I'm Frickin' Lonely...Tell Me Your Story! (Staying Connected Through Conversation)

This is the first of a two-parter with Karl Reutter. He had so much to talk about it took two sessions! In this episode we talk about the confusion of being a front-line worker early in the pandemic. We also learn about his time in Japan, how he escaped the self-help loop of hell, how to avoid hustle culture, the importance of being true to yourself, and meditating through QiGong. We covered lots of ground, but more to come!

In this episode we'll hear about how the pandemic derailed some business plans, but how Jeremy's perseverance, diligence and ability to create opportunities led him to the career (and relationship) of his dreams.  

Today our guest is Blair Miller. Blair tells us how she parlayed the onslaught of pandemic derailments into the founding of The Mr. Rogers’ Neighbors Kindness Project, an organization serving local businesses and people in need in one fell swoop.   We also discuss how COVID has been the test of fire for relationships, budgets and achieving a balanced life between self-care and external demands.  For Blair, being grounded in the arts provides a haven for personal regeneration and inspiration.    

Groups mentioned in the podcast that I hope you’ll check into include the following;

Mr. Rogers’ Neighbors Kindness Project     https://mrrogersneighbors.com/

 We give our kind neighbors the chance to add on meals and products at checkout at their favorite local spots for our neighbors in need during Covid-19.

Corner House Behavioral Health – Princeton  https://www.cornerhousesite.com/

Our mission is to prevent and treat alcohol and drug addiction by engaging and supporting youth, adults, and families in life-long healthy living and recovery.  They provide "licensed outpatient/IOP treatment for substance use disorder. Outreach programs in partnership with Princeton Public Schools Prevention programs in partnership with Princeton public and private high schools"

In this week's episode, we're talking with Julie Denny who describes herself as a serial careerist (actor, mediator, facilitator....the list is long!)  The discussion ranges from how the pandemic has brought out people's adaptability, caused them to seek better work/life balance, or made them take up weird hobbies, all the way to methods of torture in Tarzan movies.  

We also discuss Julie's involvement in very important civic/social work.  Groups mentioned in the podcast that you may want to learn more about  include the following;

Womanspace -  website: womanspace.org   This is a non profit organization in Lawrenceville, NJ dedicated to providing services to victims of abuse.  Their mission is to prevent abuse, protect families and change lives through empowerment and a safety net of supportive services.  

People & Stories - website: peopleandstories.org   This is a non-profit organization, also in Lawrenceville, NJ dedicated to the proposition that literature belongs to all.  The group provides access to literature to those with low literacy and those who face obstacles to the joys of independent reading.  

This episode is the kick off for the podcast, explaining my own trajectory during the two years of the pandemic and what inspired me to start the podcast in the first place.  I am accompanied by my sometimes co-host, Jeremy Lightcap.  Fun tales of of live music, rescuing foxes, home renovations, the 2020 election and more!

You'll also hear about the following:

An organization called the Father Center of New Jersey in Trenton.  For information go to www.thefathercenter.org

My favorite radio station WXPN.  Go to www.xpn.org to hear and support great music!

Vote Forward and Election Defenders for supporting everyone's right to vote. www.votefwd.org  and www.electiondefense.org

Thanks for listening!

This episode is the trailer to my new podcast, I'm Frickin' Lonely...How about You?  Staying Connected in the Time of Covid!

We've all been impacted by the pandemic in so many different ways.  Listen as we talk to folks from a variety of age groups and walks of life about the impact the COVID years have had on their lives, plans, or sense of purpose.  And how they've dealt with it...through relationships, activities, work, and community.

Some stories will be funny, some sad, some inspirational?  Let's see what happens!  And maybe we'll learn something.