Happy Town Porchcast

In this episode Cindy shares how as a child the game of jacks with a dear aunt created a connection of trust and taught her important life skills that created resilience to meet life's challenges. She also shares ways this is being repeated in her family now and how play is at the center of it all.  

In this episode Cindy discusses why joyful creativity is personal and not all about arts and crafts. She then shares a story about how her childhood summertime freedoms helped her years later to recognize a key element that was missing from her life and how times of limited creativity prepared her for the work she is doing today. She then shares the how's and why's of finding and developing your own creative attributes so you can feel joy, hope and contentment.

In this episode Cindy shares how a dear friend challenged her to believe that she could do the hard things in life. She then shares the 3 truths she has discovered through the years that have brought hope and peace as she faces life's daily stresses and challenges.

In this episode Cindy tells the story of how a highly anticipated beach trip turned into anything but a relaxing fun filled vacation, and how amidst the disappointment something magical revealed itself and the 3 reasons why that magic happened. Her daughter Lauren joins her to share some beautiful wisdom on navigating the unexpected realities of life and motherhood and how one gentle answer to a desperate question changed her whole approach to how she supports her family and treats her own self care.

In this episode Cindy shares stories about how folding line dried sheets with her grandmother taught her communication skills and the one conversation she wished she had had before her mother passed away. She also shares 3 things she is striving to do that are helping her to identify moments when a crucial conversation needs to take place and how to have the courage to speak up.

In this Episode Cindy shares stories about watching her grandchildren's adventures on the tree swings in her front yard and what that taught her about the talents and skills we all have and how trust can be built in a family as we develop and use those talents and skills to support and help each other. 

In this episode Cindy shares stories that illustrate 4 mindsets that show you how to collect both the tangible and intangible to strengthen family connections and help you leave a healthy family legacy.

In today’s episode Cindy shares stories about how her family discovered - through a desire to have a little fun - a simple way to create small traditions that result in deeper, lasting connections with those they love. She also shares 3 tips on how to keep these little traditions simple, adaptable and engaging. Then the porch is full of chatter as most of the family shares their favorite thing they love about one of their favorite little traditions called ‘pooky night. Then Cindy's delightful granddaughter Penelope closes out the porchcast with one of her hilarious jokes.

In this episode Cindy shares stories on why birthdays are important and gives 3 tips for creating deeper family bonds through birthday celebrations. She chats with daughter Hannah and granddaughter Penelope about how a new birthday tradition with old roots is building the self-esteem of the younger generation.

Cindy shares stories on how she is maneuvering through the pandemic and the 3 ways she creates days filled with peace and contentment. Her husband Jeff joins her for a conversation on what they would say to their younger selves if they could time travel.

Are you stuck in a holding pattern with positive thoughts hard to come by? In this episode Cindy shares stories and a simple habit she learned that help her cultivate positive thoughts, get out of life's holding patterns and develop resilience skills. She also asks her family and you "What makes you happy?" Cake, swimming, family? Share your happy thoughts & affirmations on FB & IG @sugarmapletradingco Email and printable at sugarmapletradingcompany.com  

Values drive the results in our lives. In this episode Cindy and her daughter Lauren share how they identify negative values in their lives that cause stress and frustration and the powerful tool they use that puts them in the driver's seat and on a positive road that leads them to achieve wonderful personal successes and influence their family for the good.  Follow us on FB & Instagram: @happytownporchcast and @sugarmapletradingco Printable: sugarmapletradingcompany.com  

What will you be remembered for? What is the Legacy you are leaving? How do you create one that is happy and inspiring? In this episode Cindy shares the story of how her mother's passing left her with the inspiration to create a meaningful legacy and it includes Cindy sized pieces of cake! For Traditions Printable go to: www.sugarmapletradingcompany.com Follow us @sugarmapletradingco on Instagram & Facebook

In this episode Cindy shares 3 easy steps to creating family traditions with intention and purpose. She shares some personal experiences about how creating traditions and habits this way has made her life easier. Hannah joins her on the porch to chat about how she is combining cultures as she creates her own family traditions and Penelope tells a hilarious joke. Find the free PDF printable entitled "How to Create Family Traditions You Actually Enjoy" at: sugarmapletradingcompany.com Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @sugarmapletradingco

In this episode Cindy explores the differences between family bonds and family relationships and shares how a family text has been the means of strengthen both within her family.

In this episode Cindy shares her experience as the role of matriarch in her family and the 3 steps she and her family took to maneuver in and out of family roles to achieve greater unity and a richer family life.  

In this episode Cindy shares the story of a pivotal event in their family's history that taught them 2 ways to increase happiness in uncertain times and prepared them for the years that followed.

In this episode Cindy shares some stories about her not so secret passion and what she has learned about using the "don't touch" things in our homes regularly to help build and deepen family connections.

In this episode Cindy shares the roller coaster ride that has been her life over the last year. Her daughter Lauren joins her and they discuss the changes, the joy and the unexpected discoveries this ride has given their family.

In this Episode Cindy shares 3 practices she does that anchor her and help her maintain a relaxed and joyful life as she goes through the little seasonal transitions that the holidays bring. They just might help you too.

In this episode my daughter Lauren and I discuss the beauty and challenges of life's transitions including tips on how to make it all a little easier.

In this Episode Cindy and her daughter Lauren discuss the book "The Power of Moments" by Chip Heath and Dan Heath. Their porch chat is filled with funny stories, meaningful aha moments and hind sight wisdom as they discuss why this book resonates so much with them and the grand adventure that lies ahead for their family.

In this episode Cindy shares how some grandma angels helped her find peace and purpose by teaching her to "enjoy this time".

In this episode Cindy shares her early struggles with reading and the 2 influential people who changed everything for her with their kindness. She then has a lovely conversation with her son Christopher about his own struggles and success with reading, the beauty of being read to and how he is sharing this with his son.

In this episode Cindy shares a pivotal moment that engaged her in work she thought she'd never enjoy. She then has a lively conversation with all three daughters sharing how working together as a family influenced their lives and now their children's lives.

In this episode Cindy shares her cancer journey, both as a caregiver to her husband and patient herself, and how these experiences were instrumental in creating the life of celebration she enjoys today. Her husband Jeff then joins her for a conversation about how the mantra "come what may and love it" was foundational in keeping a positive attitude and grateful heart through it all.

In this episode Cindy shares a story about lessons learned from a deadly touch as a child and a course correction as a young mother. Daughters - Lauren and Hannah join her for an emotional conversation about the many ways we touch each others lives.

In this episode Cindy shares a story about the magical talents of a beloved aunt and has a heartfelt conversation with daughters Lauren and Hannah about the celebratory nature of food, it's emotional pull and how it connects us through the generations.

In this episode we journey from a black and white world to one of vivid color. We then discover that the influential connections in our lives help us to "see" with more than just our eyes.

 In this episode join Cindy on her sound journey from angst to enlightenment and her fun conversation with her daughter Lauren and her son Christopher as they explore how we use sounds and music to express our individuality and to feel emotions. 

In this Episode Cindy shares how one smell gave her the best gift. Then her daughter Lauren joins her on the porch for a touching conversation on the why and how to for creating an intentional, meaningful "smell track" for your life that will help you feel joy and happiness even through your most challenging times. And Sugar Plum Penelope is back to end it all with a hilarious joke.

In this episode we discuss the emotional highs and lows of one of the most conflicted holidays of the year -- love it or hate it -- it's Valentine's Day -- and we are here to put it all into perspective.

In this episode I share a story about one of our favorite made up holidays -- Leif Erikson Day. Then in an unedited, humorous discussion with my daughters Lauren and Hannah we explore how this tradition began, why it endures and why we think everyone should celebrate at least one made up holiday. My favorite moment? Revisiting the "no tv" time in our lives and what we did for entertainment -- "Papa was that funny?" -- so hilarious! Enjoy and I hope you get a few giggles from listening. Don't forget to subscribe!

In this episode I share a story about what I learned while watching a group of children jump in a bounce house on a glorious fall afternoon. Daughters Lauren and Hannah join me on the porch and we discuss our family's love of bouncing and obsession with bounce houses. We share some adventures we had during our big family Halloween week reunion and make some remarkable discoveries about how relationships can be deepened while jumping in a bounce house. My favorite moment? Learning how movement is an excellent way to change mood and to establish a connection or to reconnect with someone. Winding things up is sugar plum Penelope with a joke that will moooove you to laughter. Enjoy! Don't forget to Subscribe!

In this inaugural episode I share a story about the meaning of "Happy Town" and am then joined on the porch with 2 of my grown children, Lauren and Hannah. A wonderful discussion ensues as we discover ways we are creating a happy life within our generation and season of life. My favorite moment? When Lauren gives some great insight about how to "frame" necessity. We end with a hilarious joke from my oldest sugar plum Penelope! Enjoy! Welcome to the Happy Town Porchcast! Don't forget to Subscribe!

Take a minute to meet Cindy (and some of her favorite people) as she shares what lies ahead in the upcoming episodes of the Happy Town Porchcast!