The Big Life

Each person is experiencing the Coronavirus in different ways. Some feel this is the perfect moment to do all the things they never have time for: learn a new skill, read all the books, cook and or bake more. In other words, be more productive. For others it might be the opposite—the forced pause is the perfect opportunity to slow down, do less. Others might be bouncing back and forth between the need to feel like they can allow themselves to slow down and the need to achieve and produce more. Wherever you are, the truth is that this is a unique opportunity for stillness and ask ourselves: who am I? What do I want? What are my needs? Until now, many of us may have answered these questions drawing from the expectations of others, the external world. The Coronavirus could be the moment to find the answers within. If you’re struggling with being alone with your thoughts, if you’re discovering a desire to understand who you really are, or if you’re simply continuing the journey of befriending yourself, this episode is for you. Our guest is Catherine Wood, author of Belonging: Overcome Your Inner Critic and Reclaim Your Joy. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

This is a moment in history to notice how fractured and vulnerable our attention can be. In today’s economy, everyone is competing for our attention. Because of how triggering the current context is, the links between attention and well-being are more evident and salient. How do we take charge of our attention in a way that benefits our well-being? How can we be more intentional about what we dedicate our attention to? Could we bring purpose and values to our relationship with technology? Just as we reflect on the type of career we want, how we want to raise our kids, or our family values, it’s necessary to reflect about the relationship we want to have with technology. Our guest is Jay Vidyarthi, an attention activist who believes mindfulness can empower individuals to reclaim choice in the attention economy. He leads mindfulness training sessions in organizations of all shapes and sizes. Learn more about him at www.attentionactivist.com. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Our world has been turned upside down, the places and things we did to build community are no longer accessible to us. However, having a community to rely on in these times is critical. In this episode we talk about how this new reality is forcing us to reimagine what community looks like and why, now, more than ever it is so important. Our guest is Lindsey Parry. Lindsey is a community building expert and runs a business focused on community development, event planning and marketing. She’s a firm believer that life and businesses thrive when community is at the center. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

The Coronavirus is disrupting everyone’s lives in different ways and intensities. It is particularly challenging for those who suffer from an eating disorder. When you have or are recovering from an eating disorder, having a structure, a routine, and permanent support and connection is extremely important to stay centered and sane. While they are necessary, the measures taken to prevent the spread of the virus—social distancing and the stay at home orders—can have a detrimental effect on those who struggle with food issues. Today's episode raises awareness about the challenges that the Coronavirus raises for people with eating disorders or anyone who struggles with food and body image; it also offers tools and resources to stay afloat amidst this situation. Our guest is Christie Dondero Bettwy. She’s the Executive Director for Rock Recovery, a Washington DC based nonprofit that does wonderful work helping people overcome disordered eating by combining clinical and community care. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Last week’s episode was all about giving you some concrete actions you can take to help ease the anxiety resulting from the generalized sense of lack of control. This week, we focus on the things you can be in charge of: Caring for your well-being by boosting your immune system. Our guest is Dr., Jodi Kanuer, Acupuncturist and owner of Bula Wellness in Alexandria, VA. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

We're in the midst of a pandemic. You may have stocked up on anti-bacterial, food (and toilet paper!). But, you still feel anxious and stressed. You're still trying to adjust to your new routine and it's hard not to feel panicked with the uncertainty that dominates the news. On The Big Life podcast, we want to help. This show will give you practical tips and guidance to stay sane and healthy as you navigate the Coronavirus pandemic. We want to help you think differently about caring for your mental and physical health in a moment where very little is within your control. On this episode of The Big Life, Sam Attard—founder of Spiro Collective—shares her top three actions to manage anxiety and stress. In the second half of the show we include a calming guided meditation that you can listen to on the go. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

What is health for you? Some people think, “it’s eating an apple instead of chips when you’re hungry”; "having a healthy weight"'; or "having the willpower to eat salads when everyone else ate pizza". Our idea of how to be healthy and how to care for ourselves, has been hijacked by diet culture, which tells us that thin is better, riding off cravings is valuable, and working out a lot is desirable. We confuse our desire for weight-loss and beauty with our desire for health. Defining and living health in terms dictated by diet culture has serious physical, mental and emotional repercussions. Today's show is a invitation to reflect on how you define health, how diet/wellness culture might be affecting the way you practice self-care, and learn practical tools to practice body kindness. Our guest is Rebecca Scritchfield, a well-being coach, registered dietitian nutritionist, and certified health and fitness specialist and the author of the book, Body Kindness. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

In today’s show we’ll be exploring how to navigate work and life in a way that feels aligned with your values and goals-- and doesn’t lead to burnout. This is a key component of the work that I do. There is a lot of talk about work-life balance, but I don’t think we should look at it this this way. It can set a negative tone and lead to feelings of failure. Instead, I challenge my clients to think about harmony--the idea that different parts of our lives can exist together without destroying one another. Our guest is Arlington County Board member, Katie Cristol. As a public servant, wife and new mom there is no denying her life is pretty full. So, I thought it would be great to talk about what motivated her to get into politics, what it takes to succeed in this arena, how she manages stress and how she works on finding harmony between her career and personal life. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Let's be honest. It’s very hard not to find our sense of worth in our professional success, our weight, our wealth, our how healthy we eat. The rise of social media allows us to compare ourselves with millions of people around the globe, which doesn’t contribute to this reality. When our sense of self-worth is exclusively tied to our job, our looks or how healthy we eat, we’re in trouble. This is at the root of stress, burnout, anxiety and depression. Today’s show is an invitation to reflect upon the importance of self-worth and whether we’re finding it in places that benefit our physical, mental and emotional health. Our guest is Leah Judson, a talented photographer based in Washington D.C. and the founder of BEHOLD.HER, which unites multigenerational women by designing immersive events that gently nudge women to step away from their comfort zones, develop self-worth, and build new relationships. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.

Seven out 10 DC locals are single, the highest percentage of singles in the country. DC is a good proxy for the modern urban dating culture, which seems to be a source of stress for many adults. Why is it so hard to date today? Are major cities’ transient and overachieving nature part of the explanation? What is the role of technology and online dating on how we build relationships? How are authentic connections important for our overall well-being? We answer these questions and more with today’s guest Renata Sandoval, a professional matchmaker and a couples relations expert with It's Just Lunch D.C. Powered and distributed by Simplecast.