Get ready for a good one! The LAST episode of the season is here, and it is one that will hopefully inspire you to make a difference in your community. Jane Ruby, President of the League of Women Voters Chicago Chapter, joins us today to discuss what it means to be civically engaged. So many of us are feeling political fatigue, and Jane is here to help us understand how to navigate feelings of overwhelm and gain control of the impact we can have on our own communities. She shares ways in which we can get involved in local elections, how to talk to friends and family about voting, and how to approach this upcoming election season through an issues-based lens. Jane leaves us with a feeling of hopefulness that we often don't hear in the political realm these days, and I know I felt so inspired to see where I can engage within my local community. And no...your ears are not fooling you...we have brand new intro and outro music.

A HUGE thank you to all of you who have listened over the past 6 months. I cannot believe we got to this point, and I am forever grateful of every message, share, word of support, review, and follow. I can't wait to show you what Season 2 will bring!

Get ready to take some notes! Tammy (@coach_tammy.w), a running coach and small business owner, shares her journey through entrepreneurship and how she was able to turn her love of running into a business. Tammy does not shy away from the hurdles she had to overcome in starting her business (especially during Covid), but her desire to support athletes in their goals allowed her to overcome those initial doubts and challenges. Now, her business is both financially successful and is embedded in a strong community of runners! Her story is amazing and will no doubt inspire you to think even more about the passions in your life!

I'm so grateful that one of my closest friends joins us on the pod today to discuss his sober journey. Joe shares what led to his decision to live a sober life and how he overcame many initial challenges. He shares his gratitude for his family and friends and emphasizes the importance of a support system as he continues to navigate sobriety. If you or anyone you know is considering a different relationship with alcohol (raising my own hand!), this is the episode to spend some time with and to share.

If you are looking for resources to help you navigate your sobriety, here is a list:

• Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):
  • Website: https://www.aa.org/
  • AA offers information about their program, including the 12 steps, meeting locations, and resources for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.
• SMART Recovery:
  • Website: https://www.smartrecovery.org/
  • SMART Recovery offers online meetings, forums, tools, and resources based on cognitive-behavioral techniques to support recovery from addiction.
• In The Rooms:
  • Website: https://www.intherooms.com/
  • In The Rooms is an online platform that offers virtual support group meetings for individuals in recovery from addiction, as well as resources and community forums.
• Rethinking Drinking (for alcohol addiction):
  • Website: https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/
  • This website, created by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), offers tools and resources to help individuals assess their drinking habits and make positive changes.

We are back with another episode that is sure to set your soul on fire! Our guest, Sami, joins us to discuss ways in which she is "living her best life"--from daily habits to mindset shifts to setting boundaries, we cover it all. Sami shares so much wisdom and I know I walked away from this interview thinking about ways I can give myself some grace while still having so much fun.

Welcome to another solo episode! Today's episode is centered on my own mental health and some recent reflections I've had on the burnout I've been feeling. I talk about how feeling overwhelmed lately has caused me to fall back into some really unhealthy patterns (content warning: I will be discussing disordered eating) and how I've been able to work toward recovery again. I share this story because I know there are so many who are suffering in silence and either feel shame or guilt about this illness. I promise you are not alone. I also share a little update on the podcast and what is coming next!

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, here are some resources:

1. National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA):
   • Website: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
   • NEDA Helpline: 1-800-931-2237
   • NEDA provides extensive resources, support groups, helplines, and educational materials for individuals struggling with eating disorders and their families.
2. Eating Disorder Hope:
   • Website: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/
   • Eating Disorder Hope offers information on various types of eating disorders, treatment options, recovery stories, and a directory of treatment providers.
3. Academy for Eating Disorders (AED):
   • Website: https://www.aedweb.org/
   • AED is a global professional organization committed to leadership in eating disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention.
4. The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness:
   • Website: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/
   • The Alliance offers support groups, educational resources, and advocacy initiatives to raise awareness about eating disorders and provide assistance to those affected.
5. Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center:
   • Website: https://www.edreferral.com/
   • This website provides a comprehensive directory of eating disorder treatment professionals, including therapists, nutritionists, and treatment centers.

I am joined by Sophie, who is a former student of mine. She discusses her mental health journey from elementary school through where she is today as a college junior. She shares why she feels so compelled to speak up about mental health, how she sees her mental health diagnoses as an asset, and even sheds light on the generational differences when speaking about mental health. Sophie's advice to everyone about embracing your mental health journey is inspiring and will hopefully help shed the stigma that, sadly, we still see surrounding conversations around mental health.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there are several resources available:

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org/

Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email us at helpline@nami.org

Call 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Erica is back for PART TWO of her journey through divorce and finding love again. In this episode, you are going to hear her speak to the power of open communication, overcoming fear and shame, and why she is grateful for the difficult times. You will even get to hear one heck of a proposal story! Erica's story is inspiring no matter where you happen to find yourself on your romantic journey. In fact, while editing, I had so many moments of self-reflection and gratitude...and I dig into that a bit in our intro. This is an episode you truly do not want to miss.

The story in today's is real, raw, and one that needs to be shared in our society. Our amazing guest, Erica Wood, details her experience with divorce in order to break down the stigma associated with ending a marriage. With the utmost care, Erica takes us through the red flags she noticed throughout her relationship, shines light on the mindset shift she needed to focus on herself and her happiness, and begins to share how she found love again.

Erica is vulnerable and strong as she recounts her upbringing around purity culture and its impact on her relationship and also explains how breaking free from guilt led her to the healthy, communicative, and loving relationship she is in now. This episode is jam-packed--so much so that we will be sharing part 2 next week! You will not want to miss this very important conversation.