And this BONUS question: how to handle the itching from when they (inevitably) get you. This topic was pitched by by guest editor Ann McGuire in Episode 5 at The Glenwood Drive In. Ann complained that “I can spray myself, it doesn’t work. I can sit in front of a smudge pot, it doesn’t work.” […]
Episode 6: Delaney’s
This week we gathered at one of my favorite local watering holes, Delaney’s Tap Room and Restaurant in the Westville section of New Haven. We chose Delaney’s to follow up on several conversations we had in Episode 4 at Heirloom: the importance of community, the uncertainty of our changing times, and the possibilities to be […]
How are we supposed to be raising our children?
This extremely important question was pitched by provocateur (or should it be ‘provocatress’?) Danielle Ginetti from one of Duo and my favorite New Haven watering holes, 116 Crown in New Haven. In Episode 3, Danielle shared her concern that “…there’s no set standard”, and I have to agree. How are we supposed to be raising […]
Episode 5: The Glenwood Drive In
Someone (it might have been Episode 4 guest editor Binnie Klein) commented recently that the show has been “a show about making a show”, and I don’t disagree with that assessment. Having worked on the Guide in one form or another for over ten years now, I’m finally learning not to over think things. (Gary, […]
How do you find happiness?
Guest editor Matt Scott is a man in transition. He’s just been through a divorce and a major career transition. His *BIG* question: how does one find happiness?
Episode 4: The Paugusset Swim Club
By the time we were ready to record Episode 4, certain things were beginning to come into focus. For starters, recording conversations with interesting people at fun (and interesting) places was working. The sound of the birds chirping and the haircuts in Episode 1; the clatter of dishes and late afternoon patrons talking in Episodes […]
Are there rules for clothing any more?
“…and what are they?” wonders guest editor and New York Times columnist Mark Oppenheimer. (I became a huge fan of Mark’s when he wrote “It’s a Wonderful Block“. about the Westville section of New Haven.) In particular, Mark wanted to discuss the proper attire for men at weddings these days. (Mark doesn’t feel the Oakleys-over-the-baseball-cap look […]
How should you deal with someone who is snarky with you?
I had the good fortune of meeting guest editor Christine Ohlman (aka “The Beehive Queen”) when I was doing mornings with Brian Smith on WPLR in New Haven. She was smart , funny… and I was sitting in the studio with the vocalist for the Saturday Night Live Band! In Episode 3, Christine posed the question of “how to […]
Episode 3: The Salon at Heirloom
This winter, I woke up one morning and came up with a concept: why not have a modern day version of the “salon” (which Wikipedia describes as “…a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the […]
Episode 2: Farewell to Richter’s
We mourned the passing of a New Haven institution in episode 2, and we wish Dieter and the gang at Richter’s the best of luck. We chose Richter’s because a.) I’ve been going there for years, and b.) at the end of Episode 1, while wandering Chapel Street, we decided to record at Richter’s – only to […]
Episode 1: Radio Is Changing
The Real Life Survival Guide Radio Show returns to the airwaves this afternoon, June 19, 2011, at 4:30 on WNPR. The first big difference from season 1 (November 2007 – June 2008): I have a cohost! His name is Duo Dickinson. He’s an architect, author, self proclaimed “swamp yankee” and committed family man. Duo is […]
The Real Life Survival Guide Radio Show Returns to WNPR!
From Connecticut Public Broadcasting: An All-New Version of Bruce Barber’s “The Real Life Survival Guide” Returns to WNPR Featuring Architect Duo Dickinson and WNPR Host Bruce Barber in a Weekly Exploration of “Life’s Little Problems” – Sundays at 4:30 p.m. starting June 19 – 90.5FM Hartford/New Haven; 89.1FM Norwich/New London; 88.5FM Stamford/Greenwich; 91.3FM Southampton, New […]
How can I help my teenager find a good summer job?
There don’t seem to be any job openings for XBox players this summer, which is unfortunate, because I have a couple of highly qualified applicants living with me: my two teenaged sons. I learned some valuable lessons while working on my own summer jobs: the fine art of getting a lot done in the morning, […]
What’s the most effective way to cut back on spending?
When you’re single, you don’t need much money. You need a place to live, a nice TV, and hopefully some cash left over for a social life. If the social life works out, you get married. Then there’s the mortgage, and the baby, and the minivan, and before you know it, the lessons and the […]
What’s the best way to treat – or prevent – spring allergies?
The big downside to spring for any allergy sufferer is the knowledge that your eyes nose and throat might, at any moment, stage an “uprising” against your face. We’re told to stay indoors to avoid the symptoms. Yeah, right. Have you successfully treated your spring allergy symptoms – OR – have you discovered a way to […]
How do you transition to a less physically challenging occupation?
From Pete: “I was in plumbing and excavation for over 20 years. An auto accident has made me ‘fragile’ and as a manager in today’s world you have to be in the field working with the troops. I can no longer use my body as my source of income. I’m afraid I may no longer be able […]
How do you find a good job after college?
From Benjamin: “I graduated college in May 2009 with an A GPA from a top 50 school. My first job was a 100% commission based commercial real estate sales job in NYC. I lasted 9 months before I left without making a dime. Its been about 4 months now, and I havnt been able to […]
What should you do when your toddler throws food?
This question comes from comes from Erik: “My 21 month old son … loves to throw his food while sitting in his high chair. I’m sick and tired of finding food all over the dining room wood floor. So what do [I] do? Need some answers … Debating whether or not to break out the flip […]
What’s your favorite healthy summer meal?
I have written before about one of the many banes of my existence: figuring out what to serve for dinner. Oh, and it also seems wise to think about the summer meal in a way that doesn’t require us to heat the oven to the “gates of hell” setting. You’ve GOT to have something to […]
What’s your favorite inexpensive form of entertainment?
I know this is going to make me sound old, but I can’t believe how expensive something as simple as going to the movies has become. With popcorn, candy and soda, a family of four can easily run up a tab in the hundred dollar range. I’m sorry, but when I spend a hundred bucks, I […]
Kitchen clean-up: sponge or paper towels?
One of the things that screws us up in life is the fact that we often end up doing something the way we’ve always done it, without stopping to think about about whether or not it’s really the best way. In my case, it’s an ongoing insistence that the proper method for cleaning your kitchen […]
How do you cope with burnout at work?
One of life’s cruel jokes is that no matter how great your job is, there are going to be parts of it that you will despise. Be careful if you find yourself surfing the web. Constantly. Please share your coping strategies…
How do you change a behavior you don’t like?
There are lots of things we do in life that we know we shouldn’t do – anything, from shoplifting to smoking to eating the wrong foods – but often it’s difficult to stop ourselves from doing them. Why to we do these things? That’s one for the ages. Better we spend our time trying to […]