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Welcome to Season 2! In this episode, we discuss the distinction between being an introvert and being lonely. Introverts are celebrated and accepted more now than ever, but when is that just an excuse for antisocial tendencies? We reflect on all of the technologies and services at our disposal that make isolation easier and more harmful. Why leave the house when you can have your food, clothes and entertainment delivered to you with minimal human interaction? Companies like Netflix and Amazon aim to offer us convenience, but are some of us abusing them and forgetting how to socialize and take part in society? Let us know your thoughts by tweeting us @downtomarspod ! Plus, subscribe and give us some stars on Apple Podcasts. Happy New Year! References: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-care-news/articles/2018-05-01/study-many-americans-report-feeling-lonely-younger-generations-more-so --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

2018 is a wrap! In our Season 1 Finale episode, we reflect on the ups and downs of the past year and some of the valuable lessons we learned. We list our intention words for the upcoming new year and how we plan on making 2019 the best year yet. Thanks to everyone who supported the launch of our podcast this year! See ya in 2019!! What are your intentions for the New Year? Let us know by tweeting us @downtomarspod --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

Happy Thanksgiving y'all! This week's episode is short and sweet, as we do a quick gratitude check in the spirit of the holiday. We talk about the technology, people, gifts and experiences we're thankful for. Of course, we're also so grateful for YOU, our listeners! Tell us what you're grateful for this year by tweeting us @downtomarspod. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

Getting paid for your creativity sounds like the dream, but there are some side effects. Money can often muddy the waters, taking a toll on the creative process and making the experience of your work less authentic. On this episode, we talk about doing what you love - for free. We reminisce about our Burning Man experience, discuss the principle of decommodification, and question the pros and cons of turning your passion into your profession. Plus, we share some of the YouTubers currently on our watch list (shoutout to Josh Yeo and Becki & Chris), and how their channels differ from influencers who share #sponsored content - sometimes without saying so. How can creators keep their work as authentic as possible when money is involved? Is the experience of creating something heartfelt and free even better than doing it for a paycheck? We dive into all this and more! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

The subject of death tends to make a lot of people uncomfortable or afraid, despite it being the one inevitable experience we are all sure to have. In this episode, we talk about our personal relationships with death - how it influences our lives in subtle and obvious ways, the ways we have had to cope with it, and how we hope to be honored when our time comes. We explore the colorful ways that cultures around the world "celebrate" or honor those that have passed, and how we can use death as a means of motivation, positivity and peace. We consider ideas of an afterlife, or how our energy may live on after our bodies have passed. Death Cafés are real-life meetups for people who are interested and eager to discuss death with other curious minds, in a comfortable and non-morbid way. Join us in this "virtual death café" episode and share your thoughts with us on Twitter @downtomarspod Links https://ideas.ted.com/11-fascinating-funeral-traditions-from-around-the-globe/ https://deathcafe.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

We're talking love, friendships, and...robots. In this episode, we discuss what the future of emotionally intelligent technology and machines could look like, and how we feel about relationships between humans and AI. If it talks like a person and acts like a person... is it date-worthy? Could you be BFFs with a machine? Would you trust them with your baby? Movies and TV shows like Her, Ex Machina, Westworld, and Black Mirror have all posed these questions and scenarios. Could you really feel authentic love with something artificial? This could become a reality as companies like Vinclu in Japan are already developing AI "companions". Dive in with us and let us know your thoughts by tweeting us @downtomarspod Links https://www.businessinsider.com/gatebox-ai-the-japanese-amazon-echo-photos-2016-12 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

In this episode, we discuss the rise in the creative freelance market and the ways modern technology is making it a more accessible option. Cloud-based programs and services like Adobe Creative Cloud are putting the tools within just about anyone's reach - from hobbyists to seasoned experts. With this pool getting bigger and more crowded, how do the professionals compete with the undercutting of newbies and amateurs? How much do clients really value quality vs. price? We also provide some insight into our own experiences as relatively new freelancers, and the struggles and triumphs we deal with on a daily basis. Tune in and share your thoughts, stories (and advice!) with us on Twitter @downtomarspod --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

In this week's episode, we talk about what it truly means to consider yourself an artist. How much of an artists' credibility is due to natural talent vs. developing technical skill? Do you need an audience to be considered a legitimate creator? Is social media diluting the prestige of the title "artist"? We tackle these questions and talk about some artists we believe don't get enough credit, plus some who get too much. Jump in on the discuss and tweet us @downtomarspod --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

In 2023, Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa plans to take 8 artists and cultural influencers with him around the moon in a huge SpaceX rocket. His mission? Hope and world peace. In this episode, we discuss the #dearMoon project, and how empowering artists can heal and move the world forward in unity. What could the leading artists of today create when inspired by an up-close look at this beautiful celestial body? Just how important is art in the evolution of humanity? Which artists would you choose to represent our society in this world-changing mission? Tweet us @downtomarspod Dive Deeper: The #dearMoon Project: https://dearmoon.earth/ Meet Yusaku Maezawa: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FwpRn-jaSo --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

Finally...we've arrived on Mars. In this episode, we're switching things up as Rashielle asks GJ a series of questions to establish what moving to Mars would really be like. Is anti-gravity yoga on the table? What would we do with the extra 37 minutes in a day? What movies are playing? Play along with us and tweet your answers to @downtomarspod Dive Deeper: Zero Gravity Violin Concerto: http://bit.ly/2oGZxWa --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

Things got a little weird in this week's episode. We talk about the unique "Internet identities" that people define themselves by, and unusual communities born from internet culture. We dive into the "incel" community, cat people, Snapchat strippers and more. Does the internet bring out the weirdness in people, or simply provide a platform for us to be our truest selves? As with anything, there's a fine line between using the internet as a tool for self-expression and engagement and inducting yourself into harmful communities. Follow us on Twitter @downtomarspod Dive Deeper: "This is What the Life of an Incel Looks Like" http://bit.ly/2wo1ZW0 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

In this week's episode, we discuss the documentary "The Institute", about an Alternate Reality Game...nay, an *experience* that concluded in 2011, which had participants questioning the lines between reality and fiction. ARG's are games that take place in real life, using a combination of media forms to immerse players in an "alternate" fictional reality. But where these games are usually created as viral marketing tools, The Jejune Institute was meant to bring its players a meaningful sense of adventure and creativity. And, just as with any game, some players got way deeper and more invested than others. Can fiction and gaming give us something that we are missing in the "real world"? Listen, subscribe & let us know your thoughts! Find us on Twitter @DownToMarsPod Dive Deeper: "Gaming Can Make a Better World": Jane McGonigal TED Talk http://bit.ly/2OWWd4B "Game or Cult? The Alternate Reality of the Jejune Institute" http://bit.ly/2wgbIN7 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

We’re dedicating a special bonus episode to talk about our upcoming documentary, “Respect the Light: Miami Stand Up Comedy” and recap our experiences shooting this project. The film sheds light on Miami’s comedy scene – which is a surprisingly small one given the scale and reputation of the city’s nightlife. We follow three stand-up comics and dive into their process, sources of motivation and all the sacrifices it takes to make it. How uncomfortable are you willing to make yourself to have your dreams come true? Follow us on Twitter @DownToMarsPod References: www.theledgemedia.com www.instagram.com/theledgemedia --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

In this episode, we discuss the recent decision by the Boy Scouts of America to allow girls to enroll in their program, and the backlash they’ve received for it. Are young co-ed programs a step toward equality – or do gender groups need safe spaces? Follow us on Twitter @DownToMarsPod --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

Yeah…we’re going there. Rashielle and GJ have the difficult discussion on Kanye West’s recent behavior and ask – how can you "cancel" someone who's had a major impact on you? What do you do when your heroes and idols disappoint you? Follow us on Twitter @DownToMarsPod References: https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2018/05/im-not-black-im-kanye/559763/ https://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Through-Creative-Battles/dp/1936891026/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1534303088&sr=1-1&keywords=the+war+of+art --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support

Welcome to The Down to Mars Podcast! For our very first episode, we’re discussing brain-machine interface (BMI) technology and what it would be like for our minds to *literally* be connected to the internet “cloud” (more than they already are). Is there a point when technological advances make us less human? Follow us on Twitter @DownToMarsPod References: https://waitbutwhy.com/2017/04/neuralink.html https://www.amazon.com/Our-Final-Invention-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/0312622376 --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/downtomars/support