Podcast - Jenn Pipe & Self Esteem Through Art

It was time to dust off the microphone today and discuss some thoughts on giving people space to process things in their own way and on their own terms. I talk a bit about how, when we are uncomfortable with someone else’s emotions, our egos can kick into gear and we can start acting in ways that can be deemed off-putting and inflammatory.

We often have a strong desire to FIX people’s sadness, anger, and displeasure because those emotions make US uncomfortable. Very rarely as a society, and as a people, do we allow people to just sit with their emotions and process them at their own speed. We poke, we prod, we dilute, we change subjects. There is a subtle manipulation that happens and I talk all about the psychology behind WHY.

In this podcast, I share two stories about people needing space and how each scenario played out in the end. I give tips for shifting your mindset from one of “FIXER” to one of “ALLOWER.”

As always, my wish is that you keep laughing, learning, and loving.

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In today’s episode of Arété Today, I get real about back-to-school shopping, dressing room degradation, and Target tantrums. Based on my recent experience of school shopping with my daughters, at least 60% of you will benefit from this advice and I have totally got your back. Before I get into the gory details, I want you to know that there is no judgment here—we are all perfectly imperfect when it comes to parenting and if you tell yourself you are not, you are lying.

I am talking to you today about my S.C.O.R.E. Method for parenting through stressful times; like the transition from summer to fall.  I go over what the method is, what makes it effective, and why it’s an important sanity saver. Do you have a child who melts down in public? Do you struggle to find joy or gratitude in the mundane moments? Have you ever said something you regretted to your child and/or wished for a do-over? If so, this is a MUST DOWNLOAD episode.

Before I sign off, I also give a bit of information about my upcoming e-course for parents. It is going to be an online intensive—chock full of tips, tricks, and tidbits to help you navigate the complex, and often thankless, role of being a parent. You can find more information on that here.

Signing up for my newsletter will also ensure that you don’t miss out on any important announcements.

Until next time—

Keep laughing, learning, and loving!

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First and foremost, HOW IS IT JULY ALREADY? The first six months of 2014 have whizzed by in a blink!

There is a new Areté Today podcast on iTunes today. Admittedly (and sheepishly), it has been quite some time since one has been recorded. The old me would beat myself up over it, but the new me is allowing things to happen when they need to happen and—quite frankly—a lot of life happened over the past few weeks and I was too unfocused and spread thin to compile any worthwhile thoughts.

Where I wanted to spend today’s recording time ranting about Hobby Lobby and the Supreme Court, I ultimately chose not to. Maybe later, but not now. I will explain why in the podcast.

Today’s podcast was largely born from a recent vacation and time as a family. The recording is dedicated to diving down and coming at things from a new angle. A change in perspective can elicit a change in understanding and that is what I will be talking about today. There is always something new to learn, there is always another viewpoint, there is always room to grow, there is always more treasure to find.

Also, I touch on how there is a time and place for sarcasm and sass and what to do if you want to change the tone of a conversation or the energy in the room.

I think you are going to enjoy today’s recording. Download it today and give it a listen while driving to the beach, sitting by the pool, or preparing for a big vacation!

Happy early 4th of July to everyone! Celebrate safely!

Until next time, keep laughing, loving, and learning.

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In this, the 13th installment of Areté Today, we dig deep into some profound lessons from the garden. I’m one of those people who gets my inspiration from a multitude of sources—the ocean, art, literature, other people—the list is endless. This Podcast is based around anecdotes I gleaned while (both literally and figuratively) turning over lots and lots of rich soil last weekend. This episode is rich on a diet of soul-food. It is poignant and thought-provoking in a way that I havn’t yet really shared on iTunes. If you are a seeker or a sower, you need to listen in today. Questions that today’s episode will ponder:

One final note, the world lost one of its most beloved today. Rest in peace, Maya Angelou. In one of her quotes, she encourages you to “astonish a mean world with your acts of kindness.” That is how I try to live every day of my life…at the end of my road, I can only hope I have succeeded. Fly high, Maya, you’re a caged bird no more.

XOXO,

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In the first new episode of Areté Today in over two weeks, I discuss at length the topics of meanies, conflict, and bullying. Because I run the area’s only art-based social emotional empowerment program for kids and adults, I get numerous questions around this topic. People are constantly emailing me or calling me for advice. Yet, for every person that has the courage to email me, I know a number of people are suffering in silence; perhaps too scared to stand up or too embarrassed to broach the topic.

I think we can all agree that bullying is a problem and it has dire consequences, occasionally including people taking their own lives. We need to be talking about this! We need to get in front of it, at an early age like the Self Esteem Through Art program does, so that we can nip it in the bud before it starts. There are countless ways that we can get in front of this in a PROACTIVE manner and not wait until we are forced to be REACTIVE.

On the flip side, with the increase in awareness about bullying, we also have an increase in false-bullying cases. Bullying is becoming a waste-basket term to describe everything from a mild disagreement to normal conflict to physical violence. This Podcast will break the behaviors down into three distinct buckets, give you examples of what each term means and also what it does NOT mean, signs to look for, and actions you can take.

This is a hot topic in a landscape that is changing all the time. We need to educate ourselves, advocate for more programs in schools (sorry, Open Circle is a start, but simply not cutting it), and have the difficult conversations.

This is a really in-depth episode—my longest one to date. It’s almost an hour long and would be best listened to on a long run or walk, while in the car during your commute, or with your kids at your side so you can open the doors to discussion and understanding. Have a pen handy—you are definitely going to want to take notes!

I really look forward to hearing your thoughts on this. I already know there is so much more that I could talk about and this won’t be the last episode on this topic. Let’s help elevate the energy of our children and the people around us. Education and awareness are the keys. There is so much more on this topic over in the expanded show notes on the blog.

I look forward to seeing your comments and reading your emails. If you see the value in a robust, art-based empowerment program in schools, contact me and let’s get the ball rolling.

As always, share the love…the links are above.

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If I’m being honest, being “sexy” is a nice-to-have. Life tends to be easier for the pretty people. If you’re inherently sexy and attractive, it’s kind of like getting a bonus in the personal attribute lottery. If you are nice on top of it, you are viewed as “the whole package.” If you have attractiveness or sex appeal, but have to work hard for it, it’s kind of like the Rent-a-Center plan…you might have it in your living room, but if you don’t keep up with the payments, it’s going to get taken away.

In today’s Podcast, I talk about how I am sick of society’s emphasis on sexy and how I can think of at least 10 characteristics that are more viable and valuable.

Extrinsic vs. intrinsic.

Let me know what you think of today’s episode and then head on over to the expanded show notes where I drop even more knowledge.

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In today’s Podcast I share a very personal story about how, when I am feeling raw and cut to the quick, I unconsciously numb with unhealthy food choices. I also share how I have just recently become aware of what my triggers are. Inherently an athlete and someone who likes to be active, I have spent the last third of my life on a hamster wheel of doing right by myself only to seek solace in a slice of pizza when I feel feelings of abandonment and loss.

I became aware of ‘unconscious numbing‘ when I became exposed to Brené Brown’s books. In The Gifts of Imperfection, she talks about how you can’t selectively numb. When you do things to try to numb the painful and/or negative emotions you feel, you also are numbing joy. Everything becomes dull, not just the painful parts.

So many people think that when you are a coach or a teacher, that you have to be perfect and impeccable in all areas of your life—and at all times. That’s not the case at all! Because I devote a lot of my time to empowering women and girls, it doesn’t mean that I am 100% free from feelings of fear or that I never self-sabotage. What it DOES mean is that I might falter, but I own it, I become acutely aware of it, and then I course-correct. Empowerment and awareness share an intimate relationship, one that many are uncomfortable with. I’m extremely effective at what I do, despite not being “perfect” in my personal life.

Much of our “baggage” and our stumbling blocks in life are rooted in childhood experiences. In my case, those experiences trigger me to seek comfort and to block out any pain I might be experiencing in an unhealthy way. Not drugs, not alcohol…but food. Food is my drug of choice. Is it yours too? If it is, let’s become consciously aware together. Let’s empower each other and help each other feel what we need to feel—fully, in High Definition—and then let’s move on by making better choices.

Awareness is key, and in this Podcast, I share some tips for how to become fully aware and some pretty basic (yet effective) Life Hacks for how to be healthier. I’m holding myself accountable…will you join me?

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Share the love…the links are above.

The post Carbs Are My Drug of Choice first appeared on Jenn Pipe & Self Esteem Through Art.

In today’s Areté Today Podcast, I talk about the tremendous power and privilege that comes with using the Internet.  Because I am a first-world entrepreneur, teacher, and parent, I spend a significant amount of time on the Internet both for business and pleasure. I am often shocked and saddened by what lives there.

Driven by a combination of Keyboard Courage, arrogance, and ignorance, we forget that there is a moral and ethical responsibility that accompanies ALL communication — regardless of the mode of delivery.

Today’s monologue aims to convince you that the Internet—and it’s distant cousin the Text Message—are real places where people go for connection, compassion, and curiosity. On the other side of that broadband connection and virtual storage cloud lies billions of people with heartbeats and real feelings. WHAT WE PUT OUT THERE WITH OUR THUMBS MATTERS! Every Tweet, text, post, article, and image has the capacity to change the world, both for good and for evil. Which one are you typically choosing?

There is so much more on this topic over in my expanded show notes; including discussion on some of my not-so-fine moments from the Internet and my “Power and Privilege of the Internet Pledge.” I hope you will take it with me and help change the world for the better.

Much love and peace,

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Today’s Podcast tackles another issue in the Women’s Empowerment series: are women effective negotiators? Why? Why not? Are we happy where we are? What, if anything, can be done to affect change?

After reading an article in a recent issue of Flow Magazine, Jenn found herself fixated on, and slightly agitated by, the article. So, she did some soul-searching and some research. Her findings just might shock you!

In this episode, Jenn tackles hard questions such as: Do women always get the short straw? Are we getting what we want, when we want it? When is it important to focus on ME instead of WE? What role does gender inequality play in  our negotiation strategies? Is it okay (or acceptable) to be self-centered? How is this impacting us in the bedroom and the boardroom? And, how can we make consistent and effective changes in order to hone our negotiation skills and live the life we desire?

Give today’s episode a listen and let us know how you feel about this topic? Have you ever made big sacrifices to save face? Did this episode elicit a similar response to Jenn’s when she read the article? Why?

Much more information in the expanded show notes…so head on over there after you listen to the episode. It’s your place to be empowered and inspired.

Keep laughing, loving, and learning.

The post Are Women Effective Negotiators? A Podcast. first appeared on Jenn Pipe & Self Esteem Through Art.

This episode of Areté Today was specifically recorded for teenage girls the world over. Prompted by things I am witnessing in person and online, I wanted to reach out. This is a way to support teenage girls directly, and also support the parents who love them and are helping navigate them through tricky waters.

This is a small way for me to let them know that they might be going through a particularly tough time in life and despite how it feels today, it WILL get easier.  It’s about not buying into the lies that mainstream media would have you believe just to make a buck. It’s about honing in on critical thinking skills so you don’t have to take things at face value. It’s about being yourself and being very careful about the information and the people that you let take up real estate in your brain and in your life.

It’s about the world wanting you to use your head because it is your BRAIN that is the sexiest thing in the world. It’s about not succumbing to peer pressure, having the courage to say no, and tapping into your inherent gifts so you can make the world a better place with your uniqueness.

And, finally, it’s about putting away your cell phones with the three-inch screen and zooming out to the panoramic wonder that is around you all the time.  No chargers or electricity needed!

I hope you enjoy this episode. It is one of my most truthful, raw, and passionate ones to date. There is much more over in my expanded show notes, so head over there for additional ideas, bonus tips, and inspiration.

Share the love — the links are above.

XOXO

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