Podcast appearances and mentions of sandy hill

The garden doesn't have to be something that's instrumental. It can be just a place where you sit, where you're thinking of growing something, you know, where the sun shines and where photosynthesis takes place and everything is sort of manifested through the sunlight and the water. It's a fantastic thing on its own without actually having to produce a lot of stuff.Replace 'garden' with 'art'.Barbara Cuerden is a neighbour in the Sandy Hill neighbourhood of Ottawa, a colleague in ecological art and a family friend. Barbara completed a Masters degree in ecoliteracy and place-based education in 2010 and is also a professional back-of-the-book indexer among other things. Overall, her artworks and her way of life, I think, reflect local particularities of place and timeWhen I asked Barbara to be a guest on the conscient podcast she wrote to me with this thought, that I think you'll appreciate:The solution is nature, which is still out there, in the world outside of our heads. We belong to it. A feeling of connection with the air, the light, the green, the animals, that feeling of connection most of us felt naturally as children... That connection can be found again (and again) and like you say, it can be accessible if we allow for it to take hold of us.We talked about many connections and points of contact during our conversation, concluding, not surprisingly, that we would all be well served to pay more attention to local particularities of place and time.There were some very poignant moments during our exchange, which you'll hear. For example, when Barbara told me a story aboutA little seminar where John K. Grande was speaking. I considered myself an eco-artist until I heard him speak about the meaninglessness of spectacle. Reading his stuff changed my life and thus I became a non-entity.I was struck by this idea of being a non-entity. Barbara's story reminded me of conscient episode e74 letting go where I talk about ‘the main barrier to my re-education is… ‘me', and that the solution, simply, is to let it go…'. So this episode explores the dichotomy between connection and letting go and the tightrope between being present and being a non-entity. Barbara's recommended reading is Jenny Odell's Reading the Rocks in Emergence magazine. *Note: Links mentioned during the conversation:Regeneration Hoodoo (click on ‘installation')Stephen Lewis (Canadian politician)e161 alchemize - a conversation with kamea chayne (special episode about a 40 part course)What can an individual do? (claude's newsletter posting where Barbara commented about Bill McKibben's question)Exact wording of quotes in the episode:Instead of the dying light of Western civilization, why not a swinging hoodoo cloud? - Ishamel ReedDuring the Vietnam War... every respectable artist in this country was against the war. It was like a laser beam. We were all aimed in the same direction. The power of this weapon turns out to be that of a custard pie dropped from a stepladder six feet high. - Kurt VonnegutThe effects of modern-day media have led us to generalize and simplify nature, as we do all things. We read experience in an informational way. - John K. Grande *END NOTES FOR ALL EPISODESHere is a link for more information on season 5. Please note that, in parallel with the production of the conscient podcast and it's francophone counterpart, balado conscient, I publish a Substack newsletter called ‘a calm presence' which are 'short, practical essays for those frightened by the ecological crisis'. To subscribe (free of charge) see https://acalmpresence.substack.com. You'll also find a podcast version of each a calm presence posting on Substack or one your favorite podcast player.Also. please note that a complete transcript of conscient podcast and balado conscient episodes from season 1 to 4 is available on the web version of this site (not available on podcast apps) here: https://conscient-podcast.simplecast.com/episodes.Your feedback is always welcome at claude@conscient.ca and/or on conscient podcast social media: Facebook, X, Instagram or Linkedin. I am grateful and accountable to the earth and the human labour that provided me with the privilege of producing this podcast, including the toxic materials and extractive processes behind the computers, recorders, transportation systems and infrastructure that made this production possible. Claude SchryerLatest update on April 2, 2024

Join us in a special 50th episode. This time, we're not diving into a new interview but revisiting the transformative wisdom shared by nine incredible guests from previous episodes.From Dr. Mark Hyman's nutritional insights to mountaineer Sandy Hill's profound lessons, each snippet unveils a unique facet of personal growth and evolution. Travel with us through the words of Prashant Goel on self-discovery and explore the societal transformation insights of Daniel Schmarchtenberger. Learn why critical thinking is key with ADAH Parris, and immerse yourself in the healing journey with trauma expert Dr. Gabor Maté. Bibi Brzozka reveals the transformative power of conscious sexuality, Rodo Escalante shares his paths of overcoming struggles, and Erica Blair evokes the transformative vision of Burning Man.As we reflect on these transformative moments, join us in celebrating 50 episodes of the Harvest Series![1:30] Transformation can start with what you eat, with Dr. Mark Hyman.[3:00] Coach Prashant Goel compares personal transformation with the caterpillar's one.[5:34] Daniel Schmachtenberger about a potential extinction of Human civilisation. We need to transform as a civilisation. [7:00] For futurist Adah Parris, to be able to self-transform, we need to ask questions. [9:00] Conscious sexuality is also a tool for a transformation, with expert Bibi Brzozka.[11:40] If you want to heal, you need to be kind to yourself, according to Dr. Gabor Maté.[15:50] The lesson of Sandy Hill, facing death in Mount Everest: you have to let go.[16:30] How Rodo Escalante managed to navigate autism through diving, facing death on purpose.[21:30] Erica Blair explains how events like Harvest or Burning Man can help individuals find their ground for transformation.Next week, we will release Ralph Horat's interview in Kaplankaya. He is a visionary entrepreneur building the Village of the Future, trying to gather citizens to experiment with technologies in a virtual world before implementing them in a physical world. Don't miss the episode!You can follow us on Instagram : @Harvestseries, or @rose.claverie for updatesand watch our filmed podcast or speakers on Youtube : Harvest Series.Sound editing by @lesbellesfrequencesTechnicians in Kaplankaya : Joel Moriasi, Hanan Yasir and teamMusic by ChambordArtwork : Pedro Vidigal & Davide d'AntonioHarvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital PartnersThe founders of Harvest Series are Burak Öymen and Roman Carel.

Meet Sandy Hill, a remarkable sportswoman and intrepid traveler who has conquered 135 countries and climbed the Seven Summits, including reaching the peak of Mount Everest after three attempts.In this episode, recorded in Kaplankaya during Harvest, Sandy recounts a harrowing experience from 27 years ago when a deadly storm struck Mount Everest. Surviving against the odds, Sandy's team persevered, but many others there lost their lives. Additionally, Sandy faced unwarranted accusations in a bestselling book two years before the Monica Lewinsky scandal, a story she shares for the first time on this podcast.Key Points:[2:31] Battle Against the Storm:Sandy describes the ominous signs leading to the storm on Mount Everest, detailing the treacherous conditions during the descent when the storm intensified.[6:33] Survival Amidst Tragedy:Recount the pivotal moment when part of Sandy's team reached safety, orchestrating a rescue operation. Despite the team's survival, it marked one of the deadliest nights on Everest.[9:33] Hallucinations and Survival:Sandy shares her hallucinating experience while frozen and blind, shedding light on the profound challenges she faced during the storm.[11:56] Life-Altering Lesson:Discuss Sandy's valuable lesson from the ordeal: letting go of control, a transformative realization in the face of extreme adversity.[14:39] Unjust Accusations and Impact:Explore the aftermath of the storm, including the false portrayal of Sandy in a bestselling book, which significantly impacted her credibility and personal life.[27:27] Recovery and Resilience:Delve into Sandy's recovery journey after the traumatic experience, including her battle with depression and how she regained her footing.[31:48] Words of Wisdom:Sandy advises individuals facing social condemnation and offers insights on overcoming social death and reclaiming one's identity.[33:30] Harvest of the Day:Discover the source of hope for Sandy as she reflects on her experiences, finding inspiration amidst challenges and rebuilding her life.Stay tuned for more inspiring stories on Harvest. Join us next time for Dennis Okwera's interview, a testament to the power of determination and compassion in the face of adversity.Harvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital PartnersYou can follow us on Instagram : @Harvestseries, or @rose.claverie for updatesand watch our filmed podcast or speakers on Youtube : Harvest Series.Sound editing by @lesbellesfrequencesTechnicians in Kaplankaya : Joel Moriasi, Hanan Yasir and teamMusic by ChambordArtwork : Pedro Vidigal & Davide d'AntonioThe founders of Harvest Series are Burak Öymen and Roman Carel.This episode was sponsored by &Soul, for more information including how to claim your first month free check out the link below: &Soul

Welcome to a special episode featuring Jason Silva, the renowned digital artist, and Greg Pouy from the French podcast Vlan. The episode is set against the beautiful backdrop of the Aegean Sea. Together, we explore Jason's positive perspective on technology, his pursuit of awe, his creative journey, and his experiences as a filmmaker.Key Points:[2:27] Protopian Vision:Inspired by Kevin Kelly, Jason identifies himself as a "protopian," emphasizing his forward-thinking and optimistic view of the future amidst technology's evolution.[5:20] The Dual Nature of Technology:Discuss the paradox of technology as a double-edged sword, acknowledging both its potential for good and its challenges.[7:40] Power of Storytelling:Explore the importance of storytelling and the concept that the best story prevails, shaping perspectives and influencing society.[13:32] Creative Process and Mood Regulation:Delve into Jason's creative process, emphasizing mood regulation as a key factor. Explore the relationship between boredom and creativity.[16:37] Early Inspirations:Reflect on Jason's early passion for creativity, sparked by his fascination with his first camcorder at the age of 12.[20:16] Artificial Intelligence in Art:Contemplate Artificial Intelligence's role in art and creativity, exploring its potential impact on artistic expression.[22:55] Radical Hope:Explore Jason's powerful speech on Radical Hope delivered during Harvest in Kaplankaya. Uncover the depth of meaning behind this concept and its significance in the face of uncertainty.[24:37] Data and Trust:Discuss the transformative power of data and its potential to drive change in major corporations, shifting the focus from trust to data-driven decision-making.[28:21] Awe as a New Spirituality:Probe into the idea of awe as a modern form of spirituality, connecting individuals to a sense of wonder and reverence in the digital age.[30:59] Philosophy on Death:Explore Jason's philosophical perspective on death, touching on the profound aspects of mortality and the human experience.[30:14] Creating Positive Change:Envision the simplicity of positive change, discussing what easy or simple actions could significantly improve the world, as envisioned by Jason.[33:51] Closing Question by Greg Pouy:Greg poses question: What would Jason open and slam the door to, signifying his passions and concerns in life?Thank you for joining us on this enlightening journey with Jason Silva and Greg Pouy. Stay tuned for more captivating episodes on Harvest, where we explore transformative ideas and stories shaping our world.Next week, we will release mountaineer Sandy Hill's interview in Kaplankaya. She will share her experience on Mount Everest, 27 years ago, during one of the deadliest expedition ever. Don't miss the episode! Until next time!Harvest Series is produced in partnership with Athena Advisers and Capital PartnersYou can follow us on Instagram : @Harvestseries, or @rose.claverie for updatesand watch our filmed podcast or speakers on Youtube : Harvest Series.Sound editing by @lesbellesfrequencesTechnicians in Kaplankaya : Joel Moriasi, Hanan Yasir and teamMusic by ChambordArtwork...

"I think I'm the proudest of how much growth we've had. By expanding, we got to get on so many different diverse campuses. And we get to meet so many different administrators in the business of student housing, and that gives you the opportunity to provide jobs for folks, which gave me all the interactions I've had with the incredible employees we've had through the years." — Sandy Hill Sandy Hill  began her career in student housing as a desk attendant in 1979 and has served as the Executive Vice President of Operations at COCM since 2003. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Sandy joins host Alton Irwin to discuss how she came to COCM. We'll discuss her years with student housing, beginning as a desk attendant to the famous student she acted as a residence assistant for and her transition to COCM in 2003. Sandy will share the highlights of her career and the most memorable figures she met along the way. Listen in as she reflects on her years in student housing, her more memorable mentors along the way, what's next for her in her journey, and her parting advice for everyone at COCM. Topics Covered  How Sandy was introduced to student housing What brought Sandy to COCM What Sandy is most proud of from her years at COCM The surprising FAMOUS person Sandy served as a residence assistant for The most influential people in Sandy's on-campus housing career journey The two people who taught her the most in her career The story of difficult but necessary growth The priceless lessons she learned along the way in her career Coming full circle: What's next for her in her journey Where Sandy will be moving to for her retirement Sandy's #1 piece of advice for everyone at COCM Connect with Sandy Sandy on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

Guest: Jennifer Hubbard, president and executive director of the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary, and mother of Sandy Hill victim Catherine Hubbard

12 Years A  Slave Solomon Northup Chapter 22 - THE END Arrival in New-Orleans—glimpse of Freeman—Genois, the Recorder—his description of Solomon—reach Charleston—interrupted by Custom House Officers—pass through Richmond—arrival in Washington—Burch arrested—Shekels and Thorn—their testimony—Burch acquitted—arrest of Solomon—Burch withdraws the complaint—the Higher Tribunal—departure from Washington—arrival at Sandy Hill—old friends and familiar scenes—proceed to Glens Falls—meeting with Anne, Margaret and Elizabeth—Solomon Northup Staunton—incidents—conclusion

On this episode, Vivian Patruno, Host of the CYC Podcast, talks with #RisingYouth Alumni Rebecca Gibbons, who created The Neighbourhood Story Project, in which residents in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighourhood, were invited to record a 2-5 minute audio story of their experiences living during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote community solidarity and connection during social distancing.  This episode of the #RisingYouth Podcast was developed in partnership with the CYC Podcast. For more information on #RisingYouth Community Service Grants of up to $1,500 available to youth 15-30, visit https://www.risingyouth.ca // Dans cet épisode, Vivian Patruno, animatrice du CYC Podcast, s'entretient avec Rebecca Gibbons, une Alumni de #JeunesEnAction, qui a créé le projet " Neighbourhood Story ", dans le cadre duquel les habitants du quartier Sandy Hill d'Ottawa ont été invités à enregistrer un récit audio de 2 à 5 minutes sur leurs expériences de vie pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, afin de promouvoir la solidarité et les liens communautaires dans un contexte de distanciation sociale.  Cet épisode du podcast #JeunesEnAction a été développé en partenariat avec le CYC Podcast. Pour plus d'informations sur les subventions de service communautaire #JeunesEnAction, d'un montant maximal de 1 500 dollars, destinées aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, visitez le site https://www.jeunesenaction.com/  

On this episode, Vivian Patruno, Host of the CYC Podcast, talks with #RisingYouth Alumni Rebecca Gibbons, who created The Neighbourhood Story Project, in which residents in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighourhood, were invited to record a 2-5 minute audio story of their experiences living during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote community solidarity and connection during social distancing.  This episode of the #RisingYouth Podcast was developed in partnership with the CYC Podcast. For more information on #RisingYouth Community Service Grants of up to $1,500 available to youth 15-30, visit https://www.risingyouth.ca // Dans cet épisode, Vivian Patruno, animatrice du CYC Podcast, s'entretient avec Rebecca Gibbons, une Alumni de #JeunesEnAction, qui a créé le projet " Neighbourhood Story ", dans le cadre duquel les habitants du quartier Sandy Hill d'Ottawa ont été invités à enregistrer un récit audio de 2 à 5 minutes sur leurs expériences de vie pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, afin de promouvoir la solidarité et les liens communautaires dans un contexte de distanciation sociale.  Cet épisode du podcast #JeunesEnAction a été développé en partenariat avec le CYC Podcast. Pour plus d'informations sur les subventions de service communautaire #JeunesEnAction, d'un montant maximal de 1 500 dollars, destinées aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, visitez le site https://www.jeunesenaction.com/  

On this episode, Vivian Patruno, Host of the CYC Podcast, talks with #RisingYouth Alumni Rebecca Gibbons, who created The Neighbourhood Story Project, in which residents in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighourhood, were invited to record a 2-5 minute audio story of their experiences living during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote community solidarity and connection during social distancing.  This episode of the #RisingYouth Podcast was developed in partnership with the CYC Podcast. For more information on #RisingYouth Community Service Grants of up to $1,500 available to youth 15-30, visit https://www.risingyouth.ca // Dans cet épisode, Vivian Patruno, animatrice du CYC Podcast, s'entretient avec Rebecca Gibbons, une Alumni de #JeunesEnAction, qui a créé le projet " Neighbourhood Story ", dans le cadre duquel les habitants du quartier Sandy Hill d'Ottawa ont été invités à enregistrer un récit audio de 2 à 5 minutes sur leurs expériences de vie pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, afin de promouvoir la solidarité et les liens communautaires dans un contexte de distanciation sociale.  Cet épisode du podcast #JeunesEnAction a été développé en partenariat avec le CYC Podcast. Pour plus d'informations sur les subventions de service communautaire #JeunesEnAction, d'un montant maximal de 1 500 dollars, destinées aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, visitez le site https://www.jeunesenaction.com/  

On this episode, Vivian Patruno, Host of the CYC Podcast, talks with #RisingYouth Alumni Rebecca Gibbons, who created The Neighbourhood Story Project, in which residents in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighourhood, were invited to record a 2-5 minute audio story of their experiences living during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote community solidarity and connection during social distancing. This episode of the #RisingYouth Podcast was developed in partnership with the CYC Podcast. For more information on #RisingYouth Community Service Grants of up to $1,500 available to youth 15-30, visit https://www.risingyouth.ca // Dans cet épisode, Vivian Patruno, animatrice du CYC Podcast, s'entretient avec Rebecca Gibbons, une Alumni de #JeunesEnAction, qui a créé le projet " Neighbourhood Story ", dans le cadre duquel les habitants du quartier Sandy Hill d'Ottawa ont été invités à enregistrer un récit audio de 2 à 5 minutes sur leurs expériences de vie pendant la pandémie de COVID-19, afin de promouvoir la solidarité et les liens communautaires dans un contexte de distanciation sociale. Cet épisode du podcast #JeunesEnAction a été développé en partenariat avec le CYC Podcast. Pour plus d'informations sur les subventions de service communautaire #JeunesEnAction, d'un montant maximal de 1 500 dollars, destinées aux jeunes de 15 à 30 ans, visitez le site https://www.jeunesenaction.com/

The Band of Force moves on towards Sandy Hill, where unexpected things happen...The adventure in Ravenland continues. This time Vahni joins and the mishaps keep on comin'...We're an award winning actual play podcast where professional actors in Sweden play the best of Swedish RPGs! Led by one of Swedens most experienced and appreciated podcast Game Masters we play Forbidden Lands, by Fria Ligan (Free League publishing).Starring: Ingela Lundh, Anneli Heed, Dominic Kelly and Mattias Redbo.Game master: Andreas LundströmCheck out our filmed oneshot for Medeltidsveckan (medieval week) at medeltidsveckan.se

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet presents Housing Party, a recurring interview-length Harbinger Society segment exploring the crisis of housing in Canada, for a conversation with organizer and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley on the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford's Conservatives and Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Tribunal and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture.Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts'.Find David and Josh on Twitter @DDesBaillets and @SqwashHawleyFind Josh's book ‘Villages in Cities' at http://blackrosebooks.net/products/view/Villages+in+Cities%3A+Community+Land+Ownership%2C+Cooperative+Housing%2C+and+the+Milton+Parc+Story/83754Find more of Paul Cargnello's music at https://paulcargnello.bandcamp.com/Introduction music courtesy of Henry Lee. Check out the recent episode of his narrative interview podcast 'Deathnography' featuring ‘The Jakarta Method' author Vincent Blevins and The Leap program director Maya Menezes at https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tV0kHpgxBxK9JClIvBwzl?si=5LBsuzA3Q9qT6GKFbTaiNw&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1For more on the Sandy Hill tenant victory read https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/osgoode-street-renovictions-rooming-houses-1.6010715Get early access to the show and other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/This conversation was recorded on May 3rd, 2021.

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet presents Housing Party, a recurring interview-length Harbinger Society segment exploring the crisis of housing in Canada, for a conversation with organizer and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley on the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford's Conservatives and Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Tribunal and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture. Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts'. Find David and Josh on Twitter @DDesBaillets and @SqwashHawley Find Josh's book ‘Villages in Cities' at http://blackrosebooks.net/products/view/Villages+in+Cities%3A+Community+Land+Ownership%2C+Cooperative+Housing%2C+and+the+Milton+Parc+Story/83754 Find more of Paul Cargnello's music at https://paulcargnello.bandcamp.com/ Introduction music courtesy of Henry Lee. Check out the recent episode of his narrative interview podcast 'Deathnography' featuring ‘The Jakarta Method' author Vincent Blevins and The Leap program director Maya Menezes at https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tV0kHpgxBxK9JClIvBwzl?si=5LBsuzA3Q9qT6GKFbTaiNw&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1 For more on the Sandy Hill tenant victory read https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/osgoode-street-renovictions-rooming-houses-1.6010715 Get early access to the show and other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/ This conversation was recorded on May 3rd, 2021.

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet presents Housing Party, a recurring interview-length Harbinger Society segment exploring the crisis of housing in Canada, for a conversation with organizer and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley on the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford’s Conservatives and Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Tribunal and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture. Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts’. Find David and Josh on Twitter @DDesBaillets and @SqwashHawley Find Josh’s book ‘Villages in Cities’ at http://blackrosebooks.net/products/view/Villages+in+Cities%3A+Community+Land+Ownership%2C+Cooperative+Housing%2C+and+the+Milton+Parc+Story/83754 Find more of Paul Cargnello’s music at https://paulcargnello.bandcamp.com/ Introduction music courtesy of Henry Lee. Check out the recent episode of his narrative interview podcast 'Deathnography' featuring ‘The Jakarta Method’ author Vincent Blevins and The Leap program director Maya Menezes at https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tV0kHpgxBxK9JClIvBwzl?si=5LBsuzA3Q9qT6GKFbTaiNw&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1 For more on the Sandy Hill tenant victory read https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/osgoode-street-renovictions-rooming-houses-1.6010715 Get early access to the show and other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/ This conversation was recorded on May 3rd, 2021.

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet presents Housing Party, a recurring interview-length Harbinger Society segment exploring the crisis of housing in Canada, for a conversation with organizer and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley on the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford's Conservatives and Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Tribunal and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture.Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts'.Find David and Josh on Twitter @DDesBaillets and @SqwashHawleyFind Josh's book ‘Villages in Cities' at http://blackrosebooks.net/products/view/Villages+in+Cities%3A+Community+Land+Ownership%2C+Cooperative+Housing%2C+and+the+Milton+Parc+Story/83754Find more of Paul Cargnello's music at https://paulcargnello.bandcamp.com/Introduction music courtesy of Henry Lee. Check out the recent episode of his narrative interview podcast 'Deathnography' featuring ‘The Jakarta Method' author Vincent Blevins and The Leap program director Maya Menezes at https://open.spotify.com/episode/1tV0kHpgxBxK9JClIvBwzl?si=5LBsuzA3Q9qT6GKFbTaiNw&utm_source=copy-link&nd=1For more on the Sandy Hill tenant victory read https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/osgoode-street-renovictions-rooming-houses-1.6010715Get early access to the show and other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/This conversation was recorded on May 3rd, 2021.

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley unpack the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford’s Conservatives and Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture. Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts’. Hear the full episode and get early access to other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley unpack the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford’s Conservatives and Ontario’s Landlord and Tenant Board and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture. Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts’. Hear the full episode and get early access to other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/

On episode 12 housing rights advocate David DesBaillet and social housing policy scholar Josh Hawley unpack the recent victory for tenants in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood, the disturbingly cozy relationship between Doug Ford's Conservatives and Ontario's Landlord and Tenant Board and how Josh's tweet about about Ottawa mayor Jim Watson made him a target of academic cancel culture.Plus: Atlantic correspondent James Brown re-lives some truly creepy landlord trauma on a new installment of ‘Solitary Thoughts'.Hear the full episode and get early access to other Harbinger exclusives by becoming a network supporter at https://harbingermedianetwork.com/

“The [COCM Excel] Award is given to one person, but it’s really comprised of everybody on the team. It just happens to be that one person who received it because everybody pushes you to be better and do better. You always see the head coach gets all the kudos, but it’s really the folks that are behind the scenes working day in and day out—they’re truly deserving of it as well.” —Michelle Smith Michelle Smith currently serves as Regional Vice President at Capstone On-Campus Management. Prior to working at the COCM home office, Michelle was Director of Campus Housing at Florida Atlantic University, where she earned the 2013 COCM Excel Award. Michelle was also part of the Capstone founding team, and she has been with the company for the last 17 years. On this episode of Student Housing Matters, Michelle joins guest host Alton Irwin for the next installment of our Excel Award Interview Series to explain why she considered the award a win for her entire team at Florida Atlantic. Michelle reflects on her time at FAU and reacts to what her colleagues said about the impact she had there. Listen in for insight on COCM’s ability to promote from within and why it’s so rewarding for Michelle to see that level of growth at every level of the company. Topics Covered  What’s unique about Michelle’s role as Regional Vice President of COCM How meeting Sandy Hill at a retreat early in her student housing career led Michelle to work for COCM Why it was special for Michelle to receive the Excel Award from Sandy Hill How Michelle saw the Excel Award as a win for her whole team at Florida Atlantic University What Michelle’s colleagues had to say about the impact she had at FAU How Michelle thinks about her time at FAU and as the campus partner, Residence Life team and COCM staff worked toward a common goal The sense of satisfaction Michelle feels in nominating COCM staff for the Excel Award Why being able to promote from within is so important to Michelle Connect with Michelle Smith Michelle at COCM Michelle on LinkedIn Connect with Alton Student Housing Matters Student Housing Matters on Facebook Student Housing Matters on Twitter Capstone On-Campus Management Alton at COCM Alton on LinkedIn Email media@cocm.com  

Episode #11 - Sean Holmes is an Ottawa born and raised, straight outta Sandy Hill coaching legend. 17 years at Drake University and the current St. Cloud State Men's soccer coach. Sean is honest, passionate, intelligent and hilarious. Listen to Sean call out Jason for his Rapid Fire answer. This is a must listen specifically if you are a player or a parent of a player looking to get a scholarship to the United States to play soccer. Sean dishes out some amazing advice. He also sticks up to the Snobs and calls out their "curious omissions" for the best ever Ottawa players. Always ready to represent the old school.

Connect with Curt online in the following places:www.curtderksen.comInstagram: @curtaderksenHosted by: Andrew Bracewell @EverydayAmazingPodcastProduced and Edited by: Justin Hawkes @Hawkes21Full transcription of this Interview:Andrew Bracewell: This is the podcast that finds the most elusive people everyday. Amazing kind that you know nothing about. I'm hunting these people down and exposing their beauty to the world. I'm Andrew Bracewell, and this is every day. Amazing.Curt Derksen: I don't want to give them what's left of me. I'm gonna give him the best of me.Andrew Bracewell: I am both nervous and excited. Maybe even more nervous than excited because of the individual who's sitting across from me today. Curt Derksen. Welcome to the podcast. Thanks for having me, Phil. It is absolutely my pleasure. I'll Ah, I'll start with that. I'd like to start things with confessions sometimes. And so Ah, the reason that I'm nervous is because you and I actually do this all the time. And the only difference is is today we're doing it with microphones in front of our faces.Curt Derksen: Yep, True that. And a whole bunch of people that might hear it.Andrew Bracewell: And a whole bunch of people that might hear it a little bit. And so, no, no, There won't be any editing. We're only doing we're only doing it in the raw. But what I have Thio say in admit and this is part of the reason why I'm so excited and and yet nervous at the same time is that there's been a number of times in the last couple years that you and I have spent late nights together Ah, out on the patio or the porch or in the backyard and I drive home from that experience where I walk inside my house and I say to myself, that has to be one of the best conversations in the history of mankind. Somebody needs to be recording this. That was amazing. That was life giving, and it was incredible. So, um, well, the feeling is mutual. You're making me blush a little bit. Well, I'm not I'm not trying to make you bless. So So this morning is that was getting ready. Ah, the nervous thoughts that came into my mind Where Andrew, don't screw this up. Just be natural. Let it flow, Do what you do And you guys are gonna have a great time. So I am truly excited to ah to have you sitting across from me and in keeping with our tradition that we've tend to have, whether it be through intent or not, we are sipping bourbon. Well, we Well, we talked to one another, and it should be noted for the audience that it's roughly 10. 30 in the morning. Won't say where we are. You know where that is. But we're not driving. We're actually in my living room, and we're Ah, we're gonna We're gonna do bourbon together because that's what we do. Brings out the best and the conversation seems to feel I have a question for you, actually on that on that topic. Good. Do you think so? Neither of you. Neither you or I has educated enough to probably intelligently answer this question, But let's try to do it together anyway. What do you think alcohol does to you in conversation? What is it doing? Your brain does it open you up? Does it shut you down? Speak to that a little bit because you and I have have had lots of alcohol into his conversations.Curt Derksen: Yeah, that's a good question. So I think about it often, actually, because it depends on a few things for me. Circumstances of my Dave, my own body chemistry, food that's on board. Kind of where I'm at emotionally, but often what it will do is it will help me come grounded in present in the moment. And then I can just be really some of my inhibitions or concerns of just being vulnerable out of subside. And then I could just be fully engaged in the moment. And it opens up some amazing opportunities for, like, we had some really cool conversations that you just feel like you're connected with somebody.Andrew Bracewell: So again, it's funny that we're having this conversation because we're probably not fit to have the conversation properly because we don't actually know what's going on in the body chemistry. Maybe we do a bit, but do you think that it takes us out of a current state of reality and allows us to get into a different space that therefore then opens up conversations that we otherwise wouldn't be ableto have, or how do you think that works? I thinkCurt Derksen: it's for me. Anyways. It's more just about some of the barriers coming down, like my own inhibitions, as far as like, maybe I won't say that right now, because he may be. He'll think something weird of me or whatever, and that is just kind of gone and then You just got to get into a flow. Almost. You just let it be. Some people can probably do it easier without alcohol. And I can definitely do it without I'll call as well. But I just find that regardless of what my circumstances are during that day, it will help the be present.Andrew Bracewell: Yeah, it goes without saying that this certainly isn't an endorsement of that. You course you need alcohol in orderto have real authentic conversation. Well, I mean, usually before nine. I'm onto my second little bit. Delete today. Yeah, I know. It just so happens that, you know, you and I have spent a lot of time together, but we have this great history of incredible conversations late at night. Well, while sipping on bourbon. So in keeping with our tradition, we're doing that this morning and, ah, you know, here's to us doing it one more time to choose. Um, So hey, I want to introduce you a bit to the audience, and I wanna give you the platform, and I want to let you know, tell us who you are, where you came from in a bit of your stories. So, um, I want to give you the platform. I'll I'll say that. You know, you're a guy who's married with three kids and you live in Abbotsford and you sell real estate. But maybe, um, I'll let you go from there. Take it over and away. You go.Curt Derksen: Okay. Not originally from atmosphere to grow up in Kelowna, just outside of Kelowna. And I was the oldest of three kids. Never thought that I would be anything to do with sales. That just wasn't my cup of tea. I volunteered in Cairo, Egypt, for a year, and I went to school in Alberta and went to school and Abbotsford and again, real estate was never on my radar. I had some experiences, met some people, read some books when I was in university at the University Fraser Valley that started just giving me a paradigm shift, challenging the way I thought opening up my mind to different possibilities and reading different perceptions, really, And so that led me to real estate, and I got to the place where I feel like it's actually a really good fit for me, and so it just I've grown a lot as a human and a lot of really great things have come as a result of had good opportunities to connect with and serve people and and create a cool life for my familyAndrew Bracewell: and your your family just to catch everybody up. You're married for how many years?Curt Derksen: So my wife, Michelle, we've been married since 2008. So 11 years at this 110.11 and 1/2 years we have three Children going. His eight. Thailand is six and Norris for. So we are in the full on chaos of all that is young families and loving it. We actually actually feel like we're kind of emerging out of like treading water, but mostly being underwater and coming to a place where I feel like I spend more time with my head above water than below. Which is a refreshing feeling. I think Michelle would say the same thing. I know she would.Andrew Bracewell: Oh, there'll be parents out there listening to this, nodding their head guy. I understand. Well, yeah, but I already meansCurt Derksen: once you're a parent, you you get it. You don't really know what chaos is until I mean, everybody has different levels are different kinds of chaos. But as a parent. The chaos that you deal with condense?Andrew Bracewell: Yep. I want to circle back to your You alluded it eluded to your university experience and how you're said your mind started to shift. You started thinking different ways. What were you What were you studying in university? And then what kind of experiences did you have that started to, you know, shift the way you were investigating the future of your life?Curt Derksen: I'd probably back it up even a little bit further before that, because I went to school and I went to three different schools. Three different postsecondary education institutions, one including a one in Calgary, then one in Abbotsford. And when I went in Kelowna, I was playing on the men's soccer team there, and my experience was mostly just about playing soccer. When I went in Calgary to that school, I was playing basketball, and my experience was mostly based around basketball. So what I was actually getting out of my studies was only what I needed to in order to keep their to this city there. But I didn't enjoy it. The studies that I was taking wasn't really for me. It was more typical like what you would do in high school. You just kind of jump through the hoops after both of those experiences. That's when I went to Egypt, and I just I went on a trip. Michelle, my wife is from there.Andrew Bracewell: Yeah, So this this was a FEMA female inspired this year. Go to ECurt Derksen: Exactly. She she lived there for 12 years, and so it wasAndrew Bracewell: a noble, noble reason. It's totally well, yeah, get in withCurt Derksen: the family, show that I'm actually good shit and then weAndrew Bracewell: can see where it goes from. ThereCurt Derksen: it was You got to go to Egypt and I fell in love with you. We're just on a tourist trip at that point were there for three weeks, and I fell in love with the opportunity and actually the opportunity that I sought to basically connect with and served Sudanese refugee kids. And so when I came back from Egypt, actually dropped out of school is supposed to be going for my second semester, but it was okay because the first semester was when we had soccer and the second semester soccer season wasn't going on so I could drop out. It was totally cool actually went back to the rigs at that point. Julian Reason, Northern Alberta paid off some debt, save some money and then went to Egypt. And so when I came back, Thio Canada So was in Egypt for a year when I came back to Canada. After that, I went raid in tow. Michelle and I got married, and then I wouldn't read into the University of Freezer Valley and started slitting kinesiology. And so kinesiology is the study of the human body in the human body in motion. And I always played sports and was active and trained pretty fit. And so getting into kinesiology at you, if he was a different like not only was I now older and mature and I was better because I was engaged in the studies and I kind of had a bit of an end goal and you where I wanted to be, Uh, But this this is what I was actually studying was actually fascinating to me because it was an application with stuff that I already at some core level, understood and new. And so the studies when I got to that position being a little bit older having some life experience studying something that I actually enjoyed. I started thinking differently. I just started, maybe even actually just thinking rather than going through the motions in life. And so I got to the end of my university studies, and rather than pursue kinesiology, I actually might last. I laughed one of my last second or third. Last semester, I started reading some books about investing in real estate. One of the fundamental books for me was the Robert Kiyosaki Bic Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and it's a really basic Michelle and I actually bought that book. We're driving to Remington for, uh, we're going to a family wedding or something out in Edmonton. We bought the book before we left. We read it to each other. At that point, I'm a student at you. If you were renting a condo and Michelle's and nurse just in her first year of practicing as a nurse working at the office for a hospital, we buy this book. We're driving a 2006 black Honda Civic, which was our first car that we got together. We're driving Delbert a reading this book, taking turns back and forth. Read it to each other. By the time we got home back to Abbotsford, we decided that we were going to buy a house. And it was never really on our radar, something that we talked about before. But there was some very simple principles that were like, We're gonna apply this. Our agent at the time was James Armstrong and poor guy. We just We're new to this whole world and didn't have any, like guidance. Really? So we're just like I thought it was the best thing to go and see every possible listing that there was. So we probably actually have a folder with all of the pieces of paper that Jim printed for us. We saw, like, 40 homes.Andrew Bracewell: You were the client from hell,Curt Derksen: right? Exactly. We totally he was just a happy go lucky love to just super social love to be with us and tell stories. And so we just saw everything that we could see anyways, So we go from living in a condo that we're renting to buying a house and within like, six months, you buy this house, I'm in university, still full time. Michele's working at this point. I'm working at Great West Fitness, that gym in town. I'm a personal trainer and or I'm studying to be a personal trainer on top of the other things that come along with kinesiology. And so I'm working at the gym studying, and we bought this house and I started renovating the basement. So we bought it without a sweet, renovated the basement, put a sweet and illegal suite, and then we lived in the basement and rented out the upstairs for the 1st 2 years. And so this was kind of like our problem at this point. I wasn't planning on being a realtor. I just had the idea from Robert if we use what we have, and we can actually make it work for us rather than paying somebody else's rent, and that's kind of where it all started.Andrew Bracewell: You were putting into action what you had read, and you were You were living it outCurt Derksen: exactly, and by time we actually got the living in that basement suite. We were little. We were living for less money. We're paying less money to live in our own house. Then we would have been paying rent it this other, and it was our own house. It was our own basement, soAndrew Bracewell: I want to circle back to something. Um I don't wanna miss over something. Miss out on something that could be good here, and I don't even know. I can't remember the exact dates. I know. You know, I have discussed this before, but when you were in Egypt, you were involved in a fairly significant accident. Was that Is that pre marriage or when? What does thatCurt Derksen: was? Yes. So that was March of 2000 and six, sort to March of 2008. And so Egypt was quite significant for me. Like not only was I in a situation that I would have never imagined before on several occasions I went to Egypt playing spy before Egypt had always played sports. Never got hurt, never broke a bone, never been in an accident. Never had anything bad happen versa. Master, I'm playing basketball against one of the students that I was working with. One of the refugees on the run. He was a moth, was like six foot nine, like he was a full grown human, like there's a whole side story here, if they often will when they when they come into, like so with a lot of the Sudanese living in in Cairo have refugee status, but they're not like in a refugee camp. They're just like in the shit mix with the Egyptians. And so there's a lot of differences between the Sudanese and an Egyptian like very, very different from the Sudanese air, not overly accepted in a lot of a large part, like they come and they don't have income potential. They can't work the speak different languages. They're not overly accepted. So there's like this massive problem of the Egyptians not loving the Sudanese and not I'm generalizing a little bit. But as a general rule, like the general person on the street is not overly excited that the Sudanese were there because they're just an extra burden, like we would be here like it was an extra burden on our society. Totally. It's not to the fault of the Sudanese. It's just the reality anyways, so I'm playing basketball games, this massive guy who says he's 17 but he's probably 35 he's probably older than I was just a monster. I drive the whole and I do a lay up and I came to the end of the Congo like end of the corpse in a concrete corner at the end. There's a little drop off when I rolled my ankle and broke my foot and I've never broken anything before. And so I walked. We walked everywhere. I was like a volunteer at the time, so I have $0 to my name. You could take a taxi everywhere you go, and it doesn't cost very much, but I don't even have enough money to do that. I'm just a volunteer. So I walked everywhere, so I walked for like, three days around Madi. That's the part of Cairo where we were on a broken foot before I went to the doctor and got X rays and sure enough got casted. So the first semester I was in a cast for like and Weeks came home at Christmas, proposed, went back toAndrew Bracewell: Egypt and then just fit in all the things that really all the things thatCurt Derksen: proposed Christmas. We're getting married that summer, July and go back. And then that spring break, Michelle came over to visit, to hang out with me there for a couple weeks and I got into a car accident. I was on a bicycle. First semester. I walked. Then when I had a broken foot, it was hard to walk. So I got a bike and was riding around. Well, trafficking Cairo is make noon. That's like Arabic for crazy, like it is mental. It's probably one of the least safe places in the world to drive. At one point, I remember hearing that there was something like 90 related traffic deaths per day in the city of Cairo. It like it's just absolutely traffic laws don't apply. They aren't there aren't any. And so I had this brilliant idea that I was gonna write a bike. I wasn't wearing a helmet, and I went to a soccer practice that I was coaching with a bunch of the Sudanese kids, and I'm riding back, and it's kind of like dusk getting to the end of the day, and it's the end of the week. So Friday's air the beginning of their weekend. So it's like a Thursday night at dusk. Everybody's getting out of town toe, go home or whatever. I'm trying to ride across traffic and I get to this mad Dan like a roundabout, and this should be like probably three lanes of traffic all the way around the Madan. But this was there's probably five, and so it's super busy. There's one traffic cop kind of directing, making sure that there is a flow. But it's just chaos. And so in the chaos, if you want to like yet anywhere you have to be aggressive. So whether you're walking or riding a bike or driving, if you don't go, then you'll stand forever and you're not.Andrew Bracewell: You're not going to Israel. You goCurt Derksen: where you don't where you stay. And so I decided to make a quick second approached the the Madden, and I made a quick decision that I was gonna give her. I was going to get across this Smith Dan and I got past the 3rd 1st 3 vehicles, and what I didn't see was that there was another vehicle on the inside that was cutting really tight, coming quick. And so I got past the 1st 3 you got to the fourth. I didn't see him and oh shit and right there he his I remember, and I actually nightmares about it for a while, but I remember the hood of his car hitting me on my left leg. And I always thought, being athletic, that if I got into that situation you like, I would Spider Man this shit out of thisAndrew Bracewell: situation. I would totally like, come out like his movies. Air rial. I know, right? I was complete.Curt Derksen: I would be like a cat. I would land on my feet. No issues. That's not what happened. I, um, cranked on front and rear brakes went up on the front. Well, the front wheel actually, like mangled completely, just from the my weight and the impact of the car and the bike went underneath the car, and I went over the handlebars and landed on the pavement. Luckily, just passed his car on and close enough to them center of the Madonna, where there is no other vehicles coming, have landed on my face first on my chin, then on my nose broke off. Three of my teeth, destroyed my nose, big cuts over my chin, and it was a bloody mess. I blacked out for a second, came through, came to brought up, grab my bike from underneath the car, and when sat down on the curb and my whole face was just on fire and blood was just gushing. And I looked up and I never seen a traffic cop being in front of the car. Traffic stopped and a couple people came over to see if I was OK. And by the time I looked up again, traffic was flowing in. That car was gone. He probably paid off the guard and was done. It was the end of it.Andrew Bracewell: Wow. So I had I had an equally traumatic accident in my life. I've heard yourCurt Derksen: story. It might be more traumatic.Andrew Bracewell: Yeah, well, I'm just different. Just different. And something I experienced Waas, uh, I had, like, significant nightmares for I want to say, intense at first for the first year yet where, On a weekly basis, multiple times was waking up in sweats, reliving what happened? Yep. And then, um, you know, doing my level best to control it with drugs in a healthy and unhealthy way. And then, uh, you know, it dissipated over time, but it probably years to completely, you know, leave my memory as I was trying to sleep. Yeah, is that Did you have anything like that. Yeah, probably.Curt Derksen: Why I never had. I was never medicated. Um, even being in Cairo, having those procedures done, there really wasn't a lot of medication that was given their very afraid, being an Islamic country, they're very afraid of, uh, drug dependency. So it was more tough it out and and deal with it. And so being that all of my primary care was there, I was in the hospital there for a few days at couple surgeries there. All my teeth I worked in my teeth was done there. There was no medication. But I do remember for a significant period of time having waking up in having sweats, being afraid, I was afraid. The first time I got back onto a bike. There's a lot that kind of came with it, but one of the best parts that came from that whole experience. And there's this one moment, this one, maybe evening. More than a moment is captured in my brain better than most of my time in Cairo. So my wife's mom, my mother in law Brenda, was living in Cairo at the time. And so after this accident happened, I actually moved into her place and she kind of was taken care of me. And one night, a boat, maybe a week where the even, maybe even less than a week after the event, the Sudanese kids that I was working with actually came to the apartment where I was staying toe to see me and take care of me. And just just to basically love on me like that was one of like, the most humbling and amazing experiences that I've had, because you're my this like, blond haired, blue eyed Canadian guy who's going over there to, like, serve the needy. That was kind of like my programming, and they came to, like, take care of me. They came to love on me. And so there was, like, 30 of them that piled into this little apartment like these monstrous kids that are like six toe six foot five and well ranging in age from probably 25 all the way down to 12 and they just it piled in the elevator. They came up the series. We're on the 10th floor and they just, like, came and just sat with me for like hours. And it was the connection that I had with them afterwards was amazing. And it was like, the for the first time, we connected on a different level. So really cool.Andrew Bracewell: So let's jump back to university now. Kinesiology? Yep. You've had an experience of smashing your body to pieces of an accident. You're learning about the body. You've You've told me many times you're fascinated with with the body and how it functions. What fascinates you? Why can you see ology fascinated? Well, how howCurt Derksen: much weaken accomplish or what we can actually physically do, and how training and preparation can actually expand your capacity. And so these traumatic experiences that I had breaking my foot or smashing my face or know any of the events playing sports, those kinds of things you become aware of, kind of like where your ceiling is and then learn that you can actually push past that house. Some of those traumatic experiences can actually make you better. And then the other part is like the accident was traumatic. But there is a hole like emotional psychological component to it that made me better. I'm better because of the pain that I went through. And so that's that's really intriguing. That fascinates me. That weaken actually learn from these experiences and you can apply that. I think you can apply the same principles of that kind of like growth. And if you apply the same principles to anything that you do, you actually have an opportunity to become better at. You know, any avenue business, for instance, like I've been in this business now have been in real estate since 2012 and I haven't done anything different than I've done in every other part of my life. Like I learnt your intentional you grow. You surround yourself by the right people that are doing what you want to do. You borrow from them until you can kind of make your own way and then implement and change and start to recognize kind of your own authentic voice and pay attention to that beast. That's been my journey. I feel like I've borrowed from others until I get to a place where I could be comfortable in my own skin and then kind of go on my own from there.Andrew Bracewell: So were you born with the Greek god body that you have or did you have to buildCurt Derksen: it, built it. No, I don't. I don't think that's entirely true. I think thatAndrew Bracewell: what? That you're a Greek god or that you have.Curt Derksen: Of course, Greek. God is true. ButAndrew Bracewell: you realize that I that I'm asking this question not for myself, but for the masses that are listening that want to know. Is that a gift from God? It occurred. Build that. And how do I get it?Curt Derksen: Yeah, I I I definitely worked hard at my body and I have my whole life and I've always been active, and I've been careful what I eat and what my nutrition looks like. And not to say that I don't have ice cream or, you know, my treats of choice. Those things happen. It's just a moderation. And then the majority of time, I'm intentional about it. But there is definitely a genetic component like my dad. I trained with my dad when I was 12 years old in our basement, like my dad was, he modeled something for me as faras being active and taking care of his body. And so that is something that is, you know, from a very young age I was playing sports. I was training and maybe my diet wasn't the best When I was a kid is here. I was a kid, but I still you know, at some level there is a genetic component where my dad's activity and it was imprinted upon me What he also modeled soAndrew Bracewell: well, that is. I mean, that's one of the things that I mean. I admire a number of things about you, but one of the things that I admire about you and have been challenged on it's your habits that you have in your life in the decisions that you have in place Speaking about, you know, specifically the body What you put in what you consume, how you train. I've trained with you before and training with you is not to be taken lightly. It's ah, it's impressive. And I would you know, I don't know. I never knew you when you were 56789 years old But But I've known you recently and I know that you know you you work your ass off for what you have, you can and the world the world thanks you for it because, you know, we get toe take you in it. It's a beautiful thing to take in.Curt Derksen: I was gonna say you could look at my son because my son, I think, is a pretty much like an identical. He looks a lot like me, but just the way he trains for baskets into basketball right now on the way he trains for basketball is focusing. Commitment to it is would have been the same for me. And I remember my mom telling stories about me sleeping with my soccer ball like I didn't have a stuffy like I slept with my soccer, but like that was what I did. That was my thing. I think that kind of mentality is that's just who I am. And that's who my son is. So,Andrew Bracewell: so a question that people would probably have is Where do you fit on the on the spectrum of the and it's a large spectrum. The physical fitness, the the diet, the food intake. Do you align with a particular philosophy, or has that shifted for you significantly over time, or what does that look like? I think it'sCurt Derksen: constantly evolving as I try things out, and as technology or science advances and we understand more. But as I trial things for myself, I'd like to just try different things for a while. I get bored, so I switch back and forth from different things. I'm just starting some yoga. I've seen that before, off last year, and I'm enjoying that. There's a whole element of, like mindfulness being aware of my body and exposing the supposing Some of my own kind of internal weakness is that I'm gonna find with yoga. I love hiking, so there's a whole outdoors element connecting with nature. That kind of comes for me from that CrossFit something that I is a kind of style, that I would train for high intensity interval training like condensing a lot of work into a short period of time. Really, it's just it's a lifestyle thing for me, like trying to be active every day, and and the reason that I do it is that I know what I feel like when I when I'm not, and I know how I perform with my family. I perform for work, how I feel about myself. All of those things come when I'm disciplined. When I'm on track and I'm eating well and I'm resting well and I'm training for equally. I can do better at life, and I wanted you will, though,Andrew Bracewell: so your physical routine has evolved quite drastically over time. What have you done with the food element and the calories you're consuming? Has that also drastically changed? Or what does that look like for you? I thinkCurt Derksen: it's It's definitely changed. I don't how drastic. Like my fares. Parents didn't feed me shit growing up like we had pretty ballistic recently, well balanced meals as a young 20 something youAndrew Bracewell: weren't raised on Froot Loops. AndCurt Derksen: oh, there was a capital wasn't every day. But we also don't have the money to have fruits. That's an expensive cereal. So we like. That wasn't something that was That was an extra. I would go to my friend's houses that had more money so that we could have those things. We were maybe Rice Krispies or something. So it's still cereal. But IAndrew Bracewell: had two of those friends. They were strategic partnerships. Yes, right. It was very important for the enjoyment of elementary school. Totally, totallyCurt Derksen: planning times to go and visit have sleepovers. I don't have a few too and I frequently went to their place will significantly more times than they came to mind. And that was orchestrated by this guy.Andrew Bracewell: That's intelligence. That's right. What that isCurt Derksen: right is adapting exactly next stage of evolution. So being married to Michelle, though Michelle has been instrumental for sure in having healthier, more balanced food, I don't ever have to think about going to the grocery store like sometimes all a go and help her out. But for the most part, like she plans meals there's always have are for fridges were very lucky. Your fridge is always full, There's always good choices, healthy options. And so a big part of it is just not having the shit options available. Lot of the stuff that when it isAndrew Bracewell: in theCurt Derksen: house, I still consume it. But having as little of that around, it's possible. But IAndrew Bracewell: find thisCurt Derksen: so this is probably comin from a lot of people, but for me, especially like there's a very big correlation when I'm active and I'm disciplined, you know, conscious about like doing the activities, having exercise, hiking, walking, exercising all those things, my diet, like I just tend to want to be more intentional about my diet. I don't take in as much crap because it just I want to make sure that I'm fueled properly. But I alsoAndrew Bracewell: feelCurt Derksen: good. And so when I feel good, then I want to keep that rulingAndrew Bracewell: totally. It's not chicken and egg thing, that that vicious cycle that has no answer to it. But when you when you're physically taking care of yourself, you're more inclined to put the right things in. And then when you get into a space where you're not, which it's important to have those those spaces to to to take a break, it's much easier to fall into a trap of all. Eat that bag of potato chips or I'll do that. I'll do that, which I think is also healthy to take time for for sure. But I I can identify that with that completelyCurt Derksen: for me, that the control part comes back when, like I can control it better if I was gonna say him off the wagon, okay? And I'm not exercising and I'm eating shit, and that maybe happens for Noah periodically throughout a year, a couple times where I have a week or two or three year a month When I'm just not engaged and not taking care of myself, I get back on back on track by exercise. And when I exercise intentionally, then I can. The food component just comes naturally for me, like it just it falls into line when I'm when I am working when I am training,Andrew Bracewell: that's an interesting thought. I would wonder if if a pole could be taken. I would bet that some people would be the exercise first to get back and some people would be the food first step. Get back, I think Absolutely. And I actually wonder now that we're talking, I think I'm a food first person because when I eat shit and feel like shit, there's, like, no fucking way. Yeah, I'm going out and, you know, lifting weights or whatever. So for me, I think it's the opposite. I think you know, if I get the right food and then all of a sudden I feel better. Confidence changes. Not so foggy in the brain. Okay? I wanna go left, right. We'll run.Curt Derksen: Yeah, I think anybody that has any kind of tendency towards a distortion on their food it's it's a it's a difficult thing. And if you are in a boat, a rut burn, extended period of time and you're you of food is distorted, then it's that much harder, actually, Turn it around. And those people would probably be the similar to you. ThatAndrew Bracewell: and that's me. I had my food journey in my life. You know what I was, um you know what? I was handed in terms of food, intelligence and habits as a child and then and then not to put the blame on, you know, how I was raised on my parents. But then even what I did for myself in my early adult formative years, I mean, I developed incredibly terrible habits and bad belief systems around food, and some of it was just ignorance, you know, lack of education. And so then when I made a change and I didn't want to be a diabetic in my twenties, it was the food thing where the battle was won and lost. I always I was an athlete as a child, you know, I played basketball, I played hockey, all of those things. But then when you feel like shit and you don't have energy. You actually can't even be athletic anymore. So for me, the battle is always won and lost in the kitchen and then even to this day, to get back on track. For me, it's a food thing before it's Ah, it's a physical thing,Curt Derksen: but that that probably makes sense compared to like your your family. It was modeled for you and for me, how it was modeled with my dad. My dad was training when my dad is 5 to 10 and when I was young, he was like to 40 like just a beast, just a beast. And he would consume like he'd sit down and have a dozen eggs like he just was constantly like in taking proteins and just intentional about lifting, benching over £300 squatting like ridiculous numbers and leg pressing £1000 that was that was that was what he did.Andrew Bracewell: Wow. And you had that model for youCurt Derksen: exactly. And I took part in it like, Yeah, I remember being 12 like we just sold our family home this last year, and I remember I have one of the some of the weight sets that we used when I was a kid and I would my dad and I would train that in the basement 23 times a week like that's what we did together. So that's obviously because that's ingrained in me. That's my default. And Michelle, my wife, who lives in the same house, is me. Would be food similar. More similar to you. Be food First exercise kind of falls in line when her food and nutrition is where it needs to beAndrew Bracewell: right. Let's switch gears for a bit. Ah, you've alluded to Michelle and your kids and your family a number of times and families. Big topic. But let's first dive into your immediate family, your wife and kids. How has being a father, a husband and a father? And as that's evolved, how is that changed particular philosophies in your life about how you approach work or how you approach this last topic we've been talking about, You know, the major topics in life. If you look at your life in last, say 8 10 years, what major evolutions have you come through in terms of the way you think, and how will you approach thingsCurt Derksen: before I got married. I would have told you that I am not selfish like I'm not a selfish human Like I'm other focused like I Mother Rish. Right? And then I got married and living cohabiting with someone When human makes you realize that actually, I was pretty selfish. And then if after a little while, I figured out like, you know, I I can do this, I could be married. I'm not that selfish anymore. I've learned I've grown and then we had kids and it was like, That's a huge time. Suck like you love those little buggers, but like it's a huge time. Suck on. I realized once again how selfish I actually am. And so now, three kids later in a wife, later that that I feel guilty for a while about this selfishness that I had. And I saw the pendulum kind of swing far from feeling like I wasn't selfish to then feeling like I was really selfish and that beating myself up and that's a common theme for me in my own head is beating myself really hard on myself. But feeling guilty about it being guilty and shame even around this idea that I was selfish. And then now the pendulum kind of swinging back, probably more towards center. And I'm realizing that, like, I can't Well, you everybody's heard this idea of you get on a plane And this flight attendant says if we you know, we lose pressure in the cabin, the masks fall down. You got to take care of yourself. Put yours on first. If you can't take care of yourself, you can't help someone else. And so the guilt and shame slid me into this pattern with young Children and a wife that was dealing with postpartum depression. And you know, her own journey, her own process for body being literally ripped apart him and trying to put it back together and not being able to do what she did before All all the psychological and emotional trauma that happens happens as a result of trying to raise these little humans being completely sleep deprived. We've kind of both now come to this place where it's like, Well, if I don't take care of me, then I can't be the best version of me for my family. And if I can't be the best version of me for my family than what am I setting them upAndrew Bracewell: for now we're into the meat of what I want to talk about. It takes aCurt Derksen: little while to get here, but we're here now.Andrew Bracewell: We've arrived. We worked into a lather. How does it go on? He needs more bourbon and he'll be good. So one of the things if not the thing that I both admire about you the most, but also worry about you the most is you are the most self sacrificing human in my life that I'm aware of which I love and admire about you. But then when I observe you in life circumstances, where others around you, whether it be family or not, family experienced tragedy. You are throwing yourself in front of the bus, metaphorically speaking, or people. And you and I have talked about this before. And one of the things that it doesn't me is when I've watched you, either in that, in your space is a father or a husband is Eiko. Holy shit. I'm not doing enough like I'm watching what Curt's doing, and that's unbelievable. And I just need to be I got to be more like hurt. Yeah, But there's two edges to that blade, and the other edge is that you're throwing yourself in front of that bus and you're getting run over and run over and run over. I want to hear you talk about that a little.Curt Derksen: You can only run over so many times, right? Like you kind of ball down and get back up and learn a little bit from it. And so I went back to my accident like I learned something from that event, like I got knocked over and life is like that. It continues to knock us over. And so the the Pro is that I care about people, and I do what I can in the people that I love. Know that I love them and I would do anything for them. But then there becomes a point where you also take on burdens beyond you take on. You start picking up people's burdens when they don't even want you to pick up their burdens, and it's actually not serving them the way I intend to serve them, like I'm trying to just help. But it's actually not being received like that. It actually comes across as almost being like this air against like you can't do it. Let me do it for you, Massa. Not my intention, but I kind of ran into this wall, and I think the business that I'm in is really great for that. It's helped me ro and become aware because my default and my mom is like This is well, my default is just to do everything for everybody. But then you burn yourself out. And so the business being coming into people's lives and seeing their circumstances and seeing that there is need and there's opportunity to help but learning of the line of what's actually appropriate and what's their responsibility and what you're actually have to constantly remind myself that doing something for someone else is actually robbing them. Often it can rob them of the experience or some of the experiences that I've had. And so in my brain, that's what I've had to do is actually like Helen myself. But I'm actually taking away from them, even though I'm trying to help them. I'm actually taking away from them and it's like a selfish thing, really, cause I'm learning toe, not pick up other people's rocks and put him in my backpack. Yeah, I'm learning that like it's their job to carry their rocks. And sometimes people's rocks there they're back back is so heavy that they need an extra hand but learning that line of like, what's appropriate and what's not for the sake of their growth, in their own development, in their own life, like their life, but also for mine, because it takes away from my ability to, like, get the most out of this life and beauty there for my kids and wife. Okay,Andrew Bracewell: there's a lot here that I don't want to miss out on this. There's there's two routes I want to go down and you you touched on one of them that I want to circle back to. And that's the how does this play out in your in your business? You're in the personal service industry and you're dealing with human needs Sometimes that are incredibly selfish. So I will go there in a sec, but I want to go to family tragedy. You've experienced a few things. We don't have to get into all of them, but I've observed you in your immediate family with with one of your brothers and your dad talk about either one of those circumstances, whichever one you want. Yeah, And in the context of this conversation and and what you've had to wrestle with it. So maybe give us some background.Curt Derksen: I feel like families like a different level for me. Like I I'm so in my business. I started off carrying everybody like they were my family, and I love everybody that I work with, and then I get to help. But I also need to draw a line somewhere of who I actually can carry stuff for and who I can't. That line is easily muddied, but my family side were going through. My dad has been 61. He's been diagnosed with dementia, and it's been going on for probably a handful of years undiagnosed. But we've been watching subtle changes, and it's really freaking hard. Man like this is heavy. Like, this is really heavy. This is not something that you, uh this is what I trained for. Actually, this is why I train. I train in life to be able to be in these kind of situations and be someone that helps and not be someone that's a burden by taking care of my own shit. I can help you situations. And so my parents are going through bar none. The hardest period of their lives. My dad's unfortunately, less his capacity and awareness is decreasing by the day, and there's nothing that we can do about it. There's nothing that anybody could. There's no a pill to take. There's not a lifestyle change. It's like the damage is done. And we're just like on this train to this point. And so there is a lot that my mom carries. There's a lot that my dad has lost, and there's a lot that I try and carry because my mom is. Her bag is so full that she's like she's treading water and having a hard time keeping your head above. And so I I have been for the last couple of years, probably longer than that, But intentionally right now and going forward, I'm going to be there with her in the water, helping her carry her back. And I could do that only because I take care of myself because I make sure that I sleep and I rest and I have time for me to do what I like. And I have time with my family where I can be engaged, and that gives me joy in life and exercise like those air. If I don't have those things sorted out, then if my mask isn't on, then I can't help my mom. Yeah, and so I I work on making sure that I have things put together in my life. And then obviously there's That's just one area of my life that's not that's just one thing, like there's still work and all the burdens that come with all these different people in their different situations and circumstances. But it for me fundamental piece comes back to taking care of myself. And so my journey this coming up this year into, uh, understanding myself better so I could be more authentic person of have a better understanding of myself, be more authentic in who I am, and then not have some of the extra stress is that come from trying to please other people or impress other people, take care of myself, be authentic? Then I can serve and be there for the people that mean the most to me.Andrew Bracewell: So as you're in this maze of dementia with no clear path it with your dad. What is the And you're in it. You're not through it. I mean, you're you're living it right now. What is the messaging that needs to be out there that you've had to dig and find on your own? But what people need to hear if they're in the space that you're in right now?Curt Derksen: Well, I think this is like all the things that I'm trying to practice right now is what I'm learning. Self care is of the utmost importance, like understanding your the way you tick, accepting who you are, not trying to please other people or perform to satisfy other people's expectations, saying No when you need to say no to something when you know that it's too much making sure that you get proper sleepAndrew Bracewell: because let me interrupt for a second because the need within the context of dementia, like with the person that's being affected by it, the need is so blind to other people's needs, right percent like it has the ability just to be the most selfish state it becomes, and it's not. The person's wrongdoing is a black hole. It's completely out of control so that if you're around that, everybody also have the barriers up. You can get sucked in, and before long, you know, there's nothing of yourself that that's accurate. 100% Yeah,Curt Derksen: but that's true of everything in life, right? That that is true, like especially for someone with personally like mine where you tend to. I want to be liked and I wantto do a good job for people. And I want I want to feel I feel fulfillment, and I feel significant when I feel like I've done a good job in somebody's a little bit better today or their financial situation's a little bit better because of on investment that I helped them with or you know they got really will take care of as we sold their home or whatever, no matter where you go. If you're not able to be fundamentally strong and who you are an authentic in yourself, take care of yourself, then you can easily get swayed. You lose your ability to be objective and then you get pulled into other people's shit. I want to be there to serve and honor my parents through this journey that they're on, not at the cost of my own sanity, nor the cost of my family. And but I'm also not willing to just I guess one way I could do it is be like, Well, no, hands off, like you deal with it and I'm busy with my own shit. I don't I don't want to be that person either. I want to be able to be engaged, developed that relationship, support them, love them, honor them as they go through this trialling Tyr trying time.Andrew Bracewell: I'll switch gears a little bit. Something that's been said about you is that Curt is one of the most playful fathers ever. And what I observe in you with your kid's eyes absolutely true. You know, I I agree with that statement. Where does that come from? Your desire to be engaged with your Children when given an opportunity?Curt Derksen: I think it comes from a couple of places. One. I just actually really love them, And I would just love playing with um, like I love it gives me joy to see them laugh. Like Nora is four and five times a day. Right now, she says, Daddy wrestle. Let's wrestle like a soon as I get in the door of the end of day. She's, like, wrestle first thing she said to me this morning when she came down the stairs. Danny, let's go wrestle like it gives her joy, and that makes me happy. That fills my tink. The other parties have a hard time even saying no to her like she'sAndrew Bracewell: okay, so I want it. I'm gonna I'm gonna play Devil's Advocate in this conversation.Curt Derksen: Give her because I see you sitting,Andrew Bracewell: I I'm a dad. I got three kids and not Devil's Advocate. That's the wrong way to structure the statement. But what I observe in you with your Children I have to work so hard, Tim Manufacturer in my own relationship. And let's just set the record clear on something. I love the shit out of my kids. I think the world rises and falls on the shoulders of my son when he's playing soccer or my eldest daughter when she's leading a musical or my youngest daughter, when she's just kicking ass in gymnastics like I think there unbelievable. But when I walk through the doors of the house and I compare that to when you walked through the doors of the house. I go, man shit. Like I don't have that natural instinct to wrestle. My natural instinct is I'm exhausted. I'm tired. I'm worn out. Shit, kid, give me space like a fuck. I can't. You know, I just can't. I'm not done yet. And so I wonder like, so is that thing that you have that I, by the way, fucking admire the shit out of you. Is that again? Are we talking nature nurture? Is this a d n? A thing? Is this AA thing that you've worked towards? What's your what's your take on that?Curt Derksen: I think it's the nature nurture question is complicated. And I think it's both, like, I think that at some level, that's just who I am. Like I remember being 12 and playing. We went to church as a kid and I remember, like playing with other younger kids and just making them laugh, chasing them, playing tag with them, picking up and running with them like I remember them like just howling with laughter and feeling like excited and joy filled. And part of it was that I remember how much it meant to the parents at that time that I was engaged with their kids and how much fun they're kids had and how much they're. Those kids looked up to me and how much fun we had together. Like I that that part just is that's just a part of who I am. I remember that. Yeah, I get home at the end of day and I'm tired, too. And as cute as my kids are sometimes chasing, I get home in. Nora Bellis is Dad chased me. Colin in Thailand will come and jump on me for hugsAndrew Bracewell: her pursue me, man pursued.Curt Derksen: So Nora will, like, come close and give me, like, a little bit of a little stare, little smirk, hide behind the pillar and then run away. And so sometimes chasing her isn't what I feel like doing. But when she gets laughing like I get home and I'm exhausted and I don't feel like chasing her, but she starts laughing at, I just kind of fall into it. I just give in. And I think at some level I just like, turn my brain off of what I actually want to do in that moment and just be who she wants me to be. Because I know that I've been away from her all day and I might only have a now hour or two hours or three hours with her before she goes to bed. And so I just kind of like gear down, find another gear and give them what I have left and try and make it the best of what I've given all day, even if it's for five minutes or 10 minutes. Because usually I can play with them for 20 minutes. Tops five minutes, 10 minutes and they're like they're good, They're tanks are full, they're ready to move on to the next thing, but at some level it's like it's inside of me. But another part of it is it's a choice. You're making an injection of choices so that I want to give. I don't want to give them the left of me. I'm gonna give them the best of me,Andrew Bracewell: and your window is only so big with themCurt Derksen: and they're so young. You're stages a little bit different to like where your kids were at. Like they make teenagers are different.Andrew Bracewell: Yeah, yeah, Oh, they're different. Teams are different. Let's just let that resonate through the podcast. Teenagers are different. Um, what's your go to space right now for, um, refueling and given yourself what you need in order to keep going. What's that? What's the thing? Or the space or the habit or whatever that you go to toe to fill yourself up?Curt Derksen: One of them is we have two dogs right now. Just a whole other conversation. But we have two dogs and IAndrew Bracewell: want to talk. About what? Just two dogs.Curt Derksen: Do you want me to getAndrew Bracewell: divorced? Maybe we should bring with shell into conversation. Ah, we, uh,Curt Derksen: wanted so one of the places is just getting out on the trails with the dog because we live up in Sandy Hill. He stabs her, and we have great trails that I can get on and just within a five minute walk. And so just getting away from everything and either listening to a podcast or listeningto quiet music or listening thio. My heart listeningto just whatever just being out there. So that's that's constantly something that fuels me. Podcasts are a huge part of my life driving. I spend a lot of time with her on the phone or driving, and so that helps me stay on track and keep focused with the direction that I want my life to go on, what I want to get out of this experience.Andrew Bracewell: And what's that? What's, Ah, current conversation that you're having in your head right now from something that you're listening to or you learn? What do you What is Curt telling himself right now? In this moment,Curt Derksen: I've been listening to a guy named Alan Watts, and there's some fascinating stuff that he has to say. But one of the most recent things that I've listened to probably 1/2 dozen times in the last month is talking about. Okay, so let me back up a business planning gold setting for 2020 and I look back on some of the intentions and plan that I put in place some of goals that I had in preparing for 2020. I look back on what I did, what I had set aside for 2019 and one of the things that I said to myself going into 22,019 was that when I wrote it down was that the struggle and the obstacles were going to make me better, that I was gonna become better as a result of those things. And I've So that was what I said the beginning. I started doing this business planning like End of October, which is the earliest I've ever started before. Then, in early November, I started listening to the song called Hell of a Year by Country Artist. I just heard him like, you know, he's an up and coming guy and singing this song, which it's a good listen don't necessarily his circumstances of what he's saying that song about don't necessarily apply to me. But application is in recognizing that it's been a hell of a year. Sure, my dialogue for a lot of this year was just that. It's been a hell for not a lot of this year. For a lot of November, as I'm business planning stuff was like, it's been a hell of a year now I'm gonna feel sorry for yourself. It's been a hell of a year and held the year fast forward Thio Alan Watts the last two weeks listen to this 16 minute, 16 minute segment a number of times, and it's basically talking about dream and how if you have thought, exercise and if you think about it, if you could go to sleep at night and dream absolute pure bliss and you could do that, you dreams in one night you dreamed 75 years like a full life 75 years of nothing but bliss. No hardship, no heartache talking like beaches in Hawaii like mountain Top moments your whole life. 75 years of bliss. This suggestion is you could probably on Lee Dream that dream with absolute pure bliss for like, four or five times of 75 years. Like that's a law that's like 300 years of experience over four nights, pure bliss. Then the next night, you might say, Well, that was really cool, but like a wonder what would happen if I wasn't in full control and some things happened that were a little bit out of my control, and maybe they were good and maybe they were bad, but I didn't really have full control. And so, as you did that for maybe 70 another dream, another dream, another dream like that and you get to the place. And his suggestion is at some point you would get to the place where you are right now and recognizing that you you actually don't have control. But this is where you would want to be if you had the ability to just live pure bliss all the time. And so I've often being in sales, talked and thought of, talked with Michelle and thought through myself, like this idea of what? Mountain top moments, Valley moments? Yeah, mountaintop moments, Valley moments. And when you're in the valley, you come out of it on the other side and you think, Okay, Don't really want to spend too much time in the Valley. But there's lessons that I've learned here, and it's gonna help me appreciate the mountaintop that much more. And so this idea of coming to like where I am right now some way, somehow if I had full control, I would probably choose to be here totally if I could live in pure bliss like some of some of the challenges, some of the obstacles. My child didn't sleep last night, you know, my physical bodies eking and I'm in. I'm in pain. My business isn't where I want it to be. I'm not doing some of things. You could focus on those things that you don't have or you could recognize that you should appreciate them, because those are things that you would actually choose if you had pure bliss all the time. Or this because you could only do pure bless for so much to appreciate where you are yet what you can from where you are and keep moving forward.Andrew Bracewell: We'll bliss. So by definition, bliss can only be considered bliss in relation or comparison to something that is not bliss. If that's all you have now we're getting deep. Okay? We're probably not acquit equipped to have this conversation, But let's go for it. Yeah, you know what I mean? Like you, we think in comparison. So So that that makes a lot of sense to me.Curt Derksen: Death in life. Yeah, you're alive, and you appreciate being alive because you're aware of the absence. Or like the opposite of young. This being a life,Andrew Bracewell: Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.Curt Derksen: That's what I've been fixated on her have been thinking about a lot lately. Like last little while is just as I'm preparing now for this next year and making sure that I really I kind of, like, screwed myself over in the sense that, like I set myself up, I wrote it down. That I was gonna be the obstacles were going to make me better. And as a result, I feel like I had a handful of obstacles and in relation to a lot of people that go through a lot harder stuff than me. This is, you know, this is minor, but this is my journey. This is my process. And so there has been 2019 had quite a quite an unraveling for me in a lot of senses. And those three unraveling has made me more authentic. I just help me have a large desire to be more authentic and identify more clearly who I am and what I want. And then just be that more often, let go of some of this stress and anguish that I create from trying to be something that I'm not be something to please somebody.Andrew Bracewell: It sounds like one of the takeaways. From what you're experiencing, this conversation you're having in your head is that you have a higher level of contentment about the space You're in 1% and it's funny cause contentment in some circles or in some contacts, people say contempt. Shit. Don't be content, you know, strives, drive, drive, drive, drive. But I think that's actually false messaging for the most part. And that contentment is bringing you something that you didn't have before. And I thinkCurt Derksen: it's It's that this idea of, like, contentment in striving it's a pendulum again, like I feel like in so many areas in my life. I've seen these pendulums where you can go one way or the other, and contentment is different than settling and striving can actually burn you out like striving can, actually, if you're okay, So I'm a do er like I do like I fill my time with doing things, and to this point, I'm I am where I am as a result of my getting shit done like I I I commit. I focus, I get after it and I make it happen. But I've also learned the double edge of that this year, that trying to do all the time and not taking time to appreciate and be in the moment and yet from the moment, and be content and express gratitude for where I am will burn me out. So I I read a book earlier this year and I can't think of the title of it right now. But it talked about the idea that there's different kinds of people. And so there are people that are intent or settlers. They'll just stay at the base of the mountain and they'll set up camp and they will get all the amenities and they're super happy just to be there. For sure. This is like the average person average, not in the sense that one's better than the other. Just that things are different. Yeah, so you're you're at base camp and you're happy to be there. And then there's another group of people that will, like climb a little bit above base camp and they'll set up camp, and then that's their home. They're happy to be there. And then there's another group of people that are climbing their whole life, and they spend their whole life trying to get the topic Everest. And so they've climbed to past base camp. They've climbed past the next level past base camp, and now they're like perpetually climbing. Mmm. And it's a matter of figuring out some kind of balance and figuring out what's right for you and for me. This is it's for immutable. Figure out what's right for me, like I default to being a climber who's constantly striving and trying to make things better for me and better for those around me. But I've also learned that climbing all the time, without rest and without, like appreciation and gratitude and and being content with what I have and who I am creates turmoil. Intention that living attention all the time is not not effective. Way to live like we actually only have this minute right now, like this is all we have. And so if this is the moment that we have, being here is what's important.Andrew Bracewell: That's a great metaphor that that mountain climbing metaphor resonates. Lemme all Shayera on anecdotal thought from my own life. Using that metaphor, I would suggest that to your point earlier, one is not better than the other. Whether you're the settler, the person who has a tendency to go halfway 3/4 the way, all the way life has got all types, and we all fit in somewhere in that. In that spectrum, I think in the current context of our world, there's certain people that get worshipped more than others, right. They fill the spectrum of our social media mediums and outlets. They get presented a particular way in Hollywood or on the news or whatever. And unfortunately, we are often times comparing ourselves to these people on a global level, no longer just comparing ourselves to our own tribe in our own backyards and our own, you know, cities. But we're now comparing ourselves to people who live half

The four friends are in Sandy Hill. But what are their plans here? What do they want to achieve? And why is Mat Zeker here working as a blacksmith...? We're an actual play podcast where four professional actors in Sweden play the best of swedish RPGs! Led by one of Swedens most experienced and appreciated podcast game masters we play Forbidden lands, a brand new fantasy game by Free league (Fria ligan). Starring: Jakob Hultcrantz Hansson, Anneli Heed, Dominic Kelly, Angela Wand Game master: Andreas Lundström

The company has arrived at Sandy Hill, the neighboring village of Alyyras home Needles End. But already at the gates they have run into some trouble... We're an actual play podcast where four professional actors in Sweden play the best of swedish RPGs! Led by one of Swedens most experienced and appreciated podcast game masters we play Forbidden lands, a brand new fantasy game by Free league (Fria ligan). Starring: Jakob Hultcrantz Hansson, Anneli Heed, Dominic Kelly, Angela Wand Game master: Andreas Lundström

I was looking at the cute brass plant labels on the Target website the other day - I was trying to find the link to that adorable garden tote I was telling you about and I thought about the evolution of a gardener when it comes to using plant tags.   First you start out needing the labels - is that dill? What does basil look like again?   Then you label only the newcomers or the look alike  parsley or cilantro - who can tell without smell?   Sometimes a new gardener will visit. Or you’ll have people tour your garden. Folks appreciate knowing what they are looking at.   Pretty soon, you realize you’re labeling as a kindness to your garden guests.   If you’re like me, no matter how long you’ve been gardening, cute or clever plant labels are always a lovely find. Brevities #OTD Today is National Licorice Day.    The botanical name for licorice means “sweet root” and in Dutch name, it's zoethout, (“Zoot-Howt”) which means “sweet wood.”  The secret to the flavor (which is 50 times sweeter than sugar) is hidden in the very long roots and rhizomes of the plant. Thus, children who grew up chewing on licorice root would suck out the sweet sugars and spit out the pulp.   The licorice plant is actually a perennial shrub in the legume or pea family. Don’t confuse it with the annual trailing dusky licorice plant that gets popped in containers.   The glycyrrhetinic acid in licorice causes the body to hold salt and water.  Throughout history, armies would give licorice to soldiers and horses when water was in short supply.  Licorice is used as a remedy for coughing - Hippocrates used it that way.  It regulates digestion - Napoleon used it for tummy troubles.   #OTD It’s the birthday of Zina Pitcher (April 12, 1797, in Sandy Hill, New York – April 5, 1872, in Detroit).   He managed to pack a lot of living and incredible relationships into his 75 year life.     He established the Detroit public school system.  He taught at West Point.  He was Michigan’s most prominent doctor and became a president of the American Medical Association  He was mayor of Detroit; twice.   He was a tireless member of the Board of Regents of the University of Michigan and was praised as the longest serving and hardest working of the 12 original regents.   As regent, it was Pitcher’s vision that made him an early advocate of acquiring John J. Audobon’s“The Birds of America”for the U-M Library.    An amateur botanist, Pitcher had discovered plant species, including a thistle - now called Pitcher’s Thistle (Carduus Pitcheri or Cirsium Pitcheri) in his honor.  The white-to-pale-pink flowering thistle is familiar to beachcombers throughout the Great Lakes.    While he was a regent, his love of horticulture came in handy when it was time to hire professors. The name Asa Gray floated to the top of their list. Gray was mentored by the nation’s top botanist: John Torrey.  When Gray arrived in Michigan, his first stop was at Pitcher’s home in Detroit. Accepting the job, Gray needed to push back his start date by one year to finish his studies in Europe.  This would give the University time to get building facilities on campus.  In the meantime, the regents asked Gray to buy books for the school while he was abroad. How fun! Gray shopped his bachelor buttons off; shipping over 3,700 books back to Ann Arbor.   Sadly, when his year in Europe was over, Gray never made it to Michigan. Harvard stole him away. But his ties to the University and all those books he bought helped create the school library and a fine reputation to attract young scholars.   Today, the street, Zina Pitcher Place in Ann Arbor is named in his honor OTD, 1810, Thomas Nuttal, just 24 years old, left Philadelphia by coach.He had recently immigrated from England, and Professor Benjamin Smith Barton of the University of Philadelphia wanted him to spend the next two years studying the flora of the Northwest.   Given a salary of $8 per month plus expenses, Nuttal set about collecting and writing detailed accounts of the flora he discovered. By July 29, he jumped in a birch bark canoe with Aaron Greely, the deputy surveyor of the territory of Michigan, and they paddled to Mackinac Island arriving two weeks later on August 12.  Nuttal spent several days on Mackinac - He was the first true botanist to explore at the flora of Michigan, and certainly of Mackinac Island. He documented about sixty species - about twenty were previously unknown. One the new Mackinac discoveries was the dwarf lake iris(Iris lucustris), which became the state wildflower of Michigan. Unearthed Words #OTD On this day in 1748 William Kent (Books By This Author)died. A pioneer of the English landscape garden, it was William Kent who said, Nature abhors a straight line. All gardening is landscape painting. Garden as though you will live forever. A garden is to be a world unto itself, it had better make room for the darker shades of feeling as well as the sunny ones. William Kent wrote a cute little ditty about the origin of the Inigo Jones gateway and how it came to be moved to Chiswick. The story goes that in 1621, the arch was created for Beaufort House.  When his friend Hans Sloane was demolishing the house, Lord Burlingtonspied the arch and wanted it for himself.  Ho! Gate, how came ye here? I came fro’ Chelsea the last yere Inigo Jones there put me together Then was I dropping by wind and weather Sir Hannes Sloane Let me alone But Burlington brought me hither This architecton-ical Gate Inigo Jon-ical Was late Hans Slon-ical And now Burlington-ical Today's book recommendation  If you are interested in other early naturalists of Michigan, there is a terrific book by Dr. Edward G. Voss entitled “Botanical Beachcombers and Explorers: Pioneers of the 19th Century in the Upper Great Lakes,” published in 1978 by University of Michigan Herbarium. Today's Garden Chore You can grow plants with hints of licorice scent in your garden by growing: Anise(it tastes just like licorice) and Little Adder Anise or Hysso is a charming plant with beautiful flowers.  In fact, when there’s no licorice available, anise oil can be used as a substitute.   Purple Ruffles basil is fun to grow, offers rich color contrast, and adds a hint of licorice to the sweet basil flavor.   Another herb, fennel, has a mild licorice flavor. You can think slice fennel and add it to salads. The stems can be made into a pesto.  Something new to try this season.   Finally, chervil offers that licorice or aniseed flavor and is perfect for damp, cool spots in the garden. It is best in spring and fall.  Something Sweet  Reviving the little botanic spark in your heart In the early 1840s, a boy with a badly broken arm had been brought to Detroit from northern Michigan. Untreated, his condition had grown so grave that the doctor he saw prepared to amputate.   At the last minute, when the boy was strapped down for surgery, Dr. Zina Pitcher was consulted. After a careful examination, he asked if he might try to save the arm. Pitcher’s intervention succeeded.   The boy, Peter White, grew up to be a regent of U-M himself, and long afterward, he saw to it that Zina Pitcher’s grave in Detroit was planted with blossoming flowers every spring. Thanks for listening to the daily gardener, and remember: "For a happy, healthy life, garden every day."

08:40 /November 16, 2016 / Commute / Chapel Street to Corktown Footbridge / I commute to work by bike every working day, all year long / It’s an important part of my daily routine: a form of meditation and connection to the earth / I love the fresh air and the changing soundscapes around me / This recording starts at my home on Chapel Street in Sandy Hill and turns west onto Somerset Street / You hear me … going up a steep hill on my way to the University of Ottawa campus, under construction / … gliding under a pass way where the City is building a new light rail transit (scheduled to open in 2018) / … turning onto the Corktown Footbridge (Corktown was a series of shanties along the the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, erected by Irish labourers during its construction, many of whom came penniless from County Cork in Ireland, hence its name) / … crossing over the Rideau Canal and biking along the canal pathway to downtown Ottawa // All recordings and Photos by Claude Schryer See the PDF: https://issuu.com/bivouacrecording/docs/60_minute_cities-_ottawa To know more about purchasing an album from us please see: https://bivouacrecording.postach.io/post/i-just-bought-an-album-when-will-i-recieve-it

Located down on Nelson/Rideau. They got counselling sessions, safe injection sites, addiction services, more. https://www.shchc.ca

This week on StoryWeb: Solomon Northup’s book Twelve Years a Slave. Though slave narratives were widely read in the antebellum United States (and in fact were one of the most popular genres at that time), they are mostly read now primarily in American history and literature classes. My mother-in-law, Eileen Rebman, taught a variety of slave narratives for many years in her high school AP American history classes, and I regularly taught Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave, Written by Himself as well as Harriet Jacobs’s Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl. In graduate school, I had the great fortune of taking a course on American autobiography taught by William L. Andrews, author of To Tell a Free Story: The First Century of Afro-American Autobiography, 1760-1865. In his class and in his book, Andrews provided outstanding insights into this genre unique to American letters. Slave narratives – written solely to end the practice of slavery – were not just polemical, says Andrews, but were also human, compelling, gripping. The best slave narratives made the reader sit up and take notice, care about the people whose stories were being told, and recognize their humanity. “Am I not a man and a brother?” asked one well-known abolitionist emblem. The ultimate goal of virtually every slave narrative was to inspire the reader to join the abolitionist cause. One such slave narrative was Solomon Northup’s 1853 volume, Twelve Years a Slave. Northup, a free black man living in Saratoga Springs, New York, was kidnapped by slave catchers and sold into a particularly brutal slave system in Louisiana. Though Northup was not as wealthy as the 2013 film adaptation suggests, the contrast between his life as a free man and his life as a slave was stark indeed. His book – ghostwritten by David Wilson, a white abolitionist – depicts the horror of being captured and sold into slavery and the utter degradation of slavery as Northup experienced it. Twelve Years a Slave was hugely popular in its day, selling 30,000 copies in three years. It followed quickly on the heels of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s 1852 novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In fact, Twelve Years a Slave is dedicated to Stowe. Northup was a slave on a plantation near the one owned by Stowe’s fictional Simon Legree. When Stowe followed up with a second volume, The Key to Uncle’s Tom Cabin, she cited Northup’s narrative as proof that slavery was indeed as bad as she had portrayed in her novel. But in the years after his book was published, Northup disappeared from view, and nothing is known of how his life ended. After the Civil War, his book, like so many slave narratives, fell out of circulation. It was not until 1968 that the book resurfaced, in a scholarly version co-edited by Sue Eakin and Joseph Logsdon. Through their expert sleuthing, Eakin and Logsdon were able to verify the accuracy of Northup’s account. Scholars and teachers of American history and literature, like my mother-in-law, took note of Northup’s slave narrative and incorporated it in their classes. But it was not until director Steve McQueen stumbled across the book that it would become well known to the general public. McQueen said: “I read this book, and I was totally stunned. At the same time I was pretty upset with myself that I didn't know this book. I live in Amsterdam where Anne Frank is a national hero, and for me this book read like Anne Frank's diary but written 97 years before – a firsthand account of slavery. I basically made it my passion to make this book into a film.” In the film, Chiwetel Ejiofor, an English actor, plays Solomon Northup, bringing to life this man’s unusual story. Lupita Nyong’o, who hails from Kenya, won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her portrayal of Patsey, a slave on the plantation. Perhaps her most memorable scene is the one in which she risks everything to obtain and smuggle onto the plantation a small piece of soap. When she is caught, she pleads with her owner, saying, “I stink so much I make myself gag!” The punishment that is meted out to her is brutal indeed, brought to the screen powerfully by black British director Steve McQueen and cinematographer Sean Bobbitt. This is a hard movie to watch, and I don’t recommend it lightly. But if you can stomach the graphic violence (which is always essential to the story, never gratuitous), I think you will find that the film does an outstanding job of portraying the bitter realities of slavery. Indeed, the film was shot on location at four Louisiana plantations, including Magnolia, which is located near the actual plantation where Northup was enslaved. Aisha Harris’s Slate article “The Tricky Questions Raised by a Complicated Genre: The Slave Narrative” puts Twelve Years a Slave in a rich context. An outstanding article in Vanity Fair, “’What’ll Become of Me?’ Finding the Real Patsey of 12 Years a Slave,” traces author Katie Calautti’s journey to find out what ultimately happened to Patsey, whose story Northup tells with such depth in his book. Many additional resources on the slave narrative and the resulting film can be found at the Reel American History website; see the bottom of the page on “filmic context” for particularly useful links. The National Endowment for the Humanities’ EDSITEment website offers a detailed series of lesson plans on Twelve Years a Slave and the genre of slave narratives. Even if you’re not a teacher, you’ll find these lesson plans and the related resources very helpful in understanding Northup’s book. Of special note is Andrews’s essay “Solomon Northup’s ‘Twelve Years a Slave’ and the Slave Narrative Tradition.” Andrews writes, The autobiographies of people of African descent who were subjected to the peculiar injustices of American slavery testify to the best and the worst of which the United States of America as a nation is capable. Reading the great slave narratives of U.S. history, we discover unimaginable depravity in the institution and in many who perpetrated it—but we also find inspiration from the fortitude and faith of those who endured enslavement, overcame it, and wrote about it. The most powerful stories in the slave narrative tradition are invariably the ones that have been proven to be verifiably true. The fact that they reflect our nation’s history in a unique and compelling way makes these narratives essential reading for anyone who wants to know who we as Americans truly are. He adds, “Although often dismissed as mere antislavery propaganda, the widespread consumption of slave narratives in the nineteenth-century U.S. and Great Britain and their continuing prominence today testify to the power of these texts to provoke reflection and debate.” You can hear more from Andrews by listening to Robert Siegel’s interview with him on All Things Considered, in which Andrews discusses the differences between Northup’s 1853 slave narrative and McQueen’s 2013 film. If you’re ready to explore Twelve Years a Slave, you can read the entire narrative at the University of North Carolina’s Documenting the American South website, or you can buy Eakin and Logsdon’s excellent edition. And of course, McQueen’s film richly deserved the Best Picture and the Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar awards it received. The legacy of slavery – and the lingering wounds of racism – remain with us today. Perhaps this is a large part of why the film was both commercially successfully and critically acclaimed. It is a story we still don’t understand, still can’t bear to watch with eyes and hearts wide open. Visit thestoryweb.com/northup for links to all these resources and to watch Lupita Nyong’o as the slave Patsey reveal that she has gone to another plantation to obtain soap to wash herself. Listen now as I read the second chapter of Solomon Northup’s Twelve Years a Slave, in which he describes being kidnapped by slave catchers.   One morning, towards the latter part of the month of March, 1841, having at that time no particular business to engage my attention, I was walking about the village of Saratoga Springs, thinking to myself where I might obtain some present employment, until the busy season should arrive. Anne, as was her usual custom, had gone over to Sandy Hill, a distance of some twenty miles, to take charge of the Culinary department at Sherrill's Coffee House, during the session of the court. Elizabeth, I think, had accompanied her. Margaret and Alonzo were with their aunt at Saratoga. On the corner of Congress street and Broadway near the tavern, then, and for aught I know to the contrary, still kept by Mr. Moon, I was met by two gentlemen of respectable appearance, both of whom were entirely unknown to me. I have the impression that they were introduced to me by some one of my acquaintances, but who, I have in vain endeavored to recall, with the remark that I was an expert player on the violin. At any rate, they immediately entered into conversation on that subject, making numerous inquiries touching my proficiency in that respect. My responses being to all appearances satisfactory, they proposed to engage my services for a short period, stating, at the same time, I was just such a person as their business required. Their names, as they afterwards gave them to me, were Merrill Brown and Abram Hamilton, though whether these were their true appellations, I have strong reasons to doubt. The former was a man apparently forty years of age, somewhat short and thick-set, with a countenance indicating shrewdness and intelligence. He wore a black frock coat and black hat, and said he resided either at Rochester or at Syracuse. The latter was a young man of fair complexion and light eyes, and, I should judge, had not passed the age of twenty-five. He was tall and slender, dressed in a snuff-colored coat, with glossy hat, and vest of elegant pattern. His whole apparel was in the extreme of fashion. His appearance was somewhat effeminate, but prepossessing and there was about him an easy air, that showed he had mingled with the world. They were connected, as they informed me, with a circus company, then in the city of Washington; that they were on their way thither to rejoin it, having left it for a short time to make an excursion northward, for the purpose of seeing the country, and were paying their expenses by an occasional exhibition. They also remarked that they had found much difficulty in procuring music for their entertainments, and that if I would accompany them as far as New-York, they would give me one dollar for each day's services, and three dollars in addition for every night I played at their performances, besides sufficient to pay the expenses of my return from New-York to Saratoga. I at once accepted the tempting offer, both for the reward it promised, and from a desire to visit the metropolis. They were anxious to leave immediately. Thinking my absence would be brief, I did not deem it necessary to write to Anne whither I had gone; in fact supposing that my return, perhaps, would be as soon as hers. So taking a change of linen and my violin, I was ready to depart. The carriage was brought round—a covered one, drawn by a pair of noble bays, altogether forming an elegant establishment. Their baggage, consisting of three large trunks, was fastened on the rack, and mounting to the driver's seat, while they took their places in the rear, I drove away from Saratoga on the road to Albany, elated with my new position, and happy as I had ever been, on any day in all my life. We passed through Ballston, and striking the ridge road, as it is called, if my memory correctly serves me, followed it direct to Albany. We reached that city before dark, and stopped at a hotel southward from the Museum. This night I had an opportunity of witnessing one of their performances—the only one, during the whole period I was with them. Hamilton was stationed at the door; I formed the orchestra, while Brown provided the entertainment. It consisted in throwing balls, dancing on the rope, frying pancakes in a hat, causing invisible pigs to squeal, and other like feats of ventriloquism and legerdemain. The audience was extraordinarily sparse, and not of the selectest character at that, and Hamilton's report of the proceeds but a "beggarly account of empty boxes." Early next morning we renewed our journey. The burden of their conversation now was the expression of an anxiety to reach the circus without delay. They hurried forward, without again stopping to exhibit, and in due course of time, we reached New-York, taking lodgings at a house on the west side of the city, in a street running from Broadway to the river. I supposed my journey was at an end, and expected in a day or two at least, to return to my friends and family at Saratoga. Brown and Hamilton, however, began to importune me to continue with them to Washington. They alleged that immediately on their arrival, now that the summer season was approaching, the circus would set out for the north. They promised me a situation and high wages if I would accompany them. Largely did they expatiate on the advantages that would result to me, and such were the flattering representations they made, that I finally concluded to accept the offer. The next morning they suggested that, inasmuch as we were about entering a slave State, it would be well, before leaving New-York, to procure free papers. The idea struck me as a prudent one, though I think it would scarcely have occurred to me, had they not proposed it. We proceeded at once to what I understood to be the Custom House. They made oath to certain facts showing I was a free man. A paper was drawn up and handed us, with the direction to take it to the clerk's office. We did so, and the clerk having added something to it, for which he was paid six shillings, we returned again to the Custom House. Some further formalities were gone through with before it was completed, when, paying the officer two dollars, I placed the papers in my pocket, and started with my two friends to our hotel. I thought at the time I must confess, that the papers were scarcely worth the cost of obtaining them—the apprehension of danger to my personal safety never having suggested itself to me in the remotest manner. The clerk, to whom we were directed, I remember, made a memorandum in a large book, which, I presume, is in the office yet. A reference to the entries during the latter part of March, or first of April, 1841, I have no doubt will satisfy the incredulous, at least so far as this particular transaction is concerned. With the evidence of freedom in my possession, the next day after our arrival in New-York, we crossed the ferry to Jersey City, and took the road to Philadelphia. Here we remained one night, continuing our journey towards Baltimore early in the morning. In due time, we arrived in the latter city, and stopped at a hotel near the railroad depot, either kept by a Mr. Rathbone, or known as the Rathbone House. All the way from New-York, their anxiety to reach the circus seemed to grow more and more intense. We left the carriage at Baltimore, and entering the cars, proceeded to Washington, at which place we arrived just at nightfall, the evening previous to the funeral of General Harrison, and stopped at Gadsby's Hotel, on Pennsylvania Avenue. After supper they called me to their apartments, and paid me forty-three dollars, a sum greater than my wages amounted to, Which act of generosity was in consequence, they said, of their not having exhibited as often as they had given me to anticipate, during our trip from Saratoga. They moreover informed me that it had been the intention of the circus company to leave Washington the next morning, but that on account of the funeral, they had concluded to remain another day. They were then, as they had been from the time of our first meeting, extremely kind. No opportunity was omitted of addressing me in the language of approbation; while, on the other hand, I was certainly much prepossessed in their favor. I gave them my confidence without reserve, and would freely have trusted them to almost any extent. Their constant conversation and manner towards me—their foresight in suggesting the idea of free papers, and a hundred other little acts, unnecessary to be repeated— all indicated that they were friends indeed, sincerely solicitous for my welfare. I know not but they were. I know not but they were innocent of the great wickedness of which I now believe them guilty. Whether they were accessory to my misfortunes—subtle and inhuman monsters in the shape of men—designedly luring me away from home and family, and liberty, for the sake of gold—those these read these pages will have the same means of determining as myself If they were innocent, my sudden disappearance must have been unaccountable indeed; but revolving in my mind all the attending circumstances, I never yet could indulge, towards them, so charitable a supposition. After receiving the money from them, of which they appeared to have an abundance, they advised me not to go into the streets that night, inasmuch as I was unacquainted with the customs of the city. Promising to remember their advice, I left them together, and soon after was shown by a colored servant to a sleeping room in the back part of the hotel, on the ground floor. I laid down to rest, thinking of home and wife, and children, and the long distance that stretched between us, until I fell asleep. But no good angel of pity came to my bedside, bidding me to fly—no voice of mercy forewarned me in my dreams of the trials that were just at hand. The next day there was a great pageant in Washington. The roar of cannon and the tolling of bells filled the air, while many houses were shrouded with crape, and the streets were black with people. As the day advanced, the procession made its appearance, coming slowly through the Avenue, carriage after carriage, in long succession, while thousands upon thousands followed on foot—all moving to the sound of melancholy music. They were bearing the dead body of Harrison to the grave. From early in the morning, I was constantly in the company of Hamilton and Brown. They were the only persons I knew in Washington. We stood together as the funeral pomp passed by. I remember distinctly how the window glass would break and rattle to the ground, after each report of the cannon they were firing in the burial ground. We went to the Capitol, and walked a long time about the grounds. In the afternoon, they strolled towards the President's House, all the time keeping me near to them, and pointing out various places of interest. As yet, I had seen nothing of the circus. In fact, I had thought of it but little, if at all, amidst the excitement of the day. My friends, several times during the afternoon, entered drinking saloons, and called for liquor. They were by no means in the habit, however, so far as I knew them, of indulging to excess. On these occasions, after serving themselves, they would pour out a glass and hand it to me. I did not become intoxicated, as may be inferred from what subsequently occurred. Towards evening, and soon after partaking of one of these potations, I began to experience most unpleasant sensations. I felt extremely ill. My head commenced aching—a dull, heavy pain, inexpressibly disagreeable. At the supper table, I was without appetite; the sight and flavor of food was nauseous. About dark the same servant conducted me to the room I had occupied the previous night. Brown and Hamilton advised me to retire, commiserating me kindly, and expressing hopes that I would be better in the morning. Divesting myself of coat and boots merely, I threw myself upon the bed. It was impossible to sleep. The pain in my head continued to increase, until it became almost unbearable. In a short time I became thirsty. My lips were parched. I could think of nothing but water—of lakes and flowing rivers, of brooks where I had stooped to drink, and of the dripping bucket, rising with its cool and overflowing nectar, from the bottom of the well. Towards midnight, as near as I could judge, I arose, unable longer to bear such intensity of thirst. I was a stranger in the house, and knew nothing of its apartments. There was no one up, as I could observe. Groping about at random, I knew not where, I found the way at last to a kitchen in the basement. Two or three colored servants were moving through it, one of whom, a woman, gave me two glasses of water. It afforded momentary relief, but by the time I had reached my room again, the same burning desire of drink, the same tormenting thirst, had again returned. It was even more torturing than before, as was also the wild pain in my head, if such a thing could be. I was in sore distress—in most excruciating agony! I seemed to stand on the brink of madness! The memory of that night of horrible suffering will follow me to the grave. In the course of an hour or more after my return from the kitchen, I was conscious of some one entering my room. There seemed to be several—a mingling of various voices,—but how many, or who they were, I cannot tell. Whether Brown and Hamilton were among them, is a mere matter of conjecture. I only remember with any degree of distinctness, that I was told it was necessary to go to a physician and procure medicine, and that pulling on my boots, without coat or hat, I followed them through a long passage-way, or alley, into the open street. It ran out at right angles from Pennsylvania Avenue. On the opposite side there was a light burning in a window. My impression is there were then three persons with me, but it is altogether indefinite and vague, and like the memory of a painful dream. Going towards the light, which I imagined proceeded from a physician's office, and which seemed to recede as I advanced, is the last glimmering recollection I can now recall. From that moment I was insensible. How long I remained in that condition— whether only that night, or many days and nights— I do not know; but when consciousness returned I found myself alone, in utter darkness, and in chains. The pain in my head had subsided in a measure, but I was very faint and weak. I was sitting upon a low bench, made of rough boards, and without coat or hat. I was hand cuffed. Around my ankles also were a pair of heavy fetters. One end of a chain was fastened to a large ring in the floor, the other to the fetters on my ankles. I tried in vain to stand upon my feet. Waking from such a painful trance, it was some time before I could collect my thoughts. Where was I? What was the meaning of these chains? Where were Brown and Hamilton? What had I done to deserve imprisonment in such a dungeon? I could not comprehend. There was a blank of some indefinite period, preceding my awakening in that lonely place, the events of which the utmost stretch of memory was unable to recall. I listened intently for some sign or sound of life, but nothing broke the oppressive silence, save the clinking of my chains, whenever I chanced to move. I spoke aloud, but the sound of my voice startled me. I felt of my pockets, so far as the fetters would allow—far enough, indeed, to ascertain that I had not only been robbed of liberty, but that my money and free papers were also gone! Then did the idea begin to break upon my mind, at first dim and confused, that I had been kidnapped. But that I thought was incredible. There must have been some misapprehension—some unfortunate mistake. It could not be that a free citizen of New-York, who had wronged no man, nor violated any law, should be dealt with thus inhumanly. The more I contemplated my situation, however, the more I became confirmed in my suspicions. It was a desolate thought, indeed. I felt there was no trust or mercy in unfeeling man; and commending myself to the God of the oppressed, bowed my head upon my fettered hands, and wept most bitterly.    

President of COCM, Doug Brown and Executive Vice President, Sandy Hill sat down with us to talk about how they got into the student housing world and then to COCM. The conversation winds through their background, funny stories they’ve had while traveling, and where they see the future of COCM. This is a special video podcast version of a series we’ve had on our regular podcast, “How I Got Into Student Housing.”  If you haven’t been following this series, the episodes are designed to be a fairly quick look into how these housing professionals got into this field.

Sandy Hill joins Armen Hammer, Scott McGee, and Eddie Ifft as they chat about Antarctica, finding CrossFit, Sandy's shot at the 2015 CrossFit Games, Armen's experience with the Ragnar Relay, get into the Question of the Week, then get into the Lightning Round. 

Sandy Hill, a mountaineer and adventurer joins the guys and talk about climbing the Seven Summits, some crazy stories of her adventures and the guys chat about why CrossFitters get so obsessed with CrossFit.