The Kindred & Brave Project

Sara Rian is a poet, author, mother, wife, licensed therapist, and griever living in Metro Detroit. She has been drawn to grief poetry ever since her mother died in 2018. As a mental health professional, suicide loss survivor, and grieving human, Sara shares her work with others to let them know that they are not alone in their love or grief. In this episode, Sara and I have a vulnerable and authentic conversation about imposter syndrome in our humanness, our shared grief stories, and Sara’s beautiful words. We talk about how difficult and bittersweet it is to be motherless mothers and how we work to continue the bonds with our own mothers and help our children learn to meet them. Sara shares her journey to becoming a therapist and the work that her and her mom did to talk about the hard things. She reads a brand new poem for us. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources // https://www.sararianbooks.com/ https://www.instagram.com/sara_rian_books/ With Gratitude, Mandy

In today’s episode, I share the unexpected loss of a pet and my son's big reaction to it. The story I share has some lessons about cumulative grief and what it is, knowing your own kiddo and honoring their needs, and remembering that sometimes we need to sit with them in the dark instead of trying to turn on the light. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the univverse has your back. With Gratitude, Mandy

In this micro episode, I share the stories about how I’ve learned about my grief since my mom died. Learning about our grief is a way to understand how it shows up in our bodies and brains (hint: our body knows first). It’s a vulnerable choice to sit with the grief as it comes and examine the emotions it brings us. It’s self-awareness and self-compassion. Resources // Season 3: Episode 3 Collective Grief // with Claire Bidwell Smith Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. With Gratitude, Mandy

Claire Bidwell Smith is a licensed therapist, international speaker, and the best-selling author of five books on grief and loss, published in 22 countries. Widely recognized as a leading voice in contemporary grief work, she has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, CNN, MSNBC, Scientific American, Goop, and Oprah Daily, among many others. Today, we have a conversation about what grief is, and the specific ways that we are experiencing it in 2026. Claire sheds light on how our grief needs safety and connection, how community can help us, and the value of empathy when there is collective and disenfranchised grief. Claire expresses hope for the future generations in holding space for grief and supporting others when they experience this inevitable, human emotion. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources // https://clairebidwellsmith.com/ https://www.instagram.com/clairebidwellsmith/ With Gratitude, Mandy

In today’s episode, I share with you the concept of Wintering, based on Katherine May’s book of the same title, as well as the feelings of sorrow many of us are experiencing not just due to the season, but because of the state of the world. Also, I share a bit about SAD, better known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, brought on in these cold, dark months, and ways to care for ourselves physically and emotionally. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. With Gratitude, Mandy

In this first episode of 2026, Year of the Horse, I’m here to talk to you about the power of releasing expectations. I’m sharing the nitty-gritty details of why this practice matters and how it can help you build a new muscle and distress tolerance. With stories about motherhood and self-care, I hope you take what you need and know that you aren't alone. A gentle reminder that it’s still winter, we can move slowly and gently as we shed last year. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. With Gratitude, Mandy

October is ADHD awareness month, and in honor of that & my own kiddo today, I share some candid stories about what this journey has looked like for us as a family. It’s an episode that sheds light on how having a neurospicy kiddo impacts the family as a whole and flips the script on what we “typically” learn about parenting. I leave you with some of our hardest moments and biggest wins, as well as how to think about showing up for your students, friends, or relatives who have ADHD. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources: https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/ Dr. Becky “The Single Most Important Parenting Strategy” Inspired by this Moth Card Deck - Think about: A time you felt the HEAT. A time you got burned. A time you fanned the flames. With Gratitude, Mandy-

Hello - I’m back! Today, I talk about the summer I accidentally took off from here and what I’ve learned from falling apart. This episode isn’t about putting a pretty bow on the unraveling that is bound to happen in midlife; it’s about learning to turn within when your compass goes awry. It’s an honest chat about the inner work that never ends if we want to keep choosing ourselves. Resources // https://brenebrown.com/articles/2018/05/24/the-midlife-unraveling/ Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Mandy

Today, I share all the things that have gone wrong in the last few months and how I realized that our lessons are in learning and that learning takes time, discomfort, and pushing against old ideas. We have the opportunity to refuel - be it with grace, forgiveness, and the reminder that you know best how to fill your own tanks. Welcome to a brand new half of 2025. I hope you can take what you need. With Gratitude, Mandy

Does anyone else have some anxiety about how the first half of the year has gone? Maybe you aren’t “on track” with your goals, or life is "lifing" too hard that you feel stuck? Today, I want to share some ideas about what happens when our brain tries to take control by using some of my own stories about the last 6 months. Spoiler: not a lot has gone as planned. I’ll leave you with some reminders & a lucky duck glimmer that I hope will make you feel seen & have a giggle at the unpredictable nature of life. With Gratitude, Mandy

In this episode, I talk with Carla Fernandez, author of Renegade Grief and co-founder of The Dinner Party. We share grief stories and the power of connection during times of grief and loss. Carla shares important insights for how to navigate the Mother's Day and Father's Day holidays and ways to be an ally for other grievers and create rituals. https://www.carlafernandez.co/ https://www.thedinnerparty.org/ With Gratitude, Mandy

I’m sharing something special with you all today. After 5 years I finally got the courage to write a eulogy for my mom. We never got to have a service and I was never able to honor her in this way; I’m sharing some of the stories that describe who she was as a person, a mother, colleague, and grandmother. My hope is that you can learn more about me by learning more about her - some might say we are two peas in a pod. This is also a testament that your grief journeys and rituals can look like whatever you want or need them to. If you never got to speak about your person the way you’d hoped you can use this as a practice for yourself. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid and the universe has your back. With Gratitude, Mandy

Grief Bombs. The reality is that no amount of time keeps them away. And that's ok. It's hard. And it's natural. In this episode, I share the story of the “biggest” grief bomb I’ve had in the almost 5 years since my mom has died, how I dealt with it, and how I’ve reflected on it. The idea in these moments is to pause and let it be. Give yourself a moment to recognize what you feel and honor it. Don't push it away. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. With Gratitude, Mandy

I am honored to introduce you to today’s very special guest - my dear husband Andy Lundquist. Andy has spent 15 years as a high school educator focusing on social studies and religion, having taught in Washington, Indiana and Illinois. Following his masters in transformational leadership, Andy began his PhD in Bluey over a year ago alongside fellow student, our now four year old daughter Zoey. We talk about how the show Bluey has helped us on our parenting journey and how we can learn right along with our kids. Andy serves up insightful observations about some episodes from this lovable children’s show that remind us about how hard adult friendships can be to cultivate, how to be fully present with our kids, and releasing control over how things “should” go. Resources https://www.bluey.tv/ Season 1: Episode 6 // The Courageous Act of Grieving Season 1: Episode 7 // Finding Friends & Community in Mid(ish) Life With Gratitude, Mandy

Today I’m talking about what it felt like to have the most significant opportunity of my career by presenting at SXSW EDU and embracing the AND/BOTH of big feelings. There is so much we can learn when we have the courage to lean into the discomfort of being afraid and still work through it. I don’t believe the work removes the fear but it allows us to hold fear AND courage - that’s a powerful thing. There were some big lessons (and winks from my mama) in my time in Austin. I hope you take what you need. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources Prism Oracle Deck Episode 13: A Language For Mental Health: Why It Matters I would be honored if you shared this episode. Please remember to like and subscribe to the show - it makes a big difference in who can find it online! And if you took the time to write a written review that is the icing on the cake - I would be so grateful. Your support means so much to me. With Gratitude, Mandy

Today’s conversation features Brie Overton, the clinical director for Experience Camps, an award-winning national nonprofit that transforms the lives of grieving children through summer camp programs and innovative, year-round initiatives. We dove into the ways that she was supported early in her grief journey and the class that changed how she thought about death and dying. Brie shares the impact of Experience Camps and talks about the many ways she helps kids and teens build a toolbox to cope with their grief. We bond over the openness in literature and language we share with our kiddos about grief and loss. Brie’s book, “My Grief Comfort Book” just hit the shelves and she discusses how a variety of activities, physical and emotional, are important to our grief journeys. “I know a lot of folks say I don’t want my kids to see me cry, but they need to see you cry. They need to know it’s ok to have these emotions.” Brie Overton Resources // Experience Camps My Grief Comfort Book Gentle Reminders With Gratitude, Mandy

Welcome back for another Wellness Check episode; mini-episodes that serve as a quick reflective moment and opportunity for perspective. Today’s episode is inspired by my amazing producer, John. I’m talking about how the wound is the way - a simple phrase he handed to me after our last recording. I invite you to go for a quick walk or grab something warm to drink as I share some of the invitations that have come from a recent wound and the hilarious (and embarrassing) effects. My hope is that you can get curious about what wounds might be holding invitations for you. You might be surprised. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources // Gabrielle Bernstein Super Attractor Deck With Gratitude, Mandy

This episode is all about grief. We need to understand that there are different types of grief and when we know more we can do better. Grief wasn’t meant to be done alone. I believe the first step in helping to build our grief literacy begins in our classrooms and is built on learning the language of grief. I’d love to hear from you all - I’ve created a short survey that asks about your experience with grief - whether you learned what it was, if you talked about it in your families or with your friends, and what, if any education you received about this every human, very common experience in your educational experience. It would mean so much to me if you took a few moments to share your responses and experiences. Resources // Please take the survey here With Gratitude, Mandy

In this episode, I talk about the many ways that our world is experiencing collective grief. In honoring this difficult emotion I offer some ways to tend to yourselves during a time of fear and uncertainty. I share some of the ways that we can bring ourselves back to baseline so we can be present for our communities, families, and friends. We have to name it to tame it and feel it to heal it. Resources // Support our friend Natasha Sizlo who lost her home in the Palisades fire & listen to our conversation: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-me-support-natasha-her-kids-after-the-fire https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-21-signs-the-magic-of-the/id1715926509?i=1000659637687 Emotion Wheel Open App With Gratitude, Mandy

Welcome to the Wellness Check. These are mini-episodes that serve as a quick reflective moment and opportunity for perspective. Today I’m talking about Hope and the power of finding it, being it, and spreading it. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources Working Mom Notes // LA Wildfire Stuffed Animal Recovery List: A Community Effort to Bring Comfort to Children With Gratitude, Mandy

Happy 2025 & cheers to the kick-off of my 2nd season for the Kindred & Brave Project! In today’s episode, I share a permission slip to enter into this new year just as you (hopefully) came out of last year - slowly & gently. While I no longer subscribe that we need to change our whole lives in the first 31 days of a new year I do believe in the power of self reflection. I talk about a magic that happened for me as a mother when I stopped waiting for the next shoe to drop and watched my son shine. I hope this little parenting reframe gives you a boost as we come out of the holiday season. I need your help! There are some big, exciting things happening in 2025 & I’d be so grateful if you took the time to follow the show & leave a written review of it! Remember - sharing is caring! Resources // The Universe Has Your Back card deck With gratitude, Mandy-

We did it! One full season of a podcast! I talk about what I’ve learned in another year around the sun (Capricorn, baby) and share some ideas for ending 2024 with intention. Think about an anchor word for the new year, something you can return to for guidance and inspiration. Ponder what you’re leaving behind in 2024 - what are you ready to let go of thinking, being, doing? I have really big ideas for next season - some monthly topics and themes, another series, dream guest pitches, and a peek into the brain of my Bluey loving husband (as he says, every life event has a Bluey episode that correlates). If you’ve enjoyed the journey, have a favorite episode or are just looking to support the show please take a moment and make sure you are following the podcast, then leave a written review - that helps others to find it! And sharing is caring - pass along your favorite episode on social media! Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. I’ll talk with you in 2025! Resources // Work Your Light Oracle Cards With Gratitude, Mandy Jankus

In this must hear episode I talk with Shannon Buescher about intuitive eating, the destructiveness of diet culture, & what somatic practices are. Shannon shares actionable tools that she uses with her clients to help learn to connect with body, intuition, & we riff together on how to approach the conditioning we’ve endured (as women) since we were tots. She takes some of the buzz words we hear about our bodies and helps us understand them and our own inner voice, feminine power, and intuition. Your support means everything! Please take the time to share this episode & rate/review/follow The Kindred & Brave Project Podcast. Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Resources // Shannon’s website The Bear Fishes Episode (*trigger warning - family trauma) Woodland Wardens card deck by Jessica Roux With Gratitude, Mandy

“About a quarter of U.S. adults (23%) are now part of the so-called "sandwich generation," according to a Pew Research Center survey conducted in October 2021. These are a group of Americans who are caring for children under 18 and older relatives at the same time, providing hours of unpaid labor—from transportation and doctor visits, while also dealing with the demands of being a parent.” I’m sharing the story of how I learned about this term, how I’m navigating (fumbling through) it, & some lessons I’ve learned in the process. Your support is so important to me - please follow the podcast, share episodes, & leave a review. Resources: https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2013/01/30/the-sandwich-generation/ https://www.apa.org/topics/families/sandwich-generation Donna Ashworth: Loss With Gratitude, Mandy-

I’m sharing a piece of my heart today. In today’s episode I’ll tell you about rumbling with values work, how I knew I was out of alignment in my own life, and why it matters. Resources // Living Into Your Values by Brené Brown We Can Do Hard Things: Episode 353 Unlocking Us: Courageous Leadership & Winning in 2024 Please leave a review, rate, follow, & share this podcast.

Today’s episode is a real-time riff on what happens when shit doesn’t work out how you hoped, the weight of expectations, and over-apologizing. Instead of beating yourself up over it, let it instead be a moment for you to remember that you can begin again, and again, and again.

Today I share a story about the power of grief as a teacher. When we open our hearts to the understanding that grief is love we can open ourselves to experiencing the whole emotion, all of its parts. My son showed me a light into his grief, and the love he has for my mom because I haven’t been afraid to be in the dark. No platitudes. No explanations. Just an honest look at what it feels like to walk through grief as a parent and child. Resources // https://www.amazon.com/Healing-After-Loss-Meditations-Working/dp/0380773384 Thank you for listening. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back. Please rate, review, & share this episode.

In this episode, I talk about two activities that I offer in my Communication classes that can help us all stretch & grow. They remind us as a society to understand that critical thinking and being human are both courageous acts. They are each a skill and we can get better at both of them with practice. How can you stretch yourself to reach out of your comfort zone to grow in community, learn about those who are different from you, ask questions for the sake of understanding, develop deeper listening skills & practicing empathy? I hope these two activities give you something to chew on - how being human in today’s world involves several ordinary acts of courage each day and they deserve to be acknowledged and celebrated - in yourself and others. Resources // Father Greg Boyle: Can a Tender God Ignite Social Change? Sharon McMahon: Drops Make an - Everything Happens with Kate Bowler - Apple Podcasts Is Everyone Really Equal https://www.amazon.com/Everyone-Really-Equal-Introduction-Multicultural/dp/080775861 Have a Beautiful Terrible Day!https://www.amazon.com/Have-Beautiful-Terrible-Day-Betweens/dp/0593727673

Today, I have a candid, vulnerable, and real AF conversation with one of my dearest friends, mentors, and wisest women, Kelley Szany. She is an award-winning Holocaust and genocide educator with over 20 years of experience as the Senior Vice President of Education and Exhibitions at Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. We talk about where her belief in humanity and passion for social justice came from as well as what she’s learned from the survivors in her work. We get real about grief - how we carry it, how we do it with our children, and how we learn to live again and create a legacy for our loved ones. Our stories, community, advocacy - we talk about all the ways these things are a part of our human experience. And we get real about how to find harmony in being a mom while having a thriving career, creating change, and cheering for our children. Live Listener Coaching Episodes I’m looking to do some episodes where I coach a guest live in real time. Think of having individual support to uncover a block, support on setting a goal, looking at how you process an emotion, etc. for 45 minutes - I get excited just thinking about it! If you are interested in this please send me a DM on instagram @ kindredcoaching or an email at [email protected]. If you have a guest you think would be great please reach out & let me know! Resources // Illinois Holocaust Museum Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe Everything Happens: Hope is a Muscle Woodland Wardens deck by Jessica Roux

In this episode, I talk about my journey through understanding perimenopause. I share a behind-the-scenes look at some of the symptoms I’ve experienced as well as how they’ve impacted my life (hint: it’s not pretty). The goal is to open the conversation up about this very important, very real, and very undiscussed time in women’s lives. Resources: The New Menopause: Navigating Your Path Through Hormonal Change with Purpose, Power, and Facts by Mary Claire Haver Live Listener Coaching Episodes! I’m looking to do some episodes where I coach a guest live in real time. Think of having individual support to uncover a block, support on setting a goal, looking at how you process an emotion, etc. for 45 minutes - I get excited just thinking about it! If you are interested in this please send me a DM on Instagram @ kindredcoaching or an email at [email protected]. Your Support Matters! Please rate, review, subscribe AND share these episodes! Thank you!

In this episode, I speak with Barri Leiner Grant about how losing her mother sparked a passion to create what she needed - a place to tend to grief & feel supported. Barri is a wordsmith & has lived many professional lives - as you’ll hear - her work in the grief space is meant to be, an act of service that has impacted folks in the circle, on the mat, & on retreat. We talk about why being grief informed is important, our kismet passion for sharing stories, & how to create memories that create legacy. This conversation has it all & will leave you with lots to think (or write) about. Have a notebook ready. As always, sharing is caring! Please head over to Apple Podcasts to Follow, Rate, & Review. https://thememorycircle.com/

In this episode, I share a few coaching reflections to help you think about what we’ve accomplished together so far this year & how we can hope to grow into the remainder of the year. I've got some practical tips for celebrating the everyday moments & reminding yourself that you have permission to give yourself a midyear review. Reflect // What have you done in this half of the year that you feel proud of? What feels sticky or tough? Where are you stuck in your life? How can I grow in the next 6 months?” Giveaway Alert // Win a copy of Natasha’s book All Signs Point to Paris, a travel size “Breath of Fresh Air” face toner from Lush Cosmetics (mentioned in this episode), & a one hour coaching session with Mandy! Here’s How to Enter // Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts Take a Screenshot of your Review Share it on FB &/or Instagram tagging Mandy (@ kindredcoaching) Winner will be announced during Episode 25! Live Listener Coaching Episodes Alert! I’m looking to do some episodes where I coach a guest live in real time. Imagine having one-on-one support to uncover a block, or setting a goal, looking at how you process an emotion, etc. for 45 minutes - I get excited just thinking about it! If you are interested in this please send me a DM on Instagram @ kindredcoaching or an email at [email protected]. Remember - your stories matter, your feelings are valid, and the universe has your back! Thanks for listening!

Mandy talks with bestselling author Natasha Sizlo about her book All Signs Point to Paris: A Memoir of Love, Loss, & Destiny. They discuss what they learned from Grief Training & the ways (including right in this recording) they feel their beloved guiding them. Natasha talks about how her grief journey turned into a spiritual one & all the ways she’s learned to honor her father - always believing in magic & love. It's a deep discussion about the healing work of grief, parenting while grieving, & being open to the signs & possibilities from the universe. All Signs Point to Paris // https://natashasizlo.com/about/ Yoko Sen - My Last Sound End Well 2018 // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4r4RKQs7aQ GIVEAWAY ALERT // Win a copy of Natasha’s book All Signs Point to Paris, plus a travel size “Breath of Fresh Air” face toner from Lush Cosmetics (mentioned in this episode), & a one hour coaching session with Mandy Here’s How to Enter // Leave a Review on Apple Podcasts Take a Screenshot of your Review Share it on FB &/or Instagram tagging Mandy (@ kindredcoaching) Winner will be announced during Episode 25!

In this touching episode, Mandy talks with author and Child Life Specialist Jessica about following her calling and supporting others through the most difficult times in their lives. Jessica has a passion for supporting children going through difficult life experiences. This passion was amplified after she and her family personally went through several miscarriages and the stillbirth of their little girl, Maggie. Jessica has supported families going through a large variety of losses related to death, life-changing events, and new diagnoses. Since 2018, Jessica has been heavily involved in supporting her local grief community. She assisted with raising over $240,000 for a local pregnancy and infant loss non-profit organization. Additionally, Jessica and her family have been fundraising money to create a respite room at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center to allow families to have more time with their children who are dying/have died in a more relaxed, home-like environment. Mandy and Jessica talk about how they passionately believe in sharing and honoring the stories of others, including supporting them in their grief journeys. You can find Jessica here // https://www.kidsgriefsupport.com/ Her book The ABCs of Grief is available for purchase

In this episode, Mandy talks about how our mental health is important all year round and how we can tune into it. She talks about the connections between the mind and the body including how our body gives us signs that our mental health may need a check up. Also, Mandy offers up some suggestions for us to check in with our own mental health and using research to remind us how to move through our emotions. Please take a moment right now to subscribe to the podcast, rate it AND leave a review. There will be a giveaway next month where I provide some free coaching sessions to folks who leave a review on apple podcasts and share them on social media! Get ready! For now - after you leave your review go ahead and take a screenshot! There will be more info next week! Resources // Emily MacDowell: https://emandfriends.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwx-CyBhAqEiwAeOcTdf1Z3R31A0IA0TH2jYTSizO9V07C2lfFhrL5dugnMwgfCtCbz56W5xoC0a0QAvD_BwE Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking The Stress Cycle: https://www.burnoutbook.net/ Feeling Feelings Card Deck: https://www.bando.com/products/feeling-feelings-card-deck

In this episode, Mandy and Les go deep using a garden metaphor for life to talk about mental health, emotions, & accepting the seasons that life has. They dig into what it’s like to take a leap, practice real self-care, and ride the highs & lows of life. Les Alfred is an award-winning podcast host, speaker, and content creator. For nearly a decade Les has created inspiring, approachable wellness content leveraging her expertise as a personal trainer, nutrition coach, and certified yoga instructor. As the host of Balanced Black Girl, a chart-topping weekly podcast, Les facilitates thoughtful interviews and insightful solo episodes exploring the various aspects of life that contribute to wellness. Balanced Black Girl covers everything from wellness, to productivity, to personal finance, to self-care. Her mission is to help others create nourishing habits that help them create necessary space to live their best lives. Please share this conversation, rate, review, & subscribe to the podcast - it means so much! You can find Les here // Les Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedles Les TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@balancedles Balanced Black Girl Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/balancedblackgirlpodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/balancedblkgrl Website: https://www.balancedblackgirl.com Balanced Black Girl on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/balanced-black-girl/id1438982040 Balanced Black Girl on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/46muBfvOgp2U44ycqZJPPN?si=ebebd88eae914d28 Card Deck // Rebecca Campbell Work Your Light Oracle Cards

On today’s episode Mandy talks about the history of Mother’s Day (it’s not what you may think!) as well as how to practice Celebrating AND Communicating with those you love on this day. Mother’s Day is a holiday that serves as a trigger for many - motherless daughters, women yearning to become mothers, mothers who have lost babies, and women who have complicated relationships with their mothers. We can show up for all of these women by practicing curiosity and empathy. Mandy serves up some suggestions on what you may say or send to those you are thinking about and some of the platitudes to avoid. Resources // Time Article about Mother’s Day: https://time.com/4771354/mothers-day-history-origins/ When It’s Not Fair (it really isn’t) by Kate Bowler: https://katebowler.com/books/have-a-beautiful-terrible-day/

Digging Deeper Episodes are conversations that support being grounded in heart-first, human-centered, story-driven connection. In this episode, Mandy talks with Leslie Foy-Toon about a vulnerable social media post that helped many practice empathy & share their own stories. Leslie is a former teacher turned real estate agent (with an episode on House Hunters!) who opens up about the challenges of being a Type 1 Diabetic and her own journey with her body. Mandy & Leslie talk about the experience of losing a parent, what grief is like, and how storytelling creates a legacy for those we’ve lost. This is a brave conversation that you don’t want to miss. Share this episode far & wide. Please rate, subscribe, & leave a review - it really matters!

“The goal here is to create a situation you no longer have to escape or a life you don’t have to numb. The achievement of sobriety is not the point; it’s a by-product of the work. The work is the point. Addiction is the hook that gets you in the door, and quitting is the catalyst to heal deeper wounds.” Excerpt from Quit Like A Woman by Holly Whitaker. Mandy talks about her relationship with alcohol & why she chose to stop drinking for the time being. She speaks about the fears she had, her family history, and the questions she asks herself each day. A reflective episode - this one is for anyone who is sober curious or has questions about how they cope with big emotions. Questions to ask yourself: What is this bringing to my life? What is this taking away from my life? How am I using this? https://www.amazon.com/Quit-Like-Woman-Radical-Obsessed/dp/1984825070 Please rate & review - your thoughts are so important to me! Join me in Collective Cut - Women’s Group // https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-cut-group-coaching-for-women-tickets-873033475627?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

This episode is airing on April 1, the same date in 2020 that Mandy’s mom, Diana Lynn Jankus took her last breath at 4:41 pm. In this episode, Mandy shares some of the things grief has taught her in the past 4 years. Today's podcast serves as a dedication to those we have loved & lost as well as a reminder that you are not alone in your grief. Please follow the podcast on Apple & rate & review! You can follow the latest reflections & news by subscribing to this free Substack here // https://kindredcoaching.substack.com/ There are two more FREE Collective Cut women’s meetings! Sign up here // https://www.eventbrite.com/e/873003646407?aff=oddtdtcreator

In this episode, Mandy shares some big learnings from a SXSW EDU session she attended with Ross Szabo, an author & educator who focuses on creating a common language for mental health. Learn how Ross defines mental health as well as the six categories he says are included in understanding the concept as a whole. Mandy includes some personal examples of how we are never too young or old to start talking about our mental health. Please remember to follow, rate, & review the podcast - it helps others find us! Follow Kindred Collective on Substack - a place where Mandy will share thoughts, essays, & discussions related to podcast // https://kindredcoaching.substack.com/publish/home Ross Szabo Ted Talk // https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH-nFjMWcUY

Amy Kugler is a media executive, writer, and founder of BEAM - a venture that illuminates the unseen corners of motherhood with human-scale storytelling. BEAM sheds light on the diverse and, often, untold experiences that shape a parent’s journey by building public/private partnerships with advocacy collaborators through expert-led, interactive events and deeply resonant storytelling. She also hosts BEAM Stories, a radio show and podcast. Her two-decade career is built on driving holistic content strategy, spanning industries from global health and government agencies to enterprise (including Microsoft and Amazon) and female-founded startups. Her writing has appeared in Forbes, INC Magazine, NBC’s TODAY.com, The Washington Post, Thrive Global, and The Seattle Times, among other outlets. She calls Seattle, WA home with her husband, two children and husky. You can find her swimming or stand-up paddle boarding on Lake Washington. In this episode we discuss: BEAM & how this passion project was born. What emotional wellness means to us and how to gauge this as a spectrum. Connection with ourselves and others + how connection is related to courage and trust. How Amy has experienced grief in her motherhood journey and how she’s learning to carry it . Please remember to rate, review, and follow The Kindred & Brave Project podcast - it means so much! Join The Kindred & Brave Project Community For Free Here // https://the-kindred-brave-project.mn.co/share/TzWRkWXOCmSjh5Pw?utm_source=manual Check Out FREE Virtual Events This Month // https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-cut-womens-meet-up-tickets-843667280547 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-cut-womens-meet-up-tickets-844968151487 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-cut-womens-meet-up-tickets-844970478447 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grief-patch-a-virtual-grief-support-group-tickets-830420659547 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-cut-womens-meet-up-tickets-844971401207 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grief-patch-a-virtual-grief-support-group-tickets-834745455127 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grief-patch-a-virtual-grief-support-group-tickets-835066736087

In this episode, Mandy finishes the Friendship series with tips from the U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy’s Together The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World. Mandy wraps up the series by making connections between the four books and 7 key takeaways about friendship. Free groups & meetings coming up! The Grief Patch: Grief Support Groups here // https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grief-patch-a-virtual-grief-support-group-tickets-825752376587?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Collective Cut: Women’s Virtual Meet Up here // https://www.eventbrite.com/e/collective-cut-womens-meet-up-tickets-844968151487?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl Please remember to rate, review, & share these episodes - your support is so important to me!

In this episode, Mandy uses the book We Should Get Together - The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships by Kat Vellos to examine more of the ways to make friends and find communities. This book helps give us a roadmap to understanding why we need friendships, how to make them and take better care of them, and shares valuable insight into more ways that we can grow or change our own behaviors to not only be better friends, but to find them as well. Kat plants the Seeds of Connection: Proximity, Frequency, Compatibility and Commitment. EXCITING NEWS! The first month of free events is available! Check out the events here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grief-patch-a-virtual-grief-support-group-tickets-825752376587 https://www.eventbrite.com/e/843667280547?aff=oddtdtcreator Remember you can join our conversation in our FREE Mighty Network Community here: https://the-kindred-brave-project.mn.co/share/TzWRkWXOCmSjh5Pw?utm_source=manual Check out Messy(ish) Mid - a writing spot to honor the honest stories about traversing through mid life - with brave hearts and curious souls. https://kindredcoaching.substack.com/ Resources: https://weshouldgettogether.com/book

(Friendship in Mid(ish) Life Series) In this episode, Mandy uses Dr. Marisa Franco’s book “Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make--and Keep--Friends” as a guide for digging deeper into the realm of friendship in mid(ish) life. This is an episode that will help you turn inward to get curious about how your own past impacts who you are as a friend. Dr. Franco states “attachment theory helps us understand why people interpret the same events in a friendship so differently.” Mandy shares some of the biggest takeaways from the book & discusses how we can use them to think about how we tend to & cultivate our friendships & communities. Sign up to join our free community - The Kindred & Brave Project // https://the-kindred-brave-project.mn.co/share/TzWRkWXOCmSjh5Pw?utm_source=manual Listen to more Dr. Franco here // https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/179-how-to-fix-our-loneliness-with-dr-marisa-g-franco/id1564530722?i=1000599471209 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/180-the-secret-to-making-keeping-friends-with-dr-marisa/id1564530722?i=1000599874955

(Friendship in Mid(ish) Life Series) In the first episode of our friendship in mid(ish) life series; Mandy explores the book “Braving the Wilderness” by Brené Brown. We take a look at why it’s important to be friends with, or “belong” to ourselves first, as we navigate how to connect with others and be in community. Mandy digs into some of the actionable practices from the book to help us add to our socio-emotional toolkit. “True belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world and find sacredness in both being a part of something and standing alone in the wilderness. True belonging doesn’t require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are.” Brené Brown Please head to https://the-kindred-brave-project.mn.co/share/TzWRkWXOCmSjh5Pw?utm_source=manual to join our network, The Kindred & Brave Project for resources from this episode continue the conversation!

(Friendship in Mid(ish) Life Series) In this episode, Mandy brings the topic of friendship to the forefront. As we grow older; our lives change, and some of our friendships likely do too. This process is natural and layered with grief, anxiety, and possibility. IT’S HERE: the soft launch for The Kindred & Brave Project Mighty Networks COMMUNITY. A space to keep these conversations going and help us continue the learning. More to come next month! KBP Purpose: We bring together women in mid(ish) life to explore their passions and support each other through life's transitions so that we can grow, communicate, and heal in a way that connects to our values and fosters community. For Now: Go to kindredandbrave.com and sign up for the KBP Community! It’s free! If you have any questions; email Mandy @ [email protected] Mandy shares the first “series” topic - making friends & finding community in mid(ish) life using 4 books as foundational knowledge & inspiration. Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World by Vivek Murthy Platonic: How the Science of Attachment Can Help You Make - And - Keep Friends by Marisa Franco Braving The Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging & The Courage To Stand Alone by Brené Brown We Should Get Together: The Secret to Cultivating Better Friendships by Kat Vellos

*Trigger Warning* Pet Loss In the first episode of 2024, Mandy shares the story of losing a beloved family member, a pet. She talks about the complexities of grieving while holding space for your children to do the same. Mandy reminds us that pet loss is real loss and that the grief that accompanies that loss is valid. We learn about the buckets of courage as defined by Brené Brown and how to watch others living into that ordinary courage, such as asking for what you need. Please like, subscribe, & leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts - it means the world to me! Episode #6 Practices: Check out this article about Brené’s Netflix special “A Call to Courage” and what it means to be brave Take some time to reflect on times you leaned into courage - maybe had a tough conversation, set a boundary with a loved one, or reached out for support during a hard time. How does it feel to recognize that these are vulnerable and brave acts? Take some notes about what other emotions come up when you remember what it feels like to be brave and to practice “ordinary” acts of courage. They are nothing ordinary. Resources: Brené Brown: A Call to Courage on Netflix The Universe Has Your Back card deck by Gabby Bernstein Services we used for Luna: https://fromhome2heaven.com/ https://faithfulcompanion.com/

In this short episode, Mandy talks about the dichotomies we face around the holiday season. She shares two practices that she uses at the end of the year to gain perspective on what we hope to feel in the new year as well as what we want to let go of. Episode 5 Practices: Make a list of how you want to feel in 2024. What words come to mind? For example - some of my clients have said “calm, open, present, expansive, authentic”. Keep that list nearby and give it some time - as the days pass, do certain words feel more true or important than others? Around the new year take the time to have between 1-3 words picked out and in sight. Maybe they are on your fridge, in your office, on your phone screen. This is a small and very easeful step into gaining some perspective about what you want more of in your life. The next practice that I love to do around this time of year is about letting go. Think about what you want to let go of, or leave behind in 2023. What isn’t serving you anymore? What feels heavy? What is causing extra stress? If you want to take this practice one step further, something I do on New Year's Eve is write down what I want to leave behind in the old year on a small piece of paper. I go outside and place it in a can or glass and light it on fire - it’s a liberating feeling. Resources: The Desire Map by Danielle Laporte Morgan Harper Nichols - artist & author BIG NEWS COMING SOON - sign up for my email list here to get access to a new community, beta coaching, and giveaways!

In this episode; Mandy talks about how to actively practice empathy. She discusses the steps of empathy that Dr. Brené Brown uses in her research how building our empathy muscles could foster connection with our loved ones when they experience grief. We also learn about some common empathy misses and how to repair and reconnect when we screw empathy up (because we will). Please like, subscribe, & leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts - it means the world to me! Episode 4 Practices: 1. Check out this short video from Brené Brown about the difference between sympathy & empathy 2. Consider the steps of empathy she discusses & think about which step you’d like to improve on (for example - how could you build your perspective-taking muscle?) Resources: Brené Brown Atlas of the Heart book Empathy Misses download Sign up for my newsletter to get first access to something exciting next month People I’ve Loved - Thoughtful & Handmade Gifts