Hey Neighbor

In this mini episode host Cyd Converse discusses grief and what it’s like to be grieving the loss of a loved one during a global pandemic. What happens when you’re already grieving and suddenly life as you know it changes in a completely different way?

In this episode, Cyd talks about:

• Feeling cheated of the opportunity to properly grieve because of the pandemic
• The pressure to be “healed” and “ok” in light of the changing world
• The importance of allowing ourselves to feel pain so we can work through grief
• Feeling guilty for feeling distracted from grieving because of the pandemic
• Experiencing waves of grief over time
• Being kind and taking care of one another in the face of grief and in light of the pandemic

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE (https://www.instagram.com/thesweetestoccasion/)

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 007 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd chats with Erika Firm about the many complexities of living in a four generation household. Erika lives with her husband, 16 year old son, mother and grandmother on Johns Island, South Carolina, just outside out of Charleston. Erika shares about the reasons her family moved cross country from San Diego and the beauty of living in a multi-generational home.

In this episode, Cyd and Erika discuss:

• Erika’s background as a graphic designer and artist
• Erika and her husband John’s decision to move cross country from San Diego to Charleston
• A brief look into being diagnosed with an auto-immune disorder and Erika’s son Alexander’s Crohn’s disease and subsequent hospitalization
• What it’s like living in a four generation household and how their family makes it viable
• How the COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine is affecting their everyday norm, and also what it’s like for Erika’s mother and grandmother to be living in this moment in history
• The ways Erika’s family balances living as a large extended family while also maintaining their own independence and interests
• What Erika’s mom, the ultimate hostess, would recommend always keeping on hand for impromptu entertaining
• The annual meet and great parties Erika hosted for 10 years to coincide with the National Stationery Show in New York City
• Erika and her husband John’s love for a great cocktail and what they’ve been mixing up lately
• Erika’s tips for making entertaining as simple and stress-free as possible

To check out Erika’s work, visit her website HERE (https://erikafirm.com/)

To follow Erika on Instagram, click HERE (https://www.instagram.com/erikafirm/)

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE (https://www.instagram.com/thesweetestoccasion/)

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 006 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd once again explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and what life is like after over 30 days of sheltering in place. Cyd and her husband Bob talk about how they’re celebrating birthdays, working to stay connected to friends and loved ones, and efforts to support their community through the COVID-19 pandemic. Cyd also chats with her friend Samantha Finigan, co-owner of Gus & Ruby Letterpress, to discuss how the pandemic is affecting small businesses across the United States. Cyd and Samantha talk about ways that everyone can support small businesses in their community as the pandemic crisis unfolds, and the importance of small business for the way we live.

In this episode, Cyd and guests discuss:

• What life is like after a month of sheltering in place
• Ways people are celebrating birthdays during the pandemic
• Cyd’s traditional birthday cake and how Bob baked it for the first time
• Passing the time doing jigsaw puzzles and watching Fixer Upper
• Staying connected to friends, family and neighbors while self isolating
• Hosting Friday happy hour live on Instagram 
• How the pandemic is affecting small businesses across the country
• The heartbreak of having to lay off employees due to mandatory business closures
• Actionable ways to support businesses in local communities

To connect with Gus & Ruby Letterpress, visit their website HERE 

To follow Gus & Ruby Letterpress on Instagram, click HERE

To follow Gus & Ruby Letterpress on Facebook, click HERE 

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 005 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd chats with her friend Carolynn about how losing her job after the financial crisis in 2008 led to major career changes and ultimately making lemonade from lemons. They also talk about how Carolynn never considered herself an athlete, but after becoming a mom started a kickboxing class that ultimately led her to running a marathon and training for triathlons. This episode is about moving with the punches, evolving through big life changes, finding yourself and ultimately building a life you love.

In this episode, Cyd and Carolynn discuss:

• Making lemonade from lemons after being laid off
• How becoming a mom changed her entire outlook on career vs. family
• Finding yourself again in motherhood
• Becoming a runner despite never being an athlete
• What it’s like training for distance running and triathlons
• Carolynn’s business, Noble Friends, a custom pet illustration studio
• Growing and evolving into a career that you love
• Carolynn’s tried and true party hacks for easy entertaining
• “The Party 5” concept and how everyone can pitch in to make hosting parties easier

To connect with Carolynn Lemke, click HERE 

To find Nobles Friends online, click HERE 

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE 

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 004 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd sits down with her husband Bob to chat about how they met, what it’s like when one spouse travels extendedly for work, staying connected in a long distance relationship, parenting, family life as a blended family, and their shared love for entertaining.

In this episode, Cyd and Bob discuss:

• What it’s like having a mostly long distance marriage
• How they stay connected despite not being together most of the time
• Parenting, family and co-parenting with another parent
• What it’s like having kids who are 15 years apart in age
• Thriving together as a blended family
• Bob’s love for a good pot of chili
• Tips for hosting a chili cook off with your family and friends

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE 

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 003 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd checks in with a few friends to see how everyone is holding up during this unique time in history. This episode is slightly more journalistic in nature, intended to capture a glimpse of what’s happening during what is proving to be a monumental moment in time. 

In this episode, Cyd and guests discuss:

• The current state of things in the pandemic epicenter, New York City
• What’s happening elsewhere in upstate New York and South Florida
• How people are staying busy during the quarantine
• How families are adjusting to social distancing
• The worries and concerns people have about the pandemic
• What it’s like being pregnant during a pandemic
• Favorite tv shows and pastimes when self isolating
• Hopes for the future and life after COVID-19

To connect with Michelle Kinney Urso, click HERE 

To connect with Rachel Mae Smith, click HERE 

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE 

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 002 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd and Rachel Mae Smith catch up and talk about love, breakups, moving cross country without a plan, Rachel’s signature bright pink hair (and what the upkeep is really like), how to infuse your life with more color and joy, and living your best life honestly and without apology.

In this episode, Cyd and Rachel discuss:

• Rachel’s journey to becoming an author and full time blogger at thecraftedlife.com
• The life changing magic of a much needed breakup
• Selling everything and moving cross country
• What it’s like having pink hair
• The joy of color and how to incorporate more color into your life and decor
• Chasing big dreams
• Planning a wedding that is unique and colorful
• Hosting friends in small spaces
• Rachel’s favorite memories of parties and celebrations as a kid

To connect with Rachel Mae Smith, click HERE 

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE 

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Welcome to episode 001 of Hey Neighbor where Cyd is interviewed by her friend and television lifestyle host, Alex Hazard of ABC50. Alex flips the script by acting as guest host and interviews Cyd about how she got her start in blogging, why she was inspired to start a podcast and how the name Hey Neighbor came about.

In this episode, Cyd and Alex discuss:

• How Cyd started blogging back in 2008 and turned it into a career
• Cyd’s grandmother and how she inspired Cyd’s blog, The Sweetest Occasion
• Why Cyd is so insanely passionate about entertaining and hosting friends
• The podcast name Hey Neighbor and the inspiration behind it
• Cyd’s deep love for her family and friends
• Building deeper connections through conversation
• Cyd’s plans and dreams for the Hey Neighbor podcast

To connect with Alex Hazard, click HERE 

To connect with Cyd Converse, click HERE 

For show notes, visit thesweetestoccasion.com/category/podcast/

Hey Neighbor is a podcast about home, love and friendship hosted by entertaining expert Cyd Converse, founder of lifestyle and home decor site The Sweetest Occasion. Each week we explore how opening up your home, your life and your heart by making someone dinner or inviting them over for a party can actually change your life. This podcast is intended to inspire you to create those kinds of moments in your own lives, to encourage you to engage in more real and honest conversations, and to share Cyd's passion around her belief that when you allow yourself to be radically open-hearted and open-minded, beautiful things are possible. Join us for recipes, cocktails, party planning tips and stories to inspire a beautiful life.