The Link

pod617 - The Boston Podcast Network

Three high school classmates who graduated Milton Academy in 1986 (plus a fourth if you include Producer Dave) reunite for a podcast that is one part reminiscing, two parts truth-seeking and a splash of serendipity. Join Farah Pandith, Diana Donovan and Meredith Zinner for The Link. As the Class of ‘86 nears middle age, we’ve witnessed a great deal of change in our lives—and experienced hardships and joys. We are old enough to have some perspective and perhaps even some insights. We’re interviewing our classmates—some of the most interesting people we know—to collectively reflect on where we started, how far we’ve come, and where we might be headed. You can email our producer David Yas at david@pod617.com.

  1. 2D AGO

    Sylvia (Castillo) Slack on Milton, Counseling, and Aikido Life in Oregon

    Hosts of The Link—Milton Academy Class of 1986—welcome guest Sylvia Slack (formerly Sylvia Castillo) from outside Portland, Oregon, joined by her dog Keto. After an ’80s-themed “Dare to Be True” icebreaker, Sylvia shares what she loved about Milton: the people, being away from home, and feeling accepted. She explains being recruited from San Antonio through A Better Chance, receiving scholarship travel, and choosing Williams College, where she majored in psychology inspired by Mrs. Griffin. Sylvia describes a 20-year career in Communities in Schools counseling at-risk students and later training staff, retiring in 2010 when moving to Oregon. She and her retired deputy U.S. marshal husband maintain a wooded acreage, build ongoing projects, and hunt deer and elk. She discusses Aikido’s conflict-resolution philosophy, travel through a dojo network, and reflects that time goes fast and should be fully appreciated.   Topics 01:31 Meet Sylvia and Keto 03:08 Dare to Be True  07:40 Milton Memories and Favorites 10:02 Life in Oregon Woods 14:39 Deck Projects and Visitors 16:34 How Sylvia Found Milton 19:06 Choosing Door Number Two 21:09 Family of Eight Support 22:09 Williams and Psychology Path 23:36 Counseling At Risk Students 25:15 From Counselor to Trainer 27:33 Retiring to Portland Life 28:24 Aikido Philosophy and Practice 33:03 Reunions and Big Question 35:24 Advice to Younger Self 37:03 Reconnect and Farewell

    39 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Three high school classmates who graduated Milton Academy in 1986 (plus a fourth if you include Producer Dave) reunite for a podcast that is one part reminiscing, two parts truth-seeking and a splash of serendipity. Join Farah Pandith, Diana Donovan and Meredith Zinner for The Link. As the Class of ‘86 nears middle age, we’ve witnessed a great deal of change in our lives—and experienced hardships and joys. We are old enough to have some perspective and perhaps even some insights. We’re interviewing our classmates—some of the most interesting people we know—to collectively reflect on where we started, how far we’ve come, and where we might be headed. You can email our producer David Yas at david@pod617.com.