<![CDATA[Closing Thoughts]]>Closing Thoughts is a podcast about lessons learned and how to live life well. Inspired by personal tragedy, each episode captures lessons, reflections, and hard-earned wisdom meant to be passed on—to my kids, my family, and anyone who wants to live with purpose, integrity, and love. The prompt for all guests is simple, though not easy: If you only had 5 minutes to pass along the wisdom you’ve gained up to this point in life and how to live well, what would it be? From there the discussion flows.
Kev and I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!

]]>https://riverside.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Wed, 27 May 2026 23:19:55 GMTMon, 02 Feb 2026 17:25:57 GMT60Sam Finney and Kevin Epp<p><i>Closing Thoughts</i> is a podcast about lessons learned and how to live life well. Inspired by personal tragedy, each episode captures lessons, reflections, and hard-earned wisdom meant to be passed on—to my kids, my family, and anyone who wants to live with purpose, integrity, and love. The prompt for all guests is simple, though not easy: If you only had 5 minutes to pass along the wisdom you’ve gained up to this point in life and how to live well, what would it be? From there the discussion flows. <br />Kev and I hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording!</p>episodicSam Finney and Kevin Eppsamuel.f.finney27@gmail.comyes<![CDATA[4: Doc Zinsser]]>The conversation with Doc Z delves into the concept of the extraordinary state of mind and its impact on elite performance. It explores the challenges of quieting the mind, cultivating the flow state, and the role of gratitude in enhancing performance and mental well-being. The conversation delves into the topics of imposter syndrome, self-definition, dealing with adversity, comparison, self-improvement, and supporting others. It explores the impact of imposter syndrome on self-perception and the importance of defining oneself based on positive experiences. Additionally, it discusses the significance of handling adversity, reframing past successes, and avoiding self-comparison. The conversation also emphasizes the role of supporting others and fostering positivity in relationships and personal growth.

Takeaways

  • State of Mind
  • Gratitude Imposter syndrome and self-definition
  • Dealing with adversity and disappointment
  • Comparison and self-improvement
  • Supporting others and fostering positivity

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to Doc Z
  • 08:17 Feelings and the Military
  • 15:42 Internal Reflection and Gratitude
  • 25:39 Challenges of Quietening the Mind
  • 35:02 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Definition
  • 41:11 Comparison and Self-Improvement
]]>6277c382-69b5-48b2-9399-ebb876cd3abcTue, 28 Apr 2026 15:31:20 GMT<p>The conversation with Doc Z delves into the concept of the extraordinary state of mind and its impact on elite performance. It explores the challenges of quieting the mind, cultivating the flow state, and the role of gratitude in enhancing performance and mental well-being. The conversation delves into the topics of imposter syndrome, self-definition, dealing with adversity, comparison, self-improvement, and supporting others. It explores the impact of imposter syndrome on self-perception and the importance of defining oneself based on positive experiences. Additionally, it discusses the significance of handling adversity, reframing past successes, and avoiding self-comparison. The conversation also emphasizes the role of supporting others and fostering positivity in relationships and personal growth.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>State of Mind</li><li>Gratitude Imposter syndrome and self-definition</li><li>Dealing with adversity and disappointment</li><li>Comparison and self-improvement</li><li>Supporting others and fostering positivity</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to Doc Z</li><li>08:17 Feelings and the Military</li><li>15:42 Internal Reflection and Gratitude</li><li>25:39 Challenges of Quietening the Mind</li><li>35:02 Imposter Syndrome and Self-Definition</li><li>41:11 Comparison and Self-Improvement</li></ul>yes00:56:194: Doc Zinsserfull<![CDATA[3: Chris Schmitt]]>The conversation with Chris Schmitt delves into the importance of embracing hard work, discomfort, and the value of effort. It explores the concept of choosing the harder right over the easier wrong and emphasizes the significance of character and integrity in life. The chapters cover Chris's background, the concept of the picnic and misogi, circumnavigating the edges of human existence, and balancing hard work and discomfort. The conversation delves into the significance of discomfort, resilience, and the human experience. It explores the impact of enduring discomfort, choosing reactions to challenges, and pushing beyond perceived limits. The role of shared military experiences, the value of hard-earned rewards, and the importance of influential heroes and books are also highlighted. Additionally, the conversation touches on overcoming obstacles, navigating low points, and defining success as tied to meaning and relationships.

Takeaways

  • Embracing hard work and discomfort
  • The value of effort and embracing hard work
  • Choosing the harder right over the easier wrong
  • The importance of character and integrity in life Embracing discomfort builds resilience
  • Success is tied to meaning and relationships

Chapters

  • 00:00 Balancing Hard Work and Discomfort
  • 37:56 Embracing Discomfort
  • 43:02 Shared Military Experience
  • 48:05 Influential Heroes
  • 57:13 Influential Books
  • 01:03:41 Defining Success
]]>4b7770fb-b469-4211-9483-a89bec728797Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:29:16 GMT<p>The conversation with Chris Schmitt delves into the importance of embracing hard work, discomfort, and the value of effort. It explores the concept of choosing the harder right over the easier wrong and emphasizes the significance of character and integrity in life. The chapters cover Chris's background, the concept of the picnic and misogi, circumnavigating the edges of human existence, and balancing hard work and discomfort. The conversation delves into the significance of discomfort, resilience, and the human experience. It explores the impact of enduring discomfort, choosing reactions to challenges, and pushing beyond perceived limits. The role of shared military experiences, the value of hard-earned rewards, and the importance of influential heroes and books are also highlighted. Additionally, the conversation touches on overcoming obstacles, navigating low points, and defining success as tied to meaning and relationships.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Embracing hard work and discomfort</li><li>The value of effort and embracing hard work</li><li>Choosing the harder right over the easier wrong</li><li>The importance of character and integrity in life Embracing discomfort builds resilience</li><li>Success is tied to meaning and relationships</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Balancing Hard Work and Discomfort</li><li>37:56 Embracing Discomfort</li><li>43:02 Shared Military Experience</li><li>48:05 Influential Heroes</li><li>57:13 Influential Books</li><li>01:03:41 Defining Success</li></ul>yes01:07:103: Chris Schmittfull<![CDATA[2: Kevin]]>The conversation delves into the concept of suffering, personal reflections, and life lessons, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, taking action, and self-competition. It also explores the idea of competition with others versus competition with oneself, as well as learning from failure and the concept of 'failing forward.' The overarching theme revolves around gratitude, perspective, and the pursuit of happiness through self-improvement and personal growth. The conversation delves into the themes of comparison, competition, and self-care, exploring the impact of these factors on personal well-being and success. It emphasizes the dual nature of comparison and competition, highlighting their potential for both benefit and harm. Additionally, the importance of self-care and delayed gratification is underscored as essential elements of personal growth and fulfillment.

Takeaways

  • Gratitude
  • Perspective Comparison and competition can be both beneficial and harmful
  • The importance of self-care and delayed gratification

Chapters

  • 00:00 Learning from Failure and Failing Forward
  • 41:19 The Thief of Joy: Comparison and Competition
]]>9ba62d28-ea2c-4f80-8a35-064d5454e8ceTue, 28 Apr 2026 15:28:15 GMT<p>The conversation delves into the concept of suffering, personal reflections, and life lessons, emphasizing the importance of gratitude, taking action, and self-competition. It also explores the idea of competition with others versus competition with oneself, as well as learning from failure and the concept of 'failing forward.' The overarching theme revolves around gratitude, perspective, and the pursuit of happiness through self-improvement and personal growth. The conversation delves into the themes of comparison, competition, and self-care, exploring the impact of these factors on personal well-being and success. It emphasizes the dual nature of comparison and competition, highlighting their potential for both benefit and harm. Additionally, the importance of self-care and delayed gratification is underscored as essential elements of personal growth and fulfillment.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Gratitude</li><li>Perspective Comparison and competition can be both beneficial and harmful</li><li>The importance of self-care and delayed gratification</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Learning from Failure and Failing Forward</li><li>41:19 The Thief of Joy: Comparison and Competition</li></ul>yes01:04:482: Kevinfull<![CDATA[1: Sam]]>The podcast episode features a heartfelt speech by Sam Finney, sharing life lessons and wisdom for his children. The speech covers various themes, including the battle of life, pursuing happiness, marriage, setting goals, gratitude, defining success, dealing with tragedy, and choosing to be better every day. Sam reflects on the motivation behind the podcast, the evolution of wisdom, the value of doing hard things, the importance of voluntary hardship, and the mental framing of life's challenges through affirmations for character building. The conversation delves into themes of mental toughness, gratitude, coping with loss, managing stress, defining legacy, cosmic irrelevance, and the impact of influential figures. It explores the paradox of life and the impact of literature on perspective and understanding. The chapters cover a range of topics, from building mental toughness through physical exertion to the impact of inspirational figures like Kate, Jesus, and Theodore Roosevelt.

Takeaways

  • Life is a battlefield of choices
  • Happiness is a byproduct of a life worth living Mental toughness through physical exertion
  • Success is in the mundane

Chapters

  • 00:00 The Mental Framing of Life's Challenges and Affirmations for Character Building
  • 29:30 Building Mental Toughness Through Physical Exertion
  • 35:01 The Gift of Life and Coping with Loss
  • 42:07 Defining Legacy and Impact on Others
  • 50:11 The Impact of 'Orthodoxy' by G.K. Chesterton
]]>2fc4b253-96d3-454c-b49e-fab2a4510c08Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:26:52 GMT<p>The podcast episode features a heartfelt speech by Sam Finney, sharing life lessons and wisdom for his children. The speech covers various themes, including the battle of life, pursuing happiness, marriage, setting goals, gratitude, defining success, dealing with tragedy, and choosing to be better every day. Sam reflects on the motivation behind the podcast, the evolution of wisdom, the value of doing hard things, the importance of voluntary hardship, and the mental framing of life's challenges through affirmations for character building. The conversation delves into themes of mental toughness, gratitude, coping with loss, managing stress, defining legacy, cosmic irrelevance, and the impact of influential figures. It explores the paradox of life and the impact of literature on perspective and understanding. The chapters cover a range of topics, from building mental toughness through physical exertion to the impact of inspirational figures like Kate, Jesus, and Theodore Roosevelt.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Life is a battlefield of choices</li><li>Happiness is a byproduct of a life worth living Mental toughness through physical exertion</li><li>Success is in the mundane</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 The Mental Framing of Life's Challenges and Affirmations for Character Building</li><li>29:30 Building Mental Toughness Through Physical Exertion</li><li>35:01 The Gift of Life and Coping with Loss</li><li>42:07 Defining Legacy and Impact on Others</li><li>50:11 The Impact of 'Orthodoxy' by G.K. Chesterton</li></ul>yes00:57:201: Samfull