The Gift of a Good Host

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“If it’s the right chair, it doesn’t take too long to get comfortable in it.” – Robert de Niro

Not long ago I went to a luncheon at a friend’s house. The decor was perfect, the food was beautifully presented and delicious, the company was lovely.

And yet – I was uncomfortable. I was handed a glass of ice water with lemon when I arrived and there was no place to put it down. I kept my coat on because everything looked too perfect to be a coat repository. Everyone was standing around awkwardly before the meal began because it was too early to sit at the table and there wasn’t another alternative.

My takeaway was the being a good host is more than making things look “perfect.” It’s about making people comfortable. And this luncheon came back to me because this week on the Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast, Vicki Atkinson and I turned the hosting duties over our HoTM partner, Brian Hannon. And he’s a very good host!

Brian’s roots as a journalist are on full display in this episode. He is such a fantastic interviewer. He coaxes out the lessons Vicki and I have learned in 100 episodes.

And he challenges us to think big to answer who would be on our celebrity guest list.

In some very delightful and prescient chit chat, we get to cheer on the Eagles in advance of their Super Bowl LIX performance.

Most of all, we have a great time celebrating the milestone of 100 episodes and taking a moment to appreciate what goes into starting, envisioning and maintaining a collaborative effort like a podcast.

We’re confident you’ll love the scenic and beautiful places we explore as we tell stories about making a podcast!

We know you’ll love it!

Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts OR Listen to it from your computer on Anchor: Episode 103: Turning the Tables with Brian Hannon

Episode 103 Transcript

AND subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

Links for this Episode:

Episode 103: Turning the Tables with Brian Hannon on HoTM

Brian’s blog: https://writingfromtheheartwithbrian.com/

From the hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

My book about my beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith

(featured photo from Pexels)

44 thoughts on “The Gift of a Good Host”

  3. happy 100! really good show today, Brian was a great ‘announcer/host’ and asked all the right questions, bringing out your best selves. like I told you once, it’s like being on the ‘tonight show’, you put people at ease to be themselves, a little bit of gab, a laugh, a poignant moment, a talent, and most of all, the stories from the heart. kind of like a virtual vaudeville, pleased to have sat on the ‘the couch’. on the ‘Wyicki Show.’

    Liked by 4 people

  6. Oh my gosh, what a way to start the day with Brian’s energy! What a fun idea! I loved the question on dream guests and I would love to see Ali Wentworth too. Her dry humor is hysterical. And you DO make it look easy, even though we know better. Congrats Wynne and Vicki and I like Brian’s thinking about 200 and 300….😊

    Liked by 3 people

  10. You guys know a thing or two about hosting Wynne. You make your guests feel right at home. Me? Not so much. Too much exuberance, don’t you think? Ha, ha. It was fun to come on the show. I can’t wait to see how you guys grow the podcast and where you go next. I love how you treasure and place such an importance on writers and authenticity. It shows and I think is a big reason why people keep coming back to listen and be on your show!!! Here’s to 100 more episodes!!!

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Congratulations on your 100th episode. I agree that ensuring people are relaxed and comfortable is more important than a pristine couch.

    “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Congrats on your 100th episode!! You guys make writing, creating, podcasting look so easy. I love that you both chose people of service as your wished for guests. Thank you for all you do in Kindness.💕

    Liked by 2 people

  13. What a fabulous `podcast. Brian’s enthusiasm is contagious. I agree, a host that makes people comfortable, is the best host! Huge congratulations on 100 episodes. That is something to be proud of. xo

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I’ll listen to the podcast later today, Wynn, but I know it’ll be wonderful! And I agree with you about feeling comfortable in someone else’s home. Perfect doesn’t always equal comfort. I was once invited to a home that was beautiful but with plush white carpet throughout and snow white furniture. Can you imagine spilling red wine on the white? I didn’t, but I definitely wasn’t relaxed. 🙂 💞

    Liked by 1 person

  15. This post couldn’t come at a more perfect time. My house if full of people gathering for a “Disco Baby,” shower I’m hosting tonight. Damn. I just got nervous writing that. But I’m trying to keep the house neat for tonight and I think my house guests are scared to death to leave a cup in the sink. I might have to rethink my idea of hosting. I’m looking forward to listening to the podcast..tomorrow! Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

  16. Wynne, this is a brilliant way to introduce your new podcast episode! Truly, I’d rather a host focus on their guests’ comfort than in putting together a pretty picture of a home. I worry about tripping and breaking something in places that are very fancy!

    Liked by 1 person

  17. Very interesting thoughts on hosting. I’ve questioned how comfortable people actually feel when going into a perfect show home, and you’ve stated it perfectly! I’d rather that people feel comfortable to sit and put their feet up, that feel “impressed” with a fancy place! Different mindsets for comfort vs. perfection!

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Look forward to listening to this conversation with Brian, Wynne.

    Hosting a social or anything is such a skill and can be utterly nerve wracking. You’re right that at the heart of it, it’s about making people feel comfortable in the setting. And that is a skill all on its own.

    Liked by 1 person

  19. “My takeaway was the being a good host is more than making things look “perfect.” It’s about making people comfortable.” – I think you and Vicki make your guests feel comfortable and as a result provide good commentary!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. I feel like I have been to more of those lunch/dinner parties than I like to recall, and I know exactly what you mean when you say you feel uncomfortable. A good host will prioritize the enjoyment and comfort of their guests above all else.

    Liked by 1 person

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