Not by Accident

About Not by Accident

Becoming and raising good people does not happen by accident.  Nothing that is worthwhile, valuable or magnificent happens by default  -not a marriage, not a career, not children who grow into happy, kind and accomplished adults.  Excellence is not accidental. This podcast is a tool for parents to use as they purposefully introduce their children to high ideals, virtues, and concepts that are essential to becoming a good person.  We do this in short 3-5 minute podcasts (borrowing from experiences in history, stories shared by others, scenarios and situations) with the intent to foster conversation between parents and children. No one wants to be lectured or moralized -especially children and teens... especially by their parents. So having some outside voices on matters that will help shape children is invaluable.  This of this podcast as a contemporary version of Aesops Fables.  Great for parents, teachers, youth leaders or anyone who is looking for inspiring content when driving to school, a soccer game, to the grocery store or beginning your day.  Enjoy! Creator and Host:  Dr. Thomas Wicke -a social psychologist who is president of a healthcare college in Denver, Colorado.  He is an author, published academic, teacher and speaker on creating effective culture in the workplace through intentional leadership.  He consulted with the Department of Homeland Security on community impact of disaster. He is husband for 30+ years to a public school teacher and parent of three children.

Publisher

Thomas H Wicke

Category

education · kids & family · kids & family

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

20 Aug 2024

Latest episode

20 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

27 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Oct 2026

   Not by Accident: Football and Musical Theatre -Episode27

   Young and old are often pressured, or at least feel a degree of social expectation, from peers to fit a mold.  A football player is expected to be tough, certainly not a lover of musical theater, the violyn or anything too intellectual.  Friday nights are spent blocking and tackling, not cozying up to the latest issue of Psychology Today or the Journal of the American Medical Association.  Likewise, a ballet dancer would never be found in the mosh pit at a punk concert... or would they?  The show, High School Musical is primarily about the virtue and courage of breaking these rigid social stratifications.  There is also great social, scientific, and intellectual benefit in pursuing your many interests even if they do not fit narrowly defined or even pragmatic boundaries.  This episode is a challenge to break through those arbitrary borders and pursue all your interests, as varied as they may be.  Science informs  the arts, which informs business, which benefits society and it all brings us closer to gether and helps us be more inclusive, understanding and better people. This episode features a short portion of Chris Williamson's Modern Wisdom podcast (specifically episode 1163 with Shaan Puri. Modern Wisdom with Shaan Puri (https://youtu.be/XnQ2Da7HcRk?si=epbQNNyio5-tli_g) Check it out, there is some profanity but his episodes are generally amazing!

2. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Not by Accident: Arthur Brooks Embracing Adversity & Suffering -Episode 26

   Everyone faces adversity, suffering and challenges.  Contemporary society teaches:  adversity is bad, comfort and ease is good.  Well, if you want a meaningless and empty life (not to mention more depression), then listen to society.  If you want to exprierience a deeper sense of self, of joy, of accomplishment and become a person of profound character, begin by listening to this episode and then embrace the difficult times of life.  I know, not so fun in the moment, but it is absolutely true. So if you are facing something tough now--whether your fault or by suffering from the consequences and undeserved actions of another--you can do this.  Pain and suffering are not the ultimate ends of your situation.  A stronger, better, happier you is the end result.  Oh, but you've got to face it correctly.

3. 

   17 Jul 2025

   Not by Accident: Scott Ruskin and Heroes -Episode25

   US Coast Guard rescue swimmer Scott Ruskin recounts his heroic efforts during the central Texas floods of July 2025, where he saved 165 victims and organized the evacuation of children from Camp Mystic in this interview with Kagan Dunlap.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Spotify

5.0 / 5

2 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 32 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

50

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

32

Contact Not by Accident

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.