The Lively Show

Happy Lively Show Day! I’d like to ask you a question about an idea I am considering. A few people have been asking for more podcast episodes, so… I’m thinking about making an audio version of the written posts on Tuesdays, too. Which means I’d still post the content in writing (like normal) and I’d read the Tuesday post aloud as a short podcast episode. Thursday’s longer interview episodes would remain unchanged. This would be for those who prefer to listen to audio, or for those who want both written and audio options for blog posts that come out on Tuesdays. Is this something you’d like? I might give it a try in the upcoming weeks if the response is positive overall (so far, people have been really excited about it on Facebook and Instagram). Thanks for your thoughts on this! Now, it’s time to get on to today’s episode with Victoria Smith of SF Girl By Bay! Though I’ve always admired Victoria’s wonderful (and very popular) design blog, after having her on the show, I adore her even more! She is such a sweet and genuine person. We are talking about blogging, making friends online, her upcoming book, TED Talks, and more. Let’s go to the show! IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How discovering Apartment Therapy in 2006 led to Victoria’s blog… and eventually a full-time career in the design blog world. Victoria shares about her upcoming book. What Victoria believes would be a sustainable income source for bloggers sans sponsors(!). What she recommends for those looking to get started in blogging and how to make blogging buddies. How Victoria helped Pinterest (back when it had less than 100 followers!) begin to grow to the scale it is today. Victoria’s favorite book and TED Talk. What Victoria would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Bri Emery’s Bedroom Reveal Mighty Girl’s Bedroom Reveal Google Reverse Image Search Alt Summit Blogshop Skillshare Brené Brown TED Talk The Razor’s EdgeAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Happy Lively Show day to you! Today I have an awesome new episode with Lindsay Ostrom, the blogger behind the incredibly popular Pinch of Yum. Lindsay’s food blog has tons of great recipes, eCookbooks, and helpful income reports (great for those looking to monazite their blogs). She and her husband Bjork – the business half of the blog – also have a site called Food Blogger Pro where they help food bloggers take things to the next level. In today’s episode, we are talking about Lindsay’s recent decision to go full-time as a blogger after deciding to stay in teaching last year, her experience teaching abroad at the Children’s Shelter of Cebu, and what she would recommend for those who want to give back either through travel or donations as well. This episode is perfect for those who love their day jobs and are trying to pick the right time to go full-time with a blog, or for those interested in getting involved internationally in a greater way. IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   Why Lindsay is now choosing to go full-time with PinchofYum.com. How a two week trip to the Phillipenes turned into a year-long teaching position at the Children’s Shelter of Cebu. The shift in perspectives and viewpoints living and serving abroad has had on Lindsay as a person. The struggle between her priorities as a food blogger and as someone passionate about making a difference internationally. Where Lindsay recommends finding volunteer travel opportunities. What Lindsay would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES Food Blogger Pro Children’s Shelter of Cebu Kaya RadicalAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today’s episode of The Lively Show has a special guest…. Mr. Lively himself! When I first started dating my husband, I called him Mr. Lively on the blog. Back then, many readers assumed it was a pseudonym. In fact, one or two readers even shared their disappointment when they learned that Lively was, in fact, his last name. They preferred the idea that it was a nickname based on his personality alone. Me on the other hand? I was thrilled to adopt the Lively last name myself! Anyways, today’s your chance to get to know the hubba. We’ll be talking about loving a 9-to-5 job. This is an important topic – and one of my favorite episodes – because I deeply believe being intentional is not tied to entrepreneurship specifically. This episode is perfect for those who love their day jobs, those who want to find a 9-to-5 they love, or for those who want to hear about the benefits of having a day job compared to entrepreneurship.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How Mr. Lively’s career journey landed him in a 9-to-5 he loves. Why Mr. Lively loves his current job and the elements he believes are important in corporate culture. The advantages he has found in his job compared to my entrepreneurial journey. Why entrepreneurship isn’t always the right fit. What Mr. Lively recommends for those who want to find a 9-to-5 they love. What Mr. Lively would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES Grub Hub The E-Myth Revisited Pinterest Perfect postAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today’s show is a huge honor for me! I’ve been a big fan of Erin Gates of Elements Of Style for many years and I have loved reading her blog and learning from her as a designer and following her life and career. In this episode we talk about her exceptional career path and book deal. But our main topic is perfectionism (starting at 18:30) – how Erin has learned to make the most out of it and appreciate it for what it is, rather than fighting to change herself. This episode is perfect for bloggers, designers, aspiring authors, and anyone who struggles with perfectionism.  IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How a variety of jobs – creative and not creative – led to Erin getting into interior design. What Erin did once she quit her day job (before her business was a smashing success) to grow her business and blog into a lucrative full-time career. How Erin and her husband, Andrew, communicate about her success and income in their marriage. How Erin’s incredible book deal came about (and why she believes it was so well received). Erin’s struggle with perfectionism and how she handles it. How to kindly say no to projects you don’t want to do. Why Erin believes her perfectionism isn’t something to fight or change about herself, but something to accept and manage. What Erin would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES Elements of Style – Erin Gate’s new book Marie Forleo video about saying no Clara Artschwager’s Lively Show episode about following your intuitionAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Good Thursday to you! I don’t know about you, but I’m getting more and more excited about Thursdays lately because it means I get to share another episode of The Lively Show with you! Today’s episode is powerful. I asked Clara of ClaraPersis.com to come on the show not to talk about her social marketing and event company or her lovely lifestyle and food blog (though you should definitely check them out). Today we are talking about her personal journey with anxiety, ending a relationship, and listening to her intuition. She was kind enough to share openly in the hopes that her story may connect with others who deal with similar struggles. Let’s go to the show.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today’s Lively Show episode is near and dear to my heart: investing in yourself. For many years I thought learning was best done through experience alone, rather than books, classes, and conferences. But my views are now completely reversed. I am now a huge advocate for learning from relevant sources as much as possible. Amber Housley embodies this spirit of learning and investing in yourself more than anyone else I know online. So I asked her to be on today’s episode to share her learning tips and tactics with us. She is constantly expanding her skills and as a result has done a remarkable job building a profitable lifestyle business while juggling a full-time job and raising two young children. In today’s episode, Amber shares how she invests in herself wisely, particularly now that she has the two littles to care for, and how she gets the most of her educational experiences. This episode is perfect for anyone who is feeling a bit “stuck” in their lives, or for avid learners looking to be as effective as possible. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Happy Thursday and happy Lively Show day! I’ve got a strategy-focused new episode for you today with Gala Darling talking about radical self love and overcoming disordered eating. For those who aren’t familiar with Gala already, she’s a New Zealander living in New York City and an outspoken advocate for radical self love (she’s even done a TEDx talk on the subject). In today’s episode she’s talking about her journey to overcome her eating issues and sharing tactics to help us become more radically self loving. At the end, Gala also shares about how she handles career challenges, chooses which business opportunities to take, and how to say no to the ones she doesn’t want to take. This show is for anyone who has eating issues, shaky self confidence, or wants to add a little more self love, forgiveness, and acceptance in their life!  Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

The Lively Show episodes are officially in the double digits now! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your support for the show. In today’s episode I’m talking to Dana Shultz of Minimalist Baker. Dana is a talented food blogger who crafts gorgeous, easy to make recipes that often have a vegan, dairy-free, or gluten-free slant. She and her husband, John, also happen to be passionate minimalists as well. In the show, Dana explains what minimalism means and shares how she and John have implemented several big and small changes that have created more time, space, and freedom in their lives. In addition, Dana also dishes on her blogging schedule and time management strategy that allows her to travel for 3+ weeks at a time. If you are looking to simplify your life, or blog more efficiently, this show is for you!   * Sara, thanks for suggesting Dana for the show!    IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How Dana and John became interested in minimalism and the choices they’ve made as a result. How Dana’s very first post on MinimalistBaker.com became a huge hit. Dana’s minimalism suggestions and tips. The biggest mindset shift that has occurred as a result of minimalism for Dana and John. The area of life that Dana is currently focusing her minimalist philosophy on right now. Dana’s approach to time management and blogging topics. How Dana runs her site and maintains reader engagement while traveling 3+ weeks. What Dana would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Minimalist Baker about page Minimalism FAQ Sara @ Cake Over Steak Ahology.com (allows you to schedule Pinterest pins) TweetDeckAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Good morning and happy Thursday Lively Show Day to you! In today’s episode, I am talking with the candid founder of Design*Sponge, Grace Bonney. If you’re not already familiar with Grace, she has a (hugely) popular design blog and is the author of Design*Sponge at Home. In the episode, we cover a wide array of topics that center around the theme of embracing change. We discuss the resistance Grace felt towards the shift in online content consumption over the past few years, the new way she’s approaching branding and business, as well as her proactive approach to coming out in June of 2013. Throughout this episode, Grace shares many insights from her journey that can be useful for us all. It is definitely a must-listen if you are struggling with change in your own life, or if you are interested in the future of the online space.    IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   Why Grace doesn’t think of Design*Sponge as her “career.” Why Grace doesn’t believe blogging will be around forever – and what she believes blogging will become. Keys to understanding and embracing change. Grace’s predictions for the visual book industry.  The book that Grace ordered during the show, based on our conversation. Why Grace used to hate the term “business owner” and why she’s changed her mind. Three recent events that have helped Grace gain a more empathetic perspective.  Why Grace’s decision to come out in June of 2013 was one of the best decisions of her life. What Grace would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook Prêt à Voyager Seth Godin Cherry Bomb Jubilee Things I’m Afraid to Tell You Rena Tom’s Things I’m Afraid to Tell You postAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Today I have a fun new episode of The Lively Show for you chalk full of actionable advice for starting your own business as an artist and adopting or rescuing a pet. My guest today is Kim Vargo of Yellow Brick Home and The Pet Shop (her pet portrait business). She’s sharing about her unexpected journey to becoming a successful artist (over 700 custom paintings sold!) and pet rescue advocate. If you have been confused about how to start a new blog or business, or if you are interested in learning more about pet rescue, this show is for you!   IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL FIND OUT ABOUT   How Kim got started in blogging and began selling her first pet portraits. How Kim wisely transitioned from her day job to her business full-time. How she balances business marketing and other content on her blog without overwhelming her readers. Kim’s pet rescue advice. Kim’s top three things it takes to become a successful artist. Why reaching out to people offline is important. How Kim got the energy and drive to work on her business while juggling a full-time job. What Kim would tell someone just starting out on this journey.   SHOW NOTES   SociaBulls – Chicago Pitt Bull Walk Social Triggers Podcast Smart Passive Income Podcast The Power of Full Engagement Getting Things DoneAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands