Fenom Podcast

In this episode of the Fenom Podcast I am talking with Jennifer Givens, she is a UVa Law School Associate Professor, on the General Faculty at UVA law and the Director of the Innocence Project Clinic.

Previously she worked as an assistant federal defender in the for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and as a senior staff attorney with the Virginia Capital Representation Resource Center, where she represented death-sentenced inmates in post-conviction proceedings.

An off hand comment in a 9th grade Political Science class about how she’d “make a good lawyer,” launched Jennifer on her path of representing and serving others in, arguably, one of  their most trying times. She went straight to law school at DePaul College of Law after finishing her undergrad at Furman and found her niche after working for criminal defense attorneys who represented death row inmates in their appeals. She began working as a staff attorney out of law school and went on to become an Assistant Federal Attorney in Philadelphia where her professional career flourished.

She met her now husband at 38 and had to make the complicated decision every professional woman is faced with - family or work. She decided she would make the most of her career and with the support of her husband they have figured out what works for them and their son. I have known Jenny for years and her “can do” energy is infectious whether it is in taking classes at my studio or out serving the greater community or into the class room she has the unique ability to see past obstacles and focus on what is actually possible.

In this episode of the Fenom Podcast, Eliza reads her chapter for the book she contributed to, Practice: Wisdom of the Downward Dog.  In her chapter, Getting Lost: A Homecoming, she discusses what it feels like to be lost within ourselves? Eliza explores how our journey in life is a series of ups and downs. She has discovered that getting lost is just as important as being found and that the practice of yoga provides space to tune in and listen to who we are and who we want to be. Which is a great essay but she did not realize the challenges that would lie in the year that followed.  From tearing her rotator cuff, to biopsies, to plantar fasciitis, to weight gain all while she had to stand in front of people teaching yoga classes did she have to learn to stand in her own power and embrace who she was at that moment and focus on what she could do instead of what she should do.  

Chelsea Shine Wilson is a College Basketball Analyst for ESPN and Raycom Sports. Chelsea is a former UVa Women’s basketball star and played under both Debbie Ryan and Joanne Boyle. She graduated from UVa with a degree in Sociology but it was an internship at Newsradio WINA that piqued her interest with sports radio and broadcasting. In 2013 Chelsea began her work as a color commentator for ACC Women’s Basketball as well as working for the Virginia Athletics Foundation.  Chelsea met and married former UVa baseball player Tyler Wilson and this is where her story gets really interesting. Tyler continued his baseball career from college as he was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles, he played in the Minors until he got the call to make his major league debut with the Orioles.  While Chelsea supported and cheered on her husband she continued to pursue her broadcasting dreams and aspirations. In 2018 Tyler signed with the Twins of the Korea Baseball Organization and Chelsea also found out she was pregnant- with TWINS!  In that first season abroad Chelsea gave birth to her twin boys in South Korea. This is what is so remarkable, to me, Chelsea has continued her work in Broadcasting as an Analyst for ESPN, splitting her seasons with Tyler while they both dedicate themselves to raising their boys in a very non-traditional set up.  Ultimately it is their amazing relationship of support and team work that speaks so loudly of their character and of their faith. I am thrilled to be able to discuss this fantastic journey Chelsea has set out on because I know this phenomenal woman is destined for big things in life! 

Oh the places Kristin Watson’s legs have taken her!  On Episode 3 of the Fenom Podcast I am speaking with Kristin, she is the owner of Purvelo - a rhythm based indoor cycle studio with 4 locations in Charlottesville VA, Auburn AL, Chapel Hill NC, and Athens GA. Growing up she was the youngest on the block and her scrappy personality had her keeping up and playing all the sports with her older brother and the neighborhood boys.  Soccer was her life until 7th grade when she joined track and field which changed the course of her life.  She received a full scholarship to WVU where she looked for a college that was both artistically advanced as well as a top tier in athletics. She pursued her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in ceramics and a minor in Art History and even studied abroad in China to complete her degree. I cannot wait to discuss this more. Kristin met her husband Peter Watson in college, she moved home and became a teacher and coach at her alma mater. Kristin and Pete’s relationship have taken them to 8 different states/countries and sometimes even living apart due to their different career paths but they made it work to support one another’s personal goals and endeavors.  Kristin opened Purvelo Charlottesville in 2015 with 3 other locations that soon followed. She looks to double that by 2022. She is also putting her artistic talents to use by creating her own line of clothing from concept to production to go along with her branded pieces of merchandise from preexisting brands. By the summer of 2020 she will have a Purvelo e-commerce store where you can get all of your branded Purvelo gear. As I know firsthand, studio ownership is not easy. Simple decisions can make or break you. How you manage your time on the minute details and create a vision for the big picture? How you build a community and hold the standard? We are talking all about that and more! 

In episode 2 of the Fenom Podcast we are talking with celebrated Charlottesville painter Sarah Trundle. Her paintings are rooted in abstraction, her many layered paintings range rom bold, geometric, brightly colored abstracts, to serene, monochromatic, minimalism. Her style explores the relationship between order and chaos, simplicity and complexity which makes patrons of art take pause and gain a deeper understanding of her work. This is a gift that all great artists have- the ability to stir something deeper within us.  But the journey to get here was not as clear cut and straightforward as it seems. In fact, her gift and passion is a fairly recent discovery.  Sarah grew up just outside of Philadelphia. While she was always creative, her first love was riding horses and rode in horse shows on the weekends.  Sarah went on to attend and graduate from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire where she majored in Psychology. Her first job out of college was as a teachers aide for an Alternative School in Washington DC. This job solidified her decision to get her Masters in Social Work. Sarah worked as a therapist, married her college sweetheart and had 3 children.  She discontinued her work as a Therapist after her second child was born and relished the opportunity to stay at home and raise her children.  Once her youngest began school, Sarah had more time to dedicate to herself and she decided to take oil painting lessons. Painting gave her a chance to clear her head, pursue a new hobby and, she found out, she was good at it. Her passion for her new hobby was sparked. She took lessons for years and then went on to participate in art shows with other budding artists and was taken by surprise when she received her first offer from someone to buy one of her pieces.  Now her artwork is represented by several galleries nationwide and she is honored to have her work in numerous private and public collections internationally.  I am excited to talk with Sarah today and explore how we are always in creation of who we are. Our life is just as many layered as her paintings but how do we see the opportunities that that may lead us to another path and listen to the call that we can always be something more.

In the first episode of the Fenom Podcast Eliza Whiteman introduces herself and discusses her "why" in creating this podcast. She discusses her life early on and pivotal moments that have created the foundation that she relies on today. Eliza talks about being an athlete, a military spouse, a mother and being a small business owner of FlyDog Yoga in Charlottesville, Va. Perhaps the biggest gift of her life was walking into a yoga class and learning how to hold herself up all on her own.