political alignment in Massachusetts and the experience of cultural and ethnic self-segregation.

• Curiosity as a Solution to Polarization:

  • Nathan emphasizes the value of curiosity in political conversations, especially when emotions run high.
  • The importance of listening, learning from others, and moving beyond zero-sum thinking.

• Compromise vs. Collaboration:

  • Discussion on the difference between unhealthy compromise and true collaborative problem-solving.
  • The need to consider multiple perspectives in policymaking.

• Lessons from the Florida Forward Party:

  • Nathan’s experience as state director, building coalitions among independents and moderates.
  • The importance of creating spaces where all voices are heard and respected.

• Social Media & Authentic Engagement:

  • The challenges of social media algorithms that reward outrage.
  • How long-form podcasting can foster deeper, more thoughtful engagement.

• Practical Takeaways:

  • Nathan encourages listeners to seek out conversations with those who disagree and to approach dialogue with genuine curiosity.
  • The goal is to foster intellectual curiosity and show a better way than conflict.

• Legacy & Final Thoughts:

  • Nathan hopes to be remembered as someone who fostered curiosity and helped expose the “finger trap” of political conflict.
  • Listeners are encouraged to build common ground in their own communities.

• Where to Find Nathan Smolensky:

  • Book available on Amazon and major online retailers.
  • Website: nathansmolinski.com for events, speaking engagements, and contact info.

In this powerful episode of WV Uncommon Place, host J.R. Sparrow dives deep into the intersection of health, technology, and community with Kwame Terra — CEO and founder of Bear Health (B.E.H.R.). From discussing health disparities in Black communities to exploring how a single text message inspired an innovative digital health solution, this conversation is a journey into purpose, empathy, and change.

Kwame shares his story, the origins of Bear Health, and how the app’s real-time health scoring system offers a dynamic way for users — especially in underserved communities — to track and improve their health. J.R. and Kwame discuss lifestyle changes, the failures of our current health care system, and how data-driven community engagement can lead to better outcomes. It’s not just about living longer — it’s about living better.

🎯 Topics Covered:

• The meaning of “disparity” in healthcare

• How the Bear Health app works and why it’s revolutionary

• Understanding your health score like you know your credit score

• The power of community data in driving health equity

• How fasting, water, sun, and meditation shape Kwame’s daily life

• Real talk on pollution: emotional, visual, and physical

• Why Bear Health is building a new system rather than fixing a broken one

📲 Download the App:

• iOS/Android Users: Search DKDOO in your app store

• Use access code: jrsparrow (all lowercase, one word)

• Begin your health journey by entering basic info, completing your initial assessment, and syncing your fitness tracker.

📱 Follow & Connect:

• Kwame Terra: @kwameterra on all platforms

• Bear Health: @behealth on Instagram and other platforms

• Learn more at Bear Health's Website (if available)

📣 Call to Action:

“Do you know your health score?”
Share your journey. Tag Bear Health. Ask your community.
🏃‍♂️ #HealthScore #BearHealth #LiveBetter #KnowYourNumbers

🌟 JR’s Favorite Takeaway:

“Creating a universe means crafting a perspective that hasn’t been challenged — and Kwame is doing just that with Bear Health.”

🎧 Available on all platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
🔗 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs to take control of their health journey today.

Jack McMahon is an insightful author acclaimed for his book "Atrophy and Asymptotes," which intertwines philosophical ideas with personal narratives to explore themes of decline and limits. Drawing from his experiences, especially the loss of his brother and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, McMahon uses the book as a means to confront his fears and strained family relationships, particularly with his daughter. Motivated by a desire to create a lasting legacy, he delves into topics such as the decay of American values, the rise of authoritarianism, and the importance of emotional responsibility in maintaining open communication and empathy. Through his narrative, McMahon also addresses societal issues like censorship, government overreach, and the strategic design of public spaces, using his platform to advocate for personal accountability and the preservation of fundamental freedoms.

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire is a video game developed and published by LucasArts. Primarily a third-person shooter, the game also utilizes multiple types of vehicular combat sequences. It was released for the Nintendo 64 on December 3, 1996, and a version for Microsoft Windows was released on September 17, 1997.

💥 In this mind-bending episode of WV Uncommon Place, JR sits down with retired teacher, author, and financial truth-teller Tommy Kilpatrick, who claims your "credit card debt" might not be debt at all.

💳 Tommy shares his wild journey of running up $85,000 in credit card charges based on a radio infomercial deal that collapsed — and how that financial hit led to an eye-opening discovery about bank-issued credit cards, loans, and the law.

📜 He explains the difference between a real invoice and a statement, why banks can’t legally claim you owe them without a promissory note, and how he got multiple credit accounts wiped clean — not through bankruptcy, but by understanding the system.

🔍 You’ll hear:

• Why Modern Money Mechanics (yes, the Federal Reserve’s own publication) says your “loan” might be an illusion

• The legal difference between alleged debt and verified debt

• How language is law, and how using the word “alleged” changes the game

• The real reason banks send you those low-limit credit cards at 18

🧠 This episode will challenge everything you think you know about credit cards, banking, and financial responsibility. Is it conspiracy? Is it truth? We’re not here to tell you what to think — but we are here to help you start asking better questions.

📌 Connect with Tommy Kilpatrick
📧 Email + Facebook links in the show notes
📘 Get his book Forgive and Forget: How to Make Your Credit Card Debt Disappear — FREE with a 15-minute consult

🔗 SHOW NOTES INCLUDE:

• Reference documents + legal definitions

• Info on LegalShield for attorney access

• Modern Money Mechanics (Federal Reserve PDF)

• Letter templates and next steps for challenging alleged debt

🎯 Mission statement from JR: Evolution in life comes from a challenge — and this episode challenges us to rethink the systems we’ve blindly trusted.

📣 Don’t forget to:
👉 Follow the podcast
👉 Rate and review if this blew your mind
👉 Share with someone buried under credit card “debt”

🔊 Episode Summary:

On this powerful episode of WV UncommonPlace, J.R. is joined by licensed psychologist Dr. Stephanie Maser for an in-depth conversation about digital overstimulation, emotional boundaries, and reclaiming presence in a tech-driven world.

From the nostalgic simplicity of growing up in the pre-internet era to the current age of algorithms, scrolling, and digital addiction, this episode gets real about what it means to stay mentally grounded. J.R. reflects on turning 40 and how long it took to develop healthy boundaries—sparking a raw and honest discussion about why boundaries are often learned late, and how we can start building them now.

Dr. Maser brings years of experience working with anxiety, relationships, identity, and burnout, offering both a clinical and deeply human perspective. She dives into:

• 🔐 How to recognize the signs that you need boundaries

• 🧠 The psychology of dopamine, habits, and screen addiction

• 💔 How digital behavior disrupts intimacy and relationships

• 💬 The dangers of confusing attention with connection

• 🧘‍♀️ Strategies for reclaiming mental clarity and emotional control

• 🐾 The importance of sensory grounding, pets, and daily joy

And in a heartfelt turn, J.R. flips the mic back to Dr. Maser in a “2020-style” interview inspired by Barbara Walters, exploring how she practices self-care, maintains her joy, and structures her life with the same boundaries she encourages in others.

"We are now motivated by an algorithm." – Dr. Maser
"Digital behavior is hijacking our dopamine—and most people don’t even know it."
"Presence is the antidote to overstimulation."
"Sometimes we confuse a dopamine hit with emotional intimacy."
"It took me until my 30s to learn boundaries—and I’m still learning them." – J.R.

• Why digital fog and emotional fatigue hit hardest at night

• How technology impacts romantic and platonic relationships

• The difference between overstimulation and overwhelm

• How clinicians protect themselves from emotional exhaustion

• Practical grounding exercises for daily digital detoxing

Whether you’re navigating burnout, a phone addiction, or just trying to find a sense of self in a hyper-connected world, this episode offers clear guidance, human connection, and hope.

Boundaries aren’t about shutting people out. They’re about letting the right people in—and making space for yourself first.

🌐 Website: https://www.drstephaniemaser.com
📝 Services available via telehealth in 42 states
📍Specialties: Relationships, Anxiety, Identity, Burnout, Athletes, Equine Therapy

🧭 Key Quotes:💬 What You'll Learn:💡 Final Takeaway:🔗 Connect with Dr. Stephanie Maser: