The Chasing Joy Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 57 - Staying Healthy Without Obsession While Working a 9-5 Job & How to Balance Your Side Hustle with a Social Life with Lestraundra Alfred Mar 13, 2018

Show notes

Staying Healthy Without Obsession While Working a 9-5 Job & How to Balance Your Side Hustle with a Social Life with Lestraundra Alfred

On today’s episode, we’re diving into a highly requested topic with one of my favorite past guests who was actually the first person I ever interviewed. We’re talking about how to be well when you’re in a 9-5 job, without letting it take over your life.

We also talk about why having a social life is so key even when you’re building a side business that’s your passion. I’m so happy that Les from the Balanced Berry is back on the pod to chat today. I had the pleasure of meeting Les in LA when I was there for the GOOD fest and I just think she’s so awesome. I loved how practical today's’ episode is, and I hope you will too.

We Talk About

Les’s morning routine
The transitions she’s made in her life and how they’ve affected her business
How narrowing her focus helped her find clarity with her blog
How to create a daily work/life routine that fills you up without getting monotonous
How she stays in tune with her needs and adjusts that routine when needed
Practical hacks to making morning routines with workouts easier
The balance between planning out the week with having spontaneity
Tips for staying energized and productive during the day
Tools for prepping food and meals for the week without it taking over your life
How to deal with food judgment in the office
The power of taking breaks
How to balance having fun on the weekends and working on your side hustle
Letting go of anxiety and “should” do’s - how she gets past it

Connect with Les

On her blog: https://www.thebalancedberry.com/
On her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedberry/

Connect with Me [Georgie]

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/init4thelongrunblog/
Joy Squad Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thejoysquad/
On the blog: http://init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 56 - Blending Creativity with Business, the Power of Positivity & Being Your Own Coach with Meredith Hanson Mar 06, 2018

Show notes

Meredith Hanson is a Nantucket-based artist specializing in oils and gouache. Her art is fantastic and even more fantastic is Meredith’s truly kind heart. Meredith’s also a super savvy entrepreneur and has collaborated with a range of businesses to infuse her style and design off the canvas and into real life.

I wanted to have Meredith on the show because she’s one of the kindest most genuine people I know, not to mention crazy talented. I had a hunch that she’s not this way by accident either. We dive into how she got to the island, what her creative process looks like, how she coaches herself and the power of positivity.

We Talk About:

Meredith’s approach to exercise outside the gym
Her short venture into city life
How Meredith found her way to living on Nantucket year-round
How she got started with her creative career
The partnership that transformed her business
How she manages her inner critic and why it’s more of a coach
Her work as a teacher and using positivity to create change and growth
Why she chooses joy
The power of positivity
The importance of protecting your energy
How to recharge when you’re having a tough day

Connect with Meredith

On her website: https://www.meredithhansonart.com/

On instagram: https://www.instagram.com/merhanson/

Join the Private Facebook Group: The Joy Squad

For full show notes visit: init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 55 - Practical Tools for Every Day Joy, Building Confidence in Your 20’s and 30’s and Being “Un-You” with Dr. Samantha Boardman Feb 27, 2018

Show notes

Practical Tools for Every Day Joy, Building Confidence in Your 20’s and 30’s and Being “Un-You” with Dr. Samantha Boardman

Sam received her medical degree from Cornell University Medical College, then went back to school to get her Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and has been practicing Positive Psychology, the study of the strengths that enable individuals and communities to thrive, ever since.

Positive Prescription is about how psychology, science, art and culture collide, + Samantha talks on a range of subjects, from ways to improve your love life or get out of the friendzone, to dealing with party anxiety, to boosting your everyday mental wellbeing, and everything in between.

We Talk About:

what is positive psychology - why it’s different from traditional psychiatry
how to make the most of difficult situations
she shares the story of how Irene totally transformed her jury duty experience
the power that comes from really positive people
how your attitude can completely shape your experience
patterns of happy people
what it means to be “un-you”
how to tell the difference between self-care and using self-care as an excuse
how to develop confidence as 20 something's
how to make friends in your 20’s
the importance of growth for happiness
the power of loose connections and small talk for happiness

Connect with Doctor Samantha Boardman

Her blog: Positive Prescription https://positiveprescription.com/
On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positive_prescription/

For Full Show Notes Visit:

http://init4thelongrun.com

Join the Joy Squad:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/thejoysquad/

Ep. 54 - The Process of Evolving, Letting Go of Identity Labels and Doing Hard Things with Nicole Antoinette Feb 20, 2018

Show notes

On today’s episode I’m talking with one of my all time favorite podcasters. This guest is someone I’ve wanted to have on the show since day one. I just wanted to make sure I was at a place where I could make the most of the episode. Nicole is so honest, real, interesting, insightful and relatable. I love her podcast because she has hard, honest and insightful conversations and I always leave feeling more connected.

On this episode we talk about

Accountability in order to do meaningful work
Getting work done in the morning and what it takes to start a new habit
Nicole’s story - how she came to podcasting and sharing honest conversations
The process of changing and evolving
Why it’s important to be honest with ourselves first
Balancing grit and grace
What it’s like to let go of identities like “runner”
Why big hard changes can happen slowly
Sometimes you need to transfer obsessions to get healthier
What Nicole has learned from long distance hiking
Why hard things gives us strength and confidence
The power of having positive self-talk and why it matters in other areas of life

Connect with Nicole:

Join the private facebook community - the Joy Squad

For full show notes visit: http://init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 53 - 1 Year Podiversary, Redefining Health, Embracing Joy Everyday & How I’m Thinking About the Future - SOLO show Feb 13, 2018

Show notes

1 Year Podiversary, Redefining Health, Embracing Joy Everyday & How I’m Thinking About the Future

On this week's episode, I celebrate a year (and a week) of podcasting by sharing some of the insights I've learned about joy and health from my guests and my own life.

I Talk About:

Mini GOODfest Recap
Struggle & Win
What I've learned from Podcasting
How to listen better (not interrupt or project)
The importance of deep conversations
Sharing your voice
Letting go of control and perfection
What I've learned about health
It comes in so many shapes and sizes
Health means something different to so many people depending on their lives and stories
The more context we get the better able we are to apply lessons they've learned
You don't need to agree with 100% of what someone says to find value in their work and story
We have so much in common and are also so different
What I've Learned About Joy
It's usually the most simple things (like people & dogs)
We can have joy every single day if we like
It's vulnerable to be joyful in a world that's always bringing us down
It's important to be present in our lives to fully feel joy
Joy doesn't have to be at the bottom of your to-do list - you're allowed to prioritize it

Links I Mention:

JOIN THE JOY SQUAD

For full show notes visit: http://init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 52 - Ayurveda 101 & Why Health Isn’t the End Goal with Sahara Rose Feb 06, 2018

Show notes

Ayurveda 101 & Why Health Isn’t the End Goal with Sahara Rose

I’m diving into the topic of Ayurveda with Sahara Rose. Sahara has a really cool story and brings so much passion and knowledge. This is one of those episodes where I can definitely relisten a couple times to get all the great information.

We Talk About:

Sahara’s story of how she connected with Ayurveda
What Ayurveda is
How Sahara takes a modern accessible approach
The Ayurveda practices that we do without even realizing
How Ayurveda and yoga are connected
All about the 3 doshas
What they are & how to tell if they are in balance
All about the 7 Chakras
How to tell if they are out of balance (and what to do)
Sahara’s take on self-care

Connect with Sahara Rose:

Take the Dosha quiz https://eatfeelfresh.com/new-quiz/

Join the Joy Squad

Get the full show notes at init4thelongrun.com

*affiliate link

Ep. 51 - Gut Health, Why Calories Aren’t an Accurate Measurement of Nutrition & Intuitive Living in an Office Job with Victoria Myers Jan 30, 2018

Show notes

Gut Health, Why Calories Aren’t an Accurate Measurement of Nutrition & Intuitive Living in an Office Job with Victoria Myers

Today's podcast I sit down with Victoria Myers who is a Registered Dietitian specializing in hormonal and gut health. She's one half of the dynamic duo behind Nourishing Minds Nutrition and the Nourishing Women Podcast. Vicotria and Meg are traditional eaters and untraditional dietitians. Through their practice, they empower women to find peace with food, heal digestion & regulate hormones.

I loved this conversation so much. Victoria is such a wealth of knowledge and she shares it with compassion. I love her approach to health, wellness, and healing. This episode is perfect for anyone who is struggling with gut issues and especially if they've previously struggled with disordered eating. We also dive into developing hobbies outside of food, living intuitively when you work in an office and have less flexibility and so much more. I didn't want this episode to end. Like with so many of my guests, I so dearly wish we were neighbors because I'm pretty sure we'd be FAST friends.

We Talk About:

Victoria’s story - how she got into the work she’s doing now as a dietitian with a private practice
What her husband taught Victoria about intuitive eating
Misconceptions about gut health
Where to start when you know you have gut health issues
The connections between SIBO and disordered eating
Why food is a part of your health, but not all of your health
When an elimination diet isn’t right to heal (when it’s right and when it might not help)
Why holistic health CAN be part of intuitive eating
Finding a middle ground between wellness and realness #wellnesswithoutobsession
Why calories aren’t a complete measurement of nutrition
Why dieting causes our bodies to gain weight in the long-term
Why binging and restricting go hand in hand
Why stopping restricting is the key to stopping binging
Why food is an awesome part of your life but not the only part of your life
Other practices outside of food that support the healing journey
How to deal with losing your “healthy” identity
How slowing down can create more time
You have to choose to slow down
Fears about intuitive eating
Dealing with weight gain
Body acceptance versus self-love
Intuitive living within a 9-5
make meal prep fun - bring options for enough food throughout the day
If you work out in the morning make sure you’re still prioritizing sleep

Connect with Victoria

Victoria’s Blog
Instagram
Podcast
Calorie Podcast Episodes - part 1 part 2

For Full Show Notes Visit: init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 50 - Dealing with Comparison, Building Confidence in Your 20’s, Balancing Social Media and Real Life & So Much More - Q&A Episode Jan 23, 2018

Show notes

Dealing with Comparison, Building Confidence in Your 20’s, Balancing Social Media and Real Life & So Much More - Q&A Episode

Every 10 episodes of the Chasing Joy Podcast I flip the mic and have YOU ask me the questions. This round of Q&A did not disappoint. So many wonderful thoughtful questions ranging from body image, intuitive eating, spending time alone, budget-friendly activities to do with friends, photography tips and so much more!

I had my partner in crime, my fiance Chris help me out and ask the questions as well as give his 2 cents. I love having him on the show because he balances me out and always has something encouraging or a good story to share.

Questions Covered:

HEALTH FOOD BODY IMAGE

When you first started intuitive eating did you find your choices weren’t all that nutritious?
Do you exercise? Is there any kind of exercise you enjoy? How to deal with the sometimes cliqueness of the group exercise scene?
How can you tell you’re at a good weight for your body?
Do you have any advice for dealing with acne and living with a society that hates on it so much?
How do you stay sane trying to gain weight in a world trying to lose weight?
Do you have tips for getting away from calorie counting and the fear of gaining weight?

LIFE & RELATIONSHIPS

How do you get comfortable doing fun things alone? How did you get comfortable going places and eating alone or was it not hard for you?
How do you like to productively spend your alone time?
Do you have any tips for gaining confidence in your 20’s?
What are some of your favorite activities to do with your partner and/or friends that are budget friendly? What are your favorite date night ideas?
What’s your favorite thing to do with your family?
What do you do in the evening? I’m not a huge fan of bars or going out, but get super bored in these winter months
How do you and Chris navigate "me time" while living together? - To elaborate, my boyfriend and I have been living together for 5ish months now after doing long distance for 2 years and while it's overwhelmingly WONDERFUL, I am definitely more independent/introverted than he is. I'm having trouble wading through feeling guilty for needing alone time when he wants to hang out, and not wanting to hurt his feelings by saying I need a break from all human interaction (including and especially his) sometimes. - Is it wrong to need alone time away from your partner?
How do you practice enjoying the moment and be more present each day. It’s hard to not look forward to the next adventure
Do you ever compare yourself to others- how do you get out of it?
How do you manage a budget after graduating college while looking for jobs?
What's the habit you're most proud of or brings most joy to your life?
What are some ways that you balance social media with real life?
I'm really curious what you do to "put away" your technology. I've noticed certain things like my phone starting to consume all of my free time. It's easy to set a resolution and say "I'm gonna use my phone less" but it's SO hard to actually do it. Got any advice?
What are some of your favorite books, whether it’s all-time or one you’ve been wanting to read or have recently gotten into?
What’s your favorite coffee drink?
Do you have tips for home brewing coffee?

PHOTOGRAPHY & WORK

How do you find your passion when you’re not sure what it is? (wants to change jobs)
How do you deal with loneliness when you work for yourself? How do you forge meaningful connections when so much networking can be done from behind a screen?
Do you have any food photography tips?
Do you have advice to someone who is interested in learning photography but is overwhelmed?
How do you grow an authentic tribe online through social media?
How do you think net neutrality will affect the blogging industry?
Would you mind sharing tips and tricks to cultivate an income from your blog?

Links Mentioned

Nourishing Women's Podcast

Blog Posts I Mentioned:

Malcolm Gladwell Books

Chris's Favorite Books

Sapiens*
Homo Deus*

For full show notes visit: http://init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 49 - Discovering Joy, Creating a Life That Feels Good First & the Law of Attraction with Amanda Mackenzie Jan 16, 2018

Show notes

Amanda MacKenzie is a writer from Cambridge, MA. After graduating from the University of Richmond, she taught English in Hungary, earned a Master of Divinity, and become an ordained Congregational minister. In her thirties, Amanda had a do-over and went to work on a small farm.

Her crowning achievement was a rustic country wedding for a hundred, after which she drank all the leftover wine straight from the bottle and decided to stick to cooking for fun. Today she is a part-time professor of world religions, preaches, meditates, and practices yoga. She believes in the power of positivity, possibility, and good coffee. The Do-Over is her first book.

We Talk About:

Practical ways to find joy
Changing life paths
How Amanda found the law of attraction - like attracting like
How to manifest and attract things into your life
How to find joy in every day
Difference between efforting work versus flowing work
Letting go of having it all figured out
The difference between having the perfect life on paper and having a life that feels good
Focusing on feeling good first, then taking action
Why life is about change
Creating a life that feels right
Letting go of caring what other people think about how your life looks
Not attaching to the “How” of your goals
The power of appreciating things
Practicing enjoying
Surrounding yourself with people who feel good

Connect with Amanda:

Online: http://amandamackenzie.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandamackenzieh/
Get her Book: http://amzn.to/2D81wZ8

For Full Show Notes Visit:

http://init4thelongrun.com

Ep. 48- Let’s Talk About Menstrual Health with Siena Dixon Jan 09, 2018

Show notes

Siena Dixon founded Bootsy Chuchu after solving her own decade-long menstrual health issues naturally. Bootsy Chuchu seeks to provide natural alternatives to hormonal contraception for menstrual regulation with science-backed products users enjoy and feel proud to own. Her mission as an advocate is to bring the topic of menstrual health into daily conversation and contribute to the growing community of women who are changing the way we think and talk about it. Siena is also the Head of Communications and Marketing for a global eyewear brand called Ollie Quinn.

We Talk About:

Siena’s health journey and how she discovered the importance of menstrual health and its connection to overall health
What it was like to come off the pill after 10 years of using it to regulate her cycle
How she got her regular menstrual cycle back after it being abnormal for so long
How and why she started her business Bootsy Chuchu and the first hormonal balancing elixir
Things to look out for when coming off the pill in order to get a regular cycle back
Health and wellness rituals that help support a healthy cycle
What we can learn about our energy and moods from our hormonal cycle
How our society treats menstrual health and why that is changing now
Wellness habits Siena practices and ones that she’s let go of
We talk about journaling strategies and benefits like how it helps with overwhelm and stress
We talk about low key wedding planning