Medium Lady Talks

Books I Read Winter 2022

Hello, hi! Today's episode brings us back after a March hiatus to talk about Books!! I read 15 books from January to March of 2022 and I review them all in this episode.
My general framework for reviews includes:
Probably pass - the books I think you won't miss if you never read them
Know yourself - the books that have specific characteristics that mean they aren't for everyone
Medium Lady Must reads - the books I personally think have something to offer every reader and will bring the joy of reading to my listeners
Let me know what you read this winter? Join in on the conversation after the episode on Instagram @medium.lady! I'll see you there :)
 
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady
This episode was edited and produced by Hannah Vandeven Dong.
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.
 

Music and Playlists

Hello, hi! We’re going to talk about music today, and playlists specifically, why I love music, and how playlists serve my personal motto of medium effort and mindful fun. Plus I’m going to talk about the Low, High and Medium Effort ways to build a playlist and get enjoyment from them.
*note: I talk A LOT about Spotify in this episode, but this content is not sponsored in anyway. I just love Spotify.
~~~
Playlists mentioned:
What I found in the Winter by Medium Lady
Winter'ish by Medium Lady
Classic Family Flicks by Spotify
Best Instrumental by The Lazy Genius Kendra Adachi
Also mentioned:
secondhandsongs.com
 
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.
 

Introverts and Extroverts with Handsome Face

Hello, hi! Today I'm joined by my partner Nick, to talk about being introverted and extroverted in our marriage. We talk about when we knew we were extroverted/introverted and how it makes things easier or harder when you're partnered! Listen to hear what's great about being married to an extrovert or introvert and hear which of us would switch to the other type if we could!
Also mentioned in the episode:
Quiet: The Power of Introverts by Susan Cain
Married to an Introvert - tips for extroverts
What Introverts Married to Extroverts Need to Know - First Things First
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.
 

Aspirational Clutter with Bridget Baker

Hello, hi! I'm excited to welcome back Bridget Baker from @bridgetbakerminimalistmojo to chat with me about aspirational clutter. The new season of Medium Lady Talks felt like a great time to kick off some practical tips and thoughtful reflections on clutter and why we "acquire to aspire."
Bridget and I also discuss:
- Brene Brown's new book "Atlas of the Heart."
- Zoodlers and Zoodles (we say this word many times in the episode)
- Do you have any of these items taking up space in your home?
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady
 
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.
 

How to Take Care While Sick

Hello, hi! Welcome to Season 2 of Medium Lady Talks! 
This week's episode talks about something most of us are familiar with at this point of 2022, getting sick. This episode covers my reflections on being sick in early January and what I've learned about how to take care when feeling the effects of illness. 
 
While this episode specifically covers "cold season" type illness, with symptoms that resolve and improve - I would invite anyone with experience with chronic illness or recurrent illness to connect on Instagram @medium.lady. This episode focuses on my own personal experience and invites you to reflect on yours, its not designed to be prescriptive or all-encompassing. If these tips help you, that's great! 
Here are the tips in the episode:
1. Sick doesn't equal Sad
2. Sick doesn't move in a straight line
3. Stay still when you're sick
4. You have the time to be sick
 
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady
 
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.

Medium Lady Would Rather Be Reading - Fall/Winter Books 2021

Hello, hi! Today's episode is all about the books I read this fall/early winter. I'll do a deep dive (or at least a medium dive) on the 17 books I read and give my recommendations to "probably pass", "Medium Lady Must Reads" and the know yourself books in the middle. 
Knowing yourself, when it comes to building a robust reading habit, is really key. When you know what you like, and what you don't, you can reach for more books that align with what you like. And when you know what to reach for, you just keep reading!
Books mentioned today, in no particular order:
Think Again by Adam Grant
All in by Billie Jean King
Home Style Cookery by Matty Matheson
Yearbook by Seth Rogen
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Black Girls Must Die Exhausted by Jayne Allen
The Accidental Apprentice by Amanda Foody
The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams
Blaze Island by Catherine Bush
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
Very Sincerely Yours by Kerry Winfrey
Matrix by Lauren Groff
The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang
The Birch Bark House by Louise Erdrich
The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Now, Discover Your Strengths by Donald Clifton
Indians on Vacation by Thomas King
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
Big Summer and That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
11/22/63 by Stephen King
Also in the Episode:l
The concept of Time Anxiety coined by my podcast idol @laura.tremaine you can hear her talk about that here
The Currently Reading podcast
My other book related episodes Episode 1, Episode 8, Episode 18
The Cozy Christmas Reads Episode 26 with Ali and Jillian
Episode 22 My Interview with Jayne Allen author of Black Girls Must Die Exhausted
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady.
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.

Medium Lady Talks about Cozy Christmas Reading with Ali and Jillian

Hello, hi! Today on the podcast I’m joined by my reader friends Ali Oppenlaender (from Episode 14) and Jillian O’Keefe to talk about Cozy Christmas reading and our recommendations for your best choices for reading by the Christmas tree with your favourite seasonal drinks.
We hope you feel supported and inspired to plan out your holiday reading, embracing seasonal reading and the general vibe of reading during a winter holiday. Plus we’ll talk about the best ways of getting book recommendations, why we use Goodreads (or not!) to track our reading, and our favourite time of day for reading (spoiler: all times of day).
Ali on Instagram - @alioppenlaender 
Jillian on Instagram - @jillianfindinghappy (DM her for the Goodreads friend request!)
As always please connect with me over on Instagram, @medium.lady and let me know what's on your holiday reading pile. 
Books recommended, in alphabetical order: 
A Season for Second Chances by Jenny Bayliss
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
The Holiday Swap by Maggie Knox
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
Still Life by Louise Penny
And my number one recommendation any time of year will always be Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Music is Climb by the Ghost in the Piano and used with my gratitude and creative commons license
 

Medium Lady Talks about Five Things to Try in December 2021

Hello, hi! As today's episode ends in a "5", I'll be sharing five things for you to try right now, and for this season of life. I love these episodes because I often pull from  my own ideas and archives from writing on Instagram, but I also curate a few of my favourite things, or the items really making me happy lately.
Advent of kindness: especially kindness to strangers! More on my writing about that here. I really find now is the opportunity for us to look for new ways to find connection in our communities, especially when current rhetoric would have us believe we're divided and against one another.
Ornaments with a sense of humour! I share a bit about a transformative experience when I purchased two ballerina ornaments, and I've never looked back! Ornaments are a small, low cost joy bringer and I definitely recommend you find one that makes you happy for your tree this year.
Personalized gifts. I can't get enough of gifts that are monnogrammed, use the recipients initials or name, and finally personalized photo gifts! There's nothing quite like a gift that can only be given to you!
See your home with new eyes: The holidays are a time when we're innundated with options to spend money, time, or effort on transforming our homes. See your home with new eyes that allow you to experience a sense of gratitude around your space and the place you take shelter and rest, or celebrate this time of year with loved ones.
Really really specific playlists: Building a playlist is a perfect example of "mindful fun". It requires focus, it's sensory and it has a wonderful sense of starting and stopping. Here's a link to my latest Christmas Carol playlist I hope you enjoy!
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady.
 
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.

Medium Lady Talks about Friendship in 2021

What does it take to be a friend in your late 30s? Is scheduling the answer to everything? Is technology a good thing or a bad thing for your friendship?
What does it take to be a friend as the pandemic comes to a close - do you have enough personal grace to navigate your way back to your relationships after the end of lockdowns or the transition of your friendships from online to real-line?
Can you record an entertaining podcast in a mid-range sedan, from the parking lot of a BBQ joint?
The answer to most of these questions is YES!
I hope you enjoy this chat with two of my oldest friends as we describe the seasons that we’ve experienced throughout our friendship of almost 30 years. We get into our (very) specific friendship as well as the new friends we’ve made as adults and how hard/easy that has been for us. Spoiler alert: some of us made mistakes along the way.
 
Also mentioned
The Lobster by the Gloaming “possibly the most spectacular instrumental piece of music that has ever existed”- Emily
Taylor Leonhardt “another Taylor” specifically Happy or Whatever, Keep me Around
Change your Life Chicken from the Lazy Genius “I have to hold off and only make this once a week.” - Sarah
Fear the Walking Dead “there’s so many seasons, how much more could you have?” -Erin
Never Have I Ever “partway through I realized I might be attracted to Paxton Hall-Yoshida” -Erin (ps it's ok he's a grownup)
Ted Lasso “This new kind of character on television that’s emerging.” - Sarah

Medium Lady Talks about Internet Realness with Stephanie Cunningham

Hello, hi! Today's episode is with my friend Stephanie Cunningham @steffski on Instagram. Steph's internet handle is “Wellness+Realness” and what I love about following her is that’s exactly what you get. She's often posting inspiring and aspirational content, followed by her openness about raising small kids, finding balance, and showing up in the challenge to make the next best decision.
Steph and I also talk about an IGTV live that we did a year ago to talk about goal setting, prioritization and putting things in motion for three months. Spoiler alert - we barely did the things we chose to do! But instead we talk about what we might have done if we could go back in time!
Also mentioned in this episode:
THIS C.S. Lewis quote
My Monthly Experiments - the most recent of which can always be found in my IG highlights @medium.lady
Pamela Pumpkin - Stephanie's now annual reel tradition
You can always help out the podcast by providing a rating or review, and sharing it with another Medium Lady in your life! And with the bi-weekly episode release schedule make sure you're subscribed so you don't miss when the new episodes drop. I love to connect with listeners, you can swing by to say hi on Instagram, @medium.lady
 
Music is Climb by The Ghost in Your Piano. I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.