by Chamaigne Montana on March 24, 2010
Did you read the Oz books when you were a kid? I did. My big sister had all of them and read them to me. I loved them so much I re-read them more than once.
Hearing Evan Schwartz reveal the spiritual underpinnings of the story, I wonder if these deep truths resonated with us even as children. Just as likely, it was the sheer unique-ness of the characters that drew us in. Who ever heard of a tin man who wanted a heart? On the other hand, who hasn’t looked at a scarecrow and wondered what he might say, if he had a brain?
As an adult, the fascinating thing to me is how much our American culture has been influenced by eastern philosophy, and how early those influences showed up. I once read a whole encyclopedia set on religions in America, and was amazed at how many Christian innovators had studied Eastern Philosophy and Theosophy. Having studied something doesn’t necessarily mean having adopted any new beliefs, but even Charles Wesley studied theosophy before he founded the Methodist church. It only makes sense that great religious thinkers would be interested in every school of thought available at the time. One wonders how the influences mixed together, and if we are really just one big “melting pot”.
by Chamaigne Montana on March 16, 2010
Michael Linenberger is being called an “Efficiency Guru” for good reason. His book is full of great insights and practical ideas that come from both his study and his personal experience. Even just one great organizational tip can make all the difference, and his book is full of them. I’ve already implemented a couple into my daily routine. I hope you’ll enjoy our interview with him and consider getting his book!
by Chamaigne Montana on March 10, 2010
I was really looking forward to this interview with Robyn O’Brien. The book was a great read, and very informative, even though the general gist of the information wasn’t new to me. I grew up knowing about the health hazards of food additives, and I was working with Richard Heinberg when he wrote one of the early books on GMOs in 1999.
What was lovely to me about this book was the personal narrative weaving through the book as Robyn told her story of discovery. I could relate, as I have been on my own journey of health-prompted research to uncover information I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know. I could relate on an emotional level to how Robyn came to this knowledge having a vested interest that would not allow her to turn away or remain indifferent. There comes a time when we must choose between looking truth in the eye and maintaining the comfortable illusion that all is well.
I was also very impressed at Robyn’s cooking hints section in the back of the book, where she acknowledges that baby steps are often required to make dietary changes, especially with children. As dangerous as some of these foods are, Robyn takes a realistic, moderate approach, aiming for 80% food purity and leaving 20% for flexible, fun, and social eating. We all have to make our own compromises, and Robyn’s book is an understanding friend for those finding their way to their own balance.
by Chamaigne Montana on March 8, 2010
In Working for Good, Jeff teaches business applications of five key concepts: Awareness, Embodiment, Connection, Collaboration, and Integration. Most of us no doubt have our own level of interaction with these concepts, but Jeff Klein’s amazing resume of successful projects should clue the reader in that as a mentor and author, he brings a great deal of depth and invaluable down to earth practical experience to the table. He granted us an inspiring interview, and I hope it will help to get the word out about his “Cause Alliance Marketing”, a much needed resource for the growth of ”Conscious Capitalism” in our world.
by Chamaigne Montana on February 19, 2010
This was a delightful interview with one of Fairfield’s light spirits. Gloria and I became friends not long ago when she sent a lovely letter congratulating us on our new website. I asked her to write us an article about Godwriting, because to me, it is another way of understanding that “zone”, or that peak experience moment of being fully, profoundly present that we all seek.
Gloria talks about how much Godwriting has changed her, almost as if there is a pre-Godwriting Gloria and a post-Godwriting Gloria. I secretly wonder if the love she radiates now is part of that difference. My favorite part of this interview is when Santhan (who listens to Gloria with such quiet respect in his eyes) said that his first communication with Gloria “lit up his inbox”. I just had to share then that my favorite thing about Gloria is that she calls me “Dear” and “Sweetheart” and signs letters, “Loving You…” When someone does that it sort of gives you permission to do it to, so ever since I met her I’ve been going around calling everyone “sweetheart” and signing letters “Love”. The nice thing is that when you love people they’re always happy to see you!
I’ll be taking Gloria’s website (co-taught by Santhan) this weekend. I’ll come back and write my impressions!
by Chamaigne Montana on February 12, 2010
I confess I’m a dog person, so my inner child just loved Jill Esbaum’s book about naughty doggies with hidden talents. The illustrations made me giggle and snort! Jill really knows her stuff, and sounds like a great person to take a class from. One of the perks of doing this show is getting to know all the great writers and writing instructors around.
Today was Monica’s first day back in town after being gone for a month visiting her new baby grandson! It was great to have her back. She says the piles of Iowa snow don’t bother her after a month in Texas, but I don’t believe her!
Monica jumped back in like the pro she is and pulled off the show’s engineering without a hitch. At KRUU, the show hosts do their own engineering, and for live shows this means that the timing has to be exact. The system records each hour by the clock, so as producer, I listen to the show right afterward and see if other shows bled into our recording at the beginning or end, and edit the sound file if they did. A perfect show that doesn’t need editing is one of those little high-fives of radio.
Welcome back Monica!
You can listen to this interview here.
by Chamaigne Montana on February 8, 2010
It was a snowy day in Fairfield, so our regular co-host, Caroline, who lives out of town, wasn’t able to make it. This was my first time hosting solo, which was fun. I did a little extra home-work on Christine, watching several videos of her interviews with other people. The girl gets around! She has a really fun style and yet talks about meaty subjects. I felt honored to have a whole hour with her. My favorite part was talking about how we may think we’ve got the whole self-love thing covered, but it’s really worth the time to attend to cultivating a deeper foundation of love of self that blossoms out into better relationships with others. You can listen to the interview here.
by Chamaigne Montana on January 29, 2010
What a great lady Marisa is! I felt a kindred-spirit-ness with her on so many levels, from starting out bewildered by American pop-culture and watching TV to catch the running jokes of Jr. High, to being a singer-songwriter, and a sensitive-yet-adventurous lover of life with a hunger for deep understanding and compassion across cultures. I even have in common with her that I started a women’s group in high school, though mine was targeted specifically at discussing sexual harassment at school.
All this commonality with Marisa made this a riveting read for me. On the flip side, I’m not much of an activist myself. Apart from the occasional peace vigils and “Pray for Peace” picket lines, I don’t get involved much with politics or even keep up with what’s going on very well. Marisa’s book was perfect for educating someone like me because it uses the narrative of her life story and friendships to give a human face to the conflicts going on in the world that we all should know about, even if we feel that we are too sensitive and must insulate ourselves.
I was particularly interested in reading her piercingly honest descriptions of moving through her own suffering and yet always coming out the other end ready to keep working, ready to connect with deep compassion.
This is a very beautiful work, and I highly recommend the book.
Marisa gets bonus points for being such a good sport with me putting her on the spot at the end of the interview to sing part of her song, “Loyal to the Sky”. I heard her sing it a capella on a youtube video right before the interview and I didn’t want our listeners to miss out. This lady is awesome.
Listen to her podcast here, and post your comments!
by Chamaigne Montana on January 21, 2010
Have you had a chance to listen to the Stephen Covey interview yet? What did you think?
According to Covey, we’re on the cusp of a whole new paradigm. As the industrial revolution was to the agrarian paradigm, the “knowledge-worker” age will be to our current industrial model.
Do you share his vision for a work place where employees are free to contribute their best thinking and talents, where integrity takes the place of hierarchy as a natural result?
Idealism or real possibility? I know that here in Fairfield, Covey’s talk stirred us all up and some talked about how to implement his ideas in Fairfield.
Thoughts, anyone?
by Chamaigne Montana on October 6, 2009
9/18/09 Kaleb Nation – Bran Hambric
Kaleb Nation is a fascinating author. Only 20 years old, he started writing this novel as a homeschooled 14 year old. It took him all of his teen age years to finish it, but along the way he got a great education in writing and publishing. His entrepreneurial sense is probably the most impressive thing. I was sure that he had some industry veterans guiding his website and video blogs. Not so. They were not only his brain-child and his production, but he was so successful at creating a following that his book sold out of book stores BEFORE the release date, and became number 1 on Amazon for a while.
Monica and I looked at each other with mouths agape as Kaleb described these and other success stories. In the interview I said that he must live under a lucky star, but actually I’m not sure that it’s about luck. I think it might be about genius. This kid has a stunning future.
This interview is very instructive for those interested in book marketing. Be sure to check out at least the “transcript of highlights” where I transcribed the most jaw-dropping parts of the interview.
