Teach Me How To Adult

If you have an idea that you can’t stop dreaming about, this week’s episode is the inspo you need. We chat with Ashley Freeborn, the founder and CEO of the renowned fashion brand Smash + Tess, about all things brand building, entrepreneurship, using fear to fuel your fire, and tapping your network to help get your idea off the ground.You’ve probably seen people rocking Ashley’s rompers on instagram, or heard about her epic collabs with Jillian Harris, Sarah Landry of The Birds Papaya and Hilary Duff, just to name a few. Her brand started the #romperrevolution but here’s why we honed in on Smash + Tess for today’s episode: Ashley isn’t a serial entrepreneur or longtime business or fashion mogul, she just had an idea to fill a gap in the market, and made her dream a huge reality. What she created is so much more than a clothing company, it’s a community, a lifestyle and an inclusive brand that empowers women to live their best lives.Ashley is a fellow Canadian, who worked as a teacher and then in the finance sector before going all in on her passion project, Smash + Tess. Smash + Tess has since grown from two employees into a team of 40+ in five years, and in 2020, the company achieved 66% YOY growth, surpassing $16.5 million in sales. In 2020, Ashley was named one of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40, led Smash + Tess through their biggest growth year, and was listed in The Globe + Mail’s Top Growth Companies in 2020 – being the #1 woman-led company on the list! She is passionate about creating clothing that celebrates femininity, strength, style, and comfort in women of all shapes and sizes.Tune in as we chat about:How Ashley made the leap to quit her 9-5 and go all in on Smash + TessThe journey of bringing Smash + Tess from an idea to a best-sellerThe secret sauce to cultivating a strong communityHow to use social media as a listening tool for growthTips for entrepreneurs to overcome impostor syndrome and use fear or rejection as fuelThe 3 most important traits to crush it as an entrepreneurHow to know when it’s time to go all in on your side hustleWhy you don’t necessarily need professional background in the industry you’re breaking intoHow to avoid burnout as an entrepreneurHow to create successful collabs that move the needleWe hope this episode inspires you to pursue that side hustle and Smash (& Tess) all of your biz ideas and goals!This episode is brought to you by Dove. Visit teachmehowtoadult.ca/dove for details on how to try a free sample of their Deep Moisture Hand Sanitizer that we can’t stop raving about!Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together! For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/Follow Ashley:https://smashtess.com/instagram.com/afreeborn/instagram.com/smashtess/ Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Sure, #selfcaresundays are good for the soul, but do you know what else feels good? Financial empowerment. So today we’re talking all things investing with millennial money expert, Jessica Moorhouse. This is one of our most-requested topics and it’s no surprise why. In our recent Instagram poll, 80% of you said that you find investing intimidating — and we totally get that. A lot of us might believe that investing is only for super rich, middle-aged people, but we promise you that is not the case. It is SO key to start investing even the smallest amount while you’re young, so you can reap the benefits of those early investments later on in life. Hello early retirement!And as we learned in this episode, investing isn’t actually *that* complicated, so those who try to make it sound more difficult than it is have some sort of M.O. But we are ready to flip the script on that narrative to start building our financial skillset and investing with confidence!Jessica is a millennial money expert, speaker, Accredited Financial Counsellor Canada®, award-winning blogger, host of the More Money Podcast and founder of the Millennial Money Meetup, a series of empowering personal finance events. Her mission is to teach others how to take control of their lives by taking control of their money and we are here for that! Tune in to hear more about: The basic investing terminology you should knowHow to tell when you’re ready to investThe different types of investments people can buyTypes of investing accounts you should openHow to invest if you don’t have a ton of moneyUnderstanding your risk tolerance and creating a balanced portfolioThe benefits of investing in increments VS going all inThe top 3 things people should look for when investing in a company This episode is brought to you by Dove. Visit teachmehowtoadult.ca/dove for details on how to try a free sample of their Deep Moisture Hand Sanitizer that we can’t stop raving about!Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/Follow Jessica:jessicamoorhouse.com/instagram.com/jessicaimoorhouse/More Money Podcast Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Instagram has so much value for both creators and consumers. It has the power to launch careers, and can literally make or break the success of a company or a campaign. Whether you’re a hobbyist, small biz owner, or aspiring social media manager, there’s a ton to gain from the platform, so today we’re diving into all things growth and engagement for Instagram with Laura Bitoiu, founder of B Squared Social.If you want to learn how to build an engaged social community, which IG tools you should use to move the needle, how the algorithm really works, why reels have the best ROI, and what tools to use to streamline your social strategy, this episode is for you. Laura is the founder of B Squared Social, a boutique social media marketing agency based in Vancouver, BC that offers social media marketing solutions for premium brands and service-based professionals. She offers coaching, consulting, online courses, and social media management services, and she basically quadrupled her own following by doubling down on IG Reels this past year, so she knows a thing or two about rapid growth. Tune in to hear more about: Why niching down your account is best practice How Reels offer the most ROI of any content type—and how to crush your reelsWhich IG features you should be using to maximize engagementThe secret sauce to going Live, and why it’s worth itHow the algorithm really works, and how to make it work for youThe best ways to show up in your IG Stories and how they actually convertThe value of developing a voice or persona for your social brand Three things small businesses should do to create a successful IG presenceWhat tools or software to use to map out your contentHow to overcome overthinking and anxiety on socialStrategies for breaking out of a creative rut and brainstorming new contentHow to set healthy boundaries with social mediaWe hope this episode helps you make the most out of Instagram so you can grow online like a boss! Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/Follow Laura:instagram.com/bsquared.social www.bsquared.social Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

If you, like us, have been languishing the past few months (AKA feeling super blah and unmotivated) you’ve also probably noticed that your ability to concentrate and focus is dwindling. Whether you’re trying to focus on a task for work, look alive on Zoom meetings, or start that project/hobby you’ve been putting off, our success all comes down to our ability to concentrate on the task ahead. And in this never-ending groundhog day, it can be realllly hard to focus our attention and see things through.But there are lots of ways to foster concentration! We are here to help everyone get out of their focus ruts with some science-backed solutions and easy antidotes to distraction, so we can get shit done, focus our energy and get back to living life again! #nomorelanguishingListen to this week’s quickie to learn more about:Why multitasking just ain’t it—and how to start honing in on one task at a timeThe importance of setting boundaries with your phoneHow feedback and measuring your progress will improve your focusWhy you should be managing your *energy*, not your timeHow sleep, nutrition, hydration and movement can impact focusThe science-backed benefits of meditation for focus and concentrationCailyn’s hot tips for how to get laser-focused on never-ending Zoom meetingsHow listening to music can help you absorb new infoWe hope these tips motivate you to get hella focused and crush everything you set out for yourself! You got this.Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/ Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

These days, long distance relationships are a reality for a lot of people who have been separated by the corona, border closures, quarantines, or the usual reasons like university and work relocations. (A quarter of you who responded to our Instagram polls said you’re in a long distance relationship right now!) And tons of couples start out distanced through apps and online dating.So we’re diving into how to navigate long distance relationships right now, from communication and bonding tips to dealing with loneliness and insecurity, with relationship expert Dr. Morgan Cutlip. And this isn’t just for romantic relationships! All the advice we share today really does apply to anyone in your life that you care about if you’re separated right now, so if you can’t see someone you love, give this a listen.Dr. Morgan Cutlip has a PhD in counseling psychology and holds a master’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences. For over 13 years, she’s worked at Love Thinks, a company that creates practical relationship education resources. Morgan’s passion is helping her fellow millennials find love, happiness and longevity in their relationships—without the drama. And we are HERE FOR THAT. Tune in to hear more about: The importance of strong communication in distance relationshipsHow to meet each other’s love languages when you’re apartHow to stay connected and bonded through rituals and new experiencesDealing with loneliness, how to ask for help, and ways to self-soothe Navigating having needs with feeling “neediness” What to do if your efforts don’t feel reciprocated Why we should strive for an interdependent relationshipHow to give and receive relationship feedback with friendsHow to overcome insecurities and doubts when you’re living two separate lives? Tips for online dating and practicing your relationship skills We hope this episode helps you feel closer to anyone you are apart from right now! We’re just two cheesy romantics, but to us, love always wins. Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/Follow Morgan:instagram.com/mylovethinksDrmorgancutlip.commylovethinks.com Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Sustainability is extra top-of-mind with Earth Day this week, and in the past year alone, we’ve seen just how huge an impact our small actions can have on the environment. (Seriously, just watch David Attenborough’s new doc…in just a few weeks after lockdown, air pollution cleared so much in Jalandhar, India, that the snowy peaks of the Himalayas were visible for the FIRST TIME IN THREE DECADES!) We’ve really wanted to improve our carbon footprints and become more eco-conscious, so in this week’s quickie, we’re giving you 12 easy tips for going green that you can implement around your kitchen, living room, bathroom, closet, shopping habits, and outdoor space to live a more sustainable life. Listen to this week’s chat to learn more about:The impact you can make by substituting plant-based alternatives a few times a weekThe scoop on what you can and can’t put in the recycle, garbage and green binSustainable food storage tips we learned from our GrandmasHow to reduce your waste when grocery shoppingReducing your kitchen waste (i.e. eco-friendly swaps for paper towels!) Buying second hand furniture and Gill’s tips for upcycling your home decorThe impact you can make by switching to LED lightsThe environmental, health & financial benefits of DIY cleaning productsHow switching to a safety razor can save you $5,000!The dirty truth behind fast fashion & enviro-friendly clothing brands we loveHow to revive, repurpose or sell clothes you no longer loveHow to start a garden and grow your own food, even if you don’t have a backyard/balconyWe hope this helps you make some simple swaps and changes in your life that will make a big difference for our beautiful planet! Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/ Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

Possibly the biggest sign that you’ve unlocked adulting status? You seriously know your way around wine. It’s always impressive when one person at the dinner table knows which wine to order with every dish, and the hottest vinos to put on your radar.So, in our latest episode, we’re talking all things wine 101 with wine expert Lauren Power. We cover everything from how to host a wine tasting and the most popular go-to grapes, to the winemaking process, food pairings, and the proper temperature to serve your favourites! We also dive into an important chat about mastering our mindset around drinking, consuming with intent, and how to take a dry month if you want a break.Lauren runs in-person and virtual wine tasting events to help people explore and develop their own personal wine palates, and she’s the sales and marketing maven behind her family-owned wine and spirit importer, Treamici Wines.Listen to our chat to learn more about: The key grapes and regions to knowHow to figure out your palette and wine preferencesThe six most popular wines to order How to actually do a wine-tasting, and notes to knowTips for ordering wine off restaurant menus like a proWhen to decant and proper temperatures for serving wineEasy, no-brainer food pairingsHow to have a more mindful relationship with alcoholTips for taking a dry monthTeach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/Follow Lauren:instagram.com/laurenpower_wine/https://treamiciwines.com/ Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

If you, like us, have been struggling to cross literally ANYTHING off of your never-ending to-do lists, we are here to help!There are so many reasons why tackling your to-do list can cause anxiety and overwhelm. If you’re super burnt out right now you could be feeling errand paralysis, or if you’re insanely busy these days, those lists can feel so daunting because EVERYTHING seems urgent. So in this week’s quickie, we’re giving you tips on how we structure our days (or at least try to), three of the top to-do list methods that pros swear by, and the tools you can use to help you crush all of your goals and leave you worry-free at the end of the day. It all comes down to prioritization.Listen along to learn more about:The Ivy Lee MethodThe Eisenhower MatrixWarren Buffet’s Two List MethodCailyn’s tips for getting through to-do listsGill’s hot 15-minutes-or-less tipWe hope this episode helps you smash your to-do list and accomplish all of the daily tasks and goals you set out for yourself!Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/ Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

One of the things we’ve been hearing most for the last while (outside of “unprecedented times” and “You’re on mute!”) is that our friends and families are feeling hella burnt out right now. And even though our lives have slowed down and become more minimal in some ways this past year, there’s a lot more stress, expectation and pressure overall. 95% of you that responded to our recent Instagram poll said that you’ve experienced burnout in the last few months, and 89% said you’re feeling more burnout now than you were pre-pandemic. Those are pretty startling stats, and as two people who have experienced burnout, we really want to help ya’ll identify if you’re going through it and how you can recover.Listen along as we dive into:What burnout really meansThe signs you might be burnt outWhy we’re all feeling it more than everHow social media can contribute to burnoutHow boundaries can help you take back control of your time, energy & wellbeingThe importance of prioritizing sleep and wellnessWhy you need to slow down and ask for help when you need itMastering your mindset and re-thinking how you measure successHow to fall in love with your life again and find joy everydayIncorporating self-care daily, and not just on #selfcaresundayKnowing when it’s time to say “thank you, next!” to your jobWe hope this episode helps you prevent or recover from burnout, because you are more than your job and productivity, and you deserve a balanced life. Sending you all lots of love.Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together!For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/How Millennials Became The Burnout Generation Article Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube

It’s so hard to stay motivated to exercise in the colder months, and when you throw in lockdowns, working out just seems impossible. We’ve heard from a lot of you that are struggling to stay active right now, and we’re right there with you. So we called in the delightful and motivating fitness expert we all need, Cassie Day. She’s an athlete, coach, nutritionist, fitness personality and CEO of All Day Fit, a fitness community with online and in-person classes and personal training that takes a 360° approach to wellness.  Cassie dishes on so many helpful tips for getting motivated to move at home, shares the single most important moves to gain serious strength and tone, and talks about how we can all have a healthier mindset towards fitness and food. Plus, we share some of our own tricks that have helped keep us motivated, from investing in good gear and signing up for workout challenges, to game-ifying workouts and scheduling exercise with an accountabilibuddy.  We’re also learning what it really means to embrace fitness for our overall health, and not just for appearance, so we’re ready to say goodbye to restriction and diet culture, and to add in more holistic movement into our everyday life, like mobility stretches and walking. PLUS if you slide into Cassie’s DMs on Instagram and share your fave part of this interview, she’ll hook you up with an exclusive offer to her online fitness hub, All Day Fit!   Let’s all  help each other stay motivated to move at home! Listen in for: How we’ve been staying active at home: 2:23Cassie’s journey as an athlete & how she starting All Day Fit: 14:10How the pandemic has affected Cassie’s approach to exercise: 16:19The key benefits of exercising during these lockdowns—especially for our mental health: 18:46How to stay motivated & find routine when we’re stuck at home: 21:36Budget-friendly equipment & props to use at home: 23:58Three at-home workouts for limited equipment & time (AKA the best bang for your buck!) 26:08Stretches & mobility movements to fix bad laptop posture and pain: 28:50The 6 foundational movement patterns for balanced training: 32:51The *best* go-to moves for targeting your core & butt: 36:15How to approach food & fitness with a healthy, body-positive perspective: 39:21 We hope this episode helps you listen to your body, get moving and keep pushing for the life you want to live. Remember, in the words of Jillian Michaels, “Fitness isn’t about building a better body, it’s about building a better life.” For all the equipment and workouts you need, check out our show notes for every recommendation in this episode: teachmehowtoadult.ca/episodes/fit-at-home Teach Me How To Adult is a podcast that serves up expert interviews, candid experiences and actionable advice on everything you never learned growing up. Follow along as we figure it out together! For show notes and more adulting tips, visit:teachmehowtoadult.caFollow us on the ‘gram:instagram.com/teachmehowtoadultpodcast Follow Gillian:instagram.com/yunggillianaire/Follow Cailyn:instagram.com/cailynmichaan/Follow Cassie:instagram.com/cassiedayyyinstagram.com/alldayfit.coalldayfit.com Sign up for our monthly adulting newsletter:teachmehowtoadult.ca/newsletter Follow us on the ‘gram:@teachmehowtoadultmedia@gillian.bernerFollow on TikTok: @teachmehowtoadultSubscribe on YouTube