The Art of Plenty

A little life update... As the seasons change, I'm changing too. 🍂
After a lot of reflection, I’ve made the happy-sad decision to step back from social media and press pause on recording The Art of Plenty podcast for now.
I am endlessly humbled by your messages and the community we've built. While I'll miss our connection here, I feel a deep conviction to shift my energy toward what I'm truly meant to be doing in this new season.
But this isn't goodbye! I'd love to stay in touch. If you want to hear my unfiltered ramblings—like my recent thoughts on transparency vs. authenticity and an incredible hack that has helped me connect with all five of my kids—join my email list!
To sign up, go to www.amymcinnes.ca/list
Thank you for always holding space for me. I'll see you around. ❤️

Ever felt stuck, wondering how to actually make a difference in your life or take those first steps towards a big goal? Then you need to hear about Marie Forleo's book, "Everything is Figureoutable!" I'm diving into this incredibly optimistic, no-nonsense guide that champions a mindset that says, no matter the circumstances, there's always a way through.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 00:50 Finding a way through difficult situations.
• 01:30 Circumstances don't matter; your approach does.
• 02:08 Addressing skepticism: Money and resourcefulness.
• 03:08 Marie's background and the origin of her philosophy.
• 03:25 Not a scientific book; common sense and practical approaches.
• 05:05 Redefining "figuring it out".
• 07:34 Who this book is for.

Relevant Resources:

• "Everything is Figureoutable" by Marie Forleo 
• "Beyond Business: The Real Lives of Women Entrepreneurs" Season One: Available to watch on The Art of Plenty YouTube Channel. 
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media

Have you ever had a total "aha!" moment about yourself in your forties that completely caught you off guard? Well, I just had one about my affinity for coats! Turns out, I’ve been collecting them since I was an adolescent, and I never even realized it! Today on The Art of Plenty, we're diving deep into the power of truly knowing yourself (even your quirky coat obsession!) and, just as importantly, being known by others. I'll share why self-knowledge leads to more authentic relationships and purpose, and how being seen by others (like my husband holding up a mirror to my negativity!) can be incredibly healing. Plus, I'm breaking down the different "layers" of relationships—from family roots to lifelong friends, community connections, and mentors—and giving you super practical tips on how to deepen each one. Because let's be real, you can't be who you're meant to be alone. 

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 03:41 The value of knowing yourself.
• 06:10 The flip side: The value of being known by others.
• 15:13 Different relationship layers: Self, Family, Friends, Community, Mentors.
• 38 Deepening Relationship with Self.
• 23:28 Deepening Familial Relationships
• 25:58 Deepening Friendships
• 27:48 Deepening Acquaintances/Community
• 29:08 Deepening Mentorships

Relevant Resources:

• "Beyond Business: The Real Lives of Women Entrepreneurs" Season One: Available to watch on The Art of Plenty YouTube Channel. 
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media

Are you a bit of a skeptic when it comes to manifestation? Like, you're cool with positive thinking, but the whole "manifest your dreams" thing still feels a little woo-woo? Then this episode is for YOU! Today, I'm diving into "The Source" by Dr. Tara Swart. She's a neuroscientist and psychiatrist who finally bridges the gap between spirituality and science, explaining how manifestation actually works in your brain! This book was the missing piece for me, taking a concept I first heard in faith communities and giving it solid, scientific grounding. I'll share why I absolutely love this book (it's covered in my notes, seriously! ), how it gives you practical exercises to build your manifestation muscles, and how I'm using it to create my own artistic "action board." If you're ready to explore manifestation without feeling like you're just faking it, you've gotta check out this book.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 00:08 Are you a skeptic about manifestation?
• 01:13 My first encounter with "manifestation" and "name it and claim it."
• 02:29 Dr. Tara Swart's research bridging faith/spirituality and neuroscience.
• 03:07 The substance of manifestation.
• 05:03 The four steps to create an "action board".
• 05:24 Manifestation as an ongoing, disciplined practice.
• 07:19 Who this book is for: The skeptic, the science-spiritual explorer, the practical implementer.
• 08:06 Dr. Swart's grounded approach makes manifestation feel real.

Relevant Resources:

• "The Source" by Dr. Tara Swart: I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in understanding and implementing manifestation with a scientific backing.
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive and potentially disturbing topics related to children, online safety, and exposure to pornography. We will be exploring the risks, preventative measures, and the challenging realities parents and caregivers face in the digital age. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you are a parent or caregiver, please consider listening when children are not present.This is Part 2 of our deep dive into keeping our kids safe online, especially when you feel like you don't know what to do as a parent. Last week, I shared my personal struggles with navigating the digital world and the complexities of online privacy and protection. Today, we're going even deeper, talking about the science behind it all: the dopamine reward system. I’ll explain how phone use and explicit content can hijack our brains, leading to tolerance, compulsion, and even impacting our relationships and long-term goals. The good news? You can reset your dopamine system, and I’ll share the three steps involved in that process, including what to expect during withdrawal and how to retrain your brain for natural rewards. This is heavy stuff, but so important for understanding how to protect our kids and build their resilience in this increasingly online world. Please remember, this is my personal experience, not professional advice. If you're feeling overwhelmed, please seek professional support in your community.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!
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In this episode:

• 00:00:46 My feelings of ineptitude and the challenges of online safety.
• 00:02:05 Challenges of privacy in a busy home.
• 00:06:11 Explaining the dopamine circuit: VTA, rewards, pleasure.
• 00:07:09 Compulsion and habit formation: Anticipation, checking phones..
• 00:08:38 Dopamine tolerance and its link to addiction.
• 00:10:25 Comparing dopamine spike, frequency, and effort.
• 00:11:57 Outcomes: Connection vs. Isolation.
• 00:12:33 Impact on brain function
• 00:13:32 Dopamine overload, desensitization, low motivation, and addiction.
• 00:14:32 Consequences for kids' brain development and delayed gratification.
• 00:16:13 Heartbreaking impact on relationships
• 00:17:48 Unrealistic online images shaping perceptions of reality and relationships.
• 00:21:16 Good news: The dopamine system can be fixed!
• 00:21:50 Three steps for dopamine reset and neuroplasticity recovery.
• 00:25:40 Relapse risk and the "highway" analogy for brain pathways.
• 00:27:40 Signs of rewiring

Relevant Resources:

• "Beyond Business: The Real Lives of Women Entrepreneurs" Season One: Available to watch on The Art of Plenty YouTube Channel. 
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses sensitive and potentially disturbing topics related to children, online safety, and exposure to pornography. We will be exploring the risks, preventative measures, and the challenging realities parents and caregivers face in the digital age. Listener discretion is strongly advised. If you are a parent or caregiver, please consider listening when children are not present.Do you ever feel completely lost trying to navigate the online world with your kids? Trust me, you're not alone! As a mom of five, this is one area where I constantly feel inept and worried about getting it wrong. Today, I'm getting super real about the tricky balance between protecting our kids online and giving them the space they need to grow and explore their identity. I'll share my personal struggles with phone limits, the privacy dilemma, and my biggest fear: my boys encountering illicit content. Plus, I'll tell you about a huge "win" I had with one of my sons that gave me so much hope for teaching self-regulation! This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and next week, we're diving into the brain science of how technology impacts their dopamine systems. This is a sensitive topic, so please listen with care. As always, this is my personal experience, not professional advice, so if you're feeling overwhelmed, please reach out for professional support!

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 01:13 Personal struggle with the new online world.
• 04:08 Current strategies: Phone limits and "no private space" policy.
• 06:48 Importance of privacy for adolescent development and self-exploration.
• 09:16 Balancing protection with fostering self-development.
• 10:02 Parenting goal: Equipping kids with values and discernment.
• 13:43 Sensitive topic: Pornography and its impact on boys (Listener discretion advised).
• 14:50 How to approach the topic without introducing it.
• 18:47 Ongoing conversations about phone use and a "win" with my son.
• 23:09 Fostering self-regulation and trust.
• 25:13 Raising sons in the digital age
• 27:49 Next week: The impact of technology on the dopamine/reward system (Part 2).

Relevant Resources:

• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media

If you've ever felt like your fitness efforts aren't quite working, even when you're following the latest trends like intermittent fasting or keto, you NEED to hear this. Dr. Sims blows the lid off the fact that most fitness research is based on men, especially college-aged guys (which, hello, I am NOT!). She dives deep into how our unique female hormonal cycles impact everything – from your energy in the gym to why certain "successful" male-based regimes can actually cause crazy things like periods stopping or hair loss for women. This book is a game-changer for understanding your body and unlocking your full potential.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to "Roar" by Dr. Stacy Sims.
• 01:50 Negative consequences for women applying male-centric regimes
• 02:25 Dr. Sims's focus on women's hormonal cycles
• 03:40 Dr. Sims's research
• 05:33 How I am implementing and applying the book's information.
• 05:55 Tracking my hormonal cycle after finishing cancer treatments.

Relevant Resources:

• "Roar" by Dr. Stacy Sims
• Hormonal cycle tracking sheet: DM me if you'd like the sheet I'm using @amyvmcinnes.
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media.

How do you make the right decisions about your kids' sports and activities? Do you ever wonder when to let them quit, or when to push them to stick it out? As I'm doing my annual family activity evaluation, I'm sharing my honest struggles with things like the dance world's makeup and costume excesses. I also dive into the crazy "more, more, more" pressure in youth sports these days, especially hockey, and how we navigate it when all their friends are doing everything. I'll give you my top strategies for deciding what's right for YOUR unique kid and your whole family, ensuring you're fostering their growth and letting go of your dreams for them when their own may change.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 01:29 When to Prioritize Extracurriculars
• 05:20 My Struggles with Dance
• 07:27 The Importance of Parent Judgment & Kids' Freedom
• 11:30 My Appreciation for Dance 
• 14:24 The "More, More, More" Pressure in Youth Sports
• 15:34 The Dilemma of Specialization vs. Multi-Sport
• 17:40 How I Make Decisions for My Family
• 18:04 Strategy 1: Be Aware of My Own Judgment
• 18:35 Strategy 2: Be Aware of Outside Judgments & Talk to Kids
• 20:42 Strategy 3: Consider the Individual Child
• 23:18 Strategy 4: Letting Go of Your Dreams for Them
• 24:22 Strategy 5: Consider the Whole Family

Relevant Resources:

• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media

Today we're talking about those big, juicy dreams you hold in your heart—the ones you might even call "pipe dreams." I'm diving into how the amazing women from Season One of "Beyond Business" have inspired me, sharing their stories of taking those crucial first steps, even when they didn't know where they were going! We'll chat about Gabby's unexpected path, Chantel's pivot when her dream almost died, Michelle getting a "taste" of her dream, and how we can learn to recognize those vital "doorways" in our lives. I’ll also get real about protecting your dream from well-meaning loved ones, and how even a huge setback like cancer couldn't kill my counseling dream. Plus, we'll explore the hidden power of waiting seasons and why pivoting, like Lisa did, can lead to even bigger, better dreams you never saw coming. It’s all about nurturing that dream until it truly blooms! What have you been dreaming about?

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 00:08 Do you have a big dream?
• 02:32 Unexpected Steps and Doors Opening
• 03:50 Discerning Resistance and Pushing Through
• 05:44 Getting a Taste of the Dream
• 07:07 Recognizing Doorways and Openness to Possibility
• 08:15 Protecting Your Dream from Loved Ones 
• 09:27 Gentle Steps and Overcoming Fear of Failure
• 10:09 Shaping Shared Dreams
• 11:47 Honoring the Core Dream
• 15:27 The Cost of Dreams and Pivoting
• 16:33 The Season of Waiting and Cultivation
• 19:10 Unseen Preparation for Dreams
• 21:12 Building Resilience for Unexpected Setbacks
• 22:20 The Power of Pivoting and New Dreams
• 24:21 Being Open to the Unexpected

Relevant Resources:

• "Beyond Business: The Real Lives of Women Entrepreneurs" Season One: Available to watch on The Art of Plenty YouTube Channel. 
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media.

Have you ever grappled with that huge question: When do you quit? Today on The Art of Plenty, I'm diving in to my ongoing battle with my beloved (but infested!) lemon tree. This little tree was given to me during my cancer treatments, so it holds a lot of sentimental value, but for two years, it's been a non-stop fight against persistent spider mites! I'm usually a "never quit" kind of person, believing breakthrough is just around the corner, but I'm feeling deflated and frustrated. We'll dive into why quitting has such a bad rap (hello, sunk cost fallacy and fear of judgment!) and explore the tough questions to ask yourself: Is the cost too high? Are there better opportunities? Does it make you persistently miserable? I'll share my personal decision-making process and, of course, ask you: should I save my lemon tree, ditch it, or just keep observing? Tune in for a very real conversation about knowing when it's time to throw in the towel, and when to keep fighting.

Connect with me:

• Follow me on Instagram 
• Or on TikTok
• Get on the list: Course launches, bootcamps, webinars, live events, new episodes and free surprises!

In this episode:

• 00:00:41 My Lemon Tree Story begins.
• 00:08:04 My personal struggle with quitting and perseverance.
• 00:10:49 The cultural resistance to quitting and society's celebration of grit and perseverance.
• 00:11:57 Fear of judgment when quitting.
• 00:12:56 The "sunk cost fallacy" explained.
• 00:13:52 How to know when to quit
• 00:15:30 Hope deferred and its impact
• 00:19:50 Reframing quitting (pivoting, honoring).
• 00:20:50 The decision-making process

Relevant Resources:

• "Beyond Business: The Real Lives of Women Entrepreneurs" Season One: Available to watch on The Art of Plenty YouTube Channel. 
• If you found this content helpful, please share with a friend, contact me, leave a review, contact me on my website or on social media