Brighten Your Day

Spring is here, and the cherry blossoms are in full bloom! I talk about that and one fantastic chicken recipe that will make you want to marry the cook...at least that is implied. My guest is Gail Scoates, a retired nurse, a therapy dog evaluator, and a budding author. Gail loves outdoor walks and working on her book, which is nearing publication. 

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-  See the cherr...

Our family got a pug! More on that in this episode. I also talk about the joy of turning 50. Yes, I said, JOY! My guest is Mark Doughty. He is a senior learning business partner with KPMG in the United Kingdom. Mark talks about his quirky labrador and the laughter he shares with his family when they watch Laurel & Hardy. 

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-  The egg scene from Laurel & Hard...

This week, a little about Dolly Parton! I also share my thoughts on Steven Spielberg's film adaptation of West Side Story. Tonight! Tonight! The world is full of light! My guest is Tony Rosendahl, who works in Publishing and Distribution for the state of Oregon. We met while participating in a mindset training workshop. Tony oozes positivity and talks about Lola, his pug and the other things that bring sunlight into his day.  ...

I want to take a moment and acknowledge that things are not okay in the world right now. To ignore this and only talk about the good things in life is toxic. Also important to recognize is that happiness is between us, not just within us. My guest is award-winning high school French teacher Jon Magnus. He is an author and teacher in the Wenatchee School District in the state of Washington. Jon shares what brings joy to his day. 

Today, it is about the joys of family, health, performing live music after a long hiatus, and reconnecting with old teachers. Also, puppies! My guest is a neighbor I grew up with in Fairbanks, Alaska who has made his living in ice hockey. Brian Renfrew travels the United States and Europe as a scout for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League. He shares about connections and relationships formed in the game and how much it ...

This week I talk about a wonderful trip my husband and I take each winter to the Oregon Coast. Just the two of us. This time to a town we don't just pass through. My guest is longtime friend Amy Johnson, the vice chancellor for student affairs at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Amy shares what life has been like in academia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The things that brighten Amy's day now have been a ...

Today, we talk about simple, beautiful things that give us joy. I share thoughts about the music from a movie I recently watched and describe the antics of my daughter's beloved stuffed bunny, FooFoo. My guest is someone I have known half my life, Jenny Crutchlow. Jenny and I were roommates in graduate school and friends who pursued our musical dreams in New York City. Jenny speaks on the things in her life that give her happi...

In this episode I talk about the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) of women's soccer and one of the greatest players, female or male, to grace the pitch, Christine Sinclair. My guest is Dr. David Foster, a professor in the Department of Psychological Sciences at Western Oregon University. Playing video games with his daughter brings joy to his life! 

Additional information from today's show: 

-  Sisters From...

Welcome to Season 3 of Brighten Your Day, where I focus on the importance of social connections and the positive effect relationships can have on our well-being. My guest is Jessica Murfin. She is a partnerships specialist at Western Oregon University, as well as a psychology instructor. Turns out we both love positive psychology and leadership development! We've got a lot to say about positivity as we talk of things that add ...

It is my final show of the year and the last episode of Season 2. Yes, 2021 was another difficult year, but there was a lot of joy, too. This week I talk about love, snow, and how to make homemade shave ice from the roof. (Wait...what?!) My guest is man-about-town Murray McNeil. Murray is a contract assistant with the state of Oregon and shares what has added brightness to his day and year. 

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Christmas is here! I recently took Aria and my mom to the Eugene Ballet's performance of The Nutcracker. I have some thoughts on that. Also, we made the decision to bring home a pug sometime in late 2022. Everyone is excited...even Clarke.

Finally, rather than a give-and-take with a guest, I invited Aria and Clarke to join me for a rendition of Silent Night. Clarke accompanies me on ukulele, and Aria sings the first ...

Today, a little on fire escapes and what they represent away from the obvious. Also, I share a bit about my dad on the anniversary of his passing. My guest is Vonda Van Rooyen, a director of implementation and planning services. Vonda talks about how much she loves the music app, Spotify, and we get details about a trip she and her husband took to Mount Everest base camp. 

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Today, what I call the Christmas trifecta of treats and then a story about the new alarm clock my mother has that can wake the dead...or at least the hearing impaired. My guest is Donna Montoya, the assistant director of career development at Linfield University in McMinnville, Oregon. One of the things Donna is really grateful for...delicata squash! 

Additional information from today's show: 

-  The Salem ...

This week, I talk turkey...and muffins and Christmas markets. My guest is Talon Wood, a senior IT analyst with the state of Oregon. He discusses making kālua pork from a whole pig in his backyard imu (underground oven)! Road trips and holiday drive-throughs also make it into the conversation. 

Additional information from today's show: 

-  The SilvertonChristmasMarket.com underway at the OregonGardenResort.c...

In the United States, it is a day to fully embrace gratitude. Join me as I talk about a few things, fun and serious, that I am thankful for. Accompanying me is Blythe Stephens, dance educator and coach. Blythe lives in Cologne, Germany and shares what she does for Thanksgiving as an expatriate. Question for you, dear listener: what are you feeling grateful for today? Send me a note. My email is below. 

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While studying psychological safety and trust, I came upon the movie, Sully, which demonstrates how these factors work in a life-and-death situation. I dive into that on today’s show. Also, on the lighter side, a little talk on recipes and vitamins. My guest is real estate broker Melissa Corsetti, who shares the three F words that are important to her: faith, friends, family. 

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This week I delve into affinity spaces (sounds serious but is pretty cool) and send out an SOS for a clean oven. My guest is Erin Molyneaux, business owner, philanthropist, and active member in the Salem, Oregon community. Being a successful business owner is not just about the financial bottom line; it is about making a contribution to your community in meaningful ways. 

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Today I talk a lot about food, thanks to actor Stanley Tucci. Pull up a chair to the table! Also, the first cassette tape I ever owned, waaaay back in 1982, was by ABBA. To my delight, they are back on the scene...digging the dancing queen! My guest is Ron Eggert, a writer, poet, and doting grandfather who lives in Waldport, Oregon. Ron talks about what he is grateful for and shares some of his prose. 

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