Life Notes from Chair 17

London: My Soulmate City

Picture it: London. December 2024. A trip 30-some-odd-years in the making. And one that will never be forgotten. Join CH this week as she reflects on her first-time visit to London, and the soul-stirring connection she felt within the city despite never having set foot in it prior. From iconic moments in Piccadilly Circus and Notting Hill (yep, THAT Notting Hill); to taking in the holiday splendor of Regent Street and Trafalgar Square; to the unexpected gift of connecting with jazz singer Emma Smith; to heartfelt visits with friends out in Worcester and up in Holmfirth. If you love London, or want to visit one day, or just appreciate sharing of a life story with a unique connection to a place and time, CH paints a vivid picture of her journey in this episode - one that truly captured her heart, and now has her affectionately referring to London as her soulmate city.
 
Show Notes
Some of the locations, services and establishments CH mentions and of which were a key part of her trip:
Regent Street || Piccadilly Circus || Trafalgar Square || Trafalgar Theatre || St. James's Square || Harrods || Camden Town || Dr. Martens Flagship Store  - Camden Market || Primose Hill || Hampstead Heath || Notting Hill / Portabello Road || Big Ben || Covent Garden || Abbey Road / Abbey Road Studios || Warner Bros. Studio Tour London - The Making of Harry Potter || King's Cross Railway Station || Paddington Railway Station || London Underground
Lock & Co. Hatters was the favorite hat shop CH mentioned. It is the oldest hat shop in both the world and Britain, having been founded in 1676. (And yes, CH really does wear a hat every day.)
The two cities outside of London CH traveled to during her stay were:
Worcester (West Midlands)
Holmfirth (Yorkshire)
The jazz singer CH had an opportunity to see perform twice during her visit is Emma Smith. For those interested in learning more about her, you can visit her official Web site: EmmaSmithMusic.co.uk. The two venues in which Emma performed were:
Brown's Hotel
The Crazy Coqs
Some of the British TV shows CH grew up watching were: 'Keeping Up Appearances'; 'As Time Goes By'; 'The Thin Blue Line'; 'Prime Suspect'; 'Absolutely Fabulous'.
Previous episode mentions
Episode 39: Spirit of Place
Episode 58: Life at the Midpoint

Resolutions ... Or Not

2025. New year. New resolutions. Sorta. As the clock resets on another 365 days, and as we celebrate our 60th episode, join CH this week as she considers a more forgiving and flexible approach to looking ahead. She also offers a gentle reminder that success is not defined by our ability to adhere strictly to a set of resolutions that most of us abandon by mid-January. Instead, it's about focusing on the things that bring us joy, allow us to stay true to ourselves, and embracing the upcoming year with open-mindedness and self-compassion. Tune in for thoughtful conversation that urges us all to prioritize mental well-being and personal happiness. Whether you are a goal setter or someone who takes life as it comes, this episode reflects on how we can view progress and success throughout any given year - and adapt and thrive amidst the unexpected. 

2024: End of an Era

As they say, all good things must come to an end. As we close out 2024, join host CH as she reflects on the end of fairly significant chapter in her life's journey - that of a 20 year Pluto Moon astrological cycle that was rife with challenge and struggle while also amounting to significant personal growth. Listen in as she discusses how a start-of-the-year job layoff became the catalyst for some of the deepest introspection and self-growth she has ever done leading to greater understanding of personal strengths and aspirations. If you have felt perhaps this year has been a humdinger for you as well, this episode offers insights into embracing transitions and finding resilience in the face of uncertainty - no matter the year.
 
Show Notes
For those interested in learning more about what the Pluto Moon cycle means from as astrological standpoint, try a Google search for "Pluto Moon Astrology Meaning" or use an AI prompt.
CH mentions the Taylor Swift lyric: "The who's who of 'Who's that'", which is from the song "Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?" off 'The Tortured Poets Department' album.
Fawkes is the fictional phoenix bird character from the 'Harry Potter' series, known to periodically die by bursting into flames then be reborn from the ashes
Previous episode mentions
Episode 1: This Is Me Starting
Episode 18: Living Through A Layoff
Episode 20: Share the Chair: Nathan Waldvogel
Episode 22: Walk Through the Fire
Episode 49: The (Unexpected) Summer Sabbatical

Life at the Midpoint

Fifty. 5-0. Half-century. However we want to call it, host CH hits that milestone birthday this month. And although she can't say she is exactly where she thought she'd be at this precise moment in her own life timeline, she also never put any arbitrary age accomplishments ON her timeline. Join her this week as she reflects on what this approach has taught her about the importance of embracing the whole of the life journey, and not defining success or failure if something has not been accomplished by a certain age - especially a YOUNG age.
 
Show Notes
For those not familiar with what can be a less-than-advantageous view or bias against those who are older, check out the definition of ageism by the World Health Organization.
The Taylor Swift song "You Need to Calm Down" comes from her 'Lover' album.
CH references the Anxiety character from "Inside Out 2".
The "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" quote from John Connor that CH references is: "There is no fate but that which we make for ourselves."
The (un)official life memes and quotes CH mentions towards the end of the episode that do ultimately seem to always end up being quite true:
Life is a marathon, not a sprint.
Money is helpful but not necessarily the source of happiness.
The simplest things bring the most amount of joy
If something isn't working, change it.
Imperfections are not a detriment to one's sense of self.
Give ourselves permission to learn from our mistakes.
Dream big. Have passion.
Stop worrying about what other people think (a.k.a. be confident in who are ... and be ok with it).

When the Holidays Aren't Holidaying

Holiday Season 2024 is officially underway. And yet, we have to admit we're not feeling all that holiday-ish. And you know what? We're ok with that. Join CH this week as she talks about the importance of acknowledging the emotional challenges the holiday season can bring - especially when it might NOT be the most happiest or magical for everyone. She encourages us to remember that it is alright to forge your own path during this complex time of year, and to celebrate in a way that feels best for each of us in the moment we are at - whether traditional or not, whether all in or not.
 
Show Notes
Previous episode mentions
Episode 33: Ok Not Being Ok
Episode 8: Soloing the Holidays

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.