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In this episode, Rob invited (or forced) Tricia to experiment with an improv exercise!  (It is fun to listen to, but Tricia ruled out these “shenanigans” for all future episodes.)

Rob recently reviewed the stats about their podcast, and learned that they now have listeners all over the world!  He and Tricia were especially happy to hear they have quite a few listeners in Sweden, which they expect is due to the influence of Emma, the Swedish foreign exchange student who joined the Lott family for a year when they were all in high school! Since Emma had no experience of having a younger brother, Rob had to squeeze all of his younger brother tricks and teasing into one brief year—and he excelled.

A few listeners have suggested that Tricia and Rob speak too fast on the podcast and they should slow down.  Rob decided to go into the podcast settings and slow it down a bit to see if indeed this is a good recommendation.  As it turns out, slowing the speed of the podcast makes them sound either drunk or high—so he highly recommends that you try listening at a slower speed occasionally, just for laughs.  (Since the podcast was aired, many listeners have indeed tried this and reported that it’s true and laughable: they do sound either drunk or high.)

The conversation turned more serious as Tricia and Rob began to talk about the recommendation that artists should “give their art away” to the world these days. On their podcasts and blogs, they are indeed giving it away; you’re listening to a podcast that is free. No artists can afford to give everything away; it’s how they make their living—but in this difficult season, sharing your art with the world will not just help others, it will help you.  (And if you don’t think the arts are important in this season, imagine spending all this time in quarantine with no TV, books, magazines, music, or movies!)

Tricia raised a question for listeners to consider: “What is saving your life right now?”  She is leaning into a daily 30-minute nap, awaking rejuvenated—and the rest of the day goes better. Ro shared that he and his fellow cast members at the Hoop de Doo Revue come together weekly on Zoom to bake something together, each in their own homes preparing the same recipe at the same time while they chat!  The conversation takes an emotional turn as Rob reflects on the Zoom camaraderie that actually is far deeper than cooking: when they are working, this cast of entertainers create a wildly funny dinner theatre show each evening that calls for team effort and depending on each other to help the audience respond with laughter and applause. His connection with this team—so suddenly taken away in this pandemic—has caused them to miss each other so deeply.  You might just relate to his emotion as you reflect on the people you normally see often—and may not have seen for many weeks now.

We hope you’ll share your answer to “what is saving your life right now” on our Facebook page or by sending it to Rob or Tricia at Instagram or their blogs…