The Enlighten Me Podcast

It’s (almost) officially summer in the Northern Hemisphere! Summer is my FAVORITE time of year, in part because I love to travel and have people visit! Living in a tourist destination like Charleston, SC has brought no shortage of visitors, and I often get asked for tips on what to do and what to see, and of course where to eat. I’ve lived here for a few years now and have tons of recommendations, but I’ve also seen the need for more education on what NOT to do when you’re here. So, listen in for the best way to do Charleston while keeping it ethical and sustainable.

I wrote a blog post on this topic last month, so if you’d rather read in full detail you can find the link to that below. For a quick run-down on my seven tips, listen along as I cover the following:

1. Bring your own reusable bag with you.
2. Visit the South Carolina Aquarium.
3. Skip the carriage tour and do a walking tour instead.
4. Support local restaurants and shops.
5. Leave the beach cleaner than you found it.
6. Go kayaking instead of speed boating.
7. Check out Cypress Gardens over the plantations.

I hope you find these tips helpful to be a more responsible traveler. We can’t wait to have you in the Lowcountry!

Links from the show:

Blog post covering visiting Charleston:

https://theheartfelthippie.wordpress.com/2021/05/01/charleston-but-make-it-ethical/

Lowcountry Walking Tours:

https://lowcountrywalkingtours.com/

Walking Tours featuring Black History:

https://www.franklycharleston.com/

Jai Eats:

https://jaieats.com/

Black Food Fridays:

https://www.blackfoodfridays.com/

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Living sustainably in a world where fast fashion and fast food exist is not easy. In fact, it’s something that can cause burnout really quickly! But the good news is, it’s not solely up to us. The world isn’t going to be changed by one person doing things perfectly. It’s when we all take small steps together that our collective efforts make an impact. This was a message I needed to be reminded of, so my interview with Haley couldn’t have been more timely! This fashion lover and small business owner is on a mission to make sustainable and ethical living more accessible to us all.

When Haley Jaeger first learned about the crisis of human slavery around the world, she knew she had to do something about it. As a creative gal with a passion for fashion, starting a socially conscious fashion brand seemed like a logical step. However, she quickly realized that the markup of the fair trade items she was selling was something that even she couldn’t afford! This is when the idea of sustainable-ish living, or as she calls it - “the messy middle” - was born. Haley’s shop now features a larger variety of guilt-free items that cater to all kinds of price ranges. Oh, and not to mention that it’s all beautiful!

We’ll be talking more about “the messy middle” in Part 2 next week with Haley, but for now she’s sharing about her journey as a business owner and conscious consumer and also telling us about some of the ways she likes to live more sustainably. And this isn't just for the fashion lovers, either! All of us as consumers have something to learn and ways that we can be more mindful in our purchasing patterns, and Haley provides a safe place to do just that.

Links from the show:

Atonement Design:

https://atonementdesign.com/

Polaris Project:

https://polarisproject.org/

Chews Happiness:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1709783&u=2650427&m=101836&urllink=&afftrack=

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Haley:

Website & Newsletter: https://atonementdesign.com/

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/atonementdesign

Instagram: @atonementdesign

Ambassador Program: https://ambassador.atonementdesign.com/

Is it just me, or is it getting harder and harder to find a trustworthy and unbiased information source these days? I know it’s not just me - thanks to political agendas and social media, misinformation is a common problem, especially when it comes to all things Covid-19! That’s why I wanted to have someone truly knowledgable about these topics (like an actual scientist) on the show to educate us. Welcome back Kennen, the virologist and science communicator!

Last week on the show, Kennen and I talked broadly about vaccine safety and he answered a lot of recurring questions people have. (Spoiler alert - vaccines don’t cause autism!) This week in Part 2, we’re narrowing in the focus to discuss what is up with the Covid-19 vaccines. How do they work? What do they protect us against? Why should I get one if I’m young and healthy? Will it change my DNA?! These are just a FEW of the questions Kennen is answering. Trust me, y’all - I kept him on this call for a long time and didn’t hold back, and Kennen didn’t disappoint.

No matter where you stand in the vaccine conversation, my hope for today is that you walk away with the knowledge you need to make the decision that’s best for yourself and your family. I also hope that you will walk away with a little more trust in science, because science is pretty cool. Having doubts over the “big pharma” industry is reasonable, but I was comforted by the fact that there are trustworthy scientists who stand behind this research and these injections. Oh, and I think you will also walk away a little more hopeful about finally seeing this pandemic come to an end. Can I get a “Praise the Lord!”?

Links from the show:

Shop Xtrema Cookware:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=832803&u=2650427&m=52296&urllink=&afftrack=

Morgan Freney on Instagram:

@virus.vs.labcoat

“Out of the Silent Planet” by C.S. Lewis:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25350.Out_of_the_Silent_Planet

“Start With Why” by Simon Sinek:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7108725-start-with-why

NPR’s “Code Switch”:

https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510312/codeswitch

The Happy Givers:

https://thehappygivers.com/

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Kennen:

Instagram: @kennenhutchison / @sciencewithkennen

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_V-JuHBZ1ZtTaJliRjN9pw

Email: [email protected]

VACCINE. Does that word scare you to read? It’s understandable if it does - vaccines are the only medicine we give to people who are totally healthy. BUT, do the benefits of what they provide outweigh the risks of what they prevent? That’s what we as adults and as parents have to decide, and this conversation is here to give you the information you need to help with that decision process.

Misinformation around vaccines is nothing new, but it’s running rampant even more so than normal thanks to Covax! I’ve had questions about vaccines for a long time, and when the first Covid-19 vaccine became available I knew I needed to speed up my timeline for this episode. So, I sat down with a REAL expert on the topic! Kennen Hutchison is a virologist working on his PhD at Northwestern University. He quite literally studies viruses and vaccines for a living, so you can have confidence listening to this that he is qualified to speak on the topic!

In the first half of our conversation, Kennen and I are talking broadly about vaccine safety. He’s answering common questions like, what’s the link between vaccines and autism? And, how effective is the flu shot really? Next week in Part 2, Kennen and I will be focusing specifically on the Covid-19 vaccine. But for now, having the base knowledge of how vaccines work and whether or not they are good for our bodies is going to help you more than you realize, especially for those of you who are parents having to make many a vaccine decision!

Links from the show:

Goods & Better Store:

https://www.goodsandbetterstore.com?ref=mackenzieneally

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Kennen:

Instagram: @kennenhutchison / @sciencewithkennen

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_V-JuHBZ1ZtTaJliRjN9pw

Email: [email protected]

Talking about environmentalism extends far beyond the color of our skin. That was one of my big takeaways from this episode with Kim and Aliya in Part 2 of our conversation on environmental racism. While what’s taking place on our planet does disproportionately affect communities of color, its has impacts on us all - especially on the generations that will come after us - and that’s why it deserves all of our attention.

Last week in Part 1, I introduced you to Kim and Aliya - two mamas on a mission to educate and uplift the Black community on bringing safer and more sustainable home and self care options into their homes. I love everything about what they’re doing and am personally a huge fan of the products they sell! We’re talking more about those today and how they pick out the brands and products they showcase on their marketplace. But we’re also talking more about the WHY behind it all. Whether you’re white or a person of color, whether you’re a parent to littles or to fur babies, you need to hear what these two have to say. 

Learning about environmental racism matters. There are marginalized communities receiving a lower quality of life by no fault of their own other than the color of the skin they were born with and the neighborhood they grew up in. That’s unjust. But, I love it when conversations around niche topics like these evolve into greater ones on being a more conscious consumer, and, overall, a better human. Kim and Aliya and giving us plenty of methods and asking plenty of probing questions to get you to think about both of those things today.

Links from the show:

Shop Paper Culture:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=1038478&u=2650427&m=26768&urllink=&afftrack=0

“Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489625-between-the-world-and-me

“The Alchemist” by Paulo Coelho:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18144590-the-alchemist

“Praying Circles around Your Children” by Mark Batterson:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15810372-praying-circles-around-your-children

“The Shack” by William Paul Young:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40874325-the-shack?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=dYOyOhTGXI&rank=1

Judas and the Black Messiah:

https://www.hbomax.com/judas-and-the-black-messiah?utm_id=sa|71700000077867977|58700006564053884|p59363845344&gclsrc=aw.ds&&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyoeCBhCTARIsAOfpKxiGOM4ey8Jc1devQfWMxFG_jxhfBd-mbuekoPL5nX6_eee6Am7Cdc8aAvsnEALw_wcB

“Small Doses with Amanda Seales” podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/small-doses-with-amanda-seales/id1333316223

Eugenia Everyday Shea Butter:

Sustainability and race - did you have any idea that these two things intersected? Well, they do, and in a pretty big way. Environmental racism is something that many people are unaware of and that gets overlooked quite often, and yet its implications on health and wellness are astronomical! That’s what Kim and Aliya are here today to share about. These two sorority sisters-turned-business partners are women on a mission to bring eco-friendly and Black-owned baby products to consumers doorsteps and to make sure they are educating about social justice along the way.

When I first came across Kim and Aliya’s business, my first reaction was to get as many products from their site onto my baby registry as possible! After seeing the heart behind their work, though, I knew I needed to get them on the show. Today in Part 1, the Evergreen Baby team is teaching us about what environmental racism is and what it really looks like. This is a vast concept with many nuances to it, but they do a great job of giving us a rundown complete with examples and concerning effects of this type of injustice.

Next week in Part 2, Kim, Aliya and I will be talking more about their business and the products they sell. I wanted to know what their standards were for selling “eco-friendly” products and how they know that these items are truly safe. We talk about that and also about how we can help to fight the systematic oppression that is environmental racism, no matter what color we are! I absolutely loved learning from this duo and the information they shared with me has forever impacted my consumer habits. I think you’ll find the same to be true for you!

Links from the show:

NuLeaf Naturals - Use code HIPPIE20 for 20% off:

https://nuleafnaturals.com/shop/

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Kim and Aliya:

Instagram: @evrgreenbaby

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evrgreenbaby

Website: www.evergreen.baby

If you’re like me, you have lots of visitors tracking in and out of your house during the summer months. Outside of asking them to take off their shoes like I talked about in the EMM episode for February, something else I’ve educated my house guests on is making sure they shut that lid!

Have you ever thought about why toilets have lids in the first place? No, it’s not just for keeping the dog from drinking the toilet water…though after listening today, you’ll want to do that too. The lids are there to keep the germs inside the bowl and prevent them from getting on your toothbrush and your other bathroom supplies.

Myth Busters did an episode several years back in which they investigated the aerosol effect of toilets. There have actually been several published studies looking at this effect and just how far it can carry, along with WHAT exactly it carries. Spoiler alert: there could be Covid-laden bacteria in your toilet bowl! Listen in on this mini segment of the podcast for why you need to put the lid down, please!

Links from the show:

Cloth Diaper Podcast Interview w/ Aisha:

https://www.clothdiaperpodcast.com/show-54/

Discovery Channel Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrrbdSqhLNM

Journal of Applied Microbiology:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16033465/

ABC News Article:

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/closing-lid-flush-lessen-spreading-coronavirus-forget-panic/story?id=71383765

Nat Geo Article:

https://abcnews.go.com/Health/closing-lid-flush-lessen-spreading-coronavirus-forget-panic/story?id=71383765

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Happy Birthday to ME! Earth Day 2021 officially marks the third year of The Enlighten Me Podcast. Woohoo! Man, these 3 years have flown by. More than anything, I’m so proud of all the episodes that I’ve put out (even the earlier, cringe-worthy ones!) and all the guests who have lent their time and their expertise to educate us all. In honor of all that time, effort, and energy spent over the past 3 years, I am bringing you a fun and celebratory episode with a dear friend and faithful podcast supporter - welcome Kathryn!

Kathryn is one of my very best friends and has been a huge support in making this podcast happen (especially when it comes to the technical side of things). She’s also a super fun person and I knew she’d be great at helping me to celebrate this milestone. Today on the show, we’re doing a little bit of role reversal. Kathryn is asking me the questions and we’re going more in depth on how the podcast got started, what you can expect to hear in the coming year, and a bit more about me, your host!

I’m so excited to celebrate this third birthday with the people who help to make this show happen. To all those of you who subscribe, leave ratings and reviews, use my affiliate links, encourage me and inspire my content - THANK YOU! I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for you! Now listen in if you want to hear about the sunscreen-turned-foundation I’m loving this summer and why I think dessert hummus is the best invention of all-time… Here’s to another year of learning together and having fun doing it! Cheers!

Links from the show:

BBC News report on declining sperm count in males:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09ccb74

“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32075671-the-hate-u-give

“Jesus Feminist” by Sarah Bessey:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17570843-jesus-feminist

Seaspiracy documentary:

https://www.netflix.com/title/81014008

The Game Changers documentary:

https://www.netflix.com/title/81157840

Pacifica Mineral SPF 50 Body Butter:

https://www.pacificabeauty.com/products/mineral-spf-body-butter-coconut

Heavenly Body Wear Bra:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/200746333/bambooorganic-cotton-support-nursing-bra?ref=shop_home_active_1&crt=1

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Listener beware - if you’re not ready for your core fears and desires in life to be exposed, this episode may not be for you! Just kidding. Well, sort of… Today on the podcast Jess Gartner is back to finish up our conversation on the Enneagram. This personality tool has become one of the most popular out there because, not only is it pretty spot-on, but it will help you to know what to do with your personality type and how to make sure you stay in a healthy place.

In Part 1 last week, Jess and I joked that if you don’t want more self-awareness then the Enneagram probably isn’t for you. But really, who doesn’t need more self-awareness in their life?! The beautiful thing about this conversation, though, is that it’s not just about US - it’s also about how we can have increased empathy and understanding in our relationships with those around us. Again, who doesn’t need more of that in their life?! In that episode we also started diving into the first three types of the Enneagram. So today, we’re wrapping it up with types 4 through 9. Personally, I’m a type 7, so this episode is even more exciting to me!

No matter what number you identify with, though, it’s important to get a good understanding of them all for a few reasons. First, it can help you confirm what type you are. Second, even once you know your type, you must recognize that we all have connections to several other types on the diagram. And third, it’s good to know what the other numbers mean so that you can have a little more appreciation when you meet people who are different than you! (Hint: some of these people may be living in your very own house…)

While analyzing personality types is always an interesting conversation to me, Jess’s main message today is to have compassion. It’s something we need for ourselves and for our loved ones as we navigate this journey we call life. And hey, now that you know better, you can continue to do better!

Links from the show:

Shop Redeemed With Purpose - Use code MACKENZIEN for 15% off:

https://www.redeemedwithpurpose.com/

“The Road Back to You” by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28268515-the-road-back-to-you

“The Honest Enneagram” by Sarajane Case:

https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/52152562-the-honest-enneagram

Enneagram & Coffee Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enneagram-coffee/id1447982978

Enneagram Ashton:

https://www.instagram.com/enneagramashton/?hl=en

Nine Types Co.:

https://www.instagram.com/ninetypesco/?hl=en

That Sounds Fun Podcast:

https://www.anniefdowns.com/blog/category/that-sounds-fun-podcast/

“How to Break Up with Your Phone” by Catherine Price:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35209767-how-to-break-up-with-your-phone

Your Enneagram Coach Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/your-enneagram-coach-the-podcast/id1504530276

Solo Stove:

Have you heard the hype? The Enneagram is the personality test to beat all personality tests. But, it’s much more than just giving you a bunch of numbers or letters to tell you about your traits and strengths. This model is actually designed to be a tool to tell us what to watch out for in our habits and tendencies and also to increase our empathy and understanding in relationships. That’s what Jess, the Enneagram coach, is here to tell us about today!

Jess Gartner has a hard time describing herself because she has her hand in A LOT of things! One of those is podcasting, which is how we first got connected. I was on her show a few months back and had such a fun time talking with her that I knew I needed to get her on my show, too. The most important hats that she wears, though, are those of mom and wife. That was probably my biggest takeaway from today’s episode - how the Enneagram can make such an impact on the close, personal relationships in your life! Since we chatted, I have already recounted so much of the information that Jess shared with me in conversations with my friends, my husband, and even my counselor!

If you’re a personality test skeptic, let me tell you this isn’t your average strengths-finder quiz. The Enneagram is so much more! In Part 1 today, Jess is explaining all the major components of how the Enneagram works, where it comes from, and how to use it in our every day lives. We’re also diving into the nine different personality types. Heads up - you might start sweating when you hear your type identified! We’re just discussing the first three today so you’ll have to tune back in for Part 2 to hear the rest. But whatever number you identify with, remember that learning about all the numbers can be so helpful to your relationships at work and at home.

Links from the show:

Shop Xtrema Cookware:

https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=832803&u=2650427&m=52296&urllink=&afftrack=

Jess’s Blog:

https://www.jessgaertner.com/blog

The Modern Mamas Podcast:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-modern-mamas-podcast/id1248144260

“The Road Back to You” by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28268515-the-road-back-to-you

Jess’s preferred Enneagram test:

https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/rheti-instructions

Connect with Mackenzie:

Instagram: @theheartfelthippie // @the.enlightenme.podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theheartfelthippie/

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Jess:

Instagram: @jess.holdthespace

Website: https://www.jessgaertner.com/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-modern-mamas-podcast/id1248144260

Email: [email protected]