Summer Stories: Debbie Fiderer and the Unexpected Second Chances We’re Given
plus a beet harvest from the garden
Hi, it’s me. In the garden, we’re approaching the peak of summer harvest where I have a hard time keeping up with all the veggies that are ready to eat. Just this weekend I had my first real harvest of green beans, and I have so many plants that we’re basically Green Bean People now until the first frost kills the vines. It’s an embarrassment of bean riches.
But what I’m most excited about harvesting in the last week are BEETS! Our favorite way to eat them is in a Smoked Beet Salad with arugula, pistachios, goat cheese, and balsamic dressing — which we recently served with a watermelon, blueberry, and mint salad and smoked chicken thighs with a citrus and black pepper rub. *chef’s kiss*
We enjoyed this meal with our friend Giyen, who we know in real life and she also has a Substack called Lovely Things that you should read. She’s a beautiful storyteller.
Today’s newsletter is the fourth in a series of five stories intended to distract you while I work behind the scenes to update All The Things leading up to my newsletter relaunch on August 2nd.
If you missed it, you can read the first story about Ned Stark HERE, the second story about Tony Hale HERE, and the third story about Theresa Fette HERE.
Debbie Fiderer and the Unexpected Second Chances We’re Given
I've been making my way through The West Wing again (fourth time!) while listening to The West Wing Weekly podcast (you should check it out!). Both are entertainment comfort food!
Spoilers for The West Wing ahead!
At the end of Season 3 and the beginning of Season 4, the character of Charlie is on a mission to find a new Executive Assistant for President Bartlett to replace the beloved Mrs. Landingham, the former Executive Assistant who died tragically the previous season. President Bartlett has resisted hiring someone new, as he and Mrs. Landingham were very close and had know each other since the President was in high school.
Nevertheless, Charlie identifies someone he feels is perfect for the role: Debbie Fiderer, played by the delightful Lily Tomlin.
But Debbie is oddly resistant to the idea, despite her impressive resume and experience. We learn that she's been in somewhat of a downward spiral over the last couple years, having taken up gambling and alpaca farming — both unsuccessfully. We learn she was fired from the White House office of Presidential Personnel, which precipitated her downward spiral.
Charlie has to chase her down and convince her to come in, and when she finally arrives at The White House, we see that she botches her first interview with President Bartlett and was not taken seriously. But Charlie stands by his decision that she's the best candidate. I love storytelling that doesn’t spoon feed the audience. We don’t know why he’s so persistent in hiring Debbie, but he obviously knows something we don’t know.
Here’s Debbie’s first interview:
Charlie arranges for Debbie to have a second interview. The President asks why she was fired from The White House previously. "Chronic lateness," she says. "I don't believe you," he says. She still won't tell him. He orders her to tell him. She refuses. The second interview ends.
But before she leaves the building, President Bartlett has a realization. He figures out "through his powers of deduction" that she was fired for hiring Charlie. Her boss had told her to hire the son of his brother's colleague as a favor, because the man was A Very Important Person. Debbie refused, and hired Charlie instead because he was the better hire — the qualified candidate.
The President now understands she is not only highly skilled and funny as hell, but loyal to the truth and willing to speak that truth to power.
What I love about Debbie’s story
I like that Debbie is quirky, that she felt burned by her employer, and that in her doubt and anger she tried to give her career the finger and move on to something completely ridiculous. I love that it took someone who saw her value to draw her back in, someone who fought for her because he knew her superpowers. I love that she was nervous and “took a pill” and sabotaged her first interview, but that she regained her confidence and moxie for the second interview.
Many times I've doubted my superpowers. In 2018 when I was fired, I contemplated giving my career the finger and getting a job at Target.
But around that time, I met with a friend who gave me some good advice. She said, "Meet up with people who can remind you of how great you are."
At the time I thought it was self indulgent, but a week later I had three meetings on my calendar! I needed someone to tell me what my value was because I couldn't see it anymore. These dear friends’ encouragement sustained me until my second chance came and I was hired by a great organization.
When have you found yourself in a black hole, unable to see your way out? Was there someone who threw you a lifeline, possibly even when you fought against it like Debbie Fiderer? Tell me your stories of despair and redemption!
News + Notes
I shared some sad news about our family dog on Notes and Instagram, linked below.
Oh my goodness, meet up with people who remind you how great you are is the best advice ever. I find myself returning to the same people and I don't even need them to be telling me how they feel. Or that they think I'm cool or whatever. It's just something you feel as you sit down to have coffee and talk about something completely unrelated. And you come home recharged!
My most recent hedgehog was named Mrs. Landingham (RIP to both of them). It was a missed opportunity that I didn't name my next pet, a 12 year old cat acquired from a family who developed allergies, Debbie Fiderer. But really Jessica Fletcher cat is a better fit for her- she's not so spunky and spit-firey, but more calm and polite.
I am so glad that you have people around you who know your greatness and tell you. I knew it right away, but don't have the time and the stories to remind you.