WANTcast: The Women Against Negative Talk Podcast

If your brand of activism lives on the mat instead of the streets, I am here to assure you: it is still activism. Today's WANTcast is all about the intersection of activism and wellness - what the wellness industry gets right, where we fall short, and the small changes we can make on the regular to make a huge difference in the long run. Things going on (besides marches) in the next couple weeks around the country: https://womenagainstnegativetalk.com/2017/01/ways-to-make-a-difference-this-week-beyond-if-youre-not-attending-a-womens-march/ Read it here: https://womenagainstnegativetalk.com/2017/01/on-activism-an-open-letter-to-the-wellness-industry/

Today's guest is Sarah Britton - author, holistic nutritionist, certified nutritional practitioner, and artist (you'll hear why later in the podcast) who is based in Copenhagen Denmark. She is the creative force behind MY NEW ROOTS, an award-winning food blog featuring original recipes that taste great, look beautiful, and boast incredible health benefits. She follows the philosophy of making healthy choices every day and has been creating plant based recipes for readers all of the world since 2007. She's the author of the my new roots cookbook and the upcoming cookbook naturally nourished healthy delicious meals made with every day ingredients. In this episode we talk about overcoming obstacles, manifesting things in your life and how important it is to be mindful of what you wish for, how Sarah completely revamped her relationship with food, and three things that ANYONE can do to remove what Sarah calls the fog from your life and wake up FULLY. Basically, how to realize how good you're meant to feel on a day-to-day basis. Verdict: she's the perfect positive voice to help us ring in the new year.

Going through - or just went through - a major transition? Had a stressful year? You might be in need of a planned freak-out. In this episode I break down my OWN structured, PRODUCTIVE break-down - and how you can do the same. 

For this episode, I wanted to talk what's going on post-election - but I didn't want to simply have a conversation about how scary things are over and over. I think that we've all had enough of that. I wanted to have an in-depth conversation with someone who could speak to the nitty-gritty details and logistics of it all way more than I could...someone who (preferably) had an inside look into politics, and also (preferably) was in the business of mindfulness. Because in order to change minds and change lives, we can't speak in vague terms. We need to be able to articulate why exactly things are as terrifying as they are, and we need to be solution oriented and determined to mobilize in a way that works for us. I knew that Danielle Beinstein would be the perfect person to have this kind of conversation with. Dani is a meditation teacher and astrologer in Los Angeles - and go figure, also has a background in politics! You might remember her from Episode Two, which is still one of the most downloaded episodes...so if you haven't listened to that definitely put it on your to do list. In this episode, we dive into what's going on in the country, we explore why exactly this is so terrifying (like, actually break it down, not just get worked up about it being terrifying and get ourselves more and more anxious along with you), what we need to know about the way our government is set up, what astrology has to say about this time in history (it's mind-blowing), the dangers of "spiritual bypass," what we can do about it all, and how to talk to those who might have different viewpoints than we do. It's the perfect episode to air right before Thanksgiving and the holiday season kicks - a time during which you might be spending time with people who not only have different views than your own, but with people you usually don't have emotional, impassioned conversations with in the first place. Plus Dani has a fascinating theory on the return of chivalry, and what men's role is during this incredibly fascinating time. I'm so pumped about this conversation and know I'll be listening multiple times to really soak it in. And I was there in the first place!

Abiola Abrams is an award-winning author, advice columnist, motivational speaker, and certified life coach who has given her life-changing advice on networks from MTV and BET to the Discovery Channel and the BBC, as well as being a popular advice columnist for Essence and on sites like Match.com. Her book The Sacred Bombshell Handbook of Self-Love won Best Self-Help Book at the African American Literary Awards. As what she calls the "Midwife for Your Inspired Life," her online empowerment programs help women to answer and rock their callings, by turning self-love to self-launch. She is the founder of the women’s empowerment blog and web series on SacredBombshell.com and the podcast Spiritpreneur School, aka The Goddess Factory. (and yes, I know. She's a master at naming things. Just you wait 'till you listen to the episode) Flashback for context: seven years ago, I was going through a huge life shift. Or, rather, I was about to go through a huge life shift - I just didn't know it yet. I had just moved to Venice Beach, gotten a steady job at one of my favorite fitness studios, finally gotten over a rough breakup, and was starting to feel more like myself than ever. I was starting to realize that maybe the life I'd planned out for myself wasn't the life I was really supposed to lead...and instead of being scary, that glimmer of a thought was actually starting to feel freeing. Basically, all of my channels were open for change - I just didn't know what was coming next. It was also around this time I started running. Every week, I'd lace up my New Balances and drive to the long stretch of grass along Ocean Avenue and just go. I'd call them my thinking runs: the time that was just for me, where I could zone out and tune into what my heart was really saying. One day before a thinking run, I was looking for a way to tune into the radio show I'd been listening to on my drive over (I miss the car radio in NYC!) and came across these new things called "podcasts." My first observation? There weren't a lot of female hosts. Finally, I found one. The Goddess Factory by Abiola Abrams. Looked promising. I could get down with goddess talk. Well, I ended up becoming HOOKED. I found Abiola's enthusiastic yet no-bs outlook on life just the type of inspiration I needed. It felt like she wasn't just talking directly TO me, but like she was a friend who was giving me permission to be as passionate, deep, silly, funny, and BIG as I wanted to be. It was just what I needed to catapult me into the next stage of my life, which ultimately, has led me right here. It sounds kinda cheesy to say I couldn't have done it without her, but honestly - I couldn't have done it without her.  I LOVE each twist and turn of this conversation, talking everything from what to do when you feel like other people just don't quite GET what you're about yet and sticking to your guns when it seems like everyone else is getting ahead, to getting your voice heard even when other people are trying to manipulate it to their liking along the way. We also talk about being an extroverted introvert and getting swept up in the bigness of whatever's going on around you, and whether you're super extroverted or incredibly introverted, how to stay grounded AND enthusiastic even when life is demanding a lot of you (especially when things are really good and borderline overwhelming, which are the times that can sometimes throw us off the most if you're anything like me). We seriously could have talked for ages - you'll hear, her energy and genuine enthusiasm are infectious. Make sure you download this one everywhere you listen to podcasts, because you're gonna wanna go back and re-listen later. I know I will.  

Chances are, you've heard of Jordan Younger, aka "The Balanced Blonde." Maybe it's because of her best-selling book, Breaking Vegan. Maybe it's because of her lifestyle blog that's literally read by thousands of people worldwide weekly. Maybe it's because of her adorable clothing line, or uber-popular social media channels... ...Or maybe it's because you saw her on virtually every morning news circuit two years ago, when she "came out" to her readers saying her intense focus on healthy, vegan living had spiraled her into an eating disorder. One that had zero to do with veganism but everything to do with the way she was using the label to mask her unnatural obsession with eating as "pure" as possible. And one that, subsequently, made her the target of intense hate and even death threats from people convinced that she was speaking ill of the vegan community. In reality, nothing could have been farther from the truth - or the real Jordan behind the news headlines and blog posts. Only 26 years old (as of today! Happy Birthday, Jordan!), Jordan's transition from The Blonde Vegan (her former blog name) to The Balanced Blonde made her a wellness "It Girl" virtually overnight. She's managed to navigate both the highest highs and lowest lows of being in the public eye with grace, humor, and integrity, all while unapologetically being, well, herself. She is bubbly like champagne, kind to the core, and just as enthusiastic about championing others' success as she is when it comes to pursuing her own. She takes her work seriously but takes reactions in stride, and treats each person she meets like a new friend in the making. In a scene that's becoming almost overly-saturated with a wellness-elite vibe, Jordan is a breath of fresh air and true authenticity. After years of "knowing" each other from afar and running in so many of the same circles, Jordan and I finally got to met at the WANT Moving Forward Fearlessly event back in April. She crushed it (check out the recap here). And she's become a cherished friend ever since. What I love about Jordan is that she doesn't apologize for being who she is, and she doesn't tailor herself to fit other people's liking. We share countless similarities - from our history with Orthorexia to our blogging backgrounds to our Libra birthdays - and I know I can always speak candidly to her about both the exciting moments and, well, b.s. that comes along with starting up your own purpose project from scratch. The thing about Jordan is that while she’s gotten a lot of outward success in a relatively short amount of time, what impresses me the most about her is how completely transparent she is about her journey getting there, how she was feeling at the time, and how she currently navigates the extremes that come with both being a highly creative and driven person. It’s a lot easier to take risks and pivot when you’re lesser known or just starting out at whatever you’re doing, but once you’ve got all eyeballs all on you, it can be tough not only to take those risks in the fist place, but also manage the reactions of others you get in response to those risks. She’s able to laugh at herself, is incredible self-aware, and takes it all in stride without throwing out the sensitive parts of her that have made her so magnetic to so many people. In this episode we talk about adrenaline addiction, the fear of success instead of fear of failure, finding the work style the works for you, how Jordan has learned to manage both the highs and lows of her business while staying true to herself, being a leader when you still feel like you're learning, and forging your own journey even when it's tempting to compare yourself to other people in your age range or career field. We also talk about some of her not-so-traditional health and spiritual adventures, the latter of which starts off with us laughing about it, but ends with a lesson all of us should remember about believing what we can't see. I can't think of a more perfect, pragmatically positive person to kick off Season Two of the WANTcast. WANT Jordan: Show Notes: The Balanced Blonde Facebook Instagram Twitter Snapchat Breaking Vegan E-book preorder Jordan at WANT's event in April That time she was on Chelsea Handler's Snapchat Miranda Alcott Orthorexia, Explained WANT to support the WANTcast? Click over to Amazon via this link, then shop as usual. I will receive a small-but-meaningful kickback, which means we can invest in things like sound editing, new equipment, and more. No extra charge to you. Easy as that! Like this episode? Shoot me a comment below, leave a review on iTunes, share it on Facebook, tweet it out on Twitter, or post it on Instagram. Be sure to use the hashtags #WANTcast, #womenagainstnegativetalk, and/or #WANTyourself!

* SEASON ONE FINALE *  As you probably already realized…this episode is a little different. It’s just me today. I’m gonna try something new. It just so happens that by the time a lot of you listen to this, it’ll also be my 30th birthday. I decided that today, I’d jam about 30 lessons I’ve learned in 30 years. I know. A little headline-y. But hey. I always love reading those lists, and hearing what others have to say about the lessons they’ve learned, so I thought maybe you’d like to, too. And honestly, as I was thinking about it, there is a LOT of overlap in the lessons I learned in season one of the WANTcast. Some of these are a little more trivial than others – like, stuff about smog checks, for example – but when I was in the moment and didn’t know what to do or was thrown off my game, they seemed like really big moments. 30 lessons in 30 years. As full of a list as I could muster up. Here we go! Show Notes: WANTcast archives Benjamin Mathes episode Kirsten Potenza episode Ashlee Piper episode Jessica Murnane episode  Kate Northrup Many Lives, Many Masters Using Your Intuition Vs. Being Triggered I Love You And I Like You: The Ebbs And Flows Of Body Image The Dreams We Woke Up From: An Ode To Transitions Like this episode? Shoot me a comment below, leave a review on iTunes, share it on Facebook, tweet it out on Twitter, or post it on Instagram. Be sure to use the hashtags #WANTcast, #womenagainstnegativetalk, and/or #WANTyourself!

The end of August/beginning of September always symbolizes a fresh start to me - and this is the perfect episode to hopefully catapult you into whatever newness is in store for you in the season to come. Emily Greener is the CEO and co-founder of I AM THAT GIRL, a global movement inspiring girls to be, love, and express who they are through education, content, and community. She’s been Emily and the IATG crew have taken their movement off-line into communities all over the world, motivating girls from SoCal to South Africa to live the lives they were meant to lead, judgement-free. For even more on Emily, you can check out her WANT Woman spotlight here. In this episode we talk about navigating major turning points in life (like quarter-life crises and your "Saturn Return," which I've got links to read up on in the show notes), how to become a leader in whatever space you're in whether it's in work or in life, the power and scariness of going first, and of course, the chance meeting and turning-point moment that sparked the mass movement that is now I AM THAT GIRL. Two super-powerful parts of this conversation in particular really struck a chord. The first is when Emily talks about how to hold space for others as a leader, and the moment when she realized that in order to be the leader she was striving to be, she would have to let go of some stuff first. The second? The mindset shift she experienced recently when it comes to success. We talk about the delicate balance between humility and recognizing your successes, and how she was able to find that happy medium and really let love in. What I love about you guys, as WANTcast listeners and fellow WANT Women (and WANT men, too!) is that...it's so cool, you are natural-born leaders. I see it in the comments on the site, in the emails, on social, when I meet you in person - you can't ignore it. But just because you're a leader, or you maybe don't view yourself as a leader yet but WANT to be a leader, it doesn't mean you're immune to self-doubt, fears, or moments where nothing seems to make sense. If anything, you're probably even more sensitive to those moments BECAUSE of that leadership chip in your brain and hear. This episode might be just what you need to help you be the leader you know you've been inside all along. Also, next episode will be the end of SEASON ONE of the WANTcast! I was thinking of doing something special and different - I know a lot of people have asked me how to start a podcast, or what my favorite things about doing a podcast are, or what I've learned - I don't know, would you want to hear an episode like that? Let me know - email me at katie@womenagainstnegativetalk.com, or shoot me a comment on social, or drop me a line in the comments section of this post. I really want to do something cool for episode 20. Alright, we'll talk about that later. For now, let's live in the moment. Episode 19. Enjoy. WANT Emily. Show notes: I AM THAT GIRL Find a chapter Start a chapterIATG Facebook IATG Instagram IATG Twitter Emily's WANT Woman spotlight Emily's Instagram Twitter Saturn return 101 Astrologer Danielle Beinstein on the WANTcast Emily's DVF Award Like this episode? Shoot me a comment below, leave a review on iTunes (the more reviews, the more Emily’s wisdom is spread), share it on Facebook, tweet it out on Twitter, or post it on Instagram. Be sure to use the hashtags #WANTcast, #womenagainstnegativetalk, and/or #WANTyourself!

Today’s guest is the lovely Ashlee Piper. Ashlee Piper is a political strategist turned vegan and eco-lifestyle expert, writer, and TV personality whose work has been featured in/on Refinery29, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health, Reader’s Digest, Mirror Mirror, Mind Body Green, VegNews, Vegetarian Times, AOL, NBC, CBS, ABC, and FOX News, to name a few. Piper is also a brand strategist and influencer for some of the world's most ethical and innovative companies. One of the things I love about Ashlee is her versatility and mad smarts. I’m fascinated by Ashlee’s background as a political strategist and creative consultant, and how that has led to her building a name for herself as an “eco-lifestyle expert” over the years. In this episode, we talk Ashlee’s winding career journey that ultimately led her to where she is today, how to pivot both personally and professionally when what you had or who you were no longer serves you, the importance of listening to your intuition and how to discern whether it’s your gut talking or if you’re being triggered, how personal and professional brand can, and maybe even should, be one and the same, and the social media frenzy to keep it hashtag-authentic vs. actually authentic. We also talk about how to push through when you’re afraid of taking chances and asking questions, self-promotion, and how to deal with that nagging question we all get at one point or another: what will people think of me. She gets me a little more chatty than usual when we start talking about intuition, and at one point got me revealing a story about a time that I was trying to convince myself that I was following my intuition, but I really wasn’t – a story that I probably would have been more comfortable just writing about and calling a day (because, I don’t know, it’s less vulnerable than saying it out loud?), but I’m so glad that she turned the tables a little on me, because it opened us up to an even greater conversation around what it really means to be happy. Whether you’re feeling solid in your career, romantic life, and personal life or you’re feeling like you’re on shaky ground somewhere in the mix, I can guarantee this episode will have something for you to take with you into your day and into your life, and make you even 2% more positive and proactive in being the you YOU know you’re meant to be. Show Notes: Ashlee's site The Little Foxes Facebook Instagram Twitter Pinterest Ashlee's WANT Woman spotlight

A note on recent events in our country and world... There is a dark cloud over our world right now and for weeks I was trying to decide what to do and how to proceed. And no, that doesn't mean using hashtags and prayers (although those should never be thrown aside because every teensy tinesy step counts). I realized that "doing something" meant talking to EVERYONE, asking questions, and ESPECIALLY informing myself when it comes to perspectives other than my own. This has been my MO for as long as I can remember, but this month has been a huge, grim reminder that I can do more and be better and search harder and dig deeper. Always. However, there is a delicate balance. For me, someone who has been born into skin deemed "white" and therefore has never experienced racism firsthand, I've wanted to gain massive insight on how I can be an ally and work toward change beyond posting an article on FB or a hashtag on Instagram (both of which are still important and will continue to do). But I know that some people aren't ready to jump into explaining "How You Can Help" to me. The country is grieving right now. The world is grieving. And it's wrong to assume that just because one person wants answers, another person is ready (emotionally) to give them counsel. And so I wanted to have a conversation about it....and so, so more. Enter Erica Chidi. Blending her skills as a doula, lactation counselor and chef, Erica guides expectant parents through their pregnancy and transition into parenthood. Her intuitive and gentle approach, coupled with her expertise has helped hundreds of families easily adjust into their new roles with support and confidence. In 2013 Erica founded The Mama Circle, which focused on nurturing women into motherhood. The Mama Circle provided doula services, lactation counseling, nutritional support as well as prenatal, postpartum and parenting education programs. Her newest venture, LOOM, is co-founded with Quinn Lundberg and set to open in Los Angeles in 2017. LOOM will be a wellness hub for pregnancy and parenting offering coaching, classes and community events. Erica's first book on pregnancy and early motherhood will be published by Chronicle Books and released in fall 2017. What I LOVE about this episode is how unexpectedly seamlessly all the topics flow together. From ways to practice gratitude during times of strain to how to prep for motherhood even if you don't really know if you're wanting kids yet to the generational wounds triggered by the most recent shootings and racist violence, this conversation with Erica is filled with wisdom, introspection, and inspiration to stay not only grounded, but balance being both empathetic and self-loving at the same time. Basically: what it means to confront the uncomfortable in all aspects of life. If you are feeling low, please do not berate yourself for being so profoundly affected...even if you can't put words to it. Energy is neither created nor is it destroyed. Our world is at an empathetic standstill, which means that those who DO feel deeply might be feeling enough for many others who don't have the awareness or courage to sit with and process their own emotions. It's okay. Feel all you feel, and feel it deeply. And then once you've let it sink into your bones, like calcium to the skeleton, use that empathetic energy you've metabolized to TAKE SUCH STRONG AND POWERFUL action that the world can't help but be better for you being in it. Thank you a million times over to Erica for sharing so much of herself with all of us. This episode is a must-listen. Be sure to listen until the end for a challenge for all WANTcast listeners - one of those small things that can make a HUGE difference.