Ask a Better Question

It’s now been 2 years since I took what I thought was a break for a few weeks. I considered starting again so many times, but it felt too overwhelming. I wasn’t sure how to begin and what to say. 

Somehow, a few weeks ago I felt like starting, and so I recorded a 15 min. ‘ice breaker’. Trust me, it’s messy. But, guess what- that’s exactly where I’m at. I usually obsess over details and trying to make everything perfect, but I’m experimenting with going the other way here. I ramble, probably don’t make sense and likely contradict myself, but I think that is more real than any kind of perfectly scripted talk. Ultimately, I think there is some value in sharing messiness. It’s always connected with me when others shared their real story. And, I can’t just begin again here without acknowledging the loss and grief I’ve been going through in the past 20 months. 

So, if you are interested in listening, here it is. 

Hi Friends,  today is my first solo episode. I share an experience that happened when I was growing up that was difficult for me to process. Now from my adult perspective, it illustrates how mindfulness helps me navigate big and small situations as well as why I'm so passionate about sharing it. 

Thank you for listening and please connect with your thoughts or feedback:
[email protected]

 I'm taking a break from the podcast for a couple of weeks and will  be back with more great guests, mindfulness and......better questions! 

If you live in Buffalo you have probably heard about Unapologetic Coffee- they have a shop at 1375 Main St. in the city and their coffee is proudly served at many local business. Today I get to talk with Alisa Officer, who with her twin sister founded Unapologetic Coffee. The thing that hits me most about this brand is the authenticity and personality reflected in it. The logo, branding and vision is all real and authentic to them. 

Alisa shares some great advice for new entrepreneurs, talks about being comfortable in uncomfortable spaces and also her bigger visions for her business and Buffalo. 

Listen here and then order online or go visit Unapologetic Coffee in person! 

https://unapologeticcoffee.us/

Today's conversation might just change everything you thought about accounting and accountants....

It was a pleasure to talk with Dawn Scott, CPA about being a disrupter in the professional services field and how she has created her firm with her own rules. Hearing how she interacts with her clients and cares about their business is a breath of fresh air in a field which isn't always known for personality and connection. Dawn is also the host of the podcast 'The Empowered CPA' where I was a guest several episodes ago.

We talk about Dawn's unique approach to how she works with her clients and that being a female in this industry doesn't have to mean changing anything about yourself in order to succeed. 

(There was a little bit of white noise in the background as we were recording, so thank you for bearing with me!)

Check out her business here:
https://www.gratiamconsulting.com/

And podcast here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-empowered-cpa/id1608812953

It is a rare opportunity to speak with such an accomplished scientist and hear her break down practical wellness information is a way we can all apply! Impressively, Heather is ranked in the top 1% of most influential scientists in the world (PLOS Biology). (See below) 

‘This ranking, considered the most prestigious worldwide, is based on the bibliometric information contained in the Scopus database and includes more than 160,000 researchers from the more than 8 million scientists considered to be active worldwide, with 22 scientific fields and 176 subfields taken into account.’

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31404057/

Heather and I connected in a Speaker’s Course for women (https://www.speakingyourbrand.com/ )  and I appreciate not only the work she is doing in wellness, but the barriers she is breaking as a female scientist.

About Heather

I'm the founder and CEO of Wellness Discovery Labs (WDL). My company provides scientific research to health industries; and helps people have healthy, happy, and energy-filled lives. I have my PhD in health psychology and my research, writing, and speaking focuses on the science of healthy living. I'm ranked in the top 1% of most influential scientists in the world (PLOS Biology). I'm also a best-selling author, an international award winning researcher, and podcast expert.

Contact Information

Website: www.wellnessdiscoverylabs.com

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: hhausenblas

Facebook: heatherhausenblasphd

Linkedin; heather-hausenblas

Amazon: Heather-A.-Hausenblas

Links to Books

Invisible Illness: Subtitle: An Insider’s Guide to Eliminating Overwhelm and Rediscovering the Path to Health and Happiness with an Autoimmune Disease

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1737717905

Gut: Daily Health and Symptoms Tracker for Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Digestive Issues https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JR7ZK3N

Calm: Your Daily Journal to Calm Your Anxiety and Break the Cycle of Worry https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09JVKRPYG

Thanks: The Five Minute Daily Gratitude Journal to Cultivate Happiness, Health, and Positivity https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CRSP3T7

Food: Food Sensitivity and Health Journal for Optimal Wellness https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09LGPML2C

Move: Sweat, Step, Stand, and Sleep for Health: Your Daily Fitness and Exercise Journal to Track Your Movement Goals https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09244ZCVB

Move More, Sit Less, Sleep Better: 24 Hour Movement Journal for Kids and Teens https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09B381LM2

Ashley Middleton has been a corporate diversity facilitator since 2014 and she also has a great podcast entitled 'Figuring it Out'.  She recently released an episode called 'Being Black in America' and we unpack more of the ideas she shares. Ashley and I also crossover in the wellness fields and tie this all into our understanding and practices of mindfulness.

It goes without saying that racism and all its manifestations are very complex. Speaking for myself, I know this is a journey that I'm relatively new at- so I know I'm not getting everything right. I'm learning along the way and doing my best to share what I'm learning. Fortunately, I have some great people in my life like Ashley who are willing to share their time and energy to have these conversations.

Check out Ashley's podcast: Figuring it Out
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/figuring-it-out/id1590186650

Higher Learning podcast with Van Lathan Jr & Rachel Lindsay
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/higher-learning-with-van-lathan-and-rachel-lindsay/id1515152489

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Letter from a Birmingham Jail
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letter_from_Birmingham_Jail

Buffalo Prep: An amazing civil rights and social justice organization that she and I support! 
https://buffaloprep.com/

If you are curious about the dynamics of power, influence, getting what you want and being a better negotiator- do not miss this conversation with Professor Alison Fragale, Ph.D.  Alison.  Alison is an expert in these areas and presents it all with expertise and humor.

We discuss our origin story of growing up in Pittsburgh,  the differences between women and men when it comes to negotiations and some fascinating insights into power and power dynamics. 

As someone who does not feel like negotiating is a strength,  I'm encouraged that she describes it as a skill that can be learned! 

I especially was intrigued by her answers about power dynamics and short vs. long term consequences for how people act when in positions of power. 

Alison will be releasing a book in 2024 and in the meantime you can find her at:
https://alisonfragale.com/

If you have thoughts or feedback, I'd love to hear from you! 
Message me at [email protected]

A quick few minutes to check in  and share where I'm at at the start of 2023 and also some greater clarity on the direction of the podcast.  

Connect with me: [email protected]
@JenniferDailyGress  (IG and LinkedIn)

A festive holiday conversation with my sister Colleen Simonds before my holiday break….

Tree flocking…..what is it and why do it? Are you a supporter or consider it holiday sacrilege? 

Where do we come down on holiday folklore? Santa, Elf on the Shelf…..why not include the Easter Bunny and The Tooth Fairy too?

‘Loves Entertaining’  Is this something to aspire to or a recipe for anxiety? (do people really need food bat this things, or could we leave that part out?)

Do structured activities make for more fun? 

Colleen’s holiday message for people begins with ‘This might sound bleak……’ :) 

Eat red & green M&Ms in your PJs on the couch late at night (snuggling with a baby if you have one nearby).

Follow Colleen @colleensimondsdesign

Happy Holidays to all! 
Thank you for listening xoxoxo
Jen

Thank you Dr. Bethany Lema for taking on what is a personal and sometimes scary subject for so many people (myself included)....hair loss. UGH. I share my own struggles and approach to dealing with this and I'm so grateful to Bethany for sharing the medical science behind all of this. As you'll hear, this is not an easy situation to diagnose and treat- but hopefully you'll come away armed with more knowledge and some possibilities if you're dealing with hair loss too.

Bethany also discusses her experience of the relationship between stress and dermatological issues. (spoiler....might there be  a mindfulness link here too?)

We also talk about other top derm. questions for women especially such as anti aging treatments and products, sun protection and what are the best drug store brands to use?

Also- how does Botox work? What is the history of Rogaine?

What is Dr Lema's top piece of advice?

Dr. Lema at the  Skin Cancer Care Team @ Roswell Park:
https://www.roswellpark.org/cancer/skin/team

Article from The Atlantic: 'The Year America's Hair Fell Out'
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2021/11/pandemic-hair-loss-treatment-products/620696/

Low level laser devices: 

- Laser HairMax wand of cap. The difference between them is really how many times a week it has to be used and for how long. https://hairmax.com/collections/laserbands

- Theradome: https://theradome.com/