Five Questions with Betsy Rosenblatt Rosso: Recent Episodes
Betsy Rosenblatt Rosso
In which Sumi talks about life in New York City (where she moved almost by accident), having a teeny dog (#teammouse), providing a theme for each year of her life (#yearoflaughter), doing stand-up comedy, her relationship with Mindy Kaling, and oh so much more.
In which my dad, Bob Rosenblatt, describes his exploits in Times Square in the middle of the night as a copy boy during college and his sunrise trips to take a nap on the beach.
In which Tara discusses transforming her house into a thumping dance party, how she gets unstuck, having the courage to leave a great job, and more.
In which Silvia discusses her dream of flying, her love of walking, her experience as a pilgrim in Spain, how you can comfort her or win her heart with food, and social commentary in Brazilian music.
In which Kristin talks about getting married, having two kids, and launching a business in just a few years, following her guru, moving to Boston and changing the direction of her life, the time her son locked her out of her bedroom to keep the bad guys out, watching Golden Girls reruns, and more.
In which Brian talks about collaborating with Prince, the effect that music could have on the entire world for 15 minutes, the lake in Austin by which he would like to sit but not swim in, why he’d like to visit England and Australia, and more.
In which Becky discusses why she’s a bad military wife, how flying from Germany to the US with five children is easier than grocery shopping, what family means, the best way to teach your kids about Egyptian history, and more.
In which Terri discusses the unexpectedly paradoxical contrast between her childhood in DC and boarding school in Massachussetts and how it changed the course of her life, helping her daughter aim for Miss America, the music that moves and inspires her, and Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.
In which Sara shares an embarrassing story from elementary school in which she was played; how she’d like to go back in time; her ability to find things even from far away; and her dinner party with her grandmother, Fred Rogers, Anne Lamott, and others.
In which Lesley describes her quest for the missing piece of a Venetian glass-blown chess set of Jewish holidays, living life with grace, the necessity of gun control, her family, and how to celebrate kindness.
In which Kim discusses key lime pie, meditation, bungee jumping, racism, volunteering, and being a California transplant.
In which Susan discusses the ideal town of Edwardsville and its unofficial mayor, how her life is organized around stories, the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt, and owning awkwardness.
In which Liam discusses the fire that broke out when he was in the shower, his inherent trust of the Irish, and the allure of old baseball games.
In which Michael discusses his enterprise restoring and renting vintage Airstream trailers (Nomad Mobile Motor Lodge), his dream to be a backup singer for Emmylou Harris, the fundamental energy that dogs give him, and being independently wealthy so he can use his magic litter wand.
In which Susan discusses how other people’s successes make her feel, how music has shaped her relationships and made her “a piece of something larger,” the heartwrenching experience of taking her daughter away from her foster mother, and more.
In which Osa talks about Nigerian parenting, leadership, and actually feeling invisible. Osa also introduced me to Nigerian activist and musician Fela Kuti. And if you want to hear Osa rap, check out this video–a collaboration between him and his friend and fellow rapper Ben Lasso.
In which Toby talks about making ephemeral art, being a karaoke superstar, the time it takes to recover from dancing, how to properly make tea, and how Katell Keineg would feature in the soundtrack of the movie of his life.
In case you’re wondering, you can learn more about Noah Scalin and the art-a-day challenges here: https://makesomething365.blogspot.com
Toby also mentioned the excellent novel by Jeanette Winterson–Written on the Body.
Until this interview, I hadn’t talked with Toby since 1989. This was so much fun.
In which Susannah Rosenblatt talks about what she learned living in Taiwan, having people in China pat her hair, how traveling influences empathy, and the role of moderation in parenting.
In which Meg discusses how she would like to swim with cownose rays, her affinity for quilting, her dream of coffee and a good book in a hammock, and the soundtrack playing in her car.
In which Elina discusses what she’s learned from the Boy Scouts, names her own executive branch, and imagines life on a houseboat.
In which Julia talks about what we can learn from his Holiness the Dalai Lama, growing up in rural China, and the moment in her childhood that changed everything.
In which our own sound engineer and theme music composer Chris Salazar discusses the problem of mosquitoes, opportunities he didn’t take, places he’d like to show his daughters, and more.
In which Jennifer discusses her transition from law to faith formation, her unexpected peace ministry, and how Harry Potter is connected to all of it.
In which the insightful and stylish Tracey discusses human rights, magical practices, having Clarissa Pinkola Estes whispering in her ear, the lessons of living in a cartoon forest, and more. Learn more about Tracey’s work here.
In which you hear from Clay how his increasing understanding of how the world works affects the everyday choices he makes, how he’s a “church junkie,” why he would like to witness Lincoln giving the Gettysburg Address, and what exactly he believes.
In which D discusses taking on another’s point of view, artistic collaboration, the idea that place can be a person, and what her favorite things are to make.
Check out D’s #40for40 poetry project here: https://sites.google.com/site/dmropoetry/the-40for40-project-2015-2017
In celebration of Pride Weekend, I give you my interview with Matt Corey, who was my first-ever out gay friend, and who had a big influence on me as a writer and a human. Listen closely to hear Matt talk about people’s unheard need for contentment, the perils of virtuosic talent, and missing the bus on September 11, 2001.
In which you’ll learn about John’s fantasy taco machine and his overall commitment to tacos, as well as finding a cure for childhood cancer.
During our interview, I neglected to mention that I met John at All Souls Church, Unitarian when my husband and I and he and his wife (previous Five Questions guest Danielle Henry were in a class together.
In which Gay proclaims her desire to ride a horse, perhaps while channeling Loretta Lynn and Taylor Swift as a country singer. Be transported into Gay’s memories through the smell of camelias, cinnamon toast, and more.
April is a wonderful hostess, whose fantasy dinner party would include such guests as Joan of Arc, Bruce Springsteen, Winston Churchill, Thomas Jefferson, and, last but not least, Jesus.
Also if you are putting together a space mission, April will be on board as your spaceship chaplain. You’re welcome.
Dani grew up riding a motorcycle and is the most youthful looking grandmother I’ve ever seen. If you have a medical emergency, you’ll want her by your side.
I promise you will want to visit the shop that Tammy would theoretically open. Tammy also seems remarkably talented at finding remarkable places to watch the sun rise.
What makes Danielle feel loved and cared for: “When my children crawl into my lap even when it’s 85 degrees because I’m home to them.”
Who should be honored in a museum? All those anonymous Black women who do the hard work people don’t acknowledge. “It’s so many women and it’s work that has to be done. I just want somebody to know their names.”
Listen to the podcast to hear more!
Hear Diane’s answers to these questions!
- If you could switch places with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
- What’s the most significant way you’ve changed over time?
- What can’t you live without?
- If you could replace any part of your body with an artificial part guaranteed to never fail, what would you choose?
- If you wrote a book, what would it be about?
In which Zoe responds to these questions
- What is one something you’ve done that you’re really proud of?
- What do you do when things get tough?
- Who’s one of your heroes?
- If you could collaborate with an artist you admire, who would it be and what would you do?
- If you could witness a moment in history, what would it be?
Hear Christina’s answers to these five questions!
- If you had to get rid of most of your stuff, but you could keep whatever you could fit into a suitcase, what would pack?
- What was one of the strangest experiences of your life?
- Who is someone who made a significant impression on you but who doesn’t realize it?
- What do you believe in?
- What’s the most significant way you’ve changed over time?
Hear Diana’s answers to these five questions!
- What is your favorite smell and why?
- What are you curious about but have been afraid to try?
- What do you really like about yourself?
- Whose life have you changed?
- What’s the nicest thing someone has done for you?