Today I’m answering a listener question from Kristin, who writes: “Lately I’ve been thinking about all I have to do as I lie in bed at night, and although I do manage to fall asleep, as soon as I wake up I already feel behind. I want to have more time to connect with friends, or putter around in the garden, or go to the beach, or just…read a book but I’m not sure how to get off this hamster wheel. How can I stop feeling so damn busy all the time?”

It’s part of a week of episodes devoted to creating some space in your life. Yes please!

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Today I’m talking about something that’s been near and dear to my heart for a long time now – sending a thank you note. (I actually wrote a book proposal in the late 90s for a book on writing thank you notes that included fill in the blank templates–it was a mash-up of Mad LIbs and how to. It did not end up selling to a publisher, which is a bummer, right?) 

ANYWAY, whether it’s an actual handwritten note or a text (and I’ll share when you to do each), expressing your thanks in writing is more than just a nice or proper thing to do. It makes you stand out, it makes the recipient’s day, and it helps you focus on the good. Get your pen out because you’re going to be inspired to spread some good energy around.

This episode sponsored by: 

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We're headed back out there--conferences, networking events, even just going to the office and having in-person meetings. Some people have been waiting for this moment, but others of us have gotten real cozy at home, talking to the cats or the dogs. Even though we may be craving connection, there can still be some jitters, maybe even some fears. So let's get some tips from someone who's not only a pro at connecting and networking, but also someone who will get your excited about the potential for meeting new people and confident that you have some tools to make it doable--maybe even fun.

That person is Julie Brown, author of the networking book This Shit Works: A No-Nonsense Guide to Networking Your Way to More Friends, More Adventures, and More Success,

Julie Brown’s website

Julie Brown’s LinkedIn profile (tell her I sent you!)

Julie’s book This Sh!t Works

This episode sponsored by: 

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NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

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This week I’m talking about how to get back out there and being social with people in real time without feeling rusty or awkward. Because, after three years of having most meetings and even a lot of work places happening online, we’re not really used to sharing space, navigating a group of people, and talking to one another. 

I think we’re all a little socially awkward now. And yet we’re craving that connection.

Today’s episode is to help you know what to do when you’re in a meeting and you hear that phrase, “let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves” and your blood runs cold because, what are you going to say?! I also show you how to customize the phrase to

There’s a three step formula that I learned from Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, an executive communications coach whose website is linked below. I’ll share that formula with you AND show you how to customize it to three different scenarios, including any social gathering (i.e. parties and BBQs).

Dr. Andrea Wojnicki’s website

ShePodcasts conference website

This episode sponsored by: 

Better Help – Give online therapy a try and get on your way to being your best self

NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

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When you’re going through tough times, it’s tempting to just hunker down and endure and do whatever it takes to get by. I ate a lot of cookies after my appendectomy which is not something I typically do and I swear, it was healing. 

That being said, there are little things, sometimes even tiny things, that, if you can manage to do one or two of them here and there can have a big positive impact on your being and your wellbeing, and make those tough times less taxing. Here are TK of them, along with the scientific reasons why they are effective. 

Get your pretty (and free!) Calm Tracker here. 

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Today I'm talking with Andrea Nakayama, founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance. For the last 20+ years, Andrea helped those with chronic and autoimmune illnesses identify the healing protocol that will help them finally feel better and become the expert that they’ve been looking for. Andrea was motivated to pursue this path because 25+ years ago, when she was pregnant, Andrea's husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given 6 months to live. She has an incredible personal story but she's also worked with people for decades now to help them do something that we don't tend to focus on enough: experience Post Traumatic Growth.

This episode sponsored by: 

Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months

NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s a truth about tough times–they’re naturally a LOT tougher when you try to get through them on your own.

And yet, receiving isn’t something we’re taught to do. I mean, the phrase, it’s better to give than to receive is excellent proof of that. We have to give up some stuff in order to be able to receive: namely, being too proud, being uncomfortable with accepting help, not wanting to be a bother, and just being trapped in our own head. Let’s talk about two things that will help you be more receptive of the help that’s going to make this tough time easier. 

This episode sponsored by: 

Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months

NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

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If, as I shared in Monday’s episode, March is meh it’s a great time to simultaneously catch up on and get ahead on some adulting. Let’s take advantage of the last bits of winter’s hibernating energy to, as Elvis used to say, TCB (take care of business). I’ve got a handy dandy list of what needs your attention now, as well as tips on how to reframe the tedium and maybe even enjoy yourself. 

This episode sponsored by: 

NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months

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One of the things on my crazy mixed-up list of things giving me life are CBD supplements–they were my pain reliever of choice as I’ve recovered from having my appendix out. When I’ve been talking to friends and family members about how it’s been helping me (better than the oxy and Tylenol my doctor prescribed), they’ve had a lot of questions about it, so thought I’d put everything I know about CBD–and have learned through some basic research that you now don’t have to do–in an episode. 

Although I do have a CBD sponsor right now, they are definitely not paying me to do this episode! This is arising organically out of my own experience. I will say though that the CBD products I’ve been using are theirs. (My sponsor is NextEVO, they’re link–and the code to save 20%--is just below.)

Review of multiple studies evaluating CBD’s effectiveness for pain

Forbes article on 9 evidence-based benefits of CBD

New York Times article on CBD

Study on CBD effects on anxiety and cognition

This episode sponsored by: 

NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months

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I have two mantras for this time of year: May is cray (because it’s always jam-packed with various events), and March is meh (because we’re tired of winter but it’s not yet spring, at least not here in the Northeast). This week’s episodes are my attempt to bust up some of that ‘meh’ energy. Starting with this hodge podge list of things that are currently giving me life – a garment, a gadget, a book, a show, and a supplement. I hope at least one of these things will help you, too. 

Things on my list:

Hooga Clip-On Amber Reading Light

Neck Reading Light

Hooded Robe from Softies–on sale!

My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert Florin

And the CBD supplements I take are from NextEVO (link is just below this list)

This episode sponsored by: 

NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more

Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices