Friday, May 11, 2012

Friday Faces: Meet Cody Fiala

Cody Fiala is VPR's membership coordinator. She responds to member questions and requests, processes contributions, and handles pledge reminders, renewals and acknowledgments. 

Do you have a favorite public radio voice?
Jane Lindholm, Mitch Wertlieb, and Terry Gross are such exceptional interviewers. They are my favorites because as an introvert, and I appreciate listening to them convert curiosity into questions that get others to do the talking. They also all explore sensitive topics with such compassion, respect, and directness - which is what I savor in so many stories on VPR.  But, this question is like asking me my favorite flavor of jelly bean, so I must add that another favorite is Nina Totenberg, because she distills complex and lengthy exchanges into succinct straightforward reporting.

What are your plans for this weekend?
8 AM Bikram yoga on Saturday and Sunday, just like every weekend! It is one of the best ways to stay warm in this state I love. It's really helpful in other ways, too, of course, and my wife and I also treasure the community of folks we see there regularly and would likely not otherwise have made connections. After lunch, Jenny and I will go for a long walk in the woods with our two pups, who will have a blast running until they're all muddy and tired. Afterwards, maybe we'll read on the porch and if I'm feeling energetic, I'll make dough and a pizza, or whip up a simple Mexican dish.

What are you listening to/reading/watching right now?
Well, I have a habit -  supported by our fantastic public libraries - of reading several books simultaneously. So, right now I am reading Black Boy by Richard Wright, The Obamas, by Jodi Kantor, Billy the Kid: The Endless Ride by Michael Wallis, and A Singular Woman by Janny Scott.

As far as we know you are the first person at VPR who uses a stability ball as a desk chair. Have you ever fallen off? And did anyone see?

Well, this is something new I am trying to alleviate a nagging injury I think is somehow connected to breaking my tailbone glissading down Mount Mansfield a few winters ago. Since there's not enough time to tell that story, I'll go back to answering the question... no one has seen me fall off my stability ball because I haven't fallen...yet. I know one colleague is watching and waiting (in good humor, of course). And, while it is a comfortable alternative to my typical desk chair, I am definitely ready to upgrade. I need to add wheels so I can swivel and scoot around as quickly as I'm used to doing in my chair.  Then have a different answer to the question!

1 comment:

  1. Hi Cody,
    Just thought I'd mention a book I read called "The Cove" by Ron Rash.
    I heard about him on VPR while listening to a programme discussing good books to read. The book recommended at that time was called "Serena" by Ron Rash, I read it, loved it and look forward to more from this terrific writer.
    Kathy McGovern

    ReplyDelete

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