Life and Laughter

If you're like me, you tend to want to do all the things during the holidays - and then you end up exhausted, grumpy and miserable.

Don't do it! Make the holidays fun again. Remember, it's a season of joy and love, not anger and resentment.

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To celebrate more than 100 episodes, my husband Tom interviews ME on this episode. Luckily, Roger (my producer) is nearby to officiate.

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There's a subtle difference between appreciation and gratitude. What is it? You'll have to listen to find out!

Thanks for listening, sharing, following, reviewing, and rating my podcast. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Do you have a place or a space you can go to when you need to step away from life for a moment?

We need to create these sacred spaces to honor the solitude and rest and connection with ourselves that we need to be good humans.

If you don't have one, listen up, and maybe create a space of your own.

Please rate, review, share and follow!

Are you the type of person who needs to jump in and fix everything? I'm definitely a fixer and I've been (slowly) learning how to back off when something isn't my problem to solve.

It's difficult and it takes a lot of awareness. But it's the healthiest thing to do.

Fear is prevalent this time of year. We actively seek out ways to scare ourselves: scary movies, haunted houses, creepy costumes.

But learning how to work through fear can propel you forward in life. I share a few tips to help you meet the challenge that fear brings up.

Please share, rate, follow and review - especially on Apple and Spotify!!! LY

In this episode, I talk with Tom Morrill, the producer of "Random Acts" on BYU Television. It's a show dedicated to small, and big, acts of kindness and it shows us how we can learn to be better at being kind.

Listen up and find one small way to be kind to someone today.

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Even though the witch trials happened hundreds of years ago, the ramifications still resonate today.

Let's talk about witches, the witch hunts, power, and magic.

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My guest in this episode is Melissa Worthen. She has served on the West Jordan City Council for four years and believes it's her job to be a voice for her constituents.

What a concept!

Listen in while she talks about why we need more women in office, what it means to hold office, and how to build a stronger community!

Please rate, review, share, and follow - especially on Apple and Spotify.

As the season changes, I'm trying not to spiral into depression because summer is over.

In this episode, I talk about the ways I bring the practice of hygge into the autumn - because I'm all about being cozy.

Please rate, share, review and follow this podcast, especially on Apple and Spotify!

What is a narcissist? It's a person who thinks only about themself, lacks empathy, has a huge sense of entitlement, and needs to be admired all the damn time.

Have you ever dealt with a narcissist?

Best-selling author Madison Frederick joins me in this episode to talk about her experience and give us some tips on how to heal from those relationships.

Please rate, review, share, and follow!! LY

I'm always looking for ways to improve. These 8 books have given me guidance along my journey. Listen to why I love them and maybe check out your favorite.

What are your favorite self-help books? I'm always looking for new advice.

While the law of attraction is often misunderstood, there's definitely a magic that works when you learn how to train your thoughts. Learning to focus on abundance, gratitude, compassion and self-love can really change your life.

Totally geeked-out about talking to Donald Davis. My daughters grew up listening to his stories and hearing him for the first time changed my life.

He’ll be telling stories at the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival at Thanksgiving Point on Sept. 7-9.

Donald Davis has been telling stories at national festivals for more than 40 years. 

He was born in a Southern Appalachian mountain world,  rich in stories. While he heard many traditional stories about Jack and other heroic characters, he was most attracted to the stories of his own family and places of origin.  

During his twenty-five year career as a United Methodist Minister, Davis began to use stories more and more.  He was also asked to begin performing at festivals and in other settings until he retired from the church to tell stories full time.

The author of eighteen books and more than forty original recordings, Davis is the recipient of both the Circle of Excellence and the Lifetime Achievement Awards from the National Storytelling Network.

Learning how to create well-being can help make life softer and more content. I offer five easy practices to create more well-being in your life. Thanks for listening!

Please share, review, subscribe and rate this episode. Much thanks.

I talk with Lindsay Powell, the owner of Healing Grove Therapy.

Lindsay brings bringing playfulness, creativity, and movement into the healing process to break up old patterns and create healthier ones. She enjoys helping people change their ways of relating to anxiety and difficult experiences from resistance and dread, to curiosity and kindness.

She uses Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Internal Family Systems (IFS), mindfulness training. She knows Everyone’s experience is unique and she would love to hear your story and create an individualized healing path.

What do UFOs and chakras have in common? According to my weird dream, it's all about service.

Gladys is what I call my shadow side.

She can be bitchy, grumpy, irritated, judgmental and just a pain in the ass.

I'm learning to live with her and identify when she's taken the wheel. More often than I'd like to admit.

As we explore our shadow side through intentionality and curiosity, we just might come out the other side a better person.

Each of us has a shadow side that springs into action whenever it finds a chink in our armor.

It could show up as pettiness, anger, jealousy, bitterness, self-doubt, meanness or any other "dark" emotion or feeling

Getting to know your shadow side can help you understand your self in a better more compassionate way.

For the next couple of weeks, I'll talk about shadow work and how you can incorporate that into your life.

Please rate, review, share and/or subscribe. Thank you!

Barbara Brannen's book, "The Gift of Play: Why Adult Women Stop Playing and How To Start Again" is a wonderful instruction guide for bringing more playfulness, joy and laughter to your life.

I loved talking with her about the book and the story behind it.

Please rate, review, share, subscribe and follow!

Or afternoon, or mid-afternoon, or evening.

Find the best time for you to incorporate some (or just one) of these practices to ground you, inspire you and move you forward.

Thanks for listening! Please rate and review.

You can also become a monthly supporter to help me pay Roger for his talented services as my show's producer.

This time of year, graduates are getting ready to fly out of the nest and start a new chapter.

Well, I think we should, too. Start a new chapter.

Here's some advice to get you moving into a new and (hopefully) exciting adventure.

Please rate, share, subscribe, follow and all the things!

In Barbara Brannen's book, "The Gift of Play: Why Adult Women Stop Playing and How to Start Again" she writes about finding your Heart Play.

I go through the exercise with you in this episode so you can bring more fun into your life!

Please, follow, rate, review, subscribe and share this podcast!

When we think of female leadership, we often think of women running companies or serving in political office. We don't often think of how every woman has the capability to be a leader - whether it's in your own home, your work, your school or your family.

We encourage women to step up, show up and find their own leadership voice with these tips from strategist Amy Weiland.

Amy Miller-Weiland (she/her) is an award-winning learning strategist with 20 years of experience in professional education.

She's been fortunate to lead numerous teams of brilliant professionals and has served in various roles including Performance Strategy Manager, Director of Training and Development, and Vice President of Consulting. Her current role as Vice President of Professional Services at YouScience provides an opportunity to oversee the consulting division and forward the collective effort to make meaningful educational pathways available to all students.

Her creative yet pragmatic approach to development has contributed to the learning ecosystems at large organizations including Verizon, Disney Interactive, Walmart, General Electric, Aetna, Panera, Nordstrom, State Farm, TD Bank, and the University of Notre Dame.

Amy’s academic background in Psychology with a focus on neuroscience, shapes her behavior-driven approach to learning and also business performance metrics. She also applies cognitive psychology principles into learning strategies to create memorable experiences learners can apply to their daily roles with confidence.

Amy lives in South Jordan, Utah with her hilarious husband of 23 years, Thad, and her wonderfully creative children, Kit and Ike.

We all worry at times (usually at 2 a.m.) but if you feel like you're ALWAYS worrying, this episode offers some tips to get out of your worry brain.

Please rate, share, subscribe and/or follow to help get this podcast to a bigger audience. Thanks for listening!

I have terrible social skills but I'm trying to get better. I'm working to get past the loud voices in my head that tell me no one wants to be my friend. That voice is just me as a little girl. I've spent the last couple of years trying to make and be a friend.

Please like, share, rate, review and subscribe to help get my message out!

Motherhood is often raised to the level of sainthood, but who the hell wants to be a saint? Especially when it means dealing with toddlers, tweens and teens. Instead of talking about how great motherhood is, let's talk about how hard it is. Let's be real about what mothers need and start giving it to them!

Please rate, review, share, follow and subscribe to this podcast to bump it up in search engines.

Thank you for listening!! Love you all. :)

This podcast episode almost didn't happen - because procrastination.

Luckily, I got the kick in the pants I needed to refocus and record this episode.

Why do we procrastinate? What's the difference between procrastination and laziness?

How can we stop judging ourselves when we procrastinate?

All these questions - and more - are in this episode!

Dr. Corrine Ellsworth-Beaumont is changing breast cancer education around the world. Her breast cancer symptoms graphic design is educating women and doctors, and changing the conversation about early screening and detection.

This episode is so valuable. Share with your family and friends - it might save a life.

Ellsworth-Beaumont is the founder and CEO of the Know Your Lemons Foundation as well as Dandelion Health, and has been featured on CNN, BBC News, ITV, various radio stations and numerous publications in the health, beauty, technology, and design fields. She is an advisor for the World Health Organization’s Global Breast Cancer Initiative, a member of the World Cancer Day campaign committee, and frequently presents at global conferences, such as the United Nations Civil Society Conference and the World Cancer Congress discussing equitable ways to empower patients, particularly women, to better navigate breast health, and has received two Webby nominations for the Know Your Lemons app she designed.

When we worry about what others think of us, it diminishes our power. We start acting in ways we hope they will find acceptable, even at the expense of our own souls.

What other people think about you is not your problem. WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK ABOUT YOU IS NOT YOUR PROBLEM.

Ryan Carver is changing the conversation around aging and weakness. His program works with adults over 50 to bring them back to optimal health through strength and mobility training. His results are incredible! If you're getting older (and who isn't) listen up!

Ryan Carver is the owner and master trainer at Leverage Fitness Solutions where they specialize in helping adults 50+ battle their injuries, illnesses, and aging to exceed previous fitness and performance levels and defy the status quo around aging. Ryan graduated from the University of Utah in Exercise Science and Nutrition, has multiple certifications and specializations. Was a finalist for international personal trainer of the year in 2020 and was just awarded fitness professional of the year by the Medical Fitness Network. He's a proud father of 4, masters athlete, and author.

The princess model of relationships isn't exactly healthy. In this solo episode, I discuss various princesses and the danger of their relationships. 

You might recognize your own behavior, for better or worse.

AND -- become a monthly subscriber to my podcast for $4.99 per month. It gives you access to my monthly newsletter and subscriber-only podcast episodes! Visit my Anchor platform to subscribe. 

Nan Seymour is a poet, storyteller and activist. For the second year in a row, Nan has held a vigil for the Great Salt Lake during the Utah State Legislative Session to bring awareness to the lake's dire state, to encourage lawmakers to create effective conservation policy and to bear witness to the demise of this beautiful ecosystem. 

She invites everyone to walk to the shores of the lake and to send love to this great body of water that is home to millions of birds and wildlife.

What happens when your mind doesn't behave rationally?

As I prepared for my TEDx Bountiful presentation in February, my mind went through all the emotions. It was wild.

Your mind is not necessarily your friend. You don't have to believe it. 

Angel Shannon (Mama Angel) talks about bringing feminine energy and maternal love to the world through radical self-love and compassion.

Angel has been in media, communications and promotions for 30+ years. her primary goals have shifted from marketing to public speaking. She currently has a series of speaking engagements entitled: "Rebalance, Refresh, Reenergize your Life's Passion".

She loves to get out in front of a bunch of stressed-out women and help them shed the pressure. Her ultimate dream would be to have a women's day retreat and yes, she’s already created my preferred sessions, menu, peaceful location, handouts and the day's itinerary. A little visualization/manifestation is always good, right?

Angel's specialty is opening up the hearts and spirits of women that feel trapped in the life they're living. She says, “Remember, you always have a choice.”

Happiness takes practice. It's not automatic or even easy, but happiness experts have given some tips to increase your levels of happiness.

What do happiness experts do every day?

Listen and you'll find out!

I talk to my friend (and former boss) Brian Berndt about his creative mind and how creativity keeps him feeling young.

Brian Berndt recently retired after a successful career in city planning and administration. He now has time to focus on being a daily tinkerer, a lover of life, an intrepid traveler, a culinary ninja and an artist who has now moved into a new phase of his life.

He is often seen riding his bike or hiking in the mountains. Today, he wears flip flops and shorts instead of a suit and tie, and finds complete satisfaction in collecting experiences instead of things.

Most days he is busy in his studio or kitchen. His philosophy is that the best things come from living outside your comfort zone. He and his wife are the proud Parents of three and Grandparents to nine.

We've all been told to live our dreams and follow our North Star, but what if we have no idea what that is?

In this solo episode, I give some tips and ideas to help guide you along your path.

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As a young man, Salt Lake City native Marc Stephens served in the Army in Special Forces (Green Beret) and majored in history at Westminster College and Vedic Science at Maharishi International University. 

He studied with Maharishi Mahesh Yogi in 1970-71 and became a Teacher of Transcendental Meditation (TM). He started the TM Center in Salt Lake and was the Chairman & Director from 1971-75 and Houston 1975-76.

He spent over thirty years as an executive in advertising and marketing from 1977-2008. In 2008 he was re-certified as a TM Teacher and worked in New York City to develop the first marketing plan for TM and was the Managing Director for The Center for Leadership Performance, the organization for TM in Business in New York City.
He has been the Utah TM Director since 2011 and lives with his wife Julie. They have six children and 14 grandchildren.

On this winter solstice, the longest night of the year, we turn to light.

Bonfires, candles, twinkling Christmas trees, stars - we always seek the light.

Sometimes you're a light for others and sometimes you look for light to help you through. Either way, light will guide us home. 

I talked with the hilarious and insightful Leta Greene about beauty, confidence, stepping into your power and a whole bunch of other stuff.

Leta is an international speaker and author of two best-selling books. She inspires each of us to embrace what makes us hot and amazing!

Thanks for listening! 

In yoga, there's a practice called Santosha - learning how to be content.

When we start dropping the idea of perfection and love the real life we're living, everything changes. 

Listen in and let me know what you think!

My guest on this podcast is my producer Roger Tuttle who is also an award-winning Photojournalist, teaching at the University of Utah. 

His images are powerful and he uses emotion to connect with the viewer. We talk about how to apply that lens to our daily lives, no matter your level of photography.

Thanks for listening!! 

We face emotional pollution all day long, from the negative co-worker to the pissed-off teenager.

In this solo episode, I talk about some ways to protect yourself. 

Thanks for listening!