Okay, so us Millennial's might have thought Tik Tok was just that Kesha song from 2009 (OMG 2009?!!!!), but no it's an App now! And I'm sure you might have heard of it and had that back and forth conversation in our heads if we should download it or not.  I mean, is it just for Gen Z? Well, if you did download it and fell down the Tik Tok hole and you're obsessed like me, YOU might just have to listen in on this episode. 

This episode will make you look at Tik Tok a little bit differently even though it offers us SO MUCH humor, creativity and community as well.  You will just have to listen to find out what I am talking about, but let me tell you, it gets deep.  Articles that are mentioned are below if you want to read them!  Also, let me know if you end up keeping Tik Tok after listening/reading up on what's going on! I'm curious!!

Articles/Video mentioned:

1. CORONAVIRUS QUARANTINE APPEARS TO BE DRIVING A GLOBAL TIKTOK DOWNLOAD BOOM

(https://www.musicbusinessworldwide.com/coronavirus-quarantine-appears-to-be-driving-a-global-tiktok-download-boom/)

2. How TikTok Is Rewriting the World

(https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/10/style/what-is-tik-tok.html?auth=link-dismiss-google1tap)

3. Inside the rise of TikTok, the viral video-sharing app whose ties to China are raising concerns in the US

(https://www.businessinsider.com/tiktok-app-online-website-video-sharing-2019-7)

4.  Sen. Hawley announces new legislation to ban TikTok from all federal employees, on all gov devices

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_fyz5rOwFc)

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Thank you guys for listening !!! 

xoxo

Melissa

Wanted to still post on a Sunday, but not just any Sunday, IT'S MY BIRTHDAY AND EASTER! It's beautiful out, so I take you guys outside with me and we go over how to make your birthday the best birthday ever during this time of being quarantine. 

What to expect in this episode: just a couple tips, gulps of coffee with Bailey's, and well .. my voice is quite raspy here due to zooming for 4 HOURS LAST NIGHT, and I'm a little tired from staying up all night, BUT HEY IT'S MY BIRTHDAY WEEK OK YALL! 

 Zoom birthday parties are wild. I kind of like them better than regular parties not going to lie.  I get to stay in my jammies and there's never a line for the bathroom, and never a line at the bar.  IT'S GREAT!

Stay healthy and happy <3

Thanks for listening

xoxo

Melissa 

Well, when I say this was actually a free for all Friday, meaning I don't have anything planned or scripted, let me tell you it WAS!!!

Little explanation of what went down:

-Was in a pretty good mood all week and today (Friday)

-Was looking forward to an unscripted, rambling podcast

-Got to the moment where it was time to record and felt blah & didn't feel like recording

-Christina (sister) and Justin (bro - in - law) called

-Told them I was feeling blah, glad to hear from them

-BOOM A PODCAST EPISODE HAPPENED

What to expect in this podcast: TIGER KING, NEWLYWED GAME, DEPRESSION TALK, GUESS THAT SHOW FROM THE THEME SONG, LAUGHTER, DRINKING BEER AND WINE, CAROL BASKIN.

Everything on this podcast was NOT PLANNED/not scripted. 

There are swears.  You will see how I normally talk.

The end.

As always, stay safe, stay healthy, stay at home <3

xoxo

Melissa

Happy Wednesday!! Two more days until the weekend. 

Can you believe its been a month since we started this quarantine?!  Everything has been an adjustment during this, but in today's podcast we talk about adjusting to working from home.  Even though we're working from home we are still working.  I don't know about you guys, but this whole month for me was a trial and error when it came to figuring out how to successfully work from home.  We talk about tips to help us be as successful as we can while working from home, everything from waking up to making sure we eat; we talk about it all! 

We also talk about being a teacher during this time/remote learning.  To all the teachers out there, give yourself a pat on the back because it's been a lot and tough.  And if I took a shot for every time I heard someone say "this is like a summer vacation for teachers",  well ... that would be a lot of shots. 

Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy this episode!

I THINK I'M GETTING GOOD AT THIS... maybe ? 

Stay healthy, stay safe, and stay home <3 

xoxo

Melissa 

Hello everyone,

As much as I want every episode on Quarantine to be happy for you guys, this weekend I just wasn't feeling myself.  So I figured, this was a great opportunity to talk about the brain/mental health.  It's super important to check on yourself, your friends and family during this time.  

We first talk about, how our brain plays tricks on us.  If you're starting a new hobby or always wanted to, but your brain tells you not to, we learn why our brain does that and what we can do to rewire it.  

Then we talk about mental health and get real.  I think it's important to be honest with ourselves and be honest with our feelings.  We shouldn't judge ourselves or anyone who is feeling any type of emotion right now.  We go through 6 steps on how we can get through this pandemic staying as mentally strong as we can.  

Below, if needed, are all the different crisis hotlines that are mentioned in the article: "We can get through this: How to manage your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic" 

"To access coronavirus-related crisis counseling from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline, call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TalkWithUs” to 66746.

 You can also reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, the Crisis Text Line by texting “HOME” to 741741, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233."

Links mentioned in today's episode: 

1. "Your brain wants you to fail. Here's how to stop it" by Brian D. Evans

Link: https://www.inc.com/brian-d-evans/your-brain-wants-you-to-fail-heres-how-to-stop-it.html

2. "We can get through this: How to manage your mental health during the coronavirus pandemic"  by Meera Jagannathan

Link: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/we-can-get-through-this-how-to-manage-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-03-30

As always, 

Stay safe, healthy and home!

xoxo Melissa 

So I'M THINKING, 

All week, we have structure, bullet points to follow, tasks we need to complete.  Today, I'll be honest I was in a little bit of a mood.  I said to myself "I want to record my podcast, but I also want to have a glass of wine, and I want to be able to say UMMM and BUT and YOU GUYS a bunch of times and not have the little thought in my head saying I can't do those things.  So that's when I thought of "FREE FOR ALL FRIDAY'S" !!

It's the end of the week.  Let's not go by a script, and just go by the bullet points.  Let's be able to sip our wine and water without saying sorry for it! Let's google things we might not know during the podcast. LET'S just be ourselves, in our pjs, and relax. And that is what this podcast episode is about. 

BUT , we talk about my April challenge and how we're going hardcore for it!!! If you want to join, let me know !!! 

We also take a trip down memory lane, with my story time of meeting one of my biggest inspirations EVER! 

I think you guys will like this one! 

As always stay healthy, stay safe, stay home !!

xoxo

Melissa 

Hey everyone ! 

You know how people have been saying it's okay to drink wine and eat chocolate during this Quarantine? And to not be so hard on yourself and judge yourself right now?  Well I'm drinking wine, eating chocolate, AND also WATCHING TIGER KING!!!!!  I'm really trying not to judge myself for that one ... the watching Tiger King part, that is. 

YOU GUYS, this is a lengthy podcast ...  so definitely grab a snack and a drink or if you're going for a walk bring me with ya!! In this podcast, we go through each episode and talk about all the juicy details.  I ask you questions along the way because I want to know your opinions on mostly everything about Tiger King. So please let me know!!!

At the end of the podcast, I tell a really sad fact about Joe Exotic's music. I was genuinely upset about this.  Here is the link that includes the sad fact about Joe's music along with what the rest of the cast has been up to since the documentary.

https://www.today.com/tmrw/tiger-king-cast-where-are-they-now-t177056

I hope you guys enjoy it this episode.  I know it's a little lengthy, but I promise it's worth it!

Also, I forgot to ask.... are you TEAM JOE OR TEAM CAROLE ?!!!

Stay healthy.  Stay Safe.  See you guys on Friday night!!

xoxo

Melissa 

Am I the only one who thought "Well, how am I supposed to date NOW, Rona?!" when this pandemic happened?  No .. just me, okay cool.  Well in that case grab a glass of water, lemonade, some wine or whatever your drinking, and bring a snack, and listen in to have a couple of laughs.

Today, I talk a little bit about my online dating experience.  I include a short story time from the only Match date I went on.  From there it's just all about this awesome article I found on The New York Post called "How to a find a quarantine cutie online during coronavirus" by Suzy Weiss.  Here's the link if you want to read it!! 

https://nypost.com/2020/03/19/how-to-a-find-a-quarantine-cutie-online-during-coronavirus/

Also, just a P.S. - I'm really trying to make this podcast "official" and cool beans, so I tried out some intro and outro music.  Let me know what you think/any tips/advice you might have!

See you in episode 4!!

P.S.S. You guys this virus is totally serious.  Just wanted to make it clear, this episode is supposed to be light-hearted and bring some laughs and smiles to our faces.  Obviously dating wasn't the first  topic I thought about when this all happened.  Just wanted to make some people smile/laugh.  Please take social distancing serious and stay safe <3. 

xoxo

Melissa

During the week, my coworker (more like boss though because she has credentials and a SPED teacher) sent me this article from the New York Times called "How to Stay Sane when the World Seems Crazy" by Allie Volpe.  We go over her tips on how to have a better mindset during all this craziness. 

 I also talk about how I Kim K. ugly cried and had a panic attack in front of my work wife.  I also talk about how I called my nonni in Florida and she hung up on me because she was going for a walk with all her friends (but 6 feet apart!!!)  Sorry for the background fuzzy noise, I think the microphone was hitting my sweater. Sorry for taking gulps of water... I don't talk a lot so my throat was like "woah...what's happening?"  Thanks for listening guys. It's really appreciated.  xoxo