Sorta Awesome

Latest Episodes:

432 Let's talk about midlife: supporting nervous systems & finding health care Mar 10, 2023

Show notes

You hit midlife, and suddenly it feels like your nerves are raw. You’re jumpy, you can’t remember anything, and you feel overwhelmed. While all of this feels very un-awesome, we’ve got good news for you! You aren’t alone, and we’ve got some ideas that just might help. Midlife with Mindy and Meg is back, and this time, they are talking all things nervous system. What causes this upheaval in our minds and bodies, and how can we feel a little more centered? And also, how exactly are we supposed to find health care providers who are knowledgeable about all of the changes that perimenopause brings? Push play on this conversation to hear Meg and Mindy bring you the best friend advice you need to get through this stage of life.

Find EVERY episode in the Midlife with Mindy and Meg series on our Spotify playlist!

This is the PERFECT time to become a Super Star Awesome! When you sign up, you get instant access to hundreds of hours of bonus material, an exclusive Facebook group, and the texting number to reach out to the Sorta Awesome team! It’s a GREAT day to become a Super Star!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Athletic Greens: Get a FREE 1-year supply of Vitamin D AND 5 free travel packs with your first purchase. Go to athleticgreens.com/SORTA!

*Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to BABBEL.com/awesome

SHOW NOTES:

Mindy’s AotW: Anthony's Premium Nutritional Yeast Flakes

Meg’s AotW: How to keep house while drowning by KC Davis

How to do laundry while depressed - Ted Talk by KC Davis

KC Davis on TikTok

Article: Signs your nervous system is struggling & how to support it better during menopause

Article: How to survive the great progesterone crash of perimenopause

Article: 7 ways to support the vagus nerve and improve heart rate variability (HRV)

Dr Mary Claire Haver on IG

The North American Menopause Society

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 427: Let’s Talk About Midlife: The struggle is real in the clothes closet

Ep. 419: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Support for Grief & Losing a Parent

Ep. 380: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Brain Fog and Cycle Chaos

Ep. 395: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Parenting Our Parents and Life in the Middle

Ep. 401: Let’s Talk About Midlife: The Ups and Downs of Sex!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Mindy on Instagram and as a regular on the Currently Reading podcast! Mindy also produced and created Bookend Homeschoolers.

Visit sortaawesomeshow.com for show notes on this and every episode. And don’t forget to find us in the Sorta Awesome Hangout on Facebook or @sortaawesomeshow on Instagram, and @sortaawesomepod on Twitter!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means we receive a tiny commission from the seller at no additional cost to you, if you purchase from them. We only share products and services we have used, tested, and love ourselves!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

431 Ten awesome things for spring 2023! Mar 03, 2023

Show notes

Whether you are shivering under late winter snowfalls or sneezing eight times in a row from seasonal allergies, there’s no denying that spring is just around the corner, and we have got you COVERED! Meg is joined this week by Rebekah and they have put together all you need to make spring a little more awesome this year. From fragrances to activities for kids to what to watch in theaters to the one trend no asked for, you cannot miss a minute of the spring seasonal list!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Headspace: Go to headspace.com/AWESOME for one month free of their entire mindfulness library

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

*LuvBug: Go to LuvBuglearning.com and sign up for a 7-day free trial or simply download from the app store and subscribe!

SHOW NOTES:

Rebekah’s AotW: Pink Picasso Paint By Number Kits

(Here’s one that is most like Rebekah's!)

Meg’s AotW: Cozy Ripples

REBEKAH’S LIST:

Beckham Hotel Collection Pillows

Easy Baked Tortellini

Crazy Forts Kits

Daisy Jones & The Six

A Good Good Person

Air

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret?

Love Again

The Little Mermaid

Happy Place by Emily Henry

The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren

Extra link: @iamlevelingup on TikTok talks about the crunchy community being a cult

MEG’S LIST:

REN AHA exfoliator

Skin brush set

Lulu candles (Wild Lemongrass scent)

Good Chemistry perfume Tiger Lily

Replica Springtime in a Park

Leaves of Leisure tea- Road Trip and Picnic in the Park (Bonus! use code SortaAwesome15 for 15% off the entire site!)

Travel sipper mug

Glass bud vases

Cut flower food

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 384: Awesome list for Spring 2022

Ep. 283: Awesome list for Spring 2021

Ep. 426: The pandemic broke me. Now what?

Ep. 392: Romance Starter Pack (Part 1)

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

430 What to do when your reading feels broken Feb 24, 2023

Show notes

Do you feel like your enthusiasm for reading has gone into a downward spiral, creating an un-awesome urge to turn away from books? Don't worry - we get it! This week, Meg is joined by books and reading regular Katie Proctor who is here to help lift your spirits and show you how book-lovers can avoid the dreaded reading slump. So grab your favorite reading snack and journey with us down this literary rabbit hole of tips, tricks, and inspiration!

This is the PERFECT time to become a Super Star Awesome! Earlier this month, Super Stars Live featured a Spicy Book Show & Tell and hilarity ensued. You can catch up with the video and audio replays PLUS get access to hundreds of hours of bonus material, an exclusive Facebook group, and the texting number to reach out to the Sorta Awesome team! It’s a GREAT day to become a Super Star!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/awesome!

*Babbel: Get up to 55% off your subscription when you go to BABBEL.com/awesome

SHOW NOTES:

Katie’s AotW: The Source of Self Regard by Toni Morrison

Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

One Day We’ll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul

Meg’s AotW: AD Open Door Celebrity Home Tours on YouTube

Liv Tyler’s home tour

BOOKS

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser (whole series)

Cinder by Marissa Meyer (whole Lunar Chronicles series)

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Schafer

A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving

The Salt Path by Raynor Winn

AUDIOBOOKS

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller Amazon | Audible

Broken Horses by Brandi Carlile Amazon | Audible

I Take My Coffee Black by Tyler Merritt Amazon | Audible

Project Hail Mary, Andy Weir Amazon | Audible

Lincoln in the Bardo, George Saunders Amazon | Audible

Daisy Jones and the Six, Taylor Jenkins Reid Amazon | Audible

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 408: The books that shaped who we are

Ep. 385: Ten favorite middle grade reads

Ep. 366: Best in books & reading in 2021!

Ep. 279: The Enneagram explains your reading life

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

You can find Katie at her website or on Facebook and Instagram! And be sure to check out her latest book Hand in Hand!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

429 Nom Nom for us, Awesomes! Feb 17, 2023

Show notes

Snacks, snacks, snacks. Who doesn’t love a snack?! This week, Meg and Kelly dig into a delicious conversation about their favorite snacks. Meg enlightens Kelly to growing up in an ingredients-only household, and Kelly reveals her microwave-less childhood. Then, they decide to form the Raisin Mafia! From crunchy to creamy, salty to sweet, low-cook to no-cook, they’ve got all their favorites to share.

And if you are in the mood for spicy, this is the PERFECT time to become a Super Star Awesome! Earlier this month, Super Stars Live featured a Spicy Book Show & Tell and hilarity ensued. You can catch up with the video and audio replays PLUS get access to hundreds of hours of bonus material, an exclusive Facebook group, and the texting number to reach out to the Sorta Awesome team! It’s a GREAT day to become a Super Star!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Fabric: Apply today in just 10 minutes at meetfabric.com/awesome

SHOW NOTES:

Kelly's AotW: Shrinking on Apple TV

Start your Apple TV+ free trial by using our link—must be a new user

Meg’s AotW: Extraordinary on Hulu

Get your Hulu free trial by using our link!

Ingredients-only household on TikTok

SAVORY SNACKS:

Jalapeno Lime Tortilla Chips

Off the Eaten Path Veggie Crisps

Aldi Gourmet Snacking Cheese (Habanero Jack)

Aldi Snack Selects (Pepper Jack, Raisins, Honey Roasted Peanuts)

Alabama Fire-Crackers

SWEET SNACKS:

Target's Filled Mini Straws Sour Rainbow

Vergo Mango suckers

The Best Chocolate Mug Cake from Table for Two

TikTok Mangonada

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 377: How to REALLY love yourself

Ep. 415: What happens when you love what you love

Ep. 426: The pandemic broke me. Now what?

Ep. 416: You’re invited to our FAVORITE THINGS party!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

428 Becoming the love of your life! Feb 10, 2023

Show notes

Roses are red, chocolates are fine, but we think you should ask YOURSELF, “will you be mine?”

Okay, that was a little silly, but it’s the heart of our conversation going into today’s episode! What would happen if you decided to treat yourself as the love of your life? The women of Sorta Awesome have thoughts and ideas to get you inspired!

Join our Patreon community! When you become a supporter of Sorta Awesome on Patreon, you get access to fun things like the Super Star book club and texting with Meg and the team. Plus HUNDREDS of hours of ad-free exclusive episodes to download right now! We would love to have you!!! Go to patreon.com/sortaawesome to become a Super Star Awesome!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

SHOW NOTES:

Meg’s AotW: Seatmate on Audible

Need to sign-up for Audible? No problem, we got you!

Try Audible Plus and get three months FREE!

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 377: How to REALLY love yourself

Ep. 392: Romance starter pack, Part 1

Ep. 393: Romance starter pack, Part 2

Ep. 404: Rom-Coms for the modern era

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

427 Let's talk about midlife: the struggle is real in the clothes closet Feb 03, 2023

Show notes

Welcome back to the Midlife with Mindy and Meg series! Sorta Awesome regular Mindy Brouse is back, and this week, she brought the Perimenopause Critters with her! She and Meg are exploring the many conflicted feelings and paradoxes of this stage of life. From not recognizing our own bodies to feeling guilt over anti-aging products, from hearing advice from all sides and not knowing who to trust, this very candid conversation brings so much to the surface. All those things you thought you couldn’t say out loud? Mindy and Meg have created a safe place to have THOSE conversations!

Also WE MADE A VALENTINE’S GIFT GUIDE for you - find something for everyone on your list (or something just for you!)

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Grove: Go to grove.com/AWESOME and get a free gift set worth up to fifty dollars with your first order. Plus free shipping!

SHOW NOTES:

Meg’s AotW: The Bandit Queens, Parini Shroff

Mindy’s AotW: Peace by Chocolate: The Hadhad Family’s Remarkable Journey from Syria to Canada and Peace by Chocolate movie and Peace by Chocolate chocolate

Let's talk about midlife playlist on Spotify

The Galveston Diet by Dr Mary Claire Haver

Follow Dr. Mary Claire Haver on IG

The Change by Kirsten Miller

Bodies are Cool by Tyler Feder

Honor by Thrity Umrigar

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 419: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Support for Grief & Losing a Parent

Ep. 380: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Brain Fog and Cycle Chaos

Ep. 389: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Nonstop Appetite & Historical Hysteria

Ep. 395: Let’s Talk About Midlife: Parenting Our Parents and Life in the Middle

Ep. 401: Let’s Talk About Midlife: The Ups and Downs of Sex!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Mindy on Instagram and as a regular on the Currently Reading podcast! Mindy also produced and created Bookend Homeschoolers.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

426 The pandemic broke me. Now what? Jan 27, 2023

Show notes

Gather ‘round, friends. We think this is a good time to circle up and contemplate the changes brought upon our lives and the changes that have happened within OURSELVES in the past three years. Rebekah joins Meg this week with some vulnerable reflections on how she feels different as a person following the pandemic, and not in very awesome ways. Meg digs deep into Myers Briggs theory to surface some reasons why our shadow types come out when we are under significant stress. You might not be prepared for how emotional this conversation gets!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Prose: Take your FREE in-depth hair consultation and get 15% off your first order today! Go to prose.com/awesome!

SHOW NOTES:

Rebekah’s AotW: Spare by Prince Harry (Psst! Sign up for audiobooks.com using our affiliate link and get 3 audiobooks with a 30 day free trial!)

Meg’s AotW: Otherworld Podcast

Find your Myers Briggs type here: https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new

Sara by the Season newsletter

My Sweet Dumb Brain newsletter

Article: Differential Personality Change Earlier and Later in the Coronavirus Pandemic

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 178: The truth about personality, organization and productivity!

Ep. 279: The Enneagram explains your reading life

Ep. 415: What happens when you love what you love

Ep. 383: Our MOST memorable confessions!

Ep. 302: Have the best summer based on your personality type!

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Rebekah on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 425 How to make the most of your money in 2023! Jan 20, 2023

Show notes

Let’s talk about money, Awesomes! Yes, this topic makes some of us squirmy, but you know for THIS money conversation, you’re just chatting with friends. Meg welcomes Kate Nixon Anania back to the show, and Kate gets to talk about one of her biggest passions - personal finance! No matter where you are in your relationship with money, Kate has some great advice of both the practical and the mindset variety!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Babbel: Get 55% off your subscription when you go to BABBEL.com/awesome

*Foria: Get 20% off your first order by visiting foriawellness.com/AWESOME or use code AWESOME at checkout

SHOW NOTES:

Kate’s AotW: Souper Cubes

Meg’s AotW: IM THRIVIN playlist on Spotify

Values-Based Wills and Trusts Workbook

Kate’s book: Twenties in Your Pocket

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 185: Be More Awesome With Your Money

Extra Awesome: Eating Less Meat and More Plants with Kate Nixon Anania

Ep. 424: Trends & Predictions for 2023!

Ep. 423: Why Habits Fail & the Secret to Real Progress

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

You can find Kate on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or visit her website www.twentiesinyourpocket.com

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep 424 Trends & predictions for 2023! Jan 13, 2023

Show notes

Let’s grab our crystal balls, Awesomes. What do we see for the year ahead? Meg and Kelly have done the research and they are here to tell you everything you need to know 2023! Is this the year that Artificial Intelligence takes over? Will the trip back to the 90s and early 2000s finally come to an end? Are the kids really wearing underwear as PANTS?! Tune in for everything you don’t want to miss for the future!

Join our Patreon community! When you become a supporter of Sorta Awesome on Patreon, you get access to fun things like the Super Star book club (next meeting: January 14th!) and texting with Meg and the team. Plus HUNDREDS of hours of ad-free exclusive episodes to download right now! We would love to have you!!! Go to patreon.com/sortaawesome to become a Super Star Awesome!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Fabric: Apply today in just 10 minutes at meetfabric.com/awesome

SHOW NOTES:

Kelly's AotW: Puzzle board. Here is Kelly’s puzzle board…or try this similar one!

Meg’s AotW: LED Night Light, Touch Lamp with Wireless Charger, Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Yoga with Adriene 30 Days of Yoga January series

Sorta Yogis Facebook spin-off group

YouTube videos:

My 2023 Trend Precitions (That You’ll Actually Wear)

My 2023 Makeup Predictions!

2023 Year Ahead: A Year of Thresholds and Shifts

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 384: Awesome list for Spring 2022

Ep. 283: Awesome list for Spring 2021

Ep. 334: What I Wish I’d Bought Sooner!

Ep. 274: 10 (more) little luxuries to get you through the winter

You can find Meg on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!

Find Kelly on Twitter , Instagram and on her website!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ep. 423 Why habits fail & the secret to real progress Jan 06, 2023

Show notes

How many times have you determined you want to create a new habit, only to have your plans, dreams, and goals crash and burn within the first week? If this is you, please hit play on this episode! Meg is starting off the new year with a FANTASTIC conversation with Monica Packer of the super popular podcast About Progress. Monica is here to assure us that there is nothing wrong with you, we just need to have a new understanding around how we can create lasting changes in our lives in some very awesome ways. You do NOT want to miss this one!

Join our Patreon community! When you become a supporter of Sorta Awesome on Patreon, you get access to fun things like the romance reading challenge and our monthly book club! We would love to have you!!! Go to patreon.com/sortaawesome to become a Super Star Awesome!

There's still time to join for our next book club discussion on January 14th! We'll be discussing Bonnie Garmus's novel Lessons in Chemistry. We would love to have you!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS:

*Grove: Go to grove.com/AWESOME and get a free starter set worth up to fifty dollars with your first order

*Babbel: Get 55% off your subscription when you go to BABBEL.com/awesome

SHOW NOTES:

Shark Steam and Scrub mop

SAIE Beauty lip blur

About Progress website

MORE EPISODES FROM SORTA AWESOME:

Ep. 422: All the Awesome of 2022 (a group show!)

Ep. 369: Compassionate advice for the new year with Rev. Mary Lee Downey

Ep. 273: A MUST-LISTEN to heal from 2020 for an awesome 2021

Ep. 162: Self-care, self-comfort, what’s healthy, what’s not