Five Questions

In which Mark discusses being born in the Dominican Republic and growing up in Latin America and Falls Church (being a third culture kid) and returning to the Caribbean and Latin America on multiple medical missions as a doctor, advocating for a better health care system for all, being a "motorcycle dilettante," where he must focus on what has has to do in the moment, and so much more.

In which Pam discusses her pasttime of embroidering affirming messages on fabric squares and leaving them in random places for strangers to find, her affinity for tiny houses and desire to travel in an Airstream trailer, how changing her diet has changed her life, what she would have said to her 16-year-old self, and much more.

In which Chris describes the elaborate breakfast concotion he creates each morning (ingredients pictured here), making albums in junior high and high school, growing and advocating for cannabis, teaching special education, fighting for educational equity, facilitating dialogue around diversity, setting boundaries, and more.

In which Emily--calling from Glasgow, Scotland--talks about writing food and fashion blogs, becoming a vegan, the many meanings of "Back in Black" by AC/DC, her vision of an affordable and sustainable town, and the walkability of Glasgow and liberal politics of Scotland.

Talking and laughing with Emily made me really miss hanging out with her and Mary (another previous podcast guest).

In which Jen describes her experience working for a cult in Australia, therapeutic ballroom dancing, releasing sea turtles in Bali, floating underneath glowworms in New Zealand, getting lost in New York City trying to find her apartment, choosing your own superpower, and more.

In which Keith discusses his unexpected conversion to a lifestyle of yoga and meditation upon moving to California, the joys of watching his boys overcome obstacles and excel, what it meant to prepare for his father's brain surgery, the allure of looking inside other people's houses, and more.

In which Helen discusses the gifts of music, her travels to Nicaragua, growing up speaking Chinese but walking like an American, citizen activism, working at the American Visionary Art Museum, and much more. Also you'll just enjoy hearing Helen's wonderful laugh.

In which Libby talks about getting her car stuck in a surprisingly deep puddle on a deserted road in the woods and having to take a breathalizer test, her affinity for Dar Williams, how her allergies have made her a great cook, her adventures at the Falcon Ridge Folk Festival, her unexpected path from math and computer science to music and teaching, how piano gave her a voice, and more. 

Five pieces of literature that have influenced Libby: Cheaper by the Dozen, The Vagina Monologues, The Handmaid's Tale, Many Moons, and "All Summer in a Day."

In this episode (which will cool you off because it was recorded in the snow), Mike discusses the proud sci-fi and fantasy geekdom he's cultivating in his children, his surprise at becoming a parent (thanks Dan and Michelle for the inspiration!), the influence of Mr. Spock and Leonard Nimoy on his life, how his then-girlfriend and now-wife Karen helped him understand there isn't just one right choice, what he has in mind for the knights of King Arthur's court, and more.

In which Alex talks about her affection for books, her adventure working for a year and a half on Nantucket when she'd never even heard of the place, her fantasy careers of being a psychotherapist hairdresser or running an artisanal snowcone food truck, being a birthday gift for a friend in Australia (and her private time with a koala), and much more.