PODCAST

The Mason Minute

Kevin Mason

Musings From the Mind Of Kevin Mason; a retired radio guy who just won"t give up the microphone.

society & culture personal journals

All Episodes

1:01

Hot And Spicy (MM #5216)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/07/03

Food trends come and go. Some last just a short time, and some never go away. Tapas parties were once a trend. It didn't last long. Fondue was a popular trend, but it cooled. It never went away but became niche. One trend that appears to be lasting and evolving is the popularity of hot and spicy foods. Cajun hot sauces and Nashville Hot Chicken are both part of the trend, and their popularity fluctuates. Now, some of the fast food chains are jumping on board. Wendy's is now promoting their Taki's

1:01

Are You Cool? (MM #5215)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/07/02

Are you cool? I don't mean temperature-wise; I'm talking about your aesthetic. If you are, a wide range of people have to agree. I'm not embarrassed that I've always wondered about myself. I've always known the answer, but a boy or man can dream. A recent worldwide study has identified six traits that people who are perceived as cool across cultures share. The fascinating part of this research is that they feel these six traits are not only shared universally but also across time. While what was

1:01

My Voice (MM #5214)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/07/01

Even though people have often told me otherwise, I've never thought my voice was anything special. Through the years, I've known hundreds, if not thousands, of people with better ones. And with all my years talking on the radio, you'd think those muscles would be stronger than most. And perhaps they are, but then why does the voice always go out whenever I catch a cold or get the flu? Maybe it's because of all my sinus issues. While I feel congestion in my chest, I've never had a true chest cold

1:01

Physically Exhausted (MM #5213)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/30

I had a rough weekend. This cold is tearing me apart. I’m physically exhausted. I don’t know why this cold is affecting me more severely than most, but I have lost my appetite. And for me, that says a lot. My sleep schedule is all out of sync, and my body wants to sleep in the evening, not in the overnight hours. When I take a shower, I need time to rest because all of the hot water drains me. My wife is still dealing with a cough, but at least she’s feeling a little bit better. I don’t cough very

1:01

Silly Putty (MM 5212)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/29

There's no question that times were much simpler in my youth. Toys were much simpler. Anything that might be considered high-tech required six D-sized batteries to operate. I'm sure technology plays a significant role in our loss of this simplicity. I used to love playing with Silly Putty. Even though its origins are technology-based, as a failed rubber substitute, it was a simple toy. Outside of Barbie and Hot Wheels, most of the toys from my younger days are long gone. Playing on a computer wasn't

1:01

Zapped (MM #5211)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/28

I've never been a person who takes many sick days. I could count the number of times I called off work on one hand. I should have taken the day off yesterday. This Summer cold has got the best of me. I don't have much energy. While I worked from home yesterday like I often do on Fridays. I would have been better off taking the day off. But I had a lot of work to do, so I plowed through. When I finally had a chance to take a shower, I felt worse. I felt zapped. I had to rest so that I could build up

1:01

Summer Cold (MM #5210)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/27

We're not even a week into Summer, and I already have a Summer cold. I didn't stand a chance. My wife started catching something over the weekend. We both have severe allergies, so at first, she wasn't sure if it was just allergies or something more. For her, it's a chest cold. It's not bad, just annoying. I started feeling it yesterday. Mine is in my throat. Just like my wife, I initially hoped it was just allergies, but my cough soon began, and I knew the truth. The way we both sound, you might

1:01

Happy Marriage (MM #5209)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/26

Anyone married for more than a few years can tell you that you need to work on it daily. We all want a happy marriage, but it's easy to fall into a rut as the years fly by. Respect, honesty, and communication are some of the keys to making it work. But there may be a shortcut to ensure a couple's happiness. European researchers have studied hundreds of couples to learn the keys to a successful union. And it comes down to one thing: PDA, which refers to public displays of affection. For the most

1:01

Economic Blackout (MM #5208)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/25

I've talked about this subject before. A group called People's Union USA is organizing another economic blackout. This time, they're targeting McDonald's. In the past, they've gone after other major companies like Amazon, Walmart, and Target. They feel that corporate greed is causing many of the issues in our country. Allowing these companies to grow so large is a serious problem. While they get a lot of news coverage, no one is sure how much impact their boycotts are causing. Even if they are

1:01

Oppressive Heat (MM #5207)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/24

Officially, Summer has just begun. But if you look at the thermometer, you'd think it was the middle of August. Most of the U.S., east of the Mississippi River, is under a heat advisory for the next few days. That doesn't often happen this early in the season. Sure, it gets hot in some spots, but there's one way that many have been categorizing this weather. Everyone keeps calling this oppressive heat; while we sometimes hear that term, this round of weather concerns many. They don't expect this to

1:01

Bad Habit (MM #5206)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/23

We're all guilty of having a bad habit or two—some worse than others. I've picked up a new nightly habit, and while it's not too severe, I find it causing me to stay up a little later than I should. Putting together The Mason Minute is one of the last things I do each night before I head to bed. One of the last things I do for the podcast is schedule the video version I post to YouTube. And while I only plan to upload one video and shut down for the night, the YouTube algorithm tries to draw in with

1:01

Nothing (MM #5205)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/22

When I was younger, I hated to sit still. I always had to be doing something. Like many, I feared missing out. I'm unsure what I thought I was missing, but there was always something to keep me busy. But today, I live for the days when I can do nothing. Yesterday was one of those days where my wife and I had no errands to run and no projects to do. So we laid low. We had a late lunch, took naps, and didn't shower until late afternoon. While having a quiet day was nice, I hoped it would recharge my

1:01

Slime (MM #5204)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/21

If you've had kids in your house sometime over the last 20 years, you've likely encountered Slime. This children's toy was most popular in the late 90s and early 00s when the TV show Double Dare on Nickelodeon was at its peak. Today, kids don't settle for the little plastic container you can buy at your neighborhood big box store. They prefer to make it at home. I thought Slime first gained popularity with the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But I recently found out it hit store shelves in the 1970s

1:01

Infinite Workday (MM #5203)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/20

For years, many people dreamed of having a cushy office job. They came from blue-collar families and never thought they had a chance to sit behind a desk from 9 to 5. But as our society shifted, office jobs became the norm. But that norm may be no more because, for many, there is no such thing as an 8-hour workday. Thanks to technology, we're always on the clock. It seemed like we could never escape work. Some say this shift in the workplace has created an infinite workday. If your boss needs you

1:01

Pay For Perks (MM #5202)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/19

Who doesn't love getting something for nothing? But as we eventually learn, nothing is ever free. There is always a cost involved. We all pay for perks. Many people seek out a credit card because of the perks that come with it. But that could change depending on your income. Chase has launched a new credit card that comes with a lot of extras. But the annual fee is nearly $800. Chase isn't looking for new middle-class customers. They want people who make a lot of money and spend a lot. Chase makes

1:01

Simple (MM #5201)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/18

Over the years, I've been accused of being a complex person. Some consider this a compliment, but to others, it's not. But as I've gotten older, I've mellowed. And now, you might even say I'm simple. I get excited about the little things. And one of my favorite things is doing nothing. I always had a problem sitting still. But now, I live for those times when I can do nothing. I spend most of my free time sitting on bleachers, watching my nieces and nephews in the field or on the court. I often

1:01

Cinderella Story (MM #5200)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/17

Anyone who pays attention to sports loves a good Cinderella story until that underdog faces your favorite team. Like many, I was following the rise of the Murray State Racers in the Men's College World Series. Their unexpected journey ended yesterday with a loss to Arkansas. Sadly, this story didn't last long for the team, just two games. Nearly every year, there are one or two special basketball teams that make it to the Sweet Sixteen or Elite Eight. It's these David versus Goliath stories that

1:01

Hazards On (MM #5199)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/16

I've been driving for a long time and have held a license in numerous states. And while laws aren't the same in each state, they're very similar. I was on the road last Friday, driving through Kentucky during a torrential downpour. As I drove, I witnessed something I sometimes see, but this time, it was extreme. Most drivers on the road had their hazards on. I haven't looked at a driver's manual in many years, but I've never lived in a state where that was acceptable. I've never held a license in a

1:01

Retired (MM #5198)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/15

I've reached that age where you start thinking about slowing down. By the time my parents were my current age, they had retired. I can even imagine the fact. Then again, it's hard for me to believe that my father will turn 90 later this year. It seems like only yesterday I was tagging along when he went to work at the TV station. You and I both know that was thousands of yesterdays ago. The other day, I realized that my dad retired roughly 25 years ago. How can that be? Time is flying. My father

1:01

Lights (MM #5197)

The Mason Minute ·

2025/06/14

During the pandemic, many companies forced employees to learn how to use online video conferencing software like Zoom, Webex, or Teams. For some, it was a tough adjustment. Many hoped these tools would go away once everyone returned to the office. However, many companies continue to use them today. Since I've spent a lot of time in front of a camera, I enjoy using them. But I'm sometimes obsessed with the camera, microphones, and lighting. Some people don't care how they look on a video conference

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