“AM I WASTING MY TIME?” - Therapy Gecko

Transcript

Lyle (0:00)

This is an iHeart podcast. Hey folks, this episode is sponsored by ChatGPT Plus. ChatGPT plus is free for college students now through May. That means you have no limits on how many ways you can prompt ChatGPT to help you through the worst part of the school year. There's many ways you can do this, like uploading your class notes and having ChatGPT quiz you on them. Or or asking ChatGPT to take a complicated concept and try to explain it to you in simpler terms to help you understand. ChatGPT plus free for college students through May. Restrictions apply. This is Jemma Spaeg from the Psychology of your twenties Want to feel more creative but don't have the right laptop? Lenovo.com can help look through their legendary lineup of AI powered PCs and devices and find the one that fits your passion. Their PCs are also powered by Intel Core Ultra processors as well as cutting edge AI AI tools which allow students to focus, learn and create with ease. That's the power of lenovo. With Intel Inside plus, college students and teachers can get 5% off their order. Shop now@lenovo.com the future is waiting and it needs you.

Amy Robach (1:17)

Amy Robach and T.J. holmes here Diddy's former protege, television personality Danity King. Alumni Aubrey O' Day joins us to provide a unique perspective on the trial that has captivated the attention of the nation.

Obi (1:30)

It wasn't all bad, but I don't know that any of the good was real. I went through things there.

Amy Robach (1:38)

Listen to Amy and TJ presents Aubrey O' Day covering the Diddy trial on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Unknown Host (1:47)

The Made for this Mountain podcast exists to empower listeners to rise above their inner struggles and face the mountain in front of them. So during Mental Health Awareness Month, tune into the podcast, focus on your emotional well being and then climb that mountain.

Unknown Host (2:02)

You will never be able to change or grow through the thing that you refuse to identify. The thing that you refuse to say. Hey, this is my mountain. This is the struggle.

Unknown Host (2:10)

Listen to Made for this mountain on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

Lyle (2:17)

Hello everybody. Welcome to the Therapy Gecko Podcast. I'm Lyle and I have I am a gecko and I'm talking to people on the phone and I used to not record intros to the podcast. I used to just get right into them and a lot of the reason for the for that is that often I think intros are stupid. I think it drews are A waste of time. I hate when I fucking click on a podcast and it has like, three minutes of, like, today my guest is, whatever. And then it's got, like little. Little, Little, like, intercuts of, like, parts of their conversation. You know what I mean? It's like just. If we could just start the podcast at the point when the people are. Are talking without a whole intro. And you probably sit through ads right when you're listening to this. So it's like you had to sit. You had. There. First there was a bunch of ads, and then there's like a whole podcast, and then there's like a whole intro to the podcast. And then by the time you actually, you know, get into the. The interview or whatever the podcast you're listening to is, you're 45 minutes in already, your commute is over. It's time to go to work. You know, the laundry has been folded. You know the. Your run is over. Right. Whatever it is you were doing. So that's why I don't like, you know, big, long, rambly podcast intros where people just trail off and talk about nothing. You know? I hate when people do that. All right, let's get into the phone calls. Hello. Hi. What is your name?

Summary

Therapy Gecko Podcast Episode Summary: “AM I WASTING MY TIME?”

Podcast Information:

Title: Therapy Gecko
Host: Lyle (An unlicensed lizard psychologist)
Description: An unlicensed lizard psychologist travels the universe talking to strangers about absolutely nothing.
Episode: “AM I WASTING MY TIME?”
Release Date: May 28, 2025

Introduction

In the episode titled “AM I WASTING MY TIME?”, host Lyle, the Therapy Gecko, delves into a profound and introspective conversation with a guest named Obi from the Czech Republic. Eschewing lengthy intros, Lyle immediately engages with Obi to explore themes of time investment, personal growth, and cultural differences.

The Concept of Time and ROI

[06:00] Lyle: “Why do you invest so much time into calling this show?”

Obi reveals that he has invested approximately two hours in total calling the show, raising the question of the return on investment (ROI) of his time. This sparks a deep discussion on how individuals assess the value of their time and activities.

[08:02] Lyle: “Return on investment is an interesting concept. Everything in life can be viewed through the lens of ROI, both positively and negatively.”

Lyle shares his contemplation on the balance between enjoying the present moment and investing time for future benefits. He muses about spending hours eating ice cream and how such activities contribute to his overall well-being despite lacking direct ROI.

Philosophical Insights: Living for the Moment vs. Future Gains

[10:31] Lyle: “Part of me thinks that the whole idea of wasted time is kind of stupid because the point of time was in the time itself.”

Lyle challenges the traditional ROI mindset, advocating for the intrinsic value of experiences. He emphasizes that living solely based on ROI can lead to missing out on present joys and meaningful interactions.

[12:32] Obi: “I just think I'm pretty normal.”

Obi expresses a desire to maintain a balanced perspective, avoiding extremes of either overvaluing or undervaluing his actions based on ROI.

Personal Journey: Young Parenthood and Education

The conversation shifts to Obi’s personal life, revealing that he is a young father studying electrical engineering. Despite the challenges of balancing school, work, and parenthood, Obi remains optimistic and committed to his dream of being a good father.

[37:13] Lyle: “You’re getting married this summer?”

[37:24] Obi: “Yeah, hopefully.”

Obi shares details about his relationship, highlighting the support from both families which allows him and his fiancée to pursue education while raising their daughter. This support system contrasts sharply with the financial pressures faced by many young parents.

Cultural Differences: Czech Republic vs. America

A significant portion of the discussion highlights the stark differences between Czech and American societies, particularly in terms of cost of living, family orientation, and financial systems.

[58:14] Lyle: “America is like... you gotta do your own shit.”

[58:22] Obi: “We don’t have much capitalism influence here. It’s more family-oriented.”

Obi elaborates on how the Czech Republic’s family-oriented culture provides a safety net for young parents, contrasting with the American emphasis on individualism and higher costs of living. He points out that in the Czech Republic, most people avoid debt, relying on debit cards rather than credit.

[84:52] Obi: “How bad is the living situation in America? Because everybody says it’s pretty bad.”

Lyle responds by comparing the cost of living and salaries, illustrating how a two-bedroom apartment in Brno costs approximately $1,200 per month against an average annual salary of $20,000, highlighting financial strain.

Financial Stress and Personal Values

The conversation delves into financial stress, particularly how it impacts young parents like Obi. Despite these challenges, both hosts agree on the importance of finding a balance between financial responsibility and personal fulfillment.

[99:55] Lyle: “College is really fucking expensive. Health care is really expensive.”

Obi echoes these sentiments, noting that in the Czech Republic, education is free, and healthcare is more affordable due to government support, unlike the American system where these essentials often come with significant financial burdens.

Closing Thoughts: Appreciating the Conversation

As the conversation winds down, both Lyle and Obi reflect on the meaningful exchange despite initial fears that the call might be a waste of time. They acknowledge the value of sharing personal experiences and cultural perspectives.

[115:03] Hope Woodard: “Listen to voiceover on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.”

[115:13] Obi: “Treat everybody how you want to be treated yourself.”

Obi leaves listeners with a heartfelt message about mutual respect and understanding, emphasizing the universal importance of treating others well.

Notable Quotes

Lyle (06:00): “Why do you invest so much time into calling this show?”
Lyle (10:31): “The whole idea of wasted time is kind of stupid because the point was in the time itself.”
Obi (37:13): “You’re getting married this summer?”
Obi (58:22): “We don’t have much capitalism influence here. It’s more family-oriented.”
Lyle (99:55): “College is really fucking expensive. Health care is really expensive.”
Obi (115:13): “Treat everybody how you want to be treated yourself.”

Conclusion

In “AM I WASTING MY TIME?”, Therapy Gecko successfully navigates a meaningful dialogue about the value of time, personal aspirations, and the influence of cultural contexts on individual lives. Through Lyle and Obi’s candid conversation, listeners gain insights into balancing present enjoyment with future goals, the benefits of supportive family structures, and the stark economic contrasts between different societies. This episode underscores the importance of introspection and cultural awareness in personal development.

Listen to the full episode on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.