A Suffering Diptych, Part I - Meeting the Devil at the Crossroads

It's been awhile but we're making it up to you with two episodes being released on back to back days. Unfortunately we hit a little bump in the road. A few weeks ago, John determined that he couldn't continue to be a part of the podcast. So Michael & I needed to regroup & decide the best way to approach this monumental loss. We considered not going forward with the podcast as we both recognize John a critical part of what makes the podcast work.  We continued to record each week in hopes it would allow a little time to see if John might only need a short reset & if he'd be okay to get back in the saddle after a few weeks break. But he's not coming back - at least not in the next month or two - so Michael & I decided to Keep Going.  We hope we've made the right decision. 
To make up for lost time & to honor John, we are releasing two conversations in two days. This episode is the first discussion Michael & I had post-John recorded in early July & the second one is an older conversation from January where we covered some of the same ground but in a very different way. I think they work well together & can be considered a diptych - a two-part artwork designed connected in theme & style, yet retaining their own individual frame.  
We hope this honors John, while still allowing Michael & I a little room to roam. Hopefully you'll continue to find this podcast valuable & insightful. 
Just to be clear, John is okay. He just needs a break & we are hopeful he'll feel ready to jump back in a some point. His presence here is already sorely missed.