Circle Time: A Book Club Podcast

The pals and special guest Ellen tackle the topics of codependence and love addiction through this impactful read by Pia Mellody. Whether you tend toward codependence or not, this book offers a lot to chew on. It prompts you to wonder, how can I be more myself in my relationships?  Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

W.W.B.B.S. What would Brené Brown say? This is the second half of the Daring Greatly conversation. Olivia dives into the top three protective shields in the vulnerability armory and the accompanying antidotes. Michelle, Lauren, and Olivia discuss their top vulnerability shield and their personal relationship to the antidote. Join the circle and do a deep dive into all things vulnerable.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

This book changed Olivia's life and she can't wait to share how. Join the Circle Time ladies for this conversation about all things related to shame and shame resilience. From being innately worthy and deserving of goodness to getting knocked down time and time again by the same old shame scripts, this episode covers the basic introduction to Brené Brown's impactful book.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Welcome back for part 2 of Getting It by Allison Moon! In this half, we talk about consent, how we each would prefer to have hard conversations, vulnerability, a touch of shame, and a tangent about self-trust and confidence.  Plus, Olivia tries out the hard conversation formula and breaks up with Lauren and Michelle. Kidding! (maybe..)Give it a listen and let us know what you think! Note: The audio quality struggles in segments of this episode. We are working to make changes where we can and appreciate your patience & understanding!  Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Heyo! We're back from a longer-than-planned break with a spicy 2-parter on Allison Moon's Getting It: A Guide to Hot, Healthy Hookups and Shame Free Sex. In this episode we chat about casual sex, knowing yourself, being a good sexual citizen, and tapping into your intuition. Lauren leads Michelle and Olivia through an abbreviated version of an exercise in the book (but you'll have to read it yourself to get to the juiciest parts!) We felt like we only skimmed the surface here, so join us next time for part 2! DISCLAIMER: This episode contains some explicit sexual language. Some of the ideas discussed may feel challenging to you. We encourage you to get curious and respect your own limits. We invite you to send us a polite, engaged email at [email protected] for continued conversation. Learn more about Allison Moon here: https://www.alliedmoon.com/Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Join us with guest Ellen as she takes us through The Wim Hof Method. Step 1: breath meditation. Step 2: set an intention. Step 3: cold plunge. This episode dives into each step of the Wim Hof Method, ultimately convincing all of us to try it for ourselves. Ellen has been incorporating this method into her daily routine since April and swears by the positive effects it has had in her life. Join us for this  conversation and maybe try it for yourself. Let us know what you think! Guided breathing (long hold): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tybOi4hjZFQGuided breathing (short hold): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BNejY1e9ik Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

This one's a doozy! Join Michelle and Olivia for this very messy conversation in tackling Man's Search for Meaning. They discuss Victor E. Frankl's logotherapy ( form of existential therapy), tragic optimism, as well as keeping hope and faith while enduring suffering. Come along with them on this bumpy but entertaining journey of discovering meaning!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

***Apologies for the background noise on this episode. Chewing and typing sounds may occur.***In 1996, Bill Bryson was one among many thousands of hikers who attempted to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. Joined by an old friend, Katz, the two amateur hikers set out to walk the over 2,000-mile journey and see what they learn along the way. This was a very different kind of nature memoir for Michelle. Rather than healing past wounds or conquering a mighty unknown, the two hikers learn far more about how to appreciate hamburgers and exactly what time is quitting time (spoiler alert: it's sooner than you'd think!) Kicking off Season 3 of Circle Time, your hosts found appreciation for Bryson's mellow and accessible outlook on nature and outdoor adventure. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Special guest (and dear friend) Michaela Eckler brings us this historical fiction novel to inspire conversation about what certain words truly mean, who gets to define them, and how to fight the "good fight" no matter who you are. This is a "slow-burn" novel; it doesn't quite suck you in, but its impact creeps up slowly, and leaves you thinking about it for weeks after reading. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Yoga, meditation, astrology, good diet, high self-esteem; where does it all come from and who gets to have it? In this episode, we take a close look at the wellness industry through the lens of anti-colonialism and Róisín's personal experience. The responsibility the author puts on yoga teachers hits close to home for Michelle. Olivia wonders how technology and Instagram play into "real" wellness. Lauren wonders how to truly connect to intuition. Listen, and find out what wellness means to you!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Here it is... a long-awaited Circle Time by yours truly, Olivia! This book changed her life and she couldn't wait to share it with everyone. In this episode, Lauren and Olivia discuss "the truth that lives there" and Michelle questions if Sugar's advice still stands in a marriage. Join them for some laughs, maybe some tears, and a whole lot of "horribly horrible true truths".Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

This book walked its way into Michelle's life and now she can't look back. The daily practices and Buddhist philosophies that Rinzler espouses here bring a renewed sense of meaning into work, and help calm the mind/body along the way. From setting intentions to focusing on the breath, we talk about how to slow down and be mindful at work. . . and the challenges that prevent us from doing so. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Are any of us married? Nope. Do we have any experience with marriage? Nope. Are we still gonna talk about it? Yup. Through information from relationship researcher John Gottman, we talk about the Four Horsemen as they relate to the demise of a relationship as well as the initial "seeds" or warning signs that may mean your relationship could use some TLC. Join us for this conversation that explores marriage, divorce, breaking up with long-term partners, and a whole lot more!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

SPOILERS!!! Welcome back to the conversation about It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. In this episode Lauren spills all of her thoughts on the characters, the story, and the book as a whole. Michelle revisits her previous thoughts on what consequence and justice could look like for some characters in this book. Olivia and Lauren agree that they both don't like the ending. Join the circle for a long and energetic conversation about this book and all of the controversies that come with it.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Let's talk about sex, baby! This insightful book is one of our favorites. We *came* out of it knowing so much more about communication around sex, managing turn-ons and turn-offs, and dealing with stress healthily. Talking points include:-completing the stress cycle-inhibitors and excitors -how religion may tie into our perceptions of sex-tending your own "garden" This is a 10/10 would recommend book for people of all ages and sexual orientations. It's the sex ed that we've all been missing, and leads us all to live a more pleasure-filled life.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

TRIGGER WARNING: domestic violence. NO SPOILERS! This episode is all about Colleen Hoover's book It Ends With Us as well as the movie that stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. The Circle Time ladies discuss social and emotional implications this book and movie has on its audience. Olivia describes the premise of the book, Lauren explains where she is at with reading it, and Michelle reaaaallllyyy wants to know the ending. Michelle and Lauren predict different endings the book could have and Olivia questions the backlash Lively and Baldoni received during publicity and advertising for the movie. This episode is packed with wonderings and questions that none of them have answers to, so join them for the ride.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Michelle and Olivia get wild in this episode on one of our favorite books to return to: Women Who Run with the Wolves. (And by "get wild" we mean, get pretty sidetracked and don't actually talk about the book all that much. . .whoops!) Conversation drifts from the meaning of nicknames, to the dangers of opening up your heart, to Olivia's current obsession with pregnancy and post-partum journeys. Tune in for a freshly-caught and unfiltered episode. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Welcome to Season 2 of Circle Time! We're back from summer break and we're kicking off the new season with a rare occasion - all 3 of us read and loved this novel! Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is a story about platonic love, the creative spirit, and, surprisingly enough, video games. Discussion topics include:-general gushing about why we loved this book-what we value in a female main character-Zevin's unique writing style -coming back to the idea of forgiveness, as seen in a novel rather than nonfictionJoin this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Get on "another level" with us as we talk about human relationships to animals. Can we truly communicate with animals in a deep and meaningful way? Is there a natural hierarchy found in the animal kingdom? Are we all created from the same plane? Would whales want to talk to us?! Join us for this conversation as we try to answer some of these questions.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

We're truly getting messy about life and covering a lot of ground in this episode as we chat about Sheila Heti's Pure Colour and welcome our very first guest to Circle Time, our beloved Lex! Join us for some existential conversation about who we are as animals (bears, fish, or birds anyone?), autofiction, religion, mental health, and versions of the world we hope to see. This is a much-loved book of Lauren and Lex's--we hope you enjoy it too!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

We return to the "woo woo bible" to explore one of our favorite topics: love and relationships. Estés analyzes the story of the skeleton woman; an Inuit folktale that speaks to the transformational nature of love, the willingness to embrace change, and  the ability to let the soul speak louder than the ego. In this episode, Olivia tries to let go of childhood, Michelle tries to figure out how partnership is both risky and a gut-feeling, and Lauren realizes she's got a special someone worth "untangling" for. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

You can now join the Circle Time Bookclub Podcast Group on Goodreads! Check out the page here. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Our first novel on the podcast! This is the second book in a series published in the 1990s by ecofeminist leader Starhawk. It tells the story of a young woman named Maya protesting the Vietnam War and trying to stay true to herself amidst all the pressures of family, peers and adulthood. Discussion topics include:-when did we become such non-fiction heads??-personal communion with nature and how to write about it -is personal revolution a worthwhile cause? Or are we simply leaving others                             behind? Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Welcome back to another Circle Time! In this episode, Lauren shares from Negotiating with the Dead: Writers on Writing by Margaret Atwood. We put on our English class hats and talk about our ideas about writers, our experiences with fiction vs nonfiction, and get a little existential about being human and our desires to be remembered. Whew! Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Olivia begins this conversation by giving an overview of what this book is about and who this book might be written for (probably not for us). We then dive into a discussion about qualities that make up a "life partner" and how those traits may be overlooked by some people because of smaller annoyances or distractions in the initial dating phase. We talk about how awkward and weird dating is or can be, but how necessary those parts are to form relationship with someone. We try to differentiate between wants and needs when it comes to relationship as well as the two different outlooks of "maximizers" and "satisficers". Join us for this stumbling and vulnerable conversation about love and partnership!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

We keep unpacking Communion with a deeper discussion of queerness and how it doesn't go away, even when you're in a straight-presenting relationship. Further, we discuss the experience of reading bell hooks' work and how truly impactful it is. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Book three in bell hooks' series on the big-L Love. This  book spells out the challenges women face in finding and keeping love in a patriarchal society. From identifying "feminist" men who would never actually date a feminist, to challenging the idea that women are inherently nurturing, bell hooks gives us a lot to chew on. This episode gives an overview of the book, touching on multiple topics and concepts. More on queerness and hooks' impact in next week's episode! Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Join us for this discussion about garden(ing), hyperawareness of where our products come from, and The Honorable Harvest. This conversation toes the line between existing in a consumer culture and existing harmoniously in nature. Is this even possible? How do you balance between these two contexts? Can these two things exist in harmony? Jump into the conversation with us!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Michelle has deemed it the "woo woo" bible because this book has got ALL the wisdom about spiritual growth; shared through themes of nature, folktale and female archetypes. There will probably be many Circle Times on this book because there's so much to cover. This episode continues the conversation on anger and forgiveness from our last two episodes. The book presents a surprisingly similar philosophy: forgiveness is for yourself, not so much for the one who did the harm. And according to Estés, there's a whole journey of forgiveness, with stops along the way. The only driving force is finding your inner peace. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Welcome back for PART 2 as we continue to UnF*ck our anger! (and our forgiveness).This episode features:-Michelle forgiving Olivia once long ago-Olivia, continually mindblown by forgiveness-and a brief 10-step overview of how you might even start to forgive someone anyway.Please enjoy this exploratory and sometimes chaotic forgiveness journey :)Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Welcome to part 1 of our first 2-part episode! Who knew this little book could contain so much? Join us as we talk about some evolutionary science, our own experiences with anger, and begin to unravel our understanding of forgiveness. Is moving on the same thing as forgiving? More on that next time! :)Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

In this episode we read some poems aloud and digest them together. The poems selected are random - just ones that Lauren and Michelle liked a lot and wanted to share. Some strong themes of connection to nature and mental health recurred. Featuring: "Such Silence" by Mary Oliver (not read aloud) from Blue Horses"swimming." by January Black from After Her "Beatrice" by Shira Erlichman from Odes to Lithium"What it Looks Like to Us" and "The Words We Use" by Ada Limon from Bright Dead Things published by Milkweed Editions Link to "Such Silence" here. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

If you're ready to put a whole lotta pressure on your 20s, here you go! This book was a tough pill to swallow - it has such a strict definition of success. However, the underlying themes of setting goals, doing fulfilling work, envisioning the future you want, and making tough decisions resonated with us. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Olivia grapples with what "traumatic" really means. We then discuss attunement and attachment as mentioned in the book as well as how life events can influence genetic expression. To close we discuss therapeutic approaches to recover from traumatic experiences. Join us for this difficult, uncomfortable, and informative conversation!Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

It's allllllll about the practice! Join us for this episode as we wrestle with the idea of practice, tease out what it really means to have one, the beauty of returning to things, art, dance, commitment, and of course, relationships. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

In this episode we learned that attachment is complicated! There's tons to study and if you want to learn more about your own style please read the book and/or consult with your therapist. We are certainly not experts - we may have actually come out of this conversation with more questions than answers. But it's a worthwhile listen nonetheless! Conversation topics include: how our attachment styles change - and quicker than we thought!how to recognize your anxious and avoidant behaviors our psyches are so complex, we need so much more info on disorganized attachment!turns out there's this thing called "effective dependence" and it says that relationships are supposed to make us healthier, stronger, and MORE independent. Whaaaat?? True love isn't supposed to be obsessive and complicated?? Do we have to be friends with our exes to be truly secure?Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Words of affirmation, acts of service, receiving/giving gifts, quality time, and physical touch. Which one is your love language? To give or receive? How does this show up in your relationship(s)? These are the questions. Listen to us find out our primary love languages and how they impact our current relationships. Join the circle as we breakdown the "in love" feeling and how that can evolve over time.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

A Circle Time favorite book. In this memoir, a therapist shares about her own experience in therapy and some especially impactful patients that challenged her and pulled at her heartstrings. Conversation topics include: -Olivia's great awakening-how we learn -the Transtheoretical Model or Stages of Change Model-Erik Erikson's crisis stages of development: dealing with intimacy versus isolation as a young adult-having love for exes without being "hung up" on themJoin this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Join us for a deeper dive as we tease apart what radical acceptance of the self really means, from a book that may or may not change your life. Featuring: thoughts and feelings; brains and bodies; how truly radical it is to accept yourself; our mean internal monologues; and how we think radical acceptance might help if you're feeling  awkward at a party. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Goodbye Millennial and hello iGen! In this episode we discuss Gen Z with all their peaks and valleys. Listen as we take a quiz to learn how iGen we are and what this means moving forward in our greater culture.Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Surprise surprise, we're all HSPs. From this book we learned that there's a neurological reason for our sensitivities. Even though it's not fun to hear, it is validating. Special focus on how we HSPs manage our relationships with different "optimal levels of arousal," and social needs.  Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Get a taste of the kind of conversation you'll hear during Circle Time. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]

Welcome to Circle Time! Listen to find out more. Join this conversation by sending us an email at [email protected]