Taking the Middle Seat

On Episode 37, I’m talking to Maggie McGuinness with Maggie Ann Soap Co. (Facebook, Instagram). Our conversation is like the very best memoir you’ve ever read complete with a gorgeous storytelling, perseverance and resilience. Maggie talks about her history of substance use disorder and mental health issues. She also talks lovingly about her family and their struggles and triumphs with the same diseases. Maggie has an incredible family of her own and a very cool soap business. Everything she does is an expression of love for herself, her family, her community and the world.

Maggie is on the board at Cherry Health. I’d love for you to follow the link and learn more about Cherry Health’s comprehensive services. She also mentions ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences), a study of how childhood trauma can affect a person throughout their lifetime.

I mention one of my favorite podcasts called Terrible, Thanks for Asking. Check. It. Out. If you have ever gone through a hard time, if you’re going through a hard time, if you have a friend/family member/neighbor/adjacent human going through a hard time, you’re going to want to listen.

Now first, go buy some soap!!! Maggie Ann Soap is the absolute best thing to have in your bathroom to impress the socks off your grubby guests or the very best thing to send to a friend or the very cutest thing to give to a new neighbor or the coolest party favor. She makes every product with care and intention. And it’s not just bar soap. She has lotions and hair care and beard care and bath bombs. Its the best. And second, go take the middle seat! Ask people questions and listen and ask again. I promise you’ll feel the magic in the middle seat.

On Episode 36 I’m talking to Theresa Adkison, the founder of Derek’s Place (Facebook). Theresa talks about her son Derek from his rambunctious boyhood, through the ups and downs of his adolescence, to his adulthood as a father and hard worker. Through the whole story, she talks about how substance use disorder was also part of his story. Derek lost his battle with addiction in January 2018.

I cannot tell you how honored I feel that Theresa trusted me with her story. She is an incredible person who walks with grief and loss everyday. She has chosen to use her story to help others and has big dreams for Derek’s Place, a Recovery Cafe. I know you’ll want to support her in this work. Derek’s Place is modeled on a Recovery Cafe in Seattle. Theresa wants to create a space for people who struggle with homelessness and substance use disorder where they feel seen and loved.

Theresa talks about a book she loves called Read It Till You Believe It. She carries this powerful little book around with her. It would be the perfect gift for someone you know experiencing loss and grief. She also likes the boo You Are Enough. If you resonate with Theresa’s story, you might want to connect with Families Against Narcotics.

Theresa talked about her favorite things including getting a pedicure, spending time with family and friends, traveling, her grandchildren and being near the ocean. She also talked about how helpful art therapy has been through I Light Art Therapy Studio.

Theresa’s story is so powerful. I hope you’ll listen to each and every word of her story because there is someone you know that is also living the stress and grief and loneliness of substance use disorder. Take the middle seat! They need you to see them and listen to them.

On Episode 35, I’m talking to DaNay Tossey, owner of Cornerstone Coffee (Facebook, Instagram) in McBain, MI. In a town of less than 1,000 residents, DaNay saw a need for a space to connect. She has seen the magic that happens when you create a welcoming place of acceptance, openness, and…. COFFEE!

DaNay is not only a mama to 6 kids, a business owner, a physical therapy assistant, and a connector… she’s also a living kidney donor. I LOVED hearing about her experience as a living donor. If you’re interested in living donation you can reach out to me. Living donation is one of my favorite things to talk about. You can also check out the local program at Mercy Health or information at the National Kidney Foundation.

I feel like meeting DaNay was such a wonderful surprise. She is a bright light in her community and she will be a bright light in your world. Follow her on all the socials and go pick up a copy of The Turquoise Table to read at a table when you’re sipping coffee at Cornerstone Coffee or at your favorite coffee shop.

On episode 34, I’m talking to Kendra McNeil, owner of the online bookstore We Are Lit (Facebook, Instagram). Kendra is an avid reader and an incredible resource for all things books. We Are Lit is a stunning and carefully curated collection of multicultural books. Kendra highlights books from young adult, to sci-fi, to historical fiction, to nonfiction and everywhere in between. Her love of books is apparent in every aspect of her business.

Kendra talked about how she jump started her business after a conversation with Linda Otterbridge with HASU (Hook a Sister Up). Since then she has gotten out of her introvert ways to do many events and pop up shops. You can find her regularly at the Downtown Market.

Another way to connect to We Are Lit is through Libro.fm. This is an audiobook service that you can subscribe to AND support a local bookstore. I love this so much. Be sure to choose We Are Lit as your local book shop! If you’re local to GR and looking for a book club, check out Women Who Read. Kendra and Toresa Blakely from In Life Now Talk Media started the group and it is going strong.

Kendra talked about one of her favorite book shops, Source Booksellers in Detroit. On her last visit, she picked up My Ideal Bookshelf (If you order, make sure you order from We Are Lit!).

Kendra is doing a story time at the Dream Big Fair that is put on by the Dream Big Sister Circle. This event is May 4.

Kendra loves purchasing special things from women business owners. She loves Rock Candy Earrings & Things by Della Marie Levi. Della made her a personalized wine tumbler that says “bookish” on it. So cute! Kendra also loves wine, and live music especially if said wine and music are on vacation, travelling with her friends or family.

On Episode 33 I’m talking to Rachael Kaminski, alternative hair stylist and owner of Confidence Beyond Hair Loss (Facebook, Instagram). Rachael is an incredible hair stylist working in the area of alternative hair (wigs, toppers etc.) and hair loss. She developed an awareness of the devastation and negative self talk that can result from hair loss after she went through treatment in 2017 for Hodgkins Lymphoma. She now serves men and women in her home-based salon with acceptance and care.

I learned so much from Rachael. She talked about the myriad of reasons that men and women might lose their hair including post-pregnancy, thyroid and auto-immune disorders, alopecia, cancer, scarring, and thinning. Rachael also mentioned a great resource through the American Cancer Society called Look Good, Feel Better.

Rachael talked about her favorite things including a glass of wine in front of the fire place, her pitbull Kira, spending time with girlfriends and travel. She loved her pottery class at the Holland Area Arts Council, adult coloring books, crafting and DIY home decor.

Go take that middle seat, my dear listeners!

On Episode 32, I’m talking to Olivia Fitzpatrick of Liv Styled (Facebook and Instagram) and Amber Brandt, The Coziness Consultant (Facebook and Instagram). They are sisters who have made it their life’s work to connect people, inspire people, and love people. Olivia is a rad stylist with impeccable style and an incredible gift to make humans feel amazing. Amber works in interior design and has approximately a zillion ideas to create welcoming spaces that elevate everyone who enters them. You’ll hear us laugh A LOT and I’m telling you right this minute, I love these women to pieces. They work in spaces that could be considered surface or frivolous but they know that their work is all about connection and love.

Olivia and Amber collaborate to create events called Bright + Becoming Events. I attended their first event and that’s where I just knew they had a special magic that I hadn’t seen before. Their spring event is April 25!! Follow Bright + Becoming to get the details as soon as they’re up. I KNOW this event will sell out quickly.

They also have A Modern Wedding Event coming up on March 23 at Mod Bettie. Olivia and Amber are the keynote speakers!! If you are planning a wedding, bless you. Almost 19 years in to my marriage, I cannot even imagine planning a wedding with hashtags and themes and creativity and organization. I am certain that you’ll love this event if a wedding event is on your horizon.

Olivia and Amber talked about their favorite things including candles, cheap mascara, and dance parties at home!!

Taking the Middle Seat is officially 1 year old! As I reflect on this past year, I am so grateful for all that the podcast has given me. Chief among those gifts is the gift of connection. Listeners, if you’re looking for genuine connection, put. yourself. out. there. Just one tiny step will do it. I promise. Humans are desperate to be heard and seen in this time of division so be that person that does the seeing and the hearing. Be the person that takes the middle seat!

On Episode 31, I’m talking to Lisa Anderson, the founder of Grace’s Table (Facebook, Instagram), an organization that serves young mothers ages 13-24 in the areas of spiritual exploration, parenting, adolescence, career and education. Lisa founded the organization through a desire to serve young moms; an experience that is near to her heart because she experienced motherhood for the first time at age 17. Lisa is an incredible example of service, perseverance, and unconditional love.

Listen closely for the story of how Lisa found Grace’s table at a garage sale held by a woman named Grace. How can we be a Grace to someone in our lives?

Lisa has always dreamed BIG for Grace's Table and the dream she’s working on right this second is A Space for Grace. Grace’s Table needs to the WHOLE community to rally around this. You can learn all about this campaign to secure a gorgeous house surrounded by beautiful greenspace that will provide an environment that can really care for every aspect of young mothers and their children. I invite you to join me in donating financially to this cause. We ALL benefit from young women being made to feel whole and wanted.

Lisa talks about Chelsea’s story and you can see that here. I LOVE lovety LOVE the idea that Grace’s Table is all about paying it forward.

If you’re looking for a way to connect to your neighborhood, check out The Turquoise Table. It could be one way to get started. Need a recipe to feed a crowd that will make you feel like a connection rockstar? Check this out.

Lisa mentioned some favorite things: Diet Coke, charcuterie boards (Squibb is my fave place for a cheese board), and lazy rivers. She also mentioned loving her time in therapy each week. Yassss! I love that. #shoutouttotherapy

Remember to give a little or a lot to A Space for Grace! What a great way to make an impact and support women, community, and beauty for all. Until next time, remember to take the middle seat. I know you’ll find magic and meaning there.

On Episode 30, I talk to Dustin Cornett. He and his wife Mai own the Chocolat Inn and Cafe (Facebook and Instagram) in Beattyville, KY a small town in Eastern Kentucky (census stats). My family and I visited our extended family in Booneville, KY this past summer and decided to stay at Dustin and Mai’s inn (in the East and West Berlin rooms). I talk honestly in our interview about my assumptions and stereotypes before I went there. And Dustin talks about how he didn’t feel like he fit into the area even when he was growing up there. Dustin and Mai have been around the world and he talks about what brought them back to Beattyville. One of my favorite parts of Beattyville is the Woolly Worm Festival. I love a kooky festival!

Dustin talks about some of the natural gems around the Inn like the Red River Gorge and Daniel Boone National Forest with the Natural Bridge. If you’re into rock climbing or hiking, you absolutely need to visit! There is a really yummy restaurant there called Red River Rockhouse. The fries were legit. He also talks about being in Palau and how that experience made him view his home differently. He also mentions his wife’s home town of Osaka.

Our conversation really highlighted for me how we have become such a divided country. Whether those divides are geographical, technological, racial, political, or ideological they are divides we must work on. And I would argue, this can really only be done by listening, remembering that everything is nuanced, every person’s experience matters, and by taking the middle seat.

On Episode 29, I’m talking to Monica Stegeman, an artist at Little Shrines (Facebook and Instagram). Monica calls her art “found object assemblage.” You can see a piece we talk about here. She talks about how she’s always been an artist, even in childhood. From coloring with crayons, to collecting beautiful treasures in her closet, to finding her confidence. From creating one-of-a-kind valentines, to helping people heal through her found object art. You’ll hear how Monica has gone on a journey with her art and how’s she’s now ready to invite you to do the same.

Monica says, “Today my shrines are out of my closet and lit from within. They are kindled with my longing to give credence to feelings and needs. They’re a quest for order and meaning.”

Monica has created a space in her home to host workshops. You guys. The energy in that space is so peaceful and full of possibility. She has bins and boxes and buckets of found objects. It is like a playground for processing and healing. Follow her to sign up for her workshops.

Her favorite things include Embody GR, a veggie smoothie that includes celery, cucumber, green apple, lemon, ginger and kale (YUM!), and the Cascade Peace Park (this is a repeat guest favorite so I need to go there!).

People and movements where we can pay privilege forward (these are my favorites but there are many many many more. Find what resonates with you, challenges you, activates you and pay for it):

Lesle’ Honore’ - author of Fist & Fire

We Are Lit- multicultural bookshop

Bellamy Shoffner - writer and founder of Hold the Line Magazine

Leesa Renee Hall - author, facilitator, social historian, and creative word artist. Join her Patreon group here.

So, if Monica’s work and story resonates with you, sign up for her workshops, commission a piece of work from her, connect with her art. I loved taking the middle seat next to her. There was absolutely magic and healing there. I’ll be back soon with another episode of Taking the Middle Seat.

On Episode 28, I’m talking to Jennifer DiGennaro with Nourished Energy (Facebook and Instagram). As there is so much diet culture swirling around us especially this time of year, Jen feels like the perfect oasis. She speaks to how connection, relationships and healing are so needed; not necessarily the next diet or new way of eating. One of my favorite things she said was, “Let’s get out of the edges.”

She is a holistic licensed psychotherapist and couples counselor. She works with people, “Strengthening relationships to self, body & each other.” Her areas of focus include chronic dieting, chronic stress and binge eating disorder. She is a certified intuitive eating counselor and certified body trust provider and works in modalities such as EMDR and Reiki. Jen works from a Health at Every Size perspective. Her website has so much great information on all of her work so head there to learn all the things. You can find even more information about Body Trust at BeNourished.org. I love how she talks about Body Trust as l i b e r a t i o n. Jennifer mentions THE BOOK on intuitive eating. Here it is.

Jennifer talks about her Holistic Nourishment Assessment and it’s FREE. Grab it at her website!

Jennifer talks about lots of favorites: Renfrew Center eating disorder conference, this TED talk, yoga at Lotus Jo’s, Tara Brach’s talks and her books, and epsom salt baths and Cascade Peace Park.