The 5 Best Podcasts That You Need To Listen To NOW

Last year I signed up for Spotify Premium for my Yoga classes. A few months in I noticed the section called "Podcasts". Something I've heard of but not actually heard one before. I started listening when I was walking to the bus, on my way home from work and right before a Yoga class began. Below are my five current favorite channels that I want to share with you.

ALSO, did you know there's an International Podcast Day on October 30th!!!!! People all over the world celebrate the history of Podcasts. That's pretty cool :)

Photo by Jens Kreuter on Unsplash

Optimal Living Daily

What is this podcast about: Justin Malik reads to you from the best content on the web with author permission… just like an audiobook! There is now five total podcasts in this series but this one is all about personal development, minimalism, and productivity.

Why I recommend it: I think this was one of the first podcast channels I listened to last year. To be completely honest I had no idea what I was in for at the time. Justin has a super buttery voice that almost makes you so relaxed that you could fall asleep. I appreciate that he only reads from the best blogs/books! These podcast episodes keep me motivated to continue on my self development journey.

Click the title to open in Spotify!

From The Heart: Conversations with Yoga Girl

What is this podcast about: Rachel Brathen is an international yoga teacher and speaker, bestselling author and serial entrepreneur who inspires millions every day. Known as Yoga Girl, Rachel has sparked a movement through deciding to share every corner of her heart's journey, the moments of beauty and of pain, and always of unyielding trust in life. The light you are seeking is within your own heart. Join Rachel as she helps you uncover it, from her heart to yours.

Why I recommend it: There isn't enough positive things to say about this podcast channel!! Rachel was one of the first few I got into last year and I'm really happy about it. She is such a kind hearted soul with practical knowledge that she shares every week with her followers. Also I love that she is a fellow Yogi!! One of her older episodes really touched me when she spoke about her journey into teaching. Her Instagram is jam packed with personal shares and feel good vibes too!

Click the title to open in Spotify!

The Ultimate Health Podcast: Lifestyle, Nutrition, Fitness, & Self-Help

What is this podcast about: Jesse and Marni teach and inspire you to reach your maximum potential in the realm of health. They interview world-class experts in the health & wellness community. Topics include lifestyle, nutrition, fitness, self-help, sleep, meditation, and spirituality.

Why I recommend it: This podcast channel is AWESOME!! The one I listened to last weekend was an interview with Sahara Rose who is an Ayurvedic Healer. As a Yoga Instructor and Health Advocate, I think it's important to explore different ways of doing things. That episode got me even more curious about Ayurveda which led me to read more about it. Jesse and Marni are great at bringing new and interesting content within the health and fitness industry. I look forward to learning more very soon.

Click the title to open in Spotify!

Girlboss Radio with Sophia Amoruso

What is this podcast about: Sophia interviews boundary-pushing women who've made their mark—eschewing polite conversation and extracting solid advice from the lessons they've learned along the way. Expect hilarious co-hosts and vulnerable, honest conversations you won't hear anywhere else. Conversations that humanize the known, champion the unknown, and laugh a little at the absurdity of life.

Why I recommend it: I am a HUGE Sophia fan and have been for years! I also really loved the Girlboss show. She's a very inspiring young female who takes business to the next level. My favorite interviews are with Sarah Jessica Parker and Tess Holiday. If your really into what female business women are ruling the industry then listen to this podcast. I promise you will feel the #Girlboss inspiration!

Click the title to open in Spotify!

The Goal Digger Podcast - Marketing, Social Media, Creative Entrepreneurship, Small Business Strategy and Branding

What is this podcast about: Week after week, host Jenna Kutcher brings you the the productivity tips, social media strategies, business hacks,, and inspirational stories that can help YOU design your dream career. Jenna shares tangible tips and hacks that she used to become a self-made millionaire in photography, online courses, Instagram sponsorships, and navigating the world of being a #girlboss social media influencer.

Why I recommend it: So, this channel is a bit newer to me but equally as awesome as the others. Jenna is an aw inspiring artist who truly believes in herself and others. She is also completely honest and to the point with her content. It's refreshing to listen to a female Entrepreneur who really understands both sides to being creative. I highly recommend if your all about learning to be more confident in your work or daily life.

Click the title to open in Spotify!

Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation + Beginner Practice Tips!

What does someone mean when they mention Mindfulness Meditation? According to Wikipedia "Mindfulness is a way of paying attention that originated in Eastern meditation practices" "Paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally" "Bringing one's complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis".

Let's break this down a bit more with the benefits and various methods...

Decreased Stress and Anxiety

According to American Psychological Association, “MBCT is an eight-week, group-based program that incorporates mindfulness exercises including yoga, body awareness and daily homework, such as eating or doing household chores, with full attention to what one is doing, moment by moment.” Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT) combines elements from mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Being mindful makes it easier to savor the pleasures in life as they occur, helps you become fully engaged in activities, and creates a greater capacity to deal with adverse events. By focusing on the here and now, many people who practice mindfulness find that they are less likely to get caught up in worries about the future or regrets over the past, are less preoccupied with concerns about success and self-esteem, and are better able to form deep connections with others.

 

Ability to Deal with Illness

In recent years, psychotherapists have turned to mindfulness meditation as a critical element in the treatment of a number of problems, including: depression, substance abuse, eating disorders, couples’ conflicts, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

 

Increase Body Acceptance

Body Anxiety is a major source of suffering among women of all ages. If greater well-being isn’t enough of an incentive, scientists have discovered that mindfulness techniques help improve physical health in a number of ways. It can help relieve stress, treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep, and alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties.

When you induce a state of total relaxation, which can be achieved through mindfulness meditation, yoga or other activities, you can obtain the benefits that include:

• Higher brain functioning
• Increased immune function
• Lowered blood pressure
• Lowered heart rate
• Increased awareness
• Increased attention and focus
• Increased clarity in thinking and perception
• Lowered anxiety levels
• Experience of being calm and internally still
• Experience of feeling connected

There is more than one way to practice mindfulness, but the goal of any mindfulness practice is to achieve a state of alert, focused relaxation by deliberately paying attention to thoughts and sensations without judgment. This allows the mind to refocus on the present moment. All mindfulness techniques are a form of meditation.

Basic mindfulness meditation – Sit quietly in a comfortable place and focus on your natural breathing or on a word or “mantra” that you repeat silently. Allow thoughts to come and go without judgment and return to your focus on breath or mantra. Example: "I am okay" or "I am strong, stable and at peace".

Body sensations – Notice subtle body sensations such as an itch or tingling without judgment and let them pass. Observe each part of your body in succession from head to toe.

Emotions – Allow emotions to be present without judgment. Practice a steady and relaxed naming of emotions: “joy,” “anger,” “frustration.” Accept the presence of the emotions without judgment and then gently let them go.

Urge surfing – Cope with cravings (for addictive substances or behaviors) and allow them to pass. Observe how your body feels as the craving enters. Replace the wish for the craving to go away with the certain knowledge that it will subside.

DISCLAIMER: Parts of this posts were taken from several articles found via Google. Please be aware that it is a combination of my own writing and others.

Twists and Turns l Navigating Through 2018 Part 1

I packed up my belongings to move out of a place that once felt like a home. This place didn't keep it's home like comfort-ability for very long as the person who rented it to us is deeply disturbed. Living with roaches, no heat, no fridge for 6 months, and being harassed for no reason were just a few things making our living situation uninhabitable. My anxiety spiraled once again.

How we live is what makes us real. I don't know who said this or what it was in relation to but it has resonated with me for some time now. My partner and I were living in a foggy haze of confusion, not knowing which way was up or down. And somehow after all of this, it feels like it was meant to be this way. We were meant to dig our way out of the abyss. Maybe if I explain the chain of events that led up to this point...

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

It really all started with me quitting a full time job. I know what you are more than likely thinking here, doesn't it always start with quitting a job? Major life changes happen when you least expect it that's for sure but if you look closer you will see that big changes cannot happen without a person making one giant step forward. One that is particularly scary. Mine just so happened to have been quitting a full time gig that I hated and then signing up for Yoga Teacher Training.

I distinctly remember going into a panic attack in Half Pigeon while practicing one day. My overwhelming emotions took over me. Leaving me in tears and then quickly into a panic attack. It had only been a month since I last had one. This time though was particularly bad. My temples felt like they were going to explode at any second. Lucky for me a good friend of mine came to my rescue to which she was able to slowly get me out of my panic and back to breathing deeply. It's incredible how powerful our breath is! On this day I realized that my life was changing in really big ways. It all started with putting down the deposit for Teacher Training just two days after quitting my job.

2017 was a rough but wonderfully magical year for me and my partner! There were moments where I wanted to just give up everything and moments I truly felt alive. I also learned a great deal about myself as a beautifully complex human.

One hardship after another, my partner and I have rolled with life's punches. I'm thankful to have him by my side. With everything that has happened, my heart continues to grow bigger and bigger. Finally, I feel like I can breathe easier. Finally, I feel freer of fears that plagued my mind for too long. Finally, I can enjoy my time in the present moment. I am grateful and thankful.

Without writing my life story here I'll continue with a part two that includes more of the obstacles that we faced.