This Is This

Mark and Joann Jeter were actors with the Shakespeare company, along with David. They toured together and trod the boards of the Blackfriars Playhouse. The Jeters have returned to our hometown of Staunton, VA where they live in a diverse and quiet neighborhood, rearing their little daughters in a loving community of friends. On the one year anniversary of the murderous invasion of Charlottesville by white supremacists, it is my privilege to shed a little light on some hope. The interview is pre-recorded, and I write this on the very weekend of the anniversary. Our friends in Charlottesville remain concerned and yet vigilant in their insistence on love and justice. Mark participated in the CVille Pilgrimage, delivering soil from a lynching site in Charlottesville to the Lynching Memorial in Montgomery, AL. WARNING for our Dear Listeners: You will hear language that is detailed and descriptive of the violence inflicted upon a man named John Henry James. Please be mindful of that if you are listening to this epi

Welcome back to Season Two!  This little intro is just a teaser of some very special pre-recorded interviews.  Have a listen and stay tuned for our first episode on August 12th. *Joann and Mark on parenting and a pilgrimage to Montgomery, AL *Allen and Gary, "Couple #100" speak of their supportive families and the importance of Marriage Equality *Joellen is a coal miner's daughter; she and her husband break the cycle *James pops in to say hello! *Kristen's parents pay another visit *Sherry is protecting YOUR pets and enjoying life with her best friend *Miriam speaks frankly about raising a daughter with Rett Syndrome  

David and Kristen check in to talk about how they are doing in this last episode of Season 1 of THIS IS THIS.  When this podcast began in early March, Kristen had just broken her ankle.  It was a little over a year since her Spinal Stroke and she was newly and definitively diagnosed with SS, rather than the earlier presumption of Transverse Myelitis.  Today David and Kristen recap how far they've come, what physical and emotional hurdles continue to exist, as well as one or two things they look forward to. We'll be back August 12th with the first episode of Season 2. Thank you for joining us!

This week David and Kristen are keeping it light.  It's the season for summer vacations and traveling.  Kristen can't really do a whole of that anymore, so she's talked David into telling some of his wonderful tales of travels past.    We have one more episode after this and then we wrap up Season I.  We'll take a little break and come back with Season II.  This gives you a little time to catch up if you like! Please subscribe, rate, and review!  We sure do appreciate you!   

Kristen and David continue to take a look at their wedding vows. We wrote them and recited them.  Are we living them?  A love that is constant and yet ever changing.... a source of creativity and light... equal partners....  Let's find out! We begin this episode with a bit of housekeeping: Season 1 of THIS IS THIS will wrap up on July 15th and we'll be back with Season 2 on August 12th. If you haven't already, please subscribe, rate and review. *If you subscribe, you'll never miss an episode. *If you rate, more people can find us. *If you review, we can know how we're doing and improve. Cool, right? Thanks for joining us!

Kristen and David take a look at their wedding vows.  The words and language are so important.  What are we promising?  What do we mean?  Do we still mean it?  How are we doing? This week is Part I of an intimate look of marriage: faithfulness, sickness and health, struggle and triumph, sorrow and joy.....  You get the idea.  

Kristen just officiated a wedding for a couple who stunned her during their premarital counseling sessions.  They were already looking ahead at how their Union would impact the world around them.  Wow.  Just, wow.   Hear about this beautiful wedding for a beautiful couple.  This Bride and Groom very much want to make the world a better place. Many thanks to Gabriela and Andrew for allowing me to share in the journey to their special day and the days ahead.  Many thanks for allowing me to share it here on THIS IS THIS.  You are the essence of hospitality and kindness.

How do we tell the stories of our lives, remaining truthful, while omitting particularly private elements?  How do we tell the story about a person's action without telling about the person? I'm not sure I have any idea, but that's a writing goal for both of us this week. Kristen is trying to write her "story" and David is trying to write his memories.... while leaving out some key facts.  Can we do it?  Should we do it?  How important is it? The layers of our lives: I bet you can relate. Join us! Also, please subscribe, rate, and review!  It isn't easy for new listeners to find us, since we are so young on the podcast scene.  BUT, if you rate and review, our This Is This community becomes a little more visible.  Thank you for your support!

David and Kristen talk about The Big Questions... What big questions, you ask?  You know, the Usual: Babies, Life, Death, Hope, the lack thereof. Certainly we aren't the first people to ponder the value of life, grapple with depression, wonder about legacy, imagine the hereafter, or try to answer the question, "Am I important?"  Certainly we're not the first. Join us in an honest conversation about our own personal musings about what it all means (we think[?]) and why we're here. With love and hope, please join us.

While David attempts "miming" a podcast (it doesn't work) and it pours bucks of rain outside, Kristen talks about discouraging news from the Medical Board of South Carolina.  "Dismissed!"  What the heck??  And what do we do next???  Anyone?  Anyone?   Also, how does someone with a disability navigate lengthy required walking distances in historic landmark venues?  Yikes!  ADA didn't solve everything and Kristen's at a loss.  Anyone?  Anyone? But kayaking is great and her nephew is great and graduations are great and acting is great.... so there's that, at least. Also on the list of greats are two podcasts Kristen particularly loves: a shoutout to "My Favorite Murder" and "Goop."    

Kristen interviews her parents, the Revs. Tom and Ann Barner.  They are at once thoughtful and hilarious.  Hear a handful of stories of growing up in Philadelphia as well as tales Kristen herself has never heard before. Also, Moms say the darndest things!  Seriously.  What the...? Tune in for what is a typical conversation in our household. "I hit the jackpot when I got these two as my Mom and Dad!" 

Kristen and David take a break from the world of Spinal Stroke and instead remember stories from a simpler time.  David grew up in Richmond, Indiana with a family who loved to camp, despite crazy weather and insane diners.  Kristen grew up in Pennsylvania and Virginia and wreaked a little havoc with a house full of kids. Kick back and spend some time with us as we regale you with stories of a time when kids ran the neighborhood and parents trusted we'd survive to tell the tale.

Kristen is flying solo this week.  Today's episode is pre-recorded because K & D are out of town for friends' wedding in Atlanta.  So excited for them!  David is finishing up a school day before they hit the road.  In this solo episode, Kristen speaks openly about the challenges of preserving her interpretation of her own sense of Womanhood since the spinal stroke.  How was Womanhood identified, how has that changed, and how comfortable is this new dynamic and sense of self?  Kristen identifies three things that make up her sense of womanhood: intellect, equality, and sexuality.  The third of these continues to be elusive. ...also, does this podcast make my butt look big??

A little conversation with David and Kristen about identifying your best self.  What is your two hundred percent best self? What about your partner?  Do the people in your life support you and nurture your best?  Do you support them?  Think about that: Who are you called to be?   Also, in this week's episode, our darling dogs are ill behaved.  Monty and Viva scratch and bark and cough and carry on.  Apologies in advance.  Welcome to our crazy home!  :-)

Kristen and David explore Love, Love Languages, Shakespeare in Love, Pablo Neruda in Love, Love in Love, Premarital Counseling (total misnomer), Old Man Behind Steering Wheel, Laundry, Texts vs. Hugs, and so much more. If you are going to get married, think long and think hard.  Sometimes the Universe throws a curveball and your sacred vows step up to the plate. Also, we really love each other.

Kristen and David explore the necessity of hope and how hope has been found in these past several months.  Glass half empty?  Glass half full?  There's a glass!  Also, a far-too-brief shout out to the extraordinary Village of people who have cared for us and inspired us.  Too many names to name, but a few highlights are shared.  Golly, you are all so beautiful. Finally, surely there is something from The Big Lebowski we can use as a Zen Koan to guide us in our search.

In this week's episode, David and Kristen talk about how spontaneity has gone out the window.  There are a thousand little things that we all take for granted.... until they are gone.  Transportation?  That's a project.  Getting dressed?  That's a project.  Going out?  That's a project.  Eating?  Um, there will be no eating... We'll also have a surprise visit from Kristen's favorite morning DJ.

David is back this week!  Kristen and David have a candid conversation about how they each responded to K's spinal stroke with (or without) faith.  Do you pray?  Does it matter?  Why do bad things happen to good people?  Why do good things happen to bad people? Join in on the conversation by emailing a response.  And don't forget to subscribe, rate, and comment on thisisthis !

Kristen is flying solo on this one.  Poor David is sick as a dog, so he's out this week. (Poor guy!  Ugh!) This week is about discovering goals and limitations, hopes formed and hopes dashed, an incredible community, and KUDOS to everyone who marched this weekend in March For Our Lives.

Inpatient rehabilitation: Oh. Em. Gee.  THE WERK!! David and Kristen talk about rehabilitation, goals, how to walk again, sandy beaches, finding the ground again, and Kristen's first crush!