Life Notes from Chair 17

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.

Living Through a Layoff

Laid off. Reduction in force. Made redundant. Words many of us never want to hear but may experience at some point during our careers - whether we are two years in, or 30 years in. Join CH this week as she reflects on some of the learnings and wisdoms from the times in which she has walked the layoff path, and finding the new door when the one behind has closed.
 
Show Notes
CH's wisdoms to making it through a layoff:
Take time to feel the feels - it's ok to grieve ... and it is 100% normal.
Lean into your network for support - they are key to both processing the news and helping you get to next.
Don't revenge post on social media - sharing is caring, but take a beat and do it from a POV that won't damage your own personal brand.
Stay positive - don't give up on yourself or succumb to the negative self-talk track.
Change is good - set yourself incremental goals, don't try to do it all at once.
When one door closes another one will open - even if it may not be in the way you expect.
Stay balanced - timebox the efforts to find next with that which helps keep your energy in a good place.

Chair 17 (The Real-Life Version)

What's in a name? For us, it's an ode to a favorite childhood memory and place. In honor of our 17th episode, join CH as she shares the full, real-life story of how a favorite chairlift at Mammoth Mountain, way high up in the Sierra Nevadas of California, became the inspiration and namesake of our podcast.
 
Show Notes
To learn more about Mammoth Mountain, check out MammothMountain.com.
To learn more about Mammoth Lakes, check out VisitMammoth.com.
Notable Elevations:
Mammoth Lakes (town): 7,880 feet (2,402 meters)
Canyon Lodge (formerly Warming Hut 2): 8,379 feet (2,554 meters)
Chair 17: 8,340 feet (2,542 meters)
Main Lodge: 8,907 feet (2,715 meters)

We the Jury

How does getting summoned for jury duty turn into an episode? Well, we'll show you. Join CH this week for our Top 10 C17 Officially Unofficial Guide for Surviving a Jury Duty Summons - a lighthearted look at this unique gathering of total strangers, some keys to getting through the loooong waiting game, and really making the effort to not be that person that takes a Zoom call in front of the entire jury assembly room.
 
Show Notes
For those who may not be familiar with what was the nightly Top 10 List on The Late Show with David Letterman, check out the Wikipedia summary.
The show CH referenced - in jest - is the long-running NBC show, Law & Order ; you can check out the Wikipedia summary.
If you do receive a jury summons, most municipalities will have a section on their official Web site that talks through the process of how to respond and what specifically to expect in that municipality's court and process.
Always double-check what the jury duty policy is with your employer.

Eagle-Eyed Inspiration

The challenge of remaining patient and present on our path ... are we right? Especially when it seems like everyone has something to say on what we should be doing vs. what our gut-instinct is actually telling us to do. Join CH this week as she discusses finding unexpectedly expected inspiration to stand tall, hang in and stay true in the face of conflicting voices.
 
Show Notes
Expected Inspiration
Definitions regarding the symbolism of eagles were taken from WorldBirds.com and PureSpirit.com.
UNexpected Inspiration
The interviews featuring actor Stefania Spampinato (Dr. Carina DeLuca - Grey's Anatomy / Station 19) discussing her struggle and persistence in achieving her success:
Jessica Sherman/Stefania Spampinato (Instagram Live - August 2020)
One of Us - Stefania Spampinato (Consulate General of Italy Los Angeles - March 2021)
Tommy Didario/Stefania Spampinato (Instagram Live - February 2022)

Share the Chair: Colleen Coleman

New year. New guest series. As we kick off 2024, we start with an inspirational and educational episode. CH sits down with good friend and former colleague, Colleen Coleman, to discuss Colleen's journey to becoming a medium - what lead her to discovering the gift, how it has inspired and changed her life, and the greatest lesson it has taught her. We also debut ... drumroll, please ... our newly minted C17 Questionnaire (inspired by the James Lipton version from Inside the Actor's Studio).
 
Show Notes
For those interested in learning more about Colleen's practice of being a psychic evidential medium or to book an appointment with her, you can visit her Web site: ColleenColeman.com.
Information on Colleen's teachers, Ivo Grossi and Cosetta Romani, can be found in the the Resources portion of Colleen's Web site under the section titled "Pura Vita Wellness."
The podcast CH referenced that discusses the impact and/or dealing with grief and loss is the Hidden Brain Media Podcast - Healing 2.0: Life After Loss.
The oracle cards used at the beginning of the episode were The Enchanted Map Oracle Cards by Colette Baron-Reid.
Additional information on Sylvia Browne can be found via her official publisher's Web site Simon & Schuster.
Information on Arthur Findlay College can be found on its official site.
The term Clairsentience means "clear feeling" – the ability to clearly feel energy.
The term Trance is defined here.
Additional information on the different types of mediumship can be found here.
James Lipton's Inside the Actor's Studio questionnaire, and the original Bernard Pivot/Marcel Proust versions that inspired it, can be found here.
Movie references:
Ghost (1990)
TheHaunted Mansion (2023)
The Sixth Sense

2023 (The Reframed Version)

2023. Not the best of year for us ... and for many that we know. But with one inspirational holiday text from her good friend, Nathan, CH reframes her look back on a challenging year, finds the light within, and looks ahead to 2024.
 
Show Notes
CH's visions for 2024 (which some might call resolutions) are as follows:
To remember to turn on the light (cue Albus Dumbledore)
To find the joy in the simplest things
To dream big
To believe in the kindness of strangers
To trust the path
To not succumb to fear, worry or doubt
To return to favorite places and perhaps find new ones
To be present in the moment and enjoy the space in that moment - however it may be defined
The Happy Holidays message featuring actress Danielle Savre's (Maya Bishop) inclusive combination of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanza into a single word can be found on this reel via the official Station 19 Instagram page.

Holiday Fooding (Come As You Are Version)

Holiday fooding. What is it really supposed to be about? The food? Or the gathering? Probably depends on whether you are a foodie, a family person or both. One thing it ideally should not be about: stress and perfection. Join CH this week as she talks about keeping the priorities straight on what it really means to come together over a holiday meal. As you are. As you were. As you want to be.
 
Show Notes
While not officially Grandma CH's Pea Salad recipe, a pretty close version of it can be found out on Food.com.
A classic recipe version of Mexican Pozole can also be found on Food.com.
Our episode was not technically inspired by Nirvana's "Come As You Are," but for those who may not have heard of the song and/or would like to listen to it, check out the MTV Unplugged Version from back in the day.