Episode 101: Out of Our Comfort Zone with Mark Petruska

Posted on by Victoria

On Saturday Night Live, the celebrity hosts receive a special, commemorative “5 Timers Club“ jacket. Resplendent in rich navy velvet – smoking jacket style. Lush. Luxurious. By my count, this podcast episode with the talented Mark Petruska is his eighth guest gig here on Heart of the Matter! I think we owe Mark some swag. 😉

In this week’s conversation, we honored a promise – based on a fabulous (and potentially terrifying) idea from Mark. “Hey, Wynne and Vicki…maybe our next podcast chat should be entirely unscripted…you know…just hit record and see what happens.” I’m paraphrasing, but I’m pretty sure that’s what Mark proposed. Daring, isn’t he?

But you know what? When you gather with friends, there’s not much to fear. Turns out, our visit with Mark – despite being unscripted – netted one glorious a-ha for yours truly. Whether we’re talking about comfort food or ingenuity or silly moments…memorable moments…from our past, the heart and wholesomeness comes through.

I think it’s this…

Coming together…

Swapping crock pot recipes, our love of heated blankets or memory lane moments about triumphs and near tragedies. Friendship matters…and we welcome you in.

Is there a lesson in this episode? A take-away for ‘big think’ of an idea? Not so much, other than the reminder that gathering and laughing is modern-day magic.

Join us…if you dare.

Vicki and Wynne 😊

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Episode 101 Transcript

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Links for this Episode:

Mark’s book – a brilliant thriller: https://www.amazon.com/No-Time-Kings-Mark-Petruska/dp/1614344604

Mark’s blog: https://markpetruska.com/

Other Episodes with Mark:

Episode 65: How to Be the New Guy with Mark Petruska

Episode 41: Enter if You Dare with Mark Petruska

Episode 33: Love Lessons with Mark Petruska

Episode 26: Eye of the Tiger with Mark Petruska

Episode 18: No Time for Kings with Mark Petruska

From the hosts:

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

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/

40 thoughts on “Episode 101: Out of Our Comfort Zone with Mark Petruska”

  1. Pingback: Trying New Things: A Journey Beyond Comfort – Surprised By Joy

  2. loved it! unscripted was a great way to go. I especially enjoyed the favorite meals portion and that you mostly focused on the experience and the food was a bonus. p.s. I am crockpotphobic as well, and I do love it and cook many things in there but only when I’m home.,) we need a support group.

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  7. Instead of a do-over. How about a live-through it again moment. I’m thinking of fun moments over the years. So much fun. You guys have got me thinking now about my answers to questions . . . very cool. And, I’m still waiting to see Mark’s velvet eight-timer jacket. Ha, ha.

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    1. Don’t hold your breath about the jacket…if we start that for Mark, you’ll be due for one, too! And I love your idea…a ‘live-through it’ moment. Oh my gosh, yes! Hmmm…we might need to weave that one into a future conversation with you! 🥰🤣🥰

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  9. One of the best parts of podcasts is finding out the connections we may share with each other. Our son was married inside of Custer State Park, so I perked up immediately when he talked about his trip to South Dakota. Though I’ve lived in California for the past 50 years, my childhood roots were spent in the cold (nine years in the Dakotas). As a David Letterman man, I also spotted his T-shirt immediately. One more—not sure if Mark is a football guy or not, but the Packers are my team, so Wisconsin triggered that.

    I connected with Wynne’s story about how a meal can taste especially good after enduring a grueling physical challenge. Not that I’ve run a marathon or climbed huge mountains, but I’ve had that feeling before.

    My wife was born and raised in Sonoma and my sister-in-law used to be a winery manager in Napa, so I’m quite familiar with that area. I’ve eaten in quite a few of those limited seating restaurants (converted houses) where space becomes an issue. Inside jokes like the one about BIG PEOPLE stay with us forever.

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    2. When my dad was in the Air Force, we were stationed at Ellsworth in the 1980s – my first three years of high school actually, so a very formative period for me. I always loved the area and it seemed like a perfect place for a fresh start after we grew tired of the PNW. Alas, it wasn’t long-term, but it served as a great stepping-stone.

      The Letterman shirt is a souvenir from a taping of The Late Show I was fortunate to attend in 1997. Great lineup of guests and a very memorable experience!

      And yes, I like football but I’m at odds with all the cheeseheads around here: diehard Broncos fan actually.

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  10. I listened to this one earlier today. Fabulous. I love the unscripted podcast but it does make me sweat just considering the idea. You three know how to think on your feet and that makes all the difference. I enjoyed the entire podcast. Hugs, C

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    1. Love it…especially now. I think I need to send a search party out for my “comfort zone”…and I’m not hopeful about their chances!
      Thanks for the unscripted Monday morning smile, Ally.
      😜🥰😜

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  14. This was a lovely way to kickstart your next 100 episodes! I love the spontaneity and warmth of your conversation. I know how much thought and planning you two put into each episode and this felt very organic and engaging!

    If only we can each have a redo in our lives, things would be so much more interesting. But I do agree with Wynne that the moment that we’d like to redo are often where we experience the most growth and lessons learned.

    I had quite the chuckle about Vicki’s family. I didn’t realize you were all “big people.” Were the same height, Vicki!

    And a meal in the Amazon sounds like such a great adventure!

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    1. Ab…thank you so much for laughing along with us. It was a fun experiment…Mark made us feel at ease. So lovely to have great blogging and podcasting friends all around us. Just like you! 🥰

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