Nourish + Flourish

EPISODE #45 // The end of the road. (AKA The final episode.)

Since this is our last episode, we thought it only fitting to take a look back at our year in podcasting. Join us as we reflect on what the past year, sharing our biggest lessons as well as the biggest gifts, what we are most proud of and what has changed for us as a result. We also share what's coming next for both of us and how to stay in touch. We’d love to hear from you! What were the biggest lessons (or aha's) that came as the result of listening to the podcast? Any favorite memorie...

EPISODE #44 // How to know when to make a pivot in your life or career

How do you know when it's the right time to make a pivot in any aspect of your life or career? To make the decision to leave or to stick it out? Whether it's a personal decision or a professional one, there are things you can do to help make the decision an easier one. It involves making sure your basic needs are getting met, listening to how you're feeling about the situation, and a basic willingness to be patient with yourself and the process. We also have an ulterior motive in talking abou...

EPISODE #43 // The messy reality of change and why it's a good thing

Change. No matter who you are, how much money you have in the bank, or what your relationship status is ... change is inevitable. So why do we fight it so damn hard? Probably because it takes us out of our comfort zone and makes a mess out of everything. And yet, all changes have the opportunity to teach us more about ourselves and help us shift into a place of greater potential. The key is to understand your own patterns when it comes to coping with change. Because the more you know, the mor...

EPISODE #42 // Where do you fall on the positivity spectrum?

The topic of today's episode — positivity and optimism — has been something we've wanted to explore for ages. Of course, the days we were scheduled to record were ones where we were feeling anything BUT positive or optimistic.  The good news is, positivity and optimism aren't some pollyanna principles that negate the totality of our human experience. Instead, they are a way of approaching and understanding the world.  So how do we get there? How do we begin to embrace more positivity? ...

EPISODE #41 // When your whole life shifts at the drop of a hat

Emily is officially back from her sabbatical and shares the ups and downs that she experienced during her time off. Betsy also talks about what happened for her during this break and where she sees herself going in the upcoming months.    All in all, this is a doorway into what has been going on in our lives and hearts for the past month and where we are finding balance in the midst of all of this chaos. 

EPISODE #40 // Manifesting magic, milestones, or merely a better version of yourself. (A conversation with Kimberly Brown of Manifest Yourself.)

What is the difference between having goals and manifesting things? Is there a practical side of manifestation, as well as a negative one? How exactly DO you manifest something? And how does this impact your life (for better or worse)? We recently chatted with Kimberly Brown of Manifest Yourself to get to the bottom of these questions, and so much more. We hope you enjoy this deep dive into the world of achieving your goals and dreams through the power of manifestation.  Resource Links: ...

EPISODE #39 // How do you feel about the things in your home?

Today’s episode is all about decluttering and the act of letting go of the physical things that take up space in our homes and hearts. We go so far as to call it a spiritual act. From cherished heirlooms to clothing and art to birthday cards from decades past, the things we collect (and hang onto) are a way to access the memories of the people, the places, and the experiences we cherish. They are also a tool to help create a space that makes us feel inspired and at peace. We’d love to hear f...

EPISODE #38 // Learning how to embrace your dark side.

Today's episode is all about our shadow self, or the dark parts of ourselves that we'd rather not acknowledge or shine a light on. Unfortunately, burying those qualities in the sand or turning away from our lesser liked qualities only makes them grow stronger and louder. So let's take a walk on the dark side and embrace the less positive aspects of our selves. Because the real question isn't whether you have a dark side, it's whether you acknowledge your dark side. We’d love to hear from you...

EPISODE #37 // Why taking care of yourself is the ultimate act of self-love

Even though we've talked about self-care in a previous episode of the podcast, we thought it was important to return to this topic and touch on a very specific aspect of self-care and how it relates to self-love. That's right. Taking care of yourself is the ultimate act of self-love. By making time for yourself and putting your needs at the top of the list, you are showing yourself (and your Self) love and compassion. Because when you don't, it leads to feelings of depletion, resentment, ange...

EPISODE #36 // Give where you can, when you can. (A conversation with Sloane Davidson of Hello Neighbor)

We're sitting down with Sloane Davidson — founder of Hello Neighbor and all around wonderful woman — to talk about getting involved in our communities and creating an impact in the world we live in. Whether you've been inspired by the current political climate to be more socially active or have always wanted to make a difference in your community, Sloane will inspire you to do what you can to inspire change. We’d love to hear from you! What has your philanthropic path been? Is there anythin...

EPISODE #35 // Getting down and dirty with ... organization!

Last week we touched on a popular topic from the N+F archives: yoga. This week we're revisiting THE most popular episodes in N+F history, which was all about daily routines and staying organized. We thought it would be fun to dive a little deeper into the organization side of that conversation. We cover basic ideas for getting organized, to-do lists and priority setting, clearing up digital clutter, the power of accountability, setting long- and short-term goals, creating rituals, and setting...

EPISODE #34 // Why yoga is more than what you do on the mat.

Because yoga is more than a physical practice. One of our most popular episodes to date has been about our individual journeys with the physical practice of yoga. And while we are firm believers that rolling out your mat and doing the work is important, it's nothing compared to the non-physical aspects of yoga. Betsy, our resident yogi, walks us through the first two limbs of yoga — the moral, ethical, and personal codes that create the foundation of yoga that are supposed to be in place be...

EPISODE #33 // How to harness the power of the moon (with Jennifer Blumenthal)

The moon and all her magic. Have you ever wondered who you at your core or questioned what your purpose is in this lifetime? Today's discussion with Jennifer Blumenthal — the human guide behind Seduction of Soul — gets to the heart of those questions through an unlikely doorway: the moon. Jen shares her own journey into authentic living and how the moon played a role in her transformation. She also talks about the impact the moon has on the natural world, as well as the archetype that it re...

EPISODE #32 // Putting things out there for everyone to see.

Putting it out there for everyone to see. Have you ever wondered why some people feel compelled to share every single detail of their lives with strangers on the internet? We totally do. Which is why decided to spend an entire episode talking about it. We also wanted to explore the landscape of vulnerability and openness that comes as a direct result of blogging and sharing online through platforms like Twitter and Instagram. And, of course, we selfishly wanted to understand our own reasons...

EPISODE #31 // Who knew feeling better could be this easy?!

Feeling better doesn't have to be difficult. We've all had days (or weeks, let's be honest) when we've felt grumpy, sad, irritable, overwhelmed or just plain down in the dumps. Which is why we wanted to focus our conversation in today's episode on things you can do in 5 minutes or less to turn your mood around. Tune in for 15 things you can do right now to go from down in the dumps to feeling F-I-N-E fine. We cover everything from a drink of water and a snack to deep breathing, yoga, doodl...

EPISODE #30 // Find more calm and contentment in your everyday life (with Catherine Beard of The Blissful Mind)

Are you looking to find more calm and contentment in your day to day life? Us too! Which is how we knew we needed to get today's guest, Catherine Beard of The Blissful Mind on the show come hell or high water. Catherine shared so many nuggets of wisdom during our conversation, from morning routines and her self-care power hour (genius) to finding your purpose, mindfulness, intentional living, resiliency and a whole lot more. She even shares about the new direction her life and career are taki...

EPISODE #29 // Creativity as a gateway to joy and appreciation.

What role does creativity play in your life? Is it something you embrace and incorporate into your life or do you see it as something other people are blessed with but not you? Today's episode is all about the power of creativity and the way it brings more joy, introspection, and empowerment in our lives. We touch on the role creativity has played in our lives from the very beginning and then move onto the role creativity is currently playing in our lives and our evolution. What about you? Wh...

Bonus: Join us in the N+F Facebook Group!!

Hot off our conversation around female friendships, we felt compelled to bring the Nourish + Flourish community together in a space where we can talk about what we're working on, books we've read and been inspired by, and resources that have helped us along the way.   Link to join the group:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/nourishandflourishpodcast   Can't wait to see you inside! And make sure to invite a friend (or ten) to join you. 

EPISODE #28 // The power of female friendships and how to nurture them.

The transformative power of female friendships. That’s what we're spending time talking about today. The power of friendships — particularly with the women in our lives — and how they've taken shape in our lives. Whether those friendships began with a sister or through other channels, friendships give us the space to grow, evolve, and comfort us when we need it most. Our conversation begins with the role friendship has played throughout our lives and ends with what we're currently looking f...

EPISODE #27 // Learning to savor the moments in your life that matter the most (with Andy Hayes of Plum Deluxe)

The moments that matter. That's the phrase today's guest, Andy Hayes of Plum Deluxe, has anchored his entire life around. Andy went from a toxic job that was eventually going to put him in his grave to creating a community and company based on the values of slow living and savoring the moments that matter. We dive deep into Andy's journey, where his passion for slow living and mindfulness come from, the power of building community, and even why he chose tea as THE thing to sell. So grab you...

EPISODE #26 // Do you have big plans for the summer? (Because we do!)

Do you have big plans for your summer? Do you have big plans for your summer? Because we do. And it involves a whole lot of relaxing, enjoying time outdoors, and taking better care of ourselves. BUT FIRST, we want to say a huge thank you to every who came to our wrap party and cookbook signing at Studio AM with Heather Crosby of YumUniverse. The evening was beyond anything we could have imagined and just helped to put a beautiful bow on the first season (and year of planning) for the podcas...

EPISODE #25 // The evolution of time and perspective (Season 1 Finale, Part II)

Picking up where we left off in Episode #24, we go through everything we've discussed in Episodes 12 through 23 — self-care, CSA's and food, intuition, inspiration around food, stress, the divine feminine, yoga, travel, patience, curiosity, and happiness and joy — and how things have either changed completely, evolved, or stayed the same. We also talked a bit about our relationship before we started, and how it has evolved and strengthened over the course of the last year. We want to hear fr...

EPISODE #24 // Reflecting on the first half of 2017 (Season 1 Finale, Part I)

With two episodes left in Season 1, we thought it would be fun to revisit our earliest episodes. So today, we went through everything we discussed in Episodes 2 through 11 — daily routines, movement vs. exercise, sleep, tarot, the way we eat, books, body image, meditation, guilty pleasures, and our interview with Heather Crosby — and how things have either changed completely, evolved, or stayed the same.  We want to hear from you! What have been your favorite episodes to date? Any topics...

EPISODE #23 // How do happiness and joy take shape in your life?

Happiness and joy. Words we often use interchangeably that have very different implications in our lives. Words that also happen to be the basis for today's episode. We start off by asking each other how happiness and joy show up in our lives, move into what happens when they aren't there, what gets in the way of noticing or feeling those things, and also how we cultivate more of it in our lives. At the end of the day (and the episode), we both agree that life is less about seeking out fleeti...

EPISODE #22 // How do you embody the spirit of curiosity?

Today we're talking about curiosity. (Huzzah!) Buzzword or not, there's a lot that goes into this word. In today's episode, we define curiosity as being connected to comfort zones, our willingness to try new things, facing fears, and putting ourselves in the position where we are open to growing, learning, and experiencing. We even go so far as to say that curiosity is the keystone for evolving in our lives. So sit back, take a listen, and embrace curiosity in your life. We want to hear from...

EPISODE #21 // How do you know if patience is a virtue in your life?

Patience is a virtue. Or so we've all been told. But how often do we actually sit back and think about the role patience plays in our lives or how we cultivate more of it? If you're anything like us, the answer is probably never. Today's conversation focuses on how patience shows up in our lives, how we react when things are happening in the time frame that we want them to, and also the idea of teaching others to cultivate patience in their own lives. We want to hear from you! Are you a pat...

Bonus: How to freshen up your gratitude practice.

Fresh off of a 30-day gratitude challenge, Emily shares with Betsy a few nuggets about what she's learned along the way, including expressing gratitude for things that aren't always positive. 

EPISODE #20 // Where in the world have we been?

Where in the world have we been?! That's right. What magical places have we traveled to and where do we want to go next? For Emily, traveling began at a young age with family trips to Mexico, Canada, and annual road trips to Florida to visit family. For Betsy, traveling came much later in her life and has been an opportunity to celebrate life and explore the world outside of the home (and town) she grew up in. Now that we're both older (and wiser?), our traveling whims have changed. But one t...

EPISODE #19 // Can yoga really make that much of a difference?

Have you ever wondered if a regular yoga practice could make a difference in your life? Or if all of the hype around this form of movement is for real? We did, too. Until we began to implement the practice in our own lives and saw what was taking shape for ourselves. Whether you're looking to move your body more and get stronger, or you're looking for a more gentle, grounding practice, yoga can give you what you need. From the physical to the emotional to the spiritual, a regular yoga practi...

EPISODE #18 // How to honor the divine feminine that lives inside (with Shannon Ledford)

The topic of divine feminine energy has been showing up in our lives time and time again, whether it's in the form of intuition, creativity, or operating from a place of flow. It's the impetus behind Emily's deep dive into yoga. And it's the place that Betsy lives her life from on a daily basis. So when we came across Shannon Ledford, host and creatrix of the Honor The Feminine Podcast, we knew we needed to sit down with her and explore this topic more. Our conversation with Shannon is fil...

Bonus: We got our float on and this is what happened.

During our conversation around Self-Care (Ep 14), the idea of sensory deprivation tanks or floating was brought up. Betsy was totally into it, while Emily was completely uncomfortable with the idea. As the conversation proceeded, the two agreed to try it out and scheduled their first float session a day or two later. Today's bonus episode is all about the float experience — from the sheer panic it induced all the way through to the blissful relaxation that resulted.  If you want to see o...

EPISODE #17 // How to cope when stress rears its ugly head.

Good or bad, stress is something we've ALL felt. So why is it that some people seem to be better at navigating it than others? And why do some people seem to fall apart, when other seem to really shine when going through a similar experience? In today's episode, we're talking about it all. The good, the bad, and the sometimes ugly aspects of stress and how it impacts our lives. We also talk about the things that we've done — as children and adults — to manage its effects. And while we wouldn'...

EPISODE #16 // How we find and maintain inspiration in the kitchen

We've spent a fair amount of time on the podcast talking about food — our personal food philosophies, how our health has been transformed through food, the pros and cons of local food, and even our favorite guilty pleasures. One area we hadn't focused on until today, is where we find and maintain inspiration in the kitchen. We start the conversation with stories around when we first got comfortable with cooking and being in the kitchen. We then touch on our current habits, from menu planni...

EPISODE #15 // How do you know when your intuition is talking?

Have you ever used the following words to describe something? I just knew Something told me I get the feeling That feels wrong Something's off Something stopped me I just keep seeing it everywhere I don't know why, but... I have a sneaking suspicion I feel it in my bones I have an inkling Congratulations! You've accessed your intuition. Whether you believe it or not, we all have access to this deep sense of knowing. Sometimes it shows up as a curious event (took a dif...

EPISODE #14 // What does self-care look like for you?

When Emily and her daughter caught a nasty virus, her regular self-care practices fell to the wayside. Yoga and meditation were seen as expendable, and healthy eating was just too exhausting to even contemplate. Problem is, those were the very practices that were keeping her feeling more balanced and healthy. Once the dust settled and the sickness lifted, Betsy began to ask questions around what Emily was doing to take care of herself and her daughter, and what, if anything, she was doing ...

Bonus: How to get more local foods in your life.

Inspired by their interview with Simon Huntley of Small Farm Central (Episode #13), Betsy + Emily talk about small things you can do right now to add more locally grown foods into your life. 

EPISODE #13 // The benefit of CSA's for you and the farmers (with Simon Huntley)

How do you feel about the food you put into your mouth? Does it conjure up images of the farmers who grew it or the region in which it came from, or are you more interested in the convenience factor of eating something as quickly as you can? Neither choice is inherently right or wrong, nor are they mutually exclusive. Community Support Agriculture, or CSA's, can help change your relationship with the food you consume. It can be cost-effective and also help save time when it comes to the dr...

EPISODE #12 // How podcasting has helped us be better people.

Podcasting has been an amazing tool for self-discovery and growth. It's also been a surprising source of accountability and reflection. We've deepened our friendship — taking it from a surface level knowing of each other to a deep and nurturing relationship. And we've created a safe space to explore the topics that we're interested in. But, most surprisingly, podcasting has also been a huge catalyst for creating change in our lives. It's created a mirror for us to witness how far we've com...

EPISODE #11 // Reclaim your health one vegetable at a time

Heather Crosby, the creative mind behind Yum Universe, came to a major crossroads in her twenties. She was diagnosed with a chronic health condition that would require medication for the rest of her life. She could follow her doctor's orders and take a medication that had a 4-8% chance of fixing the problem, or she could listen to a voice deep inside that was screaming at her to make a change. Heather decided to listen to that voice deep within and take her health into her own hands. She b...

EPISODE #10 // Want to know what we secretly love?

Today, we're talking about guilty pleasures. You know, the things that we indulge in that may or may not raise an eyebrow from our friends and family. Or, worse still, be deemed UNhealthy. Why are we talking about this? Because we believe there needs to be some built-in wiggle room for indulgences to reward ourselves in order to remain sane in a life that is centered around health and wellness. Whether it’s a guilty pleasure in the form of a television show, a snack, or merely an act of cr...

EPISODE #9 // Can meditation really make that much of a difference?

Meditation can be an incredibly powerful tool. Whether you're looking to reduce stress, feel more focused, or become more in tune with yourself, meditation can support you along the way. The only hitch? You have to create the space for it in your life. In today's episode, we talk about how meditation came into our lives, when we began to take it seriously, and how it has helped to transform our lives (and health). We also talk about the styles we gravitate towards and touch on the ever-prese...

EPISODE #8 // Are you on good terms with your body?

Our body is with us wherever we go. And yet, we don't always feel comfortable living inside of them. When we're young, we view our bodies through the lens of exploration. Our bodies allow us to do the things we want to do — moving, playing, jumping, and chasing. As we get older, we begin to notice how our bodies function in relation to the world around us. We also begin to care about how others perceive us. Somewhere along the way, we begin to hate our bodies and/or feel constrained by t...

EPISODE #7 // Can a book really change your life?

In today's episode, we ask the question "Can a book really change your life?" For us, the answer is a resounding yes. Books have played a huge role in our lives and our health. They have helped to shape us and open our minds. And they provide us with a constant source of inspiration and growth. The episode starts with the role books have played throughout the course of our lives, the connection between reading and writing, as well as the power books have held over our life and health. We...

EPISODE #6 // Health and happiness one bite at a time.

When we first came up with the idea for the Nourish + Flourish Podcast, food was top of mind. The way we eat has been a major catalyst in our own health journeys and is something we are both interested in speaking with others about. In order to lay the groundwork for those future conversations, we thought it was important to share about our own evolution with food.  We start from the beginning with the context of food in our family of origin and then work our way through stepping out on ...

Bonus: Betsy + Emily Do a Mini Reading!

EPISODE #5 // What IS tarot and how can it help me? (With Leslie McAllister)

Have you ever wanted to learn more about tarot? We certainly did! So we enlisted the help of local card slinger and high-vibe boutique owner, Leslie McAllister of Juju to dive deeper into the topic. Leslie shared the basics of tarot, how she got into it, and how tarot helps people see what they need most. We'd love to hear from you! Have you ever dabbled in tarot? If so, what are your favorite decks and resources? And if not, what's stopping you? You can hit is us up Twitter (@nandfpodca...

EPISODE #4 // When was the last time you had a good night's sleep?

Optimal sleep, while necessary to thrive, isn’t always easy to achieve. Sometimes it can feel like that elusive unicorn when insomnia, anxiety, or any of the many variables in life get in the way. In today’s episode, Emily and Betsy talk about their individual challenges and solutions in the endless pursuit of a good night’s rest. From meditation to digital detoxes, ideal bedroom environments and nutrition influences - it’s all a big puzzle. We’d love to hear what helps or hinders you fr...

EPISODE #3 // Movement Vs. Exercise and How To Stay Motivated

It’s January, and that means resolutions and goals are at the top of everyone’s minds. Particularly when it comes to exercise and moving our bodies more. In today’s episode, we're talking about movement, motivation, and benchmarks for success. Through it all, we're both looking to make movement a priority in our lives so that we can take care of our bodies, minds, and overall health. We’d also love to hear from you! What does movement (and exercise) mean to you and what are your benchmarks fo...

EPISODE #2 // How do you want your day to unfold?

Episode 2 is all about daily routines — morning, evening, work related — and how they help to set in motion the kind of day we want. Betsy has always been curious about how people structure their days and, in particular, their mornings. She is more of a structured morning person, while Emily is more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants-wanting-to-sleep-in-as-long-as-possible kind of morning person. In the end, Betsy and Emily are often in search of the same ultimate goals and aspirations even th...

EPISODE #1 // The Who, Why, and How of the Nourish + Flourish podcast.

Welcome to our inaugural episode of the Nourish + Flourish Podcast! We’re excited to be embarking on this journey together and wanted to share a bit more about who we are, why we started this podcast and the kind of content we want to focus on.  Topics Discussed: Who we are The key components of our own health and transformations Why this topic is so important to us Being in control and in tune with our own health and wellness How we connected Our personal evolution with health,...