Tea. Toast. and Trivia.

Season 4 Episode 8: Irena Stropnik on Adventures in Hockey

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.

Today, I am delighted that my dear friend, Irena Stropnik, has joined Tea Toast & Trivia to bridge the 972 kilometers, between Calgary and Vancouver. If you are taking a road trip it would take 11 hours and 46 minutes via the Trans-Canada Highway.  I promise it would be an unforgettable, breathtaking journey for you would be traveling through the majestic Canadian Rockies.

Irena and I will be discussing Hockey, which is defined as a game played on an ice rink by two opposing teams of six skaters each who try to knock a flat round puck into the opponents’ goal with angled sticks. Hockey is one of the most popular sports in Canada.

This will be an exciting discussion so put the kettle on and add to the conversation.

And a special thank you, Irena, for sharing your thoughts and experiences in playing hockey. As you noted, hockey is not an individual sport – it’s played as a team. Scoring goals in hockey is a team effort, regardless of who last touched the puck before it went in the net.  You continue to inspire me with your commitment to fostering a sense of belonging within a team environment.

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Irena on LinkedIn.

Music and Sound Effects:  Epidemic Sound

"Victory Theme" by Max Anson

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/AHXCbLjzRC/

S4 E7: Travelling to Cango Caves, South Africa with Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.

Living in the reality of Covid-19, travel has been curtailed, internationally as well as domestically. Even though travel is coming back slowly, there are places that I will never visit in my lifetime.   Over the past months, I have found that travel is possible through the alchemy of technology.

Welcome to a new podcast series on Tea Toast & Trivia – “The Virtual Journey” which will explore new horizons through the eyes of a friend.  As Marcel Proust reminds me, “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”

I am thrilled that Roberta Eaton Cheadle, aka Robbie, has invited me to South Africa, which is approximately 16,000 kilometres, as the crow flies, from Vancouver Canada.  I have crossed an ocean and entered the southern hemisphere.

I invite you to put the kettle on and join the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this adventure with you.

Thank you for joining Robbie and me on the first podcast in the series – “The Virtual Journey.”

I invite you to meet up with Robbie on her blog, Roberta Writes, her Amazon Page,  Goodreads, Instagram,  and YouTube. Robbie has created a space where history comes alive with every page turned.

Music by Epidemic Sound under Creator License

Trevor Kowalski: Of All The Places We Could Go https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/0wLEYqh52F/

Trevor Kowalski: "The Best Way Out" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/PNtq1ar5HV/

S4 E 6: Cary Hubbard on Cary’s Garage and the Project Car Revival

My father loved cars!  When I was a child, our family outings were to car dealerships and car expositions. With that in mind, you can imagine my excitement when Tim Price from Off Center & Not Even introduced me to Cary Hubbard from Cary’s Garage.  Cary joined me for a discussion about cars, trucks, cars, and more cars.

On January 2nd, I tuned into Cary’s Garage YouTube channel for the first episode of Project Z Car Revival.  Cary picked up a 1980 Datsun 280ZX that he is going to get back on the road. This is going to be a great discussion so put the kettle on and stop by and add to the conversation.

And a special thank you, Cary, for sharing how you became involved with cars and the stories that are attached to each car that came into your life.

I invite you to meet up with Cary on his YouTube Channel, Cary’s Garage. This channel is dedicated to Cary’s love of Vehicles. Cars, Trucks, and Motorcycles. His cars come from all corners of the globe!  You are only an internet click away from being on an extraordinary road adventure with the Project Z Car Revival.

Epidemic Sound Music under Personal License

Plain Strolls "Leave the Lights On" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/9oOwDuHvGF/

S4 E5:  Shehanne Moore and Dave Astor on Reading the Classics

“A classic is the term given to any book which comes to represent the whole universe, a book on a par with ancient talismans.” Italo Calvino, Why Read the Classics?

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia. Thank you for listening in.

Shehanne Moore from Dundee Scotland, and David Astor from Montclair, New Jersey have joined me in connecting three times zones within seconds to bring you a discussion on “What is a classic? Why should we read classics? And what classics should we read?

Shehanne, also known as Shey, is a published author and publisher under Black Wolf Books, a small royalty paying publisher, presently taking submissions by invitation only.

Dave Astor is an author, journalist, blogger, and writer of the award-winning weekly “Montclairvoyant” topical-humor column for Baristanet.com.  He is a National Society of Newspaper Columnists board member.

Shey and Dave are avid readers and have great insights to share.

And a very special thank you, Shey and Dave for adding your insights on reading journeys that last a lifetime.

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Shey on her website, Shehanne Moore.  You can follow Shey on Goodreads as well as Amazon at Shehanne Moore

You can connect with Dave on Dave Astor on Literature.  You can follow Dave on Goodreads as well as Amazon at Dave Astor

I want to close with a quote from Dave’s book, Fascinating Facts About Famous Fiction Authors and the Greatest Novels of All Time: “Literature can send our minds to another time and place, allowing us to forget our lives and troubles for a few precious hours.  It can educate us about history, open our minds, increase our empathy, make us think, give us things to converse about, and/or provide plenty of excitement along with the escapism.”

S4 E4: Cathy Derksen on Navigating the Process of Transformation

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in.

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.

I am delighted and thrilled that Wealth and Success Coach, Cathy Derksen has joined me on Tea Toast & Trivia for a discussion on how envisioning and planning are essential in navigating the process of personal transformation.

Cathy is a four-time Amazon #1 best-selling author, coach, and mentor whose career is dedicated to helping women tap into their own greatness. She believes that we owe it to ourselves and each other to create lives that fill us with genuine joy.  How do we define success?  What benchmarks do we choose to measure success?  Does success lead to happiness and well-being?  These are the questions that we will explore today.

I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting discussion on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Listeners, thank you for joining Cathy and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.

And a special thank you, Cathy, for sharing your thoughts on how we can embrace the next chapter in our lives whether it be a career change, retirement, relationship shift, and lifestyle adjustment.

You have inspired me, and I know that you have inspired others to honour our dreams and move forward with confidence and, with compassion, within a world that needs creativity and innovative thinking.

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Cathy on her website, Inspired Tenacity, and on LinkedIn.

Until next time, dear friends, keep safe, be well.

Gift: 1: Personalized Roadmap to Reignite Your Life Free Assessment

Gift 2: eBook: Reignite Your Life!  8 Strategies for Getting More Out of Your

S4 E3: Carol Taylor on Tasting Life and Celebrating Food.

Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia. Thank you for listening in!

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you. 

I am delighted and thrilled that my friend and food blogger, Carol Taylor and I are connecting Thailand and Canada to discuss food, travel, and celebrations. Carol is an amazing food blogger who shares authentic recipes and tips on how to shop local for fresh, natural ingredients.  As a strong advocate for our environment, Carol believes that we can all make a difference.  She says that change starts with us – from within ourselves and our homes. 

I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia. 

Thank you for joining Carol and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a special thank you, Carol, for sharing your love food, celebration, community, and the environment.   You have inspired me, and I know that you have inspired others to head back into the kitchen, to enjoy the goodness of food, and to take care of our world, our home.

I invite you to meet up with Carol on her blog:  Retired? No one told me! It is a place that welcomes us to share a meal, taste life, and live respectfully with the environment. 

Until next time, dear friends, keep safe, be well.

Season 4 Episode 2: A Huge Thank You and Welcome to 2022

A few weeks ago I received an invitation via e-mail from Anchor to upload video files via Anchor that will come through as a video on the Spotify platform.

Your account has now been enabled for Video Podcasts. For step-by-step instructions on publishing your first Video Podcast episode, check out our how-to guide.”

Technology continues to find ways in which to bring us together as a global community. Over the past months, we have learned to work, study, and connect within a virtual environment.

I recall the exact moment when I pressed the publish button for my first blog post in 2010. I felt that same sense of anticipation and trepidation when I published my first podcast in 2019. And now, in 2022, I have accepted Anchor’s invitation to post a Video Podcast. The length is less than two minutes long. It is my thank you for your support and encouragement of life-affirming conversations. January is the month for beginnings!

When I upload this episode to Anchor, the episode will be sent to listening platforms which will be in audio format. The Video Podcast will only be available on Spotify. For those who do not follow TTT on Spotify, I have included the video in this post.

Listeners can chose whether to listen to the audio or watch the video. Part of what makes Video Podcasts extra-special is that they can be viewed front-and-center or seamlessly switched to the background, for on-the-go listening.

Welcome to 2022. Thank you for listening in and for sharing your stories.

Season 4 Episode 1:  Happy New Year with Liz Humphreys and Elisabeth Van Der Meer

Welcome to Tea, Toast, and Trivia! Thank you for listening in!

Happy New Year! We have entered the Year 2022.

I am your host, Rebecca Budd. Thank you for listening in to this special podcast to bid a fond farewell to 2021 and offer a warm hello to the incoming 2022, a new year of possibilities and opportunities.

Liz Humphreys from Edinburgh, Scotland, and Elisabeth Van Der Meer from Porvoo, Finland have joined me today for a celebration of New Year traditions that bring us together as a global community.

Exciting news coming to you on our next adventure that will take us back to Russia. Stay tuned for more information.

So put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Thank you, Liz, for your willingness to take on this massive project, #WarAndPeade2022, and for your invitation to once again enter the world of Russian Literature. Thank you, Elisabeth, for adding breadth and depth to our understanding.  I am looking forward to road ahead and to the many discussions that will come out of this Readalong.

Liz Humphreys has brought together an invaluable collection of resources that will add depth to our reading experience. Books, blog posts, and reading schedules are available and easily accessible at the following links.

#WarAndPeace2022 – Related Resources

#WarAndPeace2022 – Reading Schedule

Thank you for joining Liz, Elisabeth, and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.   You are invited guest on #WarAndPeace2022.

As we part, I leave you with the words of Leo Tolstoy to speed you on your journey. “Seize the moments of happiness, love and be loved! That is the only reality in the world, all else is folly. It is the one thing we are interested in here.”

You can connect with Liz on “Leaping Life” and Elisabeth on “A Russian Affair.”  You are only an internet click away from entering a world of books and brilliant conversations.

Season 3 Episode 52:  Is There A Santa Claus?

I am your host, Rebecca Budd. I look forward to sharing this moment with you.

December 24th Christmas Eve has arrived.  With the last-minute shopping completed, we ready our hearts for this special evening anticipated since the beginning of December.  All the plans have been made, the gifts have been wrapped and the baking completed.

All of December has been in anticipation of Christmas Day.  And yet, as I look back, it was Christmas Eve that held the magic.  The lights of the Christmas tree flickered, spreading a warmth around us as we sipped hot chocolate and waited for Santa Claus to arrive.

There is reliable confirmation that dates to 1897, when eight-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon wrote her famous letter.

You may recall that it all began when Virginia asked her father, Dr. Philip O’Hanlon, whether there really was a Santa Claus.  Her father’s answer was brilliant.  Instead of responding himself, he suggested that she write direct to The Sun, one of New York’s most prominent newspapers at the time.  He assured her that “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.”

Virginia received a response from veteran newsman, Francis Pharcellus Church, a lead editorial writer for the New York Sun. Francis Church, who had seen great suffering as a war correspondent during the American Civil War, was a known skeptic, hardened cynic who had little tolerance for superstitious beliefs.  And yet, he recognized the need for hope and faith in society.  Perhaps it is when we see sorrow and grief, we are more able to answer a call for affirmation in the goodness of life.  For that is what Virginia looked for when she asked whether there is a Santa Claus.

More than a century later, the article written by Francis Church still maintains it standing as the most reprinted newspaper editorial, appearing in part or whole in dozens of languages in books, movies, and other editorials, and on posters and stamps.

Dear friends, may the joy of Christmas Eve surround you and yours, with love, warmth, and wonder.  Together, may we embrace hope and expectation as we enter a new year.

“For there is no friend like a sister in calm or stormy weather; To cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands.” Christina Rossetti

It happens to all of us. Some time in our life we come to know that we will never read all the books that are on our “to read” shelves. My sister, Sarah, hosts The Book Dialogue podcast, which records our unscripted discussions on the books we read, which is our way of expanding our reading compacity. Sarah is a voracious reader and I confess that I must run to keep up with her.

The Book Dialogue podcast has been on a recent hiatus, while Sarah completed her MBA studies.  Good news, Sarah received her MBA with distinction.   And more good news is that The Book Dialogue will be back on schedule in 2022.    But in the meantime, I found an audio file that was long forgotten and never published. Sarah and I discuss Angela Duckworth’s book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, which answers the question: “Why do naturally talented people frequently fail to reach their potential while other far less gifted individuals go on to achieve amazing things?

With Sarah’s permission, I am publishing this conversation on Tea Toast and Trivia. Sarah and I have different perspectives and we are very interested in hearing what you think.  So put the kettle on and add to the conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Thank you for joining Sarah, and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. Books have the awesome power to transform, engage and inspire. Looking forward to seeing you on The Book Dialogue in 2022.