Not Your Average Lives Podcast

Episode 420: From Thought Slob to Thought Snob, with Paula Swope

mindset Sep 25, 2024

Today’s guest is Paula Swope, her social media followers call Paula the most relatable self-help author ever. She is a self-empowerment leader and author of Thought Snob: The Modern Spiritual Playbook for a Better Life

Paula shares her incredible journey of transformation, from being raised in rural Kentucky to believe her impoverished life was all that was possible, to becoming a prominent voice in the self-help space. Once she discovered her thoughts were actually lies she had been programmed to believe from a young age, she was able to change her mindset and overcome the odds that many who come from similar backgrounds never can.

In this episode, we talked about:

  • Paula’s upbringing and the limiting beliefs she had to overcome.
  • What the words SLOB and SNOB really mean in Paula’s world, and it’s GENIUS!
  • What the term “conscious creation” means and how it’s a technique anyone can use to better their life. 
  • The...
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Episode 419: Since Turning 65, Life Just Keeps Getting Better, with Linda Ward

mindset Sep 18, 2024

Today’s guest is Linda Ward, a life coach and writer with a passion for adventure, self-love, and personal growth. Linda shares her incredible journey of spending three transformative months in Italy with her husband, an experience sparked by her husband's dream and their shared love for travel. 

Linda reflects on major life transformations, including her divorce at age 47, and how she found love, first for herself and then with a new partner, in her late fifties. She emphasizes the power of loving yourself, building confidence, and embracing courage to follow what lights you up, even when life presents challenges. 

In this episode, we talked about:

  • Creating deep, meaningful connections through travel, while facing the challenges of a worldwide pandemic.
  • The power of small steps toward dreams and not letting fear hold you back from what you truly desire.
  • How she was able to find courage and confidence after her marriage ended unexpectedly.
  • Her take on the phrase...
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Episode 418: A Heartfelt Letter That Snowballed Into Something Completely Unexpected, with Amy Daughters

career mindset Sep 11, 2024

Today’s guest is Amy Weiland Daughters, an accomplished keynote speaker, letter writer, satirist, sports journalist, and the award-winning author of two books: Dear Dana: That time I went crazy and wrote all 580 of my Facebook friends a handwritten letter and You Cannot Mess This Up: A true story that never happened

Known for her deep love of storytelling and human connection, Amy shares the fascinating story behind her first book and how it led to reigniting old friendships, forging new, meaningful connections, and changing lives. Amy also has a deep love of sports, which she and I connected on, and which is how Amy’s writing career got started.

In this episode, we talked about:

  • The power of old fashioned letter writing and how taking the time to put pen to paper is a true act of kindness which is sure to bring unexpected surprises to both the sender and the receiver.
  • Real life examples of letters that have made a difference in...
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Episode 416: How To Bounce Back From Lifeā€™s Curveballs Stronger Than Ever, with Donna Ferris

mindset Aug 23, 2024

Today’s guest is Donna Ferris, who I first met when she was a guest on my podcast over two years ago (Episode 220). I invited Donna back to get an update on her life and talk about her new book, Bounce Back Stronger: Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, which is a unique book with a workbook aspect meant to help people navigate through difficult times in life.

Our conversation focuses on why Donna wrote this book, which is filled with powerful stories from her journey, as well as the various tools that helped her overcome significant personal challenges, including a painful divorce, the tragic loss of her fiancé, and the unexpected news that her youngest child was transitioning to a new gender.

In this episode, we talked about:

  • The tools in the book that have helped Donna through her hardest times.
  • The #1 mistake experts make when recommending self-care in the healing process.
  • How neuroplasticity helps our brains adjust to and recover from grief and...
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Episode 415: A Different Kind of Therapy That Will Save You Time and Money, with Polly Angel

career mindset Aug 15, 2024

Today’s guest is Polly Angel, an expert in Rapid Transformational Therapy (RTT). Polly shares her inspiring journey from an elite equestrian athlete to a certified RTT therapist, driven by her own struggles with body image which led to her discovery and interest of RTT as a teenager.

In this episode, we dive deep into the mechanics of RTT, a powerful method that blends neurolinguistic programming, cognitive behavioral therapy, and hypnosis to uncover and rewire subconscious beliefs formed in early childhood.

In this episode, we talked about:

  • Rapid Transformational Therapy and how it works.
  • Polly’s back story and how she transitioned from an elite equestrian athlete to a certified RTT therapist.
  • How subconscious programming influences behavior and the ability of RTT to heal past traumas and improve mental well-being.
  • The importance of embracing authenticity and engaging in self-discovery to live your best life.

Polly brings a wealth of experience and insight into how...

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Episode 414: A 20-Year Dream Come True, with Laura Strachan

Today’s guest is Laura Strachan, retired teacher, cancer survivor, and author of her first children’s book that’s coming out later this month. In this interview we delve into her transformative journey from a place of depression to becoming a beacon of light and joy. When we met in late 2020, she was unable to get out of bed so Laura's journey to becoming an author and true example of living a sparked second half is nothing short of remarkable.

Her upcoming children's book, "Pickles the Mermaid," represents more than just a literary achievement; it symbolizes a dream nurtured for over two decades, finally coming to fruition.

In this episode, we talked about:

  • How meditation and self-care practices played a crucial role in her transformation and helped her connect with her true purpose.
  • The importance of listening to “heart whispers” as Laura shares examples of hers and how they led to inspiring her to act on her dream of writing a children's book.
  • ...
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Episode 413: Best Of: Is How You Are Living How You Want to Be Remembered? with Merle Saferstein

mindset Jul 29, 2024

Today’s episode is a replay from an interview I did with Merle Saferstein who I interviewed one year ago, and I'm replaying it today because, as I was reviewing past episodes while taking some time off, this one felt very pertinent to my life today, AND because it's one of my most listened to episodes, I thought it was worth bringing back.

Merle has dedicated her life to preserving and passing along the Legacy of Remembrance of Holocaust survivors. As the former director of educational outreach at a Holocaust Center for over two decades, Merle worked closely with hundreds of survivors, helping them share their stories with students and teachers. 

Following her retirement, she embarked on a new path, developing a course called Living and Leaving Your Legacy®, through which she teaches and speaks to audiences across the globe. Merle also engages in sacred legacy work with patients at the end of their lives, guiding them through the process of reflecting on their lives...

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Episode 412: 8 Lessons I Learned Recently About Life & Death

mindset Jul 05, 2024

In this heartfelt episode, I discuss the eight crucial lessons I learned from my mother's recent death, emphasizing not just the process of dying but also some profound insights about life.

The discussion covers a bit of my mother's background, which is helpful context in understanding some of the lessons, the all-consuming bond my parents had, the challenges I faced watching her demise, and what her decline taught me about the choices we make, the reasons why, and the impact of them on our long-term happiness.

I share reflections on coping with the loss of a loved one, finding strength in difficult experiences, and the realization that true happiness must come from within rather than from another person.

This episode is meant to provide tips and guidance for those navigating the end-of-life process of a loved one and wisdom on living a rich, fulfilling life.

If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and subscribe to (or follow) this podcast so you don't miss any new...

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Episode 411: How To Look and Feel Better As You Age, with Elise Marquam-Jahns

mindset Jun 29, 2024

Today’s guest is Elise Marquam-Jahns, a retired public television executive who embarked on her second act as a professional makeup artist. With 35 years of experience in public television, Elise transitioned to the beauty industry, training with a nationally renowned makeup artist and working for seven years with a major cosmetics line.

In 2019, she launched her YouTube channel and began doing weekly YouTube videos, with limited technology experience, and founded Boomer and Beyond Beauty, offering Zoom makeup consultations and conducting presentations to women's groups.

In this episode, we talked about:

  • Transitioning from a long-term career to pursue something she was extremely passionate about and interested in later in life.
  • The feeling of invisibility that many women experience as they age.
  • Practical advice on choosing the right products that will enhance your natural beauty and be a good match for your lifestyle and personality.
  • Tackling the challenges of aging with...
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Episode 410: The #1 Obligation We Humans Fail On, with Joanie Marx

mindset Jun 21, 2024

Today’s guest is Joanie Marx, a three-time international bestselling author and renowned Storytelling Magician™. In this episode, we explore the powerful connection between laughter, creativity, and self-love. 

Joanie shares her perspective on how many people, especially those who haven't pursued traditionally creative careers, don't see themselves as creative. She also provides her insight on the the connection between creativity and authenticity recounting her journey into the creative world of acting, which helped her uncover her own authenticity, 

In this episode, we talked about:

  • Joanie’s personal journey and how her lived experiences led her to acting.
  • How negative self-perception about our creative ability prevents us from using that innate human gift.
  • The significant role of laughter in fostering creativity, overcoming obstacles that are blocking true happiness, and living authentically through creative expression.\
  • How to identify and overcome...
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