Life Notes from Chair 17

Working Through Friendships

Have you ever found yourself no longer as close to those you once worked with? Even when you thought they might be part of your life posse? Join CH this week as she discusses how some workplace friendships can - and will -  stand the test of time; the importance of defining camaraderie and connection on our own; and, coming to terms when the friendship exits stage left once the consistent interaction provided by the work environment is gone.
 
Show Notes
The article CH references is on Business Insider, as told by Sylvia Duran Chen (a former Google employee), discussing how everything - including friendships - became tied to the company.

Share the Chair: Ellie Cornell

Actor. Painter. Businesswoman. All around creative spirit. In this very special Share the Chair episode, CH chats with one of her longtime inspirations, Ellie Cornell. Some might know Ellie from her portrayal of Rachel Carruthers in 'Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers' (it's our fave scary movie, what can we say.) But Ellie's artist journey has evolved to include her passion for painting. Join us as she reflects on her days as a working television and film actor (including being taken under Bill Murray's wing ... yes, that Bill Murray); her lifelong love of painting (and from her front porch, no less); connecting to Nantucket Island's spirit of place (we also share that sentiment); and, always finding a way to honor and stay true to one's creative callings (because, as she says, there is a place for all of us).
 
Show Notes
Ellie's full list of film, television and producing credits can be found on her IMDb profile.
The theatre company she had previously been a part of is  Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts.
She also has participated in productions put on by the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket located on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts.
Front Porch Studio is the online home of Ellie's paintings and home goods that are inspired by her long time affiliation and love of Nantucket.
The book Ellie references that she reads daily is 'The Book of Awakening' by Mark Nepo.
Those interested in learning more about Nantucket, Massachusetts can visit the town/county official Web site.
The Nantucket lighthouses CH mentions are: Brant Point, Sankaty and Great Point (a.k.a. Nantucket Light).
Young's Bicycle Shop is where CH rented both car and bike during her visits; she also stayed at Brant Point Courtyard.
The Ship's Inn is the Bed & Breakfast establishment that Ellie was a  part of for over 20 years.
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.

Halfway to One

26 weeks. 26 episodes. We’ve reached the midpoint of our first year, so we’re celebrating our half-birthday with a thank you to all of you who are - and continuing - to tune in. Join CH as she reflects on returning to her storytelling roots, what her time as a journalism major in the Office of Communications at the University of Oregon taught her, and why really at the end of the day we just like to tell - and share - good stories as we navigate this thing called life.
 
Show Notes
CH's alma mater is the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communication.
The quote CH references is from Sixth Officer James P. Moody, which was said in a letter a few years before his assignment to the RMS Titanic : "What a lot has happened since then, and what a distance I have covered." (1908)

Little Drummer Girl

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 drumsticks; and, 5) a radio. (Yep, really!) And that it really is never too late to pursue a passion.
 
Show Notes
Information on Seattle's Jazz Night School can be found on the school's official Web site.
Information on The Royal Room in Seattle can be found on its official Web site.
CH's local drum shop: West Coast Drum Shop
The quote CH's references is from actress Annabeth Gish: "But if you have something inside of you that is so determined to get there, that's how you're going to get there."
It can be referenced in this article that was done for Duke University Baldwin Scholars.

Saying No to the Joneses

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 fulfillment by what others have or do.
 
Show Notes
The Merriam-Webster definition of to "keep up with the Joneses" can be found here.

Diary of a First Time Comic Con-er

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 everywhere all at once.
 
Show Notes
To learn more about the history of comic cons, check out this Wikipedia page.
CH attended the 2024 Emerald City Comic Con.
She also mentioned the San Diego Comic-Con, which is one of the largest in the world.
Information on Doctor Who can be found on it's official Web site.
For those interested in learning more about Jodie Whittaker, check out  IMDb or Wikipedia;
The gift CH gave to Jodie was on behalf of the fan run Instagram account, @jodiewhittakerfans.

Walking Through the Fire

“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 references is "Walk Thru Fire" by Vicetone; you can check out the lyric video here on YouTube.
The quote that CH references is by Chishala Lishomwa.
Previous episode references:
Brief Encounters (Episode 9)
Living Through a Layoff (Episode 18)

Coffee Date (Me, Myself and I Version)

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 the buck up buttercup approach is not necessarily the best choice when taking care of our mental health.
 
Show Notes
For those who missed our previous episode, CH’s friend Nathan is on a journey to becoming a yoga therapist; you can learn more about him via his Web site: YogaHausNW.com
The episode of Station 19 that CH references is Episode 8 of Season 6 called “I Know a Place."
The episode showcases a key chapter of Lt. Maya Bishop's mental health healing journey as portrayed by actor Danielle Savre.
If interested in learning more about Station 19 and the Save Station 19 fan-led efforts, visit SaveStation19.com.

Share the Chair: Nathan Waldvogel

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 build as a practitioner, but also reflects on what it has helped him build within himself as he pursues a passion to help people discover the importance of a mind body connection as part of a journey to healing. (P.S. Cat lovers will appreciate the cat meows in the background of our conversation).
 
Show Notes
For those interested in learning more about Nathan, his practice of yoga therapy, or to book an appointment, you can visit his Web site: YogaHausNW.com.
Information on some of the different styles of yoga, including the definition of yoga therapy, can be found on Nathan's Web site under the Yoga Styles section.
Information on Reiki can be found via Wikipedia. (NOTE: This is purely an informational share for those unfamiliar; it is not something Nathan is a practitioner of.)
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.

Ask the Question

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 others, and the importance in having the self-awareness and ability to want to know more.