PODCAST · society
Gratitude Journal
by Matthew Stark
’Gratitude Journal’ is both a flashback and a look forward. It is a podcast in essay-form where we try, during life’s everyday occurrences, to find gratitude for the things we have and to be open to being thankful for life’s ups and downs.
Episodes
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Say The Words
In this episode, Matthew talks about arm pain, feeling under-appreciated, and coping with stress....BUT also remembering to do one thing without regard for re-payment or recognition.
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Elementary, My Dear Watson
In this episode, Matthew shares how the great Sherlock Holmes can help us focus on what's important...and how to be grateful FOR it.
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Easy Breezy
In this episode, Matthew reflects on how a solitary, lonesome trek through dangerously hot weather could spark a momentary appreciation of an unexpected meteorological 'gift'.
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C'mon...Let's Gaman
In this episode, Matthew talks about accidentally finding the Japanese concept of 'gaman'...how Fr. Fick showed him it, indirectly, years ago...and why it's imperative that he try to practice it.
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The View From The Island
In this episode, Matthew struggled to keep it together on a day-to-day basis. The island beckons.
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Just Wait It'll Change
In this episode, Matthew gets stuck on the idea of 'impermanence', and wonders if anything can free the wheel from spinning in the mud.
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Just A Little Pat
Matthew ruminates on how a slight grain of acknowledgement can sometimes make all the difference. Got a comment or a thought? Email: [email protected]
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Lend A Hand
In this episode, Matthew 'gets a hand' from a stranger...and wonders if he can reciprocate. Get in touch with Matthew: [email protected]
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For Whom The Church Bell Tolls
In this 2026 episode, Matthew speaks at length about fraught relationships, spiritual darkness, and the need to pay heed to the sound of the bell.
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Hope For The Best, Prepare For The Worst
I'll let you decide as to whether or not 2025 was good or awful. Here's to a better 2026!
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No Tricks Up My Sleeve
No, Matthew is not dead! Matthew discusses acquaintances who come out of the woodwork, blowing leaves, and the need for (finally!) sleep.
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Ants In Your Pants
What can creepy-crawlies teach us about 'gratitude'? Matthew shares his fear for them, and how it helped him move in the direction (cautiously) of thanksgiving. (eek)
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Wanna Do A Loop?
That's what we called 'a walk' in the seminary! Excuse the Hokas grinding against the cement! Matthew takes a jaunt around the neighborhood, in search of being grateful for an event long after it already happened. Strange, huh? No, not really. Bring your sunglasses and SPF-40!
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Train Whistle Blues
In this audio/video episode, Matthew reveals an honest assessment of his current mental state...and how something as simple as a train whistle can hopefully re-center us, amongst the daily chaos.
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Can Loss Be A Win
In this episode, Matthew continues to explore 'loss' and the death of his parents. For 'TheGratitudeJournal' on YouTube, please search TheGratitudeJournal.
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Ode to Ed and Barb
In this episode, Matthew reveals the recent loss of his parents, as well as the gratitude found in a time of loss.
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Breaking The 4th Wall
In this episode, Matthew recounts his 12 hours in the Emergency Room and why the most unlikely people can help us realize a brief whiff of 'gratitude'.
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Drone To Tower: Do You Read Me?
Look out all other aircraft: Matthew is in the sky!
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Slaying The Victim
Can we learn something from Donald Trump? In this episodes, Matthew discusses the crutch called 'being a victim', and why it's necessary to identify the warning sins and how to deal with the aftermath.
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When The Smoke Clears
In this episode, Matthew leans into finding merit and worth in the smaller, less-noticeable events in which to discover, and uncover, gratitude.
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See The Cookies, Be The Cookies
New eyes, a sweet tooth, and a chance meeting with a VERY large dog, on this episode of 'The Gratitude Journal' podcast.
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Falls, Eyeballs, and Baseballs
In this episode, Matthew gets new eyes, expands his care-giving duties, and checks the box-score of his beloved (?) Cleveland Guardians.
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Make Your Peace With It
A tray of cookies. Should you have one? Two? 'Making Your Peace' with the trials and tribulations, in this episode of the Gratitude Journal podcast.
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The Spaces Between The Spaces
Matthew elaborates on how NOT to beat yourself up too badly over 'regret'.
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Grapefruit Gratitude
In this final 2023 episode, Matthew ruminates on grapefruits, sisters, and 'thank you' cards...all in anticipation of a coming new year.
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Explode And Evaporate
Matthew's Thanksgiving message on experiencing the 'now' and then letting it go...and how difficult that can be, especially when your mouth is full of turkey!
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COVID, Cancer, and Cucumbers
Although he's still pondering the importance of cucumbers, Matthew provides an update on Donna's cancer diagnosis and an uninvited surprising visit from an old nemesis.
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Conditional Unconditionals
In this episode, Matthew reveals Donna's pathology report...and discusses the value...and the challenge... of performing tasks unconditionally.
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Too Much To Handle
In this episode, Matthew ponders the maxim 'G-d never gives you too much to handle'.
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Bikes and Bananas
In this episode, Matthew arranges the fruit, serves it, and hopes that it can replicate the joy of twisting the throttle on a sunny day on the back-roads of northeast Ohio!
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Memorial Day Bike-Ride-Along 2023
You up for a ride? Let's hit the trail, grateful for fine morning weather and an occasional Port-A-Potty!
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Goodbye Ben Franklin
Can chocolate teach us about the 'order of the universe'? In this episode, Matthews ponders this great question!
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Damaged Goods Shouldn’t Ping
In this episode, Matthew looks at re-purposing our 'damaged' status and how it might benefit those around us.
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Where The Sun Doesn’t Shine
Gloomy...cold....barren....both with the weather and , perhaps, the soul. In this first episode of 2023, Matthew admits to experiencing all of these lately. But he also offers a possible antidote, courtesy of an often-used line from childhood, on this episode of the Gratitude Journal podcast.
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Grab The Thing
As 2022 comes to a close, Matthew reflects on the thing...or the 'things'....that need to be re-analyzed and re-considered, in order to make 2023 an even better year.
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Absteigend
Are you 'descending'? Have you 'descended'? Let's try to look up...together...on this episode of 'The Gratitude Journal' podcast.
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Camino Los Abuelos
In this 100th episode, Matthew expresses gratitude for the stunning New Mexico landscape and for the opportunity to record a 100th episode…and especially for those who download and listen.
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A Little Bit of This, A Little Bit of That
Cryptic message revealed: in this episode, Matthew reveals his 'future plans' for the podcast, while at the same time trying to find meaning in 'this or that'.
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Real Time All The Time
Yes...Matthew's demise has been greatly exaggerated! This time around, he explains his absence, his introduction to the world of COVID...and an upcoming BIG announcement!
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Moments and Tacos
Holding hands in a dimly bar...listening to the rustling of the leaves...and hoping that a taco place is open on a holiday. In search of 'moments'? Matthew reflects on these things. Can we find them, or do they just happen?
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The End of the Beginning of the End
In this episode, Matthew tries to find the meaning and the correlation of where the 'beginning' meets the 'end', where they overlap, and how one might take the place of the other.
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Cheese Balls
A West Highland Terrier by the name of 'Izzy' decides that he's had enough. And Matthew shares his story in this episode about love, loss, and a dog's fixation with cheese.
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Six Degrees of Cheese Pringles
When is the last time you really 'drilled down' in to your gratitude list? I mean, REALLY drilled down? Who needs bacon when you have cheese Pringles! More about 'gratitude lists', on this episode of 'The Gratitude Journal' podcast!
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I Want To Know If I Need These Wants
'Needs vs Wants'. 'Wants vs Needs'. In this latest episode, Matthew reflects on whether one is more important than the other. And if so, which? The 'need to want', or the 'want to need'?
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Build Back Betterer
New Year's resolution? Not today. Not ANY day. In this first episode of the new year, Matthews proposes experimenting with small ways to 'build back better' by shooting for longer-term smaller changes or alterations that might have longer-term effect and positive outcomes. (and who knows...you...
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Stop the Mic Drop
Is 'preparation' even possible for defending ourselves against 'the big ones'? In this episode, Matthew tries to investigate finding purpose and meaning within the construct of those enormous, life-changing events...and can we make ourselves 'ready' for them?
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Gobble Gobble Walk Not Hobble
Happy Thanksgiving! Try to keep up with Matthew as he does his annual Thanksgiving morning sojourn, talking gluttony, gratitude, and hopefully not stepping in doggie-doo-doo!
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Yes, Yes, Nanette
We pack up some equipment and hit the road this time around, venturing a whole 10 minutes away to the First Congregational Church of Akron, Ohio. The delightful and insightful Senior Minister Rev. Nanette Pitt joins the podcast! While totally masked and practicing safe social-distancing, Matthew...
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The Beauty Behind the Beauty
What are you doing for YOU? Does it sound trite? Maybe it isn't, as Matthew takes a peek behind the the 'things of illusion. Are we processing those things as 'beautiful' or 'painful'? And what does it all have to with being grateful for treating ourselves well?
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Thank You, Talking Heads
Can the trite, often-over-used declarations from TV's 'talking heads' teach us anything about finding gratitude? Let's find out, in this episode of 'The Gratitude Journal' podcast.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
’Gratitude Journal’ is both a flashback and a look forward. It is a podcast in essay-form where we try, during life’s everyday occurrences, to find gratitude for the things we have and to be open to being thankful for life’s ups and downs.
HOSTED BY
Matthew Stark
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Gratitude Journal have?
Gratitude Journal currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Gratitude Journal about?
’Gratitude Journal’ is both a flashback and a look forward. It is a podcast in essay-form where we try, during life’s everyday occurrences, to find gratitude for the things we have and to be open to being thankful for life’s ups and downs.
How often does Gratitude Journal release new episodes?
Gratitude Journal has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Gratitude Journal?
You can listen to Gratitude Journal on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Gratitude Journal?
Gratitude Journal is created and hosted by Matthew Stark.
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