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. 5d ago

    Prepared For Anything

    Send us Fan Mail If you had to leave your home with almost no warning, would you know exactly what to grab, where to go, and how to find your people again? A sudden local fire near my area turned “preparedness” from a nice idea into a real-life reality check, and it made me look at my own habits with fresh eyes. I talk through the basics of an emergency escape plan, why having your important documents in one place matters, and what belongs in a simple go bag including water, nonperishable food, a flashlight, batteries, a phone battery pack, blankets, pet items, and enough gas to get moving when stations might be closed.  Preparedness also shows up in quieter moments, like job interviews. I share practical job interview preparation that helps whether you’re meeting in person, on Zoom, or over the phone: doing a mock interview, researching the company and mission statement, and getting ready for the questions that can throw you off your game. We dig into how to talk about strengths and weaknesses like a real human, and how small systems like alarms, extra buffer time, and leaving early can help you fix a pattern like being late without beating yourself up.  To round out the wellness side, I share why I’m working with Life Real Wellness in Danville, California, located at 4155 Blackhawk Plaza Circle, Suite 101, Danville, CA 94506 (925-489-2215, lifereal.com). They offer holistic health and beauty services like cryotherapy, red light therapy, lymphatic drainage, infrared sauna, skin care, and more, plus detailed testing that can help you understand food sensitivities and other triggers while you build a stronger routine. Subscribe for more Mindful Monday and Wisdom Wellness Wednesday, then share this with someone who needs a nudge to get prepared and leave a review with your emergency plan must-haves or your best interview 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

  2. Jul 21

    I Turn 58 And Choose Gratitude Every Morning

    Send us Fan Mail Turning 58 hit me in a surprising way: it didn’t make me want a bigger to-do list, it made me want a deeper thank-you list. After being MIA for a minute (birthday week, family time, and a truly chaotic July), I’m back for a short Mindful Monday check-in that’s all about building an attitude of gratitude that actually sticks. I talk through what gratitude looks like for me right now, from the basics like waking up and breathing, to having a voice, a body that can move, work that keeps me grounded, and the people and pets I love. I also share how I use morning affirmations to set my mindset before the day starts pulling on my attention. If you’ve been feeling stressed by the world or worn down by nonstop noise, this is a simple mindfulness routine you can try immediately. I keep it honest, too: I’m dealing with an autoimmune flare that makes it hard to talk, so this one is short and real. I’d love to hear from you, so drop a comment with what you’re grateful for, whether you recite affirmations when you wake up, and how your summer is going. If this helps you, please subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more people can find the show. 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

  3. Jul 7

    What If Being Heard Is The Whole Point

    Send us Fan Mail A calm Fourth of July memory can turn into a full-blown “did that really just happen?” moment in seconds and that’s exactly where we start. I’m sharing our family holiday highlights, from being together with both my kids to a day at the Alameda County Fair that ends with a sky ride surprise: a bag drops midair with my shoes and water inside. Nobody gets hurt, thank goodness, but it’s the kind of comical chaos you never forget and yes, it’s heading toward viral TikTok territory.  From there, I open up a Mindful Monday topic that’s been changing the way I talk to my husband: feminine energy and masculine energy, and the role validation plays in helping a woman feel safe and heard. I walk through what I learned from my daughter Brooklyn, her boyfriend AJ, and their therapist, then share a real example of how dismissiveness can sting when I’m dealing with autoimmune pain and oral lichen planus (OLP). The shift is simple but powerful: state the feeling clearly instead of only telling the story, then invite a validating response that meets the moment with empathy.  We also talk about what it’s like to retrain your brain later in life, especially after years of single motherhood, and how both partners can learn new patterns together. If you’ve ever wondered why one small comment can hit so hard, or how to ask for what you need without starting a fight, you’ll get practical language you can try right away.  Subscribe to the podcast, share it with a friend, and leave a rating or review so more listeners can find Mindful Mondays and Wisdom Wellness Wednesdays. What’s your Fourth of July tradition, and what does “validation” look like in your relationship? 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

    What If Being Heard Is The Whole Point
  4. Jun 30

    You Do Not Have To Be Perfect To Connect

    Send us Fan Mail Authenticity is getting harder to find and that is exactly why it is starting to feel like luxury. When everything online can be filtered, curated, or even generated by AI, showing up as your real self becomes a bold choice and a gift to the people listening. I lean into what we are all seeing right now: the growing pull toward creators who share the messy kitchen, the aging face, the imperfect moment, and the honest story that makes us feel less alone. We also talk about aging and reinvention, because the pressure to “slow down” after a certain age is loud and persistent. I push back on the idea that your best chapters have a deadline. Whether you are in your 50s, 60s, 70s, or beyond, growth does not expire and joy does not require permission. I share why this message hits home for me personally and ask a question that might unlock something for you: what dream have you been putting off because you thought you were too old? Then we shift to artificial intelligence and the reality that AI-generated videos, voices, and images are getting more convincing by the day. Rather than fear, we focus on mindfulness: pausing before we react, questioning what we consume, and verifying what we share. Most of all, we remember what technology cannot replace: genuine human connection, empathy, compassion, and lived experience. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs a reminder to be real, stay curious, and live true. Subscribe, leave a review, and tell me what authenticity looks like in your life right now. 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

    You Do Not Have To Be Perfect To Connect
  5. Jun 25

    Wisdom Wellness Wednesday shares Advanced Non Invasive Treatments for Your Health

    Send us Fan Mail Ever feel like you’re doing all the “right” things and your body still has notes? We’re keeping it real on Wisdom Wellness Wednesday: summer break brain, a cowgirl hat saving a messy hair grow-out, and a wellness reset that’s equal parts discipline and curiosity. I walk through what consistency looks like for me right now. High protein, minimal carbs, a gallon of water, strength training every other day, intermittent fasting, and the humbling truth that progress can be slower than our patience.  Then we get into the interesting part: how modern wellness technology can support the basics instead of replacing them. I share why I’m trying services like lymphatic drainage, vibration plate work, and red light therapy, plus testing that can uncover inflammation triggers, gut biome issues, and food sensitivities. I also shout out the experience of being cared for by knowledgeable, encouraging staff, because feeling supported can be the difference between quitting and staying consistent. If you’re searching for alternative medicine tools that fit into a practical health plan, you’ll get plenty to think about.  We close with a dating-app question that stings: what do you do when you’re vibing for 30, 60, even 90 days and then they suddenly choose travel or a big move instead of building a relationship? I share how I think about the “lesson,” what questions can help earlier, and why you shouldn’t default to blaming yourself. Listen through, then subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review. What’s one wellness tool or one dating question you swear by? 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

  6. Jun 18

    Touch Hunger Explained And How To Meet The Need Safely

    Send us Fan Mail Touch hunger is one of those concepts that can stop you in your tracks because it names what so many of us feel but struggle to explain. When your body goes without safe, nourishing physical contact for long enough, the impact can show up in surprising ways: emotional numbness, feeling disconnected from your body, craving closeness but not knowing what kind, or even feeling overwhelmed when touch is offered.  We dig into what touch hunger is, why it is not always obvious, and why it can be especially layered for neurodivergent, disabled, or trauma-impacted people. Touch can be regulating and also too much. Desire for connection does not always match capacity for it. And caring touch is not the same thing as intimate touch, which opens up more compassionate options for partners and families with different needs. I also share how this hits close to home in my own marriage, where sensory challenges and love languages can collide.  You will also hear practical, body-based tools for nervous system support when other people are not available for touch, including self-touch, grounding practices, and deep pressure supports like weighted blankets and vests. We talk about allowing grief for what has not been met without turning it into shame, plus a broader reminder to listen to your body for what it needs, whether that is rest, nourishment, or connection. If this resonates, listen, share it with someone who might need it, and please subscribe, leave a rating, and drop a comment with your thoughts or questions. 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

  7. Jun 11

    Speak To Your Brain In Positive Terms To Move Forward

    Send us Fan Mail Your brain doesn’t ignore negativity, it rehearses it. The wild part is how often we accidentally program ourselves with “don’t,” “stop,” and “I can’t” then wonder why we feel stuck. After a brief break to reset and take on a new creative project, we’re back for Wisdom Wellness Wednesday with a practical mindset conversation about moving forward through acceptance. We unpack why wording matters, from “don’t eat that cheesecake” to “don’t look at that dog,” and how positive self-talk gives your mind a clear direction. From there, we walk through seven things worth accepting if you want more peace and less mental drag: letting go without losing your memories, releasing what you can’t control, and choosing growth over obsession. We also talk relationships in a real-life way, because sometimes the issue isn’t winning the argument, it’s deciding what you can live with and what needs to change. The most personal moments land around forgiveness and guilt, including a story about loss and the hard work of forgiving yourself. We also get into what it looks like to create space for new experiences, like trying something new together instead of repeating the same routines. The thread that ties it all together is simple: you’re not a thermometer reacting to everything around you, you’re the thermostat deciding what you allow to shape your day. If this gave you a reset, subscribe so you don’t miss the next one, share it with a friend who’s been feeling stuck, and leave a quick review to help more people find the show. 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

  8. May 26

    Mindful Monday On True Love And Relationship Red Flags

    Send us Fan Mail If love is supposed to feel like home, why does it sometimes feel like you’re disappearing inside your own life? On this Mindful Monday, we take a clear-eyed look at true love versus false love and the subtle relationship red flags that can hide behind chemistry, history, and familiarity. I recorded this on Memorial Day, and that sense of gratitude and perspective sets the tone for a short, honest reflection on what we tolerate and why. We sit with a Carl Jung quote about two personalities meeting and both being transformed, then we get specific about what “transformation” should actually look like in a healthy relationship. If you feel smaller, quieter, or more anxious than you were at the start, that’s not growth, it’s erosion. We also pull in Oscar Wilde’s reminder that real love sees you fully, without managing you, minimizing you, or making you feel like you’re too much. When you find yourself shrinking to keep someone comfortable, it’s worth asking whether you’re calling familiarity “love” because it’s known, not because it’s safe. We close with Maya Angelou’s hard truth about not making someone a priority when you’re only an option, plus a simple mindfulness-based test: peace. If the connection keeps you guessing, waiting, or questioning your worth at 2 a.m., you may be learning a lesson, not building a life. If this resonates, share it with someone who needs a reset, and please subscribe, leave a review, and drop a comment with what hit you the hardest. 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 https://linktr.ee/lovemyartist ig:aestheticrngoddess persimmon.life/p/1369/jiz-j

    Mindful Monday On True Love And Relationship Red Flags

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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.