Life Notes from Chair 17

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.

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.