Life Notes from Chair 17 Podcast Mobile Logo

Share the Chair

Featured Guests and Contributors

Our Share the Chair series features our guests and contributors who have stopped by our podcast to share some of their life lessons, experiences, wisdoms and inspirations. 

The name of the series is inspired by the real-life experience of riding up a mountainside chairlift with either people that you know or those that you don’t … and the unique opportunity it provides to swap a life story or two.

Check them out!

Episode 52: Share the Chair - Jen Phillips

Jen Phillips:
From Burnout to
Burning Bright

52 weeks. 52 episodes. One full year of being here in the podcast universe! To commemorate this special milestone, we did another in our Share the Chair series of episodes with CH’s former senior marketing operations leader, Jen Phillips, who is currently the host of the The Progress Report Podcast. CH’s heartfelt conversation delves into Jen’s inspiring journey from professional burnout to personal rejuvenation, and how it ultimately led her to abandon her former sense of self (affectionately referred to in this episode as RoboJen – yes, as in robot), and find a new sense of purpose and well-being. Tune in for a great hour of discussion that delves into the importance of self-care, the impact of workplace culture on mental health, and the transformative power of taking time for oneself – three themes that have remained very important to us here as we navigate life … one story at a time.

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 44: Share the Chair: Courtney Andriunas

Courtney Andriunas:
Finding Our Purpose

We all have a purpose, but have we found it, yet? Do we even know how to find it? In another of our Share the Chair series, CH sits down with namesake friend, mentor, and former boss, Courtney Andriunas, to talk about the pursuit of one’s true calling. Courtney shares how her long-standing love of Boston, Massachusetts and a bucket list desire to take a class at Harvard lead her to take a transformative Finding Your Purpose workshop during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Listen in as she shares what it means to truly find one’s individual sense of purpose, what authentic leadership looks like in the workplace (hint: it should NOT be that different from how we are in our personal lives), and how her passion for creating a supportive and encouraging space for others remains one of her key tenets. Whether you’re seeking inspiration or practical advice on leadership and personal growth, this episode has you covered with wisdom and uplifting energy from not one but two Courtneys.

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 36: Share the Chair: Quynh Nguyen

Quynh Nguyen:
An Artful Journey to Entrepreneurship

Entrepreneur. Artist. Author. Podcaster. Optimist. Those are just a few of the words to describe Quynh Nguyen, who joins CH to talk all-things resilience, creativity, and entrepreneurial spirit. Listen in as we delve into Quynh’s self-made journey, from starting her own catering company to becoming a celebrated paper flower artist, and how she has masterfully turned her creative passions into successful businesses. It’s an hour of heartfelt conversation about overcoming challenges, seizing opportunity, the importance of family and community, and celebrating the simple joy of creation.

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 32: Jackie Yeaney - Leading Through Life

Jackie Yeaney:
Leading Through Life

Be kind. Be brave. Be you. Three solid life tenets from this week’s Share the Chair guest, Jackie Yeaney. Having retired from official Chief Marketing Officer duties after spending over 20 years in the C-Suite space, she joins CH to talk all things life journey and experience – from her beginnings in the United States Air Force, to her ascendence into executive marketing leadership, to her passion and advocacy for people and possibilities. It’s a great hour of conversation covering both work/life insights and wisdoms from an executive leader who ALSO has a knack of leading through her own life.

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 27: Share the Chair - Ellie Cornell

Ellie Cornell:
An Artist's Journey

Actor. Painter. Businesswoman. All around creative spirit. In this very special Share the Chair episode, CH chats with one of her longtime inspirations, Ellie Cornell. Some might know Ellie from her portrayal of Rachel Carruthers in ‘Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers’ (it’s our fave scary movie, what can we say.) But Ellie’s artist journey has evolved to include her passion for painting. In this in-depth chat, she reflects on her days as a working television and film actor (including being taken under Bill Murray’s wing … yes, that Bill Murray); her lifelong love of painting (and from her front porch, no less); connecting to Nantucket Island’s spirit of place (we also share that sentiment); and, always finding a way to honor and stay true to one’s creative callings (because, as she says, there is a place for all of us).

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 20: Share the Chair - Nathan Waldvogel

Nathan Waldvogel:
Journey to Yoga Therapist

New year. New guest series. As we kick off 2024, we start with an inspirational and educational episode. CH sits down with good friend and former colleague, Colleen Coleman, to discuss Colleen’s journey to becoming a medium – what lead her to discovering the gift, how it has inspired and changed her life, and the greatest lesson it has taught her. We also debut … drumroll, please … our newly minted C17 Questionnaire (inspired by the James Lipton version from Inside the Actor’s Studio).

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 14 - Share the Chair: Colleen Coleman

Colleen Coleman:
Journey to Mediumship

New year. New guest series. As we kick off 2024, we start with an inspirational and educational episode. CH sits down with good friend and former colleague, Colleen Coleman, to discuss Colleen’s journey to becoming a medium – what lead her to discovering the gift, how it has inspired and changed her life, and the greatest lesson it has taught her. We also debut … drumroll, please … our newly minted C17 Questionnaire (inspired by the James Lipton version from Inside the Actor’s Studio).

Preview
Full Episode
Episode 3: Gail Samowitz - The Glass Half Full

Gail Samowitz:
The Glass Half Full

This week’s episode features our first special guest, Gail Samowitz. As a certified life coach who recently recovered from having a brain tumor removed, Gail’s story is one of inspiration and wisdom as she discusses not only her journey to becoming a life coach, but also the importance it played as she faced one of the most difficult health challenges of her life.

Full Episode