Self-Aware Millennial

In this episode, I talk about how important anti-racism work is to your self-awareness practice, as well as share an interview I did with Adria DeCorte on her podcast, Unforgettable.To access my ever-growing Google doc with anti-racist resources, follow me on Instagram @dancingpinkwitch, or use this link: https://rb.gy/beghnc

In this week's episode, I share an interview I did with my relationship coach, Keith Paolino, for a program called Group Think. This is one of the BEST recorded conversations I've had about relationships, and the turnout to the panel was AWESOME. People responded really well, so I highly recommend listening to this.Instead of reinventing the wheel, I'm sharing their show notes below so you have everything you need to navigate this super robust and important show:Welcome to the third episode of the Group Think ATX podcast! Our topic for today's conversation is RELATIONSHIPS with special guests Liv Hadden and Keith Paolino. Together we explore what connections with other humans mean to us. Although this conversation was recorded pre-COVID19 the themes are not only relevant but emphasized by our shared experience of social distancing. This conversation is facilitated by Madeline Krebs and Maggie Burke with intro, edits, and illustration is by Katie Rose Gurkin.If you want to learn more about Group Think ATX, Global Shapers, or our special guests (Liv and Keith) please follow the links below:Group Think ATX: https://www.facebook.com/GroupThinkATX/Global Shapers Austin: http://www.austinshapers.com/Self Aware Millennial (Liv Hadden's podcast and project): https://selfawaremillennial.com/Illustration by Katie Rose Gurkin: https://katieroseshow.myportfolio.com/Music by Will Patterson https://www.hightidepost.com/Group Think Fargo: http://www.groupthinkfargo.com/“We cannot live for ourselves alone.” - Herman Melville

In this episode, I interview COO of Discover Praxis, Mitchell Earl, about his journey away from the traditional "go to college, get a degree, get a job" path and became an entrepreneur so he could build the life he wanted.Mitchell is COO of Discover Praxis – a startup bootcamp and job placement program for entrepreneurial young professionals who want more than college. He's the author of Don’t Do Stuff You Hate and frequently writes about how to navigate life and careers. He's radical about creating a better future and helping others do the same. Follow him on Twitter for more: @mitchell_earl.Enjoy his story and take inspiration in all the fucking possibilities you have access to!

In this week's episode, I interview the amazing Taraleigh Weathers about how she teaches people to integrate the magic of live music into their daily lives. This is easily one of the most fun interviews I've done because of her energy and because we talk about one of my favorite topics: psychedelics!If you'd like to connect with Taraleigh, here's her info:Become a Healthy Prankster on Rocking Life’s Patron: http://www.patreon.com/rockinglifeonlineWebsite rockinglife.comInstagram @rockinglife__Book on Amazon: How to Rock Your Life: Maintain the Magic of Live Music in Your Everyday ExperienceRetreat center thiswonderfulplace.com

In this week's episode, I talk to my cousin, Anna, about her coming out journey, why I really got divorced, and why your sexuality is a crucial part of your self-awareness journey.Mentioned on the show:Find Anna on Instagram @porcupannaListen to the Savage LovecastRead The Ethical SlutBook a call with Liv's astrologist, Kay TaylorNote: PLEASE stay safe and sane right now. As best you can, abide by COVID-19 quarantine rules. The sooner we get with the program, the sooner things will go back to something closer to "normal."

Right now, we have an unprecedented global slow down. For the first time in recent history, the ENTIRE world is not only asking you to stay home, it's actually enforcing it.For many of us, this is causing internal panic about SO. MANY. THINGS!I'm here to encourage and quite frankly challenge you to step outside your patterns of anxiety, scarcity, and panic in this uncertainty and lean into the power of pausing.As entrepreneur and speaker KC Baker says, "The slower you go, the more you feel."You have an opportunity right now to stop numbing out and FEEL the things you've been avoiding so you can learn more about yourself, deepen your understanding of what you want and desire, and actually take steps to build the life you want.Listen to this episode to gain perspective into how this fucked up time can be a gift, and how to take advantage of the power available to you in slowing down and pausing.

In this episode, I chat with my friends/family about the importance of the people you surround yourself with, and how they can either help or hinder your personal growth.With COVID-19 quarantines and other craziness, the importance of community and connection beyond convenience is more important than ever. The ways in which our culture lacks a community-minded perspective have become extremely obvious.Think about it: if people had been following precautions and taking care of their health BEFORE this all blew up, when the virus was still out east, we might not even need to be taking such drastic measures now. Instead, people who were privileged enough to assume their health wouldn't be affected continued to travel, not wash their hands, expose themselves to the compromised, and eventually hoard resources (unnecessarily - what's with the toilet paper? COVID doesn't make you shit your pants, people!).When you choose to spend time with people who care more about their own personal gain and only focus on what's "directly" affecting them, you lose out on the opportunity to build relationships with people who will champion you and hold space for you to become your best self.Self-awareness practices REQUIRE you understand your impact in a community setting, so use some of this to listen to this episode and evaluate your community, your role in it, and whether or not your relationships lift you up or keep you stuck.

In this episode, I share a practice from my book, Get Your Joy On, that can get you out of negative thought patterns and crappy moods quickly: the Gratitude Game!There is no better medicine than gratitude. Giving thanks is infinitely transformative. If someone would give me a pulpit and bullhorn to scream, “EXPRESS MORE GRATITUDE; IT IS YOUR SALVATION,” on a street corner, I would do it.To be clear, gratitude is different from saying, “Thank you” as a compulsion to conditioned politeness. Gratitude is a consciousness, just like joy. As with so many of our states of being, we don’t express it. We feel it a little instead of participating fully in that consciousness and move on.Ugh. Writing that hurt me. I used to do it all the time. I still do it sometimes. It’s a bummer every single missed opportunity.Gratitude is beautiful for so many reasons. Perhaps my favorite is that it not only fills you up, it fills up the people you express it to. When you tell me how appreciative you are of the beautiful way your best friend showed up in your time of need, I feel good. Goodness is contagious; I love it when you feel loved because it reminds me there are good people in the world.Let’s play the Gratitude Game. If you want to get to joy quickly, this is your opportunity.

In this episode, I interview author, Jacqueline Cripps, about her book Smashed Avocado and the Quarter Life Crisis: A Millennial Survival Guide as well as her work professionally as an organizational consultant who seeks to help organizations learn how to work with the millennial generation instead of against it.Jacqueline is an author, speaker, and mentor. Working nationally and internationally, she works with business owners and organizations to strengthen their existing teams by analyzing the generational differences in the environment so team members can work together more seamlessly – overall strengthening the business’s overall bottom-line.You can find her online at jacquelinecripps.com and follow her on Instagram @jacquelinecripps.Listen to this episode for a sparkling conversation about the unique opportunities we have as millennials to build awareness in a way that can change not only our lives but the future of how humans work, think, and grow.

How many times have you told yourself, "One day, my life will _______"? And how often is that blank filled with the things you most deeply desire for your life? The things that you know you want but for some reason secretly believe you'll never have?The "One Day" Myth is this idea we've all tacitly bought into that our lives can and will only feel the way we want them to in some far-off distant future when we've finally:lost the weightgotten the promotionfound the timegotten marriedhad a kidmoved awaygotten out of debt...or whatever else we think is between us and the life we want to live. In this episode, I discuss what the "One Day" Myth is, how it's showing up in my life, and what I'm doing to change that narrative so I live the life I DESIRE and DESERVE right fucking NOW.

In Part 2 of my interview with Zack Blakeney, we dive a bit deeper into spiraling thought patterns and what we do to pull ourselves out. This is the more focused "how-to" piece of the discussion, so if that's what you're looking for, you found it!On another important note, Zack has enlisted me to help him found a lifestyle brand we hope will be the center of a social movement toward better lives for all: Supergivers Initiative. Founded on the same intent as this podcast, the Supergivers Initiative seeks to serve people like you in healing, ending self-inflicted suffering, and up-leveling your life from scarcity to abundance.Our first event is January 25th in Austin, TX at One World Theatre and is geared toward a cause near and dear to our hearts: helping our nation's veterans heal and recover from the complexities of being a soldier. Here are the details:HELP REDEFINE PTSDVeterans, active-duty soldiers, their families, and supporters will all benefit from the life-changing coaching given at this event from Make a Vet Sweat founder Justin Bohannon (IG: @justinboflex_official), EF Overwatch CEO Mike Saraille (IG: @mr.sarraille), a 15 min home-workout kettlebell demonstration by Onnit Master Coach Juan Leija (IG: @juannit_247), and a moving story of perseverance from NY Times Best Selling author, Geriant Jones (IG: @grjbooks).Join us for a day of special guest speakers, giveaways, food, vendors, support, and community for our nation's heroes. To learn more and register, click here.Connect with Zack on Instagram and listen to his podcast, Supergivers Academy. (Seriously, I highly recommend following him!)

This week's episode features one of my favorite humans, transformational coach and all-around badass, Zack Blakeney. In part 1 of this two-part interview, Zack teaches us about recoding, changing behavior patterns, and shares his own journey with a raw vulnerability that's just plain old sexy.Seriously, hearing about his battle with anxiety, porn and drug addiction and how that lead to his divorce gives me so much hope for what's possible. Why? Because now this man is living a much more aligned, conscious, intentional life. One where he seeks to change the lives of others. He's changed mine for the better, that's for sure!Not to mention, he's enlisted me to help him found a lifestyle brand we hope will be the center of a social movement toward better lives for all: Supergivers Initiative. Founded on the same intent as this podcast, the Supergivers Initiative seeks to serve people like you in healing, ending self-inflicted suffering, and up-leveling your life from scarcity to abundance.Our first event is January 25th in Austin, TX at One World Theatre and is geared toward a cause near and dear to our hearts: helping our nation's veterans heal and recover from the complexities of being a soldier. Here are the details:HELP REDEFINE PTSDVeterans, active-duty soldiers, their families, and supporters will all benefit from the life-changing coaching given at this event from Make a Vet Sweat founder Justin Bohannon, EF Overwatch CEO Mike Saraille, a 15 min home-workout kettlebell demonstration by Onnit Master Coach Juan Leija, and a moving story of perseverance from NY Times Best Selling author, Geriant Jones.Join us for a day of special guest speakers, giveaways, food, vendors, support, and community for our nation's heroes. To learn more and register, click here.Connect with Zack on Instagram and listen to his podcast, which I incorrectly called Supergivers Assemble in the intro. It's actually called Supergivers Academy podcast. (Seriously, I highly recommend following him!)

Every new year is an opportunity to reset your mindset, perspective, energy, goals, and pretty much anything else you can imagine. But, let's be real: Resolutions are fucking lame as shit and almost never work.Does that mean we should all say "Fuck it" and forget about the spirit of a new calendar year? I don't think so. Instead, let's reframe resolutions into something I feel is far more powerful and sustainable: intentions. Why intentions? Guess you'll have to listen to find out! Here's why I think most New Year's Resolutions fail and why I feel setting an intention for the year works better.

I talk to Human Design expert, Aycee Brown, about what Human Design is and how you can use it to follow your life's purpose and know yourself better.What is Human Design? It's a powerful tool that combines the I Ching, astrology, Kabbalah, Hindu-Brahmin chakra system, and quantum physics. By learning about your Human Design aura type, you can unlock your full potential and take the guesswork out of who you are, why you're here, and how to make it happen!Aycee helps Thought Leaders and Entrepreneurs tap into their magic and unleash their desires by becoming who they truly are through the power of Human Design. Her insight, perspective, and advice are hands-down the most practical and helpful I've seen out there. Human Design is such a robust tool, it can be overwhelming. Aycee makes it digestible and useful in a style that's unique to her.Follow Aycee on Instagram @ayceebrown, listen to her podcast Is My Aura on Straight? wherever you listen to this show, and work with her by visiting her website, ayceebrown.com.

Self-Aware Millennial is back with even better content, advice, interviews, and resources to help you get your shit together, and stop being so serious while you're at it. We can adult!In this introductory episode, I give you an overview of what to expect this season and make a big announcement — I'm doing things differently this season to bring you more value and realness.*OFFICIAL SEASON PREMIERE*Tuesday, September 24, 20193:30 pm CSTInstagram Live (follow me @livhadden)Season 3 is going to be SPICY, and it all kicks off with a LIVE coaching session between my coach/guide/mentor, Keith Paolino, and I. That's right — you're going to see me vulnerable, exposed, and at the mercy of someone else in real-time. Why? So you can see what good coaching looks like, and to bring things into perspective and reality: just because I have this podcast and my life looks a certain way online, I am no different than you. No better, no stronger, no more capable. I'm out here trying to get my shit together, just like you.Plus, I introduce a new feature of the podcast: guided meditations! Meditation has proven to be one of the most powerful and important tools in my toolbox, so I want to share the different styles and methods I've learned so you can experiment and see what fits for you. Stay tuned until the end of the episode for my Body Love Letter Guided Meditation.Relevant LinksSAM YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5MHxXrQhRPIQbzCWRZ9uw?view_as=subscriberDownload The Body Love Letter Guided Meditation for free: https://selfawaremillennial.com/product/the-body-love-letter-guided-meditation/

It's the end of our second season, and can I just say, THANK YOU! The show exists because of you, so thank you from the bottom of my soul for listening.To wrap the season, I call us back to the Map of Consciousness from episode 1, invite you to investigate your "Why?" in life, and fill you in on what's coming in season 3.During the break between seasons, I'll be recording the audiobook for Get Your Joy On™, preparing to launch the online course, and taking requests for season 3 episode. Have a topic you want to be covered? Have a question you want to be answered? Let me know by DM'ing on Insta @livhadden or by sending me an email (love@selfawaremillennial.com). In the meantime, remember, I love you and like you.

Finally, my infamous mentor, Nisha Moodley joins me for an intriguing discussion about personal sovereignty and power!Sovereignty is a leadership quality I learned about through Nisha's program, Soul of Leadership, and HOLY GUACAMOLE is it powerful! It's empowered me to have healthier boundaries at work and at home, show up in a more powerful way for my clients and loved ones, and has helped me recognize my own personal power. As Nisha discusses the ways power has been distorted by society and its systems, she calls us back to true, authentic power — the kind that can't be taken away and that truly sets us free. No matter which way you slice it, this conversation is important and has the ability to true catalyze a change in perspective.Nisha is opening enrollment for her course, Soul of Leadership, is this month. I HIGHLY recommend it, not because I get paid or rewarded to (I don't) but because I believe in it. It's truly changed my life. You can learn more about that at https://soulofleadership.com/ and can connect with her at https://nishamoodley.com or on Instagram @nishamoodley.

In this episode, I chat with my friend and co-worker, Ricky Murray, about how self-awareness played a role in his coming out story, and how coming out played a role in his self-awareness journey. As I've mentioned before, it's important we recognize all stories are valuable and important, regardless of credentials or things society deems as "qualified." Storytelling has the power to connect and change us all if we let it.I hope through hearing Ricky's story and journey, you're encouraged and empowered to begin sharing your own in whatever way feels best to you. Ultimately, this interview reinforced my belief that when 1 of us does the work, it gives more of us permission to be ourselves — free and joyful!

I'll be officially debuting my book, Get Your Joy™, at Denver Comic Con 2019 (DCC19)! One of the joy builders in the book is called "Take a Break. Or Two. Or Three." The main idea behind this is twofold:If you aren't enjoying the journey, the destination won't matter. It's important to be present and give yourself lots of love, space, and time to rest, recharge, and fuel up before continuing to press forward.Science is now backing what we already know: burnout is real and taking breaks is necessary to get the results you want. In fact, people who actually take breaks and vacations get promoted faster and earn more money.Ultimately, what I'm saying is that taking life too seriously leads to misery. As much as everything matters, it also doesn't if your quality of life totally sucks! You won't be effective or joyful, and if you're neither, what's the point of working at all? Let's take a seriousness break and enjoy my interview on the Reel Nerds podcast from DCC18. We chat about my writing, finding inspiration, fun sci-fi things we like, and other nerdy stuff!

Hi, friend! This episode is special to me because it marks the release of my book, Get Your Joy On™: Unleash Joy In Your Life, One Small Action at a Time. Not only is this book my offering of love, wisdom, and courage to you, it's a huge marker in my life's journey for how far I've come.The very first book I ever wrote came out of me from a place of deep shame and guilt (it's a fiction book called In the Mind of Revenge if you're curious). I was deeply depressed and stewing in a broth of self-loathing. I literally named my main character Shame because it's all I could identify with. It's where I was living, 24/7.Now, 8 years later, I'm STOKED to share what I've learned with you. I'm grateful and humbled these lessons have shown up to heal me, and that I have the honor of sharing them with you.I care deeply about making the world a place full of more love and joy than it is pain and suffering. I believe I can do that with and for YOU. I truly believe you and I, through self-awareness and practicing compassion, can create more change than we'd imagine.So, please enjoy the first few chapters of the book!

What is the "good girl" problem? It's a complicated construct that has all of us, especially women, stuck in a loop of "shoulds," "supposed tos," and arbitrary rules designed to keep us in line and quiet.Being a "good girl" means following the rules and doing what society dictates is "right" or "appropriate." Though there are some merits to societal conditioning, like encouraging people to share and use manners; however, the idea that these rules are required for someone to be worthy of love, attention, or happiness are problematic.When these created constructs of who we "should be" go unquestioned, it leads to internal conflict, self-blame, self-hate, anger, and outward violence. When you try to force yourself into a box that was never designed for you, you better believe it's going to cause some intense problems in your life.Join me in my conversation with Kimberly Pendleton, PhD, all about the problem with the good girl construct and how this affects us all, not just women. You can find Kimberly at kimberlypendleton.com and on Instagram @uncoveredbykimberly.

Sex is such a prevalent conversation in society...or is it? Despite all the messaging we get about sex in school, from our parents, media, and social platforms, candidly speaking about our sexualities and sexual experiences is still taboo. Hell, we're still trying to dictate and control what people do with their own bodies, who they do it with, and how it's done. What. The. F***? When will we agree to be authentic about how important a healthy relationship to sex is, no matter your orientation or preferences?Let's start now, with this episode! I sit down with a new friend, Kelsey Scotka, and candidly talk about all the ways in which bringing self-awareness to our sex lives has been a game changer. The biggest secret we uncover? Sex isn't really just sex — it's a full-body, whole-spirit experience that has enormous potential to teach you who you are, what you want, and how to advocate for yourself.

The hiatus is over! Season 2 episodes are back, and there are some exciting things happening.First, I explain why I've been so sporadic with episodes this year and what I learned from it. Then, I share some exciting updates for the show and the Get Your Joy On™ book and online course launching at the end of May.What's in this episode for you? I discuss the consciousness level of Shame, how it's showed up for me, what to do when you experience it, and an action step you can take right now to break free from it. This goes back to our discussion in episode 1 of this season about Dr. David Hawkins' Power v Force scale (Map of Consciousness). We'll spend the next few weeks walking through each level and exploring possibilities for how we can use that experience to become more authentically and joyfully ourselves.

In this episode, the tables are turned; interviewer becomes interviewee! Kelsey Henry, host of the Positively Delighted podcast (I interviewed her in episode 14), puts me in the hot seat and asks me great questions about my journey to self-awareness and how I approach life in general.At the essence of this episode, I share why self-awareness is the path I've taken and how it empowered me to go from depressed binge drinker to ecstatic lightworker.Plus, we have a few good laughs, discuss StrengthsFinder, and Kelsey shares her experience with one of the coolest services I offer, Soul-Seeing. Honestly, there are a lot of hidden gems in this episode (because Kelsey asks such amazing questions), so sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Sex is a complicated topic that affects all of us in one way or other. Whether we're having it, not having it, doing right, enjoying it or not, the messaging about sex in our society is confusing at best. So, how are those of us on self-awareness journeys to figure out sex and sexuality for ourselves?To start, I took a look at the ancient Eastern practice of Tantra. Tantra is a combination of texts, techniques, rituals, monastic practices, meditation, yoga, and ideology estimated to originate in the 7th century. This deeply reverent practice was passed down from guru to disciple as a way for people to find Oneness within themselves and the Universe.Listen to this episode to learn from the founders of Ecstatic Hearts, Melanie and ScottieO McClure, what Tantra is and how their practice has changed their lives for the better.Trigger Warning: Though we do not discuss sexual trauma in any form, we are talking about sex which can be a deeply personal and (unfortunately) traumatic topic for some. If you are someone who is triggered by direct and open discussions about sex or sexuality, I do not recommend this episode for you, and send you lots of love in your journey.

Sometimes you get so caught up doing the work, you forget to have fun along the way! In this week's episode, I interview host of the Positively Delighted podcast, Kelsey Henry, all about fun and Laughter Yoga. It's important to remember that everything we do is in service of how we feel. That means, you go to work, make plans, choose food, and make all of your decisions based on how you expect them to make you feel. Even seemingly logical choices like going to work to make money to pay your bills come down to a feeling; maybe it's feeling secure, safe, and in control. You choose to eat a salad at lunch so you feel light and healthy. You choose to hang out with friends on Friday night so you can feel included, like you belong, and have fun.No matter your subconscious/internal motivations, it's important not to get so caught up in the work of it all you forget to enjoy the process! In fact, enjoying the process makes achieving your desired state that much easier and more worthwhile. As Miley Cyrus once said, it's all about the climb.Listen to this episode to learn how Kelsey adds delight, fun, and laughter into her personal growth endeavors, and of course, what the hell Laughter Yoga is and why you want to start doing it right now.

Perfectionism is something so many of us struggle with. Often, we don't even realize we're in it, and when we do, it feels impossible to leave. It doesn't help that we live a world that constantly reinforces the idea we need to hustle for our worth, achieve an excess of accolades, and never get tired to be worthy of love and attention.In this week's episode, I interview mindset coach and host of the Perfectionism Project, Sam Laura Brown all about the downfalls of perfectionism and how you can start breaking free from its vicious cycle.Listen to this episode if you're a perfectionist, think you might be, or know someone who is, so you can begin recognizing destructive patterns and behaviors in your life.

Like it or not, money is a huge part of your life. It's the source of a lot of joy while also being one of the top reasons people get divorced. If you're like me, you walked into your adult life with a lot of debt, minimal income, and no clue how to handle it.It's time to start having wholistic conversations about our finances so we can feel encouraged and empowered to create positive change. Whether you think you have enough of it or not, money can only work for you if you're willing to work with it.In this episode, I interview my accountant and trusted business advisor, Roderick Robeson, on how to start shifting your relationship with money. If I've learned anything, it's that if you treat your money right, it'll return the favor.Listen to this episode for practical advice on how to manage your money better and start getting out of debt.

New Year's resolutions are a prevalent component of our lives. There's a sense of hope and promise that the new year will bring with it fresh opportunity and a new lease on life. There's an energy that says, "Things can be different this time!"Yet, most of us don't keep our resolutions. We fall into old habits and feel like victims of another year gone bad. We look in the mirror and feel the guilt and shame of failure. Even if you're one of the few who sticks to their resolution, the sense of accomplishment can be fleeting and lackluster.Listen to this episode to hear Liv's case for ditching resolutions and adopting intentions. We'll also get into how to build sustainable self-worth and why moving from external validation to internal permission is crucial for Millennials and future generations.

"Menstrual blood is the only source of blood that is not traumatically induced. Yet, in modern society, this is the most hidden blood, the one so rarely spoken of and almost never seen, except privately by women..." - Judy GrahnHalf the world has a menstrual cycle, yet this topic feels more like a shameful secret than a healthy body process. I speak with Holistic Health Expert, Diana Lane, about how that stigma started, why it's detrimental to everyone (not just people with cycles), and how de-stigmatizing and connecting with this cycle fosters self-awareness and self-love.Whether you have a cycle or not, this is a topic that affects all of our lives. It's what makes procreation and human life possible. The disconnection from this part of who we are as individuals and as a whole causes deep, unconscious damage that we can heal by normalizing and honoring it.Think about it: if we're all ashamed of where we came from, if we can't even talk about it, if we dishonor it, if we don't recognize it's one thing we all have in common, how can we truly know ourselves? How can we truly practice self-love?Part of the journey toward authenticity is accepting and honoring where we come from. It shapes us all.Listen to my interview with Diana Lane to learn how changing our relationship to menstruation (Sacred Sister Cycles) can inform and heal us all.

Ever wondered why changing your thought patterns makes a difference? Or why people are so obsessed with "positive" thinking? Maybe you've even dared to imagine you have the power to rewire your brain, just by believing you do.Turns out, you can!In this episode, I talk to the Neuro Handyman (and my uncle), Michael Thompson all about self-awareness and our brains. In his thesis, the Neuroscience of Purpose, Michael explores how the voices in your head reveal the neural pathways you've created, and what you can do to change them. Through sharing his story and research, you can begin to understand why it's important to remember you are not your thoughts. Your brain is a magnificent tool you use to experience and navigate the world. And, like all tools, when it's being used improperly, it causes a lot of damage.The goods news? All this self-awareness bullshit is working! It's literally helping you create change, experience yourself and the world differently, and getting you closer to that elusive authentic self you're seeking.Listen to this episode to learn how your thoughts truly do create your reality and that the power to change is all yours.

If you’re super goal-oriented, it can be hard to see the trees when the forest is so immense. You're always so focused on the big picture, the little things get tossed to the wayside. When you discount the victories along the way, you make it almost impossible to celebrate the big wins!And let me guess, you can’t take a compliment either. People express their awe and amazement at the mountains you’ve moved, and instead of kindly accepting it, you “humbly” shrug it off and make one lame excuse or other. Like, “anyone could have done it”, “it wasn’t as hard as it looks”, or “I had a lot of help.”Ew. Just gross. Stop it. No one thinks that’s cute. No one's buying that disingenuous humility bullshit. It’s not a hot-ticket item. It’s a wet, soggy, undesirable thing we need to take off the market.When you downplay your success, you dishonor yourself and everyone else.Here’s the Truth: you are a spectacular, unique being put here on Earth specifically for your specialness. The truly humble thing to do is accept this and live up to it. Move your sweet, sweet ego to the side and rock that shit. The collective “we” need you and what you have to offer. Seriously, look at how messed up and pain-filled the world is right now. I firmly believe it’s because people are not basking in and living their specialness. We’re either trying to be someone else or tearing the ones who are themselves down. Imagine if everyone stepped into their light and let it shine. What would the world look like then?Listen to this episode to learn why celebrating everything — and I mean everything — is so important to authentic, joy-filled living.

We all struggle with self-judgment. That inner voice that tells us all sorts of self-defeating and self-sabotaging things.When you want to make more money, it says you don't deserve it, that you haven't earned it. When you want to buy that cool new outfit, it reminds you that your body doesn't look like Kendall Jenners. That time you almost asked that person out on a date, but then that little voice convinced you how they were way too good for the likes of you.That voice is a liar. You know that. But, it's a persuasive bugger, so how do you stop listening to it?In this episode, I talk to Riley Blanks, founder of Woke Beauty, all about how we can shift the way we talk to ourselves by changing the way we treat ourselves. By putting practices and routines into your life that work for you, it's possible to quiet that inner voice.About Riley BlanksRiley Blanks is an Austin-based photographer, storyteller and model. She is the the founder of Woke Beauty; her mission is to encourage women to celebrate themselves through self imagery and wellness consulting. When Riley isn't inspiring and photographing the beautiful women of Austin; she is juggling a multitude of colorful projects. She is currently writing, producing and recording a podcast. She is working on a photography series exploring her biracial identity and its sociological relation to viewers at large in juxtaposition to her intrinsic identity and its relation to earthly elements. Riley recently completed Whole30 and has teamed up with their community to release an Instagram campaign. She is always exploring, forever eager.Though frequently on the road, Riley currently resides in Austin, TX with her lifelong partner, Jack and their two dogs, Walter and Willow. She makes every effort to spend time with her family and friends as they reside at the center of her circle.*Listen to this episode for Riley's tips on how to win the battle with self-judgment based on her own personal experience.

You know you're a performative perfectionist when:you beat yourself up for things that couldn't possibly be your faultyou go out of your way to make people who have hurt you more comfortableyou take every piece of feedback personally as an attack on your charactersaying "no" feels like the worst thing that could possibly happenyou get defensive for making totally normal mistakesPerfectionism is so damaging, not only because it creates an impossible standard to live up to but because it traps you in behaviors and thought patterns that convince you that you'll never be good enough.The most damaging elements of living to perform and please and perfect are the need to get validation from others and the negative self-talk that comes with inevitable failures. By choosing to live in a perfectionist construct instead of an authentic one, you're setting yourself up to feel like shit and never win. No matter how hard you try.As a recovering perfection performer, I can tell you things are so much better on this side of things. Life feels and smells wonderful when mistakes are okay. When the weight of the world isn't crushing your shoulders. When you let others be responsible for their own behavior and consequences.Join me in breaking up with perfectionism.By building self-awareness of when and how your perfectionism manifests, you can begin to put things in perspective and step away from the self-hate. Instead, you can explore and experiment and learn new and exciting ways to show up even stronger!Best of all, you'll create space to get your joy on!Listen to this episode for examples of how performative perfectionism shows up in my life and how my Should-But Cleanse method can help you create positive changes.

There is a lot of noise around you. Whether it's people in your life, at work, social media, the news, or your pets, all the demands on your time and attention can leave you feeling disconnected and confused. To the point you aren't even sure which way is up anymore.The easiest way to gain clarity in a noisy world is to connect with your gut.By gut, I mean that place inside yourself that knows the answer. The place that sometimes feels hard to find but is always there, waiting for you to check in. For some, that might literally be in your stomach area. For others, it may be in your chest, your head, or even your toes.In this SAM Quick Tip, I'll teach you a method I use to not only connect with my gut, but cultivate a mind + body connection that makes it much easier for me to make decisions. Especially when the world won't shut up long enough for me to think!Listen to this episode to learn how I use the "Hell, yeah!" technique to make quicker, more authentic decisions using my intuition.

I’ll say one thing for humankind: we aren’t scared of pain. In fact, a lot of us don’t know how to live without it. We’re so into pain, we’ll spend hours binge-watching other people’s pain. Some of us even take pride in causing pain for others. You’ve heard of the starving artist, the long-suffering rockstar, the emotionally stunted genius who pushes people away and treats them like shit so they won’t see how beautifully screwed up he is about his own pain (I’m looking at you, Dr. House). This is an abusive relationship. Except, it isn’t pain that’s abusing us. It’s us who’re abusing pain. Pain tells us some really significant information: Don’t touch open flames. Don’t trust a chronic liar. Don’t forget sunscreen in the desert. Please, do not run back to the partner that kept stabbing you in the back with their knife of betrayal. More importantly, pain guides us to our shadows so we can shine a light on them and befriend them. Pain has helped me see where I sabotage myself by not speaking honestly, by not setting healthy boundaries, and by giving without allowing myself to receive. All the tears and gut-wrenching cries induced by pain to teach me who I am and who I’m not and how to keep myself safe. Pain does the same for you. You need only listen. Join me as I explore this relationship and how you can begin shifting your perspective so the pain isn't such an overwhelming experience.

I'm in Bali this week on a very intense leadership retreat, so I've basically been a giant blob of tears. This is some intense shit. That's the truth. I'm working through a lot of old pain, stories, and behavior patterns I need to shed. Because I'm focusing so hard on helping myself, I'm not in a space to help you. So, to honor where I am and be in my authenticity, this week I'm not providing you and helpful tips or insight on self-awareness. Instead, I've gathered a few clips from other amazing people (David Bowie, Dr. Joe Dispenza, & Mel Robbins) that I hope inspire some thoughtful consideration. Thank you for letting me show up as me. And remember, I love you and I like you.

You are telling yourself stories, constantly. From the time you wake up in the morning to the time you fall asleep at night, you're attaching meaning to everything around you. Humans are, by design, meaning-making machines. We can't deal with ambiguity, so we fill in the blanks. With stories. Though these stories are "supposed" to help you find clarity and live to see another day, often times they sneakily sabotage your efforts to walk the path of joy. When you confuse the stories you create with fact, you set yourself up for unnecessary suffering. What are these stories exactly? How do you come up with them? What do you do when you recognize you're telling yourself a story? I discuss all of that and more in this week's episode. Mastering your stories (as they call it in Crucial Conversations) is an extremely important step toward living a more joy-filled life. And it's one of those skills that gets easier and easier and more and more beneficial over time!

You deserve to experience joy...but it doesn't always feel possible. This season, you're going to take what we learned in Season 1 about taking responsibility for your power and harness that to get closer to the joy-filled authentic life you're here to live. In other words, this season, you're going to... GET YOUR JOY ON! In this episode, I introduce the work of David R. Hawkins, M.D., Ph.D.; specifically, his Power vs Force scale. This scale is designed to expose the hidden determinants of human behavior. Dr. Hawkins presents the idea that "...the human mind is like a computer terminal connected to a giant database. The database is human consciousness itself... with its roots in the common consciousness of all mankind. ...The unlimited information contained in the database has now been shown to be readily available to anyone in a few seconds, at any time and in any place." As I continue to learn more and read Dr. Hawkins' work, I'll use this measuring tool as an anchor for the content of the show, including the topics I cover, the people I interview, and the actions I suggest. Why? So you and I can be on the same page, and so that the work we do together this season is consistent and always pointed toward the same goal: joy!

Since this is the last episode of this season, I want to talk about the theme of taking responsibility for your power, but first, I want to tell you about a cartoon that’s smarter than half the world’s leaders. One year, my mom gave me a framed Peanuts drawing by the creator, Charles Schulz. It’s a simple four-panel piece of art featuring good ol’ Charlie Brown and his blanket-toting friend, Linus. The pair are behind a red brick wall, heads resting on their hands, looking contemplative. Charlie asks Linus, “Do you ever think much about the future, Linus?” “Oh, yes...all the time,” Linus says. Charlie turns to his friend and asks, “What do you think you’d like to be when you grow up?” Linus turns to Charlie, and with all the confidence in the world responds, “Outrageously happy!” Outrageously. Happy. What an answer! That grand, simple message is hanging in my dining room, where I pass it every day. I’ve been overexposed to it, and so I’ve taken it for granted. But, every now and then, I stop to reread it, and it hits me all over again—outrageously happy. The truth is, most of the time, I don’t think about happiness, much less experiencing outrageous happiness. When I started this show, I knew it was because I had something to say. I knew I’d been blessed to have access to so many personal development resources, and I also felt that if I could only share them with other people my age, maybe, just maybe, we could do things differently. That you and I could make a positive difference in how humans treat each other and themselves and the planet. After 15 weeks of doing this, I believe that even more. The only difference now is that I have a clearer goal. Outrageous happiness. Or as it’s more commonly known, joy.

This week, as an exciting complement to episode 2: Millennials versus Gen X, I’m speaking to Millennial Jeremy Boudinet about Millennials in the workplace.The most beneficial thing Jeremy said was to get a mentor. I enthusiastically back this up because mentors have a vested, personal interest in you reaching your goals. No one finds success and happiness alone, despite what a lot of arrogant musicians tend to preach in their songs. Who you surround yourself with matters almost as much as how you feel about yourself.Often times, finding a mentor is as simple as just asking for one. If there’s someone you admire or someone who’s in a role you aspire to, ask them for feedback on things or if they have any advice. I have a friend from Italy told me she straight up asks, “I’m looking for a mentor. Are you interested?”Now, for some of us, that’s easier said than done. Or, maybe you don’t work in an environment you feel comfortable asking. Maybe you just don’t like your job. Better yet, maybe you’re looking for a well-rounded mentoring experience and want someone a little more removed from the situation.Because I believe mentoring is so important, I’ve decided to be in action about this and start a mentoring program for SAM Fam members. If you remember, last week I introduced the SAM Fam, which is a way you as a listener can support the show and help shape its content by becoming a patron.As a new perk, the first 50 patrons who are interested will join a private mentoring group with me. You’ll get access to virtual professional coaching and training from me on a weekly basis, as well as peer interactions to support your growth and goals. Even better, my personal mentor and member of the Forbes Coaches Council and one of CV Magazine’s top 50 coaches, Alexsys Thompson, is offering a free 45-minute coaching call with her to one patron every month. Her time is easily worth $500/hour, so this is a wonderful gift I’m honored and grateful to be able to offer. Thanks, Alexsys!To join the mentoring program, visit patreon.com/sampod. Patronage starts at $1/month and gives you access to a ton of perks on top of the mentorship opportunity. So now, you have no excuse for not having a mentor. Join the SAM Fam now: patreon.com/sampod.

Let’s talk about the lie of not enough. One way or other, we’ve all bought into our own version of this story. You aren’t smart enough. You’re not thin enough. You’re not rich enough. You’re not witty enough. You’re not enough, not enough, not enough.It’s Satan’s soundtrack on a never-ending loop, deep in the recesses of your mind. It’s something I’ve struggled with my whole life, and the more self-awareness I build, the more I realize just how pervasive this thought pattern is.Here’s the good news: it’s not true. You’re enough. You’ve always been enough. The trick is remembering.It’s not easy to weed the “not enough” lie out of your life, but our guest Maria Volovik is helping Millennial fight it every day.I’m so excited to share a brand new facet of the podcast: SAM Fam memberships! I’ve created a Patreon page for the show that allows listeners access to exclusive, member-only content, the ability to vote and provide opinions on show content, enter monthly giveaways, get discount on all SAM march, join live AMAs with me, and even have opportunities to be a guest on the show.If you aren’t familiar with Patreon, it’s basically a platform where you contribute to your favorite creative projects, just like back in the day when people would sponsor artists and musicians so they could continue creating their art. For just $1 or $5 a month, you’ll be an exclusive member of the SAM Fam with elite access to a lot of goodies.All of your contributions go toward ensuring I can continue to produce the show every week, as well as create more new content and grow the platform into more than just a podcast.For example, here are some things I have planned:a book that outlines 20 actionable ways people can use self-awareness techniques to shed old stories and behavior patterns that don't serve to access their inner joy (I've already written it, in edits now)an app related to the bookdigital and in-person eventsmonthly giveaways of my favorite self-awareness resourcesa call-in number for people to ask questions and get them answered by me or an expertmember-only episodes and video series...and more!I LOVE making this podcast and I know the message will help make the world a better place, but I need your help to make that happen. To learn more and join the SAM Fam, visit www.patreon.com/sampod. For no more than $5, you can become a part of a movement Millennials and every other generation can be proud of.

The most important part of an apology is owning up to your part in the situation. Even if someone else did the bad thing, there’s probably space to apologize to yourself for whatever your contribution to the situation was. For example, I had a “friend” take total advantage of me. I worked my ass off to make her look good, sent her flowers out of guilt for thinking negative thoughts about her, and let her be as messy as she needed to be with me. She returned absolutely none of those favors, and it became clear to me that she wasn’t my friend. Of course, it took the death of someone I love to make me see this. Specifically because this “friend” didn’t say shit about it. No condolences, no checking up on me, nothing. The fucker ghosted. In that situation, I deserved an apology. I know I’ll never get one from her, but I can and have apologized to myself. I did a lot of things that weren’t loving to myself: didn’t speak my truth, didn’t hold healthy boundaries, and definitely didn’t walk away when I should have. For all those things, I told myself sorry. I can do better, and I didn’t. That needs an apology! Remember, apologies do not require excuses or defenses. If you’re putting conditions on your apology or it includes the word “but,” you’re doing it wrong. Listen to the episode for the formula I use to give great apologies!

Forgiveness is something we all know we should do, and I think we do it wrong a lot of the time. Besides thinking it’s about the other person, we also put all kinds of pressure on it, like deadlines or the expectation things go back to the way they were before. There are a ton of benefits to truly forgiving, but the biggest one is your sanity. Holding onto things for too long is like chewing on rat poison. It will kill you. Where do you think ulcers come from? (Seriously, read the book Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers) Even if you think you’re forgiving someone else’s transgressions, what you’re really doing, the part that actually matters, is all about you. In the book The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom, the author, Don Miguel Ruiz, instructs us not to take anything personally. I don’t know about you, but for me that was life-changing. He says, “Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.” If nothing others do is because of you, the same must be true for you. Nothing you do is because of other people. What you say and do is a projection of your own reality, your own dream. Which means when you apologize, forgive, and let go in relation to “someone” else, you’re really apologizing, forgiving, and letting go in relation to yourself.

I have always and continue to struggle with setting healthy boundaries. Boundaries are so important to healthy relationships of all kinds, yet no one teaches us how to do this stuff. In fact, societal norms typically set us up for failure. I get vulnerable with you guys to talk about this topic not only because it's so important, but also because it's a personal challenge that requires a lot of work to overcome. Just because I'm here sharing what I know which doesn't mean I know everything. FAR FROM IT! Whether you're unsure if you set healthy boundaries or know where you stand, I hope my openness in this episode inspires you to tackle some of your toughest challenges with hope and a whole lotta spine. Together, we can do anything.

I’m in Berlin right now going through the Climate Reality Leadership Corp Training, so I didn’t have time to do a full episode. Instead, I decided to try a new segment I think will be cool and helpful: SAM Quick Tips These are quick and easy ways to incorporate self-awareness into your daily life to improve the overall quality of your wellbeing. This week, I want to talk about check-ins. Check-ins are just like they sound: you checking in with yourself to see how you’re doing. They’re a simple way to learn about yourself and course correct during the day if you need to. Though there are many ways to check-in, here’s how I do it: Press my left hand over my heart and my right hand over my gut (the space below my belly button, also known as your sacral chakra) Take three deep breathes in my nose and out my mouth Focus on the air filling my lungs. I often picture light entering through my head or chest, then filtering out of my mouth as I exhale Once I feel relatively calm and centered, I ask myself (aloud or in my head depending on where I am), "How are you, baby girl?" I like using a pet name to keep it soft and loving, just like I would for my partner I observe whatever pops up. Sometimes, it’s a physical sensation, like a quickening of my heartbeat or a tingling of my scalp. Other times, I get a clear thought, like “Fucking horrible." Try not to follow the thoughts and feelings. Take note and let yourself answer. If you find yourself going down a rabbit hole, take a couple more deep breaths and bring yourself back Once you feel complete with the answer, “How are you?” You’re done. You did your check-in!

Liv talks all about body image and how to stop hating on the skin you're in. Today, I want to talk about body image. It’s something we as a society are beginning to discuss more and more thanks to the rise of influencers on social media and women empowerment. However, as with all good things, too much can easily tip into the danger zone. So, let’s talk about body image in the context of self-awareness and overall well-being. First, and most important, YOU are not your body. Your body is a part of you. I like to think of it as a vehicle. It’s how I, the me that’s actually “me,” rides around the world. Your body is an important part of the human experience, and still, it is not “YOU.” I think that concept is the most important one to wrap your head around when it comes to body image. We are conditioned to believe our body is who we are, that someone else’s body is who they are, that our every waking thought is valid and must be taken seriously, and that if other people don’t look or think like us, it’s our job to be scared of them. Think about it for a second: where do things like body shaming and racism stem from? This false idea that we are definable and should be valued by our bodies alone. You’ve heard the classic, “Never judge a book by its cover,” but how helpful is that? There are so many reasons to do that, primarily safety, but ultimately, how can we not? We’re taught to judge ourselves by our covers, how can we treat others differently?

Liv speaks with The Candid Millennial, Mary Robb, about her anxiety and some ways self-awareness helps her manage it.If anxiety is a sensitive topic for you, please proceed with caution. While SAM always seeks to be respectful, everyone has their own opinions and experiences which may differ from your own. Remember, you are the authority on you—please only take advice to heart what resonates and works for you. Mary made a lot of really great suggestions I hope some of you connect to. Though none of them involved medication, please know that is a viable and sometimes necessary step toward managing your anxiety. I have an aversion to what I think is over-medication, so I tend to advocate for other solutions whenever possible. However, sometimes medicine is the best solution. Deep down, if you listen carefully, you already know what you need. If your gut says "Xanax, please," do it.Part of the point of building self-awareness is to answer day-to-day questions like this without doubt or hesitation. Trust yourself to make the best choice for you at that moment.

Liv speaks with executive, mother, and author Geri Suster about handling relationship endings with grace.The topic of graceful exits is one I think is important because in my experience, many of us are ill-prepared for and bad at handling endings. Despite fundamentally knowing all things end, we live as if they don’t, so when a pet dies, a relationship ends, or we lose our jobs, we don’t always handles things well. More often than not, we make a big fat mess as we exit, creating all sorts of baggage we lug around for years, if not forever.I don’t know about you, but that isn’t how I want to live my life. So, I’m beyond ecstatic to be having this conversation with Geri, and hope her message with resonate with you as it does me.

Today, I want to talk about self-care. With all the heavy-lifting you do at work, with friends, family, and in the community, taking care of yourself is essential for your health in every aspect of the word. More to the point of this show, it’s paramount to your success in building self-awareness. Why’s that? Building self-awareness is like lifting weights. Anyone who exercises regularly will tell you the importance of rest days, proper, nutrition, and stretching. The same applies to internal exercise. When you work hard to let go of past hurts, to step into your power, and to be the best expression of yourself, you break yourself down, just the way muscles break down when you work them out. If you aren’t nourishing yourself regularly and well, the muscles never build back up. You did all that lifting for nothing. Self-awareness is knowing when to say no, slow down, take a break, give yourself space, relax, etc. So, while the idea of massages and naps sounds like the most fun part of self-awareness, it’s the one we’re the worst at. Even some of the most evolved people I know still burn themselves out. You might think you have to go, go, go or you risk losing something. Maybe, sometimes, that’s true, but you stand to lose so much more if you don’t take care of yourself. In fact, I read an article in Business Insider years ago that changed my perspective. It was the 5 Things People Regret Most on Their Deathbed. They are: I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. I wish I hadn't worked so hard. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. I wish that I had let myself be happier. If that doesn’t make the case for slowing down, nothing does! So let’s have a serious discussion about self-care for the present moment and for our future dying selves.

I wanted to take some time to talk about what exactly “self-awareness” is and some of the ways you can begin cultivating it in your own life. To me, self-awareness is developing a deep understanding of who you are to yourself and in the context of community. It’s a conscious, intimate relationship with your core that, over time, allows you to step into your most authentic self. In simple terms, being self-aware means having clarity about what you like, don’t like, your strengths and obstacles, all with the end goal of living a life your design. When you take the time to know yourself truly and fully, you give yourself all the power you need to live whatever life you want. But, how do you get there? How do you “get to know yourself” any better than you already do? There are a lot of ways to do this, and I’ve tried a handful, so I’ll share some of those. I am a lover of science and spirituality, so there’s a healthy balance of both types of solutions.