Opposite of Neutral

What does it mean to get unstuck? To stay up when it’s dark, cold, or creatively blocked? In this episode, Evan and Chris spiral delightfully from student slang and seasonal darkness into writer’s block, Pixar montages, AI shortcuts, ramen breaks, and the quiet power of choosing the journey over the destination.It’s an episode about motion, momentum, and finding your own version of “up”...even when you’re not sure which way that is.Got a story about what helps you get up-up-and-away? Drop us a note or a voice memo. Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠.00:00 Catching Up After a Long Break00:13 The Six Seven Weekend Phenomenon01:14 Cringe Moments and Trends02:00 Introduction to Opposite of Neutral05:35 Discussing Writer's Block and The Roots12:31 The Concept of 'Up' and Staying Positive13:55 Exploring the Phrase 'Giving Up'16:54 Seasonal Changes and Staying Uplifted20:35 Weather and Daily Activities21:02 Embracing the Weather22:19 Optimism and Perspective24:27 A Day in Spokane26:13 The Movie 'Up' and Life's Journey31:49 The Role of AI in Planning38:36 Finding Direction and Support40:09 Wrapping Up and Future Topics

An exciting discovery above the fridge. A cease-and-desist we’d actually celebrate. A snake story we can’t un-hear. From there, Chris and Evan dive into the big theme of Season 3: Into the Unknown! We talk about stepping into uncertainty with humor, honesty, and a plan to “do the next right thing.” We trace the unexpected comfort of Frozen II during COVID, Rumsfeld’s known/unknowns, and a history-nerd detour through Lewis & Clark. Chris shares his new-job/new-city “adventure mode” in Spokane (yes, there’s a sleeper sofa), and we close with why support systems matter when the map runs out.Got a story about your own “into the unknown”? Drop us a note or a voice memo. How did you pick the next right thing?Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and email us at [email protected] episode title : Up!

In this landmark 30th episode, Chris and Evan dive into the concept of milestones—both literal and metaphorical.Exploring the origin of the term, they discuss milestones from the Roman Empire, connecting the historical markers with the metaphorical milestones in life. Reflecting on personal experiences, they uncover how milestones shift from tangible childhood achievements, like learning to ride a bike, to more nuanced adult realizations, such as recognizing a friendship or the bittersweet milestones of cleaning out a parent's home. Chris defines his lack of enthusiasm for explaining embarrassing accidents to ER doctors as a sign of reaching adulthood, and Evan shares the milestones reached after two years of doing the podcast.Note: we had some internet issues during this episode, so the quality is a bit off in some places. Don't let that get in the way - we had a good time recording this.Remember to follow us at @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads, and email your ideas and thoughts to [email protected] look forward to having you joining us for the kickoff of Season 3 when we will be discussing the topic "Into the Unknown”.

In this episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan launch into a whirlwind of topics that range from cheese (per usual) to pillow preferences, before getting into the subject of blueprints. Evan breaks down the origins of blueprint-making—chemicals, UV light, and all—and dig into its existence as everything from a design essential to a metaphor for life’s plans. They also get into the philosophy of planning—when it’s necessary, when it’s useless, and how blueprints became the perfect symbol for translating wild ideas into something tangible. Is the blueprint the point where ideas become real? Or is a blueprint the theory, and the reality is the building, widget, or whatever else the blueprint is used to make? Expect jokes about cheese fondue, debates about emergency drills, and a teaser about their next milestone-themed episode. Grab a snack (may we suggest a hunk of Tillamook?) and join them for this exploration of structure, spontaneity, and the art of the happy accident.

In this episode of Opposite of Neutral, Chris and Evan dig into the messy world of miscommunication. They kick things off with a lighthearted dive into misheard song lyrics—Taylor Swift’s “Starbucks lovers,” anyone?—and how a simple misunderstanding can turn a phrase into something hilariously off the mark. From there, they take a closer look at how assumptions and lack of clarity can derail even the best intentions, whether it’s in relationships, work chats, or global diplomacy. Evan brings in his tech expertise, breaking down how computers handle miscommunication through error-checking systems like checksums, and why humans could learn a thing or two from these methods. Chris ties it all together with a story about the Cuban Missile Crisis, where poor communication nearly led to nuclear disaster—talk about stakes. Throughout the episode, they reflect on the challenges of balancing clarity with brevity, the role of over-communication in avoiding disaster, and how power dynamics shape who feels responsible for making sense of things. The conversation ends with a reminder that while most miscommunications are low stakes (misheard lyrics and grocery store texts), some really do matter (grading deadlines, anyone?). Stick around until the end for a preview of the next episode: Blueprints—where Chris and Evan will explore the frameworks and hidden plans that shape our lives. Follow @oppositeofneutral on Instagram and Threads for more insights and share your thoughts at [email protected].  00:00 Game Day Confusion 01:24 Podcasting for Fun 03:38 New Year Resolutions 09:12 Miscommunication Mishaps 16:16 Understanding Checksums in Communication 17:15 Error Correction Techniques 18:52 Human Communication and Misunderstandings 20:32 The Role of Emojis and Non-Verbal Cues 22:39 Miscommunication in Everyday Situations 26:37 The Importance of Clear Instructions 32:04 Power Dynamics in Communication 39:44 High-Stakes Communication: Lessons from History 41:05 Wrapping Up: Final Thoughts and Next Topic