These two (plus one!), the force behind Rocket Designs, are a remarkable example of a family in recovery and all the wonders, trials and complexities that entails. I hope you find their intertwined revelations as fascinating as I do. And be sure to listen to the couple guest on Since Right Now on February 18.
The principal motivation for my creativity. Kendra: Fostering connections between people through honesty and vulnerability. / Simon: To be understood.
The principal motivation for my sobriety. Kendra: Living vibrantly, rather than simply existing. / Simon: The opportunity to experience life—good and bad.
My favorite qualities in a person. Kendra: Warmth and compassion. / Simon: Kind and funny
What I appreciate most about my friends. Kendra: Their ability to help me see myself more clearly. / Simon: Patience. Passion for the people and world around them.
My main fault. Kendra: My need to be right. All. The. Time. / Simon: Self-centeredness
My favorite occupation. Kendra: Wriitng (of course!) / Simon: Graphic design
My dream of happiness. Kendra: Living in a city where I can step right outside my door into a thriving community. / Simon: A place to work where I am challenged and supported by other creative, caring, passionate people and sharing my life with my wife and daughter.
My idea of misery. Kendra: Going down the rabbit hole into self-deprecation and anxiety. / Simon: Math
My greatest regret. Kendra: The way my college relationship ended. / Simon: My brother not meeting my daughter.
My proudest moment. Kendra: Overcoming years of self-loathing about my appearance so I model self-love for our daughter. / Simon: If sobriety were a moment…
Other than myself, who would I like to be? Kendra: Oprah Winfrey. / Simon: I’m just getting used to being me finally. Let’s see where that goes…
Where I would like to live. Kendra: Atlanta, GA or Paris (France not Texas). / Simon: Near my family with other interesting people around in a beautiful setting.
My favorite color. Kendra: Yellow-Green (it is a Crayola color). / Simon: Almost all of them.
My favorite authors. Kendra: Glennon Doyle Melton, Barbara Kingsolver, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison. / Simon: J.K Rowling, Carl Hiassen.
My favorite poets. Kendra: Coleridge and Wordsworth (yes, the Romantics). / Simon: Beastie Boys.
My favorite composers/musicians. Kendra: Pop music that lends itself to car dancing. / Simon: Conor Oberst, Glenn Gould.
My favorite painters/designers/photographers. Kendra: Simon will be disappointed, but I’ve got nothing here. / Simon: This question gives me hives. It prompts regret at wasting so much time at bars with strangers. I love clean, clever design and there are so many influences, but none I can name. I’m adding “be able to answer this question” to my to-do list.
My hero(es). Kendra: Glennon Doyle Melton, Rob Bell, Oprah Winfrey, Maya Angelou, Nadia Bolz-Weber. / Simon: My parents.
My favorite food and drink. Kendra: Tacos and lattes (but never together). / Simon: Salty food and a sugary beverage
My drug of (lack of) choice when I was using. Kendra: Booze. Miller Lite to be exact. / Simon: Beer.
What I hate most of all. Kendra: That my drinking hurt other people. / Simon: Cruelty.
The natural talent I'd like to be gifted with. Kendra: Drawing. I can barely draw a stick figure. / Simon: Music
How I want to die. Kendra: In a blaze of glory (like the Bon Jovi song). / Simon: Loved.
My present state of mind. Kendra: Peaceful but excited (I am pretty excitable). / Simon: Vague.
Faults for which I have the most indulgence. Kendra: Mistakes/missteps made with good intentions. / Simon: Many, if wrapped in a large dose of self-awareness and humor.
My favorite motto:
Kendra & Simon:
"Let that shit ride."
We heard it in an AA speaker meeting and have been laughing about it and using it since.
ABOUT RECOVERY REVELATIONS™
Our Recovery Revelations Questionnaire is based on the questions of a late 19th century English "confessions album" later mistakenly attributed to French novelist, Marcel Proust. Vanity Fair uses a version for their Proust Questionnaire and James Lipton uses a variation on Inside the Actors' Studio.
You are encouraged to engage the interviewee and explore their answers further in the comments.
If you'd like to be share your Recovery Revelations, please contact Chris for details.