Podcasts: My Version of the Self-Help Book
Letter #67: AND ARTICLE #5 FOR WoP!!! I hope some of these suggestions feed your soul in the way they fed mine. <3
What do I want next in my life? What kind of career do I want? What kind of long-term partnership do I want? And how do I deal with the uncertainty of my future?
These are several of the questions I’ve grappled with over the past year after quitting my job in fashion to travel around the world. So, I want to share this sprinkling of podcasts that have helped me be ok with the unknown path ahead of me.
Reset with Liz Tran–“How to Figure Out What you Want”
“There are years that ask questions, and years that answer.”
Liz Tran, an executive coach that incorporates lessons from the spiritual world into her work, begins this episode of her podcast with a quote from Zora Neale Hurston’s book Their Eyes Were Watching God. I love how Liz explains that, just like the natural world takes periods of hibernation, or children are given a summer break before the school year begins, adult humans also need periods of rest. We need time to explore, to reflect, to ask questions. We need time to figure out what we want in life. She normalizes and celebrates the path of unknowing.
One of my biggest takeaways from this podcast episode was to take baby steps while exploring the next phase of my life. To read books about the career paths I’m interested in. To meet and speak with others that are already doing the work I’m interested in. To revel in this gift of time to try things out before fully committing to any one path.
Dua Lipa: At Your Service–“Min Jin Lee”
I’m blown away by how enjoyable I find Dua Lipa to be as both an interviewer and an advocate for so many authors. Pachinko was one of my favorite reads this year, so it was great to hear from the author herself, Min Jin Lee. She was dedicated to her craft of this book, taking 10 years to meticulously research, draft and redraft her novel.
So creating something you love CAN take a lot of time and that is ok. Because Pachinko? A smash hit. Another big takeaway? When she thinks of her audience, she pretends no one will read what she writes. Because imagining the criticism makes her self-conscious, and as she states “self-consciousness is really the enemy of art.” A great reminder as I work to hone in on the craft of writing, finding that I’ve become shyer in what I share with my readers.
The Examined Life–“What’s the secret to good sex?”
I loved this podcast episode where Khe Hy and guest speaker Natassia Miller discuss how challenging it can be to voice your needs in intimacy—especially when you’re in a relationship for the long haul. While I haven’t been in a relationship for a long time, I struggle with the nagging fear that I won’t be able to maintain a healthy intimacy whenever my long term partner shows up.
One of the biggest takeaways for me is that intimacy doesn’t have to be taboo, and that by boldly opening up to your partner about your needs can allow you to support each other and continue the growth of a healthy relationship.
Pulling the Thread with Elise Loehnen–“The Myth of the Linear Life”
“A million Americans a week are quitting their jobs.”
Ah, the Great Resignation of 2022, what a time. Guest speaker Bruce Feiler, author of the book Life is in the Transitions, explains there is a rebalance of power where many employees are demanding a change in environment from their employers. And at the same time, many workers are turning inwards to find the meaning of their lives, discovering that it may not be centered around a career.
Another takeaway? “That we were all raised with linear expectations, but we had non-linear lives, and that sort of chasm between the expectations that we had and the reality that we were living was the source of a lot of the disconnection, and confusion, and pain. And just sort of the sense that I’m off-schedule or off-kilter. The life I’m living is not the life I expected.” So, how validating was this listen when I also quit my job in 2022?
There you have it. A quick list of some of my favorite listens from this year that have resonated while I grapple with not having it all figured out.
As I’m writing this, I am back in NYC for a couple weeks, before heading back to my parents’ house in Wisconsin where I will plant myself for the next several months while I figure out my next move in life. It’s challenging not to feel like this part of the year’s travel journey is a regression—I’ve been living independently for nearly 20 years. But, I’ve learned over the past few months how important for others it can be to admit that you don’t have it all figured out, that none of us really do. (Actually, if you do, please call me and explain step by step what you did to build the perfect life). And by sharing these stories with one another, we can take a collective sigh in being in the messy transition together.
**A big thanks to Katlin Taosaka who somehow knows exactly what podcast I need to hear, and exactly when to send it to me.
Hey! Would you like to connect over creativity, self-growth, and problem-solving? Or just to have a virtual glass of wine or mocktail? Please book a time on my Calendly for us to chat! I can’t wait to see you. XOXO.
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