In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and I are with Wynne's almost nine-year-old daughter, Miss O.

Miss O recently sang an acapella solo at the church that Wynne's dad used to lead. Listening to her pure, soprano voice while sitting in a sanctuary where I often feel the presence of him (and Him) surrounding me, brought me to tears.

So she generously sings a bit of what she sang and tells us how she prepared to sing this not once, but twice. Miss O reminds us that people are pulling for us when we step up and are brave.

Then she brings all the other elements that go in to stepping up – practice, preparation, nerves and excitement.

This is a wonderful episode from a young girl who feels and celebrates the generational pull of family and is willing to share her a bit of herself to honor that tie to those that have gone before.

I’m certain you’ll enjoy the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story… and song.

We know you’ll love it!

Links for this episode

Episode 77 show notes

Other Episodes with Miss O

Episode 45: Third Grade Writing Wisdom with Miss O

From the hosts:

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this week's podcast, Wynne and Vicki talked with dear friend, marketing man, and creative guru, Eric Knudson about riding the bus.

Eric is a dear friend of Wynne's and a master story-teller. She's known Eric for ten years and through the years, he’s regaled her with many stories. She can’t tease out exactly the formula but it’s some combination of his use of humor, timing, and detail that makes him so entertaining to listen to.

He also had the pleasure of knowing Wynne's dad and understanding what a whirlwind of energy and good-natured sociability he was.

So in this episode, he brings both his fantastic storytelling and a bit of Wynne's dad to a great story about a recent bus ride. It’s hilarious, dramatic, and full of fun.

Links for this episode:

Episode 76 show notes

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson are with blogger and retired pre-K teacher, Beth Kennedy.

Beth tells us the story of an instant perspective moment. In a chance encounter with an extremely friendly man, she is both buoyed and leveled.

It’s a funny and thoughtful story that is so true to Beth’s writing. In her beautifully concise presentation, she allows the sparkle of the realizations to shine bright.

So we talk about how we can get lost in our own worlds until something or someone breaks through and reminds us of the big picture. Naturally, our encounters with others ripple out.

This is a great conversation and story with a fantastic writer and keen observer of life that will stick with you long after it’s over.

So I know you’ll enjoy the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you’ll love it!

Links for this episode:

Episode 75 show notes

I didn't have my glasses on.... | A trip through life with fingers crossed and eternal optimism. (ididnthavemyglasseson.com)

cast aside. | I didn't have my glasses on.... (ididnthavemyglasseson.com)

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon talk with Melanie McGauran. Melanie is a former newspaper reporter and has a beautiful blog, Leavingthedooropen.com.

Melanie tells the story of her friend, doctor and educator, Lissa McKinley. As Lissa goes through her own journey of cancer, it informs her abilities as a doctor, teacher, and humanist.

Melanie tells us of her long friendship with Lissa, starting in all-girls preparatory school, and how she drew inspiration from Lissa both in life and in death.

We talk about how writing helps touch others long after we’re gone, especially when we go through similar experiences.

Melanie tells us about how Lissa’s joy and gratitude rippled out, even more so now that she has shared it with us.

We also get to hear about Melanie’s inspiration as a writer and newspaper reporter, starting with the legacy of her grandparents who were well-known artists.

This is a great episode with a fabulous writer about gratitude, empathy, and connecting with others. Through words, actions, and sometimes even tattoos.

So I know you’ll enjoy the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you’ll love it!

Links for this episode:

Episode 74 show notes

Melanie’s Blog: Leavingthedooropen.com – Real Storytelling

Saving Lissa – Leavingthedooropen.com

A New Me - Leavingthedooropen.com

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon are with writer, blogger, and planner Brian Hannon.

Brian tells us about how he plans family trips. He comes up with solid options and then his fellow travelers enthusiastically respond.

Well, that’s the idea at least. So we talk about what it actually looks like to be a planner who is coaxing everyone along.

Brian brings forward the beautiful sense of calm that comes with having something on the horizon to look forward to. And we talk about how to blend planning and spontaneity.

This is a great episode for the beginning of summer. Brian’s fantastic story-telling sparks our juices for how to enjoy our planned and unplanned vacations!

So I know you’ll enjoy the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you’ll love it.

Links for this episode:

Episode 73 show notes

Two Kinds of People by Brian Hannon

Brian's blog: Writing from the Heart with Brian

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon talk about identity in the unemployment office.

One of the fascinating positions that Vicki has held is as a career counselor at the unemployment office. She gives us a glimpse into how the jobs we do become our identity by

We talk about how being a helper or a boss manifests even when someone is no longer doing that job.

I love Vicki’s powers of observation and ability to draw thru lines – talents that show up when she writes, tells stories, and in the many professional roles she has played.

So I know you’ll enjoy the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you’ll love it.

Episode 72 show notes

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

Related podcast episodes:

Episode 71:  Catching an Edge with Wynne and Vicki

Episode 70: “A” is For Ambivalence with Vicki and Wynne

Episode 69: All You Have To Do Is Ask with Wynne and Vicki

In this episode, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson are talking about receiving unexpected feedback to our stories.

We know we’re not alone in being surprised sometimes by how a story is received. We tell about an experience to a person or persons and then are shocked at how it lands. We thought it was funny and they thought it stupid. We thought it was deep and they only appreciate the surface. Whatever it is, it is out of our control for better or worse.

When our inner editor starts curating the content we share, we sometimes short-circuit our ability to be fully seen. So Vicki and Wynne talk about the healing effect of

Enjoy the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you’ll love it.

Links for this episode:

Episode 71 show notes

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson are talking about the surprising ways we can receive help and inspiration.

Vicki tells us a tale of self-discovery. In response to a pesky interpersonal situation, she goes to sleep wondering if she did the right thing. She’s facing a growth moment and needs a little grace for life’s crossroads.

And she gets a gift from her dearly departed dad. She tells the story about how the whispers of dreams can help us, especially when we need subtle guidance.

Please join us for the story behind "A" is or Ambivalence. And imagine what the rest of the alphabet could hold if you were to envision the next thing you need to hear. B is for Bounty? C is for Connection?

We know you'll love it.

Episode 70 show notes

A is for Ambivalence post

Lucid

How to Lucid

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Wynne Leon is co-host Vicki Atkinson and we are talking about questions.

It starts with a question that Wynne's eight-year-old daughter, Miss O, asked about what my dad thought about her divorce. As Wynne gives her the answer, she finally connect the dots to asking questions to her dad about his life.

Many of the answers Wynne has about family and foundation came because she had the gut feeling to ask him to tell her the story of his life.

Sometimes we forget to tell stories because someone has not yet asked. As our brilliant and witty friend, Jack Canfora says, "I'm an open book. I just don't know how to find the best pages."

What have been our inflection points? What makes us laugh? What is meaningful? How have we overcome the rough patches? What were the things we wouldn’t wish on anyone else but made us strong?

Vicki and Wynne talk about the questions and answers in this episode.

Please join us for the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you'll love it.

Links for this Episode:

Episode 69 show notes

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

In this episode, Vicki Atkinson and Wynne Leon are with blogger, author, retired elementary school teacher and great storyteller, Pete Springer.

Pete’s storytelling is fantastic. And the fun twist with this particular story is that the story I told about trying to rescue Buttercup the bunny in episode 66 is what prompted Pete to volunteer to tell us about the great adventures of class pets.

That’s the connective tissue of stories. We tell a story and it takes the listener someplace. Hopefully someplace worth going.

Pete also shares with us the impact he’s seen for storytelling across the generations. Regardless of age, there is an intimacy when we dare to utter our personal narratives.

Please join us for the scenic and beautiful places we go when we share the power of story.

We know you'll love it.

Or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Episode 68: The Circle of Life with Pete Springer

Pete's blog: Pete Springer

Pete's post about Class Pets

Pete's previous HoTM podcast episode: Episode 36: They Call Me Mom with Pete Springer

From the hosts:

Vicki’s personal blog: Victoria Ponders

Wynne’s personal blog: Surprised by Joy

Vicki’s recently released book: Surviving Sue

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith