Welcome to the Inspired to be EMazing podcast! I’m Emma, and I’m so happy that you’re here! On this show, I inspire you to be your best self and live your fullest life as we talk through hard topics, together. I came up with the idea for this podcast in April of 2020, which was a very hard year. I had so many thoughts running through my head as I was growing and learning how to be more ME.  My idea was that maybe sharing these thoughts could help someone else on their journey. These topics are important, yet basic and fundamental to living our everyday lives. I am no expert, but I do hope that my candidness on these topics will help you feel a bit freer to be yourself. What originally started as trying to give others some advice, became a really important outlet for me to get out of my head. I believe that this podcast is a community, and these conversations are for all of us. I want this podcast to feel welcoming, comforting and to give you something to smile about when things get difficult as they often do. Day by day, I hope that we grow a bit more into loving ourselves as we are. Our growth never ends, and I hope that this podcast will be a small step on that journey to being your EMazing self and living your most EMazing life.  To support this podcast, be sure to subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and tell all of your friends how much you love it. You can click the link in the description to email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen to more episodes. There are new episodes every other Friday. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you around!

Hi friends! Here is a short and unedited bonus episode to close off this year of the podcast. I am taking a summer break to take care of myself and brainstorm new ideas for this podcast. I also talk about what I've been up to in the past couple of weeks since we last talked! During my summer break, I encourage you to take care of yourself (however you need) with me, listen to previous episodes, and DM/email me your episode ideas. I'll probably be back in late August/early September with new episodes!

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD!

Thanks for joining this community! This is a podcast for all of us. I hope this is a space where you can grow and feel loved. See you around!

Art by Madelynne Juenger.

That's a wrap on the Ambitious Women Series! I couldn't think of a better way to finish off this series than to talk to my mom. We talked all about her interest in science from a young age, deciding what she wanted to do, and all about working in clinical research. We also discussed the way that ambition changes over time as interests and priorities change. I have learned so much from my mom's ambition, and it was so wonderful to talk to her about it.

Thanks so much for listening to this series! I hope that these stories and advice were inspiring. They certainly were for me! I will be taking a little break, and coming out with brand new episodes in a month or two. I will be posting a short check-in episode shortly with more details, so be sure to listen.

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday at 12 pm eastern time.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you for all of the support.

SPOTLIGHT: Sweet Mae’s Cookie Company is a business that makes and sells homemade stuffed cookies with delicious flavors. Order a batch today at https://sweetmaescookies.com/ and follow on Instagram @sweetmaescookieco.

Happy 1 Year Podcast Anniversary! This milestone is so special to me. I remember sitting in my room recording that very first episode and being so nervous. I have come such a long way and I am so proud of this growth. I am also so motivated by the feeling that I can make a difference because of this platform. I am so happy with where this year has taken this podcast, and this is a milestone to celebrate.

I also made some updates to this podcast to freshen it up after a full year. 

- New logo/banner/episode logo: Logo and banner designed by Madelynne Juenger. Episode logo by me. You can view the logo anywhere, the banner only on Soundcloud, and the episode logos everywhere except Apple Podcasts.

- Trailer: You can listen to this on all platforms, right after this episode!

- Intro/Outro: You can now enjoy a new intro and outro at the beginning and end of every episode.

- Description: I switched up how I write my descriptions for each episode a bit. You can read them under every episode moving forward.

- Social media: New bios available on all podcast platforms AND @inspiredtobeemazing on Instagram. New highlights on Instagram page. Logos now updated everywhere as well!

- Upload time: Episodes will now be available every other Friday at 12 am, not 12 pm :)

So many updates! Thanks for all of your support, and enjoy this new space!

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD!

Thanks for joining this community! This is a podcast for all of us. I hope this is a space where you can grow and feel loved. See you around!

Art by Madelynne Juenger.

In this episode, I talked with teacher and children's book author April Litwin. We chatted about how she knew she wanted to be a teacher, what teaching has been like during the pandemic, where the inspiration for her book (Prickle) came from, routine as self-care, and ambition in her everyday life. I had such a wonderful time getting to know April and her story, and I think you'll love this episode.

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday at 12 pm eastern time.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you for all of the support.

SPOTLIGHT: Nedra Glover Tawwab is a therapist and expert on boundaries. Her new book is titled Set Boundaries Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself. Follow her on Instagram @nedratawwab.

In this episode, Naomi and I talked about why she loves to write, why she decided to create a blog, what life at home has been like for her, where her ambition comes from, and how it manifested when she was younger. I was able to relate to her stories about blocking out others' opinions and the amazing feeling of positive feedback on your work. She also discussed the growth the comes from letting go of the fear of judgment and creating things that YOU love. I hope you enjoy this conversation!

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday at 12 pm eastern time.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you for all of the support.

SPOTLIGHT: Luvvie Ajayi Jones is a 2-time New York Times Best Selling author for I’m Judging You and Professional Troublemaker: TheFear Fighter Manual, host of the podcast Professional Troublemaker, and creator of the blog Awesomely Luvvie (www.awesomelyluvvie.com). Follow her on Instagram @luvvie.

In the fourth episode of the Ambitious Women Series, I talked with Shaista Khursheed. She is a pharmacist at a local hospital, which is incredibly important (especially during a pandemic!). We discussed where she got her ambitious start, her true passion for what she does, how her job has changed because of the pandemic, and her advice to all of you listeners! She is a true inspiration.

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday at 12pm eastern time.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you for all of the support.

SPOTLIGHT: Piper Wai (Instagram: @piperwai and website: https://www.piperwai.com/) makes eco-friendly AND natural deodorant, body wash, and hand sanitizer. Go check them out!

In this week's episode, I talked with Layota Johnston, founder and CEO of Fresh Seed Glow. This is a business that makes natural and organic skincare products. In this conversation, learn about why Latoya started her business, how she formulates her products, what her day-to-day life is like, and how ambition often means taking small, consistent steps to reach your biggest goals. This conversation was such a joy, and I am so grateful to Latoya for talking with me!

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday at 12 pm eastern time.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you for all of the support.

SPOTLIGHT: Realm Candles is a business (started during the pandemic) that is making eco-friendly AND beautiful candles. Find them on Instagram @realmcandles.ca and online at https://realmcandles.ca/

Also- Go check out The Popper Project! They are selling soaps for $5 to benefit the Jefferson Chemotherapy Center. Find them on Instagram @thepopperproject and DM to order.

Today, I talked with singer, actor, and teacher Rachel Zatcoff! We chatted about all things West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera, and Fiddler on the Roof. She also told me about teaching, and what that's like during a pandemic. And of course, ambition was a huge topic. We discussed how ambition is such a grounding and important factor in our lives, and how it brings the most amazing attributes, like curiosity and wonder for life. This episode is a masterclass in keeping your feet on the ground and showing up everyday for your goals. Thank you, Rachel!

Email me, follow the podcast on Instagram, and listen at this link: https://www.flow.page/inspiredtobeemazing

New episodes every other Friday at 12pm eastern time.

Please subscribe, leave a 5-star rating, a nice review, and SPREAD THE WORD! Thank you for all of the support.

SPOTLIGHT: Aquarian Thoughts is a small-business that hand makes unique jewelry. Instagram: @aquarianthoughtsjewelry and website: https://aquarianthoughts.com/