Soul Sisters

In this episode we finish up our first season by revisiting where we were when we started Soul Sisters and where we are now. We reflect on what we hoped to achieve with Soul Sisters and how we have progressed towards meeting some of those goals. We also discuss the specific ways in which COVID-19 has altered our experience recording this season.

We have loved speaking with you all and we'll talk to you soon in season two!

In the second part of our social media series, we examine how social media can be an agent for positive change. We focus on the potential benefits of social media usage, from building a community online to the tactical use of social media for social justice movements. We also discuss how we have attempted to curate healthier spaces for ourselves online. 

We cover getting comfortable with blocking people, social media and finding your identity, the importance of diverse representation online, and the fact that Layla learned how to do her makeup entirely from YouTube.

In this first part of our social media series, we examine our relationships with social media. We focus on how our use of social media has evolved throughout our lives and examine the negative ways in which social media has affected us. We also discuss what it means to plan to go into a career field where a social media presence is required. 

We cover the "make instagram casual again" phenomenon, instant gratification online, social and aesthetic comparison online, reliance on social media during the pandemic, and the fast-paced, ever-changing media landscape.

Check in next week for our tips on making social media a healthier space for you and why we think social media also has potential for good.

(Layla recommended you check out "The I in Internet" from Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino in her "what we're all thinking".)

This week we break down our most recent reads and our all time favorite books. We discuss The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F* by Mark Manson, Legendborn by Tracy Deonn, What Girls Are Made Of by Elana K. Arnold, and The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. We cover self help books, what it means to identify with a character, coming of age novels, poetry-esque prose, and more. We recommend trying out any one of these books the next time you're looking for a great read!

In this episode we break down our favorite styles and methods of creating art. We examine how art has shaped our friendship and how our favorite types of art reflect our personalities. We encourage you to find a method of creative expression you enjoy!

In this episode we compare negative and healthy friendships. We examine what we believe makes a healthy friendship, what red flags for negative friendships are, and how to navigate resolving or ending toxic friendship situations. We encourage you to examine the relationships in your life and pursue the healthiest option for yourself and your friends!

In this episode we talk you through our Hogwarts Houses, Divergent Factions, Myers Briggs types, Enneagram Types, and Star Signs. We examine to what extent we identify with our personality types and discuss our strengths and weaknesses, and similarities and differences. 

Let us know if you share any of our same personality types!

Lauren: Hufflepuff, Amity, INFJ, Enneagram 3, Rising Sagittarius, Pisces Sun, Scorpio Moon

Layla: Ravenclaw, Abnegation, INFJ, Enneagram 3, Rising Sagittarius, Leo cusp Cancer Sun, Taurus Moon

In this episode we discuss how we're feeling going into the holiday season. We examine how our Christmas will look different due to COVID-19 and we describe some of our favorite holiday traditions.

We hope you have a Happy Holiday season and stay safe going into the new year!

In this episode we compare our Spotify Wrapped! We reveal our favorite songs and musicians of the year, discuss the various trajectories of our favorite artists, critique celebrity culture within the music industry, and examine what we think our music choices reveal about our experience in 2020.

Here's a run-down of our favorites:

Lauren's Top Artists: (1)Kim Petras (2)Lizzy McAlpine (3)VÉRITÉ (4)Taylor Swift (5)Anaïs Mitchell

Layla's Top Artists: (1)Hozier (2)Hippo Campus (3)Still Woozy (4)Conan Gray (5)Khalid

Lauren's Top Songs: (1)Sauce, Remi Wolf* (2)Clarity, Kim Petras (3)body in my bed, VÉRITÉ (4)faded, VÉRITÉ (5)Rufufus, Remi Wolf*

Layla's Top Songs: (1)Window, Still Woozy (2)From Eden, Hozier (3)Boys Like You, Dodie (4)Bad, Lennon Stella (5)Wishful Drinking, Tessa Violet

*Lauren misspoke and called the artist 'Demi' instead of 'Remi' Wolf and apologizes profusely.

This week we discuss sustainability. We describe why we believe it’s important to care for the environment and we touch on the various challenges in doing so, including greenwashing and the structure of capitalism. We also share the various practices and products we’ve picked up along our sustainability journeys. We encourage you to try your best to introduce more sustainable practices in your own life!

Things we mentioned: (Skincare) Rainwater Botanicals, (Deodorant) by Humankind, (Toothpaste) Tom’s of Maine, Hello, (Resource) TheGoodTrade.com

Practices we recommend: Re-use before you recycle, Do your research before you buy, Use Bar Soap/Shampoo, Use reusable bags/cups, Source ethical food/stores