What does it mean to “be yourself” when you’re learning a new language and living in a new culture? Some of us find it hard to do even in our own language!

In the latest episode of The Vibrant Introvert, Matthieu Villate shares his story of immigrating to the United States from France and the struggle to be himself as he struggled to communicate, be heard, and connect to others

Listen to how he

-  Learned to connect to the most important values of humor, playfulness, spontaneity

-  Seeing the difference between connecting to values as a process rather than an outcome

-  The paradox of acceptance and the subtle process of letting go without an overattachment to an outcome

In the episode I also talk about my own struggles with being open and curious without an overattachment to a specific expectation or outcome. I give an example of making art with my son. If you want to see a picture of our Christmas wreath, click here to see a picture of it! This is a great example of how letting go of expectations can yield something completely unexpected and beautiful in its own right.

Join in on the conversation!

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Check out my service Coaching for Vibrant Introverts if you are an introvert struggling with self-doubt and social anxiety and who desires to make your own transformations. My clients come to me so they can do the work of showing up, speaking up, being authentically present, and desire to make changes in their lives from a place of vibrancy.

Learn more and schedule a free 30-minute consultation.

Find me on Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

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About our Storyteller:

Matthieu Villate is an Assistant Professor at the University of Bastyr in Seattle. His work is focused on the role of language in different areas of human psychology, such as psychotherapy and spirituality. You can see more of his work at:

https://languageasintervention.com/

https://matthieuvillatte.com/

In the latest episode of The Vibrant Introvert, Debbie Jacob shares a pivotal public speaking experience after many years of avoiding any forms of public speaking. As hard-core introvert, Debbie says she’d spent most of her life very comfortable with quiet and solitude. She rejoiced in activities like writing because she that’s what made HER feel the most in her element.

Over time, as Debbie began to write more, author books, and become an influential advocate for police reform in her Trinidadian community…public speaking opportunities began to flow in despite her best efforts to avoid them at all cost. Though she didn’t ask for those opportunities they came anyway along with her rising passion for working with incarcerated youth in Trinidad’s prison systems.

Listen to how she finally pivoted toward and embraced public speaking opportunities after a pivotal moment giving a commencement speech to a group of Muslim girls. Throughout her story we learn how she utilized some of the processes of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to turn toward these opportunities to speak rather than turn away.

In the episode you can choose to practice your own type of shift by engaging in an exercise with me involving this idea of willingness and connection. In this exercise we practice this idea of “being willingly out of breath” while also connected to a valued speaking opportunity.

Join in on the conversation!

During the episode I talk about my service, Coaching for Vibrant Introverts. Check out my service if you are a professional woman introvert struggling with self-doubt and social anxiety and who desires to make your own transformations. My clients come to me so they can do the work of showing up, speaking up, being authentically present, and desire to make changes in their lives from a place of vibrancy.

Learn more and schedule a free 30-minute consultation.

Find me on Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

***

Debbie Jacob is an author, former teacher and librarian, a columnist, an advocate for prison reform, and a resident of Trinidad. She is the author of books such as Wishing for Wings (stories of incarcerated youth in Trinidad & Tabago) and Making Waves (How the West Indies shaped the United States) as well as other children’s books. She is a self-described introvert and when she’s not writing or helping others, she is enjoying the company of her local Trinidadian police dogs!

If you wish to read Debbie’s article mentioned in the podcast episode, click here to read Finding My Voice in Newsday.

Check out her website www.debbiejacob.online or email her at [email protected]

Think back to a moment when you first made a decision to do something.

Maybe it was to have kids. Maybe it was to go back to school. Maybe it was to start a business.  Whatever that decision was, think about where you are now versus where you were then. And between now and then, there is time, and distance. There is this journey, so to speak.

And on this journey, there have been experiences, memories made, emotions felt, mistakes, successes, surprises…maybe even odd coincidence here and there that kept you on that path. Whatever ended up happening between that decision and where you are now, I bet you could not have predicted the journey…and how it would play out. We never know how any one decision will go…right?

And, yet, you do it anyways. Even with that bit of uncertainty. You do it anyway. Maybe it’s a burning passion, or a clear mission, or maybe just a spark of an idea that you can’t imagine NOT pursuing.

You have a calling. This decision, this goal, it calls to you.

In the latest episode of The Vibrant Introvert Podcast, our storyteller is Marcus Harrison Green, a man from South Seattle. He is also a writer, publisher, and founder of a local new source, The South Seattle Emerald.

Several years ago, after trying out an unfulfilling career in finance, Marcus trekked back to his hometown of Seattle. From there, he pursued his passion for writing. In his story he tells us about how this passion led him on a  journey to start a publication—a publication that would become the South Seattle Emerald. All he had was a decision—the decision to start on his journey…and from there, the adventure began.

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In the latest episode of The Vibrant Introvert Podcast, our storyteller is Marcus Harrison Green, a man from South Seattle. He is also a writer, publisher, and founder of a local new source, The South Seattle Emerald.

Several years ago, after trying out an unfulfilling career in finance, Marcus trekked back to his hometown of Seattle. From there, he pursued his passion for writing. In his story he tells us about how this passion led him on a  journey to start a publication—a publication that would become the South Seattle Emerald. All he had was a decision—the decision to start on his journey…and from there, the adventure began.

Like many moments leading up to this, I want to call out how this is the moment where the skills of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy can be so helpful.

This is the moment where one can pause, recognize current discomforts, choose to be willing to experience them because moving through discomfort is aligned with a set of deeply held values, and make a commitment to act despite the difficulties of changing course. If done with a mix of values and good timing, changing course can be incredibly liberating.

Listen to the episode and find out what is next for Marcus…and how he is choosing to take a path uncertain for a life well-lived

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Marcus Harrison Green, founder and publisher of the South Seattle Emerald, author, publisher, and columnist.

Be sure to go to Marcus’s website marcusharrisongreen.com and follow him on Instagram, Facebook, or twitter.

And please, buy his book Readying to Rise, support important journalism and storytelling from a side of the media that should be empowered and uplifted and celebrated.

What happens when everything that can go wrong, goes wrong?

You do what other people would do. You try harder, you freak out, you grieve the loss of what you expected to have, and you may even get to the point of giving up.

But, what happens in this space of giving up…even for the briefest of moments?

Something magical can happen.

I invite you to join me on this journey, full of lots of twists and turns, of deep emotion, of experiencing cultural bias, of loss, of grief, of determination, of experiencing deep spiritual healing.

Our storyteller, Narissa Harris, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. In her work she runs a small private practice and spends most of her professional career providing trainings, workshops, consultations, and writings to help others increase their cultural awareness particularly when working within the African-American community. Narissa prides herself on using a real, direct, and unapologetic approach, while also creating safety and trust.

So, today I am sharing the epic journey of this amazing woman’s struggle with infertility, with miscarriage, and how losing hope was exactly what she needed in order to be open to a spiritual journey that would lead her right back to what she was looking for in the first place…her Faith.

***

Find me on: 

Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

Website www.actinspiredbehavior.com

Email: [email protected]

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Narissa is an introvert powerhouse and has a monthly newsletter, “Walk A Day In My Culture,” is the co-founder of Culture First Family Therapy and Training Services, Inc. where she provides training, supervision, and consultation on helping others become culturally sound in the work they are doing.

You can connect with Narissa and follow her work through her website (www.bloomintoyourbestself.com). You can also access her e-store through her website where she has cultural products for sale that will help you bloom into your best self. Or, follow her at @bloomintoyourbestself

What if you dreamed so big it scared you? 

I ask this question in this unscripted episode of The Vibrant Introvert. I veer from the typical format to bring you my own story as an introverted entrepreneur. 

This episode describes my roller coaster experience of going from self-doubt to self-trust. 

This episode is different too...there is no editing. It is raw. It's vulnerable. In this way I am practicing the work of showing up unapologetically authentic and leaning into self-trust. In this way, I am also stating my commitment to show up and do this work because it deeply matters to me.

My big message in this episode is that it's ok to doubt yourself. It is part of the process but it is an important experience to have toward your biggest baddest desires. 

As I share my most recent "low" on this roller coaster journey, I learn an important lesson and it's this: I am willing to recognize that I need help and am no longer willing to do this journey alone. I have deep desires and I'm no longer willing to wait for it.

Perhaps you can relate?

If that is the case, reach out. I am a coach that empowers fellow professional introverts who experience self-doubt and social anxiety to show up, be authentically present, and to take vital action in their lives. Why vital action? Because it makes you feel ALIVE. It brings vitality to your life and you want that vitality right NOW. 

Contact me at my website to book a free 30-min discovery call at actinspiredbehavior.com

DM me on Instagram @actinspired behavior

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In this episode I also share some upcoming stories and podcast episodes. I hope you join me as we hear from a variety of Vibrant Introverts: from authors, to social justice advocates, to teachers to mental health therapists...we have stories to share of transformation and change. Stay tuned!

Our storyteller, Diana Hill, dealt with discomfort as a mother…in a few different ways. Diana is an ACT-based psychologist, a mom, a fellow podcaster, and author. Diana shares how she experienced a colicky baby and the many discomforts that it came with…and learned how to form a new relationship with the crying, with the discomfort, with her son, and with her past grief. See how she made space for discomfort and how that little bit of space changed everything.

***

If you are interested in reaching out and telling your story, would like to join our monthly group called ACT Collective, or receive 1:1 individualized support & guidance on your own personal journey check out my service, Coaching for Vibrant Introverts which specializes in serving those with anxiety and social anxiety. You find me on Instagram @actinspiredbehavior.

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to this podcast and stayed tuned for each new episode bright and early, every other Wednesday (ish)!

***

Our guest today, Dr. You just listened to Dianna Hill….a woman, mom of 3, psychologist, podcaster of “Psychologists off the clock” and co-author of ACT Daily Journal. Find her @drdianahill or click on my show notes for ways to connect with Diana.

***

As promised, Diana is giving away one free copy of ACT Daily Journal. To get a chance to get a free copy, write a review of this podcast or share this podcast episode with a friend, and then send me an email at [email protected] or direct message me on Instagram by August 30th, 2021. I will randomly pick a name from those who have participated and send you a message. This is my commitment to spread the word, disseminate the work of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and to connect us all through story.

Our storyteller, Lauryn Elder, shares her experience as a former professional dancer…and a person who basically grew up in a dance studio. At some point she eventually realized the tremendously positive and impactful ways in which the dancing world shaped her behaviors from the inside out…including her experience with orthorexia.

As you listen, I invite you to consider how the environment sets the stage for behavior change, how behavior operates in context, and how it is shaped over time. A little later on, we will dig a little deeper into behavior function—or in other words, how our behavior patterns serve a purpose but may not necessarily always serve us or our values.

***

If you are interested in reaching out and telling your story, would like to join our monthly group called ACT Collective, or receive 1:1 individualized support & guidance on your own personal journey check out my service, Coaching for Vibrant Introverts which specializes in serving those with anxiety and social anxiety. You find me on

Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to this podcast and stayed tuned for each new episode bright and early, every other Wednesday (ish)!

***

Our guest today was a trauma-informed behavior analyst living in Delaware and now, an entrepreneur as of recently. She is the founder of Holistic Behaviorist where she provides 1:1 coaching utilizing a trauma informed ABA, and ACT approach to increa sing self-care behavior to reach personal mental and physical health goals. She also provides services in clinic, at home, school consultation, and family training. She also teaches competitive dancers, where she intentionally works to train dancers to have a strong and healthy mind and body relationship. She now has many outlets for movement and joy beyond her work as a behavior analyst and dance trainer; you can find her creating, being outdoors, thrifting, painting, watching the sunset, dancing, or jamming out to music with her community at crossfit. You can find her on Instagram @theholisticbehaviorist

Here’s my big question for you: why is it so much easier to show compassion for someone else than it is to show it to yourself?

Today our storyteller, Katelyn Kendrick, who I talked to way back in February when I was still pregnant…is going to share their very personal journey, one that involves her growing up as a super feeler in an addicted home, how they experienced trauma both in the home and outside of it, and how that impacted their ability to see herself and treat herself with compassion. In their story they will talk about how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy taught her how to take perspective on her story and how that has slowly shaped not only an understanding of their life and trauma, but an even stronger sense of who she is and what she wants to be about.

***

If you are interested in reaching out and telling your story, would like to join our monthly group called ACT Collective, or receive 1:1 individualized support & guidance on your own personal journey check out my service, Coaching for Vibrant Introverts which specializes in serving those with anxiety and social anxiety. You find me on

Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to this podcast and stayed tuned for each new episode bright and early, starting this Wednesday and then every other Wednesday!

***

Our guest today was Katelyn Kendrick, a mother, neurodiversity-affirming behavior analyst, a fierce advocate for children, and a lover of animals, cooking, musical theater…Katelyn lives their life at the intersection of multiple identities including being neurodivergent, disabled, bisexual, and a non-binary femme. You can find her on Instagram @antiracistbehavioranalyst. Read her blog post titled, “My story is mine, but I know it is not unique.”

TRIGGER WARNING: In this story, I want to mention that Brian will talk about suicide…I want to recognize that this is a sensitive topic. If you experience any thoughts of harming yourself, or know someone who does, please seek help.

***

Today, you will hear the story of Brian Middleton, a behavior analyst and fellow podcaster. He describes himself as autistic and someone who has a very tender heart. He shares how his experience of being autistic has shaped his early memories and ability to process the world around him…later on, his increased ability to communicate started him on the path of relating to himself and others in more complex ways, and how this new ability to relate also open the door toward that universal experience of suffering.

***

If you are interested in reaching out and telling your story, would like to join our monthly group called ACT Collective, or receive 1:1 individualized support & guidance on your own personal journey check out my service, Coaching for Vibrant Introverts which specializes in serving those with anxiety and social anxiety. You find me on

Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to this podcast and stayed tuned for each new episode bright and early, starting this Wednesday and then every other Wednesday!

***

Our guest today was Brian Middleton. Find him at

@beardedbehaviorist

What could it look like if you were sleeping better?

A lot of us out there, will sacrifice sleep in order to get something done. In order to have some alone time, down time, Netflix time, or maybe we’re taking care of a hungry, crying baby.

Whatever your barrier for achieving a good nights’ sleep, you’re not wrong. You’re just responding to a need you might have in your life, and your behavior around sleep is therefore rationale and logical because you’re simply responding to your surroundings. And in the short-term, this might work for you…but what about the long term? Does sacrificing sleep work for you in the long term? And, what impacts does that lack of sleep have on your mental health? 

***

In this episode I talk about a free mini course and it’s called “An Introvert’s Guide to Getting Unstuck.” It is a  free 45-minute mini course.

In the workshop I guide you through a series of journaling prompts, ACT-based exercises, and ways to navigate through your individual stuck points as an introvert. Go to my website to get access to it and check it out!

***

If you are interested in reaching out and telling your story, would like to join our monthly group called ACT Collective, or receive 1:1 individualized support & guidance on your own personal journey check out my service, Coaching for Vibrant Introverts which specializes in serving those with anxiety and social anxiety. You find me on

Instagram @actinspiredbehavior

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe to this podcast and stayed tuned for each new episode bright and early, starting this Wednesday and then every other Wednesday!

***

Our guest today was Hilary McClinton. Find her at: 

@coastalridge_aba or @healthysleep.solutions

Or find her work here at her website at Sound Sleep Solutions.