From Where She Sits

It’s not about education, it’s about enlightenment.” This week we’re passing the mic to Kathy Gordon and her teenage daughters, Ava and Giulia. From Kathy's upbringing in a diverse neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, to her experiences navigating whiteness as a Black mother in some of NYC's most prestigious private schools, the Gordon women have a lot to say about this moment in history.   Kathy is a 53-year old NYC native and Founder of The Book Hook, a book marketing, graphic design and promotion company operating in traditional and digital media. Formerly the dedicated director of Brand Development for Harper Collins, Kathy has developed campaigns for bestselling authors from Stephen King to Hillary Clinton, as well as branding alliances for numerous TV series and feature films.   THE HER MIC SERIES:  The Her Mic series is our way of passing the mic to women of color, in particular Black women, whose voices and stories have been marginalized for too long, as well as women who have experiences bearing upon the important conversations around anti-racism. In typical FWSS fashion, these are heart-centered conversations, told from where She sits. DONATE: Send us your receipts for donations to anti-racism efforts and organizations and we will hook you up with some FWSS swag.   If you donate up to $10, we will mail you a FWSS pin trio. If you donate $20 - 50, we will mail you a FWSS tote bag. If you donate $50+ we will mail you a FWSS hat. If you donate over $150, we will send you all of the items.   You can email proof of your donations and your address to us at fromwhereshesits@gmail.com.   LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL: (917) 781-2197   Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Starting this week, we are passing over the mic to women of color. Here's why. DONATE: Send us your receipts for donations to anti-racism efforts and organizations and we will hook you up with some FWSS swag.   If you donate up to $10, we will mail you a FWSS pin trio. If you donate $20 - 50, we will mail you a FWSS tote bag. If you donate $50+ we will mail you a FWSS hat. If you donate over $150, we will send you all of the items.   You can email proof of your donations and your address to us at fromwhereshesits@gmail.com.   LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL: (917) 781-2197   Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Christie and Izzy may not be experts on a lot of topics - but this week they feel they are more than well-equipped to talk about uncertainty.  From uncertainty with Christie's job security, to Izzy's consideration of whether or not to relocate, this episode is packed with updates & reflection.   ARE YOU OKAY? Join us for a virtual wellness event on Sunday 5/31 at 1 PM.  This workshop is being led by Dominique Dove of @yourmindinbloom and will discuss strategies for reaching out to a loved one who might be struggling using evidence-based techniques to provide support.  This event is free, with registration opening on 5/25. LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL: (917) 781-2197 DONATE: Feeding the Frontline GoFundMe:  A Safe Way Home for Brittany Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

It's been a while since Christie & Izzy had an honest catch-up on their experiences in quarantine.   As we all struggle to create new routines in our lives, we reflect on the shape our days have started to take.  Plus - Christie describes a run-in with the police, Izzy still remembers how to do basic arithmetic, and both Capricorns are walking a fine line with their neighbors.  LEAVE US A VOICEMAIL: (917) 781-2197 DONATE: Feeding the Frontline GoFundMe:  A Safe Way Home for Brittany Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Christie and Izzy interview Brittany Bennett, a medical provider on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis.  Brittany is the Nurse Manager of a Pediatric and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit in Brooklyn. Her unit is now a COVID+ adult ICU. Formerly, Brittany was a Peds, PICU, And NICU nurse in Manhattan. She grew up in New Jersey, attended Villanova University (go Cats!) for undergrad and New York University for her Masters in Public Administration for Nurse Leaders. Britt loves to travel, sail, and take Bar Method classes with Christie! DONATE: Feeding the Frontline GoFundMe:  A Safe Way Home for Brittany Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Introducing a special series from the From Where She Sits podcast - Strategies for Sanity.   It's become clear over the past couple of weeks that we're coming to grips with a "new normal."  Christie + Izzy are interviewing guests who are on the frontlines of the COVID-19 crisis who can help shed some light (and maybe even some hope!) on the questions we're all having during this unprecedented time. This week:  With over 10 million Americans now unemployed, many New Yorkers are wondering how they will make rent.  We're interviewing Meaghan Whyte, a nonprofit housing attorney here in NY, about rent strikes, public benefits, landlord communication, and more! Meg is a staff attorney at Mobilization for Justice, a civil legal services nonprofit in NYC.  At MFJ, she represents tenants in Housing, Supreme, and Federal Court in both defensive and affirmative litigation.  She is a fellow Capricorn, a self-loathing Mets fan, and a connoisseur of trashy British reality television.   Resources: Department of Social Security - Human Resources Administration (HRA) https://www1.nyc.gov/site/hra/about/about-hra.page   The intake hotline at Mobilization for Justice is open Monday-Friday 9 AM - 5 PM: Manhattan & Brooklyn - (212) 417-3888 Bronx - (212) 417-3889  http://mobilizationforjustice.org   Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

As our collective anxieties escalate, Christie and Izzy are taking a minute to do an honest check-in.  Comfort is becoming increasingly difficult to find & hone - so instead of self-care, maybe this is a moment of self-preservation, of mutual understanding, and of imperfection.  If you need to give yourself 20 minutes to feel - this episode is for you.   Sending all of our listeners peace & good health 🦋 Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

It's been a crazy week.  As we all try to come to terms with the "new normal" that is COVID-19, we thought we'd take a moment to discuss our collective anxiety in this moment.  No - this isn't another panic-inducing rant to stay inside.  We're earnestly discussing how to manage expectations, disappointment, fear, and - you guessed it - anxiety in this week's Time Capsule episode. If you or a loved one are struggling for any reason during this time - please shoot us an email:  fromwhereshesits@gmail.com. We will do our best to help coordinate relief. Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Two years after Christie + Izzy released the "Her Faith" episode, your favorite soul sitters have done almost a complete 180 with their spiritual beliefs.  Is Christie still finding comfort in mediums?  Does Izzy believe in an afterlife?  And a special bonus question in honor of the late James Lipton (Inside the Actors Studio): If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates? DONATE:  Cycle for Survival / Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Greetings from our hiatus, soul sitters!  It has been nearly TWO YEARS since From Where She Sits released its first three episodes - Her Friendships, Her Dreams, and Her Body.  Over the next couple of weeks, we'll be revisiting our earliest episodes from the lens of who we have become throughout the past couple of years.  Each episode will include a 10 minute reflection, followed by the original episode.  We can't wait to explore these time capsule episodes with you! Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

"Patience is a virtue"... or so we thought.  What's the difference between some well-timed deep breaths and laying down and becoming a complete doormat?  In their season 2 season finale episode, Christie + Izzy reflect on moments that have challenged their patience. Like what you hear?  Leave us a review!   Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

If you have siblings, you probably know that the relationship between siblings is arguably one of the most significant bonds you'll share over the course of your lifetime.  Our siblings are in it for the long haul with us - through the good times and the bad, from Raggedy Ann dolls and dinner table meltdowns to financiers and tech wizzes and beyond, we feel so lucky to call our siblings family. Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Izzy visits Christie's house post-holiday madness for a moment of brief reflection.  Christie has a new puppy, Izzy's eaten so much she may float away, and both of your favorite Capricorns are ready for what's to come in the new year.  Welcome to 2020, Core Team!   Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Food, wonderful food!  Christie + Izzy discuss their memories around food, dining, cooking, and family.   What are your favorite dishes to cook up this time of year? Send us a message in our Facebook group or on Instagram - and happy holidays to you and your loved ones! Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Your favorite Capricorns have bounced in and out of therapy through multiple life changes.  In this week's episode, Christie and Izzy are wondering what the in-between moments are supposed to look & feel like.  You know - the times when you're actually doing pretty fine?  We’re living in a time when it feels like everyone is in therapy - but what happens when the introspection becomes too heavy?  Are there moments in our lives that don’t need to be “figured out?”    Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

This isn’t your ordinary holiday wishlist…Christie + Izzy are going over the things that absolutely made their last year of the decade.  Sure, you might find some inspiration for a last-minute gift - but, more than anything, we’re giving you an insight into who we were this year.  Izzy loved her couch + Christie loved her target pajamas.  It was the memories that made our years - not the objects.  Unless you count all the Trader Joe’s snacks.   Happy holidays, soul sitters!  May the rest of your year be filled with love + all of the everything bagel seasoning.   Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

How much should how you dress affect the way the world perceives you?  Christie + Izzy are butting heads more than usual in this week's episode - while Christie still wears heels to every court hearing to impress a level of professionalism, Izzy hopes that her value can be better represented through her actions.  Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

“Writing down what I’m grateful for isn’t going to make me less angry.” It’s the week of Thanksgiving and your two favorite Capricorns are laying out their real feelings about gratitude practices.  From gratitude journals to more public displays of gratitude - Christie + Izzy have some feelings they need to get off their chests. PLUS - an update on Christie’s new wellness cult.  All applicants please direct your attention below.    Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

Movement is fundamental to both our physical and mental health - but when did such a natural part of life turn into something so competitive?  Both of these Capricorns took long, meandering journeys to find a type of movement that felt more like self-care and less like a chore.  (We’re looking at you, Bar Method!) Whatever makes your body feel most like you - we give you full permission to go do that thing.   Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast

On this exact day in Christie’s 27th year of life, she was in a much different place, both personally and professionally, than Izzy is currently.  Are these accomplishments necessarily a metric for success? How do the perceived goal posts of life affect our perceptions of our own success?  Like what you hear?  Tune in every Monday for new episodes and be sure to leave us a review! Music courtesy of Ondina (@ondinathequeen). "Grow" 2018 instrumental. Come sit with us! www.fromwhereshesits.com - IG @fwsspodcast