Medium Lady Talks

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Medium Lady Talks

Hello, Hi! I’m Erin and this podcast is about figuring out the medium effort way to get the most out of life today. I hope that the things I unpack here can help other women, and invite them to explore their own ways to live life in the present. This is a show about experimenting, to get closer to what matters most. I’m glad you’re here, so let’s settle in.

  1. 3 天前

    Episode 125: Five (and a Half) Things Saving The Season

    Hello hi! The holiday season can be magical, but let’s face it—it can also be overwhelming! In this episode, I’m sharing the five (and a half!) things that are helping me feel like myself and move through the busiest time of year as mindfully as possible. From favourite apps and comforting habits to traditions that warm my heart, these small joys are saving my season. I’ll also share a wildcard favourite that surprised me, plus one thing that’s definitely not saving my season (hint: it involves a certain trendy food). Stick around for an exciting invitation to join the next chapter of the Medium Lady community in 2025. So grab your cozy drink, take a deep breath, and let’s list out the things that are bringing simple joy and balance this holiday season. What’s in This Episode? 🌟 The Five Things Saving My Season: Goodreads + My Reading Tracker: Reflecting on 150 books in 2024 and how reading keeps me grounded. The Opal App: Blocking distractions so I can stay present. Our Christmas Tree Ornament Collection: The sentimental story behind our 18-year tradition. My Sherpa Fleece Zip Sweater: A cozy, go-to uniform for busy days. Running and the Santa Run 5K: How returning to running has helped me reconnect with myself. 🎁 Wildcard Favorite: A festive treat (literally or figuratively) that’s bringing unexpected joy. 😅 What’s Not Saving My Season: A lighthearted look at the holiday mishap we all know too well. 💭 Mindful Moment Activity: Take a pause to reflect on what’s saving your season. 📣 Call to Action: Learn more about the exciting Patreon community launching in 2025, inspired by my monthly planning ritual. Links and Resources Mentioned: Goodreads: Track your reading here Opal App: Find it here Connect with Erin: Instagram: @medium.lady Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com  Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify Instagram: @mediumladyreads✨ Join the Medium Lady community: Patreon Launching in 2025 Link coming soon! Episodes you might like: Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham Episode 124: Reclaiming Fun - Dozens of Free Ways to Enjoy Yourself (with insight from the Medium Kids!) If you loved this episode, let me know what’s saving your season by tagging me on Instagram or leaving a review. Sharing your favourites makes this community so much brighter! Happy holidays, friends. Let’s keep moving forward into the new year, with medium effort and mindful fun.

    45 分鐘
  2. 12月16日

    Episode 124: Reclaiming Fun - Dozens of Free Ways to Enjoy Yourself (with insight from the Medium Kids!))

    Hello, hi! Why is having fun so hard sometimes? As moms, we often find ourselves stuck in caretaker mode, struggling to reconnect with the joy of play—whether it’s for ourselves or with our kids. In this episode, we’re talking about fun and how stepping out of your comfort zone can bring more laughter, connection, and lightness into your life. I’m sharing unique, low-cost (and even free!) ways to have fun, both solo and with your family. You’ll also hear from my three kids—William, Henry, and Beckett—who reveal what fun means to them, how they know they’re having it, and what they’d love to do to have fun with me. Spoiler alert: their answers might surprise you! Together, we’ll unpack why playing can feel awkward, how to overcome that mindset, and why fun doesn’t have to look perfect to be meaningful. Whether you’re looking to reclaim a little joy for yourself or bond with your kids in a playful way, this episode is full of practical ideas and heartfelt encouragement to make it happen. What you’ll hear in this episode: Why fun feels hard for parents and how to move past the awkwardness. Unique ideas for solo fun: Reconnect with what you love doing in your free time, with ideas that cost little to nothing. Fun with kids: Creative ways to play and bond that don’t require a lot of planning or pressure. Insights from my kids: Hear William, Henry, and Beckett share their thoughts on what fun means to them and how they want to have fun with me. Mindset shifts: Practical tips to embrace imperfect fun and stop overthinking play. Resources mentioned in this episode: Links to your Instagram or community where listeners can share their own fun moments and ideas. [Insert any books, articles, or tools referenced in the episode.]   Other Episodes you might like: Episode 123: Are You Guilty or Did You Just Make a Decision? Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham Medium Lady Reads Episode 33- Cozy Christmas Reads 2024   Other Resources Mentioned: Ralphie Jacobs free printable "25 Ways to Fill your Child's Cup this Holiday Season" Connect with Erin: Instagram: @medium.lady Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com  Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify Instagram: @mediumladyreads

    1 小時
  3. 12月11日 · 附贈內容

    [BONUS] MLR Episode 33 Cozy Christmas Reads 2024

    Hello, hi and happy holidays It’s the most wonderful time of the year… time for the fourth annual Cozy Christmas Reads episode! This episode is special because Jillian and Erin are joined by two additional guests, Stephanie Cunningham and Ali Oppenlaender. The four women come together yearly (previous episodes are linked below), to share each year’s picks for a cozy Christmas read.  If you’re ready for this year’s edition, just hit play wherever you listen to podcasts! In This Episode: As per usual, the ladies begin with a check-in. Mentioned in this episode: Cozy Christmas Reads 2023, 2022, 2021 The ladies rank their reads from scrooge to Christmas on Hallmark Street. It's time to share the books! The women go through and each share one book, and then they go around a second time to share their second book. You MUST listen in to hear Stef’s second pick. You won’t believe what she chose! 🤪🤪 Be sure to weigh in your thoughts on what Stef chose.  It wouldn’t be an episode of Medium Lady Reads without hot takes, tune in to find out what we’re all thinking. All four women share what they’re waiting for from the library and what they’re reading next. Connect with the podcast on Instagram @mediumladyreads, Jillian or Erin.   Books Mentioned In This Episode: Father of the Rain by Lily King A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston A December to Remember by Jenny Bayliss Comfort and Joy by Kristin Hannah When the Moon Hatched by Sarah A. Parker Lovelight Farms by B.K. Borison The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox NeverMoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend Canadian Boyfriend by Jenny Holiday Kiss Me at Christmas by Jenny Bayliss A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman Sandwich by Catherine Newman Bride by Ali Hazelwood One in a Million Boy by Monica Wood What We Sacrifice for Magic by Andrea Jo DeWerd Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe The Wedding People by Alison Espach Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell The Roughest Draft by Emily Wibberley For She is Wrath by Emily Varga  A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

    57 分鐘
  4. 12月2日

    [REPOST] Episode 82: The Identity Revolution: Why I plan my free time each month, and you should too

    If you're new to Medium Lady you might not be well acquainted to a hallmark practice of mine: mindful monthly planning. I have been monthly planning for over 5 years, and I can genuinely say it has allowed me to feel more like myself, to capture more fun in my life, and to give me a sense of personal growth and meaning that I wouldn't find from my work or relationships. I hope you enjoy this repost of Episode 82!! ~~~~~~~~ Hello, hi! In this episode, I delve into the profound impact of planning your free time on self-identity and personal growth. Join me as I share personal insights and experiences from four years of planning my reading, play, self development, and mindset each month. Benefits of Monthly Free Time Planning: Discover how planning your free time can significantly reduce stress and anxiety. Learn how it empowers you to set and achieve personal goals. Achieve a harmonious balance between work, responsibilities, and leisure. The Planning Process: Access my FREE Downloadable Workbook: "How to Start a New Month with Medium Effort and Mindful Fun." Explore the importance of setting realistic goals and bridging the gap between your realistic self and your idealistic self. Living Out Your Monthly Free Time Plan: Gain valuable insights on how to allocate time for various activities, including self-care, hobbies, socializing, and relaxation. Embrace the flexibility to adapt your plan to unexpected events and opportunities. Goal Setting and Tracking: Explore the art of setting flexible goals for your free time. Delve into the nuances of why tracking your activities may not always be necessary. Overcoming Challenges: Anticipate common challenges associated with free time planning, such as over-scheduling or underestimating the time needed. Discover practical tips for effectively addressing these challenges. Additional Resources Mentioned: "Atomic Habits" by James Clear - Find it at your local library here “The Dance of Anger” by Harriet Learner - Find it at your local library here Other Episodes Mentioned (Spotify Links): Episode 57: How to Plan a New Month: Guided Journal Practice for a Month of Self Discovery Episode 58: How I Plan my Month: An Example of Thoughtful and Personalized Monthly Planning Episode 61: Gentle Goal Setting for Burnt-out Millennials and Mothers Episode 69: Unlocking the Simple Secrets of Goal Setting with Guest Jillian O’Keefe Key Topics: The transformative power of planning free time on self-identity. Practical benefits of monthly free time planning. Navigating the planning process with realism and mindfulness. Living out your monthly free time plan and adapting to change. Goal setting, tracking, and the wisdom of flexibility. Overcoming common challenges in free time planning. Connect with Erin: Instagram: @medium.lady Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." Instagram: @mediumladyreads

    56 分鐘
  5. 11月25日

    Episode 123: Are you Guilty? Or Did You Just Make A Decision? One Final Word on Guilt (until 2025).)

    Hello, hi! I can’t seem to stop talking about guilt - but  I PROMISE this is the last I’ll say about it (at least until 2025) . The thing that continues to remain problematic and troubling for so many women, the thing that gets in our way is that we’re always feeling bad. If we’re not feeling bad we’re avoiding the things that make us feel bad or managing the feeling to get rid of it. What if there was another way? Today’s episode is for anyone who ever wondered “what would I be like if I could get rid of the guilt, for good?” Episode Summary Check in: I share that I’m finally feeling my mental health improve It takes considerable effort when you feel terrible; nothing feels like medium effort and this recovery has felt that way I’m lucky to have a lot of support already available to me when I need it and I’m so thankful for my friends and family who have connected with me and supported me. Medium Effort At the beginning of Season 4 I was really helping people get out of their own way, and examining how willing we are (or aren’t) to take that step and celebrate our desires and visions for our lives. But what listeners kept pointing me to was that their guilt was a tremendous obstacle on that path. If they were ever going to get out of their own way, they were going to have to get rid of the guilt. 31% of people polled on my instagram stories said that theri personal expectations drive a lot of their burnout , they struggle knowing what to let go of and they often feel unsure of what’s normal, and what’s social media. At the end of the summer in an open call for responses, the IG community again shared DOZENS of unique reasons they feel bad. But it wasn’t until episode 113 and 114 with Tami Hackbarth where I realized that people needed a practical way to examine their guilt and move past it with certainty and grace. Today’s episode features two hallmark reasons why you should spend medium effort to get over your guilt - and both of them were featured in a book I’m currently reading: Likeable Badass by Dr. Alison Fragle.- specifically page 77, and 78 of the book Embrace the power of your decisions: our decisions can be powerful but we use guilt to minimize how much we want to use that power, instead letting our guilt make our decisions feel like a burden or like a way to keep staying small. Imagine if you chose to feel powerful instead of guilty about your decisions. Women see each decision as a chance to fail but what if we saw them as a chance to embrace our power.  Guilt drives apologies: Women apologize more than men becuse women have a lower threshold for what constitutes an apology worthy event. This low threshold for apology also comes with a caveat - you’re not just feeling like you owe more apologies but you also feel like you’re wronged and owed and apology more often. As women we need to raise the bar (ALOT) on what constitutes a transgression or wrongdoing because it’s not just getting in our way, it’s also getting in the way of our relationships and perceptions of others. In the episode I walk you through a practical exercise I call “catch and release” so you can notice your guilt, examine it for a transgression and then either release it with an apology or move on/show up with a decision. Mindful Fun: Make a list of small decisions you’re excited to make and look forward to embracing the power that comes with choosing your clothes, picking out a movie, or deciding what to bring to the holiday potluck.    Other Episodes you might like: Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham Episode 114: The Difference Between Guilt and Shame when it comes to Self-Care with guest Tami Hackbarth   Medium Lady Reads Episode 31- Your Reading Slump is Totally Normal Connect with Erin: Instagr

    43 分鐘
  6. 11月18日

    Episode 122: Making the Holidays Meaningful - Keep the Joy and Ditch the Guilt

    Hello, hi! Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the expectations of the holiday season? In this episode, we’re tackling the “holiday guilt” that so many moms and women feel this time of year—guilt about not doing enough, spending too much, or skipping traditions. Together, we’ll explore how to tell the difference between decisions you need to let go of and opportunities to align with what truly matters. By the end of this episode, we'll have completed an exercise to help you map out a holiday season that feels joyful, intentional, and guilt-free.   Episode Summary Check in: I share that while everything is going well on paper, I’ve been struggling with a flare-up of my anxiety. My empathy has been in overdrive with a lot of things I’m witnessing online or in the news. I’m trying to remember that I’ve learned a lot over the last 5 years managing my health and wellness, but that doesn’t mean that I’m “cured” or that I’ll never struggle Today’s episode is about normalinzing guilt and allowing guilt to run the show to meet the needs of others over the holiday season. We accept our guild over the holiday because it’s kind of motivating! It gets us doing some things that maybe feel like a lot of extra for OR it helps us make decisions, and the holidays are a time when decisions are in overdrive and add to our exhaustion. I discuss a few areas of the holidays where you might be experiencing guilt:  Holiday Planning and preparation Gifts Family and Community events and expectations Parenting and Kids Holiday Burnout   Medium Effort Reflect on what always matters to you all year round and ask yourself “does that change for the holidays?” Ask yourself, “what will make me feel aligned with my values this holiday instead of managing guilt and making sure I’m productive?” Make a list of all the things that might make you feel guilty this holiday season, and sort them into two categories: 1. Move on (this is just a decision, and not specific to your values) and 2. Show Up (something is meaningful for you and should be prioritized) Mindful Fun: Make a Holiday Map On your own or with your spouse/kids/friends/ write out three priorities for your holiday (these will come from the show up column) Around these priorities list any and all activities that you might do that you can either plan for or decide if the opportunity comes up you will pursue.  Draw a large circle around those things and write in “Where I show up this holiday season” on the top of the circle Below the circle, brainstorm the non-priorities *(usually the opposite of whatever already matters to you) Draw a box around this list and title it “Where I move on this holiday season.” Now that you have a Holiday Map, notice when things show up that were unexpected and you can evaluate those things against the map, knowing you’ve already decided where to show up and where to move on WITHOUT the guilt. Our guilt is a habit, and it will take practice to remind yourself that it’s not about normalizing guilt, it’s about making decisions and having conviction about those decisions as you move through the season.  This might not feel smooth this year but with practice maybe in the future it will be easy to experience the holidays without guilt! Other Episodes you might like: Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate a Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham Medium Lady Reads Episode 31- Your Reading Slump is Totally Normal Connect with Erin: Instagram: @medium.lady Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com  Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify Instagram: @mediumladyreads

    50 分鐘
  7. 11月11日

    Episode 121: Mindful Content Creators and the Quest to Curate A Perfect Childhood with guest Stephanie Cunningham

    Hello, hi! Today’s episode features a returning special guest to Medium Lady, my friend Stephanie Cunningham. Stef can be found on instagram @steffski where she role models real-life living, sharing both the highs and the lows of homeschooling, intergenerational living and breaking the “highlight reel” so that her friends and followers feel like they can share in the chaos of this season of life.   Episode Summary Stephanie’s guiding principles about what she shares online are about authenticity and serving her own interest first, which is such a refreshing point of view when we see overly curated or highly produced content online  We discuss how much our attention might be drawn to “online perfection” while we also desire seeing, meeting and building connection with people who are “just like us” A really amazing part of our friendship is that we’re both creating content online: Stephanie and I reflect on where we’ve become more mindful about creating content even when it’s hard to resist the pull of “virality” we acknowledge that it’s not good for us and it’s not good for our communities Through thoughtful exploration time and time again with my audience I have been teasing apart the nuance of guilt experienced by women. What comes up time and time again are the concerns and worries that women have about their motherhood: am I doing enough of the right things for my children? Am I giving them the childhood they deserve? If we all want to give our kids a magical childhood where does that desire come from? How is it affected by curated motherhood content online? Our kids also have their focus drawn to content online and just like us, they have desires to bring that online content into their real lives - this changes the stakes for how we manage their expectations, and ours. Part of our desire for our children to have a magical childhood comes from the emerging conversation about how much our parents’ choices affected us, and why we might feel compelled to make sure our kids never have similar experiences. “Cycle Breaking” happens when you’re willing to get off the pendulum and acknowledge that your parents did the best that they could and sometimes they made mistakes and those mistakes affected us. The best way I’ve heard this said was listening to advocate and speaker Prasanna Ranganathan when he said his parents were “always careful to protect me while never limiting my opportunities. Curating childhood as millennial mothers also includes awareness of screen time and how we help our kids interact with screens  Our job as parents is not to make sure our kids are happy 100% of the time…. But what about the holidays? The pressure increases to curate a perfect childhood around the holidays and this can be exacerbated by what you see online. One KEY question to ask yourself around making memories this holiday season is “What do I want our family/my kids’ takeaway to be from this season?” and maybe, (probably) that will mean going against the mainstream in some way or another Stef and I also chat about the days that aren’t “holiday” and the specialness of Ordinary Time - most of our days are these sacred ordinary days and there are plenty of opportunities to bring mindful celebration and gratitude to those “regular old” days. You don’t have to do this on you own! Stephanie and her partner Craig make time to plan and work out their intentions together before they get too deep into the season Other Episodes you might like: Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About Episode 117: Medium Effort Advice - “Help! I’m Doing Too Much and None of it Well!” Episode 87: Cultivating your Aspirations with guest Stephanie Cunningham Episode 23: In the Interest of Realness with Stephanie Cunningham Medium Lady Reads Episode 30- Would You Try a DNF Challenge? Connect with Erin: Instagram: @medium.lady Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com  Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify Instagra

    54 分鐘
  8. 11月4日

    Episode 120: 9 Small Things My Husband Never Feels Guilty About with guest Handsome Face

    Hello, hi! Today’s episode features a very special guest who hasn’t been on the pod in a while - my husband Nick! Nick reviews last week’s episode list of the 9 Small Things I’m No longer Feeling Guilty about. We hope you enjoy this episode and you like seeing another side of Medium Lady!    Episode Summary Check in:  I’ve brought Nick on mic to review the 9 things, and you may (or may not) be surprised what he thinks of these things! Medium Effort Here’s my medium effort list of 9 things  I’m no longer feeling guilty about Buying and eating candy as a grown up Shopping at a budget grocery store Not eating enough protein Reading a lot Watching my shows on the big tv Buying stupid stuff on Amazon that I could afford but didn’t use Taking vacation days to be alone Buying used books and not reading them Not monetizing or not monetizing sooner A Moment of Gratitude: I share my gratitude for Nick - don’t worry he didn’t listen to that part of the recording. I feel so lucky to have a partner that is fun, values-driven and open to my many ideas and goals. Yet, he never let’s me take myself too seriously, which is exactly what I need!     Other Episodes you might like: Episode 119: 9 Small Things I’m No Longer Feeling Guilty About Episode 114: The Difference Between Shame and Guilt with Tami Hackbarth Episode 117: Medium Effort Advice - “Help! I’m Doing Too Much and None of it Well!” Episode 74: How to be a Human With a Voice with guest Jam Gamble Medium Lady Reads Episode 30- Would You Try a DNF Challenge? Connect with Erin: Instagram: @medium.lady Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com  Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify Instagram: @mediumladyreads

    44 分鐘
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簡介

Hello, Hi! I’m Erin and this podcast is about figuring out the medium effort way to get the most out of life today. I hope that the things I unpack here can help other women, and invite them to explore their own ways to live life in the present. This is a show about experimenting, to get closer to what matters most. I’m glad you’re here, so let’s settle in.

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