Life Notes from Chair 17

So … how do you teach yourself to play drums without actually playing a real drum kit? You get creative - especially when rhythm is at the core of your love of music. Join CH this week as she shares the true, rather unconventional and perhaps inspiring story of her journey to becoming a drummer that began with 1) a childhood bedroom mattress; 2) assorted pillows; 3) a busted chair; 4) a set of 5A...

Ah, that old saying: “Keeping up with the Joneses.” Probably isn't surprising to learn we aren't fans of this saying nor the sentiment behind it. Inspired by a recent discussion on this topic with a good friend, join CH this week as she talks about the importance of keeping up with ourselves (as opposed to everyone else), and avoiding the temptation to define our own sense of happiness and fulfill...

Come one, come all! It’s comic con time. Er, well … it was. Emerald City Comic Con 2024 just wrapped, and it was quite the experience - especially for a first-timer. Join CH this week as she reflects on her first adventure attending a comic con, the nerd-ery that lead her there (Jodie Whittaker anyone?), and the immense sense of kindness, inclusion and acceptance that seemed to be everything and e...

“I’ll walk thru fire with you.” A great line from an upbeat song (thank you, Vicetone). Except … have you ever noticed not everyone is willing to do this? Join CH this week for a thoughtful share on the importance of finding and holding on to those who are willing to walk with us through our various life fires and help pick up the pieces when life cuts pretty deep.   Show Notes The song CH's refer...

It’s me ... hi ... wanna go for coffee? When was the last time we asked ourselves this question - particularly in a moment of challenge or struggle when we know something just is not right within us. Join CH this week as she expands on a notion shared in our previous episode as to the importance of checking in with ourselves when we are really going through it - whatever “it” might be. And, that t...

Befriending failure. Believing we are good enough. Holding space for ourselves. Just a few of the thoughtful themes that emerge from another special episode of our Share the Chair series as CH sits down with good friend, former colleague and former boss (yes, true), Nathan Waldvogel, to discuss Nathan's journey to becoming a yoga therapist. He shares his belief and vision on what he is trying to b...

Asking for a friend. Asking for yourself. Whatever the case may be, sometimes we just need to ask.the.question but for a variety of reasons we.just.don’t. Maybe we’ve had a bad experience. Maybe the environment isn’t a good one. Maybe we’re coming out of a situation that never allowed us to do so. Join CH this week as she discusses the importance of having the courage to ask for ourselves and for...

Laid off. Reduction in force. Made redundant. Words many of us never want to hear but may experience at some point during our careers - whether we are two years in, or 30 years in. Join CH this week as she reflects on some of the learnings and wisdoms from the times in which she has walked the layoff path, and finding the new door when the one behind has closed.   Show Notes CH's wisdoms to making...

What's in a name? For us, it's an ode to a favorite childhood memory and place. In honor of our 17th episode, join CH as she shares the full, real-life story of how a favorite chairlift at Mammoth Mountain, way high up in the Sierra Nevadas of California, became the inspiration and namesake of our podcast.   Show Notes To learn more about Mammoth Mountain, check out MammothMountain.com . To learn...

How does getting summoned for jury duty turn into an episode? Well, we'll show you. Join CH this week for our Top 10 C17 Officially Unofficial Guide for Surviving a Jury Duty Summons - a lighthearted look at this unique gathering of total strangers, some keys to getting through the loooong waiting game, and really making the effort to not be that person that takes a Zoom call in front of the entir...

The challenge of remaining patient and present on our path ... are we right? Especially when it seems like everyone has something to say on what we should be doing vs. what our gut-instinct is actually telling us to do. Join CH this week as she discusses finding unexpectedly expected inspiration to stand tall, hang in and stay true in the face of conflicting voices.   Show Notes Expected Inspirati...

New year. New guest series. As we kick off 2024, we start with an inspirational and educational episode. CH sits down with good friend and former colleague, Colleen Coleman, to discuss Colleen's journey to becoming a medium - what lead her to discovering the gift, how it has inspired and changed her life, and the greatest lesson it has taught her. We also debut ... drumroll, please ... our newly m...

2023. Not the best of year for us ... and for many that we know. But with one inspirational holiday text from her good friend, Nathan, CH reframes her look back on a challenging year, finds the light within, and looks ahead to 2024.   Show Notes CH's visions for 2024 (which some might call resolutions) are as follows: To remember to turn on the light (cue Albus Dumbledore ) To find the joy in the...

Holiday fooding. What is it really supposed to be about? The food? Or the gathering? Probably depends on whether you are a foodie, a family person or both. One thing it ideally should not be about: stress and perfection. Join CH this week as she talks about keeping the priorities straight on what it really means to come together over a holiday meal. As you are. As you were. As you want to be.   Sh...

Birthdays. Sometimes, the stuff of legend. Other times, notsomuch. As host CH gets set to make another circle around the sun, she reflects on what birthday celebrating means to her in the shadow of a challenging year. And in the process, creates a new set of guiding wisdoms to hold herself accountable for future years.   Show Notes The full list of The C17 Birthday Articles (a.k.a. CH's Birthday A...

Holiday movies. We love them (lots of them, actually). And the one we love the most ticks some of the essential feel good boxes we think of when we think of holiday films - humor, sentimentality, coming together, a life lesson learned and celebration. Join CH this week as she talks all-things Christmas with the Kranks, and how a story centering around skipping out on Christmas actually showcases b...

In this week’s special episode, CH honors the inspiring impact of a colleague and friend who recently passed away, and the importance of focusing not necessarily on the length of time we know someone but on the impact from that time.   Show Notes The first episode of our podcast (" This Is Me Starting ") was shared with CH's dear colleague and friend, Trudy, shortly before her passing. True to her...

Holidays. They can be the best of times … and maybe the not-so best of times - particularly when we find ourselves flying solo after years of having a co-pilot and/or full crew. Join CH this week as she discusses her journey to finding and developing her own holiday traditions.   Show Notes A couple of CH's holiday traditions: Listening (and playing drums) along to classic holiday songs from the 1...

Time is a preciously finite thing - and how we spend it even more so. Join CH this week as she discusses the simple importance of being present in any given moment, which then can - and often does - end up being an invaluable and priceless contribution to the tapestry that weaves our life journey together.

What happens when you combine a favorite film and a live symphony orchestra performance? An amazingly entertaining concert experience. For all ages. And for fans of both film and music alike. As a lifelong lover of film scores, join CH this week as she recaps her recent viewing of the The Harry Potter Film Concert Series as performed by the Seattle Symphony, and how it is an inspiring, unique (and...

Inspired by the way Taylor Swift often uses the fifth track on her albums to share some of her most personal revelations and reflections, the fifth episode of our podcast delves into the story of how host CH developed her first life mantra to help ground her in times of fear, worry and uncertainty. Show Notes The full list of the life mantra's CH has come up with as part of navigating her life jou...

What do Michael Jackson’s Thriller video and the villainous Michael Myers of the Halloween film series have in common? Aside from the name Michael, they are the sources of CH’s journey from scaredy cat to scary movie aficionado. Join us for our first (and fun) Halloween-esque episode talking all-things MTV, Thriller, werewolves, Halloween, seeing masks in towels and a very oblivious (but favorite)...

This week's episode features our first special guest, Gail Samowitz. As a certified life coach who recently recovered from having a brain tumor removed, Gail’s story is one of inspiration and wisdom as she discusses not only her journey to becoming a life coach, but also the importance it played as she faced one of the most difficult health challenges of her life.   Show Notes This episode discuss...

Ready, set, show. In this week’s episode, CH shares her recent visit to Las Vegas to see Lady Gaga’s Jazz and Piano residency, and the evolution of her own interest in Vegas - from that of almost non-existent to a unique opportunity to enjoy one-of-a-kind shows by some of her favorite artists.   Show Notes: For those interested in listening to more of the jazzier side of Lady Gaga,  CH highly reco...

In our very first episode, we talk all things musical inspiration and starting anew. Host CH shares the story of how her lifelong connection to being inspired by music began, and the importance it has held in times of celebration and challenge as well as leading to new beginnings (even when they aren't perfect).   Show Notes: "Hold Me" is from Fleetwood Mac's Mirage album. "This Is Me Trying" is f...