In this episode, Grace Varca, host of DC’s first girly-pop podcast, “Kind of a Lot,” and founder of The Night Run Club, shares openly about navigating the challenges that come with job loss after experiencing a layoff earlier this year. Grace and I explore the emotional impact of layoffs, the journey of redefining identity, and the importance of community and creative outlets in navigating life's transitions. Grace shares her experiences with mindfulness, therapy, and the job search process, emphasizing the significance of self-investment and resilience. Our conversation highlights the power of taking ownership of your career and building supportive communities.

Takeaways:

• It’s important to give yourself time to grieve that version of yourself after a layoff
• Finding purpose can come from community building and creative outlets
• Mindfulness techniques like journaling can help manage mental health
• Investing in yourself through therapy is crucial for growth
• Job searching requires patience and reframing expectations
• Creating opportunities is essential when existing ones are lacking
• Manifestation takes time and energy, and it’s important to be patient
• It's important to recognize your worth in the job market

Chapters:

01:23 Introduction to Grace and Her Journey

05:23 The Day of Layoff: A Personal Account

09:43 Redefining Identity After Job Loss

13:34 Building Community: The Run Club and Podcast

17:36 Entrepreneurial Ventures and Future Aspirations

23:57 Navigating Life Changes and Mental Health

30:23 Advice for Those Facing Layoffs

32:28 Self-Discovery Through Adversity

38:19 Creating Opportunities from Setbacks

Connect with Grace:

IG: https://www.instagram.com/gracevarca/, https://www.instagram.com/kindofalotpod/, https://www.instagram.com/thenightrunclub/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gracevarca, https://www.tiktok.com/@kindofalotpod, https://www.tiktok.com/@thenightrunclub

Podcast Website: https://kindofalotpodcast.com/

Run Club Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/the-night-club-104412812021

If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂

Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact

Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter

Email: hello@thenakedtruthwithlauren.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod

In this episode, Amanda Bourbonais, founder of Health First Freelancer, shares her journey of building a successful six-figure freelance copywriting business while managing chronic Lyme disease and ulcerative colitis. She discusses the importance of prioritizing your health, the role of functional medicine, and her experience with EMDR therapy. Amanda also talks about her community, Health First Freelancer, which supports individuals with chronic illness in creating businesses that prioritize health.

Takeaways:

• Amanda built a successful freelance business while managing chronic illness
• Functional medicine played a crucial role in Amanda's health journey
• EMDR therapy helped Amanda process trauma and improve mental health
• It’s important to prioritize your health in buisiness
• Vitamin D supplementation was a turning point in Amanda's health
• Amanda advocates for exploring out-of-the-box health solutions
• Health First Freelancer supports those with chronic illness in business creation

Chapters:

01:23 Introduction to Amanda

03:12 Health Challenges and Breakthroughs

07:30 Understanding Chronic Illness

16:45 Building a Freelance Business

26:02 Therapy and Mental Health

27:45 Understanding EMDR Therapy

36:55 Scaling a Freelance Business

43:05 The Health First Freelancer Community

46:55 Advice for those Struggling with Chronic Illness

Connect with Amanda:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@healthfirstfreelancer

Website: https://www.healthfirstfreelancer.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/healthfirstfreelancer/

If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂

Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact

Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter

Email: hello@thenakedtruthwithlauren.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod

In this episode, I introduce my super cool girlfriend and co-host of the “Water Girls” podcast, Marieka, who shares her journey through the ups and downs of dating, overcoming heartbreak, and finding her way to a place of strength and happiness. We discuss the importance of compatibility in relationships, the significance of mental health and therapy, the role of manifestation in achieving personal goals, and the story of how we met. Marieka shares the lessons she’s learned over time and advice for anyone currently going through heartbreak. Our conversation emphasizes the value of vulnerability and support systems. ♡

Takeaways:

• It's important to allow yourself to feel emotions
• Compatibility is key in relationships
• Manifestation requires letting go of control
• Self-discovery is essential after heartbreak
• Therapy can provide valuable tools for healing
• Socializing and hobbies can improve mental health
• It's okay to take a break from dating
• Building a support system is crucial
• Partnership means equal effort and support

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

05:20 Highs and Lows: Personal Reflections

11:02 Dating Journey: High School to College

16:49 Coping with Heartbreak: The Low Point

22:50 Advice for Overcoming Dark Times

31:25 The Importance of Therapy and Support

36:55 Shifting Approaches to Dating

51:23 Manifestation and Its Role in Relationships

58:56 Defining Partnership After Growth

Where to Find “Water Girls,” a show about women’s sports:

Podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/00NnoJZmugYg89ps4W9SiK?si=1ac5fdc3738f41ec

Podcast on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/water-girls/id1725190966

IG: https://www.instagram.com/watergirlspod1/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@watergirlspod

If you know someone who could benefit from listening to this episode, please share it with them. As always, I welcome your thoughts and feedback. You can also help me by leaving a review, commenting, and responding to the poll. Thank you! 🙂

Contact Us: https://www.thenakedtruthwithlauren.com/contact

Newsletter: https://thenakedtruthwithlauren.kit.com/newsletter

Email: hello@thenakedtruthwithlauren.com

IG: https://www.instagram.com/thenakedtruth.pod