Sorta Awesome

The time has come, dear friends and Awesomes, to bring you one last conversation. And we thought it would be absolutely perfect to end the way we began - Meg, Kelly, Rebekah, and Laura - all on microphone together! Join the original Sorta Awesome squad for a discussion that includes Meg’s reflections on the past eight years, future plans for each of them, and closing words to the Awesomes. (Plus a quadruple dose of Awesome of the Week!)

As you are shopping Amazon this season, don’t forget that you can support Sorta Awesome for FREE when you shop through our affiliate link: SORTA AWESOME AMAZON: sortaawesomeshow.com/amazon

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Notion: Try Notion AI for free when you go to notion.com/sorta

*OneSkin: New customers get 15% off with code SORTA at oneskin.co

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

SHOW NOTES:

Laura’s AotW: Storygraph app

Rebekah’s AotW : Ali Hazelwood novellas on audio

Kelly’s AotW: Almond bars

Birria beef (thanks to Awesome Jill):

Combine one jar of Target's Mexican-inspired birria cooking sauce with 2.5 pounds of stew beef in a slow cooker; cool on low for 5-6 hours or high for 3-4. Serve over ramen noodles.

Meg’s AotW: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara (in print and on audio)

Lebanon series: October 2016, start with A Refuge for Refugees

Closing song: Oh My Heart, REM

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Find Laura on Instagram and on her podcast 10 Things to Tell You!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s that time of year again, friends! Pop the bubbly and join Meg, Kelly, and Rebekah for a conversation covering ALL of their favorites from 2023! From pop culture picks to the meaningful lessons they will take from this year, there is a TON of awesome to explore in this super-sized episode!

As you are shopping Amazon this season, don’t forget that you can support Sorta Awesome for FREE when you shop through our affiliate link: SORTA AWESOME AMAZON: sortaawesomeshow.com/amazon

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Book of the Month: For a limited time, you can join and get the first book for just $5 with code FORYOU at bookofthemonth.com

*OneSkin: New customers get 15% off with code SORTA at oneskin.co

*Lume: New customers get $5 off a Lume Starter pack with code AWESOME at LumeDeoderant.com

*Green Chef: Go to GreenChef.com/60awesome and use code 60awesome to get 60% off, plus 20% off your next two months

SHOW NOTES:

Kelly's Awesome of the Year: Salsa Verde Chicken Rice Tortilla Soup

Rebekah’s Awesome of the Year: Cayden Cross Body Bag from Target

Meg’s Awesome of the Year: Otherworld podcast

Kelly's Watching: Shrinking and Ted Lasso on Apple TV (sign up for Apple TV with our affiliate link!)

Kelly's Reading: The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn

Kelly's Listening: Sold a Story podcast

Cozy Acoustic Morning playlist on Spotify

Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Lifeby Dacher Keltner

Enchantment: Awakening Wonder in an Anxious Age by Katherine May

Rebekah's Watching:

Jury Duty (on Amazon prime)

Traitors (on Peacock)

Rebekah’s Reading:

Nonfiction:

How To Stay Married by Harrison Scott Key

The Great Sex Rescue  by Shelia Wray Gregoire

Caste by Isabel Wilkerson

Fiction:

Yours Truly by Abby Jimeneze

Rebekah's Listening:

The Viall Files "Ask Nick"  episodes and update episodes

Your Own Backyard

Rebekah’s viral reel

Rebekah’s post: How to think positively about my house

Meg’s Watching: Never Have I Ever, Heartstopper, and The Bear

Meg’s Reading: The Life Council, Laura Tremaine

Happy Place, Emily Henry

Divine Rivals, Rebecca Ross

None of this is True, Lisa Jewell

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We continue our reflection back on the best moments of Sorta Awesome, and this week, the spotlight is on Kelly Gordon! Do not miss this introspective conversation with Meg and Kelly as Kelly shares what the past eight years of creating Sorta Awesome has brought to her life personally and professionally, and she shares the one episode she wants to leave with the Awesomes!

As you are shopping Amazon this season, don’t forget that you can support Sorta Awesome for FREE when you shop through our affiliate link: SORTA AWESOME AMAZON: sortaawesomeshow.com/amazon

SHOW NOTES:

Kelly’s AotW: American Auto

Meg’s AotW: Ghost Story podcast

BEST EPISODES

Ep 63: What We Know Now That We're Here

Ep 162: Self-care, self-comfort, what’s healthy, what’s not

Ep 223: Seven kinds of self-care for the holidays

Ep 268 Self-care vs. Self-comfort: Everything you need to know

Ep 39: Seeking rest, finding delight

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friends, you are in for a treat this week! As we begin the final weeks of Sorta Awesome, we are taking some time to focus on some of our favorite moments with some of your favorite people. Today’s episode celebrates Rebekah! Meg and Rebekah take some time to reflect on lessons learned and moments to remember from the past eight years. Rebekah has picked her favorite episode to re-share with you, and we include a surprise never-heard-on-the-main-show accidental confession that you don’t want to miss!

As you are shopping Amazon this season, don’t forget that you can support Sorta Awesome for FREE when you shop through our affiliate link: SORTA AWESOME AMAZON: sortaawesomeshow.com/amazon

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Notion: Try Notion AI for free when you go to notion.com/sorta

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

SHOW NOTES:

Rebekah’s AotW: If We Disappear Here by Mindy Hayes (Get your Kindle 30 day free trial!)

In Your Eyes on YouTube

Meg’s AotW: Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream

Sorta Awesome episodes mentioned:

10 Big Things We Stopped Doing (ep. 264)

10 Things We Wish We Had Done Sooner (ep. 183)

Leaning Into The Squirm: How To Talk To Your Kids ABout Bodies, Sex, and Sexuality (ep. 99)

Coming Out Conversations (ep. 137)

Self-Care, Self-Comfort, What's Healthy, What's Not (ep. 162)

Offering Gentle Comfort In Times Of Grief During The Holidays and Beyond (ep. 80)

Heartbreak, Doubt, And Finding Faith Through The Storms (ep. 192)

The Pandemic Broke Me, Now What? (ep. 426)

Every Single Confessions Episode:

Helpful PSAs and A Collection of Confessions (ep. 37)

Lollipop Debates, Starbucks Half-Truths, and Other Things That Keep Us Up At Night (ep. 98)

Confessions: Embarrassing Moments Edition! (ep. 136 - Rebekah ALMOST picked this one for the replay.)

True Confessions: Home Life Edition (ep. 168 - group show!)

Confessions: Year-End Edition (ep. 174)

Confessions: Holiday Edition! (ep. 225 - group show!)

So EMBARRASSING. Hear Our Confessions! (ep. 243 - replayed in this episode)

Confessions: Weird New Habits, Lice Battles, Book Heartbreaks, and More! (ep. 280)

Our Spiciest Confessions Yet! (ep. 359)

Our MOST Memorable Confessions! (ep. 383 - clip show)

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sure, you’ve seen other holiday gift guides, but how many gift guides are made BY Awesomes, FOR Awesomes?! Let’s revisit Meg’s favorite gift guide - the one where she, Kelly, and Rebekah share excellent gift ideas straight from our Awesome community!

As you are shopping Amazon this season, don’t forget that you can support Sorta Awesome for FREE when you shop through our affiliate link: SORTA AWESOME AMAZON: sortaawesomeshow.com/amazon

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/AWESOME for up to 20% off your next purchase (limited time offer!)

*OneSkin: Get 15% off with the code SORTA at oneskin.co

SHOW NOTES:

Easily shop items from today’s episode at Sorta Awesome: Things we LOVE!

REBEKAH’S LISTS:

Babies & Littles

Wooden Tables & Chairs Set

Learning Resources Jumbo Dinosaurs

Other Learning Resources Jumbo Animal Sets

Fat Brain Toys Dimpl Stack

Fat Brains Toys Whirly Squigz

Kids, Tweens, & Teens

Book Series Suggestions:

Dogman

Whatever After

City Spies

Other ideas:

Mail Order Mystery

Face Planter Pot

Natural Crystal LED String Lights

Mooas Cube Timer

Adults

Erin Condren Lap Desk

Daily Calendar from Social Print Studio

MEG’S LISTS:

Things I bought and liked:

Shark HyperAir hair dryer

lookHUMAN mugs

Laneige lip mask

Gold hoop earrings

Bose Quiet Comfort Bluetooth Headphones

Quirky gifts:

Flower bouquet bricks

Mini greenhouse

LCD drawing pad

Future Ghost line

Hard-to-shop-for gifts:

Goldbelly’s Top 50 gifts

Tempurpedic sleep mask

Manta sleep mask

Hotel Lobby candles

Simple Modern insulated drinkware

KELLY’S LISTS:

Gifts for Geeks and Nerds:

SnoogTees

My Hero Academia board game

Soundproof foam for walls

Personalized minifigs

Keyboard skins or covers

Custom Converse

Family Fun:

Clue Escape and Solve game

Bonus: Box One

Jackbox

Cravebox

Pasta maker

Nespresso

Puzzle table

Dowdle

Buffalo Games puzzles (arcade puzzle)

50 States of Beauty

Social Media Made Me Buy It:

Kitch—Non-heating hair wrap for curly hair

Woobles

AirPods case

Cool Pet glasses holder

Cat glasses holder

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 357 Awesome Holiday Gift Guide 2021

Ep. 222 Sorta Awesome Holiday gift guide 2019!

Ep. 171 Sorta Awesome Holiday Gift Guide 2018

Extra Awesome: Holiday Gift Guide 2017

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gather ‘round, Awesomes! Today’s conversation is a big one; the time has come for the final episode in our Midlife with Mindy and Meg series. Sorta Awesome regular Mindy Brouse joins Meg for one last conversation in the midlife series that so many in our Awesome community have loved, and to close out the series, they are talking all things midlife books and reading. From helpful guides to permenopause to captivating storytelling featuring midlife characters, there is definitely a book for everyone on today’s list!

FIND THE ENTIRE MIDLIFE WITH MINDY AND MEG SERIES HERE

Not a Super Star yet? Today is a great day to become one!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Green Chef: For Green Chef’s best deal of the year, get $250 off with code awesome250 at GreenChef.com/awesome250

*Notion: Try Notion AI for free when you go to Notion.com/sorta

SHOW NOTES:

Mindy’s AotW: Stay Badass tank or shirt

Slippers: XIHALOOK House Slippers

Book: Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

Meg’s AotW: The Disappearances of Draco Malfoy

@holygnocchi on TikTok

MIDLIFE BOOKS:

Fast Like a Girl A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones, Dr. Mindy Pelz

The Menopause Manifesto Own Your Health with Facts and Feminism, Dr. Jen Gunter

Hot and Bothered: What No One Tells You About Menopause and How to Feel Like Yourself Again, Jancee Dunn

The Upgrade: How the Female Brain Gets Stronger and Better in Midlife and Beyond Hardcover, Dr. Louann Brizendine

Crones Don't Whine: Concentrated Wisdom for Juicy Women, Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen

“Second Spring: The Self-Care Guide to Menopause,” by Kate Codrington

The Galveston Diet by Dr. Mary Claire Haver

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

Maybe Next Time by Cesca Major

What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty

Queen Bee by Ciara Geraghty

The Change by Kirsten Miller

Broken Light by Joanne Harris

Wayward by Dana Spiotta

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 427: Let’s Talk About Midlife: The struggle is real in the clothes closet

Ep. 380: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Brain Fog and Cycle Chaos

Ep. 395: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Parenting Our Parents and Life in the Middle

Ep. 401: Let’s Talk About Midlife: The Ups and Downs of Sex!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Mindy on Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Whether you’ve got a furry little animal soul mate at your side or you are happily pet-free, you will definitely want to press play on this conversation! Meg and Kelly are enthusiastic pet people, but Rebekah is not so sure. Tune in to hear Rebekah’s questions about the ins-and-outs and highs-and-lows of living that family pet life!

Not a Super Star yet? Today is a great day to become one!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Caraway: Visit Carawayhome.com/AWESOME for 10% off your next purchase (or use code AWESOME at checkout)

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

SHOW NOTES:

Rebekah's AotW: Sausage Tortellini Soup

Kelly’s AotW: Bluey

Meg AotW: Keys to the Kingdom podcast

10 Best Kid-Friendly Soup Recipes for Cozy Days

Sorta Awesome Soup Pinterest Board

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 465: Sorta Goodbye

Ep. 162: Self-care, self-comfort, what’s healthy, what’s not

Ep. 417: Holiday home hacks you’re going to love!

Ep. 400: Would You Rather? 4 vs 400 edition!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If we’ve learned anything from Taylor Swift this year, it’s that eras come, and eras go. Today, the Sorta Awesome team is sharing with you that it’s the end of an era for Sorta Awesome. Take a moment to hit play to hear about the podcast closing, and what comes next for your favorite Friday friends!

Not a Super Star yet? Today is a great day to become one!

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 464: The Sex Episode

Ep. 463: These discoveries will upgrade your life!

Ep. 462: 15 new releases we absolutely loved!

Ep. 461: The AWESOME LIST for Fall 2023

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when all those Purity Culture kids from the 90s and early 2000s grow up and get married? Well one thing we discovered is a bunch of books were published to “help” us understand sex and marriage. Turns out, some of them were … not so helpful. Meg and Rebekah are here to discuss.

Not a Super Star yet? Today is a great day to become one!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*OneSkin: Get 15% off with the code SORTA at oneskin.co

SHOW NOTES:

Rebekah’s AotW: Latuza Pajama Pants

Meg’s AotW: Sam and Colby: Surviving a week at the Real Conjuring House

The Great Sex Rescue by Sheila Wray Gregoire

Sheila Gregoire on Instagram

Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski

Books Studied for The Great Sex Rescue (listed in order of best to worst):

Helpful Books:

The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M Gottman (tie - scored near perfect)- https://amzn.to/3QvFtE6

The Gift of Sex by Clifford & Joyce Penner (tie - scored near perfect) - https://amzn.to/3FRLwgd

Boundaries in Marriage by Henry Cloud & John Townsend (tie) - https://amzn.to/3QwSHQJ

Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas (tie) - https://amzn.to/3QwSHQJ

Intimate Issues by Linda Dillow & Lorraine Pintus - https://amzn.to/462KSHn

Neutral Books:

The Meaning of Marriage by Timothy & Kathy Keller - https://amzn.to/3tPTALB

Intended for Pleasure by Ed & Gaye Wheat - https://amzn.to/3Shk3Mk

Harmful Books:

Sheet Music by Kevin Leman - https://amzn.to/3SdKCBM

The Act of Marriage by Tim and Beverly LaHaye - https://amzn.to/3tUnsGp

His Needs, Her Needs by Willard F Harley Jr - https://amzn.to/4762DWV

The Power of a Praying Wife by Stormie Omartian - https://amzn.to/49bQDoy

For Women Only by Shaunti Feldahn - https://amzn.to/3Q9xLOx

Every Man's Battle by Stephen Arterburn and Fred Stoeker - https://amzn.to/3Q9xLOx

Love & Respect by Emerson Eggerichs - https://amzn.to/3tOaH0b

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 193: Stressed out, burned out and ready to recover

Ep. 401: Midlife with Mindy & Meg: The ups and downs of sex

Ep. 318: 5 books every woman should read

Ep. 463: These discoveries will upgrade your life!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We are always all about taking care of YOU, and today, one of our favorite Enneagram 2s who always has the hook-up for the GOOD stuff is back! Meg is joined by Sorta Awesome regular Julie Tepperman, and Julie has brought a stash of discoveries that are sure to bring a little extra sparkle for a fun upgrade to daily life.

Not a Super Star yet? Today is a great day to become one!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Brooklinen: Visit Brooklinen.com and use code AWESOME20 for $20 off your online order of $100 or more

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

SHOW NOTES:

Julie’s AotW: Baked chicken recipe (Gimme Some Oven)

Meg’s AotW: GUTS album, Olivia Rodrigo

Hacks:

artskills precut neon shapes

Products:

Typology tinted lip OIL

Lune and Aster eclipse volumizing and curling mascara

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerize cream eyeshadow in Rose Gold

Static nail polish remover (clear)

Static nail polish remover (rose gold)

Madgabs lipbalm

Bella Skin probiotic underarm toner

Make Up For Ever gentle eye gel remover – for sensitive eyes and lips

BeeKeepers’s Naturals Propolis Immune Support Throat Spray

Oxyfresh gentle formula unflavored mouthwash

Nonproducts

Sparta Candle Company

Tank tops from Etsy – Kurve

Space heater: Vornado Velocity 3R

Crossbody bag

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 462: 15 new releases we absolutely loved!

Ep. 408: The books that shaped who we are

Ep. 454: The Internet made me buy it, Part 1

Ep. 433: We’re obsessed: all the products we are loving, hating and wanting right now!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Julie on Instagram and Facebook!

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices