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.

Welcome to The Daily Quote – a podcast designed to kickstart your day in a positive way. I'm your host, Andrew McGivern, for July 3rd. Now, before we dive into the deep philosophical stuff, let’s take a moment to recognize a modern miracle that’s probably humming in the background of your life right now. Either in your home or in your car.

Yes, today is Air Conditioning Appreciation Day. Because let’s be honest: without AC, summer would be one long, sweaty test of human endurance. We'd all be trying to hold meetings with ice packs strapped to our foreheads and sleeping like rotisserie chickens under ceiling fans. So today, we salute the invention that’s saved friendships, marriages, and possibly even lives—by keeping us from turning into puddles of crankiness. In the spirit of staying cool, both literally and emotionally, here’s today’s quote from Charles R. Swindoll, who once said:

This quote hits home, especially on a day dedicated to appreciating what helps us manage heat—because, let’s face it, life does crank up the temperature sometimes. Whether it’s the stress of work, unexpected news, or just someone stealing your parking spot in the shady corner of the lot, your reaction can either escalate the heat—or dial it down.

Air conditioning doesn’t change the weather outside, it changes your experience of it. And that’s exactly what your mindset can do when things heat up in your life. You can’t always control the external, but you can control how you respond. You can panic in the heat… or you can calmly adjust the thermostat. So, on this fine July day, take a breath, be cool, and remember: your power lies not in controlling what happens, but in choosing how to handle it.

We do have air conditioning in our car - thankfully.

But we don't have it in our house. On the really hot days we walk down the street and take a trail into the forest and five minutes later we are at the river. It is generally cold and always refreshing. Spending 20 minutes relaxing in the current cools us down enough to tolerate the heat for a couple hours.

So instead of complaining about the heat, turn on your AC or head to the river. And if you don't have either of those things then crank the fan full blast, splash some water on your face and pretend it is the same the thing! 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 June 30th.

Now, if you’re the type of person who’s checked your phone three times before your morning coffee, then congratulations — you're already celebrating today’s holiday. June 30th is Social Media Day.

Yes, the one day a year where your constant scrolling is technically a reason to celebrate. Social Media Day was launched by Mashable back in 2010 to recognize the impact social platforms have had on global communication. It’s a day to celebrate everything from viral TikToks to those Facebook birthday reminders that save us from social disgrace.

And with that, let’s check out today’s quote from Jon Ronson, who once said:

Now, Jon Ronson is a journalist and author known for diving deep into the quirks of human behavior, and this quote hits right at the heart of what social media was supposed to be — a great equalizer. A global megaphone for anyone with a message, an idea, or a really strong opinion about pineapple on pizza. On Social Media Day, this quote is a reminder of what these platforms can do when they’re at their best. They can elevate unheard voices, spark movements, and build communities that would never exist otherwise.

Sure, sometimes they also bring us 12-minute conspiracy videos and unsolicited vacation photos, but hey — balance, right? So today, as you fire off your hot takes and memes into the digital void, think about how you're using your voice. Is it to uplift? To connect? Or just to complain about your Wi-Fi speed? Whatever it is, remember the power behind each post, tweet, or thread.

— and remember, even in 280 characters, your voice matters.

I remember back in 2010 when Mashable created Social Media day. I was doing a podcast back then about Social Media called The Bunker Project. We recently re-launched the show but now it is about AI and all of things that I just said about Social Media applies to AI. It is allowing people to do things they never could before. Helping with communication from helping with ideas to actually giving someone who lost their ability to speak their voice back.

It is a democratizing force that can be used for good or evil. It is neither good nor bad and how you use it is up to you. Just like everything else.

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 June 29th Now I don’t know if your calendar is packed for today with world-changing meetings or just laundry and leftover pizza, but either way, today’s a day worth circling.

It’s Hug Holiday. Yep, an entire day dedicated to the humble, heartwarming hug. And in a world that often gives you more screen time than soul time, it’s a pretty nice reminder that a little human contact can go a long way. It is never a bad idea except maybe during flu season. That brings me to today’s quote from Bil Keane, who once said:

Bil Keane, the cartoonist behind The Family Circus, had a knack for wrapping wisdom in simplicity. And this one’s spot-on. A hug isn’t just a gesture — it’s a full-body punctuation mark that says, “I see you. You matter. I’ve got you.”

And more often than not, the act of giving a hug returns the exact comfort you were hoping to share. On Hug Holiday, maybe it’s worth asking: when was the last time you offered someone that kind of wordless support? And if you're currently running low on available huggers — pets count, pillows are a decent backup, and if all else fails, you can always try mentally hugging your problems and then politely asking them to leave.

So, today, whether it’s a bear hug, a side hug, or even just a long-overdue phone call that feels like a hug — take the moment. Offer a little warmth. You’ll get it back. That’s the boomerang promise.

Today, my son is going on an adventure across the country for a few weeks with some friends to stay on campus at a University. It is a cool program for high school kids and he is super excited. He usually avoids hugs but guess what? He'll be getting a lot of them at the airport tomorrow. That is for sure.

There will be a plethora O Boomerangs.

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.