Books That Shape Us

Join Jennifer and me as we discuss Untamed by Glennon Doyle. Jennifer shares how this book is one giant permission wand for her to live life on her terms and as her true self. We talk about the power of rest, and how giving ourselves permission to love ourselves as ourselves is a mighty act. We dive into what it feels like to know something deeply, how it feels in the body and how new worlds & possibilities open up when we listen to that deep knowing.We also share embarrassing stories and giggle about science words that are waaaaaay too close to naughty words.

***Warning! We're discussing erotic fiction today!!*** Join Eileen and me as we discuss Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon. Eileen discovered this book while reconnecting with her childhood loves of science fiction and romance novels. She shares how Ice Planet Barbarians series helped her discover a powerful part of herself and the healing that passion & desire bring both inside and outside the bedroom. Eileen firmly believes erotic fiction can be healing for women.We chat about A LOT! So buckle up for this wildly fun conversation. We also talk about Loving What Is by Byron Katie and Abraham Hicks and how amazing it is to learn about ourselves through practical books and fantasy books. Join us!

Join Stephanie and me as we discuss Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls: 100 Tales of Extraordinary Women by Elena Favilli & Francesca Cavallo. This book found its way to Stephanie in the midst of a divorce. Stephanie shares how this book encouraged her during that time and inspired her to create Rebel Girl Village, a community for women & children.Hear how all this started from a children's book Stephanie read to her girls at bedtime!Join us!Rebel Girl Village InformationRebel Girl Go Fund Me PageWebsite: www.therebelgirlvillage.comEmail: stephaniemlankford@gmail.com

Join my sister, Carrie, and me as we discuss ‘The Phantom Tollbooth' by Norton Juster AND bonus book “Hatchet' by Gary Paulsen. We talk about how different kinds of books captivate us in different ways. These are two books that Carrie used in her 6th grade classrooms for years. We also chat about how much we still love being read to, even now. Yay! Audiobooks! Join us!

Join Holly and me as we discuss ‘Sidetracked Home Executives' by Pam Young & Peggy Jones. Holly shares how this book about getting a house organized inspired her to make huge changes in her life!We chat about how books seem to find us at the exact right time and that stories have a way of reaching us more deeply than just facts. Join us!

Join Bobbie Jo and me as we discuss ‘Blue Mind' by Wallace J. Nichols. Bobbie Jo shares how this book found her at just the right time and proved with science what she was sure of for so long. ‘Blue Mind' is about how being around water (in ANY of its many shapes and forms) makes us happier, healthier, and more connected.Do you love the sights, sounds and feel of water? Join us to hear more about the science of why that is!

Join Matt Lovell and me as we chat about ‘Man Enough' by Justin Baldoni. Matt shares how this book grabbed his attention right in the prologue, challenged him, and opened him up to a whole new understanding of himself and others! Matt and I both share our own journeys towards finding and redefining “enoughness”. If you've ever caught yourself striving to prove to others that you are enough, this book is for you. Join us!

Hey All! Books That Shape Us is coming back on 12/6/22! I can't wait to share with you new friends, new chats about books that have changed their lives!New episodes will drop every 2 weeks starting 12/6/22. AND! I'd love to hear about a book that has shaped you!  Or is there a book you discovered because of this podcast?Reach out to me on Instagram @megrunyanstudiosAlso you can check out my Inspiring Creativity Book List hereIt includes books that have shaped me & books shared on this podcastTake Care!Support the show

Join Nathan and me as we discuss how The Bible has shaped Nathan. He sees the Bible as a sacred text that we can wrestle with & question and that we are actually invited to do that! He shares how needing to question & wrestle with the Bible has opened him up to deeper understandings of himself, others, & the natural world.We even wrestle a bit in our conversation with differing perspectives and ideas. We share openly about what we wrestle with when it comes to faith and God.Join us if you're curious!

Hey Friends! Today I'm sharing about my love of libraries. I've always loved libraries. They feel full of possibilities and adventures. Having my library card helps me feel connected to where I'm living and feels like a passport at the same time. I also share my favorite way to get used books, cuz having a book habit can get expensive!!! Want to find out more? Join me!Things I mention in the episode:Online Used Bookstore www.betterworldbooks.comThe Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

Join Nikki and me as we discuss The Seven Decisions by Andy Andrews. Nikki shares how this book helped her step up in her adult life and gave her permission to choose how she wants to be in the world. We talk about procrastination, joy and how the simple act of making a decision can be a small step that makes a profound difference.We also share our love for our local libraries where the wide range of books, physical, digital & audio versions are at your fingertips.Join us!

Hey Friends! Today I'm sharing about how I go about finding my next book to read. There are so many good books out there! How does one choose?  I'm sharing an embodiment practice I use to tap into my intuition and follow my inspiration to my next book. Want to find out more? Join me!

Join Mckenzie and me as we discuss The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling. Mckenzie shares how she fell in love with reading because of Harry Potter.  Since then, her love of reading has continued to grow, but Harry Potter sparked it all. We chat about how epic adventure books are a great escape, and how returning to them again and again can be comforting like a warm blanket. We also share our fascination with creativity & world building, our favorite characters and generally geek out about the series. If you're curious about what we think makes Harry Potter so great, join us!

Hey Friends! Today I'm sharing about my on again, off again, on again relationship with poetry. Can you relate? I used to think I just didn't “get” poetry. I always felt like I was missing something. That is until a few poems stopped me in my tracks. I GOT them! I felt them! I just needed to find MY poets. Now I believe in the power of poetry and share a couple of those poems that caught my imagination. Want to find out more? Join me! 

Join Kelly and me as we discuss The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben. Kelly shares how the revelations in this book opened her eyes to see trees & nature in a new way. PLUS it opened her eyes to see how interconnected we humans are to each other, to our surroundings, to nature and within ourselves. She also lets me geek out about nature shows, otters and my background in outdoor education & farming!

Hey Everyone! Today I'm sharing how books can be a form of medicine! Stories have to power to open us up and sometimes that means helping us name our wounds that we didn't even know were there. Stories can also bring the healing salve to those same wounds. In this episode I share a few books that were/are medicine to me. Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho to name a few. Want to find out more? Join me! 

**Special Disclaimer- In this episode Lori & I talk openly about genitals, sex, sexuality, arousal, porn, and menstrual cups all in a nonjudgmental and welcoming way. If that's not something you're comfortable with please skip this episode**Lori Hoffer returns!!! And we are getting into it!! This time Lori is sharing the book Come As You Are: The Surprising New Science That Will Transform Your Sex Life by Emily Nagoski. We are open about all the things mentioned in the disclaimer above and have a ton of fun doing it. We also chat about not liking reading, how our relationship to sex is very much tied to our relationship to our body, and how talking about taboo subjects can set us free.. Join us for Books That Shape Us, the After Dark version!

Hey Everyone! Today I'm sharing about looking at books as food, or as nourishment. Sometimes I notice I'm reading just one kind of book (psychology, personal growth often) and eventually reading starts to feel like a burden, a should, a have to. That's usually when I realize I've gotten into a book rut. That's when I ask myself what kind of book do I feel like reading? Just like asking myself what kind of food am I craving?  (By the way, the murder mystery book that changed my whole perspective on that kind of book is Still Life by Louise Penny.) Want to find out more? Join me! 

Join Fidel and me as we discuss Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. Fidel shares how this book found him as a young man and broke him open, helped him realize the kind of man he wanted to be, and how reading helped him integrate these new ideas. We chat about how reading gives us space to hear new ideas, wrestle with them, to see our wounds and gives space for those wounds to heal. We also laugh how uncertainty about words can get lodged into our brains so that we're never sure we're saying or spelling them right. Sometimes you just gotta go for it and hope for the best! Join us!

Hey Everyone! Today I'm sharing about what we can learn when we put ourselves in the story. What if you see all the characters in a story as different aspects of you? It can be quite illuminating! Join me! 

Join Shana and me as we discuss The Pedagogy of the Opressed by Paulo Freire. Shana first read this book in grad school and it has shaped her career ever since from teaching in high school, college, graduate school, and now as an embodied writing coach. We discuss how what we are taught and HOW we are taught has lasting effects into our adulthood. Shana shares how this book awoke her a passion to help people find and share their voice with the world. We also laugh about tripping over words and how chuckling can turn into an all out laugh fest. Join us!

Guess what everybody! Books That Shape Us is 1 year old!!

Join Mary and me as we discuss The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. Mary shares how this book helped her understand other writers like Eckhart Tolle in a new and deeper way. Sometimes the practice of decluttering physical things and asking yourself what sparks joy can open you up to new understanding and ways of being. We also laugh about how our brains get tripped up when trying to learn another language. Join us!Also, I'm taking a break from the podcast over the holidays. I'll be back with new episodes in 2022! Until then, happy reading & happy holidays! Meg's Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experiencing More Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosMeg's Instagram @megrunyanstudiosMary's Instagram: @marygodinetTo learn more BodyMind Living start here:Free BodyMindWorkshop:https://laurawieck.ontraport.com/t?orid=41606&opid=37Website:https://www.bodymindliving.com/Support Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons LicenseSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Chad and me as we discuss The Power of Myth by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers. The Power of Myth was originally an interview series aired on PBS. Chad brings the extended print version of this classic. We chat about how stories and myths have the power to give insight and meaning to our lives. Humans have been telling these kinds of stories before the beginning of time and we share how these kinds of stories point to and unlock deep truths. We also geek out on how movies like Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, and all the superhero movies continue the tradition of storytelling and myth today. Join us!Meg's Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experiencing More Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosSupport Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons LicenseSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Michelle and me as we discuss Stolen Lives: Twenty Years in a Desert Jail by Malika Oufkir. We chat about books we read growing up and how reading true stories about real people and real places has the power to inspire us, connect us, and break us out of our bubbles. Michelle shares how this book inspired her to join the Peace Corps and changed the course of her life. Join us!Meg's Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experiencing More Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosMichelle's Contact Info:michellerockwood.comTo learn more BodyMind Living start here:Free Workshop:https://laurawieck.ontraport.com/t?orid=41606&opid=37Website:https://www.bodymindliving.com/Support Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons LicenseSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Lauren and me as we discuss Transitions by William Bridges. We chat about life being full of transitions and that there are many stages when it comes to transitions. Lauren shares how this book came to her when almost everything seemed to be in transition. We also laugh about choose your own adventure books and how some professions just might need their own version of spell-check. Lauren also reads an excerpt from Warriors of the Heart by Danaan Parry that describes transitions & how they feel beautifully. Join us!Meg's Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experiencing More Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosLauren's Contact Info:laurenpirowellness@gmail.comIG: @radicleremediesTo learn more BodyMind Living start here:Free Workshop:https://laurawieck.ontraport.com/t?orid=41606&opid=37Website:https://www.bodymindliving.com/Support Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons LicenseSupport the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Laura Wieck and me as we discuss New Self New World by Philip Shepherd. We chat about how books have the power to not only lead us into new understanding, but also affirm and give words to what our intuition & experiences have been telling us all along. Laura shares how Philip teaches us to listen FROM the body and that personal growth & evolution begins in the body. These teachings inspired Laura to create BodyMind Living & BodyMind Coaching Certification Program. We also laugh about choosing ice cream flavors and those science words that are just a little too close to embarrassing, risqué words, especially when you're in junior high/middle school! Stick around to the end to hear Laura & I share our best corny answering machine messages! Join us!Meg's Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experience Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosTo learn more about Laura & BodyMind Living start here:Free Workshop:https://laurawieck.ontraport.com/t?orid=41606&opid=37BodyMind Living Website:https://www.bodymindliving.com/Support Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Lori and me as we discuss her favorite children's book, The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater.  We chat about big themes in small books, how "accidents" can be the catalysts for change & discovery, and the importance of getting people's names right.  Join us!Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experiencing More Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosLori's Website:LorineHoffer.com Support Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Briana and me as we discuss Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L Weiss. It's a fascinating exploration of how Dr. Brian Weiss discovers a new way of doing psychotherapy. We also chat about how stories in fiction & non-fiction can take us on adventures & new worlds a la Belle from Beauty & the Beast. Briana, a self described word nerd, shares how a simple but confusing word knocked her out of a spelling bee, Join us!Free Guide: 3 Steps to Experiencing More Joy TodayMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosBriana's Contact Info:Instagram @dzbribriSupport Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​Support the show (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudio)

Join Carly and me as we discuss The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.  We chat about Creativity, Resistance and being entrepreneurs. We both love this book and believe that every person is creative! If you've ever experienced the sudden zing of inspiration to start something, but then procrastinate, forget or explain why you can't do it. Congrats! You've just experienced Resistance. Pressfield's book is all about how Resistance is a part of any endeavor, big or small, and there's a way to push through it. Join us!Support Books That Shape UsSubscribe & ReviewTell your friends about Books That Shape Us!Donate money to cover production costs at https://www.buymeacoffee.com/megrunyanstudioMeg's Contact Info:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @megrunyanstudiosCarly's Contact Info:Instagram @carlyclarkzimmerMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​

Hey there, dear listeners! I'm coming on here to share that Season 2 of Books That Shape Us will start September 2021. I originally thought I'd be back in July for Season 2, but the truth is I'm having a hard time staying inside & working at my computer! So, you get a couple more months to catch up on Season 1, explore other podcasts or other fun summer activities! I'll be back in September with a new batch of conversations with friends about the books that have changed their lives. In the meantime, I'd love to hear from you about a book or books that have shaped you! You can find me on Instagram @megrunyanstudios. Talk soon!Meg:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @ megrunyanstudiosMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​ 

Join our guest host, Bria as she interviews me about Goddesses in Everywoman by Jean Shinoda Bolen, MD.  We chat about using myths as a way to understand who we are, how we interact in the world and how transformative that can be.  I also mention a couple other books that use myth & story to understand our psyche and to move towards wholeness; Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes & The Way of Integrity by Martha Beck. Join us!FYI- After this episode I will be taking a break. I'll be back July 6,2021 with Season 2 of Books That Shape Us. See you then!Meg:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @ megrunyanstudiosBriahttps://www.coachingbydesign.space/Instagram @ coachingbydesign_briaFaceBook: Coaching by DesignMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​ 

Join Erin and I as we chat about how the Twilight Series, by Stephenie Meyer changed Erin's life! We discuss how story telling has a powerful way to speak to our psyche and reach our souls. We also chat about superpowers and learning to become our own hero. Whether you loved or hated the series, this conversation celebrates how stories have the power to shake us up, inspire us to search for wholeness and then discover it was already within us waiting to be unlocked. We also chat about our work as massage therapists, a coach and a mentor. Join us!Here is the link to a video we talk about in the episode that demonstrates Ayurvedic Abhyanga Self Massage : https://youtu.be/CmuggGjxEf8.  If you are curious and want to learn more about Erin's or my work here are some ways to connect with us:Erin : www.sowingsynergy.comMeg:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @ megrunyanstudiosMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License: https://bit.ly/39hxUtJ​ 

Join me and my friend Joy as we chat about Working with the Dreaming Body by Arnold Mindell. We get into it, talking about how the body holds onto memories, emotions, pain and also contains great wisdom. It's a fascinating book that Joy can't keep on her bookshelves because she is always giving it out! Throughout the episode Joy and I share about our experiences as massage therapists and Body Mind Coaches. So you will get a little insight into what we do! We also get to chat about reading books outside of our usual topics and how you can get good book recommendations from the strangest places. Join us!If you are curious and want to learn more about Joy's or my work here are some ways to connect with us:Joy:http://essentialconnectionsmassage.ca/https://www.facebook.com/essentialconnectionsmassageMeg:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosInstagram @ megrunyanstudiosMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... 

Join me and my friend Jen as we chat about, not one but three(!) of Jen's favorite children's books. One from her childhood and two from when she was raising little ones. We chat about how sometimes kids books carry huge life lessons, and how there are some words in the english language we just never get used to saying or even remembering what they mean. Jen and I also mention that we are both coaches. If you are curious and want to learn more here are some ways to connect with us:Jen:https://www.jenniferbrennanwellness.com/instagram @jenniferbrennanwellnessMeg:https://linktr.ee/megrunyanstudiosinstagram @megrunyanstudiosHere are the books Jen shares with us:Me and My Flying Machine by Marianna Mercer & Mercer MayerWe’re Going on a Bear Hunt by Helen Oxenbury & Michael RosenBaby Brains by Simon JamesMusic: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... 

It's the Mom Episode!!! Join me and my very special guest, My Mom (!) as we chat about one of her favorite books from when she was a little girl, Raspberry Patch, written & illustrated by Grace Paull. We talk about her dad's own raspberry patch, how special children's books are, our favorite and least favorite jams, and how no matter what, some words we will always mispronounce in our heads. Join us!Music: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Join my friend Laurie and me as we chat about The Universe Has Your Back: How to Turn Fear into Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein.  It's another short book that packed with insight, personal stories and guidance. At the time of recording I hadn't read this book, but after I went out and got it. I loved it. Laurie & I also chat about elementary school libraries, learning to see coincidences as synchronicities (or "God winks") and how as little kids we come up with the craziest words for things. Join us!Music: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

In this episode I chat with my friend Karen about A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. We discuss childhood reading nooks, how sometimes we get completely lost (confused-lost) when reading flowery worded classics, and the correct pronounciation of a chaise longue (the really long chair that is not a couch). P.S. I don’t think I ever get it right. :) Join us!In my opinion no discussion of A Tale of Two Cities is complete without referencing the episode of Cheers where Frasier Crane tries to read the classic to the people in the bar. After we recorded the episode I found the clip on YouTube. Check it out here. Enjoy!Music: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

In this episode my friend Allison and I chat about Medicine Cards by Jamie Sams & David Carson. It's a combination of book and a deck of cards that draws on Indigenous wisdom traditions to find inspiration, guidance and reflection. We talk about how insights into our psyche can be terribly uncomfortable & disappointing but once accepted these insights then turn into huge gifts. We also mention the Enneagram, a personality typing system that has given us both uncomfortable yet powerful insights. And, as always, we have a laugh about words we've mispronounced. Join us!

Join my friend Bria and me as we chat about The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman.  It's a small book that packs a pragmatic punch. Basically, it's saying there are 5 major ways (languages) that people give and receive love. We chat about how this shows up in all kinds of relationships. Then we laugh about the words we sound out as we write them and also mispronounce. Curious to find out which love language you speak? Join us!Music: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM

Hey Everybody! Welcome to the first episode of Books That Shape Us! Join my friend Dave and me as we chat about John Steinbeck's East of Eden and how sometimes school assigned books can capture your imagination and stick with you through the years. I'm not a huge Steinbeck fan but I really enjoyed this conversation. We also have fun sharing those embarrassing but hilarious moments when we've mispronounced words (sometimes for years) and someone set us straight. Join us!Music: Kauwela by Scandinavianz is licensed under a Creative Commons License. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/... Support by RFM - NCM: https://bit.ly/2xGHypM