Live Your Love Story

Energy Vampires are people who suck the life force outta you! In this episode, Siena - who is a Highly Sensitive empath type of person - shares what she’s found helpful in dealing with Energy Vampires. But first we chat about growing garlic in our home vegetable garden.More show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/energyvampiresLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode was recorded when the world’s attention was on the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. So Toast might’ve gotten a little carried away or confused about some stories she related, so just to clarify, the stories of sportsmanship that we discuss did not happen at the 2024 Summer Games. But they did happen. And we’ve included links to more about that in the show notes on our podcast blog.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/positivity-resonanceLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode is all about getting comfortable being uncomfortable. The topics range from the Sony Walkman, to squirrels eating walnuts in the morning silence, to there being such a thing as very real dangers of too much convenience.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/uncomfortableLinks for stuff we mention:Bodyweight fitness programs by Mark Lauren: marklauren.comMichael Easter’s Substack, called Two Percent: www.twopct.comLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Micro-Connections are small moments of connection with other people. Literally moments, not even minutes. Just a moment of holding the door open for someone, for instance.In this episode, we talk about why micro-connections are so important and powerful, for individuals – especially for people with a history of trauma– and for societies.The book Siena references is What Happened to You?: Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Dr. Bruce D. Perry & Oprah Winfrey. And the other podcast episode we mention is 205 Relationship Quality Is Life.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/micro-connectionsLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode is a whole discussion about that saying of how the quality of your relationships is the quality of your life. Topics include the attraction of Hallmark movies, how early childhood trauma affects our ability to relate to others, EMDR therapy, and even relationships with the urban animals around your house, and more.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/relationship-quality-is-lifehttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Finally, an episode that’s about cats, by lesbians, or, we can say ‘by childless cat ladies.’ Anyway, more specifically, this episode is about an automatic pet feeder that’s impressed us so much, we wanted to tell you all about it. This is NOT a paid partnership . There are NO affiliate links. Like all our other episode, we just wanted to share, in case it might help you.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/204-automatic-pet-feederhttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

No-brainer tips for a better night’s sleep. No-brainer as in nothing to do with meditating, or journaling or thinking. Just 3 super easy, science-based, CBD and cannabis-free things you can do to help improve your nighttime sleep.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/3-no-brainer-sleep-tipshttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode, we attempt an imitation of a baby raccoon, but it kinda ends up sounding probably more like the fungus in The Last Of Us TV show.This episode also includes lots of enthusiastic but also very calm discussion about meeting donkeys for the first time, at Oregon Donkey Sanctuary. oregondonkeys.orgIt was our first meeting with donkeys of any size.And did you know, there are three?https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/donkeyshttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

As we’re getting ready to release this episode, we’re also getting ready for a heatwave here in Portland, Oregon. And this brings to mind some of the icy homemade treats we’ve started enjoying this summer. In this episode, we share those recipes. It’s mouth-watering lemon, orange, and matcha flavors, but not all mashed up together. One at a time. You’ll find out when you listen.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/icytreatshttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Have you ever heard of the Cup Tasters Competition? It’s a coffee tasting contest and the US winner goes on to a World Coffee Competition. So we only know all this because we were given – as a gift – a virtual class in Chocolate & Coffee Tasting, taught by a winner of the US Cup Tasters Competition. In this episode, we tell you all about it.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/chocolate-and-coffee-tastinghttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode is a big ol’ love letter to craft fairs, farmers markets, and other local, community-based gatherings.And, as a part of those, there can be a little awkwardness between the shop-keepers and the shoppers, so we get real and talk about that, too.Show notes are at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/craftfair2https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Where do lesbians go for fun? Good ol’ fashioned wholesome Craft Fairs! OK, not all lesbians, we’re not all like that. But in this episode, we share some tips, thoughts, and reflections after having attended our first craft fair of the spring & summer season. Show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/craftfairRelated links:craftywonderland.cominstagram.com/feeeeuuhhLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We are introverts. During the stay at home orders of COVID in 2020 and even in 2021 and 2022, we were fine staying at home with our cat. We were fine avoiding in-person social events even after that because inertia. But we also know it’s really not healthy to live like that. In this episode, we talk about the ironic effort it can sometimes take to do the perfectly normal thing called in-person social interactions. https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/socialforintroverts https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This is the fifth and final episode in a series on daily life as we recall it during a brighter, more hot pink time in America’s history.In this episode, we riff off a list of ‘80s pop music trends, including MTV, the phenomenon of Michael Jackson, that ‘80s synthesizer sound, saxophone solos, big hair bands, novelty tunes, the rise of rap, and more.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/80slife5 https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Where Did All The Saxophones Go?https://theoutline.com/post/1409/saxophones-in-american-pop-music-history The Death of the Key Change https://tedium.co/2022/11/09/the-death-of-the-key-change/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This is the fourth in a series on daily life as we recall it during a brighter time in America’s history…or was it? In this episode, we talk about movies from The '80s. And shockingly, here in 2024, it’s a bit disturbing to look back and see the anti-Asian racism that was up on screen back then, and even more, that we – in Hawaii, populated mainly by Asian-Americans – didn’t even notice it at the time. We discuss this, along with the analog movie-going experience, which included newspaper ink staining your fingertips, because you had to flip the pages to the movie section.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/80slife4 https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This is the third in a series on daily life as we recall it during a brighter, more hot pink time in America's history. If you were a kid in The ‘80s, what did you do for fun? We Gen Xers (roughly those born between 1965 and 1980) were probably the last American generation to experience a “free-range” childhood. That’s not what it was called back then of course. It was just called childhood. Let the kids loose on the streets to figure out for themselves how to stay entertained. Play outside. Ride your bikes without helmets until the street lights came on. Or until your mom called your friend’s house, asked if you were there, and told you to come home.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/80slife3 https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This is the second episode in a series on daily life as we remember it during a brighter, more hot pink time in America’s history. We’re talking about The ‘80s. In this episode, we focus on ‘80s fashion, where everything was big. Big hair, big clothes. I mean really really big, loud, bright, and too much. We know this now. But we didn’t know it then.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/80slife2 https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Get in the Delorean because in this episode, we’re going Back To The ‘80s. This is the first in a series on daily life as we remember it during a brighter, more hot neon time in America’s history.In this episode, we recall the phenomenology and pace of life when your only options are rotary phones that belong to an entire household, music on vinyl, cassette, or terrestrial radio, and eventually CDs, and also the wonder of dual cassette boom boxes.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/80slife1 https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Astoria, Oregon, is the site of the first American-owned settlement on the Pacific coast of North America. In this episode, we share what we learned on our very first visit to Astoria: about Astoria’s origin story and our experience at its Flavel House Museum, which is somewhat haunted, because yes, I felt something, and so have other folks, apparently. Come join us for a quick day trip to one of Oregon’s most famous towns. Lots more show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/astoriaflavelhouse https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/astoriaflavelhouse https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode, we share our experiences with meditation: learning about it, practicing it, not practicing it; using it, abusing it, misunderstanding it, and eventually getting to a place of actually understanding it. We discuss the meditation apps we’ve tried over the years, the things we’ve liked or not liked about various ones, the minimum effective dose of meditation, and of course, what we think is the wrong way to meditate. show notes: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/wrong-meditation https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode is based on a talk called “Working with Insomnia” by clinical psychologist Seth Gillihan. It covers tips for getting into a good groove when it comes to our sleep lives, that are all science-based and down-to-earth and doable. No crazy technology required.Show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/sleepdrives Related episode: How To Get A Better Sleep https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/how-to-get-a-better-sleep originally published on 11/14/23https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/sleepdrives https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Related episode: How To Get A Better Sleep https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/how-to-get-a-better-sleep originally published on 11/14/23 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Have you ever felt sorta gross and grimy and a shower only helped so much, because the space you were in, itself, somehow felt heavy or gross? Well, if you had authority over that space, because it’s your home, or your room, or your office, you could do what’s called Space Clearing or Energy Clearing. In this episode, we talk about the mindset and methods we’ve used to "clear a space."Related episodes:Do You Have Good Energy Etiquette? (12/5/23)https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/do-you-have-good-energy-etiquette How To Declutter With Your Partner Part 1 (1/16/24)https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tips How To Declutter With Your Partner Part 1 (1/23/24) https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tips-part2 https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/energyclearingintro https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We all make plans, and sometimes, those plans get completely up-ended by what actually ends up happening, because Life. When things like that pop up, what do you do? What should we do? How should we handle it? In this episode, we discuss the tough emotions and the harried thoughts that come with the very unexpected, and How To Not Be An A**hole To Your Partner when they do.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/how-to-not-be-an-a*****e https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We've been together as a couple for 22 years and counting. In this episode, we share about a time early on in our relationship when we were fighting a lot. And we also share the things that helped us to break out of that pattern, and to move towards growing in mutual understanding and peace.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/relationship-advice-from-a-lesbian-couple https://instagram.com/sienaandtoast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode, we share some thoughts and tactics that we found helpful when paring down and optimizing our personal libraries. For related episodes on decluttering, see: How to Declutter With Your Partner Part 1: Prepare With These Tipshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tipsHow to Declutter With Your Partner Part 2: Get It Done With These 5 Phaseshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tips-part2Episode notes: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-booksRelated episodes: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tipshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tips-part2Instagram: https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastFind out more about Siena and Toast, the music, newsletter and The Love and About Cat Club here www.sienaandtoast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Even our friends who were born and raised in climates like Chicago and New York were gobsmacked by JUST HOW SLIPPERY the ground got during a recent ice storm here in Portland, Oregon. Personally, it was our first experience of any kind of ice storm. In this episode, we share the things we learned because of it, from appropriate footwear to electricity and central heating, or the lack of all three.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/ice-stormhttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

The previous episode was titled How to Declutter With Your Partner Part 1: Prepare With These Tips.In this episode, we share the 5 basic phases we went through while we were actually sorting through and dealing with all the stuff, the clutter!Hope these ideas are helpful for you.You can see all our show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tips-part2https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/ declutter-tips-part2https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We’ve been decluttering over the winter break, and thought you might be, too. Here’s some discussion, anecdotes, and tips gleaned from our decluttering projects. We hope they come in handy or at least provide some entertainment for your decluttering efforts.See all the tips and show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tipshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/declutter-tipshttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLove cats? Go hereLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode we swap some memories of childhood Christmases in Hawaii during the '70s and '80s. Then we share ideas for managing extra ribbons, cards, treats, and gifts, and at the end, we include a song about a sometimes snow-capped mountain called Mauna Kea, on The Big Island of Hawaii.Show notes: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/1970s-1980s-hawaii-christmas-reusing-giftshttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We’re not mental health pros but we do have some thoughts and feelings about the holiday blues, some of which, we bet, you won’t find in a Google search. At least we haven’t seen it. If you want to jump ahead to the main topic, it starts at about 10 minutes in. Lots and lots more show notes at https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/holiday-blueshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/holiday-blueshttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode, we discuss anxieties specific to the holidays. Anxieties about gift-giving, social events, the pressure to make dreams come true, and more. We also discuss some thoughts, practices, and attitudes that can make for less anxiety and a little more heavenly peace.We discuss specific Holiday Anxieties such as:Feeling like you’re behind in gift-givingWorrying about your budget when it comes to gifts and festivitiesCreating a card, and ordering them, and sending them outThe fear that the holidays will fly by and you’ll feel like you missed it Doubting whether it’s worth all the effort it takes to decorate and celebrateWorrying whether gift-recipients will feel adequately thought-of, considered, and loved by the gifts you give themFeeling the pressure to ‘make dreams come true’ – or to at least to make reality look a little like the romanticized, idealized Hallmark Movie Holidays™ – for loved oneshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/holiday-anxiety-how-to-feel-more-heavenly-peaceInstagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastCat lovers go here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

How’s your etiquette when it comes to energy? Do you have good energy etiquette? In this episode, we chat about what Energy Etiquette is, how it relates to good manners, and how it’s not the same as having good intentions. We discuss how Energy Etiquette overlaps with self-awareness, personal development, self-care, and more. And also part of the conversation are quick discussions about empaths and Highly Sensitive People, about Dr. Masaru Emoto’s work with water crystals, water energy, and consciousness, and even examples of energy etiquette involving squirrels, kittens, and little kids.Here are links to the things we mention:The blog post about the frequency of Love: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/blogs/post/what-is-love-and-aboveDr. Masaru Emoto and Water Consciousness: https://thewellnessenterprise.com/emotoThe blog post about the frequency of Love: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/blogs/post/what-is-love-and-aboveDr. Masaru Emoto and Water Consciousness: https://thewellnessenterprise.com/emotohttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/do-you-have-good-energy-etiquetteInstagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode we discuss our reaction to watching The Silence of The Lambs, the movie from 1991, in 2023. The discussion is mostly about LGBTQ+ rights, and the evolution of social norms. We remember what it was like in The ’90s because we were there, and yes, things have indeed evolved. The main discussion starts at around 10 minutes in.See show notes at for way more details. https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/silence-of-the-lambsAnd if you'd like to suggest a topic or question for a future episode, you can let us know by DM-ing us on Instagram (@sienaandtoast) or emailing us at [email protected]. Thanks!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Conventional wisdom in personal growth circles used to include the adage: “Don’t just survive, thrive!” As if ‘surviving’ was undesirable, and as if the opposite of surviving was thriving. But the actual opposite of surviving is not thriving, it’s dying, it’s croaking and breathing your last.In this episode, were inspired by the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, to engage in some “straight talk” about the pressures surrounding how one SHOULD feel about the holiday, and about gratitude, about accomplishments, and yes about surviving and thriving.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/thriving-survivingRelated episode: Gratitude 2.0 ( https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/gratitude-20 )Instagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastCat lovers go here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

The world’s gotten pretty tense and anxiety-ridden in recent years, and it isn’t going to let up anytime soon. This affects all of us, even in our personal lives. In this episode, we share the things that have helped us get a better sleep. A good sleep helps us cope, helps us be as strong and as supple as we can be, for ourselves and each other during these difficult times.The main topic starts at about 8:15Siena and Toast https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/how-to-get-a-better-sleepInstagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

In this episode, we share some reflections on how realizing we were gay also led to a richer, deeper, more meaningful life.The main topic starts at around (8:45).Being queer, non-binary, LGBTQ+ definitely has its hardships. But it can also come with priceless positive benefits. Benefits that you can’t buy with money, such as being genuinely more open-minded, compassionate, and perceptive, among other things. Also in this episode, you can hear Toast’s reactions to seeing the 1973 movie “The Exorcist” for the first time, in 2023. This ep was recorded on Halloween, and you'll also hear references to poltergeists and ghosts.https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/lifes-personal-growth-program-for-lgbtq-folks-like-ushttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We’re a couple of Asian Americans who grew up in Hawaii back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. In this episode, we talk about what it was like back then, to realize, slowly over time, that we were gay.The main topic discussion starts at around 10 minutes.(Before that, Siena’s on a mission to educate Toast about classic movies.)We’re a couple of Asian Americans who grew up in Hawaii back in the ‘70s and ‘80s. In this episode, we talk about what it was like back then, to realize, slowly over time, that we were gay.The main topic discussion starts at around 10 minutes.(Before that, Siena’s on a mission to educate Toast about classic movies.)For Toast’s portion, topics include:a seven year-old’s awareness“Jo” on The Facts of Life TV showbeing ‘non-heterosexual’ was not on the menuPrincess Leia and the gold bikiniand moreFor Siena’s portion, topics include:growing up with aunts and uncles with ‘friends’ who were the same sexno direct references to aunts or uncles being ‘gay’‘bisexuality’ was not on the menu‘being feminine while being lesbian’ was not on the menuand moreEpisode show notes: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/how-did-you-first-know-you-were-gayhttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/how-did-you-first-know-you-were-gayhttps://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Just because a lesbian couple is married does not mean they really want you to call them “wives.” We can’t totally explain it, we just know it’s true. In this episode, we have fun musing over the reasons for our mutual distaste for the term ‘wife.’We also share some personal stories about other terms you could use, along with a funny, awkward anecdote from the era before such broad social awareness of the LGBTQ community, that exists now.We start discussing the main topic at around 8:15 into the episode.For the Protein Cookie Recipe, check out the show notes on our podcast blog at SienaandToast.comA few related episodes:The Problem with Pronouns: Misgendered Adventures Is ‘Coming Out’ Still a Thing?Coming Out: Process and Our StoriesPride Month: Good People Celebrate GoodnessLGBTQ-positive Peace, Love, and Laughs: a Pride Month episodePride: Then and NowConnect with Siena and Toast on Instagram Visit their website at SienaandToast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

The confusion with pronouns and misgendering has been around a long time. Like, for decades. It’s just that we as a society never talked about it, in public conversation. In this episode, we share some funny stories about being misgendered over the years, and also relate some advice and perspectives about how to broach the issue when meeting new people.Complete show notes for this episode at: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/pronounshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/pronounsinstagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

CORRECTION: Toast mistakenly associated “Prop 8” with Hawaii in this episode, but it was actually associated with California! More on this, and all the other episode details, on the blog: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/is-coming-out-still-a-thing• Toast shares how she was raised as an Evangelical Christian & how she came out• Siena shares how she was raised Catholic, attended an all-girls Catholic school, had many gay uncles and aunties in her family & how she came out• approval of non-heterosexuality in the Christian Bible• needing to re-learn what reality is when you discover you’re gay after having been raised in the Evangelical Christian worldAs of this writing – 2023 – a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ Americans is in effect according to the Human Rights Campaign, the largest organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights in America. (https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Anti-LGBTQ-Legislation-Impact-Report.pdf )You know we generally keep this podcast show thingamajig on the light and fun side, but we do want to make sure you’re aware that these are perilous times.Steady On.Blog post for this episode: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/is-coming-out-still-a-thingLGBTQ+ Americans Under Attack: A Report and Reflection On The 2023 State Legislative Session: Read Here Siena and Toast on Instagram: instagram.com/sienaandtoastIf you love cats come to Siena and Toast's web site here Check out some of these related past podcast episodesPride Month: Good People Celebrate GoodnessLGBTQ-Positive Peace, Love, and Laughs. A Pride Month Special Coming Out- Process and Our Stories Pride- Then and Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode is some fun inspiration that’s also realistic and takes the pressure off, when it comes to home maintenance and improvement projects.Show noteshttps://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/169-diy-painting-garageIn this ep, you’ll hear us refer to a previous episode, and it’s this one: 136 Actually…Maybe You CAN Do It! (From Oct. 2022) https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/136Find Siena and Toast on Instagram Love Cats? Siena and Toast Music Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This ep is the 3rd and final part in a series called" The Top 10 Things We’ve Learned In Our 22-Year Lesbian Relationship."Here are the top-level points we cover in this ep.Scroll down even further for the link to the blog post where we put a bunch of additional show notes.2. Learn about Attachment Theory and think in terms of your attachment styles1. Remember and respect that, in large part, you've come together in your relationship to deal with wounds and life lessonsBONUS: Health & FinancesBlog post for this episode: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/top-10-things-weve-learned-in-our-22-year-lesbian-relationship-3Find Siena and Toast on Instagram Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This ep is part 2 in a series called" The Top 10 Things We’ve Learned In Our 22-Year Lesbian Relationship."Here are the top-level points we cover in this ep.Scroll down even further for the link to the blog post where we put a bunch of additional show notes.6. Use a personality assessment tool5. Sex. Do it.4. Adventure & novelty are bonding3. Accept your partner. Love them, not your fantasy of them.Blog post for this episode, with additional show notes:https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/top-10-things-weve-learned-in-our-22-year-lesbian-relationship-2Instagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

As recording for this topic really got going, we realized The Content was getting a bit long. So we turned it into a series. This is part one. Before we get to the countdown, FYI, we mention another ep, and that ep is: #130, released on 9/6/2022, called "Back After A Year’s Hiatus: A Brief Intro to Who We Are & Why We Took a Year Off." With that said...here's the start of the countdown...The Top 10 Things We’ve Learned In Our 22-Year Lesbian Relationship10. Choose your battles9. Accept responsibility for your feelings8. Not every issue needs to turn into a psychotherapy session7. Lean how to fightblog post for this episode, with additional show notes: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/top-10-things-weve-learned-in-our-22-year-lesbian-relationship-1130 Back After A Year’s Hiatus: A Brief Intro to Who We Are & Why We Took a Year Off https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/130Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

We’re often told to cultivate an attitude of acceptance in our lives, while simultaneously being told to push through and make a change. This episode, we delve deeper into exactly what “accepting something” means. Because it can mean more than one thing. Siena and Toast.com Find Siena and Toast on Instagram Love Cats? Go here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

What would you do if a neighbor dumped trash in your recycling bin? Here’s what we did. A discussion about assertiveness when you’re female, Asian American, lesbian, and were born and raised in Hawaii. …can you be assertive and still be likable? Vanessa Van Edwards on Instagram @vvanedwards – instagram.com/vvanedwardsinstagram.com/sienaandtoastBlog post for this episode, with show notes: sienaandtoast.com/podcast/164-how-to-be-assertive-and-still-be-likableSiena and Toast Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Someone once observed how society was shifting its focus, as reflected in the names of popular magazines. First it was "Life" magazine. Then, "People." Then, "Us." And finally, "Self." This episode is a rambling discussion (and sometimes ranting) about various aspects of connection: our connection with groups, with each other, with ourselves.Siena and Toast Show NotesFind Siena and Toast on Instagram Find Siena and Toast on the web www.sienaandtoast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

You’re probably not aware of this, because it’s only through personal referrals, but Siena does private one-to-one consultations with people, using her background in holistic health, coaching, and healing, to help them navigate life challenges. Part of this work usually involves flower essences, a type of holistic energy medicine. But what does this look like? How many flower essences does a client take? For how long? Which ones? The answers vary, because each person is unique, but in this episode you’ll get a pretty good feel for how this all works, when Siena shares what one particular client’s journey really looked like.Link to episode about flower essences: 132 Flower Essences: An Underrated Holistic Modality for Emotional Wellness and Balance – https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/132Link to LAACC flower essence blends: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/collections/flower-essence-blendsIn this episode, we refer to a flower essence blend we call ‘CHANGE;’ at the time of recording this, ‘CHANGE’ is only available by special request. We’re very possibly going to be adding CHANGE to our line, though. We recommend taking a maximum of 3 flower essence blends during any one time period.Here’s the flower essence journey recounted in this episode:1 yr, 4 mos: a custom blend4 mos.: another custom blend to address change, and TRAUMA-HEAL3 mos.: STRENGTH, TRAUMA-HEALcurrent: SELF-LOVE & PURPOSELink to episode about flower essences: https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/132(episode name: 132 Flower Essences: An Underrated Holistic Modality for Emotional Wellness and Balance)Link to LAACC flower essence blends: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/collections/flower-essence-blendsTrauma-Heal: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/collections/flower-essence-blends/products/trauma-healStrength: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/collections/flower-essence-blends/products/strengthSelf-Love: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/collections/flower-essence-blends/products/self-lovePurpose: https://loveandabovecatclub.com/collections/flower-essence-blends/products/purposeLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

This episode is gluten-free. If you love tasting and talk about pastries and doughnuts and bakeries, join us as we share our gluten-free adventures in Portland, Oregon. We talk about Kyra’s Bake Shop, Gluten-Free Gem, New Cascadia Traditional, and Mikiko Mochi Donuts.Show Notes https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/161-gluten-free-bakeries-in-portland-oregonFind Siena and Toast on Instagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastLove cats? We do too! LoveandAboveCatClub.com Find books and oracle card decks from other MindBodySpirit.fm podcast hosts in the online store Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com

Back in the ‘90s, gratitude as a practice, as a journal, was this fresh new thing. In this episode, we talk about how and why in the intervening years the whole “gratitude” thing got to feel overdone. And then we talk about some of the unusual, awkward, semi-crazy ways we’ve refreshed it for ourselves this year.We reference another episode in this ep, and that ep was titled "Do It Different: Using Teeny Tiny Goals To Make Bigger Changes"Show Notes https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/gratitude-20EP 148 https://sienaandtoast.com/podcast/148-do-it-different-using-teeny-tiny-goals-to-make-bigger-changeFind Siena and Toast on Instagram https://instagram.com/sienaandtoastCatch the Gratitude wave! Sign up to see the film for free https://mindbodyspirit.fm/showcase/gratitude/Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sienaandtoast.substack.com