It's Not That Serious

Actors were created for television, but we befriend them in real life far too often. There's a forced method we buy into by going against alignment with ourselves in order to “succeed” (based upon everyone else's standards but rarely our own) It's a backward strategy. Creating false personas, and fake conversations. How easily do you waiver on your personal convictions or your personal principles? How often do you even recognize yourself wearing many different hats to fit in order to into the room? No need to take the honest feedback you find here to build judgment on yourself, it's just feedback. Do with it what you will... “Depression is your body saying, ‘I don't want to be this character anymore. I don't want to hold up this avatar that you've created in the world. It's too much for me,'”  -Jim Carrey   More written thoughts here

Consider this question… “If you had zero obligations to others only to yourself… What would your daily life look like?”   It's rare that we stop to consider if our day-to-day life truly matches what we continuously say that we want. As most in the world are stuck in a life of busy, only chasing an end goal that doesn't even resonate with our inner being.   Today I brought on my brutally honest, and wonderfully kind friend Vera. We discuss all things social media noise, slowing life down, using coping mechanisms to disguise what it is we really want, and shifting our lense on alone time.   Vera is a mother, an entrepreneur, a coach, a runner, a friend, an all-around awesome human to know. And I am grateful to bring this light-hearted insightful conversation to you all.   A few show highlights... How a crutch or coping mechanism can easily cover up what it really is that brings us true joy. Social media, alcohol… Even “healthy” coping mechanisms like running :)) Take inventory of what you're staying “busy” with. Do these busy tasks truly get you to the next step or are they continuing to hold you back? Using comparison as a tool vs a way to actively judge yourself. Why many are out of integrity with the message they preach How validation seeking ends up causing us to act out of alignment with our true selves   Find Vera on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vera.stepina Find Vera on Instagram:  www.instagram.com/vera_stepina  Do You Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KlbVfl00PkshysOyy5iwd?si=cae9c6ddb7824d53 Join our community here: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast  

Last week a new friend of mine, Evan Johnson hosted me on his podcast. Within a few days later I got a card in the mail thanking me for my time. WHO DOES THIS KIND OF STUFF ANYMORE???   It got me thinking…    Marketing is soooo OVERRATED.   Genuine human connection is soooo UNDERRATED.   Treating people well is such an undervalued asset (and choice) to have in business. I had to take a step back and really consider how I operate myself in marketing, and in intentionality.   This conversation was inspired after I had a blast on Evan's show “Path to Podcast Success.”   We had a really good time btw... Feel free to go listen.   I wanted to have Evan on my show because I had never once experienced a situation that COULD be a sales situation for him or could just be a connection he makes for whatever reason he chooses, where the other party treated me with infinite respect and kindness regardless of what he got from me.   It was such an AHA moment for me so I bring this to light for all of us who have forgotten to ditch talking about the shit you do and instead, just fucking do it. And do it well, because you care about your work, not just talking about your work.   It is my duty to do the same.   Thank you, Evan, for this lesson and experience.   You can find Evan (who is also a badass podcast producer and editor). www.pathtopodcastsuccess.com   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Show Highlights:  - Social Media dramatizes everything about our lives; often creating unrealistic expectations of ourselves and others.  - How social media prevents us from becoming our authentic selves and further improving our relationships ~ the grass ain't always greener on the other side :) - Social media has allowed us as a society to fear being alone, to fear our personal self-expression, as well as being honest about what we truly want out of life.  - What we see online is NOT ALWAYS REALITY. - The answers are within you, not on Jenny's Instagram Story. - GET OUT AND MAKE A BEAUTIFUL LIFE WITH YOURSELF. LEAVE YOUR DAMN PHONE @ HOME.   Find the Facebook post that was referenced here: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=470904508029310&id=100053292949673   Find Kaylee on Instagram: www.instagram.com/withlove.kaylee   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Show Highlights:  - Alyssa's experience with the Christianity "cookie-cutter mold." - How she found freedom through coaching. - If you want others to change at a heart level you have to meet them at a heart level. - Being willing to learn and unlearn, staying open, and keeping a "child's perspective." - Humility is knowing your power and knowing God is bigger than you and holding more than enough space for you. - Physical and mental limitations come from living out of alignment with the truth. - Learning to question how the circle you're in is affecting you. - "I know I'll be successful when…” - Getting clear on what's for you, not because someone else defines x as successful, etc. Find Alyssa on Instagram: www.instagram.com/alyssaloving    Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Show Highlights:  - Identifying the hard vs soft "fuck yes" moments. - The defense mechanism of protecting ourselves by thinking fear is our intuition saying no. - Letting go of patterns coming from past experiences. - How conditioning is always there, it's just learning to navigate it and allowing to let go of evidence that you're doing the right thing. - Creativity and playfulness get diminished over time because of experiences go through in life- resulting in diluting our expressions and voice. - Having goals- finding the balance of working toward them and letting go of control to get there. - Truth vs conditioning. - Taking ownership for what you want to create- guidance vs advising/direct action steps from an external authority. - Resistance to getting where you want to go.     Find Galen on Instagram: www.instagram.com/galen_lundin   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Show Highlights:  - Being honest about what you really love doing and what it is that you want for your life. - Clinging to the decisions of others when finding yourself under pressure and stress. - Benefits of breathwork with a few exercises you can implement right now.   Find Boomer on Instagram: www.instagram.com/boomermueller   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Everyone has that friend who can manifest out of what seems like thin air. From money to relationships, to even some not so lovely scenarios...   In today's episode, I brought in my best friend and on-call therapist, Jade, to talk all about her beliefs on manifestation!   We dive into the craziest stories of her twenties… including her experience working directly for the Kardashians. Which by the way, she “manifested” while jobless playing her Nintendo Switch in her bedroom.   Ps: If you have considered that maybe your life could be just a bit more lax and fun, oooooh baby this episode is for you! Find Jade on IG: www.instagram.com/jademakenziexo   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Per my editor's words… Apparently, my sass is unmatched this season, WELCOME TO SEASON TWO.   Our new theme? Creating momentum, by never looking back and always moving forward. I have learned in my life that overplanning kills the surprise.      Show Highlights: -Knowing yourself is the best gift you can give to this world.  -What to expect this season, or what NOT to expect. -Polarizing views on God/Spirituality. -What happens when we are boxed into one culture. -Staying open to life. -THROW AWAY YOUR VISION BOARD. -Put your planner away. -What is now?   Also, as I write this and listen back to this episode... Good go I am so fucking weird, I hope you are too.   Welcome to my show of nothing and everything, I hope you join in on the convo with me. You can connect with me on Instagram or Facebook- I love getting to know my community, so please come say hello... Love you, Court   Find Courtney on:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/courtney.ballard.5070 Instagram: www.instagram.com/courtneyballard__   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast

Today I WRAP up the season with a fun little twist and share my shit show experience of this journey so far. If you made it all the way here, well I fucking love you. And I hope to see you over in season 2.   Oops, I took it all too seriously.   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode, I brought in my friend and past client Lyndsey P. Lyndsey who is a badass at storytelling ownership, and runs her own online business helping other females “LEVEL UP." In this conversation we dive into Lyndsey's experience of really building self permission, to be who she is without filters or personas.   In an online culture of sexy tag lines, only there to reel us in it takes an honest person who isn't only concerned with relevancy. I pride my clients in this, Lyndsey included.   Whether you're a writer, online business owner, fitness guru or even just a human scrolling social media, join us to discover more about what truth is for you.   You can find Lyndsey & learn more about her/her mentorship here: https://www.facebook.com/LevelUpWithLynds   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

As I talked about many times within this season, it's not necessarily easy listening to your inner voice (at least when you first start out building trust). On today's episode with my sidekick, creator of all things this podcast (also VA) Kaylee and I spoke about (a lot of things actually what's new) the programming we received from dance/cheer culture, me forgetting what I am saying 4 too many times... but most importantly how it's so easy to get lost in the standards that everyone else has for you.    What standards do you have for yourself?   Going in circles of living someone else's truth is exhausting. Forgetting what you love doing because you are subscribed to someone else's vision for you only leaves you resenting. Don't waste your life never committing to your own story because someone else was easier to choose.   And enjoy this convo with the creative, lovely human who pushed my ass to commit to this project. WE LOVE HER FOR IT.   You can find Kaylee and contact her for VA services on her Instagram: www.instagram.com/withlove.kaylee   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

“Cling to nothing, embrace everything.” “Courage is not being fearless, the reason it's courageous is that you're afraid.” “Success is the ability to receive love as it comes, and the willingness to give freely.” “You can't predict where life is gonna take you. Embrace the uncertainty.”   David is an artist, a friend, a son.. an overall amazing human being who's (daily) changing lives quite literally just through his own way of being and expression!! (we love FULLY EXPRESSED humans)    Join this convo full of brutal/beautiful honesty, his experience immersed in ministry culture (+ leaving the church), and embracing the scary yet colorful world of trusting everything we came to this earth to be.   You can read more of his incredible one-liners, and lovely thoughts on his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/david.jackson.9615   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

In this conversation, I bring in my friend and past client Shannon to share her experience of creating polarization in the fitness industry through direct and blunt honesty. Shannon is the owner of “SHE BUILT” helping other women rebuild their body & mind, through her own method of self-love. Shannon is also a mother & wife, living in the midwest & spending her free time with her horses. I love Shannon because she's not your typical “self-love” or fitness coach you find on IG. Everything you get with Shannon is the complete, blunt & loving truth.   And because she believes you don't have to take photos of your ass to be fit or sexy… her content went VIRAL.   We have so much fun in this conversation sharing our personal experiences of creating business through self-trust, and complete transparency.   “A Sexy woman to me is a hard-working woman who can speak her mind, who's also a spot to fall when she needs to be.” You can find Shannon and read her story here: https://www.facebook.com/shannonkpac/photos/a.479236815940558/491097614754478/?type=3   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Do you hate new year goals and intentions? Oops well.. through lots of tears, laughter, and WHAT THE FUCKS!!!! I am bringing many reflections and lessons into 2022. I have had so many moments of clarity and reflection through conversations I had no agenda or intentions with.   As we step into a new year, I invite you to be more present through your conversations, you may hear something more powerful, or honest rather.. than you'd imagine.    Welcome 2022, I already fucking love you.   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Having a strong internal connection with who you are is the one thing affecting how you're living your life (as well as how you run business). In this episode, my friend Galen and I dive into the conversation of what it means to be “true to yourself.”   Such a fru-fru term right?   But what if you woke up tomorrow and instead of relying all on your programming you tapped into something greater than what you've known?   At some point being someone you're not, isn't worth the cost you pay when trying to keep the peace.   You can find Galen and learn more about his mentorship on his Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/galen.lundin.5   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

In this episode, my wonderful friend Sid Scott joins me to talk all about “BREAKTHROUGH SZN.” We dove into so many of my favorite topics in this conversation. We touched on self-acceptance, the journey of healing as a female, and why having a male be a part of that experience has been so vital for so many women. We even dove into what the most painful seasons of life teach us, including Sid's divorce.   Join us to learn more about what breakthrough szn really means. No spiritual bypassing, no need to be at a certain place in your life. Success is right here in front of you, no matter who you are or where life has taken you.   You can find Sid and learn more about his mentorship on his Instagram: instagram.com/iamsidscott   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Are you in a constant cycle of bettering yourself?  We are in a society with so many practical teachings of bettering ourselves. In this episode, I discuss how personal development can often work backward. Because bettering yourself isn't always better for yourself.   So what is?   In this episode, I share my personal daily practices of what keeps me present. But please don't try take my life map or daily routine, it's not yours. Let this inspire you to create one that fits perfectly for you.   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

Retelling our story and the importance of it. Today's solo episode is all about MWAH. Where I come from, why I do what I do, why tf I even have these conversations… This all began long before I came online to create & showcase the art of storytelling. Once upon a time, I was searching for a need to control myself, my life & others. YES, IT WAS SHITTY.   The lens I used to view myself and my surroundings created a very lonely story for me.    I put myself in an environment that forced me out of my comfort zone. I learned how to retell my story through people who saw the world differently than I did. This alone allowed me to find my truth, stand in that truth and never again waver against myself for the comfort of others.    Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers - https://www.silvermansound.com

None of this is what I expected it to be, but is that new? Welcome to the It's Not that Serious Podcast. This episode is my “current” summary and intro of what is to come in this podcast, and how season one goes down. This Podcast was started back in JUNE! And I feel like an entirely different person as I begin to record season two. Some of these episodes in szn 1 feel a bit cringy to me, but alas... we don't look back friends, only forward.   Follow your yes. Fully lean into whatever you are creating, and stop trying to change the past versions of it.   Did I just write this to me??    Hmph. The most real podcast you will ever see will be nothing but full, messy transparency.   Love you, thanks for being here. -Courtney   Join Our Community: www.instagram.com/itsnotthatseriouspodcast   Music: Synapse by Shane Ivers  - https://www.silvermansound.com