Better Etc. with Trista Sutter

Philadelphia doctor Kwandaa Roberts had it all: a thriving practice, a big house in the suburbs, two kids. But she harbored a secret dream to be an interior designer. Her chance came about when she renovated a dollhouse. And it went viral on social media. But then the pandemic happened, and Kwandaa was forced to make some difficult life decisions. Kwandaa tells host Stephanie Foo about her lifelong passions for both medicine and interior design. And the equally arduous paths she took to realize them. From delivering babies to redecorating dollhouses to designing homes. We'll also hear from Sally Augustin, an environmental psychologist, who tells us how things like the colors of your walls and furniture can influence your psychological relationship with interior spaces. To see pictures of Kwandaa's dollhouses, go to: rocketmortgage.com/homemade  Inside every home, there's a story. Hosted by Stephanie Foo (This American Life, Snap Judgment), each episode of this 10-part series explores the meaning of home and what it can teach us about ourselves and each other. Poignant, hilarious, provocative and downright unexpected, take a journey into the diversity of home in America. Listen to the stories of urban activists, homesteading mountain men, ghostly roommates and more. And hear compelling expert insights into behavioral science behind the fundamental need for shelter and belonging that unites us all. Rocket Mortgage by Quicken Loans is an Equal Housing Lender. Licensed in all 50 states. NMLSConsumerAccess.org #3030. (833) 326-6028. Quicken Loans, 1050 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226-1906. Check out more episodes of Home.Made here: https://link.chtbl.com/homemade?sid=podcast.betteretc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the Season One finale, Trista is joined by her most featured guest of the pod…her husband, Ryan Sutter! But first, Trista recaps the season, highlighting each guest and episode, so you'll want to tune in to that to make sure you didn't miss a conversation! In this episode, Ryan shares how he's been feeling, the treatments he's started, and provides an overall health update. He offers up some insight he's learned along the way including the benefits of changing up his diet and discusses the challenges that come along with this type of diagnosis. They touch on the difficulties of finding answers and the importance of finding a Lyme-literate doctor, and open up about the reality of the financial burdens that these kinds of battles entail. Trista and Ryan decided to have this conversation today as a way to provide a space where those interested in his progress can listen in, as well as letting anyone out there going through similar situations know that they are not alone and to encourage others to hold on to hope that there are answers out there for them. They emphasize that if you or someone you care for are battling a mystery illness, be sure to advocate fiercely for yourself, be willing to seek out medical professionals that are not in the mainstream, and try new things. Like a famous fish once said, “just keep swimming!” With more conversations like these, Trista, Ryan, and so many others hope to ultimately create change in the system and to inspire others suffering to keep on going.  To keep up with Ryan, you can follow him on Instagram @ryansutter.   To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, follow, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!  Thank you to our amazing sponsor! Check out this deal for our listeners:  Caliper — Go to trycaliper.com/trista and use promo code TRISTA for 20% off your first order Canva  —  Go to canva.me/better for a free 45-day extended trial   Athena Club — Go to AthenaClub.com and use promo code better for 20% off your first order Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Trista is joined by someone she (and many of you) have known for quite a while, Bachelor Nation fan favorite, Ben Higgins! Ben is known most for being The Bachelor on the show's 20th season, but he is more than just a handsome face. He is the co-founder of Generous Coffee, a movement to multiply good in the world, and has a seat on the board of the Humanity and Hope United Foundation. He is also a podcast host and the author of Alone in Plain Sight, written with the purpose of helping people feel less alone. Despite how “perfect” his life may appear from the outside, Ben struggles with feeling like an outsider, and has a raw and vulnerable conversation with Trista all about mental health. They both open up about their inner battles, especially as they relate to their time with the franchise. He also opens up for the first time about a recent breakdown, and how he's taking some time to sort through it all, at home in Indiana. In this honest discussion, Ben emphasizes the value of leaning into the truth of the moment, relying on the wisdom of Richard Rohr and his 5 essential truths, and knowing that he isn't alone.     To keep up with Ben, you can follow him on Instagram @higgins.ben! Plus, listen to Hope Still Wins and Almost Famous wherever you listen to podcasts, and purchase Alone in Plain Sight when you're looking for that next great book.   To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, follow, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!  Thank you to our amazing sponsor! Check out this deal for our listeners:  Skillshare —  Go to skillshare.com/TRISTA to get a one-month free trial of Premium Membership  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's better than feeling comfy and cozy? This week, Trista is joined by local Vail celebrities and owners of Hygge Life, Alexandra and Coen! They discuss how to best embrace “hygge,” a Danish concept with no English translation, but that can be best described as comfy, cozy, content, relaxed, and happy! They talk about the perfect pieces to make your home welcoming, all the way down to the material, and the importance of making time for the little moments in your day, like stepping away from your computer to drink your morning cup of coffee. After travelling around Europe in a camper van and embracing the relaxed lifestyle, they brought their ideas to Vail, as Alexandra felt she needed to share “Hygge” with everyone at home. Offering home decor and more, their brick and mortar store and website feature products that inspire us all to slow down, relax, and intentionally enjoy what life has to offer.  You can find their blog and online store at HyggeLife.com and if you're ever in Vail, you can stop by the shop and café Tuesday – Saturday 10-5! You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram @HyggeLife.  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Home. Made. — Listen to Home.Made today   Athena Club — Go to AthenaClub.com and use promo code better for 20% off your first order    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Did you know that nearly half of our daily actions are simply preprogrammed habits? A lot of us can find ourselves living on autopilot, but there's a way to create new, happier habits that replace those that aren't serving us or simply to make our day-to-day lives better. This is exactly what author and researcher Karen Salmansohn explores in her book “Happy Habits.” In today's episode, Trista and Karen dive into the many happy habits we can incorporate into our lives, from making your bed in the morning to focusing on gratitude at night. Karen explains the keystone habits we can introduce into our routines to ultimately alter our identities and become our best selves. The two discuss what it means to be a positive evidence collector, the power of reframing, and how habit stacking can help us continue to create happy habits. They talk about their favorite studies, including one about a popular Japanese service that involves group crying and handsome men... yes, you read that right! We hope today's episode helps you become a better version of yourself by building happy habits that allow you to live your happiest life.   To connect with Karen, you can follow her on Instagram @notsalmon or check out her website www.notsalmon.com.  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Home. Made. — Listen to Home. Made today  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trista is joined by psychotherapist Rachel Wright, MA, LMFT, to talk about all things sex! They get down to the basics, including what you didn't learn in school. The two discuss the fundamentals of consent and provide a breakdown of Planned Parenthood's awesome “Fries” acronym: freely given, reversible, informed, enthusiastic, and specific! Rachel also speaks on the importance of communication and how best to approach conversations around sex, and by the way, these conversations also require consent! We hope you're able to find takeaways from this conversation for your own life, and maybe even learn how to better go about these conversations with your kids!   To connect with Rachel, you can follow her on Instagram @thewright_rachel or check out her website rachelwrightnyc.com. For a discount on her courses, use code TRISTA for 20% off.  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Caliper — Use promo code TRISTA at trycaliper.com/trista to get 20% off your first order  Canva — Go to Canva.me/better to get your FREE 45-day extended trial  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Trista is joined by a longtime family friend and the owner of SuperBowls, Scotty Nemeth! This açai expert walks us through the benefits of this superfood, as well as the nutritional value of the various bowl toppings. He also offers tips on how to make your own bowl or smoothie at home! SuperBowls can be found at sporting events, tournaments, and events near you, as his business originated from what he believes to be the core benefit of açai — it's value as training fuel. Athletes can now reach for something to refuel them in places where pizza and pretzels used to be the only option. As Scotty explains in this episode, açai is good for you, it tastes good, and it's good for the planet! So, next time you're standing in front of the fridge, wondering what to eat, we hope this fun episode inspires you to reach for açai.   If you're ever in Southern California, be sure to check out SuperBowls! Otherwise, be on the lookout for them at convention centers, stadiums, sport complexes, and events near you.   Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Skillshare — Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/TRISTA and get a free trial of Premium Membership  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  HelloFresh — Go to HelloFresh.com/etc12 and use code etc12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Trista is joined by homeschooling mom of four and adventure seeker, Tina Ingold! Tina offers tremendous insight into homeschooling from the road, traveling tips for road trips with kids, and finding beauty in spontaneity. For all the detailed oriented planners out there, Tina shows us that if you have no plans, there are no expectations —something Trista is going to try really hard to embrace during any future travels! She offers tips on what makes living life on the road easier for her, the apps she uses throughout her journeys to find various necessities like gas and showers, and what to pack to keep your kids happy... which, in case you’re wondering, includes snacks, LOTS of snacks! MC and host of the Wild + Free Conference, guest co-host of the Wild + Free podcast, and owner of VDGN clothing, Tina balances it all while living life to the fullest. She also opens up about the awesome way she integrates music into her travels, which actually brought her kids to tears! This is an episode intended for the parents, but SO beneficial for anyone who enjoys the adventure of a road trip!     To follow along with Tina you can request to follow her on Instagram @heyingolds and check out her clothing company at vdgn.com, or at their store in Venice, CA!  To shop the awesome tea towels from this week’s Trista’s Takes, check out deveniedesigns.com!  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Home.Made — Listen to Home. Made. here: https://link.chtbl.com/homemade?sid=podcast.betteretc  Athena Club — Go to AthenaClub.com and use promo code better for 20% off your first order   BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Finding You — Make plans now to see ‘Finding You’ in theaters. For more information or to find a theater near you, visit findingyouTHEmovie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In November of 2020, Ryan and Trista publicly shared that he had been battling an unknown illness since the start of the year. After over a year of doctors visits and consultations, bloodwork, diagnostic scans, research, and lots of support from friends, family, and even fans and listeners, they finally found the answers they had been looking for and wanted to share the details of Ryan’s medical journey here. The two discuss each step of the process, the importance of advocating for yourself and your loved ones, and things they learned along the way, including how they want to help create positive change in the medical and insurance worlds. They are hopeful that Ryan is on a path toward healing and can get back to his best self soon…and that’s what they hope for anyone else out there struggling with conditions that continue to go undiagnosed. We hope this episode is the start of a bigger conversation, lets you know that you aren’t alone in your suffering, and encourages you to fight to continuously be your best self, too!  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Home. Made. — Search for Home. Made. on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Finding You — Make plans now to see ‘Finding You’ now playing only in theaters. For more information or to find a theater near you, visit findingyouTHEmovie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Trista is joined by another very special guest, her mom, Roseanne Rehn! Recorded on Mother’s Day, this episode is full of memories and meaningful moments – both proudest ones, and moments she wanted to sell her to the highest bidder (one including a brand-new car that didn’t look so new once Trista got her hands on it). They also discuss a pet peeve they both share: getting their kids out the door on time! This episode is full of love and laughter. Trista is so grateful to have this recording for life and to be able to share it with all the wonderful listeners who are part of this Better community. We hope you enjoy!  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Caliper —  Get 20% off your first order when you use promo code TRISTA at trycaliper.com/TRISTA. Try risk-free for 30 days  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Canva — Go to canva.me/better to get a FREE 45-day extended trial   Finding You — Make plans now to see ‘Finding You’ now playing only in theaters. For more information or to find a theater near you, visit findingyouTHEmovie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Trista is joined by the wedding planner who made her dream wedding come to life for the ABC special back in 2003. She is none other than world-renowned party consultant, Mindy Weiss. In addition to the pink wedding for our favorite Bachelorette, Mindy has also worked with some little-known names including, oh, Justin Bieber and Hailey Baldwin, Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi, Russell and Nina Westbrook, and the Kardashian family. Ever heard of them?! She’s also the best-selling author of Goldie the Handpicked Flower Girl, Jack Brings the Rings, The Wedding Book, The Wedding Planner, and The Baby Keepsake Book and Planner. Plus, as if that’s not enough, last year she launched an educational video series for couples entitled MAD About Weddings and even has her own wedding day emergency kits and candle collection! Mindy and Trista talk about current wedding trends, her favorite events to plan, the most shocking thing she’s ever been asked to do, and how to make celebrations special. We also get the inside scoop on Trista’s wedding including the behind the scenes leading up to it. Mindy then gives some tips on how to keep the stress levels down while planning or hosting an event. Easier said than done, we know, but hopefully this episode inspires you to plan the event of your dreams, or even just host a nice dinner with a little more peace of mind!   To see the gorgeous events she creates and buy her books, visit Mindy’s website at mindyweiss.com and check out her Instagram @mindyweiss!   Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  HelloFresh — Go to HelloFresh.com/etc12 and use code etc12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping   BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Finding You — Make plans now to see ‘Finding You’ only in theaters May 14th. For more information or to find a theater near you, visit findingyouTHEmovie.com  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger warning: Talk of physical and sexual assault.    Trista is joined by Robyn Warner for the second part of an incredibly powerful two-part conversation on assault and self-defense. Robyn was physically and sexually assaulted when she was 18 years old, running in broad daylight. She has since managed to turn this horrific moment into her power; teaching people how to be prepared should they ever need to defend themselves and empowering women and girls, especially, in keeping themselves and their families safe. She has now been teaching self-defense and awareness for the past 13 years and shares with the Better, etc audience tactical tips for self-defense and awareness, ways to practice these methods, how and when to get conversations with children started about protecting themselves and how to teach them about “tricky people.” We hope this conversation not only provides you with valuable information to keep yourself safe, but the tools and confidence to spread these ripples of knowledge with those you love as well!    To learn more about Robyn’s story, check out her Instagram @aflyonmywall and to learn more about S.A.F.E by Robyn, you can visit the website here. Use promo code better for $25 off! Plus, don’t forget to check out The Brave Talk Show.  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Skillshare — Explore your creativity at Skillshare.com/TRISTA and get a FREE trial of Premium Membership  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Trigger warning: Talk of attempted suicide, physical assault, and sexual assault. If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.   April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, and this week, Trista is joined by Robyn Warner for the first part of an incredibly powerful two-part conversation on assault and self-defense. Robyn was sexually assaulted when she was 18 years old, running in broad daylight. She has since managed to turn this horrific moment into her power; teaching people how to be prepared should they ever need to defend themselves, and empowering women and girls, especially, in keeping themselves and their families safe. She openly recounts her story in terrifying detail, providing insight along the way as to how she managed to escape, the feelings she had that changed her course of action and kept her safe, and the details of her online self-protection and awareness course, S.A.F.E. by Robyn, where she shares practical skills for everyday use in helping anyone to “be prepared and not scared.”  She has now been teaching self-defense and awareness for the past 13 years, fulfilling her goal of empowering herself and others following the incident. While difficult to listen to, this episode provides valuable insight into ways you can be more aware and prepared for a worst-case situation.    To learn more about Robyn’s story, check out her Instagram @aflyonmywall and to learn more about S.A.F.E by Robyn, you can visit the website here.  Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  HelloFresh — Go to HelloFresh.com/etc12 and use code etc12 for 12 free meals, including free shipping!  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Athena Club — Show your skin you care with the Athena Club Razor Kit! Sign up today and you’ll get 20% off your first order; just go to AthenaClub.com and use promo code better Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, you’re in for such a fun and enlightening conversation with Riaz Meghji, an author with 17 years of experience connecting with people through his career in broadcast journalism. He and Trista talk all about, well... talking! They discuss conversation, connection, how to be a better listener, and how to be more intentional with how we engage with others. They laugh at themselves and their filler “ums” and “sos” and “likes” and Riaz shares tips on how to keep them under wraps. He also offers insight into how the pandemic has made human connection that much more meaningful, how emotions can be a distraction to the present moment, and how small talk is actually a defence mechanism! Plus, Trista introduces Riaz to the Enneagram test. Do you believe that human connection is one of the most important things in life? If so, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.  For more information and resources for human connection, check out Riaz’s YouTube channel and website, riazmeghji.com.   Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  BetterHelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week Trista is joined by her most special guest yet, her 12-year-old daughter Blakesley! The two answer fun questions from followers and Trista gets the scoop on what Blakesley really thinks of their relationship. We learn all about the first daughter born to Bachelor Nation sweethearts, who her favorite people are within the franchise, whether she’s watched the show, and when she realized that her parents were famous. She even gives recommendations to a follower’s question via her own spinoff segment, Blakes’ Takes and tells us all about her fancy skin care set up, her favorite tv shows, and what she is going to do to be better, tomorrow! Get ready for lots of laughter and more in the adorable interview that’s sure to bring a smile to your face.    To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!    Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:  Canva — Go to Canva.me/better to get your FREE 45-day extended trial  Betterhelp — Go to betterhelp.com/etc for 10% off your first month  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you an entrepreneur who is struggling to get to that next level in business? Or, maybe you’re facing personal challenges that are holding you back from being your best self. This week Trista is joined by Linda Perry, “recovering” attorney, mindset master coach, lead business instructor, author, and podcast host dedicated to helping entrepreneurs shift their mindset and grow their business. The two explore how everyone can use the tips and tricks she teaches to be successful, whether or not we are entrepreneurs. These days especially, a lot of us are struggling when it comes to limiting beliefs and imposter complex. Linda discusses and defines lack of motivation, and conversely, what it means to be unstoppable. So, what is holding you back? We hope this episode teaches you to clean out that “head trash” and start living a happier life! To connect with Linda, you can find her on Instagram @linda.m.perry or head to lindamperry.com/unstoppable for her free book!  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better, together!    Linda’s 4 Categories of Entrepreneur (Mirrors Finding Your Zone of Genius from The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks)   1: Freelancer, take whatever they can get, care most about making money, head down, not aware of some of the things that are blocking them   2: Emerging business owner, couple of successes, starting to see your struggles, afraid of rejection  3: Growth stage, overworked, steady stream of business, see that mindset holding back from more money, stalling  4: Intentional entrepreneur, take clients we love, want to understand our head trash   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rejection hurts; whether that’s from a friend, a romantic partner, or even a job! The other major rejection we rarely identify is the rejection of self, including negative self-hatred and self-talk. This week, our guest teaches us how to turn this rejection, in whatever form it may be, into purpose and happiness! Trista is joined by relationship coach, inspirational speaker, podcast host, and new author, Kait Warman. She gives us an overview of the various forms of rejection identified in her book, Thank You for Rejecting Me: Transform Pain Into Purpose and Learn to Fight for Yourself, and opens up about her biggest rejection and the transformation that came from it, including a moment that she’s never shared before. She reads a powerful letter that she wrote to heartache, and Trista also opens up about moments where she has been hurt in the past. We hope this episode inspires you not to run from pain, but to lean into it in order to find your purpose and ultimately, heal.   You can connect with Kait on Instagram @kaitness or @heartofdating, listen to her podcast Heart of Dating, and check out her book Thank You for Rejecting Me: Transform Pain Into Purpose and Learn to Fight for Yourself, wherever you shop!   To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!    Thanks to our incredible sponsor for making this episode possible! Check out this deal just for you:  ATHENA CLUB – Get 20% off your first order at athenaclub.com when you use promo code better  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How well do you know yourself? What about your loved ones? It turns out there is quite a lot to learn, and to help scratch the surface, Trista is joined by Enneagram teacher, therapist, author, speaker, corporate consultant, podcast host, songwriter, and Episcopal priest, Ian Morgan Cron! While his expertise could fill a whole year’s worth of Better Etc. episodes, today’s conversation focuses on his wealth of knowledge regarding the Enneagram and helps us begin the process of honoring our stories through self-awareness - thanks to this ancient personality typing system. You will get clues as to what type you are as Ian gives us a high-level view of all nine types. Don’t think that nine types means that this test has to be a sham, though, because within each type are an infinite number of personalities (which makes lots of sense being that there are billions of people on the planet!) And once you complete the test, you can use the incredibly comprehensive results to help handle stressful situations and approach life with an enhanced lens. Ian also discusses the value of mindfulness meditation in order to respond, rather than react to life and even gives everyone a glimpse into Trista and Ryan’s marriage with a little analysis of their types and how they interact - or should!  We hope this episode motivates you to want to dig deeper into this insightful web of personality thereby creating better relationships, developing more compassion for others, discovering your authentic self, and building a better life.   You can connect with Ian and learn more at ianmorgancron.com and listen to his podcast Typology where ever you listen to podcasts. For 15% off his comprehensive iEQ9 personality test, use code BETTER15 at ianmorgancron.com/assessment.  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TW: eating disorder, bulimia   No matter how things appear, everyone has internal battles. If your battle is with food, something that most of us are expected to eat three times every single day, that battle can be exhausting and all-consuming. This week, Trista is joined by nutritionist, certified food and body coach, and founder of Ditch the Scale Academy, Andrea Montoya. In this powerful episode, Andrea breaks down emotional eating, why we do it, and how we can try to stop it. She opens up about her lowest moment, defines emotional eating, offers signs to look out for, and shares how to foster healthy relationships between your children and their food. There is a myriad of ways you can battle with food, and in this insightful episode Andrea offers helpful guidance on how to improve the relationship that sustains us. Ultimately, Andrea insists that your body is not the enemy; food is not the enemy. She emphasizes the value of incorporating breath and presence in our lives, as we cannot heal what we are not aware of.  You can connect with Andrea @thingsandreasays on Instagram, Facebook, and thingsandreasays.com. Mention you heard her through the podcast, and she will give you 25% off some of her courses!!  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram. To connect with the Better, etc community, check out our Facebook group. Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have trouble setting boundaries? Do you, like so many, feel like you’re experiencing burnout? If so, you’re not going to want to miss today’s powerful conversation. Trista is joined by an old friend from her days as a Miami Heat dancer, Janet Jones. The two discuss defining and addressing burnout, somatic experiencing, surge capacity, and setting and respecting boundaries. We learn that one of the best ways to avoid burnout is play; shutting out people’s access to you, being completely present, and playing, whether that’s getting outside or having a dance party in your room! And, speaking of dance, we learn how Janet balances her role as a mother and also as the founder of VXN, a dance fitness brand focused on improving the physical & mental wellness of women that now has 500 instructors in 8 countries. Janet opens up about her experience with burnout and ways in which we can work to prevent it or heal if it happens. Trista also shares her own scary experience with her body reaching its limits on a family trip. You never know what’s going on with people behind the scenes which is why it’s so, so important to always be kind and to strive to be better!  You can connect with Janet on Instagram @janet_jones, and check out VXN at vxnworkout.com.   Janet’s book recommendations   “The Body Keeps The Score” by Bessel Van Der Kolk  “When The Body Says No” by Gabor Mate  “Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski  “Margin” by Richard A Swenson  “In an Unspoken Voice” by Peter A Levine  “Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma” by Peter A. Levine and Ann Frederick  “Burning Bright” by Kelsey J. Patel  “Boundaries” by Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend  “Mind Over Medicine” by Lissa Rankin    To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.  Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!    Thank you to our amazing sponsor! Check out The Safe Haven podcast today.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How many decisions do you make in a day? In a week? Probably a whole lot! This week, Trista is joined by clinical psychologist and author of Choose Better: The Optimal Decision-Making Framework, Dr. Timothy Yen, to help us not only make decisions in the first place, but make better decisions all around. Trista and Dr. Yen dive into the 4-step framework he created to help people come up with options to select from in order to make better decisions and Dr. Yen touches on how courage plays into every step of that framework. The two also discuss how mistakes can sometimes be a good thing, why people make poor decisions in the first place, and how his framework can be applied for children and parents, too! As you all know by now, this podcast is all about being better and we could not think of a better-informed guest to help us all move through the day with confidence in our choices – and ultimately, confidence in ourselves.   You can connect with Tim at www.timyen.com and @choosebetterconsulting on Instagram.  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.     Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Trista is joined by certified life and spiritual coach, hypnotherapist, speaker, meditation teacher, and in-house life coach at Poosh, Ryan Haddon! In her always soothing voice, Ryan explains the meaning behind her course, The Relationship Triumvirate, a three-part method to dig into the important relationships in your life, including your relationship with yourself, your relationship with others, and your relationship with something greater. Trista and Ryan dive into the differences between life coaching and therapy, how she uses hypnosis to help others, the benefits to putting time and energy into the relationship you have with yourself, the emotional freedom technique of tapping, and how to maintain inner calm when you’re triggered. We hope this hopeful and enlightening conversation provides you with the tools necessary to not only create stronger relationships with those around you, but to continuously build the one you have with the most important person in your life…you!   You can follow Ryan on Instagram @ryanhaddoncoach or visit her website ryanhaddon.com for more information. You can also find a link to The Relationship Triumvirate course here, with the next round coming soon: https://ryanhaddon.com/product/the-relationship-triumvirate/   To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.     Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In her very first segment of “Trista’s Takes,” Trista shares her thoughts on the recent controversy in Bachelor Nation. She then speaks to a recently-released interview on another podcast in order to better clarify her statements and intentions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to feel inspired and motivated to be better, because this week is all about mastering your mental game and achieving your goals. Trista is joined by Dre Baldwin, who on top of a 9-year professional basketball career, is a blogger, YouTuber, business owner, podcast host, 4x TED speaker, and author of 27 books. Since you need to know where you’re going before you can get there, Dre and Trista discuss how to discover your personal definition of success and how to achieve mastery once you decide what success looks like for you. While reaching your ultimate goals undoubtedly requires hard work, Dre has streamlined the process to start working on your goals once you've defined them. He breaks it down into the 4 step “Work On Your Game” process: discipline, confidence, mental toughness, and personal initiative. No matter what success looks like to you and whatever your goals may be, we can all learn how to be better from today’s incredibly inspiring guest.  To learn more about Dre, visit his website DreAllDay.com or WorkonYourGame.com. For his free book (just cover shipping!) head to http://MirrorOfMotivation.com/.  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.    Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

TW: self-harm, sexual abuse    If you or someone you know may be a victim of trafficking or would like more information, please call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.   This week on the podcast, Trista is joined by Elizabeth Frazier, a survivor of decades of sex trafficking who is helping to empower other survivors by sharing her story to shed light on the often-hidden world of trafficking. To outsiders, Elizabeth appeared to have a “normal” childhood as part of a loving family. But behind the scenes, Elizabeth was being trafficked from a very early age by her seemingly caring parents, a nightmare that lasted until she was a 23-year-old wife and mother. In this eye-opening episode, Elizabeth shares signs we can look out for when it comes to abuse, details how she coped while being sex trafficked as well as how she is able to deal with the memories to this day, and describes moments of love and safety she felt from people along the way that kept her hanging on. Elizabeth is now working to provide hope and light to other survivors as the founder of Hero Bands, a company whose mission is to “arm you with strength” through bracelets and the power of words. Elizabeth recently hired the first set of survivors, in an effort to ensure that they don’t have to return to a life of trafficking.    We cannot solve problems we aren’t yet aware of, and we hope this episode educates and inspires you to take action, keep your eyes open to the horrible truth that is prevalent in our country, and hopefully help to cause positive change and protect women, men, and children just like Elizabeth.    For more information, please visit: Aimfree.org and Operation Underground Railroad.    You can follow @hero_bands on Instagram, and find their website at herobands.com. They donate $2 from every item sold to different organizations that help with awareness, and right now that is the Elizabeth Smart Foundation and Fight the New Drug.    To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Friendships are such an important and meaningful part of our everyday lives, but forming friendships and keeping them strong is definitely easier said than done. This week on the podcast, Trista is joined by best friends, podcasters, and authors Jenn Bane and Trin Garritano to discuss all things friendship, from how to meet new potential friends as an adult to expressing our needs and boundaries in our friendships. They answer questions from Better, Etc. listeners that range from how to create a circle of friends in a new city, how to meet friends on the internet safely (if you’re 18+), and how to disconnect from friends who bring you down. They also discuss working on feelings of jealousy in a friendship and determining if differences in values is a friendship dealbreaker. The three all agree that one saying is particularly true when it comes to the friendships in our lives: quality over quantity! We hope that today’s episode gives you some tools to help you form cherished friendships in the future and helps you strengthen your existing friendships so that life is better all-around!   You can go to jennandtrin.com for a one-stop shop and follow the Friendshipping! podcast @DoFriendship on Twitter. Also, be sure to check out their book FRIENDSHIPPING: The Art of Finding Friends, Being Friends, and Keeping Friends.  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.    Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!     

QuaranTEEN can be tough. Raising teenagers is challenging in the best of times, but between quarantine and homeschooling, everyone’s struggles right now are amplified. To help us out, Trista welcomes Family Coach and “Teen Whisperer” Kirsten Cobabe, to talk about all things parenting and provide information on how to better connect and communicate with our teenagers. In this episode, Kirsten shares some incredible tips on how to help our teens form their identities through all the phases of adolescence and your host opens up about a recent learning moment with her son Max and a beautiful moment with daughter Blakesley in hopes that it can help any listeners out there who may be able to relate.  Trista shares your questions with Kirsten as they discuss everything from that dreaded “how was school” question parents always ask, to how to navigate bedtime negotiations, to when you should have “the talk” with your kids. Parents out there know that not all moments are good moments, but we should always try to hold on to the positives and keep learning how to be better…and Kirsten’s thoughtful advice can help us all do just that!    You can book a free call with Kirsten on her website kirstencobabe.com, and can find free resources at raisingunicorns.co. You can also access The Basics Course all about supporting your teen at  https://www.raisingunicorns.co/support-your-teen-now and can follow Kirsten on Instagram @kirstencobabe. To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.  Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!  Thank you to our amazing sponsor! Check out this deal for our listeners:BETTERHELP- Get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/etc

This week, Trista continues her raw, emotional, and important discussion with Rachel Lindsay. We learn more about Rachel’s life beyond The Bachelorette as she opens up and shares some very difficult personal moments of dealing with overt racism and harmful microaggressions.  She discusses how she has had to suppress her emotions and reactions for fear of being unfairly labeled and judged, and how she copes.  She even talks about where her relationship with Hannah Brown stands, her hopeful plans of becoming a mother, and how she plans to raise biracial children with Bryan.  Plus, Rachel offers up specific resources to help us all do the work necessary to effect progress toward racial equality.  This conversation may be an uncomfortable one for many, but it is in the face of the greatest discomfort where the biggest and best changes in perspective can happen.You can follow Rachel on Instagram @therachlindsay, and check out her website rachellindsayofficial.com. Catch her every day on Extra, or tune in to Higher Learning and Bachelor Happy Hour wherever you listen to your podcasts.  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her @tristasutter or @betteretc on Instagram.  Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!  Thank you to our amazing sponsor! Check out this deal for our listeners:BETTERHELP- Get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/etc

For the first episode of 2021 Trista is VERY excited to be joined by her first guest from Bachelor Nation, Rachel Lindsay. In light of all that happened in terms of racial injustice in 2020, Trista felt it was important to continue the conversation with someone she considers a friend, role model, and activist, in hopes of being part of the steps toward progress.  We get to know the Rachel that you may not have seen on “The Bachelorette”.  She discusses the environment in which she was raised, privileges and stereotypes, and how we’re all just a little bit racist (like the Avenue Q song).  It’s a big chat, an important chat, and one that will hopefully shed some light on ways in which we can better understand each other and help to create a kinder, more equal world, one person at a time.   You can follow Rachel on Instagram @therachlindsay , watch her every day on Extra, or tune in to Higher Learning and Bachelor Happy Hour wherever you listen to your podcasts.  To check out what your host is up to, you can follow her at @tristasutter or on the @betteretc page on Instagram.  Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together! Thank you to our amazing sponsors! Check out these deals for our listeners:BETTERHELP- Get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/etcGHOST TEQUILA – Get 20% off your order at ghosttequila.com when you use code ETC 

Episode TW: anxiety, depression, eating disorder This week on the podcast Trista is joined by the founder and CEO of Raw Beauty Co, host of the top 10 podcast Raw Beauty Talks, and certified health coach Erin Treloar. Erin and Trista discuss the comparisons that eat away at all of us and how to separate ourselves from the negative voice inside our heads. They discuss self-esteem, body image, aging and raising the next generation of empowered women. Plus, Erin offers accessible mindfulness tools we can all practice to begin to shed the ideals surrounding us, embrace the present, channel energy into ourselves, and make gratitude a practice…in order to live happier and more authentically as our best selves.  Learn more and connect with Erin on Instagram @RawBeautyTalks and her website RawBeauty.co where you can find information on coaching and their group program, the Raw Beauty Reset. You can also follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together! Thank you to our amazing sponsor! Check out this deal for our listeners: BETTERHELP- You can get 10% off your first month by visiting our sponsor at BetterHelp.com/etc

Today Trista is joined by an old friend and pro kayaker, Brad Ludden. Founder of the charity First Descents, Brad offers free adventure therapy for young adults with cancer and multiple sclerosis, their caregivers, and, this year, introduced programs for frontline workers. Trista and Brad discuss his upbringing in Montana as a professional kayaker (since the age of 13!), the genesis of his organization, and the remarkable benefits of adventure therapy. This episode highlights the positive impact that nature and community can have on your spirit. Anyone can experience the healing benefits of outdoor adventure, and in this episode, Brad teaches us all not to be afraid of a challenge. Learn more and connect with Brad on Instagram @bradludden and First Descents @first_descents. To sponsor or apply to First Descents, visit firstdescents.org. You can also follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together! 

This week’s episode means so much to us, as Trista is joined by her friend Celynn McClarrinon, a certified grief recovery method specialist and social worker. They chat about the details of grief...what exactly it is, the various types of grief and loss, the myths, the ways to work through it, and because it’s been such a source of loss for nearly everyone this year, they also discuss COVID and its effects. Celynn shares tips on how to cope, including patting ourselves on the back for managing what we can control, and finding and venting to our trusted support system. While the pain of loss never truly leaves us, they discuss moving through grief and finding meaning in it all. Whether you have experienced significant loss in your life, want to be prepared for when the time comes, or are hoping to be able to help the loved ones in your life who are experiencing grief, this episode offers great nuggets of wisdom for all of us.   Learn more and connect with Celynn via her website celynnmcclarrinoncgrs.com, on her Facebook page Celynn McClarrinon, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist, and her Instagram @agingernut. You can also follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!

Calling all love addicts! You’re not going to want to miss today’s fast-paced episode as Trista is joined by the dynamic Patti Stanger. Among her many accomplishments, she’s a third-generation matchmaker, best-selling author, actress, and owner and CEO of MillionairesClub123.com! As the leading relationship expert in the world, Patti is the former VP of marketing at Great Expectations, and the executive producer and star of the hit Bravo show The Millionaire Matchmaker. On today's episode, she talks about how and where to find love, red flags, keeping the fire alive, all those dating apps, plus, dating in a pandemic! She also shares her connection to the Bachelor franchise that she’s never shared before. It’s all about relationships this week, as we learn tips on finding true love from the very best.  Learn more and connect with Patti via her website MillionairesClub123.com. Follow her across all social media platforms @pattistanger and follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate us 5 stars, subscribe, review, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together! 

Today on the podcast, Trista speaks with best-selling author, speaker, and one of the stars of MTV’s The Buried Life, Ben Nemtin, whose guidance helps people everywhere live their lives without holding back. Ben opens up about his personal experience with anxiety and depression and how his struggles eventually led him to find a support system and change his life for the better. Trista and Ben dive into the value of asking for help and guidance, unburying your dreams, and living the life you really want. Ben shares the story of how The Buried Life came to be, starting with that one time they casually crashed the VMAs and pitched it as a pilot to MTV (spoiler alert: it worked and they got the TV show of their dreams)! The two also cover bucket lists, regret, accountability, and so much more, with the ultimate goal of becoming their better selves.Learn more about Ben by visiting bennemtin.com. To connect with Ben or send him your bucket list, you can find him on Instagram @bennemtin, and you can follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!

Today on the podcast, life coach extraordinaire Kelley Wolf joins Trista to speak about how we can use her incredible happiness map, FLOW, to move from a place of stress and worry to a place of love and action. Her mission is to help us change our lives and our mindsets from “good” to “great” so that we can ultimately become helpers for the movements and causes that are particularly meaningful to us as individuals. Kelley shares with Trista how she pairs magic with science through life coaching, how we can train ourselves to form “spiritual” abs, and how to identify our nonnegotiable daily needs in order to get to a place of stability and build a strong foundation. Trista and Kelley work through examples of FLOW using a common trigger (do any other moms feel this way about dinnertime!?) and discuss ways they are continuously working to better themselves.Learn more about Kelley by visiting her website FLOWbyKelleyWolf.com and checking out her Instagram @kelleywolf, and follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together! 

In her second episode, Trista sits down with longtime friend, Catt Sadler, for a much-needed chat! You likely know Catt from her incredible hosting career, from her own podcast called NAKED, and from her blog, theCATTWALK. Catt has not only created a name for herself in entertainment but also by fighting for equal pay for women everywhere after ending her longtime career with E!. She discusses what it was like working toward pay parity prior to the Time’s Up movement and how she made the final decision to bet on herself during the negotiation process. In addition to her professional breakup with E!, Catt opens up about her personal romantic breakups and lessons she’s learned from them. We also find out how Catt first got started in her career in entertainment, how she remains friendly with her exes, and how she continues to work on herself through therapy and beyond.Learn more about Catt by visiting her blog, listening to her podcast, and checking out her Instagram, and make sure to follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!

Welcome to the first episode of Better Etc. where Trista Sutter shines a light on the ways we can all be better! Her first guest is none other than her husband and final rose recipient, Ryan Sutter, who shares how he strives to be better when it comes to his career and family. A LOT has happened since they met on the first season of The Bachelorette all those years ago, including a major career change for Ryan. Trista and Ryan discuss why everyone should go about life as a philosopher, why self-help books might not give you all the help you need, and why Ryan just absolutely loves pulling people out of ditches! Ryan also explains the meaning behind his motto “no rush, no pause” and how this mindset has improved his life and helped him to find purpose. They also chat the woes of pushing yourself to the limits and how their kids have taught them to enjoy the small things in life.You can find Ryan on Instagram at @ryansutter and follow your host Trista on her Instagram at @tristasutter.Be sure to rate, subscribe, review, and share with a friend so that we can all continue to be better together!

Host Trista Sutter is a mother, wife, and author… oh and she’s also known as the fairy godmother of a little reality dating show you might have heard of… you know, the one with the roses and the right reasons. Each week Trista chats with experts and everyday people about how we can all be better versions of ourselves.  Whether it’s figuring out how to talk to our kids about sex, mastering a batch of cookies that your friends and family will drool over, guiding us down a path of being a more compassionate human, or shining a light on how to improve the important relationships in our lives, no topic is off the table. If we can get better at it, we’ll talk about it. We’ll laugh, we’ll cry, we’ll open some eyes and hopefully even change some lives…for the better!! You can connect with Trista on Instagram @tristasutter