Unapologetically...

Get ready for a good one! The LAST episode of the season is here, and it is one that will hopefully inspire you to make a difference in your community. Jane Ruby, President of the League of Women Voters Chicago Chapter, joins us today to discuss what it means to be civically engaged. So many of us are feeling political fatigue, and Jane is here to help us understand how to navigate feelings of overwhelm and gain control of the impact we can have on our own communities. She shares ways in which we can get involved in local elections, how to talk to friends and family about voting, and how to approach this upcoming election season through an issues-based lens. Jane leaves us with a feeling of hopefulness that we often don't hear in the political realm these days, and I know I felt so inspired to see where I can engage within my local community. And no...your ears are not fooling you...we have brand new intro and outro music.A HUGE thank you to all of you who have listened over the past 6 months. I cannot believe we got to this point, and I am forever grateful of every message, share, word of support, review, and follow. I can't wait to show you what Season 2 will bring!

Today we are joined by @millennialleadershipcoach, Calle Foster, who breaks down exactly what it means to be your own press. Time and time again we (especially women) are told we should keep our accomplishments to ourselves so that we don't sound braggy. However, Calle reframes that mentally into a MUST if we want to move forward in our leadership journey. She shares exactly what "being your own press" means, how we can begin to step into our own, and how to tackle those inevitable stumbles. You even get to hear a little bit of coaching in this episode, which gets me to think through my own blocks! You can find Calle at @millennialleadershipcoach on Instagram and at https://www.callefoster.com/.

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

I'm so grateful that one of my closest friends joins us on the pod today to discuss his sober journey. Joe shares what led to his decision to live a sober life and how he overcame many initial challenges. He shares his gratitude for his family and friends and emphasizes the importance of a support system as he continues to navigate sobriety. If you or anyone you know is considering a different relationship with alcohol (raising my own hand!), this is the episode to spend some time with and to share. If you are looking for resources to help you navigate your sobriety, here is a list:Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):Website: https://www.aa.org/AA offers information about their program, including the 12 steps, meeting locations, and resources for individuals struggling with alcohol addiction.SMART Recovery:Website: https://www.smartrecovery.org/SMART Recovery offers online meetings, forums, tools, and resources based on cognitive-behavioral techniques to support recovery from addiction.In The Rooms:Website: https://www.intherooms.com/In The Rooms is an online platform that offers virtual support group meetings for individuals in recovery from addiction, as well as resources and community forums.Rethinking Drinking (for alcohol addiction):Website: https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/This website, created by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), offers tools and resources to help individuals assess their drinking habits and make positive changes.

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

Welcome to another solo episode! Today's episode is centered on my own mental health and some recent reflections I've had on the burnout I've been feeling. I talk about how feeling overwhelmed lately has caused me to fall back into some really unhealthy patterns (content warning: I will be discussing disordered eating) and how I've been able to work toward recovery again. I share this story because I know there are so many who are suffering in silence and either feel shame or guilt about this illness. I promise you are not alone. I also share a little update on the podcast and what is coming next!If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating, here are some resources:National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA):Website: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/NEDA Helpline: 1-800-931-2237NEDA provides extensive resources, support groups, helplines, and educational materials for individuals struggling with eating disorders and their families.Eating Disorder Hope:Website: https://www.eatingdisorderhope.com/Eating Disorder Hope offers information on various types of eating disorders, treatment options, recovery stories, and a directory of treatment providers.Academy for Eating Disorders (AED):Website: https://www.aedweb.org/AED is a global professional organization committed to leadership in eating disorders research, education, treatment, and prevention.The Alliance for Eating Disorders Awareness:Website: https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/The Alliance offers support groups, educational resources, and advocacy initiatives to raise awareness about eating disorders and provide assistance to those affected.Eating Disorder Referral and Information Center:Website: https://www.edreferral.com/This website provides a comprehensive directory of eating disorder treatment professionals, including therapists, nutritionists, and treatment centers.

I am joined by Sophie, who is a former student of mine. She discusses her mental health journey from elementary school through where she is today as a college junior. She shares why she feels so compelled to speak up about mental health, how she sees her mental health diagnoses as an asset, and even sheds light on the generational differences when speaking about mental health. Sophie's advice to everyone about embracing your mental health journey is inspiring and will hopefully help shed the stigma that, sadly, we still see surrounding conversations around mental health.If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, there are several resources available:NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): https://www.nami.org/Call 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), text “HelpLine” to 62640 or email us at [email protected] 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

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

The story in today's is real, raw, and one that needs to be shared in our society. Our amazing guest, Erica Wood, details her experience with divorce in order to break down the stigma associated with ending a marriage. With the utmost care, Erica takes us through the red flags she noticed throughout her relationship, shines light on the mindset shift she needed to focus on herself and her happiness, and begins to share how she found love again. Erica is vulnerable and strong as she recounts her upbringing around purity culture and its impact on her relationship and also explains how breaking free from guilt led her to the healthy, communicative, and loving relationship she is in now. This episode is jam-packed--so much so that we will be sharing part 2 next week! You will not want to miss this very important conversation.

Anti-aging is a phrase most of us hear daily, but it's time to stop buying into that bullshit! Claudia Fabian, (@thebeautydebut), an influencer dedicated to changing the narrative around skin health and beauty as we age, shares her journey in the beauty industry and inspires us to feel good, no matter what age we are! Claudia details the importance of certain skin-focused procedures while also dispelling the marketing behind others. She encourages all of us to feel confident and beautiful in our skin and to feel excited about the beauty in aging. Let's get ready to change our mindsets and learn to feel glamorous in every way!

Do you have a mindfulness practice? If not, you are going to love this episode! Dana Faletto (@danadoestarot) explains the way tarot can help you stay present in the now. She shares how her therapy practice actually helped her begin her journey into tarot and then details the ways in which it helped her manage her anxiety. She addresses the misconceptions about tarot in order to hopefully open minds about what tarot actually is and the purpose it can serve in your life. We even get into the feelings of chaos everyone is experiencing right now, given the new moon, Mercury retrograde, and the eclipse all happening at the same time. She even provides guidance for how to make mindfulness an easy integration into what you are already doing. I left this episode feeling energized and ready to commit to mindfulness.

Jaci sits down with Antoinette Beauchamp (abcoached), who is a leadership coach, speaker, and podcaster. Antionette shares her journey into coaching, how we can utilize coaching to step into our power as leaders, and how she incorporates yoga and meditation into her coaching practice. Antionette also explains how understanding your enneagram can further empower you as a leader and equip you with strategies for how you interact with the world. If you are new to coaching, she also recommends an article she wrote for Real Simple (https://www.realsimple.com/life-coach-vs-therapist-7507898), which explains the difference between therapy and coaching. Antionette can be found on social media at @abcoached and on her website, https://www.abcoached.com/, where you can find the link to her podcast as well as ways to work with her. Get ready to feel inspired to step into the next step in your leadership journey.

It's time for us to get curious! Alexa Viscius (@alexavisciusphoto), a photographer and designer (and my cousin!) joins us for a really engaging conversation on how we can live our lives a little more curiously. She shares how curiosity shows up in her professional life as well as in her relationship with her husband. She also shares her journey into photography and gives insight into how her relationship with her twin sister, Jessica (@bnnyband), allowed her to live a creative and curious life. To see more of Alexa's work, visit alexaviscius.com.

We have all been there--fighting through the perils of grief. Today's episode is going to tackle this topic while also shining light on ways we can continue to authentically show up for ourselves. My guest, Melissa Martin, will share her own grief journey and will discuss ways she has accepted grief as a facet of her life. She also discusses how she honors those she has lost through little practices that allow us to feel hope within the darkness. There is a content warning for this episode. We discuss the topics of death, terminal illness, and pregnancy loss. If you find yourself in a time where it may not be a time to listen, I hope you honor that within yourself.

This week we have Allie Guiang, the founder of Level Up Ladies (@we.are.lul), a networking community based on out Chicago. This organization has literally changed my life; in fact, joining LUL and being around so many supportive and ambitious women was one of the main impetuses for starting this podcast. You will hear the story behind the creation of LUL and will also her Allie's advice on creating the habits that you need to level up your life. Get your notes app ready to take down some of these amazing nuggets.At the end of the episode, Allie recommends some great reading including We Should All be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers, Atomic Habits by James Clear, and Indistractable by Nir Eyle. And don't forget to follow @we.are.lul to be connected with some incredible women!!

I know this episode will resonate with so many! Our guest, Shanna, will discuss how she balances work-mom life, how she handles mom guilt, and provides some excellent advice on how to prioritize yourself when you have so much going on in your life. She unapologetically lives life doing what her soul craves; more recently, she even started her own BookTok @Mrs.ValentiReads. Follow her for book recommendations!

Get ready to invite a little woo into your life! This week we have Emily Gornick, @therichwitchnextdoor, who is going to share all about her own spirit gifts and how we can use OUR spirit gifts (yes, we have them!) to manifest the life we want to live. Emily breaks down some common terminology you may have heard on Tik Tok or Reels like spirit team, angel numbers, and morning magic. To work with Emily, find her on Instagram @therichwitchnextdoor. And obviously...don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to Unapologetically!

Have you ever considered sober curiosity? This will definitely be an episode you don't want to miss! In today's episode, I am joined by Danielle Brown, who is currently on her sober curious journey (and as of publishing this episode, still going strong!). We discuss her relationship with alcohol, what led to her decision, and what she has learned so far. Her key takeaways are not to be missed! We also dive into the generational differences with alcohol and how social media plays a role in our relationship with drinking. Content warning: there is a discussion on binge drinking and how that manifested in my life.If you are looking for some great resources to begin your sober curious path, here are a few for you:Quit Like a Woman by Holly WhitakerNot Drinking Tonight by Amanda E. Whitehead, LPCSimple Ways to Unwind without Alcohol by Rebecca E. Williams, PhD

Welcome to the podcast! Join me for my very first episode. I start at the beginning and tell you how this idea came to be, why this topic is important to me and my own journey, and will fill you in on what you are going to hear in future episodes. I touch briefly on my career as a teacher and how, because I let it, it became my entire identity to the point where I completely lost myself. And, honestly, it has taken me a very long time to find myself again. So, wherever you are listening, whether it be in your car, on your walk, or in the gym, I hope you are ready for an exciting ride!

Welcome to the Uapologetically Podcast! Premiering February 12, join Jaci and her guests as they explore the different facets of our identities and lifestyles that allow us to live our most authentic selves.