Life Notes from Chair 17

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).

Reading the Room

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 one person or a group, or whether we are in a  professional setting or our every day life. In short: if we do it, it can often make us better team players, more effective communicators and create far more inclusive interactions.
 
Show Notes
The definitions CH mentions in this episode for the phrase "read the room" were taken from the Collins Dictionary and The Free Dictionary.

Just Walk in that Direction

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 that nudge us in the direction we need to go, and leaning into opportunities that lead us there even when the whole of the path is not fully mapped out. It's all about NOT talking ourselves out of it, making a calculated decision, and keeping life balanced - and real - while in the pursuit.
 
Show Notes
Parallel inspirations for this episode:
The turn and walk in the direction phrase came from Jen Phillips' interview with Chef Lisa Brooks on The Podgress Report podcast, in the episode titled: 'Recipe for Reinvention: Chef Lisa Brooks' Journey from Burnout to Thriving'.
The discussion of finding our purpose was featured during our Share the Chair episode with Courtney Andriunas last week.
The full quote CH references is from actor Annabeth Gish: "But if you have something inside you that is so determined to get there, that's how you're going to get there." (Source: Duke University | Baldwin Scholars)
The meteorlogical definition of Convergence Zone can be found on Wikipedia.
The music festival CH mentions is Glastonbury, which is held for five days during most summers in Pilton, Somerset, England. Visit the official Web site to learn more, or for a short summary check out Wikipedia.

Share the Chair: Courtney Andriunas

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 transformative workshop during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in as she discusses what it means to truly find one's individual sense of purpose, what inspiring and authentic leadership looks like in the workplace (hint: it should NOT be that different from how we are in our personal lives), and how her passion for creating a supportive and encouraging space for others remains one of her key tenets. This episode has you covered with wisdom and uplifting energy from not one but two Courtneys.
 
Show Notes
Courtney's LinkedIn profile is here for those interested in learning more about her or connecting to talk further about the workshop (note: you will need a LinkedIn account to see her full profile and be able to follow her).
The workshop was through the Harvard Extension School.
More information on the discussion CH and Courtney were having regarding different leadership styles as defined by distinct colors (e.g., Red, Yellow, Blue, Green) can be found on a number of Web sites and through various organizations. You can try a Google search of "What are the 4 leadership colors" if you'd like to learn more.
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.

The Gift of Time

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, cherishing the moments we have, and the lessons we can - and should - learn from older generations. This episode offers a thoughtful perspective on making the most of the years we are given, and seeing time as a gift - not a curse.
 
Show Notes
CH mentions a few actors during this episode and their thoughts on aging:
Helen Mirren
The full quote CH references is the following: "At 70-years-old, if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to use the phrase 'f**k off' much more frequently."
'Prime Suspect', 'The Queen', 'Losing Chase', and 'Calendar Girls' are the four bodies of work CH mentions that are among her favorites from Helen's long list of television and film accolades.
Jodie Foster
Talked with People.com on how turning 60 was one of the best days of her life.
Jane Fonda
Discussed with Vanity Fair how she did not think she'd live past the age of 30, and the actual challenges of being younger (vs. older).

Foreign Exchange

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 kindness, and appreciating the lifelong influences that resulted from the journey. You may just want to book your own trip to Sweden after listening to this episode (but we might be sliiightly biased)!
 
Show Notes
The Swedish pop rock group that inspired CH to pick Sweden as her destination country was Roxette. Fun fact: she still remains a fan to this day.
Youth for Understanding was the student foreign exchange organization that CH joined. Visit their official site to learn more.
The west coast of Sweden was home to CH during her summer exchange.
She stayed near the town of Henån, located in Bohuslän on the island of Orust, but in the smaller land-tied island village known as Vindön.
Both are located about an hour north of Gothenburg (Göteborg), the second largest city in Sweden; or, two hours south of Oslo, Norway.

The (Re)Connection

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 the connections that shape our lives - even if that means having to accept it might never be what it once was.
 
Show Notes
CH references the song, "My Happy Ending," which was from Avril Lavigne's 2004 album, 'Under My Skin,"; she also references the 1971 film "The French Connection."

It's a Live Life Each Day List

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 joys that make up our day-to-day lives can bring clarity, insight and fulfillment - whether we're navigating a challenging period or seeking new inspiration.
 
Show Notes
CH references the film 'The Shawshank Redemption'; infor can be found via Wikipedia or IMDb.
The cakery in which CH received the inspired postcard "Be Honest. Stay True." from her friend Sarah on which to write her list is called Hot Cakes Molten Chocolate Cakery; it is located in the Ballard area of Seattle, Washington in the U.S.