Happy Beyond 40

In this episode we welcome Audrey Atkinson to the pod to talk about her journey as a transgender woman, finding her way to a truly joyful and authentic life. After making the decision to live her truth, Audrey expresses gratitude for community and the importance of it. Listen to this episode and be inspired by Audrey's wisdom, courage and enormous heart.

Resources:

• Audrey Now
• Transgender Legislation Tracker
• Erin in the Morning
• Out Boulder County
• One Colorado
• The Human Rights Campaign

We would love to hear from you! Drop us a line at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

In this episode we welcome Sarah Bettman to the pod to talk about leading an authentic life and how she is making it possible. Sarah is a self-proclaimed instigator of change. She is a consultant, coach, speaker and host of the Live Stoked | Lead Stoked podcast. In her work, she blends organizational culture, leadership, and wellbeing principles to create meaningful experiences for her clients, whether they are individuals or organizations, that create the solid foundations for them to grow from.

We would love to hear from you! Drop us a line at: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]

Welcome listeners! Today we talk about trust. We have chosen this topic because both of us have recently had trust broken (or in question) in situations unique to each of us, yet we find that the impact and feelings are similar.

• What is fundamental when establishing and maintaining trust?
• What are we working on when it comes to trust? Perhaps mending it or building it?

We would love to hear from you! Drop us a line at: ⁠[email protected]

Today we dive into what it means for each of us to start a new year! There is so much talk and expectations for goal setting, resolutions and aspirations - and if there is anything that we learned from last year’s conversations and connections - we both feel we need to approach this a bit differently and in ways that are inspirational and fulfilling.

So...we are letting go of cultural expectations of what we should do for the new year, who we should be, and what our goals should be as 40-something year olds still figuring life out!

Listen and then share your 2024 practices (or non-practices) with us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Conversations & Connections is officially one-year this month! We've been at this for a year!

In this episode we reflect on our experience co-hosting this podcast and expressing gratitude for our incredible guests. What started as a mission to connect with others and have conversations has turned into so much more! Listen as we recap some of the most meaningful moments for us in the last year and hear what we hope for going into 2024!

In this conversation we connect with Benjamin Von Wong. Von Wong is an international artist, activist and photographer focused on amplifying positive impact and making that impact unforgettable. The magnitude of Von Wong’s work is beyond articulation as it leaves observers in awe and wonder. While Von Wong is publicly known for his art and photography, he shares his wisdom with us about following his passions, building personal guidelines, being enough and living with ease. Click the link below to see his incredible work and listen to this episode for more insight!

https://www.vonwong.com/

Tools and resources noted in this episode:

• Biketopia
• Books by Octavia Butler⁠
• ⁠Financial Archetypes⁠
• Rest is Resistance
• The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck

In this episode we are joined by teacher, mentor and intellectual, Tola Atewologun. Not long ago, Tola made the brave decision to leave a career in finance to pursue one in education, and to make sure he would do it well. Tola comes to the conversation with principles and authenticity worth hearing and practicing. Whether or not you are a teacher, his perspective and words of wisdom are aspirational. A must listen to!!

Resources suggested in this episode:

• ⁠Alliance for Decision Education⁠
• ⁠Coddling of the American Mind⁠
• Works by Adam Grant

Announcement: We are changing our podcast name from Always be Recording to Conversations & Connections!

Based on feedback from our listeners, Sarah and I want to ensure our title is reflective of our mission which is about chatting with people about midlife, our experiences and inspirations, an in a way that fosters connection! So, going forward, Conversations & Connections will be our title and mantra!

Stay tuned for episode 10 coming later this month!!

In this episode, we are joined by best-selling author, mentor, coach and wonderful all around human, Susan MacKenty Brady. Now is our time to create space for a new path forward—to recommit to the practices that will help us find joy, light--and more fulfillment in each day. It all starts with the story that we tell ourselves in our head---our Inner Critic. In fact, what we think and feel drives what we say and do. What happens when we give ourselves permission to discover what bring us light and recommit to that? What happens when we create space for self-learning and discovery? What happens when we get comfortable telling our own story and shining our own light? We evolve into a different version of ourselves. We (and you!) have what we need to get there. Join us for a discussion packed with insights, storytelling, and experiences for you to consider as you chart your path forward to the future that you want to create for yourself.

Resources suggested in this episode:

• Arrive and Thrive: 7 Impactful Practices for Women Navigating Leadership by Susan MacKenty Brady, Janet Foutty, Lynn Perry Wooten
• Better Understanding with Susan MacKenty Brady
• We Want to Do More Than Survive: Abolitionist Teaching and the Pursuit of Educational Freedom by Bettina Love

In this episode, we explore the role of human connection and how it can take on even more meaning during times of change and transition... we talk openly about our values, our identities, and how the evolution of these continues to guide how we show up and interact with the people and environment around us. We share some of the small daily habits that are helping us focus on being present each day… things as simple as how we show compassion for ourselves and appreciation for others.

Tools and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon
• There is Nothing Wrong with You by Cheri Huber
• Marcy's suggested queer romance: The Holiday Trap, Delilah Green Doesn't Care, and Mistakes Were Made