Stay Tuned
Growing up in Chicago, I, among many others, got my daily sports news from Tim Weigel on our local ABC affiliate. A former football player at Yale, Weigel had a great passion for sports, but he also had fun with it. When he gave a speech at my old high school, I desperately tried to meet him but was unsuccessful. Sadly, in June 2001, Weigel died of a brain tumor.
A few months back, while wandering around a book store, I saw Stay Tuned: Conversations with Dad from the Other Side, a book by Jenniffer Weigel (Tim’s daughter). I picked it up, figuring I would get some good stories about Weigel. I did get those good stories — and so much more.
Stay Tuned is about the Weigels’ lives, specifically about the journey they took and are still taking. Tim looked for alternative methods to treat his condition. Jenniffer looked for alternative answers in life and death. That is just my very simplistic breakdown, but the book really is so much more.
Last Friday I attended a book discussion held by Jenniffer and Dr. Therese Rowley, a local psychic who just happens to also be a strategic business consultant. Rowley played a big part in Jenniffer’s journey and in Stay Tuned. The evening was enlightening, calming and entertaining. Therese is so well-grounded and comfortable, and Jenniffer is a ball of controlled energy. Theirs is a perfect partnership, and it came through throughout the night as well as in the book.
They weren’t there to preach (and neither am I). In fact, most of what they said is already within us all. They are just trying to help us find the way to bring it out and to find our way. A recurring theme is that we are just where we are supposed to be. They talked about our place in the world and how to understand the ramifications. It’s about managing your life — both business and personal. It’s amazing how this journey of life has so many business applications.
Jenniffer’s transition from an unhappy journalist is one such example. She figured out a way to get the most out of her personal life during her employment as a journalist. Her career path presented chances for her to talk to some of the great spiritual minds of today. It’s another lesson we all could learn.
Last Friday, at Burke’s Book Store, I was where I was supposed to be. Oh, and I am pretty sure I met a little bit of Tim Weigel there, too.
– John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
November 25th, 2009 at 12:44 pm
I read that book about a year ago and I thought it was fantastic. I enjoyed how we got to go through Jen’s journey with her. We got to get a sneak peak at all of the spiritualist’s along the way.I learned a lot and had a good time doing it.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
That sounds like an interesting book. I’ll have to put it on my “to read” list. Thanks for the information.
November 25th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Your blog on the Weigels brought back some nice memories. I too was a fan of Tim Weigel especially his Weigel’s Weiner Award. He was so much better than the sportscasters we currently have covering Chicago sports. Your blog piqued my interest into learning more about the book’s suggestions for balancing business and personal.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
You really caught my eye with the business connection. I think too many times people leave business out of stuff. Business is a huge part of our lives. Why not go to someone like Dr. Rowley for some business advice. I checked her site and found it interesting enough to pursue further.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Oh my gosh, I had completely forgotten about Weigel’s Weiners. That was hilarious. Tim was before his time and maybe Jenniffer is as well. I wish there was more space for you to have explained more, but I guess I will look into it myself and stop being lazy.
Great topic.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:01 pm
Bravo and thanks to GT.
Over the last week, these blogs have covered such interesting and diverse topics as:
-a mixed review on a restaurant
-reflections and insight from a young account executive
-a good airport story
-college students making travel plans
-Thanksgiving thoughts
-a Hong Kong experience
-a state dinner experience
-psychic with business applications
Always interesting and informative. Keep up the good work.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
I’ve been a faithful reader of GT since I picked one up at Geo. Bush Airport in beautiful Houston a few months back. Then I found these blogs and I have to agree with Traci’s comments. GT’s staff must be constantly on the go.
On topic here, Dr. Rowley’s business acumen, coupled with her spiritual skills make a great 1-2 punch. I am surprised not more is made of this combo. I never thought of it before, but it makes total perfect sense. Why not learn about yourself and use it in your business life? You’ve given me food for thought.
November 25th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
As a transplanted Chicagoan living in Toronto, this hit home for me. Tim Weigel was a classic. The current sportscasters are too cardboard. It’s probably not all their fault, as management probably wants it that way. Still, this brought back find memories of Tim.
I have not read the book, but I checked all of the hyperlinks GT provided in this blog and I will purchase the book for further enlightenment. I could use a little realignment in my business life, mostly how I relate and handle things.
November 25th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
I just recently read the book and thought it was outstanding! Ms. Weigel’s writing style was so unique in that she able to balance the “other-worldy” spiritualism topics with with hard-hitting, sceptical humor. It was a beautiful story that we all can get something from. I was also a big fan of Tim Weigel and had the pleasure of meeting him on numerous occasions. I’ll never forget, when I was just a kid, how Tim would always take the time to joke around with the whole bunch of us and make all of us feel special. Thanks to Jenniffer for taking us on her journey and thanks to John for highlighting it.
November 25th, 2009 at 5:32 pm
I think Lionel hit it on the head with his use of balance. Ms. Weigel did a great job of balancing topics in her book, as well as trying to explain and explore the balance we all need.
November 25th, 2009 at 6:23 pm
One problem I see is that people view psychics in a bad light. There are probably a lot of scammers out here, but there are plenty of legitimate psychics out there. Just like other sciences (or studies) there are plenty of things to be learned from this field. I don’t believe in ghosts as such, but I do believe there are forces out there and that we can learn from them.
Like the others have written, why not bring this into the business world. people have brought far sillier into the business world. Whatever helps anyone in any phase should not be scoffed off.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:16 pm
I remember Tim Weigel from earlier days when I traveled to Chicago. I had no idea he died or his daughter has done so much. That’s great.
I’m going to look for this book.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
My sister recommended Stay Tuned to me a few months back. I was a non-believer, but I read it with an open-mind. I must say I learned a lot and realize I have a lot to learn. It didn’t change my life completely, but I think it inspired me to start on a better path.
November 25th, 2009 at 8:39 pm
I love book discussions because I always get so many different thoughts than were in the book. Editors chop up too many parts of books and sometimes ideas and thoughts are lost. There is nothing like hearing an author discuss the book.Borders Books used to have more book discussions. Now it seems they do more simply signings, which are nowhere near the fun. Having an author scribble his name as I walk by doesn’t do much for me. Hearing him put thoughts into words or express new ideas appeals so much more.
November 25th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Stay Tuned sounds like a must read …. I’ll have to look for that book and read it over the holidays. Tim Weigel was a great sportscaster who died too young.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
I never heard of either Weigel or the book, but I always look for different thoughts, especially when there is tangible connections (i.e. the biz world).
GT should add book recommendations in the magazine. Didn’t you write about some books right here a week or so ago?
November 26th, 2009 at 9:26 am
First, I have to agree with Traci. GT covers a wide variety of topics and destinations. You are the complete resource for the business traveler. At least once a week, I print out one of the GT blogs and post it on the bulletin board in our office. Fantastic material.
Second, I have to say I do not believe in ghosts or psychics either. I do believe we can look at things differently and incorporate new ideas into all aspects of our life at all times though. I also believe we need assistance or guidance through various stages, especially in our professional lives. I don’t know if we need a ‘psychic’, but whatever the title, if the person is helping others get through and move on, I can’t criticize that either.
November 26th, 2009 at 9:43 am
I totally believe in the universe guiding me. I believe there are things to be learned through meditation and inner peace. I believe a work environment is able to be shaped or reshaped, same as business relationships, same as personal relationships. Perfect harmony is always strived for, probably never gotten, but that doesn’t mean should be forgotten. It’s the pursuit which builds us all.
November 26th, 2009 at 10:18 am
This was one of the books we featured in our monthly book discussion group. This one really sparked a lot of conversation. There are so many aspects to it. Surprisingly, there weren’t too many real debates, but when there were the usual sides weren’t the same. It was interesting how it affected everyone, no matter what their usual stances were.
November 26th, 2009 at 11:31 am
I have studied real business applications of such studies as yoga, meditation and other non-business-like activities. I always find it fascinating that people overlook such possible connections. Let’s face it, our lives are not APART from our business lives, no matter the business. Our lives are A PART f everything. The incorporation of such ideas makes a better balance and more harmony.
November 29th, 2009 at 11:46 am
I’m not a believer in psychis, but this raises some interesting possibilities in the business world.
December 14th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Sounds like a book I would like to read. I believe every thing happens for a reason.