Writing Portfolio - Lisa Poisso

Toasters, Whisks and Smartphones: A Conversation With Game of Thrones’ Kristian Nairn

Toasters and smartphones probably aren’t the first things that come to mind when you think of Hodor the gentle giant from HBO’s blockbuster series Game of Thrones. But Kristian Nairn, the Irish actor behind the laconic stable boy in George R.R. Martin’s cutthroat world of Westeros, stays seriously plugged in when he’s offscreen. Sure, he relies on tech to juggle the hectic lifestyle of an actor and professional DJ — but despite not being much of a cook, he’s also seriously addicted to kitchen gadgets.

“Why do I have three espresso machines?” he moaned melodramatically in an interview with Tecca earlier this spring. “Why? I know there’s an old Indian proverb saying the white man has a hole in his soul. Obviously, mine is shaped like a toaster.”

If it’s something of a stretch to picture the 7-foot Nairn surrounded by toasters and whisks, then perhaps it’s easier to imagine the star fielding calls from his agent on one phone while checking up on a friend in the United States with another. Nairn carries both an HTC Evo 3D and an iPhone 4S to keep up with the demands of being associated with a blockbuster TV series.

Editors and content clients, please email me for a full clip of this exclusive interview.

11 Common Money Mistakes People Make in Their 40s

Your 40s represent a unique period in your financial life. You’re older, wiser and well-established, but there are still a few things you have yet to figure out — like how to afford your children’s college education and where you’re going to retire.

Though you might feel settled, becoming complacent could impact your financial well-being. Don’t fall prey to these common money mistakes that people often make in their 40s.

Read the full article at GOBankingRates and Huffington Post.

Thick as Air: Small Ways to Fight Air Pollution

When Wendy Smith and her family moved to Dallas from Surrey, England, in 2001, respiratory issues weren’t on their radar. Yet Smith, her husband and her son sniffled and snorted their way through thick, seasonal mucous their first few years stateside. It was probably allergens, Smith surmises — that and poor air quality.

“We live in a very dense area,” says the North Dallas mom. “The air quality with the heat is thick.”

For the Smiths, the change brought challenges for lungs that were used to the bracing British country air. During the years just before the family moved here, Dallas-Fort Worth experienced some of the ugliest ozone levels in the nation.

Experts say the best way to avoid health problems is to steer clear of outdoor activity on high ozone days. Follow the color-coded Air Quality Index, which tells you how polluted the air is and how likely it is to affect you and your family.

Read the full article at DallasChild.