Storied Gifts

Play TAOC with me

About a year ago, I interviewed Louise Howland, one of the creators of the game The Art of Conversation, for an episode of Entrepreneur People Real Stories. She was absolutely delightful and the game was a perfect fit for me to offer here on Storied Gifts as it encourages people to share their stories.

The other day I was talking with Sandra Renshaw of Purple Wren who is my friend and an expert web/blog coach and she suggested I play the game as a feature of my blog posts. What a good idea Sandra! 

So, today I simply open the box and begin. Here is the first question.

#262 What is you favorite phrase or saying?

Honestly, the first thought that comes to mind are phrases I didn't like because of the way they are used.

For example, I'm riding in the car with this person when all of the sudden a homeless man walks by. It is winter. He is poorly dressed for holding off the cold. The guy next to me says, "There but for the grace of God go I." I wonder what the heck he means by this. It sounds like he is saying he is more graced than the homeless man, like he is more favored than this man, but I'm not sure. It seems to be a phrase that is misused.

Another I never cared for was "You can't have your cake and eat it, too." When I was younger I always thought that was such a silly thing to say. Obviously, I would rather eat my cake than simply look at it and hold onto it. Eat up!

Perhaps then, the only phrase I currently embrace is one that comes from the Woody Allen film Annie Hall when Annie says, "La-de-da." Now that phrase I can remember and totally relate to.

Okay. Now it's your turn. What's your favorite phrase or saying?

#13 Talkin Turkey, Ding Dongs, TV Dinners

Yup. That's right. When we have communication disconnect with guests we're partial to talking about our own food memories. I'm sure you have some, too. Please share them with us after you've listened to some of ours. We'd love to hear from you.

In the meantime, you can listen and watch the show via Des Moines Local Live OR the podcast version.

What I read tells who I am?

Personal consumption and what it reveals:  I've seen several projects where people take a photo of what they eat each day. I don't like to imagine what my photo book of daily food intake would look like, at least not on some days, especially when I think of the expression, "We are what we eat."

I know that when I look at the books lining the shelves of someone's home I make assumptions about their interests and start projecting as to "who they are."  I freely admit here that my own library is made up of some books I'd like to read, or the person I'd like to become if I ever get around to reading the books that are presently collecting dust.

These days I do much more reading on the web than from books. Periodically I like to step back and look at who I read, what they're talking about, and ponder what that says about who I am and who I aspire to become.

Today's consumption at 6:04 a.m. January 13, 2010:  I've listened to this terrific interview by a woman named Lisa Bloom who is a story coach. She talks about the power of stories we hear and tell ourselves, and how our stories can change, and thus help us discover who we want to be and how to get there.

Anatomy of a find:  How did I find Lisa Bloom? Well, I read every newsletter that Barbara Winter of Joyfully Jobless sends my way. There wonderfully fun reads that are packed with links to other things that I often find inspiring. Her last newsletter sent me to this compelling project called "The Get Inspired! Project" where this woman is interviewing people with inspiring stories one interview a day for a year to reveal what inspires them and how they inspire others.

I listened to Lisa's interview and discovered that she had resources to share one of which is Byron Katie. She also talked about The Moth which I LOVE.

What does what you read say about you are or who you would like to be?

P.S. so far the only thing I've "eaten" is a couple cups of coffee with 2% milk . . . but I'd rather have had half-and-half. The photo reveals something I'd like to eat, so what does that say?

photo by chotda powered by flickr

#12 Diana Bauman of A Little Bit of Spain in Iowa

Here in Iowa it is all arctic temps and piles of snow but for about fifty minutes we got a reprieve as we spoke with Diana Bauman about her beautiful website called A Little Spain in Iowa. Her website features Spanish recipes, canning tips, organic farming ideas, and her experiences raising a family and apparently some chickens in her urban backyard. She shares delightful stories about her family's heritage and lovely memories, too. Buen provecho!

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#11 Christine Hegstad Ph.D talks goals, food relationship

I was surprised to learn that David would prefer to sit behind the studio computer panel and work the microphones, make sure cameras are working, and "produce" our show. Funny thing too, because he said I am more the interviewer than he is. . . because it is what I do. Then during our show he asked some great questions and managed to run the board with only a few minutes of preparation for his first time at that job.

We continue to find our way working together and learning to adapt to how we work differently. The Delicious Story is turning out to be a great project to work on as a team. Since improvement is the goal always and certainly during the new year, it was perfect to have Christine Hegstad Ph.D of MAP Professional Development on our show. She spoke about goals, specific goals related to diet, and her own interesting memories and heritage of food and family.

The video archived version is available here at Des Moines Local Live. We have also archived all shows on Podbean and this particular episode is available here. Thanks for listening!