Have you ever met someone who makes you say “I’ll have what she’s having”? Well, Sarah’s one of those people.

Today, I am talking with Sarah Schmidt about her “Wholey Schmidt” moments in life and how she’s arrived at the freest and most joyful she’s ever felt.

Sarah is the host of the podcast, Wholey Schmidt, holds a PsyD in Clinical Psychology, a Masters in Pastoral Counseling, a Health Coach certification, and is a successful investor and philanthropist as well. Whew!

We chat about her cancer diagnosis in young adulthood, how it changed her, what life has looked like since, and how she arrived at what she feels is her best life at the age of 53.

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In this week’s episode, I’m finally sharing my experience of living in Colorado this past spring. We learned a lot, loved a lot of things, and also had our share of disappointments. But I would do it all over again and plan to next spring!

We were able to be only an hour from our boys during their college baseball season (they played on the same team!) and it was such a memorable time for our family.

I’m giving you a glimpse of what life was like living in two different rental homes as well as how we spent our time when we weren’t watching baseball or working.

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In today’s episode, I’m sharing what I think may be the hardest task I’ve ever undertaken: learning how to love myself. I’ve spent my entire life trying to learn how to love deeply (especially myself), and I found a book recently that’s helping me put this task back on my radar.

The reason I want to focus on learning to love myself is so that I can better love others in my life. I know it’s a significant obstacle to having the type of relationships I desire, deepening the ones I currently have, and in how I show up for myself.

I’m sharing what book I’m reading and what I’ve read so far that’s made the biggest impact.

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Today, I’m sharing a brief recap of my yoga and meditation retreat in Panama. Ironically, the yoga and meditation ended up not being the main events for me.

I walked away with some unexpected gifts from places, people, situations, and even disappointments. I hope you take a listen and perhaps my experience may help you reframe something you might be going through now or down the road.

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I am so very honored to have THE Libby DeLana on the podcast today.

I’ve been admiring her for a long time for how she shows up in her life—for herself, for her friends, for her community, and out in the wild, wild world.

Libby is a creative director, author, cold joy enthusiast (listen to the episode to figure out what that means!), world traveler, adventure seeker, daily walker, fly fisher, podcaster, aspiring pilot…the list goes on and on.

Today, we talk about the inspiration behind her daily walks, why she continues to do it, her travels, her methods and mindset to overcome hard things, and so much more.

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I used to let fear run my life and not in a good way. (Yes, there's a good way to use fear.)

I avoided things that I was afraid of: deep water, confrontation, sucking at something, and speaking in front of people.

It wasn't until I let that fear guide me that I found true empowerment in my life.

Don't get me wrong--I'm still afraid of many things but I no longer allow that fear to keep me from doing hard things in my life. It actually serves as a guide as to what I need to explore.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing stories of what I’ve been fearful of and how I used to to help me rather than hinder my life.

Let me know over on Substack or in the comments a fear you’ve used to find empowerment in your own life.

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This week I’m sharing about our time in Colorado (we’re renting for 2.5 months!) and how I’m retraining my brain to search for the things I want in life rather than spending all its time conversing energy. I want it to spend energy helping me, not hurting me.

Come listen to see what I’m talking about and how you may be able to do the same.

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Today, I’m sharing more about an upcoming “adventure” we’re having and how it’s part of my search for “home".

I’m excited for what I’m about to embark on and what it may show me about what “home” looks like, feels like, or where it might be. There’s only one way to find out so come along with me as I share where I’m headed for the next six weeks!

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Peptide therapy is being touted as the next health “hack” out there but I consider it to be more like a way to fix a broken system.

I share the what and the why behind starting peptide therapy, my personal experience with it, and why my experience is vastly different than what we’ve been told in mainstream media.

This is not medical advice nor a recommendation to start but it is an honest conversation about my own experience with peptide therapy.

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I’m sharing a bit of how The Friendship Project is going and don’t worry, if you don’t know what that is, I share it in this episode as a refresher. I’m also sharing an A-HA I recently had from a Substack post I read about why friction in our friendships is vital to their health.

I think so many of us are feeling alone right now and we may be causing our own pain without even realizing it!

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We’ve all heard this phrase over and over throughout our lives as if it’s the only way to live. But what if I told you it’s actually not good for your health? I KNOW! We’ve been lied to all these years!

Chasing happy isn’t the way but in today’s episode, I’m sharing what I’ve learned IS the way to getting exactly what we want out of life.

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I’m not releasing an AWEd Life episode this week because I’m over on Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendships instead!

Here's the description from Nina about the podcast:

Are you (or a friend) considering a sober curious lifestyle?

Do you know someone who has adopted a “sober curious” lifestyle? Perhaps it’s a pivot you’ve been considering for yourself? The term is usually credited to Ruby Warrington, author of Sober Curious: The Blissful Sleep, Greater Focus, Limitless Presence, and Deep Connection Awaiting Us All on the Other Side of Alcohol.

“Sober curious” means you’re curious about how much you’re drinking and how your health, relationships, and work and more might change without alcohol, even if you don’t have an addiction.

Today’s guest, writer and podcaster, Hallie Sawyer, began a sober curious journey several years ago and is here to give Dear Nina listeners an honest account of how it began and why she has stayed completely committed to avoiding alcohol years later.

FIND EPISODE #130 on Apple, Spotify, Youtube, and anywhere you listen to podcasts!

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I LOVED social media when it first came onto the internet and phone app scene. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were my happy places. I was keeping in touch with college friends, meeting writers and other creatives, and getting inspired daily in these spaces. Until I wasn’t.

Today, I talk honestly about my disenchantment as of late and I’m sure I’m not the only one. I share my struggles with giving it up entirely but also why I’m pulling waaaaay back from it all.

I’d love to hear how you’re navigating it all or if you’ve given it up yourself. Come find me at the various places below and let’s chat after the podcast!

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Today, I’m sharing a personal story about my experience with a parent with mental cognitive decline and how it actually turned out to be a gift in disguise.

I know that may sound strange but you’ll have to listen to my story to understand what I mean. And if you find yourself in the same situation someday, maybe this will give you a silver lining to your story as well.

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In this episode, I shared what Thanksgiving has become for me (hint: it’s not the whitewashed story of Pilgrims and Native Americans living in harmony) as well as how and why I’m learning to be thankful for all of life’s challenges.

I’m super curious if any of this conversation resonates with you so PLEASE come over to our private community on Substack to chat. I would love to hear your thoughts!

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In today’s episode, I’m sharing how I’ve been processing the past few weeks. Emotions are all over the place so I’m relying on the tried and true tools as well as some new ones to help me get back to center. (I’m still unsure where that is these days.)

When emotions run high, we often reach for things to numb out, help push them down, or “just get through”. I did that for years, and it never made me feel better. It only delayed the inevitable tidal wave of feelings that were irrelevant to time and place.

I’m sharing a few things that are working for me and I hope they’ll be helpful for you as well. Finding our way back to center is vital to our emotional well-being but allowing ourselves (and others) to “be in our feelings” is also important.

You’re never alone in how you feel and having people in your life who listen and support you in hard times is life-saving.

All women are welcome in the AWEd AF community.

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My guest, Ann Imig, has been in various roles throughout her life: a performer, blogger, writer, mother, and now coach, which she says is where she feels the most flow.

She is a positive psychology coach who aims to help others shift their minds, disrupt their stress, and lean into their strengths to better enjoy today.

I can’t think of a better time to have this conversation than right now so please take a listen and share with a friend who may need a little push toward positive thoughts right now. Help is just a click away.

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Today, of all days, is the perfect day to start a meditation practice and I’ve got one that’s super easy.

It’s a way to show loving kindness to yourself and others at the same time.

You can control how you feel at any given moment or space in time and this is one of the tools I’ve found to help me which only takes a few minutes to do.

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