The Expression Sessions Podcast

Have you ever dreamed of being a movie star?!?!? We sure did...A LOT!  Incidentally, our uber talented Emma Grimstead has been busy on set this week!  WOOT WOOT! You go girl!  As actors this is super exciting but it has also brought up a lot of thoughts and feels for us both.  Sit back and listen in as Amy and Emma dish about all things  "Industry".  It is an informative, vulnerable, and personal peek into our experiences in the world of film and television.  Plus, drumroll please...we have a very special announcement for you all and are sharing the rest of our Expression Sessions  guests' answers from our popular last episode.

This week we are looking forward.  We are hanging onto that light at the end of the tunnel and letting hope and the possibilities of tomorrow bring us the joy to get us through today.  

Over the past year and a half we have spoke to so many women who have uplifted us with their dreams, ideas and aspirations and we think its only fitting  to have them back on the podcast to share what THEY are most looking forward to. 

We share our thoughts on what it means to look forward to something, and how that something has changed over the course of this pandemic.  Our hopes and dreams have changed too... and we think for the better. 

Here's to the future... we can't wait! 

Welcome to "THE MANIFESTATION SESSION" with Special Guest Kyra Evans!

Today we get down to talking about manifestation, and how beneficial it can be in creating an authentic, positive presence in your own life and destiny!  Our guest, Kyra Evans, has written for some of Canada’s biggest brands, including RBC, Telus, and Cineplex. She is an accomplished Copywriter, Blogger,  Speaker, Workshop facilitator, an Uncertainty Coach, a Certified Mindfulness Instructor and a Reiki Healer. Her first book was a memoir called “Where the Map Ends” and her downloadable e-book, ‘The Dictionary of Limiting Beliefs: Transforming Your Inner Narrative to Manifest a Wholehearted Life’ will be available in June 2021. She lives in Muskoka with her daughter, her husband, and their German Shepherd and we are SOOOO excited to have her as todays Expression Session Guest.

@kyra_evans_writer

It's our anniversary!! One full year of expression, guests, hard and inspiring conversations. 

We are so grateful for the journey we've been on this past year and for all of you have listened, connected with us and cheered us on. 

Needless to say we are not the same people we were a year ago and yet, who we are at the core lives on. 

This week we are chatting about where we were when we recorded that first episode and where we are today. We also got back to basics and talked about what expression means and why it is so important to express ourselves authentically and honestly to be the best version of ourselves we can be! 

This week we are opening up about the struggle real life struggle the last few weeks have been. 

This pandemic has taken so much from us and we are having a harder time than ever finding the motivation and joy in our everyday. Yet, we still feel the need to put on a happy face and find positivity, be grateful, and "keep pivoting". The truth is we are exhausted and simply cannot this week. 

So instead, we are breaking down how we are letting go of the need to find the silver lining and instead sitting in the shit. The struggle and realizing that we can be both. Both exhausted and hopeful. Both Grateful and pissed off. Both devastated and excited for what's next. 

Let's get real. Expression is about honesty, and honestly ...we are struggling. 

Happy Easter Everyone!

When we get to this time of year the theme of ‘rebirth’ unfolds all around us.  The snow melts, green things begin to grow, birds and baby animals abound, and we are once more reminded that the cycles of nature allow us to rethink how we approach our expression.  Life is not some linear slog from point A to point B, it is a series of cycles that allow us the grace and permission to “try, try agin”.  This time of year, and holiday, is about renewed life, resurrection, and the changes that come with spring.  So how do we renew and/or revisit our expression this time of year?

This episode we talk about, and are inspired by, all “RE” words! The prefix re-, which means “back” or “again,” appears in hundreds of English vocabulary words, for example: reject, regenerate, resilience, and revert. This language reminds us to have a beginners mind, to see each day as a new opportunity to reinvent ourselves.   

Welcome Spring! Be gentle, be curious, be kind!

XO
Amy & Emma

This week we are chatting in detail about the emotional journey one may go through when going through a home renovation. Emma has always had "home decor" as a major form of her self expression. From watching her grandmother and then her mother own a small home decor shop in our community, to now owning her own online home decor shop. 

Currently she is renovating her 1973 bungalow into the home of her dreams with her husband but the lessons and journey has been so much greater than what is going on between the walls.

When embarking on a renovation be prepared for the WHOLE journey. The incredible obstacles, the ups and downs ... (as well as the financial and marital stress).

But also be prepared for opportunities that allow you to express yourself through your physical space. Be prepared to make 100 decisions a day that feel small but all add up to the vision you have for your home, or for yourself.

*hint* the renovation has more to do with renovating ourselves than renovating our space. 

This week we are releasing our first ever Expression Session DUO  - Yes! That means we have two new products for you to purchase to help you express yourself through your home!

We have opened up our "Session Shop" and our home expression duo is the first up for grabs!

Want to purchase these gorgeous items before they're gone? Head on over to our brand new theexpressionsessions.com website and grab them before they are gone! 

ALL her life, Amy (co-host of The Expression Sessions) has been "writing" books.  Ghost books that no one would ever see.  She wrote her life, her pain, her joy, her transformations...but never shared any of it.  Secretly, she always wanted to be an "Author" but didn't know where to begin.  To compound that, she subconsciously felt and assumed that her words, her stories, weren't "worthy".  This is the trap, and the plight, of all of us who hide our light, passion, talent, and expression from the rest of the world.  Afraid of being too much, misunderstood, or worse yet...actually SEEN.  Our 'self-expression' sits in dusty bins in the corners of our basements.  It's time to burn that dust!

In this podcast we talk about 'Written Expression' and a co-authorship opportunity that not allowed Amy the opportunity of a lifetime, but deepened her commitment to this form of self-expression.  It is only the beginning.

The book, titled "5 Lessons Learned Through Motherhood",  is a collaborative book project authored by 33 individual writers and produced by LeadHer Publishing. This means, there are perspectives from unique and varied women, sharing their personal experiences and stories with raw vulnerability. These are real people, sharing their real experiences, and it has the ability to connect with you on such a deep level because you will see yourself in their voices.
There is something magical about women linking arms and tackling big goals. 5 Lessons is a beautiful compilation and one that includes something for everyone.

If you are interested in pre-ordering a copy here is the link or just DM us: 

https://www.hubproductionsmuskoka.com/store/p195/PRE-ORDERS_NOW_OPEN_-_%225_Lessons_Learned_Through_Motherhood%22_%28Co-Authored_by_Amy_Bridle%29.html?fbclid=IwAR16xBgEmiSGGGnzYJF8aNA0pVgBuqb9-iSgJoCEYuhikRDWJsBnPAcgQXw

Sample of a Five-Year Journal called "One Line a Day" - but there are LOTS of other options and price points!

 https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/1452164622/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o05_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

This week we are talking all things style and life with the INCREDIBLE Krystal Darling of Belles Boutique. 

Not only is Krystal a natural style guru, but she is also  humbly showing our small community how being your authentic, expressive yourself can draw in a community of women who feel seen, connected and inspired. 

Her business is a household name in Muskoka and her success doesn't stop with her Women's Boutique. She also owner of Darling Bridal,  the bridal boutique go-to for any Muskoka bride. 
Most recently Krystal has begun her own "Darling Lifestyle" Blog where she shares her authentic mama life, style, her struggles ,her successes and of course a cereal review or two! Haha

We loved chatting about her approach to all things social, but especially loved her take on the Style industry and why showing up as herself has not only been a freedom and expression of self love but also has drawn in the community around her. 

" Style is something each of us already has, all we need to do is find it." —Diane von Furstenberg

Check out all of Kyrstal's pages below 

@krystal.darlinglifestyle
@bellesboutiquemuskoka
@darlingbridal

Happy February! 

In honour of Valentine's month, today's episode examines the expression of LOVE and how it has shown up for us in our lives and marriages.  We are examining the concept of 'Conscious Coupling'! Meaning, that we are striving to expression our love in the world as follows:

• Focusing on relationships that are characterized by responsibility,  generosity and respect
• Ensuring that parties feeling valued and appreciated for all that is shared
• Striving to reduce the damage (and increase the satisfaction) to ourselves and our children, if there are children involved

We are NOT marriage counsellors but we acknowledge the LOVE is universal and that the relationships we engage and participate in influence and inspire A LOT of our ability to express ourselves authentically.  The following a small step we can take to help guide your relationship towards consciousness:

1. Admitted what is wrong and give each other the safe space to say what is necessary without judgement.  Understand how your default attitudes are working together to damage your relationship.
2. Apologize to each other for all the jerky ways you each negatively impact your relationship. 
3. Reiterate your love for each other and your commitment for making it work. Thinking about why you fell in love in the first place is a good starting point for the next step.
4. Make an actual paper list of all the things you didn’t like about your relationship and lifestyle and work out a plan to reduce the negatives and add in the positives. Maybe you want less work and more play. More sex and less fighting. More quality time and less absence.  Then list out all the ways you could make that happen in real, everyday situations. It becomes a blueprint to regaining the satisfaction you are missing.
5. Finally,  commit to doing the actions on that list and recreate your life and relationship to be something you both value and protect.

The following quote resonated with us, and expresses the concept of conscious coupling eloquently: "In effect, we say to each other: Whatever problems our personalities have together, we will not let that ruin our deeper connection – we will always come back and meet on this deeper level.  We will help each other wake up and become all that we can be. We will keep opening to each other and life itself in and through this relationship.”

If you are struggling in your expression of love and in your relationships, here are 3 resources we LOVE if you feel like you could use support and skills.  These books are a great starting place and can be found on Amazon.  The titles below are also linked to the author/therapist's website for further inquiry:

Wired for Love: How Understanding Your Partner’s Brain and Attachment Style Can Help You Defuse Conflict and Build a Secure Relationship by Stan Tatkin PsyD MFT

Hold Me Tight: Seven Conversations for a Lifetime of Love by Dr. Sue Johnson

The Seven Principles For Making Marriage Work by Dr. John Gottman, and Nan Silver.