Let's Do This!

As we conclude the year here, we are still laughing. And we’re continuing to reflect on how, genuine connection is so valuable to us as humans. We need each other. It feels good to keep expressing the truth of this sentiment while we also crack some jokes. Y’all know how we flow!  To support all of our efforts that we put into creating our show, we ask that you consider becoming a LDT! Patron TODAY! Go to: patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis to show your support!   Shoutout to the music featured in this episode—"Light of a Clear Blue Morning" by The Wailin' Jennys and "I Love My Life" by Beautiful Chorus   Love, Andrea+Margaret

You heard us. Who's sprinting, spiritually?! We gotta do what works and we GET TO discover over 'n over again what that means for us. Congratulations on being human. We are all doing such a great job! We are so proud of all of you! Always.    Become a Let's Do This! Patron TODAY! www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis  Shoutout to the featured music in this episode—"Colors" by, St. Beauty

Josh Forehand is the Principle at a dual language immersion elementary school. He is a wonderful example to his students of what it means to be a strong and gentle leader during this uniquely intense time of the human experience. Josh, thank you so much for your devotion to well grounded community and for making the world a better place for our children! Become a Let's Do This! Patron TODAY! www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis  Shoutout to the music featured in this episode—"Chulla Pargati", by The Best Of Winiaypa

… and everything in between. Plus, our 2022 season announcement!   SUBSCRIBE to be a LDT! Patron here: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis 💯👏🏼  *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Mohabbat” by Arooj Aftab✨

Our Season 3 finale is wrapping up our year here so beautifully! As always, thank you for being here with us—and a huge thank you to the souls who generously shared their sentiments in this year’s edition of “LEAVE A MESSAGE”! It all belongs. We all belong. And we love you all! Enjoy this collection of messages that so brilliantly displays what it means to be human. We’ll be back with more in 2022! *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—one of our all-time favorite jams, George Michael’s, “FREEDOM”.

We’re inviting y’all once again to leave us your messages for our end-of-the-year “Leave A Message”—2021 edition. Let’s Do This! Press play for the details… and for laughs, always! *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Life Uncommon” by Jewel

Did y'all know that everyone has a pelvic floor!? And that, the integrity of (or lack thereof) our pelvic floors is largely connected to how we breathe!? We touched on even more with the incredible Jessica Dufault—Pelvic Floor Therapist of Mindful Motion Physical Therapy in Madison WI. Jessica broke down some pelvic floor myths (including one regarding the infamous K word.. Kegel!) and what it means to receive care for your pelvic floor. We also had no problem connecting the physical with the spiritual in this really delicious convo, of course!  For more information go to: mindfulmotionphysicaltherapy.com  And check out Jessica’s Instagram!: @mindful.motion.pt  *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Resilience" by Rising Appalachia (gah!)

Your support as LDT! Patrons is greatly appreciated! SUBSCRIBE to our Patreon here: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Changes” by David Bowie

We’re talkin’ Quality Bonding Time, but with just yourself! And we made a few more jokes while we’re at it.  SUBSCRIBE to the LET’S DO THIS! Patreon: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis  *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Liberated” by DeJ Loaf+Leon Bridges!

As a fellow Wisconsin local doing such great work in the world, we are so pumped to introduce y’all to Dr. Lara Salyer! Her unique story of following her inner guidance by leaving behind traditional western medicine as a family practice doctor, and opening her own practice in functional medicine, is yet another one to be inspired by. Take a coupla notes from her great attitude, y'all! And check out her website for more info: drlarasalyer.com.  Dr. Lara, thank you so much for your time with us—and for your dedication to your life's purpose!  *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Song for Zula" by Phosphorescent 

SUBSCRIBE TO THE LDT! PATREON: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

We do. And we believe in your greatness, too!  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis  *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode—“Feelin’ Alright” by Joe Cocker💯

We dive—and then we come back up with more ease & jokes. Y’all know how this goes!  Check out our Patreon page: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis *Big shoutout to the featured music in this episode, our main music source, Mama Digdown's Brass Band!

So much makes us well! So much that belongs to everyone to choose in abundance each & every day. Doing this show definitely makes us well! And we can’t thank y’all enough for being here.  You can support us over on Patreon as well! www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis *Big shoutout to the beautiful music in this episode—"We're Gonna Make It" by Mike Love!

Our magical guest in this episode is Soul Therapist & Astrologer, Rene' Heiden! This convo with our ✨Astro Auntie✨ is sooo delicious! Rene's work in the world ripples with pure love, compassion, and a profound appreciation for the unseen. She has a most beautiful ability to really SEE THE SOUL; to hold space for a soul’s healing.  Rene’, we cannot thank you enough for your unwavering support & for your work of loving souls. Thank you so much for being YOU! PS: We learned recently that the name 'Rene' means "rebirth"—and that feels 100% aligned for us and our current season! *Big shoutout to the powerful music in this episode—“My God", by Trevor Hall. Go absorb the lyrics ASAP!

We have a very special treat for y’all in this week’s episode! Listen til the very end. We love you. Show yourselves!  *Big shoutout to the featured music in this week's episode—“Orinoco Flow", by Enya. This one really takes us there!

The mischievous Reverend Gene, founder of the Center for Conscious Living in Madison WI, is encouraging us to take a real good look at consciousness, philosophy, and matters of the soul. What a treat to learn of Gene’s soul story—we are so inspired by his awareness of what it means to override our “human software” for a more empowering human experience!  Gene, thank you SO much for your love of community & your feisty spiritual leadership!  *Big shout out to the featured music in this episode—Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love”!🙏🏼

Margaret does for sure... and Andrea’s fired up again. Y’all know how this goes! We wanna see y’all over on our Patreon for more, let’s goooooo—www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

The resilient Rene Simon sat down with us to courageously share on her life's journey, including the overcoming of addiction. Her personal story of walking through her darkest of nights, of maintaining her recovery, and finding her power & purpose, is a story that so many of us can relate to. Rene is the embodiment of a fierce warrior. Through her work as a recovery coach & certified peer support specialist, she supports others in their recovery from addiction with profound conviction to remember who we are.  Rene, thank you so much for sharing your story with us. It is an absolute honor to witness you in your strength & your vulnerability. We are in awe of how you’re helping to heal the world by seeing people beyond their addictions & pain. Y’all! Rene just published a book on March 8th! It's titled, "The Good Truth", available to order from Finishing Line Press—www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-good-truth-by-r-b-simon/ Please also refer to the following information referenced in this episode: 1. The Recovery Advocacy Project—www.recoveryvoices.com  2. Safe Communities Recovery Hotline—safercommunity.net/helpline/

More pep talks & witty banter—that’s our jam! Come on over to our Patreon, y’all! www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

OK, y’all! Our first guest of 2021 is the phenomenal Timothy Gant—also known as “Teddy”, who is making a powerful & necessary impression on the world of Full Spectrum Doula work in Houston, TX.   Teddy, thank you so much for sharing your story and your passion for advocacy with us!  To follow Teddy's journey, go check out his Instagram—@teddythedoula💯  For more information on Birthing Advocacy Doula Training, go to: www.badoulatrainings.org

Margaret does for sure... and Andrea's fired up again.   Maybe think about giving us a few bucks? You won’t regret it!  BECOME A LDT! PATRON: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

Welcome to Season 3 of LET'S DO THIS!, y'all! We're back. It's just us. Our doors are open.  SUBSCRIBE to be a LDT! Patron: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

Its been a real honor to receive & soak up all of your brilliant messages for our last episode of 2020 LET'S DO THIS!; our 3rd Edition of "Leave A Message". Thank you to everyone who left us a message!  We value each of you & your thoughts. We see you. We're truly in awe of the resiliency that came through in what you shared with us.  OK, here we go... 2021!  Are we ready? LET'S DO THIS! All Love, Andrea + Margaret

You guys, we had Margaret’s Dad on the show! Social worker. Peace Worker. Activist. Theologian. Philosopher. One hell of a guy!! Dad, love you so so much!

The 2020 Fatigue has us (all) a bit discombobulated, but hey, on another note: KAMALA! KAMALA! MVP! MVP!

Our votes are in! No matter the outcome of this pivotal moment for our country, may we remember: HOPE IS A VERB. And now we get to continue.

We celebrated our one year Let's Do This! Anniversary by sitting down with our one and only Podcast Doula, Craig! We humored C for a hot minute by letting him think that he was the host—and then we really dropped in!    Craig! Thank you for your reflections, including your recap of our first year in review. More importantly, though—thank you endlessly for being the wind beneath our podcasting wings!    HEY HEY HEY--->SUBSCRIBE to the LDT! PATREON: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

We get to find our own road to victory—again and again. SUBSCRIBE to the LDT! PATREON: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis

We sat down with author and teacher, Erica Mather, to dive into her first book, "Your Body, Your Best Friend: End the Confidence-Crushing Pursuit of Unrealistic Beauty Standards and Embrace Your True Power".  This is not your typical, on trend, body image book—this is a timeless, all-encompassing exploration that includes what we have historically been taught to believe about our bodies and how we can each embrace real healing of the relationships that we have with them by using practices centered in self-compassion and resiliency. There's so much goodness to take away from our conversation with Erica—and even more incredible wisdom from her powerful love letter of a book!  GO ORDER YOUR COPY NOW: https://ericamather.com.  Here’s to celebrating the absolute magic of our bodies!

Subscribe to be LET'S DO THIS! Patrons--->OUR PATREON PAGE: www.patreon.com/podcast_letsdothis ALL LOVE, Andrea+Margaret

Of course we can!

We’re still laughing big with these fucking masks on.

More from our conversation with April Dawn Harter, LCSW—founder of the Narcissism Recovery Center and creator of The Racist Signature Theory. 

We sat down with April Dawn Harter, LCSW—founder of what was formally known as the Racism Recovery Center, now the Narcissism Recovery Center, as well as the creator of The Racist Signature Theory. Her incredible work is about approaching/healing racism from a psychological, trauma-informed, stance. For more (UPDATED!) information: •www.narcissismrecoverycenter.com •The Narcissism Recovery Podcast •@narcissimrecoverycenter (Instagram)

After a pause, we’re ready to check in. As we've expressed before, we come to the mic on a mission to explore all layers of life with healthy humility and vulnerability. Continuing conversation about the deep roots of racism, white privilege, antiracism work, etc. is no exception. And we’re here to always process everything quite imperfectly, for we believe in what sharing our humanness provides: a connection to healing together.  We're still here to make you laugh, too. We're here to be ourselves. 

Before the incredible Tehmina Islam established her role as a home birth midwife (Access Midwifery), she was an activist first—since the age of 12!  As a first generation Indian-American, her story is such essence of what it means to, not only tune in to our life's purpose, but to immerse into our communities with a passion for the collective. Tehmina continues to be a fierce and vital resource in the Madison community and we could not be more grateful to her for sitting down with us!   For much more information regarding all of the resources discussed in this interview, please go to:    Tehmina’s website -   accessmidwiferywi.org    POWERS -   www.pregnancyoptionswi.org    Roots4Change / Raíces Para El Cambio - m.facebook.com/roots4change6/  Safe Skies Clean Water -   www.safeskiescleanwaterwi.org    Mother’s Milk Alliance -   www.mothersmilkalliance.org

We returned to our standard chatroom banter via Zoom (have y’all been to Zoom yet!?) for a little breather.

We sat down with the wise and wonderful Mary Moore - a torchbearer in our local birth community as a home birth midwife. What an honor to have such a profound and meaningful conversation with someone who has taught us both so much about life!     PLEASE NOTE—this episode contains detailed points and sensitive information regarding Anatomy, Abortion, Circumcision, and Gender Identities.   You must see!—Mary's Website:  www.strongworkhomebirth.com

Our next edition of "Leave A Message" is a glimpse of life as it is right now. Hit pause on this one when you need to, but you’re gonna want to come back and finish!  Be easy on yourselves... and thank you so much for listening.   All Love,   Margaret+Andrea   ***A BIG SHOUTOUT to Mama Digdown's Brass Band for their amazing version of “I'll Be There" AND—to our incredible Podcast Doula, Craig, for his technical wizard skills!***

We are currently navigating an intense time as a global community. Folks who work in Healthcare are on the front lines, doing what they can to look out for all of us, like Margaret’s incredible brother—Mike Romano! We sat down with him last year around this time and had a great convo, which included how he started as a CNA at 17 years old, to now leading as a hospital administrator in Denver, CO. Enjoy this thoughtful, honest interview with Margaret’s oldest brother.

We sat down with Andrea's big brother, Conrad! He's real, he's funny, he's awesome. We attempted to discuss A LOT, especially with regards to Conrad’s vocation in law enforcement. His opinions are of his own. These conversations, as complex as they are, are ones that we will continue to approach with much curiosity. Our intention here is to hold a space that represents a wide group of humans & their experiences. We look forward to continuing these very real and very powerful conversations!

We know these things for sure: 1. We can get really serious, but we won’t take ourselves too seriously. 2. We want to stay curious and we want to explore. "Explore what, exactly?", you may ask. We're not really sure - take it easy. 

It’s time to talk about Pleasure. Or maybe not?

YOU GUYS, WE SAW OPRAH!!!

It's 2020! Welcome to Season 2 of Let's Do This! Margaret and Andrea ask themselves, "Can they still be funny while taking a deep look at the heartbreaking realities of the world?" They grapple with how to accept life's contrast while maintaining a sense of hope and laughter. 

Sometimes you don’t have any other choice except to be your biggest fan! If we don’t embrace the ongoing journey of knowing and seeing ourselves, then what is the point?! Andrea and Margaret want to give you a glimpse into an intimate portrait of what it has taken for them to embark on the journey of podcast life; the emotional rollercoaster, the mundane, and the pep talks that have them wanting to keep showing UP. Episode 7 is the first edition of “Leave A Message”—brought to you by Margaret and Andrea’s ongoing Voice Notes to each other; the uncurated, uncharted, undeniably raw back and forth of how these two do what they have to do to believe in themselves.

Episode 6! So here’s the deal: Andrea brings up consumerism alongside the fuckin’ holidays but, Margaret‘s not feeling it. They agree that there are more important things to navigate other than consumerism, like their own mortality and “blah blah blah”. Margaret and Andrea like to now refer to their classic banter as, Motivational Comedy!

Margaret and Andrea sit down with their extraordinary friend, Shannon, for intimate dialogue about her journey to becoming a Nurse Practitioner. Shannon provides insight on how she strives to support her community as a care provider when it comes to matters of education, gender, race, socio economic background, etc. Overall, this discussion touches on what they all believe to be relevant and important to acknowledge for our human well-being of these current times. This is a personal yet informative conversation, two components that Andrea and Margaret both greatly value whenever they sit down at their table with people. PLEASE NOTE—this episode contains detailed points and sensitive information regarding Anatomy, Consent, and Sexuality.

Andrea and Margaret come back to their table to break it down on pep talks. What else is there to say except, they end up really pep-talkin' on pep talks—because they're a coupla pep-talkers! If you need a good pep talk, then come 'n sit and take a good listen. If anything, you're probably gonna laugh, that’s a given. This episode also includes a real pearl of an ENCORE, so hang out till the end. Always hang out till the very very end! Do y’all need a pep talk on staying till the end!? *BIG THANK YOU’s to Mama Digdown’s Brass Band for offering up their incredible music in each episode! Go check ‘em out: http://mamadigdown.com