I somehow got my long-time friend Amanda Frost to agree to come on, and I think you’ll be glad I did. In this light-hearted - yet substantive - conversation, we cover quite a bit of ground. After revealing our real reasons for posting outfits of the day on social media, we continue on to chat about the importance of:

• immunizing yourself against shifting trends and opinions by determining what works for you

• identifying what works for you and what doesn’t, from your personal aesthetic to your ideology to your lifestyle

• allowing flexibility in your perspectives and routines

• investing continually in your self and your craft

• communicating directly

• discovering it’s less about looking good, and more about feeling good

• recognizing and appreciating beauty in everyone

As Amanda framed it, this was simply a play date - and you’re invited.

Follow Amanda on Instagram @amandafrostbeauty

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist

Visit https://clearstem.com/?ref=eubxjtws and use code WHITNEYRICHARDS for 15% off!

In this short solo episode, I tackle the timeless, universal question of how to live a balanced and fulfilled life. Easily done in 30 minutes, right? Despite the little time, I cover big ground and offer important distinctions that may seem minor, but actually make all the difference: when to push and when to pivot; how to integrate discipline and rest; and how to differentiate between self worth and self confidence. I also present a pretty convincing (if I do say so myself) re-frame for why you should shoot your shot, no matter how many similar products are on the market, no matter how many like thoughts are in the literature, and no matter how many fish are in the sea.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist

The book I reference is Worthy: How to Believe You Are Enough and Transform Your Life by Jamie Kern Lima.

Visit https://clearstem.com/?ref=eubxjtws and use code WHITNEYRICHARDS for 15% off!

xo

w

In this playful and inspiring episode, I sit down with competitive adult gymnast Peyton Kiggins. Daring to defy society’s age limits, Peyton shares why she re-entered competitive gymnastics, and how she’s a stronger competitor now than when she was younger. Peyton tells us how she stays fit mentally and physically, and what she does to minimize injury and maximize growth and FUN. She highlights the crucial role of playfulness, and offers a helpful and empowering re-frame for failure. She exemplifies how we can do far more than we think - and are often told - we can. Peyton’s approach to gymnastics - and life in general - is remarkably healthy, balanced, and motivating. Listen, and you’ll see what I mean.

Find Peyton on Instagram @peytonamore

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist

We’re constantly encouraged to have a growth mindset; to be disciplined; to always strive to improve and to evolve, in virtually every area of life. But can that ever be taken too far? How do you know when it’s become problematic? What can you do to prevent that? Is there ever a time when a growth mindset is not appropriate or beneficial? What is true growth?

In this solo episode, I highlight red flags to be aware of and questions to consider when setting goals and seeking your highest self. I offer a re-definition of your actual highest self, and explore the importance of self-trust. I differentiate between discipline and dogmatism, and propose how to own your routine (rather than it owning you). I explain why rigid rules are common for those with conditions such as ADHD and eating disorders, and what that rigidity indicates. I reveal the reasoning of why I chose The Nativist brand name, and how I feel about it now.

It’s all so simple, yet so complex. C’est la vie.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist

Love. Communication. Discipline. Respect. Resilience. Adaptability. Empathy. Humility. Tenacity. Curiosity. Patience. Consideration. All key words for parenting and for life, and how you apply them matters.

In this episode Byron + Ashley Hunt share how they fostered healthy cohesion while nurturing individual empowerment  - for themselves + their kids. They reveal how they became a close family team that shows up for each other in every way.

They tell us what made the difference for them in cultivating a family that genuinely respects + supports each other.

Their approach contains heavy-hitting life lessons for ALL of us. Worth listening to even if you’re not a parent. Worth listening to if you’re a human who values connection.

Connect with me on Facebook and Instagram @the_nativist

The books we reference in the show:

• The Boy Crisis: Why Our Boys Are Struggling and What We Can Do About It by Warren Farrell and John Gray

• The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt

• Way of the Warrior Kid: From Wimpy to Warrior the Navy SEAL Way by Jocko Willink

What. A. Story. From go go dancing to going the distance, Shauna Aranton’s life reads like a movie, full of dramatic moments and life lessons.

In this episode, Shauna shares her journey of learning to stay and fight for what she wants rather than fleeing from what she doesn’t, whether it’s a relationship, a career, or anything else. She now has the career and marriage of her dreams, but they came through grit, determination, and hard work. And this girl on fire isn’t done: Shauna is still in hot pursuit of achieving her ultimate dream of becoming a nurse practitioner and earning a PhD so she may further help the kids of Nevada. She also speaks on working in a hospital in the midst of a pandemic, and the stress that incurs. Healthcare workers are true angels.

It’s a fun, easy, entertaining, INSPIRING listen.

You can find Shauna on Instagram at @shaunaleesinner

If you listen, like, and are so inclined, I would truly appreciate if you subscribe/rate/review!

Thank you!

Finally sat down with the man on the move, Charlie Roberts, to chat about life and how he’s lived it.

Charlie has worked with some major names in music and media, and I admire his drive, his commitment, his audacity, his generosity, and his humility. (I personally benefitted from his expertise when he helped me choose new podcasting equipment. He rules.)

We talk about the trip of growing up in a small town, leaving it to pursue work in the big city, and then returning to the small town. We talk about the creative mind and process, and tips for leveraging it. And my personal favorite, we talk about releasing your ego, while working and while interacting with others. Committing to and taking pride in your work, whether you’re sweeping the floor or running the show.

If you’re looking for an easy yet motivating listen, this is it.

You can find Charlie on:

Instagram: @aycharlie

Facebook: @Charlie Roberts

The topic for this episode was requested by a listener, and what a hard-hitting topic it is, that encompasses so much. The full request was for motivation and showing up for yourself, and this episode covers both, since they’re closely related. This is especially relevant for me as I get back into podcasting. Podcasting elates and fulfills me, but I tend to resist what I know is good for me, and what I know will make me happy, as a form of self sabotage. As if I’m only comfortable when there’s some discomfort. I’m okay with a certain amount of success and wellbeing, but too much and I run scared. It throws me.

I’m progressively mastering navigating this. Knowing when to exercise discipline and push through, and when to grant grace and respite. It’s a journey.

Everybody is different. We’re all in different places on the balance spectrum, and require different lifestyles to balance us. We’re also motivated differently: some intrinsically, some extrinsically. Some derive fuel from the haters and doubters, some withdraw.

Self awareness is key: We need to reflect and do our shadow work and level with ourselves, to know what drives and motivates us, and to know when to use discipline, and when to use grace. To know where to step it up + venture out (literally/figuratively) and where to pump the brakes and ease up. 

I share many of my self-motivating practices and life hacks, to light and maintain my fire. Some of these might surprise you.

Showing up for yourself varies not only interpersonally (among people), but also intrapersonally (with yourself). It’ll likely vary decade to decade, phase to phase, year to year, season to season, month to month, day to day, hour to hour, even minute to minute. Our values shift, our priorities change. Mine definitely have, (especially since COVID). 

We’re growing, evolving (at least hopefully!) beings who don’t live in a vacuum. We don’t control others, and we don’t control what happens to us. 

Being open to it all, accepting, and flowing with it is a main theme of my work. Attending to your ultimate good, and the highest good for all, won’t look the same now as it did before - for you or for anyone else. 

That’s why it’s important to stay connected, especially with yourself. Again, self awareness is CRUCIAL. Powerful. Transformative. Identifying what motivates you. What lights you up. Dialing into why you’re doing what you’re doing, why you’re feeling what you’re feeling, what you need vs. what you think you need. If any wounds/insecurities are calling the shots. When you need to push through and when you need to pull back. When you should contract, when you should expand. When you should pivot and redirect, and when you should stay the course. 

So tune into yourself. Get to know yourself Identify your thought patterns, particularly those based in fear. Understand why you do what you do and think what you think, to help you recognize when you’re being led by fear/trauma, and when you’re being led by intuition/wisdom. Practice separating from your thoughts, your mental narrative. Get comfortable dialing into your core, your true self, your inner wisdom. You know what you need. You always have, and you always will. It’s simply a matter of you holding space for yourself to acknowledge and honor your inner guidance. 

I love you.

Images by Whitney Ann Photography

In this episode, I sit down with Jason Brubaker, a remarkably talented digital artist, graphic novelist, self-published author, and YouTube personality. Jason is at the top of his game, having worked for DreamWorks Animation on such films as the Kung Fu Panda trilogy, Blade, Pitch Black, and Van Helsing, The Croods, Penguins, and Captain Underpants. After almost 20 years in Hollywood, Jason decided to leave and focus on his own graphic novels full time in 2015, for which his thousands of devoted fans are grateful. His first book reMIND won the Xeric grant and got on the Great Graphic Novels for Teens List in 2012.

During this inspiring conversation, Jason speaks to the vulnerability of creativity and originality, the importance of discipline and consistency, and the power of initiative and self belief. Jason shares how resiliency and focus have led him to a life doing what he loves.

Even if you’re not a wildly successful artist like Jason, trust me - this episode will still resonate with and inspire you.

You can find Jason at the following:

Instagram: @jason_brubaker

YouTube

Thanks for checking out my channel. To become a patreon and get free comics and demos, join here: http://patreon.com/jasonbrubaker

Website: http://CoffeeTableComics.com Online Store: http://ctc.storenvy.com Gumroad Store: https://gumroad.com/jasonbrubaker Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JasonBrubaker Twitter @Jason_Brubaker Instagram: @Jason_Brubaker Read Sithrah: http://www.webtoons.com/en/fantasy/sithrah/list?title_no=524 Read reMIND: http://reMINDblog.com

Join his mailing list: http://forms.aweber.com/form/83/537144983.htmFlu