The Simplifiers Podcast

Today, we are talking all about how to finish that next big project… no, really. Done, finished, tick it off the list and stick a fork in it, DONE. But the problem is… most projects we start, we never finish them! Why is that??!

My special guest today is author Bridgit Dengel Gaspard, LCSW and she's simplifying how to finish that next big project. You see, she's got a theory that the reason we mysteriously stop within sight of the finish line is actually because not all of you wants what you think you want. In fact, these sub-personalities inside you have a distorted loyalty to your core negative beliefs and that's what is keeping you stuck.

Here's how to squash all of that.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why driven, go-getter, type-A kind of people tend to lose steam just before completing a big goal in their life
• What the "Final 8th" is and how to overcome any self-sabotage when you're working towards your goals personally or professionally
• How to speak to your inner selves for clarity and insight through a technique called voice dialogue
• Why it's just as important to uncover our "core negative beliefs" as well as your core values to get at the root of things
• … and ultimately, what the key difference is between a person who achieves their goals easily vs. those who don't.

If you've ever bought a book or an online course you haven't finished… invested in a mastermind and then fizzled out halfway through… or started a DIY project and left it to collect dust, my friend, this episode is especially for you.

Like you, I was desperate for the answers as to WHY this seems to happen, over and over again. And instead of beating yourself up over it, learn what's going on under the surface so you can get back to thriving.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bridgit-dengel-gaspard-finish-big-project

Do you know how to build an email list for your small business? If this has been on "one-day-I'll-do-that-list," well, today is that day!

My special guest today is email marketing expert Jenny Shih and she's simplifying how to build an email list. With so much change afoot (the kids are back in school, routines are once again getting cemented in, and life is barreling on), there seems to be one thing that still rings true, now more than ever: email marketing.

Yeah, building an email list. In last week's replay episode with Leonie Dawson, she talked about the fact that she's created a massively successful business in 10 hours a week and a large part of her secret is building and nurturing her email list.

And that reminded me of this conversation I had back in season one with Jenny Shih where she simplified how to build an email list.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• How to get your first 1000 subscribers
• Why creating an irresistible freebie for your target audience is easier than you think
• How to overcome the tech overwhelm that stops many of us (dead in our tracks) from even starting
• …and ultimately, what common mistakes people make in email marketing and list-building, so you don't have to make them yourself.

As we all get back to the swing of things, maybe now is the time to allocate a little time towards email marketing as well? While in-person networking is on hold due to the pandemic, maybe this is an alternative way to connect with people who love your brand? Jenny simplifies it all for us, step by step.

And don't forget… next week, we are coming back with all brand-new content on The Simplifiers Podcast and I can't wait for you to hear it!

You've reached out and told us what you wanted us to simplify next on the podcast… and we've delivered! Everything from 'how to go vegan' to 'mastering your finances' to 'learning how to finally finish that next big project'… it's all starting back up next week. You'll definitely want to hit that subscribe button now, so you don't miss anything.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

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Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/jenny-shih-build-an-email-list-replay

Do you think (in this day and age) it's possible to market your business without social media? If you had asked me three years ago, I would have vehemently said, "Heck NO! Social media is the lifeblood to stay connected, and your business would DIE without it!"

But nowadays, I'm starting to question if that fundamental belief is actually true… or not.

My special guest today is Leonie Dawson, an international best-selling author who's defying it all and she's simplifying how to market your business without social media. She's running a multi-million dollar business and only working 10 hours a week. During these 10 hours, Leonie is not wasting a ton of time on social media.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why more and more businesses are saying NO to social media these days
• How focusing on growing your email list might be the best move you make this month
• What is working for Leonie right now, as she continues to sell her workbooks, online courses and services across the world
• Leonie's thoughts on deactivating social media accounts or taking periodic social media sabbaticals (what I like to call a "digital detox")
• ...and ultimately, her other favorite ways to market your business that don't require the mindless death scroll of social media.

If you're feeling burnt out and exhausted from posting on social media all-the-FREAKIN-time, girl I feel ya.

In this popular replay episode, we pull back the magic curtain and get to the bottom of HOW Leonie avoids the social media trap. We also learn WHY she made a big shift in how she approaches social media marketing.

So grab your journal, take notes, as this one is guaranteed to spark a new idea for you!

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/leonie-dawson-market-without-social-media-replay

We are talking all about how to create your life with intention. I know you'll love this replay conversation I had with Danielle LaPorte last September. Bottomline, there's one key question that you need to ask yourself FIRST when deciding what goals you want to go after next…

"How do you want to feel?"

That's it.

Deceptively simple… but profoundly moving.

When you know (truly) how you want to feel in your work and in your life, you'll know clearly what you need to do next in order to feel the way you want to feel. And more importantly, stop chasing the things in life that just aren't aligned.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• What The Desire Map is and how to determine your Core Desired Feelings
• • how you can use these ideas to create your life with intention
• Where goal setting goes wrong
• • why it's common not to feel satisfied when you reach a goal
• How to center yourself when you're going through heart-breaking change or suffering
• What has surprised Danielle the most in doing The Desire Map work in her own life
• ...and ultimately, how to use the wisdom of The Desire Map to truly make a positive impact in the world through your work and what that requires from us

If this pandemic has forced you to pivot your business or worse, shut the doors on it completely, I want you to know… all is not lost. It's just that chapter is done and over with… and it's time to turn the page. Move on to the next section of the book. Take a breath and start again. And as scary as that sounds, trust me, it can be liberating, too. A blank slate, a new horizon… whatever you desire is possible, but it requires a bit of self-exploration.

You see, all the answers you seek already sit deep inside you. And so, I hope my conversation with Danielle unlocks some new, sparkly whisper of an idea in you. Promise me you'll listen to your heart today and hear what she is trying to tell you. You won't regret giving yourself this gift.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/danielle-laporte-create-your-life-replay

Are you ready to reclaim your time and energy back? If there's one thing I've learned so far during this pandemic, it's this… now, more than ever before, I'm finding it's time to give myself permission to do less. Slow down my pace. Create more breathing room and reclaim some much needed space in my daily schedule.

Which reminded me of this incredibly poignant conversation I had with Kate Northrup awhile back. We spoke back in April 2019 but really, I think it's worth listening to once again now, applying a new frame of mind to it all, as we grapple with life and running a business through a pandemic.

Kate is the author of Do Less: A Revolutionary Approach to Time and Energy Management for Ambitious Women, which simplifies how you can begin to reclaim your time and energy in a brand new way.

It's all about tapping into our inner feminine wisdom that runs on a 28-day cycle, instead of pushing, hustling, and grinding it out like men do… who's bodies and minds (instead) work on a 24-hour cycle. She believes we are fundamentally different and that's actually a good thing, helping you work towards doing less and having more.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why we as women (who own their own companies) tend to be addicted to busyness
• How to reclaim your time + energy by taking back control of your schedule and start to set effective boundaries in your work and home life
• What the four parts to a woman's menstrual cycle are and what type of work you should actually do each week in your cycle to be most effective
• …and ultimately, what the "Upward Cycle of Success" is and how it all comes down to four phases:
• • emergence,
  • visibility,
  • culmination, and
  • the fertile void… apply this framework when you're launching a new project out into the world, whether that's a new book, a new product/service, a pivot, or doing a big sales push.

I'm finding that I'm currently in a season of 'the fertile void' right now and gave myself a little bit of grace and permission to take the foot off the gas this month, so I could rest, reflect and recover. And so far, this gift has been an absolute blessing and much needed.

Enjoy this past conversation I had with Kate and I hope it brings you new insight as you tackle your week ahead.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/kate-northrup-reclaim-your-time-replay

Today, we are talking all about how to stock a plant-based 'pandemic pantry!' If the last few months have taught us anything, it's that we (might) need to be more prepared. Who knows if or when we will go into a second lockdown and access to grocery stores and healthy foods become difficult to find once again?

My special guest today is the founder of World of Vegan, Michelle Cehn and she's simplifying how to stock a plant-based 'pandemic pantry.' So, if you've been contemplating eating healthier or moving towards a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, this is the first step to make sure your pantry is in tip-top shape.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why it's so important to eat plant-based, especially now as we're living in a pandemic and how it'll make you feel stronger, more energized and will boost your immune system
• What key things you should stock in your pantry, fridge and freezer right now
• • Pantry = pasta, tomato sauce, oats, rice, beans, legumes, quinoa, millet, barley, farrow, Better Than Bouillon, nuts, seeds, chickpeas
  • Fridge = "shelf-stable milk", guacamole, tofu, cheese, seitan
  • Freezer = frozen banana, frozen mango, frozen berries, veggie burgers
• How to shop, so you can minimize the processed foods and start to choose better options that are just as easy and cost effective
• What stops people from going vegan and her advice for those who want to dip their toes in and try it out this week
• Her favorite 3-ingredient vegan snack that is super simple make, tasty and affordable! (spoiler alert, it involves chocolate!)
• …and ultimately, how to respond to the nay-sayers in your family or inner circle who might poo-poo your idea of eating more plant-based foods.

Grab your pen and paper, this episode is chock full of ideas! We talk about the very best plant-based brands to look for at your local grocery store and loads of resources that'll help you simplify your shopping experience and build up that plant-based 'pandemic pantry' in no time at all!

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here:https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/michelle-cehn-plant-based-pantry

Q: how do we create work-life balance during a pandemic? For most of us, our regular routines have been thrown out the window. So, how do we pick up the pieces before the next wave happens?

My special guest today is business coach & psychotherapist Nancy Florence and she's simplifying how to (once again) create a sense of work-life balance in a pandemic. She pulls back the curtain and reveals what's been working for her and her clients these past few months.

And more importantly, how to find calm in a very wacky year.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• How her definition of "work-life balance" has changed for her or her clients, now that we're all grappling with a pandemic
• Her reaction to the productivity shame that seems to be swirling around these days… "if you haven't learned Japanese yet, you're behind." (UGH.) Here's how she responds to this as an entrepreneur
• Many people have lost clients this year, due to the pandemic… not Nancy. She shares her secrets to retaining every single client on her roster that you can replicate in your own business this week
• She reveals a few tips on what's working for her as a parent juggling homeschooling and running a business, simultaneously
• …and ultimately, we had an intriguing conversation sharing our hopes and visions for the future of work. I've got some ideas of what may emerge next… if we build it.

I'm willing to bet you'll learn at least a couple of new, simple things to try out after listening to this one. It's just simple, small shifts that'll stack up and help you get back to thriving over time. Enjoy!

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/nancy-florence-work-life-balance

Q: are you feeling run-down, exhausted, stressed, and wish you could boost your immune system? I don't blame ya! Life is wacky right now and you might be feeling the effects of it all, physically and mentally.

My special guest today is Dr. Uma Naidoo and she's simplifying how to boost your immune system. And surprisingly enough, it's simpler than you think… Bottomline, when you understand how the foods you eat directly affects your brain, (which then affects every other aspect of your body), it's a total game changer.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why it's so important to focus on boosting your immune system, especially now through a pandemic and through big, big change
• What she believes are the 5 key areas to better brain health, broken down in simple, easy-to-understand terms:
• • neuro-oxidative stress
  • neuro-inflammation
  • neuro-plasticity
  • emotional immunity
  • the gut-brain connection
• The very best foods to embrace and which ones to avoid to build a stronger immune system

• How to adopt ACTUAL habit change - what does it take to make healthy changes stick?
• …and ultimately, what foods you should stock in your pantry to help cut brain fog, fatigue and stress.

I'm willing to bet you'll learn at least a couple of new, simple things to try out after listening to this one. It's just simple, small shifts that'll stack up and help you get back to thriving over time. Enjoy!

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/uma-naidoo-boost-your-immune-system

For many of us, 2020 has turned into a crisis situation and people are finding it hard to thrive. What can we learn from the Titanic survivors? Almost every aspect of life has certainly changed or shifted this year due to COVID-19. And while everyone's experience is different, not everyone feels like they are bouncing back quite yet.

My special guest today is author Maggie Craddock and she's simplifying how to thrive in a crisis situation. She's taken a deep dive into studying the Titanic to learn what happened and how survivors made difficult decisions (both good and bad) in that crisis situation. History repeats itself and many lessons apply to the here and now.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• The striking similarities to what life looks like now (for many of us) to what happened to the Titanic survivors
• What "emotional agility" is and how to cultivate more for yourself, professionally
• How to discover your "inner iceberg" and how to shift it by moving from "Big Ship Mindset" to "Lifeboat Mindset" to thrive once again
• What to do when you get hit with change in a multitude of ways, simultaneously. How to steady the ship when you're getting hit from all sides in life
• Why "strategic pausing" is critically important as part of the survival process and how to do it right
• …and ultimately, what women can do if you are grappling with guilt on top of it all. Why this happens and how to squash it

I loved this conversation with Maggie - she's one smart cookie! And I felt like I learned quite a few things along the way that I had no clue about when it comes to the Titanic. Because let's face it… my limited historical knowledge was largely based on Leonardo's captivating jawline and charmingly good looks. I walked away from this interview with new food for thought and I hope you do too!

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/maggie-craddock-thrive-in-a-crisis

Q: do you wish you were a bit more courageous? Do you find that you step back when you wish you could step forward? Or that you (always) get passed up for an opportunity that you know was perfect for you?

My special guest today is author Dr. Deb Gorton and she's simplifying how to be more courageous in life, both personally and professionally. This applies to how you show up in the world, in your relationships, with your clients, your friends, and in your everyday routine. With a bit of lion heart spirit and one very simple shift in your mindset, courage can be yours too.

Here's how.

We tackle all aspects of it, including:

• Why we need to discuss the myth around comfort first
• What role your core values play when navigating the big and small decisions we all need to make in life
• The difference between short-term uncomfortable vs long-term and why creating healthy boundaries will help in the long run
• Plus, the three things that keep us from living a more courageous life and how to squash them when they pop up
• …and ultimately, what the difference is between "radical acceptance" and "validation?" How do they work together and what can be learned here?

Dr. Deb is all about "teaching others to embrace the uncomfortable in order to fulfill their purpose." She does this through her work, helping people build bridges between the head and the heart. She believes when we do this, we ignite the courage necessary to make the journey across.

It's time to #DoTheThing!

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/deb-gorton-be-more-courageous