This week, we’re chatting about self-care, why taking care of yourself helps you bring your best self to every project, problem, and person you encounter. To be clear, we define wellness as far more than just massages and manicures. It’s listening to yourself and remembering to weigh the cost of ignoring a self-care practice to your long-term physical, emotional, and spiritual health. We explore the importance of creating rituals that help you manage stress, reconnect with your joy, and navigate the ups and downs of your life (and career). If you created a personal well-being list of things that you returned to when you’re feeling overwhelmed or burned out, what would be on your list? (Fun fact: Half of this episode’s audio was recorded in a bathroom.)

Mentioned in this episode:

“Thrive: The Third Metric to Redefining Success and Creating a Life of Well-Being, Wisdom, and Wonder” by Arianna Huffington: https://www.ariannahuffington.com/thrive 

Employee Wellbeing Is Key for Workplace Productivity: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/215924/well-being.aspx   

Melissa’s Well-being List: https://grizzled-sombrero-42a.notion.site/Well-Being-List-792a7f199fc646018e5c6b798cc05a69

Bathhouse (Brooklyn, NY): https://www.abathhouse.com 

Jules Acree’s Slow Brew Sunday newsletter: https://julesacree.ck.page/b9789442a2 

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This week, we’re talking about your personal brand – what it is, how to build a personal brand, and why it’s so important in today’s hyper-connected information age. We dig into how much of your personal and professional selves should blend and the work you need to do behind-the-scenes to ensure the brand you’re portraying authentically represents who you are. ‘Fake it ‘til you make it’ is not the same as being fake. At the end of the day, we may not be able to control our narrative, but we can shape it. And if you don’t shape your brand story, others will shape it for you. We also chatted about LEGO, momfluencers, getting soft in our old age, and JOHN ADAMS.

Mentioned in this episode:

What’s the Point of a Personal Brand?: https://hbr.org/2022/02/whats-the-point-of-a-personal-brand 

I Revamped My Personal Brand Using This 5-step Process. Here's How It Went: https://www.npr.org/2022/12/22/1145024670/find-your-authentic-personal-brand 

“The Work You Do, the Person You Are” by Toni Morrison: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/06/05/toni-morrison-the-work-you-do-the-person-you-are  

“Accelerating Your Career With Personal Branding: The Truth About Your Career and Personal Branding” LinkedIn Learning course by Shadé Zahrai: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/accelerating-your-career-with-personal-branding/the-truth-about-your-career-and-personal-branding

Shadé Zahrai: https://www.shadezahrai.com 

Nathan Sawaya, LEGO Artist: http://www.nathansawaya.com 

Threads: https://about.fb.com/news/2023/07/introducing-threads-new-app-text-sharing/ 

Hamilton’s “I Know Him”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGibKLo3SC0 

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It’s summer and we’re catching flights and feelings. And speaking of flights…this week we talk about moving to another country – one of the more popular piloting bucket list items. We’ve both lived abroad for different reasons, and different lengths of time, and this week we explore the realities of actually living in another country. We chat about adapting to a new culture, finding or building community, tips for preparing for the big move, and dealing with the heightened emotions of moving away from home. Will moving to another country fix all your problems? (Sorry, no.) But while difficult, moving abroad – even for a short period – is one of the more life-changing experiences we’ve had. Other things changing our lives this week: Airstream camping, Costa del Sol, and getting out of email jail.

Mentioned in this episode:

Tt Madrid: ​​https://ttmadrid.com/

Stow First Class Folio: https://stowlondon.co.uk/ 

Ramsden Lake (near Atlanta, Georgia): https://www.ramsdenlake.com/ 

*We stayed in the Living Garden Airstream: ​​https://www.ramsdenlake.com/living-garden-airstream 

Also, our next book club pick is “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by New York Times bestselling author James Clear. We’ll be discussing it on our August 2 episode if you want to read along! https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits 

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We’re back with another book club episode! This time around, we’re diving into the newly released “The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World” by New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler. Spoiler alert: we loved it! It forced us to dig into our pasts to answer his questions for anyone searching for more meaning in their work. This book also taught us new vocabulary like “ghost jobs” and “workquakes” – the moments of disruption, inflection, or reevaluation that redirect our work in a meaningful way. We highly recommend it for anyone approaching a season of change and looking for inspiration from the stories of more than 150 people who love their work. Also inspiring us this week: glamping, goop, and upcoming PTO.

In Bruce’s words, “We forget that we’re actually telling a story about who we are through our decisions about what we do.”

Mentioned in this episode:

“The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World” by Bruce Feiler: https://www.brucefeiler.com/books-articles/the-search/ 

“Life is in the Transitions: Mastering Change at Any Age” by Bruce Feiler: https://www.brucefeiler.com/books-articles/life-is-in-the-transitions/ 

‘Anti-Meaningless Work’: How Gen Z are Redefining Traditional Career Paths: https://www.worklife.news/talent/anti-meaningless-work-how-gen-z-are-redefining-traditional-career-paths/ 

Enneagram: https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions 

Peoplehood: https://www.peoplehood.com/ 

Getaway: https://getaway.house/ 

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This week, we dive into a topic that has been on many workers’ minds in the past few years – remote work. We’re both huge advocates of the flexibility to travel (or live) in different cities, dedicate more time to our personal lives, and ultimately pursue passions that were previously on the back burner. Perfect example: we don’t know if this podcast would be here if we were working in an office full time. But hybrid and remote work doesn’t work for everyone and it definitely is not perfect. There’s a lot to figure out with networking and relationship-building that requires more intentional effort. (Also, let’s be real, the office printer is clutch!) We’re all about living off autopilot, so maybe a little more intentionality as we re-examine our relationship with work might not be such a bad thing… We also chat about angel numbers, shows and podcasts we’re bingeing, and why it’s important to get sunlight first thing in the morning.

Mentioned in this episode:

Americans Will Lose the Equivalent of $5,679 a Year When They Resume Daily Commutes: https://fortune.com/2021/08/05/daily-commutes-cost-money-lost-commuting-in-american-cities/  

Remote Work Saved Workers 72 Minutes per Day, Study Finds: https://www.axios.com/2023/01/24/remote-work-saved-workers-72-minutes-per-day-study-finds 

The Rise of the Side Startup: https://www.vox.com/recode/23299590/side-startup-remote-workers-founding-businesses-while-employed   

Never Have I Ever: https://www.netflix.com/title/80179190 

People Who Knew Me: https://open.spotify.com/show/1og7ui5cXgJj4wXOGUhscE 

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Burn baby burn? This week, we get a little spicy and dissect that old work adage, “Never burn bridges”. Is it always a bad thing or can a strategically burned bridge be a catalyst for starting something better? We explore the difference between burning bridges and drawing a boundary, how to balance being honest without being unprofessional or vindictive, and why you shouldn't sweat it too much if you’re the villain in someone’s story (we all are). We also chat about omakase, fifth grade graduations, and dodging people at the grocery store. Wishing you all the ability to walk away from situations with grace and, if you can’t, the conviction to know when you may have to lose a battle to win the war.

Mentioned in this episode:

“Necessary Endings” by Dr. Henry Cloud: https://www.drcloud.com/books/necessary-endings 

The Business Case for Burning Bridges: https://marker.medium.com/the-business-case-for-burning-bridges-b473d1697bda

Omakase Experience by Prime Fish (Charlotte, NC): https://omakaseclt.com

Sonder: https://www.sonder.com 

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This week, we have our first “listener request” for the topic! In a recent Refinery29 article, “Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway Is Just Another Way Of Making Us Work Harder,” journalist Sarah Macken questions whether social media posts that encourage you to push through the fear just enable burnout and crappy work environments. We discuss the difference between toxic and uncomfortable workplaces, why we low-key love motivational quotes, and how hustle culture is going through an (overdue) upgrade. ‘Fall girl’ Melissa is also booking fights and falling in love with summer, while ‘summer girl’ Renée is listening to her body so she doesn’t mistake fear for a gut feeling.

Mentioned in this episode:

Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway Is Just Another Way Of Making Us Work Harder: https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/feel-the-fear-culture-toxic-comfort-zone

Hustle culture: Is this the end of rise-and-grind?: https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20230417-hustle-culture-is-this-the-end-of-rise-and-grind 

Past Lives by Celine Song: https://a24films.com/films/past-lives 

Annalie Howling Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cs0y4u9sngV/ 

Also, our next book club pick is “The Search: Finding Meaningful Work in a Post-Career World” by New York Times bestselling author Bruce Feiler. We’ll be discussing it on our June 

June 28 episode if you want to read along! https://www.brucefeiler.com/books-articles/the-search/ 

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When piloting a change, like pivoting your career, what’s more important: education or experience? This week, we chat about weighing the value of a college degree (and its hefty price tag), how the current college to career pipeline is broken and often biased, and why you’re never too old to be an intern. We also celebrate the Miami Heat’s Eastern Conference win, couch potato weekends, and everyone taking their hard-earned vacation days. Whether you’re Team Education or Team Experience, remember to live life and enjoy it. Peace, love, and PTO!

Mentioned in this episode:

U.S. Federal Student Loan Portfolio 2022: https://studentaid.gov/data-center/student/portfolio

The U.S. Education System Isn't Giving Students What Employers Need: https://store.hbr.org/product/the-u-s-education-system-isn-t-giving-students-what-employers-need/H06D9A 

For Lower-Income Students, Big Tech Internships Can Be Hard to Get: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/business/tech-internship-application-grind.html 

New Report Shows College Degree Continues To Provide Better Employment Prospects And Higher Income: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2022/06/01/new-report-shows-college-degree-continues-to-provide-better-employment-prospects-and-higher-income/ 

Pocket: https://getpocket.com 

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This week we’re launching our first book club episode! Every month or so, we’ll chat about a different book that has inspired us, taught us something, or given us new confidence or tools in our piloting journey. 

For our first book, we read the New York Times bestseller “Set Boundaries, Find Peace” by Nedra Glover Tawwab and now we’re major fans! We got vulnerable in this episode, from unpacking how we’ve failed to enforce our own boundaries to moments when we’ve unintentionally violated others’ boundaries. Even though it can feel scary, it’s also empowering to realize that we have more control in our relationships and experiences than we think. And because boundaries and self-care are connected, we also mention our Love Languages, favorite eyes masks, and why we love high yield savings accounts.

In Nedra’s words, “Your boundaries are a reflection of how willing you are to advocate for the life that you want.” 

Email us if you have any books that have helped you on your piloting journey: [email protected].

Mentioned in this episode:

“Set Boundaries, Find Peace” by Nedra Glover Tawwab: https://www.nedratawwab.com/set-boundaries-find-peace-1 

“Drama Free” by Nedra Glover Tawwab: https://www.nedratawwab.com/drama-free 

Kao MegRhythm Steam Eye Mask: https://www.kao.com/ph/megrhythm/   

Is Your Money In the Right Place? High Yields Savings Accounts Are The Secret RN | Your Rich BFF: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpkBOAKR1W4 

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Feedback, the other F word. Most people want feedback – at least we do! – but it can sometimes trigger uncomfortable feelings or overly emotional reactions. This week we chat about why you don’t have to absorb all feedback you receive, why time and place are important, and what is the ideal ratio of positive feedback to constructive criticism. We also chat about Pedro Pascal internet fan culture, poetry, and remembering to take deep breaths. Peace, love, and Pascal! 

Mentioned in this episode:

How to Make Peace With Others’ False Perception of You: https://blog.darlingmagazine.org/make-peace-others-false-perception/

Feedback Fatigue: How To Know When Enough Is Enough: https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicolelipkin/2022/07/19/feedback-fatigue-how-to-know-when-enough-is-enough/ 

Women Get “Nicer” Feedback — and It Holds Them Back: https://hbr.org/2023/01/women-get-nicer-feedback-and-it-holds-them-back

Why Women Need to Ask for Better Feedback, More Often:

https://hbr.org/2021/09/why-women-need-to-ask-for-better-feedback-more-often

Mary Oliver, “Have You Ever Tried to Enter the Long Black Branches?”

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