My guest for Episode #256 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Ann Swanson, the author of the internationally bestselling book SCIENCE OF YOGA, which has been translated into over 15 languages.

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Her new book, Meditation for the Real World, illuminates the fascinating science behind meditation with step-by-step practices. She worked alongside Harvard neuroscientist Dr. Sara Lazar and an illustrator for the New York Times to create this science-backed visual guide. It’s important to note that Ann wasn’t a naturally “chill person,” and meditation didn’t come easy to her.

Overcoming her own chronic pain and anxiety led her to India to study yoga and meditation, to China to explore tai chi, and to earn a Master of Science graduate degree in Yoga Therapy. Now, Ann blends cutting-edge research with ancient wisdom, resulting in realistic techniques you won’t just learn – you’ll love to live by!

This episode sheds light on the journey of turning mistakes into unexpected triumphs — and how Ann's favorite mistake was thankfully a “near mistake.” We discuss how the resilience to push through tribulations is often the stepping stone to success in personal well-being and spiritual practice.

We also touch upon the art of manifestation, breaking stereotypes and illustrating how envisioning one's life trajectory and being open to various possibilities can lead to astonishing opportunities. We delve into real-life case studies of individuals going from rejection to becoming acclaimed authors, demonstrating the importance of sharing one's knowledge and skills, maintaining a positive digital presence, and the role of persistence and self-belief.

• What’s your favorite mistake?
• Getting so many job rejections… over 100
• Wouldn’t have known it was a mistake??
• How did meditation help you during those tough times??
• Tell us the story of this latest book, “Meditation for the Real World,”
• Meditation mistakes? Is that possible?
• What if you feel like you are “bad” at meditating, or your mind wanders too much?
• Mind / body connection between yoga and meditation?
• How long do you need to meditate for it to work? Can one-minute meditations really make a difference?
• The science of meditation??
• Why do most people fail at developing a consistent meditation practice? How can we apply the science to finally build a sustainable practice?
• Any mistakes in the writing the book?

Bonus Episode Update with Sarah Lohse: Unearthing the Power of Storytelling

Her episode of "My Favorite Mistake"

Today's episode of "My Favorite Mistake" features Sarah Lohse, founder of Favorite Daughter Media and author of "Open This Book: The Art of Storytelling for Aspiring Thought Leaders."

Sarah illuminates storytelling's potential as a powerful leadership and communication tool, extending it beyond the realm of novelists and filmmakers to thought leaders and influencers. With her knack for drawing relevant insights from personal experiences, she demonstrates how a well-told story can engage, inspire, and teach valuable lessons.

https://favoritedaughtermedia.com/open-this-book/

Check out all episodes on the My Favorite Mistake main page.

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My guest for Episode #255 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Terry Bartley. He is a high school journalism, literature, and English teacher and writer of the new collection of short stories, Tyranny of the Fey.

Terry is the host of the podcast “Most Writers are Fans,” about the intersection between writing and fandom. Terry has professionally written for the Coal Valley News and Screenrant. He has won awards for writing and broadcasting from the West Virginia Associated Press, the National Broadcasting Society, and MarCom. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Phoenix and an M.A. in English Education from Western Governor’s University.

With a candid discussion on his life's journey through countless experiences straddling education and literature, Terry charts an inspiring narrative about turning apparent career missteps into stepping stones of growth. We navigate through his career in teaching while pursuing his passion for writing amidst an uncertain freelance career.

Immerse yourself in an absorbing conversation as Terry discusses his life with ADHD, stressing its impact beyond professional barriers permeating quotidian existence. In our challenging exploration of the realm of ADHD, Bartley underscores the importance of acceptance, diagnosis, and therapy as his allies combating the condition. He promotes a holistic, individualized approach to managing ADHD, dispelling the clouds of misconception about mental health. Listen along for the fascinating exposition of how ADHD molded his unique creative expression, setting light on his inspiring journey.

• What's your favorite mistake?
• Feeling out of sync – shaming?
• When did you get diagnosed with ADHD?
• What prompted or led to that diagnosis?
• The impact of treatment?
• Tell us about your book
• Is it a mistake to publish the short stories before the novel? Only time will tell?
• Learning from mistakes and steps from the first release??
• Was it a struggle to finish a book then? Or are short stories easier?
• Tell us more about the podcast — not just book authors…
• What's done is done