ONGOING CONVERSATIONS ABOUT MODERN LIVING…
How much information about yourself should you share online
This is a topic that was touched on by CT Out and About Publisher Ed Bartlett during our editorial meeting at Ashley’s Ice Cream, and again by Yale Rugby Coach John Broker during our most recent gathering at the New England Brewing Company.
Everyone seemed to agree on one important fact: that while we’ve been quick to embrace online social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter, many of us haven’t taken the time to stop and consider the consequences of the information we’re sharing.
How much information about yourself do you think you should share online? Feel free to join the conversation in the comments section…
Episode 11: New England Brewing Company
Podcast: Download
It happened, on a recent Thursday afternoon in Woodbridge, Connecticut: we gathered at New England Brewing Company. This was because at Delaney’s, Amanda told us how much she loves their beer… and, if you listen to the audiocast, we ended up loving their beer, too!
You’ll also hear from Yale Rugby coach John Broker, Amanda from Delaney’s, Rob from NEB, Duo Dickinson and freelance writer Alix Boyle.
Johnny Broker, Bruce, Amanda, Rob, Duo and Alix. Photo by Cindy Papish Gerber
We talked about beer, smartphones, what’s for dinner, and skin on skin contact.
…and you can join the conversation in the comments!
How do you convince a loved one to go to the doctor for preventative care?
…and what are the most important medical tests and innovations?
In our pitch meeting at Ashley’s, Gloria urged everyone to get a shingles vaccination, and Duo told us that his wife has been trying to get him to go to the doctor. (He’s reluctant – he’s afraid they’ll “stick things where the sun don’t shine”.)
So, how do you convince a loved one to go to the doctor?
What are the new rules for telephone etiquette?
First there was the touch tone phone. Then, call waiting. Now, caller ID.
And this is not to mention cell phones, smart phones and voice mail.
The question: what are the new rules for telephone etiquette?
Episode 10: Ashley’s Ice Cream
Podcast: Download
This week we traveled to Ashley’s Ice Cream in Branford Connecticut, to pay homage to the summertime ritual of cooling down from the heat through the consumption of delicious animal fats.
We gathered with Ashley’s co-owner Brian Anderson, organizing and lifestyle expert Lisa Lilas, cookbook author and personal chef Gloria Zimmerman, and Ed Bartlett, the publisher of CT Out and About.com.
Gloria, Lisa (peeking over Duo), Duo, Bruce, Ed and Brian
This week’s pitches were varied, yet all seemed to relate to one of several recurrent themes.
We invite you to have a listen, and to add your thoughts in the Comments section.
How do you deal with “choice paralysis” when deciding which products to buy?
Randye Kaye brought up the topic of “choice paralysis” this week – the feeling of being overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number options we’re presented with on a daily basis.
Randye’s example: “I used to go buy shampoo. Now I go in the supermarket … I’m looking all the way to the left and I’m looking all the way to the right, and it ‘s for curly hair, color-treated hair, not really color-treated hair … and I don’t buy anything.
So, here’s the question we’re crowdsourcing: how do you deal with “choice paralysis” when deciding which products to buy?
When is it okay to correct a friend?
Mary Scanlon wants to know! If one friend says Ne-veah-dah and the other “Ne-vah-dah” (Duo’s a toe-mah-toe guy), when is it okay to correct the other person?
Our editorial board seemed to agree that the intent provides an important piece of the puzzle.
What do you think – when is it okay to correct a friend?
What should we all be doing to prepare for the possibility of unemployment?
This question is especially important – especially if you work in the media, as our guest editors can attest – and it sparked a lively discussion during our editorial meeting at Miya’s.
Pam Landry, former host of ”The Blue Plate Special” on WPLR pitched the topic because it’s something she experienced first hand: “Our parents generation, they stayed in one job for thirty years and they retired. That doesn’t happen any more: you get bounced.”
If you’ve learned from an unexpected career transition, please share your advice in the Comments section!
Episode 9: Miya’s Sushi
Podcast: Download
We decided to hold this weeks editorial board meeting at Miya’s Sushi, one of our favorite restaurants in New Haven.
Over Chef Bun Lai’s creative, soulful, and sustainable cuisine – at the restaurant his mom started when there literally were no sushi restaurants in Connecticut – we gathered with three guest editors: Pam Landry, Mary Scanlon and Randye Kaye – our “fabulous female broadcasters in transition”.
Randye, Dave, Bruce, Duo, Pam and Mary (Photo by Gary Choronzy)
These are smart, funny women, and their pitches reflected their shared sensibilities , with questions ranging from preparing for your next job (Pam), to correcting your friends (Mary), to modern-day “choice paralysis” (Randye).
We hope you enjoy the show, and will join the conversation in the comments!
What’s the secret to receiving good customer service?
A story from Gary Choronzy during this week’s pitch meeting involved his frustration with cell phone and cable companies – and this evolved into a conversation about how tough it can be to get good customer service from any company.
The recurring theme was how difficult it’s become to speak directly with a decision maker, particularly where large companies are involved. Harlan Brothers sees it through the eyes of the mathematician: ”these companies … have calculated what the tradeoff is”.
SO… what is your secret for receiving good customer advice?