Try This At Home

Latest Episodes:

#210 Pandemic Life - Our Finest Hour Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Leslie and Leslyn spend this week’s discussion bringing the listeners some good stories that have arose in these concerning times. Last week, discussions of offering grace to others and the stress relief during this time were given. This week, Leslie and Leslyn felt it was much needed to bring some of the positive aspects, as we remember that we are all just doing the best that we can right now.

The episode begins with Leslie and Leslyn sharing a clip to illustrate the ability to choose to look for the good in a situation. It’s important to learn how to choose what you focus on. An analogy that Leslyn gives is like looking out two separate windows. One shows a beautiful, welcoming park while the other window shows a smelly, unpleasant dump. With these two windows, you choose which window you would like to see the world through.

Leslie and Leslyn discuss a number of celebrities that have stepped up to help in relief efforts. They mention many famous names such as Oprah and how she has donated over $10 million dollars to help the efforts. In this time of need, many companies have also come to offer relief in forms of donations or CEO’s forgoing their salaries to help their employees. A major company mentioned is Comcast’s CEO who is forgoing his salary as well as donating $500 million to an employee relief fund.

Celebrities and Companies are not the only people stepping up in this time of need. Everyday people also are offering their grace and compassion to their communities. In forms such as offering free food to those who need it, tipping their food service workers greatly, and leaving affirming positive messages for others to see.

Leslie and Leslyn share the impact as well that the pandemic has had on students, their teachers, and the parents. With many schools deciding to hold classes remotely a lot of the responsibility has fallen on the parents. Striving to support the children’s teacher in helping them do their absolute best in continuing their cause shows the appreciation and respect you have for them.

In the wake of this event, the workers that many sadly take for granted are gaining more respect and appreciation. Positions such as cashiers, sanitation workers, and food service/delivery workers have always deserved respect and it has taken this event for some to realize how valuable these positions are to society.

This week’s Try This at Home, is to try to focus on some of the good news or acts that are out there. Try to remember that most people are amazingly resilient, and we are going to get through this! Next week, Leslie and Leslyn continue to focus on pandemic life as it continues to be part of our daily life.

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Pandemic Life

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Leslyn’s Webinar Can Be Found Here!

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ThisIsLeslyn/posts/?ref=page_internal

Episode #209 on Discussing Pandemic Life & Grace

https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/podcasts-1/2020/3/27/209-discussing-pandemic-life-amp-grace

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#209 Discussing Pandemic Life & Grace Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

Taking a moment to put the regularly scheduled episodes on hold, Leslie and Leslyn spend this week’s discussion on what everyone has been thinking about. The COVID-19 Global Pandemic. It’s a crazy time that is filled with a lot of anxiety, fear, grief, and uncertainty. Leslie and Leslyn wanted to dive into these feelings that surround the major event that must be addressed.

As the new norm of totally drastic changes, there will be feelings of uncertainty. Leslyn wanted to share a webinar she recorded this week that focuses on how to manage the stress in all this uncertainty. On top of our everyday anxieties, now we are faced with anxiety that is unprecedented and we have nothing to compare or draw from to ease these worries.

This is why it’s critical in this time to give people grace. Remember, that everyone is doing the best that they can in this time. Make sure you are communicating your love and appreciation for those around you.

Leslie and Leslyn discuss wanting to stay productive during this time but realize the need for some downtime. It’s important to remember, there is no wrong or right way to be using this time. As long as you are staying safe and following current medical advice! Some might find themselves feeling like everything in the world is fine but then having elevated stress levels watching or reading the news. Leslyn recommends people pay close attention to what stress does physiologically to their own bodies and notice when you feel moments of increased anxiety.

Leslie offers the recommendation to take this time to find a way that you can personally better the situation/ Leslie gives the example of spending a day creating a space for her boys to relax and play was well worth the work it took. Leslyn shares that you can be creative and think outside the box to find a solution to a problem that pops up in your life.

This situation has derailed many of us from our steady travel of life. There is a lot of fear right now. From people losing planned events, not being able to attend their high school graduation, and even losing a loved one. Leslyn shares that there are different intensities to grief. Grief is experiencing a loss. Leslyn gives the advice to let yourself feel the grief reaction that you are having. But then, put that grief reaction into perspective to how bad it could be.

Leslyn mentions last week’s topic on social media and connection. It’s fascinating at a time when our culture, and humanity at large, is so disconnected that there is this worldwide situation that seems to bring some of the best in us and forces us to connect in a way that many have thought were lost. Next week, Leslie and Leslyn would like to continue this topic’s focus but on the good aspects!

Next week, Leslie and Leslyn are focusing on all the good things that can or have come from this very negative experience. If there are any stories you would like to see us cover, please let us know!

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Focusing on the Good in a Terrible Situation!

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Leslyn’s Webinar Can Be Found Here!

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ThisIsLeslyn/posts/?ref=page_internal

Episode #207 on Big Magic

https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/podcasts-1/2020/3/15/207-big-magic-a-discussion-about-the-book-amp-creativity

HBR | The Discomfort You’re Feeling is Grief

https://hbr.org/2020/03/that-discomfort-youre-feeling-is-grief

ABC News | Venice Canals Clearing

https://abcnews.go.com/International/venice-canals-clear-fish-coronavirus-halts-tourism-city/story?id=69662690

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#208 Social Media - Changing Humanity? Mar 25, 2020

Show notes

The episode begins with Leslie sharing her own love/hate relationship with social media, especially when it comes to her businesses. Managing a business social media can be frustrating specifically with the constant struggle of trying to stay in the confines of the platform’s algorithm. Leslie shares how her planner business has nineteen thousand followers, but her posts are only being shown to about a thousand of them! The day-to-day social media use can also bring conflicting emotions, Leslie shares that the average digital consumer spends about two and a half hours per day on social media!

Leslie shares some of her experiences with the various social media platforms that are sparking her children’s interest and also her oldest child’s desire for his own cell phone. Leslyn points out that there is always something that is going to be distracting to children and today’s is the vast options that the Internet provides. This does not undermine the fact that there seems to be strong correlations to social media and electronic addictions, which Leslie and Leslyn plan to discuss in more detail in a future episode.

Most people who think of the Internet’s impact would say that they think it is more of a positive because of its ability to connect people. Leslyn gives the example of being able to connect with cousins that she would know nothing about otherwise, as they live on the opposite side of the country. Leslie on the flip side states that the more she thinks critically about these social media connections, the more she wonders. She wonders why she feels the need to be connected to people she has not seen or spoke to since high school. Leslyn believes this could be up to voyeurism and compares Leslie’s example to feeling the same way about the people who sit and watch to see what their neighbors are up to. The reason that you want to be friends with a person on social media is because people love to watch people, and the curiosity of knowing about a vague connection in your life is what social media counts on! Leslyn continues this by comparing it to going to a class reunion. People often go to class reunions not only to catch up but to compare and observe others we are vaguely connected to.

We do this because as humans, we have a fundamental instinct to be curious. Leslie shares that the major reason she hired someone to manage her businesses’ social medias was because of social medias drive to comparisons, she feels, personally, that this is one of the single biggest drawbacks. Leslie found herself comparing her work to others in both good and bad ways. This was an attitude that she did not want to have as it either made her feel horrible or gave her this sense of superiority that she did not appreciate or want in herself.

Leslyn on the other hand, does not share those similar feelings. Leslyn shares that she has a personal Facebook page that she does not connect with clients on, which is part of creating good psychological boundaries. Leslyn also has two public pages one for her counseling practice and the other as she’s an author. She is incredibly particular about what she allows others to see of her in a public setting as this is vastly different from what her friends see. Leslie also shares some of these techniques, as she has a personal social media page and her businesses’ pages. For Leslie, she feels that the multiple different roles she plays in life complicate and make it tricky to run individual social media pages.

With the use of social media, there is something to be said about posting in a way that reflects your most authentic self, whatever that may be, and giving people the ability to interact with little to no pretense. Leslyn shares this is crucial in her work as she wants her future clients to have a perception of her as a blank slate which helps in a psychotherapy setting. Leslie asks what Leslyn sees most in her practice related to social media. Leslyn answers that she sees issues with connectivity the most in her practice. Connecting to the people outside of your everyday life, can cause a significant disconnect between you and those closest to you. Leslyn hears so often with couples that one or even both members of the relationship wish that their partner would talk to them the same amount as they spend texting or talking on social media. The solution Leslyn often gives is to create a no phone zone.

A no phone zone is vital in a world where we walk around with handheld computers as a part of our everyday life. By spending too much time on electronics you can risk disconnecting from those important people in your life. Leslie mentions her example from earlier of being friends on social media with someone that she has not talked to in almost twenty years. Leslie continues by saying she could be using the time she sits and catches up on someone else’s life to be strengthening connections with her husband by communicating or even taking her children to do something fun.

Leslyn conveys the following, when we are more concerned about what transpired in the day of a social media friend than we are with what transpired in the day of one of our family members, then we are moving in the wrong direction. It’s a mindless habit that can be incredibly hard to break but slow transitions such as no phones at the dinner table could help! Confiding in your loved ones instead of your phone can positively impact the connection you have with someone you love. Leslyn shares that some ways to connect with those loved ones could be not having a television in the bedroom or making the living room a no phone zone. Even investing in a Google Home, or similar product, that can allow you to still reach out to the Internet while staying connected to those around you can support this bond.

Leslyn believes that it is important to understand, from a healthy, emotional perspective, the importance of using social media to connect with the outside world and when is the right time to set it aside to connect with your inside world. Social media should have the second-place spot in your life. Leslie and Leslyn both hope that you, the listener, observe your connections and examine where setting limits may be beneficial. Today’s Try This at Home is to try any of these ideas to boost connectivity in your life. You could do this by creating your own no phone zone, taking the television out of your bedroom (or at least your phones) and to pay attention to how you are connecting inside your homes. Give social media it’s place for the outside world and see how you can make differences to better strengthen the connection with those you hold dear.

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Human Connection

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Episode #206 on The Making of Friendship

https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/podcasts-1/2020/3/9/206-the-making-of-friendship

Leslie’s Limelife Planners

https://www.limelifeplanners.com/

Leslyn’s practice Harmony Counseling

https://www.westgrovetherapy.com/

TTAH’s Healthy Boundary Worksheet

https://drive.google.com/file/d/19fldBcNTIr4HoOTojHzCfGuXEHtHTFxy/view?usp=sharing

Psychology Today | 20 Ways to Be a More Authentic Person

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201904/develop-authenticity-20-ways-be-more-authentic-person

NY Times | 5 No Phone Zones for Parents and Kids Alike

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/01/23/well/family/5-no-phone-zones-for-parents-and-kids-alike.html

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#207 Big Magic - A discussion about the book & creativity Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

Elizabeth Gilbert first became a sensation with her book; Eat, Pray, Love that was on NY Times Bestseller list for fifty-seven consecutive weeks! In 2015, Gilbert released Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. Leslie and Leslyn both loved the book and sent it to their loved ones to read and ponder. In this episode, Leslie and Leslyn share what they loved about Big Magic and the great tips that they took away from the book. They start the discussion with speaking about Elizabeth Gilbert’s vision, or her interpretation of her own ideas. It’s a story that Leslie and Leslyn think will stick with you through Gilbert’s amazing mastery of words.

The foundation of Big Magic is this: all ideas are seen to be out in the open, an idea will come to you or whomever will best bring it to its completion. Leslie explains, if you do not choose to nurture and love that idea, the idea will leave you and go to someone else who will. Leslyn likes to think of this as being like the Gulf Stream that goes around the planet. To Leslyn, these ideas work like an invisible Gulf Stream, that moves around the atmosphere and at random will drop down into your mind. People can relate to this vision in the way that we all experience having an idea that seems to come out of the blue. Leslie continues this by sharing J.K. Rowling’s experience of coming up with the idea for Harry Potter while she was riding a train. J.K. Rowling explains getting this idea as, “it fell into her head”. Leslie sees this idea that Elizabeth Gilbert laid out like the scene in Finding Nemo, when Nemo’s Dad is riding the turtle’s back in the Eastern Australian current.

To understand Big Magic and the vision of the book, it’s important to have a good understanding of Elizabeth Gilbert’s fundamental belief about ideas. Gilbert believes that ideas float around and will be presented to you. If you do not nurture this idea, it will find a home somewhere else. Leslyn explains this in a scenario often seen in the entrepreneur’s world. Ten people will wake up with a similar idea, six of those people will do absolutely nothing about, three will sit back and at least think about the idea, but only one will actually do something with the idea. In Big Magic, Elizabeth Gilbert gives a real-life personal experience she had with this belief. She speaks about an idea that left her and went to one of her friends who is also an author. Gilbert had developed an idea for a book but had to put this idea away because as life happens, her focus was needed somewhere else. Well over a year goes by before Elizabeth Gilbert is able to focus on this idea again. Gilbert finds out that the idea is gone, no longer residing with her. Elizabeth Gilbert goes to a conference where she talks with another author, Ann Patchett, who describes the project that Gilbert was working on almost exactly. Even more wild about the story, the two authors work out that around the same time that Elizabeth Gilbert had put the project away for later, Ann Patchett had started working on the same idea!

Leslyn explains that this could be like simultaneous invention, which is when two people, that are unrelated, get the same idea around the same time. Leslie points out that this simultaneous invention, happens often in academia and you can easily get “scooped” by another person as the idea’s creator becomes the person who finishes it first. Leslyn, after reading Big Magic, shares she had a whole different sensation about the ideas that would pop into her head. As ideas pop into people’s head all the time, many people will get an idea and think that they couldn’t possibly go through with it. Leslie, as an entrepreneur, at some point decided that one of her ideas was something she could execute and ran with it. Leslie likes to think that falling into that line of work happened to her, not that she chose it. The CEO of Stitch Fix, Katrina Lake, also thinks this way as she didn’t make the decision to have a clothing company, it came to her in a multitude of things and she just followed that current.

Leslyn continues the discussion by sharing a quote from Big Magic, “My fear always made predictively boring decisions.” Leslyn goes on to say that every single person has a creative element in their spirit, but this fear often holds people back from engaging in it. Leslie shares she often talks herself out of her ideas because she experiences fear in not being perfect. Elizabeth Gilbert says that you should only go through with an idea for the love of doing it not because it’s going to be perfect. A good enough novel, that is violently written right now, will always be better than a perfect novel, that is meticulously written never. Leslyn believes that fear and creativity need to both be present in our lives, but fear need to be strapped in the backseat, it cannot be the driver. This idea of perfectionism cannot stop you from doing, as perfect can quickly become the enemy of finishing or even doing something at all.

This fear should not stop you from doing, Leslyn says that you are going to fail some things but that is the first step of seeing growth in something. Leslie shares experiences with her children in feeling the need to be perfect and in the phrase, “I can’t.” Leslie says the kicker with this is: parents never expect their kids to know something out of the gate. Parents expect their kids to fail, make mistakes, and learn. Parents can be very forgiving of these things in their children, but often are not forgiving of their own actions. We do not have that open mentality of allowing ourselves to also fail, learn, and eventually figure it out. The role of failure can play a big role in how creative we are. Leslyn shares another quote from Big Magic, about how it is important for us to forgive ourselves for failure. You have to find it in yourself to say it’s alright to fail. Elizabeth Gilbert sees this as we’re nothing but beginners. Even if you have fifty years of experience in a craft, you are still a beginner and always will be a beginner, as perfectionism, the idea of being simply perfect, never ever can exist. This role of failure can prevent you from doing a lot of things in your life, if you let it. Finding the value in the nuances of success is vital. Leslyn shares that courage comes to play in the idea of success. You must have the courage to fail, but also the courage to succeed in whatever it is you are doing.

Leslie quotes Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic by stating, “One of the oldest and most generous tricks that the universe plays on human beings, is to bury strange jewels within us all, and then standing back to see if we can ever find them.” Leslie finds this to be an interesting way to look at ideas, it’s a very freeing attitude to think that an idea and the capability is already within yourself, you just have to find it. Leslie shares that even in her own company, she feels the immense pressure to be different and to do something that hasn’t been done before. In reality, it seems that almost everything has already been done, so she changed her mentality. If you interpret an idea that you think might have been done, and you do it in your own unique way, it will turn into something different. Leslie and Leslyn further explain this by giving the example of a musician covering a song. A musician covering another musician’s song can give a completely different feel to the same lyrics. This is because completely different creative energies are being placed into the words. We as people, do not have the same experiences, talent, or abilities as someone else. Meaning if we complete an idea, put the energy into that concept, our own version of that thing will emerge. Leslyn emphasizes that this is something that truly should be embraced in life.

This week’s Try This at Home, is to really think about where you experience creativity in your own life. If you are one to hesitate because of fear, think of what you are truly fearing in partaking in that particular action. If you think you are not creative, we hope this episode has shown that we all have the ability to be creative. Creativity is defined so broadly and plays a big contribution to a life well lived! Leslyn and Leslie end this episode encouraging you, the listener, to read Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic.

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Social Media!

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24453082-big-magic

Big Magic Audible Link

https://www.audible.com/ep/title/?asin=B00U0CAEB8&source_code=GO1GBSH09091690EK&device=d&ds_rl=1262685&ds_rl=1263561&cvosrc=ppc.google.big%20magic%20audiobook&cvo_campaign=250472169&cvo_crid=260135447937&Matchtype=e&gclid=CjwKCAjwgbLzBRBsEiwAXVIygL4HJJmxp73afPLTrNyUJW88KrnvKVfWqvWoVLJ7y7xF1QYun1UxAhoClJsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Finding Nemo’s Turtle Scene

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FNHtNEshk8

Ann Patchett’s Bel Canto

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5826.Bel_Canto

Konmari Method

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/jan/14/how-to-declutter-your-life-marie-kondo-spark-joy

Stitch Fix Founder, Katrina Lake, Code 2018 Interview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_S-VTy2cWf8

Kygo & Whitney Houston’s Higher Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JR49dyo-y0E

Steve Winwood’s Higher Love

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9olaIio3l8

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trythisathomepodcast/?hl=en

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TTAHPodcast/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#206 The Making of Friendship Mar 11, 2020

Show notes

In this episode, we discuss…

Leslie and Leslyn start this episode of Try This at Home, discussing their oldest friendships to date. What is your longest friendship? They both thought that it was significant to see what the professionals had to say about friendship. Shasta Nelson, the author of Friendtamicy, is mentioned as Leslyn feels Shasta’s input really resonates deeply. “Friendship intimacy is where two people both feel seen in a safe and satisfying way.” Leslyn often sees how influential friendships can be in her practice more than anything else. People often want to know that their friend is there for them, that they feel validated, and have a safe place to talk and express their opinions.

As Leslie points out, many of you may agree, she never really thinks of what friendship really is. It’s used so often that not much thought is truly put into what it really means. Leslie finds Shasta’s description of friendship very interesting. Leslie noted that being safe and being able to tell your friends something that is hard to hear is pivotal to a good relationship. Knowing that the relationship creates a safe space to communicate the hard things in life leads to being as authentic as you can be. Real, healthy friendships make room to be more genuine. Leslyn shares her own experience by stating that hearing something from a trusted friend that is hard to hear can be easier when you know it’s coming from a place of love and loving the other person in the relationship. Leslyn often says this to couples in practice.

Shasta Nelson says that during research a lot of women said that their emotional needs were not being fulfilled. Women tend to accumulate many relationships through their life but only a select few provide a safe space for development. Many people tend to not develop the relationship to allow this safe space to occur and will eventually pull away from the other person. Leslie points out that this may be due to the human need for instant gratification. Social media makes us all so connected but not really connected, meaning it’s a lot of surface level connections. Leslyn follows this with an example. Say you have 240 Facebook “friends”, does this really mean you have 240 friends? Well no, in actuality this is more like about 10 close friends, 20 family members, and the rest being 210 acquaintances. People in those acquaintances perhaps have never reached that phase where a safe space can be created.

If you truly sit back and think about friendships, what makes a good friendship? Leslyn feels that Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, a psychologist at Northern Illinois University lays it out best in her 13 qualities that she calls friendship quotients. The first quality is trustworthiness. Leslyn shares her personal experience with betrayal and realizing a friend is not trustworthy. As she continues, most people are not 100% transparent with their lives. There are things that people go to their friends for to be confidants in their lives. Holding the trust in these relationships are extremely important for a good friendship.

True friendships should also hold honesty in high regard; being honest with your friend and honest about who you are. It may be difficult to be perfectly honest with people unless they’re close friends and that safe space has been established. Leslie thinks honesty is the hallmark of a good friendship Honesty can also be not saying something that you would like to say and not telling things you know are untrue.

The third quality of a good friendship is dependability, which can be challenging. A common example of this would be following-through, you are going to do something you said you would. The complications that comes with this is applying the standard of how you treat others to how you want them to act towards you. Leslyn adds that reciprocity should not feel like you are keeping score in a relationship, instead it should be making sure you are not the only person in the relationship driving energy. Leslyn gives the example of not speaking to a friend for multiple months but then receiving a call that ends up being the friend wanting something and not actually about the friendship. The issue here is you should not do it under the premise of being a good friend if you have other intentions you should state them. Friendships need to be nurtured to thrive. Like a plant, if you do not water and report the plant as it grows it will die. And in terms of dependability Leslyn says, she doesn’t mind being the person to water it, but the other person must be the one to repot the plant!

Something that goes hand-in-hand with honesty, Leslie says is loyalty. This would be things such as not speaking behind someone’s back and just being there when a person needs you. The desire in the relationship is being there.

A trait in the list that Leslyn believes is critical to living a good life in general is being empathetic. It usually can be one of the first traits in a friendship and is when you lean on someone to help fix things, allowing you to connect on a deeper level of understanding. Leslie even shares that she had an issue with this in one of her friendships where it became hard to be empathetic when her friend was not reciprocating. Leslyn actually think it may be more in the fact of reciprocating engagement in the relationship. Relationships that become one sided and move away from shared values or ideas, will quickly become hard to sustain. There may no longer be a shared objective and it can be like giving from an empty well.

The next two, Leslie and Leslyn think are closely associated being non-judgmental and a good listener. Leslyn explains that judging is a non-accepting element and to be non-judgmental you must accept despite the differences and acquire the ability not label something as good or bad. This associates with being a good listener as to be a good listener the key is to not judge the speaker.

Being supportive of others in their good times and in their bad times is essential to a good friendship. Giving encouragement and lifting friends up builds the relationship between you and the other person. An example Leslie and Leslyn give is coming and helping to clean up when your friend is hosting a party. They end the list with things such as self-confidence which can cause you to be competitive. Having an ability to see humor in a situation can strengthen the relationship between you and another. Leslie and Leslyn share the last thing on the list, which is probably a given, but to be fun to be around helps your friendship!

It seems important to notice that every individual will have varying degrees of these qualities. The goal here is to strive for a consistent level of these traits in your friendship. Try to be the best friend that you possibly can be. Leslie and Leslyn share another great quote by Shasta Nelson where she says, “If we keep saying something is important to us, but we do nothing about it then ultimately we lose both trust in ourselves and our own sense of integrity.” You should put energy into the things that you see as important and maybe call and let your friend know you’ve been thinking of them. It could be as simple as Leslie’s idea of sending a funny internet meme to let them know you have them on your mind! Concluding this discussion, thinking about your current friendships and these 13 essentials will allow you to build even better relationships with the ones you love.

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Friendtamicy – Shasta Nelson

https://www.shastanelson.com/frientimacy

The 13 Essential Traits of Good Friends|Dr. Suzanne Degges-White, Ph. D

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/lifetime-connections/201503/the-13-essential-traits-good-friends

Somebody That I Used to Know-Gotye (Mentioned in Dependability Discussion)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UVNT4wvIGY

Friendship in Later Life: A Research Agenda

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6441127/

Can’t Wait for next week’s Discussion?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24453082-big-magic

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#205 What is normal? Mar 04, 2020

Show notes

What is Normal? Today’s episode centers around this complex question. Leslie and Leslyn begin their discussion considering topics such as: how to define normal, what is seen as the norm in society, and why there are so many problems with how we look at it today. Leslyn shares insights into the reasoning behind why we feel the need to have a normal outlined in our everyday life, how we are unknowingly connecting the word to value, and what we see as right and wrong. At the end of this episode, Leslie and Leslyn present a few questions to ponder yourself at Try This at Home!

In this episode, we discuss…

Introductions -- Is that Normal? [00:01]

Show Intro [00:18]

Start of the Podcast [01:04]

Definition of Normal [01:52]

Problems with the Changing “Normal” [03:46]

Grieving Example [04:56]

Education Example [07:00]

Where the Crawdads Sing [09:18]

When Values Comes Into Play [11:41]

Second Definition of Normal [13:40]

Fair and Normal [15:08]

Share and Touch Base with Us! [15:54]

Back to Fair [16:15]

What is Normal to You? [16:42]

The Comfort in Normal [17:51]

The Ever-evolving Norm [19:39]

The Value of the Abnormal [21:35]

Being Abnormal isn’t Always Bad [22:51]

Conforming to Society [24:05]

Today’s Question [27:03]

Closing Points [28:45]

Episode Notes:

Have you ever thought to yourself, “Is that Normal?” We all have been there and in today’s episode, Leslie and Leslyn dive into what normal really is and the aspects surrounding such an idea. They begin today’s discussion with a definition of what the word means and come up with a correlated word that people usually use in describing their idea of normal: most. Leslie, states that normal is usually seen as numerous most. The biggest being, what do most people do in a certain situation, is that what normal is? Conversations about what the spectrum of normal is displayed as come up and for again, most, people and even social psychologist define normal using a bell curve.

The base idea of a bell curve is a hill-shaped pattern that resembles a bell and is plotted with normal being defined as one or two standard deviations away from the mean. But this normal cannot be determined without the outliers those who would not fall in the umbrella of normal.

Leslyn shares that in our culture, one of our fundamental human needs is to categorize. This drive is then exhibited as our need to categorize and label what depicts normal. But there is a problem with this. As they discuss more it is recognized that normal is perceived diversely by each individual. Leslyn points out that what we think is abnormal now, changes over time and could even be quite normal in different circumstances.

An example they discuss is how people grieve. There is not one way to grieve, everyone grieves in an alternate way, and you cannot judge someone on how they grieve. Which brings them to question, is there a right or wrong way to grieve? Is there a right or wrong to normal? They run into the classification problem in determining if something is normal without the basis of right or wrong. Leslyn explains, we as humans are applying the sentiment of right or wrong to things when that’s not even the issue in the matter.

The education example they discuss shows this we cannot put a right or wrong on benchmarks that our child is expected to hit at a certain age. It may be seen as normal for your child to hit a benchmark, but does it make it wrong if they do not by the expected time? Leslie believes not, as there can be a standard of normal without it being wrong. Leslyn adds that this “normal” is only that compared to a subset of a particular population.

Leslyn decides to take this education example a step further by mentioning the book, “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens [link below]. Where a girl is ultimately seen as an outlier and Leslyn poses the question, is this girl being an outlier and not falling into the idea of what a normal kid is, does that necessarily mean the girl is wrong? Again, Leslie states it’s not normal but it isn’t wrong, especially in comparison to something like murder.

This is where the discussion turns as values have come into play. Leslyn explains, you must be very, very careful when you’re thinking about normal and our ability to apply judgement to such a thing. An alternative definition of normal is then proposed, what is normal for me?

On the second half of the podcast, the differences in the norm pose two questions: what is normal for you and what’s normal for the population at large. Leslyn explains that what she thinks is at play on determining normalcy is that people with anxiety seek to establish a sense of emotional safety. The fear-based aspect causes us to rush to develop habits and acquire a sense of comfort.

The talk of value is mentioned again this time on abnormal. Leslyn believes that there is value in the abnormal. It seems that the abnormal is vital as Leslyn continues as if we did not accept abnormal thinking, abnormal behavior, abnormal ideas then nothing would ever change because no one would step foot out of what is considered normal, or what everyone else is doing. If abnormal is not always wrong and can have value, does that mean the rules we live by loose meaning?

Leslie mentions in the discussion how laws are just a construct and is seen as a normal way to behave in society. Leslyn shares her belief that if we live in a society and choose to participate in said society, we almost have an obligation to humanity to conform to certain ideals and laws that will benefit the society as a whole. In terms of this scenario, it seems logical to want to follow the norm and not be one of the outliers on the societal bell curve. Leading to the need for good reasoning and being aware to make it through this conundrum.

Leslie and Leslyn summarize this discussion with a question, a burning question, of the week.

They challenge their listeners to question what defines you and what is normal for you? Leslie and Leslyn encourage their listeners to take this home and think about it, what defines you?

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Friendship!

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Interested in reading, “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36809135-where-the-crawdads-sing

Interested in reading, “Educated” by Tara Westover?

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35133922-educated

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

#204 Do you Subscribe? Feb 26, 2020

Show notes

What kind of modern conveniences do you enjoy? In today’s world, if you want it, there’s a subscription service for it! Today, Leslie and Leslyn share the subscription services they are loving at the moment with a few other great shout-outs. Leslie and Leslyn start out the episode talking about Stitch Fix a personal styling subscription service that comes right to your door! They both use this service and have the Style Pass. It eliminates the need to even go to the mall, as you are getting hand selected pieces that your stylist thinks you’ll love. You can get a box whenever you want, the box includes 5 items that can be anything from clothing, shoes, or accessories. Leslie prefers to get just 5 clothing items, making Stitch Fix an incredibly flexible and customizable service. If you do not have the Styling Pass, there is a $20 styling fee applied to every box that goes towards whatever you keep, and if you keep all 5 items you get an extra 25% off! If you are interested in the Style Pass, you pay $50 a year, receive $50 on your first order, and are never charged a styling fee or to send any of the items back!

Leslie also has the subscription service, Little Passports, for her children. Little Passports is divided into different age categories and sent in a “little suitcase”. The first box sends you basic items such as a coin collector. Each box after that, every month, is to teach your kids all about a new country!

There are a few other clothing subscriptions that are mentioned one being Nordstrom’s Trunk Club that Leslyn says is similar to Stitch Fix. Le Tote is a rental clothing subscription that allows you to pick items and them send back after you wear them for whatever event you are planning! Rent the Runway is a little more elegant subscription as it allows you to rent designer dresses for special occasions. With Rent the Runway, you choose two sizes and are sent both dresses, you wear the one that fits and send them both back after your event!

The meal service that Leslie and Leslyn love is Hello Fresh. For Leslyn, she orders two meals every other week giving her 4 servings in two weeks. After trying all the meal services, this was the one that worked best for her. You get stuck eating the same recipes, you put yourself in a burn out of the same food for months. Hello Fresh facilitates in putting variety into your meals. Everything is included, spices and all, portioned correctly so you don’t waste. It’s about $9 a meal, but you are getting restaurant quality and relatively healthy food in your own home!

Leslyn also brings up one of her favorites, Naked Wines Club which is a great convenience for her as she’s so busy. It charges $40 a month and Leslyn lets that build and once a quarter buys a crate of wine. By doing this, she is usually getting a free bottle or two for buying in such large quantity! This is a great subscription service as it introduces you to wines from all over the world and is a nice way to try lots of different wines.

Leslie’s next recommendation is Mighty Nest, which is only $10 a month and sends you different green, healthy home products. She has found some of the coolest products through this subscription service and actually is offering the first giveaway on one of their products!

Try This at Home’s first giveaway showcases one of Leslie’s favorite products from Mighty Nest. It’s called a Spaghetti Scrub; this is an environmentally friendly sponge alternative. It’s a great product as it’s environmentally conscious, anti-bacterial, and doesn’t scratch your dishes! This sponge alternative is cost-effective and last up to six months. If you would like a Spaghetti Scrub, reach out on any of our social media platforms or on the website telling us, “I want a spaghetti scrubber!” We will put your name into a drawing for a free Spaghetti Scrub!

A mega convenience for Leslyn is grocery delivery. Leslyn is an incredibly busy person and let’s face it, who actually likes to grocery shop? It can be one of the most frustrating things especially when you know you could be doing something more productive. Leslie and Leslyn offer a few services that could help alleviate this errand for you! Instacart cost $14.99 a month with a $30 minimum delivery fee. If you want a more cost-effective delivery service, Walmart offers a $10 a month subscription to have free delivery on every order at a $30 minimum.

With all these great subscription services, Leslyn asks the tough question of which is the favorite of all the services in the episode. For Leslie, Mighty Nest is her favorite as it’s cheap and she has found many great products through their service. For Leslyn, food services are her favorite as it helps save her time and money! The biggest pro to these services is the convenience, as they free up time in your schedule and could possibly save you money in the long run.

If you are interested in trying Hello Fresh, Leslyn has several coupons for $40 off a Hello Fresh Box—she is happy to give these away to the first few listeners to reach out on social media or the website, she just needs your email address! The Try This at Home of the week is to consider some of these subscription services that we have talked about today and if you’ve used them already, really assess the value that it brings to your life. Or, if you have never tried one before maybe think about trying one that you’re interested in!

A few other great subscription services are mentioned in the episode, links can be found below!

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: What is Normal?

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Stitch Fix

www.stichfix.com/

Little Passports

www.littlepassports.com/

Trunk Club

www.trunkclub.com/

Le Tote

www.letote.com/

Rent the Runway

www.renttherunway.com/

Hello Fresh

Blue Apron

Naked Wines

Mighty Nest

Fab Fit Fun

Dollar Shave Club

www.dollarshaveclub.com/

Honest Box

www.honest.com/

Grove Collaborative

www.grove.co/

Amazon Subscribe and Save

https://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=15283820011

Instacart

www.instacart.com/

Walmart Grocery

https://grocery.walmart.com/

Spaghetti Scrub (Enter to Win in the Giveaway!)

https://mightynest.com/shop/green-cleaning/household/dishwashing/spaghetti-scrub-set-of-2

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

#203 Time for Thinking Feb 19, 2020

Show notes

The episode starts out with a discussion of what a think week is and the benefits it can produce. Leslie shares a story, where her birthday present to her husband was to send him on a think week. Leslie got this idea from watching Netflix’s Bill Gates Documentary. A clip is played from the documentary where a think week is described. Melinda Gates, Bill’s wife, explains that a think week allows her husband to have time to slow down, write, and find the way that he wants lead. Bill Gates has been since the 90s spending a week alone, taking the time to read and think. He is said to absorb stacks of books and technical papers, anything that will help him understand the future clearer. Leslie gives this gift to her husband to allow him to go off and think deeply while she holds the fort down at home. This gave her husband an opportunity to think about his life not only professionally, but personally, as well as, time to brainstorm ideas as her husband is a tenured professor. This was the equivalent of a beach vacation for him and he was eternally grateful for the ability to do so.

To have personal, professional growth Leslyn explains, it is paramount to spend time alone. As she points out, you would think that Bill Gates probably has a stacked calendar and a full week of isolation seems like a huge commitment. It brings up the message that no matter how busy you are, always make time for self-reflection and self-improvement. Leslyn points out that the busier that we are, the more likely we are to neglect this self-care. We convince ourselves that we do not have the time to take care of ourselves. Leslyn gives a great analogy, no one would ever put dead batteries in a flashlight and expect it to shine. So why do we expect ourselves to shine, even when our batteries are dead?

Leslie mentions a quote that she read on social media stating that at the end of the day we are supposed to have nothing left. As she explains, this doesn’t seem correct. As again, using the battery analogy, if you are constantly draining a rechargeable battery every day, you will have less and less battery power over time. Leslyn adds that this kind of thinking is dangerous as it would reflect that the only recharge we have is sleep. This is not the case, as human existence has shown, sleep is part of our recharge but not everything. This advice to constantly be giving all the energy you have, everyday sets you up for failure going forward.

Alone time allows this recharge as well as giving you the chance to develop more compassion for someone who might not be a part of your regular group. Spending too much time with the same group of people can actually reduce the amount of empathy that you are able to apply to others.

This alone time doesn’t have to be a think week, it can be as simple as putting an hour into your day. Leslyn gives the example of going and sitting in your car during lunch. If it’s a bright sunny day, your car will naturally heat up and be filled with sunshine that over a lunch break will recharge you. Leslie’s alone time usually is spent at Starbucks where she is around people but is using that time to work on herself. In solitude, you are able to really solidify your ideas that were vague, and they become clearer. A lot of artist and writers do this as natural creators. It allows for someone to be more productive when there is no interruption.

Leslie raises the question, what other things get improved in alone time? Leslyn shares that empathy, creativity, and stress-relief can improve in time taken alone. Alone time reduces noise in our life, such as business activity and environmental simulation. These types of noises can cause stress. Getting away from that can help reduce your stress. It’s like going into a dark room when you have a migraine.

Leslyn goes on to say that being alone can help build your mental strengths. Although, as we’ve seen, connections are important, equally important is the ability to tolerate being alone. Research shows that being able to tolerate being alone leads to more happiness, better life satisfaction, and stress management. Strengthening the skills needed to be able to be alone increases your mental capacity.

This raises the question, is there too much alone time? Leslyn doesn’t believe that there is a finite answer to this, more like a sliding scale. There is a line, because everybody has different needs. It’s okay to be comfortable alone but be cautious of getting too comfortable and not making an effort to socialize. We, as humans, are social creatures that need to experience connection to stimulate and remind us that we are loved and not alone in this world. Being alone with yourself is not the same as being alone in the world. Leslyn says, if you start feeling alone in the world you know that you have spent too much time alone.

Leslie and Leslyn want you to get from this discussion that spending time alone can help you know yourself on a deeper level. The goal is to use this to think, which is a big focus of this podcast! Why are you who you are? The Try This at Home for this week is to try to take a look at what in your life would benefit from a think week, or think day, or even think hour. Make some time in your life at some point to spend time alone to ponder the deep, big questions about you and what you want to get out of the world. The burning question this week is why does a 7-inch pencil only have 5mm eraser?

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Subscription Services!

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Inside Bill’s Brain: Decoding Bill Gates Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aCv29JKmHNY

Last Season’s episode on Self Care

https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/podcasts-1/2019/2/12/self-care-first-aid

Cast Away Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGuOZPwLayY

Mandalorian Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XmI7WKrAtqs

Wanting to Plan a Think Week?

www.airbnb.com/

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#202 Random Kindness Feb 12, 2020

Show notes

Leslie and Leslyn begin today’s discussion talking about Leslyn’s late husband, Harlan, and what his final wishes were. Her partner of 10 years did not want to have a funeral. He was a very connected individual with lots of people who were impacted by his passing in the community. Leslyn was faced with overwhelming disappointment when she voiced that he did not wish to have a funeral. Harlan’s greatest wish was to spread peace and happiness. He believed, as many do, that kindness is the seed to peace and happiness. So, Leslyn made a Facebook page called Harlan’s Campaign to spread his final wish. On this page, Leslyn challenged everyone to engage in an act of kindness as a tribute to Harlan. By participating in an act of kindness, in honor of Harlan, she hoped this would help people grieve and do an act in remembrance of him. Leslie’s act of kindness in honor of Harlan was a $100 gift card that she gave away over Instagram. Leslyn goes on to say that Harlan was big into complimenting a person’s appearance as he felt if you could help someone feel better about themselves you could change the world.

Kindness indeed can change the world. For Harlan, a big part of his everyday life and motivation was to help someone feel better in that moment. Leslie and Leslyn share a video clip explaining what happens when you express or receive kindness. Serotonin levels increase in both the receiver and the giver of the act of kindness and even doing one act of kindness a day can decrease your stress, anxiety, and depression. Kindness has such an immense impact on people that even someone seeing an act of kindness taking place can fill them with the same hormone and they are significantly more likely to pay it forward.

Leslyn mentions the movie Pay it Forward where a social studies teacher gives his junior high class an assignment to change the world for the better and wants his students to put it into action. Leslie jokingly calls it the “World’s Best Pyramid Scheme”. The idea that one person can come up with an idea that can have a ripple effect that spreads throughout the world is riveting.

The idea of kindness is to be able to do something that will uplift things for another. It doesn’t have to cost money. It could be something as simple as saying someone has a nice smile. Continuing the discussion, Leslie asks what about kindness causes serotonin to start being produced? Leslyn states that the human condition requires a sense of connection. Happiness is elevated when we feel connected to someone. Knowing someone has paid attention, the person feels acknowledged and in some small way you feel that connection. From that connection, a surge of the serotonin hormone is produced.

Being aware of those around you and knowing that you have no idea what is going on in someone’s life should make you think more and practice kindness. The need to make that connection with someone even if you’ve never seen them before. Leslie sees it as acts of kindness being God’s way of using you in someone else’s life acting as a blessing in disguise. Kindness does not have to be a monumental thing; it can be a simple kindness as all kindness resonates with people.

Leslie and Leslyn challenge you, the listener, in celebration of Random Acts of Kindness Day on February 17 to perform a random act of kindness. Leslyn encourages you to reach out to them and tell them how you were impacted by an act of kindness or even a story of how a random act impacted you. You are also encouraged to check out Harlan’s Campaign on Facebook. This week you are challenged to engage in a random act of kindness to raise your awareness of letting people know that you see them.

The burning question of the week is this: What do you do with a $100 bill you found on the street? There is no one correct answer, conversations could even help you understand the people in your life better. As always, you are invited to reach out to us with your ideas!

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Alone Time!

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Harlan’s Campaign – Facebook Page

https://www.latest.facebook.com/hashtagharlan/

Pay it Forward Movie Trailer

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlZDDACt8Nw

Ellen Show Remarkable Act of Kindness Segment

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r10I2aONT8Q

Random Acts of Kindness Day

https://www.randomactsofkindness.org/rak-day

Can’t Get Enough? Follow us on our other platforms!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TryThisAtHomeP1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXg2RODfYz2Rrc8tUO0ti5Q

Listen to the Podcast at https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/ or on iTunes, Spotify, and Sticher!

[Show Notes by Abbie Brooks -- https://www.fiverr.com/abjbrook]

#201 Starting Season Two with a Catch Up Feb 05, 2020

Show notes

Back for Season 2 of Try This at Home, Leslie and Leslyn catch up after a long break, reflecting on the previous year while anticipating the new year to come. They focus on some of the goals they would like to accomplish this year in life and for the podcast. Leslie and Leslyn give you a sneak peek into some of the topics for this season as well as some valuable additions to the podcast that will keep you wanting to come back for more every Wednesday! Leslie and Leslyn have many captivating topics planned for this year, get ready for another spectacular season of Try This at Home!

In this episode, we discuss…

Introductions—Starting Season Two [0:01]

Show Intro [0:18]

Start of the Podcast [1:03]

New Direction [7:28]

The Burning Question [9:50]

Sneak Peek-Passive Questions [11:00]

Favorites and Giveaways! [11:35]

Books! [12:13]

Podcast Resolutions [15:36]

How do you Define Resolution? [21:27]

Closing Points [23:20]

Try This at Home! [24:23]

Episode Notes:

After a well-deserved ten-week break filled with family and travel, Leslie and Leslyn are ready for a new year for the podcast! The episode starts with Leslie and Leslyn catching up with each other and you, the listener. With the end to a very active year, comes fresh ideas, and a new direction for the podcast. Leslie and Leslyn brought you 40 insightful episodes covering a wide variety of topics last year, having Leslyn outline a few episodes about communication from the first season, that even she keeps going back to. All of the episodes from the first season can be revisited at any time on their website trythisathome.com anytime you feel you need a refresher!

Leslie and Leslyn introduce their new season by welcoming a few changes into the podcast. The goal for the podcast originally was to leave the listeners with a tangible item, such as a printable worksheet or a concept to try. As the podcast continues to grow and evolve, some of the topics that Leslie and Leslyn will discuss do not fit so neatly into this box, so they adapt! The main goal is to really get you to think—think about an idea that we work through on every episode and try it at home!

Leslie and Leslyn will offer you their perspectives and experience on an idea each episode that will allow the listener to become more open-minded. Being more open-minded bring a healthier, happier, successful, and more connected you! Leslyn believes that there is a strong connection between thinking about other’s perspectives and broadening the possibilities an individual can achieve. This podcast will now strive to leave you with a burning question at the end of each episode to try at home. Proposing such a burning question, makes room for more meaningful and fulfilling questions while at the same time allowing the individuals to grow.

It is briefly discussed the questions of passive permission, giving you a sneak peek into a future topic on the show. When is something your business? How do you know when it’s a judgment and when it’s standing up for your own values? These are just a few questions to ponder to get your mind eager for the new season!

Another incorporation into this year’s season is the introduction of giveaways! Many chances to win will be introduced, and even the chance to win a book that Leslie and Leslyn have recommended! Want to win? Follow us for more information on our social media platforms!

In Season 2 of Try This at Home the two hosts will point out some of their favorites ideas and gadgets allowing for more conversations of interesting things to be incorporated. Leslie and Leslyn noticed how well their book recommendations went on the last season of the podcast and now have a new goal of sharing at least one book a month to their listeners. Are you interested in these book recommendations? Would you like to be part of a Try This at Home Book Club? If you are interested, please let Leslie and Leslyn know by reaching out through any of their social media platforms! Us at Try This at Home would love to hear from you!

With the excitement of new goals and plans for the new year, Leslie and Leslyn discuss resolutions. Do you keep resolutions? Leslie makes them every year and strives to achieve something and not really dwell on “failures”. Making these personal goals allows you to reflect on your achievements throughout the year and see how much you have accomplished!

Have you not set a positive goal for the new year yet? That’s fine, it’s never too late to start! This week’s Try This at Home, is to think about your personal goals for the year. You don’t necessarily need to make it a “resolution”. Let’s yourself think deeply about how you would like to personally grow this year. Some ideas may be to grow in patience, be more kind, or strive to become a better communicator. What do you want to do personally, and how do you want to grow your heart?

Subscribe to this channel for new podcasts EVERY WEDNESDAY and Try This at Home!

Next Week’s Episode: Random Acts of Kindness

One of our goals this year is to grow the podcast audience and you can help!

We would truly appreciate a share or a shout out if you found the ideas here helpful.

Don’t forget, you can always touch base with us personally on our Facebook, Instagram, and our website trythisathomepodcast.com

Links to Look At:

Last Season’s Episode “Your Communication Styles”

https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/podcasts-1/2019/4/16/communication-styles

Last Season’s “8 Rules for Better Communication”

https://www.trythisathomepodcast.com/podcasts-1/2019/4/21/8-rules-for-better-communication

Year One by Nora Roberts [Leslie’s Recommendation]

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34311452-year-one