Meanderings with Trudy

We're always told to live our best lives, but what does that really mean? In this book, coach Beck introduces us to the 10 daily practices that she believes will help us live more joy full lives. 

We are starting this week with chapter 1, habit #1: do nothing. In this episode, I explore this practice a bit with you, talk about how doing nothing has helped me live a more balanced life, and invite you into the practice using Martha Beck's directions.  

If you are interested in reading along, you can buy her book from your local independent bookstore and join me each week to explore her offering.

I hope you’ll enjoy this episode. Please, share my work widely, and give the podcast a review to tease the algorithms. If you have comments or questions, please send them to [email protected]. Tell me how doing nothing has worked for you!

Episode links:

You can find "The Joy Diet: 10 Daily Practices for a Happier Life" by Martha Beck at Indigo in Canada, and at local bookstores near you, like Books on Beechwood.

Learn more about Martha Beck.

My friend Richard Godin shot this beautiful picture of the water lilly.  I use it with permission.

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

While May 2-4 weekend (we still celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday in Canada, on the third weekend of May, typically called "May 2-4" after our cases of beer that hold 24 bottles or cans) marks the beginning of summer in Canda, nothing marks summer like the end of school followed by Canada Day, on July 1. The festivities were great this year, our new national motto of "elbows up" seems to have sparked national fervor that had wilted in the recent past. A few days later, we woke to a cooling rain, which the gardens and farmers enjoyed. I hope you will too. 

All comments can be sent to me at [email protected]. 

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

In this final meander of the season, I spend a little time and go back over my work these past five years to see if I can articulate a more satisfactory definition of joy. Not the noun or the verb, but the concept of joy. With help from a few dictionaries, and a few poets, as well as my many guests, I show you where I’ve landed. I’m keen to hear what you think about this, so please take note, and send comments to me at [email protected]. I read everything you send.

I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. 

See you in October!

Episode links:

This podcast is supported by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Poets I mentioned: Mary Oliver, “Don’t Hesitate”; Khalil Gibran, “The Prophet”; Brené Brown’s epic TedTalk, “The Power of Vulnerability”; “Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words” by David Whyte and his on-line class, Three Sundays Series; Richard Wagamese, “Embers: One Ojibway’s Meditations.”

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

This is a great summer read, light-hearted and fun, just perfect for a read at the beach or on a dock by a cottage somewhere. 

I hope you enjoy the antics of Angus and Daniel, but more, this book makes me think a bit, giving thought to the kind of politician Angus proves to be. What if we had more like him as leader? What if, indeed?

At any rate, please send comments to me at [email protected]. I read everything you send.

I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. 

See you in October!

Episode links:

This podcast is supported by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

The Ottawa River House

The Library of Parliament, Ottawa Canada

“The Best Laid Plans” by Terry Fallis

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

Today, I'm talking to my friend Donna Scotten. To say that Donna is a world traveller is an understatement. She and her husband Jim have travelled extensively for their whole lives, from the beginning of their relationship, then with their son in tow, and now, as retirees. 

“We're free spirits, we love adventure and variety...” is how Donna explains the spirit she shares, and continues to share, with her husband. We talk about how travel was different then, ~40 years ago, pre-Internet – how it took trust and courage to step into the unknown in times when we didn’t carry a computer in our pockets. 

Donna has written a blog about their travels, and Jim’s photos adorn every post… a true collaboration of kindred spirits. This meander was a lovely review of a travel-life well-lived. And there's more to come from Donna and Jim, I have no doubt.

I hope you enjoy this episode. Please subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts, and share this episode widely. If you have comments or questions, please send them to [email protected].

Episode links:

This podcast is supported by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Katimavik

You can read Donna’s blog here, and see Jim’s photography here and here

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

On this, the last PauseCast episode for the season, we talk summer… what we hope to do, or be, for the coming summer break. Considering summer from a place of intention. But also, how to find our way into rest, and joy, and experiences that enrich our lives and memories to sustain us through those long winter months.

As David Whyte says in his great book “Consolations”: “Rest is the conversation between what we love to do and how we love to be…”. With this, rest is the great enabler of returning to our balanced self. Summer allows times for languishing (we really mean "feeling languid" but we went with the word at the time, apologies for the mixup), for watching clouds and the shapes they make; sitting under deep velvet night skies and catching fireflies. Angie and I wish this for each of you, whenever summer lands in your place in this world. And Angie will embark on a summer of “Re” – re-reading, re-turning, re-membering, re-experiencing languid summer days.

The thumbnail of our episode this week is a peony from my garden… to honour Angie’s love of this perennial flower.

Please, share our work widely, give us a review or a drop us a few stars. If you have comments or questions, please send them to [email protected].

Episode links:

Trudy's company, Chapman Coaching Inc. sponsors this podcast.

You can hear Trudy’s son Callum Lurie on his YouTube page. He’s playing in Grand Bend and in Penetanguishene, Ontario with the Dreyton Theatre Festival.

Books we mentioned: Maggie Smith “Dear Writer” and “You Could Make This Place Beautiful;” “Bird by Bird” by Annie Lamott; “On Writing” by Stephen King; Michael Ondaatje “The English Patient” and “In the Skin of a Lion;” David Whyte’s “Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words”; “Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times” by Katherine May; anything by Alan Alda but we mentioned “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed” and his podcast “Clear and Vivid”

You can read more from Angie on her Substack, called “the bigger picture”

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

One of my favourite things about summer is sitting outside at a cottage in the early morning and listening to the world come alive. That's what I'm bringing you today on this bonus episode.

Bruce's university friend owns this cottage on Bob's Lake, just outside Minden, Ontario. Allan lives in the UK but returns to Canada several times a year for his fix of "home." Bruce and Allan met as young men and have sustained a quiet friendship over these many years. Both from Winnipeg, Manitoba, they share my love of nature. Allan gives us occasional use of his place while he's not here, and we take full advantage whenever we can.

Mornings by a lake are so peaceful; they take me away from any worries I hold, and just support me as I bath in the sounds of the world.

I hope you enjoy these early morning sounds of nature, awakening.

Episode links:

As usual, this podcast is sponsored by my company,Chapman Coaching Inc.

Minden, Ontario

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

It's been a cold May, and I'm hoping for a warmer June. We're getting ready for our summer break but first... on today’s podcast we do a little review of where we’ve been this season, and offer a taste of where we are going in the month to come. It’s the last month of regular programming, with a summer break from July to September coming in which I will rest, and travel, and think of new things to show joy in the every day. Do stay tuned as I will likely drop a few soundscapes over the break, just to keep you connected.

I hope you’ve subscribed to us wherever you get your podcasts; please, share my work widely, give us a review or a drop us a few stars, it really does help. If you have comments or questions, please send them to [email protected].

Episode links:

This podcast is supported by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

This month’s book review looks at life and choice, through the eyes of a woman contemplating leaving her marriage, or staying put. She meets up with a woman of incredible wisdom and understanding, and with her guidance and support, our author moves through this transitional time, back into her own self.

This book, "Tales of Wisdom from an Unconventional Woman: A Walk on the Beach" by Joan Anderson, came to me in the early days of my recovery from my divorce, long before my coach training. I can now see what a pivotal part this book played in becoming the me I am today. I feel such gratitude for this book and its support at this vulnerable time in my life.

As I experience it now, I realize how much of Erikson’s tidbits of wisdom I hold to, even now. Things like: 

• Always be willing to dance. And know that no matter how hard you dance, not everyone will clap.
• Make time for play.
• It’s a gift, being your own person.
• We grow from emotional conflict.
• Do something with your hands when you seek clarity.
• By being open, welcoming, and ready to receive, grace happens.
• And live the dash. You’ll understand this one after you listen to the episode.

I hope you’ve subscribed to us wherever you get your podcasts; please, share my work widely, give us a review or a drop us a few stars, it really does help. If you have comments or questions, please send them to [email protected].

Episode links:

This podcast is supported by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

A GoodReads review of “A Walk on the Beach” by Joan Anderson

A GoodReads review of “Wisdom and the Senses: The Way of Creativity” by Joan Erikson

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.

It is my privilege to meander today with my friend Cheryl Marita, and we explore her book “Touching the Veil: End of Life Stories Through the Eyes of a Nurse.”

This podcast looks at joy in the everyday, and Cheryl’s work as a hospice nurse does that for her… it brings joy to her everyday, that’s clear. After a career spanning almost 60 years, and at 79 years of age, she continues to work as a hospice nurse two days a week because not doing so, well, it’s just not possible for her. 

In her book, she talks about the beginnings of her career, in the early 1960s, and her entry into supporting people to their natural death at a time when death meant "failure" to the medical professionals. Since she started her career, we’ve come a long way in human-focused care. Cheryl’s book shares some of those stories. It was a pleasure to meander with Cheryl; I hope you too enjoy this episode.

I hope you’ve subscribed to us wherever you get your podcasts; please, share my work widely, give us a review or a drop us a few stars, it really does help. If you have comments or questions, please send them to [email protected].

Episode links:

This podcast is supported by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

You can get Cheryl’s book, "Touching the Veil: End of Life Stories Through the Eyes of a Nurse" via her blog, "Morsels of Marita" or via Indigo if you’re in Canada, or via your independent book store 

You can read her blog on Medium 

“Good Trouble” and the history of John Lewis in the fight for equal rights in the US

“Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maude Mongomery

The origins of the quote I used: “Those who have a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'." is Viktor E. Frankl, from "Man’s Search for Meaning"; Hersh Goldberg-Polin modified it to help himself and his fellow hostages find hope while in captivity in Gaza

Royalty free music is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

As always, this podcast is sponsored by the guests who give of their time, and by my company, Chapman Coaching Inc.

Royalty free music is gratefully received and is called Sunday Stroll – by Huma-Huma

Live life joyfully, and always let kindness guide you.