You & I

For today’s mini episode, Jackie chose a question about loneliness, partly because the holiday season can feel quite lonely for so many reasons, for so many people, and she thought it might help to hear that you aren’t alone.

They write:

How do you navigate through the intensity of aloneness?

Tune in to hear how Jackie explores this week's question and make sure to listen until the end to hear the question we will be diving into on the next episode. And if you feel inspired to respond to this asker and are interested in being a guest of this episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom for them, write to us on the contact page on youandipodcast.com or DM us on instagram at @youandi.podcast.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's question is one that we all struggle with in some way as we inevitably encounter moments of discomfort, however big or small.

They write:

"How can we learn to be comfortable, with being uncomfortable?"

Jackie digs into this universal topic with Brian Hart Hoffman. Brian was mustering the courage to say his final goodbyes to his mother, he shared some words his mother often repeated to him, “you can do hard things.” The perfect starting off point in a conversation centred around doing just that.

We hope that you get something helpful out of this conversation. If anything, know that you’re not alone. You see, we all struggle, mourn, yearn, question, laugh and cry. No matter our age, background, or titles, at our core, we are all not so different, You & I.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For this week's Mini Episode the question was supposed to be one we explored with an interview in the next episode. But the more Jackie thought about it the more she realized that she really wanted to write about this solo for this episode. It’s something that’s personal to her, something she has spent a decade asking myself, too.

They write:

How do you know he is the one?

Tune in to hear how Jackie explores this week's question and make sure to listen until the end to hear the question we will be diving into on the next episode. And if you feel inspired to respond to this asker and are interested in being a guest of this episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom for them, write to us on the contact page on youandipodcast.com or DM us on instagram at @youandi.podcast.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month's question centres around a universal topic that we all go through at some point in our lives, grief. Saying that, we want to provide a warning that this episode discusses sensitive topics such as death and trauma.

They write:

How does one just move on emotionally after a lot of trauma and grief. I am in therapy. I started this month but just remembering all the trauma from the past is a lot. I miss my dear late older sister. It’s been years since she gained her angel wings. Tuesday will be the one year anniversary of her funeral. My whole body is just mentally and physically drained out. I just wanted to remember the good.

We decided to name you, Hope.

Today’s guest is Jackie's cousin, Alicia Chung. Alicia has gone through a similar experience as "Hope" as she, too, has lost a sister. She, too, has grieved this very trauma, and still grieves it to this day. We decided to leave this interview largely unedited, leaving the repetitions, our struggling for words, our speechlessness. We left in the long moments of silence because they, like negative space, sometimes speak more than the words do and believe that this interview deserved to be heard this way. 

We hope that you get something helpful out of this conversation. If anything, know that you’re not alone. You see, we all struggle, mourn, yearn, question, laugh and cry. No matter our age, background, or titles, at our core, we are all not so different, You & I.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today’s mini episode, we have a question that inspired me to remember a time when I struggled with childlessness. Both the struggle with the decision to have a family, and the letting go of the hope of having one too.

They write:

I'm nearly 40, just left my 7.5 year relationship, and I worry I won't find someone 'in time'

Tune into the episode wherever you listen to your podcasts to hear Jackie ponder our listener's question and give her own personal experience navigating similar feelings.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today's episode, we are excited to explore it with the question asker himself. Shea Evans has had a meandering career path, from snowboard instructor, to sushi chef, to photographer. And yet through all the successes in following his passions, he’s always left with the lingering question, “should I have (blank) by now?” in the back of his head. 

In our conversation, we explore why we all ask this from time to time. How crying for something can stunt our happiness in the here and now, and even how it affected our dating lives in the past.

And make sure to tune in until the end of the episode to hear the question for next month. And if you have had the same personal experience and are interested in being a guest of that episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom, write to us on the contact page on our Website or DM us on Instagram. And of course, please submit your questions there too.

Episode Resources:

Shea Evans: Instagram

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

More Good Media: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today’s mini episode, we have a question that, in my opinion, hits the most crucial human struggle: how to love deeply, despite the potential of being hurt, despite possible rejection. How to love knowing one day you will need to also let go. 

They write: How do I let go of people I love? Like watching my daughter go off to college or losing a friend. 

We got this question over instagram, but we want to keep our askers anonymous so I’ve decided to name you…surrender.

It needs to be said, I am not a professional, just someone with some personal experience to share. I do hope this is helpful, but as always, take the advice that resonates and ignore what doesn't. And don’t hesitate to seek out professional help through a trusted source. There are resources on our website.

Tune into the episode wherever you listen to your podcasts to hear Jackie ponder our listener's question and give her own personal experience navigating similar feelings.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month’s question is one we got from an asker on Instagram. It’s short and to the point, but tells a story of struggle that most of us have had – searching for our passion. 

They write:

How can I find passion?

Because we keep all our askers anonymous, I’ve decided to call you daydreamer.

For those of us who have experienced the yearning and confusion that comes with seeking, we know all too well, that it feels…uncomfortable, even mournful. It feels like being stuck indoors on a beautiful day, or like wearing jeans two sizes too tight. It feels like we are holding two halves of ourselves that aren’t clicking together. I know it can feel agonizing not to have an outlet for our curiosity, feeling like we can’t, or don’t know how or where to express ourselves.

Jackie sits down with her guest Natasha Muslih who shares her journey from feeling lost, searching for passion and eventually finding her path by starting a travel company, the Voyagiste, combining her passion for creating stories and for storied places. We hope you get something helpful out of this…if anything, know that you’re not alone. You see, we all struggle, mourn, yearn, question, laugh and cry. No matter our age, background, or titles, at our core, we are all not so different, You & I.

And make sure to tune in until the end of the episode to hear the question for next month. And if you have had the same personal experience and are interested in being a guest of that episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom, write to us on the contact page on our Website or DM us on Instagram. And of course, please submit your questions there too.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

Natasha Muslih (The Voyagiste): Website

Wirth Hats: Website

More Good Media: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For today’s mini episode, I chose a question that seemed deceptively simple. One that I thought had a straightforward answer. But as I dig into the question, and related to the asker’s quest for belonging, I began to remember, re-trace my own path to where I found a sense of belonging, and what belonging means to me, as someone who never felt like they did belong anywhere.

They write:

As someone who is bi-coastal…having an identity crisis. Question: can a person maintain allegiance to both cities or have to choose one over the other? Feeling divided and conflicted!

We got this question over instagram, but we keep our askers anonymous so I’ve decided to name you…placeless. Thank you for your question, placeless.

It needs to be said, I am not a professional, just someone with some personal experience to share. I do hope this is helpful, but as always, take the advice that resonates and ignore what doesn't. And don’t hesitate to seek out professional help through a trusted source. There are resources on our website.

Tune into the episode wherever you listen to your podcasts to hear Jackie ponder our listener's question and give her own personal experience navigating similar feelings.

This podcast is produced by More Good Media.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This month’s question brought up so many memories of my own past pain. It touched such a raw and deep place for me personally, so much so that I cried for my younger self, and for the many people out there that have felt this very same way too: wanting help, needing help but feeling like they don’t deserve to even ask for it.

They write:

How do you find the courage to speak with a therapist or find help in ways you might need but do not feel worthy of?

The asker didn’t leave a name, so I’ve decided to name them Worthwhile.

This Month's question gets to the heart of why I love spending the many hours on creating this podcast. I want to diffuse the shame around human hurt, the hurt we all go through, so often alone…so often needlessly…simply because no one had yet been brave enough to ask the question that Worthwhile did. Mental health isn’t always discussed openly, maybe because our culture creates shame and fear around even saying, “I need help.” It is my hope that this can be that safe space.

Our guest, Ben Miller, is someone who creates safe spaces. He founded WIRTH hats, a hat company that Provides financial assistance for counseling and therapy for those unable to afford it. It was inspired by two of his close friends, who took their own lives because they felt isolated and alone, and didn’t reach out for help. WIRTH’s mission is to destigmatize conversations about mental health, to make help as available as possible to those who might need it, through the hats that serve as a reminder that when going through difficult times, there are always people to reach out to, as we are never alone as we sometimes think we are.

And make sure to tune in until the end of the episode to hear the question for next month. And if you have had the same personal experience and are interested in being a guest of that episode, OR if you have a short word of wisdom, write to us on the contact page on our Website or DM us on Instagram. And of course, please submit your questions there too.

**I want to provide a warning that this episode discusses sensitive topics such as depression and suicide. If you, or someone you know needs support, there’s help at talksuicide.ca.

Episode Resources:

Jackie Kai Ellis: Website / Instagram

Ben Miller: Instagram

Wirth: Website / Instagram

More Good Media: Website / Instagram

You & I Podcast: Website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.