The Ending & 4 Podcasts I listen to Weekly
Issue 11
I often write the newsletter backward. The links at the end help my brain warm up and get me into a rhythm of writing so I’m less in my head by the time I get to this part, theoretically at least.
I want to set the scene for you so you can picture the setting for today:
I’m sitting on the vintage green and blue gingham couch in the main room of our home. It’s unseasonably warm as the tropical storm is moving through. The windows are open and it is thundering intermittently. Every time it does, Hudson (my 110lb Great Pyrenees) stands up and checks in - usually with a wet nose nudging my hand, before laying back down to resume snoring. It is raining harder now. We still have leaves on the tree in our front yard; the rain sounds different when it hits the leaves on its descent - softer, gentler. It is dark for 9:30 am, so the lamps are on and everything is shadowy, warm, and calm.
This Monday was my final shoot of the year and I am in the home stretch of this full season. Everything is scheduled and planned for the next two months, and I feel like I am starting to at least think about breathing again. It has been intense. It always is intense this time of year. But it ended beautifully. Would you like to see a phone behind-the-scene of my final session of the year in NYC? What a note to wrap up on:
When it comes to intense, hard seasons I am quick to go total doomsday, recluse in my work, and struggle to keep it all going. And I know I’m not alone in this. We carry a lot. And if you’re exhausted, and exhausted of feeling exhausted, I see you. If you’re heading into this holiday season drained, I see you. I am with you.
My thoughts can quickly tornado, becoming chaotic and overwhelming, and I also have a tendency to get hyper-focused on things. It’s a good time (said with all the sarcasm you could possibly muster).
Personally, mantras work well for me - quite a shift after rolling my eyes hard when someone would talk about them just a couple of years ago, my arrogance and youthful confidence on full display. I’m always learning and being humbled, and hopefully softening some too.
Nowadays mantras help calm the tornado of my mind by harnessing my ability to latch onto an idea or a phrase, in this case. So instead of letting thoughts like “it is all falling apart”, “I have no idea what I am doing”, “I’m never going to catch up on everything”, “I am letting people down” (and so on and so forth), instead of those thoughts dominating my days, the phrases I’m focusing on are true and always require a perspective shift. And let me tell you, I am needing a shift in perspective at all times. I’m eternally hopeful and optimistic about the world and other people, yet resoundingly pessimistic about my own life and abilities. And I often, if not always, need to revisit how I am looking at something.
Here are the two mantras or ideas I’ve been focusing on recently:
This is a hard season. It too shall pass. The best I can do right now is to emerge myself into what I am experiencing and feeling. I do not need to fight it or try to get through it any faster.
(Note; this is a new approach for me. Historically when I’m in a hard season, I work as quickly as I can to get to the other side of it. I get exhausted and frustrated and pissed off in the process. That obviously was not working so I’ve been trying this method where I’m sitting in some of the hardness, acknowledging it, but not fighting quite so intensely to make it to the other side. I’m ok simply being in it and trusting this isn’t how it is going to be forever. It makes it all seem less scary and intense and overwhelming. And I feel less tension and pressure.)
I am grateful to get to do this.
(Note; This humbles me. And I need that. My plate may be full right now, but look at the work I get to do. Look what I am doing day-to-day. It is what I dreamed of.)
Podcast Roundup
I love a podcast. And my day-to-day lets me listen to many. Here are my current favorites:
The Popcast: A weekly podcast educating you on things that entertain, but do not matter.
First on the list because it is first in my heart. Knox and Jamie are hilarious. I am a proud member of their Patreon community and love every single piece of content they put out. I always save a few new episodes for road trips because Seth enjoys listening to them too. If you’re not sure where to start, they have a whole list of listener-favorite episodes to ease you in. The ‘No’s’ episodes are my personal favorites.
The Newsworthy: News made ‘fast, fair, fun’
I walk first thing in the morning most days and 9/10 days, you’ll find me listening to this podcast. It is unbiased, never sensationalized, and a great launching point for stories I want to dive into deeper. I appreciate that I can stay informed about what is going on in the world without feeling anxious. And the show notes are a great resource for learning more about an event or topic.
Funny Cuz It’s True with Elyse Myers
Oh my goodness, I love Elyse Myers. If you haven’t seen her videos on TikTok or Instagram, do so immediately. She is a comedian who is unafraid to talk about her ADHD and anxiety. Simply put, she is a national treasure. And her podcast has quickly become a favorite of mine since it launched about a month ago. My brain works very similarly to hers and it is always weird/fun to hear her voiceovers where she gives insight into what she was thinking during an interview because I’ve never heard someone articulate how I think and experience the world so clearly.
Fit Body, Happy Joints: Shannon breaks down myths, popular philosophies, trends, and mindsets to determine what actually creates sustainable fitness.
If we’ve ever talked about fitness in person, I’ve 100% mentioned EVLO & Dr. Shannon Ritchey. She has completely changed how I think about fitness, how I feel about my body, and how I approach health. Shannon is a PT and brilliant. You can read more about her approach here because I could go on and on (and absolutely will if you ever ask me about it in person). If you’re curious about health and fitness, then this is a must-listen.
Rapid fire honorable mentions: the podcasts I might not listen to weekly but if I have some extra time they’re the first I go to.
Everything Everywhere Daily: a podcast for curious people.
Here’s Where It Gets Interesting with Sharon McMahon: the stories of America you probably haven't heard.
Imagined Life: each episode is an immersive journey into the life of a world-famous person.
And let me know in the comments if there are any other podcasts that should be on my radar. I’m always looking for a new listen!
The Best Links of the Week:
Season 5 of one of my favorite shows of all time has finally dropped. I’m limiting myself to one episode an evening because I want to savor it, and I’ve only watched the first episode so far. Initial thoughts are that it is always an adjustment to the new cast, but I’m so glad it is back and it is just as wonderful as I remembered.
Fellow book lovers and personal library aficionados, have you ever seen something so delightful and necessary?
These pajamas are beautiful and I’m hoping they’ll go on sale (with everything else) after Thanksgiving.
Seth and I went and saw this last night. I was very impressed. I’m also a terrible movie and show critic because I honestly enjoy almost everything, but it really was very special.
We made this for dinner earlier this week and it was much simpler than I expected and even more delicious than its namesake. Note to future self; don’t swap cayenne for paprika.