Everyday Happiness

Can accessing your soul’s records from past lives help you find more joy today? In this episode, Vicki interviews Nathalie Duporteau, an Advanced Akashic Records Practitioner, It’s an unusual business and Nathalie fills us in on what the records are, and how she reads them. She also shares her observations on running a spiritual business, and why the timing might be perfect. Tune in for 30 minutes of goodness.

Vicki explores (and explains) the self-discovery process, and what occurs when we stop and take time to be present to ourselves. How do our aspects – mental, emotional, physical and spiritual – join together on our behalf to lead us exactly where we need to go? Vicki shares the experience described by author Christina Crook, an attendee on a mindfulness retreat as she discovered and reconnected with the joy of playfulness.

Vicki shares why, sometimes, you just need to go down gracefully. In this episode, She reveals how she dealt with a recent case of the Big Blues and how reaching out in vulnerability resulted in shared discovery and increased connection. If you like it personal, this episode is for you.

We check in with Sean Smith, That Social Media Guy, Cadi Jordan of Jordan Consulting and the Social Chicks, Karina Cebuliak and Lori Graham on the joys and challenges of self employment. What is it like to thrive in your business. What about those week’s when you are just surviving? We hear from busy moms and dads about how they cope and what their best tips and tools are for managing the hectic work week.

Christina Crook of #JOMO: The Joy of Missing Out, Finding Balance in a Wired World. Christina and Vicki talk about the intersection of technology, relationships and joy based on Christina’s experience of a 30-day technology fast, chronicled in her book. They explore the personal richness that emerges when we unplug from devices and connect to self and nature.

What do we mean when we say JOMO? How does the ‘joy of missing out’ impact our day-to-day decisions? Vicki talks with actress Lorene Stuart, who was recently faced with an important decision that meant ‘missing out’. How did she navigate competing interests and desires? In this episode – how saying no means saying YES.

What does it take to truly thrive in business or in your personal life? Vicki answers the question with an exploration of personal leadership. How is personal leadership different from positional leadership and how can it help you step up, show up, and achieve your goals at home, work or in the community? Vicki’s personal leadership philosophy is based on three basics: start where you are, use what you have, do what you can.

Vicki talks about the three phases of managing transitions, based on the work of William Bridges – letting go, the neutral zone and new beginnings. What do we need to be aware of as the seasons change? How do the transitional cycles affect planning for the upcoming year? What is the benefit of being fully mindful and present as change occurs? Jump into your favourite jammies and join us!

Vicki explores stress reactions and offers some tips for dealing with the paralysis that can be a result of overwhelm or overwork. She discusses the nature of ‘realms’, the unskilled state we can sometimes find ourselves in when we’ve gone over the stress edge. Yes, pajamas are involved.

Vicki shares the executive perspective on using metaphor to inform change management for businesses. One of her leadership coaching clients, (let’s call him ‘Dave’), went to Great Britain this summer and after visiting the Tower of London, came back across the pond with a question: How can we marry tradition and innovation? The answer to the question offers many insights for businesses and organizations on what’s needed to make change happen, and still honor the traditions and values that matter to you and your business. All that, without losing your heads.

Vicki interviews The Motherpreneur, Christina Waschko. Christina shares the motivating story of how she kissed her excuses goodbye and opened the business of her dreams. Christina is a world traveller, host of Motherpreneur TV on Youtube, and the author of The Strawberry Lounge Story which chronicles her adventures as an entreprenuerial mother of three growing boys. She is an energized, no-nonsense take action spark plug. Plus, she is a pajama fan (so kindred).

Vicki offers up a simple three step process for making difficult decisions – let go, tune in, and move forward. Letting go is all about tackling resistance to make room for assistance – the kind we get from the Universe. By tuning in and being mindful we discover what we truly desire and allow our intuitive choices to emerge so we can take action. And then, as in the words of Goethe “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.”

Have you ever had a streak of ‘bad luck’, lost a great contract, or asked yourself: Why is this happening? Vicki looks at the principles of certainty and uncertainty and explores ways to develop resiliency and equanimity as we face changes that seem beyond our control. She offers insight into how we might start to figure out what is trying to happen as we deal with everyday uncertainty and our very human need to predict the future.

Vicki takes us on a tour of affirmation writing and how we can use it to improve mood, attitude, and well-being. Despite a nasty cold, she shares three very useful affirmation tools, and based on the work of Louise Hay, offers insight into the possible metaphysical causation of illnesses like the common cold. At about 27:00 the podcast closes with meditative music and a spoken word affirmation that you can use every day to bring health, happiness, and fresh new perspectives.

Vicki talks music and happiness with Greg Stuart, a musician, composer, lyricist and audio technician. Greg is why we sound so good on the podcast and his original song “Before and Again” is our theme music. We chat live from his studio about the science of music, music as a life passion, and the importance of lifelong learning. Greg tells us how he got started as a drummer at age six, and how he made music his career. We are also treated to four minutes of the beautiful “Dontcha Know” from the Tusket CD, which is a perfect pajama song. You can find Greg at Grene Genes Productions.

Vicki interviews Mike Vardy, Founder and President of Productivityist.  Before founding Productivityist, he served as Managing Editor of the popular productivity blog Lifehack, and as an editor at The Next Web and WorkAwesome. He is the author of The Front Nine: How to Start the Year You Want Anytime You Want, published by Diversion Books, and has also released two self-published works, The Productivityist Workbook, and Beyond Trying. In this podcast, Mike tells us his personal story; how he went from Costco manager to comedian to becoming North America’s leading expert on personal productivity. It’s an inspiring tale of building the plane while flying it (metaphorically speaking).

Vicki interviews singer and actress Lorene Stuart of Grene Genes Productions. Lorene tells us how she ‘found her ham’ and her sense of belonging on the high-school stage. She shares the journey from discouragement to encouragement that unfolded as she pursued her creative dreams. Today she performs improv with the Second Storey Players in Port Coquitlam BC and is a professional voice-over actor. Her story is inspiring and infinitely relatable.

Vicki interviews author Sylvia Taylor. Sylvia is an award-winning freelance writer, editor and educator and is the author of  The Fisher Queen: A Deckhand’s Tales of the BC Coast, a literary memoir.  A passionate storyteller, Sylvia discusses how she achieves success by expressing both her creative and entrepreneurial aspects.  She offers insights and tips for creative artists. As a special treat she reads us an excerpt from her book and shares some poetry. Sit back and enjoy.

Vicki interviews Rebecca Coleman of the Art of the Business. Rebecca teaches Social Media at the B.C. Institute of Technology and is well known as a social media strategist, blogger, and food and travel writer. Together, Vicki and Rebecca explore the world of relationships and social media. How is technology changing the way we form friendships, conduct romance, and connect?  What are the risks in ‘putting it out there’ online? Grab a coffee and join the conversation. 

Vicki interviews her friend, mentor and lifelong inspiration, Drucilla Desabrais. Drucilla resides in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico living the life of her dreams. Vicki worked with Drucilla for nearly two decades in Adventures in Living, a comprehensive personal development program. They talk about Drucilla's passion for helping people heal and transform their lives, and her own journey to becoming a leader in the personal development field.

Vicki explores how our passions express themselves in a purposeful way in the world through work or hobbies. She offers a series of questions that lead listeners to a greater understanding of how to listen to and follow the heart’s longing. 

Vicki interviews three leading social media and digital strategists from Social Media Camp 2015 in Victoria B.C. Sean Smith, Steve Dotto and Bosco Anthony share insights and observations on the ever-changing online world and how it impacts meaning and how we communicate. Also: they dish on their pajamas ;)

Vicki tells the story of how she got ‘unstuck’ in her home office and interviews Kim Louise Easterbrook. An intuitive numerologist, Kim’s work aligns the flow of soul, purpose, career, business and environment. Her work is insightful, her knowledge is unbounded and her passion is obvious.

Vicki continues the series on People and Their Passions in a heartwarming interview with Kim Jackson of Driving Miss Daisy Chilliwack. Kim is an inspiring woman on the move who is mixes her passions for working with seniors, travel and photography into a winning combination for business and life. She brings everyday goodness into the lives of those with Alzheimers and dementia and joy to her fans and followers on Facebook.

Vicki launches a series on People and Their Passions with an interview with Creative Technologist, Steve Robinson of Sociovisual Communications. That is his real title and he fills us in on what it means and offers insight on the ‘web-olution’ in digital media. He’s passionate about increasing female literacy and tells the story of his new transmedia (yes, it is a thing) project, The Oracle of Shoes. 

Vicki talks about how to create a heart-centred conscious business by applying five key personal development principles to the way you set goals, respond to the market and brand your product or service. She closes with a short visualization to help you access abstract wisdom to guide professional choices and meet your business needs. 

Vicki explores the sometimes turbulent nature of relationships and how feelings of disappointment, anger, resentment and fear are allies in the personal journey and gateways to wisdom. She proposes disturbance as an ally and tells us how to navigate the river of relationship by finding the intelligence and joy in conflict.

Vicki takes a look at beauty – from the inside out. What defines our notions of beauty? What is the impact of aging on us as we cycle through life’s changes?  Vicki shares her observations as a ‘woman of a certain age’ and offers rich insights from the book Lit From Within, Tending Your Soul for Lifelong Beauty by Victoria Moran. The episode covers eight tips for cultivating and radiating our inner gorgeousness.

Vicki explores how metaphor can help us understand what is trying to get our attention. She discusses personal symbology, and the collective unconscious, and how we can access emerging wisdom and gain insight into what is trying to happen in our lives by paying attention to seemingly abstract signals.

Vicki interviews Social Chick Karina Cebuliak who shares how she blends her passion for social media with her passion for children’s health and wholeness. Karina shares her tips and insights on helping your kinds find the connection they are really looking for and guiding them safely through the cyber-world.

Vicki wraps up a month of looking at staying real, finding happiness and navigating life and business in cyberspace with the results of a Facebook poll where she asked Facebook friends and fans to weigh-in on online communications and what they love about and what they hate about it. Sharing her insights on living a happy life online and off, and offering up the good, the bad and the opinionated. 

Vicki explores FOMO; the Fear of Missing Out, of being left behind, the sense of urgency and psychological dependence related to being online. She shares five signs that you might need to unplug, and tells the story of her own digital detox at the Tzoonie Camp on the remote West Coast of British Columbia. She explores JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out and how getting offline and ‘living life longhand’ can bring more perspective, insight, creativity, productivity, peace and happy connection into your day-to-day life. 

Vicki interviews Canada’s favourite geek, Steve Dotto. Steve is a Youtube icon, one of North America’s leading experts in the digital arena, and known through his many years on television and on radio for his down-to-earth approach to technology.  They talk happiness online, managing distraction, and how digital and social media have changed how we communicate and do business. And yes, they are Skyping in pajamas while they chat. 

Vicki leads us through the labyrinth of social media norms, etiquettes, and cultural expectations. She shares the context and principles that govern positive digital and social media interaction, and gives us the Emily Post perspective on what’s changed and what hasn’t in this brave new world of online communication. Plus, she shares some poetry. Which as you know, endures throughout the millennia.

Vicki begins a series on communicating online and off. Based on her experience in digital and social media marketing, she explores what is real, and asks how we can convey and reveal our true selves and create meaningful relationships in the online environment. Taking a personal development perspective, she examines personal integrity, gossip and Facebook envy and offers insights from social media marketing colleague and blogger Rebecca Coleman.

It’s time to get your house in order – in more ways than one. Vicki interviews My Clutter Coach, Kathleen Hatley. Studies show that there is a link between depression and the amount of clutter in your home or work space. Clutter has a profound effect They explore the impact clutter has on our lives and learn practical ways to simplify and declutter your environment and create space for more happiness, satisfaction and success. Kathleen offers some of her best tips on how to start, where to start, and what to expect as you change your space and free your life.

Vicki offers insight into romancing the most important relationship in your life – the one with yourself. Exploring the notion of positive action, personal integrity and self-responsibility as acts of love, Vicki issues a Valentine’s Week Challenge, asking you to come up with creative ways to say “I love you” to yourself. She closes the episode with a gentle two-minute daily meditation designed to increase personal love, self-acceptance and worthiness.

In this week’s Everyday Happiness pajama podcast, Vicki interviews Tracey Lewindon of Nature’s Heart. Tracey is an aromatherapist and an art journaling teacher devoted to growing wellness and cultivating harmony.  Tracey and Vicki discuss the art journaling process and how it applies to creativity, inner connection, and self-discovery. Tracey shares her art journaling ‘journey’ and offers tips on creating a happiness-themed journal page and ways to apply the process to business and other aspects of life. It’s playtime with purpose. You’ll find out how to get started with this powerful personal development process how using it can help shape a more mindful life. 

In this episode Vicki introduces the notion of ‘incremental happiness’ and how to increase daily happiness the way “a child strings beads in kindergarten – happily absorbed and adding one bead at a time.” She shares how she finds zen in the kitchen and explores three kinds of goals: improvement goals, sustainment goals and transformational goals. She talks about the importance of integration, creativity and setting our terms in making meaningful choices.  As a special bonus, she shares a home-made cough syrup remedy to help us battle the cold and flu season.

In her first show, Vicki rings in the new year with a look at the six dimensions that together make for a balanced and happy life. She’ll offer a simple way to assess your level of personal satisfaction within each dimension and practical tips to start from exactly where you are to increase your daily happiness quotient. She’ll introduce “Soulsetting”, a potent process for setting and achieving meaningful heart-centered goals that are aligned with who you are and what you truly want.  This broadcast launches Everyday Happiness.