Skip to content
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • PodBean
  • Subscribe To My Pal Sammy Newsletter
  • ABOUT
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms

My Summer Lair

Think NPR's Fresh Air meets Kevin Smith: My Summer Lair with host Sammy Younan: interviews & impressions on Pop Culture.

  • Home
  • Podcast
    • My Summer Lair
    • Space Station Oddity
  • Set The VCR
  • New Book Alert
  • True Sammy Stories
  • Toggle search form

Illuminated Chronicles: Stop Asking For Easy

Posted on January 13, 2017 By Sammy Younan

Sammy Younan

Girth Radio Presents…

In the oval office Obama has a plaque thing that says: “Hard Things Are Hard.” Hashtag No Guff.

This motivational video is powerful…not because of what Kash Shaikh is saying…his authentic message rings true (and if common sense actually lived up to its name this would be common sense). Rather it’s powerful because it invokes images from The Shawshank Redemption.

The Shawshank Redemption is an allegory: you can stay in prison (even though you are innocent!) and become institutionalized or…you can walk out of there a free man but…you can’t just walk out the front door…you hafta “crawl to freedom through five hundred yards of shit smelling foulness I can’t even imagine, or maybe I just don’t want to. Five hundred yards… that’s the length of five football fields, just shy of half a mile.”

So…what are you gonna choose?

I grew up reading Choose Your Own Adventure…those books made sense to me…even if I perished by being impaled on stalagmites on Page 78…I wanted to choose my own adventure. And if that was my fate so be it. I stood by my choices.

All these years later I’m still choosing my own adventures…and still (thankfully occasionally) getting impaled on stalagmites. Adventures, business…the things I want to achieve; the things I have achieved…are not easy. And that realization prompts an odd gratitude.

Sammy Baltic Web

Sammy Younan @ W • T • F

Girth Radio Blog Tags:Illuminated Chronicles, Stop Asking For Easy, The Shawshank Redemption

Post navigation

Previous Post: Illuminated Chronicles: Jack White On Inspiration
Next Post: Trailer Alert: Beware the Slenderman

More Related Articles

Century Thief Host Haiku by Sammy Younan In Session With Girth... Host Haiku In Session With Girth…Century Thief Girth Radio Blog
TBT: Martin Lawrence VS Flavor Flav Girth Radio Blog
Pantsworthy: CMW – May 4, 2016 Girth Radio Blog
Host Haiku In Session With Girth…A.A. Wallace Girth Radio Blog
My Summer Lair featuring Sherren Lee Girth Radio Blog
Host Haiku In Session With Girth…Look Vibrant Girth Radio Blog
  • #SetTheVCR: May 19-25, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    From Pee-wee Herman to Sherlock Holmes this week’s TV Recommendations are loaded with comedy, angst and drama. Plus for this week’s #SetTheVCR you get to shake it like a Polaroid picture.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 12-18, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Do you have Heart Eyes for fresh TV Recommendations without all the Overcompensating puns? The puns are here to stay that’s what makes it #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: May 05-11, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Even with your Poker Face I can tell you’re seeking TV Recommendations for your Safe House. No worries with this week’s #SetTheVCR I got it in The Black Bag.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 28 – May 04, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    April showers bring May TV listings: these TV recommendations cover all Four Seasons. It’s #SetTheVCR where I put the On in Conan.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 21-27, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    TV Recommendations can be Havoc; You need help. Well Babygirl: I got you; it's your TV Companion: #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 14-20, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    I hope you're a light Nightsleeper because the NBA Playoffs start this week. Will a new champion be Minted? Only way to know is to #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: April 07-13, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    For this week's TV Recommendations we stare into The Abyss and a Black Mirror stares back. Welcome to #SetTheVCR which is about as comfortable and as cool as Morningside.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 31 – April 06, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    Secrets and Serial Killers pepper this week’s TV Recommendations. A combo like that can only mean it’s #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 24-30, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    You'll wanna Bogart these fantastic TV Recommendations: they go from Holland to MobLand. Of course it's not a Complete Unknown, why yes it's #SetTheVCR.
  • #SetTheVCR: March 17-23, 2025
    by Sammy Younan
    These TV Recommendations will make you don a Happy Face: from magic of David Blaine to the Madness of March. It's #SetTheVCR here for all of Your Tomorrow TV needs.
  • #CouchWorthy: Super Team CanadaMay 16, 2025
    SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic hallmarks of the late night comedy institution.
  • #CouchWorthy: Muderbot: Season 1 May 15, 2025
    SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic hallmarks of the late night comedy institution.
  • #CouchWorthy: Ernest Cole: Lost and Found April 29, 2025
    SNL50: Beyond Saturday Night offers a behind-the-scenes look at some of the most iconic hallmarks of the late night comedy institution.
  • #CouchWorthy: 2025 Key Midseason & Premiere Dates – April 2025March 28, 2025
    #SetTheVCR is your weekly TV Guide by Sammy Younan to help you plan a fantastic TV schedule from must-watch TV shows to fun discoveries.
  • #CouchWorthy: 2025 Key Midseason & Premiere Dates – March 2025February 28, 2025
    #SetTheVCR is your weekly TV Guide by Sammy Younan to help you plan a fantastic TV schedule from must-watch TV shows to fun discoveries.
  • Morning Tea: The Rocky III-Peat…February 9, 2025
    What's popping in popular culture? My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan steeps some seriously serious tea which prompts reflections.

  • Batman: Detective Comics Vol. 1: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    Under-Review: Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: Overture
    by Sammy Younan
    My Summer Lair host Sammy Younan reviews Batman - Detective Comics: Gotham Nocturne: OvertureL Volume 1,
  • New Book Alert: California Bear
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Music Was Just Getting Good
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: The Ascent
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?
  • New Book Alert: Fantastic Four by Ryan North Volume 2
    by Sammy Younan
    New Book Alert is just that: A useful Yo for a fresh book. from your pal Sammy. What Are You Reading?

Copyright © 2025 My Summer Lair.

Powered by PressBook Premium theme