Happy New Year! Starting 2026 with a fresh start and perspective! This episode is all about moving on from a rough 2025-a year that was filled with recurring lessons and roadblocks. We're stepping into a season of rebuilding past things and building new things.

I talk about a few different books in this episode and here is that list:

• The ONE Thing-Gary Keller and Jay Papasan
• The Body Keeps the Score-Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD
• Don't Believe Everything You Think-Joseph Nguyen
• Atomic Habits-James Clear
• Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times-Katherine May

Here's to starting anew and creating our best versions of 2026!

Let's talk about "toxic positivity." The definition, according to ChatGPT, is (in part): the excessive and ineffective overgeneralization of a happy, optimistic state across all situations.

In this episode, I share my recently personal struggles with this very thing. Everyday we are inundated with creators and influencers telling us to just keep going and stay positive. Keep a good attitude to raise our vibration. But what happens when you consume so much of that content that it feels like a let down when your goals are materializing instantly?

This episode is labeled as explicit because I drop a few "f" bombs. But let's get real and talk about this. Has this had an effect in your life? If so, what have you done or have you handled it? Let's chat!

In this episode, I drop a HUGE announcement and talk about what it looks like to move forward after learning some hard lessons (last episode). I also talk about what I plan to cover in future episodes. Spoiler alert I launched a new podcast, dedicated to starting, building, and running a business! Check it out: the Wonderfully Simple Business Podcast.

As always, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected]! I love getting feedback. I make this podcast for all of you!

I'm back!! In this episode, I recount all of the craziness that's been going on in life. Yes, I say the "f" word, so I'm marking it as explicit. Basically, I've been through a lot in the last year and I know so many of you can relate! Let's learn together. Let's do some introspection and grow and learn from mistakes made.

Just a quick Q&A Session from all of the questions I keep getting in my emails and DM's. I also offer a bit of advice and give a few book and podcast recommendations.

If you haven't already, ready Ruth Soukup's book "Do It Scared," where she outlines how fear presents itself in our lives and strategies to overcome it. I highly recommend this to almost everyone because a common thing I hear is "I'm scared." We've all been there, so I get it! But moving forward IS possible and you owe it to yourself to get through it!

I genuinely appreciate all of the questions and do my best to answer as timely as possible. I am going to offer 1-on-1 coaching, so if you're interested, please let me know!! Also, if you are interested in receiving my templates for the agreement I use, the quotes/estimates, my pricing packages, etc, please let me know! Again, my emails are:

[email protected]

[email protected]

Find me on Facebook, LinkedIn, almost everywhere!

AHHHHH! I'm so excited to share this episode with you all! This is where we put the rubber to the road. This is where you actually make this business WORK. I talk about how to market your business, what to post, how to network, and I answer a few common questions that I get asked frequently. This episode connects the other 2 together to give you the full blueprint I used to start my business and be successful.

I am planning to offer my templates to those needing them for $5.99 per set. Each set will have several different documents/posts/graphics in them. I have not made them live yet, but will announce when I do.

As usual, please PLEASE reach out with any questions! I am happy to help as much as I reasonably am able. I am giving thought to a membership community-let me know your thoughts on this!!! [email protected] or [email protected] Find me on Facebook using my name or business name or on LinkedIn! Good luck to ALL of you! Go out and make it happen!

In this episode, I recap the essentials from Episode 1 and start by adding more information about the list of services. I also talk about the fee structure I use and how I set it up to make the most sense for my target audience. I cannot stress this enough: everything you do should be influenced by your target audience!

At the end, I touch very briefly on getting my business setup with the state (which I talked about in the first episode) and opening at least one bank account to keep your business finances separate from your personal finances.

If you have questions, comments, or concerns, please reach out! You can email me at [email protected] or [email protected] Please put "podcast" or something similar in the subject line so I can respond to you and know that it's not spam or junk.

I will offer the same disclaimer as last time. This is not legal advice. Also, I am not a CPA or an accountant in any form, so please consult with professionals in those areas.

The next episode will answer some questions I am getting and will also discuss advertising, marketing, and networking. Thanks so much for listening!

Find me on LinkedIn: Erika Wonders Melvin

Find me on Facebook: Erika Wonders Melvin or Wonderfully Simple HR Consulting

Hello, all! Thank you so much for being here and for listening. This is a somewhat content-heavy episode so be prepared to take notes or save it for later listening.

In this episode, I tell you all a bit about me and my background in HR. I then go on to discuss the very first steps anyone must take to start their own consulting business. Please note: this is not legal advice nor is it meant to be an exact "to-do." My goal here is simply to provide enough information on how I, myself, got started so that you are inspired to pursue your dreams, too. This is only part 1 of a few (not sure how many yet), so if I don't cover what you're needing to hear and learn yet, hang in there! I'll likely get to it in the upcoming episodes. I feel it's important to take the appropriate steps, though.

The first thing you'll want to do is decide on the type of business you want to have and run. The feedback I have received has been from those wanting to start their own HR consulting businesses so I tend to lean towards that model. You can start nearly any consulting/education business, though. Once you decide on the "what," you need to decide on your target audience; that is, who will be your customer. What types of businesses are you looking to gain as clients? Maybe you want local small businesses, like I do, or you want to market to large corporations. Whatever you're looking for, be sure you know this information as it will inform everything else you do!

Once you know the type of business you want and your target audience, you're going to find a business name. Take your time with this! As I say, you want your name to tell a story. Your name should convey what it is you do before ever giving additional info about your business. Don't rush this part. Research your ideas, ask fellow business owners for their opinions, etc.

I wrap up by talking about creating a Facebook business page. I discuss why to use Facebook and what information to provide. Again, these are the essential first steps to getting started from the ground up. So, if you are looking for more, keep tuning in! I'm going to cover pricing, advertising, and more in the upcoming episodes.

I also mention that I will ultimately be offering paid content. This is for those of you who want to dive deeper into the consulting world. I am providing more than enough free information for anyone to start, but the paid content will be more 1-on-1 and I will be able to answer specific questions rather than just general.

Until next time!

In part 2, I introduce Dr. John Gottman and his Four Horsemen, which are predictors of relationship demise (gottman.com). I also go in-depth with some personal experiences and relate them to these.

I talk about past trauma and why it is so necessary to heal our wounds. I also relate to Gottman's theory and break things down a bit further.

What do you think? Share your thoughts in the Facebook group or email me! [email protected]

As promised, here is part 1 of the Love episode! Trigger warning: I mention polyamory and "throuples" and non-heteronormative relationships

This episode covers Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love (simplypsychology.org) as well as Gary Chapman's 5 Love Languages (5lovelanguages.com). It's a little messy, but I explain the triangle and the points Sternberg makes. There are many types of love extending beyond romantic love. This is research from 1986 so it's nothing new. But many people have never heard of this. Looking at the triangle, we can make several deductions about how we experience love with other people.

Chapman's research focuses more on romantic love. Though it was based on heteronormative relationships, this can be applied to any romantic relationship dynamic.

What are your thoughts? Head over to the Facebook to discuss or send me an email [email protected].