Make Some Noise with Andrea Owen

Today is a great day because Laura Powers is back on the podcast! Laura is a celebrity psychic who has been featured by Buzzfeed, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and many other media outlets. Not too long ago, Laura and I began talking about the inner-critic. And she happens to have a slightly different perspective on the inner-critic than I do. I love it when guests can come on to share their unique view on managing negative self-talk so you have even more tools to learn and grow.In this episode we begin with a conversation about the inner critic, of course. We then move on to talking about Mercury in Retrograde, the healing power of sleep and empathetic energy. This was such an interesting conversation. So much so, I may even have Laura (whom I’ve dubbed our ‘in-house psychic’) back on the podcast again!In this episode: Laura’s unique view about our thoughts, things we are receiving externally, and the inner critic (8:10) Mercury in Retrograde; what it means and how can it affect the world around us (20:27) The healing power of sleep (28:32) Empathetic energy, it’s possible your feelings are actually not yours (40:00) http://yourkickasslife.com/234  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

On June 12th, 2008, I published my first blog post. I had no idea I would go on to create the YKAL community I’ve since created, I just knew I loved personal development and wanted to share it with the world, or at least 5 or 6 people who might read my little blog.A decade later, I’ve switched from “Live Your Ideal Life” to what you know now as “Your Kick-Ass Life”, wrote and published 2 books (the second being translated into 15 languages, wait, what!?), nearly 250 podcast episodes, helped thousands of women in their lives and I’ve learned a lot. Here’s some things I’ve learned just about writing alone... Writing makes you a better writer. One of the simplest pieces of advice I ever got and absolutely the truest. To be a better swimmer, you swim. To be a better kung fu fighter, you kung fu fight. Writing is the same, it’s getting your butt in the seat (unless you have a standing desk, if so, yay you!) and write. If you’re really committed, try to write every day. Write like no one is reading. This might be easy if you journal and lock it up in your safe that has 17 lock combinations on it and you’re sure no one will read it, but sometimes we are bloggers, freelance writers, and Facebook status updaters. We know people are reading and that knowing can change the way we write and express ourselves.When we do this, a little or a lot of bullshit can creep in. We start to worry about what people will think, we might skew our opinion to not seem “too much” of something, and things can go sideways, fast.If you want to write with your whole heart, if you want to tap into the innermost parts of yourself that are raw and real and uncensored, you must write like no one is reading. But also write like people are reading. I know I just gave you a heartfelt sermon on writing like no one is reading, but you have to know your audience once you create a community of readers. This lesson doesn’t apply if you’re writing with no goal in mind except to write (ie you’re not trying to build a business now or even eventually). If you want to grow your writing community, whatever that looks like, you must get to know who your best followers are. Follow your intuition, and listen to your audience at the same time. You will get criticism, even if it’s just about your grammar. A wise woman once said, “You haven’t made it until you get a hater” and “hater” being anyone from a troll to someone who criticizes your work. There’s thoughtful criticism which is basically just feedback that argues your points, opinions, or work in general, and then there’s people who are just dicks.The thing is, if you keep writing or putting your art out there, you will eventually get criticism. You’re not for everyone, and that’s okay. Read the rest of this article HEREhttp://yourkickasslife.com/233  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week I welcome Scott Stabile to the podcast. He is the author of the book, Big Love. I’ve been watching him from afar for a while now. I heard him on another podcast, began following him on social media, and then read his book. Scott has such an amazing and heart-wrenching story, but it is one of resilience and strength. And, I knew I just had to introduce him to you!In this episode we talk a lot about love and forgiveness. We touch on Scott’s story, including how he evolved into being a teacher on the topic of love. Plus, we explore the topics of compassion and empathy, how small things matter, and how to show up for yourself.In this episode you’ll hear: Making the commitment to live our lives from love  Does our life purpose really matter?  The path to forgiveness is empathy  Empathy, compassion and boundaries  Scott explains how the writing process can be a powerful tool  http://yourkickasslife.com/232  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kate Courageous is back on the YKAL podcast, y’all! She was one of my first podcast guests, way back in 2013. She is a dear friend of mine, as well, and I am thrilled she is back, this time to share her thoughts on fear, courage, and the inner-critic. Kate is also the author of The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life. I am so happy her book is available! Today, we talk all about her new book and living more courageous lives. Plus, we cover the brain science behind courage habits, and identifying and then dealing with habits that are holding you back. In this episode you’ll hear: Four fear patterns that get people stuck (4 minutes and 36 seconds) Some ways we try to deal with fear (10:25) The more you go into the things you fear, the wider your comfort zone becomes (17:07) Reaching out and creating a community, courage-based values, and being vulnerable (22:17) Fear is a wound and needs understanding and how to strike a balance with fear (34:39) Also, did you know I’m back to doing weekly Facebook and Instagram Live videos? Join me on Thursday’s at noon Eastern time (9am Pacific) on either Instagram or Facebook as I talk about a personal development lesson (~ 10 minutes).(If you miss it, you can see archived videos on Facebook or my YouTube channel). http://yourkickasslife.com/231  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hey ass kickers! Well, after nearly 10 years of blogging, 5 years and 228 podcast episodes, I’m FINALLY doing a favorite things episode! I tried to record both as a regular podcast episode AND video, but alas, I had an technology FAIL on the video side, so these images will have to do!So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite things…Misc. Golden Girls coasters. I don’t even think I need to sell you on this one.Hair and beauty:Nume Curling Wand- When I do actually do my hair, I use this curling wand. I’ve had a few different ones, and this one by far is my favorite. I often get comments on my hair and on one occasion was chased down in Target by a breathless woman asking me how I got my curls. Lush’s Sea Salt Spray-- I’ve tried several Sea Salt sprays, even a big brand name that will go unnamed, but they’ve all been a huge waste of money, until I tried Lush’s brand. The smell is amazing, it’s not sticky, and works great. MAC Cosmetics Studio Fix-- I use the powder (BTW, that link will take you to my shade, NC30, but you probably want to go somewhere where they sell it so someone can match your skin tone). Super easy to put on (I use a brush) and I use to even out my skin tone. Add a little blush, eyebrow pencil, and mascara and I’m done. The bralette- Two of my favorites are here and here. Great for the small to medium breasted women who don’t need a whole lot of support. Gold bond hand cream- I feel like such a grandma with this, but… I have really dry skin and can’t stand it when my hands feel dry. I’ve tried approximately 17,000 different hand creams and this one BY FAR is my favorite. It’s not greasy (unless you use way too much), and it works, even through a hand washing. I keep the small tubes in different drawers all over my house, in my purse, and in the car.I don’t consider myself a super techie person, but these are the apps I can’t live without AND they’re all easy to use.Check out the rest of this recommendations HEREhttp://yourkickasslife.com/230   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the YKAL podcast I am joined by Jeannine Yoder, a New York Times Featured Business & Feminine Leadership Coach For Coaches, Broadway Starlet and the Founder of Mentor Masterclass. Jeannine has such an incredible story of resilience and redemption. And you know how I love a good redemption story! In this episode Jeannine shares how she overcame a really difficult childhood, one surrounded by drug addicted parents, chaos and trauma.She talks openly about her path to healing, which spanned many years. Plus, she goes on to share how she ‘rose from the ashes’ and became a broadway star. Finally, she offers some of her own advice for healing the parental wound and making peace with it all.In this episode you’ll hear: Jeannine share in detail her childhood story and what she learned the most from her experiences (5 minutes and 58 seconds) Not being a victim of circumstances, plus listening to your inner voice to empower and guide you through life decisions (11:07) How to love your life with your whole being and still be healing and lessons learned from attending AA meetings with her father (16:00) Becoming a broadway star; the lifestyle of an artist (19:17) Jeannine’s tools and strategies for healing the mother wound (26:56) The greatest way to healing your story is by telling your story (38:10) Also, did you know I’m back to doing weekly Facebook and Instagram Live videos? Join me on Thursday’s at noon Eastern time (9am Pacific) on either Instagram or Facebookas I talk about a personal development lesson (~ 10 minutes).(If you miss it, you can see archived videos on Facebook or my YouTube channel). http://yourkickasslife.com/229  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

I devoured Janelle Hanchett’s memoir, I’m Just Happy to Be Here, while I was in New York on my book tour. I could not put it down. Janelle is also the creator of the website, Renegade Mothering, and she is this week’s guest on the YKAL podcast. In this episode Janelle and I discuss her new book and her blog which are both devoted to her take on maneuvering through life, motherhood and sobriety. We also touch on her addiction and sobriety story.But first, I share some of my recent experiences with triathlon training. Let’s just say, it’s been more challenging than I had anticipated. I also talk about my fear of drains and how that relates to why I decided to sign up for a sprint triathlon (yes, I’m seriously afraid of drains). Which leads me to the main reason for mentioning all of this: what is one thing you are afraid of and what can you do to push yourself through it?In this episode you’ll hear: The “why” behind creating the Renegade Mothering blog (10 minutes and 48 seconds) Meeting up with other moms at the park, playing the “one-upping” game and really just wanting to get real, instead (17:07) In the midst of writing her book, Janelle shares an event that rocked her to the core and how that event ultimately affected how she wrote the rest of the memoir (23:12) How Janelle managed sobriety through grief and how she manages it daily with a busy lifestyle (28:31) Also, did you know I’m back to doing weekly Facebook and Instagram Live videos? Join me on Thursday’s at noon Eastern time (9am Pacific) on either Instagram or Facebook as I talk about a personal development lesson (~ 10 minutes). This week is self-forgiveness! (If you miss it, you can see archived videos on Facebook or my YouTube channel). http://yourkickasslife.com/228  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

My personal friend and colleague Debbie Reber joins me on the YKAL podcast this week. She is a mother of a differently wired child and is the podcast host of TILT Parenting. Her book, Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World, comes out in spring 2018, which we talk about in this episode.As some of you may know my son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, sensory processing disorder, and anxiety disorder, at the age of 5. In this episode Debbie and I share some of our own experiences as parents of atypical children. Plus, we also talk about how having an exceptional child can bring up some of our own complicated and messy feelings and how we worked through them.Whether you are a parent of an exceptional child or a parent of a neurotypical child; the topics we cover are meant to offer support and understanding for everyone, even if you don’t have children.In this episode you’ll hear: Why we tend to isolate when faced with the situation of having an exceptional child (3 minutes and 59 seconds) Letting go of what others think about your child (atypical or not) when they go against social norms (8:39) The complexities of mourning your child’s diagnosis, dealing with the loss of the vision you had for them, and giving yourself time to mourn by politely telling people to f*ck off (12:05) Dealing with the expectations of parenting, with ourselves and with our children (13:31) Creating space where your child can feel secure (22:47) As more and more resources become available and exceptional children are being accepted in today’s society, hear Debbie’s vision and hope for the future of differently wired children (28:20) Also, join me on Thursdays at noon eastern time (9 Pacific) LIVE on Facebook or Instagram as I share a personal growth lesson. Tomorrow’s lesson is all about complaining!Lastly, both retreats for this year are sold out, but if you want to get on the waitlist/interest list, please sign up here.http://yourkickasslife.com/227 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

This week on the YKAL podcast, I welcome back Lori Harder for the third time. One of the things I love about Lori is that she is at a top-tier level in her business and she is simply one of the kindest people I know. Lori has a new book coming out next week called, A Tribe Called Bliss, which I just loved and we talked about in this episode. We also talked about building your community, creating stronger connections and how to handle friendships that have changed over time (and may no longer serve you). Plus, we touch on gossip, why it’s so important to talk about and how malicious gossip is just a cheap way to build connections.In this episode you’ll hear How Lori created a tribe of her own and some ways you can too (6 minutes and 47 seconds) Collecting people can help you build connections and friends, including building your supporting cast and what that truly means (12:58) Good gossip and finding a safe space with a friend to talk things through (22:18) Having a conversation with a friend when the friendship has changed or may be coming to an end (26:36) Creating agreements with a friend and building deeper connections (33:52) Lori’s seven sacred agreements (34:46) http://yourkickasslife.com/226  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Christina Dunbar on the YKAL podcast again. I am so happy to bring her back on the podcast, because she just oozes creativity and has really dedicated her life to healing from a creative place. You can hear our first conversation about using the power of voice, here. Christina is a performing artist, poet, producer and mentor to creative women. She is also the playwright and star of Dirty Me Divine; a one-woman show about sexuality and soul, directed by husband Chaim Dunbar.In today’s episode Christina and I explore owning your feminine sexual energy, as well as, learning how to heal shame through creative expression. Plus, we answer the question, can you truly be shameless? Before I began my conversation with Christina, in the intro of this episode, I do my own work by sharing my own experience with surrendering and making room for success of my latest book, How To Stop Feeling Like Shit.In this episode you’ll hear: Why is it important to own and trust your sexual energy (12 minutes and 47 seconds) The wounded female artist, defining an artist and dealing with art scars (15:20) Healing shame through art, storytelling and creative expression (23:17) How to flex the muscle of the healing our inner artist (33:36) Christina’s surprising revelations in herself and her in work (44:43) Can we really be truly shameless? (47:22) http://yourkickasslife.com/225 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices