In this special episode, I sit down with my dear friend Laura Whitaker, CEO of ESP (Extra Special People) and author of the upcoming book, The Joy Exchange. Laura has spent 20 years creating inclusive communities and learning unconventional leadership principles from the very people her organization serves—individuals with disabilities and their families.

Laura Whitaker is the visionary leader behind ESP, a nonprofit that creates transformative experiences for people with disabilities across multiple communities. After two decades in leadership, she's distilled her most powerful insights into a book that challenges us all to exchange awkwardness for awe and hesitation for hospitality.

This conversation goes far beyond traditional leadership advice. Laura shares raw, honest stories about her biggest mistakes, most humiliating moments, and the breakthrough realizations that changed everything. From skydiving fundraisers to coffee shop hugs, she reveals how authentic human connection creates the kind of joy we're all searching for.

Here are 5 key insights you can expect from this conversation:

• Exchange awkwardness for awe by leaning into uncomfortable situations instead of pulling back.
• Practice radical hospitality that extends warmth and welcome to everyone, regardless of ability.
• Find courage in vulnerability by sharing your leadership struggles and learning from failure.
• Create inclusive environments where children naturally learn to value differences and celebrate uniqueness.
• Experience the joy exchange by delighting in others and discovering how giving actually becomes receiving.

Whether you're leading a team, raising children, or simply wanting to connect more authentically with those around you, Laura's insights will challenge you to see leadership—and life—through fresh eyes.

The Joy Exchange is available for pre-order now through February 17th, with all proceeds supporting ESP's mission to serve families at no cost.

PreOrder The Joy Exchange on here:

https://www.laurahopewhitaker.com/thejoyexchange

Follow Laura here: https://www.instagram.com/laurahopewhitaker/#

Listen to my previous episode with Laura here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3htMp2zo5pATiNYvQBDPwC

Get ready for some exciting news! In this special and unfiltered season finale episode, I'm thrilled to share a major life update with you. If you've been following along on Instagram, you might already know - we're expecting baby number three!

Join me as I dive into all the details of this incredible journey. From the moment we found out to how we shared the news with our family, I'm taking you behind the scenes of this new chapter in our lives.

What you'll discover in this episode:

• The unexpected way we discovered we were pregnant
• Our family's joyful reactions to the news
• How this pregnancy compares to my previous experiences
• The gender reveal of baby #3
• My thoughts on balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood
• A sneak peek into our nursery plans

A journey of hope and gratitude

After experiencing two miscarriages and going through IVF, this pregnancy feels like a beautiful miracle. I'm opening up about the emotions, challenges, and moments of pure joy that have come with this experience.

Fashion and style during pregnancy

As a fashion lover, I'm sharing how I'm adapting my style for this new season of life. From comfortable work-from-home looks to chic maternity outfits, I'm dishing out tips on staying true to your personal style while accommodating a growing bump.

Looking ahead

While we're taking a brief break from the podcast, I'm already excited about what's in store for next season. We've got some amazing guests lined up, and who knows - we might even have a special little co-host joining us!

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. Your support means the world, and I can't wait to share more of this beautiful chapter with you all.

Follow along until next season!!

https://www.instagram.com/lifewithloverly/

Let's discover the captivating world of mahjong with Dallas powerhouse Molly Hardy, better known as Mahjong Molly. As one of the fastest-rising mahjong educators on Instagram, Molly is transforming this ancient tile game into colorful, contagious moments of joy and strategy.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating journey of how Molly turned her passion for mahjong into a thriving teaching business. From explaining the basics of the game to sharing advanced strategies, Molly offers invaluable insights for both beginners and experienced players.

• Learn the basics of the game and why it's become so popular
• Discover how to approach building your first hand
• Gain insights into the role of jokers, flowers, and dragons in enhancing your gameplay
• Tips for playing with two or three people,
• Explore the world of mahjong tournaments and how they're shaping the community

Whether you're a curious newcomer or a seasoned player looking to refine your skills, this episode offers a wealth of knowledge to enhance your mahjong experience. Molly's passion for the game shines through as she shares her expertise and personal journey, inspiring listeners to embrace the joy and strategy of mahjong.

Molly's Mahjong guide can be found here

Follow Molly here! @mahjongmolly

For 3 weeks of free play, used code Molly at www.ilovemahj.com

For an affordable starter kit, head here

Learn more about the Mahjong Line: https://themahjongline.com/

Rules on how to play: https://themahjongline.com/pages/how-to-play-mahjong

Little Mahj for kids or beginners: https://themahjongline.com/products/lil-mahj-playing-card

Head here for your Nippies and use code 20LOVERLYG for 20% off

Head below for all your Re Lyte needs and use code LOVERLY20 for 20% off:

Re-lyte: https://amzlink.to/az0OPgAuavIcZ

Real Salt: https://amzlink.to/az0n5g5LKnMkb

Brittany sat down with Karina Reske from Karina Style Diaries for an intimate conversation about faith, family, and fashion. Karina opens up about her journey from Brazil to the United States, sharing how a chance encounter led to love and a new life.

The pair dive deep into Karina's experience as a mother, discussing the challenging times her family faced during her daughter's struggle with addiction, Karina's raw honesty and unwavering faith shine through as she recounts the difficult decisions, and transformative moments that ultimately led to healing and hope.

What you'll learn in this episode:

• Tips for elevating your wardrobe without starting from scratch

• How Karina's faith sustained her family through their darkest times

• The power of setting boundaries and sticking to them, even when it's tough

• Insights on balancing work as an influencer with personal struggles

• The importance of finding your authentic style and dressing for comfort

Join us for an episode filled with vulnerability, wisdom, and style inspiration. Karina's story reminds us that with faith and perseverance, we can overcome even the most daunting obstacles and emerge stronger on the other side.

Follow Karina here: https://www.instagram.com/karinastylediaries/

Listen to her podcast here: http://instagram.com/karinafaithdiaries/

JS Health Code!! https://us.jshealthvitamins.com/ and use code LOVERLY20 for 20% off.

Links from the episode: What Brittany recently purchased from Karina's LTK:

Pieces Karina is loving:

Baggy Jeans, Mother Full Pipe: https://bit.ly/3Hmftcn

Cashmere Quince: https://bit.ly/436n9aK https://bit.ly/3DU60ra

What Karina packed for Italy

From growing up as a first-generation Latina in Fort Worth to becoming a powerhouse TV host and style expert, Lilliana Vazquez's journey is a testament to grit, vision, and owning your worth. In this episode, we dive deep into Lilliana's inspiring story, exploring her transition from the Today show to E! News, and her bold decision to pivot out of television to build her own brand.

Today, Brittany is chatting with Lilliana about:

• How Lilliana's upbringing shaped her drive and determination
• The pivotal moment she decided to bet on herself and pursue her passion
• Her transition from the Today Show to E! News and beyond
• The challenges and triumphs of building a personal brand
• Balancing motherhood, marriage, and a thriving career

Whether you're considering a career pivot, struggling with imposter syndrome, or simply looking for a dose of motivation, Lilliana's story will remind you that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.

So, are you ready to be inspired and take charge of your own story?

Follow Lilliana here! https://www.instagram.com/lillianavazquez/

Are you feeling drained and struggling to maintain your energy throughout the day? In this episode, I sit down with nutritionist and JS Health founder Jess Sepel to explore practical nutrition tips and supplement suggestions that can help you become your most energized self.

Jess shares her personal journey from extreme fad dieting to embracing a balanced, whole-food approach to nutrition. She offers valuable insights on:

• The importance of gut health and how to support your microbiome
• Essential blood work markers to monitor for optimal health
• The magic of magnesium and how to choose the right type
• Strategies for combating the afternoon energy slump
• Creating an effective wind-down routine for better sleep

Jess also discusses her top wellness products and provides guidance on supplement use during pregnancy and postpartum. Whether you're looking to boost your energy, improve your sleep, or simply optimize your overall health, this conversation is packed with actionable advice from a trusted expert in the field.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn from Jess's expertise and discover simple yet effective ways to support your body's natural vitality. Tune in now to start your journey towards a more energized and balanced life!

Follow Jess here! https://www.instagram.com/jshealth/Head to https://us.jshealthvitamins.com/ and use code LOVERLY20 for 20% off.

About Jess:

Jess Sepel is a clinical nutritionist, best-selling author, and founder of JS Health Vitamins. With a passion for helping women achieve balance and well-being, Jess has transformed her own struggles with fad dieting into a mission to educate and empower others through evidence-based nutrition and lifestyle practices.

Building a loyal, engaged audience is the cornerstone of any successful online business. It's not just about amassing followers; it's about creating genuine connections and trust.

In today's special episode, Brittany is re-releasing an interview from 2022 where she was the guest on another podcast, Allie Reeve's All In with Allie Podcast [previously the Six Figure Influencer podcast].

This episode was so fun, that Brittany wanted to also share it with you here. So if you've ever wondered how to build and grow an engaged and loyal following - this one's for you.

The pair chat about:

• How Brittany balanced her blog with a full-time corporate job
• The moment she knew it was time to go all-in on her influencer career
• Strategies for building an insanely engaged and trusting audience
• Managing a growing team and delegating effectively
• Taking regular vacations while running a thriving business

Whether you're an aspiring influencer or a seasoned entrepreneur, Brittany's insights will inspire you to take your business to the next level. Get ready for an honest, eye-opening conversation that will change how you approach building your brand online.

Follow Allie here: https://www.instagram.com/allieireeves

Ever wondered about the voice behind your favorite audiobooks, like Emily Henry or Abby Jimenez novels? Get ready for a fascinating peek behind the curtain with Julia Whelan, often called the "Adele of audiobooks." She has narrated everything from gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances.

Her talent has brought characters to life in bestsellers like "Gone Girl" and Emily Henry's beloved rom-coms. In this episode, we're exploring the captivating world of audiobook narration and the journey from page to earbuds.

Julia shares:

• Her transition from child actor to award-winning narrator,
• The intricate process of preparing for a narration, from character voices to pronunciation guides
• How narrators prepare for different genres and characters
• The challenges and joys of narrating your own novel [she's an author, too!]
• Julia's groundbreaking venture, Audiobrary, revolutionizing the audiobook industry

A bit more about Audiobrary: Audiobook narrators typically don't receive royalties for their work, regardless of how successful the book becomes. Julia's mission with Audiobrary is to change this industry standard and ensure fair compensation for narrators.

Whether you're an avid audiobook listener, an aspiring narrator, or simply curious about the process, this episode offers valuable insights into the art and business of audiobook creation. Julia's passion for storytelling shines through as she shares her experiences and vision for the future of audio publishing.

So plug in your earbuds and join us for an engaging conversation that might just change the way you listen to your next audiobook!

Follow Julia Here: https://www.instagram.com/justjuliawhelan/

Hop on the Audiobrary newsletter: https://audiobrary.com/

Motherhood, friendship, and the chaos of everyday life - we're diving into it all with Kate Strickler, the creative force behind Naptime Kitchen on Instagram, with a community of over 300k. As a mom of four and author of "I Just Wish I Had a Bigger Kitchen and Other Lies I Think Will Make Me Happy," Kate brings her refreshing honesty and practical wisdom to our conversation.

• The 3 questions Kate asks herself when she starts comparing her motherhood journey to someone else's
• How a simple shift in thinking about time—from productivity to presence—helped her find more peace in her day-to-day
• What it really looks like to hold onto your identity outside of motherhood
• Kate's honest take on building a brand online—and the emotional side of showing up on social media
• Her favorite low-effort summer meal that keeps everyone (including her) happy

Join us for a heartwarming, honest, and often humorous look at modern motherhood. We hope you'll walk away feeling understood, inspired, and maybe even a little less alone in your parenting journey.

Follow Kate here: https://www.instagram.com/naptimekitchen

Preorder her book here!

Get ready to be inspired by Chloee Huseman, the creative force behind Retail Cheapskate on Instagram, as she shares her journey from corporate life to becoming a successful fashion influencer.

In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the world of affordable fashion content creation. Chloee opens up about her early days of hiding her face in posts, the moment she decided to take the leap into full-time influencing, and how she balances being visible online while protecting her family's privacy.

We are chatting:

• The power of consistency in growing a loyal following
• How to transition from a corporate job to full-time content creation
• Strategies for creating engaging content that resonates with your audience
• Tips for making budget-friendly fashion look high-end
• Balancing personal life and online presence as an influencer

Whether you're an aspiring influencer or simply love fashion on a budget, this episode is packed with tangible insights both women have learned over the years. Chloee's journey proves that with consistency, authenticity, and a clear vision, you can build a successful online presence that resonates with your audience.

Follow Chloee here: https://www.instagram.com/retailcheapskate

Links from Episode:

$7 Vitamin C Serum

Covergirl Lipbalm

Bloom Energy