Optimistically Overwhelmed

DeDe & Chelsea do a check in on their “Basics+Balance” this week before they get to the latest results of their “beauty hunting!”     The ladies know how a shift in perspective can change your whole day, and DeDe’s beauty focuses on pointing out what went right in her day (and in her family’s day).   Chelsea shares her thoughts on having inner critics, and what she learned from the Disney movie “Luca” about the power that comes from NAMING that inner critic.

The ladies are back for another new episode!  Join DeDe and Chelsea as they discuss their latest “beauties.”     Many of us have heavy hearts as we watch so many in our world hurting right now, and Chelsea discusses how she wants to handle the helpless feelings that the news brings.   DeDe leads an interesting discussion about the 4 roles that are in every great story, and how we get to choose which of those roles/characters we can play in OUR lives.   Episode Links - “Are You A Hero, Victim, Villain or Guide?” with Donald Miller 

“Hey Look Ma, [we] made it!!!”  DeDe & Chelsea survived the summer and are kicking off the new school year with this latest episode.  The ladies catch up and share their excitement at sending their kids off to school, and each discuss their families’ Back-to-School “themes.”     While the ladies picked these themes in hopes of inspiring, encouraging, and guiding their kids … they also work as personal reminders to THEM, and they hope that their tribe will feel the same!   Episode links - “Everything is Figureoutable: My Oprah Supersoul Session” by Marie Forleo  - “Everything is Figureoutable” book by Marie Forleo

On today’s new episode DeDe & Chelsea begin with a re-cap of their time on Catalina Island with a group of 100 teenage girls!  (Spoiler alert: They survived … and it was awesome!)   Chelsea then shares a continuation of her beauty from last episode (about resilience), and focuses more on how to help the YOUTH today become more resilient and prepared to face challenges.  She explains what a “cobra effect” is and lists some tips we can all use to build that all-so-important resilience in our kids.     DeDe’s beauty is an *actual* physical beauty she saw at camp, and she relates how that beautiful moment she witnessed reminder her that the impossible is possible.  She goes on to recount some lessons she learned at camp and the importance of the moments that reconnect us with ourselves.     Episode notes: "Resilience - Spiritual Armor for Today’s Youth" by Elder Lynn G. Robbins "Building Resilience: Eight Tips for Parents" by Wendy Ulrich and Lyle Burrup "Resilience guide for parents and teachers" by the Am

DeDe & Chelsea are checking in on the “tribe” with this brand new episode!  They hope everyone is enjoying their summer - with lots of family, sun and fun!   Raise your hand if you ever think, “there is not enough TIME!”  During this episode DeDe discusses how she is trying to make friends with “time,” and shares how easy it is to blame time … when the real problem might be what we are DOING with our time.   Chelsea shares one powerful lesson she learned from her cancer battle, and how important it is to build up the “virtue of resilience” in our lives.  She discusses how resilience is the immune system of the human spirit, and the importance of strengthening that immune system in order to withstand other trials coming our way.    Episode Links: Resilience: Hard-Won Wisdom for Living a Better Life by Eric Greitens

DeDe and Chelsea have their latest “beauties” all ready to share with you on this new episode!  Come listen in and be inspired.   Chelsea has been dying to introduce their listeners to the concept of being a “Lazy Genius” (from Kendra Adachi’s best-selling book, “The Lazy Genius Way.”)   She describes her “beauty” as being a more tangible follow up to “judging your juggle” (from Episode 88) and shares ways she has implemented some of the principles Kendra teaches about being a “genius about things that matter, and lazy about the things that don’t.”     On this episode DeDe tells the listeners she felt like she was on the “struggle bus” for the first few weeks of summer.  She then shares a beautiful thought about holding on and safeguarding the “non-negotiables” in her life … no matter how hard it can be, and how that gave her purpose and strength.     Episode Links - Lazy Genius website - Lazy Genius podcast - Lazy Genius instagram

DeDe & Chelsea have summer on-the-brain as they share their beauties on this new episode.  Both ladies agree that (for a lot of reasons) this summer already feels “different” … it’s not the shut-down summer of COVID 2020, and it’s not like summers of past years.  But, they are both ready to tackle this summer head-on.   Chelsea shares a beauty that she is using to give her permission to “decline what doesn’t align” with what her goals and wishes are for her family this summer.  Part of that is saying “no” to some good opportunities, and part of that is reminding herself of the blessings that came from a slow summer last year.   DeDe compares her upcoming summer to being in “Jurassic Park!” :)  She also shares the best ways to “outrun a dinosaur” (or in her case … survive summer!)  Our listeners will want to hear these great reminders - no matter what your summer is looking like.   Come and listen in!!!  We love our tribe and welcome any feedback and comments.

DeDe and Chelsea are back from a small hiatus and are bringing some “beauties” your way!  Before they get into those beauties they check in on their BASICS + BALANCE. Are you in a transition right now as summer starts?  It’s a great time to re-evaluate yourself!   On this episode DeDe relates some wonderful lessons we can learn from whales, and reminds us that everything WHALE be okay.  Chelsea shares a juggling metaphor she heard, and encourages us to prioritize the glass balls we are juggling over the plastic balls that are okay to drop.

DeDe and Chelsea have an exciting “catch up” to share with their listeners, and then get right into their “beauties” for the week.    Chelsea explains how she tries to preserve and “bottle up” the small wins, and how that especially helps during the hard times.    DeDe reminds us that we are all “contagious”... our attitude, our body language, and more.    Episode Links: Drops of Awesome by Kathryn Thompson Ted Talk: "You Are Contagious" by Vanessa Van Edwards

Do you remember what you were doing on Day 1 of the pandemic?  Well, our special guest Katie was in the hospital having her first baby!   Katie is a ray of light and exudes so much joy.   She not only shares her experience of having a newborn during the pandemic, but also her positive outlook on life and lessons that she’s learned.   DeDe and Chelsea both agree this episode is a MUST-LISTEN!  They were amazed by Katie’s attitude and spirit.

The ladies are so excited to bring you more of their “beauty hunting” finds in this week’s episode.  DeDe found beauty as she came to the realization that she is finally at the end of this pandemic “marathon” we’ve all been running and discusses the importance of shifting our focus to THRIVING (not just surviving).   Chelsea found beauty this week as she learned about the concept of being “stone catchers” and to stand up & help those who need our protection and love.   Come and listen as they discuss these topics, and don’t forget to hunt for “beauties” in your own lives!   Episode Links: - April 2021 Talk by Dale G. Renlund, “Infuriating Unfairness” - Bryan Stevenson’s book, “Just Mercy” - Brooke Romney’s book, “I Like Me Anyway: Embracing Imperfection, Connection & Christ”

DeDe and Chelsea are thrilled to introduce their tribe to Kathie on today’s episode.  Kathie is someone they have both known (and looked up to!) for a LONG time.     Kathie shares so much goodness that she has learned as a mother & grandmother, and as a long-time member of our local school community.  DeDe & Chelsea asked Kathie for her thoughts about our current school situation during the pandemic and about her journey as a leader in the school district.    After her battle with cancer Kathie retired from her job, and eventually started a new journey as a Certified Life Coach.  The ladies loved hearing her experiences, and what she has learned about herself as she has stretched and grown.   Episode Links: Kathie Nielsen Coaching: - Website - Instagram - Facebook

Come listen to the ladies share some awesome “beauties” on this week’s new episode.  The overwhelm can be REAL when it comes to documenting our family photos, and Chelsea shares a beauty that gives her permission to let go of any “perfectionism” in documenting and to instead focus on creating works of HEART (not ART)!  DeDe shares an inspiring beauty that came to her when she was worried about the noise of the world and it’s influence on our families and our children.  She encourages us all to be LOUDER than the noise… be the loudest voice your kids “hear.” Come & be inspired, and feel free to share this episode with friends! 

DeDe & Chelsea are so excited to introduce Chelsea’s sister Celene to their podcast tribe!  The interview was so much fun, and they know that you will love hearing Celene’s wisdom, advice, and perspective.  As a busy mother of 6 (from 7 to 21 years old) she has a wealth of parenting knowledge, but Celene also shares about keeping a minimalist home, getting through hard times, and gives us an awesome “beauty” about slowing down.

This week DeDe and Chelsea each offer up their latest “beauties” that brought some positivity and inspiration to their lives.   DeDe gets into a discussion on leadership and how we can do 1 of 3 things in all aspects of our lives: Lead.  Follow.  Or get out of the way!   Chelsea shares how she’s learning to lean into her strengths, and to not let her weaknesses bring her down.  And how we can focus on those strengths … while delegating our weaknesses to our “tribe!”   Come listen in, and feel free to share this episode with friends!   Episode links:  - Ted Talk “Listen, learn … then lead” by Stanley McChrystal  - Janssen Bradshaw’s post on Everyday Reading

DeDe and Chelsea are thrilled to introduce Amelia on the podcast this week!  The ladies had such a great time getting to know Amelia and loved her story.   As the founder and CEO of Saga, Amelia shares about her work to bring families together through her social audio app.  Saga is an app that saves family memories through audio recording  [Think…. personal + private + family podcast!]   DeDe and Chelsea are ALL about family, connections, and learning from each other (that is why they do this podcast!) and they were inspired by Amelia’s journey and reasons for starting her app.  They all discussed the importance of saving their family stories, and how powerful it can be to listen to a loved one’s voice.   Come listen in and be inspired to record YOUR family memories!   Episode links: Link to Saga website Link to Saga in the App Store (or search under “Saga Memories”

52 weeks.  1 year since the start of the pandemic.     On today’s new episode DeDe & Chelsea separately picked “beauties” that happened to do with this milestone we are at.  Look at how much can change in a year!  And, guys, we MADE it!   Listen in as the ladies discuss healing after this year of change, and also how they’ve shifted their perspective. 

DeDe and Chelsea are so excited to share with their tribe the FIRST interview of this podcast season … their good friend Larisa!     They guarantee you will be uplifted, inspired and feel so much “light” as you listen to Larisa share everything from life as a busy woman (a dentist, with 4 young kids, and a wife of a physician) … to hilarious stories of their life during COVID.     Larisa shares such sweet messages like “leaning into the light” when we are off-balance, using perspective and gratitude, and focusing on finding the good on the “hot mess” days.   Come listen in and smile big as we catch up with this incredible human!

Just so you all know, DeDe and Chelsea have (once again) found a way to solve all of the problems of the world … you’re welcome!  :)    What is the answer?  To be a cheerleader!  To cheer on the people in your life.  EVERY day.  Cheer them on through their high moments (and be happy for them!), and cheer them on through their low moments (when they need you the most).   DeDe shares some tender thoughts after losing a friend in her community;  a “cheerleader” who loved and encouraged everyone.  She goes on to give us ideas of HOW we can be cheerleaders.   Chelsea has a special SURPRISE for her “beauty” and brought on an “expert” cheerleader to share with the ladies why it’s important to “get out your airhorn & binoculars!”  What does that mean? … To be on the lookout for those who need cheer and to let people know how you feel.   After you listen in … then invite all of the cheerleaders in YOUR life to listen to this episode, and thank them for cheering you on!

DeDe and Chelsea both had some thoughts that they couldn’t shake, and that they have been wanting to share with their tribe.  DeDe discusses shifting our mindsets from getting bogged down by all we “have” to do… to asking ourselves “what do we ‘get’ to do today?”  Such a good reminder to choose gratitude, and to focus on progress over perfection.   Chelsea shares the lessons she has learned in life (and from Anna in Frozen II) about just doing “the next right thing” when life gets overwhelming or when we can’t see the light ahead.   Come listen in, be uplifted and inspired, and don’t forget to share with your friends!