Moving Along – Détails, épisodes et analyse

Travel enthusiasts and those facing the prospect of relocation, gather around for a rich tapestry of stories and insights with me, Christi Cassidy, and our special guest, Devra Jacobs, author of A Happy Move. Discover how Devra's adventurous spirit, cultivated during her formative years in the Bay Area and later in New Jersey, has led her through an enriching journey of frequent moves within the U.S. and across the globe. Her story offers a refreshing perspective on embracing change, moving with loved ones and pets, and the intricate dance between staying connected to family while exploring new horizons.

Thinking about what to pack and what to leave behind? We unravel the complexities of downsizing, balancing sentimental treasures with practical decisions, and weighing the cost of shipping versus replacing items.  

Now approaching her 30th move (from Flagstaff to Arkansas), Devra shares strategies for researching your new home’s weather, language and culture, and the importance of being prepared for the challenges of moving. These handy tips are not just for those crossing oceans but also for anyone tackling the logistics of a local move.

For those yearning to understand the nuances of adapting to new environments, Devra’s anecdotes from moving to Korea in the late 70s as a young military wife and new mother—complete with unexpected cultural surprises—serve as a guide. From understanding pet regulations to harnessing the power of community, each tale is a stepping stone toward finding your own sense of home. Packed with personal stories interwoven with practical advice, this episode is your gateway to making any move a seamless and rewarding adventure.

A Happy Move: Everything You Need to Know Before and After the Boxes Are Packed by Devra Jacobs and Brit Elders (Beyond Words Publishing, 2024, distributed by Simon & Schuster)

Contact Devra, read her blog and watch practical videos on packing and moving: https://ahappymove.com  

Chapters

(00:03) - Personal Stories of Travel and Relocation

(12:07) - Moving and Downsizing

(17:32) - Moving Tips and Cultural Insights

(25:35) - Moving Stories and Reflections

(30:40) - Moving Strategies and Tips

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Podcast Summary

Ariana Johnson, the newly crowned Ms. Black Ohio USA 2025 (and Ms. Black Ohio USA 2024), joins us on a riveting journey through her life of advocacy and ambition. Raised with an appreciation for diverse cultures, Ariana brings rich insights into how travel and education shaped her values. Our conversation reveals her gratitude for her strong women role models around her, her passion for the arts and her love of childhood icons like Beverly Cleary and the American Girl series, which fueled her imagination and inspired her advocacy work.

Ariana's experience in pageantry, a world she once hesitated to enter, transformed her path and empowered her mission. Through pageants like the American Royal Beauties, she found a supportive community that celebrated her dedication to social equity and mental health advocacy. Her commitment shines as she shares the influence of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority in her journey, where mentorship and positive role models have played a crucial role.

We tackle pertinent issues like hair discrimination, which affects Black women in professional settings, and discuss Ariana's impactful work with the FAMICOS Foundation. With aspirations in the family court system, modeling, and maybe even moving to New York City or Miami to pursue her dreams, Ariana's story is one of determination and purpose. Her pride in representing Ohio and commitment to maternal health in the Black community make this episode a compelling testament to her journey and advocacy. Join us for an inspiring narrative of empowerment and ambition that promises to engage and uplift.

Reach Ariana on Instagram or Ariana on LinkedIn

CHAPTERS

(00:03) Journey of Advocacy and Ambition

Miss Black Ohio USA 2024 discusses her childhood love for diverse cultures, pageantry as a platform for advocacy, and the impact of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

(14:14) Empowering Black Women Through Pageantry

Personal journey in music and pageantry, choir and flute experiences, introduction to pageantry at 19, crowned print model title in American Royal Beauties.

(28:01) Navigating Advocacy and Empowerment

Journey into social work through family mediation, mentorship, and hair discrimination in professional settings.

(38:05) Career Dreams and Aspirations

Hair discrimination in the Black community, community development work, aspirations in family court and modeling industry.

(45:16) Miss Black Ohio's Platform and Pride

Miss Black Ohio shares her dedication to her platform and commitment to maternal health in the Black community, representing Ohio with pride.

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Where have we been? Here's a brief rundown on what's been happening. The broken arm (oops!) thanks to a dog-walking accident in early August. No vacation! But a weekend getaway Nan and Christi took to Ogunquit, Maine, staying on the beach. And a sad RIP for a former Moving Along podcast guest and dear friend. 

Coming up in the next few months: Pat Wetzel, host of Bump in the Road podcast and her book of the same name; Urmi Hossain on her journey as a Bengali-Italian from Italy to Montreal; Lovelace Cook on her work with FEMA in the Southern U.S. and her forthcoming book Meet Me in Mumbai; and Nina Costa, who toured the world with beloved New Orleans musician Dr. John and then the U.S. with Steve Martin and Marty Short.  

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

(0:00:06) - Tommy Ngo's Journey

(0:13:28) - Family, Music, and Coming Out

(0:22:16) - Vietnamese Culture, Religion, and Art

(0:35:36) - Love for Music, Culture, and Fashion

In this engaging conversation, we explore Tommy's family dynamics, his dedication to music and art and the significant role his father played in their immigration to the United States. Tommy opens up about his relationship with his brother, their shared experiences of coming out as gay and his plans to reconnect with family in Vietnam. His story is a testament to resilience, bravery and the transformative power of music.

Tommy provides a window into Vietnamese culture, Buddhism and his experience as a child with a vegan diet. He talks about his passion for painting and singing, and why he chose not to pursue a career in entertainment. His journey through the fashion industry reveals his adaptability, innovation and the influence of his Vietnamese roots. Listen to this episode for an inspiring story of overcoming odds, embracing identity and finding success in unexpected places.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH SHORT KEY POINTS ---------

(0:00:06) - Tommy Ngo's Journey

Tommy Ngo shares his journey from Vietnam to the U.S., his career in fashion and music and his entrepreneurial venture in Hudson, NY.

(0:13:28) - Family, Music and Coming Out

Tommy Ngo shares his experience growing up in Vietnam, his passion for music, art and dance, his father's process to get the family to the U.S., his and his brother's coming out and his plan to return to Vietnam.

(0:22:16) - Vietnamese Culture, Religion and Art

Tommy Ngo's upbringing in Vietnam, Buddhism, vegan diet, Catholic church choir, karaoke, painting and singing are discussed.

(0:35:36) - Love for Music, Culture and Fashion

Tommy Ngo shares his journey in fashion, adapting to electric sewing machines, transitioning to his own business and the influence of Vietnam.

--------- EPISODE CHAPTERS WITH FULL SUMMARIES ---------

(0:00:06) - Tommy Ngo's Journey (13 Minutes)

Tommy Ngo tells me his fascinating story of growing up in Vietnam and eventually moving to New York. He was always passionate about music and art, and his older sister took care of the family while his father served in the Vietnam War. Tommy was discovered for his singing talent by someone in his neighborhood and he went on to sing opera on a circuit of small towns. He shares his experience of the Communist takeover in Vietnam and how it affected his family. He then talks about his journey to the U.S. and his career in the fashion industry, meeting his life partner at the Metropolitan Opera. Finally, Tommy speaks about his entrepreneurial venture, his gallery and luxury nail salon in Hudson, New York.

(0:13:28) - Family, Music and Coming Out (9 Minutes)

I speak with Tommy Ngo about his experience growing up in Vietnam and his eventual move to New York. We discuss his passion for music, art and dance, and the process his father went through to get his family accepted into the United States. We also explore Tommy's relationship with his brother, and how they both came out as gay in different settings. Tommy shares his plan to go back to Vietnam to celebrate his nephew's wedding and reconnect with his family.

(0:22:16) - Vietnamese Culture, Religion, and Art (13 Minutes)

I chat with Tommy Ngo about his upbringing in Vietnam and his eventual move to New York. We explore his background with Buddhism, his experience with a vegan diet, and his involvement in a Catholic church choir. We talk about his family's karaoke set-up and his passion for painting and singing, and why he ultimately chose not to pursue a career in entertainment. We also consider how the expectations of Vietnamese culture and his religion have impacted his life choices.

(0:35:36) - Love for Music, Culture and Fashion (9 Minutes)

I chat with Tommy Ngo about his journey in the fashion industry. He talks about his introduction to tailoring and his transition to higher end luxury salons. He shares how he has adapted to electric sewing machines and how his work in fashion has impacted his hands. Tommy explains why he decided to transition out of the fashion industry and into his own business. We discuss how his experience in Vietnam influenced his decision to pursue fashion and the importance of the cultural options New York has provided him.

Tommy Ngo on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/tommyhaingo/

Moving Along music by Eve's Blue

Contact: Christi Cassidy, christi@movingalongpodcast.com

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

In a free-flowing conversation, Deborah Sundahl talks about how she came to travel six months each year to Europe and Scandanavia giving lectures and workshops about women's sexuality--a second career born of a need to promote her book about female ejaculation and the G-spot. She discusses what happens at her hands-on workshops, which serve women in their 40s who are discovering their true sexuality, some for the first time.  

Other topics range from a discussion of On Our Backs, the lesbian magazine Deborah co-founded in the 1980s, to AIDS and what women learned from gay men and the BDSM community, to writing a book about female ejaculation and the G-spot--a gamble that went from passion project to a whole new profession as a traveling sex educator and lecturer. 

About Deborah Sundahl

Deborah Sundahl (https://deborahsundahl.com/) is a pioneer in female sexuality with 35 years’ experience. Her groundbreaking book is Female Ejaculation and the G-Spot (“not your mother’s orgasm book”). She has produced many videos on female ejaculation and G-spot sexuality (available at her store, https://deborahsundahl.com/shop/). A master sexuality teacher, lecturer and sex educator, Deborah travels throughout the U.S., Scandinavia and Europe teaching women and couples her unique, effective method for discovering and loving the G-spot. She is an advocate for adult sex education and sexual wellness.

Sources for More Information

The Human Female Prostate: From Vestigial Skene's Paraurethral Glands and Ducts to Woman's Functional Prostate. By Milan Zaviacic. Slovak Academic Press, Bratislava, Slovakia, 1999

“Clinical Significance fo the Paraurethral Ducts and Glands” by John W. Huffman, M.D. (Chicago), May 1951

Abstract: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamasurgery/article-abstract/549701

Full text: https://www.deepdyve.com/lp/american-medical-association/clinical-significance-of-the-paraurethral-ducts-and-glands-QICfsXLu76?key=JAMA

Regnier de Graaf, 1641 – 1673 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regnier_de_Graaf

Alexander Skene, 1837 – 1900

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Skene

Ernst Gräfenberg, 1881 – 1957 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernst_Gr%C3%A4fenberg

On Our Backs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/On_Our_Backs

The Human Sexuality Collection, Cornell University

https://rare.library.cornell.edu/human-sexuality-collection/

Susie Bright Papers and On Our Backs Records

https://rmc.library.cornell.edu/EAD/htmldocs/RMM07788.html

Human Sexuality Collection on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/CornellSexCollects/

+++

Music by Eve’s Blue

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Website: https://movingalongpodcast.com/ 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Moving Along guest Patrice Jenkins, Ph.D., is an organizational psychologist, consultant and frequent speaker on topics related to career and retirement transitions. She is the host of Day One Dreams podcast and author of two books, it’s still good: Dreams Don’t Have Expiration Dates and What Will I Do All Day? Wisdom to Get You Over Retirement and On with Living! Her online course, A Guide to Take the Weirdness Out of Retirement, is available at Udemy.com. Contact Patrice: https://patricejenkins.com/

Some of the topics we discussed...

Living the dream

Defining the dream

Should I relocate?

Creating purpose in retirement years

When retirement dreams are dashed

Act on your dream

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Here are some tips to making your Thanksgiving dinner not too intense when visiting family. Applies to all family holiday dinners! 

Nan Kinney and Christi Cassidy talk about visiting familly over the coming Thanksgiving and how to make the weekend visit a little less stressful.

Christina Beauchemin, Christi's friend and client, author of Let My Legacy Be Love (Woodhall Press, 2021), has great ideas on how to chill out and take the pressure off of Thanksgiving dinner. Find out more: https://christinabeauchemin.com/

Seinfeld - if you can find the episode with the "conversation cards," let Christi know @ christi@movingalongpodcast.com. 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

Into the maw of disaster, Mark Pellerito travels to wildfires, hurricanes, tornadoes and even to train derailments on behalf of the National Weather Service, where Mark works as an incident meteorologist. Since the age of five, he's wanted to be a weatherman, and he started out as a local TV weatherman in Michigan. Then all hell broke loose, and his dream came crashing down. He and the entire newsroom were fired. Mark's wife, Marisa, was pregnant with twins; they had just bought a home in Battle Creek, Michigan. Friends suggested he apply to the National Weather Service, and before long, Mark was relocated in Glasgow, Montana, and training at the Shower Bath Fire in Idaho, then the Rattlesnake Complex, also in Idaho. Before long he was sent to the Iron Complex fire in California. Then, he was summoned to Sydney, Australia during the worst fire season they'd ever seen. In addition to wildfires, Mark talks about hurricanes, tornadoes, his love of weather from the time he was a kid and a New Jersey train derailment just outside of Philadelphia. 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

About Marian Amo

Marian Amo is an intricate part of the work done at Publishers Weekly. She enjoys writing, dancing, and baked goods. In her free time, you can catch her reading a good book or taking on new hobbies.

The Rum Cake - Marian's take on this DEE-lish rum cake recipe from the Spicy Southern Kitchen

https://spicysouthernkitchen.com/rum-cake-recipe/

Rum Cake

This Rum Cake is the ultimate party cake. With rum added to the batter and another 1/2 cup soaked into the baked cake, there's a whole lot of rum flavor.

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Servings 18

Ingredients

Rum Syrup

baking spray

1 cup finely chopped walnuts

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 cup sugar

1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix

1/2 cup salted butter, cut into pieces

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

4 large eggs

1/2 cup coconut oil

1/2 cup white or golden rum

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 cup salted butter

1/2 cup white rum

1/2 cup packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and spray a 12-cup Bundt pan with baking spray. Sprinkle walnuts into the bottom of the pan. Set aside.

2. Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, mix together flour, sugar, pudding mix, butter, baking powder, and salt for 2 minutes.

3. Add milk, eggs, and coconut oil and mix on LOW for 2 minutes

4. Add rum and vanilla and mix on LOW for 1 more minute.

5. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Let cool slightly while you make the Rum Syrup.

6. To make rum syrup, combine butter, rum, brown sugar and water in a small saucepan. Bringto a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer for about 5 minutes. Sugar should dissolve and syrupshould thicken just slightly.

7. Stir in vanilla extract.

8. Leave cake in Bundt pan and poke holes all over the top with a skewer or toothpick or a fork.Slowly pour glaze over top of cake. It will not all absorb into the cake right away. Let sit 30-45 minutes and invert cake onto a cake stand or plate. Store at room temperature.

You can reach Marian courtesy of Christi Cassidy, christi@movingalongpodcast.com

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram

In Part 2 of our interview with Sonya Weisshappel, the CEO and founder of Seriatim professional organizers and inventory managment experts tells stories from her 23 years of helping people assess, get rid of and donate their stuff. Often precipitated by a crisis or major life transition such as a death in the family or decision to downsize or retire, people confront their belongings and often don't know where to turn. Sonya's mantra is know what you have, and once you know what you have you can determine its value. We discuss the importance of having an inventory of household items when bringing caregivers and home health aides into the home to care for elderly relatives.  On the lighter side, Sonya talks about confronting the dusty shoes in the closet and how "stuff" comes to overtake your space. The Scandanavian idea of "death cleaning"--or decluttering along the way rather than waiting till the end. 

Sonya also speaks highly of Brené Brown's book Atlas of the Heart and the importance of not judging people's styles of collecting and decorating.  

Sonya grew up in New York City where she started her organizing company, Seriatim, in 1999. Proudly dyslexic, Sonya founded her business in order to avoid writing a resume and now, almost two decades later, she and her Seriatim team have earned themselves a reputation as consummate Chaos Whisperers. In 2017, Sonya became the first organizer to be accepted into the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program. She is currently President of the New York Council of Relocation Professionals (NYCORP). In her spare time, Sonya organizes her husband, three children, and rescue dog, Finn.

You can reach Sonya at https://www.seriatim.net/ 

CREDITS

Host and creator: Christi Cassidy

Contact: christi@movingalongpodcast.com

Artwork by Phyllis Busell

Music by Eve’s Blue. 

Post-production help from Auphonic.com.

Show notes written with assistance from Podium.page.

LINKS:

More information and to listen to past episodes: https://movingalongpodcast.com

Past episodes are here too: https://moving-along.simplecast.com/

Tag and like Moving Along episodes on Facebook and Instagram