Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House
What we cover: “You have to lose sight of the shore to discover new lands.” (paraphrased) —André Gide
For those of you who listen to the show on a regular basis, it’s not news that I am a huge proponent of perspective shifting. And of gear shifting. Of being adaptable and of having the ability to readjust as needed. As we were planning our recent trip to California, I had a couple leads with amazing LA-based Guest Titans, both of which didn’t end up panning out at the last minute. Because we couldn’t get schedules to align. At first I was a bit disappointed, but that feeling didn’t last long when I reminded myself that it meant I would, instead, get two full days, and not just one, at Disneyland with my 2-year-old and my 4-year-old daughters. Time that, one day, when they have left home to create their own adult lives, I will pine for. And, since this podcast started as a gift to them, so that they will have an inventory of conversations with paradigm-busting perspective-shifters to draw from at various times whenever they feel stuck, I want to tell you now, JouJou and Birdie, that while there is much to be said for achieving and pursuing your big beautiful goals, there is also much to be said for achieving and pursuing big beautiful memories. And our second day together, a day we wouldn’t have had if my two interviews had materialized, saw us instead having breakfast with none other than Princess Ariel, and we were able to squeeze in a live performance of Frozen – two events, two memories, that, seen through the eyes of two special little kids – that were well worth all the delayed goals in the world. I share that story today because I needed the reminder to get out of my own way – to take the headphones off, to back away from the mic, to throw caution to the wind. I needed to, as I heard Elsa belt out on stage… “Let it go!”
Perspective shifts happen when we twist the kaleidoscope on our traditional way of seeing things.
Nearly 20 years ago, when I was a mid-20-something-year-old junior copywriter in Toronto, I was in the throes of ending a 5-year relationship with a person I knew I shouldn’t be with. The relationship had long run its course, but it was familiar. It was what I knew. And leaving, despite the mundane rut and the repeat betrayals, wasn’t easy. I eventually took a job as a copywriter with the same ad agency but in its Vancouver office, figuring that if I couldn’t completely end the relationship, then at the very least, geography would give me a push, as he finished his post-graduate studies in Toronto. However, even in Vancouver, old habits died hard – there were still phone calls and emails and even short visits. I had 9 toes in Vancouver, but still had one toe in Toronto. In those early months, when I was getting my Vancouver bearings, meeting new friends and colleagues — a client who would go on to become a dear friend and a bestselling author and even, in fact, a Guest Titan years later, recognized the self-sabotaging pattern I was creating and said something that changed it all for me. She gave me that kaleidoscope twist. She told me: “Mary-Jo… you have to lose sight of the shore, before you can discover new lands.”
I had to let go entirely. I had to let go of what I considered a life preserver, despite the fact the relationship was, in actuality, more of an anchor keeping me from the discovery of new lands. I had to sail into the great unknown. And that night, something shifted – my perspective. And I allowed myself, psychically and emotionally, to chart new waters. All I needed was to hear Gina Mollicone-Long remind me that it was time for me to lose sight of the shore. It was time for me to discover new lands.
Of course learning to let go certainly isn’t relegated to unhealthy relationships. It can be a negative relationship with food or addiction. It can be moving on from a stagnant career. It can be the desire to pursue a whole new field, a whole new passion, a whole new hobby. Regardless, we have to lose sight of the shore, before we can discover new land.
I mention this today for two reasons. One, to remind JouJou and Birdie of this, when they might be hanging on to something a little too long, despite wanting so desperately to seek out the freshness, the excitement of a new opportunity. And, secondly, I mention it because I find myself faced yet again with the decision to lose sight of an old shore – an old way of doing things — in order to discover a new land.
Mark Twain said: “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
Episode 071: Dr. Russ Kennedy — The Anxiety MD
What we cover: “In this moment, we are safe.” —Dr. Russ Kennedy
Episode 070: Stacey Shand — Ultra-distance athlete and adventurer
What we cover: “I took the road less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” —Robert
Episode 069: Kevin Reynolds — Olympic Figure Skater
What we cover: “Take the past for what it is. And then, focus on moving forward.” —Kevin
Episode 068: Sherry Strong — Chef, Nutritionist, Food Philosopher
What we cover: “Addiction is the body’s way of telling you that you’re not listening to your soul.” —Sherry Strong
Episode 067: Mary-Jo Dionne — writer/speaker/performer/podcaster
In the interest of full disclosure, I have been ridiculously spread thin – as we all can get from time to time – and completely run down, wrapping up deadlines before I shut the office down until the new year.
Episode 066: Anna Rice — Two-time Olympic badminton player
What we cover: “The most important things I’ve learned in life, I’ve learned on the badminton court.” —Anna Rice
Episode 65: Mary-Jo Dionne — Learning to let it go
What we cover: “You have to lose sight of the shore to discover new lands.” (paraphrased) —André Gide
Episode 064: Karin Fortin Jackson — Part Two (“After”) Triathlete / Weight loss success story
What we cover: “For temporary results, commit to temporary changes. For permanent results, commit to permanent ones.” —Karin Fortin
Episode 063: Karin Fortin Jackson — Triathlete / Weight loss success story (Part One: Before)
What we cover: “For temporary results, commit to temporary changes. For permanent results, commit to permanent ones.” —Karin Fortin Jackson, 3-time Ironman finisher, who lost 120 pounds
Episode 062: Rhian Wilkinson — Three-time Olympic Soccer Player
Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “If you want something badly enough, you don’t make sacrifices. You make choices.” —Rhian Wilkinson […]
Episode 061: Mike Shaw — Freestyle Skier, Coach, Entrepreneur, Speaker
Tea of choice: We opted for Vega shakes instead! What we cover: “Boom! Gratitude.” —Mike Shaw This week’s Guest Titan – Mike Shaw — is […]
Episode 060: Terri Tatchell — Oscar-nominated screenwriter
What we cover: Reinvention. I have been calling myself a writer since I was 5 years old. I’ve had a fun and memorable career as […]
Episode 059: Jeff Symonds — Professional Triathlete (mini-episode)
Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. This is a mini-episode. Just a wee one. It’s sort of Part Two in my chat with the […]
Episode 058: Jeff Symonds — Professional triathlete
Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “A diamond is a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” —Henry Kissinger This […]
Episode 057: Teryl Rothery — Actor, Stargate SG-1, Cedar Cove, Best in Show, The Good Doctor
Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “A fall doesn’t have to be perceived as a fall. It can be a trip. […]
Episode 056: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan
Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Where will we be 5 years from today?” Welcome to Season #2 of Tea with […]
Episode 055: Pamela Martin — Broadcasting icon and philanthropist
Guest Titan: Pamela Martin, Broadcasting icon/philanthropist. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Do not go where the path may lead. Go […]
Episode 054: Wendy Williams-Watt — Activist / Artist / Designer
Guest Titan: Wendy Williams-Watt, Activist/Artist/Designer. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “What the world needs now is love, sweet love.” —Burt […]
Episode 053: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan
Guest Titan: Mary-Jo Dionne, Walking through the discomfort. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “We can’t go over it, we can’t […]
Episode 52: George Shapiro — Legendary Hollywood Manager and Executive Producer of Seinfeld
We talk: Jerry Seinfeld, Andy Kaufman, Elvis Presley, and the importance of bombing on stage. (And really, in life.)
Episode 51: Ashley Wiles — Brooks Running 2016 Inspiring Coach of the Year
Guest Titan: Ashley Wiles, Brooks Inspiring Coach of the Year. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “What the mind of man […]
Episode 050: Elle Wild — Award-winning novelist
Guest Titan: Elle Wild, Award-winning novelist. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail […]
Episode 049: Matt Hill — Run for One Planet, runner and environmentalist
Guest Titan: Matt Hill, Run for One Planet. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Just take one small step — every […]
Episode 048: Gary Robbins — Ultra-runner, The Barkley Marathons
Guest Titan: Gary Robbins, Ultra-runner: The Barkley Marathons. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “You can do this. You will do […]
Episode 047: Jennifer Heil — Three-time Olympic skier
Guest Titan: Jennifer Heil, Three-time Olympic skier. Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “Everything is perspective.” —Jennifer Heil A few months […]
Episode 046: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan
Your host: Mary-Jo Dionne, Just say “yes!” Tea of choice: Vancouver’s Steam Tea House. What we cover: “It is not our job to ask ‘how?’ […]
Episode 045: Mary-Jo Dionne — host, Tea with a Titan
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 044: Nancy Johnston — Entrepreneur, Founder/CEO of Tengri
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 043: Melissa Haynes — Author / Adventurer
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 042: Shaun Frankson — Social Entrepreneur, Co-Founder The Plastic Bank
What we cover: To say that guest titan Shaun Frankson and his business partner David Katz are thought-leaders would likely be one of the bigger understatements of our time.
Episode 041: Jacqueline Way — Philanthropist, Founder of 365give
Guest Titan: Jacqueline Way, Philanthropist, Founder of 365give. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: “If we all create a daily […]
Episode 40: Jody Vance — TV and Radio broadcaster
Guest Titan: Jody Vance, TV and Radio Broadcaster. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: “No matter what happens, I have […]
Episode 039 Part Three: Brent Johnson — football star (and still all-round great guy)
Guest Titan: Brent Johnson, football star (and all-round great guy). Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Steam Tea Nuts and Spice What we cover: “You cannot […]
Episode 038 Part Two: Brent Johnson — football star (and still all-round great guy) DETAILS
Guest Titan: Brent Johnson, football star (and all-round great guy). Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Steam Tea Nuts and Spice What we cover: “You cannot […]
Episode 037 Part One: Brent Johnson — football legend (and all-round great guy)
Guest Titan: Brent Johnson, football star (and all-round great guy). Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Steam Tea Nuts and Spice What we cover: “You cannot […]
Episode 036: Betty Jean McHugh — 89-year-old world record marathoner
Guest Titan: Betty Jean McHugh, 89-year-old world record marathon runner. Tea of choice: Steam Tea What we cover: “Don’t let age get in your way.” […]
Episode 035: Krista Guloien — Olympic rower, speaker, and author
Guest Titan: Krista Guloien, Olympic rower and author. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Organic Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: In the seven months that […]
Episode 034: Michelle Tremblay — black belt and empowerment advocate
Guest Titan: Michelle Tremblay, 2nd degree black belt and empowerment advocate. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Liquid Sunshine What we cover: “Our deepest fear is […]
Episode 033: Natasha Wodak — Olympic runner
Guest Titan: Natasha Wodak, Olympic runner. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Organic Earl Grey Lavender What we cover: For those of us who watched the […]
Episode 032: Roy McBeth — elite cyclist and triathlete and organ donor advocate
Guest Titan: Roy McBeth, elite cyclist and triathlete and organ donor advocate. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Cherry Kyoto Rose Green Tea What we cover: […]
Episode 031: Liz Rose — 2nd youngest Canadian to summit Mt Everest
Guest Titan: Liz Rose, 25-yr-old climber who summited Mount Everest. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Liquid sunshine What we cover: On May 23rd, 2016, Liz […]
Episode 30: Jenn Dawkins, firefighter, philanthropist, mentor, ultra-athlete, dog-mom
Guest Titan: Jenn Dawkins, firefighter, philanthropist, mentor, ultra-athlete, dog-mom. Tea of choice: Steam Tea’s Liquid sunshine What we cover: What’s it like to transform from […]
Episode 29: Chad Bentley, Ultraman World Championships finisher, founder of “Plants. Life. Sports.” coaching (Part 2)
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 28: Chad Bentley, Ultraman World Championships finisher, founder of “Plants. Life. Sports.” coaching (Part 1)
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 27: Annie Wood, actor (Good Luck Chuck, My Sister’s Keeper), writer, mindfulness enthusiast
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 26: Jillian Murray, Actor on CBS’s Code Black (and Dean Geyer of Australian Idol, Glee, and Shades of Blue)
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 25: Jen Grisanti, Story Consultant/Writing Instructor for NBC/Author/International Speaker
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 24: Autumn Reeser, Actor (The OC, Entourage, Hawaii Five-O, Sully, The Arrangement)
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 23: Peter Arpesella, Actor/Writer
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 22: Morgan Brayton, Actor/Comedian/Writer/Producer/TV Personality/Kitten Rescuer
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 21: Kathy Barnard, Melanoma Survivor and Advocate
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 020: Ray Zahab — Extreme Adventure Runner
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 019: Gina Mollicone-Long — Author / Speaker / Peak Performance Coach
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 018 Darrell Fox — Brother of Terry Fox / Cancer Crusader
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 017: Ferg Hawke — Decorated ultra-marathoner
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 016: Sister Madonna Buder — The Iron Nun
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 015: Tanner Gers — USA Paralympian/speaker/author/entrepreneur
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 014: Lex Gillette — Four-time USA Paralympian
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 013: Steve King — Legendary events announcer and ultra-athlete
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 012: Lynn Kanuka — Two-time Olympic runner
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 011: Silken Laumann — Four-time Olympic rower
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 010: Mark Hatton — Two-time Olympic luge racer
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 009: Nikola Girke — Four-time Olympian
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 008: Anthony Lemke — Actor and humanitarian
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 007: Matt Hill — Actor, speaker, runner
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 6: Susanne Biro, Leadership Coach, author, and vegan
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 5: Mercedes Nicoll, Three-time Olympic snowboarder
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 4: Ab McDonald, Original Six Hockey Legend
Four-time Stanley Cup winner and Original Six NHL Hockey legend, Ab McDonald shares insights about what separates the good from the great.
Episode 3: Danielle Krysa, The Jealous Curator
Former advertising Creative Director Danielle Krysa transformed her one-time debilitating jealousy for other artists into one of the world’s most revered art blogs, TheJealousCurator.com.
Episode 2: Amber Fares, filmmaker
Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Amber Fares, discusses her decision to depart her career in advertising and pursue unknown territory — all with a camera strapped around her neck.
Episode 1: Mary-Jo Dionne, your host
Well, it’s not so much as a discussion, really. Writer/speaker/performer and seasoned interview-buff Mary-Jo Dionne welcomes you to the launch of the new podcast Tea with a Titan.