Love Intently Podcast with Sophie Kwok

Given the title, “The love child of Oprah, Beyonce, and Michelle Obama”, Briona Jenkins is a public speaker, activist for the LGBTQIA+, female, and people of color communities, and has years of experience using her platform to evoke change. - She is a true beacon of light in Austin, Texas, bringing 8 years of experience in the non-profit sector and a huge passion for giving back to the community. She just recently launched her business, Briona Jenkins Consulting, where she helps small grassroots organizations and nonprofits with fundraising, marketing, donor relations, board development, and so much more. She is also the host of her podcast, The Tea with Bri. - In this episode of the Love Intently podcast, we dive into the journey of how Bri became the beautiful, confident, queer, 30 year old Black woman we see today, and what she still struggles with. She spills the tea on her whole year of singleness at the age of 30, the big lessons that came out of it, smashing the societal pressures around relationships and dating, and her radical journey of self-love. - We get into her upbringing, how she had to learn to be very self-sufficient from a young age due to her mother passing of cancer, and how she became so passionate about giving back to her community when so many neighbors, family, and friends stepped in to support her and her father during this difficult time. - We talk about Bri’s work in activism here in Austin Texas, and how you can get involved too. We discuss what her experience has been like living and dating as a queer Black woman, and in particular dive into the injustices and racism that goes on in the healthcare system. From there, Bri tells us what we personally can do about it and how to be a good ally. - For full show notes: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect with Briona Jenkins Website: https://www.brionajenkins.com/ Instagram: @brionajenkins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brionajenkins/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brionajjenkins/ Podcast: https://www.brionajenkins.com/the-tea-with-bri-podcast - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram-Thank you to our Sponsor, The Adventure Challenge Book: http://www.theadventurechallenge.com?aff=174

Why is it that things are so great in the beginning stages of falling in love, but then can turn so sour? - Harville Hendrix Ph.D. and Helen LaKelly Hunt Ph.D. are internationally-respected couple's therapists, educators, speakers, and New York Times bestselling authors. Together, they have written over 10 books with more than 4 million copies sold, including the timeless classic, Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples. In addition, Harville has appeared on the Oprah Winfrey television program 17 times! - However, Harville and Helen are no strangers to marital problems. In fact, their marriage almost ended before they began to practice what they preach. Their marriage is now stronger than ever, and they can save any marriage with their simple methods. - We are honored to have Harville and Helen on the Love Intently Podcast for a second time! You can listen to their first episode where we go more in-depth into their marriage journey and struggles here. - For their second time on the Love Intently podcast, we discuss:-The psychology and science behind who we fall in love with and why -The science behind why the best defense against COVID-19 is actually unconditional love -The three simple methods that are proven to save any marriage -How these methods can also be applied to strengthen your children’s emotional resilience -How to expand the application of these methods to outside of our homes and into the world at large to create safer, more understanding conversations with people of different races, religions, sexual orientations, cultures, etc. -The pivotal learning Helen realized that saved their marriage -How you can work with Harville and Helen through couples’ workshops or getting trained to teach others how to have safe conversationsFor full show notes and resources: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect and Work with Harville and Helen Hendrix: https://www.harvilleandhelen.com Save Conversations Facilitator Trainings: https://harvilleandhelen.com/facilitator-trainings/ Couples workshops: https://harvilleandhelen.com/couples-workshops/ - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram

Maria Kang is a wife, mother, author, speaker, business owner, nonprofit founder, fitness philanthropist, and social entrepreneur. She is a widely known as “Fit Mom” whose No Excuse campaign to get people active, has reached millions of people around the world. - Maria grew up watching her mother struggle with her weight and resulting health issues, and became obsessed with health and fitness at a young age. Things went too far when she became bulimic in an effort to achieve the typical standards of beauty. - After her first pregnancy, she had a spiritual transformation where she came to truly love herself and realize what her body is really here for, and what it’s capable of. - Now, she takes good care of her body knowing that it’s what allows her to physically be here and make an impact in the world. - In this episode we talk about her journey to self love, how she balances being a wife, mom of three kids and a dog, running her business and nonprofit, and what she’s learned about how to have a healthy marriage, after nearly going through a divorce. - Connect with Maria Kang Sacramentocarehomes.com Belly Ball: https://www.amazon.com/Flat-Belly-Ball-Maria-Kang/dp/B07C8622NZ https://www.instagram.com/mariakangfitness/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/noexcusemoms/?hl=en https://www.mariakang.com/about/ - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram

According to a recent survey, people are 10 times more likely to break up with their partner if they think their partner is bad with finances. The survey also found that 1 in 5 people (20%)! think their partner is financially irresponsible. - Personal finances are so incredibly important, yet it’s something many of us, especially women, struggle with. This Love Intently episode will show you how you could be making WAY more money than you are right now, with barely putting more effort into it. We’re so excited to have our guest Allegra Moet Brantly, Founder of Factora, who went from $10k in credit card debt in 2016 to a quarter of a million dollars net worth now in 2020. - Allegra’s story is like so many of ours—she was burnt out at her corporate job, but felt trapped because she was living paycheck to paycheck (even though she was earning 6 figures!). She began researching about finances, learned so much and became passionate about sharing what she’s learned. She even talked personal finances, sharing numbers and all, on her FIRST DATE with the man who is now her fiancé! - But she didn’t stop there. She founded her company Factora with the mission to help 1 million women achieve $1 million net worth. Their signature service is the Factora Wealth Circle, which is a 12-week online course—and community—that teaches you simple, repeatable steps for financial success, confidence, and freedom. - Tune in to hear Allegra’s personal journey, and tons of advice on how to get started with building your personal wealth and advice for couples finance. - Connect with Allegra and Factora: Website: https://factorawealth.com/ - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/factora_wealth/ - Podcast: https://factorawealth.com/blog/coffeeandcoinpodcastConnect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on InstagramSponsor: DateBoxGet 50% off your Next Romanic Date Night!DateBox is a monthly subscription that delivers a fun, easy, romantic date night plan to your door every month! Get 50% off your first box by heading to this link: http://www.thehappily.co/dates?offer_code=loveintently&via=loveintently and using the code “loveintently.”

In the society we live in, it can be difficult for men to find space to be vulnerable and share their emotions. Our guest this week, Shea Boland, a men’s transformation coach, holds that space and guides men on their own personal growth journey. - It took a long time for Shea to get to the level of self-awareness, inner peace, and joy that he is at today. Childhood trauma set the stage for years of drug addiction, trying to numb the pain, and failed relationships. - He reached a point of such desperation and fear of dying, that he finally surrendered and sought help. He entered an intense men’s recovery program and his life changed forever, in the best way. - He finally found a sense of purpose. He found that his pain can be the catalyst for healing. He found the courage to cultivate unconditional self-love, which has allowed for healthier relationships in his life and success in his coaching career. - Now, he guides other men to do the same, using presence-based coaching. This means that he does not give men a “formula” to follow or tell them exactly what to do, but rather, holds space for them, listens intently, and asks intuitive questions so his clients can get out of their heads and into their hearts. - In this powerful discussion, we cover Shea’s upbringing, his journey with childhood trauma, a wounded relationship with his mother, drug and alcohol addiction, recovery, the courage to honor all of his emotions, how he found his way to coaching, and the transformations he’s had through breakups. - For full show notes and resources: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect with Shea Boland Instagram: @sheaboland Website: www.sheaboland.com sheabolandcoaching@gmail.com - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram

Ashley Beaudin grew up very soft-spoken and shy, often feeling like she was talking but no one was hearing her. This, and other not-so-obvious trauma, lead to self-sabotaging behaviors, such as not taking care of her hygiene and losing her teeth, and struggling with sex addiction. - It was so difficult for her to find support for her sex addiction, but she never gave up on herself. She began to create her own recovery program hiring a therapist, recovery coach, and implementing a non-negotiable self-care routine. - In the process, she learned so much about trauma, coping mechanisms, and ways that we can support ourselves and overcome the behaviors that are keeping us stuck. Now, she shows up boldly and vulnerably to share her story and hold a safe space for women to feel seen and heard through her experiences. - Ashley Beaudin is a speaker, community gatherer and heart encourager who inspires humans into emotional wholeness, real community and bold leadership.She is the visionary behind The Imperfect Boss; an international movement that shifts imperfections into superpowers and helps women lead with their whole selves. Ashley’s campaigns of empowerment and vulnerability have reached millions of people over three years and she has been featured in publications such as Brit + Co, Mind Body Green and Futurpreneur. - In this episode of Love Intently, Ashley bravely shares her self-sabotaging behavior, where it came from, and the exact framework she uses to self-soothe and self-support. She gives amazing advice on how to set boundaries with yourself around sharing vulnerably on social media so that you don’t end up causing yourself more pain, and she provides specific examples of how she works with her clients to help them see their cycles and disrupt them. - - For full show notes and resources: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect with Ashley Beaudin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley.beaudin/ Quiz: https://www.ashleybeaudin.com/quiz - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram

Elsa Moreck has been through it all when it comes to looking for love: chasing aloof Peter Pans, trying to fix men who won't take personal responsibility, and diminishing her power because of a partner's insecurities. - After years of studying the complexity of human psychology, mastering the science of human attraction, and integrating all of that into modern dating culture, she finally cracked the code and is now a certified dating coach. - In this episode of the Love Intently Podcast, we discuss: - -The best thing to have in your dating app profile photo, based on human psychology (hint: it’s NOT a puppy) -How to slide into someone’s DMs the RIGHT way -The SIX WORDS to say when someone ghosts you to guarantee a response -The most common mistake Elsa sees of singles getting back into the dating scene -Why Elsa suggests you peek under the table during your first date (it’s not THAT! Get your head out of the gutter) -How to use body language to show you are open to meeting new people - Elsa Moreck is a dating coach who helps millennials find love in the swiping area. It’s her mission is to facilitate meaningful relationships and connections in a world where they're going extinct by empowering you to take control of your life. She is a co-host of Pandemic Love, and she has been featured on Tinder, HuffPost, and Bustle. She does private one on one high-touch coaching, as well as quarterly masterminds. - For full show notes and resources: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect with Elsa Moreck Website: https://www.elsamoreck.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsamoreck/ Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2484985058397858 - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram

Jeff and André Shinabarger are on a mission to help couples balance pursuing their individual purposeful work, keeping their relationship and love intact, and spending quality time with their kids. Together, they’ve written a book called "Love or Work: Is It Possible to Change the World, Stay in Love, and Raise a Healthy Family?" They believe it is, and they are living proof! - Jeff Shinabarger is a bestselling author and founder of Plywood People, a non-profit in Atlanta leading a community of start-ups doing good. His work has been featured by Forbes, Inc., CNN, USA Weekend and Huffington Post. He is the co-founder of Q, mentored over 600 start-ups and created the largest social entrepreneur event in the South called Plywood Presents. - André Shinabarger is an adventurer who loves seeing the world. Born in Bolivia, she has a deep passion for building community with marginalized people groups. She works for Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta as a Physician Assistant and is an adjunct professor for Emory University. She is an Advisor to Plywood People and Host of the Love or Work Podcast. - We had a value-packed conversation around how couples can be more intentional about balancing work, family and love, especially now during the pandemic. André also opens up about her personal journey from growing up in a conservative household where there was shame around sex, to then having to navigate sex and pleasure in her marriage. - For show notes and resources: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect with and Support Jeff and André Shinabarger Website: https://www.loveorwork.com/ and https://www.plywoodpeople.com/ - Instagram: http://instagram.com/loveorwork and https://www.instagram.com/plywoodpeople/ - Podcast: https://www.loveorwork.com/podcast - Book: Love or Work: Is it possible to change the world, stay in love, and raise a healthy family?Connect with Love Intently - https://loveintently.com - Instagram: @love.intently - Instagram: @sophkwok

Jessica Honegger always had an entrepreneurial spirit. As a child, she remembers picking flowers from her neighbor's yard and then going home and tying cute little bows on the flowers and then going back to the neighbors and knocking on the door and selling them those flowers.Now, she is the Founder and Co-CEO of Noonday Collection, a socially responsible accessories brand that uses fashion to create meaningful opportunities around the world. - Jessica’s entrepreneurial journey, like so many others, has not been a straight line, but as she looks back on her journey she realizes that no experience was a waste of time. Each new job was a stepping stone, gaining new skills, making new connections, to ultimately get her to where she is today, and she’s still learning! - In this episode of the Love Intently podcast, you’ll learn: -How Jessica set up the Noonday ambassador program and now supports thousands of women to have fulfilling businesses -How after 10 years of business she decides what she wants to focus on doing and where to put her time among all the opportunities -How she discerns between fearlessness and recklessness when making decisions -How she learned what her unique strengths were and if they evolved over the years -What helped her realize she was aiming towards this mythical point of “arriving” in terms of success and happiness -How she met her husband, knew he was the one, and their biggest challenges in marriage - For full show notes: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - Connect with Jessica and Noonday Collection: https://www.noondaycollection.com/ IG: @jessicahonegger --- @noondaycollection - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram

If you’ve been noticing a decrease in your energy, a change in your sleep or eating patterns, more anxiety, and a more negative mindset than usual, you may be experiencing what is called burnout. Most people know burnout as overworking, but there’s more to it than that. - The next guest on the Love Intently Podcast is Traci Ruble, a San Francisco-based therapist for individuals and couples, a speaker, and the founder of Sidewalk Talk, a non-profit which teaches and practices listening in public spaces to heal our lonely and disconnected world. - We kick off this interview with Traci explaining how we can notice burnout in ourselves, how to get out of it, and also how to avoid ever getting in it in the first place. In addition, we discuss what to do if you notice your partner is burnt out. - Next, we discuss the four stages every couple cycles through throughout their relationship. Sometimes, one person can be in a different stage than the other, and they never progress to the next stage, which is often when couples come to therapy. Traci breaks it all down for us so we can clearly understand what stage we’re in, as well as if therapy will actually help or if it’s time to call it quits. - For all you ambitious over-achievers out there, Traci talks to us about how we can maintain our passion for work while also having a thriving relationship. You can have both! - Then, we talk about what’s known as the “window of tolerance”. A tool used by trauma therapists, psychotherapists and others to describe how we can regulate our emotions. Sidewalk Talk uses it in their trainings for volunteers to help them learn how to feel in their body when boundaries are being crossed and they should end the conversation, but the tool can be used by anyone to regulate turbulent emotions like fear, anxiety, anger, etc. - Lastly, we talk about her non-profit Sidewalk Talk, which started with just her and 28 colleagues sitting on a sidewalk listening to and talking with strangers passing by, and now has grown to thousands of volunteers and chapters nation-wide. - For full show notes: https://www.loveintently.com/podcast - **Connect with Traci Ruble:** http://traciruble.com/ https://www.sidewalk-talk.org/ https://www.instagram.com/tracirublemft/ - Connect with Sophie and Love Intently https://loveintently.com Follow @love.intently on Instagram Follow @sophkwok on Instagram