Face Your Fears

I'm back with another installment of What Liz Has Been Reading Lately, featuring Thomas King's excellent book, The Inconvenient Indian: A Curious Account of Native People in North America, and Michael Lewis's latest book, The Premonition. Both are definitely recommended!To find out more about Thomas King, check out this profile from CBC: https://www.cbc.ca/books/thomas-king-is-hopeful-that-his-writing-has-changed-the-world-but-he-s-still-not-sure-1.5795015And be sure to look up the book I discuss here: https://www.upress.umn.edu/book-division/books/the-inconvenient-indianMichael Lewis is notoriously social media averse, but you can learn more about him and his work at his web site: http://michaellewiswrites.com/#topBoth books he's written in the last five years are among my top nonfiction favorites of all time! They make it easy to understand how, when, and why government is an important part of our overall health and progress as a country. The Fifth Risk: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780393357455The Premonition: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780393881554Learn more about the characters I mention:Carter Mecher: https://www.phc.health/team-member/carter-mecher-mdCharity Dean: https://www.phc.health/team-member/charity-dean-md-mph-tm-2Joe DeRisi: https://profiles.ucsf.edu/joe.derisiDeRisi's Lab: http://derisilab.ucsf.edu/Either would make a great Christmas gift! And while you're at it, why not shop independent bookstores! You can do so using those links or support local bookstores at https://bookshop.org/.Next week, I'll be talking about an excellent book I'm currently about halfway through: Sorry I'm Late, I Didn't Want to Come, all about introverting, by Jessica Pan. And maybe also some more from Caste, Teaching Machines, and/or Tarana Burke's searing memoir, Unbound, all of which I'm in the middle of right now!Follow me on Goodreads at https://goodreads.com/liznorell to see what I'm reading and on Twitter at https://twitter.com/liznorell to see what I'm thinking.

In this week's episode of What Did Liz Read This Week? I talk about Aubrey Gordon's book What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat and Isabel Wilkerson's book Caste. Y'know. Some light reading.Aubrey Gordon formerly wrote exclusively under her internet handle Your Fat Friend. She's a fat activist and co-host of the incredibly popular podcast Maintenance Phase, along with Michael Hobbes.Isabel Wilkerson won the Pulitzer Prize for her previous book, The Warmth of Other Suns. Her latest book Caste has similarly been hailed as an incredible achievement, chosen by Oprah and others as a book of the year. It's also the common read this academic year for my college's honors program.Links:What We Don't Talk About When We Talk About Fat: https://www.yourfatfriend.com/home/bookMaintenance Phase web: http://maintenancephase.com/MP IG: https://www.instagram.com/maintenancephase/?hl=enMP Twitter: https://twitter.com/maintenancepodAubrey Gordon's web site: https://www.yourfatfriend.com/AG's IG: https://www.instagram.com/yrfatfriend/?hl=enAG's Twitter: https://twitter.com/yrfatfriendMichael Hobbes's web site: https://rottenindenmark.org/MH's Twitter: https://twitter.com/RottenInDenmarkCaste: https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/retailersThe Warmth of Other Suns: http://warmth.isabelwilkerson.com/Isabel Wilkerson web: https://www.isabelwilkerson.com/IW IG: https://www.instagram.com/isabelwilkerson/?hl=enIW Twitter: https://twitter.com/isabelwilkerson

This week, I talk about key insights from the second half of Kim Scott's revised edition of Radical Candor: How to Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity.See the four quadrants that undergird Scott's arguments here: https://www.radicalcandor.com/our-approach/And read more about Kim Scott here: https://www.radicalcandor.com/I also share thoughts from Angela Y. Davis's 2003 book, Are Prisons Obsolete?  I'm so often reminded of the saying: "hurt people ... hurt people." Unless and until we can break the cycle of trauma and hurt that leads so many to have their lives forever altered by breaking a law, we will never achieve an equitable criminal justice system.Read more about Davis's book here: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/213837/are-prisons-obsolete-by-angela-y-davis/And consider supporting / researching further with these groups she recommends:http://criticalresistance.org/https://www.hrw.org/https://incite-national.org/http://www.ncianet.org/https://www.prisonactivist.org/https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/http://www.nomoreprisons.org/http://sentencingproject.org/

It's been a long time since my last episode, mostly because COVID sucks and my anxiety has been spiraling for a while. But I'm back! And starting what I hope will become a regular (or semi-regular) Sunday offering -- a short episode each week (ish) recapping what I've been reading that week. This week, I talk about key insights from the first third of Kim Scott's revised edition of Radical Candor: How to Be a Kick-Ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity.See the four quadrants that undergird Scott's arguments here: https://www.radicalcandor.com/our-approach/And read more about Kim Scott here: https://www.radicalcandor.com/This week, I'm hoping to read more of Scott's book AND I'm eager to dive into Angela Davis's short 2003 book, Are Prisons Obsolete?  

This is the fifth in a special series of "covid convos" -- conversations with women about how they've been navigating the coronavirus over the last few months. In this episode, I talk to Gaytha in Dallas, Tex., about how working from home and taking care of her three-year-old daughter Blanche has had a positive impact on her family. Gaytha has learned that "work-life balance" is something that's both easier and harder to achieve in a work-from-home lifestyle, in that she is often working much later in the day, but she also has the flexibility to decide when she's doing most of her work. She has also really loved getting to be Blanche's "person," for the first time since Gaytha was on maternity leave after giving birth.I'm pretty confident you'll find something in this episode to inspire you to think about what you might be taking for granted during these ... odd times. I know I did.If you'd like to be a part of The Liz Cast or share your own #CovidConvo, please reach out! You can get in touch via www.liznorell.com. 

This is the fourth in a special series of "covid convos" -- conversations with women about how they've been navigating the coronavirus over the last couple of months. In this episode, I chat with Stephanie about how her work as an event coordinator at a retreat center in Monteagle, Tenn., has changed since March. (Hint: It's A LOT.) We also talk about a wellness retreat she's planning in July 2020, as well as her thoughts on identity and this moment as a woman of color.Find out more about the conference Stephanie mentions, A Bounty of Good Health, at this web site: https://www.duboseconferencecenter.org/bountyDuBose Conference Center is a wonderful place to escape and hold your events, and it's right down the street from me, too! Find out more about it at https://www.duboseconferencecenter.org/If you'd like to find out more about Liz or her work, visit https://www.liznorell.com/. Get in touch with show ideas, feedback, or what's on your mind.

This is the third in a special series of "covid convos" -- conversations with women about how they've been navigating the coronavirus over the last couple of months. In this episode, I chat with Rachel, who has weathered -- along with covid-19 -- a tornado and a bee infestation...! While it's been a topsy-turvy couple of months, she reflects back on this time with refreshing perspective and equanimity. I looooooove this episode!

This is the second episode in a special series of "covid convos" -- conversations with women about how they've been navigating the coronavirus over the last couple of months. In this episode, I chat with my fabulous friend Amanda, a single mom of two curious and energetic kids (both under 10, eeps!), who have been keeping her on her toes during this quarantine life. She talks about missing hugs, reading poetry, and also missing hugs ... did we mention?Amanda's not the only person who has found a new (or renewed) interest in birdwatching during #covid19 -- here's an AP article about the resurgent popularity of the hobby: https://apnews.com/94a1ea5938943d8a70fe794e9f629b13Thanks to Amanda for sharing her thoughts! If you'd like to be a part of this, reach out at www.liznorell.com,

Covid Convos with Katie S. Hall & Julie B.I'm kicking off a special series of "covid convos" -- conversations with women about how they've been navigating the coronavirus over the last couple of months. In this first episode, I chat with two dear friends while we escaped to Savannah for a responsibly-planned retreat, Katie S. Hall and fellow teacher Julie B. Find out how the three of us have been thinking about this slowing down of life, and tune in soon for the next installment of Covid Convos.Katie is a development professional who works with a ministry for men who are overcoming a history of addiction. She is also a yoga teacher with a special gift for helping women find ease and acceptance. Julie teaches English at Chattanooga State, and she's one of the most warm-hearted, quirky, delightful people I know. She loves Mister Rogers, Jeff Goldblum, and tiny hands more than anyone I've ever met, and she's learning how to play the ukulele during covid-19 because it's not so loud that it would disturb her condo-building neighbors.Look for more conversations coming soon in the next couple of weeks.

What if one question could change your life?Author Jen Louden has been helping women care for themselves and achieve their creative goals for decades. Her latest book, Why Bother? Discover the Desire for What's Next is out April 21st. Listen to this episode to hear why life wants you to get your bother on, what Jen calls the alien invaders, the why bother canaries, and the time monsters, and why creativity happens in the gap between what you want to do and what you can do.Pre-order the book and get oodles of bonuses, including early access to Chapter 1, a brand-new, 5-day LIVE online training event, a virtual book party on April 22nd, and be entered to win a FREE retreat spot at a Desire Retreat this year!Share this episode with a friend (email me a photo of your share) and be entered to win a free copy of the book from me! (I pre-ordered a few, so I'll share the pre-order bonuses, too!!)Here are a few of my favorite quotes from the book:"Cynicism is perfectionism ... wrapped in self-protection ... disguised as world-weary experience." (chapter 3)"You can only care about what is yours to care about." (chapter 6)"There is no golden age of spaciousness and stillness." (chapter 7)"Desire is a one-word feminist manifesto." (chapter 8) "You become the person who can write the book by writing the book."  (chapter 9)"Your soul is not toothpaste. It is never for sale." (chapter 9)"We can't bother when we are all alone." (chapter 10)This book is AH-MAZ-ING. 

Yogi Sho Higuchi (E-RYT) generously allowed me to share this 35-minute yoga nidra practice with you, in the hopes that it might bring you some peace in this challenging time of social distancing and stay-at-home quarantining. Listen anytime you want to calm your mind and soothe your nervous system.Along with two dear friends, I attended one of Sho's Yoga Nidra trainings in New York City last September. It was a weekend of profound rest (well, during the training, anyway) and inspiration. I've never met anyone quite like Sho -- he's deeply empathetic, kind, and has a wonderful, warm light that envelops those around him. I hope that comes across in this recording for you; it certainly does for me. Please find Sho to thank him for his generosity using one of these methods:Instagram: @restorewithshoWeb site: www.restorewithsho.comJoin his email newsletter / contact: restorewithsho@gmail.com

As all of higher education, basically, prepares to move its operations online, our students are struggling with life challenges, anxiety, and pressures. In this rapid-response episode, recorded hastily on the precipice of my own classes starting March 23, I talk to two students and a support center professional about things faculty should keep in mind as we make this seismic change.A few resources mentioned in this episode:The Happiness Lab podcast: https://www.happinesslab.fm/The specific episode about managing emotions in the coronavirus era: https://www.happinesslab.fm/coronavirus-bonus-episodes/beat-your-isolation-lonelinessSara Goldrick-Rab's webinar about things colleges/universities MUST keep in mind as we radically alter our operations: https://hope4college.com/2865-2/The Hope Center: https://hope4college.com/Article: "Please do a bad job of putting your courses online": https://anygoodthing.com/2020/03/12/please-do-a-bad-job-of-putting-your-courses-online/I also put together a one-pager on 10 Tips for Faculty, available here: https://www.liznorell.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/10-tips-for-faculty.pdfNOTE: The audio quality of this podcast is lower than normal. Blame the fact that four people and two dogs have been cooped up together for a week, and we're all noisier than usual.

After seeing Glennon Doyle (and her wife, Abby Wambach) on book tour earlier this week, I wanted to share something that I can't stop mulling over, from an audience question about body image.A few things from this episode:Buy her book! It's available using this link (which supports this podcast): https://amzn.to/3b4vGgP(I read from her chapter called "erikas")Find alllllll the body image resources worthy of a mention on Jes Baker's site: http://www.themilitantbaker.com/p/resources.htmlGet in touch! You can find all the details at www.liznorell.com. And thanks for listening.

Chris Emdin says, "You can't teach who you don't love. You can't teach who you don't respect." I couldn't agree more. In this solo episode, I rant about where my mind is vis-a-vis my teaching lately. I'm ready to start a revolution. Who's with me?Brene' Brown's actual quote, which I somewhat butcher in this episode: "Stop walking through the world looking for confirmation that you don't belong. You will always find it because you've made that your mission." (from Braving the Wilderness)Resources I mention in this episode:Love, Curvy Yoga podcast: https://www.curvyyoga.com/podcast/ (or search for it where you get your podcasts)MyIntent (to buy word-of-the-year bracelets and things): https://www.myintent.org/Tara Mohr's Playing Big resources: https://www.taramohr.com/the-playing-big-book/Dr. Donna Beegle: https://www.combarriers.com/index.php/node/176 & her company: https://www.combarriers.com/Jen Louden's fabulous site: https://jenniferlouden.com/ & writing retreats: https://jenniferlouden.com/workshops-retreats/Chris Emdin's work: https://chrisemdin.com/ & his TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christopher_emdin_teach_teachers_how_to_create_magic?language=enBrene' Brown stuff: https://brenebrown.com/Big list of value words from ContentSparks: https://contentsparks.com/16896/free-download-big-list-of-core-value-words/

Four women, including host Liz Norell, gather to discuss their different relationships to mental health. Topics discussed include depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, taking medication for mental health, side effects of doing so, stigma/shame, addiction, dealing with doctors, and more.You'll hear in this episode Andrea (who deals with anxiety and depression), Amanda (who deals with bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression, and has dealt with addiction), Mollee (who deals with anxiety), and Liz (who deals with anxiety). We talk openly and honestly, in the hopes that doing so will raise visibility and decrease stigma. Each of us feels that these conversations need to come out of the shadows more -- so many people are dealing with these things, and having these conversations normalizes that experience.

A former student, Mikaila, stopped by to talk to me while she was home on her summer vacation. This conversation has stayed with me for every moment since we talked then... and I'm so proud to share it with you now. My big takeaway: BE KIND. TO EVERYONE. ALWAYS. Spread love, not hate.

Joined by friends and fellow political junkies Scott Foster and David Mabry, we dive into the hottest topic around right now -- IMPEACHMENT! Three normal (well, normal-ish) people, talking politics. If you want more politics talk, let me know!A few resources we recommend:Scott/Liz recommend  "Predisposed," by John Alford, John Hibbing, and Peter Smith (https://amzn.to/2ojxY8w); "The Religious Mind," by Jonathan Haidt (https://amzn.to/2nCTmpa); and the Heterodox Academy, a project co-founded by Jonathan Haidt (https://heterodoxacademy.org/)David recommends Joe Rogan's podcast (http://podcasts.joerogan.net/) & the Hidden Brain podcast  (https://www.npr.org/podcasts/510308/hidden-brain) For giggles, watch this delightful video made by John Alford to promote "Predisposed": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQnE9iupc1Y

Two former students, Colin McCormick and Itzel Garcia, were visiting just before classes started up again in August. I hustled them into a recording studio and made Colin tell me about his incredible experiences this summer. While Colin studies international relations at DePaul University in Chicago during the school year, he makes a compelling case in this conversation that to REALLY understand what's happening somewhere in the world, you really need to go there and meet the people. Colin mentioned reporting in August about Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar having been denied entry into Israel. Here's a link to remind yourself what happened: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/rashida-tlaib-ilhan-omar-israel-bars-entry-to-outspoken-us-congresswomen-netanyahu-says/ We also discussed a book called "The Lemon Tree," by Sandy Tolvar. You can get a copy here: https://amzn.to/2LG7wit Read the author's reflection on the process of writing the book here: https://sandytolan.com/the-lemon-tree And listen to the audio documentary that preceded publication of the book, produced (and told) by Sandy Tovar: https://beta.prx.org/stories/25320 If you'd like to donate to the umbrella organization that supports Colin's volunteer work at the Chicago Greyhound Bus Station (assisting refugees and immigrants with their immediate needs while in transit), you can do so here: https://www.icirr.org/ (Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights)

Welcome to season 2 of my podcast, which I've renamed The Liz Cast. Why the change? Mostly because I wanted to widen the circle of topics I can talk about ... because it's just becoming TOO hard not to talk about politics, books, travel, etc. In this very brief re-introduction to my podcast sphere, I preview some of the episodes to come in this season. If you'd like to be on the pod, let me know! You can get in touch at www.liznorell.com. Next week, you'll be hearing from a former student, Colin, who had an incredible summer filled with enriching (and heart-wrenching) experiences working in Europe and the Middle East. You won't want to miss this inspiring conversation!

Do you ever cringe when the topic of money comes up in conversation? (Not that it does often, because YES ... we ALL cringe...!) In this solo episode, I do some deep diving around my own stories about and relationship with money. Here are some resources I brought up in the episode: The Chattery: 2019 book club at The Chattery: https://www.thechattery.org/bookclub The Becoming Me Project: https://www.liznorell.com/becoming-me-2019/ Art of Money, the book (use this link to support the podcast!): https://amzn.to/2KlJKb4 Bari Tessler's web site: http://baritessler.com/ Bari Tessler's take on debt: http://baritessler.com/2019/07/im-declaring-my-stance-on-debt-in-all-its-controversial-multi-faceted-glory/ Maggie Hope Meyer (Nashville-based therapist extraordinaire!): http://maggiehopemeyer.com/ Student loan income-based repayment info: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/ibrInstructions.action Mint: www.mint.com Quicken: www.quicken.com QuickBooks: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/ My web site: www.liznorell.com Email me: liznorell at gmail dot com

If you listen to this in real time, I'm currently at a week-long writing retreat in Taos, New Mexico! Eeps! In this solo episode, I talk about the project I'll be working on while away, why I care about it so much, and then dish up a whole lot of brutal honesty as I process the many ways I might sabotage my own success. Here are some resources I mentioned in this episode: Jen Louden's homepage: https://jenniferlouden.com/ Jen's retreats: https://jenniferlouden.com/workshops-retreats/ Jen's YouTube channel, for when you need a kick in the pants: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCriYYP68c49f4ybGpNxI90w Liz Gilbert's homepage: https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/ Big Magic: https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/books/big-magic/ Magic Lessons (the podcast): https://www.elizabethgilbert.com/magic-lessons/ AAC&U: https://www.aacu.org/ AAC&U annual meeting: https://www.aacu.org/AM20 Teaching Professor conference: https://www.magnapubs.com/teaching-professor-conference/ Get in touch! www.liznorell.com

In this solo episode, I talk through realizing that teaching yoga just isn't filling my bucket anymore... and how guilty, afraid, and sad that I feel about that. Check out Katie Hall's yoga offerings in Murfreesboro, TN: http://katieshall.com/ Buy Elle Luna's book, The Crossroads of Should & Must: https://amzn.to/2lkxnC3 Get in touch and let me know what you're thinking! liznorell@gmail.com || www.liznorell.com

Matt was feeling kind of run down and had some weird bruises, so he went to his doctor ... and very quickly his life went sideways as he began treatment for leukemia. In this conversation, he shares that story with us, with all its ups and downs. Be sure to check out bonus content at www.liznorell.com/ep22/ for photos that share some of the funnier moments of his treatment adventure. Sign up to be a bone marrow donor at www.bethematch.org. Want to go indoor skydiving in Frisco, Texas? Here's the 411: www.iflyworld.com/dallas/ Hangout Festival in Gulf Shores, Alabama: https://www.hangoutmusicfest.com/ Austin City Limits ("ACL") Music Festival in Texas: https://www.aclfestival.com/ Want to be on the podcast? Let me know! Email liznorell@gmail.com or get in touch at www.liznorell.com. And thanks for sharing this podcast with your friends.

Heather Staples is a pediatrician in Houston who shares her measured and sage advice on how to manage our fears about our kids' health. She recommends seeking the advice of your own medical care team whenever you have specific fears, but she gives us some good perspective on some of the more common fears of parents -- fears, by the way, that she shares as a parent herself. Heather also shares a great resource, the American Academy of Pediatrics web site, www.healthychildren.org, where you can get age-specific advice for your own kids' health. If you have a story you'd like to share, reach out! You can get in touch at www.liznorell.com or by email at liznorell@gmail.com. And thanks, as always, for your continued support and presence!

Hospice nurse Karen joins me to talk about health concerns, in our ongoing series of facing our health fears. But then Karen drops this incredible bit of knowledge about caring for those at the end of life, a job you might expect is one of the saddest: "I come home with my heart filled. People are just amazing." In this episode, we talk about heart and brain health, the importance of getting regular check-ups and screenings, and making sure you stay attentive to what's happening in your body. Note: Nothing in this episode is meant to give you specific medical advice. If you have specific medical concerns, definitely go see your doctor or other health professionals. Make sure you check out episodes 18 & 19 for the first two installments of our 'facing your health fears' series. Next week, we'll hear from Heather, a pediatric health professional in Texas.

Jen G., who works as a nurse in a neurological unit, joins us to talk through some of the health scares that feel most common ... or, at least, that Liz worries about most. She serves up pretty fantastic nuggets of calm-yourself-down wisdom, such as this one: "Sometimes, the body just does weird things, and most of the time, it's just trying to compensate for something else that's happening." Preach! Nothing in this episode is meant to provide specific medical advice; we're just two friends talking generally about what sorts of health concerns we have. We strongly urge you to talk to your own doctor or other medical professionals if you have concerns about something happening with you. In fact, talking with your doctor is something I think we should all probably do more fully and more honestly than we're generally predisposed to doing. So skip Dr. Google and go straight to the person who can help you directly. OK? Join us next week for another health-fears conversation! And share this episode with someone you love. It might just prompt them to go see their doctor, and who knows? Maybe save their life in the process. Tell your friends you love them. Oh, and: I love you, listeners!

It started with a cold he couldn't shake ... and ended with a miracle in the nick of time that saved his life. In more ways than one, Scott Foster found a new heart, just when he needed it the most. In this conversation, he shares why he now says, "We don't realize how powerful we are." Scott and I have been friends since 1999 -- twenty years (!?!?!) -- and I'm proud to call him a friend, an ally, and a survivor. Everyone who listens to this, do me a favor: Check and make sure you are a registered organ donor, and then BE SURE your family knows you want your organs to be used in any way that might save another person's life. It's because of the gift of organ donation that Scott is still here to tell his story. To find out more, visit https://www.organdonor.gov/. It's a powerful way to leave a legacy.

You know what they say about the best laid plans... Yeah, they don't tend to go so well. That's kind of the story of my EVERY SINGLE March and October ... the midway point of the academic semester. You'd think that after more than a decade in teaching college, I would've learned to anticipate this. Alas, though, I need twice-annual reminders. And that's why you haven't seen this podcast feed update in a little while. But the fog will lift soon, and I'll be back with all-new episodes. Scheduled (again, plans -- proceed with caution) for April is a series of conversations all about health-related fears. Until then, thanks for your support and patience! I'll be back with you soon.

When Amanda Lipnack planned her solo trip to Paris, she was feeling pretty "meh" about it ... because, honestly, wouldn't it be better to go with someone special? Once she landed in Paris, though, the excitement hit her and she had an amazing experience! She now fully embraces the virtues of solo adventuring and imagines a day when, even with a partner, she might choose to go have a solo adventure somewhere exciting. Amanda shares her favorite things to do in Paris, why she can't really appreciate Picasso's artwork so much (Hannah Gadsby was right... ugh), and where she plans to go on her next travel adventure. And, she and Liz brainstorm their third or fourth business idea: Women Travelling Alone, Together. We are currently open to investors! Thanks for listening to this episode, and be sure you stay tuned for information about Amanda's upcoming podcast! (I've heard the first episode, and it's AMAZING!!!) Find Amanda at https://www.amandalipnack.com/. (Psst! You can find the demo of her podcast here! Squee!) Follow her on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/travelgirl19355/ or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLipnackCoaching/.

As an Enneagram 2, I have an ESPECIALLY hard time saying 'no' ... especially if it's something that feels like someone else might really want me to help them with. In this short solo episode, I talk about the "three-point test to 'yes'" I came up with last August ... and then pretty much forgot about. Now feeling overwhelmed by allllll the things, I sit myself down to face the fact that I need to dust off the three-point test once more. To find the blog post with my three-point test to yes, including a downloadable image and/or PDF, here's the link: https://www.liznorell.com/a-three-point-test-to-yes/ I'll be back to normal conversations about facing our fears next week. I hope you find this conversation inspires you to think about how you might design your own criteria on what does merit your valuable time, attention, and energy. If it does, tell me about it! Get in touch at www.liznorell.com.

When her husband got a job in Australia, Elayne figured moving down under would be a fun challenge -- and she's always enjoyed travel, so why not? Turns out, intercontinental moves are kind of ... hard. In this light-hearted conversation, Elayne shares lessons learned, all with a good deal of humor and honesty. She's still figuring it out. Find out more about my upcoming retreat in South Carolina, March 7-10, 2019, here: www.liznorell.com/harbor

After training to be a yoga teacher and starting to teach classes, Anna Guest-Jelley realized that there was a real need for yoga teachers who knew how to work with a wider variety of body shapes and sizes. Without knowing where the path would take her, she took small steps forward to start Curvy Yoga and watch it grow. Now as she prepares for motherhood, she knows Curvy Yoga will change -- and she's OK with that. You can find Curvy Yoga in lots of places, including: Web: https://www.curvyyoga.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/CurvyYoga Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/curvyyoga Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/curvyyoga/ Love, Curvy Yoga podcast: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/love-curvy-yoga/id862481458?mt=2 Curvy Yoga, the book!: https://amzn.to/2Shbd2B Get more information on the Harbor Retreat (just a few spots left!) here: https://www.liznorell.com/harbor And get in on the Becoming Me Project 2019 before we close in early February! All the details are here: https://www.liznorell.com/becoming-me-2019/ (And if you sign up for the Harbor Retreat, Becomi

The idea of being away from home and not knowing how to deal with something unexpected was a pretty terrifying prospect for Rachelle. After she divorced, though, she took the tentative (and rarely comfortable) steps to travel internationally by herself. Her first trip? Three months in Europe. Now in a trans-Atlantic relationship, Rachelle has had to make peace with long-distance travel. Her willingness to own the challenges she continues to face is inspiring. Find more about Rachelle's coaching at https://coachingwithrachelle.com/, on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/CoachingWithRachelle/, or on Instagram at http://instagram.com/rachelle.elle.coaching. For more on the March 7-10, 2019 Harbor retreat in South Carolina, check out https://www.liznorell.com/harbor. And, to join the Becoming Me Project for 2019, get more information here: https://www.liznorell.com/becoming-me-2019/

What do you do when you realize that you're miserable? Often, we just keep plugging along and hoping something gets better. But when her boss suggested maybe she should be working 16-hour weeks, Amanda snapped. She quit her job, sold tickets at Sundance, then took a group of kids to Germany. The lessons she learned in the process are relevant in so many situations. Plus, Amanda's just incredible. Find Amanda's coaching at https://www.amandalipnack.com, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AmandaLipnackCoaching/. You can also follow Amanda on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/travelgirl19355/. For more on the March 7-10, 2019 Harbor retreat in South Carolina, check out https://www.liznorell.com/harbor. And, to join the Becoming Me Project for 2019, get more information here: https://www.liznorell.com/becoming-me-2019/

Beth Moore grew up in a religious environment and worked at a church for two years after college. And then ... she and her husband got pregnant, moved to Las Vegas for a few months, and stopped attending church. She shares her "messy middle" in this thoughtful, brave conversation about the role of religion in her life today, as she navigates becoming a first-time mom. Find out more about Beth's coaching and programs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bethmoorecoach/ Her web site is at https://www.bmoorecoaching.com/. Find out more about The Becoming Me Project, my 12-month program to chart a more intentional life this year, at https://www.liznorell.com/becoming-me-2019/. And sign up for the last 2-3 spots at the Harbor Retreat, March 2019, using this link: https://www.liznorell.com/harbor/.

After each struggling with negative body image (and generally negative relationships with their bodies), these three soul sisters each charted their own paths toward a more positive relationship to their bodies. In the process? They got back a whole lot of happiness, a whole lot more time to do truly meaningful things ... and a passion for helping others find their own body peace. Resources for more research include: Intuitive Eating, by Evelyn Tribole & Elyse Resch: https://amzn.to/2StgOzz Intuitive Eating (the workbook): https://amzn.to/2StDEqR Big Girl, by Kelsey Miller: https://amzn.to/2Rn5YxH Landwhale, by Jes Baker: https://amzn.to/2LLyYtS Things No One Will Tell Fat Girls, by Jes Baker: https://amzn.to/2CGTR6h The Body is Not an Apology, by Sonya Renee Taylor: https://amzn.to/2LHa2DH You Have the Right to Remain Fat, by Virgie Tovar: https://amzn.to/2ApJkeg Health at Every Size, by Linda Bacon: https://amzn.to/2BPr7Xz The Beauty Myth, by Naomi Wolf: https://amzn.to/2RqhU1J Shrill, by Lindy West: https://amzn.to/2StiwAZ Rachel Cole (Feast program): http://rachelwcole.com/ Christy Harrison's intuitive eating fundamentals e-course: https://christyharrison.com/intuitive-eating-online-course Jes Baker's ginormous list of resources: http://www.themilitantbaker.com/p/resources.html

“Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. ” — GLORIA STEINEM Laura Russell has a deep-seeded fear of change, particularly when it comes to her career ... and then, her corporate employer started regular layoffs, and she realized that she'd better figure out what she could do if the axe fell. In this conversation, she talks about how she's learned to embrace a different kind of planning and pursue her dreams of becoming a life coach. There's so much to relate to in this conversation, especially the sense that Laura describes of realizing she'd never really figured out what she WANTED to do as a career. Resources mentioned in this episode: Andrea Owen: http://yourkickasslife.com/ The Angry Therapist: http://theangrytherapist.com/podcast Tara Mohr: https://www.taramohr.com/ Irene Lyon: https://irenelyon.com/ Sheri Guyse: http://www.bigbravely.com/ Accessing the Healing Power of the Vagas Nerve -- Self-Help Exercises for Anxiety, Depression, Trauma, and Autism: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1623170249?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf Get in touch with Laura Russell at Hey Laura Life Design! She's at https://www.heylauralifedesign.com/ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/heylauralifedesign. Get more information about our Harbor Retreat in March 2019 here: https://www.liznorell.com/harbor Send a Holiday Hint (let someone know you'd like to be gifted the retreat) using this form: https://goo.gl/forms/ixFnP0f56LfVv9tN2

I can't remember a time of my life where I didn't feel a fear of missing out (FOMO). In this solo episode, I talk about what I'm STILL learning about this fear, as well as a new way to frame the fear that I'm still experimenting with. But I'm still a work in progress. For more on FOMO, check out Sherry Turkle's TED Talk, "Connected, but Alone": https://www.ted.com/talks/sherry_turkle_alone_together And her new book, "Alone Together": https://www.amazon.com/Alone-Together-Expect-Technology-Other/dp/0465093655/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1545094365&sr=8-1&keywords=alone+together Get more information about our Harbor Retreat in March 2019 here: https://www.liznorell.com/harbor Send a Holiday Hint (let someone know you'd like to be gifted the retreat) using this form: https://goo.gl/forms/ixFnP0f56LfVv9tN2

What is your fear saying to you? How Kristin talks about her fear is a study in creating a dialogue with those parts of her that want to keep her safe by never jumping out of her comfort zone. She now uses fear as a motivator and a tool, rather than a roadblock. Her lively spirit will inspire you to think through what your fear sidekick is trying to tell you. Kristin Kallio-Boucher is a life coach at Taking Care of you Coaching. She strives to help capture your inner mom strength that allows for growth and balance. The belief is that YOU have this knowledge and power deep inside … we all just need some coaching to get us going in the forward direction and hold ourselves accountable. You can find her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/takingcareofyoucoaching/. Her web site is http://www.takingcareofyoucoaching.com. ** For more information on my March 2019 retreat on Harbor Island, SC, visit https://www.liznorell.com/harbor/! Get a freebie when you sign up before December 31, 2018!

When Kim Kimball's parents divorced, she wasn't sure whether she'd ever be able to trust a relationship enough to get married. Then... the universe intervened and sent Paul her way. He knew he was going to marry her the day they met. She learned that opening herself up to being seen and truly being vulnerable brought more love into her life than she might have imagined. "The more that you open yourself up, the more that you're vulnerable? The more love you're able to receive." Wise words! Kim Kimball is a self-love coach who helps women stop people pleasing and create kind boundaries. Women who work with Kim learn how to speak up and ask for what they need. No more playing small, no more putting yourself last! As someone who has been coached by Kim, I can tell you that she is fierce and won't let you get away with anything ... in the best possible way. Give her a try. She's incredible. Find out more at www.kimkimballcoaching.com. Follow her on Instagram at @kimkimballcoaching -- and see beautiful photos. Email her at hello@kimkimballcoaching.com.

I was married for about three years, and almost all of that time was dominated by fear of the man I'd married. In this episode, I tell that story, start to finish. It's one of the experiences that defines how I see myself today. Spousal abuse takes many forms. While my ex-husband never hit me, I lived in a state of constant fear that he would throw something at me that landed, or that he would act on his impulses to hurt me. I still believe that if I'd stayed in that relationship much longer, he would have hurt me. Telling this story is one of the most vulnerable things I've ever done, but it feels like a moment of reclaiming my agency in my life. I am not ashamed of this story ... although I certainly was ashamed by what was happening behind closed doors at the time. Telling these stories empowers other women, those who might have experienced something like this or who might be living with someone who treats them poorly, to tell their stories and come out of the shadows. If you need resources, please reach out to the National Domestic Violence hotline. You can chat with them online https://www.thehotline.org/ or call 1-800-799-7233 (for TTY, 1-800-787-3224).

Three soul sisters sit down to talk about relationship fears, specifically letting themselves be seen in a relationship. What happens when you let your guard down? It's terrifying ... and, sometimes, completely magical. Thanks to Skye Mercer and Amanda Lipnack (https://www.amandalipnack.com/) for joining me in this fun, laughter-filled conversation. Both Skye and Amanda are amazing career and life coaches. Amanda has a particular knack for relationship coaching, and I've benefited a lot from her wise coaching myself. Find out more about my March 2019 retreat here: https://www.liznorell.com/harbor/. Snag yourself a spot before they're all gone!

In this episode, I talk with Iris Cullinan, a career and business coach based in Asheville, North Carolina. Iris shares how she faced her fear of failure in a non-obvious way ... namely, by resolving to quit her job and travel the world for two months! In the process, she found herself stuck in traffic on a bus in Nepal for the better part of a whole day, totally sure she was going to wake up in the middle of the night to find the bus tumbling down the side of a mountain. Instead, she not only survived (yay!), but she found a well of resilience she might not have ever discovered if she'd stayed on the "supposed to do this" path in Boston. Find out more about Iris at her web site: https://www.iriscullinan.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irisjcullinan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iriscullinan/ The J.K. Rowling quote she mentions at the end is: "It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all – in which case, you fail by default." This is from her commencement address at Harvard, the full text of which is here: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2008/06/text-of-j-k-rowling-speech/.

In this first episode, I talk about my hopes for the podcast and the kinds of fears I hope we'll tackle ... and I share a story from the first time I remember making a conscious decision to push through my fear on something that SCARED THE DAYLIGHTS out of me. What happened? Have a listen.