Far from predictions and perspectives on what's going on in retail, we're diving into BOOKS! Specifically, much loved books that have changed lives, perspectives, and make it easier to understand the funny thing between our ears (aka our brains) - which is helpful when trying to bring some balance to big feelings or answer the age old (and not so helpful) question of 'WHY AM I LIKE THIS?'. 

SO! Dive in with me as I share 6 titles, 3 that I'm revisiting and 3 that I can't wait to get into.

All in the name of getting into a stellar relationship with all the different emotions and experiences whipping through our brains and bodies so we can free ourselves up from what's not helpful, and double down on what is.

Emotions - we've all got 'em...this podcast host inclusive. In this reflecting-on-2024 and looking-into-2025 episode (delivered a cool 30+ days after the turn of the Gregorian Calendar), I'm giving a wee peek behind the curtain on a small handful of feelings that have been popping up lately - and what I'm learning about how they're noodling themselves between me and the experiences + life I really want (ahem...the whole point of this pod, yes).

I've also got a small handful of tactics for what I'm trying out to curb their impact and give my brain more opportunities to do the things I really want - not just what it's funny little stressy-response wants me to do.

Maybe these feels-and-actions insights will resonate. Maybe not. Regardless, may this be a reminder that when we take a beat to look at how certain situations make us feel, and how we act in them, we've got a first piece of info we need to take steps in the direction of meaningful change. 

In *another* solo sesh, join Jess in a quick chat about the often-forgotten unlock that makes harnessing the seemingly-mythical soft skills employers really want accessible. The non-twist-twist? It's emotions! Well, emotional awareness and regulation, to be exact. 

AND - how about getting some extra skills to bring one specific soft skill—communication—into a whole new space of confidence, ease, and connection? 

Join Jess on December 19 for a 90-minute LIVE facilitation of Connected Communication; a workshop that breaks down a 5-step approach to setting yourself up to stay connected through any conversation, and surface the skills that can bring ANY other soft skill to life. Worth it for work, for sure, AND for the other spaces, places and seasons (hello, holidays) that matter to you. 

SIGN UP HERE.

Other links:

Welcome to the first in the series of Solo Sessions on Skills - kicking off with the keystone skill—the skill before all the other skills come to *real* life—Emotional Self-Awareness! Building off the chat we had in Episode 011 (all on Self-Awareness in general), this one goes to the heart of emotional intelligence, focusing in on Emotional Self-Awareness; what it is, how to cultivate it, and how building this skill up supports all the other EQ skills in the (EQ-i 2.0) model. Plus, I mean, we could all be a *little* less at the whim of the good 'ole limbic brain, riiiiight? Yes. Enjoy, and feel away, friend!

Some links:

Personal shares! Stories! Internal and external focus! It's a first run at a conversation about SELF-AWARENESS. 

The core of change, and the beginning of where growth can emerge from, self-awareness is a stellar amplifier of life in general (bold statement I know) and with a new lens on where to look for these self-supporting insights, this episode packs some good punches in the reality of cultivating self-awareness, the nuances of helpful and not-so-helpful introspection, and simple ways to start the process of getting to know yourself (#important).

Some links:

• Tasha Eurich's website

We're going in on a real-real conversation about business, and the emotions of swinging big (ALSO: real talk in this episode = expletives + cussing). No, you won't hear either of us say that specific statement in the episode - and fact is, it doesn't matter the size of what you're building or the business you have in your vision; the fact is, entrepreneurship and business ownership is a mental, emotional and physical ride....and it's one of the most challenging AND amazing experiences. 

Tune in to hear how Emma May, founder of SophieGrace, has navigated the biz from idea all the way through to $4 Million(+) in sales - and how she's learned to exist inside what's uncomfortable with more confidence (even though it still sucks) to make the business work, and work well. 

Some links:

• SophieGrace

Wanting more capacity to handle more of what life throws at you, with less downtime OR with less clean up/repair to do aprés a stressful situation or season? Get in tune with the 3 E's, make space for them on the regular, and watch your emotional bandwidth expand, your capacity increase for staying grounded during challenge, and your ability to reset and come back to your steady state happen faster + smoother once challenge blows over. Enjoy!

My feeling friend, this one's a goodie. 

In episode 8, I'm joined by Chelsea Cameron, and she's laying down some direct insights into why and how working with and into our feelings means more for our lives than the practice itself. 

Chelsea co-founded Solla Therapy & Wellness—a clinic on Vancouver's North Shore here on Canada's West Coast—with the intention of creating an accessible therapeutic space with community offerings like somatic yoga therapy, as she firmly believes that healing does not happen in isolation, but relationally.

She is driven to help clients accept the full range of their emotions without defaulting into the common behaviours of emotional avoidance and suppression (yes please, sign me up...more living fully into ourselves, please and thank you!). 

SO! Welcome to a conversation about attachment and how coming to a secure state can amplify our self-trust in all the things we know—from that *gut* deep spot—about ourselves and our wants and our worth...and level up our courage in living into those truths every dang day.

Some links:

• Solla Therapy & Wellness Website

Taking the lead from calls with clients, we're hopping into a conversation about chaos; where it's showing up in the world today, and how folks Jess is working with are learning to steady themselves as the spin cycle's happening around them. 

From looking at the limiting beliefs we attach to moments of chaos/disorder to the emotions that come along with it (got fear?), come on a wee walk into how to take what's feeling out of control and put it into some version of an ordered experience (hint: this is where the donuts come in) - giving you more personal peace, calm, and powerful-feeling choice in the thick of things.

Links + resources:

Feelingswheel.com (always with the feelings wheel, yes)

Demartini Values Determination (get in touch with your values by using your day to day life as the platform for better understanding what you truly want, desire and, yes, value).

Gentle reminder: Jess is not a mental health expert - and should you find yourself stuck or spinning on thoughts or habits that take you further from how you want to feel and how you want to live day to day, please connect with a licensed mental health professional to support you in working through those stickier actions and behaviours. No counsellor? No problem; there are many community programs that can offer complimentary mental health services. 

What does it take to perform at the highest level in sport - and where, or how, do emotions play into—or play against—performance? As coaches to athletes performing at pinnacle events in their sports, Adam Neiffer and Jesse Bifano walk us through what it looks like to activate the best in the folks they work with - and it's got everything to do with the thoughts and emotions taking up real estate between our ears.

Links:

Jesse's Gym: Squamish Barbell

Adam's Gym: Crossfit Fort Vancouver

Jesse's Podcast: Conjugate Nation

And for anyone interested in supporting the Dukic family, you can donate through GoFundMe here.