The Thing Behind the Thing: Recitals, Connection & What Memorial Day Actually Means

Mo and Katy record from a church (using a magnifying glass as a ring light, long story) right after Katy's third student recital of the season. They talk about what it really means to teach music - spoiler: it's not about the music. It's about giving kids a safe space to be vulnerable, teaching them to ground themselves when performance anxiety hits and creating a community where fifth graders and high school seniors cheer each other on from the front pews.Mo reflects on the difference between interacting with someone and actually connecting with them, why some servers can hang and some can't and how just because you interacted with somebody doesn't mean you actually saw them. Katy explains why she stopped printing programs, doing receptions and taking herself so seriously as a vocal performance major who swore she'd never teach kids (spoiler: she teaches a lot of kids now).They also talk about Memorial Day - not the grills-and-pool-floats version, but the actual somber reflection on people who gave the last full measure of devotion. And they remind you: the thing is rarely about the thing. Sometimes you just need to stop and ask what the thing behind the thing actually is.Recorded live from a Methodist church where coffee is allowed and magnifying lights are used inappropriately.