014: The Last of Us & Trusting Love To Keep Moving Forward

In today’s episode, we explore love beyond disruptions through the horror/drama TV series The Last of Us, inspired by the original video game developed by Naughty Dog. The story follows two shattered characters as they learn to depend on each other in a world plagued with violence, disruption, and a distortion of hope. Eventually, the two form an inseparable bond and develop a relentless desire to protect one another at all cost. Today’s episode is dedicated to the season finale of The Last of Us and how love grants us the purpose to keep moving forward.

Live everyday with the best intentions and keep moving forward because when the time is right, you’ll find a love worth fighting for.

Love Notes for Life is now available!
Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095805
Softcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095812

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013: Do the Work That Others Aren't Willing To Do

In today's episode, I reflect on my part-time job during college flipping burger patties. Well, more like placing burger meat on a conveyor belt and sending it through a fiery broiler. Any guesses where I worked at? Here's a hint. "Have it your way." In addition, I talk about one of my favorite customers named Karen, which eventually became an internet sensation as an angry customer meme. You never forget your first challenging customer and the lessons that come with the experience. Nevertheless, it's essential to remember that tough jobs teach excellence and dirty jobs teach humility. Strive for quality, embrace humility, and do the work that others aren't willing to do.

Love Notes for Life is now available!
Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095805
Softcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095812

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012: Dueling with Death and Understanding the Value of Luck

With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, in today’s episode I discuss my perspective on luck and my duels with death. I’ve had plenty of close calls with death on the road, but nothing would prepare me for my battle with death at the hospital. During my last year at UC Davis, I was hospitalized for two weeks and suffered extreme illness. I didn’t know if I was going to make it and, as a just-in-case for a typical Catholic, my local pastor administered my last rites, prayers reserved for the end of one’s chapter. However, my story wasn’t ready to end, and good luck came back into my life. Was it bad luck that I ended up in that situation in the first place? Or was it good luck that I got to live another day? It’s all about perspective and it’s important to acknowledge that even bad luck runs out.

If you’re still alive, know that, with enough time, even your most challenging moments will pass and you’ll be greeted with a new day and the sun will rise, and shine, bright once again.

Love Notes for Life is now available!
Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095805
Softcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095812

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Site: https://michaelcabuco.com/

011: Creating Meaningful Value Over Meaningless Work

Life flourishes through a combination of meaningful work and intentional value. In today’s episode I talk about super expensive sneakers, fun times at garage sales, and lessons from a wise sushi chef all the way from Japan. Furthermore, I explore the concept behind “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure” and how it illustrates our unique value system. We all have different interests and what is valuable to some, may not be quite valuable to others. However, we all understand that creating intentional drives us toward our life’s vision. Master the art of creating intentional value and focus on creating meaningful work. Devote your life to becoming the best that you can be. Keep pushing, inch by inch, and eventually you will find the love that your heart desires.

Love Notes for Life is now available!
Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095805
Softcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095812

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Site: https://michaelcabuco.com/

010: Leaning Into Lent To Learn How to Build a Blueprint for Success

Welcome to the desert folks. In today's episode I discuss the Catholic tradition of Lent, a season that focuses on the value of sacrifice, fortitude, and reflection. For forty days, practicing Catholics enters a voluntary state of sacrifice and gives up less value to create more value. While Lent is rooted in Catholic tradition, it is a universal roadmap for personal development, refining purpose, and developing better habits that amplify success. It is a journey of self-discovery that challenges everyone to step up through faith through action. Lent provides us the tools to overcome adversity and it reiterates the question, “Everything in life comes with a price. The question is, “What are you willing to pay?” So I look forward to y'all accompanying me on this journey into the desert. Lean into growth, defeat the temptations, and emerge with greater love and purpose. Be fearless.

Love Notes for Life is now available!
Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095805
Softcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095812

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Site: https://michaelcabuco.com/

009: Creature of Habit, De-Load Training, and Breaking Athletic Plateaus

If you’re running into a brick wall, stop, step to the side, and go around it.

In today’s episode, I discuss the value of living as a creature of habit while being flexible to create better outcomes. When things aren’t going right, it’s tempting to panic and utilize the brute force method. However, if we take the time to slow down and troubleshoot the problem, then the solution becomes more apparent. If we can develop a better sense of awareness, we can then chart a better path forward. Furthermore, I talk about breaking fitness plateaus, adopting an athletic mindset, and utilizing de-load training.

Sometimes, in order to move forward, we must learn to reset and rebuild in the present. Learn the patterns of success and failure and do more of what makes you better.

Love Notes for Life is now available!
Hardcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095805
Softcover: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w?ean=9798987095812

Connect & Follow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikecabuco
Twitter: https://twitter.com/mikecabuco/
Site: https://michaelcabuco.com/

008: Define Love, Write the Letter, and Keep Being You

008: Define Love, Write the Letter, and Keep Being You

Today’s episode is a special one and I’m ready to bring the cheese. In the spirit of the upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday, I discuss the importance of defining love and commitment. I give a little back story on the love note that inspired Love Notes for Life and how it helped me discover what love really meant to me. Furthermore, I talk about how choosing to pursue your dreams first before settling down isn’t about neglecting a normal life, but rather reframing the idea of delayed gratification. Choosing to pursue your dreams inevitably comes with a price and through patience you’ll eventually gain everything you desire and more. Lastly, I somehow weave the idea of job applications, self-improvement, and love. Sounds strange, but trust me, you’re going to love the analogy. Well, maybe some of you (forgive me), but nevertheless it was a fun idea to explore. Any who, Happy Pre-Valentine’s Day everyone and remember, there is beauty in knowing that there is only one of you. Take care. 

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007: Discovering Your Vocation By Enduring the Perfect Storm of Life

007: Discovering Your Vocation By Enduring the Perfect Storm of Life

After a perfect storm, the sun will shine again, and defining a meaningful life becomes more apparent. Purpose can emerge from a perfect storm, a collection of the right combination of skills and experiences drawn over time. It is like finally finding all the right keys to unlock a treasure chest to your true calling. It doesn’t happen overnight, but only by trusting the process will you find clarity. Please join me in today’s episode as we explore how experience, skills, and interest over time will guide you toward creating a purposeful life.

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006: Overcoming Social Anxiety Through the Life of an Introvert

006: Overcoming Social Anxiety Through the Life of an Introvert

In today's episode, I explore the complexity of introversion and how social anxiety affects our ability to connect with others. In addition, I discuss how an extrovert's direct approach to making friends may not be suitable for someone struggling with social anxiety and who experiences an unhealthy amount of stress from everyday social interactions. Furthermore, I share my childhood experiences with social anxiety, how our environments affect clarity, and our ability to identify essential life lessons. In addition, I talk about how social anxiety helped me master the art of independence, but it also temporarily inhibited my need for community. Thankfully, my desire to connect with others and become an integral part of society gave me the strength to conquer my social anxiety. Lastly, I provide exercises for managing social anxiety using a ladder-step approach. Everyone can become better communicators and gain the confidence to connect with others. Remember, you have the potential to amplify greatness through gratitude and become someone who can make a positive impact in the world.

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005: Time Vampires, The Illusion of Time, and Making Better Choices Through Experience

005: Time Vampires, The Illusion of Time, and Making Better Choices Through Experience

In today’s episode, I talk about dodging time vampires, dealing with distractions, and how our perception of time can be deceiving. If we're not careful, we can lose track of time and lose the momentum to create impact within our lives. Furthermore, I discuss techniques on generating time through making better choices with fewer options. Lastly, I share the value I gain from deliberate decompression and reserving time to do something so powerful and extraordinary called...nothing.

Generate excellence through experience and create time to do more of what you love.

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004: Only Bet On What You Can't Afford To Lose

004: Only Bet On What You Can't Afford To Lose

In today’s episode, we explore how wealth gives us the freedom to live intentionally and allows us to make better choices. In essence, with great wealth comes great responsibility. In addition, I share my thoughts on investing intentionally and what it means to be a modern gentleman. I discuss my support for Seattle’s professional women’s soccer team OL Reign and how Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changin’” is more relevant now than ever. Lastly, I highlight the role of currency and how it fundamentally shapes our environment, life experiences, and the well-being of others.

Bet on yourself, the people you truly care about, and the once-in a lifetime experiences that you can’t afford to lose.

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003: Creating Happiness By Taking Action Through Faith

003: Creating Happiness By Taking Action Through Faith

Have a little bit of faith that everything will work out in the end. To have faith is to hope that everything will be okay and to some, the idea of faith is just wishful thinking. However, what if faith was more than just hope? Faith is having a little bit of trust that with intentional effort, everything will work out in the end. In today's episode we break down the concept of faith and how we are all capable of creating happiness. I also share an insightful parable called the Drowning Man, that tells the story about a man who learns about faith the hard way. Lastly, we end the episode with box breathing, a technique I've started using regularly to create space for happiness and clarity. 

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002: Fitness, Motivation, and the Art of Unconditional Love

002: Fitness, Motivation, and the Art of Unconditional Love

In today’s episode, we get comfy with hard truths. I explore the incredible wealth of starting resolutions before the New Year’s and the value of creating progress in the present. In addition, I talk about my fitness journey and how I managed to combat obesity and drop weight from 240 to 150 pounds due to a series of much needed wake-up calls. Lastly, I talk about how motivation initiates progress and how unconditional love fuels discipline and consistency. I discuss how motivation can be fleeting at times and attacking goals without depending on expectations is essential. We’re finally on the home stretch of 2022 and I can’t wait to witness your growth in the coming year. So, let’s start the pre-game with our goals, establish your North Star, and have a powerful start to 2023. Inspire me through your greatness. Your time for greatness is now.

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001: Love Notes for Life

001: Love Notes for Life

If you knew that tomorrow was your last day on Earth, would you live life differently?

Welcome to the first episode of the Love Notes for Life podcast, an extension of my book Love Notes for Life: The Art of Navigating the Wilderness of Life. In this episode, I explore the value of pivot points and how these course correcting moments can provide clarity and purpose. In addition, pivot points can often start as a kernel of an idea which eventually blossoms into a recurring pattern for nurturing our needs. Furthermore, I discuss the value of creativity in developing awareness for excellence and fulfillment. Regardless of our discipline, creativity allows us to remix the source material to improve our present circumstances.

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