Paris Tea Time (September 7, 2025)
What’s your tea?
When Violet and I met up with Wendy Swire in Paris, this was her primary question. Sure, she wanted to know all about our adventures, but what she was asking wasn’t so much what flavor of tea do we like, but rather what is the thing you love most in life. For Wendy, she studied to become a tea sommelier which I didn’t even know was a possibility until this day of our meeting.
Violet Carmody receiving (and giving) a great big hug from Wendy Swire
I had to ask Wendy to be a bit more specific. In truth, I love my entire life and everything in it. I am married to the woman of my dreams (and just celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary), I have two amazing kids that I love with all my heart, I have upped my game when it comes to my meditation and unconditional inner peace, which is to say that I love my journey of self-actualization and as a servant leader I’m back helping coaching become financially free with AskBill.us. So I feel like I have as many “teas” in my life as there are in this very shop we were visiting. And that’s a LOT by the way:
Bill & Wendy selfie in front of one of the many tea displays
But then Wendy helped me help her with this question by turning to Violet. “You know what I’m asking, Violet, so what’s your tea?” And Violet had been giving this a lot of thought and shared that she loved to teach and even had been considering becoming a coach. While she still would love to support space travel and colonize the moon, helping others with deep listening and empathy was top of mind as one of her teas.
Violet went on to share some of her concerns with what’s happening in the US right now and her comments really landed with Wendy. In fact, Wendy paused the conversation to really thank Violet deeply for her insights and perspective. “You’ve changed my perspective, Violet, and I want you to know that. I love your father dearly, but what you’re sharing right now is really helping me more than you probably know.”
Loving hug of admiration for each other and the impact on each of their lives
As a father, I loved witnessing this. Here drinking tea, I had the unique pleasure of witnessing Wendy and Violet deeply engage in conversation that was having a powerful impact on both their lives. At one point Violet stopped Wendy for an opportunity to acknowledge her. “I need you to know the profound impact you’ve had on me in a relatively short exchange. I don’t get to have conversations like this with too many people. You have changed me today and I need you to know that.”
What fun. When I planned these get togethers, I had no idea how they’d go. Of course I’m crazy about Wendy. She gave the most incredible eulogy of her late husband that I have ever witnessed (before or since). During the same service, her kids shared such beautiful words that I still remember what each shared that day. I loved being in person and witnessing what can only be described as Sage grief. My heart was touched and I have felt deeply connected to Wendy every since that day.
And now, here she is having a similar impact on Violet. And Violet is astute enough to recognize it, pause the conversation and speak into her experience. Damn. I know I’m going all “proud father” here, but there’s no other way to describe my feelings in these moments. My daughter is experiencing so much of what life has to offer.
After an incredible lunch (and no exageration, 5 POTS of tea), Wendy asked Violet if there was anything on her “bucket list” that she wants to do while traveling the world. “I’ve never jumped out of an airplane and I’d love to skydive if ever that was a possibility.”
Really? How am I just hearing about this now? Elena recently gave me permission to resume my thrill-seeking adventures (all except the motorcycle riding — she says it’s too dangerous and wants to keep me around).
“How about tomorrow?” I ask.
“Really? Are you serious?”
Sure thing. I mean we have one more day in Paris and why not make it the most epic day of our lives? Isn’t this what this trip is all about? Quick Google search, a few WhatsApp texts to the owner, handle some travel logistics and BOOM, away we go! Tomorrow’s blog post is going to be SICK!
Before we head out, Wendy treats us to her other “tea” passion that we all share — chocolate. We saw a Nintendo game controller made of chocolate and the decision was easy. Delicious as expected but we all thought it was solid and it turned out to be hollow. A bit of a “bait and switch” or what some economists are referring to as shrinkflation — same price for less product (and often deceptively so). But still, we loved what we ate and that’s the important thing.
One more awesome human to meet up with: Nadja Jackson!
But wait, the night is still young! After having a wonderful several hour tea experience, we had just enough time for Violet to kick my ass in backgammon (twice!) before heading over to see another amazing human: Nadja Jackson.
Fun fact. Nadja and I have never met in our home country of the United States despite her living in San Francisco and me in New York. Our first meeting was in the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador as part of a fun adventure with none other than NY Times bestselling author Lynne Twist and founder of the Pachamama Alliance along with her husband, Bill Twist (pictured below).
Bill and Lynne Twist in the Amazon Rainforest where I met Nadja Jackson
Nadja just so happened to be traveling to Paris the same week Violet and I are here, so she reached out on my website and asked to meet up. And so we enjoyed a wonderful French dinner near her AirB&B in Paris.
God love Violet for her patience as I repeat so many of the same stories that everyone wants to hear when we get together. And thanks to Nadja for pulling Violet into one of her favorite topics: Nuclear Fusion and Fission. Nadja’s brother is working on some extremely cool projects and the topic was near and dear to Nadja’s heart as well as a deep passion of Violets.
Once again, I had only to sit back and admire my daughter as she comes into her own and connects deeply with my friends from all around the world. So cool to witness. I’m such a lucky dad. And I get to give Violet one of the best days of her life tomorrow. Just wait and see!
