Candy from Strangers

Have you ever been overwhelmed by positive stress? And what does that even mean anyway?In this episode, we discuss the types of stress that are currently plaguing us, and how we are managing it. Join us as we cover everything from eating cake, and military retirement, to traveling Europe, and moving to a new city!This journey has been a wild one, but in this episode we want to encourage you, and remind you that  when our lives feel upside down, it's still possible for the world to feel right.Thank you for listening! As always, we want you to know: you are enough, and we're glad you're here.Don't forget to like, comment, share, and subscribe.If you want to support the show and keep us on the air you can do that here: Buymeacoffee

We made it! FINALLY! Part four, the LAST PART of our review of Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection is here!In this ep. we dig into  Guideposts 8-10 of Wholehearted living: 8 : Cultivating Calm and Stillness: Letting Go of Anxiety as a Lifestyle9: Cultivating Meaningful Work: Letting Go of Self-Doubt and “Supposed To”10: Cultivating Laughter, Song, and Dance: Letting Go of Being Cool and “Always in Control” While sharing details about our struggles, fears, and how we're learning to identify and use each of these guideposts in our journey toward a Wholehearted life, it is our hope that it is beneficial to you, dear listener, in some way. Thank you for listening!If the podcast speaks to you or you find value in it, Don't forget to leave a review!!!You can also support production of this show here: Buy us a CoffeeAs always, we want you to know:  you are enough, and we're glad you're here.Thanks for listening!Be on the lookout for more hindsights and insights in the near future.Take the Wholehearted Inventory Quiz Here: wholeheartedinventoryGet The Gifts of Imperfection Book Here: Amazon or B&N

We're back! We missed you guys!!!Injury, illness, and crazy schedules has kept us away, but today we jumped into part three of our review of Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection! In this ep. we dig into  Guideposts 4-7 of Wholehearted living! 4 : Cultivating Gratitude & Joy: Letting Go of Scarcity & Fear of the Dark5: Cultivating Intuition & Trusting Faith: Letting Go of the Need for Certainty6: Cultivating Creativity: Letting Go of Comparison7: Cultivating Play and Rest: Letting Go of Exhaustion as a Status Symbol & Productivity as Self-WorthWe discuss how comparison makes us AFRAID we're not good enough, thus it robs us of our JOY.  If we aren't living with joy, we won't prioritize play, creativeness or rest. AKA the building blocks of a wholehearted life. We examine our need for certainty, and if you have to be certain, you leave no room for faith. James and I share details about our struggles in finding play that isn't attached to productivity, some fears, and how we're learning to let go of 'status'.If uncertainty = vulnerability, & intuition is making room for uncertainty ... no wonder we suck at using our intuition! It's all in the name of growth folks! Here's to learning about WHY we do the things we do, and growing into who we're created to be with less fear of the dark.Don't forget to leave a review!!! You can also support production of this show here: Buy us a CoffeeAs always, we want you to know:  you are enough, and we're glad you're here.Thanks for listening!Take the Wholehearted Inventory Quiz Here: wholeheartedinventoryGet The Gifts of Imperfection Book Here: Amazon or B&N

We made it to part two of our review of Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection!In this ep. we get to dive into the first three Guideposts of Wholehearted living! 1 : Cultivating Authenticity: Letting Go of What People Think2: Cultivating Self-Compassion: Letting Go of Perfectionism3: Cultivating a Resilient Spirit: Letting Go of Numbing and PowerlessnessWe discuss the idea of 'cultivating' and growing into who we want to be and how its life work, not microwave quick work. As recovering perfectionists, we also share our personal gas tank levels from the wholehearted inventory and our takeaways from each guideposts. This is heavy stuff! If you haven't yet, be sure to  take the wholehearted inventory quiz on Brené's  website to follow along with us and don't forget to leave a review!As always, we want you to know:  you are enough, and we're glad you're here.Thanks for listening!If you want to support the production, do that here: Buy us a CoffeeTake the Wholehearted Inventory Quiz Here: wholeheartedinventoryGet The Gifts of Imperfection Book Here: Amazon or B&N

Wholehearted living is the perfect theme for February!Join us book club style in a review of Brené Brown's The Gifts of Imperfection!In this ep. we trudge through the Slough of Despond to take a deep look at the three C's:Courage, Compassion & Connection,  keys to unlocking the power of Love, Belonging & Being Enough. We discuss what gets in the way of wholehearted living while sharing stories, referencing The Land Before Time and four other movies while digesting these first topics in her book.Brené's work is poignant and helpful for anyone wanting to live a full life, a whole life, and in our opinion, a rich life. If you haven't yet, be sure to pick up your copy of her book, and take the wholehearted inventory quiz on her website.  (links below)Don't forget to leave a review!You are enough, and we're glad you're here. Thanks for listening!Buy us a CoffeeQuiz Here: wholeheartedinventoryBook Here: Amazon or B&N

If you made a list of everything you loved most in this world, how long would it take you to list yourself?It's season two baby! We're digging in.Lets be real. We were not excited for 2022. The idea of planning goals felt overwhelming and like wishful thinking. And we haven't been on our own love lists for a long while.Instead of goal mapping or making trite resolutions, we chose the theme of Alignment for this new year.We know what being out of alignment feels like, but what would it feel like to be aligned? To help figure this out we're going  to kickoff this year with an overview of Brené Brown's "The Gifts of Imperfection" in our next episode!  We'll include our thoughts and reactions, what we've learned and what we're going to do about it! To follow along with us, snag a copy at Amazon or B&N, take your gas tank quiz on her website and lets dig in! Quiz Here: wholeheartedinventoryBook Here: Amazon or B&NHere's to learning the process of becoming wholehearted people aligned with our values, learning to love ourselves and be top list people!We're so glad you're joining us!Rebecca & James

We're wrapping season 1 by sharing experiences from Next to North filming on location in Alaska, and discussing the prevalent thought that we need to make up for the lost pandemic year.  Hint: No, we don't!We touch on the idea that Resiliency is the choices we make, not the outcomes.So when you're trying to film a happy scene, and it pours rain..... we can choose to sulk, call it quits, scramble for an umbrella, or dance in the mud puddles. The scene might never make it into the final cut, but we'll remember how we chose to handle it. Look for the  @next.to.north.film platforms on Instagram and FBhttps://www.instagram.com/next.to.north.film/https://www.facebook.com/Next.to.North.Film/Thanks for listening and subscribing!See you next season!

James and Rebecca review their four square challenge and the effect projects like publishing a book and film production can have on our progress. Reminding ourselves it's okay to have laser focus on one square for a season is an important step in battling the self-doubt dragon. Letting go of any guilt that weighs us down allows us to step into who we're created to be; and that dear listener is our hope for you!How is your progress report? Do you need to re-focus energy? It is wise to check in and adjust as necessary, that's life! Check out the new endeavors! The Fourth Fate BOOK E-Reader: https://books2read.com/u/4AOdwJAmazon:https://www.amazon.com/Fourth-Fate-Rebecca-Casselman/dp/173639181X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=Barnes&Noble:https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fourth-fate-rebecca-casselman/1139380693?ean=9781736391822Next to North FILMWebpage:https://casselcore.com/next-to-north/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/next.to.north.film/

Octopus Bread Lady! We act like we have 8 arms when we KNOW we only have 2. And we both love bread. We love all our carbs.We were talking in the kitchen and our kiddo came up with the persona of an Octopus Bread Lady- and it's the most relatable spirit animal ever!PLUS, this is our 8th episode. A perfect fit!We discuss the fallacy of the 'work/life' balance myth in this episode and how everyone is carrying similar workloads; some while raising kids, all while handling taxes, etc. ONE person cannot do it all! Many hands make light work, but it is imperative you find and team with those who are able to lend extra hands.Resiliency is cultivated in a supportive network that allows you to stretch without snapping. 

Join us as we take our first foray into Stoic Philosophy and learn about Marcus Aurelius - a Roman Emporer, and Epictetus - a Greek slave turned Philosopher who was banished from Rome when he became too self-actualized.We discuss stoic ideas pertaining to self-motivation, self-control, and forbearance brought about by reading the book: The Obstacle Is The Way by Ryan Holiday.The philosophy is a fascinating take on overcoming hardships and life lessons. There is definitely a lot more to be studied and learned here.You have the power over your mind- not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength - Marcus AureliusIt's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters - Epictetus

Whether you like to take the access road, the expressway, or prefer to go off-road, this episode encourages us to take in all there is on this journey of life. The road is yours, friend.As the Persian poet Rumi said, "It's your road and yours alone. Others may walk it with you, but no one can walk it for you."

Goals are short-sighted. Examine your life with us using Danforth's four-fold program. Join us as we dare ourselves to square up our lives.Rebecca and I found that resolutions do not work for us. Our lifestyles do not change with passive resolutions and unrealistic or shortsighted goals.We found a book just over a year ago, that changed how we approach goals. We don't. We use them as steps to something else, though. We use them as measurements of achieving our dares.In 1931 the founder of the Nestle Purina company, William H. Danforth, wrote a book called I Dare You. We dare you to find it and read it. His century-old wisdom is still good for today.  You can find it here: https://www.amazon.com/Dare-You-William-H-Danforth/dp/1684220793/ Happy New Year!

In the spirit of giving, we would like to share some personal Christmas stories.Whether it is opening presents by the power of a Maglite, braving the -40 degree temperatures of Interior Alaska to find missing cats, or just the simple joys of surprise Christmas songs off-season, the sweet memories of Christmas Past can warm the heart and we are grateful to share them with you this year.  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!P.S. Santa says hi

We are warriors and so are you! but man . . . are we battle weary!How are you?How are you handling the end of this insane year and combined holiday season?!Our goal is to release the EVENT-ness quality this year and focus on what we actually need right now. Rather than attempting to make up for the year by buying Christmas - can we approach this season with intentionality?In this episode we share frugal tips and stories, hoping that in this season of longing for a sense of home and belonging, this little podcast would help you feel connected and loved.Let's cross this finish line together! You guys - We made it!!! 

We just finished National November Writers Month! Have you ever stopped yourself from starting something because you didn't think you could do it?In this episode we talk about how different our processes are and how important an editor and worthwhile feedback can be, both creatively and in daily life!Realizing the first draft isn't the final product helps us to start. To TRY.These attempts bring courage. And they teach lessons that can be used to live a good story. If you just try, it removes the hurdle that you have to do it right the first time.And once you try, remember to go back and edit because it is not your final draft.Keep turning the pages, you have so much story left.

Hey, listener! Welcome to our debut episode about letting go of expectations and traditions, and finding meaning in this fall holiday during a global pandemic. We share some historical insight and family discoveries of what this day means.In lieu of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and Football, we had two history lessons. Rather than a big get-together with tons of food and family, we had us -- with just enough food, and family checked-in electronically if they could. That was it. Letting go of the fanfare, the wants, the traditions, and making room for what matters. Allowing the day to just be, and enjoying each others company.The simplicity felt good.We're excited to bring you candid talk. We may be strangers, but this candy can always be shared.