Looking for some straight stalk talk? Episode 48’s guest editors and hosts offered practical suggestions for setting boundaries when another’s desire to connect with you plunges into the pathological deep end: Don’t give out your number to creeps and weirdoes. Alert the gendarmes when obsessive texts persist. Hire my all-muscle and highly-employable college son as your bodyguard. Along […]
Archives for May 2012
Episode 48 – Ill Communication
From its earliest origins in Mesoamerica where the ancient Olmecs whipped up a brew of crushed cacao beans and chili’s to celebrate weddings and mourn the dead, to American G.I.’s giving out Hershey bars as an offering of compassion to war weary children, our seemingly universal love for chocolate has crossed cultural divides and brought […]
Episode 48: Boundaries, Down Time, and Getting Off The Phone
This week’s editorial meeting for the RLSG was recorded just before Mother’s day, so OF COURSE we met at chocolate shop! Big thanks to Jane Tamarkin, Danyel Aversenti, Susan Campbell, and Harlan Brothers for joining the conversation – and to Christian, Fritz, and everyone at the AMAZING Chocopologie in New Haven for hosting us. According […]
“Really?” aka,The Real Life Survival Guide Producer’s Blog
As you may have guessed, booking our RLSG venues isn’t a terribly arduous process. Sure, I’ve had to deal with unanswered emails, absent-minded, overworked restaurateurs, scheduling snafus and the occasional non-response to my repeated VMS, but it’s mostly been a breeze. With so many incredible eateries that exist within our area, choosing just one per […]
Mary Elliott: Photoshopping Eternity – Real Talk with Our Kids about Afterlife Survival
The conversation in Episode 47 took a more serious turn as our real-life survivors—guest editors who’d survived cancer, the loss of a spouse, the loss of young children in their church or schools—asked the big question: How to talk to our children about mortality—theirs and ours? “Tell the truth” surfaced as the consensus. “Be honest.” […]
Episode 47 – Roaming, Meds, and The Big Sleep
A long time ago, someone, whose name has long since been lost to antiquity, uttered this sage advice; “Do not cease to drink beer, to eat, to intoxicate thyself, to make love, and to celebrate the good days.” I found this quote on a beer website so it must be authentic, thus legitimatizing the wisdom […]
Episode 47: Unexpected Roaming Charges, Elderly Parents and Spring Allergies
Our guest editors are getting really good at choosing interesting topics, and this week was no exception; we held a lively meeting at Mikro (pronounced micro – as in brewing) in Hamden. Around the table: Tod Harris, Barbara Oliver, Joel Sachs, and Raeleen Mautner. Todney Harris is a teacher, and throughout his career he has shared his passion for […]
“Really?” aka, The Real Life Survival Guide Producer’s Blog
Sometimes a good word from a friend will point us in the right direction. Rob Leonard, owner and brewer of New England Brewing was the first friendly RLSG navigator who steered us to MiKro Beer Bar in Hamden. Rob told us about this “cool place with a terrific craft beer selection and outrageous food” way back […]
Mary Elliott: Real Life Survival Guide and the Frenemization of American Culture
Guys, grab a prosecco, have a seat and let’s talk about your feelings. Studies on male versus female relationships prove you’ll live longer. This show is Real Life Survival Guide, after all, and if the information it provides listeners helps you add a few years to your life, all the better. Face it, survival these […]
Episode 46 – Days of Wine and Roses
For this installment of the guide, an excellent group of guest editors sat down at Nini’s House of Tapas in New Haven for some lovely wine, delicious tapas and of course, great conversation. Why do women live longer than men? Why do today’s children feel such a sense of entitlement and how do you put […]
Episode 46: Friendships, Entitled Kids and DIY Projects
I don’t want to say that serving adult beverages makes for better conversation, but in Episode 46, recorded at Nini’s House of Tapas, the conversation flowed – and so did the vino! Joining the party; guest cohost Gerry McGuire (sitting in for Duo, who’s back next week), Barbie Douglas, Katie Gerhard, Mary Elliot and Jon […]
“Really?” aka, The Real Life Survival Guide Producer’s Blog
Long ago, before Mega Malls devoured any semblance of Main Street, there existed elegant, venerable department stores. At these downtown landmarks, one would enter through heavy, gilt-framed revolving doors and instantly feel transported. Inhaling the heavily perfumed air, greeted by coiffed, properly attired salesladies, you couldn’t wait to splurge on a new outfit, buy a […]
Episode 45 – It’s Personal
Episode 45 of The Real Life Survival Guide took place at The Annie Mame Boutique at Venetucci Home in Westbrook and just like the one of a kind decorating and gift items found there, the conversations focused on each of us as unique individuals. The vintage dolls lining the store’s shelves might be rare and […]
Episode 45: Personal Space, Interpersonal Assessment, and Graduation Gifts
I’ve known News 8 anchor Ann Nyberg for years now, and always describe her as “the whole package” – kind, generous… and drop dead gorgeous! Needless to say, when Ann offered to host Episode 45 of the Real Life Survival Guide, we couldn’t say “YES” fast enough! Joining Ann and her boutique-mate (and great friend) […]
Men Stank, Humidity and Basements
On this week’s episode, we riffed on Olde School’s great Man Cave space. Most American homes actually have a built-in cave – a basement. Ever since Cliff May invented the Raised Ranch (which is truly a dumbed-down version of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Prairie-Style homes), sunlight got into more Great American Suburban Home basements. More light […]