Are You Happy in Your Heart?

Life for me is never dull. I make sure of it. And this episode takes you on a unpredictable ride through several vignettes that have made up my story over the past few years. All of which have taught me, shaped me, broken me down and flat out surprised me! It has been a time of remembering and also paying tribute the beauty and brutality that is our walk on this planet. Kidney's. Cats. COVID. This has it all. Buckle up, amigos. Let's ride. 

"Everyone has something to say. Everyone has a voice!" This episode explores creativity and living your life with wonder and awe. If we slow down, stay curious and allow ourselves to be dazzled, we will notice the creative beauty that is around us. The incomparable Mary Favro (who just so happens to be my sister), shares with us: How she gained a love for art and creativity.  How we can harness our own creative intelligence.  Who her artistic, lesser-known artist mentors are and how they have dazzled the world with their creativity.  How we can use our own voice and how creativity is linked with our happiness. Pull up a chair. Grab a beverage. Have a listen.  

The term "Burnout" may strike you as one of those trendy buzz words that you hear around the water cooler or something you talk about with your Therapist. But it is a real thing that can threaten not only our happiness, but our health.  In this conversation with Scott Anderson, who is a brilliant entrepreneur, mental health therapist and executive coach, we un-pack the feelings of burnout and how it can be the "dark night of the soul." He shares some simple techniques we can do today to drop anchor and get our lives back on track. 

Grief. That unavoidable residue that is left on our hearts. This tricky emotion is one that re-shapes our world and we cannot escape from it. No matter how hard we may try. Grief hurts. It comes in waves. It is isolating. It is a catalyst to tremendous growth. It is the proof that we loved deeply and bravely. This episode explores the many stages of grief and delicately teaches us how we can show compassion towards others, and ourselves.  I am joined by four insightful souls who have loved completely and have faced life-changing grief and have something to say about it.  Thank you to my dear Denise Cordero, Viviana Flores, Chad Mortenson and Bryce Goodwin for sharing your story and your love. Pull up a chair. Grab a beverage. Have a listen. 

She's the best friend you didn't know you had and the brutally honest b*tch you didn't know you needed. Photographer and author of "Comfortably Uncomfortable- The Road to Happiness Isn't Always Paved", Jacquelyn Phillips is out living her truth and sharing her story to help others who are tired of living in a constant cycle of self destruction. Breaking barriers of childhood trauma, self loathing and manipulative behaviors, she has found the tools and the talent to unlearn actions that kept her away from the drain of hopelessness and despair- even if she kept a smile on her face. An active voice in the mental heath community, she is an avid fitness fan, coffee addict, mother to teenage son, wife to an amazingly patient husband and friend to many. When she's not on the job, she is out creating art, travelling and experimenting in the kitchen.  "Comfortably Uncomfortable" is available for purchase on Amazon and available free with Kindle Unlimited. Her companion website with helpful providers, worksheets and other tools is www.grownupgrowingpains.com On Facebook.com/grownupgrowingpains you can find inspirations and motivational insights Instagram.com/grownupgrowingpains is where you can find humorous memes and thirst trap photos 

Jason Knoll is passionate about personal growth, transformation and the exploration of consciousness. He digs deep within himself and has the courage to follow his inner guidance. This episode had no planned topic or set questions. Just two friends who showed up powerfully to the present moment. We discussed how life sustains life. How fear can be a great teacher and how we must step into our true self to be truly happy. 

Rebekah Bernier is a straight-up survivor. She has walked the fiery path of having breast cancer, having loved ones pass away and going through a messy divorce. Yet, she has an amazing perspective on how she looks at life now, through her own two eyes. She firmly believes that life is messy and wonderful. She has learned that when you are flat out on your back, it won't always be that way and that happiness comes from respecting and loving yourself...first!  You can find her podcast "Through These Hazel Eyes" HERE 

Suzette Smith is a woman with an endless reserve of courage, tenacity and good old grit. She as walked a very unique path in life and has faced some unbelievable challenges with her battle with ovarian cancer and her time spent in federal prison. Yet through it all, she has risen from the ashes and is spreading her wings to new heights much like a fearless Phoenix!  

The year 2020 has been quite a doozy! We have faced hardships on a global scale that trickled down to our personal lives and effected them in every single way. This episode is merely a snapshot of the events that transpired and what it was like to live during a global pandemic in 2020. It explores and pays tribute to the moments that yielded unbelievable grief and the countless acts of kindness, bravery and love that caused only feelings of sincere gratitude. 

R. Scott Livengood is a Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship with the W. P. Carey’s Management and Entrepreneurship Department at Arizona State University. He recently self-published a book called "The Startup of Seinfeld: A Multimedia Approach to Learning Entrepreneurship" that introduces entrepreneurial principles and then links readers to edited Seinfeld clips as examples. We sit down and discuss happiness, success and this conversation is far from being an episode about nothing. You can find his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08K4SVBJ2/ref=tsm_1_fb_lk

Tyson Sadler is not just a Documentary Filmmaker, Photographer and World-Traveler, he's a Fighter. For climate change, for human rights and for his own life. His stunning audio-visual work has been featured in the New York Times and film festivals around the world. In July 2016, he was involved in a hiking accident in Aspen, Colorado where he fell 40 feet into an ice crevasse and suffered multiple injuries. Listen to his story of the importance of keeping your tribe close, the power of the human spirit and when life is at its lowest, giving up is just not an option. 

Carolyn Kiel designs training programs for employees at a Fortune 500 company in New Jersey. In her spare time, Carolyn hosts and produces the Beyond 6 Seconds podcast. On her podcast, she interviews people about how they’ve overcome obstacles to build their careers, shape their lives and achieve their goals. In this episode, two friends who have never met in person sit down and discuss creativity and making a dent in the universe through Podcasting. You can find her podcast on Beyond6seconds.com and wherever you get your podcasts. 

Chad grew up in the shadows of Salt Lake City, Utah, delivering newspapers on his Schwinn bike and dodging punches from his brothers. He later gained a deep admiration for the rich and quirky history that Utah has to offer. You can find him giving tours of the Salt Lake City Cemetery, where he finds great happiness in keeping the lives of those who have gone on before alive. One story at a time. 

Brad Swail is the host of The Cultivate Wellness Podcast - a show dedicated to expanding peoples' perceptions on what is possible with their mental and physical health. Married to his wife of 7 years, Laura, they have three children, Leif, Lachlan, and Wilhelmina. Brad has been a stay at home father  caring for their children as best he can. 

The Portland Mutual Aid Network is a community run organization that serves the houseless community in Portland, Oregon. I was honored to sit down with two of its members and discuss how human connections can happen even in the midst of a crisis. Greg Bennick (Punk Rocker, One Hundred for Haiti Director) and Arrow (Artist, Political Activist) share on this episode personal accounts of reaching out to the houseless during COVID-19 and how a simple PB&J sandwich can change lives for the better! You can find them at @portlandmutualaid to learn more. 

Seth and Angie King are the parents of 5 beautiful children. I first discovered this creative duo through the Instagram handle @latenotes. It is where you will find characters from Buddy the Elf to Bob Ross making the morning Jr. High Carpool a fun and stress-free zone. I was tickled to sit down with these two to discuss carpool behind the scenes, raising teenagers and finding lasting happiness. 

Life can be stressful, no question! Thankfully, we have Wellness Coaches like Camille Kennard to share with us some tips and tricks on how to be present, how to fight off anxiety and to pay attention to what fills us up. She also speaks to the importance of getting out into nature and engaging in joyful movement! She can be found at www.flourishwellnessconsulting.com and you can also check out her podcast called "Wellness Wisdom." 

Jessica is well known for her morning radio presence on the wildly popular radio show called "The  Morning Zoo with Frankie and Jess" on 97.1 ZHT.  Not only is her laugh infectious, she also feeds off of the positive energy from her listeners and her community. We discuss how 2020 is the year to pause and to treat ourselves and others with grace. 

Steve Soelberg is a seasoned Stand-Up Comedian and has been for 12 years. His comedic style is relaxed, conversational and well, hilarious! We sit down and discuss the connecting power of laughter, the importance of self-worth and how permanent retainers are just the worst! 

Scott Porter is a serial entrepreneur with more energy than the next guy. He is the founder of the award-winning San Diablo Artisan Churros and has brought deep fried happiness to people all over Utah for several years. He has a mind for business and a heart for service. We sit down and discuss business innovation during COVID-19, reminisce about being together on our FIRST trip to Guatemala and truly dive into what it means to be happy in our hearts. #morecowbell 

Marcia Moran is a brave woman. She has been a successful businesswoman for over 25 years. In 2014 that all changed. She suffered a major stroke and had to learn to walk and talk all over again. She never gave up! Since then she has written a book called "Stroke Forward" and is compelled to be an advocate for all stroke survivors. She encourages them to move forward, to be positive and to be advocates for their own health. 

Adrian Sinclair is a lifelong learner, builder and creator. He is a computer geek by day and a fellow Podcast Host by night. He is always seeking out the stories of interesting people from all walks of life who offer great perspective on how to be happy. He tells us the wisdom behind his charge to follow the mandate of Buddha which is to be open to everything...and attached to nothing.  

Ryan West has a giant heart and has learned that adversity can be a gift. Shortly after joining the Navy, he would discover that he was growing at such a rapid pace that he was becoming a giant. After being diagnosed with a brain tumor and a rare form of giantism, Ryan faced mental and physical challenges. He turned to gratitude and helped other people find happiness and healing in the mist of adversity.

Moving is never easy. Especially across the state, in winter, in-between major holidays. Yet, this story is just that! My story moving from Colorado to Utah is one that is filled with miracles, unexpected twists and the joys of living out of my car. I dedicate this episode to the people who showed up and the moments that don't JUST happen. 

Nancy is a woman who has survived the unthinkable. As a native of Florida, she lived through a domestically violent marriage for 14 years. Since then she has risen up and used her story to help empower other women. She started an organization called "Mustard Seed Bags of Courage" to connect with women who need help, hope and encouragement for a brighter day! 

Britney Renae Thompson is a girl who loves Jesus, is an author and a speaker! She has just published a book "God Minded. Living God- Focused in a Me-Focused World." Her message is that of getting out of our own heads and living the life you were meant to with passion and purpose. Listen to her story of how she has overcome challenges and is now encouraging others to live their best life! 

Meet my friend Russ. He has overcome challenges since day one. From being bullied as a child, living out of a suitcase and living with Asperger's Syndrome, Russ has seen it all. Listen to his story about living in the present moment and how finding solace in the performing arts saved his life. 

This former New York City based (and yet famous in Japan) actress decided to take a career leap and switch gears from the stage to a stethoscope...at age 50! She is courageous and full of wisdom and perspective. Listen to her story about victory and defeat and what happiness means to her.

Carlyn Shaw is a synchronicity simulator. She believes that people equal possibilities and there is no such thing as a simple coincidence. She started a group called "Strangers To Friends" that allowed individuals to connect in meaningful and lasting ways. From being diagnosed with MS to losing her two front teeth, Carlyn has great insights into creating happiness in her heart.

It's the holiday season. So, Whoop De Doo! It's the season of family gatherings and gift giving. It's a time for matching flannel jammies and snuggles but the fire. Yet, it can be a painful reminder that you're still alone. Alone again. Or, alone every other year. In this episode, I am joined by several single individuals from different walks of life and they weigh in on how you can be single during the holidays...and still be happy.

Lee Broadhead is a woman with an abundance of inner-strength and boundless talent. As an accomplished Opera singer she has thrilled audiences for many years and currently is working as a Program Manager at Century Link. The day before Thanksgiving in 2018, Lee's daughter Megan went missing for over a month. Listen to her incredible story of finding happiness through the power of community, holiday traditions and family. 

 Chris Johnson has dedicated his life to the work of CHOICE Humanitarian for 25 years. In August of 2008, the CHOICE community suffered a major tragedy and lost 11 of their staff members and volunteers in a plane crash in Guatemala. Among those who perished was Chris' beloved wife, Liz Valentiner Johnson. Listen to his story of love, loss and what the work and mission of CHOICE Humanitarian means to him. 

Jennifer is a woman of optimism and courage. Since she was a baby, she has suffered from a very rare form of seizures. After years of tests and doctors visits, Jennifer and her family kept searching for answers. Despite the difficulty of navigating through dark times, she found light to keep going. Listen to her story of how when life shakes you up, embrace it and be happy. 

Annah Sifuna is a force for good! She is a community based volunteer who takes her happiness into her own hands. I met her while volunteering in the remote village of Sakake in the outskirts of Kenya. She sings. She dances. She empowers. Listen to her story of how she inspires other women living in extreme poverty, and all who come in her path, to stand up and own your choice to be happy.

Annette Bybee is a Mother, Podcast Host and a Professor. Life threw her into the realms of divorce and now the busy world of single parenting. She bravely took a leap of faith into an unknown world to inspire fellow singles within her Church in a unique way. Listen to her story of resilience and making her dream a reality. Her podcast is found at www.annettetalks.com