Moving Along

In Part 2 of our interview with Sonya Weisshappel, the CEO and founder of Seriatim professional organizers and inventory managment experts tells stories from her 23 years of helping people assess, get rid of and donate their stuff. Often precipitated by a crisis or major life transition such as a death in the family or decision to downsize or retire, people confront their belongings and often don't know where to turn. Sonya's mantra is know what you have, and once you know what you have you can determine its value. We discuss the importance of having an inventory of household items when bringing caregivers and home health aides into the home to care for elderly relatives.  On the lighter side, Sonya talks about confronting the dusty shoes in the closet and how "stuff" comes to overtake your space. The Scandanavian idea of "death cleaning"--or decluttering along the way rather than waiting till the end. 

Sonya also speaks highly of Brené Brown's book Atlas of the Heart and the importance of not judging people's styles of collecting and decorating.  

Sonya grew up in New York City where she started her organizing company, Seriatim, in 1999. Proudly dyslexic, Sonya founded her business in order to avoid writing a resume and now, almost two decades later, she and her Seriatim team have earned themselves a reputation as consummate Chaos Whisperers. In 2017, Sonya became the first organizer to be accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. She is currently President of the New York Council of Relocation Professionals (NYCORP). In her spare time, Sonya organizes her husband, three children, and rescue dog, Finn.

You can reach Sonya at https://www.seriatim.net/ 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Sonya Weisshappel, CEO and founder of Seriatim (seriatim.net) was born and raised in San Francisco. When she was 13, her parents moved to New York, and living on Central Park West gave Sonya a whole new vision of herself in the world...especially when her dad died a year later. It taught her empathy, a key skill in dealing with people in her business, who call her when they don't know where to start. 

Proudly dyslexic, Sonya founded Seriatim in 1999, when she was at a loss for writing out a resume and applying to jobs in the usual way.

But she'd learned the primal skills of organization from her mother, who handled her aunt's design business in San Francisco, from a summer job at a Brooklyn table linens business (and where she learned to rub elbows with Bloomingdale's, Saks and other high-end retailers) and in Hawaii, where she worked for a fish and fruit exporter. 

In this episode, we discuss what's in storage, and how much do you pay? 

Appraisals help you understand what to keep, sell or donate. Knowing what you have helps you not lose valuable possessions, and not have them stolen. In part 2 we deal with household help and how having a full inventory of what you own can protect you.

Insurance premiums may be way overblown if you don't know what's in that storage locker. Whether inheritances or flea market finds, know what you have so you can understand its value and whether you want to save what you have. 

Yes, no and maybe piles help you organize your basic things like books and "miscellaneous" drawers. 

In part 2, we delve deeper into the value of keeping a list of what's in your home, especially when you hire help. How to organize your stuff in order to cut insurance premiums. The value of inventory management when it comes to saving money. 

The audio is a little crinkly in part 1. Part 2 is clearer. Check out the transcript--and email Christi--if you have any questions. 

Learn more about Sonya and Seriatim, professional organizing and inventory management experts : seriatim.com

Places mentioned in this episode:

San Francisco

New York City

Manhattan

Central Park West

Brooklyn

Hawaii

Music by Eves Blue

Want more? Contact your host, Christi Cassidy, at [email protected] 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

From Kansas to New Mexico...to Hawaii? Meet Kandy and Dave Shortle, originally from the great state of Kansas, who after retiring to Santa Fe, New Mexico--and enjoying high desert life for many years--sold their house during the pandemic and moved to Waikoloa, Hawaii, on the Big Island. How did they do it? Dave was full-time in the Army National Guard, and together he and Kandy raised a family and now have children and grandchildren who live in Silicon Valley, California. Moving from a house to a condo with a view of the ocean...moving to paradise...is a dream come true. Kandy and Dave have practical tips...and oh, yeah, how about moving that car?

Places mentioned in this episode:

Marysville, Kansas

Hays, Kansas

Manhattan, Kansas

Niagara Falls, New York

Corning, New York

Skidmore College

Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Puerto Rico

Costa Rica

Waikoloa, Hawaii

The Big Island, Hawaii

Mauna Kea, Hawaii

Mauna Kea Golf Course, Hawaii

Honolulu, Hawaii

+++ Music by Eves Blue

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

By the time these two long-haul truckers met in Windy Wyoming, Christina and Jamie Crim were ready for love, ready for adventure, ready for a family. After a harrowing pregnancy, the Crims had a beautiful son, a "truckers' baby," and Las Vegas beckoned. The future was bright...until their dreams shattered. 

What could they do? Some of us leave by choice, some of us by necessity. This is a story of leaving by choice, and then by necessity. It is the story of a young couple with a baby who found the promise in long-haul trucking, having moved from California to Las Vegas. And the economic devastation that befell them in Las Vegas. Then came COVID and even more economic havoc.

Theirs is a story of true love, faith and family, of finding hope and strength despite being broke and homeless in Sin City. Together, they made the heartwrenching decision. To stay or to leave? How would they rebuild their life and business? 

Listen in to the Crims' story of the nomadic life, of hope, of homelessness, of the kindness of newfound friends and strangers and, ultimately, of leaving Las Vegas. 

Places mentioned:

Poughkeepsie

Hudson, New York

The Hudson Valley

Quebec, Canada

North Carolina

Chicago

Ford Heights, Illinois

The Lincoln Highway

Underground Railroad - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Heights,_Illinois#History

Six Flags Great America, Gurnee, Illinois

San Jose

Solana Beach, California

Del Mar Fairgrounds, California

Wyoming

New Haven, Connecticut

Bakersfield, California

Amarillo, Texas

Reno, Nevada

Brewster, New York

Las Vegas, Nevada

Also mentioned:

CRST - https://crst.com/

Aviation mechanics

Aviation Institute of Maintenance - https://aviationmaintenance.edu/campuses/las-vegas-nv/

COVID-19

Warrior J Trucking

C~Crim Trucking

University of Phoenix - https://www.phoenix.edu/

Aveda Institute - https://aveda.edu/

Contact info, links and shout-outs:

Crim de la Crim. [email protected] 

https://crimdelacrim.co/

The people who kept Ni'Syah safe in Las Vegas:

Mrs. Benzena Brown, from Genesis II Church in North Las Vegas. Author of So I Will, So I Can.  https://linkedin.com/in/benzena-brown-1260b195  

Patricia Miles - a.k.a. Ms. Pat or Auntie Pat 

Mischlane Melton - www.mischlanemelton.com

Music by Eves Blue.

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Debby Mayer is a writer and talker in San Diego, California. She has published a novel, Sisters; a memoir, Riptides & Solaces Unforeseen, numerous short stories and reams of journalism. When she lived in New York State, she received two grants from the New York Foundation for the Arts: one in nonfiction, for “Therapy Dogs,” an excerpt from Riptides, and one in fiction for “The Secretary,” a short story published in The New Yorker. She holds an MA in creative writing from City College, where Sisters won the DeJur Award. Her day jobs have been arts administration (Poets & Writers, Inc.) and editing (Publications Office, Bard College). More at debbymayer.com.

Topics discussed:

"Go West, Old Woman" copyright (c) Debby Mayer. Read, recorded and used by permission. 

"The Pandemic Café" copyright (c) Debby Mayer. 

Travels with Sizzle

San Diego Union-Tribune

The Columbia Paper

Hudson, New York

Mira Mesa, San Diego

International travel

U.S. travel

Traveling solo as a widow

Traveling with pets

Driving cross-country with a dog

Traveling with a former show dog

Basenji breed

Buying a condo long-distance

Moving to San Diego

Music by Eves Blue, used by permission. 

Connect:

Debby Mayer: https://debbymayer.com/

Moving Along: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/MovingAlongPodcast

Christi Cassidy, host and producer: [email protected] 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Growing up in Northern California

Traveling to Mexico City as a kid

Learning Spanish

Parenting magazine

Moving to New York City

Getting mugged in NYC on her first night there

Latina magazine

Jennifer Lopez - JLo - on the cover of the first Latina magazine

Living in Chelsea, Manhattan

Moving to her happy place - from New York City to Hermosa Beach in SoCal, Southern California

Moving with a cat, Rocco

Flying cross-country, not driving

Moving from Hermosa Beach to San Diego

The surprises and trials of living in San Diego

About Ramona Gonzales

Digital Advertising & Technology Consultant

Ramona Gonzales Consulting

Ramona Gonzales is a digital media veteran who started her career as a magazine editor. After nearly two decades of working for publishers, digital agencies, and technology companies—and active participation in industry initiatives—she launched her consulting company in 2009. Her clients encompass digital publishers, ad tech companies, and industry organizations such as the IAB, IAB Tech Lab, the Digital Advertising Alliance, and the Association of National Advertisers. Her consultancy provides services and solutions that are infused with revenue, data, and yield management principles and tactics, as well as industry best practices.

Before then, she consulted for online publishers and media companies for Microsoft Advertising and Rapt (acquired by Microsoft in 2008). Prior to that, as Director of Digital Media, she led LPI Media's digital media operations, P&L, strategic direction, business goals, and product development for four years. (LPI Media, the publisher of Out and The Advocate magazines, was acquired by PlanetOut and subsequently by HereTV Media.)

In the late 90s, Ramona oversaw the assessment, definition, and organization of digital content for major clients at Ogilvy Interactive (Director of Content Strategy in the Information Architecture Group). Her first foray into the digital arena was in 1997 as one of two producers who created SesameStreet.com. She moved to New York City in 1996 to launch Latina magazine, the first national magazine for Hispanic women in the US. Prior to Latina, she was an editor at Parenting magazine in San Francisco.

Ramona earned a BA in Journalism (minor in Women Studies) at San Jose State University.  

Connect

Ramona Gonzales: www.ramonagonzales.com

Music by Eves Blue and used by permission. 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: [email protected]

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue.

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Descript and Claude.ai.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram