Check-Ups, Check-Ins, and Check Yourself

This week on Premeditated Opinions, Josh takes a trip to the dentist that nearly turned into a cardiac event,  while Pamela sips her coffee and reminds us that bourbon at 9am is “probably frowned upon.” Between numbing shots, elevated heart rates, and a hygienist saying “whoa” (never say “whoa”), we compare notes on stage fright vs. public speaking, parenting kids through orchestra/viola/violin concerts and gymnastics meets, and why confidence is a muscle you build—preferably not with your jaw wired shut.We also unveil what’s next for the show: a new interview series, People You Should Know; premium chaos on Substack (hello, Tequila Tuesday); and a peek at our YouTube set art by Krista Miller Art. Then we wade into tough territory: responding to polarization and headlines about political violence with a human-first lens—less dunking, more decency, and how to argue without dehumanizing.Other highlights:Dental suspense thriller: adult wisdom teeth extraction prep, “white coat” jitters, and coping tactics that don’t involve bourbon at 9am (…barely).Stage vs. spotlight: teaching kids public speaking, respectful debate, and performance nerves that actually build resilience.Set glow-up: why our YouTube backdrop changes (artist features incoming) + where to follow along (Substack & Instagram).Civic sanity: separating policy disagreements from personal worth; choosing curiosity over clapbacks.Bonus challenge: take a shot every time Pamela says “and all of these things.” (Warning: not responsible for ER visits.)If you’re into millennial dry humor, dental drama, parenting and performance, YouTube creator behind-the-scenes, and less-toxic discourse, this episode is your emotional fluoride treatment.Links Discussed:Krista Miller Art: https://www.kristamillerart.com/Krista Miller Art on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kristamillerart/Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, and YouTube — then send it to someone who needs to feel seen, dragged, or both.Support the showStay Connected with us on these platforms:Website: https://www.premeditatedopinions.comYoutube: https://youtube.com/@premeditatedopinionspodcastSubstack: https://substack.com/@premeditatedopinionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/premeditated_opinions/Threads: https://www.threads.com/@premeditated_opinionsAnd don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share us with your friends and family!