Thoughts from your gal pal

This week's theme: Mother's Day Extravaganza

Happy Mother's Day! I hope you remembered to get your mom flowers. And if not, consider this email your reminder to, at least, call your mom. My sister Maggie and I interviewed my mom, Virginia, a few Fridays ago. After testing the camera and the mics the night before, we texted her to arrive “camera ready” for a surprise. Beginning at 7:30 AM, we started our line of questioning… after some light roasting. I don’t have all that much to say about this episode. But, I predict I’ll cherish recording this conversation - playful, casual, curious - long after I click publish. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/swl59lHWMeg [https://youtu.be/swl59lHWMeg] * [01:04]: Ways Virginia is saving the world * [06:55]: Virginia’s pet peeves: grammar, manners, “it’s no problem” * [10:16]: Comment on famous moms * [14:22]: What were your growing-up years like? * [16:21]: Virginia shares more about her mom * [17:49]: What was going on in life when you found out you were first pregnant? * [21:17]: Who was your favorite child at each stage of life? * [24:49]: Comment on your kids as adults * [26:02]: What are mom cliches that are true? What about false? * [29:30]: What’s it like being a grandma? * [31:48]: What’s the best part about being a mom? * [33:55]: What parts of mom’s parenting will we implement as parents?

Who needs Victoria's Secret when you have Taylor's Fantasies?

📺 Watch this interview on YouTube [https://youtu.be/P1I9H5sAbDU] -- The year is 2005… George R. R. Martin [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_R._R._Martin] releases book four in the Game of Thrones series: A Feast for Crows [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Feast_for_Crows]. Sarah J. Maas [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_J._Maas] studies Creative Writing at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. In three years, she will send the transcript of her debut novel Throne of Glass [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Throne_of_Glass], which she started writing at age 16, to potential publishers. Brandon Sanderson [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brandon_Sanderson], from his Utah home, publishes his Elantris [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elantris]. This fantasy novel will kick off Sanderson’s prolific writing career. As of 2023, 14 Sanderson books are in print. Taylor Vannatta [https://www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-vannatta/], age 9, crushes his Accelerated Reading quizzes in the computer lab at Oak Grove Elementary School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hattiesburg,_Mississippi]. The books he’s quizzed on? Fantasies. Eragon [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eragon], Harry Potter, etc… Taylor's storied love of fantasy inspired this April 2023 episode. Additional inspiration includes Taylor’s April birthday, Taylor Swift weekend in Atlanta, and my sticking to a monthly publishing schedule. Enjoy! Show Notes * [03:58] >> Taylor was scammed! * [08:12] >> The Vocal Warm Up * [10:13] >> Talking on the phone on the bus * [12:41] >> Shoes in the house * [14:23] >> What do you call your in-laws? * [15:03] >> Greet a new, male friend * [15:55] >> Getting out of a conversation with an elder * [18:38] >> Taylor's fantasies: His reading origin story * [20:44] >> What makes a good fantasy book? * [22:44] >> What makes a good *adult* fantasy book? * [24:20] >> Who is your favorite fantasy character? * [25:22] >> Sex scenes in Game of Thrones * [25:52] >> Is there value in having romance/sex in fantasy books? * [29:56] >> Influence me, Taylor * [31:02] >> The Brandon Sanderson Pitch

On loving someone in academia

This month’s episode fits the month of loooove. IT’S THE END OF FEBRUARY, BABY! The title of today’s email/the podcast/the YouTube video is inspired by the Jillian on Love podcast [https://qcodemedia.com/jillian-on-love] (I recommend it for those, like me, with anxious attachment styles) and the genre of books titled Loving Someone with . Example 1 [https://www.amazon.com/Someone-Borderline-Personality-Disorder-Control/dp/1593856075]. Example 2 [https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/634887]. Need I continue? And I’m not saying that being in academia is a mental illness! Rather, an inclination? A passion? An obsession (at times)? According to my guest today, my sister Emily, there aren’t many resources or discussion forums for “mixed couples.” Which sounds horribly inaccurate to say in the context of literally all social norms. But in this case, I’m talking two people in a relationship — one in academia, one not in academia. This is the situation for Emily and her husband Scott. They’ve navigated the benchmarks of their romantic relationship — dating, engagement, long distance, marriage, and a new baby with the benchmarks of a PhD to professor life tarck — defense, gradation, post-doc, university interviews, and teaching. SO I POSE THESE QUESTIONS TO EMILY What are the challenges? The benefits? The hard conversations? Lots of questions, lots of thoughts! Hope you enjoy this month’s ep. It’s sub 35 minutes I really restrained myself :) A NOTE FROM CLARA Looking to find ten (10) guests for the rest of 2023. It’s zero work on your end other than a 45 min virtual call with yours truly. I write the questions, you bring the experience. Message me if interested!

For Annie, Forever Ago

This interview was filmed in the peak of summer. Breezy lakeside air caressed my face as I indulged in my ritual of a mid-day bike ride. Now there’s snow crunching under my feet as I tread sidewalks carefully to avoid an unintentional slip and fall. Thankfully, the content of this conversation is evergreen. I’m thrilled to share it with you, For Annie, (though it’s from what feels like) Forever Ago. Annie bubbles over with enthusiasm. Maybe it’s her welcoming smile. Maybe it’s her eye contact — it’s really good! Maybe it’s her curly hair. (Does she employ the curly girl method? We didn’t get into that topic, but feel free to drop opinions in the comments.)  My thoughts of Annie were forever positively cemented when she spoke truth with, “The right guy at the wrong time is the wrong guy.” I’ve referenced that phrase innumerable times as I’ve counseled my friends and myself.    In this ep, we talk: life transitions, moving to a new country, career changes, and gray zone values, all with the comforting tone of mutually encouraging girl gab. It’s meandering. It’s sprinkled with joy. It’s giving phone call from a friend you haven’t talked to in five years vibes. Perfect for a commute or while cleaning your house.    ✍🏻 Subscribe to me on Substack: https://clarajennings.substack.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1ZLaUFjSlFmcGl4ZEtoRVJfMDM4eHpUdEt3UXxBQ3Jtc0tuOW9hMTMwWlZ0akJ6Z29FY3JXbE1Pck9HTHdGanQ4dC1ZeEltSkY0NXhPZmp1RzE5ZGE0eWxCVnVCYjduY1pIY3JGWGx4RXA5VE1hYUVOT3JRZlpNWm5hUkt5ZTFaY1BUbk1vcGdJTDU3RGxra3VVMA&q=https%3A%2F%2Fclarajennings.substack.com%2F&v=jFdWQ8cf4Og]

Dear Emily, help me take the emotion out of decision-making | Guest Emily Swift

Dear Emily, my trusted friend   Tenderly and honestly speaking, I tend to get lost. Both along the path and in the details. When carrying the weight of a backpack full of deeply-felt emotions, decision fatigue takes on a whole new meaning. My friend Emily Swift, an o.g. firsty-lasty in my family (the double name used to designate between sister Emily and friend Emily) has been an unaffected and hilarious guiding light for me since I was 5 years old. Though she and I have the common bond of being insanely smart and even more insanely funny, Emily and I see the world and problem-solving differently. While I seek comfort in the advice and recommendations of others, Emily opens 30 browser tabs to do her own research because she knows her informed decision is, ultimately, the only one that matters.  The topic for this podcast was nebulous at best, we meander through a variety of topics: Emily’s decision-making process, the enneagram types, and why Emily is Abercrombie and I’m the Gap, and the good stuff: Dear Emily and the answer to four listener questions.   Show Notes * 08:24: GAP versus Abercrombie * 14:30: How do you take an abstract problem and solve it? * 20:36: What truths does Emily live by? * 24:14: Dear Emily * 25:06: Question #1: Contemplating a job change * 26:50: Question #2: New person at work, they want to be your friend but they’re fucking weird * 28:50: Question #3: Want to get a hold on a personal goal - finances, weight, grad school… How do you start? * 31:31: Question #4: You went on a first date with a guy and he hasn’t texted you, but you want to text him to hang out. What do you do?