She Reaches Podcast

Can friendship save the world?

How do you handle it when your friends don't have the same political views?

We're talking about the answers to both of these questions in today's podcast episode. Given the last week in the U.S., you may be asking if you can be friends with people who didn't vote the same way as you did. In this episode, we're talking to Shasta Nelson, author and Founder of GirlFriendCircles.com, about friendships and how to handle it when you don't agree. We recorded this episode the day after the election so we couldn't help but touch on this subject and how it relates to friendship.

We also talk about why feeling connected and having friendships can improve our health. Friendships can even help protect us from the impact of stress. So, how do we manage and develop friendships? Is there even time for friendship among all the things we have to get done? If you're a mom, you may be feeling like it takes away from your kids if you make time for friends. We talk about why moms should drop the guilt about making time for friends and why it actually benefits your kids.

When we do look at our friends, some of them wouldn't fall into a "best friends" category. Does that mean they aren't worth spending time with? Shasta talks about why it's ok to have friends at different levels. It doesn't have to be all or nothing. And if you want to make new friends, we don't need to audition people as the role of our "best friend." Friendships aren't discovered, they are developed.

This episode is for you if you want to have better friends or if you want to know how to handle friends who don't vote the same way.

Today's episode is the fourth in our interview series giving you examples of real working women you can relate to and how they've been able to make things work.

In this episode, we're talking to Jena Baker McNeill, Senior Director of Government Relations at the U.S. Travel Association. We talk about why you need to take vacation, saying yes to opportunities that come your way, and why focusing on yourself can benefit your kids.

This episode is for you if you need encouragement to explore career opportunities and to carve out time for yourself.

Do the holidays make you feel stressed? The holidays can be an overwhelming and hectic time. Ironically, what is supposed to be the happiest time of the year where you appreciate your loved ones and give back to your community can sometimes leave you drained instead. So, in this episode, we wanted to talk about how to set some intentions for the holiday season before it even starts to keep you on track!

We've got tips on how to limit activities, give gifts intentionally, indulging and holiday meals, and how to give back in the most meaningful way.

This episode is for you if you don't want to be overwhelmed this holiday season.

Are you among the 80% of Americans who don't have goals? In this episode, we're talking about why we think you should set goals, how to do it, and why it's key to have a plan to review and track your goals. We discuss some of our own goals and what has and hasn't been working to accomplish them.

This episode is for you if you want to be successful in reaching your goals.

Today's episode is the third in our interview series giving you examples of real working women you can relate to and how they've been able to make things work.

In this episode, we're talking to Melissa Conforto, Director Client Services at Leflein Associates Market Research. She gives us some tips on why working moms don't need to apologize, how to handle social media, and finding the right job and culture. We also talk about whether leaning in is the answer when you have kids and a career.

Does the word budgeting make you feel like running away? If so, we've got some real ways to keep managing your finances simple so you can think less about them. We've got some mental tricks to help you save for the things you really want in your life (vacations! new furniture! retirement!) without feeling deprived in the present. If you have variable income, we have some tips for you too. This episode is for you if you are curious about managing your money.

What's for dinner tonight? Do you know? We've found one of the keys to healthy eating is meal planning. There are all kinds of things you can do to simplify the meal planning process like a meal subscription service, grocery delivery, or traditional meal planning using shortcuts like the slow cooker or freezer meals. Whether you hate the grocery store, need to limit your time cooking, or want less waste on your ingredients, we've got some ideas for you. This episode is for you if you want to eat healthy, but sometimes struggle with planning and cooking meals.

Are you thinking it may be time to move on from your job? In this episode, we're chatting about the factors that may be a sign it's time to leave. It could be that the company's culture does not match your values, your life has changed and the requirements of your job don't match what you need, you've exhausted the opportunities for growth, or it's a bad fit with your boss. We are still believers in trying to make changes in your role or communication strategy to drive your career vs. waiting for someone else to hand you an opportunity, but sometimes you have to cut your losses. If you haven't checked out episode #13 on Why You May Not Need to Quit Your Job, listen to that one first! This episode is for you if you think it might be time for a job change.

Do you set aside time to give yourself a break? Creating white space in your life is important, but can sometimes be difficult. We're talking about what has and hasn't worked in our own lives and why we believe it makes us more successful when we carve out space for quiet time and relaxation. When we don't take a break, it affects our mental state as well as how productive and confident we are. This episode is for you if you want to be less stressed and more productive.

Are you thinking about moving? We're chatting about all the considerations one must think about when deciding where to live. There are all kinds of factors such as proximity to family, culture, walkability, commute, and cost of living. We've made different choices about what is right for our families at this point in our lives. This episode is for you if you're considering a move.