There is a huge difference between being connected and actually connecting.
Most of us are very connected. We are constantly tapped into social media, news outlets, our inboxes, TV shows, games & apps on our phone, and online shopping. So many opportunities to be connected each day, right?!
How are these connections making you feel?
Being connected in so many places and spaces that don’t allow for deep connection and vulnerability with other humans can leave us feeling drained, exhausted, frustrated, hopeless, powerless, depressed, and anxious. Being so constantly connected can instill self doubt, fear, and anger. Being constantly connected can feel so constricting.
On the other hand, actually connecting in deep and meaningful relationships feels restorative, regenerative, freeing and joy filled. Meaningful connecting can instill hope and power and gratitude. This feels expansive instead of constricting. Connecting positive impacts our physical, mental, and emotional health. YES!
Can you see the difference between being connected vs actually connecting? It’s pretty profound.
Listen in to learn how you can spend less time being connected and more time actually connecting.
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As a mom, mentor, and voice for the community, Kelly takes pride in standing with those who are fighting for a better, more compassionate world.
Kelly and her husband Steve live on a farm in McDonough, GA with their two elementary age children, two horses, one pony, three donkeys, three dogs, and four cats. Their home is Kelly’s favorite place to spend time with any spare moment usually spent out in the barn visiting with her animals.
Together Steve and Kelly own and operate a successful local business, Studio 48, an acting studio on McDonough’s Square. Independently they each are still working in their longstanding careers in the television and film industry, Kelly as a Post Production Producer and Steve an actor.
In taking this step to run for Senate District 17, Kelly hopes she can inspire the next generation to get involved and prove that you do not need a specific background or look a certain way to take an active role in politics. Kelly believes that as laws are made for us it is now time to show everyone they can be made by us.
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Dr. Alexandra Owensby is running for the Congressional seat in Kentucky's 4th district. In addition to that, she's working at her local hospital during the pandemic. After leaving an abusive marriage, Dr. Owensby put herself through nursing school as a full-time single mother of two, utilizing student loans. While working the night shift to make childcare more affordable, she was able to minimize time away from her children. After graduating and earning her RN S\status, Alexandra obtained a position as an ICU nurse. Though still struggling to make ends meet with a salary below $40,000.00 annually, she was able to make it with assistance from the Children’s Health Insurance Program, due to their zero-dollar co-pays for medicine, dental care, and clinic visits. Dr. Owensby believes strongly that this type of Healthcare is what all American families deserve access to. Alexandra’s journey through hardship and the American education system has inspired her to run for Congress as Kentucky’s 4th District Representative. She is not a politician born into money, nor is she a millionaire business owner looking to boost her image. Dr. Alexandra Owensby’s story is the spark that moves an average American citizen to ask for the opportunity to lead in a city where most do not.
Listen in to hear Alexandra share:
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I have to tell you something scary...
In September 2020, 865,000 women left the work force.
In September 2020, 216,000 men left the work force.
When women are leaving the work force at 4 times the rate of men, big things are bound to happen.
There will be fewer women in corporate leadership. There will be fewer female voices at board room tables and around any meeting tables. There will be fewer women to advocate for women's rights in the office. There will be fewer women to point out inequities across the board in corporate culture.
Let's be honest, the inequities work in men's favor, so it's unlikely they will highlight them and change them with fewer women at the office. I'm afraid it will be quite the opposite.
While this is scary - really scary - I also have a lot of hope.
Because I know that many of the women who walked away from traditional/corporate jobs in September are not ready to walk away from their power & purpose. They are just shifting it.
I predict a massive shift in the way women lead over the next few years. Instead of trying to hold space in someone else's company and live by someone else's rules that just don't fly if you're homeschooling/distance learning in a pandemic, we will see women build their own companies.
I am SO HERE FOR THIS.
Let's BUILD THOSE COMPANIES.
Listen in for inspiration to get bold & brave in order to BUILD.
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Deborah Porter is the ultimate list maker, system creator, and investigator of anything that will make things run smoother at home and in life. From new mom to working mom to at home mom to empty nester, she's seen it all. Deborah has been married to her college sweetheart, Clif for 30 years and they have 3 adult children, Chanel (NY), Christian (NY), and Clif (DC). During the early years, she worked hard at not losing sight of her purpose and goals beyond motherhood. Having systems in place allowed her to make room for herself in every phase of life. Deborah believes that motherhood may be the only job you put your absolute all into, knowing that the goal is to work yourself out of that job and provide your children with all they need to successfully launch into their future. Deborah is a Mom Coach with Moms Mentoring Circle where we believe mothering doesn't have to happen alone.
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I don’t need to tell you there is a lot of noise right now.
So. Much. Noise.
I want to encourage you (while I’m also encouraging myself, lol) to step back from the noise to become a better critical thinker.
It’s easy to let the high emotions of this election season (and the pandemic and the cultural revolution) cause us to react in knee jerk ways. But that is not effective or productive.
Instead of knee jerk reactions, the best gift we can give ourselves and those who might benefit from the value of our voice, is to LISTEN.
Rather than adding to the noise, listen for a moment before you speak. And then, when you do speak, speak in a way that creates space for others to listen and be in conversation with you. Speak with well formulated thoughts that can actually have impact. Speak with your authentic voice that will allow others to learn and grow with you.
And after you speak, sit back and restore your head and your heart in order to get back to listening.
Listen in to hear me walk you through this 3 part process LISTEN-SPEAK-RESTORE to see how you can escape the noise, add value to the conversations that matter, and sustain this climate that is bound to remain heavy and heated for quite some time.
Your voice has value. Become a better critical thinker to use it to the very best of your ability.
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Becky Mollenkamp is a certified coach who believes everyone deserves to feel powerful and fulfilled. She owned a six-figure content marketing agency for a dozen years before becoming a coach in 2017. Through her one-on-one services and courses, Becky has coached thousands of women to dream and play bigger, while also finding contentment in the here and now. Learn more about Becky at beckymollenkamp.com.
Becky joined me on the show to talk about how her life fell apart at the hands of her brother’s death from addiction and her own infidelity, and how she picked up all the pieces to rebuild a life that brings her simplicity, joy, and peace.
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I found myself gutted the moment I heard.
I felt a familiar sinking feeling wash over my entire body. It was the same feeling I had on that fateful day after the election in November of 2016.
I texted a girlfriend: Omg. RBG.
She replied: I kind of feel like the world is ending.
I felt the same.
A few minutes later, I saw this RBG quote on social media, "I would like to be remembered as someone who used whatever talent she had to do her work to the very best of her ability."
I texted this quote to my friend and said: This is giving me solace. I feel like we are doing this.
She replied: That is true and a good reminder.
I've spent the last week reflecting on the gifts RBG gave us. Here are 3 lessons she taught us that will serve as my inspiration to keep working to the best of my ability #everydamnday. I am sharing them with you in hopes they will inspire your life and your legacy, as well.
We have a massive responsibility to SHOW UP right now. We need to show up for this election season like we have never shown up before. Black lives, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the health of our planet are all in imminent danger right now. The loss of RBG and the implications on the Supreme Court and the future of our country are monumental, to say the least.
Listen in to get inspired and fired up to SHOW UP and SHINE for the next 6 weeks.
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Chelsea Stevenson is a professional henna artist, business strategist, and homeschooling mom of three based in Baltimore, MD. With a focus on brand positioning and sustainability, she teaches henna artists and other creative, niche service-based entrepreneurs how to build vibrant, profitable businesses doing what they love (and getting paid more for it!) through her brand, Hennapreneur. She believes above all things that there is power in the legacy we leave and that this legacy is built every single day. When she's not working with her clients and students, you can find her shamelessly indulging in a good Netflix binge or whipping up something tasty in the kitchen!
Chelsea and I are in a membership community for entrepreneurs. From her very first post in the group I knew I wanted to get to know her. She is so brilliant and funny and as real as they come. I know you’ll adore her as much as I do.
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Beaven Walters is Shameless Mom of 4, a ACPI Certified Parenting Coach and the founder of The 3D Parent, where she is a supportive and nurturing champion for bringing dignity, direction, and deep connection to family relationships. She has always had a passion for working with children and their families. Beaven began her professional career as an elementary school teacher and taught in a variety of educational settings for 10 years.
Between having her four children, Beaven and a close colleague developed an educational program for young children and their caregivers called GEM Tots which focused on connecting children to their caregivers by learning, playing, and exploring together. Beaven also created CharacterWorks, a Social/Emotional Learning program that ran for three years in the Seattle School District combining character education, performing arts, and parental support.
Beaven focuses on helping parents build stronger relationships with their children. In addition to coaching one-on-one with clients, Beaven runs parenting workshops, speaks on a variety of topics relevant to parenting, is a regular guest on local news stations, and hosts The 3D Parent Podcast.
In addition to The 3D Parent, Beaven is often found on the stage performing in local regional theater, singing, and spending time with family.
After hearing Beaven talk about her son, Scooter, coming out to her on her podcast, The 3D Parent, I asked her if she and her son would be open to her sharing this story and journey on the SMA. I am so grateful they both said yes. This conversation is so important and so beautiful. I’m truly honored that Scooter gave consent for his mom to share this with you.
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Peter Mutabazi is an international advocate for vulnerable communities and children. He is a regional manager for World Vision, a keynote speaker, and the founder and creator of Now I Am Known.
He believes every child and young person, especially the forgotten, neglected, or abused, deserves to be celebrated; seen, heard, and known.
Peter is a single dad who has fostered 13 kids and adopted 1 (so far). When he's not speaking or advocating for others, he enjoys running, skiing, and spending time with his kids and his new puppy Simba.
Peter has lived a remarkable life and is building an incredible legacy. I’m so honored to share his story on the show. Grab a tissue. You’re in for a treat.
Listen in to hear Peter share:
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This time 5 years ago I had just started listening to podcasts. I was inspired and challenged by so many things I learned from the mentors I invited into my ears. I was soaking so many new opportunities for learning and growth.
Within a few months, I would decide that I wanted to start my own podcast… someday….
I figured it would take me many months, if not a year or so to get a show off the ground. However, when I shared this dream with another podcaster, the momentum began and I had a show up and running within a matter of 8 weeks.
WHOA.
I didn’t expect it to happen so fast at all. But my podcaster friend was quick to remind me that there is no reason to wait to share your message or your mission with the world. He was so right.
I know there are mamas who tune into me twice a week religiously who think, “Mayyyybe someday I’ll start my own podcast.”
Maybe that someday is now???
Podcasting has changed my life in some very profound ways. It has afforded me opportunities for impact and growth that I never saw coming. I has allowed me to build beautiful and deeply profound client relationships, upgrade my entrepreneurial skills (and income), make ridiculously awesome new friends and colleagues, and redefine what I stand for and where I am going.
Podcasting can do the same for you.
Listen in to hear how podcasting has changed my life and can change yours too.
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As a mother, educator, businesswoman, and household manager, Nicole Adams leverage’s her life experiences, dual masters degrees, and 15 years of Fortune 100 human resources expertise to assist working parents in increasing their confidence, capability, and fulfillment in their career and life. Using a combination of therapeutic and business acumen tactics, Nicole partners with individuals and companies to provide coaching, workshops, events, and custom programs to create deeper support and engagement.
Nicole told me she wanted to come on the show to talk about her motherhood mission statement and I thought this would fit so well with all the talk we’ve been having around core values recently. I love the idea of having a motherhood mission statement and hope you’ll create your own after listening to this conversation with Nicole.
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Your voice is a gift and a tool. It is the bridge between your brilliance and your impact. To use it is to change the world. To quiet it is to withhold one of your biggest assets from the world.
The world needs your voice - because with your voice comes a perspective and a power that can shift how others see things. Your voice has the power to change minds and missions and policy. And when you use your voice you grant others permission to use theirs.
How will you use your voice in the remaining critical months of 2020?
Will you set firm boundaries with others so you can stop wasting your precious energy on those who do not deserve the best parts of you?
Will you start a podcast (yes, please) or a blog or a memoir?
Will you run for office or step into a leadership position in your community (YES, PLEASE)?
How will you build the bridge between your brilliance and your impact during this critical time?
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Jaclyn Mellone helps experts exponentially grow their business by becoming the Go-To Authority in their space. She is a coach, strategist, Keynote speaker, mama, guac lover, and host of the Go-To Gal podcast!
She helps her clients get out of their own way, package their expertise to scale, position themselves as the go-to authority, and have their dream clients and opportunities landing on their lap! Her signature approach combines restructuring her clients business models, reframing their mindset, and revamping their marketing so that they become the go-to authority from the inside out. Jaclyn supports experts at all stages from freelancer to global brands!
She has spoken at marketing conferences around the US, grown her social media channels to total over 50K followers, and has been featured in Entrepreneur, Yahoo Finance, Reader’s Digest, Parents, Well + Good, and in dozens of podcasts and radio appearances.
Jaclyn has proudly built the Go-To Gal empire in her slippers from her living room in Rochester, NY while raising two babies.
Listen in to hear Jaclyn share:
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A member of Tenacious Mamas (my business and leadership mastermind group) recently shared with us that she was feeling stuck - without a sense of direction or much clarity around her goals.
These feelings of stuckness and perhaps even confusion around stuckness are so common given what we have all been through this year. Things have been unpredictable for many months now and will continue to be so for many more months. This leads us to feel like we lack control and direction, which makes it hard to connect to a sense of purpose and specific goals.
So, how can we keep moving forward?
The answer lies in who you’re spending time with, how you’re spending time alone (yes, you need to be spending a little time alone - which may feel nearly impossible in COVID times), and what thought patterns you’re making space for.
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Tonya Coleman is owner of Soiree-Event Design™, a full-service event planning, styling, and graphic design studio and founder of The Partypreneurs School of Party Planning™, a course & coaching program that teaches new and aspiring party planners how to transform their hobby into a money-making business. She is a busy wife and mom of 5 and after over 20 years as a small business owner, she is all about that entrepreneurial life! She has worked with many businesses, brands, and celebrities over the years and is humbled to do what she loves EVERY DAY! She most recently launched The Partypreneurs™ 101 SQUAD - her signature membership program inside the Partypreneurs School of Party Planning™ which brings all of her Partypreneurs™ 101 courses, products and coaching programs all under one roof at an affordable price so MORE women can follow in her footsteps of creating the business you love, making real money so you can create the lifestyle you want.
Tonya and I are friends from a past mastermind group. Recently, I watched (via Facebook) as her daughter teenage Faith stood up as an activist in her community, resulting in getting on the TODAY show. When Tonya and I talked about her coming on the show, I knew I wanted to ask her about Faith’s badassery. Prepare yourself - Faith’s story is going to blow you away!
Listen in to hear Tonya share:
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Katherine Winter-Sellery is the CEO of the Conscious Parenting Revolution and co-creator of the Guidance Approach to Parenting, a program that applies conflict-resolution skills to communicating more effectively with children and adults. Through her workshops, books, and her three TEDx talks, she has taught thousands of parents (and educators, social workers, medical professionals, and anyone else needing to converse with 5-year-olds or 17-year-olds, or even 85-year-olds!) in a half dozen countries and cultures to minimize misunderstandings and melt-downs, and communicate with more collaboration, cooperation, and consideration. Her methods positively influence relationships for generations.
She created and chaired the 2019 National Summit on Mental Health and Mental Fitness, a conference on the intersection of science, medicine, faith, and politics and their impacts on mental wellness that culminated in the nation’s largest-ever group meditation. Katherine, a trained mediator, is passionate about people’s abilities to transcend their past trauma, current dysfunction, and ongoing negative self-talk to create more collaborative and supportive environments in their homes, offices, and families.
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Larissa Maloney is a former professional beach volleyball player and owns an online fitness and wellness company that serves both home school and brick and mortar school families! Active Kids 2.0 specializes in kids classes(boxing, karate, yoga, cheer, gymnastics, ballet, jazz, hip-hop dance, toddler time, strength, cardio, and many more!) She’s a kid fitness equality advocate as well as a mental health and human rights advocate!
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When you know your core values, you can make decisions with ease, peace, clarity, and power. This is so freeing if you’re someone who has long struggled with analysis paralysis or decision fatigue.
How would it feel if you had a ton of clarity around what you want to say YES to and what you want to say NO to?
How would it feel if you could confidently express yourself without worrying about what others might think?
How would it feel to clearly understand and own who you are becoming as a woman, leader, mom, partner?
This would all feel so freeing and liberating right?
The key to creating and defining your core values is in asking yourself 3 simple questions. If you can think through these 3 questions, all the sudden so many answers will become clear, if not obvious for you.
I have been working on these 3 questions for about 5 years now and I have way less analysis paralysis when I’m making decisions. I worry so much less about other peoples’ opinions. And I can truly see exactly how I show up as a leader in all the different roles in my life. THIS IS POWER.
Listen in to learn these 3 questions and how to use them in your life to create and define your core values.
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Makayla Ervin is a Brand Activation Strategist specializing in personal brand development and authentic relationship marketing strategies. As a visionary leader with a knack for bringing ideas to life, her calling is helping you create the business of your dreams without sacrificing your life to the hustle.
As a retired photographer turned business coach, workshop leader, community builder, and entrepreneur extraordinaire - Makayla’s best days are spent in the sunshine with her 2 blonde headed boys and handsome husband before getting down to business and guiding women like YOU into greatness.
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Do you know your AQ? AQ is a new(ish) way to measure how adaptable you are. You are probably familiar with IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient). AQ rounds out this trio, measuring your ability to adapt to and thrive in an environment of change.
So, here’s the cool thing…
Moms ROCK when it comes to AQ. Because motherhood makes even the most Type A, perfectionistic control freak (like me!) more adaptable.
Annnnd, COVID if boosting your AQ #everydamnday - because have you ever had to be more adaptable???
I just started learning about AQ, but I’m so intrigued by this measure and how moms can use it to gain power in our communities.
Tune in to learn why your AQ matters, your personal AQ score, and specific steps to boost your AQ.
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Joyce Shulman is a serial entrepreneur, idea junkie, addicted skier, and recovering attorney. As the founder and CEO of Macaroni Kid, she helped build a multi-million dollar media company that delivers hyper-local, community-focused content geared for moms in more than 570 communities across the US and Canada. Her decade of work with moms revealed two of the most pervasive challenges facing moms today: moms are lonely and are confronting a health and wellness crisis. Through extensive research and her own personal experiences, Joyce discovered that walking is magic for moms, and recently founded 99 Walks, a company on a mission to get a million moms moving.
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I know I’m not the only one who has experienced a massive regression into reactive tendencies during this wild season of life...
Look, I pride myself on being proactive instead of reactive. I coach on this. I thought I had it LOCKED DOWN.
But, throw me into a pandemic and a cultural revolution and, well, I’m often finding myself more reactive than I’d like AND feeling like my reactions are more emotionally charged than ever.
Just me?
Something I’ve been testing lately - with much constraint, because it is not coming easily or naturally, is using a proactive pause before allowing myself to react in a situation where I might be tempted to be less than my best self.
I can tell you these proactive pauses have given me so much more power and perspective each day - in the way I parent, the way I frame my day, the way I show up for conversations - all of it.
Listen in to learn 4 ways you can integrate proactive pauses into your daily life to gain power, manage emotion, and get what you want & need out each day.
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Jasmine Bradshaw is a researcher, educator, and podcaster who truly believes that creating a more loving, inclusive, and just society starts within the sacred walls of our homes. Her podcast, First Name Basis, exists to give parents the tools they need to teach their children about race, religion, and culture. Her community makes parents feel empowered and gives them the confidence they need to create lasting change in their sphere of influence.
I have been binging Jasmine’s show since we first met online a few months ago. She is a truly talented and generous educator. I am so grateful for her work and really delighted to share this conversation with my community. I think you’ll learn a lot and I really hope you’ll invest in Jasmine’s work by subscribing to her show and joining her Patreon membership.
Listen in to hear Jasmine share:
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