Life Notes from Chair 17

What do Caesar salads, MotorolaStarTACs, a traumatic childhood rollercoaster experience, being stung by a stingray, never pulling an all-nighter and always making sure to name a car have in common? They are just a few of the 50 Shades of CH that we are celebrating as we reach our 50th episode here on the podcast (sorry, '50 Shades of Grey' fans but this episode has NOTHING to do with the books or...

Ever thought you could - or would - take an unplanned sabbatical? Neither did we. But sometimes, those life curve balls end up being the best thing EV-er. Join CH this week as she reflects on what turned out to be the unexpected summer sabbatical - embracing the chance to pause, step-back and recharge. She looks back on her hesitance to make the decision, the debate within herself of should she or...

We've all been there. Prepped extensively for a job interview only to clam up, stumble over our words and feel like we failed a test. Are we right? Join CH this week as she reflects on her experience having sat on both sides of the interview table, and how she has come to believe job interviewing should ideally be a collaborative event, not a one-sided interrogation. And that meaningful dialogue i...

Feedback is a gift. But it is also important to understand the impact of what we say and how we say it. Join CH this week as she explores how to be helpful and constructive when leaving reviews or providing critical feedback rather than being vitriolic and vengeful. Drawing from her own experience working as a Voice of Customer analyst, CH shares why it's crucial to give feedback that promotes gro...

The art and science of being able to read a room. Is it something you know how to do? Or maybe you know someone who is really good at it? Recalling a life wisdom her mother gave her years ago (even when she wasn't all the interested in it), join CH this week as she discusses the importance of understanding the vibe or mood of the environment we find ourselves in - whether we're interacting with on...

Turning and walking in the direction of the thing we know we want to do. It sounds simple enough, right? And yet it can often be anything BUT simple. Not to mention all the times we try to talk ourselves OUT of doing it. In an episode that we're calling a convergence zone episode - a combination of inspiration and actual events taking place at once - join CH as she discusses recognizing the signs...

We all have a purpose, but have we found it, yet? Do we even know how to find it? In another of our Share the Chair series of episodes, CH sits down with namesake friend, mentor, and former boss, Courtney Andriunas, to talk about the pursuit of one's true calling. Courtney shares how her long-standing love of Boston, Massachusetts and a bucket list desire to take a class at Harvard lead her to a t...

Age. Aging. Ageism. Just these words make some of us wince, right? Getting older is something we all do, but it is NOT something we tend to want talk about much - especially from a positive point of view. But what happens if we flip that script for a moment and see getting older as a gift of time - and one not necessarily afforded to everyone. Join CH this week as she reflects on getting older, ch...

When a Swedish pop rock group inspires you to become a foreign exchange student, it makes for one amazing life experience. And yes, that really IS how host CH decided to spend a summer abroad. Join us this week as she reflects back on that transformative time, and shares her thoughts on navigating language barriers, pushing through discomfort, finding joy in the simple things, leading with kindnes...

Have you ever had a ride-at-dawn kind of friendship that has faded into the distance? Join CH this week as she explores the nuances of reconnecting with old friends amidst life's ever-changing landscape, and the emotional intricacies of reaching out to those who were once significant in our lives but have since drifted away. It's an episode filled with reflections and practical advice on renewing...

We've made it to the big 4-0 - our 40th episode! In honor of this milestone, we share the story of how host CH came to create her very first Live Life Each Day list following a somewhat challenging 40th circle around the sun. Listen in as she reflects on being encouraged by her friend Sarah to go through the simple exercise, how it helped change her perspective, and how the noting down of simple j...

Spirit of place. Have you heard of it? A certain locale - maybe a holiday spot, maybe your hometown - that you always yearn to return to find solace especially during challenging times? Join CH this week as she discusses what spirit of place means to her, shares her personal journey to her most spirited of spirited places (Truckee, California), and discusses the deep, sometimes historical, connect...

10 years. To the day. From the accident that defined a life mantra. That is this very special episode - the second in our two-part series - of how the journey of recovering from a broken ankle led to the development of a powerful life mantra. From having her first major surgery to the first steps of recovery, join CH as she recounts the emotional journey of embracing pain, reconnecting with the mo...

What happens when enjoying one of your favorite hobbies turns into one of the scariest moments of your life? It becomes the inspirational source for a still-true life mantra. In the first of a two-part series honoring the 10 year anniversary of this life changing event, CH reflects on how breaking her ankle while surfing ultimately helped her form one of her most important life mantras: the strong...

Entrepreneur. Artist. Author. Podcaster. Optimist. Those are just a few of the words to describe Quynh Nguyen, who joins CH this week in another episode in our Share the Chair series to talk all-things resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Listen in as we delve into Quynh's self-made journey, from starting her own catering company to becoming a celebrated paper flower artist, and how...

Yoga therapy. We talked about it back in Episode 20 with our good friend Nathan, but we never thought we'd end up embracing it on our own. Join CH this week as she discusses her personal journey into yoga therapy, finding solace and healing through a tailored program, and how a personalized approach can create a supportive container for both body and mind. Whether a seasoned yoga practitioner or n...

Have you ever showed up for a friend who was really going through it and just sat with them as if you were on a park bench? You didn’t offer advice or guidance, you just simply saw them, heard them and comforted them in their moment of struggle. Join CH this week as she recounts the story of when her friend, Sarah, offered this powerful form of friendship and support, and how that has further shap...

Sometimes, we.are.just.not.ok. No matter the day, the month, or the year. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, join CH this week as she recounts a key time in her life where prioritizing her mental well-being took precedence over celebrating a holiday, and how that moment further shaped her approach to prioritizing mental wellness on the whole not only for herself but in support of others.  ...

Be kind. Be brave. Be you. Three solid life tenets from this week's Share the Chair guest, Jackie Yeaney. Having retired from official Chief Marketing Officer duties after spending over 20 years in the C-Suite space, she joins CH this week to talk all things life journey and experience - from her beginnings in the United States Air Force, to her ascendence into executive marketing leadership, to h...

The parentals. The 'rents (a.k.a. parents). It often seems it is just a matter of time before we catch ourselves doing something those who raised us used to do. Or may even still do. And that may (or may not) always be the best for us. Join CH this week for a thoughtful discussion on developing a sense of our own self, and being encouraged to forge our own path of actions and behaviors, which may...

Anyone have a time machine? No ...? Well, darn. As we hit our 30th episode, we've taken a moment to reflect on the things we might go back and point out to our 30-year-old selves ... and we put it in another Top 10 list! Join CH as she rolls through the 10 key things she’d point out (and double down on) to her then self if there was a DeLorean time machine with a flux capacitor nearby (“Back  to t...

“Hey, I can teach you that!” Ah … the well-intentioned friend or partner who wants to help us learn the new thing we want to learn. But is that really the best way to help us be successful - whether it be a sport, a skill, an instrument? Join CH this week as she discusses the importance of finding the right environment - and teacher - to help us feel comfortable and confident in taking on a new ad...

Have you ever found yourself no longer as close to those you once worked with? Even when you thought they might be part of your life posse? Join CH this week as she discusses how some workplace friendships can - and will -  stand the test of time; the importance of defining camaraderie and connection on our own; and, coming to terms when the friendship exits stage left once the consistent interact...

Actor. Painter. Businesswoman. All around creative spirit. In this very special Share the Chair episode, CH chats with one of her longtime inspirations, Ellie Cornell. Some might know Ellie from her portrayal of Rachel Carruthers in 'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' (it's our fave scary movie, what can we say.) But Ellie's artist journey has evolved to include her passion for painting. Jo...

26 weeks. 26 episodes. We’ve reached the midpoint of our first year, so we’re celebrating our half-birthday with a thank you to all of you who are - and continuing - to tune in. Join CH as she reflects on returning to her storytelling roots, what her time as a journalism major in the Office of Communications at the University of Oregon taught her, and why really at the end of the day we just like...