Sit on the Floor
By Stephanie Tonneson
Not what your parents, friends, society, or even a less authentic version of yourself thinks you want -- what do YOU truly want, and why do you want it?
This is the burning question that we, Stephanie Tonneson and Rachel Cyr, want to ask everyone we meet. And each time we do, we usually find that -- if we dig deep enough -- most of us all want the same things.
Sit on the FloorSep 28, 2021
#21 Eulogy for John R. Tonneson
"Love is not about understanding someone. Love is about showing up, even—and especially—when you do not understand."
#20 Dad, Hospice Patient: "I'm at peace."
John Tonneson (my Dad) knew he was about to die. Still, he felt at peace.
#19 "Hi, Dad" [Short Film]
This episode is only viewable on Spotify and Youtube.
#18 Cross-country Movers: "These questions don't go away."
What is it like for people twenty years apart to be grappling with the same life questions?
When we sat on the floor of Karim’s airbnb in Joshua Tree, CA, he and his friend, Jonah, told us.
#17 Immigrant: "Don't forget where you come from."
What is it like to immigrate from Mexico, raise ten kids, and become an 82 year-old shopkeeper?
When we sat on the floor of his roadside antique store in Santa Anna, TX, Francisco told us.
#16 Cardiologist: "It's a calling."
What is it like to have other people's lives in your hands every day--literally?
When we sat on the floor of our airbnb in New Orleans, LA, Singh told us.
#15 Home-Sharer: "I've never met a stranger."
What is it like to open your home up to everyone you meet?
When we sat on the floor of her house, The Bywater Wonderland, in New Orleans, LA, Stacy Hoover told us.
#14 College Graduate: "It might take eight years."
What is it like to give up on a goal and achieve it eight years later?
When we sat on the floor of his girlfriend's house in Atlanta, GA, Dylan Schutte told us.
#13 Influencer: "I still struggle with wanting to be smaller."
What is it like to be celebrated for your appearance and still wish you looked different?
When we sat on the floor of her house in Atlanta, GA, Claire Di Meglio told us.
#12 Dive Bar Regulars: "Without love, you can't live."
What is it like to turn strangers into chosen family?
When we sat on the floor of Steady Eddy's Pumphouse in Matthews, NC, Travis, Stick, and Sarah told us.
#11 Wall Street Investor: "A corporate job is like a drug."
What's it like to hate your prestigious, high-paying job?
When we sat on the floor of the office space in his apartment complex on Wall Street, [Anonymous] told us.
#10 Ex-Mormon: "Keep questioning."
What's it like to question a belief you were raised on?
When we sat on the floor of her apartment in New York City, Jenny, former member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, told us.
#09 Chef: "We're still here."
What's it like to give everything to your dream?
When we sat on the floor of her restaurant, Moonshine 152, in Boston, MA, Asia Mei told us.
#08 Restaurant Owner: "The miracle will come."
What's it like to realize what's most important to you after losing your life's work?
When we sat on the floor of her restaurant, La Bodega, in Watertown, MA, Analia Verolo told us.
#07 Cross-Country Walker: "Your native environment is your authentic life."
What is it like to walk across America, write a book about it, and then discover the deeper, more psychological reasons why you did it?
When we sat on the floor of his friend's barn in Freeport, ME, Andrew Forsthoefel, author of "Walking to Listen," told us.
Sit on the Floor: Season 2 Trailer
On Season 2, Stephanie Tonneson and Rachel Cyr take a month-long cross-country roadtrip, where they sit on the floor with people they meet (and people they know) and ask them about some of the most transformative moments of their lives.
#06 I'm Moving to LA [Audiomemoir]
Steph quit her job. Now she's moving across the country.
#05 Language Professor: "I'm interested in people, period."
Adriana Borra grew up in three European countries. Then she came to America.
#04 Artist + Performer: "The real work doesn't have an audience."
Princess Nostalgia used to share her innermost thoughts on social media. Then she deleted it.
#03 Recent Grad: "I want to be average."
Margit Burgess had her whole life planned out. Then she graduated.
#02 Self-Employed: "Who was I without a fancy, shiny job that my parents expected of me?"
Rachel Greene was working a job she hated. Then she quit.
#01 Touring Musician: "I was pretty committed to sacrificing anything."
Devin Mauch was “married to the band.” Then he left.
Sit on the Floor: Season 1 Trailer
Who are you, really?