Totes Pod

My symbols of luxury may be different from yours, but what do they mean? Is it ok for me to want luxury, or even a life that is debt-free? I wonder how you feel about your desires for a better or different life when you examine them. I'm sharing the story of one of my favorite symbols of luxury and what came up for me while writing this episode for you.

Permission has been on my mind a lot lately. In fact, I even asked permission of a couple of close friends and my boyfriend before I even began to write this episode on Permission. In this episode, I mention a podcast I really love. It's called Beyond Bitchy: Mastering the Art of Boundaries with Vicki Tidwell Palmer. I highly recommend it, especially if you are ever struggling with boundaries -- I almost always am! I love the podcast, as it has granted me permission to do some things I really have needed to do for myself, even if I thought they were totally unacceptable before I had listened in. 

If you enjoy getting affirmation from those you trust and love, you may enjoy my exploration into this exercise, into where it comes from and some of the insecurities I've observed that are associated with permission for me. 

Thank you, as always, for listening and for being a member of the Totes Pod fam!

In this episode of Totes Pod, I share my story of venturing into the sunlight, going on walks in Brooklyn shortly after sunrise, and some things I’ve learned about the effects of sunlight on sleep, gut health, and mental health. If you’d like to hear the podcast episodes that inspired these life changes, please refer to the “Holiday Spectacular 2021” episode of Armchair Expert, and the wondrously informative episode of Dr. Huberman’s Lab podcast called “Dr. Samer Hattar: Timing Your Light, Food, & Exercise for Optimal Sleep, Energy, & Mood” (episode 43). Thank you for joining me. Happy Holidays and Happy New Year from Totes Pod!

On this episode of Totes Pod, I reiterate for you two loves of my life. These are not humans (though I do have one human who is the love of my life)... These are two things that are loves of my life. I also dive a bit into the description of my current day-to-day life, which is reasonably depressing, but perhaps a bit entertaining, and may also bring you a bit of joy and laughter as you hear my telling of it. Thank you for joining me, and for being a beloved member of the Totes Pod fam.

On this episode of Totes Pod, I share the absolute joy and exquisite experience of becoming someone else. As I recall these feelings, I am beginning to see that there is also a someone within me that has not had much of a chance to live. I'm beginning to give that person attention, though it's quite a challenge. I'm excited to see what I find out next, as I actually allow this person space to exist in this world. If you've lost parts of yourself, or the true you has been hidden or suppressed....this might help give your true self permission to begin to emerge as well.

In this episode of Totes Pod, we spend time together pondering, wondering, and exploring. How does a person determine what they really want? Some people seem to just know, and I think a lot of people pretend and act like they know. If you've been thinking a lot about who you are and who you want to be, this episode might help you feel less alone. Thank you for helping me feel less alone, by listening in and joining me as I try to figure things out. 

Late at night, as I was listening to one of my fave sleep podcasts, "Nothing Much Happens", spoken and written by the wonderfully enchanting Kathryn Nicolai, she said these two words: "Ordinary miracles" and I knew what I had to share with you. In this episode, written in a time when I've been experiencing a lot of rage, anger, frustration, physical pain, and general overwhelm... I decided it would help all of us to focus on ordinary miracles. This can be especially useful as the impending doom of Thanksgiving and other big holidays swiftly approach us. I'm doing my best to notice the little, and sometimes not so little, miracles that help shape and uplift my life each day, and I hope my little stories will help remind you of your own little daily miracles.

My feet have been in a lot of pain, caused by my big toes, which have been acting out in a big way since the pandemic reached its height in NYC. These toes, and these feet, have had a great deal to say, though I was not really listening to them. This time, the left foot stopped me in my tracks and forced me to stay still for once. This is my story of these rebellious feet, and what has come of their refusal to act like normal, healthy feet. Here are the results that have come from my left foot, recently wearing a bedazzled (with gold rhinestones on a black background, obv) boot, forcing me to stay still and focus in on the work I've been putting off and the ways I've been sabotaging myself from actually reaching my goals.

In this episode I discuss the vital importance of intentional compassion, kindness, and empathy, especially in times of extra stress or when we are overwhelmed. I also share with you my beliefs about the kind of leadership that works and is built on powerful foundations, in comparison with the kind of leadership that is weak and destructive. These messages aim to inspire you to spread kindness, be more compassionate in your day to day life, and to practice empathy. Thank you for listening!