I am always amazed by people who read, listen and watch so much content throughout the year. I love a wide variety of genre and story telling styles but really struggle to get through everything that peaks my interest. Although the fact that Christmas is only 5 and a bit weeks away makes me nauseous the one thing I am really looking forward to is finally getting to enjoy all the podcasts I've saved, books I've scribbled down on countless pieces of paper and TV shows jamming up my Foxtel IQ. (After compiling this list I realise a lot of my podcasts fav's link in to books - I will write a follow up blog soon with what you should be reading this summer!) Podcasts have deffiently been my go to this year as I have increased the amount of travel I do for work, particularly a lot of long distance driving. I struggled to find radio enjoyable anymore as so much of it seems to be quite negative, judgemental and attention seeking. I thought I might share what podcasts I have had a chance to enjoy if you are looking for something to keep you laughing out loud, pondering a few deeper issues or some light self development. Quiet: the power of introverts with Susan Cain. A short series of nine 25 minutes episodes. The overall discussion is around raising an introverted child as an extroverted parent. Although not a parent myself I am indeed and introvert who many people believe is extrovert. I found I have struggled accepting myself in the past as society does put extroverted traits up on a pedestal so I think her key points and unpacking of this topic around parenting really spoke to my inner child. It's empathetic, funny, interesting, informative and full of really partial advice. If you enjoy this and find you an relate or understand one of your loved ones better she has also written a book called Quiet which is a fantastic read. ssons with Elizabeth Gilbert. In 2016 author of #1 best seller Eat, Pray, Love Elizabeth Gilbert released her much anticipated book big Magic. Now I will be upfront that it is on my holiday to read list. I've been really excited about it but just haven't been able to fit it in so I skipped ahead and thought I would listen in to the podcast she hosts, also called Big Magic and it is pure joy!! I am chomping at the bit to get stuck in to the book itself but for now let's go over the podcast. Firstly I find Elizabeth's voice just my own aspiring creative New York fantasy wrapped up in a sound so I new I was on to a winner to start with. It's always difficult when you enjoy the subject matter but can't move past a particular pitch or tone of voice to enjoy it so I hope you too get lost in her deep no holding back New Yorker charm. Every two episodes relate to one query. So the first is just Elizabeth and some everyday Jane (or Joe) who has gotten in touch with Gilbert via Facebook seeking help on something related to releasing creativity. They talk through the particular issue and Elizabeth gives them advice on what she thinks they could do. It would be really easy here for Gilbert to keep plugging her book but she doesn't reference it much which makes the overall conversation much more authentic. The following episode will feature Gilbert talking to someone else well known in the creative space going over what the caller could do to resolve the query. Guest stars include Cheryl Strayed from Wild (if you haven't read this add it to your list immediately!) Life - Rebecca Dettman and Jane Donovan This is a secret pleasure of mine and won't be for everyone. A bit of spiritual guidance, some self help, a sprinkle of relationship advice and just a hint of a psychic. They push the boundaries of my beliefs and occasionally go down a path that's not for me but the overall general discussion I feel has something in it for everyone. Each week they release a 30 minute episode on a topic usually provided by their 'tribe' on facebook. The topics are broad from family dynamics, to boosting self-discipline, and coping with world tragedies. The relationship Jane and Rebecca have really makes it different from a lot of other self help/spiritual style podcasts and I feel the advice and discussion is inspiring and thought provoking. I usually tune in to these guys in the morning if the day before has been particularly dramatic. Its a great reminder on how much control we have on our experiences in life and how we respond and react to every day life challenges. Jane and Rebecca are both based in South Australia and available for one on ones should you want to take your learning to another level. Mamamia Outloud - The Mamamia network A weekly podcast for women, made by women. The whole range of podcasts within the Mamamia range are fabulous but Outloud has probably the most in it for everyone. The usual trio of hosts are Mia Freedman, Monique Bowely and Jessie Stephens but they do change it up with guests fairly frequently. Each episode is around 1 hour long and nothing is off the table of discussion. It can move from current affairs, feminist views, who's dating Prince Harry, what everyone had for dinner and what the latest fashion trends are. The thing I like most about this podcast is the feel of friendship. These women could be anybodies bestie and when you travel a fair bit or a living remote its provides the comfort of home and socialisation that you could be craving. These ladies are also intelligent, strong, funny and empathetic so I find a lot of inspiration and push to be a better human in general. Warning: You will laugh A LOT!! I hope you give 1, 2 or all of these podcasts a go this summer and find something that makes you , laugh, reflect, pulls you to action or just give you pure joy. I have a whole list of new podcasts that will be added to my playlist and will share a few reviews with you a bit later on. For a quick sneek peak I have listed some of them below.
Love, LH xx
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Do you like receiving compliments? How about giving compliments, are you an every day'er or does something have to really impress you to speak up? How about with your friends, do you regularly share or is it for only certain friends? Does it always feel good to tell someone they are looking great, or is there that girl in the office you bite your tongue on? When I was in my early 20's I worked for a well known jeweller. The business had a very rigid 8 step sales process. The 2nd step was to walk past the customer and compliment them in a "I am busy doing shit but had to stop because that is just so eye catching' kind of way. While it was excellent practice at finding something lovely to say to most people, it was also incredibly artificial and has made me cringe a bit when receiving compliments. When you receive a compliment that feels contrived it leaves you feeling the opposite, that this top doesn't look great on you, actually its showing an abundant amount of back fat that you are pretending is not really there. A close friend of mine who is very beautiful recently observed that she rarely receives compliments from other women. She herself always takes the time to stop and tell someone they look great if she truly believes it, but she can watch a room of women compliment each other but somehow not one comes her way. And it made me think, what do compliments say about us? I thought about my own behavior and how it feels to compliment someone. I do enjoy seeing someone's face light up, and it makes me feel really good about myself. I can hear my mothers proud voice 'You are such a nice girl' and ten year old me is on cloud nine. I notice that I don't compliment as much as I could and I think this goes back to the days at the jeweller, not wanting to come across as a fraud. Other reasons for not receiving compliments could of course be because of our dear friend jealousy. By saying something nice about you it makes me feel small. Or a fear of exposure and lack of trust in that person. If I say your arms are looking great does that mean you now know I really hate my own arms. And by you knowing that will I get hurt? Sometimes it can be passive aggressive and almost a form of bullying if you ensure you hand out your warm fuzzy compliment gifts but leave out the girl you perceive to be queen bee. That by someone withholding your love for her killer jacket reduces the 'gap' you have in your mind. What about the person in your life who has the most visible confidence, to a point where you think it might be a bit too much confidence, do you compliment them? And if not, why not? As we know the people who come across as the most confidence are the ones with the most self doubt, to afraid to show any vulnerability. The thing people forget is that compliments are extremely powerful. As the compliment-er it gives you a lift, you feel wonderful doing a good deed, you strengthen your relationships with friends and acquaintances, people are drawn to others who make them feel good. As the receiver it energizes you. All day you go about your day-to-day with the reminder in the back of your head that you look great. Suddenly you know what your going to wear, because you got a compliment in that top, skirt, jacket, whatever. That one compliment can make a difference hours, days, weeks, months after it was received. So I call on all ladies everywhere to embrace the compliment. Make an effort today to find something beautiful in a friend, colleague or someone random in the street and TELL THEM. A compliment wont cost you a thing, but it can make a massive difference in someones day. LH xx I have to share, one of my guilty pleasures is reality television, Hear me out. I don't love all reality TV shows, there are plenty we can do without. But I do love the premise of what it could be. Essentially there is a reason why reality TV took off so quickly and has become so deep rooted in our community. People like people. Whether you are an extrovert and cant stand to be without people around you physically or an Introvert who spends a lot of time alone but will most likely be watching or reading something involving people. We fascinate each other and ourselves. Reality TV either connects with who you are, who you wish you could be or who you are glad your not.
I will also admit that I am a glass half full, rose colored glasses kind of girl so I can (usually) overlook a few of the negatives of a show and enjoy the good bits. Take the Kardashians for an example. I am not going to bother listing what is wrong with this show, I am sure you will already have a list of what you dislike however I love watching family interactions. I come from a small family which was fractured from divorce when I was in my late teens. Seeing a large family, who so effortlessly speak their truth with one another and have a visible love for one another is very enjoyable. I love the conversations this show has added to my little household. Yes we are worlds apart because of material possessions but the crux of the show, the issues they deal with in the episodes are fairly generic and are generally community issues. They encourage debate and exploration of you and your family or friends perspectives. Addiction, body image disorders, marriage breakdowns, sexuality, mental health, these are all prominent issues in today's society. And watching a family tackle these can be extremely helpful so those who are lost with what to do. And this is where my frustration with 'Married at First Sight' comes in. This show involves 4 couples who have never met get married and spend 4 weeks trying to make it work before they legally decide if the marriage is to go ahead or not. Don't roll your eyes, stay with me! The positives of this show is the people who are selected are 8 individuals who genuinely want to meet someone they can love and be happy with. They are invested in the relationship and are not trying to get their 15 minutes of fame. However there is usually a reason someone gets to a point where they are so frustrated by past relationships they choose the most exposing method of finding a mate. Over the 4 weeks you witness these couples fall in to bad habits and end up blaming their paired mate or the show for it not working. There are two psychologists who observe and talk to the viewers about what they are watching. There a millions of single people around the world who replicate these conflicts every day. This show should be a platform to help people work through their emotional niggles to help them see a better way to communicate and be at peace with them selves to achieve their ultimate goal. I would like to state there is absolutely nothing wrong with choosing to be single, but for those who are not happy, who want to have a partner but do not know how to overcome their obstacles, why not try help them? This is where networks and faceless men take away all that could be great with reality television and turn it into a blood bath. All four couples show promise of living happily ever after, if you could just step in, help them out, talk through their problems with them, help them become the people they so desperately want to be rather than pointing fingers for entertainment. The people at home watching could use relate to the problems the individual are facing and take on board the advice the psychologists are providing. Something amazing could come from a show like this, the world could be a little bit brighter, and then reality television wouldn't have to be a guilty vice, it could actually help people. |
AuthorWoman. Lover. Fur Mother. Creative Archives
December 2016
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