Stress always falls by the wayside. It feels so much more important to focus on other areas of our health, life and relationships, am I right?  Yet if we were to poll all of our listeners, I bet a vast majority of us would say that it's something we experience, daily. Stress seems to have changed in the past few years, along with the types of stressors and the way it shows up in our lives. It's time we learn about what it is that makes us burn out and the important resets to reduce the stress we all feel.

Dr. Aditi after years of working with patients made it her mission to focus on making stress something that is both tangible and treatable. With a focus on educating the general public on the crisis in an approachable way, her career and knowledge has lead many to feeling freedom and with skills to manage the stress they feel.

It's more common than we all would like to admit that we use stress as an 'excuse' for not spending time together, not creating, not learning, not gathering & so many other aspects to being together.

Join us in this profound, light hearted yet wisdom FILLED conversation that will leave you wanting to make this holiday season a stress-free one to remember! 

Follow Dr. Aditi Here
Buy her new book here!

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com to use my code GATHER for $15 off and to pick your free meat for a year as a part of their Black Friday sale! 

As we get busier as a culture, spend less time home and with each other there are less opportunities to learn how to cook confidently.

We can probably all think of a recipe that did not end up the way we wished it would. Times when dinner stuck to the pan, the cookies ended up salty or even when we took one bite and threw the whole thing straight in the trash. Our guest today, Bri McKoy, can relate. She didn't grow up loving to cook, in fact she didn't see the point in even learning. However as she entered adulthood and realized that her 'eating out lifestyle' wasn't going to cut it, she took on the challenge, learned to love cooking and wants to teach you everything she learned.

From how to properly use salt, how the right sauce can elevate basic ingredients and go-to recipes for busy nights. This episode will get you inspired to get back into the kitchen and experiment with new confidence.

Follow Bri @brimckoy
Buy her latest cookbook here 

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com to use my code GATHER for $15 off and to pick your free meat for a year!

"Friendships just don't work for me" 

Maybe you have found yourself saying this. One way or another we have all found ourselves in cycles of stress, anxiety and either learned to cope well... or not so well. 

If you watched my recent TED talk, you may have heard the part at the very end, the part that surprises most people, where I share what I believe is the key to meaningful hospitality: The hard work of heart work'. 

I've realized that in my own life when realitionships are strained, or when we find ourselves constantly lonely, that often it's a sign that we need to dive in and ask why. It's time that we own the responsibility. 

To help me navigate this conversation, I welcomed on @ramsey personality and mental health expert John Delony. Talking through his recent research, own life experience and new book Building a Non-Anxious Life, I promise you that this conversation brings a new light to anxiety and lead you to a new freedom that you've been craving your life and relationships. 

Visit John & buy his new book!
Johndelony.com
Buy his latest book here!

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com/Gather to use my code GATHER for $30 off and free shipping!

Doesn't it feel like everyone is in Italy? I can't be the only one of scrolls social and see's half my feed exploring the cobblestone streets and sinking their teeth into the flavors that distinctively come from Italian Roots. Something about the colors, flavors and charm makes me crave pieces of it in my own dining, my own living, and my own hospitably. Katie Parla was born and raised in the East Coast, in the USA, and as soon as she could made Italy her home. Since then she has been set on exploring the parts of the country that are off the beaten track and educating the everyday cook with the real flavors of Italy. She has taken her knowledge to cooking shows we know and love while also giving private culinary tours that you can book her for on your own vacation

We laughed and connected over topics including:

"Is it the algorithm or is everyone in Italy"
The hidden gems that everyone should know about as you plan your trip to Italy
What should everyone know about travel in Italy, that isn't usually shared
What life looks like as a culinary guide
What is distinctive about the flavors of the Italian islands vs. main cities
American-Italian food
How to enhance the quality and authenticity of Italian cooking in our own homes
The role that alcohol plays in preventing difficult conversation

Katie whisks us away to a side of Italy that isn't shown on social media, and hopefully compels us all to slow down, plan a vacation there to experience it all OR take the steps embrace the taste of Italy and the Italian Islands in our own homes.

Visit Katie & book her as your culinary guide around Italy
Katieparla.com
Buy a copy of Katie's latest cookbook here!

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com/Gather to use my code GATHER for $25 off and $480 of free ground beef in your first 2 years. 

Many of us likely haven't said these exact words outloud  but, interior design has become our master. What do I mean by that? We allow our design skills, or lack of, decor, or lack of dictate how comfortable we are welcoming others in. Have you felt it? If you've been around for a while you'll know that design is a passion of mine, and I believe that there is a level of it that is necessary for hospitality. Somewhere along the lines though, the way we talk about it and approach it in our own spaces goes beyond passion. You could say that for many of us, it has become a dictator that gives us permission to move forward or on the contrary, holds us back.

Victoria Duerstock is a new friend of Gather, and in this episode talk about our own personal experiences with how design has the ability to create chaos or peace in our homes.

Whether you are a long time host or just approaching designing your space , this thought provoking conversation will get you evaluating your own approach design and give you peace-filled tips to move forward.

Stay tuned for more step-by-step  design focused episodes in this coming season!

Visit Victoria and her platform:
Victoriaduerstock.com
Endgamepress.com

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com/Gather to  get $30 off your first order of American meat Delivered straight to your door, and lock in your meat prices for TWO YEARS for  with code GATHER 

One of our goals for the show this coming season is to answer your questions directly on the show! This past week we had great questions come in through our Instagram dm's and truthfully, I think the answers would benefit a lot of you!

" How do I decorate for outdoor hosting and make it not chaotic and awkward? "

Also...

"What can I make for guests that will stay hot for when I have to serve it?"

We will dive into the 'how-to's', check lists, and framework to use for these situations that will leave you ready to tackle them at your next gathering!

Do you have a question that you want to submit to the show?
Email them to [email protected]

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com/Gather to  get $30 off your first order of American meat Delivered straight to your door for summer BBQ's with code GATHER 

Goodness, It's a bit surreal, we're celebrating 100 episodes of Making Room by Gather! 

We want to celebrate with a special giveaway! 

Listen to the episode, head on over to our instagram @gatherintentionalliving 
- Follow all of the accounts in the caption 
- Leave 5 stars and a written review wherever you listen to the show 
- Comment " Hey @gatherintentionalliving I entered!" And you'll be in the running! 

Winner will be selected 7/23 at 9 pm EST 

After you listen to this episode, email [email protected] with questions that you would like for us to feature in this upcoming season of the show! 

Here's to 100 more episodes! 

It seems as though as time goes on, the divide between the older and younger generation gets stronger. The older generation is becoming increasingly frustrated with the behavior and trends that the younger generation expresses and the younger generation feels disconnected and distant from the older generation. We hear comments all the time like " Millinials always do ________" or "Boomers always ________". I realized that it was time to stop and take some time to really understand who makes up each of the generations along with what they long for in community and at the table. 

Through this powerful conversation with our friends Micah and Josiah Kennealy, we will touch on: 

* What characterizes each generation
* The importance of generational diversity in our lives 
* False judgements or assumptions about each generation and the truth behind them 
* How to approach phones and the conversation around them at our gatherings 
*The danger of too much joking at our table 
* How to restore honor and humility as we learn and embrace change between younger and older generations 

Truthfully no matter your age or background this conversation will leave you challenged and with a further depth of readiness and understanding. The conversation has the ability to truly change everything about the way we gather. 

 This season comes with its own form of cozy- its own sort of magic. As we enter into the heart of warm weather entertaining we are naturally spending more time outdoors...but...are our spaces ready? The goal of 'readiness' is never perfection, but instead confidence. Are you confident welcoming others into your space? This week we welcome on our friend, designer and CEO of designer doormat brand Porte + Hall, Stafford Meyer to talk all things Summer design. Her story is profound and the product she designed truly solves a problem so many of us have as we're creating our spaces. Through this conversion you will hear: 

• How Staffords career in Interior design helped her identify the pinpoints of the everyday host
• How an unexpected stroke acted as a catalyst to launch a business that solves a problem the everyday designer faces 
• Preparing your space for summer gathering with just a few easy steps 
• & More! 

Whether you are a want-to-be designer looking to get a few more skills or a seasoned expert, this conversation with Stafford is a sweet one to celebrate and prepare you for the season!

Visit their website and purchase your own mat HERE! Use code GATHER20 for 20% off! 

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com/Gather to  get $30 off your first order of American meat Delivered straight to your door for July 4th with code GATHER 

Guess What? It's possible to have an honest conversation...and still keep a relationship.  It's true! A few weeks back an industry friend reached out and said, " I know these two incredible people making a film and I think you'd love to talk to them!" Turns out, she was right! Our new friends Craig and Andrea were set out to create a film that talks about racial reconciliation in a new light. This has been something that we have become increasingly aware of as a culture but truthfully...the way these two have created space for this dialogue is new, and fresh. Through it they have modeled what it could look like for others conversations like it to happen as well. I left this interview inspired as a creative, hopeful for our tables and culture. I know you will too! You can expect to hear:  

• An important note to the closet creative and dreamer 
• Balancing authenticity and triggers in our current culture
• How to have  difficult conversation and maintain relationships 
• The important role music has in story telling
• How to be aware of our own biases 
• How Mercy & Me was designed in a way that no one feels attacked but rather that everyone feels that they have the words they need to feel heard on all sides.  

The three of us instantly connected and that lead to a really fun, really authentic conversation that you will NOT want to miss!

Be sure to get tickets to their movie and learn more here!

This episode was sponsored by:
Good Ranchers
Visit Goodranchers.com/Gather to  get $30 off your first order of American meat Delivered straight to your door for Father's Day with code GATHER

Cotier Brand:
Get your own Convokins for 15% off at Cotierbrand.com using code Gather15