For the Ell of It with Ellie Topinka

It's here! Season 2 and I couldn’t be more excited. I took the month of July off to do some behind the scenes things and to just enjoy the beautiful summer here in SW Michigan. I had a great girls weekend, I go to check that off my 2023 Bucket List. If you’re following @fortheellofit on Instagram you may have seen my gratitude practice I did every day, where I posted instories every night three good things from the day I was thankful for. That was super fun and meaningful and now we are here! I am so excited to jump into today’s conversation with my sister Kelsey to talk all about friendship, specifically, how to make new friends. We’ve all been there and it’s not always easy, but Kelsey and I come up with some easy tips to help you put yourself out there and grow your community.

If you haven't already, be sure to rate and review the show on whatever platform you listen. This will only take a minute but greatly helps the podcast grow and get in front of a wider audience.

As always, thanks for being here friends!

XOXO Ell

August Sponsor

This month’s podcast sponsor - Just Between Friends Grand Rapids. If you know me well, you know I LOVE to thrift shop. Just Between Friends is a twice-a-year kids mega consignment sale where local families can save hundreds of dollars (and make hundreds of dollars) on everything they need to raise confident, stylish, good-looking kids! Families sell items they’ve outgrown and buy items they need at 50-90% off retail. Shoppers can stop running around to garage sales, have failed meetups and get everything they need for the next 6 months—all in one clean, safe, organized space! And after the sale, unsold items can be donated to local West Michigan charities. So everyone in the community wins.  The average seller made over $500 in the last sale, join them and turn your unused children’s clutter into cash.  They have consignor coaches who can help you along the way and a Facebook group that is super supportive. For more information and to purchase your tickets for the sale, visit www.grandrapids.jbfsale.com

Today’s episode is episode 17 and the final episode of season 1. This is just going to be a mishmash of things and maybe a little bit of a brain dump, but I am already gearing up for season 2 and cannot wait to introduce you to more amazing people and help them tell their stories and inspire even more people to do things, just for the of it.

If you haven't already be sure to rate and review the show on whatever platform you listen and share the show with a friend! I love seeing this community grow and it wouldn't be possible without all of you.

Have a question or an idea for an episode? Send me a DM anytime or email me at [email protected]

As always friends, thanks for being here.

XOXO Ell

*TRIGGER WARNING* In this episode we do discuss pregnancy, birth and postpartum. If that is something that would be difficult or hurtful to listen to today, please feel free to pass on this episode! Guard your heart and do what is best for you!

Today’s episode is going to be a little different because it’s just me! No guest, and I am going to go over my son Chandler’s birth story, postpartum experience and early motherhood. Now I know this topic isn’t going to be for everyone and that’s okay. But I want to share my story because when I was going through these things I didn't feel like anyone else had every had these feelings or thought and it made me feel so alone, and quite honestly like a bad mom. So I want to share so if anyone else feels like how I did, they can feel less alone.

If you haven't already be sure to follow @fortheellofit on Instagram so you can get behind the scenes, episode highlights and more!

As always, thanks for being here friends!

xoxo Ell

Links

I would love to start by saying “Happy Pride Month” to any and all LGBTQ listeners and friends. I now want to say, this is by far the most “controversial” episode I’ve done so far, and by that I mean, I know there may be listeners who do not agree with or support this topic, but I really hope you listen anyway.

This conversation with my friend Em is one that meant a lot to me. I have always considered myself an Ally to the LGBTQ community but if I’m being honest have not always been the most PROUD ally. I have spoke up at times when I felt comfortable to do so, but have also hung back when I felt like it just “wasn’t worth it”... but I want to do better. And supporting and loving my LGBTQ friends, family and neighbors is ALWAYS going to be worth it. So with that all being said, if you listen to this episode and still choose to disagree with how I feel and see this amazing group of humans, then okay, but I will have NO room for any negativity or hate on this platform and it will not be tolerated in any way. I hope you can respect how I feel, and I will do the same for you.

If you found this episode enlightening, I would love it if you would share it with a friend or on socials. This is an easy way to help others to find the podcast. And if you haven't already I would appreciate you rating and reviewing the show!

As always, thanks for being here friends.

xoxo, Ell

LINKS

Love Simon Clip - Love, Simon | "Why Is Straight The Default?" Clip | 20th Century FOX - YouTube

How to Human: Three Ways to Share Life Beyond What Distracts, Divides, and Disconnects Us: Whittaker, Carlos

The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban — Melissa Urban

LGTBQ+ Resources

The Trevor Project (@trevorproject) | Instagram

Human Rights Campaign (@humanrightscampaign) | Instagram

Elle Deran (@elle.deran) | Instagram

Spencer LaJoye (@spencerlajoye) | Instagram

Any questions after looking through these resources, Em's email is emily@ymcaofbarrycounty

Today’s guest is an old friend, Luke Michaels… Luke was in a life altering accident as a teen and throughout the last 9 years since has grown into an inspiring, hardworking, and kind man. I can’t wait for you to hear his story. We discuss how his life has changed since his accident, what he hopes others can learn from his story, and how to interact with people who are differently abled from ourselves. It's a great conversation and I learned a lot and I hope you do too!

Friendly reminder to follow the podcast's Instagram page @fortheellofit for behing the scenes, podcast updates and more. And if you haven't already, I would love it if you would rate and review the podcast, it's the easiest way for the podcast to grow and it means a lot to me!

Links

Luke's Website: Luke Sarkis Michaels' Expertise — Luke Sarkis Michaels

Luke's Instagram: @lukesarkismichaels) | Instagram

Today we are going to dive into a topic that I think we all struggle with at point in our lives… confidence. To discuss this complex topic I am talking to my friend Amanda, who has taught me SO much about self confidence. As a professional make-up artist and esthetician, it is her job to help people feel confident. But Amanda's key to confidence has nothing to do with make-up. Listen in to hear Amanda's wisdom and I hope you walk away from this conversation with a more positive approach to finding your own inner confidence.

If you haven't already will you rate and review the show? Doing so will only take a minute but will help others to find the show! Let's encourage as many people as we can to do things, just for the of it!

Also be sure to follow @fortheellofit on Instagram for some behind the scenes, episode highlights and more.

Links

𝒶𝓂𝒶𝓃𝒹𝒶 𝒹𝑒𝓋𝑜𝓃 (@amandadevon) • Instagram photos and videos

Amanda Devon - YouTube

Bridal Makeup Artist - Amanda Devon - NWI and Chicagoland

Welcome back to For the Ell of It, a lifestyle podcast where I talk to every day people about life and lessons learned, while inspiring you to do things, just for the of it - I’m your host Ellie Topinka. We are a few short days away from Mother’s Day so I wanted to chat all about Motherhood and who better to do that than my very own Mom. She shares some of the things she has been recently going through as well as what motherhood has been like and changed over the years. I feel very blessed to have this conversation and I cannot wait for you to hear it, let’s go! 

Today I talk to my dear friend Katie - you know my friend who I told you named the podcast - and we are talking about a highly requested topic… friendship. Because this topic was so highly requested I have broken it into a few episodes and today Katie and I dive into what it’s like to lose or outgrow a friendship and how to navigate those situations. We also discuss a new book she just finished that is all about friendship.

If you haven’t already, would you rate and review the show? It not only makes my day to learn what you’re loving most about the podcast, but also helps others find the show! With your help, this podcast can grow and encourage an even bigger audience to do things - just for the of it.

Have a topic you think I should talk about? Send me a DM on Instagram or send me an email at [email protected]

As always, thanks for being here friends!

xoxo, Ell

I’m so excited for this weeks episode because It was one of the #1 requested episodes since the beginning… what is marriage like after kids… and in mine and Jordan's case.. KID. Jordan was so nervous to do this but after lots of begging, he finally gave in and he did a great job talking about what it’s been like for us becoming parents. I do want to give a content warning that this episode has been marked as explicit for some adult conversation - so if you listen with your kiddos.. This is your warning.

If you haven’t already, would you rate and review the show? It not only makes my day to learn what you’re loving most about the podcast, but also helps others find the show! With your help, this podcast can grow and encourage an even bigger audience to do things - just for the of it.

Have a topic you think I should talk about? Send me a DM on Instagram or send me an email at [email protected]

As always, thanks for being here friends!

XOXO Ell

Links

Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy Book

We're Pregnant! The First Time Dad's Pregnancy Handbook

Dude You're Going To Be a Dad

Online Birthing Class