Medium Lady Talks: Burnout Recovery for Millennials and Mothers

Episode 147: The Toxic To-Do List ... Why You’re Mentally Fried and How to Rest

Episode 147: The Toxic To-Do List — Why You’re Mentally Fried and How to Rest🎧 Part of the Summer of Real Rest series
Do you ever feel like you’re one more to-do away from a total shutdown?
In episode 147 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin dives into mental rest—what it is, why we’re so bad at getting it, and how decision fatigue is quietly draining your
energy. This is the episode for anyone who says they’re “fine” but can’t seem to think straight, slow down, or make a decision without spiraling.
🧠 You’ll hear:
What mental rest actually is (and what it’s not)
Why your to-do list feels toxic, even when it’s full of “normal” tasks
The powerful insight from Harvard psychologist Dr. Ellen Langer on equivocal decisions
How your brain is doing “moral math” on every choice you make—and burning out because of it
A shoutout to KC Davis and her book How to Keep House While Drowning, and how we can stop assigning morality to everyday decisions
💬 Erin also shares real answers from the Medium Lady community on what’s keeping them from rest:
“The to-do list that never ends.”“I can’t rest when there’s always something left undone.”“Even thinking about resting makes me feel behind.”
✨ You’ll leave this episode with:
A compassionate reframe of your mental fatigue
A simple 5-minute practice to create white space in your mind
A reminder that rest isn’t weakness—it’s how you return to yourself
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
 
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
Keywords: self-celebration, self-care, gratitude practice, personal development, positive psychology, burnout prevention, mindful living, medium effort living, women who work too much, happiness project, joy, vulnerability, cultural conditioning

Episode 146: "When My Eye Stops Twitching" And Other Ways You Know You're Rested

In Episode 146 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin unpacks what real rest actually feels like—and what your nervous system, your motivation, and yes, even your twitching eye are trying to tell you.
Based on community polls and Q&A from Instagram, Erin explores why mental and emotional burnout are so dominant, and why physical rest isn’t really the problem for most of us. She also calls out the sneaky pride many of us still hold in our own fatigue—and why we might be more attached to being tired than we want to admit.
💬 In this episode:
88% of Medium Lady listeners say they’re mentally and emotionally depleted
What real rest looks like according to you: joy, patience, creativity, and the end of irritability
Why we cancel social plans in the name of rest—but fill that time with numbing instead
What to do whether you’re brand new to this idea or deeply aware (and still stuck)
You’ll leave with a gentle nudge, a few clear next steps, and maybe… a little less need to prove your tiredness.
📌 Want to go deeper? Take the Rest Quiz by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith at restquiz.com
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here!  Episode 142: The Summer of REAL Rest
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
 
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
#mediumladytalks #restpodcast #emotionalrest #mentalrest #burnoutrecovery #restasresistance #nervoussystemsupport #softwork #hustleculture #millennialwomen #selfworthandrest

Episode 145: Are you Proud of How Tired You Are? When Fatigue Becomes a Badge of Honour

Is your fatigue a warning sign—or a weird kind of proof that you’re doing “enough”? In this powerful solo episode, Erin explores the deeper emotional and cultural reasons why so many of us wear exhaustion like a badge of honor.
From personal reflections to insights from Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith’s Sacred Rest, this episode challenges the hustle-fueled mindset that says if you're not tired, you're not trying hard enough.
🧠 Erin explores:
Why we cling to fatigue as evidence of our worth or effort
The case of “Karen” from Sacred Rest, and what it reveals about resistance to healing
Hustle culture, motherhood, productivity myths—and how they make us suspicious of well-rested people
The emotional unfairness of rest: “Why should I change when I’ve already given so much?”
Plus, she breaks down four listener mindsets—from totally unaware to hyper-aware but still stuck—and offers one simple way to start reframing how you speak about your tiredness.
💬 If you’ve ever said “I’ll feel better once I get through this month”—every month for the last five years—this one’s for you.
Mentioned in this episode:📘 Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
📊 IG Poll: “Where have you overspent your energy?”
📌 Your Rest Practice This Week:Try replacing “I’m so tired” with:“I’m noticing my energy is low—and I’m working on treating that like a signal, not a badge.”
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 142: The Summer of REAL Rest
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 44- The Reading Goals We Forgot About
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
 
 
Keywords for Search Optimization:burnout recovery, emotional exhaustion, mental rest, hustle culture, sacred rest, dr. saundra dalton-smith, rest podcast, rest for moms, self-worth and fatigue, medium lady talks

Episode 144: What Type of Rest Have You Been Missing? A Deep Dive Book Review of "Sacred Rest" by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith

Welcome to a new episode of Medium Lady Talks, part of our Summer of Real Rest series. Today, we’re diving deep into the book that inspired the framework for this entire season: Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith.
Have ou ever felt exhausted even after a full night of sleep? You're not alone—and you're not just tired, you're depleted. Dr. Dalton-Smith’s book introduces seven distinct types of rest—and it turns out, most of us are missing more than one.
In Episode 144 of Medium Lady Talks I walk you through the key takeaways from the book, how it aligns with the self-care values we explore on the podcast, and what this framework might mean for you—especially if you're ready to shift from burnout to real rest.
✨ In this episode:
Why sleep isn’t the only kind of rest we need
The seven types of rest (and how to identify what you’re missing)
My honest thoughts on the author's religious perspective
How this framework intersects with boundaries, burnout, and unmet needs
A quiz to help you discover your own rest deficits
And why I believe rest isn’t a reward—it’s a requirement
Whether or not you plan to read the book, you’ll leave this episode with practical insights to help you reflect, reset, and reclaim your energy.
📝 Mentioned in this episode:
Take the Rest Quiz: restquiz.com
Check out the book from your local library Sacred Rest: Recover Your Life, Renew Your Energy, Restore your Sanity by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Follow the podcast so you don’t miss upcoming episodes in the Summer of Real Rest series
Let me know your rest needs on Instagram @medium.lady
📚 Medium Lady Talks is a podcast about self-awareness, sustainable self-care, and creating a life you love—with medium effort. Let’s take care of ourselves with the intention we deserve.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you kno
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
 
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Episode 143: The Soft Work of Healing – Why Feeling Good Is Part of the Process

This episode is your permission slip to stop grinding and start healing—gently.
In this heartfelt episode of Medium Lady Talks, Erin shares a deeply personal talk on reclaiming “soft work” as a vital part of healing. Inspired by a moment with her therapist and delivered originally at the Say It Like You Claimed It event with Jam Gamble, this message is a reminder that you can’t recover from burnout by doing more hard work.
Instead, you need softness.
🪷 Erin breaks down:
What “soft work” is and why it matters (think: joy, rest, nature, play)
Why soft work activates the vagus nerve and heals the nervous system
The limiting beliefs that make rest feel unearned or frivolous
The science behind why kindness and pleasure help you recover
How to reprogram your brain to notice joy again
Whether you’re exhausted from doing everything “right” or just need a moment to feel seen, this episode will help you soften into the truth: you are not broken. You’re just overdue for joy.
📚 Mentioned in this episode:
Sacred Rest by Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith
Women Who Work Too Much by Tamu Thomas
Reclaim Yourself by Dr. Thema Bryant
What It Takes to Heal by Prentis Hemphill
Fiction from Kennedy Ryan, Tia Williams, Kiley Reid, and Toni Morrison
💬 Ask yourself: What kind of soft work have I been craving?
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share this episode with the friend who’s doing everything “right” and still wondering why she’s so tired.
 
This episode is part of our “Summer of Real Rest” series—time to call ourselves in to a true commitment to the soft work of feeling better one step at a time. 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! 
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 70: My Life-Changing Perspective on Having the Best Summer EVER
Episode 103: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part One
Episode 104: Four Questions to Free Yourself from Summer Stress Part Two
Episode 106: Six Things Saving My Summer 
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 43 - Our Best Recommendations for Your Summer Reading Pile
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
Key Words: #softwork #burnoutrecovery #restasresistance #nervoussystemhealing #mediumladytalks #mentalhealthawareness #joyishealing #radicalrest

Episode 142: Welcome to the Summer of REAL Rest (this might hurt your feelings...)

🎧 Self-care isn’t a vibe. It’s a practice—and it’s time to get real about it.
In this powerful kickoff to the new series on Medium Lady Talks: Summer of Real Rest, Erin unpacks the uncomfortable truth about modern self-care: we’re spending our time, money, and attention in all the wrong places.
If you’ve ever wondered why journaling, green smoothies, or a perfectly lit bath still leave you feeling exhausted and overwhelmed—you’re not alone. In Episode 142, Erin shares the self-care advice she’d give if she wasn’t worried about hurting your feelings.
✨ You’ll learn:
The difference between dopamine-driven habits and sustainable self-care
Why rest that actually restores you won’t go viral—and that’s the point
How to spot the real cost of your “wellness” routines
What it means to stop outsourcing your peace and start reclaiming your attention
This isn’t a makeover or a challenge. It’s an invitation to slow down, soften, and ground yourself in practices that build resilience—like bedtime, boundaries, and real journaling.
If you’re ready for a summer that nourishes instead of depletes, you’re in the right place.
🛏️ Stay tuned for upcoming episodes in the Summer of Real Rest series—each one offering mindful, manageable shifts that support your nervous system and reconnect you with yourself.
💬 Let Erin know what “real rest” means to you over on Instagram @medium.lady—and share

Episode 141: Listen to Your Body - How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #10 with Menopause Educator Lisa Boate

What if menopause wasn’t something to endure—but something to liberate? In this powerful and perspective-shifting episode of Medium Lady Talks, I’m joined by Lisa Boate—Certified Menopause Coach, Founder of Liberated Menopause Consulting and Coaching, and host of the Transforming 45 podcast.
This episode is part of our “How to Take Care of Yourself” series—because self-care isn’t all bubble baths and meditation apps. Sometimes, it’s filling your prescription and taking your meds.
Lisa’s midlife journey led her to a stunning realization: she was on the other side of everything she ever wanted. But what happens when that life—once so carefully pursued—starts to feel more like a script written by someone else?
In this conversation, Lisa shares how midlife can be a portal to freedom, power, and profound self-connection. We talk about breaking down long-held myths about menopause, advocating for your health with undertrained doctors, and reimagining what it means to age with agency. Whether you’re preparing for perimenopause, in the thick of it, or supporting someone who is, this episode is for you.
🧠 Topics We Cover:
The liberating moment of midlife realization: “I’m on the other side of everything I ever wanted”
Why menopause is more than just a phase—it’s a societal awakening
How we’ve been taught to suffer quietly, and why that needs to change
What a Dr. Ready session looks like—and how to prep for a doctor’s visit
Why post-menopausal women still need to pay attention to their health
Reclaiming your voice and power through personalized rituals (like building the soundtrack of your life!)
The danger of thinking “it’s not that bad” and how internalized suffering affects women’s value
How to build menopause-empowered workplaces
Resources Lisa loves: @trainingwithjoan, Dr. Lisa Mosconi, and Dr. Mary Claire Haver
Why it’s never too late to improve your quality of life
Lisa’s take on the big question: “Can we just skip menopause?”
🧰 Lisa’s Signature Offering:
👩‍⚕️ Dr. Ready: Your Menopause Prep SessionA guided 1:1 session to map your perimenopause experience and prep for a more empowered conversation with your healthcare provider. Perfect for women who feel dismissed, gaslit, or under-supported in medical spaces.
🔗 Connect with Lisa:
Website: liberatedmenopause.ca
Instagram: @lboate
Podcast: Transforming 45
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 131: Why is Taking Care of Yourself So Hard?
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
Episode 132: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #1 - Say YES to Help
Episode 133: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #2 - Name your Needs
Episode 134: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #3 - Stay Curious
Episode 135:  How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #4 - Celebrate Yourself
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 39 - Are Celebrity Memoirs Clogging Up Your TBR?
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
 

Episode 140: Take the Selfie - How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #9 with guest Kalee Isbell

In this heartfelt episode of Medium Lady Talks, Erin is joined by filmmaker and memory-keeper Kalee Isbell, founder of Isbell Family Films, to explore how photography and family videos can become a vital tool in your self-care toolkit.
What starts as a chat about taking more selfies quickly unfolds into a deeper conversation about postpartum depression, creative healing, and the emotional power of seeing yourself—and your life—through a different lens.
Kalee shares how her journey began with a “One Second a Day” video project during her son’s first year, eventually leading her to discover joy and healing in documenting life’s quiet magic. With warmth and honesty, she reveals how editing home videos during postpartum depression offered her a new perspective that helped shift her mindset from overwhelm to appreciation.
Together, Erin and Kalee unpack:
Why photos can be part of presence, not separate from it
The science behind creativity and mental health recovery
How “prompting vs. perfectionism” can transform family photos
Tips for guilt-free memory-keeping (hint: outsourcing counts!)
Why you should take the photo with YOU in it, especially on the good days
A clever hack for milestone photos that reduces pressure and perfectionism
The emotional resonance of seeing your past self—and giving her some tenderness
Whether you’re navigating early motherhood, managing digital overwhelm, or looking for a low-lift way to prioritize your well-being, this episode is your gentle nudge to take the selfie, make the memory, and remember that being seen matters.
🎧 Tune in to learn:
How family filmmaking helped Kalee through postpartum depression
Why nostalgia can be a self-compassion tool
Ways to reclaim memory-making without pressure or guilt
Why your future self will thank you for the pictures you take today
💫 Connect with Kalee Isbell:
Website
Instagram 
 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 131: Why is Taking Care of Yourself So Hard?
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
 
Episode 132: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #1 - Say YES to Help
Episode 133: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #2 - Name your Needs
Episode 134: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #3 - Stay Curious
Episode 135:  How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #4 - Celebrate Yourself
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 41 - A Real Dud of a Thriller
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads

Episode 139: Protect Your Dreams - How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #8 with guest Jennifer Lasachuk

In Episode 139 of Medium Lady Talks, I’m joined by floral designer and creative entrepreneur Jennifer Lasachuk, owner of The Paisley Rose in Mississauga. Jennifer has been running her floral business for nine years—exactly as long as she’s been a mom—and together we explore how matrescence and entrepreneurship often arrive hand-in-hand. As someone who launched Medium Lady when my youngest was born, I couldn’t relate more to her journey of identity, creativity, and growth.
We dig into what it really takes to thrive as a florist in a female-dominated profession often underestimated by mainstream narratives. Jennifer lovingly debunks the myths of the "bridezilla" and the "sweet florist main character," shining a light on the bold, practical, and deeply artistic work behind event floristry. She shares her grounded approach to dreaming big: believe in your vision, but back it up with logic and skill.
We also talk about what self-care looks like in the midst of personal transitions, including Jennifer's reflections on her separation, motherhood, and finding space for herself outside of the roles she holds for others.
✨ If you're a woman feeling the spark of something new, a creative dream that won’t let go—this episode is for you. As Jen says: “Trust that feeling in your body. You have to share it.”
Topics We Cover:
The parallel paths of motherhood and entrepreneurship
What matrescence teaches us about identity, ambition, and becoming
Busting floral industry myths and reclaiming the florist as a business leader
The behind-the-scenes truth about running a female-led creative business
Balancing big dreams with logic, skill, and resilience
Navigating self-care through personal transformation and separation
Why trusting your creative instincts matters more than perfection
Links Mentioned:Follow Jennifer and The Paisley Rose on Instagram: @thepaisleyroseLearn more about floral design for events and Jennifer's amazing work on her website. 
🧡 If this episode resonates with you:
Share it with a friend who needs a little extra encouragement
Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more than you know
DM me on Instagram @medium.lady or tag your favorite quote from the episode
Subscribe for more real talk about building a life you love—one medium-effort step at a time
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 131: Why is Taking Care of Yourself So Hard?
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
 
Episode 132: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #1 - Say YES to Help
Episode 133: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #2 - Name your Needs
Episode 134: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #3 - Stay Curious
Episode 135:  How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #4 - Celebrate Yourself
Medium Lady Reads Episode 39 - Are Celebrity Memoirs Clogging Up Your TBR?
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads
 

Episode 138: Move Through Your Outrage - How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #7 with Guest Cecelia Baum Mandryk

What if your nervous system didn’t believe it was safe to want something just for you?
In Episode 138 of Medium Lady Talks, Erin is joined by life coach Cecelia Mandryk (@ceceliabmandryk) to continue our series on How to Take Care of Yourself. Together, they explore the difference between dopamine-driven quick fixes and the courageous work of sustained self-care. Cecelia offers powerful tools and reframes that help high-functioning people make their minds a calmer, safer place to be.
Erin and Cecelia talk about:
Why identifying what YOU want can feel threatening when you've learned to meet everyone else's expectations
How our culture of outrage keeps us stuck—and how to move from reactivity to empowered action
A step-by-step walk-through of tending to your nervous system when you're feeling overwhelmed or angry
The magic of nervous system regulation (even when your brain tells you it won’t work)
Why the actions you take from empowerment might look the same as outrage-driven ones—but feel completely different
✨ “You can’t choose something better until you know what you’re choosing.” — this quote from Cecelia hit me hard and stayed with me.
You’ll also hear:
A grounded reminder from Walt Whitman that it’s okay to be a contradiction
My frustration with the way self-care has been co-opted by consumerism—and how Cecelia helped me reframe that into compassion
A call to reclaim self-care as simple, nourishing, and deeply powerful
This is a conversation for anyone feeling burned out, stuck in rage or fear, or unsure how to move forward without losing themselves.
🔗 Connect with Cecelia:
Instagram: @ceceliabmandryk
Website, mini-course + coaching: ceceliabaummandryk.com
🎧 Listen in, take a deep breath, and remember—you don’t have to fix everything to feel more powerful. You just have to start with you.
 
Looking for more support? Access exclusive content and mindful living tools on Patreon. 
Join the conversation! Share one need you're naming today and tag @medium.lady on Instagram.
The series starts here! Episode 131: Why is Taking Care of Yourself So Hard?
Don’t forget to subscribe! If this episode resonates, share it with a friend or leave a review—it helps others find the show!
Other Related Episodes (for your enjoyment):
 
Episode 132: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #1 - Say YES to Help
Episode 133: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #2 - Name your Needs
Episode 134: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #3 - Stay Curious
Episode 135:  How to Take Care of Yourself Insight #4 - Celebrate Yourself
Episode 136: How to Take Care of Yourself Insight # 5 - Take Your Meds
Episode 137: How To Take Care of Yourself Insight #6 - Make Time for Art
 
Medium Lady Reads Episode 40 - Wonderful Publishers Behind Wonderful Authors 
 
Connect with Erin:
Instagram: @medium.lady
Patreon: www.patreon.com/mediumlady 
Email: mediumladytalks@gmail.com 
Explore more book-related content on "Medium Lady Reads." - link to Spotify
Instagram: @mediumladyreads