Today I had the privilege of making my first official talk show appearance. I send a special thanks to the super amazing people at New Day Northwest! for giving me the opportunity to speak about my life list. The full video is available above.

The Backstory

I have known since the beginning that getting on a talk show was going to be one of my more challenging life list items. I think I have an interesting story to share with people but it feels disingenuous to bullishly pitch myself to others. That said, this wasn’t a normal goal. This was a Life List item. As such, I went out of my normal comfort zone and have been sending out light pitches for a while now. If anything, the process has given me the opportunity to learn how to do increasingly effective pitches. Luckily, the producers at New Day made it really easy for me to tell my story.

Given that I am leaving the country in a few weeks (I’ll be moving to SE Asia for about six months in order to pursue some life list items in the area), I had all but given up hope of completing this list item in 2014.

New Day Northwest SetAfter getting the exciting email and locking down the taping date with the producer (thanks Kate!), I was left with a completely full calendar. Due to prearranged plans, I ended up flying across the country only seven hours before the taping. I took a quick nap, showered and then went to the studio in downtown Seattle.

Given my recent deep dives into film and studio work, walking around the big studio was even more exciting than it would normally have been. The staff was super friendly and the other guests were very likable.

Making Some TV

Before the show started, the producer brought me onto the set and talked be through the segment. She didn’t tell me what questions were going to be asked but did let me know that I would be talking about some of the photos I had taken. The prep was quick and straightforward.

I sat in the audience for most of the show and then went to the green room before my segment to prep myself. Not knowing what to do, I basically just listened to some music and reread my list for the millionth time.

I was quickly moved through makeup and audio and before I knew it, I was standing backstage listening to the host give my introduction. I was super nervous and was reminded of the seconds before going on stage to give my TED talk. My nervousness always spikes when I am backstage and subsides only after I have spoken my first few words on stage.

Walking onto the stage

Once I got on stage, it was easy. Margaret Larson is an excellent interviewer. She has been awarded four Emmys and I have watched her on TV for as long as I can remember. She did a great job of keeping the interview going smoothly and directing the talking points.

We finished the show by having a water balloon fight (one of the other guests was promoting an upcoming world record attempt for the world’s largest water balloon fight) and my 5 minutes of fame were up :-) It was a fantastic experience and one that I hope to repeat again many times.