The Bets Life

What if the secret to creating more art, building a better business, and living a more aligned life was simply being even more of yourself?

In this episode of The Bets Life Podcast, I’m joined by luxury floral artist Mackenzie Nancarrow, founder of Mackenzie Nancarrow Designs, for a conversation that goes far beyond flowers. We discuss how everyone can grow their creativity, what it really means to be an artist, and why staying true to yourself is the fastest way to achieve confidence, momentum, and an authentic career.

Mackenzie shares how flowers became her medium, how California’s landscape shapes her work, and why she chooses transparency over competition (she even readily shares her floral arrangement recipes online). We also dive into motherhood, creative blocks, pricing realities, and the mindset shifts that helped her grow a thriving floral business in under two years.

Bollandbranch.com and use code thebetslife for 25% off your order over $30

Tryarmra.com use code thebetslife10 to save 10% 

Connect with Mackenzie:

Website: https://www.mackenzienancarrow.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mackenzienancarrowdesigns/

Connect with Betsy: 

Visit my website: https://thebetslife.com/

Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebetslife/

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review and share: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-bets-life/id1644549737

Have you ever wondered why you may feel more connected to yourself and others when you are immersed in nature? As technology advances and screen time increases, have you ever felt more disconnected from the environment? In this episode, I chat with Dr. Lena Dicken, licensed clinical psychologist and creator of The Outdoor Psychologist, to unpack how nature and our environment shape mental health.

We dive into ecopsychology, nature-deficit disorder, and how we can better balance indoor vs. outdoor time. Dr. Lena shares both the science and the personal stories that led her to this career: growing up in a meditation-centered spiritual community, taking a spontaneous four-year travel “intermission,” and founding Saltwater Sessions, a therapeutic surfing program.

Connect with Lena: 

Website: https://www.outdoorpsychologist.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theoutdoorpsychologist/

Substack: https://substack.com/@theoutdoorpsychologist

Rent the Runway has created the shared closet of your dreams. Pick from 10,000+ premium styles. Sign up now at renttherunway.com and use code RTRXBOBREIN50 at checkout to save.

At Ritual, they know that better health begins with better ingredients. Use code THEBETSLIFE on https://ritual.com/ to save 20% on your first Month

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

What if your birth chart held the road map to your purpose, career, finances, and love life? Could understanding your astrology help you make more aligned and appropriate decisions? In today’s episode, we dive into natal charts and how your specific time and place of birth can lay a blueprint for the rest of your life.

Astrologer and alignment guide, Laura Donahue, joins The Bets Life Podcast for a conversation about using astrology, human design, and tarot as tools for self-awareness and direction. Laura, a.k.a. Lady LaDonna or LaDonna, breaks down how your birth chart can help you understand your strengths and patterns and lead to much-needed clarity and self-discovery.

Connect with Laura:
Website:  https://www.ladyladonna.com/
The Aligned Work Week E-Book: https://www.ladyladonna.com/store/p/the-aligned-work-week-e-book
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ladyladonna_/
Book an alignment session: https://www.ladyladonna.com/appointments

Bollandbranch.com and use code thebetslife for 25% off your order over $30
Tryarmra.com use code thebetslife10 to save 10% 

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

Season four of The Bets Life Podcast is coming to a close, and what better way to wrap things up than with my first listener Q&A?

In this special finale episode, I’m answering your questions—everything from how I try to find balance daily to celebrity doppelgangers, skydiving stories, travel mistakes, and where I order my favorite queso. If you’re ready for some surprising stories and interesting facts about me, this episode will be for you!

I’m also reflecting on what it means to move through life in seasons, what a day in my life looks like, and why I structure my creative work the way I do. From random rapid-fire favorites to deeper reflections on mental health and ambition, this episode is a little bit of everything—fun, honest, and full of gratitude. 

Thank you all for tuning in this season and for being part of this community. Cheers to season four, and I look forward to being back with you all for season five!

Check out my current favorite items on ShopMy
Shop my favorite Amazon products here!

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast 

In this episode, I am joined by Aisha Zaza, a macros coach with nearly two decades of experience in the fitness world. Aisha’s goal is to help women build better habits, live healthier lives, and feel stronger and more confident.

Aisha opens up about how motherhood surprised her in the best ways, and how she’s now in the best shape of her life after two kids. We chat about mental health and her struggle with antepartum depression and pregnancy insomnia, why having time for yourself is so important, and the reality that sometimes you can’t do it all (and that’s totally okay)!

We dive into Aisha’s journey from CrossFit to (begrudgingly) falling in love with running, her game-changing approach to meal prep and macros, and why she believes working smarter, not harder is the best strategy. 

Liquid IV: Use code “livingthebetslife” for 25% off and free shipping

OSEA: Use code “thebetslife” to save 10%

Connect with Aisha: 

Follow Aisha on Instagram

Well Collective App

The Mindset Mile Podcast

Well Prepped Meal Ebook

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

If you’ve ever felt like you’re falling behind, whether it’s in your career, your relationships, your finances, or just life in general, this episode is for you. (Also, trust me, we’ve all been there.)

In today’s episode, I’m unpacking the pressures to keep up, the myth of “being behind,” and the sneaky trap of comparison. We chat about focusing on what you actually want to achieve (not your friends, parents, or society) and the reminder that life’s successes and failures are not linear. I get candid about how these feelings have shown up in my own life, from weddings and babies to career pivots and personal growth, and why it’s beautiful that we all bloom at our own pace.

I also share a lovely mantra that I discovered that reframes the idea of “falling behind” and instead helps you fall into your own life. 

References:

https://www.trishblackwell.com/how-to-stop-feeling-behind-in-life/

https://clarityonfire.com/feel-behind-in-life/

https://harsh-darji.medium.com/if-you-are-falling-behind-in-life-read-this-4bd422b90515

Check out my current favorite items on ShopMy
Shop my favorite Amazon products here!

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

In today’s episode, I’m joined by my personal aesthetic injector, Jessica Barker, of Jessica Barker Medical Aesthetics. Jessica is a NCCPA Board Certified Physician Assistant with over 15 years of experience in medical aesthetics. Jessica and I dive into the patient consultation experience, the importance of facial harmony, and which treatments are worth it (and which are not). I pick her brain on what she sees next for the booming aesthetics industry (there’s a hint in the title). I also chat about what I’ve personally seen her for over the years (and what I haven’t done). 

We discuss the evolution of Botox – from treating eye twitches and chronic headaches to becoming one of the most popular aesthetic treatments – and how Jessica transitioned from neurology and plastic surgery to her own thriving practice in Santa Barbara!

Liquid IV: Use code “livingthebetslife” for 25% off and free shipping

OSEA: Use code “thebetslife” to save 10%

Connect with Jessica: 

Website: https://jessicabarkerpa.com/

Text or call to book: 805-900-0994
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessbarkerpa/?hl=en

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

In this episode, we're diving into a topic that deserves more space and recognition: the many different ways to celebrate life’s achievements and successes — beyond the traditional milestones of engagements, weddings, and babies. 

Inspired by an iconic Sex and the City episode, (yes, the one with Carrie Bradshaw’s stolen Manolos) I’m chatting about the pitfalls of only celebrating “acceptable” or expected life events, and how we can expand milestone moments to be more inclusive for ourselves and loved ones. 

You’ll hear my take on why it’s time we finally celebrate the big and small wins that don’t always come with showers or registries. I also discuss why life chapters that could be seen as failures or losses need our attention and festivity too (Did someone say divorce party?!). 

Whether you finally achieved the promotion that you’ve been working towards, the dream trip that’s been at the top of your bucket list, or the clean bill of health you’ve been anxiously awaiting, this episode is your reminder that your life occasions are always worth celebrating!

Sex and the City clips:

https://www.tiktok.com/@andjustlikematt/video/7276862601873722666

https://www.tiktok.com/@e_entertainment/video/7187809327908965678

The Golden Girls Ages

Chicken Tikka Masala recipe video

Resources:

https://www.milkbooks.com/blog/inspiration/10-important-milestones-to-celebrate/?srsltid=AfmBOoqT87H6e8z94KQxIKf51E1xcmUjpjRGUXG4DULBomEWn1OntANH

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/milestones-nontraditional_l_651d86b3e4b05c5fe1b75c40

https://theconversation.com/its-not-just-weddings-how-celebrating-small-wins-and-unconventional-milestones-can-bring-joy-197755

Check out my current favorite items on ShopMy
Shop my favorite Amazon products here!

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

On today’s episode, I’m joined by Leslie Zemeckis—actress, award-winning documentarian, best-selling author, and above all, storyteller. Leslie is passionate about honoring the lives of women whose stories have often been dismissed, ignored, or labeled as “too taboo.” She has researched and shared the stories of many women who were trailblazers in their careers and who weren’t afraid to (shockingly) live life on their own terms. 

Leslie and I dive into the intriguing world of burlesque, the history of women in entertainment, and why it’s unfortunately still challenging to get women’s stories told even today. We discuss Leslie’s love of reading, her approach to writing, and how she helps mentor other female storytellers. 

From fan dancers to tiger trainers, you won’t want to miss hearing about so many fascinating and fearless women. 

Liquid IV: Use code “livingthebetslife” for 25% off and free shipping

OSEA: Use code “thebetslife” to save 10%

Reese Witherspoon’s speech

Connect with Leslie: 

Website: https://lesliezemeckis.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lesliezemeckis/

Leslie’s TEDx Talk

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast

Today’s episode is a special one! I’m turning the tables and answering the very question that I ask all of my guests: How do you live your best life?

In this solo episode, I’m opening up about all the factors —big and small— that result in me living my best life. Some answers are serious, some are silly, and some may seem almost too simple. I chat about getting outside, cat cuddles, and why I adore my label maker. I share how travel fuels my creativity, why meme-sharing is basically a love language, and how riding e-bikes with my husband is one of my favorite date activities. 

I discuss the power of female friendship, the joy of reading a book so good that you lose track of time, and the pure bliss of a cold margarita on a sunny patio. I also reflect on what I’ve learned about boundaries, self-care, and the importance of saying “no” more. By listening to this episode, I hope you all will get to know me even better and have a few laughs along the way.

Tune in and then tell me: How do YOU live your best life? Leave a podcast review or send me a DM with your answers! 

Want to shop thousands of products shopped and styled by real people? Shop LTK! 

Shop my favorite Amazon products here!

Connect with Betsy:

Visit my website: The Bets Life

Follow me on Instagram: @thebetslife 

Love the podcast? Subscribe, rate, review, and share The Bets Life Podcast