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Does the new year ever really feel so “new” and fresh for long? 

For many of us, the end of the calendar year means time spent with family, and hopefully a few days away from work. But the irony is that they can still feel physically and emotionally taxing. 

You see,  we were born into burnout culture. 

And that “two weeks PTO” carrot at the end of the stick ain’t cutting it. Vacations and holidays are wonderful, but they rarely leave us feeling rested. 

The holidays, and the winter months especially, are a fine time to step back and evaluate, perhaps even redefine, our relationship with rest and work.

It’s time for a cultural shift away from the drudgery of burnout culture. It’s time to embrace a culture of rest.   

This week, Karlee revisits a restful exchange with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a Board-Certified internal medicine physician, speaker, and award-winning author. She is an international well-being thought leader and author of numerous books, including her bestseller Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity.  Her insight on the seven types of rest helps people understand their specific rest deficits as a means to overcome burnout, increase overall happiness, and live more meaningful lives.

In this episode, you’ll identify what burnout looks and feels like, and you’ll start to recognize the effect sustained burnout can have on your quality of life and your relationships. You’ll recognize how living and growing up in a burnout culture has taught us to treat vacations as cures, and why those breaks never really relieve our emotional burdens. You’ll also learn about the seven types of specific rest you need, which of them you need more of, and practical ways you can start to nourish your rest deficits. 

If you’re ready to rip the bandaid off of burnout culture and take the time to deepen your understanding of what rest is and start to get more of it, then this episode is for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (3:07 ) Exploring the Seven Types of Rest 
• (11:57) Why you don’t feel rested after vacations and holidays 
• (18:00) Practical ways to approach rest
• (28:26) Reclaiming your best work and relationships
• (37:48) The normalization of burnout

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY of the ROADMAP TO REST FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS

Episode 138: From Burnout Culture to Rest Culture with Saundra Dalton-Smith

Video: TED: The 7 types of rest every person needs Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Book: Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore Your Sanity by Saundra Dalton-Smith

FREE Quiz: Personal Rest Assessment

Connect with Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith:

Website: DrDaltonSmith.com

Twitter: @DrDaltonSmith

Facebook: Dr. Saundra Dalton – Smith

Instagram: @DrDaltonSmith

Pinterest: @DrDaltonSmith

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

We know that rest is essential. 

But… for high achievers, it’s easy to see go-mode as just the natural flow of things.

When we dare to pause (and dare others to do the same), we instantly recognize that we too are susceptible to the cultural norms that push us to prioritize work over rest.

And as many of us gear up for another extra busy holiday season, it’s important to remind ourselves and one another:

Rest is not the opposite of productivity; it’s the gateway to productivity.

We must give ourselves permission to rest.

Because allowing space for those pockets of joy in small moments can be transformative.

This week, Karlee revisits a timely conversation with Faith Clarke, an Organizational Health & Inclusion Specialist. Through her work, she provides important cultural and historical context to how we navigate the “rules” of society, shedding a necessary light on how this conditioning affects us. 

In this episode, we unpack the reasons why you might be working so hard and resting so little. You’ll shift your culturally ingrained perspective on time and commitments and begin to open your days, weeks, months, and years to more opportunities for rest. By constructing your own imaginary world, you can break societal rules around productivity, regain your power, and creatively find more time for respite.

If you’re ready to open up more pockets of joy in your life, then this episode is for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (6:11) Cultural constructs and the burden of work
• (09:05) Finding your Pockets of Power
• (11:50) How to create an alternate reality for rest
• (15:11) The interplay between self and community
• (18:01) Navigating the Zero-Sum Game

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE COPY of the ROADMAP TO REST FOR HIGH ACHIEVERS

Episode 135: Pockets of Power | How to be a able to say “yes” to joy in your way-too-busy life with Faith Clarke

Article: Gilson, D. (2011) Overworked America: 12 charts that Will make your blood boil, Mother Jones. Available at: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2011/05/speedup-americans-working-harder-charts/ 

Website: Tricia Hersey  http://www.triciahersey.com/ 

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People Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Jovana Washington

Connect with Faith Clarke:

Website

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

In phases of transition, here we understand that we are NOT lost. 

Oh, no no. 

We’re just floating quietly and calmly in the Fertile Void.

We know that navigating change often comes with a bit of discomfort. Putting words to those feelings can help us cultivate the right language for what we’re experiencing. 

And through those words, we can tap into the courage and clarity that’s required to navigate changing currents or completely new bodies of water. 

(And unexpected plumbing disasters.)

When things feel uncertain, we know that we can always find certainty in 3 simple words…

“You got this.” 

This week, Karlee revisits an episode with Gayle Danley, former National Individual Poetry Slam Champion. She holds a B.A. in broadcast journalism from Howard University and an M.A. in radio, TV, and film from Syracuse University. Gayle performs slam poetry around the country, and is the author of two books of poetry: Naked: Poems that Uncover My Soul and Soulfull: A Study of Slam Poetry.

In this episode, Gail shares her journey to self-affirmation through the power of words. You’ll hear how slam poetry has provided her with a sense of identity, purpose, and stability in times of change. You’ll learn how to “get good” with where you are in the moment, and how to cultivate a supportive inner voice.

If you’re ready to tap into the power of your words and paddle bravely through seas of change, then this episode is for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (2:07) Ways to simplify when life feels complex
• (11:23) Getting “good” with wherever you are now
• (19:39) Finding voice through poetry 
• (28:50) Gayle’s 4-step writing process
• (34:22) Being patient when we’ve lost our sense of direction

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Claim your spot in The Boundary Academy

Episode 128: “You Got This” | Engaging The Power of Your Words During Change with Gayle Danley 

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Maria Sirois

Kate Northrup

Suzi Banks Baum

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

Does the level of uncertainty these days feel like it’s at a perpetual crescendo? 

You sure aren’t alone…

If you’re also a voyager on these choppy seas,  then like many of us, the pace of unpredictability has you thinking about what, and who, is really important.    

And how you can protect it.

This week, Karlee opens up a candid conversation about authenticity, offering a more mature definition of what it means to be authentic in relationships- especially in times of uncertainty. 

In this episode, you’ll learn how to approach authenticity in a way that’s reciprocal, serving the needs of others while allowing you to hold true to your values. You’ll learn why authenticity is a two-way street that requires consideration of how we interact with others. And, you’ll hear a powerful prompt that will empower you to hold true to your values in a way that doesn’t cause harm to others.

If you’re ready to anchor into stability through these uncertain times and build stronger, more authentic connections, then this episode is for you.  

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (7:02) A peek behind the scenes of Karlee’s latest workshop
• (8:08) The desire for reciprocity in relationships 
• (11:13) Why real authenticity requires understanding nuance
• (14:00) Identifying what needs protecting
• (17:13) Developing a neuro pattern of sturdiness 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Maria Sirois

Brené Brown

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

Trying to control the choices of others takes up a LOT of space,  depleting us of precious energy that could be better spent elsewhere. But you don’t want things to fall apart without you either.

Whether it's a lifestyle choice you don’t agree with, a work ethic that doesn’t seem sustainable from your perspective, or a loved one who isn’t doing what you think they should be doing in a crisis, trying to apply your agenda to someone else’s life is a losing game - for everyone involved.

The trick is learning when to release your grip on others and focusing instead on what you can control….yourself. 

This week, Karlee shares practical advice to help you decipher when it makes sense to lean in, and when the best thing to do is to lean back and surrender your agenda.

In this episode, we dive into the liberating shift from trying to influence others to refining our own inner responses. Explore how to recalibrate your boundaries, reclaim your energy, and refocus on what truly matters to you. We’ll share insightful, real-world examples and a straightforward, actionable prompt to help you tap into authentic self-control—leading to a deeper sense of agency and freedom. This episode offers a fresh, strategic perspective for savvy leaders ready to invest energy where it yields the greatest return: within.

If you’re ready to surrender your agenda and reclaim your energy, then this is the episode for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (7:18) Trying to change people who don’t want to change
• (9:28) Why micromanagement fails
• (12:56) Daring to pause when control efforts don’t work
• (18:21) How to replace frustration with acceptance
• (20:47) Surrendering your agenda to free up space

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 161: The Sinkhole Effect | What to do when good people have you feeling bad

Citations:

1. Beer, M., Finnstrom, M., & Schrader, D. (2015). "Why Leadership Training Fails—and What to Do About It." Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from hbr.org.
2. Llopis, G. (2019). "Why Leading by Example Matters." Forbes. Retrieved from forbes.com.
3. Sutton, B. (2017). "The Science of Saying No: How Boundaries Improve Performance." Inc. Magazine. Retrieved from inc.com.

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

You’re pulled in a million directions, huh?  Gosh, it’s easy to lose a sense of who we are when this happens - but some people have a solution…

Today’s most successful leaders do one very important thing…they know how to “unforget”.

In this episode Karlee dives into the ancient Greek concept of unforgetting, a powerful idea introduced by Socrates himself. 

You know those moments when something just clicks, and you feel inspired or clear? 

That’s the magic of unforgetting—and it’s not about gaining more; it’s about remembering what’s already there, and there’s a system for helping this happen.

This week, Karlee shares why the unforgetting of who we are is so important and how to de-clutter the external so you can unforget the internal.

You’ll hear how successful leaders are realigning with their inner knowing by taking the time to be “un-influencers”.  You’ll also hear actionable prompts to help you make decisions based on what you know to be true for yourself and for those you lead.

If you’re ready to clear the mental clutter and spark clarity by tapping into your inner knowing, this episode is for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (5:48) What today’s most powerful leaders do differently 
• (7:41) Real-life example of one pro leading from her inner compass
• (8:20) Why culmination and reflection is essential for progress  
• (11:27) Practical ways to reconnect with your inner wisdom
• (13:38) Prompts to help you unforget this week and lead with purpose this week

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

On Culmination: 

Episode 145: Going Deeper, Not Faster | A Culmination Episode to Bolster Your Wits, Wisdom, and “Enoughness”

Episode 90: Room for Rest: How to Reclaim Your Productive Downtime like a Pro

Episode 73: The Purposeful Pause - How Women Get Colossal Results By Contracting Before We Expand

Kripalu Workshop: Better Boundaries: A Gateway to Authentic Living Nov 15-17th

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Maria Sirois

Larry Jackson – Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Philosophy Lecturer at Columbia University

Robyn Hannigan - President of Ursinus College, Geologist

Quotes Mentioned in this Episode:

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

“Authenticity is the collection of choices that we have to make every day. It's about the choice to show up and be real, the choice to be honest, the choice to let our true selves be seen.” -Brené Brown

“Put your feet on the earth, feel the ground beneath you.” -Robyn Hannigan 

“Becoming a leader is synonymous with becoming yourself. It is precisely that simple and it is also that difficult.” -Warren Bennis 

Connect With Karlee: 

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🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

As the end of the year gets closer, do you feel the pressure heating up?

Is there a little voice nagging at you to hurry up and meet those goals you set back in January, telling you it’s time to push harder?

Before you decide to go full throttle, there’s something you should know…

It’s all a trap.

This week, Karlee explains why the end-of-the-year hustle is a never-ending cycle that doesn’t lead to sustainable success. Pushing to do it all before the calendar changes goes against the cues of the natural world, which shows us that this is a time to rest and regenerate. 

In this episode, you’ll learn the importance of setting goals through purpose rather than push. You’ll hear how sustained success depends on our ability to tap into a more regenerative way of approaching this season, highlighting the natural rhythms of life instead of an imaginary finish line. You’ll hear a simple, actionable tip for recalibrating your pace so you can carve out moments of rest - and reclaim some of your better thinking. 

If you’re ready to make the extraordinary decision to discern your own pace, then this is the episode for you.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (9:29) The importance of a purposeful pace
• (11:57) Taking stock of an eventful year
• (13:42) Looking to nature for guidance
• (18:06) Making extraordinary decisions 
• (22:14) What sustained success looks like

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Episode 138: From Burnout Culture to Rest Culture with Saundra Dalton-Smith

Kripalu Workshop: Better Boundaries: A Gateway to Authentic Living Nov 15-17th

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Dr. Maria Sirois

Quotes Referenced in this Episode:

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.” — Maya Angelou

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

What do you do when you don’t know what to do…next?

Especially when you're the "together one in your circle, " people count on you... 

Uncertainty, for many of us, feels uncomfortable. 

But the in-between is far from a liminal space where we wait or try to force action. It’s an important phase that offers us something very rich indeed… the gift of simplicity. 

This week, Karlee unveils the wisdom of learning to live into the questions that simplify our thoughts and clarify our next steps. 

In this episode, you’ll hear how people experiencing the challenges of feeling checked out or in a fog reclaim purpose and lean into the richness of uncertainty. By asking themselves good questions, they could take that 3% step forward in their relationships, health, and career. You’ll learn the importance of honing your focus on the doable stuff so you can begin to embrace the fog as an opportunity for growth in all areas of your life.

If you’re ready to make things more doable and thrive in the face of big questions, then this episode is for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (2:51) Feeling the need to show up even when you're unclear 
• (4:27) Navigating the question: What happens next?
• (8:06) Moving things 3% forward
• (11:06) What to do when you’re in the fog
• (13:09) The power of leaning into simplicity

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Book: Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

Book: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Warren Buffet

Steve Jobs

Brené Brown

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folx at Ginni Media.

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How do you see yourself in this moment?

Are you a person who’s working hard to become successful? Are you taking painting classes on weekends to become an artist? Are you a person with a lukewarm temper who wants to become someone who approaches life with a little more grace and forgiveness?

What have you been wanting to be that you could just decide, right now, that you are?

This week, Karlee shares stories of transformation that didn’t take years or decades to achieve. Simply by making the decision in the moment to see things differently, change happens. 

In this episode, you’ll learn how instantaneous shifts in perspective can change how we see ourselves and how we view the world around us. You’ll hear the inspiring stories of people who dared to pause and, just by taking that moment to reconsider, were able to recalibrate how they view themselves and others. You’ll also learn how to be that version of yourself you’ve been waiting to become, right now.  

If you’re ready to make the brave choice to “be”, instead of waiting to “become”, then this is the episode for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (5:40) An invitation to take a “goodly pause” to gain clarity
• (9:01)  What restores a genuine sense of hope
• (11:33) A simple shift in perspective to see things in a more positive light
• (17:49) How imagining bravery becomes actual bravery
• (22:20) Becoming the person you want to be, starting now

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert

“Hope” poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer

How to Love the World: Poems of Gratitude and Hope by James Crews

Boundaries, Boundaries, Boundaries: The Gateway to Authentic Living with Karlee Fain and Maria Sirois

Dirt Gems by Anne Louise Burdett

Episode 35: Trust Your Knowing

Episode 123: When Tradition Lays a Trap

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Suzi Banks Baum

Polly Hatfield

Maria Sirois 

Anne Louise Burdett

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folks

🌟 Click to Send Karlee a Text - We Want To Hear Your Thoughts About This Episode 🌟

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

🌟  Click For a FREE Copy of Karlee's Regenerative Living + Working Guide

Life is like a… Venn diagram. 

Yes, in our best times it’s also like a delicious box of dark chocolates. But in today’s episode, we’re pointing to something more specific: the career, health, and relationship trifecta. 

It’s what we call the “Big 3”. 

We all strive for a thriving career, vibrant health, and life-giving relationships. The thing we don’t realize is that there’s a point at which they all intersect. 

If your work-life mojo is in sync, then these 3 areas of life can actually help support each other. 

This week, Karlee helps you map out the current state of your Big 3 so you can recognize how, and where, to find support when one area needs attention.  

In this episode, you’ll learn how to create kinship between life, work, and your relationships. You’ll gain access to a simple exercise that will help you Venn diagram your Big 3, so you can find the support you need by leveraging what's already good. You’ll also learn how to make these areas work regeneratively so they become allies to one another.

If you’re ready to evaluate your mojo AND appreciate what’s already working, then this is the episode for you. 

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• (2:34) Standing in kinship to the ‘Big 3’ aspects of our lives
• (5:26) Ditch balance and opt for work-life mojo
• (8:27) Support wisdom from a Poet Laureate 
• (15:09) How to know if your Big 3 are regenerative
• (18:07) Recognizing what’s already good 

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

🌟  Click For a FREE Copy of Karlee's Regenerative Living + Working Guide

People Mentioned in this Episode:

Kimberly Blaeser: Learn more and support her work here: https://www.kblaeser.org/

About Standing (in Kinship) poem by Kimberley Blaeser: https://www.poetryoutloud.org/poem/about-standing-in-kinship/

Kamala Harris Venn diagram and human rights: https://www.yahoo.com/news/m-going-confess-love-venn-144616746.html

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Messy and Magnificent is produced by the folks at Ginni Media.