Medium Lady Talks

Medium Lady Talks with Author Jayne Allen

Hello, hi! Today's episode is an exciting one, it's my first interview with an author! I'm interviewing Jayne Allen author of the recently released, must-read novel "Black Girls Must Die Exhausted". 
Jayne and I have a wonderful heart to heart unpacking the themes in her book. We talk about the choices she made with her title, the intentionality behind her cast of characters, as well as the approach she takes to boundary setting and creating art. I know you will love this conversation as much as I did.
You can find Jayne on Instagram @jayneallenwrites or join her email list at www.jayneallen.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.

Medium Lady Talks to Handsome Face

Hello, hi! Today's episode is extra special for two reasons - it is my TWENTIETH episode and it is with my partner and husband Nick (who I also affectionately dub "handsome face").
Nick and I chat (well Nick chats, and I giggle) over 4 randomly selected questions, we offer ourselves a bit of advice and we mostly just enjoy each others company. The microphone was just along for the ride.
If you enjoyed this episode please come and hang out with me over on Instagram, @medium.lady. And if you loved this episode don't forget to give it a rating and review. If you know a Medium Lady or Handsome Face in your life who would enjoy this episode go ahead and share it with them! 
Other things in this episode:
~ This question about managing marital bliss on Quora
~ Was friends filmed in front of a live studio audience?
~ Corporate speak gets pretty bad...amirite?
Music is Climb by The Ghost in the Piano and I'm grateful for its use via creative commons license.
 
 
 

Medium Lady Talks about September

Hello, hi! Is it just me, or is this September coming in hot with BIG FALL ENERGY?
Grab your journal and join me as I walk through a few reflective exercises to align my efforts and fun this September and work to shed some of the ongoing resistance I've been feeling towards the end of summer 2021.
This episode you can expect to hear my musings on the following:
- What IS IT about September that makes it so darn unique?
- What did September mean to you (and to me) growing up?
- What am I resistant to this September?
- What am I excited for this September?
This episode is an example of my monthly practice to design my monthly experiments in a way that makes me live my life with intention and purpose. If that sounds fun to you, I hope you'll join me over on Instagram @medium.lady!
Music is Climb by The Ghost in the Piano and I'm grateful for its use with creative commons license. 

Medium Lady Talks about Books Summer 2021

Hello, hi! Today's episode is all about the books I read this summer, and I'll give you advice to Read IT or... Don't! And of course my favourite "Know Yourself" category 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:
Mindset by Carol Dweck
The Bridgerton Series by Julia Quinn
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 mentioned in this episode,
Episode 12 all about Growth Mindset
Episode 14 Your Summer Reading Pile with Ali Oppenlaender
My writing and other musings can be found on Instagram @medium.lady please head over there and shoot me a DM!
The epic Goodreads review of 11/22/63 by Gatorman in 2011
Music is Climb by Ghost in the Piano and I'm grateful for its use by creative commons license.

Medium Lady Talks about Skin Care Olympics with Sarah Rich

Hello, hi! Today's podcast is all about the Skin Care Olympics awarded by me and my dear friend Sarah Rich from @getnormal on Instagram. Sarah and I are very old and dear friends who love nerding out on all things beauty together, and we figured the recent Tokyo Olympics provided us with a great theme to chat about some of our most (and least) loved products.
Before the conversation with Sarah, I also experiment with some less refined, more spontaneous chat about my thoughts regarding the conversation, my friendship with Sarah and the idea of not taking yourself too seriously. I hope you love this episode as much as I do! If you'd prefer the video version, it can be found on my Instagram IGTV page @medium.lady.
 
PRODUCTS THAT STUCK THE LANDING
Sarah: Isle of Paradise Self Tanning Drops
Erin: E.L.F Holy Hydration Face Cream
 
REPEAT MEDALIST 
Sarah: Lush Eau Roma Water Toner
Erin: Cerave PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
 
BEST ALL AROUND ATHLETE
Sarah: Weleda Skin Food Light Nourishing Cream
Erin: Pixi Glow Tonic
 
DID NOT FINISH
Sarah: Cerave Skin Renewing Cream Serum
Erin: the general category of Face Masks
 
OBSCURE SPORT
Sarah: Paula’s Choice Tranexamic Acid 
Erin: Dieux Forever Eye Masks, Silver Medal to the general category of Oil Cleansers
 
PERSONAL BEST
Sarah: Northlore Rosehip Seed Facial Serum
Erin: Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Cleanser with 2% Salicylic Acid
 
LAST PLACE
Sarah: The Ordinary 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil
Erin: any Chemical Sunscreen 
ALSO MENTIONED:
~Charlotte Palermino @charlotteparler on Instagram - skin care influencer
~Dermatologist Dr. Dray on YouTube - real talk about ingredients from a doctor
~Clara Hughes is a multi medalist from Canada who I incorrectly name as a skier - she is infact a Speed Skater and hellur badass. 
~Paula Begoun the “Cosmetics Cop” and beauty mogul behind Paula’s Choice skin care and unfortunate moniker
~Sarah and I continue to experiment with sunscreen - Physical sunscreens including Coppertone Pure and Simple Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 and Sun Bum Clear Zinc Oxide Face Cream 50 SPF
~Gwenyth Paltrow’s shenanigans with sunscreen - come on Gwennie tell us you're kidding...
 
Music is Climb by Ghost in the Piano, as always I'm extremely grateful for it's free use under creative commons licensing.

Medium Lady Talks about a Monthly Wish List

Hello, hi!  This week's podcast episode is all about an experiment I've been doing with a Monthly Wishlist. This has given me lots of thoughts about Medium Effort, Mindful Fun, and shopping! 
WHY YOUR WISHLIST IS MEDIUM EFFORT: A wishlist does require a bit of planning and a bit of a break from the "want it/need it/got it" reaction. I'll talk a bit about why the discomfort of the pandemic resulted in me leaning into online shopping as a way to disconnect from discomfort, and the effort of a wish list helped me understand that better.
WHAT GOES ON THE WISH LIST: You get to decide what goes on your own wish list. For me, it's all the items that make me feel like I could change myself, my appearance or my life just a little bit, if only I could buy the "perfect item". But you get to decide what goes on the wish list. 
WHEN TO USE THE WISH LIST: For me, I love a monthly cycle, and the fresh start that turning the calendar pages provides. At the beginning of the month I check in with the wish list and make some mindful purchases. And then I go back to putting things on the wish list. Sometimes I forget what's on the wish list, and sometimes, I'm really excited to finally make a purchase and bring it into my life.
What do you think of this idea of a wish list? Would you give it a try? Let's me know your thoughts on Instagram @medium.lady!
Music is Climb by The Ghost in the Piano, and I'm grateful for its use through creative commons license.

Medium Lady Talks about Five Things to Try Right Now - July 2021

Hello, hi! Today's episode ends with a five so it's back to my series on 5 things to try right now. I hope you'll try one or some, or all of them! If you do please connect with me on Instagram, I'd love to hear your thoughts @medium.lady!
1. Ask yourself "WHAT IF IT ALL WORKS OUT, WHAT IF MY HARD WORK PAYS OFF" 
2. GO DEEP ON YOUR STRENGTHS then put it on the back burner and stop thinking about it so much
3. REFRESH YOUR INSTAGRAM FEED WITH HASHTAGS. Here are a few that have contributed to changing my relationship with the algorithm this year: #amplifymelanatedvoices #shelvesofdiversity #diversifyyourbookshelf #disabledandcute #disabledfashion #fatpeopleareaspirational #pinterestbutmakeitfat #indigenousfashion
4. REVIEW THE LAST PRODUCT YOU USED UP - Bonus points if you use this as a point of conversation and ask someone to review what they're using!
5. EAT VACATION LUNCH: made fresh, eaten outdoors with a cold drink. I'm going to try doing this more often, and even ditch my phone! You can find my meal tips and tricks in my Instagram highlights.
Music is Climb by The Ghost in the Piano, I'm grateful for its availability for use with creative commons license.
 

Medium Lady Talks with Ali Oppenlaender about your Summer Reading Pile

Hello, hi! Are you prepared for summer reading!? Summer reading can feel high effort - you want to read what all the cool kids are reading and be able to talk about the latest summer releases. But what about the back list? What about the library?
Join me as I chat books with my friend Alison Oppenlaender! We'll each recommend a book for your summer reading pile and ALL of our book recommendations are from the backlist. Library users unite!
You're going to want to listen and make some plans for your summer reading in advance. Using MEDIUM EFFORT, figure out what you want to read, and then just focus on reading those books! Don't worry about all the Book Fomo this summer ;)
Our book recommendations include our "reading sweet spot", a book we always recommend, a book that surprised us and the ONE book you should read this summer....
As always please connect with me over on Instagram, @medium.lady and let me know what's on your summer reading pile. 
Books recommended, in no particular order:
112263 by Stephen King
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
Get a Life Chloe Brown, by Talia Hibbert
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Music is Climb by the Ghost in the Piano and used with my gratitude and creative commons license

Medium Lady Talks about Minimalism with Bridget Baker

Hello, hi! Today's podcast is an awesome chat with my friend Bridget Baker. Bridget is a brand and website designer, minimalist, lifestyle blogger and RV enthusiast! We had so much to talk about, and I know you're going to enjoy this discussion.
Here's a bit of what we cover!
MINIMALISM and MEDIUM EFFORT: are they from the same family? Or can they hold hands together? 
THE APPEAL OF MINIMALISM: Bridget explains why someone like me (a person with a lifestyle that acts as a magnet for stuff) is so attracted to the idea of minimalism.
YOU DESERVE SPACE: Bridget and I talk about the gift of space, whether it's mental, emotional or physical, and why "this next part" at the end of the pandemic, is an important time for you to claim what you need to make a gentle and self-compassionate transition.
Please let me know what you think of the episode and let's connect over on Instagram @medium.lady!
Other things mentioned in this episode:
The Afrominimalist's Guide to Living with Less by Christine Platt
The Body is Not and Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
Music is Climb by The Ghost in the Piano, used with creative commons license.

Medium Lady Talks about Growth Mindset

Hello, hi! Today's episode is all about growth mindset - with medium effort. On Instagram I set monthly goals that I call my monthly "experiment". I design goals to fall within four categories: read, play, try and think. The last few months I've been "think"ing about growth mindset. This episode is a summary of those thoughts.
NAME YOUR STRENGTHS: The first way to grow, with medium effort, is to take a bit of time, up front to list your strengths with as much detail as possible.
APPLY YOUR STRENGTHS IN A NEW WAY: I talk about a few of my own strengths applied to examples. Growth happens when you use your strength to try something new or to level up your existing strengths. Take a risk, do something awkward, get uncomfortable, but lean into what you're already good at before testing new waters for the sake of growing.
REST: None of us are built to grow 100% of the time, in fact often rest can lead to growth or be the cause of growth. I'll commit to thinking more about this, and am the first to admit I don't have it all figured out!
I touch on a few resources within this episode:
1. The Four Tendencies quiz by Gretchen Rubin 
2. Now, Discover your Strengths by Don Cliffton
3. Burnout by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
4. The Enneagram - online test option available here
 
If you're interested in connecting, or learning more about my monthly experiments,  I can be found on Instagram @medium.lady.
Music is Climb by The Ghost in the Piano, used with creative commons licensing.