Le vital corps Salon

During this episode, we discuss how she came to love opera and explore the impact of the word “diva,” including the meaning, the myth, and the potentially harmful impact of that label. We chat about the glamorous and not so glamorous sides of running a jewelry business. Plus, Sara opens up about several deeply personal topics like handling bullies and being victimized in the workplace, being your own self-advocate, and surviving emotional abuse at home.  I hope you delight in Sara's story of how she became the (jokingly) the “Mistress of Specialized, Unnecessary Knowledge.” Oh, and if you want a visual reference while you're listening to our conversation, check out Songbird Sara Jewelry on Instagram. You can find all of the ways to connect with Sara in the link + resource section below. Selected link love + resources from the episodeConnect with Sara: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedInCarmenIggy Pop and the StoogesJoseph CornellGaslightingOne Love Foundation (nonprofit) and the 10 unhealthy relationship behaviorsKickass Theme Music: “Things Are Getting Better” Written by Rishi Dhir. Performed by The High Dials.Connect with Le vital corps Salon: Twitter | FacebookSign up for the Le vital corps Salon newsletter (sent twice monthly and includes news about podcast episode releases, helpful health + lifestyle information)Contact Kara

Alice has participated in two historic flybys, which are billions of miles away. (The irony that I usually walk upstairs to work is not lost on me.) She's now the second guest who has graced this podcast from the space exploration community. Of course, we're going to talk about space exploration in this episode, but we're also going to talk about what has needed to work well among a team of Earthlings for it all to be possible plus the lessons that Alice has personally learned along the way.According to Alice, there are many ways to be involved in space exploration, including how to communicate with a spacecraft, the aspects of project management, and leading a diverse team. In fact, Alice shares openly about creating a safe environment for all team members to flourish, including the importance of excellent communication, listening without prejudice or agenda, and respecting and trusting your team's diverse expertise.When it comes to Alice’s journey, it took a lot of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. She shares how she overcame self-imposed barriers and grew her self-confidence. Alice also shares one of the scariest moments she has ever faced at work and what she learned from it. Selected link love + resources from the episodeConnect with Alice: TwitterNew Horizons NASA missionLive stream of Alice doing check of “autonomy”Johns Hopkins University Nicole Stott on LvcSKickass Theme Music: “Things Are Getting Better” Written by Rishi Dhir. Performed by The High Dials.Stay in the loop about future Le vital corps Salon episodes or with Kara: Twitter | Instagram | The List (sent monthly-ish including helpful health + lifestyle information)

Meet Alice Bowman. She’s a member of the Principal Professional Staff at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Alice is the Space Mission Operations Group supervisor and the NASA New Horizons Mission Operations Manager (MOM). And she’s the first-ever woman in that role. She's been part of two historic flybys ever conducted, which are billions of miles away. Alice is now the second guest who has graced this podcast who is a part of the space exploration community. The irony that I usually walk upstairs to work is not lost on me.  Of course, we're going to talk about space exploration in this episode, but we're also going to talk about what has to work well on Earth among the team for it to be possible and the lessons that Alice has personally learned along the way. According to Alice, there are many ways to be involved in space exploration, including how to communicate with a spacecraft, the aspects of project management, and leading a diverse team. In fact, Alice shares openly about creating a safe environment for all team members to flourish, including the importance of excellent communication, listening without prejudice or agenda, and respecting and trusting your team's expertise. When it comes to Alice’s journey, it took a lot of hard work, late nights, no nights, dedication, and perseverance.  She shares how she overcame self-imposed barriers and grew her self-confidence. As well as, address some of the hard challenges and work she has faced. My conversation with Alice was fascinating, insightful, and inspiring. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0088-alice-bowman

Meet Claire Sprouse, the owner and culinary dynamo behind Hunky Dory, a low-waste, all-day cafe, located in Brooklyn. Claire has been recognized as Esquire's top 10 "Most Imaginative Bartenders" in 2012, Food and Wine's "Best New Mixologist" list in 2015, and Drinks International's "Bar World 100" list in 2019. Today, we discuss Claire's passion for sustainability, which happens to be a primary value at Hunky Dory. It’s the driving factor behind everything they do at the restaurant. As Claire explains, you don't need to be a scientist to create sustainable, effective processes. Inviting people to Hunky Dory's brand of activism in a non-preachy way is what she and her staff strive to do. We also take on the high and low points of adulting, creating a sense of inspiration by way of her food and drinks, and focusing on the human experience within the hospitality industry.   We recorded this conversation a few weeks before New York City would become a pandemic hotspot and effectively shut down, including Claire's restaurant. So far, Hunky Dory is hanging on and offering takeout. So, if you're near Crown Heights in Brooklyn, please grab some grub. For you far-flung folks who dig Claire's low-waste hospitality initiatives, find the link below for Claire's GoFundMe campaign.  Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0087-claire-sprouse  

Meet Kat Wilson. Kat is the Assistant Director of the Hudson Valley Additive Manufacturing Center (HVAMC). HVAMC is a 3D printing lab on the SUNY New Paltz campus - a favorite hang for the digital design and fabrication students there. Kat holds an MFA in Metals from SUNY New Paltz and has over ten years of experience with CAD, 3D printing, and other fabrication technologies. Today, Kat is going to teach us all about 3D printing technology, the medical and educational application of 3D printing, and digital design and fabrication. All extremely fascinating topics! Plus, we'll learn how she landed her dream job at the intersection of art and engineering. Rounding things out, we'll hit on how she navigates some of her work obstacles and manages burnout. She shares poignantly about recognizing opportunities that arise, and the importance of saying Yes bravely. Also, I wanted to give a massive shout out to the entire HVAMC team who immediately answered the call for more protective face shields for health care workers at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis. Thank you, thank you, thank you.  And now, here is my conversation with Kat Wilson. Enjoy. Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0086-kat-wilson

Meet Eileen Uchitelle. She’s a Staff Software Engineer on the Ruby Architecture Team at GitHub and a member of the Rails Core team. Eileen is an avid open source contributor focusing on the Ruby on Rails framework and its dependencies. If you are wondering what that means, don’t stress. We’ll break it down without overwhelming the non-techies among us. Eileen is passionate about scalability, performance, and making open source communities more sustainable and welcoming. While Eileen lives and breathes tech, we covered much more than 1s and 0s in this episode. She describes how she gets into the flow state and her approach to organization. We also explored topics surrounding social media and not falling down the email inbox rabbit hole.  So, many people have been thrown into the role of working from home in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. We also discussed some of the disadvantages and advantages of working remotely. Think of this episode as some mental Spring cleaning for your soul. There's a lot of practical advice that you can apply to your work and life. I think you're going to dig it.  Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0085-eileen-uchitelle  

Meet Dipti Mehta. She is an Indian American playwright, performer, and scientist. She is best known for her portrayal of Reina in Life! Camera Action, which brought her multiple international awards and nominations. She believes in theater as a powerful lever for social transformation. From that place, she created HONOUR: Confessions of a Mumbai Courtesan. HONOUR has given Dipti a powerful platform to advocate for women's rights and engage others on wide-ranging issues pertaining to inequity and gender. We talked about how she’s created awareness around feminism and what she’s learned from the women who have been sex trafficked.  These are just the accomplishments of Dipti’s creative pursuits. She also has a doctorate in Molecular and Cellular Biology and worked as a research scientist in the field of prostate cancer at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for 10 years.  Dipti is an energetic force of nature and persistently walks her creative talk with such discipline. She’ll also share the importance of not sitting around and waiting for opportunities to arrive. We also talk about acting, writing, and playwriting for social change. This conversation has so many layers, much like Dipti. Enjoy our conversation. Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0084-dipti-mehta

Meet Deana Burke. She is the founder of Gracias, a mission-driven startup working to bring Bitcoin to young women and teens from diverse backgrounds. Before founding Gracias, Deana was co-founder at strategic consulting firm, Agency of Trillions, which was acquired by Indiegogo in 2017. Deana is also an advisor to female-founded, travel startup, Allcall, and co-founder of CO, a co-working space in Rhinebeck built on a co-operative, community ownership philosophy.  Deana really takes us to school, today. We take on democratizing cryptocurrency and generating financial empowerment for young women and teens. Oh, and if the terms Bitcoin and cryptocurrency are new to you - have no fear, Deana breaks things down in a very, easy-to-grasp way. I promise.  Deana shares her experience as a non-tech startup founder - including some of the highs and lows of tethering to her "idea baby."  Also, we explore mindsets around money and generational wealth as well as scarcity and abundance. Yes, there's lots of lessons in this episode. As you're listening today, if you think of someone who may resonate with these topics, take a moment and share this episode with them. It really helps amplify the work that Deana’s doing as well as this podcast. Enjoy the conversation with Deana.  Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0083-deana-burke  

Meet Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad. She’s an award-winning professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Brigham Young University, where she is also the Director of the Social Neuroscience Lab. Additionally, she has an adjunct professorship at Iverson Health Innovation Research Institute at Swinburne University of Technology in Melbourne, Australia.  Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s research is focused on the long-term health effects of social connection. In this episode, we dive into the many areas of Dr. Holt-Lunstad’s work, including the fraying of our social fabric, the impact of social (dis)connection on our physical and mental health, and the current cultural stigma around loneliness.   We dig deep into these topics. We unpack what it means to feel alone versus experiencing social isolation. We discuss how political divisiveness has led people to feel less connected to their communities, friends, and family. Dr. Holt-Lunstad does offer ways in which we can mitigate the fraying of or repair the fabric that brings us together by investing in social relationships and helping others. There is so much to learn from Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad. Tune into this episode wherever you listen to podcasts or follow one of the links below. And since we are on the topic of connectivity, have we connected? Check out the links and resources below for all of the places to find me. Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0082-julianne-holt-lunstad

Meet General Ruth Ungar Merenda. To say that Ruth is a multidimensional artist and collaborator is a massive understatement. She is a partner at Humble Abode Music, a recording artist with The Mammals and Mike + Ruthy. Last year she and her husband, Mike, toured the US and UK with their band, The Mammals, toured small folk music venues for a month in Australia as a duo with their two kids, organized two community music festivals back in Upstate NY, and recorded a new full-length studio album due out next summer.   Ruth is a dedicated folk musician and artist, but also works hard to study, shape, and share the musical, environmental mission of the Ashokan Center as the Director of Arts & Communication. This is where Mike and Ruth host their two annual folk music festivals, the Winter Hoot coming up on January 31st and the Summer Hoot in August 2020.  In this episode, the lessons that Ruth shared extend far beyond the scope of folk music. We talked about balancing your ambition beyond your craft, whatever craft that happens to be. We also talked about leveraging patience and impatience and the importance of learning all sides of the business you are in. We also take on some mindset topics like how the power of music evokes emotion and how to connect with other humans in a meaningful way.  This episode is packed with wisdom, ideas, tips and inspiring stuff - thanks to Ruth. Oh, and the Winter Hoot is coming up on January 31st. If you are interested in attending, visit HootLove.com. And for more information on Ruth’s band, The Mammals, check out the link love and resources below for all the ways to connect.  Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0081-ruth-ungar-merenda  

Meet Leah Penniman. She is a Black Kreyol educator, farmer/peyizan, author, and food justice activist from Soul Fire Farm in Grafton, NY. She co-founded Soul Fire Farm in 2010 with the mission to end racism in the food system and reclaim the ancestral connection to land for People of Color (POC). As co-Executive Director, Leah is part of a team that facilitates powerful food sovereignty programs - including farmer training for Black & Brown people, a subsidized farm food distribution program for communities living under food apartheid, and domestic and international organizing toward equity in the food system. Leah has been farming since 1996, holds an MA in Science Education and a BA in Environmental Science and International Development from Clark University, and is a Manye (Queen Mother) in Vodun. The work of Leah and Soul Fire Farm has been recognized by a growing list of national organizations. Her book, Farming While Black: Soul Fire Farm's Practical Guide to Liberation on the Land is a love song for the land and her people. In this episode, we cover insightful and significant topics related to farm, including farming tech and positive contributions of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC). Leah also recollected on being a nature-connected, bullied youth and how her experiences laid the foundation for her work in farming many years later. We also talked about food justice, including what it is and what we can do as individuals to support farms that are certified food justice by the agricultural Justice Project. Finally, we talked in-depth about solving racism in the food system, which is connected to everything.    Admittedly, I sometimes fear talking about racism in such a public way because I’m conscious of my own incompetence and white privilege. I want to acknowledge some of my gaps in this conversation and how Leah demonstrated what a graceful teacher she truly is. I'm trying to lean in, learn more, and do better on the regular. If you're listening, I hope you are, too. Enjoy this episode. Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Share it with one human you know. Selected link love + resources from the episode: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0080-leah-penniman  

Meet Megan Atkinson (aka Megz). She’s an Enterprise UX Designer and watercolorist. With curiosity and creativity at the heart of everything she does, Megan loves to make art, tell stories, solve problems, and improve how humans experience the world around them. She’s also been a friend and mentor. And as friends, Megz and I share a megaton of nerdy intersections. As you will hear in this episode, our conversation takes a winding path, from career talk to being vulnerable and creative. We started things off by talking about how she stumbled into UX Design. Our conversation then switches to showing up in life with raw honesty. With some more twists and turns, we dove into the importance of shedding all our BS and forming strong relationships with people.  Feedback seems to be a recurring topic here in Le vital corps Salon. Megz and I dissected this topic a bit more in this episode too. Specifically, she shared how she survived some pretty cruel and devastating feedback. Also, learn how to stand up to “idea bullies” in the workplace. Because Megz is a creative human, we talk about how she came to be known as the Painting Lady and the nourishing aspects of having a daily creative practice.  I feel so much joy whenever I leave a conversation with Megz. I think you'll hear it come through in this episode. I'd be remiss if I didn't remind you to please subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts. Sharing this episode with a friend, family member or coworker helps, too. (Thank you to those of you who already have.) Now, meet Megz. Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0079-megan-atkinson

When my friend, Brandy Morris, sent me an article headlined, “Meet Jingmai O'Connor, the Punk Rock Paleontologist,” I knew I had to find out more about Jingmai. Now, you get to meet her, too!  Meet Jingmai O’Connor. She's a professor at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and PaleoAnthropology (IVPP) in Beijing, China. After completing her PhD,  she moved to Beijing, where she has been working for the past 10 years. She became IVPP’s youngest full professor in 2015. Her research explores the evolution of flight in the Dinosauria, the dinosaur bird transition, and the biology of stem-avians (aka flying dinosaur birds).  Jingmai is also an advocate for data sharing and equality in science. While it is true we totally geek out on flying dinosaurs in this episode and other science-y topics, we also talk about dispelling misconceptions about living a life of science.  Our conversation is a great example of how someone - like Jingmai - brings her whole self to work. We dig (pun somewhat intended) into fossil-finding and how moving to China was so important to her career as a paleontologist. We also explore highly transferable lessons from surviving academia, releasing the emotions from criticism/feedback, and how to handle confrontation and consequences. I really hope you dig this conversation with this “punk-rock” paleontologist. Remember, flying dinosaur birds. C’mon, that’s rad. Links to listen are below. Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0078-jingmai-oconnor

Meet Aja Schmeltz. She is a worker trustee at the Good Work Institute located in the Hudson Valley (NY).  Over the last 15 years, she’s held many titles including Art Director and Distillery Consultant. The title that gives her a ton of pride is: Agent of Change. Aja believes that a successful community is not made up of individuals working separately, but of individuals working collaboratively on all fronts. Through her work at Good Work Institute, she helps to unite individuals, enabling them to come together and work for the greater good.   Today we're going to talk about some of the things Good Work Institute (GWI) is doing like the creation of emerging models of organization. If that term is new to you, don’t worry we’ll get you up to speed. Also, Aja and I encourage you to explore this topic further if it piques your curiosity. We also talk about GWI’s mission towards just transition to help with a fair shift to an economy that is sustainable and equitable for all.  As usual, we turn to personal development topics, too. Because while it’s important to talk about the big topics, it is equally important to understand how and why guests, like Aja, got to where they are today.  Aja shares about her journey to establishing her own identity (becoming more than “mom”), how she learned to lean on others even though she is fiercely independent, and how she set out to stop limiting herself and her collaborations in the workplace (a.k.a. shedding her workplace armor).  We tackled so many topics in this episode! If you're curious, I encourage you to check out some of the work Aja and the team at GWI are doing.  If you think of someone that would really be down with today's guest, Aja, or some of the topics that we covered, please share it with one podcast fan you may know. By doing so, you can help grow Le vital corps Salon and help me amplify the work and influence of the women who have been guests on this podcast. Come meet Aja. Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0077-aja-schmeltz

Meet Melany Dobson. She is the VP of Brand Development at Hudson Hemp and Treaty. Hudson Hemp uses regenerative farming techniques for the betterment of our planet, people, and society. During her previous roles as executive assistant for a major cannabis brand and as a compliance manager for Humboldt Brothers, a network of medical marijuana production firms in Northern California, she gained expertise in local regulation and state legislature. Seeking to unite her commitment to climate change and regenerative land management, she worked as a research and lab contributor assistant at Hudson Carbon before joining Hudson Hemp. Inspired by a childhood spent on organic farms, Melany is motivated by the potential of cannabis as the future of food, fuel, fiber and medicine. She brings a savvy and focus to her role as VP of Brand Development at Hudson Hemp and now Treaty.  If you’ve dropped by Le vital corps Salon previously,  you can probably guess from Melany’s bio, there were so many things for Melany and I to discuss. As a result, there were lots of layers to our conversation. We geek out on farming, specifically regenerative agriculture. We talk about her roles at Hudson Hemp and Treaty, plus how she got involved working in the cannabis/hemp industry. We take on rituals and what they do  for her. Of course, we talk about cannabis - the industry as a whole, the various choices of cannabis for the consumer, and her contribution to shaping the cannabis space in New York State. If you were ever curious about the cannabis industry and how regenerative agriculture can help our planet, then you’re in for a treat.    Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0076-melany-dobson

Meet Evelyn Wright. She is an economist, energy analyst, meeting facilitator, and longtime cooperative enthusiast. At her company, Sustainable Energy Economics, she consults on energy policy for local, state, and national governments as well as environmental organizations. Evelyn is also the founder of a project here in the Hudson Valley called Commonwealth Hudson Valley. It’s a web publication promoting a more just, democratic, and sustainable economy in the Hudson Valley and beyond. She also serves on the board of the start-up Kingston Food Coop. She is the co-author of Cool Tools for Hot Topics, a resource guide for leading group processes. If that wasn’t enough cred, she has a PhD in Ecological Economics from Rensselaer.  Evelyn has a wealth of information when it comes to climate change and creating a sustainable economy, which are just two of the many reasons I invited her to join me in le salon. I learned a ton during our conversation and hope you do, too.  We dig into climate change and energy policy work, specifically what it is and why it’s so very important to our world today (and for our future). Evelyn walks us through her work where she focuses on some of the what-ifs around carbon emissions. For example, what if we change future natural gas prices, future electric vehicle costs, and future solar costs at the same time? How do different combinations of those affect our energy system differently? Yes, she is asking the BIG questions...and answering them. We also dive into another one of her passions, cooperative business models, and her desire to be part of solutions that affect (and hopefully boost) community. Of course, we tackle topics related to walking the line between burnout and growth, like cognitive differences, protecting yourself from the depression and grief about our world, and expanding your growing edges.  There is so much that we cover in this episode. Evelyn really brings it. It's smart, informative, and always thought provoking. I hope you come away from our conversation thinking that as well.  Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0075-evelyn-wright

Meet Susie Thornberry. She is the Assistant Director at Imperial War Museums where she leads public engagement for adults, young people, schools, and families across the five museums. Her extensive experience in arts, museums, festivals, and heritage includes roles with Historic Royal Palaces, Artichoke, and Battersea Arts Centre. In 2016, she was producer of London’s Burning, a festival to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London, including London 1666 a 120-metre-long sculpture created by hundreds of young Londoners which was spectacularly set alight on the River Thames. In 2018, Susie became a Commissioner of Historic England. Today, Susie and I talk about creating space and exploring the human impact of conflict through art. The irony of touching that last topic today on September 11th is not lost on me. It hits me in the feels and takes me back to a very sad, but life-changing, time in NYC for me.    We also dive into Susie’s role at Imperial War Museums, because seriously, it’s an incredibly rad role and not entirely shocking that Susie's in it when you learn more about her zigs and zags. We also discuss the role of museums in the public space and as perspective builders. After all, we could all use a change in perspective sometimes, don’t you think? Of course, we touch on topics related to burnout and living life on your own terms, like how to courageously say I don't know, mitigating over-stimulation by innate curiosity, and curiously meanadering. You’ll find out what all of that means when you listen to this episode.  Please don't forget to share this episode with the one human you think will really dig it, and subscribe to Le vital corps Salon wherever you listen to podcasts.  Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0074-susie-thornberry

Meet Patti Wilcox, the Co-founder of Awestruck Ciders, which she started at age 25. Patti has a unique, uncomplicated approach to pleasure. You can be sure hard cider is a part of that equation.   Like many women to grace this podcast, Patti is no stranger to burnout. She’s grown Awestruck Ciders as sole owner-operators with her partner and has been adding staff, ramping up production, and impressively increasing sales. Patti’s got some amazing insights from the experience. She’s even implemented a few anti-burnout “rules” that we’ll unpack.  Blind spots at work aren’t often discussed. Today, we consider what they are and how to navigate them from Patti’s experience. In fact, blind spots led Patti to her realization that sometimes founders just don’t make the best CEOs. At points, she’s thought about walking out of her own company and opens up about that for us to learn. Also, it’s easy to get caught up in clocking long hours at work like it’s a badge of honor. Yet, we fail to see how that badge of honor can be incredibly toxic to ourselves and the people around us. Towards the end of the episode, Patti shares with us how Awestruck is set to do some good, regenerative work.  As you listen to this episode, I want you to think about another woman that may be impacted by what Patti and I discussed today, and I'd love for you to share this episode with her. Think about some of the awesome ways to avoid burnout that Patti shared and employ one of them in your life.  Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0073-patti-wilcox  

Meet Krishna Patel, a former U.S. Attorney and current activist combatting human trafficking. Krishna holds two roles - Justice Initiative Director at Grace Farms Foundation and President of Unchain. After a distinguished legal career spanning more than two decades in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut, she's joined Grace Farms Foundation. Krishna has worked with global leaders and international organizations to identify ways to combat human trafficking in conflict as well as ways to create more transparency in global supply chains. This is part of her work at Unchain.  Krishna came into my orbit when I went to see a talk she moderated at Grace Farms. Krishna is so generous with her knowledge of these complex issues in her various talks and in this episode, too. In this episode, we hear her story and dig deep into modern-day slavery. We look at awareness issues, what she is doing to combat them, and what we can do to take action.  Krishna and I also discuss the divide between our consumption of goods in the North and how that correlates to modern-day slavery that is happening in countries in the southern hemisphere. We explore transparency - where it’s needed and how to create it. We unpack all of these massive, complex topics and look at how we can see this in our own lives.   As you listen to this episode, I challenge you to look at how modern-day slavery is affected by our choices as consumers and look at the resources that Krishna has so generously given us. Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0072-krishna-patel

Meet Carmen Medina, a former CIA change agent and co-author of Rebels at Work: A Handbook for Leading Change from Within. Carmen spent 32 years at the Central Intelligence Agency. Her story as a heretic and change agent at CIA is featured in Adam Grant's bestseller Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World. Carmen is passionate about many things, but namely intelligence analysis, strategic thinking, and the diversity of thought and innovation.  In this episode, Carmen and I talk about the culture of the CIA and why she surprised many of her friends in the 80’s with her views. As the self-proclaimed “Analyst of Little Things,” Carmen breaks down what that means and how it has helped her in the world of intelligence analytics. We also talk about handling pushback when introducing new ideas and how to be an effective change agent, or rebel at work.   As you listen to this episode, I challenge you to think about someone who needs to hear about being a rebel in the workforce. Once you have someone in mind, please share this episode with them. Also, think about one tiny action that you can take to start being an effective change agent at work or in the world today. We need you!  Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0071-carmen-medina

Meet Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist with Atmos Research and Consulting and Professor & Director of the Climate Science Center at Texas Tech University. Sometimes, I unexpectedly bump into a guest at an event, conference, or randomly out in the world.  Other times, a friend, like Andrew over at the Sounds and Vision podcast, will suggest a guest because they know who or what will make me geek out - like today’s guest, Katharine. Katharine Hayhoe is an atmospheric scientist to some and a self-proclaimed Jezebel of climate change. Her research focuses on understanding what climate change means for people in the places where they actually live. (Breathe! She’ll describe what that means in this episode in a non-science-y way for us layfolks). As a first time beekeeper and lover of long walks in nature, climate change is definitely something I think (ok, worry) about on the regular. Katharine’s also a Professor at Texas Tech University and the host of the PBS digital series Global Weirding. She's been named one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People and Fortune’s 50 world's greatest leaders.  In this episode, we talk about climate change, including how it’s affecting those of us living in Northern America. We also talk about how we talk about any complex issue, like climate change, and what we can actually do to change it in our own unique ways.  We talk about girl power (and the impact of daughters on their conservative dads). We chat about science-y and religious-y smokescreens, including how to recognize and dismantle them. We tackle toxic trolling and the toxic package of fear and loss.  As you listen to this episode, I have two challenges for you. First, I challenge you to think of a woman in your life that needs to know about Katherine and her work. Who would nerd out about this topic, too? Please share this episode with them. Second, think about one tiny action that you can take to make a positive impact on climate change today. Katharine (and the book Drawdown below offer so many choices). We all need to do our part. Have a listen.  Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0070-katharine-hayhoe    

Meet Jana Blankenship, the CEO/Founder/Captain at Captain Blankenship, which is a green beauty products business. Social responsibility and sustainability of ingredients and packaging are at the heart of the company and Jana’s work. If that wasn’t enough, Jana is a writer, too. She will be releasing her first book, Wild Beauty, in July. (I’ve seen it, and it’s gorgeous.) In this episode, we talk about art curation versus creation as well as Jana claiming her artistic confidence through Captain Blankenship. Plus, we discuss how Jana navigated the intersection of career, family and honoring the different parts of herself, including the tiny chemist. At a young age, Jana started making potions. She eventually developed a sensitivity to synthetic fragrance, which as an adult led her to dive headfirst into natural perfumery and research plant-based ingredients. She’s smart, artistic, and resilient - all of which we discuss during our conversation. Buckle up everyone, or grab your life preservers, because Jana and I cover a lot of ground in this episode. Oh, and before you do dive in, consider sharing this episode with one other human. Not only will you help me out, but you will also help to get the word out about what Jana has created. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Selected link love + resources from the episode can be found here:  https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0069-jana-blankenship  

My guest today has quite a story to tell! Meet Whitney Beatty. She’s the CEO of Apothecarry Brands, Inc. and a confident woman with an undeniable spirit. As a single mom, she bravely took on the risk of being an entrepreneur and has never looked back. Whitney is a successful entertainment industry executive-turned-cannabis storage designer who's spearheading her quickly growing startup. Inspired by a lack of stylish and safe cannabis storage systems and a total disdain for storing plant medicine in a shoe box, Whitney decided to produce a product for cannabis users. Using her brand, she is positively redefining the image of cannabis users, too. She hopes to change the image from the “basement stoner” to one the 6-figure professionals who are finding comfort and pleasure in their stash. In this episode, you will hear about the cannabis industry, including society’s demonization of it and how women in leadership in the cannabis space is actually dropping. We’ll also talk about the easy to say, but tough to do concept for all entrepreneurs: Permission to take care of yourself. Yes, women, it is beyond OK to enjoy self-care. Because, let’s face it, your business will be better if you do! Whitney has always had pluck, drive, and an entrepreneurial spirit. In fact, her high level of confidence helped her maneuver her way through Hollywood and, later, the entrepreneurial world. Everything wasn’t always sunshine and cannabis plants. She suffered setbacks, anxiety attacks, feelings of isolation, and the many challenges that come with business growth. Join us in this episode of Le vital corps Salon. For show notes and resources visit:   https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0068-whitney-beatty

Welcome to a bass ackwards day here in Le vital corps Salon. After a few years of doing this podcast, I've often gotten the request to answer questions instead of asking them. I love asking questions, so it took me a long time to get my own head around this. Perhaps, there was a little sprinkle of Imposter Syndrome thrown in, too. I’ve been so fortunate to have some really, really kickass guests! Kelly Lyndgaard, who you met in episodes 30, 56, and 57, nudged this one along. Kelly’s become a mentor, sponsor, and a dear friend to me. So, it was an honor to turn the host reigns over to her, while I moved on over to the hot seat. In this episode, you will hear us cover a lot of ground. I think Kelly compiled 2 years of questions! We will talk about neuro-fatigue, coaching, what my superpower would be if I could have one, making major changes in life, issues with feeling disconnected, and some ways to deal with decision fatigue. This was a deeply personal conversation. I offer you a window into what’s been going on over the past couple years - a lot I haven’t spoken about publicly. My hope is that you find some lessons or comfort from my experiences to apply in your own life. I think some folks try to put me on a pedestal as host. You will plainly hear how perfectly imperfect I am. After recording this episode, I felt pretty vulnerable. It felt so very strange to be on the other side of the interview. Please join Kelly and me for this heartfelt conversation. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0067-kelly-interviews-kara  

I'm super excited to introduce you to Mary Waldner of Mary's Gone Crackers. For those of you with Celiac Disease or following a gluten-free diet, you’ve probably seen these delicious crackers on a shelf near you. Inspired by her own struggles with Celiac Disease, Mary saw a need for nutritious, gluten-free options that tasted good. After many years of illness and being sick (since she was a child), Mary was diagnosed at 43 with Celiac Disease. And yes, she was thrilled with finally receiving a diagnosis. In this episode, she opened up about her experience with healing as well as her 27-year career as a practicing psychotherapist before her homemade crackers took on a life of their own. Mary talked about the process of starting Mary’s Gone crackers, including her many failed attempts at getting the cracker dough just right. Then, she shares what it was like to satisfy the public’s overwhelming demand for her product and the sometimes harsh realities of building, running and, later, exiting a business. For the uninitiated among us or the non-entrepreneurs, it's not all glitter and rainbows all of the time. Mary offers a unique perspective when sharing her stories and insights as both a healer and a food company entrepreneur. It was such a joy having her as a guest. Tune into our conversation using the links below. For show notes and more visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0066-mary-waldner  

No one grows up with the goal of being homeless. Doniece Sandoval, the founder of Lava Mae, realized during a life-changing cab ride. Lava Mae is a nonprofit in San Francisco that converts public transportation buses into mobile hygiene units, or bathrooms on wheels. (Yes, it seems businesses on wheels really intrigue me.) The goal: to deliver hygiene and to reconnect people experiencing houselessness with their dignity. Doniece began Lava Mae after learning there were 16 shower stalls and about as many toilets for San Francisco's 7,500 houseless men, women, and children. Think about that math. It just does not work out. In this episode, she talks about how her idea became reality in such wonderful detail. In the five years since launching Lava Mae, 14,000 Californians have been served. Lava Mae is expanding by sharing an open source toolkit to respond to the more than 2,000 requests for help from communities as far away as Zimbabwe and as close as New York. In that same period of time, she has won countless awards and been recognized by CNN, Toyota and other organizations. Doniece, however, is most proud of the honor bestowed upon her by her 12-year-old daughter who calls her a homeless superhero. You know what? Her daughter is so right. In this episode, we discussed what Radical Hospitality™ is and transforming how communities see our unhoused neighbors. Hygiene is important for everyone, not only for physical health, but for self-worth and self-confidence. Doniece saw firsthand how a shower can change a person, their view of the world, and how the world views them. She also eloquently shared her experience of seeing how bureaucracy and innovation can play nice in the sandbox. Doniece helps us see ways to navigate interactions with our houseless, sometimes invisible, neighbors, people who need to be and should be seen. She reminds us that being homeless is a set of circumstances, not the identity of a person. I was deeply moved by Doniece’s story. I sincerely hope you will be, too.   For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0065-doniece-sandoval

It is my great pleasure to introduce you to Heather Hansen. Heather has spent her life focused on communication and how to effectively harness it successfully across numerous fields. With over 25 years of experience as a medical malpractice attorney, Heather has been consistently named one of the top 50 female lawyers in Pennsylvania. Additionally, she advocates, she mediates, she anchors content, and she stars as a legal talking head. I’m stoked about her book, The Elegant Warrior: How to Win Life’s Trials Without Losing Yourself. Heather gathers up all of her lessons from the courtroom and shows readers how they can use their complaints, discoveries, questions, and objections to find their own voices and win arguments without losing themselves in the process. For those of you who have been listening to this podcast for a long time, you know that communication, asking questions, applying empathy, and being curious are all super important to me. I found a kindred spirit and teacher in Heather Hansen. In this episode, you will hear how Heather has re-potted her career over the years. We also talk about the importance of being an advocate for others and for themselves. We look deeply at the power of curiosity, empathy, listening, and questions. Finally, Heather showed us how we can be an elegant warrior (and advocate) in our own lives. I think you will agree that Heather is one seriously fast-thinking, elegant, and articulate woman. Please help me get the word out about her book. All you have to do is share this podcast with at least one woman you know. Thank you, thank you, thank you. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0064-heather-hansen  

Working adults who decide to go back to school, also known as post-traditional students, do not have time for burnout. This is exactly the group of folks that today's guest, Sarah Saxton-Frump, serves at PelotonU, in Austin, Texas. As PelotonU’s Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Sarah and the organization are committed to ensuring working adults can earn a college degree on time without a mountain of debt. We explore the challenges, or straight-up barriers, that exist for these adults who want to continue or go back to school. As Sarah says, “Picture going back to school right now with nothing else changing in your life.” Yes, you will learn about PelotonU and its innovative, competency-based learning initiative. You’re also going to learn about Sarah, the perfectly imperfect human being. Sarah opened up about how she grew to hate the work she was great at and how that contributed to a mental breakdown. Healing has been a part of her path, and Sarah’s incredibly candid about what it took to overcome her obstacles. She also opened up about her suicidal ideations and celebrating her "5-year burnout-iversary.” We talk about workaholism as a coping mechanism, hitting pause on the “shame tapes” we play on repeat, and Sarah’s tenacity in putting the pieces back together. I can't thank Sarah enough for truly showing up to this conversation and sharing her story so poignantly and with such grace. It's so important for all of us to connect, learn, and grow from each other's experiences and stories. And now, here is my conversation with Sarah Saxton-Frump. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0063-sarah-saxton-frump

When I was watching the Kentucky Derby this past year, I wondered why I didn’t see any women in the race. I wondered if women have ever been in the race. (The answer is yes, and the number of female jockeys is six.) During my research for this interview, I slipped down a major rabbit hole and learned a ton about today's guest, former professional jockey and horse trainer, Diane Crump. On February 7th, 1969, Diane became the first woman to compete as a jockey in a professional race in the United States. She was also the first woman to ride in the Kentucky Derby in 1970, where she rode a horse called Fathom. These days, Diane runs her own business doing equine sales, which almosts seems like a horse and rider matchmaking service. If that wasn't all enough, she worked with author Mark Schrager on the upcoming book about her life called Diane Crump: A Horse Racing Pioneer’s Life In the Saddle. In this episode, Diane and I talk about all things equine and horse racing. Yes. All. The. Things. This includes women’s right to ride and gender (in)equality in horse racing. Plus, we talk about the importance of quiet determination and focused fascination. Diane also shares poignant insights about the freedom to follow (but not force) what’s in your heart and navigate all of the negativity. Seriously, Diane walks her talk for focusing and letting negativity roll right off of her.   I so love talking to women who are not letting bullshit or burnout stop them. Diane is no exception. I am so happy to share this conversation with you. Check the links below to listen. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0062-diane-crump

This week, meet Sharon Rowe. Sharon is the Founder & CEO of Eco-Bags Products, which she started back in 1989. She’s also an award winning pioneer of the reusable bag movement and has been featured in media outlets like Time Magazine, Glamour, and the Oprah Show.  I first met Sharon when she gave a talk at Woodstock BYOB. That’s when I learned about her passion for the zero/less waste movements. Of course, you know me that merely whetted my curiosity. There was so much more I wanted to ask this thought-provoking, social entrepreneur. Not only is Sharon passionate about reducing waste, she is also passionate about entrepreneurship. She recently condensed all of her business knowledge into a book called The Magic of Tiny Business. I ripped through the book in one afternoon and loved it. I'm not the only person who loved the book. Seth Godin had some awesome things to say about it, too. (Yes, that Seth Godin.) When Sharon's not running her company, she is speaking to rid the world of single use plastic bags and promote sustainable, tiny business. She’s also active in The Social Venture Network, BCorporation, The Women's Presidents Organization, and the Governing Board of Westchester Collaborative Theater. Whew. She is one busy lady who holds it all together with poise and grace. In this episode, Sharon talks about the power of making simple a switch over time, the death of single use plastic bags (YESSS!), and getting comfortable with discomfort. We also talk about turning tiny ideas into tiny businesses, how regrouping can help you move forward, and the importance of being intentional and incremental in life and in business. One more thing: Before you dive into the interview, I want to remind you to subscribe to Le vital corps Salon wherever you listen to podcasts. Please, please, please (yes, that’s a triple please), share this podcast with at least one human who you think might dig this episode. Not only will it help grow this podcast, but it's going to help amplify all the great work that Sharon is doing in the world. Now here’s that bi-monthly dose of sonic comfort and conversation with the amazing Sharon Rowe. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0061-sharon-rowe

Today I have a modern woman for you to meet who is not letting BS or burnout stop her: Meet Saundra Williams. Some of you may have heard her name before; others may have heard her voice. For those of you who are not in the know, Saundra is a humble, hardworking singer from the Bronx. She got her start working her way up through amateur night at the Apollo Theater (yes, that one). She's been a touring member with artists like Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Victor Wooten, Mavis Staples, and Low Cut Connie. She's recorded with artists such as Amy Winehouse, Moby, Karen O (of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs) and Lady Wray. Saundra has also written her own music, has had a solo career, and makes up one half of the group, Saun and Starr (who are signed to Daptone Records). Saundra has a lot of professional cred. Yet, she’s here today to talk about Saundra - the woman and working mom. While I know Saundra believes music has a real healing power to it, I happen to think her story does, too. In this episode, you’ll hear Saundra share stories of being a young girl growing up in the Bronx and singing into her “microphone” (a hairbrush). She also opens up about being a working teenage mom and experiencing some working mom guilt. Plus, she talks about her time at the Apollo Theater and lessons learned about recognizing your own worth. Saundra also talks about the grind of the music industry and how she’s navigated it. (This kind of persistence is transferable for those of you not in the music industry.) If you dig this episode, want to lift and amplify Saundra’s voice, and help support this podcast, please share it with 1 person. Text it, email it or heck, send it by carrier pigeon. If you want to see Saundra perform live, she will be touring with Mavis Staples this Spring! You can find the tour dates and information here. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0060-saundra-williams

Each episode, it’s my mission to introduce you to modern women who are out doing their thing and not letting BS or burnout stop them. Today's guest fits that description for sure. I was fortunate enough to meet today's guest, Dr. Jeanette Wolfe, when I did a speaking event with a women's group at Baystate Health in Western Massachusetts. I’ve come back from every interaction with her feeling so intellectually satisfied. It’s  really exciting for me to introduce her to all of you. Dr. Wolfe is an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at UMASS Medical - Baystate Health Campus. Additionally, she's a Sr. Science Consultant for Gender Intelligence Group. She’s spent her entire professional career working and teaching in one of the busiest emergency departments in the Northeast. When she’s not working in Emergency Medicine, she’s digging into all the ways in which biological sex and gender influence our brains and our bodies. She is a woman who deep dives into cutting edge research across different spectrums of science and culture to understand the different responses that men and women have to things like illness, trauma, toxins, and even therapies. We're going to talk about strategically navigating your career, balancing what excites you with what your organization truly needs, and walking that tightrope between boredom and overwhelm. Additionally, we dig into the topic of sex and gender - a bit of a Sex & Gender Bootcamp. We also geek out over data and eliminating the “anxiety fuzz.” Note: Some topics we discuss may be little more controversial than others. Please know that any of Dr Wolfe's opinions in this show are her own and not affiliated with Baystate Health. An overarching takeaway from this podcast with Dr. Wolfe was: Everyone is learning. Always. In this episode, we were able to have a conversation about a controversial topic and live to tell about it. Starting with the basics can be pretty powerful. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0059-jeannette-wolfe

Anyone disrupting the meditation space is my kind of woman, which leads me to introducing you to this week’s podcast guest, Carla Hammond. Carla is the founder of Be Time Practice, a super cool mobile meditation and relaxation studio on wheels in NYC. This summer, I had the pleasure of experiencing Be Time Practice for myself. I knew after my experience that Carla had to be a podcast guest.  Carla has spent the past decade working in New York’s non-profit sector. Since earning her Masters in International Affairs from Columbia University, she has collaborated with a diverse array of start-up organizations to create solid institutional foundations to support their structural growth. Her work has proven instrumental in the advancement and evolution of multiple organizations, such as OneVoice, Columbia University’s Genocide Prevention Program, Qualitas of Life Foundation, and Awake Youth Project, to name a few. Her generous spirit continues as the founder of Be Time Practice, where she is offering a vehicle (both figuratively and literally) towards peace and well-being for as many humans as possible. Today, Carla is going to share how she transformed a “cute” idea for a bus into a business. Plus, she talks about persistence - how she kept going knowing her idea could potentially fail. She talks openly about how she continued to try everything in her power to make her dream into a reality. Of course, we talk about meditation - the benefits of meditation, how Carla likes to think of meditation as eating your mental veggies, and how Be Time Practice gets people excited to try meditation. It wouldn’t be a podcast for Type-A women if we didn’t talk about Type-A recovery, too. Buckle up, this episode is rich in ideas.   Now, if you are someone who actively dislikes meditation or thinks it’s not for you, but you are already stressing out within the first few weeks of the New Year, resist the urge to back away from this episode. Instead, bring some curiosity, and stick with us. Click the links below to dive into this episode. Help support the podcast: If anything in this episode resonated with you or spurred you into action, please share it with 1 person you think needs a little spark. By sharing it, you make a difference for them and support the creation of future podcasts. If you want more tips and information about slaying BS and sidestepping burnout, plus links to new podcast episodes, please sign up for my monthly newsletter. As always, thank you for listening + sharing this podcast. If I could personally hug each listener, I would! For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0058-carla-hammond  

Normally, I introduce you to one woman leaving her unique stain on the world without letting BS or burnout stop her. Well, surprise! Today, I’m bringing back seven previous Le vital corps Salon guests. We’re going to different perspectives on a topic that can help your 2019 more of a success. Join me in welcoming the women in this here virtual roundtable: Minda Harts, Erin Barra, Rachel Citron, Dara Kass, Kelly Lyndgaard, Kara Rota, and Patti Wilson. (You can find their cred, links, and news in the Resources section below). I want to acknowledge Minda Harts for inspiring and opening this episode with me. All of these amazing women span different industries and are at different stages of their careers. They’ve mentored, been mentored, and/or sponsored along the way. So, that, friends, is what we’re covering – mentorship and sponsorship. While we’re in that mid-holiday season lull, you might be percolating on what you want to stop doing, keep doing, or start doing. Perhaps you want to launch a business, grow in your current role, find a new job, or begin a new passion project. Whatever it is you’re considering, it’s your relationships with others that can help you achieve any of these things. Another surprise! There are not one, but two, episodes this week as part of this special, year-end Mentor Sponsor Mashup. It’s broken up into two parts because everyone had so much to share. When producer Craig and I sat down with the raw conversations, it clocked in at nearly 6 hours! We worked really hard to distill it down into something empowering, yet manageable. Here’s what to expect from each episode: Part 1 focuses on my guests’ own experiences around mentorship and sponsorship. We also discuss the differences between these two types of professional relationships. Part 2 goes deeper into mentorship and gets more strategic about how to create a successful mentor or sponsor relationship. We get more practical. We hear how some of the guests have navigated around or bounced back from some awkward moments. Whether you’re considering mentorship (as a mentor or mentee) or sponsorship in the immediate future or not, Minda, Erin, Rachel, Dara, Kelly, Kara, and Patti offer up a ton of collective insight and wisdom. All of which can be applied across other facets of business and life. After all, mentorship and sponsorship are about connection and support. Who couldn’t use a little more of that, right?   This quilt of a conversation was a blast to stitch together. I deeply hope you enjoy Part 1 and Part 2 of The Mentor Sponsor Mashup! Don’t forget to hop on the newsletter right here. You’ll always be a reply away, and I’d love to here what you learned and what you plan on applying this year. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0056-0057-mentor-sponsor-mashup

Normally, I introduce you to one woman leaving her unique stain on the world without letting BS or burnout stop her. Well, surprise! Today, I’m bringing back seven previous Le vital corps Salon guests. We’re going to different perspectives on a topic that can help your 2019 more of a success. Join me in welcoming the women in this here virtual roundtable: Minda Harts, Erin Barra, Rachel Citron, Dara Kass, Kelly Lyndgaard, Kara Rota, and Patti Wilson. (You can find their cred, links, and news in the Resources section below). I want to acknowledge Minda Harts for inspiring and opening this episode with me. All of these amazing women span different industries and are at different stages of their careers. They’ve mentored, been mentored, and/or sponsored along the way. So, that, friends, is what we’re covering – mentorship and sponsorship. While we’re in that mid-holiday season lull, you might be percolating on what you want to stop doing, keep doing, or start doing. Perhaps you want to launch a business, grow in your current role, find a new job, or begin a new passion project. Whatever it is you’re considering, it’s your relationships with others that can help you achieve any of these things. Another surprise! There are not one, but two, episodes this week as part of this special, year-end Mentor Sponsor Mashup. It’s broken up into two parts because everyone had so much to share. When producer Craig and I sat down with the raw conversations, it clocked in at nearly 6 hours! We worked really hard to distill it down into something empowering, yet manageable. Here’s what to expect from each episode: Part 1 focuses on my guests’ own experiences around mentorship and sponsorship. We also discuss the differences between these two types of professional relationships. Part 2 goes deeper into mentorship and gets more strategic about how to create a successful mentor or sponsor relationship. We get more practical. We hear how some of the guests have navigated around or bounced back from some awkward moments. Whether you’re considering mentorship (as a mentor or mentee) or sponsorship in the immediate future or not, Minda, Erin, Rachel, Dara, Kelly, Kara, and Patti offer up a ton of collective insight and wisdom. All of which can be applied across other facets of business and life. After all, mentorship and sponsorship are about connection and support. Who couldn’t use a little more of that, right?   This quilt of a conversation was a blast to stitch together. I deeply hope you enjoy Part 1 and Part 2 of The Mentor Sponsor Mashup! Don’t forget to hop on the newsletter right here. You’ll always be a reply away, and I’d love to here what you learned and what you plan on applying this year. For show notes and resources visit: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0056-0057-mentor-sponsor-mashup

Happy Holidays, friends old and new! If you are feeling like you are burning out from the holidays or from life in general, you are in the right place for a dose of inspiration. Join me and my guest, Maé-Bérénice Méité, a French international figure skating champion, as she shares her experience with burnout. It’s hard to imagine not having to navigate burnout at Maé’s level of competition. Here is a quick rundown of just some of Maé’s accomplishments: She is 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial Champion, the 2016 International Cup of Nice Champion, the 2015 Winter Universiade Silver Medalist, and a four-time French National Champion. During the 2018, Sochi Olympics she skated to Beyonce's "Run the World (Girls).” Yes, yes, and more yes!   You may be thinking, “Come on Kara, here we go again with the buzzword, ‘burnout.’” Yet, burnout is real. In this episode, you’ll hear firsthand how an Olympic figure skater handles burnout (and how I do too). We talk about the REAL burnout. The kind of burnout that leaves you debilitated, feeling depressed, and anxious - something that we have to climb out of and push ourselves forward to thrive or, sometimes, do what we’ve got to do to survive. Maé shares some of things that worked for her and what she thought about her experience with burnout all so we can learn from her perspective. We also talk about how women can get closer to being in the flow state, especially in high pressure situations. Fix yourself a large cup of tea, and allow Maé and I to offer you some sonic comfort and conversation.   Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0055-mae-berenice-meite

This week, I welcome Veronica Schreibeis Smith, CEO and Founding Principal of Vera Iconica Architecture, to the podcast. Here is a fun behind-the-scenes fact: I record this podcast in a shitty, faux wood-paneled, 1957 sewing room. So, I was admittedly a little intimidated by Veronica. Her company specializes in wellness architecture - the art and science behind designing built environments that enhance human health and well-being. Veronica has practiced architecture, speaks, and leads think tanks all over the world. She is doing amazing work. I'm so stoked to have her drop by Le vital corps Salon and for you to meet her. We’ll, of course, learn more about what wellness architecture is and how Veronica is helping clients improve their lifestyle through wellness builds. She also brings awareness to how our surroundings have an impact on us. Did you know that even the sound and smell of a building can affect our physiology and psychology? It’s a fabulously interesting concept and and eye-opening conversation. But, wait, there’s more! We also have a deep discussion about running too fast and how to purposefully slow down. Veronica shares some of her own self-care practices. Finally, we talk A LOT about habits - shifting habits, changing habits, and yes, even the unhealthy habits. The struggle is real, so let’s be honest, right? Hopefully, this episode is a reminder to you, as Veronica so eloquently said, to, “Start surrounding yourself with something that can empower you to live the purpose-driven life you were designed to live.“ Oh, and don’t forget to share this episode with one person you know, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. Many thanks! Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0054-veronica-schreibeis-smith  

Each episode, I introduce you to women who are really walking their talk, so we can add some of their swagger to our step. We have so much to learn from this week’s guest, Kate Nnanna-Ibemgbo. Kate worked her way up to Chief Air Traffic Control Officer with the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Ikeja- Lagos over 11 years before joining the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) as an Air Safety Inspector in April 2018. She is also a caring wife, a nurturing mom of three adorable boys, and is a speaking/writing/inspirational force for good in our global community. Buckle up, folks! We cover a lot of ground, or in this case, shall we say airspace? We talk about owning your personal space and exhibiting grace under duress, navigating ultimatums in a “man’s workplace”, and the importance of making and taking quiet time. Plus, we explore the depth of a mother’s love, talk about acceptance, and Kate shares poignantly how she is consciously leaving her footprints in the sands of time. So. Much. Awesome. All packed into one episode. Help support the podcast: If anything in this episode resonated with you or moved you, please share it with 1 person you think needs a little spark. By sharing it, you make a difference for them and support the creation of future podcasts. If you want more tips and information about slaying bullshit and sidestepping burnout, plus links to new podcast episodes, please sign up for my monthly newsletter. As always, thank you for listening + sharing this podcast. If I could personally hug each listener, I would! There are times I meet people in this world when I can literally feel the sphere of energy around them. Kate is one of these people. She's tirelessly inspiring, working to connect her Air Traffic Controlling sisters, young girls, and pretty much any woman who crosses her path. We are like-minded sisters, who also deeply believes that we have so much more in common and how interconnected we all truly are. Dive into this episode by clicking the links below. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0053-kate-nnanna-ibemgbo

Are you someone who's ever looked at leadership in your government, workplace, or organization and thought, “Well, hot damn, I don't see a lot of women in the ranks of leadership up in here.” If this is you or now I’ve got you thinking about this, then I have a guest for you this week. Meet Jessica Grounds. Jessica Grounds has been busting her rump in Washington D.C. since the age of 22. She has founded and led multiple organizations across both the public and private sectors to advance women in leadership. Today, we're going to learn all about the strategic gender-inclusive, bipartisan work she's doing with Mine The Gap, an organization on a mission to create gender-inclusive environment for companies, organizations, and businesses. You’ll also hear Jessica pull wisdom from her own experiences as the founder and former Executive Director of Running Start. She helps us more fully understand the barriers facing women in the workplace today and beyond. Additionally, we touch on the topics of sexism, gender diversity in the workplace, and balancing work and life as a new mother. Plus, Jessica offers practical and realistic steps we can all take within our own organizations to encourage leadership among women - starting right now.   The midterm elections are coming up here in the United States, so I felt like this was such an important conversation to have right now. The work Jessica is doing is so timely, but also so important beyond the midterm elections. I hope you agree. Now, get listening! For all of my American listeners, get out and vote on November 6th. Sign up for reminders and polling from Vote.org. Prepare yourself with ballot information at BallotReady. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0052-jessica-grounds  

If you’ve ever experienced a moral hangover from work or think being feminine and being in business don't have to be mutually exclusive, then I have an episode for you. I’m stoked to introduce you to my friend (and this week’s guest), Megan Offner of New York Heartwoods. New York Heartwoods is a Kingston-based business that makes furniture to grow trees. Yes, to GROW trees. (Tune in to learn how.) Megan deeply believes that business can be a force for good and that good design fosters a more resilient future.In this episode, you’ll hear all about the work Megan is doing at New York Heartwoods and learn more about her philosophy on doing good work and being resourceful. We chat about making beautiful things by hand with love, gender issues at work, and honoring the feminine while doing business. We consider how we value ourselves in relation to others. We tackle a lot in what felt like such a short time! A special note, this episode is rather unique because it was recorded live in what Megan and I referred to in this episode as “the makeout booth” at Radio Kingston. (We were practically sitting in each other’s lap!) Because it was recorded live, anything can happen; and it did. At one point, we were joined by a very agitated commercial washing machine in the adjacent laundromat. Washer machine aside, we had an immersive and special conversation about feminine energy, being of service, and other stuff that really matters. Tune into this episode in any of the fine places listed below and be sure to support the work Megan is doing at New York Heartwoods. (Link below.) Take a tour online. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0051-megan-offner

Welcome to milestone episode number 50! Yes, the big 5-0. There have been so many moments along my podcasting journey when I thought this whole podcast would fall apart or I wouldn't be able to deliver the next episode on schedule. Because you all showed up for me, here. We. Are. Thank you, kind listeners, for tuning in time and again. Thank you, amazing guests, for allowing me to take a peek into your world, and share it others. If you're someone who's ever felt like you're just off your game, straying from your path, or unawares of your worth in the world, make yourself cozy for my conversation with Zuzu Perkal. Zuzu is a pink-haired, powerhouse of positivity. She is an Austin-based new contemporary artist with an insatiable appetite for street art, yoga, and self-exploration. Some of her commercial work has intersected with companies like Neiman Marcus, Bud Light, Nordstrom, Red Bull, South by Southwest, The X Games, the Wanderlust Festival and more.   Zuzu continually seeks ways to positively  impact others through nearly everything she does, which comes through loud and clear in this episode and in vibrant color the rest of the time. There is so much to learn through this conversation with Zuzu. We touched on how she keeps her head in the game, leveling up as a paid, working artist, navigating her definition of self-worth, and finding her place on the planet. Like all of Zuzu’s work, I hope this episode leaves you full with insight and inspiration. Because, as we talk about in this episode: “You are f*#&ing awesome.”* We all need to be lifting each other up. This episode is packed with love and lots to learn. Let’s get to it. Grab those earbuds and start listening! * Zuzu and I deliver a few intentional, kind-hearted F-bombs (like the one noted above) during this episode. Earbuds are recommended if you’ve got wee ones or non-pottymouths around.    Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0050-zuzu-perkal

This week’s guest, Barbara Oakley, Ph.D., is the female Indiana Jones - a truly innovative and independent spirit. Professionally, she’s an award-winning professor of engineering at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan and the Ramón y Cajal Distinguished Scholar of Global Digital Learning at McMaster University. Her research focuses on bioengineering with an emphasis on neuroscience and cognitive psychology. She’s also the creator of the massively successful Learning How To Learn online course, which she teaches alongside legendary neuroscientist Dr. Terrence Sejnowski. Dr. Oakley makes the neuroscience of learning both practical and accessible for the rest of us. In today’s episode we talk a lot about learning and MOOCs, or for the uninitiated, massive online open courses. With all of Dr. Oakley’s credentials and professional experience, we also discuss some adjacent topics like how to hang-up your workaholic spurs, how to avoid task-list intimidation (yes, we touch on task lists!), and how we might leverage Imposter Syndrome for our advantage. As I said at the top of this episode: If a Swiss Army Knife came in human form, it would be called a Barbara Oakley, Ph.D. Like a Swiss Army Knife, there are a multitude of tools and ideas woven into this conversation which can be applied to what’s going on in your own life. Dr. Oakley contributes a wealth of knowledge and implementable inspiration.   Listen to the episode in any of the fine places listed below.  Oh, one last thing, we share A SHIZZLE-TON of resources in this episode. If you’ve been itching to learn something new or close a skill gap, I strongly invite you to come back and explore all of the books and resources in this post. #yourewelcome Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0049-barbara-oakley

Today’s guest is Nicole Stott, a veteran NASA astronaut. When the idea for Le vital corps Salon was only a scribble in a notebook, I scrawled a list of roles in which women likely had to navigate BS and mitigate burnout. (Y’all know how much I love lists, right?) Astronaut, of course, was on that potential guest wishlist. While I believe almost anything is possible, I knew the odds were small. Astronauts are busy folks. Yet, here we are. Today’s episode is proof-positive that intentionally aiming for the stars may well get you there. Tune in to learn how this episode came to fruition, but first, a little more background on today’s guest. Nicole’s NASA experience includes 2 space flights, 104 days spent living and working on a space shuttle and the International Space Station. If that wasn’t enough, she performed 1 space walk and was a crew member on the final flight of Spaceship Discovery. Yet, one of her most memorable experiences is painting the first watercolor in space. Nicole has soared to the heights of outer space and dove to the depths of the Earth’s ocean as a NASA aquanaut. She’s now incredibly dedicated to sharing the beauty of Earth from space with others, especially through art. In this episode, Nicole and I talk a lot about art and how she ended up painting in space, her relationship with space and Earthlings, and the interconnectivity between all of these things. Whether your feet are firmly planted on the ground or you are orbiting the Earth, this episode is ready for your listening pleasure in T-1 click below. Let’s lift off with Nicole! Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0048-nicole-stott

Theresa Wiggins drops by Le vital corps Salon this week. Since 2014, she has been combining her passion for kids, families, and education through her business, Village Parenting. Theresa teaches mindfulness and offers in-home behavior management support to families dealing with chronic behavioral issues. Additionally, she consults with both students and school faculty around effective family engagement. You might be thinking this episode is going to be a really kid- and family- focused one. Yes, we are going to talk about Theresa's work for context. We’re also going to discuss how she came to it. Yet, there is so much in this episode for grownups without children, too. My husband, Craig, and I don't have kids currently, but the conversation left me with some ideas that stuck since Theresa and I recorded this conversation. In this episode, Theresa shares both a deeply personal, courageous story and her professional story with us. She shares how mindfulness instruction came to be part of her core offerings, and how she helps children understand true happiness, which is not contingent on achievement. (I found this to be quite, thought-provoking as a recovering Type-A lady.) We also discuss the misconceptions of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and what life is like after the diagnosis. We consider the concept of courageous communication, which also plays out in real-time in this episode. As always, I hope you find comfort and ideas through our conversation. Now, get out your smartphone or favorite listening device, and start listening already. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0047-theresa-wiggins

This week on the podcast, I want you to meet the smart, creative, and organized Aimee Gardner. Aimee is doing some socially impactful work in our shared neck of the woods here in the Hudson Valley/the Catskills. Aimee is the Operations Director for O+ (pronounced oh positive).  Over her time with the organization, she’s also helped launch spin-off festivals in San Francisco and Petaluma California. O+ works to build long-term relationships between creatives and health & wellness providers to help strengthen local communities. The O+ festival infuses medicine, art, and wellness in a uniquely engaging way. In addition to talking about O+, Aimee explains how we can trip into new and galvanizing experiences - sometimes unexpectedly - even as organized planners (ahem, my Type-A friends) and live to tell about it. We also chat about ways she’s dealt with burnout, the importance of setting bite-sized goals, and how she spends her “free” time at Disaster Mansion. Oh yeah, we’ll also discover the satisfaction of slaying a star-farting cat. (PETA friends: Don’t be alarmed. No real cats were harmed in this conversation.) We geek out over that topic and more, in this episode of Le vital corps Salon.  If you’re in/near Poughkeepsie, NY (in the Mid-Hudson Valley) between August 3-4, I urge you to check out the O+ Festival! If you’re not around in August, make plans to check out the 8th annual Kingston O+ Festival on October 5-7. Check out the full show notes for this episode at:https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0046-aimee-gardner  

Today may be the first time you've heard Debra Cleaver's name, but I have no doubt whatsoever that you will hear it again...and a lot. After today’s episode, you will know why I now associate her name with wicked smarts, a no bullshit attitude, and a unique brand of problem-solving badassery. I couldn’t ask for a better guest for a platform dedicated to modern women who don't want BS or burnout to stop them. Debra serves as the Founder and CEO of Vote.org,  a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses technology to simplify voter engagement, increase voter turnout, and strengthen American democracy. In this episode, we talk about being “abrasive” women in the workplace and how to really own getting fired. Plus, we talk about how she is working to bolster democracy through her organization, Vote.org. If you come away with anything from my conversation with Debra, I hope it's that life is one giant blank check of permission for you to do things your way. Listen right now...and then go register to vote! Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0045-debra-cleaver    

I had the great fortune of meeting this week’s guest, Miranda Mims, at a roundtable discussion hosted by Minda Harts at SXSW. (Yes, SXSW again!). After the roundtable, I organized an impromptu dinner at the Elizabeth Street Cafe, which is one of my favorite restaurants in all of Austin, Texas. As luck would have it, Miranda said yes to joining and really got my brain cooking. I asked her a million questions about what it’s like to be an archivist. I found it fascinating and knew I had to invite her to the podcast. In this episode, we chatted all about what archivists do. Plus, we talk all about how to decide what to keep and what to get rid of - the physical items, a mindset, or even the mental clutter - what we carry around as human beings. I hope this conversation with Miranda frees you up. Miranda has serious professional cred from interning at The Library of Congress to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art to the archives at Catholic University. Currently, Miranda is the special collections archivist for discovery and access at the University of Rochester. Turn on your favorite listening device and join me to learn more about knowing “when to hold 'em, when to fold 'em, or when to walk away,” with my guest, Miranda Mims. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0044-miranda-mims

The amazing Ruby Silvious, author of 363 Days of Tea: a Visual Journal on Used Tea Bags, joins me on the podcast this week. As I record this podcast, I’m slowly working on and growing the 33K Task List Project. After facilitating a craftworking (crafting + networking) event in Ruby’s town, the librarians lovingly wouldn’t let me out of there without the copy of 363 Days of Tea. Today's episode is a great example of how you really never know how things are going to come together. The librarians’ recommendation ultimately led me to reach out to Ruby. And that, friends, is how I met Ruby.  She is a visual artist and a graphic designer whose recent work includes experimenting on recycled and repurposed materials. Here is a little bit more about Ruby: On January 3rd 2015, Ruby started a project called 363 Days of Tea as a visual daily record of her impression of the moment; using emptied, dried, and flattened tea bags as little miniature canvases; altering them to create a new work of art, every single day over the course of 363 days. Just amazing! Plus, she’ll talk about the significance of 363 days, instead of the expected 365 days, which in my humble opinion, is the height of perfect imperfection. In early March 2018, her art was featured at Art on Paper, an international art fair in New York City. Prior to that, marking the introduction of a new international artist-in-residency program, she was the first resident artist at LM Studio in Hyères at the southern tip of France’s illustrious Côte d’Azur region. There she showcased paintings inspired by her visit in a solo exhibit called Printemps en Provence: 26 Days of Tea. Her art is featured all around the world - in both public and private collections. In this episode, Ruby and I talk about how she came to be the creator of this amazing tea bag art. We touch on creativity and inspiration. Ruby also talks about all of the things she learned over the course of her artistic journey, including how being an artist, especially one committing to create one piece of art a day, was a lesson in practicing discipline. Ready to be inspired? Then listen to this episode pronto(!). Oh, and be sure to check out Ruby’s Instagram feed to see her amazing art! Fixing a cup of tea is optional, but greatly encouraged. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0043-ruby-silvious

Have you ever been frazzled, afraid, or felt like you were not enough? If that is the case, you are in the right place, my friend, to receive some inspired and totally doable action steps. Joining me this week is one of my mentors, Chelsea Collier. Chelsea is wicked smart. Her mission is to unite the public and private sectors to create smarter cities and more connected communities. Here is more professional cred: She’s the Founder of Digi.City, Editor-At-Large for Smart Cities Connect, and Co-Founder of Impact Hub Austin. She’s a 2018 Marshall Memorial Fellow and a 2016 Eisenhower Fellow. Her work has been published through Inc.com, Venture Beat, the Chicago Tribune and more. She is also an Advisor to the St. Edwards’ University Business School, the Austin Technology Alliance, and the Austin Forum. Chelsea has won an Austin Under 40 Award and has a masters and a bachelor degree in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin. Whew! All of that - well, it just scratches the surface of what Chelsea is all about. I connected with Chelsea at SXSW in Austin. If you’ve never been to SXSW, put it on your bucket list and go. I’ve made so many amazing connections at this conference. The advice I received there - from folks like Chelsea - have led to some major professional breakthroughs and unexpected support. Plus, it’s helped me introduce you to amazing women doing some impactful work, so we can learn from them.In today’s episode, we touch on some big concepts in the world of technology. Have no fear! Chelsea breaks things down in a way that is super easy to follow, so stick with us. We talk about figuring out what you want to do when you grow up and making it happen. No job description for your dream job? No problem. We talk about what to do if you don’t fit into a nice, neat box. Plus, we geek out a little on sustainable fashion. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0042-chelsea-collier

Welcome back to le salon, friends! This week, I want you to meet Sara Cantor Aye. One thing first, remember Patti Wilson from episode 31. I got to meet her IRL during the Professional Women Controllers 40th(!) conference. It was a beyond amazing experience - one in which I talked so much about self-care with all the type-A women there that my voice was a little shredded in this episode. Fear not! That didn’t stop me from geeking out about design and innovation with today’s really awesome guest Sara. Sara Cantor Aye co-founded Greater Good Studio with her husband George. Sara is a design maven, who holds a master’s in design planning from the Institute of Design at IIT and a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Northwestern University. While in a green room together at SXSW with George, I learned about the fantastic work happening at Greater Good Studio.   In this episode, Sara talks about how she transitioned from the corporate space to Greater Good Studio, how she uses human centered design (a really powerful process for solving problems) at the Greater Good Studio, and how she applies innovative and intentional concepts like equally shared parenting at home, too. This episode is Innovative (see that capital I) and empowering for all you frazzled femmes out there. Get out your smartphones and start listening already. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0041-sara-cantor-aye

This week, we’re back to our usual interview flow. I'm so simultaneously energized and chilled out by today's guest, Alix Kram. I first met Alix last year when I rolled stowaway on my husband’s business trip to Nashville. Alix and I got to talking at a Women in Music event planned by past podcast guest, Nicole Barsalona. Within about 30 seconds, I recognized I was in the presence of a super-duper smart, creative woman who likely doesn’t realize there’s even a box to think outside of. My next thought was, “How can I get Alix to say yes to the podcast?” Let’s talk about Alix for a minute. She is Vice-President of Global Brand Licensing for the Artist Services at Warner Music Group. Previously, she led KramCollective, where she helped industry professionals extend into the retail and lifestyle spaces. That was after Alix spent 10 years at Nickelodeon, where she was the V.P. of Lifestyle and Retail Marketing. I know, I know. That’s a lot of titles and kind of jargon-y, but we’ll break down what that actually means in the episode. Alix shows up - far beyond the titles and work stuff - as a woman who really knows how to live a full life. In this episode, you’ll hear Alix and I discuss her work helping artists build their brand, her shift from her post-collegiate career to what she does now (btw, not a smooth, comfortable one), and how she balances her energy as, in the words of Todd Henry, an on-demand creative. Plus, we talk about understanding fear, embracing discomfort, and learning to trust yourself. Check out the full show notes for this episode at: https://www.vitalcorpswellness.com/blog/lvcs-0040-Alix-Kram