Life Notes from Chair 17

The Weight Of It All: 2024 U.S. Election

This is a bit of tough episode, folks, but we're going to give it our best shot at reflecting on the 2024 U.S. election. While this podcast is not a political or a current events show, the election's impact is impossible to ignore - and it is creating a life experience that is also impossible to ignore. While we might all be tired of hearing about the election (and news ABOUT the election), this episode is meant to be a personal reflection, not a post-mortem. Recorded only a few days after the election (on November 9th), CH shares her thoughts on what is perhaps the shifting political landscape, and its implications for individuals and communities that may feel marginalized or be adversely affected; and, the importance of community and connection when we find ourselves facing very polarizing differences of opinions and ideologies - including the challenge of reconciling with friends or family when we are on opposite sides of the political spectrum. She also encourages us to engage in a bit of self-reflection, and to perhaps find soft places to land in what can often be an increasingly harsh world. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that acknowledges the challenges ahead for some, while still aiming to inspire hope and collective strength.
 
A special note from CH on this episode: "This was not an easy one to record. I have ultimately attempted to articulate the concerns that are quite personal to me, to those in my inner-circle and my community. Perhaps not everyone is going to understand these concerns or even agree with them. And that is fine. But maybe it will offer a perspective one might not have considered. In the end, I hope it will help us all think about how we continue to treat each other during very polarizing times. Also this was recorded only a few days after the election - on November 9th. Things continue to evolve and shift daily."
Show Notes
The quote CH paraphrased that was shared by her friend Nathan: "Be a soft place to land in a harsh world."
For those interested in referencing some more specific examples and statistics on the increased hate and harassment directed at women online following 2024 U.S. election results, you can read this article from The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (NOTE: Please be advised this article contains offensive and obscene language).
For those wanting to learn more about Project 2025 or Agenda 47 (alternatively, you can use an AI platform/prompt): Google search: Project 2025; Google search: Agenda 47; Google search: Project 2025 vs. Agenda 47

Día de los Muertos: The 'Coco' Version

We know we love all-things Halloween and October. But we also have a new(er) appreciation for the Mexican celebration Día de los Muertos thanks to one of our favorite animated films, 'Coco.' Join host CH this week as she discusses how the overall story and theme of the film inspired her to reflect on the importance of family and legacy, and to embrace remembering those who have gone before us in a vibrant, celebratory way vs. a sad, tragic way. Whether you're familiar with Día de los Muertos or are just now hearing about it, tune in for a thoughtful discussion on how stories, music, and celebration help inspire and connect us all across time.
 
Show Notes
To learn more about the Disney/Pixar film, "Coco," check out its Wikipedia page or its IMDb listing.
To learn more about the Mexican celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), you can do a Google search using the keywords "Día de los Muertos" or use an AI prompt.
The Rainbow Bridge pet loss poem CH mentioned can be viewed here.
Previously mentioned episodes:
Episode 14 - Share the Chair: Colleen Coleman
Episode 43 - The Gift of Time

Share the Chair: Ellie Cornell - In Her 'Halloween' Era

It's not often one pulls off a sequel. And in OUR sequel with Ellie Cornell, she makes good on her promise to return to the podcast to help us celebrate Scary Movie Month, joining host CH to talk about her legacy role as Rachel Carruthers in 'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' and 'Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers.' From the casting (Ellie was actually NOT director Dwight Little's first choice) to her chemistry with co-star Danielle Harris (they are still friends to this day) to the unique experience of filming iconic scenes like the rooftop chase (yes, the infamous protruding-nail-injury-stop-filming-for-a-second scene) and the climactic truck showdown (spoiler: the truck was not moving), Ellie shares her insights and reflections on the life-changing role. Whether you're a die-hard 'Halloween' fan, a horror genre fan, or just a film fan in general, this episode is a treat for anyone who appreciates the art of storytelling, and the enduring nostalgic look at the magic behind the scares.
 
Show Notes
Ellie's full list of film, television and producing credits can be found on her IMDb profile.
'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' is here
'Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers' is here
HalloweenMovies.com is the the official Web site of the 'Halloween' film series.
Director Dwight Little's book, 'Still Rolling: Inside the Hollywood Dream Factory', discusses Ellie's casting as Rachel Carruthers for 'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers.'
In chatting with CH, Ellie recalls that both Genie Francis and the late Rebecca Shaffer may have also been in consideration for the role of Rachel.
Ellie was interviewed for two forthcoming books
'Horror in Haddonfield: 'Halloween's' Untold Stories' by Andrew Grevas, available for pre-order via Tucker Press
'Seasonal Screams: A History of Holiday Horrors' by Adrian Roe, available on Amazon.
Ellie's co-star, Danielle Harris, has a podcast called Talk Scary to Me on which Ellie will be a future guest; it is available on all major podcast platforms.
The two horror films Ellie had seen before she was cast as Rachel Carruthers were 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'Halloween 3: Season of the Witch'.
The scene from the original 'Halloween' that CH used as her final monologue in her Acting I class during her senior year at university was this scene; CH repeated ONLY the lines spoken by Dr. Loomis in this scene.
Previously mentioned episodes:
Our When 'Thriller' Met 'Halloween' episode was our fourth episode of our podcast, recorded in October 2023, and gives a comical account of how host CH went from being unable to watch anything scary to mastering scary movies.
Our Share the Chair episode with Ellie from April of 2024 was a discussion of her life journey as an artist on the whole.

Transition (a.k.a Our New Posting Schedule)

We are now in a our second year as part of the podcast universe - officially! Join CH this week for a quick update on changing up our posting cadence to every-other-week so as to provide more space between the episodes AND to ensure we continue to build our C17 community over the long term. This might be one of our shortest episodes yet, but it is a chance for CH to explain the change while also thanking you all again for your continued support. Plus, we didn't want to leave everyone hanging or think we disappeared!

Share the Chair: Jen Phillips

52 weeks. 52 episodes. One full year of being here in the podcast universe! To commemorate this special milestone, we did another in our Share the Chair series of episodes with CH's former senior marketing operations leader, Jen Phillips, who is currently the host of the The Progress Report Podcast. CH's heartfelt conversation delves into Jen's inspiring journey from professional burnout to personal rejuvenation, and how it ultimately led her to abandon her former sense of self (affectionately referred to in this episode as RoboJen - yes, as in robot), and find a new sense of purpose and well-being. Tune in for a great hour of discussion that delves into the importance of self-care, the impact of workplace culture on mental health, and the transformative power of taking time for oneself - three themes that have remained very important to us here as we navigate life ... one story at a time.
 
Show Notes
If you would like to check out Jen's podcast, The Podgress Report, you can find it where you get your podcasts.
Jen's LinkedIn profile is here for those interested in learning more about her or connecting with her.
The wellness resort Jen mentions is the Eupepsia Wellness Resort located in the state of Virginia in the United States.
Nolo is one of Jen's new business adventures, a non-alcoholic bottle shop, located in Asheville, North Carolina in the United States. Visit their Instagram at @hey_nolo to check them out.
The Jim Carrey quote Jen mentions is: "Something magical is going to happen. I don't know how it's going to happen. If there's no way in, a new way will be created."
James Lipton's Inside the Actor's Studio questionnaire, and the original Bernard Pivot/Marcel Proust versions that inspired it, can be found here. Our C17 version is our own take on these two famous questionnaires.

When Good Jobs Go Bad: The Lingering Effect

We've all had those jobs that are just ... not the best. But when a good job goes off the rails, it takes an unexpected toll - both while we are still IN the job, but also perhaps long after we've left. Join CH this week's as she discusses the lasting impact that difficult - perhaps even toxic - job environments can have on our mental health and professional confidence. She shares her own personal journey of having faced a traumatic work situation, the emotional toll it took and the (longer) road to recovery. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that encourages us all to make brave bets on ourselves, prioritize our well-being and have the courage to leave a harmful job environment.
 
Show Notes
IMPORTANT NOTE: This episode does NOT provide any medical advice; always consult with a professional.
For those who may not be familiar with the terms "Job PTSD" or "Workplace PTSD," you can do a Google search using those terms to begin reviewing various articles and resources. This may/may not include AI-generated responses to the keyword search.
The term "brave bet" comes from Jackie Yeaney, who we featured in Episode 32 as part of our Share the Chair series.

Milestone Moment: 50 Shades of Me

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 the films). Instead, tune in for some thoughtful reflections on some of the quirky, funny, heartfelt and entertaining moments that have been part of CH's life journey thus far - all wrapped up in one episode. Whether you're a longtime C17'er or tuning in for the first time, we're pretty sure this episode will bring a smile to your face, maybe even a laugh or two, might even be a walk down memory lane, and is for sure an opportunity to get to know CH a bit more than you may have during the previous 49 episodes!
 
Show Notes
Some fun callouts that are featured in this episode:
Dave and Buster's - the only place CH really has played video games (and of which she loves).
It was a (young) encounter with the Matterhorn at Disneyland that caused CH to not set foot on another rollercoaster for 10 years.
Firsts in technology:
First Computer - Apple IIc
First mobile phone - Motorla StarTAC
For Harry Potter fans, CH's house is Ravenclaw, her Patronus is a Badger and her wand is Redwood.
CH was, is and always will be a massive Dr. Martens fan.
The Queen Mary has always been rumored to be haunted (they even now do an event called Dark Harbor Halloween during September/October). Highly recommend the QM as a place of interest for those visiting the Southern California area.

The Unexpected (Summer) Sabbatical

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 shouldn't she (thanks, Captain Jack Sparrow), and how the encouragement from friends and peers ultimately helped her give HERSELF the permission to take a much-needed break.
 
Show Notes
CH makes a playful reference to the "Up is Down" scene from 'Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End' where Captain Jack Sparrow is talking to miniature versions of himself - one on each shoulder - as he ponders (among other things) his future. For those not familiar, you can view the scene here.
For those not familiar with the term sabbatical, or how it is officially defined, check out the Wikipedia listing.

Job Interviewing: A Two-Way Street

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 is just as important as being able to answer questions. She also delves into her own unique analogy of how job interviews can sometimes resemble an actor auditioning for a part. At the end of the day, though, it's all about the importance of actively listening, balancing preparation with authenticity, seeing the entire experience as a two-way conversation, and feeling empowered to walk way if red flags start to appear - no matter how much we may want the job.
 
Show Notes
CH references the term active (or actively) listening throughout the episode. You can Google the term to learn more, or check out the Wikipedia definition.

Don't Rant the Review

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 growth and improvement, and how to balance criticism with kindness so as to communicate effectively and make a positive difference.
 
Show Notes
The 80/20 customer feedback rule CH talks about is a variation of the Pareto Principle, where the majority of customer feedback is often only coming from about 20% customers; and, those 20% of vocal customers are identifying 80% of the issues or concerns (sometimes constructively, sometimes not).