Tea. Toast. & Trivia‪.‬ Rebecca Budd

S6 E6: Mary Lunnen on Your Compass Rose Speaks



Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in. 



I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.



Join me as I travel virtually to Wadebridge, a town in north Cornwall, England, to meet up with writer, artist and Global Life Coach, Mary Lunnen.  I first met Mary through a mutual friend and frequent guest on TTT, Liz Humphreys. Liz shared three “rediscovery cards” in an Instagram Post.  These rediscovery cards are used by Mary for guided meditation and reflection.



Dare to Blossom Life Coaching with Mary is based around the principle of rediscovering our inner wisdom and awakening to a sense of wellbeing.  She has recently published her book, “Your Compass Rose Speaks: Rediscover Your Inner Wisdom”, which is the culmination of her work over the last twenty years since establishing Dare to Blossom Life Coaching in 2003.



Thank you for joining Mary and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you, Mary, for sharing your insights on coaching, on seeking an inner wisdom, on embracing the unknown and being open to possibilities



Listeners,  I invite you to meet up with Mary on her website, Dare to Blossom, Facebook, and Instagram.



I know that you will be inspired by the Mary’s story and her dedication to living boldly within a complex, ever-changing world.



Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your journey leads you.



Music by Epidemic Sound


David Celeste: "First Resolution"

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/BP26BafzZF/

David Celeste: "The Wind in Her Hair"
https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/GEVInFWSj4/

S6 E5: Elizabeth Gauffreau on the Art of Writing Short Stories


"I should have gone to see Mother sooner, I suppose, but her letters had been arriving with the same regularity as always, so I had no inkling that anything might be wrong. Truly, Mother’s letters were cheerful as ever.  She writes such lovely descriptions of the winter birds at the feeder outside the solarium." Elizabeth Gauffreau, A Morbid CravingWelcome to Tea. Toast. & Trivia.

Thank you for listening in!

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you. 


I am delighted and thrilled that my dear friend, writer and poet, Elizabeth Gauffreau, has come back to share her insights on the art of writing a short story.   We are once again bridging the 3897 kilometers, as the crow flies, between New Hampshire and Vancouver. 

Liz is a gifted writer who specializes in fiction and poetry that delves into the themes of family and place. With a bachelor’s degree in English/Writing from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in English/Fiction Writing from the University of New Hampshire, she has honed her skills and crafted a compelling body of work.

I have read Liz’s short story “A Morbid Craving”, published by Lamplit Underground, several times over the past weeks. Her ability to capture four points of view within a very complex narrative was riveting.  

It is time to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.

Thank you for joining Liz and me on Tea Toast & Trivia. And a very special thank you Liz for sharing your insights and reading.  You continue to inspire me.

Listeners, you can meet up with Liz on her website  lizgauffreau.com, Substack, Amazon, and Goodreads You are only an internet click away from a place where stories dwell.

Until next time we meet, safe travel wherever your adventures lead you.

Music by Epidemic Sound:


David Celeste "The Heart" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/BNRLqsHty4/

Gavin Luke "Dream Corridor" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/eZm5S0GHOe/

S6 E4:  Celebrating “Up Helly Aa” with Sarah McBurnie



January 30, 2024, the Last Tuesday of January. The fire festival of Up Helly Aa is happening. A huge torchlight procession of hundreds of Vikings is marching through the streets of Lerwick, carrying flaming torches and singing traditional Norse skalds.



Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.



Thank you for listening in.



I am you host, Rebecca Budd, and I am looking forward to sharing this moment with you.



I have arrived in Lerwick, Shetland to meet up with my friend, Sarah McBurnie who was our guide on our 2018 Shetland adventure.  Up Hella Aa is happening.  Sarah has invited us to celebrate Shetland’s Norse heritage with her.   I have always wanted to attend Up Helly Aa, so join me for a Viking adventure that promises feasting, music, and dancing!



Up Helly Aa or Up Holy [Day] All A Celebration of Norse Heritage!



On January 30, 2024, the last Tuesday of January, the fire festival of Up Helly Aa is happening in Lerwick, Shetland. This festival carries a rich tapestry of influences that give it a unique flavor and significance.

The first influence stems from the Yuletide celebrations, which traditionally began on the 5th of January, known as Old Yule, and culminated in Up Helly Aa, 24 days later. This final day was marked with fire, feasting, and frolic, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.

The second influence is rooted in the old Shetland custom of guizing, where individuals disguised themselves, visited friends’ houses, performed turns, and then revealed their true identities. This tradition added an element of surprise and merriment to the festivities.

The celebration of Shetland’s Norse heritage is a central pillar of Up Helly Aa. In the north of Scotland, the Vikings, who were feared in other parts of the world, are celebrated as symbols of strength and resilience. The Norse heritage is embodied in the iconic sight of a burning longship, symbolizing the journey of a deceased Norse Jarl to Valhalla, an evocative and powerful tribute to the Viking legacy.



The amalgamation of these influences creates a vibrant and captivating Viking adventure at Up Helly Aa, as participants pay homage to Shetland’s rich and enduring Norse heritage.

Northlink Ferries has taken this opportunity to look back at the other years that were significant for Up Helly Aa: Up Helly Aa through the years.

Edgar Hopp "Phoenix Rising" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/IKHlHvgHSN/

Kikoru "Clouds Over Mountains" https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/EbaDeotpAO/

S6 E3: Norman Orenstein on Composing, Producing and Recording Music

Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am your host, Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you.

I am travelling virtually to Toronto, Ontario where the music scene is vibrant and diverse, from indie rock to hip-hop, jazz to electronic.  I am thrilled that Canadian musician, composer and producer, Norman Orenstein, has joined me today to discuss music and the creative process.

Norman is the President of NORMAN ORENSTEIN MUSIC INC. (NOM Inc.), specializing in music production and publishing. As a member of The Society of Composers and Lyricists (SCL), he brings over 20 years of experience in composing, arranging, and recording live musicians for feature films, television movies, and television series.

Norman is the controller of the NOM Music Library, where he negotiates with record companies, writers, and publishers to secure synchronization and master use licenses. His expertise in the industry has led him to be a panelist at prestigious events such as the North By Northeast (NXNE) Music Festival and the Worldwide Short Film Festival Symposium, where he shares his success stories and insights on the director-composer relationship in film and TV music.

With an extraordinary background in music composition and production, Norman continues to contribute his talents to the world of film and television, creating captivating music scores that enhance the storytelling experience.

Thank you for joining Norman and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.  Norman's music is featured in the podcast. The introduction piece was entitled "Highliner. The piece featured in the closing comments was from Norman's score for the film "Kidnap Capital."

And a very special thank you Norman for sharing your insights, knowledge, and experience. It is an honour to showcase your music in our conversation. You have given us a deeper appreciation for the artistry behind your work.   I am inspired by your passion for music and storytelling.

Listeners, I invite you to meet up with Norman Orenstein on and his website Norman Orenstein Music to experience his amazing, unforgettable music.



I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this exciting conversation.

Thank you for joining Norman and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures lead you.


Music by Norman Orenstein- ⁠Norman Orenstein Music⁠ (used with permission)

"Highliner"

"Kidnap Capital" Norman's Score from the film Kidnap Capital

S6 E2: Celebrating Robert Burns with Address to A Haggis



Robert Burns, also known as Rabbie Burns, was a Scottish poet and lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland and is celebrated worldwide. Burns is best known for his poetry written in the Scots language, with works such as “Auld Lang Syne,” “Address to a Haggis,” and “Tam O’ Shanter.” His poetry often reflects themes of love, nature, and Scotland’s cultural heritage.


Robert Burns’ influence on Scottish literature and culture is profound, and his work continues to be revered and celebrated through events like Burns Suppers, which are held annually around the world to commemorate his life and literary contribution.

Haggis holds a significant place at a Burns Supper due to its historical and cultural connections to Robert Burns and Scotland. The traditional Scottish dish, immortalized in Burns’ poem “Address to a Haggis,” is celebrated as a symbol of Scottish heritage and a tribute to the poet’s legacy. Its inclusion in the supper reflects the deep appreciation for Burns’ work and the rich tapestry of Scottish culture and traditions. The ritual of addressing and consuming the haggis is a poignant and festive way to honour the impact of Robert Burns on Scottish literature and identity.

Come join me to celebrate Robert Burns with his iconic “Address to a Haggis”! The vivid imagery and spirited language invite us to join in the festivities of a Burns Supper and pay tribute to the enduring legacy of Scotland’s beloved national poet.


Music by Traditional "Auld Lang Syne (Traditional Version" Epidemic Sound

⁠www.epidemicsound.com/track/H9ncuJOolx/

S6 E1: D.G. Kaye on her podcast “Grief - The Real Talk”


Welcome to Tea, Toast and Trivia.

Thank you for listening in.

I am your host Rebecca Budd, and I look forward to sharing this moment with you. 

I am delighted that blogger, non-fiction writer, memoir author and podcaster, Debby Gies and I are connecting Toronto and Vancouver, Canada.

Debby is a Canadian author, writing under the pen name of D.G. Kaye. She writes about real life and the events that she has had to navigate through and overcome.  Her intent is to inspire others by sharing her stories and the lessons that have come along with them.

In her podcast “Grief – The Real Talk”, Debbie speaks from the heart and from personal experience.   She takes listeners through the painful journey of her grief after losing the love of her life, sharing her observations about the changes that occur during the grieving process.

I invite you to put the kettle on and add to this profound and moving conversation on Tea Toast & Trivia.

Thank you for joining Debby and me on Tea Toast & Trivia.

And a special thank you, Debby, for sharing your insights on grieving. Losing a loved one is an inevitable part of life. It is a deeply emotional and challenging experience that requires careful consideration.

I invite you to meet up with Debby on her blog, D.G. Kaye Writer.com , on her podcast– Grief, The Real Talk, her Amazon Page and on Goodreads.  It is a place that welcomes profound conversations that reminds us to Live, Love, Laugh and Breathe. 

Until next time we meet, dear friends, safe travels wherever your adventures lead you.


Music by David Celeste "The Bloom of Her Skin". Epidemic Sound

https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/8KN2JKoLoG/