The Courage Checklist With Jen Chambers

We're talking "Work-Life Balance: Balancing Courage and Career" today. Work-life balance is so important in maintaining overall health and well-being, but it's one of the hardest things to achieve. We discuss the courage to prioritize self care, strategies for effective time management, and nurturing your courage in career choices.

Resources mentioned in this episode include:

This week we're replaying a show from a couple of years ago. Despite my lack of editing expertise at the time (forgive me), the interview is wonderful, and I'm excited to re-introduce listeners to Wendy Harrop, proprietor of The Phineas Wright House and host of the Say Yes To Yourself Podcast. This was one of our most listened-to shows!

To find out more about the Say Yes To Yourself podcast, go to:

Julie Zaruba Fountaine, Well-being Specialist/Facilitator/Coordinator and Founder of EMPOWER Possible, LLC, talks with us today about empowering yourself and tips for structuring your life for doing so. We also talked about books, (one of my favorite things, of course!). I'm starting the books Daring Greatly and The Gift of Imperfection by Brene Brown and Fierce Self-Compassion by Kristin Neff after speaking with Julie. Thanks to her for the reminder! I feel like great authors come in and out of your life when you need them, particularly after a good conversation.

Look for these things that I learned from Julie in this episode:

• How the key to success is adaptability
• How important it is to not shame yourself
• The gift of letting go of attachments

This episode has a more fully realized blueprint of how to take actions on hopes and dreams, once they've been made into goals. Also includes book recommendations by Anne Lamott.

Maya is an entrepreneur, podcaster and mom who shared her story of courage with me, detailing how she left the life she knew to follow a path true to her heart and values. Today, hear how she left the 9-5 and turned her life into one where she has quality time to spend with her children, as well as run a business and host her own successful podcast, Fearlessly Divine.

Things I learned from Maya, to watch for in this episode:

• Have the courage to change what you're doing to further your dreams
• Trust the universe to have your back when you take a big risks
• Fearlessly live your life and the Divine might show up
• Teach kids about justice and activism young to prepare them for a diverse world
• And, a fun travel story!

You can reach Maya at:

Today on The Courage Checklist I was pleased to talk with author, life/wellness coach, and community health worker Stephanie Butler. Her website bio states: "Stephanie is a  registered social service worker and a life and wellness coach who has always been drawn to helping others. Her compassion springs from her own experiences overcoming addictions, depression, anxiety and trauma. With over 25 years working in the mental health field, Stephanie has learned to guide others through difficult life circumstances to set them on a path of self-compassion and self-love." 

Listen in on our conversation about those topics and more today on The Courage Checklist. My favorite thing Stephanie said was about taking responsibility for the choices we make each day to make our lives better, bit by bit. She gives powerful inspiration with her story and talks about some tools she uses in her practice, as well as her writing and her work. Learn more in this wonderful talk with Stephanie! Her courage in all the things she does is evident and heartfelt.

Some things I learned:

• self love can help you conquer your hardest challenges
• positive self talk and loving kindness mediation can change your perspective entirely
• using your experiences to help others can lead you to your life's work

You can catch up with Stephanie at:

Part of my recovery process as an adult included both yoga and mediation. Although now I'm now certified to teach in both Hatha and Adaptive Yoga, it was intimidating for me at first.  Yoga also became a way for me to reconnect with both mind and body and bust through daily stressors. Even as a person with disabilities that can make mobility hard, I love exercising, but sometimes my pain level makes that difficult. Not so the gentle Bo and Adaptive yoga forms, particularly the chair based yoga. I am used to teaching people of all ability levels, and today I'm sharing a short meditation and yoga that you can do from your office, chair, or anywhere that feels comfortable for you. It is generally safe for those who have joint pain as well. Do note: my voice is softer on this part as I tend to do the routine as I teach it!

(Please listen to your own body and talk to your physician about beginning any physical activity; this is merely my personal experience and I am not a doctor).

Some resources for this episode include:

Chambers speaks with coach and speaker Barbara Nixon on what it takes for people to Smash Your Own Ceiling. Nixon has made a long career of helping others achieve their dreams, and shares some of her secrets on this episode. We also share a lovely Courage Checklist by friend of the show Rain Elizabeth Stickney from the Every Moment Is Sacred Podcast, and some lists from "What We Wanted To Be When We Were Kids," from @untetheredjen, @pictures_of_presence, @becomeyoucoaching, @theherowithinpodcast, @everybodysgottaeat, @remembergrams, @the_therapy_sisters, @thelatinaadvocatepodcast, @shesbravepodcast,&@sparkylifeoflia. Many of them have podcasts-- check them out! It's wonderful to be surrounded by such talented generous freinds. 

One of Barbara's challenges has been learning how to speak publicly, which she shares here, with her multi-step plan to combat that fear. She says that her mission is "to help others grow and succeed," and she has done so for countless people through her podcast Smash Your Own Ceiling, (which is so valuable- give it a follow), her radio show on Harrogate Hospital Radio, and through her personal coaching and courses. Her website shares that Nixon is: "here to help ambitious Business Owners and Leaders stop holding themselves back, get out of their own way, and get the results that they really want in their business and life." Check out more about Barbara Nixon, her courses, coaching, and her books at:

Hello and welcome to the Courage Checklist Podcast. I'm Jennifer Byers Chambers. I'm a writer, brain injury survivor, and a chronic illness warrior. This podcast is about having the courage to check off your internal list of things you think are impossible for you. It is also about how I busted through much of (but not all, yet) my own near-impossible checklist.

I started this podcast because I want to know how other people are completely courageous in their own lives, and also why we held ourselves back. It's interesting to see what we can do to reinvent our own expectations to become the fullest and most joyful versions of ourselves. You can expect an episode one or two times a week, and you also hear from listeners who've been courageous about things on their own lists.

I hope you'll find a sense of belonging here, & that you'll gain some courage or new insight to make breakthroughs of your own. Please subscribe so you can become part of the checklist family. What's on your list? And how will you be courageous today?

This episode of The Resilient Podcast Network starts with a reading of Sourdough Stories from pioneers who brought the well-traveled dough to the West, and a current recipe for making your own versatile sourdough from Chambers. It continues with a story about Hazel Ying Lee, the accomplished woman and first Chinese-American, female fighter pilot in the United States. She was well-known for her skill and tenacity as well as her cooking and sense of humor.

Versatile Sourdough Recipe
Jen Chambers, adapted from Mother Earth News Magazine
3 c. warm water
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast, salt, sugar
6 1/2 c flour of choice*

Pour water in a large bowl. Add yeast, salt, sugar; stir with whisk to blend. Mix in flour a cup at a time. Use immediately, or (preferred) chill in the refrigerator for a few hours or up to a week. Uses: Focaccia bread (pat into rectangle. poke holes in top, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with herbs), Pizza dough. Cinnamon Rolls (pat into rectangle, spread with softened butter, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, roll and slice).
Bake any variant at 450 degrees for 30 minutes or until brown.

*Recommended Flours:
-All-purpose
-Gluten-free All Purpose, like Cup4Cup, Walmart Brand, or Bob's Red Mill, that includes Xanthan Gum
-Equal parts brown and white rice flour with 1 t. Xanthan gum added per cup

Works cited:
Remarkable Oregon Women, (Arcadia Press)
With Her Own Wings (Waite & Co.)

Join Stacy Cordova Diaz and Jennifer Chambers for a conversation about Stacy’s work with self-care, her day and dream jobs, and her resiliency with her new project discussing systemic racism. Plus, fantastic ideas for how to  to nurture yourself.

Stacy Cordova is a lifelong educator and explorer of all things self-care and woo woo. When she isn't teaching or self-caring, she loves camping with her family. You can find Stacy at all the places. Check out her website www.selfcarecommune.com She shares Stacy approved resources, self-care ideas and has a calendar that is updated often, it is like a Farmers Almanac of all things self-care to keep you planting seeds of self-acceptance and self-love. 

Facebook: @selfcarecommune

Instagram @selfcarecommune

Twitter @selfcarecommune

Clubhouse @stacyselfcare

Have you tried Instacart? Use this code for $20 off your first order:

In this third episode of Groundwaters Live, we hear the readings from more Groundwaters' participants. Enjoy the prose, poetry and essays from fine writers. Our readers this time are, in order:

Pat Edwards, reading work by Michael "Hoss" Barker

Pat Edwards, reading work by Michael "Hoss" Barker

Jen Chambers, reading work by Melinda Bender

Pat Edwards, reading work by Michael "Hoss" Barker

Demetri Liontos

Pat Edwards, reading work by Michael "Hoss" Barker

Jen Chambers, reading work by Lona Feldman

Wendy Harrop and I talk about her life in Massachusetts, the way she has woven resiliency into her life and her work, and don't miss her description of her fabulous events and some of the delicious food she prepares on her farm. Here's her bio:

Hi there! I'm Wendy Harrop, owner of the Phineas Wright House an antique home and barn in rural Massachusetts.  I host intimate, interactive workshops and events connecting people to each other and themselves through creative expression, celebration, and collaboration.  Combining cuisine, community, and charm to provide a space for slowing down and appreciating the bounty of a small New England farm.

After 45 years in California, I'm embracing country life on the east coast and most definitely living the very best version of myself.

In this second episode of Groundwaters Live, we hear the readings from more Groundwaters' participants. Enjoy the prose, poetry and essays from fine writers. Our readers this time are, in order:

• Demetri Liontos
• Evelyn Searle Hess
• Stephanie Sanchez-DeLong
• Evelyn Searle Hess
• Jennifer Chambers

In a conversation with Stefania Indelicato and Laura Mc Neice of Dash of Life Podcast, we got to chat about their goals for their upcoming first season of their podcast, which showcases the "dash" that makes up a lifetime.  Plus they share the most perfect "how we met" story you've ever heard! Imagine meeting these delightful, fun podcasters and talking about history over a glass of wine. The Dash of Life podcast is now live with episode 0 and more to come in 2021. 

Sadie says: In 2016 I was a Political Science Major with the hopes of becoming a world-renowned politician. When the election cycle hit that year, I saw firsthand how politics can drive apart friends, colleagues and even families. I felt something inside me shift that year, and I knew I needed to change my path.

I had always been interested in Art and Graphic Design, but at 21 years old I felt like I was "too old" to start something brand new. (Newsflash: You are NEVER too old to start something new.) With a bit of encouragement from my husband I purchased Adobe Illustrator and took a youtube course on how to use it. I quickly realized Graphic design was my passion and calling in life, and thus, a Designer was born.

As a business owner myself , I know the importance of creating a distinct visual representation for your brand. I help small businesses define their brand story so their customers are clear on who they are and what they do. I turn this brand story into a cohesive visual brand through custom colors, design and logos. Reach her at :

In this week's episode, Chambers shares a preview of her new podcast, Revolutionaries and Visionaries. Revolutionaries and Visionaries showcases the stories of people who inspire with their exploits, lead by example, and fight for a better way.

The first episode tells the story of Amelia Bloomer and others who followed her lead.

Sources:

An avid traveler, dog mom, coffee lover and book addict, Holly began her adult life as an academic. With a BA in English and Environmental Studies and an MA in Human Rights she was headed for PhD stardom. Life changed as it always does and as a result she put the brakes on the PhD and has been jumping from one adventure to the next and ultimately living a very colourful life. She has traveled to over 30 countries, is very active in numerous sports, coaches Little League and sits on the Board for the local Farmers Market.

Holly is a Real Estate Advisor and the Owner of Kokoro Executive Coaching in Victoria, BC. Her interest in personal development and overcoming challenges took root during her travels. As a mainly independent traveler, she began to notice that very large problems seemed much smaller and more manageable when travelling. When forced to face problems head on and rely only on yourself to make all the decisions and then to have to live with the results, there was nobody to blame. You become the reason for everything that happens. Travelling toughened Holly up and she is thankful every single day of her life that she was born with an adventurous spirit and a love for immersive learning.

She is very interested in how the practice of coaching can assist people in a holistic sense. Her coaching focus is on feedback - learning how to effectively give it and receive it. She often quips, "you don't promote yourself so what you think is at most 50% of what matters." Known for her candid advice, Holly champions goal setting, accountability and modesty as 3 important stabilizing pillars of successful people - in their personal and professional lives. Curious in nature, coaching is a great fit for Holly. She is a self proclaimed no-nonsense type which she balances with an outstanding sense of humour (as far as she is concerned).

From a personal development standpoint, Holly strongly believes that the biggest thing standing in the way of increased resiliency is entitlement. As society continues to shift, the inability of many to manage change in their personal and professional lives is a cause for major concern. Building resiliency can be a tough process for people as they must begin to question their assumptions about themselves and the society that they exist within. The rewards that can be attributed to living a more emotionally and physically resilient life span all areas of life. The need for people to focus on their own coping mechanisms has never been more apparent. The good news....once you decide to make a change, there are people out there to help you get there.

To contact Holly:

Chambers interviews Jessica Stancil as they talk about her diagnosis and her work in autoimmune support coaching--  which is unique because she believes in helping without a blanket, one thing fits all approach. Jessica Stancil is an autoimmune lifestyle coach. Serving as the missing link between the doctor’s office and daily life, she helps people who are struggling with autoimmune and chronic illnesses learn to cope with their new reality, master a lifestyle that improves overall health, and feel empowered to live vibrantly. Bonus description of how Stancil herself uses coping mechanisms and details of alternative ideas for stress and pain relief. 

This episode of Resilient from quarantine talks about Jane Austen, her perception and the forces that shaped her. We also talk about 17th century scientist Maria Merian, who revolutionized the field of insect study. We talk about gardens, books, and writing.  

Sources in this episode:

Jane Austen: