Using the parlor game popularized by Marcel Proust, the A-Team answered these questions about themselves.

ABIGAIL FORD WINKEL

• What is your idea of perfect happiness?

That changes every day! Today, it’s a sunny winter day with a lot of snow and skis under my feet. On another day, it’s a hot bath and a good book.

• What is your greatest fear?

Not having enough time to do what I am meant to do here.

• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Impatience. Rigidity.

• What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Cruelty.

• What is your greatest extravagance?

Scheduling my life around breakfast with my daughters and leisurely morning yoga once a week.

• What is your current state of mind?

Hopeful.

• What is the quality you most like in a man?

Integrity.

• What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Integrity.

• Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Perfect. Awesome. Wonderful. Absolutely. YES!

• What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband, Adam.

• When and where were you happiest?

Right now feels pretty good. I’m about to get Christmas dinner ready for my family, gathered in my home for the holidays.

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d love to keep all the building blocks the same, but instead of doing all the stuff I have to do first, I’d rather have my first priority be the joy and love and excitement. I am just so hard-wired to do the necessaries first.

• What do you consider your greatest achievement?

The research that inspired this podcast is up there: feeling the ripples of change in a positive culture of training makes me so proud.

• Where would you most like to live?

While I’m working, New York City! But if all I had to do was enjoy the mountains, I’d be on the first plane to Colorado or the south Island of New Zealand.

• What is your favorite occupation?

Obstetrician!

• What is your most marked characteristic?

Optimism.

• What do you most value in your friends?

Loyalty.

• Who is your hero of fiction?

Hermione Granger.

• What are your favorite names?

Charlotte and Sophie

• What is it that you most dislike?

Apathy.

• How would you like to die?

I don’t think I would particularly like to die.

• What is your motto?

“Do your best to make it happen”

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ANNIE ROBINSON

• What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being attuned to what I need physically, emotionally, spiritually in any given moment, and being able and willing to meet those needs. Being in harmony and laughter with loved ones. Continually broadening my perspective.

• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Irritability and anxiety.

• What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Close-mindedness.

• What is your greatest extravagance?

Getting a gel manicure at least once a month.

• What is your current state of mind?

Grateful.

• On what occasion do you lie?

When trying to keep a surprise a secret!

• What is the quality you most like in a man?

Emotional intelligence and being action-oriented.

• What is the quality you most like in a woman?

A strong sense of her own self-worth and capability.

• Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

Lovely, “um”, totally.

• What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My partner, Todd.

• When and where were you happiest?

This time of my life is hands down the happiest I ever have been, living with my love in our magical home in Park Slope, working everyday in my ideal job, having so much safety and love surrounding me.

• Which talent would you most like to have?

To fly (that’s more of a magical power though).

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Be more patient! I’m getting better at this though…it’s been a lifelong struggle.

• What do you consider your greatest achievement?

Navigating all the challenges I have been presented with in my life with as much grace as possible, the ways those challenges helped me grow, and now being able to share the wisdom I learned firsthand with others who are suffering.

• Where would you most like to live?

Brooklyn, where I do live!

• What is your favorite occupation?

Teacher, doula, therapist.

• What is your most marked characteristic?

Excitement for life.

• What do you most value in your friends?

Connectedness and compassion.

• How would you like to die?

At home, while sleeping.

• What is your motto?

“You’re doing great!” and “This too shall pass” (when things feel hard and hopeless)

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AUBRIE-ANN JONES

• What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Being present in the moment: turning off my natural tendency to worry and overthink. Even better when there’s great food and great friends in the picture.

• What is your greatest fear?

Running out of time. And cognitive impairment.

• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Self judgment.

• What is the trait you most deplore in others?

Rigidity.

• What is your greatest extravagance?

Travel — hands down.

• What do you consider the most overrated virtue?

Obedience.

• What do you most dislike about your appearance?

I have practically no eyebrows! And if I try and “enhance” them I look like a clown.

• What is the quality you most like in a man?

Only one? Capability (followed in short order by fierce intelligence — both intellectual and emotional — sprinkled with a dash of humor).

• What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Authenticity (men I’m looking at you, too).

• Which words or phrases do you most overuse?

“To be fair”, “so” (at the start of *all* my sentences!), & “ok”.

• What or who is the greatest love of your life?

My husband, Bryan.

• If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’d like focus to come more easily — I’m can be very distracted and day-dreamy.

• Where would you most like to live?

I’ve never imagined settling down and living in one place forever — I’d like to see as much of the world as possible, instead.

• What is your most treasured possession?

I tend not to form attachments to things — does my cat count?

• What is your most marked characteristic?

I would say I’m curious; those closest to me would say composed and/or cheerful.

• What is your greatest regret?

I really wish I’d learned to drive as a teenager like everyone else. I’m an uncomposed, non-cheerful person trying to learn to drive on the streets of Manhattan right now.

• How would you like to die?

I’m with both Abby *and* Annie on this one — I’m not sure I’d much like to die, but if I must at home in bed sounds preferable.

• What is your motto?

I’ve never had one! Any suggestions?

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ZACHAI KALET-SCHWARTZ

• What is your idea of perfect happiness? 

A world free from over abundance.

• What is your greatest fear?

Idk, failure? That’s a bad answer.

• What is the trait you most deplore in yourself?

Geez

• Which living person do you most admire?

Taika Waititi. New Zealand film director and general silly man.

• What is your current state of mind?

Confused and overwhelmed (by this survey).

• Which talent would you most like to have?

Flight

• Where would you most like to live?

New Zealand 

• What is your most marked characteristic?

My nose

• Who are your favorite writers?

Martin Mcdonagh of the film In Bruges and Noelle Stevenson of the graphic novel Nimona.