As we concluded this series of conversations for WNPR, we turned to Parenting College Aged Kids”. Joining me for this episode were an expert in the field – Dr. Alan Kazdin from Yale – and several parents: Duo Dickinson, Susannah Bailin, Susan Jacobs, and Jon Crane. We met over wood-fired pizza at Da Legna, a new […]
Episode 71: Grief and Loss
In Episode 71 we talked about “Grief and Loss”, an issue we all struggled with following the unthinkable violence in Newtown on December 14th. Joining me at the beautiful new restaurant Indgo by the Water in Milford were Jocelyn Maminta, Jud Smith, Raeleen Mautner, Holly Adam and Licensed Professional Counselor Amanda Romaniello. Over her distinguished 20-year […]
Episode 70: Germs
For our 70th “in person”conversation, we’ll be talking about “Germs”, which came to mind because we’re having a really bad flu season, and because experts are now talking about the highly contagious (and extremely unpleasant) norovirus. Gathered around a table at the newly opened Lenny and Joe’s A Fish Tale‘s new Long Wharf restaurant (over some […]
Episode 69: Healthy Eating
As we rounded the corner in to 2013, my thoughts turned from the food I had been eating during the holidays to the food I’ve been eating during the football playoffs, and I figured it was a good time to talk about what we put in our bodies on a daily basis. For this conversation, […]
Episode 68: Volunteerism, Charity and Giving Back
I try to be a happy person, and I’m becoming more and more aware of the fact that to be truly happy, you have to look beyond yourself. (This seems particularly true when you consider recent events.) So I decided to pose the question “what role should things like “volunteerism, charity and giving back” play in […]
Episode 67: Holiday Stress
For episode 67 of the RLSG, we decided to talk about “holiday stress”. This was before our perception of the world changed – just two days ago – as the heartbreaking series of events played out in Newtown. There will be more than the normal level of stress during this holiday season, and for too […]
Episode 66: Conserving Energy In Your Home
This time I decided to focus on extreme temperatures and money – two things I have a problem with. For this conversation, I invited Duo Dickinson (who happens to be an architect with a passion for such matters), writer Bob Tedeschi, animal rescuer (and farm gal) Kathleen Schurman, travel industry goddess Katie Gerhard, and our […]
Episode 65: Getting Along
The holiday season has me thinking about parties, decorations and family togetherness… and the way people freak out when things don’t live up to their expectations. So, in honor of this “emotional minefield” of a time of year, I decided to convene a group of the usual suspects for a conversation about the broader subject of […]
Producer’s Blog: Cindy Papish Gerber on our visit with Jacques Pépin
RSLG, nous sommes arrivés! Gathering around Jacques Pepin’s kitchen table to discuss Holiday Foods, actually talking turkey with this cooking legend, was most definitely a “pinch me, I’m dreaming” moment. Not just for myself and Bruce, but for all of the lucky RLSG panelists that were invited to break bread with this world renowned French chef, […]
Episode 64: Holiday Cooking with Jacques Pépin
The great paradox of the holiday season for me has always been the way joy and stress walk hand in hand as we traverse the short days of November and December. In our never ending quest to find “joy”, our intrepid producer Cindy Papish Gerber suggested we reach out to legendary chef Jacques Pépin to see […]
Episode 63: Family Finances
When you look at the degree to which families are worried about money these days, we’re talking about something of fairly epic proportions. College tuitions have risen faster than Apple’s stock price, while our economy has caused widespread belt tightening across a variety of social and economic lines. What to do? Go to a fun […]
Episode 62: Parenting
Out of all the things that confuse me (and there are many), parenting has to be at the top of my list. It’s something I really, really, really don’t want to screw up… but the correct path often seems so murky. To narrow down the list of parenting topics that we might explore in the […]
Episode 61: Dating, Divorce and Marriage
We’ve been focusing on the specifics of some of our “chapters” lately, and in the area of relationships, based on the fact that there are many difficulties associated with the process of coupling – and uncoupling – in 21st century life, it seemed ike a natural topic for the Guide. We invited Susan Jacobs, a divorce mediation […]
Episode 59: Organizing Stuff
“That’s meaning of life isn’t it – trying to find a place for your stuff.” George Carlin. The man is a genius. Our family downsized about three years ago, and, after we donated/sold/pitched out box after box of junk, it occurred to me that “stuff” might be a good topic for the Guide. I invited my architect […]
Episode 58: Buying Stuff
Having just arranged for the payment of a rather large college tuition bill (“arranged” meaning we borrowed most of it), the topic of “buying stuff” has begun to occupy a lot of my attention. Not only do I question the usefulness/necessity of some of my past purchases, I wanted to get an idea of what criteria others use […]
Episode 57: Educating Our Children
When the calendar switches from August to September, I can’t help but think about the various ways I have felt about fall over the years: nervousness and corduroys, preseason soccer, returning to college, and now, taking my son to college! Remembrances aside, it seems to me that any “manual for living” must contain a section on […]
Episode 56: Vacations
The goal of the Real Life Survival Guide is to explore common mistakes by sharing advice and expertise, and this week I decided to to focus our conversation on the summer ritual known as “the vacation”. I invited Sarah Kyrcz, who’s just back from Martha’s Vineyard, daddy and serial entrepreneur Ryan Duques, broadcaster and devoted single […]
Episode 55: Working
This week we gathered at The Rib House in East Haven Connecticut, to brainstorm ideas for the chapter on “working”, and in keeping with my self-congratulatory nature, I’m proud to report that I was able to feature several musical interludes in the episode, none of which is a far-too-obvious choice by Huey Lewis and the […]
Cindy Papish Gerber: Noshin’ in New Haven
A few weeks late, I present my 2-cents worth on “Relationships” and “Etiquette”. Chapters; expertly dissected by our guest editors in Episodes 52, and 53. Where to begin? In 28ish minutes of radio air time, we barely scratched the surface of these multifaceted, mega-layered themes. The fact that our gifted writers (thank you VERY much, […]
Episode 54: Food and Cooking
Having spent an afternoon with some of New Haven’s most notable chefs, I got sense that the biggest mistake we make when selecting our food is a lack of mindfulness. Jason Sobocinski of Caseus (and of host restaurant Park Central Tavern) spoke about moderation – and the need to “…be focused on what you’re putting […]
Episode 53 – The Manners Manifesto
Oh, the fertile grousing ground that is etiquette. Who doesn’t like complaining about how rude people can be? Everyone has their etiquette pet peeves. Some people don’t like hearing cell phone conversations; others don’t like shoppers who leave their carts in the middle of the isle. And then– there are people who blast awful music […]
Episode 53: Etiquette
Just before our brainstorming session on etiquette, Guest Editor Joanne Kahan sent me an email that read “Pretty sure etiquette is dying a slow death. Perhaps, we should do a Memorial”. That’s when I realized we were in for an interesting afternoon! Joining Joanne at The Winchester, a great new spot in Woodbridge, were our “Memorial” participants: architect (and […]
Episode 52 – The Relationship Archipelago
Sometimes when I have trouble sleeping I do a mental exercise. I lie in bed and pretend that I am stuck on a deserted island. I take every survival tip that I’ve learned from watching shows like Survivorman and Man vs. Wild and plan out everything I would need to do in order to live. I […]
Episode 52: Redefining Friendship
I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about which chapters to include in this “guide to modern living”, and one of the obvious choices is – and always has been – a chapter on ‘Relationships’. With this in mind, I convened our weekly brainstorming session at Zinc Restaurant on Chapel Street in New Haven. (Thanks to […]
Episode 51 – Leaving Lardville
After a short hiatus, Bruce Barber’s movable feast is back. For the first chapter of the next generation of the Real Life Survival Guide, Bruce, Duo and their band of merry guest editors sat down at Barcelona Wine bar and Restaurant in New Haven to discuss living a healthy life. Bruce dubbed Chapter 1, “Self […]
“Really?” aka, The Real Life Survival Guide Producer’s Blog
“So, if you’re writing a ‘guide’, will I ever be able to read it?” asks my husband. ”Do you intend to create a ‘manual for modern living’—on the web, as a book, or as anything else”? Leave it to my DH to pose the most obvious questions about the RLSG’s quest to identify, “life’s little […]
Episode 51: Self Care
Welcome to a new phase in the development of The Real Life Survival Guide, as we focus our efforts on brainstorming ideas for the Guide around a single theme or “chapter“. For our 51st session we gathered at the amazing Barcelona Restaurant and Wine Bar in New Haven – to talk about the chapter on “Self Care”. Our guest editors […]
The Next Chapter
Way Back in May The Real Life Survival Guide turned 50, that’s fifty episodes of advice, humor, wisdom, complaints, conundrums, questions, answers, delicious food and a little bit O’ the hootch for good measure. The show is now an adult. It has matured. Even though it has reached this impressive milestone no one comes to […]
Mary Elliott: S.O.S. from Camp Yawgoog
Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah, Hello Real Life Survivahs, S.O.S. from Camp Yawgoog! Thanks to an unexpected twist of fate (my husband’s back twisted when he lifted an old lawnmower into our minivan)—I’ve been banished here to the Rhode Island wilderness to camp out with my son’s boy-scout troop. However, unlike Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson, […]
Cindy Papish Gerber: Celebrating the 50th
The idea of somehow commemorating the 50th Episode of The RLSG first occurred to me in early March. Bruce and I had just wrapped up recording a series of particularly energetic sessions, where the synergy among our guest editors, their conversational flow and gestalt of the venue all came together in inexplicably wonderful ways. This […]
Episode 50: We Celebrate at Lyric Hall
I’ve been working on the concept for The Real Life Survival Guide – in one form or another – since the mid nineties. The idea was to create a radio show that was helpful and funny, and to use the Internet to extend the conversation. Having celebrated (and recorded) our 50th Episode, I do believe […]
The Long View
I have been lucky enough to have witnessed some breathtakingly beautiful sunsets. I stood at the top of the Eifel tower and watched the last rays of sunlight sweep swaths of orange across the sprawling city of Paris like a paintbrush. I stood next to my wife and watched the sun sink behind the Santa […]
“Really?” aka, The Real Life Survival Guide Producer’s Blog
“I’m telling you, it was just spectacular!!” Bruce could not stop raving about Gouveia Vineyards in Wallingford, the setting for Episode 49. On and on, he gushed like a school girl about the “beeyoutiful property”, “incredible” panoramic hilltopviews encompassing acres of vineyards, the elegant stone and timber-frame winery building, pleasurable wines and oversized hospitality of […]
Episode 49: Work, Health, Luck, and Kids Activities
As we near an important milestone in the evolution of the Real Life Survival Guide, our location selection for Episode 49 – as suggested by Gerry McGuire – was fitting. We gathered around a sunny table with stunning mountaintop views at Gouveia Vineyards in Wallingford. Our guest editors included the aforementioned Mr. McGuire, as well […]
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 […]
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 […]
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) […]
Episode 44 – The Mucho Macho Man Cave
The He-Man woman hater’s club can now come to order! Episode 44 was all about men and the stuff men hate; like feelings and words. Down in the basement of New Haven’s Olde School Saloon and Bistro, five men got together to eat, drink and mock stupid stuff. The basement’s stone walls were the perfect […]
Episode 44: Man Caves, Smartphone Fun and Empty Nests
We’ve been hearing great things about Olde School Saloon and Bistro in New Haven from some of our News 8 friends, and decided to record Episode 44 during their jazz brunch on a recent Sunday afternoon. The next thing we knew, Chef/Owner Jeff Arnold was showing us a 19th century basement space that proved irresistible […]
“Really?” aka, The Real Life Survival Guide Producer’s Blog
“This place deserves five stars for the macaroni and cheese alone”, raves a Yelp poster about Caseus Fromagerie Bistro . Yes, Maelina F. – that baked casserole of cheesy goodness (and everything else on the menu), deserves your five-star review. Our Episode 43 guest conversationalists audibly swooned with pleasure over every morsel served up by Caseus’ restaurateur, cook […]
Episode 43 – Five Course Survival Meal
The latest installment of the Real Life Survival Guide took place at Caseus Fromagerie Bistro in New Haven where the conversation was like fine, aged Roquefort. The gourmet assortment of guests paired well with each other and brought unparalleled flavor to such topics as gardening, dating, money management, computer hacks and cleanliness. The discussion was […]
Episode 43: Home Gardens, Handling Money and Computer Hacks
It was a pretty raucous discussion at Caseus Fromagerie Bistro as we were joined by Owner (and Cooking Channel star) Jason Sobocinski who treated us to some great insights – and some incredible food and drink. (Mad props to Chuck from Chucklettes as well!) No less insightful were our AMAZING group of guest editors; Susan Bailin, Janice […]