When times are tough, what do you do? Do you take care of your own self interests? Or do you do what’s right for those around you? It’s natural to be selfish. But I for one strive to be a better person. Today, we’re gonna sing about overcoming struggles.
Welcome to the Pub Songs Podcast, the Virtual Public House for Celtic Geek culture. I am your Guide. My name is Marc Gunn. Subscribe to the podcast and download free music when you sign up at PubSong.com.
WHO'S PLAYING IN THE PUB TODAY
0:29 – SONG: “The Bridge” from The Bridge
4:22 – WELCOME
— Post a review in Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcatcher.
— Interview on Running Anthropologist. Cultural geographer.
— Coming soon: Celtic Geek Spotlights
— Find Irish & Celtic Song Lyrics.
TRAVEL WITH CELTIC INVASION VACATIONS. Every year, I take a small group of Celtic music fans on the relaxing adventure of a lifetime. We don't see everything. Instead, we stay in one area. We get to know the region through its culture, history, and legends. You can join us with an auditory and visual adventure through podcasts and videos. We’re going to Scotland in 2021. Join the invasion at http://celticinvasion.com/
8:52 – SONG: “Slainte Mhaith” from Name On My Soul
10:48 – STORY: Tough Times
Tough Times was inspired by the episode “The Train Job” in the TV show Firefly.
The crew of Serenity are hired by a gangster to steal medicine from a train. When the job doesn’t go smoothly, they find out the medicine is essential for the health of some local miners. Do they stick to their business arrangement even though good people will die? They have a choice. Ultimately, they choose to do what is right, despite the cost.
When times are tough, it’s easy to put aside what is good and what is right. It’s easy. But it’s also selfish. Far too often, we think about ourselves instead of what’s good for our community.
I started the Celtic Music Magazine at the end of 2000. I was one of the few Celtic music marketers on the internet. I quickly built up a mailing list. Because I knew how to get subscribers. I created an incredible tool. And it was all mine.
My goal was simple. I wanted to help my band the Brobdingnagian Bards be heard. I was focused. And I was selfish. It was all about me. We were not super successful.
Then I started highlighting other bands that I enjoyed. The magazine exploded.
The Bards fan base grew quicker too.
It grew because I stopped thinking about myself. It grew because I realized my readers were not into just me. They were about Celtic music. They were about our Celtic community. I was just one of many fortunate people who helped the community flourish. But it wasn’t me.
In 2005, I started the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. I was frustrated that the Brobdingnagian Bards music wasn't being played on terrestrial radio programs, like Thistle & Shamrock. I wanted a radio show where MY music could be heard.
I also learned my lesson from the Celtic Music Magazine. The podcast would not grow if it were just about me. Yeah. I had good music too. But this podcast was something more. It was about all of those Celtic musicians disenfranchised by terrestrial radio. On our podcast, I accepted all styles of Celtic music from the traditional to Celtic rock to every fusion in between.
Again, it wasn’t about me. It still is not about me. It was about changing the way you hear Celtic music. It is about experiencing Celtic culture through music.
What are the results?
It’s the #1 podcast for Celtic music in the world. It gets more downloads than 95% of the podcasts in the world (That’s a stat from Libsyn). It’s won three Podcast Awards for Podsafe Music. And there’ve been over 21 million downloads of the show. 21 million!!! That’s not an exaggeration.
One of the earliest marketing lessons I learned was if you help someone, if you do something outside of yourself, put yourself second or third or fourth, then you will see a return.
So if I do something good for a community, like create a podcast or give away MP3s, I can expect that it will come back to me some way.
I don’t know how it will happen.
MYSTERY QUOTE FROM SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE
And it’s really not important. That’s not what it’s about.
What is important is that you do it. Trust that kindness will be rewarded with kindness.
And it won’t always.
But it is right. It is good to be kind and generous.
Malcolm Reynolds knew that it would cost him dearly to return the medicine that they stole. But it was the right thing to do. Because good people needed it.
Not everyone gets that. Trump covered up and then blamed others for the Covid-19 pandemic, instead of dealing with it. He thought only about himself. Now over 200,000 people have died.
Meanwhile, Vice President Joe Biden saw Trump infected by the pandemic. He could’ve done what Trump did in 2016. He could’ve publicly laughed and humiliated him for his hypocrisy.
Biden didn’t do that. He pulled all negative ads. He showed that he has class and a good character. He did what was good and right. He’s already bringing kindness back to the White House. He hasn’t even been elected yet. That is kindness and generosity.
Times are tough. Friends and family are out of work, sick, and dying.
So I want to dedicate my new single to all of those who are fighting with their conscience to do what is right. For me that includes voting for Vice President Joe Biden in the 2020 election.
16:38 – SONG: “Tough Times” from Selcouth
20:32 – JOIN THE PUB CHAT (read and see videos at bottom of notes)
Are you a Celtic Geek? Well, then you probably read. You might study history. And you might watch TV or movies with a Celtic or Geek twist. It’s what Celtic Geeks do. What are you reading, learning, or watching?
You can send a written comment along with a picture of what you’re enjoying to marc@marcgunn.com. Chat in the Celtic Geeks group on Facebook.
21:59 – SONG: “Breathing” from Selcouth
25:56 – UPCOMING SHOWS
OCT 22: Celtfather Live on YouTube @ 8:00 – 9 PM EDT. Buy tickets $8.
THURS: Coffee with The Celtfather on YouTube @ 12:00 PM Eastern
27:00 – SUPPORT WHAT YOU LOVE
If you enjoy the music in this show, please show your support. Buy music or merch. Follow me on streaming. And tell a friend. You can join more Celtic Geeks when you Join my Gunn Runners Club on Patreon.
27:58 – SONG: “Serenity Valley Waltz” from Selcouth
Pub Songs Podcast was produced by Marc Gunn. To subscribe, go to Apple Podcasts, Spotify or to my website where you can subscribe to my mailing list. I’ll email you regular updates of new music and podcasts, special offers, and you’ll get 21 songs for free. Welcome to the pub at www.pubsong.com!
#pubsongs #toughtimes #pandemicproblems
PUB CHAT
Tina Richardson replied in the Celtic Geek group about what gets you through Tough Times:
“I’ve been wanting to share this for the last few days anyway and you have just given me the perfect lead in. While in the hospital with my mom last week (she had been there for 9 days)she was telling one of her nurses about this Little Guy my daughter listens to that sings those fun songs.” She was trying to tell her about the”Breathing” song. My mom (77) is struggling with stage 4 lung cancer. She is having a very difficult struggle with fluid building up around her lungs. I had to take her to the ER last Sunday and she was struggling to breath and her vitals were all over the place. She was scared and told me later she was singing the”Breathing” song in her head just to keep on breathing. She has claimed it for her motivation and you can find her humming it all the time.”
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