Taking the Middle Seat next to Tara Jones

On Episode 27, I’m talking to Tara Jones, owner of Your Pretty Pennies (Tara on Facebook and Instagram). She is a financial success coach, entrepreneur, and single mom. You will hear her tell her powerful story of “pressing the reset button.” Honestly, I’ve never identified with a financial planner or financial coach of any kind. Taking the middle seat next to super organized, planner, dollars and cents types has me quaking in my boots! Tara is on a whole different level. She reaches out to everyone’s soul and speaks a language that makes sense for everyone to beautify their lives in their own unique way.

Tara has so many services you’ll want to check out. She has published the Ultimate Financial Planner, a customizable 12 month planner. She coaches at the Financial Reset Online Academy, a comprehensive online curriculum to “Demolish Debt. Master Your Money. Create Financial Freedom.” She also provides 1-on-1 coaching if you are getting serious about manifesting the financial life you want. Tara is a sought after speaker including my personal favorite, Young Money: 5 Things to do with a Paycheck, a workshop for teens. You guys! Can you imagine if you had that workshop as a teenager!??!! How awesome!

She’s also hosting an event coming up really SOON, January 5! Its called The Ultimate Financial Vision Board Workshop. I’m going to be there and I want you to be there too! I am absolutely certain Tara will help you start your 2019 with a clear vision and plan. I have never made a vision board (or a budget… shhh) so I am totally geeked to be treating myself to this gift. Sign up at the link above!

Tara’s favorite things include her black boots from H&M. These are some cute ones I found. In a recent video Tara also rocks a faux leather skirt and that looks a lot like this and it is one of my favorite things. I’m telling you right now. She also loves the Cranberry Woods candle from Bath & Body Works. She also loves homemaking including ironing and loading the dishwasher. And she’s a huge advocate for therapy for everyone!

I know that Tara is going to be the voice in your head calling you higher in 2019. She is incredible. So dance and sashay into 2019 with this episode playing and remember to take the middle seat! I know you’ll find your very own magic and purpose right there waiting for you.

Taking the Middle Seat next to Topsie VandenBosch

On Episode 24, I’m talking to Topsie VandenBosch, a business mindset coach for female entrepreneurs. (Topsie on Facebook and Instagram) She is a private practice therapist and entrepreneur. And she is a firecracker and motivator. I could not love her more! I love how she speaks truth and encouragement to get us out of our stuck spaces.

Topsie’s tips for maintaining a great mindset heading into the holiday season:

1. Remember that you will be ok no matter the season. Keep a mindset centered on abundance and not fear.

2. Recognize that it is ok to slow down. You don’t have to keep up with the hustle and bustle that is around you. You don’t have to!

3. Remember it is ok to NOT buy all of the things. Stay within your means.

Topsie’s tips for maintaining boundaries at the holiday season:

1. Don’t spend time with people who drain you (or limit your time) even if they’re family.

2. Recognize that every time you say yes to something, you’re saying no to something else. Don’t say yes out of obligation.

Topsie mentions Side Hustle Pro podcast. If you have a little baby side hustle and want some encouragement, it just might be for you. I’ve also found a lot of encouragement through GR Boss Babes and Grand Rapids Women Who, local GR groups of rad women. Don’t hate on social media. It can be a source of connection if you do it right.

If you need more Topsie-on-a-podcast-fun, be sure to catch her on Balanced Bites episode 374.

Topsie’s favorite things include an iced matcha green tea latte with almond milk from Starbucks (I *heart* her specificity here), The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F**k by Mark Manson, The Haunting of Hill House on Netflix (I’m going to take her word on this. Horror - EEEK!), My Favorite Murder podcast (we’re going to the live show together!!!!), Jenna Kutcher’s podcast, and Skinny Confidential podcast. Topsie also treats herself to cold-pressed juices because they’re so freaking delicious. She loves Bodhi Tree Juice Co. and Malamiah Juice Bar.

Go take that middle seat all holiday season long!

Taking the Middle Seat next to The Nourish to Flourish Society

On Episode 18 of Taking the Middle Seat, I'm talking to Angelle Batten and Jill Tanis, co-founders of The Nourish to Flourish Society which is "a place where women fall in love with nourishing mind, body and spirit with simple soulful self care practices, delicious food and a supportive community" (from The Nourish to Flourish Society website).  

Jill and Angelle describe themselves as life coaches for women with an expertise in health.  I am not kidding when I say that I LOVE the space they have created for women to thrive.  Check out the 14 Day Fall Reset!!  I promise you will love it.

Jill and Angelle are hosting an upcoming event called Soiree on September 26.  I know it will be nourishing and beautiful and worth every cent.  Grab you buddies and go!

I talked about how I found The Nourish to Flourish Society through my friend Shari Meyering who is an ambassador for Noonday Collection.  You'll find some of my favorite big earrings from Noonday here.

Angelle and Jill   s h o w e d  u p   with some incredible favorites!

Jill's Faves: Practicing sabbath (here's a book on sabbath by Wayne Muller), Slow Down Diet, jasmine green tea, Lake Michigan, Grocer's Daughter Chocolates, OXO good grips Y peeler, Vitamix, Cutco chef knife, microplane, Young Living, Barbara Brown Taylor, Rob Bell's Robcast.

Angelle's Faves: Bark Thins, Autumn's Gold grain free granola, water pillow, Car Talk episodes, Grace & Frankie on Netflix, The Book of She.

I was not prepared when they asked me about MY favorite things but now that I think about it...  I have a favorite vegetable peeler that I won in a white elephant gift exchange and I just ordered these earrings from Noonday.  Favorite things for the win! 

I'll be back soon!  Until then, take the middle seat.  You'll love what happens.

Taking the Middle Seat next to Megan Seeley

On episode 16 of Taking the Middle Seat, I'm talking to Megan Seeley, owner of The Goal Designer.  She does Planner Matching and 1 on 1 coaching.  She also runs a rad Facebook group called Moms Reclaiming Their Time Guilt-Free.  She was inspired to create all of this after a very hard season when she had a baby and was diagnosed with a chronic illness, Grave's Disease.  She now encourages moms as an anti-productivity coach.  Isn't that awesome!  

I would definitely encourage you to take Megan's Planner Quiz!  She'll give you some great ideas on what to look for in a planner that fits your lifestyle.

The planner that Megan uses is The Simplified Planner from Emily Ley.  I'm doing a planner match session with Megan really soon so I'll let you know which one I pick!

Megan talks about her favorite self care is doing lots of things she loves all-at-the-same-time.  One of the things she loves is Lush bath bombs.  A locally made bath bomb soap maker I love is Maggie Ann Soap Co.  

Megan loves true crime.  She is my people.  Best true crime podcast of all time... My Favorite Murder.  SSDGM!

She also loves the Courage and Clarity Podcast with Steph Crowder.  Megan was on that podcast on this episode.

Her other loves... cozy mysteries, author Karen McInerney and Hallmark Movies and Mysteries channel. 

I'll be back soon to explore the magic in the middle seat.