Back-to-school preparation is about more than school supplies, new clothes, and getting back into a routine. It’s also an opportunity to prepare kids with the social skills, manners, and character they need to navigate the school year with confidence.

In this episode, Janel sits down with world-renowned etiquette expert Carla Shellis for a much-needed Back-to-School Manners 101 refresh. Carla shares practical etiquette tips every child should know—from making eye contact, greeting adults, and saying please and thank you to respecting teachers, practicing good hygiene, and noticing the people who are often overlooked. 

They also go beyond traditional manners to discuss emotional etiquette and parenting: why character matters just as much as grades, how to help children handle conflict respectfully, creating a home where kids feel safe telling the truth, and why parents have to model the behavior they expect from their children. 

Plus, Janel and Carla tackle digital etiquette and the lasting impact of what kids post, text, and share online. 

Whether you’re raising an elementary schooler or a teenager, this conversation is a timely reminder that some of the most important lessons children carry into the classroom begin at home.

🤳 Follow Carla: @carlashellis

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Why is it so hard to put your phone down?

In this episode, Janel dives into the science of dopamine and how our constant search for stimulation is affecting our focus, creativity, relationships, and overall well-being. Drawing inspiration from Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke, she shares practical ways to slow down, embrace boredom, reconnect with nature, and restore balance to your brain.

Topics discussed:
• Dopamine and instant gratification
• Social media and device addiction
• Why boredom sparks creativity
• Breaking unhealthy habits
• Nature as a nervous system reset
• Living with more intention
• Consuming less and creating more
• Building healthier daily rhythms

📚 Books Mentioned:Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke
https://a.co/d/07Jn8o19

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Does summer always seem to come with pressure to spend more money?

From expensive vacations and concert tickets to dining out and keeping up with everyone else's plans, summer can quickly become one of the most expensive seasons of the year. But what if you could create a memorable, joyful summer without draining your bank account?

In this episode, Janel shares practical mindset shifts inspired by Morgan Housel's The Art of Spending Money and explores how to overcome summer FOMO, spend with intention, and create meaningful memories—without breaking the bank.

In this episode:
• How to avoid summer spending traps
• The truth about vacation FOMO
• Why comparison leads to overspending
• How to spend money more intentionally
• Creating memorable summers on a budget
• The difference between external validation and internal fulfillment
• Free and low-cost summer activity ideas
• Why your energy is your greatest currency

📋 Grab the free Summer on a Budget guide mentioned in this episode: 
https://canva.link/9cw7u1smmsn950b

📚 Books Mentioned:

• The Art of Spending Money
https://a.co/d/07TOsUyJ

• The Psychology of Money
https://a.co/d/01DTmDQc

• Same As Ever
https://a.co/d/0cV0x2Cm


🤳 Follow Janel:
https://www.instagram.com/the.rising.co

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Why do so many moms feel like they have to do it all?

In this heartfelt conversation, Janel sits down with children's author Emily Busby to discuss modern motherhood, mom guilt, overwhelm, asking for help, postpartum struggles, social media pressure, perfectionism, and the importance of building real support systems.

Emily shares the story behind her new children's book, Mommy Is Not an Octopus, and why mothers need permission to stop trying to juggle everything alone. Together, they explore the realities of parenting, raising children in today's world, and why honesty, grace, and community matter more than perfection.

In this episode:

• The hidden pressures of modern motherhood
• Why moms struggle to ask for help
• Mom guilt and unrealistic expectations
• Social media and parenting comparison
• Postpartum anxiety and overwhelm
• Creating support systems that actually help
• Teaching children empathy and teamwork
• Why perfection isn't the goal
• Finding joy in the motherhood journey

📚 Learn more about Emily's book, Mommy Is Not an Octopus:
https://www.mommysnotanoctopus.com

📸 Follow Emily:
 http://instagram.com/mommysnotanoctopus

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What if the biggest thing holding you back isn’t other people—but the stories you keep telling yourself?

In this powerful conversation, psychotherapist and author Chad Taylor joins Janel to discuss addiction, recovery, ego, self-awareness, personal responsibility, emotional healing, and why lasting transformation begins when we stop blaming others and start looking inward.

Drawing from his own recovery journey, Chad shares the wisdom behind his book It's You, Oh Fck, It's Me* and explains how awareness, community, gratitude, and self-reflection can help us break free from destructive patterns and create meaningful change.

In this episode:

• Why blaming others keeps us stuck
• The role of ego in our suffering
• Addiction, recovery, and personal transformation
• How to become more self-aware
• The power of community and connection
• Why healing requires honesty
• The truth about AA and the 12-step process
• How to stop escaping and start facing yourself
• Gratitude, simplicity, and intentional living

📖 Get Chad's book:
 https://www.itsyouohfuckitsme.com

🌎 Learn more about Chad:
https://chadtaylorpsychotherapy.com.au/

📸 Follow Chad:
https://www.instagram.com/chadtaylor.itsyou

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What are you using to escape your reality?

In this episode, Janel explores the ways we numb, distract, and disconnect from our lives through unhealthy escapism—whether it’s overworking, staying busy, alcohol, devices, fantasy thinking, or avoiding our emotions altogether. This honest conversation is about learning how to stop running from discomfort and start reconnecting with the life that’s actually in front of you.

Through reflection, gratitude, acceptance, and mindset shifts, Janel shares how to stop living in a false reality and begin creating peace within your current one.

In this episode:

• The difference between healthy enjoyment and unhealthy escapism
• Why we avoid discomfort and emotional pain
• How devices, distractions, and fantasy thinking disconnect us
• Learning to accept your current reality without giving up
• Why gratitude changes your perspective
• How to stop comparing your life to others
• Finding joy in the present moment
• Reframing difficult seasons with intention and awareness

✨ Shop The Rising Quote Journal:
 https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF

✨ Explore VIVÉA 44: https://vivea44.com

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Are you steering your own life—or letting everyone else choose the direction for you?

In this episode, Janel explores what it really means to become the captain of your own life. Through the metaphor of navigating a ship at sea, she shares a powerful conversation about personal responsibility, emotional resilience, boundaries, rest, peace, and learning how to reconnect with your own internal compass.

This episode is an invitation to stop drifting through life on autopilot and start intentionally choosing the direction you want your life to take.

In this episode:
• How to stop living on autopilot
• Why personal responsibility changes everything
• Reconnecting with your internal compass
• Learning to navigate difficult seasons
• How to protect your peace and energy
• Choosing relationships that support your growth
• Why rest and reflection are necessary
• Taking ownership of your life direction

✨ Shop The Rising Quote Journal:https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF

✨ Explore VIVÉA 44:https://vivea44.com


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What if this season isn't asking you to do more—but to release what no longer fits?

In this episode, Janel explores the concept of identity evolution and why shedding old versions of yourself isn't a crisis—it's a calling. Through the lens of the RISE principles—reflection, intention, simplicity, and enjoyment—this episode is an open invitation to audit who you are now, reconnect with your authentic self, and step boldly into a new season.

Spring cleaning isn't just for your home. It's for your identity too.

In this episode:
• Why an identity shift is not a crisis
• How to audit who you are right now
• Releasing roles and personas that no longer fit
• How societal conditioning keeps us stuck
• Why midlife can be your most powerful awakening
• Using reflection and free writing to reconnect with yourself
• Making decisions from your future self
• How enjoyment unlocks parts of you that you didn't know existed

✨ Shop The Rising Quote Journal:
https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF

✨ Explore VIVÉA 44:
https://vivea44.com

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Motherhood can be beautiful, overwhelming, joyful, exhausting—and all of those things can exist at the same time.

In this special Mother’s Day episode, Janel opens up about the duality of motherhood, navigating overstimulation, mom guilt, burnout, emotional exhaustion, and learning to find joy in the messy, imperfect seasons of raising children. This honest conversation explores how the RISE principles—reflection, intention, simplicity, and enjoyment—can help mothers reconnect with themselves while still showing up for their families.

From setting boundaries and simplifying your calendar to learning how to truly be present with your children, this episode is a reminder that “perfect motherhood” doesn’t exist—and that good enough is enough.

Janel also shares more about creating intentional routines, protecting your peace, and building a life rooted in calm and simplicity—something that inspired her skincare and wellness brand, VIVÉA 44, designed to elevate your natural beauty through intentional self-care rituals. 

In this episode:
• Why motherhood can feel both joyful and overwhelming
• Learning to release perfection and comparison
• How reflection and quiet mornings help reset your nervous system
• Why saying “no” protects your family’s peace
• The importance of rest, recovery, and slowing down
• How 20 minutes of presence can deeply impact your child
• Finding joy in motherhood—even in difficult seasons

✨ Shop VIVÉA 44: https://vivea44.com/

📖 The Rising Quote Journal: https://www.amazon.com/Rising-Quote-Journal-Quotes-version/dp/B0G8T1BPKF


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In this episode, we explore what it really means to experience joy—even in the middle of anxiety, grief, and life’s most challenging seasons. Joy isn’t about everything being perfect. It’s about finding moments of light, even when life feels heavy.

Janel is joined by Yanina Oyarzo as they talk through navigating stress, anxiety, and emotional overwhelm while still choosing joy in everyday life. From simple practices like spending time in nature to unexpected tools like watching funny videos to reset your mind, this conversation is both honest and practical.

You’ll walk away with a new perspective on joy—not as a cure, but as a gateway to healing and a way to move through life with more balance and intention.

What’s discussed in this episode:

• Why joy and pain can coexist
• How to find joy in small, everyday moments
• Navigating anxiety and overwhelming seasons
• The truth about “feeling better” vs. healing
• Simple ways to reset your mind and nervous system
• Why joy is a daily choice, not a destination

🤳 Follow Yanina: https://www.instagram.com/yanina_oyarzo
🎙️ Similarly Different Podcast: https://www.instagram.com/similarlydifferentpod

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Click here to follow Janel on Instagram.
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