My Simplified Life Michelle Glogovac

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Globeck interviews Steve Hoffman, a tax preparer turned memoirist. Steve shares his unique dual career, how he transitioned from language and literature studies to tax preparation, and his family's adventurous decision to move to a small village in southern France. His recent memoir, A Season for That: Lost and Found In The Other Southern France, is a deep dive into their experiences living abroad, the challenges they faced, and the growth they experienced as a family.
 
What we’re talking about
The interesting parallels between mastering language grammar and understanding tax codes
The importance of immersing oneself in a new culture when living abroad
The value of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown 
The interesting parallels between mastering language grammar and understanding tax codes
Steve's language and literature studies background laid a foundation for his tax preparation career, a connection most wouldn't typically make. He shares how his love for the linear rule-based elements of grammar translates to understanding and applying the United States tax code. His ability to empathize, listen, and translate complex tax language into plain English for his clients underscores the significance of his humanities training in his work.
The importance of immersing oneself in a new culture when living abroad
The Hoffmans' move to a small village in southern France wasn't just a geographical change but a cultural immersion. Steve and his family were initially outsiders in the tight-knit community of 800 residents, but their determination to be part of the community gradually earned them acceptance. This experience underscores the importance of immersing oneself in a new culture when living abroad rather than merely observing from a distance.
The value of stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing the unknown
Lastly, Steve emphasizes the value of stepping out of his comfort zone, which didn't just help him integrate into the local community but also enriched his family's experience. From volunteering at the local butcher shop to participating in grape harvesting, Steve's actions reflect a willingness to embrace and learn from the unknown. This mindset is a powerful takeaway for anyone facing new and unfamiliar situations.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
A Season For That: Lost and Found In The Other Southern France by Steve Hoffman
https://bookshop.org/a/99223/9780593240281
Steve Hoffman’s Website
https://www.sjrhoffman.com/

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac is joined by Sarah Ezrin, author of The Yoga of Parenting, long-time yoga educator, and maternal mental health advocate. Sarah shares her journey from working in the movie business to becoming a yoga teacher after discovering yoga at age 19 and finding it life-changing. She talks about the philosophy and practice of yoga as a holistic approach to life, not just a set of physical exercises. She also discusses her advocacy work, openly speaking about mental health challenges, especially for mothers, and the impact of sharing personal experiences on social media.
 
What we’re talking about
The transformative power of yoga as a holistic practice
The importance of speaking up about mental health challenges
The impact of sharing personal experiences on social media
The transformative power of yoga as a holistic practice. 
Sarah Ezrin had a life-changing experience with yoga at 19, eventually leading her to leave her job in the movie business and become a yoga teacher. For Sarah, yoga is much more than just a set of physical exercises; it's a holistic approach to life that involves cultivating a connection with oneself and the world around us.
The importance of speaking up about mental health challenges. 
Sarah openly talks about her mental health challenges, both as an individual and as a mother. She believes that speaking up has provided a space for others to also stand in their truth. This has led her to realize that her work also constitutes advocacy – creating and raising awareness about the challenges of American motherhood.
The impact of sharing personal experiences on social media. 
Sarah shares her experiences and thoughts candidly on social media. While she admits that negative comments can affect her, she continues to show up and speak her truth. She views social media as a global platform where she can connect with like-minded people who can relate to her experiences and support her.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Sarah Ezrin’s Instagram 
http://instagram.com/sarahezrinyoga/
Sarah Ezrin’s TikTok
https://www.tiktok.com/@sarahezrin?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Sarah Ezrin’s YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9UcjY-WVb_TxrPVCBXykVw
The Yoga of Parenting by Sarah Ezrin
http://yogaofparentingbook.com/
 

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac discusses the topic of living life to its fullest with guest Jodi Wellman, author of You Only Die Once. They explore the concept of mortality as a motivator to pursue what truly matters and to stop tolerating things that don't bring joy or value to our lives.
 
What we’re talking about
The concept of mortality as a motivator
The importance of not tolerating things that don't bring us joy or value
The concept of "living" rather than just "existing"
Mortality as a Motivator In her book You Only Die Once, Jodi Wellman encourages people to view the inevitability of death not as something grim but as a motivator to live life to its fullest. Michelle and Jodi discuss the idea of having a finite amount of time on earth and how this can be a driving force to pursue what truly matters.
Stop Tolerating A key theme discussed in this episode is the idea of tolerating things in life that don't bring us joy or value. Michelle and Jodi emphasize the importance of standing up for ourselves and refusing to settle for less than what we deserve, whether in our personal relationships, jobs, or even our day-to-day routines.
Living vs. Existing The conversation concludes with a profound discussion of the difference between "living" and "existing." Jodi and Michelle explore the idea that many people simply exist, going through the motions of life without truly living. They argue that we should aim for a life well-lived, which requires effort, planning, and sometimes stepping out of our comfort zones.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Jodi Wellman’s Website
https://fourthousandmondays.com
You Only Die Once by Jodi Wellman
https://fourthousandmondays.com/book/

In this solo episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac discusses the emergent concept of 'podfluencers' - individuals who leverage their platforms as podcast hosts to influence listeners and followers. She cites a recent Spotify survey highlighting the growing reach and impact of podcasts and the increasing trust listeners place in the hosts.
 
What we’re talking about
The rise of Podfluencers: Podcast hosts are now influencers who can promote products, services, or ideas to their listeners.
The power of podcasts: Podcasts allow hosts to connect intimately with listeners, building trust and credibility.
Global reach: Podcasts can reach an international audience, transcending geographical boundaries and connecting people worldwide.
The Rise of Podfluencers
On the rise of Podfluencers, Michelle speaks about how podcast hosts have become influential figures. As 'Podfluencers', they have the power to sway their listeners, much like how social media influencers have been doing for years.
The Power of Podcasts
The power of podcasts is another key point Michelle emphasizes. She talks about how the intimate nature of podcasts allows hosts to build a deep, trusting relationship with their listeners. This trust extends to the products, books, or services the host promotes, making podcasts an effective platform for promotion.
Global Reach
Michelle also touches on the global reach of podcasts. The fact that people worldwide are listening to podcasts based in other parts of the world is a testament to the unifying power of this medium. Whether you're a podcast host or guest, the potential to make a significant impact by sharing your story or knowledge is vast and global.
LINKS MENTIONED
Spotify Survey
https://bit.ly/4bG0eVM

In this episode of My Simplified Life, Michelle Glogovac invites Alyssa Jarrett, a romance author and tech marketer. The conversation covers Alyssa's journey from climbing the corporate ladder to becoming a self-employed author. Alyssa discusses her debut novel, Love Actually, and how she uses her marketing skills to promote her book and the gender dynamics in the tech industry.
What we’re talking about
The importance of balancing mental health and creativity.
Marketing principles apply regardless of what product you're selling.
You're not going to be everyone's cup of tea - and that's okay.
The importance of balancing mental health and creativity 
Alyssa shares her experience of taking a sabbatical at the start of 2022 for her mental health and how this transitioned into self-employment, giving her more freedom and flexibility to balance her life.
Alyssa uses her marketing background to promote her book 
She explains how the fundamental principles of marketing apply regardless of what product you're selling. Building an audience, sparking conversation, and delivering a product worth paying for are crucial steps in this process.
Not everyone will resonate with your work, and that's okay 
The process of finding your target reader involves receiving critical feedback. Alyssa stresses the importance of identifying and understanding your target reader to ensure your work lands with the right audience.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Alyssa Jarrett’s Website 
https://www.alyssajarrett.com/ 
Alyssa’s Substack newsletter, Grumpy + Sunshine 
https://alyssajarrett.substack.com/ 
Alyssa’s Instagram 
https://www.instagram.com/authoralyssajarrett/ 
Alyssa’s Threads 
https://www.threads.net/@authoralyssajarrett 
Alyssa’s TikTok 
https://www.tiktok.com/@authoralyssajarrett 
Alyssa’s LinkedIn 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alyssajarrett/ 
Love Apptually on Amazon https://www.amazon.com/stores/Alyssa-Jarrett/author/B0CVGJNKM5 
Alyssa’s Goodreads 
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/48495679.Alyssa_Jarrett 

In this episode of My Simplified Life, host Michelle Glogovac interviews author Jane L. Rosen. Jane shares her journey into writing, her unique approach to crafting her novels, and the joys of motherhood. She discusses her latest book, Seven Summer Weekends, and provides listeners with valuable insights into her creative process and how she draws inspiration from her life experiences.
 
What we’re talking about
The Writing Journey: Jane didn't start her writing career until later in life, proving that it's never too late to follow your passion.
The Power of Place: Fire Island, where Jane spent summers with her family, plays a vital role in her books.
Motherhood and Creativity: Raising her three daughters is Jane's proudest achievement, and her family life has significantly influenced her writing.
The Writing Journey
Jane's writing journey is a testament that it's never too late to follow your passion. After a successful career in the garment industry, she turned to writing and has since published multiple books. Jane's story encourages listeners to pursue their dreams no matter the stage of life they're in.
The Power of Place
Fire Island, a place close to Jane's heart, serves as the setting for her books. She knows the place intimately, which allows her to create realistic and immersive environments for her readers. This highlights how real-life experiences and places can enrich a writer's work.
Motherhood and Creativity
Jane's proudest achievement, motherhood, also plays a significant role in her writing. Her experiences as a mother have influenced her books, adding depth and realism to her characters. This point underscores the idea that personal experiences can enhance creativity and inspire compelling storytelling.
 
LINKS MENTIONED
Jane L. Rosen’s Website
www.janelrosen.com
Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen
https://amzn.to/3QZUgqr