Episode 26 was recorded on Sunday December 11th at Zafra Cuban Restaurant and Rum Bar. Our guest editors were Ken Sperling, Jon Crane, Joy Gathers, and James Mapes. (You can learn more about them here. Duo was at the session, but left before Cindy took the photo…) We talked about gifts, relatives and managing expectations.
Episode 25: Eating, Tipping, and Unexpected Gifts
Episode 25 was recorded at Chips Family Restaurant in Orange (there’s also a Chips in Fairfield) where we feasted on award-winning pancakes. (Thanks to Dina for her award-winning hospitality!) Our guest editors were Susannah Bailin, Jaki Valensi-Lauper, Randye Kaye, and Helen Kauder. We talked about talked about moderation at holiday parties, how much to tip people […]
Episode 24: Arguments, Exercise, and Holiday Greetings
Episode 24 was recorded on Sunday November 27th in the cafe at the newly opened Elm City Market, a cooperative grocery story in the tony 360 State apartment building in downtown New Haven. Our guest list included Stacey Battat, Ira Rosofsky and Dr. Harry Schwartz, and we were hosted by Elm City Market’s Amy Christensen-Regni. (A word to […]
Episode 23: Bullies, Turducken and Getting Things Done
Our 23rd editorial meeting was held at Atticus Bookstore Cafe, an incredible independent book store on Chapel Street in New Haven. Our host was Dan Gaffney, and our guest editors included Eileen Kaplan, Lon Seidman and Jud Smith. (You can learn more about each of them in the show prep entry.) We discussed problems involving major illness, […]
Episode 22: Doing The Right Thing
This week Steve Katz hooked us up with a corner table at Katz’s Deli in Woodbridge. (He also introduced us to 90 year old Ed Abrams, who you’ll hear in this week’s conversation.) We also welcomed guest editors Jeanette Kuvin Oren, Nanci Sklar and Joel Sachs. We talked about the latest disappointments in the news […]
(How) did your marriage change you?
This one touched off some quite interesting back and forth during a recent RLSG recording session. (Duo was amazed that I went from an OCD-ey neat freak to a… well, slightly less OCD-ey neat freak.) (How) did your marriage change you?
Episode 21: The Good, The Bad, and Trouble in the Neighborhood
We like to gather at fun places, and this week was no exception: we met in Milford to check out the newly opened Plan B Burger Bar. The food, the people and and the atmosphere are all amazing … and Plan B also happens to be a kind supporter of Connecticut Public Broadcasting! Our guest […]
Episode 20: Simplify, Localize, Unplug
Episode 20 was recorded at Christopher Martins in New Haven as the New York Giants battled Miami on the big screen. I was joined by my cohost, Duo Dickinson, along with Brian Virtue, the co-owner and manager of Christopher Martins, and our guest conversationalists, Joanne Kahan, Marianne O’Hare, and Cynthia Lyon, band leader and keyboard player […]
Episode 19: Available Light
Episode 19 was recorded at Anna Liffey’s, an incredible Irish Pub on Whitney Avenue in New Haven. This weeks guests included Ann McGuire, Katie Gerhard, her husband Joe (a photographer and, as you’ll hear, a talented musician), John Broker, Frank from “The Liffey”, and last but certainly not least, our first heckler! We drank Guinness, […]
Episode 18: Woodstock, Shoptailing, and Living a Good Life
This is episode 18, recorded on Sunday October 16th at Press New Haven. Press is a happening restaurant in the “Goat Cheese” section of New Haven (as usual, you’ll just have to listen!) that specializes in artisan pizza and great wines. I was joined – as usual – by Duo Dickinson, along with Paul Weymann […]
Episode 17: Condolences, Guilt and Smartphone Addiction
Episode 17 was recorded on Sunday October 16th at 116 Crown in New Haven. I was joined by my “Spock”, Duo Dickinson, along 116 Crown’s John Ginetti, social media “gurette” Suzi Craig (she live Tweeted the session), personal organizing expert Elizabeth Larkin, and composer, educator, mathematician, inventor and iPhone app developer, Harlan Brothers. (Harlan is also […]
Episode 16: A Rock Star, an Oscar Blogger and a Stay at Home Dad
This week we gathered with owner Dave McCoart at Sage American Grille and Oyster Bar in the “City Point” neighborhood of New Haven. Our guest editors included the legendary “Beehive Queen”; musician, songwriter and lead singer for the Saturday Night Live band, Christine Ohlman; Scott Feinberg, the chief oscar blogger and analyst for The Hollywood Reporter; writer, […]
What are some of the best ways to express condolences?
This question is a direct result of the loss of Steve Jobs this week. I thought about how sad I was that he was gone, and realized that my pain was noting compared to the grief being suffered by his family and close friends. Which inspired this question; What are some of the best ways to […]
Should you treat all of your kids the same?
In our conversation at Geronimo, Paul Schatz noted the fact that it used to be common to treat all children the same way, but wondered if there needs to be “different ways to raise each kid to make sure they excel the most”. Great question. This is one of the most confusing things for me […]
Episode 15: A Fashionable Friend, A Writer and a Money Man
The 15th recording session for the RLSG on WNPR occurred on Sunday, September 25th at Geronimo in New Haven. Joining the conversation: my wonderful friend from Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Holly Adam, “a Retailer, Fashion Director, stylist, merchandiser, fine cashmere expert, and the grand-daughter of the first Master of Davenport College at Yale”; Sarah […]
What is a good philosophy for parental involvement in schools?
Mark Oppenheimer raised this question during our conversation at Claire’s about the whole “back to school” phenomenon. We also discussed those tiny chairs they make you sit in for parent-teacher conferences. Are they kidding? If you can’t find me an adult sized chair, let’s just meet at Starbucks. So, what is a good philosophy for […]
Episode 14: Back To School, Division of Labor, and Red Plaid
We met at Claire’s Corner Copia, among the hustle and bustle of downtown New Haven, and in the shadow of what Duo told us is “reputedly the first Gothic Revival structure in America”. (We love Claire and we wanted to show our support after she and her husband Frank took a direct hit from Irene.) Joining […]
Episode 13: An Earthquake, A Hurricane, and What’s Really Important
Joining the conversation this week: Paul Sessions, the Director of the Center for Family Business at the University of New Haven, dog adoption advocate Sarah Oren, co host Duo Dickinson, and Meteorologist Matt Scott. We gathered at Manjares, a wonderful family owned restaurant in the Westville section of New Haven, on Sunday September 4th. In the previous week […]
What is your favorite smartphone app?
In Episode 12 at the New Haven Open, Gary Choronzy (our web guru) complained about what he perceived to be “techno bashing” in previous conversations. Invoking the story of the Luddites, Duo Dickinson “manned up” and took responsibility. So, in deference to our previous “Neo-Ludditeism” (Duo’s term), I pose the following question: What is your favorite smartphone […]
Episode 12: The New Haven Open
With summer winding down I thought it would be a good idea to reflect a bit. Joining cohost Duo Dickinson and me were author and radio host Binnie Klein, web designer Gary Choronzy, producer Cindy Papish Gerber, executive producer Kim Grehn and Kim’s wife Deb. I chose The New Haven Open at Yale as the site […]
When you greet someone: handshake, hug, or kiss?
One of the leading causes of awkwardness these days seems to be the art of figuring out what’s appropriate – especially if you hadn’t been thinking about the subject just before you encounter someone. I’ve noticed recently that right before I greet a member of the opposite sex, my brain is forced into overdrive to […]
What’s your “go to meal”?
Everyone has one: the quick, easy delicious dinner, and we had a lot of fun batting ours around during this week’s editorial meeting. (In a perfect world, they’re all healthful, easy to prepare, and go nicely with a buttery chardonnay. For Duo, the the on-the-go architect, the solution comes in the form of the pre-cooked […]
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 […]
Episode 11: New England Brewing Company
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 we ended up loving their beer, too! Joining us were Yale Rugby coach John Broker, Amanda from Delaney’s, Rob from NEB, Duo Dickinson and freelance writer Alix […]
Episode 10: Ashley’s Ice Cream
For Episode 10, we traveled to Ashley’s Ice Cream, a Connecticut favorite, in Branford. Joining us were 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.
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 […]
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 […]
Episode 9: Miya’s Sushi
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 […]
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, […]
Where (and when) is it absolutely NOT appropriate to use your cell phone?
This is a question that arose from Joanne Kahan’s pitch about the noise that comes from people wearing headphones in public places. This, in turn, let to a conversation about what seems to be a need, on the part of many, to control the “noise” of everyday living – by creating their own! Cellphone use […]
Episode 8: Orange Hills Country Club
Nothing says “summer in the suburbs” like a golf course, and that’s where we headed to record episode 8! Orange Hills Country Club is a public 18 hole course in, not a surprise, Orange Connecticut. Our gracious hosts for the afternoon were Judy and Jud Smith; their father, Connecticut Golf Hall of Fame Inductee Walter […]
How do you make mutually satisfactory compromises?
This question arose from Sarah Kyrcz’ story about going to a NASCAR race her husband wanted to attend… and how she ended up actually enjoying herself! (One of her secrets – just go with it.) Compromise is an issue we all have to deal with, and the ability to “give a little to get a […]
Episode 7: Bishop’s Orchards
It has become apparent (to me at least) that we are drawn to guest editors and locations because we love them.This week was no exception: Duo and I travelled to Bishop’s Orchards Farm Market in Guilford Connecticut to hear pitches from our host, sixth generation family member (and mother of 2) Sarah Bishop DellaVentura, along with […]
How should we teach our children good manners?
Guest editor (and Yale soccer coach) Brian Tomkins raised this issue in the Glenwood episode, having witnessed ill mannered kids taking more than one hot dog in a long line at a camp lunch this summer. The simple answer, of course, is for parents to model considerate behavior themselves: but based on the seemingly “epidemic” […]
Is there a safe way to protect yourself from mosquito bites?
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 […]
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 […]