The Enlighten Me Podcast

Being a responsible traveler isn’t about checking items off of a list. It’s about dedicating yourself to being a lifelong learner - something I’m a huge advocate for - to consistently be aware of ways you can live more mindfully. What a great mindset, and not just for travel right?! Today, Erin is back on the show to continue to teach us about being responsible travelers. To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Last week on Part 1, Erin and I went through 7 of her 10 best tips for being a responsible tourist. We talked about things like acknowledging diversity and being respectful of other cultures - it was truly an enlightening time with so many good lessons that apply to many areas of life even beyond tourism. Today, we’re going through the rest of Erin’s tips and focusing mostly on the sustainability side of travel. There are so many ways to reduce our environmental impact while traveling and Erin has plenty of great ideas for us. 

I loved all of Erin’s advice and it has me excited to plan my next trip, whether it’s an international getaway or a local road trip! Even though many of us are currently unable to travel, I think you will find this time with Erin inspirational and it will help you to be a little more mindful the next time you hop on a plane, on a train, or even in your car with tent in tow. 

Links from the show:

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

https://www.redeemedwithpurpose.com/shop

Pina Travels Blog Post:

https://www.pinatravels.org/discoveries/responsible-tourist?rq=responsible

Alpaca My Bags Podcast Episode with Natasha Daly:

https://www.pinatravels.org/episodes/animal-tourism

Grayl Water Bottles:

https://grayl.com/

Alpaca My Bags Podcast Episode with Evelina Utterdahl:

https://www.pinatravels.org/episodes/sustainable-travel

“Little Fires Everywhere” by Celeste Ng

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51704136-little-fires-everywhere

You’re Wrong About Podcast:

https://yourewrongabout.com/

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Erin:

Instagram, TikTok, and other socials: @pinatravels

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

Website: https://www.pinatravels.org/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alpaca-my-bags/id1449041086

“Leave a place better than you found it.” That was always the golden rule when I went to Girl Scout camp as a little kid, but I haven’t thought about the concept much since then. But, have you ever considered the responsibility we have as travelers to other cities, states, and countries? The idea of traveling responsibly is much bigger than picking up your trash wherever you go (though, you should do that, too). Today on the show, travel blogger and podcaster Erin Hynes is sharing what responsible tourism really looks like.

Erin is a Canadian gal but started traveling the world at a young age. It was these experiences with other cultures that led her to recognize some ways she could be a little more mindful while traveling. Her blog and podcast are dedicated to exploring topics like these more - she is particularly passionate about discussing sustainability and diversity and how they connect with travel. 

As someone who loves to travel myself (and someone who is bored of being at home), I was stoked to get to learn from Erin and dream of someday hopping on a plane and heading overseas again! In this episode Erin is giving us 10 ways that we can be more responsible tourists and, let me tell you, these will change the way you view travel for good! In Part 1, we’re chatting about ways that we can be mindful of other cultures we encounter and how tourism affects local people groups. In Part 2 that will be available next week, Erin and I are focusing more on the environmental impact of travel. Make sure you’re subscribed to the show so you don’t miss it!

Links from the show:

How to leave a review:

https://theheartfelthippie.wordpress.com/how-to-write-a-podcast-review/

Pina Travels blog post:

https://www.pinatravels.org/discoveries/responsible-tourist

No White Saviors:

https://nowhitesaviors.org/

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/voluntourism-and-no-white-saviors/id1449041086?i=1000464670429

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Erin:

Instagram: @pinatravels

Website: https://www.pinatravels.org/

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/alpaca-my-bags/id1449041086

“The hidden danger is in the combined effect of repeated small exposures and accumulation over time of all the toxic substances we encounter little by little, day by day.” - Pop of Health on Instagram

You might be thinking, how could a few parabens in my shampoo or a little synthetic fragrance in my perfume be so harmful? Well, it’s probably not that bad on it’s own. But, when we consider that we encounter these toxins in small amounts every hour of every day, that adds up to a lot of toxic exposure! There’s no way to know how these toxins are going to affect our health, so why not reduce them where we can?

Removing your shoes before going inside is one small way to keep toxins out of your home! Several studies have proven that our shoes track in loads of bacteria and toxins thanks to all the places we wear them. (Think about that mysterious liquid you stepped on in that public restroom last week…now think about tracking that onto your carpet. Bleh!) These bacteria can live on our shoes for up to weeks at a time, so let’s play it on the safe side and kick off our kicks before we step inside.

Today, I’m sharing my tips for how to start implementing the new habit of removing your shoes before going inside and how you can make your guests more comfortable with this house rule. It might be uncomfortable to implement at first but trust me, once you do it you’ll be glad you did! Not only are you reducing your toxic exposure, but this means less cleaning for you! Yay!

Links from the show:

ABC News article:

https://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Consumer/story?id=5177409&page=1

EPA study:

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es980580o

New York Times article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/science/shoes-in-house-germs.html

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

It’s time to get LUPii! No, I don’t mean crazy or silly. I’m referring to the newest plant-based protein bar on the market! Isabelle Steichen recently launched her business that’s bringing delicious vegan protein without all the added sugar to our shelves. Why the name LUPii? Well, that name is in honor of the main ingredient in these bars - the small but mighty Lupini bean! That, along with a few other things, is what Isabelle is here to share about today. To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Last week Isabelle came on the show to share about her journey of going plant-based and some of the biggest benefits she has seen from this lifestyle change. She shared then that cooking was not one of her fortes in her life as an omnivore, but out of necessity she has gotten pretty creative in the kitchen these days. Now, several years into her journey with veganism, and she can call herself a professional chef! Isabelle noticed there was a need in the market to provide some nutritious, protein-packed snack foods for vegans that didn’t come with all the sugar and other additives. If you’re an ingredient-checker like me, you know this is true! Now, she’s running her business thanks to this one ingredient that so many of us are unfamiliar with.

Before meeting Isabelle, I had never heard of the Lupini bean before. If you’re right there with me, Isabelle is going to share about it’s long history and many health benefits in Part 2 today. We also discuss how growing this specific plant is much more efficient than so many other types of agriculture. This led us into a discussion about the benefits that plant-based eating has not just on our own health, but on the health of our planet. No matter how plant-based you are (or aren’t), this is something that every consumer needs to hear!

Ultimately, Isabelle’s main message stays the same - our food choices matter. Every time we go grocery shopping or head out to dinner and purchase things to eat, we’re voting with our dollar for the kind of world we want. I don’t say that to scare you, but rather to encourage you! You don’t have to go 100% vegan to make a difference in your own life or the lives of animals. Your little steps matter, so keep taking them! And hey, why not start with a delicious LUPii bar? Listen to the show or follow Isabelle and I on Instagram to learn about a chance to win some of these tasty bars for FREE!

Links from the show:

LUPii Website:

https://getlupii.com/

Food Choices documentary:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2rmpFChifc

“How Not to Die” by Michael Greger:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25663961-how-not-to-die

“How Not to Diet” by Michael Greger:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43252570-how-not-to-diet?ac=1&from_search=true&qid=QGgE3SDnik&rank=1

The Biggest Little Farm documentary:

https://www.amazon.com/Biggest-Little-Farm-John-Chester/dp/B07R4CFF3M

Armchair Expert podcast:

https://armchairexpertpod.com/

The Plantiful Podcast:

Growing up in Western Europe traditionally means eating a diet that is heavy with meat and cheese. However, after moving to NYC shortly after college, Isabelle decided it was time to cut those things out of her life for good! Just a few years later and now Isabelle Steichen is inspiring dozens of others to live a plant-based lifestyle through her creative ventures. To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Whether it be through her blog, her podcast, or her co-owned snack food business, Isabelle has dedicated much of her life to helping others on their journey with veganism. But, like I mentioned before, this wasn’t always the way she lived her life. Today on the show, Isabelle is sharing about her journey to going plant-based. And really, not just her journey but her husbands too (who she herself calls a former “dedicated meat-eater!”). Isabelle has learned a lot since then and is now certified in plant-based nutrition! So, we’re also chatting about some of the benefits she has reaped from a plant-based diet as well as a few of the common concerns from non-vegans about how this type of diet can affect their health. (Yep, you guessed it - we’ll answer the infamous question of, “But where do you get your protein?!”). 

I say this every time, but I learned so much from Isabelle! For instance, I need to make sure I’m taking my daily dose of B12 and getting enough fiber in my diet. No matter what kind of diet we eat, we should all be checking ourselves to make sure we’re getting the right amount of nutrients that we need. But friends, be encouraged - you don’t have to completely cut out meat and cheese and all the other animal products like Isabelle did to make a difference. Every purchase we make, every meal we cook, holds power to make an impact on our environment and on our health. So, let’s all incorporate a little more plants in our life!

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Isabelle:

Instagram: @getlupii // @theplantiful

Website: https://getlupii.com/

Email: [email protected]

Podcast: https://theplantiful.com/category/podcast/

Heartfelt conversations, laughter, and a few corny moments. That’s what you can expect to hear on Part 2 of the 2020 Year in Review episode with my husband, Justin. (And really, that’s what you can expect with any conversation with him!) The annual Year in Review episode is something I always look forward to, and because of the way he inspires and the way he makes me laugh, Justin is always the perfect guest to join me for it! In case you missed it, Part 1 of the Year in Review aired last week. Make sure you check that out first to hear all about our 2020 and our hopes and dreams for 2021! To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

In today’s show, we’ll be sharing more about what 2021 is going to look like for us. At least, what we tentatively plan on it looking like. If we learned anything last year, it’s not to get too lofty with our goals because who knows what the Lord has in store! We’re being cautiously optimistic as we look ahead to the new year, but we’re also reviewing a few of our favorites from the past. I always love getting recommendations from guests on things like books to read and brands to try, and so today’s conversation is no different.

You can find links to everything that Justin and I recommend below. Of course, you know that if you follow along with me on social media you’ll be getting my recommendations year ‘round. However, Justin only makes an annual appearance on the show, so pay close attention to his tips. Until next year, listeners!

Links from the show:

Plant Therapy Germ Fighter Essential Oil:

https://www.planttherapy.com/germ-fighter-essential-oil-blend

Zarbee’s Naturals Immune Support:

https://www.zarbees.com/

Everyone Bath Products:

https://www.eoproducts.com/collections/everyone

Hello Toothpaste:

https://www.hello-products.com/shop/toothpaste/

Uncle Harry’s Toothpaste:

https://www.uncleharrys.com/mouth-care/toothpaste

Revisit on Adoption/Foster Care Episode with Lindsay Walder:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/51-enlighten-me-on-parenting-through-foster-care-adoption/id1375899371?i=1000495617570

Racial Reconciliation Episode with Chris Singleton:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/56-enlighten-me-on-racial-reconciliation-part-1/id1375899371?i=1000501170230

EMM Episode about Chewing Gum:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emm-4-chewing-gum/id1375899371

Non-Toxic Living Episode with Sandee and Callie:

Another new year, another new year-in-review episode! For the third consecutive year my husband, Justin, is joining me on the podcast to take a look back at how 2020 went and some of the things we have planned for 2021. We are answering some thoughtful listener’s questions and having a lot of laughs along the way! To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

One thing we always do in preparation of this time is listen back to last years Year in Review episode. Last year was comprised of a lot of parenting talk as we had recently become first-time parents. All that talk was paired with A LOT of baby crying in the background - how fitting! This year, there’s much less parent talk and absolutely no baby cries. We actually got away for the weekend to do some New Years goal-setting and we recorded this episode while in our hotel room. Hopefully our neighbors didn’t mind!

In today’s show, we’re talking a lot about how 2020 went differently than we had planned and some of the good that came out of it. Of course, there are a few silly questions thrown in there, and I’m hoping that you find yourself laughing along with us and simultaneously being inspired as we enter 2021 together. But remember as you listen, this is just Part 1! 

To be honest, I hadn’t originally planned on splitting this episode into two parts when we first recorded. It shouldn’t be surprising to me, though, that we just had so much fun with the listener questions that I didn’t want to cut too much out! So, as always, make sure you’re subscribed to the show so that you’re notified next week when Part 2 of the annual Year in Review is available!

Links from the show:

2019 Year in Review Episode:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/goodbye-2019-hello-2020/id1375899371

Quarantine Olympics:

https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/living/story/family-hosts-virtual-quarantine-olympics-series-tiktok-70183344

EMM 12: Goal Setting:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/emm-12-setting-goals-for-the-new-year/id1375899371?i=1000504249602

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Entering a new year tends to bring up a time of reflection and resolutions for many of us. I love the idea of reflecting on the past year and thinking about what went well and what you’d like to see change. But, how many times have you made a New Year’s resolution only to forget what that resolution was by the time March rolls around? No judgement - I’ve been there too!

That’s why my husband and I started doing some intentional goal-setting a few years back. We actually started the tradition of doing a one or two-night getaway (with just us) to have heart-to-heart conversations and set our priorities for the year ahead. Talking about setting goals is a little off-brand for me, but I decided to make it the focus for this months' mini episode because we get so many questions about it! Oftentimes, other couples want to know what exactly we discuss in this time and what types of questions we ask each other. I love sharing this information because it’s one of my favorite things we do together - it’s great for us individually, and it’s so so good for our marriage and family dynamic.

But hey, single people, don’t get scared off! Goal-setting is obviously not just for couples, so I’ve purposefully included ways to make these conversations and times of reflection work for you, too. Whether you’re married with kids, a young couple, a single person with a roommate, or riding totally solo, this here is for you. In this episode, I’ll primarily discuss:

• Setting SMART goals,
• Using the 5 F’s,
• Making a family mission statement, and
• Asking thought-provoking questions.

To view the complete list of our “thought-provoking questions for couples,” head to this link: https://theheartfelthippie.wordpress.com/2020/12/28/thought-provoking-questions-for-couples/

And don’t forget to use the other links below to connect with me and ask any follow-up questions you may have! Happy New Year everyone, and happy goal-setting!

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

“But…are your kids getting enough socialization??” Questions like these are not uncommon to Iviana, who’s been homeschooling her kiddos since Kindergarten. There are plenty of valid questions and concerns when it comes to educating at home, and that’s why I wanted to have Iviana on the show! In Part 1, she opened up to us about her journey with becoming a homeschooling family. It wasn’t necessarily the path she had picked out for herself, but now she wouldn’t have it any other way! Today on the show, she’s breaking down how homeschooling actually works. To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

How much does homeschooling cost? Where do you find a good homeschooling curriculum? How do you teach kids of multiple ages at once? And of course, how do you ensure that your kids are getting a good education and will be college-ready? These are just a few of the questions I had prepared for Iviana to answer. If you’re like me, homeschooling sounds like a daunting task. I’ve met many a homeschooling mama and said to myself, “I could never do that!” But in this episode Iviana truly helped to demystify the process and make it seem so much more accessible for all kinds of parents. 

One of my favorite takeaways from the show (and something I didn’t previously know about homeschooling) is just how much you can adapt it to the needs of you and your children. Be it the time frame you’re doing school in or the lessons themselves, there are ways to make homeschooling work for nearly any family. Whether you’re a parent, a prospective mommy or daddy, or even just a curious public school worker, Iviana sheds some great insight and leaves us with lots of advice on homeschooling. If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we all can stand to be prepared to educate at home because we never know what’s coming!

Links from the show:

Homeschool Legal Defense Association:

https://hslda.org/

“What Your _____ Grader Needs to Know” by E.D. Hirsch, Jr.

https://www.coreknowledge.org/store/?filter_type-of-product=type-02-what-your-grader-needs-to-know&query_type_type-of-product=or#store-content

“The Wingfeather Saga” by Andrew Peterson:

https://www.wingfeathersaga.com/

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Iviana:

Website: https://ivianabynum.com/

Instagram: @ivianabynum

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

Podcast: Grace for Breakfast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-for-breakfast-with-iviana-bynum/id1475116433

Whether it’s something we’ve been doing for a long time or something that was forced on us thanks to a pandemic, homeschooling has become a reality for many parents and kids around the world! What better time to learn more about it, right? To most of us, homeschooling seems like a daunting task. That’s why I wanted to have Iviana on the show to help break it down for us and show us what really takes place in home education. No matter where you’re at in life, parent or not, I think you will enjoy this conversation. Iviana offers some great insight into making decisions that are best for your family, and even into a lot of common stereotypes held about homeschooled kids (because, let’s be honest, we all have them!). To view the full show notes, continue reading here or visit my website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Iviana Bynum didn’t always see herself as a homeschooling mom. Originally a career-driven woman from New York and raised by a public school teacher, this mama is now living the farm life on her homestead in Puerto Rico with her husband and two kiddos. Talk about a lifestyle change! That’s what Iviana and I focused on most in today’s convo. We chatted about her personal journey to motherhood and staying at home with her kids, and we also talked about what some of her biggest challenges and her biggest rewards have been with educating from home. Ultimately, this conversation broke down a lot of barriers that many of us likely hold against homeschooling.

And in Part 2, there’s even more of that to come! For the second half of our interview Iviana helped to uncover some of the logistical aspects of homeschooling. How much does it cost? How do you make sure your kids are getting a quality education? Where do we go to get started?! If you’ve ever thought about homeschooling, this will be helpful information for you. If you’re anti-homeschooling, be careful - this conversation may just change your mind!

Due to the upcoming holiday, Part 2 will not be available until December 31st. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy Part 1 with Iviiana, and I also hope you get some time to rest and be on pause! Merry Christmas to all those who are celebrating, and we’ll see you on New Years!

Connect with Mackenzie:

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

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

Website: www.heartfelthippie.com

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Iviana:

Website: https://ivianabynum.com/

Instagram: @ivianabynum

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

Podcast: Grace for Breakfast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grace-for-breakfast-with-iviana-bynum/id1475116433