The Lively Show

Today is the day before my 30th birthday(!), so I thought it would be fun to reflect on the 10 biggest lessons I learned in my 20’s. And since last week’s “Mini Edition” of The Lively Show was such a big hit… I decided to share the lessons I’ve learned with you via another Mini Edition of The Lively Show! I’m sharing the lessons I’ve learned concerning marriage, business, uncertainty, and cultivating a beautiful home.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   The biggest thing I look for when buying something new. How to start difficult conversations for the best results. Why failing is a good thing. How to get more of what you want. What marriage means to me (aka: how I knew I wanted to marry Mr. Lively). Why stuff and goals don’t really bring joy and fulfillment in and of themselves. How I know when to stop doing something and go onto something new. The biggest habit I’ve cultivated to create massive change in my life. The number one lesson I’ve learned that I cannot wait to use in my 30’s.   Show Notes   The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Private Victory Habit Why I married Mr. LivelyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today’s Lively Show episode is the perfect blend of deep introspection, inspiration, practical how-to, and fun! I’m talking with Caroline Rector of the minimalist fashion blog, Unfancy. Caroline’s blog focuses on creating a “capsule wardrobe,” which – for her – means wearing the same 37 pieces (including shoes!) for three months at a time. I knew I had to have her on the show to share the journey that brought her to the concept… and share her insights for those of us who would like to attempt a similar experiment in our own wardrobes. This show is perfect for anyone interested in trying a creative wardrobe framework, simplifying, discovering their true style, or tackling difficult shopping issues. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   The two big limiting beliefs that Caroline had to overcome in her life which eventually brought her to style and fashion blogging. How Caroline reexamined her negative thought patterns and mainstream media messages in order to change the way she looked at herself and reality. (Heads up: we talk about breasts.) The four month long soul journey that Caroline went on between ending her previous career and starting her new one as a minimalist fashion blogger. Where the concept of capsule collections comes from, and the blogs that helped introduce Caroline to the concept initially. Why Caroline has settled on the number 37 for her capsule collections. How Caroline approaches setting the number of pieces in a capsule collection and her suggestions for others thinking to do something similar. Caroline’s approach to shopping when she’s creating a capsule. The step-by-step guide to starting your own capsule collection experiment. The revelations that Caroline experienced from not clothes shopping for long periods of time. How this shift in shopping and style has impacted the rest of Caroline’s life. Caroline’s recommendations for those who have full-time jobs or two separate roles that require completely different types of clothing. What Caroline would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Unfancy Into Mind Project 333 Be More With Less  Caroline’s Wardrobe PlannerAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today I’m experimenting with something new… a TUESDAY Lively Show! Instead of writing my usual Tuesday post, I’ve created a “mini edition” of the show. I’m chatting openly about the craziness of the past six weeks for me, and the three biggest lessons I’ve learned during what has been one awesome and overwhelming ride.    IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   What I’ve been working on over the past six weeks. Why I’m creating the Life With Intention Online module videos as the class runs. How to be more present when you feel overwhelmed. A principle that often gets overlooked when we feel overwhelmed. The new Values I’m focusing on going forward now that things are calming down a bit. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Happy Lively Show day to you! This week I’m talking with Eric Zimmer, of the popular The One You Feed podcast. Getting to talk to Eric about overcoming doubts and resistance from an evolutionary standpoint and a day-to-day reality was awesome. This episode sheds light on the two different voices within ourselves and provides suggestions for handling comparison and other negative thought loops. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to understand the two different motivators within us and get practical habits and tips to overcome doubts or internal resistance.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   Why Eric’s podcast is called The One You Feed.  The parable of the two wolves that inspired The One You Feed title. How the ego may have evolved from an evolutionary standpoint to protect us. The role of culture and it’s impact on our emphasis on fear and ego. The role of comparison in our lives from an evolutionary standpoint. How Eric and myself try to overcome the urge to fall into the comparison trap. Eric’s tips and tricks for distracting the ego from negative thought loops. Ways of meditating… that don’t feel like meditating! The perspective change that Eric went through that helped him create a daily meditation habit. What Eric would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   The One You Feed Podcast Life With Intention Online The Happiness Hypothesis A Course in Miracles Podcast episode about positive concentration strategies Daring Greatly The Kristoffer Carter Lively Show Stephen Covey: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People On Being Podcast The Happiness TrapAdvertising Inquiries:

Happy Lively Show day! Today I’ve got a special guest that I’ve wanted to have on the show ever since I started: Joy Cho of Oh Joy. Joy is a graphic designer, blogger, product designer, author, mother (currently pregnant with her second child), wife, and she has a line at Target! She is one busy lady. Thankfully, I got the chance to talk with her about the things we don’t always get to see from reading her blog… the behind the scenes decisions, challenges, and hard-earned lessons that she’s faced over the last 10 years. This show is perfect for bloggers, creatives, and those who want to learn more about how Joy manages so many personal and professional projects all at once.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   Why Joy’s Target collection is actually her second time designing for the store! How Joy grew her blog and brand and why she never wanted to just be 100% a blogger or 100% a designer. Why Joy chose to add contributors to her blog for a period of time and why she’s since gone back to writing from her point of view instead. Joy explains what gestational diabetes is and what it’s been like to have it – along with what it has taught her so far.  The biggest thing we may not know about Joy from reading her blog.  The biggest pieces of advice Joy has for other aspiring creatives. Whether the more established blog community is decreasing. The hardest part about blogging for Joy. How Joy worked to overcome the struggles when keeping all the balls in the air in her professional and personal life after becoming a mother.  How Joy approaches her friendships locally and long distance. What Joy would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Joy’s Target Line Blog, Inc. Blog post about gestational diabetes  Little Green Notebook post Creature ComfortsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Yesterday I got back from Nashville after speaking at the AH Inspired retreat. I had a fantastic time with some amazing women. But, today I’m back in action with a new Lively Show episode for you! This one is good, guys. Really good. I’m talking with designer Kate Arends, of the well known design blog, Wit & Delight, and one of the newest Target collections! Kate is smart, honest, vulnerable, and takes her craft seriously. In this episode, we cover a gamut of topics including: how minimalism has evolved away from its original intent, her personal journey to learn to love and accept herself, and her relationship with mental health issues. This episode is perfect for anyone who wants to learn more about minimalism, authenticity, thriving with mental health issues, or designing for Target. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How homeownership is going for Kate and her husband – and the journey they took to find the home they recently purchased. Kate’s thoughts on how minimalism been warped in the design world. Why Kate has devoted herself to “optimal-izing” her struggles with perfectionism and control. The evolution of Kate’s design aesthetic as she creates her new home, and the pressures she can feel from creating a space given she has a new home line out for Target. The challenges Kate faced with working within the constraints of a launch with Target for Wit and Delight and how she navigated those challenges to create her collection. How the Target collection has changed Kate personally and in her career. How Kate stays grounded during such an upswing in her career. The struggles Kate has had with mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and ADHD and her wish for others with other mental health issues. Kate shares her (brilliant and easy to understand) take on being authentic. What Kate would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Design Sponge Oh Joy Wit & Delight Target collection Life With Intention Online Kate’s post on minimalism post Kristoffer Carter Lively Show episode about perfectionism and uncertainty Chipper Things The Lively Show with Erin Gates about optimalizing perfectionismAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

After seven months and 30 episodes… it’s my turn to be in the hot seat on The Lively Show! To host this episode, I invited writer, speaker, and coach, Rachel MacDonald, of In Spaces Between and Bright Eyed & Blog Hearted, on the show. Rachel is a previous Lively Show guest herself, so you may remember her (and her lovely Australian accent). I asked Rachel to interview me since she is a peer in the work that I do, and I knew that she would be able to give an informed and honest opinion of my work. In the show, we cover my life, the lessons I’ve learned along the way that apply to us all, and how this journey over the past eight years has led to the work I do with Life With Intention Online. This episode is perfect for anyone looking to learn more about my journey, or wants to live with more intention and purpose while facing life’s inevitable uncertainty. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How I started my first business at 15 years-old, which I later took full-time after graduating from college.  How I coped with things I couldn’t control through what became disordered eating for nine years (across both ends of the spectrum). The turning point that became a launching pad for what has since become my career to this day. Why my accessory business was actually a “self-employed” day job.  How I eventually knew that it was time to close my accessory company. What an “important no” in our lives really means. My vision for The Lively Show and the direction I see it heading. How I avoid burnout. What I would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Life With Intention Online Rachel MacDonald Lively Show episode Cup of Jo Whitney English Lively Show episodeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today on The Lively Show I’m talking with Caitlin Wilson, of Caitlin Wilson Design and Caitlin Wilson Textiles. Caitlin is a talented interior designer with a popular fabric, pillow, and rug line as well as a mom of three little ones living in Portland. In this episode, we talk about how she manages her priorities with three little ones (one of which is just three weeks old!), a marriage, and her career. In addition, we discuss how her relationship to social media has changed over the years, particularly now that she has children. This episode is perfect for interior design buffs, moms juggling careers, or people looking to have a more balanced relationship with social media. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How Caitlin started her career in interior design and eventually landed her first clients. How living abroad in London, Hong Kong, and Dubai influenced her design style and collections. What Caitlin learned from traveling with a baby overseas for the first two years of being a mother. How Caitlin manages her career and parenting priorities with three young children. How being in a marriage with another ambitious person has benefitted Caitlin and her career. What the move from Philly to Portland has meant for Caitlin and her family. The new source of inspiration Caitlin is finding for her upcoming new textile collection. How Caitlin handles social media and “keeping up” with everyone. (~25:30) Why having children has changed Caitlin’s approach to social media and where she draws the line when it comes to sharing about her children online. What Caitlin would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Caitlin Wilson Design Caitlin Wilson Textiles Street of Dreams house featureAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Though every episode of The Lively Show is awesome, if I could only ask you to listen to one episode… THIS ONE IS IT. I’m talking with Kristoffer Carter, a father of three, intense meditator, full-time employee, multi-instrumentalist, coach, partner with Jonathan Fields, and force behind This Epic Life. We talk about how he achieves full life integration with everything on his plate. This show is about everything, applies to everyone, and is so good I hope you listen twice!  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How at 26-years-old, Kris was at a cubicle at work one minute, and the next was laying on an operating table almost losing his life. How Kris got radically honest with himself and his wife after almost dying. The Framework that Kris uses and teaches to help people achieve full life integration.  Virtues Vs. Values, how they are similar and how they differ. Kris’s current lens statement (and how it has evolved over the years). The Value and role of security and how it helps and hurts us in our lives and careers.  The difference between action and “right action.”  The meaning of sobriety in a buddhist sense and why Kris no longer drinks. How Kris created a company-wide mediation program. (~42:00) What we can do to incorporate our passions in our workplace. Kris’ recommendations for those who want to find a role or company they love working for. What Kris would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   This Epic Life The Framework Manifesto (and workbook)  Uncertainty Jonathan Fields  Susan Piver The Gifts of Imperfection Centro Insight Timer App Good to GreatAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today on The Lively Show we are talking with Taylor Sterling, founder of The Glitter Guide. The Glitter Guide is well-known for its popular daily lifestyle content, and Taylor’s own life and career often seems just as fascinating as the site itself. In the show, we are talking with Taylor about her journey with GG and how motherhood has changed things for her personally and professionally now that her little eight-month-old lady, Miss Elodie, has entered her world. This show is perfect for those looking for a real peek into the life of a busy work-at-home mom who is still learning how to juggle everything on her plate.   IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How Taylor’s career evolved over the years and eventually birthed The Glitter Guide. How getting laid off from a financial services firm was the biggest blessing in disguise professionally.  How The Glitter Guide name came about and Taylor’s current feelings on glitter. How motherhood is going for Taylor so far, particularly while being a work-from-home mom. How Taylor created a maternity leave while running her company at the same time.  The biggest challenges that Taylor faces day to day with Elodie and The Glitter Guide. The extra social media pressures (or lack of them) that Taylor faces as a mom. How becoming a mom has changed Taylor as a person and her relationship with her work. Taylor’s “long game” for The Glitter Guide. How Taylor stays in such great shape post-baby. What Taylor would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Sterling Style  The Glitter Guide The Lively Show episode with Kathryn Jackson about “E-brain” (aka: being too wrapped up in the online world)Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands