• This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life

  • 著者: Erica J. Schmidt
  • ポッドキャスト

This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life

著者: Erica J. Schmidt
  • サマリー

  • Welcome to This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life! In this podcast, writer Erica J. Schmidt talks to people who may—or may not—have had the chance to transform their lives into spectacular TED talks. Cherished guests include Erica’s beloved grandmother, talented fringe performers, and more fascinating folks from across generations and communities. Discover new takes on creativity, morning routines, art, mental health, eating disorder recovery, perfectionism, and healing, plus a loving advice column segment in almost every episode. Oh, and sometimes there are tiny singsongs!

    About the host: Erica J. Schmidt is a writer, translator, storyteller, and recovering gifted child living in Montréal. She is currently querying a novel about that time she fell in love with her eleventh therapist. To learn more, check out Erica’s generously personal essays at ericajschmidt.com/blog

    続きを読む 一部表示

あらすじ・解説

Welcome to This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life! In this podcast, writer Erica J. Schmidt talks to people who may—or may not—have had the chance to transform their lives into spectacular TED talks. Cherished guests include Erica’s beloved grandmother, talented fringe performers, and more fascinating folks from across generations and communities. Discover new takes on creativity, morning routines, art, mental health, eating disorder recovery, perfectionism, and healing, plus a loving advice column segment in almost every episode. Oh, and sometimes there are tiny singsongs!

About the host: Erica J. Schmidt is a writer, translator, storyteller, and recovering gifted child living in Montréal. She is currently querying a novel about that time she fell in love with her eleventh therapist. To learn more, check out Erica’s generously personal essays at ericajschmidt.com/blog

エピソード
  • Your Life Does Not Have To Be A Spectacular TED Talk (Vad Interviews Erica)
    2025/03/27
    In this back-to-life episode, Montréal’s favourite self-deprecating Russian interviews Erica. Riveting questions include:Erica, why did you decide to start a podcast? How’d you come up with the name, This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life? Tell us all about your creative angst and writer’s block! Have you ever been diagnosed with autism? (Vad told me to cut that part out but I decided to keep it in.)Erica and Vad go deep into creative routines, the quest for authenticity, Erica’s youthful longings to go on Oprah, the drama of the gifted and difficult child, and how to reconcile this with the fixings of adult life. It all comes together with a tome of a listener question from My Vision Board Jumped Off a Bridge in 2011. Vad and Erica can’t fix it—but we have thoughts. And for even more thoughts, this listener question comes with all-new FREE AND EXCITING BONUS CONTENT. Please hit up Erica’s longform blogpost answer to MVBJOABI-2011. FREE AND EXCITING BONUS CONTENT RIGHT HEREFollow Erica on Instagram @erica.j.schmidt or check out her website at ericajschmidt.comFull show notes at ericajschmidt.com/podcast/your-life-does-not-have-to-be-a-spectacular-ted-talkAbout VadVadim Gran is famous for his elaborate beard, and Eeyore sense of humour which he infuses into his storytelling and barbecue banter. In 2019, he made his fringe festival debut, performing the wildly popular show Happy-ish, A Russian Immigrant’s Guide to Smiling. It was by all accounts a smash hit. These days Vad is ultra busy first-class adulting and flipping burgers at the epic summer barbecues he hosts with his partner Andrea and previously his darling dog Jake, may he rest in peace. Vad recently upgraded his skills in computer programming, and he’s hoping to also maybe upgrade his skills in podcasting. This interview was a great start. Thank you so much, Vad!About EricaErica J. Schmidt is available on all your favourite podcast platforms. She is not particularly famous but she used to be the Mile End’s most famous cleaner as the founder of Deep Cleans with Erica J. Schmidt. May it rest in peace with Jake the Dog. She is also a little bit famous for twirling her hair incessantly. Erica’s life’s greatest joys include creative projects, friendship, library books, exercise, cleaning routines, and em dashes. Her creative life includes a bunch of writing, storytelling, a tiny bit of stand-up comedy. And in the spring of 2023, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of starting her own podcast, This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life.Links, Resources, and Recommended EpisodesWhy Fish Don’t Exist, book by Lulu MillerBehind the Bastards presents: Part One: Is Oprah Winfrey a Bastard? There are many parts, available on all the platforms.)Erica’s old blog The Ecstatic Adventures of the Exuberant BodhisattvaAnd if you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Taking the Pressure Off with Erica J. Schmidt, First Date With Amir, and Caroline and Erica Can’t Fix it—But We Have Thoughts.Listener Question from My Vision Board Jumped Off a Bridge in 2011Dear Erica and Vad,I'm in my early forties and I've recently made peace with the modest fixings of my adult life. When I was in university, I studied International Development and I thought I'd end up joining the Peace Corps and working for the UN or doing something similarly praiseworthy and altruistic. Instead, I am trucking along at a humble 9-5. It is not particularly glamorous, or even fun, and sometimes it takes up more energy than I have. But it lets me pay for my life with relative ease, and I can splurge on treats to make up for some of the inconvenience. One of my favourite parts of my life is my group of friends. We met in university and never lost touch. At least once a week, we get together to eat and shoot the shit and online shop for deals and laugh at reality TV clips. I know I am so lucky to have these people and this outlet, but lately I've felt a bit triggered by one of my friends. Let's call him Alex. Alex has a similar livelihood as I do, though maybe it doesn't drain him quite as much. But it's like he feels oppressed by steady income with benefits. He's constantly berating the complacency and grind of a day job, how the 9-5 is a crime against humanity, stripping us of our joy and physical health and creative potential. He's constantly pouring himself into self-improvement projects: impossible fitness regimes, the keto diet, life coaches, empowerment conferences, and mysterious online "communities" where bright-eyed and Botoxed high achievers exchange life hacks for optimizing their existence according to their Vision Board. At least two of these endeavours reek of some kind of cult or pyramid scheme. Alex always claims to be on the cusp of some pinnacle of ultimate growth. But he never seems to get there. I watch him ride up and down these waves of hope and possibilities only to fall into deep discouragement and depression when the diet or the ahayuasca ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1分未満
  • Crochet for Peace with Montreal’s Most Adorable and Edgy Comedian (and Winner of Best Baby Face), Shosho Abotouk
    2024/12/10
    What the world needs now is today’s guest, the radiant and revolutionary Shosho Abotouk! Shosho is a generous and talented stand-up comic, crochet artist, entrepreneur, and activist. When I consider the terrifying atrocities that are happening all over our planet, I feel deeply soothed and heartened people like Shosho exists. Behind her sweet and adorable persona, Shosho brings us edgy and important and straightshooting comedy. She is a joy to watch. You will laugh so hard. Shosho is also the founder of The Montreal Crochet Club, which offers social events and beginner-friendly workshops for crocheters of all levels. There’s Crochet and Cocktails (or Mocktails), Crochet Cafes, Crochet and Comedy nights. What a healing force for humanity! Shosho uses her crocheted creations as statements for activism and she encourages you to do the same. Follow Shosho on Instagram: @nosearchresultsfound, @studioshosho and @montrealcrochetclubFollow Erica on Instagram @erica.j.schmidt or check out her website at ericajschmidt.comFull show notes at ericajschmidt.com/podcast/mtl-crochet-club-comedy-shoshoShosho Abotouk on This Is Your Strange and Beautiful LifeShosho’s Creative Origins: A vigorous bookworm, Shosho always longed to write, draw, and create—but maybe you can relate—she didn’t believe she was good enough. Hear how she went from watching Saturday Night Live to anchoring her high school’s sports events to finally discovering her creative community at Toronto Metropolitan University.Shosho’s First Open Mics and How Her Baby Face Helps with Comedy. A weird face also helps. A weird name AND a weird face, see you on Netflix. But you don’t need to have a weird name or a weird face to try comedy.Can you believe that Shosho only learned to crochet during the pandemic? Now she’s a pro crochet artist and teacher! Shosho recommends crocheting every moment of your life. If you’re looking to solve your next family gathering, hit up the Montreal Crochet Club, and never talk to irritating relatives without a bunch of yarn and needles in your lap ever again. You can also get in touch with Shosho for a stunning watermelon Free Palestine keychain, among other gorgeous creations. Quit like a comedian. Shosho and Erica discuss Shosho’s imminent one-year sobriety from alcohol anniversary. Erica the teetotaller regurgitates everything she learned from Holly Whitaker’s book, Quit Like a Women, featuring kind, gentle, and non-patriarchal advice on how to transcend our culture’s obsession with alcohol. It was the book-club slash share-all portion of This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life and we’re thankful for Shosho’s generous candour and honesty. Listener Question from Reluctant Rapunzel: How Can I Get My Mother to Stop Telling Me to Shave My Head? Shosho’s eloquence and wisdom do not disappoint.Morning Routines, Creative Routines, and Cleaning Routines: A healthy mix of the snooze button, aspirational affirmations à la Louise Haye, and nailing it under pressure. Shosho’s spectacular TED talk: Love yourself like your life depends on it. But don’t be cheesy AF. Try to be grateful, hopefully your life’s not that much of a drag. HALF-BAD UKULELE SEGMENT: Time After Time by Cindi Lauper. Shosho sings like an angel and yet, the segment is living up to its name these days. Someone please help Erica change her strings!THANK YOU SO MUCH, SHOSHO. You are what the world needs now!Recommended Episodes and ResourcesIf you enjoyed this episode, you will love: Dream Jobs With John Cotrocois, Laughs for All With Abby Stonehouse, Just for Laughs With Andrew KhouryWhy We’re Still Single With Mariam Khan, and Better Out Than In With Aloe AzimovIf you, like Shosho, long for the bookworm days of your youth, check out Erica’s essay, How to Start Reading AgainQuit Like a Women by Holly WhitakerFull Listen Question from Reluctant RapunzelDear Erica and Shosho,A year and a half ago, my younger brother—my mother’s golden child—conquered Stage 3 colon cancer. Ever since, my mother has devoted her life to running in every 5K or 10K cancer fundraiser within 400 km of her home. I don’t run because it hurts my knees and I don’t like to exercise. But my mother thinks I should shave my head in support of what my brother went through—oh, and also to make a wig for all the poor children undergoing cancer treatment.This feels like a big and unnecessary ask. It has taken me most of my twenties to grow my hair almost all the way down my back. My hair is thick, shiny, and kind of awesome. I hate how much emphasis our society puts on appearance, but my hair is the one thing about my looks that I really care about.My brother is long in remission, and his golden locks have all grown back. He doesn’t talk much about his cancer and has never mentioned that he thinks I should shave my head. But my mother brings it up every time we talk. It’s that, her next race, or adding extra fiber to her lasagna recipes so we ...
    続きを読む 一部表示
    1 時間 26 分
  • Stories from L’arche with Jimmy and Isabelle
    2024/11/21
    Today we have a special episode with my dear pals Jimmy and Isabelle. I met Jimmy and Isabelle at L’Arche, a worldwide network of communities for people with intellectual disabilities. When I was 19, I moved to L’Arche in search of a transformed heart. For two years, I lived and worked with Jimmy, Isabelle, and three other people with wildly different intellectual disabilities.There’s so much I could share about my time at L’Arche, but for today, I’m handing the mic to Jimmy and Isabelle.JimmyJimmy is rocking his early sixties. He has had a whole bunch of different jobs, including working at a daycare and a curtain factory. Jimmy has a passion for Ancient Egypt, bowling, swimming, drawing and colouring, Hulk superheroes, and the Power Rangers. He has a special notebook in his fanny pack which he uses to write secret messages to the Power Rangers. Jimmy has Down Syndrome and an excellent sense of humour. After 20 years at his L’Arche home the SKiff, he is always looking out for his friends and housemates. Whenever anyone walks through the door, no matter how long it’s been, Jimmy greets them with, “I missed you.”IsabelleIsabelle and I are the same age (39 or just about). When we’re together, people always ask if we’re sisters. Isabelle completed her studies at the Montreal School for the Blind, where she was blessed with exceptional teachers like Barbara, Missy, and Juliet. In her youth, Isabelle and I would go swimming, and she’d bravely trust me to push her alongside the river—Isabelle in her wheelchair, me on rollerblades. Everyone survived. Isabelle has complex cerebral palsy, which means she mostly speaks with her eyes, not words, and doesn’t move very much. Her deepest loves include music, prayers, poetry, family, friends, and community.What you’ll hear today is a just a small glimpse into the worlds of Jimmy and Isabelle. This was originally going to be part of a much larger project. And there’s still time for this. But for now, Jimmy and Isabelle, welcome to This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life.Episode Notes and ResourcesThis recording was created and published with Jimmy and Isabelle’s explicit consent.In 2020, the L’Arche founder Jean Vanier was discovered to have sexually abused several of his mentees. Thankfully, there are no reports of JV abusing L’Arche’s core members, the people with intellectual disabilities. However, the truth is terrible and disappointing. L’Arche has fully acknowledged and apologized for Jean Vanier’s abuse, condemning his actions “without reservation.” To learn more about the horrible revelations, you can read this article. L’Arche has also published a summary of its report on Father Thomas and Jean Vanier.If you’d like to learn more about my years at L’Arche, I wrote an essay called This Is It. Click here to read This Is It by Erica J. Schmidt.To learn more about L’Arche, visit L’Arche International and/or L’Arche Canada.Jimmy and Isabelle live at L’Arche Montréal.If you’re looking for somewhere to donate extra funds, all of these places are wonderful causes.To get in touch with Erica, you can find her on Instagram or her website at ericajschmidt.com. You can also make her day by sending her a listener question to any of these places.And if you enjoyed this episode, you will love: Making It Fun with Mary Owen,Discovering Autism with Maha Abdelhak Cavalcanti, and Taking the Pressure Off with Erica J. Schmidt.Thank you so much for listening! Stay tuned for more episodes extra soon. Don’t forget to followThis Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life on your favourite podcast platform. And if you enjoyed the episode, I would be immensely grateful if you could share it with a friend and/or leave a kind and enthusiastic rating and review.
    続きを読む 一部表示
    22 分

This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Lifeに寄せられたリスナーの声

カスタマーレビュー:以下のタブを選択することで、他のサイトのレビューをご覧になれます。