welcome back to the free to be podcast! due to life getting ~busy~ and some technical difficulties, I have been very MIA. tune in to this episode for a catch-up filled with my mantras for this summer. bear with me as I get past my rustiness–this episode is unedited as the wifi situation in my apartment is questionable at best. but, taking my own advice: done is better than perfect. I've missed you, team. Xx, Fi

In this week's episode, Fi discusses her weekly practice of taking inventory. After she realized she had developed a weekly habit of (pardon our French) getting her shit together each Sunday, she wrote a little piece called "Sunday's Are for Taking Inventory." This practice has developed into a weekly period of reflection to ask questions such as:

"What has been working in my life this week?"

"What feels sticky this week?"

"What lessons did I learn this week that I will carry into next week?"

"Did I notice someone being kind to other this week?"

"Was there an opportunity for me to be kind to others this week? Did I do so?"

These journal prompts have shaped Fi's life and how she evaluates her weeks. She also discusses the importance of goal-setting and habit-tracking, which she attributes to the knowledge infused in James Clear's Atomic Habits. Have a fantastic week, team. Xx

In this episode, Fi opens up about her experience with therapy–discussing her decision to start, how she navigated the initially-uncomfortable conversations about getting help, and why she continues to see therapy as a beneficial tool for personal and inter-personal growth. Listen in for a soapbox in honor of Dr. Brené Brown (naturally) and Fi sharing one of the moments when she found herself face down in life's arena (spoiler alert: she's a pre-med dropout.) It has been one week too long–thank you all for tuning in! Xx

The Man in the Arena (it *is* a Teddy Roosevelt quote)

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.

In this episode, Fi welcomes her very first GUEST to the Free to Be podcast! Joining for this episode is her dear friend, Bella Cvengros. This conversation tackles the at times uncomfortable topic of vulnerability, with Bella and Fi diving right in. Listen along for a meaningful conversation about feminine friendships, creating space for vulnerability in college, and how to cultivate the necessary courage to both be ourselves well and meet others as they are. Bella is an absolute ball of sunshine and I am so excited to share her with you! Thank you for being here and have a fabulous week! Xx

In this episode, Fi launches into detail about how right now she feels like she is on an upward spiral, embodying one of her favorite versions of herself to date! She discusses why she prefers to call it her "favorite" self rather than her "best" self, and, naturally, takes you on a tangent or two. This episode starts with a few of Fi's Favs this week, and a little sidebar about how reading fiction can increase a very special kind of empathy. Come along for episode two of the Free to Be Podcast! I am so happy you are here. 

Mentioned: 

Luke's Podcast, Perspective Points

Thrivers book 

Marta Brummell and How to Human

Welcome to the Free to Be podcast! In this ceremonious launch episode, Fi introduces herself and offers insight into what listeners can expect from the Free to Be podcast. She discusses perfectionism and poses the paradigm shift that changed her life: presence > perfection = freedom.