The SheFactor Podcast

In case you didn't notice (because let's be real, we all have a LOT going on these days), I've been MIA since August 2021. SO much has happened and I'm giving you the FULL update here in this episode. From my health to moving to Denver to relationship ups and downs, navigating this season of my life has been far from easy. But I'm coming to you as a new woman. A woman I wouldn't have dreamed of being six months ago. 

In this episode, I deep dive into:

• The pivotal moments that led me to my six-month hiatus
• My reflections on this journey I've been on, what it's meant to me, and how I've navigated it
• Radical self-honesty about being in integrity, loving yourself, and setting boundaries
• How I'm integrating all the lessons I learned and moving forward

You know those moments of regret that still haunt you from your PRE-growth journey? All those drunk hookups, toxic friendships, and cries for love & attention... yeah, those moments. Those are all thanks to EMOTIONAL ILLITERACY, aka the lack of control over our emotions and our inability to healthfully cope.

On the other side of the regrets, missteps, and "WTF" moments is EMOTIONAL HEALTH. And today's guest Ali McGregor is joining us to share how she found her way back to peace, self-love, and resilience after a long stint of illiteracy, unworthiness, and unmet expectations.

ALI'S TWENTIES THOUGHTS:

• One of my proudest moments was finally turning inwards and truly loving my body, no longer being so nasty and negative towards it. Being able to catch myself now and having that awareness has been like letting go of 100 pounds of dead weight like I'm coming back to me.
• Along the way, I found out a lot of what I DON'T like. It's like finding a needle in the haystack... You just have to start somewhere and figure it out along the way. But if you sit around and wait for the moment, it's just never right.
• You can be CREATIVE. You don't have to be stuck in these cookie-cutter positions that everyone has already done. You might not know what you want to do today because that job might not be created. So go design & create it yourself!
• Pursue anything RELENTLESSLY and just go for it. And know that it's not a failure if something doesn't go right. It was just a learning lesson along the way.

In the first episode of this new chapter of The SheFactor Podcast, 26-year-old Emma Musto shares her real-life 20's version of Eat Pray Love (minus the divorce and Julia Roberts). In fact, it just might be better than the classic book & movie we all love…

Needless to say, Emma was never destined for a “traditional” life, starting from the time she and her single mom lived 50/50 between Romania and Miami. It took a LOT of sudden change, wrong directions, and doing what she felt like she “should” before finally realizing that society’s “norm” just wasn’t her style. Today, her style looks more like living “VanLife” with her husband from South Africa, who she manifested and met in the same night while in Bali for a yoga retreat and proceeded to travel the world with for the entire next year. You can’t make this stuff up.

EMMA'S TWENTIES THOUGHTS:

• You have to do the hard things that weren’t meant for you to discover the things that WERE meant for you, even if you have to change course a million times over.
• All of the uncomfortable moments and complete meltdowns will ultimately end up pointing you in the right direction.
• What feels like a “quarter-life crisis” is really just your intuition guiding you towards what FEELS right, rather than what you THINK needs to happen.
• We may think we’re chasing happiness but what we really want is freedom. Freedom to be who we want to be and live life on our own terms.

Our twenties are so much about unlearning everything we’ve been spoon-fed up to this point so we can return to the core of who we really are. As we grow up and start to do the inner work, we can unlearn all of the stories and beliefs conditioned to protect us over the years and tap into those traits and gifts still within us -- our natural-born state of love, enthusiasm, curiosity, creativity, compassion -- to enhance our quality of life, well-being, and happiness as an adult!  

By healing, the positive traits of our inner child have room to shine. We unlock our true gifts, our inner curiosity, and our limitless capacity to love, the inner compass of who we are and always have been. We've had her in us all along, and she'll always be there for us to come back to. So how do we reconnect and awaken that light within us? And how do we keep that light shining BRIGHT through the anticipated roller coaster of adulthood? 

In today's episode, Tori talks about: 

• The secret to self-acceptance
• Traveling back to your childhood in order to reveal your most authentic self
• The massive shift that happens when you're doing the inner work
• Calling on your inner child to see your life's path & purpose
• Journal prompts, activities, and a guided meditation

The truth about self-growth is that it's not always pretty. In fact, it can be raw, emotional, hard, and exhausting. And sometimes you get so caught up in who you're becoming that you forget who you are. This week, Tori talks about the difference between being vulnerable with others and really being vulnerable with yourself. 

In this journey of self-discovery and evolution, we all have dark moments. We are all moving through something behind the Instagram highlight reel, the habitual "I'm good" or "I'm fine" response to "How are you?", the unanswered text messages, DM's, and phone calls. Behind all of those things, we're deeply feeling and transforming. But how do you make sure that through that transformation, you don't completely lose touch with what makes you, YOU? 

In today's episode, Tori talks about: 

• Reflections on her self-growth journey since last December
• A very vulnerable moment she never expected to share
• The #1 sign that something in your life needs to shift
• How to stay true to yourself through massive transformation
• Being vulnerable with others vs. being vulnerable with YOURSELF 

STAY TUNED FOR PART 2, COMING SOON! 

In our twenties, it's easy for us to get caught up in what's holding us back from the life we're dreaming of. Dwelling on the latest office drama, being too hard on ourselves for not crossing everything off our to-do list, or even just feeling unmotivated by the season of life we're in. But for today's guest, the little inconveniences of her twenties were the least of her worries as she contemplated whether or not she'd be able to ever live a normal life again. 

In today's episode, Carrie shares personal details regarding the challenges she’s faced in her life and how she overcame unsurmountable odds through the help of her positive mindset. By connecting to daily rituals, gratitude, and strong boundaries, she was able to persevere through hospital bedrest for over 130 days, almost having her leg amputated, nearly dying during childbirth, and later being diagnosed with PTSD. She's here to show you how to incorporate these strategies to successfully use them in your own life so you too can feel in control and maintain a positive mindset when faced with any kind of challenge. 

In today's episode, we talk about:

• Spending her 20's in and out of a hospital bed
• How perseverance and positive mindset saved her life
• Staying positive in our darkest moments
• Getting grounded in gratitude and daily routine
• Not falling victim to what you can't control
• Not comparing our stories to other people's 

Have you ever had that feeling of guilt when you feel like you're not being productive if you're "resting"? GIVE YOURSELF GRACE, GIRL. Don't let yourself feel guilty for not DOING. When we feel like that, it's a sign that we NEED to rest, recharge, and refuel our mind, body, and soul.

Let’s be honest - if 2020 has been anything, it’s been uncertain. Holding onto hope for the future takes bravery, perseverance, and most importantly… today’s topic, COURAGE.

Courage is simple. It’s not something we have to learn or grow into, or something we only get in moments where we absolutely need it. It doesn’t always have to be big and grand. Sure, it’s in our lowest moments where courage shows it’s beauty the most. But courage can also be soft-spoken. It’s something we draw strength from in life’s everyday battles - a strength we’ve had to uncover more than ever over the last year.

They say the holiday season is the most joyful time of the year, but what if it’s not? Despite the positivity and sense of togetherness that comes with holiday celebrations, so many of us feel sadness and stress too - and that’s OKAY.  So whether you’re feeling the holiday spirit or not, we’re here to assure you of all the good that lies ahead, introducing today’s theme… JOY!

A joyful life is the best life we can hope to achieve right? It’s the kind of life that produces positive vibes and good energy, and encourages us to always look to the future with high hopes and dreams! While you might only feel it for a moment in time, you can hold onto that moment. Relish in it. And focus on calling more of those moments into your life.

What brings you joy? Listen to today's episode & download today's freebie to spark more joy in your life...

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The older we get, the choosier we get with our friendships. Who we give our time, energy, and love to. Who chooses to return it. And how friendship has evolved in this new phase of adulthood… As we go from sleepovers and sororities to happy hours and weekend trips, we grow, we mature, and we change. ⁠But our friends don’t grow, mature, or change at the same rate as us. Or maybe our lives go down completely different paths. So how do you know when a friendship has run its course, or if it’s worth fighting for?⁠⠀
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Today is all about FRIENDSHIP for 21 Days of She! Tune into today's bonus podcast episode to hear a few pieces of advice on how to recognize when it’s time to move on AND how to build new relationships that align with the life YOU'RE building.
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AND don't forget to download today’s freebie for more ways to make friends in your twenties or any phase of adulthood! It’s full of yummy ideas to connect with other amazing women in and outside our community. See you tomorrow, girl!

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What if we told you, the most important way to give doesn’t require any money at all? Kindness is one thing that you'll never regret. Whether it's sharing a smile, a compliment, or an act of helping one another, those moments can change the entire direction of our day. And the thing about kindness is… it's sort of contagious! One smile you give leads to that person smiling to another, to another, to another. Today is a throwback to exactly this time last year where we interviewed Lauren Mims of the Bad Bettie Project, someone who has figured out an incredible way to pay it forward to thousands of women in her community. 

EPISODE 21: 3 Ways to Take Care of Each Other with Lauren Mims, Executive Director of the Bad Bettie Project

Success. We all want it in one way or another. In school or in our careers. In relationships with our children, partner, friends, someone we just started seeing, and with ourselves. With our mental and physical health. But how do you find success? What is success? And what does SUCCESS look like during a year like this? Is it launching a new venture, graduating from school, or as simple as getting out of bed every morning? However you define success, today’s topic is focused on aiming for it and just GOING for it!

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If you had to describe 2020 in one word, what would it be? FUN probably wasn't the first word that comes to mind… It feels a bit like we’re stuck in repeat these days, doesn’t it? Having been stuck inside our homes for most of this year, today’s topic is one I think we’re all craving a little extra these days. Day 4 is all about bringing a sense of ADVENTURE to your life. 

Special guest Glenda Hoon Russell joins us on the pod to talk about:

• Living life out of an RV
• Not taking what we have for granted
• The importance of presence & mindset
• Cultivating adventure in every moment

What is 21 Days of She? It's our way to give back to you, our SheFactor Fam! You can expect... 21 days of giveaways, 21 days of NEW daily podcasts, 21 chances to WIN our new & improved SheMembership, 21 tips for becoming your best self in 2021! Subscribe to the DailyShe Newsletter below to join the fun... 🥳

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Do you have what it takes to LEAD? Yes, but it’s not a matter of if you can lead, but how you should lead. Leadership isn’t about power, authority, or telling people what to do. It’s about being the change you want to see in the world. It’s about inspiring others to be leaders themselves. Tune into today's conversation between SheFactor co-founders Heidi & Tori to learn the keys to exceptional leadership (even if you're not a "leader"). 

We talk about...

• Leading with passion
• Leading by listening
• Asking for feedback
• The Four Agreements
• Mirroring
• Celebrating your wins! 

What is 21 Days of She? It's our way to give back to you, our SheFactor Fam! You can expect... 21 days of giveaways, 21 days of NEW daily podcasts, 21 chances to WIN our new & improved SheMembership, 21 tips for becoming your best self in 2021! Subscribe to the DailyShe Newsletter below to join the fun... 🥳

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Today's topic is PASSION. It's what gets us out of bed every morning, inspires us to dream big about the future, and keeps us going when we want to give up. But how do you find your passion? If you don’t know what you’re passionate about, you’re not alone. One of the things that keeps us from living a life we truly love is figuring out what we’re passionate about in the first place. And most of us go about it all wrong. In today's episode, Tori walks you through an exercise to help you figure out what lights you up inside and how to live a life filled with passion! 

What is 21 Days of She? It's our way to give back to you, our SheFactor Fam! You can expect... 21 Days of Giveaways, 21 Days of NEW Daily Podcasts, 21 Chances to WIN our new & improved SheMembership, 21 Tips for becoming your best self in 2021! Subscribe to the DailyShe Newsletter below to join the fun... 🥳

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Today we launched the 21 Days of She, our biggest self-love and giveaway campaign yet... and you’re invited to join in on the fun! Each day for the next 21 days, we'll talk about a different topic - anywhere from today's topic CONNECTION, to JOY, ANXIETY, KINDNESS, COURAGE, the list goes on. Here's how it works: You'll get an email in your inbox with either a short video or paragraph about the topic, including a free gift that will empower you to act on that topic at any moment you need to, a short daily podcast where we invite YOU to be our guest, as well as an entry (with every gift downloaded) to win our new & improved SheMembership launching on December 22nd! 

Get ready for... 21 Days of Giveaways, 21 Days of NEW Daily Podcasts, 21 Chances to WIN our new & improved SheMembership, 21 Tips for becoming your best self in 2021! All you have to do? Subscribe to the DailyShe Newsletter and wait for the good news to come rolling in... Hope to see you there, girl!

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This Thanksgiving hits different for most of us. Maybe it’s the first time without your family, spending it solo, or having a small Friendsgiving feast. Wherever you land, Thanksgiving this year allows us to reflect on the traditions and memories that we might have taken for granted.

It’s been a long week… month… actually, take those both back. It’s been a long YEAR. And there’s still a lot of uncertainty as we inch closer to 2021. So what do we do? We CELEBRATE. Because if we’ve learned anything over the last several months, it’s that life is precious. So we’re going to talk about the GOOD NEWS, the big takeaways, and the proud moments. Celebrate the little wins, celebrate our health and our ability to decide what tomorrow looks like, celebrate the journey of finding out who we are and where we’re going, celebrate the women we’re becoming and the life we’re creating!

Tune in to celebrate with host Tori Ganahl as she dives into:

"Gratitude is like the Universe's fertilizer, focus on what you desire, and even if it's teeny-tiny, flood it with appreciation, and watch it grow." 

What's the difference between happiness and joy? And how about joy and fear? It seems like an obvious answer, right? But what if joy and fear were much more similar to each other than joy and happiness? 

During this month, we covered so many important topics surrounding Freedom. But what they all came back to USING YOUR VOICE to be the change you want to see in the world. And one of the best examples of that is VOTING.

Voting is an opportunity to make meaningful change - an opportunity that we’re so lucky to have here in America. So how are you going to use that opportunity to make an impact?

Making an impact can come in so many forms… Whether it be voting, lobbying, running for office, volunteering, or just standing up for what you believe in. But what alllll those things have in common is key: Policy.

As women, we don't always have the freedom to walk freely on the street without the fear of something bad happening to us. What happens when you’re faced with danger? Or even when you get that feeling in your gut that something isn’t right? Are you overcome with a paralyzing fear? Uncertainty? Doubt in yourself and your ability to fight back? What if you replaced that fear with courage and confidence?

ICYMI, it's September… and that means that the election is right around the corner, girlfriend. So this month we're diving right into it with this month's theme: FREEDOM. At SheFactor, Freedom is all about finding your voice, forming an educated opinion, and staying engaged with your community and fellow citizens! It's about being the change you want to see in the world, and being involved in the political process as a voter, representative, and voice in our democracy. 🇺🇸

Curious about why Freedom is one of our nine spheres? Or just wondering how to get really excited about politics? We know it's not the flashiest topic, but it's one of the most important. In today’s episode, you’re going to hear directly from our own founding ladies, Heidi & Tori Ganahl – taking you back to history class (but WAY more fun and WAY more exciting).

No matter what your political beliefs are, or if you have yet to form any, stick with us - this month we'll give you the resources to reflect on your own values and beliefs and learn about how you can be a more active member of society. And you can count on us to be COMPLETELY unbiased, neutral, and only give you the cold, hard facts (no fake news here, ladies 😉).

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Looking for more She in your life?

When life gets tough, do you stand there paralyzed with fear? Or do you take that challenge and make it an opportunity to learn and grow? In today's episode, host Tori Ganahl gets vulnerable about some challenges life has thrown her way lately and how she's used the SheFactor methodology to embrace this new season of her life. This episode is all about those times when your life gets flipped upside down in the blink of an eye, and about being confident enough in yourself and your journey to not let it pull you off track from your goals and dreams. 

Today’s episode was supposed to be all about the one year anniversary of The SheFactor Podcast - August 30th! But instead, Tori is getting real about how the SheFactor Method has allowed her to handle the unexpected with so much more ease and confidence than she ever thought possible. So she's going to bring it back to the basics and walk you through the six-part method that we’ve created, and how each part of this method can help you face whatever life has to throw at you. Buckle up, settle in, and get ready to transform your mindset, girl. 

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Looking for more She in your life?

Are you ready for a truly MAGICAL life? ✨ Well Natalia Benson is on the pod today giving us all her inside mystical secrets to finding your deeper purpose Here (yes, there's a big emphasis on the capital "H" in Here). Your unique expression is SO needed on this planet & when you accept and honor the totality of who you are, and put practice over perfection, life can become deeply magical. Natalia’s mystic journey began during a dark time in her twenties, a time that now empowers her to mentor and inspire other women in their twenties to offer them the guidance she wished she had. And not only is she a spiritual badass, but she’s been named a Mystical Fashionista who is going to teach us how to channel our inner goddess through our style! Tune in for this magical episode, fully equipped with a meditation on the power of focus and a surprise reading at the end for host Tori Ganahl’s 25th birthday! 🥳

Engage with Natalia: