Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 16th.Today is National Play-Doh Day, and before you dismiss this as just another silly holiday, hear me out. Play-Doh has one of the most fascinating origin stories in the world of toys. It wasn't originally intended to be a children's plaything at all – it started life in the 1950s as wallpaper cleaner. But when Cincinnati-based company Kutol was struggling to sell their cleaning product, they pivoted and remarketed it as a modeling compound for children.That pivot saved the company and gave the world something magical. Play-Doh has been sparking creativity in children and adults for over 70 years now. It's malleable, forgiving, and endlessly transformable – qualities that make it the perfect metaphor for human potential.Today's quote comes from writer Anne Lamott, who said:"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."Lamott's wisdom perfectly captures what makes Play-Doh so therapeutic and transformative. Think about it - when we're stressed, overwhelmed, or stuck, what do we often need most? A reset. A chance to unplug from the complexity and return to something simple and tactile.Play-Doh offers exactly that kind of reset. There's something profoundly calming about working with your hands, shaping something physical, creating without pressure. It pulls you out of your head and into the present moment. Your breathing slows down, your shoulders relax, and suddenly problems that seemed insurmountable start to feel more manageable.The beauty of Play-Doh is that it forces you to slow down. You can't rush clay - you have to work with it, respond to it, let it teach you what it wants to become. In our hyperconnected, always-on world, that kind of analog experience is incredibly valuable. It's a form of unplugging that doesn't require a meditation app or a weekend retreat - just your hands and some colorful clay.When you roll that Play-Doh back into a ball and start fresh, you're practicing one of life's most important skills: the ability to begin again, to approach familiar challenges with renewed energy and perspective.What dreams or projects have you been approaching with doubt instead of belief? What would change if you brought the same confident imagination to your goals that a child brings to a lump of Play-Doh?Maybe there's an idea you've been dismissing as too simple or too ambitious. Maybe there's a conversation you've been avoiding because you don't believe it will go well. Maybe there's a creative pursuit you've put off because you don't believe you have the talent.Today, try believing in the possibility first and let that belief guide your actions. Remember – Play-Doh started as wallpaper cleaner. Sometimes the most extraordinary things come from believing ordinary materials can become something magical.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now. But I'll be back tomorrow. Same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 15th.Today is International Dot Day, a global celebration that might sound simple, but carries profound meaning. International Dot Day began when teacher Terry Shay introduced his classroom to Peter H. Reynolds' book The Dot on September 15, 2009. The story follows a young girl named Vashti who believes she can't draw. Her teacher encourages her to just make a mark and see where it takes her. That single dot becomes the beginning of an artistic journey.What started as one teacher inspiring creativity in his classroom has now become a global celebration of creativity, courage and collaboration observed in schools and communities worldwide.Today's quote comes from Vincent van Gogh, who wrote in a letter to his brother:"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."Van Gogh's words capture the essence of International Dot Day perfectly. Think about it – every masterpiece, every breakthrough, every moment of creative genius starts with something incredibly small. A single brushstroke. A simple mark. A dot.In The Dot, young Vashti learns this exact lesson. Her teacher doesn't ask her to paint the Sistine Chapel – just to make a mark and see where it takes her. That one small dot becomes the foundation for discovering her artistic voice.Van Gogh himself understood this deeply. His iconic paintings weren't created through grand gestures, but through thousands of individual brushstrokes, each one a small decision, a tiny mark that contributed to something greater. Each dot of paint in "Starry Night," each careful stroke in his sunflowers – small things brought together to create lasting beauty.The same principle applies to every area of life. Want to write a book? Start with a sentence. Want to get healthier? Start with one walk. Want to learn something new? Start with one lesson. The dot isn't the destination – it's the beginning of the journey.As you go about your Sunday, think about Van Gogh's wisdom: great things are built from small things brought together. What's one small mark you can make today toward something that matters to you?Maybe it's writing one paragraph of that story you've been thinking about. Maybe it's taking one photo for that project you want to start. Maybe it's making one phone call to reconnect with someone you miss.Remember – Van Gogh didn't become Van Gogh overnight. He became Van Gogh one brushstroke at a time, one dot at a time, one small decision at a time.Thanks for starting your day with The Daily Quote. I'm Andrew McGivern. Signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow, same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 14th.Today is National Live Creative Day, a wonderful reminder that creativity isn't just for artists, writers, or musicians – it's a vital part of being human. This holiday encourages all of us to tap into our creative potential, whether that means picking up a paintbrush, trying a new recipe, rearranging our living space, or simply approaching an everyday problem with fresh eyes.Creativity isn't about producing masterpieces or being "good" at traditional art forms. It's about the willingness to experiment, to play, to see possibilities where others see limitations. It's about that spark of innovation that happens when we give ourselves permission to think differently, to combine things in new ways, or to express ourselves authentically.National Live Creative Day reminds us that creativity is like a muscle – the more we use it, the stronger it becomes. And the beautiful thing about creativity is that it enriches not just our own lives, but the lives of everyone around us.Today's quote comes from Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple, who said:

"Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something."Steve Jobs understood that creativity isn't about conjuring ideas from thin air – it's about making connections between things that already exist in new and meaningful ways. This insight makes creativity much more accessible than we often think. We don't need to be divinely inspired; we just need to be observant and willing to combine familiar elements in unfamiliar ways.

Think about some of the most creative breakthroughs you know. The iPhone wasn't invented from nothing – it connected a phone, an iPod, and internet access in a way that transformed all three. Great cooking often comes from combining unexpected flavors. Innovative solutions at work frequently emerge when someone connects ideas from different departments or industries.

National Live Creative Day celebrates exactly this kind of creative thinking. It's not about having a rare artistic gift – it's about developing the habit of noticing connections that others might miss. When we pay attention to the world around us, collect interesting ideas, and remain open to unexpected combinations, we're already practicing creativity.

Jobs also mentioned that creative people sometimes feel "guilty" because their innovations seem almost too easy – they just saw something that was already there, waiting to be connected. This is beautiful because it means creativity is available to all of us. We don't need special training or rare talent; we just need to cultivate the ability to see relationships and possibilities.That's the kind of creativity Jobs was talking about – practical, accessible, and available to anyone willing to notice connections.So today, as we celebrate National Live Creative Day, let's embrace Steve Jobs' insight about creativity as connection. Start paying attention to interesting ideas, experiences, and observations from different areas of your life. Keep a mental – or actual – collection of things that intrigue you.Then give yourself permission to play with combinations. What happens when you connect your hobby with your work? Your travel experiences with a problem you're trying to solve? Your favorite recipe with an unexpected ingredient?Remember, you don't need to invent something entirely new. You just need to see connections that create value, solve problems, or bring joy. The most creative thing you do today might feel surprisingly simple – because creativity often is.That's going to do it for today.

I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 13th.Today is Roald Dahl Day, celebrating the birthday of one of the world's most beloved storytellers. Born on September 13th, 1916, Dahl gave us unforgettable characters like Matilda, Charlie Bucket, the Big Friendly Giant, and Willy Wonka. His stories transported millions of children and adults into worlds where chocolate rivers flow, giant peaches sail across oceans, and a little girl with extraordinary powers stands up to bullies.What made Dahl special wasn't just his wild imagination, but his ability to see the world through a child's eyes while addressing very adult themes. His books celebrated the power of kindness, the importance of standing up to injustice, and the magic that exists in everyday life if we're brave enough to look for it.Before becoming a children's author, Dahl was a Royal Air Force fighter pilot, an intelligence officer, and a diplomat – experiences that perhaps taught him that truth really can be stranger than fiction, and that real heroes often come in unexpected packages.Today's quote comes from Roald Dahl himself, who said:"A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men."Roald Dahl understood something that many adults forget as they get older – that there's profound wisdom in maintaining a sense of playfulness and wonder. His quote reminds us that nonsense isn't the opposite of wisdom; it's often a pathway to it.Think about Dahl's greatest characters. They're often the ones who embrace a little nonsense – Charlie's grandfather who dances despite being bedridden, Matilda who moves objects with her mind, the BFG who catches dreams and blows them into children's bedrooms. These characters achieve extraordinary things not in spite of their whimsical nature, but because of it.When we allow ourselves moments of silliness, wonder, and childlike curiosity, we're not being frivolous – we're keeping alive the part of ourselves that can see possibilities others miss. We're maintaining the flexibility of mind that allows us to find creative solutions and experience joy in unexpected places.I remember reading "The BFG" to my kids and initially thinking some of the wordplay was just silly nonsense – "whiffsy-whaff" and "scrumdiddlyumptious" seemed like meaningless fun. But then I realized Dahl was teaching them that language itself can be playful, that words can be toys, and that communication doesn't always have to follow strict rules to be meaningful.That's the gift Dahl was talking about – the wisdom to know that taking ourselves too seriously all the time actually limits our ability to think creatively and connect with others.There's something liberating about giving ourselves permission to embrace a little nonsense. It reminds us that not everything has to be productive or practical to be valuable. Sometimes the most important thing we can do is laugh, play, and let our imaginations run free.So today, as we celebrate Roald Dahl Day, let's embrace his wisdom about the value of nonsense. Maybe it's time to read a silly book, play an impractical game, tell a ridiculous joke, or simply approach a problem with the kind of whimsical creativity that Dahl championed.Remember, the wisest people aren't those who never act foolishly – they're those who understand that a little foolishness, a touch of wonder, and a willingness to see magic in the ordinary can make life infinitely richer.As Dahl himself might say, let's keep a little nonsense in our hearts, because that's often where the most scrumdiddlyumptious ideas are born.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 12th.Today is National Day of Encouragement, a wonderful holiday that reminds us of the incredible power of positive words and supportive actions. In a world that can often feel heavy with criticism, negativity, and harsh judgment, this day celebrates the simple but profound act of lifting others up with encouragement.Encouragement is different from empty praise or false positivity. True encouragement acknowledges someone's efforts, recognizes their potential, and offers hope for their journey ahead. It's the difference between saying "good job" and saying "I can see how hard you worked on this, and your dedication really shows."Whether it's a teacher believing in a struggling student, a friend supporting someone through a difficult time, or a colleague recognizing another's contributions, encouragement has this beautiful ability to plant seeds of confidence that can bloom long after the words are spoken.Today's quote comes from Walt Disney, the visionary animator and entrepreneur, who said:

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible."Walt Disney understood something beautiful about encouragement – it's not just about offering comfort during tough times, it's about inspiring people to reach beyond what they think is possible. Disney's entire career was built on encouraging others to dream bigger, to believe in magic, and to pursue ideas that seemed impossible.Think about what Disney achieved by encouraging the "impossible" – the first full-length animated film when everyone said audiences wouldn't sit through it, theme parks that transported people into fantasy worlds, innovations in filmmaking that changed entertainment forever. But none of these breakthroughs happened in isolation. They required Disney to encourage countless artists, engineers, and dreamers to believe that impossible things were actually just difficult things waiting to happen.This is what National Day of Encouragement is really about – not just offering sympathy when someone fails, but inspiring them to see failure as the first step toward achieving something extraordinary. Disney knew that the most powerful encouragement doesn't just say "you can do this" – it says "you can do things you never imagined possible."That's the kind of encouragement Disney was talking about – the kind that transforms obstacles into adventures and makes the impossible feel like fun.There's something magical about Disney's approach to encouragement. He didn't just tell people they could succeed – he made them excited about the possibility of creating something that had never existed before. He turned daunting challenges into thrilling opportunities.So today, as we celebrate National Day of Encouragement, let's embrace Walt Disney's playful wisdom about making the impossible feel fun. Look for someone who's facing a challenge that feels insurmountable to them – maybe it's a project at work, a creative endeavor, or a personal goal they've been putting off.Instead of just saying "you can do it," try Disney's approach: help them see the impossible as an adventure waiting to happen. Remind them that every breakthrough started with someone deciding that "impossible" was just another word for "interesting challenge."Remember, the most powerful encouragement doesn't just comfort – it transforms how people see their potential and makes them excited about discovering what they're truly capable of.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 11th.Today is R U OK? Day an awareness day focused on mental health and checking in on others. Helping others. Today is also, National Make Your Bed day celebrating the simple act of tidying up and starting your day with accomplishment. And if Jordan Petersen is correct then making your god damned bed is good for your mental health.

See what I did there... making connections.

But today is also Patriot Day, a day of remembrance and reflection as we honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost in the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. This day holds profound meaning for Americans and people around the world who witnessed how tragedy can bring out both the worst and the very best in humanity.Twenty-four years later, we remember not just the devastating loss, but also the extraordinary courage, compassion, and unity that emerged in the aftermath. We remember the first responders who ran toward danger, the ordinary citizens who became heroes, the communities that opened their hearts to strangers, and the resilience of a nation that chose hope over fear.Patriot Day reminds us that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can control how we respond – with dignity, with kindness, and with an unwavering commitment to the values that unite us.
Which brings us today's quote from Fred Rogers, the beloved television host and advocate for children, who once said:"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'"Mr. Rogers' wisdom, shared by his mother many years before September 11th, became a source of comfort for countless people in the days and weeks following the attacks. In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, his words reminded us to focus not on the darkness, but on the light that emerges when people choose to help.And there were so many helpers on that day and in the days that followed. Firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who risked everything to save others. Ordinary people who lined up to donate blood, volunteer at hospitals, and provide comfort to those who had lost everything. Communities across the country that opened their doors and their hearts to stranded travelers and grieving families.The helpers weren't just the professionals trained for such moments – they were teachers who comforted frightened children, neighbors who checked on elderly residents, volunteers who worked around the clock at relief centers, and millions of Americans who chose compassion over anger, service over self-interest.Mr. Rogers understood something profound about human nature: in our darkest moments, we have a choice. We can focus on what's wrong with the world, or we can focus on what's right with people. We can let fear paralyze us, or we can let love motivate us to action.Even today, twenty-four years later, the helpers continue. Every person who chooses service over self-interest, who extends kindness to a stranger, who stands up for what's right – they're part of that same spirit that emerged from the ashes of September 11th.So today, as we observe Patriot Day, let's carry forward the wisdom of Fred Rogers and his mother. When we encounter difficulty, tragedy, or fear – whether in our own lives or in the world around us – let's look for the helpers. And more importantly, let's choose to be among them.And remember to check in with your friends, family and co-workers as R U OK? day is a great day to be a helper.And make your damn bed while your in the helping mood.Today and every day, we can choose to be the helpers the world needs.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 10th.Today is National Swap Ideas Day, a wonderful celebration of intellectual exchange and the power of collaborative thinking. In a world where we often get stuck in our own perspectives, this holiday reminds us that some of the most brilliant breakthroughs happen when minds meet and ideas intermingle.Think about it – the best conversations you've ever had probably weren't monologues. They were those moments when someone shared a thought that sparked your own thinking, when your idea built on theirs, when together you arrived somewhere neither of you could have reached alone. National Swap Ideas Day celebrates that beautiful dance of minds, that creative chemistry that happens when we're genuinely open to learning from each other.Whether it's brainstorming at work, debating with friends, or simply having a curious conversation with a stranger, today is about recognizing that ideas, like seeds, grow best when they're shared and cross-pollinated.Today's quote comes from George Bernard Shaw, the Irish playwright and critic, who said:"If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples, then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas."Shaw's insight captures the magic of what makes National Swap Ideas Day so meaningful – ideas are the only commodity that multiplies when shared. Unlike physical objects, which can only be owned by one person at a time, ideas have this beautiful quality of being able to exist in multiple minds simultaneously, often growing stronger with each exchange.When we swap ideas, we're not losing anything – we're gaining everything. Your perspective combined with someone else's creates possibilities that neither of you possessed alone. It's like intellectual alchemy, where the collision of different thoughts creates something entirely new and often more valuable than the original components.The most innovative companies understand this principle. They create spaces for idea-swapping – brainstorming sessions, collaborative projects, cross-departmental meetings. They know that breakthrough innovations rarely come from isolated genius, but from the fertile ground where different perspectives meet and mingle.I was listening to a podcast the other day where they were talking about how the "idea guy" used to be made fun of by entrepreneurs and developers because they always had these great ideas but then had to find someone with capital to fund the idea and pay a developer to build it. But nowadays with new AI Tools coming out every single day... the idea guy or gal can manifest their ideas without capital and without a developer. They said were are entering the era of the idea person. And when a group of people come together with their ideas now they will be able to make them reality.That's the beautiful paradox Shaw identified: generosity with ideas makes everyone richer, not poorer.There's something profound about the way ideas want to be shared. They seem to have a life of their own, jumping from mind to mind, evolving and improving with each exchange. When we hoard our ideas out of fear or competitiveness, we rob them of their chance to grow into something greater.So today, as we celebrate National Swap Ideas Day, let's embrace Shaw's wisdom about the multiplication of shared ideas. Remember, when you share an idea, you don't lose it – you plant it. That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to the Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for September 9th.Today is National Teddy Bear Day, celebrating those beloved stuffed companions that have been bringing comfort, courage, and friendship to children and adults for over a century. The teddy bear has one of the most charming origin stories in toy history – it was named after President Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt in 1902, following a hunting trip where he refused to shoot a bear that had been tied to a tree for him.What started as a political cartoon became a cultural phenomenon. These soft, huggable friends have been there for first days of school, scary nights, hospital visits, and countless adventures both real and imagined. There's something magical about how a simple stuffed bear can provide such genuine comfort and security, serving as confidant, protector, and friend all rolled into one fuzzy package.From Winnie-the-Pooh to Paddington, from childhood companions to collector's items, teddy bears remind us that sometimes the most important things in life are the softest ones.Today's quote comes from A.A. Milne, creator of Winnie-the-Pooh, who said:"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."A.A. Milne understood something profound about the power of simple things to touch our lives deeply. A teddy bear might be "just" fabric, stuffing, and thread, but in the hands of someone who needs comfort, it becomes so much more. It becomes courage for facing the dark, a friend for lonely moments, a keeper of secrets, and a bridge between childhood and growing up.Milne wrote Winnie-the-Pooh based on his son's own teddy bear, and in doing so, he captured something universal about how these simple toys become repositories for our deepest feelings. They don't judge, they don't leave, they don't grow tired of our worries or our dreams. They simply exist, ready to absorb our fears and witness our joys.The beauty of teddy bears is that they teach us about unconditional love and acceptance. A teddy bear never tells you you're too old to need comfort, never criticizes your fears as silly, never withdraws affection when you're having a bad day. They model the kind of steady, patient love that we all crave and that we can learn to give to others.That's the wisdom both Milne and every cherished teddy bear teach us: size doesn't determine significance, and the smallest gestures of love often leave the largest impact.There's something beautiful about how teddy bears remain unchanged while we grow and change around them. They're patient witnesses to our journey from childhood fears to adult challenges, always ready to offer the same simple comfort: presence, softness, and unconditional acceptance.So today, as we celebrate National Teddy Bear Day, let's embrace A.A. Milne's insight about the smallest things taking up the most room in our hearts. Whether it's a childhood teddy bear tucked away in a closet, a simple gesture from a friend, or a small act of kindness that stays with you for years, remember that significance isn't measured by size.Sometimes the most powerful comfort comes in the softest packages. Sometimes the greatest wisdom comes from the simplest sources. And sometimes what we need most is just something – or someone – willing to sit quietly with us and remind us that we're not alone.That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow – same pod time, same pod station – with another Daily Quote.