Before GPS was built into every phone and car, getting somewhere new required a very different set of skills. In this episode of really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas, we take a nostalgic trip back to the days of paper maps, road atlases, and printed MapQuest directions.

We talk about how weather can shape our routines, how people navigated before smartphones, and why traditional navigation skills still matter today. From reading map legends and understanding topography to knowing the difference between latitude and longitude, we explore the tools and knowledge that once helped people find their way.

Along the way we share stories about questionable shortcuts, getting lost, and the anxiety (or freedom) that comes with navigating without GPS. We also play a fun game about navigation terms and discuss how even birds like the Indigo Bunting use celestial navigation.

As technology continues to change the way we travel and communicate, we ask an important question: have we gained convenience at the cost of losing our sense of direction?

Join us for a fun and thoughtful conversation about maps, navigation, technology, and the balance between modern convenience and traditional life skills.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

In this episode, Michael-Thomas and Sierra dive into childhood nostalgia, snow days, book recommendations, and the complicated pressure behind choosing a career path.

From marine biologist dreams and architect aspirations to the influence of media and the reality of changing majors, this conversation explores how our professional lives evolve — and why that’s completely normal.

We talk about vocational training, societal expectations, career pivots, and finding purpose in unexpected places.

If you’ve ever felt uncertain about your future, this episode is your reminder: it’s okay to change your mind.

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.

“Calm down.”

Few phrases are more triggering — or more dismissive.

In this episode, Sierra and Michael-Thomas explore why being told to calm down can feel invalidating and why it often makes situations worse. They discuss emotional triggers, tone policing, hormones, relationship dynamics, and the importance of empathy in communication.

Instead of dismissing emotions, what if we got curious about them?

This episode blends humor, vulnerability, and practical insight as they unpack how to respond to heightened emotions in healthier ways — and what to say instead.

🎥 Watch the full video episodes on YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC

Executive Producers: Sierra Chapman & M. Thomas Griffith

Production Assistance: DCB Productions

Editing: Sierra Chapman

Artwork: M. Thomas Griffith

Music: AlexGuz via Pixabay.com

Email: info.reallypod@gmail.com

YouTube: https://bit.ly/reallypod

Instagram: @really_thepod

Facebook at Really... with Sierra & Michael-Thomas

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/reallythepod

TikTok @really_thepodcast

Really The Pod Shop go to reallypodshop.myshopify.com

© 2026 GrifChap Studio, LLC. All rights reserved. really… with Sierra & Michael-Thomas is produced by GrifChap Studio, LLC. The views and opinions expressed by hosts Sierra, Michael-Thomas, and their guests are their own and do not reflect those of their employers, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College and Northeast State Community College, respectively.