Digest

This end-of-year podcast episode features Becca and Olivia reflecting on their personal highs and lows, including heartwarming family moments, the accomplishment of submitting a book draft, and humorous mishaps. They share their biggest wins, such as improved mindset and income diversification, alongside hard-earned lessons about self-acceptance and combating societal pressures. The hosts also highlight their favorite discoveries of the year, spanning new artists, authors, songs, movies, and shows, alongside memorable work achievements and sources of inspiration. The discussion touches on creative hobbies like watercolor painting, cherished purchases, and favorite outfits, concluding with a look at procrastination strategies and compelling media like the show "Pluribus."

Outlines

00:00:17

Year-End Reflections: Highs, Lows, and Personal Growth

Becca and Olivia begin their year-end wrap-up, excluding books, and invite listener participation. They share personal highs, like heartwarming family moments and Olivia's book draft submission, alongside lows such as a kitchen mishap and a disruptive stomach bug. The hosts also discuss their biggest personal wins, including improved mindset, confidence building, and income diversification, emphasizing the importance of self-compassion and accepting personal limitations.

00:13:20

Advertisement Break: CozyEarth

This segment features an advertisement for CozyEarth, highlighting their comfortable blankets and home goods as ideal holiday gifts, with a special discount code for listeners.

00:15:21

Best of the Year: Mantras, Hard Lessons, and New Discoveries

The hosts delve into their "best of the year" reflections, sharing mantras like "Consistency is key" and hard lessons learned, such as accepting that not everyone will like them and challenging the societal message that worth is tied to constant self-improvement. They also reveal their favorite new discoveries in artists, authors, and performers, showcasing a diverse range of creative influences.

00:41:33

Best of the Year: Culinary Delights, Music, and Media

Becca and Olivia share their favorite culinary experiences, including specific sandwiches, and discuss their most loved songs. They also highlight their top movies, shows, and a standout podcast interview, reflecting their varied tastes and memorable media consumption throughout the year.

00:49:11

Best of the Year: Work Wins, Inspiration, and Creative Spaces

The hosts celebrate significant work achievements, such as Becca completing her second book and Olivia embracing confidence in her author career. They discuss their sources of inspiration, including books, podcasts, and personal workspaces, and share their best purchases and favorite outfits, reflecting personal style and practical choices.

01:11:00

Tackling Procrastination and Media Obsessions

The discussion shifts to creative strategies for overcoming procrastination, such as an "Avoidance Advent Calendar" concept. The hosts also share their current media obsessions, focusing on the compelling dystopian thriller "Pluribus" and recapping recently read books like "Between Two Kings" and "I Wrote This for Attention," along with a beloved cozy family read, "Wreck."

01:18:13

Book Club Hiatus and Listener Engagement

The podcast announces a break from its December book club and outlines plans for upcoming episodes, including the selection of January's book and a "best book of the year" episode. Listeners are encouraged to share their top reads, fostering continued engagement with the podcast community.

Keywords

Q&A

• What are some of the key themes discussed in the podcast's end-of-year wrap-up?

  The podcast covers personal wins, overcoming challenges, lessons learned, new artistic discoveries, favorite media (songs, movies, shows), and work-related achievements. It emphasizes reflection, personal growth, and celebrating accomplishments.

• How did the hosts approach discussing their "lows" for the year?

  Olivia shared a humorous and slightly scary incident involving a perceived intruder, while Becca discussed the challenges of a stomach bug impacting a family holiday. Both shared relatable, albeit different, difficult experiences.

• What advice or insights were shared regarding personal confidence and self-worth?

  The hosts discussed the importance of deriving confidence from within, rather than external validation, and the ongoing process of unlearning societal pressures. They emphasized self-compassion and recognizing inherent value.

• What were some of the "best of the year" categories discussed, and what did they reveal about the hosts?

  Categories included personal wins, comebacks, new artists, favorite songs, movies, shows, work highs, inspiration sources, and purchases. These discussions highlighted their personal values, creative pursuits, and reflections on the past year.

• What hard lessons did the hosts learn this year, and how did they plan to move forward?

  Becca learned she "can't make everyone like me" and needs to focus on her own path. Olivia is working on accepting her worth without constant self-improvement, challenging capitalist and societal messages.

• How did the hosts find inspiration and maintain motivation throughout the year?

  Inspiration came from sources like "The Artist's Way" book, podcast discussions, personal bulletin boards with ideas, and creating dedicated workspaces. They emphasized the value of consistency and self-permission.

• What were some of the most memorable "best of the year" discoveries shared by the hosts?

  Discoveries included artists like Frances Featherstone and Anna Kwan, authors like Barbara Borland, the film "Train Dreams," and the podcast episode featuring E. Jean Carroll, showcasing their diverse interests and appreciation for creativity.

• What did the hosts say about the challenges and rewards of pursuing a career as an author?

  They discussed the importance of confidence, diversifying income streams beyond book sales, overcoming self-doubt, and the emotional toll of public scrutiny. Turning in book drafts and feeling proud of the work were significant wins.

• What is the "Avoidance Advent Calendar" concept?

  It's a creative approach to overcoming procrastination, inspired by an advent calendar. It involves listing and completing tasks that have been put off, often with fun elements like mocktails and timers, to tackle them before the new year.

• What makes the TV show "Pluribus" compelling?

  "Pluribus" is praised for its blend of dark humor, emotional depth, and suspenseful dystopian plot. It explores a world where a virus creates a hive mind, focusing on the struggle of independent thinkers.

Show Notes