curiouser & curiouser Podcast

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to this episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Liz_Sustainability_FINAL.mp3 Impact-Site-Verification: -2083779470 My personal journey with sustainability has certainly evolved through the years. Recently, I’ve found myself looking at that part of my life with much more intention – and someone who’s helped me learn a ton along the way just happens to be today’s podcast guest! I met Liz Winkley last year at Beautycounter’s annual conference, and I was SO glad our paths crossed. In the months since getting to know her better (thanks, Instagram!) I’ve gleaned so much information from her on the topic of sustainability. After learning more about what plastic and other materials are doing to our planet, she and her husband opted to make some shifts in their behavior that have changed their household’s approach to “stuff” in general. Speaking of those shifts…be sure to follow Liz on Instagram to keep up with the great information and inspiration she shares there. She also shared these accounts as being ones she loves to follow when it comes to living sustainably: @thewholehome@ajabarber@zerowastechef@impactforgood@[email protected] One thing I’ve known for years now is that “sustainability” is a buzzword (just like “clean beauty” has become an overused and often meaningless phrase when it comes to letting us know what’s actually IN a given product). Companies know that caring for our planet’s health and resources is important to so many of us…but their response can sometimes be misleading. And that’s a major bummer. Just because a brand touts itself as being sustainable doesn’t mean they actually are especially mindful of our planet. Similarly, though so many of us recycle, we now know that those items may or may not actually go on to be used for other things down the road. Many might be added to ever-growing landfills. And often unnecessary packaging – specifically PLASTIC packaging and other plastic waste – is taking over our world in a huge way. It’s estimated there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean by 2050, in fact. So…what’s an individual or single family to do about all this? For one, we can start to pay attention and take in information. We can vote with our dollar and advocate for brands and policies that are prioritizing the planet in REAL ways. And we can also make small changes in our behavior that, when enough of us do them, can really start to add up. We can bring our own cups to coffee shops and save a single-use cup. We can make fewer purchases overall to limit bringing waste (in the form of packaging, of future waste when we no longer use or need that item, etc.) into our homes. We can reuse items whenever possible. We can compost our food waste to cut down on methane production. We can buy things like clothing and home items secondhand. We can, when possible, choose food items in the grocery store that use less packaging, or truly recyclable packaging such as glass. Liz and her family are great about doing these things and then some. Admittedly, she is MUCH farther down this sustainability road than I am, but like I said – those little things ADD UP. Think about this, for example: There are about 16,000 Starbucks stores in the U.S. alone. If even 5% of people started bringing their own reusable cups to Starbucks and saving a reusable cup every time they went, think about how that would start to really make a difference! So I’m focusing on increasing my own awareness, shifting my behaviors, and having conversations with my kids about the importance of prioritizing our planet. After all, we are borrowing this world from our children. The least we can do is care for it, right? Okay, enough from me for now. Ready to hear from Liz Winkley about being more aware of how we use the earth’s resources? Here we go… https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Liz_Sustainability_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 56 (Living Sustainably With Liz Winkley) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to this episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Raising_Adolescents_Well_With_Dr._Andrea_Lein.mp3 If you’re a parent to young children, like I am, chances are you’ve given thought to what parenting your kids once they reach adolescence might look like. And, if you’re like me, you might have a decent amount of anxiety when you fast forward to that stage in your mind. If that sounds at all familiar, you’re in the right place, and I think you’ll feel just a touch more confident and prepared at the end of this episode. I met Dr. Andrea Lein through Pure Barre (a place where I meet SO many incredible women, by the way). She and I quickly connected over many shared interests, one of those being parenthood and the approach we take with it. I’ve learned a ton from her, and I asked her to be on my podcast so YOU could hear from her, too! Dr. Lein is a psychologist with experience working with adolescents, and she’s also the mother of a 25-year-old daughter. She’s able to speak to parenting teens both personally and professionally, and I find that dual perspective so incredibly valuable. I’m so grateful to Dr. Lein for sharing her wisdom, and I’m certain you’ll find it as valuable as I did. Ready to talk raising adolescents with Dr. Andrea Lein? Here we go… https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Raising_Adolescents_Well_With_Dr._Andrea_Lein.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 55 (Raising Adolescents Well With Dr. Andrea Lein) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to this episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Pelvic_Floor_Health_With_Dr._Katie_Taylor.mp3 Okay, did you know that you should NEVER be pushing anything out of your body? That includes when you go to the bathroom AND when you have a baby. When Dr. Katie Taylor, a pelvic floor physical therapist located here in Winston-Salem, shared that with me a few months ago, my brain exploded a little bit. If you’re wondering why her recommendation is to avoid pushing when possible, you’re in the right place, and this podcast episode is for you. The term “pelvic floor” was one that wasn’t at all on my radar during my pregnancy with my daughter Maggie back in 2016 and 2017, and unfortunately I know I’m not alone in being very undereducated about this important part of my body until relatively recently. Thankfully I WAS aware of my pelvic floor – and the importance of monitoring its health and strength – during my pregnancy with my son Vance in 2020 and 2021, and so after having him I met with Dr. Taylor to make sure everything was functioning optimally. But even if you have never had a baby and don’t plan to, your pelvic floor health is something that’s so critical to be aware of. Without the right awareness, education, and provider (someone like Dr. Taylor), you might be living your life either now or down the road in a way that you THINK is normal but instead is just common. (And “normal” and “common” are two VERY different things.) If you think peeing when you laugh or jump or sneeze after having a baby or once you get older is normal – think again. If you think pain during sex is normal at some point in life – think again. And if you have pain other places in your body and haven’t been able to pinpoint the source, that source might just be your pelvic floor. I’m so grateful to Dr. Taylor for the work she’s doing to help women live healthier and happier lives, and a big part of that work is reducing the stigma when it comes to talking about this area of our bodies. After all, talking about incontinence or pain during sex can feel VERY uncomfortable, but those are also things that, if left untreated, can have a hugely negative affect on our lives. They are WORTH talking about, and it’s worth getting a pelvic floor physical therapist in your corner to help you address those things if you’re dealing with them. YOU are worth it. Oh, and a quick plug to be sure to give Dr. Taylor a follow on Instagram. She shares SO much amazing information and education about the pelvic floor, so it’s a wonderful way to continue getting smart on this topic. You’ll benefit, and so will your friends, mothers, sisters, and daughters as you share what you learn with them! Okay, ready to hear from Dr. Katie Taylor of Taylor Physical Therapy and Wellness? Here we go… https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Pelvic_Floor_Health_With_Dr._Katie_Taylor.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 54 (Pelvic Floor Health With Dr. Katie Taylor) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to this episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/How_To_Help_Prevent_Eating_Disorders_In_Our_Kids_With_Taylor_Miller_LCMH.mp3 As someone who struggled with an eating disorder for more than 10 years, doing all I can to help my children avoid a similar reality is often top of mind. And I know that, as a parent, I’m not a bit alone. Even if you aren’t someone who’s had an eating disorder, chances are you’ve had or still have your fair share of “food stuff” – because unfortunately that’s the water we swim in. That’s why I was so excited to connect with Taylor Miller, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor specializing in eating disorders. Taylor is the owner of Nourished and Known Counseling here in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. A note: If you’re reading this and are tempted not to go any further because you aren’t a parent, stay with us! Our conversation ended up focusing a LOT on our work as adults when it comes to food and body stuff – things that can benefit parents and non-parents alike. If there’s one thing I know to be true about food and body related struggles, it’s that talking about them – bringing them into the light – takes away so much of their power. It reminds us we aren’t alone in these struggles, and we aren’t to blame for them, either. The more we talk about these things – with professionals like Taylor and with friends and family, including our children – the more we can collectively and individually start to heal from them or, in the case of our kids, hopefully minimize them altogether. Thanks so much for being here for this conversation. It’s an important one, and I hope you find it encouraging and helpful. Okay, ready to hear from Taylor? Here we go… https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/How_To_Help_Prevent_Eating_Disorders_In_Our_Kids_With_Taylor_Miller_LCMH.mp3 Taylor shared lots of great resources during our chat as well. Here are some helpful links: –National Eating Disorders Association statistics –Winston-Salem Eating Disorders Coalition –Association for Size Diversity and Health Instagram accounts recommended by Taylor: @blackandembodied @bodyimage_therapist @beauty_redefined @bodyliberationwithlindley The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 53 (How To Help Prevent Eating Disorders In Our Kids With Taylor Miller, LCMH) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Chatting_All_Things_Beautycounter_With_Four_Consultant_Teammates_Of_Mine.mp3 This episode was a blast to record, because it meant I got to spend time with four of my favorite women to talk about the thing that brought us all together. Sondie, Raquel, Chelsea, and Xani are all Beautycounter consultants who work together on the same team. That means we each have our own individual businesses – and get to run them however we want to – but we also get to lean on the support and knowledge of our team (and other consultants more broadly, too) to help us in that endeavor. In case you aren’t familiar with Beautycounter, it’s a skincare, makeup, and personal care brand dedicated to creating both high-performing AND incredibly safe products. As it turns out, there’s very little regulation here in the U.S. when it comes to the ingredients that can be included in the products we use all over our bodies every day, and Beautycounter is on a mission to educate people about this reality as well as change it at the state and federal levels. I became a consultant six years ago, while I was about eight months pregnant with my daughter, Maggie. Early in my pregnancy, I’d learned that retinol needs to be avoided during pregnancy because it can cause birth defects, and I was definitely using some retinol-based skincare at the time. It honestly hit me like a ton of bricks: I considered myself to be really savvy when it came to the ingredients in food (also NOT GOOD in a lot of respects, which many of you know, too), but I had never thought about what might be in the products I was slathering all over my face and body and in my hair every single day. I think I unconsciously assumed that if those products were on the shelf, some form of vetting for safety must have been done. Turns out, I was wrong. I started introducing some Beautycounter products after my eyes were opened to this reality, and was really impressed with their performance. It didn’t feel like a sacrifice at all – these products were made with incredibly safe ingredients, but they also WORKED. I decided to become a consultant, not quite knowing what that might look like for me, and quickly realized I loved sharing this brand – the products, yes, but also the education side of things – with other women. Through the years, it’s grown to be a hugely influential part of my life, and I credit Beautycounter with much of my personal and career growth. So anyway, back to this episode… My friends and I got together for this conversation to chat about what began our clean living journeys, what drew us to Beautycounter, what some of our perceptions of direct sales companies were before we joined Beautycounter, what we’ve gained from being part of this work, what’s surprised us most about this experience, and more. I hope you enjoy this listen, and I hope it helps to illustrate what I often try to convey on my own but can’t quite accomplish: That this work is pretty magical in the way it can be so individualized. As a consultant, YOU get to put YOUR fingerprints all over your business. Okay, enough yakking from me – ready to hear from my four amazing friends? (Side note: The five of us recently took a girls’ trip to New York City and had planned on recording this podcast episode while we were together…but we were too busy talking about a million other things to make it happen. We hopped on Zoom a few days after our trip for this conversation, and I’m so glad we made it happen.) Here we go… https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Chatting_All_Things_Beautycounter_With_Four_Consultant_Teammates_Of_Mine.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 52 (Chatting All Things Beautycounter With Four Consultant Teammates Of Mine!) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Equilibria.mp3 (I’m proud to be an Equilibria partner, and I have a discount code — CURIOUSER — you can use if you’d like to save on your order! More details on my two must-have products a bit later in this post…) I’m soooo excited to share today’s episode with you, because it’s about something that I honestly was pretty skeptical of that’s now part of my daily life. We’re going to talk all things CBD! To do that, I brought in an expert: I talked with Maia Reed from Equilibria, the CDB brand I use and trust. Maia has so much knowledge when it comes to CBD, which can often be a controversial topic mainly due to lack of full understanding of what it actually is…and what it isn’t. I didn’t think CBD was something I could benefit from, and I couldn’t have been more wrong. I can’t wait to dig more into this topic with you, and I hope you’ll learn lots along the way! Maia heads up Equilibria’s education team, and the fact that they have a dedicated team of educators to help support their CBD clients is really amazing, and it’s one of the many reasons I chose Equilibria for my CBD. (Just like with anything you’re putting on or in your body, by the way, where your CBD comes from REALLY MATTERS!) In this episode, Maia and I talk about things like: -What CBD does in our bodies – which is super fascinating!!-How to determine whether you’re a good candidate for CBD-How to find the right products and dosage for YOU, specifically-Where Equilibria’s CBD comes from (remember — THAT MATTERS)-And so much more If you like what you hear and are interested in giving EquIlibria CBD a try after listening to this episode, be sure to use my discount code – CURIOUSER – to save on your order! I’m proud to partner with this brand I know, trust, and love so much. (My two personal favorite products, by the way, are the Sleep Gummies and the Daily Drops. I use them both every day, and Kevin takes the Sleep Gummies as well!) Oh, and one last note before we jump in: This episode is meant to be informative, but is not meant to offer medical advice or replace your provider’s recommendations for you specifically. Be sure to chat with your provider before starting CBD, especially if you’re on any medications just to make sure there’s no issue with combining them. Okay, ready to talk all things CBD with Equilibria’s head of education? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Equilibria.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 51 (Digging Into The Science Behind CBD With Maia Reed Of Equilibria) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Bethany_Grief.mp3 I’ve found myself having several conversations recently that involve the topic of grief, and so I knew I wanted to dig into it more on a podcast episode. Bethany Godwin of Twilight Counseling here in Winston-Salem specializes in offering grief support, and so I knew she would be the perfect person to share insight about this subject. Grief is one of those tricky things that ALL of us experience throughout our lives, but we often don’t know how to navigate it when we’re going through it — much less how to support others well who are grieving. In this episode, Bethany and I discuss the very personal story that led her to grief counseling, the broad definition of grief (it’s certainly NOT just an emotion brought on by a death), what some of the more unexpected side effects of grief can be, how there’s no “right way” to grieve, and much more. She is a wealth of knowledge on this topic, and I’m so grateful she shared some of that wisdom with us here. Learn more about Bethany and her practice, Twilight Counseling, at her website and via Twilight’s Instagram account. (Note: In addition to specializing in grief and loss, she also supports many women in the perinatal stage as they navigate the transition to motherhood.) Ready to dig into grief with Bethany Godwin? Here we go… https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Bethany_Grief.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 50 (Navigating Grief With Bethany Godwin) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Charlotte_FINAL.mp3 Something I’ve been thinking and sharing about a good bit recently is intentionality around our clothing. Culture has shifted in a BIG way over the past few decades as it relates to clothing, and now it’s common to view clothing as disposable and as something we can buy constantly without giving it much thought. As it turns out, there are major implications to that approach to clothing, though, including extreme damage to our environment and unethical treatment of the people who make clothing, such as low wages and unsafe working conditions. There’s also the overwhelm that comes with just having too much STUFF – clothing or otherwise. I’ve been working on really rethinking my relationship to clothing over the past several months, and with that in mind I’m thrilled to share today’s episode with you. It’s with my friend Charlotte Pottieger of House of Colour Durham, here in North Carolina. You may have heard me talk about House of Colour if you follow me on Instagram, because it’s something I’m a huge fan of and have invested in as part of my intentional clothing journey. Charlotte is going to share more about what House of Colour is all about (there’s both a color and a style component), the outcome of having your color and style analysis done (there are MANY benefits!), and she’s also going to talk about easy ways to incorporate sustainability into your wardrobe. Seriously – they’re much easier than you might think, AND they’re not nearly as black and white as you might guess… I feel so fortunate Charlotte and I met, since we share so many values as it relates to clothing. I know so many of us are trying to give more thought to how we view “stuff” in general, and to push against the culture of bringing new things into our homes and our closets almost constantly. I hope this was a reminder that if that’s you, you are NOT alone – so many of us are doing this work to try to create meaningful change that starts with us as individuals but will, hopefully, become much bigger than ourselves. I’m so optimistic about what the future holds on this front. Ready to talk about color, style, and developing intentional, sustainable habits when it comes to clothing? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Charlotte_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 49 (Clothing, Style, And The Ethics And Sustainability Behind It All With Charlotte Pottieger) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Movement_and_Motherhood_with_Suzie_Vinograd.mp3 This was such a fun episode for me to record, and I know you’ll enjoy listening to it, too – particularly if you’re the parent of a young child and value movement of any kind. (I know that applies to a lot of us!!) Suzie is lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, like I do, and we’ve been loosely connected for a while by virtue of having many overlapping connections and running in similar circles. (That’s a smaller city for you!) Despite not knowing her especially well from a personal standpoint, I knew she and I shared so many values and had similar perspectives on many things thanks to exchanges she and I have had on social media and the thoughtful content she shares on her Instagram account. I so appreciate when others are willing to be as open and vulnerable as she often is through their platforms, because it helps foster connection that can mean so much. Since recording this episode, Suzie and I have been able to spend in-person time together, and it’s just as I expected it to be: Full of meaningful conversation that leaves me feeling nourished and energized and so much less alone. In addition to being the mother to an adorable toddler named Tilly – who’s just a couple of months younger than my son, Vance – Suzie is also getting ready to give birth to a new venture: a fitness studio here in Winston called Synergy. Synergy will be offering cycle classes, yoga classes, and HIIT classes, and it’s slated to open in early 2023. During this conversation, you’ll hear Suzie talk about where her relationship with movement began, what she hopes Synergy can be in our community, what the word balance means to her right now, and much more. Oh, and one more thing: Synergy founding member memberships are now available, so if you want to grab one of those be sure to check out the studio’s Instagram account for more info. You’ll also want to be sure to follow Suzie’s personal account for some amazing content that will make you feel so very seen, especially if you’re a fellow parent to a little one. Okay, ready to talk movement and motherhood with Suzie? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Movement_and_Motherhood_with_Suzie_Vinograd.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 48 (Talking Movement & Motherhood With Suzie Vinograd) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Noelle_Cycle_Awareness.mp3 I’m so happy to be sharing this episode with you, because it’s a topic that only came onto my radar a couple of years ago and yet it’s something that can be pretty transformative both in our mindset and our physical bodies, too. We’re talking CYCLE AWARENESS today! If that’s an unfamiliar term for you, cycle awareness means using your cycle – which is far more than just your period, and is made up of four phases – as a life hack of sorts. Because women have hormonal fluctuation throughout the month, we can’t expect to have the same energy level every day, or to benefit from the same form of movement, or have the same appetite, etc. When we tap into those phases and use them to our advantage, we can unlock some pretty amazing knowledge and operate at our best. I believe is critically important information if you’re a woman, because many physicians have started referring to a woman’s menstrual cycle as the fifth vital sign. Being in tune with our cycles can have huge effects on our overall health and wellbeing. Oh, and P.S. – Did you know that if you’re on a hormonal birth control you don’t actually have a menstrual period even though you might bleed? I KNOW – so crazy. We’ll talk about that during this episode. Today’s guest is my good friend and cycle awareness expert Noelle Miller. I’ve learned a TON from Noelle on this topic, and I’m excited for you to get to hear from her firsthand. She also offers lots of free resources and information about cycle awareness over on her Instagram account, so be sure to check her out there. Ready to talk cycle awareness? Here we go! https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Noelle_Cycle_Awareness.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 47 (Cycle Awareness With Noelle Miller) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Cassie_FINAL.mp3 I loved this conversation with my friend Cassie, and if I had to give it a singular theme it would be “intentional living.” We talked about how their family is trying to drown out some of the “shoulds” of the world in an effort to make their lives look the way it needs to look for THEM specifically. For their family, one example of that meant selling their home rather abruptly last year to travel for a few months without quite knowing what the next step would be. We also chatted about how to view things and stuff, and about being more mindful about what we bring into our lives and our homes. If you’re someone who’s also striving to live life with intention, which might mean deviating from the expected from time to time, I think you’ll enjoy this episode. Okay, ready to hear from Cassie? Let’s go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Cassie_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 46 (Intentional Living With Cassie Schmisek) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Mom_League_FINAL.mp3 Fellow moms of littles – or moms to be – who live in Winston-Salem: listen up. This episode is for YOU! I’m thrilled to be able to share Mom League with you here today. This is a resource our community has needed in a BIG way, and I’m so glad it’s finally available. Mom League is a way for new moms to come together to build community and learn helpful things along the way – information that will help them navigate their parenthood journey. In a Mom League course, for example, moms will hear from experts like a lactation consultant, a pelvic floor specialist, and a counselor about postpartum depression and anxiety (among many others!). All of these folks are part of our community, too, and they’ll open the door for conversations and knowledge that can really change the game in early parenthood. Right now, Mom League is for moms of newborns, but the plan is for it to grow to include moms of infants and toddlers as well – so definitely stay tuned for more courses to be added to the mix! In fact, go ahead and give them a follow over on Instagram to keep up with them that way. (It’s also definitely NOT just for first-time moms. As a relatively new second-time mom, I can attest to the fact that experiences can be so different from baby to baby, and the desire for and benefit of connection with moms at the same stage of parenthood doesn’t go away with subsequent kiddos. Okay, ready to meet Annie and Kelly, the amazing mamas behind Mom League, and hear them talk even more about this great new Winston-Salem resource? Let’s do it!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Mom_League_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 45 (Introducing Mom League — A New Resource For Moms In Winston-Salem) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Kacie_Mintz_FINAL.mp3 This was a particularly memorable episode to record, because my guest, Kacie, had her baby with her and at the time we recorded baby birdie was just four days old! Talk about the perfect guest to have her newborn with her, though, since this episode was all about Kacie and her lactation support business, Lollies Lactation. I think this is an important one to listen to if you’re pregnant or if you have a baby and are navigating breastfeeding – whether or not you’re currently having challenges with it. It’s so helpful to know where to get support and ask questions if you need to. (Be sure to follow Lollies Lactation on Instagram, too. Kacie always shares lots of helpful pieces of info there, as well as more details about the support she offers AND her new program Birdie at the Breast, where she’ll share real workshops with her baby girl to create amazingly helpful content!) During this episode, we talked some about my first breastfeeding experience with my daughter, Maggie. I’d planned to breastfeed for a year, but went into that journey with very few tools, all things considered. Then when we ran into supply issues and other challenges, rather than asking for help I tried to deal with it on my own – I think due to a combination of pride and not feeling like we needed to spend money on lactation support, which can be expensive. That troubleshooting didn’t work, which resulted in me ending my breastfeeding journey with Maggie far earlier than I’d planned. The whole experience was incredibly defeating, and I wish I’d reached out to someone like Kacie during it. Also, great news – Kacie shared during this episode that she’s now able to accept health insurance, so that cost hurtle is no longer there for most clients. I loved hearing that! Okay, ready to hear Kacie talk about the kinds of support she offers, her personal challenges with breastfeeding and how that led to her passion for helping others, a little more about my two – very different — breastfeeding experiences, and more? Let’s dive in!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Kacie_Mintz_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 44 (Chatting With Kacie Mintz Of Lollies Lactation) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Erin_Bahadur_curiouser_and_curiouser.mp3 I’m so excited to share this conversation with you via this podcast episode. It’s with someone I know thanks to Instagram, Erin Bahadur. I started following Erin after I read a beautifully poignant post about parenting on The Everymom that she’d written about a year ago now. She had her second baby just a couple of months before my son, Vance, was born, and so we were navigating the postpartum period at the same time and we were both adjusting to adding a second kiddo to the mix, and I felt so grateful to be able to get a peek into someone else’s journey that looked similar to mine in many ways. I began reading Erin’s blog, Erin’s Inside Job, and was struck by her willingness to share her life. I shouldn’t have been surprised, because she’s incredibly open on Instagram as well. On both platforms, a theme she talks about is addiction, and I read about her story dealing with serious drug addiction – addiction that ultimately led to time in prison. I found her story to be incredibly powerful as well as really important. After all, so many of us deal with addiction in one of its many forms (either firsthand or watching someone we love struggle with it), and so talking about it is HUGE. Reminding others that they aren’t alone and that there’s hope beyond addiction can be the light they need to get through it. Also, doing the work to uncover the root cause of addiction is key to breaking those addictive behaviors, and we dug into that — as well as things we hope to do to help our children bypass addiction — in our conversation. I’ll let Erin tell more of her story, and I’m so honored she was willing to share it with us here: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Erin_Bahadur_curiouser_and_curiouser.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 43 (Talking Addiction With Erin Bahadur Of Erin’s Inside Job) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/The_Conscious_Crew.mp3 Over the summer, five friends and I started a new Instagram account called The Conscious Crew. (I talked about the account a bit in this blog post from back in July!) We’ve had the best time with the account so far, and all six of us got together on Zoom recently to chat all things Crew. That conversation is what you’ll hear in this latest podcast episode! Take a listen to hear us discuss topics including: -Why we started The Conscious Crew Instagram account-What kind of content you’ll find there-What makes our account special-What you can look forward to seeing from us over the holidays This group is such a special one, and I’m really proud to be part of it. I love that we can bring our six unique personalities and perspectives together to share our journeys when it comes to ways we’re trying to be intentional about ALL facets of our lives. Our hope is to grow a community of others who are also on this journey — at varying stages — so we can help support and encourage one another along the way. (After all, starting to make some of these changes can feel a little isolating at times! We get it, and we’re here for you.) I hope you’ll join The Conscious Crew over on Instagram! We can’t wait to connect with you there. In the meantime, take a listen to get to know more about us!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/The_Conscious_Crew.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 42 (Get To Know The Conscious Crew) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Haley_Leiberman_FINAL.mp3 I finished this conversation with Haley Lieberman (founder and CEO of Shop Tomorrows) feeling SO fired up about all things clothing. I knew Haley was going to be the perfect person to talk to about this topic, and I was 100% correct. Recently, I’ve felt a big pull to change my habits, mindset, and overall approach when it comes to the way I view clothing. The more I’ve learned about the clothing industry (fast fashion in particular) and the negative ways it impacts the people who make our clothes, the environment, and sometimes even the health of the people wearing the clothing, the more compelled I’ve been to really examine my behavior and see how I can make changes — both on a small scale and, hopefully, in a larger way as well. (I highly recommend checking out the documentary The True Cost on YouTube about the clothing industry.) Here are some quick stats about clothing that I found staggering: -80 billion pieces of clothing are purchased worldwide each year, which is 400% more than a decade ago.-The fashion industry is the world’s second-largest polluter, second only to the oil industry.-One in six people work in the global fashion industry.-Only 10% of the clothes people donate to charity or thrift stores get sold. There’s SO much inexpensive clothing available to us, and there has been for years now, so we as a culture forget that it wasn’t always that way. It’s so easy to buy a couple of shirts or a jacket at Target while running in to grab something from the grocery section and not think twice about it. Whether you’ll actually get much wear out of those things is another story. And then, what will you do with it when you don’t want it anymore? Will it hang, forgotten, in the back of your closet? Will it sit in a bin in your attic? Will it be added to a landfill somewhere? Will it be donated (and if so, will it actually get into the hands of someone who can wear it)? None of those options sound all that great, do they? (P.S. This has been my relationship to clothing for YEARS, so this is most certainly not me being judgy!) But it wasn’t always this way. Check out this comparison (found here in a 2013 article): “In 1960, an average American household spent over 10 percent of its income on clothing and shoes – equivalent to roughly $4,000 today. The average person bought fewer than 25 garments each year. And about 95 percent of those clothes were made in the United States. Today, the average American household spends less than 3.5 percent of its budget on clothing and shoes – under $1,800. Yet, we buy more clothing than ever before: nearly 20 billion garments a year, close to 70 pieces of clothing per person, or more than one clothing purchase per week.” Haley is someone who’s been walking the walk when it comes to a much more sustainable and intentional relationship to clothing for years. In fact, her company is a secondhand marketplace for children’s clothing. And while I think it can be easy to get on board with secondhand clothes for kids (after all, they grow out of things quickly), I don’t think it’s the default for most adults. Haley said several things during our chat that have stuck with me in a big way. One of them was, “We don’t need to make more stuff. Everything we need is right here between us all, within our communities, our families, and our wider networks.” That rings SO true for me. She also described shopping fast fashion as “a sugar high,” which is an analogy that feels so perfect. It feels great in the moment, but afterward you will likely feel bad about it — maybe even guilty because you know you probably should have made a better choice or avoided the purchase altogether. Does this mean I’m never going to buy new clothes? NO WAY — of course I will! I just hope to make those future purchases much more mindful and less frequent. Take a listen to this episode to hear us talk about modeling an intentional clothing relationship to our kids, how to make this shift happen amidst busy lives, making secondhand cool, and so, so much more. Oh, and here are the resources she mentions toward the end of our conversation. I can’t wait to dig into these!: –The Wardrobe Crisis (podcast)–Articles of Interest (podcast)–Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion (book)–The Conscious Closet (book) –Politically in Fashion (organization) I hope you love listening to this conversation with Haley as much as I did recording it!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Haley_Leiberman_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 41 (Talking About Changing Our Mindset And Habits When It Comes To Clothing With Haley Lieberman Of Shop Tomorrows) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Nancy_Kopman_FINAL.mp3 I was introduced to Nancy Kopman via the virtual preschool Maggie and I discovered in 2020 when she was home from school. (You can listen to Jamie White of that virtual preschool and me chat more about what that looks like in this podcast episode, in fact!) Nancy is the music teacher of virtual preschool, and Maggie and I always get so excited when it’s music time. Nancy’s songs are fun to sing in the moment, and they’re also ones that I find myself singing to Maggie often in other parts of our day, whether to help get through a difficult moment or just to have a moment of shared joy and connection. I was thrilled Nancy agreed to chat with me for this podcast episode, and I loved learning more about her background and what makes the work she does — helping children learn, feel, and grow through music — such a wonderful fit for her. Anyone with young children will benefit from listening to this episode, and be sure to spend some time listening to her music afterward, too — with your kiddos, of course! Here’s a link to her website, and you can also find videos of her singing her songs on her YouTube channel. On the go? Search for “Nancy Kopman” on Spotify! Okay, ready to hear Nancy talk music for kids? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Nancy_Kopman_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 40 (The Importance Of Music In Child Development With Nancy Kopman) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Tartan_Organizing_FINAL.mp3 As someone who feels gleeful when things are in order, I was SO excited to learn that Winston-Salem now has an organizing resource! Tartan Professional Organizing is a new company, helmed by Natalie Broyhill and Danielle Ceberio, that offers organization help of all kinds — including the organization of both physical and digital spaces. (Yes, Winston friends: That means if you watched The Home Edit on Netflix and drooled over those perfectly arranged pantries and closets, you can get the same end result at your house with these lovely ladies. AMAZING, RIGHT? I think we all have our birthday and Christmas gift ideas locked in for the foreseeable future, right?) Even if you aren’t local to Winston, though, I think you’ll enjoy this episode. Natalie and Danielle share some great tips on organization, give us a peek into what organization (and its maintenance) looks like at their houses, and talk through how to deal with all that extra “stuff” that’s so easy to accumulate. I was so inspired after chatting with Natalie and Danielle to record this episode that I went on an organization spree in our house, and it felt INCREDIBLE. Oh, and be sure to follow Tartan Organizing on Instagram. The things they share in stories are so fun, and their before and after photos are always so cathartic to see. For example… I’m also excited to share my podcast’s first sponsor, Shop Tomorrows, as part of this episode! It’s the perfect match, too, since Shop Tomorrows — a new way to shop for secondhand clothes for kiddos — is all about intentional purchases (and therefore intentional accumulation of things), which is something Tartan Organizing can totally get behind, too. Use the code ANNA20 through August 31 to get 20 free tokens to Shop Tomorrows! (P.S. You can check out my Shop Tomorrows closet here in case you want to shop a few of Maggie’s outgrown pieces.) Okay, ready to talk all things organization? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Tartan_Organizing_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 39 (Organization Tips & Tricks From Danielle and Natalie of Tartan Professional Organizing) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Kevin_Podcar.mp3 I’m SO excited to share this podcast episode with y’all! My husband, Kevin, and used a portion of a recent date night to spend some kid-free time together talking about pregnancy and childbirth from Kevin’s perspective, and I love that we were able to have this conversation. I learned things I hadn’t known before about his experience, and I really appreciate the advice he shared with other dads-to-be throughout this episode as well. We also chatted about how our approach to life tends to be a bit unconventional, not for the sake of being different but because we want to be as intentional as possible about the way we live. I hope that if you’re in a similar life stage you’ll find this episode interesting and informative, and hopefully will leave with a helpful takeaway or two. The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 38 (Talking Pregnancy & Childbirth From A Guy’s Perspective With My Husband, Kevin) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Jaren_Soloff_The_Postnatal_Cookbook_-_21021_8.42_PM.mp3 I learned about Jaren Soloff’s book, The Postnatal Cookbook: Simple and Nutritious Recipes to Nourish Your Body and Spirit During the Fourth Trimester, at just the right time. I have one postpartum experience under my belt, so have some firsthand knowledge about what that was like, and I’m about to enter another fourth trimester. Her book — which is WAY more than just a book of recipes, by the way — left me feeling much more prepared to enter the postpartum phase this time around. It would be a great resource not just for anyone who’s pregnant, but also for anyone close to someone who’s pregnant. It will help you understand more about what to expect in the fourth trimester, helping you anticipate how to manage that phase if you’re about to experience it yourself OR how to support a loved one during her fourth trimester. It was an absolute pleasure chatting with her for my podcast, and I hope you’ll take a listen to hear all the helpful information she has to share. She also shares some personal things, such as her struggles with an eating disorder, and how disordered eating can often appear during the fourth trimester. (Of course, I could relate!) Jaren is both a registered dietician and a lactation consultant, so she’s armed with lots of relevant experience to help women navigate this important (and often overwhelming) stage of motherhood. The first section of the book serves up information about how other cultures approach the postpartum stage, how nutrition can help combat postpartum anxiety, some helpful food- and body-related tips on how to approach this stage, and more. The rest of the book is full of delicious, nutritious, and EASY recipes. The recipes build on the nutritional recommendations she makes in the front of the book, so you can feel great about getting nutrient-dense food that’s perfect the fourth trimester. (She does the work for you, which I so appreciate.) So far, I’ve tried her Blueberry Walnut Muffin recipe as well as her Slow Cooker Three Bean Chili. Our family loved both, and I can’t wait to try some others. If you’d like to give one of Jaren’s recipes a try to get a feel for just how tasty and easy they are, she was generous enough to let me post one here: SLOW COOKER THREE BEAN CHILI Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil1 medium onion, diced3 cloves garlic, diced2 Tablespoons chili powder1 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon paprika1/2 teaspoon salt1 (14-ounce) can fire-roasted tomatoes3 (14-ounce) cans beans of any variety (garbanzos, chili beans, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, or cannellini beans), rinsed and drained1 cup corn kernels (fresh or frozen)2 cups vegetable brothcilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, lime juice, and red onion as optional garnish Instructions: Heat the olive oil in a small pan and add the diced onion and garlic, sautéing for 2-3 minutes (until fragrant). Transfer cooked ingredients to a 6-quart slow cooker.Add the remaining ingredients to the slow cooker, stirring the ingredients to combine, and cook on low for 6 hours.Taste when done, adding more salt to taste. Ladle the chili into bowls and add toppings as desired. (See? SO EASY!!!) See where to get a copy of The Postnatal Cookbook here! During our conversation, Jaren also shared a few fourth trimester resources that I wanted to be sure to link to here. Those include: –4th Trimester Bodies Project–Intuitive Eating–Jaren’s website Ready to talk all things postpartum with Jaren Soloff? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Jaren_Soloff_The_Postnatal_Cookbook_-_21021_8.42_PM.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 37 (Talking Postpartum Nutrition With Registered Dietician and Lactation Consultant Jaren Soloff) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Jamie_White_FINAL.mp3 Jamie White — or “Ms. Jamie,” as she’s known at our house (and in thousands of homes around the world) — is practically an honorary family member at this point. She’s the amazing teacher at Play To Learn Preschool, which once was an in-person only preschool offering in Northern Virginia that has since expanded into a virtual platform in response to the pandemic. Our family discovered Play To Learn Preschool thanks to my sister, Susan, who’s a 2nd grade teacher in South Carolina, and we are so grateful! Maggie’s been out of her traditional preschool since March, and so this has provided much-needed routine as well as enrichment for her over the past few months. (And good news — registration for Winter Virtual Preschool is open now if you want to sign up!) For this episode, I got to chat with Jamie to learn more about her background and what led her to move her preschool to an online platform this past spring. She shared about how Play To Learn has taken off (it’s used by families worldwide!) and she talks about the format of the program for interested parents. Perhaps my favorite part of this interview — and a special new component — is that Maggie hopped onto our Zoom call and got to “interview” Ms. Jamie as well. She was SO excited to get to talk to her beloved teacher, and you can hear that adorable portion of the podcast toward the end of the episode. You can learn more about Play To Learn Preschool via their website or Facebook page. Okay, ready to talk virtual preschool with Ms. Jamie? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Jamie_White_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 36 (Virtual Preschool With Jamie White Of Play To Learn Preschool) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Or you can listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Meg_FINAL.mp3 I loved getting to speak with licensed clinical psychologist and author Dr. Meg Van Deusen for this podcast episode. I read Meg’s book — Stressed in the U.S.: Twelve Tools to Tackle Anxiety, Loneliness, Tech-Addiction and More — recently, and boy was it timely given the current state of our nation and our world! I was so glad to get to chat with Meg to dig a bit more into some of the themes of her book and share them with you here in this conversational format.   Obviously, stress and anxiety are nothing new to our culture, but during her years treating patients Meg realized there were some themes she was seeing again and again. She wanted to dig more into those themes and issues, and the result is this book. She gives some helpful context as to WHY we as a nation might be experiencing so many of these issues, and also shares some things we can do to reduce them in our own lives. That’s one of the most important things about the book: you’ll be left with practical tips you can incorporate right away to help you feel more grounded. She shared many of those tips during our conversation for this podcast as well, so listen up! (If you want to dig deeper into this topic after listening to this episode, be sure to grab a copy of Meg’s book as well!) Ready to hear about stress in the U.S. — and some ways we can deal with it? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Meg_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 35 (Stressed In The U.S. With Dr. Meg Van Deusen) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarah_Carter_Pregnancy_During_A_Pandemic.mp3 Sarah Carter of Natural Baby Doulas was featured on episode 16 of my podcast back in the summer of 2018, and now she’s back for this episode! This time, Sarah is sharing some helpful information about what pregnancy and birth looks like right now, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re pregnant right now, whether it’s your first child or your fourth things are new and different this time around. Your partner can’t join you at most prenatal appointments, hospital visitors and support people are limited, and you’re not able to access things like in-person birth classes, prenatal yoga classes, and other forms of connection to other moms- and families-to-be. All of us — pregnant or otherwise — are under a ton of stress during this strange time, too, and adding pregnancy to the mix can add to those already high levels of anxiety and worry. All that to say, it’s not easy to be pregnant right now! (I’m speaking from experience on that front. This pregnancy is SO different from my pregnancy with my daughter, Maggie.) One thing that’s hugely helpful right now is to surround yourself with people who can help support and inform you, and Sarah offers both during this episode. (P.S. If you’re not totally clear on the role of a doula, Sarah mentions it at the end of this episode but also goes into it in great depth in episode 16!) If you’re pregnant (now or in the future) and live in the Triad area of North Carolina, I can’t recommend working with Natural Baby Doulas enough. They offer amazing prenatal classes, doula support, placenta encapsulation, and more. You’ll be in the best hands with them. One last thing: Sarah mentioned a great online meditation for pregnant moms, and I wanted to be sure to include the link. You can check out that meditation here. Ready to hear about birth in the time of COVID? Let’s hear from Sarah!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarah_Carter_Pregnancy_During_A_Pandemic.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 34 (From A Doula’s Perspective: Pregnancy & Birth In The Time Of COVID) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Earth_and_Star_FINAL.mp3 (Psst…use the coupon code CURIOUSER to save 15% on your order at Earth & Star! Yay!) Mushroom coffee might be something you’ve heard about in recent months or years. You’ve heard that there are lots of wonderful things about it, you just haven’t quite pulled the trigger on trying it (because mushroom coffee sounds like it might not taste great…) Or maybe you’ve tried it for yourself and experienced some of the benefits of functional mushrooms for yourself! Personally, I’ve been using Four Sigmatic products for a few years now and love how easy it is to make mushrooms part of your daily life. That’s why I was so excited to get to chat with the two women behind a new functional mushroom coffee brand, Earth & Star, about their company — and to dig even more into what makes these fungi so very special. Friends and long-time business partners Zoe Sakoutis and Erica Huss founded Earth & Star, which makes the first ready-to-drink (no mixing required!) functional mushroom coffee beverages. With plant-based flavors like Cacao Chocolate Oat Milk Latte and Vanilla Oat Milk Latte — that don’t include weird fillers or any sneaky ingredients you wouldn’t want to be ingesting daily — they’re pretty hard to resist. Oh, and they use oat milk versus almond milk both to help make these drinks accessible to those with nut allergies and to minimize the environmental impact of their brand, since almond milk production requires a large amount of water. I love how thoughtful they’ve been about all aspects of their brand. Their goal is to make it incredibly easy to get mushrooms into your diet each day without having to change much behavior. Just replace your coffee with one of their delicious options and not only will you get your caffeine fix, you’ll also be benefitting from the amazing qualities of mushrooms (which can include increased mental focus, an energy boost, immune system strengthening, a stronger sex drive, and more). Check out this episode to hear them talk more about this business: how and why it came to be, what to look for when you choose mushroom products in general, how the pandemic has impacted their brand’s launch, and more. I think you’ll love meeting these ladies. I certainly did! (Oh, and they have a healthy living podcast, too: Highway to Well. Check it out here if you’re interested.) Ready to hear from Zoe and Erica of Earth & Star? Here we go!: https://traffic.libsyn.com/secure/curiouser-and-curiouser/Earth_and_Star_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 33 (Meeting Earth & Star Functional Mushroom Founders) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarah_Shinsky_FINAL.mp3 I was so excited to connect with my friend Sarah for this latest podcast episode. I’ve known Sarah for almost a decade, and so I remember when her now 7-year-old daughter, Lana, was born. A few months after she was born, Lana was diagnosed with food allergies — a LOT of food allergies, and I remember that happening, too. In the years since that diagnosis, I’ve watch Sarah manage that challenging situation with grace and patience and an open mind. She’s done an incredible job making life when it comes to food as normal as possible for Lana (and for her son, Nolan, too), and I have so much respect and admiration for Sarah. Now, Sarah has created a new resource, Facing Food Allergies, to help share some of the amazing tools she’s developed over the years (recipes, resources, advice on handling situations like school lunches and birthday parties, and more). Facing Food Allergies is also meant to be a connection hub for other families with food allergies, helping to remind people that they aren’t alone in this journey. Sarah has felt very alone through much of her experience with Lana’s allergies (Lana has, too), and so creating this was a way to combat some of that loneliness. Right now, Facing Food Allergies exists as an Instagram account, but Sarah hopes to one day incorporate a website component, too, to help make the resources and community portion even broader. For this episode, we chatted about the Shinsky family’s experience with Lana’s allergies through the years and we also dug more into Facing Food Allergies. If you’re someone who has a child with food allergies, or if you know someone who this might be helpful for, I know you’ll enjoy this episode. Ready to hear Sarah talk about facing food allergies? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarah_Shinsky_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 32 (Facing Food Allergies In Kids With Sarah Shinsky) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Paige_Bentley_FINAL.mp3 This episode came together pretty quickly, and I’m so grateful to my guest for being available last minute. Since the COVID-19 situation really kicked into gear last week, I’ve been trying to think of things I can do to help in my own small way. I started by looking at the platforms I already have and using those as tools to help right now. I’m using my Beautycounter business as a way to recognize healthcare workers, and am sending out some clean beauty happy mail each day as a small thank you to some of those individuals. (If you have a healthcare professional you’d like to nominate, head over to my Instagram account to let me know who they are!) As a way to offer financial support to our Winston-Salem community, Kevin and I set up a fundraiser within the COVID-19 Response Fund for Forsyth County. We chose this outlet because the funds will start being distributed on March 30 and will help those most in financial need as a result of the pandemic. You can contribute here if you’re interested in supporting that initiative, too! I also want to use my blog and podcast as a way to encourage connection and share some resources during this challenging time, and that’s where today’s guest, Paige Bentley, comes in! Paige is an assistant professor of psychiatry at Wake Forest University, and is also the director of the counseling center for the Wake forest Medical School students. She also has a private practice open to people in the Winston-Salem community who need counseling support. Paige and I have known each other for a few months, and she immediately came to mind when I was thinking of people who could offer some helpful advice on ways to stay healthy and grounded at a time like this. During this episode, Paige and I chatted about how we’re both personally feeling right now, and she shared some good tips on how to talk about this with children, how to pull yourself out of those rabbit hole lines of thinking we can find ourselves in right now, the importance of developing a routine right now, and more. She also mentioned Psychology Today as a great resource for finding a therapist if you’re in need of one, so I wanted to be sure to link to that site here! Thank you so much for listening to this episode, and don’t forget you can also subscribe to The curiouser & curiouser Podcast on Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. Just search for “curiouser & curiouser” and hit subscribe! (I’d also love for you to leave me a review there if you have a free minute or two.) The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 31 (Dr. Paige Bentley Shares Advice For Emotional Health During COVID-19) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Vejo_FINAL.mp3 Ever wish you could take a fresh, healthy smoothie with you to blend on the go (say, on a plane or while on a hike)? Vejo‘s got you covered! I discovered this new brand (which launched last fall) when I received a Vejo Starter Kit from a Beautycounter incentive, and I’ve loved learning more about not just the blenders and smoothies, but the larger wellness focus Vejo has. (Scroll to the end of this post to see how you can get an eight pack of smoothies free!) Oh, and it turns out a portable (and almost silent) blender comes in handy in TONS of scenarios, including: in the car on the way to pick up kiddos from school between Pure Barre classes when trying to be quiet in the morning when you want a smoothie but are the first one awake in the house on a plane in a hotel room when you don’t have easy access to fresh produce but still want to consume it For this episode, I chatted with Vejo’s medical director, Dr. Lanae Mullane, who chatted with me about what goes into Vejo smoothie blends (spoiler alert: it’s GOOD STUFF), what their personalized wellness program, Vejo+, is all about, why Vejo might be a good addition to your life right now, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and more. Oh, and don’t forget to use the code AnnaK8Pack at checkout if you want to try Vejo for yourself! Just add a Starter Kit to your cart along with any other eight pack of blends, and the eight pack will be free. The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 30 (Vejo’s Medical Director, Dr. Lanae Mullane) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Brittany_Todd_FINAL.mp3 Brittany Todd and I know each other through Pure Barre, and share lots of other Winston connections. She’s a Winston native, in fact, so has strong roots in this community. Brittany is the woman behind B Balanced Counseling & Wellness in downtown Winston-Salem, and in this episode she shares about what B Balanced looks like today as well as her vision for its future. We also spent lots of time during this episode chatting about an experience Brittany and I share: one with disordered eating. For both of us, our disordered eating began in high school and continued many years beyond. Thankfully, we’ve both been able to overcome our eating disorders, but I think it’s vitally important to keep talking about them (and Brittany does, too). The thing is, it’s a struggle so many people have, and it’s one that’s often wrapped in silence and shame. And so to combat those isolating feelings, I think the best thing we can do is TALK ABOUT IT and let people in. Also, if you live in Winston-Salem and are working through complicated feelings or struggling with navigating a challenging time in your life or are dealing with anxiety or depression or stress, you might want to consider paying Brittany a visit. The best thing you can do is let someone in, even though that might feel like the most counterintuitive thing right now! Brittany talks about envisioning a world where taking care of your mental health as part of overall self care is as common as getting a manicure. I hope we can get to that point, too! The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 29 (Mental Health & Disordered Eating With Brittany Todd Of B Balanced Counseling & Wellness) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Suzy_final.mp3 As many (maybe most) of you know, I’m a Beautycounter consultant, and Beautycounter is a direct sales brand. I know, I know. Go ahead and insert your story here about getting an aggressive or completely impersonal message from someone you barely know trying to get you to buy an irrelevant product or join their team and make MILLIONS. (I’ve written before about how I work hard to avoid being “that girl.”) If you have a bad taste in your mouth or are just a bit skeptical or inexperienced when it comes to direct sales companies (where you buy through an individual rep versus buying through a company at large), this is a great episode for you, and I really hope you’ll listen. For this episode, I chatted with my friend and fellow direct sales rep, Suzy Goodwin, about her transition from self-proclaimed “direct sales hater” to — ta da! — ZYIA Active rep. (Side note: Suzy also has a podcast, which you should absolutely subscribe to. Check it out here.) Suzy and I actually met thanks to direct sales (the relationships piece of this business model is something we dig into in this episode), and we are friends who support each others’ businesses (both by buying products from ZYIA and Beautycounter and by encouraging one another). I view her as a teammate even though we don’t work for the same brand, and I’m thrilled she was down to chat about this topic. I think you’ll enjoy hearing from both of us on the evolution of our thinking around direct sales, why we aligned with the companies we now work for, and why we think it’s such a special way to do business. I hope you enjoy listening! P.S. Some of my ZYIA personal faves are the Grid Bra (like the one Suzy has on in the photo with this post!), Flamingo Twist Tank, and Light n Tight 7/8 Leggings. The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 28 (Former Direct Sales Hater Turned ZYIA Rep Suzy Goodwin) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarah_Clark_FINAL.mp3 Chances are, you know someone who’s struggling with infertility right now. That someone might even be you. Here in the U.S., one in eight couples is dealing with infertility, so this issue is top of mind for so many of us. That’s why I’m excited to share today’s podcast episode with you. I spoke with Sarah Clark of Fab Fertile, which is a Canadian organization dedicated to helping couples address infertility using natural resources (think dietary changes, environmental adjustments, functional lab testing, and mindset shifts). Couples typically come to Sarah after receiving an infertility diagnosis from a doctor, and their work with her and her team becomes an extension of other things happening as they work to address their infertility. Sarah talks about how it’s important to build a community when you’re trying to overcome infertility challenges, and that community can include physicians, natural support like Fab Fertile, chiropractic care, mental health care, acupuncture, and more. Sarah herself struggled with infertility when she was trying to build her family several years ago, so this work comes from a personal place for her, and I feel like her message is one of hope. After all, she sees success frequently in the couples she works with, and often not only do these couples achieve pregnancy — they also become healthier and feel better overall thanks to the changes she helps them make. Within this episode, Sarah shared a few great resources that I wanted to be sure to link to here: Read more about how and why to do the elimination diet here Sarah recommended Lisa Hendrickson-Jack as a great resource for fertility awareness birth control methods (as an alternative to hormonal birth control) Speaking of hormonal birth control…Dr. Jolene Brighten is a good resource to learn more about why the pill may not be the best course of action for you (and how to get your body back to a healthy, balanced place after you’ve stopped taking the pill) Two fertility trackers worth looking into: the Ava Bracelet and Daysy The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 27 (Fertility With Sarah Clark Of Fab Fertile) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/The_Colorful_Kitchen.mp3 I loved getting to chat with Ilene Moreno of the blog The Colorful Kitchen recently, and know you’ll enjoy hearing her talk about why she switched to a plant-based diet many years ago, where her recipe inspiration comes from, and how she involves her young daughters in meal prep to help them be excited to eat colorfully. Ilene has a new cookbook coming out in December — her second! — and I’ve been lucky enough be part of a group that got early access to many of the recipes. They’re SO GOOD! (She posted this perfect-for-fall sneak peek recipe to her blog. Be sure to give it a try!) We talked about the motivation behind this cookbook (the angle is family-friendly recipes, which is amazing) and how it came together. Keep an eye for it to be available on Amazon and wherever books are sold next month! (You can actually go ahead and pre-order it here!) If you aren’t familiar with The Colorful Kitchen blog, it’s a collection of beautiful, delicious plant-based recipes created with simplicity in mind, and geared to be dishes the whole family will enjoy. As a working mom of a toddler, I can appreciate the short list of ingredients (and the fact that they’re all easy to find in stores) — something I know many of y’all can relate to as well! You can also grab a copy of Ilene’s first cookbook, The Colorful Kitchen: Simple Plant-Based Recipes for Vibrancy, Inside and Out, on Amazon! Ready to hear Ilene talk more about food, motherhood, photography, and more? Here we go!: The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 26 (Ilene Moreno Talks Colorful, Family-Friendly Vegan Cooking) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to Episode 25 here!:http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Grow_House_Grow_FINAL.mp3 I’ve wanted to have Katie as a guest on my podcast since, well, I started a podcast, and I’m so glad it’s finally happening! (Full disclosure: Katie and I recorded this episode months ago, but life has been so busy lately that I’ve been delayed in getting it posted.) Katie: Please forgive me for the delay! (See: The “Not Right Now” Things.) Katie and I grew up in the same suburban Atlanta neighborhood, and I always thought her family was SO COOL. After all, her mom is a prolific children’s book author who’s written some of our family’s favorite books, including Agatha’s Feather Bed and The Library Dragon. Katie, like her mom, turned out to be both artistic and entrepreneurial in nature. She moved to New York and, after working in commercial illustration for a while started designing beautiful wallpaper. Soon those designs became a company — Grow House Grow — which ties narrative to each design (something my story-loving heart just adores!) Grow House Grow now makes more than just wallpaper, too — they also design beautiful cement tile. I’ve loved Katie’s work since she started Grow House Grow back in 2007, and it’s been fun to watch her gain well-deserved recognition along the way. She’s killing it, and getting much-deserved recognition from publications like The New York Times, Fast Company, and Design Milk, and right now she’s part of a collaboration with Anthropologie. Soooo cool, right?I loved this quote from Katie that she gives to clients making design choices — and feel like it applies to far more than interior decor!: “Don’t put a design into your home based on what other people are going to want. You’re the only one looking at this every day, and you want it to bring you happiness and joy and make you reminisce or give you a creative spark, so that’s my intention with the wallpaper.”Okay, ready to hear from this amazing woman? Thought so. Here we go!:http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Grow_House_Grow_FINAL.mp3    The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 25 (Katie Deedy Of Grow House Grow) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Listen to the podcast episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Natural_Deodorant_Podcast_September_2019.mp3 Are you a natural deodorant user yet? (If not, I’m guessing you are hesitant to switch because you’re either unconfident that a natural deodorant could do the heavy lifting your traditional deodorant does or you’ve tried a natural deodorant or two and it just didn’t cut it. Am I right?) This is an experience I hear over and over again, and so I wanted to embark on what I’m calling my “Super Scientific Natural Deodorant Test,” which isn’t at all scientific, but does account for the opinion of both my sister and me as we tested eight brands of natural deodorant over the course of two months. (Want to hear us talk about our experience? Check out the video below!) But first, why natural deodorant in the first place? Here are just a few reasons I’ve chosen to make the switch: Natural deodorants, unlike traditional anti-perspirants, don’t keep you from sweating. (Wait…and that’s a benefit?) It is, actually, because our bodies need to sweat in order to release toxins and help cool your body. (Clogging the pores to prevent sweat can also lead to ingrown hairs, painful irritation, etc. No fun!) But they DO prevent body odor, which is caused by sweat coming into contact with the natural bacteria that live on our skin (and natural deodorants work to change that bacteria/sweat interaction). Traditional deodorants may be linked to adverse hormonal effects (and are thought to have the potential to increase risk of breast cancer, Alzheimer’s, infertility, and more). The jury’s still out from a research standpoint as to how real this threat is, but why risk it if you can find a great alternative? Natural deodorants are good for your skin, too. They don’t block your pores like traditional deodorants do, which means good bacteria (i.e., no odor) keeps working even when you aren’t wearing deodorant. They also aid in keeping your underarms irritation free, which is no small thing. An irritation-free pit means closer, long-lasting shaves, no gross yellow pit stains, smaller pores, and more. Okay, so the case can definitely be made for natural deodorants. But how to find the right one for you? Well, Susan and I tested a few to give you a place to start, but ultimately it’s best to start trying some for yourself, too. After all, our bodies have different chemistry, and so what works great for me might not cut it for you, and vice versa. The great news is, most natural deodorant brands have awesome return policies, so don’t be afraid to try them out! If they don’t work for you, send them back and move on to another one. Another thing to mention, before I jump into the brands we tested and our “super scientific findings” related to each one, is that if you’re making the switch from a traditional deodorant to a natural one, expect there to be a transition period. Your body will have to get used to this new type of coverage, and so you may find you’re smellier and/or sweatier at first. To help with this process, consider incorporating a charcoal-based cleanser into your armpit-cleaning routine. (I use the Beautycounter Charcoal Cleansing Bar) to help pull out impurities and detox the “gunk” that traditional deodorants can leave behind. (Because I use this bar on my face, too, I just get some lathered up on my hands and use that to clean my armpits.) I’ve also found that taking your natural deodorant with you during the day for a midday reapplication can be helpful. Okay, here we go — the results! Below, you’ll find a video of Susan and me talking about our experience with each deodorant (because she was in town, and I thought a video would be a good way to hear us discuss our findings) as well as a quick written overview of each deodorant: Now, on to the written reviews! (These follow the same order we used in the video.): 1. Meow Meow Tweet: We opted to use both the primer and cream version of this deodorant, and loved them both. We tried the baking soda-free grapefruit cream. (Fun fact: baking soda often causes irritation, so if you’ve struggled with underarm irritation in the past, try looking for recipes without baking soda.) Susan and I both really, really liked this deodorant, and the only real negative was the fact that it had to be applied with your fingers. Meow Meow Tweet does make a stick version of this deodorant, though, and I emailed them about it to see if the performance and scent are the same as the cream version. Here’s what they had to say! (I would totally buy the stick.): Everyone’s body is different, and people’s experiences with deodorant can be affected by factors such as diet, exercise, stress, and hormone levels. That being said, our deodorants are all formulated to have the same efficacy. The sticks are housed in biodegradable packaging, and the paper tube takes a little more effort than conventional plastic tubes because it doesn’t retract. In colder climates, the stick requires warming up on your skin for about 5 seconds, or until it glides. The stick can take longer to dry and soak in because it isn’t being rubbed in with your finger. 2. Fat and the Moon: This cream had a nice, essential oil-like scent, but Susan and I weren’t impressed with the consistency of the product. It wasn’t super easy to apply, and the performance was only so-so. 3. Native: We went with the Coconut & Vanilla scented stick, and I was surprised that I didn’t love this one (because I know many of you do!). The scent was a little too tropical for me, and the performance (at least for Susan and me) just was NOT there. It was a stick, though, so that made the application easier! 4. Primal Pit Paste: Susan and I chose the Lavendar version of this stuff, and I did appreciate that it came with a little applicator stick (it was a tiny version of a popsicle stick) to help with getting the deodorant out of the jar (minimizing bacteria from your fingers being trapped in the jar, etc.). The consistency of this stuff, though, was strange to us. It didn’t stick together, making it tricky to apply even with the stick. Plus, Susan and I didn’t get great staying power from this one. 5. Kopari Beauty: We loooooved this coconut deodorant stick. It’s clear and goes on so cleanly. You don’t have to wait to “warm it up” like you do with some natural sticks. I also loved that the coconut scent was much more subtle than the Native one, which was really nice. It kept me smelling fresh! 6. Piper Wai: We tried both the stick and paste version of this charcoal-based deodorant, but this was a solid middle performer for us. It smells good and works pretty well, but I found others in the test that worked much better (and Susan agreed). 7. Schmidt’s: We snagged the Bergamot & Lime stick, and we LOVED this one. It worked much better for us than the Native did. It was easy to apply, but still did have some white residue to look out for. A great performer! 8. Erbaviva: Susan and I LOVED this Jasmine Grapefruit Organic Deodorant spray. It has a strong essential oil-like scent to it (not in a bad way, but it is strong), and the application is SO easy. It goes on clear and dries really quickly, and Susan and I found that it kept us fresh all day. OUR TOP 3: Erbaviva Kopari Meow Meow Tweet (followed VERY closely by Schmidt’s) So there you have it — our super scientific natural deodorant review! If you try any of these, please let me know what you think! I’d love your feedback. Footnote: Since this review was published, I’ve heard amazing things about the Primally Pure deodorant from lots of reputable sources. I haven’t tried it for myself (yet), but wanted to be sure to share that here. (I will say I’ve been using their dry shampoo and like it a lot!) The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 24 (A “Super Scientific” Natural Deodorant Review With My Sister, Susan!) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Chicago-based non-profit Healthy Schools Campaign has been on my radar since I was in journalism grad school at Northwestern in 2009. I was doing health and science reporting, and stumbled upon this amazing organization in the process. (I’ve written about them here before, too! I have loved keeping up with HSC through the years.) They operate with the belief that every child deserves to thrive in their learning environments, and have several programs in place to address that belief from a variety of angles. Fit to Learn gives teachers and administrators resources to help bring health and wellness into the classroom. Green Clean Schools helps make school buildings and campuses cleaner and safer, turning them into better places to learn. Parents United pulls in parents on a journey to wellness, realizing that health extends far beyond the school building AND recognizing that more voices make for greater change. But today, we’re here to talk about my favorite Healthy Schools Campaign program: Cooking Up Change. The Healthy Schools Campaign holds the 2015 Cooking Up Change competition at the Department of Education in Washington, DC on June 8, 2015. Here’s the gist: Cooking Up Change is a nationwide high school competition that challenges culinary students to put together a school meal within the nutritional and cost parameters schools face daily. (Sounds fun, right? It is!) For this podcast episode, I spoke with Sara Porter, VP of External Affairs at Healthy Schools Campaign, who manages the Cooking Up Change program (and has for more than a decade). Sara is passionate about this program, and hearing her talk about it is truly a treat. I’ll let her take it from here, but wanted to be sure to include links to some of the resources she mentions toward the end of this episode for those of you interested in learning more about Healthy Schools Campaign (and potentially donating or getting involved in some way): HSC website (scroll down on the homepage for the newsletter sign-up!) donation page And here’s the episode!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sara_Porter_Cooking_Up_Change.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 23 (Cooking Up Change With Sara Porter Of Healthy Schools Campaign) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

I was thrilled to get to chat with Marybeth Wells for my latest podcast episode. After all, it was an excuse to FINALLY meet her in person! Marybeth and I have been Instagram friends for a couple of years now, and we both live in Winston-Salem. We have many of the same interests and lifestyle priorities, we know many of the same people, and we frequent many of the same Winston spots. How had we never met?? It’s kind of crazy, actually. Marybeth is a wellness coach and content creator, and her current career emerged after she hit a place of extreme burnout working as a flight paramedic. (Talk about intense work!) Though she still pops into the first responder world here and there, now the bulk of her time is spent helping others create healthy habits and develop balance in their lives — all with strong support throughout. But it doesn’t stop there. She’s also an amazing cook and loves creating her own (vegan!) recipes, and takes gorgeous photos (of food and other things!). These skills have led to things like teaching cooking classes at Southern Home & Kitchen and teaming up with brands like Four Sigmatic to take brand photos. I think you’ll love hearing from Marybeth. She’s such an interesting person, and the work she’s doing is helping others live healthier, happier lives. (Be sure to follow her on Instagram to keep up with all the neat things she’s up to, including her awesome trip that’s coming up soon!) Ready to hear my conversation with Marybeth of Living Wells? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Marybeth_Wells_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 22 (Chatting Wellness Coaching, Content Creation, And More With Marybeth Wells) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

(Want to take the Enneagram test? I recommend this paid version and so does Sarajane — just $12 — and I went with the RHETI version.) I discovered the Enneagram personality test (tool, rather) several months ago, and have since been rather obsessed with digging into this assessment: what it means, what makes it different from other personality tests, how to best use it in my life, etc. That’s why I was thrilled to stumble upon the Instagram account @enneagramandcoffee a few weeks back. It’s the perfect way to scratch my Enneagram itch, so to speak. If you haven’t checked out this account, DO IT. It features interesting information around the Enneagram, but also makes it super fun (ESPECIALLY if you know your type/know what the types mean). Here are a couple of examples of what the account’s posts look like: Given my love of this account and all things Enneagram (I’m a 3w2, by the way), I was thrilled when the person behind the account, Sarajane Case, was up for being a podcast guest. Sarajane lives in Asheville (right down the road!), and is a business coach who found herself using the Enneagram so often with her clients (and talking about it incessantly in her personal life as well) that she decided to set up @enneagramandcoffee. Within three days — THREE DAYS — she had 100,000 followers. WHOA. (She’s now at 217,000.) I feel like this is a clear indicator that there are LOTS OF ENNEAGRAM FANS OUT THERE. Whether you love the Enneagram already, you’ve heard about it but don’t know your type, or have no idea what I’m talking about, this podcast episode is for you. Sarajane walks through the nine different types, talks about what in the world “wings” are, shares how knowing your Enneagram type can inform the world around you, and more. Ready to talk Enneagram with Sarajane? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarajane_Case.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 21 (Digging Into The Enneagram Personality Tool With Sarajane Case Of Instagram’s @enneagramandcoffee) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Subscribe — and listen — to my podcast on Apple Podcasts here! Listen to this podcast episode here!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Episode_20_-_CC_-_Brigid_Schulte.mp3 I read Brigid Schulte’s book, Overwhelmed: Work, Love, and Play When No One Has the Time, a few months ago, and it was one of those books that I nodded my way through and that has stuck with me in a big way. In fact, I’m relatively certain I’ve annoyed some of my friends to death with the number of times I’ve referenced passages from the book! It just hit home for me in such a meaningful way, and I think the timing for me (reading the book about a year after becoming a mom) was huge, too. That said, this book is in no way just for moms. It’s a deep dive into our culture as it exists today and an exploration of what changes could be possible. Brigid spent tons of time researching this book and talking to experts as well as just average folks about topics ranging from the ideal worker (spoiler alert: an ideal that is not actually representative of a real person) to the importance of play as adults (and how to rediscover play) to what work/life balance looks like in Denmark to why mothers aren’t naturally more nurturing than fathers (even though culturally we often assume that’s the case) and a whole lot more. You most certainly don’t have to take my word for how wonderful this book is. Overwhelmed is a New York Times best seller and has received rave reviews from the likes of Anne-Marie Slaughter, president and CEO of the New America Foundation and the author of the iconic 2012 Atlantic article Why Women Still Can’t Have It All, who said about Brigid’s book: “Every parent, every caregiver, every person who feels besieged by permanent busyness must read this book. A new wave of research, experience, and insight is challenging deep assumptions about why we have to live and work the way we do. Overwhelmed is a wake-up call and an exhilarating prescription for change.” If you’re someone who, like me, often feels driven by an ever-lengthening to-do list and who wants to be your best self in all roles, despite feeling like there’s often not enough time to go around, read this book. You’ll be reminded that many of these feelings don’t come from a lack of anything on your part, but rather of a society that isn’t yet set up to support you. Since reading Brigid’s book, I’ve developed some new views of my to-do list. It will ALWAYS be there, and so I’ve tried to ditch the “when I finish the things on my list, THEN I can be present or have fun or just be still” mentality. I still have lots of work to do, but reading about her personal experience getting to a better place with what she calls “time confetti” was incredibly helpful for me. And so, when I emailed Brigid a couple of months ago to see if she’d be willing to speak with me for a podcast episode, you can imagine how elated I was when she agreed. The conversation was even more fun than I’d imagined it would be, and after our talk, when Kevin asked how the call went, I told him I officially had a new “girl crush” (to add to my list of amazing, inspirational, and wise women like Anna Quindlen). Image from brigidschulte.com I’m excited to get to share our conversation with you here today, too, and hope you’ll enjoy being introduced to Brigid if you aren’t yet familiar with her. (Thank you again, Brigid, for being willing to speak with me and, most importantly, for writing such a relatable, helpful, and hopeful book.) A couple of quick notes before I share the podcast link: Brigid is now director of the Better Life Lab, a non-partisan think tank whose aim is “to create a culture that enables people to combine work and life in meaningful ways in order for individuals and families to thrive across the arc of their lives.” I love that mission so much, and it aligns beautifully with the foundation Brigid put in place with her book. Also, toward the end of this episode she references a couple of great organizations as resources for getting involved in change, and I wanted to link to them here, too: Moms Rising Family Values at Work National Partnership for Women and Families Okay, ready to hear Brigid talk about understanding “the overwhelm”? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Episode_20_-_CC_-_Brigid_Schulte.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 20 (Dissecting “The Overwhelm” With Author Brigid Schulte) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Back in 2014, I blogged about a great website and app a recent Wake Forest grad, Nikki Azzara, had started. The blog/app was called Slender Seven, offering healthy, easy-to-prepare recipes with — you guessed it — seven ingredients or fewer. Since 2014, that website has morphed into something pretty amazing: a new company called P.S. Snacks that creates tasty and good-for-you products you can now find on the shelves of about 185 grocery stores across the country. (They make a chickpea cookie dough in three different flavors that’s INSANELY good — and it’s good for you!) For my latest episode of The curiouser & curiouser Podcast, I connected with Nikki to talk about where her interest in healthy food began, how things evolved from Slender Seven to P.S. Snacks, and how she’s definitely achieved her goal of NOT sitting in a cubicle every day doing the same thing over and over. Nikki is smart, easy to talk to, and is doing big things, and I loved getting to hear about her growth since we last connected four years ago. (Oh, and there’s more that will be launching toward the end of this year from P.S. Snacks, so stay tuned! You should probably follow them on Instagram to keep up with the news.) Ready to hear Nikki talk about how she brought healthy chickpea cookie dough to grocery store shelves around the country? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Nikki_Azzara_-_10118_8.18_PM.mp3   The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 19 (Nikki Azzara Makes Healthy Snacking Made Delightful With P.S. Snacks) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

If you’ve been reading my blog or following me on Instagram for a few months, you’ve probably seen me post about my love for UpDog Kombucha before. (I even teamed up with the brand last summer for a giveaway!) Not only does UpDog make delicious kombucha — they’re also a local Winston-Salem brand, making them all the more lovable in my book. Also lovable? The yoga-loving girls behind this deliciousness. Lauren Miller and Olivia Wolff initially started UpDog as a way to share home-brewed kombucha with their friends while they were students at Wake Forest, and since then it’s blossomed into a full-fledged business that’s very much NOT a home-brew situation anymore. Without taking investment, Lauren and Olivia have grown UpDog into a company that supports both of them as well as a full-time employee (and they’re looking for more team members). You can find UpDog Kombucha all around Winston, but also in places in Charlotte, Raleigh/Durham, and even South Carolina and Virginia. Way to go, girls! For this latest episode of The curiouser & curiouser Podcast, I sat down with Lauren to talk about how UpDog began, the evolution of the brand from dorm room home brew to large-scale distribution, what kombucha even IS (and what health benefits come from drinking it), what she’s learned through starting her own business, and more. Oh, and you should absolutely connect with UpDog on Facebook and Instagram so you can follow along with their growth! If you’re local to Winston, you should also stop by the Cobblestone Farmers Market in Old Salem on Saturdays to see UpDog and try some new flavors. Ready to hear from Lauren? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/UpDog_MixDown1.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 18 (Talking Kombucha With Lauren Miller Of UpDog) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

I’ve been reading the blog Oh Dear Drea for at least four years, and so getting to connect with Drea, the woman behind the blog, for my latest podcast episode was almost surreal. There I was, chatting via Skype with this person who I know a ton about, thanks to her blog. I know that her daughter, Marlowe, is a total bookworm. That she’s been dealing with the intestinal disease C. diff for the past few years. That she loves hats. That she’s a cookbook author. That she subsists largely on fruit. That her style — both as it relates to clothing and interior design — trends toward the colorful and bohemian. That she’s super funny, and shares really fun stuff (and her interesting travels and other adventures) on her Instagram Stories. And then I got to talk to her in real time, which was such a treat. I’m a blogger, too (duh — you’re READING my blog right now!), and so talking with other bloggers is always something I enjoy. Talking with bloggers who have a far broader reach than I do — like Drea, who currently has 55.6k Instagram followers — is especially interesting for me, because it’s helpful to hear things about the evolution of their blog, where their content ideas come from, and where they see their blog headed in the future. I always feel like I learn things and glean inspiration. I admire Drea’s approach to her blog in a big way, because I think she’s achieved what I’m going for with my content as well: authenticity. She uses her blog (and other channels) to share her life with people, and she is incredibly discerning about the brands she aligns with and the types of things she writes about. I have so much respect for her staying true to herself throughout. Here on curiouser & curiouser, you’ll find content that’s all over the place. Some could define it as unfocused, but I prefer to define it as multi-faceted. After all, we each have many interests and areas of expertise, and so my blog is meant to reflect that broadness that is so very human. Drea shares the same mindset with her blog, which makes me love it even more. She also, as you’ll hear in this podcast episode, isn’t 100% sure where things will be headed next with her blog, mainly because she has so many ideas and interests running through her head. This was something I found to be comforting, because I struggle with the same thing. I sit down to think about how to grow this community (or, on a broader scale, to make changes in my life), and I think of several “maybes,” but from there have trouble figuring out which road to go down. It’s nice to be reminded I’m not alone. But enough writing — let’s switch to listening! In this podcast episode, Drea and I talked about the dietary changes she’s made to help combat her C. diff, what her family’s experience has been homeschooling Marlowe for the past few months, the travels her family has taken recently, and a whole lot more. Ready to listen? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Oh_Dear_Drea.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 17 (Connecting With Oh Dear Drea) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

For my latest podcast episode, I spoke with Sarah Carter of Natural Baby Doulas, a Triad-based doula group that Kevin and I partnered with as we prepared for Maggie’s birth. My pregnancy and birth experience with Maggie were both about as close to perfect as you can get, and I credit that in large part to Sarah. Kevin and I took her 12-week Bradley Method course and, as a result, felt so informed and supported in the months leading up to Maggie’s birth. I chose to have an unmedicated birth with Maggie, but I wholeheartedly recommend a multi-week birth course like the one Sarah offers regardless of what your birth plans look like. (Sarah also encapsulated my placenta after Maggie was born, and we talk more about that in this episode!) Sarah is a mother of three and has been a doula for several years, and I know you’ll love this episode as she shares why she became a doula, defines the career for those who might be unfamiliar with the services a doula offers, talks a bit about her own birth experiences, and a whole lot more. I also included a couple of listener-submitted questions at the end of our chat, so be sure to stick around to hear those! During the podcast, Sarah referenced a couple of resources that I wanted to call out here: You can use this site to find a Bradley Method birth class in your area. This is a great website to use to find a doula near you. Also, be sure you check out Natural Baby Doulas’ website and their Facebook page! Okay, ready to hear from Sarah? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Sarah_Carter_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 16 (Digging Into Doula Services With Sarah Carter Of Natural Baby Doulas) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

In this episode of The curiouser & curiouser Podcast, I talked with Leslie Ann Quillen, the woman behind Fat Loss Foodies. I looooved getting to connect with Leslie Ann via this forum after being a fan of hers for a while. I love the message and lifestyle she’s spreading: centered around cooking and eating REAL food and identifying your body’s needs so you can fuel it accordingly. (It sounds like it should be such a simple concept, but for many of us it’s not! That’s what FLF here to help with.) Leslie Ann lives just down the road from me in Durham, North Carolina, with her husband and their dog and cat. She left her “day job” a year ago to pursue FLF full time (after initially launching it several years ago), and we discuss what that transition looked like in our conversation. Leslie Ann also talks about her background with food and fitness, and how and when those things started to change for her. She’s so fun and full of energy, and I hope you love listening to this podcast as much as I loved recording it. I ALSO hope you’ll connect with Fat Loss Foodies via Facebook or Instagram (they have really great Insta Stories!). This is a community you want to be a part of — promise! Ready to hear from Leslie Ann? Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Leslie_Ann_FINAL.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 15 (Talking Fat Loss Foodies With Leslie Ann Quillen) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

On this week’s episode of The curiouser & curiouser Podcast, I’m sharing a conversation I had with Beyond Yoga‘s Design Director, Natalia Giacomelli. If you aren’t familiar with the activewear brand Beyond Yoga, you need some of this clothing in your life! Their clothes are the softest, most comfortable things ever, and they transition so well between workouts and the rest of life. I became familiar with this brand through Pure Barre (Beyond Yoga is available at our studio), and quickly fell in love with the brand. My connection to BY grew even stronger a few years ago when I became a contributing blogger for the brand. (You can check out my blog posts here, if you’re interested!) Here’s the best thing about Beyond Yoga, though: They’re WAY more than just on-trend, super comfy, high-quality activewear. (They’re definitely that stuff, which is amazing!) They’re also committed to the inclusion and celebration of women. Women of all shapes and sizes, all ages and life stages, all ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Beyond Yoga welcomes everyone, and creates clothing and content to reflect that. Their website states: “We are a luxury athleisure brand designed to seamlessly transition from workout to night out. We believe in promoting inclusivity by empowering people to live their best, most balanced lives. We reflect this by never retouching the shape of a woman’s body, offering a range of sizes from XXS to 3X and featuring amazing women doing amazing things.” They even have a Body Positive Manifesto available on their website, which I love: I AM BEAUTIFUL. I am beautiful INSIDE and out. Beauty is not defined by my shape or measurements; it’s defined by my heart, my soul, my INTENTIONS and my actions. I’MPERFECT. Perfection is not the goal. The goal is to love everything about myself, including my imperfections. They make me who I am. And I am #AlreadyPerfect. I BELONG. I don’t waste time trying to fit in. Belonging is greater than fitting in because I define belonging, not anyone else. When I am my most authentic self, I attract people who reflect that back to me. I AM KIND. I promise to be KIND to others and myself. Physically, emotionally and verbally. I speak to myself the way I would speak to a good friend. I AM ME. I am comfortable in my own skin and do not compare myself to others. I am PROUD of my body. Always. I live fully in my body and in the moment. I live my life BEYOND. So. With that, here’s my conversation with Natalia. I hope you enjoy! (Oh, and don’t forget that you can also subscribe to my podcast using your podcast app. I would be so appreciative if you’d do that, and if you feel so inclined to leave a review, that would be amazing as well!) Okay, here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Episode_15_-_Final_Mix.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 14 (Beyond Yoga’s Design Director, Natalia Giacomelli) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

I’m so excited about this latest podcast episode to celebrate Mother’s Day. I talked with my mom, Dorothy, and sister, Susan, about our experiences with motherhood. My sister and I had babies within about three months of each other, and getting to be a first-time mom alongside her has been such an amazing gift. Having OUR mom there to offer support and guidance has made it all the better. I’m so fortunate to be part of a family that is so there for one another, and to have a mom who worked so hard to make our childhoods special and full of love. (She’s still pretty great at making us feel that way, in fact.) The three of us connected via Skype to chat about topics like raising daughters versus sons, whether we always pictured ourselves as being mothers, what we worried about before having children, and lots more. I hope you enjoy this conversation and, if you’re a mom, too, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY this Sunday! http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Mom_and_Susan.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 13 (Talking Motherhood With My Mom & Sister) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

(Just by happenstance, this conversation ended up taking place on National Infertility Awareness Week. What perfect timing! I’m so excited to share this episode with y’all about an amazing organization working to preserve fertility among cancer survivors.) When I was in grad school for journalism at Northwestern University in 2009 (whoa — that’s been a while), I focused on Health & Science writing and learned about the Oncofertility Consortium while working on an article. I was immediately interested in the work going on within this amazing organization, and have been keeping up with the consortium in the years since. “Oncofertility” might not be a word you’re familiar with. (I certainly wasn’t when I first heard it!) It’s the intersection of oncology and fertility, and the folks at the consortium are committed to helping people who receive cancer diagnoses go on to create families after their treatment is complete. They do this through: Advocacy work to help people (society at large as well as physicians) learn about fertility preservation options and encouraging them to make that part of the conversation when someone who’s a child or young adult is diagnosed with cancer Research to help develop new fertility preservation treatments and ways to then help survivors build their families Connection between important players in a cancer treatment team I spoke with Kristin Smith, a Fertility Preservation Patient Navigator, for my latest episode of the curiouser & curiouser Podcast, and loved learning about the strides the organization has made since I first became aware of them nearly a decade ago. The word that always comes to mind when I think of the consortium — and that kept rising to the top during my conversation with Kristin — is “hope.” Receiving a cancer diagnosis has to be one of the bleakest experiences possible, but amidst getting information about treatment plans and side effects, talking about ways to plan for a family AFTER cancer has to be a glimmer of optimism and light. I hope you enjoy this conversation with Kristin, and I hope you’ll spread the word about the Oncofertility Consortium. Maybe just bring it up over coffee with your sister, or at your next dinner out with friends. You never know whose future you might change by just getting awareness out about this resource. (To connect directly with Kristen, please call her at 312.503.3378. Also, if you’re a newly diagnosed cancer patient or a member of someone’s support system, you can visit this website for fertility preservation information.) Remember, too, that you can also subscribe to my podcast via iTunes to listen there instead!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Kristin_Smith.mp3   The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 12 (Learning About Fertility After Cancer With Kristin Smith Of The Oncofertility Consortium) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you’ve certainly heard me talk about The Birth Hour Podcast before. The Birth Hour is a collection of birth stories, and it’s such a wonderful way to get a glimpse into so many birth and pregnancy experiences. It’s one I recommend to all my pregnant podcast-loving friends, and I even had the honor of being a guest on The Birth Hour last summer to share Maggie’s birth story. As such a big fan of this podcast, you can imagine how excited I was when the host of The Birth Hour, Bryn Huntpalmer, agreed to be a guest on MY podcast. (What? So fun!) Bryn and I connected via Skype (she and her family live in Austin, Texas) to talk about the start of her podcast, how she’s added resources beyond the podcast to the brand, how being the host of The Birth Hour has influenced her parenting, and lots more. She even shared some advice with me as I work to get my podcast off the ground. I’m thrilled to get to share that conversation here with you today. (Oh, and please be sure to spend some time on The Birth Hour’s website to not only hear some beautiful birth stories, but to subscribe to the podcast, follow The Birth Hour on Instagram, and maybe even sign up for a pregnancy or breastfeeding course!) Enjoy!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Bryn_Huntpalmer_v2.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 11 (Bryn Huntpalmer of The Birth Hour Podcast) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Welcome to the 10th episode of the curiouser & curiouser Podcast. Double digits — wahoo! (I remember turning 10 and being SO excited about that. Did that happen to you?) Anyway… This week’s episode features Kate of Kate Morris Jewelry, someone I have a feeling you’ll enjoy hearing from. Kate and I met in college (at Samford University) where we were in the same sorority (yay, ZTA!). She was already making jewelry back then, and has continued to hone her craft and grow and define her brand in the years since. This past year, she moved into a full-time role with KMJ, speaking to the great work she’s doing with her business. I love the style of Kate Morris Jewelry. Her pieces are all thoughtfully designed, and then are handcrafted using beautiful stones and other materials. I love how wearable her jewelry is, whether you’re taking a Pure Barre class or dressing for a night out, you can find a piece of KMJ (often the same piece!) that will work perfectly for your look. I always get compliments on my KMJ pieces when I wear them. (Speaking of, here’s me wearing some KMJ!) In addition to talking about jewelry, Kate and I dug into new motherhood (her adorable daughter, Collins, is just a couple of months younger than Maggie), our love of Pure Barre (she’s a teacher, too!), and our shared inclination to do ALLTHETHINGS. I hope you enjoy meeting Kate through this episode, and be sure to keep an eye on her website for her Spring 2018 line, which will be launching soon! Instagram is also a great way to keep up with the brand, so be sure to follow her there. Here we go!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Kate_Morris_Jewelry.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 10 (Kate of Kate Morris Jewelry) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

How our skin looks has a big impact on the way we feel, and yet sometimes it can be hard to know how to make it look its best. We probably all have habits (some good, some not so great) we developed as adolescents as it relates to skincare, and hopefully those have evolved a bit through the years (as we’ve learned more and as our skin’s needs have changed). Still, lots of us deal with frustrating skin issues or just general skin-related questions: -Why am I still getting breakouts as an adult? -Why does my skin remain tight and dry no matter how much moisturizer I slather onto it? -Is it really THAT bad to go to sleep with my makeup on from time to time? From a personal standpoint, I’ve become much more interested in and knowledgable about skincare since becoming a Beautycounter consultant a little over a year ago. (I love things like that — where you start to learn about a topic and then just become hungry to know as much as possible.) This episode features input from two skincare experts who are go-tos in my own life, Janine Berard and Sondie Blackmon. We aren’t talking skincare brands in particular, but instead sat down to talk about common skincare issues and questions, and they offer some great advice. I hope you’ll find this episode interesting and informative, and if you’d like to connect with Janine you can do that at [email protected], and Sondie can be reached at [email protected]. Enjoy!:   http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/Skincare_-_4118_9.36_PM.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 9 (Skincare FAQs) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

I met Laura Holby through Pure Barre (something I have a feeling you’re going to hear me say often throughout episodes of this podcast, because I meet so many wonderful people at the studio!), and immediately wanted her to be my friend. Laura’s just LIKABLE. She’s approachable and funny and put together — she’s a joy to be around. She’s also, as it turns out, excellent at interior design. I remember seeing newborn photos after Laura’s son Beau was born (fun fact: he’s just a little over a month younger than Maggie-girl!) and being in awe of her home. It was GORGEOUS. A magazine-worthy house, but also so inviting and cozy looking. It wasn’t long after that newborn photo session, in fact, that Laura decided to pull the trigger on starting a design company — something she’d been considering for years and felt the time was right to go for — and Dear, Gabby Designs (initially Holby Co. Interiors) was born. On this week’s episode of the podcast, Laura sat down to talk with me about her love of design, where she goes for inspiration, what it’s been like starting her own business, and more. Whether you’re interested in design or are someone who likes to hear about people pursuing their goals and figuring out the details along the way, you’ll appreciate Laura’s perspective in this episode. (Oh, and you should go ahead and follow Dear, Gabby Designs on Instagram, and prepare for some swoon-worthy content to start popping up in your feed!) Enjoy!:   http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/LauraHolby.mp3 The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 8 (Interior Design With Laura Holby) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.

Melissa Campbell and I have known each other for a few years now, but have met in person only twice. We met through my mom (she and Melissa used to work together), and have become friends thanks to being at similar life stages and having lots in common. (Thanks to social media, we’re able to keep up with each other despite living in different states.) Melissa’s son, Andrew, is eight months old — just three months younger than my daughter, Maggie, and it was so much fun being pregnant at the same time. (Although “fun” isn’t the word Melissa would use to describe her pregnancy. She was incredibly sick the entire time!) Now that we’re both new moms, we’ve enjoyed exchanging texts about breastfeeding (ugh, pumping gets so old!), essential oils for babies, and lots more. I’ve loved getting to share this parenthood journey with her. But Melissa and I got together via Skype to talk about a journey I didn’t experience myself: one of infertility. My husband, Kevin, and I went through a miscarriage, but were then able to get pregnant with our daughter without any fertility intervention. After a year of trying to get pregnant on their own, though, Melissa and her husband, Sean, realized they’d likely need some extra help to grow their family. Enter month after month (after month after month) filled with first IUIs, then IVF (and all the shots and daily appointments that came with it, not to mention the financial stress of it all). I’m so appreciative to Melissa for being willing to share her infertility story here from start to finish, and I know it will be an incredibly helpful resource to anyone who experiences infertility, either first or secondhand. She gives helpful advice and context around what to expect regarding specific steps in the process, and talks about why it was so critical that she and Sean be on the same page throughout the journey. I hope you enjoy this informative episode!: http://traffic.libsyn.com/curiouser-and-curiouser/MelissaCampbell.mp3   The post curiouser & curiouser Podcast: Episode 7 (Melissa Campbell Sharing Her Infertility Journey) appeared first on curiouser & curiouser.