You Sow What You Hope To Reap

In this episode, we read, analyze, and chat about how society inaccurately conflates morality and fatness. Kate presents some problems with this comparison and the implications for people of varying body size and shape. We reflect on some current events / issues, media representations, the role of capitalism and... the patriarchy. Ew.

This chapter delves into some of the history about body image and digs into where and when "fatness fell out of favour". There is some historical information and modern statistics and research. Kate's candid discussion of fatphobia's roots in racism is sobering. Take a deep breath, babes. This is a tough one.

In this heavy research and scientific study chapter, Kate tackles some of the health related panics caused by fatphobia, internalized and otherwise. We share and comment on some of the studies and make observations about the systemic nature of fatphobia and the damage it does. Jen waxes poetic with her beautiful words and Elaina talks about 50 Cent (again). More importantly, to our listeners, we hope this episode helps begin (or continue) the shift in the way you perceive yourself and your body.

For this episode, we reflect on the first chapter of Unshrinking - and it's a doozy. We chat about the various "arenas" where fatphobia does a lot of damage to the quality of life for people considered fat or overweight. We drop some hard truths and do some vulnerable self-reflection. Hope you can find what you need in this episode.

Welcome back for our fourth season of You Sow What You Hope to Reap! We are so glad you’re here. In this first episode, Jen and Elaina tackle the Introduction of Kate Manne’s Unshrinking. They share insights and discuss some of the big topics coming up in later chapters of the book. They gush about Kate’s brilliance as a writer and reflect on the journey to get to this point. They also acknowledge some of the challenges that will come with tackling a book like this. We can’t wait to start this next adventure with you so J & E

Here we are! The final chapter of Dr. Pooja Lakshmin's Real Self-Care. What an incredible journey this has been.In this final episode, we discuss changing our narratives to own our power. We chat privilege, growth, community and agency. We discuss, question, ponder, laugh and share.Enjoy!

After a wee break - WE'RE BACK! In this episode, we tackle the first half of chapter seven. We get into core values and how they affect our decisions and goals. Just as important, Dr. Lakshmin challenges us (and the rest of her readers) to sit in our accomplishments and take the time to "digest" them. We laugh, we dig deep and we reflect. Happy listening!

In this, sixth, chapter of Real Self-Care, Dr. Lakshmin explores setting boundaries with ourselves, Martyr Mode, framing our inner critic and the other voices and acknowledging we have a body and what it needs. While this may have been a challenging read, the subsequent conversation was enlightening and really helped to conceptualize the idea and how to be kind to oneself. We hope you enjoy!

This episode was a tough one to record. Between sickness and the intensity and frustration of reading and digesting chapter five... it was a challenge to say the least. Chapter five is all about boundaries -- why we set them, how to set them and how to take a new perspective on the residual guilt. Our reading showed us the pervasiveness of the concept of boundary setting and called for some pretty significant introspection. Despite it's difficulty, we highly recommend reading this chapter. Buckle up, babes. Let get into it.

In this episode, we begin Part Two ofReal Self-Carewith Chapter Four. We discuss the principles of self-care and some of the “yellow flags” in doing this type of introspective work. Additionally, we got to acknowledge Jen’s birthday have some really meaningful conversations. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we discuss the many ways the system is rigged against us and how it makes breaking the status quo more difficult. The chapter is challenging but inspiring. It is great reminder that we have the power to create change but the work comes in adapting a pre-existing mindset. Bottomline? Marginalized & oppressed populations are ready to draw our line in the sand and say that enough is enough. Social justice as a part of self-care sounds exactly right to us.

For this episode, we began Part One of Dr. Lakshmin’s Real Self-Care. Chapter One: Empty Calories focuses on the failures of faux self care and Chapter Two: Why It’s Hard to Resist the Seduction delves into the reasons why we turn to self-care measures. Thus far we are blown away by the information and insight offered and we are excited to keep learning with you. We hope you enjoy!

In this first episode of Season Three, we dive head-first and heart-first into the Introduction of Dr. Pooja Lakshmin's Real Self-Care: A Transformative Program for Redefining Wellness. This book came to us highly recommended from someone we admire and, while slightly intimidated, we are committed to this journey with you all and look forward to the growth and learning to take place. We hope you enjoy!

In this bonus episode, the excellent Dave Fletcher joins us in the studio (Elaina’s office) to ask us some viewer questions. We are super grateful for our fam, fans & friends contributions to this episode - we hope you enjoy!

This is it - our second season of You Sow What You Hope to Reap concludes with the final guidepost in Brené Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. Guidepost ten is all about laughter, song and dance. Thanks for joining us on this amazing journey of human becoming :)

In this week’s episode, recorded on a rainy Tuesday (yes, it’s relevant), we discuss the next two guideposts: Cultivating Calm and Stillness and Letting Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle & Cultivating Meaningful Work and Letting Go of Self-Doubt and “Supposed-To”. Second last episode of Season Two - we hope you enjoy!

This week, in the next two guideposts, Brené Brown encourages Cultivating Creativity and Cultivating Play and Rest and we wholeheartedly agree. We discuss the importance of looking beyond barriers and finding happiness in creative outlets (ps - creativity IS for everyone). Then we get to chat about play and why too much scheduling can get in the way of fun. We hope you enjoy!

This week’s episode is about Cultivating Gratitude and Joy (and letting go of scarcity and fear) and Cultivating Intuition and Trust while letting go of the need for certainty. After sharing some highlights from the chapters in The Gifts of Imperfection by Brene Brown, we share our buns - the things that stuck with us after reading - and did some learning and reflecting. We were so privileged to be able to attend a Mental Health Summit this past weekend and we excitedly share some of the incredible ideas and insights. We hope you enjoy!

For this week’s episode, we cover the guideposts on Cultivating Self-Compassion (#2) and Cultivating a Resilient Spirit (#3). With open hearts, insight, and a few teeny, tiny tangents, we tested our vulnerability by sharing our individual results from Dr. Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion Test. We hope you enjoy!

In the first of ten guideposts, we talk about what it means to strive for authenticity. In the “new”, Reading Report we both highlight sections of this chapter that were important to us before a segue into our Burns. Then we tried something a little different and played a word game. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we forego our typical episode format and converse openly about shame. In this chapter of The Gift of Imperfect, Brene Brown teaches us that shame resilience is about sharing our stories and we set out to do exactly that. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we discuss the next two sections of Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. We both found that this week’s reading challenged us emotionally but laid some great groundwork for heartfelt conversation.

In our debut Season Two episode, we cover the Anniversary Note, Preface and Introduction of Brene Brown’s The Gifts of Imperfection. Brene’s gift with words guides us through the first few sections of the book study and fuels our excitement to continue through this second season. We hope you enjoy!

We did it! This is officially the end of Season One! To culminate, we invited our dear friend Cilena Mathieu to help us reminisce. Jen also had a chance to interview our music creator Silas Klassan and Elaina had an opportunity to interview Abi Reimer - artwork creator. It is the “perfect” ending to a wonderful adventure.

In this eighth and final chapter, we discuss the difficulties of growth, healing and self-compassion. This chapter was a beautiful compilation of all we’ve learned and there was a lot of reflection for both of us. We hope you enjoy!

In this episode, we tackle the seventh chapter of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle (by the incredible Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski). This chapter is all about rest - why we avoid it, why we need it AND some resources to help reconceptualize how we make time for ourselves (hear that, human givers?)

This chapter marks the beginning of Part III: Wax On, Wax Off. In this episode, we talk about connection, the Bubble of Love and the dangers of loneliness.

In this episode, we take a deep breath and dive into the fifth chapter of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. This chapter takes a closer look at how capitalism and the patriarchy have taught us to see our bodies as the enemy when, in fact, the BIC is the enemy.

CONTENT WARNING. This episode discusses murder, violence, sexual violence, rape and assault. The topics are difficult and potentially triggering. Please listen with care if you chose to proceed. The mention of “explicit misogyny” in Chapter Four opened up some emotional wounds for Elaina so she had to share them with Jen.

In this episode, we cover the fourth chapter of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle. This chapter is titled ‘The Game is Rigged’ and we get a chance to weigh in on the patriarchy, gas lighting, human giver syndrome and more. Stay tuned for a Chapter Four Part Two where we dig a bit deeper into explicit misogyny.

In this episode, we cover chapter three of Burnout and talk about meaning (what,how, why, when and where).

Kelly Frewin, drama teacher extraordinaire, stops by the podcast to share his insight on meaning, teaching and personal growth.

This episode is in large part dedicated and intended for our students. Here are some tips and tricks for getting through a freeze response.

In this episode, we cover chapter two of Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski. We laugh. We cry. We hope you enjoy!

A context conversation about misogyny and the patriarchy

Jen & Elaina dive into the first chapter of Burnout with a quick summary and some burning ideas, heartfelt anecdotes and some hopefully helpful takeaways.

Pilot Episode of You Sow What you Hope to Reap! On this very first episode, Jen & Elaina chat about what brought them to this podcast and the book that inspired this fun new endeavour.