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In the next episode on the series exploring the different types of rest, Paula digs into the concept of spiritual rest. She reflects on her experience at Retreat, Remix, Revive highlighting the challenges of balancing roles as a facilitator and participant and the ways it connects to this form of rest. Paula explains that spiritual rest involves deep tranquility and connection to something larger than oneself, not necessarily tied to religion. She suggests practices achieve spiritual rest and similarities in the reasons we often do not talk about this form of rest in particular.


In this episode, you will hear:
+ spiritual rest and Retreat, Remix, Revive
+ understanding spiritual rest
+ connection and community
+ challenges and benefits
+ personal responsibility and unlearning
+ community involvement and gratitude

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Paula discusses the importance of emotional rest as the next part of the series on rest. She highlighting its role in maintaining overall well-being and mental health as well as explains what emotional rest actually involves. Paula emphasizes emotional rest and the ways complements other types of rest, such as physical and mental, and the ways that it is often overlooked. She provides practical strategies to help prioritize emotional rest and addresses societal pressures and misconceptions that hinder the prioritization of mental rest.

In this episode, you will hear:

+ defining emotional rest
+ importance of this type of rest
+ challenges and misconceptions
+ practical tips and strategies to improve

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Paula examines the importance of creative rest, in the fourth of the rest series. She highlights the challenges of maintaining creativity in a fast-paced world, noting that many people struggle with finding joy and inspiration. Creative rest is crucial for avoiding burnout, enhancing problem-solving skills, and fostering flexible thinking. Paula emphasizes that creativity requires nurturing and rest, contrary to the common misconception that it comes naturally. She also addresses societal and economic pressures that hinder rest, advocating for small, intentional shifts to improve overall well-being and creativity.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ understanding creative rest
+ cultural and societal norms around rest
+ challenges of practicing creative rest
+ practical strategies for increasing creative rest

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Paula discusses the importance of sensory rest, in the third of seven essential types of rest that will be explored in this series. Emphasis is placed on disengaging from screens and devices to reduce constant stimulation. She highlights the challenges of maintaining sensory rest in a tech-dependent society, noting the impact on mental health and stress management. Practical tips include limiting screen time, practicing silence, and creating calming environments. She also suggests using sensory tools to support with management and stresses the importance of self-reflection as well as communication with loved ones to support sensory needs and overall well-being.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ understanding sensory rest
+ importance of sensory rest for health and focus
+ challenges of tech usage and sensory rest
+ practical tips for sensory rest
+ self reflection and communication 

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Paula explores the importance of mental rest, the second of seven essential types that will be explored in this series. She explains the ways mental rest involves a break from constant mental stimulation, which is crucial for brain function and overall well-being. Paula highlights the challenges of achieving mental rest in a digitally-driven, fast-paced society, noting that cultural and personal responsibilities often hinder it. She poses suggestions of practices to utilize that can benefit our ability to increase mental rest as well as explores reasons that it isn’t talked about as well as reasons that we may not even allow ourselves to participate in increasing mental rest.

In this episode, you will hear:
+ challenges of mental rest in modern society
+ impact of digital stimulation
+ barriers to mental rest
+ stigma and cultural norms
+ importance and practical tips for increasing mental rest

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Paula discusses the importance of rest, emphasizing that it involves more than just sleep. She highlights seven types of rest that will be explored in this series, starting with physical rest, which includes sleep and gentle movement. She stresses the need for consistent rest to avoid burnout and improve overall health, including brain function and muscle recovery. She shares personal anecdotes and strategies to enhance physical rest and encourages listeners to prioritize rest and persistently work towards incorporating healthy rest practices into their daily routines.

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Julie returns to share highlights her and her twin sister’s adoption search in her new book, “Twice the Family” which covers their upbringing in a large Irish Catholic family. She highlights the unique bond twins share, challenges associated with a disabled sibling and the impact of infertility on her family. Julie emphasizes the importance of writing for personal healing, their own catharsis and understanding.

Guest Bio:

Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. She writes about finding out who you are, where you belong and making sense of it. She is the author of two published works: Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging (She Writes Press, 2021), and Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship (Muse Literary, 2023). Her third book, Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood releases in February 2025.

Contact/Socials:
Facebook: juliemcguewrites
Instagram: julieryanmcgue
LinkedIn: Julie McGue
Goodreads: julieryanmcgue
X: juliermcgue

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Vanessa and Paula who are long time friends and former colleagues discuss their evolving friendship as well as the complexities of adult relationships. Vanessa highlights shared experiences, importance of honestly and the challenges associated with maintaining connections as we grow older. Emphasis is placed on the value of genuine, supportive friendships and the benefits of prioritizing self-care and boundaries.

Guest Bio:

Vanessa Cruz is an accomplished science educator based in New York City, bringing passion and expertise from her Dominican roots and Afro-Latina heritage. Holding dual master's degrees, she is dedicated to fostering educational excellence and equity. As a single mother of three children, Cruz is committed to raising the next generation with strong values of learning, social justice, and personal empowerment.

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Marci returns to speak with Paula about her new app, "Let's Talk About Money," designed to help take the guess work out and facilitate financial conversations. The app, available on Android, includes over 100 conversation starters to help users discuss various financial topics, such as debt and medical expenses. Marci emphasizes the importance of communication in financial relationships and shares her goal of making financial education accessible. Paula highlights the app's potential to bridge gaps in financial education and support diverse audiences.

Guest Bio:

Marci is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) with a passion for financial literacy. Let's learn about money and let's talk about money by making financial literacy more accessible and less taboo.

Contact/Socials:
App: https://bit.ly/talkaboutmoneyapp
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: MoneyMarci
Instagram: money.marci
TikTok: marcigrossman
Website: www.moneymarci.com

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Debbie discusses the challenges of working with children in school settings, emphasizing the need for adults to develop their emotional intelligence. She highlights the impact of unresolved adult trauma on children and the importance of understanding the context behind children's behaviors. Gonzalez critiques the common practice of punishing children for misbehavior, such as withholding recess, and advocates for a more compassionate and empathetic approach. 

In this episode, you will hear:
+ the role environment and parental input
+ expectations and behavioral changes
+ impact of trauma and emotional intelligence
+ role of social workers and professional development
+ importance of community and consistency
+ addressing systemic issues and long-term solutions

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