The Place: Austin Java The Cup: A cup of coffee for me, and Tammy grabbed an iced tea and salad. The Background: Cup 17, Thom Singer thought Tammy was someone I needed to know, so a month or so ago, he made an email introduction to Tammy and I. Tammy said it sounded like fun, so she […]
Author: Melissa
"You will be the same person in five years as you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet." Charlie "Tremendous" Jones said that and I have taken it to heart.
In an attempt to not just be different, but to be better in five years, I learn life lessons from strangers by interviewing them over coffee. Once a week, I sit down with a total stranger to hear their story. I hope you enjoy reading about it as much as enjoy talking to these incredible people.
Everyone has a story! Talk to strangers and your life will never be the same.
My First 100 Cups: A Reflection and A Forward Glance
It Started With A Quote I could never have predicted the impact that quote would have on my life. I read the words of Charlie “Tremendous” Jones and was struck by their truth. And the truth of the statement made me immediately wonder how I was doing. An avid reader, I decided to give myself […]
Cup 100: Misty Williams – Decadence-loving Leo, infopreneur marketer, and personal development junkie
The Place: La Madeleine The Cup: A cup of coffee for me, and since it was lunch time, Misty went for a glass of water and a salad. The Background: A few months back, Cup 17, Thom Singer and I grabbed coffee to catch-up. He suggested a few people he’d met recently who he thought I’d be interested […]
Cup 99: Jeff Miller – Optimist, pop music fan, and survivor.
The Place: Lola Savannah The Cup: It was Friday, so Jeff and I both decided to live it up. I had a chai latte, complete with a little cinnamon art on top. Jeff chose a yummy mocha frappe. We were both pleased with our choices. The Background: I got an email the other day from my good pal […]
Cup 98: Jackie Huba – Little Monster, Loyalty Evangelist, and Drag Queen
The Place: The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf The Cup: After 3 PM means I had tea – Chai Rooibos to be exact. Jackie had a hot tea latte. The Background: My dear friend and former stranger, Cup 86, Ray Bard asked me if I’d read a book called Monster Loyalty: How Lady Gaga Turns Followers into Fanatics. We’d been […]
Cup 97: Courtney Clark – Author, Community Service Champion and Resiliency Guru
The Place: Fair Bean The Cup: Regular old coffee for me and Courtney opted for no beverage. The Background: Cup 17, Thom Singer and I met for a catch-up coffee the other day and he mentioned having recently met Courtney and thought I’d enjoy knowing her as well. Thom knows the rules – don’t tell me too much, […]
Cup 96: Jefre Outlaw – World traveler, survivor and a man with two birthdates.
The Place: Austin Java The Cup: Regular old coffee for both of us. The Background: My very dear friend Olga connected Jefre and I after we had lunch and I told her I was ready to get the Coffee With A Stranger project back up and running. She was convinced that Jefre and I would have plenty to […]
Costa Rica Adventure: Week 17 – Until We Meet Again
Final days; so full of busyness – winding down and saying goodbyes while making preparations for what lies ahead. Emotions range from the sadness that comes from leaving friends, disappointment from having to cut the experience short, leaving questions of what could have been, excited anticipation at seeing family, friends and our dogs again and […]
Costa Rican Adventure: Week 16 – What Have We Missed?
There’s a type of question we frequently get asked, regarding this Costa Rican Adventure, that begins like this: “Don’t you miss____?” Fill that blank in with whatever you’d like. Air conditioning, craft beer, Tex-Mex, bookstores, Pumpkin Spice Lattes. Today, I will answer all those questions as well as share the things we thought we’d miss, […]
Costa Rica Adventure: Week 15 – Letting Go
I read this quote after making a really tough decision, and immediately recognized it’s truth. Worthwhile advice – none of which comes easily, but that last part – letting go when things don’t go as planned…for me that’s the toughest. My whole life has been about making plans, setting goals and working to achieve them. […]