West of Wonderland

What exactly is the Canada of the United States? Oops, we mean, welcome to the 200th episode of West of Wonderland! Laura and Bay are joined by two of West of Wonderland's best friends, Emily and Meaghan, to traverse everyone's favorite terrain: un-coze-ing yourself, secrets, reflections, and simple questions like "What is 99.8% of YOUR purpose in life?" Join this magical, heartfelt celebration of 200 episodes - almost four years - of West of Wonderland shenanigans! PS. Catch a bubble!

West of Wonderland have been working soooo hard lately, so they're going to take this week's episode to be ridiculous. Friend-of-the-podcast Jason Frazell has supplied Laura with a ChatGPT that has mansplained Disney Adults to her. Bay and Laura discuss and reenroll themselves in why they love what they love (hint: it's VelociCoaster and Hagrid's Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure ™). How long can YOU talk about your favorite ride?

How do we "be with" opening up to large swaths of the unknown? What's the day to day life for you when you're building something new and waiting for it to pan out?  What do you like to fill your favorite pans with? Do you call them Rice Krispie Treats or Squares, and what's your favorite way to make them?

How much do you know about Candian elections and government? Laura interrogates Bay about the Canadian electoral system, as Canada is in the midst of an election. What info is new to you around Canada, does anything surprise you the way it surprised Laura?! (P.S. Join us for our live recording of episode 200! https://www.laurawestman.com/wow-live )

What kind of wisdom do you seek when you're really "going through it"? Where do you look? What kind of magic do you have to open up to? Can you believe that Laura and Bay have been having breakthroughs in patience, of all things?! (P.S. Join us for our live recording of episode 200! https://www.laurawestman.com/wow-live )

What do you remember about the days where your life revolved around what was on TV, when? Bay and Laura discuss Really Important Things ™ including, but not limited to: joys and pitfalls of self-employment, the need for fun when you're working on a ton of stuff, and how often your survival mechanism "cries wolf." How do you advocate for your future when your survival mechanism has its claws in you? 

What's it like when you revisit goals, intentions, and therefore patterns and survival mechanisms? In this fantastically ontological episode, Bay and Laura discuss some of the paradoxes of goal achievement and ontological transformation, both for clients and for coaches! What predictable things does your survival mechanism do when you're starting new things? How long can you remember you're great before you feel terrible? How much did Hallie and Annie weigh when they were born (yes, this is a Parent Trap reference)?

What good is a podcast episode without a couple of side quests regarding camping?Get the scoop on Bay and Laura's upcoming event, Sustain-Ability! This is a bespoke online workshop designed specifically for women who work in sustainability, environment/social governance, and climate. It's free to attend, but you must save a spot. Come connect with others and dig into the Three Domains of Leadership to get you grounded, inspired and sustained. Register here or share with a friend!  https://wonderlandandcompany.com/sustainability/  PS. Where are you with camping? Do you still like us even if we don't like camping (Laura is asking this)?

The wheel turns again, and West of Wonderland is curious: are you happier with more sunshine? What even is time, anyway? What's it like to nurture a big idea into fruition? How do you talk to your boss when you're self-employed? Laura and Bay dive into the deepest conversations of purpose and share about their new bespoke leadership program,

Dive into the third pillar of a leadership style: power and relationship. No matter where you lead, you have ways that you automatically relate to others, and the power dynamics in those relationships speak even louder than the words you use as a leader. 

Explore the second pillar of a leadership style: philosophy. Bay and Laura deep-dive into why this pillar is so foundational to your leadership, whether you're aware of it or not.  

How would you explain what a "leadership style" is, and why is it important that we inquire? What are the components that make up a distinct leadership style? Whose Creepy Leadership ™ are we having to navigate, and why? Did YOU put on a strangely matching t-shirt and sweatshirt today, too? 

How awkward are YOU when you have big news to share and don't want to bring it up even though it's the theme of today's podcast (hem hem, Laura)? Bay and Laura take a personal journey through Laura's big milestone. Here's the link to find and save: https://bit.ly/4i1A0jH 

If you had to make a Greatest Hits album from your personal/leadership development journey, what would be on it? Bay and Laura open up their treasure chests of personal development work to discuss the heavy hitters. Why does everything come back to boundary analogies . . . . the world will never know. 

Why is it so hard to be a person right now (oh wait — we all know why) -- and what can we do to not feel insane? How many sentences will Laura start, but be unable to finish due to being worked up? To which companies, corporations or elected officials would you like to speak to your mind? Why can't a big kitty stretch solve every single problem in the world? West of Wonderland would like to know!

Hold on to your butts! In this latest edition of "what fantasy realms do YOU escape into?" Bay and Laura discuss the epic, astounding and astute world of the Jurassic Park franchise. Why do humans feel the need to 'play God'? Why do we have to have Chris Pratt in all our favorite franchises? What are duranasauruses (did Bay just make this word up or is it a real thing)? Why can't we have a mosasaurus to gobble up today's billionaires at the perfect moment? This and more in today's episode! PS. The West of Wonderland hoodie is available here: https://www.laurawestman.com/wow-merch 

Have you ever wondered about where the heck ontological ideas even come from? Maybe you've wondered about the best way to get your spouse to OK turning a door blue. Either way, this episode is for you. 

How would YOU explain the differences between taupe, beige and mauve? Inquiring minds want to know. Laura and Bay spend time in this episode honoring Mike Rinder, who passed away on January 5, 2025. Mike Rinder was a top Scientology official who famously defected and dedicated the rest of his life to building a different legacy and working to dismantle the harm done by Scientology. Laura and Bay also discuss the origins of Scientology, ontology and their favorite word that starts with E, Ethics. 

How far would YOU walk to have homemade bourbon vanilla whipped cream on your pumpkin pie? How much cheese is the minimum amount of cheese, and why? Bay and Laura discuss their most recent adventures at Ollivander's Wand Experience at Universal Studios Florida and Islands of Adventure. It was soooo much all at once: being chosen, magical moments, sincerity, feeling seen, feeling special-special. PS. Why is it so nice to see your friend's dreams come true in real time? 

Important question: what would YOU do with a ton of leftover heavy whipping cream? Additionally, what are your feelings towards turkish delight, whether a fantasy version or the real kind? Bay and Laura debrief A Meeting with Dumbledore together -- don't miss this behind-the-curtain look at their creation of the 5th Annual West of Wonderland New Years Gathering. Special thanks to everyone who attended! PS. Do you also black out when receiving acknowledgment?? 

Welcome to the new year—are YOU obsessing over goals, planners and trying to stay grounded after the holidays, or is that just Bay and Laura? This week, join our heroes as they share about a West of Wonderland bestie from Orlando, Angel Sanchez of Wanderlust Photography, who shares her joy like no other. Laura and Bay revel in her magic and share all about how to follow her! Instagram @theverybusybee 

How would YOU be being if you got to frolic in your favorite place with your best friend? What kind of magical things would you do? Bay and Laura debrief the first part of their recent (as in, just got home yesterday) voyage to Walt Disney World and Universal Studios and share their tips for having the most magic ever. Spoiler alert: it has nothing to do with Lightning Lanes! 

Join Bay and Laura on January 4, 2025 for a very special free event: A Meeting with Dumbledore. Bring a friend, spread the joy! https://bit.ly/404Jeow 

✨Join us for this year's New Years Gathering, A Meeting with Dumbledore: https://www.laurawestman.com/new-years-gathering  ✨ How do YOU interact with sweet potatoes, versus yams? Do you have sweet potato stories?Tell us everything. Bay and Laura have their annual discussion of favorite Christmassy movies, music and tv shows, and discuss Muppet-related news from Walt Disney World. PS. Clothesline bacon, yes or no?

✨Join us for this year's New Years Gathering, A Meeting with Dumbledore: https://www.laurawestman.com/new-years-gathering ✨Are you a liability in your dreams?? Are you a hard dreamer or something else? Bay and Laura chat about relationship to dreams and the dream realm. Watch out for Bay's ghost story. For more conversation from Laura about dreaming, check out her recent YouTube convo with Chelsea Cotton here: https://bit.ly/49oF6mE

✨Join us for this year's New Years Gathering, A Meeting with Dumbledore: https://www.laurawestman.com/new-years-gathering  ✨  In this episode of West of Wonderland, Laura and Bay debrief Loch Ness Monstering and being creatures with strangely functioning thyroids. Bay processes autoimmune news and Laura reflects on the journey with hers. PS. The original recording time was 44:44, say whaaaaat! PPS. The podcast Laura discusses is called Monsters Weekly and as of recording this, hasn't aired just yet! PPPS. Where does your glee come through?

Welcome to West of Wonderland, AKA the Official Fan Club for (including, but not limited to): Jonathan Bailey, The Sound of Music, Wicked, Lord of the Rings, The Hunger Games, The Mirror Visitor, Harry Potter and whatever else you'd like to add to the list. What stories do you return to when times are hard, and why? What inspires you in this day and age? How many chairs would you climb over if you're trying to win the Sound of Music Singalong Prize? Just wondering

Content Warning: Politics, Loss of Parent. ✨ As the dust continues to get kicked up following the US election, Bay and Laura take some time to discuss their support for and solidarity with anyone who is impacted by it — in the future through policy, or in the present due to no longer feeling personal safety. Laura and Bay discuss the ethical practices and boundaries they set in their professional lives when it comes to things like voting, and shed light on white privilege in the coaching community. They also want to say (a) sorry this episode wasn't lighter, but, I mean, what can you do; and (b) this took courage to say in a climate where every view is attacked, not good enough, etc. They hope this inspires you to take strong stands with your values and ethics, and to do good work with your privilege. Also they love you bye 

How do we process the world when the world disappoints us, even horrifies us? Bay and Laura discuss the power of connection, and share a devastatingly lovely poem about loving the self by Elena Menendez Sanchez, shared with permission. Follow Elena online at https://www.instagram.com/elenamenendezsanchez

A Political Science major and an Anthropology major walk into a bar, what do you think they're talking about on the first week of November? Bay and Laura delve into areas of expertise they haven't mined in awhile, discussing the concept of civil religion and other matters. This episode was recorded before November 5.

Bay and Laura take a break from current events (previously recorded) to chat about the Wintering Retreat, a much-needed vacation and other "break from US politics" conversation, including but not limited to: breakthroughs in patience, marshmallow dream year, and the politics of microphones! Hello, survival mechanism city!

Buckle up everyone, because today's episode is filled with hard-hitting questions, like: what's your preferred type of string cheese, and why? What's up with the new ticket offering at the US Disney Parks, and why aren't they just giving it to Laura and Bay for free? How did Netflix and streaming get to be so gosh-darn unwieldy, and what does it have to do with Disney? PS. Join our lovely, not-at-all-filled-with-rants-about-capitalism Wintering Retreat! https://wonderlandandcompany.com/retreat/

Since it's autumn, Bay and Laura turn inward to talk about all the *exciting intricacies of survival mechanism* in the most intimate of spaces: home. Breakthrough work is intimate, and doing it in the home is the most intimate of all - both the physical components of the home, and the intimate components of the self. Laura debriefs changes from Marshmallow Dream year. How do we grow boundaries in places that we love -- not just in places that we want to protect ourselves from?

Who do YOU "be" when people call you obsessively who shouldn't be? Bay and Laura debrief some cool and silly stories — plenty of opportunities to lol about survival mechanisms today on West of Wonderland! Where are you laughing about your survival mechanism this fall? What are you up to next Thursday, are you coming to the West of Wonderland Academy for Magical Coaching? And are you coming to our magical online wintering retreat in November?! www.laurawestman.com/wow-academy

Oh, helleurrr, how much do you know about various Australian dialects? What did your dogs get up to this week? And are you watching Rings of Power?! Bay and Laura tried not to include spoilers, but they kind of did, so skip this episode if you haven't listened yet. Also: wellbeing as we transition fully into autumn. How are you experiencing this seasonal change? How can you take better care in the present moment? And what can we learn from the trees?

Okay, if you had paid a zillion dollars and waited over a decade for a membership to something, and then you behaved badly and got kicked out of it, how would you be being about it?! Bay and Laura debrief a VERY IMPORTANT Disney fan news item surrounding the illustrious Club 33, the not-so-secret secret club at Disneyland Park. Where do you sit on Fenceposts of Judgment? And what other wishes would you have for the WISH movie? Bay and Laura wanna know everything.

Why not play a ridiculous game of "what if"? Bay and Laura invite you to come along with them on a hypothetical Orlando-area theme park adventure with one critical question: IN OR OUT?

Rocket is at it again. Bay and Laura debrief his latest shenanigans to avoid getting ready for "back to school"! What's the real magic of autumn energy? How can we pay more attention to it (and ourselves) when everything around us feels crazy? What kinds of mind-blowing magic will happen at tomorrow's West of Wonderland Academy for Magical Coaching session? WHO KNOWS! www.laurawestman.com/wow-academy

Let's welcome the latest West of Wonderland Team Member, baby shark pup Pongo! Bay and Laura squeeze in the latest West of Wonderland Academy for Magical Coaching session in September: Back to School Energy! Why does this matter? How can we seed it properly into our lives to make the next few seasons powerful? Ps. What advice should Universal parks take from Disney parks, and vice versa? Pps. What's your stance on Mrs. Doubtfire? Pps. How would you characterize Umbridge's leadership style?

What would you choose if you were designing the snacks in your own theme park? What would be in, what would be out? Bay and Laura swear this is relevant, as they debrief August's West of Wonderland Academy for Magical Coaching session! The Theme Park Map of Your Business was POWERFUL and Laura is reeling from how much her idea provided. Bay and Laura co-acknowledge and celebrate the beauty of the partnership they've created together! How often do you get to hear two business partners ideate together? Someone send these ladies to Disney World!

SoOOoOooOoo what conversation are YOU in about boundaries these days? Bay and Laura check in about some funny exchanges but also about what to do when your boundaries are tested, disregarded or just truly not understood. Who do you be when the rules of the game are either not understood or disrespected? What kind of baseball game can you play if folks aren't on the same page? This and more juicy leadership/team development conversations today here on West of Wonderland!

Did you also get your heart broken by D23 this year or is that just Bay and Laura?

Bay and Laura debrief birthday week with all its highs and lows, and dish on the upcoming West of Wonderland Academy for Magical Coaching workshop. Laura is genuinely frightened by her own idea, so it's probably gonna be good. www.laurawestman.com/wow-academy for registration info! PS. EPCOT black forest cake, missing Disney World and preparations for WoW's upcoming sustainability client. Leo season continues!

Not just Leos, but Lion's Gate Leos! Bay and Laura discuss different zodiac signs' reactions to their birthdays, the pros and cons of being a Leo, how West of Wonderland is like an ontological water ride with a churro at the end, and being overdue for a lazy-river float. Thank you to all our listeners for the past three years of magic!

How about a mid-year check-in that isn't strictly about business? Bay and Laura discuss Orange Bird, being an advocate for yourself on a medical level, and being a "mammal fauna" in the summertime. Where are you? Where's West of Wonderland? What's hot, what's there to let go of?

This is NOT a spoiler-free episode. Or should we say "cette episode a des spoilers?" Have you seen Inside Out 2? Did it take you down memory lane like it did for Bay and Laura? Also, how much fake French can les deux femmes pack in to one podcast? Lay-All, merci and adieu.

If you lived in a treehouse, which treehouse would you model it after? Bay and Laura debrief Laura's Breaking the Dam workshop and dive into such crazy topics as how to create an authentic-to-you-offer, and Laura's most recent VERY INTENSE daydream/fantasizing that actually could become a thing. How would YOU react if a fantasy was actually coming true? PS. HOW MANY water analogies can they pack into one episode??

What happens when Bay is in Nova Scotia and Laura is recovering from the best concert ever? What would you do if you had a day to yourself at your favorite theme park? What happens when we put down our phones and meet people? How are you acknowledging the summer solstice this week? How many more questions could we pack into this episode description? Can you even??