Gumption

We're back and ready to attack! This week's mini episode chronicles your host Lil (@lilyswits) as she tries a new activity: fencing! Longtime fans will remember Lily's ongoing challenge to try new forms of fitness and fun in her 20s. Starting something new as an adult is never easy, but tune in to hear how the first time went, some things that surprised her, and some learned life lessons.Loving this episode? Let us know by commenting on Spotify or Instagram so we can continue the series!Stay tuned for the fencing studio reveal! Out of respect for her classmates' privacy, we'll be keeping it under wraps for now ;)Keep up with the show on Instagram, @gumptionpod, for news on giveaways, upcoming guests, and adventures!

Trying new things! Trying new things! Gumption's first mini-sode riffs on your host Lil's favorite season.Last year, we watched ALL the spooky movies, so you don't have to (it was fun though, so you should). Even better, we ranked them. Find the full list of movie recommendations here.Plus a lil background on why fall feels like fall, from a spiritual perspective, and how that might impact your creativity and motivation.

What can we say, MURPHY'S GOT GUMPTION. Tune in to hear our engagement story <3 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹Fiancée era loading...

In Gumption's 35th episode, your host Lil (@lilyswits) shares her candid thoughts on the workout trend, 75 Hard. 7 weeks into the challenge, she dishes the tea from her own experience. What aspects of the challenge are worth your time? Which parts are doing too much? What are some modifications you can try, if you don't want to commit to the intensity of the full challenge? Listen and find out some of Lil's recs to get the most out of 75 hard! We are using this Google Sheets 75 Hard Template to keep track of everything! It automatically tallies up your percentages, all you have to do it check off the boxes each day. Fave workout channels & content creators:@whitneyysimmons great workouts and great human!@blogilates ANYTHING but especially arms@MadFit she's kinda boring but it gets the job done@CarolineGirvan she scares me but it works BOOKS: No One Can Know by Katie Alice Marshall - mystery / thrillerThe Husbands by Holly Gramazio - rom com vibe / comedyWoman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine - generational love / womanhood

This week, Avery Wagner joins Gumption to talk all things boundaries in business. As founder and owner of Wagner Perspective, a boutique social media agency that helps small businesses by elevating their branding, she understands that social media can be overwhelming. We chat about ways that platforms have amplified positivity in our lives, and the importance of knowing how to say "no" as a small business owner.Follow @ItsAveryWagner and @WagnerPerspective for more fun (because you're already following @GumptionPod duhhhh!)

You know how to ball, I know Aristotle. We ALL know that Taylor Swift has gumption. Swiftie or not, join us for some girl talk and unfiltered thoughts about the album (by two people who also love The 1975, and are not willing to give that up yet okay). This week, we welcome back three-time Gumptioneer, Morgan Bendel to debrief on Swift's new album, The Tortured Poets Department. Like what you heard? Revisit one of our earliest (and funniest) episodes, Gumption on the Go with Morgan. And if you've yet to attend the Eras Tour, revisit our Eras Tour survival guide to find out all our recommendations for the best experience. Stay tuned for updates on Lil, your host's, personal poetry collection here.

Take it from an expert: those who thrift, win. After compiling notes from 10 years of thrifting experience, your host Lil shares some of her favorite reasons to pickup thrifting as a hobby, to save your wallet, preserve your originality, and help the environment. Stay for the tips on how to best maximize your thrift trips to suit your style. This installment focuses mostly on garments and small items. If you want a part two for home decor and furniture, LET US KNOW! Some resources mentioned in the episode include one of the best thrift content creators, @madalynnewell , and an easy way to visually identify designers while thrifting (using the label feature from Vintage Fashion Guild).*WANT A PERSONALIZED THRIFT PACKAGE OF $100 VALUE? ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY! You'll also win a homemade candle and Gumption merch. Simply follow @GumptionPod on Instagram and comment on our pinned post (also found in 'giveaway' highlight). One entry per comment. Bonus entries for sharing an episode of the show on your story and tagging us!GIVEAWAY CLOSES 4/14. WINNER ANNOUNCED IN THE EPISODE FOLLOWING THAT DATE.Psssst: if you're an educator (particularly for grades 3rd through 8th), check out my sustainable fashion lesson plans. These are STEM & fashion history based, with projects and experiments included along the way. (Why Upcycling?, Decades of Design, Strike a Pose, Time to Design, Runway Ready)

To prepare for the exciting astronomy event coming up in 2 weeks, Lil welcomed three of her astrophysics pals to the show from their time studying ~literal~ rocket science in college. Grace Chiodo, Conor Larsen, and Kevin Moposita share insight about what to expect for the upcoming Total Solar Eclipse on April 8th, 2024, as well as their favorite mind-blowing space facts & memories. Find out whether your home city is in the path of totality with this interactive eclipse map, and learn more about the eclipse here. Don't forget the glasses! Check out Conor's rock band, Wickham Falls, and show their music some love on Spotify! Stay following us, @GumptionPod, on Instagram for the most up-to-date info on the show, and interact to tell us what you want to hear. And check out this episode's sister playlist, Made of Star Stuff, only on Spotify. Some solid space & sci-fi movie recs are found here.

Now leaving: your comfort zone. Thanks for visiting! Your host Lil leads you through some tangible ways to put yourself out there. She explores how to do this through mind, body, and heart, and ways to adapt the approach to your own lifestyle. If you're interested in learning more about third places like we are, check out this article or Ray Oldenburg's book, The Great Good Place. (Added to out Goodreads Gumption rec list, of course). 🤗

Here at Gumption, we're all about celebrating women in business. This week, we welcome Melina Millerleile to the show, owner and founder of indoor cycling studio Cycle Fly in Lakewood, OH. The studio was voted Cleveland's top indoor cycling studio, best Specialty Exercise Class by Cleveland Scene ‘22 & ‘23, AND Best Independent Gym (West) by Cleveland Magazine ‘23. Melina shares an inside look into her fitness community, and how it all started. She explores the importance building a space where everyone feels like they can fly. 🚲 As a total novice cycler, Lil asks Melina about all the fun behind-the-scenes planning that goes into teaching a fitness class, including playlist curation and public speaking. LAST CHANCE to cop your Gumption Merch from our OG collection. Order HERE by March 1st, and use code THANKSBESTIE10 for 10% off your entire order. 😉

In Gumption's jam-packed Valentine's Day episode, Lil's beloved BF Murph makes his return to the show. One year after moving in together, we chat about the experience of cohabitating with your significant other. (Refer back to Long Distance to Living Together: 12 Secrets to a Happy Relationship for Murph's podcast debut in our early days of moving in). We dive in to date recommendations from the audience, sharing ways to shake up tried and true date activities or ways to step out of the box. Whether you're going out or staying in, freshly dating or together forever, there's something here for everybody. You're gonna want to save this ep for your V-Day inspiration. ♥️ Thank you to everyone who submitted! And if you try out one of these ideas from the show, POST IT & TAG US on Instagram @GumptionPod :)In an effort to better understand relationship dynamics, we also investigate the legitimacy of love languages, including taking a Buzzfeed quiz to determine our own in real time. Finally, Murph shares his advice on shooting your shot for those cuties out there with crushes. This Valentine's Day, be bold and do the damn thing. We're rooting for you! Don't forget to get your GUMPTION MERCH while supplies last! Only available through the end of February, run it up besties!!!

This week, Gumption welcomes the wonderful Maura McKeown (@lilmauradat), host of the podcast Maur or Less to the show! We delve into the mentality behind competitive team sports during our transformative childhood and adolescent years, and how these helped or hindered our growth as individuals. Unpacking the lessons we learned from hockey and dance, we reflect on how these have shaped us in our adult lives, and what aspects we bring into our current relationships and careers (as well as which ones we're leaving behind). As the first fellow podcaster to be on the show, Lil & Maura share our quick tips for aspiring podcasters to "just start" (*cough cough* see her first episode, which covers this very topic). Can you tell that we love podcasts, and podcasting?! 🎙️ Listen to Maura's podcast, Maur or Less, on Spotify & follow on Instagram! Our host, Lil will be joining the show as a guest, so stay tuned.For those looking to be a ~fancy pen pal~ with their besties, check out this gel pen starter pack, as mentioned in the ep, to get going. Also, for fans of adorable highland cows, here's a notepad you won't want to miss. 💓

Welcome to 2024! We're kicking off the year with a fun interview that's reminiscent of the show's early days. Guests Isabel Grenci & Savannah Kargel bring the laughs and vulnerability we've all been waiting for, in the first part of this two-episode series.In the spirit of New Year's resolutions, we reflect on how falling in love with new hobbies (or old ones, reimagined) will be good for the soul in 2024, as well as anything that makes us confident and brings us joy. We're ditching comparison as a form of insecurity, and instead opting for unabashed fun & confidence (like dressing for the female gaze). Spontaneity is IN, baby!The girls also chat about our favorite nostalgic things from childhood & high school, from Littlest Pet Shop to Ric Flair Drip. If you're listening on Spotify, use the 'comment' feature to tell us about your favorite nostalgic memories!Click here to secure your Gumption merch while supplies last! Cozy & cute & something for everyone. And as always, follow our Instagram for lots of fun and real-time updates. Happy New Year!

In every field, burnout is our antagonist.That's why this week, Gumption hosts the multi-faceted Ohio-based creator and author who's sure to inspire, Kathryn Houghton. Houghton has built a community of people who appreciate the fantastical, both on the page and in real life. Her Instagram, @fieldsofliterature, is a beautiful collection of books, outfits, vintage and antique treasures, art, adventures, and VIBES. (Seriously, if you're a fan of the dark academia aesthetic, her page might as well be Heaven.) We chat about her journey into content creation and seeking out magical experiences everyday. And very timely to Lil's recent announcement, we delve into Houghton's process of publishing her first novel, Come to the Lighthouse.You can grab your copy of CTTL on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, or look out for local bookstore events to get your signed copy. (Hey Columbus folks, next one is at Griffeys Book Emporium on January 12th, 2024). You can also secure some CTTL merch here, and check out Kathryn's Youtube for more content! Also explore the Mount Vernon Inn's Instagram and website. HIGHLY recommend staying here if you're traveling to Ohio, or for a staycation!Speaking of MERCH, we just dropped our FIRST EVER merch collection. Rep the show with these cozy, cool designs from our merch website. Share photos of what you chose when you're "in the wild", and tag us @GumptionPod! You can find our bookworm holiday gift guide on our Instagram story, including allll gift links.Sign up to receive email updates about Lily's debut poetry collection, Airports & Art Museums, and check out her brand new website while you're at it (pssst- Gumption will have a landing page here soon)!

How can daily gratitude and appreciation change your life for the better? This week, your host has come down with a cold, but have no fear! The ever ambitious and philosophical Lil is still timely enough to deliver your favorite podcast, bright and early with Monday's coffee. As requested by the Gumption listeners, we dive into the details of the obligatory "have to" mindset, versus the gratifying "get to" mindset, and all the nuances in between. Featuring a surprise cameo from Murph (attic version), and a bombshell life update we're sure to expand more on in future eps. And don't worry, Lil will draw out the "have to" versus "get to" Cartesian plane for your benefit 🤣Stay in-the-know through our Instagram and Threads, @GumptionPod.

Money, money, money... must be funny... in a rich man's world! (As an ABBA lover, you know I had to do it to 'em.) Whether you're a total finance bro or, like your host, are still learning how to build healthy relationships with your finances, we can ALL learn something from this week's guest. In a judgement-free, open-minded convo about all things personal finance, Gumption welcomes Taylor Sminchak of Blossom Financial Coaching. Taylor's education and counseling background lends itself to a more wholistic approach, taking into account mental health and the WHYs behind our money-driven stress. She shares her own journey of becoming debt-free, what worked, and what didn't. Importantly, she empowers us to ditch the guilt along the way and keep LIVING LIFE.Join us for refreshingly lighthearted money help, and actionable steps on goal-setting, building healthy habits, and making room for the things that make you happy. Take it from Taylor- as a mom, entrepreneur, coffee aficionado, Disney-lover, avid traveler, and accredited financial coach, she puts the money where her mouth is! ✨SPECIAL DEAL, JUST FOR YOU GUMPTION LISTENERS✨ Use code GUMPTION when booking your first Clarity Session with Blossom Financial Coaching, and receive 25% OFF! She's also hosting a FREE Festive Finances virtual workshop on this Wednesday, 11/15, that you don't want to miss. Sign up here!Follow BFC on Instagram (@blossomfinancialcoaching) for daily inspiration and insight, and as she puts it, to get excited for your financial future. 🔥💰 And keep on following @GumptionPod for upcoming episodes, community builders, and fun vibes.

Oh no, don't kill me Mr. Ghostface!In Gumption's Halloween Special, Lil's cousin Erik Dombroski joins for a moment to reminisce our most memorable Halloween traditions, straight from a family obsessed with spooks of every sort. We psychoanalyze iconic characters in a villain showdown, ranking our favorite anti-heroes by their evil-est traits. Also featuring a moment of appreciation for trick or treating and group costumes, and a Murph cameo.For fans of horror, Erik and Lil (two certified movie buffs) dive deep into their own fears to provide a comprehensive list of the BEST movies for spooky season. While Erik's recs have been added to Gumption's Movie Rec Master List on Letterboxd, Lil's favorites from her Halloween movie marathon are found here.Your host shares ghost stories past and present, submitted by our very own Gumption alumni and audience, including her own near-miss with a satanic cult and serial killer in Helltown, Ohio.Don't miss the takeaways on how to maximize your Halloween, with mulled notes of cinnamon and stepping out of your comfort zone!Follow us on Instagram @GumptionPod for announcements, memes, and the vibes of the century.

Welcome back to your favorite part of the week, GUMPTION! In our season two premiere, your bubbly host Lil shares some life updates fit for spooky season. Between upstairs neighbor horror stories, The Franken-couch, Halloween movie recommendations, to a preview of next week's frights and delights, we've got it all. Also in this episode is a Vogue-Magazine-style 33 question interview of Lil herself. For you newbies to get to know your gumption guru, and for our OGs to remember why they can't stop listening. 😉 (No but for real, it's hard sharing pieces of yourself into the internet ether, but Lil is willing to do it!) 10% OFF your order from Awesome Coffee Club, a delicious coffee subscription for charity. 100% of proceeds go toward reducing mother and child mortality in Sierra Leone. Get yours HERE!

Are you ready to be the main character of your own life? Gumption is coming in HOT for its sophomore season! Get ready for new guests, fun seasonal segments, inspiring interviews, and sooooo much more with your favorite host, Lil. Every other Monday, starting October 16th, 2023. Keep up with our adventures on Instagram, @GumptionPod 🎉

Gumptioneers, it's finally here. The LAST EPISODE of our very first season, released on none other than our FIRST BIRTHDAY! Words cannot express how proud I am to have built this joyful, inspiring, adventurous podcast and welcomed such talented & thoughtful guests. This episode is nothing short of magical, as Alaina Booth and I discuss the creative path, and its contribution to a life well-lived. We focus on storytelling through art and social media, and freelancing as a route to do so. At the root of it all is encouragement- both toward yourself and others. If you're new to Gumption, check out our complete collection! Browse past episodes on a variety of fun topics, and get caught up before Season Two! Make sure to follow our Instagram for updates on the new episodes & features we'll be adding on 😁Grateful for you all! If you've interacted with Gumption in any way, I love and appreciate you so much. Til next time... XOXO!