First of all, we're not quite done beating ourselves up over the question of lucid dreaming. But after that, we get to this week's challenge: Learning to play a musical instrument. We debate kazoo vs harmonica, talk about the best way to learn

Explore lucid dreaming

Dec 11th, 2016 31m 18s

Lucid dreaming: something you can do to consciously take control of your dreams, or just a load of new age metaphysical BS? We try -- really try -- to get to bottom of this question with the help of a dream expert guest. COTW is a weekly podca

#25 Wean yourself off Facebook (for your own sanity)

Dec 4th, 2016 22m 51s

It's time to take a break from social media. It consumes way too much of our time, and a lot of what's posted there is a toxic influence in our lives. This week, Dave and Rick discuss strategies for weaning yourself off Facebook, Twitter, and o

#24 Eat smaller portions

Nov 27th, 2016 25m 5s

We all eat too much. A typical restaurant meal has twice as many calories as you should consume, for example. This week's challenge isn't about eating better, eating different kinds of food, or dieting. It's just about managing serving sizes.

#23 Read for pleasure!

Nov 19th, 2016 30m 25s

Back to basics, folks: Do you read? For pleasure? We're not talking about Facebook, but good old-fashioned novels. There are a lot of good reasons to make time for reading, and we discuss that this week. COTW is a weekly podcast in which Dave

#22 Try electronic payments

Nov 12th, 2016 28m 55s

Electronic payments systems -- like Apple Pay and Android Pay -- are free, highly secure, and make your day asier and more efficient. That's Dave's contention; Rick has some reservations. This week, we talk about the nuts and bolts of using new

#21 Join an activity group

Nov 5th, 2016 22m 2s

Want to play basketball, learn to skydive, or make risotto? There's an activity group out there jam packed with people who want to do the same esoteric hobby as you. At least, that's the idea behind this week's challenge. Listen to Rick explain

#20 Learn a new thing (every week)

Oct 22nd, 2016 23m 19s

With so many resources around us -- TED Talks, Lynda.com, Khan Academy, and more -- Dave and Rick lay out a plan in which you can learn something new every week, almost without even trying. COTW is a weekly podcast in which Dave and Rick discu

#19 Expressing gratitude (and other hippie sentiments)

Oct 15th, 2016 20m 8s

This week, Rick implores you to step back from the bustle of your day and express some gratitude to the people, places, and things in your life. The ensuing conversation takes us to Louis CK, 8-track music, and things that Christopher Walken ma

#18: Discover new music

Oct 8th, 2016 33m 2s

Are you still listening to the same music you discovered in high school? This week we talk about ways to expand your music horizons and discover new artists and styles. And send us your playlists! Here are ours:Dave: https://open.spotify.com/u

#17: Debunking myths, lies, and urban legends

Oct 3rd, 2016 27m 3s

Thanks to the internet, we are constantly surrounded by myths, lies, and urban legends. How good is your BS detector? Can you tell if that Facebook quote was really uttered by Harry Truman? The book that Dave mentions is The Choking Doberman,

#16: The 7-Minute Workout

Sep 24th, 2016 21m 5s

We think that awesome people are at least trying to improve their physical fitness, which is why this week Dave's challenge is to adopt the 7 Minute Workout, which you can do daily or whenever you have time. But will Rick think it's a good idea

#15: Your personal mission statement

Sep 17th, 2016 21m 45s

Businesses have mission statements, and you should have one as well. A personal mission statement gives you a sense of purpose and helps define your path in life. And this week we talk about how to write one. COTW is a weekly podcast in which

#14: Ideas

Aug 14th, 2016 23m 42s

Santa isn't the only person who makes lists. This week, Dave pitches the challenge of making a list of 5 ideas every single day. Find out why, and what's on Dave's list, in this episode. COTW is a weekly podcast in which Dave and Rick discus

#13: If you can't say something nice...

Aug 7th, 2016 24m 49s

This week's challenge is a bit abstract: Rick wants you to go a whole day without saying anything negative. To anyone. COTW is a weekly podcast in which Dave and Rick discuss small, achievable goals each week that collectively turn you into

#12: Classic movies

Jul 30th, 2016 27m 35s

Dave contends that it's better for your soul to occasionally watch old classics than fill your head with a current blockbuster. Rick isn't so sure. Here are some of the classic movie lists mentioned in this week's show:http://www.afi.com/10

#11: Making new friends as a grownup

Jul 24th, 2016 22m 9s

In our experience, guys have a harder time making friends than women -- especially when they're past their college years and have fewer social opportunities. The challenge this week? Go out of your way to make a new friend. Let's see how Dave d

#10: Can you pass a civics test?

Jul 16th, 2016 26m 9s

Are you a savvy voter? Try taking a civics test like the one that naturalized citizens must pass to see how much you know about how your government works. Game? Here are the two tests that Dave & Rick discuss this week on the show:http://civic

#9: Meditation & mindfullness

Jul 10th, 2016 22m 50s

Can meditation help bring balance and contentment into your life? Help you level out your emotions and live more in the moment? That's what Rick thinks, and this week we investigate mindfulness as Dave talks about his week-long experience with

#8: Food waste

Jul 2nd, 2016 15m 8s

It's a "very special episode" of Challenge of the Week, in which Rick and Dave discuss food waste: why it's a problem and what you can do about it. As always, COTW is a weekly podcast in which Dave and Rick discuss small, achievable goals each

#7: Change your own oil

Jun 25th, 2016 25m 17s

Dave and Rick feel foolish because they don't know how to change the oil in their own cars. Or do pretty much any other kind of maintenance, for that matter. Then again, in today's specialized world, does that matter anymore? That's the topic t

#6 - Discover Virtual Reality

Jun 18th, 2016 20m 27s

Virtual reality is here and it's so awesome it will turn your brain inside out. So this week, Rick thinks you should try it on for size -- even if it's free (or almost free) via Google Cardboard. Welcome to Challenge of the Week, a self improv

#5 - Get healthy by standing up more

Jun 10th, 2016 19m 23s

No matter how many times Dave says, "you should take a standing or walking break every half hour," Rick wants to pick a fight over the science of standing desks. Nonetheless, this week's challenge is about getting healthier by not sitting like

Challenge of the Week #4 - Change your wardrobe

Jun 3rd, 2016 19m 15s

Are you still wearing the same concert t-shirts you sported in college? It's time to dress like a grown up -- or update your style. Welcome to Challenge of the Week, a self improvement podcast in which Dave Johnson and Rick Broida discuss small

#3 - Breaking your filter bubble

May 26th, 2016 19m 33s

Welcome to Challenge of the Week, a self improvement podcast in which Dave Johnson and RickBroida discuss small, achievable goals each week that collectively turnyou into an awesome person. This week: the deceptively simple challenge to re