Meanderings with Trudy

All good things end, or at least pause, and that's what I talk about in this meander. I feel the need to clear space so I'm closing this season, and this podcast, down for a while. It's time. The pandemic, the genesis of my work, has long since ended, and while the world tumult and our fears around change have only intensified, I need a rest from monthly production. I may come back in future, but...

Thank you for joining me as we tie up any loose ends in our book review of “The Gifts of Imperfection” by Brené Brown. This has been a journey of exploration for all of us, as I've shown my work in applying the guideposts in my life. It has been a pleasure to offer these windows into one way of using her work. I hope, if it feels right to you, that you find your way into doing something similar. I...

If you ever wondered about the life of a Canadian actor, this is the show for you! Callum has worked for the last seven years in Canadian musical theatre. He's been featured in playhouses from the province of Ontario eastward to the Canadian Maritimes, and has done some TV and a little voice-over work too. When he's not acting, he's teaching in schools in the greater Toronto area... a pairing that...

Yes, this will be the last PauseCast for a while. Maybe a long while. I’ve decided to close this chapter of the podcast, and if "Meanderings with Trudy" comes back, it will be in a different form. So this is the last of these PauseCasts, and we dive deeply into endings. We explore why endings matter, and what that means for bringing presence to our experience. And how endings can draw attention to...

As this podcast is about joy in the everyday, I'm bringing you deeply into what brings me joy, today. We meander through the story of my garden, and how my mother helped me build my garden and her legacy to me. A gift that keeps on giving. As I meandered, I realized how every plant has a story. Most every plant was a gift to me from someone. The lavender from my brother Steve, the hydrangea from m...

We’re now covering the ninth and tenth guideposts to wholehearted living – cultivating meaningful work, and cultivating laughter, song and dance. I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. If you have questions or comments, please send them to me at meanderingswithtrudy@gmail.com. I will address them in the next episode. Epi...

Career coach Michelle Schafer returns to the podcast, but this time, we talk to her from the seat of her expertise as a career coach. Michelle has been on the podcast twice already. Both times we explored how she faced down adversity: once as she healed from breaking her leg, the other as she hiked to Machu Picchu in Peru. And both times, she had to draw on deep inner resources to persevere.  Toda...

We meander far and wide this week… who are “we” when we are we? Why do we avoid community? What is it about being connected to others that we find so difficult?  There is no real answer to these questions we ask, but that’s ok. As Angie says here, “It’s not the answer that comes, it’s the art of asking the question . And when we can do that with someone else… we find the sweet spot.” It’s in the w...

I had a fabulous time in Victoria, at a writer’s retreat with Alison Wearing. I talk about that a bit and compare this retreat to the other one I shared with Alison in Tuscany in 2024. The comparison could not be more profound! I also spent a week on the west coast of Vancouver Island, visiting with the Pacific Ocean.  There’s a wee treat in here for you too… Thank you again to all my golden light...

We’re now covering the seventh and eight guideposts to wholehearted living – cultivating play and rest, and cultivating calm and stillness.  I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. If you have questions or comments, please send them to me at meanderingswithtrudy@gmail.com. I will address them in the next episode. Episode...

I have enjoyed many a brunch and lunch at Amir's restaurant, Grounded Kitchen.  Amir is an Ottawa entrepreneur who has built a space in which people can connect and build community. It’s important to him that his is a scratch kitchen where every bite is homemade and fabulous. His restaurant came about through relationships – with himself, with his family, with friends, with his religion, and with...

Angie and I meander further around the idea of community, but this time, it’s through Angie’s remembrances of the communities she’s been part of in different times of her life.  Stories matter. Sharing happens here, and it’s kinda lovely in the doing. I hope you’ll relate to some of what she shares. I certainly did. I forgot to voice the sign off properly, but I didn't add it after the fact becaus...

Spring has sprung in my neck of the woods... the snow and ice are melting and the world is awakening. I love this time of the year! Today's podcast is short and sweet. I give you a brief review of what's on offer in the coming weeks, but there's wee treat in today's offering... a little sound of the season. I hope you enjoy! Please shoot me a note if you'd like more sound. I can be reached at mean...

My mom and I used to attend "sound baths" at our local yoga studio. With mom gone, and the yoga studio closed, I haven't gone to one in ages, but this memory came up, which I share here. As this is a bonus episode, I thought I'd offer a soundscape with a Tibetan Singing Bowl. I'm no expert in playing it, but I hope this is soothing and joyful nonetheless. I hope you enjoy this sound bath as much a...

We’re now covering the fifth and sixth guideposts to wholehearted living – cultivating intuition and faith, and cultivating creativity so we can let go of comparison.  I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. If you have questions or comments, please send them to me at meanderingswithtrudy@gmail.com. I will address them in...

While the rework of this is mine, the path was laid for me by Staci. She has graciously agreed to my use of it here. One of the blessings from my Tuscany trip was the enduring friendship of two women - Cheryl Marita and Jackie Rowe, both of whom have previously appeared on the podcast (links below).  Cheryl has organized a monthly journalling group for some of us to explore aging in our own lives....

By 15 he was writing music and playing professionally. A degree in music led to playing music on cruise ships. In today's meander Ed tells us about his journey through music and life.  Since he immigrated to Canada in 2011, he’s made his way in the jazz music scene in Ottawa and the country at large. Ed leads The Prime Rib Big Band, and feels as much business person as musician. “I get all of that...

Angie and I talk “we” – what is conjured up with the notion of us? Who are we in community and why does this matter so much? Martha Beck, in “The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life” tells us that 1+1=3… that when you and me talk, we create a third entity, we become “we.”  This is a true meander folks, and I hope you’ll sit down with us with a cup of your favourite beverage and join us...

Back after my two-month winter break, I’m coming in with new energy and verve! This week I share with you what I did on my Christmas vacation, but also what I have in store for you in the coming winter and spring episodes on the podcast.  I’m also trying to show not only joy, but how I put into practice the learnings we’ve had from books that I’ve reviewed as we go along. Perceptive listeners will...

A favourite family tradition for me and many is to attend Christmas concerts as the holiday season approaches. This year was no different. Today, I share with you two clips from concerts I attended, and I hope you’ll enjoy them both!  The first is a clip from Choir Choir Choir taped in Southam Hall at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa - I've included a bit of the background as to how they do what...

We’re now covering the third and fourth guideposts to wholehearted living – cultivating resilience, and cultivating gratitude and joy.  I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. If you have questions or comments, please send them to me at meanderingswithtrudy@gmail.com. I will address them in the next episode. Episode links...

With ten books under his belt, it's safe to say he's got a good grip on this writing thing. I've read every one and laughed out loud at many.  This is a very generous conversation with Terry about his writing career, how it came about and where he’s going next. It was a true joy for me to chat with him about his wide-ranging novels - his first book featured Canadian politics (a comedy, really it i...

Once again, Angie and I wrestle over something we both love and come at from different places.  The Enneagram as I come to it is more a lens that helps me see myself. And yes, maybe help me be a better version of myself. This is what it is for me, at this point in my life and development. And it's how I introduce it to my clients. For Angie, the Enneagram provides a means for personal transformati...

What if there were a place, once a week, where you could slow down and feel into your heart? To explore the highs and lows of you right now. To sit with others who can truly see you, without judgement but with buckets of kindness and big hearts. How might that change your day? That’s what “Sitting on Sundays” is. It is a practice that Angie and her husband Peter offer through their coaching compan...

As usual, I’m running down what’s to come this month, and this time, talking about birds in my backyard. It’s a colourful foray! Please drop me a line if anything piqued your interest at  meanderingswithtrudy@gmail.com . And share this episode around, and if you’re of a mind, subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Episode links: The Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour My substack As always, this p...