Do You Have a Minute?

Lauren wrote Brb: A Memoir About Coming Of Age In The Digital Age. This book is her story about mental health and social media. From the book page: “WE USED TO SAY BRB WHEN WE WALKED AWAY FROM OUR COMPUTERS. We don't say that anymore. We live here now. How has that shift affected our mental health? That's the question Lauren has been trying to answer for the past decade, exploring the intersection of mental health and social media use. This is her story of coming of age in the digital age, all while her undiagnosed anxiety disorder bubbles under the surface until finally demanding to be treated.” This lovely, funny, smart woman was a delight to talk to… and such a great resource!

It’s been a minute! Back to liiiiife, back to reality. Masks are coming off, plans are being made, and summer is here. The ladies talk about what they’re struggling with during this new stage of pandemic life, and what they’re excited about. Lacie reminds Al that it’s ok to say NO to plans if she doesn’t have the bandwidth! She also reminds us that it isn’t ok to call people “dorks.”

Checking in with this quick episode! It’s mental health awareness month and we’re talking about some feelings. The sudden news that masks are unnecessary if you’re vaxxed kicked up some thoughts and emotions for us!

Lawyer, mom, podcaster, blogger, comedian (basically), performer, mental health advocate and IG entertainer... we welcome Amber Albin aka Really Real mama to the show! She’s authentic AF and keeps it real. Saying things that we’re all thinking and making us giggle, we admire Amber for her approach to parenting and real life. Check out her Instagram @reallyrealmama and new website reallyrealmama.com!

Fall in love with Farmer Pat... because, well, what’s not to love? He’s an actor, farm fashion advocate, comedian, colon cancer survivor, mockumentary star (available to rent on Amazon prime) and is now attending a very elite farm school on Whidbey Island. Feeling free to be a farmer! Pat is hilarious, vulnerable and a true adventurer. He has followed his heart back to the country where he’s harvesting baby kale and befriending bunnies. We love Pat... you will too.

Laura has been a teacher and an empowering instructional leader for the past 15 years. Teaching at the elementary and middle school level, she is passionate about providing support in creating authentic inclusion for all students. Currently, she facilitates trainings around neurodiversity, inclusion and sensory processing - and is an advocate for changing the way we ALL learn about the brain and what it can do.

If you would like more information on how Laura can support your school or district design impactful low-prep, high-impact strategies to develop belonging and inclusion, please contact her via Linkedin or www.lauraleesmithconsulting.com.

If you’d like to network with parents that have neurodiverse children (autism, SPD, dyslexia, etc), visit www.sensationalparent.com or Sensational Synergy Facebook Page.

If you’d like to discover some of Laura’s published work, visit www.sensationalsynergy.blog

If you’d like to listen to her podcast, it’s Sensational Synergy: Beauty in Neurodiversity on Spotify.

Allison and her brother Tyler talk about his recent move to Sayulita, Mexico! Tyler, his wife and daughter moved to the dreamy beach town and have set up life. They talk about living in a tourist town and how the small community has welcomed them with open arms as well as being a white American living in Mexico. A dreamer, an entrepreneur, an adventurer and an optimist - Tyler is living his life to the fullest.

The first “influencer” that we ever followed. She’s the OG! Join us for a candid chat with our girlfriend Cat Pagoaga! Cat started Thrifty Littles in 2013 after the birth of her first child. After making the decision to leave her job to become a stay-at-home mom she had to drastically cut back on spending. During this time, Cat really came to appreciate a good deal. That combined with her love of children’s clothing and design was the start of Thrifty Littles.

Lacie and Allison have a long, fabulous chat with mental health advocate, author and motivational speaker Richard Taylor Jr. We discuss Richards’s incredible story, his passion for reaching others, humor, race, fitness and soooo much more.

From www.richardtaylorjr.com:

Richard Taylor has become a highly sought-after speaker who brings an empowering message of victory by creating a unique way to make the conversation of mental health easier and digestible for all of his audiences. He has been recognized for normalizing the conversation and helping people shift from “talking about mental health” to actually “mobilizing in their efforts towards healing and freedom.” Richard’s story of overcoming morbid obesity, depression, multiple

suicide attempts, failing in college and domestic abuse, have struck a change within people throughout different walks of life. The impact in his interactions with audiences has been life changing and have provided the range for him to reach, impact, and have breakthrough with over 100,000 students.

Richard’s goal is to create safe spaces for difficult conversations and encourage empathy in a society that is clouded with apathy. His message breaks cultural boundaries and challenges bias social norms. Richard inspires the masses to tap into their inner potential to create the change they want to see. Over the years he has intertwined his background and experiences into a vulnerable message of love and empathy that surpasses motivating audiences. The end goal continues to be real life transformation.