Just over a year ago I started this podcast. I was so eager to get started and record a bunch of episodes. But then life happened & my priorities needed to shift. And that was ok. I always knew I wanted to come back to this podcast at some point and keep trucking along! So now I'm excited to share with you some stories from over the past year as well as finally get down to some interviews with people who are going to bring some very interesting and fun conversations to the mic! 

I can't wait to share more with you and I hope you enjoy the journey along with me!

Back for a little shorty of an episode today. I'm turning 36 on Sunday and have been doing a lot of reflecting recently about this next year of my life! I'm someone who absolutely loves to celebrate my birthday and I certainly don't mind disclosing how old I am. Age really is just a number and I love learning new things about myself and the world each year. 

This coming year I am hoping to find even more gratitude in my life and in turn, feeling more content and happy. Because I truly believe finding contentment, meaning find happiness exactly where you are. Not that I won't continue to have goals or want to be a better person, but to me, finding contentment will slow me down more to "smell the roses." 

Thanks for stopping by and taking a listen!! I might be back more with randomness before I get back into interviews with others, but I look forward to figuring out the path for this podcast!

I am thrilled for you to listen to my conversation with my long time, childhood friend, Jenna Kast of Jenna Kast Studio! 

Jenna is an abstract artist located in Green Bay, WI. While you may think she has been creating art pieces all her life, that wasn't the case. She's always had a artistic side of her (I always admired what she was doing in our art classes growing up!!) but it wasn't until recently that she embarked on this very exciting journey!

We will talk about what led her to produce her recent collections, her favorite works of art, and tips for those who may be interested in painting and how you can start as a beginner! 

You can connect with Jenna on Facebook and Instagram @jennakaststudio and also visit her website, to see what she has available for art pieces, by visiting www.jennakaststudio.com

I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I enjoyed sitting down and having it!! 

Today I'm chatting with my friend Abby!! She is someone I have known for several years and someone I have loved reconnecting with and following on social media. She will share her incredible health and wellness story that I hope you find as inspiring as me. She has done so much personal research when it comes to health and wellness, and I am always impressed with the work she has put in to learn about taking care of her mind and body! 

She'll also share tips about how to stay motivated when working out from home (as well as ways to get started if you're looking for ways to start getting more active!) and some helpful tips for those looking to make changes in the kitchen! 

We do chat a little bit about a "Big Mac Salad" and trust me, you'll want to try this recipe if you haven't already! https://www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/big-mac-salad-cheeseburger-salad-low-carb-gluten-free/

You can connect with Abby on social media at the following spots:

Instagram: @Abbersb8

Facebook: @AbbyBrueggan

I often say that creating friendships as an adult can be a challenging task. And it isn't so much because you're not social enough, it's just that it isn't as easy as it was growing up and being in a classroom with your friends on a daily basis. 

When we get older, our lifestyles change, our views on topics change, and that sometimes leads to wanting to change up our social circle. But how do we do that? I'm sure many people have ways in which they have create meaningful friendship as an adult, but today I'll let you in on my experience and what has personally worked for me.

I've learned over the years, too, that having a few really reliable, solid friends is much better than having 10 "sometimes there for you" friends. It really comes down to quality over quantity!! And being able to have solid, meaningful friendships, with people who bring value into your life, is so important for my daily happiness and overall well being! 

Join me after today's bonus content to continue the discussion on social media!

You can find me on Instagram and Facebook at @LivingHappywithMallorie

Thanks so much for tuning in!

You all are in for a treat with this episode. I am finally bringing you an interview that is someone other than myself!! And I could not be more thrilled than this person being my good friend, Dahli Durley!!

Dahli and I met over social media first, where I could not get enough of her beautiful photography images. And then, by chance, we ran into each other and connected in real life in the aisles of Target, where all the good things happen, and the rest is history!

Currently based in the Twin Cities, Dahli is a traveling photographer, documenting authentic moments of people of all walks of life. She is not only a photographer, but a dreamer, doer, and passionate speaker. And today we talk about energetic exchanges, making sure you are doing what you want with your life and how to tone down the noise of other people's opinions, and so much more!

Get ready for this fun and insightful conversation!

If you wish to connect with Dahli on social media to check out more of her work, to book her for photos, and to just learn about this amazing human being, you can find her on any of these platforms:

Website: www.dahlidurleyweddings.com

Sure, we are likely all in spring cleaning mode with our closets! Or we are in spring renovation mode with more at home DIY projects! But, have you taken the time to spring clean your social media feeds? Yes, even our social media feeds could use a clean up every once and a while. Maybe you have been feeling like you're playing the comparison game too much or maybe the content you are following is making you feel like you aren't doing enough or aren't where you need to be in life. If you are finding that people or accounts you follow, aren't bringing positive energy into your daily life when it comes to scrolling feeds, then it's time to do some clean up! 

Make sure to follow me over on Instagram at @livinghappywithmallorie to continue this conversation beyond the mini bonus content today! 

This wasn't going to be the original topic for my bonus content this week, but this was on my heart way too much to not speak out about. And I find that speaking out more and creating a dialogue around this particular subject of racism and hate, is extremely important to have. 

You may find it uncomfortable to speak about this subject or you may feel like you don't know what to say or the right thing to say on the topic. And that is okay if you don't. There are so many ways for us to continue learning and growing when it comes to accepting others and learning about the differences in life. Being different is what makes life interesting and full of learning opportunities! 

Make sure to find me over on Instagram at @livinghappywithmallorie where I will continue the dialogue today for anyone who wants to. And I will try and share some of my personal favorite instagram accounts that help diversify my social feed! 

Let's work together to make this world a happier place and a place where we can all feel great about who we are and what makes us different!

I begin this with a trigger warning in regards to pregnancy loss. I understand that if you have experienced this, you may not be ready to hear content about it. However, if you are, I hope that by me sharing my story will help you realize that you aren't alone. 

We all have at least one experience that has impacted our lives greatly. Sometimes it is something really exciting and happy and in others, it might be something more sad. Our lives are shaped by many different moments in our lives. And that is what makes us unique and why I love to learn other people's stories, because there is always more to us than what we may see on the surface level.

Although I want to keep this podcast upbeat, happy, and joyful, I feel like this specific story is a big reason as to why I like to focus on happiness and bringing happiness to other people's lives. I think that when we know that we aren't alone in something, that we all have challenges in life, it makes times feel more hopeful. 

To continue this conversation beyond today's podcast, you can find me over on my Instagram at @livinghappywithmallorie 

In between full episodes, I hope to bring you extra, bonus content that can help you live happy and challenge you to think deeper. I may share a short story, some tips, book recommendations, etc. 

This week I am starting off with the question "What was great today?" If you're listening to this in the morning, come back and ask that question after your day is complete. At the start of this year I started doing this on a daily basis for the month of January. After the year we had in 2020, I wanted to make sure to start this new year off as positive as I could. 

I believe that taking time to find at least one thing you are grateful for each day, despite how hectic the day may have been, can put a person at ease and make you feel better about your situation. 

I challenge you today to take part in this very simple question! Find me over on Instagram @livinghappywithmallorie to share with me!