Choosing Happiness

Welcome! This week I interviewed Corey Fink. One of my longest friends. She is someone I know I can go to whenever I need it. I have been wanting to interview her for sometime now and she finally agreed! Hope you all enjoy! 

This week we get to hear from one of my favorite people on this planet, Kate Ashman. We lived in the same apartment building and were in the same YSA Ward while at BYU. I always admired her and looked up to her from afar and I finally told her I had a friend crush on her. She felt the same way, and we have been friends ever since. I can always count on her for a Chick-fil-A run and a good chat. I truly admire Kate so much, and I'm so happy she agreed to be interviewed! 

This week I have Courtney Rich, aka Cake by Courtney, on the podcast. Courtney is a self taught baker, and has been helping people for the past 5 years feel comfortable baking in their home. She teaches baking basics and uses her instagram as a platform for these lessons. She also uses her instagram as a platform for mental health awareness. Dealing with depression herself, she shares her experiences with others to help them feel less alone. I for one feel very blessed to have had Courtney on the podcast, and I am very grateful for her and the life experience she shared. We laugh and cry and share stories. You don't want to miss this episode! 

This week we have Kayla Clark on the podcast. She talks about her divorce, her move to New York City, what inspires her, and the aspects of life she needs to be happy. I love Kayla, from the day I met her I felt loved by her. She is a light to everyone around and this episode was a blast to do! 

Happy December! This week we are joined by Alexa Norton. A couple of years ago Alexa and her family suddenly lost their father. While this is a hardship that no one should have to go through, it is one that many people face; losing a loved one. Alexa talks and shares her experience with grief and the stages of grief and losing her father. She gives advice for those that want to support their friends going through this experience and also talks about her Instagram account that she runs called @griefshine. She uses this account as a space to share her experiences and to create a community that understands the pain of losing a loved one. 

 This week is probably one of my favorite episodes I have ever released. I asked all of my friends to send in responses for what they are grateful for as well as audio clips of them saying what they are grateful for. I share some research for how gratitude can help us in life as well as some bits and pieces of discourses from church leaders for the importance of gratitude. Make sure to listen to the whole episode to get the full experience of talking to all of these wonderful people! I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and that despite everything right now, we can find things to be grateful for. I know that gratitude will help our happiness!  

This week I was able to interview Olivia DeMordaunt. I met her while I was at BYU. We had a class together for a year while she was my TA in Model United Nations. And then the next year we were in the same ward for church. I have always loved being able to talk to Liv about life and get her perspective on things. So it was wonderful being able to chat with her about happiness, being kind to ourselves, the little things that make us happy (literally), and many more. 

This week we cover the topic of eating disorders, heartbreak, being our own influence of happiness, and SO. MUCH. MORE. Christine has such a wonderful way with words and is honestly so eloquent with her thoughts. She runs an instagram account (@ed__stories) dedicated to sharing personal stories on eating disorders and body image to open up the dialogue, break down the shame, and help even one person feel less alone. If you or a loved one suffer with an eating disorder there are resources out there to get help. If you attend BYU you can contact the Nutrition and Wellness center at the Women's Center. You can also contact the National Eating Disorder Helpline. 

Mallory Stevens is this week's guest. She and her husband are the co-founders and owners of Taft, a shoe company for men (taftclothing.com). She is a mother, a wife, and a mental health advocate. I love Mallory and her vulnerability and honesty when it comes to dealing with mental illness in the family. She is someone I admire greatly and talking to her was just what I needed. She gives wonderful words of comfort to those that feel like a burden and she is a great example of finding joy in the midst of our trials. 

I dare you to say that ice cream name 10 times fast. Maryn is a ball of light and someone I have always inspired to be more like! She is so wonderful and it was a great time during this interview!