Conversation Mill

I love Christmas. It has long been my favorite holiday. I love the tree, the decorations, the snow, the food, and the music.

My Dad’s parents were from Germany and brought their cultural traditions with them. I wanted to learn more about these traditions that they brought with them and get to know the German cultural holiday traditions better and share them with you. One of my favorite Christmas memories is how my Omi, my Dad’s mother, would always include a chocolate orange in the gifts she gave to me.

Half of my mother’s family is from Croatia and I have never dug into Croatian history to the extent that I have German history, so in this bonus holiday episode, we will look at some of the aspects of German holiday traditions, learning more about some familiar characters, as well as, learn about an aspect of Croatian Christmas tradition that I was completely unfamiliar with.

Thank you for listening and for all your support throughout this first season. If there are guests you would like to hear from please email me at [email protected].

Subscribe to Conversation Mill on SubStack.

Until next season I wish you a Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and a bountiful new year.

O Tannenbaum

Stille Nacht

Resources:

https://www.stnicholascenter.org/who-is-st-nicholas

Ten Beloved German Christmas Traditions - Germanfoods.org

A Guide to Croatian Christmas Traditions (theculturetrip.com)

Biography of Saint Lucy, Bringer of Light (learnreligions.com)

In this final episode of Season 1 of Conversation Mill, I am in conversation with Fishery Pointe Cottages owners, Amy and Eric Anderson.

Fishery Pointe Cottages is located in Ford River, in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In this episode, the owners and operators of Fishery Pointe, Eric & Amy, share the joys and challenges of being new small business owners.

But more than that they remind us about the importance of building relationships with family, friends, neighbors, and strangers. They share personal stories that highlight the hope and meaningfulness that is found when you come alongside people. And sometimes the conversation we have without words are the most important.

Amy is my cousin and when you listen to this episode you get a glimpse of the heart of all my extended family.

Want to book a stay? Visit: https://www.fisherypointecottages.com/

Follow Fishery Pointe Cottages on Instagram to see the beauty of Lake Michigan.

Johanna Davis strives to create a client-focused practice with her massage and yoga. Her True North Wellness brand is about delivering these individual experiences; where the individual can find healing for themselves.

Johanna reminds us over and over again to keep it simple. A reminder that is much needed in our over-stimulated world.

We talk about how even while she is creating this individualized experience, she is also creating community in where and how she offers her yoga classes.

To see where Johanna is teaching follow her on Instagram.

Want to book a custom massage or private yoga session? Visit:

https://www.truenorthgreenville.com/

The reading Johanna shares at the end of the episode is written by Daniell Koepke.

We sit in conversation with the creative mind behind the Rabbit Hero, Tony Brandl.

Tony has been creating the Rabbit Hero for decades and shares with us the thought process behind how the Rabbit Hero story unfolds. We discuss the poetry that guides the characters and how that poetry is meant to leave the page and enter the reader's life as well.

I ask Tony what role art, poetry, and philosophy have or should have in our communities. We discuss living a poetic life and much more in the hour we spent together.

Tony has always been a creative inspiration for me and if you are someone looking to pursue a creative endeavor I think he will inspire you too.

You can learn more and follow The Rabbit Hero at:

Instagram: therabbithero

Website: The Rabbit Hero

Etsy: therabbithero - Etsy

Patreon: The Rabbit Hero is creating Storyblocks/Comics | Patreon

106 years in business, maintaining manufacturing during WWI & WWII, suffering near dissolution and a generation staying the course to regain full operation of the business; then pivoting to add services to continue growth, resulting in being 1 of the 4 remaining made-in-America pencil manufacturers.

Musgrave Pencil located in ‘Pencil City’ Shelbyville, TN is making 72 million pencils a year with no signs of stopping. I have always appreciated the feel of a pencil in my hand, and the ability to erase and start again. And don’t we all want that ability? To erase something and find the right words?

Musgrave pencil has embraced its history and is blending the historical with the modern. Bringing their brand to social media and creating brand apparel, as well as bringing their signature Tennessee Red Cedar pencil pack to their online store.

Perfect for advertising, Musgrave Pencil creates millions of custom pencils annually.

To learn more and order your custom pencils visit:

https://musgravepencil.com/

Mansoor Mirza, MD ,FACP is a Hospitalist and Director of Hospitalists.

Dr. Mirza shares his love for Wisconsin and the shocking experience he had with a community in rural Wisconsin in 2010. We discuss the role his faith plays in how he approaches community, and how others should as well. How by asking questions and respecting one another, we can find the commonalities that create community.

After all this time of discussing Islam in the public square, there are still fears and misconceptions; Dr. Mirza shares his thoughts on this and answers my question: Are there any questions I could ask about Islam that would offend you?

Scholars mentioned in the episode:

Hamza Yusuf- https://sandala.org/

Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah- https://www.drzulfiqarshah.com/

Exclusive Episode featuring Fred Dilworth, Program Manager @ Flywheel. Flywheel is a co-working and economic development business coming to Greenville, SC in 2023.

Flywheel is currently operating in Winston-Salem, NC & Concord, NC. Flywheel is much more than your typical co-working space; listen in to my conversation with Fred to learn more.

Listen for Free on Substack.

To learn more visit:

https://www.flywheelcoworking.com/

Why is Wisconsin cheese the best? That's my first question for

Phillip Van Tatenhove , Owner and 3rd generation cheese maker of Gibbsville Cheese Co. located in Gibbsville, WI.

Phillip shares the history of Gibbsville Cheese and how thecheese process has been modernized. We talk about dumping milk during the pandemic, dairy farms that consider making cheese, and that time the Gibbsville Cheese milk tank was called up to service during WWII.

If you are a cheese head like me or just curious why we say Wisconsin cheese is the best, this is the episode for you.

http://gibbsvillecheese.com/

Become a member of Conversation Mill Podcast- Conversation Mill | Substack

The Yatra Sisters are on a journey and they want you along for the ride. Sherita and Allison are the down-to-earth, spiritual-minded duo that make up the Yatra Sisters.

In today's episode, they share their mission with us and how they approach conversations on their podcast and out in the world.

We delve into topics like: talking to teenagers about sex and the rise of argumentative conversations; and engage in that universal connector, which is laughter.

I know you will enjoy getting to know the Yatra Sisters with me.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-yatra-sisters/id1609953246

theyatracenter.com

Become a member of Conversation Mill Podcast- Conversation Mill | Substack

Meet the vendors of Grateful Market hosted by Double Blessing Farm in Travelers Rest, SC. Getting to know your local artisans, bakers, bee keepers, sewers, and famers will change how you think about buying local. My top 3 reasons for buying local:

1. Grow the local economy for all of us.
2. Healthier options- Often local farms are not using heavy chemicals and pesticides.
3. Create community that supports you and your endeavors as you have supported them.

Red Clay Soap- https://www.redclaysoap.com/

The Knack Shack LLC- https://www.facebook.com/theknackshack

Mountain Laurel Bakery- Danielle (@mountainlaurelbakery) • Instagram photos and videos

Humble Flowers & Veggies- @humbleflowersandveggies • Instagram photos and videos

Briggs Garden

Bella Boutique

Woodchips

Pleasant Hill Provisions

Mountain Laurel Knitting

Raynbow Farm Honey

Helen & Floyds