After six wonderful conversations with guests, I’m stepping behind the microphone and opening up my own childhood suitcase for this special bonus episode.

As we reach the halfway point of 2026, I’m taking time to reflect on where I’ve been, what I’ve learned, and who I’m becoming. I share some of the highlights from the first six months of the year—from personal milestones and unexpected lessons to the small moments that quietly changed me.

I also talk about something I never thought I’d say: turning 40 has been one of the most freeing chapters of my life. In this episode, I unpack what this new decade feels like, the expectations I left behind, and the confidence I’ve found by simply becoming more myself.

And then there’s friendship. Looking back at the people who filled my life years ago compared with the incredible friends who walk beside me today, I’m reminded that growth often means making room for relationships rooted in kindness, encouragement, and mutual respect. Sometimes the people who stay—and the ones who leave—both become part of our story for a reason.

So, join me for a quiet conversation about gratitude, growth, and giving ourselves permission to celebrate how far we’ve come—not because the journey is over, but because we’re still becoming.

Welcome back to My Childhood Suitcase, where we unpack one truth—and one story—at a time.

Hello Suitcase listeners! I have another celebrity of sorts, in the podcasting world, joining me from Down Under in today's episode! He is known only as Benny, and as he likes to call himself, "like-minded podcast enthusiast" with great storytelling skills, as seen in a podcast of his own, Death and Taxes.

He and I met via Instagram when I started listening to his podcast before pivoting away from true crime, and I commented on a few of his lighter fare episodes (including the Gwyneth Paltrow ski trial). Then he became one of my biggest fans on my show, and he in turn had many questions to ask about my previous episodes.

In this conversation, he relates to the uber competition of the studios in Australia and the "no-worries" culture that defines Australia, as well as his own bullying experiences in school.

So sit back, grab a beer and say g'day to Benny!

In this episode, I have another actor joining me onto the microphone, with his own suitcase to unpack. The audiences have remembered him in The Odd Couple - Female Edition as one of the brothers in the pivotal scene of a double date with Olive and Florence (female Oscar and Felix, respectively).

Along the way in no uncertain terms, he has become one of my dearest friends and is overall a beautiful soul inside and out. Our conversation includes inside jokes and a life-changing experience that caused him to reevaluate his goals.

So sit back, grab a cup of tea or wine, and welcome Jack Carper onto the microphone!

Have you ever wondered whether the life you're living is aligned with your passions and dreams? Whether you're being true to yourself, or you're merely pleasing others or societal expectations? Are you truly connected with your creative self?

I have a celebrity of sorts joining me in this episode and she has her own suitcase to share. She is a well-known acting coach, storyteller, and founder of Creating a Passionate Life in the north Seattle area! She also hosts her own podcast, The Creative Connection, and she has many stories to share including how a once in a lifetime catastrophic event pivoted her to her current business.

So sit back, have a cup of tea, and please welcome Coach Cyndi Thomsen!

Get in touch with me on Instagram and Threads: @mychildhoodsuitcase

Links:

Cyndi Thomsen:

https://www.cyndithomsen.net/

The Creative Connection Podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/@cyndithomsen

*Originally recorded on January 6, 2026*

Hi everyone! I originally had a guest joining me but as it turns out, she could not attend my podcast.

So another guest decides to join me in that person's stead. You'll never guess who that person is! (hint, hint, hooman servant)

Sit back, grab a glass of wine or mocktail, and please welcome my mystery guest!!

Please stay until the end.

In this episode, I have invited another Seattleite and well-known, prolific actor, Mr. Eric Wu. He is known for his work in American Immersive Theater as well as some stage productions. After a bit of prodding, I managed to help him unpack his own suitcase. This interview gave me some profound insight on what it's like to be an actor around the Pacific Northwest and in the time of COVID, as well as an ABC child (American-born Chinese).

Please follow him on Instagram @ericwu0617 and check out the video of Friends Across the Wires featuring him! Please note that the camp referenced in this episode is ironically named Camp Harmony.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRwotM7FJew

So sit back, grab a beer, and enjoy! Let's go!

Season 2! I'm back, bitches!! This season, I am inviting guests to come into my suitcase, or rather to unpack their own suitcases onto the microphone.

My first guest this season is one of my best friends and part of my ride or die group, Miss Sarah Wirtz, a Seattleite living in Boston. I came into this interview with little expectation of what we would talk about. Well, listener, I learned something new from this here conversation. I learned the importance of loving self-respect and unapologetic authenticity, and how even a simple phone call brings meaning to "tend and befriend".

Grab a cup of coffee or tea, enjoy this conversation and stay until the end for a little surprise!

In this episode, Cindy relates to you her overall love-hate relationship, mostly hate, with money (aka the Almighty Dollar), why she has found it hard to make and keep the money she deserves to obtain, and how she has finally reframed her perspective on the Almighty Dollar. Over time, it was a toxic relationship based on her overall limiting belief -- "I have to work hard to get money". Spoiler alert: A bunch of falderal. Find out why.

Shout out to Jenn for her wise counsel! Please follow her podcast Receive, as well as her Instagram @alignmentwithjenn.

In this episode, Cindy is going to read from her diary of the latest inspired action that actually scared her to bits: going to an awards show. Dive in with her as she tells you the surprises that awaited her and the insights she gained from going to that awards show, with the stream of consciousness flowing through her. So sit back, grab a flute of champagne and here we go!

In this episode, Cindy dives into how she has handled the many changes including:

Change in season

Change in living accommodations

Change in friendships

Change in mindset (mind her stream of consciousness, but that's how she thinks out loud)

Get ready as she unleashes herself unto your ears!