Modern Athenas

Debra Ginsberg knows most everyone assumes that if you are a waitress or waiter you are just passing through before you move onto a real career. But as Debra tells us in her book, waiting, being a waitress is a career. From details of a restaurant's nightly theatre, to personal moments of victory, and everything in between, Debra takes us into the world of the kitchen, the wait staff, management, and of course, the customer. INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:37 The Tip7:33 Structure of the Kitchen12:27 Waiting as a Profession19:32 Mentors: Belinda24:02 Relationship with the Chef27:46 Customer Service33:35 The Theater of Waiting39:50 Debra’s Son, Blaze44:31 Out of Context48:43 Burnout53:17 Debra Walks Away58:16 Final Thoughts and Next EpisodeVisit www.modernathenas.com for links to all episodes. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or YouTube. Send us feedback or leave a review! Thanks for listening.Follow us on Twitter/Facebook @modernathenasFol

In an unassuming stucco building on a quiet piece of the Hudson River in upstate New York, there is a general store with a small pub in the back. The locals call it the Little Chapel on the River. Author Gwendolyn Bounds introduces us to all the "parishioners" and the two generations of the Guinan family who keep it feeling like home in Garrison, NY. The pub becomes Wendy's new community after 9/11, when she locates from lower Manhattan to Garrison.INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:24 Garrison, Guinan’s & The Little Chapel on the River8:01 September 11, 2001 and the Move to Garrison13:41 The Guinan Family22:40 Wanting to Belong33:13 509ers37:08 When You Know You Are a Part of a Community40:39 Characters: William Fitzgerald and Ed Preusser46:45 Stealing Time49:25 Final Thoughts and Next EpisodeVisit www.modernathenas.com for links to all episodes. Subscribe to our podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Google Play or YouTube. Send us feedback or leave a review! Thanks for listeni

This episode is the first of a series that focus on women that contribute to our personal toolkit: ways to navigate life’s challenges, tips on how to find those people who you can lean on and guide you, inspiration to persevere through challenges, how to be brave, courageous, and never quit.In The Bridge Ladies, Betsy Lerner brings us into her mother's bridge group, a group of women who have been playing bridge together every week for fifty-five years. The women have crossed through the decades together, watching each other's children be born, grow up, and have families of their own. Now, as the women move into the next phase of their lives, they are confronting the deaths of their spouses, their own mortality, and what the fifty five years of weekly bridge games mean to each of them.INDEX0:00 New Series of Episodes2:56 Intro to The Bridge Ladies, Debby’s Personal Story6:10 Demographics10:20 The Pot Roast Friendship14:25 The Bridge Club - Logistics19:06 A Mother’s Critique22:27 Jackie’s Lu

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book Spymistress: The True Story of the Greatest Female Secret Agent of World War II, by William Stevenson. We meet Vera Atkins, a British spy. Vera’s work has never been given the same spotlight as that of other spies or resistance fighters who were part of the war effort. Perhaps that is because she was a woman in a man’s world, or perhaps it is due to a controversy that surrounds her involving the collapse of one of the networks of spies in France. Either way, what there is no controversy about is that she was one of the most important Allied spies and that she was indirectly and directly responsible for the training and success of many of the resistance fighters in German-occupied France. On a more humorous side note, it is also believed that Vera is the basis for the Miss Moneypenny character in Ian Flemming’s James Bond novels.INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:41 F-Section and the Controversy7:10 The Controversy14:16 It Takes a Special B

We have explored the stories of many Modern Athenas throughout history. In this podcast, we thought we would take a bit of a different approach and talk about the book Feminist Fight Club, by Jessica Bennett. The book started as a monthly huddle of a group of women in a friend’s apartment burning off steam about their frustrations with their sexist male co-workers. Jessica blends the stories of the group with some research, statistics, and advise in a humorous way that empowers women to take on the sexist behavior and to destroy the self-sabotage that we engage in on a daily basis. INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:39 The Enemy: The Stenographucker7:56 The Enemy: The Lacthater15:05 The Saboteur: The Doormat23:45 The Saboteur: The Credit Defaulter29:01 The Saboteur: The Womenemy34:42 The Saboteur: The Burnout40:48 The Saboteur: The Nervous Rambler46:15 The Trap: Bitchy, Bossy, Too Ambitious51:25 The Trap: She’s Too Nice To Lead the Team56:14 Verbal Tripwire: The Ove

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book An Improbable Friendship, by Anthony David.Friendships can happen in the most unlikely of places, in the most unlikely of times. Like romance, it is hard to predict who our friends will be, and even harder to ignore forces that make a friendship blossom. Such is the case of Ruth Dayan, an Israeli Jew, and Raymonda Tawil, a Palestinian Christian. If you asked either of the women if they thought when they first met after the Six Days War in 1967 that they would be lifelong friends, both would laugh and then make a dig at the other’s culture and politics, while professing their admiration for each other. That is their friendship—born out of conflict and forged through decades of turmoil and heartbreak, the two women have a deeply rooted respect and love for each other that transcends borders, religion, and nationalism. Each of them a power broker in a male-dominated society, their intertwined stories are ones of strength and determination. These Modern Athenas demo

Esme Raji Codell's book, Educating Esme, is about her first year teaching fifth grade in a rough and tumble area of Chicago. Esme takes the reader along during the summer before her teaching career starts, as she accepts a position in a new public school. Esme has the tireless energy of all young, new teachers and a deep-rooted belief that no matter what, it is the students that matter. As you listen to her classroom tales, you can’t help but draw parallels between Esme and her classroom, and new leaders and their teams in the workplace. The lessons are the same, and the results are predictable: leaders succeed when they own everything about their job and their team, and the team succeeds when the leader is engaged and the team is invested in the mission. INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:54 Why Did They Hire Me?6:32 The Fairy Tale Festival Proposal10:54 The Late Night Calls18:37 Reframing and Finding Creative Solutions33:13 Inventors37:12 Greek Gods39:50 Cajun Christmas42:36

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book "A Nurse’s Story: Life, Death, and In Between in an Intensive Care Unit", by Tilda Shalof. A Nurse’s Story is Tilda’s part memoir, part thought-provoking discussion about her life as a Canadian Intensive Care Unit nurse and the challenges and rewards that come with the job. The book also tells heart-breaking stories and far rarer triumphs that come with working in the ICU. Through it all, Tilda makes you feel as though you are right there with her, experiencing each moment, and re-hashing each hard decision and case after the patients have long since left the unit.INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:51 Why Did I Become a Critical Care Nurse?9:25 Starting Out in the ICU28:37 Family and Friendships, How they can and cannot support you33:15 LIfe in the ICU42:21 Emotional Detachment46:31 Choosing Life or Death: Decisions of a Patient and a Family50:52 Outro and End of Season 1Visit www.modernathenas.com for links to all episodes. Subscribe to our podc

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book “Canyon Solitude,” by Patricia C. McCairen. Canyon Solitude takes the reader through Patricia’s journey of self-discovery as she leaves her life of comfort and stability and heads West. She lives a life of adventure out west, drifting through the high plateaus of Colorado, learning how to be a river guide down many of the most dangerous and beautiful rivers, and, through it all, she demonstrates why sometimes in life, it is better to leave the safety of the known for the adventure and uncertainty of the unknown. Like all Modern Athenas, Patricia pushed aside the critics and followed her dream. She set her raft afloat down the river and, through her rafting, discovered that not only could she survive, but that she could thrive. Her inner strength, determination, and courage remind us all that in life, you have to keep taking risks and moving forward to new adventures because the true rewards are found beyond the edges of your comfort zone. INDEX0:00 Intro an

In this episode, we are joined by a guest, Alekzandra, or Alleigh, Thoms. Alleigh is co-host Sonja’s niece and an artist who enjoys drawing, painting, sculpting and writing. She is about to enter her second year at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Alleigh recently self-published a book of poetry entitled "If the grass can hold its ground, so can I" that addresses mental illness and other challenges faced by college women today, such as sexual assault. Her hope is that the unapologetic spotlight of her words on these issues that have been kept in the darkness for far too long can inspire dialogue and hope. INDEX0:00 Introduction1:31 Poem: a beginner’s guide to getting up in the morning6:18 Poem: How’s tricks?11:45 Poem: no rest without love16:11 Poem: the tango misogyny22:54 Poems: Long Live Lexapro / To F33:53 Poem: The Gospel of the Sun36:09 Closing Questions41:00 Outro and Next Episode Buy Alleigh’s book: http://www.lulu.com/shop/alekzandra-thoms/if-the-grass-can-hold-its-g

Irena’s Children, is the story of Irena Sendler, a Polish Catholic woman and Modern Athena. In her early 20s during the time period covered by the book (Irena's Children by Tilar J. Mazzeo), and standing 4’11” tall, Irena was not physically imposing. But anyone that underestimated her was sorely mistaken. It was this young woman’s iron spirit, sense of purpose, and bravery thathelped her to organize dozens of ordinary citizens, across the divides of religion, into foot soldiers for her human network. Between 1940 and 1945, this network saved the lives of 2,500 Jewish children who otherwise would have perished with their parents in the Warsaw ghetto, in the rail cars destined for the Treblinka extermination camp, or in the gas chambers at Treblinka. Listen now as we tell her story. INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:52 Warsaw at the Start of World War II3:38 The German Purges Begin6:13 The Germans Target the Jews7:48 Irena’s First Resistance Efforts10:48 The Ghetto is Created16:

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book “A Little More About Me,” by Pam Houston. Pam Houston is a well-known fiction writer. In A Little More About Me, Pam uses essays to tackle the transformative moments of her life and to reflect on the decisions she has made and the various twists and turns her life journey has taken. As Pam takes the reader on this journey, we see that she refuses to ever give up her dreams, and refuses to settle for what others’ expectations are of her. Time after time, she bravely steps into the unknown to challenge herself and to search for who she truly is and who she wants to be. Pam embodies Athena’s perseverance, bravery through challenges, fortitude, and drive.INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:07 Mid-30s3:30 Walking on the Edge6:55 Dogs and Kids10:27 Outgrowing Home14:04 Friendship: Loss and Gain19:06 The Grand Tetons: New Boundaries in Life24:38 Conquering Challenges, Accepting When it is Too Much28:37 Insecurities: We All Have Them34:

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book “The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter: The Remarkable True Story of American Heroine Ida Lewis,” by Lenore Skomal. Lenore tells the story of Ida Lewis, whose father was responsible for keeping the light burning in the Lime Rock Lighthouse outside of Newport, Rhode Island in the mid-1800s. When Ida was young, her father fell ill, and tending the light fell to her mother and later, to Ida. Ida was considered the bravest woman of her day, not because of her light keeping skills but because of her daring rescues at sea. Ida would see men in danger in the waters surrounding the lighthouse and immediately race for her row boat, casting off and rowing as hard as she could to reach the drowning men. Using her 5’4”, 103-pound frame, she would pull the men into her boat and then row them back to the safety of the shore. Ida’s rescues brought her unwanted fame and attention. While she met some of the biggest political and military names of her day—men who today have their own

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book Special Agent: My Life on the Front Lines as a Woman in the FBI, by Candice DeLong. When Candice DeLong joined the FBI, she was one of the few female agents. At that time, women represented less than 4% of a total agent force of 8,000. Today, women remain a minority—there are 1,700 women, representing only 15% of total agents. We wanted to share Candice’s story with you because she is an example of how to succeed as a leader in a male-dominated profession. Her persistence, work ethic, and teamwork were the pillars of her success. And, like many other women in male-dominated professions, she learned how to walk the line between being “one of the guys” and being an assertive, independent woman. INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:01 Candice’s Psychiatric Nursing Career: Working Under Stress5:20 Candice’s Application and Admission to the FBI10:42 Attending the FBI Academy, Confronting Sexism and Double Standards18:34 Candice Joins the FBI, Heads

Please note that some of the descriptions in this podcast are graphic and may not be appropriate for children.In this episode, we discuss a book about Ama Adhe, a Tibetan woman who was imprisoned by the Chinese and subjected to inhumane treatment in labor camps for over twenty years. Adhe’s courage, perseverance and strength throughout her imprisonment and her life embody the very essence of a Modern Athena. "Although the circumstances of her life are tragic, the wisdom, strength, and courage that Ama Adhe sustained through those many torturous years place her among those rare human beings who would not turn their backs on those in need or repeat a doctrine they did not believe in. To Tibetans, Adhe is a symbol of courage and determination; to me, she speaks for a people who against great odds valiantly maintain their culture, their religion, and their inner freedom.” INDEX0:00 Intro and Background of the Book1:12 The Tibet of Adhe’s Childhood3:39 The Chinese Arrive in Tibet8:42 Adhe is Detai

Christy Orser is a Major in the US Army. She is also a wife and a mother to two children, William, 5, and Caroline, 2. She graduated from UMass Amherst with a double major in communications and political science. She was also an Army ROTC Distinguished Military Graduate. She holds a Masters in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University. Her military education includes the Military Intelligence Officer Basic and Career courses, the Commanding General Staff Officer Course, the Air Force Space and Missile Intelligence Formal Training Unit, the Army Counterintelligence Agent Course, and the US Army Airborne School. Christy’s awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, for her service in Iraq, the Parachutist Badge, the Army Space Badge, the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge, and the Order of the Combat Spur. Christy is also the recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership award. We had the chance to hear about her military career, leadership lessons and how she creates balance in life

We chose Susan Spencer-Wendel as a Modern Athena because in the face of a diagnosis of a terminal illness (ALS), she chose to live a life of joy, building memories, making special moments, and surrounding herself with her family and friends. Susan also took a special trip with each of her children, and with each of her close friends. Knowing her illness’ destructive path, she chose to embrace life rather than allow the illness to control her. She was, in every way, a pillar of strength and courage. This podcast is about her trips, her journeys inward, and her year of finding peace. INDEX00:00 Intro and Background of the Book01:53 ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)09:29 Decision to Travel12:17 Space Shuttle Launch16:17 The Yukon and the Northern Lights22:15 Susan’s Mother, Facing Death27:37 Christmas31:57 Chickee Hut36:32 John, Her Husband41:09 Steph, Her Sister47:47 The Children’s Trips50:58 Scrapbooking55:00 Writing the Book and the Close57:49 Outro an

Not every Modern Athena is a woman who has become a well-known warrior. Sometimes, Modern Athenas can be found quietly persevering through life’s never ending twists and turns. Making it through one day, and another, until they have passed through darkness, light, and time. In The Rules Do Not Apply, Ariel Levy begins the book talking about the loss of her spouse, her child, her home, and the life she was building for herself. She then turns back time, taking us through her journey of building her writing career, finding love, owning a home, and becoming pregnant. She also takes us through the darkness of her partner’s alcoholism, her miscarriage, and the sense that she may never find happiness. As we discuss Ariel’s rocky road, we hope our listeners find solace in her words: no one has everything in life. INDEX00:00-01:06 Intro and Background of the Book01:07-06:43 Ariel the Writer06:44-10:24 Ariel’s Mother10:25-15:17 Ariel’s Father: Life is Fragile15:18-18:17 Ariel Meets Lucy, Finds Love18:18

The Dressmaker of Khair Khana by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon, tells the story of Kamila Sidiqui and her sisters, who, under Kamila’s bravery, courage, and perseverance, were able to survive under the Taliban rule in Kabul, Afghanistan once their parents and older brother were forced to flee. Charged with her family’s survival, Kamila invented a way to provide for her family—by making dresses. She eventually mobilized her sisters, and their friends, and her local community. Kamila’s ability to keep going even as her world fell apart, her bravery and courage when she unexpectedly became the primary breadwinner for her family, completely unprepared, and her entrepreneurial spirit, all make her a Modern Athena. INDEX00:00-01:56 Intro and Background of the Book01:57-11:23 The Taliban Reginme Takes Over11:24-16:43 Kamila’s Family16:44-19:31 The Book Swap19:32-21:34 Money Begins to Run Out21:35-26:07 Kamila Becomes a Seamstress26:08-32:08 Kamila Starts Her Business32:09-41:03 Her Business Ex

In this podcast, we will be discussing the book Year of No Clutter, by Eve O. Schaub. We chose this book because it addresses ideas around clutter- clutter that inhabits all of our lives. Eve takes a year to declutter her home, most particularly a room she calls the Hell Room. Through her decluttering journey, we learn about Eve’s family’s habits of holding onto clutter, the deep rooted reasons why Eve holds onto material things, and lessons we can all use in our own lives. Eve is a Modern Athena because she has overcome a significant emotional and physical challenge and transformed her way of thinking to make a better life for herself and a better future for her daughters, by setting the example. INDEX 00:00-01:37 Intro and Background of the Book01:38-05:36 The Hell Room05:37-09:35 Hoarder or a Clutter Queen?09:36-13:56 Problems of Abundance13:57-20:30 Why Does Eve Keep it All?20:31-25:28 Change25:29-31:07 Indecision, Fear and “Extreme Confidence”31:08-36:11 Excuses36:12-39:1