The thing about gratitude is that you can feel it even among difficult times.

In fact, it’s more like creating a positive pathway that you can be thankful for.

Scientists suggest that a simple thing such as gratitude can improve emotional well being and better relationships.

What's your decor style?  Will you be doing a full-on classroom-style the way they do at school?  There is no wrong way of doing things as long as the kids are learning.  Create a stylish, comfortable, and energizing space by adding a pop of color, some basics like a designated learning space with a desk.  Set up a cool comfortable reading nook.

Roast, Joke or Ghost
What do you when someone derails your post with an offbeat comment made to get some kind of negative response from you?

Many of our kids will experience online trolling and of course, it happens to adults too.  People suffer emotional distress and some have even committed suicide because of it.  

Listen in for a few good roasts.  

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Disclaimer:  The information on the show is for entertainment purposes.  Please seek professional help if you are experiencing online bullying or harassment.

The 2020 Road Trip Comeback

This year we opted out of flying and took up an invitation for a road trip to Yellowstone.  You’ll hear some fun facts about Yellowstone and some of the things we did to stay safe while traveling during a pandemic.  We cover the 5 top spots to visit.  Get the inside scoop on how to prepare for a bear encounter.  Find out which thermal features out of the 10,000 thermal features you must see.  

Everything has changed.  The way that most of us do business, how we live at home, and what we do with our free time.  We share some of the work around’s of dealing with all of these changes like repurposing areas to get creative with our current lifestyle.

Getting rid of our gym membership has been tough.  We officially traded our gym membership for hikes out in nature. Set up a small private area for dance and weight workouts.   It’s cool because I could not get myself to do a dance workout in the family room when everyone is home.  (Ha Ha)  Working out regularly has been vital for supporting emotional and physical health during this time of crisis.

Social distancing has also pulled a number on us.  Making regular phone or video conferencing calls have kept us connected with friends and family.  We talk about setting up healthy boundaries with news and social media once you’re informed enough about the pandemic to stay healthy.

Karen was born in Portland Oregon. A former activist turned body activist, healing one body at a time. She has served in Haiti with refugees. She lived in Haiti during a controversial time. 

Touch is so important and we cannot live without touch. We thrive on having a healthy touch.  When we are touched we release oxytocin, the feel-good hormone.

We hope this episode helps you see massage in a new light, as a way of healing, versus just pampering.

Girls Back Country Backpacking Tom Dick and Harry Mountain

Raquel used reverse psychology to get me to go backcountry backpacking.  If you don’t know… it’s when you take everything you need to camp out on your backpack and hike to your location.  We thought this would inspire you to try something new.

What is one thing that you brought with you that made you feel safe?  I got a knife that hung on a necklace for quick easy access.  We took bear spray.

What is one thing you forgot to do? Bring a spoon! We were so focused on the important things we both forgot a spoon.  It’s not the end of the world if you don’t bring it but when you’re hungry and you have to wait for someone to eat…it sucks.  

What are some of the important items needed for backpacking?  The bag was really important.  It was a sturdy bag and it was really comfortable and a good quality sleeping bag that is light weight.  When you’re getting ready for a backpacking trip, borrow as many things as you can except the shoes.  Those have to fit you just right.  When we did this hike I took waterproof Sorel boots aka hunger game shoes.  I wore thick wool socks and it made them tight. So the shoes are super important because every step will be terrible if they don’t fit well.

Pop Quiz:  What is your favorite podcast right now?  Crime Junkies is with two chicks talking about real crime stories. I listen to a lot of those and they got me paranoid so I had to take a break.    The Moth is story telling podcast with regular people and my friend told me about Everything is Alive.  It talks about inaminate objects and you use your imagination a lot.  What’s your bad song that you feel guilty that your listening too but you like it anyway?  Mine is by Lizzo Truth Hurts.  Jesse Reyes is Dear Yessy.  What book are you reading?  I’m not reading a book.  The universe has your back in audiobook.   Start with why.

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Brenda Carlson

503 Dance Fitness Instructor Sherwood, Oregon

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

I have been teaching dance fitness for 8 years.  I spend most of my time teaching dance classes.  It became clear to me that I wasn't going to be a rocket because I started dance late.  I mourned that when I was younger.  A friend kept asking me to join her for a dance class and I finally did it and fell in love with dance again.  

My mother used to tell me, “This passion that you have is not an accident.” Dance came into my life in a way I never thought it could.  It fills my soul and builds a sense of community. 

I was a late dancer. Started in high school. I fell in love with dance even though I didn't know what I was doing.

What does group dance do for the community?  I think it builds community in a unique way.  It brings people from different backgrounds, ages and income levels.  Community shouldn't be about bringing people together just because they look alike.

Find Brendas Class at the Sherwood YMCA
https://www.ymcacw.org/locations/sherwood-regional-family-ymca/schedules

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Mary Czarnecki Is a Marketing Consultant and Yale Graduate.  She has worked with big corporations like Google, WebMD and Target.   Do you know your clients really want?  She shares secrets that big companies are using to listen to their customers.

We would love to get to know you a little better.  You're from Jersey, how does Jersey differ from Oregon?

• After living in Oregon for nearly 11 years, what strikes me most when I go back to visit my parents in NJ is how crowded it is! So many people - so little space! I also notice how much more friendly everyone is in Oregon. 

You also went to Yale.  What was that like?

• I went to Yale for Grad School and did a Joint Degree (MBA from School of Management and Master of Environmental Management from School of Forestry and Environmental Studies). It was a bit of a "dual life" as the cultures are so different at the two schools - but was great for me, since both of those aspects (the analytical, geeky MBA and also the crunchy, outdoors lover) are part of who I am! 

What is your big why?

• I think I put this in the application - but I have a BHAG (big hairy ass goal) of helping 1000 business owners grow the business of their dreams so they can each in turn help 1000 ideal clients with their area of expertise, in turn, improving their lives! That would mean that I had at least a partial impact on improving the lives of 1,000,000 people and their families!

What is the biggest struggle you notice with marketing when it comes to small businesses?

• Many small business owners are AMAZING at their thing - their zone of genius - their area of expertise - but often than THING isn't marketing. It's hard to be thinking about marketing your business and working ON your business when you're so into the day to day of working IN your business. 

What is one of the best ways to grow a relationship with your audience?

• Listen to them! After 20 years in corporate marketing, I've spent countless hours behind one way mirrors in focus groups listening to consumers - why? Because the big brands know that's where the gold is - in the voice of their customers. It's essential to really take the time to listen and understand the people we hope to serve with our businesses when we're creating content, messaging, products and offers! Any great relationship is built on understanding and listening to the other person. It's the same for marriage - and for business!

You can find out more information about her here. https://maryczarnecki.com

She is also revealing the system she used to find $5k-$10k in 45 minutes for small business owners.  Download your copy of the full Ebook at http://book.clientrichroadmap.com

follow her on FB here
https://www.facebook.com/mary.czarnecki

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We’re talking about the things you want to do at your core.  How do you know which goals you can get done?  I set some big goals like doing TV/ radio work and running marathons.  

Tune in for a step-by-step approach to checking things off your list. Take a moment to think about all the things your soul desires.  Figure out how to do big things but on the other spectrum weed out things that may not be as realistic.

In Angela Duckworth’s book Grit, it shows that people who accomplish big things really weren't just born gifted.  They put in the work year after year to improve. The difference between those that dream big and accomplish them is that they have a plan. 

I quit my first marathon because my goal wasn't to finish the marathon it was to lose weight.  When I quit the marathon at mile 25, I then had a new purpose for my next marathon.  My new purpose was to finish something I started. 

 You may have setbacks in life.   It’s okay to slow down when things happen.  Just keep trying.  It’s even ok to pause. Checking in with where you are in relation to those goals. That’s where a lot of people fail. 

 When you check in with yourself you can get back at it.  It can be healthy to look back when you make a mistake.  Look at your goals realistically and look at the path. Don’t be afraid to try different paths. You can still keep your goal by taking another route. 

This episode was brought to you by our sponsor Ravishing Photography www.RavishingPhotography.com

You can support the show as a sponsor with advertising by submitting an application here http://feme-grit.com/sponsorships/

Find out more about the Producer and Host Alicia Vazquez here http://feme-grit.com/alicia-vazquez/

Find out about your Co-Host Raquel Onsurez Solorio http://feme-grit.com/raquel-onsurez/

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