Podcasts about Dupont Circle

Famed gay male underwear and clothing designer, Andrew Christian, will release his last collection this Fall. He has not revealed what's next so get your jocks, briefs, and swimwear now while you can. But first, popular LGBTQ DC destination, Dupont Circle, was to be closed, opened, and ultimately closed for World Pride this past weekend. The National Park Service claims the closure was related to damage done to the park from past Pride Celebrations. Then, Utah GOP hard right homophobe Rep. Trevor Lee is upset about the NHL Hockey team, the Utah Mammoths, changing their logo to honor June Pride. He also is against the Rainbow Flag, but OK with the Nazi and Confederate flags. This is Trump's America. We're all business. Except when we're not. Apple Podcasts: apple.co/1WwDBrC Spotify: spoti.fi/2pC19B1 iHeart Radio: bit.ly/4aza5LW YouTube Music: bit.ly/43T8Y81 Pandora: pdora.co/2pEfctj YouTube: bit.ly/1spAF5a Also follow Tim and John on: Facebook: www.facebook.com/focusgroupradio

In the 6 AM hour, Larry O’Connor and Julie Gunlock discussed: WMAL GUEST: ROB O’DONNELL (Former NYPD) on the Chaos in LA NBC NEWS: Crowds Protesting Immigration Raids Ordered to Leave Downtown POLITICO: ABC Correspondent Suspended After Post Condemning Trump and Miller WMAL GUEST: JANE HAMPTON COOK (Presidential Historian) on the New Documentary Film The American Miracle WUSA: Shooting and Stabbing in Dupont Circle Sends 3 to Hospital, Hours After District Reopens Park Where to find more about WMAL's morning show: Follow Podcasts on Apple, Audible and Spotify Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor, @JGunlock, @PatricePinkfile, and @HeatherHunterDC Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Website: WMAL.com/OConnor-Company Episode: Monday, June 9, 2025 / 6 AM HourSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're talking about the seeming plan to close Dupont Circle park for Pride Weekend, we're talking about whether the DC Council should just up and overturn citizen ballot initiatives, and we're saying so long — maybe — to Dave Thomas Circle. Plus, a members-only fourth topic: The state of the Kennedy Center. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to⁠ sign up⁠ for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can⁠ also become a member⁠, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 6th episode: ⁠District Bridges⁠ ⁠Folger Shakespeare Library⁠ ⁠Nace Law Group⁠ Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info⁠ HERE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The National Park Service will close Dupont Circle this weekend. Drivers in Fairfax County watch out for more speed cameras Today thru Sunday there will be some Metro time changes due to Pride.   Make sure to also keep up to date with ALL our podcasts we do below that have new episodes every week:The Thought ShowerLet's Get WeirdCrisis on Infinite Podcasts

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser unveiled her proposed $22 billion budget last week. Faced with a tough financial outlook, her spending proposal includes cuts to social safety net programs and some business-friendly tax incentives. There's also a billion dollars to help the Washington Commanders build a new football complex and redevelop the old RFK stadium site and a proposal to repeal a tipped minimum wage increase. Mayor Bowser joined the show to discuss, including how the city is moving away from relying on a federal workforce, and why she's betting big on sports and entertainment.She noted that some 40,000 people in the District could experience a job change because of massive federal cuts, which means shifting the city's economy."If our Chief Financial Officer is right, we think it's up to us to bend the curve in terms of job growth," she said.Mayor Bowser also discussed safety during World Pride, including the closure of Dupont Circle, historically the center of Pride celebrations."As we speak, we're working on an alternative to that site," she said, noting that celebrations beyond one side, with plans for events across all eight wards.  Asked about ongoing preparations for Trump's military parade later this month, she said the event is now a national special security event, which means the federal government will take the lead on security,  logistics, and will handle the upfront costs, similar to inauguration events.She also discussed her proposal for a public-private partnership to build a new D.C. jail, which she says will help speed the construction of a new facility. 

On Monday, the National Park Service announced plans to close the Dupont Circle park during this year's Pride celebration. But after overwhelming backlash, they reversed course the very next day—confirming that the park at Dupont Circle would remain open for Pride festivities. It's just one more wrinkle in what's already a complicated Pride season under the current administration. Few people can speak to that better than DC Pride's founder Deacon Maccubbin. He's here to tell us everything that's changed and everything that's stayed the same in the last 50 years of DC Pride. Vote for City Cast DC in Washington City Paper's "Best of DC" roundup! Write "City Cast DC" in the "Best Local Podcaster" section in Arts & Entertainment. Thanks, neighbor!  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this June 4th episode: District Bridges Folger Shakespeare Library Nace Law Group Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Construction is expected to begin this fall to “deck over” a busy section of Connecticut Avenue NW in Dupont Circle — transforming it into a vibrant new public plaza. But some residents and local businesses say they're not getting enough information about how the project will affect them. NBC4 Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss breaks down what this all means for Dupont Circle — and the city beyond. We'll be talking to DDOT about the details of the project in a couple weeks. So if you have questions or concerns you'd like us to raise, give us a call at 202-642-2654. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $10 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this May 19th episode: Folger Shakespeare Library PaintCare The Pew Charitable Trusts Nace Law Group Silver Mirror Facial Bar - Use CITYCAST30 for $30 off your first facial Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 234: Joyce Chiang A woman disappeared from Dupont Circle, DC in 1999. 25 years later, her case remains unsolved This is the Joyce Chiang story. Sources for Today's Episode: Los Angeles Times Washington City Paper NBC 4 Washington The Washington Post WTTG Fox 5 Unsolved.com Sponsors: (thanks for using our promo codes, it really does help the show!) Chewy - Chewy has everything you need to keep your pet happy and healthy. And right now you can save $20 on your first order and get free shipping by going to Chewy.com/women. Shopify - If you want to see less carts being abandoned, its time for you to head over to Shopify. Sign up for your o$1-per-month trial and start selling today at shopify.com/crimewomen Credits: Written and Hosted by Amy Shlosberg and Meghan Sacks Produced by James Varga Audio Editor, Jose Alfonzo Script Editor, Abagail Belcastro Music by Dessert Media Get Even More Women&Crime Episodes: Patreon - Ad-free shows starting at $2 a month, or upgrade for $5 a month to get a new extra episode every month, as well as exclusive virtual HappyHours with Meg & Amy. Check-out other tiers for perks such as lectures, true crime book club, and more! Visit our Patreon page for more info: https://www.patreon.com/womenandcrime Apple Subscriptions - Exclusive episodes and ad-free regular stories are now available through Apple's podcast app for only $4.99 a month, or save with an annual membership. YouTube Memberships - Exclusive episode available on YouTube for only $4.99 a month. https://www.youtube.com/@WomenandCrime/membership Help is Available: If you or someone you know is in a crisis situation, or a victim of domestic, or other violence, there are many organizations that can offer support or help you in your specific situation. For direct links to these organizations please visit https://womenandcrimepodcast.com/resources/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revolutionizing men's health wasn't Erica's original plan when she entered nursing. It was a personal journey that began when her husband, a Purple Heart veteran who lost his legs in Afghanistan, was failed by traditional healthcare providers. Their dismissive approach—handing out prescriptions rather than addressing root causes—sparked something in her. "When you have a testosterone level under 200 in your 20s, you're not fine," she recalls telling doctors who insisted everything was normal.That frustration transformed into purpose. After years in critical care and trauma settings, Erica established her own practice near DuPont Circle in Washington DC, specializing in aesthetic wellness, sexual health, and men's enhancement procedures. The treatments she offers might raise eyebrows—"cocktox" injections that prevent penis retraction, girth enhancements, and testosterone therapy—but they address real needs that significantly impact men's quality of life.What sets her practice apart isn't just the specialized treatments. It's the comprehensive approach to men's health that traditional healthcare often overlooks. "Some guys get treated for depression and put on antidepressants when really, if we correct their testosterone, they'd feel better," she explains. By operating outside insurance constraints, she treats patients based on symptoms and wellness goals rather than rigid diagnostic criteria. This approach particularly benefits firefighters, shift workers, and veterans whose healthcare needs often fall through the cracks of conventional medicine.Beyond the clinical aspects, Erica's practice serves as a safe space where men can discuss sensitive concerns without embarrassment. "I promise you that there has not been something said to me that has been surprising," she assures, helping break down taboos that prevent many men from seeking care. Though her social media accounts occasionally attract inappropriate messages, she maintains professional boundaries while using platforms like TikTok to educate and normalize conversations about men's health.Ready to address concerns that traditional healthcare has dismissed? Follow The District Injector on social media or visit the website to learn more about these life-changing treatments and schedule a consultation where your questions will be answered without judgment.

This isn't Washington, it's D.C.—and it belongs to the people. On this episode of Unpacked, join host Aislyn Greene as she meets the D.C. locals who are shaping the city. They share the diverse communities, places, and histories that make the district unique. From a blossoming food scene to thriving cultural legacies, discover the D.C. that most tourists miss.  In this episode, you'll learn Histories to explore beyond the National Mall.  How locals experience the vibrancy of D.C.'s food, culture and art scenes.  What makes some of D.C.'s most historic neighborhoods—such as the U Street Corridor and Dupont Circle—really shine.  Don't miss these moments [03:25] Aerosmith, the Smithsonian, and the oddball story that started it all.  [09:58] Diverse foods and divisive fruits in a cult-favorite restaurant.  [20:01] 250 artists in 2 miles: A creative community far beyond the capital city.  [35:17] Touring a temple of musical icons.  [36:11] They started this legendary festival with a napkin.  Meet this week's guests Sunny Sumter, the president and CEO of the DC Jazz Fest Jeff Miller, founder of the DC Cycling Concierge Marquett Milton, historic interpreter at the African American Civil War Museum Kevin Tien, the executive chef and owner of Moon Rabbit Monica Alford, founder and CEO of Wild Side Media  Resources —Read the transcript of this episode.  —Listen to Chuck Brown's version of “It Don't Mean a Thing.” —Explore Joe Brotherton's music. Want to plan your own DC trip? Aislyn shares a Google Map and her full itinerary here. Where to Stay Eaton DC Rosewood DC Salamander DC >>>Explore even more of Afar's favorite hotels in Washington D.C. Where to Eat and Drink Moon Rabbit The Press Club DC Oyster Oyster,  A. Kitchen + Bar St Vincent Wine (for live jazz) Lutece River Club DC Fiola Mare Dogon Yellow Georgetown Baked & Wired Buck's Fishing and Camping Activities Bike tour with DC Cycling Concierge Walking tour with U Street Time Travel Walking tour with DC Design Tours Arena Stage Culture House National Portrait Gallery  >>>Explore more places to eat and explore with Afar's D.C. travel guide. Be sure to subscribe to the show and to sign up for our podcast newsletter, Behind the Mic, where we share upcoming news and behind-the-scenes details of each episode. And explore our second podcast, Travel Tales, which celebrates first-person narratives about the way travel changes us. ** Bonus Opportunity: What's one tricky travel topic you want us to unpack? Send us a voice message here, for a chance to weigh in and be featured in an upcoming episode. **

Love the show? Have any thoughts? Click here to let us know!This week on A Scary State, Kenzie dives into the chilling history of "Murder Bay"—a once-lawless area of Washington, D.C., where crime and corruption ran rampant in the 19th century. Then, Lauren covers two high-profile cases that shook the nation: the tragic murders of Joyce Chiang and Chandra Levy. Both young women vanished in eerily similar circumstances, leaving behind questions, theories, and heartbreak. Join us as we explore the dark and dangerous side of the nation's capital.--Follow us on Social Media and find out how to support A Scary State by clicking on our Link Tree: https://instabio.cc/4050223uxWQAl--Have a scary tale or listener story of your own? Send us an email to ascarystatepodcast@gmail.com! We can't wait to read it!--Thinking of starting a podcast? Thinking about using Buzzsprout for that? Well use our link to let Buzzsprout know we sent you and get a $20 Amazon gift card if you sign up for a paid plan!https://www.buzzsprout.com/?referrer_id=1722892--Works cited!https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yta4QOa3v1nS3V-vOcYPNx3xSgv_GckdFcZj6FBt8zg/edit?usp=sharing --Intro and outro music thanks to Kevin MacLeod. You can visit his site here: http://incompetech.com/. Which is where we found our music!

Dr. Chanda Macias, MBA, is the CEO of National Holistic Healthcare, a medical cannabis cultivator, processor, and dispenser in the United States. Dr. Macias has spent 15+ years developing her knowledge of medical cannabis. She contributes to her success by educating on ailment strain alignment, which aligns a medical cannabis strain with a specific condition or ailment. She started her career in the flagship medical cannabis dispensary in Washington, D.C., at the National Holistic Healing Center in Dupont Circle. Dr. Macias educates women entrepreneurs and patients through her outreach platform as the Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO for Women Grow, a global leader in connecting, educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of women leaders in the Cannabis and Hemp Industry. Dr. Macias educates women entrepreneurs and patients through her outreach platform as the Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO for Women Grow, a global leader in connecting, educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of women leaders in the Cannabis and Hemp Industry.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Dupont Circle is known for embassies and think tanks. But did you know that it's also a place where you can find good sushi, cool architecture, and symbols of DC's changing landscape? Longterm Dupont residents HH Leonards and Paul Cohn, and our City Cast DC contributor Austin Graff, share their guide on how to spend the perfect day in Dupont Circle.  Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this January 22nd episode: Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington Babbel - Get up to 60% off at Babbel.com/CITYCAST Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Could your family use some professional guidance? Family therapy sessions at True North Psychotherapy (202 599 0522) use the Internal Family Systems (IFS) method and other modalities to facilitate deep healing. Visit http://www.truenorthpsych.com for details. True North Psychotherapy City: Washington Address: 1555 Connecticut Avenue Northwest Website: http://www.truenorthpsych.com/

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.    On today's show:  ·        What happens when dueling “frenemy” bartenders with Michelin-starred resumes finally team up to open a cocktail lounge and vinyl record bar in Dupont Circle? Success! Will Patten and Devin Kennedy are in with tastes and talk of what they're pouring at their new hit spot, Dupont Circle's Press Club; ·        James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin is founder and co-owner and Eli Collins is executive chef with the High Street Hospitality Group, which operates some of the country's most celebrated dining establishments, including Philadelphia's Fork, a. kitchen + bar and the High Street Restaurant & Bakery -- and is now opening a “kitchen + bar” at D.C.'s Washington Circle;                                                                                                                                             ·        The holidays are fun – and stressful – especially after an election season. Wanna relax and renew? Regina McLinden owns RM Wellness, a new spa in Georgetown specializing in deep-tissue, Swedish and prenatal massage, as well as manual lymphatic drainage; ·        It's back and it's awesome! Celebrating its 20th anniversary, D.C.'s annual downtown Holiday Market is open, featuring more than 100 vendors with truly gifted offerings for the holidays. Gerren Price,the president and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, is in with the details; ·        The former 18th & U Duplex Diner is famous for many reasons. Locally known as the “Gay Cheers," it is also the place where, 25 years ago, Nycci Nellis, with new baby Eli in tow, used to bake and deliver hundreds of muffins and vats of homemade soup as part of her nascent foodie career. Today the eatery is reborn as Her Diner.  Kelly Laczko and her wife, Kethida Laczko, have revived and updated the space -- and Kelly joins us to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.       On today's show:     ·        What happens when dueling “frenemy” bartenders with Michelin-starred resumes finally team up to open a cocktail lounge and vinyl record bar in Dupont Circle? Success! Will Patten and Devin Kennedy are in with tastes and talk of what they're pouring at their new hit spot, Dupont Circle's Press Club;   ·        James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin is founder and co-owner and Eli Collins is executive chef with the High Street Hospitality Group, which operates some of the country's most celebrated dining establishments, including Philadelphia's Fork, a. kitchen + bar and the High Street Restaurant & Bakery -- and is now opening a “kitchen + bar” at D.C.'s Washington Circle;                                                                                                                                              ·        The holidays are fun – and stressful – especially after an election season. Wanna relax and renew? Regina McLinden owns RM Wellness, a new spa in Georgetown specializing in deep-tissue, Swedish and prenatal massage, as well as manual lymphatic drainage;   ·        It's back and it's awesome! Celebrating its 20th anniversary, D.C.'s annual downtown Holiday Market is open, featuring more than 100 vendors with truly gifted offerings for the holidays. Gerren Price, the president and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, is in with the details;   ·        The former 18th & U Duplex Diner is famous for many reasons. Locally known as the “Gay Cheers," it is also the place where, 25 years ago, Nycci Nellis, with new baby Eli in tow, used to bake and deliver hundreds of muffins and vats of homemade soup as part of her nascent foodie career. Today the eatery is reborn as Her Diner.  Kelly Laczko and her wife, Kethida Laczko, have revived and updated the space -- and Kelly joins us to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.    On today's show:  ·        What happens when dueling “frenemy” bartenders with Michelin-starred resumes finally team up to open a cocktail lounge and vinyl record bar in Dupont Circle? Success! Will Patten and Devin Kennedy are in with tastes and talk of what they're pouring at their new hit spot, Dupont Circle's Press Club; ·        James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin is founder and co-owner and Eli Collins is executive chef with the High Street Hospitality Group, which operates some of the country's most celebrated dining establishments, including Philadelphia's Fork, a. kitchen + bar and the High Street Restaurant & Bakery -- and is now opening a “kitchen + bar” at D.C.'s Washington Circle;                                                                                                                                             ·        The holidays are fun – and stressful – especially after an election season. Wanna relax and renew? Regina McLinden owns RM Wellness, a new spa in Georgetown specializing in deep-tissue, Swedish and prenatal massage, as well as manual lymphatic drainage; ·        It's back and it's awesome! Celebrating its 20th anniversary, D.C.'s annual downtown Holiday Market is open, featuring more than 100 vendors with truly gifted offerings for the holidays. Gerren Price,the president and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, is in with the details; ·        The former 18th & U Duplex Diner is famous for many reasons. Locally known as the “Gay Cheers," it is also the place where, 25 years ago, Nycci Nellis, with new baby Eli in tow, used to bake and deliver hundreds of muffins and vats of homemade soup as part of her nascent foodie career. Today the eatery is reborn as Her Diner.  Kelly Laczko and her wife, Kethida Laczko, have revived and updated the space -- and Kelly joins us to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis.       On today's show:     ·        What happens when dueling “frenemy” bartenders with Michelin-starred resumes finally team up to open a cocktail lounge and vinyl record bar in Dupont Circle? Success! Will Patten and Devin Kennedy are in with tastes and talk of what they're pouring at their new hit spot, Dupont Circle's Press Club;   ·        James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Ellen Yin is founder and co-owner and Eli Collins is executive chef with the High Street Hospitality Group, which operates some of the country's most celebrated dining establishments, including Philadelphia's Fork, a. kitchen + bar and the High Street Restaurant & Bakery -- and is now opening a “kitchen + bar” at D.C.'s Washington Circle;                                                                                                                                              ·        The holidays are fun – and stressful – especially after an election season. Wanna relax and renew? Regina McLinden owns RM Wellness, a new spa in Georgetown specializing in deep-tissue, Swedish and prenatal massage, as well as manual lymphatic drainage;   ·        It's back and it's awesome! Celebrating its 20th anniversary, D.C.'s annual downtown Holiday Market is open, featuring more than 100 vendors with truly gifted offerings for the holidays. Gerren Price, the president and CEO of the DowntownDC Business Improvement District, is in with the details;   ·        The former 18th & U Duplex Diner is famous for many reasons. Locally known as the “Gay Cheers," it is also the place where, 25 years ago, Nycci Nellis, with new baby Eli in tow, used to bake and deliver hundreds of muffins and vats of homemade soup as part of her nascent foodie career. Today the eatery is reborn as Her Diner.  Kelly Laczko and her wife, Kethida Laczko, have revived and updated the space -- and Kelly joins us to talk about it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Tommy & Josh are the co-owners of Watch Hill Proper located in Louisville, Kentucky. Watch Hill Proper is the largest American Whiskey bar in the world. The point of the American Whiskey Show is to have fun with whiskey and to share a little knowledge about it in the process. Grab a pour and join us on our journey. Episode 45: Prav Saraff (1 West Dupont Circle Wines & Liquors) www.watchhillproper.com

What a combination eh? Well, true. Lindsey Brown is the Senior Social Media Manager for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) and she also models from time to time. Lindsey was born in the UK to a German mother and a costa Rican father. When she was born her father was serving in the U.S. military based in the UK. As Lindsey explains she now has both German and U.S. citizenships.   Lindsey will tell us about wanting to undertake a fashion career and so after college where she obtained a Bachelor's degree in business, she began to seek a modeling career. She got her wish, but eventually realized that her life calling would take her in different directions.   Eventually in 2019 she joined NAMI as its senior Social Media manager. However, she did not totally drop modeling. Who knows, you might see her picture somewhere.   We talk a great deal about various aspects of mental health. Lindsey talks freely about her own mental health issues including burnout.   About the Guest:   I embody the essence of a multi-hyphenate, navigating the realms of a "slash culture." Born in the UK to German and Costa Rican parents, I hold citizenship in Germany and the US, setting the stage for my diverse journey. My passions, evolving into career paths, sprouted early. A love for travel, fashion, and mental well-being, my personal "peace," became integral to my identity. At 21, my foray into the fashion world began when I signed with my first modeling agency in New York. From runway to print, e-commerce to fitting, I collaborated with renowned outlets and brands like Essence, Marie Claire, Ashley Stewart, Soapbox, and DevaCurl. Adapting to industry shifts, I transitioned to become a fashion buyer in menswear and footwear, bridging the creative and business facets. To refine my skills, I pursued an MBA while concurrently juggling my roles as a buyer and a model. Today, my titles encompass Model, Senior Social Media Manager for NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), and Freelance Brand Consultant. A dedicated community builder, my role at NAMI enables me to establish safe and positive online communities for individuals navigating mental health. Additionally, I collaborate with social media platforms to enhance safety and user experience. My journey is a testament to the harmonious blend of diverse passions and impactful work.   Ways to connect with Lindsey:   ·      Social Media Links o   Personal accounts §  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lindseygene_/ §  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseygbrown/ o   NAMI §  Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/namicommunicate/ §  X - https://twitter.com/NAMICommunicate §  Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/NAMI §  LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/nami §  TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@nami?lang=en §  YouTube - @NAMICommunicate §  Threads - https://www.threads.net/@namicommunicate ·      Website – nami.org     About the Host:   Michael Hingson is a New York Times best-selling author, international lecturer, and Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe. Michael, blind since birth, survived the 9/11 attacks with the help of his guide dog Roselle. This story is the subject of his best-selling book, Thunder Dog.   Michael gives over 100 presentations around the world each year speaking to influential groups such as Exxon Mobile, AT&T, Federal Express, Scripps College, Rutgers University, Children's Hospital, and the American Red Cross just to name a few. He is Ambassador for the National Braille Literacy Campaign for the National Federation of the Blind and also serves as Ambassador for the American Humane Association's 2012 Hero Dog Awards.   https://michaelhingson.com https://www.facebook.com/michael.hingson.author.speaker/ https://twitter.com/mhingson https://www.youtube.com/user/mhingson https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhingson/   accessiBe Links https://accessibe.com/ https://www.youtube.com/c/accessiBe https://www.linkedin.com/company/accessibe/mycompany/   https://www.facebook.com/accessibe/       Thanks for listening!   Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page. Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!   Subscribe to the podcast   If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on Apple Podcasts or Stitcher. You can subscribe in your favorite podcast app. You can also support our podcast through our tip jar https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/unstoppable-mindset .   Leave us an Apple Podcasts review   Ratings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you have a minute, please leave an honest review on Apple Podcasts.       Transcription Notes: Michael Hingson ** 00:00 Access Cast and accessiBe Initiative presents Unstoppable Mindset. The podcast where inclusion, diversity and the unexpected meet. Hi, I'm Michael Hingson, Chief Vision Officer for accessiBe and the author of the number one New York Times bestselling book, Thunder dog, the story of a blind man, his guide dog and the triumph of trust. Thanks for joining me on my podcast as we explore our own blinding fears of inclusion unacceptance and our resistance to change. We will discover the idea that no matter the situation, or the people we encounter, our own fears, and prejudices often are our strongest barriers to moving forward. The unstoppable mindset podcast is sponsored by accessiBe, that's a c c e s s i capital B e. Visit www.accessibe.com to learn how you can make your website accessible for persons with disabilities. And to help make the internet fully inclusive by the year 2025. Glad you dropped by we're happy to meet you and to have you here with us.   Michael Hingson ** 01:21 Well, hi and welcome to another edition of unstoppable mindset. Today we get to talk to Lindsey Brown. Who's Lindsey Brown? Boy? Are you gonna find out by the time this episode is over? It's interesting. Lindsey describes herself as the essence of a multi hyphenate, which I love, and we'll have to really talk about that. And she exists in and embodies a slash culture, another thing that we need to talk about, and so many other things. So I think we're going to have lots of fun and lots of questions. And Lindsey, I know, has a lot to talk with us about. She's going to talk to us also about NAMI, and we'll get to that as well. But for now, let's start with Lindsay. I really want to welcome you to unstoppable mindset, and thank you very much for being here.   Lindsey Brown ** 02:10 Thank you for having me. I'm excited well,   Michael Hingson ** 02:14 and I am as well. It's been fun getting to know you a little bit and reading information about you and so on. So here we are. Well, let's start with the real early Lindsay. Why don't you tell us about Lindsay growing up and some of that stuff.   Lindsey Brown ** 02:28 Oh, that I have some people say little Lindsay, um, I take it. I'll take it back to to the beginning, right? Um, so a long   Michael Hingson ** 02:36 time ago in a galaxy far, far away, alright,   Lindsey Brown ** 02:39 put a little, a little age on me. My mom is from Germany. My dad is from Costa Rica. He became a citizen and came over with his family and lived in New York, joined the Air Force. They got together, and I was born in the UK. But   Michael Hingson ** 02:56 were you on a military base or something because you don't have UK citizenship? You indicate,   Lindsey Brown ** 03:01 no, I have German citizenship, German music, German and   Michael Hingson ** 03:05 American. But you were born in England, but don't have UK citizenship?   Lindsey Brown ** 03:09 No, I, from what I gathered from my parents before it was at one point, everybody was trying to, like, immigrate into the UK. And so therefore it was kind of like, you can't just have a child here and then become a citizen. I do have a right to be a citizen of Germany, so I've always wanted to hold on to that heritage. Well, yeah, we didn't live, actually, on base. That was one of my parents saying they never wanted us to live on base. So I actually, when I was younger, I understood that my dad worked for the Air Force. I had no context that that was part of the US and the US government and the military. I was like, Oh, he does this. He works on planes, and he leaves, he goes away for a bit, and then he comes back.   Michael Hingson ** 03:55 Yeah, go ahead.   Lindsey Brown ** 03:57 So then we came over to the states. We ended up settling in Virginia. I went to school in at Great Bridge. I went all the way into high school, and then I went to college at ODU. I always said I did. I created their online version. Originally, I said, I told my parents, I'm going to be a pharmacist. So I started doing my undergrad, became a pharmacist tech, started working at Rite Aid, and then I realized it just wasn't my passion. And so then I came to them, and I said, You know what? I think I want to work in fashion. That's my calling. And I want to, I want to model. And as any immigrant parents, they looked at me and said, you're going to do what? And my dad was like, Okay, sure. My mom said you will finish school. And I got signed to a local modeling agency in Virginia. And then about a year later, I had this grand idea to get signed. I said, if I'm going to model, I'm going to I'm going to get signed by like, a big agency. So I could really do this. And so I put in a piece of paper, and I wrote down all the modeling agencies that had a plus size board in the US. And I told my mom, if everybody tells me now, I will let it go. So we go to New York. I go to Wilhelmina. That was the first one I went to. They immediately told me, No. I made my mom walk down Seventh Avenue. She'll never let me forget it, because I thought Seventh Avenue was really short. It is not I want to say we probably worked walk for a good 20 minutes, and I went to msa models, and I had met one of the casting agents at an event in Orlando. And I will admit I lied, and I I said, I have an appointment with Anthony. And they said, Oh, okay. And I met with Anthony, and he said, Oh, I remember you and I got signed that day.   Michael Hingson ** 06:05 Well, that didn't totally please your mom, or did it?   Lindsey Brown ** 06:11 My mom has always been supportive, like she's kind of like, if you want to do it, have a plan and I'll support you. So the agreement was, you're going to go to school still. And a lot of my teachers are great. I would explain to them in the beginning of, you know, school or class, I would say, you know, hey, I have a full time job. I work out of New York. I work as a model. And most of them said, Oh, that's really cool. You know, will work with you on your assignments, or sometimes I would have to take a test early, and then I think I only had one professor ever say to me, like, you do what? I don't think he believed me. So I said, you know, I can forward you every email I get from my agent. Because who, who we if I was just going to skip school, I that wouldn't be my lie, like I could make up something a lot easier than I'm going to New York and I'm going to a casting or I'm shooting, and within two weeks, he said, Okay, you were telling the truth on that. Like I I've never heard of that before. Um, and I modeled all the finished school, and I modeled until full time, until, I want to say I was 25 ish, and then wanted to one. It was the industry always changes, right? So you were kind of looked at as a mannequin. Necessarily. You're you don't have kind of autonomy of your career. What if you a size 10 is in, like, kind of in, in, right? Then that's what you're doing. If you're a size 12, you're kind of morphing yourself, trying to be a part of this industry. And I realized at one point it I may not have a full time career of this. Maybe I should do something more of like a nine to five. So I moved back with my mom in Fredericksburg from Brooklyn. That was a little bit of, you know, life awakening, as I call it, but I was able to get a job working at a clothing store, and was a manager there. I always say, you know, you start somewhere, but you know you have transferable skills. So I was around 2526 managing like a team of like 10, and then I knew I wanted more, so I started working at the Marine Corps Community Services as a buyer in menswear. So for people who've never been on a military base, there's something I call like a big mall. So if you put, like a Macy's together, a Home Depot, a Best Buy that's worked on every military base around the world, and I worked for the Marine Corps, so and I bought men's clothing, and then I switched over to shoes. So I bought, I always tell people it's the most fashionable job you can have in the military. I bought Steve Madden, Dolce Vita, like fun, trendy shoes. So I'm telling people like the the new trend this, you know, this year's plaid has nothing to do with military boots or anything.   Michael Hingson ** 09:09 And so go ahead. No, go ahead.   Lindsey Brown ** 09:14 And then, of course, I think that's where I started my as I call it, splash culture, right? Because I was still doing modeling jobs. So some people would know me as the model, some people would know me as a buyer. And I really got interested at the intersection of marketing and social media, and so I started going back to school, getting my MBA in international marketing.   Michael Hingson ** 09:38 What did you actually get your BA in? What did that end up being?   Lindsey Brown ** 09:41 Business Administration, okay, minor in fashion, because my parents weren't into the idea of me doing a whole degree in fashion.   Michael Hingson ** 09:52 Little compromise never hurt, right? It's   Lindsey Brown ** 09:54 a compromise, right? So, like, I was like, you know, what a minor, A minor, we can do that. Um. And and so then I started, I realized that, again, my passion wasn't being a buyer, a buyer in fashion. It sounds like you're going to be at these fashion shows and it's going to be fun, and it's not saying it's not fun, but it's more so you're doing you're in Excel sheets all day long. And I was more interested in the marketing of you know how to get people to buy these products, not just purchasing the product, right? So I went to school, started working and getting my MBA, and then knew that if I want to switch over to marketing, well, who would hire me? Because I don't have a background in marketing at all. So that was when the influencer on Instagram kind of career was kind of taking off. So I said, Well, if I can create my own social media following, then at least maybe I can work with other brands, and I could use that to build a portfolio so I can get, as I call it, quote, unquote, a proper nine to five. So that actually worked. I would never call myself a full time influencer, but I was able to work with different brands and then build out a portfolio. And when I got to graduate from my MBA, it was December of 2019, and I was super excited, because then I got a job for a travel company, and I love to travel, so I just thought to my this is perfect. I have my MBA. At that point, I was living in Woodbridge, Virginia, and I knew that I wanted to live in DC for a while before I found another place to live. And then the pandemic happened, and having a travel job in the pandemic is not great, like wrong move,   Michael Hingson ** 11:53 but you didn't know it at the time. Had no   Lindsey Brown ** 11:56 idea. And so the company, I was there for maybe five months before obviously they had to do layoffs, and I worked freelance for a while of that. And then I always say the universe brings you where you need to be. And that's when I started working at Nami as their social media manager. And Nami is the national line to mental illness, so it is the largest nonprofit that works to a racial stigma surrounding mental illness and mental health and gives people in their communities actually supporting services.   Michael Hingson ** 12:33 Again, not something that you had planned on doing, necessarily at all.   Lindsey Brown ** 12:38 No, but I love the idea of community. And little did I know that, necessarily, in in the world, as during the pandemic, a lot of people were dealing with anxiety and depression, and also we talked, you know, we can talk about it now, burnout, yeah, in the mix, 2019, I was burnt out and didn't know it. I was also experiencing anxiety and didn't have the word for it. So I would just say, like, I'm just overwhelmed. So I always say, I came to Nami and I learned a vocabulary, a vocabulary list, right? And I can say, Oh, this is my anxiety peeking out here, connecting with the community. And I can see the beautiful part about my job is that a lot of times, let's say, when I was a buyer, you're not seeing how somebody purchasing a product changes their day. But on the back end of being working as the head of social media, I see people's comments where they're saying, you know, this post saved my my life, or this really helped, you know, my child learn about the depression they're experiencing. It makes the work worthwhile,   Michael Hingson ** 13:49 right? So, how so Nami and being well, I was going to say Nami is certainly a whole lot different than what you've done, but at the same time being the social media person that's really getting into more of, in a sense, the marketing that that you already had some familiarity with,   Lindsey Brown ** 14:10 right? Exactly? So it's kind of like having a career passion of saying, I I'm good at social media, I'm good at the marketing part, and then finding the intersection of what actually gels with me. And for me, it's really about helping find people, find their community. And what I always used to say is like, I'm trying to just, you know, preserve my peace, which is also kind of like preserving your mental health. So I'm helping people, in my version of it protect their mental health. Learn about mental health. Don't feel scared about actually saying like, Hey, I'm experiencing X, Y and Z. Finding support. The amazing thing about Nami, there's it's federated model, so there's over 600 affiliates nationwide. So if you want to learn about mental health, that you're looking for support. Education family member is there's an affiliate close by, and I'm helping with my passion of marketing, bring people to health and care.   Michael Hingson ** 15:10 And for you personally, with the pandemic hitting and so on, what made you realize that you were experiencing burnout, and kind of, how did it manifest itself?   Lindsey Brown ** 15:26 For me? I was I always felt like I had to be doing something. I realized I couldn't relax unless somebody around, like, you know how people say, like, Oh, I'm going to Netflix. You chill all day long. I can do that if somebody else was in the room, because we're doing it together. But I didn't know how to relax by myself. But I also felt overwhelmed, and I would want to sleep, and then just feeling almost always, I say like the rabbit hole effect, where, if I have five minutes apiece, then my brain is going like, what about this, what about that, what about this, what about that. But the other part of me says, Are we supposed to be relaxing right now? And I couldn't. And so coming into Nami, I can say that the company overall is really supportive of employees talking about their mental health and, you know, resources. So it helped me finding other people who were experiencing the same thing, but also I'm researching these topics to talk about on social media. So it got me to actually do a lot of the work that I probably wouldn't have done alone.   Michael Hingson ** 16:35 So what have you learned from all of that   Lindsey Brown ** 16:38 everybody needs a mental health toolkit, and I say it the version of, you know, it can't for me. I can say it helps with if I'm eating right, am I hydrated? Am I getting enough sleep? Working out? I learned funny enough. I learned that I was doing an IG live, or assisting with an IG live, between our chief medical officer, doctor Ken, and one of our ambassadors. And they were talking, and they said, you know, oh, there's, you know, study, if you do, like, 10 minutes of workout a day, you know, it can help with your anxiety. And I was like, huh, that kind of does make sense, because when I work out or go for a walk, I do feel better. Who would know? Who knew that? But I learned that on that IG life, right? Having a vocabulary word for it actually really helped. Instead of saying, I'm feeling overwhelmed, I feel tired. Those are maybe symptoms, but that's actually not what I'm experiencing. I'm experiencing anxiety. So being able to, you know, talk with, you know, I called my community so my friend, family and friends, if they're like, hey, you've seen a little bit off. My anxiety is kind of a little I can say that my anxiety is kind of off today. And then also, for some people, you know, I have gone to therapy before, I feel like maybe, you know, it's always good to have a consistent therapist. But I tell people, you know, there's no harm in going to see a therapist if you need to be on medication for it, but everybody kind of needs to find what works for them to as I call it, keep to protect your peace.   Michael Hingson ** 18:11 So does that? Are you suggesting that most people should, in one way or another, have a therapist, or at least they need to be thinking about their mental health. That isn't necessarily a therapist, but they need to be understanding it and studying it. I   Lindsey Brown ** 18:27 think everybody should be intrigued and learned about learn about their mental health just like you have your physical health. So you may go to a doctor, or, let's say, if you tripped and you sprained your ankle, right, you would probably go get that checked out, or you would wrap it same thing with your mental health, necessarily. Hey, I feel a little bit off. You know your body intuitively. So if something feels off, and it's not maybe your physical health, or it could be your mental health, maybe you're not getting enough sleep. Maybe it's these different aspects. Maybe you're experiencing trauma for the first time, different things that are happening. It could be your physical or your mental but you need to care about both of them.   Michael Hingson ** 19:08 How do we get people to talk more about the idea of mental health? And you know, there's so many aspects of that. I know that a few years ago, when we were talking about in as a society, the whole concept of of end of life and people passing and making arrangements and so on. And there were, and are a number of people who poopoo that, but it is also part of mental health. But in general, how do we get people to talk about and accept that it's okay to talk about mental health?   Lindsey Brown ** 19:38 The silver lining of the pandemic was that people started talking about it. It was the first time, collectively, we're all in the house experiencing maybe emotions or feelings that we haven't before. And the world learned like, oh, that's anxiety, that's depression, and let's talk about it. The biggest thing is actually, for people. Hope to get comfortable talking about it. Mm, hmm, there was a culture prior that, you know, oh, that's something we talk about in the house. We keep it with our family. We don't discuss it. And that's not how you get people to care. Is to, you know, hide your secrets and keep you sick, right? So talking about it just how me and you were having a conversation today, and somebody could listen to it and say, like, Oh, I feel comfortable. That's what I've been experiencing too. Where can I get help? Maybe I should have a mental health toolkit. I never thought about that before. Maybe I should check out my local Nami. It's taking away those barriers and actually accepting people, and especially when people are talking about it, not to shame them. Yeah, to actually, you know, lead with empathy and learn more about it.   Michael Hingson ** 20:45 And again, talking about it doesn't mean you go up to everybody on the street and you say, I want to talk about mental health, but it is, it is also being a little bit strategic, but still doing it, and having a plan to really address mental health. And it makes perfect sense to do? Mm,   Lindsey Brown ** 21:01 hmm, absolutely. I mean, it's not like if you went to the doctor and you got, I don't know, a bad, you know, physical. You're not going to run up to everybody and say, hey, my physical results were horrible today. Like you're not doing that. But you pick and choose who is your community and who you feel safe to talk to about it.   Michael Hingson ** 21:19 Yeah. Yeah. And it gets back to your community and and you, you need to develop, I think everyone needs to develop a cadre of some sort of of people who they can talk to. And all too often, we don't. We think it's all us. We're, we're totally independent. We don't need to to have or involve anyone else. And I am really a great fan of something that Gandhi once said, which is interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as a self sufficiency. You know, we're not always self sufficient by ourselves right   Lindsey Brown ** 22:00 No, I totally believe that. I used to feel at one point that I could do everything and I and I can learn from people, but I don't like to ask for help, right? And I learned that doesn't work. I said to my friends, I don't want to be the strong friend anymore. I need help. I need I want support, and I don't want to just reach out when everything is in shambles or I feel like I can't manage it anymore. Sometimes it just helps to talk. I mean, sometimes I call my mom or a friend and I say, like, can I vent? Do you have time? Because y'all see you want to check before you just unload on people. But hey, can I? Can I talk to you about this? Because I am having a day,   Michael Hingson ** 22:46 yeah, what if, if there is a specific thing, what really turned your attitude and your idea around to the point where you started to believe in the whole idea of talking and communicating and recognizing that it isn't, you know you you're not. No one does everything, just totally on their own.   Lindsey Brown ** 23:06 I can say part of it happened during the pandemic where I went through being laid off, and that was the first time I can say that I was questioning and my, I guess, to say my sources of income kind of dried up, right? Because we're in the pandemic, and we all didn't think we could go outside. I was worried, but then I also felt shame around it. And I was talking to two of my close friends, and they reminded there's no shame in you losing your job. And one of my friends sent me, and I think it was like an Uber Eats, like gift card. Like, she was like, buy yourself a good meal tonight. I love you. And even though it's not like I had money to pay for my dinner, but it was that small act of Yeah, them, letting me know it's okay and not to feel shame. And then that again, just checking in on each other. And I was like, I feel better. I feel like I can do this. And necessarily, I didn't need someone to help me apply for jobs, but maybe needed that community support of like, you got this,   Michael Hingson ** 24:11 you got this, and we got you, yeah, and, and that's important, and we we shouldn't shun that and we shouldn't try to throw that away. Well, no, I don't need you to have me. I got me and because it's all about again, community, right?   Lindsey Brown ** 24:30 Yeah, for sure. I mean, I always you don't have to do this thing called life alone and where you may feel that something is happening in your life where you can feel shame, or you feel like I am alone, there is probably someone out there who has gone through it or going through it, and they can help you, or they have advice or tips, or, Hey, this worked for me. You should try this. Well, you would never know if you didn't start the conversation right. Or.   Michael Hingson ** 24:59 It might be that you end up helping them because you enter into that same conversation, and it may very well help you, but it also helps them exactly. And there's again, nothing wrong with that well, so you you work at Nami. Is that a nine to five job? Nine to five? Yep, there you go, so what do you do between five and night and nine the next day?   Lindsey Brown ** 25:26 Well, I still model. So if a good I say, job comes by, I will still model. So I mean, there's been times where somebody says, Isn't that you? And I'm like, I that is me. Because you never know where things will get released, the world we posted. I'm like, yep, that is me. I work with local businesses in the DC area to teach them, actually, about social media marketing. It's the one thing that, if I have this knowledge, and a lot of times a small business, or, you know, a solo entrepreneur, they don't always have time to learn the nuances of social media and marketing and how it can better them. So part of it, of I feel like giving back, is, you know, explaining that to them as well. And also I take on different brand trips necessarily. I just went to curl fest, which is a big festival in New York that happens. I think last year's like 30,000 people there. So that's where I say slash culture. So it is. I don't just consider myself the Social Media Manager of Nami. I do other things as well. I don't think you have to be one thing only.   Michael Hingson ** 26:36 So you you have several careers going at the same time. What do you think about that? Because I know there are a lot of people who would say, I can't do more than one at a time, and you clearly love to do several.   Lindsey Brown ** 26:53 Yeah, I do, um, I feel like it kind of changes with life, right? So there are times when I take on more freelance opportunities, and there are times when I, you know, cut back on them. I feel like you have to do a work to work well. For you, I don't tell people, Hey, I'm doing this, and you should do it too, right? If you are working a full time job and you're fulfilled by that in life, do that and be happy about it. There's something about saying working your job and going home and doing whatever makes you feel happy, right? So for me, it could be that, hey, I've, I'm working, you know, for NAMI during the day, and, oh, well, I have a photo shoot that I'm going to, you know, go to that night, necessarily, or I might be taking a phone call and meeting with, you know, a local business to talk to them through their social media plan. It's not like I'm consistently every single day from, you know, five to nine, then working on a freelance opportunity, right?   Michael Hingson ** 27:48 So it works out well with NAMI and we have the, I assume that sometimes you may have a photo shoot or something that comes up during the day.   Lindsey Brown ** 27:56 I think you always have to have your priorities, right? So Nami is my priority. I would never, I mean, it's my full time job, right? So I would never take an opportunity and say, like, well, Nami will be okay, right? That that's not the way you, you know, you run a business, and I look at it that I have to make sure the main position is, you know, fulfilled and done well. And if I can take maybe a sick day or take a personal day and explain, yeah, that was what I was getting at, right? Yeah, there's, there's open communication. You don't just necessarily call in and say, like, Hey guys, I'm out today. I have a photo, right? That's disrespectful, and you're not setting up your team for success. So it's planning it out well and choosing your opportunities that you can lean in on.   Michael Hingson ** 28:36 And I'll bet the other part about that is that the NAMI folks are pretty proud of you for all the things that you're accomplishing.   Lindsey Brown ** 28:44 I would know. I think they are. I mean, everybody's really been always very supportive. I think the beautiful part about, you know, taking on other freelance marketing clients is what you may learn in another industry will actually maybe work and bring it into the NAMI community to say, you know, hey, we haven't thought about this in marketing. Oh, we should try this on social media, right? So it's kind of taking those transferable skills and bringing them into your different opportunities.   Michael Hingson ** 29:09 What would you say to someone else who might want to add another career or explore doing more than one thing in their career path and adding something else to their title.   Lindsey Brown ** 29:24 Do it. There is not. Do not wait. You know, it's why not? Why wait in your life to say, I wish I would have done this. I wish I would have tried that. Try it now. It doesn't mean maybe that will come out to be something you're getting paid for. Could be a hobby, right? And that you may get paid for it every once in a while. But I would say, take the opportunity. If you have a full time job, make sure that you are still fulfilling your full time job needs. Your bills need to be paid, and you should be respectful of the people that are hiring you to do so. But I would say always take the opportunity you don't know. Or they'll, you know, they'll lead you to,   Michael Hingson ** 30:01 yeah, I think you said it best when you said you also do need to recognize and keep your priorities. And if you have a full time job, and you've made that commitment, then, unless there's some reason to change whether that's your full time job or not, then it's a matter of keeping your priorities straight, too exactly,   Lindsey Brown ** 30:20 and then also personally, right? You don't want to experience burnout, so you don't want to take on too many opportunities at one time, and that becomes your norm. And then you experience burnout, because your freelance opportunities should be something that also fulfills you. So if every day you're burning yourself out and you're burning you know the families at two ends, well, your mental health and your physical health are a wreck. Then yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 30:45 and that gets back to burnout and stress and anxiety. Yes,   Lindsey Brown ** 30:49 and that is something I am I try to manage. And there are sometimes when I look at opportunities, no. And no is a great word, and it's fine to have boundaries. Yeah?   Michael Hingson ** 31:04 Tell me a little about Nami, exactly what it does, how it works, and so on.   Lindsey Brown ** 31:09 Yeah, Nami is, like, I said, it's a federated model. So there are over 600 like affiliates around the country, and it's really a place where I say it's all about community. It's people, where people can get, you know, resources, education, support groups and to help people, one to learn about mental health conditions, learn about mental illness, maybe get help. But it's also for people to meet people who are experiencing the same things they are. It's peer led. So instead of, you know, if you go to a doctor and they say, like, well, this is the five things about depression, you should know that's great. But hey, I have depression and I'm a mom, how do I actually deal with, you know, having a full time job and having, you know, kids? How do I deal with that? Well, you would feel much better if you met another mom who's experiencing the same thing, who could give you advice as well? So you're going to support group, necessarily, it's a beautiful thing that there are so many affiliates, because help is close, it's not far away, and it's free.   Michael Hingson ** 32:15 So, so there are support groups, and I assume that happens, there are affiliate meetings,   Lindsey Brown ** 32:24 yes, so everybody would have their own schedule and again. So the lining of the pandemic, a lot of things that were only in person now are so online. So a lot of times, affiliates will have these meetings, and necessarily, the programs and the resources also online for people to, you know, have an easier method of, you know, reaching out and getting the help. Yeah.   Michael Hingson ** 32:45 How do you respond to the people who say, Well, yeah, the pandemic is is over, and we really need to get back to normal and get back to just being in the office, and this hybrid stuff is ridiculous, and too much zoom, weariness and and all that.   Lindsey Brown ** 33:04 I say as I mean, I'm not a CEO, but I think it opened the conversation, right? Because what it what is normal? Who set that standard, right? So let's have the conversation, is most of the staff happy to be in the office? Then make the opportunity to be in office is hybrid. Give people options remote. That works too. It also opens up your playing field of necessarily bringing in different types of employee, because you may have someone who could be amazing at this one job, but they're not local. Can they do the job remote? I think it's everybody saying the pandemic is over. Well, one, covid is still a thing. It's not going anywhere. I think we just know how to manage it better. But I think it shook up the world to talk about what is quote, unquote normal. Does it need to be the standard anymore?   Michael Hingson ** 33:55 Yeah, well, covid clearly isn't going away, and while we're managing it, at least for the moment, we're not getting any major new version of it or strain that is taking us back to where we were in 2020 and 2021, but it's still here, and it is something that we all should be aware of exactly.   Lindsey Brown ** 34:23 So, I mean, I let's have the conversation for people who say, you know, we no one should work remote anymore. Well, that's great. Well, find a position or company that is fully in the office, because there could be another company that says, hey, we're fully remote, and they'll attract, you know, employees that love being fully remote.   Michael Hingson ** 34:45 Yeah, there's room for all of it. And my perception, personally is that there is a lot of merit for the hybrid concept. But even then, hybrid is. Something that we each ought to have some some control over. But there is value in being in the office for a lot of people, at least part of the time. But I think people are realizing more and more about this whole idea that working remote, or being able to do things at home, and then also being able to address other issues in your life is a very important thing, but it also does get back to what you talked about before, with priorities. I was talking with someone yesterday on another episode, and he was talking to me about someone who he was working with as a coach who worked remote all the time, and this woman who he was talking with said, you know, I don't have time to do the laundry or anything like that. I got to always do my job, and you're working remote. What do you mean? You don't have the time. We've gotta really work a little bit more. All of us do it. Putting things in perspective,   Lindsey Brown ** 36:09 for sure, I there's when the pandemic happened, right? And we were working at home. You do realize, oh, I have necessarily, I can throw this, you know, in the washing machine really quick I can, you know, empty up my dishwasher. The reality of the of the matter is, though, if you're working a nine to five, or even if you're an entrepreneur, I do believe in setting boundaries. So when I'm working my nine to five, I'm working my nine to five, typically I'm not, you know, then also folding my laundry where I'm running a meeting, or, you know, going out to the grocery store in the middle of my workday. Now, if you choose to do it during your lunch, and your team is flexible that way, have at it. For me, I like to I learned that multitasking sometimes leads me to make more mistakes that I'm that I would be like, well, if I was focused on this, I wouldn't have missed that. So I try to, when we're working, we're locked in and we're working, and when you take breaks, or you're on lunch break, then you can do all those extra little things. But it's not a place where, hey, I'm laying in bed and the blankets over my head, and I'm kind of, you know, watching TV and I'm in a meeting at the same time. I can't function that way. Yeah, but I always say for everybody, you have to find what works for you.   Michael Hingson ** 37:28 Well, I think that there is a lot of merit to when you're working, you're working, and I think that's probably really true for most people, but we do need to really plan our day, or plan what we're doing. And again, it gets back to priority. I can be in some meetings where I'm not leading the meeting and maybe mostly just a listener, and I can actually stand up and go out and feed a dog if it's at the right time, because my guide dog, Alamo, is pretty insistent on when he wants to eat. But I can do both because I have a wireless headset and I'm not looking at the screen right. And so I can do that and still participate if there's a need to. But I also recognize sort of like, well, when doing a podcast episode like this, the last thing I can do is get up and go do anything else for a variety of reasons. That doesn't work, but the big reason it doesn't work is because it is my job and it is what I'm supposed to do, to focus on doing this and doing it right, and doing it well.   Lindsey Brown ** 38:33 Exactly. One thing I noticed too, is that before the pandemic, we used to do phone calls. Do you remember that?   Michael Hingson ** 38:41 I've heard of that   Lindsey Brown ** 38:44 the phone and now everything has to be a zoom call, and everybody's on camera. And what I love about Nami is that we are accepting of, hey, we can have a meeting, but you don't have to be on camera. And every day is in a camera day, we can turn our cameras off. I started with my team officer to say, Hey, do you want to just do a phone call? We if you can't get through zoom to work, or if it's, I don't, I don't want to be on camera today. I just want to, you know, do a touch base and hang up the phone. Yeah. I was laughing with my mom before, because she loves face time, and I told her one day, I said, you know, after a day of meetings, you know, on Zoom, I actually don't want to be on camera anymore. Can we do a phone call?   Michael Hingson ** 39:32 Yeah, you know, and I'm a little different, because I don't, I don't mind being in zoom, whether the camera's on or off, but that's because I'm not really looking at it, but I realize that for some other people, it may very well be an important thing. So I like zoom here you go, because the audio is better than on a phone call. But by the same token, I have no problem with doing things on a phone again for. Me, it's the same headset that I use so I can be on a phone call or a zoom call, and either one is fine with me. So I want to do what is more comfortable for other people, but I do find often that when people talk about let's do a zoom thing, it's as much habit as a need, and there isn't necessarily the need, but it's just the habit that now that's what they do.   Lindsey Brown ** 40:25 It's the norm. Yeah, so, I mean, I always have the conversation. I have a conversation with your team, or whomever you know necessarily fits in your personal life. I think it's just talking to people and asking, What do you prefer? Do you have time today? Do you want to do a zoom call date? Do you want to do camera off? Do you want to pick up the phone? There's many ways to, you know, communicate in this world, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 40:47 and it, and it makes perfect sense. We all, we all need to recognize that change is always going to be around us. And the reality is, normal is never going to go back to the way it was after September 11 and and of course, I got out of the towers and so on, and I heard so many people say we got to get back to normal. And it took me a little while to realize what a horrible thing to say, because normal will never be the same again. And as you pointed out, who sets the standard of normal? It's it is going to be a constant change, and that's maybe the only normal there really is.   Lindsey Brown ** 41:25 I think that's the beautiful part about life, that things will necessarily change. Because where there could be a group of people saying, well, this normal works for me and it benefits me, right? But there could be another group of people who said, your standard of normal isn't helpful for for me. So it doesn't mean then we say, well, we've been doing that for 50 years. We're going to continue doing it because I don't want to make a change. No, it's then you can come to the table and work out, necessarily, what is working for people right now, and how do we uplift everyone around us?   Michael Hingson ** 41:56 I think most people who have that mindset will ultimately accept maybe there is merit for change if you can demonstrate the value of it. So we've always had our meetings in person. We do only work in the office, and so we don't ever do anything remote. And I don't want to change that, but when you really start to talk about things like we've been dealing with here today, mental health and anxiety and so on. And a number of people start to talk about how they feel when they're able to spend part of their time working at home, and what that offers. And if you can show things like it actually makes us more productive. Most people, I think, ultimately, can be convinced to try something different.   Lindsey Brown ** 42:50 If you space to be open minded, if you look at it sometimes in, I would say, in the corporate world, right before it was you have to be in the office. And a lot of times you were in the office and you were taking maybe, let's say, five meetings a day. Well, you're not really talking to anybody, communicating only the people you were talking to on the phone. Well, what's the difference if I was in the office with my door closed, or if I was at home on my couch talk, having those same meetings? If, yeah, if you can do the job that you were hired for then everybody should be allowed to have accommodation.   Michael Hingson ** 43:25 Well, the other part about being at home and having your meeting on your couch is, what other opportunities does it open for you and again, how does that make you feel when you don't have to drive that hour to work every day, or whatever. One of the things I've read in I think the New York Times a couple of months ago was about how, in reality, while we're moving things faster than we ever did, the fact is, it takes us longer to get things done, like it takes us longer to get to work because the roads are so crowded, or if I'm going to travel somewhere, it takes longer to get to the airport, and all of the efforts of getting through security and so on, all take so much longer that you really have to be at the airport earlier in order just to get Your flight, because everything takes so much longer, and that introduces anxiety and stress.   Lindsey Brown ** 44:25 Mm, hmm, for sure, I know a ton of people who are so happy they can work from home just for the fact that they don't have to commute. For me, my commute in the morning to the NAMI headquarter office is it probably about 20 minutes, but coming back into DC, it takes me at least an hour, and that which you know that I we have that option to go into office, we can work from home. And I like having that flexibility, because doing that drive every day would feel overwhelming,   Michael Hingson ** 44:57 yeah, if you had to do. That now I remember my father worked at Edwards Air Force Base, which was about 40 miles from where we lived in Palmdale, California, and he drove there every day. But one of the things that he talked about more than once was how he could go out of our driveway, go down to the end of the street, make a left turn and travel 40 miles and never stop once, because it was at the time of the day, there wasn't a lot of traffic, and he would go all the way to the gate at Edwards and never have to stop. And he was comfortable with that. We also both became ham radio operators, and so he had a lot of fun while he was driving, talking to me on the radio and to other people, which is another thing that he enjoyed doing, but he found that it was not overly stressful, or he didn't allow himself to become stressed over it because he could travel and keep moving, and felt good about that.   Lindsey Brown ** 46:05 Mm hmm. Not having the traffic is definitely a game changer. I've tried to when I I know that if I'm, let's say, commuting, or I'm driving a long distance, I usually call, you know, either my mom or my dad. I call it my check in hour, or listening to a good podcast. So you're not focusing on the negative of I'm in the car. It's, you know, it's an hour, it's, there's traffic, there's so much going on. But having something that either brings you joy or listening to and talking to somebody or listening to good music, it puts you in a good headspace,   Michael Hingson ** 46:43 or also, just plain taking your mind off of things and giving you the opportunity to to rest your brain. It is something that I hear so many people say I don't have time to spend every day thinking about what happened today. I'm I've got to go until I go to sleep, and then just go to sleep. And we don't do a lot, or a lot of people don't do a lot to rest their brain or allow their brain to suggest to them how they might be better or do better or accomplish things because they're too busy trying to control their brain, which has a different thought and a different direction it wants to go.   Lindsey Brown ** 47:30 Yeah, I become an advocate of mental health days. You don't need to be sick or too extreme burnout to then take a break. It is fine to schedule a mental health day and not do anything. And like I said before, before, pre pandemic, I didn't believe in that. I had too much going on and I didn't think I could take the time. Now, I can easily say to somebody, you know, oh, I have something going on that day. What are you doing? Nothing. Yeah, and I feel great about doing nothing, nothing.   Michael Hingson ** 48:04 I have generally been keeping busy during the week. My wife passed away in November of 2022, so now it's just me, but I've become more of an advocate of for me, and I realize that it is me not doing anything on the weekends, reading books and other things like that, and I get so charged for the for the week ahead, and I also get many ideas and thoughts that I might never have gotten simply because I give me and My brain the chance to recharge and to rest and to work together, to think about what's going to happen next.   Lindsey Brown ** 48:46 Yeah, there's part of culture. Remember hustle culture, I'm going to work until I die. That is, I thought about it before, and I said that is a horrible way to live your life. That means you have lived in a state of burnout, and you never got to enjoy anything.   Michael Hingson ** 49:04 And you will die,   Lindsey Brown ** 49:06 and then, and then you will, you know, take that other section of, you know, the afterlife, but we don't know what that is. So I mean, you have one life, enjoy it, have make time for, you know, your friends and your family. And that's where you asked me about being a multi hyphenate of well, how do you do that? That saying no, not overwhelming yourself. Every opportunity can be a great opportunity, but it's okay to say no to them.   Michael Hingson ** 49:33 How do you help teach people, or does Nami help teach people to say no and get out of that old mindset. Yes,   Lindsey Brown ** 49:42 the support groups they have are a great place where people who maybe have gone through the same experiences, and that's necessarily, maybe mental health, mental illness, but also, I always say, there's life lessons with with everything. So I mean, I've learned from working at Nami, but then also listening. Your friends and everything. So no, is a full sentence. You don't have to give a person a reason why. You don't have to tell your maybe your employer, hey, I'm taking the day off because I feel overwhelmed and I haven't I'm taking the day. You earn the time off. Take the day, right? Telling your friends and family, no, I can't do that necessarily. Or there are times in you know, I'll have a super long day, and maybe, you know, my dad might call me and I'll text him back to say, Hey, is everything okay? And if he says, Hey, I gotta talk to them, you know, I definitely call him back. But there are times when he says, Hey, I was just checking in, and I can easily say, Hey, I'm just tired from the day. Can I call you tomorrow? Everything's fine on my end, but I'm I'm just mentally done today, and that's okay. We we're all allowed to set boundaries to AKA, protect our peace and our mental health.   Michael Hingson ** 50:57 You know, it's not to well, it is sort of related to mental health and so on, but we seem to, in general, have lost a lot of the art of conversation, and so many people won't talk about one thing or another the way, maybe even we used to. How do we get back to being more willing and open just to talk   Lindsey Brown ** 51:19 time, taking the time, right? It's the and it's funny, because I work in social media, so everything's really quick, but even then, taking the time, making time to have conversations. If you ask somebody how they're doing, actually stop and listen, right? Because a lot of times you Hey, how you doing, and you really didn't want to hear how they were doing. You just said it, because that's a nice thing to do. Take a moment, right? Because you would want someone to take a moment for you.   Michael Hingson ** 51:48 Yeah. Then the fact of the matter is that having lost the art of conversation, and I think there's so many articles and things I've read that say that, I think even more than losing the art of conversation is we've lost the art and the skill of listening. We don't want we don't want to hear. Our boundary is we don't want to hear, well, that's not productive either.   Lindsey Brown ** 52:14 Yes. And there is I joke with my parents now, and I tell them, You know what, you were, right? And they and they'll laugh, but those moments where I didn't want to listen, and I know exactly what I'm talking about, because you're from a different generation, and I know better now, I didn't say all that to them, but I thought it, yeah, and then I turn around, Oh, you were right. Hello. And they're like, Yeah, we, we've lived a little longer than you. You should listen, and it's that place where you learn a lot more if you listen.   Michael Hingson ** 52:51 Yeah, we, we don't do it nearly enough. Um, I know I've learned from working with eight guide dogs. And when you work with a guide dog, the dog's job is to make sure that I walk safely. It's my job to know where to go and how to get there. But it's fascinating working with a dog and developing a true, real teaming relationship, because we each have a job to do in the relationship, and the jobs go better when we respect each other's jobs, and especially from my perspective as the team leader, when I listen to my colleague on the team and dogs do communicate. They may not communicate the same way we do, but my job is to learn how they communicate and learn to understand what they want and what they're saying, and recognize that they've not only got feelings too, but it's amazing the information that they can and do in part. And so for me, having that kind of a relationship has become extremely important, and I wouldn't have it any other way.   Lindsey Brown ** 54:04 You know, it's funny, I have a fiance, and ever since we met, I said, I want to get a dog, and I'm still waiting on that note where you can get a dog.   Michael Hingson ** 54:15 Is your fiance sort of not as prone to want to do that or what   Lindsey Brown ** 54:19 he is team. We can get a dog when we have a child that can walk, the dog's going to be a while.   Michael Hingson ** 54:30 Well, the issue, again, is having a dog is is all about really building a relationship. And again, it's a team relationship. And I don't know that I would suggest waiting until you have a child who can walk the dog, because it isn't going to work as well if you haven't really learned to communicate with the dog first, because you have to learn that whoever you are before you can teach a child how to do it, then that's the point. Is. It's. If you're just talking about walking the dog, if you're going to truly have a relationship with a dog, it's a whole lot different than that, because it is every bit as much a teaming relationship, every bit as much a mutually rewarding relationship, to have a dog if you do it right as it is to have a fiance or a child or both, and most people don't really recognize that, oh, the dog will love the dog, and the dog loves us, and we'll walk the dog. There's a whole lot more to it, if you want to really do it, right?   Lindsey Brown ** 55:36 Yeah, and it's all about relationships, right? So kind of how you were talking about earlier, how do we stop and communicate? How do we stop and listen? It's a place that I've gotten to where maybe it was a light bulb, right, where I was like, Oh, this is all about relationship and how people feel and how they feel when they're actually talking to me and communicating. And that's at, you know, extra work in your home life, necessarily, and to be open to having those conversations and not just trying to have everything go your way. But listen to the why behind, yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 56:13 yeah. And the why behind is like with a dog, just as much. Why? What is the dog saying and why? Because they're they're talking all the time, and it doesn't necessarily mean with a bark, right? But, but they're talking, so we need to have a conversation with your fiance. That's all.   Lindsey Brown ** 56:34 We'll set up another meeting. Yeah,   Michael Hingson ** 56:36 well, we should do that. So do you think that in the world, we're getting better, really, at talking about mental health. Or have we, have we made significant progress, or a little bit of progress? I think we have,   Lindsey Brown ** 56:52 um, even in my friend group, necessarily, or even with my dad, necessarily, he said to me before, and my dad is culturally Costa Ricans, you know, aren't going to talk about their feelings and necessarily, you know what traumas maybe they had. And he said to me for he said, Well, maybe I experienced a little bit of anxiety, and in my mind, I said, Well, you think, but it's that place when you hear somebody else talking about it, it opens you up to think about, huh? Not a me too situation, right? But it's maybe I, maybe I am experiencing that, or because one in five people experiencing mental health condition, right? So if it's not you, it's somebody that you know, and it's not saying, then you have to raise your hand and say, Well, I I experienced depression, or I have anxiety, me too. No, but it's a place that you know how to support that person. You know how to listen to maybe what their plight is, and your friend who may experience depression, and you're like, I don't know how to help them. I just see them in bed being sick, right? But no, actually, hey, well, how can I actually be a support system to you? Obviously, I may not understand, but I can give you empathy. I can be here for you. I think the pandemic definitely changed that conversation, and more people are open to it. And   Michael Hingson ** 58:10 you think that's going to continue? I   Lindsey Brown ** 58:14 do think it's going to continue. It's something that you can't turn off, necessarily. It's the same place where you talk about the intersection of culture and identity in America, necessarily, the conversation is there. It's not going to be turned off. We're going to continue to have the conversation, and we're going to change people's lives that way by having these conversations. Got it.   Michael Hingson ** 58:36 How do you protect or how does one protect their mental health?   Lindsey Brown ** 58:42 I mean, I go back to having your mental health toolkit, your self care toolkit, of what makes you feel good inside, what brings you back to peace, what makes you feel good, and you know in yourself when you're like, uh, if I do my five minute meditation in the morning, or I have my cup of coffee in the morning or at night I do my skincare routine. What brings you back to peace is a big thing. Saying no, no, respectfully, like I wouldn't necessarily send an email to your boss and no, but necessarily having those conversations and maybe explaining your boundaries and maybe, you know, creating a better work life balance is definitely a place where people can start. It is knowing when you are feeling off, being in tune with your body and making the changes that can actually help you overall.   Michael Hingson ** 59:35 Well, here's the question for Miss social media model. How's that for a start, huh? How do you protect your mental health online? That's getting to, of course, to be a really big thing. I mean, I've, I've, we've, we've seen Congressional investigations where they bring this, the big tech people in, or the social media people in, and. And all that. But ultimately, what can we do to protect our own mental health and the mental health of those around us online? Because we're relying so much online nowadays, which I'm not sure is always as wise as it ought to be, but that's okay.   Lindsey Brown ** 1:00:18 Definitely, for me, it was learning that social media is a tool, right? So a lot of times, you feel that you're connected to social media, and it is something that you just have to be a part of. It's a tool. So necessarily following accounts that you like, what makes you feel good? You don't have to follow anyone on social media that you don't want to follow. Taking time away from social media. I know that's, you know, different for someone who's a social media manager, but if I'm spending all day on social media and I I'm overwhelmed, well, the last thing I need to do when I get off work is then to open up social media and, as I call it, Doom, scrolling or inactively participating, right? Because then I'm not even paying attention to maybe the curated post or the things that my friends are sharing. I'm just scrolling because I wanted something to do. Well, how about then putting the phone down, either finding a book, doing something that is off the phone. So when you are on social media, actively engaging, finding things that necessarily, for me, I really like to go experience things in DC, so like, find the things that I want to do in the city that I'm in, to go do things outside of my phone. Yeah, use the phone to find things to do and then go do those things. Look at how long you're online, right? Because that's a tool on most platforms. And you'd be shocked how long you spend time online, like on social media, and you're like, there's been a way I was on here for, you know, five hours. Yeah you were, yeah you were, yeah you were, and you don't realize it, because sometimes I realize with myself, you know, when you're watching, like maybe a show, or you're listening to a podcast or something, and there's that, that ad break, and then you pick for me, I would pick up my phone and I would be scrolling the ad is a minute long. Why can't I just sit there for a minute with my own thoughts? Yeah, why do I have to pick up my phone? And I realized I was doing that. So sometimes I will put my phone out of reach because I don't need my phone right then, I'm not even really looking at anything. I'm just doing it because it's a habit. Or stand up and go get a cookie. Yeah? Like, go, go do something. Like my mommy, she's they're like, Well, you can go do a jumping jack. And I'm like, Mom, I'm not going to get up and do a jumping jack now, but I guess you could, I could, and I got, she's right. I don't need to just be scrolling on my phone. Still right, definitely being noticeable of like our habits, and noticing how you feel when you are on social media. It's totally fine to take a break delete your accounts. It is fine to then unfollow people. And there's also, the cool thing is that on a lot of the platforms, either you can either hide people. So let's say you have a friend, right? And your friend is, I don't know, experiencing something that doesn't make you feel great, even though it's great in their life, you don't really want to unfollow them, because then they're like, no, what are you doing? But you can hide their stuff and they have no idea, but it makes you feel better. And then you can actually talk with them about anything else but that one thing they're going through, right? Yeah. You can actually hide keywords. So if you are triggered by certain things, you can go in your settings and turn that off so you're not seeing those things. T

What's happening with converting D.C.'s office buildings, rats in Dupont Circle apartments, and swimming in the Anacostia River? To get into all of it, City Cast's Julia Karron and Ashe Durban join the show to roundup the weekend. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. You can also become a member, with ad-free listening, for as little as $8 a month. Learn more about the sponsors of this July 2nd episode: Capitol Riverfront Business Improvement District District Bridges Eagle Bank Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE We're also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc And we'd love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

THIS IS A PREVIEW. FOR THE FULL EPISODE, GO TO Patreon.com/worstofall   Anne Huston (Caveat NYC) joins Brian and Josh in getting bombarded by the twee writing, adorable anime girls, and abject existential terror of Team Salvato's 2017 dating sim/horror cult hit Doki Doki Literature Club! Along the way they talk about the appeal of fanworks, the perils of adolescence, and the mortifying ordeal of being known by a fictitious character inside a computer game. Anne Huston is the General Manager at Caveat, a cabaret comedy theatre located on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. Want more TWOAPW? Get access to the rest of this episode, our full back catalogue of premium and bonus episodes, and add your name to the masthead of our website by subscribing for $5/month at Patreon.com/worstofall! Media referenced in this episode: Doki Doki Literature Club! (Team Salvato, 2017) available on itch.io Doki Doki Literature Club Plus! (Team Salvato/Serenity Forge, 2021) available on Steam Undertale (Toby Fox, 2015) available on Steam Year Walk (Simogo, 2013) available on the App Store and Steam Eternal Darkness: Sanity's Requiem (Silicon Knights/Nintendo, 2002) TWOAPW theme by Brendan Dalton: Patreon // brendan-dalton.com // brendandalton.bandcamp.com Interstitial: "A Series of Updates from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority re: Dupont Circle and Farragut North Metro Stations"

Enjoy an evening with Samir and Hannah at Dupont Circle park recapping their adventures on their Washington DC trip. There's laughter in the air as they share their child like playfulness that deeply connects their friendship while talking about the importance of not taking life so seriously all the time and being lighthearted in the moment because life is short!

On the third episode of the Defying Gentrification podcast, your host Kristen Jeffers (she/they), spells out why we need to treat gentrification like a disease and eradicate it.But first, on our street corner, the hot topic is the need to call in our Black siblings who think that verbal transit and street harassment, especially the queer antagonistic kind, is ok, the need to care for our communities over policing them when they err in this manner, and why we should continue to support public transit and increase access to it.Here's the news article about the incident. Read my tweet about this situation. (CW: The recording of the incident discussed is in this tweet, which I quote tweeted)(Also I misstated in the audio that the couple who intervened was heading from Silver Spring, they were heading from Dupont Circle, one of our legacy gayborhoods, to Silver Spring, Maryland)Purchase from Kristen's Bookshop.org store.Never miss an episode, subscribe to our Substack or on LinkedIn.You can also find Kristen @blackurbanist or @kristpattern.

Happy Thursday you cuties!! We are officially in WEDDING MODE! Just 9 days out before our girl becomes Mrs. Harris!! EEEPPP!! But before we can go all wedding, we had to make sure you get your Thursday C&C fix! This episode was recorded on April 1, 2024 prior to the solar eclipse, BUT we pop back in for a sec to give you an update from April 10th about what all went down (spoiler: nothing).  Today, Morgan starts us off by covering everything about eclipses from ancient to current times, conspiracies surrounding famous eclipses, and what you need to know about this April 2024 solar eclipse!! Then, Taylar wraps up this episode covering the case of Joyce Chiang, a young 28 year old woman that went missing while walking 3 blocks home from a Starbucks to her apartment in Dupont Circle, Washington DC in January of 1999. Her remains were later found, but what happened to Joyce Chiang remains a mystery that has only deepened since the disappearance and murder of another woman that went missing two years later, in the same area and manner.  Thanks so much to our sponsor: PROSE!! Head to PROSE.COM/CACBESTIES to try out their personalized hair care and get 15% off when you use our code!! Thanks so much for listening babes!! Sending you light and love!! Talk to you next week, ILY BESTIE!!! Join our Patreon to get special episodes weekly and tons of pippin hot goss from your fav girls: patreon.com/creepsandcrimes  Go follow us on instagram to get to see all of our pics that we refer to in episodes, and of course our cute faces!!! instagram.com/creepsandcrimespodcast  Wanna follow our personal instas? Fine, twist our arms: instagram.com/taylarj & instagram.com/morgg.m Watch us on Youtube, if you're feeling crazy or are a more visual bestie: www.youtube.com/@creepsandcrimespodcast

Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Julie Su joins Major this week for dinner at Anju in Dupont Circle to discuss President Biden's State of the Union promise of an economic soft landing. Su, who has been serving as Biden's acting Labor secretary since her nomination stalled in the Senate, also addresses her confirmation prospects and the criticism she's endured from her opponents. Plus: the “moment” unions are experiencing across industries, from restaurant workers to actors in Hollywood.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This episode: Brian Wilson and Jim Bovard in a tour day force! Haley, Hell, SCOTUS, Cruz, Biden PLUS Your Winning Powerball Numbers!  Jim Bovard is a contributor for USA Today and The New York Post and the author of 11 books, including his most recent --  Last Rights, The Death of American Rights. Find out more on his website and follow him on Twitter/X @JimBovard. Brian Wilson is a nationally-known radio and television host, author, speaker, and consultant with more than 50 years experience in media as host, News/Program Director, and Owner. His periodic scribblings can be found on Substack and his website. On Facebook, check out Brian's page along with his 50 Stories: 50 Years in Radio page and of course, the Now For Something Completely Different Facebook page. Brian's books can be found on Amazon.

In the 8 AM Hour: Larry O'Connor and Patrice Onwuka discussed: WMAL GUEST: 8:05 AM - INTERVIEW - STEVE MILLOY - Founder of Junk Science and author of Scare Pollution: Why and How to Fix the EPA Biden to name John Podesta as climate envoy to replace John Kerry, White House confirms  Steve Milloy on social media about Podesta Food shortages in Europe Senate confirms Biden nominee to lead EPA's climate and clean air office Biden's new radical EPA official Joe Goffman confirmed  Dem lawmakers want to solve carjacking by slapping carmakers with penalties; refuse to increase penalties for criminals or say what criminal motives are Commanders to hire Cowboys DC Dan Quinn as new head coach, per reports Groundhog Day 2024: Punxsutawney Phil makes his prediction When Groundhog Was on the Menu in Punxsutawney Just as hundreds in Pennsylvania gather for one of the nation's largest annual Groundhog Day events with Punxsutawney Phil, the nation's capital has Potomac Phil to make predictions in Dupont Circle. Where to find more about WMAL's morning show:  Follow the Show Podcasts on Apple podcasts, Audible and Spotify. Follow WMAL's "O'Connor and Company" on X: @WMALDC, @LarryOConnor,  @Jgunlock,  @patricepinkfile and @heatherhunterdc.  Facebook: WMALDC and Larry O'Connor Instagram: WMALDC Show Website: https://www.wmal.com/oconnor-company/ How to listen live weekdays from 5 to 9 AM: https://www.wmal.com/listenlive/ Episode: Friday, February 2, 2024 / 8 AM Hour  O'Connor and Company is proudly presented by Veritas AcademySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews “Queer Eye” star Karamo, who joins the 36th annual 17th Street High Heel Race near Dupont Circle in Washington D.C. this evening. They preview the event, as well as dish on his “Queer Eye” co-stars and share what it was like dancing with Taylor Swift at the L.A. premiere of her “Eras” tour concert film. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley interviews “Queer Eye” star Karamo, who joins the 36th annual 17th Street High Heel Race near Dupont Circle in Washington D.C. this evening. They preview the event, as well as dish on his “Queer Eye” co-stars and share what it was like dancing with Taylor Swift at the L.A. premiere of her “Eras” tour concert film. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley's "Clarion") Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Welcome to Episode 1604 on Italian Wine Podcast, Masterclass US Wine Market With Juliana Colangelo. Today, she will be interviewing Mark Guillaudeu More about today's guests Mark Guillaudeu's career in wine began at Glen's Garden Market in the Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington, D.C.. Fresh from a Master's program in Buddhist Studies, an entry-level position as a cashier quickly became a management role assisting with the beer, wine, and coffee programs at the all-local, all-organic market. Focusing exclusively on the wines of the Midatlantic and New England, Mark soon left Glen's to pursue the opportunity to sell the great wines of the wide world. Sommelier roles followed at mom-and-pop's, upscale, and steakhouse concepts in D.C. before, the eve after his final WSET Diploma exam, Mark packed the last of his belongings and set off to California. Mark managed the wine and cocktail programs at Commis in Oakland for five years, earning accolades for both programs while balancing studies in the Master of Wine program with competitive successes culminating in the title of Best Sommelier USA in June of 2022. In February of 2023 he became the first American semi-finalist at the Concours Mondiale and earned his Master Sommelier Diploma on September 6, 2023. Since March of 2023 Mark has worked with the award-winning cellar of the historic Wrigley Mansion in Phoenix, Arizona. Connect: Instagram: @dcsommurai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-guillaudeu-ms-1913133a/ More about Juliana Colangelo: Juliana Colangelo is a Vice President at Colangelo & Partners, the leading wine and spirits communications agency in the U.S. Juliana joined Colangelo & Partners in 2013 with previous experience in events, hospitality, and nonprofit development. During her tenure at C&P, Juliana has led the development of the California office, growing the agency's domestic presence to a dedicated office of 13 people with representation of leading wine companies such as Jackson Family Wines, Far Niente, Charles Krug Winery, Foley Family Wines and more. Juliana has completed her WSET Level 3 and her eMBA in Wine Business with Sonoma State University, allowing her to bring a strategic and sales-oriented approach to communications strategy for the agency. In 2021, Juliana was named one of PR News' Top Women in PR in the “Rising Stars” category. In 2022 Juliana became a Vinitaly International Academy Italian Wine Ambassador. Connect: Instagram: www.instagram.com/julezcolang/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/jules.colangelo/ Twitter: twitter.com/JulezColang LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliana-colangelo-mba-04345539/ Website: https://www.colangelopr.com/ _______________________________ Let's keep in touch! Follow us on our social media channels: Instagram www.instagram.com/italianwinepodcast/ Facebook www.facebook.com/ItalianWinePodcast Twitter www.twitter.com/itawinepodcast Tiktok www.tiktok.com/@mammajumboshrimp LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/company/italianwinepodcast If you feel like helping us, donate here www.italianwinepodcast.com/donate-to-show/ Until next time, Cin Cin! Tune-in and hit the like! - Business, US Market advice, importing, exporting, business, personal stories and advice, plus she is very fun to listen to!

Today's guest is Ashton Martin '20, a health policy analyst for United South and Eastern Tribes Sovereignty Protection Fund in Washington, D.C. The nonprofit is an intertribal organization that advocates on behalf of thirty-three federally recognized Tribal Nations, from the Northeastern Woodlands to the Everglades and across the Gulf of Mexico. On this episode, Ashton shares about their social justice work as student body president at Carolina (and reflections from the 2023 reunion of former student body presidents at the Morehead-Cain Foundation), their path to working in public policy for Tribal Nations as a recent graduate, and the complexities of working in tribal law and policy. Ashton also gives guidance in using respectful language when referring to Tribal Nations. Prior to joining the fund, Ashton worked as the Rodney B. Lewis Fellow in American Indian Law and Policy at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. During their time at Carolina, Ashton worked as a strategy and fundraising intern at Feedback Labs in Washington, D.C., a company co-founded by Dennis Whittle '83. They previously worked as a summer investigations intern at the Cook County Public Defender in Chicago law officeand as chief of staff for Daymaker, a charitable giving platform led by CEO Brent Macon '12.Ashton spoke with Morehead-Cain at a café in Dupont Circle before the 2023 D.C. Regional Event for alumni and scholars.Music creditsThe episode's intro song is by scholar Scott Hallyburton '22, guitarist of the band South of the Soul. How to listenOn your mobile device, you can listen and subscribe to Catalyze on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. For any other podcast app, you can find the show using our RSS feed.Catalyze is hosted and produced by Sarah O'Carroll for the Morehead-Cain Foundation, home of the first merit scholarship program in the United States and located at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You can let us know what you thought of the episode by finding us on Twitter or Instagram at @moreheadcain or you can email us at communications@moreheadcain.org.

In 1966, Rosemary E. Reed-Miller followed her interest in fashion and opened Toast and Strawberries,a boutique overlooking Dupont Circle. When Toast and Strawberries opened, she was the only Black woman boutique owner in DC at the time. In this episode, Taniqua dives into her life and career in fashion. Black Fashion Spotlight: Project Runway Winner Bishme Cromartie's Debut NYFW Show Exuded Edgy Romance Watch the full show here. Episode Sources: Black Dress TV Rosemary Reed Miller The artist as entrepreneur / Rosemary E. Reed Miller ; interviewed by Elaine Heffernan. Rosemary Reed Miller, Washington boutique owner, dies at 78 BUSINESS EXCHANGE: Late D.C. Entrepreneur Leaves Sterling Legacy    

In this thought-provoking podcast, Jill Smokler engages in a candid discussion with Dr. Chanda Macius, delving into the world of cannabis. Together, they address the stigma surrounding women who smoke pot and provide valuable insights on approaching this topic with your children.Jill and Dr. Macius also delve into the multifaceted benefits of cannabis, highlighting its potential to enhance physical, emotional, and mental wellbeing. Gain insights into the differences between THC and CBD, understand how indica and sativa strains can impact mental and physical spaces, and empower yourself to make informed decisions about cannabis consumption.Join Jill Smokler and Dr. Chanda Macius in this empowering podcast, where they dismantle stereotypes, encourage open conversations, and equip moms with the knowledge and understanding needed to navigate their relationship with cannabis confidently. Discover the power of cannabis and unlock its potential for personal growth and wellbeing.Dr. Chanda Macias, MBA is the CEO of National Holistic Healthcare, the medical marijuana cultivator, processor and dispenser in multiple states. Dr. Macias focuses on delivering affordable medical marijuana healthcare options. Dr. Macias has spent 15+ years developing her knowledge of medical marijuana to have a positive impact on patient lives. Dr. Macias contributes growth to the market through education on ailment strain alignment, aligning a medical marijuana strain with a specific condition or ailment. Dr. Macias started her career in the flagship medical marijuana dispensary in Washington DC, National Holistic™ Healing Center in Dupont Circle. Dr. Macias educates women entrepreneurs and patients through her outreach platform as the Chairwoman of the Board of Managers and CEO for Women Grow. Women Grow is the global leader in connecting, educating, inspiring, and empowering the next generation of women leaders in the Cannabis Industry. Finally, Dr. Macias is the Vice-Chair of the National Cannabis Roundtable (NCR) Board. NCR is dedicated to promoting common sense federal legislation, tax equity, and financial services reform.Please consult with a medical professional about incorporating cannabis into your lifestyle.______________Did you know there's a She's Got Issues magazine? Check it out! © 2023 She's Got IssuesShe's Got Issues is produced by Play Audio Agency, Keira Shein & Jill SmoklerFor more information contact info@shesgotissues.comFollow us on Instagram: Jill • She's Got IssuesSee you next time!

Finding Meaning and Purpose as an accompanying male spouse.     Luke Beer discusses the opportunities and challenges of being an accompanying male spouse and the opportunities he's found to find purpose and community as a member of Rotary International.   https://www.rotary.org/en   Podcast correction - Luke is President of the Rotary Club of Dupont Circle.   To work with Katie:  www.learningtoflourish.org   We want to hear from you!  Share your idea and story with The Big Purple Blob  

Kevin on the Don Van Natta Jr/Seth Wickersham story from today that Dan Snyder wants the release of the Mary Jo White report to be limited. Kevin discusses the affect on the sale of the team. Plenty of NFL and Commanders' schedule talk before Jimmy Patsos jumped on from a busy DuPont Circle to talk Bill Parcells, Joe Gibbs, NBA Playoffs, rock male vocalists, and much more.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The band Dupont Brass started unexpectedly as a side gig for a group of Howard University students, and now they're about to go on tour, starting April 12. As they prepare to share their music up and down the East Coast, two of the band's original members are here to tell us about Dupont Brass's evolution and sound. Buy tickets here for Dupont Brass's upcoming tour. And if you want to ride around D.C. via water taxi, check out their schedule here. Interested in advertising with City Cast? Find more info HERE. Want some more DC news? Then make sure to sign up for our morning newsletter Hey DC. We're also on Twitter! Follow us at @citycast_dc. And we'd love to feature you on the show! Share your DC-related thoughts, hopes, and frustrations with us in a voicemail by calling 202-642-2654. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First off, a brief item of business for those of you listening in close to real time – on April 11, 2023, I'll be in Washington with some free time in the evening.  If Washington area listeners want to do a meet up, send me a note at thehistoryoftheamericans@gmail.com, through the website, or by DM on Twitter.  If we get a few takers I'll find some place that is reasonably convenient to DuPont Circle where I will be staying, and get it organized.  I hope we can do it! In this episode we recount Roger Williams' first few years in Massachusetts, following his refusal of the post of "teacher" at the church in Boston on the ground that it was insufficiently "separated." In the years until 1624, Williams would begin to develop his idea that church and state must be separate. With the goal of saving Indian souls, he also deepened his understanding of the local tribes and Algonquian language and culture. He would live in Salem, then Plymouth, and back to Salem, but he spent most of his time abroad in the land, paddling his canoe from one Indian village to another. Also during these years, religious zeal in both Massachusetts and back in England, although in different form, would become even more extreme. Zealotry, it would turn out, was not all it was cracked up to be. Twitter: @TheHistoryOfTh2 Facebook: The History of the Americans Podcast Selected references for this episode John M. Barry, Roger Williams and the Creation of the American Soul Edmund Morgan, Roger Williams: The Church and State Edmund S. Morgan, The Puritan Dilemma: The Story of John Winthrop

In 2006, Robert Wone was crashing at the home of some friends in Washington DC after a legal seminar. About an hour after his arrival to the home of Joseph Price, Victor Zaborsky and Dylan Ward, a 911 call was placed from the house, where the operated was told that Wone had been attacked by an intruder. Theories about his death circulated for years until an affidavit was released stating exactly what went down at the DuPont Circle home that August, and allowing for officers to arrest the housemates on charges of obstruction. Erika walks us through the night of the crime from the POV of each person involved, more details from the affidavit, and what followed the arrest of the men. To this day, Robert and his loved ones still have not received justice. We hope to see this case solved soon. Crime on Caffeine stands with and supports all members of the LGBTQ+ community and the BDSM  community. We do not believe that your sexual orientation or sexual preferences referenced in today's episode (when consensual) are ever any indicator of violent behavior and we refuse to speculate anything based off of those characteristics. We encourage our listeners to do the same.

When Sweetgreen CEO Jonathan Neman and his co-founders opened their second-ever store, it was a “complete mess.” Located in Washington D.C.'s Dupont Circle and opening in the middle of the Great Recession, it was clearing less than $1000 per day at first. But Neman & co turned that crisis into opportunity the only way three 23-year-olds knew how: They bought a big speaker, started blasting music in the park, and turned their sleepy storefront into a party. That desperate play underscored one of Sweetgreen's core values that they still work towards today: Healthy living can be fun.In this episode, Jonathan and Joubin discuss Sweetgreen's new office, its new tofu, avocado volatility, frozen yogurt, Persian families, the power of capitalism, the “House of Equilibrium,” the problem with franchising, healthy music festivals, scalable brands, people-driven companies, giving workers equity, “Behind the Greens,” overachievers, building a better McDonalds, and “conscious achievers.”In this episode, we cover: Where the name Sweetgreen came from (05:42) Online ordering and the “second line” (08:34) Jonathan's family and post-COVID attitudes about work (11:30) Returning to the office (17:20) Jonathan's brief detour to Bain & Company, and the difference between entrepreneurs and consultants (20:58) The unusual way Sweetgreen raised its first several rounds, and scaling sustainably (27:00) Turning crisis into opportunity, and the Sweetlife Festival (33:10) Winning your category vs. becoming a lifestyle brand (37:40) Why Sweetgreen calls the general managers of its stores “head coaches,” and gives them equity (44:20) The health journeys of Sweetgreen's staff, and the importance of the fundamentals (47:24) Shifting Sweetgreen's strategic focus to build the restaurant company of the future (53:09) COVID-19 and “getting your ass kicked” (55:05) Letting go as a founder (59:51) Links: Connect with JonathanLinkedIn Connect with Joubin Twitter LinkedIn Email: grit@kleinerperkins.com  Learn more about Kleiner Perkins

On this episode of the DMV Dine In Podcast, Elaine and Ashleigh discuss some newsworthy foodie events happening in the DMV area during a segment we like to call a-news-bouche. Then Elaine visits an amazing restaurant in Washington DC called Cafe Del Sur. Located in the DuPont Circle neighborhood, this restaurant features incredible dishes from several South American countries, from Uruguay to Argentina to Peru and Colombia.

Blue crabs are messy, time-consuming, and expensive to harvest and eat. And yet, no summer on the Chesapeake Bay is complete without a crab feast. Many Washingtonians are happy to set aside a couple hours, and maybe a few hundred dollars, to enjoy this meal with loved ones. But how many of us know what it takes to get crabs and crab cakes to your table? Ruth and Patrick learn how these iconic crustaceans get from the boat to your throat. Patrick will be at the Dupont Circle farmer's market in Maryland on Sunday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Stop by and grab a sticker! Fill out our survey: dishcity.org/survey Leave us a tip at wamu.org/supportdishcity. Follow us on Twitter: twitter.com/dishcity Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/dishcity

Eliza and Rachael talk about birds, maybe a bit too much, in both their writing and this podcast! Listen as they talk about upping the tension in their writing by realizing this sooner, rather than later. Raised in the Detroit suburbs, Eliza Nellums now lives with her cat outside Washington DC. Her first novel ALL THAT'S BRIGHT AND GONE was named as an Amazon Editor's Pick for December, and was praised in the Washington Post and RealSimple Magazine. Her second novel THE BONE CAY was released in December. She is a member of the Metro Wriders, a weekly critique group that meets in Dupont Circle. An amateur botanist and avid gardener, she divides her time between plants, books, and cats.How Do You Write Podcast: Explore the processes of working writers with bestselling author Rachael Herron. Want tips on how to write the book you long to finish? Here you'll gain insight from other writers on how to get in the chair, tricks to stay in it, and inspiration to get your own words flowing. Join Rachael's Slack channel, Onward Writers: https://join.slack.com/t/onwardwriters/shared_invite/zt-7a3gorfm-C15cTKh_47CEdWIBW~RKwgRachael can be YOUR mini-coach, and she'll answer all your questions on the show! http://patreon.com/rachael See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hosted by David and Nycci Nellis. On today's show: • It often is said that wine lists don't always reflect the diversity of makers from all different backgrounds. The response from Lyle's, the signature restaurant in the new Lyle Hotel at Dupont Circle, is a wine list exclusively featuring women, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ winemakers across the country and the globe. Martha Skidmore, Lyle's Assistant Regional Food and Beverage Director, is with us with tastes and talk of wines you may not know; • I say “recycling” and you say, “Yeah, I totally get that it's right, but …” Well, you're not alone. Only a small percentage of what we toss in the recycling bin actually is recycled. Stephanie J. Miller, Founder of Zero Waste in D.C., a former director of climate business at the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and author of the book “Zero Waste Living: The 80/20 Way,” joins us with practical tips for responsible recycling; • And, finally, we speak with Christine DeLozier, author of “Diet for Great Sex: Food for Male and Female Sexual Health.” Need we say more?

Darren Binder  – The Truman Charities Podcast: A Community of Caring with Jamie Truman Episode 40 Darren Binder.  Darren is a co-founder of City Dogs Rescue & City Kitties and lived in D.C. for 20 years prior to moving to Bend, Oregon two years ago for a new position. Darren was motivated to start the rescue in 2011 after seeing a plea on Facebook about a beautiful Labrador retriever puppy named Bentley who was going to be euthanized at a high-kill shelter in Georgia. Darren and his husband Dave Liedman quickly acted to raise funds to rescue Bentley, who became CDCK's first rescue dog. Once in DC, this friendly guy soon found his future adopter while walking through Dupont Circle with an “adopt me” vest on. It became abundantly clear that the lives of so many other wonderful animals could also be transformed if resources could be mobilized to relocate them to a place where they would receive much more visibility. Hence, City Dogs Rescue (now City Dogs & City Kitties) was born. Darren serves as Senior Vice President & Chief Legal and Risk Officer as well as Corporate Secretary for a health system in Oregon. In his role, Darren oversees the Legal, Internal Audit, Compliance, and Information Security Departments, and is a member of the health system's Executive Care Team. He was recently appointed by Governor Kate Brown to serve as the industry representative on the Executive Committee of the Central Oregon Regional Solutions Advisory Committee. He is also a member of the Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health System's Health Equity Advisory Taskforce. Listen to this uplifting Truman Charities episode with Darren Binder about City Dog & City Kitties Rescue, and why he decided to create this organization.  Here is what to expect on this week's show: - How a little dog named Bentley inspired Darren and his husband to create City Dogs & City Kitties. - Their Capital Campaign and why Nationals player Ryan Zimmerman and his wife Heather are so excited about it. - Their plans to pay tribute to Betty White by creating a Betty White room in their new center. - How you can foster or adopt one of their rescues. Connect with Darren: CDCK website: citydogsrescuedc.org Twitter/ Instagram @citydogsrescue -To donate for a much-needed CDCK Operations & Intake Center: cdck.cc/wah -To donate specifically for a Betty White Tribute Room in the Center: cdck.cc/betty -To donate as part of Ryan and Heather Zimmerman's Team: cdck.cc/zimmerman -To order a limited edition, signed "We Are Home" print ($495): cdck.cc/wahprint Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How does giving yourself permission effect your identity? Whether its finding your mini purpose (which may be hosting a elegant dinner party) or discovering the unforeseen questions holding you back from your purpose; Thor Challgren and Lesley debunk the identity crisis that can happen when what you have formed your life around changes. If you have any questions about this episode or want to get some of the resources we mentioned, head over to LesleyLogan.co/podcast. If you have any comments or questions about the Be It pod shoot us a message at beit@lesleylogan.co . And as always, if you're enjoying the show please share it with someone who you think would enjoy it as well. It is your continued support that will help us continue to help others. Thank you so much! Never miss another show by subscribing at LesleyLogan.co/subscribe.In this episode you will learn about:Accepting the challenges life changesExploring self-examining questions to find hidden beliefsShort term identities & mini purposes  The blind spots self-judgment creates How to get comfortable saying/doing something differentShort term identity The Artist Way Morning Pages & The High 5 Habit Giving yourself permission to be something you aren't good at yet Episode References/Links:Your Turn to Fly WebsiteIG @thorchallgrenThe High Five Habit bookThe Artist Way Morning Pages BookGuest Bio:Thor Challgren is a former Hollywood writer, recovering Girl Scout troop leader and high school cheer booster president. He wasn't exactly a helicopter parent, but he knew how to fly. When his daughter (cruelly!) left for college, he became a certified life coach, and now works with empty nester parents to help them discover passion and purpose in the next season of life.  OPC Flashcards:OPC Flashcards are on AmazonOPC Flashcards are on our site  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure and give us a five star rating and leave us a review on iTunes, Podcast Addict, Podchaser or Castbox.  ResourcesWatch the Be It Till You See It podcast on YouTube!Lesley Logan websiteBe It Till You See It PodcastOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley LoganOnline Pilates Classes by Lesley Logan on YouTubeProfitable Pilates Social MediaInstagramFacebookTik TokLinkedIn Episode Transcript:Lesley Logan 0:01  Hello, Be It listener. What's up? Oh my gosh, like, I can't even believe how fast time is flying and how old this little podcast is. And it's not even little anymore. It's growing because of you. And I'm just so grateful that you're here. Welcome back. We have an interview for you today. We have Thor Challgren. And I mean, I love this person. He's so sweet and special. And I can't wait for you to listen to it because what he says is stuff that is in all of our minds. Like, I think that we're all having conversations with ourselves that no one knows anything about. And his, his way of looking at it, I know is going to shift your perspective and shift the conversation you have. And it's really special. He is definitely the embodiment of being it till you see it. And also, I can't wait for you to hear a lot of his talk about permission. And, I say that because I think a lot of you believe that everyone can be it till they see it. And I think you do about you and then you go to do it. And then and then you and then you don't give yourself that permission. And so anyways, there's a special thing at the end for you to learn more about permission, have some and some extra slips of that for yourself but take some notes. This is a fun conversation. And for my parents out there, I really think you're gonna love this person so much and what he's working on for empty nesters and everyone is really fun. So please make sure you follow him on Instagram at Thor Challgren and check out his link that he's so kindly giving to everyone it's at the end. So you'll have to get all the way there. But I it's gonna go by you're gonna love it. I think you're going to be like, high fiving yourself along the way and going, "Yes, I feel that same way too." And if that's how you are with these podcasts, if you feel like you're having a conversation with the guest or myself, you know, you can let us know. (Lesley laughs) Because it's so fun for people like Thor and myself, (he also the podcast) to hear what comes up for you and how you use these tips. Use the talk use, even if it just makes you go, "Oh yeah, that's me" and helps you not feel like because you're not alone, right? We're all feeling the same way. So we love it because it really does let us know like how what we're doing is helping you and that's why we do this. We ... we trust me I don't like the sound of my voice. So I definitely do this for you. Okay, so I'm going to stop yammering on because I want you to hear a Thor's amazingness after this brief message.Hey, Be It pod listener, I just want to say thank you. Thank you for being you. Thanks for watching our podcast here on our YouTube channel. I'm just so grateful for you, I have a big favor, and I'm, I mean like, let me just say, "It's not easy for me to ask for help," but I need your help. I'm on a mission, I really want to change as many lives and help people be it till they see it all over the world, and I need your help. We have been so grateful. The amount of downloads our podcast has had in just a short period of time is, it's amazing. That's insane. However, we also need more written reviews. So, and specifically on Apple. So even if you are watching here on YouTube, or you listen on Spotify, or you listen on Google Play, Apple podcast is where everyone looks to see which podcasts they should send people on for interviews. And so we need lots of reviews to be there like a hundred written reviews. So, big huge favor if you could use the link below, go write a review, rate us, give us all the stars you love and let me know. Screenshot it, send it to me on a @be_it_pod. I just want to thank you for the bottom of my heart. We are truly truly can't do this podcast without you. And I'm just so grateful that these words hit your ears. And if you wouldn't mind writing us that review that would be amazing. And, I will be so forever grateful. Thank you and now here's a podcast you wanted to listen to.Welcome to the Be It Till You See It podcast where we talk about taking messy action knowing that perfect is boring. I'm Lesley Logan, Pilates instructor and fitness business coach. I've trained thousands of people around the world and the number one thing I see stopping people from achieving anything is self doubt. My friends, action brings clarity and it's the antidote to fear. Each week, my guests will bring Bold, Executable, Intrinsic and Targeted steps that you can use to put yourself first and Be It Till You See It. It's a practice, not a perfect. Let's get started.Alright, Be It Till You See it peeps. I'm really excited. We have Thor Challgren here and we were connected. I'm not even sure. We'll find out in a second. I don't know if he reached out to me. Or if somebody connected us we're in a mastermind group together. And we got on a call and there's so much alignment. He doesn't believe in perfection. He totally believes in ... what's permission and he also likes to write with a pen, which I want to do. I want to be someone who can write with a pen, I am left handed, and I can't read my own handwriting. (Lesley laughs) But I am really excited, because you guys are going to listen, you're gonna hear so many amazing tips and steps and also for my parents in the listener room, I want you to totally hear his story because I think he kind of stepped into what he's doing now because of taking a kid off to college. So I'm gonna, I'm not gonna spoil alert this anymore. I'm gonna let Thor tell it all. Thor, thank you for being here. Can you tell everyone who you are, where you're from and what you're rocking right now?Thor Challgren 5:37  Hey, yeah, thank you, Lesley, it's great to be with you in your audience today. My name is Thor Challgren. I am in the Southern California area. I've lived here most of my life, raised my daughter in this area. And now she's off and doing amazing stuff in the world. And it was that experience a couple of years ago, that led me to sort of move in this direction, because I saw what I experienced as a stay at home parent, essentially. And I knew what I felt. And I thought I can't be the only person that has a hard time dealing with this. And so that kind of led me on the path I'm on now.Lesley Logan 6:17  Yeah, so um, so I want to dive into taking your daughter off to college. But what, what did like so you take her off to college, and she's like, "Bye. I'm out living my best life." And you're like, "What do I do now?" So, what what do you do now? (Lesley laughs)Thor Challgren 6:34  Well, you know, it's funny, because like, the first thing that that I had no idea this was going to happen this way. Which it's sounds silly to say it, but we were expecting that we're gonna have a whole other day with her. And I remember we were sitting in the student union one afternoon, and I had gone off to the bathroom, I come back and she's like, "Well, I'm going to say goodbye now." And I'm like, "Wait, what? No, like, we're going to go to dinner tonight. And we're going to have all this time together." And so it's just like, the sadness, like, almost right away like that letting go. And so that was kind of my first lesson was, you may, when these things happen, you can't expect when they're going to happen. And so you just have to accept that they will and then start to move on. And my, my moving on process wasn't very elegant at first, like, I was super, like, for the next hour I was like the lowest I've ever been in my life. Like it just so much just sadness and and you know, I mean, it sounds silly to say but feeling of loss, like (Lesley: Yeah) because like that was my identity of being that parent who was like, I was the soccer coach, I started her girl scout troop. I was the cheer booster president. So like, all the activities and things she did. I was there to support her. So when she went off, I'm like, "Well, who am I now?"Lesley Logan 7:56  Yeah, like, what's your purpo... like, and without purpose? That's like ... (Thor: Yeah) Right. (Thor: And that's ...) Well, I just say, like they have discovered, right? Like, it's not happiness, we're all searching for its purpose. And, and when you that loss, that's a big loss. That's like, if anyone's listening, it's like the same if you don't have kids, because I mean, I don't but like, it's like losing your job almost. Because like, that was what gave you clarity around, structure around your day. And like, "Okay, this is a goal I'm working on because of that." Is that right? Am I on the right track?Thor Challgren 8:28  Oh, 100% yeah, I mean, it's all that identity too. Like, think about like the anytime that you've ever had a big change in your life, like maybe you worked in a job, and then you get laid off or you change the job, then the next time you meet someone, and they go, "Oh, like, what do you do?" Instinctively, you want to say that thing you used to be and then you catch yourself and you go, "Wait, I'm not that anymore." (Lesley: Yeah) And then it starts this loop of like, "Well, then who am I?" (Lesley: Yeah.) So I think that idea of identity is so important that like you have to be congruent about who you are, before you can go out into the world and let that ... that's why I think like the whole, be it before you see it idea so important, because you have to be aware of who am I being? And that's and that starts sometimes with who was I? And now who am I?Lesley Logan 9:22  Yeah, so what did you do? So you're that very, you're in a very sad hour, and then like the next step, so how did you figure out who you could be until that happened? Because, I mean, that's like starting from scratch. And I think a lot of people have, like, maybe our listeners are there, but have been there and it's like, okay, we'll all just, you're gonna be there again, like we're all gonna have these shifts and changes and these role changes that are planned or unexpected. And so what did you do next?Thor Challgren 9:50  Well, in a word, celebrate.(Lesley: gasps) And, I say that because I'm kidding, but in a sense, not. So we're on this bus going back to this is in Washington, DC. And my wife can see like, I'm so down and she's like, "You know what, let's, let's go to it, there was this bar in Dupont Circle that I'd seen. It was like an Irish pub or something like that." And she said, "You were interested in that place. Let's go there, have a drink and we'll start to change our energy." And so, Lesley, that moment was so key, because it was like, sitting down, having a drink, not that you have to drink, but (Lesley: right) changing your state (Lesley: Yeah) from where you were to where you are now, and then starting to think about what our life could be like and starting that dreaming. And I think that was the key was, you know, I mean, there, yeah, there would be hard days to come. But starting that energy of celebrating, and I think, you know, you said shift, it is a shift of your energy. Because if my energy is in that, like, depressed, sad, woe is me, this is the best thing I'll ever do in my life energy. I'm not going to be able to be available to connect with any of the great things that could be out there for me. So that that first step for us was celebrating, it was going, "Well, what could we do now?" Like, ... start to think about all the great things you could have.Lesley Logan 11:21  100% and I, when you said, celebrate, y'all, I swear, I don't script these things before they happen. It's not impossible. I don't even have the time. But I study so much about human behavior. And like, how do we create routines and change our mindset and celebration literally kicks off dopamine, so it changes your state. And so because it's you don't need the drink, you can actually just dance around, you can actually like, you know, high five, someone, you can actually look at yourself in the mirror, "I'm freaking awesome." But celebrating shifts that energy, and it puts you in a state that could see what was possible because you moved into a happier space. And so and I you mentioned earlier, like it wasn't elegant. And I, I just don't think it ever is (Lesley laughs) I don't think I don't think anything's elegant. Even those beautiful weddings that people think, "Oh my God, look how beautiful and elegant it is." There's a lot of hot mess happening in the back of, in the back, you're not seeing. (Lesley laughs)Thor Challgren 12:17  Yeah, that's 100% true. And I think anyone who'd seen me, like even that night, even after we celebrated and this is the point, I think, like give yourself grace that it's not going to be perfect. That night, I go back and I'm sitting in the bed in our hotel room, and I just start crying. I can't stop (Lesley: Yeah) like, and I'm not a sad person, by any means. But I think you give yourself that grace and let the feelings come out. But know that you are starting the process of moving on to that energy of what's next for you. Lesley Logan 12:50  Yeah. So when you got home, and you're like, "I can't be the only person who's feeling this way." How did you turn that into something that you do with purpose? Like, what did that end up looking like for you?Thor Challgren 13:03  Yeah, I mean, I would say the first step is you have to be okay with maybe I can do something even better than that. And that is a huge, for me, that was a big struggle, because most parents, you know, it's drummed into us in society that like, "Oh, the best thing you'll ever do is be a parent." And maybe that's true but what is does that say if that is true? Like, if you go, you know, I've got 30 years of my life left. And if I truly believe that the best thing I ever did, is in the past, what kind of way to live life is that. So for me it I started to think about permission, I had to give myself permission first to do something greater than just be her father.Lesley Logan 13:58  Yeah. So, I gush like, I, because I work with mostly I work with women. But there's a whole, there's a whole ... like, this is my everything. And it's like, "Okay, I don't ever want to take your everything away from your but having been a kid who left college at 18 and never went back home. (Lesley laughs) Can I just suggest that we have another thing that we do?" And so but I love that word permission. And so how did you come up with that word and for yourself? And like how, what does it let you do since you've been giving yourself that? Like, is it one time and then it's over? Or do you give yourself permission more often than that?Thor Challgren 14:38  It's all the time. Lesley, it's all the time. Meaning, you know, you we have you know, you talked about the way the brain works in our subconscious. We have all sorts of things that are swirling around in there that are reasons why we can or can't do something and we may not even be aware of them until we consciously choose to explore them. And so for me, it's a constant process of, you know, my my routine is many times in the morning, I'll be journaling, and I'll explore with certain questions, what I think about something, and sometimes it's nothing, you know, I don't get anything, but then there's other times where like, an answer will come to me that will be like, "Oh, wow, like, where did that come from?" Like, you know, I might ask a question, like, "Who doesn't think I can do this?" And I'll come up with like, "Well, my wife doesn't, or my, my late mother wouldn't." And then you explore that, and you start to go, "Oh, like, why is that?" And then in that process, you start to uncover it, those sort of hidden beliefs. And when you bring them out into the open, now you're letting yourself have permission to let them go. And that changes your energy.Lesley Logan 16:00  That is interesting. So do you find when people, when you did that. Like, did you find that was a story you're telling yourself that those people didn't think you could? Or is it was it real? Well, it was it made just to be personal on the person?Thor Challgren 16:14  You know, I think it's, it's a little of both, I would find that, you know, I would look back and say, "Well, who doesn't think I could do this?" And one of the questions I would ask is, if I don't succeed at this, the reason will be and then fill in the blank. And, and so I'd asked myself and you and you got to be really honest with yourself and go, "If I don't succeed at this, what will be the reason?" And I go like, alright, well, in the past, I tried these things like I had 20 years ago, I had an audio product, where I went out and interviewed people and created little cassette tapes, and that was my business, like, I did the whole thing. And this is before, you know, podcasts or the internet or anything (Lesley: Oh my God, you were podcasting before podcasting.) I know. And, and yet, it didn't succeed, because I was trying to do everything myself. And it I mean, if I'd given it more time, but that's an example for me of something where I didn't succeed. And so by exploring that, and my feelings that I still have about that, I could more easily let go of those. So that I'm giving myself permission that yes, I know, that happened in the past. And I know that I have unresolved things and I don't need to explore it, like in a therapy situation, like, I don't need to know why I just need to know it exists. And now I'm choosing consciously to let go of that energy.Lesley Logan 17:38  I really like that because I do think that so many people stop themselves from doing something new, because of something in the past, but they don't actually explore what that thing was. And like, look at it, like a 30,000 foot view, like non personal view, like more as a fact, more as like an experiment, you know, and I know that I definitely was like that, and only until we're owning my own business and realizing that, you know, if you look at it as like an experiment, and not like it's personal, it makes it really easy for you to go, "Okay, I just need to dial the knob and turn the volume up here and turn the volume down here, as opposed to no one liked it. It's because no one likes me. And I'm terrible." (Lesley laughs) Right?Thor Challgren 18:21  Yeah. And I think what you said is super critical that you be able to step back and just look at yourself and not have judgment about yourself. And that's the hardest thing for all of us because we all we all want to be great. We want to do great things. And so that passion drives us, but it can also be our undoing in the sense that it creates blind spots. So to be able to step outside of yourself and go, "Well, why does Thor think that?" I know that silly to say it, but like, think of yourself as stepping outside of yourself and ask those questions and then go and not you know, what else you said I loved is the idea of, not giving something any more meaning than it deserves, because we say something mean something. But does it really? Like it only is the meaning we give it so if we choose not to like if I look back at that situation in the past and go, you know, I'm not gonna I'm not going to give it the meaning of "Thor's a failure because that didn't happen." You know, I'm just gonna be like, "Okay, it happened and and what can I learn from it? And how can I move on?"Lesley Logan 19:30  Right? Like, it's just another thing. You said something that I liked where you talked about, you said "what Thor feels like, bah, bah, bah. Why is that?" So many people have advice for someone else in their same situation, but not for themselves. And I think by doing what you just did, which is like, saying it out loud as if it's not you. It's just someone else. It really does allow you to take all the information you already know like everyone listening you all have the answer is inside of you, you already know how to be it till you see it, you're telling yourself you don't know. You're telling yourself you can't because of X, Y and Z. But if you if you step outside yourself and you look at it as someone else's life, I bet you'd have all the advices tell them what to do. So, I'm wondering like, as, as you gone through this, and you've been giving yourself this permission, and what has, like, what is it allowed you to do? Because how many how long has she been in college? She graduating this year, is she second year?Thor Challgren 20:29  She's in her, she's in her final year.Lesley Logan 20:30  Oh my gosh. Okay. So in these four years of giving yourself (Thor: Yup) permission to create something greater. What have you been able to play with? What have you been creating?Thor Challgren 20:42  One of the things that I did was I started exploring that idea of identity. And I mentioned before that, you know, people would say, I met people, and they'd say, well, you know, "Hey, what do you do?" And I, I would stop myself, because I couldn't say, "I'm a stay at home parent anymore." (Thor laughs) So then I'm like, "What do I do?" And so I started thinking about, like, what we say about ourselves. And what that led me to was, I think, till you know, what your greater purpose is, it's okay to have, like a mini purpose, a short term purpose, where you go, and this is like, what I'm doing right now, is I decided for these next couple of months, I'm going to host a series of dinner parties, where I'm going to learn how to cook some amazing dish, you know, like, go to like a Julia Child's cookbook or something like that. And, I'm going to invite over some people, and we're going to have a an elegant dinner party so that I would be able to the way that I think of it is now I could say if I met someone, I could say, "Well, I'm I'm a gourmet cook," because that was something that, like we always said about my mom, my family was "She was an amazing cook." And so if you ever looked at her, you'd say, "Oh, she's a gourmet cook." So, I think that is I've had like a series of little things like that, where I go, it's a short term identity. And what's key for me is, it doesn't have to be the rest of my life identity. And that's where I think a lot of us get stuck, is we go, you know, maybe if we're leaving a job, or we're leaving a relationship or in my case, you know, empty nest situation, we go, "Well, I've got to figure out the whole rest of my life right now." Like, if I'm gonna have one purpose for the rest of my life, and I got to figure it out now. And so we put so much pressure on ourselves, that it becomes debilitating, and you don't even know where to start. So, I think like (Lesley: I'm obsessed with this) ... start with two months.Lesley Logan 22:41  Yeah, I'm obsessed with this because I also ... we would never, right? I mean, like, as, um, I don't know, if I was one of the last groups where like, like, "You have to know what you want to do." And I think kids today their like, "major in whatever, because it's probably not going to be around when you're adults and working." But like, we would never tell a kid anymore like, "Whatever you major in, that's it, you better pick the best major because you could never change," we would never do that. But for whatever reason, at some point, we get older, we're like, "Welp, I gotta figure out my next thing," because it's gonna be the only thing and there's so much pressure. And I love that that mini purpose allows you to explore, it allows you to take messy action, because it's okay if it's wrong, because it's so many. It's a to use a two months, I think that's, I think that's fun. I like that it's more than 30 days, because I think you need to, I think something has to percolate a little longer. So you can, like, see what kind of comes up in different seasons. But that's fun. I mean, what a way to be it till you see, you could just, I'm just gonna be it for two months, I'm just gonna (Lesley laughs)Thor Challgren 23:38  And you take the pressure off, because and what I I sort of the rules that I set for myself were that it had to be fun. So it can't be like, "I'm gonna clean out my garage in the next two months, or I'm gonna paint the house," it's got to be something fun, or something that energizes you. One of the ones that I did that was just sort of fun for me was I remembered like growing up, we had like Legos. And back in those days, like Legos were just, you didn't have a kit with whatever you build. It was just all sorts of blocks. (Lesley: Yeah.) So, I thought it would be fun to like get a Lego kit and build a Lego kit and just have that be something that I do over you know, in my spare time over a couple months.Lesley Logan 24:21  I mean, they're those kits now like 1000 pieces like that could take you (Thor: It's insane), you could literally go, "Oh, well, I create Legos, kit sets." It's like, (Thor: Yeah) I like that you you're soft with identity because I do think that people need to have something to practice to say and so it is because it's not like you say, "I'm a retired stay at home parent " It's like what does that mean? (Lesley and Thor laughs) You know, but I but I hear that all the time because sometimes I hear in a different way. Like, I don't want to just be, enter the job that they have. And, and I unders... I mean like I I remember, you know, I was a, only a Pilates instructor for a long time, I worked for myself but also worked for another company. So, I'd say, "Oh, I'm a Pilates instructor" which is also very interesting people like, "What is that?" Like, "Oh, I've heard about it, but what do you what do you do?" And now, you know, that doesn't even encompass everything that I do. Like I couldn't. So, I also I can't list off everything that I do, because that's weird. So, I had to like kind of make up. Like, what it is that I say, and it should take some time and like, what would you say to someone who's like, maybe they don't, maybe they're on their way to changing what they are? But maybe they can't say that yet or they don't feel comfortable? And how did you get comfortable saying something different? Did you practice it? Did you put yourself in situations to say it, but was it?Thor Challgren 25:43  Yeah, I think it's, it's a great question. And I think the answer is that it evolves. And I'm constantly finding new tools that help me, the first was examining in the moment, like, again, stepping outside of Thor, and going, "Oh, you know, when that when you answer that question, you didn't feel good about the answer did you? Or you felt self conscious about the answer?" And then to explore that, like, "Why is that?" And and start to ask those questions that maybe aren't totally comfortable. But the answers are, where you're going to grow. Because they're going to help you understand where can you push against the things where you're uncomfortable? Um ...Lesley Logan 26:21  Do you, do you write that down that conversation or do you have it in your head? Because we have I know that there's perfectionist listening here. For recovering perfectionist. Gonna want to know how you do this? Do you write it down? Do you have a conversation with yourself?Thor Challgren 26:35  You know what, it's, I'll attribute this to Julia Cameron, who wrote the, Morning ...Lesley Logan 26:42  Oh, Artist's Way Morning Pages.Thor Challgren 26:43  Artist's Way. Yeah, (Lesley: Well ...) The Morning Pages. That is the best thing. And I'll say the reason why and this is the part that is super critical that she'll say, because I remember I struggled with this in the beginning, she'll be like, "You have to write three pages and they have to be by hand." And I'm like, "No, I want to type it. I'm faster, I'll get more out." And so but that was never as helpful to me. So, what I do in the page... The Morning Pages is, I'm sitting there going, "Alright, I've got to fill up this page. What I'm going to say now? I don't know what I'm going to say now. Oh, look, I'm stumbling, I have no idea." And I might do that for like half a page where I'm literally just writing gibberish. And then once I've let go of any resistance, guess what happens? The universe, the quantum field, higher power, starts to flow through me. And then the stuff like it happened on Friday where something, I was just the middle of it. I was I had sort of given up on something and not given up in a bad way. But I let go of the resistance of the attachment of I must do it. Suddenly, in the very last paragraph of the third page, the answer came to me. And I wasn't even looking for it. It was just like this thought just popped in my head and was there and then I explored it. And I mean I was so grateful for it but I didn't go into it expecting it. I wasn't like, "I'm going to you know, write here for that purpose." So, I think that's that idea of just writing and being okay with whatever comes out is so helpful.Lesley Logan 28:19  Yeah, I we're big fans of morning pages around here. Love them and it's so funny. When my my therapist was like, you know, "We really want you to journal" and I was like, "Okay, yup, I have a journal, don't worry." And then then a week later, I'm like, "So okay, I actually don't know how you journal like, what do you do? I need to know the rules like what am I writing about? Do I answer and question? What am I starting with?" And she's like, "I think you just need to do morning pages." And I'm like, "Oh, I've heard of the book." She's like, "Don't even read it. Here's you're gonna do, your gonna write three pages on legal paper. You're not going to reread them. That's the rule that I want you to follow." And just and I was like, okay, so I wrote like, "Oh, I'm really angry in the morning. I didn't know I was angry the morning. Well, I'm not ... I thought I was a morning person." Right? Talk about identity. But what I'm a morning person I should be happy in the morning? And it's like, "Who said? Who said you can't just be up in the morning and not be happy. And like you go through it." But when I did it the first week, this... and the things that came to me around what I was afraid of, around when I was frustrated by there things that I couldn't even articulate. And like as I mentioned in this episode already, but my listeners know I can't read my handwriting. You don't have to so you could just be in the dark just like writing and it's kind of crazy what comes up so I do I do love that. I think that's a great idea. I love that's what you do. Okay, what are you Thor excited about right now? What are you working on? What are you cooking up?Thor Challgren 29:42  I am super excited and this isn't even my stuff. But it's it's made a huge difference to me. Mel Robbins has a new book out now called "The High 5 Habit." And I just started I picked it up because I read her book years ago "The 5 Second Rule." This in "The High 5 Habit" one of the things she has you do is in the morning, you go and look at yourself in the mirror, and you give yourself in the mirror a high five. (Lesley: love it) It's insane. Like it's super simple, but that idea of being comfortable with that is so valuable. And and, you know, what she says is we don't look at ourselves. Like the first thing in the morning, when you see yourself in the mirror, most of us, you know, will be like, "Oh, you know, my hair, I don't have enough of it," or whatever you'd like, look at your face and go, "I don't like it." So your first thoughts are, "I don't like myself." So she's like, "You got to change that energy from the start." So, (Lesley: Oh...) I'm obsessed with giving myself a high five in the mirror without breaking the mirror.Lesley Logan 30:46  Right. And she's on. So BJ Fogg from Tiny Habits, who is the person who taught the Instagramers how habits are made, but also the founders. And then also like James Clear from Atomic Habits study with him. So, I got to study with him. It's really cool. And he has this like Maui habit, which is like, as soon as your feet hit the ground, you say, "Today's game is amazing day and you go victory, or I'm amazing, or you celebrate in some way." That's how you create the habit. Right? Once you got the habit in place, you don't have to celebrate anymore. But what she's created is like you look in the mirror and you tell yourself something awesome. And when you high five yourself, there's that dopamine kick. And it literally that's something you can create a habit. And it probably took you probably three days to like make that a thing. (Thor: Yeah) Yeah. (Thor: Yeah) Right? Because the dopamine was there in your brains, like, "I want to high five myself more." And what I love about that is like, I think you're right. I think too often we see ourselves with so much judgment, and then we don't fo, we don't help ourselves enough. Well, we're willing to put ourselves out there to help others so much. And like you're specially, stay home parents are like, let me give, give, give, give, and then eventually you, the person's out of the nest and you you've been practicing giving so much you haven't taken for you. So I think that's really I love that that's what you're doing right now for you. (Lesley laughs) Okay, so you mentioned earlier, I want to go a little bit over permission, because I think this word is so great. And I think it's really key for being it till you see it because you have to actually give yourself permission to be something you're not good at yet. So can you talk a little bit about permission and like what that looks like for you?Thor Challgren 32:18  Yeah, it's for me, it's a series of questions that I explore. And sometimes I do it in morning pages, sometimes I'm just aware of the question. It may also be when something comes up, I'll go apply this question. And so it's, you start by asking yourself the question, is it okay, and I went, you know, go back to the idea of, "Is it okay for me to do something greater than being a father?" And that was like a really important moment because if I, if the answer to that was "No, it's not," then everything I try, like, I can go out and be it but I may not see it, because what will happen is I'll self sabotage myself from it happening. So those questions allow me to explore whether or not I truly believe it's okay, whether I'm truly able to give myself permission. You know, why I came up with this idea, because that idea when we're in elementary school, and we want to leave the classroom, we have to ask the teacher for a permission slip, right? (Lesley: Yeah) Like, the the leaving the classroom is freedom and so you have to ask someone else for permission. I think that's essentially what you're doing now is you're asking yourself, "Is it okay if I be this thing or do this thing or have this thing?" And and then be willing to uncover that the places where maybe you don't yet believe it.Lesley Logan 33:46  Oh, that's so good. Oh, my gosh. Okay, okay Thor, where can everyone follow you, find you, stalk you and get permission? Could you ... can they how do they can they get these permission slips from you because you have some good ones.Thor Challgren 33:59  Absolutely, I would be delighted to share them with your audience, I will put them on a website page. And it's my website, which is yourturntofly.com forward slash Lesley. So your listeners go there, easy to find, download those and, and I be curious, reach out to me on Instagram. I'm at @thorchallgren and let me know how they go for you and how you implement them. Because I'm always interested in how, you know, like the people that I work with, how are they using those tools? And what insights are they discovering, because I just I think that's the part that's amazing about people is when they start to really apply themselves that the things that they find are amazing.Lesley Logan 34:39  I agree. Like, I'm obsessed. We, I love when everyone shares their takeaways from the podcast or like, even from my classes, like I'll be reading posts, and I'm like, "Wow, you got all that from that. That's amazing. That's so cool." That's like definitely like I like to be shocked and awed. And then I also like when I'm like, "Yes, that's exactly what I wanted." So it is fun, y'all I mean, we say it all the time, but screenshot this and tag Thor and @be_it_pod and let us know what those permission slips are able to give you so that we can also just celebrate you. Okay, so we asked everyone, best advice, best tips for being it till you see it. So bold, executable, intrinsic or targeted steps that people can take right now. So what do you have for us?Thor Challgren 35:21  I'm going to go with executable, and it's something everybody has. And it's these two things, (Lesley: Okay) a pad and a pen. And here's why I say this. So many times when we think about what we want to be, or do, we create in our minds, "Oh, it's got to be this really complicated thing." Like, "I'll do that later when I've got to open up Word, or I got to have that document or I got to talk to that person." And so we delay ourselves from taking action. I found ever since I started doing this, and it sounds stupid, but like, I would just if I knew I had to do something, I would just start it on a piece of paper, and the starting of it, the executing of it begins that process. And now suddenly, that thing that may be in your mind was like, it's this big thing that you go, "Oh, it's gonna...I have to really have time to sit down and do that." No, you just start it, execute it. And you'll find that that's gonna start to change your energy around it. And then I've done that, where I'll be in the middle of something that I thought was only going to be like, a minute. And half an hour later, I'm like, "Oh, my God, this is amazing." Like, and so I a pen and a piece of paper and just execute.Lesley Logan 36:26  I love that because there that is taking action and action is the antidote to fear. It's also where it can get clarity. And so sometimes you're like, "Oh, my God, it's gonna take forever." But if you like you said, just start writing it down. You might realize, oh, you know, this, I can actually this is 20 minutes later, like, "Okay, I have the framework. I was putting this like" that, I'm someone who does that, like, "Ah, it's gonna take so much time." And there's just one program that I had been kept putting off, kept putting off and my coach was like, "So look, you are out of excuses on putting this up."And I'm like, "I know, but it's just gonna take so much time." And then I was like, "Okay, I'm gonna give myself five minutes to write it out." In five minutes, I had the framework, I had the purpose. I knew the problem, it solved. And I was like, and I was like, "I had a general idea of how much was going to cost," and I was like, "Oh, well, we're ready to go actually." (Lesley laughs) So, I love that I think that's such a great one of the things I love so much is that I don't think I've ever heard the same Be It action item from (Lesley laughs) of our guests, and their..., and I love when they're free. So thank you so much, Thor for just sharing who you are so vulnerably. And also, I think, the authenticity around it. I don't I can't imagine there's anyone who's like, "No, I don't get that." Like even if you don't have kids, like you know what it's like to have an identity shift. You know what it's like to have a loss or to have a sense of purposelessness. And, I'm excited for your daughter to graduate. I feel (Thor: Thank you) like I feel like you're you're graduating too (Lesley laughs) and, and everyone check out @thorchallgren on Instagram. Definitely hit up the permission slip link, we'll put it in the show notes below. And until next time, Be It Till You See It.That's all I got for this episode of the Be It Till You See It podcast. One thing that would help both myself and future listeners is for you to rate the show and leave a review. And follow or subscribe for free wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also, make sure to introduce yourself over at the @be_it_pod on Instagram. I would love to know more about you. Share this episode with whoever you think needs to hear it. Help us and others BE IT TILL YOU SEE IT. Have an awesome day!'Be It Till You See It' is a production of 'As The Crows Fly Media'.Brad Crowell 38:35  It's written, produced, filmed and recorded by your host, Lesley Logan and me, Brad Crowell.Lesley Logan 38:43  Kevin and Bel at Disenyo handle all of our audio editing and some social media content.Brad Crowell 38:49  Our theme music is by Ali at APEX Production Music. And our branding by designer and artist, Gianfranco Cioffi.Lesley Logan 38:57  Special thanks to our designer Jaira Mandal for creating all of our visuals (which you can't see because this is a podcast) and our digital producer, Jay Pedroso for editing all the video each week so you can.Brad Crowell 39:09  And the Meridith Crowell for keeping us all on point and on time.Transcribed by https://otter.aiSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/be-it-till-you-see-it/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

WASHINGTON, D.C. — My guests today are Rene McCoy and Robert Clark. They are two stalwarts of the hospitality industry and leaders of the St Gregory Hotel - a beautiful lifestyle luxury hotel nestled right between Dupont Circle and Georgetown in Washington, D.C. St Gregory was our away home for our Q4 retreat in D.C. And so, I sat down with Rene + Robert — who have a combined 65 years of experience in the industry — to talk about their stories, visions for the future of St Gregory, Hersha Hospitality's Independent Collection and everything in between. What I loved most about this conversation was Rene and Robert's ruthless focus on serving others. For them, hospitality is not an industry. It is simply their lifestyle and something they commit to in every interaction inside and out of the hotel. I think we all have to something learn from these two. https://www.stgregoryhotelwdc.com/ https://www.independentcollection.com/

Mehmet (Mo) Casey with the Downtown Billings Alliance joins us to talk about some of the developments happening in downtown Billings. We discuss Tax Increment Financing (TIF), reverting one way streets to two-way, and downtown housing. Video: "How does Tax Increment Financing Work?" If you would like to email us to offer feedback, suggest a future guest, or simply ask a question, email us at podcast@billingschamber.com. The Rorschach test, also called Rorschach inkblot test, projective method of psychological testing in which a person is asked to describe what he or she sees in 10 inkblots, of which some are black or gray and others have patches of colour. The test was introduced in 1921 by Swiss psychiatrist Hermann Rorschach. It attained peak popularity in the 1960s, when it was widely used to assess cognition and personality and to diagnosis certain psychological conditions. Here are Marya and Jack's answers to this week's Rorschach questions. 1. Where is your favorite place to play outside in Billings? Marya: Norm Schoenthal Island. I love to take my pitbull/boxer dog Maximus there to play in the water and hang out with other dogs! And it's a beautiful and relaxing walk. Jack: My revealed preference would definitely be Veteran's Park, but I have a special place in my heart for Zimmerman Park; the views up there are absolutely fantastic.   2. What food do you most love to cook and then eat? Marya: Enchiladas, fajitas, margaritas… I guess anything ending in “itas”. Jack: Definitely pork ribs. That's always been one of my favorite foods and I never thought I could make it myself... but now I have a Traeger.   3. What is your favorite downtown anywhere in the world? Marya: Honestly, I would have to say Billings. I truly love our downtown. I have been to a lot of different “downtowns” around the world, but I love mine most. Jack: I won't let myself say "Billings," (as much as I do love it). I'll say Washington D.C. I lived there for two months, living in the GW dorms and working in Dupont Circle, and I really enjoyed being able to walk or take the train everywhere - even if I didn't care for the weather in July.