As the clock ticked into a quiet afternoon, I, Martie McNabb, welcomed my guest, Risa Zenno, to “Things That Matter.” From the moment we connected—prompted by a chance encounter at the Everything Conference in Minneapolis—I sensed our conversation would reveal something special.
When I invited Risa, pronounced Lisa, to share her story, she smiled and held up a handful of colorful pens. “It’s hard to pick just one thing,” she laughed, echoing the multi-potentialite ethos of the conference where we first met. But behind her lighthearted tone was something deeper, and she began to explain.
“These pens remind me of my grandmother,” Risa said softly. She grew up between countries—born in Japan, moving through Brazil, Seattle, New York, and Mexico City—and whenever she felt far from home, her grandmother bridged the distance through handwritten letters. “Before email,” she recalled, “writing letters was how we stayed connected. We shared stories, and pens became our bond.”
Risa described her grandmother’s role as an English teacher in Japan, a fixture at her local stationery store, always offering discounts and bringing Risa the newest pens and erasers. “Japanese stationery is the best,” she insisted, with fond memories of mechanical pencils and mono erasers. “It wasn’t just about having nice pens. Every letter we wrote, every page I edited for her with our shared initials, was a thread between us.”
As Risa spoke, I could feel the weight of memory in her words. She explained how sharing stories, as part of my Things That Matter playshop, at the conference unexpectedly triggered grief for her grandmother’s loss, but also gave her a chance to process it in a healing way. “Listening to others’ stories brought her back,” said Risa, “and now, telling mine helps me keep her close.”
I asked Risa what she hoped would become of these treasured pens and memories after she was gone. She smiled, eyes shining, and spoke of legacy. Someday, she hopes to write her own story—maybe under their shared initials, RZ—so that the impact of her grandmother’s love, and the pens that linked their lives, will live on through words.
Before we closed, we joked about the unique joys of Japanese stationery and how the right pen or eraser can change everything, even the way you remember someone you love. “I used every excuse for new pens as a kid,” Risa chuckled. “Funny how what we love when we’re young finds its way into our stories.”
As we wrapped up, I invited listeners to connect with Risa—whose tangents, stories, and warmth leave an impression long after the last word is spoken. And I realized, once again, that the things that matter are rarely about the objects themselves, but about the bonds and memories they hold.
To learn more about Risa connect with her on LinkedIn: / risazenno or reach out to her via email tcklisa @ gmail.com
Looking to build deeper connections, community & legacy with your employees, volunteers, donors, community, alumni, family, friends, residents, team or event participants? Hire me to host a unique story-sharing gathering, playshop, exhibition or retreat. Email me at martie at showandtales dot com
Have a story of a special item you’d love to share? Reach out to Martie McNabb at info at showandtales dot com and be part of a future episode with the Subject line: Podcast Guest✨
If you were asked “What Things would tell your life story?” What Things would you choose? Look around your home, office & even on yourself …. what Things do you surround yourself with & what stories would they tell? Grab my My Life in 30 Things playsheet to list your Things that matter here: https://www.showandtales.com/30-things-story/
Watch here:
Or Listen here:
Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed