Halloween re-cap, this week in podcasting, and an Advent Calendar in 7QT's

1. 
Ok you guys. Don't judge me, but this song has been playing on repeat in my house all week.  I just have to share it!! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKu3QjOBJW0

2. 
I am still thinking about how fun Halloween was last weekend with Mia.  We started the night off with a potluck neighborhood block party, and then went out trick-or-treating like it was our j-o-b.

I think maybe because I had Zero expectation for Mia having very much fun, is why when she started having fun, it was SO MUCH FUN!  

After her first few houses, she started getting the hang of it and  r u n n i n g  up to the houses with her little candy bag in hand.  The funny thing was, she didn't know it was candy! She just thought it was fun to grab these wrapper things out of other people's baskets.  She would keep grabbing one-by-one until she got cut off.  It was so funny.

Yes I am wearing shorts and a tank top on Halloween night.  I, too, think this is crazy.

I'm still sad she refused to wear the first costume I bought for her this year...she was just the cutest little unhappy ladybug. 

3. 
On the Podcast this week, Bonnie Engstrom shares her amazing miracle story, along with a fun conversation about blogging!!  She ends with 5 blogging tips.  She's so awesome.

She gives a super funny rendition on her blog of the hilariousness going on at her house during the interview.  It truly was very funny as it all happened, because of course there's just nothing you can do!  All the noise gave me a fun peak into what a house with many kids sounds like...and I loved it. :)

4. 
Next week - on the Podcast - you guys.  It is going to be another amazing episode.  My heart is literally bursting at the seams.  I can't tell you who it is yet, but I can tell you that you are going to Love It.

For any of you who went to college with me, you may get a hint from this photo, dug up from the deep college photo abyss. 

 Little Flowers - May 2005

And that's all I'll tell you.

5.
My last podcast take and then I promise to move on, but I am just so so excited that This Inspired Life made it to #1 on Christianity's New & Noteworthy!! <<Photo evidence to keep tucked near my heart forever because I'm such a nerd, of course.

Thank you SO MUCH to everyone who has helped spread the word!!! I am just blown away. Thank You Thank You!!!


6. 
Another super fun announcement. So for the past few Advents I have been looking for just the right kind of calendar for me.  One that is beautiful, decorative, and that also includes the daily mass readings. All-In-One.

Well everybody, I thought about it all year, and then finally decided a month ago to just make my own.

Eek!  I am so excited about it.  My amazing and talented friend Clarissa created the artwork, and on the backs are the daily Gospel readings and a short reflection by me.  I am selling it on Etsy, so if you're interested check it out!

7. 
Lastly, a quote by C.S. Lewis about miracles in honor of Bonnie's story she shared on my podcast this week. Because he's so awesome at making me think.

Have an awesome weekend everyone!! And GO ND, BEAT ASU!!!  I'll be there in person since it's here in AZ...pretty much deserves it's own miraculous take.  I have the best husband in the world.

Don't forget to checkout the rest of the Quick Takes at Conversion Diary!  

Driving for 8+ hours with a toddler, desert rain, the podcast, and more!

Well friends, it's been an exciting week.  Let's break it down into Seven Quick Takes..

1. 
The other night I woke up in the middle of the night to a huge rain storm.  I didn't think much of it except - "Yesss.. I don't have to water the plants tomorrow." and then I went back to sleep.

Well, it was apparently a once-every-hundred-years type storm.

Source

2.

And apparently Phoenix is not built for that type of storm.

Source

Because of all this, schools were closed and people stayed home from work! It was a Real Live Arizona Snow Day!

Joel went in to work late so we had a great morning walk around the neighborhood in the post-storm muggy-ness.  I felt like I was back in the Midwest!

3.

And then it rained again the next day and Mia could not be contained.

4.

If you are reading this on the day this post is published, we are up in Telluride, Colorado for a friend's wedding for the weekend!  We went back and forth about the decision to send Joel alone, or if we should just all three go, and we decided we were gonna make a run (drive) for it all together!

This entails an 8-hour road trip (each way) with a toddler, who has never quite been contained for that long of a stretch.  We'll see how it goes!  

I've spent a good amount of time on Pinterest looking up "car trips with 16-month-old" and found some great ideas.  I'll be reporting back when we return!

5.

As many of you may have heard, I launched my podcast this week!!  

And what timing...in the same week that Jen's Sirius XM Radio show launches!  I don't know about you but I'm so excited to listen to her show.  How exciting for the audio content world eh?! ;)

If you want to check my podcast out, you can find it in the iTunes Store by searching This Inspired Life Podcast, or on the iPhone's Podcast App.  Like most podcasts, it's free!

And of course you can listen to it on the website:

www.ThisInspiredLife.net

This is also where the show notes can be found, which include links to things I talked about on the podcast, fun pictures that my guests shared with me, and other related info.

My first two interviews were SO MUCH FUN!

I chatted with Kendra over at CatholicAllYear.com and she graciously agreed to chat with me about how she talks to her kids about the birds and the bees, body parts, etc. (all those awkward things)!

And then I talked with Sheena over at BeanInLoveBlog.com about twins, potty training, and some great budget-friendly DIY tips.

They were so great, especially agreeing to be my first guests with zero other examples to help them know what to expect.  

You should check them out!!   And you guys...the next interviews I have lined up...they are going to be just as awesome.  I can't wait!

6.

If you do listen and you have a second, I would be SO GRATEFUL if you could write a review on iTunes for the show??!!

I am really hoping to make it on the New and Noteworthy section which would allow many more people to find the podcast.  I only have a few weeks to get there before I'm not considered "new" anymore, so I really need your help!

All you have to do is open up the podcast in the iTunes Store, click Ratings and Reviews, choose a star rating and write a teeny tiny sentence.  That's it! 

Again, I would be so grateful if you could help me out with this.  If you have any trouble figuring it out please let me know!

7.

Lastly, I know I've said this in my last post but if you have any ideas for guests, questions to ask (or answer), or subjects to cover I would love to hear it!!  This podcast is for You! :)

Just shoot me an email anytime. I would love to hear from you!

Have an awesome weekend everyone and don't forget to check out the other 7QT's!

Kristin

Podcast Announcement, Creepy Smiles and other Quick Takes!

Joining the party at Jennifer's this week!  



1.
I would first like to set the tone of my 7QT's with my new favorite song.  I may or may not have done a little handle-bar-percussion while listening to this during a workout this week at my very occupied gym.  Endorphins flowing. No shame.  I just love this song! (and *dislike* the video but the "lyrics" versions didn't sound the same - sorry!)

Bastille - Flaws

And this version, less percussion and more strings, gives me the goosebumps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzRBoZb3GKw



2.
Mia (15 1/2 months) has been doing some super funny things lately, including showing off her new dance moves (i.e. turning in a circle). 

Enjoy.


3. 
She has also employed this creepy-smiley look as of late:

I think it falls someplace in between..

and

4. 
For my husband who may or may not have gotten the above reference:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUpxmlZ2hyM

5. 
Ok, now switching gears.  Podcasts.  Some of you may not have heard of them (think: online radio shows), some of you may not care. I'm moving on anyway, because you should Totally Care (respectively)!  They are awesome.  

I love podcasts because:
1. They are free
2. I learn, learn, learn things all the time.  Free education. Easy. 
3. They can also be very entertaining, and for many podcasts that is the main point
4. They help me do two things at once - be entertained, or learn about something, while doing mindless tasks
5. There is a podcast for almost EVERYthing 
6. Podcasts are like what Netflix is to TV - you can listen to what you want, how much you want, whenever you want. 


How do I listen, and When do I find the time to listen to podcasts you may ask?

How: 

• I download them (for free) from iTunes, and then sync them onto my ipod
• I listen to them straight from my laptop's speakers via iTunes
• I stream them on my iphone via the Podcasts App (avail. for ios and android)
• I have also tried the Stitcher app which many people like.  I prefer iTunes because it has the widest selection

When do I find the time??

• Driving
• Washing dishes, making dinner, folding laundry, et.al.
• Walking around the 'hood with Mia
• Working out
• Projects like like painting, sewing, organizing, etc.

Basically, I listen to podcasts generally about 1-2 hours a day. It is sooo much better than turning on the TV, which I tend to do for background noise or while I cook. 



6. 
Even though I've written my favorites list before, it is constantly changing. These are some of my current favorites!

The Art of Simple Podcast (formerly Simple Mom)
Catholic in a Small Town
Smart Passive Income Podcast
How They Blog Podcast
The Break with Fr. Roderick
Freakonomics Radio
and my guilty pleasure...For Crying Out Loud



7.
This all leads me to the announcement (I'm sure you've been biting your nails in anticipation) :

<Wink wink>

I am about to launch my own podcast! 

EEKK!

It's called This Inspired Life and I'm super nervous, but more excited than anything.  I think it'll be sooo fun.  So if you are a fan of podcasts already, or want to give them a try, I hope you will give mine a listen sometime.

I haven't launched yet (planning on late September!) and my website is currently under construction but here's an excerpt from the About page:

About This Inspired Life Podcast:

Being Catholic / Christian is often like swimming upstream.  It's nice to know others are there with you, and that's what this podcast is all about.  We'll discuss things like parenting, marriage, current events, blogging, at-home businesses and writing books all in light of trying to live out our faith.  We'll also have some fun!

And, since it could get boring here all by myself, I have sought out some people who inspire me so I can learn a little something from them. These conversations are a huge part of this podcast, and I'm excited to share them with you.  I hope we all gain enthusiasm, motivation and courage to keep becoming "better versions of ourselves."

Links to the website and where to listen will come soon!  I am currently recording my first few episodes before I release a few at once to start, and am working on some awesome guests.  I hope you will come by and listen!!

Also, if you have any suggestions for content or guests feel free to email me anytime or comment below!  Who would you like to hear me interview??

Email: thisinspiredlifepodcast (at) gmail (dot) com.

Thanks everyone! Have an awesome weekend!!

5 Favorites Vol.3: Podcasts

If you are my husband, co-worker or friend in person, you have probably heard me utter the words,

"So I was listening to this podcast the other day.."
"Oh!  This reminds me of something I heard on a podcast once."
"I learned on a podcast that.."

I love me some podcasts.

I consider myself a constant learner.  An ADD constant learner.  I will be totally engrossed in a subject for an entire day or week, and then completely switch, usually half-way through a book / website / blog / podcast.  There is just so much to learn!!.. I tell my husband who I just "know" finds this part of me endearing.

Right honey?

Anyway, I thought I would share with you guys my favorite podcasts in case you haven't heard of them, and/or you are looking for a new way to be entertained / educated / feeling productive during down time.

(By the way, my favorite times to listen: in the car, out for walks with Mia, and doing chores around my house.  When a new podcast is aired for one of these I usually immediately pick up Mia and say "Do you want to go for a walk??" 

 She readily obliges  Listening and strolling the neighborhood with this kid is my current favorite activity.)


1.  The Simple Mom Podcast

This podcast is hosted by a blogger / writer named Tsh (not a typo, pronounced phonetically) who pretty much calls up a friend of hers (usually another blogger / writer), and they talk about absolutely anything - kids, family, traveling, favorite things, blogging and writing books, what they're reading, organization, marriage, etc.

She has 3 (I think?) kids and I consider her like a mom mentor who I can sit with and listen to her talk about life.  She is super wise and humble, and also founded the multi-writer blog www.simplemom.net, which covers all sorts of topics but has an undertone of keeping your life simple and the important things at the forefront.

2.  The EntreLeadership Podcast

This is one my fellow co-workers are probably annoyed about the most because it's usually where I get all of my work, managing people, and leadership inspiration and tips.  It is basically about Dave Ramsey's company and the culture, policies, norms, expectations etc. they have created to make work an awesome, successful place to be.  There are also guest interviewees on each podcast that also cover similar topics.

It is great for the entrepreneurs out there too..totally motivating to go start your own business, and be altogether awesome.

3. New Moms, New Babies & PregTASTIC Online Radio

These two podcasts are pretty much one in the same - they are a group of women, often the same ones in each podcast at a different stage in their motherhood, talking about what their podcast names would imply - PregTASTIC is all about pregnancy, and New Moms, New Babies is all about new motherhood, and everything having to do with babies during the first year.

Even though I am a card-carrying member of a mommy group, this is like being a part of another one that you can tune into anytime (until you have run out of episodes at least).  There are often guest experts on to answer questions, or birth story episodes...all of these were particularly great for me to listen to before I had the baby.  

4. Dollars and Roses Podcast

This one is a very new podcast, but I have really enjoyed it and learn a lot from it. It is a husband and wife blogging team who interview other bloggers about their success in blogging, and some episodes are just their own blogging tips.  They are super successful bloggers, and while I understand blogging (and the road to blogging success) to be much different for every type of blogger out there, I have really enjoyed their take on things.

5. Freakonomics Radio

This one is a must-listen for any podcast listeners out there.  If you don't know what the book "Freakonomics" is about, you also need to check that out too.  Whoa.  What an eye opener.

I really like this podcast because they are sometimes short and sweet, and sometimes a little longer, but I *always* walk away learning something so interesting I need to talk about it with the nearest human being.  They take things in life and have the resources and connections to get the back story, extra details, etc. that make you think about life and how the world works totally differently.  At the very least I would look them up and download one episode with a subject you find intriguing.

And there you have it - my five favorite podcasts.  Grab one of these, and as Tsh sometimes says at the beginning of Simple Mom...get your laundry basket and start folding.

Let me know if you have any podcast suggestions - I'd love to hear them!!

And of course, don't forget to go check out all the other Favorites over at Hallie's!