Not to brag, but trauma survivors are expert pivoters. If you're looking to perfect your pivot, look no further. Also, it's National Donut Day and donuts are kind of the ultimate pivot pastry so you're in the right place for a little history, some storytelling, and a bit of "how to pivot like a pro" game!

As mentioned in the episode:

• Smithsonian Magazine's "The History of the Donut"
• "The History of Doughnuts" from The Spruce Eats
• How to say "olykoek" with High Quality Voices... haha :)

Comedians may be the bravest, coolest, best people among us! So go hug the funny person in your life. And maybe listen to this episode co-hosted by Anna and Daniel Frymire. When you feel like screaming, comedy might be the answer because a good laugh is, quite literally, better than therapy.

(Content warning: This episode discusses Dave Chappelle’s comedy special “Sticks & Stones”. That special discusses abuse and gender identity. I don’t condone shaming based on gender. I also believe abuse survivors and stand with them.)

As promised, here's the details for this episode's highly recommended hilarious people:

• Eliza Hayes Maher is Tik-Tok's favorite "90's Mom" and has the best reels on her Instagram account right here
• Comedy for the Internet's "Animal Facts" videos are kinda' just too much... check them out and follow them here
• Tony Baker animal video voiceovers will make your day so please join the party and follow him here
• Leslie Jones is straight up hilarious so follow her here

Please note: the way I say “platitude” at the beginning makes me cringe too. You’ve been warned.

But also... When in doubt, platitude! Because, you know, when God closes a door, he opens a window. Also, turn your frown upside-down because it is what it is! Whether you're the recipient of platitudes or the "platituder" offering up unsolicited well-wishes, this podcast features a few insights and quotable geniuses to help you on your way. (Spoiler: turns out the platitudes didn't turn my frown upside-down.)
 
As mentioned in the episode:

• Danielle Coke's Instagram
• Healed leper story
• James Baldwin quotation

Showing up as yourself can feel terrifying, especially when you have a drop (or gallon) of anxiety from past trauma. The good news is, once you show up as yourself without apology, the worst of it is over.  A lifetime of people-pleasing has been exhausting so I'm leaving it behind! I'd rather risk the occasional rejection than die the slow, soul-crushing death that comes from wondering if all of the ways I've tried to change for others was, or ever will be, enough.

Of course, sometimes I still feel like Tina Fey when she wrote, "My ability to turn good news into anxiety is rivaled only by my ability to turn anxiety into chin acne." [Bossypants, 2011] Oh well... we all take it a day at a time!

In the chaos of life, there's no shame in asking, "Okay, so now what?" This is the episode about my mental breakdown, human resiliency, and also donuts and paintings and French fries. Welcome to the little-bit-of-everything first episode of "Okay, so now what?"

As promised in this episode, here's the donut info. If you live/work in CA, check out the apricot cardamom donuts at Dynamo Donut! You can also follow them on Instagram @dynamodonut!