What if we stopped treating ourselves like smartphones? 📱

In a world that constantly encourages us to stay happy, remain productive, and become the “best version” of ourselves, we sometimes forget one important thing: we’re human, not machines.

In this Side Salad, Kev Thompson explores how social media and technology may have shaped our expectations of ourselves, why constant productivity can lead to burnout, and why it’s okay not to have everything figured out.

Life comes with sunny days and inevitable storms. The goal isn’t to eliminate the difficult moments, but to build the relationships, memories, and habits that help us weather them.

You don’t have to be happy every day. You don’t have to be productive every minute. And you don’t have to stay on one setting to be doing life right.

🎧 Tune in, embrace the full spectrum of being human, and remember: you’re not a phone. Give yourself permission to change.

#TheSaladBowlPodcast #SideSalad #MentalWellness #PersonalGrowth #Authenticity #WorkLifeBalance #HumanDynamics

Grandma wasn’t just giving advice—she was passing down wisdom. 🥗

“Too dumb to be embarrassed.”

“Bless your heart.”

“Never argue with a fool.”

Funny? Absolutely. But underneath those sayings were lessons about self-awareness, compassion, boundaries, and knowing when to walk away.

Maybe Grandma was onto something. 👵🏾

What’s a saying your grandmother used to tell you? Drop it in the comments.

#GrandmasWisdom #LifeLessons #Wisdom #SelfAwareness #NormalizeAuthenticity

This Side Salad was inspired by a civilian friend who noticed the very real struggles veterans face when transitioning out of the military.

I told myself I’d stay away from military topics once I retired. But maybe I have one last thing to say to the people I left behind.

The uniform comes off, but the transition is just beginning. 🥗

#SideSalad #VeteranTransition #MilitaryTransition #NormalizeAuthenticity #Veterans

When I take a step back and look at the challenges I've endured in this life, one surpasses all of the rest. I'd say its the hardest thing...and may be the most rewarding ingredients of my life.

The Salad Bowl Podcast | Joel Hitchcock-Tilton | Growing Community from the Ground Up

What if a garden could change the way an entire city connects?

In this episode of The Salad Bowl Podcast, we sit down with Joel Hitchcock-Tilton, the visionary behind Paradigm Gardens, to explore how one idea rooted in purpose has blossomed into one of New Orleans' most inspiring community spaces.

From cultivating fresh food to cultivating meaningful relationships, Joel shares how creativity, sustainability, and a willingness to think differently have transformed an empty space into a place where people gather, heal, celebrate, and grow.

This conversation isn't just about farming. It's about leadership, taking risks, building something bigger than yourself, and proving that when you invest in people, incredible things can grow.

If you've ever wondered how passion becomes purpose—or how one person's vision can impact an entire community—this episode is for you.

🥗 In this episode, we discuss:

• Building Paradigm Gardens from the ground up
• The power of community and shared experiences
• Entrepreneurship and taking unconventional paths
• Creativity, sustainability, and leaving a lasting impact
• Why growth always starts with planting a seed

Because every great community, just like every great salad, is made stronger by its unique ingredients.

#TheSaladBowlPodcast #NormalizeAuthenticity #ChooseCuriosity #ParadigmGardens #NewOrleans #Community #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Sustainability #Podcast #Growth #Purpose #JoelHitchcockTilton

We're conditioned to believe that life is one big competition—that for someone to win, someone else has to lose. But what if that's the real illusion?

In this Side Salad, I challenge the scarcity mindset that fuels comparison, rivalry, and the constant need to pick sides. From MJ vs. LeBron to Apple vs. Microsoft, we explore why greatness isn't a limited resource—and why someone else's success doesn't take anything away from yours.

Maybe the goal isn't to beat everyone else.

Maybe the goal is simply to become the best version of yourself.

Is it really not that deep? Or...

#considerthis

Can you serve your country for 20 years...and still feel weird chanting "USA"? This Side Salad isn't about questioning patriotism—it's about questioning what patriotism means. A little World Cup, a few American flags, and a whole lot of curiosity over certainty. Let's toss it around. ⚽🇺🇸🥗