Welcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I’m your host, Andrew McGivern, for July 6th.

It’s that delightful, slightly eccentric day, July 6. Build a Scarecrow Day, when folks everywhere get crafty and quirky, assembling scarecrows from straw, scrap clothes, and a touch of imagination. These patchwork guardians stand tall in gardens and fields, keeping watch with personality to spare.

Which brings me to today's quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson who once said,

Your homemade scarecrow is a perfect metaphor for Emerson’s wisdom today. With straw-stuffed arms and a hand-me-down hat, you’re not just following a template—you’re forging something new, something with character. You’re blazing your own trail. Like the scarecrow, you have the power to shape your world, not by walking pre-worn paths, but by creating something unique.

Maybe today you're facing an opportunity that feels off the beaten track—a fresh idea, an unfamiliar route, or a bold approach. Your straw sentinel stands as a symbol: dare to go where no trail exists, and leave your own mark. Walking your own path doesn’t always look like bravado—it might be gentle, experimental, or quietly persistent. But every knot you tie, every button you sew, is a choice to create rather than conform. On Build a Scarecrow Day, may your creation remind you that the best work—like the best journeys—lies not in following others, but in daring to chart your own course.

That's going to do it for today, I'm Andrew McGivern signing off for now - But I'll be back tomorrow. Same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for July 5th. The fireworks have fizzled, the grill has cooled, and your ears may still be ringing from last night’s grand finale. But July 5th doesn’t leave you empty-handed. In fact, today brings us a holiday that’s both crunchy and classic: National Graham Cracker Day.

Now, the graham cracker may not be glamorous. It’s not flashy. It’s never going to trend on social media unless someone sets one on fire in a misguided TikTok challenge. But it is reliable. Sweet, simple, and ready to hold together everything from a pie crust to a campfire s’more. In honor of this modest but mighty snack, today’s quote comes from Vincent Van Gogh – a man who knew a thing or two about creating beauty from the everyday:

Vincent Van Gogh once said,

Now that, my friend, is a graham cracker philosophy if I’ve ever heard one. Think about it. A s’more isn’t just a marshmallow. It’s not just a piece of chocolate. And it’s certainly not just a cracker. But bring them together – layer by layer, patiently toasted and assembled – and you’ve got something people dream about all year long.

The same goes for anything meaningful in your life. You don’t build a fulfilling career, a strong relationship, or a personal goal in one grand, impulsive gesture. You build it like a s’more – one piece at a time. One conversation. One step. One graham cracker of effort after another. So today, let the humble graham cracker remind you that great things are built, not blasted into existence. Layer your effort. Stack your intention. And give yourself a little grace – especially if your marshmallow ends up in the fire.

Its funny because I'm literally camping like - right now. And if you are listening to this episode today then depending when your listening it is very possible that I'm sitting by the campfire eating my perfectly crafted s'more. Mmmm... except we are cheating and using Celebration cookies because the chocolate is already attached.

That's going to do it for today. I'm Andrew McGivern (with a sore back from sleeping in the tent) signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow... same pod time, same pod station with another Daily Quote.

Welcome to The Daily Quote — a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for July 4th.

Now, before we get cracking, it’s worth tipping our hats to the 4th of July — Independence Day in the United States. It’s a day of fireworks, freedom, and the annual testing of just how many hot dogs one human body can handle. But we’re not here to talk about patriotism or pyrotechnics — not today. Because today, my friend, is Sidewalk Egg Frying Day. Yes, it’s a real thing. It celebrates the kind of scorching summer heat where you could quite literally fry an egg on the pavement — assuming you're okay with a little extra crunch from gravel garnish.

And in honor of this sizzling celebration, today’s quote is is from Harry S. Truman, who once said:

Now, Truman may have been talking politics, but this little slice of wisdom fits perfectly with today’s holiday. Whether it’s the kitchen, the sidewalk, or just the heat of life’s daily pressure — the message remains: don’t shy away from intensity. Step into it. Lean into the challenge, even if it feels like you’re about to poach yourself under the summer sun. So if today throws some heat your way — maybe a tough conversation, a demanding task, or just actual soul-melting temperatures — remember, growth often happens when things are at their hottest. Just maybe carry sunscreen. And a spatula, just in case. That's going to do it for today. If your Merican, I hope you have a wonderful 4th of July. And for the rest of us... we can make do trying to fry an egg on the sidewalk.

I'm Andrew McGivern, signing off for now, but I'll be back tomorrow - same pod time, same pod station, with another Daily Quote.