It can really be hard to find "your people." The ride-or-die kind of friendships that support you, aren't afraid to have tough conversations and love you in the good and the bad. Our guest today, Kena Sampson, has a group of female friends that empower one another and build each other up. Kena is the Southern Oregon Director of Sparrow Clubs and an incredible encourager of people who pours love wherever she goes. In this podcast episode, we talk about how cultivating authentic friendships by setting boundaries. You'll also hear how friendships are hard work, how to take responsibility in being the friend we want to have and how gossip impacts relationships. There is so much more - check out this episode to learn how to be an authentic friend. If you liked this episode - make sure to listen to  this episode about Spring Cleaning Your S.O.U.L.  Check out this episode about the Power of Positivity and the amazing things women do when they come together.  CONNECT WITH DANIELLE: Facebook Instagram Twitter Website This podcast is brought to you by the Mail Tribune. Check out more Mail Tribune podcasts here. Support Happiness in Progress on Patreon.  Want video? Subscribe on Youtube.     

#129 How to Have Authentic, Lifelong Friends feat. Kena Sampson

An Emmy-award winning journalist hosts Happiness in Progress. You'll hear from some incredibly inspiring people and get motivation each episode to better your life and find your own happiness.

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"Boundaries are not just about saying no. Boundaries are actually about saying yes to what's important. That's what we have to get clear on - what's the yes that I'm saying yes to?" - Stella Grizont Stella Grizont is an Author, Executive Coach &; Positive Psychology Expert who founded The Work Happiness Method. Her coaching program is designed to help people work happier and live better. This week, Stella released her new book ‘The Work Happiness Method.’ In this episode, we talk about the book - and a few of the eight essential skills you can develop to feel happier and more fulfilled in your career. In this episode we go over:  How to get clear on your values.  How a "complaining vacation" can change how you feel about going to work. What learned optimism is and how to practice. Plus, setting boundaries. How to say 'no' and what happens when you do.  EPISODE RESOURCES: Buy The Work Happiness Method Connect with Danielle Buy the HIP Habits Workbook  Instagram Facebook  Website Connect with Stella Website Instagram Youtube

#224 Work Happier feat. Stella Grizont

"If you can find joy with the perceived dark parts of yourself, it’s so much easier to find joy everyday." - Kristy Laschober Kristy is the author of Perfectly Flawed: Uncovering Your Greatest Purpose. In it, she writes about her experience servign time in a federal prison sentence.  Kristy has been a fierce advocate for re-entry and prison reform since her release from Federal Prison in 2017, advocating to provide new opportunities for second chances. Her successful fight to remove the criminal history box on all college applications, in the state of Oregon, was realized in 2020. This was achieved by collaborating with key partners, legislators, and higher education coalitions. That same year, Kristy earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Innovation and Leadership at Southern Oregon University, graduating summa cum laude. Kristy recently published her first best-selling book, Perfectly Flawed - Uncovering Your Greatest Purpose. Her book is a raw, interactive, reflective reading experience, revealing the complexity of the human spirit in all of its glory, pain, and compassion.  Kristy founded The Freedom Exchange Project, where she connects and has conversations with men and women impacted by the criminal legal system, to amplify their voices. Kristy has a certificate in Community Storytelling, is a Certified Peer Support Specialist, and is a member of the Faces of Women Imprisoned Speakers Bureau. Kristy is a board member of the Association for Justice-Involved Females and Organizations, a member of Unlock Higher Ed, and is the Pre-Release Coordinator and Policy Advocate at Operation Restoration. Kristy is an alumnus of Just Leadership USA - Leading with Conviction fellowship program in 2023. Kristy is passionate about bridging communities and cultures so that people have opportunities to realize their ultimate potential. In this conversation we talk about:  Facing shame Becoming vulnerable and why it's so important How to love ourselves  Links mentioned:  Episode 107, Facing Your Shame feat. Kristy Laschober Connect with Danielle Buy the HIP Habits Workbook  Instagram Facebook  Twitter Website Connect with Kristy Buy the book* Instagram  *I am an Amazon affiliate and may receive a small commission when you click the link.

#223 Believing You're Perfectly Flawed feat. Kristy Laschober

The first time I learned I couldn't be my authentic self in the world was in second grade when I wore a Barney shirt to school. Yep, you guessed it, so not cool. It's instances like that where we learn to not be ourselves, to be small and to shrink ourselves into what works for others.  In this conversation, I'm going to share what happens when our authentic self is disconnected from our public persona and how to bridge the gap.  If you feel like you've been getting smaller and smaller to fit the needs of others - then this conversation is for you. Connect with Danielle:     Buy the HIP Habits Workbook  Instagram Facebook  Twitter Website More Resources  Episode #177 At Peace with Yourself through Mindful Living      

#222 The Disconnection of Inauthenticity feat. Danielle Craig

“We all have a reason for being here… I want to make sure I’m doing my best to fulfill that meaning and do the best job I can while I’m here.” - Hadley Vlahos, RN Oh. My. Gosh. Stop everything and press play on this episode.  I’m so excited to share this conversation with Hadley Vlahos. Hadley is a registered nurse, specializing in hospice and palliative care, a nonprofit founder and the author of the new book, The In-Between In this book, Hadley shares her experiences as a hospice nurse that have cemented her belief in an afterlife. In this conversation, we talk about what she has witnessed in hospice - as patients’ loved ones seemingly come from beyond to escort them from this life to the next. She also talks about how she believes some of her patients have protected her from the other side. Hear about the advice she thinks about often… and why all of this changes the way she lives her life.  I want to give a shoutout to one of my patrons - Kristen McKendry! Kristen, thank you for subscribing!  Connect with Danielle:     Buy the HIP Habits Workbook  Instagram Facebook  Twitter Website Connect with Hadley: Instagram Buy The In-Between      

#221 What We Learn About Life from Death feat. Hadley Vlahos, RN

“It wasn’t about what I couldn’t do with them, but what I was helping them become.” Today I get to introduce you to one of my good friends, Stephanie Hirtle. Stephanie practices self-compassion regularly… as her life and motherhood don’t look like she thought they would. Stephanie is the stay at home mom of four kids ranging in age from 12 to 25. She has a degree in American Studies and Business management.   Stephanie has been struggling with pain for the last thirteen years. Through a variety of treatments, she is at a more manageable level,  but still struggles with pain every day.  IN this conversation, she’ll talk about the impact of chronic pain in every part of her life.  We also talk about: -Tangible tools she’s learned to offer herself more self-compassion -How to give herself grace, even when those around her aren’t offering her grace -How much she’s learned from this experience… and re-focused what success means A special shoutout to my first patron on Patreon. Shoutout to one Jaylene Wood (eh hem, my mom) Remember, when you subscribe to my Patreon, you’ll get a monthly virtual workbook to work through the themes on the podcast!  Connect with Danielle:     Buy the HIP Habits Workbook  Instagram Facebook  Twitter Website Connect with Stephanie: Facebook    

#129 How to Have Authentic, Lifelong Friends feat. Kena Sampson

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