chronic illness, medical trauma & holistic living... oh my! this episode is NOT just for people who suffer from chronic health issues themselves - this hugely valuable episode is for EVERYONE, so please listen in. we dig into what it means to face chronic symptoms, fatigue, pain, the wildly important mental/emotional underside, and we discuss environmental toxins, western vs. eastern medicine approaches, the list goes on! this episode was so juicy that we had to split into 2 parts (see episode 9, which covers specific health stressors and how health can impact our relationships)!

The pumpkin spice is in the air and the fall candles are flickering... the perfect time to get real on your goals for the rest of 2023! Join me in 'aligned autumn,' a DIY challenge where we pick some new DAILY (yes... every day) habits to carry us into the holidays! In this episode we reflect on some key categories of life (creativity, spirtuality, health/wellness, intellectual, career, social) and evaluate where we want to channel our energy in the coming months. Cuddle up with your journal, a warm beverage, and enjoy!

It's time to ELIMINATE the fallacy that we should always be "realistic" and "prepare for the worst" ... because who wants to think like that?! Lean into your power and learn why actually EXPECTING the best will pay dividends in your life. Choose the brave option of blind trust and watch as situations unfold to your liking with this impactful mental switch. It's time to reclaim your "blind trust," and honor your inner knowing that everything, in fact, works out for you.

Are you ready to build your big, amazing, move-the-needle plans for your dream life? You might be wondering... why the heck is it so hard to get started? Hint: don't feel bad, it's likely your subconscious talking. In this episode Julia examines how your subconscious, and all it's hidden fears/anxieties/worries, often serves as the FIRST hurdle that prevents us from ever truly starting our self-actualization journey. Take this opportunity to expose your subconscious's sneaky sabotage (the unhelpful narratives it tells us on a daily basis) - once you're aware, you can move quickly toward the fullest expression of your soul & your big exciting plans for this lifetime!

Take a shower? I mean a “mental” shower, so to speak! This episode, Julia breaks down the idea of cleaning out our brain space and combating decision paralysis. Our sneaky subconscious sometimes steers us towards mediocrity and old (non-helpful) habits, but we can learn to overcome it. How? Listen to find out. Hint: we must examine moments when we experience resistance to starting new projects or habits – these are signs we are approaching greatness. It’s time to take action instead of waiting for the perfect solution.

Are you ready to pivot? This week Julia discuss three core beliefs worth shifting to help you live your most fulfilled life: working with the law of attraction, saving nothing for later, and trusting in the universe's unfolding process. Julia unpacks 1) how our thoughts become our reality 2) how ideas should be acted upon immediately to avoid gathering stagnant energy & to allow for greater ease and flow and 3) how relinquishing control over the "how" and trusting the universe to handle the details will allow amazing opportunities to surprise us. Take what resonates and let us know what you think!

The Renaissance? Don't get it twisted, we aren't here for a history lesson! In this episode, Julia breaks down how you can infuse an updated, modern Renaissance aesthetic and lifestyle into your surroundings and your general mindset. Renaissance means "rebirth" in French - and the Zest is here to help you redefine your physical and mental space. Think rich textures, jewel tones, antiques, interesting conversations, luxury, enjoyment, and appreciating beauty for the sake of beauty. Julia drops tons of actionable tips you can implement immediately. Just because we're in the 21st century doesn't mean you can't throw it back and start crafting your own modern "Renaissance" life today!

In this inaugural episode of The Zest podcast, I'm your host