Elkevate Your Life

Elke

Welcome to Elkevate, the podcast where real talk meets heartfelt advice. I'm Elke, often called "Mama Elke" by those around me. With years of experience lending a listening ear to friends, family, and even complete strangers, I’ve created a space where you can find comfort and wisdom. Each week, join me for Mindful Mondays, Or Fun Fact Fridays where I share hot takes on taboo topics and life lessons I've learned the hard way. Plus, I’m excited to offer you a chance to be part of the show! Use our personal link to submit your anonymous stories and get thoughtful advice from yours truly. Whether you need a shoulder to lean on, a friendly ear, or just some solid guidance, I'm here for you. Tune in to Elkevate for honest conversations, practical advice, and a dose of empathy every week. Let’s navigate life together.

  1. 3H AGO

    Christmas Eve Traditions, Gratitude, And Joy

    Send us a text The holidays shine brightest through the small rituals we choose to keep. We open the door to our Christmas Eve—candlelight service, light-filled neighborhoods synced to carols, and a cozy breakfast in pajamas on the Delta King—and invite you to share the traditions that anchor your joy. A broken tripod and a snoring pup can’t dim the warmth; they become part of the story, a reminder that imperfect moments are often the most real. We talk about family shifts with honesty: parents and grandparents who are gone, kids who celebrate in new cities, and the ways we build connection across distance. Traditions bend without breaking—an evening drive, a quiet candle, a shared playlist—and gratitude becomes a steady practice rather than a slogan. We ask what you keep alive on Christmas Eve and why it matters, because naming your rituals is a way of choosing who you want to be with the people you love. Along the way, we celebrate our community with heartfelt shoutouts to loyal listeners, creators, and friends who have supported this journey. We also mention a wellness resource for those seeking natural ways to fill nutritional gaps, reflecting a broader theme of caring for mind and body through the season. If you’re looking for a companionable listen that blends warmth, humor, and reflection—and encourages you to share your own story—you’ll feel right at home here. Share your favorite tradition, tell us what you’re grateful for, and pass this episode to someone who could use a gentle, festive boost. Remember to Like thumbs up, Subscribe, and Please leave a review, and join us next week as we head into the new year together. Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    7 min
  2. 2D AGO

    Silence Isn’t Neutral When Relationships Are On The Line

    Send us a text What happens when unspoken hurt lingers for years and only surfaces in fragments and faded details? We take you inside a real weekend of hard truths, where old moments resurfaced and forced a clear-eyed look at how silence quietly rewrites the rules of a relationship. From the first phone call to the last apology, we walk through why people avoid confrontation, how avoidance breeds resentment, and what it sounds like to validate someone’s experience without getting trapped in a debate over a three-year-old memory. We don’t glorify conflict. Instead, we reframe it as care in action: asking for a call instead of texting walls of emotion, naming a single issue, listening long enough to understand impact, and choosing repair over being right. You’ll hear practical ways to make tough talks easier, including simple scripts to open the conversation, gentle boundaries to keep it productive, and a “pressure release valve” habit to address small hurts before they harden. The goal is less drama, more clarity, and relationships that survive real life. Between mindful questions and warm shoutouts to the community and sponsors, life hums along with snoring dogs, a determined woodpecker, and a frog who won’t move out. We’re nearing our 100th episode and leaning into the season with an invitation to show up kindly—on the mic, in your texts, and at your next family dinner. If you’ve been carrying something unsaid, consider this your nudge to speak with grace and specificity. Listen, share with a friend who needs a conversational reset, and if the episode helps, tap follow, leave a quick review, and tell us: what finally makes you speak up? Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    20 min
  3. DEC 16

    When Trauma Hides In Plain Sight

    Send us a text It starts with a joyful rewind: a walkable Arizona weekend, back-to-back 25th birthdays, and a first-ever mother–daughter karaoke moment that finally happened. That light made space for a harder conversation we’ve needed to have—how trauma hides in plain sight, how grooming slowly tightens its grip, and why “just leave” misses the reality so many face behind closed doors. We unpack the mechanics of control: love-bombing that becomes isolation, protectiveness that becomes surveillance, and finances that become a leash. I share how childhood patterns show up later, even after therapy and years of growth, and how triggers are not proof of failure but signals that a boundary is due. We talk about what empathy looks like in practice—listening without blame, safety planning without pressure, and offering real help instead of quick fixes. If you’ve wondered why smart, strong people stay, this conversation lays out the slow, careful architecture of manipulation and the courageous, non-linear paths out. Along the way, there’s gratitude for the community that keeps this show going, a nod to the upcoming 100th episode, and an honest invitation to reflect. If you’re supporting someone in crisis, you’ll hear practical ways to show up: discreet resources, thoughtful questions, and steady presence. If you’re healing yourself, you’ll find language for boundaries, compassion for setbacks, and encouragement to keep building the life you deserve—one clear choice at a time. If this resonated, tap follow on your favorite app, subscribe on YouTube, and share this episode with someone who needs a patient voice in their corner. Your ratings and comments help more people find a safe place to learn, heal, and be heard. What insight will you carry forward today? Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    26 min
  4. DEC 4

    How A Noisy Woodpecker Taught Me To Be Vigilant And Patient

    Send us a text A woodpecker at dawn, a frog at dusk, and a landlord who thinks reflective tape can fix everything—sometimes life turns your window into a drum. I walk through the real costs of chronic noise on sleep, mood, and autoimmune health, and how persistence, documentation, and clear requests shift the conversation from band-aids to root-cause solutions like pest inspections and proper repairs. Along the way, I share how I rebuilt a nightly routine with eye mask, white noise, and calmer food choices to steady inflammation when rest was under attack. There’s also a modern safety lesson: selling a ring online is simple until it isn’t. I switched from a home meetup to a well-lit public spot, and when the buyer ghosted, I took the win—because safety beats a sale every time. We talk boundaries that actually protect your peace: proactive checks, daylight meetups, and being okay with walking away. Wellness shows up in the small choices you repeat, not just the big plans you post. Between problem-solving and patience, I celebrate community milestones—more countries, more cities, more listeners sending kind notes—and a quick travel update that may shift the posting cadence. I shout out friends tackling a 72-hour fast and share why steady routines and gentle consistency carry more power than all-or-nothing goals. If you’ve ever tried to sleep through chaos or argued for a fix that solves the cause, not the symptom, you’ll feel seen. Tap play, protect your rest, and tell me your best self-advocacy win. If you enjoyed this, follow the show, leave a quick review, and share it with someone who needs a laugh and a nudge to guard their peace. Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    16 min
  5. NOV 27

    Change Tests Us; Gratitude Transforms Us

    Send us a text When holiday plans fall apart the day before the big meal, the question becomes simple: react or respond? We open up about a canceled Friendsgiving, the sting of last-minute changes, and the choice to pivot with intention. Instead of chasing perfection, we rebuild the day around a calm, proactive mindset and a steady practice of gratitude that anchors the heart when everything else feels uncertain. We walk through a clear, practical framework for adapting under pressure: pause to name what changed, take one stabilizing action, keep a single anchor tradition, and reach out to someone who needs the check-in. Along the way we revisit the classic proactive vs reactive lesson—think airport delays and the two kinds of travelers—and apply it to holiday chaos, work schedules, and family dynamics. You’ll hear about our pared-down menu for two, from marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes to the non-negotiable green bean casserole, plus honest notes on health, energy, and why video took a temporary back seat to audio while we refilled the tank. Community is the thread that runs through it all. We shout out loyal listeners and creators, talk about growing across Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and more, and explain how your likes, comments, and shares genuinely help the show reach new ears. If you’re spending the holiday at work, celebrating a day early, or navigating a last-minute pivot, this conversation offers practical tools, warm company, and a reminder that meaning isn’t tied to a crowd or a perfect table—it’s built from presence, gratitude, and the stories we share. If this resonates, tap follow, leave a quick review, and share the episode with someone who might need a calmer plan B today. Your support helps the show grow and brings more voices to the table. What’s your best holiday pivot tip? Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    28 min
  6. NOV 25

    Choosing Practical Over Flashy Sparks A Lesson In Gratitude And Balance

    Send us a text A pair of boots can say a lot about a season. We start with a sparkly temptation at the Discovery Shop—where every purchase supports the American Cancer Society—and a choice between glossy gold drama and everyday practicality. That fun fork in the road opens into a bigger reflection on how we navigate the holidays: balancing what dazzles with what truly serves us, honoring traditions, and making space for gratitude when the calendar is full. I walk you through a day that looks ordinary on paper—school support, podcasting, errands, gym time, a dental cleaning—but feels meaningful because it’s woven with community. Working as a special education aide demands patience, warmth, and a steady presence, and I share how those moments in the classroom echo into life outside the bell. From students who tune in to colleagues who feel like family, to volunteers who text about “your boots,” these small gestures remind us that showing up for each other is the best holiday energy there is. We also wander into the rituals that mark this week: Black Friday nostalgia, the early Starbucks runs of years past, and the question of whether deals are better online or in line. I invite you to share your traditions—favorite recipes, must-bake desserts, crafts, playlists, and the quiet rituals that keep you grounded. Along the way, there’s comic relief courtesy of a very determined woodpecker testing our décor defenses and our patience in equal measure, a lighthearted stand-in for the persistent stressors that tap at our windows during busy seasons. Threaded through it all is a simple mindset: practice gratitude on purpose. Thank the helpers, name the supporters, celebrate the tiny wins. Whether you’re choosing between gold and practical, juggling a packed schedule, or engineering a creative solution to a tapping problem, gratitude shifts the day from hectic to hopeful. If this resonates, share it with someone who could use a lift, hit follow so you never miss a Mindful Monday, and drop a comment with your favorite holiday tradition—we’d love to learn from you. Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    27 min
  7. NOV 18

    Choose Yourself First because your Self Assurance Will Ensure Love to Last

    Send us a text What if the simplest way to improve your relationship is to stop disappearing inside it? We dive into the heart of self-assurance—how to hold your values, routines, and voice—while building a love that actually fits both people. With guest Mr. J bringing a candid Gen X perspective and lived experience, we unpack the tension between compromise and conformity and show how small, daily choices redefine respect. We get practical fast. Think morning person meets night owl: music down, coffee up, energy calibrated. Those tiny moves create trust. We talk about partners who won’t speak up, why “being easy” backfires, and how resentment builds when needs go unnamed. Mr. J shares powerful stories about encouraging a partner to find her own goals, and we explore how culture can normalize self-erasure—and how to unlearn it with curiosity and clear boundaries. Raised by single moms, we compare notes on responsibility, gender roles, and what it means to “let him lead” without silencing yourself. Sometimes leadership is fixing a thing; sometimes it’s listening and protecting space. Then we draw a line in bold ink: stop parenting grown adults and start healing. Walking into love with open wounds turns partners into projects. Do the work—therapy, reflection, accountability—so you can meet each other as equals rather than repair jobs. Expect a warm, unfiltered conversation filled with relationship tips, boundary-setting strategies, and examples you can try tonight. If you care about healthy relationships, emotional healing, better communication, and the power of small gestures, this one will stick with you. Subscribe, share with someone who needs stronger boundaries, and tell us: what value of yours is non-negotiable? Your feedback shapes what we explore next. Support the show Like 2 Subscribe 2 me? Click on Link below https://buzzsprout.com/2323357/subscribe #ElkevateyourlifeYouTube #Elkevateyourlife Spotify #Elkevateyourlife Apple #Elkevateyourlife Amazon Music #ElkevateyourlifeTiktok #Elkevatepodcast Instagram #Elkevateyourlife Facebook https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/2323357.rss https://www.pinnaclewellnesscenter.com https://www.persimmondental.care.com https://angiegermer757917.le-vel.com https://Lovemyartist.etsy.com

    32 min

Trailers

5
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Welcome to Elkevate, the podcast where real talk meets heartfelt advice. I'm Elke, often called "Mama Elke" by those around me. With years of experience lending a listening ear to friends, family, and even complete strangers, I’ve created a space where you can find comfort and wisdom. Each week, join me for Mindful Mondays, Or Fun Fact Fridays where I share hot takes on taboo topics and life lessons I've learned the hard way. Plus, I’m excited to offer you a chance to be part of the show! Use our personal link to submit your anonymous stories and get thoughtful advice from yours truly. Whether you need a shoulder to lean on, a friendly ear, or just some solid guidance, I'm here for you. Tune in to Elkevate for honest conversations, practical advice, and a dose of empathy every week. Let’s navigate life together.