Misfitting In: What Happens When We Let Ourselves Be Seen
Wow. What a seismic, profound, touching, life-affirming episode - one that captures what it means to be human.
In this gorgeously open and honest conversation, my dear friend Bibi Garcia and I get into:
feeling like square pegs in a round world
addiction (our past/present struggles with it, how it's far more common than you may think, and how it can present in different ways)
my recent mental health diagnosis
the power of seeing ourselves and others and letting ourselves be seen
daring to let yourself and others be different
healing while avoiding a victim/broken-self mentality
leading with love, curiosity, and compassion
banishing shame by shining light on our darkness
identifying and overcoming labels
And so SO much more. Enjoy.
Thank you for listening.
Listen to the podcast "Eight Years To Live," the podcast Bibi has with her sister on Apple Podcasts.
Find Bibi on Facebook/Instagram @bibig1
Connect with me on Facebook/Substack/Instagram @the_nativist
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Live Laugh Love - And Go to Therapy
In this meaningful episode, I sit down with Tia Lloyd of The Connection Project to talk self growth, music, and, of course, connection.
We get into:
the health scare that catalyzed her re-connection to herself and how she's channeled that to help others.
how she applies her insights from therapy to her life: parenting, relationships, friendships, etc.
empowerment and agency
response vs reaction
the potency of vulnerability
the healing and connective power of music
It's short but it's a heavy hitter, in the best way.
Find Tia on Instagram @the_connection_project_
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
Potato Princess:
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Investing in Your Self and Community
In this episode, the man on the move, JD Hansen, joins me for an uplifting and invigorating conversation that left me on such a high. We discuss the following:
saving my life through a cancer diagnosis
transcending division + partisanship
leading with reason + compassion
recognizing humanity + commonality
flowing + living a balanced life
overcoming addiction
protecting peace + preventing burnout
changing the world by picking up trash
This episode is for you if you:
feel discouraged
feel frustrated by politics/state of affairs
feel apathetic
feel powerless
feel like you could use some good news/inspiration
If this doesn't infuse you with hope and inspiration, I don't know what will.
Find JD on Facebook and Instagram @j.d_handsome
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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Life by Design: Living Outside the Box
Prepare to get blown away and fiercely inspired by Cartier Dior Eliasen. Barely in her 20s, she's already competed on Project Runway Junior, been accepted into (huge deal) and graduated from Institut Français de la Mode in Paris, and presented at New York Fashion Week. And she's just getting started.
In this episode, we discuss opening doors for yourself, finding your niche and people, nurturing uniqueness, embracing discomfort, receiving support, and honing your craft.
This episode is for you if you feel uninspired, isolated, stuck, powerless, like you don't belong...or simply like you want a reminder of how cool humans truly are.
Happy listening.
Follow Cartier on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram @cartierdioreliasen | @rhinestonerodeoart
Shop her clothing and prints on Etsy under RhinestoneRodeoArt
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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Image by Manticore Marketing Idaho
Giving the Right Effs and Being the Light
She's back! In this episode, my dynamic friend Brittney D'Anelli and I dive into some rich material:
opening yourself to life and its offerings (people, experiences, etc)
recognizing and exercising your agency
normalizing hard conversations and uncomfortable thoughts
Peace Walking with Buddhists in DC
It's not about giving no effs - it's about selectively and intentionally giving the right ones.
This convo is just what the soul needs.
Find Brittany on Instagram @hexedbybritt
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
Thank you for being here.
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Found in Translation With Author Lilach Grimminger
In this episode, I interview Lilach Grimminger, the author of While We Wait: Selected Stories and Essays. We discuss Lilach's life in Israel before coming to the US, and her thoughts on military service, community, and global awareness.
Lilach explains her desire to offer a moment of relief and healing in a fast-paced world by writing in a non-confrontational way to share thoughts and foster dialogue.
We highlight insights from the book, including: how guiding youth to become better humans rather than just better consumers is key; how diluting language and removing nuance impacts us at various levels and encourages extremism; how resisting societal pressures is challenging; and how honoring both oneself and others is important.
She's a pure delight and I am thrilled for you to experience her brilliance.
You can purchase While We Wait on Amazon.
Thank you for being here.
Connect with me on Facebook/Instagram @the_nativist
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Soul.phoria: embodied living
My luminescent friend Sheena Daniels re-joins me to share her new program, Soulphoria, which provides a blueprint for embodied living. I couldn't be more thrilled to promote this because it aligns so deeply with my own experience and message.
We discuss:
empowerment
redefining success
productive hard vs unproductive hard
freedom
getting unstuck
embodiment
returning to yourself
thriving not surviving
living the life you were meant to live
This episode is for you if you:
feel stuck
feel depleted
feel off
feel you were meant for more
feel lost
feel overwhelmed
feel like you’re spinning your wheels
feel confused/ungrounded
want more
This is your portal into the life you’re meant for.
Find Sheena's program at
Soul.Phoria™: Embodied Living (@SoulphoriaEmbodied)
Connect with Sheena on Facebook and Instagram @sheen.daniels
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
Potato Princess:
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Episode 124: My Drug of Choice: A Body in Crisis Mode
In a time when "rawness," "vulnerability," and "authenticity" are leveraged, exploited and commodified, I am careful and discerning about what I share of my private life. My paramount objective is always to provide value - I will only share something if I think it could potentially do so.
That being said, in this episode I sit down with my sister Brooke Anderson to discuss something very personal: a recent and serious health reckoning and what led to it.
I open up about a pivotal moment in my childhood driving my sense of unworthiness
I highlight what happens when we betray ourselves and our bodies
I talk about what happens when we outsource our validation and constantly seek to "prove" ourselves
I cover ways we maladaptively self-soothe and emotionally regulate
I advise on doing less to accomplish more
I share what finally changed the game for me and offer resources and tips for achieving overall wellness by embracing natural rhythms and cycles
Whether your body is currently in crisis mode or not, I'm willing to bet this episode will resonate with you.
Thank you for listening.
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
Potato Princess:
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Noteworthy: how music can and does impact us all
Music influences mood, psychology, physiology, memory, style, fashion, and motivation. It transcends languages, cultures, and boundaries. In this feel-good ep, Chris Sherrod and I discuss all this, plus:
using music as a tool to change a mood, set a tone, connect, self express, and communicate
separating the art from the [problematic] artist
reversing aging through your playlist
Rock on.
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @thenativist
Potato Princess:
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The Art of Life: Bringing Whimsy Back
In this energizing and playful - yet profound - episode, I sit down with the ultra-talented and wise-beyond-her-years Hadlee Harris of HHCreative. We get into:
Creating more than consuming
Balancing perfectionism
Allowing ebbs and flows
Being vulnerable by sharing your art
Infusing whimsy, romanticism, and play into daily life to offset and prevent burnout
Commodifying art and making a business from a talent
Snail mail club: Thank you, more please
Cultivating grit and handling rejection
We also highlight her exciting new offering: her “Thank you, More Please” snail mail club! If you want in (which trust me, it’s rad) sign up via her linktree on her Instagram page @hhcreativellc (where you can also link to her Etsy shop and studio portfolio).
Whether you’re a “creative” or not, there’s wisdom in here that applies to everyone and to life in general.
DISCOUNT CODES:
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Sticks and Stones: how words impact our biology and shape our reality
You may have been told (scolded?) to watch your language. Turns out, that’s sound advice.
Because words really do matter - just ask science.
Research repeatedly demonstrates the effect words have on our genes and on our bodies at a cellular level(!) , thereby impacting our physiology and health (mental and physical). HOW NEAT IS THAT (no question mark because it’s undeniably neat - not up for debate thankyouverymuch).
In this episode:
I get geeky, citing study after study showing how what we say and think to ourselves and others has a measurable impact and directly influences our experiences and perceptions (and relationships and and and…).
I identify traps to avoid
I offer tips on leveraging this power to manifest what you want and to create a happier, healthier, more harmonious life.
Thank you for listening!
Links shared:
Potato Princess candles:
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Clearstem:
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Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
Disconnected: the loneliness epidemic
You may have noticed (and experienced!): We're more digitally connected than ever before, yet more socially disconnected than we've ever been.
I explain why this is, and why former Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared loneliness an epidemic, highlighting it as a major public health crisis comparable to smoking or obesity, significantly increasing risks for heart disease, dementia, stroke, depression, anxiety, and premature death. Gulp.
In this episode, I explore:
what loneliness is and isn't
how you can feel lonely even if you're surrounded by people or in a relationship.
how you may experience loneliness without recognizing it
what to do about it
References:
Dr. Vivek Murthy's book, Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
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Upbeat Synergy with DJ Adrian Smart: Empowering Yourself and Others
Get ready to feel inspired and heartened. In this moving episode, Adrian Smart shares his story for the first time. It’s an incredible story of hope, resilience, grit, love, determination, and humanity. Adrian tells us the personal challenges and tragedies he experienced growing up in Tanzania and South Africa, and how he made his way to the US (it’s a breathtaking story).
If you know/follow Adrian, you see how he infuses positivity into every post/interaction. While his positivity is genuine and authentic, this episode shows a different dimension of Adrian, which makes me appreciate and admire him even more.
This episode gives us what we need to empower ourselves and others. Among the powers we discuss are:
controlling what we can
listening to understand
aligning your energy
respecting yourself and others
feeling seen and heard
seeing and hearing others
helping in direct and indirect ways
living mindfully
acknowledging your good fortune
connecting to yourself and others
The power of you.
Don’t get me wrong, this is a feel-good episode, but it’s so much more than that. It’s life- and soul-affirming.
You can find/support Adrian:
through his DJ Facebook page: LP&H Entertainment and email lphentertainmentbusiness@gmail.com
through his business, Synergy Efficiency, which specializes in upgrading attic and garage insulation: : synergyefficiencyidaho.com; wearesynergy208@gmail.com
You can support the cause to create safe, long-term housing for abuse victims by purchasing a bear at https://babybearsclub.com/
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
How to Handle Tension
Tension can be uncomfortable, but it can also be valuable. In this episode, I offer ways to re-frame tension, points to consider, and tips for handling it.
In addition to sharing examples from my own life, I also suggest questions to ask yourself to help you know when to speak up and when to stay silent.
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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Methods Not Politics: How to Become Informed and Not Misled (by Others and Yourself!)
In this timely and informative episode, Rhetoric Rob [Watkins] advises not on what to think, but how to think.
We also cover:
How to detect bias in information sources and hidden agendas
How to avoid common fallacies
How and why our brains are wired to reject certain truths (and how to override that)
Why changing your mind is a source of intelligence and maturity
How to avoid common fallacies
How to prevent closed-mindedness
How to equip your kids to be comfortable with divergent views, form and communicate their opinions, spot fake news, and identify argument gaps in a way that’s effective and fun
Dr. Watkins is a professor of rhetoric and Idaho State University. Find more helpful insight and tips on his Instagram page, @rhetoric_rob
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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Politics Schmolitics: Seeking Perspective, Balance, Critical Thinking, and Hope
Having majored in political science and minored in psychology, I am particularly interested in politics and human dynamics. I am also continuously committed to learning, growing, and connecting - as you likely are, too.
In this solo episode, I approach politics through the lens of balance and nuance. I offer insight on:
prioritizing truth over ideology
avoiding common misconceptions
recognizing manipulative tactics
identifying red flags
finding common ground and discussing politics maturely and constructively
evaluating political ideas and policies
sourcing credible information
maintaining perspective
balancing between apathy and burnout
doing your part to improve the world
preserving hope
I hope you finish feeling informed, grounded, discerning, and inspired.
I hope this opens your eyes, mind, and heart.
I hope you feel even more connected to yourself and to others.
Thank you for listening.
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Cultivating Connection, Community, Partnership, Support, and Intimacy
My vibrant friend Vera Marcinko is this episode’s guest of honor. As a doula, Vera is a birth and postpartum mentor who shares her own postpartum journey, and its effect on her health, her marriage, and her identity. There’s something in this episode for everyone., as we go wide and deep, covering:
+Why community is crucial for humans, especially in pivotal life moments
+What you can do if you feel unsupported as a partner, a parent, a friend - or just a human in general
+How to connect with yourself and others
+How to navigate intimacy as new parents
+What constitutes true intimacy
+What to do when you feel stuck/powerless/alone
+How approaching partnership, parenthood, and life from a place of understanding changes everything
+How to fill your own cup, especially as a caregive
Why you should prioritize patterns over perfection
A very meaningful and helpful episode.
Find Vera on Instagram @thespanglishdoula or @dlnvera
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
Visit https://clearstem.com/?ref=eubxjtws and use code WHITNEYRICHARDS for 15% off!
Resources mentioned in the podcast:
+We Can Do Hard Things Podcast: Find Healing In Your Partnership and Balance Inequality in Your Home with Kate Mangino
+The Breathing Cure: Develop New Habits for a Healthier, Happier, and Longer Life
+@theteachermomma on Instagram
Fempowered: Making Your Mess Your Message
In this hard-hitting yet cozy episode, I sit down with the SheEO herself: Sheena Daniels. Sheena is a podcast host, businesswoman, yoga instructor, and female empowerer. She shares tough lessons she’s learned upon getting a divorce and leaving the LDS church. We also get into:
how to connect with yourself and your kids
how to empower yourself and your kids
how to reduce shame and guilt
how to learn to trust yourself
how to use your body as a healing tool
the power of the pause and the necessity of stillness
how your mistakes are your entry points for connection
how to make your mess your message
It’s good. Oh, so good.
Find Sheena on Instagram @shelyfe, and listen to her on Pivot and Pursue, the podcast she hosts with Britney Neibaur
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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Why Both Giving and Taking Are Crucial for True Connection
I identify a certain blind spot you might have that’s interfering with your friendships, relationships, and social interactions, and how to address it. I explain why giving and taking are equally important.
I suggest what to do if you find yourself imbalanced on either side. I guide you on how to tell if you dominate conversations.
I also share a tip for preserving your battery if you find yourself depleted during social interactions.
It’s a short - but important - episode.
Thanks for listening,
w
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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Off Brand: Choosing Connection Over Commodification and Authenticity Over Algorithm
I start this free-flowing solo episode with no set topic or structure. In this age of personal branding, formulaic creating, and calculated sharing, I discuss prioritizing connection over commodification. I tell how after extensively researching and studying the best marketing practices, I opted for authenticity over algorithm. I note where I think social media is heading, and suggest what to do about it.
What comes forth ultimately coalesces into a theme of reclamation: of self, of creativity, of privacy, of time, of authenticity, of soul, of passion, of balance, of LIFE. Whether you have a personal brand or not, this episode touches on something we can all relate to: choosing how we show up in the world, and how we individually and collectively shape that world.
We’re all in it together.
Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist
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x,
w
