So Why Not

A special re-airing of an episode from the first season of So Why Not? all about my husband, Julio Soler.  I admire and appreciate so much about him and this episode highlights how when he sets his mind to something, he is so determined to figure it out.  I hope you enjoy getting to know more about him. Episode page Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Original episode:  Ep. 9:  So why not... leave everything you know behind? (with Julio Soler)

Do you really love where you live?  Have you lived in the same place all your life or are you more of a nomad? Do you truly have a place to call home?  Or maybe you feel like you don't quite fit in where you live.  Whether you have lived in the same spot for 30 years or have moved every year for the last decade, there is almost always a way to feel more connection to the place you currently call home. This episode is inspired by the book "This Is Where You Belong: The Art and Science of Loving the Place You Live" by Melody Warnick Other episodes referenced: Episode 48:  So why not… make friends as an adult? (with Jenna of @myfriendjenna) Episode 51:  So why not… work for the National Park Service? (with Anna Blalock) Episode page (full transcript and links) Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram

Have you ever visited a National Park in the United States?  Maybe you've been to several.  Or maybe it's your goal to visit them all.  In this episode I talked with Anna Blalock who works at a local National Park, Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  Anna has a fascinating story to tell about how she got her start with the National Park Service—one that I wouldn't have expected.  And neither did she!  Her love for National Parks is so evident in the role she has taken on and the opportunities she has pursued.  As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider what might lead you to take on this same type of adventurous spirit, whether pursuing visiting a new National Park or finding beauty all around you. Special thanks to Mike Theune (Public Affairs Officer) for coordinating this interview for us! Volunteer opportunities at Lake Mead National Recreation Area Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

This week's episode is an encore of a prior episode that keeps coming to mind.  I've had this conversation with a few friends lately.  They have an idea they've been thinking about.  But they don't really know how to get past the planning stages.  Or they're not sure if it'll really take off.  This episode is the nudge you need to get your idea out of your head and out into the world.  Book recommendations: Big Magic  What Do You Do With an Idea?  Miguel and the Grand Harmony    Episode 8:  So why not… find what works for you? (with Rachel Kiser Smith)   Creative Mentorship with Miranda Anderson  Episode page Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram

Are you the kind of person that gets so into reading a book that you can't put it down?  Or someone that becomes so hooked on a page-turner that hours go by in a flash?  This chat with Lauren of @laurensturningpages is a special treat for all of my fellow bibliophiles. In this episode of So Why Not?, Lauren shares her story of the value that books have brought to her life in countless ways.  Lauren has so many fantastic ideas for incorporating reading into day to day life with numerous examples of how to make it happen.  Whether you are aiming to read 100 books or to finish one book this year, there is something for everyone in this conversation.   As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider the impact that reading and literacy have made on your life. Follow Lauren on socials! @laurensturningpages on Instagram @laurensturningpages on TikTok See what I'm reading on Goodreads Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

If you're like a majority of American adults today, you may feel like it's difficult to make friends.  We all have competing priorities and often it seems that friendship takes a back seat to other interests.  From a detailed survey on friendships from the Survey Center on American Life in 2021, compared to results 30+ years ago in 1990, "Americans report having fewer close friendships than they once did, talking to their friends less often, and relying less on their friends for personal support." In my conversation with Jenna, we take a big picture look at what it looks like to cultivate friendships as an adult.  We talk about answers to all of the big questions:    the who, what, when, where, why, and how.  As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider what the state of friendships are in your life.  Why are they important to you?  Is there anything different that you want to happen with your friendships?  And what is keeping you from getting there? Follow Jenna on socials! @myfriendjenna on Instagram @myfriendjenna on TikTok Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page References: NYT:  How to make, and keep, friends as an adult The State of American Friendship:  Change, Challenges, and Loss.  Findings from the May 2021 American Perspectives Survey Friendships:  Enrich your life and improve your health (Mayo Clinic)  

My friend Emily is the mother of Kaleb, who is 7 years old as of this episode's air date.  Kaleb has autism and Emily has so graciously offered to discuss her experience as a mother and caregiver of a child with autism.  I admire so much about Emily and am in awe of how fiercely she advocates for her son.  I appreciate the patience she elicits in describing the journey that she and her family have been on.  As of this year in 2023, it is estimated that 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.  It is very likely that you may know someone who has autism or their loved one.  As you listen to this discussion, I invite you to consider what it really looks like to cultivate inclusion in your life and to realize that our differences, like neurodivergency, are just that:  different; a neutral fact that makes us all unique. Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

How much have you heard about the enneagram?  Do you know what the numbers mean?  Do you know your type?  In this episode, I chatted with Melissa Englebright, a certified enneagram coach, about her journey with the enneagram, from frustration to now helping others benefit from it as well.   Follow @melissaenglebright on Instagram Listen to 9 Paths to Zion Book recommendations: The Road Back to You The Wisdom of the Enneagram The Enneagram: 9 Gateways to Presence (audiobook) Podcasts: The Enneagram Journey Enneagram 2.0 Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

Do you know your love language?  Or if you're in a relationship, do you know your partner's?  (P.S. by the way, food is not a love language.) This episode covers some pros and cons of knowing your and/or your partner's love language as well as some key takeaways to consider. 5 Love Languages Quiz 5 Love Languages Book It Isn't About Your Love Language; It's About Your Partner's My Love Language Is Silent Condescension Speaking Your Partner's Love Language May Not Matter   Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Visit my website: sowhynot.me Episode page

This episode is an update on the future of the podcast and some ideas for making a game plan for your life. Make a game plan: -get a coach -implement your playbook -rely on your teammates -be ready to take on the defense -review the play -take a timeout when you need it Episode page Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Book recommendation:  Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull

Do you ever feel stuck in the same routine?  What would it take to shake things up?  What's holding you back from trying something new? This episode covers common reactions to trying new things, what can hold us back, and the benefits of trying new things. I'll also go through my list of goals for trying new things this year. Episode page Other episodes to enjoy: Ep. 30: So why not... try something new with your New Year's resolutions? Ep. 39: So why not... intentionally celebrate a milestone? Book recommendation:  "The Light We Carry" by Michelle Obama Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram

Do you know that feeling you have when you start something new and you just can't get it off your mind?  You're going about your day but it's always at the forefront of your thoughts.  Or possibly you're still in the planning stages and weighing out your options.  Or maybe you haven't quite found that thing yet.  And that's ok. As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider what it would look like to pursue the thing that you can't stop thinking about in your life. Make sure to check out @known_jewelry on Instagram Shop Known Jewelry on Etsy   Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

What do you think about the terminology around having a "green thumb"?  Do you have one?  Is that really even a thing?  Do plants effortlessly grow and thrive in your presence or are they immediately cursed to a brief lifespan of certain tragedy upon crossing your path? In this episode, I talked with my friend Claudia about her love for plants.  We'll talk about the ins and outs of caring for plants themselves in addition to some very interesting parallels connecting to deeper meanings in life. Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

When you see a shocking post on social media, how do you initially react?  What factors into your reaction?  Do you consider who posted the information?  Do you consider where the information originally came from? What are your next steps? This episode breaks down all of the types of information you may interact with online as well as concrete steps you can take (and to have discussions about with others) to prevent the spread of false information. Find the full transcript and links to sources:  Episode page Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram

Move over New Year's resolutions.  If you could look back on celebrating a milestone intentionally, what would you want to remember?  How could you reframe commemorating a big moment in your life as an intentional time period in addition to that instance? This episode is a recap of documenting the months leading up to a milestone birthday this year by writing a list of 35 things to do before turning 35. What would you add to your list? What would you include in your experiences? Episode page

In this episode I talked with my cousin, Mandi Boyd, about her career in education.  Mandi has taught in secondary education and has undoubtedly impacted the lives of countless students.  As you listen, I invite you to consider the impact that education and teachers have made on your life and to think about ways you can make an impact in your own community as well. Gallup poll: teacher burnout NCES: increased teacher vacancies Books: The Growth Mindset Grit Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

Do you take the time to really slow down and notice the beauty around you?  How will you remember a smile?  A little curl?  A freckle pattern on a scrunched nose?  In this episode I talked with Amy Rau about her career in portrait photography and taking the time to recognize the beauty all around us.   amyrauphotography.com Follow @amyrauphotography on Instagram Episode page Follow @sowhynot.podcast  

Welcome back to season 2 of So Why Not? Podcast. This is such an exciting episode to start back with after a break. In this episode I talked to Racheal Jackson of @banyanbridges about the unexpected paths she has traveled to become the bold muralist she is today. Her story is so inspiring and I left the conversation with so many takeaways for ideas I can implement in my own life. As you listen to this episode, I invite you to consider ways that you can try to be more bold in life and invite the opportunity to grow through these decisions. Check out Racheal's beautiful artwork: @banyanbridges on Instagram banyanbridges.com Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Episode page

What makes you like the things you like? What makes one thing better than the other?  Can taste be objective? This is a "just for fun" episode about creating a taste test.  It might just be your new favorite social experiment. The Deliciously Surprising Science of Taste (Wired) @femalefoodie Potato Chip Taste Test @femalefoodie vanilla ice cream taste test Episode page **This is where to get your free download of the taste test score card we used at the bottom of the post** Follow me on Instagram @sowhynot.podcast

Do you know your love language?  Or if you're in a relationship, do you know your partner's?  (P.S. by the way, food is not a love language.) This episode covers some pros and cons of knowing your and/or your partner's love language as well as some key takeaways to consider. 5 Love Languages Quiz 5 Love Languages Book It Isn't About Your Love Language; It's About Your Partner's My Love Language Is Silent Condescension Speaking Your Partner's Love Language May Not Matter   Follow @sowhynot.podcast on Instagram Visit my website: sowhynot.me Episode page