Semi-Together

Feeling stressed, exhausted, and anxious as the coronavirus pandemic wears on? Saaaaaame. We’re in a period of collective trauma and global uncertainty, and it’s natural that we are less productive and not our best selves right now.

It’s important to acknowledge that suffering, and the grief about what we can't do right now – AND focus on what we can still do, finding meaningful moments to carry us through. Melia and Gill talk about coping with existential ennui and mini meltdowns, and six ways to find connection and joy in each day.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

The Golden Rule – Treat others how you’d like to be treated – is easy to understand. It’s actually the Reverse Golden Rule that is much more challenging to live by: Treat yourself how you’d like others to be treated.

Melia and Gill discuss why science says it’s so important to be kind to yourself and share five  researched-backed strategies for embracing the Reverse Golden Rule in your everyday life.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill talk about a quote from Amy Poehler’s wonderful memoir, Yes, Please that has helped them be less judgmental of others: “Good for her! Not for me. That is the motto women should constantly repeat over and over again. Good for her! Not for me.”

They share examples of where “Good for her, not for me” has been most helpful – including in relation to parenting, body image and appearance, and big life decisions – plus four tips on how to say it yourself (and mean it sincerely!).

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill discuss the Buddhist parable of the second arrow – the additional pain we cause ourselves when unwelcome things happen – and how to dodge it. This idea can be summed up by an old Buddhist saying made popular by writer Haruki Murakami: “Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.”

We feel the first arrow when we experience something painful, and it’s healthy to acknowledge that pain. But often we shoot a second arrow into ourselves by resisting the pain and turning it into anger, shame, criticism, rumination, etc. Melia and Gill share their second arrows of choice and tips for dodging them.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill talk to April Snow, a licensed psychotherapist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She works with highly sensitive introverts, perfectionists, and high achievers to overcome anxiety, embrace their strengths, and create a life on their own terms.

April talks about why sensitivity is a strength – not a weakness, as we’re often told! – that we can channel to make a positive difference in our lives and the world. She shares advice for sensitive people and recovering perfectionists on how to prioritize self-care, set boundaries, cultivate self-compassion, let go of unrealistic expectations, and learn to thrive.

Follow April: https://www.aprilsnowconsulting.com

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

In the first new episode after their season break, Melia and Gill revisit the 20 for 2020 goals they set in January. The past few months have been exceptionally tough: the global pandemic and its repercussions, the long-overdue reckoning with racial injustice, and the mental load and uncertainty about the future that comes with all of it.

Melia and Gill discuss how their goals have changed since the beginning of the year and what’s important to them for the rest of 2020. They share how they’re refocusing on some goals and letting go of the rest – plus four tips to help you reimagine your own goals.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill share how they’re taking careful steps toward a new normal during COVID-19. They discuss the mental and physical health benefits of music and share ways to use music as therapy.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill talk with Liz Fosslien, the co-author and illustrator of the Wall Street Journal best-selling book No Hard Feelings: The Secret Power of Embracing Emotions at Work, with Mollie West Duffy.

Liz offers research-backed advice on how to express our emotions effectively at work. It’s always been tricky to find the right balance – sharing just enough without oversharing. Now that many of us are working from home during a pandemic, we have both a challenge and opportunity to learn to navigate the complex emotions we're all feeling. Liz shares tips for identifying and understanding our emotional needs, communicating digitally with coworkers, and creating a healthy emotional culture on teams.

Follow Liz and find her book: https://www.lizandmollie.com

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill recorded this minisode during the COVID-19 quarantine. They check in on how they're doing with it all and discuss the question, “What from this time are you looking to carry forward?”

They like the phrasing of the question, because although none of us knows what exactly the “after this” will look like, we can set our intentions about the lessons and practices we’ll carry forward with us.

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether

Melia and Gill talk to Dr. Megan Clapton, a licensed professional counselor and the founder of Mindful Therapy, about mindfulness, resilience, and coping techniques to get us through difficult times.

Megan talks about what mindfulness is and how practicing it in small ways can help us through moments of stress and anxiety. She also shares strategies and lessons learned from a tough personal experience – being in medical isolation with a serious illness – that are relevant for all of us right now. She encourages us to ride the emotional waves, feeling all the feelings, getting curious about them, and knowing that they’re temporary.

Follow Megan: https://www.instagram.com/mindfultherapy/

Find us on the web: https://www.semitogether.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/semitogether

Facebook: https://facebook.com/semitogether

Subscribe to our biweekly e-newsletter for episode roundups, tips to steal + extras: https://www.subscribepage.com/semitogether

Become a patron of the podcast and access bonuses and extras: https://www.patreon.com/semitogether