Charlie Gilkey joins me on the podcast today. Charlie is known for his knowledge around the topic of productivity and who doesn’t want to be more productive? Am I right? Charlie is a sought-out after advisor and speaker on all things business and productivity. But have no fear, whether you are a business owner or not - his teachings can be applied to all facets of your life. In this episode Charlie and I talk about overwhelm versus overload, why we don’t make time for self-care, and the various ...
Jul 18, 2018•51 min
Today’s episode comes in two parts. First, I’m joined by my friend Ella, who participated in a sprint triathlon with me last month. You’ll hear how she SMOKED me and what I thought of that! Then, I’m sharing with you what I’ve learned from triathlons, both the training and the race itself. Sports can always be great metaphors for life, and triathlon is no different (You might remember an episode I did on what roller derby can teach you about life ). Obviously, the audio podcast goes into much mo...
Jul 11, 2018•44 min
lives. Plus, we talk all about the power in motherhood. This episode, is NOT just for moms! I know even if you don’t have kids, you’ll get a lot out of this interview! In this episode you’ll hear: Sara’s pivot out of the fitness industry and into the launch of Shameless Mom Academy (7 minutes and 15 seconds) Performing well in fear; plus walking into fear and upleveling your life (20:41) Where women are limiting themselves and the action steps to take to live bigger lives (23:55) The power in mo...
Jul 04, 2018•54 min
This week on the podcast Alionka Polanco joins me. She is an NYU-certified life and success coach, she is the founder The Big Vision Mastermind and author of "Beyond Profit: The Successful Woman's Guide to a Meaningful Life." Alionka and I have had a kindred friendship from afar for quite some time, including following each other and chatting on social media, and we even tried to meet up in real life (which sadly did not work out). That is why I am so excited to have her on the show. And, I am e...
Jun 27, 2018•57 min
Today is a great day because Laura Powers is back on the podcast! Laura is a celebrity psychic who has been featured by Buzzfeed, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and many other media outlets. Not too long ago, Laura and I began talking about the inner-critic. And she happens to have a slightly different perspective on the inner-critic than I do. I love it when guests can come on to share their unique view on managing negative self-talk so you have even more tools to learn and grow. In this episode we begin ...
Jun 20, 2018•44 min
On June 12th, 2008, I published my first blog post. I had no idea I would go on to create the YKAL community I’ve since created, I just knew I loved personal development and wanted to share it with the world, or at least 5 or 6 people who might read my little blog. A decade later, I’ve switched from “Live Your Ideal Life” to what you know now as “Your Kick-Ass Life”, wrote and published 2 books (the second being translated into 15 languages, wait, what!?), nearly 250 podcast episodes, helped tho...
Jun 13, 2018•29 min
This week I welcome Scott Stabile to the podcast. He is the author of the book, Big Love . I’ve been watching him from afar for a while now. I heard him on another podcast, began following him on social media, and then read his book. Scott has such an amazing and heart-wrenching story, but it is one of resilience and strength. And, I knew I just had to introduce him to you! In this episode we talk a lot about love and forgiveness. We touch on Scott’s story, including how he evolved into being a ...
Jun 06, 2018•50 min
Kate Courageous is back on the YKAL podcast, y’all! She was one of my first podcast guests, way back in 2013. She is a dear friend of mine, as well, and I am thrilled she is back, this time to share her thoughts on fear, courage, and the inner-critic. Kate is also the author of The Courage Habit: How to Accept Your Fears, Release the Past, and Live Your Courageous Life. I am so happy her book is available! Today, we talk all about her new book and living more courageous lives. Plus, we cover the...
May 30, 2018•45 min
Hey ass kickers! Well, after nearly 10 years of blogging, 5 years and 228 podcast episodes, I’m FINALLY doing a favorite things episode! I tried to record both as a regular podcast episode AND video, but alas, I had an technology FAIL on the video side, so these images will have to do! So, without further ado, here are some of my favorite things… Misc. Golden Girls coasters . I don’t even think I need to sell you on this one. Hair and beauty: Nume Curling Wand - When I do actually do my hair, I ...
May 23, 2018•40 min
This week on the YKAL podcast I am joined by Jeannine Yoder, a New York Times Featured Business & Feminine Leadership Coach For Coaches, Broadway Starlet and the Founder of Mentor Masterclass. Jeannine has such an incredible story of resilience and redemption. And you know how I love a good redemption story! In this episode Jeannine shares how she overcame a really difficult childhood, one surrounded by drug addicted parents, chaos and trauma. She talks openly about her path to healing, whic...
May 16, 2018•50 min
I devoured Janelle Hanchett’s memoir, I’m Just Happy to Be Here , while I was in New York on my book tour. I could not put it down. Janelle is also the creator of the website, Renegade Mothering, and she is this week’s guest on the YKAL podcast. In this episode Janelle and I discuss her new book and her blog which are both devoted to her take on maneuvering through life, motherhood and sobriety. We also touch on her addiction and sobriety story. But first, I share some of my recent experiences w...
May 09, 2018•43 min
My personal friend and colleague Debbie Reber joins me on the YKAL podcast this week. She is a mother of a differently wired child and is the podcast host of TILT Parenting . Her book, Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World , comes out in spring 2018, which we talk about in this episode. As some of you may know my son was diagnosed with high-functioning autism, sensory processing disorder, and anxiety disorder, at the age of 5. In this episode Debbie and I share ...
May 02, 2018•41 min
This week on the YKAL podcast, I welcome back Lori Harder for the third time. One of the things I love about Lori is that she is at a top-tier level in her business and she is simply one of the kindest people I know. Lori has a new book coming out next week called, A Tribe Called Bliss , which I just loved and we talked about in this episode. We also talked about building your community, creating stronger connections and how to handle friendships that have changed over time (and may no longer se...
Apr 25, 2018•41 min
Christina Dunbar on the YKAL podcast again. I am so happy to bring her back on the podcast, because she just oozes creativity and has really dedicated her life to healing from a creative place. You can hear our first conversation about using the power of voice, here . Christina is a performing artist, poet, producer and mentor to creative women. She is also the playwright and star of Dirty Me Divine ; a one-woman show about sexuality and soul, directed by husband Chaim Dunbar. In today’s episode...
Apr 18, 2018•56 min
This week on the YKAL podcast, I am waaaay too excited to have my very dear friend, Lisa Daron Grossman join me. She is a phenomenal life coach (I know because she was my coach!), amazing human being, and creator of the Connection Cure Project. In this episode we discuss the Connection Cure, which is a cross country project that utilizes face to face connection as a catalyst for healing and wellness. Lisa shares how it was “born” out of chronic illness and isolation. Plus, we discuss why it is s...
Apr 11, 2018•49 min
My dear friend, Kate Anthony is back on the YKAL podcast this week to continue our conversation about body image. Just like in Part 1 of this episode, Part 2 follows the conversation between two women on their body image journeys, and the roads traveled so far. Full disclosure and for clarity: We are not body image experts and want to be very clear about that. Today, we further explore this topic and respond to some of the feedback we received from Part 1 of our conversation. We also discuss die...
Apr 04, 2018•1 hr 16 min
Hey there ass-kickers! This week on the podcast, Kathleen Shannon, co-host of Being Boss Podcast and founder of Braid Creative and Consulting, joins me to discuss her new book, Being Boss: Take Control of Your Work and Live Life on Your Own Terms . In this episode, we talk about what it means to be “boss” and how to cultivate a boss mindset. Plus, we discuss defining values and setting boundaries that align with those values (as you know, this is one of my favorite topics!). We also touch on sev...
Mar 28, 2018•37 min
My dear friend Kate Anthony joins me on the podcast this week. Kate is a certified life coach who helps women decide if they should stay in or leave their marriages and then guides them through the divorce process should they choose to leave. She is amazing at what she does! Prior to our podcast recording, we had planned on talking about a very specific topic. And then what unfolded was more akin to an open and honest conversation between two women, two friends, in their 40s talking about body i...
Mar 21, 2018•1 hr 4 min
Hi ass-kickers! Following February’s month-long daily diary episodes, we are back with guest interviews and our regularly scheduled programming. Today, I have an amazing guest with me, Bari Tessler. Bari is a financial therapist and mentor coach. She is also the founder of The Art of Money: a global, year-long money school, which integrates Money Healing, Money Practices and Money Maps. No matter what economic class you were born into or what class you are in now, money-shaming exists. Bari talk...
Mar 14, 2018•1 hr
Phew! We made it! Thank you so much for coming along with me for these daily dairies. It’s been so fun to put these together and thank you so much for your positive feedback (ask them for rating/review). I have a worksheet for you this week! As you know, personal development is about doing the work, not just consuming it. This week has been a mish-mosh of stories, all with their own lessons. Monday I told you the story of a dear friendship I had that had fallen apart and recently come back toget...
Mar 02, 2018•14 min
This is a story about ego, feeling like a failure for 2 hot seconds, doing the work, and about perspective. Portland Oregon was the 4th of 5 cities on my book tour. My friend, Bari Tessler had recommended this book store, Annie Bloom’s, telling me how awesome it was and that when she had her book signing there, she had 50 people in attendance. Bari and I have about the same size audience so I thought this was completely feasible and we booked the event there. I was really excited about this one ...
Mar 01, 2018•16 min
Since we bought our house in North Carolina, every winter I have a minor ladybug infestation in my home office. They gather on the inside of my window and crawl around, trying to get out. Now, I don’t know hardly anything about ladybugs (except they are the only bug I feel comfortable holding, I know, so weird and judgy against other bugs), but I wonder if they instinctively know what to do as they try to get outside and free themselves. And they try and try, but are trapped. So, every year arou...
Feb 28, 2018•10 min
A couple months ago my daughter walked into my office holding the iPad and crying. My first thought was a bit of panic-- what had she stumbled upon that had so clearly upset her? I opened my arms and asked her what was wrong. She climbed into my lap and showed me the iPad. On it was a video of a baby bunny. “Oh noooo” I thought. “She watched an animal cruelty video” and I braced myself for it. But, that wasn't it. As I watched the video with her, it was a person holding a baby bunny in their han...
Feb 27, 2018•11 min
In episode 203 I mentioned a friend of mine where she had broken up with me in 2007 when I had all that drama in my life. I’m circling back in this episode to tell you what happened. Here’s a quick timeline: 2007: She told me she needed a break from me, as her mom was ill and I had too much drama. She was right, but it was still devastating. 2008: My life was back on track, her mom was well again, and we were friends again. 2011: We moved and we lost touch somewhat. 2012: I wrote her a three-pag...
Feb 26, 2018•24 min
This week I talked about some pretty heavy stuff. At least it was heavy for me. Monday I talked about tolerations and shared with you some experiences that a couple of my past clients had had, as well as myself. Tolerating relationships that aren’t working for us and our decisions that followed. Tuesday was about apologizing. Or, rather what I call “roundabout apologizing”-- prefacing requests or hard conversations with the message of, “please don’t think badly of me for asking you to do this”. ...
Feb 23, 2018•14 min
Dear World, I’m resigning today. Resigning from the job I was given to make you happy and comfortable. I don’t remember even applying for this job, but nonetheless, it was handed to me. Somehow, somewhere, a story was bestowed on me and my fellow females. That we have a job that is an ever so important one. That job has many rules and responsibilities. A short list of the musts: We must smile. We must be pretty. We must be thin. We must be compliant. And the must nots: We must not get angry. We ...
Feb 22, 2018•18 min
It was the mid-90’s. A small group of friends and I went to the annual Over The Line tournament in San Diego, one of the city’s oldest traditions. OTL is known for its drunkenness, topless women, and just all-around debauchery. Some call it “Mardi Gras on the beach”. Hundreds, maybe thousands of people come out for this yearly event every summer and even though it was my first time going, I wasn’t afraid at all of the craziness we were walking into. My friends and I walked around, watched some o...
Feb 21, 2018•18 min
This week has a bit of a theme, and that’s about Raising Hell. What I mean by that, is that culturally, we, as women, have been taught to act and behave a certain way, a way that is acceptable and a way that will have us be more well-liked. And not necessarily outwardly taught to be a certain way by our parents and mentors, but taught by what we see on a daily basis. This is messaging we’ve received our whole lives. And one of those things is apologizing. For instance, a few months ago I had to ...
Feb 20, 2018•13 min
Last year I had a few clients who were dealing with some “man problems”. In a nutshell, dating men who were unavailable to them. One was having a relationship with a married man, the other was on again-off again dating someone who had made it clear to her he didn’t want to commit. Both were in a pickle. This is what they were used to, it was their pattern. Whether the men were physically unavailable for the long term (married), or emotionally unavailable, these women just kept picking the wrong ...
Feb 19, 2018•17 min
On Monday, episode 205 I talked about making peace with unfinished business. The old parts of ourselves that may still need something like healing, processing, something to help us move on. On Tuesday , it was about when I went to visit my boyfriend in rehab and his fake cancer, and him cheating on me with Debbie and mostly that episode was about finding your motivation. Your catalyst for change. That post and episode was quite a doozy! Wednesday was all about the stories we make up about other ...
Feb 16, 2018•13 min
