Living Box-Free

After a long hiatus, Becky and Ashleyne are back with a new episode about writing a book! Ashleyne published her first novel in 2024 (Violindy: a Hilarious and Cozy Heist Novel) and learned all about publishing, making tough decisions, and what it's like to be a published author! In this episode, Becky asks Ashleyne about the origins of the wild and unexpected story, the ins and outs of the publishing process, and what you should know if you're dreaming about writing a book. You can find Violindy on Amazon or order a signed copy at Ashleyne.me. Follow @shleyne on Instagram for more content about writing and what's next for the ragtag crew from her debut novel! https://www.amazon.com/Violindy-Hilarious-Cozy-Heist-Novel/dp/B0DJY9YGGG?crid=BMCED7FB0O9Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.BJoWWW34vfWWgeDr4W9o_w.vsjGGlF7nMNHqTPxASJMwk5kYq_QmbhSoLpd7RKiu3I&dib_tag=se&keywords=violindy+book&qid=1736368027&sprefix=violindy%2Caps%2C200&sr=8-1

Ashleyne Seitz wraps up the Obstacle Courses series with her observations and gives some important updates on the Living Box-Free Podcast and On the Rise Group!

At different points in our lives we all have to make an incredibly difficult choice: do we do the easy thing or the right thing? And sometimes those choices sneak up on us in ways we never expected! In this week's episode, Ashleyne sits down with her friend Brooke Carnes to talk about the decisions that Brooke has had to make that have had a huge impact on both her own life and on others. Whether it's a little thing or a life-altering decision, the obstacle of doing the right thing is difficult to navigate and can have both painful and rewarding consequences. Brooke is a Jesus-loving single mom to two amazing humans & two cute puppies. She is a Chicago native who will always root for the Cubbies. After leaving church ministry to drive a school bus, she now feels like she has her own little ministry on wheels!

Consistency is the key to making lasting changes in our lives - but it's so difficult! We get distracted, we forget our goals, we get worn out by life, and the next thing we know we've missed three weeks of something we were supposed to do every day! In this episode, Ashleyne Seitz sits down with Lauren Wagner to talk about the importance of consistency, why it's such a difficult obstacle to navigate, and some tips and tricks to becoming the person you want to be. Lauren is a Special Education teacher in Indianapolis, where she lives with her two cats. She loves CrossFit and having fun, and is passionate about justice, health, and her friends and family.

At some point in our lives, we all experience the obstacle of tragedy. We rarely expect it, and never know exactly how to deal with it, but it happens all the same. Sharing our stories and experiences can help us understand one another and feel seen, so Ashleyne sits down with Tiffany Jordan to talk about Tiffany's experience with motherhood, loss, pain, and healing. Tiffany is a wife, mother, and Project Manager by profession. Serving others, and finding creative solutions to problems, both business and personal brings her joy. In her spare time, she enjoys time with her family, serial killer TV, craft beer, and french fries. Trigger warning: this episode includes a discussion of miscarriage and grief surrounding childbirth.

After a ridiculous failure involving the podcast, Ashleyne chats with Shilah Larison about the obstacle of failure - something we all hit eventually. The two laugh over how terrible failure feels and how they each deal with it.

We can all struggle with low self-esteem at different points in our lives, but we don't always recognize it. Insecurity and low self-image can come out as jealousy, anger, meanness, or a wide variety of other reactions which are rarely welcome in our lives. So how do we pay attention to our self-esteem and encourage high self-esteem in those we love? In this episode, Ashleyne chats with recurring guest Tifani Goen about the way we view ourselves and the effect that has on our lives.

Becky Fouard returns to the mic to interview Ashleyne about the obstacle of creating. Ashleyne published her first e-book in 2022, Writing for Real: how to be authentic and vulnerable in your writing without destroying your life, and she digs into the things that held her back. From self-doubt to asking for help to others' calendars, these common obstacles to creating and finishing a project can plague every creator! Ashleyne relates how she dealt with and navigated the obstacles to finally finish the project. You can find the e-book here: https://www.amazon.com/Writing-Real-vulnerable-authentic-destroying-ebook/dp/B0BPV69GPD/ref=sr_1_5?crid=RIXUQCE0S8ZB&keywords=writing+for+real&qid=1679095271&sprefix=writing+for+real%2Caps%2C143&sr=8-5 And Ashleyne's personal blog here: ashleyne.me

Our brains and bodies have limited energy, but we need energy to deal with every single thing that comes up in life! So how do we replenish our energy in order to accomplish our goals, process unexpected emotions, or just get out of bed in the morning? Ashleyne sits down with Michael Anderson to talk about our internal “Power Bank,” how we fill it, and what difference it makes! Michael is a visionary adjunct professor, coach, and consultant who finds numerous ways to interact with people to help them find and forge their path to success. He has certifications in CoreClarity, Positive Intelligence, Action Learning, and Sherpa executive coaching, and has designed communication training that is used around the world. When you are looking for answers for your growth, Michael is ready to give you the resources you need.  You can find Michael at AndersonLR.com

Ashleyne sits down with Sydney Dressler, a transgender male and an advocate for the queer community, to talk about the obstacles that have come up as he navigates a binary world. From finding hormone treatment to buying shoes that fit, transitioning has brought up a slew of unexpected things for Sydney to deal with, and he graciously shares his story with Ashleyne. Sydney is a husband, foster parent, and School Coordinator for Indianapolis Public Schools. Sydney shares his personal journey and the obstacles he has faced coming out and openly transitioning in hopes of better educating the world around him to be a safer and more inclusive space for all.

Do you have a dream - maybe starting a small solo business, maybe launching something with a few employees - that's been hanging around in the back of your head? Well, Ashleyne and Amanda VanHorn are here to tell you that you can make that dream happen! You can do what you want to do and be happy at work! But - it's not without obstacles, so plan ahead! Amanda talks about the obstacles that popped up when she started her own meal prep company and how she's navigated and overcome those problems and unexpected elements of chasing her dream. Amanda VanHorn is the owner and operator of the Lilac Kitchen in Indianapolis, Indiana. She lives in New Palestine with her husband Rodney and enjoys doing CrossFit and drinking coffee.

The question, "what if?" can be inspiring or frightening, and sometimes both simultaneously! In this episode, Ashleyne sits down with Kristin Glassburn to discuss risky business - change, development, growth, and a mindset that embraces challenges. Whether you love risk or hate it, there's something here for you! Traveling the nation for multiple years and living in 14 different states, Kris continues to find her roots back in Indianapolis where she was raised. The culture, people, and lifestyle continue to drive her passion to help others find their roots in Indy. Being an entrepreneur, starting her own property management company with her husband, and being in the top 1% of realtors in Indiana, she is a career-driven individual. Outside of work, with a risk-taking, adventurous personality, you could find her traveling often, at CrossFit, enjoying family/friends, walking her bulldog, or exploring downtown Indy where she resides.

In our complex modern world, how do we pursue wellness and authenticity within the workplace, especially in rural communities? And how do we create a safe place to discuss mental health when deadlines and budgets are on the line? During this episode, Ashleyne sits down with Meghan Mueseler, Kate Wheeldon, and Alex Wheedenhoff, employees at Cargill, where efficiency, finance, and food safety are all obstacles to navigate when it comes to helping employees pursue wellness in the workplace. Through personal stories and explanations of Cargill's innovation, Ashleyne, Kate, and Meghan talk about anxiety, facial piercings, human-grade pet food, their favorite wellness resources, and more.

What better way to launch our new Obstacle Courses series than with an episode about feelings and communication? Ashleyne sits down with Shilah Larison to talk about the "aha" moment where Shilah realized her family didn't talk about feelings, and how and why she learned to process that realization. If you have discovered unhealthy or difficult things in your family or upbringing that impact your life now (isn't that all of us?!) this episode is for you! Shilah Larison is a Regional Manager for the Indianapolis Parks and Recreation Department and has lived in Indiana most of her life. She enjoys the outdoors, iced lattes, CrossFit, and her friends, and she dislikes talking about her emotions but she's working on that.

New year, new series! Guest co-host Ashley Pitkin Howard joins Ashleyne Seitz to introduce our new series: Obstacle Courses. We all encounter obstacles in life - unexpected things that pop up - whether positive or negative. How we respond to these obstacles can change the course of our lives and has a huge impact on our happiness! Ashley shares some of her unexpected life obstacles, and the two discuss the importance of sharing stories, accepting that the unexpected happens, and why we might want to have a strategy for the obstacles coming next.

Ashleyne pops in with a quick episode with updates, assurances, and an encouraging story to boost you through the January blues!

2022: what a year! This is a great time to ask ourselves questions like, "What have I learned?" and "What worked this year, and what didn't?" In this episode, Becky and Ashleyne reflect on lessons learned in 2022, both personally and professionally. As a bonus, Ashleyne and Becky celebrate Living Box-Free's top followers, and give a sneak peek into what's coming next for Living Box-Free and On the Rise Group in 2023!

Behold, the great return of co-host Becky Fouard! After almost an entire series apart, Becky and Ashleyne laugh about the chaos of the last few months and then dive right into a difficult topic - accepting others as they are! It's incredibly difficult to accept someone as is and to also leave room for them to grow and change, but we may find it beneficial for our own health to work through that balance!

Accepting responsibility can feel depressing, offensive, and all kinds of complicated, but it's how we grow as people and gain the trust of others, so how can we approach it simply? Continuing our Acceptance Policies series, Ashleyne and guest co-host Shilah Larison dive into the difficulties and actions steps of facing up to our mistakes and discerning what we are NOT responsible for.

Stress, family problems, difficult circumstances and seasons - are just a few of the things that can distract us from seeing the good parts of life. As we enter into Thanksgiving week, it's a great time to take a look around and see what's positive, but that's still a difficult thing to do! Ashleyne and guest co-host Shilah Larison chat through why it's difficult to be grateful or see good things in life, and what we can do about it!

We like to make plans and we create expectations for everything from what we'll have for dinner to how long we'll live, but what do we do when the unexpected happens? Ashleyne and guest co-host Shilah Larison dive into the difficulties and benefits of going with the flow when something happens that you're completely unprepared for.

We all want people to think we're perfect, but the reality is that nobody has it all together. And weirdly enough, the more we're willing to admit that and work on our issues, the healthier and stronger we become! This week, Ashleyne and guest co-host Tifani Goen dive into a difficult topic: accepting our own issues and moving forward toward growth and healing. They are both invested in ending stigmas - surrounding both addiction and mental health - and Tifani describes her journey to her October 23rd anniversary: one year sober!

So often we find ourselves frustrated by our progress (or lack thereof) because we're comparing ourselves to others or setting unrealistic expectations. And all it does is create a negative mindset and feelings of failure! But how do we actually accept where we are in life without settling or giving up? Guest Co-host Tifani Goen joins Ashleyne for a discussion on accepting where we are - whether we're currently making slow progress, waiting in a difficult life stage, or just not quite where or who we want to be yet.

Accepting feedback is one of the best ways to grow, learn how others see you, and turn mistakes into opportunities. So why is it so difficult to listen and process and grow when others tell you what they see? Ashleyne and guest co-host Corey Tindall continue our Acceptance Policies series with a discussion of how to accept feedback, why it's important, and what to do if you don't trust the person giving you the feedback.

We all need help sometimes, but it can be incredibly difficult to accept it! Our egos, our insecurities, and our concern for inconveniencing others all stand in the way. So what can we do about it? Corey Tindall joins Ashleyne as guest co-host this week, and together they dive into the importance, difficulties, and possibilities that surround accepting help from others.

Are you hard on yourself? Do you sometimes live in denial? Are you your own worst critic, beating yourself up for every mistake and misstep? You're not alone. Ashleyne and Becky continue our Acceptance Policies series with an episode on the difficulties and benefits of accepting yourself.

"You did great!" "You look amazing!" "You're so smart!" No matter the content of the compliment, many of us struggle to accept the positive and affirming words of others. Why is that? Is it self-sabotage or humility? And what would it look like to start accepting compliments? Becky and Ashleyne kick off our Acceptance Policies series by digging into the reality of accepting compliments.

There are so many things in life we can choose to accept, from accepting reality to accepting the terms and conditions of a gift card giveaway! So how do we approach acceptance in everyday life, especially since it can span such broad ideas as unconditionally accepting others and accepting responsibility? This series tackles all things acceptance, both serious and lighthearted! Becky and Ashleyne kick things off by diving into the benefits and pitfalls of accepting reality.

Ashleyne shares her experience with progress and assessing her goals over the past week. This episode covers how we can help ourselves celebrate even small progress, keep up our motivation and belief, and hold onto our perspective in the grand scheme of things when it comes to tackling our goals.

Humans are incredibly lazy creatures - it's in our DNA. So how can we utilize that laziness to foster the behaviors we want? Becky and Ashleyne chat about the psychological "path of least resistance" and how to hijack it to accomplish your goals.

Farming and ranching, while it may appear simple from afar, is anything but that! In this episode, we are joined by Chris and Jackie Sanford, cattle ranchers, and professionals in the Ag Industry to discuss why agriculture is more complicated than we may realize. We discuss the connection between agriculture and three key areas: food labeling, food security, and food sustainability. Source: UN FAO. 2018. More fuel for food/feed debate, (FAO.org)

Calling all farmers...and every busy human looking for wellness! In this episode, Becky and Ashleyne talk with Chris and Jackie Sanford about how difficult it is to pursue wellness while working in agriculture, and how they balance the chaos of farming, jobs off the farm, and raising a family. Chris and Jackie Sanford are farmers in Southern Michigan who both work full-time in the Agriculture Industry - Chris as a ruminant nutritionist and Jackie with Farm Credit. They chase around their two young sons while trying to be avid CrossFit athletes and also take care of their own health and well-being.

Becky and Ashleyne jump on to celebrate their 100th episode, share Becky's thoughts for the week, and give some updates on what's coming next with On the Rise and Living Box-Free!

Ashleyne jumps on for a quick update from On the Rise, an invitation to join our Wellness Circles, and a story about following the things that inspire you to encourage you for the week.

Ashleyne jumps on for a mini-episode to give you an update on the podcast and to invite you to join her in taking some time to assess your daily life this summer.

Unless you're independently wealthy and have zero ambitions, it's pretty difficult to avoid hard work. And hard work is, well, hard! But, like our parents told us, it builds character, helps us achieve our goals, and allows us to live healthy lives. So, instead of just grinding through, how do we make hard work fun? Becky and Ashleyne talk through three strategies to make working hard more enjoyable.

No one enjoys failing. But it's an incredible tool and opportunity to grow - in fact, to become a champion, you must fail! So how do we harness our failures? And how do we know which failures are worthwhile and how to deal with the consequences? Becky and Ashleyne talk through Becky's recent speech on failure and talk through the keys to failing like a champion!

We've talked about wellbeing a lot on this podcast, but how do we actually work toward it, especially from a career standpoint? Good news! Doug Sullivan is here to help! Becky and Ashleyne pepper Doug with questions about how to figure out what's within your control to change and what isn't, how to cultivate a culture of wellbeing on your team, and how to assess what's important to you and focus on it.

Do you feel like you're doing your absolute best at moving toward wellness, and yet you're still feeling burnt out? Well, you are not alone! Becky and Ashleyne talk with Kate Cortellessa, a Program Manager for WHOOPs' Performance Science and Thought Leadership team, about how to avoid long-term burnout. Our culture talks a lot about bubble baths and “self-care,” but what really makes a difference when it comes to daily habits and your personal mission? Kate dives in deep on mitigation tactics and the science behind recovery. @WHOOP Recommended books: What is Health by Peter Sterling How Not to Die by Michael Greger and Gene Stone The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. Van der Kolk

It's June?! Whoa. Becky and Ashleyne take this episode to revisit their goals for the year, talk through what's going well and what needs to adapt, and discuss the reality of total failure. If you have set any personal goals in the last year or two, this is a great opportunity to take a few minutes to think through how they're going and what you can accomplish going forward!

Sergeant First Class Bran Lanning joins Ashleyne and Becky to dive into what she's learned about leadership from her 18 years in the Indiana Army National Guard. With wisdom on how not to micromanage, how leadership is defined in the military, and how to continue to grow, Bran brings big lessons and helpful insight into everyday life.

It's never too late to change your plans, and always worthwhile to pursue your passions! Becky talks with Steph Wilberden, an actress and fitness coach in NYC, about how to balance multiple dreams at once, and how to adjust when things don't go as expected.

It's Mental Health Awareness Month! It's important to talk about our mental health and our mental illness, to help end stigmas and shame, and to share strategies and experiences with those who experience mental illness. In this episode, Ashleyne talks about a recent stretch of depression, what it felt like, what others did to help, and what those with similar experiences can take away.

Have you ever felt exhausted or burnt out from caring about someone or something? Well, that's a real thing and it's called Compassion Fatigue! Ronnie Sullivan joins Ashleyne to talk about the benefits and reasons to develop your compassion muscles, but also chat about Ronnie's time in the Peace Corps, where he learned that managing your compassion to avoid burnout was incredibly valuable. Ronnie includes a few action steps and some great resources on compassion!

None of us want to come across as needy or weak! But at the same time, we have real needs and sometimes we just have to communicate them! So how do we figure out what we need, how do we convince ourselves to talk about it, and how do we have that conversation? Becky and Ashleyne dive into the psychology behind why we avoid talking about our needs and then give you five steps to help you communicate what you need to others in a way that they can hear and act on.

This week, Becky and Ashleyne realize it's the two-year anniversary of the Living Box-Free podcast, and it's time to reflect and celebrate! Full of questions submitted by listeners, this episode is a fun look at how the podcast started, what's been working, and all the fun and serious things our Box-Breakers want to know!

Life is full of uncertainty - the only thing you can be certain of is that things will change! And how we deal with the unknown makes a huge difference in how we process, lead, parent, and function. So are you good at dealing with ambiguity, or do you have room to grow? Becky explains to Ashleyne why navigating uncertainty well is important, the signs that you need to work on your navigational skills, and how to know if you're doing it well.

Are you well-rested? Even if you're getting 8-9 hours of sleep a night, the answer might still be no. That's because there's more to rest than sleep and zoning out! In this episode, Becky and Ashleyne break down the types of rest and how to use them to become the healthiest version of you, including tips on how to rest well.

Parenting is a wild and crazy experience, to say the least! In this episode, Becky gets real about her experience being a mom of a toddler - what's difficult, what's great, what she would do differently. This is for all the parents out there and anyone who enjoys a funny story - we see you and we're in it with you!

This week, Becky and Ashleyne chat with Jeff Allman about the ins and outs of mentoring! Who needs a mentor, how do you pick a mentor, and how do you prepare to be a good mentee are just a few of the questions we ask - and Jeff drops wisdom on every single one! This is a great episode for anyone wanting to grow! In his finance and trading career, Jeff has “experienced business” with game-changing entrepreneurs, leading global organizations, and some incredibly humble yet talented individuals. As a business owner, consultant and professionally certified coach, Jeff enjoys sharing his knowledge, experiences, and methodologies with others in an effort to afford them a simpler path to success. And as a motivated and focused leader, you will find that Jeff is uber intentional with his daily routine, absolutely loves spending time with his wife and family, and is constantly thirsting for new knowledge to refine his skill set towards being his best at all he is involved with.

Maybe you sometimes find yourself using slightly vague or uncertain wording so you don't sound too aggressive or overly confident? Well, Becky and Ashleyne sure do! Especially in the workplace, minimizing language can make us seem less confident or competent, and can damage our image, which is not what any of us want! In this episode, we dive into the definition of minimizing language, why we do it, and what we can do about it!