What if you could be someone else for a day, you know, inside their mind? From icons like Michael Jordan, Oprah, and Einstein to your neighbor, a two-year-old, or a gas-station attendant, I'm wondering what it’s really like to be other people, and what you might gain by having different perspectives.

In this episode is a “live as anyone” thought experiment: would you pay to step into another person's brain for an hour? Or a day? What about a week?Would empathy skyrocket if we could feel a surgeon’s focus, a performer’s stage rush, or a homeless person’s daily reality? Where you end up in life is a combination of ambition, luck, wiring, and location. There are so many factors that go into making you who you are. Some things can be changed and some are a little predestined. But how much better would the world be if you could truly experience what other people live day after day?

You’ll hear thoughts on celebrities, regular people, as well as Foxconn workers assembling your iPhone. The goal is to ponder and explore everyone else’s life, and you might discover that being you is better than you think.

And then a question for you...

If you could spend one day as anyone, who would you choose, and why? Drop your pick in the comments.

Opening song “Chiptune Fighter" written by SCOREWIZARDS.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by motionstate.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

We all get embarrassed. This episode looks at why it happens and how to care less when it suddenly hits. You will hear a quick story from a young guy in 6th grade, then we muse for a few minutes about what embarrassment is doing to you every time you feel it.

Most embarrassment lives in your head and softens as soon as you zoom out. And as time goes on you probably don't even remember it correctly! Or maybe you do. Seems like the easiest things to recall are the ones that make you cringe the most.

Think of embarrassment as a social alarm. Your brain is predicting how others might react and asking you to adjust. Some people seem immune and others freeze at a coffee order, but the difference is usually how much weight you give to these imagined opinions. When you give yourself a break, you usually find out it's not that big of a deal.

There are simple ways to practice this. Reframe the timeline and ask what you will think in a week or in a year. Laugh at yourself. Apologize when you should. Try small risks on purpose to build confidence. Order first. Publish that post. Speak up just once in the meeting. Each small rep makes the next moment easier.

Embarrassment also changes with age. Kids don't care. Teens collect bold mistakes. Adults hide their misfires. Many older adults stop caring as much. The feeling is universal, but it is temporary and it rarely defines you. Most people are focused on their own lives, not your last awkward moment.

If you have some cringe, share it. It helps to see how common this is and it turns anything heavy into a hilarious moment. Be kind to yourself, be good to your people, and keep moving. No one is keeping score except you 😉.

Opening song “Chiptune Fighter" written by SCOREWIZARDS.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by motionstate.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

Planning a quick adventure through Kefalonia? This episode opens with a short mini-history of the island to set the scene, then jumps into a practical one-day route you can do from Argostoli. If you want to skip straight to logistics, the itinerary starts at 02:28 in the video.

The One-Day Itinerary

Argostoli waterfront at sunrise – easy stroll, first views across the bay.

De Bosset Bridge and the Obelisk – quick walk on the world’s longest stone causeway over the sea.

Makris Gialos Beach – swim, rent a sunbed, and reset before midday heat.

Lunch back in Argostoli – tavernas along the harbor are fast and reliable.

Fanari (Agioi Theodoroi) Lighthouse – short stop for photos and coastal views.

Evening promenade in the square – gelato and people-watching before calling it a day.

Getting There Fast

Fly into Kefalonia International Airport (EFL). It is about 15 minutes by taxi to Argostoli. If you are coming from the Peloponnese, take the Levante Ferries crossing from Kyllini to Poros or Sami, then drive to Argostoli. A small rental car makes the day simple.

Useful Links

De Bosset Bridge: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Bosset_Bridge

Makris Gialos Beach: https://www.visitgreece.gr/experiences/sun-and-sea/beaches/makris-gialos-beach/

Agioi Theodoroi Lighthouse (Fanari): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Saint_Theodore

Kefalonia Airport (EFL): https://www.fraport-greece.com/eng/our-airports/kefalonia

Levante Ferries: https://www.levanteferries.com/en/

Quick Tips

Reserve a car in high season. Distances are short but a vehicle saves time.

Bring cash for sunbeds and small cafés.

The water is clear and bright. Pack polarized sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen.

Parking by De Bosset Bridge is easiest on the Argostoli side early in the day.

Stay in or near Argostoli to keep the whole loop walkable and the driving light.

Opening and closing music “Na Sou Po” by Pantelis Pantelidis.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Artwork by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by BoxOfMotion.

Maps by Google Earth.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

Could you disappear today? In the Wild West you could roll into a new town, pick a fresh name, change your hat, and start over. Now - not so much. In this episode I compare that fantasy with life in 2025, where cameras, Face ID, fingerprints, passports, and databases keep a steady record of who and where we are. I joke about wanted posters drawn from guesswork, moonshine dentistry, and the idea of trying on new roles the way actors do.

We talk about aliases vs biometrics, privacy vs convenience, and why “be yourself” might be the only workable strategy. You can still change paths, learn new skills, and evolve your style. You just probably can’t vanish like “Ricky Barbarossa.” Your DNA is everywhere.

Seems weird that for most of human history you could walk away and never be seen again. No ties. No responsibility. Nowadays everybody know where you are or where you've been. There is a digital paper trail following you no matter how much you try to get away. Is that a good thing? Or a bad thing?

Opening song “Chiptune Fighter" written by SCOREWIZARDS.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by motionstate.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

Planning a quick adventure through Rome? This episode opens with a short mini-history of Rome to set the scene, then jumps into a practical one-day route you can walk from Roma Termini. If you want to skip straight to logistics, the itinerary starts at 04:21 in the video.

The One-Day ITINERARY

Colosseum – Sunrise walk and first look at the photogenic arena.

Trevi Fountain – Toss a coin, take a photo, and try to beat the crowds if you can.

Spanish Steps – People-watch right next to the Keats-Shelley House next door.

Pantheon – Stand under the oculus of the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Dinner near Roma Termini, then a final gelato to finish off the exciting day.

Getting There Fast

From Fiumicino (FCO), hop onto the Leonardo Express non-stop train to Roma Termini, which is just under 30 minutes. It’s the simplest way to land in the middle of the city and start branching out.

Useful Links

Colosseum: https://colosseo.it/en/

Trevi Fountain info: https://www.turismoroma.it/en/places/trevi-fountain

Keats-Shelley House: https://ksh.roma.it/

Pantheon: https://www.pantheonroma.com

Leonardo Express: https://www.trenitalia.com/en/services/leonardo-express.html

How to book cheap flights: https://sharkfyn.com/maxwells-kitchen-podcast/cheapest-flights-to-europe

Quick Tips

Book in advance for a tour inside the Colosseum.

Trevi Fountain is best early morning or late evening. Avoid crowds and the heat.

Pantheon: the oculus is open and will allow rain to fall inside, but there are holes in the floor that let it drain out.

Booking your stay near Roma Termini keeps the whole day walkable.

Opening and closing music “Se bruciasse la città” by Massimo Ranieri.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Artwork by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by BoxOfMotion.

Maps by Google Earth.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

I do my best debating with… the empty passenger seat. Call it car therapy: caffeine, sunrise, and 60 mph turn pretend arguments into real clarity. You can just throw it out of your mouth and get real-time feedback from yourself to edit out the dumb.

Not every problem gets solved before the next exit, but a new perspective shows up easily. The motion of the car moving you through time and space simultaneously gives an impression of flying through a thick invisible cloud full of ideas, and you just scoop them up as you go. You just kinda go into auto-pilot and let your mind wander and soon enough you have everything figured out.

Sometimes you have to yell into the abyss, but then you feel better. That crazy shit you shouldn't say in public is within the confines of your car and you can tell yourself, "Glad no one heard that." 🤣

So if you pass me on the freeway mid-rant, I’m fine. I’m just workshopping the nicer version of the truth before I say it out loud to, you know, actual humans.

Opening song “Chiptune Fighter" written by SCOREWIZARDS.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by motionstate.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

We live in the fast lane of messages—texts, emails, Slacks—so it’s no wonder slow replies light up your impatience. A thirty-second delay feels like rejection, a five-minute gap seems like disrespect. Modern tools make communication instant, but they also hand strangers and friends the power to make you feel invisible when they don't respond when you expect them to.

Under the hood, it’s more than logistics; it’s emotion and expectation. Punctuation becomes tone, timing becomes intention, and “K.” can sound like a storm is brewing. Some people chase results and rapid fire, others move slower or want a warmer, more social exchange. That mismatch can fuel friction at work and at home, and it can even make you want to stop asking certain people for anything at all.

Still, every style has a purpose. Texts create a searchable paper trail and save time; calls deliver nuance and empathy. Some people don't have time to sit and chat while others refuse to send text. Different personalities have different communication needs.

In the end, better communication is a balance: be clear, be kind, and don’t over-read every dot or delay. Give grace when life happens, hold boundaries when your time is on the line, and remember that most “silence” isn’t personal—it’s just human.

Opening song “Chiptune Fighter" written by SCOREWIZARDS.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by motionstate.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com

You’re here for the cheapest flights to Europe. In this video, you use Google Flights (map view) to spot low priced round-trip gateways—often Dublin—then stack one-way nonstop hops each day to see as many locations as you can.

You’ll lock your round-trip first, account for +1 day overnight arrivals, and leave a 2–3 hour cushion between flights. Then you’ll “fill in the gaps” with cheap intra-Europe legs (Rome, Kefalonia, Barcelona, Greek islands) while tracking prices, flight numbers, and links so you can pounce when fares dip. Track everything and organize easily by using Apple Notes. You can also load your flight numbers in Flighty and get regular updates on everything on your itinerary.

For lodging, you’ll search near the main train station to cut transfers and costs—think FCO → Termini in 27 minutes (~€14). You’ll travel backpack-only to avoid baggage fees and pick places with laundry so a small bag works for the whole trip.

Put it together and you’ll pull off a fast, flexible Euro sprint for about $1,300 in flights and $1,200 in stays (before food). Watch, copy the filters, and book the deals while they’re hot.

Opening song “Chiptune Fighter" written by SCOREWIZARDS.

All production by Cody Maxwell.

Opening graphic assets by motionstate.

sharkfyn.com

maxwellskitchenpodcast.com