Finding the Throughline with Kate Hanley

This week I’m talking about how to get back out there and being social with people in real time without feeling rusty or awkward. Because, after three years of having most meetings and even a lot of work places happening online, we’re not really used to sharing space, navigating a group of people, and talking to one another. I think we’re all a little socially awkward now. And yet we’re craving that connection.Today’s episode is to help you know what to do when you’re in a meeting and you hear that phrase, “let’s go around the room and introduce ourselves” and your blood runs cold because, what are you going to say?! I also show you how to customize the phrase toThere’s a three step formula that I learned from Dr. Andrea Wojnicki, an executive communications coach whose website is linked below. I’ll share that formula with you AND show you how to customize it to three different scenarios, including any social gathering (i.e. parties and BBQs).Dr. Andrea Wojnicki’s websiteShePodcasts conference websiteThis episode sponsored by: Better Help – Give online therapy a try and get on your way to being your best selfNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you’re going through tough times, it’s tempting to just hunker down and endure and do whatever it takes to get by. I ate a lot of cookies after my appendectomy which is not something I typically do and I swear, it was healing. That being said, there are little things, sometimes even tiny things, that, if you can manage to do one or two of them here and there can have a big positive impact on your being and your wellbeing, and make those tough times less taxing. Here are TK of them, along with the scientific reasons why they are effective. Get your pretty (and free!) Calm Tracker here. This episode sponsored by: Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three monthsNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I'm talking with Andrea Nakayama, founder of the Functional Nutrition Alliance. For the last 20+ years, Andrea helped those with chronic and autoimmune illnesses identify the healing protocol that will help them finally feel better and become the expert that they’ve been looking for. Andrea was motivated to pursue this path because 25+ years ago, when she was pregnant, Andrea's husband was diagnosed with a brain tumor and given 6 months to live. She has an incredible personal story but she's also worked with people for decades now to help them do something that we don't tend to focus on enough: experience Post Traumatic Growth.This episode sponsored by: Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three monthsNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Here’s a truth about tough times–they’re naturally a LOT tougher when you try to get through them on your own.And yet, receiving isn’t something we’re taught to do. I mean, the phrase, it’s better to give than to receive is excellent proof of that. We have to give up some stuff in order to be able to receive: namely, being too proud, being uncomfortable with accepting help, not wanting to be a bother, and just being trapped in our own head. Let’s talk about two things that will help you be more receptive of the help that’s going to make this tough time easier. This episode sponsored by: Ritual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three monthsNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If, as I shared in Monday’s episode, March is meh it’s a great time to simultaneously catch up on and get ahead on some adulting. Let’s take advantage of the last bits of winter’s hibernating energy to, as Elvis used to say, TCB (take care of business). I’ve got a handy dandy list of what needs your attention now, as well as tips on how to reframe the tedium and maybe even enjoy yourself. This episode sponsored by: NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or moreRitual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the things on my crazy mixed-up list of things giving me life are CBD supplements–they were my pain reliever of choice as I’ve recovered from having my appendix out. When I’ve been talking to friends and family members about how it’s been helping me (better than the oxy and Tylenol my doctor prescribed), they’ve had a lot of questions about it, so thought I’d put everything I know about CBD–and have learned through some basic research that you now don’t have to do–in an episode. Although I do have a CBD sponsor right now, they are definitely not paying me to do this episode! This is arising organically out of my own experience. I will say though that the CBD products I’ve been using are theirs. (My sponsor is NextEVO, they’re link–and the code to save 20%--is just below.)Review of multiple studies evaluating CBD’s effectiveness for painForbes article on 9 evidence-based benefits of CBDNew York Times article on CBDStudy on CBD effects on anxiety and cognitionThis episode sponsored by: NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or moreRitual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I have two mantras for this time of year: May is cray (because it’s always jam-packed with various events), and March is meh (because we’re tired of winter but it’s not yet spring, at least not here in the Northeast). This week’s episodes are my attempt to bust up some of that ‘meh’ energy. Starting with this hodge podge list of things that are currently giving me life – a garment, a gadget, a book, a show, and a supplement. I hope at least one of these things will help you, too. Things on my list:Hooga Clip-On Amber Reading LightNeck Reading LightHooded Robe from Softies–on sale!My Last Innocent Year by Daisy Alpert FlorinAnd the CBD supplements I take are from NextEVO (link is just below this list)This episode sponsored by: NextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or moreRitual’s Essential for Women – Save 10% off your first three months Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Worry, angst, malaise, the blahs, questioning--these states overtake all of us at some point, often when we’re navigating some kind of transition, or wondering if it’s time to make one. And while these moments can be uncomfortable–particularly because of the uncertainty that they bring with them–they are key, pivotal times in our lives. You know, the kind of thing you want to be present for, and bring your best thinking to.So today I’m sharing two powerful things to do to help you get some clarity and gain access to your wiser thoughts INSTEAD OF (or before) reaching for your favorite little helper for numbing out. I mean, hey, there’s a time and a place for everything. Do one of these two things and THEN pour yourself a glass of wine. Studies:Review of multiple studies that found an increase in meaning, purpose, and positive affect in the presence of natureStudy that found that exposure to nature (in person or via video) helped people reflect on life problemsStudy that found walking in nature or watching a video of walking in nature to make students more cooperative and better able to see the bigger picture. This episode sponsored by: Better Help – Give online therapy a try and get on your way to being your best selfNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that marijuana is legal in many states, it’s no longer a sneaky little secret–but does that mean it’s time to go full Cheech & Chong?? Today I’m interviewing Lizzie Post, great-great-granddaughter of American etiquette expert Emily Post, copresident of the Emily Post Institute, cohost of the Awesome Etiquette podcast. and author of the book Higher Etiquette: a Guide to the World of Cannabis.I asked Emily things like:Now that cannabis is legal, what’s the etiquette around using it socially? How do you open up a conversation about cannabis, or should we keep in mind when it comes up among friends, family, co-workers? How about cannabis and kids if you’re a parent? And more!Higher Etiquette bookEmilypost.substack.comAwesome Etiquette podcastThis episode sponsored by: Better Help – Give online therapy a try and get on your way to being your best selfNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is alcohol good for you or bad for you? Well…it’s both. On one hand, red wine is part of the Mediterranean Diet, widely heralded as one of the healthiest eating styles in the world. On the other, alcohol is a neurotoxin and can be awfully high sugar and carb. Today, I’m sharing three aspects of drinking that, with a little bit of awareness, you can use to minimize the negative effects of drinking. This episode sponsored by: Better Help – Give online therapy a try and get on your way to being your best selfNextEVO – Use promo code BETTER to save 20% off your order of $40 or more Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices